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HISTORY 

Northumberland  County. 

» —   

PENNSYLVANIA, 


ITS    ABORIGINAL    HISTORt;     THE    COLONIAL    AND     REVOLUTIONARY 
PERIODS;  EARLY  SETTLEMENT  AND  SLBSEQUENT  GRuWTH;  POLITICAL 
ORGANIZATION;    AGRICULTURAL,  MINING,  AND  MANUFACTURING 
INTERESTS;    INTE^RNAL    IMPROVEMENTS;    RELIGIOUS,  EDUCA- 
TIONAL,   SOCIAL,   AND    MILITARY    HISTORY;    SKETCHES 
OF     ITS    BOROUGHS,     VILLAGES,    AND    TOWNSHIPS; 
PORTRAITS     AND     BIOGRAPHIES     OF     PIONEERS 
AND    REPRESENTATn'E    CITIZENS,    ETC.,    ETC. 


HERBERT    C.   BELL. 


ILLUSTRATED. 


CHICAGO.    ILL.  : 

BROWN,   RUNK  &  CO.,    PUBLISHERS. 


119S514 

PREFACE. 


NO  county  of  intprior  Pennsylvania  possesses  a  greater  degree  of  historic 
interest  than  Northumberland.  Shamokin,  one  of  the  most  impor- 
tant Indian  towns  in  the  State,  was  situated  within  its  present  limits,  and 
here,  at  the  couHuence  of  the  North  and  West  Branches  of  the  Susquehanna. 
Fort  Augusta  was  erected  for  the  defense  of  the  Province  in  the  French  and 
Indian  war.  This  region  was  constantly  harassed  by  hostile  savages  during 
the  Revolutionary  period;  no  part  of  the  Pennsylvania  frontier  suffered  more 
from  their  incursions,  as  "The  Great  Runaway."  the  fall  of  Fort  Freeland. 
and  munerous  lesser  calamities  abundantly  testify.  Organized  in  1772,  the 
county  once  extended  from  the  Lehigh  river  to  the  Allegheny,  with  the  New 
York  line  as  its  northern  boundary,  embracing  more  than  one  third  the  area 
of  the  State,  and  with  eminent  jiropriety  it  has  been  called  '•  The  Mother  of 
Counties." 

The  physical  features  of  the  county — its  aKjriginal  history,  and  the  con- 
test for  possession  of  its  soil — the  military  movements  upon  its  territory  in 
the  Colonial  and  Revolutionarj-  periods — the  gradual  progress  of  its  early 
settlement,  with  the  customs  and  characteristics  of  pioneer  life — its  civil 
organization  and  administration — its  material  resources  in  soil  and  mineral 
treasures,  and  industrial  activity  in  the  past  and  present — the  part  taken  by 
its  citizens  in  the  Revolution,  the  war  of  1812.  and  the  civil  war — the  educa- 
tional and  religious  interests  of  the  community,  with  biographical  mention  of 
many  of  its  citizens,  are  included  in  the  plan  of  this  work,  and  have  been 
treated  with  such  fairness  as  its  comprehensive  character  would  permit. 

Herbert  C.  Bell,  of  Leitersburg,  Maryland,  is  the  author  of  the  general 
history  (Chapters  X  and  XI  excepted).  The  editorial  supervision  of  the 
work  was  intrusted  to  Mr.  Bell,  whose  thoroughness  and  accuracy  in  histor- 
ical research  and  narration  have  been  acquired  by  a  varied  experience  in  this 
department  of  literary  effort.  In  this  responsible  position  he  received  the 
assistance  and  co-operation  of  the  publishers,  whose  long  connection  with  the 
business  has  made  them  familiar  with  all  the  details  of  local  historical  work. 

The  Shamokin  coal  field  and  its  development  (Chapters  X  and  XI)  have 
been  treated  by  Dr.  J.  J.  John,  of  Shamokin.  In  these  chapters  the  history 
of  the  mining  industry  in  Northiunberland  county  is  presented  to  the  public 


IV  PREFACE. 

in  a  connected  narrati%-e  for  the  first  time.  Doctor  John's  long  residence  in 
the  coal  region  and  intimate  acquaintance  with  the  subject  of  which  he 
writes  are  ample  guaranty  of  the  thorough  execution  of  his  work. 

An  important  feature  of  the  publication  is  its  several  chapters  of  per- 
sonal and  family  biography,  the  data  for  which  were  obtained  from  those  to 
whom  they  relate  or  their  descendants;  and  in  order  to  insure  accuracy,  the 
matter  was  afterward  submitted  to  them  for  correction. 

It  would  be  impossible  to  mention  here  everj"  one  who  has  rendered  valu- 
able aid  in  the  preparation  of  this  volume.  The  assistance  given  by  Dr.  E. 
H.  Awl,  John  B.  Packer,  W.  I.  Greenough,  S.  P.  Wolverton,  and  H.  B.  Mas- 
ser,  of  Sunbury,  Dr.  J.  J.  John,  of  Shamokin,  and  the  late  John  F.  Wol- 
finger,  of  Milton,  is,  however,  worthy  of  special  notice.  Appropriate  ac- 
knowledgments are  due  and  gladly  tendered  to  the  public  press  of  the  county 
for  access  to  newspaper  files,  and  words  of  encouragement;  to  county  and 
borough  oflicials  for  courtesies  shown:  to  the  descendants  of  the  pioneers  in 
ever}-  locahty  for  information  furnished;  to  attorneys,  physicians,  and  other 
professional  men;  to  the  pastors  of  churches;  to  the  leading  spirits  in  various 
societies;  to  the  o^vners  and  managers  of  manufacturing  and  other  business 
establishments;  to  those  enterprising  citizens  who  gave  us  their  patronage, 
and  without  whose  support  we  could  not  have  succeeded;  and  in  general  to 
every  one  who  has  contributed  in  any  manner  to  the  success  of  the  work. 

Neither  time  nor  money  nor  labor  has  been  spared  to  make  this  volume 
an  authentic  and  reliable  source  of  information  concerning  the  early  history 
and  material  development  of  the  county,  and  the  various  commercial,  social, 
and  religious  activities  of  its  people.  We  take  pride  in  the  knowledge  that 
we  have  redeemed  our  promises,  and  furnished  our  patrons  a  work  which 
every  intelligent  citizen  can  justly  aj)preciate. 

Brown,  Rink  \  Co. 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  I. 

THE  COLONIAL  PERIOD. 

General  Topo;:raphy — Drainage — First  Exploration  of  the  Su.^quelianna — Indian  Trities 
—The  Susiiuehann.'cl^s— The  Delaware.^;— AUumapees— The  Shawanese— The  Iro- 
quoii—Shikellimy— Indian  Traders— Cuurad  Weiser— Missionary  Effort 17-4i 

CHAPTER  II. 

THE  COLONIAL  PERIOD  (Cucludcd). 

Purchase  of  the  Susquehanna — Alienation  of  the  Delaware  Indians — Hostilities  Inaui^u- 
rated — Rumors  of  French  Invasion — Defensive  Measures  Adopted — The  Augusta 
Resiment  Or^:anized  to  Build  a  Fort  at  Shamokiu — Procrress  of  the  E.xpedition — 
Construction  of  Fort  Augusta— Principal  Events  of  Colonel  Clapham's  Administra- 
tion—Extracts and  Incidents  from  Major  Bard's  Journal — Subsequent  Commanding 
Officers— The  Magazine  and  Indian  Store— Operations  in  1703 — Strength  of  the  Gar- 
rison and  Armament — The  Flag — Doctors  and  Chaplains — Plan  and  Description  of 
the  Fort— Close  of  the  French  and  Indian  War— Purchase  of  176S— Early  Surveys- 
Lists  of  Pioneers— Fithian's  Journal—The  Yankee  and  Pennamite  War i2-'JS 

CHAPTER  III. 

THE  REVOLUTIUNARY    PERIOD. 

Close  of  the  Provincial  Regime — The  County's  Representation  in  the  Continental  Army 
—Companies  of  Captains  Lowdou,  Parr,  and  Weitzel— Twelfth  Pennsylvania  Regi- 
ment—Committee of  Safety— Militia  Organization — Indian  Outrages— Defensive 
Measures  Instituted  by  Colonel  Hunter—"  The  Great  Runaway  "—Colonel  Brodhead 
Temporarily  Stationed  on  the  Frontier — Colonel  Hartley's  Military  Administra- 
tion-Fall of  Fort  Freeland— The  German  Regiment— General  Potter's  Expedition- 
Events  of  17S1-^S2— Colonel  Hunter's  Accounts 9'.i-14-J 

CHAPTER  IV. 

ORGANIZ.VTION  AND  ADMINISTRATION. 

Erection  of  Northumberland  County— Disintegration  of  its  Territory— Present  Bound- 
aries—Internal Subdivision— Original  Townships — Formation  of  Present  Subdivis- 
ions-Statistics of  Population— Public  Buildings— Early  Fiscal  Affairs— Inaugura- 
tion of  the  Public  School  System— Roster  of  County  Oflicers— Representation  in 
Constitutional  Conventions,  etc.— Legislative  Representation- Early  Township  Of- 
ficers  142-11)8 


K.   H.  Awl— Bio-raphical   Sketches   of  Physi 

cians 

>>ucietie=-RustLT  uf  the  MecliL-al  Pr.j:\-5^ioii. 

.  .201- 

VI  CONTEXTS. 

CHAPTER  V. 

THE  BENXH  AXD  BAR. 

First  Courts  and  Cases— The  Quarter  Sessions— Early  Ailmiuistration  of  Pena!  Justice— 
The  Orphans'  Court— The  Common  Pleas— Rules  of  Court— The  Bench— Roster  of 
Justices— Bio^'raphical  Sketches  of  President  Judges- Associate  Judges- The  Bar  of 
the  Past  aud  Present— The  Supreme  Court 201-2iJO 

CHAPTER  VI. 

THE  MEDICAL  PROFESSION. 

List  of  Sunbury  Physicians,  by   Dr 
Throughout  the  County— Medic 

CHAPTER  VII. 

THE  PRESS. 

Journalism  at  Xorthumberland- Sunbury  Papers— The  Press  of  Milton— Shamokin 
Newspapers— Journals  of  Mt.  Carmel— McEwensville  and  Locust  Gap  Papers 2T3-2'.>-; 

CHAPTER    VIII. 

INTERNAL   IMPROVEMENTS. 

Relation  of  Hi-hways  of  Travel  to  Civilization— Public  Roads— The  Talpehocken 
Road— The  Old  Readini,'  Road— Early  County  Roads— Turnpikes  — River  Navi- 
scation— Canals— Railroads— Pennsylvania  —  Danville  and  Pottsville  —  Philadelphia 
and  Erie— Northern  Central— Sunbury,  Hazelton  and  Wilkesbarre— Sunbury  and 
Lewistown— Lewisburg  and  Tyrone— Philadelphia  aud  Readimr— Mine  Hill  aud 
Schuylkill  Haven — Maliauoy  and  Shamokin — Enterprise — Shamokin  and  Trevorton — 
Trevorton,  Mahauoy  and  Susquehanna— Catawissa— Shamokin,  Sunbury  aud  Lewis- 
burg— Delaware,  Lackawanna  and  Western  —  Lehigli  Valley  — Wilkcrbarre  and 
Western •i'JT-SiS 

CHAPTER  IX 

AGRICULTURE. 

Preparation  of  Soils  the  Result  of  Remote  Rather  than  Immediate  Agency— Geological 
Structure— Anticlinals  and  Synclinals— Subdivisions  of  the  Paleozoic  System— Loca- 
tion and  Characteristics  of  Each  Stratum— Development  of  the  Farmin:;  Industry- 
Condition  of  the  Farming  Interests  in  IMS— Agricultural  Societies 320-3415 

CHAPTER  X 

THE  SH.\M(»K1N  COAL  FIELD, 
in  nu.  .1.  J.  .loiiN. 
Importance  of  Coal— Its  Location— Names  of  the  Veins— Their  Position  and  Character- 
A  Walk  from  the  Weigh  Scale*  to  the  Cameron  Colliery— Ascent  of  the  Great  Culm 
Bank— .V  Talk  with  the  Inside  Foreman  About  the  Coal  Formation- Further  De- 
scription of  the  Sixteen  Veins  Found  lu  This  Region— A  Section  of  the  Mea5Urcs— 
Depth  of  the  Shamokin  Coal  Basin— A  Short  Description  of  the  Di-tricts  and 
Basins— Production  of  the  Three  DIstrict.s— Tlic  Question,  "  How  Long  Will  Our  Coal 
Supply  Last?"  An.swered 34T-357 


CHAPTER  XI. 

lEVELOPMENT  OF  THE  SIIAMoKIN  CiiAL  FIELD. 


Di  ji-ovcry  of  Anthracite  in  This  Roj^ion— First  Application  to  General  U^es— First  Sliamo- 
kin  Coal  Taken  to  Market — Opening  of  the  First  Mines  at  Shamokin.  Coal  Run,  and 
Trevurton— First  Coal  Shipments  Down  the  Susquehanna— SjH-culation  in  Coal 
Lands— The  Danville  and  Pottsville  Railroad— Pioneer  Coal  Operations— The  Dis- 
astrous Year  of  l!>i:3— Revival  of  ISoO-^Tudge  Helfenstein's  Developments— Orig- 
inal Coal  Breakers— Marshall's  Letter— Xew  Collieries  and  Outlets- Coal  Shipments 
to  Elmira  in  l>5o — Other  Collieries  Started  and  Breakers  Erected— Tonnage  of  This 
Region  for  the  Years  lSo7  and  ISS'J— Total  Production  for  the  Past  Fifty-one  Ycars.35S-3'.U 

CHAPTER  XII. 

WAR  OF  isi-,'. 

Mobilization  of  the  .Militia— Companies  of  Captains  Roliert  McGuigan.  U'illiam  McGuire, 
William  F.  Buyers,  and  Jacob  Hummel,  and  Lieutenant  Joseph  Dreibelbies .391-3'.i0 

CHAPTER    XIII. 

THE  CIVIL  WAR. 
State  of  Public  Sentiment  at  the  Outbreak  of  the  War— Mass  Meetings  and  Resolutions- 
The  Sanitary  Commission— Regimental  Sketches— Eleventh— Eighth— Thirty-fourth 
—Forty-sixth  — Forty-seventh— Fifty-first  — Fifty-third  — Eightietli- One  Hundred 
and  Twelfth— Fifty-eighth— One  Hundred  and  Thirty-first— One  Hundred  and  Fifty- 
second-Seventy. fourth— Militia  of  18i3i— Militia  of  l.Sii:3— Soldiers'  Monuments..  .3'.lO-H4 

CHAPTER  XIV. 

SL.NBL'UY. 
Tlie  Town  Plat— Early  Residents— Sunbury  in  ISOS— Reminiscences  of  Dr.  R.  H.  Awl- 
Prominent  .Merchants,  177:2 — IS.'jO— Early  Hotels— -Municipal  Organiz.Ui  ■»  and  Gov-  . 
ernment— Facilities  of  Travel  and  Transportation— Industrial  .\etivity— Banking 
Institutions— Gas,  Electric  Light,  and  Water  Companies— Local  Papers— The  Post- 
office — Secret  and  other  Societies— Educational  Interests — Churches — Cemeteries — 
Borough  of  East  Sunbnry 444-.514 

CHAPTER  XV. 

NORTHU.MBERLAND. 

The  Town  Plat— Early  History— Prominent  Early  Residents- Early  Merchants  and 
Hotels— The  Postotfice— Bridges,  Canals,  and  Railways— BoroUL'h  Orjanization  and 
Government — Industrial  .\ctivity — Schools — Local  Journalism— Secret  and  other 
Societies- Churches— Cemeteries .515-54.5 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

MILTO.N. 
Pioneer  History— The  Town  Plat— Inhabitants  from  1?01  to  I'^ii-— Taxablus  in  I-1-— 
Borou^rh  Goverument — The  Postotlice — Facilities  of  Travel  and  Trauspurtation — 
General  Business  Interests — Industries  of  the  Past  and  Present — Houds  and  Fires — 
Secret  and  Other  Societies— Churches— Sunday  Schools— Miscellaneous  Moral  and 
Humanitarian  Organizations- Educational  Interests— Local  Papers— Cemeteries. 545-.591 


VIII  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER  XVII. 

SHAMOKIN. 
Brief  of  Title— The  Town  Plat— Pioneers— Sbamokin  in  ISSi*— Subsequent  Growth  Sum- 
marized— The  First  Stores  and  Hotels — Early  Physicians  and  Lawyers — Municipal 
Orijanization  and  Government— The  Riot  of  187T— Facilities  of  Travel  and  Transpor- 
tation—The Shamokin  Coal  Trade — General  Industrial  Interests — The  Postoffice— 
Banks— Water,  Gas,  and  Electric  Light— Board  of  Trade— Secret  and  Other  Societies 
— The  Press— Churches— Educational  Interests— Cemeteries 591-655 

CHAPTEB  XVIII 

MT.  CARMEL. 
Old  Hotels— The  Town  Plat— First  Improvements  and  Subsequent  Growth— The  First 
Merchants,  Physicians,  and  Lawyers — The  Postoffice— Railroads — Municipal  Organi- 
zation and  Government— The  Mt.  Carmel  Coal  Trade- General  Industrial  Interests — 
Financial  Institutions— Water  and  Electric  LightCompauies— Secret  and  Other  Socie- 
ties—The Press— Schools— Churches— Cemeteries 655-676 

CHAPTER  XIX. 

WATSONTOWN. 
Pioneer  History— The  First  Surveys— Early  Industries,  Stores,  and  Hotels — The  Town 
Plat— Railroads— The  Postoffice— Manufacturiuic,  Past  and  Present— Banks— Electric 
Liirht  and  Water  Companies— Borou^'h  Organization  and  Government — Secret  and 
Fraternal  Societies— Educational  and  Literary  Etfort- Churches— Watsoutown  Cem- 
etery  6TT-69i 

CHAPTER  XX. 

TURBUT  TOWNSHIl'. 
Erection  and   Orii^inal   Boundaries- Subilivisioii  luul   Present   Area— Pioneers— Mills— 
Churches— Schools— Cemeteries 69'i-(;9T 

CHAPTER  XXI. 

LTPER  AUGUSTA  TOWNSHIP. 
Erection  of  Augusta  Township  and  Development  of  its  Subseciucnt  Boundaries— Forma- 
tion  of    Upper   and    Lower   Augusta— Pioneers— Roads   and   Streams- Industries— 
Schools— Churches 6'.IS-T05 


CHAPTER  XXII 

i.owKR  aU(;lsta  Township.  ^ 

Territ(,rialDevelopment—Top..i.'raphy— Fisher's  Kcrry—Mill>— School.^— Churches T05-70T 

CHAPTER  XXIII. 

UPPER  MAHANOY  TOWNSHIP. 
Proceedings  for  the   Erection  of  Mahanoy  Township— Disintegration  of  Its  Territory- 
Organization  of  Upper  Mahanoy-Pione.rs— Hotels- Mills— Secret  Society— School.- 
— Churches 708-710 

CHAPTER  XXIV. 

LOWER  MAHANOY  TOWNSHIP 

Organlzation—Drainnge— Early  History  and  Present  UuMness  and  Industrial  Interests  of 

Georgetown— Malta— Iudu,tries— Schools— Churches 711-714 


CONTENTS.  IX 

CHAPTER  XXV. 

POINT  TOWNSHIP. 
Proceeding's  for  Its  Erection— First  Tc.wnsliip  Ollicers— Pioneers— Industries 714-TIi; 

CHAPTER  XXVI. 

CHILLISQL'AQCE   TOWNSHIP. 

Area  anJ  Topography — Ereetii'n  and  Suhdivision — Picmeer.^ — Industries — Pottsgrove — 

Monr.indon — Sodom — L'liillisLiuaiiue — Schools — Churches 71(>-T26 

CHAPTER  XXVII. 

SHAMOKIN  TOWNSHIP. 

Forniation  of  Ralplio  Township  and  Description  of  its  Original  Boundaries — Change  of 
Name  to  Shamokin — Physical  Features — Pioneers — Taxables  in  IT^J^ — Industries- 
Early  Settlement,  Present  Business,  and  Municipal  GoTernment  of  the  Bnrough  of 
Snydertown— Villages- Scbools- Churches T'itJ-T34 

CHAPTER  XXVIII.  • 

LITTLE  MAHANOV  TOWNSHIP. 
Boundaric- — Organization — Pioneers — Mills — Schouls— Churches 734-730 


CHAPTER  XXIX. 

RUSH  TOWNSHIP. 
Successive-  Movements  for  the  Division  of  Shamokin  Township — Forniation,  Origin  of 
Name,  and  First  Township   OtRcers   of    Rush— Pioneers— Industries— Rushtown— 
Schools — Churches 737-742 

CHAPTER  XXX. 

.JACKSON  TOWNSHIP. 
Original  Boundaries— Pioneers — Industries- Early    History  and  Growth  of  Herndon— 

Mahanoy—Sehools— Churches 743-74S 

CHAPTER  XXXI 

COAL  TOWNSHIP. 
Sugsrestiveness  of  the  Name — Organization — Streams  and  Roads — Industries — Villages — 
Coal  Poor  District- Churches 74tl-7.51 

CHAPTER   XXXII 

DELAWARE  TOWNSHIP. 
Organization  and  Boundaries— Pioneers— Early  Industries — Early  History,  Growth,  In- 
dustries, and  Borough  Organization  of  McEwensville — Dewart — Churches— Schools 
— Cemeteries 753-7M 

CHAPTER  XXXIII 

LEWIS  TOWNSHIP. 

Topographical  Features— Political  Organization— Freeland's  Mill— Settlement,  Growtli, 
Present  Business  Interests,  and  Municipal  Government  of  the  Boruugli  of  Turbut- 
ville— Churches— Schools— Turbutville  Cemetery 76.T-7C0 


X  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER  XXXIV. 

CAMERON  TOWN&HIP. 
Extf  ut— C)r2:anization— Draina^'c— Villa^i.-s  of  the  Past  aud  Present— ScliooU— Churches. 

CHAPTER  XXXV. 

JORDAN  TOWNSHIP. 

Erectiou  aud  Organizatiou  — Drainage —  Roads  —  Post-Vilhiires  —  ludustries  -Schools- 
Churches  772- 

CHAPTER  XXXVI. 

ZERBE  TOWNSHIP. 

Organizatiou  aud   Boundaries — Pioneers — Oriifiu,  Growth,  Present    Business  Interests, 
and  Secret  Societies  of  Trevortun- S.Ii.h.Is- Churches 777- 

CHAPTER  XXXVII 

MT.  CARMEL  TOWNSHIP. 
Orcanizatiou— Draina^'C  and  Roads— Collieries— Miuing  Villages— Churches 7S4- 

CHAPTER  XXXVIII. 

WASHINGTON  TOWNSHIP. 

Ori^'inal  Boundaries— First  Township  Officers— Pioneers— Industries— Rebuck— Schools 
— Churches 7S0- 

CHAPTER  XXXIX 

K(KKEKKLLEK  TOWNSHIP. 
Or^'anizationand  Boundaries— Drainage  and  Roads— Villages— Mills— Schools— Churches. 


CHAPTER   XL 

RALPHO  TOWNSHIP. 

Successive  Steps  In  the  Proceedings  by  Which  the  Township  was  Erected— Line  of  Divis- 
ion  from  Slianiokin— Drainage  and  Roads— Pioneers— Early  History,  Growth,  and 
Secret  Societies  of  Elysburg— Industries— Schoids-Cluirches 7n6-S(.)0 

CHAPTER  XLI. 

(lEARHART  TOWNSHIP. 

Erection  and  Oriranizntion- Tin'   Founding,  Growth,  and  Munlci|)al  Goreruincnt  of  the 

Borough  of  Riverside— South   Danville— Schools— Churclies-Ccmetery >S)()-.'«<.« 

CHAPTER  XLII 

BIOGRAPHICAI,  SKETCHES. 
Snnl.ury 804-SOO 


CHAPTER   XLIII. 

)l,i:ArilR'AL  SKKTellKS. 


CHAPTER  XLIV. 

BIOGUAl'lIICAL  SKETCHES. 


CHAPTER   XLV. 

BlnCKAPllICAL  SKETCHES. 
Mt.  Cirmel 10l:M(W17 

CHAPTER  XLVI. 

BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 
Watsontown lOOS-lOie 

CHAPTER  XL VII. 

BIOGKAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 
Northumbcrlaud  Borough  and  Point  T.iwn^bip 1W3-1100 

CHAPTER  XLVIII. 

BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 
Turbut  and  CbilliMiuaquo  Towusbips , 110t>-1141 

CHAPTER  XlilX. 

BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 
Lewis  and  Delaware  Towuships  and  Boroui,'li5  of  TnrbutvilU'  and  McEneusville. .  .1141-1100 

CHAPTER  L. 

BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 
Upper  Augusta,  Lower  Augusta,  and  Rockefeller  Townsbips UCO-llTo 

CHAPTER  LI. 

BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 
Sbamokin,  Ralpbo,  Rush,  aud  Gearliart  Townships,  and  Boroughs  of  Snydertown  and 
Riverside 117.5-1217 

CHAPTER  LII. 

BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

Zerbe  (Trevorton),  Cameron,  Little  Mahanoy,  Jackson,  Lower  Mabauoy,  Washington, 
Jordan,  and  Upper  Mahanoy  Townships 1217-12.3'J 


INDEX 1241-1250 


CONTENTS. 


ILLUSTRATIONS. 


Aucker,  R.  S.. 
Awl,  M.  D.,  R. 


Bellas,  Hugh 51 

Bittenbender,  Stephen I'.o 

Bolich,  Daniel  D U>27 

Brice,  Andrew  X -~'' 

Bruner,  Charles  J 1-45 

Bucher,  J.  Weiser ''-'3 

Buck,  Peter  E 91^ 

Camp,  David 104.3 

Carl,  John 10.>i 

Chester,  Holden S'>5 

Clement,  Ira  T 4:>0 


Diekermau,  Charles  H 5T7 

Dout y,  John  B SS3 

Elliott,  William •''iJ 


Fagely,  Reuben h  '■• 

Fagely,  William i:: 

Fairchild,  Abrara li"'.' 

Fairchild,  Solomon HIT 

Fulton,  Alexander ;>' 

Goodwill,  Robert iV> 

Graeber,  Conrad 3uT 

Greenough,  Ebenezer 0'.' 

Haas,  John 34-; 

Haas,  John  S lu'.'.- 

Haas,  M.  D.,  Joseph ICii 

Harvey,  Bernard 101- 

Heim,  A.  A 4-7 

Helm,  D .%4; 

Herb,  Edward  C 12<>: 

Hill,  GeorLje v>.' 

Hottenstclu,  Charles 1-1 

John,  J.J .5; '.5 

Jordan,  Alexander !'l 

KaufEman,  J.  R M7 

KcUuifher,  M • U«:; 

Koch,  Rev.  J.  Joseph CS: 


XAME.  PAGE. 

Koerber,  Henry 901 

Kremer,  Jacob ' 1061 

Kulp,  Darliujjton  R WO 

Leinbach,  J.  B 1153 

Llewellyn,  David 32.5 

Mahon,  Peter  A 02S 

ilarkle,   Martin 910 

Marshall,  William  H 301 

Martin,  M.  D.,  Charles  M oOT, 

Martin,  Hujjh 721 

Martz,  Solomon 1171 

MilIer,S.  M T57 

Morgan,  Harry  W 001 

Muench,  Jacob  E IISO 

Mulleu,  John 013 

Murray,  Samuel  Wilson 550 

McCarthy,  Francis 7S4 

McWilliams,  C.  Q 937 

Xewbaker,  M.  D.,  J.  B 775 

Oram,  W.  H.  M 451 

Packer,  John  B 100 

Packer,  SaiiuK-l  J 33 

Pardoe,  Joseph 1135 

Pollock,  James 073 

Purdy,T.H -.2.53 

Rambach,  Silas Cs5 

Robertson,  Andrew 370 

Rockefeller,  William  M -'17 

Rohrbach.  Lloyd  T Ml 

K  -ou,  George  W 4G'.i 

Shinier,  Samuel  J 5>0 

Speece,  A.  S Tu3 

Stahl.  George 1144 

Taggart,  James 307 

Vastiue,  Amos 73'.i 

Watkins.  M.  K GOT 

W.ilverlon,  Simon  P 23.5 


MISCELLAXEOrS. 

Colonel's  Quarler.s,  Fort  Augusta SI 

Fort  Augusta SO 

Map  of  Northumberland  County 14-15 


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Northumberland  County 


CIIAI'IKK    I. 

THE  COLONIAL  PERIOD. 

Gknkuai.  Toror.u.viMiy— Duaixage— Fikst  Exn.ouATitix  of  the  !>is(<rEiiASXA— 
IxDtAX  TitiiiEs— The  Sisqi-ehaxxocks— The  Dei.awaues— Ai.i.VMArEEs— The 
Shawaxesk — The    Ihixjtois — ^^niKEi.T.iNtv — Ixdiax  TuAnEits— CuxitAii  ^VEISEU 

—  MisMdXAUY    KkEoKT. 

A  COMPREHENSIVE  survey  of  the  tojiograpliy  of  Pennsylvania  dis- 
tinguislu's  three  general  divisions.  The  southeastern  section  of  the 
State,  a  region  of  wide,  fertile  valleys  and  irregular  hills,  forms  part  of  the 
Atlantic  coast  plain:  on  the  west  and  northwest  is  a  jjlateau  of  moderate 
elevation,  deeply  indented  by  numerous  watercourses;  while  a  section  of  the 
i;rtat  Ajipalachian  mountain  system,  averaging  about  fifty  miles  in  breadth 
with  a  maximum  length  of  two  hundred  thirty  miles,  comprises  tin-  inti-r- 
vening  territory. 

The  middle  division,  embracing  the  territory  to  which  this  work  es[)ecially 
relates,  is  situated  between  the  Allegheny  and  Kittatinny  ranges,  the  former 
on  the  north  and  west,  the  latter  on  the  south  and  east.  It  is  essentially  a 
mountainous  region.  On  the  east,  between  the  Lehigh  and  Delaware  rivers, 
is  the  Pocono  wilderness,  a  region  of  inaccessible  mountain  recesses,  prop- 
erly a  continuation  of  the  Catskills  and  possessing  many  of  their  rugged 
characteristics:  between  the  Lehigh  and  Susquehanna  and  traversed  by 
lx)th  is  the  anthracite  coal  region,  in  which  are  found  the  highest  altitudes 
of  the  State:  and  southwest  of  the  Sus(piehanna  is  the  Juniata  coimtry.  in 
many  places  a  liibyrinth  of  irregular  mountains. 

No  part  of  this  middle  belt  contrasts  more  strongly  with  its  general 
mountainous  character  than  the  valleys  of  the  Susipichaiina.  A  succession 
of    peculiarly   s}-mmetrical    ranges    distinguishes   the    Appalachian    system 


20  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

of  the  Western  Middle  coal  field  situated  in  this  county.  It  tinds  a  passage 
through  Little  mountain  at  the  gap  north  of  Shamokin  borough,  and  pur- 
sues a  northerly  course  as  the  mutual  boundary  of  Shamokin  and  Ealpho 
townships;  thence  it  deflects  to  the  west,  and  continues  a  meandering  course 
through  Shamokin  and  Upper  Augusta  to  the  Susquehanna  river  at  the 
southern  limit  of  the  borough  of  Sunbury.  Its  principal  affluent  is  Little 
Shamokin  creek,  which,  with  Plum  creek,  drains  Rockefeller  township.  Hol- 
lowing run  and  Boyle's  rujl  are  streams  of  local  importance  which  flow 
directly  into  the  Susquehanna  from  that  part  of  Lower  Augiista  township 
situated  between  the  Shamokin  hills  and  Little  mountain.  Mahanoy  creek 
rises  near  Delano,  Schuylkill  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  flows  westward 
through  the  Mahanoy  coal  basin  to  the  town  of  Ashland,  where  it  breaks 
through  the  Mahanoy  mountain.  From  this  point  its  course  is  nearly  due 
west,  with  little  deflection  through  the  townships  of  Cameron  and  Little 
Mahanoy;  from  the  latter  it  flows  throiigh  a  gap  in  Line  moimtain,  and 
thence,  by  a  very  circuitous  course  through  Jackson  township,  reaches  the 
Susquehanna  river  at  the  town  of  Herndon.  Its  only  affluents  of  impor- 
tance are  Zerbe  rim,  which  drains  the  extreme  western  part  of  the  Western 
Middle  coal  field  in  the  to\vnship  of  that  name,  and  Schwaben  or.  Greenbrier 
creek,  the  largest  stream  in  this  county  south  of  Line  mountain.  Fiddler's 
run  and  Stone  Valley  creek  empty  into  the  Susquehanna  from  Jackson  and 
Lower  Mahanoy  townships,  respectively,  and  Mahantango  creek,  which 
forms  the  southern  boundary  of  the  coimty,  receives  numerous  unimportant 
tributaries  from  its  territory. 

The  topography  of  the  coimty,  however  much  its  general  aspect  has 
been  modified  by  the  development  of  its  economic  resources,  has  not  changed 
in  any  essential  respect  since  the  region  comprised  within  its  limits  was  first 
jienetrated  by  the  influences  of  civilization.  No  upheaval  of  nature  has  inter- 
rupted the  ceaseless  flow  of  the  broad  rivers  that  course  majestically  through 
its  territory,  or  disturbed  the  mountains  and  hills  that  diversify  its  surface, 
with  the  streams  that  meander  at  their  bases  and  the  corresponding  succes- 
sion of  valley,  slope,  and  intervale.  It  is  not  difficult  to  revert,  in  imagina- 
tion, to  the  period  when  the  primeval  forest  covered  the  entire  country,  and 
a  different  race  of  people  held  sway  over  its  woods  and  waters;  and  thus  the 
foregoing  description  of  the  physical  features  of  the  county  forms  an  appro- 
priate introduction  to  its  early  history. 

The  first  exploration  of  the  Susquehanna  valley  was  made  in  1615-16  by 
Etienne  Brul^,  interpreter  to  Samuel  de  Champlain  and  one  of  the  two 
Frenchmen  who  accompanied  him  on  his  first  journey  to  Lake  Huron. 
Champlain  had  agreed  to  join  theHurons  in  an  expedition  against  the  Iro- 
quois; following  the  course  of  the  Ottawa  river  from  Montreal  to  its  source 
and  crossing  the  portage  to  Lake  Nipissing,  he  entered  Lake  Huron  by  the 
French  river,  coasted  along  the  eastern  shore  of  Georgian  bay  a  distance  of 


THE    COLONIAL    PERIOD.  21 

more  than  a  hundi-ed  miles,  and,  after  \"isiting  several  of  the  more  important 
Huron  towns,  arrived  at  Cahiagiie,  the  rendezvous  of  their  combined  forces, 
Aufnist  17,  1615.  There  it  was  learned  that  an  allied  tribe  occupying  terri- 
tory adjacent  to  the  Iroquois  south  of  the  Great  Lakes  had  promised  to  rein- 
force the  Hurons  with  five  hundred  warriors;  and,  in  response  to  this 
intelligence,  Etienne  Brul4,  at  his  own  solicitation,  was  sent  to  urge  them 
forward,  in  order  that  their  movements  might  harmonize  with  those  of  the 
general  body.  Twelve  Indians  accompanied  him;  they  crossed  Lake  Ontario 
and  made  their  way  in  safety  through  the  Iroquois  country  to  Carantouan.  a 
palisaded  to^vn  of  eight  hundred  warriors.  There  they  were  received  with 
every  evidence  of  friendliness  and  joy ;  the  departure  of  the  promised  rein- 
forcement was  delayed  by  these  demonstrations,  however,  and  before  they 
reached  the  Iroql^ois  town  the  Hurons  had  retired,  after  a  brief  biit  desultory 
siege  in  which  Champlain  sustained  a  severe  wound.  Brul6  thereupon  returned 
to  Carantouan,  '•  and,  with  enterprise  worthy  of  his  commander,  spent  the 
winter  in  a  tour  of  exploration.  Descending  a  river,  e-vidently  the  Susque- 
hanna, he  followed  it  to  its  junction  with  the  sea,  through  territories  of  pop- 
nlous  tribes  at  war  the  one  with  the  other."*  In  the  spring  of  1616  he  retraced 
his  course,  and,  arriving  at  Carantouan,  was  given  an  escort  to  guide  him 
toward  Canada.  The  route  again  lay  through  the  country  of  the  hostile 
Iroquois:  he  was  captured  and  narrowly  escaped  death  at  the  stake,  but  tinally 
reached  the  friendly  Hurons,  whom  he  accompanied  on  their  annual  descent 
to  Montreal.  There  he  again  met  Champlain;  three  years  had  elapsed  since 
they  parted  at  Cahiague,  and  during  that  period  Brul4  had  doubtless  traversed 
a  large  part  of  interior  Pennsylvania  and  New  York. 

The  Carantouans  are  identified  by  Parkman  as  the  xVndastes,  a  branch  of 
the  great  Algonqiiin  family.  At  the  beginning  of  the  seventeenth  century 
it  is  supposed  that  they  occupied  the  western  and  central  portions  of  Penn- 
sylvania, particularly  the  valleys  of  the  Allegheny  and  Susquehanna.  Like 
the  Hurons  of  Canada  and  the  Iroquois  of  New  York  they  fortified  their 
towns  and  gave  a  limited  degree  of  attention  to  agriculture,  and  in  numbers 
and  prowess  enjoyed  the  suj^eriority  among  the  surrounding  tribes  on  the 
east  and  south.  Captain  John  Smith's  exploration  of  Chesapeake  bay  in 
1608  first  brought  them  in  contact  with  the  English;  from  him  they  received 
the  tribal  designation  of  Susquehannocks,  by  which  they  were  generally 
known  in  their  intercourse  with  the  Maryland  provincial  authorities.  The 
Dutch,  who  formed  their  acquaintance  as  early  as  1615,  and  the  Swedes,  who 
settled  on  the  Delaware  in  1638,  called  them  Minquas. 

Between  this  tribe  and  the  Iroquois  an  intermittent  but  sanguinary  war 
was  waged.  For  many  years  it  was  without  positive  advantage  to  either  side, 
as  the  Iroquois,  althoxigh  the  stronger  party,  had  to  contend  with  the  Hurons 
as  well  as  the  Susquehannocks,  who  rendered  mutual  assistance  against  the 

*P;irkman's  Pioneers  of  France  in  tlie  New  World,  p.  37S. 


22  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

common  enemy.  This  is  shown  by  the  success  of  Brule's  mission;  and  on  a 
snbsequent  occasion  (1647),  the  Susquehannocks,  who  numljerecl  thirteen 
hundred  warriors  and  had  acquired  the  use  of  fire-arms,  again  offered  to  assist 
their  allies  beyond  the  Great  Lakes,  who  were  almost  exterminated  in  the 
wars  of  the  following  years.  This  enabled  the  Iroquois  to  concentrate  their 
entire  strength  against  the  Susquehannocks.  but  the  latter  were  assisted  by 
the  English  of  Maryland  and  the  Dutch  on  the  Delaware,  and  for  some  time 
the  scales  of  victory  inclined  in  their  favor.  On  the  Susquehanna  river  some 
fifty  miles  from  its  mouth,  they  had  a  fort,  defended  by  several  cannon 
mounted  in  European  style;  it  was  invested  in  1663  by  eight  hundred  Iro- 
quois warriors,  who  were  repulsed  with  great  loss.  But  misfortune  and  dis- 
aster at  length  succeeded  victory  and  success;  reduced  in  numbers  by  the 
ravages  of  disease  and  deserted  by  their  former  European  allies,  the  Sus- 
quehannocks were  almost  annihilated  in  1675.  Some  of  the  survivors  were 
taken  to  Now  York  and  adopted  by  their  captors;  the  remainder  located  on 
the  Potomac  river  at  the  western  confines  of  Maryland,  but  afterward  retiirned 
to  their  former  territory  and  obtained  a  reservation  on  the  Conestoga  creek 
in  Lancaster  cotmty.  From  that  time  they  were  called  Conestoga  Indians ; 
many  of  them  had  embraced  the  Moravian  faith  and  were  making  fair  prog- 
ress in  civilization,  when,  on  the  27th  of  December,  1763,  having  taken 
refuge  in  the  old  jail  at  Lancaster,  they  were  attacked  by  the  Paxtang 
Kangers  and  killed  without  the  opportunity  of  defending  themselves.  And 
thus  the  Andastes,  once  the  most  powerful  Indian  nation  in  Pennsylvania, 
finally  became  extinct. 

The  Delawares  were  also  a  branch  of  the  Algonquin  family.  In  their 
o%vn  language  they  called  themselves  the  Lenni  Lenape  (original  people). 
Their  traditions  have  probably  been  preserved,  through  the  Moravian  mis- 
sionaries who  labored  among  them,  with  greater  distinctness  than  those  of 
any  other  of  the  Pennsylvania  tribes.  According  to  the  legend,  their 
ancestors  formerly  dwelt  far  to  the  west,  presumably  upon  the  shores  of  the 
Pacific  ocean,  but  migrated  eastwardly  and  at  length  reached  the  Namoesi 
Sipu  (Mississippi  river).  There  they  met  another  powerful  nation,  the 
Mengwe  (Iroquois),  who  had  likewise  come  from  a  distant  region.  East  of 
the  Namoesi  Sipu  the  country  was  occupied  by  the  AUegewi,  a  people 
whose  towns  were  defended  by  earthworks;  permission  to  pass  through 
their  confines  was  obtained,  but  after  a  part  of  the  Lenape  had  crossed  the 
river  the  AUegewi  attacked  them,  thus  provoking  a  protracted  struggle  in 
which  the  Mengwe  and  Lenape  united  their  forces,  expelled  the  AUegewi, 
and  apportioned  their  former  territory  among  themselves,  the  Mengwe 
receiving  the  region  about  the  Great  Lakes  and  the  Lenape  the  Ohio  valley. 
At  length  their  hunters  penetrated  the  country  east  of  the  Allegheny 
mountains  and  thither  they  again  migrated,  occupying  the  same  relative 
positions  as  before.     The  legend  doubtless  possesses  many  elements  of  truth- 


THE   COLONIAL   PEKIOD.  23 

Xlie  territory  of  the  Delaware;  extended  along  the  Atlantic  coast  from 
tip-  Hudson  river  to  Chesapeake  bay.  There  were  three  principal  clans, 
viz  •  the  Turtle  or  Unamis,  the  Turkey  or  Tnalachtgo,  and  the  Wolf  or 
Miu-^i.  while  their  great  council  seat  was  at  the  Minisink,  a  locality  on  the 
Delaware  river  in  Monroe  county.  Pennsylvania.  At  the  time  they  first 
i-aiue  in  contact  with  the  Dutch  the  Delawares  were  a  numerous  and 
powerful  tribe,  and  had  long  waged  a  successful  war  against  thejroquois. 
Accordino-  to  their  accounts,  this  was  terminated,  in  1617  by  a  treaty  at 
Albany,  New  York,  whereby  they  agreed  to  devote  themselves  to  peaceful 
i)ursuits  in  the  interest  of  general  harmony  among  the  various  Indian  tribes. 
.v.-  i>art  of  this  comjiact  they  were  to  receive  tlie  protection  of  the  Iroquois, 
but  the  latter  also  arrogated  over  them  the  right  of  command;  this  provoked 
another  war,  for  which,  having  laid  aside  their  arms,  the  Delawares  were 
uajirepared,  and,  being  unable  to  defend  themselves,  they  were  easily 
reduced  to  the  position  of  a  tributary  tribe.  The  Iroquois,  on  the  other 
hand,  asserted  that  their  contest  had  been  achieved  by  fair  war,  and  denied 
the  machinations  alleged  against  them.  "Whatever  may  have  been  the 
means  by  which  their  subjugation  was  effected,  the  Delawares  could  not 
denv  the  fact;  and  although  they  'lid  not.  like  other  conquered  tribes, 
furnish  recruits  to  the  Iroquois  in  prosecuting  their  wars,  a  tribute  was 
rendered  in  token  of  continued  submission. 

Mlumapees  was  the  first  Indian  chief  and  only  Delaware  king  who  resided 
within  the  present  limits  of  Xorthrmiberland  county  at  the  period  to  which 
accurate  information  relates.  He  first  appears  in  public  affairs  under  the 
name  of  Sassoonan.  He  was  a  chief  of  his  nation  as  early  as  1709,  when  he 
appeared  at  Philadelphia  with  several  others,  "chiefs  of  the  Delaware  Indians 
settled  at  Paxtang  above  Conestoga  and  other  adjacent  places"  on  the  Susque- 
hanna river.  In  1712  he  made  a  visit  to  the  Five  Nations  with  the  tribute 
from  his  tribe  and  a  present  from  the  Governor  of  Pennsylvania,  for  whom 
he  brought  a  present  from  the  Iroquois  confederacy  on  his  return.  In  1715, 
with  others  of  his  tribe,  he  had  a  conference  with  the  pro\-incial  authorities 
at  Philadelphia,  and  in  a  speech  on  that  occasion  referred  to  "their  late  king, 
Scollitchy  ;"  it  is  probable  that  the  latter  was  the  immediate  successor  of  the 
renowned  Tammany,  and  that  after  his  death  Alliunapees  assumed  the  regal 
prerogatives.  In  the  general  release  of  1718  he  is  styled  "King  of  the 
Delaware  Indians."  It  is  supposed  that  at  that  time  he  resided  on  the  Dela- 
ware river,  from  whence  he  removed  to  Shamokin,  an  Indian  town  at  the 
site  of  Sunburj';  there  he  lived  among  the  ^ilinsi,  the  most  belligerent  of  the 
Lenape  clans,  who,  after  the  exptikion  of  the  Andastes,  had  occupied  that 
part  of  their  former  territory  between  the  Kittatinny  mountains  and  the 
sources  of  the  Susquehanna. 

For  some  years  after  this  he  does  not  appear  to  have  had  much  inter- 
course with  the  provincial  authorities,  doubtless  on  account  of  the  remoteness 


24  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

of  his  residence.  In  172S  he  was  interviewed  by  James  Le  Tort  regarding 
a  rumored  Indian  conspiracy;  from  that  time  he  is  generally  referred  to  by 
the  name  of  AIlimiajDees,  although  that  of  Sassoonan  was  also  retained  to 
the  close  of  his  life.  On  the  4th  and  5th  of  June,  1728,  he  was  in  confer- 
ence with  the  Governor  and  Council  regarding  the  Tulpehocken  lands;  he 
also  visited  then  on  the  10th  of  October  of  the  same  year.  In  1731,  while 
in  a  state  of  intoxication,  he  killed  his  nephew,  Shakatawlin;  about  the  same 
time.  Opekasset,  another  nephew  and  a  chief  among  the  Delawares  for  some 
years,  also  died.  Under  the  weight  of  this  double  affliction  his  grief  was 
such  that  ''it  was  like  to  cost  him  his  life,"  as  he  "forbore  taking  necessary 
food"  The  Governor  accordingly  invited  him  to  Philadelphia,  where  he 
spent  several  days  in  August,  1731.  He  was  again  in  that  city,  August 
2()-"21,  1736,  and  October  3-4, 1738,  and  on  both  occasions  met  the  Proprietor, 
Thomas  Penn.  At  a  conference  on  the  1st  of  August.  1740,  he  said  that  he 
had  come  '"from  Allegheny,  a  long  way  off,"  where  he  had  been  to  hunt. 
The  last  treaty  he  attended  was  that  of  July,  1742,  but  it  does  not  appear 
that  he  took  any  active  part  in  the  proceedings.  In  1744  he  had  a  long 
sickness,  but  recovered,  nothwithstanding  his  age.  Spangenberg  wrote, 
under  date  of  June  4,  1745:  "He  is  very  old,  almost  blind,  and  very  poor, 
but  withal  has  still  power  over  and  is  beloved  by  his  people,  and  is  a  friend 
of  the  English."  And  on  the  20th  of  July,  1747,  Conrad  Weiser  wrote: 
••  Alliunapees  would  have  resigned  his  crown  before  now,  but  as  he  had  the 
keeping  of  the  public  treasure  (that  is  to  say,  the  council  bag),  consisting  of 
belts  of  wampum,  for  which  he  buys  liquor,  and  has  been  drunk  for  this 
two  or  three  years  almost  constantly,  and  it  is  thought  he  won't  die  so  long 
as  there  is  one  single  wampum  left  in  the  bag."  In  the  following  Septem- 
ber Weiser  informed  the  Governor  that  he  understood  Allumapees  was  dead, 
but  could  not  be  sure  of  it;  on  the  15th  of  October  he  wrote:  '"Allumapees  is 
dead."  The  Delawares  were  a  tributary  people  when  he  became  their  king; 
he  appears  to  have  accepted  the  situation  as  he  foimd  it,  making  no  effort  to 
recover  their  former  standing  as  a  nation.  He  enjoyed,  and  doubtless  merited, 
the  confidence  of  the  English,  and  was  an  ardent  promoter  of  peaceft;!  rela- 
tions between  them  and  his  people.  One  of  his  granddaughters  was  the  first 
wife  of  Andrew  Montour;  her  son,  Jolm  Montour,  served  under  General 
Daniel  Brodhead  in  the  West  during  the  Eevolution  with  the  rank  of  captain.f 
The  Shawanese  were  of  southern  origin.  At  a  conference  with  the  chiefs 
of  the  Six  Nations,  Augiist  26,  1732,  the  provincial  authorities  informed  them 
"  that  the  Shawanese,  who  were  settled  to  the  southward,  being  made  uneasy 
by  their  neighbors,  about  sixty  families  of  them  came  up  to  Conestoga  about 

+  This  sketch  has  been  principally  derived  from  the  minutes  and  correspondence  of  Council; 
further  particulars  may  be  obtained  by  reference  to  the  followins:  Colonial  Itecords,  Vol.  II.  pp.  4G0, 
««,  KT,  5o9-3«l ;  III.  pp.  20G,  3CM,  315,  310-3'.'G,  SH-337,  403-400,  506;  IV.  pp.  53-JC,  307-311,  432-4*4,443- 
447, 5S5. 742;  V.  p.  13.S;  VII.  p.  93.    Pennsylvania  Archives,  Vol.  I.  pp.  214, 2-JO,  222,  224,  223,  344-345,  WD, 


THE    COLONIAL    PERIOD.  25 

thirtv-dve  years  since  and  desired  leave  of  the  Susquehanna  Indians,  who 
were  phinted  there,  to  settle  on  that  river;  that  those  Susquehanna  Indians 
applied  to  their  government  that  they  might  accordingly  settle,  and  they 
would  become  answerable  for  their  good  behavior;  that  our  late  Projirietor 
arriving  soon  after,  the  chiefs  of  the  Shawanese  and  of  the  Susquehannas 
came  to  Philadelphia  and  renewed  their  application;  that  the  Proprietor 
agreed  to  their  settlement,  and  the  Shawanese  thereupon  came  under  the 
protection  of  this  government ;  that  from  that  time  greater  numbers  of  the 
same  Indians  followed  them  and  settled  on  Susquehanna  and  Delaware." 
They  appear  to  have  occupied  the  upper  Susquehanna  valley  in  common 
with  the  Delawares.  both  being  under  the  suzerainty  of  the  Six  Nations.  It 
is  thought  that  they  had  a  town  at  the  mouth  of  Chillisquaque  creek.  Con- 
rad Weiser  was  ferried  across  that  stream  by  an  old  Shawane.  Jenoniawano 
by  name,  on  his  journey  to  Onondaga  iu  1737;  Bishop  Spangenberg  calls 
it  Shawane  creek  in  the  jotirnal  of  his  visit  to  Onondaga  in  1745.  and  men- 
tions passing  "  the  site  of  the  toNvn  that  formerly  stood  there.'"  The  tribe 
was  migratory  in  its  tendencies,  and,  with  no  certain  tenure  to  the  lands  it 
occupied  in  central  Pennsylvania,  gravitated  to  the  westward,  locating  on 
the  Allegheny  and  Ohio  rivers.  Fearing  that  it  might  be  won  over  to  the 
French  interest  the  provincial  authorities  sought  to  induce  a  return  but 
without  avail. 

The  Iroquois,  although  not  the  actual  occupants  of  any  part  of  Penn- 
sylvania, played  an  important  part  in  its  history  throughoiit  the  colonial 
and  Revolutionary  periods.  They  inhabited  the  fertile  region  south  of 
Lake  Ontario  and  about  the  headwaters  of  the  Hudson,  the  Delaware,  the 
Susquehanna,  and  the  Allegheny  rivers,  including  the  valley  of  the  Mohawk 
on  the  east  and  that  of  the  Genesee  on  the  west.  Five  tribes,  the  Senecas, 
Onondagas,  Oneidas,  Cayugas,  and  Mohawks,  originally  constituted  the 
confederacy,  whence  they  were  called  the  Five  Nations;  a  sixth,  the  Tus- 
caroras,  was  admitted  about  the  year  1712,  and  after  that  they  were  known 
as  the  Six  Nations.  Each  tribe  exercised  exclusive  jurisdiction  in  purely 
domestic  affairs,  while  matters  concerning  the  nation  as  a  whole  were 
determined  by  the  great  council  at  Onondaga.  This  was  the  center  of  their 
power,  which  was  practically  coextensive  with  the  thirteen  original  States. 
embracing  also  southern  Canada  and  a  part  of  the  Mississippi  valley.  In 
the  extent  of  their  dominion,  their  absolute  power,  and  the  statecraft  exer- 
cised in  rendering  conquered  tribes  subsidiary  to  their  purposes,  they  have 
not  been  inaptly  styled  "the  Eomans  of  America."  In  all  the  arts  of  a 
savage  people  they  excelled.  Their  fields  were  well  cultivated,  their  towns 
■were  strongly  fortified,  their  form  of  government  secured  practical  imanimity 
in  the  execution  of  military  projects,  and  in  their  intercourse  with  Euro- 
peans their  chiefs  often  evinced  a  remarkable  skillfulness  in  diplomacy  and 
profoundness  of  policy.    Their  career  of  conc^uest  was  doubtless  inaugurated 


26  HISTOEY    OF    NOBTHUMBEKLAND    COUNTY. 

by  the  subjugation  of  the  immediately  contiguous  tribes,  and  thus,  in  the 
extension  of  their  power  to  the  south,  the  Andastes  and  Lenni  Lenape  were 
first  brought  under  their  sway.  The  Shawanese,  Ganawese,  Conoys,  and 
other  Pennsylvania  tribes  also  acknowledged  their  supremacy,  and 'for  the 
better  government  of  these  troublesome  feudatories  the  great  Onondoga 
coimcil  was  constrained,  in  the  early  part  of  the  eighteenth  centurj-,  to  place 
over  them  a  resident  viceroy.  To  this  responsible  position  Shikellimy  was 
appointed,  and  for  a  score  of  years  his  name  is  associated  with  every 
important  transaction  affecting  the  Indians  of  the  Susquehanna  valley. 

Shikellimy  was  a  Susquehannock  by  birth,  descended  from  the  ancient 
Andastes,  and  thus  returned  to  govern  the  land  from  which  his  fathers  had 
been  expelled.  Like  many  of  the  more  enterprising  youth  of  his  tribe,  he 
had  entered  the  military  service  of  their  conquerors:  his  valor  in  war  was 
rewarded  by  adoption  into  the  Oneida  tribe,  of  which  he  at  length  became  a 
chief,  an  exceptional  preferment  for  one  not  a  member  of  that  nation  by 
birth.  It  is  not  probable  that  he  was  appointed  viceroy  before  1728;  he  was 
not  present  at  the  treaty  with  the  Five  Nations  at  Philadelphia  in  July  of 
the  preceding  year,  and  Le  Tort  does  not  mention  him  among  the  Indians  of 
consequence  whom  he  met  ''on  the  ujjper  parts  of  the  river  Susquehanna" 
in  the  winter  of  1727-28.  The  first  conference  that  he  attended  at  Pliiladel- 
phia  was  that  of  Jvily  4-5,  1728,  but  it  does  not  appear  that  he  took  any 
active  part  in  the  proceedings.  He  was  present  on  a  similar  occasion  in  the 
following  October,  when,  after  the  close  of  the  conference,  the  Council  con- 
sidered "  what  present  might  be  proper  to  be  made  "  to  Shikellimy,  "  of  the 
Five  Nations,  appointed  to  reside  among  the  Shawanese,  whose  ser\'ices  had 
been  and  may  yet  further  be  of  great  advantage  to  this  government."  The 
secretary  of  Council  had  gained  a  more  accurate  idea  of  his  fimctions  three 
years  later,  when,  in  the  minutes  of  August  12,  1731,  he  gives  his  name  and 
title  as  "  Shikellimy,  sent  by  the  Five  Nations  to  preside  over  the  Shawanese." 
At  the  close  of  the  conference  which  began  at  Philadelphia  on  that  date,  the 
Governor  having  represented  that  he  was  "  a  trusty  good  man  and  a  great 
lover  of  the  English,"  he  was  commissioned  as  the  bearer  of  a  present  to  the 
Six  Nations  and  a  message  inviting  them  to  visit  Philadelj^hia.  This  they 
accordingly  did,  arriving  on  the  18th  of  August,  1732.  Shikellimy  was  pres- 
ent on  this  occasion,  when  it  was  mutually  agreed  that  he  and  Conrad  Weiser 
should  be  employed  in  any  business  that  might  be  necessary  between  the 
high  contracting  parties.  In  August,  1740,  he  came  to  Philadelphia  ta 
inquire  against  whom  the  English  were  making  perparations  for  war,  mmors 
of  which  had  reached  the  great  coimcil  at  Onondaga.  He  was  also  present 
at  the  conference  at  Philadelphia  in  July,  1742,  at  the  treaty  at  Lancaster  in. 
June  and  July,  1744,  and  at  the  Philadelphia  conference  of  the  following 
August.  He  does  not  appear  to  have  taken  a  very  active  part  in  the  discus- 
sions, a  privilege  which,  among  the  Six  Nations,  seems  to  have  been  reserved 


THE   COLONIAL    PERIOD.  27 

for  the  Onondagas.  In  April.  1T4S.  accompanied  by  bis  son  and  Conrad 
"Weiser,  he  visited  Philadelphia  for  the  last  time,  but  no  public  business  of 
importance  was  considered.* 

Shikellimy's  residence  is  first  definitely  located  in  172U  in  a  letter  of 
Governor  Gordon  to  '•  Shikellimy  and  Kalaryonyacha  at  Shamokin."  With- 
in the  next  eight  years  he  had  removed  some  miles  up  the  valley  of  the 
West  Branch.  In  the  journal  of  his  journey  to  Onondaga  in  1787  Conrad 
Weiser  states  that  he  crossed  the  North  Branch  from  Shamokin  on  the  fjth  of 
March ;  on  the  7th  he  crossed  Chilhsquaque  creek,  and  on  the  8th  he  reached 
the  village  where  Shikellimy  hved.  Bishop  Spangenberg  and  his  party 
passed  over  the  same  route,  June  7.  1745;  after  passing  Chillisquaque  creek 
and  the  "  site  of  the  town  that  formerly  stood  there,'"  they  "  next  came  to 
the  place  where  Shikellimy  formerly  hved,"  which  was  then  deserted;  the 
next  point  noticed  is  Warrior's  Camp  (Warrior  run).  Spangenberg  certainly 
did  not  cross  the  West  Branch:  if  Weiser  had  done  so  in  1737  there  is  every 
reason  to  suppose  that  he  would  have  mentioned  it,  which  he  does  not;  from 
which,  if  there  were  no  other  data  bearing  upon  the  subject,  it  would  be 
fair  to  conclude  that  in  1737  Shikellimy  resided  on  the  east  bank  of  the 
West  Branch  at  some  point  between  Chillisquaque  creek  and  Warrior  run. 
But  there  are  other  data:  numerous  applications  for  land  in  Buffalo  valley 
refer  to  "old  Muncy  town,  Shikellimy's  town,  or  Shikellimy's  old  town,"  and 
from  a  comjiarison  of  the  evidence  of  this  nature  John  Blair  Linn  arrives  at 
the  conclusion  that  the  village  was  situated  "  at  the  mouth  of  Sinking  run, 
or  Shikellimy's  run  as  it  was  formerly  called,  at  the  old  ferry  one  half  mile 
below  Milton  on  the  Union  county  side."T  However  this  may  be,  there  is  no 
doubt  that  at  some  time  between  1737  and  1743  he  removed  to  Shamokin, 
where  he  resided  the  remainder  of  his  life.  From  this  point  he  made  fre- 
quent journeys  to  Onondaga,  Philadelphia,  Tulpehocken,  Bethlehem,  Pax- 
tang,  and  Lancaster,  as  the  thscharge  of  his  important  public  ftmctions 
reqitired. 

There  is  ample  evidence  in  contemporary  records  that  Shikellimy's  posi- 
tion was  one  of  responsibility  and  honor  rather  than  profit  or  emolument. 
In  the  general  system  of  national  polity  of  which  the  Iroquois  confederacy 
was  the  only  type  among  the  aborigines  of  America,  his  post  corresponded  to 
that  of  a  Eoman  proconsul.  But  there  the  parallel  ceases.  Although  he 
was  charged  with  the  surveillance  of  the  entire  Indian  population  of  central 
Pennsylvania,  and  doubtless  exacted  a  nominal  tribute,  no  provision  what- 
ever was  made  for  his  personal  necessities,  to  which,  with  characteristic 

♦Further  particulars  regarding  Sliilsellimy's  participation  in  public  affairs  may  be  obtained  by 
reference  to  Colonial  Records,  Vol.  III.  pp.  316,  3S0.  3^4-337,  401-UO,  425,  43.3,  446,  500-3O4;  IV.  pp.  SO, 
432-4,34,  443-447,584,743;  V.  pp.  S4-88,  162,  212,  222;  Pennsylvania  Archives,  Vol.  I.  pp.  22S,  241,  2SS,' 
455,  494-407,  490,  640,  etc' 

tLinn's  Annals  of  Buffalo  Valley,  p.  3. 


28  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

cliplomacT,  the  provincial  authorities  were  induced  to  contribute.*  He  was 
expected  to  hunt  and  fi.sh,  the  natural  modes  of  subsistence  with  an  Indian, 
regardless  of  his  station,  but  in  the  waning  vigor  of  old  age  he  was  obliged 
to  relinquish  the  chase,  and  in  October,  174:7,  Conrad  Weiser  found  him  in 
a  condition  of  utter  destitution.  This  he  describes  as  follows,  in  a  letter  to 
Council: — 

I  must  at  the  conclusion  of  this  recommend  Shikellimy  as  a  proper  object  of  char- 
ity. He  is  extremely  poor;  in  his  sickness  the  horses  have  eaten  all  his  corn;  his 
clothes  he  gave  to  Indian  doctors  to  cure  him  and  his  family,  but  all  in  vain;  he  has 
nobody  to  hunt  for  him,  and  I  can  not  see  how  the  poor  old  man  can  live.  He  has 
been  a  true  servant  to  the  government  and  may  perhaps  still  be,  if  he  lives  to  do  well 
again.  As  the  winter  is  coming  on  I  think  it  would  not  be  amiss  to  send  him  a  few 
blankets  or  match-coats  and  a  little  powder  and  lead,  if  the  government  would  be 
pleased  to  do  it  and  you  could  send  it  up  soou.  I  would  send  my  sons  with  it  to  Sham- 
okin  before  the  cold  weather  comes.j 

Upon  the  consideration  of  this  letter  it  was  immediately  decided  by  Coun- 
cil that  goods  to  the  value  of  sixteen  pounds  should  be  procured  and  for- 
warded to  Shikellimy  by  Conrad  Weiser.  The  consignment  included  five 
stroud  match-coats,  one  fourth  of  a  cask  of  grmpowder,  fifty  pounds  of  bar 
lead,  fifteen  yards  of  blue  "  half-thicks,'"  one  dozen  best  buck-handled  knives, 
and  four  duffel  match-coats. 

On  the  occasion  referred  to  (October,  1747),  Shikellimy  was  quite  ill. 
Weiser  says:  "I  was  surprised  to  see  Shikellimy  in  sitch  a  miserable  condi- 
tion as  ever  my  eyes  beheld.  He  was  hardly  able  to  stretch  forth  his  hand 
to  bid  me  welcome;  in  the  same  condition  was  his  wife,  his  three  sons  not 
quite  so  bad  but  very  poorly,  also  one  of  his  daughters  and  two  or  three  of 
his  grandchilch-en  all  had  the  fever."  On  the  10th  of  October,  the  day  after 
his  arrival,  he  administered  medicines  agreeably  to  the  directions  of  Dr. 
Thomas  Graeme,  of  Philadelj^hia,  and  before  his  departure  Shikellimy  was 
able  to  walk  about  '■  with  a  stick  in  his  hand."  In  the  following  month  he 
was  so  far  recovered  as  to  visit  Tulpehocken,  and  in  April,  1748,  he  was  at 
Philadelphia.  After  this  he  seems  to  have  had  a  relapse,  for  on  the  ISth  of 
June  in  the  same  year  the  provincial  Coimcil  was  informed  that  he  was  "  sick 
and  like  to  lose  his  eyesight."  He  again  recovered,  however,  and  in  the  fol- 
lowing December  made  a  visit  to  Bethlehem.     On  the  return  trip  he  became 

*  ■'  The  president  likewise  aciiiiainting  the  Ijoartl  tliat  tlie  Indians,  at  a  meeting  witli  the  Proprietor 
and  Iiiiii,  liad  taken  notice  that  Conrad  Weiser  and  Sliikelliniy  were,  by  the  treaty  of  1732,  appointed 
as  fit  and  proper  persons  to  go  Ijetween  tlie  Six  Nations  and  tliis  government  and  to  be  employed  in 
all  transactions  with  one  another,  whose  bodies,  the  Indians  said,  were  to  be  eqnally  divided  between 
them  and  us,  we  to  have  one  halt  and  they  the  other;  that  they  had  found  Conrad  faithful  and  honest; 
that  he  is  a  true,  good  man,  and  had  spoken  their  words  anil  our  words,  and  not  his  own;  and  the 
Indians  having  presented  him  with  a  dressed  skin,  to  make  him  shoes,  and  two  deer  skins,  to  keep  him 
warm,  they  said,  as  they  had  thus  taken  care  of  our  friend,  they  must  recommend  theirs  (.Shikellimy) 
to  our  notice;  and  the  board,  judging  it  necessary  that  a  particular  notice  should  be  taken  of  him 
accordingly,  it  is  ordered  that  six  pounds  be  laid  out  for  him  in  such  things  as  he  may  most  want."— 
Cohmial  Records,  Vol.  IV.  p.  8S. 

tColonlal  Records,  Vol.  V.  p.  138. 


THE    COLONIAL    PERIOD.  29 

ill.  but  reached  his  home  with  the  assistance  of  Zeisberger,  who  attended 
him  diiring  his  sickness  and  administered  the  consolations  of  religion.  He 
died  on  the  17th  of  December,  1748,  his  daughter  and  Zeisberger  being 
present.  The  latter,  assisted  by  Henry  Fry,  made  a  coiKn,  in  which,  with 
the  possessions  he  had  valued  most  highly  during  life,  the  mortal  remains  of 
the  great  viceroy  were  interred  at  the  burial  ground  of  his  people. 

"  ^Miere  Susquelianna's  tranciuil  branches  meet, 
Like  prince  aad  princess,  each  from  far  retreat, 

"  Blue  Hill,  which  has  for  many  ages  frowned 
Upon  the  less  imposing  hills  around. 
Rock-breasted,  mountain-walled,  had  ever  been 
The  legendary  home  of  wondrous  men. 

'■  Half  up  those  rocks,  conspicuous  in  place. 
Time's  hand  has  chisell'd  Shlkellimy's  face, 
■VMiieh,  looking  eastward  o'er  the  rippling  wave. 
Beholds  the  place  where  chieftains  made  his  grave."* 

Loskiel,  the  Moravian  historian,  gives  the  following  estimate  of  his  char- 
acter and  account  of  his  conversion: — 

Being  the  first  magistrate  aud  head  chief  of  all  the  Irociuois  luduxns  living  on 
the  banks  of  the  Susquehanna  as  far  as  Onondaga,  he  thought  it  incumbent  upon" him 
to  be  very  circumspect  in  his  dealings  with  the  white  people.  He  mistrusted  the 
Brethren  at  first,  but  upon  discovering  their  sincerity  became  their  firm  and  real 
friend.  Being  much  engaged  in  political  affairs  he  had  learned  the  art  of  concealing 
his  sentiments,  and,  therefore,  never  contradicted  those  who  endeavored  to  prejudice 
his  mind  against  the  missionaries,  though  he  alwaj'S  suspected  their  motives.  In  the 
last  years  of  his  life  he  became  less  reserved,  and  received  those  Brethren  who  came 
to  Shamokiu  into  his  house.  He  assisted  them  in  building,  and  defended  them  agaiust 
the  insults  of  the  drunken  Indians,  being  himself  never  addicted  to  drinking,  because, 
as  he  expressed  it,  he  never  wished  to  become  a  fool.  He  had  built  his  house  upon 
pillars  for  safety,  in  which  he  always  shut  himself  up  when  any  drunken  frolic  was 
going  on  in  the  village.  In  this  house  Bishop  .Johannes  Von  Watteville  and  his  company 
visited  and  preached  the  Gospel  to  him.  It  was  then  that  the  Lord  opened  his  heart. 
He  listened  with  great  attention,  and  at  last,  with  tears,  respected  the  doctrine  of  a 
crucified  Jesus,  and  received  it  in  faith.  During  his  visit  in  Bethlehem,  a  remarkable 
change  took  place  in  his  heart  which  he  could  not  conceal.  He  found  comfort,  peace, 
and  joy  by  faith  in  his  Redeemer,  and  the  Brethren  considered  him  as  a  candidate  for 
baptism;  but,  hearing  that  he  had  already  been  baptized  by  a  Roman  Catholic  priest  in 
Canada,  they  only  endeavored  to  impress  his  mind  with  a  proper  idea  of  the  sacra- 
mental ordinance,  upon  which  he  destroyed  a  small  idol  which  he  wore  about  his 
neck.  After  his  return  to  Shamokin  the  grace  of  God  bestowed  upon  him  was  truly 
manifest,  and  his  behavior  was  remarkably  peaceable  and  contented.  In  this  state  of 
mind  he  was  taken  ill,  was  attended  by  Brother  David  Zeisberger,  and  in  his  presence 
fell  asleep  happy  in  the  Lord,  in  full  assurance  of  obtaining  eternal  life  through  the 
merits  of  Jesus  Christ. 

At  his  first  appearance  in  colonial  affairs.  Shikellimy  had  a  son  and 
daughter  and  probably  other  children.  A  present  was  provided  for  his 
wife  and  daughter  at  the  conchision  of  the  treaty  of  October,  172S;  and  on 

'Legends  of  the  Susquehanna,  by  Truman  H.  Puvdy,  pp.  0,  42. 


30  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

the  18th  of  August,  1729,  the  Governor  sent  him  a  message  of  condolence 
upon  the  death  of  his  son  and  a  shroud  with  which  to  cover  him.  Another 
son,  Unhappy  Jake,  was  killed  by  the  Catawbas.  with  whom  the  Six  Nations 
were  at  war,  in  1743,  and  in  a  letter  dated  January  2.  1744,  Weiser  informs 
Secretary  Peters  of  the  fact,  suggesting  also  the  propriety  of  sending  the 
bereaved  father  "  a  small  present,  in  order  to  wipe  off  his  tears  and  comfort 
his  heart."  Several  days  before  Weiser's  arrival  at  Shamokin,  November  9, 
1747,  there  were  three  deaths  in  the  family,  viz.:  Cajadies,  his  son-in-law, 
'■  that  had  been  married  to  his  daughter  above  fifteen  years,  and  reckoned 
the  best  himter  among  all  the  Indians,"  the  wife  of  his  eldest  son,  and  a 
grandchild.  It  is  evident  that  he  had  more  than  one  daughter  at  that  time; 
'•  his  three  sons  "  are  also  mentioned.  The  eldest,  Tachnechdonas,  succeeded 
to  the  former  authority  of  his  father,  and,  with  two  others,  "sachems  or 
chiefs  of  the  Indian  nation  called  the  Shamokin  Indians."  affixed  his  signa- 
ture to  the  Indian  deed  of  1749.  Conrad  Weiser.  writing  to  Governor 
Morris  under  date  of  March  1,  1755,  styles  him  "  Taclmechdorus,  the  chief 
of  Shamokin,  of  the  CajTiga  nation,"  the  latter  part  of  which  is  difficult  to 
harmonize  with  the  fact  that  his  father  is  uniformly  referred  to  as  an  Oneida. 
His  brother  seems  to  have  been  associated  with  him:  Richard  Peters,  the 
provincial  secretary,  in  his  account  of  the  eviction  of  settlers  from  lands 
north  of  the  Kittatinny  mountains  not  purchased  from  the  Indians,  states 
that  his  party  was  accompanied  by  three  Indians  from  Shamokin,  '•  two  of 
which  were  sons  of  the  late  Shikellimy,  who  transact  the  business  of  the  Sis 
Nations  with  this  government."  Tachnechdorus  was  also  known  to  the 
English  by  the  name  of  John  Shikellimy.  In  1753  he  had  a  hunting  lodge 
at  the  mouth  of  Warrior  run  and  resided  at  a  small  Shawanese  town  below 
Muncy  creek  on  the  West  Branch.  These  facts  are  derived  from  Mack's 
journal,  which  also  states  that  Shikellimy's  family  had  left  Shamokin.  where 
they  found  it  very  difficult  to  live  owing  to  the  constant  drafts  upon  their 
hospitality.  In  April,  1756,  he  was  at  McKee's  fort,  but  greatly  dissatisfied, 
as  nearly  all  of  his  party  were  sick. 

Sayughtowa,  a  younger  brother  of  Tachnechdorus,  was  the  most  cele- 
brated of  Shikellimy's  sons.  "  In  1768  and  1769  he  resided  near  Reedsville 
in  Mifflin  county,  and  has  given  his  name  to  the  spring  near  that  place,  to 

Logan's  branch  of  Spring  creek,  in  Centre  coiuity,  Logan's  path,  etc 

In  1774  occurred  Lord  Dunmore's  expedition  against  the  Shawanese  towns, 
now  Point  Pleasant,  West  Virginia,  which  was  the  occasion  of  Logan's 
celebrated  speech,  commencing  '  I  appeal  to  any  white  man  to  say  if  he 
ever  entered  Logan's  cabin  hungry  and  he  gave  him  not  meat,'  which  will 
go  down  to  all  time,  whether  properly  or  not,  as  a  splendid  outbiirst  of 
Indian  eloquence."  *  Heckewelder,  who  thought  him  a  man  of  superior 
talents,  called  on  him  in  April,  1773,  at  his  settlement  on  the  Ohio  below 

♦Linn's  Annals  of  Buffalo  Valley,  p.  5. 


THE    COLONIAL    PERIOD.  31 

Big  Beaver;  the  same  writer  also  states  that  he  was  murcleretl  in  October, 
1781,  between  his  residence  and  Detroit.  His  English  name,  James  Logan, 
was  conferred  in  honor  of  the  distinguished  Friend  who  was  so  long  and 
prominently  identified  with  colonial  affairs  in  Pennsylvania;  he  is  generally 
known  to  history  as  "  Logan,  the  Mingo." 

It  has  been  stated  that  a  Frenchman,  Etienne  Brulo,  made  the  first 
exploration  of  the  Susquehanna;  French  traders  were  also  the  first  to  bring 
the  valley  of  that  river  within  the  sphere  of  commercial  influence.  As  early 
as  1691  a  petition  was  presented  to  Council  from  certain  inhabitants  of 
Philadelphia  and  other  parts  of  the  Province,  "setting  forth  their  jealousies 
relating  to  the  French  in  general  amongst  them,  and  more  especially  refer- 
ring to  those  trading  in  remote  and  obscure  places  with  the  natives  without 
security  or  approbation."  In  the  previous  year  information  had  been  lodged 
against  Ann  Le  Tort,  charging  her  with  treasonable  correspondence  and 
with  the  use  of  language  calculated  to  alienate  the  friendly  Indians;  this 
she  denied,  and  the  charges  were  not  substantiated.  She  was  the  wife  of 
Jacques  Le  Tort,  and  among  their  compatriots  in  the  Province  at  that  time 
were  Peter  Bazalion,  Richard  Bazalion,  Captain  Dubrois,  and  M.  Lewis,  a 
French  Canadian  who  was  taken  prisoner  by  Pennsylvania  Indians  and  lived 
with  the  Le  Torts.  Jacques  Le  Tort  was  a  resident  of  the  Province  as  early 
as  1090,  when  he  applied  for  permission  to  go  to  England,  which  was 
granted.  Madame  Le  Tort  resided  at  Conestoga  in  1701.  James  Le  Tort 
was  probably  their  son;  regarding  his  personal  history  the  following  entry 
appears  in  the  minutes  of  Council  under  date  of  the  17th  of  Gth  month, 
1703;— 

James  Le  Tort,  who,  about  two  years  ago,  went  out  of  this  Province  to  Canada  and 
returned  last  spring,  having  been  upon  his  return  examined  before  several  of  the 
Council  and  magistrates  and  no  great  occasion  found  to  suspect  him  of  any  evil  designs 
against  this  government,  he  having  been  bred  in  it  from  his  infancy,  had  hitherto 
behaved  himself  inoffensively,  and  was  seduced  to  depart  in  time  of  peace  by  the 
instigation  of  some  others  without  any  evil  inteufions  that  could  be  made  to  appear  in 
himself.* 

The  earliest  evidence  of  resident  Indian  traders  within  the  present  limits 
of  the  county  is  "A  Draught  of  the  Susquehanna  River  in  1701,  made  by 
Isaac  Taylor,  Surveyor  of  Chester  County."  It  locates  '•  J.  Le  Tort's  store  " 
at  the  site  of  the  borough  of  Northumberland,  and  from  that  point  the 
journey  referred  to  in  the  minutes  of  Council  was  probably  made  overland 
to  Canada.  His  position  was  well  chosen;  it  commanded  the  trade  of  both 
branches  of  the  Susquehanna,  and,  while  consignments  were  doubtless  made 
to  Philadelphia,  there  is  reason  to  think  that  the  proprietor  was  also  in  com- 
munication with  the  French.  England  and  France  were  then  at  war,  and, 
notwithstanding  the  favorable  disposition  of  the  provincial  authorities 
toward  him  and  his  professions  of  fidelity  to  the  colonial  government,  he  was 

•Colonial  Records,  Vol.  II.  p.  too. 


32  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBEELAND    COUNTY. 

called  upon  to  give  "  siifficient  security  for  his  good  behavior  in  the  sum  of 
one  thousand  pounds,"  in  default  of  which  he  was  incarcerated  in  the  com- 
mon gaol  of  Philadelphia.  In  1707,  with  Peter  Bazalion,  Martin  Chartiers, 
and  others,  he  embarked  in  prospecting  for  minerals  "upon  the  branches  of 
the  Potomac,  within  this  government,"  evidently  the  Cumberland  valley, 
from  which  they  were  obliged  to  withdraw  by  order  of  the  Governor.  In 
1712  he  was  licensed  as  an  Indian  trader;  at  a  treaty  with  the  Six  Nations 
at  Philadelphia  in  July,  1727,  their  chiefs  requested  "  that  none  of  the 
traders  be  allowed  to  carry  any  rum  to  the  remoter  parts  where  James  Le  Tort 
trades  (that  is,  Allegheny,  on  the  branches  of  Ohio),"  from  which  some  idea 
of  the  extent  of  his  operations  may  be  formed.  It  is  highly  probable  that 
his  journeys  thither  were  made  by  way  of  the  Susquehanna  river;  on  the 
ISth  of  April,  172S,  having  ''lately  come  to  town  from  Chenastry  on  the 
u[)per  parts  of  the  river  Susquehanna,"  he  was  examined  before  Council  at 
Philadelphia  and  stated  that,  intending  to  make  a  journey  as  far  as  the 
Miamis  in  the  autumn  of  the  previous  year,  he  had  consulted  Madame  Mon- 
tour, who  had  formerly  lived  among  them;  she  and  her  husband,  Caronda- 
wana,  agreed  to  accompany  him,  but,  after  waiting  long  at  Chenastry  for  one 
who  had  engaged  to  go  with  them,  the  winter  set  in  before  they  ^ould  pro- 
ceed, and  when  he  again  spoke  to  Madame  Montour  upon  the  sitbject  she 
declined  to  go,  having  heard  of  impending  hostilities  on  the  part  of  the 
Indians.  As  further  information  was  desired,  Le  Tort  and  John  Sctill  were 
forthwith  dispatched  to  Chenastry  with  messages  and  presents  for  Alluma- 
pees,  Madame  Montour,  and  Manawkj'hickon.  On  the  12th  of  May 
Le  Tort  wrote  to  the  Governor  from  Catawissa,  which  shows  that  his  travels 
embraced  also  the  North  Branch.  He  was  concerned  in  Indian  affairs  for 
some  years  after  this,  but  not  with  any  degree  of  prominence  in  the  terri- 
tory to  which  this  work  relates. 

The  earliest  recorded  visit  of  Europeans  to  Shamokin  occitrred  in  May, 
1728,  although  there  can  be  no  doubt  that  Le  Tort,  Madame  Montour,  and 
others  passed  through  the  place  prior  to  that  date.  Taylors  map  of  1701 
locates  ■■  John  Scull's  store  "  on  the  east  bank  of  the  Susqtiehanna  river,  near 
the  mouth  of  3Iahanoy  creek.  Scull  was  thus  the  earliest  resident  English 
trader  within  the  present  limits  of  Northumberland  cotmty  of  whom  there  is 
authentic  evidence;  he  was  also  the  first  English  visitor  to  Shamokin  of 
whom  there  is  any  record.  As  previously  stated,  he  was  associated  with  Le 
Tort  as  the  bearer  of  presents  to  Madame  Montottr  and  the  Indian  chiefs ; 
they  were  commissioned  on  the  18th  of  April,  1728,  and  on  the  10th  of  May, 
in  a  letter  headed  "  Shahomaking  "  Allumapees  informed  the  Governor  that 
he  had  received  his  letter,  and  sent  an  answer  by  John  Scull.  Several  weeks 
later  it  again  became  necessary  to  commimicate  with  the  chiefs;  three 
friendly  Indians  having  been  killed  at  Cuscussea,  Chester  county,  steps  wore 
at  once  taken  for  the  apprehension  of  the  murderers,  and  on  the  15th  of  May, 


THE    COLONIAL    PERIOD.  35 

172S,  Nicholas  Scull,  John  Sciill,  and  Anthony  Zadowsky  received  instruc- 
tions to  inform  Allumapees,  Opekasset,  and  Manawkyhickon  of  these  pro- 
ceedings. The  conference  was  held  at  Shamokin.  and  the  answer  of  the 
chiefs,  "  delivered  in  Indian  and  interpreted  by  .James  Le  Tort,"  was  trans- 
mitted to  the  Governor  under  date  of  May  '22.  1728.  On  the  7th  of  August, 
1729,  a  committee  of  Council  recommended  the  pajTaent  of  the  following: — 

To  Nicholas  Scull,  eleven  pounds,  for  twenty-two  days'  service  on  a  message  tnthe 
Indians  at  Shamokin  and  other  parts  upon  the  unhappy  murder  of  those  at  Cuscussea; 
and  four  pounds  extraordinarj-  to  him,  he  being  the  person  especially  intrusted  with 
the  management  thereof. 

To  John  Scull,  fifteen  pounds  for  thirty  days'  serrice  on  the  said  messages  and 
other  services  performed;  and  three  pounds  extraordinar}-  for  interpreting  at  treaties. 

To  Anthony  Zadowskv,  seven  pounds,  for  fourteen  days'  service  on  the  messaije 
aforesaid.*  ^  1198514 

In  the  autumn  of  the  same  year  (1/2S)  it  became  necessary  to  send  a 
third  message  to  the  chiefs  at  Shamokin.  Anthony  Zadowsky.  in  a  private 
letter  to  John  Petty,  another  Indian  trader,  stated  ''that  an  Indian  came  to 
Oley  to  one  Peter  Kerwin  and  brought  accoimt  that  all  the  Indians  were 
removed  from  Shamokin  except  Allumapees  and  Opekasset;  that  at  the 
Shawanese  town  called  Malson  the  Shawanese  had  hanged  one  Tinlothy 
Higgins.  a  servant  of  Henry  Smith's,  an  Indian  trader,  upon  a  pole  of  their 
cabin ;  . .  . .  and  that  it  was  feared  it  might  not  be  well  with  the  rest  of  the 
Indian  traders  in  those  parts.'"  Intelligence  having  also  been  received  that 
a  band  of  Shawanese  had  left  Pecheoquealin  (Durham,  on  the  Delaware  river), 
upon  the  receijit  of  a  message  from  the  Susiptehanna,  the  Governor  and 
Council,  at  a  meeting  on  the  1st  of  September.  172S,  decided  to  send  Henry 
Smith  and  John  Petty  to  Shamokin  with  a  message  to  Allumapees,  Ope- 
kasset. Shakatawlin,  and  Shikelliray.  Having  arrived  at  their  destination, 
they  wrote  the  Governor  under  date  of  September  3,  1728,  informing  him 
that  Higgins  had  not  been  hanged  as  reported  and  that  they  were  pursuing 
their  journey  in  quest  of  further  intelligence.  Nothing  of  material  imj^or- 
tance  was  discovered,  however:  the  Shamokin  chiefs  met  the  provincial 
authorities  in  conference  on  the  10th  and  11th  of  October,  1728,  at  the 
court  house  in  Philadelphia,  when  expressions  of  the  most  friendly  character 
were  interchanged,  and  thus  the  war  cloud  that  seemed  to  be  gathering  on 
the  Susquehanna  frontier  was  happily  dissipated. 

John  Fisher  and  John  Hart  are  mentioned  as  '"two  of  the  Shamokin 
traders"  in  a  letter  from  the  Delaware  chiefs  "at  Allegheny  on  the  main 
road"  under  date  of  April  30.  1730.  Some  of  their  people,  the  chiefs  state, 
formed  a  hunting  party,  to  which  Fisher  and  Hart  attached  themselves; 
when  they  had  gone  down  the  Allegheny  river  more  than  a  hundred  miles 
the  Indians  "proposed  to  fire  hunt  by  making  a  ring;  the  white  men  would 
go  along";  the  Indians  tried  to  dissuade  them  from  it.   "alleging  that  they 

'Colonial  Records,  Vol.  III.  pp.  3iiC-»J7. 
3 


36  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

did  not  understand  it  and  might  receive  some  harm,  but  they  still  persisted  in 
it,  so  all  went  together."  John  Hart  was  shot  in  the  mouth:  the  bullet  lodged 
in  his  neck,  resulting  in  death.  The  letter  also  states  that  "at  a  friend's 
house  about  twenty  miles  distant  from  hence,  Henry  Smith  being  there  with 
rum,  the  Indians  got  di-imk,"  and  in  the  melee  which  ensued  an  Englishman 
was  wounded.  This  was  doubtless  the  same  Henrj-  Smith  who  was  associated 
with  Petty  two  years  previously  as  the  bearer  of  the  messages  and  presents 
to  the  chiefs  at  Shamokin.  Anthony  Zadowskj-  and  John  Fisher  had  been 
at  Allegheny  in  1729;  Jonah  Davenport,  who  had  some  dealings  with  Caron- 
dawana.  the  husband  of  Madame  Montour,  prior  to  172S,  had  been  at  Alle- 
gheny as  early  as  1727;  from  which  it  is  quite  evident  that  the  traders  who 
frequented  the  regions  of  the  upper  Susquehanna  extended  their  journeys  to 
Allegheny  by  that  route,  while  the  expression,  '"Shamokin  traders,"  clearly 
indicates  that  the  town  of  that  name  was  a  rendezvous  for  the  commercial 
itinerants  of  the  entire  northern  and  northwestern  parts  of  the  State. 

Regarding  these  adventurous  spirits  it  is  possible  to  speak  only  in  gen- 
eral terms.  Their  ranks  were  not  usually  recruited  from  among  the  best 
classes  of  citizens,  and  much  that  has  been  preserved  concerning  them  in 
official  records  is  not  to  their  credit;  but,  while  their  dealings  may  have  some- 
times shown  a  disposition  to  take  advantage  of  the  ignorance  and  crediil- 
ity  of  the  •"  red  brother,"  this  harmonized  so  well  with  the  general  usage  of 
the  first  Projirietor  and  his  successors  that  it  ought,  perhaps,  to  be  regarded 
as  commendable.  Wherever  there  were  Indians  who  would  take  guns  and 
ammunition,  nma,  stroud  match-coats,  knickknacks,  etc.  in  exchange  for 
peltries,  the  ubiquitous  traders  found  their  way,  and,  while  geograjihical 
knowledge  was  but  an  incidental  acquisition,  the  information  of  this  natiire 
thus  gained  was  of  the  first  importance.  In  establishing  commercial  rela- 
tions with  the  Indian  tribes  they  did  much  to  attach  them  to  the  English 
interest.  Not  imfrequently,  after  a  long  absence  in  which  their  associations 
had  been  exclusively  with  the  savage  population  of  remote  districts,  they 
were  summoned  before  the  Governor  and  Council  and  the  information  thus 
elicited  determined  in  large  measure  the  policy  of  the  government  in  Indian 
affairs.  Correspondence  with  distant  tribes  was  conducted  entirely  through 
them,  while  their  knowledge  of  the  Indian  languages  rendered  their  presence 
and  assistance  indispensable  at  treaties.  In  the  latter  functions  they  were 
succeeded  by  Conrad  Weiser,  who,  as  otficial  interpreter  from  1732  imtil  his 
death,  was  intimately  connected  with  affairs  in  the  territory  to  which  this 
work  relates  during  that  period. 

Conrad  Weiser  was  bom  at  Afstadt,  Wlirtemberg,  November  2,  lOUfl 
His  father,  John  Conrad  Weiser,  a  local  magistrate,  immigrated  to  Living- 
stone manor,  New  York,  in  1710,  at  the  head  of  a  colony  of  four  thousand 
Palatinates.  Their  immediate  neighbors  were  the  Mohawk  Indians,  with 
whom,  from  his  prominence  among  the  membership  of  the  German  colony. 


THE    COLONIAL    PERIOD.  37 

the  elder  Weiser  was  frequently  in  communication.  On  one  occasion  a 
Mohawk  chief  visited  him  at  his  home,  and,  conceiving  a  fondness  for  Con- 
rad, who  was  then  a  youth  of  seventeen,  sought  and  obtained  jiermission  to 
have  him  reside  among  his  people.  Accordingly,  he  spent  eight  months  at  a 
Mohawk  to\vn  eight  miles  south  of  Schoharie,  New  York;  during  this  period 
he  acquired  a  thorough  knowledge  of  their  language  and  customs  and  was 
adopted  as  a  member  of  the  tribe.  In  1720  he  married,  and  from  1714  to 
1729  he  resided  within  two  miles  of  the  town  referred  to,  where,  although 
engaged  in  farming,  he  was  also  employed  as  interpreter.  Owing  to  htiga- 
tion  affecting  the  title  to  their  lands,  many  of  the  Palatinates  removed  to  the 
Tulpehocken,  Berks  coimty,  Pennsylvania;  among  this  number  was  Conrad 
Weiser,  who  located  near  Womelsdorf  in  1729.  The  first  general  confer- 
ence between  the  chiefs  of  the  Six  Nations  and  the  provincial  authorities 
after  his  settlement  in  the  Province  occurred  in  1732,  when  it  was  mutually 
agreed  that  he  should  thereafter  act  as  interpreter  for  that  confederation. 
In  this  capacity  he  officiated  at  the  treaties  of  173G  and  1749  at  Philadel- 
phia, the  great  council  at  Lancaster  in  1744,  the  Albany  conference  of  1754, 
and  on  manv  minor  occasions.  He  was  also  intrusted  with  imjjortant  missions 
to  the  great  council  at  Onondaga  and  to  the  Ohio  tribes,  and  throughoiit  his 
long  career  as  agent  and  interpreter  enjoyed  the  full  confidence  of  both 
Indians  and  Enghsh.  He  died  at  Tulpehocken,  July  13,  1760.  Two  of 
his  descendants,  each  of  whom  bore  the  name  of  George  Weiser,  served  as 
associate  judges  of  Northumberland  county. 

AVeiser"s  first  journey  to  Onondaga  was  made  in  1737.  Governor  Gooch, 
of  Virginia,  having  requested  the  Pennsylvania  authorities  to  send  a  message 
to  the  Sis  Nations  inviting  them  to  a  conference  with  the  Cherokees  and  Ca- 
tawbas  at  Williamsburg,  James  Logan,  president  of  Council,  engaged  Weiser 
to  undertake  the  journey.  He  left  Tulpehocken  on  the  27th  of  February, 
1737;  that  part  of  his  joirrnal  which  relates  to  the  journey  through  North- 
umberland county  is  as  follows: — 

1st  March,  left  Tolheo,  which  is  the  last  place  in  the  inhabited  part  of  Pennsyl- 
vania. On  the  4th  we  reached  Shamokin,  but  did  not  find  a  living  soul  at  home  who 
could  assist  us  in  crossing  the  Susquehanna  river.  On  the  5th  we  lay  still;  we  had 
now  made  about  eightj'  miles.  6th,  we  observed  a  smoke  on  the  other  side  of  the 
river  and  an  Indian  trader  came  over  and  took  us  across.  We  again  lay  still  to-day. 
On  the  7th  we  started  along  one  branch  of  the  river  going  to  the  northwest.  An  old 
Shawane,  by  name  Jenoniawano,  took  us  in  his  canoe  across  the  creek  at  Chillisqua- 
que.  On  the  8th  we  reached  the  village  where  Shikellimy  lives,  who  was  appointed  to 
be  my  companion  and  guide  on  the  journey.  He  was,  however,  far  from  home  on  a 
hunt.  AVeather  became  bad  and  the  waters  high,  and  no  Indian  could  be  induced  to 
seek  Shikellimy  until  the  12th,  when  two  young  Indians  agreed  to  go  out  in  search 
of  him.  On  the  IBth  they  returned  with  word  that  Shikellimy  would  be  back  next 
day,  which  so  happened.  The  Indians  were  out  of  provisions  at  this  place.  I  saw  a 
new  blanket  given  for  about  one  third  of  a  bushel  of  Indian  corn. 

The  party  consisted  of  Conrad  Weiser,  a  Dutchman,  and  three  Indians. 


38  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBEBLAND    COUNTY. 

The  journey  was  attended  with  great  hardships,  and  it  was  not  until  the  r2th 
of  May,  1737,  that  Weiser's  report  was  considered  by  Council. 

Weiser's  first  official  visit  to  Shamokin  was  occasioned  by  the  report  of  a 
skirmish  in  Virginia  between  the  inhabitants  and  a  party  of  Iroquois.  It 
was  feared  that  hostilities  might  ensue  in  which  Pennsylvania  would  neces- 
sarily be  involved,  and  on  the  26th  of  January,  17-43,  the  Governor  wrote 
him  to  proceed  at  once  to  Shamokin,  and,  in  concert  with  ShikeUimy.  devise 
measures  for  the  adjustment  of  the  difficulty.  He  received  his  instructions 
on  the  evening  of  January  30th,  and,  accompanied  by  Thomas  McKee,  an 
Indian  trader,  set  out  for  Shamokin  on  the  following  morning.  On  the 
3d  of  February  they  overtook  a  party  of  Shawanese,  each  armed  with  gun 
and  saber,  at  a  trader's  house  twenty-five  miles  from  Shamokin:  as  they 
alighted  from  their  horses  the  trader's  wife  told  them  that  the  Indians,  who 
had  entered  the  house,  were  disposed  to  be  unfriendly,  but  Weiser  went  in, 
shook  hands,  engaged  them  in  conversation,  and  gained  their  confidence 
and  good  will.  They  then  pursued  their  journey  together,  arriving  at 
Shamokin  on  the  evening  of  that  day  after  sunset.  On  the  4th  of  February 
twenty-five  Indians,  including  ShikeUimy,  Saghsidowa,  Lapacpitton,  and 
Andrew  Montour,  assembled  in  council  at  Shikellimy's  house;  as  the  latter 
was  in  mourning  for  a  relative  lately  killed  in  Virginia,  Weiser  first  pre- 
sented him  with  two  strouds  to  wipe  the  tears  from  his  eyes,  an  indispen- 
sable preliminary,  as  the  Indians  never  transacted  public  business  while  in 
mourning.  He  then  stated  the  object  of  his  mission,  to  which  Alliunapees 
replied  on  behalf  of  the  assembled  company.  On  the  following  day  Allum- 
apees  held  a  coimcil  of  the  Delawares,  at  which  Weiser,  ShikeUimy,  and 
Saghsidowa  were  present.  As  a  result  of  these  conferences,  ShikeUimy,  his 
son,  and  Saghsidowa,  who  was  a  Tuscarora  chief,  immediately  set  out  for 
Onondaga;  and,  having  accomplished  the  immediate  object  of  his  mission, 
Weiser  left  Shamokin  on  the  Cth  of  February,  arriving  at  Tulpehocken  on 
the  9th. 

Governor  Gooch  having  expressed  his  acceptance  of  the  good  offices  of 
the  Pennsylvania  authorities,  it  became  necessary  to  continue  the  negotiations 
thus  begun  by  a  second  message  to  Shamokin,  and  on  the  9th  of  April.  1743, 
Weiser  again  arrived  at  that  place  in  pursuance  of  instructions  from  the 
Governor.  ShikeUimy,  his  son,  and  Saghsidowa  returned  from  Onondaga 
on  the  same  day,  and  on  the  10th  a  council  was  held  at  which  the  answer  of 
the  Six  Nations  was  delivered.  Shikellimy's  people  then  gave  "  a  handsome 
Indian  dinner  "  to  all  that  were  present,  after  which  Weiser  made  known  the 
object  of  his  visit  and  presented  the  company  with  two  rolls  of  tobacco.  On 
the  21st  of  April,  accompanied  by  ShikeUimy  and  Saghsidowa,  he  arrived  at 
Philadelphia.  But  the  most  important  part  of  his  connection  with  this 
aft'air  remained  to  be  performed.  Governor  Gooch  wrote  Governor  Thomas 
on  the  7th  of  May,  1743,  requesting  him  to  send  a  jjresent  amoimting  to  one 


THE    COLONIAL    PERIOD.  39 

hundi-ed  jjounds  in  value  to  the  Six  Nations  at  Onondaga  and  arrange  for  a 
treaty  in  the  following  year.  This  mission  was  intrusted  to  Weiser;  he 
delivered  his  report  to  the  Governor  on  the  1st  of  September,  and,  although 
no  details  are  given  regarding  the  journey,  it  was  doubtless  made  by  way  of 
Shamokin  and  the  West  Branch  of  the  Susquehanna. 

Weiser's  nest  visit  to  Shamokin  in  his  official  capacity  was  made  in  May, 
1745.  In  the  Virginia  affair  the  English  had  been  the  aggi-essors.  and  he 
represented  the  Governor  of  Pennsylvania  as  mediator  between  them  and 
the  Six  Nations,  but  on  this  occasion  he  appeared  to  demand  satisfaction 
for  the  murder  of  a  trader  and  two  of  his  servants  on  the  Juniata  by  Dela- 
wares.  Two  of  the  murderers  had  been  apprehended,  tried  before  a  council 
at  Shamokin,  and  found  guilty;  they  were  then  bound,  and  lay  thus  twenty- 
foxir  hours  before  any  one  "would  venture  to  conduct  them  down,  because 
of  the  great  division  among  the  Delaware  Indians;  and  Allumapees,  in  dan- 
ger of  being  killed,  fled  to  Shikellimy  and  begged  his  protection.  At  last 
Shikellimy's  son  Jack  went  to  the  Delawares,  most  of  them  being  drimk, 
as  they  had  been  for  several  days,  and  told  them  to  deliver  the  prisoners  to 
Alexander  Armstrong,  and  if  they  were  afraid  to  do  it  they  might  separate 
their  heads  from  their  bodies  and  lay  them  in  the  canoe  and  cany  them  to 
Alexander  to  roast  and  eat  them;  that  woidd  satisfy  his  revenge,  as  he 
wants  to  eat  Indians.  They  prevailed  with  the  said  Jack  to  assist  them,  and 
accordingly  he  and  his  brother  and  some  of  the  Delawares  went  with  two 
canoes  and  carried  them  off."  They  conducted  the  principal  perpetrator  to 
Lancaster,  but  allowed  the  other  to  escape  on  the  way.  Weiser  was  instructed 
to  demand  the  apprehension  of  the  two  accessories  who  were  yet  at  large 
and  the  restoration  of  the  stolen  goods.  He  met  the  Indians  in  council  at 
Shamokin  on  the  2d  of  May,  1744,  and  delivered  his  message,  to  which 
Allumapees  responded.  A  feast  was  then  prepared,  at  which  more  than  a 
hundred  persons  were  present,  and  after  they  had,  "in  great  silence,  devoured 
a  fat  bear,  the  eldest  of  the  chiefs  made  a  speech,  in  which  he  said:  That,  by 
a  great  misfortune,  three  of  the  brethren,  the  white  men.  had  been  killed  by 
an  Indian;  that,  nevertheless,  the  siui  was  not  set  [meaning  there  was  no 
war] — it  had  only  been  darkened  by  a  small  cloud,  which  was  now  done 
away;  he  that  had  done  evil  was  like  to  be  punished,  and  the  land  to  remain 
in  peace.  Therefore  he  exhorted  his  people  to  thankfulness  to  God,  and 
therefore  he  began  to  sing  with  an  awful  solemnity,  but  without  expressing 
any  words.  The  others  accompanied  him  with  their  voices.  After  they  had 
done,  the  same  Indian,  with  great  earnestness  of  fervor,  spoke  these  words: 
'  Thanks,  thanks  to  Thee,  Thou  great  Lord  of  the  world,  in  that  Thou  hast 
again  caused  the  sun  to  shine  and  has  dispersed  the  dark  cloud.  The  Indi- 
ans are  Thine.'" 

After  this  Weiser's  visits  to  Shamokin  were  of  a  less  formal  character. 
In  September,  1744,  with  eight  young  men  of  his  "country  people,"  he  spent 


40 


IISTOr.Y    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 


seventeen  days  there  building  a  "lock-house"  for  Shikellimy.  His  journey 
to  Onondaga  in  1745  was  probably  made  by  way  of  Shamokin.  as  Shikel- 
limy.  his  son,  and  Andrew  Montour  accompanied  him.  On  the  13th  of  June 
1747,  he  set  out  for  Shamokin  by  way  of  Paxtang.  when  he  met  Shikellimy 
at  Chambers's  mill,  which  rendered  it  unnecessary  to  proceed  farther.  On 
the  6th  of  October  in  the  same  year  he  again  left  Tulpehocken,  arriving  at 
Shamokin  on  the  9th  about  noon.  It  was  on  this  occasion  that  he  ioxmd 
Shikellimy  and  his  family  ill  and  administered  medicine  for  their  relief. 
He  spent  three  days  with  them,  lea\-ing  on  the  afternoon  of  the  12th  and 
arriving  at  Tulpehocken  at  noon  on  the  lyth  (October,  1747).  In  a  letter  to 
the  Governor  imder  date  of  April  22,  1749,  he  says:  "'I  returned  from 
Shamokin  on  the  ISth  of  this  instant.  I  happened  to  meet  the  eldest  and 
youngest  sons  of  Shikellimy  at  the  trading  house  of  Thomas  McKee,  about 
twenty  miles  this  side  of  Shamokin,  by  whom  I  was  informed  that  all  the 
Indians  had  left  Shamokin  for  this  present  time  because  for  want  of  pro- 
visions ;  so  I  thought  best  to  deliver  my  message  there  to  the  sons  of  Shikel- 
limy." His  message  was  one  of  condolence  from  the  Governor  and  Council 
to  the  children  and  grandchildren  of  the  deceased  viceroy  and  a  request  to 
Tachnechdorus  to  "take  upon  him  the  care  of  a  chief."  On  the  17th  of 
April,  1754,  he  set  out  --by  the  way  of  John  Harris's  and  Thomas  McKee's, 
being  afraid  of  the  two  high  moimtains,"  and  reached  Shamokin  on  the  20th. 
Thence  he  journeyed  up  the  West  Branch  a  distance  of  twenty  miles,  and  sent 
his  son,  Samuel,  to  "Wyoming;  the  latter  was  accompanied  by  Logan. 
They  returned  to  Tulpehocken  on  the  1st  of  May.  On  the  11th  of  June, 
1755,  he  arrived  at  his  home  from  Otstuacky,  a  town  about  forty-five  miles 
above  Shamokin  on  the  West  Branch,  where  he  had  been  with  ten  hired 
men  to  fence  a  com  field  for  the  Indians,  agreeably  to  instructions  from  the 
Governor.  He  left  two  sacks  of  flour  at  Shamokin,  where  the  supply  of 
provisions  was  not  very  plentiful.  Two  of  his  sons  visited  Shamokin  in  the 
autumn  of  that  year,  to  inform  the  Indians  of  Sir  William  Johnson's  success 
against  the  French  on  Lake  George. 

The  first  visit  of  Moravians  to  Shamokin  occurred  in  1742.  The  party, 
composed  of  Count  Zinzendorf,  his  daughter  Benigna,  Conrad  Weiser,  Anna 
Nitschmann,  John  Martin  Mack,  and  two  Indians,  David  and  Joshua,  arrived 
on  the  28th  of  September,  1742.  Bishop  Spangenberg,  accompanied  by 
David  Zeisberger,  John  Joseph  Schebosh,  and  Conrad  Weiser  and  his  sons, 
Philip  and  Frederick,  arrived  at  Shamokin  on  the  1st  of  Jime,  1745,  and 
departed  for  Onondaga  on  the  7th.  In  September  of  the  same  year  Mack 
and  his  wife  were  stationed  at  Shamokin  as  resident  missionaries  and 
remained  four  months.  In  April,  1747,  he  visited  the  scene  of  his  former 
labors  to  confer  with  Shikellimy  regarding  the  erection  of  a  smith-shop.  (This 
had  been  suggested  as  early  as  1740  by  Allumapees,  who  brought  his  ax  to 
Philadelphia  to  have  it  mended).     In  the  following  Jxine  a  house  eighteen  by 


THE    COLONIAL    PERIOD.  41 

thiny  feet  in  dimensions  was  erected  by  John  Hagen  and  Joseph  Powell;  it 
was  first  occupied  on  the  24th  of  the  month.  Blacksmith  tools  were  obtained 
at  Lancaster  and  transported  by  way  of  Harris's  Ferry.  Anton  Schmidt,  the 
smith,  arrived  on  the  3d  of  August,  accomjianied  by  his  wife  and  the  wife  of 
Hagen,  who  had  been  appointed  resident  missionary,  but  died  in  the  auturan 
of  1747  and  was  succeeded  by  Mack.  At  a  later  date  Schmidt  was  succeeded 
as  blacksmith  by  Max  Kieffer.  Bishop  Cammerhoif  and  Joseph  Powell  visited 
the  mission  in  January,  174S,  and  David  Zeisberger  in  the  following  summer, 
while  the  missionary  and  smith  were  frequently  in  communication  with  the 
Brethren  at  Bethlehem.  AVhen  the  Penn's  creek  massacre  occurred  there 
were  three  of  the  Brethren  at  Shamokin,  one  smith  and  two  missionaries;  the 
latter  immediately  tied  to  Bethlehem,  but  the  smith,  relttctant  to  leave  withotit 
instntctions  from  the  directors  of  the  society,  remained,  and  finally  effected 
his  escape  by  way  of  Wyoming. 

The  location  of  Shamokin  is  not  indicated  in  contemporary  accottnts  as 
definitely  as  might  be  desired.  Spangenberg  states  in  his  journal  of  Jttne  8, 
174-3.  (two  days  after  his  arrival  at  Shamokin)  that  "Joseph  and  Conrad 
crossed  the  river  to  ^^sit  the  Indian  king  who  lives  there"  (Allumapees),  and 
on  the  previotts  day  he  mentions  that  "Brother  Joseph  also  went  over  to  ttie 
island  to  visit  Madame  Montottr,"  from  which  it  would  appear  that  the  town 
was  situated  on  both  sides  of  the  river  and  on  the  island.  On  the  2d  of 
Jime.  1757,  one  hundred  Indians  arrived  at  Fort  Augusta,  and,  according  to 
Colonel  Burd's  journal,  "encamped  above  the  fort  towards  the  old  towTi." 
One  of  their  number  cUed  of  small-pox  on  the  8th  and  was  interred  "at  the 
old  to^vn  where  the  Indians  were  always  buried."  The  Indian  burial  ground 
was  situated  on  the  old  Htmter  farm.  In  1859-63  M.  L.  Hendricks  exhumed 
a  ntimber  of  skeletons,  among  them  one  which  there  is  good  reason  to  suppose 
was  that  of  the  grreat  Shikellimv. 


--^ 


42  HISTOKY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 


CHAPTER  11. 

THE  COLONIAL  PERIOD  (Concluded). 

puschase  of  the  susqcehanna  —  alienation  of  the  delaware  indians — 
Hostilities  Inaugi^rated — Rumors  of  French  Invasion — Defensive  Measures 
Adopted — The  Augusta  Regiment  Organized  to  Build  a  Fort  at  Shamokin — 
Progress  of  the  E.\peditiox — Construction  of  '  Fort  Augi'sta — Principal 
Events  of  Colonel  Clapham's  Administration — Extracts  and  Incidents 
from  Ma.jor  Bltid's  Journal — Subsequent  Commanding  Officers — The  Mag- 
azine ANT)  Intjian  Store — Operations  in  17G3 — Strength  of  the  Garrison  and 
Armament — The  Flac; — Doctors  and  Ch.vplains— Plan  and  Description  of 
the  Fort— Close  of  the  French  and  Indian  War— Purchase  of  1708— Early 
SunvEYS — Lists  op  Pioneers- Fitiiian's  .Iournal — The  Yankee  and  Penx- 
ajiite  War. 

THE  peaceful  intercourse  of  the  trader,  the  interpreter,  and  the  mission- 
ary with  the  Indians  of  Shamokin  and  the  surrounding  region,  the 
narration  of  which  forms  so  large  a  part  of  the  preceding  chapter,  was 
abruptly  terminated  by  the  massacre  of  Penn's  creek.  This  was  but  the  be- 
ginning of  a  protracted  Indian  war,  the  causes  of  which  are  to  be  found 
principally  in  the  policy  of  the  provincial  authorities  in  the  purchase  of 
Indian  lands. 

The  first  Indian  deed  to  William  Penn  was  executed  on  the  loth  of 
July,  1682,  by  certain  chiefs  of  the  Delaware  Indians,  and  conveyed  the 
southeastern  part  of  Bucks  county.  This  was  negotiated  by  William  Mark- 
ham,  and  when  the  Proprietor  himself  arrived  the  further  acquisition  of 
territory  was  energetically  continued.  Numerous  deeds  of  varying  impor- 
tance were  executed  by  the  Delawares  during  the  following  yeaxs ;  and  finally, 
on  the  17th  of  September,  1718,  a  general  release  was  signed  by  their  king, 
Sassoonan,  and  six  of  their  chiefs  for  all  the  territory  between  the  Delaware 
and  Susquehanna  rivers  "from  Duck  creek  to  the  mountains  on  this  side 
Lechay."  In  these  negotiations  the  Delawares  were  treated  with  as  an  inde- 
pendent tribe,  and  the  various  transactions  seem  to  have  been  mutually 
satisfactory. 

Almost  before  his  Colony  was  firmly  established  upon  the  Delaware, 
Penn  anticipated  the  extension  of  settlement  to  the  westward  by  negotiating 
with  the  Iroquois  for  the  Susquehanna  valley.  In  this  he  secured  the  serv- 
ices of  Thomas  Dongan,  Governor  of  New  York  and  subsequently  Earl  of 
Limerick,  who  wrote  him  as  follows  regarding  the  contemplated  purchase 
under  date  of  October  10,  1683:— 


THE    COLONIAL    PEEIOD.  43 

I  have  had  au  account  from  Albany  of  the  Indians  being  there,  and  find  the\-  can 
not  agree  among  themselves;  I  hope  Mr.  Graham  will  And  them  there,  and  that  my 
orders  have  taken  effect,  though  I  would  not  advise  you  to  settle  any  people  suddenly 
upon  it  before  the  Indians  agree  among  themselves,  two  or  three  of  the  most  powerful 
nations  being  debarred  from  any  interest  in  it,  as  you  will  see  by  the  inclosed.  The 
Maquas  have  been  here  with  me,  and  told  me  there  was  one  about  to  purchase  the 
land;  I  have  ordered  them  to  agree  in  a  peaceable  wav  about  it  and  they  have  promised 
to  send  me  word  as  soon  as  they  do,  of  which  I  will  immediately  after  acquaint  you. 
They  have  also  given  me  the  laud,  and  pretend  that  they  have  better  interest  than  any 
other.  They  have  all  of  them  agreed  to  give  Susquehanna  river  to  me  and  this  giiv- 
ernment,  which  I  have  under  their  hands  to  show  for  it.* 

From  this  it  is  evident  that  Graham  was  the  agent  by  whom  the  original 
pirrchase  was  made;  that  the  Five  Nations  were  not  jointly  interested,  but 
that  the  Mac^iias  (Mohawks),  pretended  to  a  "  better  interest  than  any  other,  " 
and  that  the  council  of  the  confederation  was  divided  in  sentiment  regarding 
the  matter.  These  differences  were  at  length  harmonized,  and  on  the  '22d  of 
October,  16S3,  Dongan  wrote:  ''The  Susquehanna  river  is  given  me  by  the 
Indians  by  a  second  gift,  about  which  you  and  I  shall  not  fall  out."t  It  was 
not  until  1090,  however,  that  the  transfer  was  made  to  William  Penn.  On 
the  rith  of  January  iu  that  year  Thomas  Dongan  granted  to  him  "all 'that 
tract  of  laud  lying  upon  on  both  sides  the  river  commonly  called  or  known 
by  the  name  of  the  Susquehanna"  for  one  thousand  years  at  an  annual 
rental  of  one  pepper  corn;  and  on  the  following  day  (January  13,  1090),  he 
conveyed  the  same  to  William  Penn  in  fee  simple  at  the  consideration  of  one 
hundred  pounds. 

The  lower  Susquehanna  valley,  the  southern  part  of  the  lands  in  question, 
was  occupied  at  that  time  by  the  Susquehannock  Indians,  and  these  transac- 
tions were  naturally  of  vital  interest  to  them.  At  a  conference  at  Conestoga 
in  1721,  Civility,  "a  descendant  of  the  ancient  Susquehannock  Indians,  the 
old  settlers  of  these  i^arts,"  stated  "  that  he  had  been  informed  by  their  old 
men  that  they  were  troubled  when  they  heard  that  their  lands  had  been 
given  up  to  a  place  so  far  distant  as  New  York,  and  that  they  were  overjoyed 
when  they  understood  WiUiam  Penn  had  bought  them  back  again."  On  his 
second  visit  to  the  Province,  the  Proprietor,  actuated  doubtless  by  motives  of 
policy  no  less  than  a  sense  of  justice,  fiu-ther  strengthened  his  title  to  the 
Susquehanna  by  securing  from  the  Susquehannocks  a  release  even  more  abso- 
lute than  that  which  he  had  obtained  from  their  conquerors.     By  the  terms 

'Pennsylvania  Archives,  Vol.  I.  pp.  76-77. 

tPennsylvania  Archives,  Vol.  I.  p.  81. 

At  a  conference  with  the  Six  Nations  at  Conestoga  iu  .July,  1721,  "  they  were  toM  it  was  now  very 
near,  viz.,  within  one  moon,  of  thirtj--seven  years  since  a  great  man  of  Enghinil.  (iovernor  of  Vir- 
ginia, calleil  the  Lord  Effingham,  together  with  Colonel  Dongan,  Governor  of  New  York,  lielii  a  great 
treaty  with  them  at  Albany,  of  which  we  had  the  writings  to  this  day.  Ghesaont  answered  they 
knew  it  well,  and  the  subject  of  that  treaty,  it  was,  he  said,  about  settling  of  lands.  Being  further 
told  that  in  that  treaty  the  Five  Nations  had  given  up  all  their  right  to  all  the  lands  on  Susquehanna 
to  the  Duke  of  York,  then  brother  to  the  King  of  England,  he  .icknowledged  this  to  be  m."—Ciilimial 
Rccirrdt,  Vol.  III.  p.  U3. 

From  this  it  would  seem  that  Dongan's  purchase  was  not  consummated  imtil  August,  1G.*4. 


44  HISTORY    OF    NOETHCMBERLAXD    COUNTY. 

of  this  instniment,  which  was  executed  on  the  13th  of  September.  1700, 
Wiclaagh  alias  Orytyagh  and  Andaggy  Jiinkqnah,  "kings  or  sachems  of  the 
Susquehannock  Indians  and  of  the  river  under  that  name  and  lands  lying  on 
both  sides  thereof,"  granted  and  confirmed  to  William  Penn  '"  all  the  said 
river  Susquehanna  and  all  the  islands  therein,  and  all  the  lands  situate,  lyino-, 
and  being  upon  both  sides  of  the  said  river  and  next  adjoining  to  the  same, 
extending  to  the  utmost  confines  of  the  lands  which  are  or  formerly  were  the 
right  of  the  people  or  nation  called  the  Susquehannock  Indians,"  with  all 
the  right,  title,  and  interest  therein  that  they  or  their  ancestors  "  could,  might, 
or  ought  to  have  had,  held,  or  enjoyed."  The  bargain  and  sale  effected  by 
Dongan  were  also  distinctly  ratified;  and  on  the  23d  of  April,  1701,  the 
Potomac  and  Shawanese  Indians,  with  other  chiefs  of  the  Susquehannocks, 
entered  into  a  treaty  with  Penn  by  which  the  purchase  from  Orytyagh  and 
Andaggy  Jimkquah  was  approved  and  confirmed. 

"While  the  Susc^uehannocks  were  apparently  well  satisfied,  the  Six  Nations 
were  not.  They  acknowledged  Dongan's  deed'at  a  conference  with  Governor 
Gookin  at  Conestoga  in  1710.  but  several  years  later  the  Cayiigas  "had  the 
boldness  to  assert  that  all  the  lands  upon  Susquehanna  river  belonged  to 
them  and  that  the  Enghsh  had  no  right  to  settle  there;"  and  although  the 
sale  to  Dongan  was  admitted  and  confirmed  at  the  Conestoga  conference  of 
July,  1721,  and  at  Albany  in  September,  1722,  his  transfer  to  Penn  seems  to 
have  been  both  incomprehensible  and  imsatisfactory.  The  reasons  for  this 
were  thus  stated  by  Canassatego,  an  Onondaga  chief,  at  the  Lancaster  treaty 
in  1744:— 

Our  brother  Onas  [Penn]  a  great  while  ago  came  to  Albany  to  buy  the  Susque- 
hanna lands  of  us,  but  our  brother,  the  Governor  of  New  York,  who,  as  we  suppose, 
had  not  a  good  understanding  with  our  brother^Onas,  advised  us  not  to  sell  him  any 
lands,  for  he  would  make  an  ill  use  of  it;  and,  pretending  to  be  our  good  friend,  he 
adWsed  us,  in  order  to  prevent  Onas  or  any  other  persons  imposing  upon  us,  and  that 
we  might  always  have  our  land  when  we  should  want  it,  to  put  it  into  his  hands,  and 
told  us  he  would  keep  it  for  our  use  and  never  open  his  hands  but  keep  them  close 
shut  and  not  part  with  any  of  it  but  at  our  request.  Accordingly,  we  trusted  him  and 
put  our  land  into  his  hands  and  charged  him  to  keep  it  safe  for  our  use.  But  some 
time  after  he  went  away  to  England  and  carried  our  land  with  him,  and  there  sold  it 
to  our  brother  Onas  for  a  large  sum  of  money;  and  when,  at  the  instance  of  our 
brother  Onas,  we  were  minded  to  sell  him  some  lands,  he  told  us  that  we  had  sold  the 
Susquehanna  lands  already  to  the  Governor  of  New  York  and  that  he  had  bought  them 
from  him  in  England.* 

At  length,  in  pursuance  of  a  decision  of  the  Onondaga  council,  a  depu- 
tation was  sent  to  Philadelphia  in  the  autumn  of  1736  for  the  purpose  of 
terminating  all  disputes  relating  to  the  Susquehanna  river  and  lands.  A 
conference  was  held,  resirlting  in  the  execution  of  a  deed  by  which  the  Six 
Nations,  on  the  11th  of  October,  1736,  released  and  confirmed  to  the  Proprie- 
taries "  all  the  said  river  Susquehanna,  with  the  lands  lying  on  both  sides. 
♦Colonial  Records,  Vol.  IV.  p.  708. 


THE   COLONIAL    PERIOD.  45 

thereof,  to  extend  eastward  as  far  as  the  heads  of  the  branches  or  springs 
which  run  into  the  said  Susquehanna,  and  all  the  lands  lying  on  the  west 
side  of  the  said  river  to  the  setting  of  the  sun,  and  to  extend  from  the  mouth 
of  the  said  river  northward  up  the  same  to  the  hills  or  mountains  called  in 
the  language  of  the  said  nations  the  Tyannuntasachta  or  Endless  hills  and  by 
the  Delaware  Indians  the  Kektachtananin  hills."  After  the  close  of  the 
conference  the  Indians  set  out  on  the  return  journey;  at  Tulpehocken,  Octo- 
ber 25,  1736,  they  signed  a  supplementary  document  declaring  that  the  "true 
intent  and  meaning"  of  their  deed  of  the  11th  instant  was,  to  release  all 
that  part  of  the  Province  between  the  Delaware  and  Susquehanna  rivers  with 
the  Endless  hills  as  the  northern  boimdary.  The  Kittatinny  range  thus 
became  the  line  of  the  Pro^-ince  along  the  entire  north  and  west  frontier 
from  the  Delaware  river  to  the  Marj'land  border. 

The  next  purchase  from  the  Six  Nations  was  made  in  1749.  On  this 
occasion  they  took  the  initiative;  the  conference  began  at  Philadelphia  on 
the  16th  of  August,  1749,  when,  after  the  usual  preliminary  exchange  of 
courtesies.  Canassatego  reminded  the  Governor  and  Coimcil  of  their  agree- 
ment imder  pre-v-ious  treaties  to  remove  all  persons  who  should  locate  upon 
lands  not  yet  purchased,  and  of  their  evident  inability  to  carry  this  stipula- 
tion into  effect;  but,  as  it  woiild  involve  much  trouble  to  remove  the  intnid- 
ers,  the  Six  Nations  were  willing  "to  give  up  the  land  on  the  east  side  of  Sus- 
quehanna from  the  Blue  hills  or  Chambers's  miU  to  where  Thomas  McKee, 
the  Indian  trader,  lives."  and  leave  the  amount  of  the  consideration  for  the 
Governor  and  Council  to  determine.  The  Governor  replied  that  this  propo- 
sition could  not  be  acceded  to,  as  the  lands  offered  were  principally  mount- 
ainous, but  if  they  would  make  Shamokin  the  northern  limit  and  the  Dela- 
ware river  the  eastern  boundary-  the  Coimcil  and  himself  were  ready  to  offer 
a  fair  price  and  bring  the  transaction  to  a  close.  After  some  further  negoti- 
ations it  was  finally  agreed  that  the  northern  line  should  begin  on  the  Sus- 
quehanna river  at  "the  first  or  nearest  moimtain  to  the  north  side  of  the 
mouth  of  the  creek  called  in  the  langiiage  of  the  said  Five  Nation  Indians 
CantagiTy  and  in  the  langiiage  of  the  Delaware  Indians  Mahanoy"  and  extend 
in  a  direct  course  to  the  Delaware  river  at  the  mouth  of  Lackawaxen  creek. 
The  amoimt  paid  was  five  hundred  pounds,  and  the  deed  was  executed  on  the 
22d  of  August,  1749.  The  course  of  the  northern  boundarj'  of  this  purchase 
in  Northumberland  coimty  coincided  very  nearly  with  the  Little  moiintain. 

As  settlers  continued  to  encroach  upon  the  Indian  lands  beyond  the  Kit- 
tatinny range  and  west  of  the  Susquehanna,  Tachnechdorus  was  sent  to  the 
Six  Nations  in  the  spring  of  1754  to  arrange  the  preliminaries  for  another 
purchase.  In  the  following  summer  their  chiefs  were  met  at  Albany  by  the 
Pennsylvania  commissioners,  who  at  once  opened  negotiations  for  a  release  of 
all  their  lands  as  far  west  as  the  extent  of  the  Province  and  as  far  north  as 
they  were  willing  to  sell.     At  length  they  acquiesced  in  the  proposed  western 


46  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

boimdary,  but  Hendrick,  the  great  Mohawk  chief,  made  the  following  signif- 
icant utterance  in  bis  reply  to  the  commissioners:  "We  will  never  jiart  with 
the  land  at  Shamokin  and  Wyoming;  oxir  bones  are  scattered  there,  and  on 
this  land  there  has  always  been  a  great  council  tire."  It  was  finally  decided 
that  the  northern  line  should  begin  on  the  Susquehanna  river  a  mile  above 
Penn's  creek  (a  point  nearly  opposite  Sunbury),  and  extend  "northwest  by 
west"  to  the  confines  of  the  Province.  The  deed  was  signed  on  the  6th  of 
July,  1754. 

Notwithstanding  the  comprehensive  character  of  the  release  of  171S,  the 
lands  thus  ceded  by  the  Delawares  were  insufficient  for  the  extension  of 
settlements  between  the  Delaware  and  Susquehanna.  In  1732  the  region 
drained  by  the  Schuylkill  and  its  tributaries  was  purchased,  but  while  this 
quieted  the  Delawares  regarding  the  Tulpehocken  lands,  they  were  still 
greatly  dissatisfied  with  the  settlement  of  the  Minisink,  their  ancient  coimcil 
seat,  which  they  were  naturally  reluctant  to  relinquish.  At  this  juncture  a 
deed,  said  to  have  been  made  in  1686,  was  produced;  under  its  alleged  pro- 
visions the  "  walking  purchase  "  of  1737  was  consummated,  but  in  a  manner 
highly  unsatisfactorv'  to  the  Delawares,  who  absolutely  refused  to  acknowl- 
edge its  vaUdity.  The  Six  Nations  had  released  the  lands  in  question  by 
the  supplementary  deed  of  1736,  and  in  1742  the  matter  was  brought  to 
their  consideration  at  a  conference  in  Philadelphia.  Canassatego,  in 
announcing  their  decision,  administered  a  terrible  castigation  to  the  unfor- 
tunate Delawares.     "  You  ought  to  be  taken  by  the  hair  of  the  head,"  said 

he,  "  and  shaked  severely  till  you  recover  your  senses We  conquered 

vou,  we  made  women  of  you,  yoii  know  you  are  women,  and  can  no  more 
sell  land  than  women.  Nor  is  it  fit  you  should  have  the  power  of  selling 
lands,  since  you  would  abuse  it.     This  land  that  you  claim  is  gone  through 

your  guts Did  you  ever  tell  us  that  yoii  had  sold  this  land  ?     Did 

we  ever  receive  any  part,  even  the  value  of  a  pipe  shank,  from  you  for  it  ? 

You  act  a  dishonest  part,  not  only  in  this  but  in  other  matters 

And  for  all  these  reasons  we  charge  you  to  remove  instantly.     We  don't  give 

you  the  liberty  to  think  about  it We  therefore  assign  you  two  places 

to  o-o,  either  to  Wyoming  or  Shamokin.  You  may  go  to  either  of  these 
places,  and  then  we  shall  have  you  more  under  our  eye  and  shall  see  how 
you  behave This  string  of  wampum  serves  to  forbid  you,  your  chil- 
dren and  grandchildren  to  the  latest  posterity,  forever  meddling  in  land 
affairs."  *  The  immediate  object  of  the  government  in  invoking  the  author- 
ity of  the  Six  Nations  was  sticcessfuUy  accomplished.  The  remnant  of  the 
Delawares  forthwith  removed  to  the  localities  designated,  and  some  con- 
tinued their  journey  to  the  Ohio;  but  they  retained  a  deep  resentment 
toward  the  provincial  authorities,  and  contact  with  the  French  on  the  Ohio 
early  served  to  ahenate  them  entirely  from  the  English  interest. 
*  Colonial  Records,  Vol.  fV'.  pp.  579-580. 


THE    COLONIAL    PERIOD.  47 

The  exploration  of  the  Susquehanna  valley  by  Etienne  Briilt?  has  been 
related  in  the  preceding  chapter;  and  while  it  can  not  be  positively  stated 
that  this  formed  the  basis  of  the  French  pretensions,  the  Susquehanna  river 
is  given  as  the  western  boundary  of  Pennsylvania  in  a  map  of  Louisiana 
published  at  Paris  in  1721.  It  was  not  until  1753,  however,  that  the  French 
accentuated  their  claims  to  Pennsylvania  territory  by  military  occupation, 
thus  precipitating  the  long  struggle  known  in  colonial  history  as  the  French 
and  Indian  war.  An  expedition  against  Fort  Duquesne,  which,  from  its 
location  at  the  jimction  of  the  Allegheny  and  Monongahela  rivers,  was  the 
most  important  French  post  in  the  Ohio  valley,  was  undertaken  in  1750 
under  the  joint  ausj^ices  of  the  British  and  colonial  governments.  The 
command  was  intrusted  to  General  Edward  Braddock,  an  English  officer. 
whose  utter  ignorance  of  the  methods  of  Indian  warfare  resulted  in  the 
almost  total  annihilation  of  his  army  on  the  9th  of  July,  1755. 

The  influence  of  Braddock's  defeat  was  at  once  apparent  in  the  changed 
attitude  of  the  Delaware  Indians.  Years  of  subjection  to  the  dominant 
Iroquois,  the  injustice  of  the  "walking  purchase,"  the  coercive  measures  of 
1742,  and,  finally,  the  treaty  of  1754,  by  which  the  Six  Nations  had  virtually 
sold  their  lands  and  those  of  the  Shawanese  "from  imder  their  feet," 'had 
given  cumulative  force  to  the  ardor  of  their  revenge.  Their  former  attachment 
to  the  English  had  resulted  largely  from  the  expectation  that  the  latter  would 
enable  them  to  recover  their  former  standing  as  a  nation;  dissappointed  in 
this  they  embraced  with  eagerness  the  promised  assistance  of  the  French,  and. 
in  conjunction  with  the  Shawanese  and  other  allied  tribes,  ravaged  the  Penn- 
sylvania frontier  from  the  Delaware  river  to  the  Maryland  line  with  tomahawk 
and  firebrand. 

Hostilities  were  inaugurated  in  the  Susquehanna  valley  on  the  16th  of 
October,  1755,  when  a  band  of  fourteen  Indians  from  the  Allegheny  attacked 
the  settlements  at  Penn's  creek,  several  miles  south  of  Shamokin  on  the  west 
side  of  the  river,  killed  fifteen  persons,  and  carried  off  ten  prisoners.  Two  of 
Conrad  Weiser's  sons.  Frederick  and  Peter,  had  been  at  Shamokin  several 
days  previously  and  stopped  at  the  house  of  George  Gabriel,  who  lived  at  the 
present  site  of  Selinsgrove.  on  their  return.  "While  there  a  message  arrived 
from  Logan,  one  of  Shikellimy's  sons,  and  Lapacpitton,  a  friendly  Delaware 
chief,  to  the  effect  that  a  large  body  of  French  and  Indians  was  approaching 
by  way  of  the  West  Branch  and  that  they  would  dispute  their  progress  if 
re-enforced  and  supplied  with  arms.  But  the  warning  was  too  late.  Intel- 
ligence of  the  massacre  reached  Harris's  Ferry  on  the  19th  instant,  and  on 
the  23d  John  Harris,  Thomas  Forster,  Adam  Terrence  and  others  to  the 
number  of  forty  left  Paxtang  to  bury  the  dead.  Finding  that  this  was  already 
done  they  were  about  to  return,  when  Tachnechdorus  persuaded  them  to  go 
on  to  Shamokin  and  confer  with  the  Indians  there.  They  arrived  on  the  24th 
and  remained  over  night ;  on   the  following  morning  they  crossed  the  river 


48  HISTORY    OF    NOBTHUJIBERLAND    COUNTY. 

and  started  down  on  the  west  side,  but  were  tired  upon  by  Indians  in  ambush 
at  the  mouth  of  Penn's  creels:  and  suffered  considerable  loss. 

This  outrage,  with  others  of  a  similar  character  at  different  points  on  the 
frontier,  produced  the  wildest  consternation.  In  a  letter  to  Governor  Morris 
imder  date  of  October  26,  1755,  Conrad  W'eiser  wrote:  '"I  sujipose  in  a  few 
days  not  one  family  will  be  seen  on  the  other  side  of  Kittatinny  hills."  Throe 
days  later  John  Harris  wrote  from  Pastang:  "We  expect  the  enemy  upon  us 

every  day I  had  a  certain  account  of  about  fifteen  himdred  Indians 

beside  French  being  on  their  march  against  us  and  Virginia  and  now  close 

on  our  borders I  am  informed  that  a  French  oiScer  was  expected  at 

Shamokin  this  week  with  a  party  of  Delawares  and  Shawanese,  no  doubt  to 
take  possession  of  our  river."  The  extent  to  which  this  rumor  gained  cur- 
rency is  apparent  from  a  letter  of  Governor  Morris  to  General  Shirley  in 
which  the  following  statement  occm-s:  "There  is  reason  to  apprehend  that 
the  French  have  designs  upon  Shamokin  and  are  going  to  seize  and  fortify 
it,  lia\'ing,  it  is  said,  obtained  the  consent  of  the  Delaware  Indians  to  do  it 
imder  the  ensnaring  pretense  of  putting  them  again  into  possession  of  their 
former  country  and  rendering  them  independent  of  the  Six  Nations.  These 
Indians  we  know  are  gone  against  us,  and  with  the  Shawanese .  .^.  .  are  now 
in  several  parties  killing  our  inhabitants  in  the  coimtry  near  Shamokin.  with 
design  no  doubt  to  give  the  French  time  to  bitild  their  fort  and  to  hinder  any 
obstruction  from  its."  These  rejwrts  were  confirmed  by  Andrew  Montoitr. 
who  arrived  at  Paxtang  from  Shamokin  on  the  31st  of  October,  1755;  he  had 
been  as  far  as  the  Great  Island  in  the  T\'est  Branch  of  Susquehanna,  where 
a  council  was  held  at  which  two  Delawares  stated  that  fifteen  hundred  French 
and  Indians  had  left  Fort  Dttquesne  twenty-one  days  previously  to  invade 
the  English  settlements,  and  that  a  French  fort  would  be  in  course  of  con- 
struction at  Shamokin  within  ten  days.  The  Indians  whom  he  met  confidently 
expected  to  spend  the  approaching  -winter  at  Lancaster. 

Of  the  actual  state  of  affairs  at  Shamokin  there  is  but  meager  informa- 
tion. The  attitude  of  the  Indians  toward  Harris  and  his  party  was  one  of 
distrttst,  and  warlike  preparations  were  also  in  progress  at  the  time  of  their 
visit.  When  John  Schmick  and  Henry  Frv'  arrived  at  Wyoming  on  the  lOth 
of  November,  1755,  they  were  informed  that  Paxinos  and  Abraham,  the  two 
principal  Shawanese  chiefs  at  that  place,  '•  were  sent  for  to  Shamokin,  and 
when  they  came  there  they  found  that  the  Indians  there  were  convened  to  a 
treaty,  where  a  Mohawk  French  Indian  gave  a  string  of  wampum  and 
addressed  the  other  Indians  in  these  terms:  'Your  grandfather,  i.  e.,  the 
French  king,  sends  you  word  that  I  intend  to  come  down  with  fifteen  hun- 
dred men  with  me; ' to  whom  the  Indians    made  answer,     '  If 

this  is  your  intention,  then  come  not  through  our  land.'  "  From  this  it 
is  apparent  that  the  Shamokin  Indians  were  not  at  that  time  committed  to 
the  French   interest,  conclusive  evidence  of  which  is  found  in  the  report  of 


THE    COLONIAL    PERIOD.  49 

Scarroyady,  an  Oneida  chief,  who  visited  the  Susquehanna  cantons  shortly 
after  the  inroad  on  Penn's  creek.  He  absolutely  denied  that  they  had  been 
concerned  in  any  attacks  upon  the  settlements,  and  declared  that  they  hated 
Onontio  (the  Governor  of  Canada)  as  cordially  as  the  English;  but  they  must 
know  whether  the  latter  intended  to  fight;  if  they  could  not  be  safe  where 
they  were  they  would  go  somewhere  else  and  take  care  of  themselves. 
"  They  could  not  even  stay  at  Shamokin,"  he  said,  "  which  might  have  been 
prevented  if  the  government  had  paid  a  proper  regard  to  their  repeated 
solicitations  for  a  supply  of  arms  and  ammunition  for  their  warriors  and  of 
necessaries  for  their  wives  and  children."  That  the  town  was  abandoned  in 
November,  1755.  is  further  sho^\'n  by  the  report  of  an  Iroquois  who  was  sent 
thither  from  Harris's  Ferrj-  and  found  no  Indians  there.  On  Saturday, 
Jime  5, 1756,  six  scouts  arrived  at  Shamokin,  "  and  not  observing  any  enemy, 
went  to  the   place  where  the  town  had  been,  the   houses  being  burnt  to  the 

groimd They  continued  there  till  ten  o'clock  the  next  day,  and, 

seeing  no  appearance  of  an  enemy  except  some  old  tracks  of  Indians 
and  horses,  they  returned  "  to  Fort  Halifax.  After  abandoning  the  town 
the  IncUans  retreated  to  Nescopec,  Wyoming,  Tioga,  and  other  towns  on  the 
North  Branch  and  to  the  French  posts  in  the  Northwest.  The  Delawares, 
who  had  been  without  a  king  since  the  death  of  Allumapees,  elected  Teed\-iis- 
cung  to  that  position.  He  was  keenly  sensible  of  the  wrongs  his  people  had 
suffered  from  their  concjuerors  at  the  instance  of  the  English,  and,  as  the 
first  measure  for  a  restoration  of  their  former  tribal  standing,  inaugurated  a 
series  of  hostile  incursions  against  the  frontier  settlements.  From  the  Six 
Nations  this  policy  secured  a  reluctant  admission  of  the  equality  of  the  Dela- 
ware tribe;  with  the  colonial  government  it  was  not  so  successful,  however, 
and  on  the  14th  of  April,  1756,  Governor  Morris  issued  a  proclamation 
declaring  war  against  the  Delawares  and  their  allies. 

While  the  Province  was  thus  in  constant  danger  of  Indian  incursions  and 
menaced  by  French  invasion,  divided  coimsels  prevented  the  authorities  from 
adopting  eiScient  measures  of  defense.  The  Governor  refused  his  assent  to 
the  taxation  of  Proprietarj-  estates,  and  the  provincial  Assembly,  with  equal 
obstinacy,  declined  to  grant  supplies  upon  any  other  basis.  These  differ- 
ences were  at  length  temporarily  adjusted,  however,  and  in  January,  1756, 
Governor  Morris  elaborated  a  com2:)rehensive  system  of  frontier  defense. 
Foi;r  forts  were  erected  west  of  the  Susquehanna,  viz. :  Pomfret  Castle,  on 
Mahantango  creek  twelve  miles  from  the  river;  Fort  Granville,  on  the  Juni- 
ata at  the  mouth  of  Kishocoquillas  creek;  Fort  Shirley,  at  Aughwick,  and 
Fort  Lyttleton.  on  the  road  to  the  Ohio.  Between  the  Susquehanna  and 
Delaware  a  chain  of  blockliouses  was  constructed  along  the  Kittatinny  range, 
with  Fort  Henry  at  Tolheo  gap.  Fort  Lebanon  on  a  branch  of  the  Schuylkill, 
and  Fort  Allen  on  the  Lehigh. 

The  erection  of  a  fort  at  Shamokin  was  repeatedly  urged  by  friendly  Indi- 


50  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

ans.  It  was  probably  first  suggested  by  Andrew  Montour  and  Monocatootha 
at  Harris's  Ferry  on  the  1st  of  November,  1755,  and  at  once  received  the 
favorable  consideration  of  the  Governor,  who  wrote  to  General  Johnson  under 
date  of  November  15th:  "I  intend  to  build  a  fort  at  Shamokin  this  winter." 
On  the  17th  of  Januarj-,  1756,  it  was  again  brought  to  the  notice  of  the  Gov- 
ernor at  a  conference  at  Carlisle.  The  fort  would,  the  Indians  said,  "be  a 
place  of  refuge  in  times  of  distress  for  us  with  our  wives  and  children  to  fly 
to  for  our  safety."  The  Governor  replied  that  he  would  '•  make  immediate 
provision  for  the  building  a  strong  house  at  Shamokin,"  and  its  construction 
would  probably  have  begun  at  once  if  the  season  had  permitted.  This  is 
evident  from  a  letter  of  Governor  Morris  to  Governor  Sharpe,  of  Maryland, 
in  which  he  says  (February  1,  1756):  "I  also  propose  to  build  a  fort  at 
Shamokin  at  the  forks  of  Susquehanna  as  soon  as  the  season  will  admit  a 
passage  up  that  river,  for  the  mountains  north  of  the  Kittatiimy  are  quite 
impassable  for  carriages."  The  Indians  became  impatient  at  the  delay,  and 
at  the  confei-ences  of  Febniary  22  and  April  10,  1756,  urgently  requested  the 
Governor  to  perform  what  he  had  promised.  The  location  was  inaccessible, 
except  by  water,  and  opposition  from  the  enemy  was  not  improbable;  the 
appropriations  made  by  the  provincial  Assembly  were  dispensed  iinder  the 
supervision  of  a  board  of  commissioners,  who  were  not  in  cordial  sympathy 
with  the  Governor's  plans,  and  it  was  not  imtil  April,  1756,  that  their  con- 
sent to  this  project  was  obtained. 

The  consent  of  the  commissioners  was  coupled  with  a  request  that  four 
himdred  troops  should  be  raised  for  the  expedition.  The  Third  battalion, 
known  as  the  Augusta  regiment,  was  accordingly  recruited;  the  following  is 
a  roster  of  the  officers,  with  the  respective  dates  of  their  commissions: — * 

Lieutenant  Colonel,  WiUiam  Clapham,  March  29,  1756. 

Major,  James  Burd,  April  24,  1756. 

Adjutant,  Asher  Clayton,  May  24,  1756. 

Aide-de-Camp,  Thomas  Lloyd,  April  2,  1756. 

Commissary  of  Pro\-isions,  Peter  Bard. 

Wagon  Master,  Robert  Irwin,  April  12,  1756. 

Captain,  William  Clapham,  March  29,  1756;' lieutenant,  »Levi  Trump, 
April  3,  1756;  ensign,  John  Mears,  April  20,  1756. 

Captain,  Thomas  Lloyd,  April  2, 1756;  lieutenant,  Patrick  Davis  [Davies], 
April  4,  1756;  ensign,  Samuel  J.  Atlee,  April  23,  1756. 

Captain,  Joseph  Shippen,  April  3,  1756;  lieutenant,  Charles  Garraway, 
April  15,  1756;  ensign,  Charles  Brodhead,  April  29,  1756. 

Captain,  Patrick  Work,  April  22,  1756;  lieutenant,  Daniel  Clark,  May  1, 
1756;  ensign,  William  Patterson,  May  14,  1756. 

Captain,  James  Burd,  April  24,  1756;  lieutenant,  William  Anderson, 
May  10,  1756;  ensign,  John  Morgan,  May  24,  1756. 

♦Pennsylvania  Archives  (Second  Series),  Vol.  II.  pp.  537-53S. 


,--%?/y-X-.'^^^^ 


THE    COLONIAL    PERIOD.  53 

Captain,  Elisha  Salter,  May  11.  IToO:  liei^tenant,  Aslier  Clayton,  May 
24,  1756;  ensigns:  Samnel  Miles,  Mar  2-1:,  1756;  Alexander  McKee,  August 
17,  1756. 

Captain,  Dayid  Jamison,  May  IP.  1756:  lieutenant,  William  Clapham, 
Jr.,  August  20.  1756;  ensign,  Joseph  Scott,  ^lay  24,  1756. 

Captain,  John  Hambright,  Jime  12.  1756;  lieutenant,  William  Plunket; 
ensign,  Patrick  Allison,  Jime  25,  1756. 

Captain,  Nathaniel  Miles;  lieutenant. Bryan;  ensign, Johnson; 

sergeant, McCurdy. 

The  battalion  rendezvoused  at  Fort  Himter.  a  stockade  on  the  east  side  of 
the  Susquehanna  riyer  a  short  distance  above  Harris's  Ferrj-.  This  point 
was  selected  by  Governor  Morris,  who.  on  the  12th  of  April,  1756,  issued 
instructions  to  Robert  Irwin,  "  wagon  ma.ster  and  conductor  of  the  boats  and 
canoes."  On  the  25th  of  April  he  wrote  to  Governor  Shirley:  ''Your  dis- 
patches found  me  preparing  to  set  out  for  the  Susqixehanna,  where  the  pro- 
vincial forces  are  waiting  for  me."  In  a  communication  dated  '"  Camp  at 
Harris's  Ferry,  May  28,  1756,"  he  refers  to  "the  multiplicity  and  great 
variety  of  business  in  which  I  have  been  constantly  employed  ever  since  I 
came  here."  from  which  it  is  evident  that  the  expedition  was  organized  under 
his  immediate  sujiervision. 

After  leaving  the  camp  of  rendezvous,  the  troops  marched  on  the  east 
side  of  the  Susqixehanna  river  as  far  as  Fort  Halifax.  A  stop  appears 
to  have  been  made  at  McKee's  store  (opposite  the  mouth  of  Sherman's  creek) : 
on  the  11th  of  June,  1756,  Colonel  Clapham  wrote:  '•  On  Saturday  last  [June 
5th]  I  marched  from  McKee's  store  with  five  companies  and  eighteen  bat- 
toaux  and  canoes  loaded,  and  arrived  here  [Fort  Halifax]  the  next  after- 
noon." He  then  jn-oceeds  to  give  an  account  of  the  progress  of  the  expedi- 
tion. Detachments  had  been  stationed  as  garrisons  at  Harris's  Ferry.  Fort 
Hunter,  and  McKee's  store.  Considerable  difficulty  was  exj^erienced  in  as- 
cending the  Juniata  rapids;  many  of  the  batteaux  grounded,  "though  laden 
with  no  more  than  four  barrels  of  pork  and  a  few  light  things."  It  was 
Governor  Morris's  idea  originally  to  use  canoes  only  in  the  transportation 
service;  the  svibstitution  of  batteaux  was  due  to  the  suggestion  of  John 
Harris.  At  the  time  Colonel  Clapham  wrote  (Jime  11th)  there  were  twenty- 
batteaux  and  two  canoes  in  the  service;  they  had  made  five  trips  to  McKee's 
and  two  to  the  "  Camp  at  Armstrong's  "  (Fort  Halifax),  and  were  then  absent 
on  a  third.  While  the  transportation  of  the  stores  was  in  progress  the  main 
body  of  the  troops  was  employed  in  erecting  Fort  Halifax;  this  was  not 
included  in  the  original  design  of  the  expedition,  but  was  undertaken  by 
Colonel  Clapham  in  the  exercise  of  his  discretionary  powers.  On  the  10th 
of  June  ten  "ship  carpenters "  arrived  from"  Harris's  Ferry;  they  were 
probably  followed  by  others,  and  ten  days  later  the  Colonel  wrote:  "The 
carpenters  are  still  employed  in  building  batteaux  and  carriages  for  the  can- 


54  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBEKLAND    COUNTY. 

non."  On  the  1st  of  July  he  informed  the  Governor  that  "  the  ship  car- 
penters have  finished  the  carriages  for  the  cannon,  and,  as  soon  as  they  have 
finished  the  batteaus  in  hand,  which  I  expect  will  be  done  to-morrow,  I 
shall  give  them  a  certificate  of  their  services  and  discharge  them  all  except 
one.  who  will  be  absolutely  necessary  in  the  passage  and  without  whose 
assistance  we  may  probably  lose  more  than  his  pay  can  cost  the  Province. 
None  of  my  people  are  to  be  depended  on  in  case  of  an  accident  on  the  water, 
and  I  can  assure  your  Honor  that  I  find  fatigue  and  dilficulties  enough  to 
conduct  so  amphibious  an  expedition  with  all  the  assistance  I  can  possibly 
command lam  at  present  extremely  engaged  in  embarking  the  regi- 
ment's stores,  etc.  for  Shamokin,  expecting  to  march  [in]  time  enough  to 
encamp  to-night  on  the  west  side  of  Susquehanna  about  five  miles  above 
Fort  Halifax."  From  that  place  the  march  was  continued  on  the  west  side  of 
the  river  to  a  point  opposite  Sunbury,  where  the  troops  crossed  in  batteaux. 
On  the  r2th  of  June,  1756,  the  Governor  sent  Colonel  Clapham  detailed 
instructions  regarding  the  conduct  of  the  expedition;  the  following  is  a 
transcript  of  those  portions  relating  to  the  construction  of  the  fort: — 

Herewith  you  will  also  receive  two  plans  of  forts,  the  one  a  pentagon,  the  other  a 
square  with  one  ravelin  to  protect  the  curtain  where  the  gate  is,  with  a  ditph,  covered 
way,  and  glacis.  But  as  it  is  impossible  to  give  any  explicit  directions  [for]  the  particu- 
lar form  of  a  fort  without  viewing  and  considering  the  ground  on  which  it  is  to  stand, 
1  must  leave  it  to  you  to  build  it  in  such  form  as  will  best  answer  for  its  own  defense, 
the  command  of  the  river  and  of  the  country  in  its  neighborhood,  and  the  [ilans  here- 
with will  serve  to  show  the  proportion  that  the  different  parts  of  the  work  shall  bear 
to  each  other. 

As  to  the  place  upon  which  this  fort  is  to  be  erected,  that  must  be  in  a  gn-at 
measure  left  to  your  judgment;  but  it  is  necessary  to  inform  3-ou  that  it  must  be  on 
the  east  side  of  the  Susquehanna,  the  lands  on  the  west  at  the  forks  and  between  the 
branches  not  being  purchased  from  the  Indians,  besides  which  it  would  be  impossible 
to  relieve  and  support  a  garrison  on  that  side  in  the  winter  time.  From  all  the 
information  I  have  been  able  to  collect,  the  land  on  the  south  side  of  the  East  Branch 
opposite  the  middle  of  the  island  is  the  highest  of  any  of  the  low  laud  thereabout  and 
the  best  place  for  a  fort,  as  the  guns  you  have  will  form  a  rampart  of  a  moderate 
height  [and]  command  the  main  river;  but  as  these  informations  come  from  persons  not 
acquainted  with  the  nature  of  such  things,  I  am  fearful  they  are  not  much  to  be 
depended  on,  and  your  own  judgment  must  therefore  direct  you. 

When  you  have  completed  the  fort  you  will  cause  the  ground  to  be  cleared  abo\it 
it  50  to  a  convenient  distance  and  openings  to  be  made  to  the  river,  and  you  will  erect 
such  buildings  within  the  fort  and  place  them  in  such  a  manner  as  you  shall  judge 
best. 

Without  the  fort  at  a  convenient  distance,  under  the  command  of  the  guns,  it  will 
be  necessary  to  build  some  log  houses  for  Indians,  that  they  may  have  places  to  lodge 
in  without  being  in  the  fort. 

As  soon  as  you  are  in  possession  of  the  ground  at  Shamokin  you  will  secure  your- 
self by  a  breastwork  in  the  best  manner  you  can,  so  that  your  men  may  work  in  safety.* 

Contemporary  records  contain  hui  meager   information   regarding   the 
♦Pennsylvania  Arcliives,  Vol.  II.  pp.  GG7-6G8. 


THE    COLONIAL    PERIOD.  00 

progress  of  the  work.  Captain  Levi  Trump  arul  Ensign  Samuel  Miles  (sub- 
sequently a  colonel  in  the  Eevolutionary  war  and  the  founder  of  Mileslmrg, 
Centre  county.  Pennsylvania)  had  charge  of  the  workmen.  On  the  ISth  of 
July  Colonel  Clapham  wrote  the  Governor  that  he  had  but  one  team  of 
draught  horses,  in  consequence  of  which  '"the  works  must  proceed  very 
slowly  and  the  expense  in  the  end  be  proportionable."  In  his  reply  to  this 
Governor  Morris  says:  "I  have  your  maji  of  the  forts  and  of  the  blockhouses 
and  stoccado  you  have  erected,  which  I  much  approve,  as  your  people  may 
under  that  cover  work  in  safety."'  This  doubtless  referred  to  the  tem- 
porary defenses  mentioned  in  his  instriictions:  for  on  the  14th  of  August 
Colonel  Clajiham  wrote:  "We  have  the  walls  of  the  fort  now  above  half- 
tinished  and  our  other  works  in  such  situation  that  we  can  make  a  very 
good  defense  against  any  body  of  French  and  Indians  that  shall  seat  them- 
selves before  us  without  cannon."  On  the  Tth  of  September  he  gave  a  letter 
of  recommendation  to  Michael  McGuire.  who  had  enlisted  as  a  private 
soldier  and  was  '-particularly  useful   as  an  overseer  and  carjienter  in  the 

building  of  the  fort If  the  government  designs  to  strengthen  this  post 

by  doubling  the  fort  with  another  case  of  logs  and  tilling  up  the  interme- 
diate space  with  earth  in  order  to  render  it  cannon-proof,  w-hich  I  think 
ought  to  be  done,  sitch  a  man  will  be  particularly  serviceal)le."  This  letter 
was  addressed  to  Benjamin  Franklin,  to  whom,  in  a  communication  on  the 
following  day,  he  says:  "This  post,  which  is  in  my  opinion  of  the  utmost 
consequence  to  the  Province,  is  already  defensiljle  against  all  the  power  of 
musketry,  but  as  it  is,  from  the  nature  of  its  situation,  exposed  to  a  more 
formidable  descent  from  the  West  Branch,  it  ought,  I  think,  to  be  rendered 
still  stronger."  Peter  Bard,  the  local  commissary,  wrote  to  the  Governor  on 
the  4th  of  September:  "The  fort  is  now  almost  finished,  and  a  fine  one  it  is." 
Colonel  Clapham  transmitted  a  plan  of  the  fort  to  Governor  Denny  on  the 
28d  of  September,  with  the  information  that  its  construction  had  required 
"little  better  than  the  sjiace  of  six  weeks."  This  referred  only  to  the  works 
originally  projected,  which  were  probably  constructed  from  the  jolans  fur- 
nished by  the  Governor  without  any  special  engineering  sujjervision.  On 
the  17th  of  October,  1756,  E.  Meyer,  an  engineer  in  the  provincial  service, 
arrived  at  Harris's  Ferry  with  James  Young,  the  commissary  general;  thence 
they  proceeded  to  Fort  Augusta  in  company  with  Captain  Lloyd.  On  the 
23d  instant  Colonel  Clapham  acknowledged  the  receipt  of  "  Mr.  Meyer's 
instructions  relative  to  the  additional  works  to  be  made  at  Augusta:''  and  on 
the  8th  of  November  he  wrote: — 

I   have,  shice  the  departure  of  Mr.  Meyer,  been  eonstautly  employed  ou 

the  works  laid  out  agreeably  to  his  instructions,  but  which  must  necessarily  proceed 
more  slowly  for  want  of  stronger  teams  and  wheelbarrows,  as  we  have  at  present  no 
other  method  of  remoring  the  dirt  but  by  hand-barrows  and  the  tedious  way  of  casting 
it  with  shovels  from  man  to  man.  What  still  increases  the  want  of  horses  and  car- 
riages is  the  necessity  we  lie  under  of  conveying  clay  from  other  places  for  the  construe- 


56  HISTORY    OF   NORTHUilBERLiND    COUNTY. 

tion  of  the  parapet,  what  comes  out  of  the  ditch  being  improper  for  that  purpose,  as 
■we  find  it  a  foot  or  two  beneath  the  surface  to  grow  sandy  and  not  to  be  consolidated 
by  any  force  or  expedient  in  our  power.  The  axes  we  have  are,  in  general,  extremely 
bad,  and  even  the  number  of  them  insufficient.  Tomahawks  with  square,  flat  ej-es, 
nails  of  several  sorts,  and  especially  spades  are  very  much  wanted,  the  wagon  master's 
presence  extremely  necessary,  and  rum  for  the  men  employed  on  the  works.* 

In  a  letter  evidently  written  several  weeks  later  he  says:  "Two  bushels 
of  blue  grass  seed  are  necessary  wherewith  to  sow  the  slopes  of  the  para- 
pet and  glacis  and  the  banks  of  the  river.  In  eight  or  ten  days  more  the 
ditch  will  be  carried  quite  round  the  parapet,  the  barrier  gates  finished  and 
erected,  and  the  pickets  of  the  glacis  completed." 

Constant  danger  was  apj^rehended  from  French  and  Indians.  On  the 
30th  of  July.  1756.  Fort  Granville  was  taken  and  bitmed,  and  an  attack  upon 
Fort  Augusta  was  deemed  highly  probable.  The  fieet  of  batteaus  ascended 
and  ciescended  the  river  imder  a  strong  guard,  the  necessity  for  which  is  apjiar- 
ent  from  the  following  statements  in  Commissan,-  Bard's  letter  of  September 
4th:  "On  the  23d  past  one  of  the  soldiers  was  coming  here  from  Harris's 
express,  and  fifteen  miles  from  this  fort  was  murdered  and  scalped.  The 
party  that  went  to  escort  Captain  Lloyd  found  and  buried  him.  And  last 
Stmday  morning  one  of  our  peojjle  who  attended  the  cattle  went  to  the 
sjjring,  about  half  a  mile  from  the  fort,  and  while  he  was  drinking  was  shot 
and  afterwards  scalped  and  tomahawked."  This  melancholy  occurrence  gave 
to  the  Bloody  spring  its  sanguinary  name.  The  boldness  of  the  aggressors 
caused  much  alarm,  which  was  greatly  increased  in  the  following  month 
when  Ogagradarisha,  a  friendly  Irocjuois  chief,  brought  intelligence  of  the 
approach  of  a  large  force  of  French  ancl  Inchans.  Dispatches  were  at  once 
transmitted  to  Colonel  Clapham,  who  was  then  at  Harris's  Ferry,  whence  he  im- 
mediately returned  to  Fort  Augusta  with  the  determination  to  defend  it  to 
the  last  extremity.  The  garrison  was  re-enforced  and  additional  works  were 
constructed,  which  so  increased  the  strength  of  the  post  as  to  warrant  offen- 
sive measures.  Information  having  been  received  that  the  bands  of  Indians 
which  harrassed  the  frontier  rendezvoused  at  a  town  on  the  West  Branch, 
fifty  miles  from  the  fort.  Colonel  Clapham  chspatched  a  party  comj^oseti  of 
thirty-eight  privates,  two  sergeants,  and  two  corporals  imder  command  of 
Captain  John  Hambright  with  Montour  as  guide  to  attack  and  destroy  it 
shotild  he  find  it  inhabited  but  leave  no  indications  of  his  visit  should  he  find 
it  abandoned.  His  instructions,  which  were  of  the  most  specific  character, 
were  issued  under  date  of  November  4,  1756.  The  town,  called  Chingle- 
clamouse,  was  situated  on  the  West  Branch  at  the  present  site  of  Clearfield. 
"Captain  Hambright  entered  the  town,  foimd  the  cabins  all  standing,  but 
deserted  by  the  Indians.  Agreeably  to  his  orders  he  did  not  touch  anything 
nor  destroy  the  town,  in  hopes  the  Indians  would  come  to  settle  there  again. 

*  Pennsylvania  Archives,  Vol.  III.  p.  41. 


THE    COLONIAL   PERIOD.  Oi 

This  was  the  only  Indian  town  could  be  attacked."*  No  important  results 
attended  the  expedition. 

Much  difficulty  was  experienced  in  obtaining  adequate  supplies  of  provis- 
ions and  ammunition.  On  the  14th  of  August,  1756,  at  a  time  when  there 
was  believed  to  be  imminent  danger  of  an  attack,  there  were  but  four  half- 
barrels  of  powder  in  store;  and  so  fearfiil  was  Colonel  Clapham  that  the  let- 
ter containing  this  information  would  fall  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy  that 
he  put  it  in  the  pad  of  the  courier's  pack-saddle.  On  this  occasion,  ha\-ing 
found  it  utterly  impossible  to  continue  the  batteau  service  owing  to  the  low 
stage  of  water,  he  iirgently  requested  that  a  number  of  pack-horses  should 
be  engaged,  which  would  render  it  possible  to  transport  sufficient  provisions 
from  Tulpehocken  to  keep  the  garrison  through  the  winter.  On  the  1st  of 
September  the  stock  of  jDrovisions  was  reduced  to  forty-six  barrels  of  beef 
and  pork,  nine  of  ilour,  live  of  peas,  and  one  bullock — scarcely  sufficient  for 
three  days'  rations;  at  this  critical  juncture  Captain  Lloyd  arrived  with  thirty- 
three  cattle  and  a  quantity  of  supphes,  probably  the  first  received  by  pack- 
horses.  In  a  letter  to  Governor  Denny  on  the  23d  of  September  Colonel 
Clapham  stated  that  the  supply  of  flour  had  twice  been  reduced  to  two  bar- 
rels, and  suggested  the  appointment  of  a  purchasing  agent. 

In  the  following  month  he  made  a  \-isit  to  Lancaster  and  Ciunberland 
counties,  retiirning  on  the  afternoon  of  Sunday,  October  17th,  with  "seventy 
horse-loads  of  flour  and  a  quantity  of  salt,  and  thirty  head  of  cattle."'  LTpon 
the  approach  of  winter  it  became  necessary  to  revert  to  the  batteau  ser\-ice 
again,  and  in  November  the  Colonel  wrote:  "The  repairs  of  the  batteaiix  are 
now  near  finished;  they  will  require  one  hundred  thirteen  men  to  work 
them,  for  which  expense  and  the  payment  of  arrears  due  on  that  service  I 
have  not  in  my  hands  one  single  shilling.  The  season  advancing  will  not 
admit  of  the  supplying  this  garrison  by  horses  but  for  a  short  time,  when  the 
depth  of  the  creeks,  the  badness  of  the  roads,  the  coldness  of  the  weather, 
and  the  length  of  the  way  will  render  that  method  impracticable." 

Inadequate  provision  for  the  financial  requirements  of  the  exjiedition 
occasioned  much  dissatisfaction  among  its  members.  "  Everybody  seems  dis- 
posed cheerfully  to  contribute  their  services  toward  the  public  good,"  says 
Colonel  Clapham  in  a  letter  to  Governor  Morris  on  the  ■2Uth  of  June,  1756, 
'"if  there  was  ever  any  prospect  or  assurance  of  being  paid  for  it."  At  that 
time  there  were  twenty-six  batteau-men  in  confinement  for  mutiny  on 
accoimt  of  the  failure  of  the  officers  to  jiay  them,  and  it  was  feared  that  oth- 
ers would  desert  if  allowed  to  leave  the  camj).  Nor  was  this  discontent  con- 
fined to  the  rank  and  file;  the  extremely  parsimonious  policy  of  the  commis- 
sioners by  whom  the  provincial  appropriations  were  disbursed  caused  general 
dissatisfaction  among  the  officers.  The  subalterns  alleged  that  seven  shill- 
ings six  pence  had  been  promised  each  lieutenant  and  five  shillings  six  jience 

*  Pennsylvania  Archives,  Vol.  III.  pp.  -11-13.  UG. 


58  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

to  each  ensign,  while  the  former  had  received  but  five  shillings  six  pence  and 
the  latter  four  shillings.  A  council  was  accordingly  held  at  the  camp  at 
Shamokin  oH  the  13th  of  July,  175G,  at  which  all  the  officers  of  the  regiment 
were  present  except  Captain  Miles,  who  was  in  command  of  the  garrison  at 
Fort  Halifax;  the  reasons  of  the  subalterns  for  expecting  a  larger  rate  of  pay 
than  they  had  received  were  recited  in  a  memorial  to  the  Governor,  at  the 
cotclusion  of  which  the  officers  joined  in  the  following  resignation: — 

The  gentlemen  officers  beg  leave  to  appeal  to  his  Honor,  the  Governor,  as  an  evi- 
dence that  that  opinion  universally  prevailed  throughout  the  regiment,  and,  thinking 
themselves  unjustly  dealt  with  by  the  gentlemen  commissioners,  are  unanimously 
determined  not  to  serve  longer  on  these  terms;  they  therefore  beg  leave  to  return  your 
Honor  their  most  hearty  and  sincere  thanks  for  the  favors  received,  the  grateful  impres- 
sions of  which  they  shall  never  forget,  and  at  the  [same  time  recjuest  a  permission 
from  your  Honor  to  resign  on  the  20th  day  of  August  next,  desiring  to  be  relieved 
accordingly* 

This  was  transmitted  to  the  Governor  by  Colonel  Clapham,  who  improved 
the  ojiportunity  to  air  his  own  grievances  and  those  of  the  other  field  officers. 
The  following  is  an  extract  from  his  letter: — 

I  entered  into  this  service  at  the  solicitation  of  some  of  the  gentlemen  commis- 
sioners, in  dependence  on  promises  which  they  have  never  performed,  and  have  acted 
ever  since  not  only  in  two  capacities  but  in  twenty,  having,  besides  the  duties  of  my 
commissions  as  colonel  and  captain,  been  obliged  to  discharge  those  of  an  engineer 
and  overseer  at  the  same  time,  and  undergone  in  the  service  incredible  fatigues  with- 
out materials  and  without  thanks.  But  as  I  am  to  be  paid  only  as  a  colonel  I  intend 
while  I  remain  in  this  service  only  to  fulfill  the  duties  of  that  commission,  which  never 
was  yet  supposed  to  include  building  forts  and  ten  thousand  other  services  which  I 
have  performed;  so  that  the  gentlemen  commissioners  have  only  to  send  engineers, 
pioneers,  and  other  laborers,  with  the  necessary  teams  and  utensils,  while  I,  as  colonel, 
preside  over  the  works,  see  that  your  Honor's  orders  are  punctually  executed,  and  only 
defend  the  persons  engaged  in  the  execution  of  them. 

In  pursuance  of  a  resolution  of  your  Honor  and  the  gentlemen  commissioners  to 
allow  me  an  aid-de-camp,  who  was  to  be  paid  as  a  supernumerary  captain  in  the  regi- 
ment, I  accordingly  appointed  Captain  Lloyd  as  my  aid-de-camp  on  April  2, 1756,  who 
has  ever  since  acted  as  such  in  the  most  fatiguing  and  disagreeable  service  on  earth,  and 
received  only  captain's  pay. 

Your  Honor  was  pleased  to  appoint  Lieutenant  Claj-ton  adjutant  to  the  regiment 
under  my  command  by  a  commission  bearing  date  the  24th  day  of  May,  1756,  but  the 
gentlemen  commissioners  have,  in  defiance  of  all  known  rules,  resolved  that  an  officer 
can  discharge  but  one  duty  in  a  day,  and  have  paid  him  only  as  a  lieutenant. 

Impowered  by  your  Honor's  orders,  and  in  compliance  with  the  exigencies  of  the 
service,  I  hired  a  number  of  batteau-men  at  two  shillings  six  pence  per  day,  as  will 
appear  by  the  return  made  herewith  to  your  Honor,  and,  upon  demanding  from  the 
paymaster  general  money  for  the  payment  of  the  respective  balances  due  to  them,  was 
surprised  to  find  that  the  commissioners  had  by  their  instructions  restrained  him  from 
paying  any  incidental  charges  whatever,  as  thinking  them  properly  cognizable  only  b 
themselves. 

'Tis  extremely  cruel.  Sir,  and  unjust  to  the  last  degree,  that  men  who  cheerfully 
ventured  their  lives  in  the  most  dangerous  and  fatiguing  services  of  their  country,  who 

•Pennsylvania  Archives,  Vol.  II.  p.  701. 


THE    COLONIAL    PERIOD.  59 

hrtve  numerous  families  dependent  on  tlieir  labor,  and  who  have  many  of  them  while 
they  were  engaged  in  that  service  suffered  more  from  the  neglect  of  their  farms  and 
crops  at  home  than  the  value  of  their  whole  pay — in  short,  whose  affairs  are  ruined  by 
the  ser\ices  done  their  country — should  some  of  them  receive  no  pay  at  all.* 

The  provincial  commissary  general,  James  Young,  whose  visit  to  Sha- 
mokin  developed  sncli  general  dissatisfaction  among  the  officers  and  men, 
ai-rived  at  that  place  on  the  12th  of  July  and  remained  four  days.  He  left 
on  Friday,  the  16th  instant,  in  a  batteau  with  four  oars,  arrived  at  Harris's 
Ferry  before  night,  and  on  the  following  day  proceeded  to  Carlisle,  whence 
he  transmitted  an  account  of  his  transactions  to  the  Governor.  He  had 
followed  the  instructions  of  the  commissioners  in  paying  the  subalterns, 
who  receipted  for  the  amounts  received  biit  not  for  their  full  pay.  He  had 
been  instructed  to  pay  four  hundred  men.  but  found  more  than  that  number 
in  the  camp,  beside  the  detachments  at  Fort  Hunter  and  elsewhere.  He 
was  to  pay  the  men  to  the  1st  of  July,  deducting  one  half  for  clothing: 
against  this  they  protested;  the  captains  drew  up  a  statement  setting  forth 
the  manifest  injustice  of  such  an  arrangement,  and  he  was  obliged  to  yield 
to  their  demands.  He  had  no  fimds  to  meet  Colonel  Clapham's  bill  for  one 
huncked  sixteen  batteau-men  at  two  shillings  six  jjence  per  day,  but. was 
credibly  informed  that  the  greater  part  of  them  were  soldiers  in  the  regiment 
and  received  pay  as  such.  From  this  it  would  apjDear  that  the  Colonel 
ajij^lic-l  the  same  principle  to  them  as  to  himself  and  his  brother  officers, 
viz..  that  a  man  should  receive  full  pay  in  every  capacity  in  which  he  served. 
He  observed  that  the  arbitrary  disposition  of  the  commanding  officer  had 
occasioned  great  dissatisfaction  among  the  subordinate  officers,  all  of  whom 
excejjt  three  or  four  had  been  placed  in  confinement  by  him  and  released  at 
his  pleasure  without  trial. f 

The  straitened  condition  of  jirovincial  finances  continited.  On  the  28d 
of  September,  175G,  Colonel  Clapham  informed  Governor  Denny  that  there 
was  four  months'  pay  clue  the  regiment,  and,  as  many  of  the  soldiers  had 
families  to  support,  he  was  obliged  to  loan  the  greater  part  of  his  own  salary 
among  them,  otherwise  he  feared  they  would  have  deserted  or  returned  to 
their  homes  at  the  expiration  of  their  terms  of  enlistment. J  At  length,  "tired 
with  the  discoitragements  perpetually  given  to  the  service  by  the  commis- 
sioners and  with  their  particular  treatment  of  him,"  he  resigned  his  com- 
mission and  was  succeeded  in  command  of  the  Augusta  regiment  by  Major 
James  Buxd,  the  officer  next  in  rank. 

Major  Burd  ;j  arrived  at  Fort  Augusta  on  Wednesday,  December  8,  1756, 
•Pennsylvania  .-Vrchives,  Vol.  II.  pp.  700-707. 

+Tliis  statement  <loes  not  lianuonize  with  the  Colonel's  action  on  a  snliseqiient  occasion.    On  the 

14th  of  Antjust  he  wrote:  ••  I  have  put  Lieutenant  Plunket  under  an  arrest  tor  mutiny,  ami  only  wait  for 

the  return  of  Captain  I.loycl,  the  judge  advocate,  to  have  him  tried  by  a  general  court  martial."— 

Pcnit.-<ijlvania  ArcJiirex,  Vol.  II.  p.  743.  • 

^Pennsylvania  Arcliives,  Vol.  II.  pp.  779-7S0. 

.Major  Burd  kept  a  minute  record  of  occurrences  at  Fort  Augusta,  and  the  facts  relating  to  the 


60  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

■with  Captains  Shippen  and  Jamison  and  a  sup2>ly  train.  He  found  Captain 
Hambright  in  command:  Colonel  Clapham  had  dej^arted  at  ten  a.  m.  on  the 
previous  Monday;  Captains  Lloyd  and  Salter,  Lieutenants  Clapham,  Trump, 
and  Miles,  and  Ensign  Patterson  were  also  absent.  On  the  following  day 
he  "inquired  into  the  state  of  the  garrison,"  and  found  two  himdred  eighty 
men,  with  nine  officers,  for  duty.  No  work  had  been  done  for  some  time;  he 
found  "the  ,ditch  unfinished;  the  pickets  up;  the  beef  cistern  unfinished; 
the  picket  gates  not  done,  and  the  beef  all  in  the  store  in  bulk;  no  place  pro- 
vided for  the  flour,  and  the  salt  in  casks; — in  the  heads  standing  on  the 
parade;  the  batteaux  all  frozen  up  in  the  river."  The  remainder  of  the  day 
was  occupied  in  disjwsing  of  the  supj^lies  of  flour  and  rimi  he  had  brought 
up,  and  in  dispatching  a  party  to  the  camp  at  McKee's  for  another  consign- 
ment. On  Friday,  December  10th,  he  "  employed  a  party  to  build  a  smoke- 
house for  the  beef;  one  to  haul  the  batteaux  out  of  the  ice  upon  the  bank  to 
preserve  them  from  being  destroyed  by  the  ice  when  the  river  should  break 
up;  one  to  clean  out  the  fort,  which  was  full  of  heaps  of  nuisances;  one  to 
throw  all  the  stone  out  of  the  pickets;  one  to  ram  the  earth  about  the  beef 
cistern;  one  to  btiild  a  bakehouse,  and  one  to  build  a  chimney  in  Captain 
Hambright's  barrack;  and  one  to  make  beds  in  the  guard  house."  The 
completion  and  renovation  of  the  works,  thus  early  begim.  was  energetically 
continued. 

Some  idea  of  the  routine  pttrsued  at  Fort  Augusta  under  Major  Burd's 
administration  may  be  gained  from  the  following  transcript  of  his  journal 
for  February  7—20,  1757  :— 

7rt,  Monday. — This  day  it  snows  a  little  in  the  miirning.  At  W(irl<;  in  the  woods 
getting  firewood,  tweuty-two;  at  the  coal  kilu,  six;  sawyers,  two:  making  helves,  one; 
getting  stuff  for  helves,'  two;  making  wheelbarrows,  two.  Very  cold,  the  ice  driving 
but  very  little. 

8th,  Tuesday. — Employed  this  day  as  follows:  tweuty-two  men  cutting  pickets,  one 
man  pointing  ditto,  six  men  at  the  coal,  two  sawj'ers,  two  making  tomahawk  helves, 
two  making  wheelbarrows,  nine  putting  beef  in  the  smokehouse,  two  working  at  the 
bakehouse.    A  clear,  cold  day. 

9th,  Wednesday. — Employed  as  yesterday.  Sent  seventeen  men  out  to  hunt  up  any 
straggling  horses  that  might  be  yet  in  the  provincial  service,  but  could  only  find  four, 
which  I  have  sent  down  to  be  discharged  the  service.  The  two  Indians,  William  Sack 
and  Indian  Peter,  applied  to  me  for  an  escort  to  conduct  them  safely  to  the  Conestoga 
town.  I  accordingly  sent  Volunteer  Hughes  and  two  soldiers  and  four  horses,  with 
orders  to  conduct  them  safely  home.  They  set  out  from  this  at  five  r.  m.  This  evening 
it  rains  and  blows  prodigiously. 

10th,  Thuraduy.—CouMi  not  work  to-day;  it  rained  and  blew  prodigiously  all  last 
night  and  all  this  day.  The  saw-pit  is  full  of  water.  The  doctor  made  complaint  this 
morning  that  there  was  a  great  deal  of  under-water  in  the  hospital:  the  doctor  told  me 
that  he  thought  he  had  bad  success  in  his  cures,  which  he  imputed  to  the  want  of 

period  when  he  was  in  conimand  have  been  mainly  derived  from  tliis  source.  The  journal  is  jiub- 
lished  in  the  Pennsylvania  Archives,  Second  Series-^-Deeember  8,  1730.  to  Octolier  14. 1757,  in  Vol.  II- 
pp.  745-8M;  Feliniai-y  8  to  March  5,  17(J0,  in  Vol.  VII.  pp.  4I&-41S;  June  r.  to  l)>^ceniber  31, 1703,  in  Vol. 
VII.  pp.  433-45.3. 


THE    COLONIAL    PERIOD.  61 

fresh  provisions  and  vegetables;  I  acquainted  the  doctor  that  I  hail  some  thoughts  of 
removing  the  hospital  to  Fort  Halifax  or  Fort  Hunter  as  soon  as  the  weather  woiUd 
permit;  he  told  me  if  that  was  not  doup  many  would  lose  their  lives.  The  river  in  a 
fine  state  for  batteauiug. 

11th,  Fridiiy. — Employed  this  day  as  follows:  twenty-nine  men  in  the  woods  cut- 
ting pickets,  two  carpenters  pointing  ditto,  two  carpenters  making  tomahawk  helves, 
two  carpenters  making  wheelbarrows,  two  carpenters  working  at  the  bakehouse,  saw- 
yers emptying  the  water  out  of  the  saw-pit,  the  smiths  at  work  and  colliers.  Tliis  day 
it  blew  very  hard  and  froze  most  severely. 

12th,  Saturday. — Employed  this  da_v  as  3-esterday.  This  day  it  freezes  most 
intensely.  The  river  is  quite  full  of  ice.  Though  the  people  are  at  work,  yet  they 
can't  do  much. 

13th,  Sunday. — This  morning  I  ordered  a  general  parade  of  all  the  regiment  present 
at  ten  a.  m.  and  prayers  at  eleven  a.  m.  if  the  weather  would  permit.  Had  the  general 
parade  accordingly,  and  found  all  the  arms  in  good  order,  bright  and  quite  clean.  This 
day  it  freezes  severely,  and  is  so  extremely  cold  that  I  omit  prayers,  the  officers  com- 
plaining it  was  too  severe. 

14th,  Monday. — Employed  this  day  as  follows:  twenty -one  men  in  the  woods  cutting 
pickets,  two  pointing  ditto,  six  colliers,  two  men  at  the  wheelbarrows,  two  making  ax 
handles,  two  making  the  pork  cistern,  four  sawyers,  three  bakers.  This  day  it  freezes 
a  little;  more  moderate  than  it  has  done  for  some  days  past;  the  river  is  quite  full  of 
ice,  driving  thick  cakes. 

15th,  Tui\^day.—Thii  morning  .John  Apelby.  of  Captain  Salter's  company,  died;' two 
men  employed  in  making  a  cottiu  for  ditto.  Twenty-one  men  in  the  woods  cutting 
pickets,  one  pointing  ditto,  six  colliers,  two  making  wheelbarrows,  two  making  ax 
handles,  two  wagoners,  four  sa-n-yers,  two  at  the  pork  cistern,  three  bakers,  four  smiths. 
Buried  John  Apelby  this  evening.  This  day  it  snows  a  little:  the  river  continues  full 
of  ice.  Finished  cutting  pickets  this  evening;  the  adjutant  reports  they  have  cut 
upwards  of  a  thousand. 

16th,  Wednesday. — This  morning  Christian  Holtsaple,  of  Captain  Salter's  company, 
died.  Seventeen  men  in  the  woods  piling  off  pickets  and  cutting  firewood,  one  man 
pointing  pickets,  six  colliers,  four  smiths,  four  sawyers,  three  bakers,  two  carpenters 
making  a  coffin,  two  jointing  plank  for  the  pork  cistern,  two  making  wheelbarrows, 
two  making  ax  handles,  two  wagoners,  four  digging  a  grave.  At  eleven  a.  m.  two  men 
arrived  here  with  rum  for  Jlr.  Trapnell  and  informed  me  that  the  batteaux  were  lying- 
weather-bound  at  Berry's  place.  At  twelve  m.  d.  Lieutenants  Davis  and  Clapham 
arrived  here  with  a  party  of  thirteen  men  and  brought  my  letters  and  confirmed  the 
batteaux  being  at  Berry's  place  under  the  command  of  Captain  Trump.  The  above. 
Christian  Holtsaple  was  buried  this  evening.  This  day  I  was  taken  so  ill  that  I  could 
not  read  my  letters;  should  have  answered  Colonel  Clapham's  letter  and  Lieutenant 
Colonel  Armstrong's,  but  my  indisposition  would  not  permit.     It   thaws  to-day  much. 

17th,  Thursday.— This  day  it  rained  so  hard  all  day  that  the  soldiers  could  not  work 
out  of  doors;  the  river  clear  of  ice,  and  thaws  much.  The  two  men  at  work  making 
wheelbarrows,  one  making  ax  handles,  smiths  and  bakers  at  work. 

ISth,  Friday.— F'me,  c\eaTwes.theT.  Employed  to-day  as  follows:  twenty-one  work- 
ing in  the  woods  cutting  pickets,  and  cutting  and  piling  brush,  three  bakers,  six  coll- 
iers, four  sawyers,  two  making  wheelbarrows,  two  pointing  pickets,  two  jointing 
plank  for  the  pork  cistern,  two  making  ax  helves,  two  making  paddles,  two  carters. 
This  day  at  one  p.  m.  Captain  Trump  arrived  here  with  Ensigns  Brodhead  and  Scott 
■and  the  party,  and  batteaux  with  fifty-one  barrels  flbur,  three  hogsheads  of  rum,  one 
faggot  steel,  twelve  barrels  pork.  At  two  p.  si.  it  began  to  rain  to-day.  Vt'e  have  great 
difficulty  in  getting  the  batteaux  unloaded.    Sent  Sergeant  Lee  to  Carlisle  express. 


62  HISTORY    OF   NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

I'Jth,  Satarday.—lx  rained  all  day  to-day.  Xo  work  done  except  emptying  the 
batteaux  of  the  remainder  of  their  loading,  which  is  now  all  in  the  store.  Returned  to 
the  full  allowance  of  pro\-ision,  one  pound  two  ounces  of  beef  and  one  and  one  half 
pounds  of  flour. 

30th,  Sunday. — Had  a  general  review  of  all  the  regiment;  appointed  the  party  to 
wait  Lieutenant  Colonel  Armstrong's  orders.  The  fort  was  so  wet  we  could  not  have 
sermon  nor  prayers  to-day. 

The  summer  routine  was  slightly  different.  The  following  is  a  tran- 
script of  the  journal  from  the  17th  to  the  31st  of  July,  1757: — 

nth,  Sunday. — Had  the  general  review  and  church  twice,  at  which  the  Indians 
attended.  I  had  all  the  Indians  to  dinner  with  me  to-day,  which  gave  great  satisfac- 
tion. 

ISth.  .J/y«(?(/^.— Employed  fifty-eight  parapet,  twenty-seven  with  the  wagon,  four- 
teen cattle  guard,  ten  carpenters,  thirteen  mauling  rails  for  a  hog  pen,  four  sa■^^■}'ers, 
four  smiths,  two  gardeners,  two  bakers,  one  chandler.  This  day  at  one  p.  m.  the  Indians 
set  off  Cjuite  pleased,  and  said  they  would  return  in  twenty  days  with  all  the  chiefs  of 
their  nations. 

19th.  Tuesday. — Employed  sixty-three  parapet,  twenty-six  v\-ith  the  wagon,  seven- 
teen cattle  guard,  eleven  carpenters,  four  smiths,  four  sawyers,  two  gardeners,  two 
bakers,  one  chandler.    Nothing  material. 

30th,  Wednesday. — Employed  sixty-five  at  the  parapet,  twenty-seven  with  wagon, 
fifteen  cattle  guard,  eleven  carpenters,  four  smiths,  four  sa\\-yers,  two  bakers,  two 
gardeners,  two  pin  makers,  one  chandler.  This  day  at  three  p.  jr.  Captain  Shi|ipen 
arrived  here  with  the  Ileet  of  batteaux  and  twenty-seven  recruits. 

31«t.  Thursday. — Employed  fifty-three  at  the  parapet,  twenty-six  with  the  wagon, 
fourteen  cattle  guard,  ten  carpenters,  four  sa-nyers,  four  smiths,  two  bakers,  two  gar- 
deners, one  chandler,  two  pin  makers.     Nothing  material. 

33d.  Friday. — Employed  seventy-two  at  the  parapet,  twenty-seven  with  the  wagon, 
fourteen  cattle  guard,  ten  carpenters,  four  sawyers,  foi\r  smiths,  two  bakers,  two  gar- 
deners, two  masons,  two  pin  makers,  one  chandler. 

33d,  Saturd<iy. — Employed  seventy-two  at  the  parapet,  twenty-six  with  the  wagon, 
fourteen  cattle  guard,  ten  carpenters,  four  sawyers,  four  smiths,  two  bakers,  two  gar- 
deners, one  chandler,  two  pin  makers.  Ordered  a  general  review  to-morrow  at  four 
p.   M. 

3lfh,  Sunday. — This  morning  I  sent  out  a  reconnoitering  party,  one  hundred  men, 
with  the  following  officers:  Captains  Ilambright  and  Trump,  Lieutenant  Garraway, 
Ensigns  Brodhead  and  Allison.  Had  a  general  review  to-day  at  four  p.  m.  The 
reconnoitering  party  returned  at  nine  p.  m.  and  reported  no  signs  of  the  enemy. 

3.5th,  Monday. — Employed  si.xty-two  at  the  parapet,  twenty-seven  with  the  wagon, 
fourteen  cattle  guard,  four  sawyers,  four  smiths,  two  gardeners,  two  pin  makers,  one 
chandler,  eight  sodders.  Ordered  the  batteaux  to  be  ready  to  sail  to-morrow;  I  could 
not  empty  the  flour  sooner,  having  no  place  to  put  it  in.  Captain  Patterson  and 
Ensign  Miles  go  with  the  batteaux  and  a  party  of  twenty-five  soldiers;  Lieutenant 
Garraway,  Ensigns  Scott  and  Allison  go  recruiting.  Ordered  Lieutenant  Atlee  on  the 
recruiting  service  from  Fort  Halifax,  and  Lieutenant  Jliles  to  take  post  there. 

36th,  Tuesday.— Y.m^\o\Q<\  fifty-four  at  the  bank,  twenty-six  with  the  wagon,  four- 
teen cattle  guard,  eight  sodders  of  the  bank,  four  sau-j-ers,  ten  carpenters,  four  smiths, 
two  gardeners,  two  bakers,  two  masons,  two  chandlers.  This  day  at  m.  d.  the  fleet  of 
batteaux  sailed  with  the  officers,  Captain  Patterson,  Lieutenant  (tarraway.  Ensigns 
Scott,  Miles,  and  Allison,  with  a  party  of  twenty-five  men. 


THE    COLONIAL    PERIOD.  68 

37t7i,  Vednegddi/.— Employed  seventy-four  at  the  parapet,  fu-enty-seven  with  the 
■n-agon,  fourteen  cattle  guard,  ten  carpenters,  four  sa^-j-ers,  four  smiths,  two  bakers, 
two  gardeners,  one  chandler,  two  masons.     Nothing  material. 

3\tl,.  TfiuradKy.— Employed  seventy  at  the  parapet,  twenty-seven  with  the  wagon, 
fourteen  with  the  cattle,  fifteen  carpenters,  four  sawyers,  four  smiths,  two  baker-^,  two 
gardeners,  two  masons,  one  chandler.     Nothing  material. 

Sm,  Friday.— Employed  sixty-one  at  the  bank,  twent.v-seven  with  the  wagon, 
fourteen  cattle  guard,  four  sawyers,  four  smiths,  two  bakers,  two  gardeners,  two 
masons,  one  chandler.     Nothing  material. 

30th.  ^atunhiy.— Employed  sixty-two  at  the  parapet,  thirty  with  the  wagon,  four- 
teen cattle  guard,  fifteen  carpenters,  four  sawyers,  four  smiths,  two  gardeners,  two 
iakers.  two  masons,  one  chandler.  This  morning  at  two  a.  m.  John  Cook,  of  C. 
Davis's  compan}-,  deserted  from  his  post  as  sentry  on  the  lower  bastion  of  the  palisa- 
does.  This  evening  I  was  walking  on  the  platforms;  at  twelve  p.  m.  I  heard  a  gun 
fired  about  two  miles  down  the  river.  Ordered  a  general  review  to-morrow  at  four 
p.  M.     An  eclipse  visible  of  the  moon  at  seven  i".  .%[. 

Frequent  visits  were  made  by  friendly  Indians.  Ogagradarisha.  who  suc- 
ceeded Tachnechdorixs  as  the  representative  of  the  Six  Nations  upon  the  North 
Branch,  held  several  conferences  with  the  commanding  officer,  and  William 
Sack.  Indian  Peter,  and  others  are  mentioned  by  name  as  visitors  at  the  fort. 
On  the  10th  of  March.  IT.JT,  five  Indians  "came  down  the  North  Branch" in 
a  canoe  with  English  colors  flying"  to  inform  Major  Burd  that  a  large  party 
would  arrive  in  a  day  or  two;  on  Stmday.  the  13th,  at  two  p.  m.,  "the  Indian 
fleet  hove  in  sight  with  two  stand  of  English  colors  flying,  consisting  of  fif- 
teen canoes  and  three  batteaux;  they  fired  two  roimds,''  which  were  answered 
from  the  itpper  bastion  of  the  pickets.  '"There  were  on  board  upwards  of 
ninety  Indians,  many  of  which  kings  and  chiefs  of  their  people."  The  entire 
party  was  entertained  at  the  fort  until  the  following  Thursday,  when  they 
left  in  batteaux  for  Harris's  Ferry.  On  the  same  day  thirty  more  arrived, 
among  whom  were  Monocatootha  and  Seneca  George.  They  left  at  noon  on 
Friday.  March  ISth. 

Everv"  precaution  was  taken  to  guard  against  hostile  demonstrations. 
Scouting  parties  ranged  the  surroimding  country  on  the  north  and  west  within 
a  radius  of  twenty  miles;  the  batteau  'fleet  and  supply  trains  were  always 
accompanied  by  a  strong  escort;  parties  at  work  preparing  timber,  battling 
materials,  or  herding  cattle  were  protected_by  a  strong  detachment.  Not- 
■withstanchng  these  measures,  the  enemy  frecpiently  approached  on  the  oppo- 
site banks  of  the  river  and  sometimes  had  the  temerity  to  attack  in  the  imme- 
diate vicinity  of  the  fort.  On  the  20th  of  February,  1757.  Major  Burd  sent 
the  carters  "to  the  old  house  at  the  spring  to  bring  in  some  stones,"  with  a 
covering  party  consisting  of  a  corporal  and  seven  men.  The  sentries,  three 
in  nmnber,  were  shot  at  by  Indians,  and,  having  heard  the  firing.  Major 
Burd  sent  two  ensigns  with  twenty  men  to  their  relief.  As  they  approached 
the  Inchans  gave  a  general  huzza,  to  which  the  relief  party  rejilied;  the 
Major  thereupon  sent  Captain  Trump  with  two  sergeants  and  twenty  men. 


64  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

who  pursued  the  enemy  more  than  an  hour  but  without  overtaking  them; 
they  then  returned  with  the  bodies  of  two  of  the  sentries.  Captain  Trump  was 
immediately  dispatched  with  Ensigns  Brodhead  and  Allison,  two  sergeants, 
two  corporals,  and  fifty  men  to  pursue  the  attacking  party;  they  went  as  far 
as  the  summit  of  a  high  mountain  on  the  North  Branch  fourteen  miles  from 
the  fort,  but  returned  on  the  following  day  (Sunday,  February  27th)  without 
overtaking  them.  On  the  'Jth  of  June,  1757,  a  party  of  Indians  tired  uiion  the 
sentries  of  the  bullock  guard,  killing  one  of  them,  and  in  the  skirmish  that 
ensued  sixteen  shots  were  exchanged.  Three  detachments  were  sent  out.  but 
the  bullock  guard  had  put  the  enemy  to  flight  before  they  arrived.  Lieu- 
tenant Handshaw  with  Ensigns  Brodhead  and  Patterson  and  thirty  men 
started  in  pursuit  at  break  of  day  on  the  following  morning,  but  returned 
without  overtaking  them.  At  ten  a.  m.  on  the  23d  of  June,  three  parties 
of  Indians  surroimded  the  cattle  guard,  killed  four  men.  and  woimded  five; 
two  detachments  were  at  once  sent  from  the  fort,  and  upon  their  ajjproach 
the  savages  fled  precipitately,  leaving  one  gun,  two  tomahawks,  and  two 
match-coats  upon  the  field.     Their  number  was  estimated  at  forty. 

The  only  aggressive  movement  of  importance  during  Major  Burd"s  incum- 
bency was  a  second  expedition  to  Chingleclamouse.  On  the,  evening  of 
April  7,  1757,  after  dark.  Captain  Patterson  set  out  with  a  party  of  ten  men 
under  instructions  to  proceed  up  the  West  Branch  to  that  point,  marching  as 
close  to  the  river  as  possible.  When  they  reached  their  destination  they 
found  that  the  principal  part  of  the  town  had  been  destroyed  by  fire,  while 
the  remainder  had  evidently  been  deserted  for  some  time.  Having  exhausted 
their  supply  of  provisions,  the  party  descended  the  Susquehanna  river  on 
rafts  and  arrived  at  Fort  Augusta  on  the  25th  of  January.  For  three  days 
they  had  been  obliged  to  subsist  upon  walnuts. 

The  terms  for  which  many  of  the  soldiers  had  enlisted  expired  in  the 
spring  of  1757,  and  much  firmness  was  required  to  induce  them  to  con- 
tiniie  in  the  service.  Having  been  informed  by  the  adjutant  that  some 
had  delivered  up  their  arms  and  refused  to  do  ftirther  duty.  Major  Burd 
addressed  the  garrison  immediately  after  the  general  review  on  Stmday, 
March  6,  1757.     His  opening  words  were  as  follows: — 

GENTLENtEN  .^XD  Feli.ow-Soldiers:  I  must  first  put  you  in  mind  of  the  cau.-e  for 
which  we  were  sent  hither.  Was  it  not  for  to  maintain  the  honor  and  just  right.s  of 
our  glorious  sovereign  and  the  protection  of  our  country?  Did  we  not  all,  seemingly, 
cheerfully  embrace  this  opportunity  of  serving  our  king  and  country?  Have  we  not 
taken  possession  of  this  ground,  which  is  allowed  to  be  a  place  of  great  importance, 
and  have  we  not  maintained  it,  and  built  a  strong  fort  upon  it,  and  have  not  these 
works  been  erected  at  a  vast  charge  to  the  government,  and  would  all  this  [have]  been 
done  with  no  further  view  than  to  make  a  parade  to  Shamokin?  Surely  this  can't  be 
the  case;  and  would  you,  like  a  parcel  of  dastardly  poltroons,  abandon  these  works 
and  leave  the  king's  fort  with  its  gates  open  to  receive  the  enemies  of  the  crown  of 
Great  Britain?  Why?  Merely  because  your  times  for  which  you  were  enlisted  expired, 
and  you  are  not  obligated,  you  think,  to  do  the  duty  j-ou  owe  by  nature  to  your  gracious 


THE    COLONIAL    PERIOD.  65 

sovereign  aud  bleeding  country.  For  shame!  Forever  sliame!  Everlasting  infamy 
and  just  reproach  will  attend  you  and  all  your  generations  after  you,  were  you  to 
attempt  to  act  such  a  base  part — a  part  so  unbecoming  the  character  of  a  Protestant 
Briton— a  part  that  would  give  just  cause  to  the  last  of  your  seed  to  curse  you.      ■ 

He  informed  them  in  the  most  positive  terms  of  his  determination  not  to 
"suffer  the  king's  fort  to  be  left  without  a  garrison  to  defend  it,"  and  assured 
them  upon  his  honor  that  as  soon  as  the  government  should  send  other 
troops  they  would  not  be  obliged  to  continue  in  the  service  after  their  terms 
had  expired  unless  they  should  vokmtarily  re-enlist.  With  this  promise,  and 
the  further  assurance  that  should  be  paid  until  thscharged.  they  consented  to 
'•'stay  and  do  duty." 

Shortly  after  this  (March  IS,  1757)  information  was  received  that  eight 
hundred  ^French  and  Indians  had  arrived  at  the  headwaters  of  the  West 
Branch,  and  were  about  to  make  a  descent  upon  the  fort.  An  exjiress  was 
forthwith  dispatched  with  letters  conveying  this  intelhgence  and  also  the  fact 
'"that  the  garrison  refused  to  do  duty  for  want  of  pay,  and  that  there  was  a 
scarcity  of  provisions  and  ammunition."  The  letters  were  received  by  the 
Governor  and  Council  on  the  21st  of  March;  the  supply  biU  was  under  con- 
sideration at  the  time,  and  the  dispitte  between  the  executive  and  legislative 
branches  of  the  government  relative  to  the  taxation  of  Proprietaiy  estates  was 
again  in  progress.  Lord  Loudoim,  commander-in-chief  of  his  Majesty's 
forces  in  America,  was  then  at  Philadelphia,  and  the  Governor  consulted  him 
regarding  Major  Burd's  intelligence.  He  advised  the  immediate  passage  of 
the  supply  bill  as  prepared  by  the  Assembly,  which  was  accordingly  done, 
and  thus  the  condition  and  needs  of  the  garrison  at  Fort  Augusta  effected 
the  temporary  settlement  of  an  important  colonial  administrative  question. 

With  the  batteaiT-men  Major  Burd  was  ecj^uaUy  firm.  On  the  2Gth  of  May, 
1757,  a  number  of  batteaiis  arrived  under  the  command  of  Lieutenant  Hand- 
shaw;  he  reported  gross  insubordination  on  the  jjart  of  the  batteau-men,  three 
of  whom  were  placed  in  confinement.  On  the  following  day  Major  Burd 
was  told  that  the  others  were  coming  to  him  to  demand  the  reason  for  this, 
and  thereupon  informed  them  that  if  they  had  anything  to  say  they  should 
send  two  or  three  of  their  number.  Imt  if  they  came  in  a  body  he  would  shoot 
the  first  man  that  ajiproached.  Two  of  them  accordingly  informed  him  that 
they  were  employed  for  the  batteau  service  only,  to  which  the  Major  rej^lied 
that  they  were  part  of  his  command,  and  that  he  should  expect  them  to  con- 
form to  the  directions  of  his  officers  in  any  manner  that  the  exigencies  of  the 
service  might  require.  The  next  day  (May  2Sth)  they  informed  him  that 
they  would  do  no  other  duty  than  work  their  respective  batteaux,  and  that 
he  might  continue  them  in  the  service  on  those  terms  or  give  them  their  dis- 
charges. He  replied  that  he  would  do  neither,  but  was  fully  determined  to 
make  examples  of  all  whom  he  found  "guilty  of  this  piece  of  mutiny;"  and 
if  they  imagined  he  found  any  difficulty  to  get  batteau-men  they  were  much 


66  HISTORY    OF    NOKTHUMBEELAND    COUNTY. 

deceived.  On  the  following  morning  they  were  paraded  by  the  adjutant, 
acknowledged  their  fault,  and  promised  to  comply  with  the  officers"  orders  in 
future. 

The  completion  of  the  works,  although  begun  by  Major  Burd  when  he 
assumed  command,  wa.s  partially  sus2:)ended  during  the  winter  months.  The 
internal  arrangements  of  the  fort  were  improved,  however;  a  bakehouse, 
smokehouse,  beef  cistern,  pork  cistern,  etc.  were  provided,  while  pickets 
for  the  outer  defenses  were  cut  in  the  surrounding  forests  to  the  number  of 
more  than  a  thousand.  As  soon  as  the  condition  of  the  ground  would  per- 
mit, the  completion  of  the  earth-works  was  resirmed;  thirty  men  were  em- 
ployed "  at  the  ditch"  on  the  ISth  of  March,  twenty-seven  on  the  19th, 
fifty-six  on  the  '20th  (Siuaday),  and  fifty-five  on  the  21.st,  including  "all  the 
cooks,  servants,  and  guard."  It  was  not  imtil  the  10th  of  August  that  the 
parapet  was  finished:  the  counterscarp  and  ditch,  '"glassee,"  platforms,  etc. 
next  received  attention,  but  were  yet  in  an  unfinished  condition  at  the  time 
Major  Burd's  journal  closes  (October  14,  1757).  A  fish-dam  and  wharf 
were  constructed,  brick  making  and  lime  burning  were  carried  on,  and  a 
garden  was  cleared  and  inclosed. 

Major  Burd  took  his  departure  on  the  ISth  of  December.  17-37.  and,  al- 
though he  retained  command  of  the  Augusta  regiment,  the  conduct  of  aifairs 
at  Fort  Augusta  devolved  upon  the  subordinate  officers  at  that  post.  Cap- 
tain Joseph  Shippen  succeeded  to  the  command;  on  the  '27th  of  March.  175S, 
he  left  the  fort  on  leave  of  absence  from  Colonel  Burd,  and  in  the  report  for 
April  1st  Major  Thomas  Lloyd  appears  as  commandant.  By  a  reorganiza- 
tion of  the  provincial  forces  the  Augusta  regiment  had  been  incorporated  in 
the  second  battalion  of  the  Pennsylvania  regiment,  of  which  James  Burd 
was  lieutenant  colonel  and  Thomas  Lloyd  major;  subsequently  the  former 
became  colonel  and  the  latter  lieutenant  colonel.  Nearly  the  whole  of  this 
battalion  was  attached  to  General  Forbes's  command  and  participated  in>the 
exjaedition  against  Fort  Duquesne;  Captain  Trump  was  the  only  officer  of 
his  rank  who  remained  at  Fort  Augusta  and  the  command  therefore  devolved 
upon  him,  prior  to  June  2,  1758.  He  occupied  this  position  vmtil  April, 
1759,  and  doubtless  later.  In  September  of  that  year  Major  Jacob  Orndt, 
of  the  First  battalion,  was  in  command.  Caleb  Graydon,  siTccessively 
ensign,  lieutenant,  and  captain,  was  in  charge  when  Colonel  Burd  arrived  at 
the  fort  on  the  15th  of  February,  1700.  It  does  not  appear  that  the  Colonel 
remained  longer  than  several  weeks,  after  which  Lieutenant  Graydon 
resumed  command,  and  was  in  charge  when  Colonel  Burd  again  arrived  in 
1763. 

The  principal  addition  to  the  works  during  this  period  was  the  powder 
magazine.  Its  erection  was  first  recommended  by  Harry  Gordon  (who 
styles  himself  "engineer  and  captain  ")  in  the  following  terms: — 

A  magazine  ought  to  be  built  in  the  south  bastion,  t^-elve  bj'  twenty  feet  in  the 


THE    COLONIAL    PEKIOD.  67 

clear,  also  a  laboratory  of  the  same  dimensions  in  the  east  bastii)u:  tlie  wall  of  the 
magazine  to  be  two  and  one  half  feet  thick,  with  three  buttresses,  two  feet  thick  at  the 
bottom  beveling  to  nine  inches  at  top,  in  each  side;  the  breadth  of  buttresses,  three  and 
one  half  feet;  the  magazine  to  have  au  arch  of  two  and  one  half  brick  thick,  and  to  be 
underground  within  one  and  one  half  feet  of  the  top  of  the  arch:  the  walls,  seven  feet 
high  from  the  level  of  the  floor,  and  to  have  a  foundation  two  feet  below  the  floor: 
great  care  taken  to  lay  the  joists  and  to  fill  up  between  -n-ith  ruble  stone  and  gravel, 
rammed;  the  joists  to  be  covered  with  plank  two  and  one  half  inches  thick;  an  air  hole 
one  foot  square  to  be  practiced  in  the  gable  end,  opposite  the  door;  the  passage  to  the 
magazine  to  have  a  zig-zag,  and  over  the  arch  some  fine  plaster  laid,  then  covered 
with  fine  gravel  and  four  feet  of  earth  a-top.* 

Captain  Gordon's  recommendation  was  transmitted  under  date  of  May 
0,  lTr>S.  Instructions  were  issued  to  Captain  Trump,  the  commanding  offi- 
cer, to  undertake  the  work,  which  was  begun  under  very  discouraging  cir- 
cumstances. '"I  have  got  but  few  tradesmen  to  carry  on  am*  building,"  he 
wrote  Governor  Denny  on  the  19th  of  July,  1758;  "one  carjienter,  two 
masons,  one  smith  are  left  here.  I  have  begim  to  build  a  powder  magazine, 
(as  there  has  never  been  any  other  than  the  common  provision  store,  an  unfit 
place  to  hold  powder, )  and  am  obliged  to  leave  it  unfinished  for  want  of  lime 
and  stone.  The  limestone  is  to  fetch  sis  miles  and  it  is  imjjossible  to  fatch 
them  any  other  way  than  by  water;  and  all  the  batteait-men  are  discharged, 
so  it  is  impossible  for  me  to  carry  it  on  any  further  without  some  more  assist- 
ance." It  does  not  apjiear  that  the  garrison  was  materially  re-enforced, 
although  its  effective  strength  was  jirobably  increased  by  employing  batteau- 
men,  and  thus  the  magazine  was  finally  constructed.  Of  all  the  militarv 
works  that  once  constituted  Fort  Augusta  the  subterranean  portion  of  this 
structure  alone  remains.  From  the  highway  on  the  bank  of  the  river  it  jire- 
.sents  the  appearance  of  a  small  moitnd  of  earth. .  A  narrow  stone  stairway 
descends  to  the  interior,  which  is  ten  by  twelve  feet  in  dimensions;  the  walls 
are  constructed  of  stone  and  the  arched  ceiling  of  brick,  manufactured,  in  all 
probability,  at  the  fort.  Over  this  undergroimd  chamber  a  wooden  building 
formerly  stood;  there  is  some  reason  to  think  that  this  was  the  magazine 
proper,  for  William  Maclay  refers  to  it  as  '"this  magazine,  under  which  there 
is  a  small  but  complete  dimgeon."f  It  was  enlarged  and  strengthened,  and 
served  for  a  brief  period  as  the  first  jail  of  Northimiberland  county.  The 
"small  but  complete  dungeon"  is  all  that  now  remains  of  the  only  fortifica- 
tion erected  within  the  present  limits  of  Northumberland  coimty  during  the 
colonial  j^eriod.^l; 

*  Pennsylvaaia  Archives,  ^'ol.  III.  pp.  3S,s-3S0. 

t  Pennsylvania  Archives,  Vol.  IV.  p.  4G3. 

f  McKee's  tort  "  is  located  within  the  present  limits  of  the  eount>-  on  the  map  published  by  the 
Historical  Society  of  Pennsylvania,  and  the  editor  of  the  Pennsylvania  Archives  makes  tlie  following 
statement  concerning  it  (Vol.  XII.  p.  403^;  '■  It  is  believed  to  have  been  named  after  Thomas  McKee, 
an  Indi.an  trader  who  had  a  plantation  on  the  Susiiuehanna  n(?ar  the  talis  which  still  bear  his  name. 
It  is  said  to  have  been  situated  on  the  east  branch  [bank?]  of  the  Sus(iuehanna  in  Lower  Mahanoy 
township,  Northumberland  county,  at  or  about  where  Georgetown  now  stands  at  those  falls." 


68  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTS. 

An  Indian  trading  house  was  also  built.  This  was  done  at  the  sj^ecial 
reqviest  of  the  Indians  living  on  the  Susquehanna,  who  had  been  pacified  and 
desired  a  convenient  place  for  the  exchange  of  peltries,  etc.  for  clothing  and 
sui:>plies.  The  Governor  and  Assembly  had  some  difficulty  in  agreeing  upon 
a  iilan  for  the  regulation  of  this  trade,  and  the  delay  in  establishing  stores 
caused  much  dissatisfaction  among  the  Indians.  At  length  these  differences 
were  adjusted;  on  the  20th  of  January,  1758,  Captain  Shippen  informed 
Major  Burd  that  several  parties  of  Delawares  had  arrived  '"with  skins  to 
trade  at  the  store,"  and  in  the  List  of  supplies  received  he  mentioned  "a 
quantity  for  Mr.  Carson's  store."  On  the  1st  of  July,  1758,  Captain  Trump 
wrote:  '"Agreeably  to  your  orders  to  me  I  have  begun  to  dig  the  cellar  for 
the  store  house  for  Indian  goods,  but  there  is  not  carpenters'  tools  here  suffi- 
cient to  complete  the  building  of  the  house."  Temporary  quarters  were 
provided,  however,  regarding  which  he  wrote  on  the  lUth  instant:  ''It  is 
impossible  for  me  to  carry  on  the  Indian  store  house  for  want  of  workmen 
and  tools,  and  as  this  last  draft  has  taken  all  the  workmen  from  me  save  the 
few  [I]  have  mentioned  to  your  Honor;  but  I  have  for  the  present  fitted  up 
one  of  the  barracks  that  is  almost  joining  the  present  Indian  store,  which  wiU 
hold  a  great  quantity  of  skins."  A  trading  house  was  eventually  erected, 
however;  it  stood  oiitside  the  fort,  and  was  removed  in  17G3.  The  work  of 
demolition  was  begun  on  the  16th  of  July;  the  materials  were  taken  inside 

A  careful  comiiarison  of  the  evidence  on  the  subject  does  not,  in  the  opinion  of  tlie  author, 
justify  tins  concUision.  Tliomas  McKee  was  commissioned  as  a  captain  in  tlie  provincial  service  in 
1750,  and  on  tlie  2eth  of  January  was  instructed  to  receive  from  the  officer  commanding  the  detach- 
ment at  Hunter's  mill  the  '-arms,  aecouterments,  blankets,  tools,  and  stores"  in  his  hands  (Penn- 
sylvania Archives,  Vol.  II.  p.  553);  he  was  to  march  his  company  to  Hunter's  mill,  and  "  either  com- 
plete the  fort  already  begun  there  or  build  another  at  such,  other  convenient  place  as  James  Gal- 
braith,  Esq.  shall  advise  "  (Ibid.  p.  504).  On  the  5th  of  April,  1751!,  he  wrote  to  Edward  Shippen 
from  the  "fort  at  Hunter's  mill,"  informing  him  that  John  Slnkellimy  had  arrived  there  (Ibid.  p. 
Gl,5).  In  a  letter  to  the  Governor  on  the  19th  instant  Shippen  wrote  that  he  had  been  at ' '  Captain 
McKee's  fort,"  where  he  h.ad  seen  .lolin  Shikelhmy ;  Hunter's  house,  he  said,  was  "  five  or  six  hun- 
dred feet  from  the  fort  "  (Ibid.  pp.  634-635).  From  this  it  is  quite  evident  that  "  McKee's  fort "  was 
the  stockade  generally  known  as  Fort  Hunter. 

That  McKee  had  a  trading  house  at  the  site  of  Georgetown  or  in  that  vicinity  there  can  be  no 
doubt.  It  was  there  that  Conrad  Weiser  met  Shikellimys  sons  in  April,  1749  (Ibid.  p.  23).  Kishoco- 
quillas,  the  Shawane  chief  from  whom  the  beautiful  valley  in  MifBin  county  derives  its  name,  died 
there  in  1754  (Colonial  Records,  Vol.  VI.  pp.  153-154).  On  the  3d  of  June,  1756,  six  scouts  were  sent  by 
Colonel  Clapham  to  ascertain  the  condition  of  the  country  beti,veen  his  camp  and  Shamokin;  "  they 
saw  nothing  till  they  came  to  McKee's  and  found  his  house  burnt,  where  they  discovered  thetracksof 
an  Indian  moccasin."  ilbid.  Vol.  VII.  p.  1&4).  Five  scouts  were  sent  out  two  days  later  (Saturday, 
June  5th);  on  thf  following;  :\IniiiI;iy  they  discovered  "the  fresh  tracks  of  four  Indians  and  four 
horses,"  which  tln-y  foUoucd  about  ^i\  miles  to  no  purpose,  "and  then  turned  to  the  left  and  went 
across'the  mountain  toward  Mr.  .McKee's  plantation;  and.  having  got  within  two  miles  of  that  place, 
they  came  upon  the  same  tracks,"  which  they  again  followed  about  a  mile.  James  Lowry,  the  le;uler 
of  the  party,  then  "  followed  up  the  tracks  till  he  came  within  seventy  yards  of  McKee's  cleared 
fiehls,  and  plainly  saw  four  Indians  and  as  many  horses  hoppled  in  the  meadows,  upon  whicli  he 
inmiediately  ran  back  a  nule  to  acquaint  Ids  companions  with  it;  and  upon  their  coming  up  they  all 
perceived  Hve  more  Indians  walking  up  from  the  river  (with  water,  as  they  supposed)  towards  the 
place  where  the  house  hart  stood."  "VN-hile  they  were  deliberating  upon  the  course  to  be  pursued  they 
heard  the  reports  of  three  puns  in  cpiick  succession  on  their  right  and  left,  and,  fearing  they  ndght  be 
surrounded,  "  retired  all  night  and  came  In  the  morning  to  the  camp  at  Armstrong's  "  dbid.  p.  155'. 
This  certainly  affords  conclusive  evidence  that  the  fort  Captain  McKee  was  instructed  to  build  iu 
January,  1756,  was  not  located  at  his  trading  house  near  the  mouth  of  Stone  Valley  creek. 


"^V/V 


mw^ 


-p^- 


XI 


THE   COLONIAL    PERIOD.  71 

the  fort  and  used  for  other  purposes.  The  business  had  been  conducted 
under  the  auspices  of  the  government,  with  Xathaniel  Holland  as  resident 
agent  several  years,  and  during  this  time  the  coming  and  going  of  parties  of 
friendly  Indians  were  the  principal  occurrences  that  varied  the  monotony  of 
roiitine  garrison  life. 

Fort  Augusta  again  became  the  scene  of  active  military  operations  in 
1763.  A  preconcerted  attack  had  been  made  upon  the  western  posts  by  the 
Indians  under  the  direction  of  Pontiac  and  Guyasutha,  and  measiires  were 
at  once  taken  to  put  Fort  Augusta  in  a  condition  for  defense.  In  the  tem- 
porary absence  of  Lieutenant  Graydon,  Lieutenant  Samuel  Hiinter  was  in 
command.  On  the  5th  of  Jime.  17G3,  he  received  a  letter  from  John  Harris 
informing  him  that  Colonel  Clapham  and  twelve  men  had  been  killed  at 
Pittsburgh;  on  the  following  day  he  had  a  letter  from  Colonel  Armstrong, 
stating  that  the  post  at  Sandusky  had  been  taken;  he  was  also  warned  by  a 
friendly  Indian  to  be  on  his  guard,  as  the  fort  was  in  danger  of  attack  at  any 
time.  It  was  at  once  ordered  that  the  reveille  should  beat  at  daybreak,  when  all 
the  garrison  were  to  jiroceed  to  the  bastions  under  arms.  Twelve  men,  with 
a  sergeant  and  corjioral.  were  detailed  to  mount  guard,  and  a  sentry  was 
stationed  in  each  ba.stion.  The  gates  were  ordered  to  be  shut  at  dusk. 
Directions  were  given  that  all  the  small  arms  should  be  charged,  "that  each 
man  might  have  two  or  three  by  him  for  present  itse."  It  was  subsequently 
ordered  that  no  soldier  should  have  any  dealings  with  the  Indians  upon  any 
pretense  whatever,  or  tire  his  piece  excejit  at  the  command  of  an  officer  or  at 
an  enemy;  and  the  sentries  were  directed  to  let  no  "man,  woman,  or  child 
go  on  the  ramparts."  On  the  Sth  of  June  the  entire  garrison  was  employed 
••to  i^ut  the  fort  in  the  best  position"  for  immediate  defense  and  continited  at 
that  work  several  weeks.  Lieutenant  Graydon  arrived  on  the  loth  and 
Colonel  Burd  on  the  ISth  instant:  the  latter  at  once  assimaed  command. 
One  week  later  a  conference  was  held  with  more  than  a  score  of  Indians, 
daring  which  he  took  the  precaution  to  have  the  garrison  imder  arms.  In 
order  to  insure  a  suj^ply  of  water  in  case  of  siege  the  construction  of  a 
covered  way  to  the  river  was  begun  on  the  29th  of  June,  when  '"three  houses 
at  the  south  end  of  the  town"  were  pulled  down.  On  the  following  day  it 
was  ordered,  "'That  everj-  one  passing  through  either  one  of  the  barrier 
gates  shut  them  after  them  to  prevent  cattle  going  into  the  covered  way; 
also,  to  walk  on  the  covered  way  as  near  the  pickets  as  they  can."  On  the  2d 
of  July  the  "iiickets  in  the  covered  way"  were  finished.  The  erection  of  a 
"new  guard  house  over  the  back  gate"  was  begvm  July  20th,  probably  with 
the  former  materials  of  the  Indian  trading  house;  it  was  completed  and 
first  occui)ied  on  the  4th  of  August.  While  these  improvements  were  in 
progress  a  barricade  was  thrown  up  against  the  upper  side  of  the  redoubt 
and  the  defenses  otherwise  strengthened. 

Although   the   anticipated  attack  did  not   occiar,  military  movements  of 


72  HISTOBY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

some  consequence  were  made  on  both  branches  of  the  Susqnehaima.  On 
Thursday,  August  25,  1763,  at  twelve  m.,  Captains  Patterson  and  Bedford 
and  George  Allen  arrived  at  Fort  Augusta  with  one  hundred  fourteen 
men,  and  left  on  the  same  day  to  destroy  several  Indian  towns  sixty  miles 
distant  on  the  West  Branch.  They  encountered  the  enemy  thirty  miles  up 
the  river,  and  in  the  skirmish  that  ensued  four  of  their  party  were  killed  and 
four  wounded.  Captains  Patterson  and  Bedford  returned  to  the  fort  at  noou 
on  Satiirday,  the  '27th  instant;  Geoi'ge  Allen  and  John  Wood,  with  the 
remainder  of  the  party,  arrived  at  five  p.  m.  on  the  same  day.  On  their 
retreat  down  the  river  the  latter  had  intercepted  three  Indians  from  Bethle- 
hem, who,  as  they  were  suspected  of  carrying  intelligence  and  sujiplies  to 
the  hostile  Indians,  were  killed  on  the  hill  north  of  Northiimberland.  The 
entire  party  remained  at  Fort  Augusta  rmtil  Simday,  August  ■2Sth,  when 
they  departed  for  the  settlements  whence  they  had  come.  A  second  expedi- 
tion against  the  Indian  rendezvous  at  Great  Island  was  made  in  the  follow- 
ing October  under  the  command  of  Colonel  John  Armstrong.  After  destroy- 
ing the  Indian  corn  fields  and  villages,  the  party  retreated  down  the  West 
Branch;  Captains  Patterson,  Bedford,  Sharp,  Laughlin.  and  Crawford, 
with  two  hunch-ed  men.  arrived  at  Fort  Augxista  on  the  11th  of  October,  and 
Captains  Piper  and  Lindsay,  with  tifty  men,  on  the  following  day;  Colonel 
Armstrong  had  left  the  latter  party  about  seven  miles  from  the  fort,  "  intend- 
ing to  go  the  nearest  way  to  Carlisle."  On  the  13th  of  October  Major 
Clayton  reached  the  fort  with  eighty  men,  e?i  route  to  Wyoming;  they 
resumed  their  march  on  the  loth,  accompanied  by  Lietitenant  Himter  and 
twenty-four  of  the  garrison.  On  the  20th  instant  they  returned,  ha\'ing 
destroyed  what  provisions  and  implements  they  found. 

The  journal  kept  at  Fort  Augusta  from  June  5  to  December  31,  1763,  is 
not  prolific  in  details.  The  arrival  and  departure  of  the  batteaux  and  supply 
trains  and  their  convoys  are  regularly  noted;  cattle  and  sheep  were  brought 
in  herds,  as  formerly,  and  slaughtered  upon  the  ai^proach  of  winter,  when 
the  meat  was  cured  and  stored.  These  and  other  matters  relating  to  the 
commissary  department,  the  defensive  operations  and  offensive  movements 
noted,  the  holding  of  courts  martial,  intelligence  brought  by  Indians, 
and  the  state  of  the  weather,  mainly  constitute  the  subject  matter  of  the 
journal.  It  was  evidently  begiin  by  Lieutenant  Himter;  after  Colonel  Burd"s 
arrival  the  entry  for  each  day  was  signed  by  the  officer  of  the  guard,  in  which 
capacity  the  names  of  Lieutenants  Graydon,  Himter,  Wiggins,  Blyth,  and 
Hendricks,  Mr.  Irvine,  and  Colonel  Burd  appear.  The  Colonel  arrived  on  the 
18th  of  June  and  remained  until  the  20th  of  August;  he  again  arrived  on 
the  9th  of  November  and  remained  several  weeks.  On  the  23d  of  February, 
1764,  he  wrote  Governor  Penn  that  he  had  ''sent  out  sundi-y  parties  [from 
Fort  Augusta]  to  endeavor  to  discover  and  come  up  with  the  enemy  to  pre- 
vent their  falling  down  upon  the  inhabitants,  and,  in  case  they  should  have 


THE    COLONIAL    PERIOD.  73 

gone  past,  to  lay  an  ambush  for  them  on  their  return,"  but  without  making 
any  discoveries  at  all.  Lieutenant  Graydon  was  in  command  in  November 
and  December.  1704,  and  May,  17(35. 

At  this  point  it  may  be  proper  to  sivmmarize  the  numerical  strength  of 
the  garrison  at  the  various  dates  to  which  aiithentic  information  relates. 
James  Yoimg,  the  commissary  general,  visited  Shamokin  in  July,  1756,  with 
instructions  to  pay  three  hundred  eighty-four  privates  and  sixteen  sergeants, 
but  foimd  more  than  that  number  in  the  camp,  beside  the  detachments 
at  McKee's  and  Fort  Himter.  "The  garrison  consists  of  three  himdred 
twenty  effective  men.'"  wrote  Colonel  Clapham  on  the  14th  of  October,  175r3. 
On  the  ISth  he  informed  the  Governor  that  Captain  Christian  Buss6  arrived 
at  the  fort  on  the  evening  of  that  day  with  his  company,  which  formed  part 
of  Lieutenant  Colonel  Conrad  Weiser's  battalion.  He  also  transmitted  a 
return  of  the  regiment  on  the  ISth  of  October;  it  shows  seven  companies,  of 
which  the  respective  strength  was  as  follows:  colonel's,  forty-three;  major's, 
forty-four;  Captain  Lloyd's,  thirty-nine;  Captain  Shij^pen's.  forty-four;  Cap- 
tain Work's,  forty-three;  Captain  Hambright's.  forty-nine:  Caj^tain  Salter's, 
forty-foiar — total,  three  hundred  six,  of  whom  one  hundred  sixty-four  -were 
••duty  men.''  There  were  fourteen  sergeants,  fourteen  cori)orals,  and  seven 
drummers:  two  bakers,  three  blacksmiths,  one  herdsman,  fourteen  cooks, 
thirty-seven  carpenters,  six  masons,  five  sawyers,  six  coal  burners,  two  clerks, 
two  butchers,  and  four  brickmakers;  four  were  on  furlough,  foiir  on  provost 
duty,  fourteen  sick  and  lame,  and  three  attending  the  sick;  six  deserters 
were  reported.  Captain  Buss6's  company  was  not  included  in  this  report :  it 
was  probably  not  regarded  as  part  of  the  regular  garrison,  and  on  the  Sth  of 
November  was  ordered  to  return  to  its  former  station.  When  Major  Burd 
arrived  (December  8,  175(3,)  there  were  two  hundred  eighty  men  "doing  duty" 
and  nine  officers  "for  duty."  The  terms  for  which  many  of  the  men  had 
enlisted  expired  in  the  following  spring,  and  three  comj^anies  of  Lieutenant  Col- 
onel Weiser's  battalion — those  of  Captains  Patterson,  Wetterholt,  and  Morgan 
— were  ordered  to  Fort  Augusta  to  take  their  places.  Captain  James  Patterson 
arrived  with  his  company  on  the  2d  of  April,  1 757,  and  on  the  (3th  more  than 
a  himdred  men  whose  terms  had  exj^ired  took  their  departure.  Captain 
John  Nicholas  Wetterholt  and  Lieutenant  James  Handshaw  arrived  on  the 
27th  of  April  with  fifty  men.  and  Captain  Jacob  Morgan  and  Lieutenant 
Andrew  Engel  on  the  4th  of  May  with  thirty  men.  '"A  great  many  dis- 
charged men"  left  the  fort  on  the  10th  of  May  and  others  on  the  15th.  Their 
former  ofiicers  thereuijon  engaged  in  recruiting,  and  in  the  course  of  a  few 
months  the  companies  that  originally  composed  the  garrison  were  strength- 
ened sufiiciently  to  permit  the  withdrawal  of  the  re-enforcement  from  Weiser's 
battalion. 

On  the  1st  of  January,  1758,  Captain  Shippen  reported  eight  companies, 
accredited,  respectively,  to  Major  James  Burd  and  Captains  Thomas  Lloyd, 


74  HISTOKY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTS. 

Joseph  Shippen,  Patrick  Work,  David  Jamison.  John  Hambright,  and  Levi 
Trump,  and  Lieutenant  Patrick  Davis.  The  total  number  of  men  was  three 
hundred  thirty-seven,  of  whom  two  hundred  thirty-two  were  tit  for  duty. 
Adjutant  Kern's  return  of  February  5,  1758,  states  that  there  were  twenty- 
live  companies  in  the  provincial  service  at  that  time,  eight  of  which  were 
stationed  at  Fort  Augusta,  from  which  the  relative  importance  of  that  post 
may  be  inferred.  These  eight  companies,  according  to  Commissary  Young's 
report  of  February  9th,  numbered  three  hundred  sixty-two  men.  The 
"Return  of  the  garrison  at  Fort  Aiigusta,  consisting  of  detachments  from  the 
First  and  Second  battalions  of  the  Pennsylvania  regiment.  Major  Thomas 
Lloyd,  commandant,"  April  1,  1758,  shows  a  total  of  three  hundred  forty- 
eight  men,  two  hundred  five  of  whom  were  fit  for  duty;  there  were  eight 
comjianies,  accredited,  respectively,  to  Lieutenant  Colonel  James  Burd,  Major 
Thomas  Lloyd,  and  Captains  Joseph  Shijjpen,  Patrick  Work,  David  Jami- 
son, John  Hambright,  Levi  Trump,  and  Asher  Clayton.  Shortly  afterward 
nearly  the  entire  effective  force  was  detached  for  ser\nce  in  Forbes's  expedi- 
tion against  Fort  Duquesne,  and  on  the  2d  of  June  but  four  men  of  Colonel 
Burd"s  company,  fourteen  of  Major  Lloyd's,  thirteen  of  Major  Shippen's, 
fifteen  of  Caj^tain  Work's,  eighteen  of  Captain  Jamison's,  four  of  Captain 
Hambright's,  forty  of  Caj^tain  Trump's,  and  thirteen  of  Captain  Clayton's 
remained  —  a  total  of  one  himdred  twenty-one,  of  whom  ninety-nine  were  fit 
for  duty.  Captain  Trump,  the  commandant  at  that  time,  wrote  Governor 
Denny  on  the  1st  of  July  that  "Captain  Robert  Eastburn  and  Captain  [Paul] 
Jackson  arrived  here  on  the  20th  ultimo,  with  part  of  their  companies. 
Thirty  of  their  men,  according  to  orders,  they  left  at  Himter's  fort,  under 
the  command  of  Ensign  Price."  In  his  report  for  July  1st  he  gives  the  total 
number  of  men  as  one  hundred  eighty-nine,  of  whom  one  hundred  sixty  were 
fit  for  duty.  Peter  Bard,  the  local  commissary,  accompanied  the  detachments 
of  Captains  Eastburn  and  Jackson,  and  in  a  letter  to  the  Governor  on  the  1st 
of  July  says:  "What  were  here  before  we  came,  one  himdred  twenty  odd,  are 
the  cuUings  of  the  whole  battalion,  and  several  of  them  sick  and  lame,  so 
that  we  have  but  a  very  weak  garrison."  The  state  of  affairs  on  the  19th  of 
July  was  thus  described  by  Captain  Triimp: — 

Captain  Montgomery  arrived  here  on  the  16th  instant  with  three  subalterns  auil 
sixty-two  private  men,  who  were  drafts  out  of  several  companies  of  the  newly  raised 
levies.  General  Forbes  has  ordered  Captain  Robert  Eastburn  and  Captain  Paul  Jack- 
son and  their  subalterns  with  thirty-five  of  each  company  (which  is  more  than  thev 
have  here)  to  march  and  join  him  at  Kaystown;  likewise  ordered  me  to  draft  forty  of 
the  best  men  belonging  to  Colonel  Burd's  battalion  aud  send  them  to  him  with  two 
ofRcers,  viz.:  Lieutenant  Brodhead  and  Ensign  Haller.  There  is  but  one  officer  left 
here  beside  myself  of  Colonel  Burd's  battalion,  which  is  Ensign  Henry;  I  have  no 
ensign;  the  above  drafts  march  from  this  place  this  day.  There  is  only  one  hundred 
forty-three  men  left  here,  out  of  which  number  there's  ten  whose  times  are  expired 
and  will  not  enlist  again,  beside  two  men  more  that  Major  Lloyd  has  sent  discharges 
for;  and  a  great  part  of  them  that  are  left  are  blind,  lame,  sick,  old,  and  decrepit,  not 
tit  to  be  intrusted  with  any  charge. 


THE    COLONIAL    PERIOD.  75 

On  the  1st  of  August  and  1st  of  September,  175S,  Captain  Trump 
reported  one  himdred  sixty-nine  men,  accredited  to  fifteen  different  com- 
panies, ranging  in  numerical  strength  from  one  to  thirty;  one  hundred  forty- 
one  were  fit  for  duty  on  the  1st  of  August  and  one  hundred  twenty-two  on 
the  1st  of  September.  "When  Colonel  Biu'd.  accompanied  by  Ensign  Morgan 
and  two  companies,  arrived  on  the  loth  of  Febniary,  1760,  the  garrison 
numbered  thirty-six  men,  who  "marched  off"  four  days  later.  Two  com- 
panies, accredited  to  Colonel  Bard  and  Captain  Caleb  Graydon.  res2')ectively, 
constituted  the  garrison  on  the  1st  of  October,  17(33;  the  total  muuber  of 
men  was  eighty-eight,  of  whom  sixty  were  tit  for  duty.  On  the  20th  of 
July,  1704,  the  "Board  of  Commissioners  for  Defense"  decided  to  maintain 
four  companies  between  the  Susquehanna  and  Delaware,  "  including  thirty 
men  to  garrison  Fort  Augusta.''  who  were  to  be  "  victitalled  by  the  crown." 
In  the  return  of  the  muster  of  the  First  battalion  at  Lancaster,  July  28-25, 
1764.  forty-seven  men  are  accredited  to  Captain  Himter's  company  and 
sixteen  as  a  '"detachment  of  Captain  Graydon's;"  they  were  detailed  for 
service  on  Bouquet's  expedition,  leaving  Captain  Graydon  in  command  of  the 
thirty  who  remained  in  garrison  at  Fort  Augusta.  Some  difficulty  was 
experienced  in  providing  fimds  for  their  pay.  as  e^-idenced  by  the  following 
message  from  the  Governor  to  the  Assembly: — 

Gentlemen:  From  the  great  importance  of  Fort  Augusta  to  the  protection  of  this 
Province  when  engaged  in  a  war  with  the  Indians.  I  thought  it  absohitely  nece^ssarj- 
to  keep  a  garrison  in  it  the  hist  year,  and  am  of  opinion  that,  till  the  tinal  conclu- 
sion of  a  peace  with  the  savages,  it  will  be  highly  imprudent  to  abandon  that  post. 
The  garrison  has  been  paid  up  to  the  1st  of  .January  last  year  out  of  the  supplies 
granted  to  his  Majesty  last  year,  but  as  that  fund  is  nearly  e.xhausted,  I  recommend  it 
to  you  to  consider  and  provide  ways  and  means  for  the  future  subsistence  and  support 
of  the  troops  stationed  there  till  it  may  be  thought  advisable  either  to  reduce  or 
disband  them.  .John  Penn.* 

February  0,  1705. 

The  reply  of  the  Assembly  was  as  follows: — 

After  due  consideration  of  your  message  dated  the  9th  instant  we  are  of  opinion 
that,  as  the  cannon  and  other  military  stores  at  Fort  Augusta  can  not  be  at  present 
removed  from  thence,  it  may  be  prudent  to  defer  any  resolution  concerning  the  evacu- 
ation of  that  post  until  further  certainty  of  peace  being  firmly  established  with  the 
Indians;  yet,  in  the  meantime,  as  the  fund  from  wliich  that  garrison  has  been  paid  up 
to  the  1st  of  last  month  is  nearly  exhausted,  we  should  approve  an  immediate  reduc- 
tion of  the  troops  stationed  there;  although,  in  respect  to  disbanding  the  whole  garrison 
we  can  only  recommend  to  your  Honor  and  the  p^o^^ncial  commissioners,  when  more 
satisfied  of  the  Indians'  fidelity  and  conveniency  offers  for  water  carriage  from  Sha- 
mokin,  to  lose  no  time  in  removing  the  cannon  and  stores  above  mentioned  and 
disbanding  the  remainder  of  the  garrison,  in  order  to  ease  the  public  of  tliat  burthen 
whenever  it  can  be  done  with  safety  and  prudence.+ 

Colonel  Bouquet's  expedition  to  the  Muskingum  in  the  autumn  of  1 764 
had  been  entirely  successfitl;  the  Indians  sued  for  peace,  and  gave  hostages 

*  Colonial  Records,  Vol.  IX.  pp.  2-14-lHJ. 
t  Colonial  Records,  Vol.  IX.  p.  240. 


76  HISTOKY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

as  seciiritv  for  the  release  of  all  their  prisoners  -when  a  general  treatv 
should  be  ratLfiecl.  As  soon  as  Governor  Penn  received  intelligence  that  thev 
had  fiiltilled  their  promises  to  Colonel  Bouquet  in  this  and  other  respects  he 
'•  gave  orders  that  Fort  Augusta  shoiild  be  evacuated  and  commissioned  Col- 
onel Francis  to  settle  the  accoimts  of  that  garrison."  It  does  not  appear 
that  his  orders  were  immediately  carried  into  execution,  however;  the  follow- 
ing is  the  transcript  of  a  letter,  hitherto  luipublished  and  now  in  the  posses- 
sion of  William  T.  Grant,  of  Sunbury,  which  affords  some  information  regard- 
ing the  subsequent  military  occupation  of  this  post: — 

Philadelphia,  April  31,  1768. 

Snt:  Although  Fort  Augusta,  which  you  were  heretofore  ordered  to  keep  posses- 
sion of,  may  be  within  the  words  of  an  act  of  Assembly  lately  made  for  removing  set- 
tlers from  the  lands  unpurchased  of  the  Indians,  yel  I  am  persuaded  it  was  not  within 
the  design  of  the  law.  You  will,  therefore,  with  the  people  that  were  left  there  with  you, 
continue  to  keep  possession  of  It  as  before  the  passing  [of]  the  act.  But  I  desire  you 
will  take  special  care  that  uo  new  settlements  are  made  there  or  in  the  neighborhood 
of  it  beyond  the  line  of  the  purchase,  for  any  such  new  settlements  will  be  within  the 
intent  of  the  act,  and  those  who  presume  to  settle  in  disobedience  of  it  may  depend  upon 
being  prosecuted  in  the  most  vigorous  manner.     I  am,  Sir, 

Your  most  obedient  humble  seryant, 

.JoTix  Ppzxx. 

Cdptain  Sdtnuel  Hunter. 

From  this  it  appears  that  a  nominal  garrison  was  sustained  at  Fort  Augus- 
ta in  176S.  with  Captain  Hunter  as  commandant,  and  that  he  was  also 
intriisted  with  the  duty  of  administering  the  law  against  intruders  upon  lands 
to  which  the  Indian  title  had  not  yet  been  extinguished. 

The  amount  of  stores,  ammunition,  and  ordnance  at  the  fort  were  fre- 
quently reported.*  Six  four-pound  cannon,  two  swivels,  and  six  blunder- 
busses constituted  the  armament  on  the  6th  of  October,  175G.  On  the  3d  of 
November  the  commanding  officer  at  Fort  Himter  was  ordered  "  to  weigh 
the  two  cannon  which  now  lie  in  the  water  and  place  them  on  the  bank  at 
some  convenient  place  for  transportation:"  and  on  the  19th  of  May,  1757, 
Major  Burdmade  the  following  entry  in  his  journal:  "This  day  at  eleven  a. 
M.  Captain  Patterson  arrived  here  with  the  batteaux  and  brought  two  four- 
pound  cannon."  Eight  cannon,  two  swivels,  and  seven  blunderbusses  were 
reported  by  Captain  Shippen  on  the  1st  of  March,  1758,  and  by  Captam 
Trump  on  the  1st  of  June  in  the  same  year.  On  the  19th  of  July,  1758, 
Captain  Tnunp  wrote  Governor  Denny  that  "  The  four  pieces  of  cannon  are 
come  up  that  were  sent  from  Philadeljjhia,  but  there's  not  a  person  to  make 
carriages  for  them,  so  they'll  be  ixseless  till  such  time  as  there's  a  fit  person 
sent  here  to  make  them."     Twelve  cannon,  two  swivels,  and  seven  blunder- 

*These  reports  were  usually  iiiaiie  by  the  commissary  or  conniiandant;  the  following  are  pub- 
lished in  the  Pennsylvania  Archlvis;  Sc|itrii  iI.it  4.  i:r.i;,  \',)l.  u.  p.  TOJ:  Ootoher  G.  1750,  Vol.  III.  pp.  i- 
rj;  December  3,  I7o«,  Vol.  III.  p.  TU;  .M.ucli  I,  17:.>.  \'.)1.  III.  pp.  »4T-:MS;  .June  1,  17.0S,  Vol.  III.  pp.  40Cr- 
407;  August  1. 175.S,  Vol.  III.  p.  r*t^:  ii.ti.l'.r  I.  17:.^.  \'i>l.  III.  pp.  rViO-Ml;  December  1, 17.W,  Vol.  Til. 
pp.  oCS-oft);  December  0,  17i.S,  Vol.  111.  p.  074,  Oituliir  1,  ITia,  Vol.  IV.  p.  r22. 


THE    COLONIAL    PERIOD.  77 

busses  were  reported  by  Commissary  Bard  on  the  1st  of  August,  1st  of  Octo- 
ber, and  1st  of  December.  1758,  and  by  Captain  Graydon  on  the  1st  of  Octo- 
ber, 1763.' 

One  of  these  okl  cannon  is  now  in  the  possession  of  Sunburj'  Steam  Fire 
Company,  No.  1;  the  follo^ving  interesting  facts  in  its  history  have  been 
deyeloped  by  the  researches  of  Dr.  K.  H.  Awl:  From  Fort  Augusta  it  was 
taken  to  Muncy  and  not  returned  until  1774;  it  ^vas  thro\yn  into  the  river, 
out  of  which  it  was  taken  by  Jacob  Mantz,  Samuel  Hahn,  and  George  Shoop 
in  1798.  It  then  remained  at  Sunbuiy  imtil  1824,  when  it  was  surreptitiously 
removed  to  Selinsgrove  and  placed  in  the  cellar  of  a  Mr.  Baker.  In  the  fol- 
lowing year  a  party  from  Sunbiiiy,  composed  of  George  Hileman,  John  Epley, 
John  Weaver,  John  Pickering,  James  MeCormick,  Jacob  Diehl,  and  others, 
succeeded  in  regaining  possession  and  placed  it  under  a  bed  in  the  attic  of  John 
'^^'eayer's  hotel  (the  old  stone  building  at  the  southeast  corner  of  Market  and 
Third  streets).  It  was  brought  into  requisition  at  the  next  4th  of  July  cele- 
bration and  then  hidden  in  the  cellar  of  Eobins's  tanneiy  on  Market  street, 
from  which  it  was  shortly  afterward  abstracted  by  Charles  Awl,  Samuel 
Kessler,  Charles  Baum,  Elias  Hummel,  Michael  Kleckner,  Thomas  Hala- 
bush,  Samuel  Winter,  and  Thomas  Getgen,  taken  to  Xew  Berlin,  and  con- 
cealed in  the  cellar  of  a  hotel.  Intelligence  of  its  hiding  place  having 
reached  Sunbiiry,  Charles  Bradford,  Jacob  Keefer,  Ezekiel  Follmer,  and 
others  went  to  New  Berlin  in  the  night  for  the  purpose  of  recovering  the 
stolen  projierty.  They  entered  the  cellar  by  a  side  door;  the  cannon  had 
been  placed  ujion  a  raised  platfoiTn.  which  collapsed  imder  their  weight  when 
they  attempted  to  lift  it  off.  The  noise  wakened  a  woman,  who  came  down  the 
inside  stairway  with  a  candle:  Bradford  knocked  it  from  her  hand,  and  the 
entire  party  sought  safety  in  flight.  Selinsgrove  next  succeeded  in  securing 
possession  of  the  cannon,  and  from  that  place  it  was  brought  to  Simbury  in 
1^34  by  Dr.  K.  H.  Awl,  Charles  Rhinehart,  Henrv"  V.  Simpson,  Thomas 
McEwen,  Jeremiah  Mantz,  Jacob  and  John  Eichtstine,  Isaac  Zeigler- 
Edward  Lyon,  Peter  Zimmerman,  and  George  Mahan.  Here  it  has  since 
remained.  In  1849  an  attempt  was  made  to  remove  it  to  Danville,  but 
Captains  Charles  J.  Braner  and  Henry  Wharton  had  been  warned  of  the 
plot  and  the  cannon  was  securely  guarded  at  the  house  of  Benjamin  Krohn 
on  Front  street.  When  the  Danville  j^arty  arrived  they  found  their  designs 
effectually  frustrated,  and  since  that  time  Sunbury  has  enjoyed  imdisputed 
possession  of  this  migratory  piece  of  ordnance.  It  was  chained  to  a  five- 
hundred-pound  stone  in  the  "old  barracks"  on  Front  street  for  a  time,  and 
subsequently  kept  in  Peter  Weimer's  cellar,  Zeiglers  tannery,  the  county 
jail.  John  Shissler's  cellar,  etc.  For  some  years  it  was  in  the  possession  of 
Samuel  Huey,  from  whom  the  jjresent  o\vners  obtained  it. 

Several  allusions  are  made  to  the  flag  in  the  oflicial  papers  relating  to 
Fort  Augusta.     "We  want  a  good,  large  flag  to  grace  it,"  wrote  Commissary 


78  HISTORY    OF    NOBTH0MBEELAND    COUNTY. 

Bard  on  the  4tli  of  September,  17-56.  The  want  was  e\'idently  supjihed.  bnt 
on  the  1st  of  July,  175S,  it  was  again  expressed  by  Captain  Tramp,  in  the 
following  words:  '"  Our  colors  are  entirely  worn  out,  and  should  be  extremely 
glad  of  a  new  one;  the  staff  is  seventy  feet  high."  Cai^tain  Gray  don  made 
the  following  entry  in  the  journal  under  date  of  September  14,  1703:  "This 
day  got  a  new  flag-staff  placed  and  our  flag  hoisted." 

Reference  is  frequently  made  to  the  health  of  the  garrison.  There  was  a 
hospital  at  the  fort,  but  it  was  not  constructed  with  reference  to  sanitary 
requirements,  and  on  the  10th  of  February,  1757,  Dr.  John  Morgan,  the  jjost 
surgeon,  made  complaint  to  Major  Burd  regarding  the  amoimt  of  "imder 
water  "  in  it;  he  also  attributed  his  lack  of  sirccess  in  the  treatment  of  patients 
to  the  want  of  fresh  provisions  and  vegetables,  and  readily  assented  to  a  prop- 
osition for  the  removal  of  the  sick  to  Fort  Halifax  or  Hunter.  The  latter 
was  selected;  and  "the  ho.spital,  consisting  of  twenty-four  sick,"  was  sent 
thither  by  batteaux  on  the  23d  of  Febrxiary.  "Forty  of  the  hosjiital"'  left 
the  fort  by  similar  conveyance  on  the  6th  of  April;  their  destination,  and 
possibly  that  of  the  others  also,  was  probably  Harris's  Ferry,  for  Doctor 
Moi-gan  is  reported  in  the  return  of  April  1st  as  absent  since  March  29th  ••■\-isit- 
ing  the  sick  at  Harris's."  "I  desired  Captain  Yoimg  to  acquaint  your 
Honor  that  there  was  neither  surgeon  nor  doctor  here,"  wrote  Commissary 
Bard  from  Fort  Aiigusta  on  the  1st  of  July,  1758,  "since  which  he  informs 
me  there  is  one  appointed  for  us;  I  hope  he  will  be  here  soon,  as  several  of 
our  men  are  suffering  for  the  want  of  one.  I  believe  Doctor  Morgan  left  us 
but  few  drugs,  as  the  shop  looks  very  thin."  Dr.  John  Bond  was  commis- 
sioned as  surgeon  'on  the  11th  of  May,  1758,  and  his  name  appears  in  the 
returns  of  August  1,  September  1,  and  December  1,  1758.  On  the  17th  of 
October,  1763,  Colonel  Burd  wrote  that  a  surgeon  and  medicines  were  much 
needed,  which  is  clearly  evident  from  the  following  paragraph  in  his  letter  of 
November  25th:  "The  smallpox  has  been  brought  to  this  place,  I  beheve  by 
the  volunteer  parties;  there  is  sundry  of  the  soldiers  do\vn  in  them  and  a 
great  number  of  the  garrison  has  never  had  them,  so  that  I  expect  they  will 
be  infected.  I  have  no  medicines,  and  therefore  nature  must  do  the  whole." 
On  the  10th  of  December  he  wrote:  "I  am  glad  a  sitrgeon  is  allowed; 
Lieutenant  Thomas  Wiggins  of  my  company  is  a  sui-geon,  having  served  his 
apprenticeship  with  Doctor  Thompson  in  Lancaster.  He  attended  my  family 
there;  I  always  foitnd  him  careful  and  I  believe  he  understands  his  business, 
therefore  would  recommend  him  to  your  Honor  for  the  double  commission." 
He  was  accordingly  ajipointed,  and  was  the  last  resident  surgeon  at  the  fort. 

But  meager  provision  was  made  for  the  spiritual  interests  of  the  garrison. 
Among  the  Sunday  entries  in  Major  Burd's  journal  are  the  following:  De- 
cember 2,  1756 — "I  have  thought  it  my  duty  to-day  to  employ  the  carpen- 
ters in  working  at  the  beef  cisterns.  This  day  it  rained  so  hard  that  we 
could  not  have  sermon."     March  19th — "This  day  we  had  two  sermons,  one 


THE    COLONIAL    PERIOD.  ,  79 

forenoon  and  one  afternoon,  by  Doctor  Morgan."  March  ■26th — "Had  prayers 
and  a  sermon  this  forenoon  and  prayers  in  the  afternoon  by  Doctor  Morgan." 
January  2,  1757 — "The  weather  this  day  woidd  not  permit  sermon  nor 
prayers."  January  9th — No  reference  to  religious  exercises.  January-  16th 
— "Doctor  Morgan  read  prayers  this  morning."  January  23d — "We  had 
prayers  to-day  at  eleven  o'clock"  January  3()th — "This  day  it  rained  so 
hard  aU  day  that  we  could  not  have  prayers."  FebniarA' 6th — "We  could 
not  have  sermon  nor  prayers."  February  13th — "So  extremely  cold  that 
I  omit  prayers,  the  officers  complaining  it  was  too  severe."  February 
2(^th — "The  fort  was  so  wet  we  could  not  have  sermon  nor"  prayers  to- 
day." February  27th — "No  prayers  on  accoimt  of  the  severity  of  the 
weather."  Parson  Steele,  the  first  regularly  appointed  chaplain,  arrived  on 
the  24th  of  March;  on  the  following  Sunday  (the  27th)  Major  Burd  wrote: 
"It  snowed  and  rained  so  mtich  to-day  that  we  could  not  have  sermon,  but 
we  had  prayers  toward  evening  in  a  general  parade  and  the  chaplain  prayed 
in  each  of  the  barracks  and  the  hospital."  It  is  not  probable  that  Parson 
Steele  remained  very  long;  he  returned  on  the  10th  of  July,  but  again  took 
his  dejiarture  on  the  11th  of  August. 

The  accompanying  plan  of  Fort  Augusta  is  reproduced  from  that  pub- 
lished in  Volume  XII.  of  the  Pennsylvania  Archives,  to  which  the  following 
explanatory  notes  are  appended: — 

The  above  plan  was  drawn  from  a  copy  of  the  original  to  which  the  following  note 
is  attached :  Isaac  Craig,  engineer.  "  Faithfully  copied  by  me  for  Richard  Biddle,  Esii., 
from  the  original  deposited  in  the  geographical  and  topographical  collection  attached 
to  library  of  his  late  Majesty,  George  the  Third,  and  presented  by  his  Majesty,  King 
George  the  Fourth,  to  the  British  JIuseum. 

London,  March,  1830.  William  Osmax." 

Fort  Augusta  stands  at  about  forty  yards  distance  from  the  river,  on  a  bank  twenty- 
four  feet  from  the  surface  of  the  water;  that  side  of  the  fort  marked  with  single  lines, 
which  fronts  the  river,  is  a  strong  palisado,  the  bases  of  the  logs  being  sunk  four  feet 
into  the  earth,  the  tops  holed  and  spiked  into  strong  ribbands,  which  run  transversely 
and  are  mortised  into  several  logs  at  twelve  feet  distance  from  each  other,  which  are 
larger  and  higher  than  the  rest,  the  joints  between  each  palisado  broke  with  lirm  logs 
well  fitted  on  the  inside  and  supported  by  the  platform.  The  three  sides  represented  by 
double  lines  are  composed  of  logs  laid  horizontally,  neatly  done,  dove-tailed,  and  trun- 
nelled  down;  they  are  squared— some  of  the  lower  ends  three  feet  diameter,  the  least 
from  two  feet  one  half  to  eighteen  inches  diameter — and  are  mostly  white  oak.     There 

are  six  four  cannon  mounted,  one  in  the of  each  bastion  fronting  the  river  and 

one  in  the ,  and  one  in  the  tlank  of  each  of  the  opposite  bastions;  the  woods 

cleared  to  the  distance  of  three  hundred  \-ard3,  and  some  progress  made  in  cutting  the 
bank  of  the  river  into  a  glacis. 

On  the  23d  of  September,  1756,  Colonel  Clapham  transmitted  a  plan  of 
the  fort  to  Governor  Denny — probably  the  original  of  which  that  in  the  Brit- 
ish Museum  is  a  copy,  as  the  foregoing  description  harmonizes  fully  with 
what  is  known  of  the  fort  at  that  date.  The  magazine,  Indian  trading  house, 
etc.  had  not  been  erected  at  that  time,  nor  are  they  indicated  on  this  plan: 


80 


[ISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBEKLAND    COUNTY. 


moreover,  six  cannon  constituted  the  armament  until  May  19,  1757,  so  that 
the  plan  must  have  been  made  prior  to  that  date. 

The  site  of  the  fort  was  embraced  in  the  manor  of  Pomfret,   and  con- 
tinued in  possession  of  the  Penn  family  until  17SG.     The  demolition  of  the 


works  probably  began  as  soon  as  it  became  evident  that  they  would  be 
no  longer  required  for  military  purposes.  Colonel  Samuel  Hunter  lived  at 
the  fort  until  his  death  in  1784;  his  residence  and  that  of  his  family  after 
his  decease  was  the  building  originally  erected  as  the  colonel's  quarters,  of 
which  an  engraving  is  herewith  given.     It  is  reproduced  from  a  painting  in 


THE    COLONIAL    PERIOD. 


81 


the  possession  of  Captain  John  Buyers,  of  Selinsgrove,  Pennsylvania,  which 
bears  the  following  indorsement:  ''A  view  of  the  'old  house'  at  Fort 
Augusta,  one  mile  above  Sunbury.  Pennsylvania,  at  the  junction  of  the  North 
and  "West  Branches  of  the  Susquehanna,  in  the  year  1825.     Painted  by  Mrs. 


COLOJVELS  QU.VRTERS,rorlAiTgiisla. 


Amelia  Donnel."  This  is  believed  to  be  the  only  picture  of  any  part  of  the 
fort  now  extant,  and  is  here  published  for  the  first  time.  If  the  author's 
inference  regarding  the  date  of  the  plan  is  correct,  the  building  represented 
was  erected  in  1750,  and  was.  until  the  time  of  its  removal,  the  oldest  house 
in  the  upper  Susquehanna  valley.     It  fronted  toward  the  interior  of  the  fort. 


82  HISTORY    OF    NOBTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

That  part  of  the  porch  north  of  the  door  was  originally  inclosed,  and  formed 
a  small  apartment  with  one  window  on  the  north;  in  this  apartment  reliable 
tradition  asserts  that  the  first  court  for  Northumberland  county  was  held. 

The  close  of  the  French  and  Indian  war  and  the  collapse  of  Pontiac's 
conspiracy  were  followed  by  the  disbandment  of  the  j^rovincial  forces  and 
virtual  evacuation  of  the  frontier  posts;  a  feeling  of  security  pervaded  the 
border  communities,  the  conviction  became  general  that  a  period  of  tran- 
cjuihty  was  at  hand,  and  the  progress  of  settlement  on  the  northern  and  west- 
ern confines  of  the  Province  early  rendered  further  concessions  of  territory 
from  the  Indians  necessary^  One  important  result  of  the  war  was  the  reces- 
sion of  much  the  larger  part  of  the  purchase  of  1754;  this  was  done  at  a 
treaty  at  Easton  in  October,  1758,  when  the  chiefs  of  the  Sis  Nations  also 
executed  a  release  for  the  territory  east  of  the  Allegheny  moimtains  and  south 
of  a  line  northwest  and  west  from  a  point  on  the  Susquehanna  river  one  mile 
above  the  mouth  of  Perm's  creek.  The  next  purchase,  the  last  and  most 
important  under  Proprietary  auspices,  was  consummated  at  Fort  Stan- 
wix,  now  Rome,  New  York,  November  5,  1768;  the  territory  ceded  was 
bounded  on  the  north  and  west  by  the  North  Branch  of  Susquehanna,  To- 
wanda  creek,  Lycoming  creek,  the  West  Branch  of  Susquehanna,  and  the  Alle- 
gheny and  Ohio  rivers  from  Kittanning  to  the  line  of  the  State. 

The  first  survey  in  Northumberland  county  within  the  bounds  of  the  purchase 
of  1708  was  the  manor  of  Pomfret.  The  warrant  was  issued,  October  29,  1768, 
and  the  survey  was  made  on  the  19th  of  December  in  the  same  year  by 
William  Scull,  deputy  surveyor.  The  manor  was  bounded  as  follows: 
Beginning  at  a  sugar  tree  marked  T.  E.  P.  on  the  east  bank  of  the  Susque- 
hanna river  at  the  south  side  of  the  mouth  of  Shamokin  creek;  thence  up  the 
east  bank  of  the  Susquehanna  river  and  the  North  Branch  thereof  eleven  hun- 
dred eighty-two  perches  to  a  beech  marked  T.  R.  P.  eight  perches  northeast 
of  a  small  run;  thence  south  ten  degrees  east  two  hundred  eighty  perches  to 
a  small  hickory  marked  T.  E.  P. ;  thence  north  eighty  degrees  east  eight 
hundred  forty-four  perches  to  a  chestnut  oak  marked  T.  E.  P. ;  thence  south 
ten  degrees  east  four  hundred  perches  to  a  pine  marked  T.  E.  P. ;  thence 
south  sixty-seven  degrees  west  eight  hundred  sixty-five  perches  to  a  post : 
thence  south  eighty  degrees  west  seven  hundred  perches  to  the  place  of 
beginning,  embracing  four  thousand  seven  hundred  sixty-six  acres  and  allow- 
ance of  six  per  cent. 

The  officers'  lands  were  next  surveyed.  The  ofiicers  of  the  First  and 
Second  battalions  of  the  Pennsylvania  regiment  who  had  served  in  Bouquefs 
expedition  formed  an  association*  at  Carlisle  in  1764  and  entered  into  an 
agreement  to  "  apply  to  the  Proprietaries  for  a  tract  of  land,  sufficiently 
extensive  and  conveniently  situated,  whereon  to  erect  a  compact  and  defensi- 

*The  minutes  of  tills  association  are  p\iblishe(l  In  tlie  Collections  of  the  Historical  Socletj'  of 
Pennsylvania,  Vol.  I. ;  extended  treatment  of  the  subject  Is  given  In  Linn's  Annals  of  Buffalo  Valley, 
pp.  2G-32. 


THE    COLONIAL    PERIOD.  S3 

ble  town."  In  pursuance  of  this  agreement  an  application  was  made  to  the 
Proprietaries  on  the  30th  of  Ajsril,  17G5;  as  stated  therein,  their  object  was. 
"  to  embody  themselves  in  a  comj)act  settlement  on  some  good  land  at  some 
distance  from  the  inhabited  part  of  the  Pro^-ince,  where,  by  their  industry 
they  might  procure  a  comfortable  subsistence  for  themselves,  and  by  their 
arms,  iinion,  and  increase  become  a  powerfiil  barrier  to  the  Province."  They 
requested  the  Proprietaries  to  make  a  new  purchase  from  the  Indians,  and 
apportion  among  them  forty  thousand  acres  of  arable  land  on  the  ^^  est 
Branch  of  the  Susquehanna.  Four  years  elai^secl  before  their  plan?  were 
realized.  On  the  od  of  February.  17(59,  it  was  ordered  by  the  Board  of 
Property  '•  That  Colonel  Francis  and  the  officers  of  the  First  and  Second 
battalions  of  the  Pennsylvania  regiment  be  allowed  to  take  up  twenty-four 
thousand  acres,  to  be  divided  among  them  m  distinct  surs-eys,  on  the  waters 
of  the  West  Branch  of  Susqiiehanna.  to  be  seated  with  a  family  for  each  three 
hundred  acres  within  two  years  from  the  time  of  survey,  paying  five  poimds 
Sterling  per  himdred  and  one  penny  Sterling  per  acre."  The  officers  acceded 
to  the  terms  proposed  at  a  meeting  at  Fort  Augusta  in  the  latter  part  of 
February,  and  apjiointed  Captains  Hunter  and  Irvine  to  accompany  ^^  illiam 
Scull  in  making  the  surveys  of  their  lands  east  of  the  West  Branch.  At  a 
meeting  of  the  officers  at  Harris's  Ferry  on  the  10th  of  May  he  reported 
having  surveyed  six  thousand  ninety-six  acres,  which  were  apportioned  to 
Lieutenant  Colonel  Turbutt  Francis,  Ensign  A.  Stein,  Captain  Samuel  Htm- 
ter,  Captain  Nicholas  Houssegger,  Lieutenant  Daniel  Hunsicker,  Captain 
"William  Piper,  and  Lieutenant  James  Hays,  all  of  whom  were  officers  in  the 
First  battalion  excejit  Captain  Piper,  of  the  Second.  Colonel  Francis"? 
tract  embraced  the  site  of  Milton;  Ensign  Stein's,  the  mouth  of  Muddy 
run;  Caj^tain  Himter's,  the  mouth  of  Warrior  run:  Captain  Housse;,'ger"s, 
the  site  of  Watsontown,  above  which  were  those  of  Lieutenant  Hunsicker. 
Captain  Piper,  and  Lieutenant  Hays. 

Ai^plications  for  lands  in  the  new  jntrchase  were  first  received  at  the  pro- 
vincial land  office  on  the  3d  of  April,  1769,  agreeably  to  the  following 
advertisement : — 

The  land  office  will  !»■  (ip.-n.-il  (m  the  IJd  day  of  April  next  at  ten  n"c-li.cl<  in  thp 
moruing  to  receive  applications  fnun  all  persons  inclinable  to  take  up  lands  in  tht-  nfw 
purchase,  upon  the  terms  of  live  pounds  Sterling  per  hundred  acres  and  one  penny  per 
acre  per  <tiinum  quit-rent.  No  person  will  be  allowed  to  take  up  more  than  three  hun- 
dred acres  without  the  special  license  of  the  Proprietaries  or  Governor.  The  surveys 
upon  all  applications  are  to  be  made  and  returned  within  six  months  and  the  whole  pur- 
chase money  paid  at  one  payment,  and  patent  taken  out  within  twelve  months  from  the 
date  of  the  application,  with  interest  and  quit-rent  from  six  months  after  the  applica- 
tion. If  there  be  a  failure  on  the  side  of  the  party  applying,  in  either  procuring  his 
survey  and  return  to  be  made  or  in  paying  the  purchase  money  and  obtaining  the 
patent,  the  application  and  survey  will  be  utterly  void,  and  the  Proprietaries  will  be  at 
liberty  to  dispose  of  the  laud  to  any  other  person  whatever.  And,  as  these  terras  will 
be  strictly  adhered  to  by  the  Proprietaries,  all  persons  are  hereby  warned  and  cautioned 


84  HISTOEY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

not  to  apply  for  more  land  than  they  -will  be  able  to  pay  for  in  the  time  hereby  siven 
for  that  purpose. 

By  order  of  the  Governor, 

James  Tilghm.v^;, 
Secrditnj  of  the  Lund  Cygicf. 
Philadelphia  Land  Office,  February  23.  1769. 

X.  B.  So  long  a  day  is  fixed  to  give  the  back  inhabitants  time  to  repair  to  the 
office.* 

As  it  was  evident  that  several  applications  might  be  made  for  the  same 
location,  aU  were  put  together  in  a  box  or  tnmk  and  thoroughly  mixed,  after 
which  they  were  drawn  out,  one  by  one.  by  a  disinterested  person.  In  this 
manner  questions  of  priority  were  obviated.  The  land  desired  was  usually 
described  by  natural  boundaries  or  characteristics,  proximity  to  streams  or 
moimtains,  etc.  Delaware  run,  Warrior  run.  Muddy  nm,  Limestone  run, 
and  Chillisc^uaque  creek  were  referred  to  by  their  present  names,  which  had 
thus  gained  general  currency  prior  to  1769. 

There  was  an  immediate  and  rapid  influx  of  population  to  the  territory 
thiis  opened  to  purchase  and  settlement.  Although  that  part  of  Northum- 
berland coimty  south  of  Mahanoy  mountain  was  included  in  the  purchase  of 
1749,  it  was  not  settled  to  any  extent  before  the  Indian  war,  during  which 
the  few  inhabitants  were  compelled  to  seek  safety  beyond  the  Kittatinny 
range.  After  the  restoration  of  peace  the  valleys  of  Mahanoy  creek  and  its 
tributaries.  Stone  valley,  and  the  Mahantango  region  early  received  a  large 
German  immigration,  which  also  extended  to  the  northern  parts  of  the  county 
and  has  since  found  a  large  element  of  its  population.  Between  the  North 
Branch  of  Susquehanna  and  the  Mimcy  hiUs  the  pioneers  were  principally 
Scotch-Irish;  this  nationality  was  also  represented  in  the  valleys  of  Boyle's 
run.  Hollowing  run,  and  Shamokin  creek,  while  many  families  of  English  or 
Welsh  origin  found  their  way  into  the  territory  now  comprised  in  Rush, 
Shamokin,  and  the  adjoining  townships.  The  Geriiians  were  principally 
from  Berks  county,  the  Scotch-Irish  from  Lancaster,  the  English  and  Welsh 
from  New  Jersey.  So  rapid  was  the  settlement  of  the  region  drained  by  the 
Susquehanna  river,  the  North  and  West  Branches,  and  their  tributaries,  that 
the  county  of  Northumberland  was  erected  on  the  21st  of  March,  1772, 
less  than  three  years  after  the  purchase  of  1768  was  opened.  Two  townships, 
Augusta  and  Turbut,  originally  comprised  its  present  area;  the  following 
lists  of  pioneers  have  been  compiled  from  the  earliest  assessment  records  of 
these  townships  now  extant. 

Augusta  townshij)  originally  embraced  that  part  of  Northumberland 
county  south  of  the  North  Branch  of  Susquehanna;  the  following  is  a  list 
of  taxable  inhabitants  in  1774:  WiUiam  Boyle,  Sebastian  Brosius,  Edward 
Biddle,  John  Clark,  Jacob  Conrad,  Robert  Conn,  Adam  Conrad,  Uriah 
Clark,    Sebastian    Crevotis,   George   Cliver,    Henrj-   Cliver,    WiUiam    Clark, 

♦Smith's  Laws,  Vol.  II.  p.  108. 


THE    COLONIAL    PERIOD.  00 

Frederick  Dimkelberger.  Robert  Desha,  William  Davis,  John  Doane.  George 
Eccle,  Lawrence  Eichinger,  Martin  Epley,  Philip  Everhart,  David  Fowler, 
John  Fisher,  William  Forster,  Peter  Ferst,  Henry  Ferst,  Anthony  Fricker, 
David  Fox,  Samuel  Flowers,  Valentine  Geiger,  Peter  Gearhart,  Charles 
Garmont,  Solomon  Green,  Stophel  Gettig,  Alexander  Grant,  Nicholas  Gron-  . 
inger,  Charles  Gough,  Ellis  Hughes.  Samuel  Harris,  Samuel  Himter.  Max 
Haines,  Jacob  Haverling,  Charles  Hufty,  George  Hymn,  John  Harrison. 
George  Hawke,  Adam  Haverling,  Anthony  Hinkle,  Thomas  Hughes.  Reuben 
Haines,  Henry  Hollier,  Philip  Johnston,  Gasper  Kobel,  Daniel  Kobel. 
Samuel  Krooks,  Henry-  Kobel,  Henrv"  Kries,  Peter  Kobel.  Henry  Keller. 
Andrew  Ketterley,  Nicholas  Kofield.  Jacob  Karron,  James  Logan.  Martin 
Lister,  Gottlieb  Lefler,  E.  Lewis,  John  Liss,  Jonathan  Lodge,  Benjamin 
Lightfoot,  William  Maclay,  Joseph  McCarrell.  Robert  McBride.  William 
Murdock,  Arthur  Moody.  David  Mead.  Jacob  Martin,  John  Moll.  John  :\Iiller. 
Jacob  Minium,  Thomas  McGahan,  Patrick  McCormick.  Hugh  jNIcKinley, 
David  McKinney,  Nicholas  Miller,  Eli  Mead,  James  McNeill,  James  Mc- 
Clegg.  Joseph  McDonald,  Isaac  Meyer.  John  Moore,  Christian  Mowry.  Da\-id 
McNear,  John  Musser,  George  Overmeier,  John  Peiffer,  John  Philips.  Sam- 
uel Pearson,  James  Parr.  Jacob  Read.  Frederick  Reely,  Zachariah  Rolnns. 
Cornelius  Row,  Henry  Reigert.  John  Ream  (butcher),  John  Ream,  Michael 
Redman,  Robert  Randall,  Thomas  Runyon,  Valentine  Rebuck,  George  Reitz, 
Gustayais  Ross.  Joseph  Shippen,  Matthias  Slough,  James  Starr,  Jolm  Simp- 
son, David  Shakspeare,  William  Scull,  Casper  Snavely,  Samuel  Shakspeare. 
Stei^hen  Sutton,  Thomas  Steinbach,  John  Sober,  Daniel  Smith,  Gaspar 
Schneider,  George  Shellam,  Michael  Shaffer,  John  Shaffer,  Nicholas  Shutt-r. 
Peter  Smith,  Abraham  Stein,  Jacob  Schertz,  Conrad  Schneider,  John  Spcxm. 
Stophel  Stump,  John  Titsal,  Michael  Troy,  George  Vaughan.  Peter  Whit- 
more,  Samuel  Weiser,  Frederick  Weiser,  Stophel  Whitmore.  George  ^^  olf. 
Jonas  Weaver,  Michael  Weaver,  Aaron  Wilkerson,  Frederick  Wimbolt.  John 
Weitzel,  James  Wild,  John  Wall,  Peter  Withington,  Francis  West,  Mordecai 
Yarnall,  Francis  Yarnall,  Ellis  Youngman,  Jonas  Youghan,  Jacob  Zartman, 
Henry  Zartman,  Nicholas  Zantzinger. 

The  following  were  assessed  as  single  men:  John  Barker,  Nicholas 
Bierly,  John  Brentlinger.  Adam  Christy,  James  Chisnall.  Charles  Charter, 
William  Crooks,  George  Calhoon,  Joseph  Disberry,  Michael  De  Armond. 
John  Elser.  James  Ellis,  Ellerton  Fowler,  John  Forsyth,  John  Feucher, 
Jacob  Graff,  Joseph  Gray,  James  Gayley,  Richard  Grosvenor.  William  Gray, 
George  Grant,  Jacob  Hill.  David  Harris.  Henn,-  Hide.  Nicholas  Harmer. 
James  Hamilton,  John  Harris.  Jr..  William  Harp.  John  Hardy,  George 
Kiest,  William  Kennedy.  David  Johnston.  Dennis  Leary,  Aaron  Lane.  Jesse 
Lukcns.  Charles  McCann,  John  McCord,  Abraham  McGahan,  George  North. 
Casper  Reigert,  William  Robins,  Jacob  Ribble,  John  Robinson,  Richard 
Robinson,  Lawrence  Steinbach,  James  Silverwood,  John  Teel,  Hugh  Turner, 


86  HISTORY    OF    NOKTHUIIBERLAND    COUNTY. 

William  Triunmer,  Michael  Tobin.  Philip  Valentine,  William  Wilson,  Casj^er 
Weitzel,  John  Wiggins,  Peter  Yamall.  Ludwig  the  tar  burner. 

Tiirbut  township  originally  embraced  all  that  part  of  the  present  area  of 
Northumberland  coimty  north  of  the  North  Branch,  with  considerable  adja- 
cent territory  to  the  east.  The  follo\ving  are  the  names  of  tasables  at  the 
first  assessment  of  which  there  is  any  record;  while  the  year  is  not  given,  it 
bears  satisfactory  intrinsic  e%'idence  of  having  been  taken  before  the  close  of 
the  colonial  period  and  prior  to  the  year  1775:  John  Blair,  Frederick 
Bine.  William  Blue,  James  Biggar,  Michael  Bannart,  James  Brandon, 
Samuel  Bailey,  Thomas  Batman.  John  Black,  Garret  Berry,  George  Ben- 
nett, Hawkins  Boone,  Michael  Bright.  Dominick  Bradley,  John  Brady,  John 
Buyers,  John  Bullion,  Michael  Bradley.  John  Boyd,  William  Bailey,  Will- 
iam Bonham,  Isaac  Coldron,  John  Curry,  James  Carscaddon,  Adam  Clark, 
Robert  Curry,  John  Clark,  James  Cochran,  Andrew  Clark,  William 
Clark,  Nathaniel  Coltart,  Joseph  Carson,  James  Clark,  John  Comfort,  John 
Cheney,  John  Clark,  James  Crawford.  Anthony  Carney,  John  Cochran, 
Michael  Campbell,  David  Carson.  Charles  Cochran,  William  Cooke,  William 
Caldwell,  Abraham  Carr,  David  Chambers,  Matthew  Cimningham,  Cornelius 
Cox,  George  CaUioon,  William  Clark.  John  Chambers,  Johnspn  Cheney, 
John  Carothers,  John  Chattam,  Cain  Callender,  Philip  Davis,  John  Denny, 
Peter  Dougherty,  Henry  Dougherty,  John  Dixon,  James  Durham,  Neal 
Davis.  John  Donald,  David  Davis,  John  Dunlap,  Michael  Dowdle,  Henry 
Dougherty,  Margaret  Duncan,  William  Davis,  John  De  France,  Thomas 
Dean,  Jolin  Dougherty,  Adam  Dean.  Josiah  Espy,  James  Espy,  Thomas 
Egan,  John  Evison,  John  Emmitt.  Alexander  Emmons,  John  Eason,  Robert 
Eason,  Alexander  Fullerton,  Garret  Freeland,  William  Fitzsimmons,  Barna- 
bas Farran,  Benjamin  Fulton,  Abraham  Freeland,  Jacob  Follmer,  Ephraim 
Fowler,  Conrad  Foutz,  George  Frederick,  George  Field,  W^illiam  Fisher, 
John  Freeman,  William  Forster.  Philip  Frig,  W^illiam  Gillespie,  John  Gil- 
lespie, John  Gilliland,  Alexander  Gibson.  John  Gray,  Thomas  Gaskin,  James 
Goudy,  Samuel  Gordon,  Paul  Geddis.  Charles  Gillespie,  William  George, 
Thomas  Ginning,  James  Galloway.  Alexander  Grant,  Robert  Galbraith,  Ber- 
tram Galbraith,  John  Gray,  Robert  Giltillan,  Reuben  Haines,  George  Hamil 
ton,  Thomas  Hughes,  James  Harrison.  David  Hays,  John  Hood,  Henry  Hoff 
man,  Marcus  Hulings,  Jacob  Hanimersley.  Simon  Hemrod,  William  Harrison 
James  Hays,  Michael  Hendershott,  William  Hutchison,  John  Hambright 
James  Hunter,  Thomas  Hewitt,  Caleb  Horton,  Samuel  Hunter,  Jacob  Haines. 
Joseph  Herbert,  Samuel  Harris,  Hugh  Hamilton,  Benjamin  Hemling,  Will 
iam  Hannah,  George  Haines,  Wilham  Hoffman,  David  Ireland,  George  Irwin 
Richard  Irwin,  Francis  Irwin,  Archibald  Irwin,  George  Irwin,  Matthew 
Irwin,  John  Irwin,  Owen  Jury,  Benjamin  Jones,  William  Johnston,  Henry 
Johnston,  Thomas  Jordan,  Peter  Jones,  John  Johnston,  Benjamin  Jordan, 
Patrick  Kearney,  Moses  Kirk,  Daniel  KeUey,  David  Kennedy,  Robert  King, 


THE    COLOXIAL    PEKIOD.  87 

'William  Kennersley,  John  Lytle.  Robert  Low,  William  Layton,  Robert 
Liickey,  Robert  Luc  key,  Jr.,  James  Luckey,  Joseph  Leech,  Jonathan  Lodge, 
Thomas  Lemon,  Charles  Lomax,  Hugh  Logue,  Cornelius  Lamerson, 
Aaron  Levy,  Andrew  Le\y,  Robert  Luckey,  William  Linton,  Robert  Love, 
Charles  Lamerson,  Widow  Lukens,  Richard  Malone,  John  Montgomery, 
William  McKnight.  Jacob  Miller.  Robert  McCallan,  William  McWilliams, 
William  Murray.  Robert  McCandlish.  Robert  McFarling,  James  McBrier, 
Judah  Miller,  John  McHenr^-.  John  Martin,  John  McW'illiams,  James  Mur- 
phy, Robert  McWilliams,  John  McClenachan,  Hugh  McWilliams,  Thomas 
Mahaft'ey,  Robert  Moodie,  James  Murray,  John  Murray,  George  McCandlish, 
James  McClung,  John  McClintock,  Alexander  McMath,  James  McKnight, 
Gowan  McConnell,  Isaac  Miller.  John  Minger,  Samuel  McKee,  James 
Mahaffey,  John  Miles.  Darius  Mead.  James  McMahan,  Adam  Mann,  William 
Marshall,  Robert  McCully,  Hiigh  McCormick,  James  McClenachan,  William 
Montgomery,  George  Miller,  Frederick  Maus,  John  McFadden,  William  Mur- 
dock,  Samuel  Mann.  William  McKim,  Robert  Martin,  Peter  Martin,  Laughlin 
McCartney,  John  McAdams.  John  Moore,  John  McCuUoch,  John  INIcGuffy. 
John  Martin,  Alexander  Murray,  John  Xeilson,  James  Xeely,  Thomas  Orr, 
Samuel  Oaks,  Joseph  Ogden,  William  Piper,  William  Plunket.  Barnalias 
Parson,  Robert  Pedrick,  Stephen  Phihps,  Edmimd  Physick,  John  Pollock, 
William  A.  Patterson,  William  Patterson,  Mr.  Patton,  Samiiel  Pur\'iance, 
Robert  Poyles,  Robert  Reynolds.  Isaac  Robison,  Ellis  Reed,  John  Richey, 
Matthew  Reese,  Joseph  Reynolds.  Andrew  Russell,  Mimgo  Reed,  William 
Ro.ss,  Alexander  Roddy,  Richey  cV:  Company,  William  Reed,  Andrew  Rolii- 
sou,  Archibald  Simpson,  Benjamin  Sterritt,  Thomas  Staddon,  Samuel  Shaw, 
Alexander  Speer,  James  Semple.  John  Simpson.  This  list  is  evidently  not 
quite  complete. 

Thirty-two  indentured  servants  and  five  slaves  were  reported;  the  latter 
were  accredited  as  follows:  William  Maclay,  one;  Garret  Freeland.  one; 
James  Hays,  one;  David  Ireland,  one.  and  William  Plunket,  one. 

These  were  the  pioneers  of  Northumberland  county.  With  the  imple- 
ments of  i")eaceful  indu.stry  they  invaded  its  territorj',  took  possession  of  its 
soil,  removed  the  primeval  forest,  and  initiated  the  development  of  its  agri- 
cultural resources.  The  terms  upon  which  the  ''New  Purchase"'  was  opened 
rendered  it  possible  for  men  of  limited  means  to  buy  land,  improve  it  by 
their  own  labor,  and  acquire  a  home:  the  opportunity  was  eagerly  embraced, 
and  thus  the  early  population  of  the  county  was  composed  almost  entirely  of 
people  in  humble  circumstances.  Contemporary  assessment  records  show 
that  a  horse  and  cow  and  eight  or  ten  acres  of  cultivated  land  constitirted  the 
taxable  property  of  the  great  majority  of  the  farmers  of  that  period,  and  the 
man  who  brought  with  him  several  horses  and  cows  and  means  enough  to 
employ  others  to  assist  him  in  clearing  his  land  was  evidently  regarded  as 
rich  by  his  neighbors. 


88  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

Many  interesting  characteristics  of  pioneer  life  in  this  county  are  reflected 
in  the  journal  of  Philip  V.  Fithian,  a  licentiate  of  the  First  Presbj-terv  of 
Philadelphia,  who  made  a  journey  thrpugh  Delaware,  Maryland,  Pennsyl- 
vania, and  Virginia  in  the  summer  of  1775.  The  journal,  edited  by  John 
Blair  Linn,  was  first  published  in  1SS3-84  in  Dr.  W.  H.  Egie's  Historical 
Register.  He  traveled  horseback;  passing  through  the  Cumberland  valley  he 
arrived  at  John  Harris's  on  the  Juniata  on  the  24th  of  June,  1775  (Saturday); 
on  the  following  Monday  he  rode  to  Eckerfs  tavern,  within  the  present  limits 
of  Snyder  coimty,  and  thence  to  Sunbury.     The  journal  is  as  follows: — 

Tiiemhiy,  June  21. — Rode  from  the  clever  Dutchman's  to  Sunbury  over  the  Susqup- 
haiiu;i,  tifteeu  miles.  I  think  the  river  is  a  half  a  mile  over,  and  so  shallow  that  I 
forded  it;  the  bottom  is  hard  rock.  Sunbury  is  on  the  northeast  bank.  It  is  yet  a 
small  village,  but  seems  to  be  growing  rapidly.  Then  I  rode  on  half  a  mile  to  one 
Hunter's,  within  the  walls  of  Fort  Augusta.  Then  I  rode  onward  to  Northumberhuui 
about  a  mile,  but  on  the  way  crossed  the  river  twice. 

Here  are  a  number  of  boatmen  employed  in  going  up  and  down  the  river  to  >[id- 
dletown  and  back.  With  these  and  others  from  the  country,  this  infant  village  seems 
busy  and  noisy  as  a  Philadelphia  ferry-house.  I  slept  in  a  room  with  seven  of  them, 
and  one  for  a  bed-fellow.  He  was,  however,  clean  and  civil,  and  our  bed  good  and 
neat.  Some  of  them  suspected  me  of  being  a  clergyman,  and  used  me  with  profound 
respect.  "Your  Reverence,"  was  the  jireface  of  almost  every  sentence.  One  of  them, 
a  genuine  Quo-he,  coaxed  me  by  persuasion  and  complaints  out  of  a  sixpence  as 
charity. 

Wedneisdtiy  June  28. — A  very  wet,  rainy  morning.  About  twelve  o'clock  marched 
into  this  town,  from  the  Great  Island  or  "  Indian  land  "  titty  miles  up  the  river,  thirty 
young  fellows,  all  expert  riflemen,  with  a  drum  and  tife,  under  Captain  Lowdon. 
They  passed  on,  however,  soon  to  Sunbury,  where  they  remained  until  Monda_v. 
Brave  youth!  go,  through  the  kindness  of  the  God  of  battles  may  j'ou  prosper  and 
save  your  country'.  I  made  some  small  acquaintance  with  Mr.  Doheda,  a  smart, 
agreeable  Englishman,  and  one  Mr.  Chrystie,  a  dry,  sensible,  intelligent  Scot. 

Thuvaday,  June  29. — I  rode  up  the  West  Branch  two  miles,  to  Mr.  Andrew  Gib- 
son's, on  the  way  crossing  the  river  twice,  over  a  tine,  rich  island  shaded  with  lofty, 
smooth  beech  trees;  on  one  of  these  I  carved  my  name.  After  dinner  I  went  down 
the  river  with  two  of  the  Messrs.  Gibson  in  a  small  boat,  for  exercise  and  recreation. 
The  river  is  perfectly  transparent— so  clear  that  you  can  see,  in  the  deepest  parts,  the 
smallest  flsh.  In  the  evening  came  the  Philadelphia  papers.  All  things  look  dark 
and  unsettled.  The  Irish  regiments  have  arrived.  Goverument  is  strengthening  its 
forces;  the  Americans  are  obstinate  in  their  opposition.  The  Virginians  have  differed 
highly  with  their  Governor,  and  he  has  thought  it  necessary  to  go  on  board,  with  his 
family,  of  one  of  his  Majesty's  ships.  The  Continental  Congress  is  sitting  in  Phila- 
delphia, and  recommends  Thursday,  July  20th,  as  a  day  of  public  humiliation,  fasting, 
and  prayer. 

Suturdiiy,  July  1. — I  crossed  the  river  and  rode  into  town;  my  lamlhidy  received 
me  kindly.  From  the  room  where  I  write  this  I  have  a  long,  full,  and  beautiful 
prospect  of  Sunbury  down  the  river.  Now,  going  either  up  or  down,  are  many  boats, 
canoes,  etc.  plying  about.  In  short,  this  town  in  a  few  years,  without  doubt,  will  be 
grand  and  busy.  I  find  these  two  infant  villages,  like  other  rivals,  are  jealous  of  each 
other's  improvements,  and  Mr.  Haines,  who  is  proprietor  of  this  place,  is  much 
annoyed. 


THE    COLONIAL    PERIOD.  89 

Siindiii/.  Jiili/  2. — A  rainy,  damii  morning;  but  little  prnspfct.~  of  servii'e.  At 
eleven,  some  few  came  in;  we  have  worship  in  ^Mr.  McCartney's  house.  After  we 
began,  many  came  in  from  the  town,  and  they  gave  me  good  attention.  Between  ser- 
mons several  gentlemen  kindly  invited  me  to  visit  them:  Mr.  Cooke,  the  high  sheriff; 
Mr.  Martin,  a  gentleman  who  came  lately  from  .Jersey;  Mr.  Barker,  a  young  gentle- 
man, a  lawyer,  from  Ireland  last  fall.  After  one  hoar  and  a  half  intermission  we  had 
service  again:  many  more  were  present  than  in  the  morning.  Mr.  Scull,  the  surveyor 
general's  agreeable  mate,  was  present  at  both  sermons;  Mrs.  Hunter,  Captain  Hunter's 
lady,  who  lives  on  the  other  side  of  the  water  at  Fort  Augusta,  and  is  burgess  [lieu- 
tenant] for  his  county,  and  is  with  Mr.  Scull  now,  down  at  Philadelishia,  was  also 
present  at  both  sermons  with  her  two  small,  neat  daughters  and  a  beautiful  young 
lady,  her  niece.  I  was  invited  by  Mrs.  Scull  to  coffee;  present:  Mrs.  Hunter  and  the 
young  ladies,  Mrs.  McCartney  and  her  sister,  and  3[r.  Barker.  While  we  were  at  cot- 
fee  the  post  came  into  town;  we  have  in  the  papers  accounts  of  the  battle  of  Bunker 
Hill,  near  Boston,  where  the  Provincials  were  worsted;  accounts  of  General  Washing- 
ton and  his  aid-de-camp,  Mr.  ilifflin,  leaving  Philadelphia  for  the  2sorth  American 
camp.  ]Mrs.  Scull  very  kindly  invited  me  to  make  her  house  my  home  while  I  shall 
stay  in  town.  She  has  a  pleasant  and  valuable  garden,  the  best  by  far  in  the  town;  it 
has  a  neat  and  well  designed  summer-house.  She  has  a  well  flnisliccl  parlor,  \\\x\\ 
many  pieces  of  good  painting,  four,  in  special,  which  struck  me  much— large  lira.ls 
from  ancient  marbles  of  Hypocrates,  TuUy,  Socrates,  and  Galen. 

Mondiii/,  July  3. — No  paper  to  be  had  in  town,  and  I  have  only  five  sheets.  ^Mr. 
McCartney  gave  me  one  pound,  five  shillings,  nine  pence  for  the  supply,  for  which  he 
demanded  a  receipt,  a  custom  here.  Breakfasted  with  Mrs.  Scull;  I  dined  with  ^Mr. 
Martin,  in  West  Way  street,  on  the  river.  After  dinner  Mr.  Haines,  the  proprietor  of 
the  town,  took  me  to  see  a  lot  he  is  about  to  give  to  the  Presbj-terian  society.  It  is  a 
fine,  high  spot  on  the  Xorth  AVay  street,  and  near  the  river;  also  near  it  is  a  fine  spring 
of  good  water.  A  number  of  the  town  gentlemen  proposed,  if  my  appointments  will 
allow,  to  preach  in  this  town  on  the  dav  of  the  Continental  fast. 

Tncsdiiy,  July  4. — 3Irs.  Scull  entertained  me  with  many  good,  agreeable  songs. 
She  moved  mv  head  toward  mv  charming  Laura  when  she  sanu:  the  following: — 


Oh !  lovely  Delia,  virtuous,  fair, 

Believe  me  now  thy  only  dear, 

I'll  not  excliaiwe  my  happy  state, 

For  all  the  wealth  of  all  the  great,  etc.,  etc. 

A  rainy  afternoon;  I  spent  it  with  !Mr.  Barker  in-doors.  I  was  introduced  to  one  Mr. 
Freeman,  a  young  gentleman  who  has  been. a  trader  at  Fort  Pitt.  He  boats  the  dr\nn 
and  we  had  a  good  tifer,  so  we  spent  the  evening  in  martial  amusement. 

Wedncitday,  July  5. — A  very  wet  morning.  Last  Sunday  some  Northumberland 
saint  stole  my  surtout  from  my  saddle.  It  was  hid  for  security  in  a  woodpile  in  the 
neighborhood,  where  it  was  found  the  next  morning,  advertised,  and  this  day  returned- 
If  this  be  the  "  New  Purchase"  manners,  I  had  rather  chosen  to  own  some  other  kind 
of  impudence.  I  agreed  to-day  to  preach  in  this  town  on  the  day  of  the  j^ublic  fast, 
and  began  my  sermon  for  that  purpose.  I  had  some  proposals  made  me  for  staying  in 
this  town,  but  I  can  not  yet  answer  them.  I  dined  with  the  kind  and  entertaining  jNIrs. 
Scull.     She  took  me,  with  Mr.  Barker,  into  Mr.  Scull's  library.     It  is  charming  to  see 


books  in  the  infancv  of  this  remote  land.     I  borrowed,  for  my  amusement,  the  followi 


ng 


from  her:  The  Critical  Reriftc,  No.  44.     Our  evening  spent  nightly  tete-a-tete  in  honor 
and  friendship;  in  bed  by  three — much  too  late. 

Thursday,  July  6. — I  opened  my  eyes,  by  the  continued  mercy  of  our  Bu 


90  HISTORY    OF    NOETHUMBEELAND    COUNTY. 

Overseer,  at  half  an  hour  after  eight,  when  a  most  serene,  lovely  morning,  more  so 
after  so  much  dark  and  unharvestable  weather.  I  was  called  in  to  see  Mrs.  Boyd,  to 
visit  and  pray  with  a  sick  young  man,  Mr.  Thompson.  I  found  him  lying  very  ill  with 
an  intermittent  fever  and  a  great  uneasiness  of  mind.  I  conversed  with  him  as  well  as 
my  abilities  would  allow,  and  commended  him  to  God  in  prayer  and  withdrew.  Break- 
fasted with  Mrs.  Scull  and  !Mr.  Barker,  and  with  great  reluctance  I  took  mj-  leave  of 
both.  The  young  gentleman  who  has  been  preaching  in  the  English  church  at  Salem, 
Kew  Jersey,  is  this  Mr.  Barker's  brother.  By  ten  I  left  towu.  The  road  lies  along  the 
river,  and  after  leaving  the  town  about  a  mile,  such  a  fertile,  level,  goodly  country  I 
have  perhaps  never  seen.  Wheat  and  rye,  thick  and  very  tall:  oats  I  saw  in  many 
places,  yet  green,  and  full  as  high  in  general  through  the  tield  as  a  six-railed  fence. 
Pokes  and  elders,  higher  than  my  head  as  I  sat  upon  my  horse,  and  the  country  is 
thickly  inhabited  and  grows  to  be  a  little  open.  All  this  pine  tract  on  the  north  side 
of  the  AVest  Branch  belongs,  I  am  told,  to  Colonel  Francis,  and  is  now  leased  tor  a  term 
of  years.  After  riding  eight  miles  on  the  bank  of  the  river  I  crossed  over.  The  river 
is  near  a  half-mile  broad,  and  since  the  rain  it  has  risen  so  that  I  had  near  been  floated. 
Stopped  at  Captain  William  Gray's. 

Mr.  Fithian  remained  in  Buffalo  valley  imtil  the  following  Wednesday; 
during  this  time  he  was  j^rincipally  engaged  in  preparing  for  his  part  in  the 
observances  of  the  "Solemn  Continental  Fast."  The  following  is  the  text 
of  the  journal  from  the  time  he  left  Captain  Gray's  until  his  final  departure 
from  the  present  territory  of  this  county: — 

Wednesdfiy,  July  12. — A  violent  thundergust  last  night.  Soon  after  breakfast  I  left 
Mr.  Gray's;  rode  to  Mr.  Fruit's,  and  must  breakfast  again.  Mr.  Fruit  very  civilly 
gallanted  me  on  my  road.  We  forded  the  river  and  rode  up  the  bank  on  the  north 
side.  The  country  on  both  sides  of  this  water  very  inviting  and  admirablj-  fertile. 
Jlr.  Fruit  left  me,  and  I  jogged  along  alone.  A  narrow  bridle  road,  logs  fallen  across 
it,  bushes  spread  over  it,  but  I  came  at  last  to  Captain  Piper's  at  Warrior  run,  twelve 
miles.  The  Captain  was  out  reaping;  Mrs.  Piper  received  me  ven,'  kindly.  She  is  an 
amiable  woman  by  character;  she  appears  to  be  so  by  trial.  At  three  after  dinner  the 
Captain  came  in.  He  stood  at  the  door;  "I  am,"  said  he,  "William  Piper.  Now,  sir, 
in  my  turn,  who  are  you?"  "My  name  is  Fithian,  sir."  "What  is  it?"  "Fithian, 
sir!"  "Oh,"  says  he,  "Fiflen."  "No,  it  is  Fithian."  "What,  Pithin?  Damn  the 
name,  let  me  have  it  in  black  and  white.  But  who  are  you?  Are  you  a  regular  orderly 
preacher?  AVe  are  often  imposed  upon  and  curse  the  man  who  imposes  on  us  next." 
"  I  come,  sir,  by  the  appointment  of  Donegal  Presb.vtery  from  an  order  of  Synod.'' 
"  Then  God  bless  you,  you  are  welcome  to  Warrior  Run — You  are  welcome  to  my 
house.  But  can  you  reap?"  He  was  full  "half  seas  over."  He  spoke  to  his  wife: 
"  Come,  Sally,  be  kind  and  make  a  bowl  of  toddy."  Poor,  unhappy,  hard-conditioned, 
patient  woman!  Like  us  neglected  and  forsaken  "Sons  of  Levi."  you  should  fix  on  a 
state  of  happiness  beyond  this  world.  I  was  in  the  evening  introduced  to  Captain 
Hays,  a  gentleman  of  civility  and  seriousness.  He  begged  me  to  preach  a  week-day 
lecture  before  I  leave  the  neighborhood.  At  3Ir.  Hays's  I  saw  a  large  gourd;  it 
held  nine  gallons.  I  saw  in  the  bottom  near  the  bank  of  the  river  a  sj'camore  or 
buttonwood  tree,  which  measured,  eighteen  inches]  from  the  ground,  fifteen  feet  in 
circumference. 

Thursday,  July  J.3.— "There  is  not  one  in  this  society  but  my  little  wain,"  said  the 
Captain  to  me  quite  full  of  whiskey,  "not  one  of  them  all  but  my  little  wain  tliat  can 
tell  yo>i  wliat  is  effectual  calling."  Indeed,  his  "wain"  is  a  lovely  girl.  Slie  is  an 
only  chilli,  just  now  ten  years  old.     She  seems  to  be  remarkably  intelligent,  reads  very 


d 


^^/r-^Cc 


THE    COLONIAL    PERIOD.  93 

clear,  attends  well  to  the  quantity  of  -nords,  has  a  sweet,  nervous  ^'o-Af  accent.  Indeed, 
I  have  not  lately  been  so  highly  pleased  as  with  this  rosy-cheeked  Miss  Pegg^-  Piper. 
Mrs.  Piper  keeps  a  clean  hoiise;  well-fi.\ed  beds— here  I  have  not  seen  a  bug  or  a  flea. 

Friday,  July  li.—L^s,t  evening  after  sunset  I  walked  with  IMrs.  Piper  to  four 
neighbors'  houses,  all  within  a  half  a  mile.  She  was  looking  for  harvest  hands,  while 
her  ill-conditioned  husband  was  asleep  perspiring  oS  the  fumes  of  whiskey.  It  is  now 
seven  o'clock.  There  are  two  reapers.  Jliss  Piper  is  out  carrying  drink  to  the  reap- 
ers. Her  father  is  yet  asleep.  Tim  is  about  the  house  as  a  kind  of  waiting  man. 
There  is  also  a  close-set  young  Irish  widow  who,  on  her  passage,  lost  her  husband  and 
two  children  at  sea.  She  came  in  Captain  McCulloch's  ship  with  si.\-  hundred  pas- 
sengers, of  which  one  hundred  five  died  at  sea,  and  many  more  on  landing.  Mrs. 
Piper  is  taken  this  morning  after  breakfast  with  a  \iolent  fever  and  palpitation  of  the 
heart,  which  continues  very  threatening.  The  young  Irish  widow  is  lame  with  a  cold 
in  her  shoulder  and  has  this  morning  scalded  her  hand  most  sorely.  DearPeggv-  went 
out  early  and  is  overheated,  so  that  she  is  laid  up  with  the  headache.  The  Captain 
himself  is  ut  semper  full  of  whiskey.  A  house  full  of  impotence.  We  are  relieved, 
liowever,  by  a  young  woman  of  this  neighborhood.  Doctor  Sprigg.a  gentleman  in  the 
practice  who  is  settling  in  the  neighborhood,  by  accident  came  in,  and  made  some 
application  of  some  medicine  to  Mrs.  Piper.  Towards  evening  I  took  a  ramble  with 
Peggy  to  find  and  bring  in  the  cows.  She  showed  me  their  sugar  tree  bottom,  out  of 
which  ^Mrs.  Piper  says  she  makes  plenty  of  sugar  for  her  family  use.  I  am  charmed 
^vith  each  calm  evening.  The  people  here  are  all  cordial  and  inveterate  enemies  of 
the  Yankees,  who  are  settling  about  in  this  Province  on  the  land  in  dispute  between 
Connecticut  and  Pennsylvania.  It  is  said  they  are  intending  to  come  down  into  this 
neighborhood  and  ti.K  down  upon  the  unsettled  land,  which  e.xasperates  the  people 
generally. 

S(itiirilinj,Jidy  l:,.—\  had  my  horse  belled  to-day  and  p\it  in  a  proper  lawn..  I 
would  rather  call  it  a  park.  He  wears  the  bell,  contrary  to  my  expectation,  with  per- 
fect resignation.  To-day  Mrs.  Piper  is  better,  and  walks  the  house.  There  came  ten 
reapers  before  breakfast;  the  Captain  was  in  bed,  .^'ipin'is  stertku.i.  It  was  something 
remarkable— after  he  awaked  he  would  drink  no  more,  and  before  evening  was  per- 
fectly sober.  I  am  told  he  is  always  sober  and  devout  on  Sabbath.  There  came  on  a 
great  rain  before  ten,  and  reaping  was  done.  I  took  a  walk  after  the  rain  on  the  bank 
of  the  river.     My  wonder  ceases  th.at  the  Indians  fought  for  this  happy  valley. 

Sunditi/,  July  i<;.— Warrior  Run- this  meeting  house  is  on  the  bank  of  the  river, 
eighteen  miles  from  Northumberland.  It  is  not  yet  covered.  A  large  assembly  gath- 
ered; I  preached  from  a  wagon,  the  only  one  ;presfrnt.  The  people  sat  upon  a  rising 
ground  before  liie.  It  looked  odd  to  see  the  people  sitting  among  the  bushes.  All 
were  attentive,  and  there  were  many  present.  I  spoke  the  loudest  and  with  more  ease 
than  I  have  ever  done  any  day  before.  After  service  I  rode  down  to  Mr.  Fruitt's,  and 
spent  the  evening  reading  and  examining  Mr.  Lusk's  piece, against  the  Seceders. 

yfondiiy,  July  i7.— After  breakfast  and  prayer  I  took  my  leave,  crossed  over  the 
river,  and  rode  down  to  town.  The  day  was  bright  and  very  hot;  the  inhabitants  yet 
busy  with  their  harvest. 

Northumberland— in  town  by  eleven,  much  fatigued.  I  spoke  with  Mr.  Barker. 
He  was  busy  but  soon  came  in,  and  we  spent  an  hour  very  pleasantly.  I  walked  down 
to  Mr.  Martin's  to  see  the  newspapers.  Doctor  Plunket  and  three  other  gentlemen 
were  in  the  ne.xt  room.  Mr.  Carmichael's  sermon,  preached  lately  before  the  Carlisle 
company, was  in  contemplation.  "Damn  the  sermons.  Smith's  and  all,"  said  one  of 
them;  "gunpowder  and  lead  shall  form  text  and  sermon  both."  The  Doctor,  how- 
evei;,  gave  him  a  severe  reproof.    The  Honorable  Conference  is  yet  sitting,  and  have 


94  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

published  to  the  work!  reasons  for  ourtnkingup  arms.  By  a  letter  lately  from  Priuce- 
ton  to  a  geutlemau  here.  I  am  told  that  James  Armstrong  auJ  .John  Witherspoou  have 
gone  to  Boston  ^\-ith  General  'Washington;  I  am  told  that  J[r.  Smith,  our  tutor,  was 
lateh"  married  to  Miss  Ami  Witherspoon.  Probably  in  this  confiict  I  may  be  called  to 
the  field,  and  such  a  connection  would  make  me  less  willing  to  answer  so  responsible 
a  call.  I  will  not,  therefore,  marry  until  our  American  glory  be  lixed  on  a  permanent 
foundation,  or  is  entirely  taken  from  us.  An  alarming  report:  eight  horse-loads  of 
powder  went  up  the  country  this  day,  carried  by  a  number  of  Indians:  it  is  shrewdly 
guessed  they  have  in  view  some  infernal  stratagem. 

Ttiesthi;/,  Ji'.ly  lS.—\  rose  by  seven,  studying  at  my  sermon  for  the  fast.  There  is  a 
rupture  in  the  other  town  [Sunbury]:  they  have  two  men  in  prison  who  were  seized 
on  suspicion  of  selling  what  they  call  the  Yankee  rights  of  laud.  They  are  apprehen- 
sive of  a  mob  who  may  rise  to  release  them,  and  keep  every  night  a  strict  guard.  Mr. 
Scull,  who  is  captain  for  this  town,  goes  with  a  party  for  a  guard  from  hence  to-night. 
I  am  invited  to  a  party  this  afternoon.  South  of  this  town  the  bank  of  the  river  is  a 
high,  stony  precipice,  three  hundred  fifty  feet  at  least,  and  almost  perpendicular. 
There  is  a  way,  by  going  a  small  distance  up  the  river,  of  ascending  to  the  top,  which 
is  level  and  covered  with  shrubby  pines.  Here  I  am  invited  by  a  number  of  ladies  to 
gather  huckleberries.  The  call  of  women  is  invincible,  and  I  must  g;ill:int  them  over  the 
river.  Perhaps  my  Eliza  is  in  the  same  e.xercise  in  the  back  parts  of  Deertield  [Cum- 
berland county,  New  .Jersey].  We  dined  and  walked  down  to  Mr.  ilartin's,  on  the 
■\Ve3t  "V\'ay  street.  Ladies:  Mrs.  Boyd,  a  matron,  3Irs.  Martin.  Mrs.  JlcCartney,  >[iss 
C'arothers,  Miss  Martin.  ;>Iiss  Lusk,  and  a  strange  young  woman.  Miss  Manning,  and  my- 
self. Horrible,  fearful!  It  is  so  high  and  so  steep.  Look  at  yon  man  in  his  small  canoe: 
how  diminutive  he  seems  groveling  down  there,  paddling  a  tiKtering  boat!  The  water 
itself  looks  to  be  very  remote,  just  as  I  have  often  seen  the  sky  in  a  still,  clear  brook. 

Vednmhiy  July  i3.— Mr.  Barker  called  on  me  this  morning  to  walk.  We  strolled 
up  the  North  Branch  of  the  river  two  miles.  Good  land,  but  less  cultivated.  I  can  not 
but  much  esteem  this  yoimg  gentlemen.  He  is  not  forward  in  conversation,  not  by 
any  means  dull,  makes  many  just  and  pleasant  remarks  on  the  state  of  America.  Two 
wagons,  with  goods,  cattle,  women,  tools,  etc.,  went  through  the  town  to-day  from  East 
Jersey,  on  theirway  to  Fishing  creek,  up  the  river,  where  they  are  to  settle.  Rapid, 
most  rapid,  is  the  growth  of  this  country. 

At  the  invitation  of  3Ir.  Scull  and  Mr.  Barker  I  went,  after  dinner,  over  the  river  tii 
Captain  Hunter's.  I  was  formally  introduced  by  these  gentlemen  to  him.  He  talks  but 
little,  yet  with  great  authority.  I  felt  little  in  his  presence,  from  a  consciousness  of 
inferiority.  We  drank  with  him  one  bowl  of  toddy,  and  passed  on  to  Sunburj-.  The 
town  lies  near  a  half-mile  below  the  fort,  on  the  east  side  of  the  main  branch.  It 
may  contain  an  hundred  houses.  All  the  buildings  are  of  logs  but  Mr.  Maclay's,  which 
is  of  stone  and  large  and  elegant.  The  ground  is  low  and  level,  and  on  the  back  part 
moorish.  Xorthumberland  at  the  point  has  a  good  appearance  from  this  town.  The 
inhabitants  were  mustering  arms — blood  and  death,  how  these  go  in  a  file!  As  we 
were  returning  in  our  slim  canoes  I  could  not  help  thinking  with  myself  how  the  sav- 
age tribes,  while  they  were  in  possession  of  these  enchanting  wilds,  have  floated  over 
this  very  spot.  My  heart  feels  for  the  wandering  natives.  I  make  no  doubt  but  multi- 
tudes of  them,  when  they  were  forced  away,  left  these  long  possessed  and  delightsome 
banks  with  swimming  eyes.  Evening,  between  nine  and  ten,  came  into  Mr.  3IcCart- 
ney's  Doctor  Allison,  Doctor  Kearsley,  Mr.  Barker,  and  Mr.  Freeman.  "I  am  the  very 
man  and  no  other,"  said  Doctor  Allison,  "  who  was  appointed  to  cany  on  the  buiUliug 
of  our  meeting  house  here,  and  I  am  for  having  it  done  with  brick.  Let  us  at  once 
make  a  convenient  place  for  worship  and  an  ornament  to  the  town." 


THE    COLONIAL    PERIOD.  95 

Thnriday,July20.—\  rose  by  six;  the  town  quiet:  all  seems  dull  and  mournful: 
stores  shut  and  all  business  laid  aside.  Bj-  ten  manj-  were  in  town  from  the  country. 
H:ilf  after  eleven  we  began.  I  preached  in  !Mr.  Chattam's  house,  in  the  North  AVay 
street.  It  is  a  new  house,  just  covered,  without  partitions.  It  was  thronged.  Many 
were  in  the  chamber;  many  in  the  cellar;  many  were  without  the  house.  There  were 
two  .Jews  present — Mrs.  Levj-  and  her  nephew.  I  spoke  in  great  fear  and  dread.  I 
was  never  before  so  nice  an  audience;  I  never  spoke  on  so  solemn  a  da}-.  In  spite  of 
all  my  fortitude  and  practice,  when  I  began  my  lips  cjuivered;  my  flesh  shrank;  my 
hair  rose  up;  my  knees  trembled.  I  was  wholly  confused  until  I  had  almost  closed 
my  sermon.  Perhaps  this  feeling  was  caused  by  entirely  fasting,  as  I  had  taken  noth- 
ing. I  was  to-day,  by  Mr.  Barker,  introduced  to  !Mr.  Chambers,  a  young  gentleman  of 
Suubury,  a  lawyer.  He  appears  to  be  serious,  civil,  and  sociable.  I  was  also  introduced 
to  Mr.  .lames  Hunter,  of  Philadelphia.  In  the  afternoon  service  felt  much  better,  but 
was  under  the  necessity  of  reading  both  sermons.  Several  in  the  neighborhood  gave 
me  wanu  invitations  to  call  and  see  them,  but  I  must  now  away  up  this  long  ri\-er. 
sixty  miles  higher,  among  cpiarrelsome  Yankees,  insidious  Indians,  and,  at  best,  lonely 
wilds.  Mrs.  Boyd,  an  aged,  motherly,  religious,  chatty  neighbor,  Mr.  Barker's  land- 
lady, drank  coffee  with  us;  Miss  Xellie  C'arothers.  also,  and  several  strangers.  Even- 
ing, two  villains — runaways  and  thieves — were  brought  into  town  and  committed  tn 
prison.     One  of  them  took  my  coat  the  other  day.     Justice,  do  thy  office! 

Fridiiy,  Jtily  21. — The  weather  these  two  daj-s  is  extraordinary,  so  that  I.  have 
slept  under  a  sheet,  blankets,  coarse  rug,  and  in  my  own  clothes,  and  I  am  to-day  wish- 
ing for  a  thicker  coat  than  this  sieve-like  crape.  I  dined  with  Doctor  Allison  and  Mr. 
Barker,  at  ^Mr.  Scull's.  Oh!  we  have  had  a  most  agreeable  afternoon.  It  has  been  an 
entertainment  worthy  of  royalt}-.  If  this  pompous  declaration  is  thought  strange  and 
a  secret,  too,  I  will  explain  its  meaning.  I  have  been  in  the  company-  of  gentlemen 
where  there  is  no  reserve.  Books  and  literary  improvement  were  the  subjects.  Every 
sentence  was  a  sentiment.  !Mr.  Chambers  and  Sheriff  Cooke  joined  us.  The  gloomy, 
hea\T"  thoughts  of  war  were  a  while  suspended. 

S'ltm-dKi/,  July  22. — I  slept  but  little  last  night;  a  sick  Irish  girl  in  the  next  room, 
by  her  continual  moaning,  kept  me  awake.  Indeed,  the  poor  Irish  maid  was  extremely 
ill.  I  am  to  take  my  leave  of  accjuaintances  and  soon  leave  this  town.  It  is  probable 
I  shall  never  see  it  again.  I  wish,  however,  it  may  thrive  and  prosper  in  all  its  inter- 
e-ls.  I  left  the  town  and  took  a  long,  narrow  bridle  road  to  Mr.  James  Morrow's 
[M\irray's]  at  Chillisquaque.  He  lives  on  the  creek,  five  miles  from  the  mouth.  I  was 
more  bewildered  in  finding  this  road — which  for  more  than  six  miles,  at  least,  was 
nothing  more  than  a  dull,  brush-covered  hog-road,  with  a  log  across  it  almost  ever}- 
rod — than  I  have  been  before.  I  received  of  Mr.  Gibson  for  my  fast-day  supply,  seven 
shillings  six  pence.  He  lives  in  a  small  log  hamlet;  is,  himself,  a  man  of  business.  He 
was  in  the  last  war,  and  is  very  garrulous,  and,  indeed,  intelligent,  on  military  subjects. 
On  the  bank  of  this  creek  I  walked  among  the  white  walnuts,  ash,  buttonwood,  birch, 
hazels,  etc.,  rambling  along.  At  last  I  stopped,  stripped  off  my  stockings,  and  waded 
up  and  down.  One  thing  here  I  don't  like.  In  almost  all  these  rural  cots  I  am  under 
the  necessity  of  sleeping  in  the  same  room  with  all  the  family.  It  seems  indelicate,  at 
least,  for  men  to  strip  surrounded  by  different  ages  and  sexes,  and  rise  in  the  morning, 
in  the  blaze  of  day,  with  the  eyes  of  at  least  one  blushing  Irish  female  searching  out 
subjects  for  remark.  i 

>'ind(iy,  July  23. — AVe  have  a  still,  dark,  rainy  morning.  The  people  met  at  Mr. 
Morrow's  piurray's].  His  little  house  was  filled.  !Many  came  from  a  funeral,  in  all 
probably  sixty.  Three  days  ago,  when  one  of  the  neighbors  was  carting  in  his  rye, 
his  yoimg  and  only  child,  not  yet  four  years  old,  drew  into  its  mouth|one  of  the  beards. 


yt)  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

It  stopped  in  his  throat,  fixed,  and  soon  inflamed,  and  yesterday,  in  spite  of  all  help, 
about  noon  he  died. 

Monchiy,  July  24. — One  of  the  elders  gave  me  for  yesterday's  supply  fifteen  shill- 
ings three  pence.  Yesterda}-  and  this  morning  we  breakfasted  on  tea.  It  is  boiled  in 
a  common  dinner-pot  of  ten  or  fifteen  gallons  and  poured  out  in  tin  cups.  We  have 
with  it  boiled  potatoes  and  huckleberry  pie,  all  in  love,  peace,  and  great  welcome. 
My  horse,  however,  now  feeds  upon  the  fat  of  the  earth.  He  is  in  a  large  field  of  fine 
grass,  generally  timothy,  high  as  his  head.  He  has  not  fared  so  well  since  we  left  llr. 
Gray's  on  the  .luniata.  Mrs.  Morrow  [Murray]  wears  three  golden  rings,  two  on  her 
second  finger  of  the  left  hand  and  one  on  the  middle  finger  of  the  right.  They  are  all 
plain.  Her  daughter  .lenny,  or,  as  they  call  her,  Jensy,  wears  only  two.  .lensy  is  a 
name  most  common  here;  Mr.  Fruit,  Mr.  Allen  of  Buffalo,  Mr.  Hays  of  ATarrior  run, 
and  the  women  here  all  have  daughters  whom  they  call  Jensj-.  Salt  here  is  a  great 
price,  the  best  selling  at  ten  shillings  and  ten  shillings  si.x  pence,  and  the  lowest  at 
eight  shillings.  Half  after  nine  I  left  Mr.  Morrow's  [Murray's]  and  rode  to  ilr.  Mc- 
C'andlish's  on  the  river.  Here  I  fed  my  horse  with  a  sheaf  of  wheat.  Thence  to 
Freeland's  mill,  thence  over  Muucy's  hills  and  Muncy's  beautiful  creek  to  ilr.  Crown- 
over's. 

The  Connecticut  claim,  which  received  so  large  a  share  of  public  attention 
at  the  time  of  Mr.  Fithian's  visit,  was  based  upon  the  royal  charter  granted 
to  that  Colony  in  1662;  this  instrument  described  its  territory  as  extending 
'•to  the  South  sea  on  the  west,"  and  under  this  clause  all  that  part  of  Pennsyl- 
vania north  of  the  forty-first  parallel  of  north  latitude  was  claimed  to  be 
within  its  jurisdiction.  The  Connecticut  Susquehanna  Company  was  formed 
in  1753,  and  at  the  Albany  conference  in  the  following  year  purchased  from 
certain  chiefs  of  the  Six  Nations  the  territory  between  the  forty-first  and 
forty-second  parallels  of  north  latitude,  bounded  on  the  east  by  a  line  ten 
miles  distant  from  the  North  Branch  of  Susquehanna  and  extending  westward 
one  hundred  twenty  miles.  The  forty-first  parallel  crosses  Northttmberland 
county  a  short  di.stance  below  Milton,  and  thus  a  large  part  of  its  original  area 
was  included  in  the  territory-  purchased.  A  number  of  emigrants  from  Con- 
necticut arrived  at  Wyoming  in  1762,  but  in  the  following  year  many  of  them 
were  killed  by  the  Indians;  the  settlement  was  abandoned,  but  in  1769  it  was 
again  established.  In  1771  two  townships,  Charleston  and  Judea.  were  sur- 
veyed at  Muncy  on  the  West  Branch  and  allotted  to  prospective  settlers.  In 
January,  177-t,  the  Connecticut  legislature  passed  an  act  erecting  all  the  ter- 
ritory within  its  jitrisdiction  between  the  Delaware  river  and  a  hne  fifteen 
miles  west  of  the  North  Branch  into  the  "Town  of  Westmoreland,"  which- 
was  attached  to  Litchfield  county;  in  May,  1775,  its  western  hmits  were  so 
extended  as  to  include  the  townships  on  the  West  Branch,  the  actual  settle- 
ment of  which  had  been  begun.  The  authorities  of  Northumberland  coimty, 
unable  to  prevent  the  occupation  of  its  territory  by  Connecticut  claimants, 
joined  in  a  petition  to  the  Governor  in  which  the  following  statements  occur: — 
Sorry  we  are  to  inform  your  Honor  that  our  utmost  endeavors  are  likely  to  fail  of 
the  desired  effect,  through  the  restless  and  ambitious  designs  and  enterprises  of  the 
Colony  of  Connecticut;  the  intruders  from  that  Colony  settled  at  'Wyoming  are  re-en- 


THE    COLONIAL    PEKIOD.  97 

forced  with  fresh  numbers;  officers,  civil  and  military,  are  appointed,  not  only  amonn' 
them  but  even  among  us,  by  the  Governor  of  Connecticut,  as  well  in  direct  violation 
of  our  laws  as  for  the  express  purpose  of  overturning  the  jurisdiction  of  our  courts. 
Swarms  of  emissaries  from  that  Colony  crowd  among  our  people,  seducing  the  ignor- 
ant, frightening  the  timorous,  and  denouncing  the  utmost  vengeance  against  any  who 

may  be  hardy  enough  to  oppose  them In  fine,  to  such  situation  are  we 

already  reduced  from  the  number  of  their  adherents,  spies,  and  emissaries,  as  to  be 
under  the  hard  necessity  of  keeping  constant  guards,  not  only  to  prevent  the  destruc- 
tion of  our  jail,  but  for  the  security  of  our  houses  and  persons.* 

John  Yincent  a2:>pears  to  have  been  the  most  active  partisan  of  the  Con- 
necticut interest  who  resided  within  the  present  Hmits  of  Northumberland 
county.  In  May,  1775,  the  Governor  of  Connecticut  apjjointed  him  a  justice 
of  the  peace  for  Litchfiekl  coimt\-;  in  the  following  August,  accompanied  by 
his  son  and  several  others,  he  went  to  Wyoming  ''and  requested  a  number  of 
people  to  go  on  the  West  Branch  and  make  settlements,  and  extend  the  juris- 
diction and  authority  of  Connecticut  to  that  country."! 

His  mission  was  successful;  an  armed  force  under  the  command  of  Major 
William  Judd  and  Joseph  Sluman  marched  from  Wyoming  and  arrived  at 
Warrior  run  on  the  '23d  of  September.  Their  purposes  were  thus  set  forth  in 
the  following  letter  to  William  Phuiket;— 

Warrior  Run,  September  25,  ITT.j. 
Sin:  This  acquaints  you  that  we  arrived  at  this  place  on  Saturdaj"  evening  last 
with  a  number  of  other  men,  purposing  to  view  the  vacant  lands  on  this  branch  of  the 
Susquehanna  river  and  to  make  a  settlement  on  the  vacant  lands  if  we  find  any  place 
or  places  that  shall  be  agreeable.  And,  as  this  may  be  a  matter  of  much  conversation 
among  the  present  inhabitants,  we  are  willing  to  acquaint  you  the  principles  on  which 
we  are  come.  In  the  first  place,  we  intend  no  hostilities;  we  will  not  disturb,  molest, 
or  endeavor  to  dispossess  any  person  of  his  property,  or  in  any  ways  abuse  his  person 
by  threats  or  any  action  that  shall  tend  thereto.  And,  as  we  are  commissioners  of  the 
peace  from  the  Colony  of  Connecticut,  we  mean  to  be  governed  b}-  the  laws  of  that  Col- 
ony, and  shall  not  refuse  the  exercise  of  the  law  to  those  of  the  inhabitants  that  are 
now  dwellers  here  on  their  request,  as  the  Colony  of  Connecticut  extended  last  3Iay 
their  jurisdiction  over  the  land.  Finally,  as  we  are  determined  to  govern  ourselves  as 
above  mentioned,  we  expect  that  those  who  think  the  title  of  this  land  is  not  in  this 
Colony  will  give  us  no  uneasiness  or  disturbance  in  our  proposed  settlement.  "We  are, 
Sir,  with  proper  respects, 

Your  humble  servants, 

.Joseph  Slumax, 
William  Judd. J 

If  Major  Judd  and  his  party  really  supposed  that  their  movements  would 
meet  with  no  opposition,  they  were  egregiously  mistaken.  It  is  quite  evident, 
however,  that  they  anticipated  hostilities  and  prepared  for  defense.  Accord- 
ing to  the  deposition  of  Peter  Smith,  one  detaclunent  was  on  guard  at   a 

*  Pennsylvania  Archives,  Vol.  II.  p.  Sil. 

tMiner's  History  of  Wyoming',  p.  ICS.  The  quotation  appears  in  an  extract  from  the  papers  of 
Colonel  Jolm  Franklin. 

JPennsylvania  Archives,  Vol.  IV.  pp.  CC1-CC2. 


y»  HISTORY   OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

school  house  at  Freeland"s  mill  and  another  at  John  Vincent's  house;  the 
report  reached  Simbury  that  they  had  brought  intrenching  and  fortifying 
tools,  which  were  put  to  use  immediately  upon  their  arrival.  The  militia  of 
Northumberland  county  was  at  once  called  out,  and  at  one  o'clock  on  the  25th 
of  September  fifty  men  left  Sunbury  to  join  companies  from  other  points  and 
proceed  to  Warrior  ran.  Colonel  Franklin  places  the  nimiber  of  Major  Judd's 
men  at  eighty  and  of  the  militia  at  five  himdred;  he  states  that  one  man 
was  killed  and  several  woimded,  all  of  the  Connecticut  party  were  taken  pris- 
oners, three  were  detained  at  Sunbury,  Judd  and  Sluman  were  sent  to  Phil- 
adelphia, and  the  others  were  dismissed.  That  the  action  of  the  authorities 
and  militia  was  approved  by  the  provincial  Assembly  is  evident  from  the  fol- 
lowing resolution,  which  was  passed  on  the  '27th  of  October,  1775: — 

lii'Milrcd.  That  the  iuhabitants  of  the  county  of  North umberland,  settled  under  tlie 
jurisilictiou  of  this  Province,  were  justifiable  and  did  their  duty  in  repelling  the  said 
intruders  and  preventing  the  fvirther  extension  of  their  settlements.* 

Not  content  with  the-  expulsion  of  the  Connecticut  intruders  from  the 
valley  of  the  West  Branch,  the  authorities  of  Northumberland  county  next 
rtndertook  the  invasion  of  Wyoming.  Seven  hundred  men,  commanded  by 
W'illiam  Plunket.  composed  the  Peimamite  force;  the  supplies  were  trans- 
ported by  boats,  one  of  which  carried  a  field  piece.  The  expedition  reach?d 
its  destination  on  the  23d  of  December.  The  Yankees  occupied  an  impreg- 
nable position,  and,  having  failed  to  bring  them  to  an  engagement  (in  which 
superior  numbers  would  doubtless  have  given  him  the  victory),  Plunket  re- 
treated with  his  command  on  the  2oth  instant.  The  question  of  jurisdiction 
remained  imsettled,  bitt  the  animosities  of  Yankee  and  Pennamite  were  for 
the  time  forgotten  in  the  Pievolutionary  straggle  that  had  already  begun. 

*Pennsj  Ivaniii  Archives.  Vol.  IV.  p.  078. 


THE    REVOLUTIONAJIY    PEPJOD.  99 

CHAPTER  III. 

THE  EEVOLfTIONARY  PERIOD. 

CuisEiiF  THE  Pecivinciai.  Ri;(;rMF. — The  Chunty's  IIepisesentatkin  in  the  Cunti- 
XENTAL  Army — Companies  he  Captains  Lowdon,  Paiu;,  and  Weitzel — Twelfth 
Pennsylvania  Regiment  —  Committee  of  Safety — Militia  Okganization — 
Indiax  Outkaoes — Defensive  Measures  Instituted  by  Colonel  Hunter — 
"The  Great  Runaway " — Colonel  Brodhead  Tpimporakily  Stationed  on  the 
Fi;ontier — C(jLONEL  Hartley's  Militaiiy  Administration  —  Fall  of  Fort 
Fkeeland — TuE  German  Regiment — General  Potter's  Expedition — Events 
of  1T81-8-3 — Colonel  Huxter's  Accouxts. 

ALTHOUGH  the  early  settlement  of  Xortlinmlierland  county  occurred 
during  the  iieriod  of  tranquility  follo^Ying•  the  close  of  the  French  and 
Indian  war.  the  possibility  of  futiire  hostilities  was  a  constant  incentive  to 
military  organization,  while  the  circumstances  of  frontier  life  were  eminently 
calculated  to  foster  a  spirit  of  independence:  and  thus  her  people,  although 
deficient  in  the  elements  of  wealth  and  comiiaratively  few  in  numbers,  were 
well  prepared  for  the  Eevolutionary  struggle.  In  all  the  movements  pre- 
liminary to  the  organization  of  the  State  government  they  were  represented. 
The  lirst  of  these  was  the  "Meeting  of  the  Provincial  Depiities."'  July  15. 
1774:  it  was  called  by  a  committee  of  correspondence  at  Philadelphia,  the 
chairman  of  which,'  Thomas  "Willing,  addressed  a  letter  to  William  Maclay, 
^Villiam  Plunket.  and  Samuel  Hunter  on  the  "iSth  of  June.  1774.  in  com- 
jiliance  with  which  the  different  townships  elected  committee-men  who  met 
at  Richard  Malone's  on  the  11th  of  July  and  selected  William  Scull  and 
Sanuiel  Hunter  to  represent  the  county.  The  delegates  to  the  Provincial 
Convention  of  January  28,  1775,  were  William  Plunket  and  Casper  Weitzel: 
to  the  Provincial  Conference  of  June  IS,  177t».  William  Cooke.  Alexander 
Hunter.  John  Weitzel.  Robert  Martin,  and  Matthew  Brown,  and  to  the  Con- 
stitutional Convention  of  July  15,  177f).  William  Cooke.  James  Potter. 
Robert  Martin.  Matthew  Brown.  Walter  Clark.  John  Kelly.  James  Craw- 
ford, and  John  Weitzel.  The  latter  were  elected  on  the  8th  of  July  at  the 
hoiise  of  George  McCandlish  near  the  mouth  of  Limestone  run:  Thomas 
Hewitt.  William  Shaw,  and  Joseph  Green  served  as  jtidges.  The  former 
justices  of  the  county  were  superseded  on  the  3d  of  September  by  ordinance 
of  the  Constitutional  Convention;  the  result  of  the  first  general  election 
under  its-  provisions  were  certified  by  John  Brady.  James  McClenachan, 
John  Gray,  and  Thomas  Robinson,  judges  of  the  different  districts,  Novem- 


100  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

ber  7.  1776.  and  thus  the  provincial  regime  iu  NorthumberLind  county 
terminated. 

During  the  progress  of  these  develojiments  the  county  was  well  repre- 
sented at  the  front.  A  resolution  was  adopted  by  Congress.  June  14.  177o. 
directing  the  formation  of  ten  companies  of  expert  riflemen — six  in  Pennsyl- 
vania, two  in  Maryland,  and  two  in  Virginia — to  be  employed  as  light  infantiy 
and  be  paid  the  following  sums  per  month:  a  captain,  twenty  dollars;  a  lieu- 
tenant, thirteen  and  one  third  dollars;  a  sergeant,  eight  dollars;  a  corporal, 
seven  and  one  third  dollars;  a  drummer,  seven  and  one  third  dollars,  and  a 
private,  six  and  two  thirds  dollars — all  '"to  find  their  own  arms  and  clothes." 
One  of  these  companies.  Captain  John  Lowdon's,  was  recruited  in  Northum- 
berland county.     The  roster  was  as  follows: — 

Captain,  John  Lowdon,  June  25,  1775. 

First  Lieutenant.  James  Parr,  June  25.  1775. 

Second  Lieutenants:  James  Wilson,  June  25.  1775;  William  Wilson. 
from  third  lieutenant,  January  4,  1776. 

Third  Lieutenants:  William  Wilson,  June  25,  1775;  John  Dougherty, 
from  sergeant.  January  4,  1776. 

Sergeants:  John  Dougherty,  David  Hammond,  Alexander  McC'ormick. 
William  McMurray,  Cornelius  Dougherty. 

Corporals:  Thomas  Henry,  William  Edwards,  John  White,  James  Car- 
son. Charles  Cochran. 

Drummer,  Richard  Grosvenor. 

Privates:  William  Adkins,  Joseph  All,  John  Benickler.  Samuel  Brady, 
William  Briggs,  George  Butler,  William  Calhoun,  Robert  Carothers,  James 
Carson,  John  Cassaday,  Samuel  Cealy,  David  Clements,  Charles  Cochran, 
Peter  Condon.  David  Davis.  John  Dean,  John  Eicholtz.'John  Evans,  Jacob 
Finkboner,  Charles  Ford,  Philip  Gintner,  Thomas  Giltson.  John  Hamilton 
[Hamberton],  Da^-id  Harris,  Michael  Hare,  Thomas  Hempington,  Christo- 
pher Henning,  William  Humber,  William  Jamison,  Samuel  Johns,  James 
Johnson,  Lewis  Jones,  Thomas  Kilday,  Nicholas  Kline,  John  Ladley,  Sam- 
uel Landon,  William  Leek,  Robert  Lines,  Jacob  Lindy,  Thomas  Lobdon, 
Reuben  Massaker,  Moses  Madock,  John  Malone,  Charles  Maloy,  James  Mc- 
Cleary,  Cornelius  McConnell,  Martin  McCoy  [McAvery],  Patrick  McGoni- 
gal,  Edward  McMasters  [Masterson],  Alexander  McMuUan,  William  Mor- 
gan, William  Murray,  John  Murphy,  Timothy  Murphy,  John  Neely,  Daniel 
Cakes,  John  Oliver,  Michael  Parker,  Thomas  Peltson,  Peter  Pence,  John 
Ray,  Robert  Ritchie,  Bartholomew  Roach,  John  Robinson,  George  Sands, 
George  Saltzman,  Henry  Silverthorn,  John  Shawnee  (an  Indian),  John  Smith, 
James  Speddy,  Arad  Sutton,  James  Sweney,  John  Teel,  Robert  Tuft,  Philip 
Valentine,  Peter  Ward,  John  Ward,  Charles  West,  Joseph  Whiteneck,  Aaron 
Wright,  John  Youse,  Robert  Young.* 

*  Pennsylvania  Archives  (Second  Series),  Vol.  X.  pp.  27-31. 


THE    EEVOLUTIONAEY    PEBIOD.  101 

This  comiiany  formed  part  of  the  battahou  of  ritleinen  commanded  by 
Colonel  William  Thompson,  of  Carlisle,  Pennsylvania.  The  men  rendez- 
voused at  Northumberland.  ^Yhere.  according  to  Fithian"s  journal,  thirty  of  them 
arrived  from  Great  Island  on  Wednesday,  June  2S,  1775.  The  journal  of 
Aaron  Wright,  a  private,  states  that  they  formally  enlisted  on  the  following 
day;  on  the  morning  of  July  8th,  in  pursuance  of  marching  orders  received 
the  previous  day.  they  boarded  boats  on  the  Susquehanna  river  (this  means 
of  conveyance  was  probably  used  as  far  as  Harris's  Feriy);  they  reached 
Reading  on  the  18th  of  July,  and  there  received  knapsacks,  blankets,  etc.. 
remaming  imtil  the  iOth.  On  the  1st  of  August  they  were  at  Bethlehem, 
and  thence  pursued  their  march  across  northern  New  Jersey  and  southeastern 
New  York,  arriving  at  the  North  river,  opposite  New  Windsor.  Connecticut. 
Aiigust  20th.  They  marched  through  Litclifield  on  the  24th.  crossed  the 
Connecticut  river  near  Hartford  on  the  2Ctli.  and  arrived  at  Dudley,  Massa- 
chusetts, August  30th.  On  the  31st  they  reached  Weston,  and  thence 
passed  through  Framingham,  -Watertown,  and  Cambridge  to  Prospect  Hill. 
Boston.  The  battalion  became  the  Second  regiment  "■  of  the  Army  of  the 
United  Colonies,  commanded  by  his  Excellency,  General  George  Washing- 
ton," and.  on  the  1st  of  January,  177f),  the  First  regiment  of  the  Continental 
Army. 

Two  companies  (those  of  Captains  William  Hendricks  and  Matthew 
Smith,  the  latter  subsequently  prothonotary  of  Northumberland  coimty)  were 
detailed  for  service  in  Arnold's  expedition  to  Quebec  in  September,  1775;  the 
remainder  continued  in  camp  at  Prosjiect  Hill,  and  performed  guard  and 
fatigue  duty  with  the  brigade  to  which  they  belonged.  On  the  24th  of 
October  Lieutenant  Parr  marched  for  Portsmouth  with  thirty  men.  Six  of 
the  regiment  were  stationed  at  Lechmere  Point  on  the  iKh  of  November, 
when,  the  tide  having  risen  and  separated  it  from  the  main  land,  a  number 
of  British  regulars,  imder  cover  of  their  batteries  on  Bimker's.  Copp's,  and 
Breed's  Hills,  landed  for  the  purjiose  of  driving  off  cattle:  the  regiment  was 
hastily  ordered  under  arms,  marched  through  the  water  to  the  Point,  and 
divided  into  two  parties,  of  which  Captain  Low-don's  company  formed  part  of 
that  on  the  right;  a  severe  skirmish  was  anticijiated,  but  before  the  enemy's 
position  was  reached  the  latter  had  withdrawn  to  their  boats.  For  their 
courage  and  promptness  on  this  occasion  the  regiment  was  pubhcly  thanked 
by  General  Washington.  On  the  8th  of  March,  1776,  Colonel  Hand  wrote: 
"I  am  stationed  on  Cobble's  Hill  with  four  companies  of  our  regiment:  two 
companies,  Cluggage's  and  Chambers's,  were  ordered  to  Dorchester  on  Mon- 
day; Ross  and  Lowdon  relieved  them  yesterday.''  On  the  14th  of  March 
the  regiment  left  Cambridge  with  five  others  under  the  command  of  General 
Sullivan;  Haiiford  was  reached  on  the  21st  and  New  York  on  the  2Sth;  it 
■was  shortly  afterward  detailed  for  duty  on  Long  Island,  and  was  so  engaged 
at  the  expiration  of  the  original  term  of  enlistment.  July  1.  177G. 


102  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

The  First  regiment  (which  thi^s  became  the  First  Pennsylvania  regiment 
of  the  Continental  Line)  re-enlisted  with  practical  unanimity,  at  tirst  for  the 
term  of  two  years,  but  in  October,  1770,  the  limit  was  extended  to  the  close 
of  the  war.  Lowdon.  who  became  a  member  of  Council,  was  succeeded  as 
captain  by  James  Parr:  thirty-two  of  his  company  were  enlisted  out  of  -the 
old  battalion  and  fourteen  from  the  flying  camp.  In  August,  1776.  it  was 
composed  of  one  captain,  two  lieutenants,  four  sergents,  four  corporals,  one 
drum  and  fife,  and  fifty-two  jirivates.     The  roster  was  as  follows: — 

Captain,  James  Parr,  promoted  major,  August  U,  1778. 

First  Lieutenant.  James  Wilson,  promoted  captain,  January  6,  1777. 

Second  Lieutenant.  William  Wilson,  promoted  first  lieutenant,  September 
25,  1776;  captain,  March  "i,  1777. 

Ensign,  John  Dougherty,  promoted  third  lieutenant,  September  2o,  1776. 

Sergeants:  David  Hammond,  afterward  promoted  second  lieutenant; 
Alexander  McCormick.  William  McMurray,  Cornelius  Dottgherty. 

Privates:  David  Allen.  Michael  Bacher,  John  Bradley,  Daniel  Callahan, 
Daniel  Campbell,  James  Chapman,  Peter  Condon,  James  Connor,  Mansfield 
Coons,  James  Citriy.  David  Davis,  Richard  Deatevoise  [Dubois],  Cornelius 
Delling,  Patrick  Donahue,  William  Edwards,  John  Griffin.  Patrick  Grilfiii. 
William  Haggerty.  John  Hammond,  Philip  Henry,  Aquila  Hinson.  John 
Hutchinson,  Lewis  Jones.  William  Leech,  Michael  Loughrey,  James  Lough- 
rey,  James  McClear^-.  Comeliits  McConnell,  Patrick  McGonigal,  Heniy  Mc- 
Cormick, Hugh  McGaughey,  John  Malone.  Charles  Meloy,  James  Moore, 
William  Moore,  William  Morgan,  John  Murphy,  Timothy  Murphy,  Patrick 
Murray,  John  Noishen.  George  Norton,  John  Oliver,  Thomas  Paine,  Thomas 
Peltson,  Philip  Peters,  John  Eankin,  John  Ray,  William  Ryan,  George 
Saltman,  Samuel  Scott.  William  Scott,  James  Spigg.  James  Speddy,  Thomas 
Stewart,  Maurice  Sullivan,  Alexander  Thompson,  John  Toner,  George  War- 
ren, Jonathan  Washburn,  Matthew  Wilson,  Samuel  Wilson,  Joseph  White- 
neck,  John  Yotise.* 

The  company  began  its  new  term  of  enlistment  in  camp  on  the  shores  of 
Long  Island.  Some  time  in  August  the  regiment,  of  which  Edward  Hand 
was  colonel,  took  position  at  Delancey's  Mills,  and  was  in  action  in  the  battle 
of  Long  Island,  August  27,  1776.  On  the  night  of  the  2ytli  it  was  posted 
■•  in  a  redoubt  on  the  left  and  in  the  line  on  the  right  of  the  great  road, 
below  Brooklyn  church "  as  ])art  of  Major  General  Mifflin's  command,  by 
which  the  retreat  of  the  army  was  covered.  Through  some  mistake  on  the 
part  of  an  aid-de-camp  ilifflin's  command  was  jjrematurely  withdra%vn,  a 
movement  highly  prejudicial  to  the  safety  of  the  retreating  army;  General 
Washington  learned  of  it  throitgh  Colonel  Hand,  and  the  rear  guard  retttmed 
to  its  former  position  in  time  to  avert  serious  consequences.     On  the  16th  of 

*Pennsylvuiiiii  Areliives  iSecoml  Series),  Vol.  X.  pp.  34l'-344. 


THE  REVOLUTIONARY  PERIOD.  103 

Xovember,  177'j.  four  men  of  Colonel  Parr"s  company  were  taken  prisoners 
at  Fort  Washington. 

Colonel  James  Chambers  (who  succeeded  General  Hand  in  command  of 
the  First  regiment )  wrote  as  follows  from  "Mount  Prospect  camp."'  Jmie  IS, 
1777:  "We  have  a  partisan  regiment — Colonel  Morgan  commands — chosen 
marksmen  from  the  whole  army  compose  it.  Captain  Parr,  Lieutenants  Lyon 
and  Brady,  and  fifty  men  from  my  regiment  are  among  the  number."  Cap- 
tain David  Harris  (subsequently  prothonotary  of  Northumberland  county) 
relates  the  following  incident  in  a  letter  from  "  Cross  Roads,  about  twenty 
miles  from  Philadelphia,"  August  13,  1777:  "Captain  Parr,  with  two  subal- 
terns and  about  fifty  privates,  are  detached  in  Morgan's  partisan  corps. 
Captain  Parr  has  killed  three  or  four  men  himself  this  summer.  His  expres- 
sions at  the  death  of  one  I  shall  ever  remember.  Major  Miller  had  the  com- 
mand of  a  detachment,  and  had  a  skirmish  at  very  close  shot  with  a  party 
of  Highlanders.  One  of  them  being  quite  open,  he  motioned  to  Captain  Parr 
to  kill  him,  which  he  did  in  a  trice,  and.  as  he  was  falling.  Parr  said:  'I  say. 
by  God,  sonny.  I  am  in  you.'  I  assure  you  Parr's  bravery  on  every  occasion 
does  him  great  lionor."'  Morgan's  riflemen  included  many  men  from  North- 
umberland county,  drawn  from  the  companies  of  Captain  Parr,  of  the  Fu-st 
Pennsylvania,  and  Captain  Boone,  of  the  Twelfth.  They  joined  the  northern 
army  in  August,  1777.  and  participated  in  the  battles  of  Saratoga.  Septem- 
ber I'Jth  and  October  7th;  it  is  worthy  of  record  that  General  Fraser  was 
shot  by  Timothy  ^Murphy,  of  Parr's  company,  at  the  express  direction  of  Col- 
onel Morgan.  In  July.  1778,  Captain  Parr  was  placed  in  command  of  a 
detachment  from  Morgan's  rifies  and  sent  with  the  Fourth  Pennsylvania  to 
defend  the  frontiers  of  New  York:  they  spent  nearly  a  year  in  the  Schoharie 
valley.  His  command  united  with  the  army  of  General  Sullivan  at  Tioga 
on  the  '2'Id  of  August.  177'..!.  and  served  in  the  expedition  to  the  Genesee  coun- 
try. It  is  fre([uently  mentioned  in  Colonel  Hubley's  journal.  The  march 
began  on  Thursday.  August  "iOth;  "Major  Parr,  with  the  riflemen,  disjiersed 
considerably  in  front  of  the  whole,  with  orders  to  reconnoiter  all  mountains, 
defiles,  and  other  suspicious  places.''  The  following  reference  is  made  to 
Murphy:  "This  Murphy  is  a  noted  marksman  and  a  great  soldier,  he  having 
killed  and  scalped  that  morning  [September  13th].  in  the  town  they  were  at, 
an  Indian,  which  makes  the  three  and  thirtieth  man  of  the  enemy  he  has  killed, 
as  is  well  known  to  his  officers,  this  war.''  He  was  from  Northiimberland 
coimty.  , 

Wilham  Wilson  succeeded  James  Parr  as  captain  when  the  latter  was 
transferred  to  Morgan's  command  Regarding  the  movements  of  the  regiment 
in  July  and  August.   1777,  Colonel  Chambers  wrote:   "We  marched  from 

Mount   Prospect  to  Morristown,  where  we  halted   a   few  days 

We  were  then  ordered  to  march  to  Pompton;  here  we  halted  one  day.  .  .  . 
Next   day,  13th  July,  we  were  ordered  to  move  to   a  place  called 


104  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

Sufferance,  at  the  mouth  of  the  Clove;  here  we  halted  to  the  19th. 
when  we  proceeded  through  the  Clove  towards  New  Windsor.  We  moved 
upwards  of  twenty  miles  this  day;  here  we  halted  till  the  22d.  then  marched 

across    the    ridge  to  a   place  called    Chester We  arrived   the 

29th  at  Howell's  Ferrj-;  here  we  halted  till  the  1st  of  August,  then  crossed 
the  river,  and  continued  our  march  through  Germantown  to  Schuykill  Falls, 
where  we  halted  to  the  9th.  then  marched  back  to  this  place  on  our  wav  to 
Coryell's."  At  the  battle  of  Brandywine,  September  11th,  the  regiment  lost 
six  or  seven  killed  and  as  many  wounded ;  it  was  principally  engaged  in  with- 
drawing the  artillery.  The  division  of  which  it  formed  part  at  the  battle  of 
Monmouth,  June  28,  1778,  was  drawn  in  front  of  the  artillery  in  a  small  hol- 
low; the  enemy's  artillery  occupied  an  eminence  directly  in  front.  "  Of  course 
we  were  in  a  right  line  of  their  fire,"  says  Colonel  Chambers,  '•  both  parties 
playing  their  cannon  over  our  heads,  and  yet  only  killed  two  of  our  men 
and  wounded  four  of  my  regiment  with  splinters  of  rails."  This  position 
was  at  the  center  of  the  American  line,  against  which  a  determined  charge 
was  made  by  the  tlower  of  the  British  army  under  Colonel  Monckton.  He 
was  killed,  and  the  colors,  which  were  near  him,  also  went  down.  "  Captain 
Wilson  and  his  company,  who  were  on  the  right  of  the  First  Pennsylvania, 
made  a  rush  for  the  colors  and  the  body  of  the  Colonel.  The  Grenachers 
fought  desperately,"*  but  without  avail.  Captain  Wilson  secured  his  sword 
and  the  colors;  he  gave  the  former  to  General  Wayne,  who  presented  it  to 
Lafayette,  by  whom  it  was  returned  to  the  Wilson  family  on  the  occasion  of 
his  visit  to  America  in  1824.  Captain  Wilson  was  not  mustered  out  imtil 
November  3,  1783,  from  which  it  is  fair  to  presume  that  his  comj^any  partic- 
ipated with  the  Pennsylvania  Line  in  its  subsequent  campaigns  rmtil  the 
close  of  the  war. 

Captain  Casper  Weitzel's  company  of  the  Pennsylvania  Eitie  regiment, 
commanded  by  Colonel  Samuel  Miles,  was  the  second  formed  in  Northum- 
berland county.     The  roster  was  as  follows: —  * 

Captain,  Casper  Weitzel,  appointed,  March  9,  1776. 

First  Lieutenant,  William  Gray,  appointed,  March  15,  1776. 

Second  Lieutenant,  John  Robb,  appointed,  March  17,  1776. 

Third  Lieutenant,  George  Grant,  appointed,  March  19,  1776. 

Sergeant  Major,  John  Gordon. 

Sergeants:  Jacob  Snider,  Thomas  Price,   William  Orr,  Thomas  Shanks. 

Drummer,  John  Everard. 

Privates:  William  AUisou,  John  Arthur,  John  Aumiller,  William  Barr. 
Peter  Brady,  Stout  Brinson,  John  Burke,  Samuel  Carson,  William  Carson. 
William  Carson,  Jr.,  Andrew  Carter,  Charles  Carter,  Eobert  Carothers,  James 
Chisnall,  William  Clark,  James  Clayton,  Jeffrey  Connell,  John  Cribs,  David 
Purry,  Peter  Davis,  Edward  Doran,   David  Durell,   Stephen  Dnrell.  James 

*Llnn's  Annals  of  Buffalo  Valley,  p.  IGI. 


THE    EEVOLUTIONARY    PERIOD.  105 

Elder,  Christian  Ewig,  Henry  Gass,  Henry  Gearhart,  James  Glover.  John 
Hardy,  William  Harper,  Thomas  Hissom,  Dennis  Huggins,  Ehjah  Himt, 
James  Irvine,  Martin  Kerstptter,  Thomas  Little,  Joseph  Madden,  Charles 
McClean,  William  McCormick.  John  McDonald,  Patrick  Mclnnis,  Patrick 
McManus,  William  ^McMath,  Patrick  McVey,  Henry  Miller,  Kobert  More- 
head,  Eichard  Newman.  Michael  Xolan.  Andrew  llalston,  James  Randolph, 
John  Eice,  John  Sands.  John  Adam  Shafer,  Jacob  Spiess,  Samuel  Staples. 
David  Turner,  James  Watt,  Eobert  Wilson,  Christian  Winters,  Silas  Wolcot.* 
The  Pennsylvania  Rifle  regiment  was  enlisted  for  the  defense  of  the 
Province  at  the  suggestion  of  the  Committee  of  Safety.  It  rendezvoused  at 
Marcus  Hook,  and  was  ordered  to  Philadelphia  on  the  2d  of  July,  1776; 
thence  the  First  battalion  (Lieutenant  Colonel  Brodhead's)  proceeded  by  way 
of  Bordentown  to  Amboy,  New  Jersey,  where  the  entire  regiment  shortly 
afterward  arrived.  Colonel  Miles  was  ordered  to  New  York  on  the  H'th  of 
August;  he  crossed  to  Long  Island  when  the  British  began  landing  troops. 
and  took  position  near  Flatbush.  On  the  morning  of  August  27th,  ihading 
his  command  in  danger  of  being  surrounded,  he  made  a  retrograde  movement 
with  the  esjiectation  of  reaching  the  Jamaica  road  in  advance  of  General 
Howe.  In  this  he  was  disappointed;  an  effort  was  then  made  to  break 
through  the  enemy's  flank  guards,  but,  finding  it  imiiossible  to  do  this  in  a 
body,  he  directed  the  men  to  make  their  way  as  best  they  could  and  was 
taken  prisoner  with  two  thirds  of  his  command.  In  a  retiirn  of  Captain 
Weitzel's  comjiany  on  the  1st  of  September  the  following  are  marked  "miss- 
ing since  the  battle:"  William  Gray,  John  Gordon,  Thomas  Price,  William 
Allison.  Peter  Brady,  Andrew  Carter,  Eobert  Carothers.  Henrj-  Gass.  John 
Hardy.  Dennis  Huggins,  Martin  Kerstetter.  Joseph  Madden.  William  3Ic- 
Cormick,  Patrick  McYey,  Eobert  Moorehead,  Andrew  Ealston.  John  Eice, 
Jacob  Spiess,  and  James  Watt.  Captain  Weitzel  gives  the  following  par- 
ticulars in  a  letter  to  his  brother  John,  dated  ••  Camp  near  Kingsbridge.  sis- 
teen  miles  above  New  York,  September  (3,  1770;"  " My  Lieutenant  Gray, 
Sergeant  Gordon,  Sergeant  Price,  and  sixteen  privates  are  missing.  I  kiiow 
of  only  one  killed  in  my  company.  The  poor  fellow  was  woimded  in  the 
thigh  and  imable  to  walk;  his  name  is  Spiess;  the  damned  savage  Hessians 
and  English  light  infantry  ran  their  bayonets  through  him  and  two  of 
Captain  Albright's  men,  who  were]  also  badly  wounded  and  murdered  by 
them.  I  have  this  from  one  of  my  men,  who  was  a  prisoner  and  escaped  to 
me,  and  imagine  the  rest  are  prisoners.  James  Watt  is  among  them.  I  came 
off  with  whole  bones,  contrarv'  to  my  expectations.  I  was  in  so  much  danger, 
that,  by  escaping  that,  I  think  it  was  impossible  for  them  to  kill  me."  In 
consequence  of  the  great  losses  sustained  on  this  occasion  the  company  was 
consolidated  with  others  in  the  following  October  and  thus  lost  its  individu- 
ality. Captain  Weitzel  and  Lieutenant  Gray  returned  to  Sunburv',  where 
♦Peimsylvaiiiii  Archives  (Second  Series),  Vol.  X.  pp.  214-'J17. 


lOG  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUJIBEKLAND    COUNTY. 

both  died;  Lieutenant  Robb  was  promoted  captain  in  the  Thirteenth  Penn- 
sylvania, April  IS,  1777;  Lieutenant  Grant  was  promoted  captain  in  the 
Ninth  Pennsylvania,  May  3,  1777,  and  died  on  the  North  river,  Connecticut, 
three  miles  above  New  Windsor.  October  10,  177y. 

The  Twelfth  Pennsylvania  regiment  of  the  Continental  Line*  was  raised 
in  the  counties  of  Northumberland  and  Northampton  in  pursuance  of  a  reso- 
lution of  Congress;  the  following  field  otiicers  were  appointed  b}'  the  Con- 
stitutional Convention,  September  2S.  1776:  William  Cooke,  delegate  from 
Northiunberland  county,  colonel;  Neigal  Gray,  delegate  from  Northamp- 
ton county,  lieutenant  colonel,  and  James  Crawford,  delegate  from  North- 
umberland county,  major.  The  following  roster  embraces  only  a  small  part 
of  the  regiment: — 

Colonel.  William  Cooke,  Septemlier  28.  1770;  rank.  October  2.  1776; 
resigned,  January  16,  1778. 

Lieutenant  Colonel,  Neigal  Gray,  Septeml^er  28,  1770;  rank.  October  5, 
1770;  cashiered,  June  2,  1778. 

Major,  James  Crawford,  September  28.  1770;  rank,  October  8.  1770; 
resigned  October  12,  1777. 

Captains:  Peter  W'ithington,  October  1.  1770;  Nicholas  Mill^r.  October 
4.  1770;  Hawkins  Boone,  October  4.  1770;  John  Brady.  October  14.  1770; 
John  Harris.  October  14.  1770;  Henr}-  Makinley,  October  16,  1776;  Alex- 
ander Patterson,  October  16,  1770;  Wilham  Work,  October  10,  1776;  Stephen 
Chambers,  from  first  lieutenant.  1777;  John  Reilly.  from  first  lieutenant. 
May  20,  1777. 

First  Lieutenants:  Thomas  Brandon.  October  4.  1  /  /O;  Hananiah  Lin- 
coln, October  4,  1770;  Christopher  Gettig.  October  14,  1770;  John  Reilly, 
October  10,  1770;  Stephen  Chambers.  October  10,  1770;  William  McElhat- 
ton,  October  16,  1776;  John  Henderson.  October  10,  1770;  "William  Sayres, 
October  10,  1770;  John  Boyd,  from  second  lieutenant;  Benjamin  Lodge, 
from  second  lieutenant,  October  11.  1777;  Stewart  Herbert,  from  second 
lieutenant,  Jamtary  9,  1778. 

Second  Lieutenants:  Robert  King.  October  4,  1770;  James  Williamson, 
October  4,  1770;  Edward  McCabe.  October  10,  1770;  John  Hays,  October 
16,  1770;  Samuel  Qvrin,  October  10.  1770;  John  Boyd,  October  10,  1770; 
William  Bard,  October  16,  1770;  John  Carothers,  October  10,  1770;  Benja- 
min Lodge,  from  ensign,  October  10,  1770;  Blackall  William  Ball,  from 
ensign;  William  Boyd,  from  ensign;  Stewart  Herbert,  from  ensign.  May. 
1777;  Andrew  Engle,  from  ensign;  Robert  Faulkner,  from  ensign;  John 
Armstrong,  from  ensign,  December  11.  1777. 

Ensigns:  Benjamin  Lodge,  October  10.  1770;  Thomas  Hamilton,  October 
10,  1770°;  Blackall  William  Ball,  October  Kj.  177<);  William  Boyd,  October 
16,  1776;  John  Stone,  October  16,  1770;  Stewart  Herbert,  October  10,  1776; 

♦Pennsylvania  Archives  (Second  Series),  Vol.  X.  pp.  75.>-7&i. 


THE    EEVOLUTIONARY    PERIOD.  lU  i 

Andrew  Eugle.  October  10.  ITTf);  Eoliert  Faulkner.  January-  S.  1777:  John 
Seley.  February  3.  1777:  John  Armstrong,  from  sergeant:  John  Cook,  from 
jn-ivate. 

Adjutant.  Thomas  Hanson.  Octolier  IH,  177G. 

Paymasters:  Eobert  Levers.  November  18.  1776;  Thomas  Dungau.  April 
29,  1777. 

Quartermasters:  Wilton   Atkinson.  January  11.  1777:    George  Yaughan. 

Surgeons:  Francis  Allison.  October  14.  1770:  Andrew  Ledlie,  Jamiarv 
IS,  1777. 

Surgeons  Mate.  Aaron  "Woodruff. 

Sergeants;  John  Armstrong.  Charles  Fleming.  Eobert  Kearns.  Andrew 
Lorentz,  Robert  Lyon.  Joseph  Lorentz. 

Privates:  George  Aldi-idge,  Samuel  Auchmuty.  William  Bedworth. 
Henry  Bentley.  James  Bro%vn.  John  Campbell.  John  Cochran.  William  Con- 
nor, John  Cook.  William  Coram.  John  Cusick.  James  Dougherty.  David 
Doyle,  James  English.  Patrick  Flanagan,  James  Gallant,  Hugh  Gowans, 
William  Haines.  Barney  Hasson.  Nathaniel  Hiland.  Eichard  Hughes,  Henry 
Lebo,  John  Lemmons,  Matthew  Little.  Henry  Lushbaugh,  Samuel  McClu- 
ghan.  Archibald  McCowan.  Joseph  McHarg,  Thomas  Mcllvaine,  John  Mcll- 
vaine,  Angiis  McKeever,  Daniel  McMath,  George  Martin.  James  Newberiy. 
Neal  Peacock.  Eobert  Polston.  Richard  Reynolds,  Nicholas  Rheam.  John 
Rice,  John  Robinson.  John  Shreck,  Joseph  Silverthorn.  John  Teel.  Robert 
Wilson,  William  Woodrow. 

The  active  service  of  this  regiment  is  thus  summarized  in  the  Pennsylvania 
Archives ; — 

The  greater  portion  of  the  regiment  was  recruited  upon  the  West  Branch  of  the  Sus- 
quehanna, and  on  the  ISth  of  December  it  left  Sunbury  in  boats  for  the  battle  fields 
of  New  Jersey.  Being  composed  of  good  riflemen  and  scouts,  it  was  detailed  on 
picket  and  skirmish  duty.  It  (with  the  Third,  Ninth,  and  Sixth  Pennsylvania)  was  in 
Brigadier  General  Thomas  Conway's  brigade.  Its  headquarters  were  at  the  five  cross- 
roads at  Metuchen,  between  Quibbletown  and  Amboy.  Its  companies  were  engaged 
in  the  various  skirmishes  in  th.it  neighborhood:  at  Bound  Brook,  April  12,  1777;  Pis- 
cataway.  May  10th.  where  Joseph  Lorentz  and  twentv'-one  others  were  made  prisoners 
by  the  British,  Wendell  Lorentz  making  his  escape  by  running  in  among  a  flock  of 
sheep:  at  Short  Hills,  June  2Cth,  and  Bonamtown.  In  June  Colonel  Daniel  Jlorgan's 
rifle  command  was  formed,  and  a  detachment  from  the  Twelfth  Pennsylvania,  un- 
der the  command  of  Captain  Hawkins  Boone,  was  placed  in  it In  the  battle  of 

Brandj-wine  the  Twelfth  was  engaged  under  Sullivan  at  Birmingham  church,  losinir 
heavily.  Major  Crawford,  Captain  Brady,  and  other  oflicers  were  wounded.  Lieuten- 
ant AVilliam  Boyd,  of  Brady's  company,  killed.  At  Ge^manto^^^l  Conway's  brigade  led 
the  attack  on  the  left  wing  of  the  British,  being  in  front  of  the  troops  that  composed 
the  right  wing  of  the  American  army,  and  the  Twelfth  was  in  the  hottest  of  the  fight, 
losing  heavily  in  men.  Second  Lieutenant  John  Carothers  of  the  officers,  killed.  The 
Twelfth  wintered  with  the  rest  of  the  army  at  Valley  Forge,  and  at  Jlonmouth  the 
remnant  of  it  was  nearly  destroyed,  as  testified  to  in  many  of  the  statements  made  bv 
the  privates,  on  file  in  the  office  of  the  Secretary  of  the  Commonwealth,     ileanwhile. 


108  HISTORY  OF  NOETHUMBEKLAND  COUNTY. 

April  2, 1778,  the  General  Astiemblyhad  appointed  a  committee  to  confer  upon  the  best 
means  of  reducing  three  of  the  regiments,  and  it  was  ordered  that  the  Twelfth  be  in- 
corporated with  the  Third,  which  arrangement  went  into  effect  on  the  1st  of  July,  and 
Captains  John  Brady  and  Boone,  Lieutenants  Dougherty  and  Robert  King  were  ordered 
hrmie  by  General  Washington  to  assist  Colonel  Hartley  in  protecting  the  West  Branch 
valle}-. 

Among  those  who  were  taken  prisoners  at  Piscataway  was  Joseph  Mc- 
Harg,  of  Chambers's  company;  how  he  was  treated  is  shown  by  the  following 
entry  in  the  minntes  of  the  court  of  Northumberland  coimty,  March  25,  1779 : — 

Came  into  court  Joseph  McHarg,  who,  being  dul.v  sworn  upon  the  Holy  Evangel- 
ists, deposeth  and  sayeth:  that  on  the  10th  day  of  May,  A.  D.  1777,  he,  with  others  be- 
longing to  the  Twelfth  regiment  of  Pennsylvania  troops,  was  taken  prisoner  in  a  skir- 
mish at  Piscataway  and  carried  to  New  York,  where,  through  the  excessive  rigor  with 
which  he  was  treated  during  his  confinement,  and  the  decay  of  his  health,  he  was  in- 
duced to  take  an  oath  of  allegiance  to  the  king  of  Great  Britain  and  also  an  oath  that 
he  (the  deponent)  would  not  bear  arms  against  the  said  king  during  the  present  con- 
test, in  consequence  of  which  oath  deponent  got  liberty  to  work  for  a  subsistence  and 
was  sent  as  a  hand  on  board  a  vessel  that  carried  General  Howe's  baggage  to  Philadel- 
phia, from  whence,  by  the  assistance  of  a  friend,  he  made  his  escape  in  disguise.  It 
also  appears  to  this  court  that  deponent,  by  the  failure  of  his  sight  and  bodily  infirmi- 
ties, is  rendered  incapable  of  serving  his  country  as  a  soldier. 

Among  the  officers  in  this  regiment  from  Northumberland  coimty  were 
Colonel  William  Cooke,  subsequently  associate  judge;  Major  James  Craw- 
ford, who  resigned,  October  12,  1777,  and  died  in  1817,  having  been  justice 
of  the  peace  in  Wayne  township,  Clinton  coimty,  many  years;  Cajitain 
Nicholas  Miller,  who  became  supernumerary,  July  1,  1778,  and  died  in  North- 
hampton county;  Captain  Hawkins  Boone,  who  fell  near  Fort  Freeland,  July 
29.  1779;  Captain  John  Brady,  who  was  wounded  at  Brandywine,  Septem- 
ber 11,  1777,  and  killed  at  Mimcy,  April  11,  1779;  Captain  John  Harris; 
Captain  Stephen  Chambers,  one  of  the  first  resident  attorneys  of  the  coimty; 
Lieutenant  Christopher  Gettig,  subsequently  a  justice  at  Sunbury;  Lieuten- 
ant Thomas  Brandon;  Lieutenant  John  Boyd,  who  was  transferred  to  the 
Third  Pennsylvania,  rose  to  the  rank  of  captain,  retired  from  the  regiment, 
January  1,  1781,  and  was  for  many  years  justice  of  the  peace  at  Northumber- 
land; Lieutenant  William  Boyd,  who  was  killed  at  the  battle  of  Brandywine, 
September  11,  1777;  Lieutenant  John  Carothers,  who  was  killed  at  the  bat- 
tle of  Germantown,  October  4,  1777;  Lieutenant  Robert  King,  who  was 
transferred  to  the  Third  Pennsylvania,  was  with  Colonel  Hartley  on  the  frontier 
in  1778,  and  resided  in  Lycoming  coimty  in  1840;  Quartermasters  Wilton 
Atkinson  and  George  Vaughan;  Dr.  Francis  Allison,  surgeon,  who  was  trans- 
ferred to  the  general  hospital,  of  which  he  was  senior  surgeon  in  1781;  Ser- 
geant Joseph  Lorentz,  who  was  transferred  to  the  Third  Pennsylvania,  and 
died  in  Northumberland  county,  January  80,  1824;  Sergeant  Andrew 
Lorentz,  who  was  transferred  to  the  Third  Pennsylvania,  discharged  at  Smith's 
Cove,  New  Jersey,  and  kept  hotel  at  Sunbury  in   1813;  Sergeant  Robert 


Oi^^-^^c  ^;7^ 


THE   KEVOLUTIONARY    PERIOD.  Ill 

Lyon,  who  ^s•as  transferred  to  the  Sixth  Pennsylvania,  rose  to  the  rank  of  second 
lieutenant,  and  died  in  Xorthiunberland  county,  August  19,  1823,  aged 
seventy-seven,  and  Corporal  "Wendell  Lorentz,  who  was  transferred  to  the 
Third  Pennsylvania,  discharged.  .January  17,  17S1,  and  died  at  Milton  in 
1S21. 

Miller's,  Boone's,  Brady's,  and  Harris's  companies  were  from  Northumber- 
land county.  Xo  rosters  have  been  preserved,  and  that  of  the  regiment  contains 
the  names  of  but  a  small  number  of  its  members.  "  The  hundreds  who  fell  in 
all  the  battles  of  the  Revolution. ..  .the  wounded,  who  dragged  their  torn 
limbs  home  to  die  in  their  native  valleys,  are  not  here.  The  heaths  of  New 
Jersey,  from  Paramus  to  Freehold,  by  a  line  encircling  Morristown  and 
Bound  Brook,  were,  in  the  summer  of  1777,  dotted  with  the  graves  of  the 
Eighth  and  Twelfth  Pennsylvania."  Among  the  privates  who  returned  to 
Northumberland  county  were  Samuel  Auchmuty,  of  Captain  Chambers's  com- 
pany, who  was  transferred  to  the  Third  Pennsylvania,  discharged,  January 
2').  17sl.  and  resided  in  Lower  Augu.sta  to^vn.ship  in  1835  at  the  age  of 
eighty-two;  John  Campbell,  who  was  woruided  at  Piscataway,  discharged,  and 
settled  in  Shamokin  township:  James  English,  of  Captain  Brady's  company, 
who  was  transferred  to  the  Third  and  then  to  the  First  Pennsylvania,  dis- 
charged, August  13,  1783,  and  resided  in  Lycoming  coimty  in  1835  at  the 
age  of  ninety-nine;  Henry  Lebo.  .subsequently  hotel  keeper  at  Sunbury  and 
sheriff  of  Northumberland  coimty.  Hugh  Gowen,  who  was  transferred  to 
the  Third  Pennsylvania  and  resided  in  Northumberland  county  in  IS'iO  at 
the  age  of  sixty-six;  Matthew  Little,  who  was  transferred  to  the  Third  Penn- 
.sylvania  and  resided  in  Shamokin  township  in  1813;  Henry  Lushbaugh.  of 
Harris's  company,  who  resided  in  Lycoming  county  in  1835,  aged  eighty-four; 
Joseph  McHarg.  previously  mentioned:  Samuel  McClirghan,  who  was  drafted 
into  Morgan's  ritles,  wounded  at  Saratoga,  and  resided  in  Buffalo  valley  in 
1780:  George  Martin,  .who  was  drafted  into  Morgan's  rifles,  wounded  at 
Saratoga,  resided  in  Buffalo  valley  in  1780,  and  died,  March  10,  1810;  James 
Newberry,  who  died  in  Northumberland  coimty,  February  1,  1830,  aged 
eighty-four,  and  Nicholas  Eheam.  who  was  transferred  to  the  Third  Penn- 
sylvania, discharged  in  1781,  and  died  in  Tnion  coimty  in  18'29. 

"While  the  coimty  thus  contributed  an  amjile  quota  to  the  regular  army 
at  the  outbreak  of  the  Revolution,  a  local  Committee  of  Safety*  attended  to 
the  administration  of  internal  affairs  and  the  organization  of  the  militia. 
The  minutes  of  this  Committee  begin  as  follows: — 

February  8,  1770. 

The  fallowing  gentlenieu,  being  pre^iniisly  nominated  by  the  respective  townships 
to  serve  in  this  Committee  for  the  county  of  Xorthumberhind  for  the  space  of  six 
months,  met  at  the  house  of  Richard  Malone,  viz.: — 

*The  muster  rolls  and  papers  relatiDL'  to  the  associators  and  militia  of  the  count}'  of  Northum- 
berland. Including  the  minutes  of  the  Committee  of  Safety,  are  published  in  the  Pennsylvania 
Archives  (.Second  Series),  Vol.  XIV.  pp.  313-3C7. 

7 


112  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

Augusta  Township.— John  AVeitzel,  Alexander  Hunter,  Thomoud  Ball. 

Turbut  Township.— Captain  John  Hambright,  William  ^McKnight,  William  Shaw. 

Bald  Eagle  Township.— William  Dunn,  Thomas  Hewes,  Alexander  Hamilton. 

W3-oming  Township.— James  ^IcClure,  Thomas  Clajton,  Peter  Melick. 

Mahanoy  Township. — No  return. 

Mahoning  Township. — William  Cooke,  Benjamin  Allison,  Thomas  Hewitt. 

Muncy  Township. — Robert  Robb,  William  Watson,  John  Buckalew. 

Bufialo  Township. — AValter  Clark  (removed  to  White  Deer),William  Irwin,  Joseph 
Green. 

Penn's  Township. — No  return. 

Potter's  Township. — John  Livingston,  Maurice  Davis,  John  Hall. 

White  Deer  Township. — Walter  Clark,  Matthew  Brown,  Marcus  Hidings. 

The  Committee  proceeded  to  elect  a  chairman  and  clerk,  when  Captain  John 
Hambright  was  unanimously  appointed  chairman  during  the  continuance  of  this  Com- 
mittee and  Thoraond  Ball,  clerk. 

A  return  of  field  officers  elected  at  Northiunberland  on  the  7th  instant  by 
the  battalion  for  the  lower  division  of  the  county  was  presented,  and  the 
officers  were  forthwith  recommended  for  commissions.  Action  was  also  taken 
for  the  organization  of  the  battalion  for  the  upper  division  of  the  county. 
Messrs.  Weitzel,  Hunter,  and  Ball  were  apjoointed  to  prepare  a  memorial  to 
the  Assembly  regarding  the  murder  of  two  of  the  sheriffs  posse  at  Wyoming. 
The  Committee  then  adjourned  to  meet  at  Laughlin  McCartney's  in  North- 
umberland on  Monday,  the  '2fith  instant. 

Captain  Hambright  presided  at  all  the  meetings  of  this  Committee  of 
which  the  minutes  have  been  preserved.  On  the  '26th  of  February  Messrs. 
Weitzel,  Hunter,  and  Ball  presented  the  draft  of  a  petition  to  the  Assembly, 
which  was  forthwith  approved.  Six  ca}3tains  in  Colonel  Himter's  battalion 
appeared  and  produced  lists  of  their  companies,  whereupon  a  letter  was 
transmitted  to  the  provincial  Committee  of  Safety  (to  which  the  county  com- 
mittees were  subsidiary),  recommending  the  respective  officers  for  commis- 
sions; the  Committee  then  adjourned  until  the  13th  proximo,  after  authorizing 
the  president  and  four  members  to  receive  and  transmit  any  returns  that 
might  be  received  in  the  interim.  The  next  meeting  was  held  at  the  house 
of  Frederick  Stone  in  Northumberland,  March  13th.  Keturns  were  received 
from  seven  companies  of  Colonel  Plunket's  battalion,  the  officers  of  which 
were  recommended  for  commissions.  A  letter  was  transmitted  to  Colonel 
Hunter,  who  represented  the  county  in  the  provincial  Committee  at  that  time, 
detailing  at  some  length  the  objectionable  proceechngs  of  recruiting  officers. 
At  the  next  meeting,  Monday,  March  25th,  it  was  resolved  that  no  officer  be 
allowed  "  to  recruit  men  in  this  county  except  the  officers  who  are  or  may  be 
appointed  therein."  The  groimds  upon  which  this  decisive  action  was  based 
were  thus  set  forth  in  a  letter  to  the  provincial  Committee: — 

Our  zeal  for  the  cause  of  American  liberty  has  hitherto  prevented  our  taking  any 
steps  to  hinder  the  raising  of  men  for  its  service;  but,  finding  the  evil  increasing  so 
fast  upon  us  as  almost  to  threaten  the  depopulation  of  the  county,  we  can  not  help 


THE    EEVOLUTIONARY    PERIOD.  113 

appealing  to  the  wisdom  and  justice  of  your  Committee  to  know,  wlietlier  tlie  quota 
of  men  that  may  be  demanded  from  this  county  under  their  own  officers  is  not  as 
much  as  can  reasonably  be  expected  from  it;  whether,  at  a  time  when  we  are  uncertain 
of  peace  with  the  Indians,  well  knowing  that  our  enemies  are  tampering  with  them, 
and  a  claim  is  set  up  to  the  greatest  part  of  this  Province  by  a  neighboring  Colony 
who  have  their  hostile  abettors  at  our  very  breasts  as  well  as  their  emissaries  among 
us,  is  it  prudent  to  drain  an  infant  frontier  county  of  its  strength  of  men?  and 
whether  the  safety  of  the  interior  parts  of  the  Province  would  not  be  better  secured 
by  adding  strength  to  the  frontiers;  whether  our  Honorable  Assemblj-,  by  disposing  of 

commissions  to  gentlemen  in  different  counties  to   raise  companies did   not 

intend  that  the  respective  captains  should  raise  their  companies  where  the)-  [were] 
appointed,  and  not  distress  our  county  by  taking  from  it  all  the  men  necessary  for  the 
business  of  agriculture  as  well  as  the  defense  of  the  same. 

The  minutes  of  the  nest  meeting,  so  far  as  concerns  the  organization  of 
the  Committee,  are  as  follows: — 

August  13,  1770. 

The  following  gentlemen,  being  unanimously  chosen  by  their  respective  townships 
to  serve  in  the  Committee  for  the  county  of  Xorthumberland  for  the  space  of  six 
months,  met  at  the  school  house  in  the  town  of  Xorthumberland,  viz : — 

Augusta  Township. — William  Maclay,  David  McKinney,  John  :Maclay. 

Turbut  Township.— George  JEcCandlish,  William  Shaw,  Paul  Geddis. 

Bald  Eagle  Township. — Robert  Fleming,  Thomas  Kemplen,  .John  Section. 

Wyoming  Township.— Samuel  McClure,  Peter  Melick,  John  Clingman. 

>Iahanoy  Township. — Sebastian  Brosius,  George  Reitz,  Peter  Almaug. 

]Mahoning  Township. — Laughlin  ^IcCartne}',  Thomas  Robinson,  John  Boyd. 

!Muncy  Township. — Mordecai  McKinney,  James  Giles,  Andrew  Culbertson. 

Buffalo  Township.— Martin  Traester,  William  Speddj",  Philip  Cole.     ^ 

Penn's  Township. — Simeon  Woodrow,  Adam  B.  Mander,  Paul  Gemberling. 

Potter's  Township. — [No  return.] 

White  Deer  Township. — James  !McClenachan,  Robert  Fruit,  AVilliam  Gray. 

The  Committee  proceeded  to  elect  a  chairman  and  clerk,  when  3Ir.  Robert  Fruit 
was  unanimously  appointed  chairman  during  the  time  of  six  months*  ami  John  Boyil, 
clerk. 

At  this  meeting  Andrew  Culbertson.  ilordecai  McKinney,  and  James  Giles 
■were  aj^pointed  to  request  Colonel  Plnnket  to  divide  the  ammunition  apjoor- 
tioned  to  the  six  companies  of  his  battalion  that  were  formed  above  Muney. 
It  was  stored  at  the  house  of  Laughlin  McCartney:  an  additional  supph'  had 
been  forwarded  to  Harris's  Ferry,  and  arrangements  were  made  for  its  fiirther 
transjiortation.  The  next  meeting  was  held  at  Northumberland,  Sejitember 
10th:  complaint  having  been  made  that  Aaron  Le-sy  and  John  Bullion  had  a 
quantity  of  salt  whit-h  they  refused  to  sell,  the  Committee  directed  William 
Sayres  to  take  possession  of  it  and  sell  it  at  fifteen  shillings  per  bushel: 
"William  Parker  and  John  Chattam  were  sitmmoned  upon  a  charge  of  un- 
friendliness to  the  cause  of  liberty,  and,  having  confessed  that  they  were 
British  soldiers  who  had  been  taken  as  prisoners,  they  were  ordered  to  Lan- 
caster under  escort.     At  a  meeting  on  the  r2th  the  ammunition  in  the  hands 

*Paul  Geddis  succeeded  Robert  Fruit  as  eliairniau  in  the  foUowin;,'  December. 


114  HISTOKY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTI. 

of  the  Committee  was  examined;  half  a  poimd  of  powder  and  one  pound  of 
lead  were  apportioned  to  each  associator.  with  an  additional  quantity  for  the 
battalions  on  the  frontiers.  Wilham  ilaclay  and  Mordeeai  McKinney  were 
appointed  to  go  to  Philadelphia  for  the  salt  allotted  to  the  coimty;  it  appears, 
however,  that  Robert  Fruit  performed  this  service,  as  he  wrote  from  Phila- 
delphia on  the  28d  of  November  that  he  had  received  seventy-seven  bushels 
from  the  Council  of  Safety  and  delivered  it  to  Marcus  Hulings  for  transpor- 
tation. On  the  r2th  of  September  the  Committee  addressed  a  memorial  to 
the  State  Convention,  expressing  deep  sohcitude  at  the  probability  of  Indian 
hostilities  (the  prospect  of  which  had  been  learned  from  intercepted  letters), 
and  deploring  their  inability  "to  keep  the  single  and  disengaged  men  in  the 
county"  as  they  chose  "rather,  under  pay,  to  have  to  do  wth  a  humane 
enemy,  than,  at  their  own  expense,  to  encoimter  merciless  savages."  The 
Convention  was  asked  to  authorize  the  enlistment  of  men  for  the  protection 
of  the  frontier  or  the  expenditure  of  money  in  the  erection  of  forts  in  which 
the  inhabitants  might  take  refuge. 

On  the  14th  of  December  the  Committee  met  "by  exjiress  from  Captain 
John  Brady  upon  sundiy  charges  produced  by  said  Brady  against  a  certain 
Piobert  Eobb."  It  was  alleged  that  he  had  advised  the  acceptance  of  the 
terms  of  peace  offered  by  Lord  Howe,  spoken  chsparagingly  of  the  Conti- 
nental Congress  and  the  State  Convention,  dissuaded  others  from  entering 
the  militia,  etc.  Numerous  depositions  were  taken,  and  on  the  17th  of 
December  the  Committee  decided  "That  said  Robert  Robb  shaU  either  take 
his  gun  and  march  immediately  with  the  mihtia  of  this  coimty  into  actual 
service  for  the  defense  of  the  United  States  in  order  to  wipe  off  the  present 
evil  susi:>icions"  or  else  be  committed  to  the  care  of  Colonel  James  ilurray 
to  be  sent  to  some  proper  place  of  confinement.^  From  this  decision  he  ap- 
pealed to  the  Council  of  Safety,  but  was  contimied  in  the  custody  of  Colonel 
Murray,  who,  "out  of  lenity  to  said  Robb's  family,  saw  fit  to  appoint  the 
mansion  house  of  the  said  Robb  as  a  prison  for  him  on  a  promise  of  his  good 
behavior  for  the  future'."      Three  days  later  (December  20th)  he  "abused 

the  lenity  shown  him by  barbarously  beating  and  much  abusing  a  certain 

Peter  Smith,"  and  further  contemned  the  constituted  authorities  by  asserting 
that  "he  never  thought  to  be  tried  by  such  men  as  some  of  the  Committee; 
some  of  them  had  been  tried  for  murder  and  some  for  horse-stealing,"  which 
was  submitted  in  evidence  at  a  meeting  at  the  house  of  George  McCandlish, 
January  14,  1777.  On  the  following  day  Captain  William  Murray  was 
desired  to  bring  the  offender  before  the  Committee,  which  he  positively 
declined  to  do,  although  notified  three  times,  and  finally  surrendered  his 
commission;  Simon  Hemrod  and  Buchanan  Smith  were  then  appointed  to 
conduct  Robb  to  the  Council  of  Safety.* 

♦Robert  Robl)  was  subseciueiitly  indicted  By  the  grand  jury  of  Xortliunil)erland  connty  for  mis- 
prision of  treason,  tried  at  Xovemlier  sessions,  1780,  aciiuitted,  and  dlscliarged  upon  payment  of  fees. 


THE    EEVOLUTIONARY    PERIOD.  115 

The  last  Committee  of  which  the  proceedings  are  extant  organized  on  the 
18th  of  February,  1777,  as  shown  by  the  following  transcript  from  the  min- 
utes:— 

Northumberland,  Februarj-  13,  1777. 

Tlie  followiug  gentlemen,  being  unanimously  chosen  by  their  respective  townships 
to  serve  in  the  Committee  of  this  county  for  the  ensuing  six  months,  met  at  the  house 
of  Laughlin  McCartney  in  Northumberland  and  gave  in  the  following  returns  of  their 
election,  viz.: — 

Augusta  Township. — No  return. 

Potter's  Township. — .John  Livingston,  John  McMillan. 

Turbut  Township. — Thomas  .Jordan,  John  Nelson,  Josiah  Espy. 

Buffalo  Township. — John  Overhand,  Thomas  Sutherland,  George  Overmeier. 

Bald  Eagle  Township. — John  Fleming,  James  Hughes,  John  Walker. 

]Mahanoy  Township. — George  Yeakle,  Henry  Zartman,  Henry  Ivrebs. 

Penn's  Township. — Andrew  Moore,  David  ^Miller,  Jacob  Hostermau. 

White  Deer  Township. — William  Bh'th,  James  McCormick,  William  Reed. 

Muncy  Township. — John  Coats,  James  Hampton,  AVilliam  Hammond. 

Mahoning  Township. — No  return. 

Wyoming  Township.— James  McClure,  Peter  Melick,  John  Clingman. 

The  Committee,  according  to  order,  proceeded  to  elect  their  chairman  and  clerk, 
when  Thomas  Jordan  w-as  unanimously  chosen  chairman  and  John  Coats,  clerk. 

The  second  regular  meeting  of  this  Committee  was  held  on  the  11th  of 
March  at  the  house  of  George  McCandlish.  AUis  Read,  of  Wyoming  town- 
ship entered  complaint  that  a  horse,  strayed  or  stolen  from  him  and  replev- 
ined  from  John  Drake,  had  been  taken  from  his  stable  by  Drake's  widow; 
the  case  was  referred  to  the  local  Committee  for  adjudication.  The  appeal  of 
Jacob  Links  from  the  Committee  of  Buffalo  towniship  was  then  considered, 
and  reserved  for  a  fixture  meeting.  Caj^tain  Benjamin  Weiser  having  com- 
plained of  desertions  from  his  company,  it  was  ordered  that  a  day  of  muster 
be  assigned  for  the  deserters  to  return,  in  default  of  which  they  should  be 
placed  under  arrest.  The  Committee  of  Bald  Eagle  was  authorized  to  pre- 
vent the  purchase  of  grain  by  distillers  and  to  compel  its  sale  at  the  market 
price;  report  having  been  made  "of  a  certain  Henry  Sterratt  profaning  the 
Sabbath  in  an  unchristian  and  scandalous  manner,  causing  his  servants  to 
maul  rails,  etc.  on  that  day,"  the  Bald  Eagle  Committee  was  "  recommended 
to  suppress  such  like  practices  to  the  utmost  of  their  j^ower." 

On  the  15th  of  April,  pursuant  to  adjournment,  the  Committee  met  at  Mc- 
Candlish's  and  issued  a  special  siunmons  for  Jacob  Driesbach  as  a  witness  in 
the  case  of  Jacob  Links,  charged  with  misappropriation  of  funds  intrusted  to 
him  for  the  purchase  of  salt  in  Philadelphia;  he  appeared  on  the  17th.  and 
his  testimony  was  such  as  to  vindicate  the  accused.  The  case  of  "William 
Read,  who  had  declined  to  enter  the  militia,  was  then  considered:  he  had 
been  implicated  in  a  riot  in  Ireland,  he  said,  but  was  acquitted  upon  taking 
a  solemn  obligation  never  to  bear  arms  against  the  British  government,  and 
based  his  refusal  ixpon  a  conscientious  regard  for  that  declaration;  after  tak- 
ing an  oath  of  allegiance  to  the  United  States  he  was  discharged.     A  letter 


116  HISTORY    OF   XORTHUIIBEBLAND    COUNTY. 

from  Nicholas  Pickard,  of  Wyoming,  to  John  Pickard,  of  Penn's  township,  in- 
forming him  of  an  approaching  Indian  invasion,  next  received  attention:  John 
Pickard  took  the  oath  of  allegiance;  Nicholas  acknowledged  himself  a  British 
emissary,  and  was  sent  to  Philadelphia  mider  guard.  The  Committee  then 
adjourned  to  meet  at  Laughlin  McCartney's  in  Northiunberland  on  the  10th 
of  June,  but  no  record  of  its  subsequent  proceedings  has  been  presen'ed. 

The  local  militia  was  organized  in  iour  battaHons  and  officered  as  fol- 
lows:— 

First  Battalion. — Colonel,  Samuel  Hunter;  lieutenant  colonel,  William 
Cooke;  majors:  Casper  Weitzel.  John  Lee. 

First  Company. — Captain,  Nicholas  Miller;  first  lieutenant,  Christopher 
Gettig;  second  lieutenant,  Nehemiah  Breese;  ensigns:  Gusta\Tis  Ross,  Will- 
iam Sims. 

Second  Company. — Captain.  Hugh  White;  first  lieutenant,  John  Forster; 
second  lieutenant,  Andrew  Gibson;  ensign,  Samuel  Young. 

Third  Company. — Captain,  John  McMahan;  first  lieutenant,  John  Mur- 
ray; second  lieutenant,  William  Fisher;  ensign,  William  Bailey. 

Fourth  Company. — Captain.  Charles  Gillespie;  first  lieutenant,  Robert 
King;  second  lieutenant,  Samuel  Fulton;  ensigns:  William  Boyd,  John  Wood- 
side. 

Fifth  Company. — Captain.  WiUiam  ScuU;  first  lieutenant,  Jonathan 
Lodge;  second  lieutenant,  George  Calhoon;  ensigns:  William  Sawyer,  George 
Grant. 

Sixth  Company. — Cajitain.  William  Clark;  first  lieutenant,  John  Teitson; 
second  lieutenant,  WiUiam  McDonald;  ensign,  John  Moll. 

Seventh  Company. — Captain.  John  Simpson;  first  lieutenant,  Robert 
Curry;  second  lieutenant,  John  Ewart:  ensigns:  Thomas  Gaskins,  Da\-id  Mead. 

Eighth  Company. — Captain.  Robert  Crawford;  first  lieutenant»,  James 
McClure;  second  lieutenant,  George  Espy;  ensign,  Joseph  Salmon. 

The  field  officers  and  all  the  company  officers  except  those  of  the  Seventh 
and  Eighth  were  returned  on  the  Sth  of  February,  1776;  the  officers  of  the 
Seventh  company  were  returned  on  the  2.jth  of  March  and  those  of  the 
Eighth  on  the  l!^th  of  June. 

Second  Battalion. — Colonel.  James  Potter;  lieutenant  colonel,  Robert 
Moodie;  majors:  John  Kelly,  John  Brady. 

First  Company. — Captain,  Arthur  Taggart;  first  lieutenant,  Cornelius 
Atkinson;  second  lieutenant,  James  McClung;  ensign,  James  Wilson. 

Second  Company. — Captain.  William  Gray;  first  lieutenant,  William 
Clark;  second  lieutenant,  James  Murdock;  ensign,  William  Thompson. 

Third  Company. — Transferred  to  the  Third  battalion,'  in  which  it  became 
the  Seventh. 

Fourth  Company. — Captain,  Samuel  Dale;  first  lieutenant,  William 
Bennet;  second  lieutenant,  Hawkins  Boone;  ensign,  Jesse  Weeks. 


THE   EEVOLUTIOXARY    PERIOD.  117 

Fifth  Company. — Captain.  Cookson  Long;  first  lieutenant.  William  Mc- 
Elhatton;  second  lieutenant.  Eobert   Fleming;  ensign,  Robert  Fleming.  Jr. 

Sixth  Comi-iany. — Transferred  to  the  Third  battalion,  in  which  it  became 
the  Second. 

Seventh  Company. — Captain,  James  Murray;  lirst  lieutenant.  "William 
Murray;  second  lieutenant.  Thomas  Plunket;  ensign.  Andrew  Robinson. 
Probably  transferred  to  the  Third  battalion. 

Eighth  Comjaany. — Transferred  to  the  Third  battalion,  in  which  it  became 
the  First. 

Ninth  Company. — Captain.  John  McMillen;  tirst  lieutenant,  John  Mc- 
Comiell;  second  lieutenant,  John  McCormick:  ensign.  Charles  Wilson. 

Tenth  Company. — Captain.  David  Hays;  tirst  lieutenant,  Charles  Clark; 
ensign,  Thomas  Gray. 

Eleventh  Company. — Captain.  Phihp  Davis:  tirst  lieutenant,  James  Espy; 
second  lieutenant,  John  Nelson:  ensign,  Jacob  Follmer. 

All  the  otKcers  of  this  battahon  were  returned  on  the  24th  of  Januarv', 
ITTG. 

Third  Battalion. — Colonel.  William  Plunket:  lieutenant  colonel,  James 
Murray;  majors:  John  Brady,  Cookson  Long. 

First  Company. — Captain.  Henrj- Antes;  first  lieutenant.  Thomas  Brandon; 
second  lietttenant,  Alexander  Hamilton;  ensigns:  John  Morrison,  James 
Alexander. 

Second  Company. — Captain.  Samuel  Wallis;  first  lieutenant.  John  Scud- 
der;  second  lieutenant,  Peter  Jones:  ensign,  James  Hampton. 

Third  Company. — Captain,  John  Robb;  first  lieutenant,  William  Watson; 
second  lieutenant,  Robert  Nelson:  ensign,  James  White. 

Fourth  Company. — Captain.  William  McElhatton;  first  lieutenant,  An- 
drew Boggs:  second  lieutenant,  Thomas  Nelson;  ensign,  John  McCormick. 

Fifth  Company. — Captain.  William  Murray;  first  lieutenant,  Richard 
Irwin:  second  lieittenant,  Thomas  Phuiket;  ensigns:  Andrew  Robinson. 
Benjamin  Jordan. 

Sixth  Company. — Captain.  Simon  Cole;  first  lieutenant.  Thomas  Kemp- 
len:  second  lieutenant,  James  Brandon;  ensigns:  William  King.  James 
Hughes. 

Seventh  Company. — Captain.  David  Berry;  first  lieiitenant,  Williatn 
Hammond;  second  lieutenant.  Joseph  Boiiser;  ensign,  Israel  Pershel. 

All  the  officers  of  this  battalion  were  returned  on  the  13th  of  March, 
1770. 

Fourth  Battalion. — Colonel.  Phihp  Cole:  lieutenant  colonel,  Thomas 
Sutherland;  first  major,  Thomas  Foster;  second  major,  Casper  Yost;  adjutant, 
James  McCoy;  standard  bearer.  Dewalt  Miller. 

First  Company. — Captain.  John  Clark;  first  lieutenant,  Henrv-  Pontius; 
second  lieutenant,  James  Moore:  ensign,  Patrick  Watson. 


118  HISTORY    OF    NOETHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

Second  Company. — Captain,  Michael  Weaver. 

Third  Comi^any. — Captain,  Jacob  Links. 

Fourth  Company. — Captain,  William  Weirick;  tirst  lieutenant.  Jacob 
Sherred;  second  lieutenant,  William  Gill;  ensign,  Nathaniel  Moon. 

Fifth  Company. — Captain,  George  Wolf;  first  lieutenant,  George  Conrad; 
second  lieutenant,  Michael  W^ildgoose;  ensign,  John  Hessler. 

Sixth  Company. — Captain,  George  Overmeier;  first  lieutenant.  James 
McKehy;  second  lieutenant,  Peter  Weirick;  ensign,  Michael  Snyder. 

The  local  militia  was  first  engaged  in  active  service  in  the  winter  of  1770 
-77.  On  the  5th  of  December  the  Supreme  Executive  Council  appointed 
Kobert  Martin  "  paymaster  to  the  Northumberland  county  militia,  now  going 
into  service;"  on  the  Sth  of  January  he  was  superseded  by  Alexander  Hun- 
ter, ■■  paymaster  to  the  militia  of  Northumberland  county,  enrolled  to  serve 
to  the  loth  of  March  next."  One  detachment  marched  to  Reading  imder 
Colonel  Cole,  of  the  Fourth  battalion,  and  another  to  Philadelphia  imder 
Lieutenant  Colonel  Murray,  of  the  Third.  Among  the  companies  in 
Colonel  Murray's  command  were  Captains  Benjamin  Weiser's  and  John 
Lee's;  the  latter  was  composed  of  volunteers  from  the  First  battalion  (Colonel 
Hunter's),  who  organized  by  electing  the  following  ofMcers:  Cap'tain,  John 
Lee;  first  lieutenant,  Hugh  White;  second  lieutenant,  Thomas  Gaskins,  and 
ensign,  Gusta\'us  Eoss.  They  marched  on  the  24th  of  December,  1776,  and 
arrived  at  Philadelphia  prior  to  the  11th  of  January.  Captain  Weiser's 
company  was  at  Philadelphia  on  the  3()th  of  Januaiy.  Colonel  Murray 
joined  the  army  in  New  Jersey. 

On  the  21st  of  March,  1777,  Samuel  Himter*  was  appointed  county  lieu- 
tenant; in  this  capacity  he  assumed  the  general  direction  of  the  militia, 
which  was  divided  into  classes  for  convenience  of  management.  The  first 
requisition  of  troops  that  he  received  was  as  follows: — 

Philadelphia.  June  14,  1777. 
Sir:  By  intelligence  this  moment  received  from  Generals  Sullivan  and  Arnold 
we  are  informed  that  the  enemj-  are  rapidly  advancing  through  the  Jerseys  and  had 
arrived  at  Rocky  run,  within  four  miles  of  Princeton.  We  do  therefore  entreat  you,  by 
all  the  ties  of  virtue,  honor,  and  love  for  your  country,  to  call  together  immediately  all 
the  militia  of  your  county  you  can  possibly  spare  and  hasten  their  march  to  this  citj' 
with  the  utmost  expedition.  We  are,  in  the  greatest  haste.  Sir, 
Your  most  humble  servants, 

Thomas  Mifflix, 
John  Aumstrdnc, 

J.\MES  PoTTEH. 

♦Colonel  Hunter's  official  correspondence  is  piiMislied  in  the  Pennsylvania  Archives,  as  follows: 
177G— Vol.  V.  p.  KZ;  1777— \'ol.  V.  pp.  370-371,  377-378,  414,  610-811,  G15,  717-718,  737-7.38,  7G2;  Vol.  VI.  p. 
57 ;  1778- Vol.  VI.  pp.  175-176,  191-192.  392,  478,  499-500,  536-537,  552-55,3,  503-565,  570-572,  S73,  599,  615,  624, 
€31-632,6.36-637,711,773;  Vol.  VII.  pp.  116-113;  1779— Vol.  VII.  pp.  267-268,  316-318,  34C-347,  373,  438, 
455,  510-512,  ,546-547,  574,  .5.S9,  594,  615,  619-620,  680;  Vol.  VIII.  pp.  29-30;  1780— Vol.  YUl.  pp.  88-90,  157, 
166-168,  173,  189-190,205-206,369-370,39.3-394,567-568,601;  17S1— Vol.  VIII.  p.  717;  1782— Vol.  IX.  pp.  503- 
504.  528-,5.'9,  &-)7-65S.  Original  copies  of  many  of  Colonel  Hunter's  letteis  are  now  In  the  possession 
of  Captain  .lolin  Buyers,  of  Sellnsgrove,  Pennsylvania. 


THE    REVOLUTIONAEY    PERIOD. 


119 


Colonel  Hunter  received  this  on  the  17th  instant,  and  jircparations  were  at 
once  made  to  march  the  first  and  second  classes  on  the  23d  or  24:th.  On  the 
16th  Council  directed  that  the  first  class  only  should  be  called  out,  which  was 
accordingly  done.  An  order  countermanding  the  latter  was  issued  on  the 
I'Jth:  it  did  not  reach  Colonel  Hunter  imtil  the  29th,  and  before  the  militia 
could  be  stopped  one  company  had  proceeded  more  than  sixty  miles  and  two 
others  about  thirty. 

The  next  requisition  was  received  by  Colonel  Hunter  on  the  lOth  of  8ep- 
teinl)er,  1777.  and  in  compliance  therewith  he  at  once  ordered  the  first  class 
of  the  militia  to  march.  A  requisition  for  the  second  class  was  issued  on  the 
12th  instant  and  for  the  third  and  fourth  classes  on  the  23d  of  October.  The 
latter  reached  Colonel  Hunter  on  the  31st  instant,  but,  owing  to  the  difficulty 
of  procuring  arms  and  blankets,  the  classes  designated  did  not  march  until 
November  11th.  They  were  commanded  by  Colonel  James  Murray,  whose 
regiment  was  attached  to  General  James  Potter's  brigade  and  suffered  some 
loss  at  the  Girelph  mills,  near  Philadelphia,  December  11th. 

The  following  '"  Return  of  the  Second  battalion  of  Xortluimberland 
county  militia,  conmianded  by  Colonel  James  Mvirray,  May  1,  1778,"  on  file  in 
the  office  of  the  Secretary  of  the  Commonwealth,  shows  its  numerical  strength 
at  that  date: — 


COMPANIES.                                                    1 

1       - 

c 

1 

i  i  1 
1    i^  1 

■X.             -^          ■       r- 

Captain  Thomas  Gasldns's  Company 

Captain  Jolin  Wilson-s  Company . .'. 

Captain  Davhl  Hays's  Cnmpany 

Captain  Arthur  Ta- nart'-  (  i>nipany 

Captain  James  M.Mahau^  Company 

Captain  Robert  liryncM-'>  (  ompany 

Captain  John  Chattam's  Company. ." 

Captain  John  Clingman's  Company 

1 

\ 

.")8         01 
.5 '2         GO 

.58        m 
4t)         .-57 
8.")     '     43 
41         40 
0.5         73 

Total 

1 

470 

I  do  certify  the  above  return  to  be  ju.st  and  true  as  delivered  me  by  the  above 
captains.  Sami-el  Hl->-tek, 

Lientennnt. 

The  fifth  class  was  ordered  out  on  the  5th  of  January,  1778;  the  requisi- 
tion reached  Colonel  Hunter  on  the  13th,  and  on  the  following  day  he  wrote 
the  president  of  Council  expressing  his  extreme  reluctance  to  comply  with 
its  terms,  as  organized  frontier  defense  had  become  imperatively  necessary. 
The  order  was  accordingly  rescinded. 

The  hostile  attitude  of  the  Indians  became  a  source  of  grave  apprehension 
about  this  time.  In  a  letter  dated  July  21t,  1776.  John  Harris  stated,  upon 
the  authority  of  two  men  from  Sunburv.  that   two  Senecas   had  come  to  the 


120  HISTORY    OF   NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

Great  Island  in  the  West  Branch  three  weeks  previouslj-;  on  the  day  after 
their  arrival  the  Indians  in  that  neighborhood  cut  down  their  com  and 
removed  their  families,  evidently  with  the  intention  of  joining  the  Canada 
tribes  in  alliance  with  the  English.  Although  the  danger  of  invasion  was 
represented  to  the  State  authorities  by  the  coimty  Committee  no  defensive 
measures  were  taken  until  the  autiunn  of  1777.  when,  a  report  having  been 
circulated  that  two  hiuidred  Indians  were  on  the  West  Branch  forty  miles 
above  the  Great  Island,  Colonel  Cookson  Long  set  out  on  the  6th  of  Septem- 
ber with  a  jiarty  of  men  to  ascertain  whether  their  intentions  were  hostile 
or  friendly.  Colonel  Hunter  wrote  on  the  27th  of  October  that  more  than 
five  himdred  people  had  collected  at  Lycoming.  Antes's  mill,  and  the  mouth 
of  Bald  Eagle  creek,  in  anticipation  of  an  attack.  Fifty  men  were  stationed 
on  the  frontier  at  that  time,  under  the  command  of  Colonel  John  Kelly;  after 
serving  two  months  they  were  relieved  by  a  detachment  from  Colonel  Cook- 
son  Long's  battalion,  three  classes  of  which  were  ordered  out.  On  the  2Sth 
of  March,  1778,  Colonel  Hunter  wrote  that  the  fifth  class  was  on  the  frontier 
under  Lieutenant  Colonel  HeniT  Antes;  at  that  time  two  rifles  and  sixty 
muskets  constituted  the  public  arms.  In  May  he  ordered  the  seventh  class 
of  Colonel  John  Kelly's  battalion  to  relieve  the  sixth  in  Penn's  valley,  and 
the  sixth  and  seventh  classes  of  Colonel  Cookson  Long's  battalion  to  scout 
along  the  frontiers.  Great  diiiiculty  was  experienced  in  procuring  provisions ; 
the  price  of  bacon  was  four  shilhngs  six  pence  per  2iound  and  of  flour  three 
pounds  ten  shillings  per  hundred- weight.  Xot  more  than  half  the  militia 
was  armed;  the  powder  was  very  inferior  in  quality,  and  no  flints  could  be 
bought.  A  consignment  of  seventy  guns,  thirty-one  rifles,  sixty-nine  mus- 
kets, and  a  quantity  of  powder,  lead,  and  flints  was  ordered  sent  to  Colonel 
Hunter  by  the  Supreme  Executive  Council  on  the  ISth  of  May. 

Notwithstanding  these  defensive  measures,  Indian  outrages  became 
alarmingly  frequent.  On  the  14th  of  Januarv',  177S,  Colonel  Hunter  re- 
ported two  men  killed  at  Pine  creek  on  the  23d  ultimo;  May  14th,  one  man 
killed  at  Bald  Eagle  on  the  8th  instant  and  another  in  Penn's  valley;  May 
26th,  three  men  killed  at  Bald  Eagle  on  the  16th,  three  persons  taken  prison- 
ers at  Pine  creek  on  the  18th  and  nine  at  Lycoming  on  the  20th,  and  sixteen 
persons  killed  or  taken  prisoners  at  Loyalsock  on  the  24th.  On  the  17th  of 
May  Colonel  Potter  reported  twenty  persons  killed  on  the  North  Branch. 
"  The  back  inhabitants  have  all  evacuated  their  habitations  and  assembled  in 
different  places,"  wrote  Colonel  Hunter  on  the  31st  of  May;  "  all  above 
Muncy  to  Lycoming  are  come  to  Samuel  Walhs's  and  the  people  of  Mimcy 
have  gathered  to  Captain  Brady's;  all  above  Lycoming  are  at  Antes's  mill 
and  the  mouth  of  Bald  Eagle  creek;  all  the  inhabitants  of  Penn's  valley 
are  gathered  to  one  place  in  Potter's  township;  the  inhabitants  of  White 
Deer  township  are  assembled  at  three  different  places,  and  the  back  settlers 
of  Buffalo  are  come  down  to  the  river;  all  from  Mimcy  hill  to  Chillisquaque 


THE    RETOLUTIONART    PERIOD.  121 

have  assembled  at  three  different  places;  Fishing  creek  and  Mahoning  settle- 
ments have  all  come  to  the  river  side."  Eight  persons  were  killed  between 
Loyalsock  and  Lycoming  on  the  l("h:h  of  June,  and  Indians  were  encountered 
below  Muncy  hill  a  week  or  two  later.  On  the  3d  of  July  occurred  the 
massacre  of  Wyoming,  the  intelligence  of  which  produced  a  general  panic 
among  the  inhabitants  of  Xorthumberland  county  and  precipitated  the 
'•  Great  Kunaway."  The  flight  of  the  settlers  on  the  West  Branch  was  thus 
described  by  Robert  Crownover.  the  well  known  scout: — 

I  took  my  own  family  safely  to  Sunbury  and  came  back  in  a  keel-boat  to  secure  my 
furniture.  .Just  as  I  rounded  a  point  above  Derrstown,  now  Lewisburg,  I  met  the  whole 
convo}-  from  all  the  forts  above.  Such  a  sight  I  never  saw  in  my  life.  Boats,  canoes, 
hog-troughs,  rafts  hastily  made  of  dry  sticks,  every  sort  of  floating  article,  had  been  put 
in  requisition,  and  were  crowded  with  women,  children,  and  plunder.  There  were 
several  himdred  people  in  all.  AVhenever  any  obstruction  occurred  at  any  shoal  or 
ripple,  the  women  would  leap  out  into  the  water  and  put  their  shoulders  to  the  boat  or 
raft  and  launch  it  again  into  deep  water.  The  men  of  the  settlement  came  down  in 
single  file  on  each  side  of  the  river  to  guard  the  women  and  children.  The  whole  con- 
voy arrived  safely  at  Sunbury,  leanng  the  entire  range  of  farms  along  the  "West  Branch 
to  the  ravages  of  the  Indians. 

The  state  of  affairs  was  graphically  described  by  William  ^Maclay*  in  a 
letter  to  Council,  dated  Paxtang.  July  12,  1778,  of  which  the  following  is  an 
extract: — 

I  left  Sunbury  and  almost  my  whule  property  on  Wednesday  last  [July  8th].  I 
will  not  trouble  you  with  a  recital  of  the  inconveniences  I  suffered  while  I  brought  my 
family  by  water  to  this  place.  I  never  in  my  life  saw  such  scenes  of  distress.  The 
river  and  the  roads  leading  down  it  were  covered  with  men,  women,  and  children,  flying 
for  their  lives,  many  without  any  property  at  all,  and  none  who  had  not  left  the  greatest 
part  behind;  in  short,  Northumberland  countv  is  broken  up.  Colonel  Hunter  only  re- 
mained, using  his  utmost  endeavors  to  rally  some  of  the  inhabitants  and  make  a  stand, 
however  short,  against  the  enemy.  I  left  him  with  very  few — I  can  not  speak  with 
certainty  as  to  numbers — but  am  confident  when  I  left  him  he  had  not  one  hundred 
men  on  whom  he  could  depend.  Wyoming  is  totally  abandoned;  scarce  a  single  family 
remained  between  that  place  and  Simbun,"  when  I  came  away.  The  panic  and  spirit 
of  flight  have  reached  even  to  this  place:  many  have  moved  even  out  of  this  township, 
and  almost  every  one  is  thinking  of  some  place  of  greater  security.  You  will  scarce 
be  able  to  give  me  credit  when  I  inform  j-ou  that  if  the  same  body  which  defeated 
Colonel  Butler  at  Wyoming  should  follow  up  the  blow,  they  may  without  difficulty 
penetrate  to  Carlisle. . .  .For  God's  sake,  for  the  sake  of  the  country,  let  Colonel  Hunter 
be  re-enforced  at  Sunbury;  send  him  but  a  single  company  if  you  can  not  do  more. 
Mrs.  Hunter  came  down  with  me:  as  he  is  now  disincumbered  of  his  family,  I  am  con- 
vinced he  will  do  everj-thing  that  can  be  expected  from  a  brave  and  determined  man. 
I  must  mention  to  you  with  freedom  an  opinion  that  has  prevailed  and  done  great  hurt 
on  the  frontiers,  viz.,  that  no  men  or  relief  would  be  offered  them.  The  miserable  ex- 
ample of  the  Wyoming  people,  who  have  come  down  absolutely  naked  among  us,  has 
operated  strongly,  and  the  cry  has  been.  '•  Let  us  move  while  we  may,  and  let  us  carry 

'■William  Maclay's  corresiiondence  relating  to  affairs  in  Nortluiniberland  covintj-is  pulilislied  in 
the  Fennsylvania  Archives,  as  follows:  1TT«— Vol.  VI.  pp.  KM-635;  1770— Vol.  VII.  pp.  3o7,  5Si;-.W7, 
593,  507-JOS,  623-624;  1730-Vol.  VIII.  pp.  150,  172-173. 


122  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

some  of  our  effects  along  with  us."     It  was  to  no  purpose  that  Colonel  Hunter  issued 
orders  for  assembling  the  militia,  and  the  whole  county  broke  loose. 

At  ten  o'clock  on  the  12th  of  July  Colonel  Matthew  Smith*  wrote  as  fol- 
lows from  Paxtahg:  "I  am  this  moment  arrived  at  Mr.  Harris's  ferry,  and 
just  now  behold  the  greatest  scenes  of  distress  I  ever  saw.  The  numerous 
poor  ran  away  from  their  habitations  and  left  their  all ...  .  Northumberland 
coimty  is  evacuated."  "  This  day,"  wrote  Peter  De  Haven  from  Hummelstown 
July  r2th,  "there  were  twenty  or  thirty  families  passed  through  this  town, 
some  from  Buffalo  valley  and  some  from  Sunbury  and  some  families  from 
this  side  of  Peter's  moimtain.  Wyoming  is  taken,  and  most  of  our  people 
have  left  Sunbuiy  and  are  coming  down;  these  people  inform  us  that  there 
are  two  himdred  wagons  on  the  road."  On  the  lith  of  July  Colonel  Bertram 
Galbraith,  lieutenant  of  Lancaster  coimty,  informed  the  vice-president  of 
Coimcil  that  '"  On  Simday  morning  last  the  banks  of  the  Susquehanna  from 
Middletown  up  to  the  Blue  moimtain  were  entirely  clad  with  the  inhabit- 
ants of  Northumberland  coimty  who  had  moved  off,  as  well  as  many  in  the 
river  in  boats,  canoes,  rafts,  etc."  Captain  Abraham  Scott,  who  had  been  up 
at  Garver's  mill  for  his  sister,  the  wife  of  Colonel  Himter,  also  informed  him 
that  the  inhabitants  of  Wiconisco  valley  were  preparing  for  flight.* 

On  the  9th  of  July  Colonel  Hunter  addressed  a  letter  to  the  officers  of 
the  Berks  county  militia;  there  was  then  every  reason  to  anticipate  that 
Sunbury  and  Northumberland  would  be  the  frontier  in  less  than  twenty- 
four  hours,  but  a  few  of  the  inhabitants  had  determined  to  make  a  stand 
and  re-enforcements  were  urgently  solicited.  On  the  12th  he  sent  a  com- 
munication to  Council,  in  which  the  following  passages  occur; — 

The  calamities  so  long  dreaded,  and  which  you  have  been  more  than  once 
informed  must  fall  upon  this  county  if  not  assisted  by  Continental  troops  or  the  militia 
of  the  neighboring  counties,  now  appear  with  all  the  horrors  attendant  on  an  Indian 
war;  at  this  date  the  towns  of  Sunbury  and  Northumberland  are  the  frontiers,  where  a 
few  virtuous  inhabitants  and  fugitives  seem  determined  to  stand,  though  doubtful 
whether  to-morrow's  sun  will  rise  on  them  freemen,  captives,  or  in  eternity.  Yet, 
relying  on  that  Being  who  never  forsakes  the  virtuous, and  the  timely  assistance  of  the 
government  which  they  have  with  zeal  and  vigor  endeavored  to  support,  they  say  they 
will  remain  as  long  as  they  can  without  incurring  the  censure  of  suicide.  The  carnage 
at  Wyoming,  the  devastations  and  murders  upon  the  West  Branch  of  Susquehanna,  on 
Bald  Eagle  creek,  and,  in  short,  throughout  the  whole  county  to  within  a  few  miles  of 
these  towns  (the  recital  of  which  must  be  shocking),  I  suppose  must  before  now  have 
reached  j'our  ears.  If  not,  you  may  figure  yourselves  men,  women,  and  children, 
butchered  and  scalped,  many  of  them  after  being  promised  quarter,  and  some  scalped 
alive,  of  which  we  have  miserable  instances  amongst  us;  people  in  crowds  driven 
from  their  farms  and  habitations,  many  of  whom  have  not  money  enough  to  purchase 

*Colonel  Smith's  correspondence  relating  to  affairs  in  Nortlmmljerland  county  Is  imblished  In 
the  Pennsylvania  Archives,  as  follows:  177S— Vol.  VI.  pp.  G;!-J-ca3;  1779— Vol.  VII.  pp.  GOG,  G09-G1I,  G14; 
Vol.  VIII.  p.  23;  1780— Vol.  VIII.  pp.  240,  417-419,51.3,  G91-692. 

•The  letters  quoted  are  published  In  Vol.  VI.  of  the  Pennsylvania  Archives— Colonel  Smith's,  p. 
C32;  De  Haven's,  p.  633;  Galbraith 's,  p.  642. 


THE    REVOLUTIONARY    PERIOD.  123 

one  clay's  provisious  for  their  families,  which  must  aud  already  has  obliged  many  of 
them  to  plunder  and  laj-  waste  the  farms  as  they  pass  along.  These  calamities  must, 
if  not  speedilj-  remedied  by  a  reinforcement  of  men  from  below,  inevitablj*  ruin  the 
frontier  and  incumber  the  interior  counties  with  such  numbers  of  indigent  fugitives 
unable  to  support  themselves  as  will  like  locusts  devour  all  before  them.  If  we  are 
assisted  to  stand  and  save  our  crops,  we  will  have  enough  for  ourselves  and  to  spare; 
you  need  be  under  no  apprehension  of  any  troops  you  send  here  suffering  for  want  of 
provisions  if  thej'  come  in  time,  before  the  few  who  yet  remain  are  obliged  to  give 
wa}-;  with  men  it  will  be  necessary-  to  send  urms  aud  ammunition,  as  we  are  ill  pro- 
vided with  them.  Gentlemen,  you  must  all  know  that  this  county  cannot  be  strong  in 
men  after  the  numbers  it  has  furnished  to  serve  the  United  States.  Their  applications 
to  us  for  men  were  always  complied  with  to  the  utmost  of  our  abilities  aud  with  the 
greatest  alacrity;  should  our  supplications  now  be  rejected  I  think  the  survivors  of  us, 
if  an}-,  may  safelv  say  that  virtue  is  ufit  rewarded. 

The  defense  of  the  frontier  having  been  considered  by  Congress  and  the 
State  authorities,  it  was  decided  that  the  detachment  of  Colonel  Hartley's 
regiment  then  at  Philadelphia  shoiUd  march  to  Sunbury;  three  hundred  militia 
from  Northumberland  coiinty,  four  himdred  from  Lancaster,  and  one  hun- 
dred fifty  from  Berks  were  also  ordered  to  that  point,  July  14,  1778.  Colonel 
Daniel  Brodhead's  regiment,  then  on  the  march  to  Pittsburgh,  had  been 
directed  to  take  position  at  Standing  Stone  (Huntingdon),  but  when  General 
Laclilan  Mcintosh,  who  commanded  in  that  department,  heard  of  the  state  of 
affairs  on  the  northern  frontier,  he  ordered  it  to  proceed  up  the  Suscjuehanna, 
a  movement  that  received  the  hearty  ajii^roval  of  the  Board  of  War  and 
Sujareme  Executive  Council.  On  the  '24th  of  -July  Colonel  Brodhead  wrote* 
that,  having  arrived  at  Simbury  too  late  to  be  of  service  to  the  inhabitants 
there,  he  had  determined  to  fix  iipon  two  principal  posts  and  maintain  a  line  of 
scouts  Jpetween  them;  accordingly,  a  major,  two  captains,  one  subaltern,  and 
eighty  men  were  stationed  at  Brier  creek  on  the  Xorth  Branch  and  one  hun- 
dred twenty  men  imder  his  personal  command  at  Muncy,  while  a  captain 
and  twenty-five  men  were  detached  to  General  James  Potter's  in  Penn's 
valley.  General  Potter  reported  that  the  arrival  of  this  force  had  done 
much  to  restore  confidence;  the  '"Runaway''  had  entailed  a  loss  of  forty 
thousand  pounds,  but  the  peojile  were  returning  to  reap  their  harvests  and 
further  waste  would  thus  be  prevented.  He  expressed  his  intention  of 
directing  the  movements  of  the  militia;  this  had  been  agreed  upon  by 
Generals  Armstrong  and  Mcintosh  with  the  acquiescence  of  Colonel  Brod- 
head, as  General  John  Lacey,  whom  Council  had  designated  for  that  service, 
was  not  regarded  as  eligible.  It  appears,  however,  that  the  militia  which 
first  arrived  at  Simbury  was  commanded  by  General  John  P.  De  Haas,  who 
had  offered  on  "the  13th  of  July  to  lead  a  body  of  volunteers  against  the 
Indians;  Council  accepted  his  services,  and  in  the  organization  of  defensive 
measures  he  rendered  valuable  assistance. 

*Peimsylvani;i  Archives,  Vol.  VI.  pp.  COO-Wl. 


124  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND   COUNTY. 

Colonel  Haiiley*  arrived  at  Siinbury  with  a  detachment  of  his  reo-iment  in 
the  last  week  of  Jiily,  1778,  and  in  the  early  part  of  August  Colonel  Brod- 
head's  command  withdrew  to  Carlisle  en  route  to  Pittsburgh.  Two  hundred 
militia  had  collected  at  Simbuiy,  and  parties  had  been  sent  to  various  points 
by  General  De  Haas.  Four  fifths  of  the  inhabitants  had  fled;  many  were 
retiirning,  and  for  their  protection  Colonel  Hartley  deemed  it  necessarv  to 
establish  a  line  of  posts  between  Fishing  creek  and  the  Great  Island.  He  sent 
a  detachment  to  garrison  Fort  Jenkins,  at  Brier  creek  on  the  North  Branch, 
the  erection  of  which  had  been  begun  by  Brodhead"s  troops;  another  was 
stationed  at  Bossley's  mills,  in  the  forks  of  Chillisquaque,  and  a  third  at 
Muncy,  on  the  West  Branch.  At  the  latter  point,  which  he  visited  in  per- 
son, accompanied  by  General  De  Haas,  the  erection  of  a  fort  was  undertaken. 
William  Maclay's  residence  at  Sunbury  was  converted  into  a  magcizine  and 
fortified  by  a  stockade  in  the  rear.  The  forces  in  Xorthiunberland  county,  as 
summarized  by  Colonel  Hunter  on  the  2()th  of  August,  numbered  sis  hun- 
dred fifty  men,  of  whom  one  hundred  were  Continental  troops  in  Colonel 
Hartley's  regiment :  four  hundred  ninety  were  mihtia — two  hundred  twenty 
from  Lancaster  county,  one  hundred  seventy  from  Berks,  and  one  hundred 
from  Northumberland;  and  sixty  were  volunteers  in  Captain  Murray's  com- 
pany. Pursuant  to  a  resolution  of  Congress  of  Jime  S,  177S,  and  Council's 
instructions  of  the  10th,  this  company  was  recruited  for  six  months  imder 
the  direction  of  Colonel  Hunter,  by  whom  the  following  officers  were  ap- 
pointed: Captain,  James  Murray;  captain  lieutenant,  Robert  Arthur;  second 
lieutenant,  Samuel  Fulton;  third  lieutenant,  William  Eeed;  ensign,  Andrew 
Donaldson. 

Colonel  Hartley's  expedition  against  the  Inthan  towns  on  the  North 
Branch  was  the  first  offensive  movement  of  importance  on  the  northern 
frontier.  On  the  21st  of  September  he  left  Mimcy  with  two  hvmdred  men; 
the  route  selected  was  the  Sheshequin  path,  and  the  march  was  rendered  ex- 
tremely arduous  by  streams,  swamps,  and  mountains.  On  the  2nth  the  ad- 
vance guard  of  nineteen  men  encountered  an  equal  niunber  of  Indians,  who 
fled  with  the  loss  of  their  chief.  Tioga,  the  town  of  Queen  Esther,  was 
burned.  Crossing  the  North  Branch  on  the  2Sth.  the  expedition  proceeded 
to  Wyalusing,  where  the  retreat  was  resumed  on  the  following  day.  Seventy 
of  the  men  descended  the  river  in  canoes;  the  main  body  marched  in  three 
divisions,  of  which  Captain  Murray's  was  the  third,  while  five  runners  under 
Captain  Kemplen  formed  part  of  the  rear  guard.  The  Indians  made  an 
attack  on  the  afternoon  of  the  29th;  Captains  Boone  and  Brady  and  Lieu- 
tenant King  landed  from  the  canoes  with  a  few  brave  fellows  at  a  critical 
moment,   and  the   enemv,   after  a  brief  resistance,  fled  with   a  loss  of  ten 


*Colonel  Hartley's  correspondence  relating  to  affairs  in  Xnrtluiniberland  county  Is  pii 
the  Pennsylvania  Archives,  as  follows:17r8— Vol.  VI.  pp.  G74.ft>8-««i.  u;k)h»4,  703,  729 ;  Vol.  \1 
10,  31-Sl!,  80-87,  87-88,  77G. 


THE    REVOLUTIONARY    PERIOD.  125 

killed.  The  expedition  arrived  at  Sunbury  on  the  5th  of  October,  after 
making  a  circuit  of  three  hundred  miles,  having  defeated  the  enemy  when- 
ever encoimtered,  destroyed  all  their  towns  between  Wyoming  and  Tioga, 
and  recovered  about  fifty  cattle,  twenty-eight  canoes,  and  much  other  prop- 
erty of  value. 

On  the  9th  of  November  Colonel  Hartley  wrote  that  the  enemy  had  de- 
stroyed the  settlements  on  the  North  Branch  above  Nescopeck.  and  was  only 
deterred  from  advancing  farther  by  the  garrison  at  Fort  Jenkins;  seventy 
Indians  were  also  advancing  toward  the  forks  of  Chillisquaque,  and  he  was 
collecting  a  force  to  attack  them.  Orders  were  issued  for  the  inhabitants  to 
assemble,  to  which  they  responded  with  alacrity.  On  the  14th  he  was  at 
Fort  Jenkins,  whence,  on  the  following  day.  his  force  advanced  toward 
Wyoming;  the  enemy  was  compelled  to  abandon  a  number  of  cattle  taken 
above  Nescopec,  and  lied  with  the  utmost  precipitation.  He  was  again  at 
Sunbury  on  the  20th,  but  shortly  afterward  took  his  departure,  leaving  a 
detachment  from  his  regiment  in  garrison  at  Fort  Muncy  and  others  at 
different  points.  The  Berks  and  Lancaster  militia  had  returned  at  the 
expiration  of  the  period  for  which  they  were  called  out,  and  thus  the  protec- 
tion of  the  frontier  devolved  entirely  upon  the  exertions  of  its  inhabitants 
and  a  few  companies  of  Continental  troops.  It  does  not  appear,  however, 
that  any  incursions  of  importance  occurred  during  the  winter  of  1778-71.1. 

In  March,  1779,  General  Edward  Hand*  was  ordered  to  the  frontier  of 
Northampton  and  Northumberland  counties  with  a  detachment  of  Continental 
trooi^s.  '•  As  the  principal  object  of  my  command  lies  above  Wyoming."  he 
wrote  President  Reed  on  the  16th  of  April.  "  I  am  apprehensive  that  I  can't 
pay  much  attention  to  Sunbur}-  or  the  contiguous  settlements,"  and  in  pur- 
suance of  this  declaration  he  devoted  his  first  efforts  to  the  strengthening  of 
the  post  at  Wyoming.  Three  companies  of  forty  men  each  were  raised  in 
Northumberland  county  and  employed  in  scouting  duty,  but  with  sttch  inad- 
equate i^rotection  its  territory  again  became  an  inviting  field  for  Indian  in- 
cursions. On  the  25th  of  April  an  attack  was  made  itpon  the  settlement  near 
Fort  Jenkins  and  several  families  were  taken  prisoners;  the  garrison  effected 
their  rescue,  but  was  driven  to  the  fort  with  some  loss.  On  the  20th  thirteen 
men  were  fired  upon  five  miles  from  Fort  Muncy,  and  all  but  one  were  killed 
or  captured.  On  the  same  day  thirty  or  forty  Indians  attacked  a  small  party 
of  militia  near  Fort  Freeland;  among  those  killed  on  this  occasion  was 
Michael  Lepley,  whose  widow  applied  for  a  pension  in  1786.  The  following 
certificate  appears  in  the  minutes  of  the  orphans"  court  of  Northumberland 
county  as  part  of  the  evidence  in  her  case: — 

I,  the  siibscriber,  do  hereby  certify  that  on  the  iOth  of  April,  1T79.  I  was  stationed 
at  Freeland's  fort  with  a  party  of  militia  whom  I  had  the  honor  to  have  the  command 

♦General  Hantl's  correspondence  relating  to  aftan-s  in  Xorthiuul)erland  county  is  publislied  in  tlie 
Pennsylvania  Archives,  as  follows :    1779— Vol.  VII.  pii.  321,  JH.  W<. 


126  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

of,  and,  at  the  request  of  Mr.  McKnight*,  I  ordered  a  guard  of  six  meu  to  go  with  :Mc- 
Knight  to  his  plantation,  as  they  were  but  a  small  distance  from  Freeland's  fort.  The 
party  was  attacked  by  a  number  of  Indians,  and  ^Michael  Lepley,  one  of  my  soldiers, 
was  killed  and  scalped.     Witness  my  hand  this  27th  day  of  .June,  1786. 

.Jacoi!  Spees, 

JJmteniint. 

The  depredations  continued.  "Almost  every  hour  for  three  days  past," 
wrote  "William  Maclay  on  the  27th  of  April,  "  we  have  fresh  alarms  of  the 
enemy.  ^Massacres  and  depredations  have  been  committed  at  Wyoming,  Fort 
Jenkins,  Fishing  creek,  Freeland's  mill,  Fort  Mnncy,  and  Loyalsock,  almost 
at  one  and  the  same  time.  We  expect  every  moment  to  hear  of  their  nearer 
approach.  The  whole  force  of  the  Six  Nations  seems  to  be  poured  down 
upon  us."  He  thought  that  a  single  troop  of  light  horse,  attended  by  blood- 
hounds, would  destroy  more  Indians  than  five  thousand  troops  stationed  in 
forts  along  the  frontier.  While  it  does  not  appear  that  Council  adopted  this 
suggestion.  General  Hand  was  at  length  brought  to  realize  that  Northumber- 
land coimty  had  some  claim  upon  his  protection,  and  on  the  loth  of  May  he 
reported  a  garrison  of  one  hundred  men  at  Fort  Jenkins,  one  himdred  at 
Fort  Mimcy,  and  seventy  at  Sunbiiry,  all  Continental  troops  from  the  Elev- 
enth Pennsylvania  regiment  (formerly  Colonel  Hartley's). while  a  local  company 
of  nine-months  men  imder  Captain  John  Kemplen  was  stationed  at  Bossley's 
mills  and  detachments  of  militia  at  Fort  Freeland  and  other  minor  posts. 
During  the  months  of  May  and  June  the  coimty  enjoyed  almost  entire  im- 
munity from  Indian  ravages,  the  prelude,  unfortimately,  to  the  most  serious 
reverses  experienced  within  her  present  limits  during  the  Kevolr  tionary 
period. 

In  the  latter  part  of  June  the  Eleventh  regiment  was  ordered  to  Wyom- 
ing for  service  in  Sullivan's  expedition,  for  which  the  supjilies  were  trans- 
ported principally  up  the  Susquehanna  by  boat,  and  in  this  work  nearly  all 
the  able-bodied  men  in  the  county  engaged.  On  the  26th  of  June  Colonel  Him- 
ter  wrote  that,  exclusive  of  the  militia  at  Fort  Freeland  and  at  General  Potter's 
(in  Penn's  township),  he  had  been  able  to  collect  only  thirty  men,  who  were 
stationed  at  Sunbury  to  guard  the  stores.  Tlie  tenn  for  which  the  two- 
months  companies  enlisted  had  expired,  thus  leaving  him  with  the  entire 
frontier  to  defend  and  practically  no  forces  at  his  command.  The  enemy 
was  not  slow  to  take  advantage  of  the  sitiiation.  Their  movements  were  thus 
summarized  by  Colonel  Hunter  on  the  23d  of  July:  "  Immediately  after  the 
evacuation  of  Fort  Muncy  the  Indians  began  their  cruel  murders  again;  the 
8d  instant  they  killed  three  men  and  took  two  prisoners  at  Lycoming;  the 
(Sth  instant  they  burned  the  Widow  Smith's  mill  and  killed  one  man;  17th 
instant  they  killed  two  men  and  took  three  pri.soners  from   Fort  Brady;  the 

•James  McKnight,  member  of  Assemlily  from  tliis  coimty  at  that  time,  (.'olonel  Hunter  states 
tliat  he  was  taken  prisoner;  in  Gift's  narrative  (Linn's  Annais  of  BnlTalo  Valley,  p.  iTOi  he  is  repre- 
sented as  ha\inL'  been  killed. 


'a^^to^  1/  a^i 


/. 


THE    EEVOLUTIONARY    PERIOD.  129 

same  clay  they  burned  Starrefs  mill  and  all  the  principal  hoiises  in  Mnncy 
township;  the  20th  instant  they  killed  three  men  at  Freeland's  fort  and  took 
two  prisoners."  "  Stripped  of  the  whole  of  the  standing  army,"  wrote  "Will- 
iam Maclay  July  26th,  '"  and  without  a  single  man  save  the  militia  of  the 
county  and  fourteen  men  under  the  command  of  a  Captain  Kemplen,  and 
almost  every  young  man  on  the  frontier  engaged  in  the  boat  service,  they  suf- 
fer more  than  ever  from  the  savage  depredations  of  a  horrid  enemy.  Every- 
thing above  Muncy  Hill  is  abandoned;  a  large  body  of  above  forty  savages 
had  penetrated  as  far  as  Freeland's  mills.  .  .  .  I  have  spoken  to  Colonel  Hunter 
for  a  guard  for  the  magazine,  but  in  vain;  he  is  not  able  to  protect  the  tlying 
inhabitants.  The  stores  at  Sunbury  are  deposited  in  my  late  dwelling  house,, 
which  is  large  and  conveniently  situated,  both  for  defense  and  the  reception 
and  delivery  of  stores.  The  back  part  of  it  was  stockaded  last  year  by 
Colonel  Hartley;  a  small  expense  would  complete  the  stockade  and  mount  a 
few  swivels,  several  of  which  lie  there  dismounted ....  I  have  had  the  charge 
of  the  magazine  at  Sunbury  for  some  time  past." 

The  party  that  devastated  Muncy  and  appeared  at  Fort  Freeland  July  20th 
was  somewhat  in  advance  of  the  main  body  of  the  enemy,  which  was  com- 
posed of  one  hundred  British  rangers  under  Captain  John  McDonald  and 
two  hundred  Indians  iinder  Hiokoto,  a  Seneca  chief.  Their  approach  was 
reconnoitered  by  Robert  Crownover,  and  upon  receiving  his  intelligence  the 
people  at  Fort  Muncy  at  once  evacuated  that  post.  In  their  journey  down 
the  "West  Branch  they  were  joined  by  the  families  at  Fort  Meminger,  near 
the  mouth  of  Warrior  run,  bixt,  although  warned  of  the  impending  danger, 
the  people  at  Fort  Boone  and  Fort  Freeland  preferred  to  remain.  The  former 
was  a  small  stockade  at  the  mouth  of  Muddy  run,  constracted  under  the 
supervision  of  Captain  Hawkins  Boone;  Mrs.  Mary  V.  Derickson  gives  the 
following  account  of  Fort  Freeland  in  a  letter  dated  Delaware  Rim,  December 
17,  185o:— 

The  fort  was  situated  on  the  "Warrior  run  about  four  and  one  half  miles  above 
where  it  empties  into  the  Susquehanna  river. 

In  the  year  1772  Jacob  Freeland,  Samuel  Gould.  Peter  Vincent,  John  Vincent  and 
his  son  Cornelius  Vincent,  and  Timothy  "Williams,  with  their  respective  families,  cut 
their  way  through  and  settled  within  some  two  miles  of  where  the  fort  was  after- 
ward built.  They  were  from  Essex  county,  Xew  Jersey.  Jacob  Freeland  brought  the 
irons  for  a  grist  mill,  and  in  the  years  1773  and  1774  he  built  one  on  the  Warrior  run- 
There  were  several  more  families  moved  up  from  the  same  place,  and  they  lived 
on  friendly  terms  with  the  Indians  until  1777,  when  they  began  to  be  troublesome  and 
to  remove  their  own  families.  In  the  summer  of  1778  they  had  to  leave  the  country, 
and  when  thej-  returned  in  the  fall  they  picketed  around  a  large  two-story  log  house 
which  had  been  built  by  Jacob  Freeland  for  his  family,  inclosing  half  an  acre  of 
ground.  The  timbers  were  set  close  and  were  about  twelve  feet  high;  the  gate  was 
fastened  with  bars  inside.  Into  this  fort  or  house  the  families  of  Jacob  Freeland,  Sr., 
Jacob  Freeland,  Jr.,  John  Lrtle,  Michael  Freeland,  John  Vincent,  Peter  Vincent, 
George  Pack,  Cornelius  Vincent,  Moses  Kirk,  James  Durham,  Samuel  Gould,  Isaac 


130  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

Viucent,  :ind  Daniel  Vincent  all  gathered  and  lived  that  winter.  In  November,  George 
Pack,  son  of  George  Pack,  was  born,  and  on  the  10th  of  Febniarj',  1779,  I  was  born, 
lly  father  was  Cornelius  Vincent;  and  on  the  20th  of  May,  George,  son  of  Isaac  Vin- 
cent, was  born. 

In  the  fall  of  1778,  as  a  company  of  the  settlers  was  lea\ing  the  country  on  account 
of  the  Indians,  they  were  flred  at,  and  Mrs.  Durham's  infant  was  killed  in  her  arms; 
she  fell  with  it,  and  they  came  and  tomahawked  and  scalped  her,  and  when  the  men 
went  to  count  the  dead,  she  raised  up  and  asked  for  a  drink  of  water.  Ellas  Williams, 
one  of  the  men,  ran  to  the  river  and  brought  his  hat  full  of  water  and  gave  her  a  drink; 
they  then  put  her  in  a  canoe  and  took  her  to  Northiimberland,  where  Doctor  Plunket 
dressed  her  head;  she  recovered  and  lived  about  fifty  years.  Her  body  was  afterward 
laid  in  Warrior  Run  burying  ground,  about  a  half-mile  off  where  the  fort  stood. 

In  the  spring  of  1779  the  men  planted  corn  but  were  occasionally  surprised  by  the 
Indians,  but  nothing  serious  occurred  until  the  21st  day  of 'July;  as  some  of  them  were 
at  work  in  a  cornfield  back  of  the  fort  they  were  attacked  by  a  party  of  Indians  about 
nine  o'clock  a.  m.,  and  Isaac  Viucent,  Elias  Freeland,  and  Jacob  Freeland,  Jr.,  were 
killed,  and  Benjamin  Vincent  and  Michael  Freeland  were  taken  prisoners.  Daniel 
Vincent  was  chased  bj-  them,  but  he  out-ran  them,  and  escaped  by  leaping  a  very  high 
log  fence.  When  the  Indians  surprised  them,  Benjamin  Vincent  (then  ten  years  of 
age)  hid  himself  in  a  furrow,  but  he  thought  he  would  be  more  secure  by  climbing  a 
tree,  as  there  was  a  woods  near,  but  they  saw  him  and  took  him  prisoner;  he  was 
ignorant  of  the  fate  of  the  others  until  about  two  o'clock  p.  jr.,  when  an  Indian  thrust 
a  bloody  scalp  in  his  face,  and  he  knew  it  was  his  (and  my)  brother  Isaac's  hair. 

At  this  point  it  is  proper  to  mention  the  death  of  James  Watt,  to  which 
Mrs.  Derickson  does  not  refer.  The  deijosition  of  his  widow,  Mrs.  Ann  Watt, 
entered  in  the  minutes  of  the  orphans'  court  of  Northumberland  county  at 
October  term,  1790,  states,  that  he  ''was  stationed  at  Freeland's  fort  in  the 
county  aforesaid  and  did  actual  duty  as  a  sergeant  in  Cajatain  Taggart's 
company  in  the  battalion  of  Colonel  James  Murray,  having  served  under  the 
commands  of  Captain  Taggart,  Lieutenant  Atkinson,  Ensign  Freeland,  and 
Adjutant  Lytlo  (the  latter  being  commander  at  the  time  of  the  death  of  the 
said  James),  each  in  succession  of  the  said  Fort  Freeland;  that  on  the  morn- 
ing of  the  28th  day  of  July,  A.  D.  1779,  the  said  James  Watt  was  set  ujjon 
by  the  Indians  at  enmity  with  this  Commonwealth,  about  one  hundred  yards 
from  the  said  fort,  and  was  then  and  there  tomahawked  and  put  to  death." 
It  is  worthy  of  remark  that  the  name  of  Lieutenant  Spees  is  not  given  among 
the  successive  commanders  of  the  fort;  possibly  he  preceded  those  men- 
tioned 

The  remainder  of  Mrs.  Derickson's  narrative  is  as  follows: — 

Nothing  again  occurred  until  the  morning  of  the  29th;  about  daybreak,  as  Jacob 
Freeland,  Sr.,  was  going  out  of  the  gate,  he  was  shot,  and  fell  inside  of  the  gate.  The 
fort  was  surrounded  by  about  three  hundred  British  and  Indians,  commanded  by  Caj)- 
tain  McDonald;  there  were  but  twenty-one  men  in  the  fort,  and  but  little  ammunition; 
]Mary  Kirk  and  Phebe  Vincent  commenced  immediately  and  ran  all  their  spoons  and 
plates  into  bullets;  about  nine  o'clock  there  was  a  flag  of  truce  raised,  and  John  Lrtle 
and  John  Vincent  went  out  to  capitulate,  but  could  not  agree.  They  had  half  an  hour 
given  them  to  consult  with  those  inside;  at  length  they  agreed  that  all  who  were  able 
to  bear  arms  should  go  as  prisoners,  and  the  old  men  and  women  and  children  set  free, 


THE    EEVOLUTIONAEY    PERIOD.  131 

and  the  fort  given  up  to  phuider;  they  all  left  the  fort  by  twelve  o'clock  sr.,  not  one  of 
them  ha\lng  eaten  a  bite  that  day,  and  not  a  child  was  heard  to  cry  or  ask  for  bread 
that  da\'.  They  reached  Northnniberland,  eighteen  miles  distant,  that  night,  and  there 
drew  their  rations,  the  tirst  they  had  to  eat  that  day. 

When  ifrs.  Kirk  heard  the  terms  on  which  they  were  set  free  she  put  female's 
clothes  on  her  son  William,  a  lad  of  sixteen,  and  he  escaped  with  the  "women. 

!Mrs.  Elizabeth  Vincent  was  a  cripple;  she  could  not  walk.  Her  husband,  .John 
Vincent,  went  to  Captain  McDonald  and  told  him  of  her  situation,  and  said  if  he  had 
the  horse  that  the  Indians  had  taken  from  his  son  Peter  the  week  before  that  she  could 
ride,  and  about  daylight  the  next  morning  the  horse  came  to  them;  he  had  carried  his 
•wife  to  the  lower  end  of  the  meadow  where  they  lay  and  saw  the  fort  burned,  and  it 
rained  so  hard  that  night  that  she  lay  mid-side  in  water:  when  the  horse  came  he 
stripped  the  bark  off  a  hickory  tree  and  plaited  a  halter,  set  his  wife  on,  and  led  it  to 
Northumberland,  where  there  were  wagons  pressed  to  take  them  on  down  the  country.* 

The  follo-n-ing  copy  of  the  articles  of  capitulation  was  transmitted  to 
President  Eeed  by  Colonel  Matthew  Smith: — 

Artidt-^ofCpi-tuliittan  entered  into  httireen  Cuptnin  John  McDouoId  o),  his  Moj,:t<t ;/'.■< 
part  nnd  John  Lytle  on  that  of  the  Congress. 

Article  1st. — The  men  in  garrison  to  march  out  and  ground 'their  arms  on  the  green 
in  front  of  the  fort,  which  is  to  be  taken  possession  of  immediately  by  his  Majesty's 
troops. — Agreed  to. 

2d. — All  men  bearing  arms  are  to  surrender  themselves  prisoners  of  war  and  to  be 
sent  to  Niagara. — Agreed  to. 

3d. — The  women  and  children  not  to  be  stripped  of  their  clothing  nor  molested  by 
the  Indians,  and  to  be  at  liberty  to  move  down  the  country  where  they  please. — Agreed 
to. 

Joiix  McDonald, 

Captain  of  Bankers. 
John  Lytle. 

The  first  intelligence  of  the  attack  was  received  at  Snnbitry  at  twelve 
o'clock  on  the  2Sth  day  of  July,  when  an  exj^ress  arrived  from  Boone's  mill 
with  the  information  that  the  fort  was  surrounded  by  a  party  of  Indians.  A 
party  at  once  marched  from  Sunbury  and  Northumberland  to  the  relief  of 
the  garrison  at  Boone's.  At  Colonel  Hunter's  rec^itest  Dr.  Francis  Allison 
wrote  Colonel  Elder  "that  Freeland's  fort,  the  most  advanced  fort  on  the 
frontiers  of  the  West  Branch,  had  on  Wednesday  last  [July  '21st]  three  of 
the  garrison  killed  and  scalped  (one  only  shot)  within  sixty  yards  of  the 
fort,  and  two  made  prisoners;  their  ntimber  of  Indians  appeared  to  be  up- 
wards of  thirty  in  the  open  view  of  the  garrison.  Belief  was  sent  imme- 
diately from  Boone's  fort  and  the  two  towns,  and  additional  force  was 
left  behind  to  their  assistance,"  notwithstanding  which  an  attack  was  made 
on  the  morning  of  July  28th,  of  which  intelligence  was  received  by  express 
from  Major  Smith  and  Captain  Nelson.  The  following  extracts  from  letters 
written  at  Sunbury  on  the  2Uth  of  July  convey  a  graphic  idea  of  the  situa- 
tion:— 

*  Pennsylvania  Areliives,  Vol.  XII.  pp.  3W-3(;B.— It  Is  to  be  observed  tluit  Mrs.  Deiicksun  says  the 
first  attack  occurred  July  21st— Colonel  Hunter,  .Iiily  2«th;  she  also  says  the  capitulation  occuired 
July  29tli.  while  contemporary  writers  mtliout  exceptinn  give  July  iSth  as  the  date,  and  the  latter  is 
uniloulitedly  correct. 


132  HISTOBY  OF  NOKTHUMBEBLAND  COUNTY. 

Yesterday  morning  early  there  was  a  party  of  Indians  and  regular  troops  attacked 
Fort  Freeland;  the  firing  was  heard  at  Boone's  place,  when  a  party  of  thirty  men 
turned  out  from  that  under  the  command  of  Captain  Boone,  but  before  he  arrived  at 
Fort  Freeland  the  garrison  had  surrendered  and  the  British  troops  and  savages  were 
paraded  around  the  prisoners,  and  the  fort  and  houses  adjacent  set  on  tire.  Cap- 
tain Boone  and  his  party  flred  briskly  on  the  enemy,  but  were  soon  surrounded  by  a 
large  party  of  Indians:  there  were  thirteen  killed  of  our  people  and  Captain  Boone 
himself  among  the  slain. — C'olvnd  Hunter  to  William  Madny. 

Yesterday  morning  Freeland's  fort  was  attacked  by  not  less  than  three  hundred 
British  troops  and  Indians;  they  acted  on  the  defensive  as  long  as  they  could  well,  but 
found  it  impracticable  to  hold  out  any  longer  after  the  enemy  had  sent  in  three  flags 
desiring  them  to   surrender,  the  last  mentioning  if   they   did  not   they  would  put 

them  to  the  sword,  every  one The   whole   killed  in  the   fort  was  four  men. 

Captain  Boone,  who  went  out  for  their  relief,  fell  in  with  the  enemy;  Captain  Kem- 
plen,  who  observed  the  lirst  Indian  on  guard,  shot  him  dead  on  the  spot;  then  a  party 
rallied  out  of  the  mill  and  defeated  Boone's  company — killed  Boone,  Captain  Dougherty, 

Captain  Hamilton; Only  thirteen  escaped.     Northumberland  is  now  the 

frontier. — J<ihn  Buyers  to  William  Mnday. 

We  have  received  particular  instructions  from  Fort  Freeland  by  women  who  have 
been  in  the  fort.     They  say  the  garrison  surrendered  after  making  a  noble  but  short 

resistance,  and  after  being  thrice  summoned Of  the  garrison  four  were  killed, 

and  thirteen  scalps  were  brought  into  the  fort  in  a  pocket  handkerchief,  among  whom 
were  Captain  Boone's  and  Captain  Dougherty's,  supposed  to  belong  to  the  party  from 
Boone's  fort  which  attacked  the  British,  Indians,  etc.,  and  even  got  in  among  the  people 
who  were  prisoners  with  them,  but  were  obliged  to  fly  on  account  of  superioritv  of 
numbers.  Thirteen  or  fourteen  of  the  party  have  come  in;  they  and  the  women  of 
Fort  Freeland  estimate  the  number  of  the  enemy  at  between  three  and  four  hundred, 
one  third  of  whom  are  regular  troops.  Boone's  fort  is  evacuated,  and  Xorthumber- 
land-Towii  is  already  the  frontier.— !);•.  Francis  Allison  to  Colonel  Joshua  Ehhr. 

On  the  2cl  of  August  a  party  from  Buffalo  valley  under  Colonel  John 
Kelly  buried  the  dead  and  prepared  a  list  of  their  names;  they  gave  it  to 
Colonel  Matthew  Smith,  by  whom  it  was  transmitted  to  Council.  Of  the 
garrison,  James  Watt,  John  McClintock,  William  McClung,  James  ililes,  and 
Henry  Giltillan  were  killed;  of  Captain  Boone's  party,  Hawkins  Boone, 
Samuel  Dougherty,  Jeremiah  McLaughlin.  Natt'e  Smith,  John  Jones.  Ed- 
ward Costigan,  Ezra  Green,  Samuel  Neill,  Matthew  McClintock,  Hugh 
McGill,  and  Andrew  Woods.  Of  the  garrison,  the  following  were  taken 
prisoners:*  Captain's  company — John  Neely,  sergeant,  George  Bailey,  George 
Armitage,  Aaron  Martin,  Thomas  Smith,  Isaac  Wilson,  and  John  Forney; 
"  of  the  militia  that  enrolled  themselves  for  the  defense  of  the  garrison  " — 
John  Lytle,  adjutant,  Cornelitis  Vincent,  qtiartermaster,  Samuel  Goidd.  ser- 
geant, Henry  Townley,  Peter  Williams,  Isaac  Williams,  Elias  Williams, 
Henry  Giltillan,  James  Durham,  Daniel  Vincent,  John  Watt,  William  Miles, 
John  Dough,  Thomas  Taggart,  Francis  Watt,  and  Peter  Vincent;  the  two 
la.st  named  made  their  escape  on  the  same  day.  All  the  women  and  chil- 
dren in  the  fort,  fifty-two  in  number,  according  to  Colonel  Matthew  Smith, 

•Linn's  Annals  of  Buffalo  Valley,  p.  179. 


THE    EEVOLUTIONARY    PERIOD.  133 

arrived  safely  at  Sunbnry.  Foiir  old  men  were  also  permitted  to  return,  as 
the  enemy  did  not  think  them  strong  enough  to  march  to  Niagara. 

On  the  2Sth  of  July  Colonel  Hunter  dispatched  letters  to  General  Sulli- 
van, whose  army  was  yet  at  Wyoming,  and  Colonel  Joshua  Elder,  of  Pax- 
tang,  sub-lieutenant  of  Lancaster  county,  urgently  soliciting  assistance.  The 
former  declined  to  comply  with  the  request,  as  his  entire  force  was  deemed 
necessary  for  the  success  of  the  expedition,  but  the  appeal  to  the  latter  was 
not  made  in  vain.  On  the  31st  of  July  the  inhabitants  of  Pastang  to-miship 
held  a  meeting  at  which  Colonel  Elder,  Colonel  Matthew  Smith,  and  William 
Maclay  presented  the  situation  in  Northumberland  county:  an  appeal  was 
made  for  volunteers  and  eight  o'clock  Sunday  morning  fixed  upon  as  the 
time  to  march.  Colonel  Smith  arrived  at  Sunbury  on  Monday  evening. 
August  2d,  with  sixty  Paxtang  boys;  "Provisions  are  scarce,  but  we  intend 
to  follow  the  savages,"  he  wrote  on  the  3d:  '"we  hope  to  come  at  them,  as 
the  number  of  cattle  is  great  they  have  taken  from  the  countr.-.  and  must 
make  a  slow  progress  on  their  return  home ....  The  distress  of  the  people 
here  is  great;  you  may  have  some  conception,  but  scarcely  can  be  told.  The 
town  now  composes  Northumberland  comity.  The  enemy  have  biurnt  every- 
where they  have  been;  houses,  barns,  rice  and  wheat  in  the  field,  stacks  of 
hay,  etc.  are  all  consruned.  Stich  devastation  I  have  not  yet  seen."  The 
Paxtang  boys  were  the  first  to  arrive;  every  hour  brought  fresh  accessions 
from  Lancaster  and  Cumberland  counties,  and  on  the  morning  of  Thursday, 
August  5th,  five  hundred  militia  marched  from  Sunbury  imder  Colonel 
Smith.  Their  immediate  destination  was  Muncy.  It  was  thought  that  the 
enemy  might  be  overtaken,  but  a  week  had  elapsed  since  their  departure  and 
it  is  not  probable  that  the  pursuit  was  long  continued.  After  about  two 
weeks  of  active  ser^-ice,  the  volunteers  disbanded. 

General  Sullivan  was  advancing  into  the  Indian  country,  and  for  a  time 
the  frontier  was  comparatively  undisturbed.  On  the  2Sth  of  August  Colonel 
Hunter  wrote  that  no  damage  had  been  sustained  since  the  fall  of  Freeland; 
below  Muncy  Hill  many  of  the  inhabitants  had  returned  to  their  farms; 
thirty-four  militia  from  Lancaster  county  had  arrived  at  Simbun,-,  and  he 
was  about  to  station  them  in  the  Warrior  run  neighborhood. 

The  disastrous  consequences  attending  the  withdrawal  of  the  Eleventh 
regiment  prompted  Council  to  make  an  ttrgent  application  for  Continental 
troops  to  protect  Northumberland  coimty,  in  compliance  with  which  the 
German  regiment,  which  had  been  stationed  at  Wyoming  since  its  return 
from  Sullivan's  expedition,  was  ordered  to  Sunbury.  This  regiment  num- 
bered one  hundred  twenty  effective  men,  exclusive  of  oificers.  and  was 
commanded  by  Lieutenant  Colonel  Ludwig  Weltner,  who  made  his  head- 
quarters at  Sunbury  and  retained  a  detachment  at  that  place  to  guard  the 
stores.  Twenty  men  were  stationed  at  Fort  Jenkins,  and  Captain  Kemplen's 
rangers,  a   local  company  of  fourteen  men,   at  Fort  Meminger.  seventeen 


134:  HISTORY   OF   NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

miles  from  Sunbuiy  on  the  West  Branch.  As  there  was  not  sufficient  force 
to  rebuild  and  garrison  Fort  3Iimcy,  it  became  necessary  to  select  some  other 
point  equally  well  adapted  for  the  protection  of  the  frontier  in  that  direction. 
"McClung's  place"  (presumably  the  improvements  of  a  settler  of  that  name 
near  the  West  Branch  alx)ve  ililton)  was  accordingly  chosen,  and  a  detach- 
ment of  the  German  regiment  took  position  there  on  the  5th  of  November. 
It  was  represented  that  fortifications  had  been  begun  at  that  point,  but  this 
proved  without  foundation,  and,  as  there  was  insufficient  shelter  and  no 
timber  convenient,  the  troops  removed  to  "a  j^lace  called  Montgomery's," 
where  barracks  and  other  necessary  defenses  were  erected.  This  post, 
variously  referred  to  as  Fort  Montgomery',  Fort  Kice,  and  Fort  Bunner,  was 
situated  in  the  extreme  southeastern  part  of  Lewis  township  at  a  large  spring 
on  a  tract  of  land  originally  warranted  under  the  name  of  Paradise,  which 
ultimately  gained  popular  currency  and  is  now  applied  to  a  large  part  of 
Turbut  and  Lewis  townships.  The  first  resident  owner  of  this  land  was 
John  Montgomery,  who  built  his  cabin  at  the  spring;  it  was  fortified  when 
the  Indian  troubles  began,  and  thus  acquired  the  name  of  Fort  Montgomery. 
On  the  morning  that  Fort  Freeland  was  invested,  retreat  having  become 
wiser  than  resistance  in  view  of  a  probable  attack  by  greatly  superior  num- 
bers, Montgomery  and  his  party  withdrew  in  safety  to  Sunbury.  There  is 
reason  to  suppose  that  Weltner"s  troops  found  his  improvements  available 
for  occupation,  and  that  the  additional  woi-ks  erected  rendered  this  a  place 
of  comparative  strength.  It  was  given  the  names  of  Fort  Rice  and  Fort 
Bunner  in  honor  of  Captains  Frederick  William  Rice  and  Jacob  Biinner,  of 
the  German  regiment,  who  had  command  of  the  garrison  at  various  times. 

During  the  ensuing  winter  the  regiment  appears  to  have  been  engaged 
principally  in  garrison  duty.  On  the  13th  of  December,  1779,  Colonel 
Weltner  wrote  that  the  detachments  at  Montgomery's  and  Jenkins's  had 
left  him  only  enough  at  Simlrary  "  to  mount  a  couj^le  of  sentries."  In  a 
letter  dated  April  9.  17^1 1.  he  stated  that  he  had  "manned  three  material 
outposts,"  Fort  Jenkins.  Fort  Montgomery,  and  Bossley's  mill,  in  addition 
to  which  a  post  on  the  West  Branch  near  Boone's  mill  was  reported  on  the 
8th  of  May.* 

On  the  7th  of  April  President  Reed  wrote  Colonel  Hunter  authorizing 
the  payment  of  fifteen  hundred  dollars  for  a  prisoner  and  one  thousand 
dollars  for  an  Indian  scalp;  this  furnished  incentive  for  the  organization  of 
volunteer  companies,  and  as  spring  opened  the  Continental  troops  also 
engaged  in  'reconnoitering  expeditions.  On  the  20th  of  June  Colonel  Welt- 
ner wrote  that  the  entire  frontier  from  the  North  to  the  West  Branch  had 

•It  does  not  appear  tliat  tlie  latter  was  sustained  any  lengtli  of  time;  tlie  foIIowinR  statements 
occur  in  a  "  Memnrial  of  Inlialiitants  on  tlie  West  Brancli  "  dated  June  20,  1780:  "Tlie  German  regi- 
ment, so  far  as  we  l<now,  consists  of  aljout  one  liundred  men,  and  are  posted  nearly  as  follows : 
thirty-three  at  Fort  .Jenluns,  thirty  at  Bossley's  mill,  twenty-four  at  Fort  Bunner,  and  tlie  residue  at 
headciuarters  In  Northumberland-Town."— Pcnn.t!/(i'nnia  Archivcx  (Semnd  Scrien),  Vol.  III.  p.  416. 


THE    KETOLUTIOXABY    PERIOD.  135 

beeu  traversed  to  a  distance  of  forty  miles  from  Northumberlaml.  and  an 
officer  -with  live  men  had  ascended  the  West  Branch  more  than  a  hundi-ed 
miles.     Regarding  his  o%vn  excursions   he   said:     "I   often   reconnoiter  my 

out})0bts: live  or  sis  gentlemen  in  tliis  town  and  two  of  my  officers  are 

commonly  my  escorts It   is  highly  discouraging  for  a  man   who  has 

always  been  generous  in  his  own  house,  and  now  when  he  serves  his  country 
with  eveiy  nerve  in  his  body,  must,  after  a  fatigue  of  two  or  three  days,  and 
those  gentlemen  who  suffered  the  same,  must  then  go  home  without  any 
refreshment  from  me,  as  this  place  has  not  afforded  a  drop  of  good  liquor 
since  the  beginning  of  March  last."  It  does  not  ajipear  that  his  command 
was  engaged  in  any  important  movements  during  the  summer,  and  in 
August.  ITSO.  it  was  withdra\vn. 

The  enemy  made  frecjuent  incursions  during  this  period.  On  the  2Tth 
of  November.  1779,  Colonel  Hunter  wrote  that  a  deep  snow  had  fallen, 
which  he  hoped  would  prevent  their  inroads  during  the  winter,  and  while 
this  seems  to  have  been  the  case,  William  Maclay  stated  in  a  letter  written 
on  the  2d  of  April,  17S0,  "They  are  with  irs  before  that  snow  is  cpiite  gone." 
The  coimty  was.  he  said,  a  '•  divided  quarter,"  in  which  "  Whig,  Tory, 
Yankee.  Pennamite,  Dutch,  Irish,  and  English  influence  "  were  strangely 
blendetl  On  the  31st  of  March  seven  or  eight  prisoners  were  taken  near 
Fort  Jenkins.  Three  Indians  attacked  the  house  of  a  widow  on  the  Sth  of 
April,  killed  two  of  her  children,  and  took  her  prisoner,  biit  she  escaped. 
On  the  13th.  although  three  parties  of  the  inhabitants  were  out  scouting  at 
the  time  and  a  detachment  of  militia  was  stationed  two  miles  away,  twenty 
Indians  killed  one  man  and  wounded  three  at  Peter  Swartz's  plantation  on 
the  West  Branch  twelve  miles  from  Sunbury.  Four  men  were  killed  at 
Grozong"s  mill  in  Buffalo  Valley  May  16th.  On  the  r2th  of  June  Emanuel 
Lewis,  second  lieutenant  in  Captain  Mull's  company  of  the  Third  battalion, 
was  killed  at  his  house  on  the  Reading  road  seven  miles  from  Sunbury.  and 
on  the  same  day  an  Indian  was  taken  prisoner  at  Thomas  Bowj-er's  on  the 
North  Branch  ten  miles  from  Northumberland.  In  the  same  vicinity  and 
about  the  same  time  Robert  Curry  was  killed  while  riding  horseback  and  his 
wife  taken  prisoner,  but  she  escaped.  Two  inroads  were  made  on  the  15th 
of  August,  in  one  of  which  the  Middle  creek  settlement,  eight  miles  from 
Sunbury,  was  attacked. 

After  the  withdrawal  of  the  German  regiment  Colonel  Hunter  ordered 
the  frontier  companies  of  militia  to  embody  and  kept  one  fourth  of  the  men 
constantly  recomioitering.  Fort  Jenkins,  Fort  Rice,  and  Fort  Swartz  were 
each  garrisoned  with  twenty  men:  Captain  McCay  took  position  in  Buffalo 
valley  with  thirty  volunteers  from  Cumberland  comity,  which  also  con- 
tributed two  companies  of  militia  numbering  seventy  or  eighty  men  who 
arrived  on  the  Wthof  September.  The  re-enforcement  was  timely.  A  large 
body  of  the  enemy  appeared  before  Fort  Rice  about  sundown  on  the  0th  of 


136  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBEBLAND    COUNTY. 

September,  killed  one  man,  and  wounded  another,  but  the  garrison  returned 
the  fii-e  with  such  spirit  that  they  withdrew  and  set  tire  to  a  number  of 
houses  and  grain  stacks  during  the  night.  The  militia  was  immediately 
ordered  out,  and  one  hundred  men  iinder  Colonel  John  Kelly  reached  the 
fort  on  the  following  day,  but,  having  been  informed  that  the  enemy  nmn- 
bered  two  hundred  fifty,  it  was  not  deemed  prudent  to  pursue.  Colonel 
Himter  at  once  ordered  the  evacuation  of  Fort  Jenkins  (which  was  subse- 
quently burned)  and  sent  an  express  to  Colonel  Purdy  on  the  Juniata,  who 
brought  one  hundred  ten  militia  and  eighty  volunteers.  General  James 
Potter  arrived  at  Sunbury  on  the  11th  of  September  and  took  command;  as 
the  local  militia  had  collected  and  the  number  of  the  enemy  was  found  to  be 
less  than  had  been  reported,  he  dismissed  the  volunteers;  on  the  r2th  he 
marched  with  one  himdred  seventy  men  to  Fort  Swartz  on  the  "West  Branch. 
Leaving  his  command  at  that  point  he  crossed  the  river  to  the  mouth  of 
White  Deer  creek,  where  Colonel  Kelly  was  encamj^ed  with  eighty  men. 
waiting  for  the  return  of  three  spies.  It  was  decided  to  join  forces  and 
advance  eastward  along  Muncy  Hill,  but,  as  the  spies  had  not  yet  returned 
•on  the  following  morning  and  their  continued  absence  strongly  indicated 
that  they  had  been  killed  or  captured,  it  was  deemed  advisable  to  pYoeeed  up 
the  West  Branch;  General  Potter  marched  on  the  east  side  and  Colonel 
Kelly  on  the  west  side.  At  Muncy  Hill  they  met  the  spies,  who  gave  posi- 
tive assurance  that  the  enemy  had  not  retreated  in  that  direction;  Colonel 
Kelly  thereiTpon  crossed  the  river  with  his  command  and  the  combined 
forces  set  out  for  Huntington  creek,  the  east  branch  of  Fishing  creek.  On 
the  night  of  the  13th,  an  express  having  arrived  with  intelligence  of  the 
enemy's  appearance  at  Middle  creek.  Colonels  Kelly  and  Purdy  returned 
with  one  hundred  fifty  men;  General  Potter  proceeded  with  the  remainder, 
numbering  one  hundred  ten,  but,  finding  it  impossible  to  overtake  the  attack- 
ing i:>arty,  he  returned  to  Sunbury  on  the  17th.  On  the  following  day  he 
transmitted  an  account  of  the  expedition  to  President  Reed,  with  the  request 
that  militia  might  be  sent  to  the  frontier;  the  letter  was  considered  by 
Council  on  the  29th  instant:  one  class  of  the  Lancaster  county  militia  was 
ordered  to  Northumberland,  where  it  remained  until  December. 

Larly  in  the  sjiring  of  1781  hostilities  were  again  reported.  On  the  12th 
of  April  General  Potter  wrote  that  five  distinct  attacks  had  been  made  since 
the  22d  of  March  (one  not  more  than  five  miles  from  Sunbury),  and  distress 
was  widely  prevalent  among  the  people;  Captain  Thomas  Robinson*  had 
enlisted  forty  men,  but  there  was  not  a  blanket  among  them.  On  the  15th 
of  Jtme  Captain  Robinson  reported  fifty-two  men  enlisted  for  the  war  and 
fourteen  for  seven  months;  Lieutenants  Peter  Grove  and  Samuel  McGrady 

*raptain  Kobluson's  correspondence  relating  to  affairs  in  N'ortliiimberland  county  diuiujj  tlie 
Kevoliitionary  period  is  publislieil  in  the  Pennsylvania  Arcliives,  as  follows :— 1781— Vol.  IX.  pp.  2O8-21W, 
237-:;3S,  .•i92;  1782— Vol.  IX.  p.  G59. 


THE    REVOLUTIONARY    PERIOD.  137 

were  also  recruiting.  The  former  had  seventeen  men  and  the  latter  twenty, 
all  for  seven  months.  Council  experienced  great  difficulty  in  furnishing  sup- 
plies, owing  to  the  straitened  condition  of  State  finances,  and  it  was  not  until 
the  1st  of  July  that  clothing  and  ammunition  were  forwarded  from  Philadel- 
phia. The  wagon  reached  Lancaster  on  the  '23d  instant  and  Captain  John 
Hambright  sent  it  to  Middletown  the  same  day  in  care  of  Cajitain  Abraham 
Scott;  the  receipt  of  its  contents  was  acknowledged  by  Captain  Kobinson  on 
the  8th  of  September.  Referring  to  the  Indians  in  a  letter  of  that  date  he 
said:  '"The  savages  have  been  a  long  time  quiet  this  summer.  They  have 
done  no  harm  in  this  county  since  I  have  been  alile  with  men  to  go  to  the 
woods  to  scout.  They  made  their  appearance  in  harvest  twice,  but  did  no 
hurt." 

Robinson's  company,  which  was  withdrawn  early  in  the  winter  of  17S1. 
was  again  stationed  on  the  frontier  in  IIS'2  and  rebuilt  Fort  Mimcy.  which 
proved  of  material  advantage  as  a  rendezvous  for  scouting  parties.  Notwith- 
standing this  the  Indians  succeeded  in  penetrating  to  the  interior  of  the 
county,  and  several  tragedies  were  reported  during  the  year.  Major  John 
Lee  and  family  were  killed  at  Winfield,  three  miles  above  Simbury,  in 
August;  on  the  14th  of  October  John  Martin  and  wife  were  killed  at  their 
house  on  Chillisquaque  near  Colonel  James  Murray's  and  three  persons  were 
taken  prisoners;  and  on  the  24th  of  the  same  month  Sergeant  Edward  Lee 
of  Captain  Robinson's  company  was  killed  two  miles  from  Fort  Rice  and 
Robert  Carothers  was  taken  prisoner.  Happily  for  the  distressed  frontier, 
the  independence  of  the  United  States  was  acknowledged  by  Great  Britain, 
November  30,  17S2,  and  on  the  20th  of  January,  17S3,  a  preliminary 
treaty  of  peace  was  signed.  Thus  assured  of  immunity  from  the  harassing 
experiences  of  the  j^receding  years  the  former  inhabitants  of  Northimiber- 
land  county  began  to  return,  and  the  arts  of  peaceful  industry  were  again 
resumed  after  the  long  interruption  of  the  Revolutionary  period. 

Colonel  Hunter  was  appointed  as  county  lieutenant,  March  21.  1777,  and 
reappointed  on  the  6th  of  April,  1780,  with  William  Murray.  Walter  Clark, 
and  John  Wolf  as  sub-lieutenants.  Thomas  Jordan  was  appointed  paymas- 
ter of  the  militia,  March  15,  1777,  and  William  Gray,  Jime  23.  17S1;  John 
Kelly  and  Thomas  Hewitt,  commissioners  to  seize  the  personal  effects  of  trai- 
tors, October  21,  1777;  James  McMahan,  wagonmaster,  January-  9,  1778; 
William  Gray  and  John  Lytle,  jjurchasers  of  provisions,  February-  20,  1778; 
John  Kelly  and  Thomas  Hewitt,  agents  for  forfeited  estates.  May  6.  1778; 
"William  Cooke,  assistant  forage  master,  April  5.  1780;  John  Weitzel,  issuing 
commissary,  July  7,  1780. 

The  following  statement,  showing  Colonel  Hunter's  receijits  and  disburse- 
ments for  the  support  of  the  militia  of  Northumberland  county  during  the 
Revolution,  has  been  transcribed  from  the  original,  now  in  the  possession  of 
Captain  John  Buyers,  of  Selinsgrove,  Pennsylvania.    An  asterisk  (*)  indi- 


138  HISTORY    OF   NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

cates  State  currency;  a  dagger  (t).  specie;  sums  to  which  no  distintniishino- 
mark  is  affixed  were  paid  in  Continental  money. 

State  of  the  Account.''  of  Simind  H"ntt,;  Lieutenant  of  Northumberland  County,  from 
March,  ITn,  to  March,  i7sJ. 

SamuHHunt.r.Dr.  t„  !^undrie,. 

.John  yv.  N"esbit,  Treasurer  Council  of  Safety:— 

Received  per  Colonel  William  Cooke  for  paying  the  militia  of  Xorth-       £       s.   d. 

umberland  County,  January  3.  1777 187  10     0 

Paid  Colonel  Philip  Cole  the  balance  of  his  account,  .January  9, 1777 . .         4.)     5     0 
Paid  Colonel  Murray  for  a  like  sum  he  paid  to  Colonel  Hunter,  .Janu- 
ary 13,  1777 05    2    C 

Council  of  Safety:— 

Received  per  George  Calhoon.  December  29,  1776 783  15     0 

David  Rittenhouse,  Treasurer: — 

Received  upon  an  order  of  Council  per  Francis  Allison,  .July  12,  1777       300     0     0 

Per  .Joseph  Green,  .January  1.  1778 1000     0     0 

Per  Thomas  Hewitt,  September  23.  1777 750     0     0 

Per  Matthias   Slough,  to  be  delivered  to  .John  Hambright  and  for- 
warded to  said  Hunter  for  purchasing  provisions,  January  21, 1778. .       937  10     0 

Per  Jacob  Reighard,  to  be  forwarded  as  above,  July  4,  1778 502  10    0 

By  order  of  Council,  April  14.  1779 1809     0     0 

Per  Joseph  Hart,  May  8,  1779 >3750    0    0 

Per  John  Hambright,  on  account,  for  raising  a  company  of  rangers, 

June  9,  1780 10000     0     0 

For  raising  a  company  of  rangers  for  defense  of  the  frontiers,  Feb- 
ruary, 1781 *100     0     0 

For  recruiting  Captain  Robinson's  ranging  company,  December  8, 

I'Sl ti-20     0     0 

John  Hambright:— 

Received  of  him,  which  had  teen  sent  from  the  treasury,  April  19, 

1"9 3750     0     0 

Matthew  Smith  :— 

Received  of  Daniel  Reese,  supposed  to  be  a  part  of  the  moneys  paid  to 

said  Smith  for  the  defense  of  the  frontiers,  June  8,  1779 1875     0     0 

George  AVolf,  sub-Lieutenant:— 

Received  of  him,  being  fines  collected,  :March  6, 1778,  £150  15s.;  Janu- 

_  ary  29,  1779,  £397  10s 548     5     0 

William  Murray,  sub-Lieutenant: — 

Received  of  him,  being  fines  collected,  April  15,  1778 302     0     0 

Militia  Fines: — 

Received  of  Robert  Martin,  fines  collected,  April  30,  1778 220  15     0 

Received  of  Jonathan  Lodge,  sheriff 80     0     0 

Received  the  fine  of  Charles  Gough 22  10     0 

Received  the  fine  of  John  Parker 20     0     0 

Received  of  Sheriff  Jjodge  Livingston's  fine,  April,  1779 50     0     0 

Received  of  Thomas  Hewitt  the  fines  of  James  McNeill  and  Thonuxs 

Barry 57     o     ,; 

Balance  due  to  Colonel  Ilimter 3830     0     9 

1246  18     8 

Total — Continental  money 31512     5     9 

State  currency *100     0     0 

Specie -f-306  18     8 


THE  REVOLUTIONARY  PERIOD.  139 

Suiidrus.  Dr.  tn  Samnd  Hunter. 

United  States: — 

For  the  foUnwing  sums  piiid  by  Colonel  Hunter  out  of  a  part  of  the 
SSo.OOO  borrowed  of  Congress.  December  20,  1776,  advanced  for  the 
militia  of  Northumberland  county  and  afterwards  credited  by  them 
at  settlement  with  the  United  States,  viz.:  Colonel  Philip  Cole, 
December  U,  1776,  £10S:  December  19th,  £76  10s.,  per  .John  M. 
Xesbit,  January  9,  1777,  £4o  5s.;  to  Captain  John  Lee,  December  13, 
1776,  £108.  December  19th.  £25,  December  20th,  £40  15s.,  Decem- 
ber 24th,  £34  10s.;  to  Colonel  Benjamin  Weiser,  December  22, 1776,  £  s.  d. 
£52  10s.;  Colonel  James  Potter,  £201 706     5     0 

Joseph  Green,  quartermaster,  for  provisions  furnished  the  militia  on 

their  march,  July  21,  1777 01  10     3 

Joseph  Green,  for  nine  days"  pay  as  quartermaster  to  Colonel  Kelly's 

battalion,  July  21,  1777 3     0     0 

Captain  John  Forster,  for  his  own  and  the  pa}-  of   his  company  of 

militia,  July  28, 1777 37     6     0 

Doctor  Bennett,  for  forage.  July  28,  1777 0  14     6 

Captain  Thomas  Gaskins,  for  his  own  and  the  pay  of  his  company  of 

militia,  July  8,  1777 22  19     0 

Colonel  Cookson  Long,  pay  of  Captain  Wilson  and  his  company,  July 
29,  1777 ." 45  '7     0 

George  Keiser,  wagon  hire  carrying  baggage,  July  30,  1777 0     0     0 

Dr.  Benjamin  Allison,  his  pay  as  surgeon  six  days,  August  1,  1777 ...  4100 

Lieutenant  Colonel  Hugh  'White,  of  militia,  six  days"  pay,  September 
27,  1777 4  10     0 

Colonel  John  Kelly,  six  days'  pay,  October  Id.  1777 5  12     6 

John    Buyers,   quartermaster,  for   provisiims    f\irnished    the  militia, 

October  3. 1777 10     0     0 

William  Bonham.  fnr  291  lb-,  of  beef  furnished  the  militia,  November 
4,  1777 14  11     0 

William  Bailey,  quartermaster,  in  ])art  of  his  account  of  provisions 
furnished.  November  10.  1777,  £60;  November  11th,  £45.. Ill     0     0 

Dr.  Benjamin  Allison,  surgeon  tirst  class  Colonel  Kelly "s  battalion,  two 

months'  pay,  November  18,  1777 41     5     0 

John  Ream,  for  64Jbs.  of  beef  for  the  militia,  December  11,  1777 3     4     0 

Captain  Thomas  Gaskins,  for  his  own  and  the  pay  of  his  company  of 
Northumberland  county  militia  from  September  14  to  November  8, 
1777;  [paid.]  .January  12,  1778 315  15     8 

Colonel  John  Kelly,  for  his  pay,  September  14  to  November  8,  1777; 
[paid,]  .January  10,  1778 .50  12     0 

Captain  Casper  Reed,  for  himself  and  company,  September  14  to  No- 
vember 8,  1777;  [paid,]  January  21,  1778 242     9     0 

Joseph  Green,  for  his  pay  as  quartermaster,  September  14  to  Novem- 
ber 8,  1777;  [paid,]  January  23,  1778 17     5     0 

Major  Jonas  Yocum,  his  pay  for  two  months,  February  17,  1778 37  10     0 

Captain  John  Mull,  for  military  services,  March  18,  1778 3     0     0 

John  !Mc!Mullin,  surgeon's  mate,  his  pay  from  September  14  to  No- 
vember 8,  1777 27     0     0 

Captain  Thomas  Wilscm.  f^r  his  own  and  the  pay  of  his  compunj-  for 
said  time.  April  13,  177-> 293  17     0 


140  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

Captain  John  C'hattam,  pay  of  a  party  after  disaSected  persons,  July        £      s    d 

I6-I™ 3    7    6 

Robert  Martin,  for  ferriage  of  the  militia,  January  25,  1770 11     8     9 

John  Weitzel,  for  services  as  commissary  of  stores  at  Sunbury,  May 

30,1778 : ■;         47  10     0 

William  Simms,  for  riding  express,  July  10,  1778,  £11  5s.;  April  25, 

1779,  £7 10s 18  15     q 

John  Eason,  for  pay  of  three  persons  employed  as  spies  between 

Northumberland-Town  and  Wyoming,  August  16,  1779 33  15    0 

John  >[c>[ahan,  for  pay  as  spy  between  Muncy  Hill  and  Lycoming, 

August  28,  1779 ".         45     0    0 

John  Eason,  for  reconnoitering  between  Muncy  Hill  and  Lycoming, 

August  28,  1779,  £45;  September  6th,  £26  5s 71     5     0 

William  King,  for  reconnoitering  between  Muncy  Hill  and  LjToming, 

September  6, 1779 30    0    0 

Thomas  Ferguson,  for  reconnoitering  between  Muncy  Hill  and  L3-- 

coming,  September  6,  1779 71     ,5     0 

John  Weitzel,  in  part  pay  as  superintendent  of  the  magazine  at  Sun- 

burj'.'October  14,  1779 285    0    0 

James  Murray,  for  services  reconnoitering,  October  19,  1779 185     0    0 

Dr.  Benjamin  Allison,  for  six  months'  pay  as  surgeon  from  April  1, 

1779;  [paid,]  October  23,  1779 302  10    0 

Walter  Clark,  for  services  of  three  men  as  spies,  November  25,  1779.  '     135     0    0 
Peter  Gabriel,   for   baking  three   hundred-weight    of    biscuit  for  a 

secret  expedition  against  the  Indians,  July  21,  1780 33  15     0 

John  Weitzel,  in  part  pay  as  superintendent,  September  11,  1780 187  10    0 

William  Campbell,  for  his  services  as  pilot  on  the  Indian  expedition, 

October  2, 1780 78  15     0 

James  Hepburn,   for   purchasing   provisions,  being  in  part   of    his 

accounts  settled,  and  the  balance  paid, "December  7,  1779 112  10    0 

Lieutenant  Jacob  Creamer,  of  the  Rangers: — 

Paid  him  for  the   recruiting  service  and  pay,  March  8,  1781 *18  15     0 

Colonel  James  Murray: — 

Paid  him  out  of  the  moneys  sent  by  the  Council  of  Safet}-,  December 

10,1776 " 201     0     0 

Paid  him  as  captain  for  recruiting  his  company,  July  14,  1778 90     0     0 

Paid  him  for  arms  furnished  his  company  of  six  months'  men.  May 

6,1779 ■.      1809     0     0 

Andrew  Culbertson : — 

Paid  him  for  the  use  of  purchasing  provisions,  October  9,  1777 81  15     0 

Major  Robert  Arthur: — 

Paiii  him  towards  the  pay  of  the  militia  on  their  march,  November 

11,  1''77 ^ 22  10     0 

Joseph  Green,  Quartermaster: — 

Paid  him  towards  providing  provisions  for  the  first  class  on  the  fron- 
tiers, .January  10,  1778 967     5     6 

Colonel  William  Cooke:— 

Paid  him  to  purchase  provisions  for  the  militia,  June  2,  1778 937  10     0 

Captain  Thomas  Kemplen : — 

Paid  him  for  recruiting  a  camp  of  rangers.  May  7,  1779,  £75:  May 

12th,  £4,50;  June  15tlC£339  7s.  6d 8G4     7     6 

Paid  him  for  the  pay  of  his  company,  August  13,  1779 82  10    0 


THE    REVOLUTIONARY    PERIOD.  HI 

Paid  him   for  John  C'arinady,  sergeant,  to  pay  for  making  shirts  for        £      s.  d. 
Captain  Kemplen's  company,  September  '^0,  1779 13  10    0 

Paid  himself,  October  8. 1779 Si  10    0 

Paid  him  for  Thomas  Moore  for  his  company,  November  19, 1779,  £225; 

May  3,  17S0,  £112  10s ." 337  10     0 

Captain  George  Grant,  of  the  Ninth  reginlent: — 

Paid  him  for  the  recruiting  service,  March  27, 1778,  £157  2s.  (3d.:  April 

21st,  £52  10s 209  12     6 

Captain  William  Wilson,  of  the  First  regiment: — 

Paid  him  for  the  recruiting  service,  April  16,  1778,  £150:  April  3<)th, 

£204  7s.  6d 354     7     0 

Captain  .John  Boyd,  of  the  Twelfth  regiment: — 

Paid  him  for  the  recruiting  service,  April  10,  1778,  £150:  !May  7th, 

£75 ^ " 225     0     0 

Captain  Thomas  Robinson,  of  the  Rangers  :— 

Paid  him  for  raising  his  company,  .Jul\-  11,  1780 2878  17     6 

Paid  him  for  the  recruiting  service,  .January  7,  1781,  £815  12s.  6d.; 
.January  16th.  £811  lUs 1627     2     6 

Paid  him  for  raising  his  company,  October  3,  1781,  £37  10s.;  October 

15th,  £18  15s *5G     5     0 

Paid  him  for  raising  his  company,  December  21,  1781,  £18;  February 
23,  1782,  £6;  May  20th,  £23  10s ".       -f-H  10     0 

Paid  him  per  Lieutenant  Samuel  McGrady  for  six-months  men.  May 

20,1782 ". ".       tl3     2     6 

Military  stores:— 

Paid  sundry  persons  at  sundry  times  for  four  rifles,  one  musket  and 
bayonet,  iMji  Ihs.  of  powder,  404,^4  lbs.  of  lead,  574  flints,  2  powder 
kegs,  and  for  repairing  arms  and  for  transporting  same  and  ammuni- 
tion        914  10  10 

[On  the  same  account] -j-S  11     2 

Militia  expenses: — 

Paid  sundry  expenses  on  public  business  for  the  defense  of  the  county, 
the  families  of  poor  militia  men  in  the  service,  captains  for  making  re- 
turns of  male  whites,  ferriages,  drummers  and  flfers,  stationery,  £15 
for  a  substitute,  expenses  of  conveying  distressed  families  from  Fort 
Freeland,  and  other  contingent  expenses,  1777-84 1551     8     9 

William  Murray,  for  his  services  as  sub-lieutenant 4  10     0 

William  AVatson,  for  his  services  as  sub-lieutenant 33    4    0 

For  his  own  pay  as  sub-lieutenant  from  March  22,  1777,  to  April  5, 
1779—667  days,  at  22s.  6d.;  from  April  5,  1779,  to  October  10th— 160 
days,  at  37s.  6d.;  from  October  10,  1779,  to  March  20,  1780— 118  days, 
at  £0— in  all 1758     7     6 

For  his  own  pay  as  sub-lieutenant  from  Jlarch  20,  1780,  to  .June  21, 
1781— employed  375  days  at  £30  per  day 11250    0    0 

For  his  own  pay  as  sub-lieutenant  from  .Tune  21, 1781,  to  JIarch,  1784 — 

403  days,  of  which  387  at  15s.  and  16  at  12s.  6d.  specie t'^00     5     0 

John  Hambright: — 

For  a  deficiency  of  S4233-.3  inthe  £10000  he  re"ceived  fit  the  treasury, 
June  9,  1780,  to  be  sent  to   Colonel  Hunter,  and  of  which  the  sum 

of  only  S22433  only  was  delivered  per  voucher 1587  12     6 

Balance  due  the  State *25     0     0 


142  HISTOKY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

£  s.  d. 

Total — Continental  money 31512  5  9 

State  currency *100  0  0 

Specie t366  18  8 

Colonel  Samuel  Hiuiter,  Dr. 

To  balance  of  the  foregoing  account  due  to  the  State *2.j    0    0 

To  funded  debt,  for  sundr}'  certificates  issued  agreeabh"  to  act  passed, 

April  1,  1784 t278  14     3 

Contra  Cr. 

By  balance  of  the  foregoing  accoiuit  in  favor  of  Colonel  Hunter,  €3830 

9d.  Continental  mone}',  equal  to *iTt     0     0 

1378  14     3 
Examined  and  settled. 
Comptroller  General's  Office,  John  Nicholson. 

April  0,  1784. 


CHAPTER    IV 


ORGANIZATION  AND  ADinNISTRATION. 

Erection  of  Nouthumbeul.\.xd  County — Disintegration  of  Its  Territory — 
IhiESENT  Boundaries — Internal  Subdivision — Oiuginal  Townships — Forma- 
tion OF  Present  Subdivisions — St.\tistics  of  Population — Public  Build- 
ixGs — Early  Fiscal  Affairs— Inauguration  of  the  Public  School  System — 
Roster  of  County  Officers— Representation  ix  Constitutional  Conven- 
tions, ETC.— Legislative  Representation— Early  Township  Officers. 

THE  three  orginal  counties  of  Pennsylvania  were  Chester,  Philadelphia, 
and  Bucks,  formed  in  16S2  at  the  founeling  of  the  Province.  Lancas- 
ter was  erected  in  1729  from  the  western  part  of  Chester,  York  in  1749  from 
that  part  of  Lancaster  west  of  the  Susquehanna,  and  Cumberland  in  1750 
from  the  northwestern  part  of  York.  Northampton  and  Berks  were  formed 
in  1752,  the  former  from  the  northern  part  of  Bucks,  the  latter  from  the  cor- 
responding portions  of  Philadeljihia,  Chester,  and  Lancaster.  At  that  time 
the  lines  separating  Berks  from  Northampton  and  Lancaster  were  nm  only 
so  far  as  the  settlements  then  extended,  and  in  1769  William  Maclay,  Will- 
iam Scull,  and  John  Biddle,  Jr.,  were  appointed  to  continue  them  "as  far  as 
the  lands  lately  purchased  by  the  Honorable  the  Proi^rietaries  of  this  Prov- 
ince from  the  Indians  do  extend."  The  western  boimdary  of  Berks  county 
was  accordingly  surveyed  beyond  the  Suscjuehanna,  crossing  that  river  near 
the  mouth  of  Mahanoy  creek  and  extenchng  as  far  as  the  West  Branch. 
That  part  of  the  present   area  of  Northumberland  county  inclosed  by  this 


ORGANIZATION    AND    ADIIINISTEATION.  143 

line,  the  Susquehanna  river,  and  Mahantango  creek  thus  remained  in  Lancas- 
ter county;  west  of  the  Susquehanna  the  western  line  of  Berks  separated  its 
territory  from  that  of  Cumberland. 

The  purchase  of  176S  was  followed  by  a  rapid  influx  of  poinilatiou  into 
the  region  about  the  confluence  of  the  Xorth  and  West  Branches  of  the  Sus- 
quehanna, and,  with  the  seats  of  justice  of  Berks,  Lancaster,  and  Cumber- 
land counties  at  Reading,  Lancaster,  and  Carlisle,  respectively,  the  conven- 
ience of  the  inhabitants  early  demanded  better  facilities  of  civil  administra- 
tion. This  desirable  result  was  finally  attained.  March  21,  1772,  by  the  pas- 
sage of  an  act  erecting  Northumberland  coimty,  with  boundaries  described  as 
follows : — 

Beginning  at  tlie  moutli  of  Mabaniaugo  creek,  on  tlie  weist  side  of  the  river  Sus- 
quehanna; thence  up  the  south  side  of  said  creek,  by  the  several  courses  thereof,  to 
the  head  at  Robert  ^Meteer's  spring:  thence  west  by  north  to  the  top  of  Tussey's  mount- 
ain; thence  southwesterly  along  the  summit  of  the  mountain  to  Little  .luuiata;  thence 
up  the  northeasterly  side  of  the  main  branch  of  Little  .Juniata  to  the  head  thereof; 
thence  north  to  the  line  of  Berks  county:  thence  northwest  along  the  said  line  to  the 
extremity  of  the  Province;  thence  east  along  the  north  boundary  to  that  part  thereof 
which  is  due  north  from  the  most  northern  part  of  the  great  swamp;  thence  south  to 
the  most  northern  part  of  the  swamp  aforesaid;  thence  with  a  straight  line  to  the  Jiead 
of  the  Lehigh  or  Jliddle  creek;  thence  down  the  said  creek  so  far  that  a  line  run  west- 
southwest  will  strike  the  forks  of  3Iahantango  creek  where  Pine  creek  falls  into  the 
same,  at  the  place  called  Spread  Eaglt-.  en  the  east  side  of  Susquehanna;  thence  down 
the  southerly  side  of  said  creek  to  the  river  aforesaid;  thence  down  and  across  the 
river  to  the  place  of  beginning. 

In  order  to  render  this  intelligible  to  the  general  reader  some  explanation 
may  be  necessary.  There  are  two  streams  known  by  the  name  of  Mahan- 
tango :  the  one  first  mentioned  flows  into  the  Susquehanna  from  the  west,  form- 
ing the  present  boundary  of  Juniata  and  Snyder  counties;  the  other  sitstains 
the  same  relation  to  Northumberland  and  Daitphin.  It  is  probable  the 
cotinty  line  struck  the  Little  Juniata  no  great  distance  above  its  confluence 
with  the  Raystown  branch,  and  the  West  Branch  near  the  mouth  of  Bald 
Eagle  creek.  The  northwestern  boundary  of  the  county  was  the  line  of  the 
jiurchase  of  176S.  The  ''great  swamp"  is  identified  as  the  soitthwestern 
l^art  of  Wayne  county  and  the  adjoining  part  of  Lackawanna;  the  line  from 
the  northern  boundary  of  the  State  south  to  the  '"great  swamp"'  and  thence 
to  the  Lehigh  is  the  present  western  botmdarv-  of  Wayne  coimty.  Part  of 
the  southeast  line  between  the  Lehigh  river  and  Mahantango  creek  still 
possesses  geograp)hical  significance  as  the  line  of  division  between  the  counties 
of  Carbon  and  Luzeme,  Schylkill  and  Columbia,  and  Northumberland  and 
Schylkill,  respectively. 

On  the  21st  of  March,  1772.  the  Assembly  passed  an  act  defining  the 
boimdaries  of  Bedford  coimty,  which  was  erected  in  1771  and  adjoined 
Northumberland  on  the  southwest:  this  act  and  the  act  passed  the  same 
day  erecting  Northumberland  assigned  to  those  counties  ditt'erent  and  incon- 


14:4  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

sistent  boundary  lines,  and  in  order  to  rectify  this  discrepancy  the  Hne  in 
question  was  again  defined,  September  30,  1779.  As  thus  estabhshed,  the 
southwest  boundary  of  Northumberland,  beginning  on  the  Juniata  at  the 
terminus  of  a  north  line  from  the  gap  in  Tuscarora  mountain  near  Path  val- 
ley, coincided  with  that  river  as  far  as  Jack's  Narrows,  where  it  deflected  to 
the  north  along  the  summit  of  the  watershed  between  Kishocoquillas  and 
Standing  Stone  creeks;  from  the  head  of  the  latter  it  extended  westward  alono- 
the  siimmit  of  Tussey's  mountain,  the  ridge  separating  Bald  Eagle  and  Little 
Juniata,  and  Chestnut  ridge  to  the  head  of  the  southwest  branch  of  Bald 
Eagle,  thence  a  direct  course  to  the  head  of  Moshannon  creek,  and  down 
that  stream  to  its  junction  with  the  West  Branch.  Considerable  territory 
was  thus  added  to  this  coimty. 

Although  a  large  county  as  originally  formed,  it  is  problematical  whether 
Northumberland  was  the  largest  in  the  State  at  that  date.  If  not  of  equal 
or  greater  extent,  Bedford  was  certainly  scarcely  inferior  in  size,  but  West- 
moreland was  formed  from  the  latter  in  1773,  and  from  that  time  until  1795 
the  position  of  Northumberland  as  the  most  extensive  subdivision  of  the  State 
is  unquestioned.  Its  greatest  proportions  were  attained  in  llSo,  when,  by 
the  act  of  April  9th,  all  that  part  of  the  purchase  of  17S4  east  of  the  Cone- 
wango  creek  and  Allegheny  river  was  placed  within  its  limits.  The  county 
thus  extended  along  the  northern  line  of  the  State  from  Conewango  creek  to 
the  line  of  Wayne  county  and  from  the  Lehigh  river  to  the  Allegheny,  with 
a  maximum  breadth  equal  to  nearly  two  thirds  that  of  the  State.  The  extent 
of  this  region  exceeds  that  of  several  States  of  the  Union. 

The  first  curtailment  of  this  generous  domain  resulted  from  the  erection 
of  Luzerne  county,  September  25,  1786.  West  of  the  Susquehanna  the  first 
county  to  which  Northumberland  contributed  was  ^Mifflin,  erected  on  the  19th 
of  September,  1789,  biit  the  part  taken  from  Northumberland,  with  additional 
territory  from  Northumberland  and  other  counties,  was  erected  'into  Centre, 
February  13,  1800.  The  formation  of  Lycoming  county,  April  13,  1795, 
deprived  Northumberland  of  the  large  extent  of  territory  acquired  imder  the 
purchase  of  1784,  with  a  considerable  part  of  its  original  area.  The  line  of 
di\'ision  was  described  as  follows: — 

From  the  Miffliu  county  Hue,  on  the  summit  of  Xittany  mountain,  thence  running 
along  the  top  or  highest  ridge  of  the  said  mountain  to  where  the  White  Deer  Hole 
creek  runs  through  the  same;  and  from  thence  by  a  direct  line,  crossing  the  West 
Branch  of  Susquehanna  at  the  mouth  of  Black  Hole  creek,  to  the  end  of  Muncy  hills; 
thence  along  the  top  of  Miuicy  hills  and  the  Bald  mountain  to  the  Luzerne  county 
line. 

Northumberland  was  thus  reduced  to  the  position  of  an  interior  county, 
and  with  the  opening  of  the  present  century  its  original  boundaries  remained 
undisturbed  only  on  the  south.  Bounded  on  the  east  by  Luzerne,  on  the 
west  by  Centre,  on  the  north  by  Lycoming,  and  on  the  south  by  Mifflin, 


if<a^-^. 


^ 


ORGANIZATION    AND    ADJIINISTKATION.  147 

Dauphin,  and  Berks,  its  location  with  reference  to  the  area  of  the  State  was 
nearly  central.  Although  somewhat  irregiilar  in  form,  its  proportions  did  not 
lack  symmetry;  its  territory  was  nearly  equally  divided  by  the  Susquehanna 
and  the  West  Branch,  while  the  location  of  the  county  seat  was  central  to 
the  population  and  conveniently  accessible  from  all  parts  of  the  county  by 
the  natural  highways  of  the  region.  But  in  the  first  decade  of  the  century 
there  was  a  marked  increase  in  pojiulation,  and  with  the  growth  of  settle- 
ments at  the  extremities  of  the  county  arose  the  desire  and  necessity  for 
further  territorial  subdivision.  A  movement  for  the  erection  of  a  new 
county  seems  to  have  taken  definite  shape  in  the  region  west  of  the  Suscjite- 
hanna  first;  the  agitation  in  the  valley  of  the  North  Branch  for  the  accom- 
plishment of  a  similar  object  was  begun  a  little  later„and  in  the  pursuit  of 
interests  so  closely  allied  the  promoters  of  the  two  projects  rendered  mutual 
assistance.  At  length  the  popular  will  foimd  expression  in  the  election  of 
State  representatives  favorable  to  division,  and  with  friends  at  court  the 
desired  end  was  consummated  in  the  passage  of  two  acts,  erecting  Columbia 
and  Union  counties,  respectively,  which  were  approved,  March  22,  1S13.  To 
the  former  was  assigned  that  part  of  the  former  area  of  Northumberland  west 
of  the  Susquehanna  and  the  West  Branch;  the  boundaries  of  the  latter  were 
described  as  follows: — 

Beghiniug  at  the  nine-milt'  tree  (lu  tlie  bank  nf  the  Northeast  Branch  of  the  Sus- 
(luehanna,  and  from  thence  by  the  Hue  of  Point  township  to  the  line  of  Chillisquaque 
township;  thence  by  the  line  of  Chillisquaqne  and  Point  townships  to  the  West  Branch 
(if  the  river  Susquehanna;  thence  up  the  same  to  the  line  of  Lycoming  county;  thence 
by  the  line  of  Lycoming  count}-  to  the  line  of  Luzerne  county;  thence  by  the  same  to 
the  line  of  Schuylkill  county;  thence  along  the  same  to  the  southwest  corner  of  C'ata- 
wissa  township;  thence  by  the  line  of  C'atawissa  and  Shamokin  townships  to  the  river 
Susq\iehanna;  and  thence  down  said  river  to  the  place  of  beginning. 

The  formation  of  two  new  counties  had  been  effected,  but  not  to  the 
entire  satisfaction  of  the  dismembered  territorv".  The  townships  of  Chillis- 
quacpie  and  Turbut  had  been  separated  from  the  parent  coimty  in  opposition 
to  the  wishes  of  nine  tenths  of  their  inhabitants,  who  remonstrated  strongly 
and  at  length  secured  their  re-annexation  to  Northumberland  county,  Feb- 
ruarj"  21,  1S15,  The  question  had  not  reached  a  final  adjustment,  however; 
the  real  issue  involved  was  the  separation  of  stifficient  territory  from  North- 
umberland to  render  Danville  eligible  as  the  county  seat  of  Columbia,  and 
on  the  22d  of  January,  ISIO,  that  part  of  Turbut  and  Chillisquaque  west  of 
the  following  line  was  again  annexed  to  Northiunberland: — 

Beginning  at  the  corner  of  Point  and  Chillisquaque  townships  in  the  line  of 
Columbia  county;  thence  by  the  lines  of  said  townships  along  the  summit  of  Montour's 
mountain  to  where  what  is  called  "Strawbridge's  road"  crosses  said  mountain;  thence 
by  said  road  to  where  the  road  from  Wilson's  mills  to  Dannlle  intersects  said  road; 
thence  to  the  bridge  over  Chillisquaque  creek  at  James  Murray's;  thence  by  what  is 
called  "  Harrison's  road"  past  Chillisquaque  meeting-house  to  the  corner  of  Turbut 
and  Derry  townships  in  the  line  of  Lycoming  county. 
0 


148  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

This  liue  coastitutes  the  present  eastern  boundary  of  the  county  north  of 
the  river.  A  history  of  the  roads  mentioned  is  given  in  this  work  in  the 
chapter  on  Internal  Improvements.  The  location  of  these  roads  changed 
in  course  of  time,  and  thus  the  line  became  a  subject  of  dispute,  greatly  to 
the  inconvenience  of  township  ofiQcers  in  Northumberland  and  Montour 
cormties.  At  length  petitions  were  presented  to  the  courts  of  both  coimties 
praying  for  a  resui-vey,  in  compliance  with  which  a  commission  was  ap- 
pointed, composed  of  George  W.  West,  of  Danville,  A.  J.  Guffy,  of  Watson- 
town,  and  C.  D.  Eldred,  of  Muncy,  by  whom  the  line  was  resurveyed, 
February  22-25  and  August  22-25,  ISSl.  Their  report,*  showing  the 
courses  and  distances  of  the  line  from  the  southwest  corner  of  Montour 
county  on  Montour  ridge  to  the  line  of  Lycoming  county,  received  the  con- 
current approval  of  the  courts  of  the  respective  counties,  and  is  the  author- 
itative description  of  the  line  in  question. 

The  eastern  boimdary  of  the  county  south  of  the  North  Branch  was  run 
and  marked  in  1830  by  Elias  Hoyt  and  Joseph  Whitacre,  commi.ssioners 
appointed  in  pursuance  of  the  act  of  April  7,  1830,  whose  report  gives  the 
following  as  its  courses  and  distances: — 

Begiuning  at  the  Susquehanna  river  at  the  mouth  of  Little  Roaring  creek;  thence 
up  said  creek  the  several  courses  and  distances  thereof,  establishing  said  creek  as  the 
boundary  liue.  to  a  white  oak  tree  by  a  spring  at  the  head  of  said  creek;  thence  east, 
following  a  ridge  of  land  most  of  the  way,  seven  hundred  sixteen  perches  to  a  hemlock 
on  Big  Roaring  creek;  thence  up  said  creek,  the  south  branch  thereof  the  several 
courses  and  distances  thereof,  establishing  said  creek  as  the  division  line,  to  Yarnall's 
path;  and  thence  froni  a  white  oak  on  said  path  south  twenty  degrees  east  fourteen 
hundred  perches  to  the  line  of  Schuylkill  countj'.f 

The  line  of  separation  from  Lycoming  was  established  in  1795  by  the 
formation  of  that  county.  On  the  west  Northumberland  includes  the 
channel  of  the  river,  as  the  townships  originally  formed  on  the  eastern  side 
extended  to  the  western  bank.  The  southern  boundary,  originally  estab- 
lished in  1772,  was  again  defined  by  legislative  enactment,  April  17,  1795, 
by  which  the  Governor  was  directed  to  appoint  three  commissioners  for 
running  and  marking  a  line  "  Beginning  at  the  forks  of  Mahantango  and 
Pine  creeks  at  the  place  called  the  Spread  Eagle,  and  from  thence  north 
fifty-six  degrees  east  until  the  same  shall  intersect  the  line  dividing  the 
coimties  of  Berks  and  Northampton,  and  from  thence  tlie  same  course  to  the 
Lehigh  creek;  thence  along  the  east  bank  of  the  said  Lehigh  creek  to  the 
head  thereof;  from  thence  a  due  north  course  to  the  boundary  of  the  State." 
Northumberland  and  Luzerne  counties  were  north  and  west  of  this  line; 
Dauphin,  Berks,  and  Northampton,  south  and  east  of  it.  As  commissioners 
the  Governor  appointed  Philip  Myer,  John  Eckman,  and  John  Eeese;  under 
date  of  June  1,   1796,  they  presented  their  account  to  the  commissioners  of 

'Quarter  Sessions  Docket  of  Northumberlaml  Coimty,  No.  1,  December  Sessions,  ISSO. 
tQuarter  Sessions  Doctiet  of  Nortluimberlana  County,  April  Sessions,  is:u. 


ORGANIZATION    AND    ADMINISTRATION.  149 

Xorthumberlancl  county,  from  which  it  apjiears  that  the  survey  required 
forty  days,  at  a  total  expense,  including  the  services  of  the  surveyors  and 
their  assistants,  pack-horses,  etc..  of  three  hundred  sixty-seven  pounds,  four 
shilhngs,  nine  and  oue  half  pence. 

The  present  area  of  the  coimty,  as  given  in  Smuirs  Legislative  Handbook, 
is  four  himdred  sixty-two  scpiare  miles. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  counties  situated  wholly  or  in  part  within 
the  limits  of  Northumberland  in  17S5:  Armstrong.  Bradford.  Cameron. 
Centre,  Clarion.  Clearfield,  Clinton.  Columbia.  Elk.  Forest.  Indiana.  Jeffer- 
son. Lackawanna,  Luzerne.  Lycoming.  McKean,  Montour.  Xorthumberland, 
Potter.  Schuylkill.  Snyder.  Sullivan.  Susquehanna.  Tioga.  I'nion.  Tenango. 
"Warren,  and  "Wyoming — a  total  of  twenty- eight.  It  is  with  eminent  i>ro- 
jn-iety.  therefore,  that  Northumberland  has  been  called  the  ••  Mother  of 
Counties.'' 

INTERN.^L    Sl'BDIVISION. 

At  the  time  of  its  erection  the  larger  part  of  the  present  area  of  North- 
lunberland  county  was  included  in  Augusta  township,  Berks  county,  which 
extended  eastward  to  the  line  of  Northampton  and  embraced  the  incijuent 
settlements  about  the  confluence  of  the  East  and  West  Branches  of  the  Sus- 
quehanna. The  present  line  of  Dauphin  and  Schuylkill,  extended  in  a  north- 
westerly direction,  was  the  southwe.stern  boundary  of  Augiista;  and  the  tri- 
angular area  inclosed  by  this  line  (then  the  line  of  division  between  Berks 
and  Lancaster),  Mahantango  creek,  and  the  Susquehanna  river  was  part  of 
Vpper  Paxtang  township,  Lancaster  county. 

On  the  9th  of  April,  1772,  at  a  court  of  private  sessions  of  the  peace,  the 
coimty  was  divided  into  seven  townships,  for  which  the  following  boundaries 
were  respectively  established: — 

I)esi-riptitin  of  Peiin'n  T'linish/p. — Beginning  at  the  month  of  Mahantango  on 
the  west  side  of  Susquehanna;  thence  with  the  county  line  up  Mahantango  creek  to 
:Meteer's  spring;  thence  with  the  same  line  to  the  top  of  Tussey's  mountain;  thence 
along  the  top  of  the  same  easterly  to  Penn's  creek  and  down  Penn's  creek  to  the  mouth 
thereof  at  the  head  of  the  Isle  of  Que;  thence  down  Sustiuehanna  to  the  place  of 
beginning. 

Description  of  Aurjustn  Toirnship. — Beginning  at  the  m<iuth  of  Maliantango  un  the 
west  side  of  Susquehanna;  thence  with' the  county  line  crossing  Susquehanna  to  the 
mouth  of  Mahantango  on  the  east  side;  thence  with  the  same  county  line  up 
Mahantango  to  the  Spread  Eagle  in  the  forks  of  said  Mahantango;  thence  with  the 
said  county  line  east-northeast  to  the  old  line  formerly  run  for  a  division  between 
Berks  and  Northampton  counties;  thence  by  the  same  old  line  northwest  to  the  East 
Branch  of  Susquehanna;  thence  down  the  same  to  Fort  Augusta;  thence  crossing  Sus- 
quehanna and  down  the  same  to  the  place  of  beginning. 

De.ii'ription  of  Tiirbut  7'otcnship. — Beginning  on  the  east  side  of  Susquehanna  at 
Fort  Augusta;  thence  up  the  easterly  side  of  the  Northeast  Branch  to  the  old  line 
formerly  run  for  a  division  between  Berks  and   Northanqiton  counties;  thence  by  the 


150  HISTORY  OF  NORTHUMBERLAND  COUNTY. 

same  line  northwest  to  the  top  of  Muncy  Hill;  thence  along  the  top  of  the  same  west- 
erlj-  to  the  "West  Branch  of  Susquehanna,  and  crossing  the  same  to  the  west  side,  and 
down  the  same  to  the  junction  of  the  branches,  and  crossing  Susquehanna  to  the  place 
of  beginning  so  as  to  include  the  forks  and  island. 

Bescnption  nf  Buffalo  Township.— Be.glnnmg  at  the  mouth  of  Penn's  creek  at  the 
head  of  the  Isle  of  Que;  thence  up  the  same  to  the  forks;  thence  by  a  north  line  to  the 
AVest  Branch  of  Susquehanna;  thence  down  the  West  Branch  of  Susquehanna  to  the 
forks;  thence  down  Susquehanna  to  the  place  of  beginning. 

Description  of  Bold  Engle  r»irfis7u>.— Beginning  at  the  forks  of  Penn's  creek; 
thence  by  a  north  line  to  the  West  Branch  of  Susquehanna;  thence  up  the  same  to 
where  the  county  line  crosses  it;  thence  by  the  county  line  south  to  the  head  of  Little 
.luniata;  thence  down  the  same  to  the  end  of  Tussey's  mountain;  thence  along  the  top 
of  the  same  easterly  to  the  place  of  beginning. 

Description  of  Muncy  Toiciuhip.—'Begmumg  on  the  west  side  of  the  West  Branch 
of  Susquehanna  opposite  the  end  of  Muncy  Hill;  thence  up  the  West  Branch  to  oppo- 
site the  mouth  of  Lycoming;  thence  crossing  the  Branch  up  Lycoming  to  the  head 
thereof;  thence  by  a  southeast  line  to  the  >[uncy  Hill;  thence  along  the  top  of  the 
same  to  the  West  Branch,  and  crossing  it  to  the  beginning. 

Description  of  Wyoininy  Toicnship. — Beginning  at  the  heads  of  Lycoming: 
thence  southeast  to  Muncy  Hill;  thence  along  the  top  of  the  same  westerly  to  the  old 
division  line  between  Berks  and  Northampton;*  thence  southeast  along  the  same  line 
to  the  present  county  line;  thence  by  the  lines  of  the  county  to  the  bounds  of  the 
present  purchase  near  Chenango;  thence  westerly  by  the  bounds  of  the  present  pur- 
chase to  the  beginning  at  the  heads  of  Lycoming  aforesaid. 

The  policy  of  the  court  in  the  formation  of  these  subsidiary  divisions 
was  analagous  to  that  of  the  legislature  in  the  erection  of  the  county.  In 
both  instances  political  autonomy  was  conferred  upon  territory  vast  in  extent, 
comj^aratively  unexplored  or  sparsely  inhabited,  and  comprehended  ^vithin 
vagitely  defined  boundaries.  '•  Magnificent  distances  "'  were  a  characteristic 
of  the  various  townships  no  less  than  of  the  county  at  large.  Of  the  original 
townships  east  of  the  Susqitehanna  the  smallest  were  Turbut  and  Muncy: 
Turbut  included  all  of  Northumberland  and  Montour  counties  north  of  the 
North  Branch,  with  a  portion  of  Columliia.  while  Muncy  embraced  that  part'  of 
Lycoming  between  Lycoming  creek  and  Muncy  hills.  Augiista,  consisting  of  the 
present  area  of  Northumberland  and  Montour  south  of  the  North  Branch, 
with  adjoining  territory  in  Columbia  and  Schuylkill,  ranked  next  in  size.  The 
most  extensive  was  Wyoming,  comprehending  within  its  ample  limits  the 
whole  of  Luzerne,  Lackawanna,  Susquehanna,  Wyoming,  and  (probably) 
Sullivan  counties,  with  portions  of  Bradford,  Columbia,  and  Schuylkill.  Of 
tlie  three  townships  west  of  the  Susquehanna,  Penn's,  embracing  nearly  the 
whole  of  Snyder  county,  with  considerable  adjacent  territory,  was  the  small- 
est; Buffalo  included  nearly  the  whole  of  Union,  with  the  contiguoiLs  por- 

*  It  Is  problematical  whether  tills  line  was  ever  regarded  as  the  western  boundary  of  Wyom- 
ing. When  Mahoning  was  formed  in  1775  Fishing  creek  was  declared  Its  eastern  limit ;  in  17So  Augusta 
is  represented  as  extending  •'from  the  town  of  Sunburytill  near  the  plains  of  Wyoming;"  and  Fishing 
(reek,  formed  in  1780  entirely  from  Wyoming,  was  bounded  on  the  west  by  the  stream  of  that  name. 
When  Wyondng  was  restricted  to  that  part  of  its  original  territory  north  of  the  North  Brancli  and  east 
of  Fishing  creek  can  not  be  satisfactorily  deternuncd  from  existing  county  records. 


ORGANIZATION   AND    ADMINISTRATION.  151 

tions  of  adjoining  counties;  while  Bald  Eagle  comprised  the  extensive  region 
west  of  Buffalo  and  northwest  of  Penn's. 

The  first  change  in  the  internal  geography  of  the  county  was  the  forma- 
tion of  Potter's  township,  Ma}-,  1774,  from  Penn's,  Buffalo,  and  Bald  Eagle. 
Sometimes  it  appears  as  "John  Potter's  township;"  the  name  still  retains 
political  significance  as  appUed  to  a  to^vnship  in  Centre  county. 

East  of  the  Susquehanna  the  disintegration  of  the  extensive  townships 
originally  formed  began  in  1775.  In  the  territon,-  south  of  the  Xorth  Branch 
the  new  township  of  Mahanoy  was  formed  at  February  sessions  in  that  year 
from  the  southern  part  of  Augusta,  with  Mahanoy  mountain  as  the  boimdary 
line.  A  decade  elapsed  before  Augusta  was  again  curtailed:  but  when,  at 
August  sessions,  1785,  Catawissa  was  erected,  the  parent  townshiji  was 
reduced  to  a  comparatively  narrow  area  with  Gravel  rim  as  its  eastern  limit. 
Three  years  later  Ealpho  was  formed  from  Catawissa,  receiving  a  year  after- 
ward the  name  of  Shamokin;  but  Catawissa  was  still  thirty  miles  long  and 
fifteen  miles  wide,  and  Mifflin  was  formed  from  the  eastern  part  of  its  terri- 
tory before  the  close  of  the  century.  Simbury  borough  was  erected  into  a 
township  in  1803,  and  Mahanoy  was  divided  at  August  sessions.  1806. 

Xorth  of  the  North  Branch  the  disintegrating  process  also  began  at  Feb- 
laiary  sessions,  1775,  when  Mahoning  was  erected  from  the  southern  part  of 
Turbut,  with  ChiUisquaque  creek  and  Fishing  creek  as  its  northern  and 
eastern  limits,  respectively.  At  February  sessions,  17S6,  Point  was  formed 
from  the  soilthwestern  part  of  Mahoning,  and  has  retained  its  original  bound- 
aries substantially  unimpaired  longer  than  any  other  subdivision  of  the 
county.  At  May  sessions  following  Turbut  was  further  reduced  by  the 
erection  of  Derry  and  ChiUisquaque:  the  former  was  taken  entirely  from  its 
territory,  with  "the  road  leading  from  Mimcy  Hill  to  Montgomerj-'s  mill"  as 
the  line  of  division;  Mahoning  contributed  partly  to  the  latter.  The  forma- 
tion of  Luzerne  county  in  1786  divided  the  extensive  township  of  Wyoming, 
and  at  August  sessions,  1789,  it  was  ordered  that  so  much  thereof  as  remained 
in  Northumberland  should  receive  the  name  of  Fishing  Creek.  Green  Brier 
Creek  was  formed  from  its  southern  part  in  1797;  in  the  following  year  a 
movement  was  made  to  divide  Brier  Creek,  and  Bloom  was  formed.  At 
August  sessions,  1799,  Greenwood  was  erected  from  the  northern  part  of 
Fishing  Creek.  In  1801  proceedings  were  instituted  for  the  division  of 
Mahoning,  subsequently  resulting  in  the  formation  of  Hemlock.  At  April 
sessions,  1812,  a  third  division  of  Fishing  Creek  was  petitioned  for;  no 
decision  was  reached  until  January  sessions,  1814,  when  Harrison  was 
erected.  This  was  the  last  case  relating  to  the  territory  beyond  the  present 
limits  of  Northumberland  county  that  was  considered  by  her  courts:  and  it  is 
worthy  of  mention  that  popular  choice  ultimately  overruled  the  decision  of 
the  court  in  this  instance,  as  the  township  in  question,  the  most  northerly  in 
Columbia  county,  now  bears  the  name  of  Sugar  Loaf. 


lo'2  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

In  the  meantime  imiDortant  developments  were  in  progress  west  of  the 
Susquehanna  in  the  extensive  region  within  the  jurisdiction  of  the  county 
courts.  White  Deer  township  was  erected  at  February  sessions,  1776.  com- 
prising that  part  of  the  former  area  of  Buffalo  north  of  Buffalo  and  Spruce 
creeks.  It  thus  extended  along  the  West  Branch  from  the  mouth  of  Buffalo 
creek  to  Bald  Eagle  to\vnship;  and  within  the  next  decade  the  population 
had  increased  sufficiently  to  warrant  the  inhabitants  north  of  White  Deer 
mountain  in  asking  separate  numicipal  privileges,  which  were  accordingly 
conferred,  the  new  township  receiving  the  name  of  Washington  at  August 
sessions,  1785.  At  this  time  Bald  Eagle  extended  through  Clinton  and  Cen- 
tre coiinties  a  distance  of  seventy  miles,  and  was,  with  the  exception  of 
Wyoming,  the  largest  subdivision  of  the  coimty.  Three  to\vnships  were 
formed  from  its  original  territory  at  May  sessions,  1786,  imder  the  respective 
names  of  Ni2:>penose,  Bald  Eagle,  and  Upper  Bald  Eagle.  Penn's  was  con- 
siderably curtailed  by  the  erection  of  Beaver  Dam  and  Mahantango,  the  for- 
mer at  February  sessions,  1787,  the  latter  at  April  sessions,  1795,  but  this 
was  partly  compensated  at  February  sessions,  1789,  by  the  annexation  of 
that  part  of  Buffalo  within  the  forks  of  Penn's  creek  and  the  Susquehanna. 
At  the  last  mentioned  term  of  court  that  part  of  Potter's  remaining  in  North- 
umberland county  after  the  formation  of  Mifflin  received  the  name  of  Haines. 
W'est  Buffalo  was  erected  at  August  sessions,  179"2-,  Centre,  (from  Perm's.) 
at  August  sessions,  I8t)4:  and  Hartley,  (from  West  Buffalo,)  at  April  ses- 
sions, 1811. 

North  of  the  West  Branch  the  purchase  of  1784  and  subsequent  legis- 
lation extended  the  administration  of  the  coimty  courts  over  a  vast  territory. 
At  August  sessions.  17s5.  a  petition  was  presented  setting  forth  the  absolute 
necessity  that  this  territory  should  be  organized  ''  for  the  purposes  of  order 
and  a  civil  state  of  society,"  and  praying  the  court  "  to  erect  that  part 
between  Lycoming  and  Pine  creeks,  being  near  fifteen  miles,  into  one  town- 
ship; and  from  Pine  creek  ujiwards  into  another  township;"  which  was 
accordingly  done,  the  former  receiving  the  name  of  Lycoming,  and  the  latter 
that  of  Pine  Creek.  In  this  same  region  Loyalsock  was  formed  at  Feb- 
ruary sessions,  178*).  from  that  part  of  Muncy  above  Loyalsock  creek. 

In  1786,  when  the  coimty  extended  from  the  Lehigh  river  on  the  east  to 
the  Allegheny  on  the  west,  with  the  line  of  New  York  as  its  northern  bound- 
ary, there  were  twenty-one  townships  within  its  comprehensive  limits,  the 
names  of  which  were  as  follows:  Augusta,  Buffalo,  Bald  Eagle,  Catawissa, 
Chillisquaciue,  Derry.  Loyalsock,  Lycoming,  Mahanoy,  Mahoning.  Muncy, 
Nippenose,  Penn's,  Pine  Creek,  Point,  Potter's,  Turbut,  Upper  Bald  Eagle, 
Washington,  White  Deer,  and  Wyoming.  The  county  was  deprived  of 
nearly  the  whole  of  Wyoming  township  by  the  erection  of  Luzerne  in  1786; 
the  whole  of  Upper  Bald  Eagle  and  half  of  Potter's  were  embraced  in  Mif- 
flin at  its  organization  in  1789;  and  after  the  formation  of  Lycoming  and 


ORGANIZATION    AND    ADMINISTRATION.  153 

Centre,  in  1796  and  ISOO,  resisectively,  Muncy,  Loyalsock,  Lycoming,  Pine 
Creek,  Nippenose.  and  Bald  Eagle  were  also  beyond  its  limits. 

The  counties  of  Columbia  and  Union  were  organized  in  1818:  twelve 
townships — Bloom.  Brier  Creek,  Catawissa,  Chillisquaque,  Derry,  Fishing 
Creek,  Greenwood.  Hemlock,  Mahoning,  Mifflin,  Sugar  Loaf,  and  Turbut — 
were  apportioned  to  Columbia;  nine — Beaver,  Buffalo,  Centre,  Hartley,  Ma- 
hantango,  Penn's.  Washington,  West  Buffalo,  and  White  Deer — to  Tnion; 
leaving  to  the  "Mother  of  Counties"  but  six — Augusta,  Lower  Mahanoy, 
Point.  Shamokin.  Smibury.  and  Upper  Mahanoy.  Turbut  and  Chillis(iua(iue 
were  reanuexed  to  Northumberland  in  1815,  as  previously  stated  in  this  chapter. 

In  the  political  development  of  the  county  since  the  year  1813  that  part 
of  its  territory  south  of  the  North  Branch  has  been  principally  affected. 
Four  large  townships — Augusta,  Shamokin.  Upper  and  Lower  Mahanoy — 
with  the  borough  of  Sunbury,  comprised  this  territon.-  at  that  date.  Little 
Mahanoy  was  formed  in  August,  1813,  from  Aiigusta  and  Shamokin,  extend- 
ing longitudinally  across  the  coimty  from  near  the  Susquehanna  to  the 
Schuylkill  line,  with  Upper  and  Lower  Mahanoy  on  the  south  the  entire  dis- 
tance. In  August,  1S19,  Rush  was  erected  from  the  northern  part  of  Sham- 
okin, receiving  its  name  in  compliment  to  Benjamin  Rush,  the  distinguished 
physician,  and  Jacob  Rush,  first  president  jtidge  in  this  county  under  the 
constitution  of  17U0.  January  0,  1S3G,  Jackson  was  formed  from  Upper  and 
Lower  Mahanoy.  with  Middle  creek  as  part  of  its  eastern  limits.  Its  south- 
western boundary'  was  identical  with  the  present  northeastern  line  of  Lower 
Mahanoy.  In  November.  1837,  Coal  was  formed  from  Shamokin  and  Little  Ma- 
hanoy;  the  latter  was  thus  restricted  to  its  present  area,  while  the  new  township 
became  one  of  the  most  extensive  in  the  county  at  that  date.  Cameron  was 
formed  from  its  territon.'  in  1851;  Zerbe,  March  11,  1853,  and  Mt.  Carmel, 
in  1855.  Jordan  was  formed  in  August,  1852,  from  that  part  of  Jackson 
and  Upper  Mahanoy  south  of  Jacob's  ridge;  these  two  townshijis  also  con- 
tributed to  the  territory  of  Washington  in  1856.  After  a  long  continued 
agitation,  Augusta  was  divided  in  1840;  Limestone  valley  was  transferred 
from  the  lower  to  the  upper  division,  November  4,  1840,  and  Rockefeller  was 
formed  from  the  eastern  part  of  Lower  Augusta,  May  7.  1880.  Three  years 
later  (February  5,  1883),  Shamokin  was  divided  and  Ralpho  erected  from 
that  part  of  its  former  territorj-  adjacent  to  Columbia  county.  Gearhart  was 
erected  from  the  northern  part  of  Rush,  September  1(\  1890. 

Althoiigh  reannexed  to  Northumberland  county  in  1815,  the  boundaries 
of  Chillisquaque  and  Turbut  were  again  disturbed  in  1810  by  the  excision  of 
a  part  of  their  area  in  favor  of  Columbia.  This  reduced  Chillisquaque  to  its 
present  limits;  and  in  1843  Delaware  and  Lewis  were  formed  from  Turbut, 
thus  bringing  the  northern  part  of  the  coimty  to  its  present  geograiihical  status. 

The  boroughs  of  the  county  have  been  incorporated  in  the  following  or- 
der: Sunbun,-,  March  24,  1797;  Milton,  February  20,  1817;  Northumber- 
land,  January   16,   1828;    McEwensville,  November    7,    1857;    TurbutviUe, 


154 


HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 


January  3,  1859;  Mt.  Carmel,  November  3,  1S02;  Shamokin,  November. 
1864;  Watsontown,  November  4,  18G7;  Kiverside,  May  4.  1871;  Snydertown. 
May  26,  1871;  East  Simbury,  December  u,  1890. 

STATISTICS  OF  P0PUL.\TI0N. 

In  1800  the   pojiulation  of  Northumberland  county  by  townships  and 
boroughs  was  as  follows: — 

SUBDIVISIONS.  1  „.}"1';^?,„  j  Slaves. :  subdivisions.  i  t,J"..'',11.,  i  SI;ive.s. 


Augusta i 

Beaver j 

Beaver  Creek 

Bloom [ 

Catawissa j 

Chillisquaque 

Derry I 

East  Buffalo ! 

Fishing  Creek ■ 

Greenwood ' 

Haines 

Mahanoy j 


1,037 

1,257 

543 

806 

1,315 

1,098 

1,570 

1,983 

419 

663 

1,387 

1.810 


I  Mahantango  , 
[  Mahoning  . . . 

I'  Mittlin 

Miles 

'  Peun's 

;  Point 


,102 

450 

588 

,309 

874 

0 

,466 

3 

611 

2 

,364 

5 

380 

The  census  of  1820  was  the  first  after  the  county  was  reduced  to  its  pres- 
ent hmits.  The  foUowing  table  exhibits  the  population  by  townships  and 
boroughs  at  each  decennial  census  since  that  date : — 


subdivisions. 

1820. 

1S30. 

1840. 

1830. 

1800. 

1870. 

ISSO.     '     l-'.Xl. 

Augusta 

2,075 

2,131 

2,409 

402 

1,341 

1,769 

1,903 

717 

960 

919 

323 

2,095 

1,664 

391 

1,702 

603 
1,.597 
2,930 
1,879 

934 
1,338 

369 
1,803 
1,790 

343 
1,909 
1,389 
3,451 
1,788 

938 

976  1    1.0:34 
1.737  j    1,6U7 

Chillisqua(iue 

1,035 

1,199 

1,399 

918 

1,344 
1,461 
1,908 
1,935 

Coal.....                           

4,330'    8.616 
3  037  '    1  s(>t 

Delaware 

i,584 

Lewis 

Little  Mahanoy 

■  ■  '447 

■  ■  563 

■  ■  313 

1,475 

326 

2,019 

1,474 

1.173     1.151 
336        327 

Lower  JLihanov 

1,214 

1,738 

1,190 

1.SIJ6      1  750 

JIcEweusville 

Milton 

1,016 

1,281 

1,508 

1,649 

.^  1 1 1.)      -  ... ,  - 

>It.  Carmel* 

2,378 

3,136 

2,293 

926 

s  ^^r^^ 

3It.  Carmel 

1,088 
1,108 
1,015 

1,095 
987 

938 
746 

1,041 
876 

2.744 

Point 

1  373 

778 

Ralpho 

1  001 

Riverside 

336 

836 

1,263 

8,184 

2,218 

309 

4,077 

3,831 

414 

1,735 

922 

811 

1.481 

1.147 

394 

Rockefeller 

1,071 

Rush 

1,192 

1,078 

1,028 

1,178 

1,319 

1,334 
4,330 

2,382 

1  :J46 

14  403 

1,820 

1,909 

1,983 

2,191 

2,1.59 

242 

Sunbury 

861 
2,753 

1.057 
3,388 

1,108 
3,872 

1,218 
1,047 

1.803 
1,761) 
380 
912 
990 
870 

3,131 

1.803 

1.346 

878 

801 

1,181 

1.446 

5  930 

Turbutville 

862 
1,268 

3.749 
8'.U 

I  pper  Mahauoy 

1,639 

1,742 

1,131 

"Washington 

7!>8 

2.157 

Zerbe , 

i,432 

1.3.55 

okctANIzation  and  administration. 


The  aggregate  poiiulatioa  of  the  county  at   each  decennial  census  has 
been  as  follows: — 


IT'.H). 

1800. 

ISIO. 

1S20. 

1S30. 

1S40. 

1S.J0. 

ISlW. 

l>7ri.        IsSil. 
41.311  ' 

IS'.iO. 

AVhite 

Free  Colored 

10,903 
100 

89 

17,li;l 

27,033 
13.5 
29 

30,130 

m 

3 

15,310 
113 

18,033 
100 

19,922 
105 

23,180 
92 

28,807 
115 

Total 

36.327 

15.124 

lS.I:i3 

20.027 

23.272 

28,922  '    41.+44  '   53.123 

74.,;;i8 

PCBLIC    BUILDINXtS. 

Section  Vlth  of  the  act  erecting  Xorthumberland  county  appointed  Will- 
iam Maclay,  Samuel  Hunter.  John  Lowdon.  Joseph  Wallis.  and  Robert 
Moodie,  or  any  three  of  them — 

To  purchase  and  take  as.surauce  to  them  aud  their  heirs  of  a  piece  of  land,  situate 
in  some  convenient  place  in  the  said  county,  to  be  approved  by  the  Governor,  in  trust, 
and  for  the  use  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  said  county,  aud  thereupon  to  erect  and  build 
a  court  house  and  prison  sufficient  to  accommodate  the  public  service  of  the  said  county, 
aud  for  the  ease  aud  convenience  of  the  inhabitants. 

It  is  to  be  observed  that  the  selection  of  the  site  was  left  almost  entirely 
to  the  discretion  of  the  commissioners;  nor  had  the  location  of  the  coimty 
seat  been  definitely  determined  at  the  date  of  the  act  above  quoted.  "While 
the  interest  of  the  Proprietaries,  governed  by  the  location  of  the  manor  of 
Pomfret,  favored  the  selection  of  the  site  of  Simbury,  there  were  other  cir- 
cumstances that  also  claimed  consideration  and  affected  in  a  measure  the 
ultimate  result.  The  larger  part  of  the  area  of  the  coimty  was  west  of  the 
Susquehanna  and  north  of  the  North  Branch.  In  the  latter  direction,  par- 
ticularly, there  was  an  aggressive  and  increasing  population.  That  the  site  , 
of  Xorthumberland  was  seriously  considered  with  reference  to  the  location  of 
the  county  town  is  evident  from  the  following  instructions  of  James  Tilgh- 
man  to  William  Maclay: — 

You  are  to  treat  with  Mr.  Lowdon,  and  if  his  title  be  good,  and  he  will  take  a  sum 
named  in  the  instructions  (two  hundred  pounds),  the  town  is  to  be  laid  out  in  the  forks; 
otherwise  on  the  fort  side.  WaUis  and  Haines  have  said  they  had  a  right,  and  they 
must  relinquish  it.  As  Lowdon's  application  was  in  his  wife's  name,  she  must  convey. 
As  putting  the  town  in  the  Forks  is  a  concession  against  the  interest  of  the  Proprieta- 
ries to  accommodate  the  people,  if  the  place  can  not  be  clear  of  claims,  the  town  must 
be  on  the  other  side. 

Subsequent  developments  can  not  be  satisfactorily  traced;  but  at  a  meet- 
ing of  the  Executive  Council  on  the  IHth  of  Jime.  1772,  the  surveyor  general 
■was  directed  to  ''lay  out  a  town  for  the  coimty  of  Northumberland,  to  be 
called  by  the  name  of  Sunbury,  at  the  most  commodious  place  between  the 
fort  [Augusta]  and  the  mouth  of  Shamokin  creek,"  with  a  •■commodious 
square  in  the  most  convenient  place  for  public  buildings."  It  is  unneces- 
sary to  add  that  the  proceedings  under  this  order  disposed  of  the  question  at 


156  HISTORY   OF    XORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

issue  most  effectually,  and  permanently  lixecl  the  seat  of  justice  for   the 
county  at  its  present  location. 

The  act  erecting  the  coiuity  ihrected  that  until  a  coiirt  house  should  be 
built  the  courts  should  be  held  at  Fort  Augusta;  and  there  the  tirst  county 
court,  a  private  sessions  of  the  i>eace.  was  held  on  the  9th  of  April,  1772. 
How  long  the  coiirts  were  held  at  the  fort  can  not  be  definitely  ascertained; 
it  is  evident  from  the  minutes  that  the  sessions  were  uniformly  held  there 
more  than  a  year,  and  after  that  at  occasional  intervals.  It  is  probable  the 
residence  of  William  Maclay  did  temporary  duty  as  a  court  house,  but  this 
is  largely  matter  of  conjecture.  It  is  entered  of  record  at  August  sessions, 
1775,  that  "the  common  pleas  adjourned  to  Tuesday,  the  26th  day  of  Seji- 
tember,  to  the  house  of  Samuel  Harris  in  Sunbury."  After  the  jail  was 
completed  it  became  also  the  place  of  holding  the  courts,  but  this  arrange- 
ment does  not  appear  to  have  given  entire  satisfaction,  and  the  public  house 
of  Christian  Gettig  was  secured  for  this  jiurpose.  The  offices  of  the 
recorder  and  prothonotary  were  kept  at  various  places.  Among  the  expendi- 
tures of  the  commissioners  in  providing  facilities  for  the  transaction  of  public 
business  at  this  period  were  the  followuig: — 

1792,  January  28.— To  Christian  Genig-.  for  the  use  of  his  house  for  the      £     s.       d. 
January  court,  and  for  the  room  f.jr  the  commissioners  three  weeks.  .00       0 

1793,  February  1.— To  Christian  Gettij.  for  the  use  of  his  house  for  No- 
vember and  January  courts  last,  and  the  room  for  the  commissioners       0     0       0 

1794,  March  14. — To  Christian  Gettii'.  for  the  last  year's  use  of  his  house, 
tire  and  candles  for  the  court,  and  for  the  room  for  the  commis- 
sioners        7  10       0 

1795,  May  1.— To  Christian  Gettig,  for  one  year's  use  for  his  house,  fire- 
wood and  candles  for  the  court  and  commissioners,  ending  the  14th 

day  of  March  last 7  10     "0 

179.J,  September  3.— To  John  Simpson,  for  rent  for  his  office  to  this  date     . 

in  full 30     0       0 

1790,  January  8. — To  John  Simpson,  fvr  one  year's  rent  for  the  recording 

ottice,  commencing  the  1st  of  January,  179.j,  and  ending  the  1st  of 

Jaiuiary,  1790 7  10       0 

1790,  February  27.— To  Jacob  Pri.singer,  for  rent  for  the  office  of  the 

prothonotary  in  full  to  the  1.5th  day  of  May,  179.") n;20  00 

A  considerable  period  thus  elapsed  before  the  '" commodiotis  square"  in 
the  town  of  Sunburj'  appropriated  for  the  public  buildings  of  the  county  was 
improved  in  the  manner  designed  For  this  two  principal  reasons  may  be 
assigned:  iirst,  the  Revolutionary  war  had  left  the  people  in  an  impoverished 
condition,  and  precedence  was  naturally  given  to  personal  rather  than  pub- 
lic necessity;  second,  the  county  embraced  a  wide  extent  of  territory,  from 
which  the  formation  of  new  cotmties  was  only  a  question  of  time,  and  in 
anticipation  of  this  the  inhabitants  of  the  more  remote  districts  were  reluct- 
ant to  contribute  toward  improvements  in  which  they  could  not  esjiect  to 
have  a  permanent   interest.     But  the  necessity  of  providing  better  facilities 


ORGANIZATION    AND    ADMINISTRATION.  157 

for  the  court?  and  greater  security  for  the  j^ulilic  records  at  length  became 
imjierative.  as  evidenced  by  the  following  jiroclamation  from  the  county 
treasurer  which  appeared  in  the  Sunbury  and  Northumberland  Gazette  of 
January  L  1T'.<4: — 

AViiEREA-.  The  C(niuty  may  shortly  expect  to  be  called  upon  to  refund  to  the  State 
the  principal  and  interest  of  the  eight  hundred  pounds  borrowed  from  the  State  before 
the  Revolutiou  for  the  purpose  of  building  a  court  house  iu  Suubury;  and  whereas 
the  president  and  associate  judges  of  this  county  have  called  upou  the  commissioners 
and  threatened  them  with  immediate  prosecution  in  case  they  do  not  next  summer 
proceed  to  build  a  new  court  house,  gaol,  and  an  office  to  keep  the  county  records  in, 
as  the  gaol  and  court  house  is  now  become  ruinous:  I  therefore  call  upon  all  delin- 
quent collector-  in  this  county  to  come  in  and  settle  off  tlieir  respective  duplicates. 
December  is.  iTiio.  Frederick  Antes. 

Whether  the  county  commissioners  evinced  a  disposition  to  disregard  the 
mandate  of  the  judges  is  not  known,  but  legislative  authority  was  next 
invoked,  and  by  an  act  approved  on  the  ISth  of  April,  17i)4,  they  were 
directed  to  \e\-y  a  tax  not  exceeding  five  thousand  three  hundred  thirty-three 
dollars,  thirty-three  cents,  for  the  erection  of  a  court  house.  For  the  expend- 
iture of  this  fimd  and  the  general  supervision  of  the  work  of  construction  the 
act  appointed  three  triistees,  viz. :  John  Weitzel.  Alexander  Hunter,  and 
William  Gray,  all  of  whom  resided  at  Sunburj-  and  were  doubtless  selected 
because  of  the  local  interest  they  would  naturally  feel  in  having  the  work 
done  in  the  best  manner  possible. 

From  ''a  hst  of  vouchers  of  the  trnstees  for  building  the  court  house  in 
Sunbury,"  now  in  the  possession  of  Captain  John  Buyers,  of  Selinsgrove, 
Pennsylvania,  it  is  ascertained  that  the  lime  was  furnished  by  Josej^h  Mc- 
Cleery,  Isaac  Stewart,  Christian  Miller,  and  William  P.  Brady;  hewed  stone, 
by  Jacob  Snyder;  stone,  by  Eobert  Walker  and  Zachariah  Robins;  bricks, 
by  John  Lyon  and  John  Young;  scantling,  by  Hezekiah  Boone,  Jacob  Gear- 
hart.  Jacob  Snyder,  Eobert  Gray,  William  Dewart,  and  John  Haas;  shingles, 
by  Henry  Antes,  Seth  Stone,  and  W.  Spring;  boards,  by  Christian  Ertle, 
Eobert  Gray,  and  Hughes  &  Higgins;  nails,  by  Andrew  Grove  and  Will- 
iam Wilson:  glass,  locks,  etc..  by  Joseph  Sinton.  and  flaxseed  oil,  by  David 
Smith.  The  foundation  was  dug  by  Eobert  Walker;  the  mason  work  was 
done  by  George  Seitz,  the  carpenter  work  by  Conrad  Beck,  the  plastering 
by  George  Seitz  and  Jacob  Waters,  and  the  hauling  by  Leonard  Epley,  Val- 
entine Billman,  William  Gray,  Frederick  Myers,  James  Smith,  Elijah  Bar- 
rett, Henry  Bucher,  Allen  &  Cox,  Thomas  Giberson,  Paul  Weitzel,  and  Alex- 
ander Himter.  The  well  was  dug  by  Zachariah  Eobins,  and  W.  Hoffman 
furnished  the  pump.  The  vouchers  aggregate  seventeen  hundred  sixty-one 
pounds,  two  shillings,  seven  pence;  the  orders  of  the  trustees,  di-awn  upon 
Frederick  Antes,  county  treasurer,  amount  to  eighteen  hundred  three  pounds, 
fifteen  shillings,  three  pence  half  2ienny.  beginning  with  Octoljer  1.  1795,  and 
ending.  November  2S,  17'JS.     It  mav  fairlv  be  iiresttmed  that  the  interval 


158  HISTOBY  OF  NORTHUMBERLAND  COUNTY. 

between  these  dates  was  the  entire  period  of  construction;  there  is  also  evi- 
dence that  the  internal  arrangements  of  the  building  were  comj^leted  in  1797. 

This  building,  the  first  erected  in  Northumberland  county  for  the  sjjecial 
purposes  of  a  court  house,  was  situated  at  the  western  end  of  the  public 
square  in  the  borough  of  Simbury.  It  was  a  square  brick  structure,  two 
stories  high,  with  gables  on  the  east  and  west.  The  entire  lower  floor  was 
used  as  a  court  room;  it  was  entered  from  the  east,  west,  and  south,  the 
judges'  bench  being  at  the  end  opposite  the  southern  entrance.  In  the 
southeast  corner  a  stairway  ascended  to  the  second  story,  where  there  was  a 
large  jury  room,  while  a  smaller  apartment  in  the  northeast  corner  was  occu- 
pied by  the  Masonic  fraternity.  At  the  center  6f  the  building  a  belfry 
surmounted  the  roof;  on  top  of  the  belfry  as  originally  built  were  a  plow  and 
cornstalk,  probably  emblematic  of  the  agricidtural  character  of  the  com- 
munity. On  the  14th  of  July,  1838,  James  Dieffenbacher  was  awarded  the 
contract  for  the  erection  of  a  steeple,  (so  called  in  the  commissioners'  minutes; 
perhaps  better  described  as  a  belfry);  on  this  the  rustic  ornaments  of  its  pre- 
decessor were  replaced  by  a  conventional  weather-vane.  The  court  house 
bell  is  now  the  property  of  the  Presbyterian  church  of  Simbury;  it  bears  the 
legend,  •'  George  Hedderley,  Philadelphia,  1794."  An  important  accessory 
to  the  building  was  the  public  well,  in  front  of  the  east  entrance;  of  the  im- 
provements once  situated  on  the  park  this  alone  remains. 

The  court  room  appears  to  have  been  practically  unfurnished  for  a  num- 
ber of  years.  At  November  sessions,  1820,  the  grand  jury  presented  the 
necessity  of  procuring  seats,  urging  that  they  knew  "no  good  reason  why 
suitors,  witnesses,  spectators,  and  jurymen  should  be  treated  as  rabble,"  and 
stating  that  "persons  compelled  to  attend  the  trial  of  a  cause  are  now  obliged 
to  stand  the  whole  day,  or  sit  amidst  the  dirt  of  the  steps  in  the  back  of  the 
court  house;"  whereupon  the  court  directed  the  commissioners  to  appropriate 
a  sum  not  exceeding  a  hundred  dollars  to  provide  suitable  accommodations. 
In  1845  the  bar  inclosure,  formerly  semi-circidar,  was  made  rectangxilar; 
benches  were  placed  on  either  side  for  jurymen  and  various  conveniences 
were  provided  for  the  lawyers,  including  tables,  chairs,  etc.  Two  wooden 
piUars,  situated  just  within  the  railing  of  the  bar  inclosure,  supported  the 
floor  above.  The  first  stoves  were  placed  in  the  court  room  in  the  winter  of 
1801-02.  There  were  two  of  them;  they  were  brought  from  Reachng  by 
Matthias  Persing  and  John  Snyder,  respectively,  and  placed  in  position  by 
William  Myers.  They  were  purchased  from  Matthias  Bobb,  the  considera- 
tion being  one  hundred  three  dollars,  thirty-three  cents.  As  early  as  1815 
the  use  of  "stone  coal"  was  recommended  by  the  grand  jury,  but  it  does  not 
appear  that  this  hiel  was  introduced  until  1837,  when  the  expenses  of  Fred- 
erick Lazarus  in  making  a  journey  to  Centre  and  Lewistown  furnaces  to  pro- 
cure three  coal  stoves  were  paid  by  the  board  of  commissioners,  of  which  he 
was  a  member. 


ORGANIZATION    AND    ADMINISTEATION.  159 

Up  to  this  time  there  was  no  regularly  established  place  for  the  transac- 
tion of  business  though  the  offices  of  the  prothonotary,  register  and  recorder, 
and  commissioners,  and  provision  for  the  requirements  of  public  convenience  in 
this  respect  next  received  consideration.  The  first  formal  action  of  the  com- 
missioners regarding  this  matter  is  the  following  resolution,  which  occurs  in 
the  minutes  under  date  of  February  1-1-,  1798: — 

Eesoh-ecl,  That  John  Lyon  forthwith  erect  and  complete  the  public  offices,  as  stipu- 
lated in  the  condition  of  his  obligation  of  this  day's  date  and  tiled  in  this  office. 

The  work  of  construction  had  already  begun,  however,  as  evidenced  by 
an  order  for  three  hundred  dollars  in  favor  of  Mr.  Lyon  for  fifty  thousand 
bricks,  issued  by  the  commissioners,  Janttary  3,  1798.  The  bricliyard  was 
situated  at  the  southeast  corner  of  "Walnut  and  Awl  streets,  upon  a  lot  of 
groimd  recently  sold  by  Dr.  R.  H.  Awl  to  the  Philadeli:)hia  and  Reading 
Railroad  Company.  No  great  degree  of  energy  characterized  the  building 
trades  at  that  period,  and  it  was  not  until  the  autumn  of  the  year  ISdt)  that 
the  "public  offices"'  were  completed.  The  following  minttte  occurs  in  the 
records  of  the  board  under  date  of  October  28,  1800: — 

The  board  proceeded  to  the  settlement  of  John  Lyon's  account  respecting  the 
county  offices  on  the  report  of  'William  Montgomerj',  Samuel  !Maclay,  Simon  Snyder, 
and  Samuel  Dale,  and  tinallj-  settled  the  same,  which  amounts  to  £ldl.5  l-Js.  6d. 

Mr.  Lyon  received  a  final  pa}-ment  of  one  himdred  ninety-four  dollars, 
fifty-two  cents,  November  12,  1800.  His  contract  probably  included  only 
the  main  parts  of  the  building;  the  shelves  in  the  prothonotary's  office  were 
constritcted  by  Theodorus  Kiehh  and  those  in  the  recorder's  office  by  Abra- 
ham Kiehl:  the  smithwork  was  done  by  John  Hill;  and  John  Alter  ftimished 
certain  '"  necessary  appurtenances  "  not  eniunerated  in  his  accotmt. 

This  building  was  poptilarly  known  as  the  "state  house,"  but  the  origin 
of  the  name  or  the  period  when  it  first  acquired  general  cttrrency  can  not  be 
satisfactorily  determined.  It  was  a  two-story  brick  structure,  aligned  with 
Market  and  Second  streets,  with  its  greatest  length  (sixty  feet)  from  east  to 
west.  About  two  thirds  the  distance  from  the  west  end  a  hall  extended 
through  the  building  from  north  to  south,  opening  upon  Market  street  and 
into  the  yard  at  its  opposite  extremity.  From  this  hall  the  stairway 
ascended  to  the  second  story  on  the  west  side.  There  were  three  rooms  on 
the  second  fioor — a  large  jury-  rood  and  two  smaller  apartments.  The  build- 
ing was  divided  on  the  first  story  into  three  sections  and  the  haU  by  hea\-y 
brick  walls  extending  from  the  front  on  Market  street  to  the  rear  or  south 
wall;  and  each  section  was  di\-ided  into  a  room,  and  a  fire  proof  vaidt  for  the 
preservation  of  records  and  papers.  The  walls  of  the  vault  were  of  brick, 
with  the  floors  and  the  ceilings  brick  arches;  the  doors  of  the  vaults  were 
made  of  heavy  wrought  iron,  and  there  was  a  window  to  each,  with  an  inside 
iron  shutter.  The  office  of  the  prothonotary  had  the  same  relative  position 
as   in  the  present  court  house,  occupying  the  eastern  end  of  the  building; 


160  HISTORY    OF    XOETHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

those  of  the  recorder  and  commissioners  were  west  of  the  hall,  the  former 
commi^nicating  with  it,  the  latter  entered  only  from  the  street.  In  the  year 
1819  the  words  "  Prothonotary's  Office."  '•  Kegister's  and  Recorder's  Office,"' 
and  '•  Commissioners'  Office  "  were  printed  in  large  black  letters  over  their 
respective  doors.  In  the  yard  at  the  rear  was  a  frame  building  in  which  the 
apparatus  of  the  Washington  and  Good  Will  tire  engine  companies  was  kept . 

The  gradual  develojiment  of  the  county  and  the  large  increase  in  pojiu- 
lation  and  wealth  incident  to  the  discovery  of  its  mineral  resources  aug- 
mented the  volume  of  legal  business  to  a  corresponding  degree,  and  the  time  at 
length  arrived  when  the  buildings  erected  at  the  close  of  the  last  century  were 
foruid  to  be  utterly  inadequate.  At  January  sessions,  ISOO,  the  grand  jury 
recommended  the  sale  of  the  "state  house"  and  the  application  of  the  pro- 
ceeds to  repairs  for  the  court  house.  This  could  have  proven  but  a  tem- 
porary solution  of  the  difficulty,  however.  The  first  measures  officially 
suggested  for  the  erection  of  a  new  court  house  emanated  from  the  grand 
jury  at  January  sessions,  1864,  when  the  citizens  of  Sunbury  were  recom- 
mended to  contribute  five  thousand  dollars  and  the  limit  of  the  total  amount 
to  be  expended  was  placed  at  forty-tive  thousand  dollars.  This  action  re- 
ceived the  indorsement  of  the  grand  inquest  at  the  following  term  of  court : 
the  borough  council  of  Sunbury  assumed  the  amoimt  mentioned,  and  the 
preliminaries  having  been  thu5  arranged,  the  board  of  commissioners,  on 
the  8(1th  of  November,  1804,  unanimously  resolved  to  take  immediate  meas- 
ures for  carrying  into  e.x^ecution  the  recommendation  of  the  grand  jury.  To 
this  end  arrangements  were  made  to  visit  the  court  houses  recently  erected 
in  adjoining  counties,  in  order  that  plans  and  specifications  might  be  pre- 
pared before  the  close  of  the  year.  This  was  accomplished,  the  court 
house  of  Lycoming  cotmty  being  taken  as  the  model.  On  the  uth  of  Jan- 
uary, 1805,  proposals  ranging  from  ninety-seven  to  one  Irandred  five  thou- 
sand dollars  were  received,  and  the  contract  was  awarded  D.  S.  Risel  at  the 
amount  first  named.  On  the  "2 1st  of  March  apartments  in  the  residence 
of  Mrs.  Donnel  were  rented  for  one  year  for  the  offices  of  the  prothonotary 
and  register  and  recorder,  and  George  Hill's  office  for  the  county  commis- 
sioners. On  the  24th  of  the  same  month  the  old  court  house  was  sold  to 
Lodge  No.  22,  F.  &  A.  M.,  for  the  sum  of  eight  hundred  dollars.  The  work 
of  construction  began  in  the  early  spring,  and  was  pushed  with  energy. 
Within  a  year  the  new  building  was  ready  for  occupancy;  and  on  the  27th  of 
March,  1800,  the  commissioners,  prothonotary,  treasurer,  and  register  and 
recorder  took  possession  of  their  respective  offices.  The  aggregate  cost  con- 
siderably exceeded  one  hundred  thousand  dollars. 

The  present  court  house  of  the  county  is  a  brick  building  with  an  ex- 
treme length  of  one  hundred  twenty-two  feet  eleven  inches,  and  an  extreme 
width  of  sixty-six  feet  two  inches.  -\t  th?  northwest  corner  a  tower  ascends  to 
the  height  of  one  hundred  twentv-five  feet;  it  contains  a  clock  with  four  dials, 


ORGANIZATION    AND    ADMINISTRATION.  161 

and  a  bell  bearing  the  inscription:  "Presented  by  the  Hon.  Simon  Cameron 
to  the  citizens  of  Simburv.  Pa..  Jnne.  l>>Ot).""  The  projecting  corners  of  the 
building  give  to  its  exterior  a  sraunetrical  appearance.  The  main  entrance 
is  from  Market  street,  from  which  a  corridor  extends  the  entire  length  of 
the  first  floor,  communicating  -with  the  oftices  of  the  register  and  recorder, 
commissioners,  and  sheriff  on  the  west,  and  those  of  the  prothonotaiy  and 
treasurer  and  the  arbitration  room  on  the  east.  A  transverse  hall  crosses 
the  center  of  the  building.  Two  stairways  in  front  and  one  on  the  east  side 
in  the  rear  ascend  to  the  second  floor.  This  is  mainly  occupied  by  the  court 
room,  a  well  furnished  apartment  of  ample  dimensions  and  good  acoustics. 
Above  the  seat  of  justice  is  the  figure  of  an  eagle  in  bronze,  and  a  portrait  of 
Alexander  Jordan,  the  first  judge  elected  in  Xorthumberland  county.  A 
large  apartment  in  the  rear  of  the  court  room  and  in  the  southwest  corner 
of  the  second  floor  is  devoted  to  the  purposes  of  a  law  library;  argument 
courts  are  usually  held  here  in  the  interim  between  the  regular  terms.  The 
corresponding  space  on  the  southeast  is  occupied  by  a  jury  room.  Above 
the  law  library  on  the  third  floor  is  the  grand  jury  room:  there  is  also  a  jury 
room  on  this  floor,  and  a  waiting  room  for  witnesses.  The  stairways  in  the 
front  of  the  building  are  continued  to  the  third  landing,  from  which  the 
ascent  is  made  to  the  clock  room.  As  a  whole  the  court  house  is  well  adapted 
to  its  purposes,  and  will  doubtless  be  sufficient  for  the  requirements  of  the 
county  for  some  years  to  come.* 

County  Prisons. — The  jail  is  the  inevitable  accessory  of  the  court  in  the 
administration  of  justice,  and  the  enforcement  of  law  in  a  community  com- 
posed largely  of  a  class  who  had  sought  to  escape  the  restraints  of  civilized 
society  by  retiring  to  the  frontier  early  demanded  a  place  of  confinement  for 
offenders  against  "the  peace  and  dignity"  of  the  State.  It  was  a  duty 
enjoined  upon  the  trustees  of  the  county  to  take  measiires  for  the  erection  of 
a  prison,  but  a  divergence  of  views  seems  to  have  prevented  concert  of  action 
in  this  matter.  The  extent  to  which  this  was  the  case  is  shown  by  the  fol- 
lowing extract  from  a  letter  of  William  Maclay,  addressed  to  James  Tilgh- 
man  and  dated  April  2,  1773: — 

I  inclose  you  a  letter  from  three  of  the  trustees  for  the  public  buildings  of  this 
county  respecting  some  measures  which  we  have  lately  fallen  on  to  rescue  us  from  the 
scandal  of  living  entirely  without  any  place  of  confinement  or  punishment  for  villains. 
Captain  Hunter  has  address  enough  to  render  abortive  every  attempt  that  was  made 

*The  location  of  the  present  court  house  w.is  decided  upon  by  the  commissioners,  Decemlier  20. 
1864,  when  "  the  '  state  house  '  lot  and  lot  No.  s.  known  .as  the  .Snyder  lot  "  were  selected.  The  former. 
No.  5,  had  heen  reserved  for  the  Proprietaries;  it  was  conveyed  by  John  Penn.  .Ir.,  and  John  Penn,  Sr.. 
through  Anthony  Butler,  their  attorney,  to  Daniel  Levy  by  deed  of  July  IS.  17W;  consideration,  forty- 
five  pounds,  with  a  quit  rent  of  one  pepper  corn  on  the  1st  of  March.  Einnually,  it  demanded,  forever.— 
Recorded  in  Deed  Book  K,  p.  243.  The  conveyance  from  Daniel  Levy  to  the  commissioners  was 
executed,  April  5. 179S;  consideration,  four  hundred  dollars.  The  commissioners  to  whom  the  deed 
was  made  were  Nathan  Stockman,  Charles  Irwin,  and  John  Lyon.— Recorded  in  Deed  Book  K,  p. 
244.  Lot  No.  8  was  conveyed  to  Northumberland  county  by  John  A.  Snyder  and  wife,  December  20, 
ISOo;  consideration,  seven  thousand  dollars.    Recorded  in  Deed  Book  XX,  p.  137. 


162  HISTORY  OF  NORTHUMBERLAND  COUNTY. 

last  summer  for  keeping  a  regular  jail,  even  after  I  had  been  at  considerable  expense 
in  fitting  up  this  magazine,  under  which  there  is  a  small  but  complete  dungeon.  I  am 
sorrj-  to  inform  j-ou  that  he  has  given  our  present  measures  the  most  obstinate  resist- 
ance in  his  power,  and  impeded  us  with  every  embarrassment  in  the  compass  of  his 
invention.  AVe  know  nothing  of  the  footing  on  which  Captain  Plunter  has  possession 
of  these  buildings,  and  only  beg  that  the  county  may  be  accommodated  with  this  old  maga- 
zine, with  the  addition  proposed  to  be  made  to  it,  and  with  the  house  in  which  I  now 
live,  to  hold  our  courts  in.  I  have  repaired  the  house  in  which  I  now  live,  but  expect 
to  have  an  house  ready  to  remove  to  in  Sunbury  before  our  November  court.  As  the 
present  repairs  are  done  entirely  by  subscription,  you  will  readily  guess  that  Captain 
Hunter  is  not  among  the  number  of  subscribers.  As  there  are  many  pieces  of  old  iron, 
etc.,  which  formerly  belonged  to  the  fort,  not  of  any  use  at  present,  the  trustees  pro- 
pose using  any  of  them  which  can  be  converted  to  any  advantage  for  grates,  etc.  for 
our  temporary  gaol,  unless  they  receive  contrary  directions  from  Philadelphia.* 

James  Tilghman  was  then  secretary  of  the  land  office  and  a  member  of 
the  Executive  Coitncil.  As  there  is  no  record  of  the  request  of  the  trustees 
having  been  denied,  it  is  prestuned  that  the  magazine,  with  the  "small  but 
comjilete  dungeon  "  imder  it,  were  accordingly  fitted  up,  thus  removing  from 
the  newly  formed  county  the '' scandal"  of  being  "without  any  place  of 
confinement  or  pimishment  for  villains."  Of  this  first  public  prison  in 
Northumberland  county  only  the  dtingeon  remains.  The  magazine,  with 
whatever  additions  the  trustees  may  have  made  to  it,  has  entirely  disap- 
peared. By  whom  and  in  what  amounts  the  funds  requisite  for  this  object 
were  contributed  can  not  now  be  ascertained.  In  1791  John  Lowdon  was 
paid  the  sum  of  six  pounds  by  the  commissioners  "  in  full  for  money 
advanced  by  him  for  enlarging  the  jail,  etc.,  in  Fort  Augusta  in  the  year 
1773,"  from  which  it  woitld  seem  probable  that  this  was  a  loan  rather  than 
a  subscription. 

The  second  county  prison  was  built  by  Eobert  McBride,  presumably 
upon  lot  No.  41  or  No.  42,  on  the  north  side  of  Market  street  above  Fourth; 
on  a  map  of  the  town  plot  showing  the  original  lot  owners  it  is  stated  that 
these  lots  were  returned  tmder  date  of  September  7  and  13,  respectively, 
1774,  so  that  it  is  not  probable  the  jail  thereon,  if  built  there,  was  erected 
prior  to  that  year.  All  that  is  definitely  known  concerning  this  jail  is  con- 
tained in  the  following  document,  the  original  of  which  is  still  preserved  in 
the  county  archives: — 
To  the  Worshipful  the  Justicea  of  Xnrlliiiinli,  rhunl  Cninty  in   Court  of  Qonrter  Sessions 

met  for  said  County  nt  Sunhury  mi  Tiirs(hiy,Noreniber  3S,  1775', — 
The  petition  of  Robert  McBride,  of  Sunbury  aforesaid,  humbly  sheweth:  That 
your  petitioner,  in  compliance  with  the  desire  of  some  of  the  magistrates  of  said 
county,  erected  a  house  "which  he  appropriated  to  a  prison  for  the  use  of  the  county, 
which  house  was  to  have  been  finished  in  such  a  manner  as  to  serve  for  a  temporary 
gaol;  that  your  petitioner  has  been  active  in  the  discharge  of  the  duty  of  a  gaoler; 
notwithstanding,  several  have  made  their  escape  from  said  prison,  owing  to  the  insuf- 
ficiency of  the  prison  house.     Your  petitioner,  being  young  in  the  otlicc  of  gaoler, 

•Pennsylvania  Archives,  Vol.  IV.  pp.  4C2-4t3. 


1^^4^^^^  i/y^c^^^ 


•^U, 


ORGANIZATION    AND    ADMINISTRATION.  165 

prays  if  he  is  longer  continued  therein  your  "Worships  will  occasion  the  house  to  be 
strengthened,  the  fees  for  debtors  and  criminals  to  be  adjusted,  and  also  the  allowance 
to  be  made  for  the  sustenance  of  poor  debtors  and  criminals,  their  fuel,  etc.  And 
your  petitioner  will,  etc. 

Robert  McBiude. 

Imhirsed:  Xovember  sessions.  177.5.  Petition  of  Robert  McBride  respecting  the 
gaol  he  built.  Robert  McBride's  petition.  To  be  read.  This  petition  referred  ta 
the  commissioners. — Per  cm-iiiui. 

By  the  act  providing  for  the  organization  of  the  county  its  commission- 
ers were  authorized  to  le\-A-  a  tax  not  exceeding  one  thousand  pounds,  for  the 
erection  of  public  buildings:  but  the  resources  of  the  county  were  found 
utterly  inadequate  to  meet  the  demands  siich  an  expenditure  would  have 
entailed,  and  in  1774  the  Assembly  generously  re-enforced  local  exertions 
with  an  appropriation  of  eight  himdred  poimds.  This  imparted  immediate 
vitality  to  the  enterprise;  harmony  was  restored  among  the  trustees,  who 
imited  in  selecting  lot  No.  13.  at  the  corner  of  Market  street  and  Center 
alley,  and  transmitted  to  the  Coimcil  the  result  of  their  deliberations.  The 
approval  of  the  Proprietary  was  expressed  in  the  following  letter: — 

Philadelphia,  September  fi,  1774. 

Gesti.emen:     I  do  hereby  apjirnve  of  the  lot  No.  13  which  you  have  fixed  upon 
for  the  purpose  of  building  a  public  gaol  in  the  town  of  Sunbury.     I  am,  genflemen. 
Your  very  humble  servant, 

.John  Pe.n.n. 
To  S»i„iir!  Ilnnf.r.  Rnh,  ,i  .Vn,„l/,.  Wi'H,,,,,  M.id.iy,  Esqutn's,  three  uf  the  trii!<t,;.ff,,r 

ereetin;i  the  p,ihUe  h>iilili„i/s  i,.  th.  .■■■•intij  of  Sorthnmherland* 

Building  operations  were  not.  however,  immediately  begxm,  and  at  Novem- 
ber sessions  of  the  following  year  ( 177-"))  the  grand  jury  reported  "'  having  care- 
fully examined  the  gaol,"  and  presented  the  same  '"as  unfit  to  detain  pris- 
oners in  its  present  state."  This  evidently  refers  to  the  magazine  and  the 
dungeon  beneath  it.  This  presentment  probably  spurred  the  trustees  to 
renewed  activity,  and  177G  is  generally  assigned  as  the  year  in  which  the  jail 
was  completed.  Hunter,  Maclay.  and  Mooche  seem  to  have  been  charged 
with  the  responsibility  of  the  undertaking,  as  is  clearly  shown  by  their  orders 
upon  the  treasurer  in  payment  for  work  done  and  materials  furnished.  From 
these  orders  it  has  been  ascertained  that  the  stone  was  quarried  by  James 
Chisnall;  the  iron  was  furnished  by  John  Harris,  Sr.,  of  Harris's  Ferry,  the 

*  This  important  document  appears  to  have  been  misplaced,  and  the  title  of  the  commissioners 
to  the  property  received  but  little  attention  until  its  sale  became  probable.  On  the  20tli  of  May,  1709, 
before  Thomas  McKean,  chief  justice  of  the  State,  John  Simpson  stated  under  oath  that  he  was  famil- 
iar with  the  chirography  of  John  Penn.  and  verily  believed  the  name  attached  to  the  letter  given 
above  to  be  his  signature;  it  was  thereupon  recorded  in  Deed  Book  K,  p.  403.  February  U,  1803, 
John  Fenn  and  Richard  Penn,  through  John  E.  Coates,  their  attorney,  executed  a  conveyance  for  the 
lot  in  question  to  Flavel  Roan.  David  Taggart.  and  Solomon  Marlvley,  county  commissioners,  for  the 
nominal  consideration  of  one  dollar— Recorded  in  Deed  Book  M,  p.  2U3.  By  act  of  April  1,  1803, 
the  commissioners  were  authorized  to  sell  tliis  lot;  It  was  exposed  at  public  sale  at  the  court  house  in 
Sunbury  on  the  9th  of  March,  180",  and  purchased  by  Thomas  Robins,  to  whom  a  deed  was  executed 
by  Henry  Vanderslice,  Flavel  Roan,  and  James  Longhead,  April  22,  1813,  the  consideration  being 
eight  hundred  dollars.— Recorded  in  Deed  IJook  S.,  p.  128.  Thus  the  lot  passed  out  of  possession  of 
the  county,  and  from  that  date  it  has  experienced  a  number  of  changes  in  ownership. 
10 


166  HISTORY  OF  NOETHUMBERLAND  COUNTY. 

lime,  by  John  Lee,  the  hinges,  rivets,  etc..  by  Frederick  Weyman;  John 
Buyers  and  John  Machiy  were  employed  as  carpenters,  William  Atkinson  as 
blacksmith.  Henry  Crawford  and  Robert  Lenet  as  masons,  and  Joseph  Mc- 
Carrell,  Zachariah  Robins,  and  Conrad  Platner,  to  haul  the  various  materials, 
etc.  This  building  stands  at  the  corner  of  Market  street  and  Center  alley, 
and  is  one  of  the  historic  landmarks  of  the  Susquehanna  valley.  The  wall 
aligned  with  the  street  is  built  of  brick;  that  adjoining  the  alley,  of  stone. 
From  the  immense  thickness  of  the  walls  throughout  it  is  evident  that  the 
projectors  endeavored  to  make  their  work  substantial  and  enduring.  That 
they  succeeded  is  amply  attested  by  the  present  condition  of  the  structure. 

For  a  time  the  jail  thus  erected  was  sufficient  for  all  reasonable  require- 
ments, and  was  probably  creditable  to  the  county  at  that  period.  But  with 
increasing  population  at  the  close  of  the  Revolution  better  facilities  were 
demanded;  and  at  May  sessions,  1783,  the  following  report  was  made  by  the 
grand  jury: — 

We,  the  grand  inquest  for  the  body  of  the  county  of  NorthumberUmd, having 

duly  examined  the  jail  of  the  said  county  in  the  town  of  Sunbury  at  3Iay  term,  1783, 
are  unanimously  of  opinion  that  the  said  jail  ought  to  be  condemned  as  not  being  suf- 
tirient  for  the  purposes  it  was  built  for,  and  do  agree  that  our  foreman  shall  sign  the 
same. 

May  29,  17S3.  James   C'uawford, 

F,.nm,n,. 

In  November,  178S,  the  jail  and  jail  yard  were  presented  by  the  grand 
jury  as  "insufficient  to  detain  prisoners  confined  therein."  It  is  probable  that 
additional  security  was  provided  in  compliance  with  these  presentments;  at 
all  events,  there  is  no  record  of  any  movement  for  the  erection  of  a  new 
prison  imtil  some  years  later.  Various  improvements  were  made  in  the 
intervening  period,  however,  among  the  most  important  of  which  was  the 
construction  of  a  palisade  around  the  yard  in  17SS. 

It  is  probable  the  largest  number  of  persons  ever  incarcerated  here  at  one 
time  was  thirty-sis;  an  accoimt  for  that  number  of  prisoners  from  Wyoming 
was  rendered  to  the  commissioners  under  date  of  Axigust  30,  1784.  Two 
prisoners — Edward  Jones  and  William  Armstrong — were  taken  from  this 
jail  to  expiate  the  crime  of  murder;  the  former  was  hung  by  Martin  With 
ington.  the  latter  by  Flavel  Roan.  In  the  case  of  Jones  the  expense  was 
live  poimds,  fifteen  shillings,  six  pence;  in  that  of  Armstrong,  twenty-four 
dollars,  eighty  cents.  Withington  received  payment,  January  0,  1796,  and 
Roan,  January  27,  1797.  These  were  the  only  judicial  executions  in  the 
early  history  of  the  county. 

The  agitation  for  the  building  of  a  court  house  naturally  extended  to  the 
erection  of  a  new  jail;  and  as  soon  as  the  county  offices  were  well  advanced 
to  completion,  the  jail  received  the  attention  of  the  authorities.  On  the  KHh  of 
March,  1801,  the  commissioners — John  Metzgar,  John  Frick,  and  Abraham 
McKinnev— met  with  John  Weitzel.  William   Gray,  and  Alexander  Hunter, 


ORGANIZATION    AND    ADMINISTUATION.  167 

trustees  for  the  building  of  the  court  house,  and  definitely  determined  upon 
the  erection  of  a  new  jail.  An  agreement  was  entered  into  with  Frederick 
and  Matthias  Hawger  to  furnish  two  thousand  bushels  of  lime;  with  Zacha- 
riah  Robins,  for  five  hundred  perches  of  stone;  with  George  Seitz,  to  exe- 
cute the  mason  work;  with  Andrew  Grove  and  Jacob  Durst,  for  all  the  smith 
work,  large  and  small,  at  ten  cents  per  pound;  and  with  John  Frick,  to 
superintend  the  work  and  exercise  an  oversight  over  the  materials,  etc..  at  a 
reasonable  percentage.  Subseqiiently  James  and  Michael  Collins  were  em- 
ployed as  plasterers,  and  Jacob  Prisinger  as  carpenter;  John  Young  fur- 
nished bricks,  and  Henry  Bardshare  lumber;  the  well  was  dug  by  John 
Epley,  and  "William  Hoffman  constructed  a  pump  for  it;  Henry  Zimmerman 
built  the  stable.  April  27,  ISOl,  Evan  R.  Evans  executed  a  conveyance  for 
lots  No.  149  and  150  on  the  plan  of  Simbury,  upon  which  the  jail  was  then 
being  built,  the  consideration  being  four  hundred  fifty  dollars.*  The  grounds 
thus  secured  extend  from  Arch  street  to  Center  alley,  fronting  on  Second  street. 
Regarding  the  com2:)letion  of  the  sti-ucture  the  following  minute  appears 
in  the  records  of  the  court  of  quarter  sessions  under  date  of  August,  ISO'2: — 
Information  being  made  to  the  court  tliat  tlie  new  gaol  is  finislied  and  in  sueli  a 
condition  tliat  the  prisoners  confined  in  the  old  gaol  may  be  removed  thereto  with 
safety;  whereupon  the  court  order  and  direct  the  sheriii  of  Jy"orthumberland  county  to 
remove  the  prisoners  aforesaid  out  of  the  old  gaol  into  the  new  gaol. 

The  settlement  of  the  accounts  of  John  Frick  was  effected  through  the 
inteiwention  of  arbitrators;  their  report  was  as  follows: — 

We,  the  subscribers,  b_v  mutual  consent  chosen  by  the  commissioners  of  the  coimty 
of  ^Northumberland  for  the  time  being  of  the  one  part,  and  John  Frick  of  the  other 
part,  (who  was  superintendent  for  building  the  new  gaol  in  the  borough  of  Sunburv,) 
for  the  purpose  of  adjusting  the  accounts  of  the  said  John  Frick  with  the  county  of 
Xorthumberland  aforesaid  with  respect  to  the  superintendence  aforesaid,  do  report : 
that  we  have  examined  the  accounts  of  the  said  John  Frick  and  do  find  them  regular 
and  just  in  our  opinion,  and  do  hereby  conceive  that  the  said  John  Frick  should  have 
for  his  services  aforesaid  at  the  rate  of  six  jnr  cent,  on  the  moneys  by  him  paid  over  to 
the  different  workmen  eng.aged  at  the  building  of  the  said  gaol. 
Given  under  our  hands  this  4th  day  of  November,  1802. 

Thomas  Guant, 
Simon  Snyder.  .Ik., 
John  Hays. 

This  jail  was  a  stone  structure,  fronting  on  Second  street  and  situated 
somewhat  nearer  Mulberrv"  alley  than  Ai-ch  street.  Attached  on  the  north 
side  and  communicating  with  it  was  the  sheriffs  residence,  a  brick  building 
two  stories  in  height  with  frame  addition.  The  jail  was  also  two  stories  high. 
It  was  entered  from  Second  street  by  a  narrow  vestibule,  on  the  south  side 
of  which  was  the  sheriff's  office.     The  vestibule  terminated  at  a  wrought  iron 

*Lot  Xo.  140  was  orit'iDally  patented  to  Pliilip  Bohlienmeyer,  June  13. 1774;  lot  Xo.  IjO,  to  .Jolm 
Liikens,  October  a;.  1770.  Both  subsequently  came  into  possession  of  Joseph  Jacob  Wallis;  by  par- 
tition of  his  est.-ite  tliey  were  apportioned  to  Evan  R.  Kvansand  Grace  liis  wife  {nee  Wallisi.  liy  wlioni 
they  were  transferred  to  John  Metzyar,  John  Fricl<,  and  Atirahnm  JIcKinney,  April  ■J7.  Isoi. 


168  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUilBEELAND    COUNTY. 

door,  popularly  known  as  the  "Ten  of  Diamonds,"  which  was  fastened  on  the 
outside  by  a  chain  and  hook  and  also  by  a  lock  and  key.  This  was  the 
entrance  to  the  prison  proper.  On  the  interior  a  passage  led  to  the  rear  of 
the  building,  where  a  door  opened  to  the  yard.  On  either  side  of  this  pass- 
age was  a  room,  and  a  stairway  led  to  the  upper  ston,-;  there  there  were  foi^r 
rooms,  occupying  the  entire  floor,  and  making  sis  apartments  altogether. 
There  was  also  a  dungeon  under  the  northwest  comer.  Throughout  the 
building  were  rings  in  the  floors  at  various  places,  and  to  these  refractory 
criminals  were  frequently  chained.  Prisoners  committed  for  minor  offenses 
were  given  the  liberty  of  the  yard,  which  was  also  occasionally  used  as  a  ball 
groimd  by  the  denizens  of  the  borough.  This  inclosure  was  entered  from 
Second  street  by  a  gate  large  enough  to  admit  a  horse  and  wagon.  It  was 
partly  bounded  on  the  north  and  east  by  the  jail,  and  elsewhere  by  a  stone 
wall,  upon  which  a  brick  addition  was  built  after  several  informal  jail  deliv- 
eries had  demonstrated  that  its  original  height  was  insufficient.  The  stable, 
a  frame  structiire,  stood  at  the  comer  of  Second  and  Arch  streets. 

There  is  reason  to  think  that  the  jail,  like  the  court  house,  was  practically 
unfurnished  for  some  years.  This  is  evident  from  the  following  presentment 
of  the  grand  jurj-  at  August  sessions,  1813: — 

The  grand  imiuest  of  the  county  aforesaid  present  to  the  court  that  in  compliance 
with  the  request  of  the  court  they  have  \-iewed  the  jail  and  the  state  of  the  prisoners, 
and  find  the  rooms  in  the  most  cleanly  state,  but  that  there  are  no  beds,  bedsteads,  or 
blankets  for  the  use  of  the  prisoners;  that  a  grand  inquest  for  August  sessions,  1811, 
and  another  for  .January  sessions,  1812,  had  directed  to  the  attention  of  the  court  the 
necessity  of  providing,  for  the  comfort  of  the  unfortunate  people  within  the  prismi 
walls,  two  stoves  and  six  blankets.  It  appears  that  these  salutary  recommendations 
have  been  acted  upon  in  no  other  manner  than  to  be  entered  on  the  records,  where  they 
stand  as  memorials  of  the  attention  of  the  grand  jury  to  the  necessities  of  the  unfortu- 
nate, and  of  the  neglect  of  those  whose  duty  it  was  to  carry  them  into  effect.  The  present 
grand  jury  therefore  recommend  that  the  conrt  will  be  pleased  to  direct  the  present 
commissioners  to  provide  immediately  for  the  use  of  the  prison  two  stoves,  si.x  bed- 
steads, suitable  canvas  to  hold  chaff  for  beds,  twelve  blankets,  and  si.x  rugs.  The  grand 
jury  further  take  the  liberty  to  recommend  that  the  court  will  be  pleased  to  direct  an 
inventory  of  the  said  articles  to  be  kept  in  the  jail,  so  that  on  the  re-visitation  of  every 
succeeding  grand  jurj-  they  may  see  that  the  articles  are  kept  in  good  order  and  remain 
in  their  proper  places  for  the  use  of  the  prison. 

LeOXAKD    RfPERT, 

Foremnn. 

This  plain  and  unequivocal  arraignment  of  the  commissioners  had  the  de- 
sired result,  as  shown  by  the  reports  of  succeeding  grand  juries.  That  the 
ordinary  comforts  of  life  should  have  been  withheld  from  the  inmates  of  the 
prison  to  the  extent  stated  in  the  foregoing  presentment  seems  almost  incredi- 
ble, but  the  era  of  prison  reform  had  not  yet  begun  and  it  is  not  probable 
any  considerable  number  of  persons  were  ever  confined  in  the  county  jail  at 
that  date. 

It  has  been  stated  that   the  grotrnds  occupied  by  the  jail  property  were 


ORGANIZATION   AND   ADillNISTRATION.  169 

pixrchased  from  Evan  R.  Evans  in  ISOl.  It  appears,  however,  that  there  was 
some  defect  in  the  title,  and  in  Augiist,  1S19.  in  an  action  brought  by  Joseph 
"Wallis  for  the  use  of  George  Grant,  acting  executor  of  Thomas  Grant, 
deceased,  against  Samuel  Himter  Scott,  administrator  of  the  estate  of  Grace 
Evans,  late  Grace  Wallis,  deceased,  for  the  recovery  of  a  debt  of  six  hundred 
fifteen  dollars,  forty-six  cents,  the  jail  was  levied  upon  by  the  sheriff.  The 
commissioners  consulted  Charles  Hall,  their  attorney,  who  gave  as  his  opinion 
'■  that  in  a  court  of  equity  the  commissioners  might  hold  out  against  the 
claim;  but  in  a  jury  trial  the  jiiry  might  be  imposed  upon,  and  we  would  lose 
it  and  pay  the  costs."  This  imdecided  expression  from  Mr.  Hall  divided  the 
opinions  of  the  board.  John  G.  Youngman  was  willing  the  jail  should  be 
sold  by  the  sheriff  and  bought  for  the  proper  use  of  the  county,  but  Daniel 
R.  Bright  and  John  Miller,  his  colleagues,  were  in  favor  of  resisting  the  le\y. 
When  the  jail  was  exposed  at  pubhc  sale  by  the  sheriff,  however,  they  had 
become  less  inclined  to  risk  the  imcertain  issixe  of  protracted  litigation,  and 
Mr.  Yoimgman  became  the  purchaser  at  his  bid  of  seven  himdred  one  dollars, 
fifty  cents,  Januarj-  19,  1820.*  The  extraordinary  nature  of  this  proceed- 
ing— the  exposure  of  a  county  jail  at  sheriffs  sale — excited  much  interest  at 
the  time.  It  is  doubtful  whether  the  history  of  the  State  furnishes  a  pre- 
cedent or  a  parallel. 

Although  usually  occupied,  for  there  has  never  been  a  period  in  the  his- 
tory of  the  coimty  when  the  agencies  that  produce  crime  were  not  more  or 
less  active,  the  jail  was  occasionally  empty  so  far  as  prisoners  were  concerned. 
An  instance  of  this  nature  occurred  in  184:6.  as  sho-\vn  from  the  following 
action  of  the  grand  jurj'  at  August  sessions  in  that  year: — 

Bt'solird,  That  the  gnind  inquest  of  this  counr\-  are  well  pleased  to  find  that  under 
the  influence  of  the  present  tariff  of  '42  we  have  found  the  jail  entirely  empty. 

S.  John, 
Fore,wn>. 

At  August  sessions,  1848,  the  grand  jury  reported  the  jail  "withoirt  any 
inmates  in  the  shape  of  prisoners  except  two  bears  in  the  back  yard,  which 
they  recommend  to  be  moved  at  the  expiration  of  the  present  sheriff,  or 

*The  following  abstract  of  these  proceedings  occurs  in  Sheriff's  Deed  Book  A,  p.  307 ;  Be  it 
remembered  that  on  the  28tli  day  of  January,  A.  D.  1820,  WUliam  Shannon,  Esquire,  high  sheriff  of 
Northumberland  county,  came  into  court  and  produced  to  the  court  a  deed  poll  from  liim  to  Jolin 
Miller,  .John  G.  Youngman,  and  Daniel  R.  Bright,  commissioners  of  the  county  aforesaid,  dated  tlie 
2Ttli  day  of  .January,  A.  D.  1S20,  for  the  jail  of  the  county  of  Northumberland  and  the  lot  upon  which 
the  same  is  erected,  seized  and  talven  in  execution  as  the  property  of  Grace  Evans,  late  Grace  Wallis, 
deceased,  by  virtue  of  a  certain  writ  of  flcri  facia.-<  issued  out  of  the  court  of  common  pleas  of  the 
countj-  of  Northumberland,  tested  at  Siinbiury  tlie  2Sth  day  of  August,  A.  D.  1S19,  at  the  suit  of  Joseph 
Wallis  for  tlie  use  of  George  Grant,  and  by  virtue  of  a  certain  otlier  wi-it  of  venditumi  exponas  issued 
of  the  same  court  bearing  date  at  Sunbury  the  27th  day  of  November,  A.  D.  1819;  exposed  the  prem- 
ises aforesaid  to  sale  on  the  17th  day  of  January,  1820,  and  sold  the  same  by  adjournment  on  Wednes- 
day, the  19th  day  of  January,  in  the  year  last  aforesaid,  to  John  Miller,  John  G.  Youngman,  and  Dan- 
lei  R.  Bright,  commissioners  of  Northumberland  county  aforesaid,  to  the  only  proper  use  and  belioot 
of  the  aforesaid  commissioners  and  tlieir  successors  in  otfice  of  the  county  aforesaid,  for  such  pulilic 
purposes  and  uses  as  they  or  their  successors  shall  think  fit.  for  the  sum  of  seven  hundred  one  dollars 
and  fifty  cents. 


170  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

chained."  It  would  be  interesting  to  know  what  relation  the  tariff  legisla- 
tion of  the  period  sustained  to  this  state  of  affairs. 

The  project  for  the  erection  of  the  present  jail  first  assumed  definite  pro- 
portions in  the  presentment  of  the  grand  jury  at  November  sessions,  1S75, 
from  which  the  following  with  reference  to  the  old  prison  is  an  extract: — 

It  was  a  creditable  structure  to  our  grandfathers,  who  in  their  poverty  built  it,  but 
its  usefulness  has  ceased,  and  it  should  give  place  to  another.  We  deem  it  unsuitable 
in  arrangement,  insufficient  in  capacity,  and   unfit  in  other  respects  for  the  proper 

restraint  and  treatment  of  prisoners We  believe  that  the  prisoners  who  are  not 

confirmed  and  hardened  criminals  should  be  treated  with  a  view  to  their  reformation 
and  reclamation  to  the  path  of  virtue,  and  that  they  ought  not  to  be  thrown  into  com- 
panionship with  abandoned  criminals.  A\'e  therefore  recommend  the  erection  of  a 
new  jail,  suitable  for  the  separate  accommodation  of  prisoners. 

In  January,  1876,  the  grand  jury  characterized  it  as  "the  worst  con- 
structed, illy  ventilated,  and  most  insecure  jail  in  Pennsylvania,  if  not  in  the 
United  States,"  and  strongly  indorsed  the  recommendation  of  their  immedi- 
ate predecessors.  In  this  the  grand  jury  at  March  sessions  concurred,  and 
the  matter  was  thus  brought  to  the  ofiicial  cognizance  of  the  commissioners. 
Architects  were  invited  to  submit  plans  and  specifications,  and  on  the  28th 
of  March,  1876,  those  of  C.  S.  Wetzel  were  adopted.  The  financial  responsi- 
bilities of  the  undertaking  were  next  considered,  and  on  the  1st  of  May  the 
style  of  comity  bonds  to  be  issued  to  cover  the  expenditure  was  decided  upon. 
Proposals  for  the  erection  of  the  jail  were  advertised  for,  receivable  until 
May  16,  1876;  they  were  opened.  May  22,  1876,  and  the  contract  was  awarded 
to  Ira  T.  Clement  at  his  bid  of  ninety-one  thousand  six  hundred  thirty-six  dol- 
lars. The  old  jail  building  was  also  sold  to  Mr.  Clement,  for  the  sum  of 
three  himdred  eighty  dollars,  on  the  22d  of  May.  On  the  29th  of  the 
same  month  the  persons  confined  in  the  prison,  twelve  in  number,  were 
removed  to  the  jail  of  Lycoming  county  at  Williamsport,  thenceforth  the 
place  of  incarceration  for  criminals  from  this  county  until  the  completion  of 
the  present  jail,  in  which  the  first  occupant  was  placed  on  the  7th  of  August, 
1877. 

The  present  county  prison  occupies  the  lots  purchased  in  1801.  The 
main  building  fronts  on  Second  street  at  the  center  of  the  lot;  it  is  three 
stories  high,  and  surmounted  by  a  tower  in  the  center.  The  main  entrance 
opens  into  a  vestibule,  from  which  a  hallway  extends  to  the  prison  proper, 
crossed  at  the  center  of  the  main  building  by  a  transverse  corridor,  at  either 
end  of  which  stairways  ascend  to  the  second  story.  Here  there  is  a  large 
room  for  the  accommodation  of  jurors,  and  in  the  third  storj'  are  two  large 
tanks  from  which  the  water  supply  of  the  entire  establishment  is  distributed. 
The  warden's  office  is  situated  on  the  first  floor,  and  several  rooms  are  used  for 
storage  purposes;  except  as  otherwise  indicated,  the  main  building  furnishes 
accommodations  for  the  warden  and  his  family.  From  the  hallway  extend- 
ing from  the  vestibule  on  the  first  floor  two  passages  diverge,  leading  to  the 


ORGANIZATION    AND    ADIIINISTRATION. 


171 


wings  in  which  jirisoners  are  confined.  These  are  distinguished  as  the  north 
and  west  or  right  and  left  corridors,  respectively.  Each  has  an  extreme 
length  of  nearly  one  hixndred  feet.  The  cells  are  arranged  in  two  tiers,  there 
being  twenty-three  in  each  tier;  iron  stairways,  and  an  iron  platform  extend- 
ing aroimd  the  interior,  furnish  access  to  the  second  tier.  Light  is  admitted 
from  skylights,  and  into  each  cell  by  an  aperture  in  the  exterior  wall.  The 
west  corridor  is  used  for  penitentiary  purposes,  and  here  is  conducted  the 
industrial*  feature  of  the  institution.  Carpets  are  the  principal  product  of 
this  department;  knit  goods  are  also  made,  and  the  manufacture  of  paper 
bags  also  received  some  attention  at  one  time.  A  partition  divides  the  right 
corridor,  part  of  which  is  approjiriated  exclusively  for  female  prisoners. 
There  is  a  basement  under  the  entire  building,  part  of  which  is  utilized  for 
culinary  purposes;  that  under  the  prison  corridors  is  divided  into  cells,  not 
yet  finished  for  occupancy,  however,  so  that  the  present  capacity  of  the  jail 
is  capable  of  being  increased  one  half.  A  steam-heating  plant  provides  for 
the  requirements  of  the  institution  in  this  respect.  The  inclosure  is  sur- 
roimded  by  a  substantial  stone  wall  twenty-three  feet  high,  and  is  entered  by 
a  wagon  gate  from  Mulberry  alley.  A  marble  block  in  the  center  of  the 
tower  is  inscribed  with  the  names  of  J.  G.  Durham,  D.  S.  Reitz,  H.  Henrie, 
and  P.  Hile.  commissioners;  C.  S.  Wetzel,  architect,  and  Ira  T.  Clement, 
contractor;  and  the  date,  1S76. 

The  wardens  of  the  prison,  elected  at  the  respective  dates  given,  have 
been  as  follows:  John  Peeler,  1879;  James  Dalton,  1882;  William  Kella- 
gher,  1SS6;  F.  M.  Moore,  1888,  and   John  Kehoe,  1891,  present  incumbent. 

A  County  Poorhouse  was  agitated  in  the  decade  ending  1850.  and 
the  project  was  received  with  some  favor  in  the  northern  part  of  the 
county.  On  the  5th  of  April,  1849,  an  act  was  passed  by  the  legislature 
submitting  the  question  to  a  poijular  vote  at  the  ensuing  general  election. 
The  measure  was  overwhelmingly  defeated,  however,  as  sho^\Ti  by  the  follow- 
ins  returns: 


Siiubury 

Upper  Augusta. 

Coal T 

Shamokin 

Rush 

Lower  Augusta  . 
Upper  Mahauoy. 

Jackson 

Lower  >[ahonina 


47 
208 
1:^6 
20.5 
i:32 
173 
Ul 


Little  Mahanny , . . 
Northumberland . 

Point 

Chillisquaque... . 

Milton 

iTurbut 

Delaware 

:  Lewis 


I      Total. 


^ 

49 

IS') 

3 

30 

30 

32 

101 

204 

» 

19 

90. 

2!J 

184 

3 

2:^4 

The  agitation  has  not  been  renewed,  and  the  indigent  classes  are  car^d 
for  under  the  supervision  of  the  local  authorities.  Regular  poor  houses 
have  been  erected  in  several  of  the  districts. 


*The  erection  of  a.  workhouse  for  the  employineiit  of  pers.ins 
menileil  hy  tlie  grand  juiy  as  early  as  1310. 


172  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

EARLY    FISCAL    AFFAIRS. 

Present  methods  of  civil  administration  differ  materially  from  those  under 
which  the  fiscal  affairs  of  the  county  were  conducted  a  ceutim-  ago.  While 
the  relation  of  the  county  commissioners  to  the  assessment  and  ajiplica- 
tion  of  the  revenues  has  always  been  that  of  immediate  and  direct  responsi- 
bility, constitutional  and  statutory  enactments  have  deprived  the  board  of  some 
of  its  former  important  prerogatives.  Of  the  ptiblic  oflficers  concerned  in  le%-j-- 
ing  and  disbursing  the  county  taxes,  only  the  commissioners  and  assessors 
were  elective  when  the  Province  became  a  Commonwealth:  the  county  treas- 
urer was  appointed  by  the  commissioners;  collectors  were  also  selected  by 
that  board,  from  persons  recommended  by  the  respective  assessors,  and  the 
duties  now  assigned  to  the  county  auditors  were  performed  by  the  grand 
jury.  That  body  made  an  inquiry  into  the  condition  of  coimty  finances  in 
Augttst,  1787;  their  report,  the  iirst  on  this  subject  of  which  there  is  any 
record,  relates  to  the  accounts  of  William  Gray  and  John  Buyers,  county 
treasurers,  and  is  purely  statistical.  The  earliest  report  of  county  auditors 
extant  is  that  of  Abraham  Scott,  James  Jenkins,  and  John  Kidd.  dated 
August  28,  1793.  Balances  were  reported  against  Kobert  Martin,  treasurer 
of  State  taxes,  1777-80;  William  Gray,  treasurer  of  State  taxes.  1780;  Will- 
iam Gray,  coimty  treasurer,  1777-81,  and  David  Mead,  county  commis- 
sioner. Frederick  Antes  was  treasurer  of  the  county  longer  than  any  other 
incumbent  of  that  position.  He  was  tirst  appointed  in  17^2,  ser^-ing  until 
December,  1784.  and  was  reapjiointed  in  1788,  serving  probably  until  his 
death  in  1801.  His  accounts  were  audited  on  several  occasions,  but,  owing 
to  the  Huctitating  value  of  the  currency  and  various  other  causes,  there  was  a 
considerable  discrepancy  between  them  and  those  of  the  commissioners  when 
his  successor  asstimed  office.  The  matter  was  referred  to  the  courts  for  ad- 
judication, and  after  a  period  of  litigation  a  final  settlement  was  reached  in 
the  decision  of  Samuel  Maclay,  Daniel  Montgomery,  and  Joseph  Prie.stley. 
arbitrators,  awarding  to  the  county  the  sum  of  one  thousand  fifty-seven  dol- 
lars, sixty-two  cents.     Their  report  was  rendered,  August  2o.  1807. 

The  minutes  of  the  county  commissioners  reveal  much  that  is  of  interest 
in  connection  with  financial  matters.  Unfortunately,  the  early  records  have 
disappeared,  and  diligent  search  among  the  archives  of  the  cotmty  has  failed 
to  discover  any  minutes  of  the  board  until  near  the  close  of  the  first  decade 
after  its  organization.  It  is  not  probable  that  the  revenues  of  the  county 
were  very  considerable  during  the  Revolutionarj'  period,  and  not  improbable 
that  the  functions  of  the  board  were  partially  suspended  during  that  time. 
This  is  sitfficiently  indicated  by  the  following  action  of  the  commissioners, 
which  appears  in  the  minutes  under  date  of  October  19,  17M:— 

Renohcd,  That  notict'.s  be  sent  to  the  several  coUectors  of  the  year  ITTs  in  order  for 
settlement. 

Iii9'ihcd,  That  a  letter  be  prepared  and  sent  to  his  E.\celleucy  the  President,  set- 


ORGANIZATION    AND    ADMINISTRATION.  173 

ting  forth  our  inteutiou  forthwith  to  proceed  iu  sertling  all  the  tax  books;  that  many  of 
the  books  are  lost,  collectors  dead  or  moved  away,  [aud]  no  credit  given  in  the  books 
for  taxes  paid;  and  requesting  advice  respecting  the  taxes  before  the  Ee volution,  and 
what  the  exchange  since  the  Revolution;  aud  also  how  delinquent  treasurers  may  be 
dealt  with. 

Ei'xiiJred,  That  fair  lists  be  made  out  of  all  the  taxes  on  uncultivated  land  for  the 
years  177S,  1774,  and  1776,  and  have  them  advertised  according  to  law. 

A  letter  was  accordingly  transmitted  to  President  Keed  on  the  2GtlL  of 
October.     It  contains  the  following  interesting  paragraph: — 

The  tax  business  we  have  in  hand  and  are  determined  to  proceed  with  dispatch  as 
far  as  our  circumstances  and  abilities  will  possibly  admit.  ^lany  of  the  county  books 
and  papers  are  }-et  in  Paxtaug,  being  removed  thither  on  the  break  of  Wyoming. 
"We  And  by  such  as  are  in  our  hands  that  no  credit  hath  been  given  in  the  books  to  any 
person  since  this  was  a  county,  but  it  appears  by  several  settlements  with  sundry  col- 
lectors since  the  year  1773  that  divers  sums  remained  in  the  hands  of  the  treasurer. 
and  that  the  inhabitants  generally  paid  their  taxes,  and  the  non-residents  none  or  but 
very  little.* 

In  pursuance  of  the  action  of  the  board  the  unpaid  taxes  for  the  years  1773. 
1774,  and  1776  were  advertised  in  the  Pennsylvania  Gazette  in  17S1.  This  was 
effectual  in  securing  payment  of  delinquent  taxes  only  in  part,  however,  and  on 
the  2Sth  of  May,  17S2,  the  lands  upon  which  taxes  remained  unpaid  were 
offered  at  public  sale  at  the  court  house  in  Simbiuy.  This  was  continued 
under  the  auspices  of  the  commissioners  on  the  28th  of  August  and  the  26th 
of  November  in  the  same  year,  and  on  the  1st  of  January,  1783.  These  were 
the  tirst  commissioners'  sales  for  taxes  in  the  historj'  of  the  cotmty. 

The  opposition  of  the  holders  of  unseated  lands  was  at  once  aroused  by 
these  proceedings.  It  was  ttrged  that  the  State  had  not  furnished  adequate 
protection  to  the  frontier;  that  its  development  had  been  thereby  restricted, 
and  that  there  had  been  practically  no  returns  from  the  lands  in  question: 
and  that  taxation  without  protection  to  property  was  imjust.  This  seems  to 
have  resulted  in  a  temporary  suspension  of  the  proceedings  on  the  jiart  of  the 
commissioners,  but  in  1786,  in  compliance  with  instructions  from  the  auditor 
general,  lands  subject  to  sale  for  arrears  of  taxes  were  advertised;  the  same 
opposition  was  again  encountered,  whereupon  an  address  '"  to  the  landholders 
non-residents  of  Northumberland  coimty  ""  was  published  in  the  Philadelphia 
papers  by  the  commissioners,  who  assured  them  that  they  "never  had  the 
most  distant  thought  of  defrauding  any  landholder  of  a  single  acre,  much 
less  of  a  plantation,"  at  the  same  time  expressing  their  determination  to 
enforce  the  payment  of  taxes.  Commissioners'  deeds  have  since  entered 
largely  into  the  titles  to  land  in  many  parts  of  the  county.f 

*Peunsylvama  Archives,  Vol.  IX.  pp.  -wo-Hl. 

t  -A  curious  system  of  notation  was  devised  in  IS19  for  the  records  relatin;,'  to  unseated  lands.  As 
"scribbling"  throughout  the  books  could  not  be  permitted,  the  following  private  marks  were  estab- 
lished: A  small  triangular  character— -improved:"  the  letter  D— "no  land:"  the  letter  0,  with  a 
period  in  the  center,—"  sold,"  and  when  followed  by  the  letter  C— "  sold  to  commissioners:"  the  letter 
O,  crossed  by  a  perpendicular  line,— "unsold:"  the  phis  sign  -j — "paid  to  collector;'  the  letter  V 
inverted,  with  a  horizontal  line  crossing  the  apex,— "not  advertised;"  a  small  rectangular  character— 
"  part  improved ;"  the  tirst  letter  ot  the  treasurers  name  indicated  his  receipt.  A  knowledge  of  this 
key  is  almost  indispensable  in  tracing  titles  that  have  been  affected  by  commissioners'  sales. 


174r  HISTORY    OF    NORTHCMBEKLAND    COUNTY. 

At  an  early  period  in  the  history  of  the  county.  State  and  coimty  taxes, 
ahhoiigh  levied  by  tlie  same  commissioners,  were  disbursed  through  dif- 
ferent treasurers,  and,  in  some  instances,  audited  by  different  boards.  An 
instance  of  the  latter  class  occurred  in  the  year  1799,  when  the  auditing  of 
State  taxes  was  referred  to  a  commission  specially  constituted  for  that  piir- 
pose.  The  report,  embodying  the  results  of  an  investigation  into  the  finan- 
cial relations  of  the  county  and  State  during  nearly  a  score  of  years,  with 
the  intricate  questions  growing  out  of  the  formation  of  several  counties  from 
the  territory  of  Northumberland  during  that  period,  is  one  of  the  most 
interesting  documents  extant  relating  to  early  county  finances.  The  follow- 
ing is  an  extract: — 

The  commissioners  of  accounts  for  the  counties  of  Northumberland  and  Luzerne 
are  of  opinion  that  the  dismemberment  of  Xorthumberland  county  by  the  erection  of 
the  northern  part  thereof  into  the  county  of  Luzerne  ought  to  disincumber  the 
parent  county  of  one  third  of  the  quotas  charged  upon  it  in  the  accounts  submitted 

herewith  to  the  comptroller  general The  inhabitants  of  the  township  of  W^'om- 

ing.  I  which  at  one  time  nominally  included  all  the  present  count}'  of  Luzerne,  extend- 
ing as  far  down  the  Northeast  Branch  as  Fishing  creek,)  were  never  assessed  beyond 
the  present  limits  of  Northumberland  county  in  that  direction.  Some  of  the  unseated 
lands  were  returned,  but,  owing  to  the  disturbances  of  the  Connecticut  claimants,  they 
were  not  exacted.  No  formal  assessment  ever  took  place  within  their  intrusions. 
The  dismembered  part,  by  the  act  of  separation,  was  admitted  to  a  third  part  of  the 
representation  in  the  General  Assembly. 

The  erection  of  Mifflin  county  in  the  year  1789  struck  off  from  Northumberland 
about  the  half  of  Potter's  and  the  whole  of  Upper  Bald  Eagle  townships.  We  are 
therefore  of  opinion  that  Northumberland  county  should  have  credit  on  that  aminuit 
proportionate  to  the  dismembered  territory. 

The  report,  signed  by  John  Simpson  and  John  Kidd,  was  transmitted  to 
the  comptroller  general  under  date  of  November  2,  1799. 

Orders  drawn  by  the  commissioners  at  that  early  date  were  frecjuently 
lost  by  those  in  whose  favor  they  were  drawn,  and  instances  are  on  record  of 
counterfeit  orders  having  been  presented  to  the  treasurer  and  cashed  by  him, 
thus  prodticing  conftision  in  the  public  accounts.  To  remedy  this  it  was 
decided  to  number  orders  as  they  were  issued,  and  the  treasurer  was 
instructed  to  honor  numbered  orders  only.  Order  No.  1  was  issued,  Janu- 
ary 27.  1798.  This  marks  an  important  step  in  the  evolution  of  systematic 
methods. 

A  disposition  to  keep  within  the  literal  meaning  of  the  law  in  the  dis- 
biu-sement  of  coimty  ftuicls  is  noticeable  in  the  proceedings  of  the  early 
commissioners.  In  the  year  1800  the  construction  of  a  stone  bridge  over 
Chillisquaque  creek  was  authorized  by  the  grand  jury  and  undertaken  by  the 
board.  It  became  apparent  that  the  work  coirld  not  be  completed  before  the 
ensuing  winter,  and  the  contractor  asked  an  allowance  for  the  construction 
of  a  temporary  roof,  in  order  that  the  unfinished  masonry  might  be  protected 
from  the  inclemencies  of  the  season.     The  commissioners  presented  a  state- 


ORGANIZATION    AND    ADMINISTRATION.  175 

meat  of  these  facts  to  the  court  and  grand  jury,  giving  their  reasons  for  so 
doing  in  the  following  language;  "Small  as  this  expense  in  the  estimation 
of  the  board  may  appear,  yet  they  think  themselves  not  justified  to  order  this 
roof  to  be  made  without  the  intervention  of  that  tribunal  which  holds  the 
public  purse."  The  tribunal  in  question  ^vas  pleased  to  consider  the  matter 
favorably,  and  the  proposed  roof  was  accordingly  provided  at  the  expense  of 
the  coimty. 

This  punctilious  exactness  occasionally  brought  the  board  into  conflict  with 
the  court.  In  August,  1807,  Joseph  Harris  presented  an  accomit  for  his 
services  as  court  crier,  amounting  to  more  than  a  hundred  dollars.  The  com- 
missioners refused  to  pay  it.  upon  which  he  -withdrew,  but  returned  in  a 
short  time  and  again  presented  the  account,  to  which  was  affixed  the  follow- 
ing note  from  the  judges: — 

The  court  can  not  proceed  in  the  business  of  the  county  without  a  crier;  such  a 
person  is  absolutel\-  necessary.  No  one  can  be  procured  for  the  common  fees  in  the 
fee  bill.  The  court  therefore  think  that  a  dollar  a  day  is  not  unreasonable  pay,  and 
that  the  commissioners  ought  to  furnish  the  means  of  obtaining  the  attendance  of  a 
proper  person  as  a  crier.  If  the  commissioners  object  we  know  not  any  other  person 
bound  to  pay  such  a  man,  nor  can  we  hold  court  without  one. 


Thomas  Cooper, 
.T.  !Macpiiersox. 


The  commissioners  replied  as  follows 


In  answer  to  the  within  note  of  the  court  the  commissioners  beg  leave  to  state  that 
they  do  not  conceive  it  necessary  to  inquire  whether  the  fees  allowed  by  law  to  the 
crior  of  the  court  are  sufficient  or  not,  as  they  do  not  think  themselves  authorized  in 
anv  case  to  add  to  them  out  of  the  county  stock. 

C.  ilACI.AY, 

Samuei,  Awi.. 
Samcei.  Bond, 

Commissioners"  Office,  August  20,  1807. 

At  the  same  term  of  court  Andrew  Kennedy  presented  a  bill  for  publish- 
ing lists  of  causes,  etc.,  amounting  to  upwards  of  eight  pounds,  to  which  was 
attached  a  note  from  the  judges  recommending  its  payment.  To  this  the 
commissioners  replied  that  they  knew  of  no  law  which  would  authorize  an 
appropriation  for  that  pitrpose,  that  they  had  reason  to  believe  there  was 
none,  and  that  they  had  strong  doubts  of  the  public  utility  of  publishing  lists 
of  the  causes.  They  therefore  declined  to  pay  the  bill.  What  reply  the 
judges  made  to  this  ultimatum  does  not  appear,  but  the  friction  thus  engen- 
dered doubtless  contributed  to  the  influences  that  finally  restdted  in  Judge 
Cooper's  deposition. 

There  was  also  a  divergence  of  views  between  the  commissioners  and 
Judge  Chapman,  but  not  so  radical  as  that  in  which  Judge  Cooper  was  con- 
cerned For  two  successive  years  the  Jtidge  declined  to  pay  an  occupation 
tax,  justifv'ing  his  refusal  by   the  State  constitution.     In  April,   1828,   he 


176  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

agreed  with  the  commissioners  to  refer  the  qiiestion  to  a  committee  of  three 
members  of  the  bar.  John  Lashells,  Samuel  Hepburn,  and  James  Merrill 
were  selected  as  arbitrators;  they  decided  that  the  exemption  claimed  was 
untenable,  and  that  the  tax  was  legally  assessed  and  payable.  Thus  again 
the  civil  administration  demonstrated  its  superior  legal  knowledge. 

The  financial  stringency  of  1837  occasioned  great  inconvenience  in  paying 
jurors  and  settling  other  small  accounts,  silver  coin  having  been  practically 
withdi-awn  from  circulation  in  this  part  of  the  State.  In  order  to  facilitate 
the  transaction  of  business,  the  commissioners  "  entered  into  a  resolution  to 
issue  small  bills  under  five  dollars."  It  is  believed  that  this  is  the  only 
instance  in  which  the  county  in  its  cori^orate  capacity  has  as.sumed  the 
functions  of  a  bank  of  issue. 

IN.-iUGUK.-iTION    OF    THE    PUBLIC    SCHOOL    SYSTEM. 

The  act  of  1834  inaugurated  in  Pennsylvania  what  is  distinctively  known 
as  the  public  school  system.  Popular  education  had  been  a  subject  of  legis- 
lative action  since  the  founding  of  the  Colony.  It  was  stipulated  in  the  con- 
stitution of  1790  that  the  legislature  should  '"provide  by  law  for  the  estab- 
lishment of  schools  throughout  the  State  in  such  manner  that  the  poor  may 
be  taught  gratis."  In  1802  an  act  was  passed  to  provide  for  the  mainte- 
nance of  schools  where  elementary  instruction  might  be  received  by  all  chil- 
dren. Those  of  the  well-to-do  were  required  to  pay  a  small  sum,  but  when 
the  returns  of  the  assessors  showed  that  the  parents  were  unable  to  bear  this 
expense  the  county  commissioners  were  authorized  to  do  so.  It  does  not 
appear  that  popular  education  in  Northumberland  county  was  materially 
advanced  by  the  operation  of  this  law.*  Here  the  neighborhood  school  was 
the  earliest  result  of  educational  effort.  As  a  measure  of  convenience  certain 
communities  established  schools  in  which  their  children  might  receive  a  rudi- 
mentary education.  The  teacher  derived  his  support  from  his  patrons,  and 
the  affairs  of  the  school  were  intrusted  by  common  consent  to  the  more  ener- 
getic members  of  the  community,  who  were  usually  men  of  intelligence. 
The  law  of  1802  was  variously  amended  at  different  times,  without,  however, 
accomplishing  its  purpose.  In  1827  a  society  for  the  promotion  of  education 
in  the  State  was  formed  at  Philadelphia,  and,  through  a  corresponding  com- 
mittee, the  opinions  of  leading  men  in  every  county  were  ascertained  and  a 
union  of  the  most  progressive  sentiment  effected.  The  powerful  influence 
thus  generated  resulted  in  the  act  of  1834.  In  this  the  former  distinction 
between  pay  and  pauper  schools  was  abrogated;  all  property  was  made  taxable 
for  the  support  of  the  schools,  and  their  local  management  in  each  district 

♦Pursuant  to  circular  of  January  9,  isa3,  the  clerk  to  the  county  commissioners  transmitted  tlie 
following  statement  to  the  Secretary  of  the  Commonwealth :— 1829,  number  of  poor  children  taught, 
123;  amount  expended,  S299.S0!,2;  1S30,  number  of  poor  children  taught,  126;  amount  expended,  ,<393.- 
ll=.i;  1831,  number  of  poor  children  taught,  178;  amount  expended,  §370.39J^:  1832,  number  of  poor 
children  tauglit,  240;  amount  expended,  .*713.10ij. 


ORGANIZATION    AND    ADMINISTRATION.  177 

placed  in  charge  of  a  board  of  six  directors.  Some  two  hundred  acts  of  the 
legislature  had  preceded  that  of  1834;  but  the  latter,  although  amended  in 
1836,  is  substantially  unimpaired,  and  the  growing  efficiency  of  the  system 
fully  attests  the  wisdom  of  those  who  framed  it. 

The  first  convention  of  delegates  under  this  act.  and  in  all  probability 
the  first  public  educational  meeting  in  the  county,  was  held  at  the  court 
house  in  Sunbury,  November  4,  1834.  The  following  is  a  transcript  of  the 
minutes: — 

Agreeably  to  an  act  passed  the  1st  day  of  April,  18:34,  entitled  '•  An  act  to  estab- 
lish a  general  system  of  education  bj-  common  schools,"  a  meeting  of  the  commission- 
ers of  the  county  and  delegates  from  the  different  school  districts  of  the  county  of 
Northumberland  met  at  the  court  house  in  the  borough  of  Sunbury  on  Tuesday,  the 
4th  day  of  November,  1834.  The  meeting  was  organized  by  appointing  .John  C.  Boyd, 
of  Rush  township,  chairman,  and  John  Taggart,  of  Northumberland,  secretary.  The 
meeting  then  adjourned  to  the  house  of  William  Shannon,  when  the  following  per- 
sons appeared,  produced  their  certiticates  of  election,  and  took  their  seats,  viz.:  Tur- 
but  township,  .John  McKinney;  Chillisquaque  township,  .James  F.  Murray;  Point 
township,  I^obert  Currv;  Augusta  township,  Samuel  Lantz;  Shamokin  township,  Rob- 
ert McAVilliams;  Rush  township,  John  C.  Boyd;  Upper  !Mahanoy  township,  Benjamin 
Markel;  Lower  Mahanoy  township,  Jacob  Weiser,  Sr.;  :Milton  borough.  Robert  3Ic- 
Guigan;  Northumberland  borough,  John  Taggart;  Sunbury  borough,  John  G.  Young- 
man;  Daniel  Hilbush,  William  Shannon,  and  Frederick  Burkenbine,  commissioners  of 
the  county. 

The  meeting  then  proceeded  to  take  the  vote  on  "  making  appropriation  for  com- 
mon schools,"  when  it  appeared  that  six  delegates  voted  in  the  athrmative,  viz.: 
3Iessrs.  Mclvinney,  JIcGuigan,  Murra}',  Curry,  Taggart,  and  Youugmau;  and  that  five 
delegates  and  three  commissioners  voted  in  the  negative,  viz.:  Messrs.  Lantz,  McWill- 
iams,  Boyd,  Markel,  Weiser,  Hilbush,  Shannon,  and  Burkenbine. 

The  delegates  and  commissioners  voting  in  the  negative  having  retired,  the  dnle- 
gates  voting  in  the  affirmative  reorganized  the  meeting  by  appointing  Robert  JleGuigan 
president  and  continuing  John  Taggart  as  secretary. 

The  following  resolutions  were  proposed  and  unanimously  passed,  viz:— 

Hisolwd,  That  the  commissioners  be  and  they  are  hereby  authorized  to  le%y  half 
the  amount  of  the  county  tax  for  the  use  of  common  schools  in  the  to-miships  of  Tur- 
but,  Chillisquaque,  and  Point,  and  in  the  boroughs  of  Jlilton,  Northumberland,  and 
Sunbury  for  the  ensuing  year. 

Bes'ih-ed,  That  the  town  meetings  be  held  in  all  the  districts  accepting  the  law,  at 
the  usual  places  of  holding  their  township  elections,  as  the  lawdirects,  on  Saturday,  the 
29th  of  November,  and  that  the  school  directors  give  notice  in  their  respective  districts 
of  the  meeting. 

The  first  appointment  of  school  inspectors  was  made  by  the  court  of  quarter 
sessions  at  April  term,  1835,  when  the  following  persons  were  designated  for 
that  office  in  the  respective  townships  and  boroughs:  Turbut,  Isaac  Vin- 
cent and  William  Laird;  Milton,  Samuel  Pollock  and  John  F.  Wolfinger; 
Chillisquaque,  Charles  Gale  and  Isaac  P.  Sanders;  Point,  George  Jennings 
and  Jesse  C.  Horton;  Northumberland,  James  Hepburn  and  John  Cowden; 
Sunbury,  Hugh  Bellas  and  Alexander  Jordan. 

The  meeting  for  1835  was  held  at  the  court  house  on  the  4th  of  ilav;  the 


178  HISTORY   OF   NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

districts  accepting  the  law  were  rei3resentecl  as  follows:  Sunbury,  William 
N.  Kobins:  Northiunberland.  John  Frick;  Point,  Kobert  Curry;  Chillisqua- 
que,  Andrew  McKeynolds:  Milton,  Robert  McGuigan:  Turbut.  John  McKin- 
ney.  It  was  decided  to  le^y  a  tax  equal  to  one  half  the  State  and  county 
tax.  This  tax,  the  lirst  in  the  county  for  school  purposes  of  which  there  is 
any  record,  was  as  follows: — 

Sunbury s  360.64^      Chillisquaque S  493.'.r2| 

Northumberland  3l)().97i      Mihon    470.43 

Point 3S9.08        Turbut 1,307.524 

Augusta  and  Shamokin  accepted  the  system  in  1S36:  in  that  year  the 
number  of  taxables  in  the  accepting  districts  was  twenty-eight  hundred 
sixty-four:  in  the  non-accepting  districts,  one  thousand  sixty-nine.  The  sys- 
tem was  discontinued  in  Shamokin  in  1837,  and  not  re-established  until  1843; 
Eush  first  appears  among  the  accepting  districts  in  1842;  South  Coal  dis- 
trict appears  as  non-accepting  in  1842,  and  North  Coal  district  as  accepting: 
Turbut  discontinued  the  system  in  1843,  and  in  that  year  the  taxables  in  the 
accepting  districts  (Milton.  Chilliscjuaque,  Point.  Northumberland,  Sunbury, 
Augusta,  Eush,  Shamokin.  and  North  Coal)  nmnbered  twenty-seven  hundred 
twenty-two:  in  the  non-accepting  districts  (Turbut.  Little  Mahanoy.  Upper 
Mahanoy.  Lower  Mahanoy.  Jackson,  and  South  Coal),  seventeen  hundred 
twenty-tive.  The  system  was  re-established  in  Turbut  in  1844,  by  which  the 
number  of  taxables  in  the  non-accepting  districts  were  reduced  to  but  little 
more  than  one-fifth  of  the  entire  number  in  the  county  (accepting  districts, 
thirty-six  hundred  fourteen  taxables;  non-accepting,  nine  hundred  forty-four). 
Eush  discontinued  the  system  in  1840  but  re-established  it  in  1847;  public 
schools  were  thiis  introduced  and  maintained  in  the  entire  county  excejjt  the 
Mahanoy  region.  The  system  was  adojited  in  Lower  Mahanoy  and  Jordan 
townships  in  1865;  in  Upper  Mahanoy  in  1860;  in  Cameron  and  Jackson  in 
1869;  in  Washington  in  1870.  and  in  Little  Mahanoy  in'  1871.  Further  par- 
ticulars are  given  under  the  various  townships. 

Teachers'  Institutes. — The  first  convention  of  teachers  in  Northumberland 
county  was  held  at  Elysburg  on  the  second  Saturday  in  April,  1850,  in  pur- 
suance of  a  call  issued  by  J.  J.  John,  George  W.  West,  and  A.  J.  Madison. 
The  topics  discussed  were.  "  How  can  the  salaries  of  teachers  be  increased?", 
'•  How  shall  teachers  improve  themselves  in  the  art  of  teaching?  ",  and  "What 
books  shall  we  recommend?"  About  thirty  teachers  were  in  attendance,  of 
whom  W.  W.  McWilliams  was  elected  president  and  J.  J.  John  secretary. 

The  first  coimty  institute  was  held  in  the  court  house  at  Sunbury,  De- 
cember 18-19,  1855.  The  coimty  sui^erintendent,  Eev.  John  J.  Eeimensny- 
der,  presided;  J.  W.  Weeks  was  secretary,  and  the  executive  committee  was 
composed  of  W.  P.  Teitsworth,  J.  P.  Shultz,  S.  S.  Brittaiu.  C.  Kelchner,  W. 
W.   McWilliams,  J.  Vincent.  Jr..  and  W.  B.   Taggart.      Methods  of  iustruc- 


ORGANIZATION    AND    ADMINISTRATION.  179 

tioEL  and  school  government  wei-e  discussed;  resolutions  were  passed  in  favor 
of  the  use  of  the  Bible  in  the  schools,  increased  compensation  for  the  super- 
intendent, and  iu  support  of  the  Pennsylvania  School  Journal. 

County  Sujjerintendents  of  Public  Schools. — This  office  was  created  in 
1S54:.  Its  incumbents,  elected  by  the  school  directors  of  the  county,  have 
been  as  follows:  John  J.  Keimensnyder,  1S54-60;  Jacob  Ulp.  1860-60; 
George  W.  Haupt,  1866-68  (resigned,  September  1,  1868);  William  J.  Wol- 
verton,  1S6S-69  (appointed  by  the  State  superintendent);  Saul  Shipman, 
1869-75:  Harney  Bartholomew,  1875-78;  WiUiam  M.  Boal,  1878-81;  Will- 
iam J.  Wolverton.  18S1-S7;  William  E.  Bloom,  1887.  present  incumbent. 

EOSTER     OF    C0U>'TY    OFFICEES. 

Profhonotaries. — In  Northumberland  coimty  one  person  is  elected  to  the 
offices  of  prothonotary  of  the  court  of  common  pleas,  clerk  of  the  court  of 
quarter  sessions,  and  clerk  of  the  court  of  oyer  and  terminer  and  general  jail 
delivery.  .Lfter  the  offices  of  recorder  of  deeds  and  register  of  wills  were 
assigned  to  one  individual  in  this  coimty,  the  prothonotary  continued  to 
exercise  the  functions  of  clerk  of  the  orjihans'  court  imtil  1827;  since  that  date 
the  offices  have  been  combined  as  at  present.  The  incumbents  were  ap- 
pointed  by  the  Governor  and  Coimcil  under  the  colonial  regime,  by  the 
Supreme  Executive  Council  under  the  constitution  of  1776,  and  by  the  Gov- 
ernor imder  the  constitittion  of  1790;  the  office  became  elective  by  the 
amendments  of  1837-38,  and  under  these  varioits  changes  the  succession  of 
prothonotaries,  with  the  dates  of  their  commissions  or  the  terms  in  which 
they  served  by  election,  has  been  as  follows:  WiUiam  Maclay,  prothonotary, 
March  2-1. 1772.  clerk  of  the  peace  and  quarter  sessions  of  the  peace.  May  19. 
1772,  recommissioned,  March  22,  1777;  David  Harris,  Sej^tember  11,  1777; 
Matthew  Smith,  Febmary  4,  1780;  Laurence  Keene,  September  25,  1788; 
Jasper  Ewing,  JiUy  28,  1789,  August  17.  1791,  and  January  3,  1800;  Daniel 
Levy,  September  23,  1800;  Hugh  Bellas,  January  3,  1809;  George  W. 
Brown,  Febntary  2,  1818;  Andrew  Albright,  April  24,  1819;  Martin  Weaver, 
February  9.  1821;  Samuel  J.  Packer,  January  27,  1824;  Martin  Weaver, 
April  9,  1S29:  Edward  Y.  Bright,  January  25,  1830,  and  January  21,  1833; 
Daniel  Brautigam,  January  29,  1836,  and  January  4,  1839;  Samuel  D.  Jor- 
dan, February  5,  1839 — elected  in  the  autumn  of  that  year — 1839-45;  John 
Farnsworth.  1845-51;  James  Beard,  1851-57;  Daniel  Beckley,  1857-63; 
John  J.  Keimensnyder,  1863-69;  William  D.  Haupt,  1869-72;  Lloyd  T. 
Rohrbach.  1S72-79;  Wesley  Auten,  1879-85;  H.  F.  Mann,  1885-91;  S.  P. 
Fausold.  1S91.  present  incumbent. 

Registers  and  Recorders. — At  the  organization  of  Xorthumberland  coun- 
ty one  person  was  commissioned  as  register  of  wills,  recorder  of  deeds,  and 
clerk  of  the  several  courts.  In  1777  one  person  was  commissioned  as  regis- 
ter and   recorder  and   another   person  as  clerk  of  the   several  corirts.  and. 


180  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

altbough  William  Montgomery  was  commissioned  as  recorder  only  in  1785. 
it  is  highly  probable  that  this  arrangement  continued  until  1827,  when  the 
register  and  recorder  was  also  commissioned  as  clerk  of  the  orphans'  court, 
and  in  this  manner  the  offices  have  since  been  combined.  The  incumbents, 
with  the  dates  of  their  commissions  or  the  terms  in  which  they  served  by 
election,  have  been  as  follows:  William  Maclay,  March  24,  1772,  and  March 
22,  1777;  John  Simpson,  March  29,  1777;  William  Montgomery  (recorder 
only),  April  7,  1785;  Jeremiah  Simpson,  July  24,  1798;  John  Boyd,  Decem- 
ber, 1805;  John  Frick,  January  18,  1809;  John  L.  Finney,  April  3,  1811. 
and  March  25,  1818;  Martin  Pries,  February  9,  1821;  John  Oyster,  October 
7,  1822;  EU  Diemer,  January  27,  1824;  Samuel  J.  Packer,  March  27,  1827: 
Robert  H.  Hammond,  April  29,  1829;  Solomon  Shatter,  January  25,  1830: 
and  Janiiary  21,  1833;  Jacob  Bright,  January  29,  1836,  and  January  4. 
1839;  John  G.  Youngman,  February  5, 1839— elected  in  the  autumn  of  that 
year— 1839-42;  Edward  Oyster,  1842-48;  Martin  Irwin,  1848-49;  Da^-id 
Eockefeller,  appointed,  June  25,  1849,  viice  Irwin,  deceased;  John  P.  Pursel. 
1849-55;  C.  Boyd  Pursel,  1855-58;  Jacob  B.  Masser,  1858-61;  John  A.  J. 
Cummings,  1861-67;  Jacob  Leisenring,  1807-73;  Lemuel  Shipman,  1873-80: 
George  D.  Bucher,  1880-86;  XJrias  Bloom,  1886,  present  incumbent. 

Sheriffs  are  elected  triennially.  The  first  incumbent  in  Northumberland 
county  was  sheriff  of  Berks  at  the  time  of  its  organization,  and  was  author- 
ized to  officiate  in  Northumberland  by  the  act  providing  for  its  erection  in 
1772.  The  following  is  a  list  from  that  date:  1772,  George  Nagel;  1772-75. 
William  Cooke;  1775-77,  WiUiam  Scull;  1777-79,  Jonathan  Lodge;  1779- 
82,  James  Crawford;  1782-85,  Henry  Antes;  1785-88,  Thomas  Grant; 
1788-91,  Martin  Withington;  1791-94,  Flavel  Roan;  1794-97,  John  Brady: 
1797-1800,  Robert  Irwin;  1800-03,  Henry  Vanderslice;  1803-06,  Andrew 
Albright;  1806-09,  Jared  Irwin;  1809-12,  Daniel  Lebo;  1812-15,  Thomas 
Painter;  1815-18,  Walter  Brady;  1818-21,  William  Shannon;  1821-24. 
James  R.  Shannon;  1824-27,  Martin  Weaver;  1827-30,  Jacob  McKinney: 
1830-33,  Peter  Lazarus;  1833-36,  Henry  Reader;  1836-39,  George  W. 
Kiehl;  1839-42,  Henry  Gossler;  1842-45,  Felix  Maiirer;  1845-48,  Thomas 
A.  BiUington;  1848-51,  James  Covert;  1851-54,  WilHam  B.  Kipp;  1854-57, 
Henry  Weise;  1857-60,  James  Vandyke;  1860-63,  David  Waldron;  1863-66. 
William  M.  Weaver;  1866-69,  Daniel  Beckley;  1869-72,  John  B.  Heller: 
1872-76,  Samuel  H.  Rothermel;  1876-79,  George  W.  Strine;  1879-82. 
William  M.  Weaver;  1882-85,  John  C.  Morgan;  1885-88,  Jacob  Kremer; 
1888-91,  Jacob  G.  Kramer;  1891,  Robert  Montgomery,  present  incumbent. 

District  Attorneys. — This  office  was  known  by  the  title  of  deputy  attor- 
ney general  imtil  1850,  when  it  became  elective  and  the  name  was  changed 
to  its  present  style.  Prior  to  that  date  appointments  were  made  by  the  at- 
torney general  of  the  State.  The  following  list  is  believed  to  be  as  complete 
as  existing  records  permit:  Edward  Burd,  1772;  Jonathan  Walker,  1793  (he 


ottl^jTll^H/ 


ORGANIZATION    AND    ADMINISTRATION.  183 

received  pay  for  services  in  May,  17'J3,  but  whether  reguhirly  commissioned 
or  not  can  not  be  positively  stated);  Samtiel  Roberts,  qualified,  Jtily  16, 
1800;  Thomas  Cooper,  commissioned,  July  16,  1S03,  qualified,  August  22, 
1803;  E.  G.  Bradford,  1809-20  (probably  180(3-09  also);  Eobert  C.  Hall, 
January,  1821,  to  November,  1823:  E.  G.  Bradford,  January  to  April,  1821; 
Alem  Marr,  qualified  at  August  sessions,  I'^'li:  Daniel  Scudder,  qualified  at 
August  sessions,  1828;  Samtiel  J.  Packer,  qualified,  April  20,  1829;  Charles 
G.  Donnel,  qualified,  November  16,  1829;  John  F.  Wolfinger,  appointed  by 
the  court,  November  sessions,  1833,  and  reappointed,  Janitary  4,  1830;  James 
Pollock,  qtialified  at  April  sessions,  1836;  Henry  B.  Masser,  qualified  at  April 
sessions,  1839;  John  B.  Packer,  quahfied  at  April  sessions,  1845;  Charles  W. 
Tharp,  qualified  at  November  sessions,  1848:  C.  Augustus  Kutz,  elected, 
1850;  Charles  \V.  Tharp,  elected.  1853;  William  L.  Scott,  elected,  1856; 
John  Kay  Clement,  elected,  1859;  Solomon  P.  Mahck,  elected,  1862;  Jere- 
miah Snyder,  elected,  1865,  and  re-elected,  1S6S:  John  Kay  Clement,  elected, 
1871;  Thomas  H.  B.  Kase,  elected.  1874:  L.  H.  Kase,  appointed  deputy  dis- 
trict attorney  by  Thomas  H.  B.  Kase — appointment  apjiroved  by  the  court, 
August  7,  1876;  John  Kay  Clement,  appointed,  vice  L.  H.  Kase,  resigned, 
qualified,  Januarv'  30,  1877;  Lewis  Dewart.  elected,  1877;  C.  E.  Savidge, 
elected,  1880;  Peter  A.  Mahon.  elected,  18S3.  and  re-elected,  1886;  Yoris 
Auten,  elected,  1889,  present  incumbent. 

Coroners  are  elected  triennially.  For  a  ntimber  of  years  it  does  not 
appear  that  the  persons  elected  to  this  office  had  their  commissions  recorded, 
hence  the  incompleteness  of  the  following  list,  in  which  the  date  given  is  that 
of  the  commission  or  election:  James  Parr.  October  9,  1772;  James  Murray, 
October  9.  1773;  Samuel  Harris,  October  12.  1775;  Thomas  Eobinson,  Decem- 
ber 8,  1778;  John  Foster,  October  19,  1779;  Christopher  Gettig,  October  20, 
1781;  John  Chattam,  October  18.  1782;  John  Scott,  November  22,  1783^ 
Thomas  Hamilton,  November  2.  17s7;  Joseph  Lorentz,  October  21,  ]789j 
William  McAdams,  1796,  October  8,  1797,  October  18,  1799;  Andrew 
Albright,  November  5,  1800;  Joseph  Loreutz.  October  21,  1803,  October  28, 
1806,  October  24,  lNi09,  October  26,  1812;  Jacob  Albright,  October  28,  1815; 
John  Leisenring,  October  28,  1818;  Jacob  L'rban.  October  22,  1821;  Jacob 
Bright,  November  4,  1824;  Charles  D.  Wharton,  October  15,  1827;  Jacob 
Long,  November  11,  1830;  John  Conrad,  1833:  John  Eisely,  November  14, 
1836;  John  Smith,  1839;  Charles  Weaver,  1842:  Jacob  Yordy,  January  21, 
1840;  Franklin  A.  Clark,  November  29,  1848;  Aaron  Kelly,  1851,  November 
IS,  1852;  Cyrus  Geasy,  1869;  Frederick  Hesser,  1872;  John  W.  Taylor, 
1875;  E.  L.  W^right,  i878,  re-elected  in  1881;  D.  T.  Krebs.  1884;  F.  D. 
Eaker,  1887,  re-elected,  1890,  present  incumbent. 

County  Covimissio7iers  were  elected  annually  for  the  term  of  three  years 
until  the  adoption  of  the  constitution  of  1873.  which  provided  for  the  trien- 
nial election  of  the  entire  board  of  three  members.     Diligent  search  has  failed 


184  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

to  discover  any  minutes  of  the  board  prior  to  1781,  and  this  list  for  the  years 
1772-81  is  based  upon  Linn's  Annals  of  Buffalo  Valley.  The  roster  is  as 
follows:  1772.  "William  Gray,  Thomas  Hewitt,  John  Weitzel,  Casper  Reed 
(the  latter  qualitied,  November  23d);  1773,  Casper  Reed;  1774,  Robert 
Fruit  and  Thomas  Hewitt,  qualified,  Ajjril  4th,  and  William  Gray,  elected  in 
October;  1775.  Casper  Reed,  William  Gray;  1770,  Thomas  Hewitt.  William 
Gray,  John  Weitzel  (the  latter  qualified,  January  22d);  1778,  William  Gray, 
John  Nelson.  Thomas  Sutherland,  John  Lytle;  1779,  Walter  Clark,  William 
Mackey;  1780.  Daniel  Montgomery,  William  Clark.  John  White;  1781-82, 
William  Antes,  James  Esjjy,  Daniel  Montgomeiy;  1782-83,  James  Espy, 
Daniel  Montgomeiy,  David  Mead;  1783-84,  Daniel  Montgomery,  David 
Mead,  John  Clark;  1784-85,  David  Mead,  John  Clark,  Walter  Clark;  1785- 
86,  John  Clark,  Walter  Clark,  William  Gray;  1786-87,  Walter  Clark,  Will- 
iam Gray,  John  Lytle;  1787-88,  William  Gray,  John  Lytle,  Peter  Hoster- 
man:  17SS-.S9,  John  Lytle,  Peter  Hosterman,  William  Hepburn;  1789-90, 
Peter  Hosterman,  William  Hejiburn,  John  Weitzel:  1790-91,  William  Hep- 
burn, John  Weitzel,  Daniel  Montgomery;  1791-92,  John  Weitzel,  Daniel 
Montgomery,  Robert  Fleming;  1792-93,  Daniel  Montgomery,  Robert  Flem- 
ing, Richard  Shearer;  1793-94,  Robert  Fleming,  Richard  Shearer,  Christo- 
pher Dering;  1794-95,  Richard  Shearer,  Christopher  Dering,  Henry  Van- 
derslice;  1795-96,  Christopher  Dering,  Henry  Vandersliee,  Nathan  Stock- 
man; 1796-97,  Henry  Vandersliee,  Nathan  Stockman,  Charles  Irwin; 
1797-98,  Nathan  Stockman,  Charles  Irwin,  John  Lyon;  1798-99,  Charles 
Irwin,  John  Lyon,  John  Metzgar;  1799-1800,  John  Lyon,  John  Metz- 
gar,  John  Frick;  1800-01,  John  Metzgar,  John  Frick,  Abraham  McKin- 
ney;  1801-02,  John  Frick,  Flavel  Roan,  Solomon  Markley  (Markley 
qualified,  November  25,  1801;  he  was  appointed,  vice  McKinney,  who  re- 
signed, November  14,  1801);  1802-03,  Solomon  Markley,  Flavel  Roan,  David 
Taggart;  1803-04,  Flavel  Roan,  Solomon  Markley,  George  Bright  (Bright 
assumed  office,  December  1,  1803,  and  died  in  Febniaiy,  1804;  David  Tag- 
gart was  appointed  by  the  commissioners  with  the  concurrence  of  the  court, 
and  quahfied.  April  27,  1804.);  1804-05,  Solomon  Markley,  David  Taggart. 
Charles  Maclay;  1805-06,  David  Taggart,  Charles  Maclay,  Samuel  Awl; 
1806-07,  Charles  Maclay,  Samuel  Awl,  Samuel  Bond;  1807-08.  Samuel  Awl, 
Samuel  Bond,  Andrew  McClenachan;  1808-09,  Samuel  Bond,  Andrew  Mc- 
Clenachan,  Henry  Masser;  1809-10,  Andrew  McClenachan,  Henry  Masser, 
Joseph  Gaston;  181(V11,  Henry  Masser,  Joseph  Gaston,  Flavel  Roan; 
1811-12,  Joseph  Gaston,  Flavel  Roan,  Henry  Vandersliee;  1812-13,  Flavel 
Roan,  Henry  Vandersliee,  James  Longhead;  1813-14,  Henry  Vandersliee, 
Samuel  Bloom,  Jonas  Weaver;  1814-15,  Samuel  Bloom,  Jonas  Weaver,  Isaac 
Wolverton;  1815-16,  Jonas  Weaver,  Isaac  Wolverton,  WiUiam  F.  Buyers; 
1816-17,  Isaac  Wolverton,  William  F.  Buyers,  George  Lesher;  1817-18, 
William  F.  Buyers,  George   Lesher,  John  Miller;   1818-19,  George  Lesher, 


OEGANIZATION    AND    ADMINISTKATION.  185 

John  Miller,  John  G.  Youngman;  1SUV20.  John  Miller,  John  G.  Yoiing- 
man.  Daniel  K.  Bright;  1820-21,  John  G.  Youngman,  Daniel  R.  Bright, 
Elisha  KUne;  1821-22,  Daniel  R.  Bright,  Elisha  Kline.  Christian  Bower: 
1S22-23,  Elisha  Kline,  Christian  Bower,  James  Lee;  1823-24,  Christian 
Bower,  James  Lee,  Samuel  Lantz;  1824-25,  James  Lee,  Samuel  Lantz,  John 
McKinney;  1825-26,  Samuel  Lantz.  John  McKinney,  George  Young;  1820- 
27,  John  McKinney,  George  Young,  William  H.  Muench;  1827-28,  George 
Yoimg,  WiUiam  H.  Muench,  William  Stewart:  1828-29.  William  H.  Muench. 
William  Stewart,  Jacob  Ehoads:  1829-30.  William  Stewart,  Jacob  Rhoads. 
Michael  Lenker:  1830-31.  Jacob  Rhoads,  Michael  Lenker,  Daniel  Haas: 
1831-32,  Michael  Lenker.  Daniel  Haas,  Joseph  Bound;  1832-33,  Daniel 
Haas,  Joseph  Bound.  Daniel  Hilbush:  1833-34.  Joseph  Bound,  Daniel  Hil- 
bush.  William  Shannon;  1834-35,  Daniel  Hilbush,  William  Shannon,  Fred- 
erick Burkenbine;  1835-30,  William  Shannon,  Frederick  Burkenbine,  Con- 
rad Raker;  1836-37,  Frederick  Burkenbine,  Conrad  Raker,  Frederick  Laza- 
rus: 1837-38,  Conrad  Raker,  Frederick  Lazarus,  Joseph  Wallis;  1838-39, 
Frederick  Lazarus,  Joseph  Wallis,  Joseph  Patton;  1839-40,  Joseph  Wallis, 
Joseph  Patton,  George  Bright;  1840-41,  Josejih  Patton,  George  Bright. 
Jacob  Rhoads;  1841-42,  George  Bright,  Jacob  Rhoads,  Philip  Weiser;  1842 
-43,  Jacob  Rhoads,  Philip  Weiser,  John  Yoimg;  1843-44,  Philip  Weiser. 
John  Young,  James  Buoy;  1844-45,  John  Y'oung,  James  Buoy,  David  Martz: 
I>i45-4G,  James  Buoy,  David  Martz,  Peter  Yandling;  1846-47,  David  Martz. 
Peter  Vandling,  William  Follmer;  1847-48,  Peter  Yandling,  William  Foll- 
mer,  Jacob  Hoffa;  1848-49,  William  Follmer,  Jacob  Hoffa,  Charles  Weaver; 
1849-50,  Jacob  HofTa,  Charles  Weaver,  William  Wilson;  1850-51,  Charles 
Weaver,  William  Wilson,  Christian  Albert;  1851-52,  William  Wilson,  Chris- 
tian Albert,  Charles  Weaver;  1852-53,  Christian  Albert,  Charles  Weaver, 
Josejjh  Nicely;  1853-54,  Charles  Weaver,  Joseph  Nicely,  Simon  Snyder: 
1854-55,  JosejA  Nicely,  Philip  Eenn,  George  C.  Welker  (Welker  was 
appointed,"  rjce  Snyder,  deceased);  1855-56,  Philip  Renn,  Charles  Hotten- 
stein.  Frederick  Haas;  1856-57,  Charles  Hottenstein,  Frederick  Haas,  Philip 
Eenn;  1857-58,  Frederick  Haas,  Charles  Hottenstein,  Samuel  Ent:  1858-59, 
Frederick  Haas,  Samuel  Ent,  Joseph  Everett;  1859-60,  Samuel  Ent,  Joseph 
Everett,  Philip  Clark;  1860-61,  Joseph  Everett,  Philip  Clark,  Isaac  D. 
Raker;  lS61-()2.  Philip  Clark,  Isaac  D.  Raker,  Samuel  Stahhaecker;  1862- 
63.  Isaac  D.  Raker,  Samuel  Stahlnecker,  James  Riland;  1863-64,  Samuel 
Stahlnecker,  James  Riland,  Joseph  Gass;  1864-65,  James  Riland,  Joseph 
Gass.  Hugh  Martin;  1.S65-66.  Joseph  Gass,  Hugh  Martin,  John  Eckman: 
1866-07,  Hugh  Martin,  John  Eckman,  Solomon  Billman;  18(u-68,  John 
Eckman,  Solomon  Billman,  Jacob  Himsecker;  1868-69,  Solomon  Billman, 
Jacob  Hunsecker,  M.  E.  Bucher:  1869-70,  Jacob  Hunsecker,  M.  E.  Bucher, 
Sebastian  Stepp;  1870-71,  M.  E.  Bucher,  Sebastian  Stepp,  Jacob  Hunsecker; 
1871-72,  Sebastian  Stepp,  Jacob  Himsecker,  Amos  Yastine;.  1872-73,  Jacob 


186  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

Hiinsecker,  Amos  Tastine,  J.  G.  Durham;  1S73-74,  Amos  Vastine.  J.  G. 
Durham,  Daniel  S.  Reitz  (the  term  of  this  board  expired  on  the  31st  of 
December,  1874);  1875-76,  J.  G.  Durham,  Daniel  S.  Reitz,  Harrison  Hen- 
rie;  1877,  J.  G.  Durham,  Daniel  S.  Reitz,  Harrison  Henrie,  Philip  Hile 
(Hile  was  appointed,  January  30,  1877,  vice  Henrie,  deceased);  lSi8.  J.  G. 
Durham,  Daniel  S.  Reitz,  Phihp  Hile;  1879-81,  John  Clark,  Edward  W. 
Chapin,  John  T.  Albright;  1882-84,  William  P.  Datesman,  Michael  Kel- 
lagher,  George  Brown;  1885-87,  Michael  Kellagher.  Thomas  L.  Karchner, 
Adam  M.  Snyder;  1888-90,  Adam  M.  Snyder,  Charles  Newhard.  Daniel 
Kauffman;  1891,  F.  W.  Lindner,  John  Roney,  Joseph  Pardoe.  present 
incumbents. 

County  Treasurers  were  elected  by  the  commissioners  until  1841,  when 
the  office  became  elective.  Defective  records  preclude  the  preparation  of  a 
complete  list  from  the  organization  of  Northimiberland  county ;  the  first  was 
Alexander  Hiinter.  who  was  probably  the  custodian  of  the  county  funds  for 
some  time,  although  this  can  not  be  positively  stated.  William  Gray  was 
treasurer  of  county  taxes,  1777-81  inclusive,  and  in  1780  he  was  also  treas- 
urer of  State  taxes,  which  office  had  been  filled  by  Robert  Martin.  1777-79 
inclusive.  Frederick  Antes  was  elected  county  treasurer  in  Februar\-,  1782; 
October  20,  1783,  he  was  appointed;  John  Buyers  was  elected,  December  31, 
1784,  and  Januarj-  3,  1780.  Buyers  also  held  the  office  in  1787  and  1788. 
After  this,  Frederick  Antes  was  treasurer  for  a  number  of  years — probably 
from  1788  to  1801,  certainly  from  June  1,  1789,  to  January  1,  1794.  in  1797- 
98,  and  in  1800-01.  He  died  in  1801,  and  on  the  30th  of  September,  1801, 
Christopher  Dering  was  appointed  to  the  position.  The  succession  since 
that  date  has  been  as  follows:  1802,  Christopher  Dering;  1S03-(I5,  John 
Boyd;  1800-08,  Simon  Snyder;  1809-11,  Da^-id  Taggart;  1812-13.  Andrew 
Albright;  1814,  John  G.  jYoungman;  1815-17,  Henry  Vandershce;  1818- 
20,  Isaac  Zeigler;  1821,  Henry  Bucher;  1822-24,  George  Weiser;  1825- 
27,  Frederick  Haas;  1828-30,  Peter  Lazarus;  1831-33,  George  Weiser; 
1834-36,  Samuel  Bloom;  1837,  Isaac  Wolverton;  1838-10,  John  Bloom; 
1841,  George  C.  Welker;  1842-43,  George  Weiser;  1844-45,  John  Farns- 
worth;  1840-47,  William  Guhck;  1848-49,  Jesse  M.  M.  Simpson;  1850-51, 
George  B.  Yoimgman;  1852-53,  Jacob  Yoimg;  1854-55,  Francis  Bucher; 
1856-57,  George  Bright;  1858-59,  Jesse  M.  M.  Simpson;  1860-61,  Jacob 
F.  Rohrbach;  1862-6)3,  William  E.  Irwin;  1864-t35,  R.  H.  Awl:  1866-67, 
John  Famsworth;  1868-69,  John  F.  Fiedler;  1870-71,  George  McEhece; 
1872-73,  Albert  Cadwallader;  1874-75,  John  Haag;  1876-78,  David  C. 
Dissinger;  1879-81,  J.  Galen  Smith;  1882-84,  J.  Frank  Bucher:  1885-87, 
John  J.  W.  Schwartz;  1888-90,  Jacob  Kremer;  1891,  John  Schabo,  present 
inciunbent. 

Auditors. — Three  county  auditors  are  elected  triennially.  Prior  to  the 
adoption  of  the  constitution  of  1790  the  accounts  of  the  commissioners  and 


ORGANIZATION    AND    ADMINISTRATION.  187 

treasurer  were  submitted  to  the  grand  jury.  The  first  legislation  introduc- 
ing the  present  system  was  an  act  jiassed,  March  30,  ITUl,  2^i"0%'iding  for  the 
appointment  of  auditors  annually  by  the  coimty  court.  The  office  was  made 
elective  by  the  act  of  March  6,  1809,  in  which,  however,  the  court  of  quarter 
sessions  was  authorized  to  fill  any  vacancies  that  might  occur.  On  the  7th 
of  Februaiy,  1S14,  an  act  was  passed  extending  the  term  of  oflice  to  three 
years:  the  person  recei^^ing  the  maximiim  number  of  votes  at  the  first  elec- 
tion thereafter  was  to  serve  the  maximum  period;  the  person  recei-ving  the 
next  highest  number,  two  years;  and  the  person  recei\"ing  the  next  highest 
number,  one  year;  while  one  number  was  to  be  elected  annually  thereafter. 
This  arrangement  continued  until  the  adoption  of  the  present  system  under 
the  constitution  of  1873.  The  following  list  is  believed  to  be  as  complete  as 
existing  records  permit.  (The  year  given  is  that  in  which  the  board  audited 
the  accounts  of  the  preceding  year):  1793-94,  Abraham  Scott,  James  Jen- 
kins, John  Kidd;  1798,  Robert  Himter,  Martin  Kendig,  Frederick  Lazarus; 
1800,  James  Jenkins,  Evan  R.  Evans,  John  Buyers;  1802,  Evan  E,  Evans, 
John  Buyers:  1803,  John  Buyers,  Evan  E.  Evans,  Daniel  Montgomery; 
1804,  John  Buyers;  18<)5,  Daniel  Montgomery,  John  Buyers,  Enoch  Smith; 
180G,  John  Buyers,  Enoch  Smith,  Daniel  Montgomery;  1807,  John  Buyers, 
Andrew  Albright;  1808,  John  Buyers,  Michael  Kutzner,  Andi-ew  Albright; 
1809-11,  Charles  Gale,  Hugh  Wilson,  Henry  Yanderslice;  1812,  Charles 
Gale,  Hugh  Wilson,  Anckew  Albright;  1813,  Charles  Gale,  Hugh  "Wilson, 
Henry  Masser;  1814,  Henry  Masser,  Henry  Shaffer;  1815-lG,  Abia  John, 
George  Martin.  Charles  Gale;  1817,  Abia  John,  Charles  Gale,  James  Smith; 
1818,  Abia  John,  James  Smith,  J.  P.  Sanderson;  1819,  James  Smith,  J.  P. 
Sanderson,  Eichard  Barclay;  1820,  J.  P.  Sanderson,  Eichard  Barclay,  Henrv* 
Masser;  1821.  Eichard  Barclay,  Henry  Masser,  Isaac  Vincent;  1822,  Henry 
Masser,  Isaac  Vincent,  Henry  Donnel;  1823,  Isaac  Vincent,  Henry  Donnel, 
Joseph  Hays:  1824,  Henry  Donnel,  John  H.  Brautigam,  Joseph  Hays; 
1825,  Joseph  Hays,  John  H.  Brautigam,  J.  H.  W.  Baldy;  1826,  John  H. 
Brautigam,  Michael  Druckemiller ;  1827,  Michael  Dmckemiller,  Abraham 
Straub;  1828,  Michael  Druckemiller,  Abraham  Straub,  Joseph  Ehoads; 
1829,  Abraham  Straub,  Joseph  Ehoads,  John  Baker;  1830,  Joseph  Ehoads, 
John  Baker,  John  Porter;  1831,  John  Baker,  John  Porter,  Frederick  Haas; 
1832,  Frederick  Haas,  A.  C.  Barrett;  1833,  Frederick  Haas.  A.  C.  Barrett, 
John  McKinney;  1834,  John McKinney,  Samuel  Awl;  1835,  John McKinney, 
Samuel  Awl,  Jacob  Ehoads;  1836,  Samuel  Awl.  Jacob  Ehoads,  Peter  Bixler; 
1837,  Jacob  Ehoads,  Peter  Bixler,  James  Eckman;  1838,  James  Eckman, 
H?nry  Eeader;  1839,  James  Eckman.  Henry  Eeader,  William  L.  Cooke; 
184(X  WiUiam  L.  Cooke,  D.  Hoffman;  1841,  William  L.  Cooke,  D.  Hoffman, 
H.  H.  Teats;  1842,  H  H.  Teats.  Hugh  M.  Davison;  1843,  H.  H.  Teats, 
Hugh  M.  Davison,  William  H.  Kase;  1844,  Hugh  M.  Da\'ison,  WiUiam  H. 
Kase,  Abraham  Shipman;  1845,  William  H  Kase,  Abraham  Shipman;  1846, 


188  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

Abraham  Shipman,  Thomas  Strine,  Peter  Bixler;  1847,  Peter  Bixler.  Eman- 
uel Zimmerman;  1848,  Emanuel  Zimmerman,  William  Johnson:  1S49, 
Emanuel  Zimmerman,  William  Johnson,  Daniel  P.  Caul;  185(1,  William 
Johnson,  Daniel  P.  Caul,  William  L.  Cooke;  1851,  Daniel  P.  Caul.  William 
L.  Cooke,  Reuben  W.  Zartman;  1852,  William  L.  Cooke,  Reuben  W.  Zart- 
man,  J.  H.  Zimmerman;  1853,  Reuben  W.  Zartman,  J.  H.  Zimmerman.  M. 
D.  Withington;  1854,  J.  H.  Zimmerman,  M.  D.  Withington,  Joseph  Hoover; 
1855,  M.  D.  Withington,  Joseph  Hoover,  John  Youngman;  1856,  Joseph 
Hoover,  John  Youngman,  William  T.  Forsyth;  1857,  John  Yoimgman.  Will- 
iam T.  Forsyth,  Abraham  Shipman;  1858,  William  T.  Forsyth,  Abraham 
Shipman,  0.  P.  Patton;  1851),  Abraham  Shipman,  0.  P.  Patton,  C.  F.  Little; 
1860,  O.  P.  Patton,  C.  F.  Little,  Peter  W.  Gray;  1861,  C.  F.  Little,  Peter 
W.  Gray,  John  Hoffa;  1802,  Peter  W.  Gray,  John  Hoffa,  Wellington  Hum- 
mel; 1863,  John  Hoffa,  Wellington  Hummel,  Nathaniel  C.  Lytle:  ]M)4. 
Wellington  Hummel,  Nathaniel  C.  Lytle,  C.  F,  Little;  1865,  C.  F.  Little, 
Peter  W.  Gray;  1866.  C.  F,  Little,  Peter  W.  Gray,  H.  K.  Gulp;  1867.  Peter 
W.  Gray,  H.  Iv.  Gulp,  C.  F.  Little;  1868,  H.  K.  bulp,  C.  F.  Little,  Joseph 
Eisely;  1869,  C.  F.  Little,  Joseph  Eisely,  A.  J.  Gallagher;  1870.  Joseph 
Eisely,  A.  J.  Gallagher,  Ja.sper  Haughawout;  1871,  A.  J.  Gallagher,  Jasper 
Haughawout,  Joseph  Eisely;  1872,  Jasper  Haughawout,  Joseph  Eisely.  J. 
M.  Follmer;  1873,  Joseph  Eisely,  J.  M.  Follmer,  Jacob  E.  Muench;  1^74, 
J.  M.  Follmer,  Jacob  E.  Muench,  Joseph  Eisely;  1875,  Jacob  E.  Muench, 
Joseph  Eisely;  1876,  Charles  Hottenstein,  Samuel  McNinch,  John  W.  Bren- 
nan;  1877-78,  Charles  Hottenstein,  Richard  Ryan.  Samuel  McNinch:  ls7y- 
81,  John  E.  Colt,  Edward  L.  Matchin,  Wellington  Hummel;  1882-S4, 
Thomas  Barr,  S.  P.  Gaston,  H.  F.  Mann;  1885-86,  Moses  S.  Bond,  E.  Penn 
Smith,  Jacob  Shipman;  1887,  Moses  S.  Bond.  E.  Penn  Smith.  Philip  H. 
Moore:  1888,  Philip  M.  Shindel.  Thomas  Swenk,  Sr.,  Moses  S.  Bond:  1>>S9- 
90,  Thomas  Swenk,  Sr.,  Peter  W.  Gray,  Moses  S.  Bond;  1891,  Joseph  Gnss, 
Jr.,  John  C.  Forsyth,  Thomas  Swenk,  Sr.,  present  incumbents. 

County  Surveyors. — The  title  of  this  officer  was  deputy  sur^-eyor  until 
1850,  when  the  office  became  elective;  prior  to  that  date  its  incumbents  were 
appointed  by  the  surveyor  general  of  the  State.  Under  the  latter  arrange- 
ment David  Rockefeller  held  the  office  for  a  number  of  years.  The  follow- 
ing is  a  list  of  county  surveyors  since  the  office  became  elective;  the  year  is 
that  in  which  elected:  Samuel  Young,  1850,  re-elected  in  1853;  David  Rocke- 
feller, 1859;  J.  R.  Hilbush,  1862;  Philip  Frederick,  1865;  J.  K.  Francis, 
1868;  J.  R.  Hilbush  (appointed,  vice  Francis,  resigned);  David  J.  Lewis, 
1871;  Samuel  G.  Frey,  1874,  re-elected  in  1877;  E.  Miles  Purdy,  1880:  Ira 
Shipman  (appointed,  vice  Purdy,  who  resigned  in  1882);  J.  R.  Hilbush,  18S3, 
re-elected  in  1886;  P.  S.  Bergstresser,  1889,  present  incumbent. 

Jury  Commissioners. — Two  jury  commissioners  are  elected  trienniaUy. 
The  succession  has  been  as  follows,   the  year  given  being  that  of  election: 


OKGANIZATIOX    AND    ADMINISTRATION.  189 

1807,  Hugh  H.  TCats.  Isaac  Martz:  ISTO.  Philip  McWilhams.  Benjamin 
Bohner;  1878.  Wilham  H.  Leighoii,  Daniel  M.  Schwartz:  1871 1.  Christian 
Enterline,  Joseph  Yaukirk;  1879,  William  Grady,  George  "\V.  Coble.  Samuel 
H.  Rothermel  (Rothermel  was  appointed,  Janiiary  17,  1880.  vice  Coble,  de- 
ceased): 1SS2,  M.  D.  Bastian,  Isaac  D.  Raker;  1885.  B.  F.  Kelley.  H.  P.  Foll- 
mer;  1888,  J.  \V.  Seal.  E.  R.  Reitz,  present  incumbents. 

The  Clerk  to  the  County  Commissioners  is  elected  by  the  board:  in  the 
management  of  the  fiscal  affairs  of  the  comity  considerable  responsibility  at- 
taches to  this  position,  and  a  list  of  its  incumbents,  so  far  as  ascertainable 
from  existing  records,  is  herewith  given:  1782,  Daniel  Montgomery:  178-J, 
John  Mac^iherson;  1786.  Martin  Withington;  1787,  Henry  Douty:  1790-91, 
John  Weitzel;  1792,  Henry  Douty:  179;i  (December)  to  1802,  Daniel  Mont- 
gomeiy;  1802  (November  28)  to  180U.  John  Frick:  1809  (January  21)  to 
1813,  Nathan  Patton;  1814-,  Jeremiah  Simpson;  lSiri-17.  Andrew  Calhmi; 
ISIS,  William  Withington;  1819,  Jeremiah  Simpson:  1S19  (May  21)  to  1S21, 
John  Baldy:  1822-24.  Solomon  Shaffer;  182.J-2S.  John  G.  Youngman;  1829- 
35,  George  Haas;  1835  (November  3)  to  18*50,  George  Martin;  l^t50  (August 
1)  to  1S(U.  S.  D.  Jordan;  18()4-()7.  Charles  Weaver:  18(57-72.  John  Farns- 
worth:  1S72  (July  4)  to  1873.  Daniel  M.  Schwartz:  l'>73-74.  Peter  W.  Gray; 
1875-81.  Daniel  M.  Schwartz:  1SS2-S4.  Harley  Datesman:  Iss-V-H.  Jona- 
than B.  Wagner;  1891,  T.  A.  Camjjbell,  present  incumbent. 

Mercantile  Appraisers. — This  office  is  likewise  filled  by  aiijiointment  of 
the  commissioners.  In  Northumberland  county  it  was  created  in  1^40  by 
act  of  the  legislature;  prior  to  that  date  its  duties  were  performed  by  a  board 
composed  of  the  commissioners  and  associate  judges.  William  J.  Martin,  the 
first  incumbent  of  this  jiosition.  was  appointed,  Novemlier  25.  \s\i\.  but  re- 
.signed,  and  John  P.  Pursel  was  ap^Jointed  in  April.  1S47:  their  successors 
liave  served  in  the  following  order:  1848,  John  P.  Pursel:  l'S4'.i-50.  Daniel 
Caul;  1851-52,  Reuben  Zartman;  1853-54,  James  D.  Barr;  ls55.  James 
Covert;  1850.  George  Weise;  1857-58,  James  Lynn:  1859,  Daniel  Drucke- 
miller;  1800-01,  William  Savidge;  1802,  Simon  Bassler;  1803,  William 
Hoover;  1804,  George  A.  Wighoff;  1805,  J.  M.  Simpson;  1800,  Jacob  Leisen- 
ring;  1807,  Jacob  Yordy;  1808.  C.  Lesher;  1809,  Christian  Gingerich;  1870,, 
F.  Bower;  1871,  John  Forsythe;  1872,  Peter  Keefe:  1873,  J.  B.  Reed:  1874, 
Daniel  Druckemiller ;  1875,  Cyrus  O.  Bachman;  1870.  Wilham  K.  Erdman; 
1877.  J.  R.  Hilbush;  1878,  C.  K.  Sober;  1879,  George  Hartline:  ISSO.  R.  H. 
McCormick;  1881,  Elias  Shaffer;  1882.  John  T.  Albright:  18^3.  Richard 
Doyle:  1884,  David  Cowell;  1885.  Thomas  Barr:  1880,  Simon  Yought:  18S7, 
D.  R.  Shaffer;  1888,  Calvin  W.  Gutelius;  1889,  William  F.  King;  1890, 
Emanuel  AVilvert;  1891,  Charles  Newhard.  present  incumbent. 

EEPRESENTATION  IN  CONSTITUTIONAL  CONVENTIONS,  ETC. 

Meeting  of  Provincial  Deputies,  Juhj  15,  1774. — William  Scull.  Samuel 


190  HISTORY    OF    yORrHUilBERLAXD    COUNTY. 

Provincial  Convention,  January  23,  1775. — "William  Pliinket.  Casper 
Weitzel. 

Provincial  Conference,  June  IS,  1775. — William  Cooke,  Alexander 
Hunter,  John  Weitzel. 

Provincial  Conference,  June  18,  1776. — William  Cooke,  Alexander 
Hunter,  John  Weitzel,  Robert  Martin,  Matthew  Brown. 

Constitutional  Convention,  July  15,  1776. — William  Cooke,  James  Pot- 
ter, Eobert  Martin,  Matthew  Brown.  Walter  Clark,  John  Kelly,  James  Craw- 
ford, John  Weitzel. 

Council  of  Censors. — Section  XL Yllth  of  the  constitution  of  1770  pro- 
vided for  an  election  in  1783  and  ever}-  seventh  year  thereafter  of  two  per- 
sons from  each  coimty  and  the  city  of  Philadelphia,  said  persons  to  comprise 
the  Coxmcil  of  Censors,  the  duties  of  which  included  an  inquiry  into  the 
manner  in  which  the  constitution  was  observed  and  enforced.  Two  different 
returns  were  made  from  Northumberland  county  to  the  first  session  of  this 
Council,  which  convened  on  the  10th  of  November,  1783;  on  the  26th  of  the 
same  month,  William  Montgomery  and  Samuel  Hunter  were  declared  elected. 
James  Potter,  elected  vice  Hunter,  deceased,  took  his  seat,  July  7.  1784. 

Constitutional  Convention,  November  24,  1789. — Charles  Smith,  Simon 
Snyder. 

Constitutional  Convention,  May  2,  1837. — Senatorial  delegate,  Eobert 
Fleming — district:  Northumberland.  Centre,  and  Lycoming;  Rei^resentative 
delegate,  William  Gearhart. 

Constitutional  Convention,  November  12,  1872. — Senatorial  Representa- 
tives: Joseph  Bailey,  Levi  Rooke.  John  P.  Cronmiller — district:  Northum- 
berland, Union,  Snyder,  and  Perry. 

LEGISL.iTIVE  REPRESENTATION. 

Members  of  Assembly. — Northmnberland  county  was  first  represented  in 
the  Assembly  that  met  at  Philadelphia  on  the  14th  of  October,  1772.  The 
following  is  a  list  of  members  from  that  time  imtil  the  adoption  of  the  con- 
stitution of  1790,  with  the  year  in  which  the  members  were  respectively 
elected:  1772-75,  Samuel  Himter:  177(),  Thomas  Hewitt,  Samuel  Dale, 
Jacob  Follmer,  Robert  Fruit,  Da\-id  Robb,  Samuel  Wallis;  1777,  Samuel 
Dale,  Robert  Fruit,  James  Murray,  William  Irwin,  Simon  Hemrod,  Robert 
Fleming;  1778,  Samuel  Dale,  Simon  Hemrod,  James  McKnight,  Robert  Mar- 
tin. Robert  Fruit,  James  Crawford:  1779,  Robert  Martin.  Samuel  Dale,  Will- 
iam Montgomery;  1780,  William  Montgomery,  David  McKinney,  John  Kelly; 
1781-82,  William  Montgomery,  William  Maclay,  William  Cooke;  1783, 
James  McClenachan.  William  Cooke.  William  Maclay;  1784,  Frederick  Antes, 
Daniel  Montgomery,  Samuel  Dale:  1785,  Frederick  Antes,  Samuel  Dale, 
William  Maclay;  178(5,  Frederick  Antes,  Samuel  Dale;  1787-89,  Samuel 
Maclay,  John  White. 


ORGANIZATION    AND    ADMINISTRATION.  191 

Member  of  the  Committee  of  Safety. — Samuel  Himter.  June  3().  1775,  to 
July  22.  177(1 

Members  of  the  Council  of  Safety. — John  Weitzel.  July  24,  1776.  to 
March  13,  1777:  John  Hambright,  October  17,  1777,  to  December  4,  1777. 

Members  of  Supreme  Executive  Council. — Under  the  constitiition  of 
1776,  the  general  executive  functions  of  the  government  devolved  upon  the 
president  and  Supreme  Executive  Council.  This  body  was  composed  of  one 
member  from  the  city  of  Philadelphia  and  each  of  the  counties  of  the  State, 
elected  for  the  term  of  three  years.  The  first  members  from  Northumberland, 
Bedford,  Xorthampton,  and  "Westmoreland,  however,  served  but  one  year,  in 
order  that  a  certain  proportion  of  new  members  might  be  received  each  year 
thereafter.  The  representation  of  this  coimty,  with  the  year  in  which  each 
member  was  elected,  was  as  follows:  177t).  John  Lowdon:  1777.  John  Ham- 
bright:  1780.  James  Potter:  1788,  John  Boyd:  1786.  AVilliam  Maclay;  1789, 
"William  Wilson. 

State  Representatives. — The  following  is  a  list  of  members  of  the  lower 
house  of  the  legislature  since  the  adoption  of  the  constitiition  of  1790,  with 
the  year  in  which  each  member  was  elected:  1790-91,  Samuel  Maclay,  John 
AVhite:  1792.  Samuel  Dale,  John  "White:  1793.  Josiah  Haines,  James  David- 
son: 1794,  Flavel  Eoan,  George  Hughes,  Jacob  FoUmer;  179-5,  Flavel  Koan, 
Hugh  "White.  Robert  Martin;  1796,  John  "White,  Hugh  White,  Thomas 
Grant;  1797.  Simon  Snyder,  Samuel  Maclay;  179S-1S00,  Simon  Snyder, 
Jacob  FoUmer;  ISOl,  Simon  Snyder,  Jacob  Follmer.  Jesse  Moore,  Samuel 
Dale;  1802,  Jesse  Moore,  Jacob  Follmer,  Daniel  Montgomery,  Simon  Sny- 
der; 1803,  Simon  Snyder,  Robert  Giffen.  Leonard  Rupert,  John  Bull;  1804, 
Simon  Snyder.  Leonard  Rupert,  John  Bull,  Abraham  McKinney;  1S05, 
Robert  Smith.  Leonard  Rupert,  John  Bull,  Abraham  McKinney:  1806, 
Simon  Snyder.  Leonard  Rupert,  Abraham  McKinney,  Robert  Smith;  1807, 
Simon  Snyder.  Leonard  Rujiert.  Abraham  McKinney.  John  Murray;  1808, 
John  Murray,  Leonard  Rupert,  Frederick  Evans,  Andrew  Albright;  1S09, 
John  Murray,  Leonard  Rupert,  Abraham  McKinney,  Frederick  Evans:  1810, 
John  Murray,  Jared  Irwin,  Leonard  Rupert,  Frederick  Evans;  1811,  Samuel 
Bond.  Jared  Irwin.  Andrew  McClenachan,  Frederick  Evans;  1812,  Samuel 
Bond,  Andrew  McClenachan,  Leonard  Rupert,  George  Kremer;  1813,  Samuel 
Bond,  Leonard  Rupert,  Thomas  Murray,  Jr..  George  Kremer — district: 
Northumberland.  Union,  and  Columbia;  1814,  Da^-id  E.  Owen,  Robert  Wil- 
lett,  Joseph  Hutchinson,  Henrj-  Shaffer — district:  Xorthiunberland,  Union, 
and  Columbia;  1815,  Henry  Shaffer.  Joseph  Hutchinson — district:  North- 
umberland; 1816,  Lewis  Dewart,  Abraham  McKinney:  1817,  Lewis  Dewart, 
Joseph  Hutchinson:  1818,  Lewis  Dewart,  Jolm  ^Miller;  1819-20,  Lewis 
Dewart,  John  Haas;  1821,  Daniel  Scudder.  Andrew  Albright:  1822-23, 
Thomas  Painter:  1824-27.  Daniel  Scudder:  1828-30,  Henry  Frick;  1831, 
E.  Greenough;  1832,  Peter  Martz;   1833.  Albe  C.  Barrett;   1834-37,  Lewis 


190  HISTORY    OF     NORTHUITBERLAND    COUNTY. 

Provincial  Convention,  January  23,  1775. — "William  Plimket.  Casper 
Weitzel. 

Provincial  Conference,  June  IS,  1775. — William  Cooke,  Alexander 
Hunter,  John  Weitzel. 

Provincial  Conference,  June  IS,  1776. — William  Cooke,  Alexander 
Hunter,  John  Weitzel,  Kobert  Martin.  Matthew  Brown. 

Constitutional  Convention,  July  15,  1776. — William  Cooke,  James  Pot- 
ter, Kobert  Martin,  Matthew  Brown.  Walter  Clark,  John  Kelly,  James  Craw- 
ford, John  Weitzel. 

Council  of  Censors. — Section  XL Vllth  of  the  constitution  of  1776  pro- 
Tided  for  an  election  in  1788  and  every  seventh  year  thereafter  of  two  per- 
sons from  each  county  and  the  city  of  Philadelphia,  said  persons  to  comprise 
the  Coimcil  of  Censors,  the  diities  of  which  included  an  inqiiiry  into  the 
manner  in  which  the  constitution  was  observed  and  enforced.  Two  different 
returns  were  made  from  Northumberland  county  to  the  first  session  of  this 
Council,  which  convened  on  the  IDth  of  November,  1783;  on  the  26th  of  the 
same  month,  William  Montgomery  and  Samuel  Hunter  were  declared  elected. 
James  Potter,  elected  vice  Hiinter,  deceased,  took  his  seat,  July  7.  17S4. 

Constitutional  Convention,  November  24,  1789. — Charles  Smith,  Simon 
Snyder. 

Constitutional  Convention,  May  2,  1S37. — Senatorial  delegate,  Eobert 
Fleming — district:  Northumberland.  Centre,  and  Lycoming;  Representative 
delegate,  William  Gearhart. 

Constitutional  Convention,  November  12,  1S72. — Senatorial  Representa- 
tives: Joseph  Bailey,  Levi  Rooke.  John  P.  Croumiller — district:  Northum- 
berland, Union,  Snyder,  and  Perry. 

LEGISLATIVE  REPRESENT.\TION. 

Members  of  Assembly. — Northumberland  county  was  first  represented  in 
the  Assembly  that  met  at  Philadelphia  on  the  14th  of  October,  1772.  The 
following  is  a  list  of  members  from  that  time  until  the  adoption  of  the  con- 
stitution of  1790,  with  the  year  in  which  the  members  were  respectively 
elected:  1772-75,  Samuel  Hunter:  1776,  Thomas  Hewitt,  Samuel  Dale, 
Jacob  Follmer,  Robert  Fruit,  Da\-id  Robb,  Samuel  Wallis;  1777,  Samuel 
Dale,  Robert  Fruit,  James  Murray.  William  Irwin,  Simon  Hemrod,  Robert 
Fleming;  1778,  Samuel  Dale,  Simon  Hemrod,  James  McKnight,  Robert  Mar- 
tin, Robert  Fruit,  James  Crawford:  1779,  Robert  Martin,  Samuel  Dale,  Will- 
iam Montgomery;  1780,  William  Montgomery,  David  McKinney,  John  Kelly; 
1781-82,  William  Montgomery.  William  Maclay,  William  Cooke;  1783, 
James  McClenachan,  William  Cooke.  William  Maclay;  1784,  Frederick  Antes, 
Daniel  Montgomery,  Samuel  Dale;  1785,  Frederick  Antes,  Samuel  Dale, 
William  Maclay:  178().  Frederick  Antes,  Samuel  Dale;  1787-89,  Samuel 
Maclay,  John  White. 


ORGANIZATION    AND    ADJIINISTEATION.  191 

Member  of  the  Committee  of  Safety. — Samuel  Hunter,  June  30,  1775,  to 
July  22,  177(1 

Members  of  (he  Council  of  Safety. — John  "Weitzel.  July  24,  1776,  to 
March  13,  1777:  John  Hambright,  October  17,  1777,  to  December  4,  1777. 

Members  of  Supreme  Executive  Council. — Tnder  the  constitution  of 
1776,  the  general  executive  functions  of  the  government  devolved  upon  the 
president  and  Supreme  Executive  Council.  This  body  was  composed  of  one 
member  from  the  city  of  Philadelphia  and  each  of  the  counties  of  the  State, 
elected  for  the  term  of  three  years.  The  lirst  members  from  Xorthimiberland, 
Bedford,  Xorthampton,  and  Westmoreland,  however,  served  but  one  year,  in 
order  that  a  certain  j^roportion  of  new  members  might  be  received  each  year 
thereafter.  The  representation  of  this  coimty,  with  the  year  in  which  each 
member  was  elected,  was  as  follows:  177(5,  John  Lowdon;  1777,  John  Ham- 
bright:  178(1,  James  Potter:  17S8,  John  Boyd;  17S6,  William  Maclay;  17S9, 
WiUiam  Wilson. 

Stcite  Representatives. — The  following  is  a  list  of  members  of  the  lower 
house  of  the  legislature  since  the  adoption  of  the  constitution  of  1790,  with 
the  year  in  which  each  member  was  elected:  17U0-91,  Samuel  Maclay,  John 
AVhite:  1792.  Samuel  Dale,  John  White:  1793,  Josiah  Haines,  James  David- 
son: 1794,  Flavel  Koan,  George  Hughes,  Jacob  FoUmer;  1795,  Flavel  Roan, 
Hugh  White,  Robert  Martin:  1796,  John  White,  Hugh  White,  Thomas 
Grant;  1797,  Simon  Snyder,  Samuel  Maclay;  179S-1S00,  Simon  Snyder, 
Jacob  FoUmer:  ISOl,  Simon  Snyder,  Jacob  Follmer,  Jesse  Moore,  Samuel 
Dale;  1802,  Jesse  Moore,  Jacob  Follmer,  Daniel  Montgomery,  Simon  Sny- 
der; 1803,  Simon  Snyder,  Robert  Giffen.  Leonard  Rupert,  John  Bull;  1804, 
Simon  Snyder.  Leonard  Rupert,  John  Bull,  Abraham  McKinney;  1805, 
Robert  Smith.  Leonard  Rupert,  John  Bull,  Abraham  McKinney;  1806, 
Simon  Snyder.  Leonard  Rupert,  Abraham  McKinney,  Robert  Smith;  1807, 
Simon  Snyder.  Leonard  Rupert,  Abraham  McKinney,  John  Murray;  1808, 
John  Murray,  Leonard  Rupert,  Frederick  Evans,  Andrew  Albright ;  1809, 
John  Murray,  Leonard  Rupert,  Abraham  McKinney,  Frederick  Evans;  ISIO, 
John  Murray,  Jared  Irwin,  Leonard  Rupert,  Frederick  Evans;  1811,  Samuel 
Bond,  Jared  Irwin,  Andrew  McClenachan,  Frederick  Evans;  1812,  Samuel 
Bond.  Andrew  McClenachan,  Leonard  Rupert,  George  Kremer;  1813,  Sam^^el 
Bond,  Leonard  Ruj^ert,  Thomas  Murray,  Jr.,  George  Kremer — district: 
Northumberland,  Union,  and  Columbia;  1814,  David  E.  Owen,  Robert  Wil- 
lett,  Joseph  Hutchinson,  Henry-  Shaffer — district:  Northumberland,  Union, 
and  Cokunbia:  1815,  Henry  Shaffer,  Joseph  Hutchinson — district:  North- 
umberland; 1816,  Lewis  Dewart,  Aliraham  McKinney;  1817,  Lewis  Dewart, 
Joseph  Hutchinson;  1818,  Lewis  Dewart,  John  Miller;  1819-20,  Le\vis 
Dewart,  John  Haas;  1821,  Daniel  Scudder,  Andrew  Albright;  1822-23, 
Thomas  Painter:  1824-27,  Daniel  Scudder:  1828-30,  Henry  Frick;  1831, 
E.  Greenough;  1832,  Peter  Martz:  1S33,  Albe  C.  Barrett;  1834-37,  Lewis 


192  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

Dewart;  1S3S-39,  Charles  W.  Hegins;  1840,  Jesse  C.  Horton:  1841,  Da\-id 
B.  Montgomery;  1842,  Jacob  Gearhart;  1843-45,  Edward  Y.  Bright;  1846, 
Samuel  Hunter;  1847-48,  George  A.  Frick;  1849-50,  John  B.  Packer;  1851, 
William  Follmer;  1852,  Samiiel  A.  Bergstresser;  1853,  David  B.  Mont- 
gomery; 1854,  G.  M.  Yorks;  1855—56,  Jeremiah  H.  Zimmerman;  1857, 
Joseph  C.  Rhoads;  1858,  Charles  Hottenstein;  1859-60,  Amos  T.  Beisel; 
1861-62,  J.  Woods  Brown;  1868-64,  Truman  H.  Purdy;  1865-66,  C.  W. 
Tharp;  1867-68,  William  H.  Kase;  1869-70,  Robert  Montgomery;  1871, 
J.  B.  Newbaker,  Dennis  Bright — district:  Northumberland  and  Montour; 
1872-73,  A.  T.  De  Witt,  Jesse  Ammerman;  1874,  Jesse  J.  John,  William  P. 
Withington — district:  Northumberland;  1876,  Jeremiah  Snyder,  Daniel  L. 
Sherwood;  1878,  Daniel  L.  Sherwood,  J.  W.  Scanlan;  1880,  J.  W.  Scanlan, 
William  Elliott;  1882,  R.  C.  Mc Williams,  James  Riland;  1884,  James  Riland, 
William  Gable;  1886,  William  A.  Dean,  H.  T.  Eckert;  1888,  Jacob  M.  Foll- 
mer, Daniel  F.  Gallagher;  1890,  Peter  J.  Criste,  Isaiah  J.  Renn,  present 
Representatives. 

State  Senators. — The  State  Senate  was  created  by  the  constitution  of 
1790,  succeeding  to  some  of  the  functions  of  the  Supreme  Executive  Coun- 
cil. The  following  table  exhibits  the  representation  of  Northumberland 
county,  with  the  district  from  which  each  member  was  elected  and  year  in 
which  elected.  (Where  the  counties  composing  the  district  are  not  indicated, 
it  is  understood  that  its  boundaries  were  the  same  as  in  the  preceding  year): 
1790,  William  Montgomery — district:  Northumberland,  Luzerne,  and  Hunt- 
ingdon; 1794,  William  Hepburn,  elected  January  Sth,  vice  Montgomery, 
who  resigned;  1794,  George  Wilson,  William  Hepburn — district:  Northum- 
berland, Liizerne,  and  Mifflin;  1795,  Samuel  Dale,  vice  Hepburn,  who 
resigned,  April  20,  1795;  1796,  Samuel  Dale  —  district:  Northumber- 
land, Luzerne,  Lycoming,  and  Mifflin;  1798,  Samuel  Maclay:  1800,  James 
Harris;  1802,  Samuel  Maclay — district:  Northumberland;  1803,  Jacob  Foll- 
mer, vice  Maclay,  who  resigned,  September  2,  1803;  1806,  James  Laird; 
1808,  Nathan  Pahner — district:  Northumberland  and  Luzerne;  1810,  James 
Laird;  1812,  William  Ross;'  1814,  Thomas  Murray,  Jr. — district:  Northum- 
berland, Union,  Columbia,  Su.squehanna,  and  Luzerne;  1816,  Charles  Fraser; 
1818,  Simon  Snyder;  1820,  Redmond  Conyngham;  1822,  Andrew  Albright 
— district:  Northumberland  and  Union;  1823,  Lewis  Dewart,  vice  Albright, 
deceased;  1826,  John  Ray;  1830,  Samuel  J.  Packer;  1834,  Isaac  Slenker; 
1839,  Robert  Fleming — district:  Northumberland,  Lycoming,  and  Centre: 
1842,  Jesse  C.  Horton;  1845,  Benjamin  Jordan — district:  Northumberland 
and  Dauphin;  1848,  Robert  M.  Frick;  1851,  John  C.  Kunkel;  1854,  David 
Taggart;  1857,  Charles  R.  Buckalew — district:  Northumberland,  Snyder, 
Montour,  and  Columbia;  185S,  Reuben  Keller,  vice  Buckalew,  resigned; 
1860,  Frank  Bound;  isr)3.  David  B.  Montgomery;  1866,  George  D.  Jackson— 
district:  Northumberland,  Montour,  Columbia,  and  Sullivan;  1869,  Charles 


ORGANIZATION    AND    ADMINISTRATION.  193 

E.  Buckalew;  1S72,  Andrew H.  Dill — district:  Xortlmmberland.  rnion,  Sny- 
der, and  Perry;  1ST6,  Andrew  H.  Dill — district:  Northumberland,  Union,  and 
Snyder;  1878,  Simon  P.  Wolverton,  vice  Dill,  resigned;  1880-84,  Simon  P. 
Wolverton;  1888,  S.  D.  Bates,  present  Senator. 

EARLY    TOWNSHIP    OFFICERS. 

The  administration  of  township  affairs  is  usually  intrusted  to  men  of 
some  prominence  and  influence  in  their  resjiective  neighborhoods,  and  a  list  of 
to\\Tiship  officers  includes,  therefore,  the  names  of  many  citizens  whose  con- 
nection with  public  life  would  otherwise  be  forgotten,  and  whose  services, 
although  purely  local  in  their  nature,  are  none  the  less  essential  to  the  com- 
munity at  large.  The  following  is  a  list,  as  complete  as  existing  records 
])ermit,  of  to^vnship  otHcers  during  the  first  twenty  years  after  the  organiza- 
tion of  the  county,  when,  owing  to  the  extensiveness  of  the  county  and  its 
subdivisions,  a  relatively  greater  degree  of  importance  attached  to  the  offices 
than  at  present. 

A  list  of  justices  commissioned  under  the  provincial  regime  (1(72-7^))  is 
given  in  the  chapter  on  the  Bench  and  Bar.  The  following  were  commis- 
sioned from  1777  to  1785,  some  of  whom  resided  beyond  the  present  limits  of 
the  county:  Andrew  Culbertson,  ilordecai  McKinney,  January  8,  1777; 
Samuel  Hunter,  Thomas  Hewitt,  Robert  Crawford,  John  Weitzel,  Eobert 
Martin,  Michael  Troy,  John  Livingston,  Samuel  Allen,  John  Aurand.  June 
10,  1777;  Benjamin  Wei.ser,  January  21,  1778;  Thomond  Ball,  David  Mc- 
Kinney, Wilton  Atkinson,  July  8,  1778;  Frederick  Antes,  July  l:i  177'.i; 
John  Heckert,  May  9,  1780;  John  Buyers.  Christian  Gettig.  Septemlier  2S. 
178(^;  Alexander  Patterson,  John  Seely,  David  Mead,  John  Martin.  Septem- 
ber 10,  1783;  Henry  Shoemaker,  February  7,  1784. 

The  following  were  commissioned  from  1785  to  17'J2  for  districts  situated 
wholly  or  in  part  within  the  present  limits  of  the  county:  "William  Maclay, 
January  24, 1785 — Sunbury  and  Augusta;  William  Shaw,  January  24,  1785 — 
Turbut;  William  Cooke,  October  3,  1786 — Point;  Samuel  Weiser,  October 
29,  1787 — Mahanoy;  Christian  Gettig,  October  29,  1787 — Sunbury;  Joseph 
Jacob  Wallis,  October  29,  1787 — Sunburj-;  George  Hughes,  February  28, 
1788 — Catawissa;  John  Weitzel,  Jime  2(\  1789 — Augusta;  Eobert  Smith, 
September  1,  1791 — Turbut  and  Derrv-;  John  Buyers,  September  1,  1791 — 
Sunbury  and  Augusta ;  George  Hughes,  Sejitember  1,  1791 — Shamokin  and 
Catawissa;  Samuel  Weiser,  September  1,  1791 — Mahanoy;  John  Weitzel, 
September  1,  1791 — Sunbury  and  Augusta:  William  Cooke,  October  2'), 
1791 — Northumberland;  David  Hammond,  October  20,  1791 — Chillisquaque 
and  Turbut;  Alexander  Dixon,  Jime  21),  1792 — Turbut  and  Derry:  John 
Simpson,  July  5,  1792 — Point  and  Northumberland. 

1772. 
Augusta. — Constable,  Alexander  Grant. 


194  HISTORY    OF   NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

Turbiit. — Constable,  William  Mcileen:  supervisors:  John  Clark,  Jr., 
James  Mtirray. 

1773. 

Augusta. — Constable,  Adam  HaverUng:  supervisors:  Alexander  Grant, 
John  Tucker;  overseers:  Arthur  Auchmuty.  John  Harrison. 

Turbut. — Constable,  John  Blair;  supervisors:  William  Piper,  Hugh  Mc- 
Williams;  overseers:  James  Murray,  Adam  Marr. 

1774. 

Augusta. — Constables:  William  Boyle.  .John  Tucker;  supervisors:  David 
Fowler,  Robert  Durkee;  overseers:  John  Weitzel,  Jacob  Haverling. 

Turbut. — Constable,  John  Blair;  super^'isors :  John  Simpson,  Eichard 
Malone;  overseers:  James  Murray,  Adam  Marr. 

1775. 

Augusta.  — Constables :  Robert  McBride.  Stephen  Sutton,  Michael  Brad- 
ley; supervisors:  David  McKinney,  William  Clark;  overseers:  Thomond  Ball, 
Wilton  Atkinson. 

Mahanoy. — Constable,  Sebastian  Brosius:  super^-isors :  John  Shaffer, 
Peter  Almang;  overseers:  Samuel  W^eiser,  John  Fisher. 

Turbut. — Constable,  John  Blair;  supervisors:  Marcus  Hulings,  Jr.,  Ben- 
jamin Jones;  overseers:  John  Cheney,  William  McKnight. 

1770. 

Augusta. — Constables:  Joseph  Lorentz.  Zachariah  Robins;  supervisors: 
Stophel  Gettig,  Samuel  Lewis;  overseers:  John  Maclay,  John  Buyers. 

Mahanoy. — Constable,  Abraham  Schreyer;  suj^ervisors :  Peter  Smith, 
George  Yagey;  overseers:  Samuel  Weiser,  John  Fisher. 

Turbut. — Constable,  William  Johnson:  supervisors:  John  Dixon,  Bartho- 
lomew Haines;  overseers:  Samuel  McKee,  Paul  Geddis. 

1777. 
Augusta. — Constables:    William    Dewart.    Henry    Richards;   overseers: 
John  Maclay,  John  Buyers. 

Mahanoy. — Constable,  Nicholas  Brosius.  . 

Turbut. — Constable,  Henry  Vanderslice. 

1778. 

Augusta. — Constable,  William  Dewart:  supervisors:  James  McLees, 
Frederick  Dunkelberger;  overseers:  George  C'liver,  Elias  Yoimgman. 

Mahanoy. — Constable,  Martin  Kerstetter;  supervisors:  Christian  Whit- 
more,  Jacob  Zartman;  overseers:  Martin  Thomas.  Daniel  Kaubel. 

Turbut. — Constable,  George  Frederick. 


ORGANIZATION    AND    ADMINISTRATION.  195 

ITT'J. 

Augusta. — Constables:  William  Robins,  John  Harrison;  supervisors: 
John  Black,  John  Buyers;  overseers:  Jolui  Behm.  George  Dougherty. 

Mahanoy. — Constable,  Maximilian  Haines:  supervisors:  Abram  Sc'hnei- 
der,  Gottlieb  LeHer;  overseers:  Henry  Krebs.  Michael  Lenker. 

ITM). 

Augusta. — Constable,  Michael  Eousher:  supervisors:  Henry  Sterritt, 
Christian  Gettig;  overseers:  Henry  Eichards,  Conrad  Shaffer,  Zachariah 
Robins. 

Mahanoy. — Constable,  Gottlieb  Letier. 

I'M. 

Augusta. — Constables:  George  Keyser,  Joseph  Lorentz;  supervisors: 
Henry  Sterritt.  Liidwig  Gass;  overseers:  William  Sims,  Abram  De  Witt; 
fence  viewers:  Henry  Sterritt.  Philip  0pp. 

Mahanoy. — Constable,  John  Herter:  supervisors:  Peter  Ferster,  Nicholas 
Groninger;   overseers:  Peter  Albert,  George  Kline. 

Turhut. — Constable,  Simon  Hemrod:  supervisors:  James  Stedman.  John 
Gamble;  overseers:  John  Yost,  George  Teeples. 

ITs-J. 

Augusta. — Constables:  Henry  Sterritt.  George  Cliver;  supervi.sors:  Will- 
iam Sims,  Joseph  Lorentz;  overseers:  John  Harrison,  Bernard  Eyregood; 
fence  viewers:  Nicholas  Rousher,  Daniel  Cruger. 

Mahanoy. — Constable,  John  Fisher:  supervisors:  William  Ferster, 
Francis  Shaffer;  overseers:  Valentine  Eebuck.  John  Tobbs. 

Turbut. — Constable.  James  Stedman:  super\-isors :  Jacob  Links,  John 
McHenry;  overseers:  Richard  Malone.  James  Harrison. 

ITSo. 

Augusta. — Constable.  Jacob  Gass:  supervisors:  Peter  Hall.  Frederick 
WViss;  overseers:  Martin  Epley,  John  Black;  fence  viewer.^:  Paul  Baldy 
Robert  McBride. 

Mahanoy. — Constable,  Daniel  Kobel. 

Turbut. — Constable,  Paul  Geddis. 

ITSo. 

Augusta. — Constables:  Henry  Lelx>.  Adam  Gilger:  supervisors:  John 
Harrison,  Christian  Shissler;  overseers:  John  Black,  Peter  Smith;  fence 
viewers:  Joseph  Lorentz.  William  Dewart:  auditors:  John  Snider.  Martin 
Withington. 

Mahanoy. — Constable,  Andrew  Reitz:  supervisors:  John  White,  Yost 
Schockingast ;  overseers:  John  Herter.  Peter  Smith. 


196  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

Turbut. — Constable,  John  Nelson;  supervisors:  John  Montgomery,  David 
Ireland;  overseers:  Matthew  Smith,  James  Harrison ;  fence  viewers :  William 
McKnight,  William  Murray. 

1786. 

AMgus^a.— Constables:  John  Tombe,  Martin  Epley;  siipervisors :  John 
Weitzel,  John  Harrison;  overseers:  Ludwig  Gass,  Nicholas  Rousher;  fence 
viewers:  Joseph  Wallace,  Paul  Baldy;  auditors:  David  Mead,  Christian 
Gettig,  Charles  Gobin,  Martin  Withington. 

Po j„<._Constable,  Joseph  Torbett;  supervisors:  James  Hepburn,  James 
Jenkins;  overseers:  Laughlin  McCartney,  Bernard  Hubley;  fence  viewers: 
Daniel  Eeese,  Daniel  Kelly. 

Turbut. — Supervisors:  William  Cook,  Robert  Taggart;  overseers:  James 
Bio-crars,  Robert  Smith;  fence  viewers:  Martin  Keiser,  John  Dickson. 

■1787. 

Augusta. — Supervisors:  John  Clingman,  Jacob  Martz,  Jr.;  overseers: 
Jacob  Conrad,  Adam  Renn;  fence  viewers:  Charles  Gobin,  William  McAdams; 
auditors:  William  Gray,  David  Mead,   Martin  Withington,  Joseph  Wallace. 

Chillisquaque.— -Constable,  John  Cheney;  siipervisors :  Thomas  Straw- 
bridge,  James  Stedman;  overseers:  John  Murray,  John  Gillespie;  fence 
viewers,  James  Murray,  Joseph  Wilson;  auditors:  Thomas  Hewitt,  James 
McMahan,  John  Alexander,  William  Fisher. 

.Vafeano?/.— Constable,  William  Forster;  supervisors:  Peter  Roth,  Ludwig 
Scbreyer. 

Point. — Constable,  Matthew  Crozier;  supervisors:  Christian  Dering, 
James  Lemon;  fence  viewers:  James  Hepburn,  Thomas  Pollock. 

Turbut. — Constable,  Philip  Davis;  supervisors:  David  Hammond,  James 
Harrison;  overseers:  John  Hood,  Andrew  Russell:  fence  viewers:  John  Mont- 
gomery. Jacob  Follmer;  auditors:  William  Shaw,  Frederick  Tayjor,  John 
L}-tle,  Matthew  Smith. 

1789. 

Augusta.— Constables:  Paul  Baldy,  Zaehariah  Robins;  supervisors: 
Casper  Snyder,  Joseph  Lorentz;  overseers:  Daniel  Witmer,  Charles  Gobin; 
fence  viewers:  Jacob  Yoner,  Martin  Epley. 

Chillisquaque.—Gonstnhle,  James  Carscaddon,  Jr.;  supervisors:  William 
Fisher,  Paul  Geddis;  overseers:  Thomas  Strawbridge,  William  Murray. 

iVa/i.a?i02/.— Constable,  Nicholas  Schneider;  supervisors:  Valentine  Re- 
buck,  Michael  Emerick;  overseers:  George  Pfeiffer,  Christopher  Whitmore. 

Pojn^— Constable,  John  Allen;  supervisors:  Robert  Martin,  John  Boyd; 
overseers:  William  Wilson,  Josiah  Haines:  fence  viewers:  William  Sims, 
Samuel  Drake. 


ORGANIZATION    AND    ADMINISTRATION.  197 

Ralpho. — Constable,  Jobu  Miller;  supervisors:  Abraham  Brewer,  Joha 
Keller;  overseers:  John  Clark.  Obadiah  Campbell;  fence  viewers:  Samuel 
Keeder,  John  McKenzie. 

Turbut. — Constable.  Henry  Lebo:  supervisors:  Danii'l  Vincent,  Robert 
Hood;  overseers:  Joseph  Hutchison.  David  Ireland;  fence  viewers:  Michael 
FoUmer,  Andrew  Russell. 

1700. 

Augusta. — Constables:  Daniel  Hurley,  Benjamin  Patterson;  supervisors: 
Martin  Kendig.  Zachariah  Robins;  overseers:  Alexander  Hunter,  William 
McAdams;  fence  viewers:   Peter  Smith,  John  Lyon. 

ChilUsquaqne. — Constable,  John  Donaldson;  supervisors:  Thomas  Palmer, 
Joseph  Wilson;  overseers:  John  Wilson,  Francis  Eustis;  fence  viewers: 
James  Stadden,  Thomas  Hewitt. 

Mahanoy. — Coristable,  Michael  Shaffer;  sujiervisors:  William  Dobson, 
George  Borell;  overseers:  John  Latsha,  Sebastian  Stonebraker;  fence  view- 
ers: Henry  Zartman,  Christian  Heckendon. 

Point. — Supervisors:  Daniel  Montgomery,  John  McFarren;  overseers: 
James  Davidson,  William  Adams;  fence  viewers:  John  Maclay.  Aaron  Levy. 

Shamokin. — Constable,  Casjier  Reed;  supervisors:  Samuel  Reeder, 
Richard  Robinson:  overseers:  John  Kerr,  Jacob  Reed;  fence  viewers:  John 
Williamson,  William  Becker. 

Turbut. — Constable,  William  McCormick;  supervisors:  David  McGuire, 
Robert  Montgomery;  overseers:  James  McCluug,  David  Ireland;  fence 
viewers:  James  Harrison,  William  McKnight. 

1791. 

Augusta. — Constables:  Zachariah  Robins,  Peter  Smith:  supervisors: 
Daniel  Witmer,  Henry  Bueher;  overseers:  William  Gray,  Nicholas  Miller; 
fence  viewers:  Martin  Epley;  Jacob  Haverling. 

ChilUsquaque. — Constable,  James  McMahan;  supervisors:  James  Latti- 
more,  Thomas  Hewitt;  overseers:  Paul  Geddis,  Alexander  Miller;  fence 
viewers:  William  Reed,  William  Fisher. 

Mahanoy. — Constable,  Michael  Lenhart;  sujiervisors :  Casper  Gabel.  An-. 
drew  Reitz;  fence  viewers:  Daniel  Brosiiis,  Nicholas  Hettrick;  overseers: 
Henry  Zartman,  Jacob  Oxreiter. 

Point. — Constable,  William  Mackey;  supervisors:  Robert  Martin,  Daniel 
Montgomery;  overseers:  James  Davidson,  William  Bonham;  fence  viewers: 
John  Bachenstozs,  Robert  Lyon. 

Shamokin. — Constable, William  Clark;  siijjervisors: William  Schrach,  John 
Carr;  overseers:  John  Moore,  George  Daugherty;  fence  viewers:  George 
Dibber.  John  Irwin. 

Turbut. — Constable,    Garret  Sickles;  super\-isors :  William    McCormick, 


THE    BENCH   AND    BAR.  201 


CHAPTER  V. 


THE  BENCH  AND  BAR. 


First  C'oirts  axd  Cases — The  Quarter  Sessfoxs— Eakly  Admimstkatiux  of 
Penal  Jestice— The  Orphaxs.'  Cdrp.T— The  Common  Pleas — Rules  of  Court — 
The  Bench— Roster  of  Justices — Biographical  Sketches  of  Pkesidext 
Judges— Associate  Judges — The  Bar  of  the  Past  and  Present— The  Sutreme 
CouitT. 


THE  provincial  judiciary  act  of  March  22,  1722,  the  general  provisions  of 
which  were  in  force  at  the  time  Xorthnmberland  county  was  organized, 
established  in  each  county  a  court  styled  the  general  quarter  sessions  of  the 
peace  and  gaol  delivery-  and  a  county  court  of  common  pleas,  for  each  of  which 
the  Governor  was  authorized  to  commission  a  competent  number  of  justices, 
three  of  whom  should  constitute  a  (luonmi.  The  orphans'  court,  as  consti- 
tuted iu  1772,  was  established  in  I'M  The  constitution  of  1771)  provided 
for  courts  of  sessions,  common  pleas,  and  orphans'  courts,  the  organization 
and  fiTnctions  of  which  remained  substantially  as  itnder  the  provincial  ?-e(/»)ie. 
By  the  constitution  of  1790  the  judicial  power  of  the  Commonwealth  was 
vested  in  a  Supreme  court,  in  a  court  of  oyer  and  terminer  and  general  jail 
delivery,  common  pleas,  qxiarter  sessions,  orphans'  court,  and  register's  cottrt 
for  each  county,  and  in  justices  of  the  peace.  The  judges  of  the  Supreme 
court  were,  ex  officio,  justices  of  oyer  and  terminer  and  general  jail  delivery 
in  the  several  counties.  Provision  was  made  for  the  division  of  the  State 
into  judicial  circuits;  the  Governor  was  authorized  to  appoint  a  president  of 
the  courts  for  each  circuit  and  not  less  than  three  nor  more  than  four  judges 
for  each  county,  for  wliom  a  life  tenure  was  established  subject  to  the  good 
behavior  of  the  incumbent,  who  was  removable  by  the  Governor  upon  the 
address  of  two  thirds  of  each  branch  of  the  legislature.  The  president  and 
judges,  any  two  of  whom  should  constitute  a  quorum,  were  to  compose  the 
court  of  common  pleas.  They  were  also  justices  of  oyer  and  terminer  and 
general  jail  delivery,  any  two  of  their  number,  the  president  being  one,  to 
constitute  a  quorum;  btit  no  session  of  this  court  was  to  be  held  in  any  county 
when  the  Supreme  court  shottld  be  sitting  therein.  The  cottrt  of  qitarter 
sessions  and  the  orphans'  court  were  also  to  be  composed  of  the  judges  of  the 
common  pleas,  who,  with  the  register  of  wills,  were  to  constitute  the  regis- 
ter's court.     The  latter  was  abolished  bv  the  constittition  of  1S78. 


202  HISTORY    OF    NOKTHUMBEKLAND    COUNTY. 

FIRST    COURTS    AND    CASES. 

The  act  erecting  Northumberland  coimty  passed  the  Assembly  on  the  '21st 
of  March,  1772;  this  action  of  the  legislative  body  was  certified  to  Council 
three  days  later,  when  it  received  favorable  consideration,  and  justices  for  the 
new  coimty  were  forthwith  apjiointed.  The  seat  of  government  for  the  Prov- 
ince was  at  Philadelphia,  and  communication  with  the  frontier  was  attended 
with  difficulty  and  delay;  it  is  not  jn-obable,  therefore,  that  much  time 
elapsed  after  the  commissions  of  the  justices  reached  Fort  Augusta  before 
the  judicial  machinery  was  placed  in  motion.  The  fir.st  court,  a  private  ses- 
sions of  the  peace,  was  held  on  the  Uth  of  April,  1772.  The  following  is  a 
transcript  of  the  miniites: — 

At  a  court  of  private  sessions  of  the  peace  heUl  at  Fort  Augusta  for  the  county  of 
Xorthumberhind  on  the  9th  day  of  April  in  the  twelfth  year  of  the  reign  of  our  Sover- 
eisu  Lord  George  the  Third,  by  the  grace  of  God  of  Great  Britain,  France,  and  Ireland 
King,  Defender  of  the  Faith,  etc.,  and  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  God  1773,  before  "Will- 
iam Plunlcet,  Esquire,  and  his  associates,  justices  assigned,  etc.,  etc.,  within  the  said 
county  of  Northumberland,  viz.: — 

An  act  of  [the]  General  Assembly  of  Pennsylvania  entitled  "An  act  for  erecting  a 
part  of  the  counties  of  Lancaster,  Cumberland,  Berks,  Northampton,  and  Bedford  into 
a  separate  county,"  was  published  iu  court. 

A  commission  from  his  Honor  the  Governor,  bearing  date  the  '24th  day  of  ^March, 
anno  Domini  1772,  appointing  William  Plunket,  Turbutt  Francis,  Samuel  Hunter, 
.James  Potter,  William  Maclay,  Caleb  Graydon,  Benjamin  Allison,  Robert  Moodie, 
.John  Lowdon,  Thomas  Lemon,  Ellis  Hughes,  and  Benjamin  Weiser,  Esquires,  justices 
of  the  court  of  general  quarter  sessions  of  the  peace  and  gaol  delivery  for  the  said 
county  of  Northumberland,  was  published  in  court. 

On  motion  made,  the  said  county  of  Northumberland,  or  as  much  of  the  extent  of 
the  same  as  is  now  purchased  from  the  Indians,  is  divided  into  the  following  town- 
ships, to  be  hereafter  called  and  known  bj'  the  names  of  Penn's  township,  Augusta 
township,  Turbut  township,  Buffalo  township.  Bald  Eagle  township,  :\[uncy  township, 
and  AV\-oming  township. 

Then  follows  a  descrijition  of  the  boundaries  of  each  township,  as  given 
in  the  preceding  chapter.  Officers  were  also  appointed  for  the  respective 
townships  at  this  session. 

The  first  court  of  general  quarter  sessions  of  the  peace  for  Northimiber- 
land  coimty  was  held  at  Fort  Augusta  on  Tuesday,  the  26th  of  May,  1772, 
before  "William  Plunket  and  his  associates.  As  at  the  previous  session,  an 
exemplified  copy  of  the  act  erecting  the  county  "certified  under  the  hand  of 
William  Parr,  Esquire,  master  of  the  rolls  for  the  Province,"  was  "published 
in  open  court."  The  commissions  of  the  justices  were  again  read,  and  also 
'•a  deputation  from  Andrew  Allen,  Esquire,  attorney  general  for  the  Province 
of  Pennsylvania,  to  Edward  Burd,  for  the  prosecution  of  the  pleas  of  the 
crown  within  the  said  county  of  Northumberland."  As  the  first  recorded 
proceedings  it  is  stated  that, — 

Upon  petitions  to  the  court,  George  Wolf,  Martin  Traester,  William  Wilson,  Rich- 
ard Malone,  Peter  Hosterman,  Henry  Dougherty,  Robert  Martin,  Casper  Heed,  and 


THE    BENCH    AND    BAR.  203 

Fraucis  Yaruall  are  recomniendf'd  to  hii=!  Honor  the  Governor  for  his  license  to  sell 
spirituous  liquors  by  small  measnre,  and  keep  hciuses  of  pulilic  entertainment  in  the 
townships  and  places  where  they  now  respectively  dwell  in  this  county,  for  the  endu- 
ing year. 

Wolf,  Traester,  Hosterman.  and  Eeocl  resided  in  Penn's  towTisbip ;  Maloue. 
Dougherty,  and  Martin,  in  Titrbut ;  Wilson  and  Yarnall,  in  Augusta.  Marcus 
Hillings  and  John  Alexander,  of  Turbiit;  Adam  Haverling,  of  .Sunbury; 
Martin  Kost,  of  Buffalo,  and  James  Weiser.  of  Augu.sta,  were  added  to  this 
number  before  the  close  of  the  year. 

The  first  road  petition  considered  was  that  of  "  sundry  the  inhabitants 
of  the  West  Branch  of  Susquehanna  and  j'laces  adjacent,"  setting  forth  the 
great  inconvenience  they  labor  under  for  want  of  public  highways,  etc.,  and 
praying  that  proj^er  persons  should  be  apjiointed  '•  to  view  and  lay  out  a  road 
from  the  end  of  the  road  lateh-  opened  from  the  head  of  Schuylkill  to  Fort 
Augusta,  across  the  North  Branch  of  the  river  Susquehanna  to  the  main 
point  opposite  Fort  Augusta,  thence  up  the  easterly  side  of  the  West  Branch 
of  said  river  to  the  line  of  the  late  Indian  jiurchase  at  Lycoming."  Eichard 
Malone,  Marcus  Hulings,  Jr.,  John  Eobb,  Alexander  Stephens,  Daniel  Lav- 
ton,  and  Amariah  Sutton  were  apjiointed  to  lay  out  the  proposed  road  agree- 
ably to  the  terms  of  the  petition  if  their  judgment  should  so  determine. 

"  Sundry  inhabitants  of  the  Xorth  Branch  of  Susquehanna  and  of  the 
waters  of  Mahoning  creek  "  also  presented  a  petition  "  setting  forth  the  great 
conveniency  of  a  public  highway  from  Fort  Augusta  to  the  narrows  of  Ma- 
honing," and  praying  for  the  appointment  of  "suitable  persons  to  view  the 
ground.  .  .  .  in  order  to  discover  the  nighest  and  best  road:"  to  this  service 
Thomas  Hewitt,  Eobert  McCulley.  John  Black,  Hugh  IMc Williams.  Eobert 
McBride,  and  John  Clark,  Jr.,  were  aiijiointed. 

Hitherto  the  entire  attention  of  the  court  had  been  directed  to  the  exercise 
of  its  administrative  fimctions.  Actions  begun  in  the  county  prior  to  its  erec- 
tion, criminal  as  well  as  civil,  had  been  continued  in  the  courts  at  Beading, 
Lancaster,  or  Carlisle,  respectively,  and,  although  the  deputy  attorney  gener- 
al's commission  was  read  at  May  sessions,  1772,  no  case  recjuiring  the  atten- 
tion of  that  officer  was  tried  until  the  following  term.  I'ntil  the  first  election 
of  county  officers  should  occur  the  sheriff  of  Berks  county  was  authorized  to 
perform  the  duties  pertaining  to  that  office;  and  on  the  fourth  Tuesday  in 
August,  1772.  the  first  grand  jury  wa.s  impaneled,  as  shown  by  the  following 
minute: — 

George  Nagel,  Esquire,  high  sheriff  for  the  county  aforesaid,  returned  the  writ  of 
Ttriire  to  him  directed,  with  the  panel  annexed,  which  being  called  over  after  procla- 
mation made,  the  following  persons  appeared,  who  were  accordingly  sworn  on  the 
grand  inquest  for  our  Sovereign  Lord  the  King  for  the  body  of  the  county:  .John 
Brady,  foreman,  George  Overmeier,  John  Rhorrick,  Leonard  Peter,  Garret  Free- 
land,  John  Yost,  William  Gray,  Ludwig  Derr,  George  Rau,  Andreas  Heifer,  Hawkins 
Boone,  George  Wolf,  William  Cooke,  John  Kelly,  James  Poke,  John  Walker. 


204  HISTORY    OF    NOETHCMBEELAND    COUNTY. 

The  record  of  the  first  case  is  as  follows: — 

The  King  1  Sur  iudictment,  felony;  true  bill.     The  defendant 

No.  1.  ra.  1  being  arraigned,  plead  n-ja  cul.  et  cle  hoc  jxmit,  se  etc., 

.John  AVillaims        f  etc.;  pro  Hcgc,  similiter,  etc..  etc.  And  now,  a  jury  being 
alius  Thomas  Adams.  J  called,  come,  to  wit:  "William  Piper,  Isaac  :Miller,  Robert 
Testes  pro   Rerje :  \  Fruit,  .James  Jlorrow,  Thomas  Hewitt,  Richard  Irvine,  Robert  Clark, 
William  Scull,     [Benjamin  Fulton,  Andrew  Gibson,  .John  Morrow,  Francis  Ir\-ine, 
■  Samuel  Hunter,    [and  Henry  Dougherty,  who  on  their  oaths  respectively  do  say,  that 
Thomas  Lemon.  J  the  defendant  is  guilty  in  manner  and  form  as  is  in  the  said  indict- 
ment set  forth. 

Whereupon  it  is  adjudged  bj'  the  court  that  the  said  .John  Williams  alius  Thomas 
Adams  do  make  restitution  of  the  goods  stolen;  and  pay  a  fine  of  five  pounds  to  his 
Honor  the  Governor  for  support  of  government;  and  receive  on  his  bare  back  at  the 
common  whipping  post  on  the  2d  of  October  next  twenty-one  lashes,  and  stand  com- 
mitted until  this  sentence  is  executed. 

At  the  same  term  of  court  Williams  alias  Adams  was  also  convicted  upon 
a  second  and  third  indictment  for  felony.  Upon  the  second  indictment  he 
was  fined  five  pounds,  seven  shillings,  sis  pence,  and  sentenced  to  receive 
twenty-one  lashes  on  the  30th  of  September;  upon  the  third  the  fine  was 
three  potmds,  five  shillings,  and  he  was  sentenced  to  receive  twenty-one  lashes 
on  the  1st  of  October.  These  three  indictments  were  the  only  cases  tried  at 
this  term  of  coitrt,  and  constitute  the  first  recorded  proceedings  in  the  crim- 
inal annals  of  the  coimty.  In  each  instance  conviction  followed  arraignment, 
and  the  amount  of  the  cumulative  sentence — a  fine  aggregating  more  than 
thirteen  poimds,  a  relatively  large  sum  of  money  at  that  period,  and  the 
infliction  of  twenty-one  lashes  upon  three  consecutive  days — was  certainly 
ecjual  to  the  requirements  of  justice. 

In  the  punishment  of  penal  ofiienses  the  whijiping-post,  stocks,  and  pil- 
lory were  frequently  brought  into  requisition.  The  whipping-post,  which 
stood  in  the  public  square  in  front  of  the  old  jail  building  at  the  corner  of 
Market  street  and  Center  alley,  was  a  stout  piece  of  timber  firmly  planted  in 
the  groimd,  with  a  horizontal  crosspiece  above  the  head;  to  this  the  hands  of 
the  culjirit  were  tied,  while  the  sheriif  administered  the  flagellation  on  his 
bare  back.  The  pillory  was  erected  imder  a  walnut  tree  on  the  river  bank  in 
front  of  the  Maclay  house,  where  a  slight  depression  in  the  ground  still 
marks  the  site;  this  consisted  of  an  upright  frame  with  openings  through 
which  the  head  and  hands  of  the  ofl'ender  protruded,  and  a  low  platform 
upon  which  he  stood.  Custom,  and  also  the  common  law,  permitted  every 
passer-by  to  throw  one  stone  at  the  culprit's  head.  In  the  stocks  the  offender 
sat  itpon  a  platform  with  his  hands  and  feet  projecting  through  a  framework 
in  front.  No  regular  facilities  of  this  natitre  having  been  provided,  the 
stocks  were  improvised  by  thrusting  the  legs  of  the  culprit  between  the  rails 
of  a  fence  above  the  Maclay  house.  This  seems  to  have  served  the  purpose 
under  Plunket's  administration. 

The  first  instance  in  which  these  instrumentahties  were  resorted  to  in  the 


THE    BENCH    AND    BAR.  205 

atlministration  of  penal  justice  occurred  at  August  sessions  1772,  in  the  case 
of  Williams  alias  Adams.  At  May  sessions,  1776,  Daniel  Pettit  was  convicted 
of  altering  a  five-dollar  bill  and  sentenced  to  "  stand  in  the  public  pilloiy  in 
the  town  of  Sunbury  on  the  31st  of  May  instant  from  eight  imtil  nine  o'clock 
in  the  forenoon,  and  be  imjmsoned  for  one  month,  and  stand  committed  imtil 
this  judgment  be  complied  with."  In  November,  177S,  Esar  Curtis  was  con- 
victed of  larceny;  his  sentence  was,  to  '"pay  a  fme  of  forty  pounds  to  his 
Excellency  the  Governor  for  the  support  of  government,  forty  poiinds  by  way 
of  restitution  for  the  horse  stolen,  and  receive  seventeen  lashes  well  laid  on. 
and  stand  committed  until  fine,  fees,  etc.,  are  paid."  This  seems  to  have 
been  the  first  con\'iction  for  horse-stealing.  Alexander  Craig  was  also  con- 
victed of  larceny  at  the  same  term  of  court;  he  was  amerced  in  the  siun  of 
eighty  poimds,  and  sentenced  to  receive  "  twenty-seven  lashes  on  his  bare 
back  well  laid  on."  In  Febmary,  1779,  Elijah  Higgins  was  arraigned  upon 
an  indictment  for  larceny,  and  found  guilty;  it  was  adjudged  that  he  "  return 
the  hog  or  the  value  of  the  same,  pay  a  fine  of  three  pounds,  and  be  whipped 
next  Saturday  with  twenty  lashes."  The  lash  seems  to  have  been  used 
without  regard  to  color  or  sex.  In  Februarv",  17S1,  Negro  Ann,  convicted  of 
larceny,  was  sentenced  to  "  be  publicly  whipped  at  the  public  whipping  post 
at  Sunbury  on  Saturday,  the  10th  day  of  March,  with  twenty  lashes  on  her 
bare  back  well  laid  on,  at  ten  o'clock  of  that  day;  restore  the  goods  or  the 
value  thereof  to  the  owner,  Eleanor  Green,  and  pay  a  fine  equal  to  the  value 
of  the  things  stolen;  pay  the  costs  of  prosecution,  and  stand  committed  till  the 
above  sentence  be  complied  with."  The  goods  purloined  amounted  in  value 
to  three  pounds,  three  shillings.  State  currency.  In  Februaiy,  1785,  Patrick 
Quinn  was  foimd  guilty  of  stealing  a  "  tow  linen  shirt  to  the  value  of  ten 
shillings;"  it  was  directed  that  he  should  restore  the  same  or  an  equivalent 
in  money,  pay  a  fine  equal  to  the  value  thereof,  and  "  receive  on  his  bare  back 
at  the  common  whipping  post  on  Friday,  the  25tli  day  of  February  instant, 
at  nine  o'clock  in  the  morning,  twenty-one  lashes."  For  the  theft  of  eighty- 
three  shillings,  four  pence,  John  Miller  was  found  guilty  of  felony  in  Novem- 
ber, 178-3;  it  was  ordered  that  he  should  make  restitution,  pay  a  fine  equal 
to  the  amount  stolen,  "  and  on  Friday,  the  25th  instant,  receive  on  his  bare 
back  twenty-one  lashes  well  laid  on." 

The  maximum  of  physical  punishment  inliicted  by  judicial  process  in  the 
early  history  of  the  county  was  probably  the  sentence  imposed  upon  Joseph 
Disberry  at  August  sessions,  1784,  upon  conviction  of  felony.  It  reads  as 
foUows : — 

Judgment:  that  the  said  .Joseph  Disberry  receive  thirty-nine  hishes  between  the 
hours  of  eight  and  nine  o'clock  to-morrow;  stand  in  the  pillory  one  hour;  have  his  ears 
cut  ofl  and  nailed  to  the  post;  return  the  property  stolen,  or  the  value  thereof;  remain 
in  prison  three  months;  pay  a  line  of  thirt}'  pounds  to  the  Honorable  the  President  of 
this  State  for  the  support  of  government,  and  stand  committed  until  tines,  fees,  etc., 
are  paid. 


206  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

But  Disberrv's  moral  delinquencies  were  not  rendered  less  frequent  in 
occurence  or  rei^reliensible  in  character  by  the  radical  measures  just  described, 
and  he  continued  to  the  end  of  his  career  a  troublesome  member  of  society. 
Even  at  this  late  date  the  number  and  variety  of  his  exploits,  his  versatile 
and  ingenious  manner  of  evading  arrest,  and  the  air  of  perfect  nonchalance 
with  which  he  asserted  his  innocence  when  confronted  with  the  most  incon- 
trovertible evidence  of  guilt,  retain  a  place  in  the  traditions  of  this  jiart  of 
the  State.  In  August,  179S,  he  was  arraigned  on  three  indictments  for  bur- 
glary, to  each  of  which,  with  characteristic  sang  froid.  he  plead  not  guilty. 
A  longer  period  of  immunity  than  usual  had  made  him  more  than  ordinarily 
bold;  he  had  entered  the  houses  of  Philip  Bower,  Peter  Jones,  and  Isaiah 
Willits,  taking  scarcely  any  precautions  whatever  to  avoid  detection,  and  the 
result  of  the  trial  was  conviction  on  the  three  indictments.  It  was  the  sen- 
tence of  the  court  ''that  the  defendant  forfeit  all  and  singular  his  goods  and 
chattels,  lands  and  tenements,  to  and  for  the  use  of  the  Commonwealth;  and- 
be  conveyed  to  the  gaol  and  penitentiary  house  of  the  city  of  Phila- 
delphia, there  to  undergo  the  servitude  aforesaid  for  the  term  of  twenty-one 
years,"  of  which  term  two  years  were  to  be  spent  in  solitary  confinement. 
Tradition  asserts  that  he  survived  tliis  long  incarceration,  and  died  a  violent 
death. 

The  first  case  of  fornication  and  bastardy  as  shown  by  existing  records 
was  tried  at  November  sessions,  1774.  The  defendant  was  Peter  Weiser, 
and  it  was  adjudged  that  he  should  pay  "  a  fine  of  ten  poimds  to  the  Gov- 
ernor, and  pay  to  Margaret  Kessler  the  sum  of  seven  pounds,  ten  shillings, 
for  her  lying-in  expenses  and  maintaining  the  child  to  this  time,  and  give 
bond  with  suflicient  security  for  the  maintaining  of  the  child  and  securing 
or  indemnifying  Penn's  township  against  any  charges  by  reason  or  means  of 
the  said  child."  Cases  of  this  nature  are  of  frequent  occurrence  in  the  early 
records.  It  is  worthy  of  remark,  however,  that  they  were  principally  brought 
against  indentured  servants.  The  man  was  usually  required  to  contribute 
to  the  support  of  the  child,  while  the  woman  was  obliged  to  serve  a  year 
or  longer  beyond  the  time  when  her  term  of  service  would  regularly  have 
expired. 

The  first  cases  of  assault  and  battery  were  tried  at  May  sessions,  1773, 
resulting  in  conviction  in  each  instance.  The  fine  imposed  was  two  shillings, 
six  pence,  and  the  offender  was  required  to  give  his  recognizance  for  future 
good  behavior.  Cases  of  this  nature  contributed  largely  to  the  business  of 
the  quarter  sessions. 

There  is  reason  to  think  that  ignorance  of  the  law.  if  not  an  excuse  for 
its  infraction,  was  at  least  a  palliation  in  the  eyes  of  the  early  justices.  A 
case  in  point  occurred  at  November  sessions,  17  78.  Joseph  Sprague  plead 
guilty  to  an  indictment  for  keeping  a  tippling  house;  he  was  sentenced  to 
pay  the  costs,  but  the  fine  was  remitted,  "the  crime  appearing  to  be  the 
effects  of  ignorance." 


THE    BENCH    AND    BAR.  207 

It  was  the  ctoy  of  the  constables  to  attend  the  sessions  of  the  coiTrt, 
where  their  presence  assisted  in  sustaining  the  majesty  of  the  law  and  the 
dignity  of  the  bench.  The  attendance  of  all  the  constables  of  the  county 
was  required  until  Augiist  sessions.  ITSU.  when  the  following  regulation 
was  established: — 

It  is  agreed  by  the  court  that  after  the  constables  appear  at  each  term  and  make 
their  returns,  that  they  will  be  all  dismissed  but  those  who  are  reserved  to  attend  the 
business  of  the  court  agreeable  to  the  following  distribution:  and  those  of  them  who 
make  default  may  relj-  on  it  that  the  court  will  strictly  exact  the  tine. 

Division  of  the  constables  to  serve  in  rotation,  viz.: — 

First  Class.— The  constables  of  Augu-^ta.  Bald  Eagle.  Beaver  Dam.  Buffalo,  C'ata- 
■v\  issa,  to  serve  at  November  sessions. 

Second  Class. — The  constables  of  Ni]ipenosf'.  Penu's,  Pine  Creek,  Point,  Potter's, 
Turbut,  at  February  -essions. 

Third  Class.— The  constables  of  Derry,  Loyalsock,  Lycoming,  3Iahoning.  Jlaha- 
uoy.  Muncy,  at  May  sessions. 

F(..urth  Class. — The  constables  of  Cliillisqua>iue.  Washington,  'White  Deer,  Fish- 
ing Creek,  Shamokin,  at  August  sessions. 

Tlie  Orphans'  Court  was  organized  on  the  0th  of  April,  1T7"_'.  The  min- 
iTtes  of  the  first  session  are  as  follows: — 

At  an  orphans'  court  held  at  Fort  Augusta  the  'Jth  day  of  April,  in  the  twelfth 
year  of  tlie  reign  of  our  Sovereign  Lord  George  the  Third,  by  the  grace  of  God  of 
Great  Britain,  P" ranee,  and  Ireland  King,  Defender  of  the  Faith,  etc.,  and  in  the  year 
of  our  Lord  God  177i,  before  William  Plunket,  Samuel  Hunter,  Caleb  Graydoli, 
Robert  !Moodie,  and  Thomas  Lemon,  Esquires,  justices  of  the  same  court,  etc.,  tor  the 
count}-  of  Northumberland; 

Came  into  court  William  Marlay.  E-quire,  and  iin'duifd  a  i-ommi~>ion  from  his 
Honor  the  Governor,  bearing  date  the  ■24th  day  ot  March  la>t  past,  appointing  him, 
the  said  William  Maclay,  clerk  or  register  of  this  court:  and  likewise  a  deputation 
from  Benjamin  Chew,  Es(iuire,  register  general  for  the  probates  of  wilLs  and  granting^ 
letters  of  administration  for  the  Province  of  Pennsylvania,  constituting  and  appointing 
him,  the  said  William  Maclav",  deputy  register  for  the  probate  of  wills  and  granting- 
letters  of  administration  for  the  county  of  Xorthumberland,  both  which  were  read  and 
published  in  court,  and  the  said  William  Maclay  took  the  oath  for  the  faithful  dis- 
charge of  the  said  offices,  respectively. 

The  first  proceedings  are  recorded  under  date  of  August  13,  1778,  Jus- 
tices William  Maclay,  Samuel  Hunter,  and  Michael  Troy,  presiding.  Alex- 
ander McKee,  administrator  of  the  estate  of  Thomas  McKee,  deceased,  of 
Augusta  township,  presented  a  statement  of  the  indebtedness,  etc.  of  said 
decedent,  and  was  authorized  to  sell  a  tract  of  land  called  "  New  Provi- 
dence," situated  in  Augusta  township,  formerly  Upper  Pastang  township, 
Lancaster  county.     The  proceedings  in  this  case  were  begun  at  Lancaster. 

Among  the  cases  that  appeared  for  consideration  at  January  term,  1779, 
was  one  that  affords  a  melancholy  illustration  of  the  hardships  of  those 
troublous  times.  In  the  preceding  summer  a  number  of  refugees  from 
Muncy,  driven  from  that  locality  by  the  Indians,  had  been  cared  for  by  the 
people  of  Augusta  township.     Alliert  and  Catharine  Polhemus  were  among 


208  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTi'. 

these  unfortunates:  both  died  and  were  buried  at  the  public  expense,  leaving 
seven  children,  whose  support  was  temporarily  assumed  by  the  overseers  of 
the  poor.  It  became  necessary  to  levy  an  extra  tax  for  their  maintenance, 
and  at  January  sessions,  1779,  the  overseers  were  authorized  to  indenture 
them,  the  conchtions  prescribed  being  similar  to  the  following: — 

To  Elias  Youugman,  ^Magdaleua  Polhemus,  until  she  be  eighteen  years  of  age,  he 
accommodating  her  according  to  the  custom  of  the  country  during  her  servitude;  to 
teach  or  cause  her  to  be  taught  to  read  and  write  English;  bring  her  up  in  the  Presby- 
terian religion;  and  at  the  expiration  |of  her  servitude  give  her  decent  freedoms,  with 
twenty  pounds  lawful  money  of  Pennsylvania. 

The  sequel  would  seem  to  show  that  those  to  whom  unfortunate  and  des- 
titute children  were  indentured  were  not  always  faithful  to  the  obligations 
thus  assirmed.  At  November  sessions,  1786,  of  the  court  of  quarter  sessions, 
Magdalena  Polhemus  presented  a  petition  to  the  court  setting  forth  that  she 
had  ■■  faithfully  and  honestly  "  served  Elias  Youngman  the  full  term  of  seven 
years  for  which  she  had  been  indentured;  but  that  he  had  not  "performed 
the  covenants  in  the  said  indenture  mentioned  by  furnishing  her  with  her 
freedom  dues  at  the  expiration  of  her  servitude."  At  the  following  term  of 
court  it  was  adjudged  that  she  should  be  paid  eight  pounds,  in  default  of 
which  an  attachment  should  issue  to  compel  payment.  In  this  summary 
manner  chd  the  court  enforce  just  treatment  for  its  wards. 

At  August  sessions,  1779,  "  a  certain  Sarah  Silverthorn,  aged  seven  years,'' 
was  indentured  to  William  Huburn;  as  part  of  the  obligation  assumed  he 
agreed  "to  teach  or  cause  her  to  be  taught  to  read  and  write  English,  bring 
her  up  in  the  Presbyterian  religion,  and  at  the  expiration  of  her  servitude 
give  her  the  usual  freedoms,  with  a  good  spinning  wheel."  The  question  may 
arise  whether  Presbyterianism  sustained  to  the  county  administration  the  re- 
lation of  an  established  church.  It  is  probable,  however,  that  the  only  object 
of  the  court  was  to  insure  for  its  wards  projjer  religious  training,  and  that  in 
designating  a  jiarticular  church  the  religious  preferences  of  the  child's  parents 
were  considered. 

Orphans'  courts  were  held- very  irregularly  for  some  years  after  the  organ- 
ization of  the  coimty.  That  this  might  be  remedied  the  following  action  was 
taken  by  the  justices  at  May  term,  1783: — 

Where.\s,  Hitherto  there  has  been  no  stated  or  fi-\ed  time  for  holding  orphans' 
courts  in  said  county; 

It  is  therefore  unanimously  agreed  and  determined  by  the  said  justices  [Frederick 
Antes  and  his  associates]  at  this  present  sessions  that  from  and  after  this  present  ses- 
sions that  orphans'  courts  in  or  for  this  county  shall  be  held  at  Suubury  the  fourth 
Tuesday  in  June,  the  fourth  Tuesday  in  September,  the  fourth  Tuesday  in  December, 
and  the  fourth  Tuesday  in  March,  statedly  and  forever  thereafter. 

The  first  will  recorded  is  that  of  Joseph  Rotten,  of  Buffalo  township, 
which  was  certified  to  the  deputy  register,  August  24,  1774.  It  was  drawn 
on  the  IGth  of  May  previously,  in   the  presence  of  William  Moore,  James 


THE    BENCH    AND    BAR.  209 

McCoy,  and  Samuel  Mather.  The  testator  bequeathed  "to  Mary,  my  dearly 
beloved  wife,  my  best  bed  and  furniture,  also  a  black  cow,  as  also  one  fiill 
third  part  of  all  my  personal  estate,  either  in  cash,  goods,  or  chattels;"  the 
remainder  was  devised  in  equal  portions  to  his  three  children,  Thomas,  Roger, 
and  Elizabeth. 

In  Jime,  17TU,  James  Jenkins  and  Morgan  Jenkins,  executors  of  the 
nimcupative  will  of  Thomond  Ball,  transacted  certain  business  with  the 
court  under  its  pro\-isions.  Among  the  personality  mentioned  is  a  gold  watch, 
which  the  court  directed  should  be  "sold  by  public  vendue  in  the  city  of 
Philadelphia  or  towTi  of  Lancaster."  Ball  had  been  a  justice  of  the  court 
and  served  for  a  time  as  its  deputy  clerk.  This  is  the  first  nuncupative  will 
mentioned  in  the  records  of  the  court,  and  one  of  the  very  few  instruments 
of  that  character  that  have  received  the  consideration  of  the  judiciary  in  this 
county.  It  is  presumed  that  the  decedent  was  too  much  occujiied  with  busi- 
ness relating  to  other  people's  wills  to  find  time  to  write  his  own. 

The  Court  of  Common  Pleas. — The  first  session  of  this  court  began  on 
the  fourth  Tuesday  in  May,  177"2.  The  proceedings  are  thus  set  forth  in 
the  minutes: — 

NorthuniliiTland  County,  .-<.-■. 

At  a  county  court  ofconinidn  pleas  held  at  Fort  Atigusta  for  Northumberland  county 
the  fourth  Tuesday  in  ^lay  in  the  twelfth  year  of  the  reign  of  our  Sovereign  Lord  George 
the  Third,  by  the  grace  of  God  King  of  Great  Britain,  France,  and  Ireland,  Defender 
of  the  Faith,  etc.,  annoqne  Domini  !MDCC'LXXII,  and  continued  by  adjournments; 

Present — William  Plunket,  Samuel  Hunter,  Caleb  Graydon,  Thomas  Lemon, 
Robert  Moodie,  and  Benjamin  Weiser,  Esquires,  justices  of  the  county  court  of  com- 
mon pleas  for  the  said  county  of  Northumberland,  viz. : — 

An  exemplified  copy  of  the  act  of  General  Assembly  of  the  Province  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, entitled  "An  act  for  erecting  a  part  of  the  counties  of  Lancaster,  Cumberland, 
Berks,  Northampton,  and  Bedford  into  a  separate  countv,"  certified  under  the  hand  of 
"William  Parr,  Esquire,  master  of  the  rolls  for  the  said  Province,  and  seal  of  his  office, 
was  read  and  published  in  open  court. 

A  commission  from  his  Honor  "the  Governor,  dated  the  '2-tth  day  of  March,  1772, 
was  read  and  published  in  open  court,  appointing  'William  Plunket,  Turbutt  Francis, 
Samuel  Hunter,  James  Potter,  AVilliam  JIaclay,  Caleb  Graydon,  Benjamin  Allison, 
Robert  Moodie,  John  Lowdon,  Thomas  Lemon,  Ellis  Hughes,  and  Benjamin  "Weiser 
justices  of  the  county  court  of  common  pleas  for  Northumberland  county. 

A  commission  from  his  Honor  the  Governor,  dated  the  24th  day  of  JIarch,  1772, 
appointing  "William  iEaclay,  Esquire,  prothouotary  of  the  county  court  of  common 
pleas  for  Northumberland  county,  was  read  and  published  in  open  court,  whereupon 
he  took  an  oath  for  the  faithful  discharge  of  his  office. 

On  motion  made,  the  following  gentlemen  were  admitted  and  sworn  attorneys  of 
this  court,  viz.:  James  "Wilson,  Robert  Magaw,  Edward  Burd,  George  North,  and  Chris- 
tian Huck. 

On  motion,  Jlr.  James  Potts,  after  examination,  was  admitted  and  sworn  an  attor- 
ney of  this  court. 

On  motion,  Mr.  An<lrew  Robisou  was  admitted  and  sworn  an  attorney  of  this 
court,  after  having  been  duly  examined. 


210  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUIIBEELAND    COUNTY. 

On  motion,  3Ir.  Charles  Stednum,  after  being  examined,  was  admitted  and  sworn 
an  attorney  of  tliis  court. 

The  record  of  the  tirst  cases  is  as  follows: — 

.Jolin  Simpson    )  Debt  suns  breu:     Defendant  in  this  action  confesses  judg- 
1.  cs.  [-      meut  to  the  plaintiff  for  the  sum  of  sixteen  pounds, 

Burd.      Hawkins  Boone.  )      sixteen  shillings. 

\  Debt  and  interest t'T     lis.     6d. 

Acknowledged  the  26th  day  K^j,^,^^^^l^^j.fggg ..    j^       g 

of  Jia}-,  1772,  before  me,    \ 
Wm.  Muchiv. 


fid 

4       0 

August  23 

1.  rec 

■W  bv 

Wi 

1.  Maclav. 

1 

12s.    6d. 
10       0 

Rece'd  principal  and  interest  of  the  debt  in  this  action 
and  my  fee 

£0     2       6 
Edward  Burd. 
Robert  Sample  -\  Debt  suns  hnce.     Defendant  in  this  action  confesses  judg- 

2.  i'.s".  [-  ment  to  the  plaintiff  f(u-  the  sum  of  tweuty-tive  pounds 
■\Yils[on]     "William  :N[cCall.  )      and  three  shillings. 

Acknowledged  the  27th 
day  of  ^lay,  1772,  before  me, 

"\Vm.  ]N[aclay. 
.Jasper  Scull     \  Debt  suns  bi-ece.    The  defendant  in  this  action,  (by  -Ed- 

3.  (s.  [-      ward  Burd,  his  att'y,)  confesses  judgment  to  the  plaintiff 
Burd.          Daniel  Rees.    )      for  the  sum  of  forty-three  pounds,  fourteen  shillings. 

Acknowledged  this  12th  day 

of  .July,  anno  Dom.  1772, 

before  Wm.  Maclay. 

The  second  term  opened  on  the  fourth  Tuesday  in  AiigT.i.st,  Justices 
Plunket,  Hunter,  Lemon,  Moodie,  and  Potter,  presiding.  The  first  entry  on 
the  docket  is  the  case  of  James  Patton  vs.  James  Gaily,  ilagaw  for  plaintiff, 
Wilson  and  North  for  defendant.  The  second  case  is  an  action  for  eject- 
ment brought  by  the  lessee  of  Samuel  McCroskey  against  Robert  King, 
Wilson  for  plaintiff  and  Burd  for  defendaat.  The  tirst  apphcation  of  the 
arbitration  system  occurs  in  the  case  of  Michael  Rega  vs.  Wilham  Bhih, 
Huck  for  plaintiff  and  Wilson  for  defendant,  in  which  all  matters  at  variance 
were  referred  to  John  Brady,  Samuel  Maclay,  and  George  Wolf,  who  found 
for  the  plaintiff  a  balance  of  five  pounds,  eleven  shillings,  eleven  pence  half- 
penny. The  causes  entered  upon  the  docket  at  this  term  are  niunbered  to 
thirty-three,  but  it  does  not  appear  that  many  of  them  came  to  trial.  In 
several  instances  no  proceedings  whatever  are  recorded,  and  a  majority  of 
the  causes  were  continued  to  the  following  term.  The  names  of  Magaw, 
Wilson,  Burd,  Huck,  North,  Hartley,  Weitzel,  Robison,  and  Stedman  appear 
as  attorneys  in  connection  with  the  caiises  entered  at  this  term.  Thomas 
Hartley,  Casper  Weitzel,  Andrew  Ross,  and  James  Whitehead  were  admitted 
to  the  bar.  The  minutes  are  entered  in  a  book;  those  of  the  preceding  term 
were  recorded  on  detached  sheets  of  paper,  and  never  transcribed  to  a  more 


THE    BENCH    AND    BAR.  211 

permanent  receptacle.  The  minute.s  appear  to  have  been  somwhat  neglected 
during  the  following  years,  but  the  appearance  and  continuance  dockets  are 
practically  complete  from  the  organization  of  the  county. 

But  meager  information  is  aiforded  regan.hng  the  early  procedure  of  the 
common  pleas  court.  Although  the  judges  were  not  learned  in  the  law,  they 
were  doubtless  familiar  with  the  practice  in  England  and  in  the  older  coun- 
ties, while  the  presence  of  a  respectable  number  of  attorneys  supplied  what- 
ever deficiency  of  legal  erudition  may  have  been  apparent  in  the  bench.  The 
prothonotary  was  evidently  well  cpialified  for  the  duties  of  his  position,  to 
which  a  relatively  greater  degree  of  imjiortance  attached  at  that  early  date 
than  at  a  later  jieriod.  It  is  not  probable  that  the  biisiness  of  the  cotirt 
recpiired  any  special  riiles  for  some  years  after  the  organization  of  the  county; 
if  any  such  were  formulated  it  is  not  mentioned  in  the  records. 

At  ilay  term,  ITSO.  in  order  to  remedy  the  "manifest  delays"  and  "great 

injustice  done  to  suitors by  reason  of  theimcertaintyof  levies  madeiijion 

writs  oi  fieri  facias,"  it  was  made  a  standing  rule  that  in  making  return  of 
an  execution  the  sheriff  should  annex  thereto  a  schedule  of  the  proiierty  levied 
iipon.  At  August  term.  ITSU.  "  for  the  better  regulating  the  practice  of  the 
court  of  common  pleas  in  the  county  of  Nortbimiberland,"'  the  following  rules 
were  adopted: — 

It  is  orrtereil  Ijy  tlie  court  that  for  the  future  upon  all  judgments  entered  \ip,  when 
the  defendant  shall  not  come  forward  at  the  return  day  of  the  writ  of  execution  to 
complain  of  any  irregularity  in  the  judgment  and  e.xecution,  or  to  suggest  any  defense 
he  may  have,  such  judgment  shall  remain,  and  not  be  thereafter  stirred. 

And  in  all  cases  where  there  has  been  an  appearance,  and  judgment  has  been 
entered  by  consent  of  defendant's  attorney,  or  in  ea-es  of  judgment  b\-  defa\dt.  and 
such  judgments  have  remained  four  terms,  nn  niotieu  shall  be  received  in  order  t"  upeu 
such  j  udgment. 

And  in  order  that  the  defendants  may  not  be  surprised,  the  sheriff,  in  all  cases  of 
a  levy  by  virtue  of  any  writ  of  fieri  fnriiis  shall  give  notice  to  the  defendant,  or  if  ab- 
sent, leave  notice  at  the  last  usual  place  of  his  residence,  with  a  schedule  of  the  prop- 
erty levied  under  penalty  of  an  attachment. 

The  court  further  order  and  direct  that  an  issue  list  be  formed  of  the  causes  in- 
tended to  be  tried  of  a  precedent  term  to  the  trial,  and  that  the  causes  so  juit  dmvn  for 
trial  shall  have  a  preference  of  all  other  causes,  and  shall  not  be  put  off  but  for  some 
legal  reason:  and  that  the  issue  list  so  made  shall  be  atiixed  in  some  public  place  lathe 
prothonotary's  office  for  the  inspection  of  the  parties  concerned,  in  order  to  prevent  a 
surprise;  and  that  the  causes  so  marked  for  trial  in  the  issue  list  shall  be  considered 
in  the  same  point  of  viewasa  cause  ordered  up  by  rf/.'?;-;'/?!//'.?  at  ?i/.</j»-('i(.'*,  and  be  subject 
to  the  same  rules  and  regulations,  except  as  to  ser\-ing  written  notice  on  the  attorney; 
and  in  order  to  prevent  any  unnecessary  expense  in  attending  suits,  the  party,  plaintiff 
or  defendant,  who  so  puts  down  his  cause  for  trial,  shall,  if  he  does  not  bring  on  his 
cause  for  trial,  pay  all  costs  of  the  term. 

Provision  for  an  argiiment  court  was  first  made  at  November  term,  1799, 
when  the  prothonotaiy  was  directed  to  prepare  an  argimient  list  as  well  as  a 
trial  list,  and  Saturday  of  each  court  week  was  set  apart  '"  for  hearing  and 
determining  arguments."' 


212  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

The  earliest  printed  code  of  rules  applying  to  the  courts  of  this  comity 
that  has  come  to  the  knowledge  of  the  writer  was  published  at  Philadelphia 
in  ISOl  by  "William  Young.  The  rules  of  the  Supreme  court,  circuit  courts, 
and  courts  of  common  pleas  are  published  in  the  same  volume:  the  "rules 
and  orders  for  regulating  the  practice  of  the  courts  of  common  pleas  "  were 
established  by  the  presidents  of  the  several  districts,  but  by  what  means  this 
concert  of  action  was  secured  is  not  stated.  The  various  subdi\'isions  relate 
to  attorneys,  security  for  costs,  bail,  certiorari,  jury,  judgment,  declaration — 
plea,  trial,  witnesses,  and  argiunents.  Judge  Rush  was  then  president  of  the 
Third  district,  in  which  this  coimty  was  embraced,  and  this  code  was  proba- 
bly in  force  throughout  his  administration  and  that  of  his  successor.  Judge 
Cooper. 

Judge  Chapman  instituted  several  changes  immediately  after  his  acces- 
sion. Perhaps  the  most  important  was  that  relating  to  the  preparation  of  the 
trial  Hst.     The  following  minute  occurs  under  date  of  August  31,  1811: — 

On  consultation  with  the  bar,  the  following  regulations  are  established  respecting 
the  trial  of  causes,  viz.: — 

First. — That  the  remnants  of  the  trial  list,  together  with  the  additional  causes  or- 
dered for  trial,  be  placed  upon  the  list  hereafter  according  to  their  seniority-,  subject, 
however,  to  the  second  regulation; 

SerotuL — That  fifteen  causes  be  selected  by  the  gentlemen  of  the  bar,  which  fifteen 
are  to  be  ready  for  trial  on  the  Thursday  of  the  first  week. 

A  new  code  of  rules,  the  iirst  relating  specially  to  the  Eighth  district, 
was  compiled  itnder  Judge  Chapman's  supervision  and  printed  by  Andrew 
Kennedy  &  Son  at  Northumberland  prior  to  April,  1S14-.  This  is  a  small 
pamphlet  of  twenty-six  pages,  and  elaborates  somewhat  upon  its  predecessor 
of  1801. 

A  considerable  period  elaj^sed  before  the  rules  of  court  were  again  com- 
piled and  published.  On  the  IGth  of  April,  1836,  upon  petition  from  the  bar 
of  Northumberland  coimty,  Messrs.  Bellas,  Jordan,  and  McDonald  were 
appointed  a  committee  to  re\'ise  and  collate  the  rules  of  court  for  the  Eighth 
district.  Whether  they  acted  in  conjunction  with  similar  committees  from  the 
other  counties  of  the  district  or  perfonned  the  work  independently  can  not  be 
satisfactorily  ascertained,  but  in  the  following  year  a  new  edition  of  the  rules 
was  published  at  Williamsport  by  Eck  &  Eldred.  This  was  done  under 
Judge  Lewis's  auspices,  and,  with  subsequent  emendations  and  additions, 
this  compilation  was  the  authoritative  manual  of  practice  during  his  incum- 
bency and  that  of  his  successors.  Judges  Donnel,  Anthony,  and  Pollock. 
A  new  code  was  formulated  upon  the  accession  of  Judge  Jordan;  it  was  pub- 
lished in  1852.  A  revised  edition,  embodying  the  modifications  and  additions 
of  the  intervening  period,  was  printed  in  1867.  The  present  "Rules  of  prac- 
tice in  the  several  courts  of  Northumberland  cotmty,"  compiled  by  Charles 
M.  Clement  under  the  direction  of  the  court,  were  adopted,  January  21,  1878, 
six  years  after  Judge  Rockefeller's  elevation  to  the  bench. 


THE    BENCH    AND    BAR. 


213 


THE    BENCH. 

-The  following  justices  were  commissioned 


Justices  from  1772  to  1790. 
for  Northumberland  county  under  the  provincial  regime : 


Wilham  Plunket,  March  24.  \1  r. 
Turbutt  Francis,  March  24,  1772, 
Samuel  Hunter,  March  24,  1772. 
James  Potter.  March  24.  1772. 
William  Maclay,  March  24,  1772. 
Caleb  Graydon,  March  24,  1772. 
Benjamin  Allison,  March  24,  177' 
Robert  Moodie.  March  24,  1772. 
John  Lowdon.  March  24,  1772. 
Thomas  Lemon,  March  24,  1772. 
Ellis  Hughes,  March  24,  1772. 

The  following  justices  were  appointed  by  the  Provincial  Convention  of 
1770.  which  exercised  the  function  of  a  provisional  State  government:  (as 
there  is  a  hiatus  in  the  minutes  of  the  court  from  May,  177G,  to  November. 
1777.*  it  can  not  be  positively  stated  that  they  transacted  any  legal  busi- 
ness):— 


Benjamin  "SVeiser,  March  24,  11 
William  Patterson,  1773. 
:\richael  Troy,  1773. 
John  Fleming,  1773. 
Samuel  Maclay,  July  29,  1775. 
John  Simjjson,  July  29,  1775. 
Eobert  Eobb,  July  29,  1775. 
Evan  Owen,  July  29,  1775. 
John  Weitzel.  July  29,  1775. 
Henrv  Antes.  Julv  29,  1775. 


Benjamin  AVeiser,  September  3, 1776. 
John  Fleming,  September  3,  1770. 
Henry  Antes,  September  3,  1770. 
John  Simiison,  Seiit ember  3,  1770. 


Samuel  Himter,  September  3,  1776. 
James  Potter.  September  3,  1776. 
"William  Maclay,  September  3,  1770. 
Piobert  Moodie,  September  3.  1770. 
John  Lowdon,  September  3,  177t). 

Fuder  the  constitution  of  1770  the  following  justices  were  commissioned 
for  the  term  of  seven  years: — 

John  Livingston,  June  9.  1777. 

William  Maclay,  Jime  11,  1777. 

David  Harris,  September  14,  1777. 

Frederick  Antes  (President),  Novem- 
ber 18.  1780. 

Laurence  Keene,  January   lU.  17S4. 

Alexander  Patterson,  May  24.  17S4. 

William  Maclay,  January  24,  17S5. 

William  Shaw,  January  24.  1785. 

William  Irwin,  January  27,  1785. 


Thomas  Hewitt  (President),  June 

1777. 
Samuel  Hunter,  June  9,  1777. 
Eobert  Crawford,  June  9.  1777. 
John  Weitzel,  June  9,  1777. 
Eobert  Martin,  June  9,  1777. 
Michael  Troy,  June  9,  1777. 
Samuel  Allen.  June  9,  1777. 
John  Aurand.  Jime  9,  1777. 
William  Shaw,  June  9,  1777. 


*0n  the  2ath  of  August,  1778,  the  justices  addressed  a  memorial  to  the  Supreme  Executive 
Council,  representing  "  That  this  being  the  second  court  at  which  no  State's  attorney  appeared, 

many  persons  have  been  admitted  to  bail  "who  ought  to  liave  been  tried ;  that  the  long 

suspension  of  justice  m  this  county  from  February,  177G.  to  November,  1777,  had  rendered  the  people 
licentious  enough,  and  a  further  delay  of  executing  the  laws  must  lead  them  to  lengths  perhaps  too 
difficult  to  be  reciUled;  that  even  tipphng  houses,  the  notorious  promoters  of  vice  and  immorality 
and  audacious  opponents  to  law  and  order,  remain  unjiunished."  etc.— Pt/i/i'-ylivi/iiif  Archive!i,  Vnl. 
VII.  pp.  -l-ri. 


214  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

Simon  Snyder,  January  27,  1785.  John  Simpson,  March  10.  17S7. 

Samuel  AVallis,  March  1,  1785.  Samuel  Wei.ser,  October  30.  1787. 

Robert  Fleming.  March  1,  1785.  Christian  Gettig,  November  2,  1787. 

William     Montgomery     (President),      Josei^h   Jacob  Wallis.   November    2, 

April  7,  1785.  '  1787. 

John  Kelly,  August  2,  1785.  George  Hughes,  February  20,  1788. 

Abraham  Piatt,  January  21,  1786.  John  Weitzel,  June  19.  17S9. 

Eli  Mead,  July  14,  1786.  ^Yilliam  Hei^burn,  July  2.  1789. 

William  Cooke,  October  3,  1786.  Jasper  Ewing,  July  29.  1789. 

The  foregoing  list  is  based  principally  upon  that  given  in  Voliune  Illd  of 
the  Pennsylvania  Archives,  Second  Series.  It  is  not  entirely  complete,  how- 
ever, as  the  local  records  show  that  David  McKinney  and  Matthew  Smith 
officiated  as  justices  in  1780  and  John  Buyers  in  1783-86;  the  latter  fre- 
quently presided  in  the  quarter  sessions. 

President  Judges. — During  the  colonial  period  the  presiding  justice  was 
chosen  by  his  colleagues,  and  does  not  appear  to  have  enjoyed  any  particular 
distinguishing  title.  Section  Vlth  of  a  law  passed  on  the  28th  of  January, 
1777,  for  the  organization  of  the  courts  under  the  constitution  of  1776,  pro- 
vided "That  the  president  and  Council  shall  appoint  one  of  the  justices  in  each 
respective  county  to  j)reside  in  the  respective  coi^rts,  and  in  his  absence  the 
justices  who  shall  attend  the  court  shall  choose  one  of  themselves  president 
for  the  time  being." 

The  title  of  "  president  of  the  courts  "  ajipears  in  the  constitution  of 
1790;  it  was  superseded  in  popular  usage  by  that  of  "president  judge" 
within  a  comparatively  brief  period,  and  the  latter  occurs  in  the  constitution 
of  1873.  Under  these  varioiis  titles  the  succession  in  Northumberland 
county  has  been  as  follows: — 

William  Plunket,  1772-76.  Ellis  Lewis.  1833-43. 

Thomas  Hewitt,  1777-80.  Charles  G.  Donnel,  1843-44. 

Frederick  Antes,  1780-S5.  Joseph  B.  Anthony,  1844-51. 

William  Montgomery,  1785-91.  James  Pollock,  1851. 

Jacob  Rush,  1791-1806.  Alexander  Jordan,  1851-71. 

Thomas  Cooper,  1806-11.  William  M.  Rockefeller,  1S71.  present 

Seth  Chapman,  1811-33.  incumbent. 

Though  not  required  to  be  learned  in  the  law,  the  presiding  jiL>tice  during 
the  colonial  period  and  under  the  constitittion  of  1776  was  iisually  a  man  of 
larger  intelligence  than  his  colleagues,  and  was  expected  to  be  present  at 
every  session  of  the  court,  while  attendance  on  their  part  was  largely  optional. 
In  the  transactions  of  the  early  courts  of  this  coiinty  there  was  httle  oppor- 
tunity for  the  exercise  of  legal  acumen  or  the  apj)lication  of  forensic  erudi- 
tion, and  a  bench  of  this  kind,  composed  entirely  of  laymen,  was  weU  adapted 
to  the  people  and  the  times.  Deliberative  judgment,  fairness  of  purix)se,  and 
integrity  of  action  were  sufficient  qtialitications  in  the  members  of  the  court 


THE    BENCH    AXD    BAR.  215 

at  the  i^eriod  when  local  litigation  did  not  yet  embrace  the  perplexing  ques- 
tions relating  to  land  tenure,  corporations,  and  kindred  matters  that  engage 
the  attention  of  the  courts  so  largely  at  the  present  day. 

William  Plunket  presided  over  the  county  courts  under  the  colonial 
regime.  He  was  a  physician  by  education  and  profession,  and  a  biograph- 
ical sketch  occurs  in  the  chapter  on  the  Medical  Profession  in  this  work.  Of 
the  twelve  justices  commissioned  on  the  '24tli  of  March.  1772.  he  was  proba- 
bly the  only  one  who  had  personal  knowledge  of  the  methods  of  procedure 
in  the  English  courts,  and  on  that  account  was  probably  chosen  to  preside. 
In  administering  the  criminal  law,  his  sentences  were  characterized  by  great 
severity.     He  presided  over  the  courts  for  the  last  time  at  May  sessions.  1776. 

Thomas  Hewitt,  the  tirst  president  of  the  courts  under  the  constitution  of 
1776,  resided  in  Chillisquaque  township,  where  a  tract  of  three  hundred 
eight  acres  was  surveyed  to  him  in  pursuance  of  warrant  dated  Jime  12, 
1778.  It  is  probable  that  he  continued  to  reside  therefor  some  years;  in 
\lb\)  he  was  assessed  with  three  hiindred  acres  of  land  and  a  grist  and  saw 
mill,  and  was,  with  a  single  exception,  the  largest  tax-payer  in  the  township. 
In  1772  he  was  one  of  the  tirst  county  commissioners,  and  held  that  office 
several  years:  in  1776  he  was  elected  to  the  Assembly:  on  the  Sth  of  July 
in  that  year  he  was  one  of  the  judges  at  an  election  held  at  George  McCancl- 
lish's  for  members  of  the  Constitutional  Convention;  he  was  a  member  of  the 
Committee  of  Safety  in  1776-77;  and  on  the  9th  of  Jime.  1777,  he  was 
appointed  a  justice  of  the  cotirts,  over  which  he  presided  from  November  in 
that  year  until  17S0. 

Frederick  Antes  was  from  Philadel]ihia  county,  which  he  represented  in 
the  Provincial  Conferences  of  June.  1775,  and  June,  1770.  The  date  and 
circumstances  of  his  settlement  in  Northumberland  county  are  not  known, 
but  on  the  iSth  of  November,  17SU,  he  was  commissioned  as  jiresident  of  the 
courts,  and  it  is  fair  to  presume  that  he  had  resided  in  the  cotrnty  for  some 
time  prior  to  that  date.  In  the  same  year  he  was  ai^pointed  commissioner 
to  receive  forage  and  supplies  at  Sitnbury  and  Wyoming.  In  February, 
17S2,  he  became  treasurer  of  the  county,  which  office  he  tilled  almost  contin- 
uously until  ISOl.  He  was  elected  to  the  Assembly  in  17S4,  17S5,  and  1786. 
His  residence  was  at  Northumberland;  Priestley  mentions  him  in  his  "Mem- 
oirs," referring  especially  to  his  mechanical  ingenuity  in  assisting  him  to 
devise  apparatus  for  his  chemical  experiments.  He  died  at  Lancaster,  Penn- 
sylvania, Sejatember  20,  ISOl.* 

*  The  foUowinj;  obituary  appeared  in  Kennedy's  Gazette:  '-Died  at  Lancaster  on  Sunday,  the 
■JCtli  of  September,  in  tlie  seventy-third  year  of  his  age,  Frederick  Antes,  treasurer  ot  tliis  county :  and 
on  Monday  his  remains  were  interred  in  the  Presljyterian  burial  ground  of  that  place.  In  liim  his 
•n-ife  lias  lost  a  good  husband,  his  children  an  indulgent  parent,  and  the  pubhc  a  verj'  useful  member 
of  society.  Previous  to  his  decease  he  was  one  of  the  two  persons  who  had  undertaken  to  clear  the 
river  Susi|uehanna." 

On  the  12th  of  .June,  1700,  as  ascertained  from  the  same  paper,  Miss  Catherine,  daughter  of  Colo- 
nel Frederick  Antes,  married  Simon  Snyder,  of  Seliusgrove,  wlio  was  Governor  of  Pennsylvania  from 
ISOS  to  1817. 


216  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUJIBEKLAND    COUNTY. 

William  Montgomerr  was  one  of  the  most  prominent  citizens  of  old 
Northumberland  county,  whether  his  military,  political,  or  business  career  be 
considered.  Born  in  Chester  county,  Pennsylvania,  August  3,  1730,  he 
entered  pitblic  life  as  a  delegate  to  the  Provincial  Conventions  of  January 
and  June,  1775,  ser^-ing  also  in  the  Conference  of  June,  1776.  He  was  col- 
onel of  the  Fourth  battalion  of  Chester  county  militia,  which  he  commanded 
at  the  battle  of  Long  Island  in  1770  and  during  the  march  across  New  Jer- 
sey, after  which  it  became  part  of  the  ''flying  camp."  In  1774  he  purchased 
a  tract  of  land  at  the  mouth  of  Mahoning  creek,  embracing  the  site  of 
Danville,  Montour  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  removed  thereto  in  1777.  He 
was  elected  to  the  Assembly  in  1779,  1780,  1781,  and  1782,  and  became  a 
member  of  the  Coimcil  of  Censors  in  1783.  In  1784  the  Assembly  elected 
him  to  Congress,  but  he  resigned  in  the  following  year,  and  on  the  7th  of 
April,  1785,  was  commissioned  as  president  of  the  courts  of  Northumberland 
county,  retiring  from  this  office  in  1791.  September  27,  1785,  he  was 
appointed  one  of  two  commissioners  to  lay  off  part  of  the  purchase  of  1784 
into  districts;  June  24.  1785.  member  of  a  commission  for  the  improvement 
of  the  Susquehanna;  April  IS.  1785,  deputy  surveyor;  July  23,  1787,  mem- 
ber of  a  commission  for  adjusting  the  claims  of  Connecticut  settlers  in  Penn- 
sylvania, and,  July  18.  ISOI,  associate  judge  of  Northumberland  cotinty, 
serving  until  the  erection  of  Columbia  in  1813.  In  179(1  he  was  elected  to 
the  first  Senate  of  Pennsylvania.  He  was  a  pioneer  in  the  establishment  of 
mills  and  factories  and  the  opening  of  roads,  and  was  identified  with  nearly 
every  project  of  his  day  for  the  development  of  central  Pennsylvania.  He 
died  at  Danville,  May  1.  1816,  and  is  buried  in  the  cemetery  at  that  place. 

Jacob  Rush  was  the  first  judge  for  Northumberland  county,  "  learned  in 
the  law."  He  was  bom  in  Byberry  township,  Philadelphia  county,  Penn- 
sylvania, in  1740,  and  was  a  descendant  of  John  Ru.sh,  a  captain  in  Crom- 
well's army,  who  immigrated  to  America  in  1083.  The  death  of  his  father 
in  1753  left  him  an  oqjhan  at  the  age  of  seven  years,  biit  a  moderate 
inheritance  enabled  him  to  obtain  a  liberal  education;  in  1705  he  graduated 
at  Princeton,  where  he  was  a  classmate  of  the  Rev.  James  Waddell,  the 
blind  clergyman  to  whose  eloquence  Attorney  General  Wirt  renders  such  a 
flattering  tribute  in  his  "British  Spy."  He  was  in  active  service  in  several 
campaigns  of  the  Revolutionary  war.  In  September,  1777,  he  was  admitted 
to  the  bar  at  Philadelphia,  where  he  rose  rapidly  in  his  profession  and  early 
reached  the  favorable  notice  of  leading  men  of  the  day  through  the  influ- 
ence of  his  brother.  Dr.  Benjamin  Rush,  a  signer  of  the  Declaration  of  Inde- 
pendence. He  was  a  member  of  the  Provincial  Convention  held  at  Phila- 
delphia in  Januarj-,  1775,  and  represented  Philadelphia  coimty  in  the  Assem- 
bly in  1779-80.  On  the  2f)th  of  February,  1784,  he  was  commissioned  a 
jti.stice  of  the  Supreme  court  of  Pennsylvania;  he  also  served  as  a  member 
of  the  high  court  of  errors  and  appeals  prior  to  the  adojition  of  the  consti- 


^'i//^^4^^^ 


THE    BENCH    AND    BAR.  219 

tution  of  IT'JO.  In  17',)1  he  was  appointed  president  of  the  courts  of  the 
Third  judicial  district  (composed  of  the  counties  of  Northumberland, 
Northampton,  Berks,  and  Luzerne  as  erected  by  the  act  of  April  13,  1791), 
and  presided  over  the  quarter  sessions  at  Sunbury  for  the  iirst  time,  November 
21.  17U1.  To  this  position  he  brought  a  judicial  experience  probably 
unequaled  by  that  of  any  of  his  successors  upon  their  accession  to  the  bench. 
He  continued  to  perform  the  duties  of  his  extensive  district  (which,  in  1801, 
embraced  Lycoming  and  "Wayne  comities  in  addition  to  those  mentioned) 
until  Januaiy  1,  ISOG,  when  he  was  commissioned  president  judge  of  the 
court  of  common  pleas  for  Philadelphia  comity.  In  this  position  he  remained 
until  his  death.  Jantiary  5,  1820. 

Da\-id  Paul  Brown,  a  practicing  attorney  of  Philadelphia  county  forty 
years  and  author  of  ■"  The  Forum,"  gives  his  estimate  of  Judge  Rush  in  the 
following  language: — 

He  was  a  man  of  great  ability,  and  great  firmness  and  decision  of  character.  He 
was  also  an  eloquent  man.  Perhaps  there  are  few  specimens  of  judicial  eloquence 
more  impressive  than  those  which  he  delivered  during  his  occupation  of  the  bench. 
An  accurate  idea  of  his  style  ma\-  readily  be  formed  from  an  extract  from  his  charge 
to  the  grand  jury  in  1808,  and  his  sentence  pronounced  upon  Richard  Smith  for  the 
murder  of  Corson  in  1816.     "We  refer  as  nuich  to  the  high  moral  tone  of  his  productions 

as  to  their  literar_v  and  intellectual  power Some  of  his  early  literarj"  essays 

were  ascribed  to  Franklin,  and  for  their  terseness  and  clearness  were  worth}-  of  him. 

.Judge  Rush's  charges  to  the  jury  generally  and  his  legal  decisions  were 

marked  by  soimdness  of  principle  and  closeness  of  reason.  Having  been  a  judge  of 
the  Supreme  court  and  of  the  high  court  of  errors  and  appeals,  he  never  appeared  to 
be  satisfied  with  his  position  in  the  common  pleas:  yet,  his  uprightness  of  conduct  and 
lUKiuestionable  abilities  always  secured  to  him  the  respect  and  confidence,  if  not  the 
attachment,  of  his  associates,  the  members  of  the  bar,  and  the  entire  community.  He 
was  one  of  the  gentlemen  of  the  old  school,  plain  in  his  attire,  unobtrusive  in  his  de- 
portment, but,  while  observant  of  his  duties  toward  others,  never  forgetful  of  the  re- 
spect to  which  he  himself  was  justly  entitled. 

As  an  author  his  works  include:  "Resolves  in  Committee  Chamber,  De- 
cember 6,  1774  "  (Philadelphia,  1774);  '"Charges  on  Moral  and  Religious 
Subjects"  (1803);  ''Character  of  Christ"  (1806);  and  "  Christian  Baptism  " 
(1819).  In  Reed  and  Dickinson's  controversy  regarding  the  character  of 
Benedict  Arnold,  he  espoused  the  cause  of  the  latter.  A  novel,  '"  Kelroy," 
was  written  by  his  daughter.  Rebecca  (Philadelphia,  1812).  His  name  is 
perpetuated  in  local  geographical  nomenclature  as  the  designation  of  one  of 
the  most  important  townships  of  Northumberland  county. 

Thomas  Cooper  was  commissioned  president  judge  of  the  Eighth  district 
(to  which  Northumberland,  Luzerne,  and  Lycoming  comities  were  assigned 
l.iy  the  act  of  February  24,  18(^6j,  March  1,  18<*0.  He  was  a  native  of  Eng- 
land, born  at  Loudon  in  17o0  and  educated  at  the  University  of  Oxford.  He 
also  studied  medicine  and  law.  and,  as  e\-idenced  by  his  after  pursuits,  made 
chemistry  a  subject  of  sjiecial  attention.     In  this  his  investigations  doubtless 


220  HISTOKY    OF    NOBTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

derived  inspiration  from  his  acquaintance  with  Doctor  Priestley.  Cooper  was 
a  resident  of  Manchester,  England,  in  17S9.  when,  according  to  Binns's 
"  EecoUections,"  he  went  to  Paris  as  the  colleague  of  Watts,  the  inventor  of 
the  steam  engine,  to  represent  the  Manchester  Philosojjhical  Society  in  the 
French  Convention.  His  reply  to  Burke's  "  Retlections  on  the  French  Eevo- 
lution"  brought  him  into  collision  with  the  authorities;  considerations  of 
personal  safety  led  him  to  seek  a  residence  in  America,  and,  with  others  sim- 
ilarly circumstanced,  among  whom  was  the  son  of  Doctor  Priestley,  he  planned 
"  a  large  settlement  for  the  friends  of  liberty  in  general  near  the  head  of  the 
Susquehanna  in  Pennsylvania."*  In  1793  he  removed  to  the  United  States ;f 
although  the  proposed  settlement  was  abandoned,  the  project  brought  him  to 
Northumberland,  and  there  he  resided  during  his  subsequent  connection  with 
affairs  in  this  county.  At  November  sessions.  1795,  on  motion  of  Daniel 
Smith,  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar  of  Northumberland  coimty.  Stewart 
Pearce  says  that  he  was  a  man  of  learning,  and  "  in  advance  of  the  age  in 
his  knowledge  of  minerals  and  geology.  He  carried  with  him  a  hammer  and 
acids,  breaking  rocks  and  testing  their  mineral  qualities,  and  was  suj^posed 
by  some  ignorant  persons  to  be,  on  that  account,  impaired  in  intellect.  He 
was  the  firm  friend  of  freedom,  and  his  bold  pen  caused  his  imprisonment 
under  the  Alien  and  Sedition  laws.  After  his  hberation  Governor  McKean 
appointed  him  one  of  the  commissioners  to  carry  into  effect  the  Compromising 
law  of  1799  and  its  supplements.  To  his  energetic  action  were  dtie  the  quiet 
and  harmony  that  speedily  ensued  in  this  long  troubled  and  unhappy  coun- 
try."+  His  personal  appearance  and  professional  characteristics  were  thus 
described  by  Charles  Miner  in  1800:  "Short,  rotimd  figure,  stooping  for- 
ward; has  a  florid,  high,  English  countenance  and  complexion.  His  forte  is, 
to  seize  two  or  three  strong  points  and  present  them  forcibly  to  the  court  and 
jury.  He  never  wearies  by  long  speeches;  never  iises  a  word,  or  an  illustra- 
tion, or  an  argument  that  is  not  to  the  purpose:  a  man  of  extraordinary  en- 
dowTaents  and  of  most  distinguished  genius. ""§ 

On  the  16th  of  July,  1803,  he  was  commissioned  deputy  attorney  general 
for  Northumberland  county,  and  took  the  oath  of  office  on  the  following  22d 
of  August.  Less  than  three  years  later,  a  change  in  the  boundaries  of  the 
district  having  resulted  in  the  transfer  of  Judge  Rush  to  Philadelphia,  he 
was  elevated  to  the  bench,  and  presided  at  Simbury  for  the  first  time  at  April 
sessions,  1806.  Although  ultra-democratic  in  his  views  and  thoroughly  in 
sympathy  with  the  institutions  of  this  countn.-.  he  had  been  accustomed  to 
the  severe  formality  of  the  English  courts,  and.  tmfortimately  for  himself. 

*VUh:  Priestley's  "  Memoirs."  riuoted  in  tlie  liistory  of  NortliumlierlaiKl  in  tliis  work. 

tThomas  Cooper  was  naturalized  as  an  American  citizen  liefore  Judge  Rush  at*Sunl)ury  In  Xo- 
bember,  1705,  when  he  stated  under  oath  that  he  had  resided  in  the  United  States  two  years  and  In 
the  State  ot  Pennsylvania  one  year.  Viik  Appearance  docket  of  Nortluunberland  county.  No.  84 
November  sessions,  1795,  and  Xo.  1  July  sessions,  ISIS. 

;Annals  of  Luzerne  County,  p.  248. 

§Linn's  Annals  of  Buffalo  Valley,  \k  324. 


THE    BENCH    AND    BAR.  221 

attempted  to  introduce  and  enforce  regulations  of  which  the  public  senti- 
ment of  that  day  did  not  approve.  Doubtless  there  were  ample  grounds  for 
a  movement  in  the  direction  of  better  order  in  the  court  room.  Judge  Rush 
is  represented  as  a  man  of  mild  disposition,  naturally  disposed  to  regard  dis- 
orderly conduct  as  the  result  of  ignorance  rather  than  the  expression  of  willful 
contumacy;  moreover  he  suffered  from  an  affection  which,  on  one  occasion, 
j^revented  him  from  occupying  the  bench  for  some  months,  and  afterward 
affected  his  hearing,  so  that  he  was  not  cognizant  of  much  of  the  di.sorder 
that  may  have  occurred  in  the  court  room.  Judge  Cooper  inaugurated  his 
administration  by  requiring  a  better  observance  of  order  during  the  sessions 
of  the  court,  and  a  more  prompt  performance  of  duty  on  the  part  of  its  serv- 
ants. In  this  he  encountered  opposition  which  it  was  not  the  part  of  a  man 
of  his  temperament  to  allay;  the  feeling  thus  engendered  found  expression 
in  a  number  of  memorials  to  the  legislature,  charging  him  with  official  mis- 
conduct and  praying  for  an  investigation.  Ten  memorials  of  this  character 
were  presented  in  the  House  of  Eepresentatives  on  the  '21st  of  February, 
1811,  by  Samuel  Satterlee,  the  member  from  Lycoming,  and  a  score  or  more 
by  the  members  from  Northumberland  and  Luzerne  within  the  following 
month.  They  were  referred  to  a  committee  of  nine  members,  among  whom 
were  Messrs.  Satterlee,  of  Lycoming;  Irwin,  of  Northiumberland,  and  Gibson, 
of  Cumberland,  afterward  chief  justice  of  the  State.  E.  Greenough,  of  Sun- 
bury,  appeared  as  counsel  for  the  petitioners,  and  Thomas  Duncan,  of  Carlisle, 
afterward  a  justice  of  the  Supreme  court,  represented  Judge  Cooper.  Thir- 
teen days  were  required  in  taking  testimony,  a  large  nujnber  of  witnesses 
were  examined,  among  whom  were  many  leading  citizens  and  prominent  attor- 
neys for  the  Commonwealth;  Judge  Cooper's  three  associates  in  Northumber- 
land county — Montgomery,  Macpher.son,  and  Wilson — aj^peared  in  his  behalf, 
and  uniformly  testified  to  his  efficiency  and  impartiality.  The  committee  sub- 
mitted the  following  report  on  the  '28d  of  March.  iSll: — 

Full}'  impressed  with  the  importance  of  the  duty  assigned  them,  they  have  dili- 
gently attended  to  the  evidence  adduced  in  support  of  the  accusations  and  in  vindica- 
tion of  the  accused,  keeping  at  once  in  view  the  propriety  of  affording  no  countenance 
to  unfounded  suggestions  and  the  solemn  obligation  of  the  legislature  as  the  constitu- 
tional guardian  of  the  rights  and  liberties  of  the  people  to  repel  every  invasion  of  those 
rights;  keeping  in  view  the  necessity  of  protecting  those  who  faithfully  discharge  the 
trust  conflded  to  them  in  the  exercise  of  just  and  legal  authority,  and  of  defending  the 
citizens  from  those  approaches  toward  arbitrary  power  which  the  official  situation  of 
president  judge  of  a  court  of  justice  affords  such  facility  in  making,  your  committee 
have  deduced  from  the  evidence  the  following  conclusions,  to  wit: — 

First. — That  he  fined  and  imprisoned  John  Hannah  for  wearing  his  hat  in  the  court 
house  of  Northumberland  county — the  said  Hannah  then  standing  outside  of  tlie  bar 
and  jury  box  and  making  no  disturbance — and  this  without  any  inquiry  into  Hannah's 
conscientious  objections. 

Second. — That  he  fined  and  iniprisoneil  three  respectable  citizens,  viz.:  William 
Hartman,  Matthias  Heller,  and  John  Brown,  hastily,  arbitrarily,  without  any  iu(iuiry, 
and  without  sufficient  cause. 


222  HISTORY    OF   NOETHUMBEKLAND    COUNTY. 

lliird.— That  he  fined  John  Dreisbacli  unjustly  ami  arbitrarily. 

F'nirth. — That  he  lined  Xehemiah  Huttou,  hastily,  without  sufficient  cause  or 
hearing. 

Fifth. — That  he  arbitrarily  and  precipitately  fined  and  imprisoned  Stephen  Hollis- 
ter  for  a  mere  whisper,  and  in  an  insulting  and  overbearing  manner  refused  to  hear 
his  defense. 

Sixth. — That  he  improperly  exercised  the  powers  of  a  justice  of  the  peace  under 
the  law  respecting  roads  and  bridges,  and  fiued  Anderson  Dana,  a  supervisor  of  the 
highways,  fifteen  dollars  in  an  arbitrary  and  passionate  manner,  after  which  he  ordered 
the  fine  to  be  deposited  in  the  hands  of  a  third  person,  with  orders  to  restore  the  same 
on  certain  conditions. 

Semitli. — That  he  sentenced  a  boy  between  fourteen  and  seventeen  years  of  age 
to  one  year's  imprisonment  for  horse  stealing,  and  afterward  added  two  years  to  the 
term  of  his  imprisonment  without  any  evidence,  on  the  suggestion  and  pretense  of 
teaching  the  boy  a  trade. 

Eir/hth. — Your  committee  also  report,  that  it  appears  that  prior  to  the  17th  of 
November,  1807,  he  entered  into  an  agreement  with  the  then  prothonotary  and  other 
officers  of  the  court  of  common  pleas  of  Northumberland  county  and  with  George 
Langs  to  purchase  at  sheriffs  sale  a  tract  of  land  called  Limestone  Lick,  the  property 
of  .Josiah  Galbraith,  levied  upon  by  an  execution  issued  out  of  the  said  court;  and  that 
the  said  tract  was  accordingly  purchased  on  the  day  last  mentioned  by  the  said  George 
Langs  for  their  joint  benefit,  part  of  which  tract  is  now  held  by  the  said  Thomas 
Cooper  under  that  sale.  This  conduct  your  committee  do  not  assert  to  be  a  violation  of 
any  positive  statute;  but  they  do  consider,  that  if  the  president  of  a  court  be  suffered 
to  make  himself  interested  in  a  matter  depending  before  him,  he  must  either  deprive 
the  public  of  those  services  which  he  is  bound  to  render,  or  adjudicate  in  his  own 
cause,  and  the  danger  to  the  pure  and  impartial  administration  of  justice  is  immediate 
and  alarming. 

Your  committee  from  the  premises  are  of  opinion,  that  the  official  conduct  of  the 
said  president  judge  has  been  arbitrary,  unjust,  and  precipitate,  contrary  to  sound  pol- 
ity, and  dangerous  to  the  pure  administration  of  justice.  They  therefore  submit  the 
following  resolution: — 

Rtsohed,  That  a  committee  be  appointed  to  draft  an  address  to  the  Governor  for 
the  removal  of  Thomas  Cooper,  Esquire,  from  the  office  of  jsresident  judge  of  the 
courts  in  the  Eighth  judicial  district  of  Pennsjivania. 

The  Judge  and  his  counsel  appeared  before  the  House  during  the  consid 
eration  of  the  report,  March  26,  ISll;  on  the  following  day  the  question 
was  put  to  a  vote,  when  the  resolution  accompanying  the  report  was  carried 
by  a  majority  of  fifty-three  in  a  total  vote  of  ninety-three.  The  four  mem- 
bers from  Northumberland:  John  Murray,  Jared  Irwin,  Frederick  Evans,  and 
Leonard  Rupert,  with  John  Forster  and  Samuel  Satterlee  of  Lycoming,  voted 
in  the  afKrmative;  Thomas  Graham  and  Benjamin  Dorrance,  from  Luzerne, 
the  remaining  coimty  in  the  district,  voted  in  the  negative.  An  address  to 
the  Governer  was  reported  on  the  same  day  (March  27,  1811);  it  states  that 
the  Judge  had  "in  several  instances  arbitrarily,  precipitately,  and  unjustly 
fined  and  imprisoned  individuals  for  causes  trivial  and  insitfficient,  without 
affording  them  an  opportunity  of  being  heard,  and  has  committed  many 
other  acts  of  official  misconduct  and  abuse  of  authority."  The  following 
significant  utterance  reflects  the  judgment  of  the  legislature  ujion  the  whole 


THE    BENCH    AND    BAE.  223 

matter:  "Although  charity  forbids  us  to  declare  that  the  acts  aforesaid  have 
been  committed  from  motives  or  intention  willfully  corrixpt  and  criminal,  yet, 
such  has  been  his  official  conduct  as  to  destroy  public  confidence  in  his  decis- 
ions, and  by  which  his  usefulness  is  (if  not  totally)  very  much  diminished  in 
the  district  in  which  he  presides,  and  affords  sufficient  cause  of  his  removal."' 

On  the  '2Sth  of  March,  1811,  the  address  to  the  Governor  was  transmitted 
to  the  Senate  for  concurrence.  Cooper  wrote  a  letter  to  the  Speaker,  strongly 
protesting  against  its  consideration.  He  took  the  ground  that  the  offenses 
charged  were  either  "capable  of  being  explained  or  justified,  where  the  facts 
are  admitted,  or  of  being  contradicted  by  testimony  where  the  facts  are 
denied."  Such  charges  might,  he  averred,  furnish  groimd  for  impeachment 
imder  the  constitution,  but  not  for  removal  by  address,  being  of  a  class  ''per- 
fectly distinguishable  from  those  reasonable  causes  of  removal  contemplated 
by  the  constitution  which  ai-e  not  impeachable  because  they  imply  no  mis- 
conduct." It  does  not  appear  that  any  action  whatever  was  taken  on  this 
letter,  and  on  the  30th  of  March,  ISll,  the  Speaker  signed  the  address.  It 
was  at  once  presented  to  the  Governor,  who,  on  the  '2d  of  April,  ISll, 
informed  the  Senate  that  he  had  issued  a  supersedeas  dejjosing  the  Judge 
from  his  office.  He  subsequently  wrote  a  pamphlet  in  vindication  of  his  cause, 
but  no  copy  has  come  to  the  knowledge  of  the  writer;  the  defense  made 
before  the  legislative  committee  is  given  in  Linn"s  Annals  of  Buffalo  Valley, 
pp.  393-30G. 

It  does  not  appear  that  Mr.  Cooper  continued  to  reside  in  Northumber- 
land coimty  any  length  of  time  after  this.  Within  a  brief  period  he  accepted 
the  professorship  of  chemistrv'  in  Dickinson  College.  Carlisle,  Pennsylvania; 
in  IS  16  was  elected  to  a  similar  position  in  the  University  of  Pennsylvania 
and  took  up  his  residence  at  Philadelphia,  of  which  Binns  speaks  at  some 
length  in  his  '"Recollections."  His  next  position  was  that  of  professor  of 
chemistiy  in  the  College  of  South  Carolina,  at  Columbia,  of  which  institution 
he  became  president.  After  his  retirement  he  collated  and  revised  the  stat- 
ute laws  of  the  State  under  the  auspices  of  the  legislature;  he  was  also  the 
author  of  a  translation  of  Justinian's  "Institutes."  His  talents  and  the  im- 
portant position  he  occupied  commanded  considerable  infltience  at  the  South, 
and  he  is  generally  credited  with  having  originated  and  encouraged  some  of 
the  political  dogmas  which  entered  into  the  doctrine  of  secession.  His  death 
occurred  in  May,  1840. 

Seth  Chapman,  the  next  president  judge  of  the  courts  of  Northumberland 
county,  filled  that  position  longer  than  any  other  of  its  incumbents.  He  was 
bom  in  Bucks  county,  Pennsylvania.  January  '23, 1771,  a  descendant  of  John 
Chapman,  who  emigrate*!  from  Yorkshire,  England,  in  1084,  and  built  the 
first  house  in  Wrightstown  townshiji.  then  the  northern  limit  of  the  lands 
purchased  by  Markham  from  the  Indians.  Nothing  is  known  of  his  educa- 
tion or  legal  preparation.     He  was  admitted  to  the  bar  of  Bucks  county  in 


224  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

1791.  and  was  therefore  a  lam-er  of  twenty  years'  experience  at  the  time  of 
his  elevation  to  the  bench.  On  the  11th  of  July,  1811,  he  was  commissioned 
president  judge  of  the  Eighth  jiidicial  district,  then  composed  of  the  counties 
of  Northumberland,  Luzerne,  and  Lycoming,  and  on  the  25th  of  the  same 
month  took  the  affirmation  ne.-essary  to  a  due  performance  of  his  duties.  As 
the  law  reqiiired  a  jiidge  to  reside  within  the  limits  of  his  district,  he  re- 
moved to  Northumberland  and  made  that  place  his  residence  the  remainder 
of  his  life.  The  house  he  occupied  was  originally  erected  by  Dr.  Joseph 
Priestley  and  still  stands  on  North  Way,  one  of  the  most  interesting  land- 
marks of  the  coimty. 

In  temperament  Judge  Chajiman  was  the  antijjodes  of  his  predecessor; 
and,  if  the  authoritative  manner  of  the  latter  was  the  source  of  his  impopu- 
larity,  the  individual  who  succeeded  him  ought  to  have  been  one  of  the  most 
popular  jurists  in  Pennsylvania.  For  a  time  there  is  reason  to  believe  that 
he  was  popular.  Cautious  and  deliberate  in  speech  and  action,  deferential 
and  courteous  in  intercourse  with  his  lay  associates,  and  evidently  desirous  of 
obtaining  the  good  will  of  his  constituents,  he  gave  attorneys  and  htigants 
the  widest  latitude  in  the  presentation  of  causes,  a  policy  which  coincided 
well  with  his  disf)osition  and  seems  to  have  commanded  general  approbation 
at  first.  Although  his  abilities  were  not  of  the  highest  order,*  his  legal 
qualifications  were  sufiicient  for  the  requirements  of  the  position  at  that 
period,  and  had  he  adopted  a  more  energetic  policy  in  the  discharge  of  his 
duties  his  retirement  from  the  bench  might  have  occurred  under  circum- 
stances more  creditable  to  his  reputation  than  the  event  ultimately  proved. 
A  large  number  of  cases  awaiting  trial  acciamiilated  on  the  dockets  of  the 
several  counties  and  increase  in  population  resulted  in  a  corresponding  addi- 
tion to  the  volume  of  legal  business,  notwithstanding  which,  the  Judge  became 
even  more  dilatory  with  advancing  years,  and  at  length  popular  discontent 
culminated  in  his  impeachment  by  the  House  of  Representatives  at  the  ses- 
sion of  IS'iG. 

The  charges  specified  in  the  articles  of  impeachment  were,  that  he  had 
directed  Jacob  Farrow  to  be  arrested  and  imprisoned  without  any  complaint 
against  him  and  without  lawful  cause,  at  Simbury,  in  August.  1824;  that,  con- 
trary to  the  express  provisions  of  the  law,  he  had  reversed  a  judgment  of  Chris- 
tian Miller,  a  justice  of  the  peace,  and  set  aside  an  execution  issued  thereon  al- 
though the  required  period,  twenty  days,  had  expired;  that,  in  a  case  tried 
in  Northumberland  county  at  June  term,  1813,  he  had  filed  in  writing  his 
opinion  and  charge  to  the  jury,  which  differed  from  that  oraUy  delivered; 
and  that  he  had  manifested  an  undue  partiality  and  favoritism  to  suitors. 
In  answer  to  these  allegations  the  respondent  replied,  that  Farrow  had  made 

♦.Stewart  Pearce  (.\nnals  of  Luzerne  count>'.  p.  2W)  says  of  liiin:  "  He  could  not  be  reckoned 
a  talented  man,  and  was  a  judge  of  interior  abilities."  By  a  change  In  the  composition  of  the  dis- 
tricts. Chapman  was  succeeded  on  the  bencli  of  Luzerne  county  by  .John  Bannister  (iibson  in  1S13. 
Possibly  his  abilities  were  under-estimated  by  comparison  with  tliose  of  his  distinguished  successor. 


THE    BENCH    AND    BAR.  ZZO 

an  assault  upon  the  prothouotary,  which  was  both  breach  of  the  peace  and 
contemjot  of  court,  and  was  accordingly  committed:  that  in  the  reversal  of 
Justice  Miller's  decision  the  defendant  was  a  minor,  and  hence  the  judgment 
was  not  valid  in  the  first  instance;  that  the  written  charge  and  opinion  in 
the  case  specified  harmonized  with  the  notes  of  his  verbal  charge;  while  the 
charge  of  impartiality  was  met  with  a  general  denial,  and  a  voluminous  ex- 
planation of  the  instances  cited.  The  trial  before  the  Senate  began  on  the 
7th  of  February,  1S2G,  the  Judge  being  represented  by  Samuel  Douglas  and 
George  Fisher  as  counsel.  Many  witnesses  were  examined,  and  after  eleven 
days'  proceedings  the  respondent  was  acquitted.  Febntary  IS,  lS2(i.  on  all 
the  articles  of  impeachment  exhibited  against  him  by  the  House  of  Repre- 
sentatives. 

He  continued  upon  the  bench  seven  years  after  this.  Unfortunately,  his 
administration  was  still  distinguished  by  vacillation  and  delay,  and  in  1833 
petitions  from  various  parts  of  the  district  were  presented  to  the  Senate, 
praying  for  his  removal  or  the  appointment  of  an  adihtional  law  ji^dge.  These 
were  referred  to  a  committee  composed  of  Messrs.  Hopkins,  of  Columbia; 
Packer,  of  Northumberland;  Petrikin,  of  Lycoming;  Livingston,  and 
Miller.  An  investigation  was  instituted,  the  Judge  being  represented  by 
James  Merrill  and  Alexander  Jordan  and  the  Commonwealth  by  E.  Greenough 
and  James  Armstrong.  The  complaints,  in  the  language  of  the  committee, 
"may  be  comprehended  in  a  general  allegation  of  want  of  sufficient  energy 
and  capacity  to  discharge  his  duties  with  reasonable  dispatch,  promptitude, 
and  accuracy."  Regarding  the  character  of  the  Judge,  the  report  states  that 
"no  evidence  was  given  in  any  manner  to  imjieach  his  character  for  integrity, 
either  as  a  man  or  judge;  but,  on  the  contrary,  many  witnesses  concurred  in 
expressing  their  opinions  that  he  is  an  honest  man.  His  character,  therefore, 
in  this  point  of  view,  appears  unexceptionable."  Their  conclusion,  however, 
WHS.  that  "for  some  years  past  age  and  bodily  intimities,  and  as  a  natural 
consequence  the  failure  in  some  degree  of  his  mental  powers,  have  rendered 
him  miable  to  discharge  his  official  duties  with  reasonable  facility,  accuracy, 
and  promptitude."  At  this  stage  in  the  investigation  the  committee  deemed 
proper  to  intimate  their  conclusions  to  the  Judge,  which  elicited  the  follow- 
ing communication: — 

Harri:>burg,  March  11,  1833. 

Gentlemen:  I  have  for  some  time  past  had  an  intention  to  resign  my  office  as 
soon  as  I  could  make  such  pecuniary  arrangements  as  would  be  necessary  to  enable 
me  to  do  justice  to  my  family;  these  arrangements  can  not  conveniently  be  made  before 
October  next.  I  now  inform  the  committee  that  I  have  fuWlled  that  intention,  and 
have  deposited  my  resignation  with  the  C4overnor,  to  take  effect  from  the  10th  day  of 
October  next.  This  course  might  have  been  taken  sooner:  but  it  could  not  be  thought 
of  while  it  was  believed  any  charge  of  want  of  integrity  could  be  brought  against  me. 

Seti[  C'h.u'.man. 

r./  the  Ilonnrahh- 

The  Committee  nf  the  Semite. 


226  HisTor.Y  OF  Northumberland  county. 

The  investigation  was  forthwith  suspended,  and  the  Judge  retired  to  pri- 
vate life.  He  continued  to  reside  at  Northumberland  until  his  death.  Decem- 
ber 4,  1835,  and  is  buried  in  the  cemetery  at  that  place. 

Ellis  Lewis  was  commissioned  president  jiidge  of  the  counties  of  Xorth- 
iimberland.  Lycoming.  I'nion,  and  Columbia,  which  then  comjjosed  the 
Eighth  judicial  district.  October  14,  1838,  and  took  the  oath  of  otSce  on  the 
following  4th  of  November.  He  was  born  at  Lewisberry.  a  borough  of  New- 
berry township,  York  county,  Pennsylvania,  situated  near  the  center  of  Eed- 
land  valley  and  about  ten  miles  south  of  Harrisburg.  This  locality  was  early 
settled  by  Welsh  Frio-nds  from  Chester  county,  among  whom  were  the  Lewis 
family,  a  descendant  of  which.  Major  Eli  Lewis,  founded  the  Ijorough  that 
bears  his  name  in  ITli^.  He  was  a  man  of  enterprise  and  consequence;  in  ITs^ 
he  owned  nearly  a  thousand  acres  in  Eedland  valley,  and  in  1791  he  estab- 
lished the  first  newspaper  at  the  present  State  capitol,  the  Harrisburg  Ac/i^ec- 
tiser.  Ellis  Lewis  was  his  son,  and  was  born,  May  16.  1798.  His  father 
died  in  1807,  and  the  son  seems  to  have  been  left  with  but  limited  means. 
He  was  apprenticed  to  John  Wyeth,  publisher  of  the  Oracle  of  Dauphin  and 
Harrisburg  Advertiser  (sticcessor  to  the  paper  founded  by  his  father),  but 
found  his  position  .=o  impleasant  that  he  ran  away  and  was  advertised  by 
Wyeth.  in  the  usual  manner.  His  further  acquisition  of  the  printing  trade 
was  pursued  at  New  York  and  Baltimore;  and,  having  completed  his  apjjren- 
ticeship.  he  published  th,'  Lycoming  Gazette  at  Williamsport,  Pennsylvania, 
in  lSlU-20  in  partn?r,-hii)  with  I.  K.  Torbert.  There  he  read  law  with  Espy 
Vanhom.  and  in  September.  1822,  was  admitted  to  the  bar.  Two  years  later 
he  was  admitted  at  Harrisburg,  but  the  extent  of  his  professional  work  at 
that  place  can  not  be  accurately  stated.  About  this  time  he  held  the  office  of 
district  attorney  in  Tioga  coimty,  residing  at  Wellsboro.  Thence  he  removed 
to  Towanda.  Bradford  cotinty.  from  which  he  was  elected  to  the  legislature 
in  1832.  In  this  jx)sition  his  ability  and  talents  attracted  the  attention  of 
Governor  A\'olf,  by  whom  he  was  commissioned  attorney  general  of  the  State, 
January  29,  1833.  In  the  autumn  of  the  same  year  he  succeeded  Judge 
Chapman  as  president  of  the  Eighth  judicial  district,  continuing  in  this  office 
until  1843,  when  he  was  appointed  to  a  similar  position  in  the  Second  dis- 
trict (Lancaster  comity).  In  October,  1851,  he  was  elected  judge  of  the 
Supreme  court  of  Pennsylvania,  and  in  November,  1854,  became  chief  justice. 
In  1857  he  declined  the  unanimous  nomination  of  the  Democratic  party  for 
re-election  to  the  Supreme  bench,  and  retired  to  private  life.  He  was  ap- 
pointed a  member  of  the  commission  for  the  revision  of  the  criminal  code  of 
Pennsylvania  in  the  following  year.  In  the  interim  of  his  employment  as  a 
printer  at  New  York  and  Baltimore  he  had  studied  medicine  at  Lewi.slieny, 
and  the  knowledge  of  medical  jurisprudence  thus  derived  secured  for  him  the 
honorary  degree  of  M  D.  from  the  Philadelphia  College  of  Metliciue.  He 
also  received  the  degree  of  LL.  D.  from  Transylvania  University,  Lexington, 


THE    BENCH    AND    BAR.  227 

Kentucky-,  aud  Jefferson  Colleo-e.  Cannousburg.  Peimsylvania.  He  was  the 
author  of  an  ••  Abridgment  of  the  Criminal  Law  of  the  United  States."  aud  a 
frequent  contributor  to  the  periodical  literature  of  the  day.  His  death 
occurred  at  Philadelphia.  March  I'J,  ISTI. 

Judge  Lewis's  long  judicial  career  of  twenty-four  years  was  begun  in 
the  coirrts  of  the  Eighth  district.  He  came  to  the  bench  at  an  earlier  age 
than  any  other  president  judge  of  Northumberland  county;  and.  while  this 
placed  him  in  sympathy  with  the  younger  members  of  the  bar.  his  character 
aud  bearing  as  a  lawyer  were  such  as  to  command  the  respect  of  all.  A 
close  student  and  a  profound  logician,  he  was  not  influenced  much  by  mere 
oratory;  he  was  quick  to  detect  the  introduction  of  irrelevant  testimony,  and 
equally  resolute  in  requiring  promptness  and  brevity  on  the  part  of  witnesses 
and  attorneys.  As  a  judge  his  manner  was  firm,  decisive,  coirrteous.  and 
dignified.  His  temperament  was  ambitious  and  aspiring,  and  this  led  him 
to  seek  the  highest  measure  of  success  in  everything  he  undertook;  but  his 
ability  was  equal  to  his  ambition,  and  in  every  position  to  which  he  attained 
his  services  were  alike  honorable  to  himself  and  valuable  to  the  public. 

Charles  G.  Donnel  was  commissioned  president  judge  of  the  Eighth  dis- 
trict (then  composed  of  the  counties  of  Northumberland,  Lycoming,  and 
Columbia).  Januaiy  14,  1S48.  and  took  the  oath  of  office  two  days  later. 
He  was  bom.  March  14.  ISO],  at  Williamsport,  Pennsylvania,  son  of  Henry 
and  Margaret  (Gobin)  Donnel;  his  edrrcation  was  obtained  at  the  Northum- 
berland Academy,  then  under  the  principalship  of  Robert  Cooper  Grier, 
subsequently  a  justice  of  the  United  States  Supreme  court,  after  which  he 
read  law  with  Ebenezer  Greenough,  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  of  North- 
umberland coiTnty  at  April  sessions,  1!S22.  He  became  deputy  attorney 
general  in  ls2'.t.  serving  four  years,  and  in  this  position,  as  well  as  in  his 
general  practice  as  an  attorney,  gave  evidence  of  legal  knowledge  and  abili- 
ties of  a  high  order.  His  judicial  incumbency  was  terminated  but  little  more 
than  a  year  after  his  ajipointment  by  his  death,  March  16,  1S44.  He  resided 
at  Simbur}-.  and  his  widow  is  now  living  in  that  borough  at  an  advanced  age. 

Joseph  B.  Anthony  was  born  at  Philadelphia,  June  19,  1795,  and  edu- 
cated at  Princeton,  New  Jersey.  While  engaged  in  teaching  in  the  academy 
at  Milton,  he  read  law  with  Samuel  Hepburn  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar 
of  Northumberland  county,  November  26.  1S17.  After  spending  a  year  in 
Ohio  he  located  at  Williamsport,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  was  admitted  to 
practice  in  ISIS  and  resided  until  his  death.  He  was  elected  to  the  State 
Senate  in  ISSC  and  four  years  later  to  Congress,  to  w-hich  he  was  re-elected 
in  1S86  by  a  large  majority.  In  1S43  he  was  appointed  One  of  the  judges 
of  the  court  for  the  adjustment  of  the  Nicholson  land  claims  in  Pennsylvania. 
and  in  the  following  year  succeeded  Judge  Donnel  as  president  judge  of  the 
Eighth  district,  performing  the  judicial  functions  with  general  acceptability 
until  his  death.  Januarv   10.  1S-")1.     He  was  a  man  of  fine  mental  endow- 


228  HISTORY    OF    NOETHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

ments,  not  the  least  of  which  was  a  remarkable  mathematical  faciUty.  His 
perceptive  faculties,  no  less  than  his  reasoning  powers,  were  also  of  a  high 
order,  and  enabled  him  to  grasp  the  difficulties  of  a  complicated  "question 
and  present  it  lucidly  and  succinctly.  In  social  intercourse  his  conversation 
was  enlivened  by  brilliant  flashes  of  wit  and  a  profiision  of  humorous  anec- 
dotes and  observations,  which  made  him  a  general  favorite  among  those  with 
whom  he  came  in  contact.  These  qualities  also  entered  into  his  professional 
work  as  an  attorney,  and  after  he  became  judge  a  witty  or  humorous  remark 
from  the  bench  frequently  relieved  the  tedium  of  the  session.  His  judicial 
opinions  and  decisions  were  generally  regarded  as  sound  and  impartial. 

James  Pollock,  who  probably  reached  higher  political  position  than  any 
other  native  of  Northumberland  coimty,  was  the  last  judge  to  preside  over 
her  courts  by  appointment  of  the  Governor.  He  was  born  at  Milton,  Sep- 
tember 11,  1810,  son  of  William  and  Sarah  (Wilson)  Pollock,  natives  of 
Chester  coimty,  Pennsylvania,  and  of  Irish  extraction.  His  education  was 
begun  at  the  common  schools  of  Milton  with  Joseph  B.  Anthony  as  his  first 
teacher,  and  continued  at  the  academy  of  the  Rev.  David  Kirkpatrick,  where 
he  prepared  for  the  Jimior  year  at  Princeton,  from  which  he  graduated  in 
1831  with  the  highest  honors  of  his  class.  He  then  began  the  study  of  law 
under  Samuel  Hepburn,  of  Milton,  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  of  North- 
umberland coimty  on  the  5th  of  November,  1833.  He  opened  an  office  at 
Milton  in  April,  1834;  two  years  later  he  was  appointed  deputy  attorney 
general  for  the  coimty,  serving  in  this  position  until  1839.  In  1844  he  was 
elected  to  Congress  from  the  Thirteenth  Pennsylvania  district  as  the  Whig 
candidate;  he  was  twice  re-elected,  serving  in  the  XXVIIIth  Congress  on 
the  committee  on  claims,  in  the  XXIXth  on  the  committee  on  territories,  and 
in  the  XXXth  as  a  member  of  the  ways  and  means  committee.  On  the  23d 
of  Jime,  1848,  he  introduced  a  resolution  for  the  appointment  of  a  committee 
to  report  upon  the  advisability  and  feasibility  of  building  a  trans-continental 
railway,  and,  as  chairman  of  the  committee  so  appointed,  made  the  lirst 
favorable  official  report  on  this  subject.  On  the  10th  of  January-,  18-31, 
within  a  brief  period  after  the  conclusion  of  his  third  congressional  term,  he 
was  commissioned  as  president  judge  of  the  Eighth  judicial  district  (then 
composed  of  the  counties  of  Northumberland,  Lycoming,  Columbia,  Sullivan, 
and  Montour),  his  judicial  incumbency  expiring,  by  the  terms  of  his  commis- 
sion, on  the  1st  of  December,  18-j1,  after  which  he  resumed  the  practice  of 
law.  In  1854  he  was  the  candidate  of  the  Whig  and  "Know-Nothing" 
parties  for  Governor,  and  was  elected  by  a  majority  of  thirty-seven  thousand 
over  his  principal  competitor,  William  Bigler,  the  Democratic  candidate.  He 
was  inducted  into  office  in  January,  1855,  and  served  the  term  of  three  years; 
among  the  measures  of  importance  during  his  administration  were  the  inaugu- 
ration of  a  policy  of  retenehment  in  the  fiscal  affairs  of  the  Commonwealth, 
the  sale  of  the  main  line  of  the  public  works,  the  i:)assage  of  laws  designed  to 


THE    BENCH    AND    BAR.  229 

promote  the  efficiency  of  the  pubHc  school  system,  and  the  adoption  of  meas- 
ures by  which  the  suspension  of  specie  payments  by  banks  chartered  in  the 
State  was  legalized  during  the  crisis  of  1S57.  In  1861  he  was  a  member  of 
the  Peace  Conference  which  assembled  at  Washington  and  presented  the 
Crittendei*com2)romise  measures  to  the  consideration  of  Congress:  and  in 
May  of  that  year  he  was  appointed  by  President  Lincoln  director  of  the 
United  States  mint  at  Philadelphia.  He  retired  from  thisoflice  in  lSt')t).  but 
was  reinstated  by  President  Grant  in  1S6'J,  and  in  1878  became  superintend- 
ent of  that  institution.  The  legend.  "In  God  we  trust."  was  originally  sug- 
gested by  him  for  the  national  currency.  In  1S7U  he  was  appointed  naval 
officer  at  Philadelphia,  and  held  that  office  four  years;  his  last  official  posi- 
tion was  that  of  Federal  chief  supervisor  of  elections,  to  which  he  was  ap- 
pointed in  1880.  He  died  at  Lock  Haven.  Pennsylvania.  April  V-).  18V"\  and 
his  remains  were  interred  in  the  Milton  cemetery. 

In  personal  appearance  Governor  Pollock  was  of  commanding  figure  and 
somewhat  above  the  average  height,  with  dark  eyes  and  hair,  smooth-shaven 
face,  and  a  countenance  expressive  of  intelligence  and  benignity.  In  relig- 
ious affiliation  he  was  a  Presbj-terian,  and  was  for  some  years  president 
of  the  board  of  trustees  of  the  College  of  New  Jersey  at  Princeton,  by  which 
the  honorary  degree  of  LL.  D.  was  conferred  ujion  him  in  1855.  As  an 
attorney  he  wa.s  a  better  advocate  than  counselor;  he  was  in  regular 
practice  in  the  courts  of  Northumberland  county  from  1833  until  1844.  and  at 
intervals  in  his  official  career  after  that  date.  While  his  judicial  incum- 
bency was  the  shortest  in  the  history  of  the  county,  it  was  long  enough  to 
secure  for  his  abilities  in  this  position  an  ample  recognition.  He  was  an 
elocpient  speaker,  graceful,  persuasive,  and  convincing,  and  possessed 
remarkable  tact  in  gaining  the  sympathy  and  approval  of  his  hearers.  Strong 
conscientiousness  was  a  prominent  element  in  his  character,  and,  while  his 
official  acts  were  at  times  subjected  to  violent  criticism,  the  honesty  of  his 
intentions  was  conceded  even  by  his  most  determined  opjionents. 

Alexander  Jordan  was  elected  in  October,  1851,  as  president  judge  in  the 
counties  of  Northumberland,  Lycoming,  Centre,  and  Chnton,  then  compos- 
ing the  Eighth  judicial  district.  Judge  Jordan  was  bom  at  Jaysburg, 
Lycoming  county,  Pennsylvania  (now  a  part  of  the  city  of  Williamsport), 
May  19,  17US,  son  of  Samuel  and  Kosanna  (McClester)  Jordan.  His  father 
was  a  boatman  and  pilot  by  occuj^ation,  and  is  mentioned  by  Tunison  Cor- 
yell as  one  of  the  first  to  introduce  sails  in  the  navigation  of  the  Susque- 
hanna. About  the  year  1802  the  family  removed  to  Milton,  where  the  future 
judge  was  brought  up  and  enjoyed  such  educational  advantages  as  the  local 
schools  afforded.  During  the  war  of  1812  he  accompanied  the  militia  in 
their  march  across  the  State  to  Meadville.  Crawford  county,  as  deputy  com- 
missary, and  was  absent  several  weeks.  After  a  clerkship  of  several  years  in 
a  store  at   Milton,  he  entered   the  employ  of  Hugh  Bellas,  prothonotan,-  of 


230  HISTORY    OF    NOETHUHBERLAND    COUNTY. 

the  county,  as  deputy  clerk.  Diu-ing  this  connection  he  began  the  study  of 
law  under  Mr.  Bellas,  but,  having  a  natural  inclination  for  mechanical  pur- 
suits and  but  limited  time  to  devote  to  his  studies,  they  were  continued 
rather  irregularly  for  some  time.  He  served  as  dejiuty  prothonotary  iinder 
George  W.  Brown  and  Andrew  Albright.  Mr.  Bellas's  successors,  and  was  at 
length  admitted  to  the  bar,  Aj^ril  lU.  1S"2(1  after  an  examination  by  Messrs. 
Hepburn,  Hall,  and  Bradford.  He  immediately  opened  an  office  at  Sunbury, 
and  rose  rapidly  in  his  profession,  for  which  his  prejiaration  had  been  excep- 
tionally thorough.  He  was  a  dilligeut  student,  and  much  of  his  success  was 
due  to  the  careful  manner  in  which  his  cases  were  invariably  prepared.  When 
addressing  the  court  or  jury  his  language  was  concise  and  to  the  point,  and, 
while  not  ornate  in  style,  his  arguments  were  often  eloquent.  In  1S26  he 
was  commissioned  prothonotary  of  the  Supreme  court  for  the  Middle  district, 
a  position  which  brought  him  into  contact  with  the  leading  jurists  of  the 
State  and  doubtless  had  a  strong  inHuence  in  determining  his  future  career. 
When  the  judiciary  became  elective  in  Peim.sylvania  and  the  choice  of  judges 
was  transferred  from  the  executive  to  the  people,  his  highjirofessionalstand- 
iag  and  recognized  qualifications  for  the  bench,  no  less  than  the  fact  that  he 
was  nominated  by  the  dominant  poHtical  party  (the  Democratic)  in  the  dis- 
trict secured  his  election  by  a  large  popular  majority.  He  took  the  oath  of 
office  on  the  2Sth  of  November,  ISol ;  at  the  expiration  of  his  first  term  he 
was  re-elected,*  and  served  until  1S71,  a  period  of  twenty  years. 

Many  complicated  questions  affecting  large  personal  and  property  inter- 
ests, and  involving  principles  not  theretofore  considered,  arose  during  Judge 
Jordan's  incumbency;  in  these  important  cases  his  decisions  have  stood  the 
severest  scrutiny  and  will  be  an  endiuing  evidence  of  his  ability  as  a  jurifst. 
He  was  endowed  in  a  remarkable  degree  with  the  logical  faculty,  while  his 
analytical  powers — keen,  incisive,  and  accurate — grasped  at  once  the  essential 
points  in  an  argument,  dismembered  of  all  irrelevant  matter.  To  him  the 
law  was  an  intricate  science,  and  its  study  was  quite  as  much  a  source  of 
intellectual  gratification  as  a  professional  duty.  His  intercourse  with  members 
of  the  bar  was  characterized  by  uniform  courtesy,  and  his  riilings  were  so 
given  as  to  leave  no  impleasant  feehngs:  to  the  younger  members  his  man- 
ner and  words  were  kind,  considerate,  and  encouraging. 

'•A  professor  of  the  Christian  religion,  seeking  to  regulate  his  public  and 
private  conduct  in  strict  conformity  with  the  Christian  faith,  and  to  exemplify, 
by  justice  and  diligence,  the  harmony  of  rehgious  principles  and  professions 
with  the  diversified,  important,  and  dignified  duties  of  a  citizen,  a  lawyer, 
and  a  judge,"  he  was  for  many  years  an  elder  in  the  Presbyterian  church  of 
Simbury  and  superintendent  of  its  Simday  school.  Judge  Jordan  was  twice 
married — in  1820  to  Mary,  daughter  of  Daniel  Hurley,  and  after  her  death  to 
Hannah  Rittenhouse,  formerly  of  Philadelphia,  now  residing  in  Simbury  at 

*The  counties  ot  Xortlminberlaml,  .Moatour.  and  Lycomiiis  constituteil  the  district  in  ISUl. 


THE    BENCH    AND    BAIi.  231 

an  advanced  age.  He  died  on  the  5th  of  October,  187S.  and  is  liuried  in 
the  Sunbury  cemetery. 

William  M.  Rockefeller,  who  succeeded  Judge  Jordan  in  187 1,  was  liorn 
at  Sunbury,  August  18,  1881).  His  great-grandfather,  Godfrey  Rockefeller, 
emigrated  from  New  Jersey  to  the  site  of  Snydertown  in  this  county  in  178U; 
his  father,  Da\"id  Rockefeller,  a  native  of  Riish  to\\Tiship  and  a  surveyor  by 
profession,  was  engaged  in  the  active  duties  of  that  occupation  throughout 
Northumberland  and  adjoining  counties  for  a  period  of  nearly  half  a  century. 
The  Judge  was  brought  up  in  his  native  coimty,  attended  the  public  schools 
and  the  academy  at  Sunbury,  and  before  attaining  his  majority  was  succes- 
sively employed  at  school  teaching,  surveying,  and  clerking.  His  professional 
preparation  was  begun  in  the  office  of  John  B.  Packer  and  continued  under 
Alexander  Jordan  when  Mr.  Packer's  election  to  the  legislature  rendered  his 
transfer  to  another  preceptor  necessary.  On  the  Oth  of  August,  1850,  twelve 
days  in  advance  of  his  twentieth  birthday,  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar  of 
Northumberland  county;  he  began  the  practice  of  his  profession  at  Miners- 
ville.  Schuylkill  county,  Pennsylvania,  whence  he  returned  to  Sunbury  within 
a  brief  period,  and  has  since  resided  at  that  borough.  On  the  9th  of  Sep- 
tember, 1871.  he  was  nominated  for  the  judgeship  by  conferrees  from  the 
two  comities  composing  the  Eighth  judicial  district,  John  B.  Packer  and 
William  C.  Lawson  representing  Northumberland  and  Joshua  W.  Comlyancl 
Isaac  X.  Grier.  Montoiir.  He  was  elected  m  the  following  October  by  a  decisive 
popular  majority,  and  took  the  oath  of  office  on  the  4th  of  December.  1871. 
In  ISSl  he  was  re-elected  from  the  Eighth  district  (comjiosed  of  the 
county  of  Northumberland  individually),  and  his  second  term  is  now  (1891) 
apjiroaching  its  termination. 

As  a  la\v}'er.  Judge  Rockefeller  was  painstaking  and  laborious;  in  the 
presentation  of  a  case  to  the  court  or  jury  his  style  was  closely  logical  and 
argttmentative,  e%-idencing  thoroitgh  research  and  earnest  investigation.  The 
judgeship  was.  therefore,  a  position  for  which  he  was  abtmdantly  cptalitied 
by  natural  endowments  and  unremitting  application  to  the  duties  of  his 
profession.  For  a  score  of  years  he  had  been  actively  engaged  in  the  jirac- 
tice  of  law,  and  was  thoroughly  familiar  with  the  class  of  litigation  pecitliar 
to  the  courts  of  Northumberland  coimty,  particularly  the  trial  of  actions  of 
ejectment  brought  for  the  settlement  and  location  of  the  disputed  boundaries 
of  conflicting  surveys,  and  in  a  large  number  of  the  cases  of  this  kind 
adjudicated  in  the  coimty  he  had  been  professionally  concerned.  Thoroughly 
familiar  with  the  fundamental  principles  of  jurisprudence,  his  legal  learning 
and  personal  integrity  commanded  the  confidence  no  less  than  the  respect  of 
his  colleagues  at  the  bar  and  his  constituents  throughout  the  district,  and 
he  came  to  the  bench  with  the  disposition  as  well  as  the  ability  to  "  hold 
the  scales  of  ju-stice  with  an  even  hand."  Of  the  manner  in  which  the 
people  of  the  county  have  regarded  his  administration,  his  re-election  is 
sufficient  indication. 


232  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

In  the  criminal  calendar  the  most  important  cases  tried  by  Judge  Rocke- 
feller have  been  the  homicides  committed  during  the  Mollie  Maguire  con- 
spiracy. In  the  civil  list  ejectment  cases  resulting  from  disputed  land  titles 
have  been  the  most  important.  As  a  memlier  of  the  commission  by  which 
the  Metzger-Bentley  contest  for  the  judgeship  in  Lycoming  county  was 
recently  decided,  the  Judge  has  also  been  concerned  in  the  solution  of  intri- 
cate legal  questions  outside  the  ordinary  field  of  judicial  cognizance. 

Associate  Judges. — Article  Vth  of  the  constitution  of  1790  provided  for 
the  appointment  by  the  Governor  of  "not  fewer  than  three  nor  more  than 
fo.ur  judges"  in  each  county,  who,  during  their  continuance  in  office,  shovdd 
reside  therein.  An  act  was  passed  by  the  legislature,  April  13,  1791,  to 
carry  this  article  into  effect  and  organize  the  judiciary  under  its  require- 
ments; by  the  terms  of  this  act,  the  new  system  went  into  operation  on  the 
31st  of  Augiist,  1791.  The  first  legislation  affecting  the  number  of  associate 
judges  was  the  act  of  Ajjril  1,  1S03,  which  j^rovided  that  in  any  county 
thereafter  organized  and  in  case  of  vacancy  in  any  existing  county,  ''the 
number  of  the  judges  in  the  said  county  where  such  vacancy  shall  hapjien 
shall  be  reduced,  and  there  shall  be  no  more  than  three  associate  judges  in 
the  said  county,  and  the  office  so  become  vacant  shall  hereafter  be  abolished." 
The  number  was  still  further  reduced  by  the  act  of  February  24,  ISOG. 
providing  that   "■  if  any  vacancy  should  hereafter   happen  in  any  coimty  at 

present  organized, the   Governor  shall  not  supply  the  same,  imless 

the  number  of  associates  be  thereby  reduced  to  less  than  two."  There  were 
four  a.ssociate  jxidges  in  Northumberland  county  from  1792  to  1S04,  three 
from  1804  to  1S13,  and  two  after  the  latter  date.  They  were  appointed  for 
life  under  the  constitution  of  1790:  the  amendments  of  1838  reduced  the 
term  of  office  to  five  years,  and  made  the  concurrence  of  the  Senate  necessary 
to  the  nomination  of  the  Governor;  in  1850  amendments  were  adopted  by 
which  the  judiciary  became  elective;  and  the  constitution  of  1873  declares 
that,  "the  office  of  a.ssociate  judge,  not  learned  in  the  law,  is  abolished  in 
coimties  forming  separate  districts;  but  the  several  associate  judges  in  office 
when  this  constitution  shall  be  adopted  shall  serve  for  their  unexpired  terms." 

The  following  is  a  list  of  associate  judges*: — 
John  Macpherson,  1791-1813.  Andrew  Albright.  1813-1^. 

Thomas  Strawbridge,  1791-98.  Jacob  Gearhart,  1814-39. 

Wilham  Wilson,  1792-1813.  Henry  Shaffer,  1818-33. 

Samuel  Maclay,  1792-95.  Peter  Martz,  1833-34. 

William  Cooke,  1796-1804.  George  Weiser,  1834-42. 

James  Strawbridge,  1799.  John  Montgomery,  1839-50. 

William  Montgomery-,  1801-13.  George  C.  Welker,  1842-51. 

♦WiUiiim  Montgomery  and  Joseph  Wallis  were  commissioned  as  associate  jurtges,  August  17. 
1791 ;  but  as  botli  resigned  witiioiit  entering  upon  tiie  duties  of  tlie  office  ^so  far  as  shown  Ijy  tiie  court 
minutes),  it  lias  not  been  deemed  proper  to  iucUide  their  names  in  tiiis  list. 


THE    BENCH    AND    BAR.  233 

John  F.  Dentler,  1S51-5G.  Abraham  Shipman,  1801-71. 

George  Weiser,  1851-56.  Isaac  Beidelspach,  1S6G-69. 

William  Turner,  1856-66.  George  C.  Welker,  1871-74. 

Casper  Scholl,  1856-61.  Joseph  Nicely,  1869-75. 

John  Macpherson  resided  in  that  part  of  the  original  territory  of  North- 
umberland county  now  embraced  in  Union  township,  L'nion  coimty.  Noth- 
ing is  known  concerning  his  early  life  and  education.  He  served  in  the  American 
na\y  during  the  early  years  of  the  Keyolution  as  a  midshipman  on  the  frigate 
Randolph,  commanded  by  Captain  Nicholas  Biddle,  and  was  wounded  in 
action  with  the  Tnie  Briton,  a  twenty-gim  ship,  which  was  captured  and 
taken  into  Charleston  harbor.  On  the  IDth  of  September,  1777.  Captain 
Biddle  granted  him  a  permit  to  leave  the  Randolph,  on  accoimt  of  incapacity 
for  further  service,  and  he  joined  the  Northampton  Privateer,  ultimately 
returning  to  Northumberland  county,  where  he  pm-chased  proj^erty  at  Win- 
lield.  Union  county.  In  consideration  of  his  services  he  was  granted  a  monthly 
pension  of  seventeen  shillings,  six  pence,  from  the  date  of  his  discharge,  by 
the  orphans'  court  at  June  sessions,  1786.  In  17S5  he  tilled  the  position  of 
clerk  to  the  county  commissioners.  He  was  commissioned  as  associate  judge, 
Augirst  17,  1791,  and  served  in  that  capacity  until  the  erection  of  Union 
county  in  1813  placed  him  beyond  the  limits  of  Northumberland.  The  rec- 
ords show  that  he  attended  the  sessions  of  the  court  with  almost  imdeviating 
regularity,  and,  with  other  associates,  frequently  conducted  the  sessions  in 
the  absence  of  the  president  judge.  His  death  occurred  on  the '2d  of  August, 
1827. 

Thomas  Strawbridge  was  a  native  of  Chester  county,  Pennsylvania,  where 
he  was  reared  and  learned  the  trade  of  tanner.  He  entered  public  hfe  in 
1776  as  a  delegate  from  Chester  coimty  to  the  convention  which  framed  the 
first  constitution  of  the  State.  His  military  career  began  in  May  of  that 
year,  when  the  Committee  of  Safety  for  his  native  coimty  appointed  him 
captain.  He  received  a  commission  as  sub-lieutenant,  October  16,  1777.  sub- 
sequently rising  to  the  rank  of  colonel,  and  was  detailed  to  superintend  the 
manufacture  of  arms  during  the  closing  years  of  the  war.  He  married  Mar- 
garet Montgomery,  a  sister  of  General  William  Montgomery,  and,  doubtless 
through  the  influence  of  the  latter,  removed  to  that  part  of  the  original  area 
of  Chillisquaque  township,  Northumberland  coimty,  now  embraced  in  Liberty 
township,  Montour  county,  about  the  year  1784.  There  he  estabUshed  a  tan- 
nery, one  of  the  first  north  of  Harrisburg,  and  engaged  extensively  in  farm- 
ing; for  some  years  he  was  the  largest  tax-payer  in  Chillisquaque  township. 
On  the  17th  of  Augu.st,  1791,  he  was  commissioned  as  associate  judge  for 
Northumberland  county,  serving  continuously  imtil  his  retirement  in  1798. 
He  died  at  the  age  of  eighty-two,  September  13.  1813.  The  name  of  James 
Strawbridge  appears  as  an  associate  judge  at  several  terms  in  the  year  1799. 
but  nothing  definite  concerning  his  ajipointment  or  personal  history  has  been 
learned. 


234  HISTORY    OF   NORTHUilBERLAND    COUNTY. 

William  Wilson  was  a  native  of  the  North  of  Ireland  and  immigrated  to 
Northumberland  coimty  at  an  early  period  in  her  history.  When  the  Revo- 
lutionary struggle  became  imminent,  it  was  resolved  by  Congress  to  enlist  six 
companies  of  riflemen  in  Pennsylvania  for  one  year's  service;  in  one  of  these 
companies,  Cajitain  John  Lowdon's.  which  formed  pait  of  Colonel  W'illiam 
Thompson's  Ritle  Battalion,  William  Wilson  enlisted  as  third  lieutenant,  and 
was  j^romoted  to  second  lietitenant.  January  4,  177(3.  He  re-enlisted  in  Cap- 
tain James  Parr's  company  of  the  First  regiment  (commanded  by  Colonel 
Edward  Hand) ;  of  this  company  he  was  second  lieutenant  imtil  September 
25,  1776,  when  he  became  first  lieutenant;  on  the  2d  of  March,  1777,  he  was 
promoted  to  captain,  and  was  in  active  service  with  his  command  imtil  1783. 
At  the  battle  of  Monmouth,  Jime  2S,  1778,  he  ctiptured  the  colors  of  the 
Royal  Grenadiers  and  the  sword  of  Colonel  Monckton;  the  former  was  fre- 
quently brought  into  requisition  in  patriotic  demonstrations  in  Northumber- 
land county  in  sttbsequent  years:  the  sword  was  presented  by  Caj^tain  Wil- 
son to  General  Wayne  and  by  the  latter  to  the  Marquis  Lafayette,  by  whom 
it  was  borne  through  the  French  Revolution  and  his  imprisonment  at  Olmutz, 
and,  on  the  occasion  of  his  visit  to  the  United  States  in  1824,  returned  to  a 
son  of  Judge  W'ilson  through  Captain  Hrmter.*  At  the  close  of  the  war  he 
engaged  in  business  at  Northttmberland  in  partnership  with  Captain  John 
Boyd;  they  also  erected  Chillisquaqtre  mills,  to  which  reference  is  made  in 
the  history  of  the  township  of  that  name.  On  the  20th  of  May,  17S4,  he 
was  commissioned  as  county  lieutenant;  in  1787  he  was  chosen  as  a  delegate 
from  Northumberland  county  in  the  convention  by  which  Pennsylvania  ratified 
the  Federal  constitution;  in  1789  he  represented  the  county  in  the  Supreme 
Executive  Coitncil  of  the  State;  and  on  the  13th  of  January,  1792,  he  was 
commissioned  as  associate  judge,  serving  in  that  capacity  until  his  death  in 
1813.  A  Federalist  in  politics  and  an  ardent  supporter  of  the  national  ad- 
ministration during  the  Whiskey  insurrection,  he  did  not,  perhaps,  enjoy  the 
popularity  to  which  his  piiblic  services  justly  entitled  him,  bitt  posterity  will 
honor  him  none  the  less  because  his  convictions  did  not  harmonize  with  the 
general  trend  of  public  sentiment  in  this  locality  at  that  time. 

Samuel  Maclay  was  born  in  Lurgan  township,  Franklin  cottnty,  Pennsyl- 
vania, June  17,  1741,  son  of  Charles  Maclay,  a  native  of  County  Antrim, 
Ireland,  and  descendant  of  Charles  Maclay,  Baron  Fingal.  His  first  active 
work  in  life  was  performed  in  1707-68  as  assistant  deputy  surveyor  to  hi 
brother,  William  Maclay,  whom  he  also  assisted  in  1769  in  surveying  the 
lands  in  Bttffalo  valley  appropriated  to  the  officers  in  the  French  and  Indi.^n 
war.  He  also  did  considerable  surveying  in  Mifflin  county.  As  a  result  of 
his  experience  on  the  frontier  he  became  an  expert  marksman,  and  on  one 
occasion  demonstrated  his  superior  skill  in  ritie  practice  in  a  contest  with 
Logan,  the  Mingo.     He  made  his  residence  in   Buffalo  valley  as  early  as 

♦Linn's  Annals  of  BijITalo  Valley,  pp.  liil-ioi. 


^yV^^T^^^fT^^^^ 


THE  BENCH  AND  BAK.  237 

1775,  ^Yhen  bis  name  appears  upon  the  assessment  list  as  the  owner  of 
twenty-five  acres  of  land,  two  horses,  two  cows,  one  slave,  and  one  sei-vant, 
and  in  that  year  he  was  commissioned  a  justice  of  the  peace  for  Northumber- 
land coimty.  As  lieutenant  colonel  of  a  battallion  of  associators  he  attended 
the  Lancaster  convention.  Jnly  4,  177('),  and  participated  in  the  organization 
of  the  State  militia.  He  was  commissioned  as  associate  judge,  February  23, 
1792,  and  sers'ed  until  his  resignation,  December  17,  1795.  His  legislative 
services  began  in  1787,  when  he  was  elected  member  of  Assembly  from 
Northumberland  coimty;  he  was  re-elected  in  17SS  and  17S9,  and  also 
returned  to  the  House  of  Representatives  in  1790,  1791,  and  1797.  In  1798 
he  was  elected  to  the  State  Senate,  and  re-elected  in  1802  upon  the  expira- 
tion of  his  term;  he  was  Speaker  of  that  body  from  December  2,  1801,  to 
March  lO.  1S08.  and  resigned  his  seat  on  the  2d  of  September,  1803,  hav- 
ing been  elected  f  nited  States  Senator  from  Peimsylvania,  December  14. 1802- 
He  continued  in  the  latter  position  until  January  4,  1809.  when  he  resigned. 
In  1795-9'J  he  was  a  member  of  the  national  House  of  Eepresentatives.  A 
man  of  large  intelligence,  sound  judgment,  and  fine  social  qualities,  he  en- 
joyed unboimded  personal  popularity,  and  received  the  almost  unanimous 
endorsement  of  his  fellow  citizens  whenever  he  appeared  as  a  candidate  for 
otHce.  He  tilled  important  public  positions  continuously  during  a  pei-iod  of 
nearly  a  quarter  of  a  century,  and  is  justly  regarded  as  one  of  the  most 
imjiortant  characters  in  the  political  history  of  the  county.  He  died  on  the 
5th  of  October,  1811,  and  is  buried  in  Buffalo  valley. 

William  Cooke  was  born  in  Donegal  township,  Lancaster  coitnty,  Penn- 
.sylvania.  He  was  among  the  pioneers  of  Northumberland  county,  of  which 
he  was  the  tirst  elected  sheriff,  serving  in  that  office  from  1772  to  1775.  He 
represented  Mahoning  towTiship  in  the  Committee  of  Safety  which  organized 
at  the  house  of  Richard  Malone  on  the  8th  of  February,  1776.  On  the  pre- 
cei-ling  day.  at  a  meeting  of  the  officers  and  committee-men  of  the  lower 
division  of  the  county,  he  had  been  elected  lieutenant  colonel  of  the  battalion, 
and  thus  early  in  the  Revolutionary  struggle  was  called  upon  to  assume  the 
responsibilities  of  military  leadership.  He  was  a  delegate  to  the  Provincial 
Conferences  of  June,  1775,  and  June,  1770,  and  to  the  Constitutional  Conven- 
tion of  1?70.  On  the  2d  of  October,  1770,  he  was  commissioned  colonel  of 
the  Twelfth  Pennsylvania  regiment  of  the  Continental  Line,  which  was  so 
reduced  in  ntunbers  at  the  battles  of  Brandywine  and  Germantown  that  its 
officers  and  men  were  assigned  to  other  commands  or  mustered  out  of  the 
sei-vice.  In  1781.  1782,  and  1783  Colonel  Cooke  was  elected  to  the  Assembly; 
on  the  3d  of  October,  1786,  he  was  commissioned  a  justice  of  the  coitrts  of 
Northumberland  county,  and  on  the  19th  of  January,  1796,  he  became  asso- 
ciate judge,  serving  in  that  office  until  his  death  in  April,  1804.  Howell's 
map  of  1792  locates  his  residence  in  Point  to^vnship  near  the  North  Branch 
above  Northtimberland. 


238  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

Andrew  Albright  was  born  on  the  2Sth  of  February,  1770;  in  1798  he 
engaged  in  hotel  keeping  at  Lewisburg,  Union  county,  Pennsylvania  (then 
Northumberland),  where  he  at  once  became  popular  and  entered  into  i^olitics. 
He  was  sheriff  of  the  county,  1803-06;  member  of  the  House  of  Rejaresenta- 
tives,  ISOD-IO;  county  treasiirer,  1812-13;  associate  judge  (commissioned, 
September  7,  1813;  qualified,  October  12,  1813),  1813-18;  prothonotary, 
1819-21;  he  was  elected  to  the  State  Senate  from  the  district  composed  of 
Northumberland  and  Union  counties  in  1822,  and  died  on  the  2r)th  of  No- 
vember in  that  year.  After  his  election  as  sheriff  he  resided  at  Sunbury  the 
remainder  of  his  life. 

Jacob  Gearhart  was  of  German  origin,  a  son  of  Jacob  Gearhart,  who  emi- 
grated from  New  Jei-sey  in  1790  and  purchased  large  tracts  of  land  in  Rush 
township,  Northumberland  county;  part  of  this  land  is  now  the  residence  of 
Mrs.  I.  H.  Torrence,  granddaughter  of  Judge  Gearhart.  The  Judge  was  a 
farmer  by  occupation,  but  possessed  intelligence  and  education  far  above  the 
average  in  that  calling.  In  politics  he  was  a  Jacksonian  Democrat;  a  meet- 
ing was  once  held  at  his  house  by  Simon  Cameron,  whom  Jackson  had 
requested  to  secure  the  Pennsylvania  influence  in  favor  of  the  nomination  of 
Martin  Van  Buren.  He  was  a  pioneer  Methodist,  and  freqxiently  entertained 
Rev.  Francis  Asbury,  the  first  bishop  of  that  chi^rch  in  the  United  States. 
He  was  commissioned  as  associate  judge,  January  10,  1814,  as  successor  to 
Judge  Montgomery,  and  served  imtil  1839,  when  he  resigned,  his  official 
incumbency  having  continued  longer  than  that  of  any  other  associate  judge 
in  this  county.  He  died,  August  2,  1841,  and  is  buried  in  Mount  Vernon 
cemetery.     Gearhart  township  is  so  named  in  honor  of  this  family. 

Heury  Shaffer  succeeded  Andrew  Albright;  he  was  commissioned,  March 
2.3.  1818,  qualified,  April  3,  1818,  and  served  until  his  death,  March  1,  1833. 
He  was  for  many  years  proprietor  of  a  hotel  that  occupied  the  site  of  the 
Neff  House  in  Sunbury.  His  son,  Solomon  Shaffer,  was  register  and 
recorder  of  the  county,  1830-36. 

Peter  Martz  succeeded  Judge  Shaffer.  He  was  commissioned,  April  12, 
1833,  qualified  on  the  following  day,  and  served  a  little  more  than  a  year. 

George  Weiser  was  born  at  Tulpehocken,  Berks  county,  Pennsylvania;  he 
was  reared  in  Union  county,  whither  his  parents  removed  in  his  cTiildliood, 
and  learned  the  trade  of  tanner,  which  he  pursued  for  many  years  at  Sunbury. 
He  was  county  treasurer  several  terms;  Jiily  8,  1834,  he  was  commissioned 
as  associate  judge,  succeeding  Peter  Martz,  and  served  until  1842;  he  died  on 
the  2d  of  July,  1857. 

John  Montgomery  succeeded  Judge  Gearhart.  He  was  first  commis- 
sioned, July  19,  1839,  and  took  the  oath  of  office,  August  5,  1839;  on  the 
20th  of  March,  1840,  he  was  recommissioned,  and  served  imtil  the  office 
became  elective  under  the  amendment  of  18o0.  He  was  a  member  of  the 
well  knowTi  Montgomery  family  of  Paradise,  born  on  the  26th  of  July,  1792, 
and  died,  March  17,  1866. 


THE    BENCH    AND    BAR.  239 

George  C.  Welker  was  twice  associate  judge;  he  was  first  commissioned. 
March  5,  1842,  and  again  in  1S47,  serving  iintil  1851;  in  1871  he  was  elected, 
succeeding  Judge  Shipman,  and  served  until  his  death,  March  IS.  1S74. 
Judge  Welker  was  a  merchant  tailor  at  Snnbury  for  many  years,  and  in  the 
latter  part  of  his  life  general  agent  for  tlie  Lycoming  Insurance  Company. 
He  was  the  only  one  of  the  later  associate  judges  who  presided  in  the  absence 
of  the  president  judge. 

John  F.  Dentler  was  elected  in  1851  as  successor  to  Judge  Montgomery, 
and  served  one  term  (tive  years).  He  was  born  at  Carlisle,  Pennsylvania, 
came  to  the  northern  part  of  Northumberland  county  when  a  young  man. 
and  engaged  in  farming,  but  later  in  life  entered  mercantile  pursuits  at  Mc- 
Ewensville,  where  he  died,  January  o,  1859.  at  the  age  of  fifty-four. 

Greorge  "Weiser  was  born  at  Fi.sher's  Ferry,  Lower  Augusta  township. 
Northimiberland  county,  in  1792,  great-grandson  of  Conrad  Weiser.  a  prom- 
inent character  in  the  early  history  of  this  coiuity.  He  was  elected  in  1851. 
succeeding  Judge  Welker,  and  served  five  years.  He  also  held  the  office  of 
county  treasurer  and  was  justice  of  the  peace  at  Sunbury  many  years.  Dur- 
ing the  war  of  1812  he  was  a  jjrivate  in  Captain  Snyder's  company,  and  later 
in  life  became  colonel  of  militia.     He  died  in  1877. 

William  Turner  was  elected  in  185C.  re-elected  in  ISO],  and  ser\-ed  ten 
years.  He  was  a  farmer  of  Lewis  township  in  the  extreme  northeastern  part 
of  the  county. 

Casper  SchoU  was  a  resident  of  Shamokin,  where  he  died,  Xovember  8, 
1874,  at  the  age  of  sixty-five.  He  was  elected  in  185G  and  served  one  term. 
Abraham  Shipman  was  born  in  Lower  Augusta  township,  March  H.  1810, 
and  was  .successively  employed  as  lumberman,  surveyor,  farmer,  and  miller. 
He  also  held  the  positions  of  justice  of  the  peace,  coimty  auditor,  county 
surveyor,  and  associate  judge;  to  the  last  named  he  was  elected  in  IbOl,  re- 
elected in  ISGO,  and  served  ten  years.  He  died  on  the  8th  of  August.  1X78. 
Isaac  Beidelspach  was  bom  at  Mohringen.  Wiirtemberg,  Germany.October 
21,  1822,  and  came  to  America  in  1832.  He  was  a  farmer,  and  resided  in 
Point  to\vnship.  In  1806  he  was  elected  associate  judge,  ser^^ng  until  his 
death,  July  15,  1869. 

Joseph  Nicely,  the  last  associate  judge  of  Northumberland  county,  was 
commissioned,  August  4,  IS'VJ,  to  the  vacancy  occasioned  by  the  death  of 
Judge  Beidelspach,  and  appeared  upon  the  bench  for  the  first  time  on  the  9th 
of  the  same  month.  He  was  recommissioned,  December  15,  1869,  to  serve  until 
the  first  Monday  in  December,  1870;  having  been  elected  he  was  again  com- 
missioned, November  9,  1870,  and  continued  in  office  until  the  8i)th  of 
November,  1875.  He  was  a  farmer,  residing  in  Delaware  to\\Tiship.  where  he 
died,  December  11,  1877,  at  the  age  of  seventy. 


240  HISTORY    OF   NORTHrilBERLAND    COUNTY. 


The  judiciary  act  of  1722  provided  that  '"  a  competent  number  of  persons 
of  an  honest  disposition  and  learned  in  the  law  "  should  be  admitted  by  the 
justices  of  the  respective  counties  to  practice  as  attorneys.  It  does  not 
appear  that  any  special  regiilations  were  formulated  in  Northumberland 
county  until  May  sessions,  17S3.  when  the  following  '"  Rules  for  the  Admis- 
sion of  Attorneys  in  this  Court"  were  adopted: — 

That  no  person  be  hereafter  admined  to  practice  as  an  attorney  or  counselor  in 
this  court  unless  he  shall  have  served  a  regular  clerkship  to  some  practicing  attornej-  or 
counselor  of  known  abilities  for  the  term  of  three  years,  and  be  of  full  age  at  the 
time  of  his  admission;  nor  even  then,  unless  he  be  certified  by  two  gentlemen  of  the 
bar,  to  be  appointed  by  the  court  for  that  purpose,  that  on  a  full  and  impartial  exam- 
ination such  person  appears  to  be  well  grounded  in  the  principles  of  the  law  and 
acquainted  with  the  practice;  and  if  he  has  regularly  studied  as  aforesaid  in  any  other 
county  in  this  State,  he  shall  not  be  admittted  to  practice  in  this  court  as  an  attorney 
or  counselor  unless  he  be  first  admined  in  such  county  where  he  so  studied,  [and] 
produces  to  the  court  a  certificate  under  the  seal  of  the  said  court  of  his  admission,  or 
certified  by  some  attorney  who  was  present  at  his  admission.  Provided  always,  that  in 
case  of  a  person  applying  to  be  admined  who  shall  not  have  engaged  in  the  study  of 
the  law  till  after  his  coming  to  the  age  of  twenty-one  years,  if  it  shall  appear  that 
such  person  has  applied  himself  closely  to  his  studies  under  the  direction  of  some 
gentleman  of  the  bar  for  the  term  of  two  years,  and  is  a  person  of  fair  character,  and 
certified  to  be  well  qualified  as  aforesaid,  he  may  be  admitted. 

It  is  further  ruled  that  no  person  now  residing  and  inhabiting  within  the  United 
States  of  America  shall  be  admitted  an  attorney  of  this  court  who  has  not  taken  the 
oath  or  affirmation  of  allegiance  and  fidelity  to  some  one  of  the  said  States  within  the 
time  and  in  the  manner  prescribed  by  the  laws  of  the  said  States  respectively,  and  that 
no  person  coming  into  this  State  from  and  after  the  first  day  of  Jlarch  ne.xt  (e.xcept 
attorneys  originally  admitted  and  sworn  in  one  of  the  United  States  of  America, 
having  resided  there  for  two  years  after  such  admission  and  examination  here)  shall 
be  admitted  to  practice  as  an  attorney  or  counselor  within  this  court  until  he  shall 
have  taken  the  oath  or  affirmation  of  allegiance  and  fidelity  to  this  Commonwealth, 
and  produced  an  authentic  certificate  of  his  having  been  admitted  as  such  in  the 
country  from  whence  he  came,  and  undergone  a  regular  examination  here  as  aforesaid, 
and  also  resided  two  years  within  this  St.ate  next  before  his  application  for  admission. 

The  requirements  for  admission  have  changed  materially  from  those  pre- 
scribed in  1783;  the  applicant  is  now  subjected  to  a  preliminary  and  a  final 
examination  under  a  regularly  constituted  board  of  examiners,  and  admission 
here  usually  insures  the  successful  candidate  creditable  stancLng  in  any  other 
coitnty  of  the  State. 

The  practice  of  the  law  was  attended  with  many  disadvantages  in  the 
interior  counties  of  Pennsylvania  for  some  years  after  the  organization  of 
Northumberland  county.  The  country  was  sparsely  settled,  the  people  were 
poor,  and  fees  correspondingly  small,  so  that  lawyers  were  almost  compelled 
to  practice  in  a  number  of  cormties  in  order  to  derive  a  livelihood  from  the 
profession.  A  nitmber  of  attorneys  u.sually  rode  together  from  one  county 
seat  to  another,  carrying  their  legal  papers  and  a  few  necessary  law  books  in  a 


THE    BENCH    AND    BAK.  241 

sack  across  the  saddle.  George  A.  Snyder  thus  describes  this  itineracy  and 
the  nature  of  the  early  litigation: — 

Each  la-nyer  kept  his  saddle  horse.  The  Lancaster,  York,  and  Carlisle  lawyers 
met  at  Harrisburg;  when  th.at  conrt  terminated,  thej-  came  to  t?unbary:  then  to 
"U'illiamsport  and  Wilkesbarre.  As  their  numbers  were  recruited  at  each  county 
town,  they  formed  a  considerable  troop  of  cavalry  on  entering  the  two  last  places. 

Ihe  nature  and  character  of  the  law  business  were  then  different  from  what  they 
are  at  present.  Almost  all  the  important  actions  were  ejectments  upon  disputed 
original  titles.  The  number  of  witnesses  was  very  great,  the  means  of  traveling 
scanty,  the  district  large,  so  that  much  allowance  had  to  be  made  for  failure  of  attend- 
ance. The  causes  were,  therefore,  frequently  contiuued,  so  that  they  usually  stood 
tipon  the  trial  list  several  years  before  they  could  be  acted  upon;  thi.s,  added  to  the 
dilatory  habits  always  prevalent  in  frontier  settlements,  produced  that  leisurely,  time- 
wasting  habit  of  doing  business,  which,  until  lately,  characterized  our  county  courts.* 

The  following  attorneys  were  admitted  to  the  bar  of  Northumberland 
county  from  its  organization  in  1772  to  the  year  ISOO:  James  Wilson,  May, 
1772;  Eobert  Maga\v,  May.  1772;  Edward  Burd,  May,  1772;  George  Xorth, 
May,  1772:  Christian  Huck.  May,  1772;  James  Potts.  May,  1772:  Andrew 
Eobison,  May,  1772;  Charles  Stedman.  May,  1772;  Thomas  Hartley, 
August,  1772;  Casjier  Weitzel,  August,  1772;  Andi-ew  Ross,  Aitgust,  1772; 
James  Whitehead,  August,  1772;  James  A.  Wilson,  November,  1773;  Francis 
Johnson,  ilay,  1774;  David  Grier,  May,  1774;  William  Prince  Gibbs,  May, 
177G:  William  Lawrence  Blair,  177G;  Stephen  Chambers,  Augiist,  1778; 
Collinson  Read,  November.  1778;  John  Yannost,  November,  1778;  John 
Hubley,  November,  1780;  James  Hamilton,  May,  1781;  Thomas  Duncan, 
May,  1783:  Jasper  Yeates,  August,  1784;  John  Clark,  1785;  John  W. 
Kittera,  1785:  John  Eeily,  1785;  John  Andre  Hanna,  February,  1786; 
Charles  Smith,  Febn^ary.  178G;  John  Joseph  Henry,  May,  1786;  Jacob 
Hubley,  May.  1786;  William  Richardson  Atlee,  November,  1786;  George 
Eckert.  Februarj',  1787:  William  Graydon,  May,  1787;  James  Scull,  May, 
1787;  Galbreath  Patterson.  Attgust,  1787;  David  M.  Keechau,  November, 
1789;  Marks  John  Biddle.  November,  1789;  Jonathan  Walker,  May,  1790; 
David  Watts,  November,  1790;  Samuel  Young,  Jr.,  February,  1791;  Eobert 
Duncan,  May,  1791;  Daniel  Levy,  May,  1791;  Charles  Hall,  May,  1791; 
John  Kidd.  August,  1791;  Thomas  B.  Dick,  August,  1795;  Putnam  Catlin, 
August,  1795:  Robert  'Whitehill.  August,  1795;  John  Price,  August,  1795; 
Thomas  Cooper,  November,  1795;  Jesse  Moore,  August,  1796;  Charles  Hart- 
ley, November,  1790;  James  Gilchrist,  January,  1797;  John  W.  Hunter, 
January,  179S;  E.  W.  Hale.  April,  1798;  Robert  Irwin,  August,  1798;  Enoch 
Smith,  August,  1798;  John  Wallis,  August,  1798;  Frederick  Smith,  Novem- 
ber. 1798;  WiUiam  Wilson  Laird,  August,  1799. 

Of  the  itinerant  lawyers  who  j^racticed  at  Sunbury  during  the  early 
years  of  the  county's  historj-  the  most  distingiiished  v\-as  James  Wilson, 
whose  name   appears  first  among  the  attorneys  admitted  at  May  term.  1772. 

*Linn's  Annals  of  Buffalo  yalley.  pp.  SKJ-SOi. 


242  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

He  was  a  member  of  the  Continental  Congress,  a  signer  of  the  Declaration 
of  Independence,  one  of  the  first  justices  of  the  "United  States  Supreme 
court,  and  the  incumbent  of  various  other  jaositions  of  honor  and  responsi- 
bility. Kobert  Magaw,  whose  name  appears  second,  was  colonel  of  the  Sixth 
Penn.svlvania  regiment  during  the  Revolution.  Edward  Burd  appeared  as 
deputy  attorney  general,  and  probably  acted  in  that  capacity  until  the  close 
of  the  colonial  period.  He  was  subsequently  prothonotary  to  the  Supreme 
court.  Of  George  North  no  personal  data  have  been  obtained.  Christian 
Huck  was  the  Tory  Caj^tain  Huck  mentioned  in  the  memoirs  of  Alexander 
Graydon  and  Richard  Henry  Lee.  The  three  other  attorneys  present  at  the 
first  court  of  common  pleas — James  Potts.  Andrew  Robison,  and  Charles 
Stedman — were  admitted  after  examination. 

Casper  Weitzel  was  the  first  resident  practicing  attorney  of  Northum- 
berland county.  Born  at  Lancaster  in  1748,  he  was  admitted  to  the  l^ar  of 
that  county  in  1709,  and  in  Augiist,  1772,  at  Sunbury,  where  the  early  rec- 
ords show  that  he  received  a  large  share  of  the  legal  business.  His  talents 
and  patriotism  were  early  recognized:  he  was  a  member  of  the  Provincial 
Convention  of  January,  1775,  from  Northumberland  county;  on  the  7th  of 
February,  1776,  he  was  elected  first  major  of  the  battalion  of  the  lower 
division  of  the  county;  on  the  9th  of  March,  1770,  he  was  appointed  captain 
of  a  company  recruited  by  himself  at  Sunbury,  which  was  attached  to 
Colonel  Samuel  Miles's  regiment  and  suffered  serious  loss  at  the  battle  of 
Long  Island  in  August,  1770.     He  died  at  Sunbury  in  1782. 

Stephen  Chambers  is  mentioned  by  Fithian  in  his  journal  of  July  20, 
1775,  as  "a  lawyer — serious,  civil,  and  sociable."  His  name  appears  on  the 
continuance  docket  of  the  common  pleas  as  early  as  February,  177-1,  but  no 
record  of  his  formal  admis.^^ion  at  that  date  has  been  discovered.  He  was  admit- 
ted at  August  sessions,  1778,  but  this  was  not  necessarily  the  first  time,  as 
attorneys  who  had  been  admitted  under  the  colonial  dispensation  were 
usually  required  to  take  the  oath  necessarj-  to  the  performance  of  profes- 
sional duties  under  the  State  government.  Chambers  was  born  in  the  North 
of  Ireland  and  came  to  Pennsylvania  at  an  early  age.  As  he  was  admitted 
to  the  bar  in  Lancaster,  Philadelphia,  York,  and  Carlisle  later  than  at  Sun- 
bury, it  is  reasonable  to  presume  that  his  professional  career  was  begun  at 
the  latter  place  and  that  it  was  also  his  residence.  If  this  inference  is  cor- 
rect, he  was  one  of  the  first  resident  attorneys  in  the  county.  He  was  the 
first  Worshipful  Master  of  Lodge  No.  22,  F.  &  A.  M.,  of  Sunbury,  at  its 
institution  in  1779.  It  is  probable  that  he  removed  to  Lancaster  shortly  after 
this,  as  he  was  elected  a  member  of  the  Council  of  Censors  from  that  county 
in  1788.  He  was  also  a  delegate  to  the  Pennsylvania  convention  by  which 
the  Federal  constitution  was  ratified.  He  died  at  Lancaster  on  the  10th  of 
May,  1789,  from  woimds  received  in  a  duel  with  Dr.  Jacob  Rieger  on  Mon- 
day, the  11th  of  that  month.     In  the  early  years  of  the  Revolution  he  was 


THE    BENCH    AND    BAK.  243 

captain  in  the  Twelfth  Pennsylvania  regiment  of  the   Continental  Line,  pro- 
moted from  Urst  lieutenant  in  1777. 

Chai-les  Smith,  well  known  to  the  legal  fraternity  of  Pennsylvania  as  the 
comiiiler  of  '"Smith's  Laws,"  was  born  at  Philadelphia,  March  4.  1 11.1-3.  son 
of  the  Rev.  William  Smith,  D.  D.,  founder  and  provost  of  "Washington  Col- 
lege. Charleston,  Maryland,  from  which  the  son  received  the  degree  of  A. 
B.  at  its  first  commencement,  March  14.  1788.  He  studied  law  with  his 
brother,  William  M.  Smith,  at  Easton.  Pennsylvania,  and  was  achnitted  to 
the  bar  of  Northumberland  county  at  February  sessions,  17S0,  on  motion  of 
Thomas  Duncan  and  after  examination  by  him  and  Stephen  Chambers.  He 
forthwith  opened  an  office  at  Sunbury.  where  his  industry  and  talents  at 
once  gained  him  a  place  in  the  confidence  of  the  public.  As  the  colleague 
of  Simon  Snyder  he  represented  Northumberland  county  in  the  convention 
by  which  the  constitution  of  1790  was  prepared.  As  was  customary  in  those 
days,  he  accompanied  the  president  judges  of  central  and  western  Pennsyl- 
vania on  their  circuits,  and,  as  cases  involving  the  principles  of  land  tenure 
constituted  the  most  important  class  of  htigation  at  that  time,  his  opportuni- 
ties for  the  study  of  this  important  suliject  were  exceptional.  That  liis 
knowledo-e  was  comprehensive  and  accurate  is  evident  from  the  note  which 
comprises  several  himdred  pages  of  one  of  the  volumes  of  his  "Laws" — 
virtually  a  treatise  on  the  land  laws  of  the  State — while  similarly  exhaust- 
ive annotations  on  the  si^bject  of  criminal  law,  etc.  show  that  his  proficiency 
was  not  confined  to  any  particular  department  of  legal  knowledge.  He  mar- 
ried a  daughter  of  Jasper  Yeates,  associate  justice  of  the  Supreme  court  of 
Pennsylvania;  shortly  after  this  event  he  removed  from  Sunbury  to  Lancas- 
ter, and  was  elected  to  both  branches  of  the  legislature  from  that  coimty. 
In  ISIU  he  was  appointed  president  judge  of  the  Cumberland-Franklin- 
Adams  district,  from  which  he  resigned  in  the  following  year  to  accept  the 
president  judgeship  in  the  Lancaster  district  court.  In  1824  he  removed  to 
PhiladeljAia,  where  he  died  in  1840. 

Thomas  Duncan  and  David  Watts — the  former  admitted  at  Sunbury  at 
May  sessions,  1783,  the  latter  at  November  sessions,  179(J — were  from  Car- 
lisle. "  Mr.  Watts  was  of  rough  exterior,  careless  of  his  dress,  and  by  no 
means  choice  in  his  language.  He  seemed  generally  to  be  not  at  all  reluct- 
ant to  say  what  he  thought,  without  regard  to  the  feelings  of  the  objects  of 
his  remarks.  Mr.  Duncan,  on  the  contrary,  was  a  man  of  polished  manner, 
neat  and  careful  in  dress,  and  never  nrde  or  wantonly  disrespectful  to 
others.  They  were  the  rival  practitioners  at  Carlisle.  I  have  heard  of  an 
anecdote  which  somewhat  illustrates  their  respective  characters.  On  one 
occasion  in  court,  when  Mr.  Watts  was  annoyed  by  a  remark  of  Mr.  Duncan, 
he  said:  'You  little  (using  some  offensive  expression),  I  could  put  you  in 
my  pocket.'  "Then,'  said  Mr.  Duncan,  "you  woi^ld  have  more  law  in  your 
pocket  than  ever  you  had  in  your  head.""*  Justice  Hugh  Henn.-  Bracken- 
George  W.  Harris's  Reminiscences  of  tlie  Dauphin  Coimty  Bar. 


24:4  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

ridge  says  of  Watts  that  he  "was  possessed  of  a  powerful  mind,  and  was 
the  most  vehement  speaker  I  ever  heard.  He  seized  his  subject  with  an 
Herculean  grasj^,  at  the  same  time  throNving  his  Herculean  body  and  limbs 
into  attitudes  which  would  have  delighted  a  painter  or  sculptor.  He  was 
a  singular  instance  of  the  imion  of  great  strength  of  mind  with  bodily 
powers  equally  wonderful."  He  describes  Dimcan  as  "a  very  small  man, 
■with  a  large  but  well  formed  head,"  who  "perused  Coke  upon  Littleton  as  a 
recreation,  and  read  more  books  of  reports  than  a  young  lady  reads  new 
novels."  "Mr.  Duncan  reasoned  with  admirable  clearness  and  method  on 
all  legal  subjects,  and  at  the  same  time  displayed  great  knowledge  of  human 
nature  in  examination  of  witnesses  and  in  his  addresses  to  the  jurj-.  Mr. 
"Watts  selected  merely  the  strong  points  of  his  case,  and  labored  them  with 
an  earnestness  and  zeal  approaching  to  fury:  and  perhaps  his  forcible  man- 
ner sometimes  produced  a  more  certain  effect  than  that  of  the  subtle  and 
wily  advocate  ojjjwsed  to  him."  There  was  scarcely  a  case  of  importance  at 
Simbury  during  the  period  that  these  gentlemen  "rode  the  circuit"  upon 
which  they  were  not  retained  uj^n  opposite  sides,  either  independently  or  in 
connection  with  members  of  the  local  bar.  and  the  collision  of  such  anti- 
thetical characters  prodiiced  a  mass  of  curious  incidents,  some  of  which 
are  still  preserved,  and  circulate  at  the  bar  in  the  hours  of  forensic  leisure. 
Mr.  Duncan  was  appointed  a  justice  of  the  Supreme  court  in  1S17:  Mr. 
"VVatts  was  the  father  of  Frederick  Watts,  president  judge  in  Cumberland 
county  from  1S48  to  1851. 

Jonathan  Hoge  Walker,  probably  the  earliest  resident  attorney  of  North- 
umberland, was  born  in  East  Pennsboro  to%vnship,  Cumberland  county.  Penn- 
sylvania, in  1750.  He  was  of  English  descent:  William  Walker,  his  grandfa- 
ther, was  a  captain  under  the  Duke  of  Marlborough  in  the  wars  of  Queen  Anne, 
and  John  Hoge,  his  mother's  father,  was  the  founder  of  Hogestown,  Cumber- 
land coiinty.  Graduating  at  Dickinson  College.  Carlisle,  in  the  class  of  1787 
(which  also  numbered  David  Watts  and  the  Rev.  John  Bryson  among  its 
members),  he  studied  law  luider  Stephen  Duncan,  and  at  May  sessions,  1790, 
Avas  admitted  to  the  bar  of  Northumberland  county.  Here  he  was  one  of  the 
few  resident  attorneys,  and  within  a  few  years  secured  a  fairly  lucrative 
practice.  He  was  ajipointed  president  judge  of  the  Fourth  judicial  district 
in  April,  ISOH,  and  removed  to  Bellefonte,  Centre  coimty;  his  judicial  admin- 
istration was  such  as  to  command  the  confidence  and  approval  of  the  public 
generally,  and  when,  in  1800,  Governor  Snyder  suggested  his  transfer  to  the 
Eighth  district,  the  people  protested  en  jnasse  and  induced  him  to  remain. 
In  1818  he  was  appointed  by  President  Monroe  as  judge  of  the  United  States 
court  for  the  Western  district  of  Pennsylvania,  created  by  act  of  Congress  in 
May  of  that  year,  and  occupied  this  position  imtil  his  death  in  182-1.  His 
distinguished  son,  Eobert  J.  Walker,  United  States  Senator  from  Mississippi, 
elected  in  1885,  and  Secretary  of  the  Treasury  imder  President  Polk,  was  born 


THE    BENCH    AND    BAR.  245 

at  Northumberland  in  ISOl.  and  probably  rose  to  as  high  jjolitical  jiosition 
as  any  other  native  of  Xoithiimljerland  county. 

Daniel  Le^y  was  admitted  at  May  term.  ITUl.  He  was  a  son  of  Aaron 
Le^T,  fotinder  of  Aaronsburg.  Centre  coitnty.  Pennsylvania,  and  a  great  laud 
speculator.  It  is  probable  that  the  care  of  his  father's  estate  received  a  large 
share  of  his  professional  attention.  George  A.  Snyder  says  that  he  "outlived 
all  the  old  la^yyers,  as  they  were  popularly  called,  except  Mr.  Bellas.  He  was 
a  conceited  man,  active  as  a  cat,  an  insatiable  dancer,  and  a  hard  tighter. 
He  had  considerable  science  as  a  boxer,  and,  although  not  large  or  strong,  his 
skill,  joined  to  his  prodigious  activity,  made  him  quite  formidable.  His  vanity 
and  fondness  for  dress  made  him  a  capital  butt  and  subject  of  jokes  for  his 
fellow  members  of  the  bar."*  He  was  prothonotary  of  Northumberland 
county  from  ISOO  to  1800.  After  a  residence  of  more  than  half  a  century  at 
Stmbury  and  a  connection  with  the  bar  of  the  coitnty  extending  over  a  simi- 
lar period,  he  died  on  the  12th  of  May,  1844. 

Charles  Hall  was  born  in  1767  and  read  law  with  Thomas  Hartley  at 
York,  Pennsylvania;  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar  of  Northumberland  county 
at  May  sessions,  17U1.  "  He  was  rather  above  the  common  height,  stout  in 
person,  of  ruddy  complexion,  smooth,  handsome  face,  of  gentlemanly  appear- 
ance and  manners,  of  a  highly  reputable  character,  and  of  considerable  abili- 
ty in  his  profession."f  He  married  Elizabeth  Coleman,  daughter  of  the 
wealthy  iron  manufacturer  of  Cornwall,  Lebanon  county,  Pennsylvania,  who 
presented  her  with  extensive  and  valuable  lands  at  Muncy,  Lycoming  coimty, 
still  known  as  "  Hall's  Farms."  Mr.  Hall  erected  the  large  and  substantial 
brick  building  at  the  northeast  corner  of  Market  and  Front  streets,  Sunbuiy. 
the  most  imposing  private  residence  of  that  borough  at  the  time  it  was  built. 
He  died  at  Philadelphia  in  January,  18"21,  at  the  age  of  fifty-three. 

Evan  Eice  Evans  was  a  practicing  attorney  at  Sunbury  prior  to  1800.  but 
the  date  of  his  aihnission  has  not  been  ascertained.  Charles  Miner  describes 
him  as  "  a  hea^y,  stout  gentleman,  -with  a  large  head  and  florid  complexion. 
His  delivei-y,  rapid;  his  words  crowd  upon  each  other  as  sometimes  to  choke 
utterance.  He  talks  good  sense — why  should  he  not  ?  His  head  has  more 
law  in  it  than  half  a  modem  library.  He  is  a  powerful  advocate,  with  a 
good  fee  and  an  intricate  case.";j;  His  death  occurred  in  1811. 

Jesse  Moore  was  admitted  at  August  sessions,  1790.  He  was  a  native  of 
Montgomery  county;  while  practicing  law  at  Simbury  he  was  appointed 
president  judge  of  the  Sixth  juchcial  district,  composed  of  a  group  of  counties 
in  the  northwestern  part  of  the  State,  and  performed  the  duties  of  that  posi- 
tion until  his  death,  December  21,  1824.  in  the  fifty-ninth  year  of  his  age. 
He  is  described  as  a  well  educated  man,  a  diligent  student,  and  a  good  law- 
yer, discreet,  upright,  and  impartial  in  his  judicial  opinions   and  decisions. 

*Linn's  Annals  of  Buffalo  Valley,  p.  3s5. 

tGeorge  W.  Harris's  Reminiscences  of  ttie  Daiiiiliin  (.  oiiiity  Mar. 

{  Linn's  Annals  of  Buffalo  Valley,  pp.  323-3'24. 


246  HISTOKY    OF    NORTHUJIBERLAXD    COUNTY. 

He  was  elected  to  the  legislature  from  Xortbumberland  county  in  1801  and 
re-elected  in  the  following  year. 

Daniel  Smith,  a  native  of  New  Jersey  and  a  graduate  of  Princeton 
in  the  class  of  1787,  studied  law  in  that  State  and  began  the  practice  of  his 
profession  in  Northimiberland  county  about  the  year  1795.  He  resided  upon 
a  fine  farm  on  the  southern  limits  of  Milton,  and  may  properly  be  regarded 
as  the  pioneer  lawyer  of  that  borough.  It  is  the  loniform  testimony  of  those 
who  have  written  about  him  that  he  was  an  eloquent  speaker.  George  A. 
Snyder  pronounced  him  '■  the  only  lawyer  of  the  district  who  could  be  called 
eloquent  in  a  high  sense."'*  Charles  Miner  describes  him  as  '•  a  tall,  deli- 
cate looking  gentleman,  always  elegantly  dressed.  He  turns  pale  and 
actually  trembles  as  he  rises  to  speak.  You  are  interested  by  such  exceeding 
modesty,  and  half  fear  he  will  not  be  able  to  go  on.  His  voice  breaks  sweetly 
on  the  ear,  and  words  of  persuasive  wisdom  begin  to  flow,  and  now  pour 
along  in  a  rapid  torrent. "f  Tunison  Coryell  says  that  "he  was  eminent  as 
a  lawj-er,  was  considered  one  of  the  most  eloquent  speakers  at  the  bar,  and 
was  engaged  in  all  important  cases  then  in  the  counties  of  Northumberland, 
Lycoming,  and  Luzerne. "+  Coryell  states  that  Smith  delivered  the  address 
in  the  old  German  church  at  Sunbury  in  1799  on  the  occasion  of  the  memor- 
ial exercises  in  honor  of  President  Washington,  when  the  entire  audience  was 
moved  to  tears  by  the  power  of  his  eloquence.  His  death  occtirred  at  Mil- 
ton on  the  0th  of  April,  1810-,  he  was  then  in  the  forty-tifth  year  of  his  age 
and  the  full  vigor  of  his  powers. 

Enoch  Smith  was  a  brother  to  Daniel,  though  not  his  equal  in  profes- 
sional ability.  He  was  admitted  to  the  bar  at  August  sessions,  1798,  and 
practiced  at  Sunbury  until  his  death,  February  9,  1817. 

Samuel  Koberts,  who  qualified  as  deputy  attorney  general  for  Northum- 
berland county,  July  10,  18(K),  resided  at  Sunbury,  and  practiced  in  the 
courts  to  some  extent  prior  to  that  date,  was  born  in  Philadelphia,  Septem- 
ber 8,  1703,  and  admitted  to  the  bar  of  that  city  in  1793.  On  the  3()th  of 
April,  1803,  he  was  commissioned  president  judge  of  the  Fifth  district, 
composed  of  the  counties  of  Allegheny,  Westmoreland.  Fayette,  and  Wash- 
ington, and  held  the  office  until  his  death  in  1820. 

Samuel  Hepburn  was  a  son  of  James  Hepburn,  an  early  and  prominent 
merchant  of  Northumberland.  After  obtaining  a  classical  education  at 
Princeton  College  and  graduating  from  that  institution  he  studied  law  under 
Jonathan  Hoge  Walker  at  Northumberland,  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar 
about  1800.  He  then  located  at  Milton,  where  he  was  the  second  resident 
lawyer;  in  1850  he  removed  to  Lock  Haven,  where  he  died  at  the  advanced 
age  of  eighty-four,  October  10,  1805.  He  was  a  man  of  small  stature  and 
spare  physique,  pleasant  and   genial  in  society,  and  highly  esteemed  where- 

•  Linn's  Annals  of  Buffalo  Valley,  p.  305. 

f  Ibid.  p.  323. 

i  Reminiscences  of  Early  Times  anil  Events,  pp.  32-3a. 


THE    BENCH    AND    BAR.  247 

ever  known.  He  was  a  close  student,  and  prepared  his  cases  thoronglily. 
As  a  imblic  speaker  his  manner  was  agreeable,  and  in  addi-essing  the  court  or 
jury  he  could  state  a  case  with  such  clearness  as  to  carry  conviction  without 
the  aid  of  rhetorical  embellishment. 

Hugh  Bellas  was  born  near  Belfast,  Ireland,  April  20,  1780,  and  came  to 
America  at  the  age  of  nine  years  with  his  father,  George  Bellas,  who  settled 
in  Fishing  Creek  township,  Northimiberland  county,  Pennsylvania.  There 
he  grew  to  manhood,  and,  as  the  family  was  in  straitened  circumstances, 
enjoyed  but  meager  educational  advantages.  At  the  age  of  sixteen,  having 
evinced  a  disposition  to  engage  in  other  pursuits  than  farming,  he  entered 
the  store  of  his  uncle  at  Philadelphia.  On  the  12th  of  September,  ITiK).  he 
was  indentured  to  Robert  Irwin,  merchant,  of  Northumberland,  with  whom 
he  was  employed  until  he  attained  his  majority.  During  this  period  he 
formed  the  acquaintance  of  the  Rev.  Joseph  Priestley,  whose  writings  he 
transcribed  for  the  press,  receiving  in  return  for  his  sers-icesthe  loan  of  books 
for  a  prescribed  course  of  reading.  As  a  clerk  he  so  far  enjoyed  the  confi- 
dence of  his  employer  as  to  be  placed  in  charge  of  a  branch  store  at  Dan- 
ville: and  at  the  close  of  his  apprenticeship  he  engaged  in  merchandising  at 
Northumberland  several  years.  His  legal  studies  were  begun  under  Jona- 
than Walker,  and  continued  in  the  intervals  of  his  employment  as  clerk  and 
mercliant.  About  the  year  1808  he  ajiplied  at  Bellefonte  for  admission  to 
the  bar.  but  encountered  the  most  determined  opposition  from  the  lawyers  of 
the  district,  who  were  almost  unanimously  Federalists  while  the  young  appli- 
cant was  an  active  Democrat.  They  based  their  objection  upon  the  fact  that 
he  had  not  actually  studied  in  the  otttce  of  Mr.  Walker,  but  in  a  store;  by 
the  advice  of  his  precejitor,  ^Ir.  Bellas  renewed  his  application  at  Sunbury, 
retaining  Daniel  Smith  in  his  interest.  The  examination  was  of  the  most 
rigid  character,  but  he  passed  the  ordeal  successfully  and  was  duly  admitted. 
Simon  Snyder  was  present  on  this  occasion,  and  the  bearing  of  the  young 
lawyer,  as  well  as  his  evident  ability,  impressed  him  most  favorably.* 

Thus  embarked  upon  his  professional  career,  he  brought  to  his  work  the 
same  untlagging  energv-  and  indomitable  spirit  that  characterized  his  early 
struggles.  He  was  appointed  prothonotary  of  Northumberland  coiinty  in 
18()i),  and  served  until  1818.  In  the  course  of  his  long  career  at  the  bar  he 
was  connected  with  some  of  the  most  protracted  litigation  in  this  part  of  the 
State.  Governor  Snyder  retained  him  in  the  famous  Isle  of  Que  cases,  begim 
at  Sunbury  in  1804  and  ended  at  New  Berlin  in  1824;  the  case  of  Mann  vs. 
Wilson,  in  which  proceedings  were  first  instituted  at  May  term,  1814,  and 
which  was  not  finally  adjudicated  by  the  Supreme  Court  until  1850,  was  also 
continued  during  this  long  period  by  his  persistence  and  tact.  Although  the 
active  participant  in  many  an  acrimonious  legal  and  political  contest  he 
enjoyed  in  his  old  age  the  universal  esteem  and  respect  of  his  colleagues  at 

*Llnn's  .\iinals  of  Buffalo  Valley,  pp.  3(S-367. 


248  HISTORY    OF   NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

the  bar,  and  died  at  Simbury,  October  26,  1808.  one  of  the  last  survivors  of 
the  bar  of  Northnmberland  coimty  in  the  first  decade  of  the  present  century. 

E.  G.  Bradford,  "from  all  accounts,  a  lawyer  of  very  considerable  ability," 
was  "a  tall,  heavy,  portly  man  of  a  commanding  appearance,"  as  described 
by  John  F.  Wolfinger.*  He  was  prosecuting  attorney  for  Northiunberland 
county  from  April,  1809,  to'January,  1821,  from  January  to  April.  1824,  and 
probably  also  from  1806  to  1809,  from  which  it  is  evident  that  his  profes- 
sional career  in  this  county  began  early  in  the  present  century.  He  resided 
at  Sunbury  in  the  substantial  brick  building  on  Market  street  that  is  now 
the  residence  of  Samuel  J.  Packer,  2d.  After  leaving  this  coimty  he  re- 
moved to  York,  Pennsylvania,  and  died  of  aj^oplesy  at  Pottsville,  May  17, 
1836,  in  the  sixty-second  year  of  his  age. 

Ebenezer  Greenough  was  born  in  Massachusetts,  December  11,  1783. 
He  graduated  from  Harvard  University  in  1804.  and  came  to  Pennsylvania 
within  a  short  time  thereafter;  immediately  upon  his  arrival  at  Wilkesbarre 
he  accepted  the  principalship  of  the  academy  at  that  place,  and  during  his 
connection  with  this  institution  began  the  study  of  law  with  Ebenezer  Bow- 
man. In  the  latter  part  of  1806  he  came  to  Srmbury,  completed  his  profes- 
sional preparation  imder  Charles  Hall,  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  of 
Northiimberland  covmty,  January  19,  1808.  Endowed  with  intellectual 
qualities  of  a  high  order,  his  educational  advantages  had  been  sujierior  to 
those  of  the  generality  of  lawv'ers  at  that  day,  and  his  ability  in  the  profession 
placed  him  within  a  few  years  at  the  head  of  the  local  bar,  a  position  which 
was  successfully  maintained  until  his  death,  December  25, 1847.  Thoroughly 
familiar  with  the  land  laws  of  Pennsylvania,  he  particularly  excelled  in  the 
trial  of  ejectment  cases  for  the  determination  of  titles  under  conflicting  sur- 
veys; and,  while  he  was  concerned  in  nearly  every  important  case  of  this 
nature  in  Northumberland  and  the  adjoining  counties  of  Pennsylvania  dur- 
ing the  period  of  his  professional  career,  he  did  not  confine  himself  to  this 
particular  class  of  litigation,  but  was  as  frequently  employed  and  equally 
successful  in  civil  and  criminal  cases  of  a  general  character.  In  argtiment 
he  was  clear,  logical,  and  forcible,  and  in  the  later  years  of  his  life  frequently 
assisted  attorneys  from  other  counties  in  the  Northern  district  in  the  presen- 
tation of  their  cases  before  the  Supreme  court.  His  self-possession  was 
remarkable;  in  the  most  exciting  controversy  he  remained  calm  and  collected, 
and  never  permitted  his  attention  to  be  distracted  from  what  he  regarded  as 
the  essential  principles  involved  in  a  cause.  He  possessed  great  skill  in 
cross  examination,  and  seldom  failed  to  elicit  the  testimony  desired  from  the 
most  obstinate  and  recalcitrant  witnesses.  In  addressing  a  jury  he  invariably 
appealed  to  the  judgment  rather  then  the  feelings,  and  so  simple,  plain,  and 
methodical  was  his  manner  of  presenting  a  case  that  his  position  could 
scarcely  be  misapprehended.  He  was  a  Whig  in  ]K)htics,  and  was  elected  to 
♦XortlminberlHDil  County  Leual  News,  Volume  I.  No.  3. 


THE    BENCH    AND    BAR.  249 

the  legislature  in  1S31;  with  this  exception  he  never  occupied  official  position, 
but  devoted  his  entire  attention  to  the  duties  of  his  profession,  in  which  he 
attained  conspicuous  and  deserved  success. 

Daniel  Scudder  was  a  native  of  New  Jersey:  in  1S15  he  came  to  Milton, 
read  law  with  Samuel  Hepburn  at  the  same  time  as  Joseph  B.  Anthony,  and 
was  admitted  to  Ihe  bar  at  Sunbun.-  on  the  2iith  of  November,  1817.  He 
married  the  daughter  of  Daniel  Smith,  who  inherited  the  fine  farm  of  her 
father  just  below  Milton,  and  there  they  resided  some  years.  In  1821  he  was 
elected  to  the  legislature;  in  1824-27  inclusive  he  was  again  returned,  and 
was  active  in  advocating  the  construction  of  canals  in  central  Pennsylvania. 
He  assumed  otSce  as  deputy  attorney  general  for  Northumberland  county  at 
August  sessions,  1828,  and  tilled  that  position  until  his  death  in  January  of 
the  following  year. 

James  Hepburn  was  a  son  of  one^of  the  early  merchants  of  Northumber- 
land and  brother  to  Samuel  Hepburn,  of  Mihon.  He  was  admitted  to  the 
liar  at  Sunbury  on  the  10th  of  August,  1819,  and  began  the  practice  of  law 
at  Northumberland,  where  he  was  president  of  the  bank  and  bridge  company 
and  otherwise  prominent  in  business  affairs.  Thence  he  removed  success- 
ively to  Baltimore  and  Philadelphia:  at  the  former  city  he  was  president  of 
the  Tidewater  Canal  Comjiany,  and  during  his  residence  at  the  latter  he 
seems  to  have  given  more  attention  to  his  profession  than  at  any  time  during 
his  previous  career.  Governor  Pollock  appointed  him  State  reporter,  and 
the  first  one  hundred  eighty-two  pages  of  I  Casey  (Pennsylvania  State  Ke- 
ports,  Volume  XXV)  were  compiled  by  him.  with  the  exception  of  three 
cases.  Not  long  after  his  appointment  to  this  |Kisition  he  died  at  Philadel- 
phia, December  25,  18135. 

Samiiel  J.  Packer  was  born  in  Howard  township,  Centre  coimty,  Penn- 
sylvania, March  23,  1790.  He  received  his  education  at  a  local  school  of  the 
Society  of  Friends,  under  the  superintendence  of  his  father,  and  learned  the 
trade  of  printer  at  Bellefonte.  Subsequently  he  was  engaged  in  a  journali.stic 
capacity  at  Harrisburg,  where  he  reported  the  proceedings  of  the  legislature 
and  formed  the  acquaintance  of  Simon  Cameron,  between  whom  and  himself 
a  warm  friendship  always  thereafter  existed.  In  1820  he  came  to  Sunbury 
and  established  the  Publick  Inquirer,  which  advocated  the  re-election  of  Gov- 
ernor Findlay  and  was  continued  several  years.  During  this  period  he  en- 
gaged in  the  study  of  the  law  under  Hugh  Bellas,  and  was  admitted  to  the 
bar  of  Northumberland  coimty  on  the  23d  of  August,  1823.  He  at  once 
entered  upon  the  practice  of  his  profession  at  Sunbury,  and  by  assiduous 
attention  to  its  duties  early  attained  a  leading  position  among  the  members 
of  the  bar.  Thoroughness  and  care  in  the  preparation  of  his  causes  and  a 
closely  argiimentative  style  tmiformly  characterized  his  work.  As  a  public 
speaker,  particularly  upon  political  occasions,  he  attained  considerable  dis- 
tinction, and  possessed  in  large  measure  the  faculty  of  converting  others  to 
his  views. 


250  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

From  the  time  he  came  to  Northumberland  county  until  his  death.  Mr. 
Packer  was  a  prominent  figure  in  her  political  history.  On  the  "2 7th  of  Janu- 
ary, 1S24.  he  was  commissioned  as  prothonotary,  holding  that  office  until 
1829,  and  on  the  20th  of  April  in  the  latter  year  he  was  inducted  into  otRce 
as  deputy  attorney  general,  serving  until  the  following  November.  In  1830 
he  was  elected  to  the  State  Senate  for  the  term  of  four  years,  and,  although 
one  of  the  yoimgest  members  of  that  body,  he  took  a  leading  part  in  the  dis- 
cussion of  many  of  the  public  measures  which  received  its  consideration.  His 
legislative  incumbency  was  marked  by  great  activity,  especially  in  supporting 
enterprises  designed  to  promote  the  development  of  the  material  resources  of 
the  State,  of  which  the  Danville  and  Pottsville  railroad  was  the  most  impor- 
tant in  the  district  he  represented.  Its  construction  from  Sunbury  to  the 
Shamokin  coal  field  was  the  direct  result  of  measures  introduced  by  him  in 
the  Senate  and  passed  by  the  legislature  through  his  influence.  As  chair- 
man of  a  special  committee  on  the  coal  fields  of  Pennsylvania,  he  prepared 
the  first  legislative  report  ever  jDromulgated  upon  that  subject.  This  report 
is  able  and  exhaustive,  and  relates  to  both  the  anthracite  and  bituminous 
regions.  It  treats  of  the  origin  and  development  of  the  mining  industry  and 
its  vital  relation  to  manufacturing  and  commercial  interests  in  general,  the 
location  and  extent  of  the  different  coal  fields,  the  facilities  of  transportation 
enjoyed  by  each,  and  the  limitations  and  restrictions  which  the  legislature 
might  with  propriety  impose  upon  the  corporate  powers  and  privileges  of 
railroad,  mining,  and  navigation  companies.  The  report  possesses  great 
value,  not  only  as  a  compilation  of  facts  relating  to  the  history  and  condition 
of  the  coal  trade  and  of  the  inexhairstible  mineral  resources  of  the  State,  but 
also  as  an  expression  of  conclusions  and  convictions  derived  from  a  thorough 
study  of  the  great  legal  and  economic  questions  involved. 

In  lS8-t  Mr.  Packer  was  the  Whig  candidate  for  Congress  from  the  dis- 
trict embracing  Northumberland  county,  but  died  on  the  20th  of  October  in 
that  year  at  the  early  age  of  thirty-five. 

Joshua  Wright  Comly,  who  was  admitted  to  the  bar  of  Northumberland 
county  on  the  17th  of  November,  1880,  and  has  survived  all  the  officers  of  the 
court  and  attorneys  of  this  bar  at  that  date,  was  born  at  Philadelphia,  Pennsyl- 
vania, November  IG,  1810,  son  of  Charles  and  Sarah  (Wright)  Comly,  and  a 
descendant  of  Henry  Comly,  an  English  Friend,  who  immigrated  to  Bucks 
county.  Pennsylvania,  in  1682.  He  was  reared  in  the  Quaker  faith, 
attended  the  local  schools  and  the  College  of  New  Jersey  at  Princeton,  and 
in  1827  began  the  study  of  law  at  Milton  under  Samuel  Hepburn.  After 
his  admission  to  the  bar  he  located  at  Orwigsburg,  Schuylkill  county,  but 
subsequently  removed  to  Danville,  where  he  has  since  resided,  although  his 
practice  for  some  years  embraced  many  of  the  most  important  cases  in  North- 
umberland county.  In  1851  he  was  the  Whig  candidate  for  judge  of  the 
Supreme  court. 


THE    BENCH    AND    BAR.  251 

James  Pleasants,  born  at  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania,  Sejjteniber  11, 
iSOlt.  receiyed  his  education  principally  under  the  Eev.  David  Kirkpatrick 
at  Milton,  read  law  with  Hugh  Bellas,  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  of  North- 
umberland county,  April  21,  1S31.  He  located  at  Catawissa,  Columbia 
coimty,  Pennsylvania,  within  a  short  time  thereafter,  but  was  frequently 
concerned  in  important  cases  in  Northumberland  county,  either  individually 
or  as  assistant  to  his  brother,  Charles  Pleasants ;  about  the  year  1S50  he  located 
at  Sunbury,  but  removed  to  Radnor,  Delaware  coimty,  Pennsylvania,  some 
sis  years  later,  and  there  he  died,  September  5,  1S74.  In  Mr.  "\Volfinger"s 
'■  Eeminiscences,"  he  is  described  as  "  a  tall,  slim  man.  of  a  very  2:)leasant 
countenance  and  social  disposition,"  who  "  sjJoke  and  argued  his  cases  before 
till'  court  and  jury  with  considerable  ability."*  Defective  hearing  interfered 
greatly  with  the  discharge  of  his  professional  duties. 

Charles  Pleasants,  brother  to  James,  was  born  at  Philadelphia,  Pennsyl- 
vania, March  31,  1S07;  he  also  attended  Kirkj^atrick's  academy  at  Milton, 
but  read  law  under  James  Hepburn,  of  Northumberland,  and  was  admitted 
to  the  bar  at  Sunbury  on  the  10th  of  April,  1832.  He  married  a  daughter 
of  Hugh  Bellas,  with  whom  he  was  frequently  associated  in  professional 
work.  On  the  2d  of  February,  1836,  he  was  commissioned  as  i)rothonotary 
of  the  Supreme  court  for  the  Northern  district,  then  composed  of  the  coun- 
ties of  Northumberland,  Luzerne,  Lycoming,  Bradford,  McKean.  Potter, 
Tioga,  Susquehanna,  Columbia,  and  Union,  and  held  that  position  irntil  his 
resignation  twenty-nine  years  later.  He  died  at  Eadnor,  Delaware  county, 
Penn.sylvania,  May  24,  1805. 

John  F.  Wolfinger  was  born  at  Frosty  Valley,  Montoiir  county.  Pennsyl- 
vania, and  edircated  under  the  Rev.  David  Kirkpatrick  at  Milton.  He  studied 
law  at  Williamsport,  Pennsylvania,  with  Joseph  B.  Anthony  as  his  preceptor, 
and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  of  Lycoming  coimty,  Augu.st  31,  1830.  In 
A]iril  1832,  he  opened  an  office  at  Milton,  and  on  the  20th  of  August  in  that 
year  was  admitted  to  practice  in  the  several  courts  of  Northumberland  county, 
on  motion  of  Samuel  Hepburn.  In  1833  he  was  appointed  prosecuting  at- 
torney for  this  county  by  George  M.  Dallas,  attorney  general  of  the  State, 
and  at  the  expiration  of  his  term  the  court  continued  him  in  that  office  until 
his  successor  was  regularly  appointed.  With  the  exception  of  the  criminal 
cases  in  which  he  was  concerned  as  deputy  attorney  general,  Mr.  Wolfinger 
confined  his  attention  exclusively  to  civil  actions,  collections,  and  orphans' 
court  business,  in  which  he  enjoyed  a  fairly  lucrative  practice  until  the  out- 
break of  the  civil  war;  at  that  time  he  virtually  retired  from  the  active  duties 
of  the  profession,  devoting  his  time  to  local  historical  research  and  literarv' 
pursuits.  His  contributions  to  the  Miltonian  on  various  subjects  connected 
with  local  history,  and  his  '•  Recollections  of  the  Bar  of  the  Counties  of 
Northumberland.  Lycoming,  Union,  and  Columbia,"  published  in  the  North- 

*NuitliiimherlaQd  County  Legal  JS'eu:-!,  Vol.  I.  No.  6. 


252  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

umberlancT  Coiinty  Legal  Neius,  are  among  the  more  important  of  his  pro- 
ductions.    He  died  at  Milton,  January  13,  1891. 

Henry  B.  Masser  was  admitted  to  the  bar  of  Northumberland  coimty, 
November  5,  1S33,  and  is  the  oldest  resident  lawyer  of  Sunbury.  He  was 
born  at  that  place,  August  17,  ISOU,  educated  at  the  local  schools,  and 
studied  law  with  Alexander  Jordan.  In  1S39  he  was  appointed  deputy  at- 
torney general  for  the  county,  and  served  in  that  office  sis  years  with  credit 
and  ability.  In  September,  1840,  he  established  the  Sunbury  American,  and 
as  editor  and  publisher  of  this  paper  he  was  prominently  identified  with  the 
public  afi'airs  of  the  county  during  a  period  of  twenty-nine  years.  Mr.  Masser 
has  also  been  interested  in  various  business  enterprises;  he  now  lives  in  re- 
tirement at  Srmburj-  at  an  advanced  age. 

Charles  W.  Hegins  was  bom  at  Simbury,  August  15,  1812.  He  received 
his  education  at  the  Northumberland  Academy,  studied  law  under  Charles 
G.  Donnel,  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  of  Northumberland  county.  Novem- 
ber 5,  1833.  At  that  date  and  for  some  time  previously  he  had  been  em- 
ployed in  the  office  of  the  prothonotary  at  Sunbury;  there  he  opened  an  office 
and  continued  in  successful  practice  until  1851,  when  he  was  elected  president 
judge  of  Schuylkill  county.  He  was  re-elected  at  the  expiration  of  his  first 
term,  and  served  until  his  death,  July  2,  1862.  A  man  of  fine  discrimmating 
mind  and  judicial  temperament,  he  was  an  excellent  lawyer  and  an  able  judge. 
In  1838  he  was  elected  to  the  legislature  from  Northumberland  eoimty  and 
re-elected  in  the  following  year. 

William  I.  Greenough  was  born  at  Sunbury,  May  27,  1821,  son  of  Eben- 
ezer  Greenough.  After  attending  the  academy  of  his  native  town  and 
similar  institutions  at  Danville  and  Wilkesbarre  he  entered  Princeton  Col- 
lege, graduating  in  1839;  his  father  was  his  law  preceptor,  and  on  the  2d  of 
August,  1842,  he  was  adnaitted  to  the  bar  of  Northumberland  county.  Mr. 
Greenough  has  been  concerned  in  the  trial  of  many  of  the  most  important 
cases  at  this  bar.  In  presenting  a  cause  to  the  court  he  follows  closely  in  the 
footsteps  of  his  father;  his  arguments  are  terse  and  logical,  confined  entirely 
to  the  matter  at  issue,  and  calculated  to  convince  rather  than  persuade.  He 
is,  however,  a  better  counselor  than  advocate;  for  some  years  past  he  has 
been  selected  as  master  in  chancery  in  many  of  the  leading  cases  of  this 
county,  a  recognition  of  his  judicial  qualifications  no  less  than  a  compliment 
to  his  sound  deliberative  judgment. 

Charles  J.  Bruner  was  educated  at  Lancaster,  Pennsylvania,  studied  law 
under  Alexander  Jordan,  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  of  Northiunberland 
county,  January  3,  1843.  He  at  once  opened  an  office  at  Sunbury,  where  he 
was  associated  with  William  L.  Dewart  for  a  time.  As  captain  of  Company 
F,  Eleventh  Penn.sylvania  Volunteers,  he  led  the  first  detachment  of  troops 
from  Northumberland  county  at  the  outbreak  of  the  civil  war.  Subsequently 
he  was  appointed  internal  revenue  collector  for  the  Fourteenth  Pennsylvania 


a$^^ 


THE    BENCH    AND    EAR.  255 

district  by  President  Grant,  and  retained  that  ottice  fourteen  years.  Captain 
Bruner  was  born  at  Siuibury.  November  17.  1S20,  and  died  on  the  loth  of 
March,  ISS-J. 

Wilham  L.  Dewart  was  admitted  to  the  bar  of  Northumberland  county, 
January  'i.  1S43;  his  law  preceptor  was  Charles  G.  Donnel.  He  was  born 
at  Sunbury,  June  21,  1S20,  educated  at  Dickinson  College,  Carlisle,  Penn- 
sylvania, and  the  College  of  New  Jersey  at  Princeton,  graduating  fi-om  the 
latter  in  1839.  He  was  a  prominent  figiu-e  in  political  affairs,  and  was  sev- 
eral times  a  member  of  Democratic  national  conventions;  in  1S50  he  was 
elected  to  Congress.     His  death  occurred  oil  the  19th  of  April,  1S8S. 

Charles  W.  Tharj)  was  born  at  Milton.  December  25,  1818,  son  of  James 
and  Phebe  (Vincent)  Tharji.  He  was  educated  at  the  schools  of  his  native 
town  and  at  Lewisburg.  read  law  at  Bellefonte.  Pennsylvania,  with  Curtin  A: 
Blanchard,  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  of  Northumberland  county,  Novem- 
ber 7.  1843.  He  resides  at  Milton.  He  was  the  last  deputy  attorney  general 
appointed  for  Northumberland  comity,  ser^■illg  in  that  office  from  1848  to 
1850;  in  1853  he  was  elected  district  attorney  and  served  until  1850.  He 
was  elected  to  the  legislature  in  1865  and  1800. 

David  Taggart  read  law  with  Ebenezer  Greenough  and  was  admitted  to 
the  bar  of  Northumberland  county,  November  7,  1843.  In  1S54  he  was 
elected  to  the  State  Senate,  and  served  as  Speaker  of  that  body;  he  was  also 
president  of  the  Penn.sylvania  State  Agricultural  Society  at  one  time.  Dur- 
ing the  civil  war  he  entered  the  service  of  the  war  department  of  the  national 
government  as  paymaster,  and  was  stationed  in  this  capacity  at  different  points 
throughout  the  country  for  some  years  thereafter.  He  possessed  rare 
gifts  as  a  j'ublic  speaker,  and  was  frecjuently  caUed  upon  to  deliver  addresses 
on  the  occasion  of  patriotic  or  anniversary  celebrations.  He  was  born.  May 
28,  1822.  and  died  on  the  30th  of  June,  1888. 

William  C.  Lawson  was  born  in  Union  county,  Pennsylvania,  December 
3.  1817.  He  was  educated  under  the  Rev.  Da%-id  Kirkpatrick  at  Milton  and 
at  Delaware  College,  Newark,  Delaware,  graduating  from  the  latter  institu- 
tion in  1S38.  after  which  he  began  the  study  of  law  imder  J.  F.  Linn  at 
Lewisburg,  "Union  county,  completing  his  professional  preparation  with  Judge 
John  Eeed,  of  Carlisle,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in 
1841).  He  began  the  practice  of  his  profession  in  Greenville,  Mercer  coimty, 
Pennsylvania,  but  removed  to  Milton  in  1843  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar 
of  Northrtmberland  county,  April  1,  1841.  He  has  since  resided  at  Milton, 
and  was  in  active  j'ractice  until  1880.  Mr.  Lawson  has  been  president  of 
the  Milton  National  Bank  and  of  the  institution  from  which  it  evolved  since 
July  ISGO. 

John  B.  Packer  was  born  at  Simbury,  March  21,  1824,  a  son  of  Samuel 
J.  Packer.  His  education  was  obtained  principally  at  the  Sunbury  Academy, 
then  recently  established  and  under  the  charge  of  Cale  Pelton  and  Frederick 


256  HISTORY    OF    NOETHCMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

Lebnm,  both  classical  scholars  of  thorough  culture  and  great  ability  as 
teachers.  From  1839  to  1842  he  was  a  member  of  a  corps  of  engineers  em- 
ployed by  the  State  in  the  survey  and  construction  of  her  public  improve- 
ments. In  1842  he  entered  upon  the  study  of  the  law  with  Ebenezer  Green- 
ough.  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  of  Northumberland  county  on  the  6th  of 
August,  18-14.  In  the  following  year  he  was  appointed  deputy  attorney 
general,  serving  in  that  office  three  years,  and  from  the  commencement  of 
his  professional  career  he  has  occupied  a  prominent  position  at  the  bar,  not 
only  of  his  native  county,  but  elsewhere  throughout  the  State  and  before 
the  Supreme  court.  In  addressing  the  court  or  jury  his  style  is  lucid,  logical, 
and  argumentative,  and  as  a  public  speaker  he  is  forcible  and  eloquent.  In 
the  litigation  resulting  from  contested  land  titles  and  in  railroad  and  other 
causes  there  has  scarcely  been  a  case  of  any  importance  in  this  county  with 
which  he  has  not  been  professionally  connected.  In  1851  he  was  one  of  the 
organizers  of  the  Susquehanna  Eailroad  Company  (since  merged  into  the 
Northern  Central),  and  has  ever  since  been  counsel  for  that  corporation;  for 
some  years  past  he  has  acted  in  a  similar  capacity  for  the  Philadelphia  and 
Erie.  Pennsylvania,  Lackawanna  and  Bloomsburg,  and  other  railroad  com- 
panies, and  has  also  been  concerned  as  counsel  in  the  sale  and  reorganization 
of  the  Zerbe  Valley,  Shamokin  Valley  and  Potts\-ille,  and  other  railroad 
properties. 

Mr.  Packer  was  elected  to  the  legislature  in  1849,  re-elected  in  ISolX  and 
served  upon  important  committees  in  both  sessions.  He  was  a  tariff  Demo- 
crat at  that  time,  but  has  been  actively  identitied  with  the  Kepublican  party 
since  lSo<).  In  1868  he  was  elected  to  Congress  from  the  Fourteenth  Penn- 
sylvania district  (in  which  Northl^mberland  coitnty  was  embraced),  and 
served  by  re-election  from  1869  to  1877,  having  been  returned  on  each  occa- 
sion by  a  majority  largely  in  excess  of  his  party  vote  in  the  several  comities 
composing  the  district.  In  the  XLIst  Congress  he  was  a  member  of  the 
committee  on  banking  and  currency;  in  the  XLIId,  chairman  of  the  com- 
mittee on  railways  and  canals;  in  the  XLIIId,  chairman  of  the  committee  on 
postoffices  and  post-roads,  and  in  the  XLIVth.  member  of  the  committee  on 
foreign  affairs. 

As  president  of  the  Bank  of  Northumberland  from  1857  until  it  was 
merged  into  the  First  National  Bank  of  Simbury,  and  of  the  latter  institu- 
tion since  its  organization,  Mr.  Packer  has  sustained  an  important  relation  to 
local  financial  affairs;  this  connection  has  not,  however,  been  permitted  to 
withdraw  his  attention  from  the  practice  of  his  profession,  and  it  is  upon  his 
sen-ices  in  public  life,  his  eminent  legal  attainments,  and  marked  success  as 
a  lawyer  that  his  reputation  is  principally  founded. 

George  Hill  was  admitted  to  the  bar  of  Northumberland  coimty,  January 
1,  1849,  and  has  been  a  resident  practicing  attorney  of  Sunbury  since  1858. 
He  was   born    in    Lycoming   county,   Pennsylvania,    Augiist    3,    1821,  and 


THE    BENCH    AND    BAR.  257 

received  an  academic  education  at  a  classical  academy  taught  by  the  Rev. 
Samuel  S.  Shedden.  His  professional  preparation  was  begim  at  Milton  under 
James  Pollock  and  completed  in  Union  county,  Pennsylvania,  under  Absa- 
lom Swineford.  He  was  admitted  to  the  bar  at  New  Berlin,  then  the  county 
seat  of  Union  coimty,  in  Aiigust,  1848,  and  was  in  active  practice  at  Selins- 
grove,  Pennsylvania,  from  1849  to  1858,  when  he  removed  to  Sunbury.  Mr. 
Hill  has  enjoyed  an  extensive  and  lucrative  practice. 

Andrew  J.  Guffy  was  born  near  Turbutville  in  this  coimty.  May  31,  1823, 
son  of  Andrew  and  Eleanor  (Armstrong)  Guffy,  and  grandson  of  Alexander 
Guffy,  who  settled  upon  the  site  of  McEwensville  at  an  early  date  in  the 
history  of  this  county  and  died,  July  15,  1816,  the  father  of  seven  children, 
of  whom  Andrew  was  born  on  the  13th  of  August,  1792,  and  died  on  the 
2Sth  of  June,  1879.  Mr.  Guffy  studied  law  with  James  Pollock  of  Milton 
and  attended  the  law  school  of  Washington  McCartney  at  Easton,  Pennsj-1- 
vania,  where  he  was  the  classmate  of  Henrv-  Green,  a  justice  of  the  Supreme 
court  of  Pennsylvania.  He  was  admitted  to  the  bar  of  Northumberland 
county,  August  6,  1849,  and  has  since  resided  at  McEwensville  and  Watson- 
town.  He  is  a  proficient  surveyor  and  is  jirobably  better  known  as  such 
than  as  a  la'wj'er. 

The  foregoing  biographical  sketches  relate  to  members  of  the  bar  of  North- 
umberland county  who  were  admitted  prior  to  1850.  The  following  is  a  list 
of  resident  attorneys  in  that  year,  with  residences  and  dates  of  admission  in 
this  county:  Samuel  Hepburn,  Milton;  Hugh  Bellas,  Sunbury,  1803;  James 
Pleasants,  Sunbury,  April  21,  1831;  Charles  Pleasants,  Sunburv',  April  16, 
1882;  John  F.  Woltinger,  Milton,  August  20,  1832;  James  Pollock,  Milton, 
November  5,  1833;  Henry  B.  Masser,  Sunbury,  November  5,  1833;  John 
Porter,  Milton,  April  9,  1840;  WiUiam  I.  Greenough,  Sunbury,  August  2, 
1842;  Charles  J.  Bruner,  Simbury,  January  3,  1843;  William  L.  Dewart, 
Sunbur}%  January  3,  1848;  Charles  W.  Tharp,  Milton,  November  7,  1843; 
Da\-id  Taggart,  Northumberland,  November  7,  1843;  William  C.  Lawson, 
Milton,  April  1,  1844;  John  B.  Packer,  Sunbuiy,  August  6,  1844;  Henry 
Donnel,  Sunburj',  January  4,  1848;  Andrew  J.  Guffy,  McEwensville,  August 
6,  1849;  Charles  Augustus  Kutz,  Milton;  William  M.  Rockefeller,  Sunbury, 
August  6,  1850;  M.  L.  Shindel,  Sunbury,  August  6,  1850. 

The  present  number  of  resident  attorneys  is  seventy-three.  In  the  follow- 
ing list  the  date  given  is  that  of  admission  to  the  local  bar: — 

Sunbury. — Henry  B.  Masser,  November  5,  1833;  W^illiam  I.  Greenough, 
August  2,  1842;  John  B.  Packer,  August  6,  1844;  George  Hill,  January  1, 
1849;  Solomon  B.  Boyer,  August  5,  1858;  Samuel  J.  Packer,  2d,  April  4, 
1860;  Simon  P.  Wolverton,  April  8,  1862;  Lloyd  T.  Rohrbach,  March  10, 
1S68;  George  W.  Zeigler,  January  5,  1864;  J.  W.  Cake,  January  3,  1866; 
Truman  H.  Purdy,  1866;  William  A.  Sober,  August,  1867;  Andrew  N.  Brice, 
January,  1870;  J.  A.  Cake,  1870;  James  H.  McDevitt,  August  5, 1873;  Lewis 


258  HISTOEY    OF   NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

Dewart,  August  11,  1S74;  John  J.  Eeimensnyder,  Jlarch  14,  ISTi):  Clinton 
K.  Savidge,  January  15,  1S77;  George  B.  Eeimensnyder,  August  6,  1ST7; 
E.  W.  Greenough,  March  11,  1878:  Charles  M.  Clement,  March  11,  1878; 
J.  Nevin  Hill,  March  11,  1878;  Martin  L.  Snyder,  September  17.  1880; 
Harold  M.  McClure,  June  28,  1881;  George  H.  Xeff,  Jime  28,  1881:  Charles 
W.  Rockefeller,  May  15,  1884;  William  P.  Hilbush,  October  6,  1SS4:  Walter 
Shipman.  December  4,  1884;  Charles  B.  Witmer,  Februaiy  19,  1887;  J. 
Howard  Rockefeller,  June  27,  1887;  James  C.  Packer,  September  5.  1887; 
William  C.  Famsworth,  September  5,  1887;  Charles  D.  Gibson.  September 
2,  1889;  J.  R.  Kauffman,  Jr.,  September  2,  1889;  William  J.  Sanders.  Sep- 
tember 3,  1890. 

Milton. — Charles  W.  Tharp,  November  7,  1843;  William  C.  Lawsou, 
April  1,  1844;  Frank  Bound,  1853;  P.  L.  Hackenberg,  1801:  John  McCleery, 
January  5,  1804;  Edmund  Davis;  Thomas  Swenk,  Jr..  March  14.  1S70; 
William  C.  MiUer,  March  14,  1870;  O.  B.  Nagle,  March  18,  1S77:  Clarence 
G.  Voris,  October  3,  1877;  Frank  Chamberlin,  December  15,  ISSO;  W.  H. 
Hackenberg,  February  9,  1881;  A.  S.  Hottenstein,  June  28,  ISSl:  Samuel 
T.  Swartz.  September  0,  1881. 

Shamokin.— U.  F.  John,  August  4, 1803;  W.  H.  M.  Oram.  August  7.  1805; 
Addison  G.  Marr,  August,  1807;  George  W.  Ryon.  March  20.  1S09:  Samuel 
Heckert,  March  11,  1874;  Peter  A.  Mahon,  August  10,  1874:  WiUiam  W. 
Ryon,  March  11,  1878;  John  P.  Helfenstein,  July  14,  1883;  J.  W.  Gillespie, 
July  12,  1880:  J.  Q.  Adams,  November  27,  1880;  W.  E.  Zimmerman.  No- 
vember 27,  1880;  Clarence  F.  Huth,  November  27,  ISsOi;  D.  W.  Shipman. 
April  14,  189(>,  W.  H.  Tnger,  September  2,  1890. 

Watsonto\\Ti. — Andrew  J.  Guffy,  August  0.  1S49:  W.  Fiold  Shay.  August 
8,  1875;  Lorenzo  Everett. 

Mt.  Carmel. —  W.  B.  Faust,  June  8,  1877:  Yoris  Auten.  September  0, 
1881;  L.  S.  Walter,  September  2,  1889. 

Turbutville. — George  W.  Hower. 

Montandon. — Robeii  M.  Cummings,  Attgust  3,  1859. 

Riverside. — H.  M.  Hinckley,  August  4,  1875. 

Northumberland. — J.  H.  Vincent. 
Biographies  of  many  of  the  present  resident  attorneys  of  the  county  ar? 
given  in  the  biographical  department  of  this  work. 

In  addition  to  those  mentioned,  the  following  attorneys  have  also  resided 
in  Northumberland  county  prior  to  their  death  or  removal  therefrom:  John 
Barker,  mentioned  in  Fithian's  journal  as  a  resident  of  Northmnberland  in 
1775:  John  W.  Hiinter,  Sunbury.  admitted.  January.  1798:  Charles  Maus, 
Simburj-,  April,  1800;  Owen  Foulk,  Sunbury:  William  G.  Forrest.  Sunbury, 
November  25,  1801;  Alem  Marr,  Milton,  November  23,  1809:  William  Irwin, 
Sunbury,  November  29,  1810;  John  S.  Haines.  Northumberland.  August 
29,  1815;  Robert  C.  Hall,  Sunbury,  Augu.st   25,  1820:  Charles  A.  Bradford, 


THE    BENCH    AND    BAR.  ZOcf 

Sunbm-y,  June  1.3.  lN"i4:  John  B.  Boyd.  Northumberland,  April  20,  iS'IZi; 
George  ^\.  Lathev, Xorthumberland,  August  IT.  1S31;  Eobert  McGuigan.  Mil- 
ton. November  10, 1S37 ;  Hoiiewell  Cox,  Northumberland,  August  7, 1S3S ;  Will- 
iam J.  Martin,  Sunbury,  August  3,  1S41;  George  A.  Frick,  Northumberland, 
January  2,  1844;  J.  "Woods  Brown,  Milton,  Ajiril  7,  1851;  James  Cameron. 
Milton,  August  4,  1851;  James  W.  Naille,  Sunbui-y,  August  4,  1851;  John 
Youngman,  Sunbury,  August  0.  1851;  Horatio  J.  Wolverton,  Sunbury,  Jan- 
uary 6,  1852;  Spencer  M.  Kase,  Shamokin,  January  2,  1854;  William  L. 
Scott,  Shamokin;  John  Kay  Clement,  Simbury.  Paul  Corm-n,  Sunbury;  A. 
Jordan  Rockefeller,  Sunbury.  November  3,  1^57;  S.  P.  Malick,  Sunbury. 
February  23,  1858;  Harris  Painter,  Simbury.  April  4,  ISGO;  Leffert  H. 
Kase,  Sunbury,  March  7,  1865;  Cornelius  A.  Reimensnyder,  Sunbury,  March 
19,  1807:  James  K.  Davis.  Jr..  Sunbury.  August  (3,  1867;  Thomas  H.  B. 
Kase,  Sunbury.  June  12.  1871:  William  C.  Packer,  Simbury,  November  5. 
1872;  Jefferson  M.  John.  Mt.  Carmel.  January  G,  1874;  WllHam  P.  With- 
ington.  Shamokin.  August  4,  1874:  Marks  B.  Priestley.  Northumberland.  Jan- 
uary 2,  1877:  E.  H.  Painter,  Turbutville,  December  4.  1882;  E.  Sherman 
FoUmer,  Watsontown,  September  0,  1886. 

THE    SUPREME    COURT. 

In  1806,  '•  for  the  more  convenient  establishment  of  the  Supreme  court." 
the  State  was  divided  into  two  districts,  the  Eastern  and  the  Western,  North- 
umberland county  being  included  in  the  former.  The  Middle  district,  com- 
posed of  the  counties  of  York,  Adams,  Dauphin.  Cumberland,  Franklin. 
Huntingdon,  Mitflin.  Northumberland,  Luzerne.  Lycoming,  Centre,  Clear- 
Held,  McKean,  Potter,  and  Tioga  as  originally  constituted,  was  erected  by 
the  act  of  April  H'.  18i'7.  By  the  terms  of  this  act,  the  justices  were 
required  to  hold  one  term  annually  at  Siinburj'  for  the  Middle  district,  com- 
mencing on  the  first  Monday  in  July  and  continuing  two  weeks  if  necessary: 
and  it  was  made  the  duty  of  the  prothonotaries  of  the  Eastern  and  Western 
districts  to  make  out  a  docket  of  causes  entered  from  the  territory  embraced 
in  the  new  district,  such  causes  pending  and  undetermined  after  the  1st  of 
May,  1808,  to  be  removed  thereto  and  continued  in  the  same  manner  as  if 
they  had  originated  therein.  The  first  session  of  the  Supreme  court  for  the 
Middle  district  of  Pennsylvania  was  accordmgly  held  at  the  court  house  on 
the  public  square  in  Sunlniry  on  the  first  Monday  in  July,  1S()8,  Chief  Justice 
Tilghman  presiding. 

The  Northern  district,  to  which  the  counties  of  Northumberland,  Luzerne, 
Lycoming,  Bradford,  McKean,  Potter,  Tioga.  Suscjuehanna,  Columbia,  and 
L'nion  were  originally  assigned,  was  erected  by  the  act  of  April  14.  1834. 
Sunbury  continued  to  be  the  place  at  which  the  sessions  of  the  court  were 
held,  but  the  composition  of  the  district  frequently  changed,  at  first  by  th  ■ 
addition  of  new  territon'  but    latterlv  bv  the  transfer   of   one  countv   after 


260  HISTORY    OF    NOKTHUMBEHLAND    COUNTY. 

,  another  to  other  districts,  until  only  Northumberland,  Montour,  and  Colum- 
bia remained  in  the  Northern.  The  justices  were  strongly  in  favor  of  hold- 
ing the  sessions  of  the  court  at  Philadelphia  for  the  whole  State,  but  meas- 
ures with  that  object  in  view,  although  frequently  introduced  in  the 
legislature,  were  invariably  defeated  by  the  combined  opposition  of  the 
western  and  middle  counties.  The  influence  of  the  justices  was  not  entirely 
unavailing,  however,  as  is  shown  by  the  gradtial  dismemberment  of  the 
Northern  district  and  the  acquiescence  with  which  attorneys  and  litigants 
usually  permitted  an  adjournment  of  their  causes  to  Philadelphia  or  Harris- 
burg  at  the  suggestion  of  the  court.  Finally,  at  the  term  for  1863,  all  the 
causes  were  adjourned  to  other  points,  with  the  concurrence  of  counsel;  and, 
while  it  is  not  probable  that  this  was  deliberately  planned  by  the  justices  as 
a  final  adjournment  of  the  court  for  the  Northern  district,  such  it  ultimately 
proved.  This  action  of  the  court  received  legislative  conhrmation  in  the  act 
of  May  5,  ISTI,  providing  that  "causes  from  said  Northern  district  shall  be 
heard  at  such  time  and  place  as  the  judges  of  the  Supreme  court  may  assign." 
Under  this  arrangement  the  di.strict  continued  to  sustain  a  nominal  existence 
for  some  years.  By  a  subsequent  extension  of  its  discretionaiy  powers,  the 
court  was  authorized  to  designate  the  district  from  which  writs  should  issue 
for  the  different  counties,  and  by  virtue  of  this  power  the  coimties  of  the 
Northern  district  were  transferred  to  the  Eastern,  thus  abolishing  the  former 
in  every  essential  respect. 

The  chief  justices  who  presided  over  the  sessions  of  the  Supreme  court  at 
Sunbury  were  William  Tilghman,  John  Bannister  Gibson,  Jeremiah  S. 
Black,  Elhs  Lewis,  and  Walter  H.  Lowrie.  Among  the  prothonotaries  were 
George  A.  Frick,  commissioned,  October  6,  1812;  John  L.  Finney,  commis- 
sioned, January  11,  1813;  Alexander  Jordan,  commissioned,  December  22, 
1826,  January-  25,  1830,  and  January  21,  1833;  Charles  Pleasants,  who  was 
commissioned  on  the  2d  of  February,  1836,  and  held  the  office  many  years, 
and  J.  A.  J.  Cummings.  the  last  incumbent,  who  was  appointed  in  1865. 
Many  cases  involving  important  legal  principles  were  here  tried  and  deter- 
mined; distinguished  lawyers  from  all  parts  of  the  State  attended  the  sessions, 
which  thus  became  occasions  of  far  more  than  local  interest  and  importance. 


THE    MEDICAL    PROFESSION.  261 

CHAPTER    VI. 

THE  MEDICAL  PROFESSION. 

List  of  SrxBiiiY  Piiysicians,  by  Dk.  R.  H.  Awl— Bror,R.\piiiCAL  Sketches  of  Piiysi- 
ciANSi  Throughout  the  County— 3[edicai.  Societies — Roster  of  the  irEnicAi, 
Pi;n  ■:::    :o:-. 

THE  folloAving  is  a  list  of  Simbury  physicians,  furnished  by  Dr.  E.  H. 
Awl  and  arranged  as  nearly  as  possible  in  the  order  in  which  they  began 
to  practice  in  this  community:  William  Plunket,  Francis  Allison.  James 
Davidson,  Solomon  Markley,  Joseph  Thomson,  Peter  Kraut.  William  West- 
hoven,  John  Phihp  Jacob  Becker,  C.  H.  Bailey,  Isaac  Cushman,  George 
Slough.  John  Y.  Kennedy,  Peter  Grahl,  William  T.  Morris,  John  B.  Price, 
William  A.  Eobins,  Josej^h  Eobins,  Edmund  O'Neill.  Bonham  R.  Gearhart, 
James  Teas,  Doctor  Robinson,  M.  A.  Rodrigue.  John  W.  Peale,  Doctor  John- 
son. David  T.  Trites,  Landis  Price,  Robert  H.  Awl,  Jacob  B.  Masser,  D.  W. 
Shindel.  George  B.  Weiser,  Charles  Weiser,  Doctor  Hughes.  Doctor  Dodge, 
Doctor  Arthur,  Doctor  Sechler,  Doctor  Cameron,  Hiram  Long,  John  G. 
Markle.  Joseph  Eyster,  John  S.  Angle,  John  Updegraff.  John  F.  Caslow.  A. 
C.  Wlieat,  H.  M.  Essick,  AVilliam  P.  Smith,  F.  L.  Haupt,  A.  C.  Clark.  H.  H. 
Malick.  A.  K.  Savidge,  W.  W.  Moody.  Charles  M.  Martin,  G.  W.  Furey,  F. 
B.  Masser,  Albert  S.  Cummings.  P.  H.  Renn.  D.  E.  Lenker,  F.  B.  Richtstine, 
F.  E.  Driunheller.  Elijah  Orser,  and  Doctor  Walters.  Much  of  the  informa- 
tion embodied  in  the  following  sketches  of  Sunbury  physicians  has  also  lieen 
obtained,  directly  or  indirectly,  through  Doctor  Awl. 

William  Plunket,  the  first  resident  doctor  of  Northumberland  county,* 
was  a  native  of  Ireland.  In  jiersonal  appearance  he  is  described  as  a  man 
of  large  stature,  great  muscular  development,  and  powerful  strength,  while 
an  imperious  disjiosition  was  among  his  distinguishing  mental  traits.  This 
is  attested  by  several  occurrences  in  his  career  which  yet  retain  a  place  in 
the  traditions  of  this  locality.  On  one  occasion,  with  several  boon  compan- 
ions, he  was  engaged  in  some  hilarious  proceedings  at  an  Irish  inn;  the 
adjoining  room  was  occupied  by  an  English  nobleman,  who  had  a  curious 
and  valuable  watch,  which  he  sent  to  Plimket  with  a  wager  that  he  could 
not  tell  the  time  by  it;  that  gentleman  coolly  put  it  in  his  pocket,  and  sent  a 

»  This  statement  is,  perliaps,  susceptilile  of  some  moiliflcation.  as  Doctors  John  Morgan,  John 
Bond,  ami  Thomas  Wiggins  were  successively  stationed  at  Fort  .\iigiista  as  surgeons  to  tiie  garrison. 
Plunket  was  an  officer  in  the  Augiista  regiment  and  iirobably  arrived  at  Shamokin  as  early  as  Doctor 
Morgan,  although  It  does  not  appear  that  he  was  employed  in  a  professional  capacity. 


262  HryxoRY  of  Northumberland  countv. 

message  to  the  Encrlishman  to  the  effect  that  he  should  call  upon  him  in 
person  if  he  wished  to  know  the  time.  This  he  never  did.  e%-idently  out  of 
respect  to  Pkmket's  well  known  phj'sicial  prowess,  and  the  latter,  it  is  said, 
retained  the  watch  to  the  end  of  his  life.  At  a  later  date  he  became  involved 
in  an  assault  upon  an  English  officer,  in  which  the  latter  sustained  severe 
bodily  injuries;  although  disguised,  Plunket  was  recognized  by  his  stature, 
and,  in  imminent  danger  of  arrest,  was  smuggled  on  board  a  vessel  in  a  bar- 
rel or  hogshead.  Thus  he  came  to  America,  and  located  at  Carlisle.  Cum- 
berland county,  Pennsylvania,  then  the  western  limit  of  civilization.  There 
he  resided  during  the  French  and  Indian  war,  in  which  he  served  as  lieuten- 
ant and  surgeon,  receiving  for  his  services  a  grant  of  several  himdred  acres 
on  the  West  Branch  of  the  Susquehanna,-  to  which  he  gave  the  name  of 
'•  Soldier's  Ketreat;"  it  was  situatedalong  the  river  above  Chillisquacpie  creek; 
he  was  residing  thereon  as  early  as  1772,  as  evidenced  by  the  fact  that  his 
improvements  are  mentioned  in  the  return  of  a  road  in  that  year.  He  was 
commissioned  a  justice  for  Xorthumberland  county  on  the  ■24th  of  March. 
1772.  and  officiated  as  presiding  jitstice  throughout  the  colonial  period.  In 
Jamiary,  177-3,  he  was  a  rejiresentative  from  Northumberland  coimty  in  the 
Provincial  Convention  at  Philadelphia,  and  in  December  of  that  year  he  led 
an  expedition  to  Wyoming.  Dtiring  the  struggle  for  American  independ- 
ence he  remained  neutral  (through  fear  of  forfeiting  his  title  to  Irish  estates, 
it  is  said),  and  does  not  thereafter  aj^jiear  in  the  pttblic  affairs  of  the  county. 

While  a  resident  of  Carlisle  Doctor  Plunket  married  Esther,  daughter  of 
John  Harris,  of  Harris's  Ferry,  father  of  John  Harris,  the  fotinder  of  Harris- 
burg.  They  were  the  parents  of  four  dattghters,  of  whom  Elizabeth,  born  in 
1755,  married  Samuel  Maclay,  associate  judge  of  Northttmberland  county  and 
United  States  Senator;  Isabella,  born  in  17()().  married  William  Bell,  of 
Elizabethtown,  New  Jersey;  Margaret,  who  became  the  wife  of  Isaac  Rich- 
ardson, removed  to  Wayne  county.  New  York;  and  Esther,  who  married 
Colonel  Robert  Baxter,  a  British  officer,  died  about  a  year  after  marriage. 
The  Doctor  resided  for  some  years  in  the  Maclay  house  at  Simburv',  where, 
after  the  death  of  his  wife,  Betty  Wiley  was  his  housekeeper.  His  office, 
subsequently  occtipied  by  E.  Greenough  and  David  Rockefeller,  occupied  the 
site  of  E.  W.  Greenough's  residence  on  Front  street,  Sunbury.  He  became 
totally  blind  in  the  later  years  of  his  life,  when  a  rope  was  stretched  from 
his  residence  to  his  office  so  that  he  could  still  go  l)ack  and  forth  without  aid. 
As  shown  by  his  will,  which  is  dated,  Janttary  3,  1791,  and  proved.  May  25, 
1791,  he  died  in  the  scaring  of  that  year,  and  is  buried  in  an  unmarked  grave 
in  the  Sunbury  cemetery.  Dr.  R.  H.  Awl  is  in  possession  of  one  of  his-med- 
ical  works,  "  Synopsis  Medicinae,  or  a  Summary  View  of  the  whole  Practice 
of  Physick,"  by  John  Allen,  M.  D.,  F.-  R.  S.,  printed  at  London  in  1749. 

Solomon  Markley  was  born  at  Lancaster,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  obtained 
a   limited   literary  education   and   read  medicine  with  Doctor  Luther.     His 


THE    MEDICAL    PROFESSION.  263 

further  professional  studies  were  pursued  at  Philadelphia,  aud  his  practice  was 
begun  at  Sunbury,  where  he  resided  at  the  brick  house  on  Front  street  now 
occupied  by  Miss  Kate  Black;  as  early  as  1795  he  started  a  drug  store  in  the 
hallway  of  this  building.  In  ISOl  he  was  appointed  county  commissioner  to 
till  the  vacancy  caused  by  the  resignation  of  Abraham  McKinney;  he  was 
elected  to  this  office  in  1802,' and  servedthree  years.  He  remained  at  Sun- 
bury  until  his  death,  January  1,  1813,  in  the  forty-third  year  of  his  age,  and 
is  buried  in  the  old  Northumberland  cemetery.  Doctor  Markley  married 
Margaret  Hinderliter,  of  Dauphin  county.  Pennsylvania,  and  they  were  the 
parents  of  six  children. 

John  Philiji  Jacob  Becker  was  born  at  Bornich.  (Eheinfelsl.  Germany. 
By  the  tinancial  assistance  of  his  oldest  brother  he  was  enabled  to  obtain  a 
thorough  medical  education,  and  after  completing  his  professional  prepara- 
tion he  entered  the  German  army  as  held  surgeon  under  General  Munchau- 
sen, from  whom  he  received  an  honorable  discharge  at  the  expiration  of 
seven  years  and  six  months"  continuous  service.  Subsequently  he  sailed  for 
America,  landing  at  Brooklyn,  Xew  York,  in  17S3.  He  practiced  at  Allen- 
to-wn,  Lehigh  county,  and  Kutztown,  Berks  county,  Pennsylvania,  until  May, 
1807,  when  he  removed  to  Upper  Augusta  township,  Northumberland  coun- 
ty, and  located  on  the  farm  now  (ISiJO)  occupied  by  Alfred  Beckley,  two 
miles  east  of  Sunbury.  Here  he  resumed  the  practice  of  his  profession, 
and  is  remembered  as  a  successful  physician,  widely  kno\\Ti  and  well  liked. 
He  died  on  the  80th  of  April,  1818,  at  the  age  of  sixty-four  years,  and  was 
buried  with  Masonic  honors  in  the  old  Sunbury  cemjten,-.  He  married 
Elizabeth  Dimmick  of  the  vicinity  of  Philadelphia  in  17')o  and  they  were 
the  parents  of  eight  children,  three  sons  and  live  daughters:  two  of  the  latter 
still  survive:  Mrs.  Harriet  Martin,  one  of  the  oldest  residents  of  Sunbury, 
and  Miss  Louisa  Becker,  of  Orwigsburg,  Pennsylvania. 

C.  H.  Bailey  was  a  Virginian  by  birth,  highly  educated  and  considered 
a  tirst-class  physician.  He  located  at  Sunbury  early  in  his  professional 
career,  but  the  length  of  his  stay  is  not  known.  Thence  he  removed  succes- 
sively to  Troy,  Lincoln  coimty,  Missouri,  and  Smithland.  Kentuckj-,  after 
which  he  entered  the  United  States  Army  as  surgeon,  and  was  stationed  at 
Pensacola,  Florida,  in  1852;  nothing  is  known  regarding  his  personal  his- 
tory after  that  date. 

John  Kennedy  was  born  at  Northumberland,  Pennsylvania,  and  practiced 
at  Sunbury  until  1828,  when  he  removed  to  Shelb}-\-ille.  Shelby  county, 
Indiana,  where  he  resided  the  remainder  of  his  life. 

William  Thomas  Morris  practiced  at  Simbury  many  years.  He  had 
previously  served  as  surgeon  in  the  United  States  Navy,  and  was  a  physi- 
cian of  experience  and  ability.  Doctor  Morris  was  born  at  Frederick,  Mary- 
land, January  8,  17S8,  and  ched  at  that  place  in  December.  1^84.  He  mar- 
ried Marv,  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Deborah  Grant,  of  SimbuiT;  she  died 


264  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

on  the  2d  of  April,  1S42.  leaving  two  children:  Ann  C,  who  was  born  at 
Sunbury,  Januaiy  14,  1810,  married  Albert  G.  Bradford,  of  Elmira,  New 
York,  and  died  at  Philadelphia,  September  24,  1886;  and  Dr.  Thomas  G., 
who  was  born  on  the  11th  of  January,  1818,  practiced  medicine  at  Liver- 
pool, Perry  county,  Pennsylvania,  many  years,  and  died  at  that  place.  March 
28,  1887.  As  Doctor  Morris's  marriage  occurred  at  Simbuiy  on  the  27th  of 
November,  1807,  it  is  evident  that  his  practice  began  at  that  place  early  in 
the  present  century. 

John  Beatty  Price  was  born  in  Hunterdon  coimty.  New  Jersey,  in  1801, 
and  died  in  1843.  He  was  educated  at  Princeton  College,  read  medicine 
with  Doctor  Johnston  at  Whitehouse,  New  Jersey,  and  began  practice  at 
Pepack,  a  small  -viUage  in  his  native  county,  having  attended  a  course  of 
lectures  at  the  University  of  Pennsylvania  and  obtained  a  diploma  from  the 
New  Jersey  board  of  medical  examiners.  In  1824  he  removed  to  Sunbury, 
where  he  was  in  active  practice  until  his  death.  Doctor  Price  married  Re- 
becca, daughter  of  Eeuben  Guild,  who  was  murdered  near  Bellefonte,  Penn- 
sylvania, and  was  the  father  of  five  children,  one  of  whom  is  Nathan  Leander 
Price,  M.  D.,  of  Port  Carbon,  Pennsylvania. 

William  Robins  was  born  at  Sunbury  in  1S(>4,  eldest  son  of  Aaron  and 
Rebecca  (Richardson)  Robins,  and  received  an  academic  education  at  North- 
umberland under  Robert  Cooper  Grier.  At  the  age  of  eighteen  years  he 
began  the  study  of  medicine  with  Dr.  John  Kennedy,  and  subsequently 
attended  the  University  of  Pennsylvania.  He  began  practice  at  Sunbury 
shortly  after  attaining  his  majority,  and  continued  in  successful  practice  at 
that  place  eighteen  years.  The  remainder  of  his  life  was  passed  at  Miners- 
ville,  Schuylkill  coiinty.  Pennsylvania,  where  he  died  in  December,  1863. 
Doctor  Robins  was  three  times  married,  and  was  the  father  of  seven  children. 

Bonham  R.  Gearhart  was  born  in  Rush  township,  Northumberland 
county,  Pennsylvania.  March  18,  1811,  son  of  George  and  Achsah  (Runyan) 
Gearhart.  He  was  educated  at  an  academy  at  Danville,  read  medicine  with 
Dr.  Harmon  Gearhart.  of  Bloomsburg,  Pennsylvania,  graduated  from  Jeffer- 
son Medical  College  in  1834,  and  began  practice  at  Sunbury  immediately 
thereafter,  remaining  two  years.  After  this  he  was  successively  located  at 
several  points  in  Montour  and  Colvunbia  counties,  and  was  at  Turbutville, 
Northimiberland  coimty,  from  1839  to  1844,  when  he  removed  to  Danville; 
there  he  was  a  leading  physician  until  his  death.  May  9,  1855.  His  widow 
and  six  sons  survive  him  and  reside  at  Danville. 

David  Tranor  Trites  was  born  in  Ridley  township,  Delaware  county, 
Pennsylvania,  March  8.  1812.  In  his  early  manhood  he  taught  school  at 
Sunbury,  where  he  began  the  study  of  medicine  with  Dr.  J.  W.  Peale  in 
1839,  graduating  from  Jeffer.son  Medical  College  in  1842.  He  returned  to 
Sunbury  and  began  the  practice  of  his  profession,  but  remained  only  a  few 
years.     Sul)se(iuently  he  was  located  at  Georgetown,  Northumberland  coimty, 


THE    MEDICAL    PROFESSION.  265 

Pennsylvania.  Chesapeake  City,  Cecil  coimtv,  Maryland,  Surrey  county,  Vir- 
ginia. Philadelphia,  and  Manayimk,  Pennsylvania,  dying  at  the  latter  place 
in  l'^^7.  Two  children  survived  him,  one  of  whom  was  the  late  W.  B.  Trites, 
M.  D..  of  Manayiink. 

Eobert  Harris  Awl  was  born  in  Augusta  township,  Northumberland 
county.  Pennsylvania,  December  27,  1819,  son  of  Samuel  and  Mary  (Maclay) 
Awl.  He  was  educated  at  the  common  schools,  read  medicine  with  Dr.  J. 
W.  Peale.  graduated  from  Pennsylvania  Medical  College  in  1842,  and  imme- 
diately entered  upon  the  practice  of  his  profession.  He  was  located  at  Gratz- 
to\vii  and  Halifax.  Dauphin  county,  Pennsylvania,  until  1845.  when  he  re- 
moved to  Columbus.  Ohio;  there  he  was  soon  afterward  appointed  assistant 
physician  to  the  State  limatic  asyliim  and  retained  that  position  three  years, 
resigning  on  account  of  ill  health.  He  located  at  Sunbury  in  1849,  and  cou- 
tinuetl  in  the  steady  enjoyment  of  a  lucrative  practice  until  his  retirement 
from  the  active  duties  of  the  profession.  Between  1855  and  1888  iuchtsive 
he  was  for  fourteen  years  the  regular  physician  to  the  Northuml)erland 
county  prison. 

Jacoli  B.  Masser  was  born  at  Sunburv',  Jtily  17,  1820,  son  of  Henry  Mas- 
ser.  He  obtained  his  literary  education  under  private  tuition,  graduated 
from  -Jefferson  Medical  College  in  1841,  and  at  once  began  practice  at  Sun- 
bun,',  where  he  was  one  of  its  most  prominent  and  worthy  physicians  itntil 
his  death.  September  10,  1870. 

George  B.  Weiser  was  born  at  Simljury  in  1820,  a  son  of  Judge  George 
Weiser  and  a  descendant  of  Conrad  Weiser,  the  famous  Indian  agent  and 
interpreter.  He  read  medicine  with  Dr.  William  H.  MagiU.  of  Danville,  and 
graduated  from  Jefferson  Medical  College  in  1842  with  high  honors.  He 
practiced  at  Spring  Mills,  Georgetown,  Selinsgrove,  Sunbury,  and  Millers- 
burg.  Pennsylvania,  successively,  and  died  at  Millersburg  on  the  7th  of  Octo- 
ber." I^s7. 

Several  doctors  are  mentioned  in  Fithian's  journal  of  1775.  At  Warrior 
run  was  "  Doctor  Sprigg,  a  gentleman  in  the  practice  who  is  settling  in  this 
neighborhood,"  and  at  Northumberland  he  met  Doctors  Kearsley  and  Fran- 
cis Allison.  The  latter  was  subsequently  surgeon  to  the  Twelfth  Pennsylva- 
nia regiment.    *'' 

Benjamin  F.  Yoimg  was  one  of  the  first  physicians  at  Northtimberland 
after  the  Revolution.  He  resided  there  as  early  as  1794,  and  died  on  the 
28d  of  March,  1803,  in  the  thirty-fourth  year  of  his  age.  ''In  life  universally 
beloved — in  death  universally  lamented.  The  suavity  of  his  temper,  the 
urbanity  of  his  maimers,  the  perfection  of  his  professional  skill,  and  the  liber- 
aUty  of  his  professional  assistance  have  insured  to  him  (what  few  can  aspire 
to)  the  lasting  regret  of  all  who  knew  him." — Kennedy's  Gazette. 

Dr.  William  Kent  Lathey  probably  succeeded  Yoimg.  or  may  have  been 
contemporaneous  with  him.     He  died  on  the  28th  of  July,  18<'9,  and  is  bur- 


266  HISTORY    OF    NOKTHUMBERLAXD    COUNTY. 

ied  in  the  old  Presbj-terian  cemetery;  the  inscription  on  his  tombstone  states 
that  he  was  born  at  Exeter,  England,  January  29,  1772. 

Samuel  Jackson  and  M.  Aristide  Rodrigue  were  among  the  leading  phy- 
sicians at  a  later  date.  Doctor  Jackson  built  the  brick  house  at  the  north- 
west corner  of  Market  square  now  owned  by  Henry  L.  Cake;  he  afterward 
remoyed  to  Philadelphia,  where  he  became  prominent  in  the  profession. 
Doctor  Rodrigue  resided  in  a  brick  house  on  North  Way  between  Queen  and 
Market;  on  the  4th  of  February,  ]835,  he  married  Ann  Caroline,  daughter 
of  Hugh  Bellas,  and  afterward  located  for  a  time  at  Sunbury. 

Joseph  Priestley  was  born  in  Point  township,  Northumberland  county, 
Pennsyh-ania,  September  22,  1819;  he  was  a  great-grandson  of  the  Rey. 
Joseph  Priestley,  the  eminent  philosopher  and  theologian.  After  recei\'ing 
suitable  preparatory  education  iinder  the  Rey.  Dayid  Kirkpatrick  at  ililton, 
he  read  medicine  with  Dr.  James  Dougal  of  that  place  and  entered  the  med- 
ical department  of  the  University  of  Pennsylyania,  graduating  from  that 
institution  in  March,  1844.  He  immediately  located  at  Northumberland,  where 
he  continued  in  actiye  practice  until  his  death,  March  10,  1883.  He  served  as 
president  of  the  county  medical  society,  and  was  a  member  of  the  State  and 
national  medical  associations.  In  j^olitics  he  was  an  ardent  Republican  from 
the  organization  of  that  party  until  his  death.  In  the  community  where  his 
professional  work  of  nearly  forty  years  was  done  he  was  universally  respected 
and  beloved. 

James  Teas  was  a  son  of  Samuel  Teas,  a  prominent  resident  of  Milton. 
He  married  Jane,  daughter  of  Ellis  Walton,  the  second  prothonotary  of  Lyco- 
ming county;  she  was  a  niece  of  Jitstice  Charles  Huston,  of  the  Supreme  coitrt 
of  Pennsylvania.  Doctor  Teas  was  in  active  practice  at  Northumberland  at  the 
time  of  his  death. 

William  S.  Bright  was  born  at  Stinbury  in  1812,  son  of  Jacob  Bright,  and 
read  medicine  with  Doctor  Rush,  of  Philadelphia,  graduating  from  Jetferson 
Medical  College  in  1842.  He  began  the  practice  of  medicine  at  Northumber- 
land, where  he  remained  until  1849;  he  was  then  successively  located  at  Phila- 
delphia, at  Jackson,  Mississippi,  at  New  Orleans,  and  at  Galveston,  Texas, 
where  he  died,  August  2,  1890. 

James  Faulkner,  the  first  resident  physician  at  Milton,  wag  from  New  Jer- 
sey. He  began  his  practice  at  Milton  in  1794,  and,  it  is  said,  afterward 
removed  to  Erie,  Pennsylvania. 

James  Dougal.  the  first  physician  who  located  permanently  at  Milton,  was 
born  at  Londonderry,  Ireland,  June  4,  1769.  He  first  came  to  America  to  look 
after  the  landed  interests  of  his  father  in  Pennsylvania,  but  his  ship  was 
wrecked  on  the  coast  of  New  Jersey,  and  after  spending  some  time  as  tutor  in 
a  private  family,  he  returned  to  Ireland.  His  literary  and  professional  educa- 
tion was  obtained  at  the  University  of  Edinburgh,  Scotland;  he  began  the 
practice  of  medicine  at  Coxtown,  Ireland,  but  became  prominent  in  th?  patriotic 


THE    MEDICAL    PROFESSION.  267 

iiprising  of  ITUS  under  Eobert  Emmet,  the  leader  of  the  United  Irishmen,  and 
again  came  to  America,  locating  at  Milton,  where  he  built  the  sitbstantial  stone 
residence  at  the  corner  of  Front  and  Mahoning  streets  in  1S03.  His  practice 
extended  over  a  large  part  of  the  territory  now  embraced  in  Xorthumberland, 
Montour,  Columbia,  Lycoming,  Union,  and  Clinton  coimties.  He  died  on  the 
ISth  of  July,  IJSlS,  from  injuries  sustained  by  a  fall  from  his  horse. 

James  S.  Dougal  was  born  at  Coxtown,  Ireland.  October  7,  1794,  son 
of  James  Dougal.  He  was  educated  at  the  schools  of  Milton  and  under 
the  private  tuition  of  the  Rev.  Thomas  Hood,  read  metlicine  with  his  father, 
and  graduated  from  the  University  of  Pennsylvania  in  1S17.  He  at  once 
located  at  Milton,  where  he  succeeded  to  the  extensive  practice  of  his  father, 
and  continued  in  the  active  discharge  of  professional  duties  until  his  death. 
May  23,  1878.  Two  sons,  James  S.  and  Charles  H..  also  became  doctors: 
the  former  died  at  Milton,  February  20,  1847,  and  the  latter  is  now  a  lead- 
ing physician- of  that  borough. 

"William  McCleery  was  born  in  Dauphin  county.  Pennsylvania,  July  31. 
18(13.  He  was  educated  at  Washington  College,  Washington,  Pennsylvania, 
and  at  Jefferson  Medical  College,  Philadelphia,  graduating  from  the  latter 
in  1827.  His  preceptor  was  Dr.  James  S.  Dougal.  of  Milton,  with  whom 
he  was  associated  several  years  after  graduation.  He  continued  in  active 
and  successful  practice  itntil  his  retirement  in  1857.  and  died  on  the  4th  of 
.  December,  181^.  His  son.  Dr.  J.  P.  McCleery,  is  one  of  the  leading  physi- 
cians of  Milton. 

John  Meekly  was  born  in  Lehigli  county.  Pennsylvania.  March  Itj,  bS()7. 
He  received  the  degree  of  M.  D.  from  the  University  of  Pennsylvania,  and 
about  the  year  1835  located  at  Milton,  where  he  was  in  continuous  practice 
until  his  death,  April  3,  1871. 

David  Waldron  was  born  in  Turbut  township.  Northumberland  county. 
Pennsylvania,  in  LS2().  He  ranked  high  in  his  profession  and  enjoyed  a 
large  practice,  although  somewhat  erratic.  He  was  a  Democrat  in  politics, 
and  served  as  sheriff'  from  1800  to  1S<J3.  He  resided  at  Milton  from  the 
commencement  of  his  practice  until  within  a  few  years  of  his  death,  and  died 
in  Turbut  township,  April  22,  1885. 

U.  Q.  Davis  was  born  at  Limestoneville.  Montour  county,  Pennsylvania, 
July  16.  1821,  read  medicine  with  Doctor  Ludwig  of  that  place,  and  grad- 
uated from  the  University  of  Pennsylvania  in  1848.  His  practice  was  begun 
at  Lewisburg,  Union  county.  Pennsylvania,  whence,  in  1S5G,  he  removed  to 
Milton,  where  he  resided  until  his  death,  October  5.  1SS7.  During  the  civil 
war  he  served  as  surgeon  to  the  One  Hundred  and  Forty-eighth  Pennsylvania 
Volunteers.  His  son,  Sidney  Davis,  has  succeeded  to  the  practice  of  his 
father. 

Tobias  Piper  was  born  near  Philadelphia  and  located  in  Lewis  township 
in    1820.     He  resided  at  Turbut ville  and  upon  a  farm  in  the  vicinity  until 


268  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

1856,  when  he  located  at  McEwensville,  and  continued  the  practice  of  his 
profession  until  his  retirement  in  1867.  His  death  occurred  on  the  20th  of 
February,  1873. 

Joseph  C.  Eobins.'  the  first  physician  to  locate  permanently  at  Elysburg, 
was  born  at  Sunburn".  Pennsylvania,  June  1,  1806.  He  attended  the  common 
schools  of  his  native  town  and  the  academy  at  Northumberland,  then  in 
charge  of  Eobert  C.  Grier,  read  medicine  with  his  brother.  Dr.  WiUiam 
Kobins,  of  Sunbury.  and  completed  his  professional  studies  at  the  University 
of  Pennsylvania.  In  1828  he  began  the  practice  of  medicine  at  Simbury, 
whence  he  removed  to  Elysburg  in  the  following  year,  and  was  actively 
engaged  in  professional  work  at  that  place  forty-two  years.  His  practice 
extended  over  the  entire  eastern  part  of  Northumberland  county  and  into  the 
adjoining  portions  of  Montour,  Columbia,  and  Schiiylkill.  Three  of  his  sons 
became  physicians:  Galen  S.,  who  practiced  at  Elysburg  one  year  and  at 
Shamokin  four  years,  dying  in  1856  at  the  age  of  twenty-six;  Edwin  S., 
who  read  medicine  with  his  father,  graduated  from  Jefferson  Medical  College 
in  185-1,  and  has  been  in  continuous  practice  at  Shamokin  longer  than  any 
other  of  its  present  physicians;  and  Lorenzo  D.,  who  began  practice  with  his 
father  at  Elysburg.  ser%-ed  as  surgeon  during  the  civil  war,  returned  to  Elys- 
burg at  its  close,  and  resided  there  until  his  death  in  1875.  The  senior  Doc- 
tor Kobins  is  still  living  at  an  advanced  age,  and  is  the  last  survivor  of  the 
profession  in  Northumberland  comity  at  the  time  his  practice  began. 

Robert  Phillips  was  the  first  doctor  at  Shamokin.  He  resided  ''  at  the 
Gap  "  about  the  time  the  town  was  laid  out,  but  was  employed  in  a  business 
rather  than  a  professional  capacity.  Nothing  has  been  learned  regarding 
his  personal  history. 

John  K.  Robins,  the  first  resident  physician  at  Shamokin  after  that  place 
had  assumed  the  proportions  of  a  village,  was  born  at  Sunbury,  Pennsyl- 
vania, April  14,  1820.  At  the  age  of  twenty  years  he  began  the  study  of 
medicine,  graduating  from  Jefferson  Medical  College  in  1842,  and  in  April 
of  the  same  year  began  his  professional  career  at  Shamokin;  there  he  re- 
mained nearly  four  years,  removing  to  Catawissa,  Columbia  county,  Penn- 
sylvania, in  January.  1846.  There  he  has  since  resided,  and  is  one  of  the 
oldest  physicians  of  his  adopted  county. 

Galen  S.  Robins  was  born  on  the  4th  of  October,  1830,  son  of  Dr. 
Joseph  C.  Robins.  He  read  medicine  with  his  father,  attended  the  Peimsyl- 
vania  College  of  Medicine  and  graduated  from  that  institiition,  practiced  at 
Elysburg  one  year,  and  located  at  Shamokin  in  1852.  Here  he  was  in  active 
and  successful  practice  until  his  death,  October  9,  1856.  Dr.  J.  J.  John 
was  associated  with  him  in  practice  for  a  time,  and  afterward  Dr.  E.  S.  Rob- 
ins, his  brother,  who  is  now  the  senior  member  of  the  profession  at  Shamokin. 


THE    MEDICAL    PROFESSION.  269 

MEDICAL    SOCIETIES. 

Punsuant  to  a  call,  a  number  of  the  physicians  of  Northumberland 
county  met  in  Sunbury.  July  10.  18(59,  for  the  jiurpose  of  forming  a  medical 
association.  A  temporary  organization  was  effected  by  the  election  of  Dr. 
Joseph  Priestley,  of  Northumberland,  president,  and  Dr.  John  S.  Angle,  of 
Simbury,  secretary.  After  the  object  of  the  meeting  had  been  fully  stated 
and  discitssed.  Dr.  D.  W.  Shindel,  of  Sunbury,  moved  the  appointment  of  a 
committee  for  the  purpose  of  drafting  a  constitution  and  by-laws,  which  reso- 
lution was  unanimously  adopted.  The  committee  was  constituted  as  follows: 
Dr.  D.  W.  Shindel.  chairman;  Dr.  J.  B.  Newbaker,  of  Trevorton:  Dr.  J.  P. 
McCleer}',  of  Milton;  Doctor  McCay,  of  Northumberland;  Doctors  Robins 
and  Weaver,  of  Shamokin;  Doctor  Hunter,  of  '\Vatsonto\\Ti:  Dr.  W.  W.  Rob- 
ins, of  Hickory  Corners;  Doctors  Haupt  and  Angle,  of  Sunbury;  and  on 
motion  Doctor  Priestley  was  added  to  this  number.  The  committee  was  re- 
quested to  meet  at  Sunbury  on  the  first  Monday  in  August,  and  to  appoint  a 
time  for  the  nest  meeting  of  the  association.  After  an  interchange  of  pro- 
fessional views  and  experiences,  formal  and  informal,  the  meeting  adjourned. 
How  long  this  association  existed  has  not  been  ascertained. 

The  Northumberland  County  Medical  Society  was  organized  at  North- 
umberland, April  IS.  1S70,  with  Joseph  Priestley,  president;  U.  Q.  Davis 
and  Jacob  Rhoads.  vice-presidents;  J.  J.  Loiser,  recording  secretaiy;  E.  H. 
Homer,  corresi^nding  secretary;  F.  L.  Haupt,  treasurer,  and  a  board  of 
censors  composed  of  Doctors  Robins,  Newbaker,  Priestley.  Miles,  and  Life. 
The  society  sustained  an  intermittent  existence  of  about  live  years.  It  was 
reorganized  at  Milton,  July  12.  ISSf),  with  A.  S.  Cummings.  president;  J.  Hun- 
ter Miles,  secretary:  Hiram  Long  and  E.  H.  Horner,  vice-ptesidents:  F.  L. 
Haujit,  J.  W.  Sheetz.  and  G.  "VV.  Furey,  censors,  but  again  disbanded  after 
some  two  years  of  active  existence. 

The  Sunbury  Medical  Association  was  organized.  October  18,  1SS8, 
with  Hiram  Long,  president,  P.  H.  Renn,  secretan,-.  and  A.  C.  Clark,  treas- 
urer. Doctors  at  Sunbury  and  Northumberland  are  included  in  its  member- 
ship. 

The  Northumberland  County  Medical  Society  was  organized  at  the  court 
house  in  Siuiburj-  on  the  2d  of  December,  1890,  with  the  following  officers: 
President,  C.  W.  Weaver,  of  Shamokin;  vice-president,  Charles  M.  Martin, 
of  Sunbury;  recording  secretary,  G.  W.  Furey,  of  Simbury;  corresponding 
secretary,  J.  M.  Maurer,  of  Shamokin;  treasurer,  E.  H.  Horner,  of  Turbut- 
ville:  censors:  Hiram  Long,  of  Sunburj-,  F.  L.  Haupt,  of  Simbury,  and  R. 
A.  Kennedy,  of  Shamokin,  elected  for  one,  two,  and  three  years,  respectively. 

EOSTER    OF    THE    MEDICAL    PROFESSION. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  physicians  who  registered  in  the  office  of  the 
prothonotary  of  Northumberland  coimty  in  compliance  with  the  law  from 


270  HISTORY  OF  NORTHUMBERLAND  COUNTY. 

Jirne,  1881,  to  February,  1891  (the  names  are  given  in  the  order  of  registra- 
tation):  George  W.  Furey,  William  P.  Smith,  Joseph  Eyster,  John  H.  Har- 
ley,  Alfred  C.  Clark,  Elijah  F.  Orser,  Jacob  Kitter,  Frederick  L.  Haupt, 
John  F.  McClure,  Henry  Life,  Joseph  Priestley,  Edwin  S.  Robins,  Charles 
W.  Weaver,  Robert  A.  Kennedy,  Hiram  Long,  Frank  B.  Masser,  Frank  A. 
Clark,  Oscar  M.  Robins,  W^illiam  W.  Moody,  Samuel  Gr.  Mengle,  Henry  M. 
Emerick,  Charles  M.  Martin,  Philip  H.  Renn,  Rufus  Thayer,  Jacob  S.  Hol- 
lenback,  Albert  S.  Cummings,  Frank  B.  Richtstine,  Albert  D.  Thomas,  Will- 
iam B.  Stoner,  Walter  Van  Fleet,  Richard  L.  Wright,  Marcus  H.  Harpel, 
George  W.  Winterstein,  Shepherd  L.  Van  Valzah,  Robert  H.  Awl,  Raljsh  W. 
Moutelius,  Edmund  W.  Samuel,  William  J.  Haas,  Daniel  W.  Shindel,  John 
F.  Bigler,  Howard  M.   Essick,   John  W.  Bealor,  David  S.  Hollenback,  John 

B.  Newbaker,  Joseph  Hunter,  Benjamin  L.  Kerchner,  Nathaniel  C.  Purdy, 
Abraham  T.  Dewitt,  Charles  Schneider,  Reuben  H.  Muth,  Henry  M.  Raker, 
John  H.  Heinsling,  Uriah  Q.  Davis,  Joseph  Haas,  George  Treon,  Nathaniel 

C.  Giddings,  John  A.  Elliott,  Charles  H.  Dougal,  James  P.  ]\icCleery, 
James  A.  Osborn,  John  Walsh,  Sanderson  Lazarus,  Thomas  J.  Ritter,  J. 
Hunter  Miles,  Hn-am  H.  Malick,  Horace  W.  Burg,  Thomas  R.  Hull,  David 

F.  Engle,  William  T.  Williams,  Richard  R.  Breisch,  Andrew  Tenbrook. 
Edward  H.  Horner,  Edwin  M.  Emerick,  Samuel  F.  Gilbert,  William  G. 
Marsh,  Jacob  Rhoads,  James  A.  Hoffman,  John  S.  FoUmer,  Horatio  T.  Seas- 
holtz,  David  G.  Schive,  Isaac  Huff,  Henry  B.  Woodside,  James  F.  Adams, 
Rufus  Thayer,  Frederick  D.  Raker,  Jeremiah  K.  Bowers,  John  W.  Fritz. 
Daniel  H.  Dornsife,  Joel  Whary,  Irvin  Seitz,  Henry  P.  Lorman,  William  H. 
FoUmer,  Nelson  M.  Smith,  David  J.  Reese,  Daniel  McDonnell,  John  R. 
Duffield,  Josepji  E.  Robins,  Frank  W\  Johnson,  Albert  RusseU,  Annis  H. 
Crawford,  Lewis  Wolverton,  B.  P.  Backus,  Samuel  L.  Schreiber,  Henry  J. 
Smith,  William  M.  Robins,  James  L.  Lowrie,  Michael  B.  Garman,  John 
W.  Sheets,  Monroe  D.  Lehr,  Evan  J.  Longshore,  Joel  G. .  Ressler, 
Charles  H.  Lane,  Wladyslauw  Dangielawicz,  Fuller  S.  Derr,  Kimber  C. 
McWilliams,  Sherman  E.  Ayars,  Jacob  S.  Krebs,  Jacob  K.  Bricker,  James 
M.  Peebles,  Robert  G.  Van  Valzah,  Peter  N.  K.  Schwenk,  Simon  Hub- 
ler,  Joseph  L.  Bauer.  William  J.  McDowell,  Peter  S.  Wykoff,  David  T. 
Krebs,  Philip  R.  Palm,  Frederick  M.  Strouse,  William  Darman,  Edwin 
Heiser,  Oscar  L.  Muffly,  Francis  E.  Drumheller,  Joseph  B.  Morris,  Tobias 
Campbell,  E.  H.  S.  Hutchinson,  Hugh  G.  Turley,  George  W.  Dreher,  Lewis 
W.  Hensyl,  Robert  H.  Blakslee,  Mary  A.  McCay,  Benjamin  F.  Bartho,  Henry 
R.  Hummel,  James  M.  Maurer,  Samuel  A.  Gibson,  Robert  A.  Simpson, 
Abraham  K.  Ackerman,  William  H.  Purman,  George  W.  McNamara,  Joseph 

G.  Church,  Charles  M.  Blakeslee,  Augustus  A.  Bancroft,  Marks  P.  Hine, 
William  S.  Ruch,  George  W.  Harpel,  John  S.  Mengel,  Charles  D.  Shum- 
wiiy,  Calvin  L.  Johnstonbaugh,  Sidney  Davis,  Tolbert  W.  Blakeslee,  Martin 
L.  Emrick,  Wilson  S.  Groninger,  Alfred  G.  Shissler,  David  D.  Davis,  Will- 


^,7/,^4<^'^.^ 


THE    PRESS.  273 

iam  H.  Lewis.  Henry  S.  George,  David  H.  Coover.  John  X.  Lenker.  John  J. 
Keller,  Emanuel  A.  xlUemau,  William  D.  Karterman.  J.  C.  Keifsnvder. 

In  this  chapter  biographical  mention  has  been  appropriately  made  of 
those  physicians  only  whom  death,  retirement,  or  other  circumstance  has 
removed  from  the  active  duties  of  the  profession.  Sketches  of  many  of  the 
present  doctors  of  the  county  appear  in  the  biograjAical  department  of  this 
work. 


CHAPTEE  VII, 


THE   PRESS. 

Ni>— ;>i-xijri:Y   P.> 

lPEKS— Til! 

^    Press    „k 

■   Mil 

UKNAI.S      OF      3It. 

Cakmki- 

-M.EwHXs' 

rn.i.K 

.JnUKNAI.I^.M      AT     NlUniUM 
S}IA>[OKIN      XkWsI'AI'E 

LdcrsT  Gap  Papers. 

THE  newspapers  of  Philadelphia  were  the  first  to  circulate  in  central 
Pennsylvania:  and,  although  a  score  of  years  elapsed  after  the  organ- 
ization of  Xorthumberland  coitnty  before  a  paper  was  pitblished  within  its 
limits,  this  first  journalistic  effort  was  one  of  the  earliest  in  the  interior  of 
the  State.  Nearly  a  century  has  since  passed  aw;iy,  and  during  this  jieriod 
the  public  press  has  been  an  important  agency  in  the  social,  political,  and 
material  development  of  the  county. 

•JOURNALISM    AT    NCJETHCMBERLAXD. 

The  Sunbunj  CDid  Northumberland  Gazette,  the  piuueer  newspaper  of 
Northumlierland  county,  was  established  in  17'J2  by  Andrew  Kennedy.  The 
earliest  issue  examined  by  the  writer  is  that  of  Wednesday.  October  'J,  17U8, 
(Volume  II,  No.  71).  This  nitmber  is  a  three-column  folio,  eighteen  inches 
long  and  eleven  inches  wide:  the  contents  consist  principally  of  foreign  news, 
including  advices  from  London,  Brtissels,  Turin,  Florence,  and  Metz,  and 
intelligence  from  New  England  and  the  South.  Editorials  and  local  matter 
are  confined  to  a  column,  the  only  item  of  special  interest  being  an  accoitnt 
of  a  "  fiery  ball "  which  appeared  in  the  heavens  to  the  west  of  Northumber- 
land on  the  night  of  September  22,  171)2.  The  publisher  of  the  Gazette  in 
18(11  was  John  Schusler;  at  that  date  it  was  a  four-column  paper,  several 
inches  longer  and  wider  than  in  1798,  and  was  printed  "  at  the  moderate 
price  of  two  dollars  per  annum."  Andrew  Kennedy  resumed  control  of  the 
establishment  on  the  2()th  of  June,  1801,  and  about  that  time  the  title  became 
"Keimedy's  Sunbury  and  Northumberland  Gazette."  The  publishers  in 
ISOd  were  Andrew  and  James  Kennedy:  James  was  the  nephew  of  Andrew, 


274  HISTORY    OF    NOETHUMBEKLAND    COUNTY. 

but  the  length  of  time  they  continued  in  partnership  is  not  known.  In  1813 
the  paper,  of  which  the  full  title  was  •'  The  Simbury  and  Northumberland 
Gazette  and  Republican  Advertiser"  was  piiblished  by  Andrew  Kennedy  and 
G.  Sweney.  as  evidenced  by  the  issue  of  Tuesday,  February  9,  1813  (Volume 
XXI,  No.  30),  a  folio  seventeen  and  one  half  inches  long  and  eleven  inches 
wide.  The  ofKce  of  publication  in  1793  is  described  as  "  opposite  Messrs. 
Hepburn  &  Cowden's  store,  Northumberland-Town;"  in  the  issue  of  June 
26,  1802,  it  is  given  for  the  first  time  as  "  Franklin's  Head,  Queen  street," 
but  whether  this  imphes  a  change  in  the  location  can  not  be  definitely  ascer- 
tained. Local  tradition  asserts  that  Kennedy  resided  at  a  frame  hoirse  still 
standing  on  Duke  street  near  its  intersection  with  Front  in  the  boroitgh  of 
Northtimberland,  and  that  the  Gazette  was  conducted  at  the  corner  of  Front 
and  Queen  in  the  building  now  occupied  by  Wenck's  pharmacy.  A  notice  in 
the  issue  of  April  30.  1794,  requesting  delinquent  sttbscribers  to  make  pay- 
ment, states  that  the  second  year  of  the  Gazette  would  close  on  the  2Sth  of 
May,  1794,  from  which  it  is  evident  that  the  paper  was  established,  May  28, 
1792.  The  date  of  its  final  discontimtance  can  not  be  so  satisfactorily  deter- 
mined. Kennedy  was  an  ardent  Federalist,  and  was  obliged  to  suspend 
temporarily  during  the  war  of  1812;  but  he  was  engaged  in  the  printing 
business  at  Northumlierland  as  late  as  1810,  when  Simon  Cameron  was  in- 
dentured to  him  as  an  apprentice.  The  original  article  is  in  the  possession 
of  John  B.  Packer,  of  Sunbury,  and  reads  as  follows: — 

This  iiuli.'Uture  witne^ieth  that  Simon  Camerou,  the  sou  of  diaries  Cameron,  de- 
ceased, of  Peiinsylvauia.  I  by  and  with  the  advice  aud  consent  of  his  guardian,  Colin 
Cameron,  testitied  by  hi-  signing  as  a  witness  hereto,)  hath  bound  and  put  himself,  aud 
by  these  presents  doth  bind  and  put  himself,  apprentice  to  Andrew  Kennedy,  printer, 
of  the  town  of  Northumberland,  after  the  manner  of  an  apprentice,  to  dwell  with  aud 
serve  the  said  Andrew  Kennedy,  his  executors,  administrators,  aud  assigns,  from  the 
day  of  the  date  hereof,  for  and  during  and  until  the  full  end  and  term  of  three  years 
and  ten  months  thence  next  ensuing,  and  fully  to  be  complete  and  ended;  during  all 
which  term  the  said  apprentice  his  said  master  faithfully  shall  serve,  and  that  honestly 
and  obediently  in  all  things,  as  a  dutiful  apprentice  ought  to  do:  and  the  said  Andrew 
Kennedy,  his  executors,  administrators,  or  assigns,  shall  teach,  or  cause  to  be  taught 
aud  instructed,  the  said  apprentice  in  the  art,  trade,  and  mystery  of  a  printer:  and  shall 
find  and  provide  for  th^  said  apprentice  sufticieut  meat,  drink,  washing,  and  lodging 
during  the  said  term;  and  at  the  expiration  of  every  year  sliall  and  will  give  his  said 
apprentice  twenty  dollars  to  provide  said  appreuticc  with  chithing. 

SiMuN  C.v.MEKON,  Seal. 

Coi.ix  C.vMERoN,  Seal. 

■Andrew  Kennedy,     Seal. 

Bound  before'  me.  "ue  of  the  justices  for  the  county  of  Northumberland. 
May  14,  1810.  Jno.  LEiouof. 


THE    PRESS.  2iD 

Republican  Argus  was  the  title  of  the  second  paper  at  Northimiberlancl. 
It  was  founded  by  John  Binns,  who  was  born  at  Dublin.  Ireland,  December 
'I'l.  1772,  and.  after  exi^eriencing  confinement  in  the  Tower  of  London,  came 
to  America  to  escape  further  undesirable  conseqiiences  of  his  connection 
with  jiolitical  disturbances.  In  his  autobiography  (pp.  17G-177)  he  gives 
the  following  interesting  account  of  the  inception  of  the  Argus:  — 

On  the  4th  of  Jnly,  1802,  a  number  of  the  inhabitants  of  Xorthumberland  agreed 
to  dine  together  in  the  large  room  over  the  market  house.  At  the  request  of  a  com- 
mittee of  that  company  I  agreed  to  deliver,  and  did  deliver,  an  oration.  That  was  the 
first  time  I  addressed  a  public  meeting  in  the  United  States.  The  room  was  crowded, 
and  I  had  the  gratiticatiou  to  hear  the  discourse  favorably  spoken  of  by  man}-  whose 
good  opinion  was  valued  and  valuable.  The  only  newspaper  at  that  time  published  in 
the  county  of  Nonhumberlanil  was  called  the  Northumberland  Gmctte ;  of  that  paper 
Mr.  Andrew  Kennedy  was  the  proprietor  and  publisher.  At  his  request  I  wrote  occa- 
sional articles  for  it.  Political  parties  were  then  and  long  atter  known  as  Republicans 
and  Federalists.  The  politics  of  the  Gazette  were  those  of  the  Federal  party,  of  which 
party  tliere  were  many  bitter  partisans  in  the  towns  of  Sunbury  and  Northumberland 
and  throughout  the  coimtry.  He  (Mr.  Kennedy)  called  on  me,  and  said  that  if  I  would 
occasionally  write  for  his  paper  my  contributions  should  be  published  without  any 
alteration.  I  did  a-  lie  requested:  and  on  this  same  4th  of  .July,  1802,  a  long  and 
what  I  fliouglit  an  a|i|Ti'priate  address  for  tlie  liirth.lay  of  Indepfudence  was  written 
by  me  and  iHil.)li^!i.'l  ill  X\if  (ln-.rtt, .  In  tlie  next  wi-ck's 'r,/:, /•/(  were  published  some 
angry  animadviT-i'.n-  mi  my  article,  to  which,  in  the  next  Guzette,!  made  answer. 
Thi-  (■llnt^cl\(■r^y  i  .iiTiniii'd  for  some  w-eeks,  wlien  the  editor  of  the  Gczettc  tolA  n\e 
that  wliat  1  liad  w  rin>-n  had  given  oifense  to  his  political  friends,  and  that  he  could  not 
publish  any  niori-  of  my  writings  on  politics.  I  thought  this  unfair  and  unjust,  and 
soon  after  issued  pr'|plJ^als  to  ]irint  in  Northumberland  a  weekly  paper  under  the  title 
of  the  llepiihlii-id,  Acjiix  with  the  motto,  "Equal  and  exact  justice  to  all  men  of  what- 
ever sect  or  persuasion,  religious  or  political."  The  proposals  were  circidated  and  the 
establishment  of  the  paper  advocated  by  the  most  influential  Republicans  in  the 
county.  The  subscription  and  general  patronage  extended  to  the  Arf/ns  were  beynnd 
my  expectaticin.  I -ncn  got  typc■^  and  printing  material,  and  issued  the  rtrst  number 
of  the  paper  early  in  l^n:).*  In  a  >ln>rt  time  1  uc(|uired  the  confidence  of  the  Kejiub- 
lican  party,  not  only  nf  XcirthumlnH-land,  but  of  the  neighboring  counties. 

Binns  also  state.s  in  his  autobiograi^hy  that  the  paper  upon  which  the 
Argus  was  printed  was  obtained  at  Beaver  Dam.  Pennsylvania,  and  in  order- 
ing his  .supplies  he  was  obliged  to  make  a  joitrney  of  sixty  miles.  In  1S(I7 
he  removed  to  Philadeljihia,  and  on  the  27th  of  March  in  that  year  estab- 
lished The  Democratic  Press,  for  many  years  the  leading  organ  of  its  party 
in  the  city  and  State.  The  word  "Democratic"  as  applied  to  a  political  party 
first  ai^peared  in  the  title  of  this  paper,  and  it  has  been  claimed  with  some 
plausibility  that  one  of  the  great  political  organizations  of  the  nation  received 
its  name  in  this  manner.  In  1822  Binns  was  appointed  an  alderman  of  Phil- 
adelphia by  Governor  Hiester,  and  was  the  incumbent  of  this  position  some 
years.     He  wrote  a  book  poprdarly  known  as  ''Binn's  Justice,"  widely  used 

♦This  date  is  not  strictly  accurate,  as  the  first  issue  of  the  Argiu<  appeared  on  the  ir.tli  of  Decem- 
ber. lso-2.  This  part  of  Binns's  autobiography  was  evidently  based  entirely  upon  his  recollection. 
whidi  was  doubtless  correct  as  to  the  general  current  of  events. 


276  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTV. 

by  justices  of  the  peace  throughout  the  State  at  one  time,  and  was  perhaps  as 
well  known  as  the  author  of  this  work  as  from  his  connection  with  journal- 
ism.    He  died  in  Philadelphia  at  an  advanced  age. 

Matthew  Huston  became  proprietor  of  the  Argus  in  1807  and  jiublished 
it  until  his  death.  August  10,  1809.  The  paper  was  continued  after  that 
date  by  his  son.  Andrew  C.  Huston,  and  when  it  was  iinally  discontinued  is 
not  known;  biit,  as  Republican  Advertiser  appears  as  part  of  the  caption  of 
the  Gazette,  it  is  highly  probable  that  the  Republican  Ai-giis  was  ultimately 
merged  into  Kennedy's  paper,  although  such  a  conclusion  is  only  matter  of 
inference.  The  issue  of  Wednesday,  April  24,  1811,  the  latest  copy  esam- 
ined  by  the  writer,  is  a  four-colirmn  folio,  seventeen  inches  long  and  eleven 
inches  wide,  and  bears  intrinsic  evidence  of  having  been  "printed  and  pub- 
lished by  Andrew  C.  Huston  at  the  book  and  stationery  store  in  Queen  street 
opposite  Mr.  Taggart's  inn."  Andrew  C.  Huston  was  born  in  Woolwich 
township,  Gloucester  county,  New  Jersey,  March  27,  1787,  and  died  at  North- 
umberland on  the  10th  of  January,  1876,  one  of  the  oldest  printers  in  Peim- 
.sylvania  at  the  time  of  his  death. 

The  Columbia  Gazette  was  published  by  George  Sweney,  a  former  part- 
ner of  Andrew  Kennedy,  and  supjjorted  the  national  administration  in  the 
war  of  1812.  The  first  number  was  issued  on  the  2d  of  November.  IM^l  but 
the  length  of  time  it  continued  is  not  known. 

The  Religions  Museum,  edited  by  Eev.  Robert  F.  N.  Smith,  of  North- 
umberland, and  devoted  to  general  missionary  and  religious  intelligence,  was 
published  in  181S.  The  writer  has  examined  the  issite  of  Augtist  •".  1S18 
(Volume  I,  No.  -t),  a  three-column  folio  ten  by  thirteen  inches  in  chmensions; 
the  only  contents  of  local  interest  is  a  notice  of  the  Susquehanna  Bible 
Society. 

The  Northumberland  Union  was  published  by  Alexander  Hughes  about 
five  years,  beginning,  it  is  supposed,  in  1832.  It  was  a  Democratic  organ. 
The  proprietor  man-ied  Miss  M.  E.  Burkenbine,  daughter  of  Frederick  Bur- 
kenbine.  of  Northumberland,  October  22,  1833. 

Public  Press,  a  seven-column  folio,  was  estalilished  in  1N72  by  C.  W. 
Gittelius  and  W.  E.  Taylor;  the  latter  sitbsequently  retired,  and  Mr.  Gutelius 
has  since  conducted  the  jiiaper  individually. 

SUNBUEY    PAPERS. 

Der  Freilieitsvogel  was  the  first  newspaper  published  at  Sunbur}-.  From 
a  comj^arison  of  the  best  evidence  it  is  believed  that  it  was  established  in  ISOO 
and  continued  several  years.  Jacob  D.  Breyvogel  was  proprietor,  editor,  and 
publisher;  nothing  is  known  regarding  his  personal  history  beyond  the  fact 
that  he  married  Miss  Susanna,  daughter  of  Colonel  Christopher  Baldy,  of 
Buffalo  valley  (Union  county),  Pennsylvania,  on  Sunday,  September  27.  1801. 
The  ceremony  was  performed  by  William  Irwin,  justice  of  the  peace.     In  the 


THE    PEESS.  277 

notice  of  this  occurrenct^  in  Kennedy's  Gazette.  Bre^-s-ogel  is  referred  to  as 
the  "printer  at  Sunbury."  As  indicated  by  the  title.  Der  Freiheifsmgel  \y;\s 
a  German  paper. 

The  Times  was  established  in  1812  by  William  F.  Buyers,  and  was  the 
second  paper  at  Siinbnry.  Mr.  Buyers  was  born  at  that  town.  January  12. 
17S2,  son  of  John  Buyers,  a  prominent  merchant  and  early  resident  of  the 
county  seat.  He  learned  the  printing  business  with  Brep'ogel:  in  Ken- 
nedy's Gaze^fe  of  October  26,  1801,  the  statement  is  made  that  "William 
Buyers  has  now  established  a  printing  office  at  Wilhamsport."  from  which  it 
is  evident  that  he  entered  upon  his  career  as  a  newspaper  publisher  immedi- 
ately after  completing  his  a^iprenticeship.  This  was  the  Wilhamsport  Ga- 
zette, the  pioneer  journal  of  Lycoming  county.  Pennsylvania;  he  published 
it.  mider  many  difficulties  and  often  irregularly,  until  IStiS.  Returning  to 
Sunbun,-.  which  had  been  without  a  local  paper  since  the  suspension  of  Der 
Freiheitsvogel.  he  began  the  piiblication  of  the  Times  in  the  summer  of  1812. 
The  statement  has  been  made  that  he  retired  at  the  expiration  of  three  years. 
but  this  seems  improbable,  as  the  paper  was  certainly  published  by  him  in 
1810  and  1817.  He  commanded  a  comjiany  in  the  Seventy-seventh  regiment 
of  Pennsylvania  militia  in  the  war  of  1812:  on  the  13th  of  December.  181."). 
he  married  Miss  Martha,  daughter  of  Alexander  Hunter,  of  Stmlntry:  in 
IS  15— 18  he  served  as  commissioner  of  Northumberland  county:  and  on  the 
27th  of  June,  1821.  he  died  at  the  age  of  thirty-nine.  In  1811)  he  was  a 
Federal  Republican  candidate  for  Congress,  but  was  defeated.  The  issu?  of 
the  Times  for  September  2f'),  181()  (Volume  V,  Xo.  13).  is  a  four-column  folio, 
eighteen  inches  long  and  eleven  inches  wide:  the  congressional  election 
occurred  in  the  following  month,  and  this  number  is  correspondingly  replete 
with  political  articles.  It  is  j^robable  that  Cajitain  Buyers  pubhshed  the 
Times  thi-oughout  its  continuance  tinder  that  name.  His  printing  office  was 
in  the  second  story  of  the  "  state  house,''  which  occupied  the  site  of  the 
present  court  house,  and  at  a  small  frame  building  on  the  west  side  of  Second 
street  at  the  corner  of  Barberry  alley,  where  the  Nelf  House  stable  now 
stands. 

Publick  Inquirer  was  the  caption  of  a  paper  started  in  January.  1820.  by 
Samuel  J.  Packer.  He  acquired  his  knowledge  of  the  "art  preser\-ative"  at 
Bellefonte,  whence  he  came  to  Suubury  and  purchased  the  plant  of  the 
Times,  of  which  the  Inquirer  was  virtually  a  continuation.  It  was  estab- 
lished with  the  immediate  object  of  advocating  the  re-election  of  Governor 
Findlay,  and  the  issite  of  October  '>.  1820  (Volume  I,  Xo.  3U),  a  four-column 
folio  perhaps  twenty  inches  in  length  and  the  only  one  that  has  been  exam- 
ined by  the  writer,  is  devoted  almost  entirely  to  reports  from  various  parts  of 
the  State  regarding  the  progress  and  prospects  of  the  campaign.  Among  the 
apprentices  in  the  office  was  William  F.  Packer,  a  kinsman  of  the  proprietor, 
then  in  his  thii'teenth  year  and  subse(]uently  member  of  the  board  of  cf.nal 


278  HISTORY    OF   NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

commissioners  and  of  both  branches  of  the  legislature,  auditor  general,  and 
Governor  of  Pennsylvania,  1S5S-61.  During  Mr.  Packer's  ownership  the 
Inquirer  was  published  at  a  two-story  frame  building  which  formerly  stood 
at  the  southeast  comer  of  Chestnut  street  and  Center  alley.  It  is  supposed 
that  it  was  subsequently  published  by  Jacob  W.  Seitzinger,  a  Mr.  Yander- 
slice,  and  Francis  P.  Schwartz,  all  of  whom  are  kno-wn  to  have  been  con- 
nected with  newspapers  at  Sunbury.  Seitzinger  was  a  man  of  mi;ch  native 
ability  but  little  education:  he  subsequently  removed  to  Schuylkill  county 
and  became  wealthy  through  fortimate  investments  in  coal  lands.  Vander- 
slice  was  a  member  of  the  family  of  that  name  which  was  prominent  at  gun- 
bury  at  the  beginning  of  this  centur}".  Schwartz  had  been  employed  in  one 
of  the  departments  at  Washington  when  a  young  man:  in  the  war  of  1812 
he  served  as  ensign  in  Captain  Jacob  Hummel's  company  from  Northumber- 
land county,  he  taught  school  at  Simbiiry  and  in  the  •vicinity,  and  served  as 
town  clerk  at  an  early  date  in  the  histoiy  of  the  borough.  He  was  the  father 
of  John  J.  W.  Schwartz,  of  the  Shamokin  Herald,  ex-treasurer  of  Northum- 
berland county.  Of  Samuel  J.  Packer,  the  founder  of  the  Inquirer,  extended 
mention  is  made  in  this  work  in  the  chapter  on  tlie  Bench  and  Bar. 

The  Gazetteer  was  the  third  and  last  paper  in  the  line  of  direct  succes- 
sion from  the  Times.  The  earliest  number  examined  by  the  writer  is  the 
issue  of  March  24,  1825  (Volume  I.  Xo.  21),  a  tive-column  folio.  It  contains  a 
notice  from  Peter  Martz,  dated  February  24,  182-"),  stating  that  he  had  "sold 
the  establi-shment  of  the  Gazetteer  io  James  R.  Shannon;"  it  is  quite  evi- 
dent, therefore,  that  the  paper  was  established  by  Martz.  He  was  a  mill- 
wright by  occupation,  but  attained  some  prominence  in  locaF  political  affairs 
as  member  of  Assembly  and  associate  judge.  It  is  thought  that  William 
Shannon  also  published  the  Gazetteer;  he  kept  a  hotel  in  the  old  jail  build- 
ing at  the  southeast  comer  of  Market  street  and  Center  alley,  and  the 
Gazetteer  was  printed  in  a  large  room  on  the  second  floor  in  the  rear  end  of 
this  building.  His  son,  James  E.  Shannon,  was  the  publisher  in  1882,  and 
the  issue  of  Saturday,  February  25th  of  that  year  (Volume  II,  No.  28,  New 
Series),  is  the  latest  that  has  been  examined  by  the  writer.  This  number  is 
a  five-column  folio,  twenty-one  inches  long  and  fourteen  inches  wide,  printed 
on  quite  heavy  paper.  The  only  matter  of  local  interest  it  contains  is  an 
account  of  a  celebration  at  Sunbuiy  on  the  22d  of  February,  1882.  in  honor 
of  the  centennial  anniversary  of  the  birth  of  Washington.  The  day  was 
ushered  in  with  the  firing  of  guns  and  ringing  of  bells,  and,  after  a  parade, 
the  Sunbiiry  Grays  and  many  leading  citizens  sat  down  to  a  sumptuous  re- 
past at  one  of  the  leading  hotels.  Peter  Lazarus  was  chosen  chairman  and 
H.  B.  Masser,  secretary:  thirteen  regular  and  many  volunteer  toast.s  were 
resijonded  to.  The  town  was  illuminated  in  the  evening  and  a  large  con- 
course of  people  moved  in  procession  through  the  streets,  preceded  bj'  a 
splendid  transparency  of  Washington.     As  a  whole  it  was  not,  the  paper 


THE    PKESS.  279 

states,  surpassed  br  any  similar  demonstration  since  the  celebration  of  the 
peace  in  1^15.  It  is  not  probable  that  the  publication  of  the  Gazetteer  \yas 
continued  more  than  a  Tear  after  this  date.  William  Shannon  was  sheriff'  of 
Northumberland  county,  lSlS-21,  and  James  R.  Shannon.  1821-24. 

Der  Northumherland  Repuhlikaner  was  issued  for  the  tirst  time  on  the 
12th  of  August.  ISl 2.  and  was  the  third  paper  at  Sunbury.  It  was  founded  by 
John  G.  Youngman.  and.  as  indicated  by  the  name,  was  a  German  paper.  Mr. 
Yoimgman  was  born  near  Hitmmelstown,  Dauphin  county,  Pennsylvania, 
January  6,  17^6.  and  was  descended  from  a  Moravian  family  that  emigrated 
from  Lusatia,  Prussia,  to  Bethlehem,  Pennsylvania,  in  1740.  His  father,  Jacob 
Youngman,  was  a  blacksmith  and  farmer,  and  his  grandfather,  Rev.  John 
George  Y'oungman.  who  died  at  Bethlehem  in  ISOS  at  the  age  of  eighty-eight, 
was  a  Mon.vif.n  missionary  to  the  Indians.  At  the  age  of  eight  years  he  was 
adopted  by  his  uncle,  Gottlieb  Y'oungman,  a  soldier  of  the  Revolution,  who 
established  the  tirst  German  paper  in  Berks  county,  Pennsylvania.  "  The  im- 
partial Reading  Newspaper"  on  the  ISth  of  February,  1789,  continued  its 
publication  imtil  ISIO,  and  died  at  Louisville,  Kentucky-,  June  10,  1883.  at  the 
age  of  seventy-six.  Under  his  tuition  he  acquired  a  thorough  knowledge  of 
the  printing  business.  In  1S02  he  left  his  vmcle  on  accoimt  of  some  misunder- 
standing, walked  to  Somerset  county,  and  was  employed  at  his  trade  by  a  Mr. 
Ogle.  Four  years  later  he  secured  employment  on  the  Hornet  at  Frederick. 
Maryland:  in  18i)7  he  was  connected  with  the  Times,  one  of  the  tirst  daily 
papers  of  Baltimore,  and  from- that  city  he  went  to  Hagerstown.  Maryland, 
whore  he  secured  a  situation  under  John  Grirlx^r.  the  well  known  almanac  pub- 
li.sher.  In  1S12  he  returned  to  Reading,  procured  the  necessary  materials 
from  his  uncle,  and  forthwith  established  the  Amerikaner  at  Sunbury.  The 
tiles  of  this  paper  are  still  extant  for  1815-18,  beginning  with  the  issue  of 
August  11th  of  the  former  year  and  ending  with  January  of  the  latter.  It 
is  a  three-cohimn  folio,  fourteen  inches  long  and  nine  inches  wide,  and  credit- 
abb  in  typography  and  composition.  In  1818  the  name  was  changed  to 
Nordu-estliche  Post,  which  esi^oused  the  cause  of  Findlay  in  the  gubernatorial 
contest  of  1820,  thereby  alienating  the  large  body  of  the  German  population 
among  whom  it  circulated,  who  were  almost  a  imit  in  support  of  Hiester.  In 
consequence  of  this  disaffection  among  his  subscribers  Mr.  Youngman  sus- 
pended the  pubhcation  of  the  paper  (subsequent  to  July,  1827,  however). 
and  for  several  years  devoted  his  attention  to  the  printing  of  books  and 
pamphlets. 

ShaniGkin  Canalboot  was  the  caption  of  Mr.  Youngman's  next  venture. 
A  great  popular  agitation  in  favor  of  internal  improvements  was  in  progress 
throughout  the  State,  and  it  was  with  the  idea  of  promoting  local  enterprises 
of  this  nature  that  the  paper  was  established  and  supi^orted;  The  only  copy 
examined  by  the  writer  is  the  issue  of  Saturday.  March  5,  1831  (No.  102); 
this  is  a  folio  tifteen  and  one  half  inches  long  and  eleven  inches  wide,  embel- 


280  HISTORY    OF    NOKTHUMBERLAKD    COUNTY. 

lished  with  the  representation  of  a  canal  boat  on  the  head-line  of  the  first 
page.     The  paper  was  published  imder  this  nam?  until  1833. 

The  Workingmen' s  Advocate,  a  four-column  foho  eleven  by  sixteen  inches 
in  dimensions,  was  first  issued  by  John  G.  Youngman  on  Monday,  April  29, 
1833:  it  was  the  first  English  paper  published  by  him,  and  was  the  immediate 
chronological  succes.sor  of  the  Canalboot.  In  his  salutatory  the  editor  stated 
that  his  paper  would  be  Democratic  in  politics,  reserving  to  himself,  however, 
the  right  of  differing  from  party  conventions  as  to  what  platforms  or  candidates 
were  really  Democratic  should  occasion  require.  The  Advocate  was  continued 
with  success  and  profit  until  1838,  and  the  popularity  of  the  editor  is  shown  by 
the  fact  that  several  rival  papers  at  Simbury  and  Northumberland  suspended 
during  that  period. 

The  Sunbury  Gazette  was  established  in  1838.  The  earliest  issue  exam- 
ined by  the  writer  is  that  of  Saturday,  January  7,  1843  (Volume  V —  No.  241)), 
which  is  a  five-column  folio  twenty-one  and  one  half  by  thirteen  inches;  the  full 
title  at  that  time  was  ''The  Sunbury  Gazette  and  Miners'  Register."  The 
publishers  were  Jolin  G.  Youngman  &  Son.  The  senior  member  of  this  fimi 
was  actively  connected  with  the  press  of  Sunbury  almost  continuously  from  the 
time  he  established  the  Amerikaner  in  1812  until  his  retirement  from  the 
Gazette  in  1807,  a  period  of  fifty-five  years.  He  was  also  prominent  in  the 
public  affairs  of  the  county,  and  was  the  incumbent  of  several  important  piib- 
lic  offices.  In  1814  he  served  as  county  treasurer,  and  in  1818-21  as  county 
commissioner;  on  the  oi\i  of  Febiarary,  1839,  he  was  commissioned  as  register 
and  recorder,  and  in  the  autumn  of  that  year  he  was  elected  to  those  offices,  to 
which  he  was  thus  the  last  person  appointed  and  the  first  person  elected  in  this 
county.  He  took  great  delight  in  tyi^e-setting,  and  worked  at  this  in  the  com- 
posing room  of  the  Gazette  until  within  a  few  months  of  his  death,  which 
occurred  on  the  13th  of  September,  1871. 

The  Gazette  was  published  by  John  G.  Youngman  &  Son  from  its  in- 
ception in  1S3S  until  lSf)7.  George  B.  Youngman  was  the  jimior  member 
of  this  firm  from  LS3S  until  18-")."),  He  learned  the  printing  trade  with  his 
father,  and  it  was  principally  through  his  infiuence  that  the  Gazette  was 
started.  In  1850— 31  he  served  as  treasurer  of  Northumberland  coimty. 
After  his  retirement  from  the  paper  he  engaged  in  fruit  and  grape  culture 
on  a  farm  several  miles  east  of  Sunbury,  and  continued  this  business  success- 
fully until  his  death,  April  9,  1880,  at  the  age  of  sixty-six  years.  He  was 
succeeded  as  junior  member  of  the  firm  in  185.j  by  his  brother,  Andrew  A. 
Youngman,  upon  whom  much  of  the  responsibility  in  connection  with  the 
paper  devolved  until  the  retirement  of  his  father  in  1808.  The  style  of  the 
firm  then  became  A.  A.  &  John  Youngman,  by  whom  the  paper  was  contin- 
ued until  the  11th  of  April,  1879,  when  it  was  consolidated  with  the  Ameri- 
can under  the  name  of  the  Gazette- American.  A  year  later  the  publication 
of  the  Gazette  individually  was  resumed  by  A.   A.    A:   John  Youngman  and 


THE    PRESS.  ,     281 

continued  lantil  March  ll>.  lSS;-5,  -when  it  was  isstted  for  the  h\?t  time  after 
forty-live  years'  contintions  publication.  The  last  ntimber  gives  a  review  of 
the  political  policy  of  the  paper,  in  which  it  is  stated  that  the  Gazette  was 
one  of  the  four  Democratic  organs  in  Pennsylvania  "  that  came  out  boldly  in 
favor  of  the  national  administration  as  against  the  rebel  cause"  in  IbiM.  and 
although  it  was  constrained  '"  to  protest  against  certain  tendencies  and  meth- 
ods in  the  management  of  the  Republican  party "  on  several  occasions,  it 
could  not  be  said  "  that  the  Gazette  ever  went  back  on  the  principles  of  that 
great  political  organization."  Andrew  A.  Youngman  still  resides  at  Stmbury, 
at  the  former  residence  of  his  father  on  the  southwest  corner  of  Third  and 
Arch  streets.  John  Yoitngman,  who  was  editor  of  the  Gazette  from  l^•"io  until 
its  final  suspension,  now  tills  a  similar  position  upon  the  staff  of  the  Belle- 
fonte  (Pennsylvania)  Watchman. 

The  Amerikaner  was  originally  established  at  a  small  frame  building  on 
the  north  side  of  Market  street  at  the  j^iresent  site  of  Eippel's  photograph 
gallery.  When  the  elder  Yoitngman  purchased  the  property  at  Third  and 
Arch  he  removed  the  printing  office  to  a  frame  structure  adjoining  his  resi- 
dence and  fronting  Arch  street.  The  next  location  was  a  wooden  building  at 
the  site  of  the  Dewart  block,  corner  of  Market  and  Third,  occupied  in  1S47- 
'")().  when  the  office  was  removed  to  the  north  side  of  Market  street  nearly  op- 
posite the  City  Hotel;  the  Gazette  was  published  there  at  the  time  of  its  sus- 
pension in  18S3.  but  had  occupied  several  different  places  in  the  meantime, 
the  principal  of  which  was  the  second  story  of  the  Geyer  block,  northeast 
corner  of  ]Market  sejuare.  to  which  it  was  removed  in  INI)^. 

Snu'jiieluoma  EmporitDU  was  the  caption  of  a  paper  established  at  Sun- 
bury  by  Ezra  Grossman,  a  native  of  New  Berlin,  Pennsylvania,  who  married 
Eleanor  M.,  daughter  of  Samuel  Awl  and  sister  to  Dr.  K.  H.  Awl.  of  Simbury. 
He  published  the  paper  aboitt  a  year  and  a  half  and  then  chsi>osed  of  it  to 
Hamlet  A.  Kerr;  the  only  copy  examined  by  the  writer  is  the  issue  of  Mon- 
day. August  10,  182U  (New  Series,  Volume  I,  No.  10 — Whole  No.  ^S).  a  tive- 
column  folio  about  as  large  as  its  contemporary,  the  Gazetteer.  If  published 
without  interruption,  it  is  evident  that  the  paper  tirst  appeared  in  December, 
1827.  It  was  first  published  at  a  small  frame  bitilding  which  occupied  the 
site  of  P.  P.  Smith's  store  on  the  south  side  of  Market  street  between  Front 
and  Second;  after  his  marriage  Grossman  resided  at  a  house  that  stood  upon 
the  present  site  of  Dr.  R.  H.  Awl's,  and  printed  his  paper  in  an  adjoining 
building  at  the  quarters  subsequently  occupied  by  the  Youngmans.  He  was 
afterward  engaged  in  the  publishing  business  at  New  York  on  an  extensive 
scale.  Mr.  Kerr  continued  the  Emporium  a  few  years,  and  afterward  estab- 
lished a  jiaper  at  Milton. 

Der  General  Staats  Zeitung  was  originally  established  at  Wilkesbarre. 
Pennsylvania.  The  discontinuance  of  the  Canalboot  in  1883  left  Sunbury 
without  a  German  n^wspaj^er.  and  the  favorable  opening  thus  presented  was 


282  HISTOliY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

embraced  by  the  proprietors  of  the  Zeitung:  the  materials  of  their  establish- 
ment arrived  at  Simbury  on  the  ITth  of  February,  IHoo,  and  the  ofdee  was 
opened  on  Market  street  nest  door  to  the  Jackson  Inn.  On  the  l^th  of  April 
following  Bartholomew  Hauck  retired  from  the  Zeitung,  which  thus  became 
the  property  of  his  former  partner.  Henry  Zuppinger.  The  paper  siipported 
Van  Buren  for  President  and  Muhlenberg  for  Governor,  but  it  is  not  known 
how  long  it  was  continued. 

The  Simbury  American  was  established  by  Henrj-  B.  Masser  in  l.'S40, 
and  has  now  been  continuously  published  longer  than  any  other  paper  at 
Simbury.  Its  inception  was.  however,  the  outgrowth  of  unexpected  political 
developments  rather  than  the  result  of  deliberate  purpose.  At  that  time 
Northumberland  coitnty  was  ovenvhehuingly  Democratic,  and  a  nomination 
by  the  dominant  jsarty  was  virtually  equivalent  to  an  election;  it  was  in  the 
nominating  convention,  therefore,  that  the  jirincipal  battles  of  the  local  cam- 
paign were  fought.  In  1838  and  l>^8y  Charles  W.  Hegins  was  elected  to  the 
legislature  from  this  county,  but  when  he  appeared  for  renomination  in  18-iC) 
the  candidate  fi-om  the  northern  part  of  the  coimty,  Jesse  C.  Horton.  defeated 
him;  the  methods  employed  by  Horton's  supporters  were  regarded  as  irreg- 
ular by  the  friends  of  Hegins.  who  thereupon  withdrew  in  a  body  and  organ- 
ized another  convention,  which  placed  Hegins  in  nomination.  The  Democratic 
papers  in  the  county  at  that  time  were  the  Simbury  Gazette  and  Milton 
Ledger;  the  latter  naturally  supported  Horton,  but  when  the  Gazette  also 
recognized  him  as  the  regular  Democratic  candidate  it  was  a  great  surprise 
to  the  friends  of  Hegins,  whose  cause  was  thus  left  without  an  organ.  In 
this  emergency  Henry  B.  Masser.  Charles  G.  Donnel,  and  others  resolved 
upon  the  establishment  of  a  new  paper;  the  execution  of  the  project  was 
intrusted  to  Mr.  Masser,  and  within  ten  days  after  the  convention  the  first 
number  of  the  American  was  printed  at  Sunbury,  September  12,  1840.  Its 
publication  was  begun  without  a  subscription  list,  but  large  editions  were 
distributed  gratuitously,  notwithstanding  which  Horton  was  elected  by  a 
small  popular  majority.  Although  the  immediate  jiurpose  of  its  inception 
was  thus  defeated,  the  American  early  became  one  of  the  most  influential 
journals  in  central  Pennsylvania.  In  politics  it  was  Democratic,  although  its 
support  was  not  infrequently  given  to  the  opposition  candidates,  and  under 
Mr.  Masser's  editorship  it  was  particularly  active  in  its  advocacy  of  a  jiro- 
tective  tariff  and  the  internal  development  of  the  State.  Early  in  Buchanan's 
administration  it  became  identified  with  the  ''free  soil"'  movement  in  the 
Democratic  party;  its  support  was  transferred  to  President  Lincoln  shortly 
after  his  election  in  1800.  and  from  that  time  it  has  been  a  stanch  Rejmblican 
I^aper. 

The  American  was  publisheil  by  Masser  &  Eisely  from  September,  1840, 
until  April,  1848,  when  Joseph  Eisely,  who  had  had  charge  of  the  mechanical 
department  but  no  proprietary  interest,  retired.     Henry  B.  Masser  then  con- 


THE    PKESS.  283 

ducted  the  paper  individuaUv  until  September  19,  lSn4,  when  Emanuel  Wil- 
vert  secured  an  interest.  X.  S.  Engle  became  a  member  of  the  firm  on  the 
1st  of  April,  1S6C),  but  his  interest  was  acquired  on  the  1st  of  January,  1S69, 
by  Mr.  Wilvert.  who  became  sole  proprietor  on  the  2Sth  of  April  in  the  same 
year  by  the  retirement  of  Mr.  Masser.  Wilvert  continued  the  publication 
individually  until  April  11.  ISTU,  when  the  Gazette  and  American  were 
merged  into  the  Gazette- American,  in  which  the  former  proprietors  of  both 
were  jointly  interested.  One  year  later  this  connection  was  dissolved,  and 
the  American  reappeared  on  the  Uth  of  April.  1SS(\  with  Emanuel  Wilvert 
&  Son  as  'publishers.  Austin  "Wilvert,  the  jimior  member,  retired  several 
months  later,  after  which  Emanuel  Wilvert  was  individual  proprietor  until 
August  1.").  ISST.  Hudson  Withington  and  Thomas  J.  Silvius  next  jiublished 
the  paper  under  the  firm  name  of  "Withington  &  Silvius;  the  former  with- 
drew on  the  "ith  of  December.  l>iS9.  and  the  present  (1890)  editor  and  pub- 
lisher is  Thomas  J.  Silvius.  The  American  was  originally  a  six-column  folio 
twenty-two  inches  long  and  sixteen  inches  wide;  it  is  now  an  eight-column 
folio. 

Der  Deiit-<che  Amerikaner  was  published  from  1^4:'  to  IS'U.  and  was 
identical  in  ownership  and  management  with  the  Sunlmry  American,  of 
which  it  was  virtually  the  German  edition.  It  was  a  tive-column  folio,  four- 
teen by  twenty-one  iuch.'s.  ri::d  circialated  extensively  in  the  southern  {lart  of 
the  county. 

The  Daily  American  was  established  by  Emanuel  Wilvert  on  the  3iHh  of 
November,  1S77,  and  continued  thirteen  months.  It  was  a  iive-colunin 
folio,  seventeen  inches  long  and  eleven  inches  wide,  and  appeared  as  an 
evening  paper. 

Der  Deutsche  Demokrat  was  first  issued  on  the  1st  of  January.  lN")<i.  by 
Cyrus  O.  Bachman.  In  IS'U  it  became  an  adjunct  of  the  Northuml)erland 
County  Democrat,  and  was  discontinued  several  years  later. 

The  Northumberland  County  Democrat  was  established  in  l^'il.  The 
first  movement  in  this  direction  was  made  in  lNr)9.  when  a  coterie  of  Ijcal 
party  leaders,  prominent  among  whom  were  Dr.  E.  H.  Awl,  William  H. 
Kase,  Dr.  David  Waldron  (then  sheriff  of  the  county).  Colonel  Wright,  and 
others,  jointly  raised  a  fund  for  the  purpose  of  enlarging  the  plant  of  the 
Milton  Democrat  and  removing  it  to  Siuibury;  althoiTgh  the  idea  was  never 
consummated  imder  these  auspices.  Doctor  Awl  subsequently  purchased  the 
materials  of  the  Democrat  at  sheriff's  sale,  removed  them  to  Sunbury,  and 
permitted  Cyrus  O.  Bachman  to  use  the  press,  type,  etc.  in  the  jniblication 
of  his  German  paper  gratis,  thereby  materially  strengthening  that  journal. 
Tlieretofore  both  the  Gazette  and  American  had  been  Democratic,  but  both 
adopted  the  principles  of  the  Republican  party  after  the  election  of  Lincoln 
in  1SC)(\  tlius  leaving  the  D'rittsche  Demokrat  the  only  organ  of  its  party  in 
this  county.      It  soon  became  apparent  that   au  English  paper  was  necessary 


284  HISTORY  OF  NORTHUMBERLAND  COUNTY. 

for  the  support  of  party  interests,  and,  upon  the  representations  of  promi- 
nent Democratic  leaders,  Truman  H.  Purdy,  formerly  editor  of  the  Argits  at 
Lewisburg,  Pennsylvania,  agreed  to  take  charge  of  the  journal  it  was  pro- 
posed to  establish,  if  preliminary  support  to  the  extent  of  eight  hundred 
si^bscribers  should  be  obtained.  Measures  were  accordingly  inaugurated  to 
meet  this  requirement,  principally  through  the  efforts  of  Dr.  R.  H.  Awl  and 
Jesse  Simpson,  who  made  a  thorough  canvass  of  the  county,  and  with  the 
assurance  of  sufficient,  support  Mr.  Piu-dy  was  induced  to  begin;  in  adrlition 
to  the  materials  that  then  constituted  the  Demokrat  office  he  purchased  new 
type,  press,  etc.,  and  on  the  Sth  of  March,  1861,  the  first  number  of  "The 
Northumberland  County  Democrat"  was  issued  by  Truman  H.  Purdy  and 
Cyrus  0.  Bachman.  For  some  time  the  pubhcation  of  the  paper  was 
attended  with  may  difficulties,  owing  to  the  violent  partisan  feeling  which 
pervaded  political  discussion  at  that  period.  Au  extreme  instance  of  the 
hostility  with  which  it  was  regarded  occurred  on  the  night  of  January  18, 
1864,  when  the  office  (which  then  occui)ied  the  third  story  of  a  brick  build- 
ing on  the  south  side  of  Market  street  between  Third  and  Center  alley)  was 
mobbed  by  the  Ninth  New  York  Volunteers  while  passing  through  Simbury 
en  route  to  their  homes.  An  outrage  such  as  this  strengthened  the  paper 
with  its  party  in  this  coimty,  however,  and  within  a  few  years  the  Democrat 
became  an  influential  and  lucrative  journal. 

The  partnership  of  Messrs.  Purdy  and  Bachman  was  dissolved  several 
years  later;  after  its  dissolution  Mr.  Purdy  continued  the  paper  individually 
until  January  1,  1807,  when  the  establishment  was  leased  by  J.  E.  Eichholtz 
and  John  J.  Aiiten.  The  latter  retired  several  months  later,  and  on  the  1st  of 
July,  1 808,  the  paper  was  purchased  by  J.  E.  Eichholtz  and  Alvin  E.  Day.  In 
June,  1871,  Mr.  Eichholtz  bought  Mr.  Day's  interest,  and  thus  acquired  indi- 
vidual ownership.  D.  L.  SoUenberger  secured  a  proprietary  interest,  July 
1,  1877,  when  the  style  of  the  firm  became  Eichholtz  &  Company.  Mr. 
Eichholtz  again  conducted  the  paper  individually  in  1879;  on  the  1st  of 
January,  1880,  W.  L.  Dewart  and  George  C.  Frysinger  acquired  proprietary 
interests,  and  since  that  date  the  style  of  the  firm  has  been  Eichholtz  &  Com- 
pany. Mr.  Frysinger  retired  on  the  1st  of  January,  ISSl,  and  from  that 
time  to  the  present  Messrs.  Eichholtz  and  Dewart  have  constituted  the  firm. 
The  Sunbury  Daily  was  first  issued  on  the  7th  of  December,  1S72.  by 
J.  E.  Eichholtz.  The  original  size  was  a  four-column  folio  ten  by  fourteen 
inches  in  dimensions.  From  the  autumn  of  187o  until  the  latter  part  of 
March,  1870,  the  paper  was  published  by  Walsmith  &  Silvius.  It  was 
afterward  discontinued  for  some  time;  the  publication  was  resumed  in  1879, 
and  since  that  date  the  paper  has  been  under  the  same  ownership  and  man- 
agement as  the  Democrat. 

The  Sunbury  Independent  was  established  by  John  J.  Auten,  February 
27,  1808.     In  the   following  December   it   was  purchased  by  Cornelius  A. 


THE    PRESS.  285 

Keimensnyder,  who  changed  the  name  to  Democratic  Guard.  After  experi- 
encing various  vicissitudes  the  paj^er  was  finally  discontinued  some  two 
years  later.     A  German  edition  was  also  pxiblished  for  a  time. 

The  Snnbury  Enterprise  was  first  issued  on  the  'loth  of  May.  ISTO.  by 
J.  K.  Keefer,  and  probably  published  until  the  following  year. 

77/e  Weekly  Independent.  J.  A.  Cake  and  Thomas  J.  Silvius,  proprie- 
tors, Thomas  J.  Silvius.  editor,  made  its  debut.  April  20.  1S75.  and  was  pub- 
lished about  four  months.  It  was  a  six-column  folio.  Mr.  Cake  also  pub- 
lished the  Morning  E.vpress. 

The  Sunbury  Weekly  News  was  established  on  the  17th  of  June.  ISSl, 
by  A.  N.  Brice,  at  the  west  side  of  Third  street  between  Market  and  Chest- 
nut. It  was  originally  a  five-column  folio,  and  has  been  successively  enlarged 
to  a  five-column  quarto,  a  nine-column  folio  twenty-nine  by  forty-two  inches, 
and  a  nine-column  folio  thirty-one  by  forty-four  inches,  the  present  size. 
The  Sunbury  Gazette  was  absorbed  in  1SS8.  The  present  office  of  publica- 
tion, a  three-story  brick  building  on  Chestnut  street,  was  first  occupied  in 
18S8.  The  Neics  is  a  stanch  Republican  paper,  one  of  the  largest  in  size  and 
circialation  in  the  county. 

The  Evening  News  was  started  on  the  1st  of  April.  iSiiO.  and  is  published 
by  A.  N.  Brice  &  Son,  with  Max  Kauttmau  as  reporter.  Prior  to  the  removal 
of  the  establishment  to  its  present  quarters  the  Daily  News  was  published  on 
Third  street  about  six  months. 

The  Northumberland  County  Legal  Neus.  "a  weekly  publication  devoted 
to  legal  doings  in  county  and  State,"  was  first  issued  on  the  2oth  of  Aiigust, 
ISSS.  by  A.  X.  Brice  &  Sons.  The  late  John  T.  "Wolfinger's  "Recollections 
of  the  Bar  of  the  Counties  of  Northumberland,  Lycoming.  Union,  and 
Columbia."  reports  of  cases,  and  opinions  and  decisions  of  the  court  in  North- 
umberland and  the  surrounding  counties  constitute  the  princi})al  features  of 
this  publication. 

THE    PRESS    OF    MILTON. 

The  Mitto>iiuu  has  been  continuously  published  longer  than  any  other 
newspaper  of  Northumberland  county.  It  was  the  first  newspaper  at  Milton, 
and  its  founder,  Henry  Frick,  was  one  of  the  first  natives  of  the  county  to 
engage  in  the  jirinting  business  within  its  limits.  His  honorable  connection 
with  the  press,  and  the  high  positions  in  public  life  to  which  he  subsequently 
attained,  entitle  Mr.  Frick  to  a  more  than  passing  notice. 

Henry  Frick  was  born  at  Northumberland,  Northiunberland  county,  Penn- 
sylvania, in  IT'J'j,  son  of  John  Frick,  a  j^rominent  figure  in  the  political  his- 
tory of  the  county  at  that  period.  As  evidenced  by  the  original  indenture, 
now  in  the  possession  of  his  son,  R.  M.  Frick,  ca.shier  of  the  Milton  National 
Bank,  he  was  apprenticed  to  John  Binns  on  the  27th  of  January,  ISOG,  for 
the  term  of  ten  years,  one  month,  and  —  days.  The  following  were  among 
the  stipulations  of  this  indenture: — 


286  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

He  [Henry  Frick]  shall  not  plaj-  at  cards,  dice,  or  any  other  unlawful  game  where- 
by his  said  master  may  have  damage:  with  his  own  goods  or  the  goods  of  others  with- 
out license  from  his  said  master  he  shall  neither  huy  nor  sell;  he  shall  not  absent  him- 
self day  nor  night  from  his  said  master's  service  without  leave:  he  shall  regularly  at- 
tend ever}- Sunday  at  some  place  of  di\ine  worship:  he  shall  not  haunt  ale  houses  or 
taverns,  but  in  all  things  behave  himself  as  a  faithful  and  diligent  apprentice  ought  to 
do  during  the  said  term. 

And  the  said  John  Binns,  his  heirs,  executors,  or  administrators,  shall  teach  or  cause 
to  be  instructed  the  said  apprentice  in  the  art,  trade,  or  mystery  of  a  printer,  and  shall, 
during  the  said  term,  give  to  the  said  apprentice  two  ciuarters'  night  schooling  (one 
quarter's  day  schooling  to  count  and  be  equal  to  two  quarters'  night  schooling),  and 
shall  find  and  provide  for  the  said  apprentice  sufficient  meat,  drink,  apparel,  washing, 
and  lodging  during  the  said  term,  and  at  the  expiration  thereof  shall  and  will  give 
his  said  apprentice  the  sum  of  fifty  dollars,  good  and  lawful  money  of  the  Common- 
wealth of  Penns3-lvania. 

The  apprenticeship  was  accordingly  begun  at  Northumberland,  but  within 
a  few  years  Binns  removed  to  Philadelphia;  his  young  assistant  accompanied 
him  and  completed  the  period  of  his  indenture  in  that  city.  The  '"art,  trade, 
or  mystery  of  a  printer'"  was  thoroughly  mastered  by  him,  and  in  after 
years  he  sustained  in  his  own  oiHce  a  high  reputation  for  rajnd  and  accurate 
composition.  While  yet  in  his  minority  he  joined  a  company  at  Philadel- 
phia for  service  in  the  war  of  l^Vl,  participating  in  the  movements  about 
Marcus  Hook.  His  apprenticeship  expired,  March  IS.  1S16;  returning  to 
Northumberland  county,  he  was  attracted  to  the  growing  town  of  Milton,  and 
issued  the  first  number  of  The  Miltonian  on  Saturday,  the  '21st  of  Seiitem- 
ber,  181(1  For  more  than  ten  years  he  conducted  the  paper  individually, 
and  then  for  thirteen  years  he  continued  its  publication  in  partnership  with 
others.  In  1828  he  was  elected  to  the  Pennsylvania  legislatrtre,  and 
re-elected  in  1829  and  1830.  After  his  retirement  from  the  Miltonian 
he  acted  as  justice  of  the  peace,  and  at  the  time  of  his  death,  March  1,  1844, 
he  was  a  member  of  Congress  from  the  Thirteenth  Pennsylvania  district. 
Elocjuent  eulogies'were  delivered,  in  the  Senate  by  James  Buchanan,  and  in 
the  House  by  J.  K.  IngersoU.  In  the  language  of  Mr.  Buchanan:  "It  is  the 
history  of  a  man  (fortunately  so  common  in  this  country),  who,  from  a  humble 
beginning,  has,  by  industry,  ability,  and  perseverance,  gradually  surmoimtecl 
every  intervening  obstacle,  and  at  last  attained  the  high  distinction  of  a  seat  in 
Congress,  imder  circumstances  which  clearly  evince  that  he  enjoyed  uncommon 
personal  popularity  among  those  who  knew  him  best." 

Henry  Frick  published  the  Miltonian  individually  from  September  21, 
1810,  to  April  21,  1827;  it  was  continued  by  Henry  Frick  and  Montgomery 
Sweney  from  April  21,  1827,  to  April  16,  1881;  by  Henry  Frick,  Robert 
Bennett,  and  John  W.  Correy,  from  April  16.  1831.  to  April  20.  1833;  by 
Henry  Frick  and  Robert  Bennett,  from  April  20.  1833.  to  October  18,  1S34; 
by  Henry  Frick,  individually,  from  October  18.  1,S34.  to  June  3,  1837;  by 
Henry  Frick   and  John   H.  Brown,  from  June  3.  1837.  to  June  3,  1840;  by 


THE    PKESS.  2S7 

John  H.  Brown,  individnallv.  from  June  8,  1S40,  to  January  1,  1842;  by 
John  Frick  and  Edward  B.  Himter.  from  January  1,  1S42.  to  May  '\  1S48; 
by  John  Frick,  individually,  from  May  12,  1848,  to  July  14,  1S48;  by  John 
and  Robert  M.  Frick,  from  July  14.  1848,  to  December  31.  1852;  by  Robert 
M.  and  Henry  Frick,  Jr.,  from  January  7,  1853,  to  August  20,  1858;  by 
Henry  Frick,  Jr.,  individually,  from  September  2,  1853,  to  January  1,  1854; 
by  John  Robins,  from  January  1.  1854.  to  Janiiary  1.  1S57:  l\v  I_j.  H.  Funk, 
from  1858  to  1868:  by  L.  H.  Fimk  and  Lee  M. .Morton,  from  lSf)8  to  LSI '.7; 
by  Lee  M.  Morton  and  Frank  Bound,  from  1867  to  18ny;  by  Lee  M. 
Morton  and  William  M.  Mei-vine.  in  1809;  by  Lee  M.  Morton,  William  M. 
Mervine.  and  D.  C.  John,  from  1870  to  1875:  by  P.  L.  Hackenberg,  indi- 
vidually, in  1875;  by  Lee  M.  Morton,  individually,  from  1875  to  1877;  by 
Lee  M.  Morton  and  L.  V.  Housel.  from  the  spiring  of  1877  to  the  autumn  of 
187^:  l)y  L.  Y.  Housel,  indi^-idually.  from  the  autixmn  of  1878  to  October. 
1880;  by  Thomas  Strine  and  Joe  A.  Logan,  from  October,  1880,  to  August. 
1888.  and  from  that  time  by  Joe  A.  Logan,  individually.  The  paper  is  a 
stanch  Republican  organ,  and  is  justly  regarded  as  one  of  the  leading  jour- 
nals of  that  party  in  the  county,  .i  daily  edition,  the  first  in  the  borough,  was 
started.  Oetolier  20.  1877.  and  has  since  been  published  on  several  occasions 
for  a  brief  period.  The  office  files  of  the  weekly  edition,  unfortunately  for 
the  interests  of  local  historical  research,  were  entirely  destroyed  in  the  fire 
of  May  14,  1880. 

The  States  Advocate,  the  second  newspaper  published  at  Milton,  first 
appeared,  February  20.  1820.  From  that  date  until  August  18.  1S2'.I.  the 
proprietors  were  William  Tweed  and  Elim  H.  Kincaid,  followed  by  William 
Tweed,  individually,  luitil  August  15.  1S88;  William  Tweed  and  Jonas 
Kelclmer,  from  August  15,  1S88.  to  November  18.  1S84,  and  Jonas  Kelchuer, 
individually,  from  Xoveml)er  18.  1^84.  to  November,  188S.  when  he  removed 
the  plant  to  Lewisburg.  This  prqvr  advocated  the  principles  and  j)olicy  of 
the  Whig  party. 

The  West  Branch  Farmer  and  True  Democrat  was  established,  September 
3,  1884.  by  Montgomery  Sweney.  At  that  time  the  Miltonian  was  also 
avowedly  Democratic,  but  not  sufficiently  active  in  the  party  interest  to 
meet  the  approval  of  Mr.  Sweney.  hence  the  emphatic  adjective  in  the 
caption  of  his  paper,  which  was  meant  to  distinguish  the  Democracy  it  sup- 
ported from  that  advocated  by  its  contemporary.  The  venture  was  not  a 
success,  however,  and  in  1837  the  editor  removed  to  the  Spoon  river,  Illinois. 
when  he  engaged  in  farming  and  passed  the  remainder  of  his  life. 

The  Northumbrian  finst  appeared  on  the  20th  of  November,  1887,  imder 
the  proprietorship  of  Hamlet  A  Kerr,  a  man  of  fine  intellectual  capacity  and 
an  exceptionally  competent  printer.  In  its  typographical  appearance  it  was 
sujserior  to  any  paper  theretofore  published  at  Milton,  while  the  character  of 
its  contents  and  the  stvle  of  its  editorials  also  evinced  ability  and  discrimina- 


2SS  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

tion.  It  expired  within  a  few  years;  Mr.  Kerr  continued  to  re.side  at  Milton 
until  his  death. 

The  Milton  Ledger  was  established  in  183S  by  John  McGee^and  Stephen 
Wilson ;  it  was  successively  published  by  McGee  &  Collins,  Henry  L.  Dief - 
fenbach,  John  Porter,  Brewer  &  Armstrong,  and  L.  F.  Frank,  and  finally 
suspended  in  1844  fi-om  lack  of  patronage.  It  was  strongly  Democratic  in 
its  editorial  utterances. 

The  Advocate  and  Day-Spring,  a  temjoerance  paper,  first  ajipeared  in 
December,  1844.  The  publisher  and  editor  was  Rev.  W.  H.  T.  Barnes,  a 
young  clerg}-man  of  fine  oratorical  ability,  but  not  specially  adapted  to  the 
work  of  conducting  a  country  newspaper.  He  also  engaged  in  merchandis- 
ing, but  his  enterprises  were  not  successful,  and  the  plant  of  the  Advocate 
was  seized  by  his  creditors.  Barnes  enlisted  for  service  in  the  Mexican  war. 
and  was  killed  in  the  operations  against  Vera  Cruz. 

The  Milton  Democrat  made  its  debut,  April  17,  1852,  with  John  R.  Eck 
as  editor  and  publisher.  He  was  a  good  practical  printer,  a  man  of  fine 
social  qualities,  and  possessed  more  talent  as  a  writer  than  is  ordinarily 
bestowed  upon  a  country  newspaper.  In  1859  the  paper  shared  in  the  wan- 
ing fortunes  of  its  party  in  this  State,  and  after  disposing  of  the  plant  Eck 
went  to  Philadelphia,  wherfe  he  engaged  in  mercantile  pursuits.  He  died  in 
that  city,  July  30,  18SU,  in  the  seventieth  year  of  his  age. 

The  Northumberland  County  Herald,  a  temperance  paper,  was  started  in 
1868  by  Rev.  E.  W.  Kirby  and  J.  W.  Speddy.  Their  partnership  terminated 
in  the  following  year,  when  Speddy  removed  the  outfit  to  Mifflintown,  Juniata 
county,  Pennsylvania.     The  Herald  was  neutral  in  politics. 

The  Milton  Record  was  first  published  under  its  present  name,  March 
23,  1889,  and  is  the  result  of  a  consolidation  of  the  Argiis  and  Economist. 
In  1872  W.  H.  Smith  established  the  hidependent  Weekly  at  Benton,  Colum- 
bia county,  Pennsylvania;  it  was  removed  to  Milton  in  1870,  became  the 
Argus,  and  was  first  issued  under  that  name,  September  15,  1878.  In  1880 
the  office  was  entirely  destroyed  by  fire,  and  with  no  part  of  the  former  out- 
fit except  the  subscription  list,  publication  was  resumed.  May  21,  1880,  in 
two  box-cars  at  the  corner  of  Broadway  and  Filbert  streets.  These  quarters 
were  occiipied  four  months.  The  establishment  was  then  removed  to  Buoy's 
block  on  Broadway,  the  first  brick  building  completed  after  the  fire,  where  it 
remained  until  the  spring  of  1883,  when  a  frame  building  at  the  site  of  the 
present  publishing  office  was  occupied.  In  1884  the  Economist  was  started 
by  Schuyler  &  Keister;  its  successive  proprietors  were  Schuyler  Brothers,  A. 
S.  Hottenstein,  The  Economist  Publishing  Comjiany,  and  W.  P.  Hastings. 
Like  the  Argus,  it  was  Democratic  in  politics.  On  the  23d  of  March,  18S9, 
both  papers  were  transferred  to  The  Record  Publishing  Company,  of  which 
J.  Woods ^Brown  is  president  and  W.  H.  Smith,  treasurer  and  general  man- 
ager.    Ground  was  broken  for  the  present  three-stoiy  brick  publishing  house 


THE    PRESS.  291 

on  Broathvay.  September  3,  ISSU.  With  the  exception  of  four  mouth.s  in 
1881-S2,  Mr.  Smith  has  been  the  editor  of  the  Argus  and  the  Record  since 
their  first  inception;  he  continues  to  fill  that  position,  and  the  present  jtros- 
perity  of  the  pajier  is  principally  due  to  his  individual  efforts.  The  Record 
is  Democratic  in  politics,  and  is  a  valuable  adjunct  to  the  party  organization 
in  Northumberland  county. 

A  flourishing  daily  was  jjublished  in  connection  with  the  weekly  Argus  at 
the  time  of  the  fire.  It  has  since  been  twice  resuscitated,  but  without  per- 
manent results  on  either  occasion. 

The  standard  was  started.  February  7.  IS'.M).  by  W.  P.  Hastings.  Two 
months  later  it  became  a  tri-weekly.  and  is  so  continued.  It  is  a  Prohibition 
organ. 

SH.\M0KIX    NEWSPAPERS. 

The  first  effort  to  establish  a  paper  at  Shamokin  was  made  in  1853.  At 
that  period  the  town  received  an  impetus  from  railroad  improvement,  and  it 
was  thought  by  the  more  enteri:)rising  members  of  the  community  that  a  local 
journal  could  be  siipported  with  profit  to  the  publisher  and  advantage  to  the 
place.     The  movement  was  without  direct  results,  however. 

To  John  Eobins  belongs  the  honor  of  starting  the  first  paper  at  Shamo- 
kin. He  gave  to  the  new  venture  the  name  of  Shamokin  Journal  and 
Farmers'  and  Miners'  Advocate,  the  first  number  of  which  appeared  on  Sat- 
urday, May  1,  1858.  It  was  a  six-column  folio,  with  a  variety  of  miscella- 
neous matter,  several  columns  of  local  news,  and  an  elaborate  prospectus,  in 
which  the  projector  expressed  his  intention  to  publish  a  pajier  independent 
in  politics,  moral  in  sentiment,  and  devoted  to  the  interests  of  its  constituency. 
The  office  of  publication  was  '•  the  red  house,"  a  landmark  of  the  town,  the 
site  of  which  is  now  occupied  by  tin'  Reading  railroad.  But  the  venture  was 
premature;  the  business  of  the  place  was  in  the  midst  of  a  period  of  finan- 
cial stringency,  and  the  Journal  expired  from  lack  of  pecuniary  sujjport  be- 
fore the  completion  of  its  first  volume. 

The  materials  of  the  Journal  office  were  purchased  by  Samuel  John,  but 
for  more  than  a  year  the  town  was  without  a  local  pai)er.  On  the  8th  of 
March,  1860,  the  Shamokin  Register  made  its  debut  under  Mr.  John's  jiro- 
prietorship  and  editorial  management.  He  announced  that  the  paper  would 
be  independent  in  politics,  but  favorable  to  a  i^rotective  tariff,  and  promised 
an  agricultural  department  '"  of  vast  interest  to  every  one  who  cultivates  the 
soil,  from  a  garden  patch  to  a  five-hundred-acre  farm,  as  the  editor  has  been 
for  thirty  years  a  practical  and  scientific  farmer."  Beginning  as  a  six-col- 
imm  page,  the  Register  was  enlarged  with  the  nineteenth  number,  July  19, 
1800,  and  in  the  following  campaign  entered  vigorously  into  the  su2:)port  of 
the  Republican  party.  On  the  28th  of  March,  18G1,  Mr.  John  published  a 
valedictor}-,  having  had  "  glory  enough  for  one  campaign,"  but  two  weeks 
later,  not  having  been  successful  in  finding  a  competent  person  to  whom  he 


292  HISTORY  OF  NORTHUUBERLAND  COUNTY. 

might  intrust  the  paper,  he  resumed  the  publication,  which  was  again  dis- 
continued after  the  appearance  of  a  single  number.  The  paper  next  ap- 
peared on  the  6th  of  June,  1861,  with  Daniel  Bower  as  editor.  Mr.  Bower 
had  previously  been  connected  with  the  Williamsport  Times;  he  brought  to 
the  enterprise  considerable  experience  and  ability,  but  for  some  reason  the 
paper  did  not  prosper,  and  on  the  'iUth  of  April,  1862,  it  was  finally  discon- 
tinued. The  plant  reverted  to  Mr.  John:  it  was  subsequently  removed  to 
Simburv-  and  used  in  the  publication  of  the  Democratic  Guard  at  that  place. 

After  severing  his  connection  with  the  Register,  Mr.  Bower  proceeded  to 
«nlist  the  efforts  and  means  of  various  citizens  in  the  establi.shment  of  a  new 
paper,  which  made  its  first  appearance.  Jime  10,  1862,  under  the  name  of 
the  Shamokin  Herald,  edited  by  Daniel  Bower  and  Dr.  J.  J.  John.  Twelve 
nimibers  were  issued  under  this  regime,  when  Mr.  Bower  entered  the  military 
service  as  recruiting  officer  at  Camp  Cnrtin.  Subsequently  he  became  lieu- 
tenant in  a  company  of  volunteers,  and  died  from  wounds  received  at  Chan- 
cellorsville. 

The  first  number  of  a  new  series  of  the  Herald  was  issued  on  Thursday, 
December  25,  1862,  by  J.  Stewart  McEwen.  who  continued  the  paper  until 
July  2d  of  the  following  year.  The  foreman  of  the  office,  Samuel  B.  Sisty, 
then  took  charge,  and  published  one  number,  when  his  administration  was 
peremptorily  suspended  by  the  stockholders.  During  McEwen's  incumbency, 
while  professedly  independent  in  politics,  the  editorial  utterances  of  the 
paper  had  been  imiformly  favorable  to  the  Republican  national  and  State 
authorities;  the  one  number  issued  by  Mr.  Sisty  was  Democratic  in  a  corres- 
ponding degree,  which  at  once  aroused  the  opposition  of  the  stockholders, 
and  hence  his  untimely  withdrawal. 

Hitherto  the  efforts  made  to  establish  a  paper  at  Shamokin  had  not  been 
crowned  with  the  most  gratifying  success.  While  this  was  largely  attribut- 
able to  lack  of  encouragement,  it  was  also  doubtless  due  to  the  absence  of 
those  qualities  of  patience,  persistence,  and  energy  so  necessary  in  the  pro- 
jectors of  journalistic  ventures.  But  with  the  next  change  of  proprietorship 
the  Herald  passed  into  the  hands  of  Owen  M.  Fowler,  and  he  took  charge  of 
it  with  the  determination  and  the  ability  to  make  it  a  sttccess.  Born  at  Brier 
Creek,  Columbia  county,  Pennsylvania.  July  18,  1842,  he  obtained  his  educa- 
tion at  the  common  schools,  and,  ha\-ing  indicated  a  preference  for  the  print- 
ing business  at  an  early  age,  was  apprenticed  to  his  uncle,  Levi  L.  Tate, 
editor  of  a  Bloomsburg  paper.  After  completing  his  trade  he  went  to  Phila- 
delphia in  1S61  and  secured  employment  upon  the  1-odie.s' ilion</i;(/ Mag'a3j)ie. 
There  he  enlisted  in  a  three  months'  regiment,  and  after  a  brief  military 
experience  came  to  Shamokin  with  the  object  of  starting  a  paper.  Failing 
to  make  satisfactory  arrangements  he  again  enlisted,  in  Company  C,  One 
Hundred  and  Thirty-first  Pennsylvania  Yolimteers,  holding  the  rank  of 
sero-eant.     For  valorous  conduct  at  Fredericksburg  and  Chancellorsville  he 


THE    PRESS.  293 

was  promoted  to  the  second  lieutenancy  of  his  company.  Eeturning  to 
Shamokin  at  the  expiration  of  his  term  of  enlistment,  he  took  charge  of  the 
Herald  on  the  'i^jd  of  July.  1803.  With  this  journal  he  was  connected  with- 
out intermission  until  his  death,  excepting  a  few  months  (March  to  July, 
1865,)  when  he  was  again  in  the  service  as  second  lieutenant  of  a  company 
in  the  One  Hundred  and  Third  regiment.  Others  had  failed,  but  he  assiuued 
control  of  the  Herald  with  the  firm  purpose  and  undaunted  resolution  that 
overcome  all  difficulties,  and  in  the  course  of  a  few  years  it  had  become  one 
of  the  leading  papers  of  the  county,  an  established  institution  at  Shamokin. 
and  a  potent  influence  in  promoting  the  growth  of  that  borough.  A  depart- 
ment of  the  paper  was  devoted  especially  to  intelligence  relating  to  the  coal 
trade;  this  was  under  the  able  management  of  Dr.  J.  J.  John,  and  consti- 
tuted an  interesting  and  valuable  feature.  The  paper  was  Eepublican  in 
politics,  but  confined  its  attention  more  particirlarly  to  local  affairs.  Mr. 
Fowler's  journalistic  career,  honorable  to  himself  and  valuable  to  the  com- 
munity, was  teiTuinated  by  his  death,  May  it.  1874. 

From  the  latter  date  until  July  1,  1874,  the  Herald  was  conducted  by 
Dr.  J.  J.  John:  it  was  then  purchased  by  Heffeltinger  &  Codei".  Both  of  the 
constituent  members  of  this  firm  had  previously  been  in  Mr.  Fowler's  empiloy. 
and  they  were  therefore  well  qualified  by  an  acqiraintance  with  the  com- 
munity to  continue  the  paper  in  its  former  usef^ilness.  Its  apjiearance  was 
improved,  its  circulation  extended,  and  from  the  fullness  and  reliability  of  its 
coal  reports  it  became  the  recognized  organ  of  the  coal  trade  in  Northum- 
berland county.  After  a  time  Mr.  Coder  retired,  and  Mr.  Heffelfinger  con- 
timied  the  publication  individually  until  February  0.  1881).  when  the  paper 
was  transferred  to  the  present  proprietors.  John  J.  W.  Schwartz  and  E.  F. 
Howard. 

The  Daily  Herald  was  started  Ijy  Elmer  Heffelfinger.  October  22.  18S8. 
and  passed  to  Schwartz  <.t  Howard  at  the  same  time  as  the  weekly.  It  was 
originally  a  six-column  page,  but  was  enlarged  in  November,  18S'J,  when  the 
name  was  changed  to  its  present  style  by  the  substitution  of  '•  Daily "  for 
"  Evening  "  in  the  caption. 

T'he  Shamokin  Times  had  its  inception  in  the  Advertiser,  a  folio  of 
diminutive  proportions  published  in  January,  1872.  by  J.  A.  Gilger,  and  dis- 
tributed gratuitously.  It  was  gradually  enlarged,  and  on  the  13th  of  July. 
1872,  became  a  regirlar  newspaper  under  the  name  of  the  Times  with  J.  L. 
Gilger  &  Son,  proprietors,  and  J.  A.  Gilger,  local  editor.  J.  L.  Gilger  with- 
drew in  1874,  and  for  several  months  in  that  year  the  paper  was  published 
by  Gilger  &  Fagely.  Fpon  the  retirement  of  Mr.  Fagely  the  Shamokin 
Times  Company  was  formed,  and  from  the  1st  of  January,  1875,  the  paper 
was  edited  by  D.  D.  Domer.  In  November,  1879,  D.  L.  SoUenberger  & 
Company  succeeded  the  Shamokin  Times  Company,  and  have  since  been  the 
proprietors  of  the  Times.     D.  D.  Domer  was    associated   in  the  publication 


294  HISTOEY    OF    NOllTHUMBEliLAXD    COUNTY. 

until  April,  ISSl;  R.  F.  Howard  and  W.  S.  Guiterman  bocame  members  of 
the  company  in  ISSO,  and  the  latter  continiies  to  retain  a  proprietary 
interest. 

The  Daili/  Times,  the  first  daily  paper  in  the  Northumberland  county 
coal  regions,  was  first  issued,  October  17,  1SS3.  It  was  at  first  printed  on  a 
hand  press,  but  this  having  been  found  too  tedious  and  laborious,  the  publi- 
cation was  suspended  for  several  weeks  until  better  facilities  could  be  pro- 
vided. The  active  existence  of  the  paper  was  then  resumed,  but  it  was 
finally  discontinued  on  the  14tli  of  October,  1SS4. 

The  Dailt/  Dispatch  was  first  issued,  November  21,  ISSG,  and  from  a 
comparatively  modest  beginning  it  has  become  one  of  the  leading  journals  in 
this  part  of  the  anthracite  coal  region.  This  is  under  the  same  proprietor- 
ship and  editorial  management  as  the  Times. 

The  National  Greenback  was  started  in  May,  1877,  by  John  J.  Auten. 
who  was  succeeded  in  the  following  October  by  Samuel  Martin.  The  publi- 
cation was  finally  discontinued  in  1878. 

The  Shamokin  Sentinel  made  its  first  appearance  on  the  (Jth  of  May, 
1SS2,  under  the  proprietorship  of  C.  L.  Gilger  &  Company.  It  was  pub- 
lished for  advertising  purposes  and  distributed  gratuitously  for  a  time,  but 
eventually  developed  into  a  regular  weekly  newspaper  with  C.  L.  Gilger  and 
W.  S.  Guiterman  as  editors  and  publishers.  Mr.  Gilger  was  succeeded  by 
A.  D.  B.  McKenzie  and  Mr.  Guiterman  retired;  the  paper  was  finally  absorbed 
l)y  the  Herald. 

Talk  of  the  Day,  H.  M.  Kurtz  &c  Brother,  publishers,  J.  C.  J.  Kurtz, 
editor,  was  established  in  1878  and  jiublished  several  years.  Local  news 
and  advertising  were  the  principal  features. 

NEWSP.iPEES    OF    JIT.    CAHMEL. 

The  Mt.  Carmel  Progress,  the  pioneer  newspaper  of  that  borough,  was 
established  in  December,  1877,  by  Owen  Fowler.  It  was  printed  on  a  Co- 
lumbia lever  press,  and  was  in  form  a  folio  an  eighth-sheet  in  size,  making 
its  appearance  semi-monthly.  In  March,  1878,  the  name  became  Home  News, 
and  the  paper  was  published  weekly.  In  1879  M.  K.  Watkins  became  pro- 
prietor; he  changed  the  name  to  Mt.  Carmel  Neics,  and  enlarged  the  dimen- 
sions of  the  sheet.  E.  E.  White  became  editor  in  1881,  when  the  size  was 
further  increased.  In  the  following  year  the  entire  outfit  of  the  Gloucester 
City  Tribune  was  removed  from  Gloucester,  New  Jersey,  by  Mr.  Watkins, 
thus  increasing  the  facilities  of  the  office  to  an  appreciable  extent.  Mr.  White 
acquired  a  proprietary  interest  in  1883,  and  during  the  following  four  years 
the  paper  was  published  by  the  firm  of  Watkins  &  White.  In  April,  1887, 
Mr.  Watkins  retired  in  favor  of  E.  J.  Wilson,  and  the  paper  was  published 
by  White  &  Wilson  until  February  1,  1891,  when  Professor  White  disposed 
of  his  interest  to  Mr.  Wilson,  who  has  since  continued  the  publication  indi- 


THE    PRESS.  '295 

vidually.  Th,^  Neus  is  now  an  eight-cohmm  folio,  and  has  been  published 
semi-weekly  since  August,  1SS9.     It  is  Reiniblican  in  jiolitics. 

The  Weekly  Item,  an  advertising  medium  for  gratuitous  distribution,  was 
first  issued  on  the  7th  of  Januarj-,  ISSS,  by  L.  \V.  Gheen,  who  was  succeeded 
on  the  7th  of  December,  ISSO,  by  "Will  B.  Wilson,  the  present  proprietor.  It 
is  a  five-column  folio,  and  is  published  weekly. 

The  Mt.  Carniel  American  made  its  first  appearance  on  the  ZOxh  of 
August,  1S90,  as  a  five-colunm  folio  for  gratuitous  distribution.  On  the  1st 
of  .Janu.ary.  1891,  "Mt.  Carmel"'  was  substituted  for  ''Weekly"  in  the  caption. 
the  paper  was  enlarged  to  its  present  size  (a  seven-column  folio),  and  brought 
to  a  subscription  basis.  Burke  &  Sterner  established  the  paper,  but  Sterner 
withdrew  after  the  issue  of  the  second  number;  Thomas  N.  Burke  then  con- 
tinued the  paper  individually  until  January  1,  1S91,  when  William  J.  Thomas 
became  associated  with  him,  and  the  present  publishers  are  Burke  &  Thomas. 
The  American  is  independent  in  jiolitics  with  Democratic  proclivities. 

The  Tri-Weekhj  American,  first  issued  on  the  2d  of  January,  ls'-'\.  by 
Curtis  Sterner,  siTspended  three  weeks  later. 

P.VPEES    .\T    W.\TS0NT0WN. 

Tlie  Watsontou-n  Record  was  founded  in  1870  by  a  local  company  kno\TO 
as  the  Watsontown  Printing  Association,  of  which  A.  J.  Guffy,  Joseph  Hollo- 
peter,  and  Oscar  Foust  were  the  leading  menit)ers.  The  2>'ii"  value  of  the 
shares  was  ten  dollars  and  a  sirfficient  amount  was  realized  from  their  srJe 
and  by  subscriptions  from  pulilic  sjiirited  citizens  to  secure  a  printing  outfit. 
P.  H.  Coup,  now  a  clergyman,  was  the  first  editor  and  manager.  In  this  po- 
sition he  evinced  considerable  ability,  but,  like  many  other  enterprises  in  the 
incipient  stage,  the  jiaper  was  not  a  financial  success.  The  plant  was  sold  at 
judicial  foreclosure  and  purchased  by  John  J.  Auten,  rinder  whose  adminis- 
tration a  fair  degree  of  prosperity  was  attained.  Aj^ril  1.  ls77,  he  was  suc- 
ceeded by  D.  L.  Sollenberger,  now  of  the  Shamokin  Disjxitch.  On  the  1st 
of  February,  1878,  he  disposed  of  the  plant  to  the  Piecord  Publishing  Com- 
pany, of  which  G.  W.  Hess  was  president,  with  Oscar  Foust  and  S.  M.  Miller 
as  constituent  members.  The  editorial  and  Intsiness  management  was  in- 
trusted to  L.  C.  Fosnot,  who  had  been  an  attache  of  the  oflice  since  Mr.  Sol- 
lenberger took  charge.  In  1881  J.  A.  Everitt  succeeded  the  Record  Pub- 
lishing Company;  during  the  following  three  years  the  publication  was  suc- 
cessively conducted  by  no  less  than  thirteen  different  individuals  or  firms. 
each  change  resulting  in  a  less  degree  of  prosperity,  and  the  paper  was  finally 
consoUdated  with  the  Star,  in  Januarj-,  1884.  * 

The  West  Branch  Star  made  its  debut.  April  1,  1882,  as  a  five-column 
quarto,  imder  the  proi:)rietorship  of  L.  C.  Fosnot  and  W.  W.  Fisher.  The 
latter  retired  in  October,  1883,  in  favor  of  Theodore  Burr,  whose  interest  was 
acquired  by  Mr.  Fosnot  in  March.  189(1.       In  January,  1884,  a  consolidation 


296  HISTORY    OF    NORTHDMBERLAXD    COUNTY. 

was  effected  imder  the  name  of  the  Record  and  Star,  when  the  page  was  en- 
larged to  six  cohimns.  The  present  form,  that  of  a  seven-cohimn  quarto,  was 
adopted  in  April,  ISSS.  The  Star  was  originally  Democratic  in  politics,  but 
the  paper  is  now  independent.     Mr.  Fosnoi  is  the  editor  and  publisher. 

The  Agricultural  Epitomist  was  established  as  a  semi-monthly  in  1882 
by  J.  A.  Everitt,  an  extensive  seedsman,  and  the  paper  was  a  useful  adver- 
tising adjunct  to  his  business,  although  considerable  attention  was  also  de- 
voted to  general  agricultural  topics.  John  A.  Woodward  was  editor  until 
188-1,  when  the  paper  became  a  monthly,  and  since  that  date  it  has  been 
edited  by  J.  A.  Everitt,  who  was  succeeded  in  1889  by  the  Epitomist  Pub- 
lishing Company.  The  size  of  the  sheet  is  twenty-four  by  thirty-four  inches, 
folded  to  sixteen  pages.  The  highest  circtilation  of  any  single  number  was 
two  htmdred  thousand  copies;  the  present  average  circulation  is  seventy-tive 
thottsand  copies.  In  188G  the  Epitomist  was  removed  to  Indianapolis,  In- 
diana. It  has  a  larger  circulation  than  any  other  paper  published  in  that 
State,  and,  according  to  Rowell's  Directory,  is  one  of  twenty-four  papers  in 
the  United  States  that  regularly  issue  over  fifty  thousand  copies. 

The  Blade  was  established  by  J.  Ward  Diehl.  May  13,  1889,  and  is  one 
of  the  most  recent  as  well  as  one  of  the  most  sprightly  journals  started  in  the 
county.     It  is  a  six-column  quarto,  and  is  independent  in  politics. 

MCEWENSVILLE    AND    LOCUST    GAP    PAPEKS. 

••  Abotit  1849  or  1850  a  paper  called  the  West  Branch  Intelligencer  was 
started  in  McEwensville  by  a  gentleman  named  Case.  It  lived  about  eighteen 
months,  and  then  expired."— flzsiorj/  of  the  West  Branch  Valley. 

The  Locust  Gap  Local,  the  initial  joumaUstic  venture  at  that  point,  is  a 
five-column  folio,  independent  in  politics,  and  was  established  on  the  Hth  of 
December,  1890,  by  F'-ederick  W.  Magrady,  the  present  editor  and  proprie- 
tor. 


[NTERXAL   IMPROVEMENTS.  297 


CHAPTER  VIII. 
INTERNAL  DIPKOYEMENTS. 

Kei.atiiin  of  IIicinvAYs  (IF  TitAVKi.  Til  Civilization— Public  Roads— Tiik  Tlli-e- 
iiocKEx  Road— The  old  ItEAPixc;  Road— Early  County  Roads— Tuenpikes— 
River  Navigatiox  —  Canals  —  Raiusoads  —  Pexxsy-lvaxia  —  Danville  and 

POTTSVILLE— PlIILADELI'lIIA  AND  ERIE- NORTHERN  CENTRAL — Su-NBUKY,  HaZEL- 
TON  AND   WiLKESBARRE— SUNBrRY  AND  LeWISTOWN— LEWISBURC    AND    T\-R0NE— 

PniLADELrHIA    AND     READING MiNE    HiLL   AND    SCIIUYKILL     H.VVEN— JIaIIANOY 

AND      SlIAMOKI.N" — ExTERriilSE — ShAMOKIN     AND     TrEVORTON — TuEVORTON,     Ma- 

iiANov  AND  Susquehanna- Cata\vi-sa— Sii.AJioKiN,  Sunbury  and  Lewisburo— 
DELA^vARE,  Lackawanna  and  Western— Lehigh  Valley— "WilkesrarUe  and 
Western. 

THE  relation  that  highways  of  travel  sustain  to  material  and  intellectual 
jirogress  h^s  been  frecjuently  disciissed  in  learned  dissertations  upon 
the  philosophy  of  civilization.  It  has  been  shown  that  maritime  nations  were 
the  tirst  to  advance  in  the  arts;  that  every  great  river  is  a  highway  by  which 
civilizing  influences  penetrate  to  the  mterior  of  continents,  and  that  national 
insulation,  as  illustrated  in  the  case  of  certain  Oriental  peoples,  results  in  a 
condition  of  utter  .stagnation.  The  various  agencies  by  which  intercommuni- 
cation is  usually  facilitated  in  an  inland  commimity — public  roads,  navigable 
rivers,  canals,  and  railroads — the  re.~ult  as  well  as  the  cause  of  internal 
development  and  progress,  are  properly  comprehended  imder  the  generaliza- 
tion which  appears  at  the  head  of  this  chapter. 

publiu  roads. 

Two  well  defined  routes  of  travel  lead  from  the  frontier  settlements  to 
the  Indian  town  at  the  forks  of  Susquehanna.  That  pursued  by  the  Indian 
traders  and  early  explorers  followed  the  course  of  the  river;  the  other, 
which  may  with  some  degree  of  propriety  be  called  the  overland  route,  began 
at  the  settlements  on  the  Tulpehocken,  crossed  the  various  mountains  and 
streams  in  a  northwesterly  direction,  and  probably  intersected  the  river  some 
distance  below  Shamokin. 

Internal  improvements  in  Northumberland  county  first  received  attention 
during  the  construction  of  Fort  Augusta.  The  following  entry  appears  in 
Major  Burd"s  diary  of  Januaiy  15.  IToT:  "This  day  I  went  with  Captain 
Shippen  and  a  party  and  laid  out  a  straight  road  round  Shamokin  Hill  for  the' 
benefit  of  transporting  our  pro%-isions  hither,  finding  it  impracticable  to  pass 
over  the  moiuitain."     On  the   17th  he  went  himself  with  a  party  and  began 


298  HisTonY  OF  nokthumberland  county. 

to  open  th?  road.  On  the  'JOtli  instant  he  wrote:  "  This  clay  I  sent  Captain 
Shippen  and  the  adjutant  with  a  small  party  to  extend  the  road  from  the 
first  rise  over  the  gut  to  the  forks  of  the  road  on  the   top  of  the  mountain, 

with  orders  to  blaze  it Captain  Ship})en  returns  and  reports 

he  had  foimd  a  very  good  road  with  an  easy  ascent  over  the  mountain  that 
could  be  traveled  at  all  times,  and  had  blazed  it  well.  This  day  the  party 
clearing  the  road  to  the  first  rise  and  making  the  bridge  over  the  gut  reports 
the  same  finished.''  This  was  the  first  road  regularly  laid  out  in  the 
coimty.* 

While  a  regularly  opened  highway  would  doubtless  have  greatly  facili- 
tated miUtary  operations,  the  first  effort  to  open  a  road  through  the  present 
territory  of  the  county  resulted  principally  from  commercial  considerations. 
At  a  meeting  of  the  provincial  Council  on  the  30th  of  January,  17nS,f  a 
petition  was  presented  from  "  a  very  considerable  number  of  the  inhabitants 
of  Berks  coimty,"  setting  forth  that  if  a  road  were  opened  from  Eeading  to 
Fort  Augusta  "  it  would  greatly  tend  to  advance  the  trade  and  commerce 
with  the  Indians  who  are  settled  at  the  heads  of  the  Susquehanna  river,  and 
to  preserve  the  friendship  and  peace  with  them,  and  would  also  save  great 
charge  and  expense  in  tramsporting  skins  and  furs  from  thence,  as  the  dis- 
tance from  that  fort  to  Philadelphia  by  way  of  Reading  is  much  shorter  than 
any  other.""  Upon  taking  the  matter  into  consideration  the  board  coincided 
with  the  petitioners  regarding  the  public  utility  of  the  road,  but.  as  part  of 
the  coimtry  through  which  it  would  pass  to  Fort  Augusta  had  not  yet  been 
relinquished  by  the  Indians,  it  was  not  deemed  advisable  to  open  it  beyond 
the  line  of  the  purchase  of  1 741).  An  order  was  forthwith  issued  directing 
Jonas  Seely,  John  Patton,  Henry  Christ,  James  Scull.  Frederick  Weiser, 
Benjamin  Spycker,  Mark  Bird,  Christian  Laur.  and  Thomas  Jones,  Jr.  to 
lay  out  a  road  by  the  most  direct  course  from  Readmg  toward  Fort  Augusta 
as  far  as  the  line  of  the  purchase  of  174y  or  to  some  point  on  the  Susque- 
hanna river  between  the  mouth  of  Mahanoy  creek  and  Mahanoy  mountain. 
The  road  was  accordingly  laid  out  and  a  return  thereof  made  to  Council.  ;J; 
Beginning  at  Reading  it  extended  in  a  general  northwesterly  course — fourteen 
milts  ninety-one  perches,  to  the  Tulpehocken;  thence  eight  miles  ninety- 
four  perches,  to  the  Swatara;  thence  twenty-eight  miles  two  hundred  forty 
perches,  to  the  Spread  Eagle  in  the  forks  of  Mahantango;  thence  four  miles 
two  himdred  fifty-seven  perches,  to  Schwaben  creek;  thence  five  miles  one 
hundred  sixty-four  2:)erches,  "to  a  white-oak  on  the  bank  of  Susquehanna 
river  and  south  side  of  the  Mahanoy  mountain"" — a  total  length  of  sixty-one 
miles  two  hundi-ed  six  perches.  As  thus  returned  the  road  was  confirmed 
by  Coimcil  on  the  19th  of  January,  1709,  and  an  order  forthwith  issued  that 

♦Pennsylvania  Archives  (Second  Series),  Vol.  II.  pp.  TM-75:). 
tColonial  Records,  Vol.  XX.  p.  +40. 
^Colonial  Records,  Vol.  IX.  pp.  05C-501. 


INTERNAL    IMPROVEMENTS.  299 

it  should  be  opened  and  clearfd.  "and  rendered  commodious  for  public  serv- 
ice." Its  course  had  evidently  been  a  traveled  route  before,  as  mention  is 
made  of  "the  lower  end  of  the  dug  road."  "the  old  feeding  place."'  "the  old 
path  to  Lykens"  valley."  "a  noted  spring  by  the  old  path.'"  etc.  This  was 
the  old  Tuljiehocken  road,  the  tirst  public  highway  legally  oj^ened  in  North- 
umberland county. 

On  the  l()th  of  January.  \110,  a  petition*  was  prepared,  setting  forth  the 
advantages  to  be  derived  from  the  opening  of  a  road  "from  Fort  Augusta  to 
Ellis  Hughes's  saw  mill,  on  the  navigable  part  of  Schuylkill  about  thirty 
miles  above  Keading."  It  was  considered  by  Coimcil  on  the  9th  of  February, 
when  George  Webb,  Jonathan  Lodge,  Heniy  Miller.  Henry  Shoemaker.  John 
Webb,  Isaac  Willits.  and  Job  Hughes  were  appointed  to  lay  out  the  road, 
iu  w^hich  service  all  of  them  participated  except  Henry  Miller.  The  report 
was  ri'turned  to  Council  under  date  of  April  14.  ITTO:  it  received  the  consid- 
eration of  that  body  on  the  28dof  the  same  month,  when  an  order  was  issued 
coulirming  the  road  as  laid  out  and  directing  that  it  should  be  "o^sened  and 
rendered  commodioiis  for  public  service."  It  was  declared  to  be  a  "King's 
highway."  From  a  point  on  the  Schuylkill  three  fourths  of  a  mile  below 
Hughes's  saw  mill  to  "the  bank  of  the  river  Susquehanna  by  the  northwest 
corner  of  Fort  AiigiTsta  "  the  length  was  "  thirty-nine  miles  and  one  quarter 
and  nineteen  perches.'"  Tlie  general  course  coincided  with  that  of  the  Centre 
turnpike,  crossing  Broad  mountain.  Mahanoy  creek  and  mountain,  and 
Shamokin  creek.  This  highway  has  been  poi)ularly  known  in  Northumber- 
land county  as  the  old  Eeadiug  road.f  and.  with  the  Tuljiehocken  road,  con- 
stituted the  facilities  of  overland  communication  in  this  part  of  the  State  at 
the  organization  of  the  county. 

Public  roads  became  a  subject  of  judicial  consideration  in  May,  177"2.  at 
the  tirst  court  of  quarter  sessions  after  the  formation  of  the  county,  when 
"sundry  the  inhabitants  of  the  West  Branch  of  Susquehanna  and  parts 
adjacent""  petitioned  for  the  opening  of  a  public  road  from  Fort  Augusta  up 
the  east  side  of  the  West  Branch  to  Lycoming.  Richard  Malone.  Marcus 
Hulings,  Jr..  John  Eobb,  Alexander  Stei)hens,  Daniel  Layton.  and  Amariah 
Sutton,  to  whom  the  petition  was  referred,  submitted  their  report  at  August 
.sessions,  1772;  it  was  forthwith  confirmed  and  an  order  of  court  issued 
declaring  the  road  "a  public  highway  of  the  breadth  of  thirty-three  feet,  to 
be  cleared,  maintained,  and  remain  free  and  open  for  the  public  or  persons 
tising  the  same  agreeably  to  the  laws  of  this  Province  forever."  As  thus  laid 
out  it  crossed  the  North  Branch  half  a  mile  above  Fort  Augusta  "to  a  marked 
hickory  near  the  bank  in  the  main  point."  thence  passing  the  hoiises  of  John 
Alexander,  William  Plunket  (above  Chillisquaque).  John  Dougherty,  and 
Mai-ctis    Hulings  between   the  North  Branch   and  the  gap  in  Muncy  Hill. 

'Pennsylvania  Archives.  Vol.  IV.  pp.  30■.'-3(;^i. 
t  Colonial  Recorils,  Vo).  IX.  pji.  63l-(;nc. 


300  HISTORY    OF    NOKTHUMBEKLAND    COUNTY. 

Although  this  road  was  thus  nominally  estabhshed,  it  does  not  appear  that 
the  order  of  court  requiring  it  to  be  opened  was  fully  compUed  with,  as  sub- 
sequent proceedings  abimdantly  testify. 

'•The  petition  of  sundry  inhabitants  of  the  North  Branch  of  Susquehanna 
and  of  the  waters  of  Mahoning  creek  in  Turbut  township"  was  also  consid- 
ered at  May  sessions,  1772.  They  asked  the  "worshipful  justices"  to  take 
measures  for  the  opening  of  a  road  from  Fort  Augusta  to  the  narrows  of 
Mahoning,  urging  as  reasons  for  immediate  action  that  "the  earlier  such  a  road 
is  laid  out  and  opened,  the  fewer  inconveniences  will  arise  to  the  inhabitants, 
as  they  will  then  know  better  how  to  regulate  their  fences  and  carry  on  their 
imjirovements."  Thomas  Hewitt,  Kobert  McCulley,  John  Black,  Hugh  Mc- 
Williams,  Eobert  McBride,  and  John  Clark,  Jr.,  were  appointed  as  viewers; 
their  report  was  returned  and  confirmed  at  May  sessions,  1773.  The  road 
thus  laid  out  crossed  the  North  Branch  a  half-mile  above  Fort  Augusta,  co- 
incided with  Water  street  in  Northimiberland,  crossed  McCulley's  run. 
Miller's  run  at  the  forks,  and  continued,  at  no  great  thstance  from  the  river, 
to  Mahoning  creek.  It  was  the  first  public  road  in  the  valley  of  the  North 
Branch. 

The  first  road  down  the  Susquehanna  was  confirmed  in  May,  1778.  The 
petition  was  presented  at  August  sessions,  1772,  and  referred  to  William 
Patterson,  Samuel  Hunter,  Sr.,  George  Wolf,  Peter  Hosterman,  Casper  Reed, 
and  Sebastian  Kerstetter.  They  laid  out  a  road  "beginning  at  the  end  of 
Market  street  in  the  town  of  Sunbury,  thence  do\vn  the  Broadway  and  along 
the  bank  of  the  river  south  twenty-five  degrees  west  ninety-four  perches  and 
nine  feet,  thence  across  the  river,"  following  the  bank  on  the  western  side 
"to  a  stone  in  the  middle  of  Mahantango  creek,"  where  the  road  to  Carlisle 
was  intersected. 

A  road  from  Mahantango  to  Sunbury  on  the  east  side  of  the  Susque- 
hanna was  petitioned  for  at  August  sessiou.s,  1774.  John  Clark,  Peter  Al- 
maug,  Leonard  Kerstetter,  Jonas  Yocum,  Michael  Shaver,  and  John  Shaver 
were  appointed  viewers.  Their  report  was  confirmed  at  the  corresponding 
term  of  court  in  the  following  year;  it  provided  for  a  bridle  road  twenty-one 
feet  wide,  "beginning  at  John  Heckert's  on  Manhantango  creek,"  thence 
passing  in  order  Peter  Yocum,  Casj^er  Snively,  Fiddler's  nin,  Anthony  Fid- 
dler, Peter  Weiser,  Samuel  Weiser,  Mahanoy  creek,  Hugh  McKinley,  Will- 
iam Biles  at  Biles's  creek,  Auchmuty's,  Adam  Christ,  Christian  Ferst,  Hol- 
lowing run,  and  Shamokin  creek,  "to  William  Baker's  house  on  the  road 
already  laid  otit  and  confirmed  from  Sunbury  to  Reading."  This  was  the 
first  road  leading  from  Simbury  to  the  southern  part  of  the  county.  It  was 
twenty  miles  one  hundred  thirty-nine  perches  in  length,  and  did  not  deviate 
from  the  bank  of  the  river  to  any  extent  in  any  part  of  its  course. 

At  February  sessions,  1774,  a  petition  was  presented  for  a  road  "  from 
the    town    of  Sunbury,   betwixt   the    East    Branch    of    Susquehanna    and 


INTERNAL   IMPEOVEMENTS.  301 

Shamokin  creek,  to  where  it  may  fall  on  said  branch  a  little  above  the  mouth 
of  Mahoning  creek,  where  a  ferry  will  be  erected."'  It  was  represented  that 
such  a  road  would  be  of  great  advantage,  not  only  to  the  inhabitants  of  Au- 
gusta township,  but  also  to  those  of  "Wyoming  and  Fishing  creek;  and  that 
••from  the  heads  of  Chillisquaque  and  Mahoning  a  level  road  can  be  had 
through  Montour's  hill  down  Mahoning  creek  the  best  and  nearest  way  to 
the  proposed  ferry,  and  aboiit  two  miles  nearer  from  the  said  ferry  to  the 
town  of  Simbury  than  any  other  way  can  be  foimd."  As  viewers  David  Mc- 
Kinney,  William  Clark,  David  Fowler.  Robert  McBride,  Samuel  Crooks,  and 
John  Teitsworth  were  apjDointed.  At  November  sessions,  1774-,  they  rejiorted 
having  laid  out  a  road  •'beginning  at  a  black  oak  on  the  bank  of  the  East  Branch 
of  Susqiiehanna  opposite  to  John  Simpson's,"  thence  by  various  courses  to 
"the  Sunbury  road  at  the  bridge  east  of  the  said  town."  It  was  forthwith 
confirmed,  and  was  the  first  road  opened  south  of  the  Xorth  Branch  from 
Sunbury  to  the  site  of  Danville.  The  course 'was  evidently  quite  direct,  as 
the  distance  between  the  termini  was  reported  as  ten  miles  one  hundred  fifty- 
one  perches. 

An  unsuccessful  effort  was  made  to  have  this  road  extended  to  Catawissa 
in  1778,  but  this  was  not  accomphshed  until  1784.  How  tardy  was  the 
development  of  the  country  at  this  period  is  shown  by  the  fact  that  at  the 
latter  date,  ten  years  after  this  road  from  Sunbury  to  Danville  had  been  laid 
oiit,  it  was  opened  but  five  miles  from  Simbury. 

The  first  proceedings  for  the  opening  of  a  road  from  Simbury  up  Sha- 
mokin creek  were  instituted  at  Febmarv-  sessions,  1775.  Geiger's  mill  was 
the  only  one  in  the  valley  at  that  date:  and  the  petitioners  state  that  "to 
come  to  the  only  mill  in  their  neighborhood,  as  well  as  to  the  town  of  Sun- 
bury" they  were  obliged  to  pass  through  ••low  or  level  lands"  upon  which 
"a  number  of  people"  were  "daily  making  improvements  and  fencing  in  the 
level  lands."  They  therefore  prayed  the  court  to  have  a  road  laid  out  "from 
William  Winter's  land  the  most  convenient  way  to  Geiger's  mill  and  from 
thence  to  the  town  of  Sunbury."  Aaron  Wilkerson,  Eobert  Fitzrandolph, 
William  Baker,  Thomas  Eunyon,  Valentine  Geiger,  and  Anthony  Hinkle 
were  appointed  as  viewers;  at  May  sessions  they  reported  having  laid  out  a 
road  "beginning  at  a  white-oak  marked  N.  B.  on  William  Winter's  land," 
thence  by  Geiger's  mill  to  Simbim-.  which  was  ordered  to  be  opened  the 
breadth  of  fifty  feet.  As  the  usual  breadth  was  thirty-three  feet,  this  was 
evidently  regarded  as  an  important  highway. 

As  previously  stated,  a  road  from  Sunbury  to  Lycoming  was  ordered  laid 
out  at  the  second  court  of  general  quarter  sessions  after  the  organization 
of  the  county.  A  considerable  period  elapsed  before  the  order  of  court  was 
carried  into  execution,  however.  Under  date  of  May  29,  1776.  Samuel  Wal- 
lis.  an  early  settler  at  Mimcy  and  one  of  the  most  prominent  and  influential 
citizens  of  the  West  Branch  valley,  informed  the  court  that  "the  inhabitants 


302  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

of  this  county  in  general  have  for  a  long  time  past  labored  under  great  incon- 
veniences by  having  the  common  way  frequently  stopped  up  at  the  wiU  and 
pleasure  of  those  who  are  settled  along  it;"  and  at  February  sessions.  1T7S. 
a  petition  was  read,  slating  that  ''by  accidents  and  other  delays  no  road  has 
yet  been  opened,  to  the  manifest  and  great  inconvenience  of  the  inhabit- 
ants." Joseph  Wallis,  George  Silverthorn,  Andrew  Eussell,  James  Harri- 
son, John  Scott,  and  James  McMahan  were  appointed  as  viewers,  but  there 
is  no  record  of  their  proceedings.  The  "Great  Rimaway"  and  the  harassing 
exjierieuces  of  the  following  years  obviated  any  necessity  for  public  highways 
in  the  West  Branch  valley  for  some  time  afterward.  At  August  sessions. 
17S5,  a  petition  numerously  signed  was  submitted  to  the  court,  praj-ing  that 
a  road  might  be  laid  out  from  Samuel  "Wallis's  by  Henry  Shoemaker's  mills 
to  Northumberland;  it  was  referred  to  James  McMahan,  James  Carscaddon. 
William  McWilliams,  Jacob  FoUmer,  Jacob  Hill,  and  John  Robb.  who 
reported  at  February  sessions,  17SG,  that  "notwithstanding  the  many  advan- 
tages the  said  road  would  be  to  the  inhabitants  in  the  forks,  yet  the  same 
was  retarded  at  the  first  by  the  order  not  being  issued  until  the  November 
court  following,  since  which  time  the  inclemency  of  the  weather  and  other 
incumbrances  disabled  us  to  fully  comply  with  the  said  order."  There  was 
evidently  some  lack  of  harmony  (perhaps  this  was  one  of  the  "incum- 
brances"), and  Henry  Billeigh  and  John  Alexander  were  sirbstituted  for 
John  Eobb  and  James  McMahan,  respectively.  But  this  did  not  entirely 
obviate  disagreements;  their  order  was  continued  and  they  proceeded  there- 
on '"unanimously  from  the  place  of  beginning  to  Mr.  James  Harrison's,  but 
disputes  there  arising  which  was  the  nearest  and  best  way  to  proceed,  and 
much  time  being  spent  in  determining  the  same  without  coming  to  any  con 
elusion,  the  viewers  declined  proceeding  to  finish  the  business."  A  new 
board,  composed  of  William  Fisher,  Daniel  Montgomery,  Richard  Martin. 
Robert  Reynolds,  William  Reed,  and  James  McClung,  was  thereupon 
appointed.  Under  date  of  August  lU.  ITSl"),  they  presented  a  report,  show- 
ing the  courses  and  distances  from  Wolfs  run  near  Wallis's  to  Northirmber- 
land,  a  distance  of  twenty-two  and  three  fourths  miles.  That  part  between 
Wolfs  run  and  James  Harrison's  and  from  Chillisquaque  meeting  house  to 
Northumberland  was  forthwith  confirmed;  for  the  remainder  a  review  was 
ordered,  but  not  acted  upon,  and  the  whole  was  confirmed  at  November  ses. 
sions,  1788.  In  coirrse  of  time  the  northern  end  of  this  highway  acquired 
the  name  of  "Harrison's  road,"  and  its  southern  end  that  of  '"Strawbridge's 
road."  * 

*.Iolm  Smith,  .John  Allen,  .John  Fruit.  Samuel  Kussell,  and  Thomas  Pollock,  appointed  liy  die 
court  to  layout  a  road  from  tlie  county  line  to  CliiUisiiuai|ue  tiirou^h  Harrison's  gap  ivirtiiallya 
reviewer  "Harrison's  road  "i.  maili>  report  at  .Vu'^ust  sessions,  isi'j,  "Tliatthe  old  road  from  the 
county  line  to  the  liouse  of  .lames  i.,.l:iii  will  iiiiswer,  and  thenee  i  iinnlnu'  fmni  tlie  lioii^,.  ,.r  siid 
Logan  soutii  forty-nine  de.-rees  .a.i  ImHj  iinrlir.  l,,  :i  s.ii:ill  l.ranel,  ,.f  (1iilli~.|ii.-iMiie  errek  ihr-ii.-h 
landsotsald  Logan;  thenee  scutii  1\miiI\  iiiie'  .h-ji.'s  r.isl  t"  eniy  ii.ivhrs  !in-.Mi:,'li  LiinNMf  -,,;,| 
Logan  and  to  the  line  of  the  Widow  Watls'^  land:  tlienee  snotli  tliree  deu-i-ees  last  iirt\-tw..  i"re!e-s 


INTEKNAL    IMPKOVEMEXTS.  303 

A  propensity  to  obstnict  the  big-hways  was  not  confined  to  the  West 
Branch,  as  is  evident  from  a  petition  from  Mahanoy  to-s%'nsbip  considered  at 
March  sessions,  1779.  In  the  informal  manner  with  which  the  necessities  of 
pnlilic  conveniences  were  provided,  a  road  had  been  opened  from  Stone- 
liraker's  mill  to  the  Gap  chitrch,  which,  the  petition  recites,  "  John  Chob  hath 

f  oueed  up, so  that  the  neighbors  can  not  go  to  the  mills  or  to  the  church, 

which  is  no  advantage  to  him  but  a  great  disadvantage  to  many  of  the  neigh- 
I  lors."  Martin  Kerstetter,  Dietrick  Eoiigh,  Michael  Lenker,  John  Wolf,  Martin 
Thomas,  and  Michael  Shaffer  were  appointed  to  lay  out  a  road  for  public  use, 
••  upon  condition  that  the  petitioners  open,  fence,  clear,  survey,  and  support 
said  road  at  their  own  expense."  Under  date  of  Ajjril  6.  1779.  they  reported 
having  laid  out  a  road  from  the  mouth  of  Mahantango  to  Stonebrakers  mill, 
which  was  contirmed,  June  '21.  177U.  This  was  the  tirst  road  in  the  valley  of 
that  creek  on  the  Northiunberland  cotmty  side. 

As  opened  in  17G9,  the  Tulpehocken  road  extended  to  the  Sus(iuehanna 
at  Samitel  Weiser's  near  the  mouth  of  Mahanoy  creek.  No  effort  appears 
to  have  been  made  to  continue  it  to  Sttnbury  itntil  1782;  in  a  petition  pre- 
sented to  the  court  at  February  sessions  in  that  year  the  following  interesting 
jiaragraph  occttrs: — 

\\\'  \iw  Hiformed  by  good  autliDrity  that  Itnbcrt  Jlartin,  of  Xdrtlmmberlanii-Tnwii. 
and  Enuiiiii  Williams,  of  the  city  of  Philadelphia,  have  lately  set  on  foot  subscriptious 
ill  said  lily  and  other  places  in  order  to  raise  a  sum  of  money  to  be  applied  toward 
"pi-iuug  said  road:  which  subscriptions  have  met  the  approbation  of  a  great  number  of 
-■fUtlrmen.  who  have   generouslv  subscribed   thereto  to  the   amount   of  two   hundred 


Among  those  who  indorsed  this  petition  were  Matthew  Smith,  prothouo- 
tary  of  the  cotmty;  Stephen  Chambers  and  John  Yannost.  attorneys:  Samuel 
Hunter,  William  Cooke.  Daniel  Montgomery,  Robert  Martin.  Joseph  Lorentz, 
William  Gray,  George  Wolf,  and  Aliraham  Dowitt.  They  suggested  a  high- 
way to  intersect  the  Tulpehocken  road  four  or  live  miles  above  its  terminus 
on  the  Susqttehanna  and  continue  thence  to  Mahantango  creek.  As  viewers 
were  appointed  John  Eckert.  Peter  Ferst.  Henry  Crips.  George  Wolf.  Peter 
Hall.  Jacob  Conrad,  and  Matthew  Smith,  with  Jonathan  Lodge  as  surveyor. 
Their  report,  dated  March  14,  1782,  was  confirmed  at  May  sessions  following, 
so  far  as  the  road  from  Stmbury  to  the  Tulpehocken  road  was  concerned; 
against  that  part  between  the  Tulpehocken  road  and  Mahantango  creek  the 
inha.bitants  of  Mahanoy  township  remonstrated,  and  it  was  not  confirmed 
until  May  sessions,  1785.  The  road  thus  opened  became  the  principal  route  of 
travel  between  Stmburv-  anel  the  sotithern  part  of  the  county.  Lancaster,  and 

tliroujth  lamls  of  the  said  Widow  Watts  to  her  liouse;  thence  due  south  one  hundred  perelies  to  tlie 
line  of  Widow  Harrison's  land  through  tlie  lands  of  Widow  Watts;  from  thent-e  the  old  road  t.i  Chil- 
llsciuaque  creek."  The  coiu-t  approved  the  report,  and  on  the  2Sth  of  Januarj-.  l.si3,  issued  an  order 
to  open  the  road.  This  road  tliroughout  a  large  part  of  its  course  became  the  eastern  boundary  of 
tlie  county  by  the  act  of  January  2-J,  181«,  the  particulars  of  whieli  are  given  in  tlie  chapter  on  Urgani- 
zation  and  Adniinlstration  in  this  work. 


304:  HISTORY    OF    NORTHCilBEKLAND    COUNTY. 

Harrisburg.  The  name  of  the  old  Tiilpehocken  road  was  gradually  transferred 
to  it,  and  at  the  present  day  it  almost  monopolizes  that  designation. 

The  road  originally  laid  out  from  Simbuiy  to  the  mouth  of  Mahantango 
was  merely  a  bridle  road,  and  httle  more  than  a  legalized  path.  At  Feb- 
ruary sessions,  17S2,  the  court  was  petitioned  to  open  a  public  highway  of 
the  regular  width,  and  viewers  were  accordingly  appointed.  Nothing  what- 
ever was  done  under  this  order,  and  at  Febraary  term,  1785,  John  White, 
Casper  Snider,  Adam  Miller,  Sebastian  Brosius,  Samuel  Moodie,  and  Samuel 
Weiser  were  substituted  for  the  persons  originally  selected,  and  Samuel 
Auchmuty  seems  to  have  officiated  in  place  of  Moodie.  Their  report  was 
confirmed  at  May  sessions,  1785,  and  the  road  ordered  opened  thirty-three 
feet  wide.  At  a  later  date  this  road  was  widened  at  various  places  at  con- 
siderable expense,  and  was  a  much  traveled  route  until  the  construction  of 
the  railroad. 

The  road  opened  in  1780-88  from  Northumberland  to  Wolf's  rim  was  too 
far  distant  from  the  river  to  confer  much  substantial  benefit  upon  the  inhab- 
itants in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  the  West  Branch.  This  was  early  antici- 
pated, and  at  February  sessions,  1786,  three  petitions  were  presented  for  a 
road  from  Simbury  to  Lycoming,  in  which  the  citizens  of  Turbut,  Mahoning, 
and  IVIimcy  appear  to  have  given  a  general  concurrence.  A  view  was  ordered, 
but  no  proceedings  under  it  are  known  to  have  occurred.  A  year  later  the 
case  was  reopened;  John  Boyd.  Abraham  Scott,  Thomas  Palmer,  Samuel 
Harris,  Henry  Shoemaker,  and  Wilham  Hepburn,  viewers  appointed,  made 
return  at  May  term,  1787.  which  was  confirmed  and  the  road  ordered  to  be 
"maintained,  deemed,  and  taken  thenceforth  for  an  open  highway  of  the 
breadth  of  fifty  feet  forever."  As  thus  described  the  road  began  ■"  at  a  post 
on  the  westerly  side  of  the  East  Branch  of  Susquehanna  river  in  the  middle 
of  Market  street  in  the  town  of  Northumberland  "  continuing  at  no  great  dis- 
tance from  the  channel  of  the  West  Branch  to  "■  a  post  in  the  end  of  Amariah 
Sutton's  lane  and  on  the  easterly  bank  of  Lycoming  creek." 

A  road  crossing  diagonally  from  Muncy  creek  to  the  mouth  of  Mahoning 
creek  and  thence  in  a  southeasterly  direction  to  the  Reading  and  Sunbtrry 
road  was  projected  at  an  early  period  in  the  history  of  the  county,  and  prob- 
ably originated  with  the  Montgomerj-s,  the  enterprising  founders  of  Danville. 
That  part  from  the  West  Branch  of  Susquehanna  to  the  North  Branch  was 
confirmed  at  August  term,  1785.  At  February  sessions,  178(3,  the  court  was 
petitioned  to  continue  it  to  the  Reading  road,  but  the  persons  appointe'd  to 
that  service  "  through  hurry  of  business  "  neglected  to  attend  to  it,  and  the 
petition  was  again  presented  at  May  term.  John  Irwin,  William  McLees, 
John  Teitsworth,  Michael  Weaver,  Alexander  Ewing,  and  Richard  Robinson 
were  appointed  as  viewers;  they  reported  at  Augirst  term  following  the 
courses  and  distances  from  the  Reading  road  to  the  top  of  Shamokin  Hill 
near  Robert  Randolph's  plantation,  a  distance  of  five  miles,  which  was  con- 


INTEUXAL    IMl'KOVEMENTS.  305 

firmed:  regarding  the  remaining  distance  they  were  not  fully  agreed,  and 
evidently  failed  to  agree,  for  at  the  same  term  of  court  a  different  set  of 
viewers  was  constituted.  In  August,  17'JO,  another  effort  was  made  to  have 
this  road  opened,  from  the  top  of  Shamokin  Hill  to  the  North  Branch,  but. 
owing  to  irregularities  in  the  proceedings  of  the  viewers,  their  report  was  set 
aside.  The  object  desired  was  finally  attained  at  November  sessions,  1791. 
when  the  report  of  James  Finney,  John  Bogart,  Isaac  Coldron,  Thomas  Wil- 
lits,  Nehemiah  Hutton.  and  Jacob  Faust,  Jr.,  providing  for  a  road  from  Gen- 
eral Montgomery's  house  at  the  site  of  Danville  to  '"  a  pine  tree  in  the  end  of 
the  old  road  on  the  top  of  Shamokin  Hill"  received  confirmation  at  the  hands 
of  the  court.  This  was  the  most  important  road  opened  in  the  eastern  part 
of  the  county  at  an  early  date. 

The  first  public  road  in  the  valley  of  Little  Shamokin  creek  was  petitioned 
for  at  August  term.  lT>i7.  The  projectors  represented  "•  that  a  number  of 
people  who  have  settled,  and  others  who  are  wanting  to  settle,  in  Little^ 
Shamokin  creek  valley  labor  under  many  inconveniences  for  want  of  a  road 
to  begin  at  the  Eeading  road  at  Lewis's  run  and  to  extend  up  said  run 
through  Lightfoot's  and  Starr's  land,  [in]  the  said  valley,  Jacob  Miller's 
land,  and  to  meet  the  Reading  road  at  John  Miller's  tavern,"  and,  with  com- 
mendable public  spirit,  expressed  their  willingness  to  "open  and  maintain  such 
a  road  at  their  own  expense,  providing  the  court  will  empower  them  to  do 
so."  As  viewers  the  court  appointed  Jacob  Conrad,  Adam  Miller.  William 
Gray,  Thomas  Eeece.  John  Weitzel,  and  John  Miller,  who  made  report  at  the 
following  term. 

A  legally  authorized  highway  was  first  opened  through  the  valley  of 
Greenbrier  or  Schwaben  creek  in  17.SS.  It  was  laid  out  by  Andrew  Eeitz, 
John  Nicholas  Hettrick,  John  Nicholas  Snyder,  George  Pfeifi'er,  Michael 
Koth,  and  Frederick  Kobel,  and  extended  from  the  Siinbury  and  Paxtang 
(Tulpehocken)  road  ten  miles  in  a  general  ea-sterly  direction.  The  viewers 
were  appointed  at  November  sessions,  1787.  and  their  report  was  confirmed 
at  May  term,  17SS. 

TURNPIKES. 

In  17U'.)  Jacob  D.  Breyvogel  collected  certain  sums  of  money  aggregat- 
ing two  hundred  sixty-seven  dollars,  forty-nine  cents,  for  the  improve- 
ment of  the  Eeading  road  between  John  Teitsworth's  and  Jeremiah  Eeed's. 
Thomas  Grant  was  treasurer  of  the  fund,  and  Colonel  John  Bull  superin- 
tended its  expenditure.  The  labor  bestowed  ujaon  the  road  was  entirely  in- 
adequate, however,  and  it  presented  a  favorable  opportunity  for  improvement 
under  corporate  auspices. 

The  Centre  Turnpike  Company  was  incorporated  by  act  of  the  legis- 
lature, March  25.  18(15,  the  corporators  being  Joseph  Priestley  and  John 
Cowden.  of  Northumberland;  Charles  Hall,  of  Sunburv;  Dr.  James  Dougal. 


30(3  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBEELAND    COUNTY. 

of  Milton;  Daniel  Montgomery,  of  Danville;  Jacob  Toppel,  of  Hamburg; 
Joseph  Heister  and  James  May,  of  Eeading;  Samiiel  Morris.  Thomas  Leiper, 
William  Tilghman,  and  James  Gibson,  of  Philadelphia,  and  William  Hep- 
burn, of  Lycoming  county,  who  were  authorized  to  construct  a  road  by  the 
nearest  and  best  way  from  Sunbury  to  Eeading,  the  road  to  be  opened  sixty 
feet  wide  and  the  width  of  the  part  artificially  constructed  to  be  eighteen 
feet.  Milestones  were  to  be  erected,  and  bridges  were  authorized  wherever 
the  company  should  deem  neccessary  or  expedient. 

As  with  the  majority  of  internal  improvements  in  progress  at  that  date, 
the  work  of  construction  did  not  advance  rapidly.  A  supplement  to  the  act 
of  incorporation  was  secured  on  the  17th  of  March,  ISOO,  by  which  John 
Dorsey,  Samuel  Meeker,  Thomas  Fitzsimmons,  and  Peter  Robison  were 
added  to  the  corporators,  and  the  company  was  granted  the  privilege  of  con- 
structing a  section  thirty  miles  in  length  beginning  at  Teitsworth"s  tavern, 
thirteen  miles  east  of  Sunbury.  By  the  act  of  March  21,  ISOS,  the  Governor 
was  authorized  to  subscribe  for  six  hundred  shares  of  stock  in  the  company, 
which  amount  was  increased  to  nine  hundred  in  1812.  Under  this  appropri- 
ation the  road  was  at  length  completed;  but  the  company  had  secured 
advances  from  the  Bank  of  Pennsylvania,  the  adjudication  of  which  involved 
protracted  and  expensive  litigation,  and  in  1S21  an  appropriation  of  thirty 
thousand  dollars  was  made  by  the  legislature  to  be  applied  by  the  managers 
towards  paying  the  judgment  obtained  at  the  suit  of  the  bank  against  the 
former  managers,  Daniel  De  B.  Keim,  John  Adams,  and  others.  The  aggre- 
o-ate  capitalization  was  one  hundred  forty  thousand  dollars;  the  road  was 
seventy-six  miles  in  length,  extending  from  Sunbury  in  a  general  easterly 
direction  to  Bear  Gap,  on  the  extreme  eastern  limit  of  the  county,  and  thence 
southeast  across  the  mountains  to  Reading.  It  was  never  a  paying  property; 
on  the  other  hand,  it  proved  to  be  a  drain  upon  the  treasury  of  the  State, 
which  ultimately  sold  its  interest  at  much  less  than  the  par  value.  It  was 
purchased  principally  by  the  Messrs.  Taggart  and  Priestley,  of  Northumber- 
land, and  their  families  had  a  controlling  interest  in  the  property  for  many 
years.  That  part  of  the  road  between  Sunbury  and  Pottsville  was  very 
unprofitable  to  the  stockliolders;  consequently  it  received  but  little  improve- 
ment, and  public  sentiment  at  length  compelled  its  abandonment.  The 
section  between  Pottsville  and  Reading  was  operated  until  a  few  years 
since;  when  the  Pennsylvania  Schuylkill  Valley  railroad  was  constructed  it 
became  necessary  to  use  the  road  bed  of  the  pike  as  the  line  of  that  railroad, 
and  a  controlling  interest  was  accordingly  purchased  by  J.  C.  Bright,  of 
Pottsville,  for  the  Pennsylvania  Railroad  Company.  The  turnpike  thus 
ceased  to  be  a  Northumberland  county  institution  in  proprietary  control,  as 
it  had  ceased  to  be  in  fact  some  years  previously.  Originally  projected  by  resi- 
dents of  this  county  principally,  the  turnpike  was  an  enterprise  in  every  way 
creditable  to  local  financiering.     Aside  from  business  considerations,  its  man- 


INTEKXAL    lilPKOYEMENTS.  309 

agement  was  distinguished  by  certain  social  features  well  worthy  of  mention. 
Semi-annual  banquets  were  regularly  held,  usually  at  Pottsville  or  Eeading, 
but  sometimes  in  Philadelphia  or  elsewhere.  These  were  attended  by  the 
officers  and  managers,  many  of  the  stockliolders,  and  invited  guests,  among 
whom  were  ex-Governors  Curtin  and  Pollock  on  one  occasion,  with  other 
prominent  public  men.  These  will  be  remembered  when  the  turni^ike  itself — 
the  diflicttlties  of  its  early  history,  the  jierplesities  of  its  management,  and 
the  circumstances  of  its  final  abandonment — have  passed  out  of  the  tradi- 
tions of  the  commimity. 

The  Danville  Turnpike  Road  Company  was  incorporated  by  act  of  the 
legislature,  January  21,  1S13,  -nith  the  following  corporators:  Lewis  Keese 
and  James  May,  of  Eeading:  Daniel  Montgomery,  Jr.,  and  "William  Mont- 
gomery, Jr.,  of  Danville;  Jacob  Gearhart  and  John  Jones,  of  Shamokin 
township:  Bethuol  Vincent  and  Seth  Iredell,  of  Milton;  John  Funston  and 
John  Fruit,  of  Deny;  Jacob  Shoemaker  and  George  Webb,  of  Pennsborough; 
and  Joseph  Eves  and  Richard  Demott,  of  Fishing  Creek.  The  course  of 
the  road  led  from  Danville  to  Bear  Gap  by  way  of  Elysburg.  It  was  in- 
tended by  this  to  render  the  trade  of  Danville  tributary-  to  the  Centre  turn- 
pike, as  well  as  to  deflect  a  .share  of  the  travel  over  that  thoroughfare  to 
Danville,  and  both  objects  were  subsened  to  an  equal  extent.  But  it  does 
not  appear  that  a  great  amoimt  of  money  was  ever  expended  on  the  improve- 
ment of  the  road,  while  tlio  tolls,  which  were  the  same  as  those  charged  on 
the  Centre  trirnpike,  were  deemed  excessive  and  exorbitant  in  proportion  to 
the  benefits  conferred.  This  at  length  resulted  in  the  forfeiture  of  the  char- 
ter, which  was  repealed  by  act  of  the  legislature,  April  8,  1848.  The  road 
thus  reverted  to  the  townships  through  which  it  passes,  and  has  since  received 
only  the  amount  of  attention  usually  bestowed  upon  public  roads. 

RIVER     NAVIGATION CANALS. 

The  Susquehanna  river  was  declared  a  pitblic  highway  by  act  of  Assem- 
bly, March  U,  1771,  and  James  Wright,  George  Eoss,  Thomas  Minshall, 
John  Lowdon,  Alexander  Lowry.  William  Maclay,  Samuel  Hunter,  Jr.,  Will- 
iam Patterson,  Eobert  Callender.  Charles  Steward,  Eeuben  Haines,  Thomas 
Holt,  and  William  Eichardson  were  appointed  commissioners  to  expend  any 
moneys  that  might  be  subscribed  or  appropriated  for  the  improvement  of 
that  river  or  of  the  Juniata,  Conestoga.  Bald  Eagle,  Mahanoy,  Penn's  creek, 
the  Swatara,  Conodogitinet,  and  Kiskiminetas.  It  is  not  probable  that  the 
duties  of  the  commission  were  onerous,  although  their  labors  were  dotibtless 
attended  with  beneficial  results. 

While  the  varieties  of  river  craft  used  in  the  transportation  of  the 
products  of  the  upfier  Susquehanna  valley  included  rafts,  arks,  flat-boats, 
etc..  the  Durham  boat  was  most  widely  and  generally  known.  This  craft 
derived  its  name  from  Durham,  in  Bucks  countv,  Pennsvlvania,  not   far  below 


310  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

Easton.  where  it  was  first  made,  and  used  by  the  proprietors  of  the  furnace 
at  that  i^hice  in  shipping  their  product  to  Philadelphia.  Sixty  feet  in  length, 
eight  feet  wide,  and  two  feet  deej),  a  Diirham  boat  drew  twenty  inches  of 
water  under  fifteen  tons  burthen,  and  was  therefore  peculiarly  adapted  to  the 
navigation  of  shallow  streams.  It  floated  with  the  current  on  the  down- 
-ward  voyage;  when  a  swift  riffle  was  reached,  a  light  cable  attached  to  a 
windlass  in  the  stern  or  prow  was  made  fast  to  a  tree  or  rock  on  shore,  thus 
assisting  in  steadying  the  boat  and  restraining  its  progress.  When  manned 
by  four  men  with  "  setting  "  poles,  the  boat  progressed  at  the  rate  of  two 
miles  an  hour  against  the  current;  this  method  of  locomotion  was  called 
'"poling"'  or  "  cordelling, "  and  was  extremely  laborious.  It  frequently 
occurred,  however,  that  the  boat  was  sold  with  its  cargo  when  the  destina- 
tion was  reached,  in  which  case  the  boatmen  returned  on  foot. 

The  introduction  of  sails  occurred  in  1805-00,  when  the  first  experiments 
in  utilizing  the  force  of  the  winds  in  river  navigation  were  made  by  Captains 
Jordan  and  Blair;  the  innovation  was  at  once  received  with  favor,  and  gener- 
ally adopted.  A  further  improvement  was  the  introduction  of  horse-power 
in  ascending  the  stream  in  a  calm.  The  horse  was  hitched  to  the  boat  by  a 
light  tow  line,  and  was  usually  driven  near  the  bank  by  a  boy;  when  not 
needed  the  animal  was  taken  on  board. 

Steamboat  navigation  on  the  Susquehanna  was  first  attempted  in  1820. 
Largely  through  the  instrumentality  of  Peter  A.  Karthaus,  who  owned  a 
large  body  of  land  on  the  headwaters  of  the  West  Branch,  and  Timison 
Coiyell,  of  Williamsport,  two  steamboats,  the  Codorus  and  Susquehanna,  were 
built,  the  former  under  Baltimore  and  the  latter  under  Philadelphia  auspices. 
The  Codorus  was  commanded  by  Captain  Elger,  who  experienced  great  difii- 
culty  in  ascending  the  river,  but  Williamsport  and  Farrandsville  were  at 
length  reached,  after  which  the  boat  returned  to  Northumberland  and  as- 
cended the  North  Branch  as  far  as  Wilkesbarre  and  Binghampton.  The 
Susquehanna  was  a  boat  of  larger  dimensions  than  the  Codonis,  and  in  at- 
tempting to  pass  the  Nescoj^ec  rapids  in  the  North  Branch  on  the  3d  of  May, 
1826,  the  boiler  exploded,  resulting  in  the  complete  wreck  of  the  boat  and 
injury  or  death  to  many  of  the  passengers  and  crew.  This  disaster  conclu- 
sively demonstrated  the  impracticability  of  navigating  the  river  by  steam.  After 
the  constniction  of  the  Shamokin  dam  at  Sunbury  a  suflicient  depth  of  water 
was  created  to  permit  the  use  of  small  steamers  between  Shamokin  Dam, 
Simbury,  Northiunberland,  and  adjacent  points. 

The  construction  of  canals  was  at  once  agitated  as  the  only  feasible  means 
of  transporting  the  increasing  products  of  the  interior  of  the  State  to  the 
seaboard.  On  the  24th  of  March,  182S,  an  act  was  passed  by  the  legislature 
by  which  the  board  of  canal  commissioners  was  "  authorized  and  required,  on 
behalf  of  this  Commonwealth,  as  speetlily  as  may  be,  to  locate  and  contract 
for  making  canals,  locks,  and  other  works  necessary   thereto,"  from  North- 


INTERXAL    IMPROVEMENTS.  311 

uinbeiiand  to  Bald  Eagle  on  the  West  Branch,  and  from  Northumberland  to 
the  State  line  on  the  North  Branch.  A  survey  and  exploration  by  an  engi- 
neer was  directed  to  be  made  on  the  west  side  of  the  "West  Branch,  and.  after 
taking  into  consideration  "  the  relative  advantages,  facility,  cost  of  constrac- 
tion,  and  interests  of  the  Commonwealth,''  the  board  was  to  decide  which 
side  of  the  river  was  the  more  eligible.  Contracts  were  to  be  let  in  that  year 
for  the  construction  of  not  more  than  twenty-five  nor  less  than  twenty  miles 
on  the  "West  Branch,  and  of  not  more  than  forty-five  nor  less  than  fifteen  on  the 
North  Branch.  It  is  needless  to  state  that  the  eastern  side  of  the  West  Branch 
was  selected  by  the  commissioners;  and,  if  the  injunction  of  the  legislature 
was  fully  carried  out,  nearly  the  entire  length  of  both  canals  in  this  county 
was  placed  under  construction  in  182S.  Delays  occurred  to  interfere  with 
the  progress  of  the  work,  however,  and  it  was  not  until  1830  that  the  North 
and  West  Branch  canals  were  opened  a  sufficient  distance  to  secure  an  ap- 
preciable amount  of  traffic.  The  construction  of  the  Lewisburg  cross-cut  was 
authorized  by  act  of  May  27,  1880. 

Two  packet  boats,  the  George  Denison  and  Gertrude,  were  launched  by 
Miller  Horton  and  A.  O.  Cahoou.  respectively,  in  1835,  for  the  transportation 
of  passengers  between  Northumberland  and  Wilkesbarre.  Similar  facilities 
were  jirovided  on  the  West  Branch,  and  also  on  the  division  between  North- 
umberland and  Harrisburg.  and  during  the  season  of  navigation  they  were  a 
great  public  convenience,  jiartially  taking  the  place  of  the  stage  coach.  Dur- 
ing the  prosperous  days  of  the  canal,  Northumberland  was  an  important 
point  ujion  this  .system  of  internal  commimication.  Here  the  outlet  lock  of 
both  the  North  and  West  Branch  divisions  was  located;  several  hundred 
thousand  dollars  were  collected  annually  from  tolls,  and  the  amount  of  traffic 
was  considerable.  But  the  public  works  of  the  State  were  never  remunera- 
tive; a  hea\y  indebtedness  was  incurred  in  their  construction,  and  when  a 
comparison  of  receipts  with  oj^erating  expenses  revealed  an  annual  deficit  to 
increase  the  original  indebtedness,  with  the  prosj^ect  of  decreasing  revenue  as 
the  result  of  railway  competition,  popular  sentiment  and  public  policy  alike 
demanded  such  a  disposition  of  the  proi^erty  as  would  relieve  the  State  from 
further  expense  in  connection  with  it.  The  "main  line,"  between  Philadel- 
phia and  Pittsburgh,  was  sold  to  the  Permsylvania  Railroad  Company  in 
1857;  the  West  Branch  division  is  now  the  proj^erty  of  the  Philadeljihia  and 
Erie  Eailroad  Company,  bxit  has  been  abandoned  above  Mimcy  dam  and  is 
used  to  a  very  limited  extent  between  that  jjoint  and  Northumberland:  the 
North  Branch  division  is  owned  by  the  Pennsylvania  Canal  Company,  and  is 
princijially  used  in  the  transportation  of  coal  from  the  Wyoming  basin. 

RAILROADS. 

While  canals  or  slactsvater  navigation  entered  almost  exclusively  into  the 
system  of  internal  improvements  designed  by  the  State,  and  the  discussion 


312  HISTORY    OF    NOKTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

of  projects  for  the  constractiou  of  artilicial  waterways  received  a  large  share 
of  public  attention,  there  were  also  those  who  regarded  railroads  as  most 
likely  to  confer  permanent  advantages  and  result  in  benefits  commensurate 
with  their  cost.  This  was  attributable  in  some  measure  to  the  natural  feat- 
ures of  the  State.  It  had  not  yet  been  demonstrated  that  canal  construction 
was  feasible  excej^t  in  immediate  proximity  to  a  river  or  other  source  of  water 
supply,  and  hence  railroads  received  consideration  as  a  means  of  communi- 
cation between  the  valleys  of  the  Schuylkill  and  Susquehanna.  Legislative 
provision  was  made  for  the  incorjjoration  of  three  comjianies  in  IS'iG.  one  of 
which  was  the  Danville  and  Pottsville  Kailroad  Company.  As  ultimately 
constructed,  the  line  of  this  road  is  located  entirely  in  Northumberland 
county,  of  which  it  was  for  some  years  the  only  railroad.  It  is  now  a  part 
of  the  Pennsylvania  railroad  system,  a  brief  history  of  which  may  properly 
precede  that  of  its  lines  in  this  county. 

The  Pennsylvania  Railroad  Company  was  chartered.  April  13,  1S46; 
the  original  line  of  its  road  extended  from  Harrisburg  to  Pittsburgh,  a  dis- 
tance of  two  hundred  forty-eight  miles,  and  was  opened  throughout  its  en- 
tire length  on  the  loth  of  February,  1854.  The  line  from  Harrisburg  to 
Philadelphia  is  made  up  of  the  old  Philadelphia  and  Columbia  railroad, 
originally  a  State  work,  and  the  Harrisburg,  Portsmouth.  Mt.  Joy  and 
Lancaster  railroad,  chartered  in  1832,  opened  in  1838,  and  leased  in  1840. 
The  Pennsylvania  Kailroad  Company  has  a  large  if  not  a  controlling  inter- 
est in  the  Northern  Central  railway,  and  is  the  lessee  of  the  Philadeljihia 
and  Erie,  the  Sunbury,  Hazelton  and  Wilkesbarre,  the  Sunbury  and  Lewis- 
town,  and  the  Lewisburg  and  Tyrone  railroads,  all  of  which  are  partly  sit- 
uated in  Northumberland  county. 

The  Danville  and  Pottsville  Railroad  Company  was  authorized  by  act 
of  the  legislature  approved  on  the  8th  of  April,  1820,  by  which  the  follow- 
ing persons  were  appointed  as  commi.ssioners  for  its  organization:  Daniel 
Montgomery  and  George  A.  Frick,  of  Danvnlle;  Andrew  McEe}-nolds,  of 
Columbia  county;  John  C.  Boyd,  of  Northiunberland  county;  Benjamin 
Potts,  Francis  B.  Nichols,  George  Taylor,  and  John  C.  Offerman,  of  Schuyl- 
kill county;  Daniel  Graeff  and  Edward  B.  Hubley,  of  Berks  coimty,  and 
George  W.  Smith  and  Mark  Kichards,  of  Philadelphia.  A  capital  of  one 
himdred  thousand  dollars  was  authorized,  in  shares  of  fifty  dollars  each.  The 
route  of  the  proposed  road  was  described  as  follows:  "Beginning  at  or  near 
the  ferry  house  on  the  south  side  of  the  Susquehanna,  opposite  the  to\vn  of 
Dan\'ille,  in  the  township  of  Rush  in  Northimiberland  coimty.  and  extending 
to  the  Schuylkill  canal  at  Pottsville." 

Over  this  line  a  railroad  was  to  be  constructed,  with  a  grade  not  to  exceed 
an  inch  to  the  foot.  Causeways  were  to  be  erected  over  the  railway  where- 
ever  it  was  intersected  by  a  public  road  or  turnpike,  and  also  for  the  con- 
venience of  private  owners  through  whose  lands  it  passed     It  was  declared 


INTEKNAL    IMPROVEMEXTS.  313 

to  be  a  public  highway  upon  comjiletion  of  any  section  tive  mik^s  in  length; 
persons  using  it  were  required  to  provide  such  vehicles  as  should  be  pre- 
scribed by  the  company,  and  in  the  transportation  of  commodities  the  fol- 
lowing rates  of  toll  were  established:  coal,  salt,  gj-jisiun,  and  lime,  one  and 
one  half  cents  per  ton  per  mile;  hunber,  squared  or  round,  two  cents  per 
mile  per  hundred  feet  solid;  boanls.  plank,  scantling,  or  other  sawed  stuff 
reduced  to  inch  stuff,  two  cents  per  mile  per  thousand  feet;  staves  and  head- 
ings for  pijjes  and  hogsheads,  two  cents  per  thousand  per  mile;  all  other 
articles  not  enumerated,  foitr  cents  per  ton  per  mile;  and  twenty  jje?-  cent. 
additional  for  single  and  detached  articles  weighing  less  than  a  ton.  The 
character  of  these  provisions  is  sufficient  evidence  that  the  railroad  industry 
was  in  its  incipiency.  The  erection  of  causeways  at  every  intersection  with 
a  pulilic  road  indicates  an  exaggerated  idea  of  the  danger  of  a  railroad 
crossing  to  public  travel;  the  articles  enumerated — coal  and  lumber — show 
from  what  sources  the  revenue  was  expected  to  be  derived;  and  the 
railroad  was  popularly  regarded  as  differing  from  the  turnjiike  principally 
in  constniction  and  motive  power,  individuals  furnishing  their  own  vehicles 
for  transportation  oil  one  as  well  as  the  other.  It  was  not  tmtil  1881  that 
the  company  was  authorized  "to  purchase,  with  the  funds  of  the  said  com- 
pany, and  place  on  the  railroad  constnicted  by  them  under  this  act,  all  ma- 
chines, wagons,  vehicles,  carriage?,  and  teams,  of  any  kind  whatsoever  that 
they  may  deem  necessaiy  or  proper  for  the  purposes  of  transportation,"  the 
rates  charged  to  be  twice  as  great  as  those  originally  provided  for,  and 
the  goods  to  be  transported  in  the  order  of  receijit  at  the  depot.  This 
marks  an  important  advance  in  the  ideas  of  railroad  management  at  that 
period. 

It  does  not  appear  that  any  detiiiite  progress  was  made  under  the  original 
act  of  incorporation.  A  supplement,  which  received  executive  sanction  on  the 
14th  of  April,  1828,  authorized  an  increase  of  the  capital  stock  to  one  million 
dollars  and  the  construction  of  branches  to  Catawissa  and  Sunbury;  the 
number  of  commissioners  was  increased,  among  the  additional  names  being 
those  of  Joseph  R.  Priestley,  William  A.  Lloyd,  and  John  Taggart,  of  North- 
itmberland,  and  Hugh  Bellas,  Ebenezer  Greenough,  Martin  Weaver,  and 
Alexander  Jordan,  of  Sunbury,  with  others  from  Catawissa,  Philadelphia,  and 
Pottsville.  New  vitality  was  infused  into  the  enterj^rise;  it  obtained  the 
active  support  of  Stephen  Girard  of  Philadelphia,  and  Burd  Patterson,  of 
Pottsville,  while  General  Daniel  Montgomery,  of  Danville,  had  been  an  active 
promoter  from  its  first  inception.  A  survey  was  made,  the  route  was  deter- 
mined upon,  and  twelve  miles  of  the  eastern  division  had  been  completed, 
when  the  death  of  Girard  deprived  the  project  of  its  principal  financial  sttp- 
porter.  In  this  emergency  recourse  was  had  to  the  State  legislatui-e,  and  on 
the  8th  of  April,  1834,  an  act,  pledging  the  faith  of  the  State  to  the  payment 
annually  of  five  pe;-  cent,  interest  for  twenty-seven  years  upon  the  bonds  of 


314  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

the  company  to  any  individuals  or  corporations  that  should  advance  the  sum 
of  three  hundred  thousand  dollars  or  any  part  of  it  to  the  Danville  and  Potts- 
ville  Railroad  Company,  became  a  law.  Bonds  were  sold  at  ai^ction  in  Phila- 
delphia, and  the  entire  amount  authorized  by  the  bill  was  placed  without 
ditiicialty.  In  July,  1S3-1-,  construction  was  begun  on  the  section  between 
Sunbur}"  and  Shamokin,  the  grading  of  which  for  a  distance  of  twenty  miles 
was  completed  in  the  summer  of  1835.  The  formal  opening  to  Stambach's 
tavern  (Paxinos),  a  point  thirteen  and  one  half  miles  from  Simbury,  occurred 
on  Thursday,  the  26th  of  November,  1835;  the  Sunbury  Workingmen's  Acluo- 
cate  gives  the  following  account  of  this  event: — 

The  two  elegant  and  commodious  passenger  cars  lately  built  at  Pottsville  [the 
"  Shamokin "  and  "  Mahanoj' "],  large  enough  to  convey,  inside  and  outside,  about 
thirty  persons  each,  having  been  placed  on  the  road  upon  the  bank  of  the  Susquehanna, 
the  ringing  of  bells  at  twelve  o'clock  and  the  joyful  cheers  of  the  traveling  party  and 
spectators  announced  their  departure  for  the  engineers'  quarters  at  the  eastern  end  of 
this  completed  division.  Two  of  Mr.  Weaver's  mail-coach  horses  drew  each  ear,  if 
drawing  it  can  be  called,  when  drawing  there  was  none. 

The  party  in  the  cars  were  met  bj-  other  citizens  at  the  eastern  end,  where  a  diniier 
had  been  prepared  in  such  profusion  and  e.xcellence  as  showed  that  i-drioiin  modes  of 
intcrnul  impruvenient  were  perfectly  understood.  The  oldest  citizen  of  Sunbury,  and 
oldest  member  of  the  bar  attending,  Daniel  Le\y,  was  appointed  president  of  the  fes- 
tivity, Lewis  Dewart  and  Charles  G.  Donnel,  vice-presidents,  Peter  Lazarus  and  Daniel 
Brautigam,  secretaries,  and  Hugh  Bellas  was  requested  to  deliver  an  address. 

Toasts  were  proposed  and  drank,  to  the  memory  of  Girard  and  Mont- 
gomery, "the  founders  of  the  railroad,"  and  in  honor  of  its  president  and 
managers.  Moncure  Robinson,  chief  engineer,  William  S.  Campbell  and  G. 
M.  Totten.  tirst  assistant  engineers,  and  their  corps  of  assistants,  Hugh 
Bellas,  the  orator  of  the  occasion,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Day,  the  host  and  hostess, 
etc.  Many  interesting  circiimstances  in  the  history  of  the  enterprise  up  to 
that  time  are  embraced  in  the  following  extracts  from  Mr.  Bellas's  address: — 

The  origin  and  honor  of  the  project  of  connecting  the  Susquehanna  and  Schuyl- 
kill by  railway  are  due  to  General  Daniel  Montgomery.  During  the  summer  of  1838, 
General  M<jntgomery,  then  a  canal  commissioner,  obtained  the  services  of  Moncure 
Robinson  in  running  various  experimental  lines  and  exploring  the  woods  and  waters 
between  Danville  and  Sunburj-,  and  Pottsville,  to  ascertain  whether  it  were  practicable 
to  connect  the  rivers  by  railroad.  Together  they  traversed  the  woods  and  climbed  the 
hills,  and  searched  the  valleys  for  favorable  routes.  With  great  labor  and  exposure, 
and  with  greater  ardor  and  resolution,  the)-  persevered,  until  finally  satisfied  that  a 
superior  road  to  that  at  first  contemplated  ought  to  be  constructed;  and  that  a  location 
could  be  made,  saving  a  rise  and  fall  of  three  hundred  fifty-four  feet  from  the  first 
proposed  route  in  passing  the  Broad  mo\mtain,  beside  shortening  the  road  and  dispens- 
ing with  three  inclined  planes.  These  important  facts  were  stated  in  Mr.  Robinson's 
report  in  October,  1831,  with  an  estimate  of  the  cost  at  six  hundred  seventy-five  thou- 
sand dollars.  This  was  predicated  upon  grading  the  road  from  Sunbury  to  Pottsville 
for  a  double  track,  with  a  single  track  and  the  necessary  turn-outs  laid  down,  until 
increasing  business  should  render  the  second  track  necessary.  This  report  was  adopted 
and  sanctioned  by  the  company;  but  the  great  loss  sustained  in  the  falling  of  the  two 
main  pillars  of  the  structure,  Girard  and  Montgomerj-,  chilled  the  ardent  hopes  of  our 


INTERNAL    IMPKOTEMENTS.  315 

friends.  It  is  well  kuown  that  the  siuUIeu  illness  and  death  of  3Ir.  Girard  prevented 
his  appropriation  of  three  Imndred  thousand  dollars  to  the  completion  of  this  ^vork, 
besides  his  original  subscription  of  two  hundred  thousand  dollars. 

In  the  summer  of  1832  the  road  formation  of  the  eastern  division  of  the  road  was 
commenced,  in  conformity  to  the  desire  of  !Mr.  Girard  and  to  the  decision  of  a  g-eueral 
meeting  of  the  stockholders,  and  more  than  half  was  done  before  the  close  of  the 
year.  In  his  desire  to  prosecute  the  work  vigorously,  he  ordered  at  once  from  England 
the  iron  to  plate  the  rails  for  the  whole  road.  ^More  fully  to  eujov  its  ad\antages,  he 
effected  arrangements  and  compromises  with  those  who  held  conflicting  claims  to  his 
large  estate  in  the  Mahanoy  coal  field.  This  portion  of  the  road,  extending  from  the 
Mount  Carbon  road,  north  of  Pottsville,  to  Girardville,  was  completed  about  the  close 
of  the  year  1833,  with  all  its  superstructure,  machinery,  planes,  fi.xtures,  and  tunnel  of 
eight  hundred  feet,  at  the  estimated  expense  of  one  hundred  ninety  thousand  dollars, 
forming  a  railway  from  Girardville  to  >Iomit  Cailmn  ,.f  :ih..iit  twelve  milc>.  The 
fnrnuition  of  the  road  has  been  extended  westward  from  (;irard\ille  two  miles  and  a 
half. 

In  1834  the  formation  of  this  western  portion  was  commenced,  and  finished  early 
last  summer;  in  August  last,  contracts  were  made  for  laying  down  the  superstructure 
of  thirteen  miles  and  three  eighths  from  the  margin  of  the  river  at  Suubury  to  this 
place:  and  now,  at  the  end  of  three  months,  it  is  finished  and  traveled,  and  tcell  finished. 
Eastward  of  this  point,  running  into  the  coal  field  some  distance,  six  and  a  half  miles 
of  road  are  formed  and  ready  for  the  superstructure.  The  sills  and  rails  are  all  on  the 
spot,  and  will  be  laid  whenever  the  coal  harbor  is  completed  at  S\nibury,  with  its  lock 
to  pass  the  coal  boats  into  the  great  basin  of  the  Pennsylvania  canal. 

Tlio  proceed.s  arising  from  the  sale  of  the  bonds  appear  to  have  been  ex- 
hausted with  the  fmishiug  of  the  road  to  Paxinos.  No  facilities  had  yet  been 
compli^ted  at  Snnbury  for  trans-shipment  to  the  canal,  and  Mr.  Robinson,  the 
engineer,  suggested  a  cessation  of  active  construction  imtil  connection  should 
be  established  with  the  Siis(ittehauna  river  and  Pennsylvania  canal.  This 
was  duly  granted;  and  in  the  general  appropriation  for  internal  improve- 
ments in  1888,  the  Danville  and  Pott.sville  Eailroad  Company  received  fifty 
thousand  dollars,  to  be  expended  in  making  the  necessary  improvements  upon 
the  western  section  and  in  extending  it  to  a  jioint  twenty  and  one  half  miles 
east  of  Sitnbury.  It  was  the  evident  purpose  of  this  latter  provision  to  in- 
sure the  completion  of  the  western  section  in  order  that  it  might  jirove  a 
feeder  to  the  canal,  a  State  work,  and  also  place  the  road  in  a  position  to 
yielda  revenue  for  the  payment  of  the  interest  upon  its  bonded  delit.  In  Au- 
gust, 1838,  the  road  was  opened  to  Shamokin.  This  event  was  duly  cele- 
brated by  a  dinner  at  Kram's  Hotel,  at  which  Burd  Patterson,  Hugh  Bel- 
las, John  C.  Boyd,  and  others  were  present  and  delivered  addresses.  On  this 
occasion  the  locomotive  was  first  introduced;  it  was  the  "North  Star,"  built 
by  Eastwick  &  Harrison,  of  Philadeljihia,  transported  thence  by  canal  to 
Sunbury,  and  engineered  by  Mr.  Eastwick  himself.  The  first  jiassenger  train 
from  Shamokin  to  Sunburj'  consisted  of  the  "  North  Star."  the  '"  Shamokin  " 
and  "  Mahanoy  '" — the  cars  pre-siously  mentioned — and  a  few  other  cars. 

The  road  was  now  regularly  opened  for  traffic  and  travel  between  Sunbury 
and  Shamokin.     A  second  engine,  the  ''Mountaineer,"  was  added  shortly 


31G  ■  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

afterward;  Charles  Gill  and  Lewis  Garretson  were  the  first  engineers  of  the 
'•North  Star"  and  "Mountaineer,''  respectively,  but  retained  their  jjositions 
only  about  five  months,  when  the  former  was  succeeded  by  Benjamin  Kater- 
man  and  the  latter  by  George  Shijie.  Two  trips  were  regularly  made  each 
day  during  the  season  of  navigation  on  the  canal,  the  trains  consisting  of 
forty  loaded  coal  cars  containing  two  and  one  half  tons,  while  the  empty 
cars  constititted  the  train  on  the  return  triji  from  Sunlniry.  But  the  opera- 
tion of  the  road  was  attended  with  many  difficulties  and  discouragements. 
The  track  consisted  of  wooden  cross-ties  laid  upon  the  groimd  at  intervals  of 
several  feet ;  on  these  oak  stringers  were  fastened  with  wooden  wedges,  and  the 
stringers,  or  rails,  were  covered  with  bar  iron  two  and  one  half  inches  wide 
and  one  half  of  an  inch  thick.  The  weight  of  the  engines  was  dispropor- 
tionate to  the  strength  of  this  structure,  and  as  a  consequence  the  train  was 
frequently  off  the  track,  and  the  track  was  frequently  off  the  rail,  causing 
vexations  and  expensive  delays  and  ultimately  resulting  in  the  substitxition  of 
horse-power  for  the  locomotives.  Then  the  revenue  from  the  road  was  insuffi- 
cient to  enable  the  company  to  meet  the  interest  on  its  obligations,  and  after 
several  years  of  unprofitable  operation  the  property  was  placed  in  the  hands 
of  Samuel  R.  Wood  as  sequestrator.  Mr.  Wood  was  the  second  superin- 
tendent :  he  was  preceded  by  Thomas  Sharpe,  with  whom  were  associated 
Patrick  Reilly  as  master  mechanic  and  Messrs.  Eobin.son,  Totten,  and 
Cleaver,  civil  engineers.  Mr.  W'ood  had  charge  of  the  property  as  seques- 
trator for  some  years.  The  rolling  stock  was  sold  at  sheriff's  sale.  The  road 
was  leased  to  William  and  Reuben  Fagely  in  1842,  and  during  the  ten  years 
following  they  used  it  for  the  transportation  of  coal  to  Simbury  by  horse- 
power. For  this  purpose  one  hundred  horses  were  required:  the  roiuid  trip 
to  Sunbury  was  made  in  two  days,  four  or  live  horses  hauling  a  train  of  ten 
cars. 

Diiring  all  this  time,  the  annual  interest  on  three  himdred  thousand  dol- 
lars at  five  per  cent,  was  regularly  paid  by  appropriations  from  the  State 
treasury;  and,  as  the  company  seemed  to  have  abandoned  all  hope  of  improv- 
ing the  earning  power  of  their  road,  strenuous  efforts  were  made  in  the 
legislature  to  secure  some  disposition  of  the  property  that  would  obviate  the 
payment  of  the  annual  interest,  or  at  least  reduce  it  in  amount.  Overtures 
were  several  times  made  to  the  holders  of  the  bonds,  but  without  arriving  at 
any  basis  of  adjustment;  at  length,  on  the  2d  of  April.  ISoO,  an  act  was 
passed,  the  preamble  of  which  defined  the  position  of  the  State  in  the  follow- 
ing language: — 

"WiiEUEAS,  By  an  act  of  Assembly  passed  the  8th  day  of  Jlarch,  1834,  the  faith  of 
the  State  was  pledged  for  the  payment  of  the  interest  at  the  rate  of  five  pi'r  rent,  per 
annum  for  twenty-seven  years  upon  a  loan  of  three  himdred  thousand  dollars  to  the 
Danville  and  Pottsville  Railroad  Company;  and  the  said  railroad,  with  otlier  prop- 
erty of  the  said  company,  was  mortgaged  for  the  re-payment  of  the  said  loan;  and  the 
said  company,  having  constructed  a  portion  of  their  road  extending  ten  miles  from  the 


INTERNAL    IMPEOVEMENTS.  317 

eastern  terminus,  and  auotlier  portiun. twenty  miles  in  length,  extending  from  Suubury 
into  the  Shamokiu  coal  fields,  have  permitted  the  former  to  go  to  ruin,  and  have  prac- 
tical ly  abandoned  all  care  of  the  latter  portion;  and  the  said  company  are  insolvent, 
and  there  is  no  reasonable  prospect  that  they  will  ever  complete  the  said  railroad,  and 
relieve  the  State  from  the  annual  drain  of  fifteen  thousand  dollars  from  her  treasury; 
an.l 

AVitEHEAS,  The  State  has  already  paid  the  sum  of  two  hundred  twentj'-five  thou- 
sand dollars  and  will  be  called  upon  to  pay  the  further  sum  of  one  hundred  eighty 
thousand  dollars  interest  to  the  holders  of  the  said  loan  during  the  next  twelve  years; 
and  the  said  railroad  is  j'early  decreasing  in  value,  and  will  in  a  year  or  two  become 
useless  for  all  purposes  of  transportation;  and  it  is  manifest  that  the  holders  of  the 
said  loan  will  realize  a  much  greater  sum  towards  the  repa_\inent  thereof  by  an  imme- 
diate sale  of  the  said  railroad,  and  the  State  will  be  relieved  from  the  payment  of  the 
interest  on  the  sum  thus  realized  by  the  sale  thereof. 

The  auditor  g-eneral  was  thereupon  ilistructed  to  obtain,  if  possil)le,  the 
assent  of  the  hoklers  of  the  loan  to  a  sale  of  the  property  under  the  provisions 
of  the  acts  of  April  21.  iN-tf),  and  March  !•).  1S47.  the  proceeds  to  be  applied 
to  extinguishing  the  loan,  any  part  thereof  remaining  unpaid  to  bear  mterest 
until  the  termination  of  the  period  of  twenty-seven  years  originally  specified. 
This  consent,  was  accordingly  obtained,  and.  agreeably  to  the  wishes  of 
the  legislature,  the  property  of  the  company,  its  franchises,  appurten- 
ances, etc.  were  sold  at  sheriff's  sale  on  the  16th  of  January,  1S51,  and 
imrchased  on  behalf  of  the  holders  of  the  loan  for  the  siun  of  one  hundred 
thirty  thoiisaad  and  fifty  dollars — fifty  dollars  more  than  the  minimum 
amount  recpiired  by  the  legislature.  Deducting  the  fees  of  the  sheriff, 
amounting  to  four  hundred  dollars,  there  remained  the  sum  of  one  hundred 
seventy  thousand  three  hundred  fifty  dollars  for  the  interest  upon  which  the 
State  was  still  liable  under  the  act  of  l.S;^4. 

The  new  purchasers  proceeded  to  reorganize  the  company,  electing 
Nathaniel  Chauncey  president,  and  at  a  meeting  held  on  the  fourth  Monday  of 
April,  1S51,  at  the  Franklin  House,  Philadelphia,  the  name  was  changed  to 
the  Philadelphia  and  Sunbury  Paiilroad  Company.  The  rehabilitation  of  the 
property  was  an  immediate  and  imperative  necessity.  In  IS'IS  the  track  be- 
tween Siinbury  and  Shamokin  was  relaid  with  iron  rails;  new  locomotives, 
known,  respectively,  as  tlie  "  David  Longenecker."  "  A.  E.  Fiske,"  '•  Green 
Kidge,"  "  Carlion  Run,""  '"  Thomas  Baiungardner,"'  and  "  Lancaster."  were 
procured;  and  on  the  2jth  of  August,  1853,  the  formal  reopening  occurred. 
In  the  following  year  the  road  was  extended  to  Mt.  Carmel,  and  under  the 
superintendency  of  A.  R.  Fiske  the  company's  prospects  improved.  But  in 
IS'iS,  the  line  of  the  road  from  Sunbitry  to  its  intersection  with  the  Mine 
Hill  and  Schuylkill  Haven  railroad  having  been  sold  under  foreclosure,  a 
second  reorganization  occurred  itnder  the  name  of  the  Shamokin  Yallev  and 
Pottsville  Railroad  Comj)any,  which  was  invested  with  aU  the  franchises  of 
the  former  companies  by  an  act  of  the  legislature  approved.  March  2-'J,  1858. 
The  road  was  operated  by  the  Philadelphia  and  Erie  Railroad  Company  and 


318  HISTORY    OF    XORTHUIIBERLAND    COUNTY. 

independently  until  the  27th  of  February,  1S63,  when  it  was  leased  for  nine 
hundred  ninety-nine  years  to  the  Northern  Central  Railway  Company;  it 
may  thus  be  regarded  as  a  part  of  the  great  Pennsylvania  system,  and,  after 
having  experienced  many  of  the  vicissitudes  incident  to  railroad  construction 
in  the  experimental  stage,  this  line  has  been,  since  its  lease  to  the  Northern 
Central,  a  valuable  and  prodiictive  property. 

The  Philadelphia  and  Erie  Railroad  Company  was  chartered  as  the 
Sunbury  and  Erie  Eailroad  Company  on  the  3d  of  April,  1887,  and  received 
its  jjresent  name  by  act  of  Assembly,  March  7,  18(51.  Among  the  original 
corporators  were  Henry  Eeader,  David  Watson,  Montgomery  Sweney,  R.  H. 
Hammond,  Samuel  Hepburn,  Henry  Frick,  James  Hepburn,  Joseph  E. 
Priestley,  Hugh  Bellas.  Charles  G.  Donnel,  Alexander  Jordan,  E.  Greenough, 
Edward  Gobin,  John  C.  Boyd.  Daniel  Le^•y,  Henry  Yoxtheimer,  Henry  Mas- 
ser,  William  Forsyth,  James  Dougal,  and  Frederick  Lazaiiis,  of  Northumber- 
land county.  The  period  allotted  for  its  completion  was  extended  from  time 
to  time,  and  finally,  on  the  12th  of  February,  1846,  the  company  was  allowed 
until  the  1st  of  Jime,  1851,  to  begin  construction.  The  road  was  opened  be- 
tween Williamsport  and  Milton,  December  18,  1854,  and  between  Milton  and 
Northumberland,  September  24,  1855.  It  was  at  first  operated  by  the  Cata- 
wissa  Railroad  Company,  which  ran  its  rolling  stock  over  the  line  for  some 
time,  paying  to  the  Sunbury  and  Erie  Railroad  Company  a  percentage  of 
the  net  receipts  as  rental  for  the  use  of  the  roadway.  The  railway  bridges 
over  the  North  Branch  at  Northumberland  were  completed  in  December, 
1855,  and  on  the  7th  of  Januaxy,  1856,  the  road  was  opened  to  Sunbury,  its 
eastern  terminus.  The  length  of  the  line,  extending  from  this  point  to  Erie, 
is  two  hundred  eighty-seven  and  fifty-six  hundredths  miles,  and  it  was  opened 
the  entire  distance,  October  17,  1864,  having  been  previously  leased  to  the 
Pennsylvania  Railroad  Company  for  nine  hundred  ninety-nine  years  from  the 
1st  of  January,  1802.  The  line  in  Northumberland  county  begins  at  the 
northeast  corner  of  Market  square  and  Third  street  in  Sunbury,  crosses  the 
North  Branch  to  Northumberland,  and  continixes  on  the  east  bank  of  the 
West  Branch  through  the  townships  of  Point,  Chillisquaque,  Turbut,  and 
Delaware,  with  stations  at  Sunbury,  Northumberland,  Kapp's,  Montandon, 
Milton,  Watsontown,  and  Dewart. 

The  Northern  Central  Railway  Company  was  formed  on  the  9th  of 
December,  1854,  by  the  consolidation  of  the  Baltimore  and  Susquehanna 
Railroad  Company,  the  York  and  Maryland  Line  Railroad  Company,  the 
York  and  Cumberland  Eailroad  Company,  and  the  Susquehanna  Railroad 
Company.  The  main  line  extends  from  Baltimore,  Maryland,  to  Simbury, 
Pennsylvania,  a  distance  of  one  hundred  thirty-six  and  eighty-two  hun- 
dredths miles.  The  line  through  this  county  formed  part  of  the  Susque- 
hanna Railroad  Company's  authorized  route  prior    to  the  consolidation. 

A  railroad  from  Harrisburg  to  Sunbury  was  first  projected  in  1837,  and 


INTERNAL    IMPROVEMENTS.  319 

OH  the  3d  of  April  in  that  year  an  act  was  passed  br  the  legislature  provid- 
ing for  the  incorjjoration  of  the  Harrisburg  and  Simbury  Railroad  Company, 
the  line  to  extend  from  the  terminus  of  the  Harrisburg,  Portsmouth,  Mt. 
Joy,  and  Lancaster  railroad  at  Harrisburg  to  the  terminus  of  the  Danville 
and  Pottsville  railroad  at  Sunbuiy.  Among  the  commissioners  were  Alex- 
ander Jordan,  Charles  G.  Donnel.  E.  Greenough,  Hugh  Bellas,  Edward 
Gobin,  John  C.  Boyd,  Mr.  Backhouse.  Peter  Lazariis,  George  Brosius,  and 
James  Hepburn,  of  Northumberland  coimty.  Ten  years'  time  was  granted 
for  the  completion  of  the  road,  in  default  of  which  the  charter  was  forfeited. 

The  Susquehanna  Eailroad  Company  was  incorporated  on  the  14th  of 
April,  1851,  with  jjower  to  construct  a  railroad  connecting  with  the  York  and 
Cumberland,  or  with  the  Pennsylvania  railroad  on  either  side  of  the  Siisque- 
hanna  or  on  the  Jimiata.  thence  extending  through  Halifax  and  Millersburg 
to  Sunliury,  with  the  privilege  of  continuing  the  line  to  Williamsport.  John 
B.  Packer.  Charles  W.  Hegins,  Alexander  Jordan,  H.  B.  Masser,  George  B. 
Youngman.  William  L.  Dewart,  Edward  Y.  Bright.  Josejih  E.  Priestley, 
"William  Forsyth,  Amos  E.  Kajip,  James  Pollock,  Robert  M.  Frick.  and 
Reuben  Fagely,  of  Northumberland  coimty,  were  among  the  projectors. 
On  the  24th  of  November,  lS-52,  a  contract  for  the  grading  and  masonry  of 
the  entire  line  between  Sunbury  and  Bridgeport  was  awarded  to  Dougherty 
&  Laitman;  imder  this  contract  constraction  was  begim,  but  noti  completed 
until  after  the  formation  of  the  Northern  Central  Railway  Company.  Tho 
formal  opening  of  a  part  of  the  line  occurred  on  the  24th  of  July.  1857, 
when  the  first  passenger  train  from  Harrisburg  arrived  at  Trevorton  bridge, 
proceeding  thence  to  Trevorton.  where  the  company  partook  of  a  sumptuous 
banquet  at  the  hotel  of  Henry  B.  Weaver.  Mr.  Beebe.  of  New  York,  presi- 
dent of  the  Trevorton  Coal  and  Railroad  Company,  presiding;  addresses 
were  made  by  President  Barnum,  of  the  Northern  Central,  J.  Pinckney 
Whyte,  a  prominent  member  of  the  Baltimore  bar,  David  Taggart,  of  North- 
umberland, John  B.  Packer,  of  Sunbury.  and  others. 

On  the  2(jth  of  August,  IS-")?,  Messrs.  Faries  and  Morrison  and  Warforcl 
and  Wright,  chief  engineer  and  assistant  of  the  Sunbury  and  Erie  and  North- 
ern Central  railroads,  respectively,  were  engaged  in  making  a  preliminary  siir- 
vey  for  the  purpose  of  establishing  the  connection  of  their  respective  roads  in 
Simbury.  The  council  of  that  borough,  at  a  meeting  on  the  following  day, 
authorized  the  Northern  Central  to  locate  its  road  "in  or  through  any  street. 
lane,  or  alley  in  said  borough  the  said  company  may  deem  expedient,"  which 
action  was  unanimously  ratilied  at  a  public  meeting  held  in  the  court  house 
on  the  2d  of  September.  Third  street  was  accordingly  selected,  and  on 
the  8th  of  February,  1858,  the  work  of  grading  through  the  borough  was 
begun.  The  formal  opening  of  the  road  to  Sunbury  occurred  on  the  28th  of 
June,  1858.  At  nine  x.  m.  a  train  left  Simbury  for  Harrisburg,  and  among 
the   passengers  was  Governor   William   F.   Packer,  one  of  the  earliest   and 


320  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBEBLAND    COUNTY. 

most  persistent  promoters  of  the  enterprise.  The  first  train  north  arrived 
at  half  past  three  in  the  afternoon,  bringing  Mr.  Barnum,  the  president  of 
the  company,  Mr.  Magraw,  one  of  the  directors,  A.  B.  Warford,  chief 
engineer,  and  other  prominent  railroad  magnates. 

The  Sunbury,  Hazelton  and  Wilkesbarre  Railroad  extends  from  Sun- 
bury  to  Tomhicken,  Pennsylvania,  a  distance  of  forty-three  and  forty-four 
hiuidredths  miles.  The  company  was  originally  chartered  as  the  Wilkesbarre 
and  Pittston,  April  15,  1859,  for  the  construction  of  a  railroad  along  the 
Susquehanna  river  from  Pittston  to  Danville  or  Sunbury.  April  10,  1867, 
the  name  was  changed  to  the  Danville,  Hazelton  and  Wilkesbarre  Kailroad 
Company.  The  survey  of  the  route  was  begun  by  F.  C.  Arms  on  the  22d  of 
April,  1867.  On  the  10th  of  October  following  the  contract  for  its  construc- 
tion was  awarded  J.  V.  Creswell  and  W.  M.  Wiley,  and  the  grading  of  three 
miles  between  Sunbury  and  Danville  was  finished  in  the  same  year.  The 
progress  of  construction  was  attended  with  protracted  interruptions,  and  it 
was  not  until  March,  1869,  that  the  laying  of  the  track  was  begun.  The 
line  was  formally  opened  from  Sunbury  to  Danville  on  Thursday,  November  4, 
1869.  A  train  left  Sunbury  for  Danville  in  the  morning,  returning  with  a 
numerous  company,  who  joined  those  already  assembled  for  the  occasion  at  that 
point.  The  oflicers  at  that  date  were  as  follows:  president,  Thomas  Woods, 
of  Philadelphia;  vice-president  and  superintendent,  Simon  P.  Kase,  of  Dan- 
ville: treasurer,  S.  P.  Wolverton,  of  Sunbury;  secretary,  George  Hill,  of 
Suulniry;  directors:  Kobert  B.  Sterling,  S.  P.  Wolverton,  George  Hill.  Ben- 
jamin Hendricks,  Simon  P.  Kase,  A.  F.  Kussell,  and  H.  W.  McReynolds. 
The  road  was  sold  imder  foreclosure,  March  20,  1878,  and  the  company 
reorganized  under  its  present  title,  May  1, 1878 ;  it  was  leased  by  the  Pennsyl- 
vania Eailroad  Company  for  fifty  years  from  the  latter  date,  find  has  since 
been  operated  as  a  branch  of  the  Philadelphia  and  Erie  railroad.  The  line 
in  this  county  passes  through  Upper  Augusta,  Gearhart,  and  Rush  to^^'nships, 
with  stations  at  Sunbury,  Klinesgrove,  Wolverton,  Kipp's  Rim,  Riverside, 
and  Boyd. 

The  Sunburn  and  Lewistown  Railway  has  its  eastern  terminus  at 
Selinsgrove  Junction,  upon  the  east  bank  of  the  Susquehanna  river  in  Lower* 
Augusta  township,  Northumberland  county,  where  it  forms  a  connection  with 
the  Northern  Central  railway;  thence  it  crosses  the  Susquehanna  river  to 
Sehnsgrove,  and  extends  through  Snyder  and  Mifflin  coimties  to  Lewistown, 
njion  the  Juniata  river,  where  it  forms  a  connection  with  the  main  line  of 
the  Pennsylvania  railroad.  The  line  is  forty-three  and  fifty-seven  hundredths 
miles  in  length.  It  was  opened  in  1871,  sold  under  foreclosure  in  1S74, 
and  leased  to  the  Penn.sylvania  Railroad  Company. 

The  Leicisburg  and  Tyrone  Railroad  was  originally  chartered,  April  12, 
1853,  as  the  Lewisburg,  Centre  and  Spence  Creek,  and  reorganized  under 
existing  title,  December  31,  1879.     It  has   its  eastern  terminus  at  Montan- 


INTERNAL    IJIPEOVEMENTS.  321 

don.  on  the  east  bank  of  the  West  Branch  in  Chillisquaque  towTiship,  North- 
iimberLind  county,  where>  it  forms  a  connection  with  the  Phihidelphia  and 
Erie  railroad;  thence  the  line  crosses  the  "West  Branch  to  Lewisburg  and 
extends  to  Tyrone,  upon  the  main  line  of  the  Pennsylvania  railroad.  It  was 
ojjened  in  1872,  and  is  operated  as  a  branch  of  the  Philadelphia  and  Erie 
railroad  imder  lease  to  the  Pennsylvania  Railroad  Company. 

The  Philadelphia  and  Reading  Railroad  Company  was  chartered,  April 
4.  1833,  and  the  first  through  trains  between  Philadelphia  and  PottsviUe 
were  run  in  January,  1842.  The  chief  business  of  the  company  is  the  trans- 
portation of  coal  from  the  first  and  second  anthracite  coal  fields  of  Pennsyl- 
vania to  Port  Richmond,  Philadelphia;  it  owns  all  the  stock  in  the  Philadel- 
phia and  Reading  Coal  and  Iron  Company,  and  thus  controls  the  jiroduction 
as  well  as  the  transportation  of  coal  from  the  jiroperties  with  which  the  rail- 
road is  connected,  of  which  several  of  considerable  importance  are  located  in 
Northumberland  cotmty.  The  Reading  lines  in  this  county  are  the  Mine 
Hill  and  Schuylkill  Haven,  Mahanoy  and  Shamokin,  Catawissa,  and  Shamo- 
kin,  Sunbury  and  Lewisburg  railroads. 

The  Mine  Hill  and  Schuylkill  Haven  Railroad  was  chartered.  March  24. 
1^28,  and  opened  on  the  8th  of  October,  1831,  but  not  extended  to  Locust 
Gap  until  some  years  later.  The  main  line  extends  from  Schuylkill  Haven 
to  Locust  Gap. 

On  the  18th  of  October,  1800,  an  excursion  train  of  six  coaches  formally 
opened  a  through  route  from  Philadelphia  to  Sunbury  by  way  of  the  Mine 
HiU  and  Schuylkill  Haven  road.  It  was  confidently  expected  that  the  Phila- 
delphia and  Erie  would  bring  to  Philadelphia  an  immense  and  valuable  lake 
trade,  to  accomodate  which  two  routes  were  in  operation — the  Philadelphia 
and  Reading  railroad  to  Port  Clinton,  and  the  Catawissa  railroad  thence  to 
Williamsport;  and  the  Northern  Central  to  Harrisburg,  with  the  Pennsyl- 
vania railroad  thence  to  Philadelphia.  A  favorable  opportunity  for  the 
opening  of  a  third  route  was  presented  when  the  Mine  Hill  and  Schuylkill 
Haven  railroad  was  constructed  to  a  point  within  four  miles  of  the  terminus 
of  the  Shamokin  Valley  and  PottsviUe  railroad.  In  the  autumn  of  1860 
this  link  was  supplied,  thus  placing  the  Shamokin  coal  region  in  direct  rail 
communication  with  Philadelphia.  The  excursion  by  which  this  roiite  was 
formally  opened  was  arranged  by  J.  Button  Steele  and  G.  A.  Nicholls.  vice- 
president  and  superintendent,  respectively,  of  the  Philadelphia  and  Reading 
railroad.  At  the  junction  with  the  Shamokin  Valley  railroad  the  train  was 
taken  in  charge  by  A.  R.  Fiske,  superintendent  of  that  line.  Sunbury  was 
reached  in  the  evening;  a  band  of  musi.-  escorted  the  party  to  the  Central 
Hotel,  where  a  banquet  was  held  and  addresses  were  delivered  by  Frederick 
Frailey,  president  of  the  Schuylkill  Navigation  Company,  ex-Chief  Justice 
EUis  Lewis,  Philip  F.  Price,  a  director  in  the  Sunbury  and  Erie  Railroad  • 
Company,  and  others.     Among  the  four  hundred  members  of  the  party  was 


322  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUKTT. 

A.  M.  Eastwick,  of  Philadelphia,  a  member  of  the  firm  that  built  the  first 
locomotive  used  on  the  Danville  and  Pottsville  railroad  twenty-two  years 
previously.  This  excursion  gave  rise  to  a  variety  of  newspaper  discussion, 
in  which  the  possibility  of  a  through  line  to  Erie  via  Simbury,  composed  of 
the  Philadelphia  and  Beading,  Mine  Hill  and  SchuylldU  Haven.  Shamokin 
Valley  and  Pottsville,  and  Sunbury  and  Erie,  was  regarded  as  a  highly  prob- 
able consummation.  The  Mine  Hill  and  Schuylkill  Haven  railroad  was 
leased  by  the  Heading  on  the  r2th  of  May.  ISfU,  for  a  period  of  nine  hun- 
dred ninety-nine  years,  but  beyond  this  the  apparent  incUcations  of  railroad 
consolidation  in  1860  have  not  been  realized. 

The  Mahanoy  and  Shamokin  Railroad,  formed'by  the  merger  and  consoli- 
dation of  the  Mahanoy  and  Broad  Mountain,  the  Mahanoy  Valley,  the  Enter- 
prise, the  Shamokin  and  Trevorton,  and  the  Zerbe  Valley  railroads,  was 
merged  into  the  Philadelphia  and  Beading  system  on  the  'l')i\x  of  March, 
1871,  in  pursuance  of  an  act  of  Assembly  passed  on  the  iSth  of  February 
previously.  Of  these  various  roads  the  Enterprise,  the  Shamokin  and  Tre- 
vorton, and  Zerbe  Valley  are  in  this  county. 

The  Enterprise  Railroad  Company  was  incorporated.  March  21,  18(55, 
for  the  construction  of  a  road  not  to  exceed  nine  miles  in  length,  with  its 
termini  equal  distances  east  and  west  of  the  lands  of  the  Fulton  Coal  Com- 
pany, intersecting  with  the  Locust  Gap,  or  the  Mahanoy  and  Broad  Motintain, 
or  any  other  railroad  on  the  east,  and  the  Carbon  Bun  railroad  on  the  west. 
The  corporators  were  Thomas  Baumgardner,  John  B.  Douty.  .John  W.  Hub- 
ley,  Henry  Baiungardner,  David  M.  Lebkichler,  Benjamin  F.  Shenk,  and 
William  H.  Douty.  Construction  was  begun  in  ISCO;  on  the  3d  of  Augtist, 
1808,  the  road  was  opened  for  passenger  travel  from  Locust  Gap  Junction  to 
Greenback  colliery,  and  thence  to  Shamokin  later  in  the  same  year.  It  is 
now  operated  as  part  of  the  Williamsport  division  of  the  Beading  system, 
with  stations  at  Locust  Gap.  Alaska,  Enterprise,  Excelsior.  Greenback,  and 
Shamokin,  and  a  branch  from  Alaska  to  Mt.  Carmel. 

The  Shamokin  and  Trevorton  Railroad,  extending  from  Shamokin  to 
Trevorton,  a  distance  of  eight  miles,  was  opened  to  travel  on  the  2d  of  Au- 
cmst,  1869,  when  the  running  of  through  trains  from  Shamokin  to  Herndon 
was  inairgurated.  It  is  now  operated  as  part  of  the  Herndon  branch  of  the 
Williamsport  division,  with  stations  at  Shamokin,  Water  Station.  Ktilp's,  and 
Trevorton. 

The  Trevorton,  Mahanoy,  and  Susquehanna  Railroad  Company  was  in- 
corporated on  the  22d  of  March,  1850,  by  act  of  Assembly,  for  the  construc- 
tion of  a  railroad  from  the  motith  of  Zerbe's  run,  in  Northumberland  county, 
to  the  Susquehanna  river  at  the  mottth  of  Mahanoy  creek.  The  corporators 
were  Felix  Lerch,  William  Dejjpen,  Jacob  Baker,  D.  M.  Boyd,  Alexander 
Jordan,  Joseph  W.  Cake,  Bobert  M.  Ludlow,  John  P.  Hobart.  Henry  Donnel, 
Bertram  H.  Howell,  Charles  W.  Hegins,  Simon  Cameron.  WiUiam  L.  Helf- 


INTERNAL    IMPROVEMENTS.  323 

enstein,  and  Kimber  Cleaver.  On  the  ^Oth  of  April,  lSo(.t.  Christian  Albert. 
Peter  Bixler,  Edward  Y.  Bright.  Alexander  Jordan,  Jacob  Kaker,  D.  M. 
Boyd,  William  H.  Marshall,  William  L.  Dewart,  John  B.  Trevor,  Wilham 
L.  Helfenstein,  and  Bertram  H.  Howell  were  authorized  to  organize  the  Sus- 
quehanna and  Union  Bridge  Company,  with  a  capital  of  two  hundred  thou- 
sand dollars,  for  the  erection  of  a  bridge  across  the  Susquehanna  river  at  any 
point  within  live  miles  below  the  mouth  of  Mahanoy  ci-eek.  These  two  com- 
panies— the  Trevorton,  Mahanoy,  and  Siisquehanna  Eailroad  Company  and 
the  Susquehanna  and  "Union  Bridge  Company — were  consolidated  luider  the 
name  of  the  Trevorton  and  Susquehanna  Eailroad  Company  on  the  "ioth  of 
April,  1854.  A  railroad  fourteen  and  one  half  miles  in  length  was  con- 
structed from  Trevorton  to  the  Susquehanna  river;  a  wooden  bridge  thirty- 
six  hundred  feet  in  length,  with  approaches  fourteen  hiuidi-ed  feet  in  length, 
connected  the  terminus  of  the  railroad  with  the  Pennsylvania  canal  on  the 
opposite  side  of  the  river,  where  extensive  wharves,  a  basin  sufficient  to  ac- 
commodate the  canal  boats  used  in  transportation  to  distant  points,  and  other 
necessary  appliances  and  facilities  were  provided.  This  was  the  nucleus  of 
a  village  of  some  proportions,  to  which  the  name  of  Port  Trevorton  was 
applied. 

An  affiliated  corporation,  the  Mahanoy  and  Shamokin  Improvement  Com- 
pany, was  incorporated  on  the  2r)th  of  February,  1850;  the  original  con- 
stituent members  were  Kimber  Cleaver,  D.  M.  Boyd,  David  Thompson. 
William  L.  Helfenstein,  and  William  H.  Marshall.  This  comjjany  and  the 
Trevorton  and  Susquehanna  Railroad  Company  were  consolidated  in  pursu- 
ance of  an  act  of  the  legislature  which  became  a  law  on  the  24th  of  March. 
1850,  and  the  resulting  corporation  received  the  name  of  the  Trevorton  Coal 
and  Railroad  Company.  For  several  years  its  affairs  were  prosperous,  and 
the  development  of  the  Trevorton  coal  region  effected  through  its  agency  was 
justly  regarded  as  most  beneficial  to  the  county.  But  like  many  other  enter- 
prises of  this  character  it  had  been  floated  principally  on  credit,  and  on  the 
8th  of  December,  ISfiH,  the  property  was  sold  under  foreclosure  of  morttrage 
at  sheriff's  sale. 

Litigation  enters  largely  into  the  history  of  the  railroad  from  this  time 
until  it  became  part  of  the  Reading  system.  The  purchasers  in  lS(j(l  were 
Hezron  A.  Johnson,  Matthew  Morgan,  and  James  I.  Day,  who  were  consti- 
tuted the  Trevorton  Coal  Company  by  act  of  the  legislature  approved  on  the 
"iSth  of  March.  1860.  May  7,  1801,  a  mortgage  for  nine  hundred  thou-sand 
dollars  was  executed  by  the  company  in  favor  of  William  C.  PickersgiU.  an 
Englishman.  Suit  was  broiight  by  Robert  G.  Reiman  in  1867  on  unpaid 
coupons  of  bonds  secured  by  this  mortgage  imder  an  act  of  Assembly  then  in 
force;  judgment  was  obtained,  and  on  the  3d  of  August,  1867,  the  railroad, 
coal  lands,  and  other  property  of  the  company  were  sold  at  sheriff's  sale 
to  John  B.  Packer  and  W.  I.  Greenough  for  one  thousand  dollars.      A  con- 


324  HISTORY    OF    NORTHCIIBERLAND    COUNTY. 

test  was  had  in  the  Sujireme  court  over  the  vahdity  of  this  sale,  ultimately 
resulting  in  a  compromise.  Messrs.  Packer  and  Greenough  conveyed  to 
Robert  G.  Reiman,  John  W.  Hall,  and  Henry  Thomas;  they  conveyed  to 
the  Zerbe  Valley  Railroad  Company,  the  organization  of  which  was  con- 
firmed by  the  legislature,  April  13,  1S6S.  It  was  at  this  time  that  the  Phila- 
deljihia  and  Reading  Railroad  Company  acquired  control,  and  began  its 
administration  by  the  erection  of  new  bridges  along  the  entire  line.  It  was 
the  original  idea  of  the  Reading  management  to  constiiict  a  line  from  Port 
Trevorton  through  Snyder  county  to  the  bituminous  coal  regions  of  Clear- 
field county,  and  had  this  project  materiahzed  the  Trevorton  railroad  would 
have  become  a  link  in  a  through  line  from  that  locality  to  Philadelphia.  It 
was  relinquished,  however,  and  the  importance  of  the  line  is  jirincipally  of  a 
local  character.  The  Zerbe  Valley  Railroad  Company  was  merged  into  the 
Mahanoy  and  Shamokin  Railroad  Company.  September  7,  1S70,  and,  with 
the  latter  company,  was  formally  consolidated  with  the  Philadelphia  and 
Reading  Railroad  Company.  March  2-3.  ISTI.  What  was  originally  the 
Trevorton,  Mahanoy  and  Susquehanna  railroad  thus  became  an  integral  part 
of  the  great  Reading  sy.stem,  and  forms  part  of  the  Herndon  branch,  with 
its  western  terminus  at  Herndon,  on  the  line  of  the  Northern  Central  rail- 
way, and  stations  at  Trevorton,  Zerbe,  Dimkelberger's,  Hunter,  Dornsife, 
Otto,  Kneass,  and  Herndon.  The  river  bridge,  which  was  adajited  to  wagon 
traffic  as  well  as  railway  uses,  became  unsafe  for  travel  through  decay  and 
was  removed  about  ten  years  ago. 

The  Cataivissa  Railroad  Company  was  originally  incorporated  on  the 
21st  of  March,  1S31,  under  the  name  of  the  Little  Schuylkill  and  Susque- 
hanna Railroad  Company,  with  authority  to  construct  a  road  from  the  termina- 
tion of  the  Little  Schuylkill  Navigation  Railroad  and  Coal  Company's  rail- 
road to  the  North  Branch  of  the  Susquehanna  at  Catawissa.  Portions 
of  the  road  were  constructed  within  a  few  years  thereafter,  but  financial 
embarrassments  ensued  and  operations  were  abandoned.  The  project  was 
at  length  revived,  however,  and  on  the  2(lth  of  March,  1S4U,  legislative 
authority  having  been  granted  for  an  extension  to  Williamsport,  the  name 
was  changed  to  the  Catawissa,  Williamsfwrt  and  Erie  railroad.  It  was 
opened  to  Milton  in  1834.  The  company  having  defaulted  in  tlie  payment 
of  interest  on  its  bonds,  its  property  was  sold  at  judicial  sale,  and  the  pur- 
chasers reorganized  with  the  name  of  the  Catawissa  Railroad  Company 
under  legislative  authority  secured  on  the  21st  of  March,  ISGO.  ■  The  line 
enters  Chillisquaque  township  a  short  distance  east  of  Pottsgrove  and  passes 
through  the  county  to  Milton,  where  the  West  Branch  is  crossed;  thence  the 
route  continues  through  Union  and  Lycoming  counties  to  Williamsport,  to 
which  it  was  opened  in  1871.  This  road  has  been  opei-ated  by  the  Phila- 
delphia and  Reading  Railroad  Company  since  the  1st  of  November,  1872. 

The    Shamokin,     Sunbunj    and    LeicisbHrg    Railroad     Companij  was 


c,.^~r^^^^C\^^_^^^.,^^^ 


IXTEEN'AL    IMPKOTEMEXTS.  327 

chartered,  February  10,  1SS"2:  the  corporators  were  S.  P.  Wolverton.  H.  E. 
Davis,  Ira  T.  Clement,  John  Haas,  Le\-i  Kook.  A.  H.  Dill,  and  John  Smith, 
of  whom  S.  P.  Wolverton  was  the  first  president  and  has  filled  that  position 
continnonsly  from  the  organization  of  the  company.  On  the  4th  of  Febru- 
ary, 1SS2,  an  agreement  was  entered  into  between  the  Xew  York  Central 
and  Hudson  River  Railroad  Company,  the  Fall  Brook  Coal  Company,  the 
Jersey  Shore,  Pine  Ci-eek  and  Buffalo  Railroad  Company,  and  other  com- 
panies, on  the  one  part,  and  the  Philadelphia  and  Reading  Railroad  Com- 
pany on  the  other,  to  build  a  railroad  from  Shamokin  to  some  point  on  the 
Catawissa  railroad  at  or  near  Danville.  April  1,  18S2,  through  the  influence 
of  S.  P.  Wolverton,  a  supplemental  contract  was  made  by  the  companies  at 
interest,  by  which  West  Milton,  on  the  line  of  the  Catawissa  railroad,  was 
substituted  for  Danville  as  the  northern  or  western  terminus.  The  route 
was  surveyed  in  the  spring  of  1SS2,  construction  was  immediately  begun, 
and  in  July,  1S83,  the  line  was  opened.  Its  course  coincides  in  general  with 
that  of  Shamokin  creek  from  Shamokin  to  Simbury;  at  the  latter  point  the 
Susqiiehanna  is  crossed  by  a  substantial  iron  bridge,  and  from  its  western 
terminus  to  West  Milton  the  west  bank  of  the  Siisqu«harma  through  Union 
and  Snyder  counties  is  followed,  Lewisburg  being  the  principal  intermediate 
point.  The  entire  length  is  thirty-one  and  one  tenth  miles,  of  which  dis- 
tance nearly  two  thirds  are  in  Northumberland  county,  with  stations  at 
Arter's,  Snydertown,  Deibler"s.  Yastine,  Reed.  Paxinos  and  Weigh  Scales 
between  Sunbury  and  Shamokin.  The  road  was  leased  to  the  Philadelpliia 
and  Reading  Railroad  Company  for  nine  hundred  ninety-nine  years  from 
July  2,  1SS3,  and  is  operated  by  that  company  as  part  of  its  Williamsport 
division,  which  extends  from  Newberry  Junction  to  Port  Clinton,  the  Cata- 
wissa railroad  forming  its  western  section,  from  West  Milton  to  Newberry, 
and  the  Mine  Hill  and  Schuylkill  Haven  and  Mahanoy  and  Shamokin  the 
eastern  section,  from  Shamokin  to  Port  Clinton.  It  is  thus  apparent  that 
the  construction  of  the  Shamokin,  Sunbun.-  and  Lewisburg  railroad  sufiplies 
an  imjiortant  link  in  the  Reading  system,  placing  the  mines  and  railroads  of 
that  company  in  the  Mahanoy  and  Shamokin  regions  in  direct  communication 
with  its  northern  and  western  connections.  It  also  forms  part  of  the  Read- 
ing's line  to  the  bitmninous  coal  regions  of  Clearfield  county,  through  its 
connection  with  the  Beech  Creek  road.  This  branch  of  the  Reading  gives 
to  a  large  part  of  Northumberland  coimty  the  advantage  of  a  competing 
line  to  the  seaboard,  and  has  therefore  been  productive  of  great  local  benefit. 
The  Delaicare.  Lackaicanna  and  Western  Railroad  was  formed,  De- 
cember 10,  1853,  by  the  consolidation  of  the  Lackawaima  and  Western  (char- 
tered, March  14,  1849)  and  the  Delaware  and  Cobb's  Gap  (chartered,  De- 
cember 22,  1850),  and  has  since,  by  lease  and  con.solidation,  become  one  of 
the  great  trunk  lines  of  the  countiy.  What  is  known  as  the  Bloomsburg 
branch  extends  from  Scranton  to  Northumberland.  Pennsvlvania,  a  distance 


328  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

of  eighty  miles,  and  was  originally  chartered  as  the  Lackawanna  and  Blooms- 
burg  railroad.  April  5,  1852.  It  was  the  design  of  the  projectors  to  estab- 
lish a  line  from  the  Wyoming  and  Lackawanna  coal  fields  to  Philadelphia 
by  connecting  this  road  with  the  Catawissa,  Williamsport  and  Erie,  and  this 
object  was  satisfactorily  accomplished  by  its  construction  from  Scranton  to 
Eupert.  March  3,  1853,  the  comjtany  was  authorized  to  extend  its  road  to 
a  connection  with  the  Sunbury  and  Erie  or  Northern  Central,  with  a  wide 
latitude  in  the  choice  of  routes.  The  north  bank  of  the  North  Branch  was 
finally  selected,  and  on  the  31st  of  May,  1860,  the  formal  opening  of  the 
road  to  passenger  travel  from  Danville  to  Northumberland  occurred.  The 
consolidation  of  the  Delaware,  Lackawanna  and  Western  and  Lackawanna 
and  Bloomsburg  railroad  companies  was  effected  in  1873.  The  line  in  this 
county  passes  through  Point  to^vnship  a  distance  of  about  nine  miles. 

The  Lehigh  Valley  Railroad  Company  was  chartered  as  the  Delaware, 
Lehigh.  Schuylkill  and  Susquehanna  Railroad  Company,  September  20, 
1847,  and  under  existing  title,  January  7,  1853.  The  main  line  in  Pennsyl- 
vania was  completed  in  October,  1855.  The  Mahanoy  branch,  extending 
from  Black  Creek  Junction  to  Mt.  Carmel,  Pennsylvania,  and  originally- 
known  as  the  Lehigh  and  Mahanoy  railroad,  was  acquired  in  June,  18G6. 
L'nder  traffic  agreement  with  the  Northern  Central  Railway  Company, 
the  passenger  trains  of  the  Lehigh  Valley  enter  Shamokin  over  the  tracks  of 
the  Shamokin  Valley  and  Pottsville  railroad. 

The  Wilkesbarre  and  Western  Railway  Company  was  chartered,  Jan- 
uary 22,  188G;  the  Milton  and  North  Mountain  Railroad  Comj^any,  chartered 
in  November,  1885,  and  the  Milh-ille  and  North  Mountain  Railroad  Com- 
pany, chartered  in  January,  1886,  were  merged  into  this  company,  Decem- 
ber 25,  1886.  The  projected  road  extends  from  Watsontown  to  Shick- 
shinny,  Pennsylvania,  a  distance  of  forty-six  miles.  The  main  line  is  con- 
structed as  far  as  Eyer's  Grove,  a  distance  of  twenty-one  and  one  tenth 
miles,  and  from  that  point  a  branch  extends  to  Millville,  one  and  one  tenth 
miles.  Twenty-two  miles  of  this  road  were  opened  to  travel,  December  13, 
1886;  the  MiU^-ille  extension  was  opened,  April  7,  1887.  Seven  and  six 
tenths  miles  are  in  this  county,  with  stations  at  Watsontown,  McEwensville, 
Warrior  Rim.  and  Turbutville.  The  road  passes  through  a  rich  agricultural 
region  in  the  northern  part  of  Northumberland,  Montour,  and  Cohambia 
comities. 


AGRICULTURE.  329 


CHAPTER    IX. 
AGKICL'LTUKE. 

Pr.ErAIiATIIlN  OF  SdlLS  THE  ResLT.T  OF  REMOTE    KaTIIEU    THAN  Im.MEDIATE  AgEXCY — 

Geological  Stuucture— Akticlinals  and  Synclinals — SuBDn-isioxs  of  the 
Paleozoic  System— Location  and  Characteristics  of  Each  Stratum— De- 
velopment OF  the  Farming  Industry — Condition  of  the  Farming  Interests 
IN  184.J — Agkicultural  Societies. 

ALTHOUGH  agriculture  is  pre-eminently  a  calling  in  which  results  rep- 
resent the  labor  of  hand  and  brain,  the  preparation  and  fertilization 
of  the  soil,  and  therefore  the  success  with  which  this  avocation  is  attended, 
are  dependent  far  more  upon  remote  than  immediate  agency.  No  amount 
of  care  and  skill  in  tilling  the  soil  can  compensate  entirely  for  lack  of  natural 
fertility  and  adaptiveness;  the  fair  presentation  of  a  county's  agricultural 
resources  involves,  therefore,  the  consideration  of  its 

GEOLOCtlOAL     STRUCTURE.* 

The  external  relief  of  the  greater  part  of  the  country  is  caused  by  the 
erosive  action  of  the  elements  and  the  slow  chemical  influence  of  the  atmos- 
phere upon  a  series  of  vast  parallel  undulations  in  the  strata  that  form  the 
earth's  outer  crust.  In  geological  nomenclature,  these  strata  are  defined  as 
anticlinal,  synclinal,  and  monoclinal — anticlinal,  when  the  strata  are  bent 
convexly  upward;  synclinal,  when  the  strata  are  bent  concavely  upward;  and 
monoclinal,  when  the  strata  dip  in  one  direction  only.  Many  interesting 
exami:iles  occur  in  Northumberland  county,  where  the  rocks  are  thrown  so 
high  as  to  expose  the  Medina  sandstone,  the  base  of  the  Upper  Silurian  sys- 
tem, and  into  troughs  deep  enough  to  preserve  nearly  the  highest  coal  meas- 
ures. In  passing  across  the  county  from  north  to  south,  the  following  anti- 
clinals  and  synclinals  succeed  each  other: — 

The  White  Deer  (Watsontown)  anticlinal  has  its  origin  in  the  mountains 
of  western  Union  and  Snyder  counties;  it  crosses  the  West  Branch  in  the 
■\-icinity  of  Watsontown  and  jiasses  through  the  soiithern  part  of  Delaware 
and  Lewis  townships. 

The  Milton  anticlinal,  another  of  the  great  Buffalo  momitain  anticlinals 
of  Union  and  Clinton  counties,  crosses  the  West  Branch  at  the  town  of  Mil- 
ton and  passes  eastward  through  Washingtonville,  Montour  county,  jiist  west 

•The  facts  prespnted  in  tlio  treatment  of  tins  topic  liave  lieen  ileiivetl  from  Report  (V  of  tlic 
Second  Geological  .Survey  of  Tennsylvania,  by  I.  C.  AVliite. 


330  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBEKLAND    COUNTY. 

of  which  it  elevates  the  Oriskany  sandstone  and  Lower  Helderberg  limestone 
into  the  long,  regular  elevation  known  as  Limestone  I'idge,  which  begins  at 
Chillisquaque  creek  in  Montour  county  and  extends  through  Northumber- 
land to  the  "West  Branch  below  Milton. 

The  Lackawanna  synclinal,  which,  at  its  maximum  development  in  the 
vicinity  of  Wilkesbarre,  retains  the  entire  coal  measure  series,  changes  in 
extent  and  geological  character  to  the  westward,  and,  about  the  center  of 
Liberty  township,  Montour  county,  the  Hamilton  beds  appear,  occupying  the 
trough  from  that  point  westward  through  Pottsgrove  to  the  West  Branch 
about  one  mile  above  Montandon.  The  westward  ascent  of  this  svTiclinal 
axis  may  be  appreciated  when  it  is  stated  that  a  shaft  in  the  vicinity  of 
Wilkesbarre  would  have  to  be  sunk  ten  thousand  feet  to  reach  the  Lower 
Hamilton  rocks  exposed  at  Montandon. 

The  Berwick  (Montour)  anticlinal,  virttially  a  prolongation  eastward  of 
that  of  Jack's  mountain  in  Mifflin  and  Huntingdon  cotinties,  follows  closely 
the  northern  line  of  Point  township  through  Northumberland  county  under 
the  local  name  of  Montour  ridge.  The  axis  crosses  the  North  Branch  about 
midway  between  Big  and  Little  Wapwallopen  creeks;  Fishing  creek,  one 
half  mile  above  Bloomsburg;  Mahoning,  just  north  of  Danville,  and  the 
West  Branch,  at  the  mouth  of  Chillisquaque  creek.  Its  structure  is  verv- 
nearly  symmetrical.  Bordered  on  either  side  by  materials  which  yield  read- 
ily to  attrition,  the  low  valleys  thus  formed  increase  the  height  of  the  ridge 
by  contrast.  Between  Mahoning  creek  and  the  West  Branch  it  reaches  an 
altitude  of  one  thousand  feet  above  tide. 

The  Northumberland  synclinal  is  one  of  the  most  remarkable  basins 
which  traverse  Pennsylvania;  it  extends  from  Bedford  county  through  Hunt- 
ingdon, Juniata,  Snyder,  Northumberland,  Columbia,  and  Luzerne  counties 
nearly  to  the  Lehigh  river,  a  total  length  of  one  hundred  fifty  miles. 
Part  of  this  distance  it  forms  the  valley  of  the  Juniata;  Middleburg  is  on  its 
sotithern  border  and  New  Berlin  on  the  northern.  As  it  approaches  the  Sils- 
quehanna  from  the  west  it  begins  to  widen  and  deepen  gradually.  Crossing 
at  the  confluence  of  the  North  and  West  Branches,  the  general  center  line  of 
the  trough  through  Northumberland  county  may  be  said  to  run  near  Klines - 
grove  and  Eushtown. 

The  Shade  Moimtain  (Selinsgrove)  antichnal  crosses  the  Susquehanna 
two  miles  below  Selinsgrove,  one  hundred  fifty  yards  south  from  the  one 
hundred  thirty-fifth  mile  post  of  the  Northern  Central  railway.  Traced  east- 
ward, the  main  arch  enters  Shamokin  township,  continuing  about  a  mile  south 
of  Shamokin  creek;  it  crosses  that  stream  about  half-way  between  Eeed"s 
and  Paxinos  stations  and  passes  through  Ralpho  under  the  ■s'illage  of  Elys- 
burg.  Several  subordinate  folds  occur  on  its  northern  slope  and  one  on  the 
southern. 

The  Shamokin   sjTiclinal  reaches   its   fullest   development   in   the  great 


AGRICULTURE.  331 

Shamokin  coal  basin.  The  center  of  this  trough  crosses  the  Susquehanna 
two  miles  above  Hertidon,  five  miles  in  an  air  line  from  the  crest  of  the  main 
Selinsgrove  anticlinal.  The  basal  members  of  the  Pocono  beds  make  the  sum- 
mit of  the  mountain  which  is  formed  by  the  tmited  rims  of  that  formation, 
and,  from  an  abrupt  beginning  at  the  river,  continue  eastward  as  the  Little 
and  Line  mountains. 

The  Tuscarora  Mountain  (Georgetown)  anticlinal  has  a  double  crest,  there 
being  a  sharp,  narrow,  synclinal  fold  running  along  the  center  of  the  main 
arch  from  Georgetown  eastward  to  the  western  line  of  Jordan  tcwTiship, 
where  it  flattens  out.  A  subordinate  fold  of  considerable  extent,  crossing 
the  measures  two  miles  and  a  half  below  GeorgetoNvn,  completes  the  succes- 
sion of  anticlinals  and  synclinals  in  Northumberland  county. 

The  Paleozoic  system  and  its  three  general  subdivisions — the  Silurian, 
Devonian,  and  Carboniferous — embrace  the  various  strata  of  this  region. 
Pennsylvania  geologists  recognize  thirteen  distinct  formations  in  this  system, 
numbered  from  I  to  XIII  in  order  from  the  lowest.  Nos.  I.  II,  and  III 
are  included  in  the  Loicer  Silurian.  The  lowest  bed  exfMDsed  in  this  county 
is  the  Medina  sandstone  (No.  IV),  which  occurs  in  the  Upper  Silurian,  of 
which  the  remaining  portions  open  to  observation  are  the  Clinton  Shales 
(No.  V);  Loicer  Helderberg  limestone  (No.  VI),  and  Oriskany  sandstone 
(No.  VII).  Above  these  in  order  occur  the  rocks  of  the  Devonian  system — 
the  Hamilton  and  Chemung  slates  (No.  VIII),  and  the  Catskill  group 
(No.  IX);  and  the  basal  formations  of  the  Carboniferous  system — the  Pocoho 
sandstone  (No.  X)  and  Mauch  Chunk  red  shale  (No.  XIi.  As  this  chapter 
relates  only  to  the  agricultural  portion  of  the  coimty,  the  rocks  of  the  Car- 
boniferous system  are  here  treated  only  incidentally. 

The  Medina  sandstone  (No.  IV)  is  exposed  to  view  but  once  in  North- 
umberland county.  This  occurs  in  the  extreme  eastern  part  of  Point  town- 
ship, about  two  miles  below  Danville,  where  the  North  Branch,  veering 
northward,  cuts  a  great  hole  from  the  southern  face  of  Montour  ridge,  expos- 
ing a  massive  sandstone,  greenish-gray  and  red  in  color,  and  filled  with  small 
quartz  pebbles. 

The  Clinton  shales  (No.  V)  make  a  single  belt  across  the  coimty,  being 
thrown  into  a  great  arch  along  the  line  of  the  Berwick  anticHnal  (Montour 
ridge). 

The  Lower  Helderberg  limestone  (No.  VI),  though  not  among  the  geolog- 
ical factors  of  greatest  prominence  in  the  county,  occurs  at  various  points 
and  almost  invariably  denotes  exceptional  fertility.  This  formation  is  ele- 
vated in  Delaware  township  by  the  Watsontown  anticlinal:  the  line  of  its 
basal  outcrop  is  just  north  from  the  east  and  west  road  which  nms  from  the 
mouth  of  Delaware  run  to  the  Warrior  Kun  Presbyterian  church  at  the  east- 
ern line  of  the  township.  Southward  from  Delaware  run  it  is  obscured  by 
boulders  and  surface  debris,  and  passes  into  the  air  rmobserved.     Its  course 


332  HISTORY    OF   NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

throngli  Lewis  is  somewhat  irre^ilar,  the  line  of  outcrop  passing  just  south 
of  Turbutville  and  crossing  the  eastern  boundary  of  the  county  near  the 
southeastern  corner  of  the  township.  Quarries  show  their  streaks  of  calcite, 
probably  rejjresenting  the  Bossardcille  beds.  The  dark  shales  of  the  Storm- 
ville  beds  also  occiir. 

Limestone  ridge,  the  boimdary  of  Turbut  and  Chillisquaque,  begins 
at  Chillisquaque  creek,  just  west  of  Washingtonville,  Montour  county,  and 
extends  westward  to  the  West  Branch.  This  elevation  is  produced  by  the 
Milton  anticlinal.  The  Loirer  Helderberg,  which  forms  the  summit  of  the 
ridge,  reaches  an  altitude  of  six  hundred  fifty  or  seven  himdred  feet 
above  tide.  It  is  the  massive  upper  portion  or  Stormville  limestone  that 
makes  the  crest  of  the  ikl^e,  while  the  Bossardville  limestone  makes  the 
steep  northern  slope  in  Turbut.  The  latter  has  been  quarried  and  burned 
at  several  localities. 

Limestone  appears  at  two  other  localities  in  that  part  of  Northumberland 
county  above  the  No^rth  Branch.  Loicer  Helderberg  crojjs  out  in  Chillisqua- 
que township  along  the  ea.st  and  west  road  leading  through  Montandon  and 
Sodom;  it  has  been  quarriwl  to  some  extent,  and  presents  many  characteris- 
tics of  the  Bossardville  beds.  A  Stromatopora  bed  (so  called  from  the  nature 
of  its  fossils),  is  exposed  in  the  vicinity  of  this  outcrop.  The  other  outcrop 
of  Loicer  Helderberg  referred  to  crosses  Point  township  from  east  to  west  at 
the  base  of  Montour  ridge.  Both  the  Bossardville  and  Bastard  varieties  are 
here  represented. 

Limestone  valley,  on  the  Susquehanna  river  in  "Upper  Augusta  to^^^lship, 
derives  its  name  from  the  predominating  feature  of  its  geological  composi- 
tion, the  Loicer  Helderberg  strata  of  the  Selinsgrove  anticlinal.  These 
incline  at  an  angle  of  forty  degrees  on  the  northern  slope  and  twenty  degrees 
on  the  southern.  What  is  here  denominated  Selinsgrove  limestone  is  a  light 
gray  i-ock,  with  dull,  irregular  fracture,  interstratitied  with  much  shale.  The 
corresponding  shales  are  represented  in  this  section  by  a  series  of  light  gray 
beds.  The  Stormville  shale  contains  some  impure,  cherty  limestone.  The 
Loicer  Helderberg  begins  Vith  a  bed  of  bluish-gray,  impure  limestone.  The 
Bossardville  is  most  valuable  for  commercial  purposes. 

The  Georgetown  antichnal  brings  the  Loicer  Helderberg  to  the  surface  in 
Lower  Mahanoy  and  Jordan  townships;  it  has  a  double  crest,  of  which  the 
northern  only  ekn-ates  the  limestone  within  the  limits  of  Jordan.  The  rock 
is  quarried  and  burned  extensively  for  agricultural  uses. 

The  pure  limestones  of  the  Bossardville  group  are  everywhere  abriiptly 
terminated  below  by  a  succession  of  bulfish-gray,  pale  green,  magnesian,  and 
otherwise  impure  limestones  which  have  generally  been  considered  as  part  of 
the  Loicer  Helderberg  serie.s.  but  which,' from  the  fact  that  they  are  immedi- 
ately succeeded  by  other  beds  which  characterize  the  Salina  series  in  New 
York,   have  been  classified   under  that  name  by  Pennsylvania  geologists. 


AGRICULTURE.  333 

Three  groups  are  recognized:  the  Upper  SaU)ia,  consisting  of  the  pale  green 
limestones  and  limy  shales  which  invariably  appear  at  the  base  of  the  Bos- 
sardcille  beds:  the  Middle  Salina,  -which  consists  of  alternating  red  and 
greenish  shales,  limestones,  etc. ;  and  the  Lower  Salina,  a  thick  mass  of  red 
rocks,  usually  rather  sandy,  and  often  found  in  steep  blufis,  especially  where 
it  is  cut  by  streams.  The  latter  varietj'  is  very  fully  represented  in  the 
bluffs  of  Fishing  creek  at  Bloomsburg,  and  from  this  circumstance  is  known 
as  Bloomsburg  red  shale.  In  Northumberland  county  the  Salina  beds  bor- 
der upon  Montour  ridge,  making  a  continuoiis  valley  on  either  side,  that  on 
the  north  in  Chillisquaque  township  and  that  on  the  south  in  Point ;  the 
variety  in  both  in,stances  is  the  Lower  Salina.  or  Bloomsburg  red  shale.  The 
Upper  Salina  is  brought  to  the  surface  in  I'pjier  Augusta  township  by  the 
Selinsgrove  anticlinal,  and  in  Lower  Mahanoy  liy  the  Georgetown  anticlinal, 
but  in  both  cases  it  is  restricted  to  an  exceedingly  narrow  area.  The  pale 
green,  impure  magnesian  limestone,  calcareous  shales,  and  interstratitied  red 
beds  of  tho,  U})per  and  Middle  Salina  occupy  the  southwestern  corner  of 
Lewis  and  a  corresponding  area  in  Delaware,  brought  to  the  surface  by  the 
Watsontown  anticlinal.  The  same  formation  is  elevated  in  Turbut  by  the 
^lilton  and  Watsoutown  anticlinals  and  intermediate  folds,  which  also 
bring  up  the  Bloomsburg  red  shale  of  the  Lower  Salina  in  a  series  of  semi- 
ellijises  in  Delaware  and  Turbut.  The  soil  made  by  these  beds,  especially 
the  Upper  and  Middle  groups,  is  exceptionally  fertile:  the  tojiography  is 
distinguished  by  a  prevailing  softness  of  contour,  and  a  large  quantity  of 
lime,  as  well  as  other  elements  of  fertility,  are  set  free  as  the  rocks  decom- 
pose. The  broad,  triangular  area  of  the  Salina  beds,  which,  beginning  just 
north  of  the  Milton  anticlinal  at  the  western  line  of  Montoiir  county,  rapidly 
widens  westward,  embracing  Turbut  and  the  southern  portions  of  Lewis  and 
Delaware  townships,  is  the  richest  agricultural  territory  of  Northumberland 
county. 

The  Oriskany  sandstone  (No.  VII),  a  formation  of  the  Upper  Silurian 
system,  is  elevated  by  each  of  the  five  anticlinals  that  cross  the  county.  In 
Delaware  and  Lewis  townships  it  is  brought  up  by  the  Watsoutown  anticlinal, 
and  passes  from  the  West  Branch  to  the  county  line  in  a  general  southeast- 
erly direction,  just  north  of  the  Lower  Helderberg  outcrop  and  parallel  with 
it.  It  makes  the  long  southern  slope  of  Limestone  ridge  at  the  northern 
line  of  Chilhsquaque  towiiship;  it  is  also  found  at  the  bases  of  Montour 
ridge,  making  a  low  ridge  through  Point  township,  where  its  small,  hard 
boulders  occur  in  many  localities.  The  crest  of  the  Selinsgrove  anticlinal  is 
formed  of  Oriskany  from  the  point  where  the  Lower  Helderberg  subsides  to 
Little  Shamokin  creek;  exposiire  to  atmosjjheric  influences  has  changed  the 
character  of  the  rock  quite  perceptibly,  bleaching  it  to  a  grayish-white  color 
and  depriving  it  of  its  iron  and  lime  components.  The  Oriskany  of  the 
Georgetown  anticlinal  is  quite  massive,  exhibiting  much  less  of  the  cherty 
character  which  distinguishes  it  farther  north. 


33i  HISTOKY  OF  NOKTHUMBERLAND  COUNTY. 

Of  the  Devonian  formations  that  occi;r  ia  this  county  the  most  widely 
diffused  are  the  Hamilton  and  Chew  nug  (Xo.  VIII).  Three  tvj^es  of  the  Ham  - 
ilton  are  recognized,  distinguished  as  the  Northern,  Middle,  and  Southern. 
corresi^onding  to  their  relative  geographical  positions.  The  lirst  mentioned 
extends  across  Delaware  and  Lewis  townships  as  jiart  of  the  elevation  of  the 
\Vatsonto\vn  and  Milton  anticlinals.  In  Lewis  the  shales  of  the  Hamilton 
are  described  as  dark  brown  in  color  and  nearly  horizontal;  Marcellus  black 
slates,  a  cognate  variety,  also  occur.  In  Delaware  the  Hamilton  bottom 
rocks  trend  westward  in  the  valley  of  Delaware  rim  from  the  township  line 
to  the  forks  of  that  stream,  where  they  veer  northwestward  into  the  valley  of 
the  "West  Branch.  North  of  this  line  the  Hamilton  beds  stretch  out  into  a 
broad  valley  varying  in  width  from  one  and  one  half  to  two  miles,  the  north- 
ern margin  of  which  is  identical  with  the  northern  line  of  the  township  for 
some  distance  east  of  the  river.  The  Hamilton  rocks  occupy  a  belt  about 
two  miles  wide  across  the  central  portion  of  Chillisquaque  township,  and  are 
quite  well  exposed  in  the  vicinity  of  Fitzer's  school  house  and  the  Evangelical 
church,  where  dark  bro^vn  shales  crop  out  along  the  road.  The  Marcellus 
black  shale  is  also  exposed.  The  formation  is  here  the  westward  extension 
of  the  Lackawanna  synclinal.  A  belt  also  extends  through  Point  township 
and  crosses  the  North  Branch  into  Rush,  from  which  it  emerges  opposite  Dan- 
ville. In  the  latter  township  an  exposure  of  the  Tnlhj  limestone  of  this 
stratum  occurs;  it  has  a  dull  gray  or  buff  color  throughout  on  weathered  sur- 
faces, but  in  some  of  the  layers  a  dark  blue  is  revealed  on  fresh  fracture. 

The  Middle  type  of  Hamilton  rocks  may  be  seen  on  either  side  of  the 
Selinsgrove  anticlinal.  It  differs  from  the  Northern  both  in  thickness  and 
composition,  several  new  members  being  intercalated;  of  these  the  most  im- 
jiortant  is  a  sandstone  which  makes  its  apjiearance  in  the  middle  of  the  Ham- 
ilton group,  so  thick  and  massive  as  to  change  entirely  the  topograj)hy.  In- 
stead of  the  valleys  that  distinguish  the  Hamilton  in  Chillisquaque  and  in 
Delaware  and  Lewis  there  is  here  a  high  ridge  with  a  belt  of  Hamilton  on 
either  slope  and  upon  its  crest,  comprising  the  larger  part  of  Upper  and 
Lower  Augusta,  Rockefeller,  Shamokin,  and  Ralpho  townships,  terminating 
at  the  county  line.  Shamokin  creek  passes  through  this  formation  from  a 
point  near  Paxinos  to  its  mouth.  The  wide  valley  of  this  stream  is  excavated 
in  the  Marcellus  black  slates  and  the  lower  portion  of  the  Hamilton.  The 
Sotitliern  tyj^e  is  reached  after  passing  south  from  the  Georgetown  anticlinal, 
and  extends  into  every  township  in  the  county  south  of  Line  moimtain. 

The  Hamilton  beds,  particularly  as  displayed  in  their  Northern  type,  are 
eminently  a  valley  maker,  since  all  of  their  components — Genesee.  Tulhj. 
Hamilton,  and  Marcellus — readily  break  do^vn  and  disintegrate  into  soil,  the 
quality  of  which  is  excellent,  some  of  the  best  farms  of  the  county  being 
situated  upon  this  formation. 

The  Chemung  (No.  VIII)  beds  cover  a  belt  aboiit  two  miles  broad  in  the 


AGRICULTURE.  335 

northern  part  of  Delaware  and  Lewis  townships,  extending  northward  in  an 
undulating  plateau  far  into  Lycoming  county.  A  second  belt  is  distinguished 
in  Point,  Upper  Augusta,  and  Rush.  The  range  of  hills  which  incloses  the 
valley  of  Shamokin  creek  on  the  north,  extending  through  Upper  Augusta 
and  the  southern  part  of  Rush,  is  of  Chemung  formation;  it  is  elevated  by 
the  Selinsgrove  anticlinal,  and  has  a  counterpart  on  the  southern  slope  of  that 
axis  in  the  watershed  that  separates  Boile's  run  and  Hollowing  rim.  A  con- 
tinuation of  the  latter  ridge  may  be  seen  in  the  great  cliffs  of  rock  along  the 
•west  bank  of  Shamokin  creek  between  Paxinos  and  the  mouth  of  Miller's 
run.  Chemung  beds,  brought  to  the  surface  by  the  Georgetown  anticlinal, 
cover  the  southern  portion  of  Jackson  and  Washington,  and  a  considerable 
part  of  Upper  and  Lower  Mahanoy  and  Jordon.  This  formation  consists  of 
olive-green  shale,  which  readily  disintegrates  when  exjiosed  to  atmospheric 
influences,  crumbling  into  small  chips  and  splinters  which  soon  decomjwse; 
or  of  dark  gray,  dark  olive  green,  and  brown  sandstones,  siifliciently  hard  to 
make  high  ridges  and  a  succession  of  ragged  cliffs  wherever  cut  by  streams. 
The  base  of  the  series  rises  abruptly  from  the  Hamilton  beds,  which  always 
border  it,  and  usually  makes  a  high  ridge  of  rocky,  barren  land,  deficient  in 
many  desirable  agricultural  components. 

The  Cafskill  (No.  IX)  formation  occurs  in  that  part  of  the  coimty  above 
the  North  Brancli  only  at  the  site  of  Nortlurmberland.  At  the  northern  line 
of  Upper  Augusta  these  beds  make  lofty  clifl's,  dipping  rapidly  into  the 
Northumberland  sj-nclinal,  which  occupies  the  bed  of  the  river  at  this  point. 
This  synclinal  spreads  a  comparatively  narrow  belt  of  Catskill  across  Upper 
Augusta  and  Rush;  the  Shamokin  synclinal  causes  two  narrow  strips  to  cross 
the  southern  part  of  the  county,  one  at  the  northern  base  of  Little  mountain 
and  one  at  the  southern  base  of  Line  mountain;  while  a  narrow  border 
fringes  the  extreme  south  boundary.  The  character  of  the  rocks  comjwsing 
this  stratiim  is  very  changeable:  in  one  locality  more  than  two  thirds  of  the 
whole  series  may  be  massive  looking,  greenish  sandstones,  with  only  thin  beds 
of  red  shale  interstratitied;  while  only  a  few  miles  distant  the  green  sand- 
stones disappear  and  in  their  stead  are  found  very  thick  red  beds.  When 
shaly  and  weathered  do^vn  into  a  rolling  topography,  the  Catskill  beds  make 
a  very  good  soil,  which  produces  excellent  crops  of  oats,  grass,  and  com,  and, 
when  enriched  with  lime,  very  fair  crops  of  wheat.  Where  the  beds  become 
very  sandy,  however,  and  massive  greeu  sandstones  predominate,  the  country 
is  barren. 

The  Pocono  sandstone  (No.  X)  is  the  material  component  of  Little  and 
Line  moimtains,  the  western  rim  of  the  Western  Middle  coal  field.  This 
formation  is  pre-eminently  the  mountain  maker  of  this  region.  It  usually 
begins  at  the  top  with  a  very  hard  grayish  or  yellowish  sandstone,  in  layers 
from  one  to  three  feet  thick,  wliich  sometimes  contain  small  pebbles.  Beneath 
this  lie  grav  and  green  sandstones,  interstratified  with  occasional  beds  of 


336  HISTORY    OF   NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

shale.  It  is  terminated  below  by  a  massive  gray  and  yellowish  white  con- 
glomerate, and  between  this  and  the  Cafskill  is  a  group  of  rocks  to  which  the 
name  of  Pocono-Catskill  has  been  applied.  The  series  is  exposed  at  three 
points  in  Northumberland  county,  once  in  Line  mountain,  at  the  gap  of  Ma- 
hanoy  creek;  and  twice  in  Little  moimtain,  at  the  gaps  of  Shamokin  and 
Eoaring  creeks.  At  the  latter  exposures  the  combined  thickness  of  the 
Pocono  and  Pocono-Catskill  beds  is  twelve  hundred  feet,  of  which  about 
seven  hundred  should  be  considered  as  belonging  to  the  former. 

The  Mauch  Chunk  red  shale  (No.  XI)  forms  the  valley  between  Little 
and  Big  mountains,  drained  in  this  coimty  by  the  south  branch  of  Eoaring 
creek.  Trout  run,  Shamokin  creek,  and  Zerbe  run:  and  the  valley  of 
Mahanoy  creek,  between  the  Shamokin  coal  basin  and  Line  mountain,  em- 
braced in  Cameron  and  Little  Mahanoy  townships.  In  the  latter  it  possesses 
fair  agricultural  qualities. 

Besides  the  regular  formations  described,  terraces  occur  at  several  points 
on  the  rivers  of  Northumberland  coimty.  in  which  the  soils  of  several  strata 
are  combined.  A  vast  deposit  of  water-worn  boiilders  is  found  along  the 
bank  of  the  West  Branch  near  the  northern  line  of  Delaware  township, 
forming  a  series  of  terraces,  three  in  number,  the  first  of  which  is  a  narrow 
.shelf  along  the  present  channel,  of  which  it  is  the  flood  plain;  the  second, 
covered  with  sand  and  coarse  gravel,  rises  abruptly  from  the  inner  margin  of 
the  first  to  the  height  of  forty  feet  above  the  river,  and  extends  eastward  in 
a  nearly  level  plain  a  quarter  of  a  mile:  the  third  rises  with  an  almost  pre- 
cipitous escarpment  from  the  summit  of  the  second  to  the  height  of  one 
hundred  seventy-five  feet  above  the  river,  spreading  eastward  in  a  gently 
rising  plain,  and  covered  with  a  mass  of  boulders.  This  vast  dejiosit  of  Pocono, 
Catskill,  Chemung,  and  Hamilton  debris,  piled  up  in  a  broad  terrace  along 
the  Suscjuehanna  just  where  it  emerges  from  the  Chemung  highlands,  is 
supposed  to  have  been  dropped  in  the  eddy  formed  at  the  junction  of  the 
West  Branch  with  a  great  river  flowing  westward  along  the  Hamilton  valley 
during  the  Flooded  River  epoch.  The  corresponding  area  in  Lewis  also 
gives  evidence  of  submersion;  a  thick  deposit  of  transported  boulders  occiirs 
all  over  the  Hamilton,  Salina,  and  Lower  Helderberg  formations,  upon  the 
tops  of  the  highest  hills  as  well  as  in  the  valleys,  usualh'  resting  in  an 
admixture  of  clay  or  sand,  and  may  possibly  have  been  droi)ped  from  float- 
ing ice.  which,  breaking  off  from  the  northeastern  glacier,  carried  the  material 
of  the  terminal  moraine  over  the  areas  submerged  by  the  Flooded  River 
epoch.  Terraces  occur  at  Northumberland,  at  the  respective  altitudes  of 
twenty-five,  fifty-five,  eighty,  and  one  hundred  seventy-five  feet  above  the 
river.  Two  broad  terraces  are  seen  along  the  North  Branch  in  Point  town- 
ship, both  covered  with  sand  and  transported  boulders,  one  at  an  altitude  of 
four  hundred  fifty-five  feet  above  tide,  the  other  thirty  feet  higher.  A  ^vide 
terrace  spreads  out  in  the  vicinity  of  Stmburj'  at  an  elevation  of  four  hun- 


AGRICULTURE.  337 

drecl  fifty  feet  above  tide:  from  the  top  of  this  a  seconil  slopes  rapidly 
iTpward;  both  are  covered  with  small  rounded  boulders  and  have  evidently 
been  the  flood  plains  of  the  Susquehanna.  In  the  vicinity  of  Georgetown  a 
broad,  level  terrace  is  seen  at  an  altitude  of  one  hundred  twenty-five  feet 
above  the  level  of  the  river,  covered  with  sand  and  loam. 

I  ■•   ■ 

DEVELOPMENT    OF    THE    F.\EMING    IXDUSTEY. 

Whether  the  aggregate  of  cajiital  invested,  the  amount  of  labor  employed, 
or  the  value  of  its  products  be  considei-ed,  agriculture  is  uncpiestionaljly  a 
most  important  industrv":  and,  from  the  period  when  its  pursuit  was  practi- 
cally universal  to  the  present,  it  has  sustained  to  every  community  the  rela- 
tion of  a  primary  and  ultimate  source  of  wealth.  The  dignity  of  the  call- 
ing has  been  recognized  in  all  ages:  its  quiet  amenities  have  been  celebrated 
by  the  jioet  and  artist  since  the  dav\'n  of  literature  and  art ;  men  of  ability 
and  eminence  in  the  cabinet  or  on  the  field,  at  the  bar  or'  in  the  pulpit,  and  in 
every  department  of  hiiman  activity  have  been  drawn  from- its  ranks.  And 
yet  the  history  of  agriculture,  although  marked  by  a  gradual  and  certain 
progress,  is  singularly  deficient  in  brilliant  passages. 

Pioneer  farming  involved  as  a  necessary  preliminary  the  removal  of  the 
forest.  This  was  principally  the  accomplishment  of  physical  force.  The 
trees  were  felled  together  in  double  windrows,  and  after  being  exposed  to  the 
sun  and  wind  several  months  became  so  dry  that  a  fire  applied  at  one  end 
would  be  driven  by  a  proper  breeze  with  incredible  rapidity,  consuming  the 
interlaced  branches  and  leaving  nothing  but  charred  and  blackened  tritnks. 
These  were  usually  brought  together  in  great  heaps  and  submitted  to  the 
burning  process  imtil  scarcely  a  vestige  remained.  Another  method  was  to 
fell  the  trees  and  after  lopping  off  the  branches  for  firewood,  drag  the  logs 
together  and  pile  them  in  huge  pyramids,  in  which  condition  they  were  con- 
signed to  the  flames.  "Wliere  the  growth  of  timber  was  not  particularly 
dense,  much  of  the  labor  was  obviated  by  removing  the  ttnderbrush  and 
"girdling"  the  larger  trees.  The  liark  was  cut  from  the  tnuik  of  the  tree 
in  a  section  about  a  foot  wide,  thus  depriving  the  limbs  and  leaves  of  sap 
entirely,  and  as  a  result  the  tree  was  dead  within  a  brief  period.  The  bark 
and  smaller  branches  fell  to  the  ground,  affording  a  valuable  fertilizer,  but 
the  trunk,  white  and  ghastly  by  exposure  to  the  weather,  was  allowed  to  re- 
main for  years  in  many  instances,  until  wood  had  acquired  some  commercial 
value  or  the  farmer  was  moved  by  a  desire  to  improve  his  land.  Farming 
operations  in  a  field  where  the  trees  had  been  girdled  were  sometimes 
attended  with  distressing  fatalities;  rotten  branches  were  liable  to  fall  at  any 
time,  and  the  close  proximity  of  the  {ilowman  and  his  team  could  not  arrest 
the  action  of  the  force  of  gravitation. 

But  if  the  work  of  clearing  the  land  was  protracted  and  laborious,  the 
virgin  soil  responded  to  the  first   effort    at  cultivation  with  a  profusion  and 


338  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBEKLAND    COUNTY. 

liberality  that  compensated  largely.  The  methods  of  cultivation  in  vogue 
at  that  day  were  crude  in  the  extreme.  The  jirincipal  implement  used  in 
preparing  the  ground  was  a  "di-ag"  or  triangular  harrow  formed  of  two 
pieces  of  timber  united  in  the  form  of  the  letter  V;  each  piece  had  a  number 
of  wooden  teeth  intended  to  grub  up  the  soil  so  as  to  afford  a  lodging  place 
for  the  grain,  but  stones  and  stumps  occurred  with  such  frequency  that  this 
purpose  was  only  accomplished  to  a  very  limited  extent.  The  first  croj^s 
consisted  of  corn,  oats,  wheat,  and  jwtatoes.  Corn  was  planted  in  hills  and 
potatoes  in  rows,  while  wheat  and  oats  were  sown  broadca.st  and  covered  by 
dragging  a  tree-top  over  the  field.  Of  the  different  cereals  corn  was  most 
readily  j^repared  for  consumption  or  sale  and  received  a  corresponding  degree 
of  attention.  Husking  was  sometimes  done  in  the  field  but  more  frequently 
at  the  barn,  and  the  combined  energies  of  the  community  were  often  brought 
to  bear  upon  this  work.  Grain  was  cut  with  a  siclde.  Harvest  time  was  a 
season  of  severe  and  protracted  labor,  and  it  would  have  been  considered 
impossible  to  withstand  its  requirements  without  resorting  to  a  neighboring 
distillery  for  assistance.  The  threshing  and  cleaning  of  wheat  involved  an 
amount  of  labor  utterly  incommensurate  with  its  marketable  value.  Sheaves 
of  grain  were  placed  in  order  on  a  fioor  of  puncheon  or  hard  clay,  where  the 
grain  was  tramped  out  by  horses  or  threshed  with  a  flail.  This  was  but  one 
part  of  the  work,  however;  it  still  remained  to  separate  the  wheat  from  the 
chaff,  and  with  no  machinery  save  a  riddle  or  sieve  of  home  construction, 
this  was  an  almost  endless  task.  Thresliing  frequently  required  the  farmer's 
time  nearly  the  whole  winter. 

As  already  remarked,  the  transition  to  present  methods  was  gradual.  It 
would  bo  impossible  to  indicate  definitely  tlie  time  when  the  sickle  was 
replaced  by  the  grain  cradle,  or  when  the  latter  was  superseded  by  the  reap- 
ing machine  and  binder.  The  i)low,  originally  a  ponderous  instrument 
requiring  great  strength  in  its  manipulation  and  constructed  almost  entirely 
of  wood,  received  in  succession  an  iron  point,  coulter,  and  mould-board,  the 
first  stage  in  the  evolution  of  the  latter  being  a  sheet-iron  sheath  for  the 
wooden  mould-board.  The  windmill  was  the  first  innovation  for  winnowing 
wheat;  the  next  was  a  revolving  cylinder  to  take  the  place  of  the  flail,  and 
afforded  an  opportunity  to  utilize  horse  power;  the  combination  of  these  two 
machines,  with  such  modifications  as  experience  has  suggested  and  ingenuity 
devised,  has  resulted  in  the  modern  threshing  machine.  The  grain  drill,  at 
first  clumsily  provided  with  an  apparatus  to  regulate  the  amoimt  of  seed 
sown,  was  introduced  almost  as  soon  as  the  general  condition  of  the  land 
would  permit  its  use.  The  mowing  machine  has  taken  the  place  of  the 
scythe,  while  the  hay-rake,  tedder-,  and  hay-fork  relegate  much  of  the  hardest 
labor  in  connection  with  this  department  of  farm  work  to  the  past.  The 
application  of  manure  as  a  measure  of  restoring  and  sustaining  the  fertility 
of  the  soil  has  been  continued,  but  commercial  fertilizers  have  also  come  into 


AGRICULTURE. 


339 


general  use  as  a  means  of  further  accomplishing  this  purj^ose.  Eotation  of 
crops,  scientific  methods  of  drainage,  and  other  departures  of  a  similar 
nature  have  followed  as  the  natural  result  of  careful  and  intelligent  experi- 
ment, placing  the  farming  community  of  Northumberland  county  in  a  posi- 
tion to  compare  favorably  with  any  other  in  this  part  of  the  State. 

The  introduction  of  domestic  animals  into  the  region  that  now  comprises 
Northumberland  county  occurred  before  its  settlement  began.  Horses  were 
first  brought  by  Indian  traders,  and  subsequently  owned  by  Shikellimy,  his 
sons,  and  other  Indians  at  Shamokin.  After  the  erection  of  Fort  Augusta, 
cattle,  sheep,  and  hogs  were  brought  thither  in  herds  from  the  lower  counties 
for  the  use  of  the  garrison.  The  first  settlers  usually  brought  only  a  few 
domestic  animals  with  them.  The  number  of  acres  of  improved  land,  and 
of  horses,  cows,  sheep,  indentured  servants,  and  slaves  assessed  in  Augusta 
and  Turbut  town.ships — in  the  former,  1774;  in  the  latter,  prior  to  177o — 
which  then  comprised  the  i:)resent  area  of  the  county,  was  as  follows: — 


TowQSliip. 

Acres. 

Horses. 

Oiws. 

Sheep. 

Servants. 

.-^Uives. 

070 

201 

811 

43 
37 

11 
21 

J 

Total . 

21)41 

300 

483 

80 

32        i 

-) 

The  largest  imjjroved  farms  in  Augusta  township  were  those  of  Ellis 
Hughes — forty  acres,  three  horses,  and  eight  cows;  Charles  Gough — thirty 
acres,  two  horses,  four  cows,  and  ten  sheep;  John  Clark — thirty  acres,  two 
horses,  three  cows,  and  one  servant ;  Samuel  Weiser — thirty  acres,  two  horses, 
and  three  cows;  John  Shaffer — twenty-five  acres,  two  horses,  and  two  cows; 
and  Henry  Cliver — twenty-five  acres,  one  horse,  and  two  cows.  The  follow- 
ing is  a  similar  exhibit  for  Turbut  townshiji:  William  Plunket — one  hundred 
fifty  acres,  four  horses,  eight  cows,  six  sheep,  two  servants,  and  one  slave; 
Matthew  Cunningham — fifty  acres,  one  horse,  and  two  cows;  Alexander  Ful- 
lerton — fifty  acres,  two  horses,  and  two  cows;  Kichard  Malone — fifty  acres, 
two  horses,  four  cows,  three  sheep,  and  one  servant;  John  Neilson — fifty 
acres,  three  horses,  two  cows,  and  one  servant;  James  McMahan — fifty  acres, 
three  horses,  three  cows,  and  one  servant;  John  Murray — fifty  acres,  two 
horses,  and  two  cows;  Charles  Lomax — forty-three  acres,  one  horse,  and  one 
cow ;  Paul  Geddis — forty  acres,  three  horses,  and  four  cows ;  Thomas  Hewitt 
— forty  acres,  three  horses,  three  cows,  and  one  servant;  Eobert  Moodie — 
thirty-four  acres,  two  horses,  three  cows,  and  one  servant;  Richard  Irwin — 
thirty  acres,  two  horses,  and  two  cows;  David  Chambers — thirty  acres,  one 
horse,  and  one  cow;  David  Carson — thirty  acres,  one  horse,  and  one  cow; 
Thomas  Jordan — thirty  acres,  one  horse,  and  two  cows;  Thomas  Lemon — 
thirty  acres,  two  horses,  and  three  cows;  John  Montgomery — thirty  acres, 
two  horses,  four  cows,   and  sis  sheep;    Robert  McCully — thirty  acres,  two 


340  HISTORY    OF    XOP.THUMBEBLAND    COUNTY. 

horses,  and  three  cows;  Barnabas  Parson — thirty  acres  and  one  servant;  Philip 
Davis — twenty-six  acres,  two  horses,  and  two  cows,  and  Adam  Mann — 
twenty-five  acres,  two  horses,  three  cows,  and  six  sheep.  In  the  foregoing 
list  the  niimber  of  acres,  horses,  cows,  sheep,  servants,  and  slaves  accredited 
to  each  improved  farm  of  twenty-tive  or  more  acres  is  given. 

The  First  Nurseries  in  Xorthimiberland  county  for  the  propagation  of 
improved  varieties  of  fruit  trees  were  established  early  in  the  present  cent- 
ury. In  an  advertisement  in  the  Northumberland  Gazette  of  October  26, 
1801,  Robert  Caldwell,  of  Limestone  run,  Turbut  township,  states  that  he 
has  "  a  nursery  of  young  apple  trees  now  fit  for  planting  out,  of  excellent 
kinds,  both  summer  and  winter  fruit.  The  said  plants  are  but  three  years 
old  and  from  seven  to  eight  feet  high.  There  have  been  one  hundred  of 
them  planted  out  last  spring  and  all  grow  well.  They  will  be  sold  at  six 
pence  each  plant."  In  the  issue  of  the  same  paper  for  October  23,  1802, 
Joseph  Priestley,  Jr.  advertises  a  collection  of  the  best  kind  of  apple,  pear, 
plum,  cherry,  nectarine,  ajDricot.  peach,  and  other  varieties  of  fruit  trees, 
procured  from  different  parts  of  the  Tnited  States  and  propagated  at  his 
nursery  in  Northumberland. 

Condition  of  the  Farming  Interests  in  1845. — The  following  extracts 
from  a  report  of  the  coimty  commissioners  to  the  State  board  of  revenue 
commissioners,  transmitted  tmder  date  of  February  28,  1845,  contain  some 
intere.sting  particulars  regarding  the  condition  of  tlie  farming  industry  at 
that  time: — 

'•We  have  made  the  following  division  of  the  lands  in  said  county,  as 
follows: — 

Good,    U,7:l(l     acres,  valued  at  Ar,0  per  acre *    .580,500.00 

Middling.  41,002     ' m    '■      '• 1,2:^,800.00 

Poor,  109,970  "        '•        "      15     "      " 1,0-19,.5.50.00 

Worthless,  51,1510 -t    "      ••  205,240.00 

Total,  214,072 .$3,073,150.00 

'•  The  whole  amount  of  acres  of  seated  and  imseated  lands  in  said  coimty  is: 

Seated 214,072  Acres, 

Unseated 72,945  Acres. 

"  The  above  is  as  near  as  can  be  ascertained  from  the  books. 

"  We  believe  that  the  lands  in  said  county  have  been  assessed  about  ten 
per  cent,  below  their  real  values. 

"  We  beheve  that  the  price  of  lands  in  said  coitnty  has  declined  at  least 
twenty  per  cent,  in  valite  within  the  last  five  years. 

"  We  do  not  believe  that  the  canals  and  railroads  of  the  Commonwealth 
have  advanced  or  lowered  the  price  of  lands  materially  in  said  county. 

'■  There  has  been  no  reduction  made  in  the  assessed  value  of  the  lands  in 
the  several  townships  and  boroughs  in  said  coimty  generally;  but  the  value 
has  been  reduced  in  some  indi\"idual  instances  and  raised  in  others— rwith  the 
exception  of  Turbut  township  being  reduced  one  fifth  in  1842. 


AGRICULTURE.  341 

'•  "We  believe  there  has  been  no  increase  in  value  of  the  unseated  lands  in 
general  by  clearing  and  improvements:  but  on  seated  lands  there  has  been 
an  increase  of  value  by  clearing  and  improvements,  to  what  extent  we  can 
not  say. 

"  Baltimore  and  Philadelphia  are  considered  the  princijial  markets  for  the 
coal  and  produce  of  our  county. 

"  The  average  yield  in  our  county  is  perhaps  from  ten  to  fifteen  bushels  of 
wheat ;  rye,  ten ;  oats,  thirty ;  corn,  thirty  bushels,  per  acre. 

"The  price  for  agricultural  produce  in  our  county  is  as  follows:  wheat, 
seventy-live  cents;  rye,  forty  cents:  corn,  thirty-three  cents:  and  oats,  twenty 
cents,  per  bushel. 

'■  We  have  no  cash  market  for  the  produce  in  our  county;  generally  the 
cost  for  taking  our  produce  to  a  cash  market  is  from  fourteen  to  sixteen  cents 
per  bushel. 

••  The  average  price  for  stock  is  as  follows:  for  horses,  forty  dollars;  cattle, 
ten  dollars;  sheep,  one  dollar  and  a  half  per  head;  and  hogs,  three  cents  per 
230und. 

••  The  price  of  lumber  in  our  county  is  about  from  seven  to  eight  dollars 
per  thousand:  iron,  none;  limestone  and  salt,  none;  coal  at  the  pifs  mouth 
is  worth  about  one  dollar  and  a  tpiarter  to  send  to  market. 

'■  The  lands  in  our  county  will  yield  a  rent  of  about  five  and  one  half  per 
cent,  on  the  assessed  value,  and  on  the  selling  value  five  per  cent." 

AGEICULTUR.^L    SOCIETIES. 

The  Nortliiimberland  Connfij  Agricultural  Society  (the  first  of  that 
name  and  the  first  in  the  coimty)  was  organized  on  the  24th  of  May,  1851; 
the  following  is  a  transcript  of  the  minutes,  the  original  of  which  is  yet  in 
possession  of  \V.  I.  Greenough,  the  first  secretary: — 

Pursuant  to  public  notice,  a  large  number  of  farmers  and  others  assembli'J  at  the 
court  house  in  Sunbury  on  Saturday,  the  24th  instant,  at  two  o'clock  v.  m.,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  organizing  an  agricultural  society  for  the  county  of  Northumberland.  On 
motion  of  the  Hon.  George  C.  Welker,  Samuel  Hunter  was  appointed  president,  and 
on  motion  of  William  L.  Dewart,  the  meeting  was  organized  by  the  appointment  of  the 
following  otHeers: — 

President,  Samuel  llimter. 

Vice-Presidents:  George  C.  AVelker,  Peter  Oberdorf,  .Jacob  Seasholtz,  -J.  AV. 
Leighou,  .Jacob  Hilbush,  Amos  E.  Kajip. 

Secretaries:  W.  I.  Greenough,  AVilliam  B.  Kipp,  David  Taggart. 

The  president,  on  taking  his  seat,  returnc-d  his  thanks  for  the  honor  conferred 
upon  him,  and  briefly  stated  the  object  of  the  meeting. 

On  motion  of  David  Taggart,  a  committee  of  five  persons  was  appointed  to  prepare 
and  report  a  constitution  for  an  agrirultural  society  for  jS'orthuraberland  county;  the 
president  appointed  the  following:  David  Taggart,  William  B.  Kipp,  .James  Cameron, 
Samuel  .John,  and  Alexander  .Jordan.  The  committee,  after  some  delay,  reported  the 
following  constitution,  which  was  re.id  and  unanimously  adopted. 

The  coustitiition  \\a^  then  siuin-il  bv  the  following  members:  M.  Banihart,  David 


34:2  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

Taggart,  William  B.  Kipp,  "W.  I.  Greenough,  James  Cameron,  Alexander  Jordan,  Jacob 
Seasholtz,  Jesse  C.  Horton,  Peter  Oberdorf,  Amos  E.  Kapp,  Samuel  Hunter,  Samuel 
John,  George  C.  Welker,  Jacob  Hilbush,  J.  B.  Masser,  J.  ^^'.  Leighou,  William  ]McC'arty, 
Joseph  Weitzel,  AVilliam  L.  Dewart,  Hugh  Bellas,  William  D.  Gearhart,  JIartin  Gass, 
Philip  Renn,  George  Conrad,  Charles  Weaver,  Robert  Campbell,  Joseph  R.  Priestley, 
Elida  John,  C.  Bower,  Thomas  H.  Watts,  Ellas  Brosius,  John  B.  Heller,  Charles  Gobin, 
G.  31.  Yorks,  James  Covert,  John  P.  Pursel,  Francis  Gibson,  and  William  H.  Leighou. 

On  motion,  it  was  resolved  that  all  the  editors  of  newspapers  published  in  the 
county  be  members  of  this  society. 

The  society  then  proceeded  to  an  election  of  ofticers  for  the  ensuing  year,  and  the 
following  persons  were  elected: — 

President,  Samuel  Hunter,  of  Upper  Augusta. 

Vice-Presidents:  James  Cameron,  of  Chillisquaque;  Joseph  R.  Priestley,  of  North- 
umberland; George  C.  Welker,  of  Sunbury;  Jacob  Seasholtz,  of  Upper  Augusta;  AVill- 
iam B.  Kipp,  of  Rush;  Jacob  Hilbush,  of  .Jackson;  John  ^Montgomery,  of  Lewis. 

Recording  secretary,  AV.  I.  Greenough;  corresponding  secretary,  David  Taggart; 
treasurer,  AA'illiam  L.  Dewart;  librarian,  AA'illiam  !McCarty. 

On  motion,  committees  for  each  township  in  the  county  were  appointed  to  obtain 
members  for  the  society;  the  chair  appointed  the  several  committees  as  follows:  — 

Lewis. — John  Montgomery,  AA'illiam  Tweed,  Kerr  Reepert,  jVlichael  Reader. 

Delaware. — Jacob  Stiltzel,  John  Kase,  John  ]McC'orraick,  John  F.  Deutler,  Elijah 
Crawford. 

Chillisquaque. — John  H.  A'incent,  AVilliam  Nesbit,  Reuben  Troxel,  John  Voris, 
James  Cameron. 

Turbut. — AVilliam  FoUmer,  Charles  Riddle,  Anthony  Armstrong,  Philip  Billmyer. 

Milton. — .lames  Pollock,  Samuel  Binn,  Thomas  Alackey,  William  ^NlcCleery,  Sam- 
uel Hepburn. 

Point.— Joseph  \'au  Kirk,  Jesse  C.  Horton,  Autlumy  AVatson,  AV.  H.  Leighou,  Tlmmas 
H.  AVatts. 

Northumberland.— Amos  E.  Kapp,  Joseph  R.  Priestley,  David  Taggart,  Charles 
Kay. 

S\mbury. — George  AVeiser,  AVilliam  McCarty,  .\lexander  Jordan,  AVilliam  L.  Dew- 
art,  Benjamin  Hendricks. 

Upper  Augusta.— James  Funston,  Elisha   Klin^-,  Jacob  Eckman,  Jacob  Seasholtz. 

Lower  Augusta. — George  Conrad,  Samuel  Lautz,  John  A'ordy,  Thomas  Snyder,  Jo- 
seph AA'eitzel. 

Rush.— AVilliam  D.  Gearhart,  AVilliam  H.  Kase,  AVilliam  G.  Scott,  James  Eckman, 
Charles  Kase. 

Coal.— AVilliam  Fagely,  Daniel  Evert,  AVilliam  AL  AVeaver. 

Little  Mahanoy.— George  Peifer,  Jacob  Raker,  Daniel  Dornsife,  Peter  Sholly. 

Jackson.— Jacob  Hilbush,  AVilliam  Deppen,  AVilliam  Zartman,  Daniel  Ililljush, 
John  Wert. 

Upper  Mahanoy. — Daniel  Hine,  Felix  !Maurer,  Peter  Beisel,  Peter  Brosius. 

Lower  Mahanoy. — George  Brosius,  Michael  Lenker,  .Jacob  Spatz,  Adam  Binge- 
man. 

Shamokin. — Jacob  Leisenring,  AA'illiam  H.  Aluensch,  H.  H.  Teats,  Samuel  John, 
David  Martz,  George  Mills. 

Cameron. — George  Long,  David  Billman,  John  Hine. 

The  society  then  proceeded  to  an  election  of  managers  for  the  ensuing  year,  and 
the  following  persons  were  duly  elected:  Rush,  James  Eckman;  Shamnkiii,  Samuel 
John;  Upper  Augusta,  Peter  Oberdorf ;  Lower  Augusta,  George  Conrad:  Coal,  AVilliam 


^^^/l^^^y^C^ 


AGRICULTURE.  345 

Fagely;  Jacksou,  'William  Deppen:  Upper  Mahanoy,  Bonneville  Holshue:  Lower  :Ma- 
hanoy,  3Iichael  Lenker;  Little  Mahauoy.  Isaac  Raker;  Cameron,  George  Long;  Sun- 
bury,  Alexander  Jordan;  Northumberland,  Amos  E.  Kapp;  Point,  Jesse  C.  Horton; 
Chillisquaque,  John  B.  Heller;  Delaware,  Henry  J.  Reader;  Turbut,  Charles  Riddle; 
Lewis,  Samuel  Sherman;  Milton. TJames  Pollock. 

On  motion,  it  was  resolved  that  the  proceediugs  be  published  in  the  several  papers 
of  the  county. 

On  motion,  it  was  resolved  that  the  recording  secretary  send  to  each  member  of 
the  township  committees  a  paper  containing  these  proceedings. 

On  motion,  the  society  adjourned  to  meet  again  at  the  court  house  on  the  first 
Jlonday  of  August  ne.\t  at  two  oVbick  p.  m. 

W.  I.  GREEXuriiii, 

Sn-ntur;/. 

The  first  fair*  wa.s  held  on  the  17th  of  October,  ISol,  on  land  of  W.  I. 
Greenoiigh  at  the  iipper  end  of  Second  street  north  of  Race.  The  grounds 
embraced  about  four  acres,  and  were  surrounded  by  a  post  fence;  by  the  terms 
of  the  constitution,  only  members  were  permitted  to  make  exhibits,  which 
were  required  to  be  produced  or  manufactured  in  the  county;  each  exhibitor 
was  charged  for  the  privilege  of  making  such  exhibit,  and  from  the  funds 
thus  accruing  and  annual  meml'ership  dues  the  premiums  were  paid.  The 
grand  jury  room  in  the  "state  house"  was  used  for  the  exhibit  of  needle  work, 
fancy  goods,  and  similar  articles.  The  tirst  fair  was  largely  attended,  and 
was  regarded  as  a  complete  success;  but  the  exhibits  were  principally  from 
the  northern  part  of  the  comity,  and  the  ])ayment  of  bridge  toll  caused  many 
citizens  of  that  section  to  refrain  from  attending  after  the  tirst  enthusiasm 
had  abated,  and  although  fairs  were  held  in  18r>2,  1853,  18-34,  and  IS.")-"),  the 
enterjirise  languished,  and  in  l'^o(3  the  place  of  holding  the  exhibitions  was 
changed  to  Milton,  where  a  local  organization  of  some  strength  was  developed, 
and  fairs  were  held  annually  for  some  years;  in  ISOS  the  exhibition  was  re- 
moved to  Turbutville,  but  the  length  of  time  it  was  continued  there  has 
not  been  ascertained. 

The  Augustaville  Farmers'  and  Mechanics'  Association  yvas  organized  on 
the  1st  of  January,  1870,  with  Ehas  Emerick,  president;  S.  H.  Zimmerman, 
vice-president,  and  W.  H.  Homing,  secretary.  The  word  "  Horticultural " 
also  appears  in  the  title  a  shon  time  later.  It  has  not  been  ascertained  how 
long  the  association  sxistained  an  active  existence. 

The  Northumberland  Countu  Agricultural  Societ;/  was  incorjiorated,  No- 
vember 17,  1871,  with  the  following  otHcers:  Joseph  Bird,  president;  John 
McFarland,  vice-president;  G.  W.  Armstrong,  secretary;  Lemuel  Shipman, 
corresponding  secretary;  J.  H.  McCormick,  treasurer,  and  John  H.  Vincent, 

-In  l-nj  a  Mivplement  to  tliecliarter  of  tlie  lHiroiij:li  of  Sunlniry  was  secureil,  autlioiiziiig  the 
holiliiiu'  nf  .aiiiiKil  fairs,  ami  Tlieodonis  K:<?lil.  (.-liief  liurgess,  ailvertizeil  hi  the  Nortluimberlanil  Ga- 
zilh  tliat  tin- lii^t  fair  would  be  helil  on  the  i;il  ami  3(1  of  November  in  that  year,  when  "persons 
wisliini;  In  ilis]in^H  of  hoises.  cattle,  wai-'ons.  carts,  or  farming  utensils  of  any  kind  "  were  assured  of 
sufficient  accommodations.  Tills  was.  in  the  sense  in  wliich  the  word  was  tlien  used,  tlie  tirst  fair  in 
the  county. 


3-i6  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

assistant  recording  secretary.  Grounds  were  leased  from  the  Northern 
Central  Railway  Company  at  Siinbury  and  buildings  erected  thereon,  but  the 
enterprise  does  not  appear  to  have  been  a  success. 

The  Union  Park  and  Agricultural  Association  was  organized,  April  7, 
1S73,  with  Solomon  Malick,  president;  Isaac  Campbell,  vice-president; 
Philip  H.  Moore,  recording  secretary;  Lemuel  Shipman,  corresponding  sec- 
retary; George  B.  Cadwallader,  treasurer,  and  William  A.  Sober,  librarian. 
The  buildings  erected  at  Sunbury  by  the  Northiimberland  County  Agricult- 
ural Society  (the  second  of  that  name)  were  seciired,  and  the  first  fair  was 
held  in  October,  1873,  when  the  gross  receipts  amounted  to  twenty-three 
hundred  dollars,  of  which  thirteen  hundred  were  paid  out  in  premiums.  The 
fairs  were  continued  as  late  as  1878,  and  perhaps  longer. 

The  Milton  Driving  Park  and  Fair  Association  -was  organized  in  1885 
with  the  following  officers:  president,  W.  Kramer;  vice-president,  Samuel 
Hoffa;  secretary,  W.  B.  Chamberlin,  and  treasurer,  W.  A.  Heinen.  The 
grounds  comprise  twenty-five  acres,  of  which  seven  are  owned  by  the  society. 
The  first  fair  was  held,  October  14-17,  1885;  the  exhibitions  have  since  been 
continued  annually.  The  constitution  prohibits  any  form  of  gambling  what- 
ever, and  the  fairs  of  this  society  have  maintained  a  high  moral  character 
throughout.  It  is  recognized  by  the  State  Department  of  Agriculture  as  the 
county  fair  for  Northumberland  county,  and  receives  the  annual  appropria- 
tion provided  by  law. 

The  Shamokin  Agricultziral  and  Driving  Park  Association  was  organized 
on  the  1st  of  April,  1889,  with  George  S.  Fisher,  president;  M.  H.  Kulp, 
secretary,  and  John  Schabo,  treasurer,  who,  with  John  Mullen,  Edwin  Lud- 
low, WilHam  Beury,  John  P.  Helfenstein,  Joseph  Wolf,  and  Darlington  R. 
Kulp,  (elected  April  5th),  constituted  the  first  directory.  The  association 
was  incorporated.  May  6,  18S9,  with  an  authorized  capital  of  ten  thousand 
dollars.  The  first  races  occurred  on  the  8th  of  August,  1889,  and  the  first 
fair,  September  10-14,  1889.  The  grounds  are  situated  in  Ralpho  township, 
two  miles  from  Shamokin;  the  improvements  include  a  half-mile  track,  stables, 
and  a  road- house. 


THE    SHAMOKIN    COAL    FIELD.  347 


CHAPTER  X. 
THE  SHAMOKIN  COAL  FIELD. 

Importance  of  C'oai, — Its  Location— Names  of  the  Veins— Theik  Position  ant) 

ClIAItACTER— A   AVaLK   FROM    THE    WeIGH    SCALES   TO    THE   CaMERON  CoLLIERY— 

Ascent  of  the  Great  Culm  Bank— A  Talk  with  the  Inside  Foreman  About 
THE  Coal  Formation— Further  Description  of  the  Sixteen  Veins  Found 
IN  This  Region — A  Section  of  the  Measlties — Depth  of  the  Shamokin  Coal 
Basin— A  Short  Description  of  the  Districts  and  Basins — Production  of 
the  Three  Districts— The  Question,  "How  Long  AVill  Our  Coal  Supply 
Last?"  Answered. 

by  dr.  j.  j.  john. 

ALTHOUGH  the  United  States  is  noted  for  the  great  variety  and  aljim- 
dance  of  its  productions,  yet  without  the  aid  of  this  valuable  fuel, 
how  could  these  products  be  converted  into  the  means  of  comfort  and  wealth  ? 
Without  the  use  of  coal  how*could  we  now  carry  on  our  business  in  all  its 
varied  departments  ?  How  could  we  put  to  work  the  thousands  of  our  people 
in  manufacturing  the  many  articles  and  imjilements  that  we  need  in  extend- 
ing our  dominion  over  our  wide  domain  ?  How  could  we  furnish  the  neces- 
sary power  to  aid  skill,  enterjirise,  and  capital  in  its  efforts,  were  it  not 
for  the  "black  diamonds''  that  lay  hidden  beneath  our  soil? 

Coal  is  indeed  the  foundation  of  our  prosperity  and  civilization.  It  is 
the  most  important  factor  that  we  possess  to  furnish  power.  Its  value  to  the 
country  is  beyond  all  calculation.  Its  sudden  loss  would  be  irreparable.  It 
is  said  that  three  hundred  pounds  of  coal  will  prodiice  power  equal  to  the 
labor  of  one  man  for  one  year.  By  the  census  of  1880  we  are  informed  that 
the  annual  production  of  coal  at  that  time  was  seventy  million  tons.  Apply 
forty  million  tons  of  this  to  heating  and  lighting  and  the  smelting  of  metals, 
and  the  balance  to  fiirnishing  motor  power,  and  we  will  have  the  work  of 
two  billions  of  men  performed  without  the  tax  of  food  and  clothing. 

The  wealth  and  prosperity  of  a  country  depend  largely  upon  the  abun- 
dance of  coal.  Pennsylvania  with  her  large  supply  of  mineral  fuel  is  far 
more  wealthy  than  those  countries  that  abound  in  the  precious  metals.  Pro- 
fessor Newberry  says: — 

By  the  power  developed  from  coal  all  the  wheels  of  industry  are  kept  iu  motion, 
commerce  is  carried  with  rapidity  and  certainty  over  all  portions  of  the  earth's  surface, 
the  useful  metals  are  brought  from  the  deep  caves  in  which  they  have  hidden  them- 
selves, and  are  purified  and  wrought  to  serve  the  purposes  of  man.  By  coal,  night  is 
converted  into  day,  winter  into  summer,  and  the   life  of  man,  measured  by  its  fruits, 


348  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

greatly  prolonged.  Wealth,  with  all  the  comforts,  the  luxuries,  and  the  triumphs  it 
brings,  is  its  gift.  Though  black,  sooty,  and  often  repulsive  in  its  aspects,  it  is  the 
embodiment  of  a  power  more  potent  than  that  attributed  to  the  genii.  Its  possession 
is,  therefore,  the  highest  material  boon  that  can  be  craved  by  a  community  or  nation. 

"  liark  anthracite!  that  redilenest  on  my  hearth, 

Tliou  in  those  inland  mines  didst  slumher  long. 
But  now  tlioii  art  come  forth  to  move  the  earth. 

And  put  to  shame  the  men  that  mean  thee  wrong; 
Thou  Shalt  be  coals  of  fire  to  those  tliat  hate  thee 
And  warm  the  shins  of  all  that  under-rate  thee. 

"  Yea,  they  did  wron^  tliee  foully— they,  who  mook'd 

Thy  honest  face  and  said  thou  woiildst  not  biu'n. 
Of  hewing  thee  to  chimney-pieces  talked. 

And  grew  profane— and  swore,  in  bitter  scorn, 
That  men  might  to  thy  inner  caves  retire. 
And  there,  unsinged,  abide  the  day  of  fire. 
"  Yet  is  thy  greatness  nigh.    Thou  too  shall  be 

Great  in  thy  turn— and  wide  shall  spread  thy  fame 
And  swiftly— farthest  Maine  shall  hear  of  thee, 

And  cold  New  Brunswick  gladden  at  thy  name. 
And.  faintly  through  its  sleets,  the  weeping  isle. 
That  sends  the  Boston  folks  their  cod,  shall  smile. 

"  For  thou  Shalt  forge  vast  railways,  and  shalt  heat 

The  hissing  rivers  into  steam,  and  drive 
Huge  masses  from  thy  mines,  on  iron  feet 

Walking  their  steady  way,  as  if  alive, 
Northward,  till  everlasting  ice  besets  thee. 
And  south,  as  far  as  the  grim  Spaniard  lets  thee. 

'•  Thou  Shalt  make  mighty  engines  swim  the  sea. 

Like  its  own  monsters— boats  that  for  a  guinea. 
Will  take  a  man  to  Havre— and  shall  be 

The  moving  soul  of  many  a  spinning  jenny, 
And  ply  thy  shuttles,  till  a  bard  can  wear 
As  good  a  suit  of  broadcloth  as  the  niay"r." 

Nearly  all  the  anthracite  coal  of  America,  of  which  over  thirty-five  mill- 
ion tons  are  now  annually  mined  and  shipped,  comes  from  one  small  district 
in  the  eastern  part  of  Pennsylvania.  The  several  coal  fields  that  constitute 
this  district  and  furnish  the  enormous  tonnage  ju.st  named,  it  brought  closely 
together  would  represent  a  small  s^jace  on  the  map  of  our  State.  It  would 
only  be  a  little  section  of  motmtainous  territory,  about  twenty  miles  wide  and 
twenty-five  miles  long,  giving  an  area  of  five  hundred  square  miles.  This  ter- 
ritory represents  about  one  ninety- secondth  part  of  the  entire  area  of  the  State, 
and  is  not  much  larger  than  our  own  county,  which  contains  four  hundred 
sixty  square  miles.  This  anthracite  territory  lies  between  the  Suscjuehanna 
and  Delaware  rivers  and  is  principally  included  in  the  counties  of  Northum- 
berland, Schuylkill,  Dauphin,  Columbia,  Carbon,  Luzerne,  and  Lackawanna. 
The  reader,  on  first  reflection,  will  hardly  believe  that  such  vast  wealth  and 
such  large  annual  outputs  can  possibly  be  drawn  from  so  small  a  section  of 
country,  with  an  acreage  barely  sufficient  to  form  a  county  of  moderate  size. 
But  on  carefitl  reference  to  maps  and  reports  he  will  find  the  statements 
are  correct  and  will  soon  come  to  the  conclusion  that  the  anthracite  coal  region, 


THE    SHAMOKIN    COAL    FIELD.  349 

though  barren  and  forbidding  in  appearance,  is  really  the  richest  section  of  our 
Commonwealth. 

Different  authorities  have  given  different  divisions  of  the  anthracite  region, 
but  they  are  practically  the  same  in  results. 

The  foUo^ying  division  in  five  distinct  coal  fields,  with  square  miles  and  ton- 
nage, is  thought  to  be  as  satisfactory  as  any. — 

1st,  or  Southern  coal  field,  140  sq.  mi.,  1(K  of  production. 
2d,  or  Nortliern  coal  field,  200  sq.  mi.,  50<;  of  production. 
3d,  or  Western  Middle  coal  field,  90  sq.  mi.,  iof,  of  production. 
4th,  or  Eastern  iliddle  coal  field,  40  sq.  mi.,  1.5^  of  production. 
5th.  or  "Western  Northern  coal  field,  30  sq.  mi. 
Total 500  sq.  mi.    100;?. 

The  third,  or  Western  Jliddle  'coal  field,  is  composed  of  two  parts,  the 
Mahanoy  or  Eastern  district  of  forty  square  miles  and  the  Shamokin  or  "West- 
ern district  of  fifty  scjuare  miles.  The  Shamokin  district,  the  part  that  is 
treated  of  in  this  chapter,  embraces  that  portion  of  the  "Western  Midelle  coal 
field  that  is  in  Northumberland  county,  and  represents  about  one  tenth  of  the 
entire  anthracite  region.  This  territory  is  contained  in  Coal,  Mt.  Carmel, 
and  Zerbe  townships^  with  outcrops  of  the  Buck  Mountain  and  Lykens  Val- 
ley veins  in  Cameron  township.  The  greater  part  of  this  district  is  drained 
by  Shamokin  creek  and  its  tributaries.  This  district  is  divided  by  several 
anticlinals  into  a  number  of  basins,  of  which  more  will  be  said  in  another 
part  of  the  article.  The  Shamokin  coal  district  is  bounded  on  the  north  by 
the  Big  mountain,  and  on  the  south  by  the  Locust  and  Mahanoy  mountains. 
I  It  is  about  two  and  one  half  miles  in  width  and  twenty  miles  in  length,  ex- 
tending from  the  coimty  line  on  the  east  to  a  point  about  two  miles  west  of 
Trevorton,  where  the  basin  terminates  and  the  underlying  Mauch  Chunk  red 
shale  comes  to  the  surface.  There  are  some  sixteen  veins  fou.nd  in  this  dis- 
trict, the  average  total  thickness  of  which  is  said  to  exceed  sixty  feet. 

XOMENCLATUKE    OF    VEINS. 

It  is  thought  proper  at  this  point  to  give  the  names  of  the  coal  seams 
that  are  foimd  in  our  region.  Professor  Lesley  states  that  it  is  useless  and 
impossible,  until  we  are  better  accjuainted  with  the  subject,  to  prepare  a 
nomenclature  that  will  satisfactorily  apply  to  all  the  anthracite  coal  fields. 
The  writer  has  adopted  the  plan  used  by  the  Philadelphia  and  Reading  Coal 
and  Iron  Company,  believing  it  to  be  the  best  adapted  for  the  present  pur- 
pose. In  this  plan  the  seams  are  designated  by  numbers,  to  which  are  added 
the  local  names  given  to  them  in  Schuylkill  cotinty  and  Shamokin. 

Beginning  at  the  top  of  the  coal  formation  in  our  region  and  descending 
to  and  into  the  conglomerate  the  nomenclature  will  appear  as  follows: — 


350  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

Xo.  17,  Little  Tracy.  No.    8,  Mammoth-Lower  Split  or  Daniel. 

■'     16,  Tracy.  "       7,  Skidmore  or  Tape  Vein. 

•'     15,  Little  Diamond.  "       6,  Seven  Feet. 

"    14,  Diamond.  "      5,  Buck  Mountain. 

"    13,  Little  Orchard.  "      3  and  4,  Lykena  Valley— Upper.  • 

••    13,  Orchard.  '•      1  and  2,  Lykens  Valley— Lower. 

'•     11,  Primrose.  Pottsville  Conglomerate. 

••     10,  Holmes  or  Church  or  Black  Heath.  Mauch  Chunk  Red  Shale. 

9,  Mammoth-Upper  Split  or  Crosby.  Pocono  Sandstone. 
JIammoth-Middle  Split  or  Lelar. 


POSITION     AND     CHAR.\CTER    OF    THE    VEINS    AT    SHAMOKIN. 

In  order  to  obtain  a  clear  idea  of  this  subject,  suppose  we  start  at  the 
Weigh  Scales,  located  in  the  gap  of  the  Little  mountain.  This  mountain 
represents  the  No.  X  or  Pocono  sandstone  formation,  the  outermost  rim  of  the 
Shamokin  coal  basin,  which  at  this  point  is  about  six  hundred  feet  in  thick- 
ness. Crossing  over  to  the  roadbed  of  the  Reading  railroad,  we  will  leis- 
urely pursue  our  course  towards  the  city  of  Shamokin.  In  so  doing  we  will 
cross  diagonally  a  narrow  valley  (Brush  valley),  which  lies  between  Little  and 
Big  mountains.  This  represents  No.  XI  or  the  Mauch  Chunk  red  shale,  and  is 
the  filling  between  the  outer  and  inner  rims  of  the  coal  basin.  The  thick- 
ness of  this  red  shale  filling  is  supposed  to  be  two  thousand  feet.  Proceed- 
ing on  towards  Shamokin,  we  leave  this  valley  and  enter  the  gap  of  the  Big 
moimtain.  One  of  the  finest  opportimities  for  the  study  of  geology  of  the 
coal  formations  is  now  presented  to  us.  The  Shamokin  creek,  which  has  its 
source  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  basin,  and  in  its  course  thus  far  has  fol- 
lowed the  great  trough  of  coal,  here  suddenly  deflects  to  the  north  and  breaks 
through  the  two  rocky  barriers  of  the  coal  basin  and  makes  its  way  through 
older  formations  to  the  Susc^uehanna.  At  this  point  we  have  the  east  and 
west  walls  of  the  Big  moimtain  to  study.  Here,  as  we  leave  the  red  shale, 
we  meet  No.  XII,  the  Pottsville  conglomerate,  the  inner  rim  of  the  basin, 
which  here  measures  about  six  himdred  feet  in  thickness.  At  this  point  the 
measures  are  so  well  exposed  by  the  grading  of  the  Reading  raih-oad  and 
the  improvements  of  the  Cameron  colliery  located  here,  that  but  little  diffi- 
culty is  met  in  studying  their  general  character.  We  here  find  that  the  rocks 
have  a  south  pitch  from  forty  to  fifty  degrees. 

While  .standing  at  this  point  we  will  notice  that  the  veins  at  Shamokin 
may  be  divided  into  three  series,  as  follows: — 

1st. — The  tmderlying  veins  of  Lykens  Valley  and  Buck  Moimtain  repre- 
sented by  Nos.  1,  2,  3,  4,  and  5  imbedded  in  the  Pottsville  conglomerate. 

2d. — The  middle  veins,  consisting  of  the  Seven  Feet,  Skidmore,  and  Mam- 
moth, being  6,  7,  8,  and  9,  lying  between  the  Pottsville  conglomerate  and  an 
upper  small  pebble  conglomerate. 

3d. — The  upper  lying  veins,  consisting  of  the  Holmes,  Primrose,  Orchard, 


THE   SHAMOKIX    COAL    FIELD.  351 

etc.,  lying  between  the  small  conglomerate,  and  the  slates  and  shales  for 
covering. 

The  first  and  third  series  are  principally  red  and  pink  ash.  and  the 
second  series  white  or  gray  ash. 

While  standing  here  we  notice  that  the  northern  outcrop  of  the  Lykens 
Valley  takes  place  on  the  crest  of  the  Big  moiantain,  and  a  short  distance 
down  on  the  south  side  the  Buck  Mountain  comes  to  the  surface  and  disap- 
pears. Lower  down  the  mountain  the  outcrops  of  the  Skidmore,  Mammoth, 
Holmes.  Primrose,  and  Orchard  will  successively  ajipear  in  regular  order. 

A  few  hours  spent  at  this  interesting  geological  point,  in  company  with 
some  intelhgent  miner,  will  afford  the  student  a  better  and  more  practical 
knowledge  of  our  coal  formation  than  days  spent  in  poring  over  works  that 
treat  learnedly  upon  the  subject,  but  often  only  to  confuse  the  reader.  Mr. 
William  H.  Marshall,  a  prominent  practiciil  geologist  of  this  region  some 
forty  years  ago,  remarked  to  the  writer,  that  the  best  lessons  he  ever  had  on 
the  coal  measures  were  obtained  in  a  similar  manner. 

The  lowest  depth  of  coal  formation  in  the  Shamokin  district  is  said  to  be 
at  or  near  the  gap,  in  Shamokin,  though  some  exj^erienced  miners  contend 
it  is  at  the  Henry  Clay  basin.  The  depth  of  the  coal  basin  at  Shamokin  is 
supposed  to  exceed  one  thousand  seven  himdred  feet  below  water  level,  to 
which  add  the  vertical  height  of  Big  mountain  of  eight  hundred  feet  more 
will  give  clear  run  of  two  thousand  five  hundred  feet.  The  level  of  the 
creek  at  the  Cameron  colliery  is  six  hundred  ninety  feet  above  tide,  and  the 
top  of  Big  mountain  at  this  point  is  eight  hundred  ten  feet  above  the  creek. 

The  reader  now,  in  company  with  the  experienced  inside  foreman.  Mill 
be  asked  to  ascend  the  great  culm  bank  that  stands  at  the  Cameron  colliery, 
and  which  so  well  represents  the  enormous  wastage  that  is  connected  with 
mining.  This  towering  pile  of  fine  coal,  slate,  and  dirt  is  of  itself  a  curi- 
osity, an  object  that  never  fails  to  attract  the  attention  of  strangers  on  their 
first  visit  to  our  city.  The  ascent  is  steep,  but,  by  gradual  stages  of  walking 
and  rest,  the  summit  is  reached.  But  what  a  scene  is  spread  before  his  eyesl 
Surjirise  and  pleasure  will  greet  him  at  one  and  the  same  time.  A  large 
section  of  the  Shamokin  coal  field  will  lay  s^^read  out  before  him.  divided 
into  basins  and  sub-basins,  showing  surface  and  contour,  elevation  and 
depression,  dips  and  saddles,  as  fully  in  many  respects  as  if  drawn  from 
maps  and  books.  The  view  will  be  a  perfect  object  lesson  in  geology.  His 
miner  teacher  will  now  commence  his  instruction  to  an  interested  pupil  with 
only  the  book  of  Nature  to  study  from.  Only  a  brief  abstract  of  this  lesson 
can  be  given  in  this  article. 

His  attention  will  be  first  called  to  notice  the  many  breakers  that  can  be 
seen  from  this  point,  made  prominent  in  the  distance  by  the  ascending 
columns  of  steam  from  their  works.  Here  at  the  base  of  the  bank  is  the 
Cameron,  one  of  the  finest  breakers  in  the  region.     Looking:  southward  and 


352  HISTOKY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

westward,  the  Neilson,  Bear  Valley,  Burnsicle,  and  others  are  to  be  seen. 
Turning  more  to  the  east,  the  Henry  Clay  and  Buck  Ridge  are  to  be  seen  in 
the  distance,  and  still  further  eastward,  the  Luke  Fidler.  Ent?rprise,  and 
other  collieries  may  be  partly  discerned. 

The  story  of  the  coal  formation  of  this  region  -will  then  be  told,  illus- 
trated by  objects  that  meet  the  vision  on  every  side.  Looking  to  the  south, 
the  entire  basin  will  be  seen  spread  out  as  a  panorama,  and  turning  east  and 
west  a  large  portion  of  the  great  coal  trough  can  be  examined  by  the  eye. 
Shamokin  as  a  town,  with  its  fine  churches  and  school  houses,  will  be  lost 
sight  of,  and  only  referred  to  occasionally  as  a  reference  of  location,  while 
the  great  work  of  Nature  in  her  wonderful  storage  of  fuel,  will  be  talked 
about.  Again  he  will  be  reminded  that  he  is  in  a  great  trough  or  basin 
in  which  are  stored  away  some  sixteen  layers  of  coal,  of  various  thickness,  at 
different  depths,  with  the  lowest  seam  far  down  in  the  solid  rock  at  least  two 
thousand  five  himdred  feet  from  the  present  point. 

He  will  be  told  that  this  storage  of  fuel  is  protected  on  its  sides  and 
bottom  by  a  ma.ssive  rim  of  conglomerate  of  some  six  hundred  feet  in  thick- 
ness, and  extending  down  in  the  earth  about  seven  hundred  feet  below  the 
sea  level.  His  attention  will  then  be  called  to  a  hill  south  of  the  Shamokin 
cemetery,  on  the  Bellas  tract,  now  occupied  by  the  Philadelphia  and  Reading 
Coal  and  Iron  Company.  His  companion  will  state  that  this  hill  is  one  of  the 
highest  points  in  the  State,  though  not  more  than  one  thousand  two  hun- 
dred feet  above  tide.  He  will  wonder  at  this,  as  the  elevation  is  not 
greater  than  at  the  point  he  stands  on,  and  considerably  lower  than  some  of 
the  moiintains  around  him,  and  he  will  question  the  correctness  of  the  state- 
ment. He  will  be  answered  that  the  height  is  meant  in  a  geological  sense 
and  not  a  physical  one.  The  mountains  at  Hazelton  have  a  much  greater 
elevation  above  the  level  of  the  ocean,  but  in  the  coal  formation  are  uuich 
lower  than  this  hill  and  do  not  possess  the  upper  coal  measures.  Here  on 
this  hill  all  the  coal  seams  from  No.  17  down  to  No.  1  of  the  Lykens  Valley 
are  found,  which  is  possibly  one  of  the  few  sirots  in  the  Middle  coal  field  of 
which  this  can  be  said.  At  this  stage  in  the  lesson  course  the  reader  asks 
how  can  the  veins  be  distinguished  from  each  other?  They  are  all  coal,  and 
all  anthracite  has  a  common  appearance  no  matter  from  what  seam  it  is 
taken.  Every  chunk  of  coal  from  any  of  the  breakers  possesses  the  same  com- 
mon properties,  black  in  color,  metallic  luster,  vitreous  fracture,  and  con- 
choidal  shape.  Their  chemical  properties  are  practically  alike — the  same 
percentage  of  carbon  and  volatile  matter.  How  then  do  you  know  how  or 
when  to  call  a  vein  Skichnore  at  the  Cameron,  and  another  at  the  Henry 
Clay  the  Mammoth? 

LTpon  a  few  moments  of  reflection  the  experienced  inside  foreman 
answered  that  this  was  sometimes  a  very  difficult  matter,  and  had  be.m  the 
occasion  of  many  disputes.     Operators  have  been  kno-\vn  to  misname  an  infe- 


THE    SHAMOKIN   COAL    FIELD.  353 

rior  coal  for  somo  popular  one  that  is  asked  for  in  the  market.  But  in  our 
region  the  locations  of  the  veins  are  pretty  well  established.  In  the  tirst 
jDlace,  the  qualities  and  position  of  the  Mammoth,  the  Buck  Mountain,  and 
Lykens  Valley  are  so  prominent  and  well  known  that  they  serve  as  guides 
in  placing  the  others.  Suppose  a  vein  is  foimd  between  the  Mammoth  and 
the  Lykens  Valley.  If  the  conglomerate  on  which  it  rests  is  composed  of 
small  pebbles  we  know  it  is  the  Buck  Mountain.  If  immediately  below  the 
Mammoth  it  is  the  Skidmore,  if  below  the  Skidmore  it  is  the  Seven  Feet. 
Above  the  Mammoth,  which  is  the  principal  seam  of  all  coal  fields,  a  vein 
may  be  determined  by  its  number  from  it — if  the  vein  is  the  next  above,  it  is 
the  Holmes.  Again,  the  vein  may  be  determined  by  its  size,  ash,  and  the 
slates  or  coverings,  principally  the  last. 

Some  years  ago,  Kimber  Cleaver,  the  eminent  engineer  of  our  region, 
conceived  the  idea  that  the  veins  might  be  distinguished  by  the  fossils  on  the 
slates  covering  such  veins.  There  may  be  something  in  this  but  it  would 
require  some  study  to  know  how  to  utilize  it.  A  few  of  the  veins  may  be 
recognized  by  the  iron  ore  seams  that  follow  them. 

As  before  stated,  there  are  some  seventeen  coal  veins  found  in  the  Sha- 
mokin  coal  field,  besides  several  coal  leaders,  one  or  two  of  which  are  largely 
enough  developed  at  places  to  be  worked. 

DESCRIPTION    OF    THE    COAL    VEINS. 

The  following  is  a  brief  description  of  each  vein,  commencing  with  the 
surface  and  de.scending  regularly  to  the  bottom  measures: — 

No.  17 — Little  Tracy. — A  red  ash  vein,  the  uppermost  one  found  in  the 
Shamokin  region.  It  is  only  found  in  a  small  basin  on  the  Bellas  tract,  on  a 
hill  immediately  .south  of  the  Shamokin  cemetery".  The  vein  is  about  five 
feet  thick,  but  has  not  lieen  worked  anywhere  in  our  region  on  account  of 
insufficient  top. 

No.  16 — Tracy. — A  red  ash  vein,  underlying  the  Little  Tracy,  about  five 
feet  in  thickness.  It  is  a  fair  coal  and  has  been  worked  at  the  Royal  Oak, 
Franklin  Gowen,  and  Clinton  collieries. 

No.  15 — Little  Diamond. — A  red  ash  vein,  of  small  size  and  only  worked 
in  a  few  places  where  it  reaches  the  thickness  of  five  feet.  It  was  worked  at 
the  Lambert,  and  at  the  Luke  Fidler  colliery  by  John  Eosser  in  1852. 

No.  14 — Diamond. — Another  red  ash  vein,  running  from  five  to  seven 
feet  of  coal  in  places.  It  was  opened  and  worked  at  the  Clinton,  Alpha, 
Marshall,  and  Lambert  collieries.     A  medium  coaL 

No.  13 — Little  Orchard. — A  pink  ash  coal,  worked  at  Peerless,  Lambert, 
and  Royal  Oak  collieries.     Faulty  in  places.     About  six  feet  thick. 

No.  12 — Orchard. — A  red  ash  coal  of  about  six  feet  thiclmess.  Worked 
at  Peerless,  Luke  Fidler,  Cameron,  Garfield,  and  the  old  Lambert  colliery. 

No.  11 — Primrose. — A  celebrated   red   ash  coal,  highly    valued  in   the 


354  HISTORY    OF    NOKTHUMBEELAND    COUNTY. 

markets.  This  was  the  tirst  vein  opened  and  worked  in  the  Shamokin  region, 
and  was  named  the  Boyd  vein.  It  was  first  worked  in  the  bed  of  the 
Shamokin  creek  between  Spurzheim  and  Webster  streets,  where  the  coal  was 
exposed  by  the  action  of  the  water.  It  was  called  John  Boyd's  stone  coal 
quarry.  For  many  years  this  coal  was  quarried  out  of  the  creek  and  bank; 
by  farmers  of  the  vicinity.  The  vein  opened  at  the  old  furnace  by  the 
Shamokin  Coal  and  Iron  Company  in  1839  is  said  by  some  practical  miners 
to  be  the  famous  Primrose,  but  others  contend  that  this  coal  belongs  to  a 
higher  niunbered  vein  which  was  afterward  worked  out  by  the  Tillets.  It 
was  used  by  the  Shamokin  furnace  in  1S41  in  smelting  iron,  being  the  third 
or  fourth  anthracite  furnace  erected  in  this  coimtry.  The  vein  was  in  1S53 
rej^orted  to  be  sixty  feet  thick  and  was  called  the  famous  Boyd  vein.  This 
vein  was  worked  by  the  Daniel  Webster,  Luke  Fidler,  and  Cameron  collieries, 
and  was  the  main  dependence  of  the  George  Fales,  Lambert,  and  Peerless 
collieries.     Average  thickness,  from  six  to  eight  feet. 

No.  10 — Holmes. — A  reddish  gray  ash  coal,  of  five  feet  in  thickness.  It 
is  largely  worked  at  the  Cameron  and  Peerless  collieries. 

Nos.  9  and  8 — Mammoth. — This  is  the  principal  coal  seam  of  the  anthra- 
cite coal  regions  and  is  of  general  distribution.  In  some  places  the  seams  are 
united  in  one  vein  as  at  Locust  Gap,  measuring  as  high  as  sixty  feet  in  thick- 
ness. In  our  region  the  vein  is  divided  in  three  splits,  No.  9  being  the  upper 
split.  No.  8  the  lower  split,  and  the  middle  split  between  them.  No.  8  is  the 
most  reliable  vein.  Nos.  8  and  9  run  about  eight  feet  each  and  the  middle 
split  about  two  feet.     A  white  ash  coal  of  superior  value. 

No.  7 — Skidmore. — A  white  ash  coal,  five  feet  thick — not  reliable,  princi- 
pally worked  at  the  Cameron,  where  it  is  called  the  Tape  vein.  Produces  a 
good  coal  at  the  Cameron,  Alaska  shaft,  and  Mt.  Carmel  collieries.  It  is 
well  adapted  for  furnace  use. 

No.  (J — Seven  Feet. — A  white  ash  coal  of  six  feet,  worked  at  the  Cameron 
colliery. 

No.  5 — Buck  Mountain. — A  red  ash  coal,  from  five  to  ten  feet  in  thick- 
ness.    A  good  coal.     Worked  at  the  Cameron  and  Corbin  collieries. 

Lykens  Valley  Veins. — A  red  ash  coal  from  six  to  nine  feet  in  thickness, 
being  the  bottom  veins  of  the  coal  measures.  W^orked  at  the  Cameron, 
Enterprise,  Ben  Franklin,  and  Trevorton  collieries.  Not  fully  developed  in 
our  region.     At  Trevorton  twelve  feet  thick  and  fully  developed. 

A    SECTION    OF    THE    ME.\SUEES. 

To  illustrate  this  subject  more  fully  and  show  the  nature  of  the  Shamokin 
coal  basin,  we  give  the  following  table,  as  taken  from  Reports  of  Second 
Geological  Sur%-ey,  showing  the  thickness  of  coal  veins  and  intervening  strata 
from  vein  No.  10  to  No.  2  of  Lvkens  Vallev: — 


THE  SHAMOEIN    COAL    FIELD.  355 

No.  10  Vein o  feet               Strain 21  feet 

Strata 03  feet               IMiddle  Split 8  feet 

•■    1.1  Vein 5  feet               Strata 13  feet 

Strata 79  feet       No.  8  Lower  Split 5  feet 

'•    U  Vein 8  feet               Strata 59  feet 

Strata 30  feet          "    7  Vein 4  feet 

Coal  Leader 1  foot              Strata 3-t  feet 

Strata 5o  feet          "    0  Vein 3  feet 

•■    13  Vein C  feet               Strata 53  feet 

Strata 70  feet          '•    5  Vein 3  feet 

••    12  Vein 4  feet               Strata 81  feet 

Strata 220  feet          "    4  Vein 3  feet 

••    11  Vein 7  feet               Strata 342  feet 

Strata * 180  feet          '■    2  Vein 3  feet 


10  Vein 0  feet 


Strata 100  feet       Total 1557  feet 

"    9  Upper  Split 8  feet 

Recapitulation :  Coal 70  feet 

Strata 1478  feet 


1557  feet 


The  veins  differ  in  thickness  at  various  collieries  and  the  above  will  prob- 
ably give  a  fair  average  of  thickness  in  our  region. 

The  Mammoth  generally  occurs  in  two  splits,  but  at  Bear  Valley,  Enter- 
prise, and  a  few  other  places  it  appears  in  three  splits.  The  average  thick- 
ness of  the  Mammoth  in  this  section  is  about  nineteen  feet  of  coal  in  oitr 
region,  though  it  is  reported  in  places  farther  east  to  have  reached  the  enor- 
mous thickness  of  ninety  feet. 

The  bottom  of  the  Shamokin  coal  basin  is  said  to  be  about  one  thousand 
feet  below  the  level  of  the  sea.  Add  to  this  the  height  of  the  Shamokin 
mountain,  which  is  one  thousand  five  hiuadred  feet  above  tide,  and  we  have  a 
perpendicular  depth  of  two  thousand  live  hundred  feet  for  the  Lykens  Valley 
veins. 

The  shaft  at  the  Neilson  colliery  is  down  aljout  one  thousand  two  hundred 
twenty  feet,  reaching  the  Mammoth  veins,  or  about  tive  huntlred  feet  below  the 
sea  level.  By  the  above  table  they  will  yet  probably  descend  live  hundred 
eighty-live  feet  to  reach  the  Lykens  Valley  veins,  or  about  live  hundred  feet 
to  reach  the  one  thousand  feet  below  the  level  of  the  ocean,  the  bottom  of  the 
basin.  Standing  at  the  corner  of  Shamokin  and  Sunbury  streets  at  Kohr- 
heimer's  clothing  store,  which  is  seven  hundred  fifty-seven  feet  above  tide, 
and  adding  one  thousand  feet  to  it  and  we  will  have  one  thousand  seven  hun- 
dred fifty-seven  feet  to  the  bottom  of  the  basin.  Adding  to  this  seven  hun- 
dred forty-three  feet,  the  elevation  of  Big  mountain  at  this  point,  and  we 
will  have  a  grand  total  of  two  thousand  five  htmdred  feet. 

The  Shamokin  coal  field  is  a  term  used  in  this  article  to  represent  all  the 
coal  territory'  contained  in  Northumberland  comity,  and  for  the  sake  of  con- 


356  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

venience  rather  than  geological  exactness,  it  is  divided  into  three  districts 
representing  the  towTiships  in  which  they  are  chiefly  located.  They  will  be 
termed  the  Mt.  Carmel,  Shamokin.  and  Trevorton  (Zerbe)  districts. 

The  great  trough  of  coal  in  this  coal  field  is  divided  into  several  longi- 
tudinal divisions  by  a  few  prominent  anticlinals  forming  the  northern  and 
southern  boundaries  of  the  local  basins,  while  the  rising  and  falling  of  the 
measures  to  and  from  the  surface  make  their  eastern  and  western  hmits. 
Notable  among  these  anticlinals  is  that  of  the  Locust  mountain,  which  divides 
the  Locust  Gap  and  Mt.  Carmel  basins.  Standing  in  the  gap  of  this  mountain, 
the  Pottsville  conglomerate  can  be  plainly  seen  rising  up  through  the  coal 
measures  and  dividing  the  coal  trough.  Another  very  prominent  anticlinal  is 
that  of  Ked  ridge,  north  of  the  town  of  Mt.  Carmel,  -which  divides  the  Mt. 
Carmel  and  Black  Diamond  basins.  To  fully  comprehend  this  subject,  the 
reader  should  be  on  the  ground  and  have  these  upheavals  of  the  lower  coal 
measures  pointed  out.  The  districts  of  Mt.  Carmel  and  Shamokin  are 
divided  into  a  number  of  basins,  increasing  in  depth  until  the  town  of  Shamo- 
kin is  reached,  when  from  that  point  w.estward  they  gradually  come  nearer 
the  surface. 

Another  point  to  be  noticed  is  the  change  in  the  character  of  the  coal  as 
we  proceed  westward.  At  Mt.  Carmel,  and  more  especially  at  Locust  Gap, 
the  coal  may  be  classed  as  a  grade  between  hard  and  f reeburning  white  ash ; 
coming  westward  towards  Shamokin,  the  coal  my  be  divided  into  two  grades 
of  freeburning  and  Shamokin  white  ash,  the  latter  being  a  little  softer  but 
specially  adapted  for  domestic  uses.  Passing  farther  westward  we  reach  the 
Trevorton  district,  where  we  will  find  the  coal  very  pure  but  so  soft  as  to  be 
termed  semi-anthracite.     This  is  called  the  North  Franklin  coal. 

The  present  production  of  the  three  districts  will  be  given  by  dividing  the 
total  tonnage  of  ISSU. 

Tons. 

Mt.  Carmel  district 9  collieries,        1,0!)0,701. 

Shamokin  district IS  collieries,        l,r)41,;i.'54. 

Trevorton  district 1  colliery,  G2,40G. 

Total 2S  collieries,       2,r,04,.Vjl. 

The  exhaustion  of  our  coal  sui:>ply  has  become  a  very  important  question 
and  received  much  consideration  of  late  years.  With  the  present  enormous 
output  of  over  thirty-five  million  tons  per  year,  the  question  naturally  arises, 
how  long  can  such  shipments  be  kept  up  ?  Eminent  engineers  and  geologists 
who  have  given  this  subject  their  careful  attention  have  presented  estimates 
which  varj-  from  one  hundred  fifty  to  two  hundred  years.  It  is  asserted 
by  them,  that  by  improved  plans  of  mining  and  better  methods  of  prepara- 
tion, the  coal  wastage  may  be  greatly  reduced  and  the  time-  extended  Pro- 
fessor Sheafer,  a  most  excellent  authority,  declares  that  only  one  third  of  the 
coal  in  the  ground  gets  to  market,  the  other  two  parts  being  lost  in  various 


THE    SHAMOKIN    COAL    FIELD.  357 

■ways.  Superintendent  Holden  Chester  and  other  experienced  coal  men  of 
our  region  think  that  at  least  forty  jtcr  cent,  may  be  named  as  the  output 
from  the  Shamokin  coal  held.  Professor  Sheafer  further  states  that  in  the 
smaller  veins  of  eight  and  ten  feet,  one  half  of  the  coal  is  mined,  while  in  the 
verj-  large  seams  not  more  than  one  quarter  is  taken  out.  The  following  is 
his  estimate  of  the  coal  supply  in  the  anthracite  region: — 

Tons. 

Original  amount  of  antliracite 2."), 000,000.000. 

Extracted  up  to  1SS3 I,.o00,000,000. 

Leaving  untouched 23,-iO0,000.OO0. 

Deduct  two  thirds  for  wastage lo,.300,000,000. 

Leaving  for  future  use 8,000,000,000. 

"With  annual  shipments  of  forty  million  tons  this  supply  will  last  two 
hundred  years. 

But  the  c[uestion  that  more  immediately  concerns  the  people  of  our  lo- 
cality is,  how  long  will  our  sitpply  last?  Is  it  likely  to  be  eshau.sted  in  a 
few  years  ?  Our  anni^al  shipments  now  exceed  two  and  one  half  million 
tons  with  a  fair  prospect  that  our  maximum  tonnage  may  reach  four  millions. 
The  writer  believes  that  an  apjiroximate  answer  may  be  given  by  basing 
estimates  on  results  reported  by  Eckley  B.  Coxe.  one  of  the  largest  and  most 
intelligent  coal  operators  in  the  State.  He  says  that  "  upon  excavation  of  a 
little  less  than  two  hundred  acres,  with  the  vein  not  over  ten  feet  thick  on 
the  average,  the  shipments  are  over  two  million  tons."  At  this  operation  he 
.states  that  the  vein  is  not  all  worked  out,  some  breasts  imfinished.  and  some 
parts  unopened,  and  much  coal  to  be  robbed.  Now  there  are  about  fifty 
square  miles  of  coal  lands  in  Northumberland  county.  Taking  one  half  of 
this  sum  for  fully  productive  territory  and  we  will  have  sixteen  thousand 
acres.  Upon  the  basis  of  Mr.  Coxe,  that  one  acre  -ft-ith  a  vein  of  ten  feet 
will  yield  ten  thousand  tons,  sixteen  thousand  acres  will  furnish  one  hun- 
dred sixty  million  tons,  and,  with  an  average  thickness  of  forty  feet  of  coal, 
will  prodiice  four  times  that  quantity  or  the  enormous  tonnage  of  six  hun- 
dred forty  million  tons,  the  original  amount  stored  away.  Deducting  from 
this  forty-six  and  one  half  million  tons,  the  amoimt  that  has  been  taken  out, 
and  there  will  remain  for  future  use  and  shipment  five  hundred  ninety-three 
million  five  hundred  thousand  tons.  Shipping  at  the  rate  of  four  million 
tons  a  year  we  have  a  sufficient  supply  of  coal  to  last  us  for  one  hundred 
forty-eight  years. 

Is  there  a  more  wealthy  section  in  the  United  States  than  oiu^  anthracite 
coal  fields? 


358  HISTORY    OF   XORTHCilBERLAND    COUNTY. 


CHAPTER   XI. 


DEVELOPMENT  OF  THE  SHAMOKIX  COAL  FIELD. 

Discovery  of  Anthracite  in  This  Region— First  Application  to  General  Uses — 
First  Shamokin  Coal  Taken  to  Market— Opening  of  the  First  Mines  at 
Shamokin,  Coal  Rcn,  and  Tretortox— First  Coal  Shipments  Down  the  Sus- 
quehanna— Speculation  in  Coal  Lands— The  Danville  and  Pottsville  Rail- 
RO.AD — Pioneer  Coal  Operations — The  Disastrous  Year  of  1842— Revival  of 
1850— Judge  Helfenstein's  Developments— Original  Coal  Breakers — Mar- 
shall's Letter— New  Collieries  .\nd  Outlets — Coal  Shipments  to  Elmira 
IN  1855 — Other  Collieries  St.uited  and  Breakers  Erected  —  Tonnage  of 
This  Region  for  the  Years  1S57  and  1889 — Total  Production  for  the  Past 
Fifty-one  Years. 

by  dr.  j.  j.  john. 

THE  present  article  will  be  devoted  to  the  rise  and  progress  of  the  an- 
thracite coal  trade  in  Northumberland  county.  It  will  begin  with  its 
humble  origin,  near  a  century  ago,  when  stone  coal  was  rejected  as  a 
Avorthless  article  and  its  use  to  the  wants  and  necessities  of  life  was  laughed 
at,  and  follow  its  history  down  to  the  present  time,  when  its  great  value  is 
fully  understood  and  the  work  of  mining  and  shipping  it  has  created  two  of 
the  leading  industries  of  the  country. 

Anthracite  coal  was  kno^vn  to  exist  in  the  Shamokin  region  at  a  very 
early  date,  biit  none  of  its  uses  were  then  known.  Its  first  discovery  was 
made  at  Wyoming  in  1760,  and  fourteen  years  later,  or  1780,  anthracite  coal 
was  observed  by  Mr.  Cherry,  the  first  settler  of  these  parts.  He  picked  iip 
some  pieces  from  the  Shamokin  creek,  his  attention  having  been  attracted  by 
their  shining  black  ajipearance.  To  him  they  were  only  objects  of  curiosity 
and  were  put  aside  to  exhibit  when  parties  should  chance  to  call  on  him. 

In  1790  Nicho  Allen  is  said  to  have  discovered  coal  near  Pottsville  and 
tested  its  burning  qualities  at  the  time  he  found  it,  and  in  1791  Philip  Gin- 
ter,  the  hunter,  made  his  "famous  find"'  at  Mauch  Chunk,  the  one  himdredth 
anniversary  of  which  is  now  proposed  to  be  celebrated  at  Summit  Hill  in 
September,  1891,  with  a  view  of  erecting  a  monument  to  his  memory.  At 
about  the  same  time  coal  was  discovered  at  Shamokin  and  applied  to  use. 
Isaac  Tomlinson  was  the  discoverer.  He  was  a  former  resident  of  Maiden 
Creek,  Berks  coimty,  and  had  but  lately  moved  on  his  tract  of  land,  lying 
between  Shamokin  andMt.  Cannel.  and  long  afterwards  known  as  the  "half- 
way house."     One  day  in  1790  as  he  was  crossing  over  his  farm  his  atten- 


DEVELOPMENT    OF    THE    SHAMOKIN    COAL    FIELD.  359 

tion  was  called  to  some  black  stones  lying  in  the  bed  of  Quaker  run,  a  stream 
that  ran  through  his  place  and  was  so  called  because  he  was  a  member  of 
the  Society  of  Friends.  He  picked  up  some  of  them,  and,  feeling  confident 
that  they  were  coal,  he  took  them  down  to  a  blacksmith  at  his  former  home 
and  had  them  tried  in  his  lire.  To  his  great  delight  he  found  that  they  made 
a  splendid  fire. 

Thus  we  see  that  the  three  discoverers  of  anthracite  coal  in  the  Southern 
and  Middle  coal  fields  were  Allen,  Ginter,  and  Tomlinson,  and,  what  is 
remarkable,  all  these  discoveries  were  made  about  the  same  time.  Little  did 
these  three  men  think  then,  just  one  hundred  years  ago,  how  valuable  this 
stone  coal  would  become  at  a  later  period.  And  what  would  Mr.  Tomlinson 
have  said,  if  he  had  been  told  on  that  occasion  as  he  was  carrying  these  black 
stones  from  Quaker  run  across  his  wild  domain,  that  a  century  later  this 
new  farm  of  his  would  be  held  by  a  great  corporation  and  valued  more  highly 
per  acre,  several  times  over,  than  the  most  fertile  and  best  improved  properties 
of  Berks  or  Lancaster  county  ?  He  would,  doubtless,  have  regarded  the  in 
formant  as  insane. 

The  coal  of  the  Shamokin  region  was  more  readily  introduced  to  various 
uses  than  that  of  other  regions.  It  was  softer,  more  easily  ignited,  and  more 
closely  allied  to  the  bituminous  varieties,  about  which  the  peojile  had  some 
little  knowledge. 

The  first  practical  use  of  Shamokin  coal  in  our  county  was  made  in  IS  10 
by  the  same  Mr.  Tomlinson,  the  discoverer.  His  farm  was  on  the  famous 
old  Reading  road,  the  highway  between  Reading  and  Sunburj-.  Mr.  Tom- 
linson was  a  practical  smith  and  could  work  in  the  shop  as  well  as  on  the 
farm.  For  the  accommodation  of  himself  and  his  few  neighbors  he  put 
up  a  shop  on  his  faiiu.  On  one  occasion  this  year,  being  out  of  the  coal 
commonly  used  at  that  time,  he  resorted  to  his  Quaker  run  mine  again, 
obtained  a  small  supply,  tried  it  over  again,  and  was  so  successful  that  there- 
after he  continued  its  use. 

About  this  period  Jesse  Fell,  of  Wilkesbarre,  made  the  important  discovery 
that  stone  coal  could  be  used  in  houses  as  a  fuel,  by  burning  it  in  rudely 
constructed  grates.  These  grates  were  improved  from  time  to  time,  and 
soon  aftenvard  stoves  were  invented  that  would  burn  anthracite  -coal.  The«e 
improvements  greatly  increased  the  demand  for  the  new  fuel. 

During  the  war  of  1812  iron  manufacturers  who  had  theretofore  used 
soft  coal  from  Virginia  were  unable  to  procure  their  supplies  from  this 
source,  and  were  at  a  loss  what  to  use  as  a  substitute.  After  great  persua- 
sion and  repeated  experiments,  they  found  that  the  much  abused  anthracite 
would  answer  their  purpose  if  properly  treated.  The  common  instruction 
to  those  who  proposed  to  use  it  was,  "put  on  the  coal,  shut  the  door,  and  let 
it  alone."  At  this  time  the  use  of  coal  was  fairly  commenced  in  some  parts 
of  oi;r  county  where  it  could  be  readily  procured. 


360  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

In  1814  the  first  Shamokin  coal  was  taken  to  market.  Mr.  John  Thomp- 
son, during  his  later  years  an  old  and  respected  citizen  of  our  town  and  now 
deceased,  was  the  first  coal  operator.  When  a  boy  of  fifteen  years  of  age  he 
lived  on  his  father's  place  a  few  miles  east  of  Shamokin.  At  that  time  he 
mined  a  two-horse  load  of  coal  from  the  bed  of  Quaker  run,  hauled  it  to 
Sunburj',  and  sold  it  to  a  shoemaker  for  five  dollars. 

About  1825  Shamokin  coal  seems  to  have  come  into  some  demand  by  the 
neighboring  blacksmiths  and  farmers,  and  mines  at  Furnace  run,  Coal  run, 
and  Shamokin  creek  were  opened  from  time  to  time  for  their  accommodation. 
The  first  coal  mined  in  the  Shamokin  region  was  from  the  bed  of  streams 
where  the  veins  had  been  exposed  by  the  action  of  the  water.  In  Schuylkill 
county,  where  mining  had  commenced  some  years  earlier,  a  very  primitive 
method  was  adoj^ted.  A  small  shaft  would  be  sunk  on  a  croji  of  the  vein,  on 
or  near  the  top  of  a  hill,  and  by  the  means  of  a  windlass  and  bucket  the  coal 
would  be  hoisted  out.  When  the  shaft  would  reach  the  dejjth  of  twenty-five 
or  thirty  feet  it  would  be  abandoned  and  a  new  one  would  be  started.  The 
coal  thus  mined  would  be  sold  on  the  bank  at  twenty-five  cents  per  bushel. 
Coal  mining  was  then  a  new  thing  and  very  simple  in  its  operation.  The 
miners  were  princijially  Scotch  and  W^elsh.  In  the  course  of  a  few  years 
horse-power  was  attached  to  the  gin,  which  was  then  regarded  as  a  wonder- 
ful improvement.  But  this  method  was  far  from  satisfactory,  as  water 
would  gather  in  the  small  shaft  and  drown  the  miners  out.  Biit  the  ingenuity 
of  man  finally  overcame  this  drawback  by  a  new  device.  A  drift  was  driven 
on  the  vein  at  the  bottom  of  the  hill  and  the  coal  above  was  mined,  and  as  it 
was  loosened,  it  slid  down  into  the  wheelbarrow,  which  when  full  was  wheeled 
out  to  the  bank  at  the  drift  mouth.  These  drifts  drained  themselves.  In 
the  course  of  time  some  of  these  drifts  were  enlarged  and  more  substantially 
constructed;  they  were  then  called  gangways.  The  next  improvement  made 
about  this  time  was  the  construction  of  railroads  in  gangways  upon  which 
were  put  small  cars,  holding  about  three  bushels  of  coal,  which  were  piished 
out  by  hand.  As  these  gangways  were  further  enlarged  the  cars  were  built 
of  greater  dimensions,  and  finally  mules  were  introduced  to  draw  them  in 
and  out.  At  a  later  date  slopes  and  shafts  were  siank  to  reach  the  deeper 
veins,  and  powerful  steam  engines  and  pumps  had  to  be  provided  to  carry  on 
these  large  mining  operations.  But  the  early  methods  of  the  Shamokin  coal 
field  differed  somewhat  from  these.  The  first  plan  of  mining  was  to  take  the 
coal  out  of  the  beds  of  the  streams  where  it  was  exposed.  When  this  supply 
was  exhausted,  the  next  move  was  to  uncover  the  coal  on  the  banks  and  hill- 
sides and  quarry  it  the  same  as  stone. 

The  first  mining  of  any  account  in  our  county  was  probably  done  on  vein 
No.  11  in  Shamokin  creek,  opposite  Yost's  planing  mill.  This  was  on  the 
Primrose,  a  famous  red  ash  coal,  long  known  as  John  Boyd's  stone  coal 
quarry.     The  first  regular  shipment  of  coal  from  the  Shamokin  region  was 


^<e--- 


1 -!,7  %V.- 5- J^SJ- •! -^-" '-^ 


///>     ^/^/^^^^^ 


DEYELOPJIEXT    OF    THE    SHAMOKIN    COAL    FIELD.  363 

made  from  this  place  in  lS2tj.  The  late  Joseph  Bird,  one  of  the  first  settlers 
of  Shamokin  and  afterward  a  large  coal  operator,  reported  to  the  writer  the 
following  accoi.mt  of  this  transaction: — 

In  1826,  John  C.  Boyd  and  ni}-  father,  Ziba  Bird,  built  a  dam  in  Shamokin  creek 
north  of  Webster  street  and  opened  a  coal  mine.  The  coal  was  mined  ont  of  the  bot- 
tom of  the  creek.  The  vein  had  been  discovered  some  j-ears  before,  being  exposed  by 
the  action  of  the  water.  !My  father  was  the  miner  and  John  Rnnkle  wheeled  the  coal 
to  the  bank  on  a  plank,  assisted  by  myself,  who  was  then  a  small  boy.  Casper  Reed 
and  Samuel  Startzel  were  hired  to  haul  this  coal  from  Shamokin  to  Boyd's  place,  two 
miles  above  Danville.  They  were  several  nmuths  at  the  job.  The  coal  was  tlieu  put 
in  arks  and  floated  down  tlie  rivrr  to  Columbia.  This  was  the  first  Shamokin  coal  that 
was  mined  and  sent  to  market. 

A  small  drift  was  next  opened  here  of  which  more  will  be  said  further 
on.  Abont  1S28,  Daniel  Derk,  from  Mahanoy.  moved  in  the  old  log  house 
known  as  Irich's  and  opened  a  small  mine  on  Coal  run  where  it  was  crossed 
by  the  public  road.  While  working  here  he  had  his  leg  broken  by  a  fall  of 
rock.     He  was  the  fir.st  miner  hurt  in  Northumberland  county. 

At  near  the  same  time.  Mr.  "Weiss,  a  sou  of  Colonel  Jacob  Weiss,  who 
opened  the  Mauch  Chunk  mines,  came  to  our  coimty  in  the  interests  of  some 
land  holders  and  opened  a  mine  at  Zerbe  gap,  now  Trevorton.  He  followed 
the  plan  of  his  father  in  uncovering  the  coal  and  quarrying  it  like  stone.  A 
writer  who  visited  these  openings  in  lS2lt  and  communicated  his  observations 
to  tlie  Statrs  Adcocati'  says: — 

But  the  most  extensive  vein  of  coal  yet  di^overed  is  on  Zerbe  run,  a  branch  of  the 
I.ittle  Mahanoy.  The  land  is  here  considerably  elevated  and  the  ravine  formed  b_y  the 
stream  passing  through  it  is  convenient,  the  banks  rising  abrupth',  exposing  to  view 
a  coal  formation  which  in  abundance  or  quality  is  not  surpassed,  if  equaled  in  the 
State.  There  are  six  or  eight  miners  here  at  work.  The  coal  is  something  like  fifty 
feet  deep.  Visitors  are  received  at  the  shanty  with  a  hearty  welcome  by  the  enterpris- 
ing manager,  Mr.  Weiss,  to  whom  much  credit  is  due.  He  is  the  son  of  Mr.  Weiss, 
who  made  the  discovery  of  coal  at  blanch  Chunk.  The  speculator  in  coal  land  has 
already  arrived,  and  I  doubt  not  but  in  a  few  years  this  hitherto  neglected  section  of 
our  country  will  show  us  a  Pottsville  or  :\[auch  Chimk. 

A  correspondent  of  the  Susquehanna  Emporium  under  date  of  August, 
182U,  writes  as  follows  concerning  Shamokin  and  Mahanoy  coal: — 

I  lately  visited  the  coal  mines  on  these  streams,  and  was  really  astonished  that  in 
the  present  coal  excitement  and  rage  for  speculation  in  coal  lands,  these  valuable  beds 
should  be  so  little  attended  to.  The  quality  of  the  coal  is  verj'  superior,  and  it  is  my 
opinion,  very  easy  of  excavation.  The  coal  lies  near  the  surface,  and,  instead  of  mining 
by  propping,  etc.,  as  is  done  at  Pottsville.  the  earth  here  could  be  thrown  off  and  the 
coiil  exposed  at  a  trifling  cost.  The  greatest  body  of  this  coal,  I  am  told,  is  confined  to 
what  is  called  Bear  valley,  extending  from  the  head  waters  of  Shamokin  to  the  forks 
of  Mahanoy  creek,  a  distance  of  about  nine  miles  and  in  width  from  three  to  five  miles. 
It  is  also  found  in  considerable  quantities  higher  up  these  streams  to  the  base  of  the 
Broad  mountain  in  a  direction  towards  Pottsville  and  Mauch  Chunk.  Several  of  these 
mines  have  been  partiallj-  opened,  and  the  coal  hauled  in  wagons  to  Sunbury  to  sup- 
ply the  neighboring  blacksmiths.     It  is  preferred  by  them  who  have  used  it,  either  to 


364  HISTORY    OF    NOKTHCMBERLAXD    COUNTY. 

the  Wilkesbarre  or  Schuylkill  cnal,  though  to  me  it  appears  to  partake  more  of  the 
quality  of  the  Schuylkill  thau  the  AVilkesbarre  coal.  It  is  light  and  inflammable 
and  what  is  very  singular,  there  appears  to  run  through  it  streaks  or  lines  resembliug 
the  growth  of  wood. 

This  coal  might  be  brought  to  market  either  by  the  Shamokin  or  Mahauoy  creek 
to  the  Susquehanna.  The  distance  by  Shamokin  creek  would  be  about  sixteen  miles, 
and  by  the  !Mahanoy  about  ten  miles.  These  streams  could  be  canalled,  or  railways 
might  be  constructed  from  the  mines  by  the  route  of  these  creeks  to  the  river.  Balti- 
more and  the  Susquehanna  countrj-  below  the  confluence  of  the  two  branches  would 
afford  an  abundant  market  for  this  mineral. 

The  period  from  1824  to  1829  in  Schuylkill  county  was  noted  for  the 
great  speculation  in  coal  lands.  Coal  tracts  changed  hands  quite  rapidly, 
and  prices  advanced  enormously.  Pottsville  became  the  great  Mecca  for 
speculators  and  every  one  expected  to  grow  rich  in  a  very  short  time.  The 
excitement  gradually  extended  to  the  Middle  coal  field,  but  never  reached  so 
high  a  pitch  as  at  Pottsville.  Large  tracts  of  land,  heavily  timbered  and 
aboimding  with  the  best  grades  of  coal,  heretofore  regarded  as  of  little  or 
no  value,  passed  into  the  hands  of  certain  parties  who  knew  their  worth  and 
foresaw  the  great  futitre  of  the  coal  trade. 

Stephen  Girard  made  large  purcliases  in  the  Mahanoy  region  and  Burd 
Patterson,  of  Pottsville,  one  of  the  greatest  men  of  his  day,  bought  up  large 
tracts  in  the  Shamokin  coal  field  extending  from  Mt.  Carmel  to  Trevorton. 
On  these  tracts  he  employed  a  nitmber  of  men  to  prove  and  open  coal  veins. 
Other  parties  from  Sunbury  and  Danville  became  interested  in  the  enterprise 
and  bought  up  some  of  the  most  valuable  tracts. 

"What  further  stimulated  this  movement  was  the  prospect  of  a  great  rail- 
road being  opened  through  the  Middle  coal  field  to  connect  the  Delaware  and 
Susquehanna  at  Sunbury  and  thus  divert  the  trade  from  Baltimore  to  Phila- 
delphia. This  movement  was  headed  by  such  able  men  as  Stephen  Girard, 
of  Philadelphia,  Burd  Patterson,  of  Pottsville,  Daniel  Montgomery,  of  Dan- 
ville, and  Samuel  J.  Packer,  of  Sunbury.  The  road  was  chartered  in  1820 
imder  the  title  of  the  Danville  and  Pottsville  railroad,  and  afterwards 
amended  with  many  supplements.  This  was  the  greatest  and  most  formid- 
able enter^^rise  that  had  to  that  time  been  undertaken  in  our  county,  and 
with  all  the  energy  and  ability  that  supported  it,  it  required  some  seven 
years  before  the  road  was  commenced.  Some  of  the  parties  in  the  Shamokin 
region,  thinking  this  enterprise  was  too  great  to  be  carried  out,  secured  a 
charter  for  the  Shamokin  Canal  Company  with  powers  to  construct  a  canal, 
build  a  railroad,  or  deepen  the  channel  of  the  Shamokin  creek.  This  work 
was  never  commenced. 

During  the  year  1832,  through  the  strenuoiis  efforts  of  Stephen  Girard, 
who  had  ordered  all  the  iron  from  England,  the  eastern  end  of  the  railroad 
was  commenced  and  twelve  miles  of  it,  extending  to  Girardville.  with  numer- 
ous inclined  planes,  were  completed  in  1883  at  a  cost  of  one  hundred  ninety 


DEVELOPMENT    OF    THE    SHAJIOKIN    COAL    FIELD.  365 

thousand  dollars.  Coal  shipments  were  made  over  this  portion  of  the  road 
for  two  or  three  years,  but  it  was  abandoned  on  account  of  the  planes  failing 
to  do  their  work.  In  1834  twenty  miles  of  the  Danville  and  Pottsville  rail- 
road between  Sunbury  and  John  Boyd's  coal  mine  (Shamokin)  were  placed 
under  contract  for  grading,  which  was  all  completed  the  next  year.  The 
track  between  Sunbury  and  Paxinos  was  all  laid  and  completed  in  1S35,  and 
the  opening  ceremonies  in  honor  of  this  great  event  were  held  at  Paxinos 
on  November  2r)th  of  this  year.  The  principal  feature  of  this  meeting  was 
the  able  address  of  Hugh  Bellas,  who  gave  a  full  history  of  this  great 
undertaking,  and  predicted  the  wonderful  futiire  that  awaited  our  coal  trade. 

Mr.  Monci^re  Robinson,  the  famous  engineer,  in  his  rej^ort  to  the  board 
of  directors  at  this  time,  suggested  "that  it  seems  almost  unnecessary  to  lay 
down  the  superstructure  between  the  crossing  of  the  Centre  turnpike  (Pax- 
inos) and  the  coal  mines  (Shamokin)  until  accommodations  shall  be  obtained 
for  the  coal  trade  at  Sunbury."  As  there  was  no  commimication  with  the 
Pennsylvania  canal  at  SunbvTry  by  means  of  basins  or  guard  locks,  no  ship- 
ments of  coal  could  be  made.  The  board  acted  on  this  suggestion  and  post- 
poned laying  the  track  between  Paxinos  and  Shamokin  for  the  present. 

The  town  of  Shamokin  was  laid  out  this  year  (1835)  by  John  C.  Boyd 
and  three  houses  were  erected.  Coal  drifts  continued  to  be  ojiened  at  sev- 
eral places  and  the  veins  were  proved.  About  this  time  John  and  Thomas 
English  opened  a  drift  near  the  turnpike  at  Mt.  Carmel  for  the  use  of  farm- 
ers. In  1830  coal  was  mined  at  several  drifts  at  Shamokin  in  small  quan- 
tities, hauled  in  wagons  to  Paxinos,  dumped  in  coal  cars,  and  taken  to  Sun- 
bury by  horse-power  for  local  use.  This  trade  was  continued  in  this  manner 
until  the  road  was  completed  to  Shamokin  and  locomotives  placed  on  the 
track.  During  1838,  the  track  having  been  laid  some  months  before  to  Sha- 
mokin. two  small  locomotives,  built  by  Eastwick  &  Harrison,  were  placed  on 
the  road  with  some  small  cars  brought  from  Girardville  that  held  from  two 
and  a  half  to  three  tons  each.  Xo  regular  shipments  took  place  this  year, 
but  great  preparations  were  made  for  the  coming  season.  Sidings  and  later- 
als were  put  down  and  the  mines  were  put  in  order  to  do  a  large  business 
for  that  time. 

The  year  1839  begins  the  Shamokin  coal  trade.  The  tonnage  for  this  sea- 
son was  eleven  thousand  nine  himdred  thirty  tons,  which  was  mined  from 
some  four  different  operations,  which,  being  pioneer  mines,  we  will  briefly 
describe.  About  1835  George  Heckert,  an  attorney  from  Lancaster,  in  com- 
pany with  another  lawyer  of  that  place,  visited  the  coal  regions  with  a  view 
of  making  an  investment.  They  commenced  their  investigations  at  Trevor- 
ton  and  examined  the  mines  there,  then  under  the  charge  of  James  Renney, 
who  had  succeeded  Mr.  "NVeiss.  From  Trevorton  they  came  to  Shamokin 
and  spent  several  days  in  this  vicinity  looking  at  the  coal  lands,  when  they 
proceeded  on  to  Mt.  Carmel  and  finally  to  Pottsville.     At  the  latter  place 


366  HISTORY    OF   NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

they  met  Burd  Patterson,  the  Nestor  of  the  coal  business,  who  urged  them 
to  invest  in  Schiiylkill  county.  But  their  observations  at  Shamokin  led  them 
to  prefer  our  region  and  they  purchased  the  celebrated  Buck  Eidge  tract, 
containing  eight  hundred  forty-eight  acres — one  of  the  best  coal  tracts  in 
the  entire  coal  field.  A  company  was  soon  afterwards  formed,  consisting  of 
Heckert,  Lane,  and  Park,  called  the  '"Lancaster  Company."  They  proceeded 
in  1836  to  improve  their  lands.  In  1837  they  employed  Jacob  Mowry  of 
our  town  to  open  a  drift,  near  where  the  Big  Mountain  breaker  afterwards 
stood.  They  erected  several  tenement  houses,  and  at  considerable  expense 
built  a  lateral  railroad  of  over  a  c^uarter  of  a  mile,  connecting  their  mines 
with  the  Danville  and  Pottsville  railroad.  They  leased  their  works  to  Cowan, 
Brannigan  &  Comj^any,  who  were  one  of  the  first  shippers  of  coal.  A  few 
years  afterwards  these  mines  were  worked  by  Samuel  John  &  Company. 

Messrs.  Dewart  &^Donnel  were  the  owners  of  valuable  coal  lands  on 
the  east  side  of  the  water  gap.  They  opened  up  several  drifts  in  the  gap 
on  the  line  of  the  railroad  and  leased  them  to  Yoxtheimer  &  Snyder  of  Sun- 
bury,  who  carried  on  these  mines  for  a  year  or  so  until  they  failed.  These 
mines  were  destined  in  after  years  to  become  one  of  the  most  famous 
collieries  in  the  State,  known  as  the  Cameron  colliery.  They  have  been 
worked  continuously  for  over  fifty  years  and  j^romise  to  be  a  productive  coll- 
iery for  fifty  years  to  come. 

On  the  west  side  of  the  gap,  the  lands  were  held  by  J.  H.  Purdy  &  Com- 
pany, who  opened  up  their  coal  works  at  about  the  same  time  and  carried  on 
mining  in  their  own  name.  They  were  among  the  heaviest  shippers  in  these 
early  times  and  produced  a  very  fine  coal  for  the  market.  Their  mines  eventu- 
ally were  imited  to  those  of  the  east  side  to  form  part  of  the  Cameron 
colliery.  Purdy  &  Company  were  the  first  party  to  advertise  their  coal. 
Their  advertisement  appears  in  the  Simbury  American  under  date  of  Sep- 
tember, 1840,  and  reads  as  follows: — 

SH.\M0KIX    C0.\L. 

Shamokin  coal  of  a  verj-  superior  quality  can  be  had  at  any  time,  by  application 
through  the  subscribers,  in  lots  to  suit  purchaser.  They  h.ave  large  egg  and  broken 
and  fine  coal  fit  for  burning  lime.  J.  H.  Puhdy  &  Comp.^ny. 

The  fourth  operation  was  that  of  John  C.  Boyd,  who  had  a  drift  driven 
on  the  Primrose  vein  at  his  stone  coal  quarry,  and  built  a  lateral  road  to 
connect  with  the  main  line.  These  mines  were  known  as  the  "Sauer  Kraut 
Works,"  and  were  first  operated  by  William  Fagely  and  afterward  by  Will- 
iam Thomas  and  others.  Their  shipments  were  light,  as  the  vein  was  sup- 
posed to  run  into  a  fault.  These  were  the  four  pioneer  operations  that 
mined  and  shipped  coal  in  1839. 

In  1840  the  fifth  mine  was  added  to  the  list  in  the  Shamokin  Coal  Com- 
pany.    This  corporation  composed  of  Philadelphia  capitalists  with  John  C. 


DEVELOPMENT    OF    THE    SHAilOKIX    COAL    FIELD.  367 

Boyd,  was  chartered  in  1S'2C>,  and  in  1840  commenced  mining  coal.  They 
owned  a  large  number  of  tracts  of  valuable  coal  land  and  opened  up  several 
drifts  opposite  the  furnace.  During  the  years  of  1S40  and  1841  they  shipped 
over  three  thousand  tons  from  these  mines,  which  ended  their  shipments. 
Most  of  the  coal  mined  here  afterward  was  consumed  by  their  furnace. 
The  shipments  of  coal  during  1840  were  only  tifteen  thousand  live  hundred 
five  tons.  The  tonnage  would  have  been  much  larger,  had  the  canal  con- 
tinued in  good  order  and  been  properly  supphed  with  boats.  But  continued 
breaks  of  the  canal  banks  during  the  shipping  season  disarranged  the  plans 
of  the  operators  and  curtailed  their  business  to  a  few  months'  work.  An 
order  for  ten  thousand  tons  to  Danville,  to  be  delivered  by  boats  from  Sun- 
bury,  had  to  be  cancelled  on  account  of  a  break  in  the  North  Branch  canal. 

In  1841,  Fagely,  Cleaver  &  Company  commenced  coal  biisiness  at  the 
gap,  taking  charge  of  the  mines  on  the  east  side.  They  opened  the  Tape 
vein  or  Skidmore,  and  worked  it  to  great  advantage.  They  soon  became  the 
principal  shippers  from  this  section.  This  firm  was  composed  of  William 
and  Reuben  Fagely,  Kimber  Cleaver,  and  William  H.  Kase,  of  Rush  town- 
ship. Mr.  Kase  did  not  remain  in  the  firm  long  and  in  1844  Kimber  Cleaver 
withdrew  to  resume  the  duties  of  his  profession.  William  and  Reuben 
Fagely  remained  in  the  firm  and  for  a  number  of  years  were  the  only  coal 
operators  in  the  entire  Shamokin  coal  field. 

The  year  1842  was  a  disastrous  one  for  Shamokin,  and  its  evil  effects 
were  felt  for  a  long  time  afterward,  and  checked  the  growing  progress  of  all 
the  mining  enterprises  of  the  region.  The  anthracite  furnace,  the  fourtli  or 
fifth  one  erected  in  the  State,  and  in  operation  for  a  little  over  a  year,  burnt 
down,  and  the  Shamokin  Coal  and  Iron  Company,  the  largest  mining  con- 
cern in  the  place,  suspended.  The  Danville  and  Pottsville  Railroad  Company 
failed  and  appointed  Samuel  R.  Wood,  the  manager,  as  sequestrator,  a  posi- 
tion he  held  for  several  years.  The  two  locomotives  were  removed,  and 
horse-power  was  substituted  to  move  the  cars.  The  track  was  in  a  wretched 
condition,  and  required  constant  repairs  to  keep  it  passable.  The  Fagelys 
then  took  charge  of  the  road,  kept  gangs  of  men  on  the  repairs,  and  were 
about  the  only  shippers  of  coal  from  1842  to  1852,  except  Samuel  John  & 
Company,  who  shipped  some  coal  from  Buck  Ridge,  and  John  Rosser,  who 
opened  coal  works  at  Luke  Fidler  in  1850  and  shipped  some  coal. 

During  this  interim  of  ten  years  a  nimiber  of  the  people  of  Shamokin 
moved  to  other'  parts  and  many  of  the  houses  were  tenantless.  Property 
depreciated  in  value  and  could  be  purchased  for  little  or  nothing.  But  those 
who  remained  had  the  heroism  of  Spartans  and  possessed  an  abiding  faith 
in  the  future  of  the  place.  They,  with  the  land  o^vners,  were  looking  for- 
ward for  a  better  outlet  for  our  dusky  diamoncb.  The  Danville  and  Pottsville 
railroad  was  a  practical  failure,  aifording  no  outlet  to  Philadelphia  and  the 
Atlantic  seaboard,  and  westward  a  very  uncertain  way  to  the  Susquehanna 


db»  HISTOKY    OF    NOETHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

and  its  incomplete  water  comnuTnications.  Danville  with  its  many  anthra- 
cite furnaces  was  a  great  consumer  of  coal,  and  Philadelphia  and  the  towns 
along  the  sea  coast  would,  it  was  supposed,  open  up  a  great  market  for 
Shamokin  coal.  A  new  and  better  outlet  was  needed  and  demanded.  Meet- 
ings were  held  for  this  pupose,  in  which  the  citizens  of  our  town,  prominently 
among  whom  may  be  named  William  Fagely,  Samuel  John,  and  S.  S.  Bird, 
and  parties  from  Simbury,  Danville,  and  Pottsville,  took  a  prominent 
part.  Kimber  Cleaver,  the  great  engineer  of  the  coal  regions,  was  the  lead- 
ing sjDirit  in  all  these  movements,  and  sacrificed  much  time  and  labor  to  put 
them  into  execution.  He  surveyed  a  route  for  a  railroad  from  Shamokin  to 
Pottsville,  without  inclined  planes,  and  made  full  estimates  of  its  costs. 
His  report  was  so  satisfactory  that  efforts  were  made  to  place  the  construc- 
tion under  contract,  but  the  stringency  of  the  times  prevented  the  measure 
being  carried  out.  His  route  was  afterward  largely  adopted  by  the  Reading 
railroad,  which  had  purchased  his  notes.  Mr.  Cleaver  also  surveyed  a  route 
for  a  railroad  to  Danville  which  met  with  general  approval,  but  failed  in 
being  carried  out  from  the  same  cause. 

About  1850  there  was  a  general  revival  in  the  Shamokin  coal  regions, 
and  coal  lands  and  improvements  that  had  long  lain  dormant  were  brought 
into  notice  again.  Judge  William  L.  Helfenstein.  one  of  the  most  remark- 
able and  energetic  men  of  the  times,  who  had  been  in  the  West  some  years, 
in  1S4U  returned  to  his  native  State.  In  looking  around  for  investments  in 
the  anthracite  coal  fields,  he  came  in  contact  with  John  C.  Boyd  and  Burd 
Patterson,  who  still  continued  interested  in  coal  lands  of  our  section.  They 
at  once  recognized  the  great  abilities  and  organizing  power  of  Mr.  Helfen- 
stein and  induced  him  to  come  here  and  assist  them  in.  developing  the  great 
mineral  wealth  of  our  coal  region.  His  earnest  and  untiring  effort  showed 
the  wisdom  of  their  choice.  He  went  into  the  work  with  a  will,  and  in  a 
few  years  performed  the  results  of  a  life  time.  With  a  comprehensive  mind 
and  wonderful  executive  ability — suave  and  winning  in  his  conversation  and 
manners — he  soon  interested  capitalists  of  New  York,  Philadelphia,  Lancaster, 
and  other  places  to  invest  their  money  in  this  coal  field.  He  formed  numer- 
ous coal  syndicates,  bought  up  a  large  portion  of  the  coal  lands  between 
Trevorton  and  Mt.  Carmel,  organized  improvement  companies,  laid  out  towns, 
and  had  various  railroads  chartered  and  put  into  process  of  construction. 
He  soon  came  into  possession  of  the  Danville  and  Pottsville  railroad,  changed 
the  name  to  the  Philadelphia  and  Sunbury  railroad,  rebuilt  it  with  an  iron 
track,  and  extended  the  line  to  Mt.  Carmel,  so  as  to  touch  on  most  of  the 
great  coal  tracts.  He  had  several  able  ofificials  to  assist  him  in  the  work. 
Burd  Patterson  sent  him  William  H.  Marshall,  then  of  Schuylkill  coimty,  to 
prove  coal  veins  and  open  up  mines,  and  the  valuable  services  of  Kimber 
Cleaver  were  secured  on  commencing  the  work,  who,  through  all  the  years  of 
development  and    improvement,  was  Mr.   Helfenstein's  chief  engineer    and 


DEVELOPMENT    OF    THE    SHAMOKIN    COAL    FIELD.  369 

trusted  adviser.  In  this  work  he  was  associated  with  Bertram  H.  Howell,  of 
Virginia,  a  gentleman  of  considerable  means,  who  continued  with  him  for 
several  years. 

The  work  of  development  formulated  in  1S49  soon  began  to  show  itself. 
An  office  and  headquarters  were  established  at  Shamokin,  and  on  the 
Oldening  of  1S50,  charter  after  charter  came  from  the  legislature,  organ- 
izing companies  for  the  ojiening  of  the  Shamokin  coal  field.  On  Febnu^ry 
-5th  an  act  was  approved  to  incorporate  the  Zerbe  Run  and  Shamokin 
Imj^rovement  Company  with  powers  to  open  coal  veins,  drive  drifts,  put  iip 
coal  breakers,  and  build  railroads  on  their  lands,  and  lease  such  improve- 
ments to  parties  to  operate.  On  the  same  day  another  act  was  approved,  to 
incorj^orate  the  ]\Ahanoy  and  Shamokin  Improvement  Company  with  similar 
powers.  Among  the  names  cited  as  trustees,  holding  certain  lands  under 
certain  deeds  of  trust  and  articles  of  association,  were  Kimber  Cleaver, 
Daniel  M.  Boyd,  David  Thompson,  William  L.  Helfenstein,  and  William  H. 
Marshall.  In  both  of  these  acts,  the  franchise  extended  to  certain  lands  in 
Northumberland  and  Schuylkill  counties.  These  two  comjwnies  were  to 
open  up  the  coal  lands  at  Trevorton.  But  an  outlet  to  the  market  had  to  be 
provided,  and  an  act  was  approved  soon  after  incorporating  the  Trevorton, 
Mahauoy  and  Susijuehanna  Railroad  Company,  with  power  to  construct  a 
railroad  between  Zerbe  run  and  the  mouth  of  Mahanoy  creek.  Among  the 
corporators  were  Felix  Lerch,  William  Dejipen,  Jacob  Raker,  D.  M.  Boyd, 
Alexander  Jordan,  Joseph  W.  Cake,  Robert  M.  Liidlow,  John  P.  Hobart, 
Henry  Donnel,  B.  H.  Howell,  Charles  W.  Hegins,  Simon  Cameron,  William 
L.  Helfenstein,  and  Kimber  Cleaver.  About  the  same  time  another  act  was 
passed  to  incorporate  the  Mahanoy  and  Wiconisco  Railroad  Company,  which 
was  to  connect  the  Trevorton,  Mahanoy  and  Susquehanna  railroad  at  Hern- 
don  with  the  Wiconisco  canal  feeder  and  thence  with  the  Pennsylvania 
canal. 

In  May.  1S5(>,  a  town  was  laid  out  at  Zerbe  gap,  and  named  Trevorton 
in  honor  of  Mr.  Trevor,  a  banker  of  Philadelphia,  who  had  invested  largely 
in  these  improvements.  The  jiroceeds  arising  from  the  sale  of  town  lots 
wore  to  be  used  in  the  construction  of  the  railroad  to  the  river.  On  May 
28tli  a  great  meeting  was  held  on  the  site  of  the  futiire  town,  presided  over 
by  Hugh  Bellas,  who  delivered  the  address;  Judge  Jordan  made  a  few 
remarks,  when  he  threw  off  his  coat  and  broke  the  first  ground  by  digging 
up  a  small  sapling.  In  the  hole  made,  he  placed  a  bottle  of  Susquehanna 
water,  a  lump  of  coal  from  the  mines,  and  a  lump  of  iron  ore  from  the  adja- 
cent mountain.  Judge  Helfenstein  then  published  the  bans  of  marriage  as 
follows:  "I  publish  the  bans  between  Zerbe  gaji  and  the  Susquehanna  river; 
if  any  know  ju,st  cause  or  impediment  why  the  two  should  not  be  joined  to- 
gether by  railroad  on  the  1st  of  November  next,  let  him  declare  it  now  or 
ever  hereafter  hold  his  peace."     John  B.  Packer,  one  of  the  vice-presidents, 


370  HISTORY    OF    NOHTHUilBERLAND    COUNTY. 

then  read  letters  from  President  Taylor,  Yice-President  Fillmore.  Henry 
Clay,  W.  H.  Meredith,  Governor  Johnston,  and  others.  The  sale  of  lots  was 
then  held,  and  a  number  were  sold  on  favorable  terms.  No  other  town  in 
our  county  started  out  with  such  eclat,  but  its  history  has  never  since  justi- 
fied the  fond  hopes  of  its  founders. 

The  road  was  placed  under  contract  and  grading  commenced,  a  machine 
shop  and  foundry  were  started,  houses  were  erected,  and  coal  min?s  were 
opened.  The  work  of  development  was  not  confined  to  the  Zerbe  nm  gap, 
but  extended  all  along  the  coal  basin  to  Shamokin  and  Mt.  Carmel.  Charters 
were  procured  for  the  Green  Ridge,  Coal  Run,  Carbon  Run,  Bear  Valley, 
Big  Mountain,  and  other  improvement  companies. 

Professor  Rogers,  who  was  concluding  the  first  geological  survey,  was 
secui-ed  to  examine  and  report  on  different  coal  lands,  and  P.  W.  Sheafer 
was  frequently  employed  to  prepare  statements  of  coal  found  on  various 
tracts.  No  ojoportrmity  was  lost  to  bring  the  coal  lands  of  this  coimty  before 
the  attention  of  capitalists  of  the  country.  Articles  appeared  in  the  city 
papers  commenting  on  the  favorable  prospects  of  the  Trevorton  and  Shamo- 
kin regions.  But  the  public  were  to  be  further  enlightened.  No  Shamokin 
or  Trevorton  coal  had  yet  appeared  in  the  Philadelphia  or  New  York  markets, 
imtil  October  this  year.  Several  boat  loads  of  Trevorton  coal  were  hauled  in 
wagons  to  Sunbury,  ptit  into  boats,  and  shipped  to  New  York. 

At  the  close  of  the  year  1830  business  commenced  to  revive  and  many  of 
the  former  citizens  of  Shamokin  returned  again.  The  StuiVmry  Amfrican 
in  speaking  of  this  says,  "  The  Fagelys  are  very  btt.sy  in  coal  just  now.  haul- 
ing it  over  the  old  track.  The  town,  which  a  year  ago  contained  many 
houses  tenantless,  is  now  tilling  up  with  population." 

A  railroad  was  built  between  Shamokin  and  the  Luke  Fidler  tract,  called 
the  Coal  Run  railroad,  connecting  Rosser"s  mines  with  the  main  line. 

In  1851,  the  Danville  and  Pottsville  railroad,  which  had  been  sold  at 
sheriff's  sale,  passed  into  new  hands  and  soon  came  into  possession  of  Judge 
Helfenstein  and  his  associates,  and  was  called  the  Philadelphia  and  Suutiury 
railroad.  The  entire  road  between  Simbury  and  Shamokin  was  reconstnicted 
and  laid  with  an  iron  track,  which  was  completed  in  1853. 

Up  to  this  time  not  a  single  coal  breaker  had  been  erected  in  our  coal 
region,  nor  was  there  a  single  steam  engine  employed  to  furnish  power  to 
move  machinery.  At  all  the  coal  operations  up  to  this  date  the  coal  that  was 
prepared  was  broken  by  hand.  The  coal  used  in  Shamokin  in  1S58  was 
hauled  to  the  houses  in  the  same  condition  as  brought  out  of  the  mines,  and 
the  good  housewife  was  expected  to  break  it  in  sizes  to  suit  her  stove.  But 
as  the  market  abroad  became  more  choice  in  the  sizes  of  coal,  some  pains 
were  taken  to  prepare  it  to  suit  the  wants  of  the  purchaser.  A  platform 
would  be  put  W]}  at  the  bank,  and  on  metal  plates  or  bars  the  coal  would  be 
broken  by  hammers  in  the  hands  of  strong  men.      This  coal  would  be  passed 


DEVELOPMENT    OF    THE    SHAMOKIN    COAL   FIELD.  371 

over  bars  and  partially  screened.  Cylinder  screens  with  several  meshes, 
turned  by  hand,  were  next  introduced,  and  later  on  the  screens  were  moved 
by  horse-power.  But  in  1858  the  improvement  companies  of  our  regions 
built  commodious  coal  breakers,  putting  in  them  Battin  rolls,  that  were  first 
used  in  1844  in  Schuylkill  coimty  and  had  there  come  into  general  use. 
Large  breakers  were  built  at  Lancaster,  Big  Moimtain.  Luke  Fidler.  and 
Carbon  Rim  collieries  in  1853.  at  an  average  cost  of  thirty  thousand  dollars 
each,  provided  with  all  the  improved  methods  and  machinery  then  known  for 
the  preparation  of  coal.  These  breakers  were  also  pro^■ided  with  some  new 
inventions,  as  Martz's  patent  hoister,  and  Cleaver's  spiral  schutes,  and  were 
constructed  of  the  best  timber  and  filled  with  the  most  approved  machinery. 
Steam  engines  of  a  superior  build,  manufactured  at  Providence.  Rhode  Island, 
furnished  the  power. 

The  shipments  for  1853  only  amounted  to  fifteen  thousand  rive  hundred 
tons,  jirincipally  from  the  Gap  mines  and  Rosser's  operation.  This  was  a 
year  of  preparation,  with  great  promise  for  the  coming  one.  During  the 
early  part  of  the  summer  of  1N54  the  four  new  breakers  were  completed  and 
had  commenced  shipping  coal.  The  Lancaster  colliery  was  leased  to  Coch- 
ran. Peale  &  Company,  who  commenced  active  operations  in  1854.  This 
breaker,  then  the  highest  and  one  of  the  largest  in  the  State,  was  put  up  by 
J.  L.  &  W.  H.  Gilger,  breaker  builders.  The  breaker  was  one  hundred  thirty 
feet  high  and  contained  many  large  bins.  It  had  two  sets  of  rolls  and  three 
large  screens  driven  by  a  forty  horse-jiower  engine.  It  was  regarded  as  an 
object  of  general  interest,  and  all  visitors  to  Shamokin  made  it  a  point  to 
visit  this  mammoth  concern.  Governor  Pollock  and  a  nmnber  of  distin- 
gitished  persons  inspected  these  improvements  on  their  trip  to  Shamokin  in 
the  autumn  of  this  year.  The  colliery  firm  lost  no  opponimity  to  introduce 
their  coal.  It  was  successfully  used  at  the  Shamokin  furnace  for  smelting, 
and  at  the  county  agricultural  fair  held  at  Shamokin  this  year,  one  of  the 
exhibits  was  a  large  mass  of  Lancaster  colliery  coal. 

The  Carbon  Run  breaker  was  built  by  Captain  H.  Van  Gasken.  who  after- 
wards became  the  general  manager  of  that  company. 

The  Luke  Fidler  breaker  was  built  with  the  same  improvements,  and  was 
leased  to  Boyd,  Rosser  &  Company. 

The  Big  Mountain  breaker,  put  up  by  Arnold  &  McClow  under  the  man- 
agement of  Mr.  Marshall,  was  regarded  as  a  model  break^^r.  and  when  com- 
pleted was  leased  to  Sheaft  &  Black  of  Lancaster,  who  operated  for  a  year  or 
so.  when  the  colliery  was  leased  to  Bird,  Douty  &  John.  This  became  one 
of  the  most  productive  colli?ries  in  the  region,  especially  so  while  operated 
by  Patterson  &  Llewellyn.  The  following  letter  from  Manager  Marshall  to 
his  company  at  this  time  will  more  fully  illustrate  the  subject: — 

Shamokin,  February  12,  1S.)4. 

Deak  Siii:  Your  favors  of  the  Sth  ami  10th  are  received,  and  I  am  pleased  to 
hear  that  the  directors  and  stockholders  of  Big  Mountain  are  .'atistied  with  the  man- 


372  HISTORY    OF   KORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

agement  of  its  ailairs  ia  this  region;  by  this  time  next  year  I  tliinlc  they  will  be  much 
better  pleased.  I  do  not  think  the  estimate  to  finish  our  works  too  high.  They  are 
large  and  expensive,  certainly:  but  you  may  rely  upon  it,  that  my  big  figures  of  cost 
now  will  multiply  well  in  profits  hereafter;  and  I  shall  have  everything  done  as  eco- 
nomically as  possible,  still  keeping  an  eye  to  a  permanent  operation.  I  do  not  think  it 
economy  to  put  up  temporary  fixtures  for  a  work  that  must  go  for  a  period  beyond  the 
close  of  the  present  century.  Big  Jlountain  coal  will  be  wanted  far  beyond  that  length 
of  time,  and  there  is  enough  for  generations  to  come.  My  opinion  is,  that  we  have 
about  one  thousand  tons  of  coal  out  of  the  drift,  and  we  are  now  taking  out  about 
thirty  tons  per  day,  besides  what  is  coming  out  of  the  two  upper  gangways.  The  driv- 
ing of  the  gangways,  under  the  old  workings,  is  dead  work  to  the  company,  e.xcept  the 
coal  that  is  taken  out.  The  understanding  was,  that  the  company  were  to  drive  them 
in  as  far  as  the  old  ones,  then  the  lessee  to  drive  further  in;  as  soon  as  I  get  that  far,  I 
shall  give  them  up  to  the  tenants.  The  cost  of  taking  out  coal  at  present  is  about  as 
follows:  two  miners  at  seven  dollars  fiftj-  cents  per  week  is  fifteen  dollars;  four  labor- 
ers at  six  dollars  per  week,  twenty-four  dollars;  five  kegs  of  powder,  two  dollars  fifty 
cents  each,  twelve  dollars  fifty  cents:  three  gallons  oil,  one  dollar  per  gallon,  three  dol- 
lars: in  all,  fifty-four  dollars  fifty  cents  per  week.  They  take  out  about  thirty  tons  per 
da.v — one  hundred  eighty  tons  per  week — average,  thirty  and  one  third  cents  per  ton, 
and  we  are  only  opening  breasts  and  pushing  the  coal  out  by  hand.  As  soon  as  we  get 
three  or  four  breasts  open,  and  have  a  horse  to  take  out  coal,  I  am  satisfied  it  can  be 
put  on  the  bank  at  twenty-five  cents  per  ton,  and  when  the  breaker  and  fixtures  are  all 
completed  it  can  be  prepared  and  put  into  the  cars  ready  for  market  at  a  cost  from 
twelve  to  fifteen  cents  per  ton:  or,  say  mined  and  put  into  the  cars,  ready  for  market, 
at  forty  cents  per  ton.  I  ara  now  speaking  of  the  Hat  vein  on  the  hill;  I  think  the  oth- 
ers will  cost  more. 

I  have  got  all  the  breaker  builders  running  races,  to  see  which  will  be  done  first; 
Arnold  feels  quite  confident  he  will  be  ready  almost  as  soon  as  any 

I  think  well  of  leasing  the  eastern  end  of  the  fiat  vein;  it  may  cost  considerable  to 
get  the  improvement  to  bring  the  coal  down  to  the  road;  but  it  will  produce  a  large 
quantity  of  coal  and  must  some  day  be  brought  out.  This  place  can  be  made  to  yield 
from  forty  to  fifty  thousand  tons  per  year;  and  I  have  made  a  rough  estimate  of  the 
amount  of  coal  in  that  end  of  the  basin.  I  make  it  out  about  one  million  three  hun- 
dred fifty -two  thousand  tons,  the  rent  of  which,  at  thirty-five  cents,  would  amount  to 
four  hundred  seventy-three  thousand  two  hundred  dollars. 

This  I  think  worth  looking  after. 

Respectfully, 

Wm.    II.    MAtlsIIAI.L. 

To  Bdtle  Paul, 

Pmi.hnt  Bifj  Mo>n,f„in  Co.d  Company. 

At  the  same  time  mines  were  opened  by  McArthur  &  Company  on  lands 
of  Hegius  &  Sill,  and  a  small  amottnt  of  coal  prepared  by  the  old  process 
was  shipped  for  a  year  or  so.  when  the  drifts  were  abandoned. 

During  the  latter  part  of  1854  the  Philadelphia  and  Sunbury  railroad 
was  completed  from  Shamokin  to  Mt.  Carmel,  which  extension  led  to  the 
opening  and  development  of  a  number  of  collieries  in  the  Mt.  Carmel  region. 
The  Green  Kidge  Improvement  Company  opened  up  four  gangways  upon 
their  lands,  erected  a  breaker  similar  to  those  at  Shamokin,  and  leased  the 
colliery  known  as  the  Green  Eidge  to  Ayers,  Lewis  &  Company.  A  few  cars 
of  coal  were  shipped  at  the  close  of  this  year,  making  this  party  the  first 


DEVELOPMENT    OF    THE    SHAMOKIN    COAL    FIELD.  373 

shipjier  from  the  Mt.  Carmel  region.  Thoy  continued  to  operate  until  IN-jU, 
when  lEontelius  &  Adams  took  the  colliery  and  worked  it  until  ISOl;  it  then 
remained  idle  until  1804,  when  it  was  leased  by  Samuel  John  &  Sons  and 
ojierated  as  the  Green  Mountain  colliery  for  about  six  years.  X'jjon  their 
retirement  the  colliery  was  not  again  worked  until  it  came  into  the  posses- 
sion of  the  Mineral  Railroad  and  Mining  Company. 

The  Susquehanna  and  Coal  Mountain  Improvement  Company,  under  the 
management  of  Colonel  Hough,  opened  up  the  Coal  Mountain  colliery  and 
completed  a  breaker  in  1S55;  it  was  leased  to  Mears  &  Davis  and  worked 
by  them  until  their  failure  in  1857,  when  the  colliery  was  operated  by  Fah- 
rion  i^  Company  in  ]S58-5'J.  In  18r30  the  Coal  Mountain  colliery  was 
leased  by  Hough  &  Hersh.  who  operated  for  several  years  and  were  sitc- 
ceeded  by  Captain  Rhodes,  the  last  operator  at  these  mines. 

During  the  same  year  (LS54)  the  Locust  Mountain  Coal  and  Iron  Com- 
pany commenced  making  extensive  openings  and  improvements  upon  their 
valuable  coal  lands  in  the  vicinity  of  Mt.  Carmel.  building  breakers  for  two 
collieries — the  Coal  Ridge  and  Locust  Moiintain  collieries,  which  were  oper- 
ated by  Muir.  Fulton  &  Company  and  others  with  varied  success.  Shipments 
from  these  collieries  were  commenced  in  1855.  At  about  the  same  time 
Schall  it  Donohoe  secured  a  lease  from  the  same  land  comj^any,  opened  a 
colliery  called  the  Rough  and  Ready,  and  commenced  shipping  fitrnace  coal. 
In  isCil  they  commenced  shipping  from  the  Coal  Eidge  colliery,  and  contin- 
ued ojierations  there  for  some  years.  At  this  jieriod  (1854)  a  small  breaker, 
known  as  the  College  colliery,  was  built  on  the  Brobst  tract  and  leased  to 
Cleaver.  Fagely  &  Company.  But  little  mining  was  done  here.  Judge  Hel- 
fenstein  deeded  this  tract  with  some  others  in  trust  for  use  of  the  Shamokin. 
College,  an  institution  then  being  built,  and  now  known  as  the  Academy 
school  building  at  Shamokin.  The  tonnage  for  1854  reached  sixty-three 
thousand  five  hundred  tons,  the  largest  amoiint  yet  mined  in  our  region. 
Lancaster  colliery  shipped  nineteen  thousand  sis  hundred  forty  tons,  being 
the  heaviest  shipper. 

"We  now  come  to  1855,  which  was  an  eventful  period,  new  outlets  being 
fiirnished  and  many  additional  improvements  made. 

On  the  first  of  this  year,  the  Mahanoy  and  Shamokin  Improvement  Com- 
pany completed  their  railroad  to  the  river  and  built  a  bridge  across  it,  three 
thousand  six  hundred  feet  in  length,  connecting  the  mines  with  the  Pennsyl- 
vania canal  An  immense  breaker  was  completed  to  prejjare  the  coal  mined 
at  Zerbe  gap,  said  to  be  the  largest  one  ever  erected.  Its  capacity  was  one 
thousand  tons  per  day.  Over  one  million  dollars  had  been  expended  in  these 
improvements  and  the  town  of  Trevorton  was  now  in  the  height  of  its  pros- 
perity. The  delay  in  the  completion  of  these  works  was  caused  by  the  failure 
of  the  party  that  started  them  and  they  were  not  resumed  until  some  New 
York  capitalists  took  hold  of  the  management  with  James  L.  Morris  as  pres- 
ident. 


374  HISTORY  OF  NORTHUMBERLAND  COUNTY. 

The  operators  of  Sbamokia  and  Mt.  Carmel  at  this  period  complained  that 
the  canal  board  discriminated  against  them  and  in  favor  of  Wilkesbarre  in 
shii>ping  over  the  public  works,  and  asked  that  the  toll  be  equally  levied. 
At  this  time  the  tolls  from  Shamokin  to  Sunbury  were  fifty  cents  and  from 
Mt.  Carmel  to  Sunburv'  sixty-two  cents.  Among  the  improvements  to  be 
noted  for  this  year  was  a  breaker  at  Lambert  colliery  leased  to  Ammerman, 
Zuern  &  Wetzel,  and  two  at  Locust  Gap,  the  Locust  Gap  and  Locust  Summit 
collieries,  the  first  leased  to  Haas  &  Bowen  and  the  latter  to  Anthony,  Lloyd 
&  Rosser.  Kase,  Eeed  &  Company,  the  lessees  of  the  Gap  colliery,  sold  out 
their  interest  in  July  to  Zimmerman  &  Pursell. 

One  of  the  mo-st  important  events  that  occiirred  at  this  time  for  the  wel- 
fare of  Shamokin  interests  was  the  opening  iip  of  a  continuous  line  of  rail- 
road from  Shamokin  to  Elmira,  by  which  large  shipments  of  Shamokin  and 
Mt.  Carmel  coal  were  afterwards  made  to  western  New  York,  the  Lakes,  and 
Canada.  A  new  and  large  market  was  thus  opened,  which  for  years  was  the 
chief  dependence  of  our  coal  shippers.  At  the  State  agricultural  fair  of  New 
York  held  at  Elmira  in  September,  1S55,  a  large  lump  of  white  ash  coal 
from  Lancaster  colliery  was  placed  on  exhibition,  and  a  train  of  cars,  loaded 
with  coal  from  those  works,  just  reached  Elmira.  Governor  Bigler  repre- 
sented our  county  and  State,  and,  standmg  on  this  lump  of  anthracite,  spoke 
for  Pennsylvania.     He  said: — 

The 'particular  occasion  for  these  ceremonies  was  the  arriv;il  of  a  train  of  cars 
freiglited  with  stiperior  anthracite  coal  direct  from  the  Lancaster  colliery,  mined  by 
Cochran,  Peale  &  Company,  and  coming  direct  from  Shamokin  to  Elmira  without 
trans-shipment.  Pennsylvania  will  send  you  up  her  anthracite  coal  to  keep  you  warm 
in  winter,  to  roast  your  beef  and  boil  your  potatoes,  to  drive  3-our  steam  mills  and  grist 
mills  and  manufacturing  machinery,  to  help  to  drive  the  iron  horse  on  the  railroads, 
and  to  propel  the  steamboats  on  your  lakes  and  rivers.  We  expect  to  see  this  element 
of  heat  and  power  distributed  to  every  county,  township,  village,  and  family  circle  of 
your  great  State,  performing  its  good  offices. 

The  Governor's  words  were  prophetic,  and  in  a  few  years  were  fulfilled. 
This  disjilay  of  coal  on  this  occasion  and  the  Governor's  happy  remarks  had 
much  to  do  in  hastening  the  introduction  of  Shamokin  coal  in  the  new  and 
growing  market  which  to  the  present  time  is  one  of  our  best  consumers. 

Tonnage  for  1855  was  one  hiuidred  sixteen  thousand  one  hitndred  seven- 
teen tons,  more  than  double  that  of  the  previous  year. 

For  1S56  there  is  but  little  to  notice.  Locust  Mountain  colliery  was  oper- 
ated by  Bell,  Lewis  &  Muir.  The  legislature  passed  an  act  consolidating  the 
Mahanoy  and  Shamokin  Improvement  Company  with  the  Trevorton  and 
Susquehanna  Railroad  Company.  This  was  the  first  movement  in  our  county 
allowing  railroad  companies  to  own  coal  land  and  mine  coal.  The  Shamokin 
and  Mt.  Carmel  operators  thought  that  this  movement  was  against  their 
interests  and  severely  commented  upon  it.  Coal  shipments  this  year  reached 
one  hundred  twenty-nine  thousand  five  hundred  forty-eight  tons,   for  the 


DEVELOPMENT    OF    THE    SHAMOKIN    COAL    FIELD.  375 

Shamokin  district,  and  from  Trevorton,  seventy-three  thousand  one  hundred 
twelve  tons  (all  from  one  breaker),  making  the  tonnage  from  Northumber- 
land county  two  hundred  two  thousand  six  hundred  sixty  tons,  a  large  gain 
on  1855. 

The  year  1857  was  ushered  in  with  financial  depression  all  over  the 
country.  Banks  suspended  specie  payment,  and  failures  of  business  tirms 
became  a  common  event.  The  Philadelphia  and  Sunbury  railroad  with  all 
its  franchises,  equipments,  and  many  vah;able  tracts  of  coal  land,  was  sold 
at  sheriff's  sale,  and  was  purchased  by  E.  S.  Wheelen,  in  the  interest  of  the 
second  mortgage  bond  holders.  Notwithstanding  the  stringency  of  the  times 
W.  L.  Dewart  put  up  a  splendid  breaker  at  the  Ga^^  coUierj-.  The  structure 
was  jntt  up  by  Cherington  &  Weaver,  experienced  breaker  builders,  and  was 
regarded  as  a  model  breaker  for  those  times.  All  the  machinery  except 
steam  engines  were  from  the  shops  of  S.  Bittenbender,  who  had  beconie 
largely  engaged  in  this  branch  of  business.  This  year  the  Northern  Central 
railway  was  completed  to  Herndon.  affording  Trevorton  coal  another  new 
outlet  to  Baltimore. 

The  coal  tonnage  for  1857  was  increased  considerably,  the  shipments  from 
the  Shamokin  region  being  one  hundred  tifty-tive  thousand  eight  hundred 
five  tons  and  from  Trevorton  one  hundred  ten  thousand  seven  himdred  eleven 
tons,  making  a  total  from  Northumberland  county  of  two  hundred  sixty-six 
thousand  five  hundred  sixteen  tons — an  increase  of  over  twenty-five  per  cent,  as 
compared  with  1S56.  This  tonnage  was  produced  by  thirteen  collieries  provided 
with  thirteen  steam  engines  with  aggregate  power  of  four  hundred  thirty- 
four  horses,  and  one  slope  engine  of  sixty  horse-power.  All  this  coal  was 
taken  from  above  water-level,  except  from  one  colliery  which  had  sunk  a 
slope.  The  heaviest  shipment  made  this  year  from  the  Shamokin  district 
was  by  Cochran.  Peale  &  Company  from  Lancaster  colliery,  who  shipped 
over  thirty-five  thousand  tons,  and  next  was  Bird,  Douty  &  John  of  the  Big 
Mountain  collier}-,  who  jnit  out  twenty-eight  thousand  five  hundred  ninety- 
eight  tons.  These  two  collieries,  by  their  contracts  with  J.  Langdon  of  Elmira, 
were  able  to  work  through  the  winter  season  and  thereby  make  in  their  shij^- 
ments  one  third  of  the  Shamokin  product.  It  is  but  proper  to  remark,  that 
from  no  one  source  has  the  Shamokin  coal  trade  been  so  much  benefited  as 
that  established  by  J.  Langdon  at  this  time  and  for  many  years  maintained 
through  his  able  manager  at  this  point,  Mr.  Alexander  Fulton,  long  and  prom- 
inently connected  with  the  coal  business  of  our  region.  At  this  period  all 
the  coal  operators  leased  the  collieries  from  the  improvement  companies,  and 
paid  a  royalty  of  about  thirty  cents  for  prepared  sizes  and  from  ten  to  fifteen 
cents  for  nut  coal.  All  improvements,  as  breakers,  etc.,  and  rails  for  gang- 
ways, were  furnished  by  the  improvement  companies  to  the  lessees.  The 
mining  capacity  of  the  Shamokin  and  Mt.  Carmel  districts  was  estimated  at 
five  hundred  thousand  tons  per  annum. 


376  HISTORY    OF    NOP.THUIIBERLAND    COUNTY. 

During  IS.'iS  there  was  a  general  falling  off  in  shipments.  No  new  coll- 
ieries were  started  up,  but  a  niomher  of  changes  took  place  in  operators.  In 
July  of  this  year  the  Northern  Central  railway  was  comi)leted  to  Sunhury, 
opening  a  continous  line  of  rail  to  Baltimore.  Toll  and  freight  on  coal  from 
all  collieries  of  our  region  to  Baltimore  was  fixed  at  two  dollars  fifty  cents 
per  ton.  Trevorton  tonnage  one  hundred  six  thousand  six  hundred  eighty- 
six  tons,  all  from  one  breaker,  and  Shamokin  and  Mt.  Carmel  shipments,  one 
himdred  thirty-five  thousand  eight  hundred  ninety-three  tons  from  twelve 
collieries.  Bird  &  Douty,  of  the  Big  Mountain  collier}-,  were  the  heaviest 
shippers,  closely  followed  by  Haas  A"  Bowen,  of  the  Locust  Gap  colliery. 

For  1859  there  is  but  little  to  record  At  Trevorton,  Mr.  Mowton.  the 
manager,  erected  a  gas  plant  at  the  collierj-  with  sixty  jets  to  illuminate  the 
works  so  they  could  run  night  and  day.  John  B.  Douty,  having  withdrawn 
from  the  Big  Mountain  colliery,  associated  with  Thomas  Baimigardner,  started 
the  Henry  Clay  colliery,  erected  aiira-class  breaker,  and  commenced  shipping 
a  grade  of  coal  that  was  highly  valued  in  all  the  markets.  Trevorton  tonnage 
reached  one  hundred  twenty-four  thousand  two  himdred  ninety  tons,  the 
hio'h  water  mark  of  its  shipments.  Shamokin  and  Mt.  Carmel  sent  away 
one  hundred  eighty  thousand  seven  hundred  fifty-three  tons.  This  year, 
Haas  &  Bowen  exchanged  places  with  Big  Mountain.in  shipments  and  led  in 
tonnage. 

The  year  1S50  began  the  third  decade  of  the  coal  trade  in  Northumber- 
land county,  and,  while  the  progre^•5  made  was  not  as  great  as  that  predicted 
by  the  original  movers,  it  was  sufficiently  so  to  be  a  source  of  pride  and  satis- 
faction. In  the  place  of  the  most  primitive  methods  of  mining  and  prepar- 
ing coal  and  with  only  one  poor  outlet  to  market,  the  business  was  now  rep- 
resented by  some  fifteen  mining  operations,  with  first-class  breakers  and 
several  outlets  to  market.  Shamokin  and  Trevorton  coal  had  found  its  way 
to  the  Lakes  and  Canada;  New  York  and  Philadelphia  had  become  acquainted 
with  its  rare  qualities  for  house  nse.  while  in  Baltimore  and  in  the  South  it 
had  enlarged  its  sales.  With  prosptKts  of  soon  being  able  to  ship  over  the 
Reading  and  Lehigh  roads,  the  future  prospects  were  certainly  somewhat 
more  encouraging. 

The  year  1860  is  a  noted  one  for  the  coal  trade.  A  new  outlet  east  was 
opened  in  October  by  the  Mine  HiU  railroad  connecting  with  the  Shamokin 
road  and  now  called  the  Shamokin  Valley  and  Pottsville  railroad  at  Locust 
Gap.  Some  two  thousand  four  hrm^ired  twenty-one  tons  of  Shamokin  coal 
were  shipped  over  the  new  route  in  November  and  December.  During 
March  of  this  year  the  Big  Mountain  breaker  was  burned  down,  the  first 
breaker  lost  by  fire  in  this  county.  Work  was  immediately  commenced  on  a 
new  breaker,  which  was  completed  in  a  few  months  greatly  improved.  Sha- 
mokin coal  tonnage  reached  two  hnndred  twelve  thousand  five  hundred 
twentv-nine  tons  and  Trevorton  sent  off  ninety  thousand  one  luindred  fortv- 


DEVELOPMENT    OF    THE    SHAMOKIN    COAL    FIELD.  377 

eight  tons.  Thi.s  year  the  Heury  Chiy  led  in  Shamokin  shipments,  closely 
followed  by  Haas  &:  Bowen.  On  resuming  work  in  April,  ISfil,  a  -strike 
occurred  among  the  miners  which  was  .soon  settled.  This  was  the  first  strike 
among  miners  in  our  county.  The  trade  gradually  improved,  but  ship- 
ments were  limited  by  scarcity  of  cars. 

With  the  year  lbilj'2  a  great  improvement  took  place  in  the  coal  trade. 
A  great  freshet  in  the  Lehigh  region  stopped  all  shipments  from  those  dis- 
tricts to  the  eastern  markets  and  caused  a  great  demand  for  Shamokin  coal. 
Prices  at  Sunbury  advanced  to  three  dollars  and  a  half  per  ton,  which  a 
year  or  so  before  would  have  been  regarded  as  fair  at  two  dollars  per  ton. 
Many  of  the  operators  made  some  money,  and  wages  were  advanced  to  the 
men.  In  April  of  this  year  Haas  &,  Bowen,  who  had  been  operating  at 
Loctist  Gap  for  several  years,  leased  the  Lower  Gap  colliery  also  and  changed 
the  name  to  Cameron  eolhery.  They  sunk  a  slope,  one  of  the  first  iu  the 
region,  and  made  preparations  to  do  a  large  business. 

The  year  1803  is  not  noted  for  much  progress  and  improvement  in  the 
coal  business,  and  the  trade  in  our  county  was  suspended  for  some  weeks 
during  the  summer,  owing  to  the  Rebel  invasion  of  the  State.  A  number  of 
the  miners  enlisted  for  the  emergency,  and  the  mines  remained  idle  until  all 
danger  had  disappeared  and  the  I'ail roads  had  commenced  operating  again. 
At  the  beginning  of  this  year,  the  LukeFidler  breaker  was  destroyed  by  fire. 
It  was  rebuilt  again  in  a  few  months.  At  this  time  the  Shamokin  Valley 
railroad  was  leased  to  the  Northern  Central  Railway  Company.  Samuel 
John  &  Sons  leased  the  Green  Ridge  colliery  and  continued  to  operate  it 
for  a  number  of  years.     They  changed  the  name  to  Green  Mountain  colliery. 

During  1SG4  the  price  of  coal  advanced,  and  in  the  month  of  August  it 
was  sold  at  the  mines  at  five  dollars  fifty  cents  per  ton,  but  later  in  the  sea- 
son the  prices  fell.  A  reduction  in  miners'  wages  followed  the  fall  in  prices, 
which  led  to  some  dissatisfaction  among  the  men.  The  price  of  coal  at 
Philadelphia  in  August  this  year  reached  ten  dollars  seventy-five  cents 
per  ton — the  highest  price  it  ever  attained.  A  number  of  improvements 
were  made  in  LSIH.  S.  Bittenbender  &  Company  secured  a  lease  on  the 
Big  Mountain  lands  on  Gearhart  rtm  and  put  up  a  first-class  breaker  known 
as  the  Bumside  collier^-.  At  about  the  same  time,  the  Shamokin  and  Bear 
Valley  Coal  Company  put  up  a  large  breaker  at  their  new  timnel  on  Carbon 
run,  having  been  granted  the  power  to  mine,  prepare,  and  ship  coal  from 
their  own  lands.  For  nearly  four  years  previously  they  had  been  engaged 
in  driving  a  tminel  in  the  ilahanoy  mountain  of  over  one  thousand  feet,  cut- 
ting three  large  veins.  The  progress  and  results  of  this  work  were  watched 
with  great  interest  by  coal  men. 

Pennington,  Douty  &  Company  sunk  a  slope  ori  the  red  ash  vein  south 
of  Bittenbender"s  iron  works,  erected  a  breaker,  and  called  the  operation  the 
Daniel  Webster  collier.-.     This  slope  was  afterwards  known  by  the  miners  as 


378  HISTORY  OF  NOKTHUIIBERLAND  COUNTY. 

the  ■'  fiery  slope."  It  was  worked  for  some  years  Viy  Henry  &  Company,  but 
was  finally  abandoned.  The  same  year,  May,  Patterson  &  Brother  secured 
a  lease  on  the  Renshaw  &  Johnston  tract  at  Buck  Ridge,  opened  up  several 
drifts,  and  put  up  a  breaker  at  the  close  of  this  year.  This  operation  was 
named  the  Buck  Ridge  colliery,  and  for  many  years  was  famous  for  its  large 
shipments  of  mammoth  white  ash  coal  of  a  very  superior  quality. 

During  1SG5  several  hew  breakers  were  erected.  A  colliery  was  opened 
on  the  lands  of  the  Fulton  Company  by  the  Excelsior  Coal  Mining  Company, 
and  a  large  breaker  erected  which  was  called  the  Excelsior  colliery.  The 
Brady  colliery  was  started  in  1863  and  in  1865  a  breaker  was  put  up  and 
shipments  of  coal  commenced.  John  B.  Douty  was  the  lessee.  Thomas 
Baumgartlner,  of  Lancaster,  leased  a  tract  adjoining  the  Excelsior  Company 
and  put  uji  a  large  breaker  and  opened  several  veins  of  very  fine  coal.  This 
was  called  the  Enter^jrise  colliery.  A  short  time  afterwards  this  firm  started 
another  colliery  on  their  lease  and  called  it  the  Margie  Franklin.  During 
August  this  year  a  large  coal  breaker  at  Trevorton  was  destroyed  by  fire, 
throwing  a  large  number  of  men  out  of  employment.  In  November,  a  small 
breaker  put  up  in  the  short  space  of  forty-two  days  to  supply  its  place;  was 
completed.  During  this  year,  the  breaker  of  the  Bear  Valley  colliery  was 
thoroughly  remodeled  by  A.  A.  Heim  &  Company,  who,  from  September 
1S64,  to  1872,  had  the  contract  of  mining,  preparing,  and  putting  in  cars  for 
shipment,  all  the  coal  from  this  colliery. 

At  the  close  of  1806  an  outlet  to  New  York  was  opened  by  the  Mahanoy 
branch  of  tlie  Lehigh  Valley  railroad  connecting  with  the  Northern  Central 
railway  at  Mt.  Carmel. 

In  1867  the  Reliance  colliery,  near  Mt.  Carmel,  situated  on  lands  of  the 
Mt.  Carmel  Locust  Mountain  Coal  Company,  was  started  up  by  Thomas 
Baumgardner,  and  Robertson,  Guiterman  &  Company  secured  a  lease  on  the 
Brady  tract  and  commenced  the  Greenback  colliery.  In  November,  J.  Lang- 
don  &  Company,  of  Elmira,  New  York,  purchased  from  the  Bird  Coal  and  Iron 
Company  their  lease  of  the  Big  Mountain  colliery  and  made  many  improve- 
ments. The  Coal  Moimtain  breaker  (F.  Rhodes,  lessee)  was  destroyed  by 
fire.  About  this  time  (1867)  the  Coal  Ridge  Improvement  Company  simk  a 
slope  and  put  up  another  breaker  on  their  lands,  known  as  Coal  Ridge,  No. 
2.  The  land  owners  operated  the  colliery  a  short  time  and  then  leased  the 
works  to  Douty,  Reed  &  Gable  who  continued  until  December,  1869.  when 
S.  P.  Longstreet  and  later  Burton  Brothers  &  Company  became  the  operators. 

In  1868  Graeber,  Kemple  &  Company  leased  from  the  Locust  Gap  Im- 
l^rovement  Company  the  two  collieries  known  as  the  A.  S.  Wolf  and  the  Lo- 
cust Gap  collieries,  and  in  a  few  years  became  large  shippers.  Robertson, 
Guiterman  &  Company,  in  September,  leased  the  Henry  Clay  colliery. 
Richard  B.  Douty,  long  connected  with  this  collier}-,  developed  the  Lykens 
Valley  veins  on  the  Helfenstein  lands  in  Cameron  township  this  year.    During 


^.^^2^Za.2jZ- 


DETELOPMEXT    OF    THE    SHAMOKIN    COAL    FIELD.  381 

October,  1S6S,  the  Shamokin  Coal  Company  (F.  J.  Anspach,  superintendent) 
erected  a  large  breaker  at  Hickory  Swamp  and  christened  it  the  Virginia.  This 
name,  however,  was  never  accepted  by  the  public,  who  insisted  on  the  local 
name  of  Hickory  Swamp  which  it  has  ever  since  retained,  in  all  its  changes 
of  ownership.  Enterprise  railroad,  the  new  extension  of  the  Reading,  was 
completed  to  Shamokin  this  year.  The  Trevorton  railroad  and  bridge  over 
the  river  wei-e  purchased  by  the  Reading  railroad  for  four  hundred  thousand 
dollars;  and  the  Lehigh  Valley  Railroad  Company  bought  the  lands  of  the 
Locust  Mountain  Coal  and  Iron  Company,  the  Coal  Ridge  Company,  and  a 
one  half  interest  of  all  the  Trevorton  lands  for  about  one  and  a  half  million 
dollars.  Another  new  colliery  was  started  up  by  Cruikshank  A:  Brother,  who 
had  secured  a  .lease  on  the  Wetherill  tract  near  the  furnace.  They  opened 
uji  the  red  ash  veins,  and,  supposing  they  were  on  the  Primrose  or  Boyd 
vein,  they  named  their  colliery  the  Daniel  Webster,  No.  2.  The  works  wei-e 
leased  by  Jonas  Tillet  &  Company,  who.  in  December,  sold  their  interest  to 
Reyer  &  Brother.  In  1869  Bechtel,  Kulp  &  Company  secured  the  lease  and 
operated  it  for  several  years  as  the  Franklin  colliery.  They  also  started  up 
another  small  colliery  kno\vn  as  the  Clinton  on  the  same  tract,  which  was 
only  operated  for  a  year  or  so.  The  Franklin  colliery  afterwards  passed 
into  the  hands  of  McArthur  <i:  Roth,  and  linally  to  Lovell  &  Booth,  who 
abandoned  the  place  about  1870.  The  year  1SG8  completed  thirty  years  in 
the  histoiy  of  our  coal  trade.  Shipments  for  this  season  amounted  to  nine 
hundred  eleven  thoitsand  seven  hundred  eighty-four  tons  and  for  the 
three  decades  just  completed  the  total  tonnage  reached  five  million  seven 
hundred  twelve  thousand  sis  hundred  lifty-six  tons.  Outlets  had  now 
been  secured  to  all  the  markets,  many  breakers  and  improvements  had 
been  made,  and  a  more  practical  and  experienced  class  of  men  was  conduct- 
ing the  mining  operations. 

In  ISOy  tive  new  collieries  were  started.  Douty  &  Baitmgardner  com- 
pleted a  colliery  at  Doutyville.  called  the  Ben  Franklin,  mining  from  the 
Lykens  Valley  veins,  which  at  this  point  were  hnely  developed.  The  Enter- 
prise Coal  Comjiany,  having  opened  up  the  same  veins  in  the  Mahanoy 
mountain,  erected  a  breaker  on  their  tract  called  the  Margie  Franklin. 
Boughner,  Shipp  &  Company  secured  a  lease  on  the  Bellas  tract  and  opened 
up  a  coUiery  called  the  Frank  Gowen.  in  honor  of  the  distinguished  president 
of  the  Reading  railroad.  Aucker  ifc  Bower  commenced  a  colliery  on  lands  of 
Hays  &  Keller,  near  the  present  site  of  the  Neilson  shaft,  and  in  a  short  time 
were  succeeded  by  Weaver  &  Martin,  who  operated  a  short  time.  John  H. 
Gable,  a  former  superintendent  of  Big  Mountain  coUierj',  sub-leased  from  the 
Shamokin  Coal  Company  a  tract  where  the  old  Lancaster  collierj'  breaker 
stood,  erected  a  breaker,  and  worketl  the  twin  veins.  He  was  succeeded  by 
Smith  &  Keiser,  who  have  continued  operating  at  this  colliery  to  the  present 
time.     The  Sliamokin   and  Trevorton  railroad  was  completed  in  July  and 


3S'2  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUJIBEELAND    COUNTY. 

opened  up  to  the  trade.  The  tirst  shipment  of  coal  made  over  this  road, 
consisting  of  a  train  of  thirty-four  cars  of  coal,  was  by  Z.  P.  Boyer  &  Com- 
pany. Locust  Dale  and  Ben  Franldin  colliery  connected  by  rail  this  year. 
A  great  strike  prevailed  over  the  entire  region  at  this  time.  The  miners 
were  organized  rmder  the  title  of  the  Workingmen's  Benevolent  Associa- 
tion, and  the  operators  established  a  board  of  trade.  The  differences  be- 
tween them  were  finally  compromised.  Monthly  meetings  were  held,  at 
each  of  which  a  certain  number  of  both  parties  were  present.  A  fixed  basis 
of  price  at  Port  Carbon  for  coal  established  the  prices  for  miners'  and  labor- 
ers" wages  and  any  departure  above  or  below  this  basis  led  to  an  advance 
or  drop  in  wages.  This  system  continued  in  practice  for  several  years  and  in 
many  localities  worked  very  satisfactorily. 

About  1870  Burton  Brothers  &  Company,  of  Erie,  leased  the  Coal  Ridge 
colliery.  No.  2,  and  at  a  great  expenditure  made  extensive  improvements. 
They  continued  operating  imtil  1873,  when  their  slope  was  drowned  out. 
They  made  great  efforts  to  pump  out  the  water  and  continued  working  the 
mines  above  water  level  until  1876,  when  they  failed.  The  colliery  was  then 
abandoned. 

In  the  early  part  of  1N7()  a  law  was  passed  for  the  health  and  safety  of 
persons  employed  in  coal  mines  and  the  appointment  of  inspectors.  Tlie 
act  extended  to  the  counties  of  Schuylkill,  Northumberland,  Columbia,  and 
Dauphin,  and  the  territory  was  divided  into  three  inspection  districts.  The 
Shamokiu  coal  tield  was  included  in  tlie  Third  district  with  David  Ed- 
monds as  insi)ector,  who  in  the  course  of  two  or  three  years  was  succeeded 
by  "William  Hemingray,  of  our  town,  who  ably  and  honestly  tilled  this  re- 
sponsible position. 

During  1870  some  eight  new  collieries  were  added  to  th(>  list.  Tiie  Bear 
Valley  Coal  Company,  through  their  contractors,  A.  A.  Heim  &  Company, 
completed  on  the  first  of  the  year  a  new  breaker  on  their  lands,  called  tlie 
George  Fales,  which  operated  on  the  red  ash  vein.  No.  11.  J.  Langdon  & 
Company  put  up  a  new  breaker  on  lands  leased  from  the  Northern  Central 
Railway  Company,  and  called  it  the  Hickory  Ridge  colliery.  The  firm  of 
Heim.  Beck  &  Reyer  secured  a  lease  from  the  Locust  Gap  Improvement 
Company  and  started  the  Monitor  colliery,  which  shortly  afterwards  was 
purchased  by  George  W.  Johns  &  Brother.  The  Locust  Dali>  Improvement 
Company  erected  the  Merriam  colliery  on  lands  of  Locust  Gap  Improvement 
Company.  This  colliery  was  not  regarded  as  a  success  until  it  came  into  the 
possession  of  the  Philadelphia  and  Reading  Coal  and  Iron  Company.  The 
Caledonia  colliery  was  started  up  by  Schwenk  &  Company  on  lands  of  Henry 
Savior  near  Mt.  Carmel.  Its  name  was  afterwards  changed  to  that  of  Black 
Diamond.  The  Morton  colliery  was  started  up  by  Morton,  Davis  &  Company 
on  lands  of  the  Northern  Central  Railway  Company  near  Mt.  Carmel,  and 
was  operated  for  a  few  years.     The  Emory  colliery,  A.  R.  Fiske,  lessee,  was 


DEVELOPMENT    OF    THE    SHAMOKIN    COAL    FIELD.  383 

opened  on  the  Helfenstein  lands  but  did  not  prove  a  success.  Isaac  Eeese 
t^  Brother  opened  up  a  small  colliery-  on  the  Marshall  tract  adjoining  the 
to\\"n  of  Shamokin  and  operated  it  for  a  few  years.  This  year  the  tonnao-e 
of  Northumberland  county  exceeded  one  million  tons. 

The  year  ISTl  was  noted  for  the  great  changes  m  the  policy  of  the  rail- 
road companies  that  depended  upon  the  coal  tonnage  of  the  Middle  coal 
tield.  In  order  to  successfully  compete  with  the  large  corporations  of  the 
Lackawanna  regions  that  were  engaged  in  mining  as  well  as  the  transporta- 
tion of  coal,  and  to  be  able  to  hold  control  of  the  coal  tonnage,  the  three  great 
roads  of  our  region  organized  companies  known  as  the  Philadelphia  and 
Keading  Coal  and  Iron  Company,  the  Mineral  Railroad  and  Mining  Com- 
pany, and  the  Greenland  Company.  The  Philadelphia  and  Reading  Coal 
and  Iron  Company,  one  of  the  greatest  corporations  in  the  State,  was  organ- 
ized this  year,  the  Reading  Railroad  Company  owning  all  the  stock.  A  loan 
of  twenty-five  million  dollars  was  obtained  from  the  Fidelity  Trust  and  Safe 
Deposit  Company  of  Philadelphia,  secured  by  a  mortgage  on  the  Philadel- 
phia and  Reading  Railroad  Company.  During  this  year  they  purchased 
over  seventy  thousand  acres  of  the  choicest  coal  lands  in  Northumberland 
and  Schuylkill  coimties,  paying  for  the  same  over  eleven  millions  of  dollars, 
and  for  some  years  following  continued  their  purchases  until  all  the  coal  lands 
within  their  reach  were  absorbed  in  this  company.  Among  the  tracts  pur- 
chased by  this  comjjany  were  those  of  the  Locust  Gap  Improvement  Com- 
pany. Big  Moimtain  Improvement  Company,  Fulton  Coal  Company.  Mt. 
Carmel  and  Locust  Mountain  Coal  Company,  the  Mclntyre  lands,  and  the 
one  half  of  the  Trevorton  Company  lands.  Some  of  the  colliery  leases  on 
these  lands  were  also  bought,  while  on  other  tracts  the  leases  were  allowed 
to  expire,  and  some  few  new  leases  were  made  to  certain  parties. 

The  Mineral  Railroad  and  Mining  Company  secured  this  year  the  Cam- 
eron. Luke  Fidler.  and  Hickory  Swamp  coUeries,  and  in  the  course  of  a  year 
or  so  two  other  collieries. 

This  change  in  the  mining  operations  of  our  region,  placing  nearly  all 
the  collieries  in  the  possession  of  two  powerful  corporations,  was  looked  ujion 
by  some  as  injurious  to  our  region.  But  such  has  not  been  the  result,  if 
judged  without  prejudice.  The  expense  of  mining  has  become  so  great  of 
late  years  that  the  enormous  outlay  of  capital  in  keeping  the  mines  in  proper 
condition  could  not  possibly  be  carried  on  by  individual  operators. 

On  the  last  day  of  March,  1871,  the  Locust  Gap  breaker,  operated  by 
Graeber  &  Kemple,  was  destroyed  by  tire,  communicated  from  the  Locust 
Summit  breaker,  which  stood  a  short  distance  west  and  had  been  fired  by  in- 
cendiaries. The  coal  mineel  at  this  colliery  after  the  burning  was  put  through 
the  A.  S.  "Wolf  breaker,  which  stood  near  the  present  site  of  the  Reading 
depot  at  Locust  Gap,  imtil  1S72,  when  a  new  Locust  Gap  breaker  was  erected 
on  or  near  its  present  location. 


384  HISTORY    OF    NOETHUMBEKLAND    COUNTY. 

In  July  of  this  year  Isaac  May  &  Company  leased  the  Burnside  coUierj- 
and  operated  it  very  successfuly  for  a  nrnnber  of  years.  The  Margie  Frank- 
lin breaker  was  destroyed  by  fire  and  was  rebuilt  in  the  short  space  of  thir- 
ty-three days — a  most  remarkable  feat  in  breaker  building. 

In  1872  there  were  thirty-three  collieries  in  the  county  with  eighteen 
slopes  and  fifty-two  drifts.  Heim  &  Goodwill  at  the  beginning  of  the  year 
leased  the  Bear  Valley  and  George  Fales  collieries,  which  had  just  come  in 
the  possession  of  the  Philadelphia  and  Beading  Coal  and  Iron  Company. 
Heim  &  Goodwill  continued  to  work  these  collieries  until  1877,  when  they 
sold  out  to  the  Reading  Company.  Isaac  May  &  Company,  at  the  Burnside 
colliery,  performed  a  remarkable  feat  in  coal  mining  at  this  time.  They 
sunk  a  second  lift  on  their  slope;  they  were  engaged  in  driving  the  Bitten- 
bender  tunnel,  and  at  the  same  time  they  ran  their  breaker  as  u.sual  without 
lessening  their  shipments.  In  January  this  year  the  Mineral  Eailroad  and 
Mining  Company  built  a  double  breaker  at  the  Camei'on  colliery  with  a 
capacity  of  one  thousand  two  himdred  tons  per  day.  It  was  a  model  breaker 
for  those  times.  Diiring  this  year  J.  Langdon  &  Company  took  charge  of 
the  Henrj^  Clay  coUierj',  and  at  Buck  Ridge  colliery  the  firm  was  changed 
to  May,  Audenreid  &  Company. 

In  1873  Patterson,  Llewellyn  &  Company  leased  the  Big  Mountain  coll- 
iery, which  had  been  regarded  as  an  exhausted  operation.  But  through  the 
skill  and  indomitable  energy  of  David  Llewellyn,  who  gave  these  mines  his 
untiring  attention,  the  shipments  of  this  colliery  soon  headed  the  list  and  it 
was  regarded  as  one  of  the  most  valuable  collieries  in  the  Middle  coal  field. 
Black  Diamond  breaker  was  destroyed  by  fire  in  March  and  Avas  rebuilt 
again  in  August.  The  Mineral  Railroad  and  Mining  Company  acquired  the 
Hickory  Ridge  collierj'  this  year,  making  four  operations  now  under  their 
control.  This  year  Gilliard  Dock,  the  superintendent  of  the  Mineral  Eail- 
road and  Mining  Company  was  superseded  by  Holden  Chester,  a  most  suc- 
cessfiil  manager  of  collieries. 

In  1871  the  Philadelphia  and  Reading  Coal  and  Iron  Company  com- 
pleted the  Alaska  shaft,  located  between  Mt.  Carmel  and  Locust  Gap, 
and  erected  a  large  breaker  with  all  the  latest  improvements  in  coal  mining. 
This  operation  has  become  one  of  the  most  productive  in  the  Western  Middle 
coal  field.  This  year  two  breakers,  the  Ben  Franklin  and  Brady,  were  de- 
stroyed by  fire.  The  Ben  Franklin  was  rebuilt  in  the  short  space  of  thirty- 
five  days. 

In  1875  the  tonnage  from  Northumberland  county  amounted  to  one 
million  seven  hundred  fifteen  thousand  three  hundred  fourteen  tons.  On 
October  5th  the  Locust  Gap  breaker  was  destroyed  by  fire.  It  was  rebuilt 
immediately  and  commenced  shipping  coal  in  the  early  part  of  the  next  year. 

During  1876  several  new  collieries  were  started.  Fulton  &  Kendrick 
opened    a    new  colliery  on  lands   of    the    Philadelphia  and  Reading  Coal 


DEVELOPMENT    OF    THE    SHAMOKIN    COAL    FIELD.  385 

and  Iron  Company  north  of  the  Burnside  slope  and  called  it  the  Sterling 
colliery.  A  large  breaker  was  erected  on  the  premises,  the  engines  and 
machinery  of  which,  as  of  most  collieries  built  from  this  date,  wore  from  the 
shops  of  John  Mullen  &  Company.  John  Cruikshant  started  a  colliery  on 
the  lands  of  the  Philadelphia  and  Reading  Coal  and  Iron  Company. 
north  of  the  Henry  Clay  shaft,  working  the  red  ash  veins.  A  breaker  was 
erected  and  soon  after  M.  Emes  became  associated  with  the  tinn.  The  opera- 
tion was  known  as  the  Peerless  colliery  and  the  breaker  stood  near  the  site  of 
the  Frank  Goweu  colliery  that  had  been  burned  do^vn  a  few  years  previously. 
J.  Langdon  &  Company  commenced  sinking  a  shaft  on  lands  leased  from 
the  Philadelphia  and  Reading  Coal  and  Iron  Company  and  the  Bellas  heirs. 

In  1877  J.  Langdon  &  Company  completed  a  large  breaker  at  the  Henry 
Clay  shaft.  The  lease  of  the  Burnside  colliery  was  acquired  by  the  Phila- 
delphia and  Reading  Coal  and  Iron  Comj^any. 

In  1878  the  Hickory  Ridge  breaker  was  destroyed  by  fire.  Philip  Good- 
will ojiened  u^:)  the  Carson  colliery  and  built  a  breaker.  A  new  breaker  was 
built  at  the  Buck  Ridge  colliery. 

In  1S7U  the  Mineral  Railroad  and  Mining  Company  opened  up  a  large 
colliery  on  the  Green  Ridge  tract  near  Mt.  Carmel  and  called  it  the  Penn- 
sylvania colliery.  They  built  a  large  breaker,  containing  all  the  modern  im- 
provements, under  the  supervision  of  their  practical  and  experienced  superin- 
tendent. 

On  the  15th  of  July,  1880,  the  Enterprise  breaker  was  destroyed  by  tire. 
On  July  20th  a  new  breaker  was  commenced  and  completed  in  twenty-seven 
days,  beating  all  records  thus  far  in  breaker  building.  This  was  accomplished 
through  the  energy  and  tact  of  the  superintendent,  William  Gable,  and  his 
inside  foreman,  John  H.  Gable.  The  Mt.  Carmel  breaker  was  also  burned 
down  and  rebuilt  this  year.  A  small  breaker  was  also  built  at  the  Hickory 
Ridge  colliery  in  place  of  the  one  destroyed  in  1878. 

In  December,  1881,  M.  C.  Robinson,  of  New  York,  leased  the  Carson 
colliery. 

In  1882  W.  H.  Douty  and  John  H.  Gable  leased  from  Renshaw  &  Johns- 
ton a  portion  of  their  tract  north  of  the  old  Buck  Ridge  breaker  with  the 
privilege  of  mining  on  all  veins  above  the  Mammoth.  They  commenced 
sinking  a  slope.  April  1,  1882,  the  Mt.  Carmel  colliery,  formerly  known  as 
the  Stuartville  colliery,  changed  the  firm  of  its  operators,  being  leased  by 
Montelius,  Righter  &  Company.  This  colliery  had  been  operated  for  many 
years.  About  1800  Colonel  Z.  P.  Boyer  opened  up  this  colliery-  on  lands  of 
the  Locust  Moimtain  Coal  and  Iron  Company  and  shipjied  a  small  quantity 
of  coal.  In  1801  William  Montelius.  who  had  previously  operated  at  the 
Green  Ridge,  became  the  lessee  and  operated  it  very  successfully  for  a  num- 
ber of  years.  About  188t»  the  firm  was  changed  to  Montehus,  Robertson  & 
Company,  and  on  the  1st  of  April,  1882,  to  Montelius,  Righter  &  Company, 


386  HISTOKY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

consisting  of  William  Montelius,  A.  M.  Montelius,  Thomas  M.  Righter,  and 
E.  B.  Leisonring. 

During  1.SS3  several  changes  took  place  in  operators.  On  Febrnar}-  1st 
the  Philadelphia  and  Reading  Coal  and  Iron  Company  acquired  the  Locust 
Gap  colliery,  on  JiUy  6th,  the  Peerless  colliery,  and  on  Aiigiist  29th,  the 
Buck  Ridge  colliery.  On  July  2d  the  Shamokin,  Sunbury  and  Lewisburg 
railroad  was  opened  for  business.  This  extension  of  the  Reading  system  af- 
fords a  most  valuable  outlet,  as  it  connects  direct  with  the  Vanderbilt  roads 
and  brings  Shamokin  in  commimication  with  Buffalo  and  the  towns  along 
the  New  York  Central  railroacL  The  first  shipment  of  Shamokin  coal  over 
this  road  was  made  by  the  ilerriam  colliery,  consigning  thirty-one  tons  of 
egg  coal  to  Syracuse,  New  York. 

On  the  1st  of  April,  1SS4.  the  Union  Coal  Company  took  possession  of 
the  Hickory  Swamp  and  Pemisylvania  collieries,  previously  worked  by  the 
Mineral  Railroad  and  Mining  Company.  During  this  slimmer  Douty  & 
Gable  completed  a  breaker  on  their  leased  tract  and  named  their  colliery 
the  Garfield.     On  AugiTst  4th  Mr.  Gable  withdrew  from  the  firm. 

In  the  spring  of  1S8-3  the  Merriam  coal  breaker  was  destroyed  by  fire. 
A  new  breaker  was  erected  and  started  in  November.  On  July  1st  the  Henry 
Clay  shaft  was  transferred  to  the  Philadelphia  and  Reading  Coal  and  Iron 
Company.  This  year,  W.  H  Douty  formed  a  firm  and  called  it  the  Garfield 
Coal  Company,  Limited.  In  December  the  lease  of  Schwenk,  Robertson  & 
Com2:(any  at  the  Caledonia  collierj-  expired  and  the  colliery  remained  idle  for 
a  year  or  so.  On  the  1st  of  January,  1886,  the  firm  name  of  the  Mt.  Carmel 
colliery  was  changed  to  Thomas  M.  Righter  &  Company,  on  accoitnt  of  the 
death  of  two  of  the  partners,  William  and  A.  M.  Montelius.  Extensive 
improvements  and  new  openings  were  made,  which  enabled  this  old  colliery 
to  keep  up  its  tonnage.  On  Jime  uth,  1886,  the  large  breaker  at  Alaska 
shaft  was  destroyed  by  fire.  A  new  breaker  was  erected  to  take  its  place, 
which  was  completed  at  the  beginning  of  next  year.  A  new  breaker  was 
built  at  Luke  Fidler  this  year.  The  Mammoth  breaker  at  the  Henry  Clay 
shaft  was  completed  during  the  latter  part  of  this  season.  On  May  6th  the 
Union  Coal  Company  acquired  the  Hickory  Ridge  colliery,  making  three 
collieries  operated  by  them. 

On  the  9th  of  Jime,  1887.  the  Neilson  breaker  was  completed  and  started 
by  J.  Langdon  &  Company  (incorporated),  with  A.  H.  Storrs  as  suj^erintend- 
ent.  Ground  was  broken  for  the  shaft  in  1884  and  it  was  sunk  to  the  depth 
of  one  thousand  two  hundred  twenty  feet.  The  height  of  the  breaker  was 
one  hundred  seventy-three  feet.  Over  one  million  feet  of  lumber  were  used 
in  its  construction.  A  new  breaker  was  commenced  at  the  Cameron  colliery 
the  latter  part  of  this  year.  The  legislature  passed  an  act  for  semi-monthly 
payments  of  wages  at  collieries. 

During  January,  1888,  the  Cameron   breaker  was  completed,  equijiped 


DEVELOPMENT    OF    THE    SHAMOKIN    COAL    FIELD.  387 

with  all  the  modern  improvements,  and  arranged  to  do  an  extensive  business, 
but  in  October  it  was  destroyed  by  tire.  Llewellra,  Nagle  &  Company  leased 
the  Black  Diamond  colliery,  erected  a  new  breaker,  and  made  other  imjirove- 
ments.  The  Excelsior  Coal  Mining  Company  opened  up  another  colliery  on 
their  lands,  developing  the  Buck  Mountain  vein,  which  had  been  partially 
opened  by  Mr.  Dewees  some  years  ago.  The  next  year  a  breaker  was  built 
and  the  operation  was  named  Corbin  colliery,  in  honor  of  the  late  president 
of  the  Reading  railroad.  These  improvements  were  made  under  the  manage- 
ment of  Andrew  Robertson,  one  of  the  most  experienced  and  successful  coal 
operators  in  the  anthracite  region. 

In  the  early  i^art  of  1SS9  the  Cameron  breaker  was  rebuilt,  being  one  of 
the  largest  and  most  complete  structures  in  the  State.  Extensive  improve- 
ments were  made  at  the  Mt.  Carmel  colliery,  which  is  said  to  have  over 
seventeen  miles  of  gangway.  The  Patterson  Coal  Company  secured  a  tract 
of  coal  land,  seven  miles  long  and  one  mile  wide,  extending  eastward  from 
the  Hickory  Ridge  coUien,-.  By  shaftings  made  they  foimd  the  two  Lykens 
Valley  veins,  the  Buck  Mountain,  and  another  vein  over  ten  feet  in  thickness. 

In  .January-,  lS9t),  Major  E.  J.  Phillips  purchased  the  controlling  inter- 
est in  the  Black  Diamond  colliery  and  changed  the  name  of  the  firm  to  that 
of  the  Black  Diamond  Coal  Company,  and  the  name  of  the  operation  to  that 
of  the  Femdale  colliery.  In  February  Governor  Beaver  ajjpointed  a  State 
commission  on  anthracite  coal  wa.stage,  consisting  of  J.  A.  Price,  of  Scranton, 
P.  W.  Sheafer,  of  Pottsville,  and  Eckley  B.  Coxe,  of  Drifton.  In  Febmary 
a  tire  broke  out  in  the  gangway  of  No.  1  slope  at  the  Cameron  colliery.  This 
slope  extended  four  himdred  twenty  feet  below  the  surface.  Superintendent 
Morris  Williams,  the  mine  foreman,  Edward  Brennan,  and  the  men  made  heroic 
efforts  to  subdue  the  fire,  often  at  the  peril  of  their  lives,  but  after  weeks  of 
work  were  compelled  to  Hood  the  mine  by  turning  in  the  waters  of  Shamokin 
creek.  This  flooding  excited  the  attention  of  everybody,  and  guesses  of  the 
time  it  would  take  to  fill  the  mines  were  published  in  the  Daily  Dispatch. 
An  immense  cavity  was  to  be  filled.  Over  twenty-six  miles  of  underground 
railroad  were  in  these  mines,  and  immense  caverns  existed  where  the  coal 
for  years  had  been  taken  out.  By  a  careful  account  kept  by  the  officials,  it 
took  six  days,  eight  hours,  and  thirty  minutes  for  the  flow  of  the  creek  to  fill 
the  mines,  one  billion  gallons  of  water  having  flowed  in.  On  May  0th  they 
commenced  pumping  out  the  water,  having  made  very  complete  arrange- 
ments for  this  purpose.  In  Xo.  10  slope  two  sets  of  dui:)lex  pumps  were  put 
to  work  pumping  water.  In  No.  1  slope  water  was  hoisted  out  with  two 
boilers,  each  twenty  feet  long  and  four  feet  in  diameter.  A  steam  pump  was 
placed  in  No.  8  traveling  way,  two  steam  pumps  in  No.  7  fanway,  and  one  in. 
traveling  way  of  the  slope,  making  six  pumps  in  all,  besides  the  boilers.  In. 
September  the  mines  were  sufficiently  emptied  so  as  to  work  the  No.  1  lift, 
and  on  November  2d  all  the  water  was  drawn  out.    Owing  to  the  good  condition 


388  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

that  the  gangways  were  in  at  the  time  the  fire  occurred,  the  mines  were  found 
in  excellent  order  at  all  points  except  at  the  place  where  the  fire  had  existed. 
It  has  been  conceded  by  all  parties  acquainted  with  the  work,  that  the  man- 
agement under  such  trying  circumstances,  where  such  great  interests  were 
involved,  could  not  have  been  better  performed.  On  May  19th  the  Neilson 
breaker  was  destroyed  by  fire,  another  misfortune  for  Shamokin,  throwing 
some  eight  hundred  people  out  of  employment.  The  company  commenced  at 
once  removing  the  debris,  and  started  to  build  a  new  breaker  under  the  sui:)er- 
vision  of  their  manager,  H.  S.  Gay.  This  breaker  will  be  completed  in 
December  and  promises  to  be  one  of  the  finest  in  the  i-egion.  On  July  IGth 
the  Patterson  Coal  Company  located  on  Big  Mountain  north  of  Mt.  Carmel, 
commenced  digging  foimdations  for  a  large  coal  breaker  on  their  tract,  and 
proceeded  to  build  a  number  of  dwelling  houses.  This  colliery  was  named 
the  Natalie,  and  is  expected  to  commence  shijiping  coal  on  the  first  of  the 
coming  year.  On  August  4th  the  Alaska  shaft  hoisted  eight  hundred  twenty 
eight  cargos  of  coal  in  ten  hours,  or  about  eighty-three  cars  per  hour.  This 
beats  all  records  on  coal  hoisting  as  far  as  known.  During  the  latter  part  of 
August  the  mines  of  the  Buck  Kidge  colliery  were  found  to  be  on  fire. 
Efforts  were  made  for  some  weeks  to  subdue  it  but  without  success.  On  Sep- 
tember 2Sth  the  water  of  Shamokin  creek  was  turned  in,  being  conducted  some 
twelve  hundred  feet  in  wooden  troughs,  flowing  at  the  rate  of  four  hundred 
seventy  feet  per  minute.  In  forty-foiir  hoiirs  the  mines  were  filled  with  water 
above  the  point  of  the  fire.  The  water  flowed  in  at  the  rate  of  thirty  million 
gallons  in  twenty-four  hours.  The  water  is  now  being  piimped  out  and  min- 
ing will  soon  be  resumed  at  this  colliery. 

During  November,  ISOO,  the  drowned  slope  of  Coal  Ridge  colliery,  which 
had  remained  flooded  since  1873  when  operated  by  Burton  Brothers  &  Com- 
pany, was  drained.  This  colliery  adjoins  the  Mt.  Carmel  colliery  on  the 
north.  The  following  extract  from  the  Mt.  Carmel  News  of  November  15, 
1800,  describes  this  interesting  event: — 

Several  mouths  ago  Thomas  M.  Righter  &  Company  secured  the  lease  of  the  Coal 
Ridge  colliery  and  at  once  began  to  pump  the  water  from  the  old  workings.  A  tunnel 
from  the  Skidmore  of  the  3It.  Carmel  colliery  was  started  at  the  same  time,  and  this 
week  the  workman  broke  through  into  the  old  mine.  As  soon  as  the  water  had 
rushed  through  the  opening  Superintendent  Righter  and  others  entered  the  gangway 
to  see  what  changes  had  been  made  in  seventeen  years. 

On  the  turnout  stood  a  trip  of  loaded  wagons  left  there  by  the  editor  of  the  Xeirs, 
who,  at  the  time  of  the  drowning  out,  was  a  driver  boy.  The  rails  on  which  the  cars 
stood  were  about  an  inch  in  thickness.  A  keg  of  railroad  spikes  looked  like  a  keg  of 
six-pennies.  The  miners'  drills  looked  like  pieces  of  thick  wire,  and  nothing  of  shovel 
and  picks  remained  save  the  handles.  The  old  bench  on  the  gangway  looked  just  as 
natural  as  it  did  when  County  Commissioner-elect  Roney,  John  N.  Evans,  Hopkin 
Davis,  Thomas  Evert,  Andrew  Clamaskie,  and  others  sat  on  it  and  discussed  the  merits 
of  the  old  AV.  B.  A.  The  timber  in  the  gangway  seemed  as  good  as  when  .lonathan 
Rupp,  Abe  Fry,  and  the  two  Ralphs  lifted  the  huge  collars  into  position.    The  gang- 


^-^^^.^^^-/^^^ 


DEVELOPMENT   OF    THE    SHAIIOKIN    COAL    FIELD.  389 

•n-ay  was  found  to  be  iu  excellent  coal  and  there  is  nothing  to  prevent  resumption  of 
work  at  the  place  it  was  so  suddenly  stopped  in  1873. 

The  collieries  of  oiu-  countv  give  employment  to  twelve  thoiisancl  eighty- 
five  men  and  boys,  who  in  ISSU  mined  and  prepared  over  two  and  a  half 
million  tons  of  coal. 

Having  brought  this  article  down  to  the  present  time  (November,  1890), 
it  will  be  conchided  by  introducing  a  few  tables  showing  the  shipments  of 
1857  and  1889,  and  the  annual  tonnage  from  1839  to  1890. 

((lAI,   SHIPMENTS    FOR    1857. 

Trevorton 110,711 

Lancaster:    Cochran,  Peale  &  Company 35,105 

Big  Mountain:  Bird,  Duuty  ifc  .John 28,599 

Locust  Gap:  Seasholtz.  Fagely  &  Company 15,700 

Luke  Fidler:  Thomas  >fc  .John  Rosser 15,031 

Lower  Gap  (Cameron i:  Zimmerman  &  Pursell 14,887 

Coal  Ridge:    Lewis,  Muir  6c  Company 11,255 

Green  Ridge:  A.  Ayres  &  Company 10,841 

Carbon  Run :  Ammerman  &  Wetzel 9,610 

Coal  Jlountain:  Jlears  &:  Da\-is 4,259 

Rough  ifc  Ready:  Beaver  &:  Company 4,119 

Locust  Summit:  Anthony  it  Lloyd 3,513 

Lambert:   Kremer  &  Deimian 3,388 

Total 260,517 

fiiAI.    SIIII'MKNTS    F(1I!    1889. 

Philadelphia  an.l  Rea.ling  Cal  and  Iron  Company:— 

:Merriam 65,677 

Monitor 46,007 

Locust  Gap 193,566 

Locust  Spring 147,381 

Alaska  Shaft '.  . . .  .205,461 

Reliance 68,977 

Buck  Ridse 57,779 

Henry  Clay 460.046 

Burnside 100,059 

Bear  Valley '^^.•Wl 

Trevorton 62.4(i0 

1,481,700  tons 

L'nion  Coal  Company: — 

Pennsylvania 240,535 

Hickorj-  Swamp 107,729 

Hickorv  Ridse 55,708 

404,032  tons 

Jlineral  Railroad  and  Minin.'  Company:— 

Cameron 101. 4 1 8 

Luke  Fidler 123,925 

225,703  tons 

E.xcelsior  Coal  Compa 


Excelsior 159,929 

Corbin 46,975 


200,904  tons 


390  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUJIBERLAND    COUNTY. 

Individual  Operators: — 

Enterprise 115,247 

Neilsou 108.296 

>It.  C'armel 80,338 

Blacli  Diamond 48,749 

Lancaster 9,333 

Garfield 13,145 

Eureka  (Star) 7,104 

382,212  tons 

Total  for  1889 2,700,551  tons 

TOTAL    SHIPMENTS. 

The  following  table  exhibits  the  total  shipments  from  the  Shamokin  coal 
lield  from  the  beginning  of  the  trade  in  1S39  down  to  1890,  covering  a  period 
of  fifty-one  years,  with  amounts  of  each  decade  carried  out: — 
Ye.ir.  Tons. 

1839 11,930 

1840 15,505 

1841 21,463 

1842 10,000 

1843 10,000 

1844 13,087 

1845 10,000 

1846 12,572 

1847 14,904 

184S 19.356 

For  1st  decade 138,917 

1849 19,650 

1S50 19.921 

1851 24,899 

1852 25,846 

1853 15.500 

1854 63,500 

1855 116,117 

1856 210,518 

1857 266.517 

1858 242,579 

For  2d  decade 1,005,047 

1859 305,043 

1860 300,256 

1861 290,928 

1863 304,865 

1863 337,136 

1864 389,799 

1865 484,257 

1866 610,809 

1867 533,815 

1868 911.784 

For  8d  decade 4,468,692 


Year. 

1869 

Tons. 

1870 

1871 

1872 

1,025,515 

1,213,096 

1,221,327 

1874 

1  221  551 

1875 

1876 

1,715,314 

1  507  078 

1877 

1  912  236 

1878 

For  4th  decade  

1879 

13,561,956 

1  893  990 

1880 

1,927,877 

1881 

2,399,193 

1882 

2,407,240 

1883 

"  '^'to  762 

1884 

1885 

2,366,477 

1886 

1887 

1888 

2,121,964 

2,613,457 

2,613,818 

For  5th  decade 

1889 

22,793,899 

2.694,551 

DEVELOPMENT    OF    THE    SHAMOKIN    COAL    FIELD.  391 

KECAPITULATION. 

1st  decade 138,017  tons 

2d  decade l.O().'>,047  tons 

3d  decade 4,40s,(;!i3  tons 

4th  decade ' 13,."iijl,'j50  tons 

5th  decade 22,Tt)o,s09  tons 

Total  for  fifty  years 41,968,511  tons 

Add  for  1889 2,7(10,551  tons 

Total  shipments 44,0IJ9,OI32  tons 

Add  for  consumption  at  brealcer  and  local  sales 2,000,0(10  tons 

Total  output  for  fifty-one  years 40,0(19,(^02  tons 


CHAPTER  XII, 

WAR  OF  IS  12. 


)N     OF    THK     yiu. 

iTiA  --  Co: 

.1    ^IcGviUK,  Wll 

.I.IAM    F.  B 

DuKIlJEI.lilliS. 

OK    Captains    Roi'.kut    .Mc(in 
»u  .Iacob  IIumm?;!.,  .\nd  Likitk: 


IX  tho  .second  war  with  England  Pennsylvania  w^as  menaced  with  invasion 
on  the  extreme  northwest,  where  Lake  Erie  afforded  an  easy  route  for 
the  transportation  of  the  enemy's  forces  from  Canada,  and  on  the  southeast, 
where  the  Delaware  bay  and  river  presented  a  favorable  approach  for  the 
enemy's  shij^ping.  The  State  militia  was,  therefore,  mobilized  at  three 
principal  points,  viz.,  Meadville,  then  the  largest  town  in  the  northwestern 
part  of  the  State,  Marcus  Hook,  on  the  Delaware  below  Philadelphia,  and 
York. 

Although  war  was  not  formally  declared  by  Congress  until  the  ISth  of 
June,  ISri,  preparations  for  the  conflict  had  been  in  progress  for  some  time 
previously,  and  on  the  Pith  of  May  Governor  Snyder  issued  a  call  for  four- 
teen thousand  militia,  the  quota  of  the  State.  Among  the  tenders  of  military 
ser\-ices  in  compliance  with  this  requisition  was  the  following: — 

Milton,  July  2,  1812. 
To  his  Exi-elkney,  Simon  Snyder,  Goi-irnnr  of  Pennsylrnnia:— 

Sir:  I  have  the  honor  to  inform  you  that  on  the  1st  day  of  July,  instant,  the  several 
classes  of  the  One  Hundred  and  Twenty-third  regiment  of  Pennsylvania  militia,  James 
Moodie,  lieutenant  colonel  commandant.  Second  brigade,  Ninth  division,  met  in  pur- 
suance of  brigade  orders  in  Milton,  Northumberland  county;  that  upwards  of  the 
number  seventy-nine  have  volunteered  their  services  as  their  quota  of  militia  to  your 


39'2  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBEKLAND    COUNTY. 

Honor,  to  be  reaily  to  march  at  any  tiiue  riMiuired.     Wi-  bt-g  leave  to  state  to  your  Ex- 
cellency that  it  is  the  wish  of  the  company  to  march  at  the  l]rst  call. 
Sir,  your  most  obedient  humble  servant. 

Robert  McGuioax. 

Cptaiu. 

The  following  postscript  is  apjiendod  to  a  return  of  the  detached  volun- 
teer corps  called  upon  to  march  to  Meadville  by  general  orders  from  the 
Governor,  issued  August  25,  1812: — 

N.  B.  .John  Fruit,  brigade  inspector,  Ninth  division  and  Second  brigade,  has  been, 
subsequent  to  general  orders,  directed  to  order  a  volunteer  companj-  commanded  by 
Captain  Robert  JIcGuigati  to  march.     Xumber  of  men  in  the  company  unknown. 

^\'ii,i,iA.M  Reed, 

Ailjutant  General. 

In  general  orders  dated  Sei^tember  5,  1812.  Governor  Snyder  '•em- 
braces the  present  opportimity  of  recording  the  names  of  commanding 
officers  of  companies  who  have  patriotically  tendered  their  services,  not  in- 
cluded in  general  orders  of  the  2.jth  ultimo,"  among  whom  appears  the  name 
of  "Robert  McGuigan,  cajjtain  light  infantr*-.  Second  brigade.  Ninth 
division."  * 

Four  companiofi  of  volunteers  from  the  Second  Brigade,  Ninth  division, 
Avere  ordered  to  march  by  the  general  orders  of  August  25,  1812,  viz.:  John 
Gaston's,  Josejih  Daine's,  Isaac  Blue's,  and  George  Ely's.  There  is  reason 
to  suppose  that  one  or  more  of  these  companies  was  also  from  Northtunber- 
land  coimty. 

The  Warrior  Run  Rifle  Comiiany,  Wjlliam  McGuire,  captain,  was  com- 
posed as  follows: —  , 

Captain,  William  McGuire. 

Lieutenant,  Jacob  Shertz. 

Ensign,  Andrew  Ferguson. 

Privates:  William  McKinney,  Daniel  Eyers,  Thomas  McCormick,  Joseph 
Mackey,  Thomas  Cornwell,  George  Gray,  John  Watt.  David  Reid,  Samuel  Clark, 
Robert  Bryson,  Andrew  Reid,  John  Parks,  John  Cornwell,  Joseph  McGuire, 
John  Shannon,  James  McKinney,  Matthew  Curr}-,  James  A.  Scott,  John 
Bitrrows,  William  Davis,  John  Lunger,  Ezekiel  Limger,  Abraham  Lunger, 
John  Tweed,  Henry  Reeder,  George  Reeder,  John  Simmons,  James  Baird, 
William  Cathcart,  John  St.adden,  John  Smith,  William  Van  Lew,  James 
Watson,  James  Hamilton,  Robert  Reeder,  James  Bryson,  David  Graham, 
Robert  Foster,  James  Donley,  Henry  Wolfinger.  James  Watt,  Abraham 
Gross,  Clark  C.  Stewart,  James  Kirk,  Joseph  Welsh,  John  McKinney,  John 
Murray,  Kerr  Russell,  John  Hart,  Adam  Hart,  Carlton  Irwin,  Robert  Carter, 
John  Vincent,  William  Barnet,  Thomas  Tanner.  John  Campbell,  Wdliam 
Tweed,  Andrew  Irwin,  John  Bailick,  John  Hill.  William  Brittain,  Charles 
Egner,  Robert  McKinley,  Samuel  AUison. 

*PennsylvaDia  Archives  (Second  Series),  Vol.  XII.  pp.  552,  5C;i.  .>30,  5Sl. 


WAR  OF  1S12.  393 

This  roster  is  derived  from  an  original  copy  now  in  the  possession  of 
Andrew  J.  Giiify,  of  Watsontown,  Pennsylvania,  which  bears  the  following 
indorsements: — 

As  the  couipiiD}-  returiifd  frimi  Buffalo. 

"William  :McC4uiiie, 

To  Colonel  James  Mhodie:  We  voluut^ereil  as  part  of  tlie  quota  of  militia;  we 
consider  that  we  have  discharged  our  duty,  but  are  willing  to  submit  to  the  lawful 
decision  of  our  countrj-. 

"William  ^McGuiue. 

Second  Brigade,  Xinth  Division,  and  (Jne  Hundred  and  Tweuty-third  Regiment, 
Pennsylvania  ^[ilitia: 

I  do  certify  that  this  is  a  true  copy  of  the  rrturu  made  to  me;  witness  my  hand, 

James  ^Mciodie, 
Linittihinf  r,,h.n<lofth(  Oi„:  Ih'^.ilnd  ami  rirenty-third  lin/iiuint. 
>[ilton,  October  18,  1814. 

There  are  two  of  the  within  named  who  have  discharges,  to  wit,  Riibert  Gaston, 
"William  Barnet. 

The  above  and  within  is  a  true  copy. 

Isaac  Pi.st, 
Bri;ia,h  Ii,si„-rf„i:  S.;;„ul  Bri'jade,  El'jM,  Bnhwn,  Pcnmyh;ini,i  MiUti.i. 
Montrose,  November  1, 1814. 

Mr.  Guffy  states  that  in  December,  1S13.  this  company  marched  by  way 
of  Bellefonte  and  the  Susquehanna  and  "^^'aterford  turnjjike  to  Erie,  and 
thence  to  Black  Rock  near  Buffalo,  where  the  ensuing  winter  was  spent.  A 
malignant  type  of  fever  was  prevalent  in  the  camp,  and,  as  there  seemed  to 
be  but  little  occasion  for  its  services,  the  company  returned  without  leave 
early  in  the  summer  of  1814.  This  was  construed  as  desertion;  the  entire 
company  was  court-martialed  and  ordered  to  Marcus  Hook.  These  pro- 
ceedings occurred  at  Danville;  thence  the  men  proceeded  in  boats  and 
wagons  as  far  as  Northumberland,  where  a  courier  was  met  with  intelligence 
that  the  invading  force  had  withdrawn  after  being  repulsed  at  Baltimore, 
which  rendered  further  mobilization  in  the  southeastern  part  of  the  State 
unnecessarv'.     The  company  thereupon  returned  to  Milton  and  disbanded. 

The  company  of  Captain  William  F.  Buyers*  was  composed  as  follows: — 

Captain,  William  F.  Buyers,  Sunbuiy. 

First  Lieutenant,  Thomas  S.  Jenkins.  Dr.-  "V'alley. 

Second  Lieutenant,  Samuel  H.  Scott,  Sunburj-. 

Ensign,  John  Hepburn,  Northumberland. 

Sergeants:  Samuel  H.  "Wilson,  Northumberland:  Joseph  T.  Wallis,  Sim- 
bury;  Montgomery  Sweney,  Northimiberland. 

Corporal,  John  W.  Kiehl,  Simbury. 

Fifer,  William  Armor,  Sunbury. 

Drummer,  Samuel  Delong,  Simhun,-. 

Privates. — From  Sunbury:     George  Weitzel.  George  P.  Buyers,  George 

*Penusylvauia  Archives  iScconil  Series),  Vol.  XII.  w.  'oS-hi. 


394  HISTORY   OF    NOETHUMBERLAND    COrmTY. 

Prince.  David  Black,  William  M.  Gray,  Daniel  Lebo.  Martin  Grant,  John 
Lyon,  John  Quin,  Edward  Chapman,  Jacob  Armstrong,  William  Grant, 
Thomas  Grant,  Jr.,  Jackson  Gray,  Daniel  Delong,  Thomas  Armstrong;  from 
Northimiberland:  John  S.  Haines,  John  Lyon,  Adam  Cooke,  Thomas  Bon- 
ham,  Joseph  Rachall,  James  Oliphant,  Joseph  Hoffman,  Charles  Mans, 
Charles  Frazier,  William  Sutherland,  Eobert  Lyon.  Isaac  McCord,  Henry 
Eemiinger,  Samuel  Wilson,  William  Jones.  William  Cooke,  William  Watson, 
Jacob  Hopfer,  John  Weimer,  Henrj-  Dale,  Isaac  Hendershott,  John  Martin, 
Robert  Campbell,  William  Dykens;  from  Williamsport:  John  Boss,  Will- 
iam Gale;  from  Milton,  James  S.  Dougal;  from  Dry  Valley:  Joseph  B. 
Kremer.  Abraham  Kremer,  John  Macpherson;  from  Lewisburg,  William 
Cameron;  residence  unknown:    Thomas  Harris,  William  Leland,  John  Jones. 

Captain  Buyers's  camp  of  rendezvous  was  situated  within  the  present 
limits  of  the  borough  of  East  Sunbury  at  a  large  sjjring  in  a  field  south  of 
Market  street  and  east  of  the  branch  road  which  connects  the  line  of  the 
Philadelphia  and  Erie  and  Shamokin  Valley  and  Pottsville  railroads.  On 
the  first  day  after  breaking  camp  the  company  marched  as  far  as  Stambach's 
tavern  on  the  old  Reading  road  at  the  village  of  Paxinos,  and  spent  the  night 
in  the  large  barn  connected  with  that  hostelry.  The  march  was  continued 
through  Pottsville  to  Philadelphia,  where  the  company  was  encamped  on  a 
vacant  lot  at  the  north  side  of  Market  street  near  Twelfth  until  ordered  to 
Marcus  Hook. 

The  company  of  Captain  Jacob  Hummel f  was  composed  as  follows: — 

Captain,  Jacob  Hummel. 

Lieutenant,  Walter  Brady. 

Ensign,  Francis  P.  Schwartz. 

Sergeants:  Stephen  Baldy,  John  Eisely,  John  Hammer,  John  S.  James. 

Corporals:  John  B.  Jordan,  John  Petry,  Jacob  Leisenring,  James  Martin. 

Privates:  Henry  Burn,  John  Burn,  John  App,  Isaac  Hull,  John  Housel, 
John  Kedlion,  Abraham  Newcomer,  Frederick  Weaver,  Joseph  Morgan, 
James  Morgan,  John  Marstellar,  Henry  Haupt,  William  Mettler,  Peter 
Oberdorf,  Jonathan  Stroh,  Zachariah  London,  Henry  Sterner,  David  Zeliff, 
Logwood  A.  Hoyt,  Daniel  Ringler,  Benjamin  Hofi",  George  Espy,  John  Buy- 
ers, John  Eenn,  Baltzar  Mierly,  Jacob  Hettrick,  William  Woollican,  Daniel 
Corner,  George  Farley,  John  Boughner,  Joseph  McClughan,  John  Barnhart, 
WiUiam  Willett,  Samuel  Willett,  Elias  WoodrufP,  William  Barr,  John  Road- 
armel,  John  Applegate,  Henry  Bertler,  Andrew  Carothers,  John  Armstrong, 
Jonathan  Furman,  Frederick  Rhinehart,  Daniel  Gearhart,  John  Crutchley, 
William  Mahany,  Daniel  Delong,  Christian  Wagoner,  James  Warren,  David 
More,  Griggs  Marsh,  John  Campbell. 

The  roster  is  dated,  '•  Camp  Marcus  Hook,  October  31,  1S14,"  and  bears 
the  following  indorsements: — 

tPeiinsylvauia  Archives  (Second  Series),  Vol.  XII.  pp.  2-J-J-2'.'4. 


WAR  OF  1812.  395 

I  do  certify,  ou  houor,  that  this  pay-roll  exhibits  a  true  statement  of  the  company 
imder  my  command  from  Northumberland  couut\-,  attached  to  the  regiment  under  the 
command  of  Lieutenant  Colonel  George  "Weirick,  Pennsylvania  militia. 

Jacob  IIummei., 

Ciiptiiiii. 
I  believe  the  above  to  be  a  correct  pay-roll. 

George  AVf;iKiCK. 
Licutenunt  Colonii  C'oiniiiinidin;/. 
I  certify  that  the  company  commanded  by  Captain  Jacob  Hummel  is  now  in  the 
service   of  the    United   t^tates,   [under]  orders   of  the    general    commandant.  Fourth 
military  district. 

Thomas  J.  I:,m;eus, 

The  company  of  Lieutenant  Joseph  Dreibelbies*  was  composed  as  fol- 
lows : — 

Lieutenant,  Joseph  Dreibelbies. 

Ensign,  William  Farnsworth. 

Sergeants:  Samuel  Auclimitty.  John  Colsher,  Thomas  Warner,  Peter 
Hull. 

Corporals:  Adam  Renn,  John  Martz,  Thomas  Snyder,  George  Wyall. 

Drummer,  John  Fry. 

Fifer,  Adam  Gilger. 

Privates:  Charles  Hull,  Daniel  Hinkle.  John  Eicher,  George  Herner, 
Solomon  Kreig,  John  Casner,  Conrad  Casner,  Lewis  Ayres,  Ellis  Ayres, 
Frederick  Syby,  Christopher  Wentzel,  George  Waggoner,  Arthur  Rogers, 
Adam  Smith,  George  Goodman,  Arthur  Auchmuty,  John  Fagely,  George 
Derk,  John  Leader,  George  Heim.  John  Cames,  Martin  Dntmheller,  Abra- 
ham Drumheller,  John  Kembel,  Frederick  Kaiibel,  Henry  Daniel,  Leonard 
Ferster,  George  Seitz,  Michael  Read.  Henry  Kembel,  Adam  Slise,  John  Kep- 
ler, Michael  Rebuck,  Jacob  Foulk,  Michael  Druckemiller,  Peter  Boyer,  Con- 
rad Rebuck,  John  Kline,  Henry  Rebuck,  John  Beisel,  George  Reitz,  John 
Heim,  John  Martin.  John  Lewis,  Daniel  Martin,  Henrj-  Huffman,  John  Per- 
son, Joseph  Fox,  Solomon  Hummel,  Solomon  INIoyer,  John  Helwig,  Henry 
Geise,  Martra  Grim,  Samuel  Bower,  Le-\-i  Kocher,  John  Herter,  Henry 
Fisher.  Samuel  Geise.  Leonard  Read,  George  Litzel,  Henry  Hepner,  Valen- 
tine Hanabach,  John  Boughner,  Robert  Farnsworth,  Henry  Cressinger,  Jere- 
miah Slaught,  Samuel  Foy,  John  Fisher,  Adam  Tawney,  Conrad  Sawyer, 
Peter  Heckert,  Peter  Sawyer,  Jacob  Almang,  Joshua  Heckert,  Leonard  Dei- 
ter,  Michael  Bower.  Daniel  Snyder,  Daniel  High,  EjAraim  Lytle,  Elijah 
Shipman,  I.  Dunkelberger,  Peter  Melig,  Samuel  Sea.sholtz.  Philip  Hahn, 
William  Refolds,  Daniel  Blottenberger.  John  Klock,  Frederick  Kahler. 

The  roster  is  dated,  "Marcus  Hook.  October  31,  ISU,"  and  bears  the 
following  indorsements: — 

I  do  certify,  on  honor,  that  this  pa^'-roll  e.xhibits  a  true  statement  of  the  company 

"Pennsylvania  Archives  (Second  Series),  Vol.  XII.  pp.  106-103. 


396  HISTORY    OF    NOETHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

under  my  command  from  Northumberland  county,  attached  to  the  re-dment  under  the 
command  of  Lieutenant  Colonel  George  AVeirick,  Pennsylvania  miliria. 

JosEi'ii  Dreibei.bies, 

Lieiiti'iuuit. 
I  believe  the  above  to  be  a  true  jiay-roU,  exceiit  Arthur  Auchmuty,  who  received 
a  furlough  improperly  iu  my  (i]iiniiin. 

GEOUfiE    Weieick, 
Lkutenimt  Cohmd  (.'"iiiiiiandinff. 
I  certify  that  the  company  commanded  by   Lieutenant  Joseph  Dreibelbies  is  now 
in  the  service  of   the  United  States,  under  order  of  the  general  commanding,  Fourth 
military  district. 

Thomas  J.  Roijehs, 


CHAPTER    XIII. 

THE  CIVIL  WAR. 

State  of  Public  Sexti.\[ent  at  the  Oiti;i!eak  of  the  Wak — Ma--  Meetings  axd 
Kescjlutions— The  S.^nitaky  Commission—Regimental  Skek.  iies— Eleventh 
—  Eighth  —  Tiiibty-fourth  —  Forty-sixth  —  Forty-seventh  —  Fifty-first  — 
Fifty-third— Eightieth — One  Hl-xdred  and  Twelfth- Fifty-eighth— One 

IICXDRED    AND    TlIIRTV-FIKST — OXE    IIUNDRED    AND     FiFTY-SEf .  i.VD  —  SEVENTY- 

FouRTH- ^tiLiriA  OF  180^2— MiLiTiA  OF  18G3 — Soldiers'  Monuments. 

THE  interval  that  elapsed  between  the  national  election  in  the  ai;tumn  of 
1800  and  President  Lincoln's  inauguration  was  a  perio<l  of  the  most 
intense  suspense  throughout  the  North.  A  momentous  transference  of  polit- 
ical power  had  occurred;  for  the  first  time  in  the  history  of  the  countrj'  a 
president  had  been  elected  without  the  vote  of  a  single  Southern  State;  the 
Republican  party,  with  which  the  ultra-Abolitionists  affiliated,  had  achieved 
its  first  national  victory,  while  a  similar  result  in  the  gubernatorial  contest 
in  Pennsylvania  gave  to  the  people  of  that  State  an  added  interest  in  the 
final  isstie  of  the  rapidly  changing  current  of  events.  The  cotton  States  suc- 
cessively seceded,  a  Southern  Confederacy  was  formed,  and  its  leaders  dis- 
played an  energy  of  purpose  in  marked  contrast  with  the  pusillanimous 
inactivity  of  the  retiring  national  administration.  In  these  important  devel- 
opments the  people  of  the  North  were  debarred  from  active  participation, 
and  throughout  the  brief  period  that  intervened  from  the  time  a  civil  convul- 
sion became  imminent  their  attitude  was  little  more  than  that  of  spectators. 
The  question  was  discussed  from  every  standpoint — moral,  constitutional, 
humanitarian;  and,  while  a  resort  to  arms  was  generally  deprecated,  and 
people  of  all  shades  of  political  opinion  fondly  cherished  the  behef  that  a 
peaceable  adjustment  of  the  difficulty    could  be  effected,  the  sense  of  an 


-^^^^*-^  c/^^i^.^a^-y^^^ 


THE    CIVIL    WAR.  399 

impending  national  crisis  pervaded  every  commimity.  It  was  while  com- 
l^romise  measures  were  under  consideration  that  the  people  of  this  county 
first  took  action  in  a  collective  capacity. 

The  first  public  meeting  in  Northumberland  county  to  take  into  consider- 
ation the  crisis  in  the  affairs  of  the  country,  and  '•to  adopt  such  measures  of 
compromise  as  will  settle  the  slavery  c^uestion,  which  threatens  to  destroy 
this  glorious  I'nion,"  was  held  at  Academy  hall,  Milton,  on  the  evening  of 
Tuesday,  FebriiarA'  5,  18G1,  and  organized  with  the  appointment  of  Moses 
Chamberlin  as  president;  E.  M.  Frick  and  William  Kiitz,  secretaries;  and 
Abraham  Straub.  Samuel  Blair,  E.  S.  Trego,  Joseph  Khoads,  George 
Lawrence.  S.  T.  Bro^^^l,  Martin  Billmyer,  George  "\V.  Strine,  L.  Alleman,  T. 
S.  Mackey.  William  M.  Auten,  and  John  Simington,  vice-presidents.  On 
motion  of  C.  W.  Tharp  the  following  persons  were  apjiointed  a  committee  to 
draft  resolutions  expressive  of  the  sense  of  the  meeting:  C.  W.  Tharp,  J.  F. 
Caslow,  I.  B.  Davis.  J.  F.  Wolfinger,  J.  H.  McCormick,  J.  B.  Koney,  John 
S.  Peterman.  W.  H.  Marr,  and  Levi  Balliet.  The  meeting  was  then 
addressed  by  Joseph  Rhoads,  J.  J.  Reimensnyder,  and  James  Cameron,  who 
urged  in  able  and  eloquent  terms  the  importance  of  preserving  the  integrity 
of  the  government.  A  series  of  resolutions  was  reported  and  adojited,  from 
which  the  following  selection  has  been  made,  as  indicating  their  general 
character: — 

li7i-;v.'s  It  i-  aiipun-iit  \»  cvitv  lover  of  his  country's  good  that  the  glorious 
luiioii  of  the  State-  uiuliT  uhirhthe  Aiucriian  people  have  so  long  lived  and  prospered, 
beyond  any  e\ani]ile  in  the  history  of  tlie  world,  is  threatened  with  dissolution; 

U7e /■.//■,.  Tile  i^sue  is  now  made  up,  ami  tlie  (luestion  for  us  to  deterniino  now  is 
whetlier  base.  <le>ii:iunL;-  political  demagogues  and  fanatics  shall  have  tlieir  way,  or 
wlu'tlier  our  liberties,  our  in>tit\Uious,  and  our  great  and  glorious  nation  sliall  bo  pre- 
served; therefore, 

l!,„uh;,l.  That  tlie  citizens  of  Xorthundierland  county,  without  ilistinetion  of  party, 
in  mass  meeting  assembled,  believe  our  national  pro>iierity,  our  hopes,  and  happiness 
depend  on  the  union  of  the  States  as  they  are  now. 

/e  .inJc-iI,  That  in  this  hour  of  our  country's  peril  lie  is  a  dangerous  statesman  who 
clings  to  an  abstract  theory,  and  the  people  will  hold  him  responsible  at  the  bar  of 
public  justice  who  will  not  extend  the  olive  branch  of  peace  and  by  honorable  and 
fair  concessions  make  a  decided  effort  to  save  from  ruin  the  fairest,  freest,  and  noblest 
fabric  of  Republican  liberty  ever  erected  by  human  genius. 

What  was  known  as  the  ''Border  State  proposition"  was  recommended  as 
a  basis  of  adjustment ;  the  Senator  and  Representative  from  this  county  were 
requested  to  aid  in  the  speeciy  removal  from  the  statute  books  of  any  laws 
that  might  be  construed  to  interfere  with  the  operation  of  the  Fugitive  Slave 
law:  the  parallel  of  thirty-six  degrees  thirty  minutes  was  declared  to  be  of 
no  practical  disadvantage  to  the  people  of  the  Xorth  as  a  barrier  to  the  ex- 
tension of  slaver*-,  and  south  of  that  line  the  meeting  was  firmly  impressed 
in  the  belief  that  "  slavery  should  be  determined  by  the  sovereign  -will  of  the 
people  of  the  Territories  "  when  they  should  prepare  State  constitutions. 


400  HISTORY   OF   NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

It  was  impossible  as  yet  to  realize  that  war  was  immiaent.  The  horrors 
of  civil  strife  lent  probability  to  the  many  possible  ways  by  which  such  a 
calamity  might  have  been  averted,  and  in  this  respect  the  fluctuating  uncer- 
tainity  of  national  affairs  affected  the  people  of  Northumberland  coimty  no 
less  than  the  coimtry  at  large.  But  the  events  of  the  next  few  months 
demonstrated  conclusively  that  all  hopes  for  an  honorable  compromise  were 
chimerical.  The  bombardment  of  Fort  Sumter,  April  12,  1801,  while  it 
precipitated  the  hostilities  that  ultimately  lengthened  into  a  protracted  and 
sanguinary  war,  relieved  the  tension  of  the  public  mind  and  startled  the  Xorth 
into  immediate  preparation  for  the  "irrepressible  conflict."  Every  latent 
instinct  of  patriotism  was  stirred  to  action,  and  public  sentiment  ciystallized 
into  a  united  determination  to  maintain  the  honor  of  the  flag  and  the  integrity 
of  the  government.  On  the  15th  of  April  the  President  issued  his  proclama- 
tion calling  out  the  militia  of  the  loyal  States  to  the  number  of  seventy-tive 
thousand  men.  The  period  of  suspense  had  terminated,  and  the  citizens  of 
the  county  were  prompt  in  giving  expression  to  their  unwavering  a^lherence 
to  the  national  Executive  in  the  policy  thus  inaugurated. 

The  first  public  meeting  in  the  county  after  the  call  for  troops  had  been 
made  was  held  at  Shamokin  on  the  10th  of  April,  ISOl.  Addresses  were 
made  by  A.  R.  Fiske,  W.  P.  Withington,  and  Alexander  Campbell,  and  meas- 
ures were  de\'ised  to  assist  the  families  of  volunteers.  One  hundred  eight  men 
volunteered  on  this  occasion. 

On  the  morning  of  Wednesday,  April  17th,  a  call  was  issued  for  a  pubhc 
meeting  in  the  court  house  at  Sunbiiry,  and  on  the  evening  of  that  day  a  large 
concourse  of  people  assembled  '•  to  take  such  action  as  the  threatening  char- 
acter of  the  times  "  should  require.  The  following  gentlemen  were  selected 
as  officers:  president,  Henry  Billington;  vice-presidents:  James  F.  Deen, 
George  Conrad;  secretaries:  Samuel  D.  Jordan,  J.  P.  S.  Gobin.  Charles 
J.  Bruner,  J.  P.  S.  Gobin,  J.  H.  Zimmerman,  George  B.  Youngman,  and  P. 
M.  Shindel  were  appointed  a  committee  on  resolutions.  Addresses  were 
made  by  Rev.  P.  Rizer  and  General  Clement.  Regarding  the  immediate 
duty  of  the  citizens  the  following  action  was  taken: — 

Resolced,  That  we  proceed  to  form  a  military  association,  out  of  which  a.ssociatiou 
a  full  company  may  be  furnished  at  the  call  of  the  proper  avUhorities. 

Resolved,  That  a  committee  of  three  be  appointed  to  solicit  subscription.s,  to  be  ap- 
plied to  defraying  the  e.xpense,  etc.  of  said  company. 

H.  B.  Masser,  George  B.  Youngman,  and  George  Conrad  were  appointed 
a  financial  committee  ageeably  to  the  final  resolution.  A  paper  was  laid  be- 
fore the  meeting  gi^'ing  the  people  an  opportunity  to  volunteer;  it  was  im- 
mediately signed  by  a  large  number  of  citizens. 

A  large  and  enthusiastic  Union  meeting  was  held  at  Academy  hall,  Milton, 
on  the  evening  of  Friday,  April  lUth.  Ex-Governor  James  Pollock  was 
called  to  the  chair;  W.  C.  Lawson,   J.   H.   McCormick,    John  Porter,  I.  B. 


THE    CIVIL    WAE.  401 

Davis,  W.  H.  Frymire,  William  F.  Nagle.  George  W.  Strine.  George  Baker, 
Robert  Haves,  George  J.  Piper,  Thomas  Swenk.  John  Eoush.  H.  D.  Barr. 
Samuel  T.  Bro\vn,  John  M.  Huff,  and  Joseph  Bound  were  selected  as  vice- 
presidents;  and  J.  Woods  Brown,  J.  B.  Koney.  and  S.  H.  Pollock  as  secre- 
taries. A  brief  bitt  stirring  address  was  made  by  ex-Governor  Pollock,  who 
was  followed  by  Eeverends  J.  W.  Langley,  W.  T.  Wylie.  and  others.  Eoliert 
M.  Frick,  C.  W.  Tharp,  WiUiam  Folhner,  Cyrus  Brown,  William  H.  Marr, 
J.  B.  Roney,  and  John  Miller  were  constituted  a  committee  on  resolutions, 
and  their  report  was  unanimously  adopted.  It  urged  an  immediate  response 
tO' the  call  of  the  President:  indorsed  the  action  of  the  State  legislature  in 
pledging  "  the  faith,  credit,  and  resources  of  Penn.sylvania,  in  both  money 
and  men,  to  any  amount  and  to  every  extent  which  the  Federal  government 
may  demand;"  bestowed  a  high  comi:)liment  upon  the  conduct  of  ^lajor 
Anderson  and  his  garrison;  and.  as  a  means  of  security  for  the  families  of 
married  men  who  should  volunteer,  it  was 

Rciolced,  That  we  hereby  pledge  ourselves  to  support  the  fumilifs  of  tho-.-  of  i.iir 
citizens  who  shall  vohmteer  their  services  to  fight  under  the  flag  of  their  country,  in 
mahitaining  the  honor  and  integrity  of  the  government,  in  crushing  out  rebellion,  and 
in  protecting  and  maintaining  the  best  government  on  the  face  of  the  earth:  and  that 
William  F.  Nagle,  John  ]\r.  Huff,  I.  B.  Davis,  and  J.  Woods  Brown  be  appointed  a 
committee  to  carry  out  the  resolution. 

An  invitation  was  then  extended  to  all  who  desired  to  enter  the  service  to 
enroll  themselves  with  the  volunteer  organization  forming  in  the  borough, 
and  to  this  more  than  one  hundred  responded.  While  this  was  in  progress 
a  subscription  was  inaugitrated,  and  upwards  of  three  thousand  dollars  were 
promised  for  the  maintenance  of  the  families  of  volunteers. 

The  first  man  to  leave  Sunbury  to  enlist  in  the  army  was  Isaac  E.  Dunkel- 
berger,  who  went  to  Washington  on  Tuesday,  the  10th  of  April.  1S61.  He 
joined  the  regular  army  and  rose  to  the  rank  of  brevet  colonel  He  had  been 
admitted  to  the  bar  at  the  preceding  term  of  court,  April  2,  Ib'il.  Subse- 
quently he  resided  in  California. 

The  first  detachment  of  troops  to  pass  through  Sunbury  was  a  corps  of 
volunteers  about  eighty  in  number  from  Luzerne  coimty  en  route  to  Wash- 
ington. They  were  greeted  at  the  different  stations  with  great  enthusiasm, 
and  passed  through  this  county  on  Thursday,  April  18.  ISOl.  On  Friday  a 
larger  number  came  from  that  and  other  regions,  and  detachments  passed 
through  from  various  places  on  Saturday.  On  the  following  Monday  a  train 
carrv'ing  a  thousand  men  came  down  the  North  Branch;  having  traveled  some 
distance  they  made  an  effort  to  procure  food,  and  no  sooner  had  this  intelli- 
gence spread  than  the  ladies  of  the  borough  supplied  them  with  everiihing  in 
the  way  of  provisions  that  an  unexpected  necessity  could  permit.  This  sug- 
gested the  propriety  of  making  systematic  preparations  for  future  occa- 
sions; lunch  tables  were  accordingly  erected  in  the  public  square,  and  gen- 
erous donations  were  received  from  both  town  and  countrv". 


402  HISTORY    OF   NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

Several  branches  of  the  Sanitary  Commission  rendered  efficient  service 
throughout  the  war.  The  Sanitary  Aid  Society  of  Stinbiiry  was  organized  on 
the  30th  of  May,  1863,  with  Mrs.  Charles  Pleasants,  president;  Mrs.  Will- 
iam Wilson,  Mrs.  Alexander  Jordan,  Mrs.  John  B.  Packer,  Mrs.  W.  I.  Green- 
oixgh,  Mrs.  James  Boyd,  and  Miss  Maria  E.  Fisher,  vice-presidents;  Miss  E. 
Donnel,  secretary,  and  Mrs.  Beulah  A.  Clement,  treasurer.  A  battalion  of 
the  provost  giiard  was  stationed  at  Simbury  in  August  and  September,  1803, 
among  which  were  many  sick  solchers;  the  upper  story  of  the  old  court  house 
was  fitted  up  for  them,  and  the  members  of  the  society  supplied  their  wants. 
Soldiers  passing  through  Simbiu-y  on  their  return  from  the  war  were  bounti- 
fully entertained  on  several  occasions.  The  active  existence  of  the  society 
terminated  in  June,  1805. 

The  Shamokin  auxiliary  was  organized  on  the  17th  of  May,  1S04,  with 
Rev.  J.  F.  Porter,  president:  Dr.  J.  J.  John,  secretary,  and  Rev.  P.  Bird, 
trea.surer.  A  committee  was  appointed  to  solicit  subscriptions,  and  valuable 
contributions  were  made  for  the  fair  held  at  Philadelphia.  Throughout  the 
war  the  county  commissioners  contributed  regularly  toward  the  support  of 
the  families  of  absent  soldiers,  and,  while  organized  assistance  was  thus  ren- 
dered, public  benefactions  were  atigmented  by  many  acts  of  private  charity. 

The  following  regimental  sketches  and  company  rosters  have  been  com- 
piled from  Bates's  History  of  Pennsylvania  Volimteers,  augmented  and  cor- 
rected from  local  sources  wherever  possible.  The  historical  sketches  of  the 
different  regiments  have  necessarily  been  greatly  abbreviated,  but  rosters  have 
been  given  of  all  the  companies  in  which  the  county  was  represented  to  any 
extent.  There  were  also  a  niunber  of  other  regiments  to  which  the  county  con- 
tributed— among  which  were  the  Third,  Fifth,  Eighth,  Ninth,  and  Thirteenth 
Cavalry,  and  the  Seventy-seconi  Eighty- fourth,  Ninety-first,  One  Hundred 
and  Twelfth,  One  Hundred  and  Eighteenth,  One  Hundred  and  Thirty-sec- 
ond, One  Hundred  and  Fiftieth.  One  Hundred  and  Eighty-eighth,  and  Two 
Hundred  and  Tenth  regiments  of  the  line,  and  others — but  while  details  on 
this  subject  might  be  multiplied,  it  is  believed  that  the  essential  particulars 
regarding  the  part  taken  by  the  coimty  in  the  war  for  the  Union  are  given. 

ELE^^:^•TH  eegimext. 
The  Eleventh  regiment  organized  at  Camp  Curtin,  April  26,  1801,  with 
Phaon  Jarrett,  of  Clinton  county,  colonel;  Richard  Coulter,  of  Westmore- 
land coimty,  lieutenant  colonel:  William  D.  Earnest,  of  Harrisburg,  major, 
and  F.  Asbury  Awl,  adjutant.  It  was  composed  of  ten  companies,  three  of 
which  had  been  recruited  in  Lycoming  county,  two  in  Clinton  county,  two  in 
Westmoreland  county,  and  one  each  in  Luzerne,  Northumberland,  and  Mon- 
tour. On  the  4th  of  May  the  regiment  was  transferred  to  Camp  Waj-ne 
near  West  Chester,  where  it  remained  several  weeks  and  acquired  during 
that  period  a  thorough  practical  knowledge  of  drill  and  discij^line.     On  the 


THE    CIVIL    WAR.  403 

27th  of  May,  having  been  partially  imiformed  and  equipped,  the  Eleventh 
was  ordered  to  take  position  on  the  Philadelphia,  Wilmington  and  Baltimore 
railroad,  Company  F  being  stationed  at  Xorth  East.  Three  weeks  later  it 
concentrated  at  Havre-de-Grace,  and  on  the  18th  of  Jime  received  orders  to 
proceed  to  Chambersburg,  thence  proceeding  to  Hagerstown  and  Williams- 
port,  Maryland.  At  the  latter  place  it  was  attached  to  the  Sixth  brigade, 
imder  General  J.  J.  Abercrombie,  who  crossed  the  Potomac  with  his  com- 
mand and  engaged  the  enemy  at  Falling  Waters  on  the  2d  of  July.  Thence 
the  brigade  proceeded  to  Martinsburg,  and  from  that  jjlace  on  the  15th  of 
July  to  Bimker  Hill.  The  Eleventh  was  at  Charlestown  when  the  term  of 
enlistment  expired;  as  no  troops  had  been  detailed  to  take  its  place,  Gen- 
eral Patterson  requested  the  men  to  remain  a  week  or  ten  days  beyond  their 
term,  to  which  eveiy  member  of  the  regiment  acceded.  It  was  mustered  out 
at  Harrisburg  on  the  31st  of  July,  but  had  previously  been  mustered  into 
the  three  years'  service,  the  first  from  Pennsylvania,  retaining  its  original  num- 
ber. Company  F,  however,  did  not  form  a  part  of  the  regiment  as  reorgan- 
ized. 

Company  F,  organized  as  the  Sunbury  Guards,  was  the  first  company 
from  Northumberland  county  to  leave  for  the  war.  On  Thursday  morning, 
April  18,  1801,  J.  P.  S.  Gobin,  who  had  taken  an  active  part  in  the  volimteer 
movement,  went  to  Harrisburg  and  offered  the  services  of  the  company,  then 
about  fully  recruited,  to  the  Governor.  They  were  promptly  accepted,  and 
upon  his  return  on  the  evening  of  the  same  day  the  announcement  that  his 
mission  had  been  successful  was  received  with  great  entlmsiasm.  On  the 
evening  of  Friday.  April  19th,  the  volunteers  assembled  in  the  grand  jury 
room  and  organized  a  company  by  the  unanimous  choice  of  Charles  J.  Bru- 
ner  as  captain;  J.  P.  S.  Gobin,  first  lieutenant,  and  Joseph  H.  McCarty,  sec- 
ond lieutenant.  While  this  election  was  in  progress  the  court  house  was 
crowded  with  citizens  assembled  to  raise  means  for  '-providing  for  the  fami- 
lies of  the  married  soldiers,  and  furnishing  clothing  for  those  not  provided 
with  the  articles  necessary  for  a  campaign.  One  thousand  dollars  were 
raised,  with  a  pledge  to  double  it  when  necessary,  and  four  hundred  dollars 
for  the  immetliate  wants  of  the  soldiers."  The  manufacture  of  suitable 
clothing  was  at  once  undertaken  by  the  ladies.  In  this  work  Mrs.  Charles 
Pleasants  was  particularly  active;  she  opened  her  house,  and  it  became 
headquarters  for  the  patriotic  operations  of  the  ladies.  Here  the  work  of 
cuttuig  and  making  garments  was  pursued  without  cessation,  day  and  night, 
and  Sunday  was  observed  by  an  increase  rather  than  a  diminution  in  the 
number  of  workers.  The  willingness  of  the  women  of  the  county  to  con- 
tribute their  labor  to  the  success  of  the  cause  was  one  of  the  most  practical 
expressions  of  patriotism  evinced  at  that  period. 

Intimations  having  been  received  that  unless  the  Sunbuiy  company  was 
at  Harrisburg  on  Saturday,  April  20th,  their  acceptance  by  the  State  aiithor- 


404  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBEKLAND    COUNTY. 

ities  might  be  seriously  jeopardized,  it  was  determined  to  leave  for  the  cap- 
ital at  the  earliest  possible  date.  Accordingly,  Captain  Bruner  left  with 
forty  of  his  men  on  Saturday  morning.  At  an  early  hour  they  were  mus- 
tered at  the  public  square,  where  the  population  of  the  town  assembled  en 
masse  to  witness  their  departure.  On  the  train  they  found  themseves  in 
company  with  other  detachments  of  soldiers  from  various  points,  and  thus 
made  the  journey  to  Harrisburg.  The  remainder  of  the  volunteers  attended 
divine  service  on  the  following  Simday  at  the  Lutheran  church  in  a  body 
imder  command  of  Sergeant  C.  Israel  Pleasants.  At  ten  a.  m.  Monday  they 
were  mustered  on  the  public  square  and  shortly  afterward  followed  their 
comrades  to  the  capital.  There  seventy-eight  men  from  the  Sunbury  volim- 
teers  were  mustered  into  the  United  States  service  as  Company  F,  Eleventh 
regiment,  still  retaining  in  a  popular  sense  their  former  name,  the  Sunbury 
Guards.     The  following  is  the  roster  of  Company  F: — 

Captain,  Charles  J.  Brimer. 

First  Lieutenant,  J.  P.  S.  Gobin. 

Second  Lieutenant,  Joseph  H.  McCarty. 

Sergeants:  John  E.  McCarty,  C.  Israel  Pleasants,  S.  Herman  Helper,  Ja- 
cob Rohrbach. 

Corporals:  Samuel  P.  Bright,  Charles  D.  Wharton,  Daniel  Oyster,  Will- 
iam Pyers. 

Mi;sicians:  Henry  D.  Wharton,  Jacob  Weiser. 

Privates:  Julius  Arbiter,  Jared  Brosius,  Henry  Bucher,  Eobert  Brooks, 
Samuel  Bartsher,  William  M.  Brisbon,  Joseph  Bright,  Alfred  Beckley,  Ben- 
jamin F.  Bright,  Francis  Carr,  J.  Wilson  Covert,  William  Christ,  Henry 
Drisel,  Lewis  Dome,  David  Druckemiller,  Joseph  Drisclinger,  William  Edge, 
Samuel  Eyster,  Jacob  Feight,  Stephen  Golding,  Benjamin  W.  Geddis,  Peter 
S.  Gussler,  William  D.  Haas,  Joseph  Hildebrand,  Charles  Harp,  Harris 
Hopper,  Albert  Haas,  Allen  Hunter,  Jarid  C.  Irwin,  George  Iviehl,  Daniel 
Michael,  Charles  McFarland,  Sylvester  Myers,  William  Martin,  John  Mc- 
Clusky,  Ephraim  Metz,  Eobert  Martin,  John  Messner,  William  H.  Millhouse, 
Mahlon  Myers.  Philip  C.  Newbaker,  George  Oyster,  Frederick  Pill,  Henry 
Quitschliber,  Albert  Robins,  Reuben  Ramsey,  Aristide  Rodrigue,  Eugene 
Eizer,  Lloyd  T.  Rohrbach,  Frederick  Schrank,  Hugh  Smith,  John  Snyder, 
Charles  W.  Stewart,  John  E.  Seidel,  Joseph  Smith,  Ernest  StarklofF,  Chris- 
tian Schall,  William  Steadman,  Cyrus  Swope,  George  Tucker,  William  Volke, 
Lot  B.  Weitzel,  George  Weyman. 

J.  Wilson  Covert  was  appointed  quartermaster  of  the  company,  and  Aris- 
tide Rodrigue,  clerk.  Lloyd  T.  Rohrbach  was  detailed  as  clerk  in  the 
enrolling  department. 

The  following  named  joersons  were  in  the  ranks  of  the  Sunbury  Guards 
when  that  organization  was  formed,  but  were  not  mustered  into  Company  F, 
each  company  being  limited  to  seventy-eight  men:  Richard  Bucher,  Michael 


THE    CIVIL    WAR.  405 

Cavenaugh,  J.  Kerstotter,  John  Courad,  J.  Carey,  Frank  Dielil,  S.  "W.  Fausold, 
George  Fritz,  Eiley  Hannabach,  Jacob  E.  Keefer,  Frederick  Knarr,  Theodore 
Kielil,  William  H.  Slenker,  Peter  Zeliff,  "William  Wolverton,  Landis  Stamer, 
Himter  Billington,  Henry  Hanpt,  John  Rake,  J.  Shuler,  F.  Hammer,  J. 
Darson,  and  P.  Smeltzer,  of  whom  the  following  entered  a  company  from 
Pinegrove,  Schuylkill  county;  Peter  Zeliff,  F.  Hammer,  "William  Wolverton, 
John  Shuler,  and  Theodore  Kiehl. 

EIGHTH    REGIMENT. 

The  Eighth  regiment  organized  at  Camp  Curtin  on  the  22dof  April.  ISGl, 
with  A.  H.  Emley,  of  Luzerne  county,  colonel;  Samuel  Bowman,  of  Wilkes- 
barre,  lieutenant  colonel;  Joseph  Phillips,  of  Pittston,  major,  and  Joseph 
Wright,  of  Wilkesbarre,  adjutant.  It  was  immediately  ordered  to  Camp 
Slifer,  near  Chambersburg,  and  was  there  assigned  to  the  Third  brigade, 
First  division.  In  Jime  the  regiment  went  to  Greencastle  and  thence  to  the 
Potomac  at  W^illiam.sport.  When  the  army  advanced  into  Virginia  the  Eighth 
remained  at  W^illiamsport  to  guard  the  stores;  but  when  Martinsburg  had 
been  reached  Companies  A  and  B  were  detailed  to  that  point  as  an  escort  to 
Doubleday's  battery.  The  brigade  was  at  Bunker  Hill  imtil  July  ITth.  and 
on  the  night  of  the  20th  was  pushed  forward  to  Keyes's  Ford  on  the  Shenan- 
doah, whence  the  Eighth  returned  to  Harper's  Ferry  and  thence  liy  way  of 
Hagerstown  to  Harrisburg,  where  it  was  mustered  out  of  service.  Company 
A  returned  to  Shamokin  on  the  ^Ist  of  July,  and  on  the  Saturday  following 
was  given  a  public  reception  by  the  citizens  of  that  borough. 

I'he  Shamokin  Guards. — This  company  was  originally  formed  in  1854 
with  S.  M.  Kase  as  captain.  He  was  successively  followed  by  Captain  Eeeder 
and  Cyrus  Strouse;  the  latter  was  in  command  at  the  outbreak  of  the  Rebel- 
lion. The  company  responded  promptly  to  the  call  for  troops,  but  its  com- 
plement was  not  full;  a  public  meeting  was  held  on  the  KUh  of  April,  at 
which  a  sufficient  ntmiber  of  persons  volunteered  to  make  up  this  deficiency, 
and  on  the  following  Monday,  April  22d,  the  Gttards  took  their  departure  for 
Harrisburg.  There  they  rendezvoused  at  Camp  Curtin,  and  were  mttstered 
into  the  United  States  service  as  Company  A,  Eighth  regiment.  The  follow- 
ing is  a  roster  of  this  comjiany: — 

Captain,  Cyrus  Strouse. 

First  Lieutenant,  William  J.  Allen. 

Second  Lieutenant,  George  B.  Cadwallader:  brevet  second  lieutenant, 
George  Shipp. 

Sergeants:  John  Harris,  Andrew  Kreiger,  John  B.  Snyder.  Ferdinand 
Rhoads. 

Corporals:  Jacob  Rhoads,  Jacob  ]Meutchler,  Israel  Stambach.  Jacob  B. 
Getter. 

Musicians:  William  P.  Caldwell,  Henrv  Starchal. 


406  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

Privates:  Lewis  L.  Bevan.  William  Booth,  John  Brennan,  Ziba  Bird, 
William  Bowen,  George  Blanksley.  Hugh  Boyd,  Benjamin  F.  Gulp,  William 
Gulp,  Patrick  Golyer,  William  Golyer.  Thomas  Galdwell,  Alexander  Cald- 
well, Gharles  Gonrad,  George  Cramer.  John  Downey,  Frederick  Dibner, 
Jacob  Dindorf,  Joseph  B.  Eaton.  David  Ephlin.  John  E.  Eisenhart,  Ephraim 
P.  Fnlk,  Darius  S.  Gilger,  Charles  L.  V.  Haas.  James  H.  Haas,  Thomas  Har- 
ris, Henry  Holshue,  Joel  Holshue,  John  M.  Heilner,  John  Hancock,  James 
Holister,  Henry  Irich,  Jacob  W.  Irich.  Jefi'erson  M.  John,  Thomas  R.  Jones, 
Charles  Kreiger,  George  W.  Klase,  John  E.  Lake,  Michael  Miceberger,  Jere- 
miah Maize,  Gharles  Medara,  John  Meehan,  John  Neifer,  William  B.  Os- 
mond, Jacob  Peifer,  John  W^  Phillips.  Josiah  Raup,  George  Raup,  Michael 
Ragan,  James  Sterrit,  Godfried  SheiTuan.  William  Shuck,  Michael  Salter, 
Jacob  Shield,  August  Shaual,  William  Stillwagoner,  David  S.  Shipp,  Wes- 
ley Van  Gasken,  Peter  Wentz,  John  Weir.  Daniel  J.  Woodley,  George  W^ 
Weaver,  Thomas  R.  Williams,  John  B.  Zehnder.  . 

THIRTY-FOURTH  REGIMEXT — FIFTH    RESERVE. 

The  counties  of  Lycoming.  Northumberland,  Gleartield,  Centre,  l-nion, 
Bradford,  Lancaster,  and  Huntingdon  contributed  to  the  Fifth  Reserve, 
which  organized  at  Camp  Curtin.  June  20,  1861,  with  John  Irving  Gregg, 
colonel,  J.  W.  Fisher,  lieutenant  colonel,  and  George  Dare,  major.  Seneca 
G.  Simmons  became  colonel  on  the  '21st  of  June.  Company  B,  the  Taggart 
Guards,  and  Company  H,  the  Pollock  Guards,  were  from  Northumberland 
county.  Their  active  military  duty  was  begim  on  the  day  following  the  organi- 
zation, when  the  Fifth,  with  the  Biicktail  regiment  and  a  battery  of  artillery, 
was  ordered  to  the  support  of  Colonel  Lew  Wallace  at  Cumberland.  Mary- 
land, reaching  that  place  on  the  Sth  of  July.  Five  days  later  the  Fifth  was 
ordered  to  take  position  at  bridge  No.  21  on  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio  railroad, 
and  on  the  22d  of  that  month  it  proceeded  to  Piedmont.  On  the  Sth  of 
August  it  went  to  Washington,  and  thence  to  the  camp  established  for  the 
Reserves  at  Tenallytown,  where  drill  exercises  were  prosecuted  for  more  than 
a  month.  It  escorted  Governor  Curtin  from  Washington  to  the  camp 
on  the  14th  of  September.  In  the  organization  of  the  Reserves  which 
ensued  the  Fifth  was  assigned  to  the  First  brigade,  commanded  by  Brigadier 
General  John  F.  Reynolds.  This  brigade  made  a  reconnoissance  to  Draines- 
ville  on  the  19th  of  October  and  again  on  the  20th  of  December,  having 
been  ordered  across  the  Potomac  on  the  10th  of  October  and  encamped  near 
Langley.  The  regiment  broke  camp  on  the  10th  of  March,  1862,  and 
marched  by  way  of  Hunter's  Mills  to  Alexandria,  whence,  on  the  9th  of  April, 
it  proceeded  to  Manassas  and  occupied  the  deserted  Confederate  quarters. 
From  the  7th  to  the  25th  of  May  the  Fifth  was  encamped  at  Falmouth;  on 
the  latter  date  the  brigade  was  ordered  to  Fredericksburg,  and  on  the  26tli 
of  Jime  the  Fifth  was  assigned  to  picket  duty  on  the  left  bank  of  the  Chicka- 


THE    CIVIL    WAR.  407 

hominy,  where  it  engaged  the  enemy  on  the  afternoon  of  that  day,  sus- 
taining a  loss  of  fifty  killed  and  wounded.  It  was  also  engaged  the  follow- 
ing day;  on  the  2Sth  of  June,  marching  via  Savage  Station  and  crossing  the 
'White  Oak  swamp,  it  arrived  at  Charles  City  Cross  Eoads  on  the  evening  of 
the  2Uth.  In  the  battle  that  ensued  the  Fifth  was  again  engaged,  sustain- 
ing a  severe  loss  in  the  death  of  Colonel  Simmons  and  Captain  Taggart.  At 
Malvern  Hill  the  regiment  was  imder  tire,  but  not  in  active  duty.  The 
Peninsula  campaign  having  closed,  it  went  into  camp  at  Harrison's  Landing. 

The  Reserve  corj^s  joined  General  Pope  at  the  Rappahannock  in  the  latter 
part  of  July,  arriving  at  Bull  Pain  on  the  28th.  The  Fifth  was  under  tire  on 
the  29th.  and  again  engaged  the  enemy  on  the  3(Jth  of  August.  On  the  6th 
of  September  it  was  ordered  to  cross  the  Potomac,  and  ten  days  later  partic- 
ipated in  the  battle  of  Antietam.  after  which  it  encamped  at  Sharp.sburg. 
Thence  the  army  moved  into  Virginia,  and  the  division  to  which  the  Reserves 
were  attached  crossed  the  Rappahannock  on  the  11th  of  December,  forming 
in  line  of  battle  below  Fredericksburg.  The  Fifth  had  now  been  transferred 
to  the  Third  brigade,  and  the  Reserves,  commanded  by  General  Meade,  were 
engaged  with  the  enemy  on  the  13th  of  December,  the  Fifth  sustaining  a 
loss  of  one  hundred  sixty-nine.  In  the  Gettysburg  campaign  the  regiment 
formed  jiart  of  the  Fifth  corps,  and.  although  it  performed  several  important 
movements,  no  serious  loss  was  sustained.  It  participated  in  the  campaigns 
of  the  summer  and  autumn  of  1S08.  and  during  the  following  winter  was 
stationed  at  Manassas  Junction  and  Alexandria.  Leaving  the  latter  place  it 
moved  to  Culpejiper  and  on  the  4th  of  May  crossed  the  Rapidan,  particijiat- 
ing  in  the  succession  of  battles  that  followed  with  its  accustomed  gallantry. 
On  the  31st  of  May,  its  term  of  service  having  expired,  it  proceeded  by 
steamer  from  White  House  to  "Washington  and  thence  by  rail  to  Harrisburg, 
where,  on  the  11th  of  June,  it  was  mustered  out  of  service. 

The  7'aggart  Guards  of  Northumberland  organized  in  the  old  town  hall 
of  that  borough  with  the  'el  K'tion  of  James  Taggart  as  captain,  Henry  A. 
Colt  as  tirst  lieutenant,  and  Charles  C.  Jones  as  second  lieutenant.  On  the 
2Sth  of  April,  ISOl,  their  ser\ices  were  tendered  the  State  authorities,  but 
the  complement  for  the  three  months"  ser\-ice  having  been  filled,  they  were 
declined.  On  the  2d  of  May  the  company  again  endeavored  to  enter  the 
service,  but  was  again  unsuccessful.  May  6th  they  expressed  their  willing- 
ness to  enlist  for  three  years,  and.  a  reserve  corps  ha\'ing  been  decided  upon, 
the  company  was  at  length  accepted.  Several  weeks  elapsed  before  it  became 
necessary  to  leave  for  the  rendezvous  at  Harrisburg,  and  during  this  period 
the  citizens  of  Northumberland  and  the  ladies  of  that  town  made  every 
exertion  to  provide  the  men  with  such  things  as  would  contribute  to  their 
comfort  during  a  long  canipaign.  On  the  evening  of  Saturday,  May  25th, 
a  public  meeting  was  held  at  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  at  which  Cap- 
tain Taggart   was  presented   with  a  sword  by   the  ladies  of  the  borough. 


-lOS  HISTORY    OF   NOETHUMBEKLAND   COUNTY. 

The  company,  mimbering  seventy-seven  men,  left  for  the  State  capital  on 
Monday,  May  27th,  and  at  Camp  Curtin  was  mustered  into  the  United 
States  service  as  Company  B,  Fifth  Keserve.  The  following  is  a  roster  of 
Company  B: — 

Captains:  James  Taggart,  Charles  Wells,  James j  D.  Slater,  John  A. 
Mans. 

First  Lieutenants:     Henry  A.  Colt,  James  A.  Keefer,  Peter  Vandlmg. 

Second  Lieutenant,  Charles  C.  Jones. 

Sergeants:  Josiah  Newbury,  Joseph  Hogan,  Joseph  Martin,  James  G. 
Dieffenbach,  Saul  R.  Kreeger,  Joshua  C.  Newbury,  Josiah  Trumpore. 

Corporals:  William  H.  Morgan,  George  W.  Fisher,  John  M.  Scout, 
James  R.  Little,  David  Hauck,  James  Throp,  Lafayette  Vandling,  Joseph  C. 
Carson,  William  B.  Wallis,  William  Young,  James  C.  Voris,  John  C.  Mor- 
gan. Edwin  N.  Kline. 

Musicians:     Charles  Standish,  George  Burkenbine. 

Privates :  Henry  Angle,  William  Black,  David  O.  Bedoe,  William  Beidel- 
man.  Jesse  Barnhart,  Edward  Barnhart,  B.  Frank  Bashore,  Josejjh  F.  Bash- 
ore,  John  H.  Brautigam,  James  M.  Bennett,  Samuel  Clark,  William  Cutler, 
Henry  Croup,  John  Campbell,  Alonzo  Copp,  Jacob  Cole,  Zachariah  Chappel, 
William  Cample,  James  Duffy,  George  Damuth,  Henrj-  Dale,  Henry  Earlson, 
Williard  Eckert,  Benjamin  Everett,  Albert  Fisher,  John  Fleegel,  Isaac  Fleegel, 
Amos  Garmon,  John  A.  Gibbons,  Simon  Gibbons,  John  Garantlo,  Joseph 
Gibbons,  Edward  B.  Hughes,  Julius  Herlinger,  George  Hawthorn,  Foster 
Hem-y,  Charles  Hood,  Chai-les  Johnson,  Samuel  Johnson,  William  Jarrett, 
John  H.  Johnson,  William  Kieffer,  Daniel  Killbridge,  Isaac  Kremer,  Amos 
E.  Kapp,  J.  Albert  Kieffer,  John  C.  Lloyd,  William  Lyon,  James  Morgan, 
John  Marriott,  Frederick  Murray,  James  McFall,  Milton  McPherson,  John 
McNier,  John  McElrath,  Daniel  McBride,  William  H.  Morgan,  Augustus 
Newbury,  Brooks  Newbury,  Joseph  Newcomer,  Albin  Newbury,  Nicholas 
Peifer,  James  M.  Philips,  David  Rake,  Jacob  Renner,  Evan  Renner,  George 
Rake,  Albert  Rake,  George  H.  Ripple,  John  F.  Scholvin,  William  A.  Starick, 
Tilman  Seems,  Charles  W.  Scout,  John  Steinhelper,  William  Smith,  John 
Snyder,  Theodore  Strawn,  Christian  Starick,  George  A.  Slifer,  Francis  Trum- 
bower,  Landis  L.  Travis,  D.  B.  Vankirk,  David  Vincent,  John  A.  Wing, 
Joseph  Wallis,  William  Wildice,  Frederick  Winkleman,  John  Williams, 
Joseph  Williams,  Solomon  Williard. 

The  following  members  of  this  company  re-enlisted  at  the  expiration  of 
their  three  years'  term  as  veteran  volunteers  in  Company  C,  One  Htindred 
and  Ninety-first  Pennsylvania  Volunteers:  Alonzo  Copp,  Jacob  Cole, 
George  Damuth,  Williard  Eckert,  Benjamin  Everett,  Amos  Garmon,  John  A. 
Gibbons,  Julius  Herlinger,  William  Jarrett,  Saul  'R.  Kreeger,  John  C.  Mor- 
gan, Milton  McPherson,  John  McNier,  Joshua  C.  Newbury,  Brooks  Newbury, 
Da\'id  Rake,  Jacob  Renner,  Evan   Renner,  William   Smith,  Francis  Trum- 


THE    CIVIL    WAR.  409 

bower,  William  Waldice,  Frederick  Wiukleman,  John  "Williams,  Joseph  Will- 
iams, John  Fleegel,  John  McElrath. 

The  Pollock  Guards  organized  at  Milton  under  the  tirst  requisition  for 
troops,  but  were  not  accepted,  the  comj^lement  of  the  county  having  been 
mied.  A  second  effort  was  made  to  secure  a  place  in  the  ranks,  and  on  the 
loth  of  May,  ISGI,  the  company  departed  for  Harrisburg  by  canal  boat,  but 
were  again  rejected  and  returned  to  Milton.  Having  signified  their  willing- 
ness to  enlist  for  thi-ee  years  they  were  assigned  to  the  Keserve  corps,  and  on 
the  1st  of  June,  ISGI,  again  went  to  the  capital,  where  they  were  mustered 
into  the  United  States  service  as  Company  H,  Fifth  Reserve.  The  following 
is  the  roster  of  Company  H: — * 

Captains:  John  McCleery,  Harry  B.  Paxton. 

First  Lieutenants:  Samuel  Shaihnan,  Thaddeus  C.  Bogle,  John  M. 
Rhoads. 

Second  Lieutenant,  John  H.  McXally. 

Sergeants:  Samuel  H.  Follmer,  Charles  Paxton,  Robert  A.  Stoughton, 
William  F.  Blair,  Joseph  Hollopeter,  Charles  Britton,  Halsey  S.  Nichols, 
McCurdy  Tate. 

Corporals:  William  H.  Hayman,  William  Kohler,  Silsby  Caldwell.  James 
M.  Gillespie,  Henr^-  Craw.  Charles  L.  Worman,  John  Divel. 

Musician,  Manderville  Drew. 

Privates:  Charles  E.  Aude,  Herman  R.  Ault.  John  Achenbaw.  James  C. 
Armstrong,  William  S.  Blair,  Joseph  Becher,  Thomas  S.  Bobst,  Samuel 
Barnsley,  Thomas  Bent,  Abram  R.  Biggars,  Daniel  S.  Bingaman,  Samuel 
Blue,  P.  D.  Burkholder,  Cyrus  J.  Barker,  Charles  C.  Bent,  Adam  K.  Caroth- 
ers,  Jacob  O.  Caldwell,  Richard  H.  L.  Craw,  Jacob  Divel,  M.  B.  Friedberger, 
Michael  W.  FerroU.  Edward  K.  Fiester,  Michael  Flanigan,  David  Force, 
John  Figgles,  Thomas  S.  Griffin,  Frederick  Gossner,  John  A.  Girhard,  Fran- 
cis J.  Gramlich,  William  Harper,  John  High,  Thomas  Harlan,  John  Haynes, 
John  Heinlen,  Jacob  F.  Haynes,  William  M.  Kyle,  John  Murphy.  David 
Morehart,  Robert  E.  Mytinger,  Daniel  Y.  Moyer,  Henrj-  Madara,  William 
Mecum,  Jared  Mecimi,  John  W.  McMurtrie,  William  McCleery,  Miles  Mc- 
Donald, Albert  McCarty,  Randolph  Xesbit,  John  Nash,  Michael  O'Neal, 
Thomas  J.  Painter,  David  C.  Phillips,  John  B.  Paxton,  William  Ritter.  John 
P.  Renn,  John  Sattezahn,  John  Seachrist,  William  Strine,  Jr.,  John  H. 
Smith,  George  W.  Simmons,  Ellis  P.  Sones.  Daniel  Sones,  Conrad  Shoe- 
maker, Jacob  Strouss,  Joseph  W.  Shaw,  Charles  W.  Stickler,  Frederick  Sim- 
mons, George  W.  Smith,  Franklin  C.  Smith,  H.  M.  Stevenson,  Jeremiah 
Stine,  John  Sullivan.  John  Shively,  Isaac  N.  Simmons,  George  Stover.  H.  C. 
Stroucbecker,  Daniel  Travelett,  Thomas  Williams,  Alexander  Waite,  William 
Walton,  John  C.  Warburton,  Heniy  A.  Yeager,  Ellis  Yeager,  William  Zim- 
merman. 

♦Lycoming  county  also  contributeil  to  this  company. 


410  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

The  following  members  of  this  company  re-enlisted  as  veteran  volunteers 
at  the  expiration  of  their  term  of  three  years:  Samuel  Blue,  Michael  W. 
FerroU,  Frederick  Gossner,  John  A.  Gerhart,  Le-svis  Kyle,  Frederick  Sim- 
mons, Franklin  C.  Smith,  Jeremiah  Stine,  Daniel  Travelett,  George  Lauren- 
son,  P.  D.  Biirkholder,  Manderville  Drew. 

FORTY-SIXTH  REGIMENT. 

The  Forty-sixth  organized  at  Camp  Curtin  on  the  1st  of  September,  1861, 
with  Joseph  F.  Knipe,  of  Dauphin  coimty,  colonel:  James  L.  Self  ridge,  lieu- 
tenant colonel,  and  Arnold  C.  Lewis,  major.  It  was  soon  afterward  ordered 
to  join  General  Banks's  command,  and  was  assigned  to  the  First  brigade  of 
the  Second  division  of  his  corps,  then  posted  on  the  upper  Potomac  in  the 
vicinity  of  Harper's  Ferry.  Its  first  encounter  with  the  enemy  occurred  in 
the  spring  of  1S62,  when  three  companies  participated  in  a  battle  between 
the  forces  of  Generals  Shields  and  Jackson.  At  the  battle  of  Winchester 
the  loss  was  seventeen.  At  Cedar  Moimtain,  August  9,  1862,  the  loss  was 
seventy,  many  officers  being  among  the  wounded.  At  Antietam  the  Forty- 
sixth  lost  six  killed  and  three  wounded;  it  was  ordered  fonvard  for  the  Fred- 
ericksburg campaign,  but  did  not  arrive  in  time  to  be  engaged.  The  winter 
of  1862-63  was  passed  at  Falmouth,  whence,  in  April,  1863,  the  regiment 
proceeded  to  Chancellorsville.  In  the  advance  from  that  place  it  formed  part 
of  the  central  column,  and  was  engaged  on  the  2d  and  3d  of  May,  losing  four 
killed  and  a  considerable  number  woimded.  The  Twelfth  corps,  to  which 
the  Forty-sixth  was  now  attached,  arrived  at  Gettysbm-g  on  the  1st  of  July, 
and  was  posted  on  the  right  of  the  line  holding  the  summit  of  Culji's  hill. 
Owing  to  its  sheltered  position,  the  loss  was  inconsiderable.  When  the  Fed- 
eral forces  reached  the  Rapidan,  the  Twelfth  corps  was  detached  from  the 
Army  of  the  Potomac  and  ordered  to  the  support  of  Rosecrans.  The  reg- 
iment proceeded  to  Nashville,  where  it  was  assigned  to  guard  duty  on  the 
line  of  the  Nashville  and  Chattanooga  railroad,  performing  this  duty  with 
vigilance  and  fidelity.  In  January,  1864,  a  large  proportion  of  the  officers 
and  men  having  re-enlisted,  they  were  granted  a  veteran  furlough,  returning 
to  their  corps  at  Chattanooga.  There  they  joined  Sherman's  army  on  the 
memorable  Atlanta  campaign,  participating  in  the  various  engagements  at 
Dallas,  Pine  Knob,  Ivennesaw  Mountain,  and  Marietta  with  a  total  loss  of 
fourteen  killed  and  about  thirty  wounded.  Sherman  crossed  the  Chattahoo- 
chee river  on  the  16th  of  July  and  began  closing  in  upon  Atlanta;  while  these 
movements  were  in  progress  Hood  made  an  attack  upon  the  Federal  column, 
in  whrch  the  Forty-sixth  was  much  exposed  and  lost  two  killed  and  twenty- 
two  wounded.  While  preparations  were  in  progress  for  the  investment  of 
Atlanta  Hood  again  made  an  attack,  in  which  the  regiment  lost  six  killed  and  a 
considerable  niunber  wounded.  Its  severe  fighting  ended  with  the  surrender 
of  Atlanta  on  the  1st  of  September.     Sherman's  march  to  the  sea  began  on 


THE    CIVIL    WAR.  411 

the  11th  of  November;  Savannah  vras  reached  on  the  21st  of  December,  and 
after  a  brief  respite  the  Federal  columns  were  turned  to  the  north.  Colum- 
bia, South  Carolina,  was  taken  oa  the  17th  of  February,  and  a  month  later 
Goldsboro,  the  end  of  a  long  and  arduous  journey  through  hostile  territory, 
was  reached.  After  the  surrender  of  Johnston  on  the  2Gth  of  April  the 
homeward  march  began,  and  on  the  10th  of  July,  lS'5r),  the  Forty-sixth  was 
mustered  out  of  the  seiwice  near  Alexandria,  Virginia. 

Company  K,  recruited  at  Shamokin.  Northumberland  county,  principally 
from  the  ranks  of  the  old  Shamokin  Guard,  was  mustered  into  service  at 
Camp  Curtin  on  the  4th  of  September,  1S61.     The  roster  was  as  follows: — 

Captains:     Cyrus  Strouse.  Alexander  Caldwell. 

First  Lieutenants:  G.  B.  Cadwallader,  William  P.  Caldwell.  Darius  S. 
Gilger,  Jacob  B.  Getter,  Thomas  Alderson. 

Second  Lieutenants:     John  "W.  Phillips.  August  Shensel. 

Sergeants:  George  Blanksley,  Daniel  Babb,  David  M.  Snyder,  John 
Neufer,  Samuel  P.  Eisenhart,  John  B.  Zehnder,  John  McEliece,  Thomas 
Caldwell,  W.  S.  Farrow,  James  H.  Haas,  Joseph  Long. 

Corporals :  Joel  Holshue.  Josiah  J.  Treibley,  Emanuel  Holshue,  Jonas  H. 
Duttery,  Sylvanus  Bird.  Daniel  B.  Eisenhart,  Andrew  J.  Hine.  Thomas 
V.  Pensyl,  James  A.  Shijip.  Jacob  N.  Young,  John  E.  Eisenhart,  Caleb  H. 
Yoimg,  William  Shuck,  John  Eaup. 

Musicians:     Benjamin  D.  Walker,  Charles  S.  V.  Haas,  C.  Zimmerman. 

Privates:  Thomas  Armstrong,  John  A.  Armstrong,  Franklin  Arter, 
Samuel  Alford,  C.  J.  Bittenbender,  Charles  Burch,  Albert  Bennington,  Faion 
Brady,  William  Bass,  Edward  Brown,  William  B.  Bidd,  Frank  Barmoski, 
Charles  Brandt,  Samiiel  Baker,  John  Brooks,  William  Brosius,  George  Blain, 
Charles  H.  Conrad,  Samuel  Clayberger,  Franklin  A.  Clark,  John  A.  Coder, 
Samuel  Clark,  John  J.  Cunningham,  Thomas  Collier,  William  M.  Cook, 
John  T.  Crandall,  Charles  H.  Duttery,  Thomas  A.  Dimlap,  Aaron  Dreper, 
C.  Dougherty,  C.  H.  Dunhelber,  Patrick  Donovan,  John  Dailey,  John  Dim- 
can,  Percival  Derk,  Valentine  Epler,  Jonathan  Eisenhart,  John  F.  Epler, 
Jeremiah  Eurfeltz.  John  Fox,  George  Flowers,  George  Frederick,  W.  H. 
Funkhouser,  Charles  Ginther.  John  A.  Gilger,  Jesse  Gensel,  George  Grove, 
Addison  H.  Graham,  James  T.  Getter,  David  Goss,  William  Grim,  Patrick 
Golden,  John  Gillinger,  Edward  Hume.  David  J.  Hine,  Joel  Haupt,  Charles 
M.  Harp,  George  H.  Hubbert.  William  F.  Haas,  Michael  Hume,  Francis  D. 
Heckert,  Jacob  W.  Hesson.  WiUiam  Hoffman,  Luther  L.  Haas,  Michael 
Jacobs,  William  Jeallison,  Eobert  M.  Jones,  John  Johnson,  William  H.  Jones, 
Joseph  Jaggers,  David  Jones.  John  A.  Kable,  Abraham  Keiper,  John  Knipe, 
Nicholas  Kern,  William  H.  Kerlin,  Francis  M.  Lott,  Joseph  Lever,  William 
H.  Lott,  William  C.  Leibig.  John  Loudon,  Ephraim  P.  Metz,  Paul  Martin, 
James  Martin,  Charles  Morgan.  Arthur  Mooney,  Reuben  Mullen,  Elias 
Maurer,  Charles  W.  Mettler.  John  Medlicott,  Joseph  H.  McCarty,  John  E. 


412  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

McCarty,  William  J.  McDowell,  Guy  McCauley,  C.  Neiswanter,  Amos  Neis- 
wantei-,  James  H.  Patton,  Daniel  S.  Peifer,  Lewis  Paul,  Joseph  Perry,  Moses 
Eeed,  Paul  Eoth,  William  C.  Both.  Isaiah  Eodearmel,  Joseph  AV.  Eose, 
Isaac  N.  Eobinson,  William  Eeynolds,  Jeremiah  Simmers,  Enoch  Shuda, 
Samuel  A.  Startzell,  Nicholas  Sleiben,  Thomas  Smith,  Henry  Startzell,  John 
Stevenson,  Henry  Salters,  William  H.  Snyder,  Henry  Shaffer,  Philip  Stam- 
bach,  Daniel  Startzell,  William  H.  Slenker,  William  Simmers,  Augustus 
Snyder,  George  A.  Thomas,  Eobert  Tooley,  Jacob  Treibley,  T.  B.  Tannery, 
Isaac  N.  Teitsworth,  William  C.  Tharp,  William  Taylor,  John  Taney,  Alfred 
Teitsworth,  Daniel  J.  Woodley,  Benjamin  Wallace,  John  L.  Walton,  Eobert 
G.  Wilson,  Walter  Williams.  M.  Worzkoski,  P.  J.  Zimmerman,  Alexander 
Zancollar. 

FORTY-SEVENTH   REGIMENT. 

This  regiment  comprised  seven  companies  from  Northampton  county,  two 
from  Perry,  and  one  from  Northumberland,  and  organized  at  Camp  Curtin 
on  the  1st  of  September,  1S61,  with  Tilghman  G.  Hood,  colonel,  G.  W. 
Alexander,  lieutenant  colonel,  and  William  H  Gausler,  major.  Proceeding 
from  Harrisburg  to  Washington  on  the  21st  of  September,  it  was  stationed 
on  Kalorama  Heights,  and  on  the  27th  ordered  to  join  the  advance  of  the 
army,  in  which  it  was  assigned  to  the  Third  brigade  of  General  W.  F. 
Smith's  division.  With  that  brigade  it  moved  to  Camp  Griifin,  and  on  the 
11th  of  October  participated  in  the  grand  review  at  Bailey's  Cross  Eoads. 
January  27,  1802,  it  embarked  at  Annapolis  for  Key  West,  having  been 
assigned  to  the  command  of  General  Brannan.  Arri\-ing  at  its  destination 
on  the  4th  of  February,  it  was  brigaded  with  one  New  Hampshire  and  two 
New  York  regiments,  and  remained  until  the  18th  of  Jime,  suffering  much 
loss  from  fevers  incident  to  that  climate.  From  the  22d  of  Jime  until  the  2d 
of  July  it  was  encamped  in  the  rear  of  Fort  Walker  at  Hilton  Head,  South 
Carolina,  and  then  assigned  to  picket  duty  at  Beaufort.  It  next  formed 
part  of  General  Brannan's  expedition  to  penetrate  Florida  and  remove  the 
obstructions  in  the  St.  John's  river.  The  initial  object  was  accomplished  in 
the  reduction  of  St.  John's  Bluff,  a  fortified  eminence  commanding  the 
entrance  to  the  river,  which  was  then  opened  to  navigation  without  opposi- 
tion. In  the  latter  part  of  October  the  command  was  detailed  to  destroy 
the  bridge  over  the  Pocotaligo,  thus  severing  communication  between  Charles- 
ton and  Savannah,  and  successfully  evaded  a  superior  force  of  the  enemy. 
On  the  ISth  of  November  the  regiment  again  arrived  at  Key  West,  where 
five  companies  were  assigned  as  a  garrison  to  Fort  Taylor  and  an  equal  num- 
ber to  Fort  Jefferson,  the  former  under  command  of  Colonel  Good,  the  latter, 
of  Lieutenant  Colonel  Alexander.  Here  the  regiment  remained  until  Febru- 
ary 25,  1SG4,  five  hundred  men  having  in  the  meantime  re-enlisted  and 
received  a  veteran  furlough. 


THE    CIVIL   -WAR.  413 

Leaving  Key  West  the  Forty-seventh  proceeded  to  Louisiana,  debarking 
at  Algiers  on  the  "iSth  of  February.  lSfi4.  At  Franklin  it  was  assigned  to 
the  Second  brigade  of  the  First  division,  Nineteenth  army  corps,  and  on  the 
15th  of  March  moved  to  Alexandria  with  General  Banks's  Red  river  expedi- 
tion. The  enemy  were  first  encountered  in  force  at  Sabine  Cross  Roads  on  the 
Sth  of  April,  when  this  regiment  was  actively  engaged  and  sustained  a  loss  of 
sixty.  In  this  memorable  expedition  it  marched  eight  hundred  miles,  and 
the  aggregate  loss  was  two  hundred.  At  Simmsport  Company  C  was 
detailed  to  New  Orleans  on  the  steamer  Dunleith  as  escort  to  prisoners,  and 
rejoined  the  regiment  at  Morganzia.  The  Nineteenth  corps  embarked  for 
Washington  on  the  5th  of  July.  IS'U,  and  upon  its  arrival  at  the  capital 
was  assigned  to  Himter's  command,  which  it  joined  at  Snicker's  Gap.  Gen- 
eral Sheridan  soon  afterward  assumed  command  of  the  forces  concentrated 
about  the  national  capital,  which  he  reorganized  as  the  Army  of  the  Shenan- 
doah. As  part  of  this  command  the  Forty-seventh  participated  in  the  battle  of 
Opecpian,  Se^stemlier  19, 18C4,  Cedar  Creek.  October  19th,  and  other  encoun- 
ters. The  winter  of  1S04-65  was  spent  near  Charlestown,  from  which  a  variety 
of  reconnoissances  were  successfiUly  accomplished.  On  the  23d  and  24th  of 
May  it  participated  in  the  grand  review  at  Washington.  On  the  1st  of  June 
it  was  again  ordered  to  duty,  and  embarked  for  Savannah,  Georgia,  proceed- 
ing thence  to  Charleston  in  July.  On  the  3d  of  January,  ISOB,  it  embarked 
for  New  York,  and  proceeded  by  rail  to  Philadelphia,  and  on  the  9th  of  Jan- 
uary, after  a  term  of  service  of  four  years  and  four  months,  was  mustered  out 
at  Camp  Cadwalader.  It  had  seen  service  in  seven  of  the  southern  States, 
participated  in  the  most  exhausting  campaig-ns.  marched  more  than  twelve 
hundred  miles,  and  made  twelve  voyages  at  sea.  It  was  the  only  Pennsyl- 
vania regiment  that  participated  in  the  Red  river  expechtion. 

Company  C  was  from  Northumberland  county.  The  Sunbury  Guards, 
after  their  return  from  the  three  months'  sei-vice.  reorganized  on  the  19th  of 
August,  ISni,  with  J.  P.  S.  Gobin  as  captain,  and  took  their  departure  for 
Harrisburg  on  the  following  day.     This  company  was  composed  as  follows: — 

Captains:  J.  P.  S.  Gobin,  Daniel  Oyster. 

First  Lieutenants:  James  Vandyke,  WiUiam  Reese,  William  M.  Hen- 
dricks, Christian  S.  Beard. 

Second  Lieutenant,  Jacob  Keefer. 

Sergeants:  Samuel  Eister,  WiUiam  F.  Finch.  John  W.  Sniteman,  Benja- 
min F.  Miller,  Peter  Smelser,  William  Pyers.  Peter  Haupt,  John  Bartlow. 

Corporals:  Timothy  Snyder,  David  Sloan,  Michael  Dorsing,  Henry 
Seneff,  George  R.  Good,  Stewart  Kirk,  Lloyd  G.  John,  John  H.  Heim,  Da\-id 
Snyder,  George  K.  Hebler,  Mark  Shipman. 

Musicians:  Samuel  Pyers.  John  H.  Schooley.  Henrj-  D.  Wharton,  J.  Bol- 
ton Young. 

Privates:  James  G.  Allen.  Henrv-  Brown,  John  Berry,  J.  Weiser  Bucher, 


414  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBEKLAND    COUNTY. 

Jared  Brosiiis,  William  H.  Brookins,  Samuel  H.  Billington,  David  S.  Beid- 
ler,  George  P.  Blain,  George  K.  Beaver,  Daniel  Beaver,  Matthias  Beaver, 
George  W.  Bortle,  James  Brown,  Martin  M.  Berger,  Emanuel  Beaver,  Edgar 
Baker,  Joseph  Baker,  Zachariah  Brown,  William  Brannan,  James  Bullard, 
Perry  Colvin,  Augiistus  Colvin,  John  D.  Colvin,  R.  W\  Druckemiller,  Seth 
Deibert,  David  T.  Evans,  Charles  Ehrie,  Abner  J.  Finch,  John  W.  Firth, 
Eeuben  L.  Fish,  George  Fritz,  Jeremiah  Gensemer,  William  Good,  William 
Gehring,  Joseph  B.  Gray,  Jesse  G.  Green,  Jasper  B.  Gardner,  Jacob  C. 
Grubb,  Alexander  Given,  Jeremiah  Gardner,  Alfred  Hunter,  Henry  W. 
Haas,  Charles  W.  Harp,  Conrad  Holman,  Eobert  Horrel,  Richard  Hill, 
Freeman  Haupt,  Charles  K.  Herb,  George  Horner.  Jeremiah  Haas,  J.  S. 
Hart,  Jarid  C.  Irwin,  Samiiel  Jones,  George  D.  John,  Cornelius  Kramer, 
Lorenzo  Kramer,  Emanuel  Keiser,  Isaac  Kemble,  D.  W.  Kemble,  Isaac 
Kramer,  James  Kennedy,  Theodore  Kiehl,  George  W.  Keiser,  George 
Kramer,  Wilham  Logan,  L.  K.  Landan,  Charles  Leffer,  Michael  Larkins, 
William  Leinberger,  Thomas  Lothard,  Eli  Miller,  Samuel  Miller,  John 
Mimsh,  James  W.  McLane,  Alexander  McCuUough,  Adam  Maul,  Robert  C. 
McNeal,  John  W.  McNew,  William  McNew,  Samuel  McNew,  John  McGraw, 
Warren  McEwen,  George  Miller,  William  Michael,  Edward  Matthews, 
George  Malick.  Francis  H.  McNeal,  Benjamin  McKillips,  Thomas  Nij^ple, 
David  Naylor.  John  S.  Oyster,  Richard  O'Rourke,  John  B.  Otto,  William 
Plant,  John  S.  Opler,  William  Pfeil,  Raphael  Perez,  James  R.  Rhine,  Hugh 
B.  Rodrigue,  Jacob  Renn,  P.  M.  Randall,  Alexander  Ruffaner,  H.  B.  Robin- 
son, Joseph  Rish,  Samiiel  M.  Reigle,  John  Sunker,  John  W.  Smith,  Adam 
Strong,  Zachariah  Seaman,  Henry  C.  Seasholtz,  Ira  Seaslioltz,  Christian 
Schall,  Isaac  Snyder,  Charles  F.  Stewart,  Henry  A.  Shiffer,  Joseph  Smith, 
Peter  Swinehart.  John  C.  Sterner,  Ephraim  Thatcher,  Noah  Ulrich,  Robert 
W.  Vincent,  Frederick  Vaun,  David  Weikle,  Joseph  W^alters,  Samuel  Wal- 
ters, Henrj'  W.  Wolf,  Theodore  Woodbridge,  James  Whistler,  Benjamin  F. 
Walls,  Samuel  Whistler,  Cornelius  Wenrick,  Solomon  Wetzel,  George  C. 
Watson,  Peter  Wolf,  John  E.  Will, "^Emanuel  R.  Walters,  John  W.  Walton, 
James  Wolf. 

FIFTY-FIRST    EEGIMEXT. 

The  field  officers  of  the  Fifty-finst  at  the  time  of  its  organization  were 
John  F.  Hartranft,  of  Montgomery  county,  colonel;  Thomas  S.  Bell,  of 
Chester  county,  lieutenant  colonel,  and  Edwin  Schall,  of  Montgomery  county, 
major.  Leaving  Camp  Curtin  on  the  18th  of  November,  1861,  the  regiment 
proceeded  to  Annapolis,  Maryland;  there  it  was  subjected  to  continuous  drill 
for  six  weeks,  and  assigned  to  the  Second  brigade  (General  Jesse  L.  Reno's) 
of  Burnside's  corps.  Embarking  on  the  6th  of  January,  1862,  with  the 
Roanoke  Island  expedition,  the  purpose  of  which  was  successfully  accom- 
plished, the  brigade  embarked   (on  the   3d  of  March)  for  the  expedition  to 


^^/^t:^^/Ccr~o^^^^^ 


i^^ 


THE    CIVIL    WAE.  417 

Newbem.  In  the  attack  upon  the  enemy's  works  the  Fifty-first  was  at  first 
held  in  sujjport,  but  was  brought  up  for  the  decisive  charge,  carrying  the 
redan  in  front  and  planting  the  flag  upon  the  enemy's  ramparts.  On  the 
l')th  of  April  an  expedition  was  sent  out  from  Newbern,  in  which  the  Fifty- 
first  participated,  attacking  the  enemy  twenty  miles  inland  from  a  point  four 
miles  below  Elizabeth  City  and  utterly  demoralizing  his  forces.  The  regiment 
arrived  at  Fortress  Monroe  on  the  Sth  of  July,  and  was  there  assigned  to  the 
Second  brigade,  Second  division  of  the  Ninth  army  corps,  the  brigade  being 
placed  in  command  of  General  E.  Ferrero.  Proceeding  to  Fredericksbui-gi 
the  brigade  was  sent  out  to  guard  the  fords;  on  the  first  day  of  the  second 
battle  of  Bull  Him  a  part  of  the  Fifty-first  was  detailed  to  advance  to  the 
picket  line  in  Kearney's  front,  rejoining  the  regiment  on  the  following  morn- 
ing. The  brigade  rendered  most  efficient  service  in  covering  the  retreat  of 
the  Federal  forces  by  supporting  Graham's  battery,  rejoining  the  main  body 
of  the  army  at  Centreville. 

The  Marj'land  campaign  next  ensiled.  Moving  through  Washington  on 
the  3d  of  September,  18G2,  the  Ninth  corps  entered  Frederick  on  the  12th, 
and  encountered  the  enemy  on  the  Sharpsburg  pike  several  days  later,  when 
General  Eeno  lost  his  life.  The  Ninth  corps  Avas  not  actively  engaged  at  the 
battle  of  .^tietam  imtil  the  morning  of  September  17th,  when  General  Cox, 
who  had  succeeded  Keno,  was  ordered  to  advance  and  carry  the  stone  bridge 
on  the  extreme  left  of  the  line.  Several  regiments  advanced  to  the  assault, 
but  were  obliged  to  fall  back  by  the  concentrated  fire  of  the  enemy,  at  length 
General  Burnside,  nettled  at  the  delay  of  his  columns,  ordered  the  Fifty-first 
Pennsylvania  to  storm  the  bridge.  Led  by  Colonel  Hartranft  it  advanced 
to  the  charge,  and,  .supported  by  the  Fifty-first  New  York,  carried  the  bridge. 
The  brigade  was  then  posted  on  a  range  of  hills  overlooking  the  creek;  its 
amnnmition  became  exhausted,  and,  being  attacked  by  overwhelming  numbers 
of  the  enemy,  it  was  obliged  to  relinquish  the  advantage  gained  by  such 
severe  fighting  and  costly  sacrifice.  The  loss  to  the  Fifty-first  was  one  him- 
dred  twenty-five.     The  loss  atthe  battle  of  Fredericksburg  was  eighty-six. 

In  March,  1S63,  the  regiment  was  ordered  to  Fortress  Monroe,  whence  it 
proceeded  to  Kentuckv',  where  it  was  posted  at  various  points  in  the  intei'ior 
of  the  State  to  afford  protection  against  the  invasions  of  Wheeler,  Morgan,  and 
Pegram.  In  Jime  the  corps  was  ordered  to  the  support  of  Grant  at  Vicks- 
burg.  where  it  was  principally  engaged  in  erecting  fortifications  at  Mill  Dale 
and  Oak  Kidge.  The  regiment  accompanied  Sherman  in  his  campaign  to 
Jackson,  and  at  its  close  returned  with  the  corps  to  Kentucky,  where  it  was 
posted  at  Camp  Nelson.  Thence  the  regiment  moved  to  Knoxville,  and,  after 
participating  in  the  movements  about  Campbell's  Station,  whereby  the  retreat 
of  the  Federal  array  was  covered  by  the  Second  brigade  under  Colonel  Hart- 
ranft. returned  to  that  place  and  was  engaged  in  its  fortification  and  defense. 
After  the  siege  was  raised,  it  joined  in  the  pursuit  of  the  enemy;  on  the  5th 


418  HISTORY    OF   NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

of  January,  1SG4,  the  regiment  re-enlisted,  and  received  the  veteran  furlough, 
returning  home  via  Cincinnati  and  Harrisburg.  Upon  the  opening  of  the 
spring  campaign  under  Grant,  the  Ninth  corps  moved  to  the  Eapidan  early 
in  May.  The  Fifty-first  participated  in  a  variety  of  difficult  and  dangerous 
movements  throughout  the  campaign;  it  was  engaged  at  Cold  Harbor  on  the 
3d  of  June,  at  Petersburg  on  the  17th,  and  at  the  Weldon  railroad  in  August. 
In  the  subsequent  operations  of  the  brigade  it  was  engaged  at  Poplar  Spring 
church,  Pieam's  Station,  Hatchers  Run,  and  in  the  final  attack  on  the  2d  of 
April,  1865,  which  resulted  in  the  evacuation  of  Richmond.  On  the  '27th  of 
July,  ;1.865,  after  four  years  of  arduous  service,  extending  over  the  whole  line 
from  the  Atlantic  to  the  Mississippi,  it  was  mustered  out  of  sernce  at  Alex- 
andria, Virginia. 

The  following  members  of  this  regiment  were  from  Northiunberland 
county:  William  Kelchner,  Ebert  Sjarowles,  Joe  A.  Logan,  Harrison  Hause, 
Wilham  Buoy,  P.  H.  Bratton,  Albert  Snyder,  Jacob  Clymer.  Montgomery 
S.  Adams,  Lemuel  Crossgrove,  George  Brown,  John  Van  Lew.  Henry  Houtz, 
William  Muylert,  William  Loudenslager,  John  T.  Cox,  and  possibly  others. 

FIFTY-THIRD    KEGI.MEXT. 

John  R.  Brooke  was  elected  colonel  of  this  regiment.  Richard  Mc- 
Michael,  lieutenant  colonel,  and  Thomas  Yeager,  major,  at  its  organization 
in  the  autumn  of  1861.  From  the  rendezvous  at  Camp  Curtin  it  moved 
to  Washington  on  the  7th  of  November,  crossed  the  Potomac  on  the  27th 
of  that  month,  and  encamped  near  Alexandria,  where  the  winter  of  1861-62 
was  passed.  In  March,  1862,  it  participated  in  the  general  advance  of 
the  Army  of  the  Potomac  to  Manassas,  and  on  the  21st  of  that  month 
marched  to  Warrenton  Junction  to  support  a  reconnoissance  of  Howard's 
brigade.  It  formed  part  of  the  reserve  division  during  the  siege  of  York- 
to\vn;  at  the  battle  of  Fair  Oaks  on  the  1st  of  June  it  was  actively  engaged, 
and  lost  ninety-six  men,  killed,  wounded,  and  missing.  On  the  reorganiza- 
tion of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  it  had  been  assigned  to  the  Third  brigade. 
First  division.  Second  corps;  this  brigade  covered  the  withdrawal  of  the 
Federal  forces  during  the  memorable  "  change  of  base  "  from  the  Chicka- 
hominy  to  the  James,  and  in  the  high  commendations  bestowed  upon  it  for 
the  sticcess  with  which  its  arduous  and  perilous  duties  were  performed  the 
Fifty-third  received  honorable  mention.  When  Pope  retreated  to  Wash- 
ington it  was  again  interposed  between  the  enemy  and  the  exposed  flanks  of 
the  Union  army.  During  the  battle  of  South  Mountain  it  was  held  in 
reserve,  but  on  the  17th  of  September  it  was  engaged  in  the  severest  fight- 
ing of  the  day.  Crossing  the  Potomac  at  Harper's  Ferry,  it  was  variously 
occupied  for  a  time;  from  the  19th  of  November  to  the  11th  of  December  it 
performed  provost  guard  duty  at  Falmouth,  and  lost  in  battle  on  the  13th 
one  hundred  tifty-eight  in  killed  and  wounded,  after  which  it  resumed   its 


THE    CIVIL    WAR.  419 

former  position  at  Falmoutb,  remaiuing  there  until  February  1,  ]80;i  It 
was  actively  engaged  in  the  Chancellorsville  campaign,  and  suffered  con- 
siderable loss.  At  Gettysburg,  where  it  arrived  on  the  morning  of  July  2d 
and  went  into  battle  with  one  hundred  twenty-four  effective  men,  but  forty- 
five  escaped  uninjured.  It  went  into  winter  quarters  at  Stevensburg,  Vir- 
ginia; there  the  men  i-e-enlisted,  and  proceeded  thence  to  Harrisburg,  where 
they  were  discharged  upon  veteran  furlough. 

Breaking  camp  at  Stevensburg  on  the  4th  of  May.  1  mU.  the  regiment 
crossed  the  Kapidan  and  on  the  11th  proceeded  in  the  direction  of  Spottsyl- 
vania.  There,  on  the  following  morning,  it  participated  in  the  brilliant  and 
decisive  charge  of  the  Second  corps,  which  resulted  in  the  capture  of  an  en- 
tire division  of  the  Confederate  army.  On  the  3d  of  June  it  was  in  a  charge 
at  Cold  Harbor,  and  again  on  the  16th  at  Petersburg.  During  the  remainder 
of  the  campaign  it  was  occujiied  in  promiscuous  skirmishing  along  the  Con- 
federate lines,  in  dismantling  the  Weldon  railroad,  etc.  It  moved  upon  its 
last  campaign  on  the  28th  of  March,  1S65,  joining  in  the  operations  at  Five 
Forks  and  the  capture  of  a  Confederate  wagon-train  at  Deep  Creek,  and  was 
at  the  front  on  the  day  of  Lee's  surrender.  On  the  28d  of  May  it  took  part 
in  the  grand  review  at  Washington,  and  was  finally  mustered  out  on  the 
30th  of  June,  1805. 

Compani]  H  was  recruited  in  Northumberland  county,  and  was  composed 
as  follows: — 

Caj^tains:  McCurdy  Tate,  Philip  H.  Schreyer,  James  D.  Marsh. 

First  Lieutenants:  Lawrence  Huff,  Wallace  W.  Dentler. 

Second  Lieutenants:  Samuel  T.  Piatt,  Michael  Thornton. 

Sergeants:  Alfred  Haj^s,  Charles  Allen,  Harvey  S.  Geiger,  Joseph  F.  Al- 
bright, Solomon  Robenold,  James  F.  Ryan,  James  Geist,  John  C.  Irwin,  S.  D. 
Haughenback,  William  Harrison. 

Corporals:  Levi  A.  Leform,  Amandus  Gold,  James  M.  Confer,  James 
Roadarmel,  Abram  D.  Galutia,  Theodore  Scott,  David  P.  Waltman,  William  J. 
Bickford,  Jacob  Corey.  Lionel  Stanley,  John  Showers,  James  Ossenan, 
Charles  F.  Hohnbon,  Robert  P.  Strine,  Henry-  Kohler,  H.  W.  Hagenbtick, 
INI.  L.  Everhart,  J.  M.  Hougendobler,  William  C.  Best,  Joseph  Black. 

Musicians:  William  Longenacker,  James  McCleery,  John  Caldwell,  John 
Dally. 

Privates:  Seth  Andrews,  William  J.  Ameigh,  Samuel   W.  E.   Byers,  D. 

Birchanan,  Samuel  Bittner,  Perry'   C.  Brown,  James  D.  Barber.  John  Boal, 

Benjamin  Bittner,    John  D.  Burd,  John  N.   H.    Bell,  Michael  Bmnbaugh, 

I  Jacob  H.  Brubaker,  George  W.  Bowers,  Charles  Britton,  WiUiam   W.  Bur- 

I  rows,  Nicholas  Becker,  Robert  P.  Bratton,  Thomas  Bird,  James  B.  Culbert- 

I  son,  Francis  Canovan,  Noah  D.  Clutter,  Peter  L.  Cerlough,  Thomas  Collins, 

i  Frederick  Carver,  John  M.  Coist,  William   L.   Costen,   Christopher  Corwin, 

Friend  Cook,  William  Coyl,  Walter  Cowden,  Leonard  W.  Divelbiss,  Jacob 


420  HISTORY    OF   NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

Divelbiss,  Charles  N.  Dimbar.  David  Dougherty,  Thomas  R.  Davis,  Ira 
Downs,  WiUiam  Dix,  "William  Deetz,  George  W.  Deer,  William  H.  Dobbs, 
Oscar  E.  Erway,  George  Eaton,  Joseph  L.  Evans,  John  Eveland,  Peter 
Fowler,  Charles  A.  Fisher.  John  Fisher,  Samuel  Fisher,  Hugh  Fisher, 
Aaron  Fox,  John  B.  Grum.  Timothy  P.  Galutia,  William  J.  Grover,  Jeremiah 
Garris,  George  W.  Gates.  Charles  Gumms,  Robert  Hall,  John  High,  D. 
Hendrickson,  Daniel  Harvey.  Levi  Hamilton,  Daniel  S.  Hopkins,  M.  V. 
Huffmaster,  Thomas  Hughes,  Henry  Houts,  George  Hause,  John  Henry, 
Hall  Henry,  Allen  S.  Hatch.  Samuel  W.  Hopkins,  Joseph  Harris,  Alexander 
Hazlett,  George  Jones,  Nelson  Johnston,  James  A.  Kooney,  Daniel  King, 
William  Keener,  Samuel  F.  Kelly,  John  F.  Kain,  Milton  Kirkwood,  Daniel 
Knittle,  James  Knittle,  Levi  E.  Kestler,  John  Ltinger,  Jacob  L.  Lyman, 
William  A.  Lewis,  William  Long,  Bernard  Leform,  Cyrenius  Murray,  Josej^h 
Mauck,  John  Murphy,  A.  Middlesworth,  Francis  Myers,  William  Morrison, 
Gabriel  Miller.  Jacob  Martial,  Leonard  Messimer,  Lyman  Miller,  John 
Mauck,  Andrew  Mallory.  Laurin  Matson,  Enoch  D.  Martin,  Michael  Many, 
Andrew  Marshall,  John  Meyer,  John  Mayer,  James  L.  Miller,  Martin  Miller, 
William  Moffit,  James  McNamee,  Ashbel  Norton,  Adam  Nearhood,  David 
Noble,  John  Ohler,  William  Purdy,  Samuel  L.  Potter,  William  Parker,  WiU- 
iam H.  Plowman,  Robert  Patterson,  Michael  Powers,  John  Quinn,  Joseph 
Reed,  George  T.  Roadarmel.  Lemuel  Rauck,  John  H.  Rich,  John  Rich,  Lind- 
say Raup,  Henry  Raup,  William  Raup,  Alexander  Robinson,  Henry  Roben- 
old,  Asa  M.  Richardson,  John  C.  Reifsnyder,  Zacharias  Robenold,  David  C. 
Secor,  Philo  Steinmetz,  John  Scutchall,  Edward  Short,  Lafayette  Steffy, 
Alfred  W.  Standish,  Joseph  Shirey,  Charles  J.  Smith,  Jacob  Stull,  Joseph 
Shirk,  Peter  Swisher,  William  Suttle,  Simon  Striiman,  John  Swart,  George 
Sweney,  Thomas  Smith,  John  Seibert,  Reuben  Snyder,  Joseph  Smith,  John 
Steinbacker,  Oliver  C.  Sherman,  William  Stanley,  William  P.  Shutt,  David 
Stiber,  Simon  Springer.  William  H.  Swenzell,  Michael  Shaffer,  Reuben 
Snyder,  Dennis  Tobin,  James  Thurston,  George  Thomas,  John  Taylor,  George 
Vandling,  WiUiam  H.  Yannetta,  John  Vannetta,  George  E.  Williams,  Sam- 
uel Winguard,  William  "\Mierrv-,  Levi  F.  Weida,  Joseph  Wetzell,  Henry  H. 
Wilson,  John  Yolton. 

nrXY-SIXTH     EEGIMENT. 

Sullivan  A.  Meredith,  J.  WiUiam  Hofmann,  and  Thomas  S.  Martin  were 
colonel,  lieutenant  colonel,  and  major,  respectively,  of  the  Fifty-sixth  at  its  organ- 
ization in  September,  1861.  Leaving  Harrisburg  for  Washington  on  the  Sth  of 
March,  1862,  it  was  stationed  at  various  points  in  the  vicinity  of  the  city  and 
on  the  lower  Potomac  until  the  2Tth  of  May,  when  it  proceeded  to  Freder- 
icksburg, encamping  on  the  left  bank  of  the  Rappahannock.  There  it  was 
occupied  in  performing  guard  duty  until  August,  when  it  moved  to  Cedar 
Mountain,  participating  in  several  skirmishes.     In  the  battle  of  Antietam  it 


THE    CIVIL    WAE.  421 

occupied  the  extreme  right  of  Hooker's  corps,  and  sustained  but  little  loss, 
but  in  an  engagement  with  the  enemy  on  the  '2d  of  November  at  ITnion  it  lost 
five  killed  and  ten  wounded,  receiving  the  congratulations  of  the  division 
commander  for  its  gallant  conduct.  It  held  a  position  along  the  Bowling 
Green  road  at  the  battle  of  Fredericksburg,  but  suffered  no  loss.  The 
^vinter  of  1S62-63  was  passed  at  Pratt's  Landing,  at  the  mouth  of  Potomac 
creek.  Breaking  camp  on  the  2Sth  of  April,  1863,  the  regiment  moved  on 
the  Chancellors\-ille  campaign,  losing  two  killed  and  seven  woimded  in  a 
demonstration  at  Pollock's  Mills.  From  the  early  part  of  May  imtil  the  7th 
of  Jime  it  was  encamped  near  the  Fitz-Hugh  house;  it  was  then  detailed  to 
the  support  of  cavalry  at  Brandy  Station.  The  march  toward  Gettysburg- 
commenced  on  the  25th  of  June,  1863.  It  this  time  formed  part  of  the  Sec- 
ond brigade  of  the  First  di^^sion  of  the  First  corps;  this  brigade  was  in  the 
advance  on  the  morning  of  July  1st,  and  the  Fifty-sixth  was  the  first  regi- 
ment to  get  into  position.  As  the  enemy  was  within  easy  musket  range,  it  was 
at  once  ordered  to  fire,  and  thus  opened  the  battle.  It  was  then  posted  on 
Oak  ridge,  but  was  soon  afterward  withdrawn  to  Seminary  ridge;  on  the 
second  day  it  occupied  the  angle  at  the  summit  of  Gulp's  hill,  and  on  the 
third  it  was  moved  to  the  cemetery  to  support  the  batteries  on  its  crest,  sus- 
taining in  this  engagement  a  total  loss  of  ten  killed,  sixty-seven  wounded, 
and  seventy-eight  missing.  It  participated  in  the  pursuit  of  the  enemy,  and 
passed  the  following  winter  in  Virginia.  On  the  K^th  of  March,  1864,  it 
was  granted  a  veteran  fitrlough.  retirrning  to  the  front  in  time  for  the  "Wilder- 
ness campaign,  in  which  it  was  conspicuous  for  gallantry  on  several  occa- 
sions. It  was  variously  engaged  during  the  summer  and  autumn,  partici- 
pating in  the  advance  to  Hatcher's  Run  on  the  27th  of  October,  and  to 
Hinckford  on  the  5th  of  December.  After  destroying  several  miles  of  the 
Weldon  railroad  on  the  Sth  of  December,  it  encamped  between  Lee's  Mills 
and  Jerusalem  plank  road  on  the  13th,  remaining  there  imtil  the  -tth  of 
February.  I'm]-").  On  the  Titli  and  6th  it  took  part  in  the  second  engagement 
at  Hatcher's  Pain,  shared  in  the  perils  and  honors  of  the  final  campaign,  and 
was  mustered  out  of  sen-ice  at  Philadelphia  on  the  1st  of  July,  1865. 

Companies  C,  D,  G,  K,  and  possibly  others  of  this  regiment  contained 
men  from  Northumberland  county.  It  is  impossible  to  give  a  complete 
roster,  but  the  following  are  known  to  have  enlisted  from  Shamokin:  C. 
Alderson,  Patrick  Burns,  George  B.  Clark,  Simon  Collier,  Jacob  Christ, 
Henry  Day.  John  Do-\vney,  John  Meighan,  Michael  McCarty,  John  McCau- 
ley,  Mark  Moran,  George  Nolter,  Francis  Reed,  John  Reed,  M.  Schochnerry, 
James  Strausser,  Robert  Toole,  Thomas  R.  Williams,  Stewart  Yost,  Thomas 
Clark,  Michael  Maher,  William  Boon.  Francis  Dunlavy.  Jacob  Guskey, 
Michael  Haley.  John  McDonald,  John  F.  Startzel,  James  Sterrett,  Frank 
Startzel,  George  Wary,  and  Josiah  Yohe. 


422                             HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 
EIGHTIETH    EEGUIEXT SEVENTH    CAVALRY. 

The  Seventh  Cavalry  was  recniited  in  the  counties  of  Schuylkill.  Lycom- 
ing, Tioga,  Bradford,  Northumberland,  Montour,  Clinton,  Centre,  Chester, 
Luzerne,  Dauphin,  Cumberland,  Berks,  and  Allegheny,  and  organized  at 
Camp  Cameron  with  the  following  field  officers:  colonel,  George  C.  Wyn- 
koop,  of  Pottsville;  lieutenant  colonel,  William  B.  Sipes,  of  Philadelphia; 
majors:  James  J.  Serbert,  of  Philadelphia,  James  Given,  of  West  Chester, 
and  John  E.  Wynkoop,  of  Pottsville.  Kegimental  colors  were  jiresented  by 
Governor  Curtin  on  the  ISth  of  December,  1801,  and  on  the  following  day, 
in  pursuance  of  orders  from  the  Secretary  of  War,  the  regiment  started  for 
Louisville,  Kentucky;  there  it  reported  to  General  Buell,  of  the  Department 
of  the  Cumberland,  and  was  placed  in  camp  of  instruction  at  Jeft'ersonville, 
Indiana.  Breaking  camp  toward  the  close  of  January,  1S6'2,  it  proceeded 
to  Nashville,  Tennessee,  where  the  three  battalions  separated,  and  were 
assigned  to  duty  in  western  and  middle  Tennessee.  In  May  the  Second 
and  Third  battalions  participated  in  an  attack  on  the  Confederate  General 
Morgan  at  Lebanon,  compelling  him  to  retreat.  In  June  the  First  battalion 
moved  with  Negley's  column  for  Chattanooga,  encoiintering  the  enemy  at 
Sweden's  Cove;  and  on  the  13th  of  July  the  Third  battalion,  with  two 
infantry  regiments  and  other  troops,  was  attacked  by  the  enemy  in  over- 
whelming force  at  Murfreesboro  and  compelled  to  surrender.  On  the  1st 
of  July  the  First  battalion,  attached  to  Smith's  brigade,  occujiied  Manches- 
ter; and  early  in  the  same  month  the  Second  and  Third,  under  Lieutenant 
Colonel  Sipes,  led  the  advance  of  General  Dumont's  exi^edition  across  the 
Cumberland  moimtains,  forming  part  of  General  Nelson's  command  in  his 
advance  from  McMinnville  shortly  afterward.  On  the  21st  of  August  the 
Second  battalion  participated  at  Gallatin  in  a  battle  between  the  Federal 
and  Confederate  cavalry,  in  which  the  former,  on  accoimt  of  inferior  num- 
bers, suffered  severely.  The  First  battalion  accompanied  General  Buell  in 
his  retrograde  movement  through  Kentucky  in  September,  1862,  the  Second 
and  Third  remaining  at  Nashville  as  part  of  General  Negley's  command. 

Upon  the  reorganization  of  the  cavalry  arm  of  the  service  in  the  Army  of  the 
Cumberland  imder  General  Eosecrans  in  November,  1862,  the  Seventh  was 
assigned  to  the  First  brigade  of  the  Second  division.  When  the  army  advanced 
iipon  the  enemy  at  Murfreesboro  in  December  this  brigade  led  the  center,  and 
the  entire  march  from  Nashville  to  Stone  river  was  a  continuous  battle  between 
the  cavalry  of  the  two  armies.  On  the  31st  an  engagement  occurred  at 
Overall's  creek,  in  which  the  Seventh  lost  sixty-one.  On  the  31st  of  January 
the  First  brigade  was  ordered  to  proceed  to  Rover  and  break  up  a  Confeder- 
ate outpost,  which  was  done  with  entire  success.  A  variety  of  movements 
was  participated  in  during  the  months  of  April,  May,  and  Jime,  culminating 
in  the  capture  of  Shelbyville  on  the  27th  of  June,  in  which  the  Seventh  regi- 
ment rendered  conspicuously  gallant  service.   Skirmishes  occurred  at  Elk  river 


THE    CIVIL    WAE.  423 

on  the  3J  of  July,  at  Si:iarta  ou  the  17th  of  August,  and  early  in  SejDtember  the 
regiment  moved  with  the  army  on  the  Chickamauga  campaign,  passing 
through  Tennessee  into  Alabama  in  pursuit  of  Wheeler  in  August.  Earlv  in 
1864,  while  stationed  at  Huntsville.  Alabama,  a  large  part  of  the  regiment 
re-enlisted,  and  was  given  a  veteran  furlough.  Breaking  camp  on  the  SOth 
of  April,  18G4,  it  joined  Garrard's  division  and  set  out  with  Sherman  towards 
Atlanta,  joining  in  Kilpatrick"s  raid  several  months  later  and  taking  part  in 
a  number  of  engagements.  This  was  a  campaign  of  unusual  severity,  and  at 
its  close  the  regiment  was  remounted  and  equipped  at  Louisville,  complet- 
ing its  preparations  for  the  campaign  of  1805  at  Gravelly  Springs.  Alabama. 
It  joined  the  command  of  General  James  H.  Wilson  on  the  'I'ld  of  March, 
marching  with  his  expedition  across  the  Gulf  States  from  Eastport,  Missis- 
sippi. On  the  1st  of  April  it  was  engaged  at  Plantersville.  and  on  the  follow- 
ing day  arrived  in  front  of  Selma.  It  led  the  assault  ujion  the  fortifications 
of  that  city,  suffering  severe  loss,  and  carrying  the  defenses  triumphantly  not- 
withstanding the  determined  resistance  of  the  enemy.  On  the  IGth  of  April 
it  was  engaged  at  Coltimbus,  Georgia,  and  on  the  20th  arrived  at  Macon, 
where,  the  war  having  closed,  it  remained  until  mustered  out  on  the  i;-<th  of 
August. 

CoDipanu  D  was  recruited  in  Xorthtimberland  and  Montour  eotmties.  with 
the  following  roster: — 

Captains:  James  Bryson.  John  T.  Newcomer,  Uriah  C.  Hr.rtranft,  Sam- 
uel C.  Bryson. 

First  Lieutenants:     Josejih  Castles.  Jolm  Scluiyler,  Jr. 

Second  Lietitenants;  James  S.  Henderson,  Jesse  B.  Eank.  Michael 
Breckbill. 

Sergeants:  William  A.  Hartranft.  Michael  N.  Bushey,  Alfred  Roberts, 
Samuel  M.  Blain,  Joseph  D.  Wolf,  Franklin  McFarland,  Martin  L.  Kurtz, 
Abraham  G.  Leiser,  D.  Welister  Eank,  Peter  E.  Wagner.  Joseph  W.  Davis, 
Daniel  F.  Wagner.  F.  J.  Trumbower. 

Corporals:  Aaron  M.  Yoctim.  Charles  A.  Dentler,  Josejih  V.  Fulton, 
Charles  E.  Wagner,  Henry  C.  Artman.  Uriah  S.  Hayes,  Martin  Yerk.  Aaron 

B.  Koons,  Joseph  L.  Hetller,  W'illiam  Koons. 

Buglers:  Jacob  H.  Wagner,  James  C.  Irwin,  Neil  Guigtme. 
Saddlers:  Charles  Kerlin.  Oliver  P.  Barr. 
Blacksmiths:  Hiram  Wertman,  William  Perry. 

Privates:  Lewis  Artman,  Henry  Billman,  William  Biggart,  Montgomery 
Brush.  Jolm  C.  Brown,  Clinton  W.  Boon.  Samuel  Boyer,  William  Bly,  James 

C.  Bly.  Jacob  T.  Balliett,  William  Barnhart,  Eobert  M.  Biggart,  Charles 
A.  Balliett,  William  D.  Balliett,  Eeitben  Confear,  Charles  Grouse,  Adam 
Crawford,  Peter  Cumer,  Timothy  Crimmins,  Henry  Conrad.  Luther  B.  Cole, 
Jacob  Cramer,  Eockwell  Demimd,  John  Divers.  Charles  Dewalt,  Richard 
Dougherty,   Peter   Dentler,  Joseph  E.  Dougherty,  John   Dugan,  Daniel  G. 


424  HISTORY    OF    XOKTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

Dilldine,  Thomas  J.  Ellis,  Jokn  Elick,  Henry  J.  Fry,  Jeremiah  Fleck,  AVill- 
iam  A.  Fetter,  Joseph  Falls.  John  W.  Freese,  William  W.  Gray,  Isaac  D. 
Gensel,  George  S.  Gold,  H.  H.  Gwynne,  William  H.  Garrett,  Elias  High, 
William  B.  High.  Henry  J.  Hower,  Joseph  Hess,  Thomas  Hiiff.  George  1\I. 
Hoffman,  S.  W.  Hagenbuck.  William  F.  Hoiney,  John  Huff,  William  Huff, 
George  E.Hill,  Benjamin  Hefner,  Le\'i  S.  Hays,  James  H.  Harman.  Ellis  L. 
Irvin,  John  Jarrett,  Thomas  R.  Johnson,  William  Jackson,  William  H.  Keiffer, 
John  Kerchner,  James  Koons,  Levi  Keener,  Amos  H.  Kisner,  Charles  Kem- 
erer,  Jacob  H.  Krisher,  Silas  Kirk,  Jesse  Kisner,  Oliver  P.  Koons,  Samuel  E. 
Leinbach,  Walter  Lynn,  Ehas  Lynn,  Samuel  Lilly,  Henry  Larkins,  John 
H.  Morrison,  Eobert  B.  Miller.  William  D.  Moyer,  John  H.  Moyer,  Robert  J. 
Miller.  Benjamin  F.  Miller,  John  Meadowcroft,  William  Machamer,  Isaac  Y. 
Messinger,  George  R.  Miller.  Lee  M.  Morton,  John  Machamer,  George  Masser, 
George  W.  McCollen,  Eobert  A.  McMahan,  David  McKeau,  Charles  C. 
McCormick,  William  McCoiToick,  William  C.  McCoy,  S.  W.  Mcllrath.  Charles 
S.  Nicely,  John  Nelson,  Reuben  Nicholas,  John  A.  Opp,  John  O'Connor, 
James  O'Day,  Samuel  Ormrod,  George  H.  Pfleger,  Frederick  M.  Roberts, 
Jonathan  Rogers,  James  Reeder,  Hiram  Rej-nolds,  Franklin  Richards,  Georo-e 
L.  Rififl;»,  John  Robenold,  Charles  Eussle,  Samuel  Robenold,  Samuel  Sprout. 
John  S.  Schuyler,  Aaron  Sechler,  George  Snyder,  Abram  L.  Sterner,  Ellis  A. 
Snyder.  Ellis  Shaner,  John  B.  Sees,  Peter  Shady,  Jacob  Shady,  Abraham 
Shuman,  David  S.  Spees,  Israel  Sanders,  William  B.  Stout,  Harman  A.  Sevi- 
son,  Jeremiah  Slaght,  William  Stitzel,  James  D.  Strine,  .William  H.  Stimner, 
Simon  Snyder,  Adam  Schuyler,  Newton  L.  Sayers,  Thomas  Sanders,  Jacob 
D.  Smith,  John  Tomy,  Eobert  C.  Watson,  Herman  G.  Wolf,  James  F.  Watts, 
William  W.  Wertman,  George  H.  Wykoff,  John  Wesner,  Cyrus  Wertman, 
Richard  S.  Worral,  Thomas  A  Worral,  William  W.  Weeks,  Philip  Willard, 
Daniel  C.  Weik,  Daniel  Wise.  Albert  B.  Watson,  John  S.  Welliver.  Augus- 
tus J.  Watson,  Henry  Wenerick. 

ONE    HUNDRED    AND    TWELFTH    EEGniENT — SECOND    PENNSYLVANIA   HEAVY 
AP.TILLEKY. 

The  Second  Artillery  organized  in  January,  1802,  with  Charles  Angeroth 
as  colonel,  John  H.  Oberteuffer.  lieutenant  colonel,  and  William  Candidus, 
major.  On  the  9th  of  January  three  companies  were  ordered  to  Fort  Dela- 
ware, and  on  the  2.jth  of  February  the  remaining  seven  were  ordered  to 
Wa.shington,  where  they  were  assigned  to  duty  in  the  fortifications  near  ' 
Bladensburg.  The  three  companies  at  Fort  Delaware  rejoined  the  main  body 
of  the  regiment  on  the  19th  of  March,  and  on  the  24th  of  November  its  num- 
bers were  further  increased  by  the  addition  of  two  companies  from  Luzerne 
coimty.  The  regiment  remained  in  the  works  north  of  the  Potomac  until  the 
2Gth  of  March,  1864,  when  it  was  transferred  to  Forts  Ethan  Allen  and 
Marcy,  south  of  the  river.     At  that  time  it  numbered  considerably  more  than 


THE    CIVIL    WAR.  425 

the  quota  allowed  by  law,  and  it  was  accordingly  determined  to  organize  a 
pro^-isional  regiment  from  the  surplus  men;  this  was  effected  on  the  20th  of 
April.  1S04,  and  the  Second  Provisional  Heavy  Artillery  was  assigned  to  duty 
with  the  Ninth  corps.  It  participated  in  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness,  and 
in  all  the  operations  of  the  camj^jaign  until  it  arrived  before  Petei'sburg.  The 
original  regiment  was  ordered  to  the  front  in  May,  arriving  at  Port  Koyal  on 
the  '2Sth,  and  at  Cold  Harbor  on  the  4th  of  June.  The  Second  battalion 
joined  in  a  charge  upon  the  Confederate  intrenched  line  on  the  ISth  of  June, 
losing  ten  killed  and  sixty -five  wounded.  During  the  months  of  Jime,  July, 
and  August  the  regiment  performed  arduous  duties  in  the  trenches,  losing  in 
that  time  more  than  half  its  effective  strength.  A  consolidation  with  the 
provisional  regiment  was  effected  on  the  5th  of  September:  on  the  20th  the 
First  and  Second  battalions  joined  in  an  attack  on  Fort  Harrison,  losing  more 
than  two  hundred  men,  including  several  of  the  principal  officers.  The  regi- 
ment occupied  the  line  south  of  Fort  Harrison  until  December  2,  1864,  when 
it  was  ordered  to  the  Bermuda  front.  After  the  evacuation  of  Petersburg  it 
was  ordered  to  that  city,  and  after  the  final  surrender  of  the  Confederate 
forces  the  companies  were  distribiited  throiighout  the  lower  counties  of  Vir- 
ginia. It  was  mustered  out  of  service  at  City  Point,  Virginia,  January  29, 
1SC)(3,  and  discharged  at  Philadelphia  on  the  16th  of  February. 

There  were  about  forty-five  men  in  this  regiment  from  Northumberland 
county,  distributed  through  various  companies. 

FIFTY-EIGHTH    nEGIMEXT. 

The  Fifty-eighth  was  recruited  at  Philadelphia  and  vicinity  by  J.  Richter 
Jones,  its  first  colonel,  and  in  the  northwestern  coimties,  including  Northum- 
berland and  Luzerne,  by  Carlton  B.  Curtis,  its  first  lieutenant  colonel. 
The  organization  occiu-red  on  the  13th  of  February,  1862,  and,  breaking 
camp  on  the  Sth  of  March,  the  regiment  proceeded  to  Fortress  Monroe, 
where,  on  the  IDth  of  May,  it  was  assigned  loan  expedition  against  Norfolk. 
There  it  performed  provost  guard  duty,  and  was  engaged  in  guard  duty  at 
Portsmouth  narj  yard  and  elsewhere  in  the  vicinity  tintil  October,  when  it 
was  ordered  to  Suffolk.  From  that  point  it  participated  in  several  expedi- 
tious to  the  Blackwater.  On  the  5th  of  January,  1863,  it  embarked  with  a 
force  under  Major  General  Foster  for  Beaufort,  North  Carolina,  and  at 
Bachelor's  Creek  Station,  eight  miles  west  of  Newbern.  constructed  a  forti- 
fied camp.  On  the  13th  of  February  Colonel  Jones  surprised  a  Confederate 
camp  at  Sandy  Eidge,  taking  one  hundred  forty-three  prisoners,  and  through- 
out the  spring  and  early  summer  the  regiment  was  constantly  engaged  in 
repelling  attacks  from  detatched  parties  of  the  enemy.  On  the  16th  of  April 
it  served  as  a  protection  to  the  right  flank  of  a  column  of  Union  troops 
passing  from  Newbern  to  Little  Washington.  On  the  21st  of  May  the  Con- 
federate camp  at  Giun  Swamp  was   attacked   and  one   hundred  seventy-five 


426  HISTORY    OF    NOBTHUMBEELAND    COUNTY. 

prisoners  captured.  The  recriment  was  ordered  to  Washington,  North  Caro- 
lina, on  the  27th  of  June;  there  it  was  posted  at  various  points  in  detach- 
ments, and  acquired  proficiency  in  artillerj'  practice.  On  the  last  day  of  the 
year  an  expedition  was  made  to  the  vicinity  of  Greenville,  resulting  in  the 
capture  of  prisoners  and  horses.  Guard  and  picket  duty  was  continued 
without  incident  until  the  evacuation  of  the  post  at  Washington  was  ordered 
at  the  close  of  April.  The  entire  command  then  proceeded  to  Fortress 
Monroe,  where  the  Fifty-eighth  was  incorporated  in  the  Third  brigade  of  the 
First  division,  Eighteenth  army  corps.  On  the  9th  of  May  the  divison  had 
a  sharp  encounter  with  the  enemy  near  the  Appomattox,  this  regiment  sus- 
taining a  loss  of  twenty.  It  was  assigned  to  the  work  of  destroying  the 
Petersburg  and  Eichmond  railroad  on  the  following  day,  and  throughout  the 
remainder  of  the  campaign  on  the  south  side  of  the  James,  though  constantly 
employed  in  field  and  fatigue  duty,  was  not  closely  engaged.  When  the 
Eighteenth  corps  was  transferred  to  Grant's  army,  the  Fifty-eighth  em- 
barked for  White  House,  and  arrived  at  Cold  Harbor,  on  the  1st  of  June. 
It  was  immediately  ordered  to  the  front,  losing  thirty-five  killed  and  wounded. 
Two  days  later  it  participated  in  the  grand  assault  of  the  Union  forces  upon 
the  enemy's  works  at  Cold  Harbor,  and  again  sustained  serious  loss. 

The  veterans  of  this  regiment  were  given  a  furlough  on  the  24th  of  June, 
returning  to  the  front  on  the  25th  of  August,  18G4;  on  the  evening  of  Sep- 
tember 28th,  crossing  the  James  river,  the  Fifty-eighth  was  assigned  with 
another  Pennsylvania  regiment  to  the  dilficult  and  dangerous  duty  of  assault- 
ing Fort  Harri.son,  one  of  the  most  important  points  in  the  Confederate  line 
of  defense  between  the  river  and  White  Oak  swamp.  This  was  triumphantly 
effected  on  the  29th,  but  of  nine  officers  and  two  hundred  twenty- eight  men 
who  advanced  to  the  charge,  six  oificers  and  one  hundred  twenty-eight  men 
were  either  killed  or  wounded,  and  the  regimental  colors  were  almost  com- 
pletely annihilated.  On  the  afternoon  of  the  same  day  the  Fifty-eighth  joined 
in  an  attack  upon  the  Star  fort ;  this  was  also  successfiil,  but  the  advantage 
gained  was  lost  by  the  failure  of  re-enforcements  to  arrive  at  a  critical  mo- 
ment. The  regiment  was  emjiloyed  in  picket,  guard,  and  fatigiie  duty  from 
this  time,  participating  in  active  movements  at  various  places.  After  the 
surrender  of  Leo  it  was  assigned  to  diity  in  the  lower  counties  of  Virginia 
under  orders  of  the  Freedmen's  bureau,  and  was  finally  mustered  out  on  the 
24th  of  January,  1860. 

Company  7  was  recruited  in  Luzerne  and  Northumberland  counties.  The 
roster  is  as  follows: — 

Captains:  John  Buyers,  Angelo  Jackson. 

First  Lieutenants:  Thomas  Birmingham,  Heber  Painter. 

Second  Lieutenant,  John  R.  Searles. 

Sergeants:  WiUiam  H.  Blair,  Robert  Hedian,  James  Harlor,  Samuel  Wolf, 
William  H.  Gass,  Norman  W.  Haas,  John  M.  Dickover,  Samuel  C.  Barton, 
George  W.  Klase. 


THE    CIVIL    WAR.  427 

Corporals:  Kobert  Martin.  George  W.  Adams.  Hiram  Fisher,  Samuel 
Taylor.  George  D.  Aton.  John  Fisher,  H.  Housewart,  James  De  Witt,  Jo- 
seph Xagle,  Solomon  Yordy.  Josejih  Crist.  Henry  Bartsher,  Bennett  E.  Cobley, 
Daniel  Boughner.  Jacob  M.  Boyd.  L.  H.  Gaffney. 

Musician,  John  Mullen. 

Privates:  Solomon  P.  Aton,  Louis  Angermiller,  H.  A.  Addleman.  Samuel 
Bartsher,  Aaron  Burket,  Piobert  Brown,  John  Barton,  Martin  L.  Bloom, 
Eobert  W.  Bell,  Edward  Berney.  Charles  H.  Cook,  William  H.  Cook.  Sam- 
uel Crist,  Joseph  E.  Carpenter.  Daniel  Conrad,  William,  K.  Conrad.  Henry 
K.  Conrad,  Patrick  Carl.  Thomas  Cruse,  Henry  C.  Cook.  Samuel  T.  Cole- 
man. Daniel  Deets.  James  E.  Dauton.  Alfred  S.  Dennis.  Asmus  Damen.  Ben- 
jamin F.  Diehl.  Edward  E.  Doran.  John  Doon.  George  Eckhart.  William  H. 
Freeman,  Philip  Forester.  James  C.  Fleming.  Solomon  Fausold,  Henry  Gut- 
schall.  Joseph  Gregory,  John  G.  Groner.  Emanuel  Gutschall.  William  Gala- 
gher,  Harris  A.  Hopper.  Samuel  Heim.  Thomas  Hudson,  John  Hardman.  James 
Hoey,  Patrick  Hughes,  Benjamin  F.  Heffner,  John  A.  Jennings,  Thomas 
Kelley,  Augiist  W.  Keiber,  George  Lewis,  Martin  Loftus,  George  W.  Lee, 
James  Lafferty,  Eobert  Leach,  Levi  S.  Lloyd,  Edward  Long,  William  B. 
Martin,  Henry  Miller,  James  Masterson.  George  D.  Mott,  John  Mench,  John 
Morisey.  Anthony  Marse,  James  Morisey,  Charles  Mott,  Michael  Morgan, 
George  McDonald.  Lafayette  McClure,  Eobert  McClure,  Michael  McCarty, 
Moses  C.  Norris,  Winthrop  Ojjlinger,  George  Oplinger,  Albert  W.  Osborn, 
Charles  A.  Peal,  John  Eeed,  Patrick  Rafter,  Cornelius  Robins,  Jonathan  Rog- 
ers, Benjamin  F.  Reel,  William  Eeeser,  EliasEaker,  Joseph  Eeitz,  James  Eiley, 
William  Reeser,  John  G.  Snyder,  George  F.  Slocum,  Jacob  Slough,  M.  M. 
Shoemaker,  Ernest  Storkey,  William  H.  Skillham,  Joseph  M.  Snyder.  Emanuel 
Stroh.  John  Sharp,  Andrew  E.  Stewart,  George  E.  Shaffer,  Thomas  Savage, 
Norman  R.  Tracey,  Edward  Vangross,  John  G.  Vanleer,  William  Woods, 
De  L.  S.  Wynn.  Julius  Wirth.  Thomas  Wright,  Martin  Welsh.  Louis  G. 
Weeks,  John  Winer,  William  Williams.  Heniy  Walz,  Henry  Werman.  John 
William.s.  Oliver  Yohe.  Nathan  Yohe.  Peter  Zeliff. 

In  an  historical  sketch  of  this  company  A.  N.  Brice  states  that  to  it 
"belongs  the  honor  of  first  entering  the  rebel  capital  after  the  surrender, 
and  Robert  Martin,  of  Sunbury.  carried  the  first  flag  into  the  city  of  Rich- 
mond at  the  head  of  our  victorious  army." 

ONE     HrNDEED    .A.ND    THIETY-FIEST    REGIMENT. 

Four  companies  of  this  regiment — C,  D,  E,  and  F — were  recruited  in 
Northumberland  county.  It  was  a  nine  months'  regiment,  and  organized  at 
Camp  Curtin  with  Peter  H.  Allabach.  colonel,  William  B.  Shaut,  lieutenant 
colonel,  and  Robert  W.  Patton,  major.  Proceeding  immediately  to  Washing- 
ton and  thence  to  Virginia,  it  moved  to  the  vicinity  of  Alexandria  and  from 
that  place  to  Fort  Ward,  where  it  was  assigned  to  picket  duty  on  the  Lees- 


428  HISTORY    OF    XOKTHUMBERLASD    COUNTY. 

burg  road  and  Little  River  turnpike.  When  the  Maryland  campaign  opened 
it  inarched  to  Frederick  city,  and  thence,  on  the  afternoon  of  September 
17,  1802,  to  Antietam,  where  it  arrived  in  time  to  relieve  troops  exhausted 
by  that  battle.  At  Fredericksbiu-g  on  the  13th  of  December  it  sustained 
a  total  loss  of  one  hundred  seventy-seven.  Leaving  its  winter  quarters  on 
the  28th  of  April  for  the  Chancellorsville  campaign,  it  arrived  at  the  Chan- 
cellor House  on  the  1st  of  May,  and  participated  in  a  variety  of  movements 
until  the  loth,  when  its  term  of  service  expired.  Eight  days  later  it  was 
mustered  out  at  Harrisburg. 

Company  C  was  recruited  by  Thomas  E.  Jones  and  A.  N.  Brice.  Leav- 
ing for  Harrisburg  on  the  9th  of  August,  1862,  it  was  mustered  into  service 
on  the  14th.  It  returned  to  Simbury  on  the  25th  of  May,  and  was  tendered 
an  enthusiastic  reception  by  the  citizens.  The  roster  of  this  company  is  as 
follows: — 

Captain,  Thomas  R.  Jones. 

First  Lieutenants:  JosejA  L.  Reeder,  A.  X.  Brice. 

Second  Lieutenant,  Owen  M.  Fowler. 

Sergeants:  David  M.  Nesbit.  Lott  B.  "Weitzel,  George  Arnold,  Ephraim 
Foulke,  John  Hillbourn,  Lorenzo  D.  Robins. 

Corporals:  Samuel  Bower,  Ira  M.  Rockefeller,  Silas  R.  Snyder,  Charles 
P.  Seasholtz,  Solomon  P.  Klase,  Ezeriah  Campbell,  John  E.  Eckman,  John 
A.  Bucher,  Samuel  Swank. 

Musicians:  James  E.  Forrester,  Kimber  C.  Farrow. 

Privates:  Jesse  M.  Auchmuty,  Milton  Bastress,  Edward  L.  Beck,  Will- 
iam H.  Beck.  Benjamin  F.  Barnhart,  Cyrus  G.  Bittenbender,  Sylvanus 
Bird,  John  R.  Boughner,  Joseph  Conrad,  Abraham  Culp,  Charles  H.  Culp, 
John  L.  Cooper,  Hiram  Dill,  John  Dawson,  Wesley  Ely,  John  Ernst,  Will- 
iam Evert,  John  K.  Erdman,  John  Evert.  John  Fox,  George  Farley,  Peter 
Fisher,  William  Good,  Jacob  T.  Hepner,  Elias  Hoover,  James  Hunt,  Samuel 
J.  Hoey,  Adam  S.  Haas,  James  Harris,  Francis  Hoover,  John  Hoffman, 
Frederick  Hammer,  John  K.  Haas,  George  D.  Irwin,  Thomas  Johnson, 
Moses  Kulp,  James  Kincaid,  T.  Koppenhetfer,  Joel  Koppenlieffer,  Daniel 
M.  Kerschuer,  Peter  Kulp,  Jacob  Reiser,  Jeremiah  Koppenlieffer,  James  W. 
Lyon,  George  W.  Lavan,  William  Maguire,  Vandine  Martz,  Charles  Mettler, 
Henry  W.  Moore,  Sylvester  Myers,  George  Mantz,  Jacob  Mower,  Alonzo 
Osmon,  Oliver  Oberdorf,  Daniel  S.  Peiper,  Henn,"  K.  Price,  Samuel  Ruch, 
Jesse  J.  Reed,  Samuel  Reed,  Servetus  0.  Reed,  John  Smith,  William 
Savidge,  John  L.  Shipman,  Saul  Shipman,  Henry  R.  Shipp,  R.  F.  Stam- 
bacli,  Josiah  Strausser,  Francis  M.  Smith,  Isaac  Sarvis,  Charles  A.  Spratt, 
Landis  Starner,  George  Y.  Weimer,  Peter  Wentz,  David  Willet,  Samuel 
Welker,  Conrad  Yeager,  Solomon  Yeager,  Wilham  Yeager,   Adonijah  Yocum. 

Company  D  was  composed  as  follows: — 

Captain,  David  A.  McManigal. 


THE    CIVIL   WAR.  429 

First  Lieutenant,  David  B.  Wilson. 

Second  Lieutenant,  D.  D.  Mntthersbough. 

Sergeants:  James  W.  Couch.  J.  "\V.  Hackenberg,  William  A.  Troxell, 
Koland  Thompson,  Homer  Benedict,  Henry  McLaughlin. 

Corporals:  George  W.  Smithers,  David  Sterrett,  Samuel  Haffly,  Samuel 
M.  Brown,  Josei:)h  T.  Kothrock.  Adam  E.  Weidman.  Levi  A.  Mentzer, 
Roswell  S.  Parker,  Harrison  J.  Miller. 

Musicians:   Samuel  E.  Long.  Franklin  "W.  Smith. 

Privates:  Henry  Arnold,  John  T.  Arnold,  William  F.  Alexander,  E.  Alex- 
ander, William  B.  Alexander,  WiUiam  E.  Anderson,  Ambrose  M.  Aults,  Will- 
iam R.  Bell,  William  J.  Barger.  William  Benny,  Harvey  A.  Bratton,  James 
Beaver,  James  H.  Brower,  Josiah  H.  Conley,  Martin  Conley,  James  S.  Cast- 
ner,  John  A.  Crissman,  George  Da^is,  Daniel  Dill,  George  K.  Dippery,  Abram 
Files,  Ebenezer  E.  Ford.  Samuel  M.  Greer.  John  M.  Galbraith,  James 
Guthrie,  Miles  P.  Guiher,  Henrv-  C.  Hoffman,  John  E.  Hesser.  John  Hook, 
Levi  Hook,  Daniel  Hardy,  John  B.  Hummel,  James  I.  Hacket,  William  C. 
Heister,  Charles  E.  Kyle,  David  S.  Kemp,  Jacob  A.  Kairffman,  Abram  Kish- 
ler,  John  S.  Long,  Samuel  G.  Longwell.  David  E.  Latchford,  Joseph  P. 
Landis,  Isaac  M.  Lenthurst,  E.  H  Montgomery,  Allen  P.  Mitchell,  William 
A.  Mitchell,  George  D.  MitcheU.  Henry  T.  Mitchell.  William  E.  Moran,  Al- 
bert L.  Magill,  Charles  Marks.  Edward  P.  Mertz,  Mahlon  McKlips,  George 
E.  Orr,  John  W.  Ort,  Alvin  B.  Parker,  Jacob  Price,  Allison  Price,  Augiistus 
H.  Peters,  George  H.  Pratt,  James  B.  Eoss,  William  Eigle,  Jacob  A.  Eohrer, 
Noah  A.  Eoamig,  H.  H  Renninger,  John  W.  Eiden,  David  Eobenold,  Hiram 
Smith,  David  Stinberger,  James  W.  Smith.  John  M.  Stine,  George  W. 
Stroup,  George  W.  Stahl,  David  Shank,  Joseph  H.  Smith.  Joseph  H.  Wag- 
oner, William  Walters,  William  P.  Witherow,  George  W.  Wilson. 

Company  E,  though  not  a  distinctively  Northumberland  county  organi- 
zation, bad  a  considerable  representation  therefrom;  the  roster  is  as  fol- 
lows:— 

Captain.  Isaiah  B.  Davis. 

First  Lieutenant :  William  A.  Bruner,  William  H.  Wolfe. 

Second  Lieutenant,  Leander  M.  Morton. 

Sergeants:  John  Peterman.  Ehas  Bart,  Henr}-  J.  Heinen,  John  H.  Easton, 
Samuel  Logan,  Warren  F.  Brenizer. 

Corporals:  W^illiam  A.  Stranb.  W.  B.  Chamberlin,  William  H.  Taggart, 
Martin  L.  Euthraff,  Ephraim  Hester.  William  Augstadt,  Currin  Cahill,  Joseph 
E.  Bright. 

Musicians:  John  Logan,  Charles  F.  Burns. 

Privates:  Isadore  A.  Aicher.  Julius  Arbeiter,  Martin  F.  Angeny,  James 
W.  Bogert,  James  Burnman.  James  Bartholomew,  Thomas  Brooks,  Edward 
Brous,  Isaiah  Blair,  David  P.  Bogle,  Samuel  Byerly,  James  H.  Burner,  Alfred 
B.    Chapin,  Andrew  Dotts,  Charles  Eisele,  Philip  Eisele,   Thomas  Everett, 


430  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUJIBERLAND    COUNTY. 

Daniel  Everett,  Benjamin  Fagely,  William  A.  Fisher,  Philip  H.  Follmer,  A. 
J.  Fisher,  Reese  D.  Gauby,  Henry  J.  Gaskin,  William  Gibson,  David  B. 
Hause,  William  Hantzicker,  John  M.  Hulsizer.  John  Huhn,  James  Halsey, 
Franklin  Hause,  Samuel  J.  Irwin,  Andrew  F.  Irwin,  Reuben  H.  Kram, 
David  E.  Kutz,  Charles  Ivint,  David  Kieffer,  Charles  B.  Krauser,  David  J. 
Kram,  George  W.  Kepler,  William  H.  Leisenring,  Jeremiah  Leinbach,  R. 
M.  Longmore,  Phineas  Leisei-,  William  Machamer,  James  Murphy,  Robert 
Miller,  Charles  jMathias,  Jacob  Meixel,  Samuel  M.  Miller,  James  Montgomery, 
James  McCutcheon,  John  McGinnis,  Heniy  Newberry,  Isaac  Newberry, 
George  W.  Overpeck,  Wellington  Peeler,  Charles  M.  Rissell,  James  M.  Ritter, 
John  W.  Rantz,  G.  W.  Richalderfer,  William  A.  Runkle,  Daniel  Rissle, 
Jacob  Smith,  William  Spotts,  Mathias  Strine,  George  C.  Sheetz,  Levi  B. 
Schock,  Samuel  Shadman,  Thomas  H.  Sweitzer,  Joseph  Straub,  Jesse  Smith, 
John  A.  Sommers,  John  B.  Straub,  Jacob  Smith,  William  H.  Trego,  John  K. 
Trego,  William  Wertman,  Joseph  Wortz,  Henry  Walbon,  Curtis  B.  Watson. 

Company  F  had  the  following  roster: — 

Captains:  George  W.  Ryan,  Lewis  Miller. 

First  Lieutenant,  Frank  W.  Keller. 

Second  Lieutenants:  Jeremiah  Snyder,  M.  L.  Wagonseller. 

Sergeants:  John  S.  Burkhart,  Theophilus  Swineford,  W.  H.  Gemberling, 
Sephares  S.  Schock,  John  H.  Louis,  John  Gardner. 

Corporals:  William  N.  Keister,  Henry  Barbin,  S.  M.  Hendricks,  Joseph 
S.  Glover,  John  J.  Gimdrum,  Henry  Steininger,  Benjamin  J.  Smith,  Calvin 
J.  Schock,  Henry  W.  Mattis. 

Musicians:  Jeremiah  Mohney,  Henry  E.  Richter. 

Privates:  Francis  Artley,  Jacob  Arbogast,  Phares  Blett,  Edward  K. 
Boyer,  Absalom  Beaver,  Henry  W.  Benfer,  Elias  Boreman,  Benjamin  Bachman, 
Edward  L.  Bufiington,  John  W'.  Bustle,  William  M.  Boyer,  Ner  Bishop, 
John  Bollinger,  Henry  F.  Charles,  William  M.  Curns,  Jacob  J.  Erb,  Martin 
L.  Fisher,  James  Gibbs,  Matthew  B.  Gardner,  G.  W.  Gemberling,  John  P. 
Greiner,  John  Gilbert,  Henry  Getz,  David  Getz,  George  G.  Greiner,  Jacob 
Hendricks,  William  Heater,  John  M.  Howell,  Ephraim  Howell,  G.  E.  Hack- 
enberg,  Wellington  Housworth,  John  J.  Housworth,  John  Hagerty,  Enos  H. 
Harmon,  Samuel  K.  Hoot,  Galen  Haupt,  Perry  Jarrett,  William  Keller, 
George  A.  Kline,  Paul  H.  Knepp,  David  H.  Kempfer,  Jackson  W.  Kline, 
Samuel  Koch,  Jeremiah  Long,  Benjamin  F.  Loss,  D.  W.  Laudenslager, 
Alfred  F.  Miller,  Henry  Mull,  George  Martin.  George  A.  Musser,  James 
Musser,  Elias  C.  Minium,  Henry  J.  Miller,  John  W.  McBay,  Martin  W. 
Rowe,  William  H.  Rowe,  Jairus  Roush,  H.  H.  Renninger,  Henry  Renninger, 
John  Rahmstine,  Jonas  Renninger,  Abraham  Renninger,  Samuel  Snyder, 
David  G.  Schive,  Jacob  P.  Snyder,  Samuel  Smith,  Henry  Schroyer,  J.  A. 
Stahlstecker,  Robert  Spaid,  John  Spahr,  Jacob  J.  Stroub,  James  P.  Smith, 
Edmund  F.  Teats,  Elias  Treaster,  J.  P.  Winkleman,  Abraham  Wagner, 
Henry  Weipert,  John  F.  Wagner. 


THE    CIVIL    WAR.  431 

ONE    HUNDRED    AND    FIFTY-SECOND    REGIMENT THIRD    ARTILLERY. 

The  Third  Pennsylvania  Hea-\y  Artillery  was  formed  in  the  spring  of 
1863  by  the  consolidation  of  the  commands  of  Colonel  Segebarth  and  Major 
Roberts,  and  organized  with  Joseph  Roberts,  colonel,  R.  V.  W.  Howard, 
lieutenant  colonel,  and  John  A.  Darling,  major.  Though  originally  desio-ned 
for  special  duty  at  Fortress  Monroe,  the  regiment  performed  a  large  share 
of  field  duty.  One  company  was  stationed  at  Baltimore,  but  with  this  excep- 
tion detachments  from  the  entire  regiment  participated  in  a  number  of  en- 
gagements of  more  or  less  importance  on  the  James,  Chickahominy,  and 
Nansemond  rivers,  and  also  in  the  capture  of  Fort  Fisher,  North  Carolina. 
During  the  campaign  before  Peter.sburg,  Companies  D,  E,  G-,  and  M  served 
in  the  Army  of  the  James,  and  were  posted  at  Bermuda  Front.  After  the 
downfall  of  the  Confederacy  these  companies  returned  to  duty  at  Fortress 
Monroe,  and  during  the  incarceration  of  Jefferson  Davis  at  that  place  he  was 
under  giiard  of  detachments  from  this  regiment. 

Battery  D  was  principally  from  Northumberland  coimty,  and  was  com- 
posed as  follows: — 

Captains:     Henry  A.  Colt,  Edwin  A.  Evans. 

First  Lieutenants:  Frederick  R.  Kent,  James  F.  Kline,  Sylvester  W. 
Marshall. 

Second  Lieutenants:  William  E.  Dorsey,  E.  W.  Sheibner,  Lemuel  Ship- 
man,  Loren  M.  Leonard. 

Sergeants:  Josiah  B.  Edwards,  Charles  C.  Jones,  John  Hawley,  Robert 
Burk,  Benjamin  F.  Cox,  William  Cook,  John  McLane,  Francis  M.  Thomas, 
A.  W.  Minich,  George  H.  Borger,  Joseph  Randall,  John  McLeod,  John  V. 
Walker. 

Corporals:  F.  H.  Diettrich,  Henry  Brown,  John  E.  Eckman,  Tobias 
Reinard,  Uriah  Marteeny,  George  Carey,  John  Nimgesser,  Theobald  M.  Fields, 
William  H.  Boyer,  Thomas  Lawson,  William  D.  Fisher,  Alonzo  Lockard, 
Jared  Boardman,  Uriah  Foulk.  Josej^h  M.  Barkman.  John  Barnhardt,  Martin 
V.  Stafford. 

Artificers:     John  Diemer,  Hiram  Hendricks.  William  Furman. 

Privates:  Jonathan  Arbogast,  C.  H.  Ackenbach,  John  W.  Allen,  James 
Ayling,  Charles  Arnott,  David  Augstadt,  William  Athorton,  Joseph  Aspy,  W. 
Bashore,  Alex  Bigham,  Charles  Brobst,  Virgil  Buchanan.  E.  J.  Bowman, 
James  S.  Bombay,  Charles  M.  Bowman,  Jacob  Boyer,  James  Blackford, 
Richard  Bro\vn,  James  Brown,  William  Brown,  Robert  W.  Brooks,  John 
Balsher.  W.  H.  Blessington,  Charles  C.  Bent,  David  W.  W.  Ball,  Henry 
Breadbiner,  John  Barrett,  Jolm  Brown,  Thomas  Buckley,  Henry  Burson, 
Reinhart  Becker,  William  Blazzard,  Thomas  Burgess,  William  Biens,  James 
Buchanan,  William  Crider,  Alem  B.  Clever,  Henry  C.  Crawford,  Hugh  H. 
Conway,  Daniel  Curtis,  Le\'i  Connor,  Abraham  Connor,  William  J.  Core, 
John  H.    Camjj,   M.  Cunningham,   Charles   P.   Clow,  George   Cox,   Michael 


432  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBEELAXD   COUNTY. 

Carr,  Andrew  Curtis,  Thomas  Coyle,  James  Callalian,  John  Cameron,  James 
Connor,  Isaac  Dawson,  James  B.  Drum,  L.  H.  Dimmick,  John  Detnk,  James 
Dille,  George  Derk,  John  G.  Dennison,  "William  C.  Davis,  John  Dillman, 
George  W.  Dailes,  John  Dean,  William  Dowd.  Henry  Dennison,  James 
Duffy,  William  Evans,  Thomas  J.  Eisely,  William  H.  Evo,  Joseph  Ernst, 
Alvin  Fowler,  Evan  Fisher,  Amos  J.  Fortney.  J.  Farnsworth,  Josiah  Frantz, 
Samuel  Fields,  Frederick  Fleshett,  John  Fos.  Charles  Forhad.  Robert  Gil- 
laspy,  John  A.  Grant,  Augustus  Grove,  Minus  Gallagher,  Francis  K.  Gibbs, 
Charles  Griffin,  Thomas  Goover,  Charles  Gallagher,  Oliver  Henton,  Henry 
Helt,  Henry  Hart,  Ovid  Hoyt,  S.  H.  Halderman.  Elijah  J.  Hoover,  E.  S. 
Hart  pence,  W.  H.  Harden,  Thomas  E.  Harder.  Arthur  G.  Harder,  William 
Hendershot,  George  D.  Hughes,  Andrew  Hunlock.  William  H.  Hays,  George 
Harder,  Scott  Hide,  John  Heniy,  John  Harkess.  Eichard  Ingham,  AUbright 
Jones,  Franklin  Johnson,  John  Jordan,  Thomas  Jones,  Eichard  Jackson, 
Elisha  Kisner,  W.  H.  Knowlton.  John  Kinlock.  Friah  G.  Kerst,  Lewis  Kif- 
fer,  Merrit  H.  Kocher,  John  T.  Kidder,  Thomas  E.  King,  William  Kisner, 
Jacob  W.  Kline,  Lorenzo  Z.  Kase,  T.  L.  Kramer.  William  Kinley,  C.  L. 
Kenney,  John  Kean,  George  Long,  Lloyd  Lomberson,  H.  C.  Lomberson, 
Eugene  Lewis,  John  Lynch,  Henrv'  Logan,  Joseph  Long,  Jacob  Lefferts,  Levin 
Lawson,  L.  C.  Leech,  Emanuel  Lewis,  John  B.  Little,  Charles  Livingston, 
John  Laughlin,  Thomas  Leonard,  Henry  Little.  Miles  Marteeny,  Martin 
Mainnung,  Mathias  Murray,  William  Moore,  John  Martin,  John  Mes.sner, 
Ellis  Mordan,  John  D.  Miller,  John  M.  Moyer,  B.  F.  Moyer,  David  Miser, 
Robert  Morrow,  Eobert  Montgomery,  John  Mills,  Peter  Moyer,  John  Mair, 
George  W.  Moore,  William  Miller,  Hammond  Miller,  Franklin  Mearady, 
W^illiam  McMillen,  George  McGee,  George  McAfee.  George  McMier,  John 
McCoy,  David  McGee,  John  McCullum,  George  McGowan,  Michael  McCon- 
nell,  P.  McMasterson,  Peter  McGrath,  Daniel  C.  Neagley,  Hunter  P.  New- 
bury, Joseph  Noriconk,  Charles  J.  Nuss,  Wesley  P.  Norris,  Eobert  Oman, 
Henry  M.  Oberdorf,  Clemson  Osmon,  John  Otlinger,  Alfred  Putnam,  F. 
B.  Patrick,  Charles  O.  Power,  Philander  'Putnam,  Ezra  Eoush,  Joshua 
M.  Eoush,  Isaac  Eow,  John  E.  Eeynolds,  WiUiam  A.  Eingler,  George  W. 
Eeifsnyder,  Sebastian  Eupp,  Eichard  Eemington.  Charles  Eobinson,  John 
Eeichley,  Jacob  EiHey,  James  E.  Eoss,  Cornelius  Eobinson,  David  Eobinson, 
Eobert  Eallston,  John  A.  Rhoads,  George  Einall,  John  T.  Stratton,  Samuel 
Spies,  Josiah  Sweetland,  James  Small,  Stewart  Sterner,  B.  F.  Sterner.  David 
E.  Stevens,  Christian  Sode,  Jacob  Scheetz,  John  Settle,  Samuel  E.  Stadden, 
Henry  K.  Springer,  Lafayette  Snyder,  Samuel  Smith.  Thomas  Sulhvan,  Ellis 
Snyder,  John  Shenfelt,  John  A.  Shout,  Abner  Y.  Scott,  John  O.  Smith,  Ed- 
ward G.  Smith,  Miles  Solomon,  B.  F.  Snyder.  George  Smith.  Andrew  Sny- 
der, Moses  Stump,  Jesse  Sullivan,  William  Smith.  Herman  Schrauber,  John 
H.  Stone,  Frederick  Smith,  John  Shenk,  Jerome  Tressler,  George  W.  Trim- 
ble, James  P.  Thornton,  Jonathan  Tressler,  John  Thomas,  Amos  Townsend, 


Jh-^^'L-.  ^.  ^^/^T^^^^^^/^ 


THE    CIVIL    WAR.  435 

James  Thompson,  John  Taylor,  James  Taylor,  Charles  H.  Tool,  Gilbert  Yand- 
ling,  David  Vankirk,  William  H.  Vankirk,  Daniel  S.  Weiley,  William 
Weaver,  Henry  J.  Weaver,  Henry  C.  Weaver,  George  W.  Whitenight,  J. 
Wackershauser,  W.  Wackershauser,  Henry  Walbum,  William  Wertz,  Durell 
J.  Wharton,  H.  Wintei-stein,  John  Weaver,  George  W.  Woodward,  David 
Wilt,  James  B.  Wallace,  Edwin  Wj-nn,  John  D.  Wilder,  Thomas  Wilson, 
Charles  White,  Henry  Wilson,  George  Worth,  George  Weisert,  John  Winn, 
David  Williams,  S.  K.  Wilson,  Elisha  Yohe,  Kiley  Zerbe,  Nicholas  Zeigler. 

SEVENTY-FOURTH  REGIMENT. 

The  Seventy-fourth  was  originally  a  Gennan  regiment,  recruited  at  Pitts- 
burgh, and  known  at  first  as  the  Thirty-fifth.  There  was  no  organized 
representation  in  its  ranks  from  Northumberland  county  until  near  the  close 
of  the  war.  In  March.  1S65,  its  numerical  strength  having  been  greatly 
reduced  l)y  ca.^ualties  and  by  the  expiration  of  the  terms  of  enlistment  of 
many  of  its  men,  seven  new  companies  were  assigned  to  it,  among  which  were 
two  from  this  county.  At  that  date  Colonel  Gottlieb  Hoburg  was  in  com- 
mand, and  the  regiment  was  stationed  in  West  Virginia  on  the  line  of  the 
Baltimore  and  Ohio  railroad.  From  Green  Spring  it  proceeded  to  Beverly, 
remaining  at  that  point  from  the  8th  of  April  to  the  12th  of  May.  It  was 
then  ordered  to  Clarksburg,  where  the  extensive  government  stores  from 
which  the  troops  in  West  Virginia  were  supplied  were  assigned  to  its  protec- 
tion. With  headquarters  at  this  point  and  subseqiiently  at  Parkersburg,  the 
regiment  was  detailed  by  squads  and  companies  for  guard  diity  along  the 
Parkersburg  branch  of  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio  railroad.  It  was  mixstered 
out  at  Clarksburg  on  the  '_'lJth  of  August,  \S(')0. 

Compaiuj  C,  from  Northumberland  county,  was  composed  as  follows: — 

Captains:  Elias  P.  Eohbach,  John  H.  Lewis. 

First  Lieutenant,  Samuel  S.  Hendricks. 

Second  Lieutenants:  Clinton  D.  Eohrljach.  Benjamin  F.  Bright. 

Sergeants:,  Ernst  L.  Starkloff,  H.  B.  Longsdorf,  William  H.  Row,  Peter 
S.  Gussler,  John  G.  Yoimg. 

Corporals:  A.  H.  Boyer,  Jacob  Fetter,  Perry  Jarret,  Uriah  Foulk,  Alexan- 
der Cassatt,  W.  B.  Longsdorf,  Joseph  E.  Bright,  Philip  Keefer. 

Musicians:  Henry  Cassatt,  P.  F.  Zimmerman. 

Privates:  Philip  Arrison,  Phares  Adams,  Henry  Billman,  Jacob  W.  Bright, 
Charles  H.  Bucher,  Henry  W.  Bucher,  John  Bell,  John  T.  Bower,  Absalom 
Beaver,  Henry  Boyer,  Henry  D.  Bucher,  Levi  Beaver,  Daniel  K.  Conrad,  Jacob 
Cassatt,  Peter  H.  Coble,  Leonard  Dole,  Landis  Fry,  James  P.  Griggs,  William 
Gaeringer,  Monroe  Geasy,  George  B.  Genther,  Jackson  W.  Harp,  F.  J. 
Haughton,  John  W.  Hopper,  Thomas  Henninger,  Bernard  A.  Hopper,  Galen 
Holshue,  Frederick  Herman,  Aaron  Hummel.  Michael  K.  Herman,  Edward 
Israel,  Daniel  Jarrett,  Martin  S.  Kaufman,  Henry  Kemble,  Eli  Kerlin,  John 


436  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

Leeser,  James  W.  Lyon,  John  J.  Landaw,  Gideon  Landaw.  Frank  Leader, 
William  Lessman,  Solomon  Lesser,  Martin  Mills,  John  Messner,  Samuel 
Milkof,  Thomas  E.  Metzgar,  Joseph  W.  Meyers,  James  McPherson,  Eobert 
B.  McCay,  James  P.  McKenney,  Allen  J.  McKain,  WiUiam  C.  Otto,  Albert 
Kobiny,  Jolin  Kaker,  William  H.  Eohrbach,  Julius  Eay.  George  A.  Reeser, 
William  Ritter,  John  Ritter,  Laferius  Eenninger,  Peter  M.  Snyder,  John  J. 
Shire,  Noah  Stettler,  John  Stettler,  Peter  Stepp,  John  Shuyler,  Henry  Up- 
slinger,  John  Wilver,  John  Zimmerman,  Henry  Zerbe. 

Company  E  was  also  recruited  in  iSTorthumberland  county;  the  following 
is  the  roster: — 

Captain,  WiUiam  H.  Wolfe. 

First  Lieutenant,  Henry  M.  Spayd. 

Second  Lieutenant,  James  T.  McGregor. 

Sergeants:  Henry  S.  Thomas,  Charles  H.  Seaman,  Thomas  Satterson, 
Adam  Batdorf,  James  Murphy,  William  Irvin. 

Corporals:  Joseph  Middleton,  Jacob  Haus,  Hiram  Dye.  Thomas  Brooks, 
Owen  Nagle,  Lott  B.  Weitzel,  John  S.  Middleton,  Samuel  J.  Ir^-in. 

Musicians:  John  Marshall,  Samuel  B.  Morgan. 

Privates:  George  W.  Askine,  Alexander  W.  Blair,  James  Buoy,  William 
H.  Blind.  Nathaniel  Burkhart,  Amos  H.  Barrett,  G.  F.  Baker,  Charles  C. 
Bright,  Joseph  Burk,  C.  W.  Coleman,  Reuben  C.  Creitzer.  William  Coup, 
Daniel  W.  Cox,  J.  Date.sman,  Elam  Diefenderfer,  James  Dixon,  John  Divel, 
William  H.  H.  Diehl,  Stephen  B.  Dodge,  George  R.  Detweiler.  Winfield  S. 
Eckert,  Jacob  H.  Ernst,  Michael  Fix,  William  H.  Freed.  William  D.  Frey- 
mire,  John  J.  Gehrig,  James  D.  Gehrig,  William  J.  Gaskins,  Charles  M. 
Goodman,  Edwin  F.  Gold,  William  Y.  Gray,  William  F.  Gressler,  Joseph  B. 
Gehrig,  Samuel  Hoagland,  James  Hoagland,  William  Hull,  John  Hilbourn, 
Reese  S.  Harris,  William  H.  Huth,  Joseph  R.  Housel,  Isaac  Harline,  William 
A.  Imbody,  George  Imbody,  Samuel  J.  James,  Arthur  L.  Kline.  John  D. 
Kline,  Henry  Kissinger,  Oliver  P.  Kaufman,  Stephen  Kendrick,  Benjamin 
Klingfelter,  David  H.  Keefer,  William  H.  Miller,  Henry  Montague,  Benjamin 
Miller,  Levi  A.  Mathias,  John  Martin,  George  W.  Overpeck.  John  Peeler,  Jr., 
Henry  C.  Paul,  William  Permy,  Israel  Phillips,  Jacob  H.  Rishel,  Samuel  W. 
Riddle,  Hegmon  Reynolds,  Egbert  H.  Reese,  William  Stutzman,  George  P. 
Swartz,  David  L.  Starrick,  Charles  H.  Smith. 

MILITIA  OF  1862. 
The  second  battle  of  Bull  Run  was  disastrous  to  the  Federal  forces,  and 
was  followed  by  an  immediate  movement  of  the  Confederate  army  toward  the 
North.  Southern  Pennsylvania,  a  fertile  agricultural  region,  unprotected  by 
any  organized  force,  furnished  an  inviting  field  for  invasion,  and  the  defense- 
less condition  of  the  State  became  matter  for  serious  alarm.  Governor  Cur- 
tin  issued  a  proclamation  on  the  4th  of  September,  1862,  recommending  the 


THE   CIVIL    WAK.  437 

immediate  formation  of  companies  throughout  the  State;  this  was  followed 
by  a  second  on  the  10th,  calling  upon  all  able  bodied  men  to  enroll  immedi- 
ately and  prepare  to  march  at  an  hour's  notice.  Acting  irnder  authority  from 
the  President,  he  issued  a  call  for  fifty  thousand  men  on  the  following  day, 
in  response  to  which  there  was  a  simultaneous  and  jn-actically  unanimous 
movement  toward  the  capital  from  every  section  of  the  State.  The  militia 
concentrated  at  Chambersburg,  Hagerstown,  Greencastle,  and  other  points 
in  the  Cumberland  valley,  but  the  enemy  experienced  defeat  at  South  Moimt- 
ain  and  Antietam,  and  the  necessity  for  their  services  was  happily  averted. 

Tlie  Third  Regiment  was  organized,  September  11-13,  1862,  and  dis- 
charged, September  23-25,  1862.  The  field  officers  were  William  Dorris.  Jr.. 
colonel,  William  C.  Lawson,  lieutenant  colonel,    and    William  Frick.  major. 

Company  A,  recruited  i^rincipally  at  Milton,  Northumberland  county, 
was  composed  as  follows: — 

Captain,  Thaddeus  G.  Bogle. 

First  Lieutenant,  Frank  Boiind. 

Second  Lieutenant,  William  K.  Wertman. 

Sergeants:  A.  J.  Cooley,  J.  S.  Stoughton,  Q.  L.  Andrews.  R.  H.  Mur- 
dock,  Trevor  McClurg. 

Corporals:  Oscar  Hartranft,  Spencer  L.  Finney,  Samuel  Clark.  Isaac 
Sticker,  Samuel  Weise,  J.  Woods  Brown,  Lewis  G.  Sticker,  Daniel  Eucli. 

Musicians:  Samuel  Angstadt,  Webster  C.  Brown. 

Privates:  Thomas  Artley,  Isaiah  Auten,  Peter  Bastian,  Adam  Batdorf. 
Calvin  J.  Balliet,  Alexander  H.  Blair,  Francis  Ball,  Charles  W.  Buoy,  Augus- 
tus Chapin,  William  H.  Caslow,  John  K.  Correy,  Albert  Cadwallader. 
John  Cares.  John  M.  Christ,  John  Kreitzer,  Reuben  F.  Etzler,  Jacob 
Eilenberger,  Jacob  Eisely,  Benjamin  F.  Funk,  John  G.  Fisher,  Henry 
Huth,  Harrison  Housel,  Charles  H.  Huff,  Edward  Hackenberg,  Charles 
Hartranft,  Thomas  R.  Hull,  M.  E.  Heinen,  Charles  A.  Kutz,  EUis  L.  Krauser, 
Lemuel  S.  Kerr,  William  Keiser,  James  S.  Lawson,  Augustus  Leiser, 
James  D.  Logan,  Daniel  G.  Marsh,  William  W.  Mackey,  Alpheus  Meixell, 
John  Musgrave,  James  Marr,  Abraham  Martz,  Miller  J.  McDaniel,  Samuel 
McConly,  Jacob  McConly,  Jacob  Noriconk,  John  B.  Xorris,  Michael  F.  Xori- 
conk,  Andrew  F.  Peterman,  Sampson  Paul,  George  J.  Pijier,  James  H.  Phil- 
lips, Charles  Smith,  Asher  Smith,  Harrison  Sticker,  Robert  L.  Symington, 
Benjamin  F.  Spear,  Edward  D.  Snyder,  William  A.  Schreyer,  Jacob  Seydel, 
Reese  H.  Swenk.  Thomas  H.  Stadden,  Charles  Shuman,  Hugh  ^l.  Stevenson, 
George  Shiver,  Charles  H.  Seaman.  Dax-id  M.  Sheep,  Lewis  Swenk,  Levi  Sat- 
terson,  Abraham  Whitlock,  Jonathan  Yount. 
,    Companij  D  was  recruited  at  Sunbury:  the  roster  is  as  follows: — 

Cai^tain,  Charles  J.  Brimer. 

First  Lieutenant,  Andrew  J.  Stroh. 

Second  Lieutenant,  Jacob  Rohrbach. 


438  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

Sergeants:  James  B.  Roney,  Jeremiah  H.  Zimmerman,  Peter  Gussler, 
Joseph  Bright,  George  W.  Stroh. 

Corporals:  Jacob  W.  Covert,  Heniy  Bucher.  George  Oyster,  William 
Grant,  Jacob  B.  Masser,  Frederick  Kline,  Henry  Millhouse,  Albert  Haas. 

Miisicians:  John  W.  Bucher,  D.'  J.  Wharton. 

Privates:  Philip  Arrison,  Solomon  Boyer,  Thomas  Baldy,  Jacob  Bell, 
John  Bell,  George  Bloom,  William  Bowen,  Peter  Bright,  George  Bucher, 
Richard  F.  Bucher,  Benjamin  Brosius,  Edward  Bower,  George  Beard,  Samuel 
H.  Byers,  Jonathan  Bostian,  Philip  Clark,  John  K.  Clement,  Ira  T.  Clement, 
Henry  Clement,  Abraham  M.  Covert,  Franklin  Dellbaugh,  John  Durst,  Nor- 
man Engle,  Henry  Fagely,  Jacob  Fetter,  George  Follmer,  Henry  Friling, 
Landis  Fry,  Nevin  U.  Fisher,  William  Fisher,  John  Gering,  Samiiel  Gerringer, 
James  Griggs,  George  Guenther,  George  W.  Hileman,  Jacob  Hendricks, 
Martin  L.  Hendricks,  Samuel  Harrison,  Alexander  Haupt,  William  Haupt, 
Washington  Harp,  Jackson  Harp,  Jacob  Hoover,  George  W.  Haupt,  John 
Haas,  1st,  John  Haas,  2d,  James  Hileman,  Frank  N.  John,  James  Kershner, 
George  P.  Krohn,  William  Keifer,  Philip  Keifer.  Orlando  Krickbaum, 
John  Leeser,  James  Lyon,  Edward  Lyon,  William  Logan,  Anthony  Lentzer, 
Louis  Miller,  Charles  Martin,  Alexander  Mantz,  Thomas  McGaw,  Hunter 
Newbury,  John  Oyster,  Henry  Peters,  John  B.  Packer,  Julius  Ray,  Will- 
iam Rohrbach,  Lloyd  Rohrbach,  Jacob  Renn,  Levi  Seasholtz,  Cornelius 
Smith,  Ernest  Starkloff,  Henry  Strauss,  Silas  Wiles,  John  Weaver,  Will- 
iam  E.  Youngman,   Jacob  Youngman,  George  Zettlemoyer. 

MILITIA   OF    1S08. 

Confederate  victories  at  Fredericksburg,  in  December,  1802,  and  Chan- 
cellorsville,  in  May,  18(33,  were  again  followed  by  a  movement  toward  the 
North,  and  on  the  9th  of  June,  1863,  two  new  military  departments  were 
established,  principally  from  Pennsylvania  territory",  for  which  volimteers 
were  invited  by  both  the  national  and  State  authorities.  At  length  it  became 
plainly  apparent  that  the  Confederate  army  intended  crossing  the  Potomac 
in  force,  and  on  the  15th  of  Jime  the  President  called  for  fifty  thousand  men 
from  Pennsylvania,  with  an  equal  number  from  Ohio,  Maryland,  and  West 
Virginia.  The  Pennsylvania  troops  rendezvoused  at  Camp  Curtin,  Harris- 
burg,  and  were  there  organized  to  the  number  of  eight  regiments,  among 
which  was  the  Twenty-eighth,  in  which  was  Company  E,  from  Milton,  North- 
umberland county.  On  the  24th  and  25th  of  Jime  the  Confederate  army 
crossed  the  Potomac  at  Shepherdstown  and  Williamsport,  followed  on  the 
2(ith  by  the  Federal  forces  at  Edward's  ferry.  On  the  afternoon  of  the  26th 
a  brigade  of  Early's  division  occupied  Gettysburg:  the  Confederate  cavalry 
had  in  the  meantime  occupied  Chambersburg  and  reconnoitered  as  far  as 
Carlisle,  and  on  the  26th,  the  evidence  of  invasion  having  become  unmistak- 
able, Governor  Curtin  issued  a  proclamation  calling  for  sixty  thousand  men. 


THE    CIVIL    WAR.  439 

The  campaign  on  Pennsylvania  soil  reached  a  decisive  culmination  at  the 
battle  of  Gettysburg,  July  1,  2,  and  3,  1S63;  and  so  rapid  were  the  move- 
ments of  the  armies  that  the  emergency  men  had  scarcely  arrived  at  camp 
and  passed  through  the  formalities  of  organization  before  the  crisis  was  past 
and  the  Confederate  army  was  in  full  retreat  toward  the  Potomac.  It  was 
thought  that  its  passage  would  be  contested,  and  that  another  battle  would 
be  fought,  and  the  major  portion  of  those  assembled  at  Harrisburg  were 
accordingly  pushed  up  the  Ciunberland  valley  to  join  the  Army  of  the  Poto- 
mac; but,  although  the  enemy  made  good  his  escape,  the  militia  was 
employed  at  a  variety  of  duties  before  being  disbanded.  The  Thirty-sixth 
regiment  was  sent  to  Gettysburg,  where  it  was  engaged  in  gathering  in  the 
woimded  from  both  armies  and  forwarding  them  to  other  points  as  rapidly  as 
their  condition  woidd  permit;  in  collecting  the  scattered  debris  of  the  battle- 
field, whereby  some  thousands  of  muskets,  bayonets,  etc..  were  retained,  and 
in  affording  protection  to  government  property. 

Company  E,  Tirenty-eighth  Regiment,  recruited  at  Milton,  was  mustered 
in,  June  19-'24,  1SG3,  and  discharged,  July  27-28,  1863.  It  had  the  follow- 
ing roster: — 

Captain,  Charles  H.  Dougal. 

First  Lieutenant,  Charles  C.  Norris. 

Second  Lieutenant,  James  Strine. 

Sergeants:  William  B.  Chamberlin.  Curtis  B.  Watson.  William  McCor- 
mick,  Carlton  B.  Da\-is,  Martin  F.  Augerry. 

Corjiorals:  David  D.  Dieffenderfer,  Henry  Wilson,  Charles  W.  Buoy,  James 
S.  Lawson,  Francis  Ball,  Alfred  B.  Chapin.  Thomas  I.  McMahan,  William 
Keiser. 

Musicians:  James  Bowey,  William  Imbody. 

Privates:  Isaiah  Auten,  Franklin  Bloomer,  William  H.  Blind,  George  W. 
Bower,  John  S.  Bo^vyer,  Frank  Boujid,  William  H.  Bogle,  Isaac  W.  Brown, 
James  A.  Cares,  Peter  Clement,  Albert  Caldwallader,  William  Everet,  John 
C.  Fulton,  George  W.  Freed,  Reuben  Feister,  Brown  Gehrig,  John  Huther, 
Charles  F.  Huff,  William  Hull,  George  Imbody,  Daniel  M.  Krauser,  Abner 
Leland,  Robert  H.  Murdock,  John  C.  Mervine,  James  C.  Marr,  Hugh  S. 
McFadden,  Thomas  McNinch,  John  M.  McDaniels,  Sanford  Pegg,  Martin 
Remmert,  Ferdinard  Reinhold,  Cornelius  A.  Reimensnyder,  William  B.  Stad- 
den,  Robert  Symington,  William  B.  Stevenson,  John  B.  Shadle,  Henry  C. 
Stoughton,  Levi  Satteson,  Jacob  S.  Stoughton,  David  Sanders,  Theodore 
Venrick,  Jeremiah  Welliver,  John  Yount. 

Company  F,  Thirty-sixth  Regiment,  was  mustered  in.  July  4,  1803,  and 
discharged,  August  11,  1803.  It  was  recruited  at  Sunbury,  and  was  com- 
posed as  follows : — 

Captain,  S.  P.  Wolverton. 

First  Lieutenant,  A.  J.  Stroh. 


44:0  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

Second  Lieutenant,  Jacob  Eohrbach. 

Sergeants:  William  C.  Goodrich,  Charles  D.  Wharton,  George  D. 
Biicher,  Albert  Haas,  Benjamin  F.  Bright. 

Corporals:  Warren  McEwen,  S.  P.  Bright,  S.  J.  Hoey,  M.  L.  Hendricks, 
Samnel  Harrison.  Charles  J.  Conrad,  I.  S.  Kern,  R.  B.  Am  merman. 

Miisicians:  William  Kriegbanm,  D.  J.  Wharton. 

Privates:  Zebulon  Bastian,  George  Bloom,  H.  D.  Bucher,  Isaac  Bair, 
Edward  Beck,  John  A.  Bucher,  Benjamin  Bohner,  Isaac  Bubb,  John  Cogan, 
David  Drackemiller,  Conrad  Deitry,  Andrew  Deitry,  AViiliam  T>.  Foulke, 
George  Foulke,  Landis  Fry,  Peter  Hileman,  John  E.  Heller,  Andrew  J. 
Heller,  Luther  Harrison,  Thomas  Henniuger,  Jacob  B.  Hoover,  Thomas  B. 
Hoover,  William  D.  Haas,  William  D.  Haupt,  Charles  D.  Kiehl,  Martin  S. 
Kauffman,  Michael  A.  Keifer,  George  Krohn,  Lorenzo  Kramer,  Isaac  Leeser, 
John  Lyon.  B.  F.  Landau,  George  Mantz,  Jesse  Miller,  Mahlon  Myers, 
Lewis  Miller.  Jacob  A.  Miller.  John  Oyster,  Edward  Oyster,  Raphael  Perez, 
Franklin  Patruck,  William  H.  Rohrbach,  Arthiir  Robins,  Henry  L.  Renn, 
Simon  Renn,  Silas  Renn.  Julius  Ray,  George  Sterner,  William  F.  Shifter, 
John  Shuler,  Anthony  Speece,  H.  Clay  Seasholtz,  Jonas  Trego,  John  Weaver, 
Silas  Wial,  John  Wall,  John  Webber,  William  E.  Youngman,  Abraham 
Zimmerman. 

CoDipanij  K.  Thirtij-sixth  Regiment,  recruited  principally  at  Shamokin, 
was  mustered  in.  July  4,  18G8,  and  discharged,  August  11,  1SG8.  It  had  the 
following  roster: — 

Caj^tains,  Henry  C.  Harper,  A.  R.  Fiske. 

First  Lieiitenant.  J.  M.  John. 

Second  Lieutenant,  J.  A.  Shipji. 

Sergeants:  E.  B.  Rhoads.  John  Harris,  Ferdinand  Rhoads,  John  Mc- 
Eliece,  Marquis  Sholl. 

Corporals:  Frederick  Dibson,  William  H.  Carlisle,  William  Booth,  John 
Weir,  John  M.  Best,  John  Hancock,  David  Eveland,  John  Fincher. 

Musicians:     John  S.  Bittenbender,  H.  Startzel. 

Privates:  Henry  Allison,  Hiram  Bir^,  William  Bro^vn,  William  H. 
Bowlen,  Francis  Beers,  William  Boas,  G.  N.  Carlisle,  Thomas  Curtin, 
Nicholas  Curren,  Wilham  Carlin,  John  Clifford,  John  Curtis,  Lewis  Cham- 
berlain, Adam  Derke,  Thomas  S.  Dewees,  John  Donor,  Michael  Dooly, 
Joseph  B.  Eaton,  Matthias  Emes,  William  Eadie,  William  Early,  William  H. 
Gilger,  J.  B.  Getter.  Jesse  Gensel,  August  Helt,  Jacob  Hess,  Ephraim  Hen- 
ninger,  William  Humes,  Isaiah  Hower,  J.  P.  M.  Haas,  Isaac  Haas,  David 
Hine,  Solomon  Hill,  Henry  Irich,  Jesse  J.  John,  Robert  Jones,  William 
Jones,  George  D.  John,  William  Kissinger,  Joseph  Kopp,  Isaac  Keiser, 
Frederick  Kaseman,  John  R.  Lake,  Withington  Lake,  George  Lebig, 
W' illiam  Lebig,  Charles  Lebig,  Michael  McCarty,  Ebenezer  Matthews,  George 
Madara,  George  AV.   Miller,   Francis  Moore,   Henry  Neihoff,   John  Rooch, 


THE    CIVIL    WAR.  441 

Jeremiah  Kotharmel,  John  Eupp,  Daniel  Rnpp,  Thomas  Reese,  John  E. 
Eeese,  Isaac  Eoup,  Edward  Stilhvagner,  Jacob  Stillwagner,  'Winiam  Still- 
■wagner,  Daniel  Stahler,  John  Strickland,  John  Sterrit,  Jacob  Treibly,  Samuel 
Tiley,  Jacob  Tiley,  John  Tiley,  Francis  Tobey,  Michael  Tonney,  Daniel 
Unger,  John  Yanzant,  David  "Weaver,  Elias  Wagner,  William  E.  Walter, 
Lucius  Wynn. 

Company  I.  Thirty-seventh  Reglutent.  mustered  in.  July  1-15,  1N(J8,  and 
thscharged,  August  2— l,  ISO^l  was  composed  as  follows: — 

Captain,  William  H.  Wolfe. 

First  Lieutenant,  John  Petermau. 

Second  Lieutenant,  Joseph  R.  Bright. 

Sergeants:  Henry  J.  Heinen,  John  H.  Easton,  Samuel  Logan,  William 
Gibson,  Curran  Cahill. 

Corporals:  William  A.  Rimkle,  Robert  31.  Lougmore,  Isaac  Staddon, 
James  Burnman,  Robert  Wilson,  Samuel  M.  Miller,  Milton  Overpeck,  Will- 
iam K.  Wertman. 

ilusicians:  Robert  P.  Bratton,  David  Robins. 

Privates:  John  M.  Buoy,  Adam  Batdorf,  Daniel  Burnman,  Samuel  Blair, 
Worthington  Blair,  John  C.  Balliett,  James  Bartholomew,  Joshua  H.  Bart- 
lett.  John  H.  Kreitzer,  Charles  E.  Chase,  John  A.  Christy,  Andrew  Dotts, 
Aaron  Derr,  John  E.  Eislo,  Jacob  Freese,  William  D.  Fisher,  Jacob  F. 
Ganger,  Benjamin  F.  Ganger,  Adam  Grassmier,  Reuben  L.  Hatfield,  Charles 
R.  Hock,  William  H.  Huth,  Julius  Hurlinger,  John  Hill,  Samiiel  Hoagland, 
.ybert  Johnson.  Ephraim  Kram,  William  Kutz,  John  W.  Lehon,  John  C. 
Lunger,  James  D.  Lawrence,  Jonathan  Marriott,  Joel  R.  Messiuger,  Joseph 
Mock,  Daniel  G.  Marsh,  Abraham  Martz,  William  H.  Marr,  Charles  C.  Mc- 
Kee.  Jacob  Noriconk,  John  Sheets,  David  F.  Speese,  Thomas  Satteson,  Mat- 
thias Strine,  Eli  M.  Trego,  James  Tate,  John  Tate,  Samuel  Van  Buskirk, 
Morris  Van  Buskirk,  William  Walker,  George  W.  Williams,  Isaac  G.  Wolfe, 
William  Weber. 

soldiers'  monuments. 

Several  memorials  of  this  nature  attest  the  gratitude  and  honor  of  the 
citizens  of  Northumberland  county  for  the  services  and  sacrifices  of  the  soldiers 
from  her  territory  who  lost  their  lives  in  the  civil  war. 

The  first  of  these  was  erected  in  the  year  following  the  close  of  the  war 
by  the  survivors  of  Company  C,  Forty-seventh  Pennsylvania  Volunteers.  It 
is  a  modest  shaft  of  marble,  located  in  the  old  Sunbury  cemetery,  and  was 
formally  dedicated  on  the  Ifith  of  May,  18CG,  the  Masonic  fraternity.  Inde- 
pendent Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  Independent  Order  of  Good  Templars,  sur- 
vivors of  the  war  of  1S12,  borough  officers,  and  fire  companies  participating 
in  the  ceremonies,  with  John  Kay  Clement  as  chief  marshal.  The  Rev.  M. 
Rhodes,  D.  D.,  dehvered  the  dedicatory  address.     The  monument  is  inscribed 


442  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

with  the  names  of  the  following  deceased  comrades:  Joseph  Smith,  Jacob  G. 
Grubb,  Peter  Swinehart,  Alexander  Given,  Martin  Berger,  Emanuel  Beaver, 
Emanuel  B.  Walter,  Sr.,  George  Kramer,  Jeremiah  Haas.  James  Kennedy, 
John  G.  Sterner,  George  W.  Bortle,  Theodore  Kiehl,  George  Keiser,  John  E. 
Will,  James  Brown,  Jasper  B.  Gardner,  J.  Boulton  Yoimg,  First  Sergeant 
William  Fry,  Sergeant  Peter  Haupt,  Sergeant  William  Pyers,  Sergeant 
John  Babtlow,  George  C.  Watson,  George  Homer,  Peter  Wolf,  SethDeibert. 
It  bears  the  following  inscription: — 

This  marble  is  erected  by  the  members  of  Company  C,  Forty-seventh  Rejrimeut 
Pennsylvania  Veteran  Volunteers,  as  a  tribute  of  respect  to  the  memory  of  the  dead  of 
their  company  who  fell  in  battle,  and  died  from  disease,  starvation,  and  ill  treatment 
while  in  rebel  prisons — heroes,  who  sacrificed  their  lives  that  the  Union  might  live. 

The  Sharaokin  soldiers'  monument  was  dedicated  on  the  30th  of  May, 
1S71;  the  usual  Decoration  day  observances  were  conducted,  and  the  oration 
of  the  occasion  was  delivered  by  the  Rev.  T.  S.  Dewing  of  the  Presb^-terian 
church.  The  monument  is  thirteen  feet  high,  and  fifteen  feet  above  the  level 
of  the  ground.  The  base  is  a  solid  block  of  granite  from  the  Gettysburg 
battlefield,  and  the  sub-base  is  of  American  marble,  uniform  in  color  and 
quality  with  the  shaft.  The  die  rests  on  this,  bearing  upon  the  front  panel 
the  following  inscription: — 

Erected 

Under  the  auspices  of 

Lincoln  Post,  No.  140, 

G.  A.  R., 

:Nray  30,  1871. 

Above  the  die  is  a  six-inch  molding,  surmounted  by  a  plain  shaft,  orna- 
mented by  a  raised  shield  in  front  bearing  above  it  the  words: — 

TO    OUIl    FALLEN    HEROES. 

The  monument  occupies  a  prominent  location  in  the  Shamokin  cemeten,-, 
and  is  visible  from  nearly  every  part  of  the  city.  Within  the  circular  inclos- 
ure  that  surrotmds  it  are  the  graves  of  a  number  of  soldiers. 

The  Northumberland  County  Soldiers'  Monument  Association  was  organ- 
ized,^May  25,  1872,  with  the  election  of  the  following  persons  as  an  executive 
committee:  John  J.  Smith,  Heber  Painter,  P.  H.  Moore,  A.  N.  Brice,  John 
Kay  Clement,  T.  S.  Shannon,  L.  M.  Yoder,  S.  H.  Knowles.  G.  B.  Cadwal- 
lader,  D.  C.  Dissmger,  H.  G.  Thatcher,  Charles  J.  Fox,  E.  M.  Bucher.  H.  F. 
Mann,  and  L.  H.  Kase,  of  whom  Messrs.  Smith,  Painter,  and  Moore  were  presi- 
dent, secretary,  and  treasurer,  respectively.  The  association  was  incorporated 
by  the  court  of  common  pleas  of  Northumberland  county,  August  5,  1873. 
On  the  4:th  of  July,  1872,  the  site  was  marked  out  at  the  eastern  end  of 
Market  square,  by  Alexander  Jordan  and  Simon  Cameron.  The  corner-stone 
was  laid  with  the  Masonic  ritual  on  Decoration  day  two  years  later,  May  30, 


THE    CIVIL   WAR.  443 

1874,  but  the  completion  of  the  work  was  delayed  from  a  variety  of  causes, 
and  it  was  not  until  the  4th  of  July.  1S79,  that  the  formal  imveiling  occurred. 
On  that  occasion  it  i.s  estimated  that  twelve  thousand  people  were  present; 
there  was  a  grand  civic  and  military  parade,  in  which  a  delegation  from  the 
Seventy-ninth  New  York  Cameronian  Volunteers,  deputations  from  posts  of 
the  Grand  Army  of  the  Eepublic  in  neighboring  towns,  and  thirteen  fire 
companies  participated;  addresses  were  delivered  by  John  Kay  Clement,  A. 
N.  Brice,  and  James  A.  Beaver;  and  the  monument  was  unveiled  by  Gov- 
ernor Henry  M.  Hoyt.  At  that  time  the  officers  and  members  of  the  associ- 
ation were  as  follows:  president,  John  J.  Smith;  secretary,  A.  N.  Brice; 
treasurer,  P.  H.  Moore;  G.  B.  Cadwallader,  H.  F.  Mann.  John  Kay  Clement, 
B.  F.  Keefer,  J.  E.  Torrington,  J.  H.  McDevitt,  John  Youngman,  Thomas  D. 
Grant,  S.  J.  Packer.  Lemuel  Shipman,  J.  E.  Eichholtz,  E.  M.  Bucher,  J.  C. 
Irvin,  H.  D.  "Wharton,  C.  M.  Martin,  George  E.  Hoffman.  John  H.  Heim,  H.  F. 
Manges,  James  D.  Smith,  D.  C.  Dissinger,  W.  C.  Packer,  and  Emanuel  "Wilvert. 

This  monument  is  situated  iu  the  eastern  part  of  the  inclosed  portion 
of  Market  sqiiare,  Suubury.  It  rests  upon  a  pedestal,  elevated  upon  a  mound 
of  earth,  at  the  outer  edge  of  which  are  four  cannon,  the  appropriate  accom- 
paniments of  a  memorial  of  this  character.  The  names  of  twelve  leading 
battles  in  which  the  troops  from  this  county  participated — Petersburg,  Will- 
iamsburg, Wilderness,  Bull  Kun,  Fredericksburg,  Chancellorsville.  Fair 
Oaks,  Vicksburg,  Winchester,  Gettysburg,  Antietam.  and  Appomattox — are 
inscribed  upon  the  shaft.     The  base  bears  the  following  inscriptions: — 

Erected  to  the  memory  of  the  galLiut  soldiers  of  Northumberland  county  who  fell 
iu  the  battles  of  the  great  Rebelliou. 

Coruer-stone  laid.  May  30.  1S74; 
Ererted,  .July  4,  1S7'..I. 

James  Cameron,  of  Xorthumberland  county.  Colonel  of  the  Seventy-ninth  Xew 
York  Cameronian  Volunteers,  fell  at  tlif  lic-ad  of  his  regim.-nt  at  the  battle  of  Bull 
Run,  July  21,  18G1,  aged  sixty-one  years. 

"  Give  tlieiu  tlie  meed  they  have  svon  in  tlie  jiast; 
Give  theia  tlie  lidiiors  tlieir  merits  forecast: 
Give  them  tlie  cliaplets  they  won  in  the  strife; 
Give  tliem  the  laurels  they  last  with  llieir  life." 

Colonel  James  Cameron,  the  first  soldier  from  Xorthmnberland  county 
to  lose  his  life  in  the  war.  was  born  in  Lancaster  county.  Pennsylvania, 
March  1,  ISOl,  and  came  to  Stmbury  with  his  parents  in  ISDS.  Thence  the 
family  removed  to  Lewisburg.  After  the  death  of  his  father  he  learned  the 
trade  of  blacksmith;  later  he  became  a  printer  and  editor,  and  published  the 
Political  Sentinel  at  Lancaster;  he  studied  law,  was  admitted  to  the  bar  at 
Lancaster,  and  subsequently  (August  4,  1S51)  to  the  bar  of  Northtimberland 
county;  at  one  time  he  was  a  superintendent  on  the  Philadelphia  and  Colum- 
bia railroad;  for  some  years  he  engaged  in  agricultural  pursiiits  with  profit 


444  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

and  success,  and  operated  several  finely  improved  farms  near  Milton.  He 
also  tilled  several  positions  of  trust  and  emolument.  When  the  civil  war 
broke  out  he  was  stationed  at  Sunbury  as  superintendent  of  the  Northern 
Central  railway,  but  immediately  resolved  to  enter  the  military  service.  He 
accepted  the  colonelcy  of  the  Seventy-ninth  regiment.  Fourth  brigade,  First 
'  division,  New  York  militia,  popularly  Imown  as  the  Cameronian  Highlanders, 
and  fell  at  the  head  of  his  command  while  leading  a  charge  at  the  first 
battle  of  Bull  Eim.  July  21,  1861.  He  was  the  first  officer  of  his  rank  in 
the  Union  army  and  the  first  officer  from  Pennsylvania  soil  who  fell  in  bat- 
tle in  the  civil  war. 


CHAPTER   XIV. 
SUNBUKY. 

The  Town  Plat— Early  Residents— Si-nisukv  in  180S— Reminiscences  of  Dr.  R. 
H.  Awl  — Prominent  Merchant.*,  1772-18.jO  —  Early  Hotels — >lL-NicirAL 
Organization  .vnd  Government — Facilities  of  Travel  and  Transport.^.- 
tion— Industrial  Activity- Banking  Institutions — Gas,  Electric  Light,  and 
W-VfER  Companies— Local  Papers— The  Postoffice— Secret  and  Other 
Societies  — Educational  Interests— Churches  —  Cemeteries— Borough  of 
East  Sunisury. 

THE  site  of  Sunburn-  is  an  alluvial  plain  of  triangular  shape,  evidently  an 
island  at  some  former  period  in  it  geological  development  and  eminently 
rich  in  historic  interest.  At  the  time  when  definite  knowledge  regarding  this 
region  begins  it  was  the  site  of  the  Indian  village  of  Shamokin  and  the  resi- 
dence of  the  great  chief  Shikellimy.  Here  the  Moravian  missionaries  preached 
and  taught,  and  Conrad  Weiser  met  his  dusky  friends  with  that  simple 
ingenuousness  which  formed  the  strongest  element  in  his  diplomacy,  and  here 
the  provincial  government  erected  Fort  Augusta,  the  most  formidable  defen- 
sive work  in  central  Pennsylvania,  from  which  were  directed  the  military  move- 
ments throughout  the  colonial  and  Kevolutionary  periods  which  form  so 
large  a  part  of  the  historj-  of  the  northern  frontier  during  these  eventful 
times.  By  the  census  of  1890  the  population  of  the  borough  was  five  thou- 
sand nine  hundred  thirty. 

the  town  pl.\t. 
Pomfret  manor,  a  tract  of  several  thousand  acres  surveyed  for  the  Pro- 
prietaries in   1768,  originally  embraced  the  town  site,  which  was  doubtless 
selected  from  pecuniary  considerations  as  well  as  on  accoimt  of  its  natural 


SUNBUEY.  445 

eligibility.  The  survey  of  the  town  was  determined  upon  at  a  meeting  of  the 
Governor  and  Council  on  the  10th  of  June,  1772,  when  Surveyor  General 
Lukens  was  directed  to  repair  to  Fort  Augusta,  and,  with  the  assistance  of 
William  Maclay.  "  lay  out  a  town  for  the  coiuity  of  Northumberland  to  be 
called  by  the  name  of  Sunbury  at  the  most  commodious  place  between  the 
fort  and  the  mouth  of  Shamokin  creek,  into  three  hundred  lots  to  be  accom- 
modated with  streets,  lanes,  and  alleys  and  a  commodious  square  in  the  most 
convenient  place  for  public  buildings:  the  two  main  streets  to  be  eighty  feet 
wide,  the  others  sixty,  and  the  lanes  and  alleys  twenty  feet;  the  lots  to  be 
sixty  feet  wide  in  front  and  two  himdred  thirty  feet  deep  if  the  ground  and 
situation  will  conveniently  allow  that  depth.  And  it  is  further  ordered  that 
a  space  of  at  least  one  hundred  twenty  feet  be  left  between  the  town  line  and 
the  bank  of  the  river:  every  other  lot  adjoining  the  scjuare  and  tifty  commo- 
dious lots  besides  to  be  reserved  for  the  Proprietaries."  In  compliance  with 
these  instructions  Mr.  Lukens  set  out  for  Fort  Augusta  on  the  ISth  of  June, 
1772,  and  the  survey  was  com2:)leted  in  the  following  month. 

In  the  original  to\vn  plat  the  streets  extending  north  and  south  in  order 
from  the  river  are  named  Broadway,  Eiver,  Deer,  Fawn,  and  Short,  inter- 
sected at  right  angles  by  Cranberry  street.  Strawberry  alley.  Dewberry  street, 
Hulberry  alley.  Shamokin  street,  Barberry  alley.  Blackberry  street.  Goose- 
berry alley,  Pokeberry  street,  Raspberry  alley.  Whortleberry  street,  Billberry 
alley,  and  Elderberrj-  street,  in  order  from  the  north.  For  some  of  these 
streets  popular  usage  early  adopted  other  names.  Broadway  became  Water 
street;  Perm,  Mud  street;  Spruce,  Bullet  alley;  Third,  Back  alley;  Fourth, 
Hog  street,  and  Shamokin.  Market  street.  The  present  system  of  nomen- 
clature was  established  by  borough  ordinance,  June  5,  ISOG,  changing  the 
name  of  Broadway  to  Front;  of  River,  to  Second;  of  Deer,  to  Third:  of 
Fawn,  to  Fourth;  of  Short,  to  Fifth;  of  Elderberry,  to  Spruce;  of  Whortle- 
berry, to  Walnut;  of  Pokeberry,  to  Penn:  of  Blackberry,  to  Chestnut;  of 
Shamokin.  to  Market;  of  Dewberry,  to  Arch,  and  of  Cranberiw,  to  Race. 

The  most  extensive  addition  to  the  original  town  plat  is  that  part  of  the 
borough  popularly  known  as  Caketown.  This  land  also  formed  part  of  the 
manor  of  Pomfret ;  it  embraced  the  site  of  Fort  Augusta,  and  was  the  resi- 
dence of  Colonel  Samuel  Himter  until  his  death,  although  it  does  not  ap- 
pear that  he  ever  acquired  a  proprietary  interest.  On  the  10th  of  April, 
1780,  John  Penn,  Jr.,  and  John  Penn  executed  a  conveyance  to  William  Wil- 
son for  three  hundred  forty-two  acres  of  land,  "  the  same  place  and  tract  of 
land  whereon  the  late  Colonel  Hunter  dwelt  and  part  of  the  manor  of  Pom- 
fret,"  the  consideration  being  one  thousand  twenty-six  pounds  specie.  The 
purchaser  was  an  American  oliicer  during  the  Revolution  and  associate  judge 
of  Northmnberland  county,  1792-1S13;  a  biographical  sketch  is  given  in  this 
work  in  the  chapter  on  the  Bench  and  Bar.  On  the  20th  of  October,  1790, 
he  sold  one  moiety  or  undivided  half  part  of  this  tract  to  Alexander  Hunter; 


446  HISTORY    OF    NOKTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

the  other  moiety  was  deeded  to  Mary  Scott,  June  17,  1811,  at  a  nominal  con- 
sideration, and  from  this  time  (or  possibly  at  an  earlier  date),  the  land  was 
known  as  the  Himter  and  Scott  farms.  The  latter,  embracing  one  hundred 
forty  acres,  adjoined  the  original  northern  boimdary  of  Sunbury  borough; 
the  former  comprised  one  hundred  fifty-three  acres. 

The  upper  division,  taken  in  execution  as  the  property  of  Alexander 
Himter  at  the  suit  of  John  Cowden,  was  sold  at  sheriff's  sale  on  the  22d  of 
April,  1814,  and  purchased  by  Thomas  Grant.  In  compliance  with  his  will, 
his  executors  and  executrix,  George,  William,  and  Deborah  Grant,  deeded  it 
to  Mrs.  Nancy  Hunter,  widow  of  Alexander  Hunter,  October  16,  1817.  By 
her  will,  dated  July  26,  1833,  Mrs.  Nancy  Hunter  devised  the  farm  to  her 
son,  Samuel  Hunter.  He  died  in  1852,  and  by  the  terms  of  his  will  it  be- 
came the  property  of  his  sisters,  Mary  and  Nancy  Hunter  and  Elizabeth, 
wife  of  Henry  Billington.  One  hundred  six  acres  of  this  tract  eventually 
came  into  the  exclusive  possession  of  Mary  Himter,  by  whom  it  was  conveyed 
to  Benjamin  Hendricks_by  deed  of  August  9,  1859,  and  on  the  25th  of  Jime, 
1863,  it  was  purchased  from  Mr.  Hendricks  by  Joseph  W.  Cake. 

Mary  Scott  died  intestate,  leaving  her  estate  to  her  children,  Samuel  H. 
Scott,  Mrs  Sarah  Gobin  (nee  Scott),  wife  of  Charles  Gobin,  and  Susan  Scott. 
Samuel  H.  Scott  also  died  intestate,  leaving  his  estate  to  his  sisters,  Mrs.  Sarah 
Gobin  and  Susan  Scott,  who  sold  the  Scott  farm  to  David  Longenecker,  of 
Lancaster,  Pennsylvania,  February  4,  1854.  It  was  purchased  at  sheriffs 
sale,  June  27,  1857,  by  Joseph  S.  Silver,  of  Philadelphia,  who  deeded  it 
to  Francis  W.  Hughes,  of  Pottsville,  August  28,  1857.  It  was  purchased 
from  Mr.  Hughes,  August  23,  1859,  by  Joseph  W.  Cake. 

Having  thus  secured  both  the  Scott  and  Hunter  farms,  Mr.  Cake  pro- 
ceeded to  lay  out  the  addition  that  bears  his  name.  It  was  surveyed  in  Sep- 
tember, 1863,  by  P.  W.  Sheaf er,  of  Pottsville,  Pennsylvania;  the  principal 
streets  extending  east  and  west  are  Masser,  Greenough,  Packer,  Amy,  Alice, 
Julia,  Joseph.  John,  and  Main,  intersected  by  Fort  Augusta  avenue  and  Sus- 
quehanna, Railroad,  Scott,  Thompson,  and  Moorehead  streets.  Of  those  last 
mentioned,  however,  several  have  not  yet  been  opened. 

The  only  other  additions  of  any  importance  within  the  borough  limits  are 
those  of  Benjamin  Hendricks,  the  executors  of  Henry  Masser,  John  "W.  Fri- 
ling.  Dr.  E.  H.  Awl,"  and  Wilham  &  E.  D.  Lenker.  Hendricks  extended 
Second  street  below  Spruce  and  opened  Pine  between  Second  and  Third; 
Friling  opened  Pine  street  between  Front  and  Second,  and  laid  out  several 
blocks  below  Spruce;  Masser's  addition  comprises  Vine  street,  which  is  parallel 
with  Race  and  immediately  north  of  it;  Awl's  and  Lenker's  additions  are 
in  the  southeastern  part  of  the  borough. 

EARLY    RESIDENTS. 

In  a  list  of  the  taxables  of  Augusta  township  in  the  year  1774  each  of  the  fol- 


SUNBUEY.  447 

lowing  persons  is  accredited  with  a  house  and  lot :  Sebastian  Crevous.  George 
Cliver,  Frederick  Dunkelberger,  Robert  Desha,  Martin  Epley,  Philip  Ever- 
hart,  David  Fowler,  Peter  Gearhart,  Charles  Garment,  Solomon  Green,  Sto- 
phel  Gettig,  Samuel  Harris,  Jacob  Haverling,  Adam  Haverhng.  Charles 
Hiifty,  Nicholas  Kofield,  William  Maclay,  Joseph  McCarrell.  Robert  Mc- 
Bride,  David  McKinney,  Nicholas  Miller,  Frederick  Reely,  Zachariah  Robins, 
Henry  Reigert,  John  Ream  (butcher),  Gusta\Tas  Ross,  Comehus  Row, 
Stephen  Sutton,  Thomas  Steinbach,  Michael  Troy,  George  Yaughan.  George 
Wolf,  Jonas  Weaver,  John  Weitzel,  James  Wild.  John  Wall,  and  Elias 
Youngman.  As  Sunbuiy  was  then  the  only  to\vn  in  AiTgusta  township,  it  is 
fair  to  presume  that  this  hst  includes  the  names  of  its  principal  inhabitants 
at  that  time.  Colonel  Samuel  Hunter  and  Mrs.  Alexander  Grant  resided 
north  of  the  town,  and  Yalentine  Geiger  at  Maclay's  mill  a  mile  to  the  east 
but  within  the  present  limits  of  the  borough  of  East  Simbury. 

Colonel  Samuel  Himter  was  born  in  the  North  of  Ireland  in  1732.  His 
military  career  began  in  1760;  on  the  2d  of  May  in  that  year  he  was  com- 
missioned as  lieutenant  in  Cajjtain  Joseph  Scott's  company  of  Colonel  Hugh 
Mercer's  battalion  of  the  Pennsylvania  regiment,  and  on  the  lOth  of  Novem- 
ber, 1708,  as  captain  in  Colonel  Turbutt  Francis's  battalion.  He  was  at 
Fort  Augusta  in  June,  17G3,  when  the  first  intelligence  of  Pontiac's  con- 
spiracy was  received,  and  initiated  the  measures  subsequently  carried  into 
execution  by  Colonel  Burd  for  the  defense  of  that  post.  In  the  following 
year  he  joined  Colonel  Boucpiefs  expedition,  but  was  again  at  Fort  Augusta 
in  1768  and  doubtless  earlier.  On  the  24th  of  March,  1772,  he  was  com- 
missioned as  one  of  the  fir.st  justices  for  Northiunberland  county,  from 
which  he  was  elected  to  the  Assembly,  1772-75,  to  the  Committee  of  Safety, 
1775-76.  and  to  the  Coiuicil  of  Censors  in  1783;  and  when  the  militia  organ- 
ized at  the  outbreak  of  the  Revolution  he  was  elected  colonel  of  the  First 
battalion.  February  8,  1776.  He  was  apjiointed  county  lieutenant.  March 
21.  1777,  and  reappointed,  April  6.  17S();  in  this  responsible  position  he 
directed  the  movements  of  the  local  militia  during  the  Revolution,  and  his 
otScial  correspondence  is  an  invaluable  contribution  to  the  historj-  of  North- 
umberland county  in  that  eventful  period.  He  died  at  Fort  Augusta.  April 
10,  1784,  leaving  a  widow,  Susanna  (nee  Scott),  and  two  daughters.  Nancy 
and  Mary.     The  former  married  Alexander  Himter;  the  latter,  Samuel  Scott. 

Alexander  Grant,  a  native  of  Scotland,  where  he  resided  in  the  vicinity 
of  Aberdeen,  settled  near  the  Susquehanna  river  immediately  opposite  Sha- 
mokin  island  prior  to  the  organization  of  Northimiberland  county,  and  was 
elected  the  first  constable  of  Augusta  township  in  1772.  He  died,  March 
21,  1775,  leaving  a  widow  and  two  sons,  George  and  Thomas.  Their 
mother  was  bom  on  the  31st  of  October,  1718.  and  died  on  the  26th  of 
November,  1821,  at  the  great  age  of  one  hundred  three  years.  George 
Grant  was  born,   August  16,   1755;  on  the  10th  of  March,    177G,   he  was 


4  48  HISTORY    OF    NORTHCIIBERLAND   COUNTY. 

commissioned  as  third  lieiitenaut  in  Captain  "Weitzel's  company;  he  was 
promoted  captain  in  the  Ninth  regiment.  May  3,  1777,  and  died  on  the 
North  river  three  miles  above  New  Windsor,  Connecticut,  October  10,  1779. 
Thomas  Grant  was  born  on  the  'Khh  of  November,  1758,  and  died  on  the 
16th  of  Jime,  1815.  He  served  as  sheriff  of  Northiimberland  county  one 
term,  1785-88,  and  also  as  lieutenant  and  captain  in  the  local  militia.  He 
was  an  active  promoter  of  the  Centre  turnpike  and  during  its  construction 
disbursed  the  funds  in  payment  for  work,  making  frequent  journeys  to 
different  points  on  the  roiite  with  the  money  in  his  saddle-bags.  He  married 
Deborah,  daughter  of  Robert  Martin,  of  Northumberland. 

William  Maclay,  whose  connection  with  the  early  history  of  Sunbury  and 
of  Northumberland  county  was  of  the  most  intimate  character,  was  born  in 
New  Garden  township,  Chester  coimty.  Pennsylvania,  July  20,  1737,  son  of 
Charles  and  Eleanor  (Query)  Maclay.  His  father  removed  to  Lurgan  town- 
ship, Franklin  county,  Pennsylvania,  in  1742,  and  there  he  grew  to  manhood. 
At  the  outbreak  of  the  French  and  Indian  war  he  was  a  pujjil  at  the  classical 
academy  of  Rev.  John  Blair  in  Chester  county,  entering  the  military  service 
as  ensign,  he  was  promoted  to  the  rank  of  lieutenant  on  the  7th  of  May, 
1758,  in  the  Third  battalion,  and  served  with  credit  in  General  Forbes's 
expedition  in  that  year.  In  1763  he  participated  at  the  battle  of  Bushy 
Run,  and  during  the  subsequent  progress  of  Bou(|uet's  campaign  was 
stationed  in  command  of  his  company  at  one  of  the  stockades  on  the  route 
of  the  expedition.  In  the  intervals  of  his  military  service  he  studied  law, 
and  on  the  28th  of  April,  1760,  was  admitted  to  the  bar  of  York  county, 
Pennsylvania,  although  it  is  not  probable  that  he  ever  engaged  actively  in 
the  duties  of  the  profession.  He  visited  England  at  the  close  of  the  French 
and  Indian  war,  and  had  an  interview  with  Thomas  Penn,  one  of  the  Pro- 
prietaries, relative  to  the  survey  of  lands  on  the  frontiers  of  the  Province. 
It  was  in  the  capacity  of  a  surveyor  that  his  first  acquaintance  with  the 
territory  of  Northumberland  county  began;  on  the  23d  of  February,  1769, 
he  made  the  first  survey  in  the  valley  of  the  W^est  Branch,  one  of  the  tracts 
apportioned  to  the  officers  in  the  French  and  Indian  war,  in  which  he  par- 
ticipated by  virtue  of  his  services.  On  the  24th  of  March,  1772,  he  was 
commissioned  as  first  prothonotary,  clerk  of  the  several  courts,  register  of 
wills,  and  recorder  of  deeds  for  Northumberland  county,  and  was  the  in- 
cumbent of  these  respective  offices  until  1777.  He  was  also  commissioned 
as  justice  for  the  county,  March  24.  1772.  June  11,  1777,  and  January  24, 
1785.  In  1772  he  assisted  John  Lukens  in  surveying  the  town  of  Sunbury, 
and  in  the  following  year  erected  a  stone  dwelling  at  the  northeast  corner 
of  Arch  and  Front  streets,  the  most  substantial  and  pretentious  of  the  early 
private  houses  of  the  county  seat.  Early  m  the  Revolutionary  struggle  he 
entered  actively  into  the  support  of  the  American  cause,  marched  with  the 
militia  to  the  seat  of  war  and  participated  in  the  battles  of  Trenton  and 


SUXBUKY.  449 

Princeton,  and  served  as  issuing  commissaiy  after  his  return  to  Sunbury. 
In  17S1,  ITS'J.  1TS3,  and  17S5  he  was  elected  to  the  Assembly  from  North- 
xmiberland  county,  and  in  17SG  to  the  Supreme  Executive  Council;  in  Janu- 
ary, 1789,  he  was  elected  to  the  United  States  Senate  as  one  of  the  first 
members  of  that  body  from  Pennsylvania,  his  colleague  being  Robert  Morris. 
The  latter  di-ew  the  long  term,  and  Mr.  Maclay  accordingly  retired  on  the 
3d  of  March.  1 1'.Jl.  His  attitude  toward  the  administration  while  a  member 
of  this  body  and  its  far-reaching  results  are  thus  stated  by  W.  H.  Egle, 
M.  D.  :— 

His  election  to  this  body  raised  him  upon  a  higher  phiue  of  political  activity,  but 
contact  with  the  Federal  chiefs  of  the  Senate  only  strengthened  his  political  connctious, 
which,  formed  by  long  intercourse  with  the  people  of  middle  Pennsylvania,  were 
intensely  democratic.  He  began  to  differ  with  the  opinions  of  President  "Washington 
ver}-  early  in  the  session;  he  did  not  approve  of  the  state  and  ceremony  attendant  upon 
the  intercourse  of  the  President  with  Congress;  he  flatly  objected  to  the  presence  of 
the  President  in  the  Senate  while  business  was  being  transacted,  and  in  the  Senate 
boldly  spoke  against  his  policy  in  the  immediate  presence  of  President  Washington. 
The  Xew  England  historians,  Hildreth  and  Goodrich,  repute  Thomas  .Jefferson  as  the 
"  efficient  promoter  at  the  beginning  and  father  and  founder  of  the  Democratic  party." 
Contemporary  records,  however,  show  be,vond  the  shadow  of  a  doubt  that  this  respon- 
sibilitv  or  honor,  in  whatever  light  it  may  be  regarded,  can  not  be  shifted  from  the 
shoulders  or  taken  from  the  laurels  of  Pennsylvania  statesmanship.  Before  3Ir.. Jeffer- 
son's return  from  Europe,  'William  ^llaclay  assumed  an  independent  position,  and  in 
his  short  career  of  two  years  in  the  Senate  propounded  ideas  and  gathered  about  him 
elements  to  form  the  opposition  which  developed  with  the  meeting  of  Congress  at 
Philadelphia  on  the  24th  of  October,  1791,  in  a  division  of  the  people  into  two  great 
parties,  the  Federalists  and  Democrats,  when,  for  the  first  time  appeared  an  open  and 
organized  opposition  to  the  administration.  The  funding  of  the  public  debt,  chartering 
the  United  Slates  Bank,  and  other  measures  championed  necessarily  by  the  adminis- 
tration, whose  duty  it  was  to  put  the  wheels  of  government  in  motion,  engendered 
opposition.  Mr.  JIaclay,  to  use  his  own  language,  "  no  one  else  presenting  himself," 
fearlessly  took  the  initiative,  and,  with  his  blunt  common  sense  (for  he  was  not  much 
of  a  speaker)  and  democratic  ideas,  took  issue  with  the  ablest  advocates  of  the  admin- 
istration. Notwithstanding  the  prestige  of  General  Washington  and  the  abilit}'  of  the 
defenders  of  the  administration  on  the  floor  of  the  Senate,  such  was  the  tact  and  reso- 
lution of  5Ir.  Maclay  that  when,  after  his  short  service,  he  was  retired  from  the  Senate 
and  succeeded  by  .James  Ross,  a  pronounced  Federalist,  their  impress  was  left  in  the 
distinctive  lines  of  an  opposition  party — a  party,  which,  taking  advantage  of  the  warm 
feeling  of  our  people  toward  the  French  upon  the  occasion  of  .Jay's  treaty  with  Great 
Britain  in  1794.  and  of  the  unpopularity  of  the  Alien  and  Sedition  laws,  passed  under 
the  administration  of  President  John  Adams  in  1T98,  compassed  the  final  overthrow  of 
the  Federal  party  in  18U0.* 

Mr.  Maclay  kept  a  journal  during  his  senatorial  term,  in  which  he  sitm- 
marized  the  debates  in  both  open  and  secret  sessions;  it  has  been  published 
in  book  form  with  notes  by  George  Washington  Harris,  and  also  in  the  Xew 
York  Sun,  and  forms  a  most  interesting  and  valuable  contribution  to  the 
history  of  this  coxmtry  in  the  period  immechately  succeeding  the  adoption  of 

*renusylvania  Genealogies,  pp.  357-353. 


450  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

the  Federal  Constitutiou.  After  his  retirement  he  resided  permanently  upon, 
his  farm  at  Harrisburg,  and  erected  the  substantial  stone  biiilding  subse- 
quently occupied  by  the  academy  of  that  city.  He  was  elected  to  the  lower 
house  of  the  Pennsylvania  legislature  in  IT'Jo  and  1S03;  in  1796  he  was  a 
presidential  elector,  and  in  1801-03  associate  judge  of  Dauphin  county.  He 
died  on  the  lOth  of  April,  1SU4,  and  was  buried  at  Paxtang  church.  In  1769 
he  married  Mary,  daughter  of  Jolm  Harris,  the  founder  of  Harrisburg,  and 
they  were  the  parents  of  nine  children,  of  whom  the  fourth  in  order  of  birth, 
Mary,  married  Samiiel  Awl,  a  prominent  citizen  of  Upper  Augusta  township, 
Northumberland  county.  Mrs.  Sarah  AVelker  (nee  Awl),  Mrs.  Hester  H. 
Brindle  {nee  i\.wl),  and  Dr.  K.  H.  Awl,  of  Sunbury,  and  Mrs.  Elizabeth  J. 
Rohrbach  {nee  Awl),  of  Selinsgrove,  Pennsylvania,  are  the  only  living  de- 
scendants of  William  Maclay  in  the  second  generation. 

Captain  Nicholas  ililler  was  commissioned  as  an  officer  in  the  Twelfth 
Penn.sylvania  regiment,  October  4,  1776,  and  served  with  it  until  it  ceased  to 
exist  as  an  organization,  July  1,  1778.  He  died  in  Northampton  county  be- 
fore the  close  of  the  century. 

David  McKinney  located  at  Sunbury  in  the  spring  of  1772.  He  was 
formerly  a  resident  of  New  Jersey  and  Virginia,  and,  although  a  miller  by 
occupation,  established  one  of  the  tirst  di-stilleries  at  Sunbuiy  and  continued 
in  this  business  some  years.  Late  in  life  he  removed  to  a  farm  on  the  West 
Branch  near  the  Great  Island,  and  there  he  died  at  an  advanced  age.  He 
was  the  father  of  nine  children:  Abraham;  Mary;  John;  Isaac;  Sarah;  Jacob; 
James;  Elizabeth,  and  Rachel.  Abraham  was  born,  November  12,  1762,  and 
died  at  Sunbury  on  the  13th  of  September,  1835;  he  biiilt  and  operated  the 
first  mill  on  Mahanoy  creek,  Jackson  to^vnship.  Isaac  removed  to  Centre 
county,  Pennsylvania,  established  an  iron  furnace,  and  became  associate  judge. 

'•  Robert  McBride,"  wrote  John  Weitzel  to  the  Council  of  Safety,  Decem- 
ber 2,  1776,  '•  goes  down  on  purpose  to  apply  for  a  lieutenancy  in  the  sen-ice 
of  the  United  States ;  I  therefore  take  the  hberty  to  recommend  him  as  a  man 
of  spirit  and  resolution,  and  have  not  the  least  doubt  but  he  will  make  a  good 
oificer.  He  served  during  the  last  war."*  He  was  commissioned  as  second 
lieutenant  in  the  Ninth  Pennsylvania  regiment,  January  15,  1777.  At  the 
close  of  the  war  he  returned  to  Sunbury.  The  second  jail  of  Northumber- 
land county  was  built  by  him  as  a  private  enterprise. 

Thomond  Ball  performed  the  duties  of  prothonotary  of  Northumberland 
county  as  deputy  under  David  Harris.  The  latter  was  appointed,  September 
11,  1777;  he  entered  the  Continental  army  as  third  lieutenant  in  Colonel 
Thompson's  battalion  and  rose  to  the  rank  of  captain  in  the  First  Pennsyl- 
vania regiment,  but  resigned  on  the  20th  of  October,  1777,  and  engaged  in 
mercantile  pursuits  at  Baltimore.  Mr.  Ball  was  the  first  secretarj-  of  the 
Northumberland  county  Committee  of    Safety  and   acted   as  paymaster  of 

♦rennsylvania  Archives,  Vol.  V.  pp.  85-86. 


CO-,    :,N--v.^^s:\§>^-;^«-, 


(2/. 


^rzx-<?^ 


(X. 


'Cc^-?^?-?^ 


SUNBURY.  453 

Colonel  Hartley's  regiment  while  it  was  stationed  on  the  frontier.  He  served 
as  deputy  prothonotary  until  his  death  in  1779. 

John  Simpson,  the  second  register  and  recorder  of  Northumberland  county, 
was  descended  from  the  Scottish  family  of  that  name  which  possessed  the 
earldom  of  Linlithgow  in  the  sixteenth  century.  He  was  commissioned  as 
register  and  recorder,  March  29,  1777,  and  performed  the  duties  of  those 
offices  more  than  a  score  of  years.  He  married  Ann  Thompson,  a  lady  of 
English  parentage:  Jeremiah  Simpson,  their  son,  was  born,  October  10,  1773, 
and  died  on  the  11th  of  August,  1829.  He  was  commissioned  as  register  and 
recorder,  July  24,  1798,  and  served  until  1805.  He  married  Mary,  daughter 
of  Henry  Vanderslice.  of  Berks  county,  and  they  were  the  parents  of  nine 
children:  John;  Hannah;  Mary;  Rachel;  Ann;  Jeremiah;  Henry  Y. ;  Jesse 
M.  M..  and  Sarah.  Jesse  M.  M.  Simpson  was  elected  treasurer  of  North- 
umberland county  in  1848  and  served  one  term. 

David  Mead  was  born  at  Hudson,  New  York,  in  1752,  son  of  Darius 
Mead,  who  settled  at  Wyoming  upon  lands  obtained  under  Pennsylvania 
title.  A  conflicting  Connecticut  claim  having  obliged  him  to  relinquish  his 
improvements,  he  located  in  Point  township  sis  miles  above  Northumberland 
on  the  North  Branch,  whence  the  family  removed  to  Sunbury  at  the  com- 
mencement of  the  Revolutionary  war.  There  David  Mead  kept  a  hotel  and 
established  a  distillen,-.  He  was  elected  county  commissioner  in  1782  and 
served  one  term.  In  1787.  accompanied  by  his  brother  John,  he  made  a 
journey  to  the  region  west  of  the  Allegheny  river;  they  returned  in  the 
spring  of  1788  with  seven  others,  and  established  the  flrst  settlement  in 
northwestern  Pennsylvania  at  the  site  of  Meadvilie,  Crawford  county.  David 
Mead  was  activelj-  connected  with  affairs  in  that  part  of  the  State  until  his 
death,  Augiist  2;-3,  1810. 

Christopher  Gettig  was  commissioned  as  first  lieutenant  in  the  Twelfth 
Pennsylvania  regiment,  October  14,  1770.  At  Piscataway,  New  Jersey,  he 
was  woiinded  on  the  11th  of  May,  1777,  taken  prisoner,  and  had  his  leg 
amputated.  He  died  at  Sunbury,  July  2,  1790,  leaving  a  widow,  Anna 
Dorothy,  and  seven  children:  Magdalena;  Barbara;  Elizabeth;  Frederick; 
Christopher;  Catharine,  and  Joseph.  . 

Christian  Gettig  kept  hotel  on  Front  street  at  a  building  subsequently 
known  as  "  the  barracks ;  "  he  was  commissioned  as  justice,  November  2,  1787, 
and  the  sessions  of  the  court  were  frequently  held  at  his  house.  He  also 
operated  a  tannery.  He  died  in  1797,  leaving  a  widow,  Elizabeth,  and  live 
children:  Christian;  Henry;  Jacob;  John,  and  Elizabeth. 

Laurence  Keene  was  commissioned  as  captain  in  Colonel  Ration's  regi- 
ment, January  13,  1777,  and  continued  with  that  rank  after  its  incorporation 
into  the  Eleventh;  from  the  latter  he  was  transferred  to  the  Third,  and 
served  for  a  time  as  aid-de-camp  on  the  staff  of  General  Arthur  St.  Clair. 
He. was  appointed  prothonotary  of  Northumberland  county,  September   25, 


454  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

1783,  aucl  died  at  Sunbury  in  July,  1789.  Ho  married  Gaynor,  daughter  of 
John  Lukens,  surveyor  general  of  the  State. 

Captain  William  Gray  was  born  near  Belfast,  Ireland,  in  1750.  At  the 
commencement  of  the  Revolution  he  i-esided  in  Northumberland  coimty,  and 
on  the  loth  of  March,  1776,  was  commissioned  as  first  lieutenant  in  Captain 
Weitzel's  company  of  Colonel  Miles's  regiment.  He  was  taken  prisoner  at 
the  battle  of  Long  Island,  August  27,  1776,  but  was  exchanged  on  the  Sth  of 
December  following  and  promoted  to  captain  in  the  Fourth  regiment  on  the  3d 
of  January,  1777.  He  retired  from  the  service,  January  1,  1781,  and  returned 
to  Northumberland  county,  where  he  was  engaged  in  merchandising  at  Sunbury 
for  a  time  and  also  held  the  office  of  deputy  surveyor.  His  residence  was  a 
log  house  at  the  southeast  corner  of  Second  and  Walnut  streets  in  that 
borough.  He  married  Mary,  daughter  of  John  and  Mary  Brady,  in  1784. 
and  they  were  the  parents  of  four  children:  Elizabeth;  Mary;  William  M., 
and  Jackson.  He  died  on  the  ISth  of  July,  1804;  the  circumstances  of  his 
death  were  thus  stated  in  Kennedy's  Gazette :  "  On  Wednesday  the  18th 
instant,  died  suddenly,  while  superintending  the  reapers  in  a  field  near  his 
house.  Captain  William  Gray,  of  Simbury.  He  had  gone  to  a  spring  situ- 
ated in  a  swamp  below  the  field  to  fetch  some  water  for  the  men,  and  prob- 
ably was  too  weak  to  extricate  himself  after  having  fallen  into  the  head  of  the 
spring.  .  .  .He  was  foimd  dead  with  his  head  in  the  spring  and  simk  to  about 
the  middle." 

John  Lyon  came  to  Sunbury  from  the  State  of  Delaware.  He  was  a 
shoemaker  by  trade,  but  relinquished  this  occupation  for  that  of  brickmaking, 
and  fiu-nished  the  bricks  which  entered  into  the  construction  of  the  court 
house,  "state  house,"  jail,  and  many  of  the  first  brick  residences  of  Sunburj-. 
He  also  owned  and  operated  the  ferry  immediately  prior  to  its  acquisition  by 
the  borough.  He  was  elected  county  commissioner  in  1797,  served  one  term, 
and  died  on  the  1st  of  January,  1800.  He  married  Mary,  daughter  of 
David  McKinney,  and  they  were  the  parents  of  nine  children:  David;  John; 
Elizabeth;  David;  James;  Mary;  Rebecca;  Matthew,  and  Abram. 

John,  Henry,  and  Dietrich  Bucher  emigrated  from  Switzerland  to  Penn- 
sylvania: Dietrich  established  an  iron  furnace  near  Reading;  John  and 
Henry  located  at  Sunbury.  Henry  Bucher  was  a  farmer,  and  resided  at  the 
southwest  corner  of  Walnut  and  Third  streets;  he  owned  nearly  all  that  part 
of  the  borough  between  the  Susquenanna  river  and  Shamokin  creek  from  the 
mouth  of  the  latter  to  Spruce  street,  and  first  reduced  this  land  to  cultiva- 
tion. He  married  a  Miss  Epley,  and  they  had  issue  as  follows:  Henry; 
Elizabeth,  who  married  George  Weiser  (tanner);  Mary,  who  married  Jacob 
Leisenring;  Francis;  George,  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  1812,  and  John.  Henry 
had  a  hotel  on  Front  street  and  operated  the  ferry  for  some  years;  Francis 
was  a  tanner,  and  one  of  the  last  persons  engaged  in  that  business  at  Sun- 
bury.    He  died  on  the  19th  of  March,  1875,  at  the  age  of  seventy  years. 


SUXBURY.  455 

The  first  physicians  were  Doctors  William  Plunket,  Francis  Allison. 
James  Da\'idson,  Solomon  Markley.  Joseph  Thomson,  Peter  Kraut.  William 
Westhoven,  Isaac  Cushman,  George  Slough,  C.  H.  Bailey,  John  Y.  Kennedy, 
Peter  Grahl,  William  T.  Morris,  etc.;  the  first  lawyers — Casper  Weitzel, 
Stephen  Chambers,  Charles  Smith,  Daniel  Le^•^•,  Charles  Hall,  Evan  Rice 
Evans,  Jesse  Moore,  Enoch  Smith,  Samuel  Roberts,  Hugh  Bellas.  E.  G. 
Bradford,  Ebenezer  Greenough,  Samuel  J.  Packer,  and  others,  of  whom 
extended  mention  is  made  in  the  appropriate  chapters  of  this  work. 

SUNBCEY    IX    ISOS. 

The  first  triennial  assessment  of  Sunbury  borough  was  made  in  1805.  but 
the  list  of  taxable  inhabitants  for  that  year  is  incomijlete;  the  second  was 
made  in  ISdS,  and  exliibits  the  following  improved  property,  with  names  of 
respective  owners  and  occupants. 

Front  Street. — Frame  house  and  stable,  o\vned  by  Henry  Aurand;  log  and 
brick  house  and  stable,  owned  and  occupied  by  James  Black,  weai-er;  log 
house  and  stable,  owned  by  Conrad  Minnich  and  occupied  by  John  Baker; 
stone  house  and  stable,  owned  and  occupied  by  John  Boyd,  register  and 
recorder  of  the  county ;  brick  house  and  stable,  o^vned  and  occupied  by  John 
Buyers,  merchant  and  ju.stice  of  the  peace;  log  house,  occujjied  l)y  Widow 
Brown;  log  house,  owned  by  William  Moore  and  occupied  by  Antkew  Cal- 
lum,  school  master;  small  log  house,  owned  by  James  Black  and  occu2iied 
by  William  Coldron,  baker;  frame  house,  o\vned  by  William  Witman  and 
occupied  by  John  Colshei",  school  master;  frame  house,  owned  by  John  Buy- 
ers and  occupied  by  Philiji  Cook,  tailor;  log  house,  old  house,  and  stable, 
owned  and  occupied  by  William  Dewart,  Sr. ;  log  house  and  stable,  owned 
and  occupied  by  Henry  Goodhart;  log  house  and  stable,  owned  and  occu- 
pied by  Ann  Gettig,  widow;  log  house  and  stable,  owned  by  Jacob  Kendig 
and  occupied  by  Peter  Grahl,  physician;  log  house  and  stable,  owned  by 
Henry  Shaffer  and  occupied  by  Samuel  Hahn,  weaver;  brick  house  and 
stable,  owned  and  occupied  by  Charles  Hall,  attorney;  log  house  and  stable, 
o-wned  by  Zachariah  Robins  and  occupied  by  John  Kinzer,  boatman;  frame 
house  and  stable,  owned  and  occujiied  by  Marv'  Lyon,  widow,  innkeeper; 
frame  house  and  stable,  owned  and  occupied  by  Daniel  Levy,  prothonotary 
of  the  county;  log  house,  owned  by  William  Witman  and  occupied  by 
Nicholas  Mantz,  butcher;  frame  house  and  stable,  owned  and  occupied  by 
Widow  McKinney,  storekeeper ;  old  log  house,  owned  by  a  Mr.  Hubley  and 
occupied  by  Adam  Snyder;  log  house  and  stable,  ov\-ned  by  John  Buyers  and 
occupied  by  Jacob  Singer,  innkeeper;  log  house  and  stable,  owned  by  a  Mr. 
Fisher  and  occupied  by  Joseph  Shannon;  log  house  and  stable,  owned  and 
occupied  by  Enoch  Smith,  attorney:  stone  house,  owned  and  occupied  by 
Jeremiah  Simpson:  small  brick  house,  o^vned  by  Elizabeth  Gettig  and  occu- 
pied by  William  Withington,  hatter;  frame  house,  owned  by  Margaret  Bax- 


456  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    CODNTY. 

ter  and  occupied  by  Elizabeth  'Wilet;  log  house,  owned  by  Widow  Epley 
and  occupied  by  Adam  Snyder,  butcher. 

Market  Street. — Frame  house,  occupied  by  Widow  Albright ;  log  house, 
owned  by  Christian  Shissler  and  occupied  by  John  Bright,  saddler;  log  house 
and  stable,  owned  and  occupied  by  Paul  Baldy.  blacksmith;  blacksmith  shop, 
owned  and  occupied  by  Paiil  Baldy;  frame  house  and  barn,  owned  by  Jacob 
Vanderslice  and  occupied  by  Hugh  Bellas,  attorney;  brick  house  and  stable, 
owned  and  occupied  by  Lewis  Dewart,  merchant;  log  house  and  stable,  owned 
and  occupied  by  Evan  R.  Evans,  attorney ;  frame  house,  owned  by  Aaron  Foulk 
and  occupied  by  Widow  Albright ;  log  house  and  stable,  owned  by  C.  Wag- 
ner and  occupied  by  Stophel  Gettig,  innkeeper:  log  house  and  stable,  owned 
by  Widow  Gobin  and  occupied  by  Edward  Gobin.  joiner;  still  house,  owned 
and  operated  by  Edward  Gobin ;  house,  owned  and  occupied  by  Daniel  Hoff- 
man, shoemaker;  log  house,  owned  by  a  Mr.  Graham  and  occupied  by  Timo- 
thy Harris;  stone  house  and  stable,  owned  by  Charles  Hall  and  occupied  by 
Charles  Hegins,  innkeeper ;  brick  house  and  stable,  owned  and  occupied  by 
Charles  Haas,  merchant;  log  house,  owned  by  Joseph  Harris  and  occupied 
by  Rees  Harris,  shoemaker;  brick  house  and  stable,  owned  by  Jacob  Prei- 
singer  and  occiipied  by  Michael  Kiitzner,  innkeeper;  log  house  and  stable, 
owned  and  occiipied  by  Theodorus  Kiehl,  justice  of  the  peace;  log  house 
and  stable,  owned  and  occupied  by  Joseph  Lorentz.  coroner  of  the  county; 
brick  house  and  stable,  owned  by  Jacob  and  Joseph  Sinton  and  occupied  by 
Daniel  Lebo,  innkeeper;  log  house  and  stable,  owned  by  Thomas  Robins  and 
occupied  by  Conrad  Minnich;  frame  house,  owned  by  George  Heim  and  oc- 
cupied by  Charles  Maus,  attorney;  log  house,  owned  and  occupied  by  Widow 
Miller;  small  brick  house  and  stable,  owned  and  occupied  by  Henry  Masser, 
tinsmith;  log  house  and  stable,  owned  by  Thomas  Robins  and  occupied  by 
Henry  Ruch,  Sr.,  shoemaker;  log  house,  o^vned  by  Thomas  Robins  and  oc- 
cupied by  Henry  Ruch,  Jr.,  shoemaker;  log  house,  o\vned  by  Leonard  Epley 
and  occupied  by  John  Richards,  mason;  log  house,  tannery,  and  barn,  owned 
and  occupied  by  Zachariah  Robins,  tanner ;  brick  house  and  stable,  owned  by 
Samuel  Roberts  and  occupied  by  Henry  Shaffer,  innkeeper;  small  frame 
house,  owned  and  occupied  by  Heniy  Shaffer :  brick  house  and  stable,  owned 
and  occupied  by  James  Smith,  innkeeper;  log  house  and  stable,  owned  by 
Widow  Geiger  and  occupied  by  Widow  Schwartz;  frame  house  and  stable, 
owned  and  occupied  by  Jonas  Weaver,  innkeeeper;  stone  house  and  stable, 
owned  and  occupied  by  Elizabeth  Weitzel,  widow,  storekeeper;  log  house  and 
stable,  owned  by  William  McAdams  and  occupied  by  Christian  Wagner, 
carpenter. 

Chestnut  Street. — Log  house,  owned  and  occupied  by  Joseph  Alter,  car- 
penter; frame  house  and  stable,  owned  by  Andrew  Graeff  and  occupied  by 
Andrew  Albright,  merchant;  frame  house  and  stable,  owned  and  occupied 
by  James  Alexander,   merchant;  log  house,  stable,  and  pottery,  owned  and 


SUXBURY.  457 

occupied  by  Daniel  Bogar.  potter:  log  house  and  shed,  owned  by  George 
Bright  andNOCcupied  by  Esther  Bright,  widow;  log  and  frame  house  and 
stable,  owned  by  O.  Bird  and  occupied  by  Francis  Cook,  farmer;  log  house 
and  stable,  tannery,  etc.,  owned  and  occupied  by  "William  Dewart,  farmer; 
log  house  and  barn,  owned  by  Christian  Miller  and  occiipied  by  John  De 
Long,  shoemaker;  log  house  and  stable,  owned  by  John  Weigans  and  occu- 
pied by  Jacob  Gass,  barber;  old  log  house,  owned  and  occupied  by  Rebecca 
Gorman;  log  house  and  stable,  owned  by  John  Hauswart  and  occupied  by 
Simon  Glass,  nailer;  log  house  and  stable,  owned  and  occiipied  by  Thomas 
Giberson;  log  house  and  stable,  owned  and  occupied  by  Daniel  Hurley,  mer- 
chant; log  house  and  stable,  occupied  by  John  Kendig;  log  house  and  stable, 
owned  by  Daniel  Bogar  and  occupied  by  George  Martin,  Jr.,  shoemaker; 
brick  house  and  stable,  owned  and  occupied  by  Solomon  Markley,  physician; 
brick,  frame,  and  log  house,  o-mied  and  occupied  by  "William  McAdams, 
tailor;  log  house,  owned  by  Daniel  Bogar  and  occupied  by  Frederick  Miller, 
tailor;  log  house,  owned  by  Joseph  Alter  and  occujoied  by  John  Mangrow; 
log  house,  owned  by  Alexander  Hunter  and  occupied  by  "William  Smith, 
school  master;  log  house,  owned  by  George  Spice  and  occupied  by  Sarah 
"Wharton;  log  house,  tannery,  etc.,  o\\-ned  and  occupied  by  Jacob  Yoner, 
tanner;  log  house  and  stable,  owned  and  occujiied  by  John  Young,  black- 
smith. 

Penn  Street. — Log  house,  owned  by  Daniel  Hurley  and  occupied  by 
Charles  Cameron,  tailor;  log  house  and  stable,  owned  and  occii^^ied  by  Jacob 
Durst,  blacksmith;  old  house,  owned  by  Abraham  Fry;  log  house  and  stable, 
owned  and  occupied  by  Adam  Kenn,  shoemaker;  log  house,  owned  by  U. 
Billman  and  occupied  by  John  Sloan,  innkeeper;  log  house  and  stable,  owned 
by  Daniel  Hurley  and  occupied  by  Jane  "Wight;  small  house,  owned  by 
George  Mantz  and  occupied  by  Widow  Ween. 

Walnut  Street. — Log  house,  owned  by  Martin  Ejiley  and  occupied  by 
Christian  Bower,  carpenter;  log  house  and  old  barn,  owned  and  occupied  by 
Henry  Bucher,  farmer;  log  house  and  stable,  owned  and  occupied  by  Jacob 
Conrad;  log  house,  owned  by  William  Dewart,  Sr. ;  frame  house,  owned  by 
James  Silverwood  and  occupied  by  Widow  Duncan;  log  house  and  barn, 
owned  and  occupied  by  Mar}-  Gray,  widow;  log  house  and  stable,  owned 
and  occupied  by  Abraham  Kiehl,  carpenter;  log  house  and  stable,  owned 
and  occujiied  by  George  Martin,  Sr.,  shoemaker;  frame  house  and  stable, 
owned  and  occupied  by  Aaron  Robins,  mason;  old  house  and  stable,  owned 
and  occupied  by  Peter  Smith:  log  house  and  stable,  owned  by  Philip  Masser 
and  occupied  by  John  Snyder,  blacksmith;  old  log  house,  owned  by  a  Mr. 
ShelLhard;  old  house,  owned  and  occupied  by  Jacob  Vanderslice;  log  house, 
owned  and  occupied  by  Henry  Vanderslice,  tailor;  log  house,  owned  by 
James  Smith;  old  log  house,  owned  by  William  McAdams;  small  frame 
house,  owned  by  Jonas  Weaver. 


458  HISTORY    OF    XORTHUMBEKLAND    COUNTY. 

Indefinite  Locations  included  the  following:  frame  house  adjoining  An- 
drew Rowe,  owned  by  Daniel  Baker  and  occupied  by  Jacob  Baker;  log  hoi;se 
adjoining  Martin  Epley,  o\vned  by  John  Bucher;  log  house  and  barn  adjoin- 
ing Peter  Smith,  owned  by  Andrew  Graeft  and  occi;pied  by  Henry  Bucher, 
farmer;  log  house  adjoining  Charles  Hall,  o^v^led  by  Jacob  Vanderslice  and 
occupied  by  Eobert  Carr,  weaver;  small  log  house  and  stable  adjoining  J. 
Preisinger,  owned  and  occupied  by  Melchoir  Deitrich,  carter;  small  log  house 
adjoining  Adam  Hileman,  o^vned  by  Marj'  Carter  and  occupied  by  John 
Dentler;  log  house  and  stable,  owned  and  occupied  by  Widow  Geiger;  log 
house  and  stable  adjoining  Gear  and  J.  Epley,  owned  by  Leonard  Epley  and 
occuj^ied  by  Peter  Goodhart,  hatter;  frame  house  adjoining  Joseph  Alter, 
owned  and  occupied  by  Jacob  Haines,  butcher;  log  house  and  stable  adjoin- 
ing Mary  Carter,  owned  and  occupied  by  Adam  Hileman,  tailor;  log  house 
and  barn  adjoining  William  McAdams,  owned  and  occupied  by  George  Har- 
rison; house  adjoining  Owen  Foulk,  owned  and  occupied  by  Conrad  Minnich; 
log  house  and  stable  adjoining  Henry  Bucher,  owned  and  occupied  by  James 
McEwen,  weaver;  log  house  and  stable  adjoining  John  Young,  owned  and 
occupied  by  Mary  Martin,  widow;  log  house  and  stable  adjoining  Widow 
Geiger,  owned  by  Widow  Ponteous  and  occupied  by  Peter  Gray;  old  log 
house  adjoining  James  McEwen,  owned  by  Andrew  Rowe  and  occupied  by 
Martin  Waldorf;  house  and  stable  near  Thomas  Giberson,  owned  h\  Fred- 
erick Haas  and  occui^ied  by  Thomas  Weaver;  log  hoiise  adjoining  Daniel 
Hurley,  owned  by  Leonard  Epley  and  occupied  by  John  Richard,  mason; 
small  log  house  adjoining  Adam  Hileman;  William  Graham,  school  master, 
at  "point  of  the  creek."  Some  of  these  persons  doubtless  resided  on  Second, 
Third,  Foiirth,  Arch,  or  Race  streets,  to  which  no  locations  are  definitely  as- 
signed. 

The  Single  Freemen  were  John  Beitzel,  clockmaker;  Jacob  Beck,  black- 
smith; John  Baldy,  blacksmith;  John  Buyers;  David  Bright,  saddler; 
Charles  Clark;  Henry  Donnel,  surveyor ;  William  G.  Forrest,  attorney:  Rob- 
ert Gray,  register's  clerk;  John  Grahl;  E.  Greenough,  attorney:  Cornelius 
Gorman,  tobacconist;  John  Hurley,  farmer:  Jared  Irwin,  sheriff;  William 
Johnson,  clerk;  Henry  Long,  laborer;  Martin  Millet;  Baltzer  Myerly,  car- 
penter; Jacob  Mantz;  John  Mantz;  John  Nail,  .shoemaker:  Adam  Mantz; 
Thomas  Painter,  clerk:  John  Robins,  mason;  Gilbert  Roljins,  hatter;  Andrew 
Rowe,  tanner;  John  Rogers,  distiller;  Joseph  Richardson;  Alexander  Strick- 
land, school  master,  and  George  Shuff.  It  is  probable  that  some  of  these 
persons  had  families,  and  appear  in  this  class  from  the  fact  that  their  resi- 
dence at  Sunbury  did  not  involve  the  occupancy  of  improved  property. 

REMINISCENCES    OF    DR.     E.     H.    AWL. 

The  Sunbury  of  to-day  presents  a  wide  contrast  with  the  town  of  sixty 
years  ago,  not  only  in  its  material  aspects,  but  also  in  the  general  character- 


SUXBUEY.  459 

istics  of  its  people.  The  following  with  reference  to  the  social  diversions  of 
a  former  generation  and  the  appearance  of  the  borough  at  the  time  of  his 
earliest  recollection  is  given  as  the  reminiscences  of  Dr.  K.  H.  Awl. 

The  State  militia  organization,  which  received  an  impetus  in  the  war  of 
1S12.  was  tolerably  efficient  for  some  years  thereafter.  '■  Battalion  days  " 
occurred  annually,  and  were  the  great  social  events  of  the  county.  The  Sun- 
bury  battalion  was  composed  of  the  militia  of  the  surrounding  to^^TLships:  on 
the  morning  of  the  apiDointed  day  the  companies  formed  in  line  on  the  pub- 
lic square  and  adjacent  streets,  marched  to  the  parade  ground,  and  engaged 
in  the  various  military  evolutions  imtil  three  or  four  o'clock  in  the  afternoon. 
The  rural  pojiulation  was  present  en  masse:  a  hne  of  wagons  and  booths 
surrounded  the  parade  ground,  and  gingerbread,  cakes,  ginger  ale,  oranges, 
lemonade,  pickled  oysters,  spruce  beer,  and  various  other  refreshments  were 
dispensed  in  great  profusion.  Measured  by  the  results  in  increased  elficiency 
to  the  military  organization  the  "battahon  days"  were  not  a  pronounced 
success,  but  in  the  friendly  social  intercourse  fostered  by  these  occasions 
their  influence  was  highly  beneficial. 

The  Sunbury  races  were  widely  attended  for  many  years.  This  fonn  of 
diversion  was  doubtless  introduced  anterior  to  the  present  century;  the  man- 
ner in  which  announcements  were  made  at  an  early  date  is  shown  by  the  fol- 
lowing notice  in  the  Republican  Argns  of  October  28.  ISO-j: — 

SVXBl'UV   KACE-S 

Free  for  any  horse,  uiare,  or  geldiug,  will  commence  on  the  29th  of  October  next. 

First  day's  race,  four  miles  and  repeat— purse,  two  hundred  dollars. 

Second  day's  race,  three  miles  and  repeat— purse,  one  hundred  twenty  dollars. 

Third  day's  race,  two  miles  and  repeat— purse,  one  hundred  dollars. 

Sweepstakes  on  the  fourth  day  for  the  entrance  money,  one  mile  and  repeat. 

About  the  time  that  Judge  Cooper  was  elevated  to  the  bench  there  was  a 
general  movement  against  horse-racing,  and  he  issued  a  proclamation  for  its 
sup2)ression  within  the  coimties  composing  his  district.  Extensive  prepara- 
tions were  then  in  progress  for  a  great  race  at  Sunbury;  horses  were  ex- 
pected from  Philadelphia,  the  tavern  keepers  had  been  to  mtich  expense  in 
providing  for  the  anticijjated  crowd,  and,  in  view  of  these  circumstances,  the 
Judge  was  induced  to  withdraw  his  inhibition  upon  the  personal  assurance 
of  the  promoters  that  there  should  be  no  gambling  or  disorder.  The  appar- 
ent inconsistency  of  this  action  was  urged  against  him  in  181 1  in  the  pro- 
ceedings before  the  legislature  for  his  removal,  and  in  reply  he  stated  that 
the  race  in  C[uestion  was  the  last  in  the  county  during  his  judicial  incimi- 
bency.  The  turf  was  again  patronized  under  the  administrations  of  his  suc- 
cessors, however,  and  at  the  period  of  Doctor  Awl's  earhest  recollection  there 
were  two  courses  at  Sunbury,  one  of  which  extended  along  the  bank  of  the 
river  from  Spruce  street  to  two  trees  near  the  Shamokindam,  while  the  other 
occupied  "Back  alley"  (Third  street)  within  corresponding  limits.     Entries 


460  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

were  made  from  distant  points  in  Peunsylvania  and  adjacent  States,  and 
Jockeys  were  present  from  all  parts  of  the  coimtry.  Considerable  money 
changed  hands  on  these  occasions,  and  if  the  local  favorite  did  not  happen  to 
be  the  winner  the  town  was  sometimes  almost  destitute  of  cash  during  the 
succeeding  days. 

The  game  of  long  bullets  was  a  popular  sport  at  the  beginning  of  the 
present  century.  Iron  balls  were  used,  one  of  which,  four  and  three 
fourths  inches  in  circumference  with  a  weight  of  twelve  and  three  fourths 
ounces,  is  now  in  possession  of  Doctor  Awl  and  was  formerly  owned  by  his 
father.  The  regular  ground  for  this  game  was  Spruce  street  between  Fourth 
and  the  river;  it  was  rolled,  leveled,  and  hardened,  and  was  popularly  known 
as  "Bullet  alley."  In  grasping  the  ball  the  index  and  third  lingers  were 
tied  in  front  of  the  second  finger;  the  ball  was  then  projected  with  a  jerk 
and  made  to  bound  along  upon  the  ground  the  greatest  possible  distance.  If 
elevated  too  high,  the  force  was  spent  when  it  reached  the  earth;  the  tine 
art,  therefore,  consisted  in  projecting  the  ball  at  the  proper  angle  to  secure 
the  least  resistance  as  it  rebounded  from  the  groimd.  This  sport  developed 
great  precision  in  the  muscular  action  of  the  arm,  and  was  also  calculated  to 
strengthen  the  chest  and  back.  It  was  prohibited  by  ordinance  of  the  bor- 
ough in  bS()3,  but  the  name  of  "Bullet  alley"  retained  a  place  in  the  street 
nomenclature  of  Sunbury  many  years  after  that  date.* 

After  the  suppression  of  long  bullets  the  game  of  ball  first  commanded 
general  popular  favor.  There  were  four  ball  alleys,  located,  respectively,  at 
Shaffer's  hotel,  at  the  old  jail  (southeast  corner  of  Market  street  and  Center 
alley),  at  the  yard  of  the  county  prison  (corner  of  Second  and  Arch  streets), 
and  at  a  vacant  lot  on  the  north  side  of  Market  street  east  of  the  Ijuildiug  in 
which  Renn's  drug  store  is  situated. 

Foot-races  were  of  frequent  occurrence,  and  were  sometimes  attended  by 
distinguished  sprinters  from  other  points.  The  course  was  usually  in  "  Bullet 
alley."  Closely  allied  to  these  were  the  jtimping  matches,  in  which  five  dis- 
tinct varieties  were  recognized,  viz.:  the '"single  jump,"  '"backward  jump," 
"  three  jumps,"  '"  running  hop,  step,  and  jump."  and  "  high  jump." 

At  that  period  physical  prowess  was  a  prominent  factor  in  the  adjustment 
of  personal  difficulties,  the  settlement  of  which  for  some  months  previously 
was  usually  deferred  tmtil  "battahon  day."  Each  community  had  its  local 
bully,  and  when  a  number  of  the  noted  fighters  in  town  and  country  assem- 
bled imder  the  patriotic  influences  of  a  militia  muster,  the  reminder  of  a  past 
victory  or  defeat  was  sufficient  challenge  to  involve  them  all  in  a  general  melee. 
While  a  local  code  of  iiiles  was  generally  recognized,  these  encounters  were 

*  An  effort  was  m;iile  to  revive  the  game  early  in  tlie  ':;o's.  but  it  had  lieen  iliscontlnued  no  long 
tliat  few  persons  possessed  sufSelent  skill  to  cover  tlie  distance  from  Front  to  Fourth  in  three  jerks. 
Harry  Thomas,  a  tailor,  attempted  to  throw  the  ball  instead  of  jerking  it,  but  the  muscidar<  contrac- 
tion was  greater  than  tlie  resistance  of  the  bones  of  his  arm.  which  sustained  a  fracture  in  con- 
sequence. 


SUXBUEY.  461 

far  more  frequently  tests  of  strength  than  of  skill.  Not  the  fists  alone,  but 
also  the  teeth  and  nails,  were  brought  into  requisition,  and  when  one  of  the 
participants  acknowledged  himself  beaten  it  was  usually  because  of  thorough 
exhaustion  on  account  of  the  brutal  treatment  he  had  received.  There  were 
also  wrestling  matches,  conducted  in  a  spirit  of  friendly  rivalry,  but  the  skill 
displayed  was  of  a  crude  type.  The  manly  art  of  self-defense  was  first  regu- 
larly expounded  at  Sunbiuy  in  1S39  by  a  Mr.  Keed,  who  opened  a  boxing 
school  on  Front  street  between  "Walnut  and  Spnrce.  It  is  needless  to  remark, 
however,  that  Marquis  of  Queensbury  rules  have  not  always  been  observed 
in  personal  encounters  since  that  date. 

Cock-fighting  was  also  one  of  the  fashionable  amusements  at  Sunbury. 
There  were  two  varieties  of  game-cocks,  the  "■  reds  "'  and  the  "  grays;  "  tra- 
dition asserts  that  the  former  were  introduced  by  the  Gibersons  and  the  lat- 
ter by  the  Eobinses.  There  were  three  cock-pits,  located,  respectively,  at 
the  Blue  Ball  tavern,  at  Eobins's  tanneiy,  and  at  a  cellar  on  Front  street. 
The  usual  amount  of  betting  was  connected  with  exhibitions  of  this  nature; 
if  the  fight  occurred  at  night  the  odds  were  generally  in  favor  of  the  '"  reds," 
as  the  ''  grays,"'  owing  to  their  color,  could  more  easily  be  distinguished. 

The  Terjisichorean  art  was  first  scientifically  taught  in  Northumberland 
county  by  a  Frenchman  named  Blondell.  and  David  Hartzhorn  was  among 
his  successors  at  Sunbury  in  this  department  of  instruction  as  early  as  1S(.)2. 
Cotillions  were  not  introduced  in  the  niral  districts  for  many  years  thereafter, 
however,  and  the  exercises  of  "battalion  day '^  regularly  closed  with  danc- 
ing at  the  various  hotels  in  which  the  popular  figures  were  "  straight  four,'' 
'■  French  four,"  and  '•  the  buckwheat  thresher." 

At  that  early  date  considerable  rivalry  existed  between  the  towns  of  Sim- 
bury  and  Northumberland,  and  the  partisans  on  either  side  were  not  slow  to 
devise  derisive  epitliets  for  the  other.  In  this  mutual  exchange  of  courtesies 
the  jieople  of  Sunbitry  received  the  collective  designation  of  "Bullyriims" 
(bull-frogs),  from  the  amphibious  animals  of  that  name  which  found  a  con- 
genial habitation  in  the  marshy  ground  east  of  the  town:  the  corresponding 
sobriquet  of  the  Northumberlanders  was  "  Pine-Knots,"  doubtless  sttggested 
by  the  pine  forests  that  covered  the  hills  northeast  of  that  borough.  Each 
town  was  jealous  of  the  prestige  of  the  other,  and  this  feeling  frequently 
fottnd  expression  in  collisions  between  the  boys  and  yoimg  men.  But  the 
old  time  antagonism  has  entirely  subsided,  under  the  close  commercial 
intimacy  fostered  by  the  steamboats,  railroad,  and  street  railway. 

Sixty  years  ago  (1S30)  the  streets  of  Sunbury  were  green  with  grass, 
upon  which  sheep,  geese,  ducks,  and  cows  pastured  at  wilL  The  houses 
were  nearly  all  constructed  of  wooden  materials;  the  only  three-story  build- 
ings were  the  borough  high  school  on  Front  street  and  a  brick  strttcture 
at  the  southw^est  corner  of  Market  and  Third.  The  public  buildings  included 
the  court  house,   at  the  western  end  of    the   inclosure  in  Market  square; 


462  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

the  "state  hoiTse,"  at  the  southeast  corner  of  Market  and  Second  streets; 
the  jail,  at  the  southwest  corner  of  Second  and  Arch  streets;  the  borough 
market  house,  on  Market  square  east  of  the  coiirt  house;  the  Lutheran 
church,  on  Third  street,  and  the  Keformed  and  Presbyterian  church,  at  the 
site  of  the  present  Reformed  church. 

Race  Street,  the  northern  limit  of  the  to\VT2  plat,  was  im])roved  to  a  very 
limited  extent.  The  only  houses  on  the  north  side  were  the  brick  residence 
of  Jacob  Heller  at  the  corner  west  of  Second  and  a  wooden  building  owned 
by  Heniy  Masser  and  used  as  a  dwelling  or  school  house.  On  the  south  side 
were  the  following  improvements:  a  one-story  log  building  occupied  by  Mrs. 
Mollie  Carr.  the  only  house  between  Third  and  Fourth;  a  small  frame  house 
west  of  Center  alley,  built  by  John  G.  Fry,  carpenter  and  court  crier;  a 
large  red  frame  house,  at  the  corner  east  of  Second,  occupied  by  Henry 
Beshler,  court  crier;  a  small  log  house  built  of  unhewn  timbers  untrimmed 
at  the  corners,  occupied  by  James  McEwen.  weaver  (one  of  the  principal 
wells  of  the  borough  is  on  these  premises),  and  an  old  house  at  the  corner  of 
Front. 

A)-ch  Street. — South  side:  a  brick  house  at  the  corner  west  of  Fourth, 
built  in  1S22  by  Michael  Sanders  and  occupied  by  Francis  P.  Schwartz, 
teacher:  a  log  house,  erected  by  George  Lawrence,  and  afterward  converted 
into  a  stable  by  John  G.  Youngman;  the  residence  of  John  G.  Yoimgman, 
printer,  at  the  corner  west  of  Third;  a  frame  building  at  the  corner  west  of 
Center  alley,  owned  by  Lewis  Dewart ;  the  shop  of  Samuel  Gobin,  wagon 
maker:  the  FoUiner  property,  a  small  frame  house;  the  brick  residence  of 
Jacob  Druckemiller;  a  red  frame  barn  connected  with  the  jail,  at  the  corner 
west  of  Second;  and  E.  Greenough's  residence,  at  the  corner  east  of  Front.* 

Xorth  side:  a  one-story  log  house  with  clapboard  roof,  at  the  corner  west 
of  Fourth,  occupied  by  Phebe  Rowe;  a  frame  house,  occupied  by  Alexander 
Strickland;  a  two-story  log  house,  with  brick  end  at  the  east,  built  for 
George  P.  Buyers  by  Jacob  Ruch ;  a  log  house  at  the  corner  east  of  Third, 
occupied  by  Andrew  McNamara ;  a  frame  house  west  of  Third,  removed  from 
Market  street  by  Eli  Diemer,  register  and  recorder  of  Xorthimiberland 
county.  1824-27,  who  died,  December  1,  1875,  at  the  age  of  eighty-three 
years,  eleven  months,  'and  six  days;  the  brick  house  of  Henry  Yoxtheimer, 
west  of  Second,  with  a_  frame  shop  adjoining  in  which  he  formerly  conducted 
wagon  making,  and  the  old  Maclay  house,  at  the  corner  east  of  Front. 

Market  Street  was  then,  as  now,  the  business  thoroughfare  of  the  boroiigh. 
On  the  south  side,  the  first  improvement  on  the  east  was  the  Robins  tannery, 

*The  site  of  the  Catholic  church,  then  a  vacant  lot,  was  once  occupied  at  the  period  towliichthis 
relates  by  one  of  the  first  circuses  that  ever  visited  Sunbury.  Notwithstanding'  inclement  weather 
there  was  a  large  attendance  at  the  evening  performance,  which  had  scarcely  begun  when  the  tent 
collapsed,  precipitating  a  state  of  confusion  that  beggars  description.  In  the  meJee  a  certain  gentle- 
man, the  father  of  a  family,  seized  a  boy  whom  lie  supposed  was  his  son  and  can-ied  him  several 
squares  before  the  urchin  informed  him  of  his  mistake. 


SUNBURY.  463 

at  the  southeast  cornei-  of  Market  and  Fifth.  Between  Fifth  and  Fourth 
were  the  log  hoi;se  owned  by  "Wilham  Kebler,  a  German  butcher;  a  long 
double  log  house  occupied  by  Mrs.  Kitty  Bower,  who  sold  cakes  and  beer; 
the  frame  house  and  hatter  shoj)  of  Edward  Kutzner  and  Benjamin  Robins; 
the  brick  residence  of  Dr.  William  Eobins.  and  his  office  at  the  present  site 
of  D.  Heim's  store,  and  Jonas  Weaver's  hotel,  at  the  east  end  of  which  was 
Black  &  Leisenring's  store.  Between  Fourth  and  Third:  Young  &  Alter's 
store  and  John  Young's  residence,  the  former  the  brick  building  in 
which  Eeimensnyder's  drug  store  is  situated  and  the  latter  the  frame  house 
immediately  adjoining  on  the  west,  both  now  owned  by  the  Bassler  estate; 
the  frame  residence  of  George  Weiser.  justice  of  the  peace  and  siibsequently 
associate  judge;  the  frame  residence  of  Peter  ilartz,  afterward  associate 
judge  and  member  of  the  legislature;  George  C.  Welker's  tailor  shoji,  a  small 
frame  structure  back  from  the  street;  the  present  brick  residence  of  Mrs. 
George  C.  Welker,  then  occupied  by  Betsey  Bright  as  a  millinery  store;  the 
saddler  shop  of  Jonathan  Weiser;  a  frame  house  occujiied  by  George  Gass, 
whose  wife  sold  cakes  and  beer;  a  frame  building  in  which  William  Jordan, 
])rother  of  Judge  Jordan,  had  his  store  and  residence;  a  frame  house  back 
from  the  street,  occujiied  by  the  Wiggins  or  Yanderslice  family:  a  frame 
building  at  the  southeast  corner  of  Market  square,  occupied  by  William  Mil- 
ler as  a  buhr-making  shop,  (in  which  a  bear  belonging  to  a  traveling  show- 
man and  a  bull-dog  belonging  to  Thomas  Kobins  were  once  jiitted  against 
each  other,  and  the  stakes,  amounting  to  five  dollars,  were  awarded  to 
Robins),  and  the  stone  house  still  standing  at  the  southeast  corner  of  Third 
and  Market.  Between  Third  and  Second:  Lorenzo  Da  Ponte's  three-story 
brick  building  on  the  corner  west  of  Third,  and  store,  a  small  frame  structure 
adjoining  on  the  west;  Jacob  Painter's  frame  residence  and  hat  shop;  Henry 
Shissler's  residence,  now  owned  by  Mrs.  Louisa  Shissler;  the  blacksmith  shop 
of  Jesse,  David,  and  John  Martz;  the  old  jail  building  at  the  corner  of 
Center  alley,  then  the  Farmers'  Hotel,  kept  by  William  Shannon;  a  frame 
house  across  the  alley;  the  two-story  brick  residence  of  Henry  Masser,  still 
standing,  in  the  cellar  of  which  he  had  a  tinware  store;  a  two-story  brick 
building,  in  which  Heniy  I'oxtheimer  resided  and  had  a  large  general  store; 
George  Prince's  hotel,  the  Lawrence  House,  and  the  old  "state  house."  Be- 
tween Second  and  First:  Henry  Shaffer's  hotel,  a  brick  biiilding,  at  the  site 
of  the  Neff  House;  James  Smith's  brick  residence,  at  the  site  of  Ira  T. 
Clement's;  Weitzel's  hotel,  a  stone  structure  just  west  of  the  alley,  and 
Daniel  Levy's  law  office,  a  small  frame  building  at  the  southeast  corner  of 
Market  and  Front. 

On  the  north  side  of  Market  street  the  most  easterly  improvement  was  a 
log  house  in  which  James  Farrow,  blacksmith,  resided,  situated  between 
Fifth  street  and  the  alley,  west  of  which  were  the  following:  a  frame  house 
now  occupied  by  Mrs.  George  W.  Kiehl;  several  buildings  owned  by  Henry 


464  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

Weise,  sheriff  of  the  county,  lS54-o7;  James  Farrow's  blacksraith  shop;  a 
frame  building,  subsequently  the  office  of  the  Gazette,  and  Charles  Gobin's 
tannery,  while  the  corner  east  of  Fourth  was  o\vned  by  Mrs.  Betsey  Bright. 
Between  Fourth  and  Third:  a  frame  shop  at  the  west  comer  of  Fourth  at 
the  site  of  the  bank:  the  brick  residence  and  store  of  John  Haas:  two  small 
frame  buildings,  occupied,  respectively,  as  cooper  and  shoemaker  shops;  a 
large  log  house,  occupied  by  Jacob  Kiehl;  a  frame  shop;  John  Boulton's 
brick  hotel,  with  tailor  shop  upstairs  in  an  adjoining  frame  building;  the 
brick  building  in  which  Dr.  P.  H.  Eenn's  drug  store  is  situated,  then  o^vned 
by  Gideon  Markle;  the  frame  house  now  owned  by  Caroline  Dahus,  formerly 
occupied  by  Henry  Gobin  and  Thomas  Billington  as  a  store  and  by  the  Der- 
ing  family  as  a  residence;  a  frame  building  at  the  northeast  comer  of  Mar- 
ket square,  in  which  Peter  Lazarus  condiTcted  a  drug  store:  a  blacksmith 
shop,  and  Martin  Weaver's  brick  residence  at  the  site  of  the  Central  Hotel. 
Between  Third  and  Second:  a  two-story  shop,  at  the  corner  west  of  Third; 
a  frame  biiilding  with  shed  roof.  Ezra  Grossman's  printing  office,  at  the  west 
side  of  the  lot  upon  which  the  Dewart  block  stands;  a  wooden  building  at 
the  site  of  Doctor  Awl's  residence,  originally  o\vned  by  the  Keims,  of  Read- 
ing, Pennsylvania,  and  occupied  by  Ezra  Grossman  in  1S3U:  a  wooden  build- 
ing back  from  the  street,  in  which  Jacob  D.  Breyvogel,  the  fir.st  printer  at 
Sunbury,  is  said  to  have  resided;  the  brick  residence  of  Samuel  J.  Packer, 
originally  built  by  Paul  Baldy,  with  an  addition  by  John  Sinton.  carpenter 
and  school  teacher;  a  one-story  frame  shop,  at  the  corner  east  of  Center  alley, 
the  site  of  the  Presbyterian  church;  the  present  brick  residence  of  the 
Dewart  family;  the  present  brick  residence  of  George  Hill,  erected  by  Ed- 
ward Gobin;  a  frame  house,  in  which  Mrs.  Henry  Donnel  resided,  and  the 
present  Donnel  property,  formerly  a  hotel.  Between  Second  and  Front:  a 
wooden  building  at  the  corner  west  of  Second;  the  old  frame  building  still 
standing,  formerly  the  residence  of  Mrs.  Ga\-nor  Smith,  -widow  of  Enoch 
Smith,  and  a  great  place  for  social  gatherings,  and  the  brick  building  at  the 
northeast  corner  of  Front  and  Market,  built  by  Charles  Hall. 

Chestnut  Street,  on  the  south  side,  was  not  improved  east  of  Fourth,  with 
the  exception  of  the  present  brick  residence  of  Mrs.  Mary  Lenker,  then  occu- 
pied by  George  Young.  Between  Fourth  and  Third  the  improvements  com- 
prised a  log  school  hoitse,  afterward  occupied  by  John  Hileman,  shoemaker, 
and  the  brick  residence  of  George  Weiser,  tanner,  subseqtiently  associate 
judge.  Between  Third  and  Second:  a  wooden  building,  in  which  Daniel 
Hoffman,  shoemaker  and  constable,  resided;  the  frame  hou.=e  and  shop  of 
George  Weyel,  cooper;  the  frame  residence  of  Frederick  Lazarus,  jttstiee  of 
the  peace,  whose  son,  Peter  Lazarus,  was  sheriff  of  the  county,  1830-33;  a 
wooden  building  immechately  west  of  Center  alley,  the  residence  of  Alex- 
ander Jordan,  and  the  present  residence  of  Dr.  A.  S.  Cummings,  then  occii- 
pied  by  the  widow  of  John  L.  Finney,  ex-register  and  recorder  of  this  coimty 


SCNEURY.  465 

and  prothonotary  of  the  Supreme  court  for  the  Middle  district  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, who  was  born.  May  12,  ITGti,  and  died  on  the  24th  of  October,  1824. 
Between  Second  and  Front:  the  present  residence  of  H.  B.  Masser,  then 
occupied  by  Isaac  Zeigler,  tanner:  a  wooden  building,  in  which  Jacob 
Bright,  watchmaker,  resided;  Henry  Bartsher's  hotel,  a  large  wooden  build- 
ing; John  Bogar's  frame  residence  and  store,  just  east  of  the  alley,  and  a 
small  brick  building,  belonging  to  William  McCarty. 

On  the  north  side  of  Chestnut  street,  the  only  improvement  east  of  Fourth 
was  a  wooden  building  at  the  northeast  corner  of  Chestnut  and  Fourth,  owned 
by  Peter  Hileman.  The  improvements  between  Fourth  and  Third  included 
Jacob  "Weimer's  brick  residence  at  the  corner  west  of  Fourth;  a  log  school 
building;  the  log  house  of  George  Hall,  maker  of  spinning  wheels,  large  and 
small;  the  frame  hou.se  of  George  Zimmerman,  and  his  blacksmith  shoj:*,  and 
Miss  Sallie  Giberson's  log  dwelling,  at  the  corner  east  of  Third.  Between 
Third  and  Second:  the  large  frame  residence  and  cabinet  making  shop  of 
Charles  Dering;  west  of  Center  alley,  a  log  school  house  subsequently  occu- 
pied by  a  German  named  Westerman.  and  Hugh  Bellas's  frame  residence, 
now  occupied  by  Dr.  F.  B.  Masser.  Between  Second  and  Front :  a  church 
building  at  the  corner  west  of  Second:  the  present  residence  of  "\V.  I.  Green- 
ough.  then  occupied  by  Peter  AVeimer:  Daniel  Bogar's  pottery  and  residence, 
and  Daniel  Levy's  residence,  which  fronted,  however,  toward  the  river. 

Pemi  Street  had  but  three  houses  on  the  south  side:  a  log  structure  between 
Third  and  Fourth,  occui^ied  by  James  Butler,  colored;  a  large  frame  house 
at  the  southeast  corner  of  Penn  and  Third,  cccujiied  by  the  widow  Miller  and 
daughters  Susan  and  Betsey,  and  a  wooden  building  at  the  southeast  corner 
of  Penn  and  Front,  occupied  by  John  Bay.  On  the  north  side,  beginning  at 
the  east,  the  succession  of  improvements  was  as  follows:  Daniel  Hurley's 
log  house,  at  the  corner  east  of  Fourth;  Christian  Bower's  frame  house,  at 
the  corner  west  of  Fourth;  the  log  house  of  Jacob  Martin,  tinner;  a  wooden 
building;  the  log  house  of  John  Barnes,  shoemaker;  a  log  house,  occupied  by 
Polly  and  Ann  Hunter;  a  long  frame  house,  occupied  by  Cajitain  Heinen,  a 
veteran  of  the  war  of  1812,  and  a  log  honse  at  the  northeast  corner  of  Third 
and  Penn,  occupied  by  Dinah  Anderson,  a  colored  woman,  and  John  Boyer, 
her  son-in-law.  Mrs.  James  Husted  resided  at  the  Bityers  property  on  the 
corner  east  of  Front. 

Wahiid  Street  had  a  fair  complement  of  improvement.  On  the  south  side, 
the  following  were  situated  between  Fourth  and  Third:  the  frame  hoirse  of 
Jacob  Young,  brickmaker;  the  frame  house  of  Samuel  Gobin,  wagon  maker; 
a  log  school  house,  and  the  wooden  dwelling  of  Joseph  Hinton,  blacksmith. 
Between  Third  and  Second:  Henry  Bucher's  residence,  at  the  corner  west  of 
Third  (it  was  customarj-  for  funeral  processions  from  the  countiy  to  stop  at  this 
corner,  from  which  the  entire  cortege  walked  to  the  cemetery) ;  Leonard  Epley's 
frame  house,  at  the  comer  east  of  Center  ally,  and  the  house  at  the  corner  east 


466  HISTORY    OF    NOKTHUilBEELAND    COUNTY. 

of  Second  street  in  which  the  Gray  family  resided.  Between  Second  and  First : 
the  house  in  which  John  Schneider  resided;  a  frame  house,  long  occupied  by 
Rev.  J.  P.  Shindel ;  a  small  house,  in  which  Mrs.  Reinold  lived ;  a  log  house, 
in  which  Mrs.  Keppert  lived,  and  the  hotel  and  hatter  shop  of  Charles  Whar- 
ton, at  the  corner  east  of  Front, 

On  Walnut  street,  north  side,  at  the  corner  east  of  Fourth,  was  the  log 
house  of  Christian  Petry.  Between  Fourth  and  Third:  an  old  log  house  at 
the  corner  west  of  Fourth,  occupied  by  Peter  Goodhart,  who  died  on  the  6th 
of  November,  1S40,  aged  seventy  years  (Mary,  his  wife,  died  on  the  11th 
of  January,  1S54,  at  the  age  of  eighty;  during  the  war  of  1812,  while  stand- 
ing at  the  door  of  her  house,  which  opened  in  two  sections,  as  the  outer  doors 
of  mills  usually  do,  a  drunken  soldier  shot  oft  one  of  her  fingers) ;  the  frame 
house  of  John  Lyon,  now  occupied  by  Miss  Harriet  Lyon;  Christian  Foulk's 
frame  residence;  an  old  log  school  house,  and  Jeremiah  Simpson's  frame 
residence,  at  the  corner  east  of  Third.  Between  Third  and  Second:  Leonard 
Montgomery's  house,  at  the  corner  east  of  Center  alley;  a  large  frame  house, 
in  which  Aaron  Eobins,  brick  layer  and  school  master,  resided;  Jeremiah 
Shoop"s  large  frame  house,  and  a  wooden  building  still  standing  at  the  cor- 
ner east  of  Second.  Between  Second  and  Front:  a  frame  building  at  the 
corner  west  of  Second,  which  has  been  in  possession  of  the  Martin  family 
since  1816;  a  log  house,  occupied  by  Mrs.  Kate  Withiugton,  nee  Smith,  and 
a  log  school  house,  one  of  the  earliest  in  the  town. 

Spruce  Street  was  popularly  known  as  '"  Bullet  alley."  A  small  frame 
house  stood  on  the  corner  west  of  Third  on  the  north  side,  owned  by  George 
Weiser  and  occupied  by  Peter  Durst,  undertaker;  between  this  and  Fourth 
street  were  two  frame  houses  owned  by  William  McCarty,  both  opposite  the 
cemetery. 

Front  Street  was  undoubtedly  the  location  of  many  of  the  first  improve- 
ment in  the  town.  The  only  houses  between  Eace  and  Arch  were  the  resi- 
dence of  a  Mr.  Lukens  and  the  old  Maclay  house  at  the  corner  north  of  Arch. 
At  the  corner  south  of  Arch  is  the  stone  house  erected  in  1797  by  Jeremiah 
SimjJson,  register  and  recorder  of  the  county;  it  was  for  many  years  the  resi- 
dence of  E.  Greenough,  attorney  at  law,  whose  office  was  situated  at  the  site 
of  E.  W.  Greenough's  present  residence.  A  two-story  log  building,  and  later 
an  ice-house,  occupied  the  corner  south  of  the  alley,  and  at  the  corner  north 
of  Market  is  the  brick  and  stone  structure  built  by  Charles  Hall,  attorney  at 
law.  There  were  three  houses  between  Market  and  Chestnut:  Daniel  Levy's 
law  office,  at  the  corner  south  of  Market;  Dr.  John  B.  Price's  residence,  at 
the  corner  north  of  the  alley,  and  Daniel  Levy's  residence,  a  long  frame 
building  with  extension  to  the  rear,  and  groimds  extending  to  Chestnut 
street.  At  the  corner  south  of  Chestnut  was  a  small  brick  house  owned  by 
WiUiam  McCarty,  and  originally  erected  by  Christian  and  Heniy  Gettig  in 
compliance  with  the  will  of  their  father.  Christian  Gettig,  as  a  residence  for 


SUNBUKY.  4(37 

their  mother,  Elizabeth  Gettig;  find  then  in  order  were  the  followino-;  an  old 
log  house,  weather-boarded  and  painted  red,  and  known  as  '"the  barracks;" 
Dr.  Solomon  Markley's  brick  residence,  still  standing;  the  frame  house  of 
James  Black,  merchant;  a  three-story  bi'ick  structure  at  the  site  of  the  hio-h 
school  building;  the  Buyers  property,  occupied  for  many  years  by  Mrs.  Sarah 
Hasted  and  demolished  by  the  construction  of  the  Beading  railroad;  a  wooden 
building  at  the  corner  south  of  Penn  street,  owned  by  William  McCartv  and 
occupied  by  John  Bay;  John  Lyon's  brick  hotel,  still  standing;  the  Misses 
Barringer's  candy  shop,  a  small  log  hoyse;  a  house  owned  by  William  Mc- 
Carty;  Michael  Quin's  store;  the  hatter  shop  and  hotel  of  Charles  Wharton, 
at  the  corner  south  of  Walnut;  the  dwelling  of  Charles  Bhinehart,  boatman 
and  farmer;  the  hotels  of  George  and  Jacob  Mantz,  watermen  and  pilots,  and 
a  large  frame  house  near  the  corner  of  Spruce,  subsequently  occupied  by  the 
borough  as  a  poor  house,  and  the  limit  of  the  town  proper.  An  old  log  house. 
owned  by  Hugh  Bellas ;  a  frame  hoiise,  occupied  by  Peter  Kerlin,  farmer; 
a  frame  house  at  the  dam,  occupied  by  Edward  Harrison;  a  small  log  house, 
owned  by  George  C.  Welker  and  occupied  by  his  father;  an  old  stone  hotel, 
known  as  the  Oberdorf  proi^erty,  and  a  frame  hotel,  near  the  bridge,  kept  by 
John  Miller,  were  situated  at  irregular  intervals  between  Spruce  street  and 
the  mouth  of  Shamokin  creek. 

Second  Street,  east  side,  was  improved  as  follows:  a  red  frame  house  at 
the  corner  south  of  Eace,  .the  residence  of  Henry  Beshler,  court  crier;  the 
"  state  house,"  at  the  corner  south  of  Market ;  a  frame  building  at  the  rear  end 
of  the  coiirt  house  lot,  occupied  by  the  tire  engines;  Hugh  Bellas's  residence, 
at  the  comer  north  of  Chestnut;  Mrs.  John  L.  Finney's  residence,  at  the 
corner  south  of  Chestnut ;  a  wooden  building  still  standing  at  the  corner  north 
of  Walnut,  and  Mrs.  William  Gray's  residence,  at  the  corner  south  of  Walnut. 

On  the  west  side  of  Second  street  improvements  had  been  made  in  the 
following  order:  the  brick  residence  of  Jacob  Heller,  carriage  and  wagon 
maker;  his  frame  shoji,  afterward  a  school  building,  located  between  Eace 
and  Arch;  the  red  stable  connected  with  the  jail,  at  the  comer  south  of 
Arch;  the  jail;  Enoch  Smith's  law  office,  a  frame  building  at  the  corner 
north  of  Market;  Henry  Shaffer's  hotel,  at  the  corner  south  of  Market;  a 
small  frame  building  at  the  corner  of  Barberry-  alley,  formerly  occupied  as 
a  printing  office  and  school  house;  the  Eeformed  and  Presbyterian  church, 
at  the  corner  north  of  Chestnut  |  Isaac  Zeigler's  brick  residence,  at  the  cor- 
ner south  of  Chestnut,  and  tannery,  at  the  southern  end  of  his  lot.  and 
Isaac  Martin's  residence,  at  the  corner  north  of  Walnut. 

Third  Street. — East  side:  a  small  frame  house  between  Eace  and  Arch, 
formerly  part  of  a  raft  or  fiat-boat,  occupied  by  Hannah  Woolsey,  who  sub- 
sequently removed  to  the  corner  of  Eace  and  Third;  Martin  Weaver's  resi- 
dence, at  the  corner  north  of  Market;  Fox's  stone  hotel, -at  the  corner  south 
of  Market;  Miss  Sallie  Giberson"s  residence,  at  the   comer  north  of  Chest- 


ibO  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBEELAND    COUNTY. 

nut;  George  Weiser's  tannery,  at  the  corner  south  of  Chestnut,  and  tan 
house,  in  which  one  of  the  early  schools  was  conducted;  Dinah  Anderson's 
residence,  at  the  corner  north  of  Penn;  Widow  Miller's  residence,  at  the 
corner  south  of  Penn;  Jeremiah  Simpson's  residence,  at  the  corner  north  of 
Walnut,  and  Joseph  Hinton's  residence,  at  the  corner  south  of  Walnut. 

West  side:  John  G.  Youngman's  residence,  at  the  corner  south  of  Arch; 
the  two-story  brick  building  between  Arch  and  Market,  built  by  Andrew  Al- 
bright and  occupied  by  his  widow;  Charles  Keany"s  buhr  making  shop,  at 
the  corner  north  of  Market;  Lorenzo  Da  Ponte's  brick  building,  at  the  cor- 
ner south  of  Market;  Charles  Dering's  cabinet  making  shop,  at  the  corner 
north  of  Chestnut;  the  Lutheran  church,  between  Penn  and  Walnut :  Henry 
Bucher's  residence,  at  the  corner  south  of  Walnut,  and  Peter  Durst's  resi- 
dence, at  the  corner  north  of  Spruce. 

Fourth  Street. — East  side:  Mrs.  Betsey  Bright's  residence,  at  the  corner 
north  of  Market;  Jonas  Weaver's  hotel,  at  the  corner  south  of  Market;  Peter 
Hileman's  residence,  at  the  corner  north  of  Chestnut:  George  Young's  resi- 
dence, at  the  corner  south  of  Chestnut;  Daniel  Yoimg's  residence;  a  long 
red  house,  occupied  by  John  Slutman  and  Walter  Bell:  the  residence  of  Dan- 
iel Beck,  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  1812,  immediately  north  of  the  Shamokin 
Valley  railroad;  the  frame  residence  of  Sebastian  Haupt,  cabinet  maker;  the 
frame  residence  of  Daniel  Haupt,  carpenter;  Andrew  Durst's  house;  a  log 
house  at  the  corner  north  of  Penn,  occupied  by .  Daniel  Hurley,  merchant ; 
the  large  frame  house  of  John  Bucher,  at  the  corner  sottth  of  Penn;  An- 
thony Weke's  residence;  Jacob  Crist's  residence;  a  wooden  building  owned 
by  Lewis  Dewart;  the  frame  hotise  of  Henry  Petrv*.  carpenter;  the  frame 
house  of  John  Petry,  carpenter;  the  house  of  John  Eisely,  school  teacher; 
the  log  house  of  George  Hileman,  mason;  the  log  hou.=e  of  Christian  Petry, 
laborer,  at  the  corner  north  of  Walmtt;  the  frame  house  of  John  Randies, 
mason;  a  frame  house;  Mrs.  Ann  Moore's  frame  house:  the  frame  house  of 
Charles  Beck,  plasterer;  a  wooden  btiilding,  occupied  by  Jacob  Beck,  butcher, 
a  soldier  of  the  war  of  1812;  a  frame  house  occupied  by  two  maiden  ladies. 
Misses  Ann  and  Kate  Snyder,  and  a  log  house  occupied  by  several  brothers 
of  the  Snyder  family. 

West  side :  the  log  house  of  Phebe  Rowe,  who  sold  cakes  and  beer,  at  the 
corner  north  of  Arch;  a  brick  house  at  the  corner  sottth  of  Arch,  occupied  by 
Francis  P.  Schwartz,  teacher;  a  small  red  house,  midway  between  Arch  and 
Market,  occupied  by  Joseph  Gust,  saddler;  John  Young's  brick  store,  at  the 
corner  south  of  Market;  the  log  hottse  of  John  Guss,  tailor;  Jacob  Weimer's 
residence,  at  the  corner  north  of  Chestnut;  a  long  frame  hottse  below  Chest- 
nttt;  the  log  hotise  of  Samtiel  Gussler,  tailor,  immediately  south  of  the 
Shamokin  Valley  railroad;  Christian  Bower's  residence,  at  the  corner  north 
of  Penn;  and  Jacob  Young's  residence,  at  the  corner  south  of  Walnut. 


SUNBURY.  471 

PEOMIXENT    MERCHANTS,   1771    to    1S50. 

It  is  not  possible  to  compile  a  list  of  all  the  individuals  or  tirms  that  were 
engaged  in  mercantile  pursuits  at  Sunbury  during  the  period  of  its  early 
history  and  do%vn  to  the  year  1850,  however  interesting  such  an  enumeration 
might  be;  instead  of  this,  it  is  proposed  to  give  biographical  sketches  of  those 
who  were  longest  and  most  prominently  identified  with  the  business  interests 
of  the  community  during  the  period  mentioned. 

•John  "Weitzel,  the  first  merchant  at  Sunbury,  was  born  at  Lancaster, 
Pennsylvania,  December  30,  1752,  son  of  Paul  and  Charlotte  Weitzel.  He 
obtained  a  fair  education  at  his  native  to^vn,  and  was  sent  to  Philadeljihia  at 
an  early  age  to  learn  the  business  of  merchandising.  He  opened  the  first 
store  at  the  site  of  Sunbury  in  1771  in  a  log  building  near  the  bank  of  the 
river  below  Market  street,  and  from  that  time  until  his  death  was  prominently 
and  responsibly  connected  with  public  affairs.  At  the  organization  of  North- 
umberland county  in  1772  he  was  one  of  its  first  commissioners.  On  the  29th 
of  July,  1775,  he  was  commissioned  as  a  justice  of  the  coimty  court;  to  this 
ofiice  he  was  recommissioned  on  the  9th  of  June,  1777,  for  the  term  of  seven 
years.  At  the  organization  of  the  Committee  of  Safety  for  Northumberland 
county,  Febriiary  8,  177G,  he  appeared  as  a  member  from  AiTgiista  township, 
and  participated  in  the  deliberations  of  that  body  until  August  18,  1770.  In 
the  Provincial  Conference  of  June  18,  1770,  he  was  one  of  the  representa- 
tives from  Northumberland  county;  on  the  8th  of  July  he  was  elected  to  the 
Constitutional  Convention  of  1770,  and  in  that  body  of  ninety-six  members, 
'•the  representative  men  of  the  State,"  he  was  the  youngest  delegate;  and, 
as  a  member  of  the  Council  of  Safety  from  July  24,  1770,  to  March  18,  1777, 
he  participated  in  its  deliberations  during  the  first  months  of  the  State  gov- 
ernment. On  the  22d  of  January,  1770,  he  qualified  as  county  commissioner, 
in  which  office  and  as  justice  of  the  county  courts  he  was  actively  connected 
with  the  conduct  of  civil  affairs  in  this  county  during  the  Kevolution.  July 
7,  1780,  he  was  commissioned  issuing  commissary  for  this  county,  and  in 
1782-84  served  as  contractor  of  supjilies  for  the  State  troops.  In  this 
capacity  he  furnished  provisions  for  the  detachments  stationed  at  Fort  Piice 
and  in  Buffalo  valley  in  1782  and  the  companies  of  Captains  Robinson  and 
Shrawder  at  Wyoming  in  1783-84,  j^erforming  the  duties  of  his  office  with 
promptness,  energy,  and  fidelity.  He  was  again  commissioned  as  a  justice  of 
the  county  courts,  June  19,  1789,  serving  until  1791,  and  in  the  autumn  of 
1789  was  elected  county  commissioner  for  the  term  of  three  years.  In  1794 
he  was  appointed  by  act  of  the  legislature  one  of  the  commissioners  for  the 
erection  of  pi^blic  buildings  at  Sunbury  and  in  this  resjionsible  position 
acted  in  a  public  cajjacity  for  the  last  time,  as  his  death  occurred  in 
1799.  He  was  twice  married;  first,  to  Tabitha,  daughter  of  John  and  Rose 
Morris,  of  Philadelphia,  by  whom  he  had  four  children:  John;  Paul;  Char- 
lotte, and  Mary.    His  second  wife  was  Elizabeth  Susanna,  daughter  of  Paul 


472  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

Lebo,  of  Lancaster,  and  sister  of  Henry  Lebo,  and  by  her  he  had  three  chil- 
dren: George;  EUzabeth,  and  Tabitha.  At  the  time  of  his  death  John 
Weitzel  resided  at  a  stone  dwelling  on  Market  street,  subsequently  kept  as  a 
hotel  by  his  family  many  years.  In  connection  with  his  business  as  a  mer- 
chant he  operated  a  mill  two  miles  east  of  Siuibury;  it  was  built  by  Casper 
Weitzel,  his  brother,  who  died  in  1782,  and  has  been  run  successively  by 
John  Weitzel,  Jr.,  and  Joseph  Weitzel,  his  son,  the  present  proprietor,  who 
was  born  in  ISOS,  and  is  the  oldest  living  representative  of  the  family. 

William  Dewart,  the  second  merchant  of  Sunbury,  was  a  native  of  Ire- 
land, from  whence  he  emigrated  to  Chester  county,  Pennsylvania,  in  1765. 
Being  in  reduced  circiimstances,  he  was  obliged  to  redeem  his  passage  money, 
but  prosperity  at  length  rewarded  his  efforts;  in  1775  he  opened  a  store  at 
Siinbiiry  in  a  log  building  on  Chestnut  street  between  Second  and  Center 
alley,  and  was  constable  of  Augusta  township  as  early  as  1777.  Subsequently 
he  purchased  ground  on  the  north  side  of  Market  street  and  built  thereon  a 
brick  residence  and  store.  He  was  successful  in  business,  and  amassed  con- 
siderable property.  He  died  on  the  25th  of  July,  1814,  at  the  age  of  sixty- 
nine  years;  Eleanor,  his  wife,  died,  September  17,  1805,  aged  fifty-eight 
years,  ten  months,  and  twenty-fotir  days.  William  Dewart,  Jr.,  their  son, 
died  on  the  12th  of  November,  1810,  at  the  age  of  thirty-two  years,  one 
month  and  twenty-three  days;  Liberty,  his  wife,  was  born  on  the  9th  of  Ati- 
gust,  1778,  son  of  John  and  Maiy  Brady,  and  died  on  the  25th  of  July,  1S51. 
Their  son,  William  Dewart,  8d,  was  born  on  the  24:th  of  November,  l^nO, 
and  died.  May  18,  1841;  he  was  a  well  known  merchant  at  Simbttry. 

John  and  James  Black  were  brothers,  natives  of  Ireland,  and  early  mer- 
chants at  Sunbury.  John,  the  elder,  was  born  in  1735,  and  died  on  the  I'-jth 
of  November,  1790;  he  served  as  supervisor  of  Augusta  township  in  1779, 
and  was  probably  established  in  business  in  Sunbury  at  that  date.  Their 
business  was  conducted  at  a  frame  house  which  stood  on  Front  street  imme- 
diately south  of  the  track  of  the  Shamokin  Valley  and  Pottsville  railroad; 
there  James  Black  erected  the  first  three-story  brick  hotise  in  Simbury.  upon 
the  site  of  the  present  high  school  building.  On  the  1st  of  March,  1790.  he 
purchased  at  sheriffs  sale  a  tract  of  two  himdred  acres  on  the  West  Branch 
near  the  mouth  of  Limestone  nm,  and  in  _  1795  laid  out  part  of  it  in  streets 
and  lots;  this  land  originally  belonged  to  the  estate  of  Turbtitt  Francis,  and 
now  constitutes  that  i:)art  of  the  town  of  Milton  north  of  Broadway.  James 
Black  was  born  in  Ireland,  May  12,  1752,  son  of  James  and  Kachel  Black, 
and  died  at  Simbury  on  the  30th  of  November,  1830;  Catharine,  his  wife, 
daughter  of  James  and  Jane  Cochran,  who  settled  in  Coliunbia  county, 
Pennsylvania,  on  the  Susquehanna  river  opi^osite  the  mouth  of  Catawissa 
creek,  in  ante-Revolutionary  times,  was  born,  July  25,  1766,  and  died  on  the 
23d  of  December,  1843.  They  were  the  parents  of  nine  children:  Jane; 
John;  David;  John;  William;  Andrew;  James;  Jesse,  and  Rachel. 


SUNBCEY.  473 

John  Btiyers  was  bom,  June  9,  1740,  son  of  John  and  Letitia  (Patton) 
Buyers,  who  emigrated  frem  the  town  of  Monaghan,  County  Monaghan,  Ire- 
land, in  1735  or  1736,  and  settled  in  the  Pequea  valley.  Lancaster  county, 
Pennsylvania.  There  he  was  bom  and  reared,  and  learned  the  trade  of 
carpenter.  Within  a  short  time  after  the  to^vn  of  Simbury  was  laid  out  he 
removed  thither,  and  was  employed  upon  the  erection  of  many  of  the  first 
houses,  including  the  old  jail  building  on  Market  street.  He  first  resided  at 
the  southeast  comer  of  Kace  and  Second  streets,  but  removed  several  years 
later  to  the  southeast  corner  of  Pemi  and  Front  streets,  where  he  began  mer- 
chandising; in  1796  he  built  a  brick  residence  and  store  room  on  the  op2)osite 
comer  of  Penn  street,  and  continued  business  there  until  1S14  or  1S15. 
His  name  first  appears  in  local  official  connection  in  1776  as  overseer  of  the 
I^oor  in  Augusta  township;  on  the  2Sth  of  September,  17Stl.  he  was  commis- 
sioned as  justice  of  the  peace,  serving  also  as  justice  of  the  county  court, 
and  freqiiently  presiding  in  the  absence  of  the  regularly  commissioned  presi- 
dent; he  was  commissioned  as  justice  of  the  peace  for  Sunbury  and  Augusta 
township,  Sejitember  1,  1791,  serving  in  that  capacity  some  years;  on  the 
31st  of  December,  1784,  and  the  3d  of  January,  1786,  he  was  elected  county 
treasurer,  which  office  he  also  filled  in  1787-88,  and  in  ISOO-OS,  inclusive,  he 
served  as  county  aiiditor.  His  death  occurred  on  the  5th  of  May,  1821; 
Ann.  his  wife,  daughter  of  William  Fullerton,  died  on  the  3i)th  of  October. 
18()8,  in  the  fifty-ninth  year  of  her  age.  They  were  the  parents  of  ten  chil- 
dren: Margaret;  Letitia;  John;  William  F.;  Sallie;  Robert:  Samuel;  George 
E. :  Alexander  F.,  and  Jeremiah.  William  F.  Buyers  was  the  foimder  of  the 
Sunbury  Times,  and  is  referred  to  biographically  in  this  work  in  the  chapter 
on  the  Press.  George  P.  Bttyers  was  engaged  in  boating  on  the  river  before 
the  construction  of  the  canal;  he  then  built  a  canal  boat,  and  ran  it  between 
Stmbury  and  Philadelphia.  He  married  Martha  Hunter,  a  descendant  of 
Colonel  Samuel  Hunter;  their  son,  John  Buyers,  born  in  1827,  was  the  first 
captain  of  the  Augusta  Rangers  (Comjiany  I,  Fifty-eighth  Pennsylvania 
Volunteers),  and  was  in  active  service  in  command  of  this  company  from 
October,  1861,  to  the  summer  of  1863.  He  now  resides  at  Selinsgrove. 
Pennsylvania. 

John  Haas  came  from  the  Trappe.  Montgomery  county,  Pennsylvania, 
and  learned  the  trade  of  blacksmith  with  Pattl  Baldy.  He  first  engaged  in 
business  as  a  distiller,  having  built  a  small  distillery  on  the  Centre  turnpike 
two  miles  east  of  Sunbury;  after  discontinuing  operations  there  he  erected  a 
saw  mill  on  the  land  now  owned  by  Dr.  R.  H.  Awl,  but  the  dam  was  twice 
washed  away,  and  under  the  pressure  of  these  reverses  he  was  obliged  to 
assign  all  his  property  for  the  benefit  of  his  creditors.  In  this  emergency  he 
applied  to  a  friend  of  his  boyhood,  Joseph  Hiester,  of  Reading  (Governor  of 
Pennsylvania,  1820-23),  who  loaned  him  one  thotisand  dollars,  and  with  this 
capital  he  embarked  in  merchandising  at  Stmbury  before  the  year  1862  in  a 


474:  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

small  log  building  on  the  north  side  of  Market  street.  Prior  to  1S08  he 
erected  the  brick  house  still  standing  near  the  northwest  corner  of  Market 
and  Fourth,  and  continued  business  therein  for  some  years.  He  built  a  mill 
on  Little  Shamokin  creek,  Upper  Augusta  township,  in  1814,  and  also 
operated  it  in  connection  with  his  store.  He  died  on  the  17th  of  January, 
1S2S,  at  the  age  of  sixty-four;  Maria  Elizabeth,  nee  Druckemiller,  his  wife, 
lived  to  the  age  of  seventy-five,  dying  on  the  16th  of  November,  1845.  Fred- 
erick Haas,  their  oldest  son,  who  was  treasurer  of  Northumberland  county, 
1825-27,  auditor,  1831-33,  and  commissioner,  1856-59,  was  born  on  the  81st 
of  July,  1796,  and  died,  August  19,  1861;  George  Haas,  another  son,  was 
clerk  to  the  board  of  county  commissioners,  1829-35;  and  Daniel  Haas,  also 
a  son  of  John  and  Maria  Haas,  was  born  at  Sunburv'  in  1806  and  is  the  oldest 
native  resident  of  that  borough. 

Henry  Masser  was  born  at  Oley,  Berks  county,  Pennsylvania,  February 
11,  1775,  son  of  Matthias  and  Barbara  (Berger)  Masser,  natives  of  Wurtem- 
berg,  Germany,  and  Switzerland,  respectively.  After  learning  the  trade  of 
tinsmith  he  engaged  in  business  for  a  short  time  at  Gettysburg  and  Harris- 
burg,  Pennsylvania;  in  1801  he  came  to  Sunbury  and  established  himself 
in  the  tinning  trade,  which,  in  1809,  expanded  into  a  general  merchandising 
business.  From  that  date  he  was  continuously  engaged  in  mercantile  pur- 
suits until  1852,  and  throughout  this  period  occupied  but  one  location,  the 
two-story  brick  building  on  the  south  side  of  Market  street  on  the  second  lot 
west  of  Center  alley.  He  served  as  county  commissioner,  1808-11,  as  auditor, 
1813-14  and  1820-22.  and  was  also  justice  of  the  i:)eace  many  years.  In 
1802  he  married  Mary  Barbara,  daughter  of  Paul  Baldy;  she  was  born,  July 
11,  1785,  and  died  on  the  24th  of  Jime,  1828.  His  death  occurred  on  the 
17th  of  July,  1853.  They  were  the  parents  of  twelve  children,  ten  of  whom 
grew  to  maturity :  Elizabeth,  widow  of  Kev.  Jeremiah  Shindel,  of  Allentown, 
Pennsylvania;  William,  retired  farmer,  residing  near  Three  Eivers,  Michi- 
gan; Henry  B.,  retired  publisher,  Simbury;  John,  deceased;  Mary  Ann, 
widow  of  Francis  Bucher.  of  Sunbun,-;  Peter  B.,  deceased;  Charles,  deceased; 
George  W.,  deceased:  Jacob  B.,  deceased,  and  Edward  B.,  deceased. 

John  Young  was  born  at  Sunbtiry  on  the  1st  of  February,  1793,  and 
learned  the  trade  of  carpenter  in  early  life.  In  1817  he  started  a  store  in 
the  east  end  of  Weavers  hotel;  his  stock  was  advanced  by  his  brother-in- 
law,  Jacob  Alter,  a  wholesale  grocer  of  Philadelphia,  and  on  several  occa- 
sions he  walked  to  that  city  to  purchase  goods.  In  1823  he  erected  the 
brick  building  still  standing  at  the  soitthwest  corner  of  Market  and  Fourth 
streets,  and  continued  business  therein  until  1859;  he  moved  to  Milton  in 
1800,  and  died  on  the  4th  of  November,  1802.  His  wife  was  Catharine, 
daughter  of  Joseph  Alter,  and  they  were  the  parents  of  seven  children,  four 
of  whom  grew  to  maturity:  Mary  Sophia,  deceased,  who  married  J.  P.  Shin- 
del,  Jr.;  Elizabeth,  deceased,  who  married  Samuel  T.  Brown,  of  Milton;  S. 


SUXBURY.  475 

J.,  who  served  as  chief  burgess  of  Sunbury  in  1S57;  and  Catharine  Louisa, 
deceased,  who  married  Eev.  M.  L.  Shindel. 

John  Bogar  was  a  son  of  Paul  Bogar,  one  of  the  first  persons  who  engaged 
in  the  manufacture  of  pottery  at.  Sunbury.  But  little  is  known  regarding 
his  personal  histon".  He  first  opened  a  store  on  the  sonth  side  of  Chestnut 
street  immediately  east  of  the  alley  between  Front  and  Second:  thence  he 
removed  to  the  old  jail  building,  southeast  corner  of  Market  street  and  Cen- 
ter alley,  and  after  continuing  in  business  at  that  place  for  some  years, 
dejaarted  for  Freeport.  Illinois. 

Henry  Yoxtheimer  was  a  native  of  Northumberland  coiinty  and  a  son  of 
Henry  Yoxtheimer,  Sr.,  a  pioneer  in  the  valley  of  Plum  creek.  He  was  a 
wagon  maker  by  trade,  and  pursued  that  calling  on  Arch  street  oj^posite  the 
jail;  there  he  began  merchandising  on  a  small  scale.  In  1826-27,  he  erected 
a  large  brick  building  on  the  south  side  of  Market  street:  it  had  a  frontage 
of  sixty  feet,  embracing  part  of  the  court  house  yard  and  the  site  of  C.  R. 
Savidge's  residence.  At  the  eastern  side  was  an  archway,  the  only  one  in 
connection  with  a  mercantile  establishment  at  Sunbury;  it  lead  to  a  large 
warehouse  at  the  rear  end  of  the  lot,  where  grain  and  produce  were  stored. 
Mr.  Yoxtheimer  owned  one  of  the  first  canal  boats  regularly  engaged  in  the 
carrying  trade  between  Simbury  and  Pliiladelphia,  and  was  also  a  pioneer 
coal  operator  at  Shamokin.  He  died  on  the  27th  of  November,  18411.  at  the 
age  of  fifty-six  years:  the  store  at  Sunbury  was  continued  by  John  "\V.  Friling 
and  "William  T.  Grant,  and  was  for  some  years  one  of  the  leading  business 
places  of  that  to\vn.  Mr.  Yoxtheimer  was  twice  married,  first,  to  Margaret 
Malick,  by  whom  he  had  two  childi-en:  Margaret,  widow  of  John  W.  Fril- 
ing, and  William,  deceased.  His  second  wife  was  Mrs.  Xancy  Follmer,  nee 
Bacon,  and  they  were  the  parents  of  one  child,  Kachel,  wife  of  "William  T. 
Grant,  of  Sunbury. 

EARLY  HOTELS. 

Six  persons  were  licensed  as  hotel  keepers  at  Sunbury  in  17S0.  viz.: 
Christian  Gettig,  Catherine  Shaffer,  Adam  Walker,  John  Morrison.  Joseph 
Lorentz,  and  David  Mead. 

Dr.  E.  H.  Awl  furnishes  the  following  list  of  old  hotels:  Jonas  Weaver's, 
"Sign  of  the  Buck."  a  large  frame  building  at  the  present  site  of  the  City 
Hotel;  John  Boulton's,  "Sign  of  the  Red  Lion,"'  a  brick  and  frame  building 
on  the  north  side  of  Market  street  between  Second  and  Third;  Jacob  Fox's, 
'•  Sign  of  the  Bull's  Head,"  the  stone  building  at  the  southeast  corner  of 
Market  and  Third  streets  (Fox  became  proprietor  in  1829;  among  his  pred- 
ecessors were  Jacob  Weaver,  Charles  Hegins,  John  Hogan,  William  T. 
Brown,  and  Jacob  Oberdorf);  George  Prince's,  "The  Lawrence  House,"  a 
brick  building  adjacent  to  the  site  of  the  present  court  house — the  sign  was 
embellished  with  a  portrait   of  the  naval  hero  and  his  memorable   words, 


476  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

■•Don't  give  up  the  ship;"  James  R.  Shannon's,  "'The  Farmers  Hotel,"  the 
old  jail  binlding  on  Market  street;  Michael  Kutzner's,  the  present  residence 
of  Mrs.  Amelia  Donnel  on  Market  street  (It  was  here  that  Daniel  Levy  and 
General  Hugh  Brady  fought  a  duel  with  swords  in  1812;  Levy  sustained  a 
wound  in  the  shoulder  and  the  loss  of  his  cue,  while  Brady  broke  his  sword, 
and  more  serioiis  consequences  might  have  occurred  if  Michael  Kutzner  and 
Samuel  Awl  had  not  separated  the  combatants);  Weitzel's,  a  large  stone 
house  on  the  south  side  of  Market  street  near  Front,  with  a  sign  emblazoned 
with  an  eagle  and  chain  and  the  word  "Hotel;"  the  old  Maclay  house,  at  the 
northeast  corner  of  Front  and  Arch  streets,  where  Henry  Lebo,  John  Brady, 
H.  W.  Villee,  and  others  conducted  a  hotel;  John  Lyon's,  "The  Indian 
Queen,"  on  Front  street  below  Penn;  Henry  Bartsher's,  "Sign  of  the  Black 
Horse,"  on  the  south  side  of  Chestnut  street  between  Front  and  Second; 
Charles  D.  Wharton's,  at  the  southeast  corner  of  Walnut  and  Front:  William 
Mantz's,  "Sign  of  the  Stage  Coach,"  on  Front  street;  Henry  Bucher's, 
"The  Ferry  House,"  a  large  frame  building  on  Front  street  subseqixently 
occupied  as  the  borough  poor  house;  John  Cressinger's,  at  the  Shamokin 
dam;  Jacob  Oberdorfs,  "Sign  of  the  Cross  Keys,"  at  the  dam;  John  Miller's, 
"Sign  of  the  Blue  Ball,"  at  the  "point:''  Edward  Harrison's,  "Sign  of  the 
Eising  Sun,"  at  the  dam,  and  Henry  Shaffer's,  at  the  present  site  of  the 
Xelf  House. 

MUNICIPAL  ORGANIZATION  AND  GOVERNMENT. 

The  borough  of  Sunbury  was  incorjiorated  by  act  of  Assembly,  March  24, 
1797,  with  the  following  boundaries: — 

Beginning  at  the  mouth  of  Shamokin  creek  where  it  empties  into  tlie  river  Sus- 
quehanna at  low  water  mark;  thence  lip  the  said  creek,  on  tlie  iiortli  side  tliiM-eof,  to 
the  mouth  of  the  gut;  thence  up  the  same,  on  tlie  west  side  thereof,  to  tin'  line  of 
Samuel  Scott's  land,  and  by  the  same  to  the  river  aforesaid  at  low  wat^u-  m;irk;  tlience 
down  the  same  river  at  low  water  mark  to  the  place  of  beginning. 

Section  lid  of  the  act  of  incorporation  provided  for  the  election  on  the  first 
Monday  in  May,  17U7,  and  annually  thereafter,  of  two  burgesses,  the  one 
receiving  the  highest  number  of  votes  to  be  chief  burgess,  the  other,  second 
burgess;  four  assistant  btirgesses,  "for  assisting  the  said  burgesses  in  man- 
aging the  affairs  of  the  borough,  and  in  keeping  the  peace  and  good  order 
therein,"  a  high  constable,  and  a  town  clerk.  Section  Illd  conferred  upon 
the  burgesses  and  inhabitants  the  powers  of  a  body  corporate  and  politic; 
Section  IVth  authorized  the  holding  of  markets  on  Wednesday  and  Saturday 
of  each  week,  under  the  supervision  of  a  clerk  appointed  by  the  burgesses 
and  inhabitants;  Section  Vth  gave  the  corporation  the  privilege  of  making  a 
road  across  the  public  way  along  the  Susquehanna  and  establishing  a  land- 
ing place  and  ferry,  and  the  exclusive  right  of  operating  the  latter  was  con- 
firmed to  it  by  Section  Vlth.     The  concluding  section  gave  to  the  burgesses 


and  inhabitants  the  same  general  privileges  enjoyed  by  the  borough  of 
Beading,  within  certain  restrictions. 

The  proceedings  of  the  burgesses  and  council  since  the  incoriioration  of 
the  borough  have  been  regularly  entered  into  minute  books  by  the  succes- 
sive town  clerks;  a  complete  tile  of  these  records  has  recently  been  collected 
by  the  present  efficient  clerk,  Lewis  D.  Haupt,  and  reveals  much  that  is  of 
interest  relating  to  the  official  acts  of  the  borough  fathers. 

The  machinery  of  local  government  has  been  variously  modified  from 
time  to  time.  On  the  IGth  of  March.  1803,  an  amendment  to  the  original 
act  of  incorporation  was  passed  by  the  legislature,  providing  for  the  election 
annually  of  eight  inhabitants  as  a  common  council  with  the  general  powers 
of  a  local  legislative  body,  reserving  to  the  people  at  large  in  their  town 
meetings  the  privilege  of  revoking,  altering,  or  amending  the  laws  and  ordi- 
nances enacted  by  the  burgesses  and  council.  At  November  sessions,  1S03, 
upon  the  report  of  John  Boyd,  Joseph  Priestley,  and  John  Cowdeu,  the  ter- 
ritory comprised  within  the  limits  of  Sunbury  borough  was  erected  into  a 
townshiji  under  the  same  name,  thus  adding  the  distinctive  townshij)  officers 
to  its  civil  list.  The  original  charter  was  materially  amended  by  the  act  of 
March  2,  LS")U,  in  which  the  powers  of  the  burgesses  and  council  in  matters 
relating  to  grading,  paving,  and  curbing  the  streets  were  extended  and  de- 
lined;  the  authorities  Avere  also  given  power  ta  establish  regulations  for  the 
levv'ing  and  collection  of  taxes,  the  maintenance  of  a  night  watch,  etc.  On 
the  7th  of  December,  ISSo,  by  decree  of  court,  the  number  of  councilmen 
was  increased  to  ten — two  for  each  ward;  and  since  that  date  one  assistant 
burgess  has  lieen  elected  annually,  instead  of  two  second  burgesses  and  four 
assistants,  as  formerly. 

The  original  boundaries  of  the  borough  were  so  extended  by  act  of  the 
legislature  approved  on  the  I'Jth  of  April,  1858,  as  to  include  the  Scott  and 
Hunter  farms,  the  improved  portions  of  which  are  known  as  Caketown.  This 
territory  was  reannexed  to  Upper  Augusta  township,  April  "2,  1800,  and 
again  became  part  of  the  borough,  April  2,  1867,  by  legislative  enactment  in 
both  instances. 

The  borough  was  first  divided  into  wards  by  act  of  the  legislature,  April 
2,  1807;  two  wards  were  created,  known,  respectively,  as  the  East  and  West, 
with  the  Northern  Central  and  the  Philadelphia  and  Erie  railroads  as  a 
miltual  boimdary.  The  growth  of  population  at  length  demanded  further 
subdivision,  and  on  the  :30th  of  March,  1885,  in  response  to  a  petition  with 
that  object  in  view,  the  court  appointed  Dr.  B.  H.  Awl,  John  Haas,  and 
Nathan  Martz  as  commissioners  to  consider  the  propriety  of  complying  with 
the  wishes  of  the  petitioners.  Their  report  was  confirmed  nisi,  May  11, 1885; 
and,  an  election  having  expressed  the  popular  sentiment  favorably  to  the 
formation  of  five  wards,  a  decree  of  court  was  premulgated  on  the  7th  of  De- 
cember, 1885^  confirming  the  report  of  the  conmiissioners  absolutely.     As 


478  HISTOKY    OF    NOKTHUMBERLAXD    COUNTY. 

thus  constituted,  the  First  aad  Third  wards  comprise  territory  formerly  in- 
cluded in  the  West  ward,  with  Gooseberry  alley  as  a  mutual  boundary;  the 
Second  and  Fourth  comprise  territory  formerly  included  in  the  East  ward,  with 
the  center  line  of  Chestnut  street  as  a  mutual  boundary;  while  the  Fifth 
comprises  that  part  of  the  former  territoiy  of  the  East  and  West  north  of 
the  southern  line  of  the  outlots  numbered  10,  7,  6,  '3,  and  2. 

The  Sunbury  Borough  Poor  District. — Jacob  Preisinger,  by  his  will  bear- 
ing date  of  September  24,  1804,  deyised  a  two-story  brick  house  (now  the 
residence  of  Mrs.  Charles  G.  Donnel,  northeast  corner  of  Second  and  Market 
streets)  to  his  wife  Catharine  during  her  life,  and  to  the  poor  of  the  borough 
of  Simbuiy  after  her  death.  By  virtue  of  legislative  authority  conferred  in  an 
act  ajiproved  on  the  29th  of  March,  1S32.  the  burgesses  and  council  trans- 
ferred the  i^roi^erty  in  qiiestion  to  Charles  G.  Donnel  for  the  sum  of  one 
thousand  dollars,  which,  however,  continued  as  a  lien  upon  the  property  for 
some  years.  The  income  arising  from  this  source  was  regularly  devoted  to 
the  relief  of  the  poor,  and  after  the  extinguishment  of  the  lien  the  principal 
was  also  applied  until  exhausted. 

The  affairs  of  the  district  are  administered  by  two  overseers,  one  of  whom' 
is  elected  annually  for  th?  term  of  two  years.  An  old  wooden  building  on 
Front  street  between  Walnut  and  Spruce  was  rented  as  a  poor  house  for 
some  years;  the  present  poor  house  was  purchased  in  1880;  it  is  a  two-story 
brick  building  located  in  Limestone  valley  one  mile  south  of  the  borough 
limits  on  the  line  of  the  Xorthern  Central  railway,  with  an  acre  and  a  half  of 
ground  adjoining.  One  acre  was  originally  bought,  to  which  a  half-acre  was 
added  in  ISUD. 

Tlif  Sinibiiri/  Fire  Department  had  its  origin  in  1810.  At  November 
term  in  that  year  a  petition  was  presented  to  the  court  of  quarter  sessions, 
reciting  that  two  barns  and  two  stables  had  been  destroyed  at  Siinbury 
within  the  last  few  weeks,  and  that  a  few  individuals  in  that  borough  had 
procured  an  engine  and  formed  themselves  into  a  tire  company;  but.  as  one 
engine  was  inadequate  for  the  protection  of  the  town,  the  court,  grand  jury, 
and  commissioners  were  petitioned  to  concur  in  the  appropriation  of  a  siim  of 
money  for  the  purchase  of  another.  The  petition,  which  is  filed  in  the  cotm- 
ty  archives,  had  evidently  been  industrioiLsly  circulated,  as  it  bears  the  signa- 
tures of  representative  citizens  of  Sunbury,  Northumberland,  Milton,  Buffalo 
valley,  Danville,  Fishing  Creek,  the  Mahanoy  region,  and  other  portions  of 
the  extensive  region  then  embraced  in  Northumberland  county.  It  received 
the  following  indorsement  from  the  coui-t :  "  Kecommended  to  the  grand  jury 
on  condition  that  a  fire  company  o'r  body  under  the  present  fire  company  be 
formed,  to  apply  the  public  engine  when  needful  to  the  security  of  the  pulilic 
buildings."  Thereupon  the  Simbury  Fire  Company,  through  a  committee 
composed  of  Charles  Hall,  Hugh  Bellas.  Andrew  Albright,  and  Enoch  Smith, 
pledged  its  membership  to  "  at  all  times  be  ready  and  willing  to  render  any 


SUNBURY.  479 

service  in  their  power,  as  well  to  preserve  and  keejD  in  repair  the  i^iablic 
engine  as  to  use  and  work  the  same  when  necessary  for  the  protection  of  the 
public  buildings,"  and  with  this  assurance  "the  grand  jury  unanimously  agreed 
that  the  sum  of  sis  himdred  dollars  be  allowed  for  the  above  laudable  pur- 
pose." These  preceeelings  occurred  at  November  sessions,  1810;  on  the  8th 
of  January,  1811,  Messrs.  Hall,  Bellas,  Albright,  and  Smith,  representing  the 
Sunbury  Fire  Company,  conferred  with  the  coimty  commissioners  regarding 
the  measures  to  be  piu-siied  in  the  purchase  of  the  engine,  and  were  given  full 
discretionary  powers  in  the  matter.  On  the  following  day  they  receii)ted 
for  six  himdred  dollars,  and  with  the  arrival  of  the  engine  at  Sunbury  a  great 
public  enterprise  for  the  jirotection  of  the  county  buildings  was  finally  consum- 
mated. It  is  to  be  hoped  that  the  worthy  tax  i)ayers  received  adequate  ben- 
efit for  the  amount  expended  in  the  consciousness  of  increased  security  to  the 
public  property. 

Of  this  first  local  organization,  the  Sunbury  Fire  Company,  the  secretary 
in  January,  ISll,  was  Dr.  Solomon  Markley,  who  probably  filled  that  posi- 
tion at  its  organization,  while  Andrew  Albright,  Charles  Hall,  Enoch  Smith, 
and  Hugh  Bellas  were  doubtless  prominent  among  the  original  membership. 
John  Buyers  was  the  first  treasurer,  and  filled  that  position  as  late  as  1815. 

Space  does  not  permit  more  than  a  brief  mention  of  the  companies  subse- 
quently formed.  The  present  organizations  are  the  Good  Intent  Hook  and 
Ladder  Company,  Washington  Independent  Steam  Fire  Company,  Sunbury 
Steam  Fire  Comjiany.  No.  1,  Washington  Jimior  Hose  Company,  and  Kescue 
Hose  Comjiany — of  which  the  Good  Intent,  organized  (probably  reorganized) 
October  I'J,  188'.*,  and  incorporated,  April  '.).  lS-l-1,  is  the  oldest. 

Chief  Burgesses. — The  following  list  of  chief  burgesses  of  Sunbury  since 
its  incorporation  as  a  borough  is  believed  to  be  as  complete  as  existing  rec- 
ords permit:  17US-1»'.».  M;u-tin  Withington;  1800,  Nicholas  Miller;  1801-02, 
Theodoras  Kiehl:  lMi;i  Henry  Bucher;  1804.  Charles  Hall:  1805-07,  The- 
odoras Kiehl;  ISdS-rJ.  Andr.nv  Albright:  1S1:!-14,  Theodoras  Kiehl;  1815, 
Henry  Donnel:  ISIC-IT,  Juhu  Young;  lSlS-20,  Theorodus  Kiehl;  1821, 
Henry  Donnel;  1822,  William  Shannon;  1823-2G,  Alexander  Jordan;  1827, 
James  R.  Shannon;  1828-20,  Alexander  Jordan;  1830,  Widiam  McCarty; 
1831-32,  Alexander  Jordan;  1833,  Charles  G.  Donnel:  1834,  Samuel  J. 
Packer;  1835,  George  Weiser;  1830,  Frederick  Lazartis;  1838,  Jacob 
Painter;  1839,  Lewis  Dewart;  1840,  Charles  G.  Donnel;  1841-42,  Frederick 
Lazarus;  1843,  John  H.  Purdy;  1S44,  Alexander  Jordan:  1S45-40.  William 
L.  Dewart;  1847,  Frederick  Lazarus:  1S4S-41),  J.  H.  Zimmerman;  1851, 
John  B.  Packer;  1852-53.  Peter  B.  Masser;  1854,  George  B.  Youngman; 
1855,  William  M.  Rockefeller ;  1850,  Charles  J.  Brimer;  1857,  S.  J.  Y'oung; 
1858-50,  J.  H.  Zimmerman;  18G0-G1,  George  B.  Y'oungman;  1862-65,  S. 
B.  Boyer;  1866-67.  E.  Y.  Bright;  1868.  J.  W.  Bucher:  1869,  P.  M.  Shindel; 
1870,  P.  H.  Moore;  1871.  D.  Heim;  1872-74,  S.  P.  Malick;  1875-77,  John 


480  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBEKLAND    COUNTY. 

Bourne;  1S7S-S0,  A.  N.  Brice;  1SS1-S3,  W.  C.  Packer;  18S4-S6,  George 
M.  Eenn;  1SS7,  George  B.  Caclwallader;  1SS8,  H.  J.  Waltz;  1880,  George 
B.  Caclwallader;  1890,  George  W.  Stroh;   ISOl,  Joseph  F.  Cummings. 

FACILITIES    OF    TRAVEL    AND    TKANSPOETATION. 

The  old  Reading  road,  the  first  pnblic  highway  passing  through  the  site 
of  Sunbury,  was  opened  in  colonial  days.  A  petition  for  a  road  from  Read- 
ing to  Fort  Augusta  (Simbui-y)  was  petitioned  for  by  a  ''very  considerable 
number  of  the  inhabitants  of  Berks  county"  in  January,  1768,  but,  as  part  of 
the  territory  through  which  it  would  necessarily  pass  had  not  yet  been  pur- 
chased from  the  Indians,  the  provincial  Council  would  not  at  that  time  grant 
it  favorable  consideration.  Two  years  later  the  effort  was  renewed,  and  on 
the  9th  ol  February,  1770,  George  Webb,  Jonathan  Lodge,  Henry  Miller, 
Henry  Shoemaker, -John  Webb,  Isaac  Willits,  and  Job  Hughes  were  appointed 
to  lay  out  the  road,  in  which  all  participated  except  Henry  Miller.  They 
returned  a  report  of  the  courses  and  distances,  April  14,  1770,  which  was 
confirmed,  April  28d,  when  an  order  was  issued  directing  that  the  road  should 
be  forthwith  "opened  and  rendered  commodious  for  public  service."  It  was 
declared  to  be  a  "King's  highway."  This  was  the  route  by  which  emigrants 
from  Lehigh,  Northampton,  and  other  southeastern  counties  of  Penn.sylvania, 
and  from  New  Jersey,  reached  the  "New  Purchase,"  or  Shamokin,  as  the 
territory  acquired  in  1768  was  popularly  kno^vn.  Lateral  branches  diverged 
at  various  points,  one  leading  to  Danville,  another  to  Catawissa,  etc.,  and  thus 
the  old  Reading  road  came  to  be  one  of  the  most  important  interior  high- 
ways of  the  State.  Corresponding  to  the  inward  current  of  immigration, 
there  was  an  equally  noticeable  stream  of  travel  in  the  opposite  direction,  for 
it  was  by  this  route  that  the  products  of  a  large  section  of  country  found  their 
way  to  a  market  at  Reading  or  Philadelphia. 

A  road  from  Sunbury  up  the  West  Branch  was  laid  out  in  1772;  down 
the  Susquehanna  on  the  west  side,  in  1773,  and  on  the  east  side,  in  1775; 
south  of  the  North  Branch  to  the  site  of  Danville,  in  1774;  iip  the  valley  of 
Shamokin  creek,  in  1775,  and  from  Sunbury  to  the  Tulpehocken  road,  in 
1782.  The  road  last  mentioned  became  the  principal  highway  to  Harrisburg 
and  Lancaster. 

The  Centre  turnpike  was  a  public  improvement  from  which  much  local 
benefit  was  derived  for  a  time.  It  was  constructed  by  a  company  to  the  stock 
of  which  the  legislature  subscribed  liberally,  and  extended  from  Simbury  to 
Reading.  The  stock  of  the  State  was  afterward  purchased  principally  by 
certain  persons  at  Northumberland,  where  the  officers  resided  for  some  years. 
It  was  not  a  renumerative  investment,  however,  and  that  portion  between 
Sunbury  and  the  coal  regions  was  ultimately  abandoned. 

The  Stage  Coach  was  for  many  years  the  only  means  of  conveyance  for 
the  traveling  public.     The  date  of  its  introduction  in  this  part  of  the  State 


SUNBURY.  -iSl 

has  not  been  ascertained,  and  but  meager  information  upon  the  subject  is 
afforded.  In  ISOl  the  mails  departed  from  Sunbury  and  Xorthumberland 
on  Monday  of  each  week  for  Lycoming,  Berwick,  and  Centre  county.  The 
lirst  stage  coach  from  Reading  to  Sunbury  was  probably  that  of  William 
Coleman,  while  the  line  between  Sunbury  and  Wilkesbarre  was  operated  at  a 
corresponding  period  by  Miller  Horton.  In  1810  Mr.  Coleman  had  two  mail 
stages  on  the  line  between  Sunbury  and  Reading,  and  Jacob  Singer's  four- 
horse  mail  coach  entered  Siinbury  over  the  North  Branch  bridge,  but  whether 
from  Wilkesbarre  or  "Williamsport  does  not  appear.  In  1S'2()  the  stage  for 
Harrisburg  left  the  house  of  Amelia  Hegins  (now  the  residence  of  Mrs.  Don- 
nel).  on  Market  street,  Sunbury,  on  Monday  and  Friday  of  each  week  at  five 
o'clock  A.  jr.,  arriving  at  Harrisburg  at  ten  o'clock  a.  m.  on  Tuesday  and 
Saturday;  returning,  the  stage  for  Sunbury  left  Harrisburg  on  Tuesday  and 
Saturday  of  each  week  at  three  o'clock  p.  m.,  arriving  at  Sunbury  on  Wednes- 
day and  Sunday  at  four  o'clock  p.  ii.  The  fare  was  four  dollars;  baggage  to 
the  amount  of  fifteen  pounds  was  allowed  each  passenger,  and  one  hundred 
fifty  potmds  of  baggage  were  regarded  as  ecpial  to  a  passenger.  At  that 
date  (18'20),  the  Reading  stage  dejiarted  and  arrived  three  times  a  week  at 
Weitzel's  hotel  on  Market  street.  The  proprietors  of  this  line  were  John  and 
Nicholas  Coleman. 

The  traveling  facilities  of  the  period  were  thus  simimarized  by  Hamlet  A. 
Kerr  in  the  Susquehanna  Emporium  of  August  10,  1S'2U: — 

!Maiiy  of  our  friends  in  till-  <ity  aif  nut  aware  of  the  facility  of  traveling  in  this 
section  of  country,  thinking  this  part  of  the  State  too  far  back  to  have  good  roads, 
horses,  and  coaches,  and  on  that  account  do  not  visit  the  beautiful  village  of  the  Sus- 
quehanna. But  we  can  boast  of  as  rapid  and  cheap  traveling  as  any  of  our  neighbors. 
We  have  two  daily  stages  passing  through  this  place  twiee  every  day  (Sundays 
excepted,  on  which  da\-  there  is  but  one), — one  by  the  way  of  Pottsville  to  Pliiladel- 
phia,  the  other  by  the  way  of  Harrisburg  to  Philadelphia,  Baltimore,  etc. — the  return 
stage  passing  through  about  three  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  to  meet  the  Xorth  and 
West  Branch  stages  at  Northumberland.  Persons  leaving  Sunbury  at  nine  o'clock  in 
the  morning  get  into  Philadelphia  in  thp  afternoon  of  the  next  day,  passing  through 
Pottsville,  Orwigsburg,  Heading,  Pottstown,  Norristown,  and  Germantown.  To  the 
painter  or  poet  the  country  is  romantic,  being  interspersed  with  hills  and  dales;  to  the 
capitalist  it  presents  many  inducements,  abounding  with  ore,  coal,  and  other  minerals; 
to  the  man  of  pleasure  this  route  also  holds  forth  objects  worthy-  his  attention.  The 
route  passing  through  Harrisburg  and  Lancaster  is  pleasant  and  expeditious.  You 
have  the  Susquehanna  gliding  along  near  the  road  the  whole  distance  to  Harrisburg. 
There  you  take  the  celebrated  Lancaster  turnpike  and  pass  over  the  ground  at  a  very 
rapid  rate,  arriving  in  Philadelpia  in  about  two  days.  Gentlemen  visiting  this  countrj- 
generally  take  one  line  coming  and  the  other  going,  so  as  to  give  both  a  fair  trial. 

The  Construction  of  the  Canal  diverted  a  large  share  of  the  traffic  and 
tra-^el  to  that  avenue  of  communication.  Several  of  the  prominent  merchants 
of  the  town  owned  canal  boats,  which  made  frequent  trips  to  points  farther 
down  the  river  during  the  season  of  navigation,  transporting  the  grain  and 
other  produce  of  the  region  to  market  and  returning  with  articles  of  general 


482  HISTORY    OF    NORTHCIIBERLAND    COUNTY. 

merchandise.  The  following  extract  from  the  Sunbury  Advocate  of  May  11, 
1838,  shows  the  manner  in  which  events  of  this  nature  were  chronicled  at  that 
date: — 

PORT    0¥    SUNDURY. 

Arn'ciiltf. — Entered  our  bashi,  returniug  home  from  Philailelpliia,  on  the  3d  of 
April,  the  caual  boat  ^unburn  Union,  ih*'  pniperty  of  :S[r.  John  Buyers,  hiden  with 
merchandise. 

On  Saturday,  Jlay  -Itli,  the  canal  boat  .1 -.■/".</■.',  the  property  of  :Mr.  George  P. 
Buyers,  laden  with  merchandise. 

( '/,'iinitirefi. — Entered  the  canal  on  the  Sth.  ou  their  second  trip  this  season  to  Phila- 
delphia, both  the  fSnnhtiri/  I'ninn  and  the  An'j'i't,/. 

The  captain  of  the  Sunbury  Union  was  G.  Lorwick,  and  of  the  Enterprise, 
a  boat  similarly  employed,  J.  Kramer.  The  Sunbury  Partnership  was  the 
property  of  H.  Yoxtheimer  &  Company,  while  there  were  also  other  mer- 
chants who  owned  boats.  For  passenger  travel  packet  boats  were  in  use; 
regular  relays  of  horses  were  pro\'ided.  and  in  comfort,  safety,  and  speed,  the 
packet  was  a  formidable  competitor  of  the  stage  coach  ditring  the  season  of 
navigation.  It  was  continued  iipon  the  canals  in  this  part  of  the  State  until 
the  opening  of  railways. 

Railroads. — The  Danville  and  Pottsville  railroad  was  the  hrst  opened  at 
Sunbury;  that  event  occurred  on  the  2Gth  of  ^Tovember,  lS3o,  amid  the  ring- 
ing of  bells  and  the  acclamations  of  a  large  concourse  of  people.  Horse-power 
was  used  on  this  occasion;  the  introduction  of  steam  occurred  three  years 
later,  when  the  road  was  opened  to  Shamokin. 

Regarding  the  inaugitration  of  the  coal  tratiic.  the  Sunbury  Adcocate 
published  the  following  in  its  issue  of  Saturday,  October  22,  1S36: — 

We  are  much  pleased  to  announce  the  arrival  here  on  Saturday  last  of  two  cars 
on  the  Sunbury  railroad  laden  with  coal  from  the  coal  mines  of  Shamokin.  The  coal 
are  of  the  best  quality,  and  were  promptly  bought  by  Charles  6.  Donuel  aud  George 
Prince  at  three  dollars  and  fifty  cents  per  ton.  The  ears  since  run  regularly,  bringing 
coal  for  sale  at  the  basin  in  front  of  Sunbury. 

The  following  appeared  in  the  same  paper  under  date  of  November  5, 
1S3G:— 

The  coal  trade  of  Sunbury,  but  just  begun  .and  opposed  by  great  inconveniences,  is 
already  forming  a  respectable  character.  The  coal  mines,  distant  eighteen  miles  from 
here,  are  six  miles  bej'ond  W.  Bird's  tavern,  where  the  railroad  terminates.  To  this 
point  the  coal  are  brought  by  wagons  passing  over  the  incompleted  railroad,  where 
they  are  put  in  the  cars  and  started  for  the  Susquehanna.  Thus  a  train  of  cars,  pro- 
pelled by  horse-power,  reach  us  daily,  making  the  trip  in  about  two  hours.  Ou  Fawn 
and  Deer  streets,  where  the  railroad  crosses,  we  constantly  see  a  considerable  bustle, 
caused  by  the  loading  of  coal  into  carts  and  delivering  them  to  purchasers  in  this  place. 
Demands  for  our  coal  on  the  "West  Branch  are  about  being  supplied. 

The  Philadelphia  and  Erie  railroad  was  opened  to  Sunbury,  January  7, 
1850;    the  Northern  Central,  June   28,  1S58:  the  Sunbury,  Hazelton  and 


SUNBURY.  483 

Wilkesbarre,  November  4,  ISOO:  the  Simbiiry  and  Lewistown.  November  1, 
1871,  and  the  Philadelphia  and  Eeading,  in  July,  1883. 

The  Ferry  Franchise  was  originally  granted  by  the  colonial  authorities 
to  Robert  King,  August  14,  177"2,  and  successively  transferred  to  Adam 
Haverling,  November  30,  1773:  Stophel  Gettig,  April  17,  1775;  Abraham 
Dewitt,  October  9,  177U,  and  John  Lyon,  October  25,  17 — .  In  1787  Lyon 
petitioned  the  legislature  for  a  contirmation  of  the  privilege  for  a  term  of 
years. 

The  act  of  March  24,  1797,  incorporating  the  borough  of  Sunbury,  vested 
the  exclusive  right  of  oi^erating  the  ferry  in  the  borough  authorities,  who 
forthwith  procured  the  necessary  water  craft.  Ferry  rates  wei-e  established 
by  the  court  of  quarter  sessions  at  January  term,  179S,  and  modified  from 
time  to  time. 

For  a  number  of  years  the  excht.^ive  privilege  of  operating  the  ferry  was 
annually  disposed  of  by  the  borough  authorities  to  the  highest  bidder,  and 
tlie  sum  thus  realized  formed  an  appreciable  contribution  to  the  pitblic  funds 
of  the  town.  The  apjiaratus  at  first  used  was  of  a  primitive  character,  con- 
sisting only  of  the  flat-boat  and  jx^les,  and  in  seasons  of  low  water  a  channel 
had  to  be  dug  to  permit  the  passage  of  this  craft  across  the  river;  the  erec- 
tion of  the  Shamokin  dam  obviated  this  necessity,  and  the  i)rospect  thus 
assured  of  good  navigation  throughout  the  year  induced  the  erection  of  a  rope 
ferry.  A  tread-mill  horse-power  ferry-boat  was  also  operated  at  one  time  by 
Hovey  &  Wharton. 

The  first  steam  ferry-boat  was  the  Shad  Fly,  erected  in  1853  by  Ira  T. 
Clement;  it  was  a  large  side-wheel  boat,  and'  was  built  more  particularly  for 
the  towing  of  canal  boats  across  the  river  to  and  from  the  coal  wharves  on 
the  Sunbury  side.  Several  years  later,  while  on  a  return  trip  from  Clark's 
Ferry,  it  stranded  on  a  rock;  the  machinerv"  was  used  in  the  construction  of 
a  second  Shad  Fly,  which  was  replaced  in  1875  by  the  present  steam  ferry- 
boat. 

On  the  1st  of  May,  1854,  Ira  T.  Clement  leased  the  wharf  at  the  terminus 
of  Market  street  from  the  borough  authorities.  The  exclusive  right  of  ferri- 
age across  the  Susquehanna  opposite  Simbuiy  was  vested  in  Dr.  Isaac  Hot- 
tenstein  by  an  act  of  the  legislature  approved  on  the  11th  of  Ajiril,  1859; 
the  canal  had  been  constructed  through  his  land  a  distance  of  a  mile  and  an 
abutment  of  the  Shamokin  dam  was  also  built  upon  it:  it  was  in  compensa- 
tion for  damages  thus  sustained  that  this  franchise  was  conferred  upon  Doc- 
tor Hottenstein,  from  whose  heirs  it  passed  to  Ira  T.  Clement.  The  Sunbury 
Steam  Ferrj'  and  Tow  Boat  Company,  in  which  the  privileges  and  franchises 
previously  owned  by  Ira  T.  Clement  have  become  vested,  was  incorporated 
by  an  act  of  the  legislature  approved  on  the  5th  of  April,  187().  This  com- 
pany owns  two  steamboats  and  operates  the  ferry  between  Sunbury  and  the 
opposite  side  of  the  river.     Five  steamboats,  owned  by  Ira  T.  Clement  indi- 


48i  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

vidually,   ply  regiilarly  between  Sunbury,   Xorthuraberland,   and  Shamokin 
Dam. 

The  Sunbury  and  Northumberland  Street  Railway  Company  wa.s  incor- 
porated on  the  29th  of  Januaiy,  18S5,  with  a  capital  of  seventy-five  thousand 
dollars  and  the  following  officers:  H.  E.  Davis,  president,  L.  H.  Kase,  secre- 
tary, and  S.  P.  Wolverton,  treasurer.  The  line  is  in  operation  between  the  ter- 
minal points  designated  in  the  title,  a  distance  of  three  and  two  tenths  miles. 
The  first  car  was  rim  in  June,  1S90,  and  the  line  was  opened  for  travel  on 
the  1st  of  July  in  the  same  year.  The  number  of  passengers  carried  aver- 
ages eight  hundred  per  day.  The  propelling  power  is  electricity,  for  the 
generation  of  which  a  plant  has  been  constructed  with  two  engines  of  one 
hundred  horse-power  and  two  dynamos  of  tifty  horse-power  each. 

INDl'STEIAL  ACTIVITY. 

Haas's  Mill  is  situated  in  the  borough  of  East  Sunbury  on  the  Shamokin 
creek  a  mile  from  its  mouth.  At  or  near  this  site  the  first  mill  within  the 
present  limits  of  Northumberland  county  was  built  prior  to  1774  by  William 
Maclay;  it  was  first  operated  by  Valentine  Geiger,  and  received  patronage 
from  a  large  extent  of  country.  The  original  structure,  a  two-story  log 
building  with  basement,  is  described  as  having  been  twenty  by  thirty  feet  in 
dimensions.  In  1831  McCarty  &  Davis,  who  purchased  the  property  from 
Maclay's  heirs,  erected  the  present  substantial  brick  mill;  they  also  added 
saw,  plaster,  and  clover  mills,  excavated  a  basin,  and  constructed  a  new  dam 
of  sufficient  capacity  to  furnish  water-power  for  the  entire  establishment. 
Gideon  Markle  became  the  next  proprietor;  John  Haas,  formerly  of  Jackson 
township,  purchased  the  mill  from  him  in  1850,  and  in  1870,  his  son,  Hiram 
Haas,  the  present  o^vner,  acquired  possession.  He  had  the  mill  remodelled 
to  the  roller  process  in  1887. 

Distilleries. — The  a.ssessment  of  Augusta  township  for  1781  credits  David 
McKinney  with  three  stills,  and  Da\-id  Mead  and  Henry  Starret  each  with 
two;  McKinney's  were  located  on  Front  street  between  Penn  and  Walnut,  but 
whether  those  of  Mead  and  Starret  were  in  the  town  or  country  can  not  be 
satisfactorily  ascertained.  In  East  Sunbury  on  the  Shamokin  Creek  road 
James  Towar  erected  a  large  stone  distillery  prior  to  1790;  it  was  the  most 
extensive  establishment  of  the  kind  in  the  county  at  that  date,  but  does  not 
appear  to  have  been  operated  very  long.  In  1808  Edward  Gobin  had  a  dis- 
tillery on  Market  street  in  Sunbury.  A  large  frame  distillery  was  erected  at 
some  time  between  1835  Bnd  1838  by  Gideon  Markle  in  Chestnut  street 
between  Fifth  and  Spring  run;  it  was  subseqiiently  operated  by  John  Robins, 
and  then  abandoned. 

Tanneries  were  for  many  years  the  most  important  local  industrial  feat- 
ure. Jacob  Toner's,  which  first  appears  in  the  assessment  of  17SS,  was 
doubtless  the  earliest  established;  it  was  situated  on  the  west  side  of  Second 


SUNBUEY.  4S5 

street  immediately  north  of  the  Shamokin  Yalley  railroad.  After  pursuing 
his  calling  at  this  place  for  more  than  twenty-tive  years,  Mr.  Yoner  moved  to 
Selinsgrove,  Pennsylvania,  in  1S13,  and  sold  the  property  to  Isaac  Zeigler. 
He  continued  the  business  until  Avithin  a  short  time  before  his  death,  July 
25.  1S40;  Conrad  J.  Fry  and  Francis  Bticher  then  operated  the  plant  sev- 
eral years,  and  it  was  subsequently  destroyed  by  tire. 

The  second  tannery  e.stablished  was  that  of  Christian  Gettig;  it  was  situ- 
ated on  the  soi^th  side  of  Chesnut  street  at  the  present  site  of  James  C. 
Packer's  residence  and  the  Reformed  parsonage,  and  first  appears  in  the 
assessment  of  1793.  The  first  proprietor  died  in  1707;  in  his  will  he  men- 
tions the  bark-mill  and  also  a  quantity  of  leather  in  various  stages  of  prepa- 
ration, and  devises  his  establishment  to  his  son.  Christian  Gettig,  Jr.,  who 
continued  operations  until  his  death  in  1802;  several  years  later  the  prop- 
erty was  purchased  by  Dr.  Solomon  Markley,  by  whom  the  building  was 
adapted  to  other  purposes. 

The  Robins  tannery,  which  was  also  established  in  the  last  century,  occu- 
pied the  southeast  corner  of  Market  and  Fifth  streets.  It  first  appears  in 
the  assessment  of  179G,  credited  to  Zachariah  Robins;  several  years  later  he 
was  succeeded  by  Thomas  Robins  and  John  Spear,  who  dissolved  partner- 
ship in  1803.  Thomas  Robins  was  individual  owner  in  lS<>-"i,  and  Zachariah 
Robins  in  1811;  from  that  time  the  establishment  was  operated  by  Thomas, 
John,  and  Gilbert  Robins,  and  possibly  by  Gideon  Markle  also,  until  finally 
abandoned. 

William  Dewart,  Jr.,  is  cretlited  with  a  "large  tanyard"  in  the  assessment 
of  1802;  it  occupied  the  southeast  corner  of  Chestnut  and  Third  streets,  and 
was  one  of  the  principal  establishments  of  this  nature  for  many  years.  At 
some  time  between  1808  and  1811  it  was  purchased  by  George  Weiser,  sub- 
sequently associate  judge  of  Northumberland  county,  who  continued  the  busi- 
ness nearly  half  a  century.  The  establishment  was  then  operated  under 
lease  by  Francis  Bucher,  and  by  Bucher  Brothers  (J.  Weiser  and  E.  Masser 
Bucher)  until  its  destruction  by  fire  in  18G6. 

Frederick  Haas  established  a  tannery  on  the  north  side  of  Market  street 
at  the  second  lot  east  of  Fourth  at  some  time  between  1820  and  1823,  as 
evidenced  by  its  first  appearance  on  the  assessment  books  at  the  latter  date. 
It  was  then  operated  for  some  years  by  Charles  Gobin  and  subsequently  by 
Henry  Haas. 

Bucher  Brothers  (J.  Weiser  and  E.  Masser  Bucher)  built  a  tannery  at 
the  southeast  corner  of  Center  alley  and  Linden  street  in  18GG.  This  part- 
nership was  dissolved  in  1868,  after  which  the  business  was  continued  by  E. 
Masser  Bucher  individually  until  1871.  This  was  the  last  tanning  estab- 
lishment at  Sunbury,  and  the  only  one  that  was  equipped  with  modern 
appliances. 

Brick-making  was  first  begun  as  a  regular  business  at  Sunbury  by  John 


486  HISTORY    OF    XORTHUilBEKLAND    COUNTY. 

Lyon,  who  had  learned  the  art  at  his  former  home  in  Delaware.  His  yard 
and  kilns  occupied  outlet  No.  41,  east  of  Awl  street  and  south  of  Penn,  and 
thei-e  the  brick  which  entered  into  the  construction  of  the  old  coiui  house, 
"state  house,"  and  many  of  the  first  brick  houses  of  Sunbury  were  manu- 
factured. John  Young,  who  acquired  his  knowledge  of  the  business  as  an 
employee  of  Lyon,  established  a  brickyard  at  an  early  date  on  outlot  Xo.  42, 
and  eventually,  in  partnership  with  his  sons,  manufactured  nearly  all  the 
brick  used  at  Sunbury  during  the  period  of  their  operations.  As  early  as 
1790  Thomas  Grant  also  had  a  brick  yard.  This  branch  of  industry  has  been 
uninterruptedly  continued,  and  at  the  present  time  several  yards  are  in 
operation. 

Potteries. — Daniel  Bogar  is  credited  with  a  pottery  at  Sunbury  in  the 
assessment  of  1805;  he  was  also  one  of  the  first  local  tobacconists,  and  pur- 
sued that  calling  as  early  as  1817.  The  pottery,  situated  on  the  north  side 
of  Chestnut  street  between  Front  and  Second,  was  operated  by  Mr.  Bogar 
until  within  a  short  time  before  his  death,  January  6, 1830.  Jonathan  Harp 
then  continued  the  business  several  years,  after  which  it  was  abandoned. 

Peter  Bastian  had  a  pottery  on  Arch  street  opposite  the  county  prison  at 
a  building  owned  by  Henry  Yoxtheimer;  it  is  mentioned  among  the  taxable 
property  of  the  borough  for  the  first  time  in  1832  and  for  the  last  time  in 
1838. 

Carriage  Building. — The  prototype  of  the  modern  carriage  was  probably 
first  introduced  at  Sunbury  by  Joseph  Wallis,  who  is  credited  in  the  assess- 
ment of  1791  with  one  "coachee."  Some  years  elapsed,  however,  before  the 
demand  for  improved  vehicles  was  sufficient  to  jtistify  or  su.stain  a  local 
establishment  for  their  manufacture  at  this  point.  John  Bright,  coach  maker, 
resided  at  Sunbury  in  1820,  but  whether  actively  engaged  at  his  calling  can 
not  be  satisfactorily  determined.  In  1829,  Jacob  Heller,  formerly  of  Harris- 
burg,  erected  a  shop  on  the  west  side  of  Second  street  between  Kace  and 
Arch  and  announced  through  the  local  papers  his  readiness  to  manufacture 
stages,  carriages,  lumber  and  pleasure  wagons,  sulkeys,  gigs,  sleighs,  etc., 
of  any  desired  description.  He  continued  the  business  thus  inaugurated  for 
some  years. 

Mark  P.  Scupham,  one  of  the  oldest  residents  of  Sunbur}-  at  the  present 
time,  began  the  manufacture  of  carriages,  etc.,  at  the  west  side  of  Fourth 
street  between  Arch  and  Eace  in  1839,  retiring  in  1870.  The  shop,  a  frame 
building  one  hundred  feet  long,  was  then  leased  to  William  Fetter  two 
years,  after  which  the  business  was  discontinued. 

Francis  Lerch  established  the  carriage  works  at  the  southwest  corner  of 
Fourth  and  Chestnut  in  1870.  They  were  jrarchased  in  1S74  by  H.  K. 
Fagely  &  Company,  who  disposed  of  the  plant  in  1890  to  Isaac  Furman,  the 
present  proprietor. 

J.  S.  Seasholtz  began  the  manufacture  of  carriages  on  Market  street,  East 


SCXBUEY.  -489 

Sunbury,  in  187],  at  a  frame  building  now  used  as  a  dwelling  house.  In 
1SS6  the  present  frame  shop  was  built. 

H.  L.  Hauck's  carriage  works,  near  Market  street,  East  Simbury,  com- 
prise a  two-story  frame  building  twenty  by  eighty-five  feet  in  dimensions, 
erected  in  1887. 

•J.  S.  Stroh  &  Brother's  carriage  works  are  the  latest  addition  to  this 
branch  of  local  industry.  The  business  was  begun  by  J.  S.  Stroh  inchvidually 
in  the  spring  of  1890;  two  frame  buildings,  twenty-eight  by  forty  and 
twenty-four  by  thirty,  respectively,  were  erected  later  in  the  same  year. 

Boat  Building  first  attained  the  proportions  of  a  distinct  industry  at 
Sunbury  during  the  construction  of  the  Shamokin  dam.  when  different 
varieties  of  water  craft  were  in  demand  for  the  transportation  of  stone  and 
other  materials.  After  the  opening  of  the  canal  the  construction  of  canal 
boats  was  first  begim  by  Charles  Gussler,  who  established  a  yard  at  the  bank 
of  the  river  immediately  south  of  Spruce  street  and  continued  the  business 
for  some  years.  At  a  later  date  Samuel  Clements  and  Samuel  Snyder  also 
had  a  boat  yard  on  Front  street  between  Penn  and  Church:  it  was  subse- 
quently removed  to  the  vicinity  of   Gussler's  yard  by  Clements  individually. 

Dr.  E.  H.  Awl  furnislies  the  following  account  of  the  first  and  only  canal 
boat  ever  launched  on  Shamokin  creek:  This  boat  was  built  in  1832  or 
1N38  by  Adam  Shissler,  Jacob  Martz,  and  others  on  the  farm  now  owned  by 
Benjamin  Zettlemoyer  at  the  north  side  of  the  creek.  It  was  launched  in 
the  spring  when  the  water  was  deemed  high  enough  and  floated  with  the 
current  as  far  as  Leisenring's  fording,  between  L.  T.  Eohrbach's  and  Charles 
Ehinehart's  farms.  There  the  boat  stuck,  but  after  considerable  pn'ing  it 
was  extricated  and  reached  the  mill  dam  by  the  close  of  the  first  day.  On 
the  following  morning  an  effort  was  made  to  get  it  over  the  dam  by  the  use 
of  skids,  but  without  success;  William  McCarty's  jack  was  then  brought  into 
requisition,  after  which  an  attempt  was  made  to  pull  it  over  by  means  of  a 
rope  attached  to  the  boat  and  connected  with  the  windlass  on  the  shore,  but 
all  without  avail.  At  this  juncture  a  hea\y  rain  began,  and  the  creek  rose 
rapidly:  the  boat  was  borne  over  the  dam  with  John  Shissler,  William  Martz, 
Aaron  Yansickle,  and  others  aboard,  and  its  progress  down  the  stream  was 
witnessed  by  hundreds  of  peojile  on  the  banks.  It  ran  aground  at  the  island 
back  of  Haas's  mill,  but  was  pulled  out  into  the  current  by  means  of  ropes  by 
persons  on  the  bank.  As  it  was  thought  that  the  stream  was  too  high  to  per- 
mit the  passage  of  the  boat  under  the  bridge  near  the  mouth  of  the  creek, 
it  was  pulled  up  the  tail-race  to  the  mill  and  loaded  with  Hour;  when  the 
waters  had  subsided  sufticiently  it  was  floated  tmder  the  bridge  and  down  the 
river  to  Clark's  Ferrj',  where  it  entered  the  canal,  ultimately  finding  its  way 
to  the  Schuylkill  canal,  where  it  was  finally  completely  wrecked  by  going 
over  a  dam  in  a  freshet  without  skids,  jacks,  or  ropes  to  steady  its  course. 

The  first  steamboats  built  at  Sunbury  were  the  Susquehanna  and  Shad 


490  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

Fly ;  both  were  constructed  by  Ira  T.  Clement,  the  former  for  the  Shamokin 
Valley  and  Potts\'ille  Railroad  Company,  the  latter  as  a  private  enterprise. 
Mr.  Clement  has  since  built  sis  steamboats  at  Sunbury,  five  of  which  are  still 
in  operation.  In  1S89  Jeremiah  Savidge  built  the  lona,  the  last  steamboat 
constriicted  at  this  place. 

Breweries. — The  old  stone  buikhng  erected  by  James  Towar  as  a  distill- 
ery was  converted  into  a  brewer}"  by  Philip  and  Gottlieb  Brymier  about  the 
year  1830.  After  the  dissolution  of  this  partnership  the  business  was  con- 
tinued by  Philip  Brymier  individually  for  a  time  and  then  abandoned. 

Cold  Spring  brewery,  established  in  1865  by  Joseph  Bacher,  was  pur- 
chased in  1873  by  J.  &  A.  MoeschUn,  the  present  proprietors.  The  plant 
comprises  brewing  and  botthng  dei^artments,  and  has  an  annual  capacity  of 
five  thousand  barrels. 

Foundries  and  Machine  Shops. — In  1838  George  Rohrbach,  formerly  of 
Columbia  coimty,  Pennsylvania,  and  one  of  the  oldest  citizens  of  Sunbury  at 
the  present  time,  established  a  small  foundry  a  mile  east  of  Sunbury  between 
the  Centre  turnpike  and  Shamokin  Valley  railroad.  Two  years  later,  having 
secured  a  location  on"  the  south  side  of  Chestnut  street  between  Fourth  and 
Fifth,  he  removed  to  Sunbury:  this  was  the  first  foundry  at  that  place,  and 
was  operated  for  some  years  by  George  Rohrbach,  either  individually  or  asso- 
ciated at  various  times,  with  his  brothers,  William,  Jacob,  and  Daniel  Rohr- 
bach. They  were  succeeded  by  Clinton  D.  and  Jacob  Rohrbach;  the  latter 
retired  in  favor  of  T.  G.  Cooper,  and  in  1866  the  firm  of  Rohrbach  &  Cooper 
gave  place  to  Rohrbach  A:  Son,  of  which  George  and  W.  H.  Rohrbach  were 
the  constituent  members.  After  the  admission  of  Jacob  Rohrbach  as  a  part- 
ner the  style  was  changed  to  Rohrbach  &  Sons,  by  whom  the  business  was 
continued  imtil  1883.  The  establishment  was  then  sold  to  Halfpenny  Broth- 
ers, and  several  years  later  the  plant  was  purchased  by  John  J.  Batman. 

A  second  foimdry  was  estabhshed  in  1858  by  Edward  Y.  Bright;  it  was 
located  on  the  north  side  of  Chestnut  street  between  Third  and  Fourth. 
The  plant  was  purchased  by  William  Rennyson,  who  removed  it  to  Shamokin 
in  1864. 

Jacob  Youngman  started  a  fotmdry  on  the  south  side  of  Arch  street 
between  Third  and  Fourth  in  1867  and  operated  it  until  January,  1871, 
when  it  was  purchased  by  George  B.  Youngman.  The  business  was  contin- 
ued by  Haupt  &  Yoimgman  imtil  the  plant  was  purchased  by  John  J.  Bat- 
man. 

The  Keystone  Machine  Works,  situated  in  Ea.st  Sunlniry  on  the  south 
side  of  Market  street,  comprise  a  two-story  frame  building  sixty-five  feet 
long  and  thirty  feet  wide,  occupied  as  a  machine  shoj^.  with  foimdry  thirty 
by  forty  feet  in  dimensions  attached,  and  blacksmith  shop  thirty  by  twenty- 
foru-  feet  on  the  same  lot.  The  proprietor.  John  J.  Batman,  began  business 
at  Sunbury  in  1874  as  successor  to  Haupt  &  Youngman  on  Arch  street,  and 


SUNBUEY.  491 

removed  to  his  present  location  in  ISSO.  The  Keystone  radial  drill  press,  of 
-which  Mr.  Batman  is  the  inventor  and  patentee,  is  manufactured  as  a  sjje- 
cialty. 

il.  C.  Bowlby's  foundry  and  machine  shop,  a  two-story  frame  building  on 
Church  street  near  Fourth,  was  established  in  1SS3  by  Bowlby  &  Zimmer- 
man, to  whom  the  present  proprietor  succeeded  individually  in  ISSC.  The 
Bowlby  lath  mill  and  bolter  is  manufactured  as  a  specialty. 

The  Lumber  Industry. — The  first  saw  mill  at  Sunbury  was  built  in  1847 
by  Ira  T.  Clement  at  the  site  of  his  table  factory  on  Front  street.  In  1807 
he  sold  it  to  William  Eeagan;  it  then  passed  successively  to  the  Sunbury 
Lumber  Company  and  to  the  firm  of  Friling,  Bowen  &  Engle,  who  became 
insolvent  in  1877.  The  miU  was  then  conducted  under  the  auspices  of  their 
creditors  until  1883.  when  it  was  again  purchased  by  Ira  T.  Clement  and  is 
now  occupied  as  an  extension  table  factory. 

Ira  T.  Clement's  various  industries  include  at  the  present  time  a  saw  mill, 
planing  mill,  table  factor^',  and  cofiin  factory,  extending  from  Front  street  to 
Third,  north  of  Kace.  The  saw  mill  was  established  in  1867  and  the  planing 
mill  in  the  following  year;  the  latter  was  originally  a  two-story  frame  build- 
ing sixty  by  eighty  feet  in  chmensions,  but  has  been  materially  enlarged.  The 
upper  story  was  equipped  for  the  manufacture  of  coffins  in  1875,  and  in  1SS7 
a  two-story  frame  building  forty  by  one  hundred  forty  feet  in  dimensions  was 
erected  for  the  exclusive  pur^wses  of  a  coffin  factory.  The  manufacture  of 
extension  tables  was  begun  at  the  planing  mill  in  188t),  and  in  1887  the  old  ■ 
Friling,  Bowen  tt  Engle  mill  was  adapted  for  use  in  this  department  of  work. 
One  hundred  twenty-five  men  are  employed  as  02:)eratives  in  the  saw  mill, 
planing  mill,  table  factory,  and  coffin  factory,  the  annual  products  of  which 
are  valued  at  two  hundred  fifty  thousand  dollars. 

The  Sunburj-  Lumber  Company,  organized  in  188-"),  was  originally  com- 
posed of  William  Whitmer  &  Sons,  to  whom  Hiram  Driesbach  was  added  in 
1888  and  George  W.  Khoads  and  F.  S.  Kauffman  in  1890.  A  building  at 
the  intersection  of  Mulberry  and  Center  alleys,  previously  occupied  by  the 
Hill  I.V  Xetf  Organ  Company,  was  the  first  location  of  the  works  of  this  com- 
pany: the  present  site  in  the  southern  part  of  the  borough  with  a  river  front 
of  six  hundred  fifty  feet  was  sectired  in  1888.  The  plant  consists  of  a  two- 
story  planing  mill,  ninety  by  one  hundred  forty  feet  in  dimensions,  a  saw- 
mill, fifty  by  one  hundred  feet,  and  a  kiln  capable  of  drying  eight  thousand 
feet  of  lumber  per  day.     Seventy  operatives  are  usually  employed. 

Simpson  Brothers"  planing  mill,  as  originally  established  in  1880  liy  a 
firm  composed  of  William  ^\^litmer  and  John  and  William  Simpson,  was  a 
frame  stracture  forty  by  one  hundred  feet  situated  on  Awl  street;  it  was  de- 
stroyed by  fire  in  November,  1887.  The  present  mill,  a  frame  building  thirty- 
five  by  eighty  feet,  employs  eight  operatives:  John  and  William  Simpson  are 
the  proprietors. 


492  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

The  Pennsyh-ania  Railroad  Company's  Repair  Shops  at  Sunbury  were 
originally  established  in  1S66.  The  plant  comprises  the  following  buikhngs: 
a  roiind-house  three  hundred  feet  in  diameter,  with  stalls  for  forty-four  en- 
gines; a  machine  shop  and  planing  mill,  which  form  one  building  two  hun- 
dred twenty  by  eighty  feet,  half  of  which  is  occupied  by  each;  a  building 
seventy  by  one  hundred  ten  feet,  occupied  as  blacksmith  shop,  boiler  shop, 
and  store-room;  a  car  shop  two  hundred  by  one  hundred  twenty  feet,  and 
other  minor  biiildings  used  for  miscellaneous  purposes.  The  number  of  op- 
eratives employed  in  the  varioiis  departments  at  this  time  (December,  1890), 
is  as  follows:  machinists  and  helpers,  sixty-nine;  blacksmiths  and  helpers, 
thirty-four;  boiler-makers,  twentj'-two;  coppersmiths,  four;  tinsmiths,  five; 
car  inspectors,  forty-nine;  the  car  shop  employs  one  hundred  seventy-eight, 
and  the  number  not  included  in  the  foregoing  classification  (in  which  the 
master  mechanic  and  foremen,  engine  cleaners  and  preparers,  clerical  force, 
etc.  have  not  been  embraced)  is  ninety-seven — a  grand  total  of  four  hundred 
fifty-eight.  The  stationarj'  engines  have  a  capacity  of  eighty  horse-power. 
The  entire  plant  is  lighted  by  electricity,  derived  from  motors  requiring  a 
fifty  horse-power  engine.  The  establishment  is  devoted  exclusively  to  the 
repair  of  locomotives  and  cars,  and  receives  all  the  work  of  this  nature  from 
that  part  of  the  Pennsylvania  system  embraced  in  the  Eastern  and  Sunbury 
divisions  of  the  Philadelphia  and  Erie  railroad  and  the  Susquehanna  di\-ision 
of  the  Northern  Central  railway.  The  position  of  master  mechanic  has  been 
filled  successively  by  T.  J.  Hamer,  Martin  Wall,  W.  F.  Beardsley,  and  Henry 
K.  Stout,  the  i^resent  incumbent,  who  assumed  charge  in  April,  18S2. 

The  Sunbury  Nail,  Bar,  and  Guide  Iron  Manufacturing  Company  was 
organized  in  1883  with  a  capital  of  one  hundred  thousand  dollars  (since 
increased  to  one  hundred  fifty  thousand),  and  the  following  officers:  presi- 
dent, John  Haas;  vice-president,  D.  Heim;  secretary,  E.  W.  Greenough,  and 
treasurer,  Lloyd  T.  Rohrbach.  The  works,  sitiiated  at  the  eastern  limits  of 
the  borough,  were  erected  during  the  same  year;  these  consist  of  a  nail  mill 
two  hundred  seventy-five  by  seventy-five  feet  and  a  factory  one  hundred 
Lvventy-five  by  one  hundred  feet,  equipped  with  one  heating  furnace, 
three  double  and  three  single  puddling  furnaces,  forty-one  nail  machines, 
and  six  engines  aggregating  four  hundred  thirty  horse-power.  The  cooper 
shop,  hoop  and  stave  sheds,  and  blacksmith  shop  are  attached  to  the  main 
buildings.  The  mill  gives  employment  to  one  hundred  twenty-five  men,  and 
has  a  capacity  for  manufacturing  seventy-five  thousand  kegs  of  cut  iron  and 
steel  nails  annually.  It  has  been  in  continuous  operation  since  "its  erection 
with  the  exception  of  three  months  in  the  year  1889;  this  suspension  was 
caused  by  the  damage  occasioned  on  the  9th  of  January  in  that  year  by  a 
violent  wind-storm.  Mr.  Haas,  who  has  been  president  of  the  company  since 
its  organization,  retired  from  the  active  management  of  the  works  in  April, 
1890,  when  George  B.  Cadwallader  assumed  charge  as  general  manager.     D. 


SUNBURY.  493 

Heim  is  the  present  vice-president  and  Lloyd  T.  Eohrbach  the  j^resent  secre- 
tary and  treasurer.  William  S.  Khoads  has  been  chief  clerk  and  Levi  Bus- 
sler  superintendent  since  the  works  were  placed  in  operation. 

The  Sunbury  Carpet  CleaninQ  and  Novelty  Works  were  established  in 
October,  1SS9,  by  the  present  proprietors,  C.  C.  Ray,  A.  Moulder,  and  E.  F. 
Hoover.     Novelties  of  various  descriptions  are  manufactured. 

Defunct  Enterprises  include,  in  addition  to  those  mentioned.  Yoimg. 
Gussler  &  Company's  paint  mill,  placed  in  operation  in  1856;  Snyder  & 
Harrison's  steam  tlour  mill,  erected  in  1857;  Morgan  &  Masser's  linseed  oil 
mill,  placed  in  operation  in  1868;  Wolverton  &  Purdy's  phosphate  mill, 
biirned  on  the  17th  of  June,  1871;  the  works  of  the  Sunbury  Smelting  Com- 
pany and  of  the  Hill  and  Neff  Organ  Company,  etc.,  etc. 

The  Sunbury  Canal  Company  is  worthy  of  notice  in  this  connection.  Its 
organization  was  authorized  by  an  act  of  the  legislature  approved  on  the  li  ith 
of  April,  1826,  appointing  Lewis  Dewart.  Hugh  Bellas,  Alexander  Jordan. 
Samuel  J.  Packer,  Henry  Shaffer,  Martin  Weaver,  Ebenezer  Greenough, 
John  Young,  John  G.  Youngman,  George  Weiser,  and  Isaac  Zeigler  commis- 
sioners for  its  organization.  In  1834  the  time  for  the  completion  of  the 
work  was  extended  live  years  from  the  expiration  of  the  period  of  ten  years 
originally  prescribed,  and  about  that  time  the  canal  was  partially  excavated 
between  the  North  Branch  and  Si:>ring  run.  In  the  summer  and  autimin  of 
1841  a  nimiber  of  men  were  emjiloyed  in  excavating  that  part  of  the  canal 
connecting  with  Shamokin  creek.  In  1842  William  McCarty  was  president 
of  the  company  and  Kimber  Cleaver  was  engineer;  a  prospectits  issued  in 
that  year  indicates  the  location  of  the  basin  above  Eace  street  and  connection 
with  the  river  at  that  point,  although  the  plans  of  the  company  in  this  respect 
were  not  carried  out  mitil  ten  or  twelve  years  later.  A  prosjjectus  issued  in 
1853  gives  the  names  of  C.  Hager,  president,  and  William  Piiehl^,  secretary 
and  treasurer;  at  that  time  a  reorganization  had  been  effected  under  the 
name  of  the  Sunbury  Canal  and  Water  Power  Company;  the  Sunbury  Lum- 
ber and  Car  Manufacturing  Company,  an  aifiliated  corporation,  o^vned  fifty 
thoirsand  acres  of  timber  land  on  the  headwaters  of  the  West  Branch.  It  was 
proposed  to  float  the  logs  from  this  tract  to  Sunbury,  and  a  large  lumber  mill 
was  erected  on  Shamokin  creek,  but  the  project  never  materialized  and  the 
mill  was  never  placed  in  operation.  What  is  now  known  as  the  ujjper  basin 
was  excavated  by  the  canal  company,  and  connection  was  established  with 
the  river  by  means  of  an  iron  lock  designed  by  Kimber  Cleaver;  the  latter  was 
constructed  by  the  Philadelphia  and  Sunbury  Railroad  Company  under  ter- 
minal privileges  granted  by  the  act  of  April  2,  1853.  When  the  grormd  froze 
in  the  first  winter  after  its  construction  the  lateral  pressure  (for  which  the 
engineer  had  made  no  pronsion)  was  such  as  to  break  its  iron  sides,  thus 
rendering  it  entirely  useless.  And  thus  the  great  canal  project  finally  col- 
lapsed. 


494  HISTORY    OF    NOETHUitBERLAND    COUNTY. 

BANKING    INSTITUTIONS. 

The  first  public  movement  for  the  establishment  of  a  bank  at  Simbury 
was  made  in  1810,  when,  at  a  meeting  of  the  taxable  inhabitants  on  the  27th 
of  April,  resolutions  were  unanimously  adopted  requesting  the  Bank  of 
Pennsylvania  to  locate  a  branch  at  Simbury.  '"The  certain  increase  of  the 
trade  of  this  part  of  the  country  arising  from  the  turnpike  road  now  in 
operation  from  this  place  to  the  borough  of  Reading,  would,"  the  directors 
of  that  institution  were  assured,  "enable  the  bank  to  support  an  establish- 
ment here  which  will  be  very  productive  to  their  institution."  It  is  needless 
to  observe  that  the  application  was  not  favorably  considered,  and  it  was 
through  the  Bank  of  Northumberland  that  the  citizens  of  the  county  seat 
first  secured  local  banking  facilities. 

The  First  National  Bank  of  Snnburij  was  originally  incorporated  under 
the  title  of  the  Bank  of  Northimiberland,  April  1,  1S31,  with  a  capital  of 
two  hundred  thousand  dollars.  The  first  election  of  directors  was  held  at 
the  house  of  James  Lee,  in  the  borough  of  Northumberland,  Pennsylvania, 
on  Thursday,  August  1,  1831,  and  resulted  in  the  choice  of  the  following 
gentlemen:  John  Cowden,  John  B.  Boyd,  James  Merrill,  A^  B.  Cummings, 
John  Taggart.  Joseph  Wallis,  Abbot  Green,  James  Hepburn,  Daniel  Brau- 
tigam,  Henry  Frick,  William  Clyde.  Alexander  Jordan,  and  Dr.  David 
Petriken.  On  the  Sth  of  August.  1S31,  James  Hepburn  was  elected  as 
president  and  Joseph  R.  Priestley  as  cashier;  and  on  Monday,  September 
26,  1831,  the  business  of  the  bank  was  regularly  commenced.  The  stock 
was  originally  subscribed  by  one  hundred  fourteen  different  persons;  by  the 
terms  of  its  charter  the  institution  was  located  at  Northumberland,  and  its 
administration  was  in  the  hands  of  citizens  of  that  borough  for  some  years. 
James  Hei^burn,  the  first  president,  resigned,  April  23,  1840,  and  on  the  30th 
of  the  same  month  he  was  succeeded  by  John  Taggart;  he  served  until 
November  20,  1855,  when  William  Cameron  was  elected  by  a  board  of 
directors  composed  of  Samuel  T.  Brown,  F.  W.  Pollock,  Paul  Masteller, 
John  Walls,  William  Cameron,  William  H.  Waples,  Amos  E.  Kapp,  Jesse  C. 
Horton,  William  I.  Greenough,  George  Schnure,  Edward  Wilson,  C.  R. 
Paston,  and  John  B.  Packer.  A  change  in  the  management  of  the  institu- 
tion was  effected  by  the  election  of  this  board,  which  occurred  at  the  regiUar 
annual  meeting  of  the  stockholders  on  the  19th  of  November,  1855.  Upon 
the  resignation  of  Mr.  Cameron  as  president,  June  25,  1857,  John  B.  Packer 
was  elected  as  his  successor,  and  has  continued  in  that  position  until  the 
present  time.  Joseph  R.  Priestley,  the  first  cashier,  served  in  that  capacity 
until  his  death,  November  10,  1863:  Samuel  J.  Packer,  the  present  cashier, 
was  elected  on  the  lllth  of  November.  1863,  and  has  since  been  the  incum- 
bent of  that  office.  By  virtue  of  an  act  of  the  legislature  approved  April 
16,  1864,  the  bank  was  removed  from  Northumberland  to  Sunbury  on  the 
25th  of  July  in  the  same  vear.     There  it  continued  as  a  State  bank  until  the 


SUNBUKY.  495 

1st  of  July,  1S<)5:  the  last  directon,-  under  the  State  charter  was  composed 
of  John  B.  Packer.  James  K.  Davis,  Jesse  C.  Horton,  William  H.  AVaples, 
William  M.  Rockefeller.  George  Conrad.  Daniel  Heim,  E.  Y.  Bright,  Samuel 
John,  Andrew  Ditty.  John  B.  Linn.  Paul  Masteller,  and  John  Haas. 

On  the  1st  of  July,  ISfVJ.  the  Bank  of  Northumberland  surrendered  its 
State  charter  and  was  organized  as  a  national  bank  under  the  title  of  "  The 
First  National  Bank  of  Simbmy  "  with  an  authorized  capital  of  live  hundred 
thousand  dollars,  of  which  two  hundred  thousand  was  jaaid  in  in  foiir  thousand 
shares  of  fifty  dollars  each.  Of  this  amount  the  stockholders  paid  in  thirty- 
five  dollars  per  share;  the  balance,  fifteen  dollars  per  share,  was  derived  from 
the  earnings  of  the  bank  while  it  was  a  State  institution.  The  present  num- 
ber of  shareholders  is  seventy-eight.  The  first  board  of  directors  after 
the  organization  as  a  national  bank  was  composed  of  John  B.  Packer,  James 
K.  Davis.  Jesse  C.  Horton,  William  H.  Wajiles,  Simon  Cameron,  William  I. 
Greenough,  Alexander  Jordan.  John  Haas,  William  M.  Rockefeller,  George 
F.  Miller,  William  Cameron.  George  SmuUer,  and  A.  B.  Warford;  John  B. 
Packer,  James  K.  Davis,  H.  E.  Davis.  William  I.  Greenough,  John  Haas,  Will- 
iam M.  Rockefeller,  George  Schnure.  James  C.  Packer,  and  D.  B.  Miller  consti- 
tute the  present  directory.  The  present  ( 1S91)  officers  are  as  follows :  jiresident, 
John  B.  Packer:  cashier,  Samuel  J.  Packer;  bookkeeper,  A.  L.  Bastress; 
teller,  George  W.  Deppen;  clerks,  W.  F.  Rhoads  and  D.  E.  Bloom;  messen- 
ger, Nathaniel  Strain.  The  period  for  which  the  institution  was  originally 
incorporated  having  expired,  it  was  rechartered  in  June,  1SS5,  for  another 
period  of  twenty  years. 

This  bank  is  one  of  the  oldest  in  central  Pennsylvania,  and  throughout 
its  entire  history  has  maintained  the  highest  standard  of  financial  integrity. 
While  the  notes  of  a  large  number  of  the  banks  of  the  State  were  at  a  dis- 
count, the  notes  of  the  Bank  of  Northumberland  were  uniformly  redeemed  at 
par  in  gold  in  Philadelphia;  and  during  the  panic  of  1S73,  when  nearly  all 
the  banks  of  the  country  declined  to  pay  to  their  customers  more  than  fifty 
dollars  in  currency  at  one  time,  this  bank  paid  all  checks  without  limit,  thus 
demonstrating  its  ability  to  meet  promptly  all  demands  of  its  depositors, 
although  the  deposits  at  that  time  averaged  three  hundred  fifty  thousand 
dollars.  The  institution  has  paid  in  dividends  since  its  organization  in  1831 
(not  including  the  fifteen  dollars  per  share  previously  mentioned)  one  million 
forty  thotisand  dollars,  and  its  undivided  profits  at  the  present  time  amount 
to  one  hundred  thirty-five  thousand  dollars. 

The  Augusta  Bank  was  originally  incorporated  under  the  name  of  the 
Farmers'  Mutual  Life  Insurance  and  Tnist  Company  of  Uj^per  Augusta 
Township,  the  organization  of  which  was  aitthorized  by  an  act  of  the  legis- 
lature approved  on  the  13th  of  April,  1SG7.  The  company  was  not  formed 
until  1872,  however,  and  the  name  was  subsequently  changed  to  "The  Au- 
gusta Bank"  by  decree  of  court  upon  petition  of  the  stockholders.     J.  Adam 


496  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

Cake  was  iiresident  and  George  W.  Savior  cashier.  The  institution  was 
located  in  that  jiart  of  Sunbury  known  as  Caketown;  business  was  continued 
four  years. 

The  Sunbury  Trust  and  Safe  Deposit  Company  was  organized  on  the 
loth  of  July,  1890,  with  the  following  officers:  president,  Charles  W.  Nick- 
erson;  \'ice-president,  Hiram  Long;  secretary  and  treasurer,  J.  Weiser 
Bucher;  directors:  Charles  W.  Nickerson,  Hiram  Long,  Henry  Clement, 
George  B.  Reimensnyder,  R.  F.  Wilson,  C.  H.  Dickerman,  P.  H.  Snyder, 
Adolph  Oppenheimer,  A.  R.  Trexler,  S.  P.  Malick,  George  B.  Cadwallader, 
John  R.  Kauffman,  Sr.,  S.  E.  Slaymaker,  O.  R.  Driunheller,  and  Irvin  F. 
Guyer.  The  authorized  capital  is  two  hundred  fifty  thousand  dollars.  A. 
L.  Bastrcss  became  secretary  and  treasurer  on  the  1st  of  March,  1891. 

G.\S,  ELECTRIC  LIGHT,   AND  W.\TER  COMP.\NIES. 

The  Sunbury  Gas  Light  Company  was  incoiporated  on  the  22dof  Decem- 
ber, ISTf),  with  a  capital  of  twenty-five  thousand  dollars  and  the  following 
corporators:  Trimian  H.  Purdy,  Hiram  Long,  S.  P.  Wolverton,  Ira  Hile, 
John  Eckman,  and  William  M.  Rockefeller.  S.  P.  Wolverton  has  served  as 
president  and  Trimian  H.  Purdy  as  trea.siLrer  of  the  company  since  its  or- 
ganization. The  plant  was  erected  by  the  Sunbury  Gas  Company  (incorpor- 
ated in  1873),  purchased  by  Tnunan  H.  Purdy  in  1870  at  sheriffs  sale,  and 
transferred  by  him  to  the  present  company. 

The  Edison  Electric  Illuminating  Compjany  of  Sunbury  was  organized 
in  1883;  the  first  directors  were  Thomas  C.  Detweiler,  James  W.  Sweely, 
Frank  H.  McCormick,  Seth  T.  McCormick,  and  Charles  B.  Story.  Light 
was  first  supplied  on  the  4th  of  July,  1S83. 

The  Sunbury  Electric  Light  and  Power  Company  was  organized  in  1890 
with  H.  E.  Davis,  president,  C.  M.  Clement,  secretary,  S.  P.  Wolverton, 
treasurer,  and  a  board  of  directors  composed  of  H.  E.  Davis,  F.  P.  Aber- 
crombie,  C.  M.  Clement,  H.  A.  Schuck,  A.  R.  Trexler,  P.  P.  Smith,  and 
Thomas  Murty.  The  dynamo  has  a  capacity  of  fifty  arc  lights.  Light  was 
first  supplied  on  the  4th  of  July,  1889. 

The  Sunbury  Water  Company  was  incorporated  on  the  2d  of  March, 
1883.  The  first  officers  were  John  Haas,  president,  L.  T.  Rohrbach,  treas- 
urer, and  S.  E.  Slaymaker,  secretary,  who  have  held  their  respective  positions 
to  the  present  time.  The  capital  is  thirty-three  thousand  dollars.  Little 
Shamokin  creek  is  the  source  of  siipply;  the  reservoir  has  a  capacity  of  five 
million  gallons. 

L0C.\L    PAPERS. 

Der  Freiheitsvogel,  the  first  newspaper  published  at  Sunbury,  was  estab- 
lished by  Jacob  D.  Breyvogel  in  1800.  The  succession  of  local  papers  since 
that  time  has  been  as  follows:      The  Times,  Publick  Inquirer.  The  Gazetteer, 


SUNBURY.  -497 

Der  Northumberland  Repuhlikaner,  Nordicestliche  Post,  Shamokin  Canal- 
boot.  The  Workingmen's  Advocate,  The  Simburr  Gazette,  Susquehanna  Em- 
porium, Der  General  Staats  Zeitung,  The  Sunbury  American,  Der  Deutsche 
Amerikaner.  Der  Deutsche  Demokrat,  The  Northumberland  County  Democrat, 
The  Sunbury  Independent,  The  Weekly  Independent,  The  Simbury  Enter- 
prise. The  Sunbury  Weekly  Neics,  The  Sunbury  Daily,  The  Daily  American, 
The  Morning  Exj^ress,  The  Evening  Neivs,  and  the  Northumberland  County 
Legal  Neivs.  Three  weeklies,  the  American,  Democrat,  and  Weekly  News, 
and  two  dailies,  the  Daily  and  N'eivs,  are  published  at  the  present  time. 

THE    POSTOFFICE. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  Sunbury  postmasters,  with  dates  of  their  respect- 
ive  appointments:     Robert  Gray,  January  1,  1797;    John  Weitzel,  October 

I.  179S;  Solomon  Markley,  July  1,  1S02:  Lewis  Dewart,  April  19,  1806; 
Edward  Gobin,  March  13,  ISl'O:  Thomas  Painter,  May  14,  1S22:  Samuel 
J.  Packer,  December  9,  1822;  John  G.  Martin,  February  12,  1824;  Eachel 
B.  Packer,  March  27,  1835;  John  Yoimgman,  March  5,  ISoo;  Martin  E. 
Bucher,  December  15,  1856;  George  M.  Renn,  March  19,  1801;  Jonathan 
Bostian,  April  26,  1864;  John  J.  Smith,  April  19,  1871;  Jacob  Rohrbach, 
May  5.  ISSl ;  Jacob  E.  Eichholtz.  May  25,  1885;  A.  N.  Brice,  March  20,  1890. 

SECRET    AND    OTHEE    SOCIETIES. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  secret  and  other  societies  at  Sunbury,  with  dates 
of  organization  or  institution:  Lodge  No.  22.  F.  &  A.  M.,  October  4,  1779, 
and  March  2(5.  1787;  Northumberland  H.  R.  A.  Chapter,  No.  174,  December 
27,  1852;  Sunbury  Lodge,  No.  203,  I.  0.  0.  F.,  November  9,  1846;  Fort 
Augusta  Lodge,  No.  620,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  Januarj-  25,  1868;  Anna  (Rebekah 
Degree)  Lodge,  No.  56.  I.  O.  O.  F.,  May  IS,  1871;  "Washington  Camp,  No. 
hCt.  O.  S.  of  A.,  March  13,  1869;  Washington  Camp,  No.  149,  P.  O.  S.  of 
A.,  July  19,  1873;  Susquehanna  Commandery,  No.  9,  P.  O.  S.  of  A.,  Sep- 
tember 10,  1S72;  Eastern  Star  Lodge.  No.  143,  K.  of  P.,  March  24,  1869; 
Ca}-uga  Lodge,  No.  416,  K.  of  P.,  December  6,  1873;  Diamond  Division,  No. 
40.  Tniform  Rank,  K.  of  P.,  June  9,  1890;    Lance  and  Shield  Conclave,  No. 

II,  S.  P.  K,  November  11,  1870;  Lieutenant  William  A.  Bruner  Post,  No. 
235,  G.  A.  R.,  May  21,  1883;  Colonel  James  Cameron  Camp,  No.  160,  S.  of 
v.,  July  1,  1887:  Woman's  Relief  Corps,  November  2,  1888;  Shamokin 
Tribe,  No.  69,  I.  O.  R.  M.,  1885;  Alphoretta  Tribe,  No.  98, 1.  O.  R.  M.,  1888; 
Simburj', Council,  No.  945,  O.  U.  A.  M.,  June  8,  1886;  Ivy  Castle,  No.  414,  K. 
G.  E.,  April  6,  1889;  W.  C.  Packer  Council,  No.  285,  A.  O.  U.  W.,  July  17, 

•1889. 

EDUCiTIONAL    INTERESTS. 

Nothing  definite  is  known  concerning  the  early  educational  advantages  of 
Simbury,  although  it  is  possible  that  the  community  was  not  utterly  destitute 


498  HISTORY    OF    NOETHUIIBEBLAXD    COUNTY. 

of  facilities  for  the  instruction  of  its  juvenile  population.  How  meager  was 
the  local  provision  for  this  important  object  at  the  period  immediately  fol- 
lowing the  close  of  the  Revolutionary  war  is  attested  by  an  entry  in  the  min- 
utes of  the  orphans'  court  of  Northumberland  coimty  at  September  term, 
1782,  from  which  it  appears  that  "on  account  of  the  troubles  and  ditficulties 
attending  our  situation  on  the  frontier,"  the  guardians  of  the  orphan  children 
of  Simon  Cool  were  permitted  to  remove  their  wards  "to  some  interior  part 
of  the  coimtry  for  the  better  advantages  of  their  education  and  maintenance." 

The  earliest  effort  to  establish  a  school  at  the  county  seat  of  which  there 
is  any  authentic  record  was  made  in  ITIJG,  when  a  number  of  prominent 
citizens  formed  an  association  for  the  erection  of  a  school  building;  their 
names,  with  the  niimber  of  shares  subscribed  by  each,  were  as  follows :  John 
Buyers,  four;  "William  McAdams,  one;  Daniel  Hurley,  three;  William  Dew- 
art,  four;  William  Gray,  three;  John  Weitzel,  two;  Martin  Withington,  two; 
Joseph  Wallis,  four;  Martin  Kendig,  three;  Paul  Baldy,  two;  James  Alex- 
ander, one;  Christian  Gettig,  two;  John  Lyon,  one;  Frederick  Lazarus,  two; 
Nicholas  Miller,  one;  James  Black,  three;  Joseph  Thompson,  one,  and  Thomas 
Grant,  one.  Lot  No.  136,  situated  at  the  southeast  comer  of  Arch  street  and 
Center  alley,  was  purchased  for  the  sum  of  tifty-five  pounds  from  Colonel 
Thomas  Hartley,  of  York,  Pennsylvania,  and  on  the  19th  of  October,  ITUO, 
he  executed  a  deed*  to  John  Buyers.  William  Gray,  William  Dewart,  Fred- 
erick Lazarus,  John  W'eitzel,  and  Daniel  Smith,  "trustees  nominated  and 
appointed  by  the  per.sons  whose  names  are  hereunto  annexed,  for  the  purpose 
of  purchasing  a  school  house  to  and  for  the  use  of  the  subscribers  according 
to  the  number  of  shares  to  each  person's  name  annexed"  (the  foregoing  list). 
It  is  not  probable  that  the  school  thus  planned  was  ever  established;  if  it 
was,  it  did  not  continue  long  enough  to  secure  a  place  in  the  traditions  of 
the  community. 

In  a  contribution  to  the  "Report  of  the  Superintendent  of  Public  Instruc- 
tion for  1877,"  John  F.  Wolfinger,  of  Milton,  who  passed  several  years  of  his 
early  life  at  Sunbury,  states  that  the  first  school  at  that  place  was  opened  in 
1800  "on  the  ground-floor  room  of  a  two-story  log  house  on  the  south  side 
of  Chestnut  street"  a  short  distance  west  of  Second.  Among  the  families 
who  patronized  this  school  he  mentions  those  of  Alter,  Baldy,  Black,  Bogar, 
Brady,  Bucher,  Buyers,  Coldron,  Darch,  Dewart,  Gray,  Haas,  Hall,  Harrison, 
Hileman,  Hurley,  Irwin,  Kiehl,  Lazarus,  Lebo,  Lyon,  Mantz,  Markle,  McKin- 
ney,  Painter,  Robins,  Scott,  Shaffer,  Sinton,  Simpson,  Smith,  Vanderslice, 
Wallis,  .Weaver,  Weitzel,  Withington,  and  Young.  The  first  teacher  was  a 
Mr.  Smith,  "a  small,  chunky  Englishilian,"  and  the  school  continued  two  or 
three  years.  Mr.  Wolfinger  also  states  that  the  second  school  was  taught  by  ■ 
a  Mr.  Davis,  a  middle-aged  man,  "on  the  ground-floor  of  a  two-story  log 
house"  on  the  south  side  of  Arch  street  between  Front  and  Second. 

*  Xoi'tliumbeiiand  County  Deed  Book  I,  p.  173. 


SCXBCRY.  499 

Dr.  E.  H.  Awl  furnishes  the  following  list  of  teachers  in  private  schools 
at  Sunbiiry,  the  majority  of  whom  taught  before  the  introduction  of  the  pub- 
lic school  system:  Samuel  Howe.  Mr.  Smith,  Mr.  Davis,  Andrew  Galium,  Will- 
iam Graham,  Thomas  Armstrong.  James  Nolan,  Jesse  K.  Millard,  J.  G. 
Ungerer,  Peter  Hall,  Edward  Chapman,*  E.  C.  Braden,  John  Colsher,  Mr. 
O'Xeil,  Andrew  Kennedy,  Alexander  Strickland,  George  Haas,  Peter  Shindel, 
Mr.  Grimes,  Christian  Wood,  John  Sinton,  John  Eisely  (German),  Robert  E. 
Smith,  George  A.  Snyder,  Mr.  Carter,  Ebenezer  Euss,  Daniel  Kohler, 
Jeremiah  Shindel,  Francis  P.  Schwartz,  Frederick  Lebrun,  Cale  Pelton, 
Edward  Oyster,  Aaron  Fisher,  Mr.  Thaver,  Joseph  B.  McEnally.  Josejih 
Ehoads.  William  Jordan,  Doctor  Huff.  Eichard  Peale.  Mr.  Dickson,  S.  P. 
Wolverton.  L.  T.  Eohrbaeh.  Mr.  Fmk.  A.  X.  Brice,  Mrs.  Irwin,  Mrs.  Patch. 
Mrs.  Crosby,  Mrs.  Margaret  Black.  Mrs.  Dorcas  Grant,  Mrs.  Mary  Eisely 
(German),  Miss  Maria  Kennedy,  Miss  Elizabeth  Kennedy,  Mrs.  Ogle  {nee 
Alexander),  Miss  Marv'  Jane  Peters,  Miss  Jane  Finney,  Miss  Sophia  Weimer, 
Miss  Catherine  Brooks,  Miss  Virginia  Brooks,  Miss  Hogar,  Miss  Mary  Whar- 
ton, Miss  Elizabeth  Breck,  Miss  Catherine  Black,  Mrs.  Eebecca  A.  Awl  {nee 
Pursel),  Mrs.  Susan  Yoimgman,  and  Miss  Ella  Painter. 

The  following  with  reference  to  the  location  of  the  schools  anterior  to  the 
introduction  of  the  public  school  system  has  also  been  compiled  by  Dr.  R.  H. 
Awl:  North  side  of  Walnut  street  between  Third  and  Fourth — a  log  build- 
ing subsec^iiently  occiipied  by  PoUy  Henninger;  north  side  of  Walnut  street 
between  Front  and  Second — a  log  building  subsecjuently  occupied  by  John 
Snyder,  fisherman;  east  side  of  Third  street  between  Penn  and  Chestnut — 
the  second  story  of  Weiser"s  tannery-,  reached  b}"  an  outside  stairway;  Chest- 
nut street  between  Second  and  Third — a  log  house  subsequently  occupied  by 
a  German  named  Westerman:  southeast  corner  of  Market  and  Front — a 
frame  building  subsequently  occupied  by  "  Het "  Colley  (colored);  Front 
street  between  Market  and  Arch — the  second  storv'  of  a  log  building  that  stood 
immediately  south  of  the  alley  and  across  from  the  Episcopal  church:  south- 
east corner  of  Penn  and  Front  streets — a  log  building  subsequently  occupied 

•  Edward  Cliapman  was  a  native  of  Liti-hfleld  county,  Connecticut.  In  his  "Kemlniscences," 
publislied  in  tlie  Northumberiand  County  Legnl  Tcics,  John  F.  Wolfinger  descriljes  him  as  a  man  of 
fine  appearance,  agreeable  manners,  an.l  superior  intellectual  endowments.  He  read  law  witli 
Charles  Hall,  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  April.  1?14,  but  never  engaged  in  tlie  practice  of  that 
profession,  and  died  on  the  5th  of  April,  IS-.'l,  at  the  age  of  thirty-two.  He  possessed  fine  poetic  talent, 
and  was  the  author  of  several  poems  which  found  their  way  into  the  newspapers  of  the  day,  one  of 
which,  entitled  "  Columbia  "  begins  as  follows:  - 

"  Columbia's  shores  are  wild  and  wide, 

Colunibia's  hills  are  high, 
And  rudely  planted  side  by  side, 

Her  forests  meet  the  eye : 
But  narrow  must  those  shores  be  made. 

And  low  Columbia's  hills. 
And  low  her  .incient  forests  laid, 
Ere  Freedom  leaves  her  fields; 
For  'tis  the  laud  where,  nide  and  wild. 
She  played  her  gambols  when  a  child." 


500  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAKD   COUNTY. 

by  Joha  Martin  as  a  hatter  shop;  south  side  of  Market  street  between  Third 
and  Fourth — a  frame  building  subsequently  occupied  by  a  Mr.  GuUcks, 
harness  maker;  northeast  corner  of  Chestnut  and  Third — a  log  building  sub- 
sequently occupied  by  Miss  Sallie  Giberson,  a  lady  of  remarkable  avoirdupois ; 
Chestnut  street  between  Front  and  Second — a  log  building  subsequently 
occupied  by  Jacob  Bright,  watchmaker;  Second  street  near  its  intersection 
with  Race — "  Beshler's  red  house;"  west  side  of  Second  near  Eace — a  build- 
ing subsequently  used  as  a  wagon-making  shop  by  Jacob  Heller;  south  side 
of  Chestnut  street  between  Third  and  Fourth — a  building  subsequently 
occupied  by  John  Hileman,  shoemaker;  north  side  of  Chestnut  street  between 
Third  and  Fourth — a  log  building  subsequently  occupied  by  Jacob  Coble; 
north  side  of  Market  street  between  Third  and  Fourth — a  building  subse- 
quently occupied  by  John  Boulton  as  a  hotel;  north  side  of  Penn  street  be- 
tween Third  and  Fourth — a  large  building  subsequently  occupied  by  "  Cap- 
tain" Heinen,  a  soldier  of  the  war  of  1S12;  south  side  of  Arch  street  between 
Second  and  Third — Youngman's  printing  office:  northeast  comer  of  Front 
and  Arch — the  old  Maclay  house;  south  side  of  Market  street  between  Second 
and  Third — a  frame  building  near  Third;  northeast  corner  of  Third  and 
Race;  west  side  of  Second  street  between  Market  and  Chestnut — a  small 
building  nearly  opposite  the  law  building  of  S.  P.  Wolverton.  The  most 
important  of  these  early  locations  were  the  log  building  opposite  the  Episco- 
pal church,  where  Edward  Chapman  and  Alexander  Strickland  taught ;  the 
Weiser  tannery,  where  Chapman  and  Braden  taught;  and  the  log  building 
on  the  north  side  of  Walnut  between  Front  and  Second,  known  as  "  the 
Dutch  school."  and  used  by  the  German  population  as  a  school  house  and 
place  of  worship.  Christopher  Wood  taught  at  the  north  side  of  Chestnut 
street  between  Second  and  Third;  Robert  Smith,  brother  of  Rev.  William  R. 
Smith,  at  the  soiitheast  corner  of  Market  and  Front:  the  Misses  Kennedy,  at 
the  south  side  of  Market  between  Third  and  Fourth;  Mrs.  Ogle,  Miss  Mary 
Jane  Peters,  and  Ebenezer  Russ,  at  the  south  side  of  Chestnut  street  between 
Third  and  Fourth;  John  Colsher  (who  died  on  the  25th  of  May,  1857,  at  the 
age  of  ninety  years),  at  the  north  side  of  Market  street  between  Third  and 
Fourth;  Miss  Elizabeth  Breck,  at  the  Youngman  printing  office  on  Arch 
street ;  Lebrun  and  Pelton,  at  the  south  side  of  Market  just  west  of  Third, 
from  which  Pelton  moved  to  the  northeast  comer  of  Third  and  Race. 

The  Sitnbu7-y  Academy  was  established  in  1S35  (as  nearly  as  can  be  as- 
certained) by  Cale  Pelton,  a  teacher  of  much  abihty,-  whose  school  proved  to 
be  a  great  intellectual  stimulus  to  this  community.  The  curriculum  in- 
cluded the  higher  mathematics,  Latin,  and  Greek.  Mr.  Pelton  was  a  graduate 
of  Yale -College,  and  the  author  of  a  series  of  outline  maps  and  other 
aids  to  the  study  of  geography  that  once  acquired  a  wide  circulation.  His 
work  was  ably  continued  by  Frederick  Lebnon,  a  graduate  of  the  "Univer- 
sity of  Oxford,  an  accomplished  linguist,  and  a  teacher  of  the  highest  repu- 


SUNBURY.  •  501 

tation,  whose  last  term  closed  in  March.  1S39.  Among  the  subsequent 
teachers  were  Joseph  C.  Ehoads,  Aaron  C.  Fisher,  Dr.  Isaac  Huff,  Henry 
Donnel,  a  Mr.  Thayer,  Joseph  B.  McEnally.  Kichard  S.  Peale,  and  S.  P. 
Wolverton.  The  institution  was  incorporated  in  1838,  and  efforts  were 
several  times  made  to  erect  a  building,  but  without  success. 

The  Public  School  System  was  adojjted  at  Simbury  in  1834.  Regarding 
the  attitude  of  public  sentiment  when  the  ^-ital  subject  of  taxation  for  its 
support  was  presented,  the  following  extract  from  the  Workingmen' s  Advo- 
cate (edited  by  John  G.  Yoimgman,  who  was  the  secretary  of  the  first  school 
board)  in  its  issue  of  December  6,  1834,  may  be  of  interest: — 

Upon  due  notice  given  by  the  school  directors,  a  small  portion  of  the  citizens  of 
the  borough  of  Sunbury  met  on  the  29th  ultimo  in  the  court  house,  and,  acting  upon 
the  Tilth  section  of  the  "  free  school "  law,  passed  and  approved,  April  1,  1834,— 
Henry  Reader,  in  the  chair— 

Rehired,  That  double  the  amount  of  the  county  tax  be  raised  as  a  sum  in  addition 
to  the  amount  of  half  the  county  tax  determined  upon  b.v  the  school  delegates  on  the 
4th  of  Xovember  previous. 

These  amounts,  added  to  our  dividend  from  the  State  treasury  (eighty-six  dollars, 
twenty-three  and  three  fourths  cents)  would  amount  to  about  fourteen  hundred  fifty 
dollars.  This  large  sum,  to  be  collected  chiefly  from  the  pockets  of  persons  who  either 
have  themselves  no  children  to  send  to  school,  or  have  intended  them  for  higher 
schools,  was  altogether  unexpected,  and  caused  considerable  excitement  among  a  ma- 
jority of  the  citizens,  which  was  evident  in  a  subsequent  meeting  held  on  the  evening 
of  Tuesday  last,  Mr.  George  Prince  in  the  chair.  This  meeting,  we  are  told,  was  at- 
tended by  upwards  of  one  hundred  persons,  all.  except  two  or  three,  vehemently  ex- 
pressing their  determination  against  paying  anything  in  addition  to  the  sum  agreed 
upon  by  the  school  delegates;  thus  leaving  no  doubt  that  an  attempt  to  impose  and 
collect  any  additional  sum  would  become  a  very  troublesome  affair,  however  lawful 
such  an  addition  might  be,  the  nullifiers  not  coming  forward  and  expressing  their 
negative  sentiments  upon  this  subject  in  the  first  meeting.  Under  these  circumstances, 
the  course  left  the  school  directors  to  pursue  is  very  doubtful  and  difficult. 

Under  the  new  regime  the  first  school  building,  a  two-story  brick 
structure  sixty  feet  long  and  forty  feet  wide,  was  erected  in  1836.  The 
directors  at  that  time  were  Eev.  J.  P.  Shindel,  William  M.  Robins,  Jacob 
Painter,  George  Bright,  and  Alexander  Jordan.  The  contractors  for  the 
building  were  Charles  Dering  and  Samuel  Fetter.  It  occupied  the  site  of 
the  Masonic  hall  on  Third  street,  and  was  the  only  school  building  m  the 
borough  until  ISO",  when  it  was  sold  to  the  Masonic  order.  Two  school 
houses  were  erected  in  1866-67,  one  at  the  southwest  corner  of  Second  and 
Spruce,  the  other  on  the  south  side  of  Arch  street  between  Third  and  Fourth; 
both  have  since  been  enlarged,  and  are  stiU  occupied  for  school  purposes. 
The  building  on  Second  street  between  Market  and  Arch  was  erected  in 
1SG8  and  enlarged  in  1873.  The  building  on  the  west  side  of  Fourth  street 
between  Penn  and  Walnut  was  buiU  in  1S68  and  enlarged  in  1884.  The 
Fifth  ward  (Caketown)  school  house  was  erected  in  1876. 

The  high  school  was  established  in  1870,  when  a  regular  system  of  grad 


502  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

ing  was  first  adoiited;  the  board  at  that  time  was  composed  of  L.  T.  Eohr- 
bach.  Jacob  Fetter,  M.  C.  Gearhart,  W.  Rhoads,  M.  P.  Scupham,  and  Henry 
Y.  Frihng.  The  high  school  organized  on  the  3d  of  October,  ISTO,  with  J. 
B.  jMiller  as  principal,  at  J.  M.  Bartholomew's  store-room  on  the  west  side 
of  Fourth  street  between  Arch  and  Market:  from  that  place  it  was  removed 
to  the  building  on  Second  street  opposite  the  jail,  and  thence  to  the  present 
substantial  three-storj'  structure  on  Front  street. 

The  following  items  have  been  derived  from  the  official  report  of  the 
school  board  for  the  year  ending  on  the  first  Monday  in  June,  1890: — 

Xumber  of  schools 18 

Average  number  of  months  taught 8 

^s'umber  of  male  teachers  emploj'ed 6 

Xumber  of  female  teachers  employed i;3 

Average  salary  of  males  per  mouth !S68 

Average  salary  of  females  per  month §;:J7 

Xumber  of  male  scholars  attending  school 526 

Number  of  female  scholars  attending  school o:>5 

Whole  number  in  attendance 1,061 

Average  dail}-  attendance 802 

Average  percentage  of  attendance .9.5 

Cost  of  each  pupil  per  month SO .  98 

Indebtedness  of  district :Br2,:3.'52.16 

Estimated  value  of  school  property 3:3,000.00 

CHURCHES. 

Zion  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church  is  one  of  the  oldest  and  largest  con- 
gregations of  that  denomination  in  central  Pennsylvania.  Its  first  place  of 
worship  was  a  log  building  on  the  north  side  of  Walnut  street  between  Front 
and  Second,  jointly  used  for  school  and  church  purposes,  and  finally  sold  in 
1841  to  the  Rev.  J.  P.  Shindel.  In  September.  1791,  proposals  were  received 
for  the  erection  of  a  church  edifice  '"forty  by  thirty  feet  and  sufficiently  high 
enough  for  raising  a  gallery."  On  the  12th  of  December,  1793  (as  evidenced 
by  a  letter  from  Rev.  Christian  Espich,  published  in  Kennedy's  Gazette  of 
January  1, 1794),  a  congregational  meeting  was  held  at  which  John  Painter, 
Philip  Peffer,  Bernard  Hubley,  and  Frederick  Lazarus  were  elected  "to 
meet  at  the  house  of  Christian  Gettig  on  Friday,  the  20th  instant,  to  settle 
and  adjust  the  accounts  of  the  managers  ajipointed  to  build  the  church  for 
said  congregation."  The  auditors  met  accordingly;  their  published  rejiort 
states  that  "The  managers,  viz..  Christian  Gettig,  Nicholas  Routher,  Paul 
Baldy,  and  Peter  Smith,  merit  the  thanks  of  the  congregation  for  the  under- 
taking of  said  building,  as  their  trouble  must  have  been  great  and  arduous; 
a  great  part  of  their  time  was  spent  in  superintending  the  building;  from  a 
liberal  and  Christian  spirit  they  have  never  charged  anything  therefor;  the 
architecture  of  the  building  is  a  masterpiece  for  so  small  a  sum  of  money 
that  was  expended."     They  presented  the  following  financial  summary: — 


SUNBUEY.  503 

Aggregate  cost,  iucludiug  the  bell £497  2s.      4d. 

Aggregate  receipts 401  4        2 

Aggregate  disbursements  399  0        Si-^ 

Uncollected  subscriptions 105         12        2 

Unpaid  obligations 98  1         "ij 

This  building  was  sitiiatecl  on  the  west  side  of  Third  street,  at  or  near 
the  site  of  the  second  church  edifice  of  this  congregation.  It  was  constructed 
of  hewn  logs.  The  pews  were  of  the  "old-fashioned  high-back  order."  and 
the  pulpit  was  of  the  "wine  glass  or  goblet  style."  A  pipe-organ  of  Stall's 
make,  one  of  the  first  in  central  Pennsylvania,  was  purchased  in  1S15,  and 
when  first  played  attracted  such  a  crowd  that  the  building  sustained  consid- 
erable damage  by  a  collapse  of  the  floor.  During  the  year  1826  the  struct- 
ure was  plastered  both  inside  and  outside,  the  pulpit  and  pews  were  modern- 
ized, and  the  building  was  reopened  for  service  September  10th  of  that 
year.  At  a  congregational  meeting,  June  24.  1S41,  it  was  decided  to  estab- 
lish a  separate  denominational  Sunday  school,  to  sell  the  old  school  house 
and  lot,  and  to  erect  a  Sunday  school  building  on  the  churcli  lot,  for  which 
John  Young,  George  Martin,  and  Eev.  J.  P.  Shindel  were  appointed  as  a 
building  committee.  A  brick  structure  was  accordingly  erected,  and  used 
for  Simday  school  and  other  purposes  as  designed.  At  a  congregational 
meeting  on  the  2Sth  of  July,  1853,  formal  action  was  taken  for  the  erection 
of  a  new  church  edifice.  The  comer-stone  of  the  brick  structure  which  now 
stands  on  Third  street  was  laid  on  the  Sth  of  September,  1854,  and  on  the 
25th  of  December,  1855,  the  dedication  occurred.  This  building  was  subse- 
quently enlarged;  a  parsonage  was  also  erected  on  Walnut  street.  The  site 
of  the  present  church  edifice  at  the  southwest  corner  of  Market  and  Fifth 
streets  was  purchased  in  18S6  at  a  cost  of  five  thousand  dollars;  ground  was 
broken  on  the  2d  of  August  in  that  year,  and  on  the  10th  of  October  follow- 
ing the  corner-stone  was  laid.  John  Haas,  John  L.  Miller,  John  B.  Lenker, 
"William  H.  Rohrbach,  and  Solomon  Stroh  composed  the  building  committee. 
The  edifice  was  completed  and  furnished  at  a  cost  of  twenty-seven  thousand 
dollars,  and  dedicated  on  the  10th  of  June,  ISSS,  when  Rev.  J.  H.  Menges, 
D.  D.,  delivered  the  dedicatory  sermon.  In  pursuance  of  congregational 
action  taken  on  the  18th  of  May,  1887,  the  present  parsonage  on  Fifth  street 
at  the  rear  of  the  church  was  built  at  a  cost  of  two  thousand  dollars. 

Rev.  John  Herbst  is  supposed  to  have  been  one  of  the  first  2>astors;  Rev. 
Chistian  Espich  was  pastor  at  the  time  the  fii-st  church  edifice  was  erected,  and 
Reverend  Unger  was  also  an  early  incumbent  of  that  office.  Since  1812  the 
succession  has  been  as  follows:  J.  P.  Shindel,  June  4,  1812,  to  July  2,  1850; 
(Mr.  Shindel  preached  only  in  German;  toward  the  close  of  his  pastorate 
Rev.  J.  AUeman  also  conducted  English  services;)  P.  Born,  D.  D.,  April. 
1851,  to  September,  1850;  P.  Rizer,  April  1,  1860,  to  May  1,  1862:  M. 
Rhodes,  D.  D.,  July  1.  1862,  to  January  1.  1867:  G.  W.  Hemperley,  1867 
to  October,  1876;  George  Parsons,  December.  1876,  to  October  1,  1884;  S. 


504  HISTORY    OF    NORTHDMBEKLAND    COUNTY. 

G.  Shannon,  March  8.  1SS5,  to  April  1,  1889;  J.  H.  Weber,  September  1, 
1889,  present  incumbent.  The  church  received  two  hundred  sixty  acce.ssions 
during  the  first  year  of  Mr.  Weber's  pastorate. 

The  Sunday  school  was  organized  on  the  4th  of  July,  1S41.  with  William 
M.  Gray  as  sujjerintendent  and  one  hundred  six  members.  The  present 
superintendent  is  John  Haas,  who  has  held  that  position  since  1S68  with  the 
exception  of  one  year.  The  official  report  for  1890  showed  a  membership 
of  nine  hundred  twenty-one.  A  branch  school  was  organized  in  the  Third 
ward  school  house  on  the  7th  of  September,  1890,  with  sixty-five  members. 

The  First  Reformed  Church  was  organized  in  1784.  The  first  church 
building  at  the  site  of  the  present  edifice,  northwest  comer  of  Second  and 
Chestnut  streets,  was  erected  in  1798;  it  was  a  wooden  building,  with  en- 
trances from  the  east  and  south;  the  pulpit  was  at  the  north  end,  and  gal- 
leries extended  around  the  remaining  three  sides.  The  Reformed  and  Pres- 
b}i:erian  congregations  jointly  occiipied  this  building  for  religious  worship 
until  1841,  when  the  latter  withdrew.  In  1847,  under  the  pastorate  of  Rev. 
Richard  A.  Fisher,  it  was  replaced  by  a  substantial  brick  structure.  In  1885, 
lender  the  pastorate  of  Rev.  J.  Calvin  Leinbach,  this  congregation  laid  upon 
the  altar  of  the  church  a  centenary  offering  to  the  amoxmt  of  nearly  nine 
thousand  dollars,  to  be  devoted  toward  enlarging  and  beautifv'ing  their 
church  edifice.  The  work  was  commenced,  August  9,  1885.  and  the  corner- 
stone was  laid  on  the  13th  of  September  following.  Rev.  J.  A.  Peters,  D.  D., 
of  Danville,  Pennsylvania,  preaching  the  sermon  in  the  Presbyterian  church. 
The  building  was  completed,  and  dedicated  to  the  worship  of  God  on  Sun- 
day, May  10,  1880,  the  pastor  being  assisted  in  the  services  by  Rev.  J.  O. 
Miller,  D.  D.,  of  York,  Pennsylvania,  and  Rev.  C  S.  Gerhard,  of  Reading, 
Pennsylvania. 

Who  organized  the  congregation  in  1784  can  not  be  ascertained;  as  far  as 
learned  from  the  very  imperfect  records,  the  following  ministers  have  served 
the  congregation  in  the  order  of  their  names:  Rev.  Jonathan  Rahauser,  1789 
-92;  George  Geistweit,  1794-1804;  John  Dietrich  Adams.  1808-13;  Mar- 
tin Bnmer,  1813-23;  Richard  A.  Fisher,  1826-54;  Daniel  Y.  Heisler,  1850-58; 
John  W.  Steinmetz,  1858-62;  William  C.  Cremer.  1804-07:  Abraham  H. 
Dotterer,  1869-70;  Calvin  S.  Gerhard,  1870-79;  Thomas  J.  Barkley,  1879- 
84 ;  and  Rev.  J.  Calvin  Leinbach,  from  1884  to  the  present  time. 

The  Sunday  school  was  organized  by  Rev.  Richard  A.  Fisher. 

First  Presbyterian  Church. — On  the  31st  of  May,  1787,  "the  united  con- 
gregations of  Buffalo,  Sunbuiy,  and  Northumberland,  having  never  in  these 
places  had  the  stated  administration  of  the  Gospel  ordinances,"*  extended 
a  call  to  the  Rev.  Hugh  Morrison,  a  licentiate  of  the  Presbjierv-  of  Root, 
Ireland,  who  had  been  admitted  to  the  Presbytery-  of  Donegal  in  1780.  The 
call  was  intrusted  to  Reverend  Wilson  for  presentation  to  the  moderator  of 

♦Linn's  Annals  of  Buffalo  Valley,  p  :!49. 


<2^ytZ<A. , 


SUXBURY.  507 

Carlisle  Presbytery  by  William  Gray  and  Abraham  Scott,  of  Simbury;  Will- 
iam Cooke  and  James  Hepburn,  of  Northumberland,  and  William  Clark,  of 
Buffalo;  it  bore  eight  signatures  from  Sunlrary,  from  which  it  is  clearly  evi- 
dent that  the  church  at  this  place  was  verj-  weak  niunerically.  Mr.  Morrison 
became  pastor  of  the  Buffalo  church  in  October,  ITS",  and  continued  in  that 
relation  until  November,  1801;  Sunbury  was  included  in  his  field  of  labor 
during  this  period,  and  perhaps  later,  as  he  died  on  the  13th  of  September, 
180-1,  and  is  buried  in  the  Sunbury  cemetery.  The  next  pastor  was  Rev. 
Isaac  Grier,  S.  T.  D..  who  died  in  1814;  since  that  date  Reverends  Robert 
F.  N.  Smith,  William  R.  Ashmead,  WiUiam  R.  Smith,  Wheelock  S.  Stone, 
William  R.  Smith,  William  Simonton,  James  Eeardon.  Samuel  W.  Reigart, 
Orr  Lawson,  Samuel  J.  MiUiken,  Martin  L.  Ross,  and  Andrew  Brj'die  have 
successively  served  as  pastors.  The  church  became  a  separate  pastorate  dur- 
ing Mr.  Simonton's  incumbency;  previous  to  that  time  it  had  been  connected 
with  Northumberland,  where  the  pastors,  with  the  exception  of  Rev.  William 
R.  Smith,  resided. 

The  Presbyterians  worshipped  in  the  old  church  building  at  the  north- 
west corner  of  Second  and  Chestnut  streets  from  its  erection  until  1841,  when 
they  built  a  brick  church  edifice  at  the  northwest  comer  of  Third  and  Chest- 
nut. This  was  the  place  of  worship  until  1870.  The  deed  for  the  site  of 
the  present  church  building,  a  two-story  brick  structure  on  the  north  side  of 
Market  street  between  Second  and  Third,  was  executed  on  the  11th  of  June, 
18GU,  in  favor  of  William  L.  Dewart,  William  M.  Rockefeller,  A.  N.  Brice, 
L.  T.  Rohrbach.  and  J.  William  Johns,  trustees:  building  operations  were 
begitn  on  the  24th  of  the  same  month,  and  on  the  ■2oth  of  December,  1870, 
the  completed  stnicture  was  dedicated. 

The  parsonage,  a  brick  building  at  the  southeast  corner  of  Second  and 
Race  streets,  was  erected  by  Rev.  William  R.  Smith.  It  was  long  the  resi- 
dence of  Miss  Mary  Hunter,  who  devised  the  property  to  this  church  by  her 
will. 

Judge  Alexander  Jordan  was  the  first  superintendent  of  the  Simday 
school,  and  filled  that  position  many  years. 

St.  John's  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. — The  Methodists  of  Sunbury 
worshiped  at  Northumberland  for  some  years  after  the  introduction  of  Method- 
ism into  this  section  of  the  State.  The  year  in  which  a  local  class  was  first 
organized  can  not  be  definitely  stated:  it  is  known,  however,  that  William 
Search  and  wife.  Eli  Diemer  and  wife,  Mrs.  Nancy  FoUmer,  Solomon  Shaffer 
and  wife,  Jacob  Dawson,  and  Jacob  Heller  were  among  its  members,  of  whom 
Mr.  Heller  was  the  first  leader,  and  the  class  meetings  were  held  at  the  house 
of  Mr.  Shaffer.  The  grand  jury  room  in  the  old  court  house  was  the  place 
of  public  worship  until  1S3S,  when  a  one-story  brick  church  edifice,  now  the 
property  of  the  Catholics,  was  erected  on  Arch  street  near  Third  during  the 
pastorate  of  Rev.  Henry  G.  Dill.      The  comer-stone  of  the  present  church 


508  HISTORY   OF   NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

edifice,  a  two-stoiy  brick  structure  on  the  corner  of  Arch  and  Second  streets 
was  laid,  July  2.  1869;  the  building  was  rapidly  approaching  completion 
when  the  tower  collapsed,  involving  a  loss  of  seven  thousand  dollars;  work 
was  resumed,  the  tower  was  rebuilt,  and  on  the  13th  of  March,  1870,  the 
lecture  room  was  dedicated.  Bishop  E.  K.  Ames,  Rev.  C.  C.  McCabe,  and 
others  officiating.  The  dedication  of  the  entire  building  occurred  on  the  24th 
of  October,  1S73. 

The  Shamokin  circuit,  extending  from  the  Susquehanna  river  to  Broad 
mountain  between  Mahantango  and  Nescopec  creeks,  was  formed  in  1812, 
and  it  is  quite  probable  that  the  preachers  appointed  to  it  included  Sunbury 
in  their  field  of  labor.  From  1812  to  1830  the  following  clergymen  succes- 
sively officiated  on  this  circuit:  1812,  James  H.  Baker,  James  Hickcox;  1813, 
Abraham  Dawson.  Nathaniel  Reeder;  1814,  Marmaduke  Pearce;  1815-16, 
Benjamin  BitUack:  1S17.  Abraham  Dawson;  1818,  Isreal  Cook;  1819,  Elisha 
Bibins;  1820,  Marmaduke  Pearce;  1821-22,  John  Rhodes;  1823,  David 
Steel;  1824,  Jacob  R.  Shepherd;  1825,  John  Thomas;  1826,  John  Taney- 
hill;  1827,  Jonathan  Munroe;  1828,  Henry  Tarring;  1829,  Edward  E.  Allen. 
In  1S30  the  name  was  changed  to  Simbury  circuit,  which  was  served  by  the 
following  ministers  until  1868:  1830,  Josiah  Forest;  1831,  Oliver  Ege,  James 
H.  Brown;  1S32,  Wesley  Howe,  J.  Clark;  1833,  Thomas  Taneyhill,  John  R. 
Tallentyre;  1834,  Thomas  Taneyhill,  John  Guyer;  1835,  Oliver  Ege,  J. 
Anderson;  1836.  Oliver  Ege,  G.  C.  Gibbons;  1837,  Heniy  G.  Dill,  Charles 
E.  Brown;  1838,  Henry  G.  Dill,  John  W.  Haughawaut;  1839,  John  Rhodes, 
WiUiam  Hurst;  1840,  John  Rhodes,  John  Ball;  1841,  John  Ball,  Gideon  H. 
Day;  1842.  George  Bergstresser,  William  S.  Baird;  1843,  Alem  Brittain, 
Jacob  Montgomery;  1844,  Alem  Brittain,  John  W.  Tongue:  1845,  John  W. 
Haughawaut.  Jacob  S.  McMurray;  1846,  John  W.  Haughawaut,  Thomas 
Bernhart;  1S47,  Peter  McEnally,  H.  Huffman;  1848,  James  Ewing,  J.  P. 
Simpson;  1849,  James  Ewing,  William  Gwynn;  1850,  John  Stine,  William 
Gwynn;  1851,  John  Stine,  Albert  Hartman;  1852,  Joseph  A.  Ross,  T.  M. 
Goodfeller;  1853,  Joseph  A.  Ross;  1854,  J.  G.  McKeehan,  James  Curns; 
1855,  J.  G.  McKeehan,  B.  P.  King;  1856,  Thomas  Taneyhill,  N.  W.  Colburn; 
1857,  Thomas  TaneyhiU,  M.  L.  Drum;  1858-59,  George  Warren,  F.  B.  Riddle; 
1860,  E.  Butler,  J.  P.  Swanger;  1861,  E.  Butler,  J.  A.  Dixon;  1862,  A.  M. 
Creighton,  B.  F.  Stevens;  1863,  A.  M.  Creighton,  E.  T.  Swartz;  1864,  B.  P. 
King,  J.  M.  Akers:  1865,  B.  P.  King,  W.  H.  Noreross;  1866,  J.  Anderson, 
E.  Shoemaker;  1807,  J.  Anderson,  W.  Fritz.  Since  1868  Sunbury  has  been 
a  station  with  the  following  pastors:  1868-70,  W.  W.  Evans;  1871,  J.  C. 
Clark;  1872-73,  G.  D.  Pennepacker;  1874-76,  J.  A.  DeMoyer;  1877-78,  S. 
W.  Sears;  1879-81,  Hiles  A.  Pardoe;  1882,  G.  T.  Gray;  1883-84,  William 
G.  Ferguson;  1885-87,  Reuben  E.-.  Wilson;  1888,  William  V.  Ganoe, 
present  incimibent. 

The  Simday  school  was  organized  in  1841  with  James  Huston  as  super- 
intendent and  Solomon  Shaffer  as  secretary. 


SUNBUEY.  509 

St.  Matthew's  Protestant  Episcopal  Church. — Rev.  Caleb  Hoxakins,  who 
had  organized  parishes  at  Bloomsburg.  Milton,  and  Jerseytown,  came  to 
Simbury  occasionally  as  early  as  1S12  and  conducted  Episcopal  services  in 
the  Lutheran  church.  It  is  entered  of  record  that  Reverend  Bacon,  after- 
ward a  missionary  to  Africa,  held  one  ser^-ice  in  ISIT;  that  Eev.  Elijah 
Plumb,  who  had  charge  of  a  classical  school  at  Northumberland,  held  regular 
services,  1819-22,  at  the  public  buildings  or  the  Lutheran  church;  that  Rev. 
"William  Eldred,  of  Muncy,  held  occasional  services  in  1825,  and  that  Eev. 
James  Depui,  of  Bloomsburg,  administered  the  sacraments  and  conducted 
pubhc  worship  in  1826.  In  that  year,  and  doubtless  through  Mr.  Dupui's 
instnunentality,  the  jjarish  was  organized,  in  the  parlor  of  Mrs.  Charles 
Hegins.  now  the  residence  of  Mrs.  Charles  G.  Donnel,  on  the  north  side  of 
the  public  square  in  Sunbury;  the  following  persons  were  among  those  pres- 
ent: Mrs.  Charles  Deriug  and  her  sister,  Miss  Giberson.  Mrs.  Charles  G. 
Donnel  {nee  Hegins),  John  D.  Hegins,  and  William  Dewart. 

The  first  steps  toward  the  erection  of  a  church  building  were  taken  on 
the  10th  of  January,  1829,  when  the  vestry  authorized  Mrs.  Catharine  Ogle, 
of  Philadelphia,  and  "William  Dewart,  of  Sunbury,  to  receive  subscriptions 
for  that  purpose.  On  the  8th  of  August,  1827,  the  vestry,  composed  of 
Charles  Dering.  Ebenezer  Greenough,  Charles  G.  Donnel,  "William  Dewart, 
Jeremiah  Shindel,  John  D.  Hegins,  and  Jacob  Painter,  appointed  Mrs.  A. 
Greenough,  Mrs.  M.  Dering,  and  Miss  Amelia  Hegins  (Mrs.  Charles  G.  Don- 
nel), to  solicit  and  receive  subscriptions.  Their  efforts  were  not  rewarded  with 
a  large  measure  of  success,  however,  and,  although  it  is  known  that  some 
materials  were  purchased  in  1828,  it  was  not  until  1834  that  a  contract  was 
entered  into  with  Edward  Gobiu  for  the  erection  of  a  church  building.  The 
corner-stone  was  laid  on  the  2d  of  September,  1834,  and  the  dedication  occur- 
red on  the  7th  of  December,  1836,  Bishop  Onderdonk  officiating.  This  was 
originally  a  one-story  brick  structure  fifty  feet  long  and  thirty-two  feet  wide : 
it  is  situated  on  Front  street  between  Market  and  Arch  and  constitutes  the 
front  part  of  the  present  church  edifice.  A  brick  building  twenty  by  thirty- 
four  feet  in  dimensions  was  erected  on  the  same  lot  in  1854  as  a  Sunday 
school  room,  which  was  further  enlarged  in  1885  at  a  cost  of  fifteen  hundred 
dollars.  An  extension  fifty  by  fifty-three  feet  to  the  rear  of  the  original 
church  edifice  and  connecting  that  building  with  the  Sunday  school  room 
was  erected  in  1886-87  at  an  expenditure  of  four  thousand  six  hundred  dol- 
lars: the  audience  room  and  Simday  school  apartment  thus  constitute  a 
single  building  one  hundred  fifty  feet  in  length,  which  was  formally  opened 
on  the  10th  of  April,  1887. 

The  Sunday  school  was  organized  on  the  1st  of  January,  1825.  by  Mrs. 
Catharine  Ogle  and  Miss  Amelia  Hegins  at  a  house  on  Third  street  near 
Chestnut.     This  was  the  first  denominational  Sunday  school  at  Sunbury. 

The  parish  was  admitted  to  the  diocesan  convention  in  1827.     The  rector 


510  HISTORY    OF   NORTHUMBERLAND   COUNTY. 

at  that  time  and  in  the  following  year  was  Rev.  Lucius  Carter,  who  also 
taught  a  classical  school  at  Simbury.  The  first  resident  rector  to  devote  his 
entire  time  to  the  parish  was  Rev.  Christian  Wiltberger,  who  was  followed 
by  Reverends  Isaac  Smith,  of  Muncy,  and  Hopkins  (not  the  Rev.  Caleb  Hop- 
kins) in  the  period  from  1830  to  1836.  The  succession  of  rectors  since  1837 
has  been  as  follows:  Alfred  Lauderbach,  July  25,  1837,  to  June  21,  1841; 
William  S.  Walker,  October  11,  1841,  to  October  24,  1842;  Joshua  Weaver, 
January  20,  1843,  to  September  1,  1845;  B.  Wistar  Morris,  August  23, 1846, 
to  September  9,  1850;  William  B.  Musgrave,  November,  1850,  to  December 
23,  1851;  William  Montgomery,  October,  1852,  to  1855;  J.  W.  Gougler, 
1856  to  April  1,  1859;  Theo.  M.  Riley,  July  to  October,  1859:  Lewis  W. 
Gibson,  October,  1800,  to  December  31,  1860;  Charles  H  Vandyne,  Augiist 
26,  1867,  to  March  23,  1869;  Gideon  J.  Burton,  June  26,  1869,  to  May  21, 
1872;  Charles  H.  Vandj-ne,  May  30,  1872,  to  Jime  3,  1873;  H  Hewitt,  July 
25,  1873,  to  July  1,  1879;  Henry  A.  Skinner,  January  7,  1880.  to  April  10, 
1882;  and  Charles  Morison,  the  present  incumbent,  who  took  charge  on  the 
2d  of  April,  1883. 

The  First  Baptist  Church  of  Simbury  was  organized  by  Reverends  John 
H.  Worrell  and  J.  B.  Cressinger  on  the  15th  of  December,  1842,  with  eighty- 
one  constituent  members,  among  whom  were  John  Budd,  William  Reed, 
Dennis  Wolverton,  Washington  Newberrj',  Marj'  H.  Budd,  Sarah  H.  Garri- 
son, Anna  Wolverton,  Malinda  Wolverton,  Rachel  Reed,  and  Susanna  New- 
berry. The  organization  increased  in  mimbers  until  1850,  when  its  prosper- 
ity began  to  decline,  and  from  1860  to  1867  no  evidences  of  active  existence 
were  manifested.  In  September,  1867,  Rev.  A.  B.  Still,  of  Danville,  Penn- 
sylvania, reorganized  the  society  with  fifteen  or  twenty  members:  this  num- 
ber increased  to  one  himdred  seventy  in  1886  and  to  two  hundred  fifty-four 
in  1890.  Reverends  John  H.  Worrell,  L.  W.  Chapman,  A  J.  Collins,  A.  J. 
Hay,  J.  Green  Miles,  George  J.  Brensinger,  A.  C.  Wheat,  B.  B.  Henshey, 
W.  J.  Hunter,  S.  R.  Reading,  D.  W.  Shepherd,  and  F.  H.  Shermer,  present 
incumbent,  have  successively  served  as  pastors. 

The  court  house  of  Northumberland  county  was  the  place  of  worship  lontil 
January  1,  1843,  when  services  were  fir.st  held  in  a  church  building  forty  feet 
long  and  twenty  feet  wide  erected  on  a  lot  on  Fourth  street  below  Penn,  pre- 
sented by  Aaron  Robins  and  now  the  site  of  the  public  school  building.  The 
present  brick  chapel  was  erected  in  1874,  largely  through  the  instnimentality 
of  Truman  H.  Purdy  and  David  Clement,  on  a  lot  at  the  comer  of  Fourth 
and  Chestnut.  The  church  also  owns  a  parsonage,  and  a  movement  has  been 
inaugurated  for  the  erection  of  a  church  edifice.  The  present  (1S91)  deacons 
are  Tniman  H.  Purdy,  Ira  Hile,  J.  R.  Cressinger,  and  Erastus  Hoffman. 

St.  Michael's  Catholic  Church  was  organized  in  the  autumn  of  1863  by 
Rev.  J.  J.  Koch,  of  Milton.  Several  years  before  that  date,  however,  services 
were  held  for  the  few  resident  Catholic  families  by  visiting  missionaries  and 


SUXBCKY.  511 

the  priests  of  neighboring  towns.  Father  Koch  celebrated  Mass  a  few  times 
in  the  house  of  a  Mr.  McNamara,  which  stood  at  the  site  of  the  Pennsylvania 
railroad  depot,  and  subsequently  at  John  Learv's  residence  on  Fourth  street 
once  a  month.  This  continued  until  the  autumn  of  1866,  when  he  became 
pastor  at  Shamokin.  During  this  time  he  had  collected  three  himdred  dol- 
lars toward  the  erection  of  a  church,  and  it  was  the  nucleus  of  the  fund  used 
in  ptirchasing  the  present  property.  Rev.  Arthur  McGinnis,  of  Danville, 
ministered  to  the  mission  during  the  next  two  years,  and  was  succeeded  by 
Rev.  Mark  A.  O'Xeill,  of  Milton,  now  of  Mt.  Cannel.  Since  that  time  the 
pastors  of  Milton  have  had  charge  of  St.  Michael's,  viz. :  Reverends  Louis 
Grotemeyer,  Thomas  J.  Fleming,  AV.  F.  Mcllhenny.  and  H.  G.  Ganns,  who 
assumed  charge  on  the  14th  of  November.  ISSl.  and  is  the  present  incum- 
bent. 

In  the  meantime,  Major  James  Malone  was  prominent  in  an  effort  to  ob- 
tain a  permanent  place  of  worship.  Accompanied  by  Rev.  Michael  McBride, 
of  Harrisburg,  he  travelled  along  the  line  of  the  railroads  and  collected  suf- 
ficient money  to  enable  the  congregation  to  purchase  the  old  Methodist 
church  on  Arch  street  in  1872  for  the  sum  of  thirty-five  hundred  dollars.  It 
was  at  once  fitted  up  for  Catholic  worship  and  dedicated  by  Bishop  Shana- 
han;  it  has  since  been  used  for  that  purpose,  and  services  are  held  twice  a 
month.  Father  Ganss  has  collected  about  two  thousand  dollars  and  has  now 
in  contemplation  the  erection  of  a  new  church  edifice,  more  in  harmony  with 
the  gro^vth  and  spirit  of  the  congregation,  which  numbers  about  thirty-five 
families. 

The  cemetery  of  St.  Michael's  church  is  located  at  Northumberland,  and 
was  reserved  for  that  purpose  when  the  town  was  laid  out.  It  was  inclosed 
in  1864,  during  the  pastorate  of  Rev.  J.  J.  Koch. 

The  Evangelical  Church  of  Sunbury  was  organized  in  March,  1SS7,  by 
Rev.  G.  A.  Knerr,  under  direction  of  the  East  Pennsylvania  Conference. 
The  first  minister  of  this  denomination  to  hold  regular  services  at  Sunbury 
was  a  Mr.  Maxwell,  who  preached  in  the  Spruce  Street  school  house  in 
1873  and  organized  a  class;  he  was  sttcceeded  by  Mr.  Moore,  who  conducted 
services  in  the  Caketown  school  house,  and  thus  the  work  was  contintied 
Tintil  1878,  when,  owing  to  a  lack  of  missionary  funds,  it  was  abandoned 
and  not  resumed  until  1SS7.  The  class  of  twenty  members  organized  in  that 
year  increased  to  forty-five  in  1889,  when  a  subscription  was  started  for 
the  erection  of  a  church  building.  This  is  a  substantial  and  attractive 
frame  structure,  situated  at  the  corner  of  Fourth  and  Vine  streets;  the 
corner-stone  was  laid  on  the  17th  of  August,  1890,  and  the  dedication  oc- 
curred December  21st  in  the  same  year.  Rev.  G.  A.  Knerr  was  succeeded 
as  pastor  by  Rev.  W.  S.  Harris,  the  present  inctunbent,  in  1890. 

The  First  Church  of  Christ  of  Sunbury  had  its  origin  in  a  meeting  held 
on  the  first  Lord's  dav  in  October,  1885,  at  the  hall  of  the  hook  and  ladder 


512  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUJIBERLAND    COUNTY. 

company  on  Fourth  street,  at  which  Francis  M.  Farra,  John  H.  Shipman, 
Isaiah  W.  Hile.  Mrs.  Alcesta  J.  Hile,  William  Leeser,  Mrs.  Kate  Leeser,  and 
Charles  M.  Park  were  present.  Regular  meetings  for  worship  were  con- 
tinued at  that  place,  and  in  March,  1890,  the  following  officers  were  appointed: 
Isaiah  W.  Hile.  Francis  M.  Farra,  and  William  Leeser,  elders;  John  H. 
Shipman,  Horace  Tweed,  and  George  Riindio,  deacons.  At  that  time  the 
church  numbered  thirty-three  members.  On  the  'iUth  of  September,  1890, 
it  was  incorporated  with  thirtr-eight  members,  of  whom  the  following  were 
the  first  trustees:  Isaiah  W.  Hile,  Francis  M.  Farra,  John  H.  Shipman, 
Horace  Tweed.  Alonzo  L.  Hile,  James  Hileman,  John  Masters,  and  William 
Leeser.  A  brick  church  building  is  in  course  of  erection  at  the  corner  of 
Fourth  and  Arch  streets,  upon  which  the  work  of  construction  was  begun, 
September  17,  Isun. 

The  First  Stuidaij  School  at  Sunbury  was  organized  in  1815  by  Mrs. 
Daniel  HiTrley  and  Miss  Blake  in  the  lower  story  of  a  building  on  Third 
street  near  the  old  Lutheran  church.  The  Presbyterian  catechism  was 
taught  and  seems  to  have  constituted  the  only  text-book  except  the  Bible. 
All  the  various  religious  denominations  tlien  represented  at  Sunbury  sup 
ported  the  school,  however,  and  within  a  few  years  it  secured  permanent 
quarters  in  the  "  state  house,"  as  evidenced  by  the  following  entry  in  the 
Ajipearance  docket  of  Northumberland  county  (No.  92,  January  term,  1820) : — 

The  court,  at  the  request  of  the  male  teachers  of  tlie  Siuiday  (Sunbury'.-']  Sabbatli 
school,  give  their  consent  that  the  said  teacheriS  hold  the  Sabbath  sch()(_)l  in  the  grand 
jury  riinrn  over  the  county  otlices. 

This  was  continued  as  a  union  organization  until  the  formation  of  denomi- 
national Sunday  schools  deprived  it  of  supporters  and  terminated  its  useftil- 
ness. 

The  Caketoicn  Union  Sunday  School  Chapel,  a  brick  building  twenty-five 
by  fifty  feet  with  an  L  sixteen  feet  square,  was  erected  in  18S7  on  Susque- 
hanna avenue  in  the  Fifth  ward  upon  a  lot  donated  by  J.  A.  Cake  and  wife. 
The  title  to  the  property  is  vested  in  a  board  of  tritstees  composed  of  S.  M. 
Elliott,  J.  A.  Cake,  A.  Gottghnour,  W.  J.  Cornwell,  A.  Traub;  Moses  Gulp, 
and  A.  L.  Bastress.  The  Simday  school  was  organized  at  the  Fifth  Ward 
school  house  in  1880  and  nmnbers  one  hundred  fifty  members.  A.  L.  Bas- 
tress has  been  superintendent  since  its  organization. 

CEMETERIES. 

The  old  Simbury  cemetery  comprises  a  tract  of  land  situated  east  of  Third 
street  and  south  of  Spruce,  adjacent  to  the  original  town  plot  and  probably 
reserved  for  burial  purposes  at  the  time  the  latter  was  surveyed  (1772).  The 
earliest  legible  inscription  is  that  upon  the  tombstone  of  Sarah  McKinney, 
daughter  of  David  and  Rebecca  McKinney,  who  was  born   on  the   24th   of 


SUNBURY.  513 

Augiist,  1709,  and  died,  Se^itember  22,  1774.  Many  of  the  most  prominent 
citizens  of  the  county  throughout  its  history  are  interred  here. 

There  is  also  an  old  cemetery  in  the  Fifth  ward;  it  comprises  two  con- 
tiguous inclosures,  separated  by  a  stone  wall  and  surrounded  by  a  fence  of 
similar  constniction.  One  part  was  reseryed  for  biirial  purjDoses  by  the 
Hunter  family  and  the  other  by  the  Grant  family,  the  representatiyes  of 
which  in  seyeral  generations  are  interred  here. 

The  Pomfret  Manor  Cemetery  Company  was  originally  incorporated  as 
the  Mt.  Pleasant  Cemetery  Company,  Augiist  4,  1S70;  the  name  was  changed 
to  its  present  style,  June  9,  1873.  The  company  was  organized,  August  22, 
187(1,  with  Alexander  Jordan,  president;  Lloyd  T.  Eohrbach,  secretary.  J. 
A.  Cake,  treasurer,  and  a  board  of  directors  composed  of  Alexander  Jordan, 
J.  W.  Cake.  Sr.,  Eey.  W.  W.  Evans,  Eey.  George  W.  Hemperley,  Eey.  Sam- 
uel K.  Milliken,  Eey.  George  J.  Brensinger,  Eey.  Gideon  J.  Burton.  WiUiam 
M.  Eockefeller,  and  Lloyd  T.  Eohrbach.  The  grounds  comprise  twenty 
acres,  situated  within  the  borough  limits  of  East  Sunbury  at  a  considerable 
eleyatioii  above  the  river.  Five  acres  were  improved  and  adapted  to  ceme- 
tery purposes,  and,  although  some  interments  were  made,  the  project  was  for 
some  years  practically  abandoned.  A  reorganization  of  the  company  was 
effected,  August  1,  1S9(*,  with  the  following  officers:  president,  George  B. 
Eeimensnyder;  secretan,-  and  trea.surer,  AV.  H.  Druckemiller:  directors:  Eev. 
George  Parson,  George  B.  Eeimensnyder,  J.  H.  Alleman,  Eev.  W.  E.  Par- 
son, and  Ira  Shijiman.  I'nder  the  new  management  the  cemetery  promises 
to  become  one  of  the  most  attractive  places  of  interment  in  the  county. 

BOROUGH    OF    E.\ST    SCNETKY. 

That  part  of  the  manor  of  Pomfret  bounded  by  Shamokin  creek.  Spring 
run,  and  the  Eeading  road  (embracing  the  borough  of  East  Sunbun.-  within 
the  same  limits  and  containing  three  hiindred  twelve  acres)  was  sur^'eyed  for 
William  Maclay  on  the  17th  of  January.  177.").  in  pursuance  of  warrant  dated 
March  l(i,  1774.  The  remaining  j)ortion  of  the  borough  was  also  embraced 
in  the  manor  of  Pomfret.  For  many  years  this  land  was  used  for  agricult- 
tiral  pitrposes,  and  in  1S().")  there  were  but  three  improvements  within  the 
borough  limits  of  East  Sunburj-,  viz.:  the  mill  and  residence  of  John  Haas; 
a  frame  house  on  the  west  side  of  the  Catawissa  road,  then  occupied  by  Samuel 
Bloom  and  now  owned  by  Benjamin  Zettlemoyer,  and  a  frame  house  at  the 
northwest  corner  of  Catawissa  and  Market  streets,  then  occupied  by  Charles 
Wilder  and  now  o^yned  by  Daniel  Zartman. 

In  ISOo  Truman  H.  Purdy  jxirchased  one  and  three  fourths  acres  of  land 
west  of  the  Catawissa  road  and  laid  it  out  in  lots,  thus  inaugurating  the 
growth  of  the  village,  which  was  known  as  Purdyto\yn  until  its  incorporation 
as  a  borough.  The  principal  subdivisions  since  that  date  have  been  made 
by  Truman  H.  Purdy,  Purdy  &  Wolverton,  John  B.  Lenker,  George  Conrad, 


514  HISTORY    OF   NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

John  Haas,  Llovd  T.  Rohrbach.  Purdy  &  Rockefeller,  Reagan  &  Cake,  Ira  T. 
Clement,  P.  M.  Eckman,  and  Henrv  Conrad.  The  plat  is  irregular.  Market 
street  extends  east  and  west,  with  Chestnut  street  parallel  to  the  south  and 
Arch,  Race^  Line,  Reagan,  Masser.  Greenough,  and  Packer  streets  parallel  to 
the  north.  The  Catawissa  and  Creek  roads  diverge  from  Market  street  in  a 
northeast  direction,  and  are  largely  responsible  for  the  irregularity  of  the 
plat.  The  streets  extending  north  and  south  are  Rockefeller,  Conrad,  Dewart, 
Clement,  Augusta,  High,  Fifth.  Sixth.  Seventh,  Eighth,  Ninth,  and  Augusta 
avenue,  while  Wolverton  street  coincides  with  the  railroad  south  of  Market. 

The  local  industrial  establishments  are  the  Keystone  Machine  Works, 
Haas's  mill.  Cold  Spring  brewer.-,  and  the  carriage  works  of  J.  S.  Seasholtz, 
H.  L.  Hauck,  and  J.  S.  Stroh  &  Brother,  to  which  more  extended  mention  is 
made  in  this  chapter  under  the  head  of  "Industrial  Activity." 

The  borough  was  incorporated  by  decree  of  court,  December  5,  1890; 
previous  to  that  date  it  formed  part  of  Upper  Augusta  to\vnship.  It  is 
bounded  on  the  east  and  southeast  by  Shamokin  creek,  on  the  west  by  Spring, 
run,  on  the  north  by  a  line  which  coincides  with  the  northern  boundary  of 
Pomf  ret  Manor  cemetery,  and  on  the  northeast  by  a  line  extending  diagonally 
from  the  Catawissa  road  to  Shamokin  creek.  The  first  election  was  held  on 
the  17th  of  February,  ISIJI,  and  resuhed  as  follows:  chief  burgess,  George 
W.  Keefer;  assistant  burgess,  Julius  Moeschlin;  council:  Peter  Eckman, 
John  H.  Shipman,  Hiram  M.  Haas.  Lot  Bartholomew,  Samuel  Fasold,  S.  P. 
Malick;  school  directors:  Sebastian  Zimmerman,  Jacob  Allison,  Charles  Fas- 
old,  Urias  Bloom,  John  L.  Miller.  P.  M.  Eckman;  auditors:  Carl  Litz,  J.  A. 
Miller,  J.  W.  Morgan;  justices  of  the  peace:  Ira  Shipman,  D.  M.  Schwartz; 
assessor,  Jacob  Bartholomew;  assistant  assessors,  S.  P.  Savidge,  Charles 
Zerfing;  overseers  of  the  poor:  Isaac  Bloom,  S.  L.  Keefer;  high  constable, 
Daniel  Knouse:  constable,  C.  H.  Swank:  judge  of  election,  J.  H.  Slear; 
inspectors  of  election:  David  Straub.  J.  W.  Campbell;  tax  collector,  John 
Eckman. 


<^-^^^ 


NORTHCMBEELAND.  515 


CHAPTER   XV. 


NORTHrMBEKLAXD. 

The  Town  Plat — Early  Histduv — Promixext  Early  Residents — Early  !Mer- 
ciL\XTs  AND  Hotels— The  Postuffice— Bridges,  Canals,  and  Railways— 
BDRdUGii  Org.o;ization  and  Government— Indcstrial  Activity— Schools— 
Local  Jhurnalism— Secret  and  other  Societies — Chl-rches— Cemeteries. 

THE  boroiicjh  of  Xorthumberland  occupies  an  elevated  terrace  immedi- 
ately withiu  the  forks  of  the  Susquehanna  river.  During  the  first 
settlement  of  the  surrounding  region,  this  locality  was  widely  known  as 
'•  the  Point;  "  its  advantages  as  a  town  site  were  early  apj^arent,  and  before 
the  close  of  the  colonial  period  it  had  become  a  place  of  considerable  local 
importance.  From  the  termination  of  the  Kevolutionary  war  until  the  close 
of  the  century  its  gro\\-th  was  more  raj^id  than  that  of  any  other  to^vn  in  the 
upper  Stisfptehanna  valley,  and  for  many  years  thereafter  it  occupied  a  lead- 
ing position,  financially  and  socially,  among  the  towns  of  Northumberland 
county.  Although  its  former  prestige  in  these  respects  is  now  only  a  matter 
of  history,  the  borough  continues  to  jiossess  many  of  the  elements  of  pros- 
perity and  progress;  several  important  industrial  establishments  are  in 
operation,  and  a  fair  amormt  of  business  is  transacted  through  local  chan- 
nels, while  the  religious  and  educational  interests  of  the  community  are  well 
sustained.  By  the  census  of  IS'Ji*  the  population  was  two  thousand  seven 
hundred  forty-four. 

THE    town     plat. 

The  town  plat  comprises  four  tracts  of  land,  of  which  the  respective 
original  titles  were  completed  in  the  following  order:  "  Sarah's  Delight '' 
(two  hundred  acres),  was  patented  to  Sarah  Lowdon,  July  7,  1770;  '"Not- 
tingham'" (live  himdred  acres),  to  Richard  Peters.  September  14,  1772; 
"Townside'"  (five  hundred  acres),  to  Richard  Peters,  September  10,  1772; 
and  "Essex'"  (two  hundred  acres),  to  Esther  Patterson,  January  7,  1775. 
The  town  was  originally  laid  out  in  1772  by  John  Lowdon  and  William 
Patterson.  Within  the  next  three  years,  however,  the  title  to  the  four  tracts 
in  question  became  vested  in  Reuben  Haines,  a  wealthy  brewer  of  Philadel- 
phia and  the  owner  of  large  landed  interests  in  this  part  of  the  State.  He 
enlarged  the  plat,  and  recorded  a  general  plan  of  Lowdon  and  Patterson's 
town,  with  his  own  addition,  in  Deed  Book  B,  p.  273,  April  24,  1781.  It 
was   again   recorded.  May    10,  1808,    by   John  Boyd  in  Book  C,   p.   368. 


516  HISTORY    OF    NOETHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

Regularity  is  a  distingiiishing  feature  of  the  plat.  The  streets  running  east 
and  west  are  Xorth  Way,  Water,  Front,  Second,  Third,  Fourth,  Fifth,  Sixth, 
Seventh  and  Eighth,  intersected  at  right  angles  by  West  Way,  Duke,  Queen, 
King,  Orange,  and  Hanover,  with  alleys  at  regiilar  intervals.  The  streets 
are  of  uniform  width,  except  that  King  is  somewhat  broader  than  the  others; 
in  it  there  is  a  wide  open  space  between  Front  and  Second,  intended  for  a 
market  place.  The  plan  is  accompanied  by  a  declaration,  acknowledged 
before  Chief  Justice  McKean,  in  which  Haines  states  that  he  had  come 
into  possession  of  certain  tracts  of  land  "  in  the  forks  of  Susquehanna."  part 
of  which  had  been  "  laid  out  in  small  lots  for  a  town  by  William  Patterson, 
John  Lowdon,  and  myself,"  following  which  is  an  enumeration  of  the  streets 
and  alleys,  with  the  statement  that  they  should  thereafter  be  "  open  public 
roads  or  highways,"  "for  the  benefit  and  advantage  of  the  inhabitants  of  the 
said  town  and  all  other  persons  making  use  of  the  same." 

Tpon  the  death  of  Reuben  Haines  his  estate  was  inherited  by  his  four 
children:  Casper  Wi.star;  Josiah;  Reuben,  and  Catherine.  Reuben,  Jr.  died 
a  few  years  later,  bequeathing  his  mtere.st  in  the  town  to  his  brothers  and 
sister,  who  executed  deeds  of  partition  among  themselves. 

Notwithstanding  the  unequivocal  character  of  Haines's  declaration,  it 
appears  that  some  of  the  streets  were  not  opened  for  public  use  at  that  time 
nor  for  some  years  afterward.  At  August  sessions,  1S07,  of  the  county 
court  of  quarter  sessions,  upon  the  report  of  Joseph  Priestley,  John  Cow- 
den,  John  Bull,  John  Frick,  and  Thomas  Grant,  who  had  been  appointed  in 
the  previous  year  to  take  the  question  into  consideration.  North  Way,  Water, 
Front,  Second,  Third,  Duke,  Queen,  Orange,  and  Hanover  streets  were 
declared  public  highways  and  ordered  opened  for  public  uso. 

EAHLY     HISTORY. 

Robert  Martin  was  the  first  permanent  settler  at  the  site  of  Northimiber- 
land.  He  was  originally  from  New  Jersey,  and  had  attempted  to  make  a 
settlement  at  Wyoming  under  Pennsylvania  title,  but  this  design  was  frus- 
trated bv  the  opposition  of  the  Connecticut  colonists  of  that  locality.  Thence 
he  came  to  "the  Point;"'  after  the  purchase  of  1768  was  consummated  his 
house  forthwith  became  the  rendezvous  of  surveyors,  speculators,  and  adven- 
turers to  the  newly  opened  region  of  the  West  Branch,  and  by  virtue  of 
previous  acquaintance  with  the  country  he  .at  once  became  a  prominent 
character.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Provincial  Conference  of  1776,  of  the 
Constitutional  Convention  of  that  year,  and  of  the  Assembly  several  years 
subsequently.  The  exact  location  of  his  first  residence  is  not  known,  but  it 
was  the  first  evidence  of  civilization  within  the  forks  of  the  Susquehanna 
in  Northumberland  county,  and  for  several  years  the  only  house  at  the  site  of 
Northumberland. 

William  Hoffman  and  Philip  Frick  arrived  at  Northumberland  on  the 


NORTHUMBERLAND.  Ol7 

1st  of  June,  1772.  They  were  from  Lancaster,  and  came  up  the  Susque- 
hanna in  a  canoe.  Frick  had  formed  the  design  of  building  a  brewen,-,  and 
Hoffman,  who  was  a  carjDenter  by  occupation,  accompanied  him  to  perform 
or  superintend  the  work  of  its  erection.  A  log  house  was  accordingly  con- 
structed, on  Market  street  opposite  the  Burr  House,  now  the  site  of  a  brick 
building  erected  in  1S3-J-36  by  John  Leisenring,  and  there  Frick  made  his 
residence.  What  progress  he  made  in  the  brewing  business  can  not  be  ascer- 
tained. On  the  opposite  side  of  the  street  Hoffman  erected  a  log  house  at 
the  site  of  the  Burr  House,  to  which  he  brought  his  wife  immechately  after 
its  comi^letion.  There  he  dug  the  first  well  iu  the  borough,  and  planted  the 
first  fruit  trees;  of  the  latter  there  were  two,  an  apple  and  a  pear  tree,  both 
of  which  were  brought  from  Lancaster.  Tncler  careful  husbandry  they 
fiourished:  the  pear  tree  still  bears  fruit,  after  the  lapse  of  more  than  a  cen- 
tury, which  is  sufiicient  evidence  of  the  good  judgment  of  Hotfmaii  in  its 
selection.  The  apple  tree  was  of  an  early  bearing  variety:  its  fruit  was  of 
a  large  size  and  yellow  color  and  mattired  in  August.  The  first  birth  of  a 
white  child  at  '"  the  Point  "  is  said  to  have  been  that  of  Elizabeth,  daughter 
of  "William  Hoffman,  and  occurred  at  this  log  house.  During  the  year 
immediately  following  his  settlement  here  he  was  busily  engaged  in  the  con- 
strttction'  of  houses  for  those  who  arrived  later.  It  is  not  known  that  he  was 
actively  engaged  in  the  Revolutionary  struggle,  but  a  brother,  from  Fred- 
erick, Maryland,  was  a  batteau-man  in  Sullivan's  expedition.  He  continued 
to  reside  at  Northumberland  until  his  death,  in  1821,  and  was  interred  in 
the  graveyard  in  the  rear  of  the  Lutheran  church.  Three  sons  survived  him: 
William,  who  moved  to  Elmira,  New  York,  and  died  there  at  an  advanced 
age;  Joseph,  and  Jacob,  carpenters  and  pump-makers  by  trade:  and  three 
daughters:  Elizabeth,  the  eldest  of  the  family,  who  married  a  Mr.  Brown 
and  moved  to  Elmira ;  Mary,  who  married  Thomas  Everard.  and  Deljorah. 
who  married  Richardson  Huzzey. 

Some  very  interesting  particulars  regarding  the  to\\Ti  in  IT"-')  may  be 
gleaned  from  the  journal  of  Rev.  Philip  V.  Fithian,  a  Presbyterian  clergy- 
man who  made  a  missionary  journey  through  the  West  Branch  valley  in  that 
year.  He  arrived  at  Northumberland  on  Saturday,  July  1,  177').  and  notes 
in  his  journal  under  that  date  the  numbers  of  canoes,  boats,  etc.,  plying 
about;  as  the  result  of  his  first  impressions  of  the  place  he  says:  "In  short, 
this  town  in  a  few  years,  without  doubt,  will  be  grand  and  busy."'  He  held 
his  first  services  on  Sunday,  July  2d,  and  mentions  among  those  by  whom 
they  were  attended  William  Cooke,  sheriff  of  the  county;  "Mr.  Martin,  a 
gentleman  who  came  lately  from  Jersey;"  John  Barker,  a  law^-er;  John 
Scull,  deputy  surveyor;  and  the  wife,  daughters,  and  niece  of  Colonel  Samuel 
Hunter,  the  commanding  officer  at  Fort  Augusta.  Reuben  Haines,  proprie- 
tor of  the  town,  then  resided  here,  and  showed  Mr.  Fithian  the  lot  he  in- 
tended to  give  the   Presbyterian  congregation.     He  left  on  the  following 


518  HISTORY    OF    NOKTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

Thursday,  but  returned  again  on  Monday,  July  17th.  On  this  occasion  he 
mentions  having  called  at  Martin's  to  see  the  papers,  and  hearing  Dr.  Will- 
iam Plunket  and  several  other  gentlemen  discuss  the  aspect  of  political 
affairs.  He  was  also  a  member  of  a  huckleberry  party,  of  whom  the  ladies 
were  "Mrs.  Boyd,  a  matron.  Mrs.  Martin,  Mrs.  McCartney,  Miss  Carothers, 
Miss  Martin,  Miss  Lusk,  and  a  strange  young  woman,  Miss  Manning."  They 
ascended  the  Blue  Hill,  and  he  speaks  of  the  prospect  from  that  elevation  in 
glowing  terms.  A  plot  of  the  to-mi  accompanies  the  journal,  showing  a  row 
of  houses  along  the  North  Branch  and  another  along  the  West  Branch,  with 
none  in  the  center. 

During  the  Revolution  the  town  was  practically  abandoned.  The  "Great 
Runaway"  virtually  depopulated  the  region  to  the  north,  and,  with  no  defens- 
ive barrier  between  them  and  the  enemy,  the  people  sought  refuge  at  Sun- 
bury  and  points  farther  down  the  river.  The  place  was  again  occtipied  in 
1784  and  1785,  and  the  return  of  the  former  inhabitants  of  the  West  Branch 
valley  with  large  additions  to  the  population  was  followed  by  an  era  of 
growth  and  prosperity.  In  17^*3  there  were  nearly  a  hundred  houses  in  the 
town. 

Northumberland  was  seriously  considered  as  the  location  of  the  cotmty 
seat  in  1772,  and  disputed  land  title  appears  to  have  been  the  principal  rea- 
son why  it  was  not  selected.  When  a  change  of  the  State  capital  from  Lan- 
caster was  lirst  agitated,  the  claims  of  the  northern  and  central  portions  of 
the  State  were  urged  in  behalf  of  Northumberland,  which  would  have  been 
chosen  bitt  for  the  opposition  of  the  member  from  Northumberland  county  at 
a  decisive  moment.  Thus,  on  two  different  occasions,  has  the  place  narrowly 
escaped  having  greatness  thrust  upon  it. 

No  conflagration  of  general  and  widespread  destrtictiveness  has  ever  vis- 
ited Northumberland;  many  of  _^the  houses  are  therefore  of  the  substantial 
type  of  architecture  that  prevailed  several  generations  ago,  and  among  those 
whose  appearance  indicates  age  it  would  be  difficult  to  determine  which  is  to 
be  given  recognized  precedence.  An  old  house  on  North  Way,  now  leased  by 
the  borotigh  authorities  for  the  ptirposes  of  a  poor  house,  is  generally  regarded 
as  the  oldest,  but  there  is  not  sufficient  evidence  of  the  fact  to  form  a  positive 
conclusion.  In  the  early  part  of  the  century  it  was  used  as  a  Jiotel.  The 
stone  house  on  North  Way  at  the  corner  of  Wheatley  alley  is  also  a  land- 
mark of  undoubted  antiquity.  It  was  occupied  at  the  beginning  of  the  cent- 
ury by  James  Hiatt,  who  died  on  the  2d  of  March,  1815,  at  the  age  of  sixty, 
and  is  buried  in  the  old  Presbyterian  burial  ground. 

The  house  erected  by  Rev.  Joseph  Priestley  on  North  Way  is  perhaps 
the  most  interesting  of  the  surviving  specimens  of  eighteenth  century 
architecture.  It  was  begim  in  1795  and  finished  in  1797,  under  the  immedi- 
ate supervision  of  the  Doctor's  wife.  The  main  building  is  two  stories  high, 
with  one-story  extensions  at  either  end:  that  on  the  east  was  occupied  by  the 


NORTHUMBERLAND.  519 

Doctor  as  a  libran*  aad  laboratory,  while  the  other  was  used  for  domestic 
purposes.  The  house  throughout  is  exceptionally  convenient  in  all  its 
arrangements,  large  apartments,  wide  halls,  and  dressing  rooms  in  connection 
with  the  diiferent  apartments  on  the  second  floor  being  among  the  distin- 
guishing features.  On  the  roof  there  was  an  observatory,  which  long  since 
disappeared.  The  original  color  was  white.  The  Priestley  family  were  suc- 
ceeded in  the  occupancy  and  ownership  by  Judge  Chapman,  who  resided 
here  during  his  judicial  incumbency  and  until  the  close  of  his  life.  It  was 
subsequently  the  residence  of  Charles  Kay,  son  of  the  Kev.  James  Kay,  who 
amassed  a  fortime  in  Philadelphia  as  one  of  the  foimders  of  the  well  known 
publishing  house  of  Kay  &  Brothers. 

At  an  early  period  in  the  present  century  there  stood  a  market  house  on 
the  square  in  Market  or  King  street.  It  was  built  in  the  style  common  at 
that  day.  The  local  artillen,"  company  met  for  review  on  the  square  in  the 
rear. 

PR05IINENT    EAKLT    RESIDENTS. 

In  a  list  of  the  taxables  of  Turbut  township  prior  to  1775  each  of  the  follow- 
ing persons  is  accredited  with  a  house  and  lot:  Hawkins  Boone,  John  Boyd, 
John  Carothers  (tanner),  John  Chattam (blacksmith),  John  De  France,  Thomas 
Dean,  John  Freeman,  William  Forster,  Philip  Frig,  William  Hoffman,  Rob- 
ert King,  Wilham  Kennersley,  Cornelius  Lamerson,  Aaron  Le\'y,  William 
ilcKinn,  Robert  Martin,  Peter  Martin,  and  John  Mc Adams.  As  Northum- 
berland was  then  the  only  town  in  Turbut  township,  it  is  fair  to  presume  that 
this  list  includes  the  names  of  its  principal  inhabitants  at  that  time. 

Captain  John  Boyd  was  born  in  Chester  coimty,  Pennsylvania,  February 
22,  1750,  and  became  a  resident  of  Xorthiunberland  in  1773.  On  the  IHth 
of  October,  1776,  he  was  commissioned  as  second  lieutenant  in  the  Twelfth 
Pennsylvania  regiment,  and  subsequently  promoted  first  lieutenant;  in  July, 
1778,  he  was  transferred  to  the  Third  regiment,  in  which  he  became  captain 
lieutenant.  He  was  a  member  of  the  "forlorn  hope"  that  inaugurated  the 
assault  upon  Stony  Point  in  1779.  Retiring  from  his  regiment,  January  1, 
1781,  he  took  command  of  a  company  of  rangers  in  Bedford  county,  and  was 
taken  prisoner  at  the  Raystown  branch  of  Juniata  while  crossing  the  Alle- 
gheny mountains.  After  s]-)ending  a  year  in  Canada  under  diiress  he  was 
exchanged  and  returned  to  Northumberland,  where  he  spent  the  remainder 
of  his  life.  Among  the  civil  positions  with  which  he  was  honored  were  those 
of  member  of  the  Supreme  Executive  Coimcil,  register  and  recorder  of  North- 
umberland county,  and  inspector  of  internal  revenue  under  President  Wash- 
ington. He  died  on  the  13th  of  February,  1831.  His  brother.  Lieutenant 
William  Boyd,  of  the  Twelfth  regiment,  was  killed  at  the  battle  of  Brandywine, 
September  11,  1777.  Another  brother,  Lieutenant  Thomas  Boyd,  was  killed 
by  the  Indians,  September  12,  1779,  in  Sullivan's  campaign. 


520  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

Lieutenant  John  Carothers  was  commissioned  as  an  officer  in  the  Twelfth 
Pennsylvania  regiment,  October  16,  1776,  and  killed  at  Germantown,  October 
4,  1777.     He  left  a  widow,  who  died  in  17S5,  and  one  son. 

Lieutenant  Robert  King  was  commissioned  as  an  ofiicer  in  the  Twelfth 
regiment,  October  4,  1776,  and  transferred  to  the  Third.  July  1,  1778.  In 
the  autumn  of  the  latter  year  he  returned  to  the  county,  and  was  a  member 
of  Hartley's  expedition  to  Tioga.  In  1840  he  resided  in  Mifflin  township, 
Lycoming  county,  at  the  advanced  age  of  eighty-eight. 

Colonel  John  Bull,  a  native  of  Providence  township,  Montgomery  county, 
first  appears  in  the  miliary  history  of  the  State  as  captain  in  command  of 
Fort  Allen  (now  Weissport,  Carbon  county)  in  Jirne,  175S,  and  accompanied 
Forbes's  expedition  to  Fort  Duquesne  later  in  the  same  year.  In  1775  he 
was  appointed  colonel  of  the  First  Pennsylvania  battalion,  but  resigned,  Jan- 
uary 2(),  1776.  At  the  organization  of  the  Board  of  "War,  March  14.  1777, 
he  was  one  of  its  constituent  members,  and  on  the  16th  of  July,  1777.  he  was 
appointed  adjutant  general  of  the  State.  He  superintended  the  construction 
of  the  lotteries  at  Billingsport  in  1778,  put  down  the  chevaux  defrize  in  the 
Delaware  in  1779,  and  was  commissary  of  purchases  at  Philadelphia  in  1780. 
He  resided  at  the  present  site  of  Norristown.  the  county  seat  of  Montgomery 
coimty,  and  was  in  affluent  circumstances  until  the  destruction  of  his  prop- 
erty by  the  Briti.sh.  At  the  close  of  the  Eevolution  he  located  at  Northum- 
berland, where  he  died  on  the  9th  of  August,  1824,  at  the  age  of  ninety-three. 
He  was  a  candidate  for  the  legislature  in  1862,  but  was  defeated  by  Simon 
Snyder;  in  1808  he  was  the  Federalist  candidate  for  Congress  in  the  district 
of  which  Northumberland  county  formed  part,  but  was  again  defeated.  In 
1808,  1804,  and  1805  he  was  elected  to  the  Assembly. 

Colonel  Bernard  Hubley  was  commissioned  as  first  lieutenant  in  the  Ger- 
man regiment,  August  15,  1776,  and  promoted  captain,  February  24,  1778. 
While  his  regiment  was  stationed  in  Northumberland  county  he  was  in  com- 
mand of  Fort  Eice  and  Fort  Jenkins  for  a  time;  at  the  close  of  the  war 
he  located  at  Northiunberland  and  engaged  in  the  brewing  business.  He 
was  commissioned  as  county  lieutenant,  December  21,  1789,  and  was  also 
connected  with  the  local  militia  in  various  other  official  capacities.  The  first 
volume  of  his  History  of  the  Revolution  was  published  at  Northumberland 
in  1807.     He  died  in  1808. 

Lawrence  Campbell,  the  first  burgess  of  Northumberland,  was  a  native 
of  Ireland.  He  immigrated  to  Pennsylvania  in  1784,  located  at  Northumber- 
land in  1792,  and  died  at  that  place,  Novemljer  8,  1834,  at  the  age  of  sixty- 
eight  years,  several  months  after  the  conclusion  of  his  sixth  term  as  burgess. 

Rev.  Joseph  Priestley,*  whose  residence  at  Northumberland  has  probably 

*Tliis sketch  is  derived  from  the  '■  Memcihs  ot  Dr.  .Tosc|)h  Priestley,  to  the  ye;ir  ITOr,,  written  l)y 
himself;  with  a  continuation,  to  the  time  ot  his  decease,  by  his  son.  Joseph  Priestley;"  printed  liy 
Jolm  Binns  at  Nortlmmherland  in  ISOo. 


NOETHUIIBERLAND.  521 

given  to  the  place  a  wider  celebrity  than  any  other  circumstance  in  connec- 
tion with  its  history,  was  bom  at  Fieklhead,  near  Leeds,  Yorkshire.  England, 
March  13,  1733.  His  early  education  was  obtained  under  the  tuition  of 
Eeverends  Hagiie  and  Kirby,  and  at  the  age  of  sixteen  he  had  acquired  a 
fair  knowledge  of  Latin,  Greek,  and  Hebrew.  In  September,  1752,  he  went 
to  the  academy  of  Daventry,  where  he  spent  three  years,  entering  the  minis- 
tiy  as  assistant  to  the  Eev.  Mr.  Meadows,  of  Xeedham  Market,  Suffolk,  at 
the  conclusion  of  his  academic  com-se.  There  he  remained  three  years;  dur- 
ing this  j^eriod  his  first  published  work,  "The  Doctrine  of  the  Atonement." 
was  issued.  The  following  three  years,  175S-01,  were  spent  at  Nantwick. 
where  he  wrote  an  English  grammar  and  "  Observations  on  the  Character  and 
Reasoning  of  the  Apostle  Paul."  From  1761  to  17(37  he  taught  elocution, 
logic,  Hebrew,  and  the  civil  law  in  an  academy  at  Warrington.  During  this 
connection  he  met  Benjamin  Franklin  at  London,  and,  as  the  result  of  this 
association,  began  a  series  of  experiments  in  electricity. 

In  September,  1767,  he  removed  to  Leeds,  having  accepted  an  invitation 
to  take  charge  of  Millhall  chapel.  Here  the  first  of  his  controversial  treatises 
was  written;  he  also  published  an  "Essay  on  Government,"  "A  familiar 
Introduction  to  the  Sttidy  of  Electricity,"  a  "Chart  of  History."  etc..  etc. 
His  house  adjoined  a  brewery,  and  observations  of  fixed  air  produced  in  the 
process  of  fermentation  led  to  a  series  of  experiments  upon  the  nature  of  the 
atmosphere,  ultimately  resulting  in  that  discovery  with  which  his  name  will 
always  be  associated.  He  began  these  experiments  with  but  limited  knowl- 
edge of  chemistry,  but  this  apparent  disadvantage  undoubtedly  contributed 
largely  to  his  success,  as  he  was  thtts  thrown  entirely  upon  his  own  resources 
and  led  to  devise  new  apparatus  and  modes  of  operation.  His  first  publica 
tion  on  the  subject  of  air  appeared  in  1772;  it  was  a  small  pamphlet  on  the 
method  of  impregnating  water  with  fixed  air.  In  the  2:)revious  year  he  had 
already  procured  good  air  from  saltpetre;  he  had  ascertained  the  use  of  agi- 
tation and  of  vegetation,  as  the  means  employed  by  nature  in  purifj-ing  the 
atmosphere  for  the  support  of  animal  life,  and  that  air  vitiated  Ijy  animal 
respiration  was  a  pabulum  to  vegetable  life;  he  had  procured  factitious  air 
in  a  much  greater  variety  of  ways  than  had  been  known  before,  and  he  had 
been  in  the  halnt  of  substituting  quicksilver  in  lieu  of  water  in  many  of  his 
experiments.  Of  these  discoveries  he  gave  an  account  in  his  paper  before 
the  Royal  Society  in  1772,  which  deservedly  obtained  the  honor  of  the  Cop- 
ley medal  In  this  paper  he  announced  the  discovery  of  nitrous  air;  he 
showed  the  use  of  a  burning  lens  in  pneumatic  experiments;  he  related  the 
discovery  and  properties  of  marine  acid  air;  he  added  much  to  the  little 
theretofore  known  of  air  generated  by  animal  putrefaction  and  vegetable  fer- 
mentation, and  determined  many  facts  relating  to  the  diminution  and  dete- 
rioration of  air  by  the  combustion  of  charcoal  and  the  calcination  of  metals. 
It  was  not  until  June  or  July,  1774,  that  he  made  the  full  discovery  of  deph- 


522  HISTORY    OF    NOETHUMBERLAXD   CODNTY. 

logisticated*  air,  which  he  procured  from  precipitate  per  se,  and  from  red 
lead.  He  announced  this  discovery  publicly  at  the  table  of  M.  Lavosier  at 
Paris  in  October,  1774,  and  about  the  same  time  repeated  his  experiments 
before  the  scientific  chemists  of  Paris. 

In  a  sketch  of  this  nature  it  is  impossible  to  jmr.sue  his  subsequent  inves- 
tigations; enough  has  been  said  to  show  that  in  the  brief  space  of  two  years 
he  announced  to  the  world  more  facts  of  real  importance  and  wide  applica- 
tion in  pneumatic  chemistry  than  all  his  predecessors  had  previously  made 
known.  His  attention  was  called  to  the  subject  purely  by  the  accident  of  his 
proximity  to  a  brew-house  at  Leeds,  where  he  had  ample  opportimity  to 
observe  and  determine  the  properties  of  fixed  air:  one  experiment  led  to 
another,  ultimately  resiilting  in  the  discoveries  upon  which  his  philosophical 
rejjutation  is  principally  founded. 

After  a  residence  of  six  years  at  Leeds,  he  entered  the  service  of  the  Earl 
of  Shelburne,  with  whom  he  traveled  in  Europe.  In  1780  he  became  pastor 
of  a  'dissenting  congregation  at  Birmingham,  where,  in  1789,  he  became 
involved  in  a  controversy  regarding  the  "test  act;"  his  expressed  approval  of 
the  French  Revolution  provoked  a  violent  attack  from  Burke  in  Parliament, 
and,  to  such  an  extent  had  his  political  views  aroused  the  hostility  of  the 
Birmingham  populace,  that,  on  the  14th  of  July,  1791,  his  residence  was 
burned  by  a  mob.  This  called  forth  a  niunber  of  addresses,  among  which 
were  several  invitations  to  become  a  member  of  the  French  Convention. 
Diiring  the  next  three  years  he  resided  at  London  and  Hackney,  but,  finding 
the  hostility  of  his  enemies  imabated,  he  decided  to  leave  England,  and  em- 
barked for  America  on  the  7th  of  April,  1704.  The  considerations  that 
induced  his  location  at  Northumberland  are  thus  stated  in  his  "Memoirs:" — 

At  the  time  of  my  leavinj;  England,  my  snn,  in  conjunction  with  Mr.  Cooper  and 
other  English  emigrants,  had  a  scheme  for  a  large  settlement  for  the  friends  of  liberty 
in  general  near  the  head  of  the  Susquehanna  in  Pennsylvania.  And  taking  it  for 
granted  that  it  would  be  carried  into  effect,  after  landing  at  Xew  York  I  went  to  Phil- 
adelphia, and  thence  to  Northumberland,  a  town  the  nearest  to  the  proposed  settle- 
ment, thinking  to  reside  there  until  some  progress  had  been  made  in  it.  The  settle- 
ment was  given  up;  but  being  here,  and  my  wife  and  my  self  liking  the  place,  I  have 
determined  to  take  up  mj'  residence  here,  though  subject  to  many  disadvantages. 
Philadelphia  was  excessively  e.xpensive,  and  this  comparatively  a  cheap  place;  and  my 
sons,  settling  in  the  neighborhood,  will  be  less  exposed  to  temptation  and  more  likely 
to  form  habits  of  sobriety  and  industry.  They  will  also  be  settled  at  much  less 
expense  than  in  or  near  a  large  town.  We  hope,  after  some  time,  to  be  joined  by  a 
few  of  our  friends  from  England,  that  a  readier  communication  may  be  opened  with 
Philadelphia,  and  that  the  place  will  improve  and  become  more  eligible  in  other 
respects. 

In  the  spring  of  1795  he  began  the  construction  of  a  house  suitable  to  his 
reqiiirements  and  pursuits;  it  was  completed  in  1797,  and  still  stands  in  a 

*This  term  was  introduced  to  scientific  nomenclature  by  Priestley;  "deplilOKistleated  air"  is 
oxygen  gas. 


'*^2^ 


C^- 


. ^r 


NOKTHUJIBERLAND.  o2o 

good  state  of  preservation  on  North  Way,  with  a  la\\-n  sloping  to  the  canal. 
Here  he  resumed  his  experiments  and  studies.  He  was  offered  the  profess- 
orship of  chemistry  in  the  University  of  Pennsylvania,  but  declined,  although 
he  delivered  two  courses  of  lectures  in  Philadelphia.  He  corresponded  with 
Presidents  Jefferson  and  Adams,  and,  although  a  voluminous  writer  on  polit- 
ical economy,  never  participated  actively  in  civil  affairs  in  this  country,  of 
which  he  never  became  a  naturalized  citizen.  In  religious  belief  he  was  a 
Unitarian,  and  estabhshed  at  Northumberland  the  oldest  church  of  that 
denomination  in  central  Pennsylvania;  he  was  also  active  in  promotino-  the 
educational  interests  of  the  commimity  and  was  one  of  the  founders  of  the  old 
Northumberland  Academy,  the  first  school  of  advanced  grade  in  this  part  of 
the  State.  The  last  years  of  his  life  were  free  from  the  controversy  and  care 
that  entered  so  largely  into  his  experience,  and  thus  he  died,  in  peace  and 
quietness,  on  the  fith  of  February,  1804.  His  remains  are  interred  in  the 
Northumberland  cemetery. 

The  centennial  anniversary  of  the  discovery  of  oxygen  was  celebrated  at 
Northumberland  in  June,  1S74,  by  a  meeting  of  about  fifty  of  the  most  jirom- 
inent  scientists  of  the  United  States  and  Canada.  David  Taggart  delivered 
the  address  of  welcome,  and  Professor  Chandler,  of  Colimibia  College,  New 
York,  presided.  Appropriate  memorial  exercises  and  scientific  addresses 
were  the  features  of  the  program.  Cablegrams  were  interchanged  with  the 
Priestley  Memorial  Committee  of  Birmingham.  This  convention  and  the 
demon-strations  of  a  similar  nature  in  England  attracted  wide  attention. 

Of  Frederick  Antes,  William  Cooke,  William  Wilson,  Thomas  Cooper. 
and  Seth  Chapman,  all  of  whom  were  judges  in  the  county  courts  and  resided 
at  Northumberland,  extended  mention  is  made  in  this  work  in  the  cluqjter 
on  the  Bench  and  Bar,  where  sketches  of  early  resident  lawyers  also  appear. 
The  early  physicians — Doctors  Allison,  Young,  Lathey,  Jackson,  and  Rodrigue 
— receive  corresponding  mention  in  the  chapter  on  the  Medical  Profession. 

E.^ELY  MERCH.\NTS   .\ND   HOTELS. 

A  maji  of  the  Susquehanna  river,  drawn  in  ITUl  by  Isaac  Taylor,  surveyor 
of  Chester  county,  locates  J.  Letorfs  store  at  the  site  of  Northumberland. 
He  was  a  French  trader,  and  j)robably  carried  on  a  thriving  business  with 
the  Indians  in  the  exchange  of  such  commodities  as  a  savage  population 
could  assimilate  for  peltries,  etc.  This  was  doubtless  the  initial  commercial 
venture  of  the  West  Branch  valley. 

No  definite  particulars  have  been  learned  regarding  merchandising  at 
Northumberland  before  the  Eevolutionary  war.  When  the  population  re- 
turned after  the  close  of  that  struggle  the  first  merchants  were  probably 
William  Wilson  and  John  Boyd.  Josiah  Haines,  Dr.  Benjamin  F.  Young. 
Peter  Faulkner,  Hepburn  &  Cowden,  James  Towar  &  Company,  William  Mc- 
Clelland, and  Eobert  Irwin  were  prominent  merchants  prior  to  ISOO.     Wil- 


526  HISTOKY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COrNTY. 

son  and  Boyd  continued  in  partnership  until  April  IC  18(l2.  In  the  Gazette 
of  January  1,  1794,  Peter  Faulkner  informs  the  public  that  he  has  just 
received  a  consignment  of  goods  from  Philadelphia,  for  which  grain  would 
be  taken  at  market  prices ;  he  offers  seven  pence  per  bushel  for  ashes,  and 
twenty  shillings  per  hundred- weight  for  "  black  salts.'"  In  the  issue  of  the 
same  paper  for  April  16,  1794,  Hepburn  &  Cowden  offer  a  reward  of  fifty 
doUars  for  the  apprehension  of  certain  "  malicious,  evil  disposed  persons," 
who,  on  the  30th  of  March  previously,  had  rolled  upwards  of  one  hundred 
bushels  of  salt,  one  wagon,  and  one  cart  from  their  landing  into  the  river,  and 
cut  loose  a  boat.  This  firm  dissolved  partnership,  June  4,  1794,  both  con- 
tinuing business  individually.  Some  idea  of  the  mercantile  business  at  that 
date  may  be  obtained  from  the  following  enumeration  of  articles  advertised 
in  the  Gazette  in  1801  :— 

Superfine,  second,  and  coarse  cloth,  mixed,  plain,  striped,  and  white  cassimeres, 
striped,  phvin,  tahie,and  bro^-n  nankeens,  chintzes,  calicoes,  ging-mufflins,  and  dimities 
of  all  kinds,  large  and  small  umbrellas,  velvets,  thickset  and  fancy  cords,  satin,  lus- 
trings, Persians,  and  Sarsonets,  calimancoes,  moureens,  taboeens,  and  durants,  Irish 
linens,  checks,  and  bed  ticks,  iron  and  copper  teakettles,  German  and  cradling  scythes, 
sugars,  coffee,  and  tea  of  almost  all  kinds,  sherry,  madiera,  and  purt  wines,  Jamaica 
spirits,  French  brandy,  with  a  few  barrels  of  old  whiskey,  best  Si>aiusli  and  American 
cigars,  with  a  number  of  other  articles. 

James  Hepburn,  Ipy  whom  this  advertisement  was  inserted,  conducted 
business  at  a  log  building  on  the  corner  of  North  "Way  and  Duke  street. 
He  died  on  the  4th  of  January,  1817,  in  the  seventieth  year  of  his  age. 

John  Cowden,  who  served  as  postmaster  of  Northumberland  from  f79.'j 
until  his  death,  January  12,  1837,  was  engaged  in  merchandising  nearly  the 
whole  of  that  time.  His  business  establishment  passed  to  William  Forsyth 
in  1835;  the  latter  was  succeeded  in  1844  by  his  son,  William  T.  Forsyth, 
who  continued  in  business  imtil  1884. 

Samuel  McClintock  and  John  Guier  were  also  among  the  merchants  of 
Cowden's  day.  The  former  resided  on  Water  street  just  above  Queen,  and 
one  of  his  sons  is  a  prominent  lawyer  at  Wilkesbarre;  the  store  of  the  latter 
was  at  the  intersection  of  Water  and  Queen  streets. 

Ephraim  P.  Shannon,  son  of  Samuel  Shannon,  who'settled  at  Northumber- 
land prior  to  1800,  was  a  native  of  this  place  and  for  some  years  one  of  its 
prominent  business  men.  His  store  was  at  the  comer  of  Queen  and  Front 
streets,  where  he  erected  the  brick  building  afterward  incorporated  in  the  Van 
Kirk  house.     He  was  born,  Febniary  4,  1797,  and  died,  August  27,  1851. 

Daniel  Brautigam,  a  native  of  Philadelphia,  where  he  was  bom,  March 
30,  1788,  was  in  biisiness  for  some  years,  individually  or  in  partnership  with 
others,  at  a  stone  building  on  the  northeast  side  of  Queen  street  between 
W'ater  and  Front,  now  occupied  by  Straub's  feed  store.  He  was  appointed 
prothonotary  of  Northumberland  county,  January  29,  1836,  and  filled  that 
position  until  February  5,  1839.     He  died,  March  10,  1863. 


NORTHUMBERLAND.  527 

Clyde  &  Porter  was  the  caption  of  a  well  known  business  firm  about  the 
period  from  1825  to  1840.  William  Clyde,  senior  member,  was  a  native  of 
Ireland,  and  a  chairmaker  by  trade,  pursuing  that  avocation  in  partner- 
ship with  his  brother  Thomas  at  a  log  house  still  standing  on  Queen 
street  between  Front  and  Second.  Thomas  died.  July  21,  1822,  at  the  age  of 
Hfty-one  years.  Porter  was  the  nephew  of  WiUiam  Clyde.  Their  business 
was  transacted  in  the  brick  building  at  the  comer  of  Front  and  Market 
streets  where  Miss  Lyon  now  resides.  William  Clyde  died,  April  7,  1841,  at 
the  age  of  sixty-five  years. 

John  Hannah,  an  Irishman,  a  bachelor,  and  a  man  of  comparative  wealth. 
had  a  store  on  Front  street  near  the  corner  of  Market,  and  o\\Taed  a  series  of 
buildings  extending  from  the  site  of  the  Methodist  Ejiiscopal  church  to 
Wheatley's  alley.  He  died  on  the  2r)th  of  August.  1832,  at  the  age  of  eighty- 
three. 

The  First  Hotel  was  that  of  Kobert  Martin,  previously  mentioned,  which 
was  probably  conducted  until  or  during  the  Eevolution.  At  the  beginning 
of  this  centuiy  the  leading  hotel  was  that  of  Peter  Jones,  a  building  at  the 
corner  of  Wheatley's  alley  on  North  Way  now  used  as  the  borough  poor 
house.  Jones  was  born.  May  30,  1747,  and  died.  March  5,  1820;  prior  to 
the  latter  event,  however,  he  was  succeeded  by  William  Fors}i:h,  who  was 
proprietor  in  1822.  David  Taggart  conducted  a  hotel  in  a  two-story  brick 
building  at  the  site  of  Morgan's  shoe  store  on  Queen  street,  where  he  died. 
May  17,  1812,  after  which  it  was  continued  by  his  widow  many  years.  The 
Washington  House,  on  the  corner  of  Market  and  Water  streets,  has  borne  its 
present  designation  longer  than  any  other  of  the  present  hotels.  John 
Shreiner  built  the  brick  part  of  the  building  in  IS)  2.  and  James  Lee,  a  well 
known  character,  was  proprietor  many  years.  Henry  Wolfinger.  John  Cake, 
and  Mrs.  Burr  are  remembered  as  proprietors  of  the  Cross  Keys,  at  the  corner 
of  Market  and  Front,  and  John  Cake  and  John  G.  Wells  at  the  Black  Horse, 
which  occupied  the  site  of  the  Methodist  church.  The  Van  Kirk  House  re- 
ceived its  name  from  Joseph  Van  Kirk,  the  tirst  proprietor,  and  the  Whitmer 
House  was  established  by  George  Eckert. 

THE    POSTOFFICE. 

The  first  postoffice  in  Northumberland  county  was  established  at  North- 
umberland in  1795;  jiostmasters  have  been  commissioned  in  the  following- 
order:  John  Cowden,  November  13.  1795;  William  Forsyth,  January  26, 
1837;  Daniel  Weimer,  August  10,  1841;  John  W.  Miles,  November  24, 1844; 
Catharine  G.  Boyd,  May  8,  1849:  Margaret  Weimer,  November  11,  1850; 
Charles  F.  Little,  May  5,  1853;  Jacob  Ulp,  July  20.  1853;  Jacob  Leisenring, 
January  14,  1858;  Jacob  Paul,  Febraary  5,  185S,:  William  Weimer.  April  4, 
1801;  Josephine  R.  Weimer,  Januar}'  30,  1S7(;  John  C.  Forsyth,  September 
8,  1885;  Luther  L.  Haas,  January  27,  1890. 


528  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

BRIDGES,    C.iNALS,  AND    EAILWAYS. 

The  North itmbevland  Bridge  Cowyjatiy  was  the  first  incorporated  in  Penn- 
sylvania for  the  erection  of  a  bridge  across  the  Susc^uehanna.  The  necessary 
prehminary  legislation  was  secured,  March  25,  1809,  authorizing  the  Gov- 
ernor "to  incorporate  a  company  for  the  purpose  of  making  and  erecting  a 
bridge  and  road  over  the  Northeast  Branch  of  the  river  Susquehanna  in  the 
county  of  Northumberland,  from  the  public  highway  opposite  the  plantation 
of  Thomas  Grant  to  Shamokin  island,  through  the  public  highway  of  Shamo- 
kin  island  to  the  shore  opposite  Northumberland,  and  from  thence  to  the 
to\vn  of  Northiunberland."  The  responsibilities  of  the  enterprise  were 
intrusted  to  a  number  of  commissioners,  of  whom  Jacob  Dentler,  Joseph 
Priestley,  John  Boyd,  James  Hepburn,  John  P.  De  Gruchy,  and  George 
Kremer  assumed  the  active  work  of  soliciting  financial  sitpport,  and  sub- 
scription books  were  opened  at  Philadelphia  and  Northumberland.  On 
the  30th  of  March,  iSll,  a  supplement  to  the  act  of  1809  was  so  amended 
as  to  empower  the  Governor  to  incorporate  the  company  as  soon  as  public 
subscriptions  to  the  amoimt  of  sixteen  hundred  shares  had  been  subscribed, 
and  Messrs.  Dentler,  Priestley,  Boyd,  Hepburn,  De  Gruchy,  and  Kremer, 
with  Simon  Gratz,  John  Yaughan,  and  Heniy  Toland,  their  coUeagttes,  hav- 
ing certified  this  result  to  the  Governor,  the  company  was  formally  incorpor- 
ated, October  19,  ISII,  and  a  subscription  of  fifty  thousand  dollars  was 
forthwith  received  from  the  State.  The  first  election  for  officers  occurred  at 
the  house  of  David  Taggart  in  Northumberland  on  the  23d  of  November, 
1811,  between  the  hours  of  eleven  a.  m.  and  five  p.  m.,  at  which  the  following 
officers  were  elected:  president,  John  P.  De  Gruchy,  sis  hundred  twenty- 
three  votes;  managers:  Charles  Hall,  six  hundred  twenty-three  votes;  David 
Taggart,  six  hundred  eighteen  votes:  John  Cowden,  six  hitndred  eleven  votes; 
Jacob  Dentler.  six  htmdred  ten  votes;  James  Hepburn,  five  hundred  twenty- 
eight  votes;  George  Kremer,  four  hundred  thirty-eight  votes;  treasurer,  John 
Boyd,  six  hundred  twenty  votes;  clerk,  John  Cooper,  five  hundred  sixty-six 
votes. 

President  De  Gruchy  had  already  had  some  correspondence  with  the  offi- 
cers of  the  Mohawk,  Schenectady,  and  Schoharie  bridge  companies,  in  New 
York  State,  and  the  Trenton  Bridge  Company,  of  New  Jersey,  regarding 
bridge  constmction;  this  correspondence  was  submitted  to  the  managers  at  a 
meeting  held  in  Simburv',  November  27,  1811,  at  which  the  contract  was 
awarded  Theodore  Burr  for  the  Sum  of  eighty  thousand  dollars.  His  only 
competitor  was  Eobert  Mills,  of  Philadelphia,  who  submitted  a  plan  and 
proposals,  while  Mr.  Burr  was  present  in  person  to  explain  the  method  of 
construction  of  which  he  was  the  originator.  The  agreement  was  concluded, 
November  29.  1811.  The  articles  specify  three  piers  between  Northumber- 
land and  Shamokin  island  and  four  between  that  ishmd  and  the  Sunbury 
side,  each  to  be  twenty  feet  above  low  water  mark  to  the  foot  of  the  arches, 


NORTHUMBEKLAND.  529 

twenty  feet  wide  at  the  bottom  and  eighteen  at  the  foot  of  the  arches,  and 
carried  up  eight  feet  between  the  arches;  four  abutments,  thirty-two  feet 
wide  and  ten  feet  thick,  supported  by  wing  walls  five  feet  thick  at  the  bottom 
and  half  that  thick  at  the  top;  a  superstructure,  consisting  of  arches,  chords, 
truss-braces,  braces,  king-posts,  etc.,  thirty  feet  wide  from  "out  to  out''  of 
the  arches  and  thirty-one  feet  ten  inches  by  similar  measurement  from  the 
king-posts,  with  two  carriage-ways  eleven  feet  six  inches  wide  and  a  footway 
four  feet  ten  inches  wide  between  them;  and  two  toll  houses  eighteen  by 
twenty-four  feet.  The  work  was  to  be  commenced  in  March,  1812,  and  com- 
pleted on  the  31st  of  December,  1813;  but  if  the  company  should  not  suc- 
ceed in  securing  the  State  appropriation  agreeably  to  its  wishes,  the  con- 
tractor was  to  have  an  extension  of  one  year.  The  act  of  April  2,  ISll 
authorized  the  Governor  to  subscribe  fifty  thousand  dollars,  one  half  payable 
when  the  piers  and  abutments  were  completed,  the  other  half  when  the  super- 
structure was  raised;  but  the  management  desired  to  complete  that  part  of 
the  bridge  between  Northiunberland  and  the  island  before  undertaking  the 
remainder,  and  memorialized  the  legislature  to  make  a  corresponding  change 
in  the  manner  of  bestowing  the  appropriation.  A  further  supplement,  grant- 
ing the  change  proposed,  was  accordingly  passed,  February  3,  1812.  This 
provided  that  twelve  thousand  five  himdred  dollars  should  be  jjayable  when 
the  piers  and  abutments  between  Northumberland  and  the  island  had  been 
constructed,  a  like  sum  when  the  superstructure  between  these  points  was 
raised,  and  the  same  amounts  as  the  remainder  of  the  work  progressed. 
The  effect  of  this  was  to  confirm  that  part  of  the  agreement  with  Mr.  Burr 
which  stipulated  that  the  bridge  should  be  completed  on  the  31st  of  Decem- 
ber, 1813. 

The  work  of  construction  was  begun  on  the  4th  of  June,  1812,  when  the 
foundation  of  the  abutment  at  Northumberland  was  laid:  that  of  the  alnit- 
ment  at  the  island  on  the  Northiunberland  side  was  laid  the  same  month;  of 
the  central  pier,  July  Sth;  of  the  pier  next  the  island,  Aiigust  ISth;  and  of 
the  pier  next  the  Northumberland  side,  September  14th.  On  the  7th  of 
October,  1812,  Mr.  De  Gruchy  informed  the  Governor  that  these  two  abutments 
and  three  piers  were  nearly  completed,  and  requested  the  appointment  of  a 
commission,  agreeably  to  the  law,  to  examine  them  and  report  whether  they 
were  so  constructed  as  to  entitle  the  comjiany  to  call  upon  the  State  for  a  pro- 
portional amount  of  its  subscription.  Bethuel  Vincent,  Thomas  Pollock,  and 
Jacob  Lechner  were  accordingly  appointed;  they  made  an  examination  on 
the  3d  of  November  following,  and  submitted  a  report  highly  complimentary 
to  the  company  and  the  contractor.  All  the  arches  on  the  Northumberland  side 
were  up,  on  Tuesday  afternoon,  August  31,  1813,  and  on  the  Sth  of  Decem- 
ber Mr.  De  Gruchy  requested  the  appointment  of  viewers  for  this  part  of  the 
superstructure.  Bethuel  Vincent,  Thomas  Pollock,  and  James  Geddis  were 
appointed,  and  on  Saturday,  December  25,  1813.  they  met  with  the  otficers  of 


530  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

the  comjiany,  Messrs.  De  Grachy,  Kremer,  Albright,  Dentler,  Cowden.  Hep- 
burn, and  Boyd,  and  crossed  the  bridge  from  Northumberland  to  the 
island,  preceded  by  the  live-horse  team  of  Jacob  Dentler,  one  of  the  managers, 
driven  by  Solomon  Dentler,  his  son,  and  containing  as  many  persons  as 
could  find  room  in  it.  After  crossing  the  bridge  it  returned  to  the  North- 
umberland side,  amid  the  acclamations  of  a  number  of  spectators.  The  com- 
missioners reported  to  the  Governor  that  the  work  had  been  done  "  in  a 
masterly  and  workmanlike  manner."  The  foimdation  of  the  abutment  on 
the  Sunbury  side  was  laid,  October  29,  1812,  and  the  pier  nearest  that  side 
was  partially  constructed  in  the  same  year.  The  foundation  of  the  central 
pier  was  laid  on  the  lOth  of  August,  1813,  and  with  its  completion  on  the 
2'Jth  of  September  the  stone  work  of  the  bridge  was  finished.  Mr.  De  Gruchy 
had  filed  an  application  for  viewers  on  the  4th  of  September;  Messrs.  Yin- 
cent,  Pollock,  and  Lechner  were  ajipointed,  and  returned  a  favorable  report. 
Under  date  of  September  9,  1814,  the  Governor  was  informed  that  this  part 
of  the  superstructure  had  been  raised,  and  on  the  2d  of  December  it  was  exam- 
ined by  Messrs.  Vincent,  Pollock,  and  Geddis,  who  reported  favorably.  As 
thus  completed  the  western  part  of  the  bridge  was  eight  hundred  forty-eight 
feet,  six  inches  in  length;  the  eastern  part,  nine  htindred  seventy-six  feet,  sis 
inches;  the  abutments,  five  hundred  feet;  the  roadway  across  Shamokin 
island,  seventeen  himdred  forty-nine  feet — a  total  length,  including  frame- 
work, roadway,  and  approaches,  of  forty-three  hundred  seventy-four  feet. 
The  plan  originally  decided  upon  had  been  variously  modified;  the  principal 
change  was  that  made  on  the  7th  of  October,  1812,  when  it  was  decided  to 
erect  three  piers  instead  of  four  on  the  eastern  side.  The  floor,  or  "  deck,"  was 
elevated  forty-one  feet  above  low  water  mark,  and  the  footway  was  raised 
four  feet  above  the  carriage  way.     The  exterior  was  painted. 

The  following  schedule  of  tolls  was  adopted  at  a  meeting  of  the  managers, 
September  10,  1814:  for  every  carriage  of  whatever  description,  used  for  the 
purposes  of  trade  and  agriculture,  with  four  wheels  and  drawn  by  six  horses, 
one  dollar  twenty-five  cents,  with  a  scale  varying  with  the  number  of  horses 
to  the  minimum  of  thirty-one  and  one  fourth  cents  for  one  horse:  four- 
wheeled  vehicles  of  pleasure,  drawn  by  four  horses,  one  dollar  twenty-five 
cents,  with  a  reduction  of  twenty-five  cents  for  each  horse;  two- wheeled 
wagons,  drawn  by  two  horses,  fifty  cents — by  one  horse,  twenty-five  cents;  a 
chair  or  other  two-wheeled  vehicle  of  pleasure,  twenty-five  cents  for  each 
horse;  a  four-horse  sleigh,  fifty  cents;  a  one-horse  sleigh,  or  horse  and  rider, 
eighteen  and  three  fourths  cents;  a  horse  without  a  rider,  twelve  and  one  half 
cents;  foot  passengers  and  horned  cattle  were  charged  six  and.  one  fourth 
cents  for  each  individual;  sheep  or  swine,  two  cents;  two  oxen,  to  be  estimated 
equal  to  one  horse;  with  a  proportionately  greater  charge  for  carriages  of 
burthen  laden  with  more  than  two  tons'  weight.  The  first  toll  collector  was 
John  Shreiner,  appointed  by  the  president  in  pursuance  of  a  resolution  passed 


NOKTHUMBEELAXD.  531 

by  the  directors,  November  17,  1S14:  toll  was  first  collected  on  the  21st  of 
Xovember,  1814,  but  only  at  the  Northumberland  side  for  some  time.  Owing 
to  inconvenience  caused  by  a  scarcity  of  small  change,  it  was  resolved,  at  a 
meeting  of  the  board  on  the  ■2d  of  December,  to  issue  printed  notes  of  the 
denominations  of  fifty,  twenty-five,  twelve  and  one  half,  and  six  and  one 
fourth  cents,  and  of  one  dollar,  in  the  name  of  the  company  signed  by  the 
president  and  coiintersigned  by  the  treasurer.  Shreiner  was  only  appointed 
temporarily;  the  first  persons  regularly  appointed  as  toll  collectors  were 
John  Kendig,  for  the  Sunbuiy  side,  and  John  Gordon,  for  the  Northumber- 
land side,  selected  on  the  16th  of  December,  1S14. 

Although  thus  opened  for  travel  in  1814.  the  bridge  was  not  actually 
completed  until  1818.  After  making  the  contract  with  the  managers,  Burr 
entered  into  similar  agreements  with  bridge  companies  at  Harrisburg  and 
llcCall's  Ferry,  '■  and.  as  if  these  had  not  been  more  than  sufficient  to  give 
employment  to  an  active  and  ambitious  mind,"  in  the  language  of  a  report  of 
the  president  and  managers  to  the  legislature  in  1S22,  '•  he  made  a  fourth 
contract,  for  building  the  bridge  thirty  miles  above  us  at  Berwick."  The 
rejiort  then  states  how  Burr  became  involved,  and  being  unable  to  pay  for 
materials  or  labor,  the  company  assumed  his  obhgations,  receiving  as  collat- 
eral security  ten  thoiisand  dollar.s'  worth  of  stock  which  had  been  issiied  to 
him  in  part  payment  on  his  contract.  Gurdon  Hewitt,  Jr.,  was  clerk,  and 
Thomas  Brown,  foreman,  in  charge  of  the  work,  during  Burr's  frequent  and 
l")rotracted  absences  at  other  points,  and  it  was  through  the  former  that  the 
disbursements  of  the  board  were  principally  made.  The  amounts  advanced 
Mr.  Burr  over  and  above  the  eighty  thousand  dollars  specified  in  his  contract 
ultimately  aggregated  six  thousand  dollars.  Ineffectual  efforts  were  made  to 
settle  this  account  at  various  times;  this  was  finally  consummated  in  1824, 
with  Silas  Marsh,  administrator  of  Burr"s  estate,  who  transferred  the  four 
hundred  shares  of  stock  held  by  Burr  to  the  company,  and  was  released  from 
all  obligations  incurred  by  him.  The  net  receipts  from  tolls  had  been  devoted 
for  some  time  to  the  extinguishment  of  this  debt,  and  when  the  stock  had 
been  transferred  to  the  company  it  was  immediately  cancelled,  thus  reducing 
the  capitalization  from  ninety  to  eighty  thousand  doUars. 

The  receipts  during  the  first  year  amounted  to  three  thousand  one  him- 
dred  eighty  dollars,  thirty-two  cents;  a  dividend  of  three  per  ce^it.  was  ac- 
cordingly declared.  For  some  years  the  company  was  not  prosperous  finan- 
cially, owing  to  a  variety  of  disadvantages  attending  the  collection  of  tolls  and 
damage  sustained  by  its  property.  In  1839-40  that  part  of  the  superstruct- 
ure between  Northumberland  and  the  island  was  rebuilt,  having  been  de- 
stroyed by  a  flood.  In  1840  several  spans  east  of  the  island  were  blown  down 
by  a  hurricane,  two  of  which  landed  in  the  river  without  sustaining  serious 
injury  and  were  rebuilt  with  the  original  materials.  On  the  17th  of  March, 
1875,  the  entire  eastern  end  and  one  span  of  the  western  end  were  carried 


532  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUIIBEKLAND    COUNTY. 

away  by  an  ice  flood.  The  span  at  the  western  end  was  immediately  rebuilt, 
and  a  ferry  temporarily  established  on  the  other  side  of  the  island,  where  the 
present  bridge  was  erected  in  ISTfj. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  presidents  of  the  company  since  its  organization: 
John  P.  De  Gruchy.  1811-29;  James  Hepburn,  1830-38;  John  B.  Boyd. 
1839-44;  Daniel  Brautigam,  1845-58;  John  Taggart,  1858-77;  David  Tag- 
gart,  1877-87;  James  Taggart,  elected  December  4, 1888,  present  incumbent. 

The  West  Branch  Bridge  was  erected  in  pursuance  of  a  joint  resolution 
of  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives,  approved  by  the  Governor  on  the 
31st  of  March,  1S2S,  authorizing  the  board  of  canal  commissioners,  if  it 
should  be  deemed  expedient,  to  construct  a  turnpike  bridge  and  towing  path 
at  the  mouth  of  the  West  Branch  near  Northumberland.  The  principal  con- 
tractors for  its  construction  were  Eeuben  Fields,  Randall  Wilcox,  and  Lemuel 
B.  Stoughton,  and  the  work  was  completed  about  the  year  1831.  This  struct- 
ure has  also  suffered  from  floods  at  various  times.  In  June,  1890,  four 
spans  were  carried  away,  leaving  but  one  at  each  end,  so  that  the  present 
bridge  is  practically  new.  It  has  two  carriage  ways,  and  a  '•  towing  path  " 
used  in  transporting  canal  boats  across  the  river. 

The  North  and  West  Branch  Canals  conferred  a  degree  of  importance 
upon  Northumberland  of  which  their  present  condition  scarcely  affords  a 
suggestion.  These  formed  part  of  the  great  system  of  internal  improve- 
ments projected  and  executed  by  the  State;  during  the  progress  of  their  con- 
struction they  gave  employment  to  large  mimbers  of  men  and  placed  con- 
siderable money  in  circulation,  and  after  their  completion  local  business 
received  a  quickened  impetus.  The  packet  boat  appeared  as  the  competitor 
of  the  stage  coach,  and  the  canal  boat  superseded  the  river  craft  of  former 
days;  and,  as  the  terminus  of  three  divisions  of  the  canal,  Northumberland 
was  in  a  position  to  derive  a  large  share  of  the  advantages  it  gave  to  com- 
mercial intercourse  in  this  part  of  the  State.  To  what  extent  this  was  the 
case  is  shown  by  the  fact  that  for  many  years  the  only  bank  in  the  coimty  was 
conducted  here.  But  with  the  advent  of  railroads  the  canals  gradually  lost 
their  former  importance,  and  have  ceased  to  be  a  factor  of  any  consequence  in 
sustaining  local  interest.s. 

Railways. — The  Philadelphia  and  Erie  railroad  was  opened  to  Northum- 
berland on  Monday,  September  24,  1855,  when  psssenger  travel  was  estab- 
lished between  this  place  and  Williamsport.  The  Susc^uehanna  river  bridge 
was  erected  in  the  following  autumn,  and  the  flrst  train  to  Simbury  passed 
over  it,  Januarv*  7.  185G. 

The  Lackawanna  and  Bloomsburg  railroad  was  opened  to  passenger 
travel,  May  31,  1860.  and  the  first  train  arrived  at  Northumberland  at  forty 
minutes  past  nine  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  that  day. 

The  Shamokin,  Sunbury  and  Lewisburg  railroad  (Philadelphia  and  Read- 
ing) was  opened  in  1883. 


NOKTHUMBERLAND.  533 

The  Simburj'  and  Northumberland  street  railway  was  opened  to  travel  in 
1S90. 

BOEOCGH  ORGAMZATIOX  AND  GOVEENMENT. 

The  borough  of  Northumberland  was  incorporated  on  the  16th  of  Jan- 
uary, 182S,  by  act  of  the  legislature,  from  territory  formerly  comprised  in 
Point  townshiji. 

By  the  terms  of  this  act,  Ejihraim  P.  Shannon,  John  Taggart.  and  "Will- 
iam Forsyth  were  appointed  to  sujierintend  the  first  election  of  borough 
officers,  which  was  held  at  the  house  of  John  Leisenring  on  Monday.  Aj^ril 
0,  1S29,  resulting  in  the  choice  of  the  following  persons:  burgess,  Lawrence 
Campbell;  council:  John  Porter,  William  Forsyth,  John  G.  "VVells.  John 
Taggart,  James  Gaston,  Joseph  R.  Priestley,  James  Hepburn;  high  consta- 
ble, Thomas  Waples;  constable,  William  H.  Ross;  overseers  of  the  poor: 
John  B.  Boyd,  John  Leisenring ;  supervisors :  Samuel  Cox,  John  Shreiner,  Jr. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  burgesses  since  the  incorporation  of  the  borough : 
1S29-34,  Lawrence  Campbell;  1835-37,  Henry  Gossler;  1S3S,  William  B. 
Mendenhall;  1839-41,  A.  L.  Dieffenbacher ;  1842,  William  B.  Mendenhall; 
1843,  Conrad  Wenck;  1844,  William  B.  Mendenhall;  1845-19,  George  Ev- 
erard;  1850,  Barney  Chri.sty;  1851-50,  George  Everard:  1857,  William  H. 
Waples;  1S5S-G1,  Cornelius' B.  Smith;  1SG2-G5,  Francis  Renner:  18(50-07, 
John  Wheatley;  1808,  William  H.  Morgan;  1809-70,  Cornelius  B.  Smith; 
1871-72,  A.  H.  Yoris;  1873,  Thaddeus  G.  Morgan;  1874-70,  John  C.  For- 
syth; 1877,  David  M.  Evans;  1878,  William  B.  Stoner;  1879-80,  Joseph  H. 
Everard;  1881,  Alfred  Hawley;  1882,  Harris  W.  Burg;  1883,  John  E.  Colt; 
1884,  William  A.  Starick;  1885,  John  P.  Daiiberman;  1880,  Cyrus  Brouse; 
1887,  John  P.  Dauberman;  1888-89,  Cyrus  Brouse;  1890-91,  W.  Oscar 
Landback. 

INDUSTRIAL    .ACTIVITY. 

John  P.  De  Gruchy  established  a  distillery  at  Northumberland  about  the 
close  of  the  last  century,  which,  during  the  period  of  its  operation,  was  one 
of  the  most  important  and  extensive  industries  of  the  place.  It  was  a  brick 
and  frame  building,  situated  about  half  a  square  above  the  river  bridge  on 
the  south  side  of  North  Way.  There  were  also  large  frame  sheds  for  the 
hogs  and  cattle  that  were  fed  on  the  refuse,  damaged  stocks,  etc..  a  cooper 
shop,  and  a  boat  yard.  At  the  latter  arks  and  other  varieties  of  river  craft 
were  made,  in  which  the  product  was  shipped  to  Columbia,  Baltimore,  and 
other  points.  The  proprietor  resided  in  a  large  brick  and  frame  house  on 
North  Way  opposite  the  distillery.  He  was  also  actively  associated  with 
various  other  business  enterprises.  Mr.  De  Gruchy  was  from  England,  where 
he  had  been  engaged  in  business  and  failed;  he  was  more  successful  in  this 
country,  however,  and  after  a  time  was  enabled  to  liquidate  all  the  claims  of 


534  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

his  former  creditors.  He  died  at  Nortlmmberland,  February  1,  1S30,  in  the 
sixty-sixth  year  of  his  age. 

A  brewery,  doubtless  the  lirst  of  any  importance  at  Northumberhmd,  was 
operated  as  early  as  1800  by  Bernard  Hubley.  It  was  situated  on  Market 
street,  and  comprised  malt,  brew,  still,  and  mill  houses,  a  malt  kiln  with  a 
capacity  of  forty  bushels,  and  brew  "coi^pers"  large  enough  to  hold  twenty 
barrels.  The  establishments  of  this  nature  also  included  that  of  John  Tag- 
gart,  a  red  frame  building  at  the  Queen  street  crossing  of  the  canal,  which 
originally  occupied  ground  through  which  the  canal  passes;  William  T. 
Boyd's,  a  brick  building  ninety  by  twenty-two  feet,  at  the  corner  of  Queen 
street  and  North  "Way ;  Levi  Hibbert's,  on  West  Way  between  Water  and 
Front  streets,  and  Edward  Lyon's,  at  the  comer  of  Market  and  Front. 

At  a  later  date  William  McCay  erected  a  stone  distillery  on  Queen  street, 
an  exceptional  feature  of  which  was  a  wind-mill  of  the  style  then  in  vogue, 
by  which  water  was  pumped  from  a  deep  well  on  the  premises. 

Four  tanneries  constituted  the  manufacturing  facilities  in  that  respect. 
That  of  Thomas  Bonham  was  on  Queen  street  at  the  comer  of  Fourth;  the 
other  three,  owned,  respectively,  by  John  Hepburn,  Jacob  Urban,  and  John 
Shreiner,  were  removed  and  the  North  Branch  canal  was  opened  through  the 
ground  they  formerly  occupied. 

If  the  opening  of  the  canal  caused  the  suspension  of  the  tanning  industry, 
it  gave  rise  to  another  of  equal  or  greater  importance — that  of  boat-bi;ilding. 
The  first  boatyard  was  established  by  Charles  Storer,  on  ground  formerly 
occupied  by  De  Gruchy's  distillery.  He  was  succeeded  by  John  Dunham 
and  William  T.  Boyd.  Kobert  Lesher  and  -John  Hummel  were  engaged  in 
boat -building  on  the  West  Branch  canal  between  Front  and  Second  streets, 
John  Lloyd  on  the  North  Branch  at  the  Pennsylvania  railroad  bridge,  and 
Joseph  Johnson  and  Samuel  Elliott  above  the  canal  terminus  of  Orange 
street. 

Miscellaneous  industries  included  the  pottery  of  John  Leisenring,  on 
Queen  street  opposite  the  Lutheran  church ;  Robert  McCay's,  William  Leisen- 
ring's,  and  Joseph  Hair's  hat  factories,  among  the  most  important  in  this 
section  of  the  State  at  the  time;  John  S.  Carter's. William  and  Thomas  Clyde's, 
and  John  Frick's  chair-making  shops;  Frederick  Burkenbine's  brick  yard, 
on  Duke  street  between  Fourth  and  Fifth;  and  the  shops  of  Alexander  Colt, 
blacksmith,  William  R.  Clelland,  cabinet  maker.  Hunter  Pardoe  and  James 
Gaston,  wagon  makers. 

In  1828  Da\'id  Rogers,  inventor  of  a  patent  scale  beam,  came  to  North- 
umberland from  the  State  of  New  York.  Ephraim  P.  Shannon  became  inter- 
ested in  the  invention,  and  advanced  capital  for  the  erection  and  equipment 
of  a  small  foundry.  The  business  was  inaugurated  with  fair  prospects  of 
success,  but  personal  misfortune  overtook  Mr.  Rogers  and  obliged  him  to 
relinquish  the  enterprise,  which  was  soon  afterward  discontinued  by  Mr. 
Shannon. 


XORTHUMBEKLAND.  535 

The  Northumberland  Agricultural  Works  were  established  in  1853  by 
A.  H.  Stone,  the  present  proprietor,  and  comprise  a  one-story  brick  bnilding 
at  the  corner  of  Water  and  IKike  streets.  Tread-power  threshing  machines 
are  manufactured. 

The  Lumber  Mill  between  AVest  Way  and  the  canal  in  the  northern  part  of 
the  borough,  although  no  longer  operated,  was  at  one  time  an  important  local 
manufacturing  establishment.  It  was  erected  in  1867  by  Chamberlain,  Frick 
&  Company;  this  firm  became  insolvent  in  1884.  and  the  mill  was  operated 
by  Edgar  Holt  as  assignee  imtil  the  following  year,  when  he  became  pro- 
prietor. A  larger  amount  of  work  was  done  in  the  season  of  1881)  than  at 
any  time  in  the  previous  history  of  the  mill,  owing  to  the  fact  that  the  lumber 
industry  on  the  upper  waters  of  the  Susquehanna  was  temporarily  sitspended 
on  account  of  damage  sustained  by  the  flood  of  that  year.  Forty  operatives 
were  employed,  and  bill  lumber  for  railroad,  ship  building,  and  other  special 
purposes  was  manufactured  to  the  amoimt  of  forty  thousand  feet  per  day. 

The  Iron  Industry. — The  Northitmberland  Iron  and  Nail  Works,  Van 
Alen  &  Company,  proprietors,  were  established  in  180(3  by  T.  0.  Yan  Alen, 
A.  H.  Voris,  and  George  il  Leslie.  In  1872  Mr.  Van  Alen  pitrchased  the 
intere.st  of  A.  H.  Voris,  and  in  1880  that  of  George  M.  Leslie.  The  mill  at 
tirst  contained  bitt  five  puddling  furnaces,  one  coal  heating  furnace,  and 
fifteen  nail  machines ;  it  now  comprises  ten  puddling  furnaces,  one  thirty-ton 
Smith's  gas  heating  furnace,  and  fifty-three  nail  machines,  and  has  a  cajjacity 
to  make  one  htindred  fifty  thousand  kegs  of  cut  iron  and  steel  nails  per  year. 
The  buildings  consist  of  a  mill  about  sixty-five  by  three  hundred  fifty  feet, 
and  a  foundry,  machine,  and  cooper  shop  thirty  liy  seventy  feet.  One  lum- 
dred  sixty  operatives  are  employed. 

Taggarts  &  Howell,  manufacturers  of  muck-bar  and  skelji  iron,  steel  and 
iron  nails,  are  the  successors  of  C.  A.  Godcharles  &  Company,  by  whom  the 
works  were  established  in  18S4.  Upon  the  dissolution  of  that  firm  in  1SS8 
the  plant  was  purchased  by  M.  H.  Taggart,  from  whom  it  passed  to  the  pres- 
ent proprietors  on  the  l.st  of  October,  1889.  The  building  is  two  hundred 
fifty  feet  in  length,  with  two  wings,  one  hundred  eighty  by  eighty  and  two 
hundred  by  eighty  feet,  respectively;  the  plant  comprises  ten  double  pud 
dling  furnaces,  two  heating  fttrnaces,  and  ninety-five  nail  machines,  which 
afford  a  daily  capacity  of  eight  himdred  kegs  of  nails.  Two  himdred  oper- 
atives are  employed. 

The  blast  furnace  on  the  line  of  the  Lackawanna  railroad  at  the  eastern 
limits  of  the  borough  was  built  by  a  Mr.  Marsh,  of  Lewisburg,  but  has  never 
been  operated  with  the  exception  of  a  brief  period. 

The  Northumberland  Car  Works  were  er^ted  in  1872  by  a  company 
of  which  A.  C.  Simpson  was  the  first  president  and  William  T.  Forsyth  the 
first  treasurer,  and  occupied  a  location  near  the  North  Branch  at  the  out- 
skirts of  the  borough.     In  1874  the  plant  was  purchased  at  sheriff's  sale  by 


536  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUJIBERLAXD    COUNTY. 

C.  A.  Godcharles  &  Company;    after  protracted  litigation  the  buildings  were 
removed,  and  now  constitute  part  of  the  nail  mill  of  Taggarts  &  Howell. 

Flour  Mills. — Charles  Houghton's  flour  mill  at  the  corner  of  Fifth  street 
and  West  Way  was  erected  some  years  since,  but  is  not  operated  at  this 
time  (1890).  A.  O.  Van  Alen's  flour  mill,  built  in  1890,  is  situated  at  the 
corner  of  West  Way  and  Fourth  street. 


The  following  particulars  regarding  the  early  schools  of  Northumberland 
were  contributed  to  the  "  Report  of  the  Sujierintendent  of  Public  Instruction 
for  1877"  by  John  F.  Wolfinger,  of  Milton: — 

In  1798,  or  thereabouts,  the  first  school  house  at  this  point,  a  log  structure,  thirty 
by  thirty  feet  in  size  and  one  story  high,  was  built  on  the  corner  of  Wheatley  and  Park 
alleys,  in  the  northern  part  of  the  town,  and  so  was  called  the  "  Wheatley  school  house'' 
or  "Alley  school  house,"  in  after  years.  Among  the  families  who  sent  their  children 
to  this  school,  we  have  the  names  of  Cowden,  Forsyth,  Fricli,  Hepburn,  Priestley, 
Shannon,  and  AVheatley.  The  name  of  the  first  teacher  and  his  successors  are  un- 
known. But  in  1814,  George  Bowdery  taught  there,  and  he  was  succeeded  by  William 
Leathern  and  .James  Aiken.  In  1802,  or  thereabout,  the  second  school  house,  also  a  log 
structure,  twenty-four  by  thirty  feet  in  size,  was  built  in  the  southeastern  part  of  the 
town.  Its  first  teacher  was  a  Mr.  Wiley,  and  his  successors  were  the  Rev.  William 
Christie,  George  Bowdery,  Mr.  Train,  .James  Forest,  Edward  Chapman,  Rev.  William 
R.  Smith,  and  .John  Bear.  The  writer  yf  this  sketch  was  one  of  Forest's  scholars,  and 
the  families  that  then  sent  children  to  this  school  bore  the  names  of  Albright,  Boj'd, 
Campbell,  Chapman,  Chappell,  Crutchley,  De  Gruchj',  Gaskins,  .Jackson,  Lee,  Leighou, 
Lloyd,  McClintock,  Jlorris,  Xewberry,  Norbury,  Waples,  Waters,  Weimer,  Wilson,  and 
Zeitler.  In  1819  Samuel  Kirkham,  the  author  of  "  Kirkham's  English  Grammar," 
taught  school  for  one  or  two  quarters  in  the  Northumberland  "  town  hall,"  being  the 
second  story  of  the  town's  "market  house,"  that  stood  in  the  center  of  the  square,  im- 
mediately in  front  of  the  present  residence  of  Dr.  Joseph  Priestley.  In  this  "  hall," 
now  gone,  the  writer  went  to  Kirkham's  school,  who  (Kirkham)  boarded  with  the 
writer's  father,  Henry  Wolfinger,  who  then  kept  tavern  in  the  brick  house  now  occu- 
pied by  Doctor  Priestley. 

In  1803,  "  The  Northumberland  Academ}-,"  an  ornamental  two-story  brick  build- 
ing, was  built  on  the  corner  of  West  Way  and  Second  streets,  on  the  west  side  of  the 
town,  mainly  through  the  efforts  of  the  celebrated  Dr.  Joseph  Priestley,  the  English 
chemist  and  philosopher,  who  had  some  years  before  emigrated  from  England,  and 
made  this  town  of  Northumberland  his  last  earthly  home.  The  Rev.  William  Christie, 
a  Unitarian  clergyman,  was  the  first  principal  of  this  academy,  and  his  successors  were 
the  Rev.  Isaac  Grier,his  son, Robert  C. Grier  (afterward  a  la\\-yer  and  one  of  the  judges 
of  the  Supreme  court  of  the  United  States),  the  Rev.  Robert  F.  N.  Smith,  and  Rev. 
Elijah  D.  Plumb.  Among  the  scholars  of  this  old  academy,  now  gone,  we  find  the 
names  of  William  B.  Sprague,  James  Thompson,  William  Montgomery,  Charles  G. 
Donnel,  Abraham  S.  Wilson,  George  A.  Frick,  and  George  A.  Snyder  (a  son  of  Gover- 
nor Simon  Snyder),  all  of  whom  became  men  of  note  in  different  departments  of  life. 

Thomas  Cooper  was  prominently  connected  with  the  educational  interests 
of  the  town  at  the  beginning  of  this  century.  Rev.  William  Christie,  for- 
merly of  Winchester,  Virginia,  was   induced  to   locate   at   Northumberland 


NORTHUMBEKLAND.  537 

largely  through  his  efforts  and  those  of  Doctor  Priestley,  and  ojiened  his  Urst 
school  at  this  place  on  the  6th  of  July,  1801,  at  the  residence  of  Mr.  Cooi^er. 
The  latter  gentleman  also  formulated  the  petition  to  the  legislature  for  an 
appropriation  in  aid  of  the  academy.  This  document  recites  that  four 
thousand  dollars  had  been  expended  upon  the  building;  that  the  sum  of  one 
thousand  eighty-three  dollars  was  due  the  treasurer,  four  hundred  dollars 
had  been  advanced  by  James  Hepburn,  and  an  equal  sum  was  due  the 
workmen  employed  upon  the  building;  and  that  Rev.  Joseph  Priestley  had 
offered  to  donate  his  library  of  four  thousand  volumes  to  the  institution  iipon 
certain  conditions  with  which  the  legislature  was  asked  to  comply.  Jesse 
Moore  was  then  a  Representative  from  Northumberland  county,  and  tlirough 
his  support  an  appropriation  of  two  thousand  dollars  was  secured. 

On  the  25th  of  February,  1792,  Reuben  Haines  executed  a  conveyance 
to  James  Hepburn,  James  Davidson,  and  William  Cooke,  "  trustees  of  Union 
school,"  for  lot  No.  5U,  on  the  east  side  of  Market  street  near  Third,  at  the 
nominal  consideration  of  live  shillings.  In  1801-02.  Thomas  Whittaker 
taught  the  "Union  school."  This  may  have  been  one  of  the  school  build- 
ings referred  to  by  by  Mr.  Woltinger. 

The  public  school  system  was  adopted  in  1884,  and  for  some  years  there- 
after the  schools  were  conducted  at  small  buildings  in  different  parts  of  the 
borough.  The  present  substantial  and  commodioiis  building  on  Second 
street  between  Market  and  Orange  is  a  brick  stnicture  one  hundred  by  six- 
ty-four feet  in  dimensions,  with  six  apartments  on  the  lirst  floor  and  three 
main  rooms  with  two  recitation  rooms  on  the  second  floor.  The  work  of 
construction  was  begun  in  1870,  and  the  board  at  that  time  was  comiiosed 
of  Charles  B.  Renninger,  W.  H.  Leighou,  D.  M.  Brautigam,  John  H.  Vincent, 
J.  C.  Chestney,  and  J.  O.  Tracy;  the  completed  building  was  opened  in  Jan- 
uary, 1872,  with  the  following  corps  of  teachers:  principal,  B.  F.  Hughes; 
assistant  principal,  C.  M.  Lesher;  secondary  grades :  Miss  D.  L.  Huzzey  and 
Miss  S.  J.  Gossler:  primary  grades:  Miss  Fannie   Housel  and  Miss  Leisen- 


LOCAL    JOURNALISM. 

The  Siinburi/  and  Northumberland  Gazette  was  established  in  1792  by 
Andrew  Kennedy  and  continued  as  late  as  1817.  It  was  the  first  news- 
paper in  Northumberland  coimty.  In  1802  John  Binns  started  the  Repub- 
lican A7yus,  in  the  publication  of  which  he  was  succeeded  by  Matthew  and 
Andrew  C.  Huston.  George  Sweney  published  the  Columbia  Gazette  in  1813, 
and  in  1818  Rev.  Robert  F.  N.  Smith  edited  the  Religious  Museum.  Alex- 
ander Hughes  and  others  published  the  Northumberland  Union  in  1S3-,  and 
after  its  suspension  there  was  no  local  paper  until  1872,  when  the  Public 
Press  was  established  by  C.  W.  Gutelius,  the  present  proprietor. 


538  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

SECRET    AND    OTHER    SOCIETIES. 

The  following  secret  and  other  societies  -svere  organized  or  instituted  at 
the  respective  dates:  Northumberland  Lodge,  No.  19G,  I.  O.  0.  F.,  Aiigust 
17,  1846;  Eureka  Lodge,  No.  401,  F.  &  A.  IT.,  February  3,  ISGS;  Chillis- 
quaque  Tribe,  No.  152,  L  O.  R.  M.,  1872:  Onward  Lodge,  No.  179,  K.  of 
P.,  August  26,  1879;  Captain  James  Taggart  Post,  No.  350,  G.  A.  R.,  June 
20,  1883;  John  Brautigam  Camp,  No.  51,  S.  of  V.,  September  13,  1883; 
Washington  Camp,  No.- 374,  P.  O.  S.  of  A..  November  21,  1888;  Pilgrims' 
Conclave,  No.  30,  S.  P.  K.,  December  19.  1SS7. 

CHURCHES. 

First  Presbyterian  Church. — The  earliest  record  of  Presbyterian  services 
at  Northumberland  is  that  contained  in  the  journal  of  Philip  V.  Fithian,  a 
licentiate,  who  made  a  missionary  tour  through  the  frontier  comities  of 
Pennsylvania  in  the  summer  of  1775.  On  Sunday,  the  2d  of  Jidy,  he  held 
services  at  the  house  of  Laughlin  •McCartney,  and  on  Thursday,  July  20th, 
at  the  house  of  Mr.  Cliattam  on  North  Way. 

Whether  an  organization  had  been  formed  at  that  early  date  can  not  be 
satisfactorily  determined;  but  there  was  a  large  and  influential  Presbyterian 
element  in  the  community,  and  it  is  not  improbable  that  the  formal  election 
of  elders  may  have  occurred.  On  the  31st  of  May,  1787,  seventeen  members 
of  the  Northumberland  church,  eight  from  Simbury,  and  forty-eight  from 
Buffalo,  on  behalf  of  their  respective  congregations,  united  in  a  call  to  the 
Rev.  Hugh  Morrison,  who  was  accordingly  installed;  a  clause  in  this  call — 
"having  never  in  these  parts  had  the  stated  athninistration  of  the  Gospel 
ordinances  " — establishes  conclusively  the  fact  that  Mr.  Morrison  was  their 
first  regular  pa.stor.  Under  his  administration  it  is  supposed  that  the  first 
church  edifice  was  erected;  this  was  a  log  structure  located  near  the  site  of 
the  present  town  hall  on  Market  street.  Rev.  Isaac  Grier,  S.  T.  D.,  who  died 
at  Northumberland  on  the  22d  of  August,  1814.  was  Mr.  Morrisons  successor: 
he  was  followed  by  Reverends  Robert  F.  N.  Smith,  William  R.  Ashmead, 
William  R.  Smith,  Wheelock  S.  Stone,  and  William  R.  Smith,  all  of  whom 
included  Sunbury  and  Northumberland  and  possibly  the  churches  of  Shamo- 
kin  and  Hollowing  Run  in  the  field  of  their  labors. 

In  1838  a  division  in  the  church  occurred,  the  new  organization  taking  the 
present  name  with  Rev.  John  Patton  as  first  pastor.  It  was  popularly  known 
as  the  "  new  school,"  while  the  other  received  the  corresponding  designation 
of  "  old  school"  The  former  erected  the  present  brick  edifice  on  Queen 
street  in  1840-44;  the  brick  structure  on  Market  street  now  occupied  as  a 
town  hall  was  built  by  the  "  old  school "  and  used  as  a  place  of  worship  until 
1870,  after  which  it  was  diverted  to  its  present  ptirposes.  In  September,  1870, 
the  two  branches  united;  Rev.  A.  D.  Moore,  pastor  of  the  "new  school" 


KORTHUMBEKLAND.  539 

congregation,  continued  in  charge  of  the  resulting  organization,  for  which  a 
new  session  was  elected.     The  present  pastor  is  Eev.  J.  D.  Fitzgerald. 

The  Sunday  school  was  organized  on  the  first  Siuiday  of  April,  ISIO,  by 
Misses  Mary  Jenkins  and  Sarah  Boyd.  For  some  years  it  was  conducted  in 
a  log  school  house  on  Wheatley  alley  between  Front  and  Second  streets. 

Methodist  Episcopal  Church. — The  Xorthumberland  circuit,  embracino' 
the  entire  West  Branch  valley  and  extensive  contiguous  territory,  was  formed 
on  the  6th  of  May,  1791,  at  a  meeting  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  conference 
at  Baltimore,  Maryland.  Eeverends  EichardParrott  and  Lewis  Browning 
were  appointed  to  this  field  in  1791.  but  if  there  was  an  organized  society  at 
Northumberland  at  that  date,  no  records  relating  to  it  are  known  to  be  extant. 
The  places  of  worship  were  probably  private  houses,  school  houses,  and  pos- 
,  sibly  the  old  market  house.  By  a  conveyance  executed  on  the  Kith  of  June, 
1819,  Samuel  Shannon  and  Margaret  his  wife  deeded  to  Abraham  Dawson, 
Christian  Heck,  Eli  Diemer,  and  Jacob  E.  Shepherd,  of  Northumberland,  and 
John  Macpherson,  of  East  Buffalo  to\vnship.  Fnion  coimty,  Pennsylvania,  as 
trustees,  a  lot  of  ground  on  the  east  side  of  Third  street  between  Market  and 
Orange,  at  the  nominal  consideration  of  one  doUar  and  upon  condition  that 
they  should  "erect  and  build  or  cause  to  be  erected  and  built  thereon  a  house 
or  place  of  worship  for  the  use  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church."  A  frame 
structure  was  accordingly  constructed,  and  ser\-ed  as  a  church  building  itntil 
1850,  when  the  present  brick  edifice  at  the  corner  of  Market  and  Front  streets 
was  erected  during  the  pastorate  of  Eev.  Joseph  A.  Eoss  and  under  the  super- 
vision of  a  building  committee  composed  of  Conrad  Wenck,  Joseph  Johnson, 
and  James  Scott.  The  dedication  occurred  on  the  23d  of  November  in  that 
year.  It  was  extensively  repaired  in  1807  and  reopened  on  the  17th  of  No- 
vember in  that  year.  The  commodious  parsonage,  which  occupied  an  adjoin- 
ing lot,  was  built  in  1889. 

Northumberland  became  a  station  in  1805,  and  has  had  the  following 
pastors  since  that  date:  1805-00,  Henry  G.  Dill;  1807,  W.  H.  DiU;  180y- 
69,  J.  F.  Ockerman;  1870-72,  B.  F.  Stevens;  1873-75,  James  Himter; 
1870-77,  G.  Warren:  1878-80,  Martin  L.  Dnmi;  1881-82,  E.  T.  Swartz; 
1883,  William  C.  Hesser;  1883-85,  James  Himter;  1880-87,  Bartholomew 
P.  King;  1888-90,  Joseph  D.  W.  Deavor.  present  incumbent. 

Unitctrian  Church. — The  doctrines  of  this  church  were  first  disseminated 
in  central  Pennsylvania  by  Eev.  Joseph  Priestley,  who  preached  at  Northum- 
berland in  a  log  school  house  near  his  residence  on  North  Way.  Eev.  William 
Christie  was  the  next  resident  Unitarian  clergj-man,  but  the  first  regiilar  pastor 
was  probably  the  Eev.  James  Kay,  who  preached  at  Northiunberland  from 
1822  until  his  death  in  the  autumn  of  1847.  A  union  church  building  that 
occupied  the  site  of  the  present  Lutheran  edifice  was  the  place  of  worship 
for  some  years.  In  1834,  at  a  nominal  consideration,  John  Taggart  and 
Hannah  his  wife  executed  a  deed  to  Daniel  M.  Brautigam,  Joseph  E.  Priestley, 


540  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

Charles  Gale,  John  Leighou,  Hugh  Bellas,  Christopher  Woods,  James  Gas- 
toa,  and  John  Taggart  for  the  ground  on  the  east  side  of  Second  street 
between  ilarket  and  Orange  upon  which  the  present  brick  Unitarian  church 
is  situated.  Reverends  Weston,  McDaniel,  Lathrop,  Porter,  Billings,  Lane, 
Boarse,  Catlin,  and  others  succeeded  Mr.  Kay  as  pastor;  since  1878  services 
have  been  regularly  continued  by  the  ladies  of  the  congregation,  who  have 
also  sustained  a  Sunday  school. 

St.  John's  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church. — The  lot  upon  which  the 
church  edifice  is  situated  was  donated  by  John  Lowdon  and  William  Patter- 
son on  the  27th  of  August,  1772,  but  no  building  for  religious  worship  was 
erected  thereon  imtil  1817.  The  brick  for  this  structure  were  made  by  Fred- 
erick Biu-kenbine,  and  laid  by  Levi  Myers  and  Charles  Maus;  John  Richt- 
stine  was  architect  and  foreman  of  the  carjienter  work;  the  building  committee 
consisted  of  Jacob  Dentler  and  John  Leighou  for  the  Lutheran  congregation, 
J.  S.  Haines  and  John  P.  Do  Gruchy,  Episcopalians,  and  Jacob  Urban,  Re- 
formed. The  corner-stone  was  laid,  July  0,  1817,  and  the  dedication 
occurred.  August  SO,  1818,  in  which  services  the  Reverend  Hendel,  a  Re- 
formed minister  of  Lebanon,  Rev.  J.  P.  Shindel,  a  Lutheran  minister  of, 
Simbury.  Rev.  Robert  F.  N.  Smith,  the  Presbyterian  minister  of  Northum- 
berland, and  Reverend  Schnee,  a  Lutheran  minister  of  Pittsburgh,  partici- 
pated. Rev.  J.  P.  Shindel  was  the  first  Lutheran  and  Rev.  Martin  Bruner 
the  first  Reformed  pastor  after  the  erection  of  the  church  edifice. 

Alxiut  1S2(^  Rev.  Elijah  D.  Plumb,  an  Episcopal  minister,  began  to  hold 
regiTlar  services,  and  continued  until  his  death  a  few  years  later.  Rev.  J.  P. 
Shindel  contini;ed  as  Lutheran  pa.stor  until  1823,  at  which  time  the  church 
became  financially  embarrassed.  Appeals  were  made  through  Henry  Ren- 
ninger  for  immediate  relief,  but  a  .sufficient  amount  to  liquidate  the  debt  of 
three  hundred  eighty-five  dollars  six  cents,  still  due  Mr.  Richtstine  for  work 
on  the  church  building,  was  not  furnished.  Suit  was  brought  by  Mr.  Richt- 
stine, as  the  result  of  which  a  levy  was  made  on  the  church  property,  Febru- 
ary 1.  1828.  The  sale  took  place  on  the  10th  of  June  following,  when  the 
property  was  purchased  by  Hugh  Bellas,  attorney  for  the  church  and  a 
Unitarian  in  faith,  who  paid  the  debt  and  deeded  the  building  to  the  differ- 
ent denominations  to  be  used  by  them  for  religious  worship  three  fourths  of 
the  time,  retaining  a  one  fourth  interest  for  the  Unitarian  congregation.  In 
1834  money  was  collected  by  the  trustees  of  the  Lutheran  and  Reformed 
congregations,  and  half  of  the  lot,  then  owned  by  William  A.  Lloyd,  was 
purchased,  thus  securing  the  church  property  for  these  congregations.  They 
jointly  called  the  Rev.  E.  Meyer,  a  Reformed  minister  of  Danville,  who 
ser\^ed  both  congregations  in  1839.  Upon  his  resignation  both  appear  to 
have  disbanded. 

During  the  year  1847  Rev.  R.  Weiser  reorganized  the  Lutheran  element 
with  the  following  ofiicers:     John  Leisenring  and  Henry  Wenck,  trastees; 


.^f^^ 


NORTH  D5IBERLAXD.  543 

John  Diehl  and  Henry  Wenck,  elders,  and  Samuel  Williard  and  Michael 
Bamhart.  deacons.  The  reorganization  took  place  in  the  market  house  on 
account  of  the  dilapidated  condition  of  the  church  building.  Mr.  Weiser 
preached  occasionally,  but  the  congregation  was  destitute  of  regular  pastoral 
ministration  until  184S,  when  Eev.  M.  J.  Alleman  took  charge  and  remained 
until  l^-'itl;  he  continued  as  a  sujiplv,  however,  until  July,  1852.  Under  his 
administration  the  house  of  worship  was  repaired,  the  Reformed  congreo-a- 
tion  disposing  of  their  lot,  on  the  northeast  comer  of  Queen  and  Fourth 
streets,  in  order  to  secure  means  for  their  portion  of  the  necessary  expense. 
Eev.  P.  Bom,  D.  D.,  was  called  as  the  next  Lutheran  pastor  and  entered  uj^on 
his-duties,  August  1,  1858,  at  which  time  the  remnant  of  the  Reformed  con- 
gregation united  with  the  Lutherans.  From  that  date  until  1871  this  church 
formed  part  of  the  Sunbury  charge,  and  was  served  by  the  following  minis- 
ters: Reverends  P.  Born,  D.  D.,  P.  Rizer,  M.  Rhodes,  f).  D.,  and  G.  \V.  Hem- 
perley:  since  1871  it  has  constituted  a  separate  charge,  and  the  pastoral  succes- 
sion has  been  as  follows:  Rev.  E.  E.  Berry,  1871  to  April  1,  1876;  E.  B. 
KiUinger,  September,  1870,  to  August,  ISS-t;  J.  A.  Koser,  January  1,  1885,  to 
July  31.  1888,  and  A.  N.  Warner,  the  present  inciimbent,  who  assumed  charge 
on  the  1st  of  Decembei-,  1888. 

The  present  church  edifice,  a  sulistantial  brick  structure,  was  erected  at  a 
cost  of  eleven  thousand  dollars  in  pursuance  of  congregational  action  taken 
at  a  meeting  on  the  ISth  of  Noveml)er,  1877.  The  church  numbers  two  hun- 
dred eighty  communicant  members;  the  Sundayschool  has  a  numericalstrength 
of  three  hundred,  and  is  superintended  by  Dr.  J.  W.  Sheets. 

St.  Mark's  Protestant  Episcopal  Church. — Regarding  the  early  families 
of  Episcopal  faith  at  Northumberland  definite  information  is  exceedingly- 
meager.  It  seems  probable  that  they  were  connected  with  Christ  church  at 
Milton,  which  was  represented  in  the  diocesan  convention  of  1794  by  Bernard 
Hubley.  an  ex-Revolutionary  officer  aiid  a  man  of  prominence  in  military  and 
business  affairs  at  Northumberland.  John  P.  De  Gruchy  and  J.  S.  Haines, 
as  Episcopalians,  were  members  of  the  committee  under  which  the  union 
church  was  built  in  1817-18,  and  after  its  completion  a  parish  ajipears  to 
have  been  organized  under  the  name  of  St.  John's  with  Rev.  Elijah  D. 
Plmub  as  rector.  It  seems  more  prol)able.  however,  that  no  organization  was 
effected  until  1847,  when  the  jiresent  frame  church  building  at  the  comer  of 
Market  and  Second  streets  was  erected.  The  parish  was  incorporated,  August 
17.  I8i)0.  upon  petition  of  Henrj'  Haas,  Joseph  Priestley,  Jolm  Hilbert,  John 
F.  Kapp,  George  Merrick,  Amos  E.  Kapp,  M.  J.  D.  Withington,  and  C.  F. 
Little.  From  1847  to  1870  it  was  connected  with  'the  Sunbury  parish,  and 
the  succession  of  rectors  was  as  follows:  Rev.  B.  Wistar  Morris,  1847-50; 
William  B.  Miisgrave,  1850-51;  William  W.  Montgomery,  1852-55;  J.  W. 
Gougler,  1850-59;  Theophilus  Riley,  1859;  Lewis  Gibson,  1800-00,  and 
Charles  H.  Vandj-ne,  1807-09.    Reverend  Moore  became  the  resident  rector  in 


544  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

1870;  he  was  succeeded  in  1872  by  Eev.  Charles  G.  Adams,  who  resigned  in 
1875.  Since  that  date  the  parish  has  been  vacant,  although  services  have 
been  occasionally  rendered  by  the  rector  in  charge  of  St.  Matthew's  at  Sun- 
bury.     The  church  edijQce  was  remodeled  during  Mr.  Adams's  administration. 

The  Baptist  Church  was  organized,  July  7,  1842,  as  the  result  of  a 
revival  conducted  by  Keverends  C.  H.  Hewit  and  Jesse  Saxton;  the  constitu- 
ent members  were  John  Budd,  Mary  M.  Budd,  Sarah  Garrison,  William 
Heed,  Rachel  Reed,  Catharine  Miles,  Ann  Burke,  Charity  Burke,  William 
Leighou,  Augustus  Leighou,  Charles  Morgan,  Jesse  Smith,  Jacob  Deatz, 
Brooks  Epley,  Washington  Newbury,  John  Erlston,  Mrs.  Susan  Deatz,  Mary 
Smith,  Elizabeth  Smith,  Margaret  Smith,  Susanna  Smith,  Susan  Deatz, 
Elizabeth  Erlston,  Jane  Hullihen,  Ann  Lesher,  Mary  Morgan,  Deborah  W^al- 
lace,  Sophia  Huff,  Susanna  Stamm,  Elizabeth  Dill,  Harriet  Waters,  Sarah 
Watts,  Susanna  Newberrj-,  Samuel  Deatz,  and  Mary  Ann  Hullihen.  The 
succession  of  pastors  and  supplies  has  been  as  follows:  Reverends  C.  H. 
Hewit,  A.  J.  Hay,  F.  Bower,  A.  B.  Still,  J.  Green  Miles,  George  J.  Bren- 
singer,  Caleb  Davidson,  Howard  Malcom,  Mr.  Frear,  George  W.  Folwell, 
Mr.  Mitson,  J.  E.  Lagebeer,  A.  L.  More,  A.  C.  Wheat,  D.  Williams,  B.  B. 
Henshey,  W.  J.  Hunter,  R.  B.  McDaniel,  J.  L.  Miller,  D.  Trites,  G.  A.  Pehz. 
L.  W.  Zeigler,  George  F.  McNair,  J.  P.  Tustin,  and  J.  H  Haslam.  Prior 
to  the  organization  regular  services  were  first  held  in  1822  by  Rev.  Henry 
Clark. 

Two  lots  at  the  comer  of  Queen  and  Second  streets  were  deeded  by  Reu- 
ben Haines  on  the  29th  of  October,  1792,  to  Samuel  Miles  and  Theodore 
Shields,  trustees  appointed  by  the  Baptist  church  of  Second  street,  Philadel- 
phia, on  the  5th  of  July,  1784.  The  first  church  building  erected  thereon 
was  a  one-story  brick  structure;  it  was  superseded  in  1870,  during  the  pas- 
torate of  Rev.  J.  Green  Miles,  by  the  present  substantial  brick  edifice. 

CEMETERIES. 

The  cemeteries  of  Northumberland  possess  great  historic  interest.  Lots 
were  reserved  at  the  founding  of  the  to^vn  for  the  various  religious  denomi- 
nations, and  these  were  early  used  for  burial  purposes.  That  of  the  Presby- 
terians is  the  largest  in  extent ;  among  those  interred  here  is  Robert  Crown- 
over  (born,  December  7,  1755;  died,  October  29,  1846),  the  well  known 
Revolutionary  guide  and  scout;  Joseph  Haines  (bom,  August  15,  1764; 
died,  May  14,  1795),  evidently  a  connection  of  the  family  by  which  the  town 
plot  was  once  owned,  is  buried  in  the  rear  of  the  Lutheran  church ;  and  many 
old  families  are  here  represented,  while  the  number  of  moimds  at  which  there 
is  no  legible  tomb.stone  attests  the  fact  that  interments  were  made  in  these 
burial  grounds  at  an  early  period  in  the  history  of  the  West  Branch  valley. 
At  the  present  time,  the  Catholic  cemetery  alone  is  inclosed  and  cared  for: 
it  is  to  be  regretted  that  public  indifference  has  permitted  the  desecration  of 
these  hallowed  spots. 


MILTON.  545 

The  Northumberland  Cemetery  ComjJany  was  incorporated  on  the  '26tli 
of  March,  1853;  the  corporators  were  Joseph  R.  Priestley,  Daniel  M.  Brau- 
tigam,  William  H.  Waples,  Amos  E.  Kapp,  William  Forsyth,  John  Taggart, 
James  Taggart,  and  Jesse  C.  Horton.  The,  grounds,  comprising  twenty  acres 
in  the  northeastern  part  of  the  borough,  were  laid  out  by  Dr.  R.  B.  McKay. 
The  first  president  of  the  company  was  Joseph  R.  Priestley,  the  fir.st  vice- 
president,  Jacob  Leisenring,  and  first  secretary  and  treasurer,  Daniel  M. 
Brautigam.  The  first  board  of  managers,  elected  on  the  6th  of  January. 
1855,  was  composed  of  Joseph  R.  Priestley,  Daniel  M.  Brautigam.  Amos  E. 
Kapp,  Jesse  C.  Horton,  William  H.  Waples,  William  T.  Forsyth,  and  Jacob 
Leisenring. 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

jnLTOX.* 

PiONKEii  History— The  Towx  Plat— IxirABiTAXTs   from    1S04  to  ISmS — Taxaui.es 

IN  1818 — BOUOUGH    GOVEUNMENT — TlIE  PoSTOFFICE — F.ACILITIES   OF   TkAVEI.  AND 

Transportation — General  Business  Interests — Indi'stries  of  the  Past  and 
Present — Floods  and  Fires — Secret  and  Other  Societies — Churches — 
Sunday  Schools — JIiscellaneous  Moral  and  Humanitarian  Oroanizatkins — 
Educational  Interests—Local  Papers- Cemeteries. 

THjVT  part  of  Northumberland  county  above  the  Montour  ridge  is  justly 
considered  one  of  the  finest  agricultural  regions  in  the  valley  of  the 
West  Branch.  The  scenery  is  agreeably  varied,  the  drainage  is  excellent, 
the  soil  is  fertile  and  productive.  At  the  mouth  of  Limestone  run,  a  stream 
of  relatively  greater  geographical  importance  than  its  volume  would  indicate, 
is  situated  the  borough  of  Milton,  the  commercial,  educational,  and  relig- 
ious center  of  this  region.  Founded  in  1792,  it  has  experienced  in  the  cent- 
ury that  is  nearly  closed  much  of  slow  expansion  and  moderate  prosperity, 
of  rapid  business  and  industrial  development,  no  less  than  dire  disaster  and 
overwhelming  misfortune,  from  Avhich  the  recuperative  energies  of  its  peo- 
ple have  built  the  Milton  of  to-day.  By  the  census  of  ISOO  the  population 
was  five  thousand  three  hundred  seventeen. 

pioneer  history.  , 
Within  a  few  years  after  the   purchase  of   1708  the  valley  of  the  West 
Branch  was  marked  by  the  presence  of  the  adventurous  pioneer,  and  to  this 
class  belonged  Marcus  Hulings,  Jr.,  who  secured  the  "Big  Island"  in  the 

♦Thischapter  Is  largely  indebteil  to  the  researches  of  the  late  .John  F.  Wolliu-er.  from  whose 
contrllnitions  to  the  MiUonian  much  of  the  subject  matter  has  been  ilerlveil. 


546  HISTORY    OF   NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

Susquehaniia  directly  west  of  Milton  in  1770  by  purchase  from  the  Proprie- 
taries. He  built  a  log  house  on  its  eastern  side  north  of  the  river  terminus 
of  Center  street,  and  north  and  west  of  this  residence  jilanted  an  orchard  of 
apple  trees,  one  of  the  first  in  t^e  county.  In  that  rich  alluvial  soil  the 
orchard  flourished;  the  trees  became  large  and  spreading,  and  produced 
abundant  harvests  of  white  and  yellow  summer  and  autumn  fruit  and  large 
red  winter  apples.  At  the  same  time  the  pioneer  husbandman  aLso  cleared 
his  land  and  planted  crops  of  grain  and  corn.  Separated  by  many  miles  of 
unbroken  forest  or  winding  river  from  the  older  established  communities  in 
the  southeastern  part  of  the  State,  he  next  directed  his  attention  to  the  con- 
struction of  a  canoe  for  the  transportation  of  his  products.  This  was  accom- 
plished by  hollowing  out  a  large  pine  log,  and  with  this  rude  specimen  of 
river  craft  he  could  take  grain  or  peltries  to  the  amount  of  about  one  ton 
down  the  river  at  each  trip.  The  first  regular  river  boat  made  here  was  con- 
structed by  John  Clendenm.  and  after  that  Hulings  also  built  boats,  some 
of  them  large  enough  to  carry  from  eight  to  ten  tons.  About  this  time  he 
transferred  his  residence  to  the  eastern  bank  of  the  river  at  the  western 
extremity  of  Broadway;  there  he  erected  a  rude  log  cabin,  in  which  he  was 
licensed  to  keep  a  house  of  pubhc  entertainment  in  1772.  At  some  time  dur- 
ing the  Revolutionary  period  he  went  down  the  Susquehanna  by  boat  to 
Duncan's  island,  near  the  mouth  of  the  Juniata.  Subsequently  he  removed 
to  Pittsburgh  and  thence  to  Franklin,  Venango  county,  Pennsylvania,  where 
he  again  found  himself  in  the  vanguard  of  civilization  and  pursued  the  occu- 
pation of  boatman  the  remainder  of  his  life.  His  descendants  still  reside  in 
that  county. 

The  lands  in  the  southern  part  of  the  town,  afterward  comprised  in  the 
Farley  and  Cameron  estates,  were  occupied  in  1772  by  Neal  Davis  as  tenant, 
and  a  year  or  two  later  George  McCandlish  established  his  residence  in  the 
eastern  part  of  the  present  borough  limits.  It  was  at  his  house  that  the 
delegates  to  the  Constitutional  Convention  of  1770  were  elected  for  North- 
umberland coimty.  \Mien  Andrew  Straub  first  visited  this  locality  the 
improvements  made  by  Hulings  had  been  burned,  and  there  were  no 
buildings  of  any  kind  in  the  immediate  vicinity.  There  was,  however,  a  log 
house  of  good  size  in  process  of  erection  and  about  ready  for  the  roof,  evi- 
dently intended  as  a  farm  hoitse  and  probably  built  by  the  Black  family  of 
Sunbury,  by  whom  that  part  of  the  town  above  Broadway  was  partly  owned 
at  that  date.  This  house  was  subsequently  completed,  and  in  later  years 
was  owned  by  Dr.  David  Waldron.  It  stood  at  the  corner  of  Broadway  and 
Front  street,  and  was  destroyed  by  fire  on  the  4th  of  May,  1870. 

The  "Big  Island,"'  after  Hulings's  departure,  was  practically  unoccupied 
luitil  the  Indian  troubles  had  subsided.  Its  next  resident  was  Isaac  Hemrod, 
who  combined  the  occupations  of  agriculturist  and  waterman;  in  17S2,  or 
shortly  thereafter,  Bethuel  Vincent,  ha\'ing  returned  from  Canada,  purchased 


MILTON.  547 

the  island  from  Hillings.  When  the  convenience  of  the  pulslic  required  it,  a 
ferry  was  established,  the  landing  on  the  eastern  bank  being  at  the  end  of 
Broadway.  This  ferry  was  the  jirincipal  feature  of  the  place  and  almost  the 
only  evidence  of  civilization.  'SMiile  the  travel  was  not  large,  there  was  suffi- 
cient to  attract  attention  to  the  eligibility  of  the  location  as  a  town  site,  and 
this  governed  its  selection  for  that  purpose  perhaps  as  much  as  any  other 
consideration. 

A  body  of  land  aggregating  nearly  three  thousand  acres,  embracing  the 
mouth  of  Limestone  run  and  extending  inland  from  the  river  a  considerable 
distance,  was  secured  by  Turbutt  Francis,  one  of  the  first  justices  of  the 
coiinty  and  othenvise  prominent  in  its  early  history.  He  divided  this  ex- 
tensive tract  into  smaller  subdivisions  suitable  for  sale  or  lease  to  actual 
prospective  settlers:  that  part  embracing  the  site  of  Milton,  which  remained 
in  his  possession  at  the  time  of  his  death,  was  purchased  by  Andrew  Straub 
and  Christian  Yentzer  at  sheriff's  sale  on  the  1st  of  March,  IT'JO,  and  confirmed 
to  them  by  deed  of  June  10,  1790.  The  recital  of  this  deed  states  that  in  the 
common  pleas  court  of  Philadelphia  county  at  June  term,  17S3,  ''judgment 
was  given  for  a  certain  Isaac  Hazlehurst  against  John  ConoUy  and  Sarah 
his  wife,  late  Sarah  Francis,  executrix,  (who  survived  Samuel  Mifflin,  execu- 
tor.) of  the  testament  and  last  will  of  Turbutt  Francis,  late  of  the  county  of 
Northumberland,  aforesaid,  deceased,  in  the  sum  of  eleven  hundred  pounds. 
Of  this  sum  two  himdred  fifteen  pounds  were  derived  from  the  sale  of  prop- 
erty by  the  sheriff  of  Philadelphia;  for  the  remainder  a  writ  of  fieri  facias 
was  issued,  September  6,  17SS,  directed  to  Martin  Withington,  sheriff  of 
Northumberland  county,  by  virtue  of  which  this  tract  of  two  hundred  acres 
was  levied  upon.  On  the  13th  of  November,  1780,  it  was  appraised,  and 
having  been  found  insufficient  to  satisfy  the  debt,  was  accordingly  .sold,  and 
purchased  by  Straub  and  Yentzer  for  five  hundred  fifty  pound.s.  At  that 
date  it  was  in  possession  of  Henry  Lebo,  probably  as  tenant;  the  adjoining 
tract  on  the  east  was  owned  by  James  Jenkins,  and  that  on  the  south  by 
Neal  Da\-is.  Yentzer  was  not,  evidently,  well  satisfied  with  the  purcha.se, 
for  on  the  ISth  of  March,  1701,  he  disposed  of  his  moiety  to  Straub  for  one 
hundred  one  pounds,  thirteen  shillings,  and  five  pence,  less  than  half  its  cost 
to  him  a  year  previously. 

Andrew  Straub,  the  founder  of  Milton,  was  born  on  his  father's  farm  just 
back  of  the  town  of  Columbia,  Lancaster  county,  Pennsylvania,  February  14, 
1748.  In  his  early  manhood  he  learned  the  trade  of  millwright.  He  first 
visited  the  West  in  April,  1784,  returning  to  his  home  in  the  spring  of  the 
following  year,  and  on  the  1st  of  May,  1787,  married  Mary  Eveline  Walter. 
In  1700  he  took  up  his  residence  at  Milton  and  built  a  log  house  on  the  lot 
now  owned  by  the  Milton  National  Bank.  Two  years  later  he  built  a  house 
near  the  intersection  of  Center  and  Filbert  streets  and  moved  his  family 
thereto.     In  1795  he  completed  a  residence  on  the  eastern  part  of  his  farm. 


548  HISTORY  OF  NORTHUMBERLAND  COUNTY. 

at  or  near  the  southeast  comer  of  Ceater  street  and  Tiirbut  avenue,  and  lived 
there  until  his  death,  August  2,  1806.  He  was  an  enterprising  and  jiublic 
spirited  citizen,  and  was  active  in  promoting  the  growth  of  the  town  with 
which  his  name  will  ever  be  associated.  He  made  donations  of  groimd  for 
religious  and  educational  purjjoses,  established  mills,  encouraged  local  busi- 
ness and  manufacturing  enterprises,  and  lived  to  see  Milton  a  village  of  con- 
siderable relative  importance,  then,  as  now,  one  of  the  most  prosperous  towns 
in  the  valley  of  the  West  Branch. 

Matthew  Smith,  who  resided  on  his  farm  a  short  distance  above  the 
mouth  of  Limestone  rim  at  the  time  of  his  death,  was  the  eldest  son  of  Rob- 
ert Smith,  of  Paxtang,  Dauphin  county,  Pennsylvania.  He  served  in  Bou- 
quet's expedition,  the  final  campaign  of  the  French  and  Indian  war:  at  the 
outbreak  of  the  Revolution  he  organized  a  company  of  riflemen,  which  was 
assigned  to  Colonel  Thompson's  battalion  and  joined  the  Continental  forces 
at  Boston.  On  the  5th  of  September,  1775,  his  company  was  detached  to 
Arnold's  command  for  the  exjiedition  to  Canada.  Captain  Smith  survived 
the  hardships  of  the  march  through  the  Maine  woods,  the  disastrous  assault 
at  Quebec  on  the  31st  of  December,  and  the  brief  confinement  as  a  prisoner 
of  war  which  followed,  and  rejoined  his  regiment  with  the  survivors  of  his 
company,  but  resigned  his  commission  on  the  5th  of  December,  1776,  on 
account  of  the  appointment  of  a  jimior  captain  to  a  majority.  He  was  there- 
upon promoted  to  major  in  the  Ninth  Pennsylvania,  to  rank  from  September 
27,  1776.  In  the  spring  of  1778  he  was  elected  member  of  the  Supreme 
Executive  Council  for  Lancaster  county  and  took  his  seat  in  that  body  on  the 
28th  of  May;  he  was  elected  vice-president  of  the  State,  October  11,  1779, 
but  resigned  shortly  afterward.  When  intelligence  of  the  fall  of  Fort  Free- 
land  reached  Paxtang  he  marched  to  Simbury  with  a  volunteer  company  at 
the  earliest  possible  moment,  and  commanded  the  five  hundred  militia  who 
endeavored  to  overtake  the  retreating  invaders.  On  the  4th  of  Februarj', 
1780,  he  was  ajipointed  prothonotary  of  Northimiberland  county,  serving  in 
that  position  until  September  25,  1783,  and  resided  in  the  county  the 
remainder  of  his  life.  The  following  obituary  appeared  in  Kennedy's 
Gazette,  July  30,  1794:— 

Died,  the  22cl  instant,  about  sunset,  at  Milton,  Colonel  Matthew  Smith,  aged  fifty- 
four  years,  being  one  of  the  first  patriots  for  liberty;  went  to  Canada  in  the  year  1775, 
and  suffered  extremities.  He  was  once  prothonotary  of  Northumberland  county.  Was 
interred  2:3d  instant,  attended  by  a  number  of  his  friends  and  acquaintances,  together 
with  the  volunteer  company  of  light  infantry  from  Milton,  conducted  by  Major  Piatt 
and  commanded  by  Captain  .James  Boyd,  who,  after  marching  about  six  miles  to  War- 
rior Run  burying  ground  and  shedding  a  tear  over  the  old  patriot's  grave,  deposited  his 
remains  with  three  well  directed  volleys  and  returned  home  in  good  order. 

THE    TOWN    PL.\T. 

The  original  survey   of  the  town  plat  was  made  in  the  month  of  March, 


MILTON.  54:9 

1792,  and  extended  from  Ferry  lane  to  the  north  side  of  Broadway,  with  its 
eastern  limit  nearly  identical  with  the  Philadelphia  and  Erie  railroad.  Three 
years  later  (1795)  James  Black  laid  out  his  land  from  Broadway  to  Locust; 
he  gave  to  the  continuation  of  Front  street  the  name  of  Water,  and  to  the 
second  street  the  name  of  Front,  for  which  its  present  designation,  Arch, 
was  substituted  after  the  fire  of  1880.  No  important  additions  were  made  to 
the  town  plat  mitil  after  the  opening  of  the  railroads.  In  1853  J.  J.  Eeimen- 
snyder  laid  out  "■  Shakespeare,"  and  William  McCleery's  addition  was  m^ade 
soon  after.  William  F.  Nagle's  addition  was  made  in  1S55,  J.  B.  Davis"s  in 
1856,  Lawson  &  Schreyer's  in  ISG-l,  Moses  Chamberlin's  in  1867,  William 
Heinen's  in  1872,  and  various  others  since  that  date,  as  the  increase  in  popu- 
lation and  demand  for  building  sites  required.  Front  street,  extending  along 
the  river  and  parallel  with  its  course,  is  the  main  business  and  residence 
thoroughfare  of  the  borough.  The  streets  parallel  with  it,  though  not  con- 
tinuous, are  Elm.  Arch,  Filbert,  Boiuid  avenue,  Cemetery  avenue.  Rose,  and 
Garfield;  the  intersecting  streets  are  Line,  Ferry,  Apple,  Lower  Market, 
Mahoning,  Center,  Broadway,  Walnut,  Upper  Market,  Locust,  First,  Second, 
Third.  Fourth,  Fifth,  Hepburn,  and  Willow.  While  not  characterized  by  the 
degree  of  uniformity  that  would  have  been  desirable,  the  plan  of  the  town  is 
not  noticeably  irregular. 

INHABITANTS    FEOM    1804    TO      1808.* 

Bethuel  Vincent,  postmaster,  had  been  taken  to  Canada  as  a  prisoner  of 
war  during  the  Revolution;  returning  after  an  absence  of  three  years  he 
had  considerable  difficulty  in  finding  his  wife,  and  their  first  meeting  was 
verj'  affecting. 

Ezekiel  and  James  Sanderson  were  merchants;  after  the  death  of  Ezekiel 
his  brother,  William,  succeeded  to  his  interest  in  the  business. 

Jared  Irwin,  merchant,  sheriff,  colonel  in  the  war  of  1812,  and  member  of 
Congress,  was  a  man  of  prominence  in  the  community. 

Robert  McGuigan,  tailor  and  justice  of  the  peace,  was  an  intelligent  and 
highly  respected  gentleman,  fond  of  discussing  the  topics  of  the  day. 

Arthur  and  Isaac  McKisson  were  distillers;  the  former  subsequently  be- 
came sheriff  of  Lycoming  county. 

Arthur  Patton,  tobacconist,  resided  on  Front  street. 

Abram  Trout,  shoemaker,  resided  in  the  lower  part  of  the  town. 

William  and  Thomas  Pollock  were  merchants;  their  grandparents  emi- 
grated from  Ireland  before  the  Revolution,  and  their  father  was  bom  in 
Lykens  valley,  Dauphin  county,  Pennsylvania.  Both  entered  the  mercantile 
business  under  Thomas  Caldwell,  the  former  in  his  store  at  Lewisburg,  rnion 
county,  Pennsylvania,  the  latter  in  his  store  at  Newberry,  Lycoming  county. 

»From  tlie  "  Reminiscences  "  of  Tunison  Coryell,  by  courtesy  of  J.  B.  Coryell,  of  WiUiamsport, 
Pennsylvania. 


550  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

They  first  engaged  in  business  at  Milton  on  a  small  scale,  and  were  in  part- 
nership many  years. 

David  Rittenhouse,  justice  of  the  peace,  manufacturer  of  surveying 
instruments,  and  repairer  of  watches  and  clocks,  resided  on  Front  street. 

Jerome  Egler,  blacksmith,  did  an  extensive  business,  employing  several 
assistants. 

John  Fribley,  farmer,  enjoyed  the  reputation  of  being  one  of  the  most 
successful  in  this  part  of  the  county. 

Christian  Wood,  shoemaker,  resided  on  Front  street;  he  was  an  active 
and  zealous  Methodist,  and,  being  a  performer  ou  the  fife,  headed  the  mili- 
tary on  training  days. 

Josiah  Galbraith,  merchant.  Front  street,  was  from  Lancaster  county. 
He  was  small  of  stature,  and  a  gentleman  of  intelligence. 

Alexander  McEwen,  merchant.  Front  street,  stibsequently  became  the 
founder  of  McEwensville. 

J.  Shunk,  hatter.  Front  street,  was  a  German;  he  made  hats  for  both 
ladies  and  gentlemen. 

Eliza  Miller — '•  Dtitch  Lizzie  " — kept  a  small  stand  for  the  sale  of  cakes, 
beer,  gingerbread,  etc. 

Christian  Holler,  inn  keeper  and  saddler,  and  an  officer  in  a  local  cavalrv 
company,  resided  on  Front  street  below  the  bridge. 

Moses  Teas,  distiller,  was  a  man  of  social  proclivities,  dignified  in  man- 
ner, interesting  in  conversation,  and  the  owner  of  a  good  library.  His  most 
intimate  associates  were  George  Eckert  and  George  Calhoon;  the  trio  were 
bachelors. 

Samuel  Teas,  brother  to  Moses,  was  associated  with  him  in  business. 

James  Purviance.  who  was  employed  by  Daniel  Smith  as  steward  of  his 
farm,  was  an  Irishman,  a  gentleman  of  old-fashioned  manners,  a  neat  pen- 
man, and  good  bookkeeper. 

John  Chestnitt,  saddler,  owned  a  farm  east  of  Milton. 

George  Calhoon,  merchant.  Front  street,  was  of  Irish  descent,  and  a 
Presbyterian  in  faith.     He  acquired  a  valuable  estate. 

The  Marr  family  resided  in  the  upper  part  of  the  town  near  the  old  Epis- 
copal church.  One  of  the  sons.  Alem,  obtained  a  liberal  education  and 
became  a  la-wyer. 

George  Lawrence,  a  good  politician,  had  the  reputation  of  being  the  best 
ball  player  in  the  region. 

Jacob  Seydell  and  brother,  pump  makers,  stipplied  this  part  of  the  West 
Branch  valley  with  articles  of  their  manufacture.  They  were  originally  from 
Bucks  coimty. 

Low  Huff,  boatman,  was  a  man  of  good  size,  powerful  strength,  and  oblig- 
ing manners. 

Isaac  Osburn,  coojier,  was  hale  and  lusty  in  person,  and  a  man  of  industry ; 
he  made  flour  and  whiskev  barrels  on  an  extensive  scale. 


MILTON.  551 

Peter  Schwartz,  stone  mason,  built  the  first  stone  houses  and  bridges  in 
this  part  of  the  county. 

Seth  Iredell,  merchant  and  miller,  was  an  extensive  dealer  in  grain  and 
flour,  and  president  of  the  first  bank  at  Milton.  He  and  his  wife  were 
Friends. 

Jose2)h  Hammond,  inn  keeper  in  the  upper  part  of  the  borough,  was  an 
excellent  judge  of  horses,  and  introduced  imj^roved  breeds  among  the  farmers. 

Philip  Housel.  justice  of  the  peace,  was  a  watchmaker  and  resided  on 
Front  street. 

Michael  Gower,  the  only  regular  butcher  of  Milton,  was  a  German  of 
large  build. 

Frederick  Burman,  dyer,  prepared  woolen  and  cotton  yarns  for  the  ladies, 
■who,  in  their  leisure  hours,  generally  engaged  in  knitting  stockings. 

Mrs.  Lamperly,  druggist,  had  formerly  been  a  celebrated  nurse  at  Phila- 
delphia. 

Robert  Patterson,  dancing  master,  was  one  of  the  best  violinists  of  his 
day,  popular  in  his  profession,  and  intelligent  in  conversation.  He  also  had 
classes  at  Northmnberland  and  other  places.  The  first  teacher  of  dancing  in 
Northumberland  comity  was  a  Frenchman  named  Blondell. 

Philip  Goodman,  weaver  and  maker  of  weavers'  reeds,  was  a  native  of 
Berks  county,  and  an  industrious  man. 

John  Davidson,  wheelwright,  made  spinning  wheels,  for  which  there  was 
a  large  demand. 

Guyan  Arthur,  stone  mason,  was  an  artisan  of  exceptional  accuracy  and 
skill,  building  his  walls  without  line  or  plummet,  and  executing  his  work 
with  precision  by  the  eye.    He  was  a  native  of  Sweet,  Ireland. 

Mr.  Kirk,  stocking  weaver,  resided  on  Front  street. 

Christian  Merkle,  sa^vyer.  had  charge  of  Eckert's  mill. 

Samuel  Jordan,  boatman,  resided  on  Front  street. 

James  Miller,  miller,  had  charge  of  the  Milton  fiour  mills:  at  a  later  date 
he  removed  to  Jersey  Shore. 

Thomas  Painter,  son  of  John  Painter  of  Chillisquaque  township,  was  a 
prominent  politician. 

James  Moodie,  merchant,  and  dealer  in  grain  and  stock,  was  succeeded 
in  business  by  Charles  and  Thomas  Comly. 

George,  John,  and  Montgomery  Sweney  resided  with  their  widowed 
mother  on  Front  street.     George  and  Montgomery  were  printers. 

David  Derickson,  aitctioneer,  kept  a  hotel  on  Front  street  below  the  bridge, 

Henry  Alward,  aftersvard  first  sheriff  of  Columbia  county,  was  a  cele- 
brated horse  jockey  and  poUtician. 

James  McCord,  cabinet  maker,  was  a  native  of  Dauphin  county  and  a 
bachelor.  There  was  a  great  demand  for  his  work,  owing  to  its  superior 
quality. 


OO'Z  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

William  Piatt,  clerk,  was  a  candidate  for  sheriff  while  a  resident  of  Mil- 
ton, and  defeated  by  only  a  few  votes.  His  son  became  sheriff  of  Lycoming 
county. 

John  B.  Hogan,  cabinet  maker,  succeeded  to  the  biisiness  of  McCord. 
He  was  a  son-in-law  to  Bethuel  Vincent;  during  the  war  of  1812  he  served 
as  captain  and  disbursing  ofUcer. 

Arthur  McGowan,  manufacturer  of  sickles,  had  a  mill  near  the  river. 

James  Hutchinson,  tailor.  Front  street,  employed  several  ''jours''  and 
apprentices. 

Joseph  Rhoads,  a  German  by  birth  and  son-in-law  to  Andrew  Straub,  re- 
sided in  the  lower  end  of  the  town.  He  derived  the  title  of  major  from  his 
connection  with  the  militia. 

John  Armstrong,  tanner  and  currier,  was  a  native  of  Montgomery  county, 
Pennsylvania,  married  at  Oley,  Berks  county,  and  died  at  Milton  in  ISl-t. 

TAX.\BLES   IN   1818. 

The  borough  of  Milton  was  incorporated  in  1817,  and  at  the  first  assess- 
ment thereafter  the  following  named  persons  were  returned  as  subject  to 
taxation:  Guyan  Arthur,  James  Armstrong,  Joseph  B.  Anthony,  Daniel  Beck- 
ley,  Abraham  Bowman,  John  Bost,  Jane  Brady,  Valentine  Best,  John  Brady, 
Thomas  Buskirk,  Thomas  Best,  Valentine  Bowman,  Frederick  Bowman, 
Daniel  E.  Bright.  Hannah  Buoy,  Mary  Brick,  Frederick  Brick,  Barnliart 
Buser,  John  Burrows,  Michael  Berk,  Elijah  Babbitt,  George  Berryman,  Mc- 
Gowan Baylicor,  David  S.  Brown,  Thomas  Comly,  James  Grouse,  George 
Corry,  Elizabeth  Crist,  John  Chestnut,  David  Campbell,  Seth  Christie,  Levi 
Climpson,  George  Cowell,  John  Cowden,  Daniel  Clark,  Thomas  Campbell, 
James  Dougal.  James  Dougal,  John  Davidson,  David  Derickson,  Jesse  Derick- 
son,  Jonathan  Egler,  Daniel  Eckert,  George  Eckert,  William  Cox  Ellis,  Henry 
Eckbert,  Charles  Fisher,  John  Fausnaught,  Henry  Frick,  William  Fleming, 
Andrew  Forrest,  Anthony  Fox,  Josej)h  Gibson,  Adam  Gundekimst,  Robert 
Gray,  Michael  Gower,  Joseph  Gibson,  Andrew  Gillespie,  Richard  Goodman, 
John  Herron,  John  Hames,  Lawrence  Huff,  Philip  Housel,  Samuel  Hogan, 
Jr.,  William  Housel,  James  Hutchinson,  John  Hetherington,  John  Hougen- 
dobler,  Mr.  Hooenecker,  Samuel  Hepburn,  Joseph  Hartman,  Jacob  Hass, 
Samuel  Henry,  William  Heding,  Joseph  Hunt,  Hugh  Harrison,  John  Hunt- 
er, John  Heddings,  John  B.  Hogan,  Charles  Hegins,  -Andrew  Huston,  Joseph 
Hartman,  Samuel  Jordan,  Amos  Jordan,  William  Jordan,  Seth  Iredell,  John 
Jones,  John  Jones,  Obadiah  Kelly,  Peter  Kelchner,  Benjamin  King,  Joseph 
Kerr,  Margaret  Kirk,  William  Kirk,  Henry  Kirk,  Sr.,  Henry  Kirk,  Jr.,  Daniel 
Lutz,  Peter  Lambert,  Joseph  Lawrence,  George  Lawrence,  John  Lawrence, 
Solomon  Ludwig,  Ezekiel  Lunger,  Abraham  Martz,  Samuel  Morrison,  Will- 
iam Miller,  John  McKisson,  James  McKisson,  Christian  Markle,  John  Markle, 
Arthur   McGowan,   Mary  Montgomery,  Robert    Moodie,  Robert  McGuigan, 


MILTON.  553 

Thomas  Morgan,  -John  Miller,  James  Moore,  Hugh  Morrow,  Cieorge  Xagle, 
John  Moore,  John  Orr,  Isaac  Osmond,  Philip  Poaps,  George  Poaps,  William 
and  Thomas  Pollock,  George  Park.  Kobert  Patterson,  Joseph  Penny,  William 
Pott,  William  Ross,  Joseph  Rhodes,  Peter  Ruth.  David  Rittenhouse,  John 
Rippel,  Hannah  Reese,  Jacob  Roiiscoup.  James  Ramsey,  Daniel  Scudder, 
James  Sherer,  William  Story.  Joseph  Straub,  Samuel  Schwartz,  Philip  Suyer, 
Abraham  Suyer,  Aaron  Suttin.  Andrew  Straub,  James  P.  Sanderson,  William 
H.  Sanderson,  Eleanor  Sanderson,  Jacob  Seydell,  John  Schwartz,  Adam  Shimk, 
Jacob  Siegfried,  Mary  Straub,  James  Stewart,  Peter  Schwartz,  Sr.,  George 
Schwartz,  John  Swisher,  Peter  Schwartz,  Jr.,  John  Sweney,  Abraham  Straub, 
A.  J.  Schneider.  George  Surlo,  George  Seitsinger,  Isaac  Straub,  George 
Sweney,  John  Taggart,  Moses  Teas,  Abraham  TroirV  James  Tharji,  Arthur 
Thomas.  John  Teitsworth,  William  Tweed,  Bethuel  Vincent,  Daniel  Vincent, 
Jr.,  John  Vandegrift,  Daniel  Welshaus.  William  Welshaus.  William  Wheel- 
and.  George  Worst,  Daniel  Waggoner,  William  Wilson,  Jacob  Wheeland, 
Michael  Wheeland,  Benjamin  Whiteman.  John  J.  Wills,  Thomas  Whitson, 
Christopher  Woods,  George  Welshaus,  Conrad  Welshaus. 

BOKOUGH    GOVERNMENT. 

The  borough  of  Milton  was  incorjiorated  by  act  of  the  legislature,  Feb- 
ruary 20,  1817.  The  first  election  for  borough  officers  was  held  in  the  fol- 
lowing month;  John  Chestnut  was  elected  burgess;  Bethuel  Vincent,  assistant 
burgess;  Henry  Frick,  high  constable;  Joseph  Hartman,  constable;  David 
Derickson  and  Daniel  Beckley,  siipervisors :  Amos  Jordan,  Daniel  Eckert, 
John  Davison,  Adam  Gundelainst,  Abraham  Trout,  David  Rittenhouse,  and 
William  Jordan,  councilmen.  The  following  is  a  partial  list  of  chief  bur- 
gesses: IHoo,  P.  H.  Schreyer;  1856-57,  A.  F.  Moodie;  1858,  H.  A.  Moodie; 
18.-'.).  David  Waldron;  1800,  Lewis  G.  Sticker;  1861-63,  Charles  Foy;  1864, 
Samuel  A.  Leidy;  1805,  Robert  M.  Frick;  1806,  Charles  Hoy;  1867,  Robert 
Datesman;  1808-09,  William  H.  Bogle;  1870-71,  Thomas  R.  Hull;  1S72, 
C.  C.  Straub;  1873,  William  H.  Bogle;  1874,  A.  Cadwallder;  1875,  L.  F. 
Wilson;  1876,  Charles  H.  Dougal;  1877,  John  J.  Fausnaught;  1878-79, 
Spencer  L.  Finney;  1880,  O.  B.  Nagle;  1881-83,  H.  C.  Sticker;  1884-85, 
William  H.  Hackenberg;  1880-88,  A.  Cadwallader;  1889-90,  John  L.  Hul- 
sizer;   1891,  John  Jenkins. 

Proceedings  for  the  annexation  of  parts  of  Turbut  and  Chillisquaquo  town- 
ships to  the  borough  were  instituted  at  May  term,  1889,  and  reached  a  favor- 
able consummation,  November  7,  1889,  when  a  decree  of  court  was  promul- 
gated by  which  the  limits  of  the  borough  were  extended  on  every  side.  Five 
wards  were  formed  from  its  territory,  May  12,  1890. 

The  Fire  Department  had  its  inception  in  1798.  The  Harmony  Fire 
Company  was  incorporated  on  the  12th  of  August,  1841.  The  Miltonian 
Steam  Fire  Company  and  three  hose  companies  constitute  the  present  organ- 


554  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

ized  protection  against  the  destructive  element  that  has  figured  so  prominently 
in  the  history  of  the  town. 

THE   POSTOFFICE. 

The  Milton  postoffice  was  established,  January"  1,  ISOO.  The  following 
is  a  list  of  postmasters,  with  the  respective  dates  of  their  appointments: 
Samuel  Hepburn,  January  1,  1800;  Jared  Irwin.  July  1,  1802;  Bethuel  Vin- 
cent, Jtone  29,  1803;  John  Davison,  February  22.  1822;  Bethuel  Vincent, 
July  18,  1822;  William  Jordan,  June  23.  1820:  Benjamin  Morrison,  May 
11,  1831;  Kobert  H.  Hammond,  March  6,  1832:  Stephen  Wilson.  April  i, 
1837;  Leonard  Stoughton.  February  22,  1841;  William  C.  Wilson.  Novem- 
ber 21,  1844;  Lyman  H.  Wilson,  June  9,  1849;  James  H.  McCormick,  June 
3,  1853;  George  W.  Strine,  March  26,  1858;  George  Lawrence,  March  19, 
1861;  Willis  H.  Lawrence,  January  7. 1864;  John  Peterman.  March  6,  1866; 
Carlton  B.  Davis,  September  21,  1866;  Daniel  Bumman.  May  4,  1867;  Mrs. 
Mary  Eckbert.  February  12.  1868:  William  P.  Wheeland.  April  21,  1869; 
Leander  M.  Morton,  December  8,  1873;  WiUiam  H.  Bogle,  June  23,  1879; 
J.  A.  Logan,  June  21,  1882;  Allen  S.  Hottenstein.  July  26.  1886:  Kobert 
W.  Correy,  June  26,  1890,  took  office.  August  27.  1890. 

FACILITIES  OF    TRAVEL  AND  TEAXSPORTATION. 

The  opening  of  a  public  road  on  the  eastern  side  of  the  West  Branch  was 
ordered  at  the  first  session  of  the  court  of  quarter  sessions  after  the  organi- 
zation of  Northimiberland  county.  Some  years  elapsed  before  this  order  was 
carried  into  effect,  owing  to  the  state  of  the  frontier,  and  during  the  inter- 
vening period  a  winding  bridle-path,  at  no  gi-eat  distance  from  the  river  and 
subject  to  such  changes  in  its  course  as  individual  preference  might  deter- 
mine, was  the  avenue  of  overland  communication  between  the  Limestone  run 
settlements  and  the  coimty  seat.  The  public  road  as  ultimately  opened  coin- 
cided with  Front  street. 

River  navigation  contributed  in  an  essential  degree  to  the  prosperity  of 
the  town  during  the  period  preceding  the  construction  of  the  canal.  Rafts, 
flat-boats,  and  other  varieties  of  river  craft  were  loaded  at  the  public  wharves 
of  the  port  of  Milton  with  cargoes  of  grain,  whiskey,  etc.,  and  consigned  to 
Columbia,  Baltimore,  or  other  river  points.  After  the  canal  was  opened  this 
traffic  was  transferred  to  it;  packet  boats  were  also  established,  and  the 
people  of  that  day  regarded  themselves  as  highly  favored  with  such  facilities 
of  rapid  commuication  at  their  command. 

The  Susquehanna  river  bridge  was  first  built  in  1832-83,  by  a  local  com- 
pany incoporated  by  the  legislature.  The  contractors  were  Abraham  and 
Isaac  Straub,  and  the  contract  was  executed  for  the  sum  of  twenty-four 
thousand  dollars.  In  1847  the  middle  section  was  carried  away  by  a  flood, 
and  rebuilt  by  Thomas  Murdock.     The  entire  structure  was  demolished  by 


the  flood  of  March  17,  ISO-j;  it  was  again  rebuilt,  however,  and  again  carried 
away  in  Jime,  ISSU. 

The  Oldening  of  the  Philadelphia  and  Reading  railroad  to  Milton  occurred 
in  185-i.  It  established  railroad  communication  with  Philadelj^hia,  and  was 
continued  to  WilliamsiJort  in.  ISTl.  In  l5iS:S  the  Eeading  Company  con- 
structed their  hne  from  West  Milton  to  Shamokin,  thus  giving  Milton  the 
advantage  of  a  competing  line  in  that  direction. 

That  part  of  the  Philadelphia  and  Erie  railroad  between  Milton  and 
"Williamsport  was  opened  in  18-34;  it  was  then  extended  to  Northumberland 
and  Sunbury,  giving  to  the  town  its  present  rail  facilities  by  this  great 
artery  of  the  Pennsylvania  system. 

GENERAL    BUSINESS    INTERESTS. 

Important  business  interests  were  developed  at  Milton  at  an  early  period 
in  its  history.  Four  merchants  at  this  place  advertised  in  the  Northumber- 
land Gazette  in  1794,  viz. :  John  Teitsworth.  Robert  Taggart.  John  Dickson, 
and  Jared  &  Charles  Irwin,  while  James  Black,  William  Fullerton,  George 
Calhoon,  and  Samuel  Hepburn  were  also  engaged  in  merchandising  prior  to 
1800.  Black's  establishment  occupied  the  site  of  J.  R.  Smith  &  Company's 
store  on  the  east  side  of  "Water  street  above  Broadway.  During  the  tifteen 
years  immediately  following  the  opening  of  the  first  store  no  less  than  thir- 
teen merchants  were  engaged  in  business  at  Milton.  Arthur  McGowan's 
establishment,  a  small  frame  buildint;  on  the  river  bank  below  the  Front 
street  bridge  over  Limestone  run,  was  the  first  in  that  part  of  the  town. 
James  Moodie  had  a  store  on  the  east  side  of  Front  street  above  the  bridge 
on  the  lot  immediately  below  that  occupied  by  the  Methodist  church.  It  was 
here  tliat  Charles  and  Thomas  Comly  conducted  btisiness  many  years  as  suc- 
cessors to  Moodie.  The  store  of  Bums  A:  McCann  and  that  of  George  Cal- 
hoon and  Isaac  Cowden  were  also  on  Front  street,  the  former  in  a  small 
yellow  frame  house.  The  next  was  that  of  Teitsworth  &  Taggart,  previously 
mentioned.  The  Sanderson  brothers — Ezekiel.  James,  and  William — occupied 
the  present  site  of  the  Milton  National  Bank  as  their  place  of  business.  William 
and  Thomas  Pollock  had  a  store  on  the  west  side  of  Front  street  above 
Broadway  and  nearly  opposite  the  establishment  of  James  Black,  while  the 
store  of  Jacob  Seydell  was  situated  still  farther  up  Water  street.  There 
were  four  other  stores  on  Front  street,  owned  respectively  by  Josiah  Gal- 
braith,  Alexander  McEwen,  Mrs.  Edith  Hejiburn,  and  Mrs.  Lamperly. 

In  1794  there  were  three  taverns  at  Milton.  That  of  Daniel  P.  Faulk- 
ner was  a  log  hoitse  on  Broadway,  sulisefjuently  owned  by  Dr.  D.  Waldron  for 
some  years  and  destroyed  by  fire  in  May,  1S70.  John  Chapman's  was  on 
the  east  side  of  Front  street,  and  that  of  Michael  Gower  on  the  northwest 
corner  of  Lower  Market  and  Front.  Faulkner  was  succeeded  by  John 
Brady.  Jr. :   the    early  succes.sors  of  Chapman  were  David  Derickson    and 


556  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

George  Nagle.  In  1798  Hugh  Montgomery  built  a  frame  house  at  the 
present  site  of  the  Methodist  church,  and  opened  therein  a  hotel.  He  died 
in  1S02,  and  was  succeeded  by  John  Brady,  Jr.;  when  the  latter  removed  to 
Faulkner's  he  was  followed  at  this  place  by  Daniel  Eckert,  from  Reading, 
cousin  to  George  Eckert,  the  miller.  In  1802  Joseph  Hammond  established 
a  hotel  in  a  frame  house  on  Front  street  in  the  upper  part  of  Milton,  where 
he  was  followed  in  the  same  business  by  Jacob  Seydell  and  others.  Bethuel 
Vincent  opened  a  tavern  in  ISlU  in  connection  with  the  postoffice,  at  the 
southwest  comer  of  Front  and  Broadway.  In  the  ujiper  part  of  the  bor- 
ough hotels  were  established  at  an  early  date  by  Lemuel  B.  Stoughton, 
Henry  Eckbert,  Anthony  Wilhelm,  and  Samuel  Morrison;  and  in  the  opposite 
direction  the  hostelries  of  George  Lawrence,  Philip  H.  Schreyer,  Daniel  K. 
Bright,  Abraham  Schreyer,  etc..  were  among  the  public  houses  of  the  town. 

The  stores  and  hotels  of  Milton  at  .the  present  time  are  a  most  con- 
clusive evidence  of  the  enterprise  and  jsrosperity  of  the  town.  Every  line  of 
business  is  well  represented,  and  many  of  the  stores  are  among  the  largest  in 
their  respective  lines  in  this  part  of  the  State.  The  hotels  are  also  large 
and  well  patronized,  and  without  instituting  any  invidious  comparison,  it 
may  tnithfully  be  stated  that  there  are  many  towns  of  much  larger  popu- 
lation in  which  the  facilities  in  this  respect  are  much  inferior  to  those  of 
Milton. 

The  Northumberland,  Union,  and  Columbia  Bank,  the  hrst  in  the 
county  and  one  of  the  earliest  in  the  northern  central  part  of  the  State, 
derived  its  corporate  existence  under  an  act  of  Assembly  passed  March  21, 
1814.  Daniel  Montgomery,  John  P.  De  Gruchy,  James  Sander.son,  John 
Boyd,  Daniel  Lebo.  Jacob  Dentler,  John  Dreisbach,  Matthew  Colvin,  John 
Cowden,  and  Bethuel  Vincent  were  appointed  commissioners  for  its  organiza- 
tion. Seth  Iredell  was  president,  and  William  Cos  Ellis  cashier;  the  bank- 
ing house  was  on  Front  street.  This  institution  became  defunct  in  1817  or 
ISIS. 

The  Milton  National  Bank  was  organized  in  1858  as  a  savings  institu- 
tion with  a  capital  of  twenty  thousand  dollars;  the  first  board  of  directors, 
composed  of  James  Pollock,  William  Heinen,  Samuel  Shannon,  William  C. 
Lawson,  Thomas  Swenk,  William  F.  Nagle,  and  Moses  Chamberlin,  was 
elected.  June  28,  1858.  In  December  of  that  year  business  was  begun  at 
the  corner  of  Broadway  and  Front.  The  bank  building  was  burned  in  the 
fire  of  May  14,  1880,  all  the  effects  of  the  institution  being  saved,  however, 
and  three  days  later  business  was  resiuned  at  the  house  of  E.  F.  Wilson. 
The  present  banking  house,  a  brick  building  on  the  east  side  of  Front  street, 
was  first  occupied  in  1881.  Originally  a  savings  bank,  it  became  a  bank  of 
issue  under  the  State  law  several  years  after  its  organization,  and  assumed 
its  present  name  in  1863  with  a  capital  of  seventy-five  thousand  dollars, 
since  increased  by  one  third  of  that  amoimt.      The  first  president  was  James 


MILTOX.  557 

Pollock,  elected  in  July,  1S5S:  he  was  succeeded  by  William  C.  Lawson.  the 
present  incumbent,  July  2,  ISfUA  E.  M.  Frick  has  been  cashier  since  the 
bank  was  first  established. 

Tlie  First  National  Bank  of  Milton. — The  charter  of  this  institution 
was  granted,  February  13,  1S64,  and  extended,  February  24,  1SS3.  The 
first  ofiicers  were  J.  Woods  Brown,  president;  S.  D.  Jordan,  cashier,  and  J. 
Woods  Brown,  William  McCleery,  Samuel  T.  Brown,  John  Datesman,  James 
P.  Armstrong,  William  H.  Marr,  William  Savidge,  Henry  Frick,  and  John 
Bower,  directors.  The  directory  was  increased  to  eleven  members,  January 
6,  1S65.  Mr.  Brown  died,  January  6,  ISSS,  and  H.  A.  Fonda  was  elected 
president,  Januarj-  18,  1888.  Mr.  Jordan  died,  April  17,  1875,  and  J.  M. 
Caldwell  was  elected  cashier,  April  19,  1S75.  Mr.  Caldwell,  the  first  teller, 
was  elected  to  that  position,  May  14,  1866;  Thomas  L.  Wilson  was  elected 
as  his  successor,  April  19,  1875.  Messrs.  Fonda,  Caldwell,  and  Wilson  are 
president,  cashier,  and  teller,  respectively,  at  the  present  time.  The  original 
capital,  eighty-five  thousand  nine  himdred  dollars,  was  increased,  January 
'J8,  1S76,  to  one  hundred  thousand.  The  first  place  of  business  was  in  the 
old  Lawson  building  on  Front  street;  the  present  banking  house  was 
erected  in  1880. 

The  Milton  Trust  and  Safe  Deposit  Company  was  incorporated,  Feb- 
ruar.-  17,  1887,  and  organized  with  the  election  of  the  following  officers: 
president,  John  McCleery;  vice-president,  S.  J.  Shimer;  treasurer.  Edmund 
Davis:  secretary,  M.  H.  Barr;  directors:  W.  A.  Schreyer,  E.  F.  Wilson,  S.  J. 
Shimer,  John  McCleery,  D.  M.  Krauser,  D.  dinger,  W.  A.  Heinen,  S.  W. 
Murray,  A.  P.  Hull,  E.  H.  Heaton,  Cyrus  Hoffa,  J.  B.  Godcharles,  J.  M. 
Caldwell,  T.  S.  Moorhead,  and  C.  W.  Tharp.  The  authorized  capital  is  two 
hundred  fifty  thousand  dollars,  ten  per  cent,  of  which  was  paid  in  when  the 
company  began  business,  March  15,  1887;  the  present  paid-up  capital  is  one 
hundred  twenty-five  thousand  dollars.  The  banking  house  on  Front  street 
was  erected  in  ISSS. 

The  Milton  Gas  Company  was  organized,  August  1,  1860,  with  William 
C.  Lawson,  president;  William  H.  FrjTnire,  secretary;  AVilliam  F.  Nagle, 
treasurer,  and  a  directory  composed  of  William  C.  Lawson,  William  F.  Xa- 
gle,  Thomas  Swenk,  William  H.  Frymire,  U.  Q.  Davis,  Edward  W.  Chapin, 
and  Thomas  S.  Mackey.  At  present  E.  F.  Wilson  is  president,  C.  F.  FoU- 
mer,  secretary  and  treasurer,  and  the  capital  is  thirty  thousand  dollars. 

The  Milton  Water  Company  was  incorporated  in  1883  and  organized 
April  14th  in  that  year,  with  E.  F.  Wilson,  president;  W.  E.  Kramer,  treas- 
urer; H.  E.  Frick,  secretary,  and  S.  W.  Murray,  John  McCleery,  P.  J. 
Criste.  W.  P.  Dougal,  John  Jenkins,  and  E.  Bickel,  directors.  The  capital, 
originally  thirty-five  thousand  dollars,  has  since  been  increased  to  fifty  thou- 
sand. The  Susquehanna  river  is  the  source  of  supply,  and  the  reservoir, 
northeast  of  the  borough  at    an  elevated  location,  has  a   capacity  of  three 


558  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

million  barrels.      Water  was  first  supplied  for  general  consiimption  in  Jan- 
uary, 1SS4. 

IKDDSTRIES    OF    THE    PAST    AND    PRESENT. 

The  earliest  manufacturing  establishment  of  Milton,  as  well  as  the  town 
itself,  was  founded  by  Andrew  Straub.  A  millwright  by  trade,  he  had  doubt- 
less considered  the  eligibility  of  Limestone  rim  as  a  mill  site  in  selecting  and 
purchasing  his  land,  and  in  the  summer  of  1791  dug  a  head-race  with  the 
idea  of  diverting  the  waters  of  that  stream  to  his  mill  and  thence  to  the  river. 
At  that  time  the  run  approached  the  river  in  a  westerly  course,  but  when 
within  a  hundred  yards  from  the  bank  it  turned  to  the  southwest  and 
joined  Housel's  riui  some  two  miles  distant.  At  the  i:)oint  where  it  came 
nearest  the  river  there  was  a  strip  of  low  ground,  which  was  cultivated  but 
was  frequently  overflown;  consequently,  for  the  purposes  of  drainage,  a  de- 
pression was  made  at  its  lowest  part.  On  one  occasion  when  an  open  furrow 
had  been  left  here,  the  run  overflowed  and  opened  a  new  channnel  through 
this  furrow,  forever  deflecting  the  stream  from  its  former  course  and  present- 
ing a  mill  site  much  superior  to  that  contemplated  by  Straub.  He  improved 
the  opportunity  by  erecting  a  log  mill  near  the  site  of  the  present  .stone 
structure,  and  it  at  once  received  a  large  patronage.  In  1^16  the  stone  mill 
was  built  by  George  Eckert,  by  whom  it  was  operated  until  his  death.  The 
next  owner  was  George  Baker.  The  mill  is  no  longer  operated ;  its  walls  are 
still  intact  and  give  evidence  of  substantial  construction,  and  the  old  bttild- 
ing  is  one  of  the  few  landmarks  of  the  past  that  survive  the  great  fire  of 
ISSd. 

Milton  Sfi^ain  Tannery. — The  next  industrial  establishment,  and  one  that 
has  been  continuously  operated  until  the  present  time,  was  the  tannery  of 
John  Armstrong.  This  business  was  begun  in  17U").  From  Armstrong  it 
passed  to  William  Jordan,  and  then  sitccessively  to  Abraham  Straub.  Samuel 
T.  Brown,  William  H.  Reber,  and  Thomas  B.  Gould,  the  present  proprietor. 
A  large  part  of  the  square  bounded  by  Elm,  Center,  and  Mahoning  streets 
is  occupied  by  this  establishment.  It  was  burned  in  IS^'i.  and  rebuilt  with 
improved  appliances  under  the  name  of  the  Milton  Steam  Tannery.  The 
daily  capacity  is  two  hundred  fifty  sides  of  leather  daily,  or  seventy-five 
thousand  per  year;  six  thousand  cords  of  bark  are  consimied  annually,  and 
employment  is  given  to  fifty  men. 

Arthur  McGowan' s  Carding  Mills  and  Sickle  Factory,  at  the  mouth  of 
Limestone  run,  were  important  and  valuable  adjuncts  to  the  farming  interests 
of  this  part  of  the  county  during  the  period  of  their  operation.  The  building 
was  considerably  damaged  by  a  flood  in  that  stream  in  iNlT. 

Five  Distinct  Distilling  Ks<a6Zjs/ii»ew^s  were  in  operation  at  Milton  within 
a  few  years  after  the  founding  of  the  town.  Moses  and  Samuel  Teas,  either 
in  partnership  or  individually,  had  two,  one  of   which  wa.s  situated  on  Elm 


'&( J^:  ^■^■. 


J<^-7 


~Zl^ 


MILTON.  561 

street  at  the  south  side  of  Limestone  run,  and  the  other  on  the  opposite  side 
of  that  stream  a  little  farther  south.  John  McKisson's  distillery  occupied 
the  southwest  corner  of  the  grounds  of  Shimer  &  Sons'  machine  shops,  and 
di-ew  its  water  supply  from  Eckert's  mill  race.  John  Sweney"s  was  situated 
at  the  present  site  of  the  Milton  Steam  Tannery.  These  were  all  log  or 
frame  structures.  John  A.  Schneider's,  on  the  north  side  of  Limestone  run 
near  the  alley  that  extends  from  Center  to  Mahoning  street,  was  a  brick  struct- 
ure of  some  pretensions,  and  in  its  arrangements  and  appliances  was  much 
more  commodious  than  the  others.  These  five  distilleries  were  the  earliest 
established,  and  were  in  ojjeration  many  years.  Two  others  were  subsequently 
added,  those  of  Fleming  "W.  Pollock  and  John  Davidson.  Pollock's  was 
built  of  Red  Hill  stone  on  the  east  side  of  the  canal  above  Upper  Market 
street,  and  was  subsequently  incorporated  in  a  building  of  the  Milton  Car 
Works.  Davidson's  was  on  the  east  side  of  the  canal  at  the  extremity  of 
Lower  Market  street.  There  was  also  a  brewery,  a  large  brick  building  on 
Mahoning  street  erected  by  William  Nice  and  burned  in  the  fire  of  18S0. 

Bickel  &  Bailey,  founders  and  general  machinists,  Locust  and  Arch  streets, 
are  the  present  successors  to  Josejih  Rhoads,  by  whom  the  first  foundry  in 
the  valley  of  the  West  Branch  was  established  in  1S30.  Nathan  Mitchell 
was  associated  with  Rhoads  at  the  first  or  within  a  few  years  thereafter.  It 
was  subsequently  operated  by  John  and  Jacob  K.  Trego,  and  passed  to  the 
present  firm  in  1S75. 

Till'  Milton  Holler  Mills.  Kemerer  Brothers,  proprietors,  were  originally 
erected  in  1S82  by  Fleming  W.  Pollock  and  were  the  first  steam  flour  mills 
in  this  section  of  the  State.  Elias  Bickel  succeeded  Mr.  Pollock,  and  was 
followed  Ijy  W.  B.  Kemerer.  The  present  firm  was  formed  in  1882,  when  tha 
roller  process  was  introduced  and  the  building  enlarged.  It  has  a  capacity 
of  fifty  barrels  of  flour  per  day,  with  other  grain  products. 

Abraham  and  Isaac  Stranb's  Mills  on  the  island  opposite  Milton  were 
built  in  1884.  The  proprietors  were  the  inventors  of  a  reaction  water  wheel, 
the  first  in  the  United  States,  and  their  liimber  and  grain  mills  at  this  point 
were  quite  extensive.  Sufficient  fall  was  obtained  by  damming  the  outer 
channels  of  the  river  at  the  head  of  the  island,  but  the  construction  of  the 
Lewisburg  dam  in  1840  interfered  with  this  to  such  an  extent  as  to  necessi- 
tate removal  to  a  new  location.  The  mouth  of  Muddy  run,  a  mile  above  Mil- 
ton, was  selected,  and  there  the  business  was  continued  for  some  years. 

John  Patton's  Foundry,  established  prior  to  1840,  passed  to  White,  Mer- 
vine  &  Lawson  and  ultimately  to  John  S.  Lawson;  a  variety  of  agricultural 
implements  was  manufactured,  also  engines,  lathes,  and  mill-gearing,  but  the 
works  were  burned  in  1880,  and  never  rebuilt. 

The  Steam  Sate  Mills  established  in  1842  by  William  McCleery  were  the 
first  in  the  valley  of  the  West  Branch.  The  original  location  was  just  above 
Locust    street.     Some,  vears   later    Moses    Chamberlin,    John    Runkle,    and 


562  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

Charles  Newhard  became  associated  in  the  business,  and  a  new  mill  was  built  i 

on  the  opposite  side  of  the  canal  some  distance  farther  north.   It  was  destroyed  ] 

by  fire  and  rebuilt,  and  ultimately  absorbed  by  the  Milton  Car  Works.  | 

E.  F.  Calvin's  Foundry  and  Machine  Shop  was  first  placed  in  operation  j 

in  1843  by  Joseph  Sassaman,  from  whom  it  was  purchased  in  1885  by  the  I 

l^resent  proprietor.  '. 

D.  dinger  s  Planing  Mills,  Arch  street  above  Locust,  estabhshed  in  ISoo  ' 

by  Balliet,  Billmyer  &  Goodlander,  were  the  first  in  this  section  of  the  State  ! 

and  have  been  continuously  operated  since  their  first  inception,  being  almost  ) 

the  only  industrial  institution  of  the  town  that  survived  the  fire  of  1880.    The  j 

present  proprietor  has  operated  the  mill  since  1866.  ! 

R.  F.  Wilson  &  Company^ s  Fly-net  Factory,  corner  of  Front  street  and  i 

Ferry  lane,  was  established  in  1856  by  Robert  Wilson,  who  originated  the  first  1 

machinery  for  the  manufacture  of  leather  fly-nets.     His  net  was  also  the  first  | 

patented,  and  early  attained  a  large  sale.     Thirty  men  are  employed.  j 

\V.  K.   Wertman^s  Carriage  Works  were  established  in  1857  by  the  pres-  ! 

ent  proprietor  on  Broadway  at  the  location  of  the  Catholic  church,  then  occu-  . 

pied  by  the  Kirkpatrick  academy  building,  which  constituted  the  first  factory.  j 

Here  the  business  was  conducted  until  its  destruction  by  fire  in  1880,  when  ^ 

it  was  removed  to  Arch  street.    Employment  is  given  to  twelve  or  fifteen  men.  \ 

The  Milton  Car   W^orks. — The  firm  of  Murray,  Dougal  &  Company  was  j 

organized   and  the  erection  of  the  Milton  Car  Works  was  begun  in  1864.  <    j 

During  the  first  years  of  its  existence  a  number  of  changes  were  made  in  the 
membership  of  the  firm,  which  was  finally  composed  of  S.  W.  Murray,  William 
P.  Dougal,  C.  C.  McCormick,  and  John  McCleery,  who  remained  associated 
and  conducted  the  business  imtil  the  retirement  of  John  McCleery  in  1875. 
C.  C.  McCormick  withdrew  in  1878,  and  William  P.  Dougal  a  few  months 
later  in  the  same  year.  The  business  was  still  continued  under  the  original 
firm  uame  of  Murray,  Doiigal  &  Company,  and  a  reorganization  of  the  firm  was 
made  in  1880.  when  C.  H.  Dickerman  and  R.  C.  Carter  became  associated 
with  S.  W.  Murray  as  a  limited  partnership  under  the  law  of  1874.  Soon 
after  this  reorganization  William  R.  Kramer  became  a  member  of  the  firm  and 
in  1881  R.  M.  Longmore,  and  under  this  organization  the  firm  has  existed 
until  the  present. 

The  business  of  the  firm  has  been  principally  the  construction  of  all 
kinds  of  freight  cars  including  oil  tank  cars,  which  has  been  an  important 
branch,  and  of  which  they  have  built  a  very  large  mimber.  The  firm  was 
engaged  also  for  several  years  in  the  construction  of  iron  bridges,  but  the 
bridge  department  of  the  works  was  destroyed  in  the  great  fire  of  1880  and 
was  not  rebuilt.  They  also  for  a  time  had  a  large  trade  in  the  construction 
of  oil  tanks  for  storage  purposes  and  also  steam  boilers.  The  manufacture 
of  freight  cars  has,  however,  been  the  leading  business  of  the  firm,  and  there 
is  no  descrij^tion  of  car  used  in  the  freight  traffic  which  has  not  been  turned 
out  of  the  Milton  Car  Works. 


MILTON.  563 

A  large  niunber  of  their  cars  have  been  exported  to  Cuba  and  the 
various  countries  of  South  America. 

The  capacity  of  the  works  is  ten  sixty  thousand-pound  hopper  coal  cars 
per  day,  or  three  thousand  cars  per  year,  and  employment  is  ordinarily  given 
to  about  four  himdred  hands,  though  at  times  the  number  has  reached 
nearly  live  hundred. 

Those  portions  of  the  works  which  were  destroyed  by  the  great  fire  of 
1880  have  been  replaced  by  substantial  stone  and  brick  buildings,  and  every 
department  is  amply  supplied  with  the  most  ajjproved  machinery  and 
appliances. 

Connected  with  the  j^lant  is  a  saw  mill  for  the  manufacture  of  the  oak 
lumber  used  in  the  business,  and  sixteen  acres  of  pool  for  the  storage  of  logs, 
which  are  purchased  along  the  Suscpiehanna  river  and  its  tributaries  and 
brought  from  Mimcy  dam  by  the  canal. 

The  works  are  located  between  the  Philadelphia  and  Erie  railroad  and 
the  West  Branch  canal,  with  a  branch  from  the  Philadelphia  and  Eeading 
railroad  running  to  the  premises,  which  gives  unusual  transportation  facili- 
ties. 

The  Milton  Iron  Compann  was  organized,  March  7,  1ST2.  and  incor- 
porated in  the  same  year,  with  W.  A.  Schreyer,  president :  P.  C.  Johnson. 
secretary  and  treasurer;  W.  A.  Schreyer,  S.  "W.  Murray,  John  McCleery, 
William  P.  Dougal,  and  John  P.  Harris,  directors,  and  John  Jenkins,  super- 
intendent. Messrs.  Schreyer,  Johnson,  and  Jenkins  'still  retain  their  re- 
spective positions.  The  original  capital  was  sixty  thousand  dollars,  since 
increased  to  one  hundred  fifty  thousand.  The  works  were  placed  in  opera- 
tion, November  29,  1S72.  The  bar  mill  is  one  hundred  twenty  by  eighty 
feet  in  dimensions,  with  a  wing  of  nearly  equal  area.  The  plant  consists  of 
one  fifteen-inch  train  and  one  eight-inch  train,  one  gas  heating  furnace,  and 
one  blast  heating  furnace.  There  are  three  double  and  five  single  puddling 
furnaces,  and  the  product  of  this  department  is  five  thousand  tons  of  mer- 
chant bar  iron  annually.  The  forge  occupies  a  building  sixty-five  by  one 
hundred  thirty  feet;  it  is  ecjuipped  with  three  heating  furnaces,  one  upright 
steam  hammer,  one  helve  steam  hammer,  two  cut -off  and  centering  lathes, 
and  boilers  over  the  furnaces  which  supj^ly  steam  for  the  engines  and  ham- 
mer. This  department  is  devoted  exclusively  to  the  manufacture  of  car 
axles  and  shape-work,  with  a  yearly  capacity  of  ten  thousand  axles.  The 
company  also  operates  the  Williamsport  Xail  Works. 

The  C.  A.  Godcharles  Company,  manufacturers  of  iron  and  steel  cut 
nails,  spikes,  muck  bars,  etc.,  was  originally  organized  under  the  name  of  C. 
A.  Godcharles  &  Company  in  1875;  the  constituent  members  of  the  last 
named  partnership  were  M.  H.  Taggart,  S.  A.  Andrews,  Charles  D.  God- 
charles, William  H.  Godcharles,  K.  A.  Bostley.  C.  A.  Bostley.  E.  Johnson. 
and    C.  A.  Godcharles.     As  reorganized  in   l.SNS  under  the  present   name 


564  HISTORY    OF   NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

the  tirm  is  composed  of  C.  A.,  C.  D.,  J.  W.,  and  J.  B.  Godcharles;  the 
original  company  controlled  also  the  Northiimberland  and  Towanda  nail 
works,  but  since  the  reorganization  the  present  company  has  restricted 
its  operations  to  the  works  at  Milton.  These  consist  of  blacksmith,  ma- 
chine, and  cooper  shops,  and  were  placed  in  operation  in  the  aiitumn  of 
ISlo.  The  plant  comprises  eighty-eight  nail  machines,  nine  double  and  two 
single  puddling  furnaces,  three  heating  furnaces,  one  twenty-inch  plate  train 
and  one  three-high  twenty-inch  muck  train,  and  employs  from  three  to  four  ] 

hundred  operatives.     The  full  capacity  is  fifty  thousand  kegs  per  month,  for  ; 

which  fifty  tons,  resjiectively.  of  muck  iron  and   nail   plate   are  required  in  ' 

every  period  of  twenty-four  hours.  •  I 

S.  J.  Shinier  &  Sons. — In  1S72  the  senior  member  of  this  firm,  associ-  ) 

ated  with  George  Shimer,  George  Applegate,  and  C.  L.  Johnston,  established  j 

a  planing  mill  at  the  present  location  of  their  works  in   the  Third  ward  of  !- 

Milton.     Although  the  business  of  the  firm  was  the  mamifacture  of  lumber  j 

almost  exclusivel}',  a  small  machine  shop  was  operated  in  connection  with  it,  \ 

and  here  a  matcher-head  was  originated  by   George   and  S.  J.  Shimer,  for  | 

which  they  secured  letters  patent.     The  establishment  was  burned  in  the  fire  j 

of  ISSO  and  rebuilt  as  a  machine  shop,  and  as  such  it  has  since  been  oper- 
ated, almost  entirely  in  the  manufacture  of  matcher-heads  and  other  special-  * 
ties.  The  main  building,  thirty-six  by  one  hundred  forty  feet  in  dimensions, 
is  thoroughly  equipped  with  engine  lathes,  planers,  shapers,  millers,  drills, 
etc.,  and  in  another  building,  thirty-six  by  seventy-five  feet,  are  the  lathes 
and  planers  upon  which  the  heavier  product  is  mamtfactured.  Seventy-five 
operatives  are  employed.  The  matcher-head  made  here  is  itsed  in  all  parts 
of  the  United  States,  in  Austraha,  England,  Canada,  and  elsewhere,  and  has 
probably  attained  a  wider  circulation  than  any  other  of  Milton's  industrial 
products. 

The  Milton  Manufacturing  Company,  identical  with  S.  J.  Shimer  & 
Sons  in  ownership  and  management,  was  incorporated  several  years  since  and 
buildings  were  erected  between  the  Philadelphia  and  Erie  and  Philadelphia 
and  Reading  railroads  for  the  purpose  of  developing  such  specialties  in  the 
iron  trade  as  should  be  found  ad\-isable.  The  original  idea  was  never  suc- 
cessfully carried  out,  however,  and  it  was  not  until  the  fall  of  1888  that  the 
works  were  placed  in  operation  under  the  present  management.  The  plant 
consi-sts  of  two  frame  buildings;  the  smaller  is  forty-five  by  one  hundred 
twenty-five  feet,  with  engine  room  attached,  and  in  this  bitilding  are  four 
double  puddling  furnaces  and  one  train  of  muck  iron  rolls;  the  larger  build- 
ing, sixty  by  two  hundred  seventy-five  feet,  contains  one  heating  furnace  and 
a  ten-inch  train  of  rolls,  with  other  appliances  for  a  complete  rolling  mill 
plant,  and  washer-cutting  machines  (originated  and  patented  by  Mr.  Shim  er 
in  1889)  which  cut  from  four  to  six  standard  washers  at  each  stroke.  The 
daily  capacity  is  eight  tons  of  plate  iron  and  from  ten   to  twelve  thoitsand 


MILTON.  565 

pounds  of  finished  washers.  The  number  of  operatives  varies  from  seventy- 
five  to  one  hundred. 

Klapp  d-  Lucas's  Carriage  Works,  Arch  and  Walnut  streets,  were  estab- 
lished in  1880  by  the  present  proprietors,  and  receive  a  fair  share  of  the  car- 
riage trade  of  the  borough  and  surrounding  region. 

The  Milton  Steam  Boiler  Works,  Shay  &  Berry,  proprietors,  occupy  the 
former  location  of  Lawson's  agricultural  works,  Upper  Market  and  Arch 
streets,  and  were  established  in  ISSI.  Steam  boilers  and  sheet-iron  work  of 
every  description  are  manufactured. 

Jacob  Fetter^s  Planing  Mill.  Center  street,  occupies  the  former  site  of  a 
furniture  factory,  the  only  building  in  this  part  of  the  to^vn  that  survived  the 
fire  of  1880.  When  the  work  of  rebuilding  was  begun  it  was  converted  into 
a  planing  mill  and  so  used  until  ISSl,  when  it  was  destroyed  by  tire.  Two 
years  later  a  local  company  erected  a  building  upon  this  ground  for  the  manu- 
facture of  a  patent  sash  weight,  but  before  its  completion  the  enterprise  was 
abandoned;  Mr.  Fetter  purchased  the  imcompleted  building,  transformed  it 
into  a  planing  mill,  and  has  since  operated  it  as  such. 

The  Miltoti  Knitting  Company  was  organized  and  incorporated  in  1883. 
The  first  officers  were  W.  A.  Schreyer,  president;  H.  G.  Cohill,  secretarj' and 
treasurer;  W.  A.  Schreyer,  R.  F.  Wilson,  S.  J.  Shimer,  S.  L.  Finney,  A. 
Cadwallader,  M.  Lieberman.  and  Joseph  Musser,  directors.  Operations  were 
begun  in  February',  1889;  the  product  consists  of  hosiery  exclusively.  The 
present  president  is  S.  J.  Shimer:  secretary  and  treasurer,  A.  Cadwallader. 

Miscellaneous  Industrial  Establishments  include  cigar  factories,  brick 
yards,  etc.,  which,  although  relatively  small  individually,  preceptibly  increase 
the  capacity  of  the  community  to  furnish  employment,  and  swell  the  aggregate 
of  local  production.  The  repair  shops  of  the  Philadelphia  and  Reading  Rail- 
road Company  employ  several  hundred  men. 

FLOODS    XSV    FIRES. 

While  immunity  from  calamity  and  disaster  is  the  fortunate  attribute  of 
a  very  small  number  of  toNvns.  it  is  questionable  whether  there  are  many  that 
have  experienced  a  visitation  of  the  destructive  element  to. such  an  extent  as 
Milton  in  the  year  ISSO.  Preceding  this  were  several  minor  casualties, 
which  may  first  receive  attention. 

On  Saturday,  August  9,  1S17,  the  waters  of  Limestone  run,  swollen  to  an 
unprecedented  height  by  heavy  and  protracted  rains  in  the  region  of  its 
sources,  swept  away  the  three-arched  stone  bridge  in  Front  street;  the  inn  of 
Mr.  Hill,  occupied  by  George  Nagle;  the  dwelling  and  store  house  of  Arthur 
McGowan:  Mr.  Markle's  saddler  shop;  the  store  house  of  Daniel  R.  Bright, 
and  the  foundation  of  his  tavern,  occujiied  by  Henrv'  Wolfinger;  the  store 
house  of  Moses  Teas,  and  one  comer  of  George  Eckert's  stone  mill.  The 
force  of  the  current  was  so  great  that  two  large  mill  stones  were  swept  away 


566  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

and  never  recovered,  and  a  gravel  bar  was  formed  at  the  mouth  of  the  run, 
extending  half-way  across  the  river.      Such  was  the  first  public  calamity  ex- 
perienced by  the  citizens  of  Milton.  i 
The  river  flood  of  18-47  carried  away  the  middle  section  of  the  Susque-                j 
hanna  bridge,  and  the  great  flood  of  March  17,  1865,  demolished  that  struct-  ' 
ure   entirely,  flooding  the  town  and  doing  considerable  damage  to  stores,  ; 
residences,  and  streets.     On  the  1st  of   Jime,  1SS9,  a  repetition  of   these 
experiences  occurred;    the  bridge  was  again  carried   away,  residences  and  ; 
stores  were  flooded  and  their  contents  seriously  damaged,  and  the  water  rose  ! 
to  a  heio-ht  never  before  attained  within  the  recollection  of  the  oldest  inhab-                 ' 
it  ant. 

The  o-reat  fire  of  Friday,  May  14,  ISSl^,  was  one  of   the  most  serious  dis-  < 

asters  that  ever  involved  an  inland  town  of  the  size  and  population  of  Milton.  [ 

It  originated  in  the  framing  shop  of  the  Milton  Car  Works,  just  above  Locust  ■ 

street,  east  of  the  canal  and   opposite  D.  dinger's   planing  mill,   and  the  , 

alarm  was  given  at  fifteen  minutes  before   twelve  o'clock  by  the  blowing  of  ; 

the  whistles.    The  day  was  bright  and  clear,  but  a  high  wind  prevailed,  and,  . 

although  when  first  discovered  the  fire  had  just  begun,  it  was  rapidly  com-  ' 

municated  by  the  combustible  materials  of  the  shops  to  the  dry  house  and  j 

other  buildings  on  the  south;  burning  faggots  were  carried  by  the  wind 
directly  toward  the  business  and  residence  portion  of  the  town,  and  only  a  , 

few  miniites  elapsed  before  several  houses  and  the    Lawson  and  Bickel  &  j 

Bailey  foundries  were  being  rapidly  consumed.     By  this  time  the  alarm  had  f 

called  out  the  citizens,   and  heroic  efl'orts   were  being  made  to  suspend  the  j 

progress  of  the  conflagration.     The  utter  fiitihty  of  their  work  became  ap-  | 

parent  when  it  was  seen  that  the  Reformed  and  Methodist  churches  were  in  j 

flames,  and  with  the  increasing  volume  and  velocity  of  the  wind  it  became  | 

evident  to  the  most  sanguine  that  the  work  of  the  citizens  was  utterly  inade-  : 

quate;  telegrams  were   sent   to  neighboring  places  for   assistance,  and  the  i 

people,  abandoning  efforts  at  united  resistance,  turned  to  their  houses  to  save, 
if  possible,  their  most  valuable  eS'ects.  Famihes  left  their  homes,  carrying 
with  them  such  things  as  could  be  hastily  collected,  or,  in  many  instances, 
glad  to  escape  with  life  and  limb  unimpaired.  At  one  o'clock  in  the  after- 
noon the  entire  district  lying  between  Locust  and  Broadway  had  been  con- 
sumed, except  the  west  side  of  Arch  and  either  side  of  Front  above  Walnut. 
The  Academy  of  Music,  Associate  Reformed,  Methodist,  Reformed,  Presby- 
terian, and  Catholic  churches,  with  a  number  of  residences  and  stores  and 
several  factories,  were  in  ashes. 

The  desolating  element  had  also  included  in  the  theater  of  its  activities 
that  part  of  the  town  south  of  Broadway;  and  soon  after  the  Reformed 
church  was  found  to  be  in  flames,  fire  was  discovered  in  the  postoffice  build- 
ing on  the  south  side  of  Lincoln  park,  occupied  by  the  Western  Union  tele- 
graph ofiice,  the  Miltonian,  etc.     Thence  the  flames  spread  to  the  opposite 


MILTON.  567 

side  of  Front  street,  and  dovm  that  street  on  both  sides  as  far  as  the  bridge, 
where  their  progress  in  that  direction  was  stayed  by  the  action  of  the  wind 
and  the  efforts  of  the  firemen.  In  an  easterly  direction,  from  Front  street  to 
the  railroad,  and  from  Broadway  to  Lower  Market,  scarcely  a  building  re- 
mained except  a  planing  and  flouring  mill  and  a  few  small  houses  between 
the  canal  and  railroad  at  the  Mahoning  street  bridge.  Prominent  among  the 
buildings  destroyed  in  this  part  of  the  town  were  the  Baptist,  Lutheran,  and 
Evangelical  churches,  the  Milton  National  Bank  building,  the  principal  stores 
and  hotels  of  the  to'wn,  with  a  number  of  residences  and  industrial  establish- 
ments. Of  the  business  of  the  place  but  two  small  groceries  and  one  drug 
store  remained.  In  three  hoiars  one  himdred  twenty-five  acres  had  been 
biirned  over,  involving  a  loss  of  property  aggregating  in  vahie  two  milhon 
and  a  quarter  dollars,  six  hundred  sixty-five  buildings  of  all  kinds  were  con- 
sumed, and  six  hundred  families  were  rendered  homeless. 

Immediate  measures  were'  taken  for  the  relief  and  comfort  of  the  desti- 
tute. A  relief  committee  was  formed,  composed  of  Rev.  S.  H.  Eeid,  J.  F. 
Bucher,  George  J.  Piper,  Robert  Riddle.  AV.  A.  Schreyer,  W.  P.  Dougal,  J. 
M.  Hedenberg,  Alem  Dieffenderfer,  R.  F.  Wilson,  C.  C.  Straub,  C.  H.  Dougal, 
George  W.  Strine,  Moses  Chamberlin,  C.  W.  Tharp,  Daniel  Weidenhamer, 
J.  F.  Wolfinger,  W.  C.  Lawson,  A.  Cadwallader,  George  Barclay,  S.  L.  Fin- 
ney, "\V.  H.  Reber,  Cyrus  Brown,  Jacob  Seydell,  Frank  Bound,  and  O.  B. 
Xagle,  by  whom  an  appeal  was  issued  to  the  country  at  large  for  assistance. 
This  appeal  met  with  a  2)rompt  response.  Lewisburg  and  "Williamsport  were 
the  first  to  send  provisions;  the  next  was  a  car  from  Harrisburg,  and  these, 
with  wagon-loads  from  the  adjoining  farming  region,  supplied  the  immediate 
necessities  of  the  people.  On  Saturday  a  consignment  of  tents  was  received 
from  Harrisburg,  and  these  afforded  protection  and  temporary-  shelter.  Cash 
contributions  to  the  amount  of  eighty-seven  thousand  eight  hundred  nine- 
teen dollars,  nineteen  cents  were  received  from  various  cities  and  towns  through- 
out Pennsylvania  and  adjoining  States,  and  distributed  among  the  sufferers 
by  the  fire  under  awards  made  by  Benjamin  S.  Bentley.  James  Gamble,  and 
Samiiel  Linn,  masters  in  chancery  apjiointed  by  the  court  of  common  pleas 
of  Northumberland  county,  August  12,  1880.  The  expenses  of  this  com- 
mission were  deducted  from  the  relief  fund,  and  a  small  balance,  less  than  a 
hundred  dollars,  was  placed  to  the  credit  of  the  borough  for  the  benefit  of  the 
poor.  Assistance  from  outside  sources  was  also  received  in  the  rebuilding  of 
churches,  and  the  legislature  made  an  appropriation  to  aid  the  directors 
in  erecting  a  school  building.  While  the  town  was  thus  almost  completely 
demolished,  its  resources  remained  substantially  imimpaired,  and  under  the 
energetic  efforts  of  its  citizens  the  work  of  rebuilding  was  promptly  begxm 
and  continued,  with  such  results  to  the  general  material,  religious,  and  edu- 
cational interests  of  the  community  as  need  no  amplification  here. 


568  HISTORY    OF   NORTHCilBEKLAND    COUNTY. 

SECRET    AND    OTHEK    SOCIETIES. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  secret  societies,  with  dates  of  institution  or  or- 
ganization: Milton  Lodge.  No.  256.  F.  &  A.  M.,  September  13,  1851:  Pil- 
grim's Encampment,  No.  160,  I.  0.  O.  F.,  November  18,  1857,  and  May  17, 
1880;  Mutual  Lodge,  No.  84,  I.  O.  O.  F..  June  1,  1880;  Canton  Mutual,  No- 
7,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  August  17,  1886;  Henry  Wilson  Post,  No.  129,  G.  A.  R.,  April 
12,  1881;  Hepburn  Pollock  Camp.  No".  21,  S.  of  V.,  July  6,  1883;  \Va.shing- 
ton  Camp,  No.  188,  P.  O.  S.  of  A.,  March  19.  1886;  Milton  Castle,  No.  265, 
K.  G.  E.,  April  3,  1889;  West  Branch  Council,  No.  4U,  Jr.  O.  U.  A.  M., 
March  12,  1890. 

CHURCHES. 

The  earliest  religious  services  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  Milton  of 
which  there  is  any  well  authenticated  account  were  held  by  a  minister  of  the 
Reformed  church  on  the  west  bank  of  the  river.  They  were  attended  by  the 
families  of  Andrew  Straub  and  others,  who  crossed  the  river  in  boats.  The 
clergyman  was  from  Carlisle,  Cumberland  county,  Pennsylvania. 

tit.  Joseph's  Catholic  Church  had  its  origin  immediately  after  the  close  of 
the  Revolutionary  war,  and  is  the  oldest  parish  in  the  valley  of  the  West 
Branch.  Although  its  early  history  is  largely  traditional,  it  is  well  authen- 
ticated that  a  rude  log  building  was  erected  for  religious  purposes  and  some 
interments  made  on  the  farm  of  Martin  Kieffer  by  the  Catholics  of  Turbut 
township  as  early  as  1787,  and  before  the  Indian  troubles  of  the  frontier  had 
subsided.  A  missionary  priest  would  occasionally  visit  the  settlement  to  cele- 
brate Mass,  instruct  and  baptize  the  children,  and  preach  the  word  of  God  to 
the  little  congregation,  thus  keeping  alive  the  spark  of  Catholic  faith  in  the 
hearts  of  these  pioneer  families.  Among  the  pioneers  of  this  faith  at  Milton  and 
in  the  adjoining  country  di.stricts  were  the  families  of  Martin  Kietfer  and  sons, 
John  and  Martin,  Morris  Lawrence,  Jacob  Spring,  and  the  Buoys,  Cauls, 
McGees,  O'Doimells,  Riffles,  Avels,  Fillmans,  Gibsons,  McBrides,  McEl- 
ameys,  Murphys,  Schells,  Shadmans,  Divels,  Walters,  Wolfingers,  Yoegysj 
and  others.  The  heads  of  these  families  were  principally  natives  of  Ireland 
and  Germany,  who  had  left  the  land  of  their  forefathers  to  escape  both 
religious  and  political  persecution.  Many  of  them  died  here  and  were  buried 
in  St.  Joseph's  cemetery,  two  miles  east  of  Milton. 

Four  acres  of  ground  for  parochial  and  burial  purposes  were  finally 
deeded  to  Rev.  Francis  Neale  of  Georgetown,  D.  C,  by  John  and  Margaret 
Kieffer,  May  13,  1805,  adjoining  the  site  of  the  primitive  log  church  in  which 
the  congregation  first  worshiped,  and  early  in  the  present  century  a  more 
pretentious  log  structure  replaced  the  old  building.  The  timbers  were  cut 
and  prepared  on  Montour  ridge  by  Jacob  Spring,  and  hauled  to  their  desti- 
nation by  John,  Dennis,  Peter,  and  Daniel  Caul,  Dennis  Buoy,  and  other 
members  of  the  congregation.     The  building  was  in  the  form  of  a  square, 


569 


■vvith  the  entrance  on  the  northwest,  the  aUar  opposite,  and  a  gallery  over  the* 
entrance.  In  due  time  it  was  dedicated,  and  placed  iinder  the  patronage  of 
St.  Joseph,  by  Rev.  Francis  Neale,  who  also  consecrated  the  cemetery  on  the 
same  occasion.  A  brick  parochial  residence  was  afterward  erected  by  Rev. 
John  Fitzpatrick,  and  many  years  later  an  orchard  was  planted  in  the  north- 
ern part  of  the  grounds;  of  the  church  and  residence  scarcely  a  vestige 
remains,  but  the  orchard  is  still  in  a  flourishing  condition. 

Jacob  Spring  was  the  most  munificent  benefactor  of  St.  Joseph's  chiirch, 
and  his  memor^  should  forever  be  held  in  grateful  remembrance  by  the 
Catholics  of  the  West  Branch  valley.  On  the  13th  of  September,  1836,  he 
deeded  to  Rt.  Rev.  Francis  Patrick  Kenrick,  bishop  of  Philadelphia,  a  farm 
of  two  hundred  twelve  acres  in  ChiUisquaque  township,  the  annual  income 
derived  therefrom  to  be  devoted  to  the  maintenance  of  the  pastor  of  St. 
Joseph's  church.  About  one  half  of  this  farm  is  under  cultivation,  and  to 
the  wise  foresight  of  its  generous  donor  St.  Joseph's  largely  owes  its  present 
prosperity.  Mr.  Spring  also  bequeathed  at  his  death  sufficient  means  to 
build  a  stone  wall  around  the  graveyard,  which  project  was  afterward  car- 
ried out. 

The  priests  who  iirst  officiated  here  were  from  Philadelphia,  and  the  Jesuit 
Mission  of  Conewago,  Adams  county,  Pennsylvania.  About  the  year  1S20 
Harrisburg  became  a  parish,  and  included  this  congregation  in  its  field  of 
labors.  Subsequentlv  it  was  attached  to  Pottsville,  and  about  182o  Rev. 
John  Fitzpatrick  was  appointed  the  first  resident  pastor  of  St.  Joseph's 
church.  The  following  is  a  list  of  the  successive  pastors  since  Father  Fitzpat- 
rick- Reverends  Father  Curtin.  EdwardMaginniss,  Father McGlorian,  John  C. 
Flanni-an,  Father  Fitzsimmons  (under  whose  pastorate  the  first  church  at 
Milton^'was  erected  in  1844).  Father  O'Keefe,  John  Hannigan,  Father  Km- 
nev  Basil  Shorb,  Michael  Sheridan,  George  Gostenschnigg  (who  died  while 
pastor  May  2,  1860),  M.  Muhlberger,  Emil  Stenzel,  J.  J.  Koch,  Emil  Stenzel, 
M.  A.  'o'Neill,  Thomas  J.  Fleming.  Louis  Grotemeyer,  \V.  F.  McElhenny, 
and    H.    G.   Ganss,   the  present  incitmbent,  who  became  pastor,   November 

14,  1881.  .        ^   ^     ,         _, 

For  more  than  half  a  century  the  congregation  continued  to  hear  Mass 
and  have  the  Gospel  preached  to  them  in  the  successive  log  churches  on  the 
Kieffer  farm.  But  when  a  new  church  finally  became  a  necessity  it  was  de- 
cided to  erect  it  at  Milton,  as  a  more  convenient  and  desirable  location. 
Father  Fitzsimmons  was  then  pastor,  and  in  1844  a  site  was  purchased  and 
a  church  erected  thereon,  at  the  brow  of  the  hill  on  the  north  side  of  Broad- 
way, a  short  distance  northea.st  of  the  old  Milton  Academy.  It  was  a  plain 
brick  stmcture  two  stories  high,  costing  twelve  himdred  dollars,  and  was  the 
place  of  worship  until  its  destruction  by  fire,  May  14,  1880.  A  temporary 
frame  buildmg  was  then  erected  and  occupied  imtil  the  completion  of  the 
present  church.     On  the  1st  of  March,  1882,  Father  Ganss  bought  the  prop- 


570  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

'erty  previonsly  kno^\-n  as  the  old  academy  hill,  lying  south  and  east  of  the 
brick  parochial  residence  built  by  his  predecessor,  and  upon  the  exact  site  of 
the  academy  he  erected  the  present  handsome  church  at  a  total  expense  of 
about  ten  thoiisand  dollars.  The  corner-stone  was  laid  by  Bishop  Shanahan, 
September  3,  1S82,  and  its  dedication  took  place,  September  23, 1883,  Bishop 
Shanahan  officiating,  assisted  by  Reverends  McBride,  Koch,  McGovern, 
O'Neill,  and  Ganss.  Father  Ganss  si^bsequently  laid  out  the  grounds  in  lawns 
and  terraces,  and  the  property  is  now  one  of  the  handsomest  in  Milton.  All 
this  was  accomplished  under  the  most  trying  difficulties,  but  with  in- 
domitable zeal  and  perseverance.  Father  Ganss  carried  the  project  to  a  suc- 
cessful completion.  The  interior  of  the  church  is  a  perfect  gem  in  design 
and  finish,  and  the  whole  building  is  in  thorough  harmony  with  the  best  and 
most  approved  ideas  of  English  Gothic  architecture.  It  is  conspicuously  lo- 
cated on  the  old  academy  hill,  one  of  the  most  historic  spots  in  Milton,  and 
around  which  cluster  many  of  the  tenderest  ties  and  most  sacred  memories 
of  pioneer  days. 

The  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  erected  the  first  place  of  worship  at 
Milton.  There  were  a  number  of  English  families  in  the  vicinity  of  the  town 
at  an  early  date,  among  them  those  of  John  Covert,  William  Hull,  Joseph 
Marr,  — McCurley,  Samuel  Stadden,  and  Matthias  Webb,  who,  with  the  fam- 
ilies of  Hepburn,  Rittenhouse,  Seydell.  and  others  in  the  village  were  early 
organized  as  a  parish.  In  May,  1793,  Matthias  Webb  appeared  at  the  dioc- 
esan convention  in  Philadelphia  as  their  representative  with  a  petition 
requesting  that  Caleb  Hopkins  might  be  appointed  minister  of  "Christ  church 
in  Turbut  township."  But  as  Mr.  Hopkins  had  never  studied  the  Greek  and 
Latin  languages,  his  qualifications  were  not  deemed  sufficient,  and  a  committee 
was  ajipointed  to  make  further  inquiry  regarding  his  character  and  ability. 
At  the  convention  in  the  following  year  Bernard  Hubley  appeared  as  delegate 
from  Christ  church  in  Derry  township  and  Christ  church  in  Turbut  township, 
and  repeated  the  request  for  Mr.  Hopkins's  services  as  rector.  The  committee 
having  reported  favorably,  Mr.  Hopkins  was  accordingly  ordained.  He  re- 
sided at  that  time  or  at  a  date  several  years  later  at  Bloomsburg,  Columbia 
county.  East  street  in  that  town  was  laid  out  by  him.  and  was  known  for 
some  years  under  the  local  name  of  Hopkinsville.  He  is  represented  as  a 
man  of  tall  and  portly  form,  and  although  not  a  classical  scholar,  his  dis- 
courses were  often  eloquent.  His  field  of  labor  included  that  large  part  of 
Northumberland,  Montour,  and  Columbia  counties  embraced  between  the 
North  and  West  Branches  of  the  Susquehanna,  with  preaching  places  at 
half  a  dozen  points,  and  to  his  work  is  justly  due  the  honor  of  having  estab- 
lished the  churches  of  his  denomination  in  this  section  of  the  State. 

On  the  ISth  of  Augu.st,  1795,  Joseph  Marr  donated  to  Matthias  Webb, 
Samuel  Stadden,  and  John  Covert,  trustees  of  the  Turbut  or  Milton  "Christ 
Church,"  a  small  field  from  his  farm  for  the  double  purpose  of  a  church  site 


MILTON.  571 

and  burial  ground.  A  small  log  church  edifice  was  erected  thereon,  with 
gallery,  and  pulpit  of  the  style  then  in  vogue.  This  was  situated  on  Marr's 
lane,  the  boundary  of  the  borough  as  erected  in  1S17,  and  at  the  site  of  the 
present  Lincoln  Street  school  house.  It  was  just  beyond  the  original  north- 
ern limits  of  the  borough,  but  may  properly  be  regarded  as  a  Milton  church, 
although  Mr.  Hopkins  occasionally  jireached  in  the  afternoon  under  the  trees 
on  the  bank  of  the  river  above  Broadway  to  a  promiscuous  congregation  com- 
posed of  his  regular  attendants  at  morning  service  and  other  residents  of  the 
\-illage.  The  Marr's  lane  church  was  occupied  imtil  the  year  1849,  when  a 
brick  edifice  was  erected  on  the  north  side  of  Upper  Market  street  on  a  lot  of 
ground  donated  for  the  purpose  by  Roland  McCurley  of  Union  cotmty. 
Eev.  B.  Wistar  Morris  was  pastor  at  the  time,  and  the  dedication  occurred, 
July  17.  1849,  Bishop  Potter  officiating.  This  was  the  only  church  edifice 
that  was  not  destroyed  in  the  great  fire  of  ISSO,  and  was  appropriated  to  the 
use  of  the  Ladies'  Relief  Committee  during  the  period  of  destitution  that 
followed  that  calamity. 

In  the  year  1820  Mr.  Hopkins  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  Elijah  D.  Pliuub, 
who  remained  until  1S2G,  and  from  that  date  the  succession  of  rectors  has 
been  as  follows:  James  De^aiii,  182G-34;  Isaac  W.  Smith,  1835-30;  Joshua 
Weaver.  1844:  B.  Wistar  Morris,  1847-49;  John  G.  Furey,  1850;  William 
White  Montgomery,  1853;  J.  W^  Gougler,  1858;  John  G.  Furey,  1801-03; 
Lewis  W.  Gibson,  1803-04;  R.  Hill  Browne,  1805;  J.  H.  Hobart  Millet, 
Charles  A.  Vandyke,  1808;  George  F.  Rosenmiller,  1872-73;  B.  R.  Phelps, 
1874;  George  f.  Rosenmiller,  1875-70;  Charles  L.  Newbold,  1870;  M. 
Karcher,  1877;  W.  H.  Johnson,  1881;  M.  W.  Christman,  1890,  present 
incumbent.  At  various  times  throughout  its  historj'  the  parish  has  been 
without  established  pastoral  service  and  dependent  on  the  diocesan  mission- 
ar}-  or  the  clergv'  of  neighboring  i:)arishes  for  preaching  and  the  administra- 
tion of  the  sacraments. 

Methodist  Episcopal. — The  itinerant  system  of  this  denomination  is  well 
adapted  to  the  extension  and  sustentation  of  its  organizations  in  sparsely 
Settled  districts,  and  hence  at  an  early  period  in  the  history  of  the  church  in 
this  section  its  enterprising  clergy  had  penetrated  the  valley  of  the  West 
Branch  and  established  small  but  permanent  societies.  One  of  these  was  at 
Milton,  but  the  exact  date  of  its  organization  and  its  constitiient  membership 
can  not  be  ascertained,  although  it  is  known  that  the  family  names  of  Bennett, 
Buoy,  Chamberlin,  Clark,  Covert,  Cowden,  Grouse,  Evans,  Forest,  Gillespie, 
Goodlander,  Harris,  Henry,  Hetherington,  Hougendobler,  Huff,  Jones,  Kepler, 
Longan,  Markle,  Mears,  Mer\'ine,  Murdock,  Moody,  Patterson,  Randolph, 
Reeder,  Strine,  Tharp,  Sweney,  Trego,  Wheeland,  White,  Wilson,  Woods, 
etc.,  were  conspicuous  in  the  early  records,  although  few  of  them  are  repre- 
sented at  the  present  day. 

The  first  services  were  held  at  private  houses,  and  the  introduction  of 


572  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

Methodism  therefore  antedates  the  year  1796.  when  the  first  school  house  of 
the  to-svn  was  erected.  From  that  time  until  ISDT  this  school  building  was 
occupied;  in  the  latter  year  upon  ground  donated  by  Andrew  Straub  a  one- 
story  log  church  was  built  on  the  north  side  of  Lower  Market  street,  and  the 
first  ministers  who  preached  here  were  Eeverends  Nicholas  Willis  and  Joel 
Smith.  This  was  the  place  of  worship  during  the  ensuing  thirty  years,  and 
in  a  burial  ground  at  the  rear  many  of  the  older  members  were  interred. 
The  location  of  the  building  was  somewhat  elevated,  and  as  the  eastern  wall 
•was  only  partially  constructed,  there  was  an  open  space  beneath  the  floor,  in 
which  it  is  related  that  a  flock  of  sheep  sometimes  retired  on  sultry  siunmer 
Sundays,  confounding  the  eloquence  of  the  pulpit  in  a  manner  scarcely  less 
exasperating  than  amusing.  The  storj'  is  also  told  of  a  clergyman  from 
Virginia,  who  remarked  the  number  of  dogs  in  the  audience  and  the  absence 
of  children,  admonishing  his  hearers  that  the  canine  element  might  well  be 
dispensed  with  entirely  and  much  more  attention  bestowed  upon  the  juvenile 
portion  of  humanity.  These  incidents  may  serve  to  illustrate  the  himiorous 
features  of  the  somewhat  uneventful  current  of  religious  life  in  an  inland 
village  half  a  century  ago. 

But  the  growth  of  the  congregation  at  length  exceeded  the  capacity  of 
this  old  church,  and  in  1S37  it  was  sold  to  B.  Bowers,  by  whom  the  materials 
•were  removed  and  converted  into  a  dwelling  house  on  the  north  side  of 
Lower  Market  street,  which  was  burned  in  ISSO.  A  one-story  brick  church 
was  built  on  the  ground  now  occupied  by  Center  street  where  it  crosses  Fil- 
bert on  the  east  side  of  the  canal;  there  was  a  basement  beneath,  in  which 
the  Simday  school  was  conducted,  and  here  the  congregation  worshiped 
twenty-one  years.  In  1859  the  lot  was  sold  to  the  borough  authorities,  and 
in  the  same  year  the  third  church  edifice  of  this  congregation  was  built  on 
Arch  street  above  Broadway  on  the  lot  subsequently  occupied  by  the  resi- 
dence of  John  J.  Fausnaught.  In  the  construction  of  the  second  edifice 
Thomas  Evans  had  been  chairman  of  the  building  committee  and  the  mo^^ng 
spirit;  in  the  erection  of  the  third  this  position  devolved  upon  Moses  Cham- 
berlin.  The  latter  building  was  substantially  constructed  of  brick,  two  stories 
in  height,  without  tower  or  dome,  and  was  the  place  of  worship  until  destroyed 
by  the  fire  of  May  14,  1S80,  a  period  of  twenty-one  years.  As  it  was  thought 
that  a  more  central  location  was  desirable  a  site  was  secured  on  the  east 
side  of  Front  street  below  Center,  and  in  the  smnmer  of  1880  the  erection  of 
the  present  church  edifice  was  begun  thereon.  It  is  a  stone  structure  in  the 
Gothic  style  of  architecture,  ample  in  extent,  and  conveniently  adapted  to 
the  various  purposes  of  a  large  congregation.  The  chapel  was  dedicated, 
November  27,  1881,  Bishop  Andrews,  Keverends  Swallow  and  Yocum,  offi- 
ciating. William  K.  Wertman,  S.  W.  Murray,  and  Moses  Chamberlin  were 
largely  instrumental  in  the  success  of  this  enterprise. 

The  Northumberland  circuit,  embracing  the  entire  West  Branch  valley 


MILTOX.  "  573 

with  other  extensive  territory,  was  formed  on  the  6th  of  May,  1791,  at  a 
meeting  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  conference  at  Bahimore,  Maryland. 
Milton  circuit  was  formed  in  1S41,  and  this  church  became  a  station  in  1S53. 
Under  these  different  arrangements  the  following  clergymen  have  preached 
in  this  part  of  the  county  and  at  Milton  at  the  respective  dates:  1701,  Rich- 
ard Parrott,  Lewis  Browning;  1792.  James  Campbell,  William  Colbert:  1793, 
James  Campbell,  James  Paynter;  1794,  Eobert  Mauley,  John  Broadhead; 
1795,  James  Ward,  Stephen  Tinmous;  1796,  James  Seward,  Richard  Sneath; 
1797,  John  Lackey,  Daniel  Higby:  179S,  John  Lackey,  John  Leach;  1799, 
James  Moore,  Benjamin  Ridlack,  Daniel  Stevens:  ISOO,  Ephraim  Chambers, 
Edward  Larkins,  Asa  Smith;  ISOl,  Johnson  Dunham,  Gilbert  Car^Jenter; 
1802,  Anning  Owen,  James  Aikens:  1803,  Daniel  Ryan,  James  Eidgeway; 
1804,  Thomas  Adams,  Gideon  Draper:  1805.  Christopher  Fry,  James  Saun- 
ders; 1806,  Robert  Burch.  John  Swartzwelder:  1807,  Nicholas  Willis,  Joel 
Smith;  1808,  Thomas  Curren.  John  Rhodes:  iSn',),  Timothy  Lee,  Loving 
Grant;  1810,  Abraham  Dawson,  Isaac  Puffer:  1811,  B.  G.  Paddock,  J.  H. 
Baker,  R.  Lanning;  1812,  George  Thomas,  Ebenezer  Doolittle:  1813,  Joseph 
Kinkoad,  Israel  Chamberlin;  1814,  John  Hazzard.  Abraham  Dawson;  1815, 
Renaldo  M.  Everetts.  Israel  Cook:  1816,  John  Thomas,  Alpheus  Davis; 
1817,  Benjamin  Ridlack,  Peter  Baker:  181S.  Gideon  Lanning.  Abraham 
Dawson;  1819,  John  Rhodes,  Darius  Williams:  1S2(>,  John  Rhodes,  Israel 
Cook;  1821,  Marmaduke  Pearce,  John  Thomas:  1822,  John  Thomas,  Mor- 
decai  Barry;  1823,  Jacob  R.  Shepherd,  Mordecai  Bariy;  1824,  R.  Cadden. 
F.  McCartney,  R.  Bond;  1825,  Robert  Cadden.  Richard  Bond;  1826,  John 
Thomas,  George  Hildt;  1827,  John  Thomas.  David  Shaver;  1828,  Charles 
Kallfuss,  William  James;  1829.  James  W.  Dunahay,  Josiah  Forest;  1S30, 
James  W.  Dunahay,  Alfred  B.  Eskridge;  1831.  David  Shaver;  1S32,  Mar- 
maduke Pearce,  Isaiah  Forest;  1833,  Isaiah  Forest,  J.  Reed,  Jr.;  1834, 
Henry  Tarring,  Oliver  Ege;  1835.  Henry  Tarring,  J.  Guyer,  R.  Beers,  T. 
Myers;  1836,  Charles  Kallfuss.  J.  T.  Chaney:  1S37,  Charles  Kallfuss.  John 
Hall;  1838-39,  James  Sanks,  Ira  T.  Stratton:  lS4tl.  Thomas  Taneyhill. William 
Hirst;  1841,  Thomas  Taneyhill,  James  W.  ililes  —  John  Bowen,  William 
Hirst;  1842,  John  Bowen,  Thomas  M.  Reese;  1843,  George  Guyer,  George 
A.  Coffey;  1844,  George  Guyer,  Alfred  Wiles:  1845,  Alem  Brittain,  E.  T. 
Busey;  1846,  Alem  Brittain,  J.  W.  Tongue:  1847.  H.  G.  Dill.  J.  J.  Pearce; 
1848,  H.  G.  Dill,  B.  B.  Hamline;  1849,  M.  G.  Hamilton.  David  Castleman; 
1850,  M.  G.  Hamilton,  John  Moorhead;  1851-52,  P.  B.  Reese:  1853-54.  J. 
S.  McMurray;  1855,  Franklin  Dyson;  (Milton  circuit:  1853,  John  Stine.  S. 
Barnes;  1854,  Thomas  Taneyhill.  C.  C.  Maybee:  1855,  Thomas  Taneyhill, 
Franklin  Dyson);  1856-57,  S.  Barnes;  1858-59.  P.  Rescorl;  1860-61,  John 
W.  Langley;  1862-63,  Reuben  Wilson;  1864-65.  George  W.  Cooper;  1866 
-67,  S.  W.  Sears;  1868-69,  E.  W.  Kirby;  187(1-72.  Willian^A.  Houck;  1873 
-74,  S.  C.  Swallow;   1876-77,  A.  D.  Yocum:  1^7^-80.  A.  M,  Barnitz;   1881, 


574  His'roRY  OF  Northumberland  county. 

William  C.  Eobbins;  1SS2-84,  Samuel  Creighton;  1885-87,  Jolm  B.  Pols- 
grove;    1SS8,   Richard  Hinkle,  present  pastor. 

Presbyterian  Church. — There  was  a  considerable  Presbyterian  element 
among  the  early  population  of  Milton  and  vicinity,  connected  with  the  organ- 
izations of  Warrior  Run  and  Chillisqiiaque,  of  which  the  Rev.  John  Bryson 
became  the  first  regular  pastor  in  1789.  After  the  erection  of  a  school  house 
at  Milton  he  began  to  preach  there  occasionally,  but  it  was  not  until  the  year 
1806,  ten  years  after  these  services  were  begun,  that  arrangements  were  made 
for  their  regiilar  continuance.  In  this  movement  James  P.  Sanderson  appears 
to  have  been  the  active  spirit;  he  formulated  a  subscription  paper  for  the 
support  of  preaching  "every  other  Sabbath  for  one  year  from  this  date" 
(April  17.  ISOG),  and  in  this  manner  the  sum  of  sixty-two  dollars,  fifty  cents 
was  pledged  by  the  following  persons:  John  Armstrong,  John  Brady,  Cal- 
hoon  &  Cowden,  John  Chestnut,  David  Derickson,  John  Gillesj^iie,  Elizabeth 
Gallagher.  Robert  Gray,  Edith  Hepburn,  John  Hetherington,  James  Humes, 
James  Hutchinson,  Polly  Housel,  Jane  Irwin,  Samuel  Jordan,  Henry  Kirk, 
James  McCord,  Arthur  McGowan,  James  Miller,  Isaac  Osmond,  William  and 
Thomas  Pollock,  John  Quin,  Ezekiel  and  James  P.  Sanderson,  James  Ser- 
inger,  Daniel  Smith,  Robert  Taggart,  Moses  Teas,  and  Bethuel  Vincent.  It 
is  probable  that  this  list  includes  all  the  Prestn'terians  of  the  town,  and  also 
others  without  the  pale  of  that  church.  In  the  following  year  the  subscrip- 
tion paper  was  again  circulated,  and  the  following  new  names  appear:  Guy  an 
Arthur,  John  Davison,  John  L.  Finney,  Philip  Goodman,  James  Moodie, 
George  Searles,  and  Samuel  H.  Wallis.  Mr.  Bryson  continued  to  preach  at 
Milton  under  this  arrangement,  probably  until  1812,  and  was  connected  with 
religious  and  educational  work  in  this  and  adjoining  counties  until  his  death. 
August  3,  1S55.  In  1810  Rev.  Thomas  Hood  succeeded  him.  and  in  1811. 
with  the  approbation  of  Northumberland  Presbytery,  he  organized  a  church 
at  Milton,  of  which  James  P.  Sanderson,  Lazarus  Finney,  and  Arthur  Mc- 
Gowan, the  first  elders,  were  installed,  December  3,  1811. 

The  school  houses  on  Lower  Market  street  and  Broadway  and  the  Episcopal 
church  in  Marr's  lane  were  the  places  of  worship  until  1817,  when  the  Pres-  ■ 
byterians  united  with  the  Lutheran  and  Reformed  congregations  in  the  erec- 
tion of  Harmony  church.  This  was  abandoned  in  1832,  and  from  that  time 
until  183S  the  Baptist  and  Associate  Reformed  churches  were  occupied.  On 
the  29th  of  August,  1830,  a  congregational  meeting  was  held  to  devise  meas- 
ures for  the  erection  of  a  church  building,  and  a  committee  was  appointed  to 
solicit  subscriptions,  but  the  movement  subsided  without  definite  results.  It 
was  renewed  at  a  congregational  meeting  on  the  8th  of  Aiigust,  1837,  and 
pushed  to  a  successful  cqnsiunmation;  July  29,  1838,  a  one-story  brick  edifice 
on  Front  street  above  Broadway  was  dedicated,  and  in  this  building  the  con- 
gregation worshiped  until  1850,  when  it  was  superseded  by  a  two-story 
brick  edifice  on  the  same  site,  dedicated  August  16,  1857.     This  was  burned 


in  the  fire  of  May  14,  ISSO.  Services  were  then  held  under  a  tent  on  Upper 
Market  street,  in  the  Episcopal  church,  the  building  of  J.  E.  Smith  cV  Com- 
pany, and  the  armory  on  Upper  Market  street,  successively,  until  the  25th  of 
June,  1SS2,  when  the  first  service  was  held  in  the  lecture  room  of  the  pres- 
ent church  edifice,  and  on  the  21st  of  January.  1SS3,  the  audience  room  was 
occuj^ied  for  the  first  time.  This  is  a  stone  structure;  the  main  entrance  is 
on  Walnut  street,  and  the  spire  rises  to  the  height  of  over  one  hundred  fifty 
feet.  The  entire  cost  was  forty-two  thousand  dollars,  and  the  dedication  oc- 
curred, November  20,  1SS7,  Eeverends  E.  F.  Sample.  D.D..  and  E.  M.  Pat- 
terson, D.D.,  officiating. 

Eev.  Thomas  Hood  was  installed  as  pastor  of  this  church.  October  7, 
1812,  and  dismissed,  April  21,  1835;  James  Williamson,  installed.  November 
27,  1838,  was  dismissed,  October  8,  1845;  David  Longmore,  D.  D..  installed. 
November  17,  1846,  was  dismissed,  Ajjril  16,  1854;  James  C.  Watson.  D.  D., 
installed,  December  14,  1854,  cUed,  Aitgust  31,  1880;  S.  Henry  Bell,  installed, 
February  22,  1882,  was  dismissed,  April  17.  18S9:  W.  P.  Breed,  present  pas- 
tor, was  installed,  February  10,  1890. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  elders,  with  dates  of  ordination  or  installation, 
and  of  death  or  removal  from  other  cause:  James  P.  Sanderson,  December 
3,  1811,  died,  Sejitember  2,  1852;  Lazarus  Finney,  December  3,  1811,  died, 
1833;  Arthur  McGowan,  December  3,  1811,  died,  December  24,  1838;  Eob- 
ert  Gray,  August  14,  1819,  ceased  to  act,  1843;  William  Nesbit,  August  14, 
1819,  died,  1863;  Joseph  Marr,  May  17,  1827.  died,  August,  1881;  William 
L.  Housel,  May  17,  1827;  Thomas  Candor,  May  17,  1827;  John  Vandyke, 
May  17,  1827,  ceased  to  act,  November  27,  1838;  Thomas  Pollock,  July  25, 
1839;  Joseph  Boimd,  July  25,  1839,  died,  May  12,  1873;  John  Sample,"  No- 
vember 23,  1839,  ceased  to  act.  May  20,  1849;  John  Murray,  November  16. 
1849,  died,  July  8,  1866;  Eobert  Candor,  November  16,  1849,  died,  January 
10,  1881;  Robert  Hayes,  November  16,  1849,  ceased  to  act.  May  2,  1S63; 
John  Finney,  April  29,  1S59,  died,  July  3,  1877;  William  C.  Lawson,  April 
29,  1859;  David  Krauser,  April  29,  1859,  died,  Augiist  11,  1875;  William 
Stedden,  April  29,  1859,  died,  November  7.  1889;  Samuel  McMahan,  January 
14,  1871,  ceased  to  act,  September  29.  1876;  Samuel  Oaks,  January  14,  1871. 
died,  January  3,  1887;  Spencer  L.  Finney,  January  14.  1871;  Isaac  D.  Kase, 
March  29,  1885,  died,  February  12,  1888;  Robert  M.  Longmore,  March  29, 
1885.  William  C.  Lawson,  Spencer  L.  Finney,  and  Robert  M.  Longmore 
constitute  the  present  session. 

St.  Jolin's  Reformed  Church. — It  has  been  stated  that  the  first  religious 
services  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  Milton  of  which  there  is  any  record  were 
held  by  a  Reformed  minister.  This  denomination  was  early  represented 
among  the  Geiman  element,  and  although  there  is  no  record  of  the  organiza- 
tion it  was  doubtless  among  the  first  religious  bodies  that  secured  regular 
pastoral  services.     The  school  house  on  Lower   Market   street  was   the   first 


570  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

place  of  worship.  In  ISOT,  uniting  with  the  Lutherans,  a  small  one-story 
log  house  on  the  south  side  of  Mahoning  street  was  purchased  for  school  and 
church  purposes,  and  here  the  Rev.  Justus  Henry  Fries  and  other  early  Re- 
formed preachers  conducted  worship  and  administered  the  sacraments  agree- 
ably to  the  usages  of  their  church. 

In  1817,  neither  the  Presbyterian,  Reformed,  or  Lutheran  congregations 
being  strong  enough  numerically  or  financially  to  irndertake  the  erection  of 
a  church  edifice  individually,  they  iinited  in  the  construction  of  a  imion  church 
building  near  the  foot  of  the  hill  at  the  eastern  end  of  Mahoning  street.  In 
this  movement  Daniel  R.  Bright  was  the  leading  spirit;  associated  with  him 
as  building  trustees  were  Adam  Follraer  and  Adam  Gundekunst,  and  under 
their  supervision  the  carpenter  work  was  done  by  Conrad  Heniy,  and  the 
stone  and  brick  work  by  James  Shearer  and  John  Snyder.  The  corner-stone 
was  laid,  October  o,  1817,  by  the  Reverends  Hood,  Repass,  and  Fries,  in  the 
presence  of  Lutheran,  Reformed,  and  Presbyterian  people.  The  work  did  not 
progress  very  raj^idly,  however,  and  it  was  not  until  the  23d  and  24th  of  May, 
(Simday  and  Monday),  1819,  that  Harmony  church  was  dedicated.  At  that 
time  the  Reformed  congregation  was  fiiUy  organized  with  Christian  Markle  as 
elder  and  Joseph  Rhoads  as  deacon,  and  Mr.  Fries  became  its  regularly  in- 
stalled pa.stor. 

As  thus  completed,  Harmony  church  was  a  large  two-story  brick  edi- 
fice, fronting  toward  the  west,  and  surmounted  by  a  cupola  and  bell.  Spacious 
galleries  extended  around  three  sides  of  the  church;  the  pulpit  was  at 
the  east  side,  made  of  beautiful  carved  work,  and  elevated  considerably. 
There  were  four  entrances,  two  on  the  west  and  one  *ach  on  the  north  and 
south.  The  completion  of  so  expensive  a  work  of  architecture  as  this  was 
considered  at  that  day  left  the  joint  owners  a  debt  of  several  thousand  dollars, 
for  the  liquidation  of  which  resort  was  had  to  a  lottery.  The  tickets  were 
sold  at  three  dollars;  but  from  various  causes  the  necessarv'  amount  was  not 
realized.  This  was  in  1822,  and  in  the  month  of  June  of  that  year,  while 
the  lottery  scheme  was  being  energetically  pushed,  a  singular  natural 
phenomenon  occurred.  On  the  afternoon  of  a  clear  day  a  small  cloud  was 
observed  to  rise  in  the  west;  it  crossed  above  the  town,  and  without  any  of 
the  other  accompaniments  of  a  storm  a  single  flash  of  lightning  struck  the 
steeple  of  Harmony  church,  tearing  a  crooked  furrow  in  the  plastering  of  the 
southeast  side  from  the  ceiling  to  the  floor.  This  was  regarded  by  many  as 
an  indication  of  divine  displeasure  at  the  discord  then  prevaihng  among  the 
three  churches,  and  disapproval  of  the  methods  resorted  to  in  raising  money. 
At  all  events,  the  lottery  was  abandoned;  the  Lutheran  and  Reformed 
churches  paid  the  debt  in  1827,  and  instituted  civil  proceedings  to  compel 
the  Presbyterians  to  contribute  their  share,  obtaining  judgment  in  the  sum 
of  one  thousand  two  hundred  sixty-two  dollars.  On  the  27th  of  January, 
1831,  the  interest  of  the  Presbyterians  was   sold  at  sheriff's  sale  and  pur- 


^  atTAJlf^/U> 


-r^-^L-^pz 


MILTON.  579 

chased  by  Adam  Follnier  for  eight  hundred  dollars.  The  Reformed  and 
Lutheran  congregations  thus  secured  exclusive  possession,  and  for  nearly  a 
score  of  years  were  the  joint  occupants  of  the  ehureh.  during  which  period 
the  name  was  somewhat  more  appropriate  than  during  its  pre\-ious  history. 
In  1S50  the  Lutherans  withdrew,  and  from  that  date  the  Reformed  congre- 
gation o\vTaed  and  occupied  the  church  individually  until  1S66. 

At  a  congregational  meeting  in  Januarj-,  1806,  the  desire  for  the  erection 
of  a  new  church  editice  was  foiTnally  expressed  by  the  aj^pointment  of  a 
building  committee  comjjosed  of  Le\'i  Truckenmiller,  William  H.  Frymire, 
J.  M.  Follmer.  Charles  Xewhard,  Aaron  Reber,  John  Houtz,  and  Jacob  Houtz. 
The  consistory  at  that  time  consisted  of  William  H.  Frymire,  Charles  New- 
hard,  Jacob  M.  Follmer,  and  Levi  Balliet,  elders;  deacons:  John  J.  Faus- 
naught,  William  D.  Snyder.  Simon  Gheris,  and  Aaron  Reber.  The  corner- 
stone was  laid,  May  IT,  1860.  and  the  dedication  occurred  on  the  18th  of 
November  following.  The  materials  of  the  old  church  were  largely  utilized, 
and  the  new  building,  two  stories  high  and  constructed  of  brick,  occupied 
the  same  site  as  the  present  place  of  worship  on  the  west  side  of  Arch  street 
above  Broadway.  It  was  destroyed  in  the  fire  of  May  14,  1880.  July  24, 
1881,  the  corner-stone  of  a  new  church  was  laid:  Charles  Xewhard,  Israel 
Scott,  Levi  Balliet.  John  Houtz,  Peter  Rangier,  and  Rev.  S.  B.  Schafer,  the 
pa.stor.  constituted  the  building  committee.  This  edifice  was  completed  in 
due  time,  but  owing  to  defective  construction  it  was  removed  in  1887.  The 
corner-stone  of  the  present  church  was  laid  on  the  4th  of  September,  1887. 
and  the  basement  was  u>ed  for  the  first  time  on  the  first  Simday  in  May, 
1888.  This  is  a  handsome  brick  structure  with  a  seating  capacity  of  eight 
hundred,  and  cost  seventeen  thousand  dollars.  The  Rev.  Justus  Henry  Fries 
continued  to  serve  this  church  as  pastor  until  1823.  He  was  followed  by 
Samuel  Gutelius,  1S24-27;  Henry  Wagner,  1827-35;  Daniel  Gring,  1835- 
46;  Ephraim  Kieffer.  English  colleague  to  Mr.  Gring,  1840-44.  followed  by 
Henr}-  Harbaugh.  1844— 40,  when  he  succeeded  to  the  pastorate  entirely  and 
remained  until  184'.):  Edwin  M.  Long,  1849-52:  Albert  G.  Dole,  1853-65; 
Samuel  H.  Reid,  1866-73:  F.  F.  Bahner,  1873-77;  S.  B,  Schafer,  1878-82; 
F.  C.  Yost,  1883-89;  D.  W.  Ebbert.  1890,  present  pastor. 

Trinity  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church. — Among  the  first  Lutherans  at 
Milton  were  the  families  of  Augstadt,  Bastian,  Beckley.  Beidleman,  Bright, 
Burrman,  Kreitzer,  Dressier,  Egner,  Eckbert,  Fidler.  Follmer.  Freed,  Gehrig, 
Goodman.  Haller.  Hartman.  Hill,  Kohr,  Leib,  Markle.  Morrison,  Noriconk, 
Overpeck.  Peeler,  Peterman.  Robins,  Schreyer,  Stine,  Strine.  Swenk,  Trout, 
Wilhelm.  Wolfinger.  etc.  The  first  clergy  of  this  denomination  who  held 
services  at  Milton  were  traveling  preachers  who  visited  this  part  of  the  State 
at  irregular  and  infrequent  intervals,  and  their  first  place  of  worship  was  the 
school  house  erected  on  Lower  Market  street  in  1796.  After  the  Broadway 
school  house  was  built  it  became  the  meeting  place.     In  1807,  uniting  with 


580  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

the  Reformed  congregation,  a  small  one-story  log  house  on  the  south  side  of 
Mahoning  street  was  purchased  for  school  and  church  j-iurposes;  but  the 
school  was  not  a  success,  although  occasional  worshii>  was  conducted  here  by 
the  Eeverends  Eyer,  Stock,  and  Engle.  In  1817  the  Lutherans  were  rej^re- 
sented  by  Adam  Follmer  in  the  building  committee  of  Harmony  church,  and 
at  its  dedication,  May  23,  1819,  they  were  regularly  organized  as  a  church 
with  Philip  H.  Shreyer  as  elder,  John  Hill  as  deacon,  and  Rev.  Philip  Re- 
pass as  pastor.  When  the  interest  of  the  Presbyterians  in  Harmony  church 
was  sold  it  was  purchased  by  Adam  Follmer,  a  member  of  this  church,  for 
the  Lutheran  and  Reformed  congregations,  who  worshiped  there  until  1850, 
when  the  former  disposed  of  their  interest  and  erected  a  two-storj-  brick  edi- 
fice on  the  south  side  of  Mahoning  street  near  the  central  part  of  the  town. 
It  was  dedicated,  May  4,  1851.  In  1868  this  was  sold  to  the  Evangelical 
church.  On  Sunday,  Augiist  25,  1867,  the  corner-stone  of  a  new  church  had 
been  laid  at  the  southeast  corner  of  Mahoning  and  Second  streets,  and  on 
the  1st  of  November,  1868,  the  lecture  room  of  this  edifice  was  dedicated. 
It  was  a  brick  building,  erected  at  a  cost  of  thirty  thousand  dollars,  and  was 
justly  regarded  as  one  of  the  most  commodious  churches  in  central  Penn- 
sylvania. 

The  fire  of  May  14,  1880,  having  destroyed  this  building,  the  pastor.  Rev. 
W.  H.  Gotwald,  called  a  meeting  of  the  council  three  days  later,  at  which  it 
was  resolved  to  undertake  at  once  the  work  of  rebuilding.  Assistance  from 
the  church  at  large  was  generously  given  in  the  sum  of  five  thousand  five 
hiuidred  thirty-three  dollars,  twenty-two  cents;  the  Lower  Market  Street  and 
Center  Street  school  buildings  were  occupied  imtil  May  13,  1881,  when  the 
first  service  was  held  in  the  lecture  room  of  the  new  church.  The  architect 
was  C.  G.  Wetzel,  the  contractor,  Charles  Krug,  and  the  cost,  ten  thousand 
dollars.  The  lecture  room  was  dedicated.  May  15,  1881;  the  first  service 
was  held  in  the  audience  room,  March  19,  1882,  and  on  the  26th  of  that 
month  it  also  was  dedicated. 

The  first  regular  pastor  was  Rev.  Philip  Repass,  who  resided  in  Union 
county  and  preached  at  Milton  only  at  long  intervals.  His  successor.  Rev. 
F.  Waage,  was  the  first  resident  pastor  at  Milton;  his  field  of  labor  included 
also  Williamsport,  Turbutville,  Follmer's,  Muncy,  Chillisquaque,  Strawberry 
Ridge,  and  Hall's.  He  had  charge  three  years,  1826-29,  and  from  that  date 
the  pastoral  succession  has  been  as  follows:  William  Garman,  1829-30;  C. 
P.  Miller,  1831-33;  J.  G.  Anspach,  June  19,  1836,  to  June,  1837;  C.  F. 
Stoever,  September  2,  1837,  to  1842;  Eli  Swartz,  1842-44;  Frederick 
Ruthrauf,  April  1,  1845,  to  November,  1850;  J.  J.  Reimensnyder,  April  17. 
1851,  to  April  1,  1854;  C.  C.  Culler,  June  30,  1854,  until  death,  Augusl  19, 
1860;  T.  T.  Titus,  March,  1861,  to  April,  1863;  S.  P.  Spreecher,  May,  1863. 
to  April,  1865;  George  Parsons,  July  1,  1865,  to  October  1,  1868;  U.  Graves. 
October  2,  1868,  to  September  24,  1870;  A.  Buhrman,  April,  1871,  to  1873; 


MILTOX.  581 

"W.  H.  Gotwald,  May  1,  1S73,  to  1SS7;  J.  M.  Eeimensnyder,  present  pastor, 
assumed  charge  in  1SS7. 

Christ  Evangelical  Lutheran  Churcli  was  organized.  July  5.  ISSS,  at 
the  Milton  opera  house,  with  aboiit  one  hundred  members,  of  whom  the  fol- 
lowing were  elected  as  ofKcers:  Peter  Oliphant,  Edward  Hoy,  elders;  Will- 
iam Wetzel,  Charles  Gast,  John  Noriconk,  Thomas  Brooks,  deacons.  Eev. 
J.  A.  Flickinger,  then  of  West  Sandlake,  New  York,  preached  his  tirst  ser- 
mon to  this  congregation,  July  S,  1888;  he  accepted  a  call  to  become  its 
pastor  in  September,  removed  to  Milton  November  27th,  and  assumed  the 
pastoral  functions  December  Ist  of  the  same  year.  The  congregation  wor- 
shijied  at  the  opera  house  during  the  erection  of  the  present  church  edifice 
on  Center  street  east  of  Ehn,  of  which  the  corner-stone  was  laid.  Febniaiy 
27,  1SS9,  and  the  dedication  occurred  on  the  (ithof  October  following.  It  is 
a  brick  building,  with  Sunday  school  rooms  in  the  rear;  the  audience  room 
has  galleries  at  the  front  and  sides,  and  a  seating  capacity  of  eight  himdred. 

The  Associate  Reformed  Church  was  organized  in  1818  by  Rev.  George 
Junkin,  and  included  among  its  membership  the  families  of  Pollock.  Arthur, 
Davison,  Dieffenderfer,  Dougal,  Fleming,  Hepburn,  Hutchinson,  Kelchner, 
Landis,  Mackey,  Marr,  Rittenhouse,  Rhoads,  Seibert,  Teas,  Tweed,  Yanlew,  etc., 
most  of  whom  had  previously  been  connected  with  the  Presbyterian  church 
and  separated  from  it  because  of  a  preference  for  Rouse's  version  of  the 
Psalms  and  various  other  considerations.  The  school  houses  of  the  town  and 
the  Episcopal  church  were  the  first  places  of  worship.  In  1S20  a  frame 
church  edifice  was  built  in  Church  lane,  now  called  Filbert  street,  and  the 
first  meeting  therein  was  held,  January  19,  1821.  This  received  the  name  of 
Shiloh  church.  In  1854  it  was  sold  to  the  Philadelphia  and  Erie  Railroad 
Company,  and  a  brick  edifice  was  erected  on  Walnut  street  at  a  cost  of  nine 
thousand  dollars. 

Rev.  George  Junkin,  the  first  pastor,  and  the  first  resident  clergv'man  at 
Milton,  resigned  in  1830,  and  was  succeeded  by  the  following  ministers: 
William  Wilson,  1831-3G;  John  McKinley,  1837-39;  J.  A.  Crawford,  1840- 
4.:);  Matthew  Smith,  1847-48;  W.  H.  T.  Wylie,  1854-65.  From  the  latter 
date  there  was  no  regular  pastor.  The  church  edifice  erected  in  1854  was 
burned  in  1880  and  the  site  was  sold  to  the  Presbyterians.  And  thus  this 
church,  for  many  years  a  prominent  factor  in  the  religious  life  of  the  town, 
ceased  to  exist. 

The  Milton  Baptist  Church  originated  in  the  labors  of  the  Rev.  Eugenio 
Kincaid,  a  missionary  of  that  church  who  visited  this  place  in  1820  while  on 
a  preaching  tour  through  the  West  Branch  region.  There  was  then  but  one 
member  of  his  church  here.  Miss  Susanna  Thomas,  but  Mr.  Kincaid  at  .once 
entered  upon  the  work  of  preaching,  and  on  the  25th  of  August,  182f').  org  p- 
ized  a  society  with  nine  members,  viz.,  Eugenio  Kincaid  and  Almy  his  wife. 
William    Thomas   and  Catherine  his   wife,    Susanna   Thomas,   Nathan   and 


582  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

Martha  Delany,  Sarah  Watts,  and  Harriet  Geddis.  The  first  service  of  bap- 
tism by  immersion  in  the  Siisquehanna  at  this  point  occurred  on  Sunday, 
September  10,  1826,  immexliately  after  the  morning  sermon,  when  the  mis- 
sionary pastor  baptized  his  recent  converts  in  the  presence  of  a  large  con- 
course of  people  assembled  on  the  river  banks.  The  first  deacons  of  this 
church,  James  Moore,  Sr.,  and  William  Thomas,  were  ordained  in  Aiigust, 
1882. 

The  first  church  building,  a  plain  one-story  brick  building  of  medium 
size,  with  steeple  and  beU,  was  built  in  1829  on  the  west  side  of  Church  lane 
(Filbert  street),  upon  groimd  donated  for  the  purpose  by  James  Moore,  and 
served  as  a  place  of  worship  until  IS'58.  In  that  year  a  two-story  brick 
edifice  was  erected  at  the  southeast  comer  of  Elm  and  Center  streets.  It  was 
burned  in  1880,  and  was  succeeded  by  the  present  church  building,  a  brick 
structure  with  tower  in  front,  one  of  the  most  substantial  and  attractive  places 
of  worship  in  the  borough. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  pastors  since  the  organization  of  the  church: 
Eugenio  Kincaid,  1820-30;  George  Higgins,  1830-34;  Thomas  B.  Bro\vn, 
1835-37;  David  C.  Wait.  1838-39;  Colhns  Hewitt,  1840-45;  .Joel  E.  Brad- 
ley, 184(5-52;  Howard  Malcolm.  D.  D..  president  of  Bucknell  University, 
1853-50;  Thomas  F.  Curtis,  D.  D.,  professor  in  Bucknell  University,  1850- 
63;  James  Parker,  T.  E.  Clapp,  and  William  B.  Thomas,  1804-68;  A.  C. 
Wheat,  1808-70;  Joseph  Green  Miles,  1871-78;  E.  C.  Houck,  A.  H.  Em- 
mons, and  W^.  C.  McNaul,  present  pastor. 

Zion  African  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  as  an  organized  body,  dates 
from  the  year  1849,  when  the  old  Broadway  school  house  was  purchased  and 
removed  to  its  present  location  on  the  hill  east  of  the  railroad;  there  it  has 
since  been  the  place  of  worship  for  this  congregation.  Traveling  clergymen 
had  occasionally  visited  Milton  prior  to  the  date  given,  but  the  society  did 
not  enjoy  the  advantages  of  regular  pastoral  care  until  the  arrival  of  the  Rev. 
Philip  Lum,  who  has  been  succeeded  by  the  following  ministers:  Reverends 
Jacob  Trusty,  Shadrach  Golding,  Samuel  Gray,  J.  P.  Laws,  John  Scott,  John 
Carter,  Basle  Macall,  Joseph  Sinclair.  John  Carter,  John  Cox,  John  Ander- 
son, Isaac  Coleman,  Charles  WaUis,  Mr.  Spence,  H.  H.  Baskiston,  James 
Barnes,  James  Henry,  John  Price,  Bluford  Powell,  Taylor  Brown,  Mitchell, 
Tillman,  Dangerfield,  Ephraim  Frisbee.  and  John  H.  Williams,  present  pastor. 

The  Evangelical  Association  established  a  mission  at  Milton  in  1806 
under  the  Rev.  Samuel  Davis,  who  labored  here  for  two  years  with  marked 
success  in  the  old  Lutheran  church  on  Mahoning  street.  A  society  was  reg- 
ularly organized  in  the  spring  of  1809  under  Rev.  J.  M.  Pines.  In  1870  a 
lot  of  ground  on  Lower  Market  street  was  purchased  for  a  church  site,  and  a 
log  house  thereon  fitted  up  for  temporary  occupation  as  a  place  of  worship. 
This  was  removed  in  1872,  andthe  erection  of  a  frame  church  building,  forty  by 
seventy-four  feet  in  dimensions,  was  begim ;  it  was  dedicated,  January  31,  1875, 


MILTON.  583 

by  Bishop  Kuclolph  Dubs,  and  at  that  time  the  society  numbered  eighty-four 
members.  This  church  was  burned,  May  14, 18S0;  the  erection  of  the  present 
edifice  was  at  oncebegim,  and  it  was  dedicated,  December  18.  ISSl.  The  fol- 
lowing is  a  list  of  pastors:  Reverends  Samuel  Davis.  J.  M.  Pines,  A.  H.  Ir\-in, 
Henry  B.  Hertzler,  Adam  W.  Schenberger,  S.  P.  Remer,  Henry  A.  Stoke, 
J.  A.  Irvin,  C.  W.  Finkbinder.  A.  H.  Irviu,  and  G.  "\V.  Curran.  the  present 
pastor. 

Bethel  African  Methodist  Episcopal  Zion  Church  was  organized  in 
1S7S  by  Rev.  "William  Williamson,  and  worshiped  until  the  tire  of  ISSO  in 
a  warehouse  on  Broadway  at  the  canal.  Then  for  two  years  their  services 
Avere  held  at  the  house  of  Edward  Carter,  and  after  several  years'  effort  the 
present  frame  church  edifice  was  erected  on  "Willow  street.  The  trustees  in 
ISSl  were  Edward  Carter,  James  Bond,  Cyrus  "Woodson,  and  George  Hector. 
Reverends  "Williamson,  Henderson,  Palmer,  Riley,  Skinner,  Steward,  "Wood- 
son, and  Thomas  have  successively  served  as  pastors,  Mr.  Thomas  being  the 
present  incumbent. 

SrXDAT    SCHOOLS. 

The  first  Sunday  school  in  Milton  was  commenced  in  the  spring  of  1815 
in  the  Broadway  Street  school  house,  subsequently  the  African  Methodist 
church.  The  names  of  the  teachers  and  officers  were  as  follows:  superin- 
tendent, Benjamin  Vincent:  teachers:  B.  Vincent.  Thomas  Chestnut,  Joseph 
B.  Anthony,  James  Armstrong.  Thomas  Armstrong,  Fleming  "W.  Pollock, 
James  P.  Sanderson,  Henrv'  P.  Sanderson,  Sally  Vincent.  Eleanor  Sander- 
son, Katy  Chestnut.  Ann  Chestnut.  Hannah  Reese,  Polly  Armstrong,  and 
Nancy  Reese.  Each  scholar  fiimished  his  own  books,  which  included  the 
Bible,  hymn  book,  and  catechism.  Regular  attendance  was  encouraged  by 
the  distribution  each  Sunday  of  blue  pasteboard  cards,  upon  each  of 
which  a  verse  of  Scripture  was  printed,  and  a  certain  number  of  these  entitled 
the  holder,  by  a  species  of  arithmetical  progression,  to  a  Testament  or  Bible. 

The  second  Sunday  school  was  organized  in  the  spring  of  1810  at  the 
frame  dwelling  house  of  David  Derickson  on  Front  street.  It  was  conducted 
entirely  by  ladies,  and  the  executive  authority  was  vested  in  two  directresses, 
elected  monthly.  The  teachers  were  Mary  Vincent,  Eleanor  Sanderson, 
Hannah  Reese,  Mrs.  David  Rittenhouse,  Mrs.  Samuel  Hepburn,  Mrs.  Jeannie 
Brady,  Mrs.  Mary  Jones,  'Mis.  Joseph  Campbell,  and  Martha  Johnson. 
Misses  Vincent  and  Sanderson  were  the  first  two  directresses.  The  Derick- 
son room  having  been  found  too  small,  more  commodious  quarters  were  foimd 
at  the  house  of  David  Rittenhouse,  then  in  course  of  erection.  The  school 
"was  composed  principally  of  very  young  children,  and  with  the  approach  of 
winter  its  sessions  were  suspended,  never  to  be  again  resumed. 

Sunday  school  work  was  not  again  undertaken  imtil  1825,  when  a  third 
organization  came  into  existence  at   the  suggestion  of  Rev.  Thomas  Hood, 


584  HISTOKY    OF    NOETHUMBEKLAND    COUNTY. 

pastor  of  the  Presbyterian  chiirch.  This  school  met  at  the  Lower  Market 
Street  school  house,  and  Arthur  McGowan  was  its  first  superintendent. 
Among  the  first  teachers  were  Joseph  Marr,  Phineas  B.  Marr,  Daniel  Gaston, 
Samuel  F.  Headley,  David  Hull,  Hannah  Eeese,  Marj'  McGowan,  Martha 
Jones,  and  others.  In  IS'26  Mr.  McGowan  was  succeeded  by  William  Housel; 
at  that  date  John  M.  Patton  was  secretary  of  the  school,  and  its  teachers 
were  Daniel  Gaston,  Samuel  F.  Headley,  David  Hull,  John  F.  "VVoltinger, 
Hannah  Reese,  Mary  McGowan,  Martha  Jones,  Hannah  Maria  Hepburn, 
Maria  Buchanan,  and  Elizabeth  Moore.  Subsequently  the  school  met  at 
Harmony  church,  then  again  at  the  school  house;  in  1833  it  was  moved  into 
John  Chestnut's  frame  building  on  Front  street,  then  to  the  Lancasterian 
school  house  on  Elm  street,  and  in  1838  to  the  Presbyterian  church.  At 
the  latter  date  it  became  a  Presbyterian  school,  with  Joseph  Bound  as  super- 
intendent, and  has  since  continued  its  career  of  prosperous  usefulness. 

The  fourth  Sunday  school  of  the  town,  organized  exclusively  for  very 
yoimg  children,  was  commenced  in  the  spring  of  1820  in  the  east  room  of  a 
frame  house  that  stood  at  the  corner  of  Elm  and  Mahoning  streets.  The 
first  superintendent  was  Samuel  F.  Headley,  and  his  immediate  successor 
was  Da\-id  Hull.  The  place  of  meeting  was  subsequently  changed  to  John 
Chestnut's  saddler  shop  on  Front  street,  but  the  school  disbanded  when  Mr. 
Hull  retired  from  the  superintendency. 

In  the  spring  or  simimer  of  1826  the  Associate  Reformed  Sunday  school 
was  organized  in  the  Rev.  George  Junkin's  church  with  Matthew  Laird  and 
Daniel  Gaston  as  superintendents.  The  first  teachers  were  Daniel  Gaston, 
Joseph  Marr,  Phineas  B.  Marr.  Samuel  F.  Headley,  David  Hull,  Samuel  Pol- 
lock, James  Pollock,  James  Ireland,  William  Ireland,  Ellen  Sanderson,  Sarah 
McCleery,  Jane  McCleery,  Jane  Hutchinson,  Ellen  (or  Eleanor)  Hutchinson, 
Hannah  Rittenhouse,  and  Mary  Rittenhouse.  May  20,  1833,  it  gave  place  to 
another  school  organized  in  the  same  church  with  Dr.  Samuel  Pollock  as  super- 
intendent. From  1833  to  1839  it  had  an  average  attendance  of  seventy  schol- 
ars, and  was  continued  with  varying  success  until  April  1,  1805,  when  it 
disbanded  entirely. 

The  Baptist  Siinday  school  was  organized  in  March,  1833.  with  William 
Thomas  and  James  Moore,  Sr.,  as  superintendents.  Among  the  first  teachers 
were  Robert  M.  Seydell,  James  Ward,  and  Mrs.  Harriet  Markle.  It  is  still 
continued  with  a  large  measure  of  usefulness,  and  has  been  a  sectarian  organ- 
ization throughout  its  history. 

The  Methodist  Simday  school  was  organized  in  1837  with  Robert  Moodie 
and  John  Nevins  as  its  first  superintendents.  Among  the  teachers  at  an 
early  period  in  its  history  were  Thomas  Evans,  Moses  Chamberlin,  Thomas 
Mervine,  James  WTiite,  John  Clark,  Katy  Hougendobler,  and  Rachel  Correy. 
This  school  has  always  been  distinctively  denominational  in  its  character, 
and  has  shared  in  the  prosperity  of  the  flourishing  organization  with  which 
it  is  connected. 


MILTON.  585 

In  the  spring  of  1S8S  the  Lutheran  and  Reformed  congregations  estab- 
lished Harmony  Sunday  school  imder  the  superintendency  of  Daniel  Vanlew. 
July  20,  1840,  it  was  reorganized  under  the  name  of  the  "  New  Har- 
mony Siinday  School,"  with  Daniel  Yanlew,  superintendent;  Abraham  T. 
Goodman,  librarian:  Daniel  Sterner,  secretary;  Daniel  S.  Goodman,  treas- 
urer, and  L.  L.  BeitUeman.  John  Datesman,  Frederick  Goodman,  and 
Thomas  Strine,  managers.  On  the  10th  of  October  in  the  same  year  the 
name  was  changed  to  "Union  Sunday  School,"'  and  under  this  name  it  was 
contini;ed  imtil  August  9,  1S47,  when  it  became  a  distinctively  Lutheran 
school  and  has  so  continued.  In  the  year  ending  July  2(5,  1847,  it  numbered 
one  hundred  thirty  scholars  and  twenty-two  teachers,  and  had  a  library  of 
three  hundred  fifty  volumes.  The  Bible  class  was  organized,  July  18,  1854, 
and  the  infant  department,  November,  5,  1S54. 

The  Reformed  Sunday  school  was  organized,  June  1,  18ol,  under  "William 
H.  Frymire  as  its  first  superintendent,  and  is  still  continued  with  a  fair  degree 
of  prosperity. 

The  first  African  Sunday  school  was  started  in  1850  under  the  manage- 
ment of  John  Chambers  and  Mrs.  Sarah  Carter.  A  second  was  begim  in 
1878. 

The  Evangelical  Sunday  school  was  organized  in  1808,  with  Rev.  Samuel 
Davis  as  first  superintendent,  and.  although  one  of  the  most  recently  formed 
in  the  town,  has  proven  a  useful  adjunct  to  that  church. 

A  Lutheran  mission  school  was  established  in  1873  with  Isaiah  Ditzler  as 
superintendent.  This  is  still  continued  as  the  Sunday  school  of  Christ 
Lutheran  church. 

MISCELLANEOUS    MOR.VL    .\ND    HUMAXITAPJAN    OEGANIZ.ITIONS. 

The  Susquelianna  Bible  Society  was  formed  in  1815,  embracing  the  coxm- 
ties  of  Northumberland,  Columbia.  Lycoming,  and  I'nion,  and  its  first  meet- 
ing was  held  at  Milton,  October  20, 1810.  It  sustained  an  existence  of  fluct- 
uating vitality  for  twenty-three  years,  and  doitbtless  subserved  a  useful  pur- 
pose. 

The  Milton  Bible  Society,  auxiliary  to  the  Susquehanna  Bible  Society,  was 
originally  organized  in  1810.  It  became  extinct  in  1829,  but  was  reorgan- 
ized, August  20,  1839,  with  Rev.  James  "Williamson,  president;  Reverends 
John  McKinley,  Charles  F.  Stoever,  and  John  Miller,  and  Samuel  Hejibum, 
vice-presidents;  John  F.  Wolfinger,  secretary,  and  James  Pollock,  treasurer. 
Its  expressed  object  was  "to  distribute  the  sacred  Scriptiires  without  note  or 
comment,  and  to  aid  the  Susquehanna  Bible  Society  with  its  surplus  funds." 
It  was  superseded  after  six  years  of  active  existence  by  the  Female  Bible 
Society  of  Milton,  organized  August  23.  1845.  which  became  a  valuable  ad- 
junct to  the  churches  of  the  tovni  in  disseminating  religious  truth. 

The  Northtimberland  Missionary  Society  was   formed  in  October,  1818; 


586  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

it  was  coextensive  with  the  Susquehanna  Bibh^  Society  in  territorial  extent, 
and  was  designed  to  provide  preaching  for  destitute  or  indifferent  localities 
as  well  as  to  extend  the  circulation  of  the  Bible.  The  first  officers  were  Rev. 
John  Bryson,  president;  Rev.  Thomas  Hood,  secretary,  and  James  P.  San- 
derson, treasurer,  in  addition  to  whom  there  were  three  vice-presidents  and 
nine  laymen  as  managers.  The  Aiixiliary  Missionary  Society  of  Milton  was 
organized,  October  S,  1824,  for  the  purpose  of  promoting  the  interests  of  the 
parent  bod}\ 

The  Milton  Sunday  School  Union  vfas  organized  in  1826,  and  included  all 
the  Sunday  schools  in  Northumberland,  Columbia,  Union,  and  Lycoming 
counties.  Meetings  were  held  annually  for  several  years,  and  tabulated 
statements  transmitted  to  the  American  Simday  School  Union  at  Philadel- 
phia. These  embraced  a  summary  of  the  condition  of  each  school,  numerical 
and  financial,  its  officers,  literature,  etc.  It  does  not  apj^ear  that  this  asso- 
ciation enjoyed  a  very  long  period  of  active  existence. 

The  Susquehanna  Tract  Society  was  formed  at  Milton  in  1S28.  The 
first  tract  depositarian  and  the  active  spirit  in  the  movement  was  Rev.  George 
Jimkin :  he  was  successively  followed  by  Eliza  McGuigan  and  John  F.  "VVol- 
finger,  and  the  latter,  under  direction  of  the  Philadelphia  Tract  Society, 
wound  up  its  affairs.  There  was  a  Milton  society  auxiliary  to  this  and 
formed  about  the  same  time. 

The  Milton  Temperance  Society  was  organized  in  1830,  mainly  throu:gh 
the  efforts  of  Rev.  George  Junkin,  its  first  president.  Two  years  later  Rev. 
John  Rhodes  was  president  and  John  F.  'NVolfinger,  secretary.  While  this 
society  denounced  the  use  of  ardent  spirits  as  a  beverage,  it  permitted  the 
use  of  wine,  beer,  ale,  and  cider,  and  it  was  not  until  March  20,  1835,  that  a 
total  abstinence  organization,  the  Milton  Reformed  Temperance  Society,  was 
formed,  its  first  president  being  Joseph  Bound  and  first  secretary  John  F. 
Wolfinger.  They  sustained  the  same  official  connection  with  the  other  society, 
and  by  the  united  efforts  of  the  two  organizations  temperance  meetings  were 
held  and  addressed  by  the  best  local  talent  as  well  as  by  speakers  from  a  dis- 
tance. They  also  co-operated  with  similar  societies  at  other  points  in  a  series 
of  "  Northern  Temperance  Conventions,''  which  were  held  at  various  points 
in  the  West  Branch  valley  and  formed  an  important  part  of  the  temperance 
propaganda  in  this  section  of  the  State  at  that  period. 

The  Milton  Association  for  the  Better  Observance  of  the  Christian  Sabbath 
was  formed  in  1844  with  Joseph  Rhoads  as  president  and  John  F.  Wolfinger 
as  secretary.  It  was  designed  to  secure  the  enforcement  of  civil  enactments 
regarding  Sabbath  observance  and  to  promote  the  gro^vth  of  public  sentiment 
favorable  to  such  observance,  in  both  of  which  objects  it  met  the  expectations 
of  its  friends. 

The  Young  Men' s  Christian  Association  of  Milton  had  its  inception  in 
1872.      An  organization  under  that  name  was  formed  at  the  Presbyterian 


^:;:^^-^^^-^^s^ 


MiLToy.  587 

church  on  the  9th  of  April,  1S58,  but  through  lack  of  competent  leadership 
it  disbanded  after  a  brief  career.  The  present  association  was  originally  or- 
ganized, March  3.  1S72,  as  the  ''  Young  Men's  Prayer  Meeting  of  Milton  " 
with  seventeen  members,  of  whom  John  A.  Bright  was  elected  jiresident  and 
John  M.  Caldwell  secretary.  This  was  effected  at  the  study  of  the  Lutheran 
pastor.  In  the  following  year  the  name  was  changed  to  '"  The  Young  People's 
Prayer  Meeting  of  Milton,"'  and  on  the  lOth  of  April,  1S7G,  it  became  "  The 
Christian  Association  of  Milton,"  with  a  membership  including  both  sexes 
and  all  ages.  The  present  name  was  adoi^ted,  June  30,  1878,  when  the  officers 
were  as  follows:  president,  Spencer  L.  Finney;  vice-presidents:  William  P. 
Wheeland  and  William  B.  Snyder;  secretary.  John  F.  Woltinger;  treasurer, 
George  T.  Gawby,  and  librarian.  John  M.  Caldwell.  Hitherto  it  had  been 
piirelya  local  organization,  but  became  associated  with  the  district  and  State 
movements  on  the  ]st  of  March,  1887.  In  April,  188U,  A.  Murrman,  assistant 
secretary  at  Harrisburg,  was  sent  to  Milton  by  the  State  committee  and 
effected  an  organization  upon  the  present  basis  with  a  board  of  managers 
composed  of  John  M.  Caldwell,  president;  B.  B.  Cannon,  vice-president:  E. 
M.  Longmore,  treasurer;  John  M.  Correy,  recording  secretary.  H.  R.  Frick, 
S.  W.  Murray.  D.  Clinger.  A.  A.  Koser,  J.  M.  Hedenburg,  J.  D.  Hartzel,  John 
Y.  Buoy,  U.  G.  Beck,  S.  J.  Shimer,  W.  H.  Beck,  and  A.  L.  Swartz.  For 
some  years  the  meetings  were  held  at  the  different  churches,  and  it  was  not 
until  1887  that  rooms  were  secured  specially  for  the  use  of  the  association. 
The  present  quarters  on  Front  street  were  first  occupied  in  September,  1889, 
when  Mr.  Murrman  assumed  charge  as  general  secretary,  and  from  that  date 
the  usefulness  of  the  association  in  its  social  features  may  properly  be  said  to 
have  begun.     The  membership  in  June,  1890,  was  seventy-two. 

EDUCATIONAL    INTERESTS. 

Educational  effort  at  Milton,  no  less  than  the  material  development  of 
the  town,  received  its  early  impetus  from  Andrew  Straub.  On  the  30tli  of 
August,  1798,  he  conveyed  to  John  Teitsworth.  John  Cochran,  John  Chest- 
nut, John  Armstrong,  and  George  CaDioou,  trustees,  lot  No.  90  of  the  town 
plot,  "for  and  in  consideration  of  the  great  desire"  he  had  "to  promote  the 
education  of  youth  in  the  town  of  Milton"  and  at  the  nominal  sum  of  five 
shillings.  It  was  expressly  stipulated  that  the  lot  in  question  should  be  used 
'■for  the  only  purpose  of  a  school  house  being  erected  thereon  and  a  regular 
English  or  other  school  being  kept  for  the  education  of  youth  in  the  town  of 
Milton,  and  whatsoever  other  uses  may  be  considered  as  beneficial  to  said 
school  by  the  trustees  thereof." 

At  the  time  this  deed  was  executed  a  school  house  had  already  been 
erected.  It  was  a  small  log  building,  and  stood  on  the  triangular  lot  of 
groimd  on  Lower  Market  street  near  the  location  of  a  brick  school  building 
erected  there  in  1872.     The  first  teacher  was   James  Cochran,   and  his  im- 


588  HISTORY    OF    XOETHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

mediate  successors  were  James  McGuigan  and  William  H.  Sanderson.  This 
was  the  only  school  house  in  the  lower  part  of  the  town  from  the  time  of  its 
erection  in  1796  iintil  tlie  year  1807.  It  continued  to  be  used  for  educational 
purposes  until  1S3S. 

In  1802  a  one-story  frame  school  biulding  was  erected  on  Broadway  at 
the  site  of  the  school  house  burned  at  that  place  in  lssi>.  This  was  attended 
by  the  school  population  of  the  ujiper  part  of  the  village,  and  the  first  teacher 
was  John  L.  Finney,  subsequently  register  and  recorder  of  Northumberland 
county. 

Hitherto  no  provision  had  been  made  for  the  education  of  the  German 
element,  which  formed  a  considerable  part  of  the  population.  In  1807  a  log 
school  house  was  built  on  Mahoning  street  by  the  joint  efforts  of  the  Re- 
formed and  Lutheran  congregations;  it  was  designed  to  serve  for  both  school 
and  church  purposes,  and  the  school  conducted  here  combined  religious  and 
secular  instruction.  But  it  did  not  prosper,  perhaps  because  the  English 
schools  offered  superior  advantages,  and  the  enterprise  was  abandoned. 

In  1838  the  log  school  house  originally  erected  on  Lower  Market  street 
was  sold  and  removed  to  the  vicinity  of  the  old  stone  mill  at  the  mouth  of 
Limestone  run,  where  it  was  rebuilt  and  used  as  a  blacksmith  shop.  Its 
former  site  was  marked  by  a  depression  in  the  ground,  which  formed  a  pond 
and  in  the  winter  afforded  skating  for  the  juvenile  population  that  congre- 
gated at  its  successor,  a  brick  school  house  of  two  rooms  erected  in  1838  by 
Thomas  S.  Mackey  under  the  auspices  of  the  local  board  of  directors. 

Secondary  education  early  received  attention  at  Milton.  In  1815  Joseph 
D.  Biles  established  an  English  school  at  the  Broadway  school  house,  adding 
Latin  and  Greek  to  his  curriculum  in  the  following  year.  This  gained  for 
his  school  the  name  of  '"  The  Milton  Academy,"  thus  for  the  first  time  ap- 
plied to  an  educational  institution  at  this  place.  In  1S17  it  nimibered  among 
its  students  John  F.  Wolfinger,  for  many  years  a  member  of  the  Northiun- 
berland  county  bar,  Samuel  Pollock,  and  James  Pollock,  afterward  Governor 
of  Pennsylvania.  But  this  school  did  not  long  continue,  and  other  peda- 
gogues succeeded  Biles  whose  inclination  did  not  impel  them  to  continue  the 
advanced  course  of  study  that  he  established.  The  Broadway  school  house 
continued  in  use  for  educational  purposes  until  1840.  when  it  was  sold  by 
the  directors  and  rebuilt  at  a  different  location  as  an  African  Methodist 
church.  In  the  same  year  it  was  replaced  by  a  new  brick  school  building, 
which  was  destroyed  in  the  tire  of  1880. 

The  Lancasterian  system  was  introduced  in  lS3l',  and  was  the  next  at- 
tempt to  establish  a  school  of  advanced  standing.  This  was  so  called  from 
Joseph  Lancaster,  an  English  educator  by  whom  it  was  elaborated,  and  its 
distingxiishing  feature  was  the  employment  of  pupils  in  the  higher  classes, 
or  the  most  proficient  pupil  in  each  class,  as  assistants  to  the  teacher.  The 
Milton  Lancasterian  Association,  of  which  Henry  Frick  and  Joseph  Rhoads 


MILTON.  589 

were  the  leading  members,  introduced  the  system  at  this  place.  The  school 
was  conducted  in  a  building  at  the  site  of  the  Center  Street  school  house, 
owned  by  the  association  and  erected  in  1S30.  The  first  princijial  was  A.  T. 
W.  Wright,  a  gentleman  of  fine  education  from  Lancaster  county,  Pennsyl- 
vania, and  imder  his  administration  the  school  attained  a  fair  degree  of  pros- 
perity and  popularity.  He  was  succeeded  by  Charles  Guenther,  who  did 
not,  unfortunately,  possess  the  qualifications  of  his  predecessor;  the  associa- 
tion became  involved  financially,  and  its  property  was  sold  at  sheriff's  sale. 
It  was  purchased  by  Henry  Frick,  and  subsequently  passed  to  the  school 
directors ;  they  divided  it  into  three  rooms,  two  of  which,  those  on  the  ea.st 
and  west,  were  used  for  school  purposes,  while  the  apartment  in  the  center 
was  apjirojDriated  to  the  purposes  of  an  armory. 

The  Milton  Academy,  the  leading  educational  institution  of  the  West  Branch 
valley  during  the  period  of  its  existence,  originated  with  the  Eev.  George 
Junkin,  pastor  of  the  Presbyterian  church  and  the  moving  spirit  in  many 
public  enterprises  of  a  moral  and  educational  character.  Through  his  efforts 
a  stock  company  was  formed,  composed  of  Samuel  Hepburn,  Joseph  Ehoads, 
William  H.  Sanderson,  Samuel  Teas.  Sarah  Pollock,  and  others,  by  whom 
a  plain,  one-story  brick  building  was  erected  at  a  cost  of  four  hundred 
dollars  at  the  brow  of  the  hill  on  the  north  side  of  Broadway,  and  a  short 
distance  to  the  east  of  the  frame  school  building  previously  mentioned.  The 
entrance  was  on  the  western  side,  and  from  its  elevated  location  the  academy 
commanded  a  view  of  the  town,  the  river,  and  the  valley.  The  interior  was 
divided  into  two  rooms  by  a  narrow  entrance  hall.  The  apartment  on  the 
north  was  the  smaller  of  the  two:  it  was  occupied  by  the  students  in  Latin 
and  Greek,  the  higher  mathematics,  rhetoric,  etc.,  while  the  other  room  was 
set  apart  for  those  who  had  not  advanced  beyond  the  ordinary  English 
branches.  A  small  cupola  surmounted  the  building,  but  the  necessary 
ajipendage  of  a  bell  was  never  provided. 

The  first  principal  of  the  academy,  to  whom  its  usefulness  as  an  institu- 
tion of  learning  and  the  high  character  it  maintained  were  principally  due, 
was  the  Rev.  David  Kirkpatrick.  He  was  employed  as  a  teacher  of  the  clas- 
sics at  Oxford.  Chester  coiinty,  Pennsylvania,  when  Mr.  Junkin  formed  his 
acquaintance  and  prevailed  on  him  to  change  the  field  of  his  labors;  he 
accordingly  came  to  Milton,  and  on  the  second  Monday  of  May,  1822,  opened 
a  classical  school  at  a  frame  building  that  occupied  the  site  of  Dr.  James  Mc- 
Cleery's  residence  on  Front  street.  In  the  following  October  he  removed  his 
.school  to  the  academy  building,  where  he  taught  imtil  November,  183-1, 
assisted  at  different  times  by  a  Mr.  Maj-ne,  Thomas  C.  Hambly,  and  others. 
Among  his  students  were  many  who  subsequently  acquired  honorable  rank 
in  the  legal  and  medical  professions,  and  as  clergymen,  teachers,  ci\'il 
engineers,  etc. 

The  Milton  Classical  Institute  was  the  next  institution  of  advanced  char- 


590  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

acter  in  the  borough.  It  was  founded  by  a  company  of  citizens  in  1859,  and 
pLiced  in  charge  of  Rev.  William  H.  T.  Wylie,  pastor  of  the  Reformed  Pres- 
byterian church.  The  building  was  a  two  story  brick  structure,  erected  at  a 
cost  of  six  thousand  doUars,  and  situated  on  Prospect  Hill  at  the  site  of  a 
school  house  erected  there  in  lS4o  by  the  school  board.  After  Mr.  Wylie 
retired  the  owners  disposed  of  the  property  to  Colonel  Wright,  of  Rochester, 
New  York,  by  whom  the  school  was  continued  imtil  the  building  was  de- 
stroyed by  fire  in  ISIJT. 

The  first  school  building  on  Center  street,  as  previously  stated,  was  that 
erected  by  the  Lancasterian  Association.  It  was  used  for  school  purposes 
until  IS.l'.J.  when  it  was  replaced  by  a  brick  structure  two  stories  in  height 
and  containing  four  rooms.  The  main  entrance  was  on  the  south  side,  with 
side-doors  on  the  east  and  west,  and  the  building  was  raised  somewhat  above 
the  level  of  the  lot.  This  school  house  was  doubtless  creditable  to  the  town 
at  the  time  when  it  was  built,  and  was  the  largest  in  the  borough  at  the  time 
of  its  destruction  by  tire  in  1880.  It  was  immediately  replaced  by  the  pres- 
ent Center  Street  building,  a  brick  structure  of  ample  and  symmetrical  pro- 
portions, convenient  arrangement,  and  careful  adaptation  to  the  'purposes 
required.  It  was  dedicated  on  the  25th  of  February,  1881,  with  appropriate 
musical  and  literary  exercises,  including  an  address  by  J.  P.  Wickersham, 
State  superintendent ;  the  cost  was  eleven  thousand  eight  hundred  dollars. 

The  Lower  Market  Street  school  house,  a  one-story  brick  building  contain- 
ing two  rooms,  was  built  in  1872,  and  is  the  only  school  house  of  the  borough 
that  escaped  destruction  in  the  fire  of  1880.  It  is  situated  upon  the  lot 
originally  deeded  for  school  purposes  by  Andrew  Straub  in  1798,  and  is  the 
third  building  there  erected. 

The  borough  high  school  was  organized  in  1878,  and  embraces  in  its 
course  of  study  the  higher  mathematics,  Latin,  chemistry,  botany,  physics, 
mental  science,  and  the  Engli.sh  branches.  The  principals  have  been  as  fol- 
lows: William  Foiilk.  J.  Elliott  Ross,  William  Deatrick,  E.  R.  Deatrick,  and 
S.  0.  Goho:  the  last  named  is  the  present  incumbent,  and  was  first  elected  to 
this  position  in  1883.  Its  duties  include  also  the  supervision  of  the  other 
departments  of  the  schools,  and  a  district  superintendency  is  contemplated. 

LOCAL    P.\PEKS. 

The  newspapers  of  Milton  have  been  a  factor  in  its  literary  activity  and 
material  development  since  1816.  Henry  Frick  issued  the  first  number  of 
The  Miltonian  on  the  21st  of  September  in  that  year,  and  the  journal  thus 
established  has  been  continuously  published  longer  than  any  other  in  the 
county.  The  succe.ssion  of  local  newspapers  since  that  date  has  been  as  fol- 
lows: The  States  Advocate,  The  West  Branch  Farmer  and  True  Democrat, 
The  Northumbrian,  The  Milton  Ledger,  The  Advocate  and  Daij-Spring, 
The  Milton  Democrat,  The  Northumberland  Countv  Herald,   The  Milton 


SHAJIOKIN.  591 

Argus.  The  ililton  Economist  (consolidated  with  the  Argus  under  the  name 
of  The  Milton  Record),  and  The  Stcmdard.  Three  papers  are  published  at 
present,  the  Miltonian  and  Record  (weekly),  and  the  Standard  (tri-weekly). 

CEMETERIES. 

The  earliest  place  of  interment  in  the  vicinity  of  Milton  was  south  of 
Ferry  lane  between  Front  street  and  the  river.  The  next  was  the  Eeformed. 
burying  ground,  donated  by  Andrew  Straub  in  1793,  and  the  third  was  the 
Episcopal  graveyard,  ground  for  which  was  given  in  1794  by  Joseph  Marr. 
Straiib  also  gave  the  ground  for  a  Methodist  burial  place.  The  old  Pres- 
brterian  cemetery  grounds  were  conferred  upon  that  congregation  by  Daniel 
Scudder.  All  these  places  of  interment  have  been  abandoned,  and  the  re- 
mains buried  there  have  been  removed. 

The  Milton  Cemetery  Association,  incorporated  in  1S'j3.  controls  what  is 
popularly  known  as  the  '•  upper  cemetery,'"  a  tract  of  land  east  of  the 
Philadelphia  and  Erie  railroad,  possessing  great  natural  beauty  of  scenery, 
enhanced  by  tasteful  and  artistic  arrangement  of  shrubbery,  etc.  Among  the 
recent  interments  here  was  that  of  ex-Governor  James  Pollock. 

The  Harmony  Cemetery  Association,  incorporated  in  1860,  controls  the 
burial  ground  formerly  attached  to  the  old  Harmony  church,  and  hence  the 
place  of  interment  of  many  of  the  German  families  of  the  community 
through  several  generations. 


CHAPTER   XVII. 

SHAMOKIN. 

BiuEF  (IF  Title— The  Town  Plat— Pioneehs—Shamukin  in  Ibo'J— Subsequent 
Growth  Summarized — The  First  Stores  and  Hotels — Early  Physicians 
AND  Lawyers— Municipal  Organization  and  Government— The  Riot  of 
1877— Facilities  of  Travel  and  Transportation- The  Shamokin  Coal 
Trade  — General  Industrial  Interests— The  Postoffice— Banks— "Water, 
Gas,  and  Electric  Light— Board  of  Trade— Secret  and  Other  Societies— 
The    Press— Churches— Educational    Interests— Cemeteries. 

ALTHOrGH  the  old  Beading  road,  opened  in  1770  to  connect  the 
incipient  settlements  of  the  upper  Suscpiehanna  with  the  Schuylkill 
valley,  passed  through  the  present  limits  of  Shamokin  borough,  this 
locahty  was  for  many  years  practically  unmarked  by  the  influences  of  civil- 
ization. There  were  numerous  varieties  of  timber,  but  its  value  was  trifling 
and  a  long  period  elapsed  before  the  waters   of  Shamokin  creek  at  this  part 


592  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

of  its  course  were  made  to  subserve  a  useful  purpose  in  fm-nishing  the  power 
for  a  single  saw  mill;  and  there  was  coal  in  practically  inexhaustible  quanti- 
ties, but  its  existence  was  scarcely  kno^vn  and  the  time  had  not  yet  arrived 
for  its  profitable  development.  And  when,  at  length,  the  miners  pick  and 
shovel  began  the  work  of  prospecting,  the  immediate  results  were  not  such 
as  to  encourage  sanguine  expectations.  The  railroad  and  mining  industries 
of  this  country  had  not  yet  passed  the  experimental  stage,  and  it  was  not 
until  adequate  transportation  facilities  had  been  i^rovided,  with  the  growth 
of  a  demand  for  the  distinctive  product  of  the  region,  that  the  way  was 
opened  for  its  unrestricted  development.  Then  followed  a  rapid  influx  of 
population,  diverse  in  language,  nationality,  and  creed,  but  homogeneous  in 
the  purpose  of  lending  their  common  energies  to  the  work,  and  thus  Sha- 
mokin,  the  largest  town  in  Northumberland  coimty,  has  reached  its  present 
proportions.  It  has  sixteen  churches,  an  efficient  system  of  public  and 
parochial  schools,  water,  gas,  and  electric  light  companies,  three  lines  of 
railway,  two  banks,  and  an  amjile  quota  of  stores  and  hotels,  while  the  coll- 
ieries of  the  surrounding  region  and  a  variety  of  local  industrial  establish- 
ments furnish  employment  for  the  population. 

BRIEF    OF    TITLE. 

The  following  brief  of  title  of  the  town  plat  of  Shamokin  is  presented 
through  the  courtesy  of  John  P.  Helfenstein: — 

Survey  to  Samuel  Clark,  August  3,  1773;  patent  to  Samuel  Clark.  April  11,  177t!. 

Samuel  Clark  and  wife  to  Thomas  Lightfoot;  deed  dated  Xovember  6,  177G;  con- 
sideratiou:  twenty-seven  pounds,  nine  shillings,  two  pence,  for  the  undivided  one 
third  of  the  Samuel  Clark  survey.— Entered,  February  6, 1832,  in  Deed  Book  Y,  p.  190. 

Thomas  Lightfoot  and  wife  to  Jacob  and  Mary  Tomlinson;  deed  dated  November 
3,1803;  consideration:  thirteen  pounds,  fourteen  shillings,  seven  pence,  for  the  undi- 
vided one  third  of  the  Samuel  Clark  surve)'. — Entered,  February  6,  1S32,  in  Deed 
Book  y,  p.  192. 

Samuel  Clark  to  Francis  Johnston;  deed  dated  April  18, 1792;  consideration:  Ave 
shillings,  for  the  undivided  two  thirds  of  the  Samuel  Clark  survey.— Entered,  April  29, 
1792,  in  Deed  Book  E,  p.  375. 

Francis  Johnston  to  Abraham  Cherry;  agreement  dated  February  3.  1801;  consid- 
eration: eight  hundred  forty-three  dollars,  to  sell  the  undivided  two  thirds  of  the  Sam- 
uel Clark  survey.— Entered  in  Deed  Book  X,  p.  394. 

Abraham  Cherry  to  John  Cherry;  assignment  dated  April  10,  1803;  consideration: 
five  hundred  sixty-two  dollars,  for  his  interest  in  the  foregoing  agreement  on  the  Sam- 
uel Clark  survey.— Entered  in  Deed  Book  X,  p.  394. 

Roger  Wolverton,  administrator  of  John  Cherry,  deceased;  commission  and  return 
of  proceedings  in  the  common  pleas  court,  January,  1831;  recites  that  Francis  Johns- 
ton died  in  1801,  seized  of  the  undivided  two  thirds  interest  in  the  Samuel  Clark  sur- 
vey, having,  on  the  3d  of  February,  1801,  agreed  to  convey  said  interest  to  Abraham 
Cherry  for  eight  hundred  forty -three  dollars,  and  that  Abraham  Cherrj-  agreed  to  con- 
vey said  interest  to  John  Cherrj-  bj"  agreement  dated  the  10th  of  April,  1803,  for  five 
hundred  sixty-two  c\ollars.— Entered,  Januarj'  20, 1831,  in  Deed  Book  X,  p.  394. 

Alexander  W.  .Johnston,  executor  of  Alice  Johnston,  executrix  of  Francis  Johnston, 


SHAMOKIN.  593 

by  his  attorney  in  fact,  Ebenezer  Greenougli,  to  Roger  Wolvertou,  administrator  of 
John  Cherry,  deceased;  deed  dated  Xovember  22,  1831;  consideration,  live  hundred 
sixty-two  dollars,  for  the  undivided,  (now  the  divided)  two  thirds  interest  in  the  Samuel 
Clarli  survey.— Entered,  May  19,  1833,  in  Deed  Booli;  Y,  p.  26o. 

Jacob  Tomlinson  and  Mary  Tomlinson  with  John  Cherry;  agreement  dated  De- 
cember 6,  1803;  contract  mutual  (five  hundred  pounds  forfeit  i  for  a  division  of  the 
Samuel  Clark  survey  by  a  line  "beginning  at  a  stone  corner  near  the  road,  thence  north 
seventy-three  degrees  west  thirty  perches  to  a  white-oali,  thence  south  eighty-four 
degrees  west  thirty-four  perches  to  a  white-oali,  theuce  south  seventy-six  degrees  west 
sixteen  perches  to  a  stone,  thence  south  one  degree  east  to  the  back  line." — Entered, 
July  12,  1830,  in  Deed  Book  X,  p.  271. 

Jacob  Tomlinson,  survivor,  to  John  Housel;  deed  dated  !May  12.  182(3;  considera- 
tion: five  dollars,  for  all  his  interest  in  the  undivided  portion  of  the  Samuel  Clark  sur- 
vey which  was  allotted  to  the  Tomlinsons. — Entered,  June  29,  1820.  in  Deed  Book  AV, 
p.  41. 

John  ]\I.  Housel  to  John  C.  Boyd;  deed  dated  June  15.  182ij;  consideration:  one 
hundred  dollars,  for  the  Tomlinson  portion  of  the  Samuel  Clark  survey. — Entered,  June 
28,  1820,  in  Deed  Book  W,  p.  40. 

James  R.  Shannon,  sheriff  of  Northumberland  county,  to  Jesse  JIajor;  deed  dated 
August  20,  1824;  consideration:  twelve  dollars,  for  all  the  interest  in  the  Samuel  Clark 
survey  belonging  to  "Walter  Brad.v. — Entered,  JIarch  1,  1826,  in  Deed  Book  V,  p.  667. 

Jesse  JIajor  and  wife  to  John  C.  Boyd  and  John  Housel;  deed  dated  >Ia_v  1,  1826; 
consideration;  two  hundred  thirty  dollars,  for  the  Brad}' interest  prenously  mentioned. 
—Entered,  June  28,  1820,  in  Deed  Book  W,  p.  38. 

John  il.  Housel  and  wife  to  John  C.  Boyd;  assignment  dated  June  lo,  1820;  con- 
sideration: one  hundred  dollars,  for  all  his  interest  in  the  Brady  interest. 

John  C.  Boyd  to  David  McKnight;  deed  dated  June  7,  1S30;  consideration:  five 
hundred  dollars,  for  the  undivided  one  half  of  his  interest  in  the  Samuel  Clark  survey, 
called  Boyd's  stone  coal  quarry.— Entered,  August  4,  1830,  in  Deed  Book  Z,  p.  070. 

David  JIcKnight  to  Richard  Richardson;  deed  dated  January  28,  1.840;  consider- 
ation: six  thousand  dollars,  for  the  undivided  one  half  of  eighty  acres  of  the  one  hun- 
dred six  acres  jointly  owned  by  Boyd  and  !McKnight. — Entered.  February  1,  1840,  in 
Deed  Book  BB,  p.  83. 

Richard  Richardson  to  John  C.Boyd;  deed  dated  April  10.  1841;  consideration: 
twenty  thousand  dollars,  for  the  undivided  interest  in  the  eighty  acres. — Entered.  June 
25,  1841,  in  Deed  Book  BB,  p.  542. 

John  C.  Boyd  to  the  Shamokin  Coal  and  Iron  Company;  deed  dated  October  18. 
1841;  consideration:  fifty  thousand  dollars,  for  ninet.v-six  acres  sixty  perches  of  the 
Samuel  Clark  survey,  all  lying  south  of  Spurzheim  and  east  of  Grant  street. — Entered, 
December  30,  1841,  in  Deed  Book  CC,  p.  140. 

Felix  ]Maurer,  sheriff  of  Northumberland  county,  to  William  Piatt;  deed  dated 
January  8, 1840;  consideration :  six  thousand  dollars,  for  the  ninety-six  acres  sixty  perches 
previously  mentioned. — Entered,  November  11,  1843,  in  Sheriffs  Deed  Book,  BB, 
p.  303. 

"William  Piatt  and  wife  to  William  L.  Helfenstein;  deed  dated  December  10.  1854; 
consideration:  eight  thousand  dollars,  for  the  ninety-six  acres  sixty  perches  previously 
mentioned.— Entered,  April  17,  1855,  in  Deed  Book  LL,  p.  200. 

John  Cherry  with  George  Derk;  agreement  dated  April  28.1813;  consideration: 
eight  hundred  dollars,  to  sell  inter  alin  all  the  western  end  of  the  Samuel  Clark  survey 
— one  hundred  acres. — Entered,  August  20,  1814,  in  Deed  Book  S.  p.  372. 

Sheriff  of  Northumberland  county  to  John  Speece;  one  hundred  acres,  sold  as  the 
property  of  George  Derk.— Bellas  vs.  McCart.v,  10th  of  Watts,  p.  13.  etc. 


594  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

Johu  Speece  to  Philip  !Moore:  one  huudred  acres— the  western  part  of  the  Samuel 
Clark  survey. 

Sheriff  "of  Xorthumherland  county  to  Samuel  Sigfried:  deed  dated  August  17, 
1829;  consideration:  one  hundred  dollars,  for  one  hundred  acres — the  western  part  of 
the  Samuel  Clark  survey— sold  as  the  property  of  Philip  Moore. 

Administrator  of  Samuel  Sigfried  to 'William  McCarty;  sale  dated  April  19,  1832; 
consideration:  live  hundred  sixty-five  dollars,  for  the  undivided  half  of  one  hundred 
acres— the  western  part  of  the  Samuel  Clark  survey.— Entered  in  Orphans'  Court 
Docket,  No.  7,  p.  300. 

Samuel  Sigfried  to  Alexander  .Jordan;  deed  dated  February  4, 1830;  consideration: 
fifty  dollars,  for  the  undi\-ided  half  of  one  hundred  acres— the  western  part  of  the 
Samuel  Clark  survey.— Entered,  .Tune  1.5,  1830,  In  Deed  Book  X,  p.  243. 

Alexander  Jordan  and  wife  to  William  McCarty,  Thomas  Davis,  and  .Joseph 
Waruer;  deed  dated  .January  o,  1831;  consideration:  forty -five  hundred  dollars,  for  the 
undivided  one  fourth  of  one  hundred  acres— the  western  part  of  the  Samuel  Clark  sur- 
vey.—Entered,  .July  7.  1831^  in  Deed  Book  X,  p.  643. 

.John  Cherry  to  Benjamin  Campbell;  deed  for  one  hundred  acres— the  middle 
portion  of  the  Samuel  Clark  survey.— Entered  in  Deed  Book  S,  p.  372. 

Jacob  Mclvinney,  sheriff  of  Northumberland  county,  to  'William  McCarty,  Thomas 
Davis,  and  Joseph  'Warner:  ileed  dated  August  18, 1830;  consideration:  two  thousand 
dollars  for  one  hundred  acres,  sold,  April  24,  1830,  as  the  property  of  Benjamin  Camp- 
bell and  in  occupation  of  John  Templin.— Entered  in  Deed  Book  X,  p.  3.53. 

William  JlcCarty  and  wife.  Thomas  Davis  and  wife,  and  Joseph  Warner  and  wife 
to  Alexander  Jordan;  deed  dated  March  7,18.38;  consideration:  twelve  hundred  fifty 
dollars  for  the  undivided  one  fourth  of  one  hundred  acres  of  the  Samuel  Clark  survey, 
bounded  on  the  north  by  J.  Brady,  on  the  east  by  John  C.  Boyd,  on  the  south  by  Will- 
iam Green,  and  on  the  west  by  other  lands  of  the  grantors.— Entered,  June  17,  1840,  in 
Deed  Book  BB,  p.  280. 

Thomas  Davis  and  wife.  Joseph  Warner,  and  William  >IcCarty,  by  their  attorney 
in  fact,  Joseph  Warner,  to  William  L.  Helfensteiu;  deed  dated  February  6,  1850;  con- 
sideration, nine  thousand  dollars,  for  three  fourths  of  the  western  part  of  the  Samuel 
Clark  survey  and  two  other  smaller  tracts,  excepting  certain  specified  lots.— Entered, 
June  17,  1S.58,  in  Deed  Bnnk  UO,  p.  411. 

The  researches  of  Dr.  J.  J.  John  have  developed  some  very  interesting 
particulars  regarding  the  transfers  immediately  preceding  Boyd's  purchase 
in  IS'26.  Waher  Brady,  sheriff  of  Northumberland  county,  1815-18,  sub- 
secjuently  became  embarrassed  tinancially,  and  the  ttpper  part  of  the  Clark 
tract,  of  which  he  was  then  the  owner,  was  attached  upon  an  execution  in- 
volving eighty-three  doUars  fifty  cents,  entered  in  favor  of  Michael  Zuern. 
It  was  several  times  offered  at  sheriff's  sale  and  at  length  foitnd  a  purchaser, 
August  19,  18'24,  in  Jesse  Major,  a  gentleman  of  uncertain  occupation, 
variously  accredited  as  a  burglar,  cotinterfeiter,  and  horse  thief.  Tradition 
asserts  that  he  had  been  but  recently  released  from  jail,  and  happened  to 
be  passing  by  at  the  time  of  the  sale;  no  one  seemed  disposed  to  bid  on 
the  property,  and,  having  made  an  offer  of  twelve  dollars,  he  was  forth- 
with declared  to  be  the  purchaser.  To  the  surprise  of  every  one  present 
he  produced  the  money  in  gold;  but  to  a  person  unaccustomed  to  the  acqui- 
sition of    property  by  honorable  means  its  possession  was  more  of  an  in- 


SHAMOKIN.  597 

cubus  than  a  pleasure,  and  after  making  several  visits  to  his  purchase  he  next 
endeavored  to  sell  it.  About  this  time  Mr.  Major  evinced  a  strong  desire 
to  own  a  horse — an  aspiration  not  foreign  to  his  nature,  but  which,  proba- 
bly for  the  first  time  in  his  life,  he  was  prepared  to  gratify  accorthng  to 
the  ordinaiy  methods  of  purchase.  As  Dr.  J.  J.  John  aptly  exi)resses  it,  he 
offered  his  "  kingdom  for  a  horse."  Having  foimd  several  specimens  of 
coal  in  the  creek,  between  Clay  and  Webster  streets,  he  induced  a  black- 
smith at  Paxinos  to  give  them  a  trial;  they  were  accordingly  placed  on  the 
charcoal  fire,  but  had  no  sooner  become  hot  than  fragments  exploded  in 
eveiy  direction,  and  the  new  fuel  was  pronounced  a  failure.  Undismayed 
by  this,  he  continued  to  exhibit  his  mineral  samples  in  the  course  of  his 
peregrinations  over  the  country,  and,  while  his  efforts  as  a  real  estate  agent 
were  doubtless  persevering,  and  did  more  to  attract  public  attention  to  this 
locality  than  anything  else  at  that  time,  they  were  not  rewarded  with  im- 
mediate success.  At  length,  in  the  spring  of  1826,  Major  found  himself  one 
evening  at  the  hotel  of  Joseph  Snyder,  in  Kush  township.  Mr.  Snyder  had 
an  old  gray  horse,  not  a  very  desirable  specimen  to  the  ordinary  observer, 
but  sufficiently  so  in  the  eyes  of  Major  to  promjit  him  to  suggest  the  trans- 
fer of  his  land  to  Mr.  Snyder  and  take  the  horse  in  payment.  The  propo- 
sition was  respectfully  declined,  but  Snyder  directed  the  impatient  and  im- 
pecunious real  estate  owner  to  John  C.  Boyd,  who,  he  said,  was  disposed 
to  speciilate.  Major  promptly  interviewed  Boyd,  and  as  the  result  of  their 
conference  his  double  piirpose  was  accomplished — he  sold  his  land,  at  the 
consideration  of  two  hundred  thirty  dollars,  and  secured  a  horse,  valued  at 
fifty  dollars.  And.  with  the  object  of  his  ambition  at  last  attained,  Mr. 
Major  bad  no  further  connection  with  the  histoiyof  Shamokin.  The  growth 
of  a  town  in  its  incipient  stages  was  not  calculated  to  interest  a  man  of  his 
tastes. 


The  sjieculative  tendencies  that  had  induced  ^Ir.  Boyd  to  purchase  the 
Shamokin  tract  also  caused  him  to  dispose  of  parts  of  it.  and  thus  an  inter- 
est (but  of  what  nature  does  not  appear)  passed  about  the  year  1880  into 
the  hands  of  Jacob  Graeff,  of  Beading.  It  was  with  him  that  the  idea  of 
laying  out  a  town  originated.  In  IS^O  he  had  a  part  of  the  land  surveyed 
and  one  street  was  opened  through  the  brush,  but  beyond  this  the  attempt 
was  not  followed  by  any  immediate  or  definite  results.  It  was  reserved  for 
Mr.  Boyd  to  found  the  town  on  a  permanent  basis.  In  l'^?A  the  Danville 
and  Pottsville  railroad  between  Sunbury  and  the  gap  was  placed  under  con- 
struction; it  was  the  prospect  of  railroad  facilities  for  the  transportation  of 
coal  and  of  increase  iu  population  naturally  incident  to  the  estabhshment  of 
railroad  facilities  that  decided  Mr.  Boyd  in  making  a  second  attempt  to 
found  a  town.     The  plat  was  accordingly  surveyed  on  the  1st  of  March,  ISSr), 


598  HISTORY   OF   NOETHUMBERLA.ND    COUNTY. 

by  Kimber  Cleaver,  an  engineer  on  the  Danville  and  Pottsville  railroad, 
assisted  by  Ziba  Bird,  who  was  then  operating  a  saw  mill  at  Locust  Gap,  and 
his  son,  Joseph  Bird,  afterward  a  prominent  citizen  of  Shamokin  and  North- 
umberland, who  carried  the  chain.  The  street  cut  out  by  Graeff  was  still 
distinguishable.  The  part  laid  out  included  the  Major  tract;  it  received  the 
name  of  Marion,  but  a  town  in  the  West  having  that  designation  had  recently 
proven  a  failure,  and  in  his  quest  for  a  more  propitious  title  Mr.  Boyd  wisely 
selected  Shamokin.  This  was  probably  suggested  by  the  creek.  It  is  an 
Indian  word,  and  signilies  "Eel  Creek"  or  "Eel  Pond."  At  the  earliest 
period  in  the  history  of  this  region  to  which  authentic  information  relates, 
the  name  was  apphed  to  an  Inditm  town  at  the  site  of  Sunbury.  From  this 
circumstance,  in  all  probability,  it  attained  a  wide  popular  significance  as 
the  unofficial  designation  of  the  purchase  of  1768.  In  1789  it  was  substituted 
for  Kalpho  as  the  name  of  an  extensive  township  including  the  eastern  part 
of  the  present  territory  of  the  coimty,  and  shortly  after  the  opening  of  the 
Centre  turnpike  became  a  postoffice  designation  as  applied  to  the  hamlet  of 
Snuf^:to^^'n,  now  Paxinos.  Although  the  choice  of  Mr.  Boyd  doubtless  com- 
manded considerable  respect,  it  was  not  at  once  accepted  in  popular  usage, 
and  not  until  1840,  when  the  name  of  Coal  postoffice  was  changed  to  Shamo- 
kin, was  it  finally  and  permanently  engrafted  upon  the  place. 

The  lower  part  of  the  Clark  tract  was  platted  as  a  town  by  McCarty. 
Davis,  "Warner,  and  .Jordan  about  the  time  that  Boyd  laid  out  Marion.  It 
received  the  name  of  Groveville,  in  honor  of  Mrs.  William  McCarty,  iiee 
Grove,  but  both  places  were  more  generally  known  as  Newtown  for  some 
time. 

In  order  from  the  west,  the  principal  streets  of  the  borough  extending 
north  and  south  are  First,  Second,  Third,  Fourth,  Fifth,  Sixth,  Market, 
Seventh,  Eighth.  Grant,  Marshall,  Orange,  Liberty,  Washington,  Rock, 
Shamokin,  Franklin.  Pearl,  Vine,  Cherry,  and  Lombard.  In  order  from  the 
north,  the  principal  streets  extending  east  and  west  are  James,  Kase,  Packer, 
Cameron,  Dewart,  Sunburv',  Commerce,  Independence,  Shakespeare,  Spurz- 
heim.  Clay,  Webster.  Race,  Chestnut,  Spruce,  Pine.  Mulberry,  Willow,  Wal- 
nut, Arch,  Church,  Elm.  Spn;ce,  Pine,  State,  and  Montgomery.  Lincoln 
street  extends  from  Market  to  Spurzheim  parallel  with  Shamokin  creek, 
which  was  turned  into  its  present  channel  on  the  20th  of  September,  1872. 

The  principal  additions  to  the  original  town  plats  within  the  borough 
limits  are  the  Cameron  addition,  on  the  north,  Baimigardner's  and  Graeber's, 
on  the  east,  and  Cruikshank's,  on  the  southeast,  while  Springfield  adjoins  on 
the  east,  Uniontown  on  the  northwest.  West  Shamokin  on  the  west,  and  the 
Bellas  addition  on  the  south. 


The  Cherry  family  was  early  represented  in  this  locality,  and  is  said  to 


SHAJIOKIN.  599 

have  suffered  in  the  Indian  depredations  of  the  Revolutionary  period.  The 
name  of  James  Cherry  appears  as  a  taxable  in  Shamokin  township  in  1788; 
he  was  probably  the  first  settler,  and  cleared  land  at  Luke  Fidler,  Spring- 
field, and  elsewhere,  residing  at  a  house  subsequently  known  as  Irich's.  By 
the  division  of  the  Clark  tract  in  lSt)3  John  Cherry  was  assigned  the  lower 
or  western  portion.  Joseph  Cherry  settled  on  the  plat  near  Eagle  Run 
brewery,  where  vestiges  of  his  improvements  were  visible  long  after  his  resi 
dence  there  had  terminated.  Prior  to  the  war  of  1812  Abraham  Cherry 
Ijuilt  a  saw  mill  on  Shamokin  creek  opposite  the  Cameron  colliery,  and  near 
it  stood  an  old  dwelling  house,  for  many  years  a  landmark  in  this  section. 
Another  member  of  this  family  had  a  distillery  on  the  hill  east  of  Shamokin. 

The  Tomlinsons,  Solomon  Dunkelberger,  and  William  Ducher  were  also 
among  the  early  settlers  at  the  site  of  Shamokin.  Of  the  Tomlinsons  but 
little  is  definitely  kno^Ti.  and  that  is  not  to  their  credit.  Solomon  Dunkel- 
berger built  the  first  house  upon  the  present  site  of  the  borough ;  it  was  a  log 
structure,  and  was  situated  where  the  brick  residence  of  Benjamin  F.  Lake 
now  stands.  William  Ducher  is  said  to  have  been  murdered;  in  1824  the 
Brady  tract  was  described  as  '"bounded  by  lands  of  Benjamin  Campbell,  late 
Benjamin  Tomlinson,  on  which  there  is  a  stone  coal  quarry;  a  small  part  of 
the  land  is  cleared,  on  which  is  erected  a  small  log  dwelling,  occupied  by  the 
widow  of  the  late  William  Ducher,  deceased." 

On  the  same  day  that  Cleaver  began  to  survey  the  town  plat,  Ziba  Bird 
had  the  lumber  for  a  house  hauled  from  his  saw  mill  at  Locust  Gap,  and  at 
once  inaugurated  building  operations.  Parts  of  the  framework  had  already 
been  put  together  and  the  remainder  was  sawed  and  mortised  ready  for  use. 
Alexander  Caldwell  was  one  of  the  teamsters.  The  house  was  set  on  jiosts 
in  the  ground,  and  had  no  stone  foimdation.  It  was  commenced  on  the  1st 
of  March,  and  had  so  far  approached  completion  as  to  be  occupied  as  a  dwell- 
ing on  the  ijth  of  April.  It  occupied  part  of  the  site  of  the  National  Hotel, 
corner  of  Shamokin  and  Commerce  streets,  and  forms  the  front  part  of  that 
structure.  Mr.  Bird  then  began  the  erection  of  another  house  on  the  opposite 
side  of  Commerce  street;  after  its  completion  he  moved  into  it,  and  finished 
the  first  by  the  addition  of  a  cellar  and  foundation  walls.  The  following  let- 
ter, published  in  a  Philadelphia  paper  and  unearthed  by  Dr.  J.  J.  John,  con- 
veys a  fairly  accurate  idea  of  the  appearance  and  extent  of  the  place  at  that 
time: — 

Shamokin  P.  O.,  July  9,  1835. 

I  have  just  returned  trom  a  short  ride  of  six  miles  to  the  terminatiou  of  the  graded 
part  of  the  western  section  of  the— allow  me  to  call  it  "Girard  railroad"— being  accom- 
panied by  the  assistant  engineer,  Mr.  Totten,  to  whose  polite  attentions  I  am  much  in- 
debted for  much  of  the  pleasure  of  the  trip  through  the  mountains.  The  road  from 
this  point  (which  is  on  the  Shamokin  creek,  thirteen  miles  east  of  Sunbury)  passes  up 
the  creek,  principally  through  au  almost  uninhabited  country— the  population,  at  least, 
is  very  sparse.     Some  three  or  four  miles  up  we  came  into  the  Shamokin  coal  region, 


600  HISTORY    OF    NOETHUMBEP.LAXD    COUNTY. 

by  the  mines  of  which  the  country  below,  as  far  as  Sunbury,  is  supplied,  and  from 
which,  when  the  road  is  completed,  large  quantities  will  be  sent  to  the  Susquehanna 
river  for  exportation.  On  arriving  at  Mr.  Boyd's  mines,  near  the  terminus  of  the 
graded  part  of  the  road  and  amidst  the  solitary  mountains,  we  were  gratified  to  see  a 
large  two-story  dwelling  house,  a  large  store,  barn,  and  other  out-houses  erected  and 
nearly  completed  in  a  neat  and  handsome  style.  But  if  our  surprise  was  great  at  ob- 
serving such  buildings  in  such  a  place,  judge  what  it  must  have  been  when,  on  our 
return,  we  met  live  or  six  wagons  loaded  with  furniture,  women,  children,  cats,  dogs, 
and  chickens,  and  accompanied  by  cows,  calves,  sheep,  and  pigs,  wending  their  way  up 
the  railroad  to  these  verj-  buildings,  where,  Daddy  informed  us,  he  was  about  to  open 
a  tavern.  From  whence  his  guests  were  to  come  I  could  not,  for  the  life  of  me,  con- 
ceive, at  least  until  the  road  should  be  completed  to  his  place  and  the  mines  should  be 
worked.  The  next  building  erected,  I  suppose,  will  be  a  blacksmith  shop,  when  the 
place  will  have  all  the  attributes  of  a  town  in  a  new  country,  and  will  be  entitled  to  a 
postoffice. 

In  1836  there  were  live  families  at  Shamokin.  Ziba  Bird  and  Joseph 
Snyder  resided  at  the  Boyd  town  plat,  and  Dr.  Robert  Phillips,  James  Porter, 
and  Jacob  Mowry  at  the  lower  part  of  the  town. 

John  C.  Boyd,  the  fonnder  of  Shamokin,  was  born  in  West  Fallowfield 
township,  Chester  county,  Pennsylvania,  in  1793,  youngest  son  of  John  and 
Mary  (Cowen)  Boyd;  the  former  was  a  soldier  in  the  Continental  Army  dur- 
ing the  Revolution,  brigadier  general  in  the  State  militia,  and  member  of 
the  legislature.  He  was  reared  to  agricultural  pursuits,  but  left  the  farm  to 
enter  the  ofiice  of  his  brother,  a  broker  in  Philadelphia,  for  whom  he 
subsequently  traveled  as  agent  and  collector.  In  1820  he  married  Hannah, 
daughter  of  General  Daniel  Montgomery,  of  Danville,  and  shortly  afterward 
removed  to  that  place,  where  he  opened  a  store.  In  1824  he  relincjuished 
merchandising  and  located  at  the  "Boyd  farm,"  two  miles  above  Danville  on 
the  opposite  side  of  the  river.  There  he  built  a  grist  mill  and  mansion  house, 
and  purchased  adjoining  land  until  he  owned  nearly  a  thousand  acres.  In  the 
midst  of  his  extensive  agricultural  operations  he  was  also  connected  with  vari- 
ous enterprises  designed  to  promote  the  development  of  the  internal  resoitrces 
of  the  State,  notably  the  Danville  and  Pottsville  Railroad  Company  and  the 
Susquehanna  Canal  Company,  in  both  of  which  he  was  a  corporate  member. 
His  early  mining  operations  and  the  circumstances  under  which  he  laid  out 
the  original  town  plat  of  Shamokin  have  been  detailed  in  the  preceding  por- 
tion of  this  chapter.  He  was  also  largely  interested  in  the  old  Shamokin 
furnace,  and  experienced  serious  financial  loss  by  the  failure  of  that  enter- 
prise. The  remaining  years  of  his  life  were  spent  in  an  arduous  struggle  to 
retrieve  his  fortunes,  and  he  had  about  reached  a  point  where  his  embarrass- 
ments would  have  terminated,  when  his  death  occurred,  August  18,  1850. 
Seven  children  survived  him:  Mary  L.,  who  married  William  Neal,  of  Blooms- 
burg,  Pennsylvania;  D.  Montgomery;  H.  Eliza;  James;  J.  Alexander;  Chris- 
tiana J.,  who  married  Colonel  William  M.  McClure,  and  Joseph  C. 

Kimber  Cleaver,  the  distinguished  engineer  by  whom  Shamokin  was  laid 


SHAMOKIN.  601 

out,  was  a  native  of  Eoaring  Creek  towuship,  Columbia  coimty,  Pennsylvania, 
•where  he  was  born  on  the  17th  of  October,  1S14.  He  began  his  career  as  an 
engineer  during  the  construction  of  the  Danville  and  Pottsville  railroad, 
located  at  Shamokin  shortly  after  the  town  was  laid  out,  and  was  a  member 
of  the  firm  of  Fagely,  Cleaver  &  Company  until  IS-ti.  During  this  period 
he  was  also  connected  with  the  Mount  Carbon  railroad,  constructed  a  majj  of 
the  Middle  anthracite  coal  field  from  personal  surveys,  and  located  the  route 
for  a  railroad  from  Shamokin  to  Pottsville.  He  was  principally  engaged  in 
professional  work  in  Schuylkill  county  from  1844  to  1S50,  and  in  the  latter 
year  laid  out  Trevorton.  He  was  chief  engineer  in  the  survey  and  construc- 
tion of  what  is  now  known  as  the  Herndon  branch  of  the  Philadelphia  and 
Keading  railroad,  and  was  subsequently  connected  in  a  similar  capacity  with 
the  Philadelphia  and  Sunbnrj-  railroad;  he  also  performed  a  large  amount  of 
very  important  engineering  work  at  the  various  collieries  of  the  Shamokin 
CLial  field.  In  politics  he  was  closely  identified  with  the  Native  American 
party,  of  which  he  was  the  candidate  for  Governor,  surveyor  general,  and 
canal  commissioner  of  Pennsylvania,  member  of  Congress,  etc.  The  sugges- 
tion of  the  Atlantic  cable  was  originally  due  to  him,  and  a  variety  of  ingen- 
ious and  useful  inventions  also  emanated  from  his  fertile  brain.  He  died  on 
the  10th  of  October,  1858. 

Ziba  Bird  wa.s  born  in  Warren  county.  New  Jersey,  a  son  of  James  Bird, 
who  immigrated  to  Rush  township.  There  he  engaged  in  farming  on  Little 
Roaring  creek  and  was  so  occupied  when  he  formed  the  acquaintance  of  John 
C.  Boyd,  who  induced  him  to  take  charge  of  his  mining  operations  at  Sha- 
mokin. He  was  thus  one  of  the  earliest  residents  of  that  town.  He  erected 
the  first  buildings  that  occupied  the  sites  of  the  National  and  Yanderbilt 
Hotels,  two  double  houses  on  the  south  side  of  Commerce  street  between 
Franklin  and  Pearl,  and  probably  others.  When  the  town  began  to  decline 
after  its  first  period  of  prosperity  he  returned  to  his  farm,  and  afterward 
removed  to  Red  Point,  on  the  Susquehanna  river  below  Danville,  where 
ho  died.  Mr.  Bird  was  three  times  married,  and  was  the  father  of  nineteen 
children. 

Joseph  Snyder,  the  pioneer  hotel  keeper  of  Shamokin,  settled  in  Rush 
township,  Northumberland  county,  in  1818,  and  engaged  in  farming,  but 
subsequently  became  proprietor  of  a  hotel  at  Paxinos,  whence  he  removed  to 
Shamokin  in  July,  1835,  as  described  in  the  letter  previously  quoted  in  this 
chapter.  The  "large  two-stoiy  dwelling  house"  referred  to  by  the  writer 
stood  upon  the  present  site  of  the  Hotel  Vanderbilt  and  has  been  partly  in- 
corporated in  that  striicture:  here  John  B.  Snyder,  the  first  white  child  bom 
at  Shamokin  and  oldest  native  resident  of  the  town,  was  born  on  the  3d  of 
April,  183(3.  Having  met  with  but  little  encouragement  Mr.  Snyder  resumed 
business  at  Paxinos,  whence  he  again  returned  to  Shamokin,  but  relinquished 
hotel  keeping  several  years  later  to  accept  the  office  of  resident  land  agent. 


602  HISTORY  OF  NORTHUMBERLAND  COUNTY. 

which  position  he  held  for  some  years.  He  was  born  in  New  Jersey,  October 
10,  IT'JC,  and  died  at  Shamokin,  Febniaiy  1,  1SG7. 

Benjamin  McClow  was  born  near  Bear  Gap.  Northumberland  county, 
June  25,  1812,  son  of  Joseph  and  ITary  (Campbell)  McClow.  He  was 
brought  up  in  the  vicinity  of  Elysburg  and  learned  the  trade  of  carj^enter. 
In  1835  he  came  to  Shamokin  and  was  employed  at  his  trade  until  the  fol- 
lowing year,  when  he  took  charge  of  a  saw  mill  on  Coal  run.  In  the  spring 
of  1838  he  erected  his  present  residence  at  the  corner  of  Pearl  and  Commerce 
streets,  and  brought  his  family  thither  in  June  of  that  year.  Here  he  has 
resided  almost  continuously  ever  since. 

Jacob  Mowry  came  to  Shamoldn  in  1830  and  took  up  his  residence  in  a 
small  log  house  of  which  the  site  is  now  covered  by  the  refuse  from  the  Came- 
ron colliery.  In  the  spring  of  1838  he  built  the  first  house  in  the  lower 
part  of  Shamokin,  and  engaged  in  business  as  a  butcher.  During  the  years 
1830-37  he  was  principally  employed  in  exploring  the  surrounding  region 
and  locating  the  outcrops  of  the  coal  veins  of  this  basin.  It  was  he  who 
"  drove  "  the  first  drifts  in  Buck  ridge,  now  known  as  Big  moimtain,  and  also 
the  first  drifts  in  the  ridge  opposite  the  old  furnace.  Subsequently  he 
engaged  in  hotel  keeping,  farming,  etc.  Mr.  Mowry  was  twice  married,  and 
was  the  father  of  nineteen  children.  He  ched  on  the  9th  of  April,  1875,  in 
the  seventy-third  year  of  his  age. 

Jonas  L.  Gilger  arrived  at  Shamokin  on  the  2(.)th  of  March,  1838,  and  is 
one  of  the  oldest  residents  of  the  borough.  During  the  first  three  years 
after  he  came  here  he  was  employed  as  a  journeyman  carpenter  by  George 
Martz,  under  whom  he  worked  on  the  construction  of  the  furnace,  railroad 
shops,  the  first  blocks  of  miners'  houses,  etc.  He  then  engaged  in  business 
individually,  and  was  for  some  years  a  builder  and  contractor  on  an  exten- 
sive scale.  He  built  the  first  Methodist  and  Lutheran  churches,  and  was 
associated  with  Stephen  Bittenbender  in  the  construction  of  the  First  Pres- 
byterian church.  He  was  elected  burgess  in  1800,  serving  one  term,  and 
served  as  school  director  fourteen  years. 

William  and  Reuben  Fagely  were  Ixim  in  Shamokin  township,  North- 
iimberland  county,  the  former,  January-  5,  1800,  the  latter,  July  25,  1814. 
Ujjon  arriving  at  the  age  of  manhood  "Wilham  engaged  in  merchandising  at 
Snufftown,  whence  he  removed  to  Paxinos.  where  Reuben  was  associated  in 
the  business.  In  April,  1838,  they  located  at  Shamokin,  and  in  1839  opened 
one  of  the  first  stores  in  that  town.  They  entered  the  coal  business  in  1841 ; 
their  early  operations  were  confined  to  the  Gap  (now  Cameron)  mines,  but" 
they  subseqiiently  operated  the  collieries  at  Green  Ridge,  Locust  Gap,  Luke 
Fidler,  and  the  Gap,  while  Reuben  was  also  interested  in  the  Big  Mountain 
mines.  From  1842  to  1852  they  leased  the  Danville  and  Pottsville  railroad 
between  Shamokin  and  Sunbury  and  operated  it  by  horse-power;  during  this 
period  the  laboring  classes  of  Shamokin  were  employed  almost  entirely  by 


SHAMOKIN.  603 

them,  and  their  enterprises  alone  prevented  the  depopulation  of  the  town.  They 
enjoyed  in  an  exceptional  decrreethe  good-will  of  their  employees,  among-  whom 
and  in  the  community  generally  they  were  familiarly  known  as  "Uncle  Will- 
iam ■■  and  "  Uncle  Keuben."  In  addition  to  their  mining  operations  they  also 
established  extensive  coal  yarils  at  Baltimore,  Maryland,  and  made  large 
shipments  to  that  city;  they  were  well  known  railroad  contractors,  and  con- 
structed portions  of  the  Philadelphia  and  Reading  and  Xorthern  Central 
railways.  William  was  the  tirst  postmaster  of  Shamokin,  serving  from  1S8S 
to  1844,  and  Eeuben  was  burgess  two  terms,  1808-69.  Both  died  at  Sha- 
mokin, W'illiam,  February  IT,  1S74,  and  Eei^ben,  February  21,  ISSO. 

Stephen  Bittenbender  came  to  Shamokin  in  1838  through  the  influence 
of  Patrick  Reilly,  master  mechanic  of  the  Danville  and  Pottsville  railroad, 
who  had  formed  his  acquaintance  at  Tamaqua;  there  he  was  engaged  in 
business  on  an  extensive  scale  as  a  builder  and  contractor,  and  it  was  with 
the  purpose  of  j^lacing  the  coustraction  of  the  turn-tables  and  other  ter- 
minal facilities  at  Shamokin  in  competent  hands  that  Mr.  Reilly  induced  him 
to  locate  at  Shamokin.  He  also  foimd  lucrative  employment  in  manufactur- 
ing cars,  and  built  many  of  the  tirst  houses  at  Shamokin,  including  the  first 
Catholic  and  Presbyterian  churches.  In  ISol  he  purchased  the  Shamokin 
foundry  and  in  1855  the  machine  shop  and  car  shoji;  he  conducted  this 
establishment  sixteen  years,  employing  a  large  number  of  men.  He  was  one 
of  the  organizers  of  the  Shamokin  Bank  in  18-")7;  from  1804  to  1871  he 
operated  the  Burnside  coUierv':  in  1805  he  put  down  cast-iron  water-pipes 
through  a  portion  of  the  borough,  and  when  the  Shamokin  Water  Company 
was  organized  he  was  one  of  its  charter  members.  He  died  at  Shamokin  on 
the  lUth  of  February,  1885.  in  the  seventieth  year  of  his  age. 

Samuel  John  was  born  in  Ealpho  township,  Northumberland  county, 
February  27,  1807.  After  reaching'  manhood  he  engaged  in  farming,  sur- 
veying, and  conveyancing,  and  also  operated  the  old  forge  below  Shamokin. 
In  April,  ISoO,  he  located  at  that  town  and  engaged  in  merchandising:  in 
this  jnirsuit  he  continued  twenty-five  years,  and  during  a  large  part  of  this 
period  operated  large  general  stores  at  Shamokin.  Mt.  Carmel,  and  Mt.  Com- 
fort. He  was  appointed  postmaster  at  Shamokin  in  1844  and  served  two 
years.  In  the  various  railroad  enterprises  which  were  so  largely  instru- 
mental in  the  early  development  of  the  Shamokin  coal  field  he  was  actively 
concerned.  Shortly  after  locating  at  Shamokin  he  entered  the  coal  business 
by  operating  what  was  then  known  as  Buck  Ridge  coUiery.  In  1863  he 
leased  Green  Ridge  colliery  (to  which  he  gave  the  name  of  Green  Mountain), 
and  his  ojierations  at  this  point  were  quite  successful.  In  1800  he  estab- 
lished the  Shamokin  Eegister.  the  second  newspaper  of  the  town,  of  which 
he  was  proprietor,  editor,  and  pul>lisher.  He  was  also  cashier  of  the  Sha- 
mokin Bank  and  a  director  in  the  Shamokin  Banking  Comj^any.  His  death 
occurred  on  the  23d  of  Julv.  1877. 


604  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUKTV. 

Solomoa  Martz  was  born  in  Upper  Augusta  township,  Northumberland 
county,  March  22,  1S18.  At  the  age  of  eighteen  he  entered  the  employ  of 
the  Messrs.  Fagely.  his  uncles,  as  clerk  in  their  store  at  Mauch  Chunk. 
There  he  remained  sixteen  mouths,  and  then  entered  the  store  of  William 
and  Reuben  Fagely  at  Shamolcin  in  a  similar  capacity.  He  continued  with 
them  one  year,  and  next  found  employment  with  Solomon  Fagely,  proprietor 
of  a  hotel  at  Mt.  Carmel.  About  this  time  a  stage  line  was  established  be- 
tween Shamokin  and  Mt.  Carmel,  and  he  was  appointed  driver  and  mail 
carrier,  subsequently  serving  in  a  similar  capacity  on  the  line  between  Potts- 
ville  and  Northumberland.  Of  those  who  were  connected  with  this  method 
of  transportation  in  central  Pennsylvania  at  that  period  he  is  now  the  last 
living  representative.  After  leaving  the  stage  line  he  served  as  supervisor  of 
Coal  township  two  years  and  engaged  in  hauling  coal  from  Shamokin  to  Sun- 
bury  under  contract  with  William  and  Reuben  Fagely  seven  years.  He  then 
located  at  his  present  residence  in  Shamokin  township,  and  has  now  reached 
an  advanced  age. 

Peter  Boughner,  a  native  of  Snydertowu,  Northumberland  county,  was 
bom  on  the  23d  of  January,  ISIG.  He  learned  the  trade  of  carpenter  under 
his  father,  after  which  he  located  at  Shamokin  in  the  employ  of  the  railroad 
company.  In  1850  he  was  placed  in  charge  of  the  construction  and  grading 
of  the  streets  of  Trevorton.  When  the  Shamokin  Valley  and  Pottsville  (now 
the  Shamokin  division  of  the  Northern  Central)  railroad  was  extended  from 
Shamokin  to  Mt.  Carmel  he,  in  connection  with  John  Dunkelberger,  laid  the 
rails  between  those  points  under  contract.  Boughner  &  Gilger  built  the  first 
breaker  at  Luke  Fidler  colliery  and  Cleaver  &  Boughner  the  first  two  at 
Locust  Gap.  Mr.  Boughner  now  lives  a  retired  life  upon  his  farm  in  Ralpho 
township. 

Judge  William  L.  Helfenstein,  whose  connection  with  the  development 
of  the  Shamokin  coal  field  was  probably  more  intimate  than  that  of  any 
other  individual,  was  born  at  Lancaster,  Pennsylvania,  in  ISOl,  and  educated 
at  Dickinson  College,  Carlisle,  Pennsylvania.  Having  accompanied  his  par- 
ents to  Dayton,  Ohio,  he  entered  the  legal  profession  at  that  place,  and  served 
as  judge  of  thecou,rtof  common  pleas  from  1S35  to  1842.  He  was  subsequently 
located  at  Milwaukee,  Wisconsin,  and  Chicago,  Illinois,  in  the  practice  of  his 
profession,  but  came  East  in  1840  and  was  the  principal  promotor  of  the 
company  that  foimded  Trevorton  in  the  following  year.  He  siibsequently 
organized  a  number  of  coal  companies,  among  which  were  the  Zerbe  Run, 
Mahanoy  Improvement,  Carbon  Run,  Big  Mountain,  Green  Ridge.  Locust 
Gap,  and  Locust  Summit;  he  was  also  the  leading  spirit  in  the  construction 
of  the  railroad  from  Trevorton  to  the  Susquehanna  river,  in  the  purchase  of 
the  Danville  and  Pottsville  railroad,  the  organization  of  the  Philadelphia  and 
Sunbury  Railroad  Company,  the  rehabilitation  of  the  line  from  Sunbury  to 
Shamokin,  and  its  extension  to  Mt.  Carmel.     He  was  a  member  of  the  com- 


SHAMOKIN.  605 

pany  that  laid  out  Mt.  Carmel.  and  proprietor  of  the  towns  of  West  Shamokin. 
Helfenstein,  and  Gowen  City.  He  was  largely  interested  in  nearly  all  the 
most  valuable  coal  lands  between  Mt.  Carmel  and  Trevorton,  and  was  one  of 
the  first  to  appreciate  their  immense  value.  He  resided  rt  Shamokin  and 
Trevorton  until  ISGO,  when  he  removed  to  Pottsville  and  thence  in  1S72  to 
New  York.     His  death  occurred  at  Durango,  Mexico,  in  March,  1SS4. 

John  B.  Douty  came  to  Shamokin  in  1852.  He  was  born  near  Lambert - 
ville.  New  Jersey,  May  30,  1812,  and  at  the  age  of  ten  years  removed  to 
Eush  township,  Northumberland  county,  with  his  parents,  who  located  at 
Pottsville  in  1826.  There  his  father  at  once  became  the  owner  of  a  line  of 
live  boats  on  the  Schuylkill  canal,  and  John  B.  was  placed  in  charge  of  one 
of  them.  He  continued  at  boating  imtil  1842,  when  he  entered  the  coal 
trade  at  the  East  Delaware  mines.  Several  years  later  he  went  to  the  "West 
Delaware  mines,  where  he  remained  until  the  failure  of  the  company  in  1851, 
by  which  he  lost  the  accumulations  of  years  of  toil.  He  came  to  Shamokin 
comparatively  poor,  and  engaged  in  mining  at  the  Gap  (now  Cameron)  coll- 
iery on  a  small  scale  as  a  member  of  the  firm  of  Kase,  Douty  &  Eeed.  In 
1856  he  joined  Dr.  J.  J.  John  and  Joseph  Bird,  and  the  firm  of  Bird,  Douty 
i^  John  leased  the  Big  Mountain  colliery,  which,  after  various  vicissitudes, 
was  finely  made  a  successful  enterprise.  In  1859  Mr.  Douty  withdrew  and 
took  charge  of  the  Henry  Clay  colliery,  which  became  a  highly  remunerative 
property  under  his  management.  He  subsequently  opened  the  Brady  coll- 
iery and  operated  it  several  years:  in  1878  Douty  &  Baumgardner  began 
working  the  Ben  Franklin  colliery,  in  which  Mr.  Douty  was  interested  until 
his  death,  November  15,  1874. 

SH.\MOKIN  IN  1830. 

The  town  laid  out  by  John  C.  Boyd  in  1835  enjoyed  but  little  more  than 
a  nominal  existence  until  1S38,  when  the  western  section  of  the  Danville  and 
Pottsville  railroad  was  comj^leted,  terminal  facilities  at  Shamokin  were  pro- 
vided, a  machine  shop  and  foundry  were  placed  in  operation,  and  the  erec- 
tion of  dwelling  houses  received  a  quickened  impulse,  so  that  the  town  had 
reached  the  proportions  of  a  small  village  in  1830.  At  the  latter  date  Sun- 
bury  street,  which  coincided  very  nearly  with  the  course  of  the  old  Reading 
road,  was  opened  throughout  its  whole  extent,  Shamokin  street  was  passable 
from  Simbury  street  to  Casper  SchoU's  residence  between  Clay  and  Spurz- 
heim,  and  Commerce,  from  Shamokin  to  its  intersection  with  the  Eeading 
road;  the  remainder  of  the  town  plat  was  covered  with  a  dense  growth  of 
timber,  the  creek  pursued  a  winding  course,  and  on  the  alluvial  dejjosits  ad- 
jacent to  its  banks  the  imderbrush  was  almost  impenetrable.  The  Catholic 
church,  a  small  frame  building  at  the  present  site  of  the  knob  factory,  and 
a  one-story  frame  school  building  on  the  south  side  of  Dewart  street  con- 
stituted the  conveniences  for  religious  worshiii  and  educational  effort.     The 


600  HISTORY    OF    NOETHUMEERLAND    COUNTY. 

following  with  reference  to  the  inhabitants  at  that  date  (1S39)  and  their 
respective  residences  and  occupations  is  given  as  the  reminiscences  of  Daniel 
C.  Smink,  one  of  the  oldest  citizens  of  the  boroiigh: — 

Stinbury  Street. — North  side:  Joseph  Snyder,  land  agent,  small  frame 
house  at  the  corner  east  of  Pearl  street;  George  Shipe, machinist,  the  south- 
ern part  of  a  long  frame  double-house  at  the  corner  west  of  Franklin  street; 
Samtiel  Smink,  blacksmith,  the  northern  part  of  the  house  just  mentioned; 
James  Wallace,  helper  in  the  smith  shop,  small  frame  house,  with  shed 
roof,  between  Franklin  and  Shamokin  streets;  Jeremiah  Zimmerman,  small 
frame  house  at  the  corner  east  of  Shamokin  street;  James  Dyer,  hotel  keeper, 
large  two-story  frame  house  at  the  corner  west  of  Eock  street  (Franklin  A. 
Clark  became  proprietor  later  in  the  same  year). 

South  side:  William  and  Reuben  Fagely,  merchants,  two-story  frame 
house  between  Shamokin  and  Eock  streets;  George  Martz,  contractor  and 
builder,  two-story  frame  house  between  Washington  and  Liberty  streets; 
John  Boughner,  carpenter,  small  frame  house  between  Liberty  and  Orange 
streets;  Jacob  Mowry,  btitcher,  two-story  frame  house  at  the  comer  west  of 
Carpenter  street. 

Shamokin  Street. — East  side;  William  and  Eeuben  Fagely's  store,  be- 
tween Sunbun,"  and  Commerce  streets:  Jacob  Bear,  merchant,  two-story 
frame  hoiise  at  the  corner  north  of  Independence  street;  Joseph  Zuern, 
blacksmith,  two-story  frame  house  between  Independence  street  and  Coal 
run;  Joseph  Zaner,  carpenter,  small  frame  house  on  the  second  lot  north  of 
Spurzheim  street;  Jacob  Smink,  blacksmith,  two-story  brick  house,  the  first 
in  Shamokin,  half-way  between  Spurzheim  and  Clay  streets. 

West  side:  Stephen  Bittenbender,  carpenter,  small  frame  house  one  story 
and  a  half  high,  between  Sunbury  and  Commerce  streets;  Ziba  Bird,  agent 
for  John  B.  Boyd,  two-story  frame  building  which  now  forms  the  front  part 
of  the  National  Hotel;  Jacob  Kram,  hotel  keeper,  two-storj-  frame  building 
partly  incorporated  in  the  Hotel  Vanderbilt:  Eichard  Wolverton,  teamster, 
frame  house  with  shed  roof,  one  stoiy  and  a  half  high,  between  Independ- 
ence street  and  Coal  ritn;  Samuel  John,  merchant,  frame  house  at  the  corner 
north  of  Spurzheim  street;  Casper  Scholl.  carpenter  and  subsequently  as- 
sociate judge  of  Northumberland  coimty.  two-story  frame  house  between 
Spiirzheim  and  Clay  streets. 

Commerce  Street. — North  side:  Benjamin  McClow,  carpenter,  the  two- 
story  frame  house  at  the  corner  west  of  Pearl  street  in  which  he  now  resides; 
Stillman  Eaton,  mason,  two-story  frame  house  between  Pearl  and  Franklin 
streets;  Joseph  Bird,  small  frame  house  between  Franklin  and  Shamokin 
streets:  Ziba  Bird,  at  the  corner  west  of  Shamokin  street. 

Soitth  side:  Sylvanus  S.  Bird,  two-story  frame  house  east  of  Pearl  street, 
subsequently  the  location  of  the  postoffice:  two  frame  double-houses  between 
Pearl  and  Franklin  streets,   erected   in   1S30  by  John  C.  Boyd;  Matthew 


^ 


SHAMOKIN.  tjQ^ 

Brannigan,  railroad  emjiloyee.  small  frame  house  bet\yeen  Pearl  and  Frank- 
lin streets;  Kimber  Cleaver,  two-storv  frame  house  at  the  corner  east  of 
Franklin  street:  Jacob  Kram.  hotel  keeper,  at  the  corner  west  of  Sbamokin 
street. 

Indefinite  Locutions. — Joseph  Morrissey.  miner,  small  frame  house  near 
the  southeast  corner  of  Spnrzheim  and  Pearl  streets:  James  Porter,  saloon 
keeper,  two-story  frame  house  on  Water  street  between  the  Reading  and 
Northern  Central  railways;  Dr.  Robert  Phillips,  hotel  keeper,  two-story  frame 
house  at  the  gap  on  the  west  side  of  the  creek  and  of  the  iniblic  road:  Peter 
Wary,  farmer,  log  house  one  story  and  a  half  high  (the  oldest  of  the  build- 
ings mentioned  in  this  enumeration),  west  of  First  between  Pine  and  Sprtice 
streets. 

Single  Men. — Peter  Boitghner,  carpenter,  who  boarded  with  his  father, 
John  Boughner:  William  Cherington,  blacksmith,  who  boarded  with  Joseph 
Zuern;  Chauncey  Eaton,  mason,  who  boarded  with  Stillman  Eaton,  his 
brother:  Jonas  L.  Gilger,  carpenter,  who  boarded  with  George  Martz:  Wash- 
ington B.  Smink,  blacksmith,  who  boarded  with  Samuel  Smink,  his  brother; 
Daniel  C.  and  Isaac  Smink.  employees  in  the  smith  shop,  and  John  Smink, 
mail  carrier  between  Shamokin  and  Paxinos.  who  boarded  with  Jacob  Smink, 
their  father;  Samuel  R.  Wood,  superintendent  of  the  Danville  and  Pottsville 
railroad,  who  boarded  at  Kram's  hotel:  Daniel  Zuern.  blacksmith,  who 
l)oarded  with  Joseph  Zttern. 

Patrick  Reilly,  master  mechanic  at  the  railroad  shops,  also  resided  in  the 
town,  bitt  his  residence  has  not  been  ascertained. 

SUBSEQUENT    GROWTH    SUMMARIZED. 

In  IS  1:"2  the  locomotives  were  withdrawn  from  the  Danville  and  Pottsville 
railroad,  which  was  leased  by  William  and  Reuben  Fagely  and  operated  by 
horse-power  itntil  lSo'2;  during  this  period  many  of  the  inhabitants  were 
obliged  to  seek  work  elsewhere,  as  the  furnace  had  been  banked  in  1S42  and 
the  coal  operations  of  the  Messrs.  Fagley.  which  constitirted  almost  the  only 
dependence  of  the  town,  were  not  sufficient  to  employ  its  laboring  class.  The 
reopening  of  the  railroad  in  ISo'-i  and  the  development  of  this  region  which 
resttlted  therefrom  cattsed  a  rapid  influx  of  population,  and  the  growth  of  the 
town  from  that  date  has  kept  pace  with  the  expansion  of  the  mining  industry. 
By  the  census  of  ISIJO  the  population  was  fourteen  thousand  four  hundred 
three. 

THE    FIRST    STORES    -VND    HOTELS. 

The  tirst  store  at  Shamokin  was  opened  in  1S8S  by  Jehu  John  and  Ilef 
Houseworth  in  the  frame  bitilding  at  the  northwest  comer  of  Shamokin  and 
Commerce  streets  which  forms  the  front  part  of  the  National  Hotel.  The 
proprietors  were  brothers-in-law.     Houseworth   was    from    the    vicinity    of 


60S  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

Snyderto^vn.  Northumberland  county;  after  relinquishing  the  mercantile 
business  he  engaged  in  farming  in  the  valley  of  Plum  creek,  near  Sunbury, 
where  he  now  resides  at  an  advanced  age.  John  subsequently  taught  school 
at  Shamokin,  but  removed  to  the  West  and  died  there. 

The  tirst  store  in  the  lower  part  of  the  town  was  established  by  Henry 
Yoxtheimer,  a  prominent  merchant  of  Sunbury  and  pioneer  coal  operator  at 
Shamokin.  It  was  conducted  in  a  frame  building  opposite  the  present  site  of 
the  Eagle  Hotel.  After  Mr.  Yoxtheimer  failed  the  business  was  continued  a 
year  or  two  by  Samuel  John. 

AVilham  and  Keixbeu  Fagely  opened  a  store  on  the  east  side  of  Shamokin 
street  between  Sunbury  and  Commerce  in  IS^U.  This  was  the  location  of  the 
first  postoffice  of  the  borough.  At  this  site  a  store  has  since  been  conducted 
by  different  members  of  the  Fagely  family,  George  K.  Fagely  being  the 
present  proprietor. 

Samuel  John  located  at  Shamokin  in  April,  1889,  and  established  a  store 
at  the  northwest  corner  of  Shamokin  and  Spurzheim  streets.  He  suc- 
ceeded to  Yoxtheimer's  business  when  the  latter  failed.  In  1844  he  was 
appointed  postmaster,  and  during  his  incumbency  of  two  years  the  office  was 
conducted  at  his  store.  Mr.  John  was  connected  with  the  mercantile  interests 
of  Shamokin  for  many  years. 

John  &  Houseworth  were  succeeded  by  Jacob  Bear,  from  Lancaster,  who 
removed  the  establishment  to  the  northeast  corner  of  Shamokin  and  Inde- 
pendence streets.  His  immediate  successors  were  Zuern  &  Ammerman;  Ben- 
jamin Wolverton,  who  had  a  store  in  the  extreme  western  part  of  the  town, 
may  also  be  classed  with  its  first  merchants,  and  there  were  no  stores  of 
any  importance  established  in  the  place  except  those  mentioned  until  after 
the  reopening  of  the  railroad  in  1853. 

The  first  hotel  was  opened  in  1835  by  Joseph  Snyder  in  a  frame  build- 
ing since  incorporated  in  the  Hotel  Vanderbilt,  but  lack  of  patronage  shortly 
afterward  compelled  him  to  relinquish  the  biasiness  at  this  point.  He  sub- 
sequently resumed,  however,  and  continued  in  the  hotel  business  several 
years. 

Jacob  Kram  was  the  successor  of  Mr.  Snyder  and  second  proprietor  of 
the  hotel  that  occupied  part  of  the  site  of  the  Vanderbilt,  which  was  variously 
known  as  the  Shamokin  Hotel  and  the  United  States  Hotel  before  it  re- 
ceived its  present  name.  The  first  marriage  in  the  to\vn  was  that  of  Rebecca 
Kram,  daughter  of  the  proprietor,  and  Joseph  Bird,  subsequently  a  well 
known  coal  operator.  Mr.  Kram  conducted  this  hostelry  with  fair  success  for 
several  years,  after  which  he  removed  to  Minersville,  Schuylkill  county. 

Dr.  Robert  Phillips,  who  resided  in  a  two-story  frame  house  at  the  gap 
as  early  as  183G  and  five  or  six  years  after  that  date,  kept  a  hotel  that  received 
a  fair  patronage  from  persons  traveling  over  the  old  Reading  road  and  from 
the  workmen  employed  on  the  construction  of  the  railroad.  This  was  beyond 
the  borough  limits,  however. 


SHAMOEIN.  609 

In  1S39  John  and  Jacob  Gearhart  erected  a  large  two-story  frame  hotel 
at  the  present  site  of  the  First  National  Bank,  northwest  corner  of  Stmbury  and 
Rock  streets.  The  first  landlord  was  Jacob  Dyer,  who  removed  to  Catawissa 
and  was  succeeded  in  the  same  year  (1S39)  by  Franklin  A.  Clark,  who  con- 
tinued as  proprietor  many  years.  The  property  was  subsequently  purchased 
by  John  B.  Douty.  from  whom  it  received  the  name  of  the  Douty  House. 
It  was  eventually  destroyed  by  fire. 

Jacob  Dyer  and  Joseph  Snyder  were  the  first  to  keep  hotel  at  the  present 
site  of  the  National  Hotel,  which  was  established  in  1851  by  William  JI. 
Weaver  and  has  since  been  one  of  the  well  known  hostelries  of  the  town. 
Sheriff  Weaver  conducted  this  hotel  until  his  retirement  in  ISSn,  with  the 
exception  of  the  years  1863-06  and  1S7S-S1,  when  he  was  sheriff  of  North- 
umberland county. 

EARLY    PHYSICI.iXS    .iXD    LAWYERS. 

Dr.  Joseph  C.  Robins,  of  Elysburg,  was  the  first  physician  who  practiced 
at  Shamokin  to  any  extent;  Dr.  Robert  Phillips  resided  there  and  enjoyed  a 
professional  title,  but  it  does  not  appear  that  he  ever  engaged  in  the  practice 
of  his  profession  at  this  place. 

It  was  impossible,  however,  to  obtain  prompt  medical  attendance  from 
Elysburg  in  cases  of  emergency,  and  very  inconvenient  to  send  for  Doctor 
Robins  under  any  circumstances,  and  in  1842  the  citizens  of  Shamokin 
entered  into  a  joint  subscription  for  the  support  of  a  resident  physician. 
The  services  of  Dr.  John  K.  Robins,  who  had  recently  graduated  from  Jeffer- 
son Medical  College,  were  secured,  and  in  April,  1842,  he  located  at  Sha- 
mokin, where  he  was  in  active  practice  until  January,  1846;  he  then  removed 
to  Catawissa,  where  he  now  resides,  and  is  one  of  the  oldest  physicians  of 
Columbia  coimty.  Doctor  Robins  was  the  only  physician  at  Shamokin  dur- 
ing the  period  of  his  residence  here. 

After  the  departure  of  Doctor  Robins  the  services  of  Dr.  George  Weiser 
were  secured.  He  arranged  to  stay  one  year,  but  a  more  favorable  opening 
having  been  presented  at  Georgetown,  Northumberland  county,  he  removed 
thither,  and  Dr.  Charles  Weiser  tilled  the  remainder  of  the  unexpired  term. 

The  town  was  then  -without  a  resident  physician  until  1852,  when  Dr. 
Galen  S.  Robins,  a  son  of  Dr.  Joseph  C.  Robins  and  a  graduate  of  the  Penn- 
sylvania College  of  Medicine,  located  here;  he  was  in  active  practice  until 
his  death  in  1856,  associated  during  a  part  of  this  time  with  Dr.  J.  J.  John 
and  with  his  brother.  Dr.  E.  S.  Robins. 

The  first  resident  lawyer  of  Shamokin  was  Spencer  M.  Kase,  a  native  of 
Rush  to-wnship,  Northumberland  coimty,  a  graduate  of  Bucknell  University, 
Lewisburg,  and  of  the  Easton  Law  School,  who  read  law  with  Joshua  W. 
Comly  at  Danville  and  located  at  Shamokin  in  the  practice  of  his  profession 
in  1853.     His  office  was  a  one-story  frame  building  at  the  southeast  comer 


610  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

of  Sunliury  and  Shamokin  streets.  After  a  residence  of  three  or  four  years 
at  Shamokin  he  removed  to  East  St.  Louis,  Illinois,  where  he  became  a  well 
known  criminal  la\v\-er.  He  was  elected  to  the  legislature  of  that  State,  and 
was  once  the  nominee  of  the  Democratic  party  for  jitdge  of  the  district  coitrt. 
when,  although  the  minority  candidate,  he  was  defeated  by  only  a  small 
majority.     His  death  occurred  in  1890. 

William  Lattimer  Scott,  the  second  resident  attorney,  was  also  a  native  of 
Kush  township.  He  read  law  with  John  Cooper,  of  Danville,  located  at 
Shamokin  shortly  after  his  admission  to  the  bar,  and  had  his  oiSce  at  the 
northeast  corner  of  Shamokin  and  Independence  streets.  He  ser^-ed  as  dis- 
trict attorney  of  Northumberland  county,  and  resided  at  Shamokin  until  his 
death. 

MUNICIPAL    OEG.iXIZATIOX    AND    GOVEEXJIEXT. 

Shamokin  borough  was  incorporated  by  decree  of  coiirt  at  November 
term,  18G4.  The  first  borough  election  was  held  on  the  2d  of  December  in 
the  same  year;  it  resulted  in  the  choice  of  R.  B.  Douty  as  burgess  and  John 
Esher,  Daniel  Weaver,  Henry  Van  Gasken,  John  Dunkelberger.  WilKam  H. 
Gilger,  and  John  Shipp  as  councilmen.  The  following  is  a  hst  of  bur- 
gesses: 1804-05,  R.  B.  Douty;  1800,  Jonas  L.  Gilger;  1807,  E.  B.  Douty; 
1808-09,  Reuben  Fagely;  1870-71,  J.  H.  Zimmerman;  ls72.  William 
H.  Marshall;  1878,  William  H.  Douty;  1874-75,  Charles  P.  Helfenstein;  1870, 
J.  H.  Zimmerman;  1877,  R.  B.  Douty;  1878-80,  Samuel  E.  Martin:  1881,  J. 
A.  Weaver;  1882-83,  Joseph  Henninger;  1884-80,  J.  H.  Zimmerman;  1887, 
Mahlon  Koch;  1888,  John  J.  W.  Schwartz;  1889,  J.  A.  Weaver:  1890,  Ga- 
len F.  Holshue;  1891,  Henry  Reese. 

The  Borough  Building  on  Lincoln  street  was  erected  in  1S7S-79  under 
the  supervision  of  a  building  committee  composed  of  Chief  Bm-gess  Samuel 
E.  Martin  and  Councilmen  Simon  Hoffman,  Isaac  Raup,  W.  B.  Bird,  and 
George  Robertson.  It  is  a  substantial  stone  bitilding,  two  stories  high,  with 
lock-up  in  the  basement,  council  chamber  on  the  first  fioor,  and  apartments 
for  the  warden  and  his  family  on  the  second  floor.  The  erection  of  this 
building  was  formally  decided  upon  by  the  borough  council,  July  2l  I,  1878, 
but  it  was  not  imtil  the  4th  of  August,  1879,  that  the  committee  on  public 
property  was  instritcted  to  finish  the  second  story.  John  Simmonds  has 
filled  the  position  of  warden  for  some  years. 

The  Fire  DejJartinent,  under  its  present  organization,  was  established  by 
ordinance  of  the  borough  council,  October  7,  1880.  The  indi\-idual  compa- 
nies retain  their  respective  rights  and  privileges,  but  for  the  purpose  of  har- 
monious and  united  action  they  are  governed  by  a  board  of  representatives, 
composed  of  three  members  elected  from  each  company.  This  board  elects 
an  executive  ofiicer  and  two  assistants,  with  the  approval  of  the  borough 
council,  the  present  officers  being  Joseph  B.  Women  chief  of  the  fire  depart- 


SHAMOKIX.  611 

ment;  Samuel  Siiyder,  first  assistant,  and  Charles  Schlegel,  second  assist- 
ant. The  volunteer  department  was  originally  organized  some  years  previ- 
ously, with  "Wesley  Van  Gasken  as  chief  engineer.  At  present  it  is  com- 
posed of  the  following  organizations:  Lincoln  Hose  Company,  corner  of 
Lincoln  and  Liberty:  Independence  Fire  Association,  instituted  and  incor- 
porated in  1873,  corner  of  Lincoln  and  Grant;  Eescue  Fire  Engine  and 
Hose  Company,  instituted,  March  10,  1ST3.  incorporated,  Januarv  '10. 
1871,  corner  of  Liberty  and  Lincoln;  Friendship  Fire  Engine  and  Hose 
Company,  instituted,  July  1.  1873,  incorporated.  November  G,  1873,  corner  of 
Pearl  and  Spurzheim;  and  "West  End  Fire  Company,  organized,  November 
1.  18S8,  incoriiorated,  January  7,  1889. 

The  Police  System  of  the  borough  was,  until  a  few  years  since,  of  the 
volimtary  character.  Policemen  were  appointed  for  each  ward,  furnished 
with  weapons  and  the  insignia  of  civil  aiithority.  and  empowered  to  make 
arrests,  but  received  no  compensation  except  for  special  services.  "With  the 
growth  of  the  town  this  was  found  inadequate  for  the  preservation  of  public 
order,  and  on  the  2d  of  April,  1889,  the  paid  police  system  was  established 
by  ordinance  of  council.  The  force  consists  of  a  chief  and  four  officers:  the 
chief  of  police  in  1889  was  J.  A.  Weaver,  who  was  succeeded  in  1890  liy 
"William  Reppard,  the  present  incumbent. 

THE  RIOT  OF  1877. 

Many  men  were  unemployed  at  Shamokin  during  the  great  railroad  strike 
of  1877,  and  meetings  were  frec|uently  held  at  I'nion  hall  and  Slope  hill  to 
disciTss  measures  for  the  redress  of  grievances.  The  climax  was  reached  on 
the  evening  of  July  2.jth.  when,  after  a  meeting  at  Union  hall,  a  crowd  of 
men  and  boys  moved  down  Shamokin  street,  not.  it  appears,  with  any  riotous 
intentions  at  first,  but  as  they  passed  E.  Shuman  A:  Company's  store  some 
one  threw  a  stone  through  the  window:  this  caused  a  momentary  excite- 
ment, followed  by  a  general  movement  toward  the  Reading  station,  which 
was  completely  looted.  The  mob  then  crossed  over  to  the  Northern  Central 
depot,  but  at  this  juncture  a  company  of  citizens  who  had  collected  in  re- 
sponse to  the  tolling  of  the  Presbyterian  church  bell,  a  signal  that  had  been 
agreed  upon  when  acts  of  violence  first  became  probable,  marched  down  Lib- 
erty street  with  the  burgess,  Richard  B.  Douty,  at  their  head.  Upon  arriv- 
ing at  the  station  he  summoned  the  mob  to  disperse,  but  the  order  was  utterly 
disregarded  and  the  citizens  then  opened  fire,  with  such  execution  that  four- 
teen of  the  mob  were  wounded,  one.  Philip  "Wiest,  a  ringleader  in  the  dis- 
turbance, quite  seriously.  This  had  the  desired  effect  and  the  rioters 
retreated  with  great  precipitation.  Two  vigilance  companies  were  forthwith 
organized,  with  J.  A.  Weaver  and  W.  C.  Huntzinger  as  captains;  they  cleared 
the  streets  and  performed  guard  duty  during  the  next  two  weeks,  but  there 
was  fortunatelv  no  recurrence  of  riotous  demonstrations. 


G12  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBEKLAND    COUXTY. 

FACILITIES  OF    TRAVEL  AND  TKANSPOETATIOX. 

The  old  Beading  road,  the  first  public  highway  passing  through  the  site 
of  Shamokin.  was  opened  in  colonial  days.  The  coi;rse  through  the  borough 
can  be  indicated  with  a  fair  degree  of  accuracy  by  present  landmarks. 
Crossing  Coal  run  nearly  opjiosite  the  Luke  Tidier  colliery,  it  continued  in 
a  westerly  direction  to  the  north  side  of  Sunbury  street  in  the  rear  of  the 
Central  school  building  and  at  the  base  of  the  mountain  to  the  gap,  whence 
it  followed  the  course  of  the  creek  to  Paxinos.  It  is  described  in  1S03  as 
having  been  lined  on  either  side  with  a  dense  growth  of  laurel. 

The  Danville  and  Poftsville  Railroad  sustained  an  important  relation  to 
the  early  prosperity  of  Shamokin.  It  was  opened  to  Paxinos  in  1885  and 
completed  to  Shamokin  three  years  later.  The  road  was  leased  in  1842  by 
William  and  Eeuben  Fagely  and  operated  by  horse-power  ten  years;  the 
track  was  relaid  in  1853  and  the  road  was  formally  reopened  on  the  25th  of 
August  in  that  year.  In  1854  it  was  extended  to  Mt.  Carmel:  this  extension 
is  now  operated  by  the  Lehigh  Valley  Eailroad  Company,  the  entire  line 
from  Sunbury  to  Mt.  Carmel  being  leased  by  the  Northern  Central  Railway 
Company. 

The  Pltiladelphia  and  Reading  Railroad.  Williamsport  division,  is  com- 
posed in  this  county  of  the  Mine  Hill  and  Schuylkill  Haven,  Mahanoy  and 
Shamokin,  and  Shamokin,  Sunburj-  and  Lewisburg  railroads.  The  Maha- 
noy and  Shamokin.  formed  by  the  consolidation  of  the  Enterprise,  the  Sha- 
mokin and  Trevorton.  the  Zerbe  Valley,  and  other  roads  in  Schuylkill  county, 
was  merged  into  the  Reading  system  in  1871.  The  Enterprise  railroad 
extend-s  from  Locust  Gaji  to  Shamokin,  and  was  opened  in  1808;  the  Sha- 
mokin and  Trevorton,  now  a  part  of  the  Herndon  branch,  was  ojiened  on  the 
2d  of  AugiTst.  IS'VJ;  and  the  Shamokin.  Sunbury  and  Lewisburg  railroad, 
extending  from  Shamokin  through  Sunbury  and  Lewisl)urg  to  West  Milton, 
was  opened  in  July,  1883. 

The  Shamokin  Street  Railway  Company  was  organized  on  the  23d  of 
July,  1889,  and  incorporated  on  the  following  day  with  a  capital  of  thirty 
thousand  dollars.  The  present  officers  are  as  follows:  president,  E.  C.  Ham- 
ilton; secretarv'.  Dr.  J.  J.  John;  treasurer,  Martin  Markle;  directors:  E.  C. 
Hamilton,  Dr.  J.  J.  John,  R.  S.  Aucker,  Ferdinand  Tretter,  John  H.  Gable. 
E.  G.  Seiler,  H.  Rothschilds,  John  Clifford,  H.  Rohrheimer,  J.  H.  Conley, 
and  John  Schabo.  An  electric  street  railway  is  in  course  of  construction, 
the  line  extending  from  the  power-house  at  the  corner  of  Pearl  and  Pine 
streets  to  the  intersection  of  Spruce  and  Second,  by  way  of  Pine,  Shamokin, 
Independence,  Market,  and  Spruce  streets. 

THE  SHAMOKIN  COAL  TRADE. 

In  1826  John  C.  Boyd  opened  a  stone  coal  quarry  on  Shamokin  Creek 
opposite  Yost's  planing  mill.     Ziba  Bird  was  the  miner,  John  Runkle  wheeled 


.^^^^^.^^^ 


SHAMOKIN.  615 

the  coal  to  the  bank  of  the  creek,  and  Casper  Keed  and  Samuel  Startzel 
hauled  it  to  Boyd's  place  near  Dan^-ille,  whence  it  was  transported  in  arks 
to  various  points  on  the  Susquehanna  river.  The  growth  of  this  great  in- 
dustry is  exhaustively  treated  by  Dr.  J.  J.  John  in  Chapters  X  and  XI  of 
this  work.  The  collieries  of  Coal  township,  upon  which  the  prosperity  of 
Shamokin  so  largely  depends,  are  the  Cameron,  Luke  Fidler,  Neilson.  Bear 
Valley,  Sterling,  Burnside,  Henry  Clay,  Buck  Ridge,  Eoyal  Oak  (Alpha). 
Enterprise,  Excelsior,  Corbin,  Hickory  Kidge,  Hickory  Swamp.  Gartield, 
Lancaster,  Eureka,  and  Big  Mountain. 

GENERAL  INDUSTRIAL  INTERESTS. 

At  an  early  period  in  the  present  century  Abraham  Cherry  built  a  saw 
mill  on  Shamokin  creek  at  the  gap,  opposite  the  Cameron  collierj-.  This  was 
the  first  industrial  establishment  at  Shamokin;  about  the  year  1828  it  passed 
to  a  Mr.  Hoots,  who  furnished  ties  and  rails  for  the  Dan^'ille  and  Pottsville 
railroad.  The  next  owners  were  J.  H.  Purdy  and  Lewis  Dewart,  who  pur- 
chased the  property  with  a  view  to  its  mineral  development. 

Furnace  run,  an  affluent  of  Shamokin  creek  from  the  west,  derives  its 
name  from  an  iron  furnace  conducted  there  by  Henry  Myers.  This  land  was 
purchased  by  Mr.  Myers  from  Solomon  Dunkelberger,  and  about  the  year 
1825  he  erected  thereon  a  small  charcoal  furnace.  Bog  ore,  obtained  in  the 
vicinity,  constituted  the  raw  material;  the  charcoal  used  was  burned  from 
timber  on  the  furnace  tract,  and  the  product  was  hauled  in  wagons  to  Sun- 
bury  for  shi^iment  to  forges  in  the  surrounding  country.  Considerable  chffi- 
culty  was  experienced  in  procuring  limestone,  and  this  ultimately  led  to  the 
abandonment  of  the  works.  The  development  of  the  ore  deposits  continued, 
however,  and  until  the  next  furnace  was  placed  in  operation  an  apjireciable 
amount  of  ore  was  hauled  to  different  furnaces  in  Columbia  county.  The 
location  of  Myers's  furnace  was  at  the  west  end  of  Walnut  street  at  the  cross- 
ing of  the  run. 

The  Shamokin  Coal  and  Iron  Company  was  an  important  factor  in 
the  early  indiLstrial  development  of  the  town.  It  was  formed  by  the  amal- 
gamation of  the  Shamokin  Coal  Company  and  the  Shamokin  Iron  Company; 
the  former  was  incorj^orated  by  act  of  the  legislature,  June  15, 1836,  and  the 
latter  organized  under  a  charter  granted  by  the  Governor  imder  date  of 
March  18,  1840.  The  corporators  of  the  coal  company  were  James  Hep- 
burn, John  C.  Boyd,  Lewis  Dewart,  Joseph  M.  Sanderson,  WiUiam  Boyd, 
and  Charles  Mowry;  the  authorized  capital  was  three  hundred  thotisand 
dollars,  of  which  subscriptions  to  the  whole  amoimt  and  the  expenditure  of 
fifteen  per  cent,  were  necessary  to  obtain  the  charter;  the  company  was 
limited  to  three  thousand  acres  of  land,  situated  in  Northumberland  county. 
The  necessary  preliminaries  having  been  successfully  accomplished,  the 
charter  was  accordingly  granted,  and  the  organization  was  affected,  Xovem- 

35 


616  HISTORY    OF   XORTHCilBERLAXD    COUNTY. 

ber  19,  1839.  The  iron  company  was  incorporated  for  the  specific  purpose 
of  building  a  furnance  for  the  manufacture  of  iron.  The  two  were  united 
in  one,  with  the  privileges  of  lx)th.  by  a  supplement  to  the  act  incorporating 
the  coal  company,  March  23.  1S41.  The  furnace  was  erected  in  1841  by 
the  amalgamated  corporation,  and  "blown  in"  in  the  autumn  of  that  year. 
The  officers  at  that  time  were  as  follows:  president,  George  W.  Richards; 
secretary  and  treasurer,  Benjamin  H.  Yarnall:  superintendent,  Samuel  R. 
Wood;  directors:  George  "VV.  Richards,  Algernon  S.  Roberts,  Edward  Yar- 
nall, John  W.  Claghorn,  Benjamin  H.  Yarnall,  Samuel  R.  Wood,  and  John 
C.  Boyd,  all  of  whom  resided  at  Philadelphia,  except  Mr.  Boyd,  of  Danville. 
The  following  description  apjwared  in  a  newspaper  in  1842 :  — 

This  furnace,  erected  on  the  property  of  the  company  at  the  village  of  Shamokin, 
is  now  in  full  blast,  under  the  charge  of  William  Frimstone,  turning  out  pig  metal  of 
the  very  best  quality.  The  machinery  performs  admirably.  The  forest  has  given 
place  to  the  march  of  civilization,  and  the  wilderness  has  been  made  to  blossom  as  the 
rose.  The  village  of  Shamokin  now  contains  more  than  si.\  hundred  inhabitants,  nearly 
three  hundred  of  whom  are  scholars  in  the  Sunday  school,  and  it  is  destined,  at  no  dis- 
tant period,  to  become  a  large  and  flourishing  town.  Few  places  possess  greater  advan- 
tages for  prosecuting  the  coal  and  iron  business.  The  furnace  is  thirty-eight  feet 
square,  bore  built  up  eleven  feet  plumb,  then  battered  two  and  one  half  inches  to  the 
foot  to  the  top  of  the  stack,  which  is  forty -seven  and  one  half  feet  high  from  the  com- 
mencement of  the  base.  Foundation  imder  the  whole,  five  feet  deep  and  forty-two 
feet  square.  Engines,  one  hundred  and  eighty  horse-power.  Ten  boilers,  each  thirty 
feet  long  and  thirty  inches  diameter.  Engine  house,  sixty  by  thirty  feet.  Boiler 
house,  sixty  by  forty-five  feet.  B-.iler  stack,  seventy  feet  high.  Casting  house,  forty- 
five  by  forty-eight  feet. 

The  works  continued  in  successful  operation  until  the  24th  of  May,  1842, 
when  the  water-hoisting  machinery,  the  casting  house,  and  part  of  the  boiler 
house  were  destroyed  by  fire.  The  company  had  been  involved  financially, 
and  this  loss  precipitated  the  failure  which  occurred  several  months  later. 
Benjamin  H.  Y''arnall  took  charge  of  the  property  as  assignee;  in  1843  it 
was  leased  by  the  Messrs.  Poastly.  who  were  succeeded  a  year  later  by  a  Mr. 
Bryant,  but  neither  the  original  projectors  nor  their  lessees  had  so  far  met 
with  any  success,  and  in  184-j.  ha^■ing  been  sold  at  sheriff's  sale,  the  ft;rnace 
was  abandoned. 

In  1853  the  property  was  pmchased  by  Henry  Longenecker,  of  Lancaster, 
who  at  once  began  making  improvements  and  repairs,  and  established  connec- 
tion with  the  Big  Mountain  railroad.  As  thus  rehabilitated  it  received  the 
name  of  the  Shamokin  Iron  Works,  Henry  Longenecker  &  Company,  pro- 
prietors. The  furnace  was  ''blown  in"'  on  the  15th  of  August,  1854,  but 
many  difficulties  were  encountered,  and  in  the  following  December  it  again 
suspended.  The  iron  trade  being  dull,  nothing  was  done  until  May,  1855; 
repairs  were  then  begxin,  and  on  the  6th  of  July  the  comer-stone  of  a  new 
draft  stack  was  laid.  At  that  time  the  proprietors  were  Henry  Longenecker 
and  Alfred  R.  Fiske,  of  Lancaster.  Pennsylvania;  clerk,  Franklin  B.  Gowen, 


SHAMOKIN.  617 

of  Mt.  Airy,  Philadelphia:  founder,  Thomas  M.  Collins,  of  Phoenixville,  Penn- 
sylvania; store  clerk-.  Cyrus  E.  Brobst,  of  Milton,  Pennsylvania,  and  George 
B.  Genther,  of  New  York.  Thirty-four  persons  were  employed  as  masons, 
bricklayers,  carpenters,  blacksmiths,  and  laborers.  The  ores  used  were  as 
follows:  No.  1.  fossil.  I'nion  county,  Pennsylvania;  No.  2,  hematite,  Adams 
county,  Pennsylvania:  No.  3,  magnetic,  York  coi^nty,  Pennsylvania;  No.  4, 
magnetic,  Cornwall.  Lebanon  county,  Pennsylvania;  No.  6,  bog  and  ball, 
Shamokin. 

The  foregoing  particulars  have  been  obtained  principally  from  a  manu- 
script deposited,  with  samples  of  the  ores  mentioned  and  various  other  articles, 
in  a  tin  bos  imbedded  in  the  wall  of  the  stack  about  twenty  feet  above  the 
groimd.  It  was  placed  there  with  ceremonies  appropriate  to  the  event.  Mr. 
Gowen,  W.  P.  Withington,  and  others  made  S2:ieeches,  and  the  exercises  closed 
with  the  singing  of  the  doxology  irnder  the  leadership  of  Captain  Henry  Van 
Gasken.  Mr.  Gowen"s  manuscript  closed  with  the  following  address  to  pos- 
terity:— 

Those  wliu  uiuy  tiiul  these  lines,  whether  hi  a  spirit  of  improvemeut  or  uct  of 
viuidalisin,  know,  that  on  tlie  0th  day  of  July,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  18oo,  and  the 
seventy-n'inth  of  American  independence,  this  was  deposited  in  the  draft  stack  of  the 
works  of  the  Sliamokin  furnace,  just  fourteen  years  and  a  da}-  since  the  erection  of  the 
(lid  draft  stack  and  deposit  of  a  somewhat  similar  memoranda  by  Kimber  Cleaver, 
Ksiiuire,  civil  eng-ineer. 

The  stack  was  constructed  of  brick,  and  stood  at  the  upper  end  of  Frank- 
lin street.  In  ISTU  it  was  purchased  by  Lincoln  Post,  G.  A.  R.,  and  demol- 
ished; the  tin  box  with  Mr.  Gowen's  memoranda  were  thus  brought  to  light, 
after  nearly  a  (juarter  of  a  century  of  concealment,  revealing  much  of  curious 
interest  regarding  the  furnace  and  the  town.  Mr.  Gowen  fvas  connected  with 
the  establishment  only  two  years;  it  experienced  frequent  changes  in  owner- 
ship and  management,  and  was  never  continuously  operated  any  great  length 
of  time.  It  was,  however,  throughout  its  checkered  history,  a  source  of  pros- 
perity at  different  times  when  the  mining  industry  was  temporarily  straitened, 
particularly  at  its  first  inception,  when  the  business  of  the  place  was  derived 
almost  entirely  from  the  furnace. 

The  Shamokin  Iron  Works,  John  Mullen  &  Son,  proprietors,  had  their 
ince[)tion  at  an  early  period  in  the  historj-  of  the  borough.  Upon  the  com- 
pletion of  the  Danville  and  Pottsville  railroad  to  Shamokin  in  1S38,  the  rail- 
road company  established  shops  for  the  repair  of  cars,  tools,  etc.;  John  C. 
Boyd  and  Ziba  Bird  added  a  foundry  for  the  manufacture  of  hollow- ware, 
stoves,  etc.,  the  power  for  this  department  being  furnished  by  the  engine 
in  the  railroad  shops.  It  was  subsequently  operated  by  Bear  &  Dering, 
Samuel  John,  and  others.  Stephen  Bittenbender  pirrchased  the  foimdry  in 
1851  and  the  entire  establishment  in  ISo.").  He  inaugurated  the  manufacture 
of  coal  cars  for  use  in  the  mines  and  in  railroad  transportation,  and  con- 
ducted the  business  on  a  larger  scale  than  any  of  his   predecessors.     After 


618  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

continuing  these  operations  successhiUy  for  a  period  of  sixteen  years,  he 
leased  the  works  in  1807  to  Cruikshank  &  Brother,  who  were  succeeded  in 
1870  by  Mullen  &  Hufman,  formerly  of  Port  Carbon,  Pennsylvania.  The 
new  firm  built  a  steam  engine  in  1871,  the  first  ever  manufactured  at  Shamo- 
kin;  it  was  a  twenty  horse-power  engine,  and  was  used  by  Andrew  Robert- 
son for  operating  a  fan  at  the  old  Henry  Clay  colliery.  From  that  time  en- 
gines have  been  an  important  part  of  the  product  of  the  works,  and  the  trade 
in  this  respect  extends  to  many  of  the  States  and  Territories,  with  an  in- 
creasing demand  from  the  South  and  Southwest.  Mining,  rolling  mill, 
furnace,  saw  mill,  and  powder  mill  machinery  are  also  manufactured,  and 
Allison's  patent  cataract  steam  pump  receives  some  attention  as  a  specialty. 
The  works  embrace  two  acres  of  ground,  intersected  by  Pearl  and  Franklin 
streets,  with  direct  connection  with  the  Philadelphia  and  Reading,  Lehigh 
Valley,  and  Northern  Central  railroads.  The  plant  comprises  the  following 
builchngs:  foundry,  fifty  by  eighty  feet;  machine  shojj,  forty  by  one  himdred 
feet;  blacksmith  shop,  forty  by  sixty  feet;  pattern  shop,  thirty  by  sixty-five 
feet;  store-house,  forty  by  eighty  feet;  boiler  shop,  fifty  by  sixty  feet,  and 
office  building,  all  of  brick  except  the  pattern  shop  and  office.  Ninety-five 
operatives  are  usually  employed. 

Two  other  iron  foirndries  have  been  absorl)ed  by  the  Shamokin  Iron 
Works.  Of  these,  the  Anthracite  Foundry  and  Machine  "Works  were  estab- 
lished by  John  Shipp,  at  the  corner  of  Rock  and  Clay  streets.  Mr.  Shipp 
was  succeded  by  Fisher  &  Medlar,  who  were  followed  by  William  Y.  Cruik- 
shank. After  experiencing  several  other  changes  of  proprietorship,  the  plant 
was  purchased  in  1882  by  Mr.  Mullen.  The  Industrial  Iron  Works  were 
located  at  the  corner  of  Independence  and  Eighth  streets:  William  Renny- 
son  removed  the  plant  from  Sunbury  to  this  place  in  1804,  and  conducted 
the  business  until  1808.  He  was  succeeded  by  several  different  individuals 
or  firms,  and  in  1883  the  works  were  purchased  by  Mr.  Mullen. 

The  style  of  the  firm  was  changed  in  1870  from  Mullen  &  Hufman  to 
John  Mullen  &  Company,  and  in  April,  ISSU,  to  John  Mullen  &  Son. 

A  Rolling  Mill  was  erected  and  partially  equipped  with  machinery  in 
1858 ;  the  funds  were  principally  sujiplied  by  the  Shamokin  Town  Lot  Asso- 
ciation, aided  by  private  subscriptions  of  stock  and  capital  from  abroad.  The 
machinery  was  brought  from  Camden,  New  Jersey,  and  the  works  were  located 
near  the  old  furnace.  The  plant  was  never  placed  in  operation,  owing  to 
complications  that  arose  between  the  local  and  foreign  investors,  and  the 
machinery  was  returned  to  its  former  location. 

J.  B.  Zimmerman's  Carriage  Works  on  Independence  street  were  origi- 
nally established  in  1800  by  J.  H.  Zimmerman  on  Market  street.  The  busi- 
ness was  begiin  in  a  building  twenty  by  thirty  feet,  biTt  rapidly  expanded, 
and  now  requires  blacksmith  and  carriage  shops  and  a  large  repository,  em- 
ploying twenty-five  operatives. 


SHAMOKIN.  619 

Eagle  Run  Brewery,  two  miles  from  Sliamokin  near  Weigh  Scales  station 
on  the  Xorthem  Central  and  Philadelj^hia  and  Reading  railroads,  was  estab- 
lished by  Gottlieb  Fritz.  He  has  been  succeeded  by  John  Gepvitz,  Swenck 
ifc  Lehner,  Jolin  B.  Donty,  Markle  &  Schweibenz,  and  Martin  Markle,  intli- 
vidually,  the  last  named  being  the  present  proprietor,  whose  connection  with 
the  establishment  began  in  1S71.  A  twenty-ton  ice  machine,  fifty-six-barrel 
brewing  kettle,  and  engines  of  sixty-five  and  twenty-five  horse-power  are  the 
principal  features  of  the  plant.  The  annital  capacity  is  six  thousand  barrels 
of  beer,  which  finds  a  market  at  Shamokin,  Mt.  Carmel  and  Trevorton. 

The  Shamokin  Planing  Mill  was  established  in  1S73  by  George  Marshall, 
from  whom  it  passed  in  May,  1890,  to  "VV.  A.  Marshall,  the  present  proprietor. 
It  consists  of  a  two-stoiy  frame  building  forty  feet  square  and  three  stories 
high,  erected  in  ISTo  and  located  on  Independence  street.  The  machinery- 
is  propelled  by  engines  of  fifty  horse-power,  and  every  variety  of  j^laning 
mill  work  receives  attention.     Twenty-five  men  are  employed. 

Tlie  West  End  Planing  Mill,  Aucker,  Slayman  &  Company,  proprietors, 
was  established  in  February,  1SS2.  R.  S.  Aucker  had  conducted  a  large 
business  on  an  individual  basis  for  some  years  previously.  The  mill,  a  two- 
story  frame  building  forty  by  eighty-six  feet,  is  situated  at  the  corner  of 
Fifth  and  Chestnut  streets,  and  was  erected  by  the  present  firm  in  l'^'^3. 
The  power  is  derived  from  an  engine  of  forty  horse-jDower.  Seventy-five 
workmen  are  employed  in  their  several  lines  of  work,  and  all  kinds  of  plan- 
ing mill  and  contract  work  are  done. 

The  Rock  Street  Planing  Mill  was  established  by  J.  A.  Yost  &  Company 
in  a  building  formerly  occupied  as  a  fovmdry  and  machine  shop.  The  pres- 
ent business  dates  from  1SS2.  The  building  is  a  two-story  frame  structure, 
forty  by  seventy-five  feet,  and  the  engines  have  a  capacity  of  twenty  horse- 
power.    Eight  operatives  are  usually  employed  in  the  mill. 

Robertson  <£•  Osier's  Flour  Mill  and  Grain  Elevator,  Independence  and 
Washington  streets,  have  developed  from  a  small  mill  on  Liberty  street,  first 
operated  in  ISSO  by  Nathan  Robertson.  He  was  succeeded  about  a  year 
later  by  the  firm  of  Robertson  &  Parmley.  by  whom  th^  present  mill  property 
was  first  occitpied.  This  is  a  three-story  brick  striicture,  forty  by  seventy- 
five  feet  in  dimensions,  and  was  built  by  Andrew  Robertson.  The  grain 
elevator  in  the  rear  is  one  hundred  by  thirty-six  feet.  The  mill  has  a 
capacity  of  one  hundred  barrels  of  fiotir  and  four  tons  of  choji  per  day.  In 
1887  the  style  of  the  firm  was  changed  to  Robertson,  Parmley  &  Company, 
who  were  succeeded  by  Robertson  &  Osier,  the  present  proprietors,  about  a 
year  later. 

G.  F.  Holshue's  Flour  Mill,  corner  of  Commerce  and  Market  streets,  was 
established  by  the  present  proprietor  in  1888.  It  is  a  three-story  frame 
building,  forty  by  sixty  feet;  the  machinery  is  operated  by  a  twenty  horse- 
power engine,  and  the  product  consists  of  standard  grades  of  flour  and  feed. 


620  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

The  Shamokin  Powder  Mills.  "William  Beury  &  Company,  iiropriotors, 
were  erected  in  1877,  and  are  located  in  Coal  township  a  mile  and  a  quarter 
north  of  Shamokin  borough.  The  daily  capacity  is  one  hundred  fifty  kegs, 
and  the  product  is  sold  princiiially  in  the  Shamokin  coal  region.  Mr.  Beury 
first  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  powder  in  1S08  at  Little  Mahanoy,  and 
has  since  been  interested  in  Cameron  township  and  at  Trevorton.  The  Sha- 
mokin mills  are  therefore  successors  to  some  of  the  first  operated  in  this 
locality. 

The  Shamokin  Potuder  Company  was  incorporated,  March  10,  1887.  The 
first  and  present  officers  are  as  follows:  president,  John  Mullen;  secretary, 
treasurer,  and  manager,  Thomas  J.  Mullen;  directors:  Andrew  Robertson, 
Thomas  Gillespie,  John  Mullen,  George  Robertson,  and  Thomas  J.  Mullen. 
The  works  are  located  in  Coal  to\Tn5hip  near  Trevorton,  three  and  one  half 
miles  from  Shamokin  on  the  Herndon  branch  of  the  Philadelphia  and  Read- 
ing railroad.  The  original  projectors  were  Gillespie,  Crone  &  Company,  by 
whom  the  works  were  erected  in  ISSO  and  operated  until  they  j^assed  to  the 
present  o\vners.  The  plant  consists  of  an  engine  of  forty  horse-power,  three 
boilers  of  seventy  horse-power,  one  set  of  seven-ton  chasers,  one  incorporator, 
two  dry-houses,  one  glazing  mill,  packing  house,  magazine,  two  large  store- 
houses for  charcoal,  and  twenty  acres  of  land.  The  daily  capacity  is  one 
himdred  seventy-five  kegs.  An  adthtion  for  the  manufacture  of  pressed 
powder  for  the  western  trade  is  now  ( 1890)  in  cour.se  of  erection. 

The  Shamokin  Manufacturing  Company  was  organized  and  incorporated 
in  1888  with  a  capital  of  twenty-five  thousand  dollars  and  the  following  offi- 
cers: president,  A.  A.  Heim:  secretary-,  Addison  G.  Marr,  and  treasurer,  J. 
H.  Conley.  In  1888  a  building  was  erected  on  Sunbury  street  at  the  former 
location  of  the  Catholic  cemetery  for  the  manufacture  of  the  Davis  patent 
door  knob.     The  works  are  now  operated  under  lease  by  Heim  &  Deibert, 

The  Shamokin  Steam  Bakery,  HL  C.  Beury  &  Company,  proprietors,  was 
placed  in  operation  on  the  4th  of  August,  18y0.  It  occupies  a  three-story 
frame  building,  thirty  by  seventy-five  feet  in  dimensions,  located  on  "West 
Commerce  street.  Twelve  operatives  are  employed.  The  product  consists 
of  cakes,  crackers,  and  biscuits. 

The  Shamokin  Industrial  Company  was  organized  in  1890  for  the  pur- 
pose of  promoting  the  general  industrial  interests  of  the  town.  The  follow- 
ing officers  were  elected  by  the  board  of  directors  at  its  organization  on  the 
7th  of  November,  1890:  president,  R.  S.  Aucker;  vice-president,  John  Mullen, 
and  secretary,  Addison  G.  Marr. 

I.  W.  Forry  &  Son's  factor}-  for  the  manufacture  of  knit  hosiery  is  a  two- 
story  frame  building  on  Fifth  street,  erected  by  the  Shamokin  Industrial 
Company  and  leased  to  the  Messrs.  Forry  for  a  term  of  years.  The  plant 
was  placed  in  operation  on  the  '27th  of  January,  1891. 

Miscellaneous  Industries  include  the  brick  works  of  Mc "Williams  &  Mc- 


SHA.MOKIX.  ■  621 

Cunnell,  a  mile  west  of  the  borough,  which  employ  twenty-eight  men  and 
have  a  capacity  of  thirty  thousand  per  day;  an  overall  factory,  cigar  fac- 
tories, etc..  which  add  to  the  volume  of  local  iiroduction  to  an  appreciable 
extent. 

THE     POSTOFFICE. 

The  postoffices  nearest  Shamokin  at  the  time  when  it  was  laid  out  were 
Bear  Gap  and  Shamokin  (Paxinos),  both  of  which  were  established  soon 
after  the  opening  of  the  Centre  turnpike.  As  the  place  began  to  attain  vil- 
lage proportions  local  facihties  became  imperatively  necessary,  and  on  the 
17th  of  May,  1838,  William  Fagely  was  commissioned  as  postmaster  of 
Coal  postofiice.  General  Hammond  was  then  Congressman  from  this  district, 
and  it  was  through  him  that  the  peoj^le  of  this  locality  communicated  with 
the  department.  Mr.  Fagely  opened  the  office  at  his  store  on  Shamokin 
street  in  the  building  now  occupied  by  George  K.  Fagely  &  Company. 
Mail  was  received  several  times  a  week,  by  stages  over  the  turnpike  and  car- 
rier from  Snufftown.  In  1810  a  sjaecial  route  was  established  from  Paxinos 
to  Shamokin,  with  Solomon  Martz  as  contractor,  the  compensation  being  the 
net  proceeds  of  Coal  postoffice,  provided  they  did  not  exceed  thirty-one 
dollars  fifty  cents  per  quarter.  For  some  time  Mr.  Martz  carried  the  mail 
himself,  and  then  emjtloyed  John  Smink,  a  boy,  who  made  the  trip  three 
times  a  week  on  foot.  At  the  expiration  of  his  contract,  June  30,  1S44,  ilr. 
Martz  was  succeeded  by  Casper  Scholl.  The  first  daily  mail  was  introduced 
by  Thomas  Dornan,  who  had  a  contract  for  carrying  the  mails  between  Sun- 
bury  and  Philadelphia.* 

As  a  postoffice  designation,  Shamokin  was  first  applied  to  the  village  of 
Snufftown,  the  mail  di.stributing  point  for  a  large  part  of  the  extensive 
township  of  Shamokin.  On  the  2Sth  of  December,  1840,  the  name  of  Coal 
postoffice  was  changed  to  Shamokin.  and  that  of  Paxinos  substituted  for  the 
latter  at  Snuffto\vn.  William  Fagely  continued  in  charge,  and  his  succes- 
sors have  been  apjrointed  in  the  following  order:  Samuel  John,  February 
21,  1844;  Joseph  Zuern,  March  26,  1840;  James  Thomas,  February  26, 
1849;  Sylvanus  S.  Bird.  July  13,  1852;  Joseph  Zuern,  January  3,  1855;  Syl- 
vanus  S.  Bird,  December  3,  1855;  Lewis  L.  Bevan,  March  24,  1856;  F.  P. 
Stambach,  December  18,  1860;  Darius  S.  Gilger,  March  25,  1864;  William 
A.  Sterling,  April  6,  1888;  Simon  C.  Wagenseller,  August  13,   1890. 

The  free  delivery  system  was  established  on  the   1st  of  December,  1890. 


The  Shamokin  Bankj  had  its  inception  in  1854.  At  that  date  the  town 
was   at  the  height  of  its  early  prosperity.     The  railroad  was  in  successful 

*Tlie  above  particulars  regarding  early  postal  facilities  have  been  derived  from  articles  contrih 
uted  to  the  Shamokin  Herald  by  Dr.  J.  J.  John. 

tThe  facts  relating  to  this  institution  have  been  derived  from  a  series  of  articles  contributed  to 
the  Shamokin  Herald  by  Dr.  J.  J.  John. 


bZZ  HISTORY    OF    NOBTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

operation;  several  collieries  had  initiated  coal  shipments  to  distant  points, 
and  others  were  about  to  be  opened;  the  furnace  was  in  blast,  and  with  a 
growing  population  it  was  apparent  that  banking  facilities  were  necessary  for 
the  normal  expansion  of  the  business  of  the  community.  The  popiilar  senti- 
ment was  formally  expressed  at  a  meeting  of  citizens  at  Weaver's  Hotel, 
when  the  first  preliminary  steps  were  taken,  July  6,  1854.  A  second  meet- 
ing was  held,  January  31,  1855;  J.  H.  Zimmerman  was  twice  elected  to  the 
legislature  as  a  pledged  supporter  of  the  project,  and  through  his  efforts  and 
those  of  David  Taggart,  State  Senator,  an  act  of  incorporation  was  secured. 
May  15,  1857.  The  capital  was  placed  at  one  hundred  fifty  thousand  dollars, 
with  the  pri\-ilege  of  inci-easing  it  to  double  that  amount.  A  meeting  of  the 
corporators  was  held  on  the  tJth  of  Jiine,  1857,  with  John  Taggart,  president, 
and  W.  P.  Withington,  secretary,  at  which  committees  were  appointed  to 
sohcit  stock.  Owing  to  the  financial  stringency  of  that  year,  their  efforts 
were  imsuccessful;  and,  not  willing  to  permit  the  charter  to  expire,  recourse 
was  then  had  to  other  than  local  sources,  and  the  firm  of  E.  S.  &  N.  Thayer, 
of  Buffalo,  New  York,  were  induced  to  purchase  fifteen  hundred  twenty 
shares  of  stock,  for  which  they  deposited  seven  thousand  dollars  in  specie  and 
twenty-seven  thousand  dollars  in  notes  of  the  Tioga  and  Crawford  banks. 
The  charter  was  accordingly  issued  by  Governor  Pollock,  January  IS,  1858; 
on  the  23d  of  that  month  the  stockholders  elected  J.  H.  Zimmerman  presi- 
dent, Daniel  A.  Kobinson  cashier,  and  a  Mr.  Richardson  teller.  Shamokin 
was  represented  in  the  directory  by  W.  M.  Weaver,  W.  P.  Withington,  and 
Joseph  Bird.  Business  was  begim  in  the  Bittenbender  building,  March 
2, 1858. 

Within  a  brief  period  the  control  passed  from  the  Thayers  to  the  Robin- 
sons and  from  them  to  R.  R.  and  J.  Woods  Underhill.  In  April,  1858,  the 
affairs  of  the  bank  were  investigated  by  a  legislative  committee,  which  re- 
ported in^^terms  of  strong  censure  and  disapproval.  In  order  to  make  a  cred- 
itable June  statement,  the  Underbills  placed  five  thousand  dollars  in  sj^ecie 
in  the  vault  with  the  intention  of  afterward  withdrawing  it,  but  in  this  design 
they  were  thwarted  by  the  local  directors.  About  this  time  one  Street  in- 
duced the"  bank  to  issiie  twenty  thousand  dollars  for  him,  promising  to  pro- 
vide adequate  collateral  for  its  redemption;  this  he  failed  to  do,  and  when 
the  notes^were  presented  to  the  Philadelphia  correspondent  for  redemption, 
the  funds  for  that  purpose  were  soon  exhausted.  Inquiry  developed  the  fact 
that  eighty  thousand  dollars  of  the  bank's  notes  were  in  circulation,  with  but 
fifteen  thousand  to  redeem  it,  and  that  a  stock  note  of  thirty-eight  thousand 
doUarsfrom  the  Underhills  constituted  a  large  part  of  the  assets  of  the  insti- 
tution. WTien  they  next  visited  Shamokin  they  were  met  by  the  local  direct- 
ors with  a  demand  to  substitute  available  funds  for  their  stock  note  or  assign 
all  theirjnterest  to  Stephen  Bittenbender  in  trust.  This  they  declined  to  do; 
and  whenjt  became   known  that  they   proposed   leaving  by  the   Trevorton 


SHAMOKIN.  623 

Stage  on  the  following  morning.  President  Zimmerman  secretly  seciTred  a 
locomotive,  went  to  SimbnrA',  and  as  the  result  of  his  visit  the  sheriff  arrested 
the  obstinate  magnates  just  as  they  were  about  to  take  their  departure. 
The  bank  was  accordingly  signed  over  to  Mr.  Bittenbender  as  trustee,  the 
L'nderhills  to  have  four  weeks  in  which  to  redeem  it  by  i^rodiicing  sufficient 
funds  to  carry  on  the  business  properly.  This  they  never  did;  and  on  the 
11th  of  August,  1S5S,  the  requisite  amount  of  stock  having  been  subscribed, 
a  reorganization  was  effected  with  the  election  of  the  following  officers: 
president,  J.  H.  Zimmerman;  cashier.  Samuel  John;  teller,  Robert  Under- 
hill ;  directors :  Joseph  Bird,  William  H.  Marshall,  William  M.  Weaver,  Elias 
Eisenhart,  George  Schall,  Felix  Maurer,  William  Deppen,  Elida  John,  H.  J. 
Wolverton,  William  T.  Grant,  William  Elliott,  and  Joseph  Hoover. 

The  institution  thus  passed  into  local  control.  Its  officers  were  business 
men  of  standing  and  means,  and  notwithstanding  the  incubus  of  previous 
bad  management,  confidence  in  its  integrity  was  gradually  restored.  The 
first  dividend,  two  and  one  half  per  cent.,  was  declared  in  November,  1800. 
President  Zimmerman  resigned,  September  27,  ISuS,  and  was  succeeded  by 
Felix  Maurer;  he  died  in  the  following  year,  and  F.  W.  Pollock  was  elected 
to  the  position,  November  30,  1859.  Charles  W.  Peale  succeeded  Mr.  John 
as  cashier,  November  30,  18oU,  and  was  followed  in  January,  1863,  by  Thomas 
C.  Trotter,  who  was  superseded  by  Thomas  D.  Grant  in  the  following  Decem- 
ber. "Northumberland  County"  was  substituted  for  "Shamokin"  in  the 
name  about  this  time.  On  the  1st  of  February,  18r).j,  it  became  a  national 
bank,  and  as  a  State  in-stitution,  after  experiencing  the  scrutiny  of  several 
legislative  committees  and  a  variety  of  vicissitudes  imparalleled  in  the  finan- 
cial record  of  this  part  of  the  State,  the  bank  passed  into  history. 

The  Northumberland  County  National  Bank  v>as  incorporated,  February 
1,  ISn.j,  witli  F.  W.  Pollock,  president,  and  Thomas  D.  Grant,  cashier:  the  latter 
was  succeeded  in  April.  186."),  by  T.  G.  Bogle,  who  was  followed  in  Jime,  1801), 
by  F.  S.  Haas.  In  1808-00.  a  three-story  brick  bank  building  was  erected 
at  the  corner  of  Simbury  and  Washington  streets.  The  business  was  begun 
under  favorable  auspices,  and  the  management  for  some  years  enjoyed  the 
confidence  and  patronage  of  the  business  community.  But  in  the  financial 
stringency  of  1877  it  was  compelled  to  suspend,  and  its  affairs  were  placed 
in  the  hands  of  W.  H.  M.  Oram  as  receiver.  Its  existence  terminated  with 
the  business  necessarj-  to  the  distribution  of  its  assets  among  it  creditors. 

The  Miners'  Trust  and  Safe  Deposit  Company  orginated  in  a  private 
banking  house  established  in  1808  by  Addison  G.  and  J.  C.  Marr.  Their 
office  was  on  Shamokin  street,  in  the  Bittenbender  building.  Legislative 
incorporation  was  secured,  May  18,  1871,  the  cor^wrators  being  John  B. 
Douty,  Andrew  Robertson,  Isaac  May,  Sr.,  Henry  Guiterman,  Andrew  Lang- 
don,  Alexander  Fulton,  and  Addison  G.  Marr.  The  authorized  capital  was 
two  hundred  thousand  dollars,  and  business  was  begun  with  a  paid-up  cajiital 


G2-1:  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

of  twenty-six  thousand  dollars.  Andrew  Robertson  was  president;  Isaac 
May,  Sr.,  vice-president;  Addison  G.  Marr,  cashier,  and  Withington  Lake, 
teller.  The  bank  erected  the  substantial  brick  building  at  the  corner  of  Rock 
and  Shamokin  streets  now  occupied  by  the  Shamokin  Banking  Company,  and 
there  its  business  was  conducted  until  the  ITth  of  February,  1877,  when  it 
suspended.  Some  months  later  Withington  Lake  was  appointed  assignee, 
and  the  final  settlement  of  its  affairs  has  been  the  source  of  considerable  lit- 
igation. 

The  Shamokin  Banking  Company  was  incorporated  by  legislative  enact- 
ment. May  24,  1871,  with  an  authorized  capital  of  one  hundred  thousand 
dollars.  Conrad  Graeber,  Alfred  J.  Medlar,  George  W.  Eyon,  Charles  F. 
Rahn,  George  McEliece,  and  Levi  Huber,  the  corporators,  organized  on  the 
3()th  of  June,  1S71.  The  first  board  of  directors  was  elected.  August  4,  1871, 
and  was  composed  as  follows:  Levi  Huber,  A.  J.  Medlar.  Charles  F.  Rahn, 
Conrad  Graeber,  George  W.  Ryon,  George  McEliece,  Samuel  John,  Charles 
P.  Helfenstein,  A.  A.  Heim,  and  William  H.  Marshall:  on  the  same  day, 
George  \V.  Ryon  was  elected  president,  Conrad  Graeber,  vice-president,  and 
I.  S.  Huber,  cashier.  Business  was  commenced,  September  4,  1871,  on  the 
east  side  of  Sunbury  street  near  the  corner  of  Washington:  the  present  bank- 
ing building,  at  the  northeast  corner  of  Shamokin  and  Rock  streets,  was  first 
occupied,  March  28,  1871).  Conrad  Graeber  became  president,  January  6, 
1878;  David  LlewelljTi,  September  14,  1883,  and  George  W.  Ryon,  the  pres- 
ent incumbent,  Janviary  20,  1891.  I.  S.  Huber,  the  first  cashier,  still  retains 
that  position.  D.  W.  Heim,  the  present  teller,  is  also  the  first  person  elected 
to  that  office.  The  paid-uj:)  capital,  originally  twenty-five  thousand  dollars, 
was  increased  to  fifty  thousand  dollars,  at  which  it  has  since  remained, 
November  15,  1873.  The  surplus  ftmd  amounts  to  thirty-five  thottsand 
dollars. 

The  First  National  Bank  was  organized,  September  1.  1883,  with  Con- 
rad Graeber,  president;  Alexander  Fttlton,  vice-president:  George  C.  Grae- 
ber, cashier,  and  a  board  of  directors  consisting  of  Conrad  Graeber,  Alexan- 
der Fulton,  George  C.  Graeber,  Isaac  May,  Sr.,  John  Mullen,  George  Hack, 
and  John  S.  Graeber.  It  was  incorporated,  September  12.  1883,  and  com- 
menced business,  September  17,  1883.  The  present  banking  building,  a 
substantial  brick  and  stone  structure  at  the  northwest  comer  of  Simbury  and 
Rock  streets,  was  first  occupied  in  June,  1888.  The  following  is  a  list  of 
presidents  since  the  organization  of  the  bank:  Conrad  Graeber,  Isaac  May, 
Sr.,  and  John  Mullen.  George  C.  Graeber  has  filled  the  office  of  cashier 
since  his  first  election  to  that  position.  The  present  directory  is  comjjosed 
of  John  Mullen,  president;  Andrew  D.  Robert.son,  vice-president;  George  C. 
Graeber,  cashier;  William  C.  Smith,  Daniel  Eisenhart,  Charles  A.  Graeber, 
Martin  Markle,  and  John  Schabo.  The  present  teller  is  Frederick  Lorenz, 
who  has  filled  that  position  since  September,  1887.     The  capital  is  one  hun- 


SHAilOKIX.  625 

di-ed  thousand  dollars,  and  the  surplus  (October.  ISUO),  forty-five  thousand 
dollars. 

WATER,    GAS.    AND    ELECTRIC    LIGHT. 

Prior  to  the  opening  of  the  mines  there  were  a  number  of  tine  springs  on 
the  mountain  north  of  Shamokin  and  others  at  various  places  within  the  lim- 
its of  the  borough,  thus  obviating  for  many  years  any  necessity  for  an  arti- 
ficial system  of  water  supply,  the  first  introduction  of  which  occurred  about 
the  year  1S5(J  when  William  and  Reuben  Fagely  laid  a  line  of  pine  logs  with 
two-inch  bore  on  Stmbury  street.  The  boring  was  done  by  Michael  Hoff- 
man, a  pump  maker  of  Ealjiho  to^vnship  in  the  vicinity  of  Elysburg.  Sev- 
eral years  later  a  line  of  similar  construction  was  laid  on  Shamokin  street 
from  a  spring  on  the  mountain  to  the  railroad  crossing,  where  there  was  a 
public  fountain  from  which  the  United  States  and  National  Hotels  and  pri- 
vate dwellings  in  that  vicinity  derived  their  supply.  This  was  probably  con- 
structed by  the  Philadelphia  and  Stmbtirt-  Railroad  Company.  Iron  pipe 
was  first  introduced  in  1S5S,  when  William  and  Reuben  Fagely  laid  a  line 
on  Liberty  street  from  Cameron  to  Sunbury.  and  on  Sunbtiry  street  from 
Orange  to  Shamokin.  and  in  iSGo  Stephen  Bittenbender  constntcted  a  line 
of  similar  material  on  Pearl  street  from  Dewart  to  Sunbury,  thence  on  Sun- 
bury  street  to  Shamokin,  and  on  Shamokin  street  to  the  railroad  crossing. 

The  works  mentioned  were  entirely  the  result  of  private  enterprise,  and, 
althotigh  crude  in  design  and  construction,  they  doubtless  proved  a  means  of 
public  utility  and  convenience.  It  became  evident,  however,  that  an  ade- 
quate supply  could  be  obtained  only  by  corporate  agency,  and  in  1S()9  an 
effort  was  made  to  organize  a  water  company.  A  meeting  of  citizens  was 
held  at  the  office  of  Retxben  Fagely,  comer  of  Sunbury  and  Shamokin  streets; 
William  H.  Marshall  was  elected  president  and  Dr.  J.  J.  John  secretary,  but 
the  project  never  developed  beyond  the  incipient  stage. 

I'he  Shamokin  Water  Company  was  incorporated.  August  7.  1S72.  with 
a  capital  of  one  hundred  thousand  dollars.  The  corporators  were  William 
H.  Marshall,  W.  R.  Kutzner,  Daniel  Yost.  W.  M.  Weaver.  F.  J.  Anspach, 
Reuben  Fagely,  Daniel  S.  Miller,  Isaac  May.  Sr.,  John  B.  Douty,  Matthias 
Ernes,  John  Rosser,  Thomas  Rosser.  and  Withington  Lake.  Their  first 
meeting-was  held,  August  9,  1872,  W.  H  Marshall  presiding;  the  first  elec- 
tion of  directors  occurred,  August  19,  1S72,  resulting  in  the  choice  of  John 
B.  Douty,  William  H.  Marshall,  Isaac  May,  Sr.,  Reuben  Fagely,  F.  J. 
Anspach,  W.  R,  Kutzner,  William  Brown,  Matthias  Emes,  and  Conrad 
Graeber.  At  a  meeting  of  the  directors,  August  23,  1872,  Isaac  May,  Sr., 
was  elected  president  of  the  board;  John  B.  Douty,  vice-president;  F.  J. 
Anspach,  secretary,  and  William  H.  Marshall,  treasurer.  The  works  were 
constructed  under  the  supervision  of  F.  J.  Anspach  as  engineer,  with  Trout 
run  as  the  source  of  supply;  a  reservoir  was  constructed  on  that  stream,  and 
the  water  passed  by  gravity  through  a  twelve-inch  wooden  main  to  a  tank 


626  HISTOHV    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

near  the  comer  of   Sunbury   and   Eighth   streets,   whence   it   was  pumped 
through  a  sixteen-inch    iron    main  to  a  wooden  tank  on  the    side   of  the 
moimtain  near  the  culm  bank  of  the  Cameron  colliery,  thus  obtaining  sufH- 
cient  pressiu-e  for  distribution  to  all  parts  of  the  town.      Water  was  first  sup- 
plied for  public  consumption  in  1S73.     In  1875  a  new  route  was  laid  out  for 
the  main  pipe  to  a  point  thirty-nine  hundred  feet  further  up  the  nm,  thus 
giving  sufficient  vertical  height  for  a  gravity  service  and  doing  away  with 
the  expensive  and  irregular  pumping  system.     The  present  plant  includes 
four  reservoirs,  one  of  thirty-five  million  gallons,   the  others  of  one  million 
o-allons  each,   situated  in  Brush  valley  three  miles   from  the  borough,  the 
largest  at  an  altitude  of  one  hundred  forty  feet  above  the  level  of  Sunbury 
street  at  the  intersection  of  Shamokin.    There  are  about  thirty  miles  of  mains, 
extending  to  every  part  of  Shamokin  borough  and  the  adjoining  portions  of 
Coal  township,  and  a  daily  consumption  ranging  from  two  to  two  and  one 
half  millions  of  gallons.     The  present  otScers   are  as  follows:  president.  W. 
C.  McConnell:  secretary,  George  O.  Martz,  and  treasurer,  C.  Q.  Me  Williams. 
The   Roaring   Creek   Water  Company  was  incorporated,   November   11, 
1SS4.  with  a  capital  of  one  hundred  forty-eight  thousand  dollars,  and  organ- 
ized. October  1,   1SS4,   with  the  following   officers:    president,  D.  K.  Kulp; 
secretary.  W.  C.  McConnell;  treasurer,  C.   Q.   Mc Williams;  directors:   John 
Haas.  W.  C.  McConnell,  C.  Q.  Mc  Williams,  D.  E.  Kiilp,  and  H.  M.  McClure. 
The  rapid  increase  in  the  population  of  Shamokin  in  the  decade  immediately 
following  the  organization  of  the  Shamokin  Water  Company  created  a  demand 
for  which  Trout  run  was  inadequate  as  a  source  of  supply;  hence  the  forma- 
tion of  this  company,   for  the  purpose  of   extending  the  receiving  mains  to 
Roaring  creek,  a  distance  of  ten  and  one  half  miles.       The  work  of  construc- 
tion was  begun  in  1886,  imder  the  supervision  of  A.  B.  Cochran  as  engineer, 
and  a  line  of  sixteen-inch  pipe  was  laid  from  Roaring  creek  to  the  headwaters 
of  Trout  run.  a  distance  of  twenty-seven  thousand  nine  hundred  fifteen  feet, 
invoh-ing  the  opening  of  two  tunnels,  one  forty-five  hundred,  the  other  nine 
himdred  feet  in  length.     The  waters  of  Roaring  creek  were  first  turned  into 
Trout  run  on  the  2d  of  September,   1886,    and  on  the  2d  of  October  a  con- 
tinuous flow  from  Roaring  creek  to  Shamokin  was  established.      The  reservoir 
is  situated  in  Mt.  Carmel  township ;  it  has  a  superficial  area  of  five  acres,  and 
an  altitude  of  two  hundred  eighty  feet  above  the  level  of  Shamokin  street  at 
the  railroad  crossing.     In  June,  1887,  the  mains  of  this  company  were  con- 
nected with  those  of  the  Shamokin  Water  Company  by  a  line  of  fourteen- inch 
pipe  four  and  one  half  miles  in  length,  thus  making  a  continuoiis  lino  of  pipe 
ten  miles  in  length,  and  consvimmating  one  of  the  most  extensive  engineering 
projects  ever  attempted  in   connection   with  the  water   supply  of  an  inland 
town.     It  has  been  attended  with  results  that  amply  justify  the  work.      Ade- 
quate provision  is  made  for  a  practically   inexhaustible  supply  of  pure  water 
sufficient  to  meet  the  demands  of  the  consiuning  community  for  years  to  come. 


SHAMOKIN.  627 

The  watersheds  of  both  the  Trout  run  and  Roaring  creek  reservoirs  are  owned 
by  the  respective  companies,  which  are  thus  enabled  to  guarantee  absolute 
freedom  from  contaminating  influences.  The  elevation  of  the  reservoirs  gives 
sufficient  pressure  to  afford  protection  in  case  of  fire;  and  the  abundance  of 
the  supply  constitutes  one  of  the  most  important  of  the  many  advantages 
offered  by  Shamokin  as  a  manufacturing  site. 

The  Anthracite  Water  Company  was  organized,  April  15,  1S85,  with  the 
following  directors:  president,  D.  R.  Kulp;  secretary,  W.  C.  McConnell; 
treasurer,  C  Q.  Me  Williams:  H.  M.  McClure,  and  George  H.  Neff,  who, 
with  John  Haas,  were  the  corjiorators,  and  received  a  charter.  May  18,  1885, 
with  a  capital  of  eight  thousand  dollars.  This  company  supplies  Coal 
township,  and  its  plant  was  constructed  in  1888.  A  reservoir  on  Trout  run 
is  the  source  of  supply. 

The  Bear  Gap  Water  Company  was  organized,  December  17,  1888,  and 
incorporated,  January  15,  1889,  with  a  capital  of  forty  thousand  dol- 
lars, since  increased  to  one  hundred  thousand.  The  first  officers  were  George 
O.  Martz,  president,  W.  C.  McConnell,  secretary,  and  John  Haas,  treasurer, 
who,  with  C.  Q.  McWilliams.  John  H.  Fulton,  and  George  H.  Xelf,  were  the 
original  members  of  the  company,  which  was  formed  for  the  purpose  of  sup- 
plying Mt.  Carmel  township  with  water  from  Roaring  creek.  A  dam  is  now 
in  course  of  construction  on  that  stream  five  miles  below  the  dam  of  the 
Roaring  Creek  Water  Company.  At  this  jioint  a  Worthington  high-duty 
]iumping  engine  will  be  placed;  the  capacity  of  this  engine  will  be  suftlcieiit 
to  pump  one  and  one  half  million  gallons  of  water  every  twenty-four  hours 
tlirough  forty-two  hundred  sixty  feet  of  ten-inch  pipe  to  the  mountain  top 
north  of  Hickory  Ridge,  a  vertical  height  of  seven  hundred  sixty-four  feet. 
Here  two  reservoirs  with  a  capacity  of  one  million  gallons  each  will  be  con- 
structed, from  which  ten  miles  of  distributing  mains  will  lead  to  Locust 
Gap,  Locust  Summit,  and  the  principal  collieries  and  villages  in  Mt.  Carmel 
township. 

The  Shamokui  Gas  Light  Company  was  organized,  July  23,  1874,  and 
incorporated  in  the  same  year  with  a  capital  of  twenty-five  thousand  dollars. 
Charles  P.  Helfenstein  was  the  first  president.  The  works,  situated  on  Inde- 
pendence street  between  Market  and  Eighth,  consist  of  one  holder  with  a 
capacity  of  eighty-five  himdred  cubic  feet,  with  the  necessary  accessories, 
and  the  mains  extend  through  the  principal  streets  of  the  town.  The 
present  officers  are  as  follows:  directors:  president,  Holden  Chester;  vice- 
])resident.  John  Mullen:  treasurer,  George  "\V.  Ryon;  A.  Robertson,  L.  B. 
Morganroth.  John  P.  Helfenstein,  and  J.  J.  John:  secretary  and  superin- 
tendent, A.  A.   Heim. 

Tlie  Edison  Electric  Illuminating  CoDipainj  of  Shauiokiii,  Pennsylvania. 
was  incorporated,  November  2'.),  1882,  with  a  capital  of  twenty-seven  thou- 
sand dollars,  and   the   following   directors:     president.  William   H.  Douty; 


628  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

secretary,  William  Beury;  trea.si;rer,  John  Mullen;  A.  Eobertsou,  C.  C. 
Leader,  P.  B.  Shaw,  and  Holden  Chester.  The  present  directory-  is  com- 
posed as  follows:  president,  Holden  Che-ster;  secretary,  George  0.  Martz; 
treasurer,  John  Mullen;  A.  Eobertson,  William  C.  Smith.  C.  C  Leader,  and 
W.  C.  McConnell. 

T}ie  Shamokiu  Ai'c  Light  Company  was  incorporated,  August  17,  1887, 
with  a  capital  of  ten  thousand  dollars.  The  first  directory  consisted  of  Hol- 
den Chester,  president;  C.  C.  Leader,  secretary;  William  Beury,  treasurer; 
A.  Robertson,  John  Mullen,  W.  C.  McCoimell,  and  George  0.  Martz. 

The  two  companies  last  mentioned  are  practically  identical  in  manage- 
ment. The  plants  are  located  on  Independence  street;  that  of  the  Edison 
company  has  engines  of  two  hundred  forty  horse-power,  and  its  illuminating 
capacity  is  twenty-three  hundred  lights  of  ten  candle-power.  The  Arc  Light 
company  has  engines  of  one  hundred  horse-power,  and  its  illuminating 
capacity  is  one  hundred  lights  of  two  thoiisand  candle-power.  The  sujierin- 
tendent  of  both  companies  is  John  McEliece. 

BOARD    OF    TKADE. 

Thr  Shamokiu  Board  of  Trade  is  an  organization  designed  to  promote 
the  general  commercial  and  industrial  interests  of  the  borough  by  calling 
attention  to  its  advantages  as  a  place  of  residence  and  for  the  investment  of 
capital;  to  solicit  manufacturers  to  locate  here,  or  in  the  territory-  immedi- 
ately contigiious;  to  obtain  an  extension  of  its  transportation  facilities,  and, 
in  a  general  way.  to  encourage  enterprises  conducive  to  the  prosperity  of  the 
business  community.  In  pursuance  of  a  call  signed  by  a  number  of  citizens, 
a  meeting  was  held  at  the  Hotel  Yanderbilt,  Monday,  Januarv"  24,  1887;  W. 
C.  McConnell  presided,  and  D.  L.  Sollenberger  was  chosen  secretary.  The 
object  of  the  meeting  was  stated  by  the  chair,  and  the  following  gentlemen 
were  appointed  to  jirepare  a  constitution  and  by-laws:  Addison  G.  Marr, 
William  H.  Douty,  D.  E.  Shuster,  John  Weir,  C.  C.  Leader.  F.  E.  Ammer- 
man,  R.  S.  Aucker,  and  E.  G.  Seiler,  whose  report  was  adopted,  January  31, 
1SS7.  On  the  l-tth  of  February,  1887,  a  permanent  organization  was  effected 
with  the  election  of  the  following  directors:  William  H.  Douty,  W.  C.  Mc 
Connell,  Addison  G.  Marr,  H.  Floyd,  D.  E.  Shuster,  John  Mullen,  J.  A. 
Weaver,  Francis  Hoover,  C.  C.  Leader,  George  O.  Martz,  A.  A.  Heim,  F.  E. 
Ammerman,  E.  G.  Seiler,  R.  S.  Aucker,  H.  S.  Zimmerman,  and  Levi  Shoop. 
The  first  president  was  William  H.  Douty;  first  vice-president.  R.  S.  Aucker; 
second  vice-president,  C.  C.  Leader;  secretary,  D.  L.  Sollenberger,  and  treas- 
urer, J.  H.  Conley.  The  present  president  is  John  Mullen;  vice-president, 
William  Beury;  secretary,  John  P.  Helfenstein,  and  treasurer,  J.  H.  Conley. 

,  SECRET     AND     OTHER    SOCIETIES. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  secret  and  other  societies,  with  dates  of 
organization  or  institution:  Mount  Tabor  Lodge,    No.    12").   I.    0.    O.    F., 


SHAMOKIN.  629 

August  IS,  lS4r,;  Shamokin  Lodge.  No.  664.  I.  0,  0.  F.,  April  12,  1809: 
Susquehanna  Encampment,  No.  60.  I.  0.  0.  F.,  July  12.  1SG7;  Shamokin 
Lodcre,  No.  255,  F.  &  A.  M.,  August  4.  1851;  Shamokin  Chapter,  No.  204. 
K.  A.  M.,  June  13,  1SS3;  Shamokin  Council,  No.  71.  O.  T.  A.  M.,  Decem- 
ber 22,  1865;  Shamokin  Lodge,  No.  156,  K  of  P.,  June  9,  1861);  Lincoln 
Post,  No.  140,  G.  A.  E.,  June  23,  1S6S.  reorganized.  Jiuie  20. 1870;  J.  Wei- 
mer  Young  Command.  No.  7,  Union  Veterans'  Legion,  September  22,  1887; 
General  George  Washington  Capip,  ^'o.  72,  Sons  of  Veterans,  September  25, 
1882;  Ladies"  Aid  Society,  No.  IS,  Auxihary  to  General  George  Washington 
Camp,  No.  72,  Sons  of  Veterans,  February  2,  1889;  Ivanhoe  Conclave,  No. 
9,  Sovereign  Patriotic  Knights,  November  9,  1869,  reorganized,  September 
23,  1889;  Washington  Camp,  No.  30.  P.  0.  S.  of  A.,  November  29.  1869: 
Washington  Camp,  No.  149,  P.  O.  S.  of  A,  1874;  Washington  Camp,  No. 
187.  P.  O.  S.  of  A.,  Jime  29,  1887;  Anthony  Wa\-ne  Commandery,  No.  13, 
P.  O.  S.  of  A.,  October  7,  ISSO;  Shickalamy  Tribe.  No.  148.  L  0.  E.  M.,  1870: 
True  Workers"  Lodge,  No.  541,  I.  0.  G.  T..  June  6.  1S79:  Shamokin  Coimcil. 
No.  959,E.  A.,  March  15,  1886;  Naomi  Council,  No.  12, 1.  O.  E.  M.,  Novem- 
ber 30,  1889. 

THE     PRESS. 

The  first  newspaper  at  Shamokin  was  the  Journal  of  which  the  first 
issue  appeared,  May  1,  1858.  It  was  a  six-column  folio,  edited  and  pub- 
lished by  John  Eobins,  but  the  project  was  relinquished  before  the  close  of 
its  first  volume.  The  materials  of  the  office  were  purchased  by  Samuel  John, 
under  whose  proprietorship  the  Register  made  its  first  appearance,  March  8, 
1860.  After  a  period  of  suspension,  he  was  followed  by  Daniel  Bower,  June 
6,  1S6)1,  and  with  his  retirement,  April  29,  1862,  the  paper  was  finally  dis- 
continued. On  the  10th  of  June,  1862,  the  Herald  made  its  debut  with 
Daniel  Bower  and  J.  J.  John  as  editors.  J.  Stewart  McEwen  succeeded 
Messrs.  Bower  and  John,  December  25,  1862,  and  S.  B.  Sisty,  July  2,  1862. 
On  the  23d  of  July,  1863,  Owen  M.  Fowler  assumed  the  proprietorship,  and 
to  him  belongs  the  honor  of  first  establishing  a  local  paper  on  a  permanent 
basis.  He  continued  in  charge  imtil  his  death,  May  9,  1874.  From  that 
date  until  the  1st  of  July  the  Herald  was  conducted  by  Dr.  J.  J.  John;  it 
was  then  purchased  by  Heffelfinger  &  Coder,  both  of  whom  had  previously 
been  in  Mr.  Fowler"s  employ.  After  a  time  Mr.  Coder  retired,  and  the  pub- 
lication was  continued  by  Mr.  Heffelfinger  individually  until  February  9, 
1889,  when  the  paper  was  transferred  to  the  present  proprietors,  John  J.  W. 
Schwartz  and  E.  F.  Howard.  The  daily  edition  was  established,  October 
22,  1888. 

The  Times  had  its  inception  in  January-,  18(2,  when  J.  A.  Gilger  started 
the  Advertiser;  it  assumed  the  proportions  of  a  regular  newspaper,  July  13, 
1872.  when  the  name  was  changed  to  the  Times,  with  J.  L.  Gilger  &  Son  as 


630  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBEKLAND    COUNTY. 

proprietors.  They  were  successively  followed  by  Gilger  &  Fagely,  the  Sha- 
mokin  Times  Company,  and  D.  L.  SoUenberger  &  Company,  the  present 
proprietors,  who  assumed  charge  in  November,  1879,  the  present  constituent 
members  of  the  firm  being  D.  L.  SoUenberger  and  W.  S.  Guiterman.  The 
Daily  Timed  was  started,  October  17,  1883,  and  discontinued,  October  14, 
1884.     The  Daily  Dispatch  was  first  issued,  November  21,  1SS6. 

The  National  Greenback,  Sentinel,  Talk  of  the  Day,  etc.,  are  among  the 
defunct  journals  of  recent  years. 

CHURCHES. 

St.  Edicard's  Catholic  Church  is  the  oldest  religious  organization  at 
Shamokin,  and  built  the  first  church  in  the  to^vn.  During  the  construction 
of  the  Danville  and  Pottsville  railroad  a  large  number  of  Catholics  were 
employed  on  that  work,  and  as  early  as  1838  Catholic  services  were  held  in 
Shamokin  by  the  pastors  of  Pottsville  and  Miner.sville.  About  one  acre  of 
land  for  a  church  and  cemetery  was  secured  in  the  west  end  of  the  village  (the 
present  site  of  the  knob  factory),  and  in  the  spring  of  1839  sufficient  money 
had  been  raised  to  erect  a  small  unplastered  frame  church  twenty  by  thirty- 
two  feet  in  dimensions  on  the  southwest  corner  of  the  lot.  Patrick  Eeilly, 
master  mechanic  in  the  railroad  shops,  and  Matthew  Brannigan  were  the 
leading  spirits  in  the  enterprise,  and  Stephen  Bittenbender  put  up  the  build- 
ing. It  was  dedicate<l  as  St.  Edward's,  October  11,  1840,  by  Bishop  Ken- 
rick  of  Philadelphia.  The  little  congregation  was  visited  occasionally  by 
the  pastors  of  the  Pottsville,  Minersville,  Danville,  and  Milton  churches  and 
sometimes  a  missionar}-  would  put  in  his  appearance,  and  thus  the  faith  was 
kept  alive  in  the  hearts  of  the  early  Catholics  of  Shamokin.  From  October. 
18J4,  imtil  October,  1857,  Rev.  Michael  Sheridan,  pastor  of  St.  Joseph's 
church  at  Danville,  had  charge  of  the  congregation.  He  was  succeeded  by 
Eev.  Edward  Murray,  who  served  the  Shamokin  congregation  nearly  nine 
years. 

In  September.  ISOO,  Rev.  J.  J.  Koch,  then  pastor  of  St.  Joseph's  of  Mil- 
ton, was  appointed  the  first  resident  pastor  of  St.  Edward's,  with  Trevorton 
and  Locust  Gap  as  missions.  He  immediately  began  the  work  of  build- 
ing up  and  infusing  new  life  into  his  congregation.  The  present  church 
site  was  purchased  at  a  cost  of  thirty-four  hundred  dollars ;  the  old  building 
was  torn  do^vn  in  November,  1806,  and  rebuilt,  considerably  enlarged,  on  the 
new  site.  In  the  spring  of  1807  it  was  again  enlarged  to  accommodate  the 
growing  congregation.  In  the  spring  of  1809  a  lot  adjoining  the  church 
was  bought  for  nine  hundred  dollars  and  the  present  substantial  parochial 
residence  erected  thereon  at  a  cost  of  eight  thousand  five  hundred  dollars. 
The  congregation  increased  so  rapidly  that  a  new  church  became  an  imper- 
ative necessity,  and  in  the  summer  of  1872  ground  was  broken  for  the  foun- 
dation.    On  the  14th  of  September  following  Father  Koch  laid  the   first 


SHAMOKIN.  633 

stone  in  the  walls  of  the  present  imijosing  structure,  of  which  the  corner- 
stone was  laid,  May  23,  1873,  by  Bishop  O'Hara  of  Scranton.  in  the  presence 
of  a  large  assemblage  which  gathered  to  witness  the  impressive  ceremonies. 
The  pastor  let  the  contract  for  the  entire  stonework,  but  after  working  six 
weeks  the  contractor  abandoned  the  work.  Not  to  be  thwarted  in  his  cher- 
ished plans,  Father  Koch  at  once  took  charge  of  the  construction  of  the 
building,  and,  notwithstanding  his  numerous  pastoral  duties,  he  hired  the 
masons  and  daily  superintended  the  work  until  the  massive  stone  walls  were 
ready  for  the  roof.  By  December,  1873,  the  building  was  roofed,  and  on 
Christmas  morning  Father  Koch  celebrated  Mass  in  the  basement.  Though 
much  was  accomplished,  much  still  remained  to  be  done,  and  in  the  follow- 
ing spring  work  was  resumed.  The  walls  were  finished,  the  massive  tower 
built,  a  pavement  laid  around  the  church,  and  the  basement,  which  is  ten 
feet  high  in  the  clear,  plastered  and  fitted  up  for  divine  worship.  The  en- 
tire structure  is  built  of  white  cut  sandstone,  quarried  from  the  mountain 
about  one  mile  from  Shamokin.  It  is  sixty-four  by  one  hundred  twenty-five 
feet  in  size,  and  the  tower  is  two  hundred  seven  feet  high.  The  interior  is 
fifty-six  by  one  hundred  nineteen  feet  in  dimensions,  and  the  ceiling  is  forty- 
two  feet  high.  The  building  is  finished  in  the  Corinthian  and  Romanesque 
style,  and  is  the  largest  and  costliest  church  edifice  in  Northumberland 
county. 

The  lack  of  funds  prevented  Father  Koch  from  completing  the  interior, 
and  from  Christmas,  1873,  until  Jime,  1880,  the  congregation  worshiped  in 
the  basement.  In  November,  1876,  a  chime  of  four  bells  was  hung  in  the 
tower,  weighing,  with  mountings,  eight  thoitsand  five  hundred  pounds.  In 
1879  the  contract  for  finishing  the  interior  (except  frescoing)  was  given  to 
Joseph  Nesbit,  of  Lewisburg,  and  on  the  1st  of  January,  1881).  it  was  ready 
for  the  painter's  brush.  The  frescoing  required  four  months,  and  was  done 
by  a  well  known  Philadelphia  artist.  Over  the  main  altar  are  life-size  paint- 
ings of  the  Crucifixion,  St.  Patrick,  and  St.  Edward,  the  patron  of  the  church. 
In  the  center  of  the  ceiling  is  a  fresco  twenty-two  feet  in  diameter  represent- 
ing the  resurrection  of  Christ,  surroimded  by  figures  of  the  four  Evangelists, 
and  around  the  walls  are  paintings  of  the  twelve  Apostles.  Handsome  altars, 
beautiful  stained  glass  windows,  and  a  new  pipe-organ  were  also  put  in  at 
this  time.  The  church  was.  dedicated  with  imposing  ceremonies,  June  fj, 
1880,  by  Bishop  Shanahan,  who  delivered  the  dedicatory  address,  his  theme 
being  " The  Infallibility  of  the  Church."  A  large  number  of  priests  were 
present,  and  special  trains  brought  to  Shamokin  hundreds  of  people  who 
were  anxious  to  witness  the  dedication. 

Many  costly  improvements  have  since  been  made,  which  add  to  the  artistic 
appearance  and  beauty  of  the  interior.  Two  fine  pieces  of  statuary,  repre- 
senting, respectively,  "Christ  meeting  His  Mother  on  His  way  to  Calvary" 
and  "The  Descent  of  the  Cross,"  one  on  each  side  of  the  sanctuary,  are 


634  HISTORY   OF   NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

especially  noticeable.  These  were  imported  from  France  by  Father  Koch. 
The  whole  building  is  hghted  with  electricity  and  heated  with  steam.  Its 
seating  capacity  is  over  one  thousand,  while  as  many  as  fourteen  hundred 
people  have  been  gathered  within  its  walls.  The  total  cost  of  the  entire  biiild- 
ing  and  furniture  as  it  stands  to-day  was  about  fifty  thousand  dollars. 

The  congregation  numbers  over  three  thousand  souls,  and  takes  pride  in 
its  very  large  and  prosperous  Sxmday  school,  which  meets  in  the  basement  of 
the  church.  This  was  organized  soon  after  Father  Koch  assumed  the  pastor- 
ate, and  has  kept  pace  with  the  growth  of  the  congregation.  To  Father 
Koch's  indefatigable  labors  and  wise  management  is  principally  due  the  rapi  d 
growth  of  the  Catholic  church  in  Shamokin.  From  the  day  he  came  to  the 
to\vn  until  the  present  he  has  toiled  faithfully  in  this  portion  of  God's  vine- 
yard. He  is  loved  by  the  Catholics  of  the  borough,  and  respected  by  all  for 
his  high  Christian  character  and  the  grand  work  that  he  has  accomplished 
for  his  people. 

St.  Stanislaus  Kostka  Catholic  Church. — Abotit  thirty  years  ago  a  few 
Polish  immigrants  located  at  Shamokin  and  soon  after  organized  the  St. 
Stanislaus  Kostka  Beneficial  Society,  which  ultimately  formed  the  germ  of 
the  present  church.  Eev.  Joseph  Juszkiewicz  was  finally  sent  to  Shamokin 
by  the  bishop  of  the  diocese  for  the  purpose  of  organizing  a  congregation 
from  the  Polish  Cathohcs  previously  connected  with  St.  Edward's  church. 
A  site  on  the  corner  of  Vine  and  Kace  streets  containing  a  frame  house  was 
purchased  by  that  gentleman,  and  a  small  frame  building  was  erected  thereon 
in  which  to  hold  services.  In  1874  he  laid  the  foundation  of  the  present 
brick  edifice,  but  lack  of  funds  prevented  its  completion  for  more  than  seven 
years,  during  which  time  the  small  frame  church  was  used.  The  new  struct- 
ure was  finally  dedicated  by  Bishop  Shanahanon  the  8th  of  December,  1881. 
Rev.  Florian  Klonowsld  succeeded  Father  Juszkiewicz,  July  13,  1876,  and 
has  been  pastor  to  the  present  time.  When  the  parochial  school  was  esta  b- 
lished  Father  Klonowski  gave  up  his  house  to  the  Sisters,  and  erected  the 
present  commodious  parochial  residence.  Since  the  coming  of  Father  Klo- 
nowski  he  has  made  many  improvements  in  the  church  property,  and  worked 
hard  and  successfully  for  the  spiritual  and  material  prosperity  of  his  congre- 
gation, which  now  embraces  over  four  hundred  families. 

Methodist  Episcopal  Church. — The  first  Methodist  sermon  at  Shamokin 
was  preached  in  1837  by  Eev.  Charles  E.  Brown,  jiinior  preacher  on  the 
Sunbury  circuit.  He  was  led  through  the  woods  from  Oak  Grove,  then 
known  as  Dark  Corner,  by  Benjamin  McClow,  and  on  his  arrival  was  enter- 
tained by  Ziba  Bird.  The  first  service  was  held  in  a  school  house  on 
Dewart  street,  and  the  audience  was  composed  of  nearly  aU  the  inhabitants 
of  the  place,  about  twenty  in  number.  Mr.  Brown  favored  his  hearers  with 
a  discourse  lasting  over  an  hour.  The  organization  of  a  class  was  effected 
in  June,  1838,  by  Rev.  Henry  Dill,  minister  on  the  Simbury  circuit ;    the 


SHAMOKIN.  635 

members  were  Sylvanus  S.  Bird,  leader,  his  wife  Sarah  Bird,  Benjamin  Mc- 
Clow  and  wife  Rebecca,  Jehii  John  and  wife  Patience,  Joseph  Bird,  and  Pem- 
berton  Bird.  Regiilar  ser^-ices  were  conducted  on  alternate  Sundays  in  the  old 
school  house  and  the  prayer  meetings  were  held  at  the  house  of  Benjamin 
McClow.  The  hrst  Methodist  revival  was  held  in  the  new  school  house  on 
Sunbury  street  soon  after  its  completion.  In  the  fall  of  1841  a  camp  meet- 
ing, conducted  by  Eeverends  John  Ball  and  Gideon  H.  Day,  was  held  in  a 
grove  near  the  intersection  of  Commerce  and  ilt.  Carmel  streets,  at  which 
many  members  were  added  to  the  church. 

On  the  21st  of  August,  ISofi,  a  meeting  of  the  male  members  was  called 
in  the  school  building  to  consider  the  advisability  of  erecting  a  church  edifice. 
Pemberton  Bird  presided  and  acted  as  secretary;  it  was  decided  to  erect  a 
church  building  sixty  by  forty-five  feet,  the  height  of  the  basement  to  be 
twelve  feet  and  that  of  the  audience  room  seventeen  feet,  and  to  accept  Judge 
William  L.  Helfeustein"s  offer  of  building  lots.  On  the  27th  of  the  same 
month  a  special  meeting  was  called  by  Rev.  John  Taneyhill  to  make  fitrther 
arrangements;  on  that  date  the  first  board  of  trustees  was  appointed,  consist- 
ing of  Pemberton  Bird.  George  Weaver,  John  Shipp,  F.  A.  Clark,  Benjamin 
McClow,  George  H.  Coder,  David  Chidister,  Joseph  Reader,  and  D.  S.  Miller, 
of  whom  the  last  named  still  retains  that  office  and  is  now  president  of  the  board. 
September  18,  1850.  a  meeting  was  held  in  the  school  house.  Rev.  N.  W. 
Colburn  presiding,  when  a  draft  for  the  new  btiildingwas  presented  by  Ben- 
jamin McClow.  and  approved  by  all  present.  The  first  sttbscription  books 
were  circulated  by  Pemberton  Bird  and  John  Shipp;  July  G,  1S57.  a  church 
seal  was  adopted  bearing  the  inscription  "The  M.  E.  Chtirch  at  Shamokin," 
with  the  device  of  an  open  Bible  in  the  center.  In  1857  Rev.  M.  L.  Drum 
with  his  own  hands  broke  ground  for  the  new  church  btiilding.  The 
enterprise  was  postponed,  however,  from  time  to  time,  on  accottnt  of  disputes 
as  to  location  among  the  members.  At  a  meeting  on  the  20th  of  April,  1S5U, 
the  pastor,  H.  Van  Gasken,  F.  A.  Clark,  John  Shipp,  G.  H.  Coder,  and  D. 
S.  Miller  were  added  to  the  committee  to  secure  subscriptions,  and  J.  L. 
Gilger  was  awarded  the  contract  for  two  thousand  three  himdred  dollars. 
In  1866  a  parsonage  was  built  at  a  cost  of  twenty-five  himdred  dollars,  and 
the  church  was  remotleled  at  a  cost  of  about  two  thousand  dollars. 

Measures  were  first  taken  for  the  erection  of  the  present  church  edifice, 
April  2,  1882,  when  A.  M.  Osmun,  Charles  Latham,  Oscar  Strombach,  John 
B.  Dottty.  William  Umpleby,  James  Smith,  Mrs.  D.  S.  Miller,  Mrs.  J.  P. 
Miller,  and  Miss  Emma  Bird  were  appointed  to  assist  the  trustees — D.  S. 
Miller,  W.  L.  Gilger.  A.  A.  Heim,  M.  Emes.  Robert  Goodwill,  Isaac  May, 
Sr.,  J.  F.  Eisenhart,  Wilham  K.  Snyder,  and  William  H.  Moore — in  secur- 
ing subscriptions.  At  a  meeting  on  April  30th,  the  following  building  com- 
mittee was  apjiointed:  Withington  Lake,  Philip  Thomas,  Anthony  Smith, 
A.  M.   Osmun,  and  T.  H.   Lippiatt.     The  contract  was   awarded  to  Jacob 


636  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

Mutchler  and  John  P.  Miller,  who  commenced  work,  June  4,  1883,  imder  the 
direct  supervision  of  A.  A.  Heim.  The  corner-stone  was  laid,  Augtist  2, 
1883,  by  Presiding  Elder  M.  L.  Smyser,  assisted  by  Eev.  John  Donahue, 
who  delivered  the  address.  During  the  progress  of  the  work  the  congrega- 
tion worshiped  in  the  Evangelical  church  on  Sunbury  street,  and  the  class 
meetings  were  held  in  a  small  building  erected  from  timbers  of  the  old 
church.  The  lecture  room  or  basement  was  dedicated  and  occupied  as  a  place 
of  worship,  December  23,  1883,  Rev.  M.  L.  Smyser  preaching  both  morning 
and  evening.  The  finances  were  in  charge  of  Rev.  S.  C.  Swallow,  and  over 
five  thousand  dollars  were  collected.  After  the  dedication  of  the  basement, 
work  on  the  building  ceased  until  the  winter  of  1885-86,  when,  ujion  the 
strong  solicitation  of  the  Ladies'  Aid  Society,  and  their  offer  to  assist  in 
raising  money  to  complete  the  edifice,  the  tnistees  were  induced  to  resume 
work,  and  a  new  committee,  composed  of  D.  S.  Miller,  A.  A.  Heim,  and 
William  K.  Snyder,  was  appointed  to  carry  out  the  project.  The  main  audi- 
ence room  was  finished  and  at  length  dedicated,  February  6,  1887,  Rev. 
George  W.  Miller  presiding,  when  the  amount  realized  was  somewhat  in 
excess  of  the  remaining  debt — six  thousand  five  hundred  dollars.  The 
total  cost  of  the  whole  structure  was  about  twenty-five  thousand  dollars. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  pastors  since  the  first  class  was  organized: 
1838,  H.  G.  Dill,  John  Hall;  1839,  John  Rhodes,  William  Hirst;  1840,  John 
Rhodes,  John  Ball;  1841,  John  Ball,  G.  H.  Day;  1842,  George  Bergstresser, 
William  Baird;  1843,  Alem  Brittain,  Jacob  Montgomery;  1844,  Alem  Brit- 
tain,  John  W.  Tongue;  1845,  J.  W.  Haughawaut,  J.  McMurray:  1846.  J. 
W.  Haughawaut,  Thomas  Barnhart;  1847,  Peter  McEnally,  H.  Huffman; 
1848,  James  Ewing,  J.  P.  Simpson;  1849,  James Ewing,  William  Gwiun;  1850, 
John  Stine,  William  Gwinn;  1851,  John  Stine,  Albert  Hartman:  1852, 
Joseph  Ross,  T.  M.  Goodfellow;  1853,  Joseph  Ross,  Asbiiry  Guyer;  1854, 
J.  G.  McKeehan,  James  Gums;  1855,  J.  G.  McKeehan,  B.  P.  King;  1856, 
Thomas  Taneyhill,  N.  W.  Colburn;  1857,  Thomas  Taneyhill,  M.  L.  Drum: 
1858,  George  Warren,  F.  B.  Riddle;  1859,  George  Warren,  F.  B.  Riddle: 
1860,  Elisha  Butler,  J.  P.  Swanger;  1861,Elisha  Butler,  J.  A.  Dixon:  1862, 
A.  M.  Creighton,  B.  F.  Stevens,  S.  C.  Swallow;  1863-66,  J.  F.  Porter: 
1866-69,  F.  B.  Riddle;  1869-72,  N.  S.  Buckingham;  1872-75,  J.  C.  Clark: 
1875-77,  W.  Lee  Spottswood,  D.  D. ;  1877-80,  Thomas  M.  Reese;  1880-82. 
J.  S.  McMurray,  D.  D.;  1882-85,  F.  B.  Riddle;  1885-88,  S.  M.  Frost,  D.D.: 
1888-90,  John  B.  Polsgrove. 

The  semi-centennial  of  this  church  was  celebrated,  June  23-25,  1888. 
At  this  service  quite  a  number  of  the  former  pastors  were  present,  and,  after 
a  very  interesting  program  of  three  days'  duration,  the  meeting  closed  by  a 
cancellation  of  the  church  debt  and  the  burning  of  the  bonds. 

The  Sunday  school  was  first  organized  by  Rev.  James  Gurus,  junior 
preacher  on  the  circuit,  with  twenty-five  scholars  and  Pemberton  Bird  as 


SHAMOKIN.  637 

superintendent.  It  now  numbers  nearly  twelve  himdred  scholars,  has  a  tine 
library,  and  is  in  a  very  flourishing  condition. 

Secoud  Methodist  Ejyiscopal  Church. — The  first  movement  toward  the 
establishment  of  this  church  was  made  by  Kev.  F.  B.  Riddle,  who  began  to 
preach  in  a  Coal  township  school  house  near  the  western  limit  of  the  borough 
(the  region  then  known  as  Scotch  Hill),  in  Augiist,  1SS2.  A  great  religious 
interest  had  been  awakened  in  this  neighborhood  during  the  spring  of  that 
year  by  Rev.  George  J.  Byer,  an  itinerant  evangelist,  who  held  a  series  of 
revival  services  there,  and  the  converts  thus  made  were  the  nucleus  aroimd 
which  the  congregation  gathered.  Through  the  influence  of  Rev.  F.  B. 
Riddle,  Presiding  Elder  Rev.  M.  L.  Smyser  appointed  Rev.  M.  J.  Runyan  to 
West  Shamokin  cireiiit,  formed  of  West  Shamokin,  Uniontown.  Springfield, 
and  Bear  Valley.  The  chiirch  was  connected  with  this  circuit  until  March, 
1890,  since  which  time  it  has  sujiported  a  minister  individually.  A  lot  was 
purchased  on  the  corner  of  Third  and  Chestnut  streets  for  four  himdred  dol- 
lars, Aucker,  Slayman  &  Company  contracted  for  the  erection  of  the  building, 
and  the  audience  room  was  dedicated  by  Reverends  S.  C.  Swallow  and  J.  A. 
De  Moyer,  February  18,  1SS8.  In  the  spring  of  18S8  a  vestibule  was  added 
and  the  basement  finished  for  a  Sunday  school  room. 

Rev.  M.  J.  Runyan  was  pastor  from  August  6,  1882,  to  March  21,  1883; 
E.  H.  AVitman,  from  March  21,  1883,  to  March  27.  1S84;  R.  S.  Taylor,  from 
March  27,  1884,  to  March  27,  lS8o;  D.  F.  Stiles,  from  March  27,  1885,  to 
March  15,  1887;  V.  W.  Rue.  from  March  15,  1887,  to  March  25,  1890,  when 
the  present  pastor.  Rev.  J.  Horning,  took  charge. 

The   Sunday  school  was  organized  with  A.  M.  Osmun  as  superintendent. 

The  Primitive  Methodist  Church  was  first  organized  as  a  mission,  through 
the  efforts  of  Rev.  Daniel  Savage,  November  20,  1873.  There  were  but 
eleven  original  members:  James  T.  Harris,  Thomas  Lovel,  William  Owens. 
Anthony  Smith,  Jonathan  Tillet,  Benjamin  Hudson,  Ellen  Hudson,  Lizzie 
Hiidson,  Thomas  James,  Job  Lovel,  and  David  Tillet.  Their  first  place  of 
worship  was  the  United  Brethren  church,  where  services  were  conducted 
until  1875.  At  this  time  a  house  of  worship  was  erected  which  was  occupied 
until  1880.  In  1876  the  membership  numbered  sixty,  and  in  July  of  that 
year  they  were  organized  as  a  self-sustaining  church  by  Rev.  Francis  Gray, 
pastor  at  that  time.  At  this  meeting  the  following  board  of  trustees  was 
elected:  Leonard  Rogers,  president;  James  McEndoe,  secretary-;  John 
Childs,  treasurer;  James  Chatman,  James  Williams,  George  Bermett.  George 
Tuckett,  and  E.  R.  Bartel. 

From  1880  imtil  1882  sen-ices  were  held  in  Bennett's  hall;  it  was  in  the 
latter  year  that  the  jiresent  church  edifice  was  erected  on  land  purchased 
from  Anthony  Smith.  The  work  was  completed  and  the  church  dedicated, 
August  27,  1882,  on  which  occasion  Rev.  W.  L.  Barringer  officiated.  It  is  a 
frame  structure  located  on  Seventh  street  between  Arch  and  Chestnut,  and 


638  HISTOKY    OF    NOETHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

has  a  capacity  for  seating  two  hundi-ed  thirty  persons.  The  trustees  at  the 
time  of  its  erection  were  Leonard  Rogers.  James  Gilton,  Richard  Tuckett, 
and  John  Banghart.  The  following  are  the  names  of  some  of  the  ministers: 
Reverends  James  Millington.  E.  Humphries.  Francis  Gray,  Thomas  Philips, 
H.  G.  Barringer,  H.  Reily,  A.  Humphries.  George  Ball,  and  J.  C.  Ludgate, 
the  present  pastor. 

The  Sunday  school  connected  with  this  chiu'ch  was  organized  in  1871. 

The  African  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  was  organized  about  the  year 
1870,  and  met  for  worshij]  at  various  places  imtil  the  frame  chiirch  edifice 
that  now  constitutes  the  place  of  meeting  was  built.  The  society  has  never 
had  a  large  representation  at  Shamokin.  and  is  without  regular  pastoral 
ser\-ice  at  the  present  time. 

The  First  Presbyterian  Church  was  organized  by  Rev.  William  R.  Smith 
and  Ruling  Elder  John  C.  Boyd,  a  committee  of  the  Northumberland  Pres- 
bytery, April  8,  1845,  when  the  following  persons  were  received  into  member- 
ship: Jacob  Smink,  Mary  Ann  Runnion.  Mary  Cauterman,  Mary  Evert, 
Martha  Caldwell,  Sarah  Ann  Ried,  Eve  Smink,  Harriet  S.  Eckert,  ]Mary 
Black,  Sarah  Hamilton,  Elizabeth  Repjiard.  Daniel  Eckert,  Solomon  Eckert, 
and  Alexander  Caldwell;  the  three  persons  last  named  were  chosen  as  ruling 
elders.  The  organization  received  the  name  of  "  Shamokintowu  Presbyterian 
Church."  The  designation  was  not  changed  until  1876,  when  the  church 
was  incorporated  under  its  present  name. 

The  first  minister  was  Rev.  James  J.  Hamilton,  who  was  appointed  as 
supply  by  the  presbytery  and  took  charge.  April  2(\  1846.  He  held  services 
in  the  old  Central  school  building  one  year,  but  in  1847  a  frame  house  of 
worship  was  erected  by  Stephen  Bittenbender  and  Jonas  L.  Gilger  on  the 
site  of  the  present  church  property,  the  lot  having  been  presented  by  Lewis 
Dewart.     Mr.  Hamilton  continued  his  labors  here  until  1855. 

The  following  pastors  have  succeeded  him:  Rev.  Phineas  Marr,  1855-60, 
who  served  this  church  in  connection  with  Elysburg  and  Hollowing  Run; 
A.  D.  Hawn,  1860-67,  during  whose  pastorate  (1864-65)  the  church  edifice 
was  remodeled;  Rev.  John  P.  Conkey,  1S67-70;  T.  S.  Dewing,  1870-72; 
Samuel  P.  Linn,  1872;  A.  C.  Clark,' 187:3-83,  and  J.  W.  GiUand,  1884, 
present  incumbent. 

The  question  of  erecting  a  new  church  building  was  presented  to  the 
congregation  early  in  Mr.  GiUand's  pastorate.  Joseph  C.  Nesbit,  of  Lewis- 
burg,  was  employed  as  architect,  and  the  board  of  trustees  was  appointed  a 
building  committee  and  authorized  to  push  the  work  forward  as  rapidly  as 
possible.  The  old  house  of  worship  was  demolished  during  the  month  of 
February,  1887 ;  at  that  time  the  subscription  list  amounted  to  only  a  small 
srmi,  but  the  energy  and  confidence  of  the  trustees  was  strengthened  from 
the  fact  that  the  Ladies'  Aid  Society  had  succeeded  in  building  the  fine 
parsonage  on  the  rear  end  of  the  lot.     The  work  was  placed  in  the  hands  of 


SHAMOKIN.  639 

George  Marshall  &  Brother  as  contractors;  the  trustees  appointed  a  special 
building  committee,  consisting  of  Alexander  Fulton,  George  W.  Ryon,  Charles 
P.  Helfenstein,  J.  W.  Gilland.  and  A.  H.  Storrs;  the  work  was  advanced  as 
rapidly  as  possible,  and  the  chapel  was  furnished  and  ready  for  occupancy 
by  the  spring  of  1S8S.  During  the  winter  and  spring  the  congregation  wor- 
shiped in  the  Lutheran  church  and  theopera  house.  It  was  early  apparent  that 
the  chapel  would  not  accomnKxiate  the  needs  of  the  congregation;  therefore, 
in  the  spring  of  1889,  steps  were  taken  for  the  completion  of  the  entire  build- 
ing, and  the  contract  was  awarded  to  Matthias  Geist,  June  25, 1889.  It  was 
finished  at  a  cost  of  forty  thousand  dollars,  and  dedicated,  March  16,  1891), 
on  which  occasion  the  pastor,  Eev.  J.  W.  Gilland,  was  assisted  by  Rev.  AVill- 
iam  C.  Cattell,  D.  D.,  LL.  D..  and  Eev.  Andrew  Brydie. 

The  Sunday  school  was  organized  in  1S54,  when  the  Union  Simday 
school  of  the  place  dissolved.  Dr.  'NViUiam  Atwater  was  the  first  sujierin- 
tendent.  It  is  now  one  of  the  most  prosperous  schools  in  the  town,  and  has 
a  fine  library. 

United  Brethren  in  Christ. — Although  services  had  been  conducted  at 
Shamokin  by  Eev.  Joseph  Yoimg,  a  clergjinan  of  this  denomination,  no 
organization  was  effected  until  1S46,  when,  through  the  efforts  of  Rev.  Sam- 
uel Seiders,  a  church  was  formally  organized  with  Jeremiah  Zimmerman.  S. 
S.  Bird,  George  Krieger,  and  H.  Hagey  as  trustees.  A  frame  church  edifice 
was  erected  on  Sunbury  street  in  1848;  it  was  remodeled  and  enlarged  in 
1809,  rededicated  on  the  1st  of  August  in  that  year,  and  served  as  the  place 
of  worship  until  1890,  when  it  was  removed  to  make  way  for  the  new  brick 
structure  now  approaching  completion. 

The  succession  of  pastors  has  been  as  follows:  Reverends  Samuel  Seiders, 
Jacob  Brewer,  Joseph  Young.  Israel  Carpenter,  George  Hoffman,  George 
Gilbert,  P.  L.  Zimmerman,  Wesley  Detrich,  A.  F.  Yeager,  John  Swenk,  G. 
W.  M.  Rigor,  G.  A.  Snapp.  J.  P.  Long,  G.  A.  Lee,  W.  B.  Evers,  J.  F. 
Mower,  J.  R.  Reitzel,  J.  D.  Kihan,  George  Brickley,  W.  H.  S.  Keys,  D.  D., 
E.  P.  Funk,  J.  G.  Stiner,  Solomon  Merrick,  E.  W.  Etter,  D.  D.,  W.  H. 
LTiler,  M.  J.  Heberly,  J.  H.  Yonedia.  H.  B.  Spayd,  and  J.  P.  Cowling,  pres- 
ent incumbent. 

The  Simday  school  was  organized  in  1861  with  Mahlon  Scholl  as  first 
superintendent,  and  has  been  successfully  continued  to  the  present  time. 

St.  John^s  Church  of  the  Evangelical  Association. — In  May,  1848,  Rev- 
erends M.  S.  Reber  and  John  Koehl  visited  Shamokin  as  missionaries 
representing  the  Evangelical  Association.  Their  first  protracted  meeting 
was  held  from  the  7th  to  the  12th  of  Februarj-,  1849,  and  resulted  in  eight 
conversions.  Shortly  after  this  the  first  class  was  organized  w^th  the  follow- 
ing members:  Henrj'  and  Mrs.  Keiser,  Isaac  and  Mrs.  Y'oder,  John  and  Mrs. 
Martin,  Benjamin  and  Mrs.  Startzel,  Elias  and  Mrs.  Eisenhart,  Mrs.  Mary 
Myers,  and  others,  of  whom  Isaac  Y'oder  was  chosen  class  leader.     From 


640  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

that  date  until  1807  the  class  was  connected  with  Mahantango  charge,  for 
which  the  following  appointments  were  made:  1849,  Abraham  Shnltz,  Jacob 
Gross;  1850,  Jacob  Gross,  H.  Ensse;  1851-52,  William  Heim,  Samuel  Gau- 
mer;  1853,  C.  Loose,  Nicholas  Gabel;  1854,  Andrew  Zeigenfus,  James  O. 
Lehr;  1855,  Andrew  Zeigenfus,  J.W.  Erner;  1856,  Lewis  Snyder,  J.  W.  Erner; 
1857,  Reuben  Deisher,  Elias  B.  Miller;  1858,  Joshua  Frey,  Elias  B.  Miller; 
1859,  George  Knerr,  D.  Yingst;  1860,  George  Knerr,  S.  S.  Chubb;  1S61, 
Joseph  Gross;  1862,  Joshua  Frey,  Isaiah  E.  Knerr;  1863-64,  C.  Gingrich, 
David  Lentz;  1865,  Theodore  Plattenberger,  Davis  Hambright;  1866,  Joseph 
Steltzer.  W.  K.  Wieand;  1867,  Theodore  Plattenberger,  W.  K.  Wieand. 
From  1868  to  1870,  inclusive,  the  class  was  annexed  to  Trevorton  mission, 
with  the  following  pastors:  1868,  Rev.  C.  Gingrich;  1870,  Rev.  S.  S.  Chubb. 
Since  this  time  it  has  constituted  a  separate  appointment  with  the  following 
pastors  in  charge:  1871,  Robert  Mott;  1878-74,  B.  J.  Smoyer;  1875-77,  W. 
A.  Leopold;  1878,  J.  C.  Bliem;  1879-81,  W.  A.  Shoemaker;  1882-84,  D.  Z. 
Kembel;  1885-87,  A.  A.  De  Long;   1888,  H.  D.  Shultz,  present  pastor. 

The  first  places  of  worship  were  the  Central  school  building  and  the 
United  Brethren  church,  for  which  the  lecture  room  of  the  Reformed  church 
was  siibstituted  in  1869.  In  1870,  under  the  administration  of  Rev.  S.  S. 
Chubb,  a  church  building  was  erected  and  dedicated,  in  which  an  organ  was 
placed  in  1874.  It  was  remodeled  in  1886,  and  in  1888  a  commodious  par- 
sonage was  erected.  The  congregation  now  worships  in  an  attractive  church 
edifice  free  from  debt,  with  seating  capacity  of  seven  hundred. 

Trinity  Evangelical  Liiflieran  Church. — Among  the  earliest  supporters 
of  this  faith  at  Shamokin  were  "William  and  Reuben  Fagely,  and  through 
their  efforts  the  Rev.  J.  P.  Shindel,  of  Sunbury,  was  induced  to  institute  oc- 
casional services  at  the  Central  school  house  about  the  year  1840.  Several 
Mormon  missionaries  were  endeavoring  to  proselyte  at  the  little  mining  town, 
and  the  immediate  object  of  the  Fagelys  in  introducing  Lutheran  worship 
was  to  counteract  the  influence  of  their  work.  It  had  the  desired  resixlt,  without, 
however,  effecting  anything  immediate  or  definite  in  the  way  of  Lutheran 
church  organization.  The  Reverend  Alleman,  of  St.  Peter's  and  St.  Jacob's 
churches  in  the  Shamokin  valley,  partially  effected  an  organization  in  1842, 
and  regular  services  were  held  under  his  administration  and  that  of  his  siic- 
cessor.  Rev.  Philip  "VVilliard.  On  the  11th  of  October,  1854,  the  church  was 
fully  organized  under  Rev.  C.  J.  Ehrhart  as  pastor.  His  inciunbency  was 
principally  noticeable  in  view  of  ''the  educational  project  undertaken — the 
erection  of  a  college,  now  the  Academy  school  building — which  was  not  a 
success,  and  depleted  the  resources  of  the  congregation  to  a  serious  extent. 
Mr.  Ehrhart  also  conducted  a  private  school  of  an  academic  grade.  He  was 
succeeded,  October  11,  1857,  by  Rev.  J.  F.  Wampole.  Under  his  adminis- 
tration services  were  held  in  the  Presbyterian  church  one  year;  in  1858  a 
room  was  fitted  up  in  the  Odd  Fellows'  hall  by  the  Lutheran  and  Reformed 


SHAMOKIN.  641 

congregations,  and  used  by  them  on  alternate  Sundays  for  divine  worship. 
Kev.  J.  B.  Keller  became  pastor  in  1S65,  and  in  the  summer  of  that  year  a 
project  for  the  erection  of  a  church  edifice  assimied  tangible  form.  C.  S. 
Wetzel  was  the  architect,  and  Jonas  L.  Gilger  the  contractor.  The  comer- 
stone  was  laid  with  appropriate  ceremonies  on  the  8th  of  October,  1865,  Rev. 
H.  Zeigler,  D.  D.,  olSciating.  assisted  by  the  pastor.  The  basement  was  first 
occupied  for  public  worship  on  the  20th  of  January,  1867,  and  on  the  11th 
of  August,  1867,  the  completed  edifice  was  dedicated.  Rev.  A.  C.  Wedekind, 
D.  D.,  preaching  the  dedicatory  sermon.  On  this  occasion  the  contributions 
aggregated  two  thousand  dollars.  On  the  following  Monday  the  Susquehanna 
Conference  of  the  church  assembled  here. 

Since  the  resignation  of  Mr.  Keller  in  1869  the  following  clergj-men  have 
served  as  pastors:  Reverends  J.  R.  Williams,  S.  Domer,  D.  D.,  H.  C. 
Haithcox,  P.  S.  Hooper,  J.  A.  Flickinger,  L.  D.  Wells,  and  C.  F.  Steck.  the 
present  pastor,  who  assumed  charge  in  the  autumn  of  1889. 

The  church  edifice  is  a  substantial  brick  structure  on  Sunburj- street.  It 
was  originally  fifty  by  seventy-five  feet  in  dimensions,  and  in  1884  an  addition 
of  twenty-five  feet  was  erected  at  the  rear.  Steam  heating  apparatus  was 
provided  in  1887,  and  in  1891  a  fine  pipe-organ  was  secured.  The  height 
of  the  tower  is  one  hundred  eighteen  feet. 

Grace  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church. — Several  attempts  were  made  to 
start  a  mission  among  the  German  Lutherans  of  Shamokin  biit  none  were 
successfiil  imtil  1885,  when  Rev.  H.  Weicksel  began  to  hold  German  services 
in  Trinity  Lutheran  church  every  fourth  Sabbath  in  the  afternoon.  As  the 
hour  proved  inconvenient,  a  congregational  meeting  was  held  at  Seiler's  hall, 
October  31,  1885,  and  at  this  first  business  meeting  of  the  church  ten  persons 
were  present:  Christian  Lehner,  Samuel  Wagner,  Martin  Hoffman,  Mrs. 
Sarah  Mack,  Lewis  Marquart,  John  Myer,  John  W.  Kessler,  William  H, 
Mack,  Miss  Ida  Mack,  and  Rev.  H.  Wicksel;  among  the  results  of  the  meet- 
ing was  a  decision  to  hold  German  services  every  fourth  Sabbath  in  Seller's 
hall,  to  install  Christian  Lehner  and  Samuel  Wagner  as  deacons,  and  have 
Lewis  Marquart  as  treasurer.  The  congregation  was  served  for  some  time 
by  Rev.  J.  W.  Early,  after  which  Rev.  H.  Weicksel  returned;  the  latter  was 
succeeded  by  his  son.  Rev.  W.  Weicksel,  who  was  installed  by  his  father, 
assisted  by  Rev.  A.  P.  Pfleuger,  September  16,  1888.  A  constitution  was 
adoi)ted,  January  1,  1888,  and  the  organization  was  incorporated  as  the 
"German  Evangelical  Liitheran  Grace  Church  of  Shamokin"  on  the  11th  of 
the  following  May.  Rev.  W.  Weicksel  is  the  present  pastor,  and  through 
his  efforts  the  church  has  now  a  membership  of  seventy-five  communicants. 
Two  large  lots  at  the  corner  of  Seventh  and  Chestm^t  streets  have  been 
secured  for  the  future  location  of  a  church  building. 

The  first  effort  to  establish  a  Sunday  school  was  made,  August  14,  1887, 
by  Luther  Early,  but   for  three  successive  Sabbaths  the  announcement  for 


642  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBEKLAXD    COUNTY. 

Sunday  school  was  attended  with  no  results.  On  the  afternoon  of  the 
fifth  appointment  fourteen  children  were  present  and  an  organization  was 
effected. 

St.  John's  Reformed  Church  was  organized  in  1855  by  Rev.  Henry 
Hoffman,  with  Benjamin  Martzand  Jacob  Smink,  Sr.,as  elders,  Daniel  Yost  and 
D.  C.  Smink  as  deacons,  and  thirty-eight  members.  The  first  services  of  this 
church  at  Shamokin  were  held  in  1839  by  Rev.  Richard  A.  Fisher,  of  Sun- 
bury,  who  preached  in  the  school  house  on  Dewart  street.  He  was  succeeded 
by  Rev.  R.  Duenger,  who  served  from  1843  to  1S4G.  when  Mr.  Fisher  again  re- 
sumed pastoral  work  and  served  from  1846  to  lSo4.  In  1854  the  Shamokin 
charge  was  formed,  composed  of  St.  Jacob's  and  St.  Peter's  churches,  Sha- 
mokin township,  and  this  church;  Rev.  Henry  Hoffman  was  pastor  from 
1854  to  1857,  Rev.  Henry  Losch,  D.  D.,  from  ISoT  to  1858,  and  Rev.  C.  A. 
Rittenhouse,  from  1858  to  1861.  In  1858  the  Lutheran  and  Reformed  peo- 
ple rented  a  room  in  the  Odd  Fellows'  hall,  where  services  were  held  by  both 
denominations  on  alternate  Sabbaths.  During  Mr.  Rittenhouse's  pastorate 
two  lots  were  secured  on  Eighth  street  and  considerable  Imnber  purchased 
for  the  erection  of  a  church  edifice,  but  the  project  was  abandoned,  owing 
to  the  ineligibility  of  the  location  and  the  resignation  of  the  pastor.  The 
church  was  without  a  pastor  from  1861  to  1864.  and  when  Rev.  H.  H.  W. 
Hibschman  took  charge  (1864)  but  five  members  remained:  William  Wary 
and  wife,  D.  C.  Smink  and  wife,  and  Mrs.  Wary. 

Services  were  successively  conducted  in  the  school  house  on  Dewart  street, 
the  school  house  on  Sunbury  street,  the  Presbj-terian  church,  the  United  Breth- 
ren church.  Odd  Fellows'  hall,  and  the  Academy.  It  was  not  long,  however, 
until  the  question  of  erecting  a  church  edifice  was  presented.  Money  was 
collected  through  the  personal  efforts  of  Mr.  Hibschman,  with  the  exception 
of  some  thirteen  hundred  dollars  which  were  raised  by  a  fair.  The  building 
was  erected  by  Daniel  Yost  and  dedicated,  May  5,  1S67.  Mr.  Hibschman  re- 
signed in  1868  and  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  C.  Scheels,  1868-71,  and  Rev. 
D.  W.  Kelly,  1871-75.  During  this  time  the  congregation  had  increased  to 
such  an  extent  that  it  was  separated  from  the  other  churches  of  the  charge, 
St.  Jacob's  and  St.  Peter's,  and  became  a  pastorate  individually.  As  such  it 
called  Ret.  D.  O.  Shoemaker,  who  was  pastor  until  1879.  Rev.  T.  J.  Hacker 
was  ordained  and  installed,  June  17, 1879.  During  the  next  year  the  church 
and  parsonage  were  repaired,  and  on  Christmas  day,  1883,  the  pastor  an- 
nounced to  the  congregation  that  their  property  was  entirely  free  from  debt. 
In  1885  a  frame  building  thirty-six  by  fifty  feet  was  temporarily  erected  at 
the  rear  of  the  church  building  for  the  use  of  the  infant  department  of  the 
Sunday  school. 

At  a  congregational  meeting  in  1888  the  consistory,  composed  of  Elders 
Samuel  Yost,  C.  C.  Leader,  R.  S.  Aucker,  D.  Eisenhart.  and  E.  G.  Seiler,  and 
Deacons  J.  S.  Haas,  F.  G.   Seiler,  C.  J.  Lessig,  J.  S.   Zimmerman,  J.  Zart- 


SHAilOKIS.  643 

man.  and  T.  H.  Paul,  were  empowered  to  erect  a  new  chiu-eh  edifice.  Cliarles 
sW.  Bolton,  architect,  designed  the  chnrch  and  chapel  in  such  a  manner  that 
the  latter  could  be  erected  without  interfering  with  the  old  church  building. 
The  contract  was  awarded  to  Aucker.  Slayman  .t  Company,  and  the  chapel 
was  dedicated,  May  11,  1890,  Eev.  Joseph  H.  Dubbs.  D.  D.,  assisting  the 
pastor.  This  building,  fronting  on  Grant  street  seventy-one  feet,  with  a 
depth  of  seventy-four  feet,  is  built  on  a  quarter-circle  plan;  it  is  particularly 
adapted  to  Sunday  school  purposes,  with  department  rooms  and  class  alcoves 
in  the  gallen,-,  and  was  erected  at  a  cost  of  twelve  thousand  dollars.  The 
pastorate  of  Rev.  T.  J.  Hacker  has  extended  over  eleven  years  with  the  fol- 
lowing as  the  present  (1890)  statistics  of  the  congregation:  members,  seven 
hiindred  thiiiy,  unconfirmed  members,  sis  hundred  fifty,  of  whom  one  hundred 
fifteen  are  Geman,  necessitating  German  services  every  alternate  Sabbath; 
Sunday  school:  officers  and  teachers,  forty-two:  pupils,  seven  himdred  fifty, 
with  a  mission  school  at  Excelsior  of  one  hundred  twelve  pupils. 

The  Simday  school  was  connected  with  other  schools  from  1858  to  1805, 
but  since  the  latter  date  has  been  a  separate  organization.  Early  in  the  year 
1858  the  Reformed  and  Lutheran  congregations  organized  a  Simday  school  in 
Bittenbender's  hall,  with  D.  C.  Smink,  Reformed,  and  Solomon  Weaver, 
Lutheran,  as  superintendents.  They  remained  in  this  hall  only  six  or  eight 
months,  when  the  school  was  removed  to  the  Odd  Fellow's  hall  on  Sunbury 
street.  The  two  separated  in  1864.  when  the  Reformed  element  of  the  old 
school  was  merged  into  a  union  of  Reformed  and  United  Brethren,  with 
D.  C.  Smink  as  Reformed  superintendent  and  Mahlon  SchoU  as  United 
Brethren  superintendent.  In  1865  a  distinctively  Reformed  school  was  or- 
ganized in  the  Penrose  public  school  building;  R.  Williard  was  superintend- 
ent one  year,  and  was  succeeded  by  D.  C.  SminL  who  ser^-ed  txntil  1872.  In 
1867  the  school  occupied  the  basement  of  the  church  on  Eighth  street.  Will- 
iam Wary,  R.  S.  Aucker,  and  John  K.  Haas  were  superintendents  at  different 
times  after  Mr.  Smink  until  1881.  when  C.  C.  Leader,  the  present  incum- 
bent, was  elected. 

Trinity  Episcopal  Church. — The  first  Episcopal  services  at  Shamokin 
were  held  in  the  Lutheran  church  in  1854-55  by  Rev.  D.  Washburn,  of 
Pottsville.  In  the  spring  of  1865  Rev.  Rowland  H.  Brown,  of  Lewisburg, 
held  Episcopal  services  in  the  Presbvierian  church:  an  organization  was 
effected  not  long  after  through  the  efforts  of  Reverends  Bro%vn  and  G.  W\ 
Shiim,  of  Philadelphia.  The  latter  became  the  first  rector,  remaining  a  little 
over  a  year.  During  the  summer  of  1865  a  contract  was  awarded  J.  B.  Gib- 
son for  the  erection  of  a  church  edifice;  in  the  meantime  services  were  held 
in  the  Presbjierian  church  and  Central  school  house.  It  was  decided  to 
erect  a  building  twenty-eight  by  seventy-eight  feet  on  the  lot  presented  by 
Charles  P.  Helfenstein,  and  the  corner-stone  was  laid,  November  7,  1865,  at 
which  service  Rev.  G.  W.  Shinn  officiated,  assisted  by  the  Reverends  Brown, 


644  HISTORY  or  Northumberland  county. 

Gibson,  and  Allen.  The  building  was  almost  completed  when  it  was  entirely 
destroyed  by  a  violent  wind  storm:  timbers  were  obtained  from  the  ruins, 
however,  with  which  a  chapel  was  erected  at  a  cost  of  fifteen  hundred  dollars. 

Although  services  had  been  held  and  an  organization  effected  in  1865,  there 
is  no  record  of  any  commimion  until  January,  1S06.  On  this  occasion  but 
five  persons  partook  of  the  sacrament:  Charles  P.  Helfenstein  and  wife, 
William  A.  Kichardson  and  wife,  and  Mrs.  Abbie  Slocum.  From  the  early 
part  of  January,  1866,  i;ntil  May  of  the  same  year,  worship  was  held  in  the 
Central  school  building.  The  first  service  in  the  new  chapel  occurred.  May 
11,  1866,  when  the  rite  of  .confirmation  was  administered  by  Bishop  Vail,  of 
Kansas,  to  fifteen  persons.  Mr.  Shinn  resigned  on  the  10th  of  Febriiary, 
1867,  and  since  that  date  the  succession  of  rectors  has  been  as  follows:  Rev- 
erends I.  N.  Spear,  I.  H.  H.  Millett,  F.  M.  Bird,  H.  H.  Boyle,  D.  Washburn, 
Joseph  Wright,  Samuel  Cheevers,  Wilber  F.  Watkins,  Jr.,  and  John  Graham, 
the  present  incumbent,  who  assumed  charge  in  March,  1890.  During  Mr. 
Cheevers's  administration  the  chapel  was  enlarged,  a  tower  was  erected,  and 
a  bell  was  placed  therein.  This  building  was  removed  to  the  southern  part 
of  the  lot  in  1890,  placed  upon  a  stone  foundation,  and  adapted  to  the  pur- 
pose of  a  Sunday  school  room  and  general  ''church  workshop."  The  erection 
of  a  handsome  stone  church  edifice  at  the  corner  of  the  lot  was  begim  in  the 
same  year  and  it  is  now  approaching  completion. 

First  Baptist  Church. — No  effort  was  made  to  form  a  Baptist  church  at 
Shamokin  until  1870,  when  Rev.  A.  B.  Still,  pastor  at  Sunbury,  preached  at 
Shamoldn  occasionally,  and  on  September  3d  of  that  year  a  meeting  of  thirty- 
two  persons  with  letters  of  dismissal  from  the  churches  at  Sunbury,  Danville, 
Trevorton,  and  Shamokin  township  was  held,  at  which  it  was  decided  to  issue 
a  call  for  a  coimcil  formally  to  constitute  them  a  church.  Pursuant  to  this 
call  a  council  met  on  the  15th  of  September,  1870,  and  resolved  to  recognize 
them  as  the  "First  Baptist  Church  of  Shamokin."  The  following  were  the 
first  officers:  pastor,  Rev.  A.  B.  StiU;  deacons:  John  Renn,  Aaron  Roadarmel; 
trustees:  J.  D.  Roadarmel,  William  McConnell,  John  Renn,  Withington 
Lake,  and  J.  W.  Yoimg.  Among  the  pastors  and  supplies  prior  to  the  year 
1884  were  Reverends  Still,  Johnson,  Rush,  Brensinger,  Nathan  Thomas,  O. 
R.  Thomas,  and  Giles.  Rev.  W.  G.  Watkins,  the  present  pastor,  assumed 
charge  in  April,  1884;  after  considerable  search  he  foimd  six  persons  who 
considered  themselves  members,  but  accessions  were  numerous  and  frequent, 
and  in  1890  the  present  church  edifice,  a  substantial  two-story  brick  structure 
on  Lincoha  street,  was  erected.  It  was  dedicated  on  the  21st  of  December, 
1890,  Reverends  J.  H.  Harris,  Ph.  D.,  and  J.  Green  Miles  officiating.  A 
flourishing  Simday  school  is  connected  with  this  chiirch. 

The  Welsh  Baptists  of  Shamokin  enjoyed  religious  worship  for  some  time 
as  a  mission  of  the  Ashland  congregation,  and  erected  a  frame  church  build- 
ing on  the  east  side  of  Rock  street  between   Clay  and  Webster.     In  May, 


SHAMOKIN.  645 

1SS4,  they  were  organized  as  a  church  by  Rev.  W.  G.  Watkins,  who  became 
their  pastor  but  resigned  in  the  following  year;  the  membership  then  united 
with  the  English  Baptist  and  Welsh  Congregational  churches. 

The  Welsh  Congregational  Church  was  organized  by  Eev.  Henry  C. 
Harris:  seven  deacons  were  elected  at  that  time,  but  one  of  whom,  John  W. 
Thomas,  is  still  an  active  member  of  this  church.  A  hall  on  Simbury  street 
was  occupied  for  religious  worship  until  1864,  when  a  frame  church  edifice 
was  built  on  Rock  street.  The  present  church  building,  a  frame  structure 
on  Grant  street,  was  erected  in  1870  imder  the  supervision  of  a  building 
committee  composed  of  John  W.  Thomas,  John  Phillips,  and  Henry  Sim- 
mons. Since  1875  the  pastors  have  been  Reverends  D.  T.  Da\as,  Henry 
Whitby,  Morris  Hughes,  David  D.  Davis,  and  D.  T.  Davis,  present 
incumbent. 

This  church  originally  included  nearly  the  entire  Welsh  population  of 
Shamokiu.  The  Baptists  and  Methodists  withdrew;  the  former  erected  a 
church  on  Rock  street,  the  latter  on  Independence  street,  and  since  these 
organizations  disbanded  a  large  proportion  of  their  membership  has  again 
become  connected  with  the  Congregational  church,  which  is  the  only  Welsh 
organization  at  Shamokin  at  the  present  time. 

Ecce  Homo  Greek  Catholic  Church. — The  Rev.  John  Wolansky,  from 
Gallicia.  Austria,  established  the  first  Greek  church  in  the  Ignited  States  in 
1SS4  at  Shenandoah,  Pennsylvania,  and  celebrated  Mass  for  the  adherents 
of  his  faith  at  Excelsior  in  the  same  year.  During  his  absence  in  Europe 
the  affairs  of  his  recently  established  congregations  were  conducted  by  Rev. 
Constantino  Andrnshowitch.  The  erection  of  a  church  edifice  was  undertaken 
by  Father  Wolansky-  upon  his  return;  ground  was  secured  in  the  southeast- 
ern part  of  the  borough  of  Shamokin,  and  a  frame  structure,  presenting  some 
of  the  characteristics  of  the  Byzantine  .style  of  architecture,  has  been  erected 
thereon.  It  was  dedicated  with  imposing  ceremonies,  Augtist  19,  1889,  on 
which  occasion  a  large  concoiarse  of  people  was  present,  including  excursions 
from  Shenandoah,  Freeland,  and  Hazelton.  The  membershiii  of  the  parish 
is  two  hundred.  The  St.  Cyril  and  Metody  Beneficial  Society,  organized 
June  20,  1888,  is  an  important  social  adjunct. 

EDUCATIONAL    INTERESTS. 

The  fourth  or  fifth  house  at  Shamokin  was  erected  in  1837  for  school 
purposes,  and  thus  early  in  the  historv'  of  the  town  its  educational  record 
begins.  This  first  school  house  was  a  one-story  frame  building  of  diminutive 
proportions,  situated  on  Dewart  street ;  it  was  subsequently  occupied  as  a 
dwelling,  a  shop,  and  as  the  armory  of  the  Shamokin  Guards.  In  its  last 
years  it  was  used  as  a  stable,  and  ultimately  met  destruction  in  a  fire  that 
swept  over  that  part  of  the  town. 

The  first  school  was  opened  in  the  winter  of  1837-38,  principally  through 


646  HISTORY    OF    NOKTHUMBEELAND    CODNTY. 

the  efforts  of  John  C.  Boyd  and  Ziba  Bird,  by  whom  Abia  John,  of  Shamokin 
township,  was  employed  for  a  three  months'  term  at  the  munificent  salary-  of 
eight  dollars  per  month  and  board.  But  the  school  was  small,  and  no  great 
degree  of  professional  skill  was  required  in  those  days.  The  furniture  was 
of  the  most  primitive  character,  and  of  apparatus  it  is  not  probable  there  was 
any.  But  the  teaching  seems  to  have  been  satisfactory,  and  when  the  adop- 
tion of  the  public  school  system  was  voted  upon  in  1S3S,  it  was  decided  in 
the  affirmative  by  an  almost  unanimous  vote  from  the  citizens  of  the  embryo 
borough.  This  was  the  first  school  within  the  present  limits  of  Coal,  Mt. 
Carmel,  Cameron,  and  Zerbe  townships,  embracing  the  boroughs  of  Shamo- 
kin and  Mt.  Carmel,  with  a  school  population  of  four  or  five  thousand  and 
school  property  aggregating  in  value  several  hundred  thousand  dollars  at  the 
present  time.  The  pujiils  at  this  school  were  Hannah  Bird,  Ziba  Bird.  David 
Snyder,  Kachel  Snyder,  Ephraim  Phillips,  Ellen  Phillips,  WiUiam  W.  Wary, 
Catharine  Waiy,  Perrv'  J.  Eaton,  Lydia  Ann  Porter,  Elizabeth  Porter, 
Ephraim  Mowrj',  Marie  Mowry,  Emmeline  Mowrj',  and  Morgan  Mown,-. 

The  public  school  system  was  adopted  in  Coal  township  in  1S3S.  The 
sentiment  was  strongly  in  its  favor  among  the  mechanics  and  laborers  em- 
ployed at  Shamokin,  and  equally  strong  in  its  opposition  in  the  territon."  that 
now  constitutes  Cameron  township.  The  first  board  of  directors  was  com- 
posed of  Sylvanus  S.  Bird,  Kimber  Cleaver,  Jehu  John,  James  B.  Porter, 
George  Long,  and  David  Billman,  of  whom  Messrs.  Bird,  Cleaver,  and  John 
were  president,  secretary,  and  treasurer,  resjaectively.  It  does  not  appear 
that  any  active  measures  whatever  were  taken  that  year.  The  composition 
of  the  board  was  imchanged  by  the  election  of  1839,  except  that  William 
Fagely  succeeded  Mr.  Porter;  the  same  president,  secretary,  and  treasurer 
were  chosen  as  in  the  previoiis  year,  and  Benjamin  McClow  was  appointed 
tax  collector.  A  local  tax  of  two  hundred  one  dollars,  thirty-five  cents, 
was  levied,  which,  with  the  State  appropriation  of  six  himdred  thirty 
dollars,  placed  a  total  sum  of  eight  hundred  thirty-one  dollars,  thirty-five 
cents,  at  the  disposal  of  the  board.     Eight  sub-districts  were  formed. 

At  that  period  in  the  educational  history  of  this  region,  the  position  of 
tax  collector  was  not  a  sinecure.  Mr.  McClow  encountered  great  difficulty  in 
the  discharge  of  his  duties,  especially  in  Cameron  township,  where  the  tax 
was  regarded  as  tyrannical  and  unjust,  and  the  sentiment  of  the  people  was 
almost  unanimously  opposed  to  the  system.  Ho  was  threatened  with  violence, 
but  pursued  his  work  unmolested,  traveling,  it  is  said,  more  than  five  hundred 
miles  for  the  purpose  of  making  collections,  and  received  a  little  more  than 
five  dollars  for  his  ser^'ices. 

Bitilding  operations  were  begun  by  the  board  in  the  summer  of  1S39. 
A  two-story  brick  building  was  erected  on  Sunbury  street  at  a  cost  of  six 
hundred  dollars,  and  completed  in  February,  1S40;  it  subsequently  formed 
the  eastern  part  of  the  Central  school  building,  and  was  ample  at  that  time 


SHAMOKIN.  647 

for  the  requirements  of  No.  2  district,  comprising  the  present  territory  of 
Shamokin  borough  and  Coal  township.  In  Xo.  5  district  a  small  frame 
building  was  erected  at  a  cost  of  ninety-four  dollars,  eighty-seven  cents. 
This  was  in  Cameron  to^vnship•.  John  Fidler  and  "William  Stizes  taught 
therein  during  the  following  winter,  but  the  practical  application  of  the  sys- 
tem does  not  seem  to  have  popularized  it,  and  in  1S4II  Coal  to\vnshi2)  was 
divided  into  two  general  school  districts  by  act  of  the  legislature.  The  citi- 
zens of  South  Coal  promptly  defeated  the  system,  while  the  withdrawal  of  a 
hostile  minority  tended  greatly  to  establish  it  permanently  in  Xorth  Coal. 
There  a  tax  of  three  hundred  twenty-seven  dollars,  eighty  cents,  was  levied, 
and  a  State  appropriation  of  one  hundred  forty-five  dollars  was  received, 
sufficient  to  place  the  system  in  operation  and  sustain  the  schools  several 
months.  The  first  teacher  at  Shamokin  under  this  regime  was  John  T. 
Rood,  of  New  York;  he  resigned  after  teaching  fourteen  days,  for  some 
reason  that  does  not  appear  upon  the  minutes  of  the  board,  and  was  suc- 
ceeded by  Mary  Shipman,  who  also  taught  only  a  few  weeks.  The  first 
teachers  who  remained  any  length  of  time  were  Amos  Y.  Thomas  and  Jehu 
John. 

^Vhile  the  town  of  Shamokin  formed  part  of  North  Coal  and  of  Coal  town- 
ship school  district  the  buildings  erected  or  secured  for  permanent  use  as 
school  houses  were  the  Central,  previously  noticed,  the  Penrose,  theNewto\vn, 
and  the  Academy  buildings.  In  ISGo,  when  the  borough  became  a  separate 
school  district,  eight  schools  were  in  operation,  for  which  the  following 
teachers  were  appointed  for  the  term  of  186-j-GO,  respectively:  No.  1,  the 
high  school,  in  the  Academy  building,  John  B.  Savidge:  No.  2,  intermediate, 
Central  building,  Samuel  Wood;  No.  3.  intermediate.  Penrose  building,  Hud- 
son Sober;  No.  4,  intermediate.  Central  building,  Miss  Hay;  No.  5,  primary, 
Penrose  building,  Emma'  Raup;  No.  6,  primary.  Central  building,  Miss 
Martz;  No.  7,  primary,  Newtown  building,  John  Haas,  and  No.  8,  primary, 
Academy  building,  Samuel  Eeeder.  Their  salaries  ranged  from  thirty  to 
sixty  dollars  per  month. 

The  first  school  board  of  the  borough,  composed  of  Frederick  S.  Haas, 
.Dr.  J.  J.  John,  Pemberton  Bird.  Daniel  S.  Miller,  Matthias  Ernes,  and  Will- 
iam K.  Erdman,  organized,  June  9,  1865,  with  Messrs.  Bird,  John,  and 
Haas  as  president,  secretary-,  and  treasurer,  respectively. 

The  school  buildings  of  the  borough  are  kno-\vn  by  the  respective  names 
of  the  Academy,  Penrose,  Stevens,  Garfield,  Washington,  and  Lincoln.  Of 
these  the  Academy  is  the  oldest.  It  was  originally  projected  in  1852  by  the 
Lutheran  congregation  and  its  pastor.  Rev.  C.  J.  Ehrhart,  encouraged  and 
assisted  by  William  L.  Helfenstein,  William  Fagely.  Kimber  Cleaver,  Jonas 
L.  Gilger,  Joseph  Bird,  and  other  public  spirited  citizens  of  that  period. 
The  Shamokin  Collegiate  Institute  was  incorporated,  April  28,  1854,  with  an 
authorized  capital  of  twenty-five  thousand  dollars  and  the  following  officers: 


648  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

president,  Kimber  Cleaver;  secretary,  Dr.  William  Atwater;  treasurer,  Jonas 
L.  Gilger;  who,  with  Kev.  C.  J.  Ehrhart,  William  Fagely,  and  Daniel  Yost 
were  the  first  trustees.  Bonds  were  issued  and  a  sufficient  amount  of  stock 
subscribed  to  erect  the  large  brick  building  on  the  square  bounded  by  Eighth, 
Arch,  and  Grant  streets,  agreeably  to  plans  prepared  by  Kimber  Cleaver. 
But  the  anticipated  indorsement  of  the  movement  by  the  Lutheran  synod 
was  not  secured,  and  after  the  walls  and  roof  of  the  building  had  been  com- 
pleted the  enterprise  collapsed.  Local  resources  had  been  exhausted,  and 
for  some  years  the  building  remained  unfinished  and  unused.  In  1857  Lewis 
L.  Bevan,  postmaster  of  the  town  and  an  ardent  supporter  of  the  public  school 
system,  suggested  the  feasibility  of  purchasing  the  building  and  adapting  ■it 
to  the  purposes  of  an  academy  or  high  school.  A  public  meeting  was  held 
at  the  Central  school  house  to  consider  the  proi^osition,  biit  it  was  not 
regarded  favorably.  No  further  action  was  taken  until  the  16th  of  July, 
1863,  when,  at  a  special  meeting  of  the  school  board  of  Coal  township,  Dr. 
E.  S.  Robins,  George  McEliece,  W.  F.  Roth,  Jonas  L.  Gilger,  and  Freder- 
ick S.  Haas,  members  present,  it  was  resolved  to  purchase  the  property  if  a 
clear  title  could  be  obtained.  Messrs.  Roth,  McEliece,  and  Gilger  were 
appointed  a  committee  to  secure  legal  advice  on  the  siibject.  At  that  time  the 
surviving  trustees  of  the  old  academy  association  were  W.  H.  Marshall,  W. 
M.  Weaver,  and  Charles  P.  Helfenstein,  and  Messrs.  Gilger,  McEliece,  and 
Harper  were  appointed  by  the  board  to  confer  with  them.  On  the  20th  of 
September,  1863,  Messrs.  Haas  and  McEliece  were  appointed  to  bring  the 
purchase  to  a  final  consiunmation,  but  legal  obstacles  intervened,  and  it  was 
not  until  March  14.  1S64,  that  the  property  was  secured  by  the  board,  at 
coroner's  sale  for  the  sum  of  twenty-nine  hundred  fifty  dollars,  in  pursuance 
of  action  taken  by  the  board,  March  7,  1864.  Several  of  the  rooms  were 
finished  for  immediate  occupancy,  and  others  as  the  growth  of  the  school 
population  required:  the  last  apartment  was  adapted  for  use  by  a  resolution 
of  the  board  passed  on  the  19th  of  July,  1871.  At  the  present  time  there 
are  nine  school  rooms  and  tour  class  rooms  in  this  building;  the  high  school, 
two  grammar  schools,  three  intermediate,  and  two  primary  schools  are  con- 
ducted here. 

The  Penrose  building  is  a  brick  .structure  on  the  east  side  of  Franklin 
street  south  of  Chestnut.  One  grammar  school,  two  intermediate,  and  four 
primarv'  schools  are  conducted  here.  The  ground  was  purchased  in  1857, 
when  Pemberton  Bird.  William  H.  Cherington,  Dr.  J.  J.  John,  W.  P.  With- 
ington,  F.  A.  Clark,  and  John  Shipp  composed  the  board.  An  addition 
twenty -five  by  forty  feet  in  dimensions  was  authorized  by  the  board,  June  12, 
1874,  and  the  contract  [was  awarded,  August  4,  1874,  to  Daniel  Yost  at 
twenty -three  hundred  ninety  dollars.  Messrs.  Aucker,  John,  and  Schwartz 
constituted  the  buikiing  committee.     A  further  addition  was  made  in  1887. 

The  Stevens  building  received  its  present  name,  January  10,  1876,  by 


^^^^^6^^ 


SHAMOKIN.  651 

resolution  of  the  board,  ''in  honor  of  the  great  defender  of  the  common 
school  system,"  Thaddeus  Stevens.  Prior  to  that  date  it  was  known  as  the 
Newtown  school.  On  the  5th  of  May,  1.S57,  the  township  school  board  decided 
to  purchase  lots  No.  3  and  4  in  block  No.  61  from  C.  P.  and  K.  C.  Helfen- 
stein,  and  on  the  19th  of  June  it  was  resolved  to  build.  A  building  tax  of 
sixteen  hundred  dollars  was  levied,  June  26th;  the  contract  was  awarded, 
July  13,  1857,  to  Benjamin  McClow  at  his  bid  of  eighteen  hundred  twenty- 
five  dollars,  and  the  work  was  prosecuted  under  the  direction  of  Messrs.  John 
and  Shipp,  building  committee.  For  various  reasons  this  location  was  not 
foimd  to  be  entirely  suitable,  and  on  the  5th  of  June,  1869,  the  building  and 
grounds  were  sold  to  Henry  Morgan  for  five  hvmdred  dollars.  Frederick  S. 
Haas,  Withington  Lake,  and  M.  Ernes,  a  committee  of  the  board,  reported  in 
favor  of  a  new  location,  June  4th;  on  the  1st  of  July,  1869.  the  contract  was 
awarded  Joseph  E.  Thompson  at  his  bid  of  twenty-two  hundi-ed  seventy-five 
dollars,  and  the  building  was  erected  agreeably  to  plans  prepared  by  Daniel 
Yost.  It  was  completed  in  August,  1870,  and  with  extra  work  the  entire  cost 
was  twenty-three  hundred  fifty-six  dollars,  ninety-five  cents.  An  addition  to 
this  building,  similar  to  that  erected  at  the  Penrose  building  in  the  previous 
year,  was  authorized  by  the  board,  July  12,  1875,  and  a  week  later  Messrs. 
Schwartz,  John,  and  Robins  were  appointed  a  building  committee.  The 
work  was  done  by  R.  S.  Aucker  under  contract  for  the  sum  of  twenty-seven 
hundred  ninety-five  dollars.  As  again  enlarged  in  1887  this  building  com- 
prises eight  rooms,  in  which  four  intermediate  and  four  primary  schools  are 
taught.     It  is  located  on  Third  street  at  the  corner  of  Spruce. 

The  site  of  the  Garfield  building — four  lots  extending  from  Sunbuiy  to 
Dewart  street  east  of  Franklin — was  purchased  by  action  of  the  board,  June 
25,  1881,  for  the  sum  of  thirty-sis  hundred  dollars.  A  frame  building,  for- 
merly used  by  a  hose  company,  occupied  this  ground;  it  was  enlarged  and 
adapted  for  school  purposes,  and  received  the  name  of  the  Garfield  school 
building  by  resolution  of  the  board,  October  12,  1881.  In  April,  1885,  plans 
for  a  new  building  were  prepared  and  considered  by  the  board,  but  not 
adopted,  owing  to  lack  of  funds.  At  length,  however,  the  growth  of  the 
town  and  the  dilapidated  condition  of  the  old  building  rendered  improvement 
a  matter  of  necessity,  and  in  compliance  with  a  strong  public  sentiment 
favorable  to  such  action,  the  erection  of  a  new  building  was  unanimously 
decided  upon,  February  13,  1888.  The  contract  was  awarded.  May  4,  1888, 
to  Aucker,  Slayman  &  Company,  at  their  bid  of  fourteen  thousand  eight 
hundred  seventeen  dollars.  They  also  supplied  the  steam  heating  and  ven- 
tilating apparatus  for  nineteen  hundred  fifty  dollars,  and  the  aggregate  cost 
approximated  twenty-seven  thousand  dollars.  The  building  is  constructed  of 
brick,  with  slate  roof,  tower,  and  bell,  and  is  supplied  throughout  with  every 
appliance  for   health,  comfort,  and   convenience.     It  was  publicly  opened. 


652  HISTORY  OF  NORTHUMBERLAND  COUNTY. 

Janiiary  31,  1889,  and  during  the  winter  of  1889-90  two  grammar  schools, 
three  intermediate,  and  three  primary  schools  were  taught  here. 

The  policy  of  the  board  inaugurated  in  the  erection  of  the  Garfield  biiild- 
ing  received  an  ovenvhelming  popular  indorsement  at  a  special  election  on 
the  18th  of  Jime,  1890,  when,  by  a  majority  of  five  hundred  eleven  votes,  the 
board  was  authorized  to  increase  the  indebtedness  of  the  district  to  seven  per 
cent,  of  the  valuation  of  assessed  property.  Jime  24, 1890,  the  board  resolved 
to  erect  two  new  buildings — one  at  the  site  of  the  Central  building  on  Sun- 
bury  street,  the  other  on  the  west  side  of  Market  south  of  Pine — uniform  with 
the  Garfield  building  in  general  arrangements  and  appointments.  The  com- 
pletion of  these  buildings  has  given  Shamokin  borough  school  facilities 
superior  to  those  of  any  other  district  in  the  county. 

The  office  of  borough  superintendent  was  created  in  1878,  with  Francis 
M.  Bates  as  its  first  incumbent.  He  was  succeeded  in  1880  by  William 
F.  Harpel,  who  has  held  the  position  since  that  date.  Dr.  J.  J.  John,  secretary 
of  the  board  from  1865  to  1876,  exercised  the  fimctions  of  a  district  super- 
intendent during  that  period,  and  much  of  the  efficiency  of  the  system  is  due 
to  methods  and  improvements  introduced  by  him. 

The  high  school  was  established  in  1869.  A  school  had  been  conducted 
by  this  name  under  the  township  dispensation,  but  it  possessed  few  of  the 
attributes  of  a  high  school,  the  curriculiun  fluctuating  with  the  qualifications 
of  the  teacher  in  charge  and  the  degree  of  advancement  made  by  the  pupils 
in  the  lower  grades.  In  1869  a  definite  course  of  study  was  arranged,  from 
which  that  pursued  at  present  has  developed.  Three  years  are  required  for 
its  completion;  Latin  to  Virgil,  higher  mathematics  to  trigonometry,  physics, 
natural  philosophy,  chemistry,  geology,  general  history,  book-keeping,  rhetoric, 
drawing,  and  physical  geography  are  among  the  principal  features  of  the 
course.  The  following  is  a  list  of  principals  in  the  order  in  which  they 
served:  S.  J.  Barnett,  A.  B.  Orr,  S.  P.  Fink,  George  W.  Campbell,  F.  S. 
Glass,  George  W.  Campbell,  Francis  M.  Bates,  John  B.  Savidge,  Reuben  A. 
Zimmerman,  and  George  A.  Farrow,  present  incumbent.  The  library  was 
established  by  resolution  of  the  board,  April  22,  1875,  and  now  numbers  two 
himdred  twenty-five  volumes. 

St.  Edward's  Parochial  School  was  established  by  Father  Koch  in  Sep- 
tember, 1874,  and  was  opened  in  the  old  Catholic  church  under  lay  teachers. 
In  September,  1875,  five  Sisters  of  Charity  from  Mount  St.  Vincent,  New 
York,  took  charge  of  the  school,  and  their  number  has  since  been  increased 
to  nine.  As  the  growth  of  the  school  necessitated  more  room,  three  lots  on 
Shamokin  street  opposite  St.  Edward's  church  were  purchased,  upon  which 
Father  Koch  erected  a  substantial  three-story  brick  building  forty  by  seventy 
feet  in  dimensions  in  1883,  and  occupied  it  in  the  autumn  of  that  year.  The 
site,  building,  and  furniture  cost  eighteen  thousand  dollars. 

Connected  with  the  parochial  school  is  a  high  school  in  the  convent  build- 


SHAMOKIX.  653 

ing,  also  under  the  charge  of  the  Sisters  of  Charity.  In  1871  Father  Koch 
purchased  over  an  acre  of  ground  on  what  is  now  known  as  "  Convent  Hill." 
In  1876  he  erected  thereon  a  large  three-story  brick  convent  building  for  the 
Sisters  employed  in  the  schools.  It  overlooks  the  valley  of  Shamokin  creek, 
and  from  its  site  a  fine  view  of  the  town  may  be  obtained.  The  ground  and 
convent  are  valued  at  over  ten  thousand  dollars.  Only  young  ladies  who 
have  passed  a  satisfactory  examination  in  the  parochial  school  are  admitted 
to  the  convent  or  high  school,  the  nimiber  being  always  limited  to  twenty- 
four. 

Both  the  parochial  and  high  school  are  free,  and  are  open  to  rich  and 
poor  alike.  They  are  graded,  and  the  same  branches  are  taught  as  in  the 
public  schools,  while  the  curriculum  of  the  high  school  is  equal  to  that  of 
any  first-class  academy.  The  average  attendance  is  between  four  and  five 
hundred.  The  boys  and  girls  occupy  and  receive  instruction  in  separate 
rooms.  Besides  a  good  secular  education,  the  children  receive  daily 
instruction  in  Christian  morals  and  Catholic  doctrine. 

St.  Stanislaus  Kostka  Parochial  School  was  opened  in  the  basement  of 
the  present  church  soon  after  its  dedication,  in  December,  1881,  under  the. 
charge  of  Sisters  of  the  Order  of  St.  Francis.  In  1889  a  large  brick  school 
building  was  completed,  wherein  five  Sisters  are  engaged  in  teaching. 
About  three  hundred  children  receive  instruction  in  this  school,  which  is 
doing  a  good  work  for  the  parish. 

The  Shamokin  Business  College  was  established  on  the  1st  of  Novem- 
ber, 1888,  by  the  Wilkesbarre  Business  College  under  the  local  management 
of  W.  L.  ilcCuUough.  A  change  of  proprietorship  occurred  on  the  1st  of 
Febniiiry,  IS'.jO,  when  this  school  passed  to  McCuUough  &  Ernest.  The 
course  embraces  shorthand  and  tv-pewriting  in  addition  to  the  branches  usu- 
ally taught  in  a  regular  business  college. 

CEMETERIES. 

Irich's  Graieyard,  a  mile  east  of  Shamokin  on  the  public  road  leading 
to  Mt.  Carmel,  was  the  first  place  of  interment  in  this  part  of  the  county. 
Kude  headstones  without  mark  or  inscription  of  any  kind  indicate  the  loca- 
tion of  some  of  the  early  graves,  while  there  are  doubtless  others  of  which 
no  visible  indication  exists.  This  was  the  place  of  burial  for  the  Cherry 
family  and  other  early  settlers;  at  a  later  date  it  was  also  used  by  the  early 
population  to  a  limited  extent,  and  the  present  tombstones  are  principally 
of  the  decade  beginning  with  1850.  No  interments  have  been  made  here 
for  some  years,  and  the  ground  is  sadly  desecrated. 

The  Shamokin  Cemetery  Company  was  incorporated  by  the  court  of  com- 
mon pleas  of  Northumberland  coimty,  Augiist  13,  ISuU.  The  managers 
elected  for  the  first  year  were  William  H.  Marshall,  William  M.  Weaver,  C. 
A.  Rittenhouse,  Charles  P.  Helfenstein,  Joseph  Bird,  Solomon  Weaver,  and 


654  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

Pemberton  Bird.  Their  first  meeting  was  held,  April  28,  1860,  when 
Charles  P.  Helfenstein  was  elected  president,  Joseph  Bird,  vice-president, 
Pemberton  Bird,  secretary,  and  William  H.  Marshall,  treasurer.  Ground 
was  selected  in  the  southern  part  of  the  borough,  an  elevated  location,  con- 
veniently accessible  from  all  parts  of  the  town,  and  possessing  great  natural 
beauty.  It  was  secured  upon  favorable  terms,  from  William  H.  Marshall, 
William  M.  Weaver,  and  Charles  P.  Helfenstein,  who  retained  an  interest  as 
mortgagees,  this  lien  being  gradually  extinguished  by  the  pajTnent  annually 
of  half  the  receipts  from  the  sale  of  lots.  Subsequently  Mr.  Marshall  ac- 
quired the  interests  of  Messrs.  Weav#r  and  Helfenstein,  and  on  the  16th  of 
June,  1874,  an  adjoining  tract  of  seven  and  one  half  acres  was  secured  upon 
the  same  terms.  The  grounds  were  laid  out  by  Kimber  Cleaver,  and  the 
symmetry  of  the  design,  as  well  as  its  adaptiveness  to  the  natural  features  of 
the  inclosure,  are  a  high  tribute  to  his  engineering  abilities.  A  noticeable 
feature  is  the  soldiers'  monument,  erected  under  the  auspices  of  Lincoln  Post, 
No.  140,  G.  A.  R.,  in  1871.  The  first  superintendent  was  Amos  Y.  Thomas, 
who  has  been  succeeded  by  John  Geywitz  and  Solomon  Long.  The  im- 
.provement  of  the  property  may  be  properly  said  to  have  begim  in  1867, 
under  a  board  of  managers  composed  of  C.  A.  Hanly,  president ;  Dr.  J.  J. 
John,  secretary;  William  H.  Marshall,  treasurer,  Frederick  S.  Haas,  John 
Smink,  John  B.  Douty,  and  John  Dunkelberger.  Mr.  Hanly  was  succeeded 
by  John  Smink  in  1871,  and  he  by  Alexander  Fulton,  the  present  president, 
in  1878.  Dr.  J.  J.  John  has  served  as  secretary  continuously  since  1867. 
Mr.  Marshall  was  treasurer  until  his  death  in  1878,  when  he  was  succeeded 
by  George  Marshall.  The  present  directory  is  composed  as  follows:  presi- 
dent, Alexander  Fulton;  vice-president,  Isaac  May,  Sr. ;  secretary.  Dr.  J.  J. 
John;  treasurer,  George  Marshall;  H.  A.  Shissler,  R.  S.  Aucker,  and  W.  H. 
M.  Oram. 

St.  Edward's  Cemetery. — For  more  than  forty  years  the  Catholics  of 
Shamokin  and  vicinity  interred  their  dead  in  the  old  graveyard  near  the  west 
end  of  the  town.  It  was  low  and  wet  and  poorly  adapted  for  a  cemetery. 
but  it  was  the  only  place  used  until  1872,  when  Father  Koch  piirchased  four 
acres  of  elevated  land  about  one  mile  east  of  Shamokin  and  adjoining  the 
village  of  Springfield  at  a  cost  of  one  thousand  dollars.  He  inclosed  and 
laid  it  out,  and  Bishop  Shanahan  consecrated  it  in  November,  1872.  He 
commenced  at  once  the  work  of  beautifying  and  this  good  work  has  been  con- 
tinued, so  that  the  ground  is  now  in  a  very  satisfactory  condition  and  in 
harmony  with  the  church  and  school  properties.  The  old  cemetery  was 
abandoned,  and  the  bodies  gradually  removed  to  the  new  one,  and  in  1886 
the  last  remains  were  reinterred.  In  1888  the  ground  was  sold,  and  nothing 
now  remains  to  attest  that  it  was  once  a  sacred  resting  place  of  the  dead. 

St.  Stanislaus  Kostka  Cemetery. — In  1880  Father  Klonowski  purchased 
one  acre  of  land  adjoining  St.  Edward's  cemetery  for  a  burying  ground.     He 


MT.  CARMEL.  655 

laid  it  out  for  that   purpose,  and  it  has  since  been  used  by  St.  Stanislaus's 
congregation. 

The  Greek  Cemetery  adjoins  that  of  St.  Stanislaus  on  the  east.     It  com- 
prises one  acre  of  ground,  which  was  purchased  and  laid  out  in  1S90. 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 


MT.  CARMEL. 

Old  Hotels— The  Town  Plat— First  Improvements  .\nd  Subsequent  Growth— 
The  First  JIeri  hants,  Physiclvns,  and  Lawyers- The  Postoffice— Rail- 
roads—MuxicirAL  ORr,.\Niz.^Tiox  .\SD  Government— The  Mt.  Carmel  Coal 
Trade— Gener.vl  Industrial  Interests— Fin.\ncial  Institutions — Water  and 
Electric  Light  Companies  —  Secret  and  Other  Societies  —  The  Press — 
Schools — Chuuches — Cemeteries. 

THE  borough  of  Mt.  Carmel  is  situated  in  the  extreme  southeastern  part 
of  Northumberland  county.  The  site  is  an  elevated  plain,  extending 
from  the  Shamokin  creek  on  the  west  to  Locust  mountain  on  the  east,  and  sur- 
roimded  by  a  mountainous  region  of  vast  mineral  wealth  and  natural  scenery 
of  the  most  picturesque  character. 

OLD    HOTELS. 

The  old  Reading  road,  which  leads  from  Sunbury  to  Reading,  was  opened 
in  1770  and  passes  through  the  present  site  of  Mt.  Carmel.  Although  thus 
situated  upon  the  line  of  an  important  public  highway,  this  locaHty  presented 
few  indiicements  to  invite  settlement,  as  it  possessed  but  meager  agricultural 
advantages  and  its  mineral  resources  were  unkno%vn.  The  first  permanent 
improvements  within  the  borough  limits  were  made  by  Lawrence  Lamer.son, 
whose  daughter,  Mrs.  Rebecca  Reeder,  died  at  an  advanced  age.  Several 
years  previous  to  her  death  she  was  interviewed  by  Dr.  J.  J.  John,  of  Shamo- 
kin, to  whom  she  gave  the  following  interesting  particulars: — 

A  man  by  the  name  of  Cartwright  was  the  first  settler  at  >It.  Carmel.  He  lived 
in  a  small  house  on  the  Yarnall  tract.  I  knew  but  little  about  him.  >Iy  father  was 
the  second  settler. 

My  father,  Lawrence  Lamerson,  emigrated  from  Holland  some  years  previous  to  the 
Revolutionary  war.  He  first  settled  in  Virginia,  but  soon  after  moved  to  New  Jersey. 
About  177G  he  joined  the  American  army  and  served  through  the  war.  "William  Tiets- 
worth,  of  Shamokin  township,  was  his  comrade  in  these  campaigns.  Upon  the  close 
of  the  war  he  married  in  New  .Jersey,  and,  with  many  others  from  that  State,  immi- 
grated to  Northumberland  county.  He  first  settled  at  Sunbury,  but  soon  afterward 
purchased  a  tract  of  two  hundred  acres  of  land  in  what  was  then  Shamokin  township. 


656  HISTORY    OF    NORTHrilBEBLAND    COCNTY. 

but  now  the  southern  part  of  the  town  plat  of  ilt.  Carmel.  He  built  a  log  house  near 
where  the  old  Reading  depot  stood.  The  orchard  ma_v  still  be  seen  near  the  present 
park. 

I  was  born  in  1803  at  the  old  hoiise  in  -the  Orchard."  We  had  no  schools  in  those 
days.  Our  nearest  neighbors  for  some  years  were  Isaac  Tomlinson  and  John  Thomp- 
son, who  had  settled  down  the  valley  some  miles  towards  Shamokiu.  We  visited  each 
other  occasionally,  and  were  always  glad  to  meet  each  other.  We  felt  like  neighbors 
toward  each  other.  Game  was  very  plentiful  at  that  time.  My  father  in  one  year  shot 
forty  deer,  si.v  bears,  and  three  panthers,  besides  smaller  game.  At  nights  we  would 
hear  these  wild  animals  scream.  Their  noise  was  frightful  to  hear.  Wolves  were  very 
troublesome  to  us.  One  night  thej-  dug  under  the  stable,  dragged  out  a  sheep,  and 
took  it  away.  It  was  not  safe  to  be  out  after  night  without  fire-arms.  Shamokin  creek 
abounded  with  fish,  and  in  a  very  short  time  we  could  catch  a  nice  string.  We  fol- 
lowed the  Indian  paths  in  traveling  to  Catawissa  and  other  points. 

My  father  kept  a  number  of  cattle  for  the  farmers  of  Maiden  creek,  Berks  county, 
during  the  summer  seasons.  The  pasture  in  the  mountains  was  good,  and  the  animals 
fattened  on  it.  He  charged  flft}-  cents  per  head  to  take  care  of  them.  They  were 
under  complete  control,  and  would  come  home  when  he  would  call  them.  It  was  the 
custom  for  each  farmer  to  bring  a  fresh  cow  and  some  salt  with  his  herd.  We  had 
plenty  of  milk  in  those  times. 

Shortly  after  we  started  the  hotel  a  tjuack  doctor  from  Philadelphia  with  two  or 
three  Indians  spent  some  time  at  our  place  in  searching  and  collecting  medical  plants. 
Indians  stopped  with  us  several  times  when  we  first  settled  here.  They  ate  at  our 
house  and  spoke  in  broken  English.  They  traveled  over  Indian  paths  that  passed 
through  Mt.  Carmel.  Lawyer  Bradford,  of  Sunbury,  who  was  a  noted  attorney  of 
those  times,  frequently  stopped  at  our  hotel.  When  the  turnpike  was  opened  large 
numbers  of  C'onestoga  teams  stopped  \\ith  us  over  night.  Bradford  once  watched  one 
of  those  teamsters  eating  his  supper;  he  said  that  he  drank  fourteen  cups  of  coffee  and 
ate  in  proportion. 

Richard  Yarnall  was  the  next  settler.  His  father,  ^esse  Yarnall,  kept  a 
hotel  on  the  old  Minersville  road  at  the  crossing  of  Mahanoy  creek,  near 
Otto's  forge,  Schuylkill  county,  about  four  miles  south  of  Mt.  Carmel.  He 
married  Hannah  Penrose,  of  Roaring  Creek  township,  Columbia  county;  an 
Indian  path  led  from  that  locality  to  his  hotel,  and  in  the  early  otticial  rec- 
ords of  Northumberland  coimty  it  is  referred  to  as  "  Yarnall's  path."  Rich- 
ard Yarnall,  son  of  Jesse  and  Hannah  (Penrose)  Yarnall,  was  bom  on  the 
10th  of  April,  1791.  He  learned  the  trade  of  carpenter,  and  married  Mary, 
daughter  of  John  King,  of  Ralpho  to\vnship.  About  the  time  he  reached 
manhood  the  Centre  turnpike  was  constructed,  resulting  in  a  large  increase 
in  the  travel  between  Danville  and  Simbury  on  the  north  and  Reading  and 
Pottsville  on  the  south.  A  favorable  opportunity  was  presented  for  the  erec- 
tion of  a  hotel  on  this  important  thoroughfare  at  the  present  site  of  Mt.  Car- 
mel, which  is  about  equidistant  from  Danville  and  Pottsville,  and,  prompted 
by  these  considerations,  Mr.  YamaU  erected  the  Mt.  Carmel  Inn,  a  two-story 
log  structure  situated  on  the  southeast  side  of  the  turnpike  immediately 
northeast  of  the  Commercial  Hotel  He  opened  a  hotel  therein  and  con- 
ducted the  business  with  fair  success  for  several  years,  when,  having  become 


MT.   CARMEL.  657 

surety  for  a  friend  who  failed  to  meet  his  obligations,  the  property  was  sold 
and  he  removed  to  the  \'icinity  of  Bear  Gap,  where  he  was  variously  em- 
ployed for  several  years.  He  then  located  on  a  small  cleared  tract  on  the  old 
Minersville  road,  and  also  resided  at  the  Tomlinson  farm,  after  which  he 
engaged  in  hotel  keeping  at  the  Riffert  tavern,  where  he  died  on  the  14th  of 
October,  1847.  Jesse  and  John  Yarnall.  two  of  his  sons,  reside  at  Mt.  Car- 
mel  and  are  among  the  oldest  citizens  of  the  place.  The  former  was  born 
near  Bear  Gap,  July  7,  1815,  and  the  latter  at  the  Tomlinson  farm,  February 
15,  1828. 

Who  erected  the  Rijfert  tavern  can  not  be  definitely  stated.  It  was  a  log 
structure,  situated  on  the  east  side  of  the  turnpike  and  north  of  the  Lehigh 
Valley  depot.  John  Riffert  and  a  Mr.  Kunkle  were  among  the  first  who 
conducted  this  hotel,  which  bore  a  bad  reputation  throughout  the  surround- 
ing country.  It  was  not  until  Mr.  Yarnall  became  proprietor  that  it  received 
the  confidence  and  patronage  of  the  traveling  public. 

The  Mt.  Carmel  Inn,  which  had  become  the  property  of  E.  G.  Bradford, 
a  well  known  attorney  of  Sunbury  and  subsequently  judge  in  York  county, 
was  conducted  by  various  parties  after  Mr.  YanjaU  left  it.  Oscar  and  Albert 
Bradford,  sons  of  the  proprietor,  had  the  management  of  the  property  after 
their  father  removed  from  Sunbury.  Oscar  Bradford  inserted  the  following 
advertisement  in  the  Sunbury  Gazetteer  of  February  25,  1832: — 

Foil  Rent. — A  vahiable  tavern  staiifl,  situate  on  the  Centre  turnpike,  now  in  the 
occupancy  of  Thomas  Osborne,  known  by  the  name  of  the  >[t.  Carmel  Inn,  containing 
two  hundred  acres,  about  thirty  of  which  are  cleared  and  in  good  farming  order.  For 
terms  apply  to  the  subscriber,  near  the  premises,  or  E.  G.  Bradford,  Columbia,  Lancas- 
ter county,  Pennsylvania. 

OSCAK    BUADFOUD. 

This  advertisement  was  responded  to  by  Fehs  Lerch,  a  native  of  Lower  Sau- 
con  township,  Northampton  county,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  was  bom  in  1794. 
He  was  employed  as  a  blacksmith  and  farmer  in  his  native  coimty  vmtil  1826, 
when  he  located  at  Bloomsburg,  Columbia  county,  and  engaged  in  farming 
and  teaming.  Thence  he  removed  to  Elysburg.  Northumberland  county,  in 
183(\  and  opened  a  hotel,  and  in  the  spring  of  1832  he  leased  the  Mt.  Carmel 
Inn  at  an  annual  rental  of  two  himdred  dollars.  At  that  date  the  hotel  sign 
bore  the  legend,  "  Mt.%  Carmel  Inn,  1824"  Water  was  conducted  to  the 
buildings  by  underground  wooden  pipes  from  springs  on  Locust  mountain, 
to  which  Bradford  is  said  to  have  claimed  a  right  "  as  long  as  the  sim  shines 
and  water  runs."  The  patronage  was  considerable.  This  was  the  regular 
stopping  place  at  dinner  for  persons  traveling  between  Danville  and  Potts- 
ville;  the  stages  between  Simbury  and  Reading  also  stopped  here,  and, 
although  surrounded  by  a  comparatively  uninhabited  mountain  region,  the 
old  hotel  was  often  a  scene  of  great  bustle  and  activity.  In  1839  Mr.  Lerch 
removed  to  Paxinos,  where  he  kept  hotel  ten  years;  he  was  then  proprietor  of 


65S  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

the  Douty  House  at  Shamokin  one  year,  and  in  1850  again  took  charge  of 
the  Mt.  Carmel  Inn,  which  he  conducted  until  his  election  as  justice  of  the 
peace  in  1855.  He  performed  the  duties  of  this  office  until  his  death,  August 
6.  1857.  Abraham  and  William  H.  Lerch,  two  of  his  sons,  reside  at  Mt. 
Carmel. 

When  Felix?  Lerch  left  the  Mt.  Carmel  Inn  in  1839  he  was  succeeded  as 
proprietor  by  his  brother-in-law,  Solomon  Fagely,  formerly  a  farmer  in  Sha- 
mokin township  and  a  brother  of  William  and  Keuben  Fagely,  the  well  known 
coal  operators  of  Shamokin.  He  was  followed  by  Paul  Khoads,  from  Nu- 
midia,  Columbia  county,  J.  C.  Perkins,  Joseph  Keeler,  Felix  Lerch,  William 
H.  Lerch,  Abraham  Lerch,  Joseph  Keeler.  Charles  Culp,  etc.,  which  brings 
the  history  of  this  old  hostelry  down  to  about  the  year  1865.  After  its  removal 
the  Commercial  Hotel  was  erected,  which,  although  it  does  not  occupy  the 
same  site,  is  virtually  the  successor  to  the  old  Mt.  Carmel  Inn. 

The  Mt.  Carmel  House  is  the  oldest  of  the  present  hotel  buildings  of  the 
borough.  Its  erection  was  begun  in  1853,  but  the  framework  was  com- 
pletely demolished  by  a  wind  storm  on  the  14th  of  March,  1854.  The  work 
of  rebuilding  was  at  once  begim,  and  in  the  following  August  the  hotel  was 
occupied  by  its  first  landlord,  Joseph  Feger,  now  proprietor  of  the  St.  Elmo 
Hotel,  Philadelphia.  This  building  was  erected  by  the  Mt.  Carmel  Plot 
Company  under  the  superintendence  of  John  H.  James. 

THE    TOWN    PL.\T. 

Tradition  asserts  that  the  idea  of  laying  out  the  town  of  Mt.  Carmel 
originated  with  the  Bradfords.  The  earliest  town  plat  that  has  come  to  the 
knowledge  of  the  writer  is  a  large  and  handsomely  printed  map  now  in  the 
possession  of  Professor  E.  E.  White.     It  bears  the  following  indorsements: — 

Plan  of  the  town  of  >It.  Carmel,  in  the  IMiddle  coal  region,  Northumberland 
count}-,  Pennsylvania,  1848.  Application  for  lots  to  be  made  to  C.  W.Hegins, Esquire, 
Pottaville,  Pennsylvania. 

The  town  [of]  Mt.  Carmel  is  situated  on  tableland  on  the  north  side  of  Locust 
nii'untain  in  the  center  of  the  iliddle  coal  region  and  midway  between  the  towns  of 
Pottsville  and  Danville,  eighteen  miles  from  each  place.  The  Centre  turnpike  passes 
through  the  town.  Mt.  Carmel  is  supplied  with  an  abundance  of  pure  water  from  a 
never-failing  spring  on  Locust  mountain.  The  situation  of  the  town  is  most  healthy, 
the  land  is  good  for  cultivation,  for  gardens,  etc.,  and  good  clay  for  making  bricks  exists 
on  the  premises. 

This  plat  shows  Creek,  Mill,  North,  Taylor,  Market,  Webster,  South, 
Oak,  and  Locust  streets  extending  east  and  west  in  order  from  the  north, 
intersected  at  right  angles  by  Clay,  West,  Columbia,  Main,  Washington, 
East,  and  Penn,  in  order  from  the  west.  A  map  on  a  smaller  scale  shows 
the  location  of  the  town  with  reference  to  the  Schuylkill  and  Susquehanna 
valleys,  and  the  railroads  "made  or  contemplated  to  be  made  in  its  vicinity." 
It  is  needless  to  remark  that  the  word  "contemplated"  was  a  very  necessary 
modifier. 


5IT.  CARMEL.  659 

In  1853  the  plat  of  the  town  was  relocated  by  P.  W.  Sheafer.  of  Potts- 
ville,  and  the  plan  is  recorded  in  Xorthnmberland  county  Deed  Book 
S.  S,  p.  5S4.  Mt.  Carmel  avenue,  Second,  Third,  Fourth,  Fifth,  and  Sixth 
stf^ets  extend  east  and  west  in  order  from  the  north;  Vine,  Maple,  Oak, 
Hickory,  Market,  Chestnut,  Walnut,  Locust,  Spruce,  and  Pine  streets  extend 
north  and  south  in  order  from  the  west.  All  the  streets  are  seventy-live 
feet  wide,  except  Market,  of  which  the  width  is  one  hundred  feet.  The  sur- 
vey of  1853  was  made  under  the  auspices  of  a  company,  composed,  as  accu- 
rately as  can  be  ascertained,  of  Charles  W.  Hegins,  "William  L.  Dewart.  Alex- 
ander Jordan,  Fraucis  W.  Hughes,  William  L.  Helfenstein,  Thomas  Baum- 
gardner,  David  Longenecker,  John  Anspach,  and  John  M.  Bickel. 

Hough's  and  Baumgardner's  additions,  both  situated  west  of  the  original 
town  plat  and  adjacent  thereto,  are  the  only  regularly  laid  om  additions  to 
the  town.  Stuartville,  Diamondtown,  Bell's  Tunnel,  The  Moimtain,  and 
Beaver  Dale,  all  of  which  are  small  mining  hamlets,  adjoin  the  borough  and 
are  virtually  part  of  it  in  everything  except  political  organization. 

FIRST  IMPROVEMENTS  AND  SUBSEQUENT  GROWTH. 

When  the  town  plat  was  resurveyed  in  1853  the  improvements  in  this 
locality  consisted  of  the  Mt.  Carmel  Inn,  of  which  Felix  Lerch  was  proprietor; 
Bradford's  steam  saw  mill,  then  in  full  operation;  a  small  frame  building 
east  of  the  mill,  occupied  by  the  teamster;  a  frame  double-house  near  the 
Inn,  also  erected  for  the  employees  at  the  mill;  and  the  old  Riffert  tavern 
(no  longer  kept  as  a  pixblic  house),  in  which  Jesse  Yarnall  resided.  The 
Lamerson  improvement  had  been  abandoned. 

Three  buildings  were  erected  in  1853.  Alexander  W.  Rhea  and  George 
Schall  built  a  two-story  frame  otiice  nearly  opposite  the  ilt.  Carmel  Inn: 
Rhea  was  a  civil  and  mining  engineer  in  the  employ  of  the  Locust  Mountain 
Coal  and  Iron  Company,  and  was  killed  by  MoUie  Maguires,  for  which  Hes- 
ter, Tally,  and  McHugh  were  hung  at  Bloomsburg;  Schall  was  general  agent 
for  the  New  York  and  Middle  Coal  Field  Company,  and  subsequently  a 
member  of  the  firm  of  Schall,  Donohoe  &  Company,  pioneer  coal  operators 
in  the  Mt.  Carmel  region.  David  J.  Lewis  built  a  two-story  frame  house  at 
the  southeast  corner  of  Mt.  Carmel  avenue  and  Oak  street  and  opened  therein 
the  first  store  in  the  town;  and  David  Davis,  a  miner,  erected  a  two-story 
frame  house  at  the  southwest  corner  of  Market  street  and  Mt.  Carmel  avenue. 
These  three  buildings  were  erected  in  the  year  1853;  they  were  completed 
about  the  same  time,  and  were  the  first  houses  built  at  Mt.  Carmel  after  the 
resur\-ey  of  the  town  plat. 

For  some  years  the  growth  of  the  town  was  very  slow.  Mining  hamlets 
were  built  at  the  different  collieries  of  the  surrounding  region,  and  the  uni- 
form policy  of  the  coal  companies  in  this  respect  was  not  favorable  to  the 
concentration  of  population  at  any  one  point.     In  18G0  the  collieries  upon 


660  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

which  Mt.  Carmel  depended  were  Colonel  Hough's,  Green  Ridge,  Diamond- 
town,  Stuartville,  and  Coal  Ridge,  and  the  villages  of  Stuartville,  Green 
Ridge,  and  Beaver  Dale  were  scarcely  inferior  to  Mt.  Carmel  in  size  and  im- 
portance. At  that  date  the  Centre  turnpike  crossed  the  borough  diagonally 
from  southeast  to  northwest.  A  growth  of  scrubby  imderbnish  covered  a 
large  part  of  the  town  site,  with  cleared  fields  between  Third  and  Fourth, 
Oak  and  Poplar,  and  Chestnut  and  Oak  streets,  respectively.  The  improve- 
ments were  principally  on  Oak  street.  There  was  one  church  edifice,  a  brick 
structure  at  the  present  site  of  the  Methodist  building  on  Hickory  street, 
and  one  school  house,  a  one-story  frame  structure  at  the  present  site  of  the 
Second  Street  building.  There  were  two  hotels,  the  Mt.  Carmel  Inn  and  the 
Mt,  Carmel  House,  and  three  stores:  Da^■id  J.  Lewis's,  Samuel  John's,  and 
David  Heiser%.  The  Northern  Central  was  the  only  railroad.  With  the 
exception  of  the  coal  mines,  the  only  local  industrial  establishment  was  the 
blacksmith  shop  of  David  Evert,  which  stood  near  the  Mt.  Carmel  Inn. 
Bradford's  steam  saw  mill  was  not  in  operation. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  residents  of  the  town  in  1S60*: — 

Maple  Street. — West  side:  Jacob  Malick.  carpenter,  between  Second  and 
Third;  Anthony  Buddinger,  carpenter,  corner  north  of  Fourth;  Isaac  Dut- 
tery,  butcher,  corner  south  of  Fourth. 

East  side:  Jesse  Yarnall,  teamster,  between  Mt.  Carmel  avenue  and 
First  street;  John  Yarnall,  carpenter,  comer  north  of  Second;  David  D. 
Davis,  miner,  corner  south  of  Second;  John  Blair,  engineer,  between  Third 
and  Fourth. 

Oak  Street. — West  side:  Mt.  Carmel  House,  corner  south  of  Mt.  Carmel 
avenue ;  George  Schall,  of  Schall,  Donohoe  &  Company,who  operated  Coal  Ridge 
colliery,  between  Mt.  Carmel  avenue  and  Second  street;  Frederick  Fahrion, 
butcher  and  hotel  keeper,  comer  north  of  Second  street;  Samuel  John's  store, 
corner  south  of  Second  street;  George  Kehler,  teamster,  between  Second  and 
Third;  Enoch  Musselman,  tailor,  between  Second  and  Third;  William 
Ewing,  shoemaker,  between  Second  and  Third;  Amelius  F.  Stecker,  foreman 
of  repair  work  on  the  railroad  and  at  the  collieries,  between  Second  and 
Third;  Abraham  Lerch,  between  Second  and  Third;  John  Dietrick,  laborer, 
between  Second  and  Third;  Dr.  William  J.  Haas,  comer  north  of  Third; 
George  Artz,  teamster,  between  Third  and  Fourth;  Abraham  Martin,  mason 
and  plasterer,  between  Fourth  and  Fifth;  Joseph  Hughes,  blacksmith, 
between  Fourth  and  Fifth. 

East  side:  David  J.  Lewis,  merchant,  comer  south  of  Mt.  Carmel  avenue; 
Jonathan  Klinger,  outside  foreman  at  Colonel  Hough's  coUiery,  between  Mt. 
Carmel  avenue  and  Second  street;  Jonas  Stine,  between  Mt.  Carmel  avenue 
and  Second  street;  David  Heiser,  merchant,  comer  north  of  Second;  Charles 
*It  Is  possible  tliat  some  of  the  persons  whose  names  appear  la  this  list  dlil  not  lieeonie  res- 
idents until  later,  and  also  that  the  names  of  some  who  resided  in  the  town  temporarily  have  been 
omitted. 


MT.  CARMEL.  661 

Bolich.  shoemaker,  between  Second  and  Third;  Samuel  Sehmeltz,  teamster, 
between  Second  and  Third;  Frank  Persing,  teamster,  between  Third  and 
Fourth;  David  Evert,  blacksmith,  between  Fourth  and  Fifth. 

Hickory  Street. — West  side:  Isaac  HoUister,  shoemaker,  between  Mt. 
Carmel  avenue  and  Second  street;  John  Raup,  outside  foreman  at  Schall, 
Donohoe  &  Company's  colliery,  between  Second  and  Third;  Henry  Sharpe, 
mason,  between  Second  and  Third;  'WiUiam  Biles,  mason,  between  Second 
and  Third. 

Market  Street. — West  side:  David  Davis,  miner,  corner  south  of  Mt. 
Carmel  avenue. 

East  side:  Alfred  Ford,  miner  and  engineer,  corner  north  of  Second; 
Thomas  East,  miner,  between  Fourth  and  Fifth. 

At  that  time  (1860)  there  were  but  two  brick  buildings  in  the  town,  the 
Methodist  church,  on  the  west  side  of  Hickory  street  between  Second  and 
Third,  and  David  Heiser's  store  building,  at  the  northeast  corner  of  Oak  and 
Second.  With  these  exceptions  the  houses  were  all  constructed  of  wooden 
materials  and  almost  uniformly  two  stories  high. 

The  town  received  considerable  additions  to  its  population  as  the  result 
of  the  great  impetus  which  the  coal  trade  experienced  during  the  civil  war, 
but  for  some  years  thereafter  it  remained  practically  stationary. 

On  the  '24th  of  July,  1S73.  all  the  houses  on  the  west  side  of  Oak  street 
between  Second  and  Third,  with  two  exceptions,  were  destroyed  by  fire;  they 
were  replaced  by  buildings  of  improved  appearance  and  more  substantial 
construction,  and  the  calamity  thus  resulted  indirectly  to  the  advantage  of 
the  town. 

While  the  prosperity  of  the  town  is  dependent  entirely  upon  the  coal 
trade,  building  and  loan  associations  have  probably  contributed  to  its  growth 
more  than  any  other  agency.  As  a  result  of  the  operation  of  these  associa- 
tions improved  property  is  almost  entirely  in  the  hands  of  resident  owners,  a 
condition  of  affairs  highly  conducive  to  the  stability  and  permanence  of  gen- 
eral business  interest.?. 

By  the  census  of  1890  the  population  of  the  borough  was  eight  thousand 
two  hundred  fifty-four. 

THE    FIRST    MERCHANTS,    PHTSICIA>-S,    AND    L.iWYERS. 

The  first  store  at  Mt.  Carmel  was  opened  in  1853  by  David  J.  Lewis  at  a 
two-story  frame  house  which  he  erected  in  that  year  at  the  southeast  corner 
of  Mt.  Carmel  avenue  and  Oak  street.  His  first  consignment  of  goods  was 
hauled  from  Pottsville  by  wagon.  The  next  stores  were  those  of  Samuel 
John  and  David  Heiser;  the  former  occupied  a  frame  building  at  the  south- 
west corner  of  Second  and  Oak  streets,  and  was  in  charge  of  U.  F.  John,  a 
son  of  the  proprietor;  Heiser's  store  was  located  at  the  northeast  comer  of 
Oak  and  Second  streets  in  the  second  brick  building  erected  at  Mt.  Carmel. 


662  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

Dr.  Joseph  C.  Kobins,  of  Elysburg,  was  the  first  physician  who  practiced 
at  Mt.  Cannel.  There  was  no  resident  physician  until  1855,  when  Dr. 
William  J.  Haas  located  here  and  continued  in  practice  until  his  death. 

The  first  resident  lawyer  was  Jeiferson  M.  John,  a  son  of  Samuel  John, 
who  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1874  and  was  in  active  practice  at  Mt.  Carmel 
until  his  death. 

THE     POSTOrnCE. 

Paul  Eoth  was  appointed  postmaster  of  Mt.  Carmel,  June  13,  1846; 
Richard  Yamall,  May  5,  1847;  Jeremiah  C.  Perkins,  November  26,  1847. 
The  office  was  discontinued  on  the  6th  of  July,  1849,  and  not  re-established 
until  April  •26,  1850;  since  the  latter  date  its  incumbents  have  been  appointed 
in  the  following  order:  Felix  Lerch,  April  26,  1850;  William  H.  Lerch, 
March  23.  1855;  David  J.  Lewis,  September  1,  1856;  Frederick  Fahrion, 
September  8,  1858;  James  B.  Welch,  July  2,  1860;  John  Hough,  Decem- 
ber 26.  I860:  David  Heiser,  April  4,  1861;  Abraham  Lerch,  December  21, 
1863;  Charles  Bolich,  September  27,  1865;  Amelius  F.  Stecker,  Febniary 
10,  1868:  Andrew  J.  Gallager,  August  4,  1868;  Abraham  Ayers,  December 
4,  1868;  Ann  Ayers,  June  14,  1879;  John  Brophy,  April  6,  1886;  George 
A.  Stecker.  Augu.st  17,  1889. 

EAILEOADS. 

A  section  of  the  Danville  and  Pottsville  railroad  was  partially  graded 
between  the  Bellmore  and  Morris  Ridge  collieries,  two  miles  east  of  Mt. 
Carmel.  probably  as  early  as  1833.  The  first  railroad  opened  to  the  town 
was  the  Northern  Central  (1854),  and  the  nest  was  the  Lehigh  Valley  (1866); 
the  latter  now  operates  the  line  of  the  Northern  Central  as  far  as  Shamokin. 
A  branch  of  the  Philadelphia  and  Reading  railroad,  terminating  at  Mt.  Car- 
mel, connects  at  Alaska  with  the  main  line  of  the  Williamsport  division  of 
that  great  system. 

MUNICIP.iL    0RG.\NIZATI0N     AND    GOVERNMENT. 

The  borough  of  Mt.  Carmel  was  incorporated  by  decree  of  court  on  the 
3d  of  November,  1862.  The  first  election  for  borough  officers  was  held  at 
the  Mt.  Carmel  Hotel  on  the  third  Friday  in  December,  1862;  Frederick 
Fahrion  acted  as  judge  and  William  J.  Haas  and  Abraham  Camp  as  inspect- 
ors. The  following  is  a  list  of  burgesses  since  the  incorporation  of  the  bor- 
ough: 1863.  William  J.  Haas;  1864,  Jonas  L.  Stine;  1865,  Jonathan 
Hoover;  1866,  William  Biles;  1867,  Frederick  Fahrion;  1868,  H.  T.  John; 
1869,  Jonathan  Hoover;  1870,  J.  B.  Reed;  1871, *H.  T.  John;  1872,  William 
J.  Haas;  1873,  Joseph  Blanch;  1874-75,  William  J.  Haas;  1876,  George 
E.  Moser;  1877,  Henry  Werntz;  1878,  C.  B.  Zimmerman;  1879,  William 
H.  Lerch;  ISSO,   Thomas  J.   Woodside;  1881-82,  W.  H.  Stecker;  1883,  D. 


MT.  CARMEL.  '  663 

H.  Fisher;  1884-85,  J.  B.  Keed;  1886-87,  Jesse  G..  John;  1888,  M.  B. 
Smith;  1889,  William  T.  Burkert;  1890,  Daniel  Camp;  1891,  Robert  Smith. 

The  borough  building,  a  one-story  brick  structure  on  Mt.  Carmel  avenue, 
was  erected  in  1883. 

Anthracite  Steam  Fire  Company,  No.  1,  was  organized  on  the  I'ith  of 
May,  1882,  and  incorporated  September  4th  of  the  same  year.  The  com- 
pany owns  and  occupies  a  frame  building  on  the  southeast  corner  of 
Market  and  Hickory-  streets,  erected  in  1890. 

THE     MT.     C.iEMEL    C0.\L    TR.\DE. 

The  colleries  of  Mt.  Carmel  township  are  the  Pennsylvania,  Bhick  Dia- 
mond, Mt.  Carmel,  Reliance,  Alaska,  Merriam,  Monitor,  Locust  Gap,  and 
Locust  Spring,  of  which  a  full  history  is  given  in  Chapters  X  and  XI  of  this 
work,  by  Dr.  J.  J.  John. 

GESEE.\L    INDUSTEIAL     INTERESTS. 

Albert  Bradford  erected  a  steam  saw  mill  at  Mt.  Carmel  about  the  year 
1S43:  it  occupied  the  site  of  the  G.  A.  R.  hall  and  adjoining  ground  on  the 
east  side  of  Hickory  street.  From  eight  to  twelve  men  were  usually  employed 
at  the  mill,  in  cutting  timber  in  the  woods,  and  in  hauling  the  product  to 
PottsviUe,  where  it  found  a  market  until  the  opening  of  the  mines  and  erec- 
tion of  the  breakers  in  the  Mt.  Carmel  region  created  a  local  demand.  The 
operation  of  this  saw  mill  was  finally  discontinued  prior  to  1800. 

The  Mt.  Carmel  Iron  Company,  composed  of  Howel  Green,  David 
Lamont,  J.  W.  Forney,  and  Thomas  Rogers,  removed  the  plant  of  a  foundry 
and  machine  shop  from  Minersville,  Schuylkill  county,  to  Mt.  Carmel  in 
1S07  and  rebuilt  it  on  the  line  of  the  Lehigh  Valley  railroad.  They  employed 
twenty  or  twenty-five  operatives.  Greenwood  &  Gilmore  became  proprietors 
in  1870,  but  the  establishment  was  destroyed  by  fire  in  December  of  the  fol- 
lowing year  and  never  rebuilt.  Greenwood  subsequently  manufactured 
screens  for  the  breakers  on  a  small  scale,  but  only  for  a  short  time. 

Geiger,  Hinkel  &  Company's  Planing  Mill,  a  frame  structure  forty-five  by 
one  hundred  feet  in  dimensions,  is  situated  on  the  north  side  of  town  between 
Market  and  Hickory  streets,  and  was  erected  in  1889.  The  business  was 
established  in  1SS3  by  Geiger  Brothers  in  a  mill  forty  by  sixty  feet,  located 
a  short  distance  west  of  the  present  structure.  The  firm  name  was  changed 
to  its  present  style  in  March,' 1887,  when  William  H.  Hinkel  and  John  P. 
Gibson  were  admitted  to  partnership.  A  twenty-five  horse-power  engine  sup- 
plies the  power  for  the  establishment,  which  employs  fifteen  operatives.  All 
work  connected  with  a  planing  mill  and  contract  building  is  done. 

The  Mt.  Carmel  Manufacturing  Company,  Oak  street,  employs  six  men 
and  manufactures  one  thousand  dozen  miners'  caps  per  month.  The  pro- 
prietor is  Isaac  Goldschmidt,  by  whom  the  business  was  established  in  1889. 


664  HISTORY  OF  NORTHUMBERLAND  COUNTY. 

The  Progress  Hat  and  Cap  Manufacturing  Compamj  occupies  a  two- 
story  frame  building  at  the  southeast  corner  of  Oak  and  Sixth  streets.  The 
business  was  established  in  Jime,  1SS9,  by  Thomas  Scott,  with  whom  W.  H. 
Engle  is  now  associated.  Fifty  girls  and  eight  men  are  employed;  all  kinds 
of  cloth  hats  and  caps  are  manufactured,  and  the  daily  output  is  one  hun- 
dred eighty  dozen. 

FIN.\NCIAL    INSTIT0TIOXS. 

The  Mt.  Carmel  Savings  Bank  was  incorporated  on  the  9th  of  April, 
1872,  and  organized  with  the  following  officers:  president.  Amos  Yastine, 
vice-president,  S.  A.  Bergstresser,  and  cashier,  H.  D.  Rothermel.  who,  with 
Joseph  Reeder,  Robert  Davison,  David  Llewellyn,  A.  M.  Montelius,  Henry 
Hile,  and  Joseph  Deppen,  constituted  the  first  board  of  directors.  Mr. 
Vastine  served  as  president  until  his  death  in  1SS9,  after  which  the  vice- 
president,  S.  A.  Bergstresser,  performed  the  duties  of  that  office  imtil  the 
ensuing  annual  election,  when  William  Schwenk  was  chosen  president. 
H.  D.  Rothermel  was  cashier  from  1872  to  1878,  H.  J.  MeixeU  from  1878  to 
1881,  and  William  Schwenk  from  1881  to  1889,  when  H.  B.  Lukens,  the 
present  incumbent,  was  elected.  The  capital  was  originally  one  himdred 
thousand  dollars,  of  which  one  half  was  paid  in.  The  bank  suspended 
temporarily  in  1878,  but  an  assessment  of  ten  per  cent,  enabled  it  to  resume 
about  a  month  later.  In  1882  the  capital  was  reduced  to  fifty  thousand 
dollars,  of  which  thirty  thousand  is  paid  in. 

The  First  National  Bank  of  Mt.  Carmel  commenced  business  on  the 
Sth  of  April.  1889,  with  a  capital  of  fifty  thousand  dollars,  distributed  in 
one-hundred-dollar  shares  among  seventy-four  stockholders,  of  whom  the 
principal  ones  were  the  business  men  of  the  borough.  The  first  officers 
were  E.  C.  Tier,  president;  John  T.  B.  Gould,  vice-president;  M.  K. 
Watkins,  cashier;  and  W.  H.  Heat  on,  W.  A.  Phillips,  George  W.  Davis, 
William  McFee,  L.  W.  Johnson,  S.  E.  Bergstresser,  Bernard  Har^-ey,  and 
E.  C.  Herb,  directors.  The  surplus  and  undivided  profits  amoimt  to  five 
thousand  four  hundred  dollars. 

The  Citizens'  Building  and  Loan  Association  was  organized  in  August, 
1882;  the  first  directory  was  composed  as  follows:  William  Schwenk, 
president;  H.  T.  John,  treasurer;  M.  K.  Watkins,  secretary,  and  John  Stine, 
J.  T.  B.  Gould,  James  H.  Smith,  Joseph  H.  Smith,  W.  T.  WiUiams,  Alex 
Schmeltz,  John  Weir,  Joe  Gould,  and  John  Carl.  The  present  president  is 
Frederick  Gross ;  vice-president,  Thomas  Dawson;  treasurer,  J.  T.  B.  Gould, 
and  secretary,  M.  K.  Watkins,  who  has  served  in  that  position  continuously 
since  the  organization  of  the  association.  The  first  series  was  closed  out  in 
August,  1890,  in  a  little  less  than  ten  years;  the  fifth  series  was  started  in 
August,  1890,  and  four  series,  consisting  of  about  four  thousand  shares,  are 
now  in  operation.      The  aggregate  receipts  for  the  ten  years  ending  August 


MT.  CARMEL.  665 

1,  1S90,  were  over  half  a  million  dollars,  principally  invested  in  the  erection 
of  houses  at  Mt.  Carmel. 

The  Anthracite  Building  and  Loan  Association  was  organized  in  April, 
1SS2,  with  the  following  officers:  president,  David  J.  Lewis;  vice-president, 
Joseph  Blanch;  secretary,  C.  D.  "Wright;  directors:  C.  D.  Wright,  Isaac 
Goldschmidt,  John  Jefferson,  Thomas  Morton.  Bernard  Bresslin,  John  Carl. 
William  T.  Montelius,  Jacob  Rhoads,  and  W.  C.  James;  auditors:  O.  H. 
Sillyman,  T.  J.  Horan,  and  K.  T.  John.  Messrs.  Lewis  and  Wright  have 
served  in  their  respective  positions  to  the  present  time,  and  also  several  of 
the  directors.  This  company  has  six  series  in  oi^eration.  the  first  of  which 
expnres  in  1892.  The  receipts  are  uniformly  sold  on  the  monthly  pay-day; 
the  annual  receipts  are  seventy  thousand  dollars,  and  are  invested  exclusively 
in  real  estate. 

WATER    .\ND    ELECTKIC    LIGHT    COMPANIES. 

The  Mt.  Carmel  Water  Company  was  incorporated  on  the  17th  of  No- 
vember, 1SS3.  The  first  officers  were  A.  M.  Montelius,  president,  M.  K. 
Watkins,  secretary,  George  Eobertson,  treasurer,  and  William  Schwenk, 
Thomas  Scott,  Thomas  M.  Eighter,  Joe  Gould,  S.  E.  Bergstresser,  O.  H. 
Sillyman,  J.  B.  Eeed,  and  H.  T.  John,  directors.  The  capital  is  twenty-five 
thousand  dollars,  distributed  in  twenty-five-dollar  shares  among  seventy-four 
stockholders,  nearly  all  of  whom  are  property  holders  in  Mt.  Carmel.  The 
distributing  service  comprises  seven  miles  of  mains,  radiating  from  two  reser- 
voirs located  on  the  north  side  of  Locust  mountain  within  half  a  mile  of  the 
center  of  the  town.  The  capacity  of  the  reservoirs  is  five  million  gallons. 
The  supply  is  derived  from  springs  not  five  hundred  feet  from  them,  and  is 
sufficient  for  the  to^vn  ten  months  in  the  year.  During  extremely  dry 
weather  water  is  purchased  from  the  Locust  Moimtain  Water  Company. 

The  Edison  Electrical  Illuminating  Company  of  Mt.  Carmel  was  incor- 
porated on  the  ITth  of  November,  1SS3,  with  an  authorized  capital  of  sixteen 
thousand  dollars,  of  which  fifteen  thousand  was  paid  in.  In  November,  1890, 
the  capital  was  increased  to  thirty  thousand  dollars,  of  which  twenty- five 
thousand  is  paid  in.  The  plant  was  originally  located  on  Fourth  street  west 
of  Maple,  and  had  a  capacity  for  five  hundred  lights;  it  was  removed  to 
South  Oak  street  in  1891,  when  the  capacity  was  increased  to  twenty-five 
hundred  lights.  The  first  ofiicers  were  William  Schwenk,  president,  M.  K. 
Watkins,  secretary,  and  Thomas  M.  Eighter.  treasurer.  The  present  direct- 
ory is  composed  of  M.  K.  Watkins,  president.  E.  C.  Tier,  treasurer,  Isaac 
Goldschmidt,  S.  E.  Bergstresser,  Joe  Gould,  Feter  Jennings,  H.  T.  John, 
and  L.  W.  Johnson.  William  Keiser  is  the  secretary-  of  the  company.  This 
was  the  first  isolated  electrical  plant  in  the  world  (i.  e..  Mt.  Carmel  was  the 
first  town  lighted  exclusively  by  electricity);  it  was  also  the  fifth  electrical 
plant  constructed  upon  the  Edison  system. 


666  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

SECRET    AND    OTHER    SOCIETIES. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  secret  and  other  societies  of  Mt.  Carmel,  with 
dates  of  organization  or  institution:  Mt.  Carmel  Lodge,  No.  378,  F.  &  A.  M., 
November  29,  1S66;  Burnside  Post,  No.  92,  G.  A.  E.,  November  1,  1867; 
James  A.  Garfield  Camp,  No.  34,  S.  of  V.,  August  9,  1883;  Mt.  Carmel 
Lodge,  No.  630,  I.  0.  O.  F.,  May  19,  1868;  Washington  Camp,  No.  116,  P. 
O.  S.  of  A.,  March  9,  1870;  Washington  Camp,  No.  231,  P.  O.  S.  of  A., 
July  25,  1882;  Sons  of  St.  George.  No.  175,  April  23,  1885;  Division  No.  1. 
A.  O.  H.,  May  1,  1SS7;  Mt.  Carmel  Commandery,  No.  22,  Ancient  and  Illus- 
trious Order  of  Knights  of  Malta,  December  27,  1887;  Royal  Arcanum. 
September  14,  18SS;  Mt.  Carmel  Castle,  No.  324,  K.  G.  E.,  August  14,  1889. 

THE    PRESS. 

The  Mt.  Carmel  News,  of  which  R.  J.  Wilson  is  the  present  editor  and 
proprietor,  was  originally  established  by  Owen  Fowler  in  December,  1877, 
under  the  caption  of  Mt.  Carmel  Progress.  The  Weekly  Item,  Will  B.  Wil- 
son, proprietor,  was  first  issued  on  the  7th  of  January,  1888,  by  L.  W. 
Gheen,  and  is  distributed  gratuitoiisly  as  an  advertising  medium.  The  Mt. 
Carmel  American  is  published  by  Burke  &  Thomas,  and  first  appeared  on 
the  30th  of  August,  1890.  The  Tri-Weekly  American  was  published  in 
Januarv,  1891,  bv  Curtis  Sterner. 


The  first  school  house  within  the  jjresent  borough  limits  occupied  the 
site  of  the  Second  Street  building  and  was  erected  in  the  summer  of  185().  It 
was  a  one-story  frame  structiire  as  originally  built,  but  a  second  story  was 
subsequently  added  in  which  the  high  school  was  first  taught.  As  the  popu- 
lation of  the  town  increased  it  became  necessary  to  provide  additional  accom- 
modations, and  a  frame  building  subsequently  used  as  a  United  Brethren 
church,  on  Third  street  between  Hickory  and  Market,  was  occupied  for 
school  purposes.  Two  schools  were  taught  there  and  one  in  the  second 
story  of  the  school  building,  the  lower  floor  of  which  was  regarded  as  un- 
healthy and  therefore  temporarily  abandoned. 

The  Hickory  Street  building  is  a  two-story  brick  structure  at  the  north- 
east corner  of  Hickory  and  Third  streets  and  contains  two  rooms  on  each 
floor.  Its  erection  was  begun  in  1870,  when  the  board  of  directors,  consist- 
ing of  John  Lazarus,  John  B.  Reed,  Simon  Light,  David  Heiser.  H.  W. 
Gulick,  and  H.  D.  Eothermel,  awarded  the  contract  for  its  construction  to 
Jacob  Einehart.  The  building  was  completed  in  1871  and  the  first  term  of 
school  within  its  walls  was  opened  in  the  autumn  of  that  year  with  W.  T. 
Rightmire,  Sanford  Lewis,  Rebecca  Reed,  and   Sallie  Burkert  as   teachers. 

Between  1870  and  1882  there  were  five  schools  for  a  time,  four  in  the 
Hickory  Street  building  and  one  in  the  Second  Street  building;  both  rooms 
of  the  latter  were  ultimately  occupied,  thus  increasing  the  number  to  six. 


'Mc^i^Cx^^^ 


MT.  CARMEL.  669 

On  the  14th  of  October,  1SS2,  Daniel  Camp,  William  Sch%yenk,  Jesse  G. 
John,  David  J.  Lewis,  Joseph  H.  Smith,  and  James  H.  Smith,  who  composed 
the  board  at  that  time,  awarded  the  contract  for  the  erection  of  the  Park 
school  building  to  A.  S.  Tovey  at  the  consideration  of  five  thousand  nine 
himdred  dollars.  This  is  a  two-story  brick  structure  with  four  main  rooms 
and  two  recitation  rooms.  It  was  tirst  occupied  in  March,  1SS3;  the  first 
teachers  were  W.  N.  Lehman,  E.  E.  White,  and  Ella  Malone. 

The  Second  Street  building  occupies  the  site  of  the  first  school  house  of 
the  town.  It  is  a  two-story  brick  structure  with  four  rooms,  two  of  which 
were  erected  by  Bernard  Harvey  for  two  thousand  four  hundred  ninety  dol- 
lars, agreeably  to  contract  entered  into  on  the  14th  of  October,  1SS4;  the 
directors  at  that  time  were  Daniel  Camp,  E.  C.  Tier,  Da^-id  J.  Lewis,  Jacob 
B.  Rhoads,  Thomas  M.  Righter.  and  James  H.  Smith.  School  was  opened 
in  these  rooms  in  February,  1S8-3,  with  Ella  Malone  and  Jennie  Jennings  as 
teachers.  The  contract  for  the  completion  of  the  buikhng  was  awarded  to 
M.  McGee,  September  20,  18S6,  at  the  consideration  of  one  thousand  five 
hundred  fifty  dollars;  the  board  was  composed  of  Jacob  B.  Ehoads,  O.  H. 
Sillyman,  Thomas  M.  Righter,  E.  C.  Tier,  James  H.  Smith,  and  George  Rob- 
ertson at  that  time.  Only  one  room  was  occupied  when  the  building  was 
comi^leted;  the  first  teacher  therein  was  Emily  Spinney. 

In  1887  the  borough  limits  were  extended,  whereby  two  township  school 
houses  became  the  property  of  the  town.  Both  were  onestor}-  frame  stntct- 
ures.  One  was  located  on  Sixth  street  and  the  other  on  Third:  the  former 
had  two  rooms,  the  latter,  one. 

The  Vine  Street  building  is  the  most  recent  addition  to  the  educational 
facilities  of  the  borough  and  the  most  commodious  of  its  school  properties. 
The  erection  of  this  building  was  begun  on  the  2yth  of  April.  1S8'J,  and  school 
was  opened  therein  for  the  first  time  on  the  lOth  of  March.  1890.  with  W. 
X.  Lehman,  J.  E.  Bastress,  E.  E.  White,  Morris  W.  Tucker,  Jennie  Jennings, 
and  Dora  O.  Sando  as  teachers.  Thomas  M.  Righter,  E.  C.  Tier,  David 
Camp,  O.  H.  Sillyman,  George  Robertson,  and  James  H.  Smith  composed  the 
board  of  directors  under  which  its  construction  was  begun,  and  awarded  the 
contract  to  Bernard  Harvey  at  the  sum  of  sixteen  thousand  dollars.  He  also 
fiirnished  hot-air  heating  apparatus  (the  Smead,  Wills  &  Company  system), 
for  which  eight  hundred  sixty  dollars  additional  was  paid.  There  are  eight 
rooms  in  this  building,  two  of  which  are  occupied  by  the  high  school,  two  by 
grammar  grades,  and  four  by  primary  grades. 

The  following  statistics  are  presented  for  the  term  of  1890-91:  pupils  in 
attendance,  sixteen  hundred;  high  school  teachers,  two;  grammar  school 
teachers,  three;  primary  teachers,  eighteen — total,  twenty  three. 

The  course  embraces  six  grades — three  in  the  primary  department,  two 
in  the  grammar  department,  and  one  in  the  high  school.  The  curriculum  of 
the  high  school  includes  arithmetic,   algebra,   geometry,   physics,   physical 


670  HISTORY    OF   NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

geography,  rhetoric,  English  literature,  etymology,  book-keeping,  general 
history,  and  drawing. 

Professor  W.  N.  Lehman  became  principal  in  1SS2  and  has  filled  that  po- 
sition continuously  to  the  present  time. 

St.  Joseph's  Parochial  School  was  started  under  the  siipervision  of  Sisters 
of  the  Order  of  St.  Francis  and  continued  by  them  several  years.  It  was 
then  conducted  by  lay  teachers  from  1887  to  1891.  A  frame  building  in  the 
rear  of  St.  Joseph's  church  was  the  school  house,  but  plans  have  now  (1891) 
practically  matured  for  the  erection  of  a  substantial  brick  structure. 

CHURCHES. 

Grace  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church  was  organized  on  the  ISth  of  May, 
1855,  by  Rev.  C  J.  Ehrhart  with  the  following  members:  Peter  Stroh, 
John  Dreher,  Frederick  Fahrion,  George  Hornberger,  Catherine  Klinger, 
Sarah  Dreher,  Catherine  Stroh,  Mary  Ann  Fahrion,  Christian  Knapj),  Lewis 
Knapp,  Jonathan  Klinger,  George  Long,  Elizabeth  KUnger,  Magdalena 
Fagely,  and  Maria  SteeL  The  tirst  communion  was  held  on  the  20th  of  May, 
1855.  The  congregation  was  reorganized  in  1867  under  the  discipline  and 
formula  of  government  recommended  by  the  General  Synod  with  the  follow- 
ing constituent  members:  Frederick  Fahrion,  Mary  Ann  Fahrion,  Catherine 
Persing,  Isaac  Miller,  Sarali  Miller,  Ellen  McWilliams,  Frederick  Miller  and 
wife,  John  Dreher,  Sarah  Dreher,  Catherine  Stahr,  Elizabeth  Biles,  Anna 
Dreher,  J.  H.  Yarnall.  Sarah  Feisher,  Catherine  Christopher,  Rebecca 
Schmeltz,  Augustus  Zimmerman,  Carolina  Zimmerman,  A.  F.  Stecker,  Mary 
A.  Stecker,  Elizabeth  Lerch,  Sarah  Jane  Raup,  and  Elizabeth  Stillwagner. 
The  first  council  was  elected  on  this  occasion  and  consisted  of  John  Dreher 
and  J.  H.  Yarnall,  elders,  and  Isaac  Miller  and  Frederick  Fahrion,  deacons. 
The  new  congregation  was  first  represented  in  the  Susquehanna  Synod  by 
Frederick  Fahrion. 

Decisive  action  for  the  erection  of  a  church  edifice  was  first  taken  on  the 
15th  of  June,  1863,  when  J.  H.  YarnaU,  A.  F.  Stecker,  Frederick  Fahrion, 
David  Llewellyn,  and  P.  Van  Horn  were  appointed  as  a  committee  to  secure 
lots,  prepare  plans,  and  construct  a  frame  church  building  forty-two  by 
twenty-eight  feet  in  dimensions.  Mr.  Llewellyn  secured  the  location  and 
Mr.  Yarnall  prepared  the  draft.  Prior  to  this  time  the  congregation  wor- 
shiped at  a  frame  school  house  on  the  southeast  comer  of  Second  street 
and  Grape  alley.  On  the  18th  of  October,  1863,  the  comer-stone  of  the 
new  building  was  laid,  Reverends  P.  Williard,  R.  A.  Fink,  D.  D.,  and  F.  A. 
Barnitz,  ofiiciating.  This  structure  was  completed  at  a  cost  of  seventeen 
hundred  dollars  and  dedicated  in  the  spring  of  1867.  It  is  a  frame  build- 
ing located  on  the  south  side  of  Mt.  Carmel  avenue,  and  is  the  present  place 
of  worship.  The  parsonage,  a  substantial  frame  building  adjoining  the 
church  on  the  west,  was  erected  in  1879-80  at  a  cost  of  thirteen  hundred 
dollars. 


MT.  CARMEL.  671 

The  first  pastor  was  Rev.  C.  J.  Ehrhart,  who  served  from  the  oro-ani- 
zation  of  the  church  until  the  27th  of  April,  1856,  residing  at  Shamokin. 
His  successor  at  that  point.  Eev.  J.  F.  Wampole,  became  pastor  of  the  Mt. 
Carmel  church  in  1858  (Jime  15th),  and  continued  in  that  relation  until  the 
1st  of  October,  1859.  The  church  then  became  a  part  of  the  Ashland  pas- 
torate, sharing  as  such  in  the  labors  of  Rev.  W.  L.  Heisler,  October  1,  1859, 
to  January  1.  1862,  Rev.  F.  A.  Barnitz,  February,  1862,  to  February,  1867, 
and  Rev.  J.  E.  Sikes,  February  to  December,  1867.  The  congregation  was 
irregularly  supplied  by  Rev.  J.  A.  Adams  from  December  1,  1867,  to  April 
19,  1868.  At  the  meeting  of  the  Susquehanna  Synod  in  that  year  Mt.  Car- 
mel was  attached  to  the  Shamokin  Yalley  pastorate,  of  which  Mr.  Adams 
was  pastor  from  the  1st  of  Jime,  1868,  imtil  the  1st  of  December,  1876. 
Rev.  O.  D.  S.  Marclay,  of  Ashland,  was  then  pastor  from  June  3,  1877,  to 
May  31,  1S7S.  He  was  followed  by  Rev.  C.  W.  Sechrist,  the  first  resident 
pastor,  who  served  from  the  1st  of  Februarj-,  1879,  to  March  31, 1881.  Eev. 
M.  V.  Shadow  was  pastor.  October  1,  1881,  to  August  31,  188-1,  and  Rev.  J. 
C.  Schindel.  December  7,  1SS4.  to  1891. 

St.  Matthew's  Slavic  Church,  Lutheran  and  Calrinist,  was  erected  in 
1889. 

Zion  Ecangelical  Lutheran  Church  was  organized  on  the  9th  of  Jime, 
1889,  with  twelve  members,  of  whom  Henry  Schweinhart  and  Jacob  Lupoid 
were  elected  as  elders  and  John  Lupoid  and  Andrew  Wetzel  as  deacons. 
They  were  installed  on  the  7th  of  July  following.  The  first  steps  for  effect- 
ing this  organization  were  taken  by  Rev.  J.  C.  Shindel,  at  whose  instance 
Grace  Lutheran  church  was  placed  at  the  disposal  of  the  German  Lutherans 
of  the  borough  for  religious  worship.  The  mission  was  formally  begun  on 
the  17th  of  February,  1889,  by  Eev.  Henry  Weicksel,  pastor  of  Grace  Lu- 
theran church,  Shamokin,  whose  son  and  successor.  Rev.  William  Weicksel, 
is  the  present  pastor.  Since  October,  1889,  services  have  been  held  in  pri- 
vate houses. 

Methodist  Episcopal  Church. — The  first  Methodist  sermons  at  Mt.  Car- 
mel were  preached  by  Joshua  Potts  and  John  H.  James,  local  preachers. 
Eegular  services  were  first  instituted  in  the  fall  of  1856  by  Eev.  Joseph  Y. 
Eothrock,  of  Catawissa  circuit;  he  was  succeeded  by  Eeverends  John  A.  De 
Moyer  and  H.  S.  Mendenhall.  The  former  held  a  protracted  meeting  in 
May,  1858.  as  a  result  of  which  a  Methodist  church  was  regularly  organized 
on  the  23d  of  that  month  with  the  following  members:  Abraham  Camp, 
Olive  Camp.  David  J.  Lewis,  Daniel  Heiser,  John  H.  Yarnall,  Edward  C. 
Murray,  John  J.  Esher,  Mary  A.  Knittle,  Amanda  Lewis,  Henrietta  Yarnall, 
Adam  J.  Miller,  Phebe  A.  Heiser,  Eichard  Phillips,  Mary  Jones,  Carolina 
Esher,  George  A.  Keeler,  Mary  Powell,  Joanna  Perry,  Wilhehnina  Neidig, 
David  Camp,  Lovina  Camp,  and  Tacy  Keeler,  of  whom  David  Camp  was 
appointed  leader. 


672  HISTORY    OF    NOETHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

The  first  place  of  worship  was  the  old  Second  Street  school  house.  The 
erection  of  a  church  biiilding  was  indirectly  due  to  Kev.  F.  B.  Riddle,  of 
Shamokin;  Mr.  Riddle  visited  Philadelphia  in  1S59  to  solicit  fluids  for  the 
erection  of  a  Methodist  church  at  Shamokin,  and  called  upon  John  Ans- 
pach  for  that  purpose.  Mr.  Anspach  had  large  interests  in  real  estate  at 
Mt.  Carniel  and  offered  to  contribute  two  hundred  fifty  dollars  for  the  build- 
ing of  a  church  at  that  place.  A  local  subscription  was  at  once  begun:  a 
building  committee  was  appointed,  August  8,  1859,  composed  of  Daniel 
Heiser,  A.  F.  Stecker,  Joseph  Ramsey,  John  Yarnall,  and  David  Heiser.  A 
brick  edifice,  the  first  at  Mt.  Carmel,  thirty-five  by  forty-five  feet  in  dimen- 
sions, was  erected  on  the  west  side  of  Hickory  street ;  it  was  dedicated  on  the 
2yth  of  January,  1800.  Reverends  Thompson  Mitchell,  D.  D.,  T.  M.  Reese, 
and  S.  W.  Sears  ofiiciating.  The  cost  of  the  building  approximated  fifteen 
himdred  dollars.  This  was  the  place  of  worship  until  1884,  when  the 
present  substantial  two-story  brick  church  edifice  was  erected.  The  build- 
ing committee,  appointed  on  the  23d  of  April,  1884,  was  composed  of  John 
Stine,  Frederick  Gross,  William  A.  Phillips,  Benjamin  F.  Fagely,  H.  T. 
John,  M.  K.  Watkins,  and  William  Schwenk.  The  corner-stone  was  laid  on 
the  26th  of  July,  1884,  and  the  dedication  of  the  Sunday  school  room 
occurred  November  23d  of  the  same  year;  the  completed  edifice  was  finally 
dedicated  on  the  19tli  of  September,  1886,  Reverends  E.  J.  Grey,  D.  D.,  M. 
L.  Ganoe,  S.  M.  Frost,  D.  D.,  and  S.  W.  Sears  officiating.  This  building  is 
seventy-eight  by  forty-eight  feet  in  dimensions,  and  cost  eleven  thousand 
dollars. 

The  succession  of  pastors  since  1868,  when  Mt.  Carmel  became  a  station, 
has  been  as  follows:  1808,  J.  A.  Dixon;  1869,  E.  T.  Swartz;  1870-72,  P.  F. 
Eyer;  1873-74,  S.  W.  Sears;  1875,  Alem  Brittain;  1876-78,  N.  W.  Col- 
burn;  1879-81,  S.  M.  Frost,  D.  D.;  1882-83,  W.  W.  Reese;  1884-85,  S.  W. 
Sears;  1886-88,  M.  L.  Drum;   1889-91,  W.  G.  Ferguson. 

T})C  Primitive  Methodist  Church  was  organized  at  the  old  Second  Street 
school  house.  Among  the  leading  early  members  were  George  Han-ey. 
Moses  Harvey,  Thomas  M.  Thomas,  David  Harris,  John  Green,  Josiah 
Bough,  and  William  Flew.  The  present  church  edifice,  a  brick  stnicture  on 
the  east  side  of  Market  street,  was  erected  in  1872  and  dedicated  in  1873. 
Services  were  first  regularly  conducted  by  James  Stoney,  a  local  preacher: 
the  siiccession  of  pastors  has  been  as  follows:  Reverends  John  H.  Acornley. 
Daniel  Savage,  Charles  Miles,  Benjamin  Whillock,  John  A.  James,  Stephen 
Hancock,  Samuel  Penglase,  John  Mason,  W.  H.  Acornley,  and  John  P.  Bar- 
low. A  commodious  parsonage  adjacent  to  the  church  building  was  erected 
in  1887. 

Congregational  Church.. — A  Sunday  school  was  organized  in  1856,  of 
which  Rees  Da\-is  and  W.  W.  Davis  were  superintendents;  its  meetings  were 
held  at  the  public  school  house,  where  Welsh  preachers  held  services  oeca- 


MT.   CARMEL.  673 

sionally  for  some  years.  A  church  was  organized  in  1858  by  Eev.  Thomas 
Eees,  but  disbanded  two  years  later.  The  Sunday  school  also  disbanded, 
but  was  reorganized  in  1863  with  W.  "NV.  Davis  as  superintendent.  A  per- 
manent church  organization  was  formed,  March  26-27,  1870,  by  Reverends 
W.  W.  Davis  and  W.  B.  Williams,  with  the  following  members:  Thomas 
Williams,  Messach  Watkins,  Morgan  Davis,  William  W'atkins,  Benjamin 
Thomas,  Margaret  Williams,  Sarah  Watkins,  Deborah  Davis,  Martha  Thomas, 
Rebecca  Respach,  Elizabeth  Evans,  and  Rachel  Lewis.  Thomas  Williams, 
deacon,  Messach  Watkins.  secretary,  and  Morgan  Davis,  treasurer,  were  the 
first  officers.  The  Second  Street  school  house  was  the  place  of  worship  at 
that  time.  The  present  frame  church  edifice,  on  the  west  side  of  Market 
street  between  Second  and  Third,  was  dedicated  on  the  23d  of  July,  1S71. 
The  following  pastors  have  served  this  church:  Eev.  R.  D.  Thomas  (187(^ 
72),  E.  R.  Lewis,  William  Thomas,  D.  T.  Davis,  D.  Todd  Jones,  W.  W. 
Davis,  Anthony  Howels,  and  D.  D.  Davis,  who  was  installed.  May  31,  1S>56, 
and  resigned  in  1S*J0. 

Church  of  Oar  Lady  of  Mt.  Carmel. — The  first  Catholic  services  in  the 
vicinity  of  Mt.  Carmel  were  held  at  Beaver  Dale  school  house  in  the  autumn 
of  1866  by  Eev.  J.  J.  Koch,  pastor  of  St.  Edward's  church,  Shamokin.  He 
organized  the  congregation  and  had  charge  of  it  until  November,  1868,  when 
it  was  placed  under  the  care  of  Rev.  Daniel  I.  McDermott,  then  pastor  of 
St.  Ignatius's  church  at  Centralia.  Father  McDermott  soon  afterward  began 
the  erection  of  a  church  edifice,  which  was  completed  and  dedicated  in  Oc- 
tober, 1869;  it  was  a  one-story  frame  structure,  forty-two  by  forty-four  feet 
in  dimensions.  Soon  after  the  dedication  the  parish  was  again  placed  in 
charge  of  Father  Koch,  who,  in  September,  1870,  purchased  two  acres  of 
land  at  Beaver  Dale  for  a  cemetery  for  the  congregation.  In  October,  1871, 
Rev.  E.  T.  Fields,  Fatlier  McDermott's  successor  at  Centralia,  took  charge  of 
the  Church  of  Our  Lady;  he  was  followed  by  Rev.  J.  J.  O'Reilly,  the  first  resi- 
dent pastor,  who  erected  the  present  parochial  residence  in  1879-80.  Rev. 
Mark  A.  O'Neill  became  pastor  in  the  spring  of  1887,  and  has  served  to  the 
present  time.  Under  his  administration  a  siibstantial  brick  church  edifice, 
beautifully  frescoed,  has  been  erected  on  Market  street  at  a  cost  of  thirty 
thousand  dollars;  it  was  dedicated  by  Bishop  McGovem,  May  30, 1888.  The 
congregation  comprises  about  two  hundred  fifty  families. 

St.  Joseph's  Catholic  Church  at  Mt.  Carmel  was  organized  by  Eev. 
Florian  Klonowski  in  1876  from  the  Pohsh  Catholics  formerly  connected 
with  the  Church  of  Our  Lady.  He  subsequently  erected  the  present  chujch 
edifice,  a  brick  structure  at  the  corner  of  Hickory  and  Sixth  streets,  and  had 
charge  of  the  parish  until  1886,  when  he  was  succeeded  by  his  brother,  Eev. 
Jerome  Klonowski,  the  present  pastor.  The  parochial  residence  was  built  in 
1885  on  a  lot  adjoining  the  church  edifice,  in  the  rear  of  which  is  a  parochial 
school  house  which  accommodated  one  hundred  forty  children  during  the 


674  HISTORY    OF   XORTHUMBEBLAND    COUNTY. 

term  of  1889-90.  It  is  taught  by  lay  teachers,  and  is  doing  effective  work. 
Since  coming  to  Mt.  Carmel  Father  Klonowski  has  had  the  parochial  resi- 
dence painted,  a  fence  built  around  the  property,  steam-heating  apparatus 
put  into  both  church  and  house,  and  has  recently  had  the  church  beautifully 
frescoed.  He  has  now  (1890)  in  contemplation  the  erection  of  a  new  brick 
school  house  on  the  site  of  the  present  frame  in  the  near  future.  The  con- 
gregation numbers  about  fifteen  hundred  souls,  while  the  church  has  a  seat- 
ing capacity  of  only  about  five  hundred. 

The  United  Brethren  Church  was  organized  in  1860  by  Rev.  F.  List,  at 
the  house  of  John  Deitrick,  with  five  members,  viz.:  Evan  Frey,  Henry 
Yeager,  Catherine  T.  Deitrick,  Rebecca  Teager,  and  Elizabeth  Artz.  The 
house  of  John  Deitrick  was  the  place  of  worship  for  several  years,  after 
which  a  frame  building  on  the  north  side  of  Third  street  between  Hickory 
and  Market,  formerly  used  for  school  purposes,  was  occupied  vmtil  1874;  the 
present  frame  church  edifice  at  the  southwest  corner  of  Vine  and  Third 
streets  was  then  built  at  a  cost  of  two  thousand  dollars.  Rev.  Thomas  Gar- 
land, Lewis  Deitrick,  and  John  Byerly  were  the  trustees  at  that  time.  The 
following  pastors  have  served  this  church:  Reverends F.  List,  1866;  J.  Shoop, 
1867-68;  William  B.  Evers,  1869;  A.  P.  Kaufman,  1870;  Reverends  Harts- 
horn and  Nelson,  1871;  S.  R.  Gipple,  1872-73;  Thomas  Garland,  1874-75; 
M.  P.  Sanders,  1876;  S.  R.  Gipple,  1877-79;  L.  Kreamer,  1880-81;  H.  S. 
Gable,  1882-83;  H.  B.  Spayd,  1883-84;  J.  G.  Fritz,  18S5-8S;  M.  J.  Heberly, 
1889.  Mt.  Carmel  became  a  mission  station  in  1883  and  a  self-supporting 
station  in  1886.  The  parsonage  was  built  in  1884,  and  the  church  edifice 
was  remodeled  in  1888. 

Welsh  Baptist  Church. — Reverends  Thomas  Thomas  and  David  Evans 
organized  a  Welsh  Baptist  church  in  1871.  of  which  Daniel  Evans  and  Philip 
Thomas  were  the  first  deacons.  After  worshiping  at  a  school  house  near  the 
old  Reading  depot  eighteen  months  the  society  disbanded.  A  reorganiza- 
tion was  efl'ected  in  1879,  and  in  1880  a  frame  church  edifice  was  built  at  the 
comer  of  Market  and  Third  streets;  it  was  dedicated  on  the  20th  of  June  in 
that  year,  when  William  W.  Watkins  and  William  Lawrence  were  the  dea- 
cons, and  Evan  Davis,  William  W.  Watkins,  and  John  P.  Edwards  were  the 
trustees.  The  subsequent  pastors  were  Reverends  Jeremiah  Grifiith  and 
Richard  Edwards.      The  congregation  finally  disbanded  in  1880. 

Church  of  God. — Elders  A.  Snyder  and  Jacob  Hepler  were  the  first  min- 
isters of  this  denomination  who  preached  at  Mt.  Carmel.  An  organization 
was  effected  in  1880  by  Elder  J.  C.  Hoover,  and  the  first  members  were  Levi 
Werntz  and  wife,  William  S.  Eyers  and  wife,  and  Benjamin  Hepler  and  wife. 
Services  were  first  held  at  private  houses  and  at  a  school  house  near  the  old 
Reading  depot.  A  building  site  on  the  east  side  of  Chestnut  street  between 
Second  and  Third  having  been  donated  by  Ehzabeth  Cloiiser,  the  present 
frame  church  edifice  was  erected  thereon  and  dedicated  on  the  21st  of  Octo- 


ilT.  CARJIEL.  675 

ber,  1883.  It  has  since  been  materially  enlarged.  Elders  J.  C.  Hoover,  D. 
H.  Mummah,  S.  Smith,  F.  Y.  Weidenhammer,  and  J.  W.  Miller  have  suc- 
cessively served  as  pastors. 

St.  Paul's  Church  of  the  Evangelical  Association. — The  present  church 
edifice  was  erected  in  1871,  at  which  time  this  was  a  preaching  point  on  Ash- 
land circuit,  of  which  Kev.  James  Lantz  was  preacher  in  charge.  In  1872 
Mt.  Carmel  was  made  a  mission  and  placed  in  charge  of  Eev.  James  Bow- 
man. The  membership  at  that  time  was  twenty-tive,  and  the  society  was 
burdened  with  debt.  Fifty-seven  accessions  were  made  during  the  year; 
and  under  the  next  pastor,  Eev.  L.  N.  Worman,  the  membership  increased  to 
one  hundred  two.  The  ofiicial  boards  of  the  organization  at  that  time  were 
constituted  as  follows:  trustees:  Simon  Light,  Joseph  Delcamp,  Emanuel 
Kehler,  William  Shively,  Jacob  Kissinger,  and  Jonathan  Hoover;  stewards: 
Joseph  Delcamp,  Simon  Light.  Isaac  Keiser,  Emanuel  Kehlei-,  and  Jonathan 
Deitrich;  leaders:  Simon  Light,  Jonathan  Deitrich,  Emanuel  Kehler,  and 
Joseph  Schwartz.  The  following  is  a  hst  of  pastors  since  the  mission  was 
established:  1872,  Rev.  James  Bowman;  1873-75,  Rev.  L.  N.  Worman; 
187(3,  Rev.  X.  B.  Sherk;  1877,  Rev.  A.  M.  Sampsel;  1878,  Eev.  N.  A.  Bair; 
1879,  Rev.  A.  Dilabar;  188(VS2,  Rev.  J.  W.  Woehrle;  1883,  Rev.  J.  S.  Over- 
holser;  1884-80,  Rev.  J.  R.  Hensyl;  18S7-88,  Rev.  G.  C.  Knobel;  1889-90, 
Rev.  D.  S.  Stauffer. 

The  Sunday  school  was  organized  in  June,  1871.  There  are  two  other 
auxiliary  organizations:  a  Young  People's  Society  of  Christian  Endeavor 
and  a  Mission  Band,  all,  like  the  church  in  general,  in  a  prosjierous  condition. 

Grace  Reformed  Church  was  organized  on  the  14th  of  June,  ISSO,  with 
the  following  members:  C.  T.  Dechant  and  wife,  George  Becker  and  wife, 
Isaac  Wolfgang  and  wife,  Ben  Wirt  and  wife,  Henry  Geist,  Mary  Dechant, 
Ada  Dechant,  Ella  Dechant,  Thomas  Dechant,  and  Mr.  Hawk.  C  T.  Dechant, 
Isaac  Wolfgang,  and  George  Becker  were  the  first  elders.  The  first  trustees 
were  Dr.  J.  G.  Raessler,  C.  T.  Dechant,  Henry  Geist,  Frederick  Klawitter, 
Nathan  Haubenstein,  WiUiam  Ruths,  and  John  Zutka.  A  Sunday  school 
was  organized  on  the  13th  of  May,  1888,  with  Dr.  J.  G.  Raessler  as  superin- 
tendent. Services  were  first  held  in  the  G.  A.  R.  hall  on  Hickory  street, 
after  which  the  Welsh  Baptist  church,  corner  of  Market  and  Third  streets, 
was  rented  and  subsequently  purchased  The  present  church  edifice,  a 
frame  structure  twenty-five  by  forty  feet  in  dimensions,  was  erected  in  1890 
under  the  supervision  of  a  building  committee  composed  of  Dr.  J.  G. 
Raessler,  Henry  Geist,  and  •  C.  T.  Dechant.  The  comer-stone  was  laid  on 
the  27th  of  March,  1890.  Rev.  George  Dechant  was  pastor  from  June, 
1886,  until  May,  1888,  and  Eev.  H.  H  Sando  from  May  13,  1888,  to  AprQ 
6,  1890. 

First  Presbyterian  Church. — Reverends  Caldwell,  Milliken,  Reardon,  and 
other  Presbyterian  clergymen  preached  at  Mt.  Carmel  occasionally  under  the 


676  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

auspices  of  Northiunberland  Presbytery,  but  no  organization  was  effected 
until  the  10th  of  July,  1SS7,  where  a  presbyterial  committee,  composed  of 
Rev.  H.  G.  Finney,  Rev.  J.  W.  Gilland.  and  S.  A.  Bergstresser,  organized  the 
First  Presbyterian  church  with  the  following  members:  Thomas  M.  Righter, 
Mrs.  Gertrude  L.  Righter,  S.  A.  Bergstresser,  Mrs.  Voris  Auten,  Mrs.  George 
B.  Renn,  Mrs.  Emily  Heiser,  Mrs.  Mary  Benson,  Charles  J.  Siegfried,  Mrs. 
Kate  Siegfried,  Robert  Penman,  William  Hillhouse,  Mrs.  Mary  Hillhouse, 
Mrs.  Mary  Reid,  William  Mcllwain,  Mrs.  Emily  H.  Bolich,  Mrs.  Margaret 
Lawson,  Mrs.  Agnes  Ramage,  John  Reid,  William  Reid,  Henry  F.  Freeze, 
Alexander  Taylor,  Peter  E.  Jones,  Mrs.  Mary  Ann  Jones,  Miss  Margaret 
Penman,  Miss  Phyllis  Jones,  Mrs.  Janet  Reid  Taylor,  Mrs.  Louisa  Still- 
wagner.  Miss  Rebecca  Gibson,  Eli  H.  Snyder,  William  Finley,  Mrs.  Mar- 
garet Finley,  Miss  Margaret  Reid,  and  Mrs.  Elizabeth  J.  Jennings.  S.  A. 
Bergstresser,  Robert  Penman,  and  William  Hillhouse  were  the  first  elders, 
and  Thomas  M.  Righter,  John  Reid,  and  Eli  H.  Snyder  were  the  first  dea- 
cons. The  first  regixlar  pastor,  Rev.  Stuart  Mitchell,  D.  J).,  was  installed  on 
the  11th  of  June,  ISSU,  and  is  the  present  incumbent.  The  G.  A.  R.  hall 
was  the  place  of  worship  until  the  22d  of  December,  1S89,  when  the  present 
church  edifice  at  the  southeast  corner  of  Fifth  and  Hickory  streets  was  occu- 
pied for  the  first  time.  The  corner-stone  was  laid,  Augu.st  8,  1889,  and  the 
dedication  occurred  on  the  11th  of  May,  1890.  Dr.  J.  S.  Lazarus,  Thomas 
M.  Righter,  and  Robert  Muir  composed  the  building  committee.  The  Sim- 
day  school  was  organized  on  the  2d  of  January,  1887,  with  Eli  H.  Snyder  as 
superintendent. 

CEMETERIES. 

The  Catholic  Cemetery  comprises  ten  acres  and  is  situated  at  Beaver 
Dale,  west  of  Mt.  Carmel.  The  ground  was  purchased  and  inclosed  by  Rev. 
J.  J.  Koch  in  1870,  and  has  since  been  the  burial  place  for  the  entire  Cath- 
olic population  of  Mt.  Carmel  and  vicinity.  The  space  available  for  inter- 
ments has  now  been  entirely  utilized,  and  a  movement  is  in  progress  for  the 
purchase  of  additional  ground. 

The  Mt.  Carmel  Cemetery  Company  was  organized  on  the  29th  of  March, 
1883,  with  O.  H.  Sillyman,  president,  Thomas  Scott,  secretary,  and  Charles 
Wightman,  treasurer,  who,  with  John  Stine,  Morgan  Davis,  Michael  Hinkel, 
David  J.  Lewis,  William  McFee,  and  John  Jefferson,  were  the  charter  mem- 
bers of  the  company.  A  plat  of  ground  five  hundred  feet  square,  situated 
near  Alaska,  a  mile  and  a  half  from  the  borough,  was  donated  by  the  Phila- 
delphia and  Reading  Coal  and  Iron  Company,  and  has  been  inclosed  and 
improved.  This  had  been  a  burial  ground  for  some  years  previously,  but  the 
title  was  not  vested  in  local  hands. 


WATSONTOWN.  677 


CHAPTER  XIX. 

WATSONTOWN. 

Pioneer  IIistort-— The  First  Surveys — Early  Industries,  Stores,  and  Hotels— 
The  Town  Plat  —  Railroads — The  Postoffice  —  iMANUFACTLTiiNG,  Past  and 
Present— Banks— Electric  Light  and  AVater  Companies- Borough  Organi- 
zation AND  Government  —  Secret  antj  Fraternal  Societies  — Educational 
AND  Literary  Effort — Churches — AVatsontown  Cemetery. 

THE  history  of  Watsontown  commences  in  the  latter  part  of  the  last 
century.  The  place  may  be  said  to  have  had  two  beginnings,  the  first 
of  which  resulted  in  the  establishment  of  a  small  country  village,  while  the 
second  and  more  successful  was  the  means  of  bringing  into  existence  the 
pleasant  and  enterprising  town  on  the  east  bank  of  the  West  Branch  and  in 
the  extreme  northern  part  of  Northumberland  county.  'By  the  census  of 
ISyO  the  population  was  twenty-one  hundred  fifty-seven.  The  borough  has 
a  creditable  system  of  public  schools,  five  churches,  two  newspapers,  two 
banks,  extensive  manufacturing  interests,  water  and  electric  light  companies, 
a  number  of  stores  representing  the  various  lines  of  business,  etc.,  etc. 

PIONEER    history. 

The  first  title  to  any  part  of  the  land  upon  which  the  borough  is  situated 
was  acquired  by  Lieutenant  Daniel  Hunsicker  by  virtue  of  military  services 
in  the  French  and  Indian  war.  The  application  was  marked  No.  1  and 
dated  February  3,  1769.  The  tract  was  surveyed  in  the  succeeding  May, 
and  was  situated  between  Delaware  run  on  the  north  and  a  diagonal  boundary 
on  the  south  which  extended  from  the  east  end  of  Pear  alley  to  the  opposite 
terminus  of  Apj^le  alley.  The  most  remarkable  and  interesting  feature  of 
this  application  is  the  fact  that  it  was  the  first  granted  under  the  land  office 
system  established  by  the  Proprietary  government  for  the  disposition  of  the 
purchase  of  1768. 

To  the  south  of  Hunsicker's  warrant  the  land  was  granted  to  Lieutenant 
Nicholas  Houssegger,  for  services  rendered  in  the  same  war;  his  tract 
extended  for  some  distance  beyond  the  southern  limits  of  the  town.  On  the 
13th  of  May,  1792,  John  Watson,  then  a  resident  of  Londonderry  to'svnship, 
Chester  coimty,  Pennsylvania,  purchased  from  John  Harris,  of  Cumberland 
county,  and  Blair  McClenachan,  a  merchant  of  Philadelphia,  a  tract  of  six 
hundred  nine  acres  and  allowance,  known  as  "Elmdon,"  embracing  the  larger 
part  of  the  site  of   "VVatsontowTi.     The  consideration  was  eleven .  hundred 


678  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND   COUNTY. 

pounds  specie.  Harris  aud  McClenachan  bad  secured  this  land  in  1780  by 
purchase  from  Jacob  Shallus,  a  merchant  of  Bristol.  Bucks  county,  Penn.syl- 
vania,  for  the  sum  of  seventeen  thousand  poimds.  and  Shalliis,  in  partner- 
ship with  Amos  Wickersham,  acquired  the  tract  in  1779  by  purchase  from 
Thomas  Willing,  to  whom  it  was  originally  patented,  March  23,  1774. 
Watson  was  of  Irish  descent.  He  resided  on  the  land  thus  purchased  until 
his  death;  his  remains  were  interred  in  the  old  Warrior  Run  graveyard, 
but  have  been  removed  to  the  Watsontown  cemetery. 

The  idea  of  locating  a  town  near  the  mouth  of  Warrior  run  first  occurred 
to  John  Watson,  who  laid  it  out  in  17U4,  and  in  honor  of  whom  it  received 
its  name,  although,  by  some  who  regarded  his  effort  to  establish  a  town  with 
disrespect,  it  was  for  a  long  time  called  Slabtown.  The  only  streets  in  the 
original  plat  were  Main  and  Front;  Main  was  the  road  leading  from  Sun- 
bury  to  Muncy,  and  Front  street  is  what  is  now  termed  First,  still  called 
Front  by  many.  At  their  intersection  ground  was  reserved  for  a  piiblic 
square.  At  the  time  of  Mr.  Watson's  death  the  town,  consisted  of  some  half- 
dozen  houses,  situated  on  Front  street  between  where  the  railroad  now  crosses 
it  and  the  river  bank.  Its  diminutive  proportions  were  due  to  lack  of 
enterprise  on  the  part  of  the  projector  rather  than  any  disadvantge  of  loca- 
tion; for,  after  disposing  of  some  half-dozen  lots,  ahhough  they  were  sold  at 
several  himdred  dollars  each,  he  suddenly  became  alarmed  lest  the  growing 
village  should  interfere  with  his  farming  operations,  and,  at  a  great  sacrifice 
to  himself,  began  to  purchase  the  lots  sold,  iiltimately  securing  them  all. 

The  first  hotel  and  store  were  kept  by  David  Watson,  and  stood  on  the 
south  side  of  Front  street  at  the  canal.  There  was  another  hotel  at  the  time 
of  Mr.  Watson's  death,  which  was  erected  by  James  Watson  (no  relative  of 
the  former,  however),  and  stood  on  the  north  side  of  Front  street  directly 
opposite  the  residence  of  A.  J.  Guffy.  Ujx)n  the  death  of  David  Watson 
his  house  was  closed,  but  the  one  built  by  James  Watson  was  continued  for 
some  years  under  the  successive  proprietorships  of  Robert  Brown,  James 
Brown,  George  Fox,  and  others. 

The  industrial  features  of  the  place  at  that  time  were  a  distillery,  estab- 
lished by  John  Watson,  a  battery,  and  a  scythe  factory,  located  in  the  vicinity 
of  the  David  Watson  hotel. 

Between  the  years  1830  and  1840  the  land  upon  which  the  main  portion 
of  the  town  is  situated  was  used  as  a  race  course.  What  was  then  called 
"  the  mile  heat "  commenced  on  the  north  of  town,  near  the  residence  of  the 
late  Silas  Rambach,  and  extended  south  to  First  street. 

A  third  hotel  was  built  on  the  northeast  comer  of  First  and  Main'  streets 
by  William  Cooner  in  1857  and  opened  in  August  of  that  year.  The  build- 
ing is  still  used  as  a  public  house  with  Mr.  Cooner's  sons  as  proprietors. 

The  owners  of  the  land  after  the  death  of  John  Watson  were  his  three 
sons,  David,  John,  and  George.     The   lands  of  David  and  John  adjoined 


wATsoNTOwy.  679 

the  river,  with  First  street  as  a  mutual  boundary,  while  the  youngest  son, 
George,  inherited  the  land  to  the  east  of  his  brothers'.  The  rough-cast 
house  on  the  north  side  of  First  street  at  the  canal  was  erected  by  John  Wat- 
son, and  was  his  residence  until  death.  Two  of  Da%-id's  sons,  David  C.  and 
Robert,  were  captains  in  the  Northumberland  Troop,  and  the  former  reached 
the  rank  of  brigadier  general,  which  position  he  held  at  the  time  of  his 
death. 

A  great  convenience  for  the  settlers  in  the  vicinity  of  Watsontown  in 
crossing  the  river  into  Union  county,  and  vke  versa,  was  afforded  by  the 
ferry,  which  was  established  in  ISOO  by  Dan  Caldwell,  an  enterprising  and 
wealthy  citizen  of  White  Deer  valley.  This  was  the  most  important  outlet 
until  the  canal  was  completed. 

The  growth  of  the  town  was  much  retardeti  from  the  fact  that  David  and 
John  Watson,  on  account  of  some  trottble  which  existed  among  the  inhabit- 
ants at  that  time,  refused  to  sell  lots  on  the  plea  that  it  would  only  result  in 
contention.  Thus  it  happened  that  at  their  death  the  to-\vn  was,  if  anything, 
in  a  less  flourishing  condition  than  when  their  father  died.  The  hatterj-  and 
scythe  factor}'  of  his  day  had  become  things  of  the  past,  and  no  manufactur- 
ing interests  had  developed  to  take  their  places. 

The  opening  of  the  Philadelphia  and  Erie  railroad  gave  a  quickening 
impulse,  and  the  years  immediately  following  may  be  regarded  as  the  period 
in  local  history  when  the  country  village  passed  out  of  existence  to  give  way 
for  a  more  enterprising  and  extensive  town.  In  ISOS  the  town  extended  on 
Main  street  from  where  the  Mansion  House  now  stands  to  the  depot,  and  on 
First  street  from  the  railroad  to  the  canal.  It  contained  two  dry-goods 
stores  and  two  groceries.  The  most  important  btLsiness  house  at  that  time 
was  on  the  corner  of  Main  and  First  streets  and  was  conducted  under  the 
firm  name  of  A.  T.  Goodman  k  Brother.  The  other  dry-goods  store  was  in 
the  btiilding  now  owned  by  George  Bums,  on  the  west  side  of  Main  near 
Second  street,  and  was  conducted  by  C.  0.  Bachman;  T.  G.  Caldwell  had  a 
grocery  along  the  canal,  and  Thomas  Barr  conducted  a  business  of  the  same 
kind  near  the  depot.  There  was  but  one  hotel  in  the  place,  the  house  of 
William  Cooner,  which  was  erected  in  1857  and  opened  as  a  public  house  in 
Atigtist  of  that  year.  The  next  hotel  estabhshed  was  the  Mansion  House, 
on  the  northwest  comer  of  Main  and  Second  streets,  which  was  erected  by 
John  Forgeman  in  1867  and  is  now  conducted  by  Allen  I.  Kremer. 

The  first  doctor  to  locate  in  the  place  was  H  D.  Hunter,  a  young  man 
who  was  reared  in  White  Deer  Hole  valley.  He  practiced  here  before  the 
opening  of  the  civil  war  and  continued  in  the  active  discharge  of  professional 
duties  until  his  death.     The  first  resident  attorney  was  Oscar  Foust. 

THZ    TOWN   PLAT. 

In  the  original  town  plat   there  was  a  commodious  public  square  at  the 


680  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

intersection  of  Main  and  First  streets.  It  is  to  be  regretted  that  this  feature 
was  not  retained  in  the  modern  plat. 

The  land  owned  by  John  and  David  Watson  passed  into  the  possession 
of  Moses  Chamberlin,  a  son-in-law  of  the  former,  and  E.  L.  Piper,  who  bore 
the  same  relation  to  the  latter.  The  modern  town  plat  between  its  southern 
limit  and  Fifth  street  was  laid  out  in  1858  and  1859  under  the  auspices  of 
Moses  Chamberlin,  E.  L.  Piper,  and  the  executors  of  John  Watson,  deceased, 
by  Abraham  Straub,  a  surveyor  of  Milton.  Between  Fifth  street  and  the 
line  of  the  Himsicker  and  Houssegger  warrants  the  plat  was  surveyed  in 
November,  1S66,  by  James  Armstrong  and  A.  J.  Guffy  imder  the  auspices 
of  Moses  Chamberlin  and  Ario  Pardee.  Above  the  line  of  the  Hunsicker 
and  Houssegger  tracts  the  plat  was  surveyed  in  1867  by  A.  J.  Guffy  for 
Joseph  Hollopeter,  S.  M.  Miller,  and  Samuel  Caldwell.  The  principal  addi- 
tions since  that  date  are  those  of  Joseph  Everitt,  John  H.  Goodman,  A.  B. 
Seller.  Samuel  Caldwell,  and  James  A.  Dinehart. 

The  principal  street  is  Main,  the  Milton  and  Muncy  road,  which  extends 
north  and  south  (approximately),  with  Ash  and  Liberty  streets  parallel  on 
the  east  and  Elm  street  parallel  on  the  west.  The  cross  streets,  beginning 
with  First  on  the  soiith,  are  numbered  consecutively  to  Tenth  on  the  north. 

RAILROADS. 

The  Philadelphia  and  Erie  railroad  was  opened  on  the  18th  of  December, 
1854,  and  the  Wilkesbarre  and  Western  on  the  13th  of  December,  1886.  The 
latter  has  its  western  terminus  at  Watsontown.  The  Philadelphia  and 
Reachng  railroad,  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  river,  was  opened  in  1871. 

THE  POSTOFFICE. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  postmasters  since  the  office  was  established, 
with  the  respective  dates  of  appointment:  David  Watson,  January  10,  1828; 
Edmund  L.  Piper.  July  18,  1854;  Joseph  P.  Hogue.  July  12,  1861;  E. 
Everitt,  March  25,  1868;  Philip  Shay,  November  16,  1868;  Joseph  Wagner, 
April  29,  1S69;  John  D.  Caldwell,  July  5,  1871;  Philip  Shay,  January  16, 
1879;  Mary  V.  Shay,  February  9,  1885. 

M.iNCFACTOEING,    PAST    AND    PRESENT. 

The  earliest  industrial  establishments  at  Watsontown  were  the  battery 
and  scythe  factory  previously  mentioned.  These  were  perhaps  of  relatively 
local  importance  at  the  time,  but  very  meager  information  regarding  them  is 
attainable  at  this  late  date. 

Higbee  &  Wagner's  Saw  Mill  was  originally  established  in  1856  by  Moses 
Chamberlin  and  William  Follmer  for  the  manufacture  of  "  bill  "  lumber,  and 
therefore  marks  the  beginning  of  the  recent  industrial  development  of  the 
place.     At  that  time  the  Catawissa  Railroad   Company  was  constructing  ex- 


WATSONTOWN.  681 

tensive  trestle-works  and  bridges,  and  a  considerable  part  of  the  product  of 
this  mill  was  used  by  that  company.  The  business  was  conducted  by  Cham - 
berlin  &  Follmer  until  1857,  when  Joseph  Hollopeter  was  received  into  the 
lirm,  which  continued  to  operate  the  mill  successfully  imtil  it  was  destroyed 
by  fire  on  the  Saturday  night  previous  to  Abraham  Lincoln's  second  election 
to  the  presidency.  It  was  immediately  rebuilt  and  successively  operated  by 
Chamberlin,  Follmer  &  Hollopeter,  Chamberlin  &  Follmer.  Cook,  Hollopeter 
&  Everitt,  and  Cook  &  Pardee — Ario  Pardee  and  E.  C.  Cook.  Cook  &  Pardee 
ran  in  connection  with  the  saw  mill  a  match  factory  and  emj^loyed  sixty 
operatives.  After  continuing  business  ten  or  twelve  years  in  this  way  Pardee 
purchased  Cook's  interest  and  took  his  son  into  partnership,  when  the  style 
of  the  firm  became  Pardee  &  Son.  After  the  flood  of  1889  the  mills  were 
closed;  operations  were  susjjended  until  May,  1890,  when  they  were  pur- 
chased and  reopened  by  the  present  firm. 

Pardee's  Saw  Mill. — In  1866  Ario  Pardee  erected  a  large  saw  mill  in  the 
southern  part  of  the  towai  at  a  cost  of  seventy-five  ^ousand  dollars.  Mr. 
Pardee  is  interested  in  the  mining  of  coal  at  Hazelton,  Luzerne  county, 
Penn.sylvania,  and  the  product  of  the  mill  consisted  principally  of  projj  tim- 
bers for  use  in  the  mines.  He  also  owned  a  large  tract  of  undeveloped  land 
in  Union  county,  from  which  the  timber  for  this  mill  was  derived.  This 
establishment,  the  largest  of  its  kind  in  the  county,  gave  employment  to  a 
number  of  men,  and  was  a  most  important  feature  of  the  manufacturing  in- 
terests of  the  borough  until  its  destruction  by  fire,  April  17,  1882. 

The  WatsontoiC7i  Steam  Tannery  was  originally  established  in  1866  by 
Hollopeter  &  Wagner.  The  plant  subsequently  passed  to  Miller,  Faust  & 
Caldwell,  who  were  succeeded  in  1879  by  W.  T.  and  C.  B.  McKean.  The 
works  were  destroyed  by  fire  on  the  28th  of  July,  1881,  but  have  been  rebuilt, 
and  the  present  capacity  is  four  hundred  fifty  hides  per  week.  Cutler,  Fos- 
ter &  Company  are  the  present  proprietors. 

Watsontown  Planing  Mill  Company. — In  1867  Wagner,  Starr  &  Com- 
pany erected  a  planing  mill  on  the  bank  of  the  river  at  the  present  site  of 
the  water-works  pumping  station.  It  was  destroyed  by  fire,  and  replaced  by 
another  of  enlarged  capacity;  the  latter  was  burned  in  1874,  and  in  the  fol- 
lowing year  the  present  mill  on  the  east  side  of  the  Philadelphia  and  Erie 
railroad  between  Sixth  and  Seventh  streets  was  built  by  the  Watsontown 
Planing  Mill  Company,  of  which  J.  H.  Wagner,  J.  W.  Muffly,  and  D.  F. 
Wagner  were  the  constituent  members  until  the  retirement  of  Mr.  Muifly  in 
1890.  The  mill  is  one  of  the  largest  and  best  equipped  in  the  West  Branch 
valley.     Thomas  H.  Kistner  has  been  foreman  since  187(). 

The  Watsontown  Steam  Flour  Mill  was  built  by  John  McFarland,  who 
conducted  the  business  for  some  years.  The  present  firm,  Follmer,  Fowler 
&  Company,  became  proprietors  in  April,  1890.  The  building  is  situated  on 
Eighth  street,  and  is  a  three-story  structure;  the  daily  capacity  is  one  hundred 
barrels  of  flour  and  ten  tons  of  chop. 


682  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

The  Watsontoicn  Boot  and  Shoe  Company. — The  factory  of  this  company- 
was  originally  established  by  Joseph  Hollopeter,  William  Wagner,  Samuel 
Caldwell,  Frederick  Heilman,  D.  C.  Hogne,  Samuel  Miller,  George  Burns, 
and  Silas  Kirk  in  connection  with  the  Watsontown  Steam  Tannery.  The 
business  of  the  tannery  and  shoe  factory  was  jointly  conducted  by  the  same 
firm  until  1872,  when  the  present  factory  building,  a  three-story  brick  struct- 
ure on  the  east  side  of  Main  street  between  Second  and  Third,  was  erected. 
After  experiencing  several  changes  of  ownership  it  became  the  property  of 
Ario  Pardee,  the  present  owner,  who  was  also  at  one  time  individual  pro- 
prietor of  the  factory.  Tke  W^atsontown  Boot  and  Shoe  Company  was  formed 
in  1885,  and  is  composed  of  H.  F.  Algert  and  Edward  Waldschmidt.  Eighty 
operatives  are  employed. 

The  Pardee  Car  and  Machine  Works  were  established  in  1872  by  a  com- 
pany known  as  "The  Watsontown  Car  Works,"  composed  of  Joseph  Hollo- 
peter,  president,  Ario  Pardee,  Levi  Linn,  J.  H.  Wagner.  H.  T.  Goodman, 
Samuel  M.  Miller,  and  a  Mr.  Ten  Brook.  This  company  was  succeeded  in 
1880  by  Pardee,  Snyder  &  Company,  Limited,  and  upon  the  expiration  of 
this  limited  partnership,  June  1, 1890,  Ario  Pardee  became  sole  owner.  The 
plant  is  located  on  the  east  side  of  the  Philadelphia  and  Erie  railroad  be- 
tween Fourth  and  Sixth  streets;  it  has  a  capacity  for  building  five  cars  per 
day,  and  employs  two  himdred  fifty  men  when  in  full  operation. 

The  Watsontoicn  Furniture  and  Table  Works  were  started  by  Joseph 
Hollopeter  and  James  W.  McLain  in  the  buildings  erected  for  the  car  shops, 
which  were  not  then  in  operation.  Samuel  Miller,  George  Bums,  and  Isaac 
Stryker  were  afterward  admitted  to  the  firm,  and  Ario  Pardee  subsequently 
became  individual  proprietor  of  the  works,  which  he  removed  to  his  lower 
planing  mill.  From  Mr.  Pardee  the  establishnient  passed  to  Frank  Miller 
and  J.  G.  Bower,  by  whom  the  present  plant  on  the  west  side  of  Main  street 
in  the  southern  part  of  the  borough  was  erected  and  has  since  been  operated. 

Starr,  Durham  d-  Company  operated  a  planing  mill  on  South  Main  street 
from  1883  to  1890.  The  mill  was  built  by  John  Bly  &  Son,  and  first  leased 
by  Kline  &  Meckley. 

The  Watsontoicn  Nail  Works  were  established  in  ISSO  and  occupy  the 
site  of  Ario  Pardee's  first  saw  mill,  which  was  destroyed  by  fire  in  1882. 
The  building  is  eighty-five  by  two  hundred  twenty-five  feet,  and  contains 
rolling  mill  and  nail  factory  combined.  The  works  have  a  capacity  to  employ 
eighty  men  and  manufacture  three  hundred  kegs  of  nails  per  day. 

B.\NKS. 

The  Watsontoicn  National  Bank  was  originally  organized  as  a  State 
institution,  December  31,  1872,  imder  the  name  of  the  Watsontown  Bank. 
The  first  directors  were  J.  H.  Goodman,  J.  B.  Leinbach,  Silas  Rambach, 
Samuel  Caldwell,  Simon   Schuyler,  James   D.  Barr,  Joseph  Nicely,  Jr.,  and 


WATSONTOWN.  683 

Martin  Powell.  Samuel  Caldwell,  the  first  president,  was  elected  on  the 
2d  of  January,  1873,  and  De  La.  Green  was  the  first  cashier.  The  bank 
commenced  business  on  the  2d  of  January,  1S73.  The  original  capital  was 
one  hundred  thousand  dollars,  which  was  increased  (July  2,  1874)  to  one 
hundred  twenty  thousand  dollars,  at  which  it  remained  while  the  bank  con- 
tinued as  a  State  institution.  At  a  meeting  of  the  stockholders  on  the  4th 
of  May,  1880,  the  directors  were  authorized  to  surrender  the  State  charter 
and  take  the  necessary  measures  to  convert  the  institution  into  a  national 
bank.  It  was  accordingly  incorporated  as  such,  Jime  17,  1880,  under  its 
present  name,  with  a  capital  of  sixty  thousand  dollars  and  the  following  offi- 
cers: president,  Silas  Rambach;  cashier,  G.  W.  Eombach;  teller,  W.  A. 
Nicely;  directors:  Silas  Rambach,  Joseph  G.  Durham,  Andrew  M.  Lowry, 
Thomas  Kirk,  John  B.  Leinbach,  Thompson  Bower.  Ario  Pardee,  and  John 


P.  Dentler.     At  its  organization  as  a  national  bank  the  institut 


ion  was  pay- 


ing annual  dividends  of  sis  per  cent.,  which  have  steadily  increased  and  have 
been  eight  per  cent,  since  1889.  ^A  surplus  fund  of  thirty-four  thousand 
dollars  has  also  been  accumulated.  The  present  bank  building,  a  brick 
structure  at  the  northeast  corner  of  Third  and  Main  streets,  was  first  occu- 
pied in  the  spring  of  1880.  The  siiccession  of  officers  since  the  organization 
of  the  bank  as  a  State  institution  has  been  as  follows:  presidents:  Samuel 
Caldwell,  Ario  Pardee,  Silas  Rambach.  Joseph  G.  Durham,  and  Thompson 
Bower,  present  incumbent;  cashiers;  De  La.  Green,  Robert  B.  Claxton.  Jr., 
and  G.  W.  Rombach,  present  incumbent:  tellers:  G.  W.  Rombach,  J.  G. 
Bower,  and  W.  A.  Nicely,  present  incumbent. 

Farmers'  National  Bank  of  Watsontown. — The  first  meeting  for  the 
organization  of  this  institution  was  held,  January  11,  188G.  The  charter 
was  granted,  February  27,  1886,  and  the  doors  were  first  opened  for 
business  March  29th  of  the  same  year,  ^yith  a  capital  of  fifty  thousand 
dollars  distributed  among  sixty-four  stockholders  in  shares  of  one  hundred 
dollars  each.  The  first  board  of  directors  consisted  of  Charles  Heilman, 
Samuel  Everitt,  Simpson  Smith,  J.  H.  Harley.  D.  F.  Wagner,  Thomas  L. 
Clapp,  \V.  H.  Nicely,  Daniel  Lerch,  Alem  Manser,  E.  L.  Matchin,  V.  S. 
Truckenmiller,  Hiram  Dunkel,  and  Enoch  Everitt.  The  first  election  of 
officers  resulted  in  the  choice  of  Simpson  Smith  as  president;  Charles  Heil- 
man, vice-president,  and  Hiram  Dunkel,  cashier,  the  latter  still  retaining 
that  office.  During  the  two  years  immediately  following  the  first  nine 
months  of  business  the  bank  declared  an  annual  dividend  of  six  per  cent. 
Since  that  time  the  annual  dividend  has  been  uniformly  seven  per  cent. 
The  surplus  now  amounts  to  seventeen  thousand  dollars. 

ELECTRIC    LIGHT    AND    WATER    COMPANIES. 

The  Watsontown  Electric  Light,  Gas,  Power,  and  Heating  Company  was 
chartered,  September  1,  1886.     J.  G.  Bower,  Thompson  Bower,  Samuel  M. 


684  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

Miller,  and  C.  B.  McLain  were  the  original  stockholders,  of  whom  J.  G. 
Bower  was  chosen  as  first  president  and  Samuel  M.  Miller  as  secretary  and 
treasurer.  The  charter  was  purchased  by  L.  C.  Kinsey  &  Company,  of 
Williamsport,  July  1, 1887;  they  erected  an  electric  light  plant,  and  increased 
the  capital  stock  to  fifteen  thousand  dollars,  associating  with  them  J.  H. 
Wagner,  J.  I.  Higbee,  T.  G.  Caldwell,  Hiram  Dunkel,  S.  H.  Hicks,  Lorenzo 
Everitt,  and  others.  The  capacity  of  the  plant  is  one  thousand  incandescent 
lights,  with  a  power  to  supply  arc  lighting.  It  is  situated  at  the  western 
terminus  of  Third  street. 

The  Watsontoini  Watei-  Company  was  incorporated,  March  18,  1886, 
with  a  capital  stock  of  forty  thousand  dollars,  and  the  following  persons  as 
stockholders:  Kobert  Buck,  I.  N.  Messinger,  S.  B.  Morgan,  J.  H.  Wagner, 
W.  Brady  Piatt,  William  Field  Shay,  J.  F.  McClure,  S.  E.  Slaymaker,  L.  T. 
Eohrbach,  and  J.  E.  Mathews.  The  company  owns  the  mouth  of  White 
Deer  creek,  in  Union  county,  near  which  they  have  erected  a  filter,  forty- 
eight  feet  long  and  eight  feet  square,  which  leads  from  their  dam  to  large 
wells  near  the  bank  of  the  stream.  From  these  wells  it  is  transferred  by 
gravity  to  the  east  side  of  the  river,  where  a  pumping  station  is  located, 
which  forces  it  to  a  reservoir  at  a  vertical  altitude  of  one  hundred  fifty 
feet  above  Main  street.  This  has  a  capacity  of  two  million  gallons,  and 
from  it  the  water  is  distributed  to  the  town,  through  seven  miles  of  mains. 

BOROUGH    ORGANIZATION    AND    GOVERNMENT. 

The  borough  of  Watsontown  was  incorporated  by  decree  of  court,  Novem- 
ber -1,  1867,  and  on  the  16th  instant  the  first  borough  election  occurred, 
resulting  in  the  choice  of  the  following  officers:  burgess,  Joseph  Hollopeter: 
council:  Thomas  Carl,  Frederick  Whitman,  C.  O.  Bachman,  John  Bly,  D.  C. 
Hogue;  high  constable,  Eli  Lochner;  justice  of  the  peace,  John  Orr;  school 
directors:  John  Y.  Ellis,  William  Cooner,  H.  K.  Whitman,  Joseph  Ott,  H. 
W.  Kremer,  Thomas  Barr;  overseers  of  the  poor:  Peter  Schaeffer,  Kobert 
Johnson;  inspectors  of  election:  Philip  Winterstein,  I.  N.  Messinger;  judge, 
David  Teas.  The  following  persons  have  successively  served  as  burgess 
since  the  borough  was  incorporated:  1867,  Joseph  Hollopeter;  1868,  J.  P. 
Starr;  1869,  Nicholas  Ganger;  1870,  C.  O.  Bachman;  1871,  Philip  Shay; 
1872,  S.  M.  Miller;  1873,  William  M.  Wagner;  1871,  J.  P.  Starr;  1875, 
Phineas  Leiser;  1876-80,  John  R.  Cooner;  1881-82,  W.  Brady  Piatt;  1883- 
84,  J.  H.  Wagner;  1885-86,  D.  C.  Hogue;  1887-88,  Lorenzo  Everitt;  1889- 
90,  E.  Sherm'an  FoUmer;  1890,  Alfred  Hockley;  1891,  J.  F.  McClure. 

Hope  Hose  Fire  Company,  No.  1,  was  organized  on  the  11th  of  June, 
1873;  the  frame  building  at  the  foot  of  Second  street  occupied  by  this  com- 
pany was  erected  in  1875. 

SECRET    AND    FRATERNAL    SOCIETIES. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  societies  at  Watsontown  with  dates  of  organization 


Wo^^    Jl/a/f^^cvcA>, 


WATSONTOWN.  687 

or  institution:  \Vatsonto\\'n  Lodge,  Xo.  401,  F'.  &  A.  M.,  January  16,  1S68; 
"Warrior  Kun  Chapter.  Xo.  246,  R.  A.  M.,  January  23,  1ST4;  "Watsontown 
Lodge,  Xo.  619,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  January  25,  1S68;  Bry-son  Post,  No.  225,  G.  A. 
R.,  September  30,  1881;  Washington  Camp,  Xo.  229,  P.  0.  S.  of  A.,  May 
19,  1884:  Freeland  Castle,  Xo.  217,  K.  G.  K.Xovember  3, 1887. 

EDUCATIOX.iL    .\XD    LITERARY    EFFORT. 

The  first  school  house  in  the  vicinity  of  Watsonto^vn  was  erected  in  1790. 
It  was  a  log  structure,  and  was  situated  near  the  bank  of  the  run  which  flows 
a  short  distance  south  of  where  the  PhiLidelphia  and  Erie  depot  now  stands. 
The  name  of  the  tirst  teacher  in  this  pioneer  school  house  is  not  ascertainable, 
but.  whoever  he  may  have  been,  the  youth  of  the  cormnunity  received  the 
rudiments  of  an  education  in  this  old  log  school  house  imtil  1800,  when  the 
second  building  was  erected.  This  was  a  somewhat  larger  structure  and  was 
situated  on  an  elevation  .south  of  the  present  residence  of  R.  C.  McKee.  It 
served  as  a  place  of  instruction  until  1833,  when  a  more  elaborate  frame 
building  was  erected  at  the  intersection  of  the  Sinking  Spring  and  Bald 
Eagle  roads,  now  the  corner  of  Fifth  and  Liberty  streets.  It  was  used  for 
school  purposes  until  1.S59,  when  it  was  destroyed  by  lire  and  an  academy 
was  built  east  of  the  railroad  on  Front  or  First  street  by  Joseph  Hogue, 
Peter  Schaeffer,  Joseph  Everitt,  Joseph  Hollojieter,  "William  H.  FoUmer, 
Daniel  Kremer,  and  others.  Here  the  educational  work  of  the  town  was  con- 
ducted until  1882,  when  the  building  was  closed  and  remained  unoccuj^ied 
until  1889;  it  was  then  reojiened  and  has  since  been  used  as  a  borough  jjoor- 
house. 

The  present  public  school  building  was  erected  on  the  comer  of  Eighth 
and  Elm  streets  in  1882.  It  is  a  brick  structure  two  stories  high,  and  con- 
tains eight  school  rooms  with  two  additional  recitation  rooms.  The  corner- 
stone was  laid  with  Masonic  ceremonies  May  27th  of  that  year,  on  which 
occasion  Professor  G.  "W.  Wrightmyer  was  orator  and  Robert  H.  McCormick 
chief  marshal  for  the  ceremonies  of  the  day.  The  directors  were  Oscar 
Foust,  Robert  Buck.  Samuel  M.  Miller.  Thomas  H.  Kistner,  E.  B.  Hogue, 
and  Dr.  S.  L.  Van  Valzah,  and  the  building  committee  consisted  of  Robert 
Buck  and  Thomas  H.  Kistner.  The  tirst  term  of  school  in  the  new  building 
was  opened  in  the  fall  of  1883  with  George  W.  "Wrightmyer  as  principal,  S.  C. 
Hartranft.  assistant  princrjial.  and  the  following  teachers:  Misses  Mae  Ren- 
ninger,  Jensie  M.  Kriner,  Bardilla  Kautz,  Sue  H.  McCarty,  and  Alma  S. 
Kerstetter.  and  Mr.  J.  D.  Nimick. 

The  First  Literary  Society  at  ^Vatsonto^vn  was  organized  in  1SI)0,  with 
D.  C.  Hogue,  J.  P.  Starr,  A.  S.  Lamm.  Worthing  Maxiel.  John  R.  Cooner, 
George  Piper,  and  C.  M.  King  as  its  original  members:  the  first  president 
was  D.  C.  Hogue  with  A.  S.  Lamm  as  secretary.  At  the  outbreak  of  the 
civil  war  the    society  was   abandoned;    in   1869  it  was    reorganized  with 


baa  HISTORY  of  Northumberland  county. 

renewed  energy  and  zeal.  Quite  a  niunber  of  new  names  were  added  to  the 
roll  at  that  time,  and  by  a  vigorous  financial  policy  the  society  succeeded  in 
erecting  the  hall  at  the  corner  of  Second  and  Main  streets.  This  building 
now  constitutes  the  Watsontown  opera  house. 

The  Watsontown  Lyceum  was  the  next  literary  society.  Princij^ally 
through  the  efforts  of  Dr.  J.  J.  Leiser  a  stock  comjjany  was  formed  and  a 
suitable  building  erected,  after  which  a  formal  organization  was  effected  on 
the  first  Monday  of  May,  1S76,  with  H.  F.  Algert  as  first  president;  he  was 
succeeded  in  this  office  by  William  F.  Shay. 

Local  Papers. — There  was  no  newspajDer  at  Watsontown  until  1870, 
when  a  company  was  formed  and  a  paper  established.  The  name  adopted 
was  the  Watsontown  Record,  which  was  conducted  by  a  company  for  some 
time,  afterward  experiencing  numerous  changes  in  ownership  and  manage- 
ment until  its  pm-chase  by  the  proprietors  of  the  Star,  Fosnot  &  Burr,  in 
1884.  The  Star  was  the  second  paper  established,  and  was  started  in  1882, 
the  first  copy  being  issued  on  the  1st  of  April  in  that  year.  The  first  pro- 
prietors were  Fosnot  &  Fisher.  After  the  purchase  of  the  Watsontown  Rec- 
ord in  1884,  the  name  was  changed  to  the  Record  and  Star,  which  it  still 
retains.     L.  C.  Fosnot  is  the  editor  and  proprietor. 

The  Blade  was  established  by  J.  Ward  Diehl,  and  the  first  copy  was 
issued,  May  13,  1880. 

The  Agricultural  Epitomist  was  published  at  Watsontown  from  its 
inception  in  1882  until  its  removal  to  Indianapolis,  Indiana,  in  1880. 

CHURCHES. 

The  second  stor}-  of  the  academy  building  was  designed  as  a  place  of 
worship  for  all  denominations,  and  was  so  used  until  the  erection  of  the  dif- 
ferent church  edifices.  The  first  Sunday  school  of  the  town,  a  union  organ- 
ization, was  held  here:  the  first  superintendent  was  Joseph  Hollopeter,  and 
the  first  assistant  superintendent  was  William  H.  FoUmer. 

The  Watsontoicn  Baptist  Church  is  the  oldest  organization  of  that  denom- 
ination in  the  northern  part  of  Northumberland  county.  It  originated  in  the 
labors  of  William  S.  Hall  of  White  Deer  valley,  who,  with  the  assistance  of  W. 
B.  Bingham,  commenced  a  series  of  religous  meetings  in  the  school  house  at 
Watsontown  in  May,  1840.  Mr.  Hall  continued  services  at  Watsontown, 
Scott's  school  house,  and  Abram  Steamer's  grove  for  some  time,  and  at  fre- 
quent intervals  administered  baptism.  As  a  result  of  these  efforts  the  fol- 
lowing members  at  White  Deer  valley  and  Clinton  were  organized  as  a  reg- 
ular Baptist  church,  August  12,  1841:  John  Snyder,  John  Oyster,  Joseph 
Everitt,  Sr.,  Joseph  Everitt,  Jr.,  Robert  Everitt,  Samuel  Dougherty,  Lansing 
Burrows,  WiUiam  W.  Burrows,  Thomas  Crawford,  Amos  Anderson,  Benja- 
min Oyster,  Mary  McCoy,  Esther  Oyster,  Lucy  Ann  Everitt,  Elizabeth  Ever- 
itt,  Margaret  Guif\-,  Mary   Ann  Mackey,  Mary   Burrows,   Catherine  Hays, 


WATSONTOWX.  689 

Elizabeth  Anderson,  and  Catherine  Ovstei-.  The  sermon  at  this  service  was 
dehvered  by  Elder  D.  C.  Waite,  prayer,  by  Elder  J.  G.  Miles,  right  hand  of 
fellowship,  by  Isaac  Jones,  and  charge  to  the  newly  organized  church,  by 
W.  S.  Hall,  who  became  the  first  pastor. 

The  first  place  of  worship  was  a  small  frame  building  situated  near  the 
center  of  Delaware  township  on  Delaware  run.  Here  the  congregation  met 
\mtil  1870,  when  they  erected  a  church  editice  at  Watsontown.  The  con- 
tract was  drawn  up  between  the  building  committee,  Joseph  Everitt,  George 
Burns,  Theodore  Carey,  and  James  W.  Johnson,  and  the  contractors,  Conrad 
Springer  and  Lewis  Koch,  July  14,  1870.  The  church  building  is  a  two- 
story  frame  structure,  and  was  erected  at  a  cost  of  thirty-five  hundred  dol- 
lars. It  stands  on  Main  street  at  the  comer  of  Fifth.  The  history  of  the 
church  has  been  marked  by  frequent  pastoral  changes. 

The  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  had  its  origin,  in  the  vicinity  of  Watson- 
to^-n,  at  the  Swamp  school  house,  where  a  class  was  formed  in  1858.  In  the 
following  year  the  society  was  organized  at  the  incipient  village  of  Watson- 
town. with  Joseph  HoUopeter  as  leader;  among  the  first  members  were  Mrs. 
Susan  HoUopeter,  Benjamin  Grier  and  vnie,  John  Shadel  and  wife,  and  Mrs. 
Martha  Stover.  The  society  worshiped  at  the  school  house,  the  academy 
building,  and  elsewhere  \intil  1872,  when  the  present  two-story  brick  church 
editice  on  Third  street  was  erected  under  the  supervision  of  a  building  com- 
mittee composed  of  Joseph  HoUopeter,  John  Goodman,  and  John  Seiler.  The 
lecture  room  was  dedicated,  November  10,  1872,  but  the  audience  room  re- 
mained unfinished  for  some  years.  The  last  payment  of  the  church  debt  was 
made,  February  22,  1883.  The  parsonage,  a  frame  building  at  the  corner  of 
Fourth  and  Liberty  streets,  was  purchased  in  1883.  The  following  is  a  list 
of  pa.stors  since  the  organization  of  the  first  class:  1858,  Samuel  Barnes,  A. 
E.  Taylor;  1859,  John  A.  De  Moyer,  A.  E.  Taylor;  1860,  George  Warren, 
J.  -A  Dixon;  1861,  C.  F.  Thomas;  1862,  F.  Gearhart,  H.  C.  Pardoe;  1863, 
S.  C.  Swallow;  1864-65,  John  W.  Haughawout,  E.  Shoemaker;  1866,  B.  P. 
King.  Ehal  L.  Chilcoat;  1867,  H.  Wilson,  W.  W.  Reese;  1868,  H.  Wilson, 
Thomas  O.  Cleese;  1869-70,  F.  Gearhart,  J.  Comp;  1871-73,  J.  W.  Olewine, 
C.  W.  Burnley;  1874-75,  J.  A.  Woodcock;  1876,  A.  W.  Gibson;  1877-78, 
B.  P.  King;  1879-SO,  Benjamin  H.  Crever;  1881-83,  Andrew  E.  Taylor; 
1SS4^85,  David  H.  Shields;  1886-87,  William  McK.  Reily;  1888-89,  John 
W.  Buckley;  1890,  W.  W.  Reese. 

Trinity  Reformed  Church.  — The  first  service  of  the  Reformed  church  at 
Watsontown  was  held  in  the  academy  building,  June  20,  1864.  For  two 
years  services  were  conducted  by  Rev.  S.  H.  Reid,  but  no  organization  was 
effected  until  Juno  24,  1866,  when  thirteen  persons  presented  certificates  of 
membership,  and  the  following  officers  were  elected:  Peter  Schaeffer  and 
William  Bnmibaoh  as  elders,  and  William  H.  Follmer  and  Simon  Lantz  as 
deacons.     During  the  same  year  negotiations  were  made  with  the  Lutheran 


690  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

congregation  for  the  erection  of  a  hoiise  of  worship  to  be  used  bv  both 
chnrches.  The  building  was  erected  on  the  northeast  comer  of  Main  and 
Fourth  streets.  The  corner-stone  was  laid,  July  15,  1860,  but  owing  to  the 
death  of  William  H.  Follmer,  one  of  the  most  influential  members,  and  finan- 
cial embarrassments,  the  building  was  not  dedicated  until  May  12th  in  the 
following  year.  During  this  time  the  congregation  was  without  a  pastor 
and  its  interests  languished;  the  membership  became  small  and  virtually 
disbanded.  At  this  jimcture  a  reorganization  was  effected,  July  23,  1867,  by 
Rev.  H.  Mosser,  and  the  church  was  attached  to  the  Paradise  charge.  The 
members  at  this  time  were  Peter  Schaeffer,  Daniel  Carl,  S.  L.  Milliard, 
Charles  Bealor,  Alexander  Rodgers,  Mrs.  Catherine  Everitt,  D.  J.  Krebs, 
Simon  Lantz,  Mrs.  Catherine  Rambach,  Mrsj  Elizabeth  FoUmer,  William 
Brumbach,  Rachel  Brumbach,  and  George  Mull.  The  same  officers  were 
elected  as  at  the  former  organization,  except  that  D.  J.  Krebs  was  chosen  to 
till  the  office  before  intrusted  to  William  H.  Follmer,  who  died,  July  17, 
1866. 

The  interest  of  this  congregation  in  the  union  church  building  was  sold 
to  the  Lutherans,  May  1,  1886,  and  on  the  following  day  a  congregational 
meeting  was  held,  when  Thomas  Mast,  Mahlon  Metzger,  H.  Wagner,  D.  A. 
Engle,  and  George  W.  Hess  were  appointed  to  purchase  a  lot  upon  which  to 
erect  a  church  edifice.  The  present  location  was  secured,  and  the  comer- 
stone  of  the  new  church  was  laid,  July  4,  1886,  with  appropriate  ceremonies. 
The  building  committee  consisted  of  H.  F.  Algert,  Thomas  Mast,  Mahlon 
Metzger,  J.  H.  Wagner,  D.  A.  Engle,  G.  W.  Hess,  and  J.  W.  Muftiy.  The 
church  was  erected  at  a  cost  of  twelve  thousand  dollars,  and  dedicated.  Feb- 
ruary 20,  1887,  Rev.  J.  H.  Bomberger,  D.  D.,  officiating.  Since  that  time  a 
parsonage  has  been  erected  on  the  adjoining  lot  at  a  cost  of  three  thousand 
five  hundred  dollars.  From  the  time  of  its  reorganization  the  congregation 
has  been  served  by  Reverends  H.  Mosser,  J.  K.  Millett,  and  George  S.  Sorber, 
the  present  pastor. 

The  First  Lutheran  Church  was  organized  in  1866.  The  first  council 
consisted  of  Samuel  M.  Miller.  Samuel  W.  Hitman,  Abram  Goodman,  and 
Silas  Rambach.  An  arrangement  was  effected  with  the  Reformed  congre- 
gation for  the  erection  of  a  imion  church  edifice,  which  was  completed  in 
1867,  as  stated  in  the  history  of  Trinity  Reformed  church.  This  union  was 
dissolved  in  1886,  when  the  church  property  was  purchased  by  the  Lutheran 
congregation.  The  old  building  was  removed  and  the  present  church  edifice 
erected  at  its  former  site  during  the  same  year.  It  is  a  brick  structure,  and 
was  finished  at  a  cost  of  twenty  thousand  dollars,  under  the  super\'ision  of 
G.  W.  Rombach,  J.  H.  Harley,  Samuel  M.  Miller,  Charles  Heilman,  Isaac 
Stryker,  and  J.  G.  Bower,  who  constituted  the  building  committee.  The 
comer-stone  was  laid,  July  25,  1886,  and  the  church  was  dedicated,  March 
6,  1887.     The  following  is  a  list  of  pastors  since  the  erection  of  the  union 


WATSONTOWN.  691 

church:  Reverends  Thomas  C.  Billheimer;  Mr.  Keller;  P.  S.  Mack,  July  1, 
1871,  to  July  1,  1873;    S.  P.  Orwig,  October  1,  1873,  to  October  1,  1878; 

A.  K.  Zimmerman,  Jvme  1,  1879,  to  November  1,  1881;  Samuel  G.  Shannon, 
June  1,  1882,  to  March  1,  1883;  and  F.  \V.  Staley,  May  1.  1885,  to  May  1, 
1890;  M.  H.  Fishburn,  1890. 

First  Presbyterian  Church. — In  compliance  with  a  petition  presented  at 
a  meeting  of  the  Northumberland  Presbytery  at  Le^yisburg.  April  17,  1872, 
requesting  the  organization  of  a  Presbj-terian  church  at  "\Yatsonto^vn,  the 
following  committee  was  appointed  to  perform  that  duty  if  they  should  deem 
it  advisable:  Rev.  J.  C.  Watson,  D.  D.,  Rev.  B.  L.  Jones,  and  Elder  Robert 
Laird.  On  the  first  Sabbath  of  the  following  June  a  meeting  was  held  at 
Watsontown  for  this  purpose.  After  a  discourse  by  Rev.  J.  C.  Watson,  D.  D., 
the  following  j^ersons  organized  as  a  Presbyterian  church  according  to  the 
regulations  of  the  presbytery:  William  B.  Bryson,  Dr.  J.  H.  Himter,  Martha 
Hunter,  William  Bryson,  Marj'  Bryson,  Samuel  Bryson,  Martha  Bryson, 
Reuben  Bryson,  Sarah  Bryson,  Elizabeth  Himter,  James  L.  Schooly,  Charles 
Sterner,  Elizabeth  Campbell,  Rebecca  McKee,  Mary  E.  Lowrj-.  Mary  Camp- 
bell, Ellen  Hughes,  Emily  Hughes,  Ellen  Campbell,  Jane  M.  Lowry,  Sarah 
McKee,  Emund  H.  Russell,  Almira  Russell,  Philip  Shay,  Emma  Shay,  Anna 
R.  McKean,  Elizabeth  McKean,  Lucinda  McKean,  Margaret  McKean,  Samuel 
W.  Riddle,  Margery  Guffy,  Mary  Ann  Weiler,  Stephen  J.  Braley,  Mary 
Braley,  and  Francis  Hammond.  On  the  same  day  William  Br}-son,  Joseph 
H.  Hunter,  and  Samuel  W.  Riddle  were  elected  elders,  and  Samuel  Caldwell, 
Philip  Shay,  and  James  Schooly  were  chosen  as  trustees.  The  name  of 
"First  Presbyterian  Church  of  Watsonto^vn"  was  adopted,  and  the  minutes 
of  its  organization  were  approved  by  presbytery,  September  3il.  1873. 

In  1874  a  one-story  brick  church  was  erected  on  the  northwest  corner  of 
Main  and  Fourth  streets  at  a  cost  of  thirteen  thousand  dollars.  The  building 
committee  were  Samuel  Caldwell,  Robert  M.  McKee,  Enoch  Everitt,  Enos  Ever- 
itt,  and  Isaac  Vincent;  the  trustees  at  that  time  were  James  L.  Schooly, William 

B.  Bryson,  Isaac  Vincent,  Enoch  Everitt,  and  Samuel  Caldwell.  The  church 
was  dedicated,  January  5,  1875,  Rev.  James  C.  Watson,  D.  D.,  officiating. 
During  the  twenty  years  of  its  history  the  following  pastors  have  served  the 
church:  Reverends  George  Eliott,  David  Kennedy,  and  George  S.  Van  Alen. 

WATSONTOWN    CEMETERY. 

The  first  meeting  for  the  organization  of  a  cemetery  association  was  held, 
May  28,  1866,  when  George  Burns  was  elected  president,  A  B.  Latchaw, 
secretary,  and  Silas  Rambach,  treasurer.  A  charter  of  incorporation  was 
granted,  November  5,  1866,  to  the  following  persons:  Silas  Rambach, 
Christian  Gosh,  Simon  Lantz,  Samuel  Whitman,  Samuel  Miller,  George 
Burns,  F.  S.  Whitman,  Joseph  HoUopeter,  Enos  Everitt,  A.  T.  Goodman, 
Peter  Shaeffer,  A.  B.  Latchaw,  John  Bly,  WiUiam  Cooner,  Robert  Johnson, 


692  HISTORY    OF   NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

D.  S.  Kremer,  Joseph  Albright,  Joseph   Everitt,  John  Y.   Ellis,  and   Cyrus 
Bnunbach.     The  tract   lies   to  the  east  of  the   borough,  and  contains  eight 


CHAPTER  XX. 

TITRBrT  TOWNSHIP. 

Erection  and  Orioixal  Bi)rNDARiEf< — Subdivision  and  Present  Area — Pioneers 
—iMiLi.s—CnoKiiEs— Schools— Cemeteries. 

THE  present  area  of  Turbut  township  is  but  a  small  fraction  of  the  ter- 
ritory comprised  within  its  limits  more  than  a  century  ago.  It  was 
one  of  the  original  subdivisions  of  the  county,  and  was  erected  on  the  9th 
of  April,  1772,  at  the  first  court  of  private  sessions  in  Northumberland 
county,  with  the  following  boundaries: — 

Beginning  on  the  east  side  of  Susquehanna  at  Fort  Augusta;  thence  up  the 
easterly  side  of  the  Xortheast  Branch  to  the  old  line  formerly  run  for  a  division  be- 
tween Berks  and  Xorthampton  counties;  thence  by  the  same  line  northwest  to  the  top 
of  Muncy  Hill;  thence  along  the  top  of  the  same  westerly  to  the  West  Branch  of  Sus- 
Cjuehanna,  and  crossing  the  same  to  the  west  side,  and  down  the  same  to  the  junction 
of  the  branches,  and  crossing  Susquehanna  to  the  place  of  beginning  so  as  to  include 
the  forks  and  island. 

These  limits  comprised  all  of  Northumberland  and  Montour  counties 
north  of  the  Suscjuehanna,  with  a  large  part  of  Columbia.  It  is  doul)tful, 
however,  whether  "the  old  line  formerly  rim  for  a  division  between  Berks 
and  Northampton  counties"  was  ever  regarded  practically  as  the  ea.stern 
boundary  of  Turbut.  At  February  sessions,  1775,  a  petition  was  presented 
for  the  consideration  of  the  county  court  of  quarter  sessions,  setting  forth 
that  Turbut  was  "too  extensive  for  the  management  of  one  constable,  col- 
lector, or  assistant  assessor,"  whereupon  a  division  was  ordered  by  a  line — 

Beginning  opposite  the  mouth  of  Chillisquaque  creek  on  the  West  Branch  of  Sus- 
ciuehanna,  and  crossing  the  same  to  the  mouth  of  Chillisquaque  creek,  and  up  the 
south  side  of  the  said  creek  to  the  forks;  thence  up  the  east  branch  of  the  said  Clhil- 
lisquaque  creek  to  the  head  thereof,  thence  by  an  east  line  to  Fishing  creek. 

The  territorv-  between  this  line  and  the  North  Branch,  bounded  on  the 
east  by  Fishing  creek  and  on  the  west  by  the  West  Branch,  received  the 
name  of  Mahoning  township.  This  deprived  Turbut  of  nearly  half  its  for- 
mer territorj',  but  it  still  retained  its  position  as  the  most  northerly  township 
within  the  present  limits  of  Northumberland  county.  At  May  sessions, 
1786,  Derry  was  formed  from  that  part  of  its  remaining  area  east  of  the  road 


TURBUT     TOWNSHIP.  693 

leading  "  from  Mimcy  Hill  to  Montgomery's  mill "  (DanTille) ;  and  at  the  same 
term  of  conrt  it  was  further  curtailed  by  the  erection  of  Chillisquaque,  with 
Limestone  ridge  as  the  line  of  division.  By  the  act  erecting  Columbia 
county  (March  22,  1S18),  Turbut,  with  the  remaining  part  of  Northiunber- 
land  north  of  Montour's  ridge,  was  assigned  to  the  new  county,  of  which  it 
remained  a  part  until  February  21,  1815.  It  was  then  reannexed  to  North- 
umberland, but  on  the  22d  of  January,  1816,  the  present  line  of  Northum- 
berland and  Montour  was  established,  again  depriving  Turbut  of  a  portion 
of  its  territory  on  the  east. 

The  division  of  Turbut  was  first  agitated  in  1836.  As  reduced  by  the 
act  of  1816  it  had  an  area  of  about  one  hundred  square  miles,  with  an 
extreme  length  of  thirteen  miles  from  north  to  south  and  an  average  width 
of  eight  miles:  and  in  1836  the  population  is  represented  as  having  been  five 
or  six  thoiisand.  with  eight  or  nine  hundred  voters.  It  was  suggested  that 
the  line  of  division  should  begin  at  the  mouth  of  Warrior  run  and  extend  in 
a  general  easterly  direction,  but  the  viewers  appointed  by  the  court  returned 
an  imfavorable  rejxirt.  In  November,  1838,  division  was  again  petitioned 
for  by  an  east  and  west  line;  as  reasons  for  this  it  was  urged  that  the  town- 
ship sttstained  twenty-six  public  schools,  "which  reqitire  more  attention  than 
any  six  directors  are  willing  to  bestow  upon  them  without  a  compensation;" 
and  that  important  public  roads  traversed  its  territory  in  every  direction,  for 
which  the  care  of  the  present  number  of  supervisors  was  entirely  inadequate. 
The  effort  was  again  unsuccessful,  but  the  agitation  was  resumed  in 
November,  18-12,  and  reached  the  desired  consvunmation  at  April  sessions, 
1843,  when  William  Nesbit  and  Frederick  Lazarus,  commissioners  to  whom 
the  matter  was  referred,  reported  favorably  to  the  formation  of  two  additional 
to\vnships  from  that  part  of  Turbut  north  of  the  following  described  line: — 

IJeginniug  at  a  point  on  the  West  Branch  of  the  Susquehanna  eighteen  perches 
north  of  tlie  north  line  of  the  farm  of  George  Good;  thence  south  eighty-seven  and  a 
half  degrees  east  sixteen  hundred  five  perches  to  a  point  on  the  Derry  mad  near  the 

house  of ;  thence  along  said  road  north  sixty-eight  degrees  east  four  hundred  four 

perches  to  the  line  of  Columbia  county. 

The  two  new  to^-nships  received  the  respective  names  of  Delaware  and 
Lewis;  the  division  was  confirmed,  April  1').  1843,  thus  establishing  the 
present  northern  boundary  of  Turbut.  In  1817  Milton  was  incorporated 
from  its  area,  and  the  enlargement  of  that  borough  in  1890  reduced  the 
township  to  its  present  limits.  It  is  now  one  of  the  smallest  subdivisions  of 
the  coitntv. 


After  the  formation  of  Chillisquaque  and  Derry  townships  Turbut  included, 
in  addition  to  its  present  area,  the  townships  of  Delaware  and  Lewis  and  a  portion 
of  Montour  county  (Limestone  township) ;  the  taxable  inhabitants  of  this  terri- 
tory in  1787  were  as  follows:  James  Anderson,  Robert  Allen,  William  Boyd, 


694  HISTORY    OF   NORTHUMBEKLAND    COUNTY. 

William  Brown,  Jacob  Bruner,  Daniel  Backus,  Samnel  Blair,  Thomas  Barr, 
James  Blaine,  James  Biggars,  Mathew  Bradley,  Peter  Brugler,  Matthew  Currv, 
Silas  Cook,  Robert  Carrigan,  Robert  Cairns,  Samuel  Clark,  John  Covert,  Charles 
Clark,  Titus  Doane,  Stephen  Drake,  Thomas  De  Armond,  John  De  Armond. 
Philip  Davis,  William  Davis,  Neal  Davis,  John  Durham,  John  Eason,  Robert 
Eason,  James  Espy,  Barnabas  Farran,  John  Fulkerson,  John  Fitzsimmons, 
William  Fitzsimmons,  James  Fitzsimmons,  Robert  Fitzsimmons,  John  FoU- 
mer,  James  Ferguson, George  Follmer,  Jacob  Follmer,  Michael  Follmer.  Fred- 
erick FoUmer,  Alexander  Fullerton,  Michael  Freeland,  Alexander  Guffy, 
William  Gilmore,  Thomas  Gilmore,  Ephraim  Garrison,  John  Gibbons,  Sam- 
uel Gold,  John  Gilliland,  Alexander  Gibson,  William  Howell,  James  Hays. 
George  Hammond,  Archibald  Hume,  Hiigh  Hamilton,  William  Hutchison, 
Joseph  Hutchison,  Aaron  Herarod,  James  Hammond,  James  Harrison,  David 
Hammond,  George  Hood,  John  Hood,  David  Ireland,  Peter  Jones,  Robert  Ken- 
nedy, Jolm  Kennedy,  John  Kerr,  Martin  Kieffer,  Nathaniel  Landon,  Jacob  Lang, 
Cornelius  Low,  John  Livingston,  William  Layton,  Thomas  Love,  John  Lytle, 
Gaun  McConnell,  Neal  McCoy,  Charles  McClung,  James  McClung,  Mat- 
thew McClung,  William  McCormick,  James  McAfee,  John  McGowan,  Sam- 
uel McGhee,  George  McGhee,  John  Maxwell,  Alba  McMath,  Robert  iUles, 
William  Miles,  James  Mecklem,  John  Montgomery,  John  Montgomery.  Jr., 
Robert  Montgomery,  Barney  Murray,  Abigail  Moodie,  William  McWiUiams, 
William  McKnight,  John  McKnight,  Felix  McCloskey,  Michael  Minegar, 
John  Nelson,  James  Patton,  Adam  Prunner,  Daniel  Perrine,  Thomas  Phillijjs, 
Samuel  Pollock,  William  Russell,  Andrew  Russell,  Edward  Ryan,  John 
Ryan,  Robert  Rhea,  Robert  Smith,  Catherine  Swisher,  John  Scott.  John 
Smith,  Ralph  Swartwout,  Jacob  Smith,  Jacob  Shipman,  Matthew  Smith, 
Thomas  Stadden,  Philip  Schultz,  Garret  Sickles,  John  Shearer,  Henry  Ster- 
ritt,  William  Shaw,  Thomas  Toner,  John  Tweed,  Robert  Taggart,  Frederick 
Taylor,  William  Taylor,  Daniel  Vincent,  Richard  Vauderhoof,  Garret  Yan- 
reper,  John  Vanreper,  John  Vandegrift,  Peter  Vandeevnor,  John  Vandyke, 
James  Watt,  John  Watt,  John  Wood,  John  W.  Wilson,  John  Wilson.  John 
White,  William  Wykoff,  Bernard  Winteringer,  Isaac  Williams,  James  Wil- 
son, Samuel  Wilson,  Fleming  Wilson,  Samuel  Wilson,  James  Welsh. 

Robert  Carrigan  was  assessed  with  one  servant;  David  Ireland,  with  one 
negro;  William  Shaw  with  one  servant  and  one  negro  woman;  Garret  Van- 
reper, with  one  negro. 


Hawkins  Boone  erected  the  first  mill  in  the  township ;  it  stood  on  Muddy 
run,  and  was  built  prior  to  the  year  1779,  when  the  proprietor  lost  his  hfe  in 
an  attempt  to  relieve  Fort  Freeland  with  a  company  of  rangers  under  his  com- 
mand, and  his  property  was  destroyed. 

In  IS-tO  Abraham  and  Isaac  Straub  removed  their  extensive  grain  and 


TURBUT     TOWNSHIP.  695 

lumber  mills  from  the  island  opposite  Milton  to  the  mouth  of  Muddy  n;n. 
They  were  the  inventors  of  a  reaction  water-wheel,  the  first  in  the  United 
States,  and  their  operations  were  quite  extensive.  Their  water  jwwer  was 
derived  from  the  river,  dams  having  been  constructed  on  both  sides  of  the 
island;  but  the  erection  of  the  Lewisburg  dam  interfered  with  these  arrange 
ments,  and  hence  the  selection  of  a  new  location  at  the  mouth  of  Muddy  rim 
Chamberlin  &  Bisel,  Yager  &  Bisel,  John  Ott,  and  W.  B.  Kemerer  succes 
sively  continued  the  business;  on  the  2Sth  of  March,  1874.  the  miU  was 
burned,  involving  a  loss  of  twenty  thousand  dollars.  It  was  immediately 
replaced  by  the  present  building,  a  substantial  frame  structure. 

William  Follmer  erected  a  mill  on  Limestone  rim  in  the  southeastern 
part  of  the  townshiii  and  operated  it  for  several  years;  it  was  then  removed 
to  Pottsgrove,  and  subsequently  destroyed  by  tire. 

CHUKCHES. 

Follmer  s  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church  derives  the  name  by  which  it 
is  popularly  and  generally  knowTi  from  the  Follmer  family,  by  whom  it  was 
founded.  The  following  extract  is  taken  from  the  will  of  Michael  Follmer, 
dated  October  7,  1793:  "Fifteen  pounds  to  the  Dutch  Lutheran  church,  and 
ten  pounds  toward  the  building  of  a  school  house,  and  ten  poimds  shall  be 
disposed  of  toward  the  teaching  of  the  poor  children  which  may  belong  to 
the  church  above  mentioned,  which  will  be  built  in  the  township  of  Turbut." 
That  it  was  accordingly  built  is  sufKciently  evidenced  by  the  following  ex- 
tract from  a  deed  from  Conrad  Cook  to  John  Follmer,  dated  April  13.  1799: 
"  Conrad  Cook  and  John  Follmer  by  their  article  of  agreement  [dated  Au- 
gust 28,  1791)],  did  agree  that  agreeably  to  the  will  of  Michael  Follmer.  de- 
ceased, two  acres  of  ground  should  be  given  for  the  use  of  the  Lutheran 
congregation,  whereon  the  Lutheran  meeting  house  now  stand.'^.  agreeably 
to  marks  and  bounds  made  in  the  survey  by  William  Da^■is.■■  This  first 
church  building  was  a  one-story  log  structure,  with  galleries  to  which  an 
outside  stairway  ascended.  It  was  replaced  in  1859-60  by  the  present  sub- 
stantial two-storj-  brick  building. 

Rev.  J.  P.  F.  Kramer  was  pastor  in  1803,  and  on  the  16th  of  October  in 
that  year  the  following  list  of  communicants,  the  earliest  extant,  appears  in 
the  records:  Conrad  Menges  and  wife,  William  Ganger,  Catherine  Follmer, 
Bernard  Stein,  John  Stein,  Henrj-  Stein,  Peter  Menges,  Peter  Derr.  Conrad 
Menges  and  wife,  Jacob  Menges,  Tobias  Schutz.  Michael  Schmidt  and  wife, 
Eva  Stahl,  Catherine  Stahl,  John  Schmidt,  Jacob  Schmidt.  Peter  Fogelman, 
Catherine  Follmer,  Elizabeth  Schniedler,  Peter  Gerlacher,  John  Hauer,  Ja- 
cob Lilly  and  wife.  Barbara  Hauer,  Peter  Lilly,  John  Schuck.  Elizabeth 
(Follmer)  Schuck,  Christian  Zerbe  and  wife,  Peter  Schwartz  and  wife.  Eliza- 
beth Muller,  Elizabeth  (Fogelman)  Muller,  and  Anna  Fogelman.  Twenty- 
four  persons  were  confirmed  on  that  occasion. 


696  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBEBLAND    COUNTY. 

There  is  a  hiatus  in  the  records  from  1803  to  1837;  the  succession  of 
pastors  since  the  latter  date  has  been  as  follows:  Kev.  C.  Stoever,  1836-41 
S.  K.  Boyer,  1846-51:  B.  F.  Alleman,  1851-52;  Jesse  Wyncoff,  1852-56 
John  Williams,  1856-58:  C.  C.  Culler,  1858-60;  Augustus  Babb,  1860-62 
A.  K.  Home,  1863-65;  E.  J.  Wolf,  D.  D.,  1865-6-;  George  Sill,  1869-70 
J.  B.  Bergner,  1870-76:  Conrad  Huber,  1876-82;  J.  A.  Adams,  1883-88, 
and  G.  E.  Faber,  the  present  incumbent,  who  assumed  charge  in  1889. 

Paradise  Reformed  Church  is  situated  about  two  miles  southeast  of  Tur- 
butville,  on  the  Washingtonville  and  Milton  road.  Religious  services  were 
held  in  this  vicinity  as  early  as  1804  by  Eev.  John  W.  Ingold,  who  made 
occasional  visits  through  this  region.  The  place  of  worship  was  a  barn  in 
the  summer  and  a  dwelling  house  in  the  winter. 

On  the  27th  of  August.  ISOS,  a  congregational  meeting  was  held  at  which 
a  constitution  was  adopted  and  a  resolution  passed  to  erect  a  church  edifice 
on  ground  already  purchased  from  John  Christ  for  that  purpose.  The  land, 
two  acres,  had  been  bought  by  John  Stahl,  Michael  Koons,  and  John  Dieff- 
enbacher  for  the  sum  of  lifteen  pounds.  A  large  one-story  log  building  was 
at  once  erected,  which  was  so  arranged  as  to  serve  for  both  church  and  school 
house,  by  means  of  a  sliding  partition  which  was  closed  for  school  purposes 
and  opened  for  church  ser^'ices.  The  building  was  completed  in  1S09,  at  a 
cost  of  thirty-seven  pounds  and  eighteen  shillings.  The  purchasers  of  the 
land  were  made  tirst  trustees  of  both  church  and  school.  This  building  is 
still  standing  near  the  church  and  is  used  as  a  sexton's  house;  during  its 
early  history  it  was  kno^vn  as  Eshbach's  school  house. 

In  1810  Rev.  Jacob  Dieffenbach  became  pastor  and  served  the  congrega- 
tion until  1815,  when  he  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  Justus  Henry  Fries.  He 
preached  in  the  old  log  school  house  every  fourth  Sabbath  until  1822,  during 
which  time  he  baptized  one  hundred  five  children  and  contirmed  seventy-one 
persons. 

In  1824  the  brick  church  building,  now  owned  by  the  Lutherans  and 
situated  near  the  Reformed  house  of  worship,  was  erected  through  the  united 
efforts  of  the  Reformed  and  Lutheran  people.  The  most  active  members  at 
this  time  were  Andrew  Cashner,  George  and  Peter  Krouse,  Daniel  Frymire, 
and  Peter  Rishel.  The  church  was  dedicated  in  August,  1824.  Rev.  Samuel 
Gutelius  became  the  next  pastor  and  was  the  first  to  conduct  services  in  the 
new  church  building.  In  1S61  the  Reformed  people  withdrew  from  this 
union  and  sold  their  interest  in  the  building  to  the  Lutherans.  They  at  once 
proceeded,  however,  to  erect  a  two-story  brick  edifice  not  far  from  the  old 
place  of  worship.  Daniel  Eshbach  and  Levi  Linn  served  as  a  biiilding  com- 
mittee, and  they,  with  David  FoUmer,  were  the  elders  at  that  time. 

The  following  ministers  have  served  the  congregation  since  1828:  Rev- 
erends Henry  Wagner,  Daniel  String,  George  Wolfe,  Lucius  Court,  A.  B. 
Albright,  Henry  Mosser,  John  K.  Millett,  and  George  S.  Sorber. 


TDEEUT    TOWNSHIP.  697 

Paradise  Lutheran  Church. — This  congregation  was  organized  as  early 
as  1824,  when  its  members  participated  in  the  erection  of  their  present 
church  edifice,  which  was  dedicated  in  August  of  that  year.  In  1801  the 
Reformed  congregation  withdrew  from  this  \mion  and  the  house  of  worship 
became  the  property  of  the  Lutheran  people.  It  is  a  brick  structure  and 
was  repaired  in  1873  at  a  cost  of  eleven  hundred  dollars.  Reverend  Sheets 
was  one  of  their  first  pastors. 

SCHOOLS. 

Perhaps  the  earliest  provision  for  education  within  the  present  limits 
of  Turbut  township  was  the  bequest  of  Michael  Follmer;  by  will,  dated 
October  T,  1793,  he  devised  ten  jjounds  for  the  erection  of  a  school  house 
and  an  equal  sum  for  the  education  of  poor  children  belonging  to  the 
Lutheran  church.  Parochial  schools  were  conducted  in  connection  with 
many  of  the  German  Lutheran  churches  of  Pennsylvania  at  that  period, 
and  a  desire  for  the  establishment  of  such  a  school  doubtless  prompted  the 
donor  in  his  bequest. 

The  public  school  system  was  adopted  in  1834,  and  has  been  creditably 
sustained,  with  the  exception  of  one  year,  to  the  present  time. 

CEMETERIES. 

St.  Joseph's  Catholic  Cemetery,  two  miles  east  of  Milton,  is  the  oldest 
consecrated  burial  ground  in  the  valley  of  the  West  Branch.  A  small  piece 
of  ground  was  given  by  the  Kieffer  family  for  burial  and  parochial  purposes 
at  an  early  period  in  the  historv-  of  this  region,  and,  owing  to  the  fact  that 
the  ground  was  afterwards  consecrated,  interments  were  made  here  from 
distant  points  throughout  the  central  part  of  the  State.  May  13, 1805,  John 
and  Margaret  Kieffer  finally  deeded  to  the  church  four  acres  adjoining  the 
original  site.  It  is  impossible  to  state  when  the  first  burial  occurred,  but  no 
doubt  as  early  as  1787;  the  earliest  inscription  is  that  of  Morris  Lawrence, 
who  departed  this  life  on  the  14th  of  June,  1702,  aged  one  hundred  nine 
years,  six  months,  and  twenty-one  days. 

The  Follmer  and  Paradise  Cemeteries  are  the  last  resting  places  of  the 
German  families  of  this  part  of  the  county  through  several  generations. 
Many  of  the  oldest  graves  are  immarked,  and  the  earliest  inscriptions  are 
usually  in  German  and  scarcely  legible. 


HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBEBLAND    COUNTY. 


CHAPTER   XXI. 
rppER  ArarsTA  township. 

Ekectios  of  Augusta  Township  .\nd  Devei.op.ment  of  Its  Subsequent  Boundaries 

— FOKMATION    OF  UPPER  AND    LoWEK  AUGCSTA — PlONEERS — R0:VDS   AND    StREAJIS 

— Industries — Schools — Churches. 

AT  the  first  court  of  private  sessions  for  Northumberland  county,  held 
at  Fort  Augusta  on  the  9th  of  April,  1772.  the  county  was  divided 
into  seven  townships,  of  which  the  second  mentioned,  Augusta,  was  thus 
described: — 

Beginning  at  the  mouth  of  Mahantango  On  the  west  side  of  Susquehanna;  thence 
with  the  county  line  crossing  Susquehanna  to  the  mouth  of  Mahantango  on  the  east 
side;  thence  with  the  said  county  line  up  Mahantango  to  the  Spread  Eagle  in  the  forks 
of  said  Mahantango;  thence  with  the  said  county  line  east-northeast  to  the  old  line 
formerly  run  for  a  division  between  Berks  and  Northampton  counties;  thence  bj' the 
same  old  line  northwest  to  the  East  Branch  of  Susquehanna;  thence  down  the  same  to 
Fort  Augusta;  thence  crossing  Susquehanna  and  down  the  same  to  the  place  of 
beginning. 

These  boundaries  included  all  that  part  of  the  present  area  of  Northum- 
berland coimty  south  of  the  North  Branch  of  the  Susquehanna  river,  with 
considerable  territory  in  Montour  and  Columbia;  and,  although  "the  old  line 
formerly  run  for  a  division  between  Berks  and  Northampton"  is  given  as 
the  eastern  limit  of  Augusta,  the  township  is  represented  in  17S5  as  extend- 
ing nearly  to  "the  plains  of  Wyoming,"  now  in  Luzerne  county.  In  the 
meantime  (at  February  sessions,  1775),  Mahanoy  township  was  formed  from 
that  part  of  Augusta  south  of  Mahanoy  mountain;  and  at  August  sessions, 
178-"),  Catawissa  was  erected  from  the  eastern  part  of  Augusta,  with  the 
present  eastern  line  of  Upper  Augusta,  extended  to  the  Line  mountain,  as 
the  line  of  division.  This  reduced  Augusta  to  the  territory  comprehended 
within  the  present  limits  of  Upper  and  Lower  Augusta,  Rockefeller,  Little 
Mahanoy,  parts  of  Zerbe  and  Cameron,  and  the  borough  of  Sunbury.  A  re- 
survey  of  its  southern  line  by  Abraham  McKiimey  and  Thomas  Woodside 
was  made  in  1812  under  the  direction  of  the  court  and  approved  at  Augusta 
sessions  in  that  year.  As  this  line  is  still  a  geographical  boundary  through- 
out its  entire  extent,  the  courses  and  distances  are  herewith  given: — 

Beginning  on  the  west  side  of  the  Susquehanna;  thence  south  si.xty-eight  degrees 
east  eight  hundred  perches  to  a  pine;  thence  south  eighty  degrees  east  three  hundred? 
sixty  perches  to  a  chestnut  oak;  thence  south  seventy-five  degrees  east  one  hundred 
seventy  perches  to  a  pine;  thence  east  twelve  hundred  forty  perches  to  a  chestnut  oak; 


UPPER  AUGUSTA  TOWNSHIP.  699 

thence  south  seventy-five  degrees  east  one  hundred  perches  to  a  chestnut  oak;  theuce 
south  eightj--five  degrees  east  thirty-one  hundred  perches  to  a  pine;  thence  north 
eighty-eight  degrees  east  three  hundred  seventy-two  perches  to  a  chestnut  oak  on  the 
Schuylkill  county  line. 

This  is  the  present  southern  boundary  of  Lo\ver  Augusta.  Little  Mahanoy, 
and  Cameron  to\\Tiships;  in  1812  it  sejiarated  Augusta  and  Shamokin  on  the 
north  from  Upper  and  Lower  Mahanoy  on  the  south. 

In  November,  1803,  the  borough  of  Simbiiry  was  erected  into  a  town- 
ship from  the  territory  of  Augusta,  which  reduced  the  latter  considerably  in 
population,  though  not  in  area.  A  division  was  first  agitated  in  1803,  but 
without  passing  the  initiatory  stage;  in  1822  it  was  proposed  to  form  a  new 
toAynshiji  from  Shamokin  and  Augusta;  and  three  years  later  a  division  o'f  the 
latter  was  suggested  by  an  east  and  west  line  striking  the  river  "  at  the  planta- 
tion of  Isaac  Martin,  two  miles  below  the  borough  of  Sunbury."  The  agitation 
was  then  suspended,  but  in  1838  the  court  was  again  petitioned  to  authorize  a 
division.  It  is  stated  that  the  township  "  extends  north  and  south  from 
Gravel  run  to  below  William  R.  Jones's,  a  distance  of  fourteen  miles,  and 
varies  in  width  east  and  west  from  four  to  six  miles;  "  the  Centre  turnpike  from 
Sunbury  to  its  intersection  with  the  Tulpehocken  road  and  that  thorough- 
fare to  the  township  line  were  suggested  as  the  line' of  division.  In  1839  a 
petition  was  presented  to  the  court,  evidently  from  residents  of  the  lower 
part  of  the  to^vnship,  who  concede  that  '•  the  upper  end  is  entitled  to  the 
name  of  Augusta  on  accoimt  of  the  old  Fort  Aiigusta,"  and  express  their 
wiUingness  "to  take  the  name  of  Porter  for  the  lower  end."  The  division 
of  Augusta  was  finally  consummated,  Ajiril  13,  1846.  On  the  4th  of  Novem- 
ber. 1840,  upon  the  report  of  George  Brosius,  Peter  Bixler,  and  Christian 
Allen,  Limestone  Valley  school  district  was  transferred  from  the  lower  to  the 
upper  division:  Shamokin  island,  originally  a  part  of  Point  townshij),  was 
transferred  to  Augusta,  April  9,  1838,  and  passed  to  the  upper  division  when 
the  township  was  divided. 


The  following  is  a  list  of  taxables  in  1788  in  Augusta  township,  which 
then  included  the  present  territory-  of  Ujiper  and  Lower  Augusta,  Rockefel- 
ler, Little  Mahanoy,  Svmbury,  and  a  small  part  of  Cameron  and  Zerbe:  Dan- 
iel Aurand,  John  Alward,  John  Adliim,  John  Buyers,  Alexander  Bell,  Paul 
Baldy,  Adam  Bait,  James  Burke,  Christian  Betz,  Peter  Betz,  Henry  Bart- 
sher.  Aaron  Baker,  John  Black,  James  Black,  Henry  Bucher,  John  Black, 
Jacob  Conrad,  Peter  Coldron,  Uriah  Clark,  Robert  Coldron,  John  Clingman, 
Nicholas  Canfield,  Henry  Crooks,  Duncan  Cameron,  John  Crouse,  Henry 
Douty,  William  Dewart,  John  Dome,  John  Dixon,  Bernard  Eyregood,  Jolin 
Erter,  Lawrence  Eichinger,  Martin  Epley,  Jasper  Ewing,  Leonard  Epley, 
George  Fink,  George  Frick,  William  Goodhart,  Adam   Gilger,  Alexander 


700  HISTOKY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

Grant,  Jacob  Gass,  Joseph  Gray,  Widow  Gough,  William  Gray,  Christopher 
Gettig,  Christian  Gettig,  Henry  Goodhart,  Widow  Geiger,  Andrew  Grove, 
Charles  Gobin,  Thomas  Grant,  Ludwig  Gass,  Lewis  Giberson,  Nicholas  Gail, 
Thomas  Giberson,  John  Gettig,  Alexander  Grant,  John  Harrison,  George 
Harrison,  George  Hall,  Widow  Hall,  Sebastian  Hites,  John  HoUoway,  Daniel 
Hurley,  Jacob  Heberling,  Widow  Haas,  William  Hoagland,  Samuel  Hahn, 
Stephen  Hurst,  Thomas  Hamilton,  Samuel  Jones,  George  Keyser,  George 
Kleber,  Dewalt  Kuntz,  Philip  Kennedy,  Peter  Kerlin,  Martin  Kendig,  Jacob 
Kiehl,  Laurence  Keene,  John  Kiehl,  Michael  Long,  Cornelius  Lamerson, 
Widow  Loy,  John  Long,  Joseph  Lorentz,  John  Lyon,  Christian  Lupp,  Henry 
/  Lebo,  William  Lacock,  John  Ludwig,  Samuel  Lyon,  William  Maclay,  Sam- 

l  uel   Moodie,  George   McMahan,  David   Melick,  Adam   Miller,  John  Melick, 

JjicobJIertz,  David  Mertz,  Jacob  Mextz,  Nicholas  Mantz,  Samuel  McLaugh- 
lin, David  ^lead,  William  McAdams,  Widow  McKinney,  Robert  McBride, 
Angus  McClout,  James  McWilliams,  Frederick  Meyer,  Leonard  Mertz,  Mar- 
cus Ponteous,  Jacob  Prisinger,  Benjamin  Patterson,  William  Plunket,  John 
Rewald,  Widow  Ray,  Bernard  Renu,  Nicholas  Rousher,  Conrad  Reitzel, 
Widow  Reely,  Zaehariah  Robins,  Adam  Renn,  John  Riehm,  Jacob  Ruben- 
thai,  William  Reeser,  Isaac  Richardson,  George  Schwarm,  James  Silverwood, 
Christian  Shissler,  Peter  Smith,  Nicholas  Shenfield,  Augustus  Stoner,  Sam- 
uel Schenck,  Casper  Snyder,  Charles  Smith,  Joseph  Thompson.  Henrj-  Van- 
derslice,  Peter  Weiser,  Jacob  Welsh,  John  Wiggins,  John  Weitzel,  Daniel 
Witmer,  John  Wolf,  Michael  Witel,  Martin  Withington,  John  Witmer, 
Joseph  Wallis,  William  Wilson,  John  Watson,  William  Wilson.  John  Wig- 
gins, Robert  Wilson,  Jonas  Yocimi,  Jacob  Young,  John  Young.  Jacob  Yoner, 
George  Zimmerman,  Christopher  Zimmerman. 

John  Buyers.  Thomas  Grant,  and  William  Maclay  were  each  assessed 
with  one  slave,  Martin  Kendig  with  one  servant,  and  Joseph  WaUis  with 
three  servants. 

Shamokin  island  was  surveyed  for  the  Proprietaries  in  170>5  and  sold  to 
Munco  Reed  in  17S4.  It  is  possible  that  he  resided  upon  it  some  years 
prior  to  the  latter  date,  as  his  name  appears  as  a  taxable  in  Turbut  township 
prior  to  1775.  In  1786  he  sold  the  island  to  Abraham  Scott,  an  officer  in 
the  French  and  Indian  war  and  brother-in-law  of  Colonel  Hunter.  Captain 
Scott  died  in  1798;  his  son,  Samuel  H.,  owned  the  Scott  farm  (now  a  part  of 
Sunbury  borough),  and  Mary,  a  daughter,  married  William  Wilson,  asso- 
ciate judge  of  Northumberland  county.  Edward  Lyon  was  the  next 
resident  owner.  He  was  an  Enghshman,  and  had  been  proprietor  of  cotton 
mills  in  Nottinghamshire.  He  made  his  first  visit  to  America  on  the  same 
ship  as  Rev.  Joseph  Priestley,  accompanied  him  to  Northumberland,  and 
resided  in  that  town  several  years.  He  then  went  back  to  England,  but 
shortly  afterward  returned,  purchased  Shamokin  island  in  1S02,  and  resided 
thereon  until  his  death.  May  21,  1821.     Ten  children  survived  him,  one  of 


UPPER    AUGUSTA   TOWNSHIP.  701 

whom,  Miss  Gemella  H.  Lyon,  of  Northumberland,  completed  her  eighty- 
third  year  on  the  2d  of  November,  1890.  After  the  death  of  'Sir.  Lyon  the 
island  experienced  frequent  changes  of  proprietorship  until  1S77,  when  it 
was  purchased  by  John  B.  Packer,  the  present  o-mier. 

ROADS  AND  STREAMS. 

A  greater  number  of  railroads  passes  through  LTpjier  Augusta  than  any 
other  to^vnship  in  the  county.  Parallel  with  the  Susquehanna  river  are  the 
Northern  Central  and  Philadelphia  and  Erie;  the  Sunburj-.  Hazelton  and 
Wilkesbarre  is  similarly  situated  with  regard  to  the  North  Branch,  while  the 
Shamokin  Valley  and  Pottsville  and  the  Philadelphia  and  Reading  traverse 
the  valley  of  Shamokin  creek.  The  Centre  turnpike,  the  Tulpehocken  road, 
and  the  main  roads  leading  from  Sunbury  to  Danville  and  Catawissa  are  the 
principal  local  highways. 

Shamokin  creek  is  the  only  interior  stream  of  imj^ortance:  it  receives  the 
waters  of  Little  Shamokin  creek  in  this  to\vnshiii.  Several  smaller  streams 
also  unite  with  both  these  creeks,  while  others  empty  into  the  North  Branch. 

INDCSTBIES. 

Geiger's  mill  was  built  at  an  early  date  by  John  Haas.  It  is  a  stone 
structure,  equipped  with  two  sets  of  bulirs  and  a  turbine  wheel.  The  build- 
ing was  remodeled  in  1850. 

The  first  mill  on  the  Shipman  site  was  erected  by  the  Depuys  at  an  early 
date.  The  present  mill,  a  three-story  brick  structure  furnished  with  tur- 
bine wheel  and  steam-power,  was  built  in  1SS3  and  is  the  third  at  this  place. 
E.  M.  Eckman  is  the  present  proprietor. 

Gideon  Leisenring's  tannery,  on  the  Centre  turnpike  a  mile  and  a  half 
from  Sunbury,  was  described  in  1837  as  having  sixteen  vats  and  a  cast-iron 
bark  mill,  and  an  abundant  supply  of  water  derived  from  springs  on  the 
premises.  It  was  offered  for  sale  in  the  Simbury  Adcocati'  at  that  date,  and 
these  particulars  have  been  obtained  from  the  advertisement. 

SCHOOLS. 

It  is  deemed  proper  in  this  connection  to  give  such  particulars  as  have 
been  ascertained  concerning  the  schools  of  Augusta  to\vnship — the  territory 
now  embraced  in  Upper  and  Lower  Augusta  and  Eockefeller.  Probably  the 
oldest  school  house  within  its  limits  was  situated  near  the  Klinesgrove 
burial  ground,  in  Upper  Augusta,  while  that  near  the  Eckman  site  in  the 
same  township  was  also  established  at  a  very  early  date.  The  next  in  order 
of  priority  was  situated  in  the  Stone  Church  district  in  Rockefeller  to\vnshi2); 
it  was  a  long  log  building,  divided  into  two  compartments  by  a  swinging  par- 
tition fastened  to  the  joists  with  hinges  in  such  a  manner  that  it  could  be 
dra^vn  up  with  pulleys,  and  thus  the  entire  interior  might  be  occupied  for 


702  HISTORY    OF   NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

religious  worship.  A  German  school  was  taught  in  one  end  and  an  English 
school  in  the  other;  one  apartment  was  also  used  as  the  teacher's  residence 
for  a  time.  In  1803  the  lirst  school  house  was  built  at  Fisher's  Ferry,  Lower 
Augusta:  Samuel  Mitchell  was  the  first  teacher,  and  Thomas  Snyder  and 
Daniel  St.  Clair  were  among  the  last  survivors  of  the  early  pupils. 

When  Augusta  toNvnship  first  voted  upon  the  question  of  accepting  or 
rejecting  the  public  school  system  but  eight  persons  voted  in  its  favor,  among 
whom  were  John  Snyder,  Elisha  Kline,  Peter  Oberdorf,  Samuel  Bloom,  Sam- 
iiel  Awl,  and  Jacob  K.  Clark.  This  election  occurred  in  1834;  two  years 
later  the  system  was  adopted,  but  considerable  disaffection  still  prevailed  and 
the  collection  of  the  tax  was  attended  with  much  difficulty.  It  is  said  that 
Joel  Yordy  was  the  lirst  collector,  and  that  George  Keefer's  property  was  the 
first  to  be  levied  upon  for  school  taxes.  The  opposition  found  tangible 
expression  at  "an  indignation  meeting  against  the  free  school  system  in 
Augusta  township,"  at  George  Conrad's  hotel,  when  a  hickory  pole  was 
raised  and  a  banner  rmfurled  bearing  the  words  "Van  Buren  and  no  Free 
Schools." 

CHUECHES. 

Upper  Augusta  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  was  organized  in  18.")0, 
through  the  efforts  of  Rev.  Joseph  Ross.  The  original  members  were  John 
Farnsworth.  Samirel  Savidge,  Silas  Wolverton,  L.  G.  Savidge,  Robert  Farns- 
worth,  Jonathan  Hoover,  and  George  Zimmerman.  For  a  time  services  were 
held  in  an  old  log  school  house;  land  was  donated  by  Joseph  Savidge  and  a 
church  edifice,  thirty-five  by  forty  feet,  was  erected  thereon  at  a  cost  of  seven 
hundred  dollars.  Subsefpiently  the  church  was  removed  to  its  present 
location,  and  in  1SS4  the  congregation  was  reorganized  with  the  following 
membership:  Charles  "U'olverton  and  wife,  E.  Stra^^b  and  wife,  E.  Rebiick 
and  wife.  Elizabeth  Hollenback.  George  Zimmerman,  and  H.  G.  Kline. 

Mt.  Pleasant  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  was  organized  in  1852  by 
Rev.  Joseph  Ross,  in  an  old  log  school  house  which  stood  on  the  farm  of 
George  Weaver.  The  original  members  were  H.  G.  Kline  and  wife,  Joseph 
Campbell  and  wife,  Herman  Campbell  and  wife,  Mrs.  Robert  Campbell.  M. 
Lawrence  and  wife,  George  Barnhart  and  wife,  John  Clark  and  wife,  Rebecca 
Clark,  Peter  Kobb  and  wife,  EHzabeth  Clark.  Ella  Clark,  Charles  Bacon  and 
wife,  Duncan  Myers  and  wife,  David  Fisher  and  wife,  Isaac  Shipe  and  wife, 
Henry  Shipe,  and  H.  G.  Kline.  Services  were  held  in  the  old  log  school 
house  until  1860,  when  land  was  given  by  Joseph  Campbell  for  both  church 
and  burial  ground,  and  the  present  church  edifice,  a  one-story  frame  struct- 
ure, was  erected  at  a  cost  of  eight  hundred  dollars.  The  building  was  dedi- 
cated in  May,  1801. 

Klinesgrove  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  was  organized  in  ISOO  or  1867, 
with  a  membership  which  was  princij)ally  from  the  Rush  townshiji  Methodist 


/  a: 


LOWER    AUGUSTA    TOWNSHIP.  705 

church  and  a  congregation  that  had  been  formed  at  Augusta  school  house. 
Soon  after  the  organization  steps  were  taken  for  the  erection  of  a  church  edi- 
fice and  a  building  committee,  consisting  of  Isaac  Campbell,  Charles  Eck- 
man,  and  George  Foster,  was  appointed  to  superintend  the  work.  A  two- 
story  brick  edifice,  sixty  by  forty  feet,  was  erected  near  Klinesgrove  at  a 
cost  of  nine  thousand  dollars,  and  dedicated,  October  18,  1868.  The  first 
trustees  were  Isaac  Campbell,  William  Depiiy,  Dr.  Isaac  Huff,  John  F. 
Kline,  and  "William  F.  Kline.     Eev.  John  Craig  was  the  first  pastor. 

St.  Luke' s  Church  of  the  Ecangelical  Association  was  organized  in  1889 
by  the  Rev.  C.  J.  Warmcastle,  with  the  following  members :  Samuel  Savidge, 
S.  K.  Hile,  John  Myers,  John  Bonner,  and  Samuel  G.  Savidge.  A  frame 
church  edifice  thirty-five  by  forty  feet  was  erected  soon  after  the  organiza- 
tion was  effected.  The  followiag  pastors  have  served  the  society:  Eeverends 
C.  J.  Warmcastle,  George  Sipe,  George  Knorr,  and  W.  S.  Harris. 


CHAPTER  XXII. 
LOWER  AUGUSTA  TOWNSHIP. 

TeIUUTOKIAI.    DEVELOI'.\rENT  —  TOPOGK.U'II Y  —  FlSHEIl's    FeRRY  —  >[lI.I,S— .SCHOOLS 

Cia-KctiEs. 

THE  territory-  embraced  in  Lower  Augusta  township  was  originally  a 
part  of  Augusta,  the  formation  and  boundaries  of  which  have  been 
treated  at  length  in  the  chapter  on  Upper  Augusta.  Its  di\-ision  was  con- 
siumilated  on  the  13th  of  April.  1846,  by  a  line  crossing  Little  Shamokin 
creek  near  its  jimction  with  Plum  creek.  As  thus  erected.  Lower  Augusta 
extended  from  the  Susquehanna  river  to  the  line  of  Shamokin  township;  on 
the  4th  of  November,  1846,  the  Limestone  Valley  school  district  was  trans- 
ferred to  Upper  Augusta,  and  on  the  7th  of  May,  1880,  the  township  of 
Rockefeller  was  erected,  thus  reducing  Lower  Augusta  to  its  present  limits. 
The  surface  is  best  described  as  a  succession  of  ridges  and  valleys  extend- 
ing east  and  west;  of  the  valleys  the  most  important  are  those  drained  by 
Boyle's  run  and  Hollowing  run.  These  streams  and  their  tributaries  water 
this  section,  while  their  banks  afford  a  level  bed  for  the  principal  highways 
of  the  townshiji.  The  Simbury  and  Harrisburg  road  traverses  the  eastern 
part  of  its  territory  and  is  the  princijial  roiite  of  travel  north  and  south. 

fisher's  ferry. 
Fisher's  Feii-y  is  situated  on  the  Susquehanna  river  at  the  mouth  of 
Hollowing  run,  and  on  the  line  of  the  Northern  Central  railway.     At  an  early 

40 


706  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

period  in  the  history  of  this  section  the  site  was  owned  by  Colonel  Auchmuty, 
who  established  the  ferry  and  built  a  hotel  and  ferry-house.  From  him  the 
land  passed  to  William  R.  Jones,  in  whose  possession  it  continued  imtil 
1852;  it  then  became  the  property  of  Jonathan  Reitz,  by  whom  lots  were 
sold  to  various  persons.  The  hotel  business  was  abandoned  at  this  time,  but 
in  its  stead  Mr.  Reitz  started  a  general  store  in  the  old  hotel  building.  In 
1850  the  citizens  erected  a  one-story  frame  building  in  which  a  subscription 
school  was  taught  for  a  time;  although  no  longer  used  for  this  purpose,  the 
building  still  stands  and  is  occasionally  used  as  a  place  of  worship  by  vari- 
ous denominations.  The  postoifice  was  established  in  1854  with  William  R. 
Jones  as  first  postmaster. 

MILLS. 

The  De  Witt  mill  site  is  the  oldest  in  the  township;  here  a  mill  was 
built  toward  the  close  of  the  last  century  by  a  Mr.  Hilterbeil,  from  whom  it 
passed  successively  to  Christian  Falk,  Henry  Masser,  and  Mr.  De  Witt,  the 
present  owner.  He  erected  the  present  mill,  a  two-story  frame  structure,  in 
18-10;  it  is  situated  six  miles  from  Sunbury  near  the  Harrisburg  road,  and 
derives  its  water-power  from  Hollowing  run. 

A  mill  was  built  on  the  Boyle's  Rmi  road  three  miles  from  Fisher's  Ferry 
in  1858  by  John  Snyder;  he  operated  it  until  its  destruction  by  lire  in  1880. 


The  township  sustains  six  schools;  there  are  also  six  school  buildings, 
three  of  which  are  brick  and  three  are  frame.  Particulars  regarding  early 
schools  are  given  in  the  chapter  on  Upper  Augusta  township. 

CHURCHES. 

Hollowing  Run  Presbyterian  Church  was  organized  in  1825  by  Rev. 
Samuel  Henderson  in  an  old  school  house  at  Fisher's  Ferry,  which  sers-ed  as 
a  place  of  worship  imtil  1830;  a  small  frame  church  building  was  then 
erected  on  the  Tulpehocken  road  upon  groimd  presented  by  William  Ship- 
man.  Mr.  Henderson  was  the  tirst  to  clear  away  the  brush  and  break 
ground  for  this  building,  upon  which  the  work  was  principally  conducted  by 
John  Bloom  and  John  Yordy.  Rev.  William  R.  Smith  succeeded  Mr.  Hen- 
derson and  was  pastor  some  years.  The  church  has  recently  been  attached 
to  the  Petersburg  charge. 

Miles  Run  United  Brethren  Church  was  organized  at  the  school  house  of 
that  name  in  the  winter  of  1835-36  through  the  efforts  of  Peter  and  Henry 
Malick.  Two  years  later  the  present  one-story  frame  church  building  was 
erected. 

Boyle's  Run  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  was  organized  in  1840  at  an 
old  school  house  on  the  Boyle's  Run  road  with  fifteen  members.     The  present 


LOWER    AUGUSTA    TOWNSHIP.  707 

one-story  frame  church  building,  two  and  one  half  miles  east  of  Fisher's 
Ferry,  was  erected  in  1846.  This  society  originally  formed  part  of  the  Sun- 
bury  circuit,  but  was  transferred  to  the  Trevorton  circuit  in  1865  and  in  1880 
was  attached  to  the  Horndon  circuit.  The  names  of  the  pastors  are  o-iven  in 
connection  with  the  historical  sketches  of  those  churches  in  this  work. 

Augusta  Baptist  Church  was  constituted  in  1846  with  a  membership 
formerly  connected  with  the  society  at  Sunbury.  Largely  through  the  in- 
striuuentality  of  Thoma.s  Snyder,  a  one-story  frame  church  building  was 
erected  on  the  Boyle's  Run  road  three  miles  east  of  Fisher's  Ferry.  This 
served  as  the  place  of  worship  until  the  present  one-story  brick  structure  was 
erected.  It  was  dedicated  on  the  '2d  of  June,  187'2.  Rev.  W.  H.  Ellis  is  the 
present  pastor. 

Holloioing  Run  Church,  Lutheran  and  Reformed,  is  situated  six  miles 
south  of  Sunbury  on  the  Harrisburg  road.  The  corner-stone  of  the  tirst 
church  edifice,  a  one-story  frame  structure,  was  laid  on  the  '20th  of  April, 
IS.")!.  The  present  brick  building  was  erected  in  1880  under  the  supervision 
of  a  building  committee  composed  of  John  R.  Kauffman,  Aaron  Shijie,  John 
H.  Reitz,  and  H.  Swinehart. 

The  Reformed  congregation  was  organized  in  the  winter,  of  1850-51  by 
Rev.  R.  A.  Fisher,  of  Sunbury,  from  a  membership  formerly  connected  with 
Zion  church  at  Augustaville.  Mr.  Fisher  was  pastor  until  1854  and  has  been 
succeeded  by  Reverenis  Daniel  Y.  Heisler,  John  W.  Steinmetz,  William  C. 
Cremer,  William  Haas,  Homer  Daniels,  Cyrus  Reiter.  and  D.  O.  Shoemaker. 

The  Lutheran  congregation  was  organized  in  1851  by  Rev.  G.  Neimann, 
and  was  also  originally  composed  of  a  membership  formerly  connected  with 
Zion  church  at  Augustaville.  The  following  is  a  list  of  pastors:  Reverends 
G.  Neimann,  J.  F.  Homberger,  J.  Hasskarl,  J.  H.  Schmidt,  L.  G.  Eggers,  J. 
Albert,  A.  Berk,  H.  T.  Clymer,  J.  W.  Early,  and  A.  J.  L.  Breinig,  present 
incumbent. 

St.  Peter's  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church  was  organized  by  Rev.  Peter 
Born,  D.  D.,  in  1859  at  a  grove  in  the  valley  of  Hollowing  run;  there  were 
twenty-five  constituent  members,  of  whom  Isaac  Drumheller  and  Moses  Reitz 
were  elected  deacons  and  Samuel  Reitz  and  George  Weiser  elders.  The 
church  building,  a  one-story  frame  edifice,  was  dedicated  on  the  1st  of  Janu- 
ary, 1860,  by  Reverends  Peter  Born,  D.  D.,  and  H.  Zeigler,  D.  D.  Reverends 
Peter  Bom,  George  P.  Weaver,  A.  H.  Shertz,  Joseph  Focht,  Mr.  Berry,  A. 
K.  Zimmerman,  Mr.  Harsh,  Sidney  E.  Bateman,  Mr.  Felker,  and  Cyrus  E. 
Benson  have  successively  served  as  pastors. 


708  HISTORY    OF   NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 


CHAPTER  XXIII. 
UPPER  MAHANOY  TOWNSHIP. 

Proceedings  for  the  Erection  of  Maiianot  Township— Disinteoration  of  Its 
Territory — Organization  of  Upper  Mahanoy — Pioneers — Hotels — Mills — 
Secret  Society — Schools — Churches. 

UPPER  IVIAHANOY  is  bounded  on  the  north  by  Cameron  township, 
on  the  west  by  Washincrton  and  Jordan,  and  on  the  southeast  by 
Schuylkill  county.  It  is  separated  from  Cameron  by  Line  mountain,  and 
drained  by  Greenbrier  and  Mahantango  creeks  and  their  branches.  The 
surface  is  mountainous,  and  the  prevailing  character  of  the  soil  is  a  red 
shale. 

At  the  organization  of  the  county  in  1772  Augusta  township  included 
this  territorj';  but  it  was  not  long  before  the  growth  of  population  in  the 
Mahanoy  region  demanded  separate  organization  for  that  territory.  The 
manner  in  which  this  was  effected  is  thus  set  forth  in  the  minutes  of  the 
county  court  of  quarter  sessions  at  Februarj-  term,  1775: — 

A  petition  from  a  number  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  lower  part  of  Augusta  township 
in  the  said  county  was  read  in  court,  praying  for  a  division  of  the  said  township  for 
the  remedying  sundry  inconveniences  arising  from  its  present  e.xtensiveness;  where- 
upon it  is  considered  that  the  same  be  divided  by  the  following  boundaries: — 

Beginning  within  water  mark  on  the  west  side  of  the  Susquehanna;  thence 
crossing  the  same  by  a  direct  line  to  the  top  of  Mahanoy  mountain  and  along  the 
same  to  the  county  line;  thence  by  the  county  line  to  the  Spread  Eagle  in  the  forks  of 
Jfahantango;  thence  down  the  Mahantango  to  the  mouth  thereof,  thence  crossing 
Susquehanna  to  the  mouth  of  Mahantango  on  the  west  side  of  Susquehanna,  and  up 
the  western  shore  of  the  same  to  the  place  of  beginning;  all  which  described  part 
is  hereby  erected  into  a  separate  township,  to  be  henceforth  called  and  known  by  the 
name  of  Mahanoy  to-svnship. 

The  first  township  officers  of  Mahanoy  were  John  Shaffer  and  Peter 
Almang,  supervisors;  Samuel  Weiser  and  John  Fisher,  overseers  of  the  poor, 
and  Sebastian  Brosius,  constable.  The  township  was  nineteen  miles  in 
length  from  east  to  west;  its  shape  was  triangular,  with  the  greatest  dimen- 
sion upon  the  southern  line.  The  present  area  of  five  townships — -Jackson, 
Washington,  Upper  Mahanoy,  Jordan,  and  Lower  Mahanoy — was  embraced 
within  its  limits. 

At  August  sessions,  1806,  as  recommended  by  James  Silverwood,  Casper 
Snyder,  and  John  Hays,  viewers  appointed  at  April  term,  1805,  a  division  of 
Mahanoy  was  ordered  by  a  line  "beginning  at  a  stone-heap  on  the  top  of 


UPPER   ilAHANOY    TOWNSHIP.  709 

Mahanoy  mountain  on  the  right  or  eastwardly  side  of  the  main  road  leading 
from  Simbury  to  Harrisburg"  and  thence  a  general  southerly  direction  to  Ma- 
hantango  creek.  That  part  of  the  former  territory  of  Mahanoy  at  the  head- 
waters of  the  Mahantango  and  Greenbrier  received  the  name  of  Upjier 
Mahanoy,  of  which  the  first  township  officers  were  Daniel  Herb  and  Nicholas 
Brosius,  supervisors;  Michael  Diehl  and  Abraham  Brosius,  overseers  of  the 
poor,  and  John  Latsha,  constable.  The  township  has  been  reduced  to  its 
present  area  by  the  erection  of  Jackson  in  1836,  Jordan  in  1852,  and  Wash- 
ington in  1856. 

PIONEERS. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  the  taxables  of  Mahanoy  township  in  1778,  when 
its  territorj'  included  all  that  part  of  Northumberland  county  south  of  the 
Line  mountain:  Peter  Albert,  Jacob  Albert,  Peter  Ahnang,  Martin  Bucher, 
Sebastian  Brosius,  Nicholas  Brosius,  Heniy  Baumgardner,  George  Bender, 
Anthony  Borwell,  Valentine  Bridge,  Edward  Biddle,  George  Calhoon,  George 
Dennis,  Christian  Deppen,  William  Forster,  George  Forster,  Peter  Forster, 
George  Forster,  Jr.,  Martin  Fisher,  Jonathan  Fisher,  Nicholas  Groninger, 
Nicholas  Garrison,  John  Herter,  John  Herter,  Jr.,  Moses  Haines,  Henry 
Haines,  John  Heckert,  John  Hoope,  Nicholas  Hettrick,  Christopher  Hettrick, 
George  Heim,  George  Heim,  Jr.,  Martin  Heil,  Jacob  Heberling,  George  Jagley, 
John  Knell,  Andrew  Keterly,  Peter  Kester,  John  Kriger,  Leonard  Kerstetter, 
Martin  Kerstetter,  Abraham  Kobel,  Casper  Kobel,  Peter  Kull,  Henry  Kobel, 
Daniel  Kobel,  Henrj-  Krails,  Charles  Kautfman,  Henry  Kahler,  James  Kaimer, 
Michael  Kunkle,  Michael  Lenhart,  Christian  Lower,  Philip  Lesher,  Henry 
Latsha,  Gottlieb  Letler,  Henry  Lowry,  Mary  Minium,  Q.  Minner,  Isaac 
Meyer,  Alexander  McKee,  Dietrich  Markey,  Mary  Miller,  Jacob  Maier,  Widow 
Maier,  Mary  Naian,  Jacob  Ochsenreiter,  J.  Pheffer,  J.  Phillij^s,  Richard 
Peters,  Nicholas  Pope,  George  Reiter,  Valentine  Rebuck,  Peter  Reidy, 
George  Reiter,  John  Sherer,  Henry  Schockingast,  Peter  Smith,  Baltzer 
Steeley,  Nicholas  Sicsinger,  Peter  Smith,  Nicholas  Scider,  Jacob  Stough, 
Yost  Schockingast,  Fritz  Sherer.  John  Striker,  Dietrich  Stonebraker,  Ludwig 
Schreyer,  Ludwig  Schultz,  John  Shop,  Abraham  Schreyer,  George  Stump, 
Jacob  Schneider,  Rachel  Sherer,  Sebastian  Spat,  Christopher  Stump,  Chris- 
topher Stump,  Jr.,  John  Adam  Sherer,  Nicholas  Shaver,  Peter  Trautman, 
William  Trippe,  Martin  Thorn.  Wilham  Thompson,  Samuel  Weiser,  Peter 
Whitman,  John  White,  Christopher  Whitmore,  Jonathan  Wolf,  Jacob  Whit- 
man, Frederick  Weiser,  Jonas  Yocum,  Jacob  Zartman,  Henry  Zartman. 

HOTELS. 

The  Line  Mountain  Hotel  was  built  by  Daniel  Herb  in  1808  and  opened 
as  a  house  of  public  entertainment  in  1813.  Among  the  landlords  in  the 
past  have  been  Daniel  Herb,  Phihp  Maurer,  Samuel  Rothermel,  and  Isaiah 
Kiehl. 


710  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

The  Stone  Tavern,  at  Leek  Kill  postoffice,  was  built  in  1825  by  Peter 
Beisel,  and  has  ever  since  been  occupied  as  a  hotel. 

'MILLS. 

The  mill  now  operated  at  Leek  Kill  postoffice  by  William  Kehres  was 
built  by  a  Mr.  Schenckweiler.     It  is  furnished  with  three  sets  of  buhrs. 

Samuel  Rothermel's  mill,  on  Mahantango  creek  at  the  line  between  North- 
umberland and  Schuylkill  counties,  was  built  in  1808  by  Daniel  Herb. 

SECRET    SOCIETY. 

Eureka  Lodge,  No.  200,  I.  O.  0.  F.,  was  chartered  on  the  ICth  of 
Augu-st,  1847. 

SCHOOLS. 

The  public  school  system  was  adopted  on  the  4th  of  June,  1866;  the  fir-st 
board  of  directors  was  composed  of  Daniel  F.  Geist,  president;  Daniel  H. 
Geist,  treasurer;  David  W.  Paul,  secretary';  William  Smith,  Isaac  Keitt'er, 
and  Jacob  Klock.  The  present  number  of  school  buildings  is  six,  of  which 
three  were  purchased  from  subscrijition  school  trustees,  one  was  built  in  1867, 
and  two  in  1868. 

CHURCHES. 

St.  Jacob's  Church,  Lutheran  and  Reformed,  was  organized  in  1803. 
Among  the  most  prominent  of  the  early  members  were  Michael  Paul,  Mich- 
ael Baum,  Christopher  Hepler,  Henrv'  Klock.  John  Martz,  Anthony  Weary, 
John  Maurer,  Benjamin  Paul.  Jacob  Schmidt,  William  Roth,  John  Wagner, 
Michael  Wagner,  Benjamin  Loescher,  Leonard  Kerstetter,  Michael  Billman, 
and  John  Hepler.  Both  congregations  were  incorporated,  August  16,  1862; 
the  officers  of  the  Lixtheran  organization  at  that  time  were  as  follows:  trxis- 
tee,  Charles  Reiner;  elder,  Gideon  W.  Snyder;  deacons:  Edward  Reiner, 
Frederick  Schreffler.  The  officers  of  the  Reformed  organization  were  as  fol- 
lows: trustee,  George  Boyer;  elders:  Jacob  Masser,  Henry  Haas;  deacons: 
Jacob ,  Samuel  Diehl. 

St.  John's  Church,  Lutheran  and  Reformed,  was  organized  in  1853. 
The  church  edifice  is  a  brick  structtire;  the  first  trustees  were  Abraham  Sny- 
der, Samuel  Smith,  and  Peter  Geist.  The  first  officers  of  the  Lutheran  con- 
gregation were  Abraham  Snyder,  Jr.,  and  Peter  Ochsenreiter,  elders,  and 
Jacob  Schenckweiler,  deacon;  Peter  Ressler  was  the  first  Reformed  deacon. 
Among  the  early  members  were  Abraham  Schneider,  Daniel  Schneider,  John 
Schneider,  Jacob  Schenckweiler,  Simou  Schneider,  Jacob  Beisel,  Emanuel 
Ressler,  Peter  Geist,  Edward  Falk,  Peter  Beisel,  and  Daniel  Beisel.  Among 
the  pastors  have  been  Reverends  Smith,  Boyer,  Smith,  and  Weicksel,  Lu- 
theran, and  Rudolph  Duenger,  John  Wohlbach,  A.  S.  Stauft'er,  A.  R.  Hot- 
tenstein,  and  Joseph  H.  Schappig,  Reformed. 


LOWER    MAHANOY    TOWNSHIP.  711 

CHAPTER  XXIV. 

LOWER  iLlHANOY  TOWNSHIP. 

Organization — Draixage — Early  History  and  Present  Business  .vnd  Industrial 
Interests  of  Georgeto\vn — ^Ialta — Industries — Schools — Chi'rches. 

LOWER  jMAHANOY  comprises  a  triangular  area  in  the  extreme  south- 
ern part  of  the  county,  boimded  on  the  northwest  by  the  Susquehanna 
river,  on  the  southeast  by  Mahantango  creek,  and  on  the  northeast  by  Jack- 
son and  Jordan  townships.  Prior  to  the  organization  of  Northumberland 
county,  this  territory  was  embraced  in  Upper  Paxtang  township,  Lancaster 
county;  from  1772  until  1775  it  formed  part  of  Augusta  township,  and  from 
1775  until  1S06  it  was  included  in  Mahanoy,  the  particulars  regarding  the 
division  of  which  are  given  in  the  chapter  on  Upper  Mahanoy.  It  was 
reduced  to  its  present  limits  by  the  erection  of  Jackson  township  in  1S36. 
The  surface  is  mountainous,  and  ample  drainage  is  afforded  by  a  number  of 
small  streams  flowing  directly  into  the  Susquehanna  or  Mahantango  creek. 
The  most  fertile  part  of  the  township  is  Stone  valley,  one  of  the  few  lime- 
stone regions  in  the  southern  part  of  the  county. 

GEORGETOWN. 

This  village,  the  most  important  in  the  extreme  southern  part  of  the 
county,  is  situated  in  the  western  part  of  Lower  Mahanoy  on  the  banli  of 
the  Susquehanna  river  and  the  line  of  the  Northern  Central  railway.  The 
site  is  embraced  in  a  tract  of  land  which  was  patented  to  Thomas  McKee  by 
the  colonial  government  in  1767.  Six  years  later  it  was  purchased  by  Will- 
iam Dimbar  and  subsequently  passed  into  the  possession  of  Sebastian  Bro- 
sius;  he  willed  it  to  his  son,  John  George  Brosius,  by  whom  a  store  was 
opened  and  a  mill  was  erected;  the  latter  is  said  to  have  been  the  first  in  the 
southern  part  of  the  coimty  and  was  situated  on  Stone  Valley  creek  at  the 
'lower  end  of  the  village.  The  town  site  was  surveyed  in  1798  by  William 
Gray,  deputy  surveyor  for  Northumberland  county,  and  became  within  a  few 
years  a  place  of  considerable  local  importance.  As  evidenced  by  the  assess- 
ment of  1811,  the  improvements  at  that  date,  with  the  names  of  respective 
owners  and  occupants,  were  as  follows:  house  and  stable,  owned  by  Peter 
Secrist  and  occupied  by  George  Borell;  house,  owned  by  James  White  and 
occupied  by  Hugh  Bruman,  storekeeper;  house,  owned  and  occupied  by 
Peter  Borell,  blue-dyer;  house,  owned  and  occupied  by  Nicholas  Bubb,  Jr., 


712  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

carpenter;  house  and  shop,  owned  and  occupied  by  John  Ebright,  hatter; 
house  and  stable,  owned  and  occupied  by  John  Fenstermacher ;  house, 
owned  and  occupied  by  Peter  Hoffman,  inn  keeper;  house,  o^vned  and 
occupied  by  Daniel  Lahr;  house,  owned  and  occupied  by  Daniel  Rothermel, 
inn  keeper;  house  and  shop,  owned  by  William  Witman  and  occupied  by 
Daniel  Seasholtz,  potter;  house,  owned  and  occupied  by  Jacob  Strieker. 

The  town  has  steadily  expanded  in  population  and  importance,  and  has 
always  been  the  business  center  of  the  community  naturally  tributary  to  it. 
The  present  biisiness  and  industrial  interests  include  three  general  stores, 
one  drug  store,  three  hotels,  a  shingle  and  stave  factory,  and  a  nail  mill. 
The  postotfice  designation  is  Dalmatia. 

Colonel  James  Cameron  Post,  No.  185,  G.  A.  R.,  was  organized  on  the 
9th  of  March,  1882. 

SI.\LTA. 

The  post-village  of  this  name  is  situated  three  miles  from  Georgetown  on 
the  main  road  from  that  place  to  Lykens  and  at  its  intersection  with  the 
Mahantango  Valley  road.  It  is  the  location  of  one  store,  a  Reformed  and 
Lutheran  church,  the  shops  of  several  mechanics,  and  perhaps  a  dozen  pri- 
vate residences.     The  former  local  name  was  Vera  Cruz. 

INDUSTRIES. 

The  Witmer  mill,  as  originally  built  by  George  Brosius,  was  a  log  struct- 
ure; the  present  frame  building  is  three  stories  high,  equipped  with  three  sets 
of  buhrs.  The  mill  now  operated  by  Michael  Spotts  was  built  in  1845  by 
Michael  Wert  and  Michael  Rudel. 

A  distillery  was  once  operated  by  John  Dockey. 

The  Dalmatia  Iron  and  Nail  Company  organized  with  John  Bingeman, 
president,  I.  H.  Ressler,  treasurer,  and  W.  0.  Bingeman,  secretary;  the 
works  include  three  frame  buildings,  with  the  necessary  machinery. 


The  first  school  house  at  Georgetown,  a  log  structure,  was  situated  at  the 
site  of  Isaac  Fenstermacher's  residence;  the  names  of  Eisenhower,  Bixler, 
Murray,  Drake,  and  Brooker  occur  among  the  early  teachers. 

The  public  school  system  was  adopted  in  1865;  the  first  school  board 
was  composed  of  David  Seiler,  B.  M.  Bubb,  Adam  Lenker,  S.  B.  High, 
Franklin  Markley,  and  Elias  Wiest.  Messrs.  Wiest  and  High,  being  opposed 
to  the  system,  resigned,  and  Jacob  Dreibelbeis  and  Philip  Messner  were  ap- 
pointed by  the  board  in  their  places,  December  16,  1865.  As  thus  consti- 
tuted, the  directors  organized  on  the  29th  of  December,  1865,  with  Adam 
Leaker,  president,  B.  M.  Bubb,  secretary,  and  Da\-id  Seiler,  treasurer.  Two  new 
buildings  were  erected  in  1866,  six  in  1867,  and  two  subsequently,  making 
ten  school  houses  at  the  present  time,  in  which  eleven  schools  are  taught. 


LOWER    MAHANOY    TOWNSHIP.  713 

CHUECHZS. 

St07ie  Valley  Clinrch.  Lutheran  arid  Reformed,  was  originally  known 
Tinder  the  name  of  Christian  Unity,  and  it  is  supposed  that  public  worship 
and  the  administration  of  the  sacraments  were  begun  in  this  locaUty  as  early 
as  1765.  The  first  church  building  was  a  small  log  structure  twenty  by 
thirty  feet;  the  second,  which  is  in  a  good  state  of  preservation  at  the  pres- 
ent time  (1S90),  was  erected  in  1796  by  Jacob  Thani.  a  carpenter  by  occupa- 
tion, who  received  one  himdred  thirty  pounds  as  evidenced  by  the  agree- 
ment, which  is  still  extant.  The  trustees  at  that  time  were  Nicholas  Bubb, 
Lutheran,  and  Henry  Bordner,  Reformed.  This  buikhng  was  remodeled 
some  years  since,  and  is  the  present  place  of  worship.  The  joint  congrega- 
tions also  own  a  tract  of  land  containing  sixty-five  acres  and  ninety-three 
perches,  a  patent  for  which  was  gratuitously  granted  by  the  State. 

The  Lutheran  organization  was  formed  by  Reverend  Wolf  prior  to  1775 
and  probably  some  years  anterior  to  that  date.  He  was  successively  followed 
by  the  Reverends  Adam,  Gansel,  L'lrich,  and  Walther,  whose  terms  of  serv- 
ice are  not  known.  Rev.  Peter  Shindel  was  pastor,  1822-35 ;  John  Nicho- 
las Hemping,  1835-51;  C  F.  Weklen,  1S51:  Reverends  Yeager,  Bergner, 
and  Walz,  1852-61;  Jeremiah  Shindel,  1804-7(1;  J.  W.  Early,  1870-74;  J. 
M.  ririch,  1874-82;  C.  R.  Driunheller,  1SS3-S4,  and  W.  H.  Geiger,  1884, 
present  incumbent.  The  present  (1890)  church  council  is  composed  of  Ben- 
jamin Phillips,  J.  W.  Lenker.'Adam  Byerly,  J.  M.  Byerly,  J.  F.  Lenker,  and 
Michael  Rudel. 

Georgetown  Church,  Lutheran  and  Reformed,  is  a  frame  building  forty 
by  fifty  feet  in  dimensions,  erected  in  1S45.  The  organizers  were  George 
Brosius,  John  Bressner,  William  Shaffer,  Peter  Witmer,  Solomon  Ressler, 
Abraham  Deetrj',  Jacob  Dreibelbeis,  and  George  Witmer.  Among  the  pas- 
tors have  been  Reverends  Stiver,  Bressler,  Engle,  Early,  ririch,  Drimiheller, 
Geiger,  and  Bro\STi. 

Vera  Cruz  Church,  Lutheran  and  Reformed,  is  a  brick  structure  thirty- 
five  by  fifty-five  feet  in  dimensions,  with  steeple  and  bell.  The  comer-stone 
was  laid  on  the  12th  of  August,  1860,  and  the  dedication  occurred,  June  8, 
1862. 

The  Lutheran  congregation  was  organized  in  1856  from  a  membership 
formerly  connected  with  the  Stone  Valley  church,  and  now  (1890)  numbers 
one  hundred  fifteen  members.  The  following  is  a  list  of  pastors;  Reverend 
Walz,  1856-64;  Jeremiah  Shindel,  1864-70;  J.  W.  Early,  1870-74;  J.  M. 
TJlrich,  1874-82;  C.  R.  Drumheller,  188:3-^84,  and  W.  H.  Geiger,  1884, 
present  incimibent. 

Bingeman  Church  of  the  Evangelical  Association  y;as  organized  in  1850; 
prominent  among  the  early  members  were  Nicholas  Bingeman,  Peter  Heck- 
ert,  Samuel  Fetterhoff,  Harry  Weaver,  Peter  Kocher,  and  Joseph  Spotts. 
The  pastors   have  been   Reverends  Knorr,  Kramer,  Frj',   Shultz,  Leopold, 


714  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

Whitmer.  Shultz,  Brown,  Warmcastle,    Kumberger,  Fair,   and  Fisher.      The 
church  edilice  is  a  frame  building. 

The  Georgetown  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  is  a  frame  building  situated 
on  the  north  side  of  Sunbury  street  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  village.  The 
congregation  is  small  numerically,  and  has  no  resident  pastor. 


CHAPTER  XXV. 
POINT  TOWNSHIP. 


Proceedings  K(.ir  Its  Erectiox — Fikst  Township  Officers  —  Pioneers — Indus- 
tries. 

ri^^HE  triangular  area  bounded  by  Montour  ridge,  the  West  Branch,  and 
1  the  North  Branch,  now  included  in  the  township  of  Point  and  the 
borough  of  Northumberland,  formed  part  of  Turbut  township  at  the  time  of 
its  erection.  April  0,  1772.  At  February  sessions,  1775,  Mahoning  was 
stricken  from  the  southern  part  of  Turbut,  and  at  the  corresponding  term  of 
court  eleven  years  later  (February  sessions,  1786),  Point  was  formed  from 
Mahoning.     The  record  of  the  proceedings  in  this  case  is  as  follows: — 

Upon  the  petition  of  divers  inhitbitants  of  the  township  of  Mahoning,  setting  forth, 
that  the  extensiveness  and  increase  of  the  inhabitants  in  the  township  aforesaid, 
together  with  the  distance  the  town  of  Northumberhind  and  the  lower  end  of  the  said 
township  are  from  a  justice  of  the  peace,  renders  it  extremely  burthensome  for  town- 
ship officers  in  the  performance  of  their  duty,  as  also  expensive  and  inconvenient  for 
the  inh.ibitants  to  attend  legal  process;  and  praj'ed  the  court  to  divide  the  said  town- 
ship by  a  line  beginning  at  the  nine-mile  tree  on  the  North  Branch,  and  extending 
westwardly  along  the  middle  of  Montour's  mountain  to  the  fording  at  Williani  Cooke's 
mill  on  C'hillisquaque;  and  further  prayed  the  court  to  report  the  same  unto  the 
Executive  Council  as  a  proper  district  for  the  election  of  justices  of  the  peace:  where- 
upon the  court,  upon  due  consideration,  confirmed  the  boundary  line  aforesaid,  and 
order  the  di\iiion,  part,  including  Northumberland-Town,  to  be  called  Point  township; 
and  the  court  further  order  that  the  same  be  returned  to  Council  as  a  proper  and  flt 
district,  etc.  for  the  electing  justices  of  the  peace,  etc. 

The  first  to'wnship  ofificers  were  Laughlin  McCartney  and  Bernard  Hub- 
ley,  overseers  of  the  poor;  Daniel  Eeese  and  Daniel  Kelly,  viewers  of  fences; 
James  Hepbitrn  and  James  Jenkins,  supervisors,  and '  Joseph  Torbett,  con- 
stable. 

pioneers. 
The  following  is  a  list  of  the  taxables  of  the  township  as  returned  for  the 
year  1787  at  the  first   assessment   after  its   organization:   Frederick  Antes, 
William  Antes,    William  Armstrong,    Widow  Adams,    John  Allen,  William 


POINT    TOWNSHIP.  715 

Adams,  John  Bachenstozs,  Daniel  Bardan,  John  Bull,  John  Bullion,  Will- 
iam Bonham.  John  Cowden.  James  Conasert,  William  Cooke,  William  Clel- 
land.  John  Graders,  William  Glen,  James  Grawford,  Samuel  Doyle,  James 
Davidson,  Christopher  Dering,  Henry  Drageloos,  Philip  Frick,  Robert  Foll- 
mer,  Frederick  Feak,  Thomas  Gaskins,  Andrew  Gregg,  William  Gregg, 
Thomas  Gary,  Abiel  Gibbons,  George  Hoffman,  William  Hoffman,  James 
Hepburn,  Joseph  Harber,  John  Hannah,  Francis  Ihrewood,  Widow  Jenkins, 
Daniel  Kelly,  Robert  King,  Aaron  Ijevj,  William  Lemon.  Ben  j  amin  Lyon,  James 
Logan,  Philip  Maus,  Dennis  McLaughlin,  Lughlin  McCartney.  Daniel  Mont- 
gomery, William  Mahy,  NealMcCoy,  Arthur McGill,  William  McKein.  Robert 
Martin,  John  Niplick.  John  Painter.  William  Plunket,  Archibald  Ruay,  Jacob 
Ross,  Daniel  Reese.  Peter  Steel.  John  Sechler.  John  Shuler,  Joseph  Sechler, 
Morgan  Sweney,  John  Scott,  Thomas  Taggart,  Joseph  Torbett,  James  Van 
Campen,  James  Wilson,  James  Wagstaff.  David  Woodside. 

John  Bull,  William  Cooke.  Widow  Jenkins,  and  Thomas  Martin  were 
each  assessed  with  one  negro.  Robert  Martin  with  two,  and  Laughlin  McCart- 
ney with  one  mulatto. 

Thomas  Lemon,  one  of  the  first  justices  commissioned  for  Northumber- 
land county,  was  one  of  the  earliest  settlers  in  Point  township.  He  was 
born  on  the  Atlantic  ocean,  two  weeks  before  his  parents  landed  upon  Amer- 
ican soil;  they  came  from 'Scotland,  settled  at  Winchester,  Virginia,  and 
reared  two  sons,  Robert  and  Thomas.  The  latter  married  Margaret  Haugh, 
of  Lancaster,  Pennsylvania,  daughter  of  Matthias  and  Mary  Haugh,  who.  in 
1709.  deeded  a  large  tract  of  land  in  the  North  Branch  valley  to  Thomas 
and  Margaret  Lemon.  They  settled  near  that  river  about  five  miles  above 
Northumberland,  and  reared  a  family  of  four  sons  and  one  daughter:  the 
latter,  whose  name  was  Elizabeth,  married  Joseph  Engle,  of  Philadelphia; 
three  of  the  sons  removed  to  the  Genesee  valley,  New  York,  and  the  parental 
estate  in  Point  township  thus  passed  into  the  possession  of  James  Lemon, 
the  only  one  of  the  family  who  remained  in  this  coimty.  He  married  Rachel, 
daughter  of  George  and  Martha  Fleming:  their  daughter,  Martha,  was  twice 
married:  first,  to  William  Cooke,  whose  father  was  the  first  sheriff  of  North- 
lunberland  county;  after  his  death  she  became  the  wife  of  Jesse  G.  Horton, 
the  well  known  stage  proprietor  and  a  prominent  figure  in  Northirmberland 
county  politics. 

INDUSTRIES. 

The  large  stone  flour  mill  on  Lodge's  run,  two  miles  north  of  Northum- 
land,  was  erected  in  1815  by  George  Grant.  Two  years  later  William  A. 
Lloyd  established  a  flour  miU  on  the  same  stream  within  a  short  distance  of 
Grant's;  the  large  frame  building  erected  by  him  is  still  standing,  although 
the  milling  business  was  discontinued  in  1SS7.  Mr.  Lloyd  also  operated  a 
carding  machine,  one  of  the  first  in  the  county  and  an  important  feature  of 
the  establishment. 


716  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

There  were  quite  a  number  of  distilleries  in  02)eration  at  one  time,  con- 
sidering the  limited  agricultural  territory  of  the  township.  Kobert  Morris, 
Joseph  R.  Priestley,  Jacob  Dentler,  "William  A.  Lloyd,  James  Lemon,  and 
George  Grant  are  remembered  as  the  proprietors  of  establishments  of  this 
nature. 

Chnlasky  Furnace  is  situated  at  the  station  of  that  name  on  the  Dela- 
ware, Lackawanna  and  Western  railroad.  It  was  established  some  forty 
years  ago,  and  has  experienced  a  number  of  changes  in  ownership  and  man- 
agement. 


CHAPTER    XXVI. 
CHILLISQUAQUE  TOWNSHIP. 

Ake.v    .\xd    Topography— Erectiox    and    Srisnivr^ioN— Pioneers — Industries — 
PoTTsGROvE—MoNTANDON—SoDOM—CiiiLi.isQi'AQUE— Schools— Chi-rches. 

CHILLISQUAQUE  creek  drains  nearly  the  whole  of  that  part  of  North- 
lunberland  county  situated  between  Montour  ridge  and  Limestone 
ridge,  with  a  general  southwesterly  course  from  the  Montour  county  line  to 
its  junction  with  the  West  Branch.  This  region,  one  of  the  most  fertile  and 
populous  agricultural  districts  in  the  coimty,  forms  the  township  of  Chillis- 
quaque;  it  is  traversed  by  the  Philadelphia  and  Erie  and  Catawissa  rail- 
roads, and  has  several  villages  of  importance  in  addition  to  its  advantages 
as  a  farming  section. 

The  present  area  of  Chillisquaque  townshij-)  was  originally  embraced  in 
Turbut,  erected,  April  9,  1772.  At  February  sessions,  1775,  Mahoning  was 
formed  from  the  southern  part  of  Turbut,  with  Chillisquaque  creek  as  a 
mutual  boundary.  Point  was  erected  from  Mahoning  at  Februarv'  term, 
1786,  thus  leaving  to  the  latter  a  narrow  triangular  territory;  and  at  the 
following  May  term  the  township  of  Chillisquaque  was  formed  from  the  con- 
tiguous portions  of  Mahoning  and  Turbut,  with  the  following  boundaries : — 

Beginning  at  the  corner  of  Point  township  on  the  top  of  Jlontour's  hill  nearly 
opposite  the  nine-mile  tree,  and  to  extend  from  thence  to  Joseph  "Wilson's  on  the  north  side 
of  Chillisquaque  creek,  from  thence  to  the  top  of  the  Limestone  ridge  to  the  house 
occupied  by  Neal  Davis  on  Colonel  Francis's  land,  from  thence  a  straight  course  to 
the  West  Branch  of  Susquehanna. 

In  1813  this  to^vnship  was  attached  to  Columbia  county,  of  which  it 
formed  a  part  imtil  1815;  it  was  then  rearmexed  to  Northumberland,  but  in 
the  following  year  a  considerable  part  of  its  territory  was  again  attached  to 
Columbia  and  now  forms  part  of  Montour. 


CHILLISQUAQUE    TOWNSHIP.  717 

PIONEER. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  the  taxable  inhabitants  of  Chillisquaque  town- 
ship in  17S8,  when  it  included  Liberty  towTiship,  Montour  county,  in  addi- 
tion to  its  present  area:  John  Alexander,  AVilHam  Anderson,  William  Allen, 
Daniel  Bates,  John  Blair,  John  Blair,  Jr.,  Samuel  Blair,  Joseph  Biggars, 
David  Carson,  Johnston  Cheney,  Adam  Clark,  John  Clark,  James  Carscad- 
don,  James  Carscaddon,  Jr..  John  Carscaddon,  "Wilham  Carscaddon,  Charles 
Cochran,  James  Cochran,  John  Cochran,  Widow  Campbell,  John  Curry,  John 
Cheney,  James  Dunlap,  John  Donaldson,  James  Davidson.  Thomas  Davidson, 
James  Donaldson,  Andrew  Davis,  Benjamin  Elliott,  John  Funston,  Jesse 
Funston.  William  Fisher,  Robert  Finney,  John  Gillespie,  Robert  Giflin, 
Widow  Gillespie,  Paul  Geddis,  Hugh  Gowan,'  John  Galloway,  John  Gray, 
John  Hunter,  William  Haslet,  Stephen  Horn.  Adam  Hempleman,  Thomas 
Hewitt,  Francis  Huston.  Thomas  Hammer,  John  Hannah,  Samuel  Harper, 
George  Irwin,  Samuel  Irwin,  Leonard  Kelley,  Xeal  McMullen,  Charles  Mc- 
Coy, William  Mulligan,  Richard  Mayhew,  WiUiam  Murray,  Patrick  Mc- 
Ninch,  John  Martin,  George  Morrison,  John  McMahan.  John  Murray,  David 
McCartney,  John  McMahan,  James  McMahan.  Robert  Mc Williams,  Hugh 
McBride,  Alexander  Miller,  James  Murray,  James  Xeal,  Stephen  Oliver, 
Samuel  Oaks,  Thomas  Palmer.  Hance  Potts.  Thomas  Rodgers,  Martin  Reece, 
James  Robinson,  William  Reed,  David  Reynolds,  James  Reynolds,  Robert 
Reynolds,  Archibald  Sweney.  John  Seely.  Da^-id  Scott.  David  Stedman, 
William  Stedman,  James  Stedman,  Baltzer  Stake.  James  Stadden,  John 
Shaw,  Thomas  Strawbridge.  Jacob  Shipman,  Jacob  Teeple,  George  Teeple, 
John  Tate,  Isaac  Wilson.  Xathaniel  Wilson.  Joseph  Wilson,  John  Wilson. 
Leonard  Wilkins,  Joseph  Wilson.  Samuel  Wynn,  Benjamin  Wynn,  James 
Woodside,  David  Wilkins. 

John  Alexander  was  assessed  with  one  servant,  to  ser\'e  two  years; 
Alexander  Miller,  with  one  servant,  to  ser^'e  one  year;  and  Thomas  Straw- 
bridge,  with  one  negro,  who  were  the  only  property  of  that  description. 
The  largest  amount  of  property  assessed  to  any  one  individual  was  five  hun- 
dred seventeen  pounds,  in  the  name  of  Thomas  Palmer;  James  Stedman 
followed,  with  four  hundred  twenty-seven  pounds,  and  Thomas  Strawbridge 
with  three  hundred  one. 

John  Brady  was  born  in  1788,  son  of  Hugh  and  Jane  (Young)  Brady, 
who  settled  in  the  Cumberland  valley  near  Shippensburg  in  1750.  His  mili- 
tary career  began  in  the  French  and  Indian  war.  On  the  19th  of  July,  17(53, 
he  was  commissioned  as  captain  in  Colonel  Clayton's  battalion  of  the  Penn- 
sylvania regiment,  and  served  under  Colonel  Bouquet  in  1761.  In  1768  he 
settled  at  Standing  Stone  (Huntingdon),  but,  having  obtained  a  tract  of  land 
on  the  West  Branch  opposite  Lewisburg  in  consideration  of  his  military 
services,  he  removed  thither  in  1769,  and  was  thus  one  of  the  earliest  as  he 
was  also  one  of  the  most  prominent  pioneers  of  Xorthumberland  county.     In 


718  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

AuoTist,  1772,  he  was  foreman  of  the  first  jury  impanelled  after  the  organiza- 
tion of  the  county.  On  the  14th  of  October,  1776,  he  was  commissioned  as 
captain  in  the  Twelfth  Pennsylvania  regiment,  with  which  he  served  in  the 
campaigns  in  New  Jersey  and  Pennsylvania  until  the  1st  of  July,  1778,  when 
the  Twelfth  was  incorporated  with  the  Third.  He  was  then  ordered  home 
by  General  Washington  to  assist  in  the  defense  of  the  West  Branch  valley; 
he  had  previously  removed  his  family  to  Muacy  and  fortified  his  house  (which 
became  a  rendezvous  for  the  inhabitants  and  was  known  as  Fort  Brady),  and 
was  killed  by  the  Indians  while  making  a  reconnoissance  in  that  vicinity, 
April  11.  1779.  He  married  Mary  Quigley,  and  they  were  the  parents  of 
thirteen  children:  Samuel,  whose  skill  and  success  as  a  captain  of  rangers  is 
celebrated  Ln  the  annals  of  border  warfare ;  James,  who  died  at  Sunbury  from 
wounds  received  in  a  skirmish  with  the  Indians;  William;  John,  sheriff  of 
Northumberland  county,  1794-97;  Mary,  who  married  Captain  William 
Grav,  of  Sunbury;  William  P.,  a  pioneer  and  prominent  citizen  of  Indiana 
countv,  Pennsylvania;  Hugh,  major  general  in  the  United  States  Army; 
Jane;  Robert;  Agnes;  Hannah,  who  married  Captain  Robert  Gray,  of  Sun- 
bury; Joseph,  and  Liberty,  who  married  W'illiam  Dewart,  of  Sunbury. 

INDUSTRIES. 

Three  distilleries  were  returned  by  the  assessment  of  1788,  owned,  re- 
spectively, by  William  Allen,  Jesse  Funston,  and  Archibald  Sweney,  and 
assessed  at  the  uniform  rate  of  three  pounds.  Thomas  Strawbridge  owned 
a  tan-vard.  evidently  of  far  greater  importance  than  either  of  the  distilleries, 
as  it  is  returned  at  twenty  povmds.  Thomas  Palmer  had  a  grist  and  saw 
mill,  to  which  no  valuation  is  attached,  which  omission  is  sufficiently  ex- 
plained by  the  word  "useless,"  in6losed  in  parentheses  after  it  by  the  assessor. 
This  mill  was  probably  situated  on  Chillisquaque  creek  about  half  a  mile 
from  its  mouth,  where  a  ripi^le  in  the  stream  marks  the  location  of  an  old 
dam  and  the  course  of  the  mill-race  is  still  discernible.  Palmer's  mill  is 
referred  to  in  some  of  the  very  early  records  of  the  county,  and  it  was  prob- 
ably the  first  mill  on  Chillisquaque  creek. 

Chillisquaque  Mills,  on  the  south  bank  of  Chillisquaque  creek  a  quarter 
of  a  mile  from  its  mouth  and  about  the  same  distance  from  the  hne  of  Point 
township,  were  originally  erected  in  1791  by  William  Wilson,  whose  partner 
for  some  years  was  John  Boyd;  the  former  subsequently  became  associate 
judge  of  Northiunberland  county  and  the  latter  register  and  recorder,  while 
both  were  prominent  in  business  and  political  affairs.  The  building  was  con- 
structed of  stone,  and  stood  immediately  in  the  rear  of  the  present  structure, 
after  the  erection  of  which  it  was  used  as  a  plaster  mill.  The  present  mill 
is  a  five-story  frame  building,  equipped  with  roller  process  apparatus;  the 
present  proprietor  is  A.  F.  Otlinger,  and  among  his  predecessors  during  the 
last  half-century  have  been  Messrs.  Andrews,  Burger,  Daniel  and  David 
Heiser.  Joseph  and  Norman  Butler,  Raser,  and  Vincent. 


CHILLISQUAQUE   TOWNSHIP.  719 

The  Pottsgrove  Steam  Flmir  Mill  was  removed  from  Limestone  run, 
Turbut  to-wnship,  and  rebuilt  at  Pottsgrove  by  William  FoUmer.  Michael 
Kissel,  and  James  Smith,  and  after  being  successfully  oj^erated  for  some 
time,  was  destroyed  by  fire  several  years  since. 

D.  M.  Nesbit's  Planing  Mill,  on  the  bank  of  the  West  Branch  at  the 
crossino-  of  the  Lewisburg  and  Tyrone  railroad,  was  established  by  Dieffen- 
derfer  &  Driesbach,  and  has  been  successfully  operated  by  Dieffenderfer  & 
Candor,  the  East  Lewisburg  Manufacturing  Company,  and  the  present 
proprietor.  School  furniture  was  manufactured  to  a  considerable  extent  at 
one  time,  but  the  product  is  now  confined  to  general  planing  mill  work. 

Dodge  &  Company's  Steam  Saic  Mills  at  Chillisquaque  were  operated 
quite  extensively  for  a  short  time  some  years  since,  but  the  timber  in  that 
locality  having  been  exhausted,  the  plant  was  removed  elsewhere. 

Cold  Spring  Creamery,  situated  one  mile  south  of  Montandon  near  the 
Philadelphia  and  Erie  railroad,  was  built  by  C.  F.  Butler  and  oi-)ened  on  the 
14th  of  April,  1S90.  It  is  a  three-story  building  twenty-four  by  thirty-six 
feet  with  several  projections  and  a  basement,  and  is  fitted  with  machinery 
capable  of  making  eight  hundred  pounds  of  butter  per  day.  In  connection 
with  the  creamer}-  Mr.  Butler  has  a  chopping  mill,  spoke  and  handle  factory, 
and  a  hydraulic  cider  press.  The  power  is  derived  from  a  twenty-five  horse- 
power engine. 

POTTSGROVE. 

This  village  is  situated  four  miles  southeast  of  Milton,  where  the  road 
leading  from  Milton  to  Danville  is  crossed  by  that  leading  from  Northum- 
berland to  Washingtonville.  It  is  also  located  near  the  Catawissa  branch  of 
the  Philadelphia  and  Reading  railroad.  Two  churches,  a  public  school  build- 
ing, several  stores,  the  shops  of  several  mechanics,  and  a  population  of  about 
a  hundred  people  constitute  the  town  at  present.  The  land  on  which  it 
stands  was  first  owned  by  William  Reed,  who  came  to  this  section  during  the 
Revolutionary  war  and  erected  the  first  house  in  this  locaUty.  about  a  quarter 
of  a  mile  south  of  Pottsgrove  on  the  Northumberland  and  Washingtonville 
road.  He  was  the  first  justice  of  the  peace  in  this  part  of  the  coimty,  having 
been  commissioned  by  Governor  Mifflin. 

The  first  house  in  the  village  was  erected  by  James  Reed,  a  son  of  Will- 
iam Reed,  in  1784,  with  Alexander  Reed  as  carpenter.  In  this  house  James 
Reed  established  the  first  hotel  in  1818,  kno^vn  as  ''Travelers'  Inn."  Here 
the  first  postoffice  was  also  established,  in  1821,  with  James  Reed  as  first 
postmaster.  The  old  hotel  building  is  still  standing,  and  is  at  present  occu- 
pied by  William  Reed,  a  son  of  James  Reed,  who  is  the  oldest  resident  of 
this  part  of  the  county. 

The  first  industry  was  a  tannerv',  built  near  the  present  limit  of  the  vil- 
lage by  a  Mr.  Shoemaker,  who  immigrated  from  Berks  county  in  1810.   This 


720  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COCNTY. 

tannery'  was  in  operation  until  some  five  years  ago,  when  it  was  destroyed  by 
fire.  In  1820  the  first  blacksmith  shop  was  opened  by  David  Perry,  who  was 
for  many  years  the  "village  blacksmith"  of  Pottsgrove.  The  first  weaver 
was  Hans  Potts,  from  whom  the  place  derives  its  name. 

The  first  store  was  established  in  1832  by  the  firm  of  Sproll  &  Park,  who 
did  business  5ve  years,  when  they  dissolved  partnership  and  James  Keed 
started  a  store  in  connection  with  his  hotel  and  postoffice.  After  his  death 
the  business  of  storekeeping  was  not  conducted  for  some  years.  In  1881  L. 
J.  Beaver  built  the  present  store  room  on  the  southwest  corner  of  the  cross- 
roads, and  established  therein  a  general  mercantile  trade.  In  1880  B.  M. 
Beaver  established  a  coal  and  grain  market  in  connection  with  a  steam  grist 
mill,  which  business  he  conducted  for  some  time.  His  successor  was  a  Mr. 
Blue,  who  did  a  successful  business  until  May,  1890,  when  the  establishment 
burned  and  operations  ceased. 

Pottsgrove  Lodge,  No.  623,  I.  O.  O.  F.,vfns  chartered  on  the  21st  of 
March,  1890. 

MONTANDOX. 

The  ground  ui^on  wliich  this  village  stands  was  first  owned  by  an  English 
pioneer,  Foresman  by  name;  the  first  house  in  the  immediate  vicinity  was 
erected  in  1825  at  the  place  where  the  road  leading  from  Lewisburg  to  Dan- 
ville is  crossed  by  that  from  Milton  to  Sunbury  by  Benjamin  Foresman,  a 
grandson  of  the  first  settler.  This  structure  is  still  standing,  just  without 
the  limits  of  the  town  plat,  and  is  occupied  by  Hugh  Martin,  one  of  the  old- 
est citizens  of  the  place.  It  was  in  this  house  that  the  first  hotel  was  estab- 
lished by  Joseph  Foresman  in  1832  and  continued  by  him  until  1855;  it  was 
known  as  "Foresman's  Hotel"  or  "The  Sodom  Tavern."  The  house  was 
kept  open  for  the  accommodation  of  the  public  until  the  property  was  pur- 
chased by  Mr.  Martin. 

Between  the  years  1828  and  1834  the  ground  upon  which  the  town  stands 
was  used  for  a  race  course  by  the  Foresman  brothers,  who  were  great  horse- 
men. Horses  were  brought  from  adjoining  counties,  and  the  inhabitants 
from  far  and  near  would  congregate  at  this  place  to  witness  the  races. 

In  18-10  Peter  Waldron,  a  blacksmith  from  Lancaster  county,  located  a 
short  distance  to  the  south  of  the  Foresman  building  on  the  Sunbury  and 
Milton  road.  The  next  improvement  was  a  shoemaker  shop,  which  was  estab- 
lished by  a  Mr.  Colby  in  1848.  The  first  justice  of  the  peace  in  the  com- 
munity was  Thomas  Pardoe,  who  filled  that  office  for  many  years. 

The  first  effort  to  establish  a  town  was  made  by  Francis  and  Jeremiah 
Church  about  the  time  the  Pennsylvania  canal  was  completed.  The  plan, 
which  is  on  record  in  the  coimty  archives  at  Sunbur}-.  exhibits  a  town  plat 
between  the  canal  and  river,  south  of  the  Lewisburg  crosscut,  with  Front 
street.  Cherry  alley,  Jackson  street,  Montgomery,  Church,  Sarah's,  Locust, 


/i.^j^Ji^^^fi;^ 


CHILLISQUAQUE    TOWNSHIP.  723 

and  Dusky  alleys  and  Wilson  street  parallel  with  the  canal  and  river,  inter- 
sected by  Market  and  Green  streets.  The  width  of  Market  is  given  as 
seventy-five  feet,  of  Front  and  Jackson  as  sixty  feet,  and  of  Green,  fifty-five 
feet.  One  himdred  sixty  lots  are  rej^resented  as  having  been  laid  out. 
This  effort  to  establish  a  tovm  no  doiibt  indicated  considerable  enterprise  on 
the  part  of  the  projectors,  but  the  place  failed  to  materialize,  owing  in  all 
probability  to  the  fact  that  the  country  was  not  so  thickly  settled  at  that 
time  as  to  require  an  intermediate  trading  point  between  Milton  and  North- 
umberland. 

I'pon  the  comiiletion  of  the  Philadelphia  and  Erie  and  the  Lewisburg 
and  Tyrone  railroads  the  attempt  to  found  a  town  was  repeated  under  more 
favorable  auspices.  Up  to  this  time  the  coimtry  was  a  farming  district  ex- 
clusively, with  no  other  industries  than  the  blacksmith  and  shoemaker  shops 
mentioned  in  connection  with  the  early  settlement.  In  1S61  P.  Hackenberg 
bought  of  Cameron  &  Wall  a  lot  lying  to  the  east  of  the  railroad  and  south 
of  the  Lewisburg  and  Danville  road,  upon  which  he  erected  a  hoiise  and  es- 
tabhshed  therein  the  first  store  of  the  place  in  connection  with  the  hotel  busi- 
ness. In  the  same  year,  through  the  influence  of  Mr.  Hackenberg,  the  first 
postoffice  of  the  to^vu  was  established  with  himself  as  postmaster.  It  was 
named  Cameronia  in  honor  of  the  Cameron  family. 

At  this  time  the  north  side  of  the  Lewisburg  and  Danville  road  belonged 
to  the  John  Caul  estate,  and  that  to  the  south  to  Edward  and  Benjamin 
Hummel.  In  1SG5  Lewis  O.  Himner  purchased  a  portion  of  the  John  Caul 
estate  lying  on  the  east  side  of  the  Philadelphia  and  Erie  railroad.  In  the 
same  year  the  land  belonging  to  Edward  and  Benjamin  Hummel  was  pur- 
chased by  John  A.  J.  and  Robert  M.  Cummings.  Under  the  joint  auspices 
of  Messrs.  Cummings  and  Hunner  a  town  plat  was  surveyed  in  March,  1866, 
by  David  Rockefeller.  The  streets  running  east  and  west  beginning  at  the 
northern  extremity  of  the  plat  are  Center,  Main,  the  Lewisburg  and  Danville 
road.  Ciunmings,  and  Chillisquaque.  Those  intersecting  these  and  running 
north  and  south  are  Railroad  and  Northumberland,  Railroad  being  the  far- 
ther west. 

There  were  two  houses  here  at  that  time.  The  first,  built  by  Edward 
and  Benjamin  Hummel  for  use  as  a  farm  house,  was  purchased  by  John  A.  J. 
and  Robert  M.  Cummings  with  the  land  they  bought  in  1865,  and  stands  in 
relation  to  the  above  mentioned  plan  on  the  south  side  of  Main  near  Rail- 
road street.  The  second  house  erected  is  the  hotel  built  by  P.  Hackenberg 
in  1861  on  the  southeast  corner  of  Main  and  Railroad  streets.  In  1865  this 
biiilding  came  into  the  possession  of  C.  E.  Hartman,  who  extended  it  to  its 
present  size  and  continued  the  hotel  business  for  some  time.  This  house  has 
been  used  for  the  accommodation  of  the  pubhc  since  1861,  and  is  the  only 
hotel  in   the  town.     The  first  house  built  after  the  survey  of  the  town  plat 


724  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

was  that  erected  by  Dr.  N.  C.  Purdy,  on  the  north  side  of  Main  street  mid- 
way between  Railroad  and  Northumberland  streets. 

Owing  to  the  inconvenience  caused  by  mail  and  express  matter  addressed 
to  Cameronia  going  to  Cameron  county,  the  postoffice  designation  was  changed 
to  Montandon  in  1S67  through  the  influence  of  John  A.  J.  and  Eobert  M. 
Cummings,  the  name  being  suggested  by  the  former.  Circiunstances  have 
not  favored  the  rapid  expansion  of  the  town,  but  by  gradual  growth  it  has 
attained  a  population  of  three  hundred  fifty,  with  three  stores,  one  hotel,  two 
churches,  and  shops  of  the  various  mechanics. 


Sodom  consists  of  a  small  group  of  houses^  situated  one  mile  east  of 
Montandon  where  the  Montandon  and  Lewisburg  road  is  crossed  by  that 
leading  from  Northumberland  to  Milton.  The  first  person  to  locate  here 
was  in  all  probability  Lot  Carson,  from  whom  the  place  received  its  name; 
he  kept  a  hotel  at  the  crossroads  for  the  accommodation  of  the  stage  coaches, 
and  lost  his  life  by  falling  into  a  well  while  under  the  influence  of  liquor. 
A  quaint  old  school  house  of  pecitliar^  shape  is  situated  in  the  vicinity:  it 
was  erected  in  1814  as  a  place  of  worship. 

CHILLISQU.\QUE. 

The  post- village  of  this  name  is  situated  in  the  extreme  southwestern 
part  of  Chillisquaque  to\vnship.  At  the  earliest  period  in  its  histon,'  it  was 
a  trading  point  on  the  old  Northumberland  and  Milton  road;  later  it  became 
a  shipping  point  on  the  canal,  and  at  the  present  time,  Otlinger"s  mill,  the 
store  of  J.  E.  K.  Schwenk,  and  the  shops  and  residences  of  various  local 
mechanics  constitute  the  village.  Kapp's  station,  on  the  Philadelphia  and 
Erie  railroad,  is  located  in  the  vicinity,  and  afl'ords  convenient  access. 

SCHOOLS. 

The  ptrblic  school  system  was  adopted  in  1S34,  and  has  been  creditably 
sustained  to  the  jiresent  time. 

The  Pottsgrove  Academy  was  established  in  1875  by  a  local  stock  com- 
pany; it  has  been  successfully  conducted,  affording  good  facilities  for  the 
pursuit  of  studies  beyond  the  grade  of  the  public  school  curriculum. 

CHrECHES. 

Chillisquaque  Presbyterian  Church  was  organized  about  the  year  1773. 
The  burial  ground,  one  of  the  oldest  in  central  Pennsylvania,  is  situated  a 
mile  and  a  half  northeast  of  Pottsgrove  in  Montoitr  cotmty.  Three  church 
buildings  have  been  erected  at  that  point.  The  first,  a  wooden  structure, 
was  burned  by  the  Indians  during  the  Revolutionary  period.  The  second 
was  likewise  a  log  structure  as  originallv  built,  but  in  1789-90  it  was  exten- 


CHILLISQUAQUE    TOWNSHIP.  725 

sively  altered  and  j^lastered  within  and  given  a  "■  pebble-dash"  -without. 
The  present  brick  building  was  erected  in  1853.  The  removal  of  the  place 
of  worship  to  Pottsgrove  was  decided  upon  in  ISSO.  and  in  1889-91  the 
church  edifice  at  that  point,  a  two-story  stone  stracture  fifty  feet  square,  was 
built  under  the  supervision  of  a  committee  composed  of  Josej^h  K.  Murray, 
William  McMahan,  Gilbert  Voris,  WiUiam  Yoris,  and  H.  M.  Emerick,  M.  D. 
The  pastoral  succession  has  been  as  follows:  Eev.  John  Bryson,  1 790-1  S4(t; 
Daniel  M.  Barber,  1840-59;  Charles  H.  Park,  1859-To:  H.  G.  Finney,  1875 
-87;  J.  O.  George,  1887-89,  and  Abbott  L.  E.  Waite.  the  present  incumbent, 
who  was  installed  on  the  27th  of  February,  1890. 

Montandon  Baptist  Church. — The  first  meeting  for  the  organization  of  a 
Baptist  congregation  at  this  place  was  held  in  the  house  of  Mrs.  McGinley 
some  time  during  the  year  1864.  A  Sunday  school  was  organized  and  held 
in  the  Philadelphia  and  Erie  railroad  depot  for  some  time,  after  which  wor- 
ship was  successively  conducted  in  the  school  house,  in  a  small  room  above 
the  brick  store  room  now  occupied  by  Connor  &  Company,  and  in  an  old 
store  room  which  stood  along  the  railroad.  The  lot  ujwn  which  the  church 
building  stands  was  purchased  October  17,  ISCS:  Rev.  George  J.  Brensinger, 
a  student  at  Lewisburg,  was  pastor  at  the  time  of  its  erection  in  1S7().  Pre- 
vious to  1882  the  congregation  was  a  mission,  but  during  that  year  it  was 
organized  as  a  regular  Baptist  church,  with  L.  W.  Fr.Tnire,  J.  H.  Winghert, 
Abraham  Fairchild,  Peter  H.  Beaver.  John  Garber.  Edward  Hummel,  and 
Joseph  Keyser  as  the  first  trustees.     A  charter  was  obtained,  December  23, 

1885,  and  a  deed  for  the  church  property,  previously  held  by  the  Lewisburg 
Baptist  chtirch,  was  transferred  to  the  Montandon  organization,  March  23, 

1886.  The  following  is  a  list  of  pastors  who  have  served  the  congregation 
since  its  organization  in  1SS2:  Eeverends  Thomas  Howard,  J.  "Watres,  J.  A. 
Kouroldon,  Mr.  Bagshaw,  Mr.  Farlie,  Mr.  Hanson,  J.  Sagebeer,  E.  B.  Mc- 
Daniel,  and  Mr.  Fields. 

Montandon  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  was  organized  in  1869  with 
John  Andrews  as  its  first  class  leader.  Among  the  first  families  connected 
mth  the  congregation  were  the  Andrews,  Cummings,  Butlers,  Autens, 
Parks,  Kingsburj-s,  and  Bakers.  Until  1874  they  worshiped  in  private 
houses,  in  the  school  building,  and  in  the  Bai^tist  church.  In  1873,  under 
the  ministration  of  Eev.  A.  P.  Wharton,  the  question  of  erecting  a  church 
edifice  was  agitated.  In  1874  the  building  was  begun  with  W.  M.  Atiten, 
John  A.  J.  Cummings,  T.  T.  Baker,  H.  S.  Park,  and  W.  H.  Cool  as  building 
committee.  The  comer-stone  was  laid,  June  26,  1874.  and  the  building  was 
dedicated  on  the  22d  of  November  in  the  same  year.  The  following  is  a  list 
of  pastors  who  have  served  the  congregation  in  chronological  order:  Eev. 
A.  P.  Wharton,  1873-76;  John  Vrooman,  187(3-78:  H.  F.  Caves,  1878 
-79;  B.  H.  Crever,  1879-81;  A.  E.  Taylor,  1881-83:  D.  H.  Shields,  1883- 
85;  J.  H.  Mortimer,  1885-87;  J.  W.  Feight,  1887-90. 


726  HISTORY    OF   NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

The  Evangelical  Association  is  represented  by  one  organization  in  Chillis- 
qiiaqne  township,  formed  in  December,  1871.  A  Methodist  church  build- 
ing at  Sodom  was  purchased,  rebuilt  in  the  northwestern  part  of  the  town- 
ship, and  dedicated  in  1872  during  the  administration  of  Rev.  A.  H.  Irvin. 
Among  his  successors  as  pastor  have  been  Reverends  Henry  B.  Hertzler, 
Adam  AV.  Schenberger,  S.  P.  Remer,  Henry  A.  Stoke,  J.  A.  Irvin,  and  C. 
W.  Finkbinder. 

Pottsgrove  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church  was  formed  in  1882  from  a 
membership  formerly  connected  with  the  Center  Lutheran  church  of  Mon- 
tour coiinty.  The  tirst  council  consisted  of  the  following  laymen:  Jonathan 
Rishel  and  M.  Mull,  elders;  Isaiah  C.  Rishel,  J.  A.  Kremer,  S.  Miller 
Boyer,  and  D.  AV.  Messersmith,  deacons.  The  corner-stone  of  the  church 
editice  was  laid  on  the  9th  of  October,  1881,  Rev.  J.  A.  Flickinger  officiat- 
ing. It  is  a  plain  brick  structure  about  forty-four  by  sixty  feet  in  dimen- 
sions, surmounted  by  a  belfr}-,  and  is  situated  upon  the  most  commanding 
site  in  the  village.  The  present  pastor,  Rev.  G.  E.  Faber,  assumed  charge, 
March  1,  ISSU,  and  was  installed  on  the  14th  of  July  following,  Rever- 
ends E.  H  Leisenring  and  M.  L.  Shindel  officiating.  The  origin  of  the 
Simday  school  was  contemporaneous  with  that  of  the  church;  J.  B.  Kremer 
was  the  first  superintendent. 

Chillis'quaqtte  Union  Chapel,  a  frame  building  erected  on  land  given  by 
Mrs.  Charles  S.  Wolfe,  was  completed  in  1890,  and  is  the  place  of  worship 
for  a  nourishing  imion  Simday  school  conducted  by  theological  students 
from  Bucknell  University,  Lewisburg.  It  is  situated  on  the  road  leading 
from  Milton  to  Montandon. 


CHAPTER  XXVII. 

SHAMOKIN  TOWNSHIP. 

FoRM.^TioN  OF  R.U.PIIO  Township  and  DEscRrpxiON  of  its  Origin.^l  Bouxd.^ries — 
Change  of  Name  to  Shamokix — Physical  Features — Pioneers — T.^xables  in 
1788 — Industries— Early  Settlement,  Present  Business,  and  Municipal 
Government  of  the  Borough  of  Snydertown  —  Villages  —  Schools  — 
Chuhches. 

THE  present  line  of  division  between  Shamokin  and  Rockefeller  town- 
ships has,  with  the  exception  of  Line  mountain,  possessed  geographical 
significance  longer  than  any  other  of  the  interior  township  lines  of  Northum- 
berland coimty.  It  was  part  of  the  origintil  western  boimdary  of  Catawissa, 
which  was  thus  described  at  the  erection  of  that  to\vnship  in  1785: — 


SHAMOKIN    TOWNSHIP.  727 

To  begin  at  the  mouth  of  Gravel  run,  where  it  empties  into  the  Xortheast  Branch  of 
the  Susquehanna,  and  to  extend  up  said  run  to  the  tirst  large  fork;  thence  up  the  east 
branch  of  said  run  a  direct  course  till  Shamokin  creek  between  the  plantations  of 
AVilliam  Clark  and  Andrew  Gregg;  from  thence  a  direct  course  to  a  large  deer-lick  on 
the  north  side  of  Mahanoy  hill,  till  it  Joins  the  line  that  di\-ides  the  townships  of 
Augusta  and  Mahanoy. 

Augusta  township  at  that  date  is  represented  as  extending  from  Sunbury 
nearly  to  "the  plains  of  Wyoming;"  and  at  April  sessions,  1785,  a  number 
of  the  inhabitants  presented  a  petition  setting  forth  its  unwieldy  projiortions, 
which  they  "conceived  after  a  division  would  be  large  enough  and  sufficient 
for  two  to%vnships."  Commissioners  were  accordingly  appointed,  and  at  the 
following  August  term  a  division  was  ordered  by  the  line  just  described,  that 
part  of  the  original  township  east  of  it  "to  be  called  and  known  as  Catawissa 
forever." 

The  township  thus  formed  was  soon  found  to  be  too  large  for  the  con- 
venience of  its  population,  and  at  August  sessions,  17SS,  a  division  was 
ordered  by  a  line, — 

Beginning  at  the  mouth  of  Little  Roaring  creek;  theuce  up  said  creek  to  the  head 
thereof;  thence  on  the  ridge  to  the  south  branch  of  Big  Roaring  creek;  from  thence 
up  the  said  creek  to  Yarnall's  path;  thence  a  southeasterly  course  to  the  county  line. 

That  part  of  the  former  area  of  Catawissa  west  of  this  line  received  the 
name  of  Ralpho.  It  was  bounded  on  the  south  by  Line  mountain  and 
Schuylkill  county;  on  the  west  by  the  present  western  line  of  Rush  and 
Shamokin,  extended  to  Line  mountain;  on  the  north  by  the  Suscpehanna 
river,  and  on  the  east  by  a  line  coinciding  very  nearly  with  the  present 
eastern  boundary  of  the  county,  except  that  Yarnall's  path  passes  in  Mt. 
Carmel  township  through  the  borough  of  Mt.  Carmel  and  not  at  its  eastern 
extremity.  But,  unfortunately  for  the  perpetuity  of  the  name,  its  selection 
did  not  meet  the  approbation  of  the  inhabitants,  and  within  a  year  several 
petitions  were  presented  to  the  cotirt,  praying  for  a  change.  The  reasons 
for  this  are  thus  set  forth  in  one  of  these  petitions: — 

The  name  and  word  Shamokin  is  known  throughout  the  greater  part  of  this  and 
adjacent  States:  and  it  is  very  common,  where  new  townships  are  laid  out,  to  call  such 
township  or  townships  by  and  after  the  name  of  such  creek  or  principal  stream  of 
water  as  is  or  are  running  through  the  same:  and  many  of  >is  having  moved  and  come 
a  considerable  distance  and  settled  upon  the  waters  of  said  Shamokin  creek,  and 
strangers  remote  from  this  place  not  knowing  whether  the  word  Shamokin  is  the  name 
of  the  county,  a  township,  or  town,  and  it  is  often  the  case  that  many  of  us  send  or 
receive  letters,  etc.,  and  it  may  often  happen  that  letters  coming  into  a  second  hand 
may  be  miscarried  if  there  is  not  a  proper  direction  upon  the  face  of  the  letter,  etc.: 
your  petitioners  therefore  humbly  pray  that  your  Honors  mav  be  pleased  to  strike  out 
the  strange  and  unknown  name  of  Ralpho*  lately  given  to  the  township  newly  laid  out 
and  taken  off  the  township  of  Catawissa,  and  to  grant  it  its  known  and  natural  name, 
ShanKskin. 

♦Kapho  township,  I^ancaster  county,  Fennsylvaula,  was  organized  in  1741,  and  so  named  from 
the  parish  of  Rapho  in  County  Donegal.  Ireland.  The  letter !  does  not  occur  In  the  name  In  some 
of  the  old  records  of  this  county.  Perhaps  the  name  of  the  parish  In  Ireland  or  the  township  in  Lan- 
caster county  was  not  unknown  to  the  Justices  who  selected  it  In  178S. 


728  HISTORY    OF   NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

Accordingly,  "  upon  a  second  petition  of  the  inhabitants  up  Shamokin 
creek  "  (the  petition  quoted),  the  name  was  changed  to  Shamokin  at  August 
sessions,  17S9. 

Little  Mahanoy  was  formed  from  Aiigusta  and  Shamokin  in  1813;  Rush, 
from  Shamokin,  in  1S19;  Coal,  from  Shamokin  and  Little  Mahanoy,  in  1837; 
Snydertown  borough,  in  1871;  and  Ralpho,  from  Shamokin,  in  18S3.  thus 
reducing  the  latter  to  its  present  limits. 

The  valley  of  Shamokin  creek  forms  the  northern  part  of  the  township, 
and  Irish  valley  its  southern  part,  while  the  intervening  territory  is  distin- 
guished by  a  very  diversified  topography.  The  Northern  Central  and  Phila- 
delphia and  Reading  railroads  pass  throiigh  the  valley  of  the  creek,  with  sev- 
eral stations  in  this  township,  while  public  highways  traverse  its  extent  in  all 
directions. 

PIONEERS. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  the  taxables  of  Ralpho  (Shamokin)  township,  in 
1788:  William  Becker,  "William  Becker.  Jr.,  William  Brewer,  Peter  Bucklin, 
Dewalt  Bilhnan,  Jr.,  Christian  Barger,  David  Bennett,  Peter  Barger,  WiUiam 
Bilhnan,  William  Clark,  Alexander  Campbell,  James  Cherrj',  George  Daugh- 
erty,  George  Dwilar,  Abraham  Dewitt,  Alexander  Ewing,  Joseph  Fisher, 
William  Goodhart,  Thomas  Giles,  Robert  Giles,  Stephen  Harsh,  John  Irwin, 
Andrew  Irwin,  Jonathan  Jones,  Abraham  Jones,  William  Jones,  M.  Jones, 
Daniel  Jackson,  Peter  Kessler,  Benjamin  Kelley,  Ishmael  Kess,  John  Kelley, 
John  Kerr,  Robert  Kennedy,  John  Kerr,  Jr.,  Griffith  Kerr,  Lawrence  Lam- 
erson,  James  McLees,  John  Miller,  Nicholas  Miller,  Hester  McKay,  John  Mc- 
Kenzie,  John  Maurer,  John  Moore,  Mordecai  Morrison,  Samuel  Moore.  John 
Pensyl,  George  Persing,  Richard  Robinson,  Samuel  Reeder,  Jacob  Reed, 
Casper  Reed,  Henr}-  Ripley,  Richard  Robinson,  Richard  Robinson,  Jr.,  Will- 
iam Search,  John  Teitsworth,  William  Teitsworth,  Michael  Thompson,  David 
Thurston,  William  Taylor,  Edward  Wilkerson,  Allen  Wilkerson,  John  Wil- 
kerson,  Michael  Weaver,  Alexander  Wallace,  Andrew  Wagner,  James  Wal- 
lace, Morgan  Young. 

INDUSTRIES. 

The  Shipman  miU  site  is  one  of  the  oldest  on  Shamokin  creek,  as  George 
Hughes  built  a  miU  thereon  as  early  as  1780.  It  had  an  overshot  wheel  and 
two  sets  of  buhrs.  Charles  Hughes,  his  son,  built  the  three-story  frame 
structiire  now  owned  by  W.  A.  Reed.  It  has  four  sets  of  buhrs.  In  1815 
Jacob  Reed  built  a  saw  mill  at  the  site  of  a  similar  establishment  now  owned 
by  William  Reed. 

Several  tanneries  were  once  in  operation.  That  of  Daniel  Campbell  was 
located  upon  land  now  o^\'ned  by  Mrs.  Jane  Reed;  Hughes  &  Teats  had  one 
at  Snufftown,  while  those  of  Joseph  Haiipt  and  Furman  Farnsworth  were 
in  Irish  valley.      Samuel  and  Joseph  Hoover  had  a  tannery  three  fourths  of 


SIIAHOKIN-    TOWNSHIP.  729 

a  mile  from  Snyderto-\ra  on  the  main  road  to  Simbury.  Joseph  M.  Wolver- 
ton,  who  learned  his  trade  with  them,  established  a  tannerj-  at  SnTderto^v^l 
and  conducted  it  imtil  his  death  several  years  since.  At  the  present  time 
there  is  no  establishment  of  this  nature  in  operation  in  the  township. 

The  Paxinos  iron  furnace  was  built  in  1S4S  by  Anthony  Dengler  and 
successively  operated  by  Dengler  &  Haas  and  Taggart,  Furman  ^Barton; 
after  the  suspension  of  the  last  mentioned  firm  the  works  were  abandoned. 
They  were  situated  upon  the  William  Eeed  farm. 

A  distillery  was  operated  by  Jacob  Haas  on  the  land  now  owned  bv  W. 
A.  Reed  some  years  ago,  but  the  time  when  it  was  established  has  not  been 
ascertained.  Valentine  Klase  had  a  distillery  on  the  road  between  Ston- 
ington  and  Snydertown  at  an  early  date. 

The  Paxinos  powder  mill  was  originally  estabhshed  by  George  W.  Eaver 
and  successively  operated  by  a  Mr.  Kline  and  the  firm  of  Boughner  .i-  Fred- 
erick until  its  purchase  by  H.  A.  Weldy  &  Company,  the  present  proprietors. 
Mining  powder  is  exclusively  manufactured  to  the  extent  of  fifty  kecrs  per 
day.      J.  A.  Weaver  has  been  the  superintendent  since  18S5. 

BOROUGH    OF    SNYDERTOWN. 

Snyderto^vn  is  situated  in  the  northern  part  of  the  township  in  the  val- 
ley of  Shamokin  creek  and  on  the  lines  of  the  Northern  Central  and  Phila- 
delphia and  Reading  railways.  The  land  upon  which  the  town  proper  is 
situated  was  first  owned  by  Godfrey  Rockefeller,  from  Sussex  county.  Xew 
Jersey;  he  gave  to  each  of  his  sons,  viz.,  Jacob,  Godfrey,  Henry,  and  Peter, 
one  hundred  acres  of  land  within  the  present  borough  limits.  Godfrev  built 
the  frame  tavern  that  stood  u^ion  the  site  of  the  present  brick  hotel ;  it  was  inher- 
ited by  his  daughter  Charity,  whose  husband,  William  Farrow,  became  landlord 
in  1796  and  continued  as  such  sixty  years.  He  was  succeeded  by  his  son, 
William  Farrow,  who  built  the  present  hotel.  Among  other  pioneers  of  the 
borough  were  the  Lewis  family,  Jacob  Holsman,  Andrew  Gonsar,  John 
Jones,  Andrew  Smith,  William  Waters,  John  Moore,  John  Evert,  and  Will- 
iam Martz.  Michael  Klase  arrived  in  1815  from  Berks  county,  Pennsylvania; 
in  1821  he  built  a  distillery  upon  land  now  owned  by  Charles  Snyder  and 
operated  it  many  years. 

The  village  of  Snydertown,  which  comprises  but  a  small  part  of  the  terri- 
tory included  in  the  borough  limits,  was  laid  out  by  Jacob  Snyder,  a  native 
of  Xew  Jersey.  From  its  position  in  the  fertile  Shamokin  valley,  midway 
between  Sunbiirj-  and  Shamokin,  it  enjoys  good  business  advantages.  Two 
general  stores,  a  hotel,  a  planing  mill,  and  a  grist  mill  comprise  the  present 
commercial  and  industrial  interests.  The  grist  mill,  of  which  J.  H  Gonsar 
is  the  present  proprietor,  was  originally  built  by  Samuel  Gonsar  on  the  main 
road  leading  from  Snyderto\vn  to  the  Centre  turnpike  a  quarter  of  a  mile 
from  the  present  location. 


730  HISTORY    OF   NOKTHUITBERLAND    COUNTY. 

Shamokin  Valleij  Lodge,  No.  527,  I.  0.  O.  F.,  was  chartered  on  the  23d 
of  May,  1856. 

Municipal  Government. — SnTderto^vTi  was  incorporated  as  a  borough  by 
act  of  the  legislature.  May  26,  ISTI.  The  borough  election  of  February  16, 
1872,  resulted  as  follows:  burgess,  William  F.  Khne;  council:  William 
Withington,  D.  H.  Evert,  Valentine  Klase,  Jr.,  Daniel  Smith,  B.  F.  Hoy, 
Jonathan  Deibler;  street  commissioner,  John  Martz;  overseer  of  the  poor, 
D.  J.  Willett;  judge  of  elections.  Jackson  Berger:  inspectors:  G.  W.  Startzel, 
George  W.  Farrow;  school  directors:  Jesse  Gonsar,  Daniel  Smith,  J.  M. 
Wolverton,  John  Klase,  A.  T.  Dewitt.  D.  H.  Evert;  high  constable,  George 
W.  Startzel;  constable,  M.  Smith;  assessor,  George  Weimer;  to-wn  clerk, 
Isaac  Anold;  auditors:    John  Klase.  George  W.  Arnold,  David  Hoover. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  burgesses  since  the  .incorporation  of  the  bor- 
ough: 1872-73,  WiUiam  F.  Kline:  1874,  J.  M.  Wolverton;  1875,  Daniel 
Smith;  1876,  John  Bohner;  1877.  WiUiam  F.  Kline;  1878-81,  Jacob  Gon- 
sar; 1882-83,  David  Hoover;  1SS4.  Jacob  Gonsar;  1885,  John  Zimmerman; 
1886-87,  Eli  Hoover;  1888-90,  David  Hoover;  1891,  J.  H.  Martin. 

VILLAGES. 

Snufftoiim,  at  one  time  the  most  important  postoffice  and  stage  depot  be- 
tween Siuibury  and  PottsviUe,  is  located  on  the  Centre  turnpike  and  was 
laid  out  by  a  Mr.  Zuern  before  the  close  of  the  last  centitry.  As  a  postoffice 
it  bore  the  name  of  Shamokin;  there  was  also  a  store,  hotel,  blacksmith  shop, 
and  gun-making  establishment.  The  hotel  reached  the  zenith  of  its  pros- 
perity just  before  the  opening  of  the  railroad,  when  it  was  under  the  pro- 
prietorship of  D.  Stambach. 

Paxinos,  a  station  and  post-village  on  the  Northern  Central  and  Phila- 
delphia and  Reading  railways,  comprises  a  general  store,  hotel,  postoffice, 
blacksmith  shop,  and  brick  yard.  As  originally  erected  by  John  Teitsworth, 
the  hotel  was  a  two-story  frame  building. 

Stonington  is  a  post-village  in  the  northwestern  part  of  the  township.  It 
consists  of  a  store,  postoffice,  blacksmith  shop,  and  church. 

SCHOOLS. 

The  public  school  system  was  first  adopted  in  Shamokin  township  in 
1836,  and  the  school  tax  assessed  for  that  year  amounted  to  five  hundred 
thirty-two  dollars,  five  and  one  half  cents.  In  March,  1838,  the  continuance 
of  the  system  was  decided  in  the  negative  by  a  vote  of  one  hundred  fifty-six 
in  a  total  poll  of  one  hundred  sixty-one.  In  1841  the  question  was  again 
submitted;  one  hundred  twenty-five  votes  were  cast  in  favor  of  re-establish- 
ing the  system,  and  one  hundred  eighty-two  against  it.  On  the  17th  of 
March,  1843,  the  system  was  again  adopted,  by  a  majority  of  fifty-one. 


SHAMOKIN    TOWNSHIP.  731 

CHURCHES. 

Shamokin  Presbyterian  Church  was  organized  about  179(X  A  large  log 
chiirch  building  was  erected  itpon  land  deeded  by  Daniel  Campbell,  March 
13, 1795, to  Michael  Moore, Obadiah  Campbell,  and  William  Taylor  ''in  trust 
for  the  only  absolute  use.  benefit,  and  behoof  of  a  Presbj-terian  congregation, 
for  to  erect  a  public  house  of  worship."  Among  the  hrst  who  preached  here 
were  Eeverends  M.  Patterson  and  Samuel  Henderson.  In  the  graveyard 
adjoining  many  pioneers  of  the  eastern  part  of  the  county  are  buried. 
Among  the  most  prominent  of  the  early  members  were  Obadiah  Campbell, 
William  Kase.  Alexander  Moore.  Samuel  Sober.  Daniel  Campbell,  and  Peter 
Yocum.  About  the  year  1S50  the  congregation  was  divided;  one  part  estab- 
lished a  church  at  Elysburg  and  the  other  in  Rush  township. 

Shamokin  Baptist  Church,  the  oldest  congregation  of  that  denomination 
in  central  Pennsylvania,  was  organized  in  1794.  The  following  pastors  have 
served  the  congregation  in  the  order  of  their  names:  John  Patton.  Jolin 
Wolverton,  Eugenio  Kincaid,  Georgt  Spratt,  G.  M.  Spratt.  J.  D.  Jones,  J.  H. 
Worrell.  A.  J.  Collins.  E.  P.  Barker.  O.  L.  Hall,  J.  E.  Shanafelts.  George  F. 
McNair,  J.  F.  Rush.  W.  W.  Waltz.  T.  O.  Critchlow.  A.  J.  Collins.  D.  F.  Giles, 
J.  Green  Miles,  P.  F.  De  Lancey,  and  W.  H.  Ellis.  Thirteen  deacons  served 
the  church  from  its  organization  to  1803,  viz.:  Samuel  Reecler,  Joseph  Rich- 
ardson. John  Famsworth,  John  Moore,  Ananias  Saxton,  Isaac  Wolverton, 
Charles  Wolverton.  Matthias  Reed.  Isaiah  Morgan.  David  Miller.  Robert 
Farnsworth.  Farnsworth  Reed,  and  William  Furman:  during  the  same  period 
John  Wolverton.  Abner  John.son,  James  Patton,  Henry  Clark.  Silas  E.  Shep- 
hard,  Zophar  D.  Pasco,  Joseph  Pasco,  G.  M.  Spratt,  and  Jesse  Saxton  were 
licensed  to  preach:  about  five  hundred  persons  were  received  into  the  church 
by  baptism  in  that  time.  The  succession  of  church  clerks  has  been  as  follows: 
John  Wolverton.  Richard  Patton.  Abner  Johnson,  Silas  E.  Shephard,  John 
Hales,  Zophar  D.  Pasco.  Charles  Wolverton,  William  Reed.  Furman  Fams- 
worth, Peter  R.  Wilhour,  Jacob  R.  Clark.  Adam  Broscious.  and  George  P. 
Johnson.  A  division  of  the  church,  resulting  from  a  divergence  of  views 
upon  questions  of  doctrine  and  discipline,  occurred  on  the  17th  of  May,  1834; 
the  resulting  societies  were  distinguished  as  ''old  school"  and  "new  school;" 
the  former  was  the  smaller  ntmierically,  and  sustained  a  lingering  existence 
until  1840;  the  latter  was  recognized  by  the  association  and  retained  posses- 
sion of  the  church  property,  which  was  occupied  by  both  for  religious  pur- 
poses. The  first  protracted  meeting  of  which  there  is  any  account  was  held 
in  February,  lS3o,  and  the  second  from  October  30th  to  November  4th  in  the 
same  year.  The  Sunday  school  and  prayer  meeting  were  established  in  pur- 
suance of  a  resolution  passed  on  the  7th  of  April,  1836. 

The  first  church  building  was  erected  at  the  organization  of  the  society 
and  used  until  1837.  The  ground  it  occupied  was  deeded  to  Allen  Wilker- 
son  and  Joseph  Richardson,  trustees,  by  Gideon  Wilkerson,  April  '27,  1795, 


732  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

The  roof  of  that  striicture  having  blown  off,  it  was  decided,  at  a  meeting 
on  the  5th  of  May,  1837,  to  build  two  other  houses  of  worship,  one  on  the 
Shamokin  hills,  and  the  other  on  the  Centre  turnpike.  The  former  became 
the  first  place  of  worship  of  the  Eush  Baptist  church;  the  latter  was  dedi- 
cated in  December,  1838,  and  continued  as  the  church  edifice  of  this 
society  more  than  thirty-five  years.  The  present  church  buikling  is  a  one- 
storj-  brick  structure  situated  on  the  Treverton  road  near  Stonington  post-' 
office;  the  corner-stone  was  laid,  Jime  22,  1873,  and  the  dedication  occurred, 
Jiine  28,  1874.  About  the  same  time  a  frame  church  building  was  erected 
at  the  old  burial  ground;  it  has  been  occasionally  vised  for  religious  worship 
by  Baptist  and  other  ministers. 

This  church  was  originally  connected  with  the  Philadelphia  Baptist  Asso- 
ciation, into  which  it  was  received  in  1790.  At  the  organization  of  the 
Northumberland  Baptist  Association  in  1821  it  was  represented  by  Rev. 
John  Wolverton,  the  pastor,  Isaac  Wolverton,  David  Kelly,  John  Moore, 
Charles  Saxton,  and  Gideon  Chamberlain.  The  association  has  frequently 
convened  at  this  church,  and  here,  at  the  session  of  1845,  measures  were  first 
taken  for  the  establishment  of  the  literary  and  theological  institutions  of  this 
denomination  at  Lewisburg,  Pennsylvania. 

Summit  Baptist  Church. — In  1833  Matthias  Reed  and  Isaiah  Morgan, 
whose  families  were  connected  with  the  Shamokin  Baptist  church,  located  in 
Irish  valley.  Rev.  G.  M.  Spratt,  pastor  of  the  Shamokin  church,  soon  after- 
ward began  to  hold  Baptist  services  at  private  houses  at  intervals  of  a  month; 
this  was  the  first  Baptist  preaching  in  the  valley,  and  was  continued  several 
years.  In  1843  Michael  Taylor  donated  ground  for  a  church  building,  the 
title  to  which  was  vested,  by  the  terms  of  the  deed,  in  Matthias  Reed,  Isaiah 
Morgan,  and  Joseph  Ammerman  as  trustees.  A  house  of  worship  was  erected 
thereon  in  1844;  it  was  repaired  in  1803  and  rededicated  on  the  10th  of 
June  in  that  year,  Reverends  J.  R.  Shanafelts,  A.  D.  Ha-svn,  and  George  T. 
McNair  officiating.  On  the  19th  of  Januarj^  18G5,  the  church  was  duly 
organized  with  thirty-one  members  'and  the  following  ofiicers:  pastor.  Rev. 
George  T.  McNair;  deacons:  Farnsworth  Reed,  Caleb  F.  Persing;  clerk, 
Farnsworth  Reed,  and  treasurer,  Absalom  Yeager.  The  organization  was 
formally  recognized  by  a  council  composed  of  clergymen  and  laymen  from 
congregations  of  the  Northumberland  Baptist  Association,  which  convened  at 
the  Irish  Valley  church  on  the  10th  of  February,  1805.  Among  Mr.  McNair's 
successors  in  the  pastoral  relation  have  been  Reverends  A.  B.  Still,  E.  B. 
Waltz,  D.  F.  Giles,  N.  Thomas,  and  P.  F.  Delancey. 

St.  Johji's  Lutheran  and  Reformed  Church  was  organized  in  1828  with  the 
following  members:  John  Evert,  John  Smith,  Samuel  Gonsar,  Jacob  Hoover, 
George  Arnold,  Valentine,  Jacob,  and  Abraham  Klase,  Andrew  Smith,  Andrew 
and  Benjamin  Kanderman,  Michael  Evert,  William  Martz  and  wife,  Peter, 
John,  and  Daniel  Keffer,  John  Evert,  Jr.,   Solomon  Evert,  and  Solomon 


SHAMOKIN    TOWNSHIP.  733 

Hartzel.  An  acre  of  ground  was  presented  by  John  Evert,  upon  which  a 
frame  church  edifice  was  erected,  and  the  remainder  has  been  u.~eti  as  a 
burying  ground.  In  1S70  the  congregation  purchased  a  lot  on  the  opposite 
side  of  the  road,  and  erected  thereon  a  brick  church  edifice,  forty  by  sixty 
feet,  at  a  cost  of  four  thousand  one  hundred  eight  dollars  sixty-six  cents. 
The  following  pastors  have  served  these  congregations:  Lutheran — Reverends 
Shindel,  Wampole,  Shtiltz,  Vought,  Kizer,  Berry,  Zimmerman,  Frederick, 
Harsh,  Bateman,  Benson,  and  Shannon;  Reformed — Reverends  Fisher, 
Heisler,  Steinmetz,  Shoemaker.  Hartzel,  Mtitchler,  Huffman,  and  Haas. 

Snyclertoivn  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  was  organized  prior  to  1S59 
with  J.  M.  "Wolverton  as  first  class  leader  and  Christian  Diehl,  J.  M.  Wol- 
verton.  Joseph  Hoover,  John  Jones,  and  Solomon  Klase  as  first  trustees.  The 
chitrch  edifice,  a  frame  building  forty  feet  long  and  twenty  feet  wide,  was 
dedicated  on  the  4th  of  December.  1859,  by  Rev.  M.  AVarren.  The  follow- 
ing is  a  list  of  pastors  since  the  formation  of  Snydertown  circuit:  John  F. 
Craig.  1868;  D.  M.  McCloskey,  1869-70;  Henrj-  S.  Mendenhall.  1ST  1-72; 
N.  W.  Colburn,  1873-74;  G.  H.  Day,  1876-78;  John  Guss,  1879-80:  Henry 
B.  Fortner,  1881-83;  John  A.  De  Moyer,  1884;  John  Horning.  1SS-J-.87; 
Elial  M.  Chilcoat,  1888,  present  incumbent. 

Irish  Valley  Methodist  Episcopal  Churches. — There  are  two  Methodist 
churches  in  Irish  valley,  both  of  which  are  situated  in  the  southern  part  of 
the  township,  and  have  generally  had  the  same  pastors  as  the  society  at  Sny- 
dertoT;\Ti.  One  of  them  was  formerly  occitpied  by  another  denomination:  the 
erection  of  the  other  was  begim  in  the  early  spring  of  1869,  but  the  struct- 
ure was  destroyed  by  fire  before  its  completion.  The  corner-stone  was  again 
laid  on  the  23d  of  May,  1869,  and  the  dedication  occurred,  February  20, 
1870,  during  the  pastorate  of  Rev.  John  F.  Craig. 

Clark's  Grove  United  Brethren  Church  was  organized  about  IS'i'l  in  an 
old  school  house  then  known  as  Zimmerman's,  situated  five  miles  from 
Shamokin  on  the  Irish  Valley  road.  Among  the  leading  famihes  at  that 
time  were  those  of  Lewis,  Moody.  Miller,  and  ShoU.  Services  were  held  in 
the  school  house  until  a  frame  church  building  was  erected  near  that  place; 
this  was  used  as  a  place  of  worship  itntil  1879,  when  many  of  the  members 
changed  to  the  Baptist  faith  and  held  the  church  building  as  the  property  of 
that  denomination.  Those  who  continued  in  connection  with  the  Tnited 
Brethren  church  erected  their  present  frame  church  edifice,  about  half  a 
mile  west  of  their  previous  house  of  worship  on  the  Irish  Valley  road.  This 
building  was  completed  and  dedicated  on  the  17th  of  September.  1879.  Rev- 
erends M.  J.  Mumma  and  L.  Peters  officiating. 

Pleasant  Hill  United  Brethren  Church  was  organized  about  iSotl  in  an 
old  school  house  on  the  Centre  turnpike  one  mile  west  of  Reed"s  station. 
The  present  one-story  brick  church  edifice,  situated  near  the  site  of  the 
school  house,  was  erected  during  1872-73,  and  dedicated  on  the  4th  of  May, 


734  HISTORY    OF    NORTHCitBERLAND    COUNTY. 

1873.  The  Reeser  families  were  among  the  first  members  and  have  been  quite 
prominent  in  the  church  ever  since  its  organization.  The  graveyard  was 
opened  as  a  place  of  burial  in  1S72. 

,  Ashgrove  United  Brethren  Church. — The  first  class  was  organized  in 
1870,  through  the  efforts  of  Andi-ew  Rinehart  and  David  Reeser,  and 
consisted  of  Eli  Reed  and  wife,  John  Reed  and  wife,  and  Miss  Hales; 
Andrew  Rinehart  was  first  class  leader.  The  meetings  were  held  in  a  school 
house  on  the  Centre  turnpike  one  half-mile  west  of  Paxinos  until  1872, 
when  a  church  edifice  was  erected.  This  is  a  one-story  frame  building, 
situated  near  the  site  of  the  old  school  house.'  and  was  dedicated  on  the  21st 
of  January,  1872.     Reverend  Kauffman  was  the  first  pastor. 


CHAPTER  XXVIII. 
LITTLE  M-IHANOY  TOWNSHIP. 

BorNDAKIES — OuliAMZATION— PiDNEERS MlI.Ltr— SCHOOLS— ClIURCHES. 

ALTHOUGH  one  of  the  smallest  townships  of  the  county  at  the  present 
day.  Little  Mahanoy  was  originally  one  of  the  most  extensive.  It  is 
separated  from  Rockefeller  and  Lower  Augusta  by  the  Little  mountain,  and 
from  Washington  and  Jackson  by  Line  mountain;  the  townshi^Js  of  Zerbe 
and  Cameron  adjoin  on  the  east.  Thus  inclosed  by  mountains  on  the  north, 
west,  and  south,  its  agricultural  territory  is  limited  to  the  valleys  of  Mahanoy 
creek  and  Zerbe  run,  through  which  the  Philadelphia  and  Reading  railroad 
passes  from  the  Shamokin  coal  region  to  the  Susquehanna  river,  affording 
exceptional  facilities  for  travel  and  transportation. 

Little  Mahanoy  was  erected  by  decree  of  court,  August  19,  1818,  from 
territory  formerly  embraced  in  Augusta  and  Shamokin.  The  original  bound- 
aries were  thus  described: — 

Beginning  on  the  top  of  the  Mahanoy  mountain  near  the  river  Susquehanna; 
thence  along  the  line  that  was  lately  run  which  divides  the  two  Mahanoy  townships 
from  Augusta  and  Shamokin  townships  to  the  county  line;  thence  the  best  course  to 
the  Stony  gap  at  Shamokin  creek;  thence  along  the  mountain  to  the  place  of  beginning. 

This  line  was  surveyed  by  Henry  Donnel,  John  Weitzel,  and  Samuel  Awl, 
who  were  appointed  at  November  sessions,  1812.  The  principal  reason  urged 
for  the  division  was  the  inconvenience  involved  in  attending  elections,  etc. 
This  entire  territory  had  originally  been  included  in  Augusta;  its  eastern 
part  was  included  in  Catawissa  at  its  formation  in  1785  and  transferred  to 
Shamokin  in  1788,  but  the  whole  of  what  is  now  Little  Mahanoy,  with  adja- 


LITTLE    MAHANOY    TOWNSHIP.  735 

cent  territory  in  Zerbe  and  Cameron,  was  taken  from  Augusta  in  1813.  In 
1837  Coal  township  (embracing  at  that  time  Coal,  Zerbe,  Cameron,  and  Mt. 
Carmel),  was  erected  from  Shamokin  and  Little  Mahanoy,  thus  reducing  the 
latter  to  its  present  Limits. 


The  triennial  assessment  of  1S14.  the  first  after  the  organization  of  Little 
Mahanoy  township,  shows  the  following  resident  taxables:  Nicholas  Brosius, 
John  Boyer,  John  Dunkelberger.  Frederick  Dunkelberger,  Christojjher  Dun- 
kelberger,  Philip  Dunkelberger.  Christopher  Dunkelberger,  Jr.,  John  Derr, 
Lawrence  Derr,  Michael  Diehl.  Michael  Derk,  Abraham  Drumheller,  Leon- 
ard Ferster,  John  Ferster,  John  Fagely,  Conrad  Feger,  Daniel  Fagely, 
George  Fisher,  Daniel  Gottschall.  Jacob  Grisinger,  Abraham  Holshue,  John 
Haas,  William  Haas,  George  Homberger,  George  Hornberger,  Jr.,  Henry 
Haupt,  Philip  Henninger,  George  Hensyl.  Godfrey  Kremer.  Leonard  Ker- 
stetter,  Henry  Kobel,  Jacob  Loas.  John  Lynn,  Peter  Maurer.  Philip  Maurer, 
Abraham  Rothermel,  Conrad  Eaker,  Henry  Eeed,  John  Swinehart,  George 
Straiisser,  Nicholas  Strausscr.  Samuel  Strausser,  Adam  Sligh,  Jacob  Shaffer, 
'Moses  Yail. 

MILLS. 

In  the  assessment  of  ISU  John  Dunkelberger,  Sr.,  is  credited  with  a 
grist  and  saw  mill  on  Mahanoy  creek;  Abraham  Rothermel,  with  a  grist,  saw, 
and  oil  mill  on  Mahanoy  creek,  and  Conrad  Raker,  with  a  saw  mill  on  Little 
Mahanoy  creek.  At  the  present  time  there  are  two  mills  in  the  township, 
one  at  Dornsife  and  the  other  o\vned  by  A.  S.  Speece,  who  also  operates  a 
powder  mill. 

SCHOOLS. 

An  early  subscription  school  was  taught  at  a  log  building  which  occupied 
the  site  of  one  of  the  present  school  houses.  The  public  school  system  was 
adopted  in  1871;  the  first  board  of  chrectors  was  composed  of  Isaac  D.  Raker, 
president;  A.  S.  Speece,  secretary:  Samuel  C.  Long,  treasurer;  John  Hen- 
sel,  A.  B.  Lenker,  and  C.  H  Raker.  Two  brick  school  houses  have  been 
erected  and  constitute  the  facilities  in  this  respect. 

CHURCHES. 

ImmanneVs  Church,  although  nominally  a  union  place  of  worship,  has 
been  virtually  exclusively  Lutheran  for  a  score  of  years,  during  which  period 
the  few  Reformed  families  have  been  without  a  pastor.  It  is  a  log  building, 
thirty  feet  square  and  weather-boarded,  with  gallery  and  pigeon-box  pulpit 
aboitt  large  enough  to  accommodate  one  person.  The  comer-stone  was  laid 
on  the  6th  of  April,  1S2S,  by  the  Rev.  J.  iP.  Shindel,  of  Sunburv-,  and  the 
building  has  been  used  as  a  place  of  worship  since  its  completion.     Among 


736  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

the  prominent  members  of  the  Lutheran  organization  have  been  Conrad 
Raker,  Isaac  Raker,  Solomon  Bobb,  Isaac  Peiffer,  Solomon  Reed,  Samuel 
Long,  Jeremiah  Wagner,  Samuel  Domsife,  Isaac  Wagner,  William  Dimkel- 
berger,  Robert  Hoffman,  Washington  Zimmerman,  Daniel  Raker,  Enoch 
Raker,  James  Raker,  Daniel  Fiss,  and  Enoch  Swinehart.  The  present  (1890) 
membership  is  ninety,  and  a  large  Simday  school,  exclusively  Lutheran  in 
government,  is  sustained.  Rev.  J.  P.  Shindel  was  pastor  in  1828;  he  contin- 
ued in  that  capacity  for  some  years,  and  was  assisted  by  his  son.  Reverend 
Neimann  was  pastor  in  1842,  and  Augustus  Bergner,  1847-60,  after  whom 
J.  G.  Hornberger  is  recorded  as  holding  commiuiion  services,  but  how  long 
he  continued  is  not  known.  Rev.  John  C.  Schmidt  was  pastor,  1864-69;  J. 
F.  Bayer,  1870;  John  C.  Schmidt,  1871-81;  J.  F.  Bayer,  1881-86;  D.  M. 
Stetler,  the  present  pastor,  assimaed  charge  on  the  1st  of  April,  1887. 

The  Reformed  pastors  were  Reverends  John  Houtz,  Benjamin  Boyer, 
Isaac  F.  Steily,  and  J.  Fritzinger,  whose  labors  covered  the  period  from 
1828  to  1866.  The  congregation  was  always  weak  niimerically,  with  only  a 
few  male  members;  of  the  latter  there  were  three  in  1849,  viz. :  George  Hen- 
zel,  George  Peiffer,  and  John  Peiffer,  while  Benjamin  Knerr  and  Elias  Peif- 
fer  appeared  later.  Reformed  services  were  discontinued  in  1866,  and  since 
that  date  the  former  membership  has  principally  been  absorbed  by  the 
Lutheran  organization. 

St.  John's  Church  of  the  Evangelical  Association  was  organized  in 
1870,  through  the  efforts  of  Daniel  Reitz,  Samuel  Dunkelberger,  Adam  Len- 
ker,  John  Hensel,  and  Joseph  Reitz.  They  furnished  the  means,  a  lot  was 
purchased,  and  a  frame  church  edifice  twenty  by  thirty  feet  was  erected 
at  a  cost  of  eleven  hundred  dollars.  The  Reverends  Benjamin  Bohner,  B. 
F.  Snyder,  and  L.  X.  Worman  have  served  the  congregation  as  pastors. 


RUSH    TOWNSHIP.  737 


CHAPTER  XXIX. 


EUSH  TOWNSHIP. 

SUCCE.'SSIVE     !M0VE>tENTS     F(1R     TEE    DtVrSIOX    OF    ShAMOKIX    TowXSHIP — FoKM.VTION, 

Origix  op  Xame,  and  First  TowNsirip  Officers  of  Rrsii — Pioneers — Indus- 
tries— KusiiTOWN — Schools — Churches. 

THE  erection  of  Little  Mahanoy  town.sbip  in  IS  13  subtracted  a  large 
part  of  the  former  territory  of  Shamokin  from  its  limits,  leaving  the 
latter  esceeclingly  irregular  in  shape.  It  was  also  quite  extensive,  being 
eight  miles  in  breadth  with  a  maximum  length  of  twenty-four  miles  from 
southeast  to  northwest,  and  in  1813  a  division  was  agitated,  the  new  town- 
ship to  be  situated  between  the  river  and  the  Shamokin  hills.  Two  petitions 
for  division  were  presented  at  January  sessions,  1814;  one  suggested  a  line 
of  division  "to  begin  where  the  Augusta  township  line  crosses  Shamokin 
creek,  thence  along  said  creek  to  Reed's  saw  m'ill,  and  thence  by  Robert 
Teitsworth's  to  the  county  line,"  the  new  township  to  be  called  Perry  or  Mt. 
Pleasant;  the  second  line  suggested  was  as  follows:  "Beginning  at  the  line 
of  Augusta  township  on  the  south  side  of  the  top  of  Shamokin  hill,  thence 
along  said  south  side  of  Shamokin  hill  to  the  line  of  Colimibia  coimty  at 
Samuel  Moore's  plantation."  Viewers  were  apjiointed,  who  reported  at  the 
following  term  of  court ;  but  at  August  sessions  following,  a  protest  having 
been  presented  in  which  it  was  alleged  that  the  proposed  new  township 
would  include  the  best  of  the  creek  and  river  bottoms,  while  the  old  part, 
"poor,  mountainoiis,  and  thinly  settled,"  would  have  the  most  expensive 
roads  to  repair,  the  report  was  set  aside,  April  IS,  1815.  Proceedings  for 
division  were  again  instituted  in  January,  1819;  the  report  of  Henry  Van- 
derslice  and  Henry  Masser,  two  of  the  viewers  to  whom  the  matter  was 
referred,  received  confirmation  on  the  18th  of  August,  1819,  and  the  new 
township  was  called  Rush  "in  memory-  of  the  late  Doctor  Rush  and  respect 
for  his  brother,  Jacob  Rush,  late  president  of  this  court." 

The  first  to^vnship  officers  were  as  follows:  constable,  Philip  Andrews; 
overseers  of  the  poor:  John  Dewitt,  John  Housel;  sujjervisors :  John  Kase, 
Peter  Kase;  auditors:  John  Hirsh,  Benjamin  Vastine,  Peter  Kase. 

PIOXEEKS. 

The  triennial  assessment  for  1S20,  the  first  after  the  organization  of  the 
township,  gives  the  following  names  of  resident  taxables,   many  of  whom 


738  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

were  doubtless  among  the  pioneers:  John  Albaugh,  John  Adams,  Chris- 
topher Andrews,  Philip  Andrews,  Samuel  Andrews,  Alba  C.  Bftrrett,  Jacob 
Bear,  Barbara  Barrett,  John  Boughner,  Barnard  Banghart.  John  Baler, 
George  Baler,  George  Baler,  Jr.,  Samuel  Blackford,  Luther  Bassett,  Elisha 
Bird,  Ziba  Bird,  John  Bear,  John  Bear,  Jr.,  Samuel  Blackford.  Jr.,  Adam 
Barnhart,  William  Bird,  Sylvanus  Bird,  William  Bird,  Jr..  Godfrey  Cline, 
Alexander  Campbell,  Robert  Campbell,  Christopher  Campbell,  Jr.,  James 
Camjibell,  Abraham  Campbell,  Joseph  Campbell,  Jacob  Cline.  Isaac  Cline, 
John  Campbell,  Peter  Campbell,  Jacob  Carr,  John  Carr,  Gideon  Chamberlin, 
John  Campbell,  Jr.,  Josejiih  Campbell,  Jacob  Cline,  Jacob  Depuy,  Jacob 
Depuy,  Jr.,  Harman  Depuy,  William  Depuy,  John  Depuy,  Adam  Derr, 
John  Dewitt,  John  Desha,  Lawrence  Durlin,  Peter  EpUn,  Jacob  Epler,  James 
Fitzsimmons,  William  Fisher,  Moses  Fisher,  George  Farley,  John  Fox, 
Asher  Fox,  Aaron  Fox,  Daniel  Fox,  Thomas  L.  Fleming,  William  Fell, 
David  Fox,  Jacob  Gearhart,  Jr.,  Charles  Gulick,  William  Gearhart,  Tunis 
Gearhart,  George  Gearhart,  Harmon  Gearhart,  John  Gulick,  Charles  Gear- 
hart, John  Gearhart,  Jacob  Gearhart  (judge),  Jacob  Gearhart  (carpenter), 
Aaron  Gearhart,  Jacob  C.  Gearhart,  John  Gearhart,  William  C.  Gearhart, 
John  Gillam,  William  Hummer,  Solomon  Houswart,  John  Hummer,  Henry 
Hile,  John  Hile,  Henry  Huff,  John  Haughawout,  Isaac  Houswart,  Henry 
Hunsinger,  Martin  Hurst,  John  Housel,  Henry  Hiller.  James  Huff,  John 
Hirsh,  David  John,  Abner  Johnston,  Cornelius  Johnston.  John  Kline,  Isaac 
Kline,  Elisha  Kline,  Benjamin  Kelley,  John  Kelley,  Joseph  Kelley,  William 
Kase,  Simon  Kipp,  Albert  Kimball,  Christopher  Kimball,  John  Kase  (tanner), 
John  Kase  (farmer),  Daniel  Kase,  Peter  Kase,  Willihm  Kase,  Jr.,  Henry 
Lott,  George  Lott,  Henry  Lacock,  Zachariah  Loudon,  Joseph  Lamerson, 
Theodore  Larison,  Samuel  Morgan,  Jacob  Miller,  Samuel  McLaughlin, 
James  Morgan,  Philip  Mettler,  William  Mettler,  Henr}"  Mettler,  David 
Moore,  Alexander  Moore,  Michael  Moore,  Isaac  Marsh.  Isaac  Marsh,  Jr., 
Griggs  Marsh,  Nathaniel  McBride,  Asa  Moore,  Peter  Moore,  Edward 
Morgan,  Samuel  Muehler,  Jonas  Muehler,  Joseph  Morgan.  Leonard  Miller, 
Joseph  Martin,  William  Marsh,  Jacob  Niece,  John  Nephew.  Thomas  Osborn, 
Joseph  Patton,  Abiathar  Poyers,  Joseph  Poyers,  AVilliam  Pipher,  Richard 
Poyers,  Nathan  Pegg,  John  H.  Quick,  Esther  Rockefeller.  Nicholas  Randies, 
Abraham  Ryan,  William  Rockefeller,  Bonham  Runyon,  John  Kimyon,  Aaron 
Runyon,  Samuel  Reems.  Jacob  Reed,  Joseph  Reeder.  David  Richardson, 
Matthias  Reed,  John  Ri^nkle,  Richard  Robinson,  Samuel  Shannon,  Thomas 
Sowder,  Enos  Savidge,  John  Savidge,  Daniel  Sherry,  Nicholas  Smoltz,  John 
Scott,  Robert  Scott,  Robert  Scott,  Jr.,  John  Skinner,  David  Sayre,  Solomon 
Smith,  Henry  Snyder,  Herman  Snyder,  Joseph  Snyder.  Jesse  Simpson, 
Henry  Traxler,  John  Teats,  Ebenezer  Troy,  Moses  Thurston,  Morgan  N. 
"Thomas,  Epaphras  Thompson,  William  Thompson,  Tamage  Thompson? 
Benjamin  L.  Va.stine,  Jeremiah  Vastine,  Lewis  Vastine,  Benjamin  Vastine, 


c^Th-rur^    y<eu /c^ 


^^^^ 


nUSH    TOWNSHIP.  741 

John  Yastine,  Thomas  Vastine,  Jonathan  Yastine,  John  Yastine,  Jr.,  Thomas 
Yastine,  Jr.,  Peter  Yastine.  Benjamin  Yastine,  Jr.,  Michael  "Weaver, 
Henry  Weaver,  Frederick  Weaver,  Isaac  Wolverton,  WiUiam  Willett,  John 
Woodruff,  Tnnis  Woodruff,  Elias  Woodruff,  William  Willett,  George 
Whitlock,  Conrad  Yeager. 

INDUSTRIES. 

In  the  assessment  of  1S20,  saw  mills  are  accredited  to  Philip  Andrews, 
Ziba  Bird,  Jacob  Depuy,  John  Gearhart,  Daniel  Montgomery,  and  Heniy 
Lacock;  grist  mills,  to  Daniel  Montgomery,  Henry  Lacock,  and  Peter  Vas- 
tine: a  tannery,  to  William  Kase,  and  a  distillery,  to  Conrad  Yeager,  and 
these,  in  all  probability,  constituted  the  principal  early  industries  of  the 
township.  Montgomery's  grist  and  saw  mill  was  situated  on  Logan's  run, 
Lacock's,  on  Gravel  run,  and  Yastine's,  on  Wilson's  rim.  Montgomery's 
was  operated  by  John  Gillani. 

ErSHTOWX. 

Kushtown.'a  post-village  of  one  hundred  fifty  inhabitants,  is  situated 
three  miles  and  a  half  from  Danville  at  the  intersection  of  the  road  leading 
from  Sunbury  to  Catawissa  with  the  road  from  Paxinos  to  Danville.  Amoncr 
the  important  features  of  the  place  is  a  large  and  commodious  Grancre  hall, 
the  property  of  a  flourishing  branch  of  the  order  of  Patrons  of  Husbandry. 
There  are  two  blacksmith  shops  and  one  store.  The  village  was  formerly 
kno%\-n  as  Liberty  Pole,  from  the  fact  that  political  demonstrations  were 
often  held  here  in  which  2)ole-raisings  were  a  feature  of  the  program. 

SCHOOLS. 

The  most  important  of  the  early  schools  was  that  of  the  Rev.  Samuel 
Hemlerson;  it  was  conducted  in  a  stone  building  erected  for  the  purpose  by 
John  Hirsh  and  the  Yastine  family.  Many  leading  citizens  of  the  township 
were  educated  here;  there  were  also  accommodations  for  boardino- 
jiupils  from  a  distance,  and  this  feature  of  the  institution  was  fairly  well 
jiatronized. 

A  log  school  house  at  Eushtown,  in  which  James  Patton  and  Albe  C. 
Barrett  taught,  and  the  school  taught  by  S.  D.  Pasco  and  E.  Kline  at  a 
building  on  the  farm  of  William  Mettler,  were  also  among  the  early  educa- 
tional facilities. 

Rush  first  appears  among  the  districts  accejiting  the  public  school  sys- 
tem in  1S42.  The  first  teachers  imder  the  new  arrangement  were  Ezra 
Newton  and  his  two  sisters.  The  present  school  buildings  are  all  brick 
structures. 

CHURCHES. 

The  Presbyterian  Church  of  Rush  township  is  generally  recognized  as 


•742  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

the  successor  to  the  old  Shamokin  church.  Obadiah  Campbell.  Alexander 
Moore,  and  William  Kase  were  among  the  first  elders.  The  first  church 
edifice  in  this  township,  a  small  frame  building,  was  erected  in  1828;  the 
present  brick  structure  was  built  in  1856.  An  acre  of  groiind  was  donated 
for  church  and  burial  pvirposes  by  John  Haughawout.  to  which  Perry 
Patton  siibsequently  added  half  as  much  more. 

Rush  Baptist  Church  was  originally  composed  of  seventy-eight  mem- 
bers, among  whom  were  Mrs.  John  Moore,  Mrs.  Catherine  Yastine,  Miss 
Kate  Henderson,  A.  Berger,  Miss  Ann  Woodruff,  Jacob  Keed.  Jeremiah  Vas- 
tine  and  wife,  Aaron  Campbell  and  wife,  Edward  Wilkerson  and  wife,  Isaac 
Hoe  and  wife,  Benjamin  Yastine  and  wife,  Thomas  Yastine  and  wife,  John 
Yastine  and  wife,  William  Rote  and  wife,  Paul  Ammerman  and  wife,  Lizzie 
Ford,  Josei^h  Kelly  and  wife,  John  Vanzant  and  wife,  Mrs.  Ann  Wolverton, 
and  Mrs.  Rebecca  Reeder;  they  had  all  been  previously  connected  with  the 
Shamokin  Baptist  church,  from  which  they  were  dismissed  by  resolution  of 
that  body,  July  27,  1839,  an  amicable  division  having  been  decided  upon  on 
the  4th  of  May  in  that  year.  The  erection  of  the  church  etlitice  was  begi;u 
under  the  auspices  of  the  Shamokin  church,  which,  on  the  5th  of  May,  1837, 
resolved  to  erect  two  places  of  worship;  that  which  now  constitutes  the 
church  building  of  the  Rush  church,  a  one-story  brick  structxire  forty  by  sixty 
feet,  was  dedicated  on  the  0th  of  October,  1838.  The  following  pa.stors  have 
served  this  congregation:  Reverends  George  Spratt,  Henn.'  Billings,  Isaac 
Jones,  John  Worrell,  A.  J.  Collins,  E.  P.  Barker.  W.  F.  Johnson,  Joseph 
Rush,  W.  W.  Waltz,  T.  O.  Critchlow,  Mr.  Ward,  Mr.  Miller,  A.  J.  Collins, 
James  Runyou,  J.  Green  Miles.  W.  W.  Watkius,  W.  P.  Hil.-.  and  W.  H. 
Ellis. 

Rushtown  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  of  which  the  corner-stone  was 
laid  in  the  early  spring  of  1890  and  the  dedication  occurred  in  the  following 
autimin,  was  erected  imder  the  supervision  of  a  building  committee  composed 
of  William  H.  Mettler,  J.  C.  Campbell,  Isaac  Hoffman,  L.  C.  Bassett,  and 
Frank  Ryan.  It  is  a  one-story  brick  building.  The  society  forms  part  of 
Snvdertown  circuit. 


^i^*^^ 


JACKSON   TOWNSHIP.  743 


CHAPTER  XXX. 

JACKSON  TOWNSHIP. 

Okiginal  BorxDARiEs—ProxEERs  — Industries— Early  History  and  Growth  of 
Herxdox — Mahanoy — Schools — Churches. 

THAT  part  of  the  original  area  of  Mahanoy  township  comprised  between 
Swartz's  ridge  on  the  south  and  Line  mountain  on  the  north,  with 
I'nion  county  on  the  west  and  Washington  tow^lship  on  the  east,  comprises 
the  present  territory  of  Jackson  townshij).  It  was  erected  by  decree  of  court. 
January  6,  1S36,  when  a  boundary  line  reported  by  David  Eockefeller  and 
Peter  Pursel  was  confirmed.  The  eastern  boimdary  began  at  a  point  on 
the  summit  of  Line  mountain  where  the  present  line  of  Cameron  and  Little 
Mahanoy  intersects  the  northern  line  of  Washington  and  extended  south 
seven  degrees  east  five  hundred  sixteen  perches  to  Middle  creek,  five  himdred 
thirteen  perches  with  the  course  of  that  stream,  and  south  seven  degrees  east 
eight  hundred  forty-six  perches  to  the  Mahantango,  which  formed  the 
southern  boundary.  Fidler's  run  and  the  western  line  of  Jordan  consti- 
tuted the  .southwestern  boundary.  The  formation  of  Jordan  in  1S52  and  of 
Washington  in  1S56  has  reduced  Jackson  to  its  present  limits 

The  first  township  officers  were  Jacob  Brosius  and  William  D.  Hoffman, 
overseers  of  the  poor;  W^illiam  Gastman  and  Daniel  Schwartz,  supervisors; 
John  Miller,  George  Reed,  and  Jacob  W^eiser,  auditors,  and  M.  Drumheller, 
constable. 

PIONEERS. 

John  Michael  Shaffer  and  Henry  Zartman  were  two  of  the  first  settlers 
ttpon  the  territory-  of  Jackson  township.  Henry  Latsha.  Henry  Kobel,  P. 
Leffer,  C.  Stump,  and  P.  Troittman  were  also  residents  prior  to  177G.  while 
a  Mr.  White  resided  upon  the  island  opposite  Herndon  at  a  contemporary 
period.  John  Beakley,  John  Leas,  John  MiUer,  Jolm  Haas,  Samuel  Weiser, 
and  Abraham  McKinney  were  also  among  the  pioneers. 

An  Early  Hotel  was  conducted  at  the  site  of  J.  G.  Smith's  present  resi- 
dence. John  Kunsman  erected  a  brick  building  on  the  same  site,  of  which 
Adam  Gable  and  John  Stump  were  at  one  time  the  landlords.  It  was 
remodeled  by  J.  Galen  Smith  and  kno^vn  for  many  years  as  Smith's  hotel, 
until  its  doors  were  closed  as  a  public  house  in  ISSO.  It  is  probable  that 
the  first  hostelry  on  this  site  had  been  established  nearly  a  hundred  years 
previously. 


744  HISTOEY    OF   NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

INDUSTRIES. 

If  traditional  information  may  be  credited,  a  mill  was  in  operation  on 
MahanoY  creek  in  this  township  as  early  as  17S-5.  The  site  is  a  mile  and  a 
half  north  of  Herndon,  and  the  building,  a  dilapidated  stone  structure,  is 
now  o^yned  by  David  Bohner.     It  was  erected  by  Abraham  McKinney. 

In  1S09  William  Dobson  built  a  mill  at  the  site  of  C.  W.  Dewitt's;  it  was 
subsequently  rebuilt  by  Jacob  Gonser  and  furnished  with  three  sets  of  buhrs. 
Eeuben  Weiser  afterward  operated  it  until  ISS'2,  when  it  was  purchased  by 
W.  W.  Dewitt,  father-in-law  of  the  present  proprietor.  It  is  situated  at 
Mahanoy  postofRce. 

Kobel's  mill,  a  three-story  brick  structure  located  on  Mahanoy  creek  at 
the  gap  in  Line  moimtain.  was  built  in  1S5-J  by  Jonathan  Dunkelberger.  It 
is  furnished  with  a  turbine  wheel  and  three  sets  of  buhrs.  The  present  owner 
is  Henr}-  Koliel. 

J.  W.  Seal's  tannery  was  established  in  1800  by  Daniel  Seal  in  the  south- 
eastern part  of  Jackson  township.  The  plant  comprises  a  frame  building 
forty-eight  by  thirty-two  feet,  bark  sheds,  bark   mill,  and  twenty-three  vats. 


This  village  is  situated  at  the  junction  of  the  Northern  Central  and  Phil- 
adelphia and  Reading  railroads.  A  town  was  tirst  projected  in  this  locality 
by  Robert  A.  Parrish.  of  Philadelphia,  about  the  year  1840;  the  Mahanoy 
slackwater  navigation,  originally  projected  in  1827,  promised  early  realiza- 
tion at  that  time,  and  with  the  intention  of  taking  time  by  the  forelock  Mr. 
Parrish  purchased  several  farms  at  the  mouth  of  Mahanoy  creek,  upon  which 
the  to\vn  of  Port  Royal  was  elaborately  laid  out;  but  as  the  navigation  proj- 
ect collapsed  shortly  afterward,  the  town  also  failed  to  materialize.  In  ISo.j 
the  Trevorton.  Mahanoy  and  Susquehanna  railroad  was  opened,  connecting 
with  the  Pennsylvania  canal  by  a  bridge  across  the  Susquehanna  river. 
When  the  Northern  Central  railway  was  opened  in  1857  connection  was  es- 
tabhshed  with  that  line,  and  the  company  which  owned  the  Trevorton  road 
purchased  the  land  about  the  junction  from  George  Seller  for  terminal  pur- 
poses. The  only  house  within  the  limits  of  the  village  at  that  time  occupied 
the  site  of  the  Herndon  House,  and  had  been  erected  before  the  close  of  the 
last  century  by  a  Mr.  "WTiite.  who  owned  an  island  in  the  river  and  an  exten- 
sive tract  of  land  at  the  mouth  of  Mahanoy  creek.  This  house  was  a  summer 
resort,  and  was  also  well  patronized  by  the  traveling  public. 

As  a  necessary  requisite  the  town  received  a  name,  in  the  selection  of 
which  honor  was  rendered  to  the  memory  of  Lieutenant  Herndon,  V.  S.  N., 
who  was  lost  with  his  ship  in  the  Gulf  of  Mexico.  The  name  was  suggested 
by  the  postoffice  department,  and  J.  E.  Strickler,  appointed  in  1858,  was  the 
tirst  postmaster.  The  first  toll  collector  at  the  bridge  was  Patrick  Hensey,  who 
was  succeeded  by  WiUiam  H.  Lamb.      The  first  store  was  opened  by  Philip 


JACKSOX    TOWNSHIP.  745 

Bowman  at  the  old  White  hotel.  Peter  Ziegler  and  Abraham  Deppen  built 
two  of  the  first  dwellings.  An  important  local  enterprise  was  the  erection  of 
a  building  for  school  and  church  purposes:  Abraham  Deppen,  Benjamin 
Strickler.  and  Abraham  Ziegler  contributed  the  principal  part  of  the  neces- 
sary fimds.  ilr.  Ziegler  was  then  conducting  a  brick  yard,  and  donated  the 
bricks  for  the  building. 

The  present  business  interests  include  two  general  stores,  two  hotels,  one 
blacksmith  shop,  and  a  candy  factory.  Two  saw  mills  were  once  in  oi^eration, 
established  by  Ziegler  &  Brother  and  Albert  &  Bower,  respectively,  but  both 
have  been  destroyed  by  lire;  the  latter  has  been  rebuilt,  and  is  now  owned  by 
Isaac  Albert. 

MAHANOY. 

The  i^ost-village  of  this  name  is  situated  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  town- 
ship in  the  midst  of  a  thickly  settled  locality.  It  is  one  of  the  oldest  post- 
offices  in  the  county.  In  the  early  part  of  this  century  and  until  the  discon- 
tinuance of  the  old  militia  .system  the  battalion  muster  for  the  southern  part 
of  Northumberland  county  was  annually  held  here.  It  has  also  been  for 
many  years  the  location  of  a  widely  patronized  mercantile  establishment. 
An  early  hotel  was  also  conducted,  at  the  site  of  the  present  residence  of  J. 
Galen  Smith,  ex-treasurer  of  Northumberland  county.  The  present  brick 
building  was  erected  bj'  John  Kunsman,  remodeled  by  a  subsequent  owner, 
and  known  for  many  years  as  Smith's  hotel.  Its  doors  were  closed  as  a  pub- 
lic house  in  18S0. 

Mahanoy  Lodge,  No.  551,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  was  organized  imder  a  charter 
granted  on  the  6th  of  March,  1859. 


During  the  period  of  early  settlement  a  school  was  established  near  Ma- 
hanoy postoffice;  James  Haslett,  Matthias  Heim,  and  James  Leavengood 
were  among  the  first  instructors.  The  first  school  at  Hei-ndon  was  taught  by 
J.  H.  N.  Laudenslagle  at  the  old  White  hotel;  schools  were  conducted  there 
and  at  various  other  places  imtil  1862,  when  the  union  school  building  men- 
tioned was  erected. 

The  public  school  system  was  adopted  on  the  27th  of  February,  1869, 
and  the  first  board  of  directors  was  composed  of  Daniel  Zartman,  president; 
H.  B.  Latsha,  secretary;  Joseph  Haas,  treasurer,  Jacob  Bower,  Joseph 
Dressier,  and  Benjamin  Stepp.  At  the  present  time  (1890)  seven  schools  are 
sustained. 

CHURCHES. 

St.  Peter's  Church,  Lutheran  and  Reformed,  is  one  of  the  oldest  in  the 
county.  On  the  6th  of  May,  1795,  William  Gray,  deputy  surveyor,  surveyed 
"a  tract  of  land  called  church   land,"    containing   twenty-seven  and  three 


746  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

fourths  acres,  '"  for  Gottlieb  Lefller  and  Henry  Krebs  in  trust  for  the  Lu- 
theran and  Calvinist  (Reformed)  church  school  house  by  virtue  of  a  warrant 
dated  the  4th  day  of  April,  1774."  Thirteen  acres  of  this  land  are  still  in 
possession  of  the  churches  mentioned;  the  remainder  was  sold  in  1859.  The 
tirst  building  on  this  ground  was  used  for  both  school  and  church  purposes. 
A  second  was  erected  about  the  beginning  of  the  present  .century;  it  was  a  j; 

log  structure,  siibsequently  weather-boarded  and  painted  yellow,  with  gaUer-  I 

ies   aroiind    three  sides   of   the  interior.     In   1859  it  was   replaced  by  the  j 

present  church  edifice,  a  brick  building  forty-five  by  sixty-five  feet  in  dimen- 
sions, with  main  audience  room  and  basement.  It  was  remodeled  in  1SS5 
and  is  an  attractive  place  of  worship.     It  occupies  an  elevated  location  on  ; 

the  north  side  of  the  State  road,  with  Mahanoy  creek  on  the  northwest,  Green- 
brier creek  on  the  north,  Mouse  creek  on  the  west,  and  David's  rim  on  the  south, 
all  in  range  of  vision  and  within  a  radius  of  three  quarters  of  a  mile.  On 
the  opposite  side  of  the  road  is  the  residence  of  the  organist,  which  has  been 
so  occupied  since  1805;  prior  to  that  date  it  was  jointly  used  as  a  dwelling 
and  for  school  purposes. 

The  earliest  record  now  extant  is  an  old  book  kept  in  the  church.  It  is 
evidently  defective;  the  first  legible  entry  is  as  follows:  "Peter  Zart- 
man — a  child  born  on  the  20th  day  of  July  in  the  morning  at  two  o'clock, 
1788,  and  was  baptized  on  the  3d  day  of  August,  1788,  and  received  the 
name  of  Maria.  The  sponsors  were  John  Henry  Brenninger  and  his  wife, 
Anna  Maria."  The  book  referred  to  contains  a  record  of  eight  hundred 
forty-three  baptisms  prior  to  the  14th  of  January,  1842.  Xo  entries  appear 
from  December  27,  1805,  to  March  11,  1811,  but  with  the  exception  of  this 
interval  the  record  is  probably  complete. 

The  Reformed  congregation  has  been  served  by  the  following  pastors: 
Rev.  George  Geistweit,  1796-1800,  and  perhaps  longer;  Mr.  Pulfrich;  Fred- 
erick Adams,  1810-17;  John  Felix,  1817-21;  Henry  Herman  Knoebel, 
1821-28;  John  Houtz,  1828-30;  Benjamin  Boyer,  1831-34;  Rudolph 
Duenger,  1835-54;  Henry  S.  Bassler,  1854-55;  Jared  Fritzinger,  1855  to 
May  7,  1871 ;  John  Wohlbach,  May,  1871,  to  May  7,  1876,  and  A.  R.  Hot- 
tenstein,  present  incumbent,  who  assumed  charge  on  the  2d  of  November, 
1876.  The  following  family  names  occur  in  a  communion  list  of  this  church 
for  the  year  1822:  Hilbush,  Smith,  Rebuck,  Hensyl,  Herb,  Carl,  Peifer, 
Latsha,  Goodman,  Renner,  Schlegel,  Lieder,  Haas,  Schneider,  Seaser, 
Michael,  Heim,  Schwartz,  Kobel,  Schlenker,  Kembel,  Kerlin,  and  Roth- 
ermel.  The  Hilbush.  Bahner,  Kobel,  Otto,  Latsha.  Seller,  Smith,  and  Zart- 
man  families  are  most  numerously  represented  at  the  present  time.  The 
congregation  forms  part  of  the  Mahanoy  charge. 

Since  the  erection  of  the  present  church  edifice  the  Lutheran  congrega- 
tion has  been  served  by  the  following  pastors:  Reverends  Augustus  Bergner, 
W.  Hasskarl,  J.  F.  Bayer,  and  J.  C.  Smith;  Mr.  Smith  is  the  present  pastor, 


JACKSON    TOWNSHIP.  747 

having  been  twice  recalled  by  the  congregation.  Eev.  J.  N.  Hemping,  who 
resigned  in  1847,  is  said  to  have  preached  in  the  old  church  forty  years. 
His  predecessor  was  Rev.  Daniel  Ulrich.  This  church  formed  part  of  the 
Mahanoy  pastoral  district  until  1SS4,  when  it  became  a  separate  and  individ- 
ual charge. 

Zion  Church,  Lutheran  and  Reformed,  Herndon.  was  originally  erected 
as  a  union  place  of  worship,  but  ultimately  came  into  the  exclusive  posses- 
sion of  the  Methodist  society.  In  the  spring  of  1SS7  it  was  purchased  by 
the  Lutheran  and  Reformed  congregations,  of  which  it  has  since  been  the 
joint  property.  At  a  meeting  on  the  5th  of  May,  ISSS,  steps  were  taken  to 
remodel  the  building:  a  bell  was  placed  in  the  tower  and  an  organ  in  the 
audience  room,  the  exterior  was  painted  and  the  interior  frescoed,  and  on  the 
12th  of  August,  ISSS,  the  comer-stone  was  relaid  and  the  building  was  dedi- 
cated as  Zion's  Evangelical  Lutheran  and  Reformed  Church  of  Herndon. 

The  Lutheran  organization  was  formed  by  Rev.  J.  F.  Bayer  in  1882  at 
the  house  of  Eli^vs  Lahr;  prominent  among  the  membership  were  Elias 
Lahr,  S.  \V.  Brown,  Peter  Bobb,  Elias  Reiibendahl.  Daniel  Holshue,  John 
P.  Tressler,  and  John  Albert.  Mr.  Bayer  was  pastor  imtil  within  a  few 
months  of  his  death;  on  the  1st  of  April,  1887,  he  was  succeeded  by  Rev. 
D.  M.  Stetler,  who  has  added  quite  a  number  of  members.  After  the  pur- 
chase of  the  church  property  a  reorganization  was  effected  with  Elias  Reu- 
bendahl  and  Peter  Bobb  as  deacons,  Henry  S.  Byerly  and  John  Albert  as 
elders,  and  Elias  Lahr  and  Daniel  Holshue  as  trustees. 

The  Reformed  congregation  was  organized  by  Rev.  A.  R.  Hottenstein 
with  the  election  of  David  Bohner,  John  Deppen,  Peter  Ziegler,  Willoughby 
Waldt,  and  George  Ziegler  as  officers.  A  chapel,  erected  in  1884  by  several 
parties  independent  of  the  church  for  occupation  by  a  imion  Sunday  school, 
was  the  place  of  worship  for  a  time,  after  which  the  congregation  united  with 
the  Lutherans  in  the  purchase  of  the  present  church  building.  Rev.  A.  R. 
Hottenstein  is  the  present  pastor. 

A  flourishing  union  Sunday  school  is  sustained.  The  congregations  have 
also  secured  ground  for  a  cemetery  in  the  northern  part  of  the  village. 

St.  John's  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church,  a  branch  of  the  old  St.  Peter's 
church,  came  into  existence  through  a  disturbance  caused  by  the  dissatisfac- 
tion of  a  part  of  the  membership  with  their  pastor,  who,  with  those  members 
that  sustained  him,  was  locked  out;  they  formed  another  congregation  in  the 
spring  of  1884  at  the  house  of  John  S.  Klock,  and  services  were  held  in  his 
house  and  barn;  this  organization  is  known  as  the  St.  John's  Evangelical 
Lutheran  church.  The  first  officers  were  Rev.  J.  F.  Bayer,  pastor;  John 
Clark  and  Abraham  Deppen,  elders;  Josiah  S.  Lahr  and  George  L. 
Snyder,  deacons;  Elias  F.  Zartman,  John  S.  Klock,  and  George  Malick, 
trustees ;  and  among  the  other  members  were  Adam  Zartman,  JosejA  Harner, 
George  Lenker,  Aaron  BiUman,  B.  F.  \V.  Latsha,  Joseph  Zartman,  Daniel 


748  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

Klock,  and  William  S.  Tressler.  The  new  church  editice  was  erected  in 
1885,  and  dedicated  on  the  "iOth  of  September  in  that  year.  It  is  a  frame 
building  thirty-five  by  forty-five  feet,  with  tower  and  bell  and  basement  and 
main  room;  the  latter  is  frescoed  and  artistically  arranged.  The  present 
pastor,  Eev.  D.  M.  Stetler.  took  charge  on  the  1st  of  April,  1887.  Of  the 
seven  church  buildings,  located  at  a  distance  of  three  miles  apart,  St.  John's 
alone  is  exclusively  Lutheran.  Both  English  and  German  languages  are 
used. 

Salem  Church  of  the  Evangelical  Association. — Services  were  first  held 
in  this  region  by  the  Eeverends  John  Seibert,  Stever,  Reisner,  Hull,  Barber, 
and  W.  W.  Orwig,  who  preached  from  place  to  place  in  private  houses.  The 
first  camp-meeting  was  held  in  1844,  in  the  woods  of  Daniel  Zartman,  and 
four  years  later  a  log  building  was  erected  on  land  then  o-^vned  by  George 
Deppen,  which  was  used  for  school  purposes  and  also  as  a  place  of  worship 
by  the  Evangelical,  Liitheran,  and  Reformed  congregations  of  that  section. 
Later  this  society  worshiped  in  a  frame  school  house  situated  on  land  of 
Daniel  Zartman,  and  on  the  15th  of  September,  1861,  a  brick  church  edifice 
was  erected  on  his  farm.  The  first  p&stor  was  Rev.  William  Heim,  and  the 
first  trustees  were  Adam  Kembel,  Michael  Bower,  and  Joseph  H.  Reitz. 

Mt.  Zion  Church  of  the  Evangelical  Association,  Herndon,  was  organized 
in  1867  with  the  following  officers:  class  leader,  H.  B.  Longsdorf.  (who  still 
serves  in  that  capacity):  exhorter,  Jacob  Heim;  trustees:  H.  B.  Longsdorf, 
Hiram  Brown,  Washington  Wilt,  and  Daniel  Reed.  Reverends  Cornelius 
Loose,  David  Lentz,  J.  F.  Wohlfarth,  David  Stautter,  W.  H.  Weidner,  David 
Martz,  B.  H.  Miller,  F.  P.  Lehr,  J.  K.  Fehr,  D.  Z.  Kembel,  W.  H.  Staufier, 
J.  Werner,  S.  L.  Wiest.  H.  D.  Schultz,  E.  R.  Scip,  and  L.  N.  Worman  have 
served  as  pastors.  The  first  church  edifice,  a  brick  structure  twenty-five  by 
thirty  feet,  was  originally  erected  in  1867  for  school  and  church  purposes 
and  afterward  secured  by  this  society.  The  present  frame  church  building, 
thirty-five  by  fifty  feet  in  dimensions,  was  erected  in  1887  under  the  super- 
vision of  a  building  committee  composed  of  Edward  Baum,  Samuel  Trout- 
man,  and  Adam  Kembel. 

Emanuel  Church  of  the  Evangelical  Association  was  organized,  Jan- 
uary 4,  1878,  with  Jacob  Still,  Bastian  Stepp,  Benjamin  Peiffer,  Daniel 
Peiffer,  and  John  C.  Reiger  as  trustees.  The  church  edifice,  a  frame  structure 
thirty-six  by  forty-two  feet,  was  purchased  from  the  "new"  Lutheran  con- 
gregation. Reverends  B.  H.  Miller,  Mr.  Fehr,  John  Brown,  Charles  Warm- 
castle,  Howard  Bomberger,  and  Mr.  Fisher  have  served  as  pastors. 


COAL     TOWNSHIP.  749 


CHAPTER    XXXI. 

COAL  TOWNSHIP. 

SrOnESTIVEXE^-  of   the    XaME— OrGAXIZATKIN— STREA^£^i  AND  Rl  )ADS— IxDUSTRIES— 

ViLi-AGE-^ — C'liAi,  Poor  Dif^TRicx — C'liur.cnEs. 

THE  name  of  Coal  township  is  an  approj^riate  index  to  its  economic  re- 
sources, the  industrial  character  of  its  peojile,  and,  in  some  measure, 
to  the  circumstances  of  its  early  history.  Utterly  destitute  of  agricultural 
attractions,  early  immigrants  to  Northumberland  coimty  passed  through  its 
territory  oyer  the  old  Reading  road  without  a  suspicion  of  the  mineral  wealth 
concealed  beneath  its  rugged  and  uninyiting  surface,  and  with  no  misgivings 
when  their  passage  through  the  gap  placed  them  ujDon  the  border  of  a  rich 
and  fertile  farming  region.  The  only  early  settlements  of  importance  were 
made  at  or  near  the  site  of  Shamokin,  and  are  treated  at  length  in  the  chap- 
ter on  that  borough. 

The  territory  that  now  constitutes  Coal  townshiji  was  embraced  in  Au- 
gusta until  IT'^-i,  when  it  became  part  of  Catawissa  and  was  transferred  to 
Ealpho  (Shamokin)  in  17SS;  in  1S13  Little  Mahauoy  was  formed  from  Au- 
gusta and  Shamokin,  and  in  November,  1837,  upon  the  report  of  Robert 
Phillips,  David  Rockefeller,  and  John  Taggart,  viewers  appointed  in  the  pre- 
■vious  Januan.-.  Coal  township  was  erected  from  Little  Mahanoy  and  Sha- 
mokin, embracing,  in  addition  to  its  present  area,  the  townships  of  Cameron, 
Zerbe,  and  Mt.  Carmel.  The  tirst  township  oflficers,  elected  in  the  spring  of 
1838,  were  Da-\-id  Thompson  and  Daniel  Ware,  supervisors;  George  Ker- 
stetter  and  George  Gottshall,  overseers  of  the  jwor;  Samuel  Eisenhart,  con- 
stable, and  Abraham  Dunkelberger,  auditor. 

The  town-hip  is  drained  by  Shamokin  creek  and  its  tributaries,  of  which 
the  most  important  are  Furnace  run.  Buck  creek,  Coal  rim,  and  AVeikel's 
run.  It  is  traversed  by  the  Shamokin  division  of  the  Northern  Central  rail- 
way and  the  Philadelphia  and  Reading  railroad.  The  old  Reading  road  and 
the  public  roads  leading  from  Shamokin  to  Trevorton  and  Gowen  City  are 
_the  principal  L^cal  highways. 

INDUSTRIES. 

The  collieries  of  the  to^vnship,  eighteen  in  number,  are  the  Cameron, 
Luke  Fidler.  Neilson,  Bear  Valley,  Stirling,  Burnside,  Henry  Clay,  Buck 
Ridge,  Royal  Oak  (Alpha),  Enterprise,  Excelsior,  Corbin.  Hickory  Ridge, 


750  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

Hickory  Swamp,  Gartield,  Lancaster,  Eureka,  and  Big  Mountain.  A  com- 
plete history  of  the  mining  industry  is  given  in  Chapters  X  and  XI  of  this 
work. 

Eagle  Kim  brewery,  William  Beury  &  Company's  powder  mills,  and  the 
powder  mills  of  the  Shamokin  Powder  Company,  of  which  the  statistics  are 
given  in  the  chapter  on  Shamokin  borough,  are  also  located  in  Coal  township. 


The  villages  of  the  to\vnship  are  Bear  Valley.  Boydtown.  Brady,  Conti- 
nental, East  Shamokin.  Enterprise,  Excelsior,  Fiddler's  Green.  Luke  Fidler, 
Maysville,  Scotch  Hill.  S]iringfield,  West  Shamokin.  and  Uniontown.  East 
Shamokin,  West  Shamokin  (laid  out  by  William  L.  Helfenstein),  Springfield, 
Uniontown,  and  Scotch  Hill  are  suburbs  of  Shamokin ;  the  remainder  possess 
little  of  historic  interest  except  in  relation  to  the  coal  operations  upon  which 
their  population  depends. 

Springfield  adjoins  Shamokin  on  the  east,  and  occiipies  the  northern 
slope  of  the  mountain  which  separates  the  watersheds  of  Coal  run  and  Sha- 
mokin creek  at  this  point.  In  order  from  the  north  the  streets  extending 
east  and  west  are  Railroad,  Tioga,  Chemung,  Oneida,  Wabash,  and  Eagle, 
crossed  at  right  angles  by  Emorj-,  Howard,  Logan,  Sherman,  Sheridan, 
Meade,  and  Thomas.  The  survey  of  the  plat  was  made  in  1807  by  C.  L. 
Boyd  for  John  B.  Douty  and  Thomas  Baumgardner.  who  named  it  Marshall- 
ton  in  honor  of  William  H.  Marshall.  The  official  designation  has  never 
gained'  popiilar  currency,  however.  The  town  has  graded  schools,  a  hotel, 
several  stores,  and  a  population  of  probably  more  than  a  thousand.  A  move- 
ment for  incorporation  as  a  borough  is  in  progress. 

Enterprise  and  Excelsior  are  situated  on  the  Lehigh  Valley  and  Phila- 
delphia and  Reading  railroads  about  midway  between  Shamokin  and  Mt. 
Carmel.  On  the  Lehigh  Valley  railroad  the  name  of  the  station  is  Fulton, 
and  the  place  was  known  entirely  by  that  name  until  Excelsior  postoffice  was 
established  with  Charles  Chamberlain  as  first  postmaster.  That  part  of  the 
village  south  of  the  Reading  railroad  is  known  as  Enterprise.  There  is  a 
Methodist  church,  and  Reformed  and  Catholic  Siinday  schools  are  also  sus- 
tained. 

C0.\L     POOR    DISTRICT. 

Coal  poor  district  is  composed  of  Coal  township  and  Shamokin  borough, 
and  was  erected  by  act  of  the  legislature,  April  15,  1863.  This  act  provides 
for  the  erection  of  a  poor  house,  its  management,  and  the  general  method  to 
be  pursued  in  alleviating  the  condition  of  the  destitute;  its  provisions  were 
accepted  by  the  voters  of  the  township  at  an  election  held  on  the  r2th  of 
Jime,  1863.  The  first  directors  were  William  H.  Marshall,  Joseph  Bird,  and 
George  McEliece,  of    whom   Mr.  Marshall  served  one  year,  Mr.   Bird  two 


COAL    TOWNSHIP.  751 

years,  and  Mr.  McEliece  three  years,  and  their  succes.sors  have  been  regiilarly 
elected  annually  for  the  term  of  three  years.  The  first  board  was  authorized 
to  borrow  a  sum  not  exceeding  seven  thousand  dollars,  and  in  the  spring  of 
1S04  the  farm  of  Jacob  Mowry,  a  mile  northwest  of  Shamokin,  was  purchased, 
with  the  buildings  thereon.  The  first  warden  was  Emanuel  Zimmerman. 
George  Smith,  Thomas  0"Garra,  and  John  Parker  constitute  the  present 
(1890)  board  of  directors. 

CHURCHES. 

Excelsior  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  — The  first  class  at  Excelsior  was 
organized  in  ISB-t  by  Reverend  Porter:  it  was  composed  of  James  Fennel 
and  wife,  William  Praut  and  wife,  John  Wright  and  wife,  John  Fleming  and 
wife,  Stephen  Praut  and  wife,  Anthony  Culton  and  wife,  Betsev  Thomas, 
William  Wright,  and  three  others,  of  whom  John  Wright  was  the  iirst  leader. 
Worship  was  principally  conducted  in  the  public  school  house  imtil  1SS3, 
when  the  present  frame  church  building  was  erected  under  the  .supervision 
of  a  building  committee  composed  of  John  Fleming,  Francis  Morgan.  John 
McWilliams,  and  Jacob  G.  Kramer.  It  is  a  substantially  and  tastefullv  con- 
striicted  edifice.  The  present  pastor  is  Rev.  Richard  T.  Whitlev.  and  the 
charge  embraces  Excelsior,  Locust  Dale,  and  Helfenstein.  Previous  to  its 
formation  in  1890  this  congregation  was  successively  connected  with  Sha- 
mokin, Centralia,  and  West  Shamokin.     It  is  now  a  flourishing  society. 

The  Uniontoicn  United  Brethren  Church  was  organized  by  Rev.  W.  H. 
Uhler,  and  among  the  early  active  members  were  the  families  of  Joseph  A. 
Miller,  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Tharp,  Clinton  Tharp,  and  Casjier  Tharp.  During 
Mr.  Uhler's  pastorate  a  frame  building  formerly  used  as  a  school  house  was 
purchased  from  the  school  directors  of  Coal  township  and  adapted  for  use 
as  a  place  of  worship.  It  constitutes  the  present  church  edifice.  Mr. 
Fhlers  successors  as  pastor  have  been  Reverends  Raver,  Leighter,  Cow- 
ling, Yordy,  and  Spayd. 


,(£^^ 


752  HISTORY    OF    NORTHCiTBERLAND    COUNTY. 


CHAPTER  XXXII. 

DELAWARE  TOWNSHIP. 

Orgaxizatiox  axd  BouxDAEiES — PioxEERs — Eaui.y  Indi'stiues — Eauly  History, 
Growth,  Industries,  axd  Borough  Organization  oe  ^McEwensvii.i.e — Dewart 
— CiiuiiCHES — Schools— Cemeteries. 

DELAWARE  township  occupies  the  extreme  northwestern  part  of  the 
county.  The  West  Branch  forms  its  boundary  on  the  west,  Turbut  town- 
ship on  the  south,  Lewis  on  the  east,  and  Lycoming  county  on  the  north. 
Delaware  run  and  its  numerous  branches,  rising  principally  in  the  Muncy  hills 
on  the  north,  drain  the  northern  part  of  its  territory.  Warrior  run  empties 
into  the  river  below  Watsontown,  passing  through  the  southern  part  of  the 
township,  and  various  smaller  streams  combine  with  these  in  forming  a  sys- 
tem of  ample  drainage. 

This  region  formed  part  of  Turbut  to\vnship  from  its  erection,  April  9, 
1772,  to  April  15,  1843,  a  period  of  seventy-one  years,  and  has  been  a  part 
of  Northumberland  count}-  during  that  time,  excepting  the  twenty -three 
months  intervening  between  March  22.  1813,  and  February  21,  1815,  when 
it  was  attached  to  Columbia.  Delaware  and  Lewis  were  formed  from  Tur- 
but, April  15,  1843,  by  decree  of  court.  The  northern  boundary  of  Turbut 
is  given  in  the  chapter  on  that  township  in  this  work;  the  line  of  division 
between  Delaware  and  Lewis  is  described  as  follows: — 

Commeucing  at  a  point  on  the  aforesaid  line  on  the  hind  of  .John  Ilaag;  thence 
north  thirteen  degrees  east  four  hundred  eighty  perches  to  the  Potash  road  near  the 
northeast  corner  of  JIcEwensville;  thence  north  nineteen  degrees  west  eighty  perch- 
es to  the  center  of  the  Warrior  Run  bridge  on  the  State  road  where  said  road  passes 
through  the  lands  of  .Jacob  Stitzel;  thence  along  the  said  State  road  the  several  courses 
and  distances  thereof  to  the  line  of  Lycoming  county  near  Eli  Stone's. 

The  iirst  township  officers  elected  were  George  Oyster,  justice  of  the 
peace;  Samuel  Guffy,  constable;  Wilson  Hutchison  and  Jacob  Stitzel,  over- 
seers of  the  poor;  Robert  McKee,  judge  of  election;  John  McKinney  and 
Jacob  Brown,  inspectors  of  election;  John  Seibert,  assessor;  George  McCoy 
and  Abraham  Sterner,  supervisors. 

PIONEERS. 

This  part  of  the  county  was  settled  prior  to  the  Revolutionary  war.  The 
first  families  were  principally  Scotch  in  nationality  and  Pre.sb)i:erian  in 
church  connection;  it  was  not  until  the  present  century  that  the  German 


DELAWARE    TOWNSHIP.  753 

element,  which  now  predominates  largely,  acquired  any  considerable  repre- 
sentation. The  names  of  many  of  the  early  settlers  of  the  township  are 
given  in  the  list  of  taxables  for  Tiirbnt  township  and  in  the  list  of  members 
of  "Warrior  Eim  church  in  ITSU.  Very  few  of  these  families  are  any  longer 
represented. 

EARLY    INDUSTRIES. 

Daniel  Vincent,  from  Essex  county,  New  Jersey,  built  a  mill  on  Warrior 
rim,  one  of  the  first  mills  in  the  northern  part  of  the  coiuity.  This  was  a 
log  building,  and  was  replaced  in  1792  by  a  stone  structure.  The  Tnicken- 
miller  mill  and  the  old  "Wilson  mill,  also  on  "Warrior  run,  were  established 
at  a  later  date.  Alexander  C-rutfy  had  a  distillery  in  operation  prior  to  1800, 
and  several  establishments  of  a  similar  character  have  since  been  conducted 
by  different  individuals.  An  ecjually  important  industry  was  the  ashery  of 
a  Mr.  Harrison,  where  potash,  soda,  and  other  products  of  ashes  were  manu- 
factured. The  proprietor  opened  a  road  from  his  establishment  to  the 
Susquehanna  river;  it  received  the  name  of  •'  the  Potash  road,"  which  still 
retains  local  significance.  In  recent  years  a  tannery  was  operated  by  Jacob 
Stitzel,  but  at  the  j^resent  time,  so  far  as  the  industrial  interests  of  the  town- 
ship are  concerned,  Delaware  is  best  described  as  an  agricultural  region. 

BOROUGH    OF    m'eWEXSVILLE. 

The  first  person  to  locate  at  the  present  site  of  McEwensville  was  John 
Quigley,  a  plowmaker  and  carpenter,  who  sold  his  property  early  in  the 
present  century  to  a  Mr.  Stahlnecker  and  moved  farther  up  the  Warrior 
Run  valley.  Alexander  McEwen,  a  Scotchman  by  descent,  a  weaver  by  trade, 
and  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  1812,  whence  he  derived  the  title  of  captain, 
opened  the  first  store  and  was  the  first  postmaster.  William  Moritz  estab- 
lished the  first  public  house,  and,  with  these  early  improvements  as  a  nucleus, 
the  jilace  rapidly  attained  \-illage  proportions.  In  1825  Adam  Sars-er  laid 
out  a  number  of  lots,  which  were  rapidly  sold,  and,  as  a  large  increase  in 
the  population  was  anticipated,  the  name  became  an  imjiortant  subject  of 
consideration.  Prior  to  that  time  the  place  had  been  known  as  Pine  Grove, 
from  the  prevailing  variety  of  timber  in  the  vicinity,  the  present  name  was 
formally  conferred  at  a  supper  given  by  Captain  McEwen  on  the  28th  of 
October,  1825,  to  Brigadier  General  Adam  Light,  Lieutenant  Colonel  James 
S.  Dpugal,  Majors  John  Montgomery  and  Eobert  H.  Hammond,  Captains 
Anthony  Armstrong,  of  the  Northumberland  Troop  of  Horse,  HenA'  Frick, 
of  the  Milton  Guards.  William  Fulkerson,  of  the  Warrior  Run  Infantry, 
Jackson  McFadden,  of  the  Lewisburg  Guards,  James  Finney,  of  the  "Union 
Guards,  John  Ludwig.  of  the  Lafayette  Artillerists,  and  other  officers  of  a 
battalion  of  militia  encamped  for  review  at  Camp  Calhoun.  The  following 
account  appeared  in  the  Miltonian  of  November  5,  1825: — 


754  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

After  the  review  of  the  Independent  Battalion  of  Volunteers  on  the  28th  of  Octo- 
ber Captain  Alexander  McEwen  invited  Brigadier  General  Light  and  his  staff,  the  field 
otiicers  of  the  battalion,  and  several  respectable  citizens  then  on  a  visit  to  the  camp  to 
partake  of  a  dinner  with  him.  After  much  conversation  it  was  observed  that  a  new 
town  was  about  to  be  laid  out  in  the  vicinity  of  the  camp  ground,  and  the  inquiry  arose. 
What  was  the  town  to  be  named?  No  one  could  tell,  but  we  think  the  following  senti- 
ment, given  as  a  volunteer  toast  by  General  Light,  will  be  sufficiently  indicative  of 
what  it  ought  to  be  called.  The  toast  was  loudly  and  most  heartily  applauded  by  the 
company. 

By  Brigadier  General  Light — "May  we  shortly  have  the  satisfaction  of  seeing  a  new 
and  flourishing  village  situated  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  Camp  Calhoun,  and  may 
it  be  appropriate!}-  named  >IcEwensville." 

By  Captain  Frick — "The  town  plot  just  laid  out  by  Adam  Sarver— let  the  blank 
be  tilled  with  'McEwensville,'and  may  the  town  increase  with  the  exactness,  neatness, 
and  rapidity  of  Camp  Calhoun,  and  vie  with  her  more  tldurishing  neighbors,  Milton  and 
Pennsborough  !" 

There  was  for  some  yeans  a  healthful  and  normal  exjiansion  of  the  village  in 
size,  population,  and  business  importance,  but  with  the  opening  of  the  Phila- 
delphia and  Erie  railroad  and  conseqiient  growth  of  Watsonto\vn  the  pres- 
tige of  McEwensville  began  to  decline.  This  was  particularly  noticeable  in 
the  decade  ending  with  1870.  In  recent  years  the  borough  has  derived  a 
renewed  impetus  from  the  opening  of  the  Wilkesbarre  and  Western  railroad; 
it  has  now  some  half-dozen  stores,  a  hotel,  three  manufacturing  establishments, 
four  churches,  a  school  building,  and  a  postoffice.  A  fertile  and  populous 
farming  region  surrounds  the  town,  giving  stability  and  permanence  to  its 
business  and  other  interests. 

Local  Industries. — A.  Mauser  &  Brothers  carriage  works  were  estab- 
lished in  1839  by  William  Hood,  who  built  a  frame  shop  forty  feet  square  on 
the  west  side  of  Main  street.  In  1848  he  moved  this  building  back  from 
the  street  and  erected  in  front  of  it  a  two-story  frame  stiiicture  forty  by 
forty-four  feet;  he  also  built  a  brick  blacksmith  shop  on  the  opposite  side  of 
the  street.  In  1870  Mr.  Hood  disposed  of  the  establi.shment  to  Alem  Mau- 
ser, and  in  1875  the  present  firm  was  formed  with  Cain  Mauser  as  junior 
member.  They  employ  fifteen  men  and  manufacture  a  large  amount  of  new 
work. 

C.  Gearhart  &  Brother's  foundn,'  is  operated  in  a  building  erected  in 
1840  by  Stitzel  &  Housel.  It  is  a  brick  structure  sixty  by  thirty  feet,  one 
story  in  height.  From  the  original  proprietors  the  establishment  passed  to 
J.  P.  "Backenberg,  and  diiring  his  ownership  it  was  rented  by  other  parties. 
It  then  -became  the  property  of  Philip  Steinruck,  and  after  his  retirement 
in  1865  the  foundry  was  operated  two  years  by  William  Stitzel.  Samuel 
Grey  was  the  next  owner;  he  sold  it  in  1875  to  C.  Mentzel,  who  was  suc- 
ceeded by  the  present  proprietors  in  1SS7. 

The  Excelsior  Wagon  Works  were  erected  in  1808  by  E.  Everitt  & 
Company,    who    were    succeeded   in  March,    1882,   by   John  W.    Kerr,   the 


DELA\YARE    TOWNSHIP.  (00 

present  owner.  The  i^lant  was  first  used  as  an  agricultural  implement 
manufactory.  Mr.  Kerr  introduced  the  necessary  appliances  for  the  manu- 
facture of  extension  table  slides,  land  rollers,  bobb  sleds,  etc.,  and  added 
eni-1-ines.  blacksmith  shop,  warehouse,  and  circular  saw  mill  to  the  plant. 
"NV.  I.  Eothermel  was  associated  in  the  business  in  1886,  but  since  his  retire- 
ment Mr.  Kerr  has  continued  the  business  individually.  The  works  were 
destroyed  by  tire  on  the  1st  of  June.  1889.  but  have  been  rebuilt.  Chil- 
dren's express  wagons,  farm  wagons,  etc.,  are  manufactured. 

Borough  Organization.— Ijegal  proceedings  for  the  incorporation^of  Mc- 
Ewensville  as  a  borough  were  instituted  on  the  7th  of  November,  1857,  when 
a  petition  with  that  object  in  view  was  presented  to  the  county  court  of 
quarter  sessions.  The  grand  jury,  through  Stephen  Bittenbender,  foreman, 
having  certified  to  the  expediency  of  granting  it,  the  borough  was  forthwith 
incorporated  by  decree  of  court,  November  7,  1857.  The  first  election  under 
the  new  regim'e  was  held  on  the  14th  of  December,  1857.  and  resulted  as  fol- 
lows: burgess,  John  F.  Dentler;  council:  John  Boush,  George  Piper,  F.  H. 
Carver,  Henry  Hartranft,  William  Hood;  school  directors:  George  A.  Dixon. 
William  Sample,  John  Boyer,  J.  T.  Williams,  E.  D.  Yeomans,  Wilham  B. 
Irvin;  overseers  of  the  poor:  Daniel  Gold,  William  Beard;  inspectors:  Will- 
iam F.  Kreigh.  E.  F.  Gold:  assessor.  Andrew  J.  Guffj-;  judge  of  elections. 
George  Pipe";  jtustice  of  the  peace,  Philip  Steinruck. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  burgesses  since  the  incorporation  of  the  borough: 
1857,  JohnF.  Dentler:  1858,  William  Hood;  1859,  C.  L.  Rynearson;  1S60, 
F.  Piper;  1861,  William  F.  Kreigh;  1862,  H.  C.  Dentler;  1863,  William 
Hood-  1864,  A.  J.  Guffv:  1865.  William  Hood;  1866,  G.  W.  Armstrong: 
1.S67,  William  F.  Kreigh;  1868,  David  Gold:  1869,  R.  P.  High;  18.0-72, 
Ephraim  Everitt;  1873,  Ellis  L.  Irwin;  1874-75.  J.  R.  Housel;  18  <6,  Alem 
Mauser;  1877,  James  Murphy;  1S<8,  William  C.  Montgomerj';  187i>-bO. 
John  P.  Beard;  18S1,  F.  G.  Gold;  1882,  G.  W.  Armstrong:  1883-84,  George 
T  Rothermel:  1885,  William  F.  Kreigh:  1886,  L.  L.  Eothermel;  1S87, 
George  T.  Rothermel;  1888-89,  Henry  Gearhart;  1890,  George  T.  Rother- 
mel; "1891,  J.  P.  Beard. 

DEWART. 

This  village,  situated  in  the  western  part  of  Delaware  township  near  the 
mouth  of  Delaware  run.  two  miles  north  of  Watsontown  on  the  Philadelphia 
and  Erie  railroad,  and  at  the  terminus  of  a  bridge  across  the  Susquehanna, 
was  laid  out  by  William  P.  Hull,  AVilliam  H.  Marr,  and  William  F.  Nagle, 
and  received  its  name  in  compliment  to  William  L.  Dewart,  Congressman 
from  the  district  embracing  Northumberland  coimty  at  the  time  the  postolSce 
was  established.  An  agricultural  region  of  exceptional  fertility  surrounds 
the  village,  and  the  constniction  of  the  river  bridge  also  brought  the  products 
of  the  White  Deer  valley  to  this  point;   a  station  was  therefore  est abUshed 


756  HISTORY    OF    NORTHCJIBERL.VND    COUNTY. 

immediately  after  the  opening  of  the  railroad,  under  the  name  of  ITniontown, 
for  which  the  present  designation  was  substituted  several  years  later.  As 
the  location  of  a  railroad  station,  the  terminus  of  a  river  bridge,  and  the  center 
of  a  rich  farming  district,  Unionto^vn  naturally  presented  advantages  as  a 
prospective  trading  point,  and  these  considerations  governed  its  selection  by 
Messrs.  Hull,  Marr,  and  Nagle  as  a  town  site. 

The  first  business  estabhshed,  and  the  most  important  ever  conducted  at 
the  place,  was  that  of  purchasing  and  forwarding  grain.  Hull,  Marr,  and 
Nagle  erected  the  first  warehouse  for  this  purpose,  a  frame  building  twenty- 
eight  by  fifty  feet,  which,  as  enlarged  by  Ario  Pardee,  the  next  owner, 
constitutes  the  present  freight  and  passenger  station  of  the  Philadelphia  and 
Erie  railroad.  Several  other  warehouses  were  also  conducted,  and  at  one 
time  the  shipments  from  this  point  amoimted  to  two  himdred  thousand 
bushels  annually,  at  a  conservative  estimate.  Less  attention  is  given  to 
grain  than  formerly  by  the  farmers  of  the  adjacent  region,  and  the  opening 
of  the  Philadelphia  and  Heading  railroad  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  river 
has  also  reduced  the  shipments  at  this  point. 

The  first  dwelling  house  in  the  village  was  built  in  1857,  and  is  still 
standing  on  the  north  side  of  Main  street  at  the  west  side  of  the  railroad. 
The  first  family  to  reside  here  was  that  of  W.  P.  Datesman,  who  removed 
from  Northampton  county  to  Union  in  1847,  thence  to  the  vicinity  of  Milton 
in  1854,  and  to  the  embryo  village  of  Dewart  in  the  autumn  of  1857.  Here 
he  has  since  resided,  and  has  served  one  term  as  coimty  commissioner. 
What  now  constitutes  Benner's  store  room  and  the  building  in  the  rear  were 
erected  in  1858  by  Hull,  Marr,  and  Nagle,  and  here  "\V.  L.  Antrim  opened  the 
first  store.  Mr.  Antrim  was  born  in  this  county  and  reared  at  Danville, 
where  he  now  resides.  In  1859  John  H.  Forgeman  built  the  first  hotel,  a 
brick  building,  which  has  been  continuously  occupied  as  a  place  of  public 
entertainment  ever  since.  In  the  same  year  three  other  houses  were  built, 
by  M.  L.  Everhart,  \V.  AV.  Burrows,  and  I.  S.  Buchner.  Mr.  Everhart  is 
still  a  resident  of  the  village:  Burrows  came  here  in  the  employ  of  Hull, 
Marr,  and  Nagle;  and  Buchner  was  the  first  shoemaker  of  the  place.  The 
first  blacksmith  was  William  George,  whose  shop  and  dwelling  adjoined  the 
house  of  Mr.  Datesman  on  the  north  side  of  Main  street.  These  were  the 
first  improvements  in  that  part  of  the  village  west  of  the  railroad,  where  the 
original  plat  was  laid  out. 

While  these  developments  were  in  progress,  the  land  adjoining  east  of 
the  railroad  was  covered  with  timber,  and  remartied  in  the  possession  of 
Christian  Gosh,  from  whom  Hull,  Marr,  and  Nagle  had  purchased.  FoUow- 
ino-  their  example,  he  extended  Main  street  to  the  limit  of  his  land,  and, 
with  the  assistance  of  Arthur  T.  Ludwig,  the  first  justice  of  the  peace  in  the 
vicinity  of  the  village,  laid  off  a  number  of  lots  on  both  sides  of  the  street; 
to    this   extension  of  the  town  plat  the  name  of  "  Gosh's    addition "   was 


*._  -■ 


^~^,  ^y^^.:^^ 


DELAWARE    TOWNSHIP.  759 

aiDplied.  Two  grain  houses  were  built  thereon  in  1S60,  by  Christian  Gosh 
and  John  McFarland;  that  of  the  latter  burned  before  its  completion,  but 
was  at  once  rebuilt.  William  Herring  erected  a  brick  hotel  in  lSGl-6'2.  On 
the  third  lot  from  the  railroad  on  the  south  side  of  the  street  John  L. 
Striebv.  from  Lycoming  county,  a  wagon  maker  by  trade,  erected  a  house 
and  shop,  and  thus  inaugurated  this  important  branch  of  local  industry. 
This  house  was  the  first  erected  for  a  residence  in  that  part  of  the  town. 
The  second  was  built  by  Christian  Gosh.  The  first  store  was  opened  by 
John  Gosh  and  Irwin  Smith. 

Hayes's  addition  was  laid  oiit  by  Joseph  Hayes,  and  consisted  of  a  fur- 
ther extension  of  Main  street  through  his  land.  Thomas  Ruckle,  a  saddler 
by  trade,  and  still  engaged  in  that  business,  and  Edward  Faber  were  the 
first  to  make  improvements  thereon. 

Arthur  T.  Ludwig  was  appointed  first  postmaster,  but  resigned  without 
entering  upon  his  duties.  "VV.  P.  Datesman  succeeded  him,  and  opened  the 
ofiice;  he  has  been  followed  by  George  Border,  Samuel  Corner,  and  C.  T. 
Michener. 

The  present  business  of  the  place  includes  four  general  stores,  a  confec- 
tionery, tin  store,  millinery  store,  hotel,  warehouse,  undertaking  establish- 
ment, and  local  blacksmith  and  wagon  sho^Js.  A  creamery  was  operated  by 
M.  A.  Nicely  several  years,  but  has  been  removed.  The  river  bridge  sus- 
tained severe  damage  in  1865;  it  was  rebuilt,  but  was  entirely  demolished 
by  the  flood  of  June,  1SS9,  and  has  been  again  rebuilt.  There  are  two  church 
buildings  in  the  village,  and  a  school  building  in  the  vicinity. 

CHCECHES. 

WcuTior  Run  Presbyterian  Church  is  the  oldest  denominational  organ- 
ization in  the  valley  of  the  West  Branch.  The  earliest  accoimt  extant  of  this 
venerable  society  is  that  given  in  the  journal  of  Philip  V.  Fithian,  a  licen- 
tiate who  visited  the  neighborhood  in  1775  under  appointment  of  Donegal 
Presbytery.  He  arrived  at  Warrior  run  July  12th,  and  preached  on  Sim- 
day,  the  16th,  at  a  meeting  house  "on  the  bank  of  the  river  eighteen  miles 
from  Northumberland,"'  and  "  not  yet  covered."  He  preached  from  a  wagon, 
while  the  people  sat  around  among  the  bushes.  This  building  was  situated 
in  the  .western  part  of  Delaware  township,  a  short  distance  south  of  Watson- 
to^vn.  It  was  constructed  of  logs;  as  a  single  length  would  not  have  given 
the  desired  size,  another  log  was  added  by  building  up  a  small  square  mid- 
way of  each  side;  these  squares  formed  alcoves,  which  were  used  as  closets. 
Shingles  were  provided  for  a  roof,  also  nails,  but  the  roof  was  never  put  on. 

In  1789  Jose^ih  Hutchison  and  Margaret  his  wife  conveyetl  to  the  con- 
gregation a  tract  of  land,  and  in  1S64,  in  consideration  of  three  poimds, 
twenty-five  shillings,  an  additional  tract  was  granted,  the  deed  including  also 
that  granted  in  1789.     In  1811  Thomas  De  Armond  sold  for  the  sum  of 


760  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBEELAND    COUNTY. 

seventy  dollars  a  strip  to  the  north,  and.  with  the  exception  of  the  change 
effected  by  a  sale  of  that  portion  lying  beyond  the  public  road,  the  grounds 
then  took  their  present  shape  and  dimensions. 

The  second  church  building  was  erected  in  17S9.  and  stood  in  front  of 
the  present  building.  Its  architecture  was  of  an  antiquated  style.  On  the 
tirst  tioor  were  three  doors,  one  in  front  and  one  at  either  side  toward  the 
rear.  There  were  two  by  which  the  gallery  was  entered  from  the  outside, 
one  on  each  side  of  the  building,  to  which  stairways  ascended.  The  central 
aisle  was  broad,  and  there  was  a  wide  space  before  the  pews  in  front;  this 
arrano-ement  was  made  to  accommodate  the  tables  at  which  the  communi- 
cants sat.  The  pulpit  was  very  high,  resembling  the  quaint  affairs  some- 
times seen  in  old  cathedrals.  Over  the  minister's  head  was  the  indispensa- 
ble sounding  board,  which  has  been  aptly  compared  to  a  huge  umbrella.  At 
the  foot  of  the  pulpit  was  the  clerk's  bos.  There  he  sat  until  the  hymn  was 
announced;  he  then  arose,  and  in  solemn,  sometimes  monotonous  strain,  read 
couplet  after  couplet,  and  led  the  congregation  in  singing.  The  gallery  ran 
around  the  sides  of  the  building,  and  in  those  days  when  rival  churches  were 
few,  it  was  quite  well  filled.  It  had  its  fimny  episodes,  as  well  as  the  gal- 
leries of  modern  days.  On  one  occasion  Nellie  McCoy's  dog  followed  her  to 
service,  and  when  she  entered  the  church,  he,  finding  himself  excluded,  ran 
around  to  the  stairs  and  ascended  into  the  gallery.  Seeing  his  mistress 
below,  he  made  a  bold  dash  down  over  the  seats  and  leaped  from  the  edge 
of  the  gallery  into  the  audience.  No  further  damage  was  done  than  to  fill 
those  upon  whom  doggie  came  with  amazement,  amusement,  and  scratches. 
At  tirst  no  tire  was  permitted.  The  first  provision  for  heating  consisted  of  a  low 
fire  of  charcoal,  burned  upon  a  bed  of  earth.  Large  ten-plate  stoves  were 
then  introduced,  and  iiltimately  heating  appliances  of  modern  design. 
This  building,  like  its  predece^or,  was  constructed  of  logs. 

The  present  substantial  and  commodious  church  edifice  was  built  in  183-3. 
Fifty  years  later  it  received  a  slate  roof,  adding  greatly  to  the  probability 
of  its  preservation  for  an  indefinite  period. 

The  audiences,  at  that  early  day  to  which  this  history  more  particularly 
relates,  gathered  from  far  and  wide.  There  were  then  no  other  churches  in 
the  surrounding  territory  within  a  radius  of  some  miles.  Until  the  year  1808 
a  part  of  the  congregation  came  from  White  Deer  valley,  crossing  the  river; 
a  fair  cpiota  was  returned  from  the  region  beyond  iluncy  hills;  there  were 
some  from  Derry  on  the  northeast,  from  Chillisquaque  on  the  southeast,  and 
from  Milton  on  the  south.  Probably  half  the  audience  came  on  foot — 
usually  carrying  their  shoes  in  their  hands — and  as  late  as  1832  it  is  said 
there  were  not  more  than  five  carriages. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  members  of  this  church  in  1789,  when  its  second 
place  of  worship  was  erected:  Charles  Irwin,  James  Harrison,  Samuel 
Barr,    William    Calhoun,    John    McCormick,   William    McCormick,    Joseph 


DELAWARE    TOWNSHIP.  761 

Hutchison,  Sr.,  Martha  Correy,  James  Wilson,  John  Buchanan,  John 
Ferguson,  John  W.  McCurdy,  John  Wilson,  Joseph  Hutchison,  Jr.,  John 
Baird,  Barnabas  Farran,  Alexander  Stuart,  Thomas  Wallace,  Robert  Mc- 
Kee,  John  McKinney,  Bruce  Innis.  John  Irwin,  James  Story,  James  Dur- 
ham, Cornelius  Waldron,  Thomas  Gilmore,  Thomas  Wilson,  Eobert  Miller, 
James  Hammond,  John  Woods,  Eobert  Craig,  Jane  Brown,  James  Falls.  An- 
drew Foster,  James  Allison,  John  Watson,  William  Shaw,  Eobert  Shaw, 
Samuel  Blaine,  Bethuel  Vincent,  John  Burroughs,  William  Haslet,  Thomas 
De  Armond,  Eoljert  De  Armond.  Andrew  Eussell.  Patrick  Russell,  Eobert 
Eobertson,  Fleming  Wilson,  John  Bryson,  John  Wilson,  Josejih  Hutchison, 
David  Shannon,  David  Hunter.  Joseph  Hammond,  William  Boyd.  Thomas 
Kirk,  William  Kirk,  Eobert  Montgomery,  James  McAfee,  James  Welch,  Sr.. 
John  Quigley,  Hugh  Wilson.  John  Haiis,  John  Smith,  Samuel  All,  William 
Euckman,  Jacob  Bruner,  Alexander  Guffy,  James  Daugherty,  Alexander 
Foresman,  John  Allison,  William  Scott.  Patrick  Dickson,  John  McKinney, 
xVlexander  Dunbar,  David  McGuire.  Thomas  Barr,  Anthony  Moore,  George 
McCoy,  Eobert  Smith,  Daniel  Vincent,  Thomas  Murray,  Widow  Gaston. 
James  Watson.  Andrew  Russell.  Jr..  Benjamin  Bennet,  James  Welch.  Jr.. 
John  Cathcart.  Frederick  Taylor.  William  Taylor,  Alexander  Lock.  Samuel 
Jones,  Richard  Vanderolf,  Thomas  Connely,  Jacob  Maxwell,  John  Pipenger. 
John  Gibbons,  John  Herron,  Michael  Xolan,  Barnabas  Murray,  Mungo  Reed. 
John  Jacoby,  Thomas  Blaine,  John  Fulkerson,  John  Barr,  Hugh  Hambleton. 
David  Hogge.  George  McKee,  Thomas  Euckman,  John  Tweed,  John  Long. 
John  Biirroughs.  John  Allie,  James  McKean.  and  Eichard  Allison.' 

Eev.  John  Bryson  was  pastor  of  this  church  from  1789  to  1841.  The 
following  clergymen  have  been  his  successors:  Samuel  S.  Sheddon,  Henry 
M.  Parsons,  E.  D.  Yeomans,  Loreirzo  Wescott,  S.  B.  Herron,  George  Eliot. 
and  George  A.  Marrs.  Eev.  A.  C.  Campbell  of  ^Montgomery  now  serves  as 
supply. 

St.  John's  Delaimre  Run  Union  Church  sustains  the  same  relation  to 
the  German  population  as  Warrior  Eun  Presbyterian  church  to  the  Irish. 
The  German  element  made  its  appearance  somewhat  later,  and  hence  nearly 
half  a  century  elapsed  after  Mr.  Fithian  preached  at  Warrior  Eun  before  the 
Eeformed  and  Lutheran  congregations  of  Delaware  Eun  had  provided  a 
place  of  ^vorship.  This  was  a  log  building,  situated  northeast  of  the  location 
of  the  present  brick  edifice.  The  exterior  was  plastered,  and  presented  a 
rough-cast  appearance;  the  main  entrance  was  a  double  door  in  the  side  next 
the  public  road,  with  the  pulpit  opposite,  and  there  was  a  smaller  door  in 
the  gable  end.  The  groimd  upon  which  this  stood,  and  the  graveyard  adjoin- 
ing, a  tract  of  one  hundred  fifty-nine  perches,  was  confirmed  to  John  Lose 
and  Solomon  Menges,  "trustees  of  the  German  church  on  land  adjoining  a 
branch  of  Delaware  ran  in  said  [Turbut]  to^vnship,  called  St.  John's,"  by  deed 
of  February  14,  IS'26,  from  Jacob  Dabler  and  Al.iraham  Sterner,  administra- 


762  HISTORY    OF    NOETHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

tors  of  Daniel  Follmer.  Follmer  had  agreed  to  give  this  ground,  but  died 
without  executing  a  deed;  the  conveyance  referred  to  was  made  imder  direc- 
tion of  the  county  court. 

The  present  church  edifice,  a  brick  structure  sixty  by  forty  feet  in  dimen- 
sions, was  erected  in  1867  under  the  supervision  of  a  building  committee 
composed  of  Samuel  Garnhart,  Lutheran,  and  William  Transue  and  Joseph 
Graven,  Eeformed.  The  ground  upon  which  it  stands,  with  adjacent  land 
amounting  to  twenty-seven  perches,  was  deeded  to  Samuel  Hiiffman,  trustee 
of  the  Lutheran  church,  and  William  Transue  and  John  Work,  trustees  of 
the  Eeformed  church,  Jvdj  15,  1879,  by  Joseph  Graven  and  Catherine  his 
wife  at  the  nominal  consideration  of  one  dollar.  The  basement  of  this  build- 
ino-  is  used  for  Simday  school  purposes;  the  audience  room  above  has  a  seat- 
ing capacity  of  four  hundred.  A  tablet  in  the  wall  in  front  is  inscribed  with 
the  legend  "St.  John's  Delaware  Run  Union  Church,  April  28,  1867." 

Regarding  the  early  historj'  of  the  two  congregations  that  worship  here 
but  meager  information  is  attainable.  Originally  all  the  services  were  con- 
ducted in  German;  English  was  first  introduced  in  the  Reformed  congrega- 
tional worship  by  Reverend  Gring,  and  in  the  Lutheran  by  Reverend  Albert, 
and  this  language  has  now  entirely  superseded  the  old  patois,  not  only  in 
the  formal  exercise  of  worship,  but  also  in  ordinary  social  intercourse.  The 
following  is  a  partial  list  of  pastors :  Reformed — Reverends  George  Adams, 
Richard  Kelly,  Tilghman  Derr,  Z.  A.  Yearick,  T.  S.  Land,  and  D.  E.  Schoed- 
ler,  the  present  incumbent;  Lutheran — Reverends  Sheetz;  Stoever;  Albert; 
Thomas  C.  Billheimer;  Keller;  P.  S.  Mack,  July  1,  1871,  to  "July  1,  1873; 
S.  P.  Orwig,  October  1,  1873,  to  October  1,  1878;  A.  K.  Zimmerman,  June 
1,  1S79,  to  November  1,  1881;  Samuel  G.  Shannon,  Jixne  1,  1882,  to  March 
1,  1SS5,  and  F.  W.  Staley,  May  1,  1885,  to  May  1,  1890. 

St.  John's  Reformed  Church,  McEwensville,  was  organized  in  1842  with 
John  Derr  and  Daniel  Frymire  as  elders.  It  united  with  the  Lutheran  congre- 
o-ation  in  erecting  a  church  building,  for  which  the  joint  building  committee 
was  Solomon  Trackenmiller  and  George  Hittle,  Lutherans,  and  John  Derr  and 
Daniel  FrvTnire,  Reformed.  In  1873  this  union  was  dissolved,  when  the  pres- 
ent church  edifice,  a  two-story  brick  structure  at  the  east  end  of  Main  street, 
was  erected  imder  the  direction  of  a  building  committee  consisting  of  John  B. 
Leinbach,  Peter  B.  Schaeffer,  and  John  Klapp.  The  first  pastor.  Rev.  Henry 
Weigand,  was  installed,  July  9,  1843.  Among  his  successors  have  been  Rev- 
erends G.  E.  Adams,  Henry  Mosser,  J.  K.  Millett,  and  G.  S.  Sorber,  the 
present  incmnbent.  The  following  is  a  list  of  the  elders  of  this  church: 
John  Derr,  1842-49;  Daniel  Frymire,  1842-48;  David  Eshbach,  1849-56; 
John  Klapp,  1849-56;  Samuel  Lerch,  1856-68;  John  Klapp,  1866-75;  EU 
Schaeffer,  1868-71;  P.  D.  Schaeffer,  1S71-;  Samuel  Derr,  1875-;  William 
S.  Klapp,  —1890:  David  Strauss,  —1887;  Daniel  Lerch,  18S7-;  Alem 
Mauser,  1890-. 


DELAWARE    TQ-WNSHIP.  763 

Messiah  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church,  McEwensrille,  united  with  the 
Eeformed  congregation  in  the  erection  of  a  union  place  of  worship,  of  which 
the  corner-stone  was  laid,  May  5,  1842,  and  the  dedication  occurred,  October 
9,  1842.  In  1873  the  interest  of  the  Reformed  congregation  was  purchased 
by  the  Lutherans,  who  repaired  the  building  in  1SS2  at  a  cost  of  fifteen  hun- 
di-ed  dollars.  It  is  a  two-story  brick  structure,  and  is  the  present  place  of 
worship.  At  the  time  of  its  erection  (1842)  the  council  consisted  of  Solomon 
Truckenmiller  and  Da-s-id  Gold,  elders,  Henry  Hartranft  and  George  Hittle, 
deacons;  Jacob  Truckenmiller  was  trustee.  The  first  pastor  was  Rev.  G.  F. 
Stoever;  Rev.  A.  R.  Boyer  was  pastor,  April  1,  1846,  to  October  1,  1855;  J. 
T.  WiUiams,  October  1,  1856,  to  1863;  A.  R.  Home,  a  short  time,  beginning 
with  the  1st  of  December,  1863;  Rev.  George  Sill,  a  short  time;  E.  J.  Wolff, 
D.  D.,  December  27,  1865,  to  1869;  and  Reverends  TJ.  Myers,  W.  C.  McCool, 
M.  L  Schmucker,  and  I.  B.  Crist  since  1869.  The  Lutheran  Simday  school 
was  organized  in  1873  with  A.  E.  Ganger  as  superintendent. 

The  Evangelical  Church,  Dewart,  was  originally  organized  at  "Stony 
Batter,"  a  locality  two  miles  northeast  of  Dewart,  under  the  administration 
of  Rev.  A.  H.  Irvin.  When  Rev.  George  Josephs  became  pastor  the  build- 
ing was  removed  to  Dewart,  where  it  was  rebuilt  on  the  north  side  of  Main 
street  at  the  extreme  eastern  end  of  the  village.  It  is  a  frame  structure. 
Among  the  first  members  were  John  Beaver,  Nancy  Beaver,  Hetty  Beaver, 
Wilson  Heiney  and  wife,  Michael  Kunes,  and  Elias  Williams  and  wife.  The 
present  pastor  (1890)  is  Rev.  J.  M.  Trice,  of  White  Deer,  Union  county, 
Pennsylvania. 

The  Dewart  Union  Chapel,  originally  projected  by  the  Union  Sunday 
school  of  Dewart,  was  built  in  1887.  It  is  an  attractive  brick  building  on 
Railroad  street. 

Extinct  Church  Organizations  include  the  "Pines"  Associate  Reformed 
church,  the  Presbyterian  and  Methodist  churches  of  McEwens\-ille,  and  the 
Delaware  Run  Baptist  church.  The  Associate  Reformed  church  was  organ- 
ized by  the  Rev.  George  Junkin,  whose  successors  at  Milton  also  preached 
here;  prominent  among  the  membership  were  the  McGuires.  Shannons, 
and  Rynearsons.  The  church  edifice  was  a  frame  building,  and  occupied  a 
triangular  lot  on  the  farm  of  Mrs.  Eleanor  Armstrong.  The  McEwensville 
Presbj-terian  church  was  organized  in  1842  with  eighty-five  members,  for- 
merly connected  with  the  Warrior  Run  church,  to  which  its  membership 
returned  after  disbanding.  The  church  was  a  substantial  brick  structure, 
since  sold  and  removed.  The  Methodist  church  at  McEwensville,  a  frame 
building,  was  dedicated,  December  29,  1867.  An  account  of  the  Delaware 
Rim  Baptist  church  is  given  in  connection  with  the  organization  of  that 
denomination  at  Watsontown. 


iCA  HISTOEY  OF  NOHTHUMEERLAND  COUNTY. 


At  the  time  when  the  public  school  system  was  adopted  by  Turbut  town- 
ship (1834),  there  were  six  school  houses  within  the  present  limits  of  Dela- 
ware, located,  respectively,  at  Warrior  Kun  church:  at  AVatsontown;  at  the 
river  (now  known  as  Xicely's) ;  at  the  Fry  school  house,  known  at  an  early  clay 
as  Gundy's,  and  subsequently  as  "Solomon's  Temple;"  at  Garnhart's,  to 
which  the  name  of  Mengesville  was  afterwai-d  applied:  and  at  Sinking  Spring, 
where  the  school  house  still  bears  that  name. 

In  1852  an  academy  was  erected  at  McEwensville  by  a  stock  company 
composed  of  J.  F.  Dentler,  William  Hays,  J.  P.  Hackenberg,  William  Hood, 
R.  H.  McCormick,  Jacob  Armstrong,  Andrew  Guffy.  and  others.  The  first 
term  opened  in  the  autumn  of  1852  with  C.  L.  Eynearson  as  principal. 
Under  his  administration  the  institution  flourished,  and  he  continued  in 
charge  six  years.  In  1871  G.  W.  Armstrong,  having  acquired  a  controlling 
interest  in  the  property,  transferred  it  to  the  local  school  board;  since  that 
date  the  public  schools  of  the  borough  have  been  conducted  in  the  building 
six  months  of  each  year,  and  a  private  school  of  advanced  grade  the  remain- 
ing six  months.     The  building  is  a  two-story  brick  structure. 

An  academy  was  erected  at  Dewart  aboiit  the  year  1S59  under  the  auspices 
of  a  board  of  trustees  composed  of  W.  P.  Datesman.  Joseph  G.  Durham,  J. 
D.  Hayes,  Robert  M.  Russell,  and  W.  L.  Antrim.  It  is  a  brick  building  two 
stories  high  with  one  apartment  on  each  floor.  The  first  teacher  in  the  high 
school  was  Joseph  Cassells,  and  at  the  outbreak  of  the  civil  war  a  large  and 
flourishing  school  was  in  operation.  The  principal  and  a  number  of  advanced 
scholars  enlisted,  resulting  in  a  practical  suspension  of  the  school.  After  the 
war  A.  D.  Albert  conducted  it  successfully  several  years,  and  under  his  suc- 
cessor, J.  W.  Stout,  it  was  also  continued  with  success,  but  after  his  depart- 
ure, owing  to  the  reactionary  policy  of  the  to^vnship  school  board,  the  high 
school  has  been  allowed  to  decline.  Several  years  since  the  academy  associ- 
ation disposed  of  its  interest,  which  is  now  the  exclusive  property  of  the 
township  school  authorities. 

CEMETERIES. 

Warrior  Kun  Cemetery  is  the  oldest  in  the  northern  part  of  the  county. 
At  the  time  when  the  first  church  was  built,  the  one  in  which  Mr.  Fithian 
preached,  some  interments  had  been  made  in  its  immediate  vicinity,  and  this 
locality,  it  has  been  found  by  subsequent  excavations,  was  also  an  Indian 
burial  ground. 

The  River  Church  Cemetery  is  the  last  resting  place  of  many  of  the  Ger- 
man families  of  the  township  through  several  generations. 


LEWIS    TOWNSHIP.  765 


CHAPTER  XXXIII. 

LEWIS  TOWNSHIP. 

Topographical  Features — Political  Okgaxizatiox — Freelaxd's  Mill — Settle- 
ment, Growth,  Present  Business  Interests,  .otd  Municipal  Governjient  of 
the  Borough  of  Turbutvii.le — Churches — Schools — Turbutville  Cemetery. 

LEWIS  TOWNSHIP  is  situated  in  the  extreme  northeastern  part  of 
Northumberland  county,  adjoining  Lvcoming  on  the  north,  Montour 
on  the  east,  Turbut  township  on  the  south,  and  Delaware  on  the  west.  It  is 
rectangular  in  shape,  and  agreeably  diversitied  in  its  geographical  and  topo- 
graphical features.  The  Muncy  hills  form  the  northern  boundary:  to  the 
south  are  the  sources  of  Delaware  rim  and  Beaver  run,  while  still  farther 
south  Muddy  run  flows  through  the  beautiful  and  fertile  region  known  as 
Paradise.  The  location  of  the  borough  of  Turbutville  varies  but  slightly 
from  the  geographical  center  of  the  township:  it  is  traversed  by  the  Wilkes- 
barre  and  Western  railroad,  which  affords  a  convenient  outlet  for  its  products 
and  a  most  desirable  means  of  communication  with  the  outside  world. 

The  township  of  Turbut  embraced  this  region  from  the  9th  of  April, 
1772,  to  the  loth  of  April,  1S43,  when  Lewis  was  erected;  from  March  22, 
1813,  to  February  21,  1815,  it  formed  part  of  Columbia  county,  and  its 
present  eastern  boundary  was  established,  Januan.-  22,  1816,  by  act  of  the 
legislature.  The  first  township  officers  were  as  follows:  justice  of  the  peace, 
Samuel  Shannon;  constable,  Isaac  Eeeder:  overseers  of  the  poor:  Jacob 
Kerchner,  David  Watts;  judge  of  election,  Michael  B.  Garman;  inspectors  of 
election:  John  Klopp,  Samuiel  Kussell;  assessor,  George  A.  Wykoff ;  super- 
visors: William  Wilson,  Robert  Blain. 

The  township  received  its  name  in  honor  of  Judge  Ellis  Lewis,  president 
of  the  Eighth  judicial  district  from  1833  to  1843.  associate  justice  of  the 
Supreme  court  of  Pennsylvania  from  1851  to  1854,  and  chief  justice  from 
1854  until  1 857. 

freeland's    mill. 

The  first  mill  in  that  part  of  Northumberland  county  north  of  the  North 
Branch  was  built  in  1773-74  by  Jacob  Freeland,  who  brought  the  irons 
from  New  Jersey.  It  stood  on  Warrior  run,  near  the  present  site  of  McFar- 
land's. 

BOROUGH    OF    turbutville. 

The  first  settlement  at  the  present  site  of  Turbutville  was  made  by  Philip 


766  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

Reifsnvder.  a  blacksmith,  who  built  a  house  near  the  corner  of  Main  and 
Paradise  streets.  Here  he  also  started  the  first  hotel  of  the  place,  not  long 
after  the  opening  of  his  shop.  A  second  hotel  was  soon  afterward  opened 
by  a  Mrs.  McCarty,  and  a  third  by  Samuel  Burrows.  The  first  merchants 
were  Jacob  Maurer,  Burrows  &  Bryson,   a  Mr.  Baily,  and  E.   L.  Pi2)er. 

The  greater  part  of  the  site  of  the  borough  was  once  owned  by  Jacob 
Sechler,  from  whom  a  Mr.  Moyer  purchased  twenty  acres,  now  the  main  part 
of  the  town.  At  a  contemporary  period  that  part  of  the  town  site  south  of 
Main  street  and  west  of  Paradise  was  owned  by  Peter  Stahl,  and  that  part 
east  of  Paradise  street  was  the  property  of  Samuel  Burrows.  After  chang- 
ing hands  several  times  the  land  on  Church  street  and  on  Main  west  of 
Church  came  into  the  possession  of  Dr.  Tobias  Piper,  by  whom  it  was 
divided  into  lots  about  the  year  1850.  Moyer's  land  ultimately  passed  to 
Rev.  J.  P.  Hudson,  by  whom  it  was  subdivided ;  A.  B.  Artman  subsequently 
became  the  owner  of  Stahl's  land. 

The  village  was  first  called  Snydertown,  in  honor  of  Reifsnyder,  the  first 
settler.  There  is  also  a  to\vn  of  that  name  in  the  southern  part  of  the 
county;  owing  to  the  inconvenience  thus  occasioned  a  change  was  wisely 
made,  and,  being  the  principal  village  in  Turbut  township,  the  name  of  Tur- 
butville  was  appropriately  selected. 

Local  manufacturing  has  never  been  extensive.  A  tannery  was  once  in 
operation  at  the  site  of  H.  A.  RejTiolds's  chopping  mill;  it  was  established 
by  George  Chnstman  and  successively  operated  by  John  and  Solomon 
Brobst,  Julius  and  Harmon  Hertwig,  and  George  P.  Kamp. '  Among  those 
who  have  conducted  carriage,  wagon,  or  repair  shops  in  the  past  or  present 
have  been  Henrj-  Bitner,  Christian  Griner,  J.  A.  Henion,  Adam  Strouss, 
David  Strouss,  B.  F.  Boyer,  and  A.  D.  Griner.  There  are  two  chopping 
mills,  both  on  Main  street;  M.  S.  Bond  and  H.  A.  Refolds  are  the  respect- 
ive proprietors.  The  Keystone  Pad  Factory,  of  which  Dr.  E.  H.  Horner, 
Dr.  Fuller  Derr,  and  William  H.  Gibson  are  the  owners,  is  situated  at  the 
railroad  depot. 

By  the  census  of  1890  Turbutville  had  a  population  of  four  hundred 
forty-one.  It  has  public  schools,  four  churches,  six  general  stores,  two  furni- 
ture stores,  two  hotels,  one  drug  store,  one  hardware  store,  one  shoe  store, 
one  millinery  store,  one  stove  and  tinware  store,  one  merchant  tailoring 
establishment,  etc.  It  is  connected  with  Watsontown  by  rail,  and  is  the 
commercial  metropolis  of  Lewis  township. 

Secret  Societies. — The  charter  of  Warrior  Run  Lodge,  Xo.  645,  I.  0.  O. 
F.,  was  granted  on  the  28th  of  August,  1868;  that  of  Washington  Camp, 
No.  315,  P.  O.  S.  of  A,  April  23,  1888. 

Municipal  Government. — A  petition  from  the  inhabitants  of  Turbutville 
for  incorporation  as  a  borough  was  presented  to  the  county  court  of  quarter 
sessions  at  April  term,   1858,   and  favorably  considered   by  the  grand  jury. 


LEWIS    TOWNSHIP.  767 

Remonstrances  having  been  tiled  at  the  following  August  term,  Andrew  J. 
Guff}-  was  appointed  as  commissioner  to  take  depositions  in  the  matter:  his 
rejjort  was  considered  at  November  sessions,  1858,  and  on  the  3d  of  Jan- 
uary, 1S59,  a  decree  of  court  was  granted  for  the  incorporation  of  the 
borough.  The  first  election  oocurred  in  the  following  February,  resulting  as 
follows:  burgess,  S.  A.  Savi^lge;  council:  George  Christman,  James  D.  Barr, 
Anderson  Denius,  A.  T.  Bisel,  Jacob  Giltner,  Jacob  Stahl;  high  constable, 
James  H.  Pollock;  overseer  of  the  poor,  M.  Reader;  town  clerk,  William  B. 
Schiu-ler;  supervisor,  William  Herring;  judge  of  elections,  Frederick  Fox; 
inspectors:  William  Bortz,  Josiah  Nagle. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  burgesses  since  the  incorporation  of  the  borough : 
1S59-G1,  S.  A.  Savidge;  1862,  Amos  T.  Bisel:  1803,  S.  A.  Savidge:  1SG4, 
Henry  F.  Faber;  1865,  S.  A.  Savidge;  1860,  Thomas  Barr;  1867-69,  S.  A. 
Savidge;  1870-71,  John  Hoof;  1872,  John  Derr;  1873,  David  Fowler;  1874, 
Nathan  Wetzel;  1875,  B.  F.  Boyer;  1S76,  George  P.  Kamp;  1877,  E.  H. 
Homer;  1878,  L.  Garman;  1879,  George  W.  Smith;  1880,  Edward  Wetzel: 
1881,  Peter  Wagner;  1882,  H.  H.  Wetzel;  1883,  Edward  Wetzel;  1884,  D. 
W.  Deniiis;  188^,  B.  F.  Boyer;  1880-87,  David  Fowler;  1888-90,  John  E. 
Krumm;  1891,  David  Fowler. 

CHUKCIIES. 

The  tirst  church  edifice  at  Turbutville  was  a  log  structure  situated  a  short 
distance  north  of  St.  James's  Lutheran  church  and  on  the  same  side  of  the 
public  road.  The  site  was  embraced  in  an  acre  of  ground,  donated  for 
church  and  burial  purposes  about  the  year  1805  by  Jacob  Sechler.  father 
of  Rev.  Jacob  Sechler,  a  Reformed  clergyman.  This  building  was  jointly 
occupied  by  the  Reformed  and  Lutheran  congregations  imtil  its  destruction 
by  fire  in  the  autumn  of  1855. 

Zion  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church  numbered  among  its  early  member- 
ship the  families  of  Truckenmiller,  Wertman,  Bitter,  Robenold,  Ruch.  Hart- 
ranft.  Shade,  Martz,  Smith,  Angst,  Schuck,  Raup,  Myer,  Fox,  Menges,  and 
others,  and  worshiped  in  the  union  church  for  many  years.  At  a  congrega- 
tional meeting  held  on  the  18th  of  August,  1854,  it  was  decided,  without  a 
dissenting  vote,  to  erect  a  new  Lutheran  church,  the  construction  of  which 
was  accordingly  begun.  George  P.  Kamp,  Jacob  Hunsicker,  and  Samuel 
Menges,  Sr.,  composed  the  building  committee.  The  completed  edifice  was 
dedicated  on  the  26th  of  March,  1857,  and  the  first  communion  therein  was 
held  on  the  27th  of  May  following.  Rev.  C.  Stoever  was  pastor  in  1845;  S. 
R.  Boyer,  from  April  1,  1846,  to  1859;  Jacob  Albert,  1859-67;  J.  F.  Wam- 
pole,  October  6,  1867,  to  1876,  and  A.  P.  Pflueger,  the  present  incumbent, 
since  1876.     This  church  is  connected  with  the  General  Council. 

St.  James  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church  was  organized  with  a  member- 
ship formerly  connected  with  Zion  church.     The  place  of  worship  is  a  sub- 


768  HISTORY  OF  NORTHUMBERLAND  COUNTY. 

stantial  brick  structure  directly  west  of  Trinity  Eetormed  church  and  in 
the  immediate  vicinity  of  the  old  union  church.  Reverends  John  J.  Eei- 
mensnyder,  John  Williams,  A.  R.  Home,  D.  D.,  E.  J.  Wolff,  D.  D.,  Augustus 
Babb,  George  Sill,  U.  Myers,  W.  C.  McCool,  Martin  L.  Schmucker,  and  I.  B. 
Crist,  present  incumbent,  have  served  as  pastors  of  this  church. 

Trinity  Reformed  Church  is  one  of  the  oldest  religious  organizations  of 
this  denomination  in  Northumberland  county,  and  worshiped  in  the  old 
union  chnrch  until  it  was  destroyed  by  fire.  The  present  church  edifice,  a 
substantial  brick  structure,  was  erected  in  1850  under  the  supervision  of  a 
building  committee  composed  of  Samuel  Muffly,  B.  H.  Dreisbach,  Daniel 
Keller,  Cyrenius  Bomboy,  and  William  Levan.  Reverends  Daniel  Gring, 
George  Wolf,  C.  A.  Rittenhouse,  George  E.  Adams,  D.  W.  Kelley,  Tilghman 
Derr,  Z.  A.  Yearick,  Thomas  S.  Land,  and  D.  E.  Schoedler,  present  incum- 
bent, have  served  as  pastors  since  the  erection  of  the  present  church 
building. 

The  Baptist  Church  was  originally  organized  at  Derry,  Montour  coimty, 
some  years  ago  with  the  Dye,  De  Mott,  Savidge,  and  Derr  families  promi- 
nent among  its  early  membership.  The  place  of  worship  was  removed  in 
1808  to  Turbutville,  where  the  present  chiirch  building  on  Broadway,  a  brick 
structure  forty-five  by  seventy  feet  in  dimensions,  was  erected;  John  Schuyler, 
Lewis  Schuyler,  and  William  Savidge  were  the  trustees  at  that  time,  and 
the  buildmg  committee  was  composed  of  John  Schuyler,  Lewis  Schuyler, 
William  Shires,  William  Savidge,  Thomas  N.  Derr,  George  W.  Derr,  and  G. 
B.  Runyan.  Since  the  removal  of  the  church  to  Turbutville  its  pastors  have 
been  Reverends  H.  C.  Monroe,  J.  M.  Hare,  and  L.  C.  Davis. 


In  the  '"Report  of  the  Superintendent  of  Public  Instruction  for  1877'' 
John  F.  Wolfinger  states  that  "in  1802  the  Rev.  John  Bryson,  a  Presbyterian 
divine,  opened  a  select  and  classical  school  for  the  study  of  Greek  and  Latin 
languages,  etc.,  in  his  own  dwelling  house  about  a  mile  north  of  Turbut- 
ville," continuing  it  until  1800  or  1807.  The  number  of  his  students  is 
given  as  twenty-five,  some  of  whom  afterward  distinguished  themselves  as 
preachers,  teachers,  physicians,  la\vyers,  etc. 

The  erection  of  a  one-story  brick  school  building  at  Turbutville  was 
begiin  in  1850  by  the  township  school  board,  but  before  its  completion  a 
proposition  was  accepted  from  Jacob  Giltner  by  which  he  added  a  second 
story  as  a  lodge  room.  The  entire  building  eventually  came  into  possession 
of  the  school  board;  it  was  used  for  school  purposes  until  1889,  when  the 
present  two-story  building  containing  four  rooms  was  completed  under  the 
administration  of  the  following  directors:  George  Smith,  Moses  Bond,  Ben- 
jamin Boyer,  E.  C.  Troxell,  Jasper  De  Mott,  and  A.  P.  Pflueger.  The  old 
building  was  purchased  by  the  P.  O.  S.  of  A. 


CAMERON    TOWNSHIP.  769 

Lewis  township  sustains  eleven  schools,  and  an  equal  number  of  school 
houses  are  situated  at  proportional  distances  throughout  its  territory. 

TUEBUTVILLE    CEMETERY. 

Tiirbutville  eemeterj'  comprises  six  acres,  which  were  purchased  in  1866 
by  Samuel  Leinbach  and  Benjamin  H.  Barto  and  transferred  to  an  incorpor- 
ated body  of  which  the  first  trustees,  elected  on  the  13th  of  October,  1S6G, 
were  Stephen  Glaze,  Emanuel  Artman,  Henry  Eaup,  Daniel  Keller,  William 
Levan,  P.  L.  Dieffenbacher,  George  P.  Kamp,  Peter  Menges.  Sr.,.and  Eeu- 
ben  Beiber.  The  articles  of  incorporation  were  granted  on  the  15th  of 
January,  1867.  The  grounds  were  surveyed  by  Thomas  Barr.  Isaac  Boyer 
has  been  sexton  since  the  grounds  were  laid  out. 


CHAPTER  XXXIV. 

CAMERON  TOWNSHIP. 

Extent— Orgaxizatiox—Dk.iinage—Yill.vges  of  the  Past  and  Present— Schooi.;* 
—Churches. 

CAMEEON  to^raship  extends  from  Little  Mahanoy  to  the  line  of  Schuyl- 
kill county,  two  thirds  of  the  distance  across  the  county  at  this  point. 
It  comprises  the  long  and  narrow  valley  of  Mahanoy  creek:  Line  mountain. 
the  original  northern  boundary  of  Mahanoy  to^^^lship,  separates  it  from 
Washington  and  Uj^per  Mahanoy,  while  an  equally  well  defined  mountain 
barrier  forms  the  geographical  limit  on  the  north,  with  Zerbe.  Coal,  and  Mt. 
Carmel  townships  adjoining  in  that  direction.  From  the  original  division  of 
the  coimty  into  townships  in  1772  until  the  formation  of  Catawissa  in  1785, 
the  whole  of  its  territory  was  in  Augiista  township,  but  by  the  erection  of 
Catawissa  much  the  larger  part  was  transferred  thereto.  This  portion  passed 
to  Shamokin  township  upon  the  division  of  Catawissa  in  178S;  in  1813  Little 
Mahanoy  was  formed  from  Augusta  and  Shamokin,  and  in  November,  1837, 
Coal  was  erected,  the  present  area  of  Cameron  being  successively  trans- 
ferred to  each.  Its  separate  organization  was  effected  by  act  of  the  leg- 
islature, February  10,  1851.  The  first  township  officers  were  Solomon  B. 
Boyer  and  Solomon  Dimkelberger,  justices  of  the  peace;  John  Hine,  constable; 
Henry  Klock  and  John  Derr,  overseers  of  the  poor;  Gideon  Derk  and  Peter 
Weikel,  supervisors;  John  Haupt,  clerk;  Daniel  Kramer,  judge;  John  H. 
Kramer,  Daniel  Haupt,  inspectors;  Jacob  Wagner,  assessor;  John  Gottshall, 
John  Boyer,  and  Jacob  Haupt,  auditors,  and  Gideon  Kramer,  treasurer. 


770  HISTORY   OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

Mahanoy  creek  Hows  through  the  township  from  east  to  west,  and  drains 
the  whole  of  its  area.  The  principal  highways  extend  in  a  direction  parallel 
with  the  general  course  of  the  creek,  one  upon  its  banks  and  the  other  at  the 
base  of  the  mountain  on  the  north;  they  are  united  by  lateral  roads  at  various 
points. 

VILLAGES    OF    THE    P.\ST    AND    PRESENT. 

Helfenstein  is  situatwl  in  the  southeastern  part  of  the  township,  on  the 
boundary  of  Schuylkill  coimty.  The  town  was  laid  out  in  1868  by  William 
L.  and  Charles  P.  Helfenstein,  with  P.  W.  Sheafer  as  surveyor.  The  plat 
consisted  of  North,  Shamokin,  High,  Main,  Mahanoy,  and  Water  streets,  ex- 
tending from  east  to  west,  crossed  by  streets  munbered  from  First  to  Fifth 
inclusive  extending  from  north  to  south.  Two  collieries  were  opened,  one  by 
Guiterman,  Beddall  &  Piobertson,  and  the  other  by  the  Helfensteins.  The 
coal  trade  was  carried  on  successfully,  and  the  town  prospered  for  some 
years;  but  mining  operations  were  suspended  after  the  coal  measitres  above 
water  level  had  been  exhatLsted,  and  it  is  now  a  place  of  about  three  hundred 
inhabitants.  The  population  is  principally  emjiloyed  in  the  collieries  at 
Locust  Gap. 

Goicen  City  is  situatetl  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  township  at  the  place 
where  the  road  leading  from  Shamokin  to  Mahantango  is  crossed  by  that 
leading  from  Helfenstein  and  Minersville  to  Trevorton  and  the  Susquehanna. 
The  town,  as  evidenced  by  a  map  published  in  Philadelphia,  was  elaborately 
laid  out  in  1870  with  reser^-ations  for  various  churches  and  schools;  the  loca- 
tion of  a  hotel  at  the  intersection  of  the  roads  and  the  corner  of  Market  and 
Fifth  streets  is  indicated.  But  few  lots  were  sold,  however,  and  at  the  sus- 
pension of  the  mines  at  Helfenstein  the  enterprise  was  abandoned  entirely. 

Doutyville  is  a  small  village  midway  between  Gowen  City  and  Helfen- 
stein. At  one  time  during  its  existence  it  reached  a  population  of  eight 
hundred,  but  has  been  almost  abandoned  since  the  closing  of  the  mines.  A 
Methodist  church  is  perhaps  the  most  important  feature  of  the  village  at 
present. 


The  public  school  system  was  adopted  in  Coal  township  (then  embracing 
Cameron)  in  1888;  the  Mahanoy  valley,  however,  was  practically  unanimous 
in  opposition  to  it,  and  the  votes  in  its  favor  came  almost  entirely  from  the 
embryo  village  of  Shamokin.  In  the  first  school  board  the  valley  was  repre- 
sented by  George  Long  and  Da\-id  Bilknan;  and  upon  the  present  territory 
of  Cameron  one  school  building  was  erected — a  small  frame  building  costing 
ninety-four  dollars,  eighty-seven  cents.  The  first  teacher  there  emj^loyed 
was  John  Fidler,  who  taught  until  his  salary  reached  the  sum  of  eighteen 
dollars,  when  he  was  superseded  by  William  Stizes,  whose  stay  was  also  of 


CAMERON    TOWNSHIP.  771 

brief  duration.  Uofortunately,  the  practical  application  of  the  system  did 
not  add  to  its  popularity,  and  in  1840,  by  act  of  the  legislature.  Coal 
township  was  divided  into  two  districts,  known  as  North  and  South  Coal, 
respectively,  the  latter  embracing  the  present  limits  of  Cameron.  The  con- 
tinuance of  the  system  in  South  Coal  was  submitted  to  the  people  at  the 
tirst  election  thereafter,  and  promptly  defeated  by  an  overwhelming  vote. 
Thus  ended  the  first  effort  to  establish  public  schools  in  Cameron.  Nearly 
thirty  years  elapsed  before  a  second  and  successful  attempt  was  made. 

On  the  16th  of  October,  1809,  the  public  school  system  was  adopted  and 
the  following  persons  were  chosen  as  school  directors:  John  H.  Haupt, 
Harrison  AVagoner.  Charles  B.  Boyer.  Peter  Long.  S.  C.  Weary,  and  Henry 
Otto. 

CHURCHES. 

St.  Paul's  Church.  Lutheran  and  Reformed,  is  situated  one  half-mile 
west  of  Gowen  City.  The  tirst  building  on  this  site  was  erected  sometime 
during  the  "20"s.  but  was  replaced  during  1846-47  by  the  present  edifice,  the 
corner-stone  of  which  was  laid,  July  14,  1846.  Rev.  Augustus  Bergner  was 
Lutheran  pastor  and  Eev.  Isaac  F.  Steily  Eeformed  pastor  at  that  time. 
The  first  communion  ser\-ices  recorded  were  conducted  by  Eev.  J.  P.  Shindel 
on  the  24th  of  ]May.  1832;  seventy-two  persons  partook  of  the  sacraments 
on  this  occasion,  fifty  of  whom  were  Lutheran  and  the  remaining  twenty- 
two  Eeformed.  During  the  year  1845  the  Lutheran  minister,  Eev.  Augustus 
Bergner.  celebrated  the  Lord's  Supper,  at  which  time  eighty-eight  persons 
communed.  On  this  occasion  the  first  class  of  catechumens  was  confirmed. 
The  first  baptism  was  that  of  Lydia,  daughter  of  Sebastian  and  Elizabeth 
Zimmerman,  and  occurred  on  the  1st  of  January.  1828.  The  succession  of 
pastors  has  been  as  follows:  Lutheran — Eeverends  J.  P.  Shindel,  1827-45; 
Augustus  Bergner,  1845-61;  John  T.  Hornberger,  1861-62;  John  C. 
Schmidt,  1866-68;  D.  E.  Eeed,  1868-74;  Henry  Weicksel,  1874-88,  and 
"William  Weicksel,  1888.  present  incumbent;  Eeformed — Eeverends  Isaac 
F.  Steily,  1840-69;  A.  S.  Stauffer,  1887-89.  and  Josei.h  H.  Schappig, 
1SS9,  present  incumbent. 

St.  Peter's  Church.  Lutheran  and  Reformed. — As  the  records  were 
destroyed  by  fire  in  1881.  no  account  of  the  organization  of  these  congre- 
gations can  be  given.  Prior  to  that  time  the  name  had  been  Emanuel's,  but 
by  the  constitution  adopted  in  1881  the  present  designation  was  adopted. 
No  regular  pastors  served  until  1882,  when  Eev.  Henry  Weicksel  assumed 
charge  of  the  Lutheran  congregation.  Under  his  supervision  the  erection  of 
a  new  church  edifice  was  at  once  begun;  it  is  sitiiated  five  miles  west  of  St. 
Paul's  on  the  same  road,  and  was  dedicated  by  Eeverends  Henry  Weicksel, 
A.  J.  L.  Breinig.  A.  E.  Hottenstein.  and  others  on  the  2()th  of  May.  1888. 
Eeverends  William  Weicksel  and  Joseph  H.  Schai:ipig  are  the  present 
pastors.  Lutheran  and  Eeformed,  respectively. 


772  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

The  members  of  St.  Paul's  and  St.  Peter's  jointly  conduct  three  Sunday 
schools,  one  at  each  church  building  and  one  at  Gowen  City. 

Doutyville  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  is  a  wooden  building  twenty-six 
by  thirty-five  feet  in  dimensions,  and  was  erected  in  1874  upon  ground 
donated  by  George  Weary ;  the  building  committee  was  composed  of  M.  H. 
Hoover,  Henry  Boyer,  and  George  Artman,  Sr.  The  first  class  was  composed 
of  Samuel  Marshall,  M.  H.  Hoover,  Henry  Boyer,  George  Artman,  Sr.,  S.  C. 
Weary,  Louisa  Boyer,  Mary  Artman,  and  Eliza  Weary,  of  whom  Mr. 
Marshall  was  the  first  leader-.  Keverends  Fortner,  Savage,  Buckingham. 
Smith,  Wood,  Minig,  Hantz,  and  Barnard  have  successively  served  as  jjastors. 


CHAPTER    XXXV. 

JORDAN  TOWNSHIP. 

EiiEtTidN    -VXD    OitciAxr/.ATiox— Dua[x.u;e— Rdads— PosT-ViLL.u;f:s— Industiues— 
Sciiocii.s — Chuuches. 

JORDAN  township  is  so  named  in  honor  of  Alexander  Jordan,  the  first 
president  judge  of  Northumberland  coimty  elected  by  the  people.  A  peti- 
tion for  its  erection  was  presented  at  January  sessions,  1852,  and  referred 
to  George  C.  Welker,  John  Young,  and  William  M-  Rockefeller ;  the  report  was 
confirmed  nisi,  April  5,  1852,  and  absolutely,  August  4,  1852.  The  territory 
of  the  township  had  previously  been  embraced  in  Jackson  and  Upper  Ma-        t\   '   "X' 

'''-''-■  .  .  5^1^%^ 

The  first  township  officers  were  Peter  Schwartz  and  Benjamin  Marjcelj.__    Q'^iM^ 

justices  of  the  peace;  D.  Bohner,  constable;  John  Bohner  and  John  Daniel, 

overseers  of  the  poor;  John  Krissinger  and  Davis  Dornmeyer,  supervisors; 

Elias  Schwartz,  George  Schadel,  and  John  Wiest,  auditors;  George  Traut- 

man,  treasurer;  David  Witmer,  clerk,  and  Daniel  Williamson,  assessor. 

The  surface  is  hilly;  Fisher's  ridge,  the  highest  elevation,  extends  across 
the  northern  part  from  east  to  west.  Almost  the  entire  area  is  drained  by 
tributaries  of  Mahantango  creek,  which  forms  the  southern  boimdary  of  the 
township.  Middle  creek  and  Mouse  creek,  which  empty  into  the  Greenbrier, 
and  Fiddler's  rim,  which  flows  directly  to  the  Susquehanna,  have  their  sources 
in  the  northern  part. 

The  townshiji  is  traversed  by  public  highways  leading  in  all  directions, 
the  most  important  of  which  is  the  old  Tulpehocken  road,  the  first  legally 
authorized  route  of  travel  in  Northumberland  county.  The  valley  through 
which  this  road  passes,  one  of  the  most  productive  and  thickly  settled  por- 


JOKDAN    TOWNSHIP.  773 

tions  of  the  township,  is  situated  between  Fisher's  ridge  on  the  south  anil 
Jacob's  ridge  on  the  north. 

POST-VILLAGES. 

Mandata  is  situated  in  the  valley  of  Fiddler's  rim  on  the  main  road  from 
Herndon  to  Uniontown,  two  miles  and  a  half  from  the  former  place.  The 
lines  of  Jordan,  Jackson,  and  Lower  Mahanoy  converge  at  this  point,  and  the 
village  is  partly  located  in  each  of  these  townships.  The  postoffice  and  store 
are  in  Jordan:  Noah  Klock,  proprietor  of  the  latter,  has  been  postmaster 
since  the  office  was  established.  J.  W.  Seal's  tannery,  in  Jackson,  and  the 
Wirt  mill,  in  Jordan,  are  the  industrial  features  of  the  place.  The  hotel,  for- 
merly kno%\Ti  as  the  Bull  Eim  tavern,  is  in  Jackson.  The  village  comprises 
about  a  dozen  private  dwellings. 

Urban  is  in  the  northern  j^art  of  the  to^vnship.  The  old  hotel  on  the 
Tuli^ehocken  road  near  this  postoffice  was  built  l>y  David  Schwartz  early  in 
the  present  century. 

Hebe  is  a  mail  distributing  point  in  the  northeastern  part  of  the  township. 

INOrSTEIES. 

The  Wirt  mill,  a  three-story  stone  and  frame  structure,  is  situated  in  the 
extreme  northwestern  part  of  the  township.  It  was  originally  established  a 
himdred  years  ago. 

Daniel  Schwartz  established  a  tannery  in  the  northern  part  of  the  town- 
ship early  in  the  present  century.  A  similar  industry  was  conducted  at  a 
contemporary  period  by  George  Shartel  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  township. 

SCHOOLS. 

The  public  school  system  was  adopted  in  1805.  The  to-ivnship  sustains 
seven  schools,  for  which  an  equal  niunber  of  frame  buikhngs  has  been  pro- 
vided, nearly  all  of  which  were  erected  in  1865-60. 

CHt-RCHES. 

David's  Chio-ch,  Lutheran  and  Reformed,  the  oldest  in  the  township,  was 
originally  erected  in  1S"2<J;  the  laying  of  the  corner-stone  and  the  dedication 
of  the  completed  building  occurred  in  the  same  year.  It  was  built  of  logs 
and  weather-boarded,  and  continued  as  the  place  of  worship  until  its  destruc- 
tion by  lire  in  1864.  The  fire  was  caused  by  a  defective  flue,  and  occurred 
on  the  occasion  of  a  funeral  appointment.  The  present  building  is  a  stone 
structure,  thirty  by  forty-five  feet;  a  marble  slab  above  the  door  is  inscribed 
with  the  date,  1864.  The  materials  were  quarried  at  the  foot  of  the  mount- 
ain near  by,  where  the  necessary  timbers  were  also  prepared ;  many  of  the 
church  members  contributed  their  services  gratuitously  to  this  work.  The 
building  committee  was  composed  of  Abraham  and  Elias  Trautman  and 
Daniel  W.  Shaffer. 


774  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

The  Lutheran  organization  included  the  families  of  Snyder,  Leitzel, 
Shaffer,  Scliadel,  Trautman,  Geise,  Deppen.  Masser,  Wiest,  Bush,  Reed, 
Williard,  and  HoUenbach  among  its  original  membership.  The  succession 
of  Lutheran  pastors  has  been  as  follows:  Reverends  John  Nicholas  Hemp- 
ing,  G.  Neimann,  Mr.  Sapper,  Mr.  Porr,  John  C.  Schmidt,  J.  F.  Bayer,  John 
C.  Schmidt,  J.  F.  Bayer,  and  D.  M.  Stetler,  who  assumed  charge  on  the  1st 
of  April,  18S7.     The  present  membership  is  seventy. 

The  Reformed  congregation  numbered  among  its  early  membership  the 
families  of  Trautman,  Merkel,  Welker,  McCoy.  Masser,  Henninger,  Hepner, 
Adams,  Hohn,  Brosius,  Bauman,  Wiest,  Rebuck,  Leitzel,  Campbell,  Bolmer, 
Strohecker,  Rothermel,  and  others.  The  first  baptism  recorded  is  that  of 
Peter  Trautman,  which  was  performed  on  the  '26th  of  July,  1821).  Rev. 
Rudolph  Duenger  was  pastor  in  1837.  Rev.  J.  A.  Leiss  assumed  charge  in 
1849;  J.  C.  Fritzinger,  in  1856;  W.  K.  Engel.  in  1874,  and  A.  R.  Hotten- 
stein,  the  present  pastor,  in  1876. 

St.  PaiiVs  Church,  Lutheran  and  Reformed,  was  erected  in  1855;  it  was 
a  wooden  structure,  thirty  by  forty  feet  with  a  seating  capacity  of  three  hun- 
dred. The  corner-stone  of  the  present  edifice  was  laid  on  the  18th  of  May, 
1890;  it  is  a  frame  building,  thirty-five  by  sixty-five  feet,  and  was  constructed 
under  the  supervision  of  Elias  Phillips  and  Gabriel  Adams.  The  half-acre 
of  ground  upon  which  the  new  church  is  located  was  donated  by  Aaron 
Shaffer. 

The  Lutheran  church  numbered  forty  members  at  the  time  of  its  organ- 
ization, which  was  effected  in  1855  by  Rev.  Augustus  Bergner.  Prominent 
among  the  families  at  that  time  were  those  of  Shaffer,  Phillips.  Schadel, 
Giese,  Ferster,  Krissinger,  Engel,  Gessner,  Billman,  Kobel,  and  Byerly. 
William  Shaffer  was  a  member  of  the  first  building  committee  and  a  trustee 
at  that  time.  The  following  is  a  list  of  Lutheran  pastors:  Reverends  Au- 
gustus Bergner,  1855-60;  J.  Hasskarl,  1^61;  F.  Waltz,  1863;  John  C. 
Schmidt,  1864;  J.  F.  Bayer,  1869-70;  John  C.  Schmidt,  1870-81;  J.  F. 
Bayer,  1881-86,  and  D.  M.  Stetler,  1887,  present  incumbent. 

The  Reformed  congregation  was  organized  in  1855  by  Rev.  J.  Fritzinger, 
and  at  the  first  communion,  March  29,  1856,  eighteen  persons  partook  of  the 
sacraments.  Prominent  among  the  membership  throughout  the  history  of 
this  chui-ch  have  been  David,  Josiah,  Peter,  and  Daniel  Schwartz;  John, 
Daniel,  and  Edward  Wentzel :  Gabriel  Adams.  John  Markle,  and  the  families 
of  Tyson,  Rebuck,  Wolf,  Snyder,  Kobel,  Rothermel,  and  others.  Reverends 
J.  Fritzinger,  John  Wohlbach,  and  A.  R.  Hottenstein  have  successively  served 
as  pastors. 

A  union  Sunday  school,  established  mainly  through  the  efforts  of  Elias 
Shaffer,  is  conducted  under  the  auspices  of  both  congregations.  It  is  in  a 
fiourishing  condition. 

Trautman' s  Church  of  the  Evangelical  Association  was  organized  in  1826 


J^<yi£u/zf0<^^  M,A^, 


ZEUBE    TOWNSHIP.  777 

by  Eev.  John  Seibert.  The  first  class  leader  was  Daniel  Kigel,  and  the  fam- 
ilies of  George  Eigel,  Jacob  Trautman,  Samuel  Lesher,  Frederick  Bohner, 
Jacob  Trautman,  Jr.,  and  Abraham  Trautman  formed  the  early  membership. 
Services  were  held  at  private  houses  until  1S77,  when  the  present  frame  church 
building  was  erected  by  a  building  committee  composed  of  George  "\V.  and  John 
Trautman.  It  was  dedicated  on  the  uth  of  February,  1S77.  This  society  was 
originally  connected  with  Pine  Grove  circuit,  and  then  with  Mahantano-o 
circuit  from  its  foundation  in  1S45  until  1872,  when  Uniontown  circuit,  to 
which  it  has  since  been  attached,  was  formed.  (In  1847-48,  however.  Ma- 
hantango  circuit  was  attached  to  Pine  Grove.)  The  following  is  a  list  of 
pastors:  1845,  J.  Sensel;  1840,  J.  G.  Bosch;  1847,  G.  T.  Haines,  J.  Adams; 
1848,  J.  Farnsworth,  J.  Adams;  1849,  A.  Schultz,  Jacob  Gross;  1850,  Jacob 
Gross,  H.  Bisse;  1851, W.  Heim,  S.  Gaumer;  1852,  C.  Loos,  S.  Gaumer;  1853, 

C.  Loos,  N.  Goebel;  1854,  A.  Ziegenfoos,  J.  O.  Lehr;  1855,  A.  Ziegenfoos,  J. 
Werner;  1850,  L.  Snyder,  J.  "VVerner;  1857,  R.  Diesher,  E.  B.  Miller;  1858, 
J.  Frey,  E.  B.  Miller;  1859,  George  Knerr,  Joseph  Kutz;  1800,  George  Knerr, 
S.  S.  Chubb;  1801,  W.  Heim,  M.  Sindlinger;  1802,  A.  Boetzel,  M.  Sindlinger; 

1803-04,  A.  Schultz,  J.  Steltzer;  1800,  C.  Loos,  D.  Lentz;  1807,  F.  P.  Lehr, 

D.  Mertz;  1808,  B.  F.  Bohner,  B.  J.  Smoyer;  1809,  B.  F.  Bohner.  W.  H. 
Weidner;  187(1.  W.  Heim;  1871.  J.  L.  Werner.  D.  S.  Stauffer;  1872,  J.  L. 
Werner,  J.  F.  Wohlfarth:  1S73,  J.  L.  \\'ernor,  G.  H.  Landis;  1874,  S.  L. 
Wiest.  H.  D.  Schultz;  1875.  S.  L.Wiest,  S.  T.  Leopold;  1870-77,  B.  H.  Miller, 
J.  H.  Shirey;  1878,  B.  H.  Miller,  A.  Krecker;  1879-81,  J.  K.  Fehr;  1882-84, 
C.  S.  Brown;  1885-87,  C.  J.  Warmkessel;  1888-89,  Hanert  Eombarger:  1890, 
George  Fisher,  present  incumbent. 


CHAPTER  XXXVI. 

ZEEBE    TOWNSHIP. 


Ohgaxization  and  Bovndaries— Pioneers— Ouidix.  Gkowtii,   Puesent  Blsixess 
Interests,  and  Secret  Societies  of  Tkevorton— Schools— CimtciiEs. 

ZEEBE  township  was  erected  by  act  of  the  legislature,  March  11,  1853, 
from  that  part  of  Coal  township  lying  west  of  a  line — 
Beginning  at  the  lines  between  Coal  and  Cameron  townships  at  a  point  two  thou- 
sand feet  westward  of  where  the  said  line  crosses  the  west  boundary  of  a  tract  of  laud 
surveyed  in  the  name  of  Ale.xander  Hunter,  the  27th  day  of  October,  1794:  thence  north 
fourteen  degrees  west  to  the  line  between  the  townships  of  Coal  and  Shamokin. 

Its  organization  was  directed  to  take  place  on  the  third  Friday  in  March, 
1853,  with  John  Garrett,  judge,  and  John  E,  Strausser  and  Joseph  E.  Van- 


778  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

horn,  inspectors  of  election.  The  following  township  officers  were  selected 
onthat  occasion:  jiistices  of  the  peace:  Daniel  Beckley,  John  Metz;  consta- 
ble, Jeremiah  Pennypacker;  overseers  of  the  poor:  Anthony  Gillespie,  Eman- 
uel Kauffmau;  supervisors:  Bernard  McManus. 'William  Derr:  clerk,  J.  Ep- 
ting;  judgeof  elections,  J.  R.  Strausser:  inspectors:  Ira  Bower,  Gilbert  Ber- 
lew;  assessor,  A.  A.  Heim;  auditors:  J.  Keiser,  Michael  Sigafoos,  J.  W 
Garrett;  treasurer,  James  Mather. 

The  general  character  of  the  topography  is  mountainous,  and  the  princi- 
pal stream  is  Zerbe  run;  there  is  no  farming  land  whatever,  for  which  the 
mineral  resources  of  the  region  amply  compensate. 

PIONEERS. 

The  first  house  in  the  township  was  built  by  "William  Cressinger  about 
1800,  and  occupied  the  site  of  the  Peimsylvania  House  at  Trevorton.  John 
Fleming,  George  Eyster,  Michael  Solomon,  and  James  Renuey  were  also 
among  the  pioneers.  Mr.  Renney  was  bom  in  England  in  17S8  and  came  to 
Anierica  in  1830.  He  first  located  at  Pottsville,  but  removed  to  Sunbury 
soon  afterward;  in  1833  he  established  his  residence  at  the  site  of  Trevorton, 
where  he  was  resident  agent  in  charge, of  the  coal  lands  for  some  j'ears. 
After  the  founding  of  the  town  he  became  an  infiuential  and  prominent  citi- 
zen, and  lived  to  an  advanced  age. 

TREVORTUN. 

The  existence  of  coal  in  this  region  was  known  as  early  as  1827,  when  a 
company  was  incorporated  by  the  legislature  for  the  construction  of  a  canal, 
railway,  or  slackwater  navigation  from  the  Susquehanna  river  to  "the  coal 
mines"*  at  the  mouth  of  Zerbe  run.  The  time  granted  by  the  charter  for 
the  completion  of  the  work  expired  before  any  steps  had  been  taken  toward 
the  advancement  of  the  project,  and  it  was  under  other  auspices  that  the  de- 
velopment of  the  coal  interests  of  this  section  was  accomplished.  On  the  2'id 
of  March,  ISoO,  the  Trevorton,  Mahanoy  and  Susquehanna  Railroad  Com- 
pany was  incorporated;  prominent  among  the  projectors  were  William  L. 
Helfenstein  and  John  B.  Trevor,  while  local  influence  as  well  as  foreign  cap- 
ital were  enlisted  in  si;pport  of  the  enterprise.  An  affiliated  corporation,  the 
Mahanoy  and  Shamokin  Improvement  Company,  was  chartered  on  the  25th 
of  February,  1850;  the  original  constituent  members  were  Kimber  Cleaver, 
D.  M.  Boyd,  David  Thompson,  William  L.  Helfenstein,  and  William  H. 
Marshall.  Although  first  in  order  of  formation,  the  improvement  company 
was  second  in  importance,  as  the  accomphshment  of  the  designs  of  its  pro- 
moters depended  entirely  upon  the  construction  of  the  railroad.  The  im- 
provement company  at  once  secured  the  coal  lands,   however,  and  in  the 

*The  mine  was  operated  by  a  Mr.  Weiss,  anil  a  detaileU  account  of  It  Is  given  In  this  work  In  the 
chapter  on  the  Development  ot  the  Shamokin  Coal  Field. 


ZERBE   TOWNSHIP.  779 

same  year  (ISoO).  laid  out  the  town  of  Trevorton;  this  work  was  iierformed 
by  Kimber  Cleaver,  the  well  known  civil  engineer  of  Shamokin.  The  first 
public  sale  of  lots  occurred  on  the  "JSth  of  May,  ISoO,  and  was  attended  with 
demonstrations  appropriate  to  the  occasion.  Addresses  were  made  by  Huo-h 
Bellas  and  Alexander  Jordan,  two  of  the  leading  lawyers  of  Sunljury,  after 
which  Judge  Jordan  deposited  a  lump  of  coal  from  Zerbe  gap  and  a  bottle 
of  water  from  the  Susquehanna  river  in  a  hole  which  he  dug  in  the  o-round, 
thus  proclaiming  "the  bans  between  Zerbe  gap  and  the  Susquehanna  river."" 
which,  it  was  confidently  predicted,  would  be  united  by  a  railroad  in  the  fol- 
lowing November.  The  projectors  displayed  commendable  hberality  in  re- 
serving eligibly  located  lots  for  scho<jl  and  church  purposes,  while  the  width 
of  the  streets  is  justly  a  source  of  local  pride. 

The  to-wn  thus  energetically  projected  materialized  with  phenomenal 
rapidity.  Among  the  first  to  purchase  lots  and  make  improvements  were 
Peter  Mahon,  Daniel  Tobias,  William  Kelly,  Thomas  Foulds,  John  Lynch. 
Gottlieb  Breimeier,  Peter  Quinn.  M.  Cary,  John  Gait,  Benjamin  Troutman. 
Dr.  William  Fritz,  John  Knapp.  Jacob  Bader,  and  Tobias  Beinder.  The 
first  store  was  opened  by  the  improvement  company  and  managed  by  E.  P. 
Helfenstein;  "Wells  Holmes  also  opened  a  store  about  the  same  time.  The 
first  hotel,  now  the  Trevorton  House,  was  built  by  H.  B.  Weaver;  Daniel 
Tobias  also  erected  one  of  the  first  hotels.  John  Weaver  was  the  first  land- 
lord of  the  Pennsylvania  House,  which  was  built  by  Conrad  Hilbush.  John 
E.  Strausser  was  the  first  blacksmith  and  Jeremiah  Pennypacker  the  first 
tailor.  The  first  postmaster  was  Dr.  Wilham  Atwater,  who  was  commissioned 
on  the  21st  of  December,  1850.  John  Garrett  was  the  first  resident  justice 
of  the  peace.  The  first  practicing  physician  to  locate  permanently  at  the 
to\^-n  was  Dr.  Samuel  Smith. 

The  following  grajihic  .summary  of  the  early  history  and  growth  of  the 
place  ajipeared  in  the  Sunbury  American  of  April  20,  1850: — 

Trevorton  is  situated  on  one  of  the  tributaries  of  Mahanoy  creeli,  fourteen  miles 
from  tlie  Susqueliauna  and  just  outside  of  the  great  Mahanoy  coal  basin.  In  18.j0  a 
log  house  in  the  middle  of  a  small  clearing  was  the  only  mark  of  civilization  visible. 
Tlie  deep  and  narrow  dell  was  covered  by  a  stately  forest,  full  of  limpid  springs,  wild 
flowers,  and  singing  birds.  Tall  mountains,  gloomy  with  somber  pines  and  huge  gray 
rocks,  frowned  down  upon  the  quiet  vale.  But  these  rude  mountains  are  full  of  that 
great  source  of  wealth  to  our  State,  anthracite  coal,  and  just  at  the  spot  where  Trevor- 
ton now  stands  they  are  cleft  to  their  base  by  Zerbe  gap,  thus  opening  a  way  to  the 
mineral  resources  within.  The  eagle  eye  of  enterprise  pierced  the  gloom  of  the 
forest,  and  the  hand  of  improvement  speedily  followed.  Simultaneously  with  the  fall 
of  the  giant  oaks,  a  town  arose.  Merchant,  artisan,  and  laborer  crowded  thither.  In 
six  months  the  scene  had  perfectly  changed.  A  railroad  was  commenced  from  the 
mines  to  the  Susquehanna,  and  is  now  completed  and  in  successful  operation.  A 
bridge,  over  a  mile  iu  length,  connects  it  with  the  Pennsylvania  canal,  where  the 
enterprising  company  has  dug  out  an  exten^rive  basin,  and  substantial  wharves,  chutes, 
.screens,  and  every  facility  for  large  and  rapid  shipment  of  coal  have  been  erected. 


TSO  HISTORY  OF  NORTHUMBERLAND  COUNTY. 

The  prosperity  of  the  town  has  fluctuated  with  that  of  the  coal  interests, 
upon  which  it  is  entirely  dependent.  A  special  chapter  is  devoted  to  the 
subject  of  coal  cjevelopment  in  this  county,  in  which  full  particulars  regard- 
ing the  Trevorton  region  appear;  a  paragraj^h  in  the  Pottsville  Miners^ 
Journal  in  1858  gives  the  following  additional  items  of  local  interest: — 

This  region  sent  to  market  in  1857  one  hundred  ten  thousand  seven  hundred 
eleven  tons,  which  is  an  increase  of  thirty-seven  thousand  five  hundred  ninety-nine 
tons  over  1856.  This  company  worl;;s  four  veins  at  present  above  water  level;  the 
breaker  is  the  most  extensive  in  the  country,  and  is  capable  of  breaking  one  thousand 
tons  per  day.  It  is  worked  with  a  sixty-horse  steam  engine.  The  length  of  the 
Trevorton  railroad  is  fourteen  miles  to  the  bridge;  the  descending  grade  is  tifty-four 
feet  four  miles,  and  the  balance  will  average  about  eight  feet  to  the  mile.  The  distance 
from  the  bridge  to  Baltimore  is  one  hundred  twenty -nine  and  one  fourth  miles;  the 
freight  and  tolls,  two  dollars  and  ten  cents  per  ton  of  two  thousand  two  hundred  forty 
pounds.  This  company  owns  eight  hundred  fifty  coal  fars  and  tlirro  locciniotives. 
The  present  working  capacity  of  the  region  is  equal  to  two  Inimh-pd  fifty  or  threr 
hundred  thousand  tons. 

The  to^vn  has  a  present  population  of  about  one  thotisand,  and  sustains  a 
fair  complement  of  churches,  schools,  and  secret  societies;  the  industrial  and 
business  interests  include  the  collieries,  owned  by  the  Philadelphia  and  Eead- 
Lng  Coal  and  Iron  Company,  three  general  stores,  one  drug  store,  two  tin 
and  stove  stores,  one  furniture  store,  one  flour  and  feed  store,  three  butcher 
shops,  four  hotels,  one  bakery,  and  one  wholesale  liqtior  store. 

Secret  Societies. — The  following  is  a  list  of  secret  societies,  with  the 
respective  dates  of  organization  or  institution:  Trevorton  Lodge,  No.  528, 
I.  0.  O.  F.,  1856;  Zerbe  Lodge,  No.  184,  K.  of  P.,  AugitstSl,  ISGU;  Mahanoy 
Valley  Council,  No.  244,  0.  U.  A.  M.,  October  21,  1870;  Washington  Camp, 
No.  156,  P.  O.  S.  of  A.,  May  13,  1883. 

SCHOOLS. 

The  first  school  house  in  the  township  was  a  frame  building  which  stood 
at  the  comer  of  Eighth  and  Coal  streets,  Trevorton,  and  the  first  teacher 
was  a  Miss  Hay.  She  was  followed  by  Miss  Sarah  Bellas,  now  Mrs.  John 
Plummer,  who  resides  at  Trevorton.  There  are  now  two  brick  school  build- 
ings in  the  township,  both  in  Trevorton.  The  schools  are  graded,  and  seven 
teachers  are  employed. 

CHUECHES. 

The  first  public  religious  worship  in  Trevorton  was  conducted  in  a  car- 
penter shop  under  the  auspices  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  church.  A  Sun- 
day school  was  organized  and  received  the  support  of  the  population  gener- 
ally irrespective  of  denominational  distinctions. 

The  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  was  organized  on  the  rSth  of  May, 
1853,  by  Rev.  Joseph  Eoss.  Among  the  early  members  were  A.  A.  Heim 
and  wife,  George  "Weaver  and   wife,  William  J.  Phillips  and   wife,  William 


ZEEBE    TOWNSHIP.  781 

Oshman  and  wife,  Griffith  Williams  and  wife,  Joseph  E.  Low  and  wife,  John 
Flemming  and  wife,  J.  B.  Eenney  and  wife,  Emanuel  Kauffman  and  wife. 
Anthony  Gillespie  and  wife,  Michael  Shoppel  and  wife,  Peter  Metz,  Rebecca 
Pennypacker,  Elizabeth  Bennington,  Permelia  Foy,  Lucinda  Yordy,  J.  W. 
Phillips,  Matilda  Metz,  Mary  J.  Berlew,  Jesse  Nelson,  Michael  Sigafoos. 
Mary  E.  Kester,  and  Emma  Carter.  The  first  trustees  were  Michael  Siga- 
foos, Emanuel  Kauffman,  John  Flemming,  A.  A.  Heim,  and  H.  J.  Renn. 
The  first  place  of  worship  was  an  old  frame  school  house;  a  brick  church 
edifice  was  erected  in  185S  and  subsequently  sold  to  the  school  board,  when 
the  present  church  Iniilding  was  constructed.  The  following  is  a  list  of  pas- 
tors: Reverends  Joseph  A.  Ross,  R.  Grier,  Joseph  G.  McKeehan,  Joseph 
Curns,  B.  P.  King,  Thomas  Taneyhill,  Nathaniel  "W.  Colbum,  M.  L.  Drum. 
George  Warren,  F.  B.  Riddle,  E.  Butler,  John  Swanger,  John  A.  Dickson, 
Abraham  'Craj-ton,  F.  B.  Stevens,  S.  C.  Swallow,  WiUiam  Norcross,  ISGS: 
J.  F.  Craig,  1809-70;  T.  O.  Clees,  1871-72;  G.  H.  Day,  1873-75;  J.  W. 
Feight,  1876-78;  John  Lloyd,  1879-80;  Joseph  R.  King,  1881-82;  Robert 
L.  Armstrong,  1883-85;  Elial  M.  Chilcoat,  1886-87;  Jonathan  Guldin,  1888. 
i:)resent  incumbent. 

St.  Patrick's  Catholic  Church  had  its  inception  soon  after  the  02)ening  of 
the  coal  mines  at  Trevorton.  Quite  a  large  number  of  the  Irish  and  German 
miners  were  members  of  the  Catholic  church,  and,  wishing  to  practice  their 
faith,  requested  Rev.  Michael  Sheridan,  pastor  of  St.  Joseph's  church  at  Dan- 
ville, to  pay  them  a  visit.  He  complied  with  their  wishes  and  celebrated  the 
first  Mass  at  the  house  of  a  Mr.  Compton.  The  first  baptism  and  marriage 
recorded  in  the  church  records  by  Father  Sheridan  are  under  date  of  October 
1,  1854,  and  it  is  very  probable  that  he  commenced  visiting  the  town  about 
tliat  time.  He  was  sticceeded  in  1857  by  Rev.  George  Gostenschnigg,  pastor 
at  Milton,  who  organized  the  congregation  and  at  once  commenced  collecting 
money  for  the  erection  of  a  church  edifice.  Father  George,  as  he  was  famil- 
iarly known,  continued  his  collections  over  the  county  until  May,  1859,  when 
the  contract  was  let  for  the  building  of  the  present  place  of  worship,  a 
white  sandstone  structure  thirty-five  by  sixty-five  feet  in  dimensions.  The 
work  was  at  once  begim  and  pushed  'rapidly,  and  early  in  May,  LS60,  the 
edifice  was  completed.  It  was  dedicated  on  the  20th  of  that  month  in  the 
presence  of  a  large  assemblage  .by  Bishop  Neuman,  of  Philadelphia,  and 
placed  under  the  patronage  of  St.  Patrick.  But  the  worthy  priest  through 
whose  imtiring  efforts  the  work  was  carried  out  chd  not  live  to  witness  its 
dedication.  In  making  preparations  for  that  event  Father  Gostenschnigg 
became  overheated;  on  the  2d  of  May  he  died  at  Milton,  and  was  buried  in 
St.  Joseph's  parochial  lot  in  that  borough.  He  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  M. 
Muhlberger,  who  served  until  1861,  when  Rev.  Emil  Stenzel  became  pastor. 
Rev.  Edward  Murray  succeeded  the  latter  in  1862  and  in  November,  1863, 
Rev.  J.  J.  Koch,  pastor  of  St.  Joseph's  church  at  Milton,  took  charge  of  the 


7S2  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

parish.  In  1800  Father  Koch  was  appointed  the  iirst  resident  pastor  of  St. 
Edward's  church,  Shamokin,  but  continued  to  minister  to  St.  Patrick's  until 
1S78.  During  his  pastorate  he  enlarged  the  church,  frescoed  the  interior, 
paid  oft  the  debts,  and  placed  the  congregation  on  a  sound  financial  basis. 

Rev.  Augitst  Schlueter,  pastor  at  Locust  Gap,  succeeded  Father  Koch 
and  had  charge  of  Trevorton  about  four  years.  Then  came  Eev.  Henry 
Kelt,  the  first  resident  i:)astor,  by  whom  a  two-story  parochial  residence  was 
built  in  1882.  In  1889  Eev.  Francis  L.  Breckel  became  pastor  and  still 
ministers  to  the  congregation.  With  the  passing  years  St.  Patrick's  has 
undergone  many  changes,  as  the  continued  suspension  in  the  coal  trade 
caused  many  families  to  remove  from  the  towia.  It  now  embraces  about 
seventy  families,  principally  German,  and  supports  a  tiourishing  Simday 
.school. 

First  Evangelical  Church. — The  organization  of  this  church  probably 
occurred  in  1850.  The  school  house  was  the  place  of  worship  until  1800, 
when  a  frame  church  edifice  thirty-six  by  forty-five  feet  in  dimensions  was 
erected  on  the  north  side  of  Coal  street.  Although  the  basement  was  used 
for  some  years  the  building  was  never  completed,  and  the  Baptist  church  was 
occtipied  under  lease  for  a  time.  The  present  edifice,  a  two-story  frame 
building  thirty-five  by  forty-five  feet  in  dimensions,  was  erected  in  1882 
under  the  siipervision  of  a  building  committee  composed  of  Rev.  J.  O.  Lehr, 
presiding  elder.  Rev.  D.  Z.  Kembel,  Rev.  Charles  Warmkessel,  Joseph  Kline, 
and  William  Knapp,  and  dedicated  early  in  1883,  when  Joseph  Kline,  Dan- 
iel Smith,  William  Knapp,  L.  L.  Conrad,  and  George  J.  Maier  constituted 
the  board  of  trustees.  Reverends  D.  Z.  Kembel,  Charles  Warmkessel,  D.  F. 
Geary,  E.  R.  Seip,  W.  H.  Stauffer,  and  L.  N.  Worman.  present  incumbent, 
have  served  as  pastors  since  the  erection  of  the  present  church  edifice ;  among 
the  pastors  prior  to  that  date  were  Reverends  Augustus  Krecker,  J.  H. 
Shirey,  B.  H.  Miller,  S.  T.  Leopold,  Samuel  Wiest,  H.  D.  Shultz.  David 
Stauffer,  Jacob  Werner,  and  S.  S.  Chubb.  The  congregation  forms  part  of 
Trevorton  circuit,  which  includes  Trevorton,  Herndon,  Mt.  Zion  in  Jackson 
township,  St.  John's  in  Little  Mahanoy  township,  and  Seven  Points  in  Rock- 
efeller township.  Trevorton  was  formerly  embraced  in  Mahantango  and 
Uniontown  circuits.  Joseph  Kline,  who  was  elected  leader  of  the  German 
class  in  1800  and  served  until  1890,  and  Solomon  Derk,  leader  of  the  English 
class  for  a  number  of  years,  are  among  those  who  have  longest  been  officially 
connected  with  this  church.     It  sustains  a  flourishing  Sunday  school. 

The  First  Baptist  Church  was  organized  on  the  10th  of  February,  1800, 
with  Furman  Farnsworth  and  George  Mowton  as  deacons  and  George  Mow- 
ton  as  clerk.  The  meeting  was  held  at  the  school  hoase.  Rev.  0.  L.  Hall 
presidmg.  The  church  was  formally  recognized  and  constituted  on  the  8th 
of  March  following  by  a  council  of  representatives  from  neighboring 
churches;  Rev.   J.   E.   Loomis,  D.  D.,  presided  at  this  meeting,  which  was 


ZERBE    TOWNSHIP.  7S3 

also  held  at  the  school  house.  The  tirst  regular  church  meeting  was  held  on 
the  24th  of  March,  when  Rev.  0.  L.  Hall  was  elected  as  tirst  pastor,  Farns- 
worth  Reed,  treasurer,  Reuben  Kline.  Furman  Farnsworth,  and  George 
Mowton,  trustees,  and  Ira  Savers.  Furman  Farnsworth,  Isaiah  Morgan, 
Thomas  Berlew,  and  George  Mowton.  building  committee.  Ground  was 
secured  at  the  northeast  comer  of  Coal  and  Ninth  streets,  the  location  of  the 
present  stone  church  edifice,  of  which  the  corner-stone  was  laid  on  the  9th  of 
August,  1S60;  the  basement  was  first  occupied  on  the  1st  of  September, 
ISGl,  and  the  dedication  occurred,  January  S,  1S62,  when  the  dedicatory  ser- 
mon was  preached  by  Rev.  A.  H.  Buckingham.  Reverends  O.  L.  Hall, 
George  McNair,  A.  B.  Still,  Thomas.  Godfrey,  Delancey,  Merriman.  Hile, 
and  W.  H.  Ellis,  j^resent  incumbent,  have  served  as  pastors.  George  Mowton 
was  the  first  superintendent  of  the  Sunday  school. 

Zion  Lutheran  Church  was  organized  in  ISGOwith  the  following  officers: 
Gottlieb  Crone  and  John  M.  Knapp.  elders:  Conrad  Stein  and  Henry 
Schlimm.  deacons,  and  Dr.  William  Fritz,  treasurer.  The  first  clmrch  edi- 
fice, a  frame  striicture,  was  erected  finder  the  sujiervision  of  a  building 
committee  composed  of  Rev.  C.  J.  M.  Xeuman  and  Dr.  William  Fritz:  the 
corner-stone  was  laid  on  the  13th  of  May,  1800,  by  Reverends  J.  F.  Horn- 
berger.  D.  M.  Henkel,  D.  D.,  and  ilr.  Shultz,  and  the  dedication  of  the 
completed  building  occurred  in  the  following  August,  the  same  clergymen 
officiating.  The  present  church  edifice,  a  brick  structure  thirty-five  by  fifty- 
five  feet,  with  tower  and  bell,  was  built  in  1SS9-'J().  Rev.  C.  J.  M.  Xeuman 
preached  for  some  time  before  the  organization  of  the  church,  of  which  the 
pastoral  succession  has  been  as  follows:  Reverends  J.  F.  Hornberger,  1801) 
to  July,  1864;  J.  H.  Schmidt,  October.  1804,  to  April,  1808;  L.  G.  Eggers, 
May.  1809,  to  May,  1871;  J.  Albert.  October,  1871,  to  January,  1875;  A. 
Berk.  1875  to  1877;  H.  T.  Clymer,  Angu.st.  1879,  to  AugiTst,  iS82;  J.  W. 
Early,  January,  1883.  to  March.  LSSti:  A.  J.  L.  Breinig,  December.  1887, 
present  incumbent.  Prior  to  the  erection  of  the  present  bitilding  the  name 
was  Emanuel's. 

CEMETERIES. 

St.  Patrick's  cemetery  was  regularly  laid  out  and  inclosed  with  a  stone 
and  iron  fence  during  Rev.  J.  J.  Koch's  incumbency  as  pastor.  It  has  been 
the  place  of  interment  for  St.  Patrick's  congregation  since  its  organization. 

The  Liitheran  cemetery  embraces  ten  or  twelve  acres  and  is  situated 
north  of  Trevorton  at  the  side  of  the  mountain.  The  ground  was  secured 
at  the  organization  of  the  church. 

On  the  22d  of  Janitary.  1891,  two  acres  of  ground  were  purchased  by 
Dr.  J.  B.  Newbaker,  William  Plummer.  and  J.  Benjamin  Brubaker  with  the 
idea  of  laying  it  out  as  a  cemetery.  X  movement  is  now  in  progress  to 
carry  this  object  into  effect.' 


784  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 


CHAPTER  XXXVII. 

MT.    CARMEL    TOWNSHIP. 

OkGAXIZATIOX— DliAIN.UJE    AND    R(1ADS— COI-LIEUrEfS— illXIXt;    ^'ILI,AGES— CKt.-I!CIIP:s. 

MT.  CAEMEL  township  occupies  the  extreme  southeastern  part  of  tho 
county,  with  Columbia  county  on  the  northeast,  Schuylkill  on  the 
southeast,  and  Coal  township  on  the  west.  Roaring  creek  forms  its  northern 
boundary  a  distance  of  thirteen  himdred  seventy-five  perches,  and  on  the 
west  the  hue  of  division  from  Coal  is  described  as  "  north  one  degree  west 
seventeen  himdred  twenty-two  and  seven  tenths  perches  "  from  the  line  of 
Cameron  to\vnship  to  the  middle  of  Roaring  creek.  The  viewers  by  whom 
the  erection  of  the  township  was  recommended  and  its  boundaries  surveyed 
were  Da^•id  Rockefeller  and  Jacob  Painter;  their  report  was  confirmed  nisi, 
November  14.  1854,  and  while  there  is  no  record  of  the  fact,  its  absolute 
confirmation  doubtle.ss  occurred  in  the  following  year.  Felix  Lerch  and 
John  Yarnall  were  the  first  justices  of  the  peace,  G.  A.  Kehler  was  the  first 
constal)le,  and  A.  Renn  was  the  first  overseer  of  the  poor. 

The  surface  is  extremely  moimtainous,  the  general  trend  of  the  principal 
ranges  being  east  and  west.  Roaring,  Shamokin,  and  Mahanoy  creeks  afford 
ample  drainage.  The  old  Reading  road  and  the  Centre  turnpike  are  the 
principal  public  highways.  The  railroads  are  the  Philadelphia  and  Read- 
ing, Lehigh  Valley,  and  the  Shamokin  division  of  the  Northern  Central. 

Industrially,  the  township  is  exclusively  a  mining  district.  The  coll- 
ieries located  within  its  limits  are  the  Pennsylvania,  Black  Diamond, 
Mt.  Carmel.  Reliance,  Alaska,  Merriam,  Monitor,  Locust  Gap,  and  Locust 
Spring,  of  which  the  history  is  given  in  Chapters  X  and  XI  of  this  work,  by 
Dr.  J.  J.  John. 

MINING    TOWNS. 

Locust  Gap  is  situated  on  the  line  of  the  Philadelphia  and  Reading  rail- 
road, and  has  been  a  place  of  local  importance  since  the  development  of  the 
adjacent  region  began.  The  postoffice  was  established  in  1870  with  J.  S. 
Reyer  as  first  postmaster.  By  the  census  of  1890  the  population  exceeded 
seventeen  htmdred. 

The  town  is  really  a  collection  of  mining  hamlets,  and  the  plat  presents 
but  slight  evidences  of  regularity.  It  is  owned,  almost  exclusively  by  the 
Philadelphia  and  Reading  Coal  and  Iron  Company;  the  number  of  free- 


^f^^^H^  e^  ^/h^rr  t^^t^    J^ 


MT.    CARIIEL    TOWNSHIP.  785 

holders,  as  ascertained  by  recent  investigation,  is  thirty-three.  Five  o-eneral 
stores,  one  drug  store,  and  live  hotels  constitute  the  business  of  the  place. 
There  are  two  public  school  buildings,  a  Catholic  church  and  parochial  school, 
a  Lutheran  church  organization,  and  one  newspaper,  the  Locust  Gap  Local. 
Apart  from  the  coal  operations  in  the  vicinity,  the  town  possesses  but  little  of 
historic  interest.  It  was  a  well-known  rendezvous  for  the  Mollie  Maguires 
during  the  palmy  days  of  that  organization,  and  has  frequently  been  the 
scene  of  disastrous  railroad  wrecks. 

The  Smaller  Villages  of  the  township  are  StuartviUe.  Bell's  Tunnel.  The 
Mountain,  and  Beaver  Dale,  all  of  which  are  virtually  suburbs  of  Mt.  Car- 
mel;  Green  Eidge,  half  a  mile  from  the  station  of  that  name  on  the  Lehigh 
Valley  railroad;  Alaska,  at  the  intersection  of  the  Mt.  Carmel  branch  of  the 
Philadelphia  and  Reading  railroad  with  the  main  line  of  the  Will- 
iamsport  division,  and  Xatalie,  a  village  recently  built  in  the  northern  part 
of  the  township  by  the  Patterson  Coal  Company.  Of  these  StuartviUe  is 
the  oldest;  it  comj^rises  fifteen  hoitses,  situated  immediately  east  of  Mt.  Car- 
mel on  the  sotttli  side  of  the  public  road  leading  to  Centraha.  and  was  built 
in  1853  by  the  Locust  Mountain  Coal  and  Iron  Company.  Green  Eidge  is 
the  location  of  Strong  postoffice,  of  which  -J.  M.  Derby  was  appointed  as 
first  postmaster  on  the  10th  of  July,  ISST.  Diamondto\\-n  might  also  be  in- 
clitded  in  this  entimeration,  althotigh  the  name  applies  to  a  locality  rather 
than  a  village.  It  was  built  by  the  New  York  and  Middle  Coal  Field  Com- 
pany, and  received  its  name  from  John  Diamond,  the  contractor  by  whom 
the  tunnel  was  driven.  It  was  sititated  immediately  north  of  Mt.  Carmel: 
after  the  abandonment  of  the  colliery  the  houses  were  deserted,  some  fell 
into  decay,  and  some  were  burned,  so  that  only  two  now  remain. 

CHCECUES. 

St.  Josejjh's  Catholic  Church,  LocuM  Gap. — Prior  to  the  year  ISCn 
services  were  held  at  irregular  intervals  by  Eev.  Edward  Murray,  of  Dan- 
ville, Pennsylvania,  but  in  September  of  that  year  Rev.  J.  J.  Koch  was 
placed  in  charge  at  Shamokin  and  this  field  of  labor  was  assigned  to  him. 
He  at  once  organized  a  parish,  and  held  ser\-ices  ever}"  Sunday  in  the  Locust 
Gap  school  house.  In  May,  1870,  the  erection  of  a  church  edifice  was 
undertaken;  the  first  ser^-ices  were  held  in  the  basement  in  November,  1870, 
and  in  the  following  year  the  edifice  was  completed  at  a  cost  of  seven 
thousand  eight  hundred  dollars;  it  was  dedicated  by  Bishop  Shanahan,  of 
Harrisburg,  August  27,  1S71.  Father  Koch  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  August 
Schhieter,  the  first  resident  pastor,  in  October,  1S7S.  He  erected  a  paro- 
chial residence  in  1879,  and  pitrchased  a  small  tract  of  land  near  the  church 
bttilding  for  a  cemetery.  Father  Schlueter  served  the  congregation  faith- 
fully tmtil  September,  1882,  when  he  was  succeeded  in  the  pastorate  by  Rev. 
Thomas  J.  Fleming,  who  had  charge  up  to   February,  1891,  and  was  then 


786  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

succeeded  by  Rev.  William  Burke,  the  present  pastor.  The  parish  numbers 
over  two  hundred  fifty  families. 

St.  Joseph's  parochial  school  was  established  by  Father  Fleming  in  1887, 
and  is  under  the  care  of  five  Sisters  of  the  Immaculate  Heart  of  Mary. 
The  first  building  was  destroyed  by  fire,  February  28,  1888,  soon  after 
which  the  present  two-story  frame  structure  was  erected  at  a  cost  of  six 
thousand  seven  himdred  dollars.  The  average  attendance  is  two  hundred 
seventy  children,  and  both  church  and  school  are  in  a  prosperous  condition. 

St.  John's  EvamjeUcal  Lutheran  Church,  Locust  Gap,  was  organized  by 
Eev.  J.  C.  Shindel  on  the  10th  of  August,  1885,  and  forms  part  of  the  Mt. 
Carmel  charge.  The  first  officers  were  Lewis  Karbley  and  Frederick 
Yentsch,  elders;  Henrj-  Carl,  Benjamin  Thomas,  and  Gideon  Fertig,  deacons. 


CHAPTER  XXXVIII. 
WASHINGTON  TOWNSHIP. 

OUICUXAI.    lldlNDAlUK- FlII-T     ToWNSHIP    OkFICHKS  —  PlONKKliS— I.NUL-JSTltl  ES— Hk- 

KLCK— SCIIl)OI.S~-t'l!r!;(IIt>. 

WASHINGTON  township  was  erected  from  Upper  Mahanoy  and  Jack- 
son, January  14,  1S50.  From  the  official  description  of  the  original 
boundaries  it  appears  that  the  northern  line,  which  coincides  with  the  sum- 
mit of  Line  mountain,  is  fifteen  himdred  twenty-six  perches  in  length,  and 
the  western  line,  which  extends  from  Line  mountain  to  Jacob's  ridge,  twelve 
hundred  sixteen  perches  in  length. 

'The  first  township  ofiicers  were  Peter  Reed  and  William  D.  Hoffman, 
justices  of  the  peace:  Solomon  Billman,  constable;  H.  D.  Hoffman  and  Jo- 
seph Feger,  overseers  of  the  poor;  John  Haue  and  P.  Reitz,  supervisors;  M. 
Drumheller,  clerk;  Peter  Ferster,  assessor;  J.  D.  Hoffman,  N.  Kehres,  and 
William  Sherrv%  aitditors. 

The  surface,  like  that  of  the  neighboring  to^vnships,  is  rolling,  with  a  red 
shale  soil.  No  railway  enters  its  territory,  bitt  public  highways  lead  in  all 
directions.  Greenbrier  creek,  which  traverses  its  whole  extent  from  east  to 
west,  drains  the  entire  area. 

PIONEERS. 

As  in  many  other  parts  of  the  coitnty,  the  early  settlers  of  this  township 
were  of  German  origin.  Among  the  first  to  locate  here  were  Henry  Rebuck, 
Peter  Stull,  John  and  Frederick  Lat.sha,  Peter  Kiehl,  AbrahamJRothermel, 


WASHINGTON    TOWNSHIP.  787 

Daniel  Gonsar,  Philip  Hettrick.  Andrew  Eeitz.  Peter  Brosiiis,  George  Heim, 
Daniel  and  Jonathan  Eeitz.  Jonathan  Keefer,  and  George  Eeed.  Their  de- 
scendants still  constitute  a  fair  proportion  of  the  poi^ulation. 

INDUSTRIES. 

Keihl  Brothers'  mill  is  situated  near  Eebuck  post  office,  on  Greenbrier 
creek.  The  lirst  mill  on  this  site  was  erected  during  the  early  settlement  of 
the  township;  it  was  replaced  in  1S3S  by  the  present  building,  a  frame  struct- 
ure furnished  with  two  sets  of  buhrs  and  capable  of  grinding  ten  barrels  of 
flour  per  day.  William  Kehres  purchased  the  property  from  a  Mr.  Knobel 
in  1S30  and  rebuilt  the  mill  in  1S3S. 

Latsha  Brothers'  mill  was  built  in  1819  by  Daniel  Gonser,  who  erected 
at  the  same  time  a  saw  mill;  the  latter  has  not  been  in  operation  for  some 
years. 

One  of  the  Eebuck  family  built  a  saw  mill  near  Eebuck  postoffice  about 
1S15;  it  has  been  abandoned  for  many  years. 

Andrew  G.  Brosius's  mill,  also  on  Greenbrier  creek,  was  originally  erected 
by  the  father  of  the  present  proprietor.  It  is  especially  adapted  to  the  manu- 
facture of  linseed  oil.  but  chopping  is  also  done. 

Henry  Fisher  established  a  foundry  at  Eebuck  in  1870  for  the  manu- 
fiicture  and  repair  of  jilows  and  other  agricultaral  imjilements.  It  is  now 
operated  by  W.  H.  Fisher. 

EEBUCK. 

The  post-village  of  this  name  is  situated  on  the  State  road  leading  from 
Fisher's  Ferry-  to  Pottsville,  in  the  valley  of  Greenbrier  creek  three  fourths 
of  a  mile  south  of  Line  mountain  and  near  the  center  of  Washington  town- 
ship, of  which  it  is  the  polling  place.  The  first  jiostmaster  was  Godfrey  Ee- 
buck. in  whose  honor  the  otSce  was  named.  The  village  comprises  two 
stores,  two  hotels,  blacksmith  and  wagon  shops,  the  mill  of  Kiehl  Brothers 
and  the  foundry  of  W.  H.  Fisher,  with  perhaps  a  dozen  private  residences. 

SCHOOLS. 

The  first  school  in  the  township  was  established  by  the  congregation  of 
Himmel  church  in  1774,  and  the  first  teacher  was  Charles  Henry  Kauffman. 
Another  early  school  was  taught  in  an  old  log  building  which  stood  near  the 
present  site  of  Latsha's  mill.  The  early  teachers  were  Daniel  Hoffman, 
Christian  Geigerrith,  John  Eister,  and  Gideon  Adams.  The  latter  is  now  a 
resident  of  Shamokin. 

The  public  school  system  was  adopted,  January  22,  1870.  when  the 
following  persons  were  chosen  as  school  directors:  William  Sherry,  Levi 
T.  Dnmiheller,  Daniel  Hettrick,  Isaac  Eebuck.  Abraham  Schlegel,  and 
William  Eothermel.      There   are  now  five  schools   with   an   equal  number 


788  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

of  brick  school  houses,  two  of  which  were  built  in  1869  and  the   remaining 
three  in  1870. 

CHl-RCHES. 

Hiinmel  Clutrclt,  Lutheran  and  Reformed,  is  one  of  the  oldest  denomina- 
tional organizations  of  Northumberland  county.  The  records  state  that  in 
the  year  1773,  "We,  the  Evangelical  Lutheran  and  Reformed  members  of 
the  congregation,  have  endeavored  in  the  Providence  of  God  to  erect  a  man- 
sion of  our  Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ,  to  have  our  children  as  well  as 
ourselves  prepared,  through  the  Word  of  God  and  by  means  of  the  holy 
sacraments,  for  eternal  life;"  whereupon  a  patent  was  procured  from  the  State 
for  sixty  acres  of  land,  upon  which  a  school  house  was  erected  in  1774,  in 
which  instruction  was  given  by  Charles  Henry  Kauffman.  A  log  church 
building  was  also  erected  about  the  same  time.  On  the  22d  of  Septem- 
ber, 1781,  a  resolution  was  placed  on  record  .stating  that  "the  Evangelical 
Lutheran  and  Reformed  congregations  shall  have  equal  right  and  privileges 
to  land,  church,  school  house,  and  so  continue  to  have."  In  June,  1817,  at 
a  meeting  in  the  school  house  for  the  purjiose  of  deciding  whether  to  repair 
the  old  chiirch  or  build  a  new  one,  "These  worthy  men  of  both  congregations, 
Ijeing  of  one  mind,  agreed  upon  the  following  plan:  to  build  a  new  church — 
material  to  be  used  stone — upon  a  lofty  place  about  twenty  rods  from  the 
old  church;"  here  it  was  again  resolved  "to  build  a  union  church  for  use  of 
both  Li^theran  and  Reformed  members,  and  that  it  shall  forever  remain 
so  in  this  newly  erected  Himmel  church."  Articles  of  agreement  were 
accordingly  drawn  up  and  placed  in  the  corner-stone,  which  was  laid  in  the 
spring  of  1818.  The  building  committee  was  composed  of  Michael  Reitz, 
Michael  Rebuck,  and  Leonard  Reitz;  the  ministers  present  were  Reverends 
John  Nicholas  Hemping,  John  Felix,  Philip  Moyer,  and  George  Mening. 
This  is  a  large  and  commodious  stone  edifice,  built  in  the  old  Pennsylvania 
style,  with  a  one-story  main  room  and  gallery,  an  old-fashioned  pigeon-box 
pulpit,  and  a  seating  capacity  of  four  hi;ndred.  The  large  pipe-organ  is  a 
noticeable  feature;  from  this  circum.stance  it  has  been  popularly  kno^\Ti  as 
"the  organ  church."  This  church  was  for  many  years  the  principal  one  in 
all  the  Mahanoy  region,  and  was  attended  from  a  radius  of  twelve  miles. 
Barefooted,  coatless,  and  in  farm  wagons,  the  people  would  flock  to  their 
place  of  worship;  no  pride  disturbed  their  minds,  no  fatigue  furnished  an 
excuse  for  absence,  no  one  esteemed  himself  above  his  fellow-Christians. 
The  German  language  has  been  mainly  used  throughout  the  history  of  the 
church,  although  English  is  being  gradually  introduced. 

The  first  officers  of  the  Lutheran  organization  were  Nicholas  Brosius  and 
Peter  Ferster,  deacons,  Daniel  Kobel  and  George  Heim,  elders.  Among  the 
names  which  appear  on  the  communion  list  of  June  80,  1770,  are  those  of 
Nicholas  Snyder,  Charles  Henry   Kauffman,  George  Ferster,  Daniel   Kobel, 


WASHINGTON    TOWNSHIP.  7S9 

John  George  Brosius,  John  F.  Kaiiifman,  Henry  Reitz,  Andrew  Reitz,  Will- 
iam Heiiu.  John  X.  Hettrick,  Henrj-  Groninger,  Philip  Klinger,  Henry  Zart- 
man.  John  Shaffer.  G.  H.  Reitz.  John  Miller,  G.  Heim,  Joseph  N.  Brosius, 
Peter  Ferster.  John  L.  Kauffman,  Michael  Reitz,  John  Heim,  George  Henry 
Kauffman,  Peter  Albert,  Edward  Ferster,  J.  G.  Heim,  and  John  Harter;  the 
entire  number  of  communicants  at  that  time  was  sixty-four.  In  ISIS,  when 
the  present  church  edifice  was  built,  the  elders  and  deacons  were  Christian 
Thomas,  George  Miller,  David  Haas,  Abram  Hoch,  Frederick  Kahler,  God- 
fried  Thomas.  Peter  Reitz,  and  Jacob  Falk.  The  communion  list  of  April  12, 
ISlS.  gives  the  names  of  seventy-nine  members,  among  whom  were  the 
families  of  Kauffman,  Snyder,  Rebuck,  Reitz,  Brosius,  Hettrick,  Gonser, 
Adams,  Hoch.  Reed,  Kahler,  Kieffer,  Rothermel,  Schlegel,  Ferster,  Rose, 
Yocum,  Feger.  and  Drumheller,  which  have  since  been  prominent  in  the 
history  of  the  church.  The  i^rotocol  was  begun  in  1770  and  contains  lists  of 
baptisms,  commimicants,  members  confirmed,  and  the  articles  of  agreement 
mentioned.  The  first  baptisms  recorded  were  those  of  John  and  Maria 
Kobel,  children  of  Henry  and  Catherine  Kobel.  who  were  baptized  on  the 
7th  of  Jime.  177-1-.  The  following  is  a  hst  of  pastors:  J.  M.  Enderline, 
1778-S7:  Charles  Christopher  Getz,  1700;  Christian  Espich,  1795;  J.  P.  F. 
Kramer,  ISi)'.]-.  Conrad  ^\'alter,  1S07;  Daniel  Ulrich,  1809;  John  Nicholas 
Hemping.  lSl2-t7:  Augustus  Bergner,  1847-00;  J.  Hasskarl,  1801-03; 
John  C.  Schmidt.  1 804-09;  J.  F.  Bayer,  1809-70;  John  C.  Schmidt,  1870- 
Sl;  J.  F.  Bayer.  ISSI-SO:  D.  M.  Stetler,  1887,  present  incumbent. 

The  first  Reformed  minister  was  the  Reverend  Cocto,  who  is  supposed  to 
have  administered  the  ordinances  of  religion  in  this  church  during  a  period 
of  twenty  years.  The  name  of  Reverend  Hendel  appears  upon  the  record 
in  1805,  followed  by  Rev.  J.  Felix  in  1812;  the  latter  was  present  in  1818 
at  a  congregational  meeting  held  for  the  purpose  of  erecting  a  new  church 
building.  The  pastoral  succession  since  1820  has  been  as  follows:  H. 
Knoebel,  182(1-27;  John  Houtz,  1827-30;  Benjamin  Boyer,  1830-30; 
Rudolph  Duenger.  1N30-52:  Isaac  F.  Steily,  1852-09;  J.  Fritzinger,  1870; 
John  Wohlbach.  and  A.  R.  Hottenstein,  the  present  inciimbent.  who  assumed 
charge  in  ls75.  The  names  of  Andrew  Ketterli  and  Peter  Schmidt  appear 
as  officers  in  1780;  Andrew  Brist,  Christian  Thomas,  and  Nicholas  Adams, 
in  1809;  Michael  Rebuck  and  Jacob  Schmidt,  in  1811;  Conrad  Rebuck  and 
Daniel  Kieffer,  in  1823;  Abraham  Rothermel  and  Gideon  Adams,  in  1820; 
John  Geist  and  Bernhard  Adams,  in  1828.  The  family  names  at  this  date 
(1890)  are  those  of  Kieffer,  Geist,  Smith,  Rebuck,  Thomas,  Falk,  Sherry, 
Kehres,  Ressler,  Adams,  Latsha,  Runkle,  Walker,  Rothermel,  Heim,  Schott, 
Woodling,  and  others. 

The  parochial  school  has  long  since  been  discontinued;  three  Sunday 
schools  are  conducted  at  school  houses  located  two  miles  north,  east,  and 
south,  respectively,  from  the  church  building.     The  school  house   erected  in 


790  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

1774,  enlarged   and  modernized,  constitutes  the  residence   of  the  organist, 
who  otKciates  for   both  congregations  and  receives   all  the  products  of   the 
farm  with  the  use  of  the  house  in  compensation  for  his  services. 
Both  congregations  were  incorporated  in  1854. 


CHAPTER  XXXIX. 

ROCKEFELLER  TOWNSHIP. 


OkuASIZATIOX     .\ND      BorNDMUES^  DitArX.UiE      AND      RdADS  — ^'II,LAGE•^  —  MrLL<— 

Schools— C'HriuiiEs. 

THIS  township,  one  of  the  interior  subdivisions  of  the  county,  is 
l)ounded  on  the  north  by  Upper  Augusta,  on  the  east  by  Shamokin,  ou 
the  south  by  Zerbe  and  Little  Mahanoy,  and  on  the  west  by  Lower  Augusta. 
Its  territory  was  originally  a  part  of  Augusta,  and  from  the  division  of  the 
latter  until  its  separate  organization  it  was  embraced  in  Lower  Augusta.  A 
petition  for  the  division  of  Lower  Augusta  was  presented  to  the  court  on  the 
12th  of  January,  1880,  whereupon  G.  W.  Hower,  John  Eckman,  and  ^I. 
Haupt  were  appointed  as  commissioners  to  take  the  matter  under  advise- 
ment. This  report  having  been  favorable,  an  election  was  ordered  for  the 
24th  of  April  following,  re.sulting  in  an  expression  of  popular  approval,  and 
on  the  7th  of  May,  1880,  the  township  was  formally  erected  by  decree  of 
court. 

The  surface  is  hilly.  Little  Shamokin  and  Plum  creeks  afford  ample 
drainage.  The  principal  highways  are  the  Tulpehocken  and  Pliim  Creek 
roads;  the  former  extends  north  and  south,  intersecting  the  latter  three 
miles  from  Sunbury. 

VILLAGES. 

Seveti  Points,  a  village  of  one  hundred  twenty-live  inhabitants,  three 
stores,  a  postoffice,  and  the  shops  of  several  mechanics,  is  situated  in  the 
eastern  part  of  Rockefeller  township,  on  the  Trevorton  and  Sunburv'  road 
about  seven  miles  from  the  latter  place.  It  derives  its  name  from  the  fact 
that  seven  roads  diverge  at  this  place.  The  site  was  formerly  embraced  in  a 
tract  of  several  hundred  acres  owned  by  William  Maclay,  one  of  the  first 
United  States  Senators  from  Pennsylvania.  The  first  house  within  the  pres- 
ent limits  of  the  village  was  erected  by  William  Raker  in  1870:  he  owned 
the  land  adjoining,  and  sold  it  in  lots  of  convenient  size  for  purchasers.  Mr. 
Raker  also  opened  the  first  store.  In  1874  the  house  now  owned  by  William 
Eister  was  erected  by  George  Shive,  who  started  the  first  hotel  therein;  this 


ROCKEFELLER    TOWNSHIP.  791 

bxisiness,  however,  was  only  continued  six  years.  The  postoffice  ^vas  estab- 
lished in  1874  with  William  Raker  as  postmaster;  since  that  time  G.  Snrder, 
M.  G.  Ressler,  and  William  B.  Eister,  the  present  incumbent,  have  tilled  the 
office.  Mail  is  received  three  times  a  week,  but  arrangements  are  now  i  ISOO) 
in  progress  for  a  daily  service  from  Sunbury.  The  school  house,  a  one-story 
brick  building,  was  erected  in  ISSl. 

Washington  Camp,  No.  13'J,  P.  O.  S.  of  A.,  was  instituted  on  the  2i>th  of 
Januarj-,  1SS6. 

Augustaville  is  a  small  post-village  on  the  Tulpehocken  road  six  miles 
from  Sunbury.  It  consists  of  several  houses,  a  general  store,  shoemaker 
shop,  school  house,  and  post  olfice,  which  was  established  in  ISSO.  The  tirst 
house  was  erected  by  Daniel  Conrad  in  ISOO  and  was  used  as  a  hotel  until 

issn. 

Auo-usta  Lodge.  Xo.  <)14,  1.  O.  O.  F..  was  in.stituted  under  charter  dated 
November  19,  ISfJi. 

MILLS. 

Weitzel's  mill  was  established  by  Casper  Weitzel.  one  of  the  first  resi- 
dent attorneys  of  the  county  and  a  captain  in  the  Continental  army,  who  died 
in  1782.  The  mill  is  one  of  the  oldest  in  the  county,  and  has  been  in  pos- 
session of  the  Weitzel  family  since  it  was  tirst  placed  in  oi>eration.  The 
present  owner  is  Joseph  Weitzel. 

Miller's  mill  is  situated  on  Little  Shamokin  creek  along  the  road  leading 
from  the  Tulpehocken  road  to  Trevorton,  about  four  miles  from  the  latter 
place.  The  first  mill  at  this  site  was  a  small  frame  structure  erected  by 
Colonel  Thomas  Jones  some  time  between  1790  and  1800.  The  present  miU 
was  built  in  1850  by  David  Miller,  by  whom  it  was  owned  imtil  his  death; 
it  then  became  the  property  of  his  son,  Hiram  Miller,  the  present  owner. 

Shipman's  mill  is  situated  on  the  road  leading  from  the  Tulpehocken 
road  to  the  Susquehanna  river,  along  Little  Shamokin  creek.  It  is  a  two- 
story  frame  stracture  and  was  erected  by  Abraham  Shipman  in  ISoi '.  After 
his  death  it  became  the  property  of  Isaac  Shipman  and  was  o^vned  by  him 
until  1890,  when  it  was  purchased  by  Solomon  Miller. 

Fagley's  mill,  on  a  branch  of  Little  Shamokin  creek  in  the  southern  part 
of  Koclcefeller  to^raship,  is  a  frame  structure  fifty-three  by  twenty-five  feet, 
and  was  built  by  Samuel  Lantz  in  18r)0.  Soon  after  its  erection  it  was  pur- 
chased by  Jacob  Fagley,  the  present  o%raer. 

SCHOOLS. 

Rockefeller  to^vnship  sustains  seven  schools  and  has  an  equal  number  of 
school  buildings.  One  is  situated  at  Seven  Points;  one  at  Augustaville:  one 
near  Solomon  Miller's  mill,  known  as  the  Shipman  school;  two  on  the  Plum 
Creek  road,  known,  respectively,  as  the  Upper  and  Lower  Plum  Creek  schools; 
one  near  Emanuel  Reformed  church,  and  the  other  on  the  Irish  YaUey  road. 


792  HISTORY    OF    XORTHUIIBERLAND    COUNTY. 

CHrECHZS. 

Zion  Church,  Lutheran  and  Reformed,  is  situated  on  the  Tulpehocken 
road  six  and  one  half  miles  from  Sunbur}*.  The  ground  was  presented  by 
Martin  Raker  in  1S14,  and  some  of  the  timbers  for  a  church  building  were 
prepared  in  that  year,  but  it  was  not  completed  until  1816.  It  is  a  stone 
structure  two  stories  in  height:  originally  there  was  but  one  storj-  with  in- 
terior galleries  around  three  sides,  but  at  a  meeting  on  the  ISth  of  Januaiy, 
ISGl,  it  was  decided  to  substitute  a  second  story  for  the  galleries.  This  was 
accomplished  during  that  year  under  the  supervision  of  Elias  Emeric  and  J. 
F.  Lerch.  Some  years  later  the  building  was  remodeled  at  a  cost  of  live 
hundred  dollars. 

The  first  organization  occurred  in  IS'T)  with  eight  members,  and  public 
worship  was  conducted  in  a  log  school  house  which  stood  about  four  hundred 
yards  from  the  present  church  edifice.  This  school  house  was  constructed 
with  a  swinging  partition  in  the  midtUe;  one  end  was  used  as  a  school  room 
andtheother  as  the  teacher's  dwelling,  but  on  preaching  occasions  the  partition 
was  swtmg  open  and  the  whole  became  a  place  of  worship.  Among  those 
most  actiye  in  the  original  erection  of  the  church  edifice  were  G'eorge  Long, 
William  Reeser,  Samuel  Bloom.  George  Haupt,  Martin  Eaker,  Jacob  Eaker, 
Conrad  Eaker,  Jacob  Eaker,  William  Bartholomew,  Jacob  Zimmerman,  and 
Georo-e  Savidge.  Eev.  J.  P.  Shindi-I  \vas  pastor  in  ISIG,  when  the  building 
was  dedicated. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  ministers  who  have  served  the  congregations 
since  their  organization:  Lutheran — Reverends  J.  P.  Shindel  (who  became 
pastor  in  1813  and  remained  until  1  Sol).  Peter  Born,  D.  D.,  George  P.  Weaver, 
L.  H.  Sherts,  Joseph  Focht,  Mr.  Bern,-.  A.  K.  Zimmerman,  Mr.  Harsh,  Sidney 
Bateman,  Mr.  Felker,  and  Cyrus  E.  Benson,  the  present  pastor;  Eeformed — 
Eeverends  Steily,  Fisher,  Steinmetz.  Cremer,  Haas,  Daniel,  Reider,  Shoe- 
maker, Hertzel,  and  Mutchler. 

In  connection  with  this  church  and  situated  in  the  same  lot  to  the  rear  of 
the  building  is  a  burj-ing  ground,  the  oldest  in  the  township.  This  lot  was 
laid  out  as  a  place  of  interment  as  early  as  1800  by  Martin  Raker,  who  died 
in  October,  1803,  and  was  the  first  person  interred  here. 

Eden  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church  was  organized  in  1844  by  Eev.  J. 
P.  Shindel.  The  first  ofiicers  and  signers  of  the  constitution  were  George 
Savidge,  John  Drear,  George  Fausold,  Philip  Weiser,  Henry  Fausold,  and 
Daniel  Conrad,  in  addition  to  whom  there  were  forty-six  original  members. 
The  erection  of  a  church  edifice  was  immediately  begun  and  the  comer-stone 
was  laid  on  the  22d  of  April,  1844,  Eev.  J.  P.  Shindel  ofiiciating.  It  was  a 
one-story  frame  structure,  situated  on  the  Plum  Creek  road,  and  served  as  a 
place  of  worship  until  1873  when  it  was  removed  and  the  present  two-story 
brick  edifice  erected.  This  was  dedicated,  October  12,  1873,  at  which  time 
Rev.  A.  K.  Zimmerman  was  pastor.      Since  its  organization  the  church  has 


ROCKEFELLER    TOWNSHIP.  795 

beeii  served  by  the  Eeverends  J.  P.  Shindel,  Peter  Born,  D.  D.,  George  P. 
Weaver,  L.  H.  Sherts,  Joseph  Focht,  Mr.  Berry,  A.  K.  Zimmerman,  Mr. 
Harsh,  Sidney  Bateman,  Mr.  Felker,  and  Cyrus  E.  Benson,  the  present 
pastor. 

Emanuel  Evangelical  Liithera)i  Church  was  organized  on  the  Sth  of 
AjH-il,  1848,  and  has  had  the  following  pastors:  Reverends  J.  T.  Hornberger. 
1S60  to  July,  1864;  J.  H.  Schmidt,  October,  1864,  to  April,  1868:  L.  G. 
Eggers,  May,  1869,  to  May,  1871:  J.  Albert,  October,  1871,  to  Januaiw, 
1875;  A.  Berk,  1875  to  1877;  H.  T.  Clymer,  August,  1879,  to  August,  1882; 
J.  W.  Early,  January,  1883,  to  March,  1SS6;  A.  J.  L.  Breinig,  December, 
1887.  present  incumbent. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Reformed  and  Lutheran  congregations.  June  5,  1S47. 
an  agreement  was  entered  into  for  the  erection  of  a  imion  place  of  worship, 
which  was  accordingly  built.  The  Lutherans  withdrew  from  this  union  on 
the  ■26th  of  April,  1884,  and  at  once  undertook  the  erection  of  a  church 
edifice:  Joseph  Emeric  and  John  Lantz  were  apjiointed  to  secure  funds,  and. 
with  the  assistance  of  the  pastor,  select  a  site.  A  lot  on  the  northeast  corner 
of  "Wolfs  cross-roads  was  offered  by  Joel  Wolf  and  accepted.  Joseph  Emeric. 
Daniel  Clinger,  and  "William  Eister  were  appointed  as  a  building  com- 
mittee, November  27,  1SS4;  the  corner-stone  was  laid  on  the  24th  of  May. 
1885,  by  Reverends  J.  "W.  Early  and  M.  B.  Lenker,  and  the  dedication 
occurred,  November  8.  1885,  when  the  pastor  was  assisted  by  Rev.  L. 
Lindenstruth. 

Emanuel  Reformed  Church  was  organized  in  1848.  The  first  church 
edifice,  a  one-story  brick  structure,  situated  on  the  Little  Shamokin  Creek 
road  four  miles  southeast  of  Simbury,  was  jointly  occupied  by  this  congrega- 
tion and  the  Lutherans  until  1884,  when  the  latter  disposed  of  their  interest; 
it  was  then  iLsed  exclusively  by  the  Reformed  organization  until  1886,  when 
the  present  edifice,  a  one-story  brick  building  with  Sunday  school  room  at 
one  side,  was  erected.  Henrj'  Arnold,  Samuel  Keefer,  and  Jacob  Goss  con- 
stituted the  building  committee.  The  corner-stone  was  laid  on  the  Sth  of 
April,  1886,  and  the  church  was  dedicated  in  the  following  November. 

Ebenezer  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  was  organized  inl86(\  and  num- 
bered among  its  membership  the  families  of  Gonsar,  Tucker,  Shipman,  Long, 
and  Malick.  A  small  frame  church  edifice  was  erected  on  the  Hollowing 
Run  road  in  the  same  year;  in  1875  it  was  enlarged,  but  has  been  much 
damaged  by  a  storm  and  never  repaired. 

Seven  Points  Church  of  the  Evangelical  Association  was  organized  in 
1866,  although  public  worship  had  been  conducted  by  ministers  of  this 
denomination  in  that  vicinity  as  early  as  1855.  The  church  edifice,  a  one- 
story  frame  structure,  was  dedicated  on  the  23d  of  December,  186ti.  Rev. 
David  Lantz  was  largely  instrumental  in  effecting  the  organization  and  hav- 
ing the  church  building  erected. 

45 


'iQQ  HISTORY    OF    XORTHUilBEF.LAND    COUNTY. 


CHAPTER    XL. 

EALPHO  TOWNSHIP. 

Successive  Steps  in  the  PiiixEEUiNtis  i;y  Wiin  ii  the  Tow.vsiiii'  was  Ekecteh— 
Line  oe  Division  from  SiiaM(ikin— Diiain a(;e  and  Roads— Pioneeus—Eaui.v 
HisToKV,  Growth,  and  Secret  Societies  ok  Ei.vsiiUR(;—lNDi'STRiEs -Schools— 
C'liritCHEs. 

KALPHO  township  borders  on  Columbia  county  ou  the  north  and 
east,  Coal  township  on  the  south,  Shamokiu  on  the  west,  and  Eush  on 
the  north.  Its  territory  was  part  of  Augusta  from  1772  to  178-'),  of 
Catawissa  from  1785  to  17SS,  of  Ealpho  in  1788-89,  and  of  Shamokin 
from  1789  to  1883.  Its  erection  originated  in  a  movement  to  divide 
Shamokin  into  two  election  districts,  the  propriety  of  which  was  favorably 
reported  upon,  May  3,  1880,  by  Isaac  Campbell,  John  Eckman,  and  Eichard 
B.  Douty,  viewers  appointed  by  the  court.  March  12,  ISSO.  Exceptions  to 
this  report  were  filed,  however;  on  the  4th  of  January,  1881,  it  was  set  aside 
and  the  matter  referred  again  to  the  same  viewers.  A  second  report  was 
made,  February  7,  1881,  and  on  the  1st  of  August,  1882,  this  was  confirmed, 
dividino-  the  township  into  two  election  chstricts,  to  be  known  as  North  and 
South  Shamokin.  In  the  meantime  the  formation  of  a  new  township  had 
been  agitated  and  on  the  5th  of  September.  1882,  a  petition  presented  with 
that  object  was  referred  to  Ira  Shipman.  Peter  H.  Snyder,  and  Solomon 
Weaver,  who  reported  favorably,  December  15,  1882,  the  lino  of  division  to 
coincide  with  the  channel  of  Shamokin  creek  from  the  line  of  Coal  township 
to  a  point  in  the  midcUe  of  the  stream  at  the  county  bridge  near  Eeed's 
church  and  thence  deflect  north  fourteen  and  one  fourth  degrees  east  two 
hundred  sixty  rods  to  the  line  of  Eush  township.  The  question  was  sub- 
mitted to  a  vote  on  the  20th  of  Januar}-.  1SS3,  when  the  proposed  change 
received  popular  approval;  and  on  the  5th  of  February,  1883,  a  decree  of 
court  was  promulgated,  erecting  the  town.'^hip  of  Ealpho  from  that  part  of 
the  former  territory  of  Shamokin  east  of  the  division  line  and  adjacent  to 
Columbia  coimty.  The  first  election  for  township  oflficers  occurred  on  the 
20th  of  February,  1883. 

The  surface  of  the  township  is  undulating  and  in  many  parts  hilly;  it  is 
drained  by  tributaries  of  Shamokin  and  Eoaring  creeks,  the  former  form- 
ino-  the  western  and  the  latter  the  eastern  boundary.  The  highest  elevation 
in  this  recrion  is  Gilger's  hills,  a  range  extending  east  and  west  through  the 
central  part  of  the  township.     The  Shamokin  Valley  and  Pottsville  railway 


RALPHO    TOWNSHIP.  797 

passes  through  the  western  part  of  the  township:  the  lines  of  the  old  Centre 
and  Danville  turnpikes  cross  its  territory,  while  numerous  lateral  highways 
lead  in  all  directions. 

PIOXZEES. 

Settlements  were  attempted  in  this  section  prior  to  the  Eevolutionary 
war,  but  none  proved  successful  until  ITT'J.  when  Obadiah  CamjAell,  a  na- 
tive of  New  Jersey  and  a  soldier  of  the  Eevolution,  immigrated  to  the  vicinity 
of  Elysburg,  where  he  secured  a  tract  of  four  hundred  acres.  About  the 
same  time  or  a  few  years  later,  Jacob  Pensyl,  who  had  previously  settled  at 
the  site  of  Shamokin,  established  himself  upon  a  tract  of  two  hundred  acres 
in  Ralpho  township.  William  F.  Kaseman.  Peter  Demmig  (Dimmick),  Peter 
Haas,  Henry  Fisher,  and  the  Geiger  family  were  also  among  the  pioneers. 
Henry  Fisher  located  where  Peter  Leisenring  now  resides,  where  he  built 
the  hotel  and  mill  and  o\\'ned  fifteen  or  eighteen  hundred  acres  of  land. 
Abia  John  arrived  in  1795  and  located  two  miles  east  of  Perry  John's  pres- 
ent residence;  Casper  Adams  and  Abram  Arter  located  at  the  respective 
residences  of  John  Campbell  and  John  Eepley.  John  Reeder  was  also  an 
early  settler,  but  did  not  remain  permanently.  In  1807  George  Krick  located 
where  John  Krick.  his  grandson,  now  resides. 

ELYSBURG. 

This  village  is  pleasantly  located  in  the  southern  part  of  the  township,  in 
which  it  is  the  only  place  of  importance.  The  plat  was  laid  out  in  1830  by 
Peter  Haas,  from  whom  the  place  receiveiil  its  first  name,  Petersburg.  When 
the  postoffice  was  established  a  change  became  necessary,  and  the  present 
designation  was  adopted.  Hi.storically  it  is  the  more  appropriate,  as  the 
Ely  family  has  been  represented  at  this  locality  from  an  early  period.  As 
early  as  1800  George  Ely  kept  hotel  in  this  vicinity;  the  first  house  within 
the  present  village  limits  was  built  by  Samuel  Ely,  whose  carpenter  sliop 
was  also  the  first  local  industry.  Among  the  first  store  keepers  were  John 
Irvin,  Joseph  Dickson,  and  Fisher  ct  Higgins;  David  Higgins,  a  member  of 
the  last  mentioned  firm,  was  the  first  postmaster.  Dr.  James  Pasco  was  the 
first  resident  physician  but  did  not  remain  any  length  of  time;  Dr.  Joseph 
C.  Robins  was  the  first  to  locate  permanently  at  Elysburg,  where  he  was  in 
active  practice  forty-two  years.  Jesse  Campbell  was  the  first  saddler,  and 
William  Bird  the  first  blacksmith;  the  chair-making  industry  was  pursued 
at  one  time  by  AVilliam  Persing.  The  original  town  plat  was  subsequently 
enlarged  by  Dodge  &  Barton  and  E.  Chidester. 

Secret  Societies. — The  following  is  a  list  of  secret  societies,  with  dates  of 
organization  or  institution:  Elysburg  Lo<lge,  Xo.  o4S,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  January  1, 
1859;  Lucy  Jane  Lodge,  No.  80,  Daughters  of  Rebekah,  September  22,  1873; 
Elysburg  Lodge,  No.  414,  F.  &  A.  M..  ilarch  4,  1SG8;  Washington  Camp, 
No.  ISO.  P.  O.  S.  of  A.,  Julv  20,  1887. 


Tya  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

INDUSTRIES. 

John  yV.  Reed's  mill  is  a  two-stoiy  frame  building,  equij^ped  with  four 
sets  of  buhrs.  The  first  mill  at  this  site  was  built  by  Bernard  Eyregood; 
it  was  a  frame  building  with  two  sets  of  buhrs,  and  had  an  overshot  wheel. 
The  present  mill  was  built  in  1830  by  Samuel  Sober. 

Peter  Leisenring's  mill  at  Bear  Gap  was  originally  erected  at  an  early 
date  by  Henry  Fisher;  it  was  rebuilt  and  enlarged  by  Jacob  Leisenring. 

"William  Krickbaum's  mill  is  situated  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  township 
on  Roaring  creek;  this  is  an  old  mill  site  and  the  present  structure,  a  three- 
story  frame  building  with  four  sets  of  buhrs  and  an  overshot  wheel,  was 
erected  in  1840  by  Mr.  Krickbaum. 

Isaac  Hull  established  a  small  tannery  in  1830;  some  years  since  it  passed 
into  the  possession  of  William  Pensyl,  by  whom  the  plant  was  enlarged  and 
improved.  Lemviel  Teitsworth  also  conducted  a  tannery  at  Elysburg  a  num- 
ber of  rears. 


One  of  the  earliest  schools  of  the  township  was  conducted  in  an  old  log 
building  that  stood  upon  the  site  of  St.  Jacob's  church.  The  first  teachers 
were  Charles  Stock  and  William  H.  Muench;  the  latter  taught  twenty-four 
years.  At  an  early  date  Obadiah  Campbell  built  a  log  school  house  on  land 
now  owned  by  Joseph  Ent.  He  also  gave  the  ground  for  the  first  school 
house  at  Elysburg,  and  re- enforced  this  generous  donation  with  a  liberal 
subscription;  the  building  occupied  the  site  of  the  present  school  house  in 
that  village,  and  William  Cimningham,  Rev.  Samuel  Henderson,  Joseph 
Campbell,  and  David  Anderson  were  among  the  first  teachers.  The  congre- 
gation of  St.  Peter's  church  erected  a  brick  school  house  at  an  early  date 
where  the  present  church  edifice  stands ;  Francis  P.  Schwartz  and  a  Mr.  Lat- 
timer  were  among  the  first  teachers. 

The  Elysburg  Academy  was  for  some  years  a  prominent  educational  fac- 
tor in  this  part  of  the  county.  A  two-story  brick  building  thirty  by  forty 
feet  in  dimensions  was  erected  in  1805  by  a  local  stock  company  at  a  cost  of 
thirty-foiu-  hvmdred  dollars.  William  Biddle,  Rev.  John  Adams,  and  H.  H. 
Bartholomew  were  the  first  principals.  Since  the  regular  sessions  of  the 
academy  have  been  discontinued,  different  persons  have  conducted  private 
schools  in  the  building  during  the  summer  months. 

CHUECHES. 

St.  Petefs  Church,  Lutheran  and  Reformed,  was  organized  more  than  a 
himdred  years  ago.  John  Pensyl  donated  an  acre  of  ground  for  church  and 
burial  purposes;  a  log  building  was  erected  thereon  as  a  place  of  worship 
and  a  brick  building  for  school  purposes.  The  latter  was  replaced  by  the 
present  church  edifice,  of  which  the  comer-stone  was  laid  on  the  5th  of  Sep- 


EALPHO    TOWNSHIP.  iV'i) 

tember,  1863.  It  is  a  brick  structure  fortj-  feet  wide  and  eighty  feet  long. 
John  Pensvl  and  Peter  Demmig  (Dimmick)  were  among  the  most  active  of  the 
earlv  members.  The  present  (1S90)  official  boards  are  constituted  as  follows: 
Lutheran — Adam  Dimmick  and  Henrj'  Hoffman,  elders,  George  Buffington 
and  Egbert  Adams,  deacons;  Keformed — Franklin  Erdman  and  David  Kase- 
man,  elders,  G.  F.  Herb  and  F.  P.  Martz,  deacons.  The  cemetery  adjoining 
the  church  is  tastefully  arranged  and  inclosed  with  a  neat  iron  fence. 

St.  Jacob's  Church,  Lutheran  and  Reformed,  was  incorporated  about  the 
year  1812;  among  the  corporators  were  Jacob  Reed,  Matthias  Kershner, 
Jacob  Fiy,  Andrew  Fry.  Andrew  Smith,  John  Smith,  Abram  Arter,  and  Solo- 
mon Krick.  Ground  for  a  church  edifice  was  donated  by  John  Jones,  and 
Casper  Reed  gave  the  land  for  the  cemetery.  The  first  church  Ijuilding.  a 
two-story  brick  structure,  was  dedicated  on  the  14th  of  August,  1816;  it  was 
two  years  in  course  of  erection,  as  the  corner-stone  was  laid  on  the  28th  of 
Auo-ust,  1814.  Jacob  Reed  was  the  largest  contributor  and  virtual  founder, 
and  his  services  are  still  recognized  in  the  popular  designation,  "Reed's 
church."  The  present  church  edifice  is  a  two-story  brick  structure  seventy 
feet  long  and  forty  feet  wide  with  tower  and  bell,  and  cost  seven  thousand 
dollars;  the  corner-stone  was  laid  on  the  1st  of  May,  1870,  and  the  dedica- 
tion occurred  on  the  20th  of  November  following.  Among  the  early  meml)ers 
of  these  congregations  were  Jacob  Reed,  Casper  Reed,  Christian  Bauschlog. 
Peter  Swank^  Jacob  Swank,  Henry  Swank,  Conrad  Yost,  William  H.  :Muench. 
Abram  Arter,  Solomon  Krick,  George  Krick,  John  Hirsh,  Jacob  SchoU.  John 
Vought,  Sr.,  John  Vought,  Jr.,  Daniel  Yought,  Sr.,  Daniel  Yought,  Jr..  Yal- 
entine  Yought,  E.  H.  Yought,  H.  H.  Knoerle,  Samuel  Haas,  and  John  Miller. 
The  following  is  a  list  of  pastors:  Lutheran— Reverends  J.  P.  Shindel,  J.  O. 
Adams,  J.  H.  Wampole,  Philip  WiUiard,  Mr.  Bricker,  and  S.  G.  Shannon, 
present  incumbent ;  Reformed— Reverends  John  W.  Ingold,  John  Dietrich 
Adams,  Martin  Bruner,  Mr.  Knoebel.  R.  A.  Fishor,  Mr.  Hoffman,  Mr.  Ritten- 
house,  Mr.  Hibsehman,  Mr.  Losch,  Mr.  Kelly,  Mr.  Reiter,  Mr.  Shoemaker,  Mr. 
Hiirtzel,  and  Mr.  Sando. 

Elijsburg  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  is  supposed  to  have  been  organized 
about  the  year  1791  by  Bishop  Asbury,  the  founder  of  this  denomination  in 
America.  The  place  of  worship  was  the  school  house  built  at  Elysburg  by 
Obadiah  Campbell  until  1850,  when  the  frame  building  now  owned  by  the 
INIasonic  Lodge  was  erected.  The  present  one-story  frame  church  edifice 
superseded  the  latter  in  1885.  The  following  is  a  list  of  pastors  since  1866: 
1866,  J.  Forrest,  J.  M.  Akers;  1867,  J.Forrest;  1868,  Henry  S.  Mendenhall, 
William  W.  Reese;  1869,  Henry  S.  Mendenhall,  A.  S.  Bowman;  18(0, 
Henry  S.  Mendenhall:  1871,  J.  F.  Bowman,  Theodore  Fans;  18(^2,  J.  F. 
Bowman:  187:1,  T.  O.  Clees;  1874,  T.  O.  Clees,  G.  Y.  Sa^-idge;  1875,  T.  O. 
Clees,  W.  B.  Smith;  1876,  John  Guss,  C.  J.  Biick;  1877,  John  Guss:  18  <8, 
John  Guss,  Jonathan  Guldin;  1879-81,  Gideon  H.  Day;  1882-88,  Timothy 


800  HISTORY    OF    NOBTHUMBERLAND    COUXTY. 

H.  Tubbs;  1SS4-86,  Henry  B.  Fortner;  18S7-S9,  Andrew  W.  Decker;  1890, 
William  A.  Lepley. 

0((k  Grove  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  was  organized  in  1834;  among 
the  early  members  were  Adam  Gilger,  Eobert  Taylor  and  wife,  John  Rep- 
ley,  Henry  Repley,  Joseph  Yoci;m  and  wife,  John  Fisher,  and  David  Snyder 
and  wife.  Meetings  were  held  for  some  years  at  the  house  of  John  Repley, 
and  subsequently  in  the  school  house.  The  present  church  building,  a  frame 
structure  thirty-eight  by  forty  feet,  was  dedicated  on  the  1st  of  January, 
181)3. 

The  Society  of  Friends  has  been  represented  in  Ralpho  township  since  its 
first  settlement,  but  no  local  meeting  was  organized  until  1S4I),  whea,  through 
the  efforts  of  Elida  and  Perry  John,  a  number  of  Friends  residing  in  this 
locality  and  formerly  connected  with  the  meetings  at  Catawissa  and  Roar- 
ing creek  were  separately  constituted.  A  school  house  and  subsequently 
Krickbaum's  mill  were  used  as  places  of  worship  until  the  present  brick 
meeting  house  was  erected. 

Elysburg  Presbyterian  Church  was  organized  in  1850  from  a  member- 
ship formerly  connected  with  the  old  Shamokin  church.  Prominent  among 
the  first  members  were  Obadiah  Campbell,  William  Kase.  Alexander  Moore, 
Samuel  Sober,  and  their  families.  They  built  a  brick  church  edifice  and 
worshiped  therein  until  1889,  when  the  present  brick  building  was 
erected  upon  the  same  site.  Reverends  Samuel  Henderrion,  John  Sellers, 
John  Hudson,  Mr.  Williamson,  David  Hull.  Mr.  Sturgis.  John  McElroy, 
John  Caldwell,  W.  R.  Mather,  Mr.  Finney,  and  F.  F.  Christine,  the  present 
incumbent,  have  successively  served  as  pastors. 


CHAPTER  XLI. 

GEARILA.RT  TOWNSHIP. 

EnF.fTION  AND  OlUlANIZATIOX — TltE  FoUNDI-Nf;,  GRdWTil,  AND  JErXICrPAL  GOVKHN- 
^tENT  OF  THE  BollOVail  OF  RiVEIlSIDE — SoUTII  DaNVILI.E — S(  Hulll.s — ClIfRClIES — 
C'E.METERV. 

ri'^HE  movement  that  has  recently  culminated  in  the  division  of  Rush 
I  township  had  its  origin  in  the  formation  of  Gearhart  independent 
school  district  some  years  ago;  subsequently  two  election  districts  were 
formed,  and,  at  December  sessions,  1889,  proceedings  were  instituted  for  the 
formation  of  two  separate  and  distinct  townships.  Ira  Shipman,  C.  D.  Ober- 
dorf ,  and  John   F.  Derr,  commissioners  appointed  by  the  court  to  take  the 


GEAEHART    TOWNSHIP.  801 

matter  under  advisement,  reported  favorably  to  a  division  by  the  line  of  the 
independent  school  district.  The  question  was  submitted  to  pojiular  vote  on 
the  3d  of  June,  1S90,  when  eighty-three  ballots  were  cast  in  favor  of  divis- 
ion and  fifty- one  against;  the  to^vnshiji  of  Gearhart  was  accordingly  erected, 
September  10,  1890,  by  decree  of  court. 

The  first  election  occurred  on  the  27th  of  September,  1S90,  resulting  in 
the  choice  of  the  following  township  officers:  constable,  Conrad  Fisher; 
justices  of  the  peace:  J.  Hudson  Kase.  Charles  Kase;  supervisors:  A.  M. 
Sechler.  W.  F.  Gearhart;  overseers  of  the  poor;  James  C.  Carr.  H.  H.  Yas- 
tine;  assessors:  Samuel  Gulick,  Samuel  Reader;  auditors:  F.  W.  Clayton, 
D.  R.  Eckman.  Daniel  P.  Crossley:  school  directors:  Thomas  Welliver.  J. 
X.  Bird.  M.  F.  Gulick,  Peter  Burger,  Daniel  P.  Crossley,  S.  K.  Hummer; 
judge  of  election.  B.  F.  Landau;  inspectors:  Thomas  A.  Adams,  O.  H.  Am- 
merman. 

BOROUGH    OF    RIVERSIDE. 

Riverside  is  pleasantly  sitiiatod  on  the  south  bank  of  the  North  Branch, 
directly  opjiosite  Danville.  Montour  comity.  The  site  was  originally  em- 
braced in  the  farm  of  Daniel  Cameron,  from  whom  it  passed  successively  to 
^Villiam  D.  Gearhart  and  William  Hancock:  from  the  latter  it  was  purchased 
l)y  Rev.  Irvin  H.  Torrence.  with  whom  the  project  of  laying  out  a  town  had 
its  inception.  In  thi^  consummation  of  this  project  Thomas  Beaver  and 
Benjamin  G.  Welch  were  associated  with  Mr.  Torrence:  subsequent  addi- 
tions have  lieeii  made  to  the  original  jihit.  and  thus  the  borough  embraces 
several  hundred  acres.  The  streets,  extending  north  and  south,  are  num- 
bered consecutively  from  First  to  Twelfth:  the  avenues  cross  the  streets  at 
right  angles,  and  are  distinguished  by  a  series  of  letters,  all  the  letters  in 
the  Alphabet  from  A  to  I  l>eing  used.  The  Sunbury  and  Danville  road, 
which  passes  through  the  plat,  has  bi-en  widened  under  the  name  of  Sun- 
bury  street. 

The  borough  is  situated  on  the  line  of  the  Sunbury.  Hazelton  and  Wilkes- 
barre  railroad,  and  is  connected  with  Danville  by  a  river  Ijridge;  its  popula- 
tion is  principally  employed  in  that  city,  of  which  it  is  virtually  a  suburb 
and  in  the  prosperity  of  which  it  has  largely  shared.  No  manufacturing  or 
business  interests  of  importance  have  developed:  it  is  essentially  a  place  of 
residence,  and  in  its  attractiveness  in  this  respect  has  doubtless  realized  the 
design  of  the  projectors. 

Municipal  Gocernnunif. — The  borough  of  Riverside  was  incorporated. 
May  4,  1871,  by  act  of  the  legislature:  until  the  first  election  for  borough 
officers  should  occur,  this  act  provided  that  Edward  Crompton  should  act  as 
burgess,  and  A.  Motzenbacher,  W.  Yeager.  Daniel  Leiby,  W.  A.  Miller.  Joel 
T.  Baily,  and  0.  H.  Ostrander  as  comicilmen.  Since  1S78  the  following  per- 
sons have  been  elected  to  the  office  of  burgess:    1S73,  C.  P.  Gearhart;   1S74, 


802  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLA.XD    COUNTY. 

K.  P.  Laird:  1875^76.  Joseph  L.  Shannon;  1877,  William  Minier ;  1S7S, 
Joseph  L.  Shannon:  1879.  Benjamin  G.  Welch;  1880-82,  C.  P.  Gearhart; 
1883,  E.  P.  Laird:  1884-85,  Joseph  L.  Shannon;  1886,  Caleb  F.  Persing; 
1887-91.  Joseph  L.  Shannon. 

SOUTH    DANVILLE. 

South  Danville  adjoins  Riverside  on  the  east,  and  is  located  at  the  south- 
ern terminus  of  the  Danville  bridge.  The  site  was  formerly  embraced  in 
the  farm  of  Harmon  Gearhart;  the  town  was  laid  out  by  William  F.  Gear- 
hart,  with  George  W.  West  as  surveyor.  Logan,  Montour,  Chestnut,  Factory, 
and  Mill  streets  extend  north  and  south,  intersected  by  Railroad,  W^all,  Dew- 
art,  Gearhart.  and  Sunbury  streets.  The  town  possesses  substantially  the 
same  character  and  prospects  as  Riverside;  owing  to  the  immediate  prox- 
imity of  Danville,  where  the  population  is  principally  employed,  no  local 
business  or  industries  of  any  magnitude  have  come  into  existence. 

SCHOOLS. 

The  Riverside  school  building,  a  brick  structure  forty  by  twenty-six  feet 
and  two  stories  high,  was  erected  in  1871  at  a  cost  of  four  thousand  seven 
hundred  forty-eight  dollars,  twenty-nine  cents;  the  first  term  was  opened  in 
the  autumn  of  that  year  with  Miss  Mamie  Wilkes  as  teacher.  The  first 
school  directors,  appointed  by  the  legislature  in  the  act  incorporating  the 
borough,  were  J.  W.  Scott,  William  Faux,  Daniel  Huber,  Benjamin  G.  Welch, 
C  P.  Gearhart.  and  0.  Longacre. 

CHURCHES. 

The  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of  South  Danville  has  existed  as  an 
organization  from  an  early  period  in  the  history  of  the  Methodi.st  denomina- 
tion in  central  Penn.sylvania.  Rev.  Francis  Asbury,  the  first  Methodist 
bishoj)  in  America,  makes  mention  in  his  journal  of  having  been  the  guest 
of  General  William  Montgomery  at  Danville,  whence  he  crossed  the  river 
and  preached  at  Judge  Jacob  Gearhart's;  the  Jiidge's  barn  was  the  place  of 
public  worship,  while  class  and  prayer  meetings  were  regularly  held  at  his 
house,  which  occupied  the  site  of  the  present  residence  of  Rev.  Irvin  H. 
Torrence.  The  preachers  of  the  Philadelphia,  Genesee,  and  Baltimore  Con- 
ferences successively  included  this  point  in  the  field  of  their  labors;  and  here 
the  first  Methodist  church  edifice  in  that  part  of  Northumberland  county  south 
of  the  North  Branch  was  erected  in  1829.  It  was  a  frame  building  one  story 
high,  and  was  sitiiated  within  the  inclosure  of  Mt.  Vernon  cemetery;  John 
Gearhart,  a  son  of  the  Judge,  supervised  the  work  of  construction,  and  Will- 
iam Gearhart  performed  the  mason-work.  This  structure  was  occupied  for  re- 
ligious purposes  until  1872,  when  a  brick  edifice  was  erected  at  Riverside: 
this  is  the  present  Episcopal  chapel,  which,  on  account  of  financial  embar- 


GEARHAET    TOWXSHIP.  803 

rassmeiit,  the  ilethoclists  were  imable  to  retain.  Their  present  phice  of  wor- 
ship is  a  substantial  brick  building. 

Eiverside  has  been  a  station  since  1ST8,  with  the  following  clergymen: 
1S73-74,  A.  S.  Bowman;  1S75-77,  J.  T.  Wilson;  1879,  J.  Max  Lantz;  ISSO, 
Benjamin  H.  Mosser;  1881-83,  Daniel  Hartman;  1884-85,  K  Herbert  Smith: 
1SSIJ-S7,  John  E.  Melroy;  1SSS-S9,  Gideon  H.  Day;  1890,  John  W.  Glover. 

Grace  Protestant  Episcopal  Chapel,  Riverside. — The  title  to  this  prop- 
erty is  vested  in  the  corporation  of  Christ  church,  Danville,  to  which  it  was 
presented  in  June.  1878,  by  Charles  Carr.  It  is  a  depeudency  of  that  par- 
ish, the  rector  of  which,  Rev.  William  E.  Mulford,  conducts  the  services. 

CEMETERY. 

Mt.  Vernon  Cemeterij,  the  last  resting  place  of  many  of  the  pioneers  and 
older  residents  of  the  township,  is  situated  on  the  main  road  from  Danville 
to  Snyderto^^TL  one  mile  from  Eiverside.  The  manner  in  which  this  ground 
was  set  apart  for  burial  jturposes  is  best  explained  by  the  following  extract 
from  the  will  of  Daniel  Cameron,  dated  September  2,  1>>33: — 

M'hereas,  I  hiive  exchanged  about  oue  and  one  fourth  acres  of  land,  on  which 
the  5[ethodi~t  meeting  house  near  Judge  Gearhart's  stands,  for  the  same  quantity  of 
land,  to  be  taken  oflE  of  Harmon  Gearhart's  farm  on  the  river  adjoining  mj-  farm;  now, 
I  hereby  authorize  my  executors  to  grant  and  couvej-  said  lot  of  land  on  which  said 
meeting  house  stands  in  trust  for  the  >[ethodist  society,  on  a  good  and  sufficient  deed 
clear  of  incumbrances  being  made  to  my  children  for  a  like  quantity  of  land  by  Har- 
mon fjfarUart,  situate  as  aforesaid. 

Harmon  Gearhart,  therefore,  was  the  real  donor,  although  the  ground 
was  taken  from  the  Cameron  farm.  The  title  is  now  vested  in  the  'Sit.  Ver- 
non Cemetery  Association,  which  was  incorporated  on  the  lOth  of  November. 
ls7(i. 


804  HISTOET    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 


CHAPTER  XLII. 

BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES. 
SUXBURY. 

Jacob  Awl,  the  original  progenitor  of  this  family  in  America,  was  bom 
in  the  North  of  Ireland,  Augiist  6,  1727,  and  died  in  Paxtang  to^vnship, 
Dauphin  county,  Pennsylvania,  September  20,  1798.  He  was  a  tanner  by 
occupation.  In  the  French  and  Indian  war  he  held  the  rank  of  ensign  and 
lieutenant  in  Colonel  John  Elder's  battalion  of  rangers,  and  was  active  in 
organizing  the  associators  of  Lancaster  county  at  the  outbreak  of  the  Eevo- 
lution.  Upon  the  formation  of  Dauphin  county  he  was  one  of  the  commis- 
sioners by  whom  its  boundaries  were  located,  and  when  Harrisburg  was 
laid  out  he  was  appointed  by  John  Harris  one  of  the  trustees  of  the  land 
reserved  for  public  uses.  In  1759  he  married  Sarah,  daughter  of  Jeremiah 
Sturgeon;  Samiiel  Awl,  the  fourth  son  and  seventh  child  of  this  union,  was 
born  at  Paxtang.  March  o,  1773.  In  early  manhood  he  was  engaged  in 
mercantile  pursuits  at  Harrisburg;  about  the  year  1800  he  removed  to 
AiTgusta  township,  Northumberland  county,  and  there  resided  until  his  death, 
January  1,  1842.  He  served  as  county  commissioner,  18()o-0S,  and  as 
county  auditor,  1834-37 ;  when  the  adoption  of  the  public  school  system  was 
tirst  voted  upon  in  Augusta  township,  his  was  one  of  eight  ballots  in  its 
favor;  he  was  an  active  Mason,  and  throughout  the  anti-Ma.sonic  agitation 
assisted  in  sustaining  Lodge  No.  22  at  Sunbury.  He  married  Mary,  daugh- 
ter of  Senator  William  Maclay;  she  was  born  at  Harris's  Ferry,  March  19. 
177(5,  and  died  in  Augusta  township,  August  13,  1823.  Their  children  were 
William  Maclay;  Mary  Harris;  Charles  Maclay;  Eleanor  Maclay;  Charles 
Samttel;  George  Washington;  Sarah  Irwin;  Hester  Hall;  Elizabeth  Jane, 
and  Eobert  Harris. 

William  Maclay  Awl  was  born  at  Harrisburg,  May  24,  1799,  and  reared 
in  Augusta  township,  Northumberland  county.  He  attended  the  University 
of  Pennsylvania,  graditated  from  Jefferson  Medical  College,  and  located  in 
the  practice  of  his  profession  at  Lancaster,  Ohio,  in  1825,  but  removed  to 
Somerset,  Ohio,  shortly  afterward,  and  thence  to  Columbus  in  1833.  He  was 
appointed  physician  to  the  State  penitentiary,  and  in  1835  suggested  the 
organization  of  the  State  Medical  Association.  In  1857  he  was  director  of 
the  State  lunatic  asylum,  of  which  he  was  superintendent  twelve  years,  re- 
signing in  1850.     He  was  the  first  to  propose  the  education  of  the  feeble- 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  805 

minded  to  the  Association  of  Medical  Siijierintendents  of  American  Institutions 
for  the  Insane  (of  which  he  was  vice-president  from  lS4(j  to  1S4S  and  presi 
dent  from  IS-iS  to  ISol),  and  from  this  suggestion  the  various  institutions 
for  this  purpose  throughout  the  world  have  ultimately  resulted.  He  was 
president  of  the  board  of  examiners  which  passed  upon  the  qualifications  of 
surgeons  for  the  Ohio  regiments  during  the  civil  war,  and  late  in  hfe  served 
as  physician  to  the  Ohio  institvte  for  the  blind,  which  he  had  been  largelv 
instrumental  in  foimding.  An  active  member  of  the  Pre.sbyterian  church, 
he  was  a  frequent  contributor  to  biblical  literature  and  prepared  a  chronologi- 
cal chart  showing  genealogy,  race,  and  age  of  Bible  characters  from  Adam  to 
Moses.  He  married  Kebecca  Loughery,  January  28,  1S30,  and  died  on  the 
I'Jth  of  November,  1870.  Mary  Harris  Awl  was  bom,  September  1,  ISO'i, 
married  William  C.  Gearhart,  of  Kush  to^vnship,  and  died.  November  29, 
187(\  Charles  Maclay  Awl,  born,  January  5.  1804,  died  in  infancy.  Eleanor 
Maclay  Awl,  born,  November  20.  1800,  married  Ezra  Grossman,  and  died, 
May  20,  1SS9.  Charles  Samuel  Awl,  born,  August  1,  ISOS,  married  Lucy 
Duncan;  he  resided  on  a  farm  near  Peoria,  Illinois,  where  he  was  justice  of 
the  peace  many  years,  and  died,  November  1,  1883.  George  Washington 
Awl,  born,  June  27,  1810,  died,  Sej^tember  4,  1829,  in  this  coimty.  Sarah 
Irwin  Awl,  born,  June  1,  1812,  married  George  C.  Welker,  and  resides  at 
Sunbury.  Hester  Hall  Awl,  born,  August  18,  1814,  married  William  Brindel, 
a  nephew  of  Governor  Eitner,  and  resides  at  Sunbury.  EUzabeth  Jane 
Awl,  born,  November  28.  1810,  married  Daniel  Eohrbach,  and  resides  at 
Selinsgrove. 

Robert  Harris  Awl,  M.  D..  was  born  in  Augusta  township.  Northumber- 
land county,  Pennsylvania,  December  27,  1819,  son  of  Samuel  and  Mary 
(Maclay)  Awl.  He  was  educated  at  the  common  schools,  read  medicine  with 
Dr.  J.  W.  Peal,  and  graduated  from  Pennsylvania  Medical  CoUege  in  1842. 
He  at  once  entered  upon  the  practice  of  his  profession,  and  was  located  at 
Gratztown  and  Halifax,  Daujihin  county,  Pennsylvania,  until  184^);  he  then 
removed  to  Cohunbus,  Ohio,  where  he  was  appointed  assistant  physician  to 
the  State  lunatic  asylum  and  remained  three  years.  Resigning  on  accoimt 
of  ill  health  he  returned  to  Sunbury  in  1849,  and  here  he  has  since  resided 
in  the  steady  enjoyment  of  a  lucrative  practice.  Between  185o  and  188S,  in- 
clusive, he  was  fourteen  years  the  regular  physician  to  the  Northumberland 
county  prison.  Eight  physicians  began  the  study  of  medicine  with  him  as 
their  preceptor,  viz.:  Dr.  John  J.  Miller,  who  died  at  Magringo.  Iowa;  Dr. 
Ebenezer  Russ,  of  St.  Mary's,  Pennsylvania;  Dr.  F.  L.  Haupt.  of  Sunbttry; 
Dr.  Isaiah  Folk,  who  died  in  Upper  Augusta;  Dr.  A.  C.  Clark,  of  Sunbury; 
Dr.  H.  H.  Malick,  who  died  in  Upper  Mahanoy;  and  Doctors  F.  B.  Masser 
and  D.  E.  Lenker,  of  Sunbury.  Doctor  Awl  was  surgeon  to  the  Sixteenth 
Pennsylvania  militia  in  1843;  in  1S45  he  was  the  Democratic  candidate  for 
the  legislature  in  Dauphin  county;  in  1804  he  was  elected  treasm-erof  North- 


806  HISTORY    OF   XOETHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

umberland  county,  and  served  one  term;  at  a  later  date  he  was  president  of 
the  Northumberland  County  Agricultural  Society,  and  in  1885  he  was  a  mem- 
ber of  the  commission  by  which  the  limits  of  the  present  wards  of  Sunbury 
borough  were  defined.  Politically  he  has  been  a  life-long  Democrat,  and 
rendered  valuable  services  to  the  party  in  connection  with  the  founding  of 
the  Northumberland  County  Democrat.  For  John  F.  Meginness's  various 
publications  Doctor  Awl  has  furnished  monograms  of  high  merit  on  "North- 
umberland County  Prisons,"  "The  old  Cannon,"  "The  First  Duel  in  North- 
umberland County,"  and  "  The  Brady  Family,"  while  the  numerous  acknowl- 
edgments to  his  assistance  in  the  preparation  of  this  work  furnish  ample 
evidence  of  his  interest  in  other  matters  pertaining  to  local  history.  The 
Doctor  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity  and  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
church.  He  was  first  married.  March  9,  1848,  to  Eliza  Bower,  of  Dauphin 
county,  who  died,  July  28,  lS4'x  On  the  21st  of  November,  1849.  he  mar- 
ried Rebecca  A.,  daughter  of  Peter  and  Rachel  (Miller)  Pursel,  of  Sunbury; 
the  children  born  to  this  union  are  William  Maclay;  Ellen  E.,  and  Mary  P., 
Mrs.  Edward  Young,  of  Renovo.  Pennsylvania.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Young  are  the 
parents  of  two  children,  John  Packer  and  Robert  Harris. 

Henry  B.  Massee,  retired  publisher,  was  born  at  Sunbury,  August  17, 
1809,  son  of  Henrj'  and  Man."  (Baldy)  Masser,  natives  of  Berks  county,  Penn- 
sylvania, and  Sunbuiy,  respectiv^'ly.  He  was  to  a  large  extent  self-educated; 
leaving  school  at  the  age  of  founeen  to  take  charge  of  his  father's  store,  he 
piirsued  the  study  of  the  classics  under  Charles  G.  Donnel  and  Rev.  William 
R.  Smith  as  private  instructors,  and  thus  acquired  an  acadamic  education. 
After  reading  law  the  prescribed  period  under  Alexander  Jordan,  he  was  ad- 
mitted to  the  bar  of  Northumberland  county  on  the  5th  of  November,  1838, 
at  the  same  time  as  James  Pollock.  Charles  W.  Hegins,  and  Samuel  P.  John- 
son. The  three  last  mentioned  all  became  president  judges  in  Pennsylvania 
— Pollock  in  Northumberland  county,  Hegins  in  Schuykill,  and  Johnson  in 
Warren,  while  Pollock  was  also  Governor  of  the  State,  and  it  is  doitl^tful 
whether  four  men  of  equal  abihty  and  subsequent  prominence  were  ever  kd- 
mitted  to  the  local  bar  at  the  same  time  on  any  other  occasion.  In  1889  Mr. 
Masser  was  appointed  deputy  attorney  general  for  Northumberland  county; 
how  faithfully  and  efficiently  he  performed  his  official  duties  is  attested  by 
the  fact  that  during  the  six  years  of  his  incumbency  he  never  had  an  indict- 
ment quashed. 

Although  thus  established  in  the  practice  of  the  law,  Mr.  Masser's  na- 
tural talent  as  a  writer  early  fotmd  expression  in  contributions  to  the  local 
papers  and  eventually  led  him  to  devote  the  best  activities  of  his  life  to  the 
work  of  journalism.  The  history  of  the  Sunbury  American,  founded  by  him 
in  1840,  is  fully  detailed  in  this  work  in  the  chapter  on  the  Press;  as  the  re- 
sponsible editor  of  this  paper  during  a  period  of  twenty-nine  years  his  name 
will  always  occpuy  a  prominent  place  in  the  annals  of  local  journalism.     Mr. 


BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES.  807 

Masser  was  recognized  as  a  trenchant  and  forcible  writer,  and  a  sagacious 
observer  of  the  jiolitical  and  social  movements  of  the  day.  The  paper  had 
an  extensive  circulation  throughout  this  section  of  the  State,  while  its  edito- 
rial utterance-  were  widely  copied  and  generally  regarded  as  the  expression 
of  conservative  and  unbiased  opinion.  ¥nder  his  management  the  A.mericaii 
was  particularly  earnest  in  its  advocacy  of  measures  designed  to  promote  the 
internal  development  of  the  State,  and  rendered  effective  service  in  fostering 
the  growth  of  public  sentiment  favorable  to  a  protective  tariff.  In  politics 
it  was  Democratic,  but  supported  James  Pollock  for  Congress  in  opposition 
to  William  A.  Petrikin,  the  party  candidate,  on  the  tariff  issue;  its  influence 
was  shown  by  the  fact  that  this  county,  strongly  Democratic  under  ordinary 
conditions,  gave  Pollock  a  majority  of  several  hundred.  An  equally  notice- 
able demonstration  of  its  influence  occurred  in  the  contest  of  Richard  Coul- 
ter (Whig)  and  James  Camjjbell  (Democrat)  for  the  Supreme  bench;  the 
American  declined  to  sitpport  Campbell  on  the  ground  of  unfitness  for  the 
position,  and  his  comjietitor  received  a  majority  of  six  hundred  in  Northum- 
berland coimty.  Early  in  Buchanan's  administration  it  became  identified 
with  the  "free  soil"  movement  in  the  Democratic  party;  its  support  was 
transferred  to  President  Lincoln  shortly  after  his  election  in  1S60,  and  from 
that  time  it  has  been  a  stanch  Republican  paper.  Mr.  Masser  retired  from 
its  active  editorship  in  ISOU.  but  has  not  ceased  to  manifest  a  warm  interest 
in  educational  and  literary  matters. 

In  1S42  3fr.  Masser  married  Diana  M.  Engle,  of  Sunbury,  who  died  on 
the  7th  of  May,  IsG'i.  Two  children  were  born  to  this  itnion:  Henry,  who 
was  born  February-  1,  IS43,  and  died,  September  17,  1S48;  and  Mary.  Mr. 
Masser  has  served  for  some  years  as  a  member  of  the  vestry  of  St.  Matthew's 
Protestant  Episcopal  church,  Sitnbury. 

Hugh  Bellas,  deceased,  was  descended  in  the  third  generation  from 
Hugh  Bellas,  of  Liswatly,  Ireland,  who  married  a  Miss  Hunter  about  174(1; 
they  had  issue  as  follows:  George;  James;  Hugh;  Thomas,  and  a  daughter 
who  married  a  Mr.  Sloan  and  immigrated  to  America  prior  to  the  close  of 
the  last  centur*-.  George  Bellas  was  born  at  Liswatly  about  1750,  immi- 
grated to  America,  and  settled  in  Fishing  Creek  to^vnship,  Northumberland 
county,  Pennsylvania;  he  married  a  Miss  Boyce  and  they  had  issue  as  fol- 
lows: Hugh:  Agnes;  Sarah;  Samuel;  George;  John;  James;  Thomas,  and 
Elizabeth.  James  Bellas  was  born  in  1752,  settled  at  Ballyarton,  and  died 
in  April,  1842 :  he  married  Sarah  Huey  and  they  had  issue  as  follows :  Jane, 
who  was  born  in  1796  and  died  in  1819;  Hugh,  who  was  born  in  1798  and 
died  in  1SG8:  James,  who  was  born  in  1800  and  died  in  1828;  Rev.  George, 
who  was  bom  in  1802  and  died  in  1885;  Stewart,  who  was  born  in  1804  and 
died  in  1815:  Sarah,  who  was  born  in  1805;  Thomas  H.,  who  was  born  in 
1807  and  died  in  1883,  and  William,  who  was  born  in  1809  and  died  in 
1817.     Huo-h  Bellas  was  born  about  1755,  and  died  at  Liswatly  in  1825;  he 


808  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

married  a  Miss  King  and  they  had  issue  as  follows:  Mrs.  Mary  Ann  "War- 
den; Mrs.  Jane  Caskev;  Mrs.  Sarah  Williamson:  Thomas,  who  located  at 
Philadelphia;  Rev.  Joseph,  who  died  in  1872;  Hugh,  who  located  at  Port 
Stewart,  married  a  Miss  Elder,  and  died  in  ISS-j;  James,  who  located  at 
Philadelphia;  Samuel,  who  died  at  Liswatly  in  1882,  and  Elizabeth,  who 
died  at  Port  Stewart  in  187G.  Thomas  Bellas  was  born  between  175-3  and 
1760,  immigrated  to  America,  returned  in  bad  health,  and  died  at  Liswatly 
before  the  close  of  the  last  century. 

Hugh  Bellas,  deceased,  attorney  at  law,  was  born  near  Belfast,  Ireland. 
April  2(5,  17Nn,  son  of  George  Bellas.  He  began  the  practice  of  law  in 
Sunbury  in  18n;5  and  resided  at  that  place  until  his  death,  October  26,  1S()3. 
He  married  Esther  Anthony  and  they  had  three  children:  Eliza  P. ;  Ann 
Caroline,  and  Amelia  S. 

Eliza  P.  Bellas  married  Charles  Pleasants,  resided  at  Sunbury,  and  had 
the  following  children :  Israel,  an  officer  in  the  United  States  Army,  who 
was  killed  at  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness  in  1868;  Eliza  F.  Pleasants,  who 
married  W.  K.  Linewe!<ver  and  had  the  following  children:  Charles  P.  i 
James,  and  Florence. 

Ann  Caroline  Bellas  married  Aristide  Kodrigue  and  had  the  following 
children:  Andrew  J. ;  Esther  Aline,  who  married  J.  K.  Gilbert;  Hugh  B., 
who  married  Elizabeth  Dougherty;  Ann  Caroline,  deceased;  Aristide,  de- 
ceased; Clara  V.,  who  married  James  A.  Ruthven,  and  William,  deceased: 
Henrietta,  deceased;  and  Florence  V.,  who  married  Fitz-Gerald  Tisdall. 

Amelia  S.  Bellas  married  James  Brisbin  and  had  the  following  children: 
Esther,  who  married  Franklin  B.  Gowen  and  has  one  child,  Esther  B. 
Gowen ;  Hugh  B. ;  Horace,  and  William  M. 

A  sketch  of  the  personal  career  of  Hugh  Bellas  apj)ears  in  this  work  in 
the  chapter  on  the  Bench  and  Bar. 

Ebenezer  and  Abig.\il  (Israel)  Greenough  were  natives,  respectively,  of 
Massachusetts  and  Delaware.  The  former  was  l)orn,  December  11,  1788, 
and  died,  December  25,  18-17;  the  latter  was  born,  December  12,  1791,  and 
died  in  1868.  Mr.  Greenough  graduated  from  Harvard  University  in  LS()4, 
and  came  soon  afterward  to  Pennsylvania;  immediately  upon  his  arrival  at 
Wilkesbarre  he  accepted  the  principalship  of  the  academy  at  that  place,  and 
during  his  connection  with  this  institution  began  the  study  of  law.  He 
removed  to  Sunbury  in  the  latter  part  of  1806,  completed  his  professional 
preparation,  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  January,  1808.  He  was  a  man 
of  large  educational  attainments,  a  strong  Federalist  in  polities,  and  a 
brilliant  lawj'er.  A  contemporary  of  Samuel  J.  Packer,  the  two  were  warm 
friends  and  worked  much  together  in  matters  of  great  public  interest. 
Mr.  Greenough  was  one  term  in  the  legislature,  where  he  was  conspicu- 
ous in  the  advocacy  of  internal  improvement  and  in  the  shaping  of  manu- 
facturing and  corporation  laws.     He  was  the  author  of  the  Lateral  Railroad 


BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES.  S09 

law,  although  this  was  prolialjly  written  after  he  left  the  legislature,  ami 
while  he  was  not  again  in  otfiee  his  interest  in  public  affairs  continued  to 
wield  a  wide  and  potent  influence.  He  reared  one  son  and  live  daughters, 
and  left  to  them  at  his  death  what  was  then  considered  a  handsome  compe- 
tency. 

William  I.  Greexough,  attorney  and  counselor  at  law,  was  born  at  Sun- 
bury.  Xorthumberland  county,  Pennsylvania,  May  27,  1821.  He  prepared 
for  college  at  the  academies  of  Sunbuiy,  Wilkesbarre,  and  Danville,  and  in 
1839  graduated  from  Princeton.  Having  decided  upon  the  law  as  his  pro- 
fession, he  devoted  three  years  to  its  study  with  his  distinguished  father  as 
preceptor,  and  in  1S42  was  admitted  to  the  bar.  In  anfe  bellinn  days  a 
Whig,  he  drifted  naturally  into  the  Republican  party  upon  its  organization, 
and  has  since  been  consistently  loyal  to  its  principles,  though  at  no  time 
an  aspirant  to  official  preferment.  In  fact,  his  life  has  been  devoted  to  the 
law,  in  which  his  wisdom  as  coimselor  is  unquestioned.  At  Danville.  Penn- 
sylvania, September  21,  1852,  Mr.  Greenough  was  married  to  Mar}-  C. 
daughter  of  Peter  Baldy,  and  has  one  son:  Ebenezer.  a  graduate  of  Prince- 
ton and  a  hn^yer  by  profession. 

S.^lMuel  J.  Packek,  deceased,  was  born  in  Howard  township,  CVntre 
coimty,  Pennsylvania,  March  28,  17UU,  son  of  Amos  and  Elizabeth  |. Jones) 
Packer.  The  ancestry  of  the  family  is  traced  to  Philip  Packer,  a  native  of 
England,  who  immigrated  to  Xew  Jersey  and  located  near  Princeton.  He 
married  Rebecca  Jones,  a  native  of  Philadelphia;  their  eldest  son,  Philip 
Packer,  2d,  settled  in  the  forks  of  Cooper's  creek,  opposite  Kensington, 
Philadelphia,  but  afterward  removed  to  the  vicinity  of  Yellow  Springs, 
Chester  county,  Pennsylvania.  He  married  Ann  Coates,  a  native  of  Ireland: 
their  eldest  son,  James  Packer,  was  born  near  Princeton,  New  Jersey,  on  the 
•  4th  of  2d  month,  172"),  removed  to  Howard  township,  Centre  county,  aliout 
1794,  and  died  there,  January  10.  ISO."..  On  the  1st  of  January,  17.32.  at 
East  Cain  meeting  house,  Chester  county,  he  married  Rose  Mendenhall, 
who  died  in  Bald  Eagle,  Clinton  county,  in  June,  1824,  at  the  age  of  ninety- 
one.  Amos  Packer,  fifth  child  of  James  and  Rose  (Mendenhall I  Packer, 
was  born  in  Chester  county,  January  30.  17-39,  and  married  Elizaljeth. 
daughter  of  Joseph  and  Lydia  Jones.  Samuel  J.  Packer,  seventh  child  of 
Amos  and  Elizabeth  (Jones)  Packer,  was  reared  in  his  native  township,  edu- 
cated under  the  tuition  of  his  father,  and  apprenticed  to  the  printing  trade 
at  Bellefonte.  He  established  the  Inquirer  at  Sunbury  in  1820.  studied 
law  under  Hirgh  Bellas,  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  of  Northumberland 
county  in  1823.  A  sketch  of  his  professional  and  public  career  appears  in 
this  work  in  the  chapter  on  the  Bench  and  Bar.  He  married  Rachel,  daugh- 
ter of  James  and  Catherine  (Cochran)  Black,  and  to  this  union  were  bjrn 
five  children:  John  B.;  Ehza  J.,  deceased;  Jane  B.,  decea.sed;  Samuel  J., 
and  Mary  C,  deceased,  who  intermarried  with  the  Rev.  F.  B.  Riddle. 


SIO  HISTORY    OF    NORTHCilBERLAND    COUNTY. 

John  B.  Packer,  attorney  at  law,  was  born  at  Sunbury,  Pennsylvania, 
March  21,  1S24,  son  of  Samuel  J.  and  Rachel  (Black)  Packer.  He  received 
an  academic  education,  studied  law  under  Ebenezer  Greeuough,  and  was 
admitted  to  the  bar  of  Northumberland  county,  August  6,  1844.  Prior  to 
the  organization  of  the  Republican  party  he  was  a  tariff  Democrat,  and  as 
such  was  elected  to  the  Pennsylvania  legislature  from  his  native  county  in 
1S49  and  1850.  He  was  elected  to  Congress  in  180S  from  the  Fourteenth 
Pennsylvania  district,  served  four  consecutive  terms,  and  declined  a  fifth 
after  receiving  the  nomination.  More  complete  details  regarding  his  profes- 
sional and  pohtical  career  are  given  in  the  chapter  on  the  Bench  and  Bar  in 
this  work.  While  a  member  of  the  State  legislature  "he  secured  the  incor- 
poration of  the  Susquehanna  Railroad  Company,  afterward  merged  into  the 
Northern  Central,  of  which  he  was  one  of  the  organizers  and  for  many  years 
a  director.  He  has  served  as  counsel  for  that  corporation  since  its  formation, 
and  has  also  represented  the  Pennsylvania  Railroad  Company  in  a  similar 
capacity  in  this  part  of  the  State.  In  iSoo  he  became  identified  with  the 
Bank  of  Northumberland,  of  which  he  was  president  from  1857  until  it  was 
merged  into  the  First  National  Bank  of  Simbury  in  1804;  of  the  latter  insti- 
tution he  has  been  president  since  its  organization,  and  is  also  connected  with 
banking  houses  at  Selinsgrove  and  Lewisburg,  Pennsylvania.  Mr.  Packer 
was  married  on  the  22d  of  May,  1S51.  to  Mary  M.,  daughter  of  the  late  Will- 
iam Cameron,  of  Lewisburg.  and  they  are  the  parents  of  five  children:  Will- 
iam C,  who  was  born  on  the  1st  of  May.  1852,  became  a  brilliant  member  of 
the  bar,  and  died  on  the  4th  of  Jime.  1S80;  Rachel,  wife  of  F.  K.  Hill,  of 
Sunbury;  James  C,  attorney  at  law,  Sunbury;  Mary,  and  Nellie  C. 

Samuel  J.  Packer,  cashier  of  the  First  National  Bank  of  Sunbury,  was 
born  at  that  lx)rough  on  the  10th  of  June.  1831,  son  of  Samuel  J.  and  Rachel 
(Black)  Packer.  He  was  educated  at  the  public  schools  and  academy  of  his 
native  town,  read  law  with  his  brother,  John  B.  Packer,  and  was  admitted  to 
the  bar  of  Northumberland  county  on  the  4th  of  April,  1800.  He  at  once 
entered  upon  and  continued  in  the  active  practice  of  his  profession  until  his 
election  as  cashier  of  the  Bank  of  Northumberland,  November  19,  1803.  He 
has  served  in  that  capacity  in  the  Bank  of  Northumberland  and  in  the  First 
National  Bank  of  Sunburv-  to  the  present  time.  Of  his  aVjility  as  a  financier 
the  uniform  prosperity  of  the  institution  with  which  he  is  so  responsibly  con- 
nected is  sufficient  evidence.     Mr.  Packer  is  a  Republican  in  politics. 

William  Cameron  Packer,  deceased,  was  born  at  Sunbury,  May  1,  1852, 
eldest  son  of  John  B.  and  Mary  (Cameron)  Packer.  He  was  reared  in  his 
native  town,  and  after  leaving  the  local  schools  attended  the  Wilkesbarre 
Academy  and  Bloomsburg  State  Normal  School,  graduating  from  the  latter 
institution  in  1871.  He  pursued  the  study  of  the  law  under  his  father,  and 
was  admitted  to  the  bar  of  Northumberland  county  on  the  5th  of  November, 
1872,  after  which  he  at  once  entered  upon  the  practice  of  his  profession  at 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  813 

Sunbury.  Several  years  later  he  was  appointed  solicitor  for  the  Pennsyl- 
vania Railroad  Company  in  Northumberland  county,  discharging  the  duties 
of  this  responsible  position  with  ability  and  credit  imtil  his  death.  He  also 
acqiiired  a  very  considerable  general  practice,  and  ranked  with  the  ablest 
among  the  younger  members  of  the  local  bar.  He  laid  out  the  Cameron  addi- 
tion to  Shamokin,  served  as  director  in  the  First  National  Bank  of  Sunbury, 
and  was  also  connected  with  other  business  enterprises.  In  politics  he  was 
a  Republican;  in  1875  he  was  elected  a  member  of  the  borough  coimcil,  in 
1876-78,  assistant  burgess,  in  1879-80,  second  burgess,  and  in  1881-83,  chief 
burgess.  During  his  incumbency  in  the  latter  office  and  largely  through  his 
instrumentality  the  river  embankment  was  constructed  for  the  protection  of 
the  town  against  floods,  the  borough  debt  was  materially  reduced  and  the 
remainder  refunded  at  a  lower  rate  of  interest,  resulting  in  a  large  annual 
saving  to  the  tax-payers  of  the  town.  In  1875  Mr.  Packer  married  Jennie 
H.,  daughter  of  Dr.  Henry  C.  and  Harriet  (Boob)  Houtz,  of  Alexandria, 
Pennsylvania;  she  was  born  on  the  9th  of  December,  1852,  and  died,  April 
1,  18S2.  In  1884  he  married  her  sister,  Laura  A.  Houtz,  who,  with  the  chil- 
dren by  his  first  marriage,  Mary  C,  John  B.,  and  William  C,  survives  him 
and  resides  at  Sunbiiry.  He  died  on  the  4th  of  June,  1886,  at  the  age  of 
thirty-four  and  in  the  fidl  \-igor  of  early  manhood.  "Running  through  his 
life,"  wrote  one  who  knew  him  well,  '"was  a  vein  of  generosity  that  formed 
one  of  his  prominent  characteristics.  The  poor,  into  whose  homes  his  bounte- 
ous hand  carried  comfort  and  assistance,  are  among  those  who  will  miss  him 
most  in  the  days  to  come.  His  friends  are  numbered  by  thousands,  includ- 
ing all  classes  of  society.  To  know  him  was  to  love  him,  and  few  there  are 
who  have  had  that  pleasure  that  do  not  recall  some  kindly  deed  performed 
or  some  cheering  word  uttered  in  the  hour  of  adversity.  To  the  sick  and 
afflicted  he  is  endeared  by  ties  which  even  death  can  not  sever,  for  his  good- 
ness supplied  many  delicacies  and  attentions  otherwise  beyond  their  reach. 
In  all  the  relations  of  life  he  was  the  same — honorable,  upright,  manly,  and 
charitable." 

David  Rockefellee,  deceased,  was  born  on  the  6th  of  September,  1802, 
son  of  William  and  Drusilla  (Vankirk)  Rockefeller  and  grandson  of  Godfrey 
Rockefeller.  The  latter  was  born  in  New  Jersey  in  1747;  in  1789  he  settled 
at  the  present  site  of  Snydertown,  Northumberland  county,  and  there  resided 
until  his  death.  He  married  Margaret  Lewis,  and  they  were  the  parents  of 
eleven  children.  William,  the  fifth  in  order  of  birth,  was  a  farmer  by  occu- 
pation and  died  in  Rush  township,  where  David,  his  son  and  the  subject  of 
this  sketch,  was  bom  and  reared.  After  reaching  manhood  he  first  engaged 
in  merchandising  at  Sunbury.  He  then  learned  siirveying  imder  his  uncle, 
Jacob  Rockefeller,  and  was  actively  engaged  in  the  duties  of  that  profession 
from  the  year  1826  until  within  a  week  of  his  death,  which  occurred  at  Sun- 
bury on  the  22d  of  August,  1876.       Throughout  northern  and  central  Penn- 


814  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

sylvania  he  enjoyed  a  reputation  for  exceptional  accuracy,  and  was  frequently 
called  tipon  to  make  surveys  in  cases  of  disputed  land  titles.  His  memory 
was  remarkable.  Years  after  making  a  survey  he  could,  without  reference 
to  his  notes,  give  the  courses  and  distances  of  lines  that  he  had  run,  with  per- 
fect accuracy  and  without  apparent  effort.  He  was  coimty  surveyor  a  large 
part  of  his  professional  career,  either  by  appointment  of  the  surveyor  general 
or  election  to  that  office.  He  also  served  as  deputy  sheriff  more  than  a  score 
of  years;  on  the  25th  of  June,  1849,  he  was  commissioned  as  register  ftnd 
recorder,  and  tilled  that  ofitice  until  the  ensuing  election.  He  married  Cath- 
erine, daughter  of  Philij^  and  Susanna  (Carter)  Mettler.  natives  of  Xew 
Jersey  and  pioneers  of  Rush  township;  she  died  on  the  7th  of  September, 
1889,  at  the  age  of  seventy-nine.  They  were  the  parents  of  iive  sons,  two 
of  whom,  William  M.  and  A.  Jordan,  grew  to  maturity.  A.  Jordan  Rocke- 
feller was  a  law^'er  by  profession,  and  died  at  Sunbury  in  ISOl'  at  the  age 
of  twenty-six. 

William  M.  Rockefellee,  president  judge  of  the  Eighth  Pennsylvania 
judicial  district,  was  born  at  Simbury,  August  18,  1830,  son  of  David  and 
Catherine  (Mettler)  Rockefeller.  He  was  educated  at  the  Sunbury  Academy, 
stiidied  law  under  John  B.  Packer  and  the  late  Judge  Jordan,  and  was  ad- 
mitted to  the  bar  of  Northumberland  county  on  the  Gth  of  August,  1850. 
After  one  year  of  practice  at  Minersville,  Schuylkill  coimty.  Pennsylvania,  he 
located  at  Sunbury,  and  was  actively  engaged  in  professional  work  until  his 
elevation  to  the  bench  in  1871.  Having  been  re-elected  in  l^^Sl,  he  is  now 
approaching  the  end  of  his  second  term.  In  1855  he  was  elected  chief  bur- 
gess of  Sunbury.  In  1853,  associated  with  Judge  Jordan  and  M.  L.  Shindel, 
he  revised  and  edited  the  second  edition  of  the  American  Pleader's  Assistant, 
a  young  lawyer's  guide  to  pleading  and  forms  that  has  found  a  place  in 
many  libraries.  The  Judge  was  a  Democrat  before  the  civil  war,  at  the 
outbreak  of  which  he  became  a  Republican  and  has  since  been  attached  to 
that  party.  On  the  11th  of  AugiTst,  1857,  he  married  Emily,  daughter  of 
Thomas  and  Maria  (Housel)  Jones,  of  Lewisburg,  Pennsylvania,  and  they 
are  the  parents  of  three  children:  Mary;  Charles  W.,  attorney  at  law,  and 
Flora,  Mrs.  Ward  Rice,  of  Pueblo,  Colorado.  The  family  are  all  members  of 
the  Presbyterian  church  of  Sunbury,  of  which  the  Judge  has  been  a  trustee 
over  thirty  years  and  chairman  of  the  board  of  trustees  since  1870.  In  1887, 
in  company  with  Mrs.  Rockefeller  and  Mr.  and  Mrs.  John  B.  Packer,  the 
Judge  visited  the  principal  cities  and  localities  of  interest  in  the  western 
States  and  Territories,  and  in  the  following  year,  accompanied  by  his  son 
Charles  W.,  he  made  an  extended  tour  through  the  British  Isles,  France, 
Germany,  Holland,  Belgixmi,  and  Italy. 

Iea  T.  Clement,  president  of  the  Sunbury  Steam  Fenn.-  and  Tow  Boat 
Company  and  an  extensive  manufacturer  of  lumber,  is  a  native  of  New 
Jersey  and  was  born  on  the  11th   of   January,    1813.      His  father,  Joseph 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  815 

Clement,  a  Kevolutionary  soldier,  reared  two  sons  and  one  daucjliter.  After 
his  death  his  widow  married  a  Mr.  Smith,  who  removed  to  Ohio  and  died 
there;  she  then  returned  to  Sunbui-y,  and  here  spent  the  remainder  of  her 
life.  Ira  T.  Clement  learned  the  carpenter  trade  at  Snnbury,  and  pursued 
that  occupation  a  short  time;  he  then  embarked  in  merchandising  and  was  in 
business  thirty  years,  and  has  now  been  engaged  in  the  lumber  inditstrv 
nearly  forty  years.  In  the  manufacture  of  lumber,  furniture,  and  coffins  he 
employs  about  one  hundred  twenty-five  men,  and  gives  to  all  his  various  in- 
terests his  personal  supervision.  Some  years  since  he  was  stricken  with 
rheumatism,  which  finally  destroyed  his  power  of  locomotion;  notwithstand- 
ing his  condition  he  aljates  not  in  his  energv',  nor  misses  a  day  from  a  per- 
sonal survey  of  his  important  industries.  His  line  of  steamboats  plying  reg- 
ularly between  Sunl)iiry,  Xorthumberland.  and  Shamokin  Dam  affords  con- 
venient and  pleasant  transportation  between  those  points.  In  politics  Mr. 
Clement  was  once  a  Whig,  then  a  Keirablican,  and  is  now  a  Democrat.  He 
married  Sarah  Martz,  of  Sunbtiry,  who  died  in  1872;  twelve  children  were 
born  to  them,  four  of  whom  are  now  hving :  Henry ;  Louisa,  Mrs.  H.  E.  Moore ; 
Frances,  widow  of  David  C.  Dissinger:  and  Laura,  Mrs.  D.  James.  Mr. 
Clement  and  family  are  members  of  the  Reformed  church. 

John  Haas,  ex-president  of  the  Simbury  Xail,  Bar,  and  Guide  Iron  Man- 
ufacturing Company,  was  born  at  Elysburg.  Northumberland  county,  Penn- 
sylvania, Jime  22,  1822.  His  parents,  Daniel  and  Eve  (Keed)  Haas,  were 
also  natives  of  this  coitnty,  and  in  IS-IJ;  removed  to  Newtown,  Fountain 
county,  Indiana,  where  they  died.  To  them  were  born  seven  sons  and  fottr 
daughters,  of  whom  eight  are  living:  David,  Jacob,  Daniel,  and  "William, 
who  reside  in  the  State  of  Intliana;  John  and  Jonas,  who  live  in  this  county; 
Julia  A.,  who  married  Nicholas  Y.  Fisher  and  lives  in  Indiana,  and  Slaria 
A.,  widow  of  Charles  Leisenring,  who  residn-s  at  Bloomsburg,  Pennsylvania. 
The  parents  became  early  identified  with  the  Lutheran  church,  but  after 
removing  to  Indiana  joined  the  Methodi.st  organization  because  of  there 
being  no  Lutheran  church  in  the  town  where  they  located. 

John  Haas  received  his  edtication  in  a  log  cabin  school  house  and  among 
his  early  teachers  were  Albe  C.  Barrett.  Jehu  John,  and  William  H. 
Muench.  He  worked  on  a  farm  until  the  age  of  eighteen  years,  when  his 
father  apprenticed  him  to  learn  the  trade  of  fuller  and  carder  with  David 
Martz,  at  his  mill  located  on  a  small  stream  near  the  present  site  of  Paxinos. 
He  soon  became  dissatisfied,  believing  that  such  a  trade  would  be  an  unprofit- 
able one.  and  consequently  quit.  His  father  again  sought  a  trade  for  him, 
this  time  putting  him  at  the  blacksmith  shop  of  Daniel  Roads,  where  he  re- 
mained one  winter,  and  then  withdrew  with  the  same  belief  that  this,  too, 
would  be  a  poor  vocation.  His  father  then  told  him  that  he  must  look  out 
for  himself,  and  soon  after  the  yotmg  son  began  clerking  for  his  cousin, 
Jonas  Haas,  a  merchant  at  Lineville.  Lehigh  cotmtv,  Pennsvlvania,  receiv- 


816  HISTORY    OF    NORTHOMBEKLAND    COUNTY. 

ingthe  small  sum  of  five  dollars  per  month  for  his  services.  At  the  end  of  one 
year  he  came  home,  and  within  a  short  time  took  employment  on  the  repair 
of  a  railroad  at  Pottsville,  remaining  thus  engaged  for  one  year.  After  a 
visit  home  he  resumed  his  -work  under  the  same  employer  at  Pottsville,  but 
soon  thereafter  came  to  Sunbury  in  response  to  a  letter  from  Ira  T.  Clement 
and  became  a  clerk  in  that  gentleman's  general  store,  where  he  remained 
from  1845  to  1S57.  During  the  last  mentioned  year  he  was  employed  as  a 
clerk  by  Fagely,  Seasholtz  &  Company,  coal  merchants  of  Sunbury,  and  in 
the  fall  of  that  year  he  became  a  member  of  the  firm,  its  name  changing  to 
the  style  of  John  Haas  &  Company.  This  firm  conducted  an  extensive  coal 
operation  imtil  1872,  when  they  sold  their  personal  property  to  the  Mineral 
Mining  Company,  but  continued  to  deal  in  coal  until  the  death  of  Mr. 
Fagely.  During  this  partnership  Mr.  Haas  and  Mr.  Fagely  piTrchased  four 
thousand  acres  of  woodland  in  Lycoming  county,  Pennsylvania,  had  a  large 
amount  of  lumber  manufactured  from  the  same,  and  found  sale  for  it  at 
small  profit.  He  belongs  to  Sunbury  Lodge,  No.  22,  F.  &  A.  M.,  Northum- 
berland Chapter,  No.  174,  and  the  Crusade  Commandery  of  Bloomsburg; 
was  a  member  of  the  I.  O.  0.  F.  of  Sunbury;  was  a  director  of  the  Sunburj', 
Shamokin  and  Lewisburg  railroad;  is  a  director  of  the  First  National  Bank 
of  Simburv;  is  president  of  the  Sunbury  Water  Company;  president  of  tlie 
board  of  directors  of  the  Missionary  Institute  of  Selinsgrove;  was  treasurer 
of  the  Pennsylvania  State  Sunday  School  Association  for  one  year;  was  for  a 
time  a  director  of  the  Loysville  Orphans'  School;  became  a  member  of  the 
Lutheran  church  over  fifty  years  ago,  and  has  been  its  Sabbath  school  super- 
intendent for  twenty-two  years,  having  at  the  present  time  a  school  of  seven 
hundred  pupils  under  his  management,  and  the  great  good  he  has  done  in 
this  worthy  cause  will  only  be  known  in  that  day  when  the  secrets  of  all 
hearts  shall  be  revealed.  He  was  a  Democrat  until  the  formation  of  the 
Republican  party,  when  he  entered  its  ranks,  casting  his  first  vote  for  John 
C.  Fremont  for  President  of  the  United  States. 

He  was  first  married  in  1845  to  Mary  A.  Geen,  who  died  in  1S5G,  the 
mother  of  four  children,  three  of  whom  are  living:  Mrs.  M.  A.  Martin;  Mrs. 
J.  C.  Eohrbach,  and  John  P.  His  second  and  present  wife  was  Mercy  Ann 
Martin. 

"\ViLLiA3i  Dewaet,  from  whom  the  family  of  that  name  in  this  coimty  is 
descended,  was  a  native  of  Ireland;  he  immigrated  to  Chester  county,  Penn- 
sylvania, and  thence,  in  1775,  to  Sunbury,  where  he  was  an  early  merchant. 
There  he  died,  July  25,  1814.  Lewis  Dewart,  his  son,  was  born  at  Sunbury, 
November  14,  1780;  in  early  life  he  assisted  in  his  father's  store,  and 
although  actively  and  successfully  engaged  in  business  for  many  years,  his 
public  career  is  particularly  noticeable.  In  lSlG-20,  inclusive,  he  was 
elected  to  the  House  of  Representatives,  in  1823,  to  the  State  Senate,  and  in 
1834-37,  inclusive,  to  the  House  of  Representatives,  of   which  he  served  as 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  817 

Speaker  in  the  session  of  1S37.  He  was  also  elected  to  the  XXIId  Congress 
from  the  district  of  which  his  native  county  formed  part.  In  politics  he  was 
a  Democrat.  He  married  Elizabeth  Liggett,  of  Chester  county,  Pennsyl- 
vania; William  L.  Dewart.  their  only  son,  was  born  at  Sunbury,  Jime  21. 
1S2().  educated  at  Dickinson  College.  Carlisle,  Pennsylvania,  and  at  the 
College  of  New  Jersey  at  Princeton,  read  law  with  Charles  G.  Donnel,  and 
was  admitted  to  the  bar  of  Northumberland  county  in  1S43.  He  was  an 
active  supporter  of  the  Democratic  party,  and  was  several  times  a  member  of 
the  national  conventions  of  that  organization;  he  was  also  a  member  of  the 
XXXYth  Congress,  and  otherwise  prominent  in  public  affairs.  He  married 
Kosetta,  daughter  of  Espy  Van  Horn,  of  Williamsport,  Pennsylvania,  in  1848, 
and  they  were  the  parents  of  three  sons  and  two  daughters,  three  of  whom  grew 
to  maturity  and  are  now  living:  Lewis,  attorney  at  law,  Simbury;  William 
L.,  of  the  Northumberland  Coiintj  Democrat  and  Sunbury  Daily,  and  Bessie, 
wife  of  E.  L.  Brice,  of  Simbury.  Major  Dewart  died  at  Sunbury,  April  19, 
ISSS;  his  widow  resides  in  that  borough  at  an  advanced  age. 

WiLLi.^M  McCaety,  deceased,  was  born  at  Port  Roseway,  near  Shelburne, 
Nova  Scotia,  September  15,  1788,  son  of  James  McCarty,  a  native  of  Ireland, 
who  had  been  wounded  and  taken  prisoner  at  the  battle  of  the  Cowpens  and 
was  detained  in  Nova  Scotia  until  ITUS,  when  he  removed  to  New  York. 
The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  almost  entirely  self-educated.  He  began  his 
active  career  as  cabin  boy  on  a  merchantman,  and  made  several  voyages  to 
the  West  Indies  and  Spain.  He  then  entered  the  office  of  the  leading  Dem- 
ocratic paper  of  New  York  as  an  apprentice  to  the  printing  trade,  at  which  he 
was  subsequently  employed  as  a  compositor.  His  first  venture  as  a  publisher 
was  a  daily  newspaper  at  New  Y'ork,  upon  which  he  performed  nearly  the 
entire  work  himself.  In  that  city  he  was  also  a  member  of  the  firm  of  ^Ic- 
Carty  &  White,  which  published  a  monthly  magazine.  The  Ladies'  Miscellanij. 
About  the  year  IS  13  he  removed  to  Philadelphia;  there  he  became  associ- 
ated with  Francis  Davis,  and  the  firm  of  McCarty  &  Davis  transacted  an 
extensive  and  prosperous  publishing  business  for  some  years.  In  1830  Mr. 
McCarty  became  identified  with  the  Wading  River  Canal  and  Manufacturing 
Company,  which  erected  large  paper  mills  at  McCartyville  (now  Harrisville), 
on  the  Wading  river  in  Burlington  county,  New  Jersey.  It  was  the  intention 
of  this  company  to  manufacture  paper  from  the  salt  marsh  grass  of  that 
locality;  the  venture  was  entirely  successful  from  a  mechanical  and  scientific 
point  of  view,  but,  owing  to  the  failure  of  the  L'nited  States  Bank,  modifica- 
tions in  the  tariff,  and  other  causes,  it  terminated  in  financial  disaster  in  1844. 
This  obliged  Mr.  McCarty  to  retire  from  the  firm  of  McCarty  &  Davis,  and 
also  compelled  the  suspension  of  the  Philadeliihia  Gazette,  a  daily  paper  of 
which  he  had  been  editor  and  publisher.  He  subsequently  operated  the 
Wading  Creek  miUs  individually,  but  the  entire  establishment  was  destroyed 
by  fire  and  thus  his  circumstances  were  more  embarrassed  than  before.     In 


818  HISTORY    OF    NOKTHUIIBERLAND    COUNTY. 

Augiist,  1S44.  he  removed  to  Sunbnry,  where  he  conducted  a  book  store  and 
was  identified  with  the  Sunbury  Canal  and  Water  Power  Company  and 
other  enterprises.  He  also  acquired  large  property  interests  in  this  section 
of  the  State,  but  never  fully  recovered  his  former  affluence.  He  died  at  Sun- 
bury  on  the  Sth  of  April.  1861. 

Simon  P.  WoLVEETO>f ,  attorney  at  law,  was  born  in  Rush  township.  Northum- 
berland county,  Pennsylvania,  January  28,  1837.  His  parents.  Joseph  and 
Charity  (Kase)  Wolverton,  descendants  from  English  and  German  ancestry, 
respectively,  were  both  born  in  this  county.  The  senior  Mr.  Wolverton 
buried  his  wife  in  18r32;  he  lived  to  be  eighty-three  years  old.  dving  in  1SS5. 
They  reared  two  sons  and  three  daughters.  Simon  P.  Wolverton  was  edu- 
cated at  Danville  Academy  and  Lewisburg  University,  gradiiating  from  the 
last  named  institution  in  1800,  after  doubling  his  studies  and  condensing  the 
Junior  and  Senior  years  into  one.  He  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  April,  1862, 
and  entered  at  once  into  practice.  Upon  Confederate  General  Stuart's  raid 
into  Pennsylvania,  Mr.  Wolverton  raised  a  company  of  emergency  men  of 
which  he  was  captain.  When  Lee's  army  invaded  Pennsylvania  he  again 
raised  a  company  of  Penn.sylvania  militia  and  as  captain  served  until  hon- 
orably discharged.  In  the  fall  of  1878  he  was  chosen  by  the  people  of  the 
Democratic  party  to  fill  out  the  unexpired  term  of  A.  H.  Dill  in  the  State 
Senate,  Mr.  Dill  having  resigned  to  -become  a  candidate  for  Governor.  He 
was  twice  re-elected,  making  in  all  a  service  of  ten  years  in  the  upper  branch 
of  the  Pennsylvania  legislature.  His  district  being  Republican  by  at  least 
one  thousand,  his  three  successful  elections  by  large  and  increasing  majori- 
ties admit  of  biit  one  conclusion.  In  1890  he  was  elected  to  Congress  from 
the  Seventeenth  Congressional  district,  composed  of  Northumberland.  Colum- 
bia. Montour,  and  Sullivan  counties,  by  a  very  large  majority.  Mr.  Wolver- 
ton is  truly  a  self-made  man.  His  only  inheritance  being  an  unusually 
brilliant  intellect,  a  magnificent  physique,  an  iron  constitution,  and  untiring 
industry,  the  world  was  before  him  and  he  readily  appreciated  the  demands 
that  Queen  Fortune  would  make  before  she  would  vouchsafe  her  smiles  upon 
him.  He  entered  the  lists  and  aU  the  good  people  of  this  cotmly  and  thou- 
sands outside  of  it  know  the  result,  and  with  one  accord  proclaim  "Long 
life  and  continued  prosperity  to  the  man  who  by  his  individual  merit  has 
risen  from  obscurity  to  exalted  rank  in  the  community  of  his  nati\-ity."  Mr. 
Wolverton  was  married  in  Simbury,  March  23,  186,"),  to  Elizabeth  D.  Hen- 
dricks, and  has  three  children:  Mary  G. ;  Elizabeth  K.,  and  Simon  P.  The 
family  are  all  members  of  the  Presbj-terian  church,  and  Mr.  Wolverton  is 
identified  with  the  Masonic  and  Odd  Fellow  fraternities. 

Truman  H.  Puhdy,  president  of  the  Lewisburg  Furniture  and  Planing 
Mill  Company,  treasurer  of  the  Lewisburg  Nail  Works,  treasurer  of  the  Sun- 
bury  Gas  Company,  and  one  of  the  directors  of  the  Lewisburg  Steam  Forge 
Company,  is  an  attorney  at  law  of  Sitnbury,  and  was  bom  in  Warae  county, 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES. 


S19 


Pennsylvania,  June  26,  1830.     His  parents.  Harvey  and  Faith  (Clark)  Purdy, 
^vere  natives,  respectively,  of  Wayne  and  Lackawanna  counties,  this  State, 
and  date  their  ancestry  back  to  the  colonial  days.     The  senior  Mr.  Purdy 
died   November  9,  1847,  a-ed  forty-six  years,  and  his  .s-idow  died.  December 
31    ISrv^    at  the  acre  of  fortv-eight  years.     They  reared  tliree  sons  and  one 
daii-hter.  of  ^vhom  our  su],ject  and  a  brother,  Dr.  N.  C.  Purdy  of  Alleu^vood, 
Pennsylvania,  are  living.     T.  H.  Purdy  was  educated  at  Madison  Academy 
and  Lewisburg  University.     He  established  the  Union  Arcjns,  a  weekly  paper 
at  Lewisburcr,  edited  it  three  years,  sold  out,  and  began  the  study  of  law 
with  Judcre  Bucher.     In  18(31  he  was  induced  to  come  to  Sunbury  and  start 
the  Northumberland  County  Democrat.     He  conducted  this  paper  until  LS(.  / , 
publishing  at  the  same  time,  the  German  DemocvaU  a  paper  which  died  with 
his  retirement.    Under  his  management  the  Northumberland  County  Democrat 
increased  its  circulation  from  three  hundred  to  three  thousand  five  hundred. 
While  conducting  the  paper   he  continued  the  study  of   law  unc^r  Judge 
Alexander  Jordan  and  in  180(3  was  admitted  to  the  bar.     Always  a  Democrat, 
he  represented  the  county  and  that  party  two  terms.  1M4  and  Ibb.   in  the 
lecrislature.     Since   ISCC,  he  has  not  been  active  in  politics,  but  prior  thereto 
he^iad  been  a  hard  and  tilling  worker.     In  ISiVJ  he  made  sixty-Hvo  speeches, 
and  at  the  election  of  that  year  the  Democrats  polled  one  thousand  majority 
as  ac.unst  sixty-four  in  the  year  lS(n.     He  delivered  the  hi>toncal  oration  at 
the  centennial  celebration  of  Sunbury,  July  4.  IST'i.  which  was  published  in 
pamphlet  form  and  widely  read.     In  18.33  he  purchased  cons.derable  land 
!n  what  is  now  Ea.st  Sunbun.  he  selected  from  it  a  plot  of  about  two  and  a 
half  acres,  upon  an  elevation  overlooking  the  town,  upon  which  he  erec  ed 
his  present  residence.    In  isT.',,  associated  with  J.  B.  Ewing.  he  foiinde.1  the 
town  of  Steelton.  Pennsylvania,  where  he  yet  has  large  interests,     ^l.ln.^ 
takes  an  active  interest  in  education  and  public  .mprovements  at  all  tun    , 
and  the  high  .school  at  Purdytown  or  East  Sunbury  is  credited  to  1-  uiti   - 
ence.     Being  a  man  of  learning  and  rare  literary  attamments  he  dehgh  s  in 
books,  and  his  private  library  is  one  of  the  finest  in  the  State.     As  an  author 
he  has  brough!  out  through  his  publishers.  J.  B.  Lippmcott  ..  Company, 
"  Legends  of  the  Susquehanna.-  a  handsome  volume  of  -^^^-^  ^^^  ^^^^^ 
live  Nacres,  elegantly  bound  and  rich  in  charming  verse.     The  book  is  pro- 
fusely iUustrat^dby  the  famous  F.  O.  C.  Darley.  and  this  was  the  ^^^^^^ 
form;d  by  that  now  lamented  artist.    Mr.  Purdy  also  published  a  two  hundu 
pace  poi  entitled  "Doubter"  the  edition  of  which  has  been  -haus    d  and 
L:  Just  completed  a  novel  which  will  soon  be  brought  out  ^y  his  publishers^ 
He  tas  maiied  in  Lewisburg.  December  19.  18.31,  to  Marv-  E.,  daught      of 
the  late  Dr.  Robert  James,  of  Northampton  county,  and  a  sister  of  Robeit  E. 
James,  of  Easton.  Pennsylvania,  and  has  three  children:     CarneM.,    Tru- 
man  J.,  and  Hiram  L. 


820  HISTORY    OF   NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

George  Hill,  attorney  at  law,  was  born  in  Lycoming  county,  Pennsyl- 
vania, August  3,  1821.  and  acquired  an  education  at  the  common  schools  and 
a  classical  institute  taught  by  Samuel  S.  Shedden,  a  Presbyterian  divine. 
He  began  the  study  of  law  at  Milton  imder  James  Pollock,  afterward  a  mem- 
ber of  the  national  Congress,  but  a  change  in  circumstances  led  him  to  Union 
county,  where  he  taught  school  and  finished  his  legal  studies  under  Absalom 
Swineford.  He  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  August,  184S.  Entering  at  once 
into  practice  he  remainei:!  at  Selinsgrove  from  1840  to  1858,  and  in  the  spring 
of  the  last  named  year  came  to  Simbury.  Here  he  has  been  for  over  thirty 
years  a  lawj-er  of  recognized  ability  and  a  citizen  of  high  repute.  He  has 
always  been  a  Democrat :  ever  active  in  the  promotion  of  others,  for  himself 
he  has  sought  no  political  preferment,  and  has  for  some  years  taken  no  active 
part  in  polities.  As  a  ilason  Mr.  Hill  is  also  prominent.  He  is  a  member 
of  the  local  lodge  and  chapter.  Mastering  the  principles  of  those  bodies  he 
has  jiassed  into  the  higher  dispensation  of  the  commandery  and  consistory 
at  Bloomsburg.  In  religious  matters  too  he  takes  a  deep  concern  and  be- 
longs to  the  Reformed  church.  He  was  first  married  at  Selinsgrove  in  De- 
cember, 1848,  to  Martha  C.  Buehler,  who  died  in  1870,  leaving  the  following- 
children:  Ferdinand  K. :  J.  Nevin;  Mary  S.,  now  the  wife  of  J.  Z.  Gerhard, 
M.  D.,  sui^erintendent  of  the  State  lunatic  hospital,  Harrisburg,  Pennsyl- 
vania; Samuel  Ambrose,  deceased;  William  Herbert,  and  Charles  H.  In 
June,  1871,  he  married  Sue  E.  Kirlin,  of  Middletown,  Pennsylvania.  Mr. 
HilFs  parents  were  Daniel  and  Susan  (Truckenmiller)  Hill,  natives  of  Penn- 
sylvania, and  of  Scotch -Irish  and  German  descent,  respectively.  The  senior 
Mr.  Hill,  a  farmer,  died  when  his  son  George  was  only  seven  years  old;  his 
widow  and  three  children  moved  to  this  county,  where  she  died  in  1865  aged 
sixty-five  years.     The  Grandfather  Hill  was  a  Revolutionary  soldier. 

D.\NiEL  Heim,  hardware  merchant  and  vice-president  of  the  Sunbury 
Nail,  Bar,  and  Guide  Iron  Manufacturing  Company,  was  born  in  Upper  Ma- 
hanoy  township,  Northumberland  county,  Pennsylvania,  January  15,  1810, 
son  of  John  and  Sophia  (Kohl)  Heim.  His  grandfather  came  from  Ger- 
many and  was  one  of  the  pioneers  of  Upper  Mahanoy.  John  Heim,  a  farmer 
and  school  teacher,  died  in  1824.  He  was  the  father  of  sixteen  children, 
seven  daughters  and  one  .<on  by  his  first  wife,  and  sis  sons  and  two  daugh- 
ters by  his  second  wife.  The  latter  lived  to  be  eighty-eight  years  old.  Daniel 
was  her  seventh  child.  His  mother  remarried  when  he  was  about  twelve 
years  old,  and  he  soon  afterwards  entered  upon  the  battle  of  life  among 
strangers.  For  three  years  he  found  employment  among  the  farmers,  and 
then  in  Union  county  learned  the  carpenter  trade  and  followed  that  and  mill- 
wrighting  eighteen  years.  In  1850  he  engaged  in  the  merchandise  busi- 
ness in  his  native  to-\vn?hip  and  followed  it  sixteen  years;  thence  he  came  to 
Sunbury  and  remained  one  year,  and  in  1807  moved  to  Danville  and  kept  the 
Danville  Hotel  one  year.     In  1870,  in  partnership  with  his  son  John,  he  em- 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  821 

barked  in  the  hardware  business  at  his  present  location.  John  retired  from  the 
business  in  1S79,  and  Mr.  Heim  has  since  continued  the  business  alone.  He  was 
one  of  the  organizers  of  the  Sunbuiy  Xail,  Bar,  and  Guide  Iron  Manufacturing 
Company,  and  has  been  its  vice-president  since  its  inception.  In  ante  bellutn 
days  Mr.  Heim  was  captain  of  militia  and  lieutenant  of  a  volunteer  com- 
pany, and  when  Johnston  was  Governor  he  was  commissioned  major  of  a 
imiformed  volunteer  battalion  and  held  that  rank  five  years.  Major  Heim 
was  married  in  his  native  township,  October  23,  1836,  to  Mary  Horuberger, 
daughter  of  George  Hornberger,  and  has  had  borne  to  him  ten  children:  John 
H,  a  jeweler;  Lydia,  Mrs.  Peter  Ganser;  Henrietta,  Mrs.  Samuel  H.  Sny- 
der: Sarah  Ann,  deceased  wife  of  Charles  Schlagel;  Louisiana,  widow  of 
Albert  Haas;  James  B.,  who  had  been  in  the  army,  was  mustered  out,  and 
died  in  1S05  on  his  way  home;  George  W.;  William  Henry;  Mary  Ellen, 
who  died  in  1863,  and  Percival  O.  Mr.  Heim  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic 
fraternity  and  of  the  Lutheran  church.  He  served  one  year  as  chief  burgess 
of  Sunbury,  elected  by  the  Repirblican  party. 

George  W.  Zeigler,  attorney  at  law,  was  born  at  Gettysburg,  Pennsyl- 
vania, May  24,  1819,  son  of  George  and  Gertrude  Elizabeth  (Chritzman) 
Zeigler.  George  Zeigler  was  a  hatter  by  occupation,  and  served  his  county 
many  years  as  prothonotary.  He  was  born  in  Gettysburg  and  died  in 
Dauphin  coimty,  wiiere  he  had  lived  some  years,  at  the  age  of  sixty-three 
year.~.  His  wife  was  a  native  of  Germany,  lived  to  be  seventy-five  years  old, 
and  died  in  Butler  coimty,  Pennsylvania,  where  she  lived  with  oni'  of  her 
sons.  His  father  was  a  soldier  in  the  Revolutionary  war,  and  himself  a 
sokher  in  the  war  of  1812.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  educated  at 
Gettysburg  and  learned  the  printing  business  on  the  old  Gettysburg  Compiler. 
"When  yet  a  young  man  he  joined  his  brother  at  Butler  in  the  printing  busi- 
ness, and  then  began  the  study  of  law.  At  the  age  of  twenty-two  years  he 
was  admitted  to  the  bar,  and  practiced  law  two  years  afterwards  in  Butler. 
From  there  he  went  to  Jefferson  county,  where  he  built  up  an  extensive 
practice,  remained  fifteen  years,  and  left  on  account  of  his  health.  After  two 
years"  practice  at  Selinsgrove  he  came  to  Sunbury  in  the  fall  of  1864.  Here 
his  ability  as  a  lawyer  was  readily  recognized,  and  he  has  long  occupied  a 
high  position  in  the  profession.  He  has  been  thrice  a  member  of  the  legis- 
lature— in  the  sessions  of  1854-55  and  1861.  He  has  always  been  a  Demo- 
crat and  his  advocacy  of  the  principles  of  that  party  have  until  within  the  past 
foitr  or  five  years  been  untiring  and  zealous.  Mr.  Zeigler  is  truly  the  archi- 
tect of  his  own  fortune.  The  inheritor  of  no  riches,  the  recipient  of  no  bounty 
other  than  the  God-given  equalities  of  a  correct  mind  and  a  soimd  body,  his 
successes  in  life  are  scored  to  his  individual  merit.  The  late  Jacob  Zeigler, 
for  fifty  years  a  conspicuous  factor  in  Pennsylvania  politics  and  whose  life 
forms  a  part  of  this  great  State's  history,  was  the  elder  brother  of  our  subject. 
ilr.  Zeigler  was  married  in  Butler,  December  27,  1838,  to  Mary  A.  McQuis- 


82'2  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

tion,  and  the  six  children  born  to  them  are:  IsabeUa,  ilrs.  George  W.  Keefer: 
Joseph,  siijierintendent  of  the  Adirondacks  railroad;  Gertrude  E.,  Mrs.  P.  P. 
Smith:  J.  Walter;  George,  who  died  in  ISO!)  aged  thirteen  years,  and  Edgar, 
who  died  in  infancy.  Mrs.  Zeigler  died,  September  5,  1889,  aged  sixty-nine 
years,  eleven  months,  and  live  days.  Mr.  Zeigler  is  a  member  of  the  Presbv- 
terian  church  and  a  Freemason. 

WiLLi.\Ai  A.  SoBEE,  attorney  at  law  and  United  States  commisssioner  for 
the  Western  district  of  Pennsylvania,  is  a  native  of  Shamokin  townshi^r. 
Northumberland  county,  Penn.sylvania,  and  was  born,  September  8.  IS-K'. 
His  father,  Alexander  Sober,  was  born  in  the  same  place,  and  his  mother, 
whose  maiden  name  was  Foy,  was  probably  born  in  Rockefeller  township. 
The  Sober  family,  originally  from  Germany,  came  here  from  Xew  Jersey  in 
the  person  of  the  grandfather  of  our  subject  during  the  latter  part  of  the  last 
century.  Alexander  Sober,  third  son  of  his  father,  was  born  in  1S07.  and 
died  in  December,  ISOU.  He  was  a  quiet  and  industrious  citizen  and  farmer, 
and  highly  esteemed  by  his  neighbors.  His  widow  yet  lives  in  her  native 
place.  They  were  the  parents  of  twelve  children,  nine  sons  and  three 
daughters,  of  whom  all,  except  two  of  the  former,  are  living.  William  A.. 
the  sixth  son,  was  attending  Dickinson  Seminary,  Williamsport.  when  he 
decided  to  enter  the  army.  In  August,  18G1,  he  enlisted  in  Company  D, 
Fifty-second  Pennsylvania  Volunteers,  and  served  sixteen  months,  taking 
part  in  the  battles  of  Yorktown,  Williamsburg,  White  House,  Chickahominy. 
and  Seven  Pines,  and  was  seven  days  in  front  of  Richmond.  While  at  the 
latter  place  he  was  taken  with  typhoid  fever,  and  was  soon  afterward  dis- 
charged. In  May,  1804,  he  was  appointed'to  a  position  in  the  provost  mar- 
shal general's  office  as  chief  clerk  of  the  disbursing  branch  for  the  Western 
district  of  Pennsylvania,  and  resigned  in  December,  1805.  He  next  rend 
law  under  John  B.  Packer,  and  in  August,  1807,  was  admitted  to  tlie  bar. 
In  1871  he  was  appointed  county  solicitor  and  held  the  office  three  years: 
in  1872  he  was  appointed  United  States  commissioner;  from  1882  to  bS.SOhe 
was  in  the  borough  council,  and  in  the  latter  year  ho  was  elected  assistant 
bvirgess.  Always  a  Republican  and  ever  active  in  behalf  of  that  party,  Mr. 
Sober  has  deserved  well  at  its  hands,  and  this  brief  summing  up  shows  that 
his  merits  have  not  been  wholly  unappreciated.  He  was  married  in  Read- 
ing, Penn.sylvania,  in  October,  1809,  to  Emma  E.,  daughter  of  Augustus  F. 
Boas,  a  la-wyer  and  many  years  a  leading  banker  of  Reading,  and  has  one 
child,  Emily  Belle. 

John  W.  Peal,  M.  D.,  removed  from  Hughesville,  Lycoming  county. 
Pennsylvania,  to  Sunbury,  in  November,  1888.  He  lived  and  practiced  med- 
icine there  until  1808,  when,  owing  to  failure  of  health,  he  was  removed  to 
Lock  Haven,  where  his  son  resided.  Here  after  a  prolonged  illness  he  passed 
to  rest  on  the  14th  day  of  July,  1808,  aged  sixty-eight  years  and  one  month. 
He  was  the  son  of  John  Peal  and  Marv  (McClintock)  Peal,  having  been  bom 


EIOGKAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  823 

near  Shipjiensburg,  Cumberland  county,  Pennsylvania,  on  the  13th  of  June, 
ISOl).  At  twenty-seven  years  he  married  Martha  Washincfton  Sturgeon, 
daughter  of  Samuel  Sturgeon,  of  Shippensburg,  who  proved  through  life  a 
beautiful  character.  They  now  sleep  side  by  side  in  Highland  cemetery  at 
Lock  Haven.  He  was  a  strong  man,  of  commanding  presence,  sympathetic 
heart,  and  iron  will.  In  his  home  life  that  will  power  which  had  been  given 
him  for  the  arena  of  men  sometimes,  as  is  the  case  with  many  men,  got  out 
of  jilace,  and  wounded  those  he  loved,  but  if  thus  he  wounded,  with  what 
infinite  tenderness  did  he  heall  His  generous  heart  could  always  be 
depended  on  for  acts  of  manly  kindness.  He  was  a  good  husband,  an  ambi- 
tious father,  and  a  thrifty  business  man.  Sis  children — live  daughters  and 
one  son — survive  him,  also  nine  grandsons  and  nine  granddaughters.  He 
wrote  his  name,  John  W.,  to  distinguish  it  from  his  father's,  bttt  his  name 
was  simply  John,  the  son  of  John  Peal,  who  was  the  son  of  John  Peal,  an 
Englishman  who  immigrated  to  this  country  about  the  middle  of  the  eight- 
eenth century,  and  was  living,  between  ISOO  and  1S1I>,  near  Shippensburg, 
Pennsylvania.  Doctor  Peal's  mother,  ilary  McClintock.  was  Scotch-Irish,  a 
relation  of  James  McClintock,  M.  D.,  late  of  Philadelphia,  and  John  McClin- 
tock, D.  D.,  LL.  D.,  late  of  Paris,  France,  a  most  gifted  and  cultured  man.  Mrs. 
Peal's  father,  Samuel  Sttirgeon,  cousin  to  Daniel  Stttrgeon.  late  United  States 
Senator  from  Pennsylvania,  and  her  mother,  Fanny  Rogers,  were  Scotch- 
Irish  also,  and  in  "ye  olden  time"  both  families  worshipe<.l  at  the  old  Silver 
Spring  Presbyterian  church  near  Shippensburg.  His  name.  John  W.  Peal, 
has  descended  to  his  grandson,  John  W.  Peal,  of  New  York  City,  and  to  his 
great -grand.son,  John  "\V.  Peal,  son  of  Rembrandt  R.  Peal.  Philadelphia. 
Doctor  Peal  lived  an  active  and  useful  life.  As  a  physician  he  was  very 
attentive  to  his  patients,  very  cheering  and  magnetic  in  the  sick-room,  and 
very  original  and  bold  in  his  treatment  of  diseases.  He  was  a  born  physi- 
cian, and  devoted  his  whole  mentality  to  his  profession.  So  deep  was  his 
interest  in  the  sick  ones  who  were  entrusted  to  his  healing  art  that  he  often 
when  the  case  was  critical  walked  his  floor  all  night  absorbed  in  thought. 
Looking  back  now,  the  writer  sees  a  strong,  handsome,  earnest,  unselfish 
man,  whom  never  storm  or  darkness  deterred  from  going  to  the  bedside  of 
the  sick,  whose  tenderness  to  the  stiifering  never  failed,  and  whose  skill  in 
treatment  was  unexcelled  by  any  of  his  compeers;  this  man  was  Dr.  John  W. 
Peal,  of  Sunbury.  On  his  grave-stone  in  Highland  Cemetery  are  written 
these  expressive  words  "at  rest." — 5.  R.  P. 

Daniel  W.  Shindel,  physician,  was  born  in  Sunbtir^-.  Northumberland 
cotmty,  Pennsylvania,  November  17,  1822,  and  is  probably  the  oldest  prac- 
ticing physician  in  Sunbury.  His  father  was  the  Rev.  John  Peter  Shindel  of 
the  Lutheran  church,  and  his  mother's  family  name  was  McCullough.  Both 
parents  were  native  Pennsylvanians,  the  Shindel  family  coming  originally  from 
Germanv  and  the  McCullough's  from  Ireland.     Rev.  J.  P.  Shindel  came  to 


824  HISTORY    OF    XORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

Sunbury  in  1812  and  preached  in  various  churches  in  this  part  of  the  coun- 
try' thirty-five  or  forty  years.  He  died  in  1853,  aged  about  sixty-seven  years. 
They  reared  eight  sons  and  four  daughters,  of  whom  three  sons  only  are  now 
living.  The  youngest,  Luther,  is  a  Lixtheran  preacher  at  Danville,  Pennsyl- 
vania, and  Jacob  G.  L.,  an  ex- judge,  is  a  druggist  at  Selinsgrove,  Snyder 
county,  Pennsylvania.  Dr.  D.  Vt'.  Shindel  was  educated  primarily  at  Sun- 
bury  Academy,  began  the  study  of  medicine  while  teaching  school,  and  in 
1850  was  graduated  from  Pennsylvania  Medical  College.  He  has  served  the 
people  in  various  local  offices,  such  as  councilman,  assistant  burgess,  school 
director,  and  pension  examiner.  He  has  been  a  member  of  the  school 
board  twenty-one  years  and  was  United  States  pension  examiner  from  1865 
to  1885.  He  has  also  served  as  medical  examiner  for  several  life  insurance 
companies.  He  has  been  twice  niarried,  first  in  Sunbury,  June  17,  1851,  to 
Mary  "Wharton,  who  was  the  mother  of  three  daughters:  Florine,  Mrs.  J. 
Fasold;  Susan  D.,  Mrs.  John  R.  Quiggle,  and  'Mary  E.,  Mrs.  George  W. 
Hoffman.  Mrs.  Shindel  died  in  January,  1803.  In  1864  the  Doctor  mar- 
ried Elizabeth  Irwin,  and  to  this  union  have  been  born  six  children:  Will- 
iam L.,  editor  of  the  Shamokin  Dispatch;  Jane,  deceased;  Carrie,  deceased; 
Minnie;  Georgia  A.,  and  "Webster,  deceased. 

C.\PTAiN  CH.iRLES  J.  Bruxer  was  bom  in  Sunbury,  November  17,  1820, 
and  died,  March  15.  1SS5.  His  father  was  the  Eev.  Martin  Bruner  of  the 
German  Reformed  church,  au'i  his  mother's  maiden  name  was  Mary  Gray — 
the  latter  a  native  of  Simburv'  and  the  former  of  Philadelphia.  The  Rov. 
Martin  Bruner  died  in  1S52;  his  widow  lived  to  the  age  of  seventy-five  years. 
He  came  to  Sunbury  when  twenty-one  years  old,  from  hero  moved  to  Hagers- 
town,  Maryland,  and  from  there  to  Lancaster,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  died. 

Charles  J.  Bruner  came  to  Sunbury  to  live  in  1840.  He  was  educated 
in  Lancaster,  studied  law  imder  Judge  Alexander  Jordan,  and  was  admitted 
to  the  bar  in  1843.  For  a  time  after  coming  to  the  bar  he  was  associated 
with  the  late  Major  Dewart:  afterward  he  had  no  law  partner.  At  tho  meet- 
ing of  the  bar  at  Sunbury.  ^londay,  March  30,  1885,  held  for  the  purpose, 
the  formal  announcement  of  Captain  Bruner's  death  was  made  and  the  fol- 
lowing'resolutions  were  adopted: — 

The  bar  of  Northumberland  couuty,  having  convened  to  take  recognition  of  tlie 
death,  and  to  paj-  some  seemly  tribute  to  the  character  and  memory  of  the  late  Charles 
J.  Bruner,  Esquire,  whose  relations  as  a  member  thereof  have  always  been  so  honorable, 
but  whose  untimely  decease  it  has  been  so  suddenly  and  unexpectedly  called  to 
deplore,  doth  resolve, 

First,  That  his  spotless  career  as  a  lawyer  while  in  active  membership  of  this  bar, 
his  exemplary  courage  when  in  camp  and  field,  while  he  served  his  country  as  a 
soldier  in  the  early  and  trying  days  of  the  late  civil  war,  his  enviable  record  for  effi- 
ciency and  integrity  as  an  officer  in  the  civil  service  of  the  Federal  government  during 
the  fourteen  years  or  more  he  held  the  important  trust  of  collector  of  internal  revenue 
for  the  Fourteenth  district  of  Pennsylvania,  and  his  fair  promise  of  honorable  achieve- 
ment ou  his   recent  return  to  and  renewal  of  active  employment  in  his  profession  of 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  825 

the  law,  have  made  his  name  and  character  ivell  worthy  to  be  held  in  active  memory, 
and  render  his  fame  well  worthy  of  perpetuation  among  the  historical  records  of  our 
bar  and  his  virtues  and  achievements  in  public  and  professional  life  well  worthy  of 
righteous  emulation. 

Secmd,  That  his  learning,  the  high  order  of  his  natural  abilities,  his  discriminating 
judgment  and  quickness  of  perception,  and  the  noble  virtues  of  his  public  and  private 
life,  have  largely  contributed  to  place  him  in  high  rank  among  the  just  and  honorable 
of  his  profession. 

Third,  That  by  his  genial  manners,  his  amiable  temper,  his  aifectionate  disposi- 
tion, his  generous  impulses,  as  well  by  his  unswerving  lidelit}-  in  pure  and  disinter- 
ested friendship  as  by  his  kindly  and  beneficent  influences  in  social  and  professional 
intercourse,  he  has  won  his  way  to  the  strongest  feelings  and  best  impulses  of  our 
hearts. 

Fourth..  That  a  committee  of  four  members  of  the  bar  be  appointed  to  convey  to 
his  family  the  assurance  of  our  heartfelt  sympathy  witli  them  in  this  sudden  and 
great  bereavement,  and  to  commend  them  in  the  great  depth  of  their  sorrow  to  the 
strong  staff  tendered  by  Him  "who  tempers  the  wind  to  the  shorn  lamb,"  and  fails  not 
to  remember  the  widow  or  the  orphan,  hut  notes  in  tenderness  of  mercy  even  the  fall 
of  the  sparrow. 

Signed,  \\.  A.  Sober, 

G.  W.  Zekjler, 

S.V.MUEL  HeCKEUT, 

p.  L.  Hackenberg, 

C<nHr„in,.e. 

At  Lincoln's  first  call  for  troops  in  ISHl  Captain  Bntner  respondecl  as 
tho  leader  of  Company  F.  Eleventh  Pennsylvania  Volunteers,  and  served 
about  six  months,  taking  an  active  part  in  the  battle  of  Falling  Waters.  He 
was  afterward  in  the  emergency  service  a  short  time.  General  Grant  while 
President  appointed  him  collector  of  internal  revenue  ior  the  Fottrteenth 
Pennsylvania  district,  a  position  he  held  snccessively  under  both  Hayes  and 
Arthur.  The  Grand  Army  Post  in  Sitnlrary  is  named  in  honor  of  his 
brother,  William.  Captain  Bruner  was  a  member  of  the  Reformed  church 
and  prominent  in  the  I.  O.  O.  F.  He  was  a  self-made  man.  Beginning 
life  without  fortune  in  wordly  goods,  he  gave  liberally  through  his  life  from 
his  stores  made  ample  by  his  personal  industry,  and  died  leaving  those 
dependent  upon  him  a  fair  competency.  He  is  a  direct  descendant  from  the 
celebrated  Bradys,  and  his  widow,  to  whom  he  was  married  in  Sunbury, 
June  3,  lS-32,  was  Louisa  Weiser,  a  direct  descendant  of  Conrad  Weiser,  the 
noted  Indian  interpreter  diiring  the  early  settlement  of  the  region  of  Shamo- 
kin,  now  Sunbury.  To  this  union  were  born  the  following  children:  Mary 
Gray,  the  wife  of  C.  G.  Yoris,  attorney,  of  Milton;  Elizabeth,  who  died 
before  a  year  old;  Louisa,  who  died  at  four  and  a  half  years  of  age;  Charles. 
who  died  at  one  and  a  half  years  of  age;  William  W.,  now  in  the  I'nited 
States  postal  service,  and  Franklin,  who  died  when  eight  years  old. 

General  John  Kay  Clement,  deceased,  was  born  at  Philadeljihia. 
January  1,  1S20,  son  of  Evan  and  Hannah  (Kay)  Clement.  His  father  died 
when  he  was  but  seven  years  of  age.     He  was  educated  at  the  Friends' 


826  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

school  in  his  native  city,  read  law  under  Richard  Howell  of  Camden,  New 
Jersey,  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  at  Trenton  in  1841.  Shortly  afterward 
he  located  in  Schuylkill  county,  Pennsylvania,  residing  at  Minersville  and 
Pottsville,  and  removed  to  Sunbury  in  1854.  He  possessed  great  ability  as 
a  la-\vj'er,  and  was  an  orator  of  exceptional  eloquence  and  power.  Among 
the  otficial  positions  with  which  he  was  honored  were  those  of  brigadier 
general  of  the  State  militia,  to  which  he  was  apjiointed  while  a  resident  of 
Schuylkill  county;  district  attorney  of  Northumberland  county,  to  which  he 
was  elected  in  1859  and  1871  and  appointed  in  1877;  and  provost  marshal 
of  the  Fourteenth  Pennsylvania  district  from  1862  to  1804.  In  1854  he 
married  Mary  S.,  eldest  daughter  of  Isaac  and  Mary  (Eyer)  Zeigler,  of  Sun- 
bury;  Charles  M.  Clement,  depiUy  Secretary  of  the  Commonwealth  of  Penn- 
sylvania, is  their  only  surviving  son.  General  Clement  died  at  Sunbury  on 
the  15th  of  October,  1882.  He  was  a  Republican  in  politics,  a  meml>er  of 
the  Masonic  fraternity,  and  a  vestryman  in  St.  Matthew's  Protestant  Epis- 
copal church  at  the  time  of  his  death. 

Lloyd  T.  RoHRB.iCH,  treasurer  of  the  Sunbury  Nail,  Bar,  and  Guide 
Iron  Manufacturing  Company,  trea.surer  of  the  Sunbury  Water  Company, 
dealer  in  ice  and  coal,  and  manufacturer  of  brick,  a  lawyer  by  profession, 
and  an  active  all-around  bi;siness  man,  was  born  in  Upper  Augusta  township, 
Northumberland  county,  Penn.sylvania,  January  22.  1839.  He  was  educated 
at  the  common  schools  of  Sunbury,  Missionary  Institute  at  Selinsgrove,  and 
Pennsylvania  College  at  Gettysburg,  and  in  April,  1801,  joined  the  army  as 
a  private  in  Company  F,  Eleventh  Pennsylvania  Volimteers.  At  the  end  of 
three  months'  service  he  read  law,  and  in  1803  was  admitted  to  the  bar.  In 
1808  he  was  appointed  United  States  commi-ssioner,  held  the  office  several 
years,  and  resigned.  Giving  up  the  practice  of  law  in  1872  he  afterwards 
served  two  terms  as  prothonotary  and  clerk  of  the  courts,  and  thereafter 
turned  his  attention  to  his  business  interests.  A  Republican  in  politics,  he 
is  regarded  as  one  of  the  best  workers  in  the  party,  and  though  seeking  no 
office  for  himself  his  invaluable  services  are  always  at  the  command  of  his 
friends.  He  was  married  at  Sunbury,  December  20,  1800,  to  Jennie  C, 
daughter  of  John  Haas,  and  has  two  children:  George  Edward  and 
William  R. 

J.\MES  H.  McDevitt,  attorney  at  law  and  United  States  commissioner  for 
the  Western  district  of  Pennsylvania,  was  born  in  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania, 
December  7,  1843.  He  was  graduated  from  St.  Francis  College  in  1801, 
and  for  some  years  was  engaged  in  mercantile  business  at  Altoona.  He  came 
to  Sunbury  in  1870  as  a  clerk  in  the  office  of  the  Pennsylvania  Railroad 
Company,  and  while  there  began  the  study  of  law.  He  was  admitted  to  the 
bar  in  1873,  and  has  been  regiilarly  in  practice  ever  since.  In  September, 
1873,  he  was  appointed  United  States  commissioner,  the  term  of  which  office 
is  limited  to  good  behavior  or  life.      He  is  an  active  Democratic  worker,  was 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  827 

for  some  years  a  member  of  the  executive  committee  of  the  State,  and  in 
1SS6  was  the  regular  nominee  for  Congress,  a  sort  of  forlorn  hope,  the  dis- 
trict being  then  overwhelmingly  Republican.  Mr.  McDevitt  is  a  Eoval  Arch 
Mason  and  an  Odd  Fellow.  He  was  married  in  Danville.  Pennsvlvania, 
November  11,  ISTl,  to  Amelia,  daughter  of  S.  B.  Boyer,  and  has  one  daugh- 
ter, Essie.  The  parents  of  Mr.  McDevitt  were  John  and  Charlotte  (CatfevI 
McDevitt,  the  former  a  native  of  Ireland  and  the  latter  of  Pennsylvania,  of 
Quaker  origin.  The  father  was  many  years  a  merchant  in  Altoona  and  died 
there  in  1S73  aged  seventy-seven  years.     His  widow  resides  in  Philadelphia. 

Solomon  B.  Boyee,  attorney  at  law,  was  born  in  Little  Mahanoy  town- 
ship, now  Cameron,  Nortluunberland  coimty,  Pennsylvania,  January  4,  1829. 
son  of  John  and  Elizabeth  (Bixler)  Boyer,  early  settlers  of  this  countv. 
The  senior  Mr.  Boyer,  a  farmer  and  merchant  by  occupation,  reared  eleven 
children,  nine  of  whom  are  living.  Solomon  B.,  the  eldest,  was  educated  at 
the  common  schools,  learned  the  cabinet  maker's  trade,  and  occasionally 
clerked  for  his  father.  He  read  law  with  the  late  H.  J.  Wolverton  and  was 
admitted  to  the  bar  in  August,  1858.  Entering  at  once  into  practice,  he 
readily  gained  reputation  and  popularity,  and  has  for  many  years  been  recog- 
nized as  a  successful  lawyer  in  the  civil  and  criminal  courts.  His  practice 
extends  throughout  the  State,  and  into  all  the  courts,  both  State  and  Federal. 
Xow  and  for  some  years  past  an  ardent  Democrat,  he  was  during  the  war  a 
Rejiublican,  and  held  the  office  of  deputy  revenue  collector  under  President 
Lincoln's  administration.  He  has  been  chief  burgess  of  Sunbun,-  four  years 
and  held  other  minor  ofKces  at  various  times.  In  Masonry,  Odd  Fellowship, 
and  Knights  of  Pythias  Mr.  Boyer  is  the  foremost  man  in  the  countv. 
There  is  scarcely  any  position  in  the  order  of  Odd  Fellows,  including  the 
ofKce  of  Grand  Master  of  this  State,  that  he  has  not  held,  nor  any  honors 
they  have  not  conferred  ujjon  him  from  time  to  time.  He  was  married  in 
Cameron  township  in  1850  to  Esther  Haupt,  and  has  had  two  children: 
Francis,  his  only  son,  who  was  accidentally  drowned  when  between  nine  and 
ten  years  of  age,  and  Amelia,  wife  of  J.  H.  McDevitt,  of  Sunbury. 

John  Nevin  Hill,  attorney  at  law,  was  born  at  Selinsgrove,  Pennsyl- 
vania, September  3,  1855,  son  of  George  Hill.  He  received  a  thorough 
academic  education,  studied  law  under  his  father,  and  was  admitted  to  the 
bar,  March  11,  1878.  Beginning  the  practice  in  Luzerne  county,  he  was  at 
Hazelton  four  years  and  in  1882  associated  himself  with  his  father  in 
Simbury.  This  partnership  lasted  two  years,  since  which  Mr.  HiU  has  been 
alone  in  the  practice.  He  was  admitted  to  practice  before  the  State  Sujireme 
court  in  April,  1883;  and  in  1889  he  was  commissioned  by  the  Governor  as 
one  of  seven  to  revise  and  codify  the  laws  relating  to  the  care  of  the  poor, 
an  honor  earned  by  his  public  labor  and  addresses  ujjon  this  subject.  In 
1885  he  compiled  the  laws  and  ordinances  of  the  borough  of  Northumber- 
land and  he  is  now  the  authorized    county  reporter  of   the  Pennsylvania 


828  HISTORY    OF    NOETHUMBERLAXD    COUNTY. 

County  Court  Reports,  a  work  requiring  and  receiving  much  careful  research 
as  shown  by  his  elaliorate  and  thorough  aimotations.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Masonic  and  Odd  Fellow  fraternities,  and  of  the  Episcopal  church.  July  15, 
1878,  he  was  married  in  Northumberland  to  Florence  I.  McFarland,  and  has 
three  children:  Martha  Olivia;  John  McFarland.  and  George  M. 

Is.\AC  L.  Wither  is  a  son  of  John  and  Mary  M.  (Lenker)  Witmer,  both 
of  leading  families  that  came  early  from  Lebanon  county,  this  State,  and 
settled  in  the  Mahanoy  region,  this  county.  He  married  Annie  Bubb,  a 
daughter  of  Michael  Bubb,  whose  father  at  the  early  age  of  sixteen  years 
emigrated  from  Germany  and  settled  in  Mahanoy  township.  To  this  union 
were  born  thirteen  children,  of  whom  nine  grew  to  maturity  and  are  yet 
living. 

Ch.\rles  B.  Witmer,  the  eldest  son  of  Isaac  L.  and  Annie  (Bubb)  Wit- 
mer, was  born  in  Lower  Mahanoy  township.  Northumberland  county,  Penn- 
sylvania, April  13,  1802.  His  boyhood  days  were  spent  upon  the  farm  where 
his  parents  still  reside,  alternating  the  labor  incident  to  farm  life  with 
attendance  at  the  public  schools  of  his  neighborhood.  He  early  became 
desirous  of  obtaining  a  liberal  education,  and  with  such  in  view  he  entered 
the  Uniontown  select  school  during  the  fall  of  isTU.  He  was  subsequently 
licensed  and  employed  to  teach  the  primary  school  at  Georgetown,  this 
county,  and  at  the  close  of  one  term  entered  the  Millersburg  high  school 
where  he  remained  some  time.  Returning  home,  and  after  several  weeks' 
attendance  at  the  Berrysburg  Teachers'  Normal,  he  was  again  licensed  and 
employed  to  teach  in  the  public  schools  of  Lower  Mahanoy  town.ship.  In 
the  spring  of  1881  he  entered  Union  Seminary,  now  known  as  Central  Penn- 
sylvania College,  at  New  Berlin,  where  he  remained,  supported  by  the  means 
obtained^ by  farm  labor  and  teaching,  until  he  was  graduated  in  the  class  of 
1883.  During  the  following  year  he  was  principal  of  the  Georgeto^vn  high 
school,  and  in  the  fall  of  1884  was  examined  and  registered  to  read  law  with 
C.  G.  Voris,  then  of  Sunbury*.  He  continued  his  legal  studies,  with  the 
exception  of  the  summer  of  1880,  during  which  he  was  principal  of  the 
Teachers'  Normal  Institute  of  Snyder  county.  Pennsylvania,  until  February, 
1887,  when  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar  of  Northumberland  county.  He 
began  at  once  to  practice  his  profession  at  Sunbury,  and  by  strict  attention 
to  business  he  has  merited  a  lucrative  and  growing  practice,  not  only  in  his 
native  county,  but  also  in  the  surrounding  counties. 

He  was  appointed  solicitor  for  Northumberland  county  in  1889,  and  in 
the  spring  of  the  same  year  was  admitted  to  practice  in  the  Supreme  Court 
of  the  State.  On  the  20th  of  August,  1889,  he  was  nominated  by  the  Repub- 
lican party  for  district  attorney,  and  after  a  heatetl  and  ably  conducted  cam- 
paign, in  which  he  made  many  friends,  was  defeated  by  a  small  majority. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  First  Reformed  church  and  the  Sunday  school,  in 
both  of  which  is  a  leading  officer,  is  also  a  member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  S.  P. 


^ca^^^ 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES. 


831 


K..  and  P.  O.  S.  of  A.,  and  in  each  has  filled  important  positions.  He  was 
married,  October  17,  1SS5,  to  Mollie,  daughter  of  Isaac  Beaver,  of  Middle- 
burg.  Pennsylvania,  and  has  one  son. 

■\ViLLi.vM  C.  Faexswokth,  attorney  at  law,  was  born  at  Sunbury,  January 
1.  1804.     He  was  principally  educated  at  the  public  schools.     At  the  age  of 
seventeen  he  migrated  to  the  West,  locating  for  a  time  at  Des  Moines,  Iowa, 
as  editor  of  the  Industrial  Motor.     He  was  afterwards  employed  for  a  short 
time  on  special  work  for  the  Iowa  State  Register,  and  later  kept  books  for  a 
wholesale  house  and  had  charge  of  the  Western  Eyceiim  Bureau.     Altogether 
he  spent  one  year  at  Des  Moines.     He  then  returned  to  Pennsylvania,  and 
clerked  for  the  Pennsylvania  Eailroad  Company  at  Shamokin  until  1885.    In 
February  of  that  year  he  began  the  study  of  law  in  the  oitice  of  John  B. 
Packer  at  Sunbuiy"     He  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  September,  1887,  entered 
immediately  upon  the  practice  of  his  profession,  and  has  rapidly  attained 
rank  and  recognition.    He  is  a  Republican  in  politics,  and  was  the  nominee  of 
his  party  for  Congress  in  1890  from  the  Seventeenth   Pennsylvania  district. 
On  the  i2th  of  January,  1887,  Mr.  Farnsworth  married  Miss  Mary  A.  Lodge, 
of  Halifax,  Pennsylvania;  they  are  the  parents  of  one  child,  Margaret  Packer. 
Charles  M.  Clemekt,  a  lawv'er  of  Sunbury  and  now  deputy  Secretary  of 
the  Commonwealth,  was  born  in  Sunbury,  Northumberland  county.  Pennsyl- 
vania, October  28,  185,").     His  father  was  General  John  Kay  Clement,  one  of 
the  leading  criminal  lawyers  of  Pennsylvania,  and  his  mother  was  Mary  S., 
daughter  o'f  Isaac  Zeigler,  once  a  prominent  merchant  of  Sunbury.     General 
Clement  died,  October  15,  1882,  at  the  age  of  sixty-three  years.     Charles  M., 
his  only  son  now  living,  was  educated  at  Sunbury  Academy  and  Burluigton, 
New  Jersey.     After  leaving  school  he  clerked  six  years  in  the  prothonotary  s 
office,  read  law  with  his  father,  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar.  March  11. 
1878      In  January  following  he  began  the  practice  and  was  associated  with 
his  father  until  the  death  of  the  latter.     Mr.  Clement  has  been  one  term 
assistant  burgess  of  Sunbury  and  five  or  six  years  a  member  of  the  borough 
council    was  "for  several  years  borough    solicitor,  and  is  now  solicitor    for 
the    school    board       October  1,   1887,  he    was    appointed    by    Charles   W 
Stone  corporation  clerk  of  the  State  department  and  November  29,   18.J(», 
was  appointed  by  Governor  Beaver  to  his  present  position.     From  18*9  to 
18S3  he  was  secretary  of   the  county  central    committee,  Republican,  and 
from  1883  to  1SS8  was  chairman  of   the  committee.      He  was  one  of  the 
organizers  of  the  Sunburj^  Guards,  Company  E,  Twelfth  Regiment  N.  G. 
reentered  the  service  as  a  private,  and  was  promoted  in   regular  order  to 
the  captaincy,  a  position  to  which  he  has  been  twice  chosen,  first  m  1882  and 
secondly  in  1887.     Mr.  Clement  is  a  member  of  the  Sons  of  Veterans,  Sons 
of  the  Revolution,  Knights  of  the  Golden  Eagle,  and  the  S.  P.  K.     He  was 
married  at  Northumberland,  November  19,  1879,  to  Alice  Withiugton.  and 
has  three  children:  John  Kay,  Martin  W.,  and  Charles  Francis. 


832  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAXD    COUNTY. 

ilARTiN  L.  Snyder,  attorney  at  law,  was  born  in  Point  township,  North- 
iimberland  county,  Pennsylvania,  April  8,  Ib'^'i.  son  of  John  S.  and  Mar- 
garet (Weiser)  Snyder.  He  was  educated  at  Bloomsburg  State  Normal 
School,  and  from  1876  to  1878  was  cashier  of  the  Angnsta  Bank  of  Sunbury. 
In  August,  1879,  he  began  the  study  of  law  with  S.  P.  Wolverton,  and  in 
the  fall  of  1880  was  admitted  to  the  bar.  After  about  one  year  in  Mr.  Wol- 
verton's  otlice  while  that  gentleman  was  in  the  State  Senate,  he  opened  an 
office  and  has  since  been  actively  engaged  in  practice.  Mr.  Snyder  is  a 
Republican  in  politics,  a  member  of  the  K.  of  P.,  and  one  of  the  trustees  of 
the  Presb}i;erian  church.  From  the  age  of  thirteen  to  sixteen  young  Sny- 
der followed  canal-boating  between  Williamsport  and  Philadelphia  and 
thereby  earned  the  money  to  purchase  books  and  defray  incidental  expenses. 
From  sixteen  to  twenty-one  years  of  age  he  taught  school  and  was  gradu- 
ated at  the  Bloomsburg  Normal  School,  and  had  just  entered  Princeton  Col- 
lege when  his  brother,  William  Lester,  died,  and  he  was  called  home  to  suc- 
ceed him  as  cashier  of  the  bank.  Thus  it  will  be  seen  that  from  the  age  of 
thirteen  years  Mr.  Snyder  has  had  to  make  a  way  for  himself,  and  it  is  but 
proper  to  say  that  his  success  has  been  commensurate  with  his  efforts.  Be- 
ginning life  without  a  penny,  he  is  educated,  has  made  himself  a  reputation 
as  a  lawyer,  and  has  acquired  wealth.  Though  often  solicited  he  has  steadily 
declined  all  official  preferment;  his  only  appearance  in  the  political  field  was 
as  a  candidate  for  the  nomination  for  district  attorney,  an  honor  he  missed 
through  indifference  on  his  own  part.  Mr.  Snyder's  grandfather,  Peter 
Snyder,  was  one  of  the  first  settlers  in  this  part  of  the  county.  He  was  a 
farmer  and  justice  of  the  peace,  lived  at  Hollowing  run.  Lower  Augusta 
township,  and  left  large  property,  principally  in  real  estate.  He  had  four 
sons  and  four  daughters:  John  S.  and  Peter  H,  twins;  Anthony,  and  Will- 
iam S.  Peter  H.  lives  in  Sunbury;  Anthony  lives  in  Fayette,  Ohio,  and 
William  S.  lives  on  a  farm  in  Lower  Augusta  to%vni;hip.  Of  the  daughters 
Mrs.  Sober  is  dead;  Jemima,  Mr.s.  Griffith,  was  first  married  to  a  Mr. 
Bergstresser,  and  now  lives  in  Dauphin  coimty:  Susan,  Mrs.  George  Fisher, 
lives  at  Selinsgrove,  on  the  Isle  of  Que,  and  Lydia,  Mrs.  Benjamin  Fisher, 
is  now  in  Nebraska.  Peter  was  a  descendant  of  Governor  Snyder.  Mr. 
Snyder's  father,  John  S.  Snyder,  was  bom  in  Lower  Augusta  township, 
February  6,  1820,  and  married  Margaret  Weiser  in  1844;  she  died  in  1856 
and  he  afterwards  married  Catharine  Gemberling.  and  in  1877  moved  West 
and  now  lives  near  Three  Rivers,  Michigan.  His  first  wife,  by  whom  he  had 
four  sons,  was  a  daughter  of  Philip  Weiser,  a  grandson  of  the  famous  Con- 
rad Weiser,  and  a  farmer  by  occupation.  He  had  two  sons  and  four  daugh- 
ters: Solomon,  of  Illinois;  George,  who  died  in  1SS2  in  Lower  Augusta  town- 
ship; Margaret,  Mrs.  Snyder;  Elizabeth,  Mrs.  George  Kiefer;  Sarah,  Mrs. 
John  Evert,  and  Catharine,  who  married  Henr.-  Fausold,  now  deceased. 
Philip   Weiser,  the  grandfather  of  Mr.  Snyder,  was  bom  in  Pennsylvania  in 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  833 

1786,  and  died  in  Upper  Augusta  township.  November  16,  1862,  his  wife 
Catharine  having  died,  March  31,  iSol.  John  S.  Snvder,  the  father  of  the 
subject  of  this  sketch,  had  four  sons  by  his  wife,  Margaret  (AVeiser)  Snyder: 
Anson  \V.,  who  on  the  '24th  of  December,  1S71,  married  Sophie  Kerns, 
of  MifHin  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  now  lives  upon  his  farm  near  Lewistown, 
Pennsylvania:  William  Lester,  who  died  at  the  age  of  twenty-four  years, 
Jamiary  23,  ISTti,  after  having  served  as  cashier  of  the  Augusta  Bank  of 
Sunbury,  Pennsylvania ;  John  Cahin,  who  was  graduated  in  medicine  at  Ann 
Arbor,  Michigan,  and  Buffalo,  New  York,  and  after  serving  with  distinction 
as  assistant  professor  of  anatomy  at  the  I'niversity  in  Buffalo,  New  York,  one 
vear,  located  at  Osborne,  Kansas,  in  1SS4,  where  he  has  since  practiced  his 
profession  with  credit  and  success,  and  married  Jennie  Annette  Bainton.  of 
Btichanan,  Michigan,  January  30,  LSOt.l:  and  Martin  Luther,  the  subject  of 
this  sketch,  who  has  been  interested  as  cotmsel  in  both  the  civil  and  criminal, 
courts  of  this  Commonwealth,  in  which  he  has  represented  a  number  of 
important  cases,  as  well  as  before  the  Supreme  court  of  the  State. 

JoH>f  Junius  Reimensxyder,  attorney  at  law,  was  born  in  Atigusta  count  y 
Virginia.  Jtine  2,  1812,  son  of  Rev.  George  Henry  and  Christina  Reimen- 
snvder,  the  former  a  native  of  Germany  and  the  latter  of  Frederick,  Mary- 
land. Thev  were  the  parents  of  five  daughters  and  two  sons;  both  the  sons. 
liketh"ir  father,  entered  the  ministry  of  the  Lutheran  church.  Rev.  Cornelius 
Eeimensnyder  was  for  some  years  the  agent  of  the  American  Sunday  School 
Lnion,  and  died  at  Lancaster,  Pennsylvania.  Rev.  J.  J.  Reimensnyder 
received  his  education  under  the  tuition  of  hi?  father  and  at  local  academies, 
received  the  degree  of  A.  M.  from  Roauoke  College,  Salem,  Virginia,  and  was 
licensed  to  preach  at  the  age  of  twenty  years.  He  was  successively  located 
in  the  ministry  at  Mt.  Sidney,  Virginia.  AVoodsboro"  and  Smithburg,  Mary- 
laud,  and  Mihon  and  Northtunberland.  Pennsylvania;  from  ]S-")4  to  1864  he 
resided  in  Turbut  township.  Northitmberland  county,  and  since  the  latter 
date  has  been  a  resident  of  Simbury.  Owing  to  physical  disability  he  was 
obliged  to  relinquish  the  work  of  the  ministrv",  and  in  1854  was  elected  as 
till'  tirst  superintendent  of  public  schools  in  Northtrmberland  county;  he 
tilled  this  office  with  great  acceptability  six  years,  and  during  this  period  did 
much  to  promote  the  educational  interests  of  the  county.  The  tirst  county 
institute  was  held  in  the  first  year  of  his  incumbency,  and  at  every  subse- 
quent institute  he  has  taken  part  in  the  exercises.  In  I860  and  1862  he 
received  the  county  nomination  for  Congress,  but  withdrew  on  each  occasion 
from  personal  considerations  without  making  a  contest  in  the  district  con- 
vention. He  was  elected  prothonotary  of  Northumberland  comity  in  1863  and 
re-elected  in  1866,  serving  in  this  office  two  terms.  On  the  14th  of  March, 
1876,  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar,  and  has  since  been  engaged  in  the  practice 
of  law.  Mr.  Reimensnyder  was  married.  May  3,  183S.  to  Susan  Margaret, 
daughter  of  Benjamin  Bryon.  of  Augusta  coimty,  Virginia,  a  captain  in  the 


834  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

war  of  1S12.  To  this  union  were  born  eight  children:  Cornelius,  a  lawj-er 
of  Toledo,  Ohio:  Rev.  Junius  Benjamin,  a  Lutheran  clergyman  of  New  York 
City:  Kev.  John  M.,  a  Lutheran  clergyman  of  Milton;  George  B.,  a  lawyer 
of  Simbury:  Millard  F.,  a  druggist  of  Sunbury;  W.  Virginia;  S.  Augusta, 
and  H.  Cleora,  organist  of  Zion  Lutheran  church  and  a  graduate  of  the 
Philadelphia  Conservatory  of  Music. 

George  B.  Eeimensxydee,  attorney  at  law,  was  born  at  Sinithburg, 
Washington  county,  Maryland,  July  27,  1S49,  son  of  Rev.  J.  J.  and  Susan 
(Bryan)  Reimensnyder.  He  obtained  his  education  at  the  public  schools  and 
at  the  academy  of  Sunbury,  and  received  the  honorary  degree  of  A.  M.  from 
Pennsylvania  College,  Jime  25,  ISSH.  He  began  active  life  as  an  apprentice 
to  the  printing  trade  in  the  office  of  the  Democrat  at  Sunbury,  where  he 
remained  one  year.  In  1800  he  entered  the  prothonotaiy's  office  at  Sunbury 
as  deputy  clerk,  retaining  that  position  imtil  July  1,  1870.  After  teaching  in 
the  public  schools  of  Rockefeller  township  one  year  he  entered  the  office  of 
the  register  and  recorder  at  Sunbury,  in  which  he  was  employed  nine  years 
and  served  as  deputy  clerk  seven  years.  In  1875  he  began  the  study  of  law 
under  Leffert  H.  Kase,  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  on  the  0th  of  August, 
1877.  In  1S7U  he  entered  upon  the  practice  of  his  profession,  in  which  he 
has  achieved  fair  success.  He  has  served  as  a  member  of  the  examining 
committee  of  the  local  bar  association  continuously  since  1881,  and  as  borough 
solicitor  of  Sunbury,  1888-89;  in  1881  he  was  president  of  the  convention 
of  the  Young  Men's  Christian  Association  of  Pennsylvania  at  Bellefonte.  At 
the  present  time  he  is  secretary  of  the  council  of  Zion  Lutheran  church, 
Sunbury,  a  director  in  the  Sunbury  Trust  and  Safe  Deposit  Company  and 
solicitor  for  that  institution,  and  president  of  the  Pomfret  Manor  Cemetery 
Company.  Mr.  Reimensnyder  was  married,  November  22,  1887,  to  Miss 
Clara  B.,  only  daughter  of  David  L.  Stackhouse,  druggist,  of  Philadelphia. 
They  are  the  parents  of  one  child,  Lillian,  born  March  28,  1889. 

C.  R.  Savidge,  attorney  at  law,  was  born,  January  19,  1851,  in  Trevorton, 
Northumberland  county,  Pennsylvania.  His  father,  Samuel  K.  Savidge,  a 
mason  and  bricklayer  by  trade,  was  a  native  of  Rush  township.  Ho  married 
Ellen  Campbell  and  to  this  union  were  born  three  children:  C.  R. ;  Harrison 
C,  who  is  manager  of  Whitmer  &  Sons'  lumber  business  in  West  Virginia, 
and  Lizzie  A.,  who  married  Williard  Robinson,  of  West  Virginia.  The 
father  died  in  1858  and  the  mother  in  1882.  Both  were  consistent  members 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  C.  R.  Savidge  was  fond  of  books  from 
the  time  he  learned  to  read,  and  in  1805  was  employed  to  teach  in  the  coun- 
try schools,  in  which  he  was  engaged  four  years.  In  1809  he  taught  in  the 
public  schools  of  Danville,  Pennsylvania,  after  which  he  entered  Princeton 
College,  from  which  he  was  graduated  in  1874,  a  classmate  of  Henr\-  M. 
Hinckley  and  James  Scarlett,  both  well  known  gentlemen  of  Riverside  and 
Danville.     On  his  return   from  college  Mr.  Savidge  took   employment  in  a 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES. 


835 


saw  mill  and  contimied  that  with  other  arduous  labors  for  some  time.  After 
readino-  law  with  Simon  P.  Wolverton,  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar  of  North- 
luuberrand  county  in  1S77.  He  at  once  began  practice  in  Sunbury  and  has 
taken  a  high  rank  among  his  fellow-members  at  the  bar.  In  ISSO  he  was 
elected  district  attorney  by  a  majority  of  one  thousand  sixty-six.  On  the 
31st  of  December,  1875,  he  was  married  to  Louise  Essick,  of  Montour  coun- 
ty, this  State,  and  to  this  union  have  been  born  seven  children,  six  of  whom 
are  living:  Harry  \V.;  Albert  C;  Ralph  W.  E. ;  Preston  M.;  Louise,  and 
Lucile.  "ilr!  Savi'dge  belongs  to  the  F.  &  A.  M.,  the  Conclave,  and  K.  of  G. 
E.     He  is  a  Democrat,  and  the  family  are  adherents  of  the  Baptist  church. 

H.  M.  McCluee.  attorney  at  law,  was  born  in  Lewisburg,  Pennsylvania. 
August  8,  1859,  a  son  of  J.  C.  and  Glorvina  (Elder)  McClure.  He  received 
his^education  principally  at  Bucknell  Tniversity,  Lewisburg,  from  which 
institution  he  was  graduated  in  1877.  In  January,  IS  (8,  he  began  the  study 
of  law  under  the  tuition  of  Simon  P.  Wolverton,  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar 
of  Northumberland  county,  June  28,  1881.  During  the  summer  of  18  *S  he 
played  base  ball  with  the  Binghamton  and  Syracuse  clubs;  in  1879  he  played 
with  the  Rochester  club,  and  in  1882  with  the  Baltimore  club.  From  Janu- 
ary 9, 1884,  to  February  9,  1888,  he  was  practicing  law  in  the  oftice  of  Simon 
P."  Wolverton,  and  in  the  last  mentioned  yean-  he  established  an  otiice  by 
himself,  and  by  strict  attention  to  business  is  meriting  a  large  and  growing 
practice.  On  the  12th  of  June,  1890,  at  Lewisburg.  Pennsylvania,  he  was 
married  to  Miss  Margaret  Focht.  In  politics  he  is  a  Kepublicau.  Mr.  Mc- 
Clure gave  material  aid  in  securing  the  national  regatta  of  the  National 
Association  of  Amateur  Oarsmen  which  was  held  at  Sunbury  in  July,  l.S>;7. 

Christian  Neff  was  born,  October  IS.  181  <,  in  Lancaster  county,  Penn- 
sylvania, and  died  in  Sunbury,  June  27,  1882.  His  father,  John  Neff,  a 
farmer  during  his  lifetime,  was  a  native  of  Lancaster  county,  as  was  also  his 
mother.  Our  subject  spent  his  boyhood  days  upon  a  farm,  until  apprenticed 
to  the  tailor's  trade,  which  he  followed  for  some  years  in  Louisville.  Ken- 
tuckv.  Pveturning  thence  to  Lancaster  coimty,  he  was  married,  Septemlier 
24,  1840,  to  Ann  Brennaman,  a  step-daughter  of  Col.  Abraham  Greenawalt, 
of  Elizabethtown,  that  county.  He  then  purchased  a  small  farm  and  after 
following  rural  pursuits  for  a  while,  he  opened  a  dry  goods  and  grocery  store 
at  Buck"  Lock  along  the  line  of  the  Pennsylvania  canal.  About  the  year 
ISGO  he  rented  the  Washington  House  at  Middleto.vn,  Dauphin  county,  and 
kept  it  until  April  1,  1867,  when  he  purchased  the  old  Washington  House  at 
Sunbury,  which  stood  on  the  present  site  of  the  new  Neff  House.  He  at  once 
removed  his  family  to  Sunbury,  where  he  thereafter  kept  hotel  until  his 
death.  He  was  courteous  and  gentlemanly,  ever  ready  to  accommodate  his 
cruests  and  make  their  stay  with  him  as  pleasant  as  possible.  He  thereby 
merited  an  oft  remark  from  the  traveling  public,  "that  he  was  one  of  the 
most  open-hearted  landlords  they  had  ever  met."     He  was  a  member  of  the 


83G  HISTORY    OF    NOHTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

Perseverence  Lodge  of  the  Masonic  order  at  Harrisburg,  and  sensed  in  the 
borough  council  of  Simbury.  Mr.  Neff  began  his  political  career  as  a  Whig, 
and  naturally  drifted  into  the  ranks  of  the  Kepublican  party,  and  although 
he  always  took  an  active  interest  in  political  issues,  yet  he  never  sought  ofK- 
cial  position.  Possessed  of  a  large  fund  of  general  information,  a  keen 
knowledge  of  luunan  nature,  quick  to  perceive  the  ludicrous  in  all  things  and 
apt  in  telling  an  anecdote  in  the  proper  place,  he  was  consequently  very  pop- 
ular among  his  friends  and  associates.  His  wife,  who  was  bom.  Febniary 
IS,  1822,  died,  April  2(>,  1S78,  and  was  the  mother  of  the  following  children 
by  her  union  with  Mr.  Xeff:  Helen  A.,  deceased;  Anna  E.,  deceased:  Cath- 
arine J.,  wife  of  B.  M.  Aughinbaugh;  Horace  B.,  who  married  Man.-  Gill; 
Caroline;  George  H.,  who  married  Ella  Bright  and  is  an  attorney  of  Sun- 
bury;  Lewis  F.,  who  married  Margaret  J.  Martin;  Christian  S..  who  married 
Blanche  Long;  "Walter,  deceased,  and  Annie,  deceased.  Of  these  children, 
Catharine  J.,  together  with  her  husband  and  Lewis  F.  and  George  H.,  are  the 
proprietors  of  the  new  Netf  House  of  Sunbury. 

George  H.  Neff,  attorney  at  law,  was  born,  June  2G,  IS-jT.  in  Dauphin 
county,  Pennsylvania,  son  of  Christian  and  Ann  (Brenneman)  Neff.  He  re- 
ceived his  education  at  the  common  schools,  hnishing  at  the  high  school  of 
Sunlniry,  from  which  ho  was  graduated  in  1S74.  He  learned  telegraphy  in 
Sunbur}-,  and  was  employed  by  the  Penn.sylvania  Railroad  Company  as 
operator  at  Sunbury,  Shamokin.  and  Mt.  Carmel  for  about  one  year.  On 
the  7th  of  January-,  1S77,  he  entered  the  law  oftice  of  S.  P.  Wolverton  as  a 
clerk.  While  there  he  studied  stenography  and  type-writing  and  subse- 
quently became  his  private  secretary,  which  position  he  held  for  thirteen 
years.  He  also  took  up  the  study  of  law  under  Mr.  Wolverton  and  was  ad, 
mitted  to  the  bar,  June  2S,  ISSL  At  this  date  he  was  made  assistant  to  Mr. 
Wolverton  in  his  office  practice  and  continued  as  such  until  September  1, 
ISSy,  when  he  opened  an  ofKce  and  has  since  practiced  by  himself.  He  is  a 
Democrat,  and  has  always  taken  an  active  part  in  State  and  county  politics. 
He  is  a  director  in  the  Southern  Central  Eailroad  Company,  now  in  proces.s 
of  construction,  extending  from  Sunbury  to  Harrisburg  along  the  west  shore 
of  the  Susquehanna  river.  He  was  married,  June  2,  1887,  to  Ella  Bright, 
daughter  of  Peter  Bright,  a  boot  and  shoe  merchant  of  Sunbury,  and  to  this 
union  one  child  has  been  born,  Harold  M.  Mr.  Neff  with  a  few  others  was 
instrumental  in  securing  the  national  regatta  of  the  National  Association 
of  Amateur  Oarsmen,  which  was  rowed  on  the  Fort  Augtista  course  on  the 
Susquehanna  river  at  Sunbury  in  July,  1887. 

Daniel  Beckley,  court  crier,  was  born,  February  2, 1802,  in  Berks  cotmty, 
Pennsylvania,  son  of  Daniel  and  Hannah  (Eyster)  Beckley.  The  parents 
came  to  Northumberland  county  about  the  year  1812  and  settled  near  Milton, 
in  which  town  they  both  died,  respected  citizens  and  consistent  members  of 
the  German  Reformed  church.      Our  subject  received  a  common  school  edu- 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  837 

cation  and  was  brought  iip  at  farm  labor.  He  clerked  in  stores  at  Sunbuiy, 
Milton.  Selinsgrove,  and  Trevorton.  He  was  elected  bv  the  Democratic  party 
to  the  otJices  of  prothonotary  and  sheriff  and  served  a  term  in  each  with 
credit.  At  the  beginning  of  his  term  of  oiiice  Judge  Kockefeller  appointed 
Mr.  Beckley  court  crier,  which  position  he  has  continued  to  till  to  the  present 
time.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church  and  is  one  of  the  most 
iipright  and  respected  citizens  of  the  county. 

WiLLi-iji  Whitmee,  one  of  the  active  business  men  of  Sunbury,  was  born 
at  McAllistersville,  Pennsylvania,  December  11.  iSo-J.  He  came  to  Sunbury 
in  1872  and  immediately  embarked  in  the  mercantile  and  hamber  business, 
in  both  of  which  he  has  been  successful.  He  is  now  a  member  of  the  mer- 
cantile tirm  of  Whitmer  i-V;  Tresler.  the  oldest  dry  goods  house  in  Sunbury. 
He  has  branched  into  business  from  his  present  to^vn  into  different  parts  of 
Pennsylvania,  and  also  "West  Virginia,  where  he  gives  employment  to  a  large 
number  of  men.  He  is  a  Republican,  and  one  of  the  enterprising  business 
men  and  highly  respected  citizens  of  the  borough  in  which  he  resides. 

Lewis  Dewaet.  attorney  at  law,  was  bom  in  Simbury,  Xorthumberland 
county.  Pennsylvania,  May  (i,  lS4y.  After  a  thorough  academic  preparation 
he  entered  Princeton  College  and  was  graduated  therefrom  in  the  class  of 
ls~i2.  He  read  law  with  the  late  Judge  Jordan  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar 
in  1ST  t.  In  IST-")  he  was  elected  borough  clerk,  held  the  office  one  term,  and 
in  1S7T  was  elected  district  attorney.  He  is  an  active  and  energetic  Demo- 
crat, and  for  his  party  does  much  hard  and  effectual  work.  He  has  served 
on  the  central  committee,  and  was  a  delegate  to  the  convention  that  nomi- 
nated Pattison  for  Governor.  The  degree  of  blaster  of  Arts  was  conferred 
upon  him  by  his  Alma  Mater. 

Charles  D.  Gibson,  attorney  at  law,  was  Iwm  in  Sunbury,  Northumber- 
land county,  Pennsylvania,  August  29,  1808.  His  father  is  the  Eev.  Lewis 
W.  Gibson  of  the  Episcoi)al  church,  now  located  at  Dover,  Delaware,  and  his 
mother  was  the  daughter  of  the  late  Judge  Charles  G.  Donnel,  of  Sunbury. 
Charles,  the  elder  of  the  two  sons,  was  educate<^I  by  his  father  in  private  in- 
struction and  at  Union  College,  Schenectady.  New  York  He  began  the 
study  of  law  in  188"  with  John  B.  Packer  as  his  preceptor  and  was  admitted 
to  the  bar  in  September,  188U.  Prior  to  his  taking  up  the  study  of  law  he 
was  live  years  in  the  employ  of  the  Pennsylvania  Railroad  Company  as  clerk. 

John  S.  H.\as  was  born.  May  6,  1810.  in  Northumberland  coimty.  Penn- 
sylvania. He  received  a  common  school  education  and  on  the  0th  of  Decem- 
ber. 183o,  was  married  to  Margaret  Deppen.  who  was  born,  March  4.  1812, 
in  Berks  county,  Pennsylvania.  When  a  young  man  he  belonged  to  a  mili- 
tia company  and  held  the  position  of  colonel  He  was  a  Democrat,  and 
served  as  overseer  of  the  poor  for  many  years.  He  died,  November  30.  1885, 
followed  by  his  widow  on  the  13th  of  December.  1887.  Both  were  memliers 
of  the  German  Reformed  church.     To  their  union  were  born  four  children, 


838  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

only  one  of  whom  is  living.  Hiram  M. ;  the  others  died  in  infancy.  The  Sun- 
biiry  American  of  December  4,  1885,  contained  the  following:  "  Colonel 
John  S.  Haas  died  at  his  residence  in  Upper  AugiTsta  township,  near  Sun- 
bury,  on  Monday  last,  aged  about  seventy-live  years.  He  resided  in  Jack- 
son to\vnship,  this  county,  iintil  1850,  when  he  purchased  what  Was  then 
called  the  Simbury  mill  property,  where  he  resided  since.  By  economy  and 
good  management  he  accumulated  a  large  amount  of  wealth.  He  was  unas- 
suming and  seldom  mingled  in  company  and  was  respected  for  his  fair  and 
honest  dealing.     His  death  was  caused  from  paralysis." 

Hiram  M.  Haas,  farmer,  was  born  in  Jackson  township,  March  4,  1840, 
son  of  John  S.  and  Margaret  (Deppen)  Haas.  He  was  educated  at  the  Sun- 
bury  schools  and  at  Missionary  Institute,  Selinsgrove,  Pennsylvania,  and  also 
took  a  course  at  the  Poughkeepsie  Commercial  College.  He  was  occupied 
for  fifteen  years  in  conducting  the  mill,  and  in  the  management  of  his 
father's  business.  In  1870  he  married  Lusetta,  daughter  of  John  Hull,  a 
merchant  of  Snydertown.  By  this  iinion  they  have  nine  children:  John  F. ; 
Edward  L.;  Isaac  J.;  Bessie  May;  Hiram  W. ;  Mary  Margaret;  Essie  Mabel; 
Nellie  Jane,  and  Marion  Valeria.  Mr.  Haas  is  an  active  member  of  the 
Democratic  party.  He  has  served  as  township  auditor  for  three  successive 
terms,  and  as  school  director  three  terms.  He  is  connected  with  the  I.  O.  O. 
F.  and  the  Royal  Arcanum  of  Sunbury. 

Peter  H.  Sxvdee,  a  retired  citizen  of  Sunljury,  was  born  in  Lower 
Augusta  township,  Northumberland  county,  Pennsylvania,  February  G,  1820, 
son  of  Peter  and  Joanna  (Shiiiman)  Snyder.  His  grandfather,  Casper  Sny- 
der, came  from  Germany  and  settled  in  this  county  before  the  Revolutionary 
war.  He  was  a  farmer  and  tavern  keeper  on  the  old  Harrisburg  and  Sun- 
bury  road,  where  his  son  Peter  succeeded  Ijim;  the  old  brick  tavern  house 
was  built  by  Casper  Snyder  in  1798.  Peter  Snyder  was  bom  in  1788  and 
died  in  February,  18GG;  his  wife  died  six  years  previously  at  the  age  of 
seventy  years.  They  reared  nine  children,  and  buried  three;  eight  are  now 
living.  Peter  H.  Snyder  was  bom,  February  G,  1820;  he  was  reared  upon 
the  farm  and  educated  in  the  common  schools  and  at  Danville  Academy. 
He  studied  surveying,  and  taught  school  twenty-one  winters.  He  removed 
to  Simbury  in  1881  and  retired  from  active  business.  October  23,  1845,  he 
married  Malinda  Wolverton,  and  they  are  the  parents  of  four  children :  Newton 
\V. ;  Dennis  H. :  Rosetta  J.,  and  Anna  Laura.  Mr.  Snyder  is  a  Republican  in 
politics,  and  in  faith  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church.  , 

Henry  B.  Smith,  merchant,  was  bora  at  Womelsdorf,  Berks  county,  Penn- 
sylvania, November  19,  1855,  son  of  Joseph  and  Elizabeth  (Haak)  Smith. 
The  father,  a  lumber  merchant,  died  in  1876  at  the  age  of  fifty-six  years, 
and  his  widowed  mother  yet  lives  at  Womelsdorf.  Heniy  is  the  eldest  of 
two  sons  and  two  daughters.  The  straitened  condition  of  their  financial 
affairs  after  the  death   of  his   father  limited  his  schooling  to  .such  onlv  as 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  839 

was  ix)ssible  prior  to  his  thirteenth  year.  At  that  age  he  began  to  clerk  in 
his  native  village  and  remained  there  one  year.  Having  accumulated  the 
(to  him)  vast  siim  of  twenty  dollars,  he  packed  his  valise  and  started  "We.st. 
Arriving  at  Sunbury,  the  "great  west"  was  yet  a  great  way  off,  and  his 
capital  had  dwindled  down  to  the  minimum.  He  sought  employment  with 
Clement  &  Dissinger,  merchants,  and  remained  with  them  ten  or  eleven 
years.  In  1SS2,  having  saved  abotit  two  hundred  dollars,  he  formed  a  part- 
nership with  S.  C.  Drumheller  and  engaged  in  the  coal  business.  The  year 
follo^^^ng  the  dry  goods  house  of  Smith,  Drumheller  &  Zeigler  was  estab- 
lished as  H.  B.  Smith  &  Company.  Zeigler  retired  at  the  end  of  three  years 
and  DnuuheUer  at  the  end  of  two  more.  Thtts,  since  1SS7,  Mr.  Smith  has 
had  no  partner.  They  began  with  a  capital  of  three  thoitsand  dollars;  Mr. 
Smith  has  now  invested  over  twenty  thousand  dollars  and  not  only  does  an 
extensive  retail  trade  but  sells  a  great  many  goods  at  wholesale.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Patriotic  Sons  of  America,  Eoyal  Arcanum,  Conclave,  and 
the  Lutheran  chitrch.  He  was  married  in  Sunbury.  October  24,  ISSy,  to 
Mary  E.,  daughter  of  Nathan  Martz. 

John  "Weisee  Buchee. — The  Bucher  family  date  their  advent  into  Xorth- 
timberland  coimty  back  to  the  Indian  occupation,  and  the  name  figures  with 
more  or  less  prominence  in  all  the  succeeding  generations.  Henry  Bucher, 
grandfather  of  John  AV.,  reared  a  large  family  of  children,  and  his  yoimgest 
son,  Francis,  a  tanner  by  occupation,  married  Mary  Ann  Masser,  December 
8,  1831.  reared  six  sons  and  two  daughters,  and  died,  Mai-ch  19,  ISTo.  Of 
his  eight  children,  the  subject  of  this  sketch  is  the  oldest  of  four  sons  and 
one  daughter  now  living.  He  was  born  in  Simbury,  September  15,  1835, 
received  an  academic  education,  learned  the  tanning  business  under  his  fa- 
ther, and  at  the  age  of  about  twenty  years  became  clerk  and  deputy  to  the 
register  and  recorder,  a  position  he  tilled  about  six  years.  He  was  next 
appointed  deputy  prothonotary  and  held  that  office  one  year.  In  February. 
18G4,  he  enhsted  in  Company  C,  Forty-seventh  Pennsylvania  Volunteers,  at 
Harrisbtrrg.  and  served  one  year  as  a  j>rivate  under  General  Hancock  in  the 
Nineteenth  army  corps.  He  was  mustered  out  at  Charleston,  South  Caro- 
lina, returned  to  Sunbury,  and  for  two  or  three  succeeding  years  was  en- 
gaged in  the  tanning  business.  His  next  employment  was  with  Ira  T.  Clem- 
ent as  book-keeper  of  that  gentleman's  manufacturing  estabhshment,  a 
position  he  was  continued  in  for  several  years.  He  has  been  secretary  of  the 
Sunbury  Steam  Feriy  and  Tow  Boat  Company  and  associate  manager  or 
superintendent  of  the  various  manufacturing  industries  of  Mr.  Clement,  in 
whose  employ  he  was  for  the  fourth  of  a  century.  Mr.  Bucher  has  been 
chief  burgess  and  treasurer  of  Sunbury  and  four  or  live  terms  borough  coun- 
cilman. In  July,  1890,  he  was  elected  secretary  and  treasurer  of  the  Sun- 
burv-  Trusj:  &  Safe  Deposit  Company,  a  new  bank  now  about  starting  up  on 
the  comer  of  Fourth  and  Market  streets.     He  is  prominent  in  Masonry.  Odd 


840  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

Fellowship,  Knights  of  Pythias,  Improved  Order  of  Red  Men,  and  the  Re- 
formed church.  He  was  first  married  in  Sunbury,  December  l-j.  ISjS,  to 
Hester  A.,  daughter  of  the  late  James  Beard,  at  one  time  prothonotary  of 
the  county  and  afterward  a  lawyer.  She  died,  December  20,  l.St)"2.  leaving 
three  children:  Francis  Edward,  a  la-\vyer  in  Philadelphia:  John  Beard,  a 
merchant  of  Sunbury.  and  Mary  Margeret,  who  was  born,  September  13, 
1S02,  and  died,  February  14,  1S77.  His  second  wife,  to  whom  he  was  mar- 
ried, March  4,  ISOS,  was  Mary  Jane,  daughter  of  Ira  T.  Clement,  who  died 
inDtc?mber  following,  leaving  one  child,  Laura  C.  February  18.  1ST2.  Mr. 
Bucher  married  Mary  Faust,  by  whom  he  has  had  five  children:  Samuel 
Faust,  deceased;  William  Henry;  Sarah  Helen;  George  Franklin,  and  Mary 
Ann  Masser,  deceased. 

Charles  M.  Martin,  physician  and  surgeon,  is  a  son  of  Rev.  Jacob  Martin, 
of  the  Lutheran  church,  and  Abbie  A.  (Stephen.son)  Martin,  and  was  born  at 
Greencastle,  Franklin  county,  Pennsylvania,  January  15,  1840.  His  grand- 
father, George  Martin,  was  one  of  the  pioneers  of  Sunbury  and  here  his  sons, 
George,  William.  Henry,  John,  Charles,  Luther,  and  Jacob  were  born  and 
reared.  George  served  thirty-two  years  in  the  United  States  Army,  includ- 
ing the  Seminole  Indian  war.  He  and  his  brother  William  served  through 
the  Mexican  war,  and  William,  Luther,  Henry,  George,  and  Charles  were 
soldiers  in  the  Union  Army  during  the  late  Rebellion.  Luther  was  killed  in 
the  battle  of  Gettysburg,  and  Henry  at  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness.  William 
was  a  major  and  George  a  captain;  both  live  retired  in  Philadel}ihia. 
Charles  resides  in  Savannah,  Ohio.  Rev.  Jacob  died  in  Sunbur}-  in  1S72  at 
the  age  of  sixty-eight  years,  fifty  years  of  his  life  having  been  sjient  in  the 
ministry.  His  widow  survived  him  but  three  months.  Of  his  four  children, 
Henry  died  at  the  age  of  eighteen  years;  one  of  his  daughters  is  the  wife  of 
James  Lyon,  of  Sunburj-;  another  is  the  wife  of  D.  W.  Shryeck,  of  Greens- 
burg,  Pennsylvania,  and  Charles  M.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  is  a  physician. 
At  the  outbreak  of  the  war  between  the  States  Mr.  Martin  was  living  at 
Westminister,  Maryland,  and  Charles  M.,  after  an  academic  training  at  Penn- 
sylvania College,  Gettysburg,  was  attending  lectures  at  the  University  of 
Maryland,  at  Baltimore,  from  which  institution  he  was  graduatetl  in  March, 
1863.  While  in  Baltimore  he  was  a  resident  student  of  the  hospital  and  after 
graduating  was  appointed  assistant  surgeon  by  Surgeon  General  Hammond 
of  the  United  States  Army,  and  assigned  to  hospital  duty  at  Frederick, 
Maryland.  At  the  close  of  the  war  he  located  in  practice  at  Owing"s  Mills, 
Baltimore  county,  Maryland,  and  was  there  until  the  summer  of  187(\  at 
which  time  he  came  to  Sunburj-.  Here  his  talents  were  readily  recognized 
and  he  at  once  took  and  has  since  maintained  high  rank  in  the  profession. 
Doctor  Martin  is  vice-president  of  the  Sunbury  Medical  Association,  and  has 
been  resident  surgeon  of  the  Pennsylvania  Railroad  Company  for  the  past 
twelve  or  thirteen  years.     He  was  appointed  on  the  board  of  pension  exam- 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  84:1 

iners,  removed  by  President  Cleveland  in  the  spring  of  1SS4.  and  reappointed 
by  President  Harrison  in  Jiine,  ISSU.  The  Doctor  is  a  Kepublican  in  politics, 
has  been  a  member  of  the  boroiigh  council,  is  now  a  school  director,  is  a 
Knight  Templar  Mason,  and  a  member  of  the  Lutheran  church.  He  was 
married  in  1805  at  Westminster,  Maryland,  to  Sallie  H.  Shreeve.  who  died 
in  1S72  at  Owing's  Mills.  In  February,  1SS3,  he  married  Maiy  Alice, 
daughter  of  John  Haas,  of  Svmbury,  and  has  one  son,  William  H. 

HiEAM  Long,  physician  and  surgeon,  was  born  in  Northampton  coimty, 
Pennsylvania,  April  30, 1831.  He  was  reared  upon  his  father's  farm  and  ed- 
iicated  at  Strousburg  and  Blairstown  academies,  and  Lafayette  College, 
Easton,  Pennsylvania.  He  read  medicine  in  his  native  village,  and  was 
graduated  from  New  York  Medical  College  in  the  spring  of  IS-'iU.  In  1802 
he  became  assistant  surgeon  of  the  One  Himdred  and  Seventy-third  Penn- 
.sylvania  Volunteers  and  siibsequently  in  order  of  promotion  assistant  surgeon 
and  -surgeon  of  the  Two  Hundred  and  Fifth  Pennsylvania  Vohmteers.  a  posi- 
tion he  held  at  the  close  of  the  war.  With  the  Two  Htindred  and  Fifth  reg- 
iment he  was  in  the  Ninth  army  corps  and  took  part  in  all  the  battles  fought 
by  the  Army  of  the  Potomac.  Returning  home  he  resttmed  the  practice  of 
medicine  in  L'nion  county,  and  was  there  until  1871,  when  he  located  in  Sini- 
btiry.  In  18S0  he  removed  to  his  present  residence  in  Purdytown.  and 
sought  to  give  up  as  far  as  possible  the  practice  of  his  profession.  I'nder 
President  Cleveland's  administration  he  was  appointed  pension  examiner  and 
held  the  office  until  displaced  by  Corporal  Tanner.  The  Doctor  is  a  member 
of  the  Simbury  Medical  Association  and  was  some  years  its  president.  He 
is  prominently  identitied  with  the  Masonic  fraternity,  the  G.  A.  R..  the  Loyal 
Legion,  the  Presbyterian  church,  and  the  Sunday  school.  He  was  married  at 
his  native  place,  October  28,  1800,  to  Frances  M..  daughter  of  Dr.  Robert  E. 
James.  Dr.  Long's  father  was  William  A.  Long  and  the  maiden  name  of 
his  mother  was  Eva  Miller.  The  Longs  were  Scotch-Iri.sh  and  came  to 
America  in  1740,  settling  tirst  in  Chester  county,  Pennsylvania:  later  some 
of  them  moved  into  Bucks  and  subsequently  others  into  Northampton  coun- 
ty. WiUiam  A.  Long's  grandfather  located  at  Mt.  Bethel  in  Northampton 
county  prior  to  the  war  for  independence  and  there  his  children,  grandchil- 
dren, and  many  great-grandchildren  were  bom.  William  A.  Long  married 
Eva  Miller,  whose  parents  were  of  German  descent,  and  they  reared  three 
sons  and  three  daughters.  The  daughters  are  all  deceased,  and  of  the 
sons  Jeremiah  is  a  merchant  in  Chattanooga,  Tennessee;  Jacob  E.  is  a 
banker  in  Bangor,  Pennsylvania,  and  Hiram  is  a  physician  at  Sunbur}-. 

Philip  H.  Renx,  physician,  and  secretary  of  the  Sunbury  Medical  Asso- 
ciation, was  born  in  Sunburv",  Northumberland  county,  Pennsylvania.  May 
20.1801.  He  received  his  primary  education  at  the  public  schools  and  at 
Sunbury  Academy,  read  medicine  with  Doctor  Clark  and  later  with  Doctor 
McKav,  and  in  1877  was  graduated  from  the  University  of  Louisville.  Ken- 


842  HISTORY    OF   NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

tuckj',  to  which  institution  he  was  cadetted  by  the  United  States  government. 
In  1S79  he  opened  an  otiice  in  Sunbury,  coming  hither  from  the  Marine  hos- 
pital at  Louisville,  where  he  was  house  surgeon.  Here  he  stepped  readily 
into  prominence  in  the  profession  and  has  steadily  kept  abreast  of  the  fore- 
most. Doctor  Renn  is  a  member  of  the  K.  of  P.,  the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  the 
Presbj-ierian  chiirch.  He  was  married  in  Chicago,  July  25,  1881),  to  Miss 
Dora,  of  Louisville,  Kentucky. 

J.\coB  M.\ssER,  deceased,  physician  and  surgeon,  was  born  in  1820,  grad- 
uated from  Jefferson  Medical  College  in  1841,  and  from  that  time  until  his 
death  successfully  practiced  medicine  in  Sunbury.  He  served  one  term  as 
register  and  recorder  of  Xorthiunberland  county,  was  a  surgeon  in  the  late 
Rebellion  for  about  one  year,  and  died,  September  10,  1876;  his  widow  sur- 
vives him  and  now  resides  in  Sunbury,  Pennsylvania. 

Franklin  B.  Massee.  physician  and  surgeon,  son  of  Dr.  Jacob  and  Sarah 
(Heighler)  Masser,  was  born  in  Sunbury,  this  State,  July  14,  ISCO.  He  re- 
ceived a  common  school  education;  when  seventeen  years  of  age  he  com- 
menced the  study  of  medicine  with  Dr.  R.  H.  Awl  as  his  preceptor,  was 
graduated  from  Jefferson  Medical  College  in  1880,  and  has  since  been  in 
active  practice.  Our  subject  is  a  member  of  the  Sunbury  Medical  Associa- 
tion, has  been  city  physician,  and  pension  examiner;  he  is  also  a  member  of 
the  Royal  Arcanum,  Knight.s  of  the  Golden  Eagle,  and  the  Episcopal  church. 
Mr.  Massor  was  married  in  Sunbury,  April  12,  1884,  to  Harriet  Houtz, 
daughter  of  the  late  Dr.  Henry  Houtz,  and  to  their  union  have  been  born 
two  children:    Franklin  and  Sarah. 

Jacob  R.  Ckessinger.  D.  D.  S.,  was  born  in  Sunbury,  Northumberland 
county,  Pennsylvania,  May  31.  1844.  His  father  was  the  Rev.  John  B. 
Cressinger  of  the  Baptist  church,  a  native  of  this  county  and  a  grandson  of 
Michael  Cressinger,  a  German  count  who  came  to  America  in  1708  and 
settled  in  Berks  county.  Pennsylvania.  Count  Cressinger  was  an  ofHcer  in 
the  Continental  army  during  the  seven  years'  war  for  liberty,  and  took  an 
active  part  in  many  hard  battles  with  the  British.  His  wife  accompanied 
him  through  the  entire  war  and  with  him  lived  many  happy  years  of  subse- 
quent peace.  After  the  war  he  came  into  this  county  and  lived  in  Augusta 
township  to  a  ripe  old  age.  He  reared  four  sons :  Michael ;  Henry ;  William, 
and  Peter.  Henry,  the  grandfather  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  an 
oSicer  in  the  war  of  1812.  and  lived  many  years  at  the  mountain  near  the 
mouth  of  Shamokin  creek:  just  when  he  died  is  not  known,  but  he  is  buried 
in  Sunbuiy  cemetery.  His  wife  was  Margaret  Renn,  and  he  reared  two 
sons:  John  B.  and  Barney.  The  latter  left  Sunbury  some  time  in  the  'oO's 
and  died  in  MichigaiL  John  B.  preached  many  years  in  this  county, 
organized  and  built  up  several  churches,  and  in  1848  removed  to  Ohio, 
where  he  yet  lives.  He  was  born,  Janttary  1,  1812,  and  in  Jtily,  1831, 
married  Mary  Baumgardner.     She  died  in   1881   at  the  age  of  seventy-tive 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  843 

years.  Thev  reared  four  sons  and  one  daughter,  and  buried  two  sons  and  a 
daughter  in  infancy.  Jacob  E.,  the  youngest  of  the  family,  was  educated  at 
the  common  schools  and  studied  dentistry  with  his  brother.  At  the  out- 
break of  the  war  he  was  attending  Oberlin  College,  Ohio,  and  from  there 
joined  the  army  in  August,  1861,  served  xmtil  November  27,  18G5,  in  the 
Forty-first  Ohio  Infantry,  and  left  the  service  as  brevet  second  lieutenant. 
With  the  gallant  Forty-first  he  fought  in  the  battle  of  Shiloh  and  tlie 
siege  of  Corinth,  and  did  garrison  duty  at  Murfreesboro" ;  he  met  the  enemy 
face  to  face  at  Perrysville  and  at  Stone  River,  where  ou  the  second  day  he 
was  wounded.  He  was  on  duty  at  Eeadyville,  Tennessee,  and  in  tlie  Tulla- 
homa  camjiaign:  he  participated  in  the  l)loody  engagements  of  Einggold, 
Gordon's  Mill^.  Chickamauga,  Brown's  Ferry,  Orchard  Knob.  Mission 
Eidge,  and  the  expedition  to  the  relief  of  Knosville,  and  was  finally 
mustered  out  at  Blain's  Cross  Eoads,  December  31,  1808.  By  reason  of 
re-enlistment  as  veteran,  January  1,  1804,  he  took  part  in  the  battle  of  Dan- 
dridge,  Tennessee.  January  10-17th,  and  on  January  17th  started  for  home 
on  a  thirty  days"  veteran  furlough,  rejoined  his  command  at  Chattanooga, 
Tennessee,  March  1<>,  ISIU,  and  was  with  it  in  the  following  engagements: 
Eockford  Eidge.  Rc-saca.  Adairsville,  Dallas,  Kenuesaw.  Culp's  House, 
Knickajack  Creek.  Chattahoochee  Eiver.  Pickett's  Mills,  Peach  Tree  Creek, 
Atlanta,  Utah  Creek,  Lovejoy  Station  (Georgia),  Columbia,  Franklin,  Nash- 
ville (Tennessee!,  and  in  jiursuit  of  Hood  to  Huntsville,  Alabama.  From 
that  time  on  to  the  close  of  the  war  he  was  with  his  regiment  in  Texas. 
After  the  war  he  completed  the  study  of  dentistry,  and  in  February,  1808, 
came  to  Simbury.  Mr.  Cressinger  is  a  thirty-second  degree  Mason,  an  Odd 
Fellow,  and  prominent  in  the  G.  A.  E.  and  in  the  Baptist  church.  He  was 
married  in  Sunbun,",  May  81,  1809,  to  Mary  A.  Brice,  has  three  children 
living,  and  has  buried  one,  Edna,  at  the  age  of  one  and  one  half  years. 
John  B.  is  a  student  at  Bucknell  University  and  Horace  G.  is  at  home. 
Doctor  Cressinger's  brother,  Isaac,  enlisted  in  1802  in  Company  C,  Twenty- 
third  Ohio  Yolimteer  Infantrj',  was  captured  at  Harper's  Ferry,  confined  in 
Libby  and  Andersonville  prisons,  in  the  fall  of  1803  was  exchanged,  and 
subsequently  chscharged  on  a  surgeon's  certificate.  In  January,  1804,  he 
re-enlisted  and  October  19,  1804,  at  the  battle  of  Cedar  Creek,  Virginia,  he 
was  killed.  Another  brother,  Daniel  B.,  enlisted  in  a  com]iany  from  Ohio 
in  1801,  was  discharged  in  1803,  and  soon  after  his  return  home  died  at 
Upper  Sandusky.  Ohio.  The  Doctor  has  in  his  possession  a  hammer  which  was 
used  by  his  great-grandfather,  Michael  Cressinger,  to  sharpen  his  flints  while 
serving  in  the  Eevolutionary  war,  and  used  by  his  grandfather  in  the  war 
of  1812. 

Andrew  Neeinger  Brice,  editor  and  proprietor  of  the  Smibuiy  Weckl;/ 
News,  is  a  lawyer  by  profession  and  a  justice  of  the  peace  by  repeated  elec- 
tions.    He  was  bom  at  Lewisburg,  Pennsylvania,  February  2,  1840,  son  of 


844  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

Thomas  and  Mary  ( Wenck)  Brice,  natives  of  this  county  and  the  city  of  Phil- 
adelphia, and  of  Irish  and  German-  extraction,  respectively.  Mr.  Brice  was 
educated  at  the  common  schools  and  in  the  ofKce  of  the  Simbury  Gazette  he 
started  to  learn  the  printing  business  in  1857,  serving  three  years  and  a  half. 
In  the  spring  of  ISHl  he  assisted  in  starting  the  Northumberland  County 
Democrat,  and  was  connected  with  that  paper  about  a  year,  reading  law  in 
the  meantime  with  Judge  Alexander  Jordan.  In  the  summer  of  1802  he 
joined  the  army  and  was  made  second  lieutenant  of  Company  C,  One  Hun- 
dred and  Thirty-lirst  Pennsylvania  Volunteers,  served  nine  months,  and  was 
mustered  out  as  tirst  lieutenant.  July  4,  1808,  he  re-entered  the  army,  going 
out  as  a  private  in  a  volunteer  cavalry  squadron,  and  served  six  months. 
Sei^tember  7,  18(')4,  he  again  enlisted  and  served  nearly  one  year  as  a  private 
in  Company  H,  Fifth  Pennsylvania  Cavalry.  While  a  member  of  the  One 
Hundred  and  Thirty-tirst  regiment  he  was  at  Chancellors^-ille  and  Antietam, 
with  the  volunteer  squadron  he  was  looking  after  the  wounded  at  Gettys- 
burg, and  with  the  Fifth  Cavalry  he  was  in  front  of  Kichmond  and  Five 
Forks.  In  front  of  Richmond,  December  14,  1804,  he  was  slightly  wounded, 
but  the  o-reat  irreparable  injury  received  by  him  while  a  soldier  was  not 
caused  by  the  armed  enemy;  it  was  the  more  formidable  and  dangerous  work 
of  disease.  That  enemy  that  attacks  you  in  the  air  yoii  breathe,  in  the  water 
you  drink,  in  the  food  you  eat ;  that  silent,  invisible,  and  insidious  monster 
which  hovers  about  you  while  you  sleep;  that  evil  genius  which  mixes  the 
fetid  etlluvium  of  decaying  animal  and  vegetable  matter  with  the  pure  hydro 
o-en  and  oxvgen  of  life  and  plants  the  germ  of  destruction  in  the  blood — from 
the  wounds  of  this  enemy  Mr.  Brice  will  never  wholly  recover.  After  the 
war  he  resumed  the  study  of  law  and  diversified  the  time  with  school  teach - 
ino-  iintil  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1870.  He  has  l)een  three  years  chief  bur- 
o-ess  of  Sunbury,  more  than  once  in  the  council,  and  five  times  elected  justice 
of  the  peace.  In  1881  he  started  the  Sunbury  Neiv>i,  which  in  1883  absorbed 
the  old  Gazette,  and  is  publishing  the  Legal  News,  a  small  periodical  of  law- 
book size.  Mr.  Brice  was  first  commander  of  the  local  post  of  the  G.  A.  R. 
He  is  a  past  grand  of  the  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  past  chief  patriarch  of  the 
Encampment  branch,  and  also  past  grand  marshal  of  the  State  of  Pennsyl- 
vania of  the  same  order.  As  a  Mason  he  belongs  to  the  Elysburg  Lodge,  and 
is  a  member  of  Northumberland  Chapter  of  Sunbury.  He  belongs  to  the 
commandery  at  Danville  and  to  Bloomsburg  Consistory,  having  taken  thirty- 
two  degrees  in  Masonry.  He  is  a  past  master  of  the  Blue  lodge  and  a  past 
hio-h  priest  of  the  chapter.  He  is  one  of  the  leading  Republicans  of  the 
county,  having  served  three  years  as  chairman  of  the  county  committee.  In 
his  leisure  moments  he  has  been  working  on  the  history  of  his  first  regiment. 
the  One  Hundred  and  Thirty-first  Pennsylvania  Volunteers.  The  new  build- 
incr  just  put  up  by  him  where  the  News  is  located  is  opjiosite  his  residence. 
It  is  a  well  equipped  newspaper  oflice,  in  height  three  stories  and  a  base- 


BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES.  845 

ment,  the  basement  containing  the  newsjiaper  Hoe  press,  boiler,  and  eno-ine. 
Though  Mr.  Brice  of  late  years  has  suffered  much  from  ill  health,  contracted 
from  exposure  in  the  field,  he  is  a  very  busy  ^vorker,  spending  most  of  his 
time  with  a  pen  in  his  hand.  It  is  a  noteworthy  fact  in  his  life  that  in  ISSO 
he  was  offered  the  nomination  for  Congress,  but  declined  it  in  favor  of 
another  county  in  the  congressional  district.  He  was  married  in  Simburv, 
July  31,  1862,  to  Kebecca  Friling,  and  has  three  children:  Edward  L.; 
William  F.,  and  Mary.  His  sons  are  associated  with  him  in  newspaper  bus- 
iness. He  was  commissioned  postmaster  of  Sunbury  by  President  Harrison, 
and  his  son,  William  F.,  is  the  efficient  deputy  in  charge. 

Jacob  E.  Eichholtz.  one  of  the  proprietors  and  editors  of  the  Xortlmm- 
berland  County  Democrat  and  the  Sunbury  Daily,  was  born  in  Lel.)anon, 
Pennsylvania,  November  11,  1830.  His  father  was  the  Eev.  George  Eich- 
holtz. of  the  Lutheran  church,  and  his  mother  was  Harriet  Ely.  Th^  senior 
Mr.  Eichholtz's  ministerial  duties  led  him  to  various  places  of  abode,  and  he 
died  in  Lycoming  county  in  1885,  aged  seventy-two  years.  His  grandfather 
came  to  America  from  Germany  with  John  Jacob  Astor.  and  was  for  a  time 
engaged  in  the  fur  trade  with  that  great  accumulator  of  wealth.  Harriet 
Eichholtz  died  in  18N1.  She  was  the  mother  of  four  sons  and  four  daughters, 
the  subject  of  this  sketch  being  her  second  son.  Jacob  received  a  common 
and  high  school  education  at  Lancaster,  learned  the  printing  trade  at  Mifflin- 
town,  and  from  that  to  the  present  time  has  been  at  newspaper  work  as 
"jour,"  publisher,  reporter,  editor,  and  proprietor.  He  came  to  Sunburj- 
about  the  time  the  Northumberland  County  Democrat  was  started,  joined 
Mr.  Purdy  in  its  publication,  and  in  July,  1808.  purchased  the  plant.  In 
]88n  he  sold  a  foiirth  interest  to  Mr.  Dewart.  his  partner  and  associate  in 
both  jiapers  mentioned  in  this  sketch.  In  1873  and  1874  Mr.  Eichholtz  was 
chairman  of  the  Democratic  county  central  committee;  in  May.  l^'^o.  he  was 
appointed  postmaster  by  Mr.  Cleveland.  He  was  first  married  in  Lancaster, 
Pennsylvania,  January  lU.  ISOl),  to  Harriet  Erisman,  who  died  in  the  fall  of 
1883.  The  present  Mrs.  Eichholtz,  to  whom  he  was  married  at  Lewisburg, 
Febn.iary  11,  1885,  was  Rosa  Schaffle.  By  his  first  marriage  he  has  one  son. 
Herbert;  by  his  second,  a  son,  William. 

Thomas  J.  SiLvirs.  editor  and  publisher  of  the  Sunbury  Amevicai).  was 
born  at  Lanca.ster.  Pennsylvania.  May  14,  1854.  His  father.  Jacob  Silvius. 
also  a  native  of  Lancaster,  was  born.  December  11,  1827,  and  his  mother, 
whose  maiden  name  was  Mary  Tucker,  was  born  in  Chester  county.  Pennsyl- 
vania, September  14,  bSSO.  They  now  reside  in  East  Stinbury.  the  father 
having  some  years  since  retired  from  active  business.  The  names  of  their 
children  are:  Ellis  T.,  master  mechanic  of  a  railroad  in  Florida:  Thomas  J.; 
Charles  L.,  foreman  of  the  Pennsylvania  railroad  tin  shops,  Sunbury:  Jennie, 
married  to  R.  F.  Bateman.  of  Lancaster;  Sadie,  of  Florida;  Clara,  and  Allie. 
The  parents  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  to  which  organ- 


846  HISTORY    OF   NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

ization  each  of  their  chikkeu  belongs.  Thomas  J.  was  educated  at  the  com- 
mon schools,  learned  the  printing  business,  and  has  followed  it  thus  far 
almost  to  the  exclusion  of  everything  else.  He  spent  six  months  in  the 
photograph  business,  one  year  clerking  in  a  store,  and  twelve  months  as  a 
traveling  salesman,  and  has  been  four  years  assessor  of  property  for  taxation 
in  the  Fifth  ward  of  the  borough  of  Sunbury.  In  1875,  associated  with  J. 
Adam  Cake,  he  published  the  Sunbitry  Independent,  and  in  1875-76,  with 
W.  J.  Walsmith,  issued  the  Sunburv-  Daily.  In  1S7S  he  joined  Mr.  J.  A. 
Coker  in  the  utterance  of  the  Cape  Girardeau,  Missouri,  News,  and  devoted 
his  time  thereto  for  the  succeetling  live  years.  He  is  now  editor  and  pub- 
lisher of  the  Sunbury  American,  the  oldest  newspaper  published  in  this 
place.  Mr.  Silvius  is  a  thorough  newspaper  man,  a  terse  and  vigorous 
writer,  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  and  a  Republican  in 
politics.  He  was  married  in  Cape  Girardeau,  Missouri,  June  15,  1870,  to 
Lelia  A.  Jennings,  and  two  children  have  been  borne  to  them:  Pearl  E.  and 
Robert  C. ;  the  latter  died.  June  15,  1890. 

Hudson  Withixgtox.  one  of  the  proprietors,  editors,  and  puljlishers  of  the 
Sunbury  American,  is  a  native  of  Snydertown,  Northumberland  county, 
Pennsylvania,  a  .son  of  William  and  Sarah  (Shaffer)  Withington,  and  was 
born,  February  14,  1858.  The  senior  Mr.  Withington,  a  farmer  by  occupa- 
tion, was  also  born  in  Snydertown,  and  his  wife,  Sarah  Shaffer,  was  born  in 
Zerbe  township.  They  reside  now  at  Snydertown,  as  does  also  the  subject 
of  this  sketch,  and  their  children  are:  Jacob;  Mary  E. ;  Franklin;  Minnie  C, 
and  Hudson.  The  latter  received  a  common  school  editcation,  and  at  Sun- 
Intry  learned  the  printing  btisiness,  in  the  practical  application  of  which,  in 
all  its  various  branches,  he  is  a  recognized  expert.  Under  the  subject  head 
of  the  Press,  this  volume,  will  be  found  the  history  of  his  identity  with  the 
American,  a  paper  whose  ever}-  issue  shows  in  its  mechanical  make-up  a 
completeness  in  detail  that  evidences  the  skill  of  an  adej)t.  Mr.  Withington 
is  a  Republican  in  politics  and  a  member  of  the  I.  0.  O.  F.  He  was  married, 
November  18,  1888,  at  Snydertown,  to  Aldah  M.  Neice,  who  was  born  in 
Rush  to^vnship,  this  cotmty.  -\pril  18,  1867.  (Since  the  foregoing  was  writ- 
ten Mr.  Withington  has  withdrawn  from  the  paper,  and  is  now  a  compositor 
on  the  Philadelphia  Inquirer.) 

Geoege  B.  C.\dw.\llader.  ex-chief  bttrgess  of  Sunbury,  was  born  in 
Doylestown,  Pennsylvania.  October  20,  1830,  son  of  Dr.  Peter  and  Hannah 
(Magill)  Cadwallader,  natives  of  Bucks  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  descend- 
ants of  Scotch  ancestry.  Doctor  Cadwallader  died  in  1882,  and  his  widow 
lived  to  the  advanced  age  of  eighty  years.  Of  his  three  sons  and  one  daugh- 
ter George  B.  is  the  only  one  hving.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was-reared 
in  Bucks  county,  received  an  academic  education,  and  subsequently  gradu- 
ated from  the  Philadelphia  College  of  Pharmacy.  Engaging  in  the  drug 
business  at  Danville,  he  followed  it  altogether  at  various  places  about  twenty- 


V 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  849 

five  years,  ^\^lea  the  war  broke  out  he  was  in  business  at  Shamokin.  and 
in  April,  1861,  entered  the  army  as  first  lieutenant  of  Company  A,  Eio-hth 
Pennsylvania  Volunteers,  and  served  three  months.  Ee-enlisting  in  August 
following  he  was  made  first  lieutenant  of  Company  K,  Forty-sixth  Pennsyl- 
vania Volunteers,  and  thereafter  served  in  about  the  following  manner  until 
September  10,  1S66,  at  which  time  he  was  mustered  out  at  Richmond.  Vir- 
ginia: September  17,  1861,  he  was  first  lieutenant  and  quartermaster  of 
the  Forty-sixth  regiment;  July,  1863,  captain  and  assistant  quartermaster 
U.  S.  A. ;  March,  1865,  brevetted  major  and  lieutenant  colonel;  for  faithful  and 
meritorious  service  during  the  war  he  was  brevetted  colonel,  and  in  November. 
1865,  for  faithful  and  efficient  services  in  the  quartermaster's  department,  he 
was  brevetted  brigadier  general.  Dttring  the  period  covered  by  the  foregoing 
promotions,  he  was  brigade  quartermaster  of  William's  brigade,  Armv  of 
Virginia;  quartermaster  of  the  First  brigade.  Second  corps.  Army  of  Vir- 
ginia, and  of  the  First  brigade.  First  di-s-ision,  Twelfth  corps.  Army  of  the 
Potomac;  post  quartermaster  at  Dechert,  Tennessee,  and  Atlanta,  Georgia; 
in  charge  of  transportation  ou  Sherman's  march  to  the  sea;  in  charge  of 
marine  and  land  transportation  at  Savannah,  Georgia;  in  charge  of  quarter- 
master's depot  at  Cleveland,  Ohio,  and  Richmond,  Virginia,  and  finally  in 
cliarge  of  the  national  cemeteries  at  Seven  Pines,  Fair  Oaks,  and  Hollywood. 
Leaving  the  army,  he  came  to  Sunbury  and  for  a  short  time  was  in  the  grain. 
flour,  and  feed  business.  From  1869  to  18S4  he  was  engaged  in  the  drug 
btisiness,  thence  to  the  present  time  in  the  manufacture  of  nails,  an  enterprise 
with  which  he  is  now  connected.  General  Cadwallader  was  married  in  this 
place  in  1870  to  Mrs.  Georgiann  (Markle)  Wolverton.  Mrs.  Cadwallader 
died.  May  9,  1885,  leaving  her  husband  and  two  daughters:  Mary  and  Annie. 
The  General  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity  and  of  the  Presbyterian 
chttrch.  He  was  first  elected  as  chief  burgess  in  1SS7.  on  the  Republican 
ticket,  and  re-elected  in  1889. 

Henry  T.  Eckeet  was  born  in  Northumberland,  Northumberland  cotmty. 
Pennsylvania,  August  2(\  1842,  and  was  educated  at  the  public  schools  and 
at  Freeburg  Academy  in  Snyder  county,  Pennsylvania.  He  taught  a  few 
terms  of  school,  clerked  a  season  for  a  Northumberland  firm,  and  conducted 
a  grocery  of  his  own  about  three  years.  In  the  fall  of  1869  he  went  on  the 
road  as  a  ''Knight  of  the  Grip"  for  Burns  &  Smucker,  grocers,  of  Philadel- 
phia, and  it  is  written  of  him  that  his  employers  knew  where  he  was  even,- 
pay-day  for  the  fifth  of  a  century.  He  remained  with  this  firm  regularly 
until  March,  1889.  Since  the  last  named  date  he  has  been  engaged  \vith  the 
firm  of  R.  C.  Williams  &  Company  of  New  York.  The  position  of  the  dnmi- 
mer  is  no  sinecure,  and  the  fitness  of  a  man  for  its  duties  is  established  by  a 
multiplicity  of  tests.  Success  is  the  one  word  that  fixes  the  tenure  with  his 
employers;  but  the  accomplishments  prerequisite  to  that  rating  are  beyond 
the  reach  of  many  who  deem  themselves  equal  to  the  most  difficult  imder- 


850  HISTORY    OF   NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

takings.  To  have  represented  on  the  road  one  house  for  two  decades  admits 
of  but  one  conclusion.  Mr.  Eckert's  popularity  among  all  classes  led  his 
party  in  1880  to  place  his  name  at  the  head  of  their  legislative  ticket  and 
their  good  judgment  was  made  manifest  in  his  triumph.  At  the  ensuing 
struggle  for  his  successorship  he  was  again  the  Democratic  candidate,  but, 
as  is  well  known,  the  whole  ticket  was  defeated.  Though  always  a  hard 
worker  he  has  never  been  a  candidate  for  any  other  office.  Mr.  Eckert  is  not 
unknown  as  a  man  of  letters.  His  contributions  to  the  Detroit  Free  Press 
and  other  leading  journals  have  met  with  favor,  and  some  of  his  verse,  not- 
ably "The  Susquehanna"  and  "Milton  in  Flames,"  find  places  in  the 
choice  collections  of  the  connoisseur.  In  prose  and  in  song  many  of  his  pro- 
ductions are  familiar.  In  the  latter,  his  "Under  the  Buttonwood,"  "The 
Orchard  Bars,"  •■Do^\"n  by  the  Murmuring  Sea,"  and  others  are  exception- 
ably  fine.  Mr.  Eckert  is  a  Knight  Templar  Mason,  and  a  member  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  church.  He  was  married  in  Catawissa,  Penn.sylvania, 
February  S,  ISCl'),  to  Charlotte  C.  Long,  and  has  living  five  children:  Curtie 
W. ;  Edwin  S. :  Henry  T. ;  Jennie  Long,  and  Nellie  Robins;  two  others  died 
in  infancy. 

J.vKiD  C.  Irwin  was  born  in  Lanca.ster  county,  Pennsylvania.  March  18, 
1830,  son  of  Martin  and  Rachel  (Invin)  Irwin,  natives  of  Chester  and  Lan- 
caster counties,  respectively.  Martin  Irwin  came  to  Suubury  in  1832  and 
here  spent  the  rest  of  his  life,  dying  in  184U  at  tlie  age  of  forty-five  years. 
His  widow  subsecjuently  became  the  wife  of  Frederick  Lazarus,  whose 
widow  she  now  is.  Martin  Irwin,  a  shoemaker  by  occupation,  was  a  most 
reputable  citizen,  and  served  the  county  as  register  and  recorder,  having 
been  elected  in  1S4S.  He  reare<l  a  family  of  three  sons  and  six  daughters. 
Jarid,  the  eldest  son.  learned  the  shoemaker's  trade  rinder  his  father.  In 
1801  he  responded  to  the  President's  first  call  for  troops,  and  served  three 
months  in  Company  F,  Eleventh  Pennsylvania  Volunteers.  He  next  served 
one  year  as  musician  in  the  Forty-fifth  Pennsylvania  Volunteers,  and  later 
as  a  private  carried  a  musket  eleven  months  in  the  Forty-seventh  Pennsyl- 
vania. With  the  Eleventh  regiment  he  served  in  iVIaryland  and  Virginia; 
with  the  Forty-fifth  he  was  in  the  battles  of  James  Island,  South  Carolina, 
Antietam,  and  South  Moimtain.  Maryland.  Since  the  war  he  has  lived  in 
Sunbury,  where  he  has  been  five  years  a  borough  councilman,  and  is  now 
serving  his  fifth  term  as  school  director.  Mr.  Irwin  is  a  consistent  and  reli- 
able Republican  in  politics,  a  member  of  the  G.  A.  R.,  and  a  citizen  of  high 
standing.  He  was  married  in  Danville,  Pennsylvania,  in  1851.  to  Ann  S., 
daughter  of  the  late  George  Kiehl.  one  time  sheriff  of  this  county,  and  has 
one  child,  Georgiana.  Mrs.  Sharon  Stevens,  of  Harrisburg,  who  has  two 
children:  Fred  and  Bessie. 

Ueias  Bloom,  register  of  wills,  recorder  of  deeds,  and  clerk  of  the 
orphan's  court,  was  born  in  Lower  Augusta,  now  Rockefeller    township. 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  851 

Northumberland  county.  Penn.sylvania,  April  1.  1S54,  son  of  Hiram  and 
Maria  (Hileman)  Bloom.  Stephen  Bloom,  the  first  of  the  name  to  locate  in 
this  coimty.  came  here  prior  to  17U5.  as  shown  by  his  will,  and  was  there- 
fore a  pioneer  in  this  jiart  of  the  country.  His  son  Samuel  was  the  father 
of  Jacob,  and  Jacob  was  the  father  of  Hiram;  thus  with  the  stroke  of  tlie 
pen  we  connect  the  fifth  with  the  first  generation  of  a  family  whose  name 
appears  frequently  in  the  early  archives  of  the  county.  Samuel  Bloom  was 
commissioned  as  justice  of  the  peace.  February  28,  1809,  served  as  county 
commissioner,  ISlo-l'i.  and  as  county  treasurer,  lS34-:jO.  The  farm  he 
bought  from  old  Martin  Eaker  and  wife  in]  797  in  Rockefeller  townshiji 
near  the  old  stone  church  is  the  ^^I'operty  of  I'rias  and  is  highly  prized  by 
him.  Hiram  Bloom  reared  nine  children,  eight  of  whom  are  living.  TJrias, 
the  eldest,  was  educated  at  the  common  schools,  and  at  the  age  of  sixteen 
years  began  teaching.  When  aljout  twenty  years  old  he  accepted  a  clerk- 
ship with  Lemuel  Shipman  in  the  recorder's  office,  remained  with  that 
gentleman  until  I'^sn.  and  with  his  successor,  George  D.  Bucher,  from  ISSO 
to  ISS'l  In  INS")  he  was  elected  register  and  recorder  and  re-elected  in 
Isss.  At  liis  first  election  he  was  about  two  hundred  fifty  ahead  of  his 
tii>ket  (Democratic I.  and  at  his  second  over  twelve  hundred  more  votes  were 
cast  for  him  than  for  the  rest  of  tlie  ticket.  Mr.  Bloom  is  identified  with 
the  I.  O.  0.  F..  the  Conclave,  tlir  :Masniiic  fraternity,  and  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  church.  He  was  niarrinl  in  Lowor  Augusta  township,  November 
2rj,  1879.  to  Anna  :\r.  Wintfrstem  and  has  three  children:  Fssie  Tarda; 
Grace  Imogene,  and  Guldif  Edna. 

SiMO.N  P.  Favsold.  prothonotary.  was  born.  April  30.  Is4i),  in  what  is  now 
Rockefeller  township,  Northumberland  county.  Pennsylvania,  a  son  of  Jona- 
than and  Catharine  i  Bartholomew )  Fans(_ild.  He  was  educated  at  the  common 
.schools  and  tlu'  Sunbury  Seminary,  thcji  taught  by  Simon  P.  Wolverton.  He 
taught  school  from  l^-'^  to  iMi."!,  including  terms  in  the  Shamokin  and  Situ- 
bury  public  s(;liools.  In  IMi'i  he  was  ajipointed  deputy  recorder  for  North- 
umlierland  county  l>y  J.  X.  J.  Cummings,  which  position  he  filled  creditably 
for  a  term  of  three  years.  He  then  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business  at 
Montandon,  this  county,  under  the  firm  name  of  S.  G.  Fry  ct  Company.  From 
bS72  to  lb77  this  firm  conducted  a  wholesale  notion  bitsiness  on  a  canal  boat, 
extending  from  Montandon  to  Lock  Haven  and  Pittston,  down  the  main  line 
of  the  Pennsylvania  canal  to  "Wrightsville.  York  county,  and  up  the  Juniata 
river  to  McVeytown.  After  withdrawing  from  this  in  1S78  he  taught  one 
term  of  school,  after  which,  in  3879,  he  was  appointed  deputy  prothonotary 
by  Wesley  Auten,  and  was  continued  in  the  position  by  Prothonotary  Auten 
during  his  two  terms.  H.  F.  Mann  succeeded  Auten  and  Mr.  Fausald  was 
retained  by  him  during  his  two  terms  of  office.  In  1S90  he  was  nominated 
by  the  Democratic  party  for  prothonotary  without  opposition  and  was  elected 
by  a  majority  of  nine  himdred  twenty-seven.    When  the  first  draft  was  made 


8o2  HISTORY    OF    NOKTHUMBERLA.ND    COUNTY. 

on  Northiimbeiiand  county  in  the  late  Rebellion,  his  name  was  in  the  list,  but 
he  was  excused  through  the  order  of  the  Governor  that  school  teachers  in 
active  service  should  be  exempt  from  the  draft.  When  the  second  draft  was 
made  he  was  again  selected  and  this  time  furnished  a  substitute.  Mr.  Fau- 
sold  has  been  married  three  times;  first,  in  1873,  to  Annie  E.  Andrews  who 
died  in  1877 ;  his  second  marriage  was  in  1879  to  Anna  J.  Diehm,  who  died 
in  1881;  his  third  marriage  was  in  1883  to  Ella  C.  Diehm.  He  is  a  Demo- 
crat, and  with  his  wife  belongs  to  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 

LuDLEM  B.  Rockwell,  patentee  and  manufacturer  of  the  celebrated  Rock- 
well process  for  tempering  steel,  is  a  native  of  Wayne  county,  Pennsylvania, 
son  of  William  P.  and  Sarah  S.  (Bassett)  Rockwell,  and  was  born,  Septem- 
ber 10,  1843.  The  Rockwells  came  originally  from  England,  the  Bassetts 
from  France,  and  both  families  were  found  among  the  early  American  colo- 
nists. The  subject  of  this  sketch  received  a  common  school  education,  and 
at  Waymart  learned  the  trade  of  blacksmith  and  wagon  maker,  at  which  he 
was  engaged  at  the  outbreak  of  the  Rebellion.  In  October,  1802,  he  entered 
the  army,  and  spent  nine  months  on  detached  duty  in  Philadelphia.  Febru 
arj-  28,  1864,  in  New  York  City,  he  enlisted  in  Company  F,  Fiftieth  New 
York  Volunteers,  and  served  until  the  close  of  the  war  in  the  Army  of  the 
Potomac.  Leaving  the  army  he  returned  to  Waymart,  Pennsylvania,  and 
there  for  three  years  worked  at  blacksmithing.  He  came  to  Sunbury  in  1872 
and  for  some  years  followed  his  trade.  In  December,  1884,  he  patented  his 
process  for  tempering  steel,  and  in  1888  secured  letters  on  his  method  of 
moulding  steel,  an  invention  whereby  he  converts  refused,  worn-out,  and 
broken  steel  tools  into  the  highest  grades  of  knives  and  other  .steel  and  iron- 
cutting  implements.  Mr.  Rockwell  is  a  member  of  the  G.  A.  R.  and  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  church.  He  was  married  in  Carbondale,  Pennsylvania. 
September  5,  1865,  to  Margaret  Thorpe. 

John  J.  B.\tm.\.n.  manufacturer  and  patentee  of  the  Keystone  Radial  Drill 
Press  and  general  manufacturer  of  engines,  boilers,  and  machinery,  was  born 
near  Hickory  Corners,  Northumberland  county,  Pennsylvania,  May  13,  1847, 
a  son  of  Jacob  and  Matilda  (Burrell)  Batman.  The  senior  Mr.  Batman,  a 
blacksmith  in  early  life,  and  later  a  manufacturer  of  agricultural  implements, 
was  the  son  of  one  of  the  pioneers  of  this  county.  From  here  he  moved  to 
Dauphin  county  and  at  Uniontown  manufactured  grain  drills  and  agricultural 
implements  for  some  years.  From  thence  he  removed  to  Selinsgrove,  where 
he  now  carries  on  a  machinery  repair  shop.  He  has  been  the  father  of 
fourteen  children,  nine  of  whom  are  now  living.  John  J.,  the  eldest  child, 
was  educated  at  the  common  schools,  and  with  his  father  learned  the  machin- 
ist trade.  In  1866  he  bought  his  father's  shops  at  Uniontown  and  began 
business  for  himself.  At  the  end  of  one  year  he  and  his  father  went  into 
business  at  Selinsgrove,  and  he  was  there  five  years.  In  1874  he  came  to 
Sunbury  and  began  the  manufacture  of  agriciiltural  implements  as  the  sue- 


BIOGEAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  853 

cesser  to  Haupt  &  Youngman  in  Arch  street.  In  ISSO  he  removed  to  his 
present  site  on  East  Market  street,  where  his  specialty  is  the  manufacture  of 
the  Piadial  Drill  Press,  an  ingenioiis  device  for  drilling  metal  from  a  fixed 
center  at  any  point  within  a  given  radius.  In  1864  Mr.  Batman  entered  the 
army  at  Harrisburg  as  a  private  in  Company  A,  Two  Hundred  and  Eighth 
Penn.sylvania  Volunteers,  and  served  to  the  close  of  the  war.  He  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  G.  A.  K.  and  of  the  Reformed  church.  His  wife,  to  whom  he  was 
married  near  Uniontown  in  September,  1806,  was  Eebecca  Romberger,  and 
the  children  bom  to  them  are:  Mary  Minerva;  Harry  Oscar;  Charles  Albert, 
and  Lillie  May. 

Henry  K.  Stout,  master  mechanic  of  the  Philadelphia  and  Erie  division 
of  the  Pennsylvania  railroad,  is  a  native  of  Pottsto\vn,  Pennsylvania,  a  son  of 
the  late  S.  A.  Stout,  and  was  born.  May  17,  1845.  His  father  was  nearly  all 
his  life  a  railroad  man.  He  was  with  the  Philadelphia  and  Reading  from 
its  beginning  in  1844,  and  for  twenty-five  years  superintendent  of  that  com- 
pany's shops  at  Pottstown.  He  died  in  1883,  at  the  age  of  seventy-three 
years.  He  was  a  highly  esteemed  gentleman,  a  Democrat  in  politics,  a 
Mason,  and  held  many  minor  offices  by  appointment  and  election.  His  wife, 
whose  maiden  name  was  Mary  Ann  Kline,  died  in  1859.  They  reared  three 
sons;  Eugene,  foreman  of  the  Philadelphia  and  Reading  shops  at  Newberry 
Junction,  Pennsylvania;  John  M.,  a  miller  and  farmer,  and  Henry  K.  Henry 
K.,  the  eldest  son,  was  educated  at  the  Pottstown  public  schools,  and  in  the 
shops  of  the  Philadelphia  and  Reading  railroad  learned  the  trade  of  machin- 
ist. During  1804  he  served  one  hundred  days  in  the  army,  and  in  the  fol- 
lowing year  worked  in  the  railroad  shops  at  Pottstown.  From  autumn,  1805, 
to  November,  1866,  he  worked  at  his  trade  in  Philadelphia  with  William 
Sellers  &  Company,  and  from  the  last  named  date  until  April,  1882,  he 
worked  for  the  Philadelphia  and  Erie  Railroad  Company  at  Renovo  in  the 
capacity  of  gang  foreman  and  foreman  of  the  machine  shop.  From  Renovo, 
where  he  was  chief  burgess,  he  came  to  Simbury  in  his  present  position.  As 
master  mechanic  he  has  under  him  over  four  hundred  men  and  the  responsi- 
bilities of  the  position  he  occupies  are  multiform.  Mr.  Stout  was  married  at 
Lock  Haven,  August  21,  1807,  to  Sarah  B.  Singer,  and  has  four  children: 
Annie;  Mary;  Harry,  and  Charles. 

John  Adam  C.\ke,  for  whose  father  was  named  the  hamlet  of  Caketown, 
a  place  yet  familiarly  known  by  that  name  though  for  years  past  forming  a 
part  of  Sunbury,  was  born  in  Harri.sburg,  Dauphin  county,  Penn.sylvama, 
August  25,  1840.  He  was  educated  at  Russell's  Military  School,  and  at 
Yale  and  Princeton.  With  Benjamin  H.  Brewster  as  preceptor  he  read  law 
for  some  time  m  Philadelphia,  and  in  March,  1870,  was  a<;lmitted  to  the  bar 
in  Sunbury.  after  having  pursued  his  studies  one  year  with  Messrs.  Rocke- 
feller and  Rohrbach.  Since  coming  to  the  bar  he  has  had  his  office  in  Cake- 
town,  where  he  has  large  property  interests  requiring  much  of  his  attention. 


854  HISTORY    OF    X0ETHU3IBERLAND    COUNTY. 

During  the  years  ISGT  and  ISOS  he  held  the  position  of  assistant  cashier  in 
the  Philadelphia  Custom  House  under  his  father,  who  was  then  the  United 
States  collector  of  that  port.  Becoming  a  convert  to  the  Greenback  idea 
then  so  prevalent,  he  was  a  delegate  to  the  convention  held  at  Toledo,  Ohio, 
in  1878  for  the  purpose  of  organizing  the  National  Greenback  and  Labor 
party  and  therein  took  an  active  part.  He  was  subsequently  the  repre- 
sentative of  that  party  from  his  district  to  the  national  conventions  of  1880 
and  1884,  and  in  the  ensuing  campaigns  labored  hard  for  the  success  of  the 
respective  nominees.  Weaver  and  Butler.  In  1880  he  was  his  party's  nomi- 
nee for  Congress,  and  in  1882  their  candidate  for  the  Supreme  court.  Mr. 
Cake  is  now  a  Kepublican,  but  vinnally  withdrawn  from  active  politics.  He 
was  married  at  Pottsville,  Pennsylvania,  February  27,  1868.  to  Minnie  E., 
daughter  of  the  late  Captain  Hugh  McCuUough,  who  fell  at  Murfreesboro, 
Tennessee,  and  has  four  children:  John  A.:  Minnie  C. :  Joseph  W..  and 
Edith. 

Samuel  M.  Elliott,  foreman  of  the  blacksmith  shops,  Philadelphia  and 
Erie  division  of  the  Pennsylvania  railroad,  was  born  in  Mifflin  (now  Juniata) 
county,  Pennsylvania,  June  0,  lS2o.  and  his  parents  were  William  Elliott 
and  Mary  Crozier,  both  de.scendant.s  from  Scotch-Irish  ancestors.  Samuel 
was  educated  at  the  common  scho<Dls  of  his  native  county,  and  there  with 
John  Middaugh,  of  Honey  Grove,  learned  the  blacksmith  trade.  He  spent 
three  years  as  an  apprentice,  conducted  a  shop  three  years,  and  in  18")  1  in 
the  Pennsylvania  railroad  shops  at  Mifflin  began  his  life  as  a  railroad  black- 
smith. In  June,  185(5,  he  was  made  foreman  of  the  shops,  in  INllO  trans- 
ferred to  Renovo,  and  in  18711  to  his  present  position  at  Sunliury.  In 
March,  186-3,  he  joined  Captain  MiL-;ser"s  company.  One  Hundred  and  First 
Pennsylvania  Volunteers,  and  served  until  July  following  as  orderly  ser- 
geant under  General  Schotield.  AMiile  in  Renovo  he  was  three  years  a  bor- 
ough councilman,  and  is  now  serving  his  third  year  as  member  of  the  Sun- 
bury  school  board.  Mr.  Elliott  is  connected  with  the  Masons,  Odd  Fellows, 
and  Red  Men,  and  is  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church.  He  was  mar- 
ried in  Juniata  county,  Januan,-  2.  1S4U.  to  Hannah  R.  Kissinger,  and  has 
had  borne  to  him  seven  children:  Alfred;  Rebecca  R. ;  Lee,  deceased;  Han- 
nah J.,  deceased;  Mary  M.,  Mrs.  Victor  T.  Kissinger;  Julia  J.,  and  Sam- 
uel E. 

George  W.  Keefer,  contractor  and  builder,  was  born  in  Lower  Augusta 
township,  Northumberland  county.  Pennsylvania,  April  22,  1845,  son  of 
George  and  Elizabeth  (Weiser)  Keefer.  He  was  educated  at  the  common 
schools  and  learned  the  carpenter  trade  while  a  yoimg  man.  He  followed 
his  trade  four  years  and  then  embarke<l  in  merchandising,  which  he  followed 
nine  years,  the  last  six  years  in  Sunbury.  In  1873  he  turned  his  attention 
to  his  present  vocation,  and  is  now  one  among  the  most  successful  contract- 
ors in  bridge  building  and  all  kind  of  public  work.     He  employs  a  great 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  855 

many  men  during  a  season.  He  was  married  in  Sunbury.  Deceml.ier  IG, 
1879,  to  Belle  M..  daughter  of  George  W.  Zeigler.  Mr.  Keefer  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Masonic  fraternity  and  of  the  Presbyterian  chureh.  His  father 
was  born  in  Berks  comity  in  1796.  and  died  in  this  county  in  1S79.  By  his 
first  wife  he  reared  two  sons  and  three  daughters.  By  his  second  wife, 
Elizabeth  Weiser,  he  had  three  sons  and  three  daughters. 

Norman  S.  Exgle,  broker  and  real  estate  agent,  was  born  at  Alliion. 
Noble  coimty,  Indiana,  January  20.  1841,  son  of  William  F.  Engle,  a  for- 
mer resident  of  Suubury,  who  settled  in  the  northern  part  of  Indiana  in 
1837  and  was  one  of  the  prominent  pioneers  of  that  section  of  the  State. 
He  married  a  w-estern  lady,  who  died  at  an  early  age  and  was  followed  soon 
after  by  her  hitsband.  Norman  S.  and  his  sister  Emily  came  to  Simbury  in 
1851  and  made  their  home  with  the  family  of  H.  B.  ^lasser.  His  education 
was  obtained  at  the  public  school  taught  by  Jacob  I'lp  in  a  building  at  the 
site  of  the  present  Masonic  hall,  and  also  under  the  private  tuition  of  Miss 
Kate  Black.  In  June,  1854,  he  entered  the  office  of  the  Sunbury  American 
to  learn  the  i>rinting  business,  at  which  he  continued  until  June,  1803, 
when  he  was  appointed  to  a  clerkship  in  the  office  of  the  provost  marshal  at 
Harrisburg  under  his  uncle.  General  J.  K.  Clement.  There  he  continued 
imtil  June.  1805,  and  then  returned  to  Suubury.  On  the  1st  of  April,  ISOO, 
he  entered  into  partnership  with  H.  B.  Masser  in  the  pul)licatiou  of  the 
Sunlniry  Aineriean.  retiring  from  this  connection  on  the  1st  of  January, 
1869.  He  then  opened  a  real  estate  and  brokerage  office  at  Sunbury,  and 
has  been  in  business  continuously  ever  since.  He  has  been  active  in  estab- 
lishing and  promoting  building  and  loan  associations,  and  at  the  present 
time  is  vice-president  and  director  of  the  Susquehanna  Building  and  Loan 
Association.  He  was  elected  borough  treasurer  in  1875,  and  annually  there- 
after for  eleven  consecutive  years:  it  was  imder  his  management  that  the 
reorganization  of  the  borough  finances  was  effected  by  the  issue  of  bonds  to 
the  amount  of  forty-five  thousand  dollars,  thits  establishing  the  credit  of  the 
borough  upon  a  firm  basis.  When  Lee  invaded  Maryland  in  1862  he  enlisted 
in  Company  D,  Third  Pennsylvania  Mihtia,  and  was  mustered  out  with  his 
regiment,  September  25,  1862.  At  the  age  of  sixteen  he  became  a  member 
of  the  Good  Intent  Fire  Company,  and  is  now  an  honorary  member  of  Sim- 
bury  Steam  Fire  Company,  No.  1.  Since  1867  he  has  been  identified  with 
the  Masonic  fraternity.  In  politics  he  is  a  stanch  RepubKcan,  and  since 
attaining  his  majority  has  taken  an  active  interest  in  every  important  polit- 
ical campaign.  On  the  17th  of  November,  1869,  he  married  Jane  W,,  daugh- 
ter of  Henry  and  Catherine  (Weaver)  Haas;  they  are  the  parents  of  one 
child,  a  son. 

H.  E.  Davis,  coal  operator  and  dealer,  was  born,  June  7,  1845.  in 
SeUnsgrove.  Pennsylvania,  a  son  of  John  and  Agnes  (Swineford)  Davis.  _  He 
was  educated  in  the  common  schools   and  at  Missionary  Institute,   Selins- 


856  HISTORY    OF   NOETHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

grove.  At  the  age  of  eighteen  years  he  was  employed  by  the  Empire  Stove 
Company  at  Meadville  and  Greenville,  Pennsylvania,  for  one  year.  In 
1867  he  became  a  clerk  in  the  First  National  Bank  of  Snnbury,  remaining 
until  1869,  when  he  was  married  to  Miss  Kate  Haas,  daughter  of  Henry 
Haas,  then  proprietor  of  the  Central  Hotel  of  Snnbury.  In  the  fall  of  1871 
he  began  representing  Hall  Brothers  &  Company,  who  were  sole  agents  for  the 
Mineral  Eailroad  and  Mining  Company  and  the  Lykens  Valley  Coal  Com- 
pany, and  remained  with  them  until  1S81,  when  he  became  a  member  of  the 
firm  of  Hall  Brothers  &  Company,  continuing  until  1883;  from  the  latter  date 
until  1889  he  was  agent  for  the  Philadelphia  and  Beading  Coal  and  Iron 
Company.  During  1SS9  he  was  made  vice-president  and  general  manager 
of  the  Bethel  Coal  Company;  he  is  president  of  the  Simbury  and  Northum- 
berland Street  railway,'  president  of  the  Sunbury  Electric  Light  and  Power 
Company,  a  director  of  the  contemplated  Southern  Central  railroad,  a  direct- 
or of  the  First  National  Bank  of  Sunbury,  and  was  assistant  burgess  of 
Sunbury  one  term.     He  has  two  children:  Helen  A.  and  Mary  C. 

Jerome  B.  Reed,  merchant,  was  born  in  Northampton  county,  Penn- 
sylvania, June  21,  1850,  and  is  a  son  of  Abram  and  Matilda  (Elick)  Reed. 
The  mother  died  about  the  year  1859  while  the  father,  who  is  a  distant  rela- 
tive of  T.  B.  Reed,  the  present  Speaker  of  the  House  of  Representatives, 
resides  in  Kansas  City,  Missouri.  At  the  death  of  his  mother  our  sub- 
ject went  to  make  his  home  with  a  cousin,  where  he  remained  a  few 
years  alternating  farm  labor  with  attendance  at  the  common  schools. 
When  sixteen  he  began  to  learn  the  tinsmith  trade  at  Milton,  North- 
umberland county,  this  State,  where  he  progressed  rapidly  for  two 
years,  and  in  March,  1868,  was  assigned  to  the  management  of  A.  Krause's 
branch  store  in  Sunburj-  and  held  that  position  until  May,  1869;  he 
then  went  to  Louisville,  Kentucky,  and  after  six  months  service  as  con- 
ductor of  a  street  car,  was  emjiloyed  at  his  trade  in  a  tin  shop,  serving 
also  an  apprenticeship  in  the  art  of  phmibing  and  gas-fitting.  In  1872  he 
gave  up  his  position  at  that  city  and  returned  to  Sunbury,  where,  in 
Febriiarj',  1873,  he  was  married  to  Catharine  J.  Harrison,  daughter  of 
George  and  Rebecca  Harrison,  old  residents  and  respected  citizens  of  this 
borough.  To  this  union  have  been  born  three  children:  George;  Daisy,  and 
Florence.  Soon  after  marriage  he  was  employed  as  foreman  of  the  Penn.syl- 
vania  Railroad  Company's  tin  shops  at  Sunbviry,  under  the  instructions  of 
Martin  Walls,  master  mechanic.  Following  this  term  of  employment  was  a 
severe  spell  of  sickness  which  reduced  his  finances  to  a  small  amount. 
Judge  Jordan,  having  taken  an  interest  in  Mr.  Reed,  induced  him  to  accept 
from  him  a  loan  of  three  himdred  dollars  and  establish  a  business.  He 
opened  up  on  a  small  scale  a  line  of  tinware,  stoves,  plumbing  and  gas- 
fitting,  has  added  from  time  to  time  a  general  line  of  house  furnishing 
goods,  guns,  ammunition,  etc.,  and  now  makes  a  specialty  of  plumbing  and 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  857 

steam  and  hot  water  heating  ajiparatns;  in  these  he  has  built  up  a  large 
trade,  not  only  in  Northumberland  but  also  in  the  adjoining  coimties, 
employing  from  twelve  to  thirty-five  men.  In  1S84  he  built  his  present 
commodious  business  house  in  which  he  carries  a  regular  stock  of  goods 
valued  at  from  twelve  to  fifteen  thousand  dollars.  Mr.  Eeed  is  a  Repubhcan 
and  with  his  family  belongs  to  the  Lutheran  church. 

Jacob  G.  Keamer,  ex-sheriff,  was  born  September  20,  1829,  and  is  a  son 
of  Christian  and  Lena  (Bro\vn)  Kramer.  The  father  came  to  America  in 
1833,  settling  in  SchiiyLkill  coiinty,  Pennsylvania.  He  removed  to  this 
county  in  1853  and  died  at  Trevorton  the  same  year  at  the  age  of  fifty-four 
years,  his  wife  having  preceded,  him  to  the  grave  one  year.  They  reared 
four  sons,  of  whom  our  subject  was  the  eldest.  He  was  ediicated  in  the 
common  schools  and  worked  as  miner  and  su2:)erintendent  of  mines  thirty- 
five  years.  In  1887  he  was  elected  sheriff  of  Northumberland  county  by 
the  Republican  party.  He  was  married  in  Pottsville,  Pennsylvania,  in  1850, 
to  Agnes  Griffith.  She  died  in  1877  and  was  the  mother  of  eight  children: 
Agnes,  wife  of  A.  Miller:  Maggie;  Elmira.  wife  of  R.  James;  George; 
Susannah,  wife  of  John  Schatzlein;  Louisa,  wife  of  Edward  Kase;  Emma, 
and  Clinton.  He  is  a  Republican,  belongs  to  the  Masonic  and  Odd  Fellow 
fraternities,  was  for  eight  years  treasiirer  of  the  Knights  of  the  Golden 
Eagle,  and  is  a  member  of  the  Lutheran  church. 

George  W.  Stroh,  ex-chief  burgess  and  proprietor  of  the  Packer  House, 
was  born  in  Tpper  Augusta  township,  Northitmberland  county.  Pennsylvania, 
February  10,  1830.  His  father,  Philip  Stroh,  was  a  native  of  Lancaster 
comity,  and  one  of  the  early  settlers  of  Upper  Augusta  township,  where  he 
became  a  prominent  farmer,  contractor,  and  distiller.  Politically  he  was  a 
"Whig,  served  as  township  constable  for  many  years,  and  was  also  a  prominent 
member  of  the  German  Reformed  church.  He  was  twice  married,  and  by 
the  first  marriage  had  eight  children,  all  of  whom  are  deceased.  His  second 
wife  was  Margaret  Farron,  daughter  of  James  Farron,  and  widow  of  John 
Christian;  by  her  he  had  two  children:  A.  J.  and  George  W.  The  subject 
of  this  sketch  received  but  three  months'  schooling,  his  education  being  most- 
ly self-acquired.  After  leaving  the  homestead  farm  he  went  to  Danville, 
where  he  learned  the  trade  of  harness  maker,  finishing  the  same  in  Sunbury, 
and  when  eighteen  years  of  age  engaged  in  business  for  himself,  which  he 
conducted  nine  years.  He  then  engaged  in  contracting  and  hauled  the  great- 
er part  of  the  limestone  and  iron  used  by  the  Dry  Valley  and  Shamokin  fur- 
naces for  a  number  of  years.  In  1SG5  he  located  on  Packer's  island,  where 
he  was  engaged  in  farming  nine  years.  When  he  first  came  to  Sunbur\-  he 
purchased  the  present  site  of  the  Packer  House,  and  in  1876  built  the  same, 
which  he  has  since  conducted.  In  Mai-ch,  1855,  he  married  Sarah,  daughter 
of  John  Keefer,  of  Upper  Aiigusta  township,  by  whom  he  has  ten  children: 
Rachel  Ellen;  Mary  R.,  wife  of  Walter  Holmes;  Mayberry  H. ;  Isaac  K.; 


858  HISTOKY    OF    NORTHCJIBERLA.ND    COUNTY. 

Susan;  Flora;  Charles  H. :  Harry  J.;  Edward,  and  George  W..  Jr.  Mr.  Stroll 
is  an  active  member  of  the  Kepublican  party,  and  has  filled  the  office  of  con- 
stable five  years,  was  borough  treasurer  of  Sunbury  three  years,  and  in  Feb- 
ruary, 1890,  was  elected  chief  burgess.  Mrs.  Stroh  is  a  member  of  the  Pres- 
byterian church. 

Benjamin  Hendricks  was  born,  Sej^tember  2-j.  ISll.  iu  Snyder  county, 
Pennsylvania,  a  son  of  Samuel  and  Elizabeth  (Duesei  Hendricks.  He  re- 
ceived a  common  school  education  and  learned  the  trade  of  cigar  making. 
His  active  life,  however,  was  principally  spent  at  farming,  merchandising, 
and  the  manufacture  of  lime.  He  removed  to  Simbury  in  1S24,  locating  in 
a  house  which  stood  near  the  present  site  of  the  residence  of  John  Haas.  He 
at  one  time  o\\'ned  what  is  known  as  the  Himter  farm,  on  which  Fort  Augusta 
was  located,  and  at  his  death,  in  1883,  he  possessed  some  good  property  in 
Caroline  county.  Virginia.  He  was  a  director  in  the  Simbury.  Hazelton  and 
Wilkesbarre  Kailroad  Company  during  the  construction  of  that  railroad,  now- 
owned  by  the  Penn.sylvania  Company,  and  held  that  fKJsition  until  the  latter 
made  the  iiurchase.  He  married  Anna  M.  Shindel.  and  to  this  union  were 
born  twelve  children:  Samuel  S.,  deceased:  "William  M.  deceased;  Jacob  S. : 
Elizabeth,  wife  of  S.  P.  Wolverton;  Martin  L. :  Susan  A.,  deceased:  Louisa, 
wife  of  M.  R.  Hemperly:  Mary,  wife  of  Samuel  Fau-^^t:  Catherine,  deceased; 
Isaac  N.;  John  P.  S..  and  Ann  M.  Mrs.  Hendricks  di^l.  December  9.  1877. 
and  with  her  husband  belonged  to  the  Lutheran  church. 

Benjamin  Heckeet,  funeral  director  and  furniture  dealer,  was  born  iu 
Lower  Mahanoy  township,  Northumberland  county.  Pennsylvania,  August 
14.  1835,  son  of  Peter  and  Hannah  (AVitmer)  Heckert.  The  former  was  a 
son  of  Michael  Heckert,  whose  father  emigrated  from  Germany  and  settled 
in  Lower  Mahanoy  at  an  early  period  in  its  history.  He  o\vned  a  considera- 
ble body  of  land,  some  of  which  is  still  in  the  posses.^ion  of  his  descendants, 
who  are  numerous  in  this  coimty  and  in  the  western  States.  Peter  and  Han- 
nah Heckert  were  the  parents  of  fourteen  children,  of  whom  Benjamin  Heck- 
ert, the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  the  twelfth  in  order  of  birth.  He  ob- 
tained a  limited  education  in  the  local  schools,  learned  the  trade  of  cabinet 
making  in  his  native  to\\'ushi2-)  and  imder  Sebastian  Haupt  at  Sunbury  (with 
whom  he  was  employed  eight  years),  and  engaged  in  the  furniture  and  under- 
taking business  at  Northumberland  in  1862;  there  he  remained  until  1871, 
when  he  established  his  present  business  at  Sunbury.  In  1859  he  married 
Sarah  J.,  daughter  of  Andrew  and  Nancy  (Mahany)  Durst,  and  they  are  the 
parents  of  six  children:  William  N.,  deceased:  Eev.  Charles  G.,  a  clergA- 
man  in  the  Lutheran  church,  a  graduate  of  "Wittenberg  College,  Springfield, 
Ohio,  and  professor  at  that  institution;  Emma  D..  wife  of  William  Savidge, 
of  Sunbury;  Jennie  M. :  B.  Franklin,  and  Harry  N.  Mr.  Heckert  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Lutheran  church  and  independent  in  politics. 


BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES.  859 

Iha  Hile,  caqienter,  contractor,  aud  bulkier,  was  born  in  Paish  township, 
Northumberland  county,  Pennsylvania.  July  19.  1S24,  and  his  jiarents.  John 
and  Elizabeth  (Johnson)  Hile.  were  natives  of  Pennsylvania  and  New  Jer- 
sey, respectively.  The  senior  Mr.  Hile.  a  farmer  by  occupation,  died  in  1S43 
at  the  age  of  fifty-live  years:  his  widow  hved  until  1S73  and  died  at  the  age 
of  seventy-six  years.  They  reared  three  sons  and  four  daughters.  John  be- 
ing the  youngest  of  the  former.  He  was  brought  up  to  farm  life  and  edu- 
cated somewhat  meagerly  in  the  common  schools.  He  learned  the  carpenter 
trade  in  his  native  township  and  divided  his  time  thereat  with  farming.  Since 
1806,  in  which  year  he  moved  to  Simbury,  he  has  followed  his  trade  exclu- 
sively. April  2,  18-18,  he  was  married  to  Christiana  Moore,  daughter  of 
Garret  Moore,  of  Rush  township,  this  county,  and  has  had  borne  to  him  four 
children:  Margaret  F.,  who  was  ]x>rn,  February  8,  1841),  and  died,  Decem- 
ber 16,  1859;  Ida  Florence,  who  was  born.  May  1,  1855,  and  died,  Novem- 
ber 2,  1863;  George  M..  who  was  born,  September  2(),  1863,  and  is  a  mer- 
chant, and  Lillie  Dale,  who  was  born.  January  14,  1S67.  Mr.  Hile  and 
family  are  members  of  the  Baptist  church,  in  which  he  holds  the  ijosition  of 
deacon,  treasurer,  and  trustee. 

George  GrvEE,  deceased,  was  born  in  Dauphin  "county.  Pennsylvania, 
October  19,  1829,  and  died.  April  2iJ,  18ST.  He  was  nineteen  years  of  age 
when  his  father  immigrated  to  Illinois;  the  family  were  passengers  on  the 
ill-fated  Belle  of  the  ^Vesl  which  burned  to  the  waters  edge  on  the  Missis- 
sippi, and  were  the  only  whole  family  rescued  out  of  a  large  number.  George 
Guyer's  father  was  a  miller  and  transmitted  the  trade  to  his  son,  who  fol- 
lowed it  imtil  187(1,  in  the  spring  of  which  year  he  came  to  Sunbury.  Here 
he  conducted  the  Fairmount  Hotel  a  year:  thence  he  removed  successively 
to  Middleburg  and  conducted  the  Fairmount  seven  years,  thence  to  Selins- 
grove,  where  he  conducted  the  Keystone  two  years  and  the  National  about 
the  same  length  of  time,  and  thence  to  Sunbury,  where  he  purchased  the 
Central  from  Henry  Haas.  Here  he  spent  the  most  of  his  life,  increasing 
the  capacity  of  his  hotel  and  building  up  for  it  a  patronage  that  rapidly 
brought  him  wealth  and  enabled  him  to  leave  his  family  a  substantial  com- 
petency. The  Central  is  to-day  one  of  the  tirst-class  hotels  of  Simbury.  Mr. 
Guyer  was  married  in  Dauphin  coirnty,  October  4,  1857,  to  Catharine  Hoke, 
who  survives  him,  and  his  children  are  as  follows:  Alice  M..  Mrs.  S.  J.  Paw- 
ling; Ella  R.,  Mrs.  George  W.  Gilbert;  Irvin  F.:  Ida  C;  Cora  B.,  Mrs.  E. 
A.  Herr;  Harry  W.,  and  George  Scott.  Irvin  F..  the  eldest  son,  is  the  poj)- 
ular  manager  of  the  Central  Hotel  under  his  mother,  who  succeeded  to  its 
ownership  at  the  death  of  her  husband. 

Conrad  Eippel,  photographer,  was  born.  November  27,  1854,  in  Luzerne 
coiinty,  Pennsylvania,  son  of  John  and  Louisa  Eijipel.  He  received  a  com- 
mon school  education,  learned  photography  in  his  native  county,  and  has  fol- 
lowed the  same  since  he  was  twentv  vears   old.     In  1878  he  removed  from 


860  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

Muncy.  Lycoming  co\inty,  this  State,  to  Milton,  where  he  did  business  imder 
the  firm  name  of  Rippel  Brothers  until  1880,  when  their  establishment  was 
consumed  by  the  great  tire.  He  soon  after  located  in  Sunbury,  where  he 
had  done  the  leading  trade.  He  is  a  member  of  the  F.  Sc  A.  M.  Lodge,  Milton, 
and  the  I.  0.  O.  F.  Lodge  and  Encampment  and  Knights  of  the  Golden 
Eagle,  all  of  Sunbury.  He  was  married  in  1881  to  Kate  Dillman  and  has 
three  children:  John;  Guy  L.,  and  Clyde  B.  He  and  wife  belong  to  the 
Methochst  Episcopal  church. 


CHAPTER   XLIII. 

BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

SIIA^roKIN. 

William  and  Reuben  Fagely  belonged  to  that  stiirdy  German  race  that 
settled  eastern  Pennsylvania,  cleared  its  lands,  and  developed  its  wonderful 
resources.  They  were  born  in  Shamokin  township,  Northumberland  county, 
Pennsylvania,  January  5,  1806,  and  July  25,  1814,  respectively,  sons  of 
Christian  and  Magdalena  (Lehman)  Fagely,  natives  of  Berks  county,  who 
were  among  the  first  settlers  of  Shamokin  township.  The  family  consisted 
of  thirteen  children,  twelve  of  whom  reached  maturity,  but  only  one,  Hannah, 
is  now  living.  William  and  Reuben  Fagely  were  reared  upon  the  homestead 
farm,  and  obtained  a  very  limited  education  at  the  rude  log  school  house  of 
the  neighborhood.  But  both  possessed  vigorous  constitutions  and  plenty  of 
strong  common  sense,  which  answered  well  their  needs  in  the  days  that  were 
to  come.  On  arriving  at  the  age  of  manhood  William  engaged  in  keeping  a 
small  store  at  Snufftown,  and  in  due  time  he  and  Reuben  opened  a  store  at 
Pasinos,  which  they  conducted  until  their  removal  to  Shamokin.  They  were 
well  known  railroad  contractors,  and  built  a  portion  of  the  road-bed  of  the 
Philadelphia  and  Reading  railroad;  they  also  had  a  similar  contract  on  the 
Northern  Central  railway  at  Ralston,  Lycoming  county,  and  between  1853 
and  1857  constructed  four  miles  of  the  Northern  Central  soxith  of  Sunbury. 
All  of  these  contracts  they  carried  to  a  successful  completion.  In  1835  the 
Danville  and  Pottsville  railroad  was  built  from  Sunburj-  to  Paxinos  with 
the  intention  of  tapping  the  great  coal  fields  around  Shamokin,  to  which 
point  it  was  completed  in  August,  1838.  After  being  in  operation  a  few 
years  the  road  was  sold  and  bought  in  by  the  creditors,  who  leased  it  in 
1842  to  the  Fagelys.  They  at  once  converted  it  into  a  tramway  operated  by 
horses,  using  the  same  cars  as  before,  and  ran  it  until   1852.     During  this 


BIOGEAPfllCAL     SKETCHES.  861 

period  Reubea  spent  most  of  his  time  at  Sunbury.  while  William  remained 
at  Shamokin. 

In  the  meantime  they  disposed  of  their  business  interests  at  Paxinos,  and 
in  April,  1S3S,  located  in  Shamokin,  and  in  1S39  opened  one  of  the  first 
stores  in  that  town.  For  many  years  they  carried  on  a  general  mercantile 
business  in  connection  with  their  extensive  coal  interests,  and  were  connected 
with  merchandising  more  or  less  up  to  their  decease.  They  gave  employ- 
ment to  a  large  force  of  men,  and  throughout  the  earlier  years  of  Shamokin's 
history  the  Fagelys  were  the  principal  employers  of  its  labor.  And  dur- 
ing the  occasional  periods  of  financial  and  business  depression  they  were 
looked  upon  as  public  benefactors,  because  no  needy  miner  ever  left  their 
store  empty-handed,  and  no  case  of  suffering  or  distress  ever  sought  their 
assistance  in  vain.  They  commenced  the  coal  business  in  1841  at  the  Gap, 
now  Cameron  mines,  and  subsequently  leased  Green  Ridge.  They  after- 
wards opened  Locust  Gap  mine,  subsequently  operated  Luke  Fidler,  and 
also  leased  the  Gap  mines.  In  later  years  Reuben  was  interested  in  operat- 
ing the  Big  Mountain.  While  engaged  in  these  enterprises  they  established 
coal  yards  at  Baltimore,  Maryland,  to  which  city  they  made  very  large  ship- 
ments. Thoroughly  familiar  with  the  economic  laws  governing  the  coal  and 
iron  trade,  they  were  seldom  wrong  in  their  calculations,  and  their  success 
was  largely  the  natural  outgrowth  of  an  experienced  and  sound  knowledge 
of  the  business.  It  must  not  be  supposed,  however,  that  all  their  ventures 
were  successful.  They  met  with  the  usual  reverses  incident  to  a  long  busi- 
ness career,  but,  with  characteristic  energy,  untiring  industry,  and  imdaunted 
perseverance,  they  overcame  such  obstacles  to  success,  and  accumulated 
through  the  passing  years  a  very  large  and  valuable  estate. 

Though  not  politicians,  in  the  common  acceptation  of  that  term,  William 
and  Reuben  Fagely  always  took  a  very  active  interest  in  spreading  the  prin- 
ciples and  upholding  the  measures  of  the  Republican  party.  They  wielded 
great  influence  in  its  local  councils,  and  made  their  impress  on  the  political 
affairs  of  the  county.  William  was  the  first  postmaster  of  Shamokin,  serv- 
ing from  1838  to  January,  1844,  and  Reuben  filled  the  office  of  burgess  two 
terms.  Reuben  was  more  reserved  and  dignified  than  his  brother,  who  was 
very  plain  and  impretentious  in  his  character;  but  both  were  eminently 
practical  business  men,  imbued  with  a  high  sense  of  honor  and  a  strong 
devotion  to  right  and  justice,  and  were  among  the  best  known  and  most 
respected  pioneers  of  Shamokin.  While  ambitious  to  accumulate  wealth, 
the  Fagelys  were  nevertheless  liberal  givers,  and  always  took  an  active 
interest  in  the  social  and  material  growth  and  development  of  this  portion  of 
Northumberland  county.  They  were  by  far  the  largest  contributors  towards 
the  erection  of  Trinity  Evangelical  Lutheran  church  of  Shamokin,  which 
really  owes  its  present  financial  prosperity  to  their  liberality.  They  also 
made  liberal  donations  to  St.  Peter's  Lutheran  church  of  Ral[>ho  township. 


862  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBEULAND    COUNTY. 

Before  their  death  both  united  with  Trinity  Evangehcal  Lutheran  church, 
and  died  consistent  members  of  tliat  denomination.  Neither  was  ever  mar- 
ried, and  both  died  in  Shamokin,  William,  February  17.  1ST4,  and  Reuben, 
Febniary  21,  ISSO.  Their  large  estate  was  inherited  by  their  immediate 
relatives  and  friends,  who  should  honor  and  revere  the  memory  of  their 
muniticent  benefactors. 

KiMBER  Cleaver  was  the  foremost  figure  of  his  time  in  the  Western 
Middle  anthracite  coal  fields  within  the  boimds  of  his  calling  as  civil  and 
mining  engineer  and  geologist,  in  which  he  attained  extended  fame,  while 
his  reputation  as  an  inventor  and  patriot  was  scarcely  second  to  his  standing 
in  his  chosen  profession.  His  character  was,  t-herefore.  impressed  upon  the 
history,  not  only  of  the  fields  of  his  more  active  operations,  biit  upon  that  of 
his  State.  He  was  born  on  the  17th  of  October,  1S14.  the  youngest  of  five 
children  born  to  Joseph  and  Sarah  Cleaver,  in  a  little  log  house  hewn  from 
the  virgin  forests  by  his  father  soon  after  his  marriage,  in  Eoaring  Creek 
township,  Columliia  county,  Pennsylvania.  Joseph  Cleaver  was  a  son  of 
John  and  Rebecca  Cleaver,  and  was  liorn  in  Bucks  county.  Pennsylvania,  in 
October,  1704.  His  wife,  Sarah,  daughter  of  Joseph  and  Anna  Brook,  was 
born  in  Bucks  county.  January  o.  1774.  Both  were  members  of  the  Society 
of  Friends.  Anna  Brook  had  taught  school,  and  her  intellectual  endowments 
were  of  a  high  order,  so  that  while  her  children  had  not  the  advantages  of 
schools  si;ch  as  now  dot  the  land,  their  minds  and  hearts  were  not  allowed  to 
develop  without  that  careful  home  training  which  no  schooling  can  super- 
sede. Born  near  the  close  of  America's  second  war  with  Great  Britain,  Kim- 
ber's  mind  Viecame  early  imlmed  with  that  patriotic  fervor  which  character- 
ized his  future  career.  His  boyhood  days  being  spent  amidst  surroundings 
not  calculated  to  stimulate  mental  acquirements  and  before  the  public  school 
system  was  inaugurated,  his  opportunities  for  cultivating  his  mind  were  very 
meager  and  consisted  of  a  few  months'  instruction  during  the  winter  at  an 
ordinary  country  school.  In  his  conversations  and  writings  he  frequently 
referred  to  the  struggles,  hopes,  and  disappointments  of  his  youth,  pleasantly 
designating  them  his  '"sweet  uses  of  adversity.''  It  is  an  allusion  of  this 
kind  which  we  find  in  a  commimication  from  his  pen  to  the  American  Bannur, 
in  1855,  when,  in  speaking  of  the  scenes  of  his  boyhood,  he  says:  '"Where  a 
white-haired,  unshod,  frolicsome  young  American  in  the  springtime  of  life, 
ere  the  rude  buffeting  and  jostling  against  the  sharp  corners  of  the  world 
had  produced  a  sober  second  thought,  chased  the  biuterflies  abroad  and  the 
cows'  home."  It  was  on  one  of  these  boyish  excursions  that  he  stumbled  and 
fell,  a  snag  penetrating  his  knee.  The  wound  became  a  chronic  sore,  and. 
not  being  of  a  robust  physique,  he  was  for  many  months  unfitted  for  the 
employments  of  the  farm. 

But  these  days  of  exemption  from  physical  labor  were  applied  to  study 
under  the  encouragement  and  assistance  of  his  mother,  whose  facial  and 


BIOGEAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  863 

mental  characteristics  he  largely  inherited.  Having  acce.ss  to  but  few  books, 
the  contents  of  which  he  made  his  own,  his  mind,  though  depressed  bv  acute 
bodily  pain,  was  ever  active  and  found  employment  in  his  favorite' study, 
mechanics,  his  knowledge  of  which  he  applied  to  a  good  purpose  while  a  boy 
and  confined  to  bed,  in  the  construction  of  a  clock  which  served  his  father's 
family  for  many  years  as  a  time  piece,  the  work  of  a  jack-knife  alone.  He 
also  about  this  time  invented  and  made  an  apjile-parer.  which  lio-htened  the 
lalior  of  his  mother  and  that  of  others  long  after  her  hands  ceased  to  toil. 

After  a  partial  restoration  to  health  he  taught  school  for  some  time,  but 
his  natural  aptitude  for  mathematics  and  mechanics  led  his  mind  toward  civil 
engineering,  and  when  the  flfst  improvement  of  the  Middle  coal  fields,  that 
of  constructing  the  Danville  and  Pottsville  railroad,  was  commenced,  he  en- 
tered the  corps  of  engineers  engaged  in  locating  its  route,  as  a  peg-driver. 
He  faithfully  discharged  his  duties,  and  while  others  in  the  corps  were  pass- 
ing their  leisure  time  in  idleness  and  folly,  he  was  industriously  engaged  in 
acquiring  the  rudiments  of  an  art  and  science  that  were  afterwards  to  distin- 
guish him  as  the  great  engineer  and  surveyor  of  the  anthracite  coal  regions. 
He  was  promoted  from  one  station  to  another  until  1835.  when  he  beo-an  his 
career  as  an  engineer  on  that  road.  He  was  a  member  of  the  firm  of  Fao-elv 
Cleaver  &  Company  until  .January.  1844,  and  was  thus  connected  in  a  busi- 
ness as  well  as  a  professional  capacity  with  the  early  development  of  the 
Shamokin  coal  field. 

On  the  1st  of  Januan,-,  1S3'.I.  he  married  Elizabeth  Montelius  Taylor. 
She  was  the  daughter  of  Isaac  and  Elizabeth  Taylor,  and  was  born,  Septem- 
ber 10,  ISIU.  while  they  resided  at  Mifflinburg,  Union  county,  Pennsylvania. 
She  was  possessed  of  a  bright  mind,  was  ambitious,  and  took  great  interest 
in  the  plans  of  her  husband,  to  whom  she  was  a  helpmate  in  the  truest  sense 
of  the  term.  Five  sons  and  five  daughters  were  born  to  this  marriao-e,  all  of 
whom  died  in  infancy  and  early  childhood  except  Eeynell  Coates  and  Kate, 
the  sixth  and  ninth  born.  The  former  was  a  little  over  ten  years  old  when  his 
father  died,  and  the  latter  a  few  months  over  four  years.  While  attendino- 
school  at  Dickinson  Seminary.  "Williamsport,  Eepiell  C.  went  bathing  in  the 
Susquehanna  river,  August  19.  liSO").  and  was  drowned,  the  news  reaching 
his  grief-stricken  mother  only  one  hour  before  the  remains  of  her  boy.  Kate 
grew  to  maturity  and  was  married.  Decemlier  13.  1 S7G,  to  Elmer  Hefi'eLfinger, 
then  editor  of  the  Shamokin  Herald,  which  he  jiublished  until  February  9, 
1SS9,  since  which  time  he  has  been  engaged  in  dealing  in  real  estate.  Mrs. 
Cleaver  died,  March  3,  ISSO.  and  was  laid  to  rest  by  the  side  of  her  distin- 
guished husband. 

From  1836  to  1844  Mr.  Cleaver's  time  was  divided  on  labors  in  North- 
umberland and  Schuylkill  counties,  one  of  his  chief  projects  being  the  sur- 
veys, carried  forward  at  great  personal  cost  and  labor,  from  which  he  con- 
structed his  splendid  map  of  the  Middle  coal  fields  of  Pennsylvania,  which 


864  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

was  of  eminent  service  to  the  capitalists  interested  in  these  rich  mineral  de- 
posits and  rendered  Mr.  Cleaver  one  of  the  most  useful  and  indispensable  of 
men.  The  coal  formations  so  accurately  represented  in  the  townships  of 
Mt.  Carmel,  Coal,  and  Zerbe  on  the  map  of  Northumberland  county,  was 
the  work  of  Mr.  Cleaver  and  was  properly  accredited  to  him  by  the  publisher. 
But  there  are  other  maps  of  the  anthracite  deposits  of  the  State  on  which 
the  surveys  of  Mr.  Cleaver  carefully  appear,  but  where  his  name  has  been  as 
carefully  omitted.  The  Philadelphia  and  Reading  Coal  and  Iron  Company 
is  now  in  possession  of  the  original  map  and  all  other  important  surveys 
made  by  Mr.  Cleaver  of  the  region,  having  purchased  them  from  his  widow, 
and  his  lines  are  considered  authority  by  the  engineers  of  this  great  corpor- 
ation. During  these  years  he  located  the  route  for  a  railroad  from  Shamokin 
to  Danville,  and  also  one  from  Shamokin  to  Pottsville  by  way  of  Ashland, 
avoiding  all  inclined  planes.  From  1844  to  1850  he  resided  in  Pottsville,  and 
devoted  most  of  his  time  to  professional  labor  in  Schuylkill  county. 

In  1850  he  came  to  Shamokin,  which  he  had  laid  out  for  John  C.  Boyd 
in  the  spring  of  1835,  and  became  associated  with  all  the  improvements  of 
this  locality.  In  1850  he  laid  out  the  town  of  Trevorton  for  Judge  William 
L.  Helfenstein.  and  was  chief  engineer  in  locating  and  building  the  railroad 
uniting  Shamokin  with  the  Susquehanna  river.  When  Trevorton  emerged 
from  the  wilderness  and  when  Shamokin  had  finally  awakened  from  an  incu- 
bus of  years,  he  was  appointed  engineer  in  chief  of  th^  Philadelphia  and 
Simbury  railroad,  the  collieries,  and  the  numerous  lateral  roads  that  were 
constructed.  Thus  he  labored  for  years,  and  added  many  improvements 
which  stand  as  proud  monuments  to  his  genius.  In  September,  1858,  he 
was  called  to  Schuylkill  county  to  make  surveys  in  the  mines  at  the  Glen 
Carbon  and  Thomaston  collieries.  Being  much  exposed  to  dampness  and 
sometimes  in  water  of  an  icy  temperature  up  to  his  knees,  he  contracted 
typhoid  fever,  and  was  confined  to  his  bed  at  the  residence  of  his  brother-in- 
law,  B.  T.  Taylor,  where  he  was  tenderly  nursed  by  his  faithful  wife  until 
the  doctor  thought  he  was  in  a  fair  way  to  recovery.  But  the  renewed  hopes 
of  those  who  loved  him  were  vain.  He  suddenly  died  on  Tuesday,  October 
19,  1858.  His  bereaved  widow  and  two  orphaned  children  returned  to  their 
desolate  home  in  Shamokin,  where  his  remains  sleep  in  the  beautiful  ceme- 
tery his  skill  platted  and  a  broken  column  stands  to  mark  the  devotion  of  a 
loyal  wife  to  whom  his  memory  was  sacred  until  death  claimed  her.  The 
announcement  of  his  death  occasioned  a  pang  of  sorrow  throughout  the  com- 
munity; and  his  loss  to  the  coal  region  was  felt  to  be  irreparable.  His 
decease  was  extensively  noticed  in  the  public  press  of  the  day,  and  the  F.  & 
A.  M.,  the  State  camp  of  Pennsylvania,  and  other  associations  with  which  he 
was  connected  passed  resolutions  expressing  their  regret  for  the  loss  of  more 
than  an  ordinary-  member.  Thus  in  the  prime  of  vigor  and  usefulness,  in 
the  midst  of  professional  labors  and  scientific  inquiries,  the  angel  of  death 
executed  his  commission. 


^ 


^^^^^^^ 


^^^^^-'/^C 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  867 

But  few  inventors  have  realized  the  pecuniary  protit  from  their  labors; 
such  was  the  case  with  Kimber  Cleaver.  Some  of  his  inventions  should  have 
repaid  him  well,  but  instead  of  that  they  kept  him  poor.  They  benefited  the 
world,  but  to  him  were  a  loss  of  time  and  money.  The  engineering  profes- 
sion is  particularly  indebted  to  Mr.  Cleaver  for  the  invention  of  that  useful 
and  indispensable  instrument  for  drafting  kno%vn  as  Cleaver's  improved  pro- 
tractor. Its  use  throughout  the  country  has  become  general.  The  United 
States  government,  appreciating  the  value  of  this  invention,  kept  the  eminent 
maker  of  mathematical  instruments,  W.  J.  Young,  of  Philadelphia,  a  long 
time  employed  in  manufacturing  them  for  governmental  service.  Here  we 
have  an  example  where  the  profession  is  benefited  and  the  maker  rewarded, 
but  the  inventor  profited  merely  by  the  bestowal  of  his  name  on  the  instru- 
ment. Mr.  Cleaver  devoted  much  study  to  the  subject  of  electricity,  with  a 
view  of  introducing  it  as  an  agent  in  the  propagation  of  news.  He  is  enti- 
tled to  the  distinguished  honor  of  having  first  conceived  and  suggested  the 
idea  of  a  submarine  telegraph,  and  from  his  description  of  the  apparatus  we 
are  justified  in  the  opinion  that  he  was  not  then  aware  of  Morse's  telegraph, 
which  was  invented  in  1S37  but  not  put  in  practical  operation  until  18-1:4. 
The  following  article  from  the  pen  of  Mr.  Cleaver,  over  the  signature  of 
'"Cosmopolite,"  and  published  in  a  Harrisburg  paper  in  1S41.  will  show  that 
much  credit  for  this  great  American  invention  is  due  to  him: — 

:Mii.  Editor: — 

'  Df:.vu  Sir:  I  believe  the  tune  has  now  arrived  wheu  the  postuhUum  will  Ije 
admitted,  that  the  more  iiitelligeut  the  people  are  and  the  better  the  facilities  fur  cou- 
veying  that  intelligence  from  State  to  State  aud  from  nation  to  n.ation,  the  sooner  will 
all  distrust  and  jealousy  subside  and  the  human  family  be  united  in  one  harmonious 
whole.  I  admit  "the  age  of  steam "  affords  facilities  for  convering  intelligence  very 
rapidly  and  the  broad  Atlantic  is  traversed  as  a  mill  pond  and  Europe  is  brought  to 
be  our  ne.\t  door  neighbor,  but  if  we  can  employ  a  messenger  more  e.xpeditious  and 
eiiually  truthful,  then  it  certainly  is  our  duty  as  peacemakers  to  do  so.  I  mean  elec- 
tricity, which,  of  all  material  agents  that  we  are  acquainted  with,  is  the  most  fleet. 
Perhaps  my  readers  will  entertain  some  doubts  as  to  the  possibility  of  constructing  an 
electric  telegraph  across  the  broad  Atlantic,  but  only  tell  a  Yankee  boy  that  the  project 
is  impossible  aud  he  will  be  sure  to  tr.v  it.  Neither  do  I  view  it  as  a  thing  impossible, 
and  will  therefore  briefly  describe  the  plan,  as  follows:  ilanufacture  a  number  of  cop- 
per wires  equal  in  niuuber  to  the  letters  in  the  alphabet  and  long  enough  to  reach 
from  the  capitol  at  Washington  to  St.  .James  Palace,  each  wire  being  separatel.v  cov- 
ered with  silk  or  some  other  non-conductor,  then  all  coUectiveh"  covered  with  a  strong 
waterproof  covering,  which  would  form  a  string  of  perhaps  live  inches  in  diameter; 
then  assemble  a  sufticient  number  of  water-crafts  and  e.\tend  this  string  across  the 
Atlantic,  and  at  intervals,  say  every  two  or  three  miles,  fasten  a  weight  sutticient  to 
sink  the  string,  and  at  a  given  signal  let  it  down,  retaining  one  end  on  shore  at  Wash- 
ington and  one  in  England,  and  arrange  the  wires  at  both  emis  on  a  table,  each  wire 
pointing  to  a  letter  of  the  alphabet,  somewhat  after  the  fashion  of  the  ke.vs  of  a  piano 
forte,  and  so  constructed  that  when  a  current  of  electric  fluid  is  communicated  to 
either  wire  at  one  end  of  this  string  it  will  produce  an  effect  perceptible  to  one  of  the 
senses  (hear,  see,  taste,  smell,  or  feel)  at  the  other  end.     Then,  if  any  boundary  or  com- 

49 


868  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

mercial  treaties  are  to  be  uegotiated,  let  the  niiuisters  of  state  of  the  respective  coun- 
tries be  seated  on  a  "glass  stool"  at  this  alphabetical  music  table,  and  with  an  electri- 
fying machine  supply  the  negotiator  with  the  fluid.  Then  when  he  "  strikes  the  lyre," 
in  truth  "the  nations  would  hear  entranced."  Or,  if  a  speech  delivered  in  Congress  is 
to  be  reported,  let  the  reporters  in  the  same  way  send  it  thrilling  across  the  waters. 
It  would  be  like  uniting  to  the  lightning's  flash  the  thunder  of  our  republican  elo- 
quence, and  "  earth's  loneliest  bounds  and  ocean's  wildest  shore  "  would  then  be  made 
vocal  with  the  shouts  of  liberty. 

Yours,  etc. 
Pottsville,  Penn.  Cosmopolite. 

This  letter  shows  that  while  Morse's  telegraph  dejiended  on  an  electro- 
magnetic force,  the  plan  of  Mr.  Cleaver  is  entirely  electrical. 

Mr.  Cleaver  also  invented  a  very  ingenious  car  box,  designed  to  econo- 
mize oil  in  the  lubricating  of  car  axles;  the  spiral  shute;  the  coal  hammers, 
designed  to  supersede  rollers  in  the  preparation  of  coal;  a  cast-iron  lock  for 
canals,  and  a  new  mode  of  framing  in  place  of  mortise  and  tenon,  which  he 
carried  out  in  the  erection  of  two  tirst-class  model  breakers  at  Locust  Gap. 
A  few  months  prior  to  his  death,  while  engaged  in  sinking  shafts  and  driving 
tunnels  on  the  Luke  Fidler  property,  Mr.  Cleaver  formed  the  design  of  pre- 
paring a  work  on  the  mining  of  coal,  in  which  he  proposed  treating  the  sub- 
ject in  both  a  geological  and  practical  manner.  Had  he  lived  to  publish  the 
book  it  would  doubtless  have  been  of  great  advantage  to  the  mining  inter- 
ests. The  fruits  of  his  mechanical  genius  entitle  him  to  a  prominent  posi- 
tion in  the  list  of  great  American  inventors,  and  as  long  as  the  rugged 
mountains  yield  the  sparkling  anthracite  to  enliven  and  make  comfortable 
the  firesides  of  millions  of  homes,  as  long  as  they  furnish  the  material  for 
generating  the  motive  power  which  propels  the  machinery  of  thousands  of 
industrial  works,  his  name  will  live  and  be  held  in  grateful  remembrance. 

Mr.  Cleaver  did  not  possess  the  elements  essential  to  political  success  in 
these  latter  days,  but  would  have  been  admirably  adapted  to  the  Jeffersonian 
age,  when  honesty  and  capacity  were  the  standard  that  measured  a  man's  fit- 
ness for  office.  He  was  honest,  not  because  it  was  the  best  policy,  but 
because  it  was  right.  He  would  rather  suffer  a  httndred  defeats  than  com- 
promise a  single  principle.  He  had  no  such  word  as  expediency  in  his 
vocabulary,  but  in  its  place  in  shining  letters  was  to  be  found  that  other  word, 
principle.  Had  Mr.  Cleaver  lived  in  the  early  days  of  the  Republic,  his 
talents  would  have  been  better  appreciated  and  rewarded,  but  during  his 
career  his  honesty  was  a  bar  to  those  in  power,  who  always  sotight  to  defeat 
him.  He  was  no  office  seeker.  His  ambition  ran  not  in  that  direction.  He 
preferred  the  cpiiet  walks  of  life.  But,  having  identified  himself  with  the 
Native  American  party  at  the  time  of  its  organization,  he  was  soon  regarded 
as  one  of  its  leaders,  and  was  frequently  nominated  for  offices  which  he  never 
sought  and  never  would  have  accepted  had  he  not  been  actuated  by  the  laud- 
aVjle  motive  of  promoting  his  party's  welfare.  He  often  in  a  laughing  mood 
styled  himself   "the  stereotyped  candidate."     In  185'2  his  party  nominated 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  869 

him  for  Governor:  in  1S-j3,  for  surveyor  general;  in  1854  lie  was  the  Ameri- 
can candidate  for  Congress  in  the  Eleventh  district,  and  in  1855  he  was  nom- 
inated for  canal  commissioner.  For  each  of  these  offices,  thoucrh  defeated, 
he  received  a  highly  comiilimentary  vote.  In  lS5r)  his  name  was  placed  on 
the  Fillmore  electoral  ticket  of  Pennsylvania.  During  this  time  he  published 
his  views  on  protection,  which  were  well  received,  and  his  name  fills  a  promi- 
nent place  in  the  politics  of  his  native  State.  He  was  the  presidino-  officer 
of  the  State  camp,  ITnited  Sons  of  America,  a  leading  member  of  the  camp 
at  Shamokin,  and  a  devoted  friend  of  the  Junior  Order  of  the  same  name. 

The  following  extract  from  the  Mining  Register  of  Pottsville  will  show 
how  he  was  esteemed  in  his  private  relations:  "In  private  life  he  was  uni- 
versally esteemed.  Possessed  of  strict  integrity  and  habits  of  industry  and 
attention  to  business,  his  life  among  us  won  for  him  the  good  opinion  of  all. 
But  for  his  fondness  for  retirement  and  his  native  modesty,  his  fame,  both 
pubhc  and  private,  must  have  been  much  more  generally  acknowledged.  He 
wa>  emphatically  more  than  an  ordinary  man,  and  his  departtire  will  leave  a 
void  in  the  social  and  scientific  circle  of  our  country  not  easily  filled." 

Kimber  Cleaver's  chief  fault  seems  to  have  been  his  generosity.  Of  him 
it  can  be  truly  said  he  was  "generotts  to  a  fault.'"  He  could  not  refuse  the 
needy,  and  many  who  received  assistance  from  him  remember  him  kindly 
to  tlii>.  day.  He  confided  too  implicitly  in  the  honor  and  honesty  of  men, 
and  was  on  several  occasions  defrauded  by  those  who  profited  by  his  brain 
and  skill.  While  intent  upon  work  which  was  the  foundation  of  the  pros- 
perity of  others  he  had  no  time  to  shape  uj)  his  own  financial  affairs  against 
dir-aster.  and  his  death  made  necessary  the  sale  of  most  valuable  coal  lands 
which  have  since  yielded  the  owners  great  wealth. 

In  appearance  Mr.  Cleaver  was  of  mediimi  stature,  slender  build,  brown 
hair,  and  gray  eyes.  He  had  the  tastes  of  a  student,  and  a  most  kindly  face. 
He  was  an  enthusiast  in  his  profession,  and  his  Ijrain  and  hands  were  busy 
many  hours  while  others  slept.  He  was  a  total  abstainer  from  alcoholic 
beverages,  and  was  known  far  and  wide  as  an  earnest  advocate  of  temper- 
ance. 

Stephen  Bitte.xbendek,  one  of  the  earliest  settlers  and  wealthy  citizens 
of  Shamokin,  Pennsylvania,  died  in  that  borough,  February  lU,  1SS5,  in  the 
seventieth  year  of  his  age.  He  was  born  at  Nescopec,  Luzerne  county, 
Pennsylvania,  April  19,  1S15.  son  of  Jacob  Bittenl:>ender,  a  farmer  of  that 
county.  His  vigoroits  constitution  may  be  attributed  to  the  plain  living, 
early  rising,  and  constant  toil, which  characterized  the  German  farmers  of 
that  period.  At  thirteen  years  of  age  he  left  his  father's  home  and  went  to 
live  with  his  grandfather.  In  1833  he  went  to  Tamaqua,  where  he  learned 
the  trade  of  carpenter,  and  in  1838  we  find  him  in  business  for  himself, 
with  over  one  himdred  men  in  his  emisloy,  erecting  houses'  which  to-day 
remain  to   attest  his  ability  and  honesty  as   a  contractor.     In  1838  Mr.  Bit- 


870  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

tenbender  came  to  Shamokin,  and  with  the  exception  of  the  years  from  1S4S 
to  1850,  when  he  resided  in  Schuylkill  county,  he  made  his  home  in  this 
borough  up  to  his  death.  He  was  married,  June  25,  1839,  to  Harriet, 
daughter  of  Philip  and  Salome  (Young)  Stambach,  of  Northumberland 
county.  Thirteen  children  were  born  to  this  union,  six  of  whom  grew  to 
maturity:  John  S.  and  Cyrus  G.,  both  deceased;  Alice  S.,  wife  of  C.  E. 
Hughes,  of  Shamokin;  Martin  L.,  of  Wilmington,  Delaware;  Isadore  M., 
wife  of  George  M.  Ditzler,  and  Laura  M.,  wife  of  S.  C.  "Wagenseller.  mer- 
chant and  postmaster  of  Shamokin. 

In  youth  his  educational  advantages  were  meager.  He  never  attemled 
public  school  except  three  mouths  at  a  German  country  school  in  his  native 
county.  This,  with  one  siimmers  in.struction  on  Sabbath  morning  after 
service  by  appointment  with  a  neighbor,  under  an  oak  tree,  completed  his 
education.  But  through  the  passing  years  he  obtained  that  knowledge  of 
men  and  events  which  can  not  be  gained  inside  the  walls  of  a  school  room. 
Mr.  Bittenbender  possessed  qualifications  which  rated  him  high  in  the  esti- 
mation of  business  circles.  In  1888,  Patrick  Eeilly,  master  mechanic  of  tht> 
Little  Schuylkill  railroad,  came  to  Shamokin  to  assume  a  like  position  with 
the  Danville  and  Pottsville  Railroad  Company.  He  induced  Mr.  Bitten- 
bender to  locate  in  this  borough,  where  he  found  litcrative  work  in  building 
cars,  putting  in  machinery,  turn-tables,  etc.,  for  the  railway.  Mr.  Reilly  and 
Thomas  Sharpe,  the  tirst  superintendent  of  the  Danville  and  Potts^"ille  rail- 
road, were  the  owners  of  a  patent  for  a  spiral  car  spring,  and  they  employed 
Mr.  Bittenbender  to  construct  a  car  with  these  springs,  which  was  the  tirst 
ever  run  over  the  Reading  railroad.  Among  the  public  buildings  which  he 
erected  was  the  old  frame  Catholic  church  in  188'J,  and  the  First  Presby- 
terian church  in  1847.  In  1851  he  purchased  the  Shamokin  foundry,  and 
in  1855  the  machine  shop  and  car  shop,  carrying  on  the  business  for  over 
sixteen  years,  employing  a  large  number  of  men  and  turning  out  an  immense 
amount  of  work.  He  was  prominent  in  the  movement  to  establish  the 
Shamokin  Hevald,  in  founding  the  old  Shamokin  Lyceum,  and  in  the  organ- 
ization of  the  Shamokin  Bank  in  1857.  He  always  took  an  active  part  in 
the  conventions  for  furthering  and  increasing  the  railroad  facilities  of  the 
coal  region.  In  1804  he  opened  up  the  Burnside  colliery,  which  he  operated 
imtil  1871,  and  thus  amassed  a  fortune.  In  1805  he  put  down,  at  a  cost  of 
several  thousand  dollars,  cast-iron  water-pipes  through  a  portion  of  the 
borough  from  a  reservoir  built  by  his  own  enterprise,  and  subsequently  was 
one  of  the  charter  members  of  the  Shamokin  Water  Company.  Mr.  Bitten- 
bender was  a  man  of  great  energj"  and  public  spirit,  and  took  an  active 
interest  in  the  progress  and  development  of  his  adopted  home.  In  1S75  he 
presented  to  the  Friendship  Fire  Company  the  ground  on  which  their  hose 
house  stands.  Politically  he  was  a  Whig  up  to  1800,  when  he  voted  for 
Abraham  Lincoln,  and  ever  after  was  an  unswerving  Republican. 


EIOGKAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  871 

Samuel  John,  one  of  the  pioneers  of  Shamokin.  was  born  in  Shamokin 
toNvnship  (now  Ealpho),  Xorthumberland  county,  Pennsylvania.  February 
27.  ISOT.  He  was  the  seventh  son  of  Abia  and  Martha  John,  who  settled  in 
this  county  in  ITUo.  His  early  youth  was  passed  on  the  homestead  farm, 
and  at  the  age  of  twenty-sis  he  married  Angelina,  second  daughter  of  Abra- 
ham and  Mary  John,  of  Catawissa  township,  Columbia  coimty.  who.  al- 
thottgh  of  the  same  name,  was  not  a  blood  relative.  Mr.  John  resided  on 
the  old  homestead  in  Shamokin  township,  passing  his  time  in  farming,  sur- 
veying, conveyancing,  etc..  and  also  operated  the  old  forge  below  Shamokin. 
In  April,  1830,  he  moved  to  Shamokin.  and  engaged  in  merchandising,  and 
operated  what  was  then  known  as  Buck  Ridge  colliery.  He  was  also  en- 
gaged m  conducting  the  Shamokin  fottndry,  manufacturing  stoves,  plows, 
hollow  ware,  etc..  which  at  that  early  date  was  looked  upon  as  quite  an  en- 
terprise. In  1S44  he  was  appointed  by  President  Polk  postmaster  of  the 
borough,  and  served  two  years.  He  also  assisted  Kimber  Cleaver  in  locat- 
ing what  was  theu  known  as  the  Eastern  railroad,  and  was  an  active  agent  in 
procuring  the  sottthern  otttlet  to  Baltimore  by  which  the  prodttcts  of  the 
Shamokin  coal  tield  could  reach  the  South  l)y  rail.  He  was  a  director  in 
the  Shamokin  Town  Lot  Association,  which  had  for  its  object  the  promotion 
of  manufacturing  industries.  In  the  year  1SG3  he  leased  Green  Kidge  coll- 
iery, which  was  named  by  him  Green  Mountain  colliery,  and  seeing  that  the 
western  market  for  coal  would  be  the  best  and  most  desirable  outlet,  he  as- 
sisted in  procuring  a  charter  for  the  Enterprise  railroad.  In  lSi]7  he  was 
one  of  those  who  procured  a  charter  for  a  railroad  leading  from  Shamokin 
to  Trevorton.  Both  these  roads  are  now  owjied  and  operated  by  the  Phila- 
delphia and  Reading  Railroad  Company.  He  took  an  active  interest  in 
the  development  of  the  Shamokin  coal  tield.  and  in  the  introduction  of  rail- 
roads into  this  vicinity,  and  as  far  back  as  1S32  the  legislature  of  Pennsyl- 
vania appointed  him  one  of  the  commissioners  of  the  Danville  and  Potts- 
ville  railroad.  Mr.  John  was  cashier  of  the  Shamokin  Bank  at  one  time,  and 
for  years  a  director  of  the  Shamokin  Banking  Company,  the  only  bank  in 
Shamokin  which  withstood  the  financial  panic  of  1877.  He  was  the  founder, 
editor,  and  proprietor  of  the  Shamokin  Register,  the  second  newspaper  pitb- 
lished  in  the  borough.  Merchandising  seems  to  have  been  specially  adapted 
to  his  liking,  as  at  one  time  he  operated  stores  at  Mt.  Comfort  and  Mt.  Car- 
mel,  and  for  years  had  a  general  store  in  Shamokin,  and  followed  this 
branch  of  business  for  a  period  of  twenty-five  years.  He  took  a  prominent 
part  in  establishing  an  almshouse  in  Coal  township,  served  many  years  as 
a  school  director  in  Shamokin  township,  and  always  manifested  a  deep 
interest  in  the  growth  and  progress  of  the  public  school  system.  He  was  a 
member  of  the  Shamokin  Lyceum  and  took  part  in  its  discussions.  In  poli- 
tics he  was  a  Whig  and  afterwards  a  Republican,  but  throughout  his  long 
business  career   he   avoided  oflice  seeking.     The  positions  of   justice  of  the 


872  HISTORY  OF  yORTHCMBERLAND  COUNTY. 

peace  and  postmaster  were  given  him  by  appointment,  unsolicited,  and  after 
tilling  them  in  a  creditable  manner  he  resigned  both  offices.  At  one  time  he 
was  a  candidate  for  Congress  in  this  district,  but  the  nomination  was  given 
to  a  candidate  from  Schuylkill  county. 

Mr.  John  was  a  man  of  abstemious  and  temperate  habits,  and  often 
spoke  of  this  as  one  of  the  characteristics  to  which  he  owed  his  activity  and 
good  health.  Upon  the  anniversary  of  his  seventieth  birthday,  in  the  pres- 
ence of  his  family  and  a  few  chosen  friends  who  had  responded  to  an  invita- 
tion to  celebrate  the  event,  he  spoke  as  follows:  "I  have  no  recollection  of 
ever  spending  an  evening  at  a  dance,  a  frolic,  or  any  other  place  of  dissij^a- 
tion  or  foolery.  I  never  iised  strong  drink,  ale,  or  porter  as  a  beverage, 
because  I  knew  it  was  dangerou.s.  I  never  used  tobacco  in  any  way,  as  I 
knew  it  was  a  filthy  practice  and  detrimental  to  health.  I  never  played  a 
game  of  cards  or  chance  or  hazard,  as  I  felt  it  was  demoralizing."  Mr.  John 
was  a  member  of  the  Masonic  order,  and  an  attendant  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  church.  While  close  and  exacting  in  his  business  relations,  he 
was  a  man  who  always  kept  his  contracts  and  fulfilled  his  obligations  to  the 
letter. 

To  Samuel  and  Angelina  John  were  born  five  sons  and  five  daughters: 
Laertes  P.,  deceased;  U.  F.,  a  lawwer  of  Shamokin;  Kersey  T.,  a  merchant 
of  Mt.  Carmel;  J.  M..  deceased:  Samuel  L.,  deceased;  Vienna  A.;  Clara  E., 
wife  of  William  Bird,  of  Shamokin:  Angelina  R.,  wife  of  William  H.  Shipe, 
of  Minnesota;  Mary  A.,  widow  of  William  E.  Raver,  and  Sarah  L.  Mr. 
John  died,  July  -3,  1S77,  in  the  seventy-first  year  of  his  age.  His  widow  is 
living  at  the  age  of  eighty  years,  and  although  feeble  with  the  infirmities  of 
a  ripe  old  age  is  in  the  full  possession  of  all  her  mental  faculties. 

Jox.\s  L.  GiLGER.  retired,  was  bornin  Ralpho  to^vTiship,  Northumberland 
county,  May  0,  ISIS,  son  of  Adam  and  Elizabeth  (Repley)  Gilger.  The 
former  was  a  son  of  John  Adam  Gilger,  a  native  of  Germany  and  a  pioneer 
of  Ralplio  township,  where  he  settled  midway  between  Elysburg  and  Bear 
Gap.  Jonas  L.  was  brought  up  in  his  native  township,  and  learned  the 
carpenter  trade.  He  came  to  Shamokin  on  the  20th  of  March,  1838,  and 
has  since  resided  here.  During  the  first  three  years  of  his  residence  he  was 
employed  as  a  journeyman  by  George  Martz.  He  then  engaged  in  business 
individually,  and  was  for  some  years  a  builder  and  contractor  on  an  exten- 
sive scale.  In  1841)  he  married  Susanna,  daughter  of  John  and  Margaret 
(Colquet)  Boughner,  who  bore  him  six  children,  all  of  whom  are  now  living: 
Darius  S. ;  Rebecca  J.,  wife  of  Isaac  Raup;  William  F. ;  John  A.;  David 
M.,  and  Elizabeth,  wife  of  H.  H.  Keiser.  She  died  in  1853  and  in  1857  he 
married  her  sister.  Charity  Bouglmer,  by  whom  he  had  two  children :  Charles, 
and  Emma,  wife  of  Albert  Chillson.  Mr.  Gilger  is  a  member  of  the 
Methodist  church  and  a  Republican  in  politics.  He  was  the  second  burgess 
of  Shamokin  and  served  as  a  member  of  the  school  board  fourteen  vears. 


BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES.  873 

Joseph  Snyder,  the  pioneer  hotel  keeper  of  Shamokin,  was  born  in  New- 
Jersey,  October  10.  1790.  and  grew  to  manhood  in  his  native  place.  He 
received  a  fair  English  education.  He  married  Annie  Heller,  also  a  native 
of  Xew  Jersey,  born  September  IS,  17'J4,  who  bore  him  the  following 
children:  Amelia,  who  was  twice  married,  tirst  to  Joseph  Enoch,  and  after 
his  death  to  Jonathan  Farnsworth:  Harmon,  deceased;  Rachel,  deceased 
wife  of  Alem  Sechler;  Eleanor;  David,  deceased,  and  John  B.  In  ISl.S 
Mr.  Snyder  came  to  Xorthimiberland'coimty,  Pennsylvania,  and  settled  in 
Eush  township,  where  he  engaged  in  farming.  He  afterwards  opened  a 
hotel  at  Snufftown.  and  in  1S35  located  in  Shamokin  with  the  intention  of 
keeping  a  hotel.  He.  however,  remained  only  a  brief  time,  as  there  was 
nothing  for  him  to  do  in  that  line,  and  no  apparent  prospect  of  the  hotel 
business  becoming  any  better.  He  returned  to  Snufftown,  but  in  January. 
1830,  again  came  to  Shamokin  and  took  possession  of  the  same  building,  now 
a  part  of  the  Hotel  Yanderbilt,  which  he  conducted  several  years.  He  then 
accepted  the  otSce  of  resident  land  agent,  which  position  he  held  for  manv 
year.s.  Towards  the  close  of  his  life  he  purchased  the  farm  now  owned  by 
his  son  John  B..  lived  upon  it  two  years,  and  then  returned  to  Shamokin. 
where  he  resided  until  his  death.  February  1.  1807.  in  the  seventy-tirst  year 
of  his  age.  His  widow  survived  him  until  August  0.*1SS1.  dying  in  her 
eighty-seventh  year.  She  was  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Eiiiscoi:)al 
church,  and  a  very  worthy  woman.  Politicallj-  ilr.  Snyder  was  a  stanch 
Democrat,  and  tilled  several  minor  local  ofltices.  He  was  one  of  the  organ- 
izers of  the  First  Presbyterian  church  of  Shamokin,  and  was  largely  instru- 
mental in  the  erection  of  the  tirst  church  built  by  that  denomination  in  1^47. 
He  was  a  good  citizen,  a  man  of  plain,  unpretentious  character,  and  straight- 
forward in  all  his  dealiug>  with  his  fellow-men. 

John  Bovd  Snyder,  farmer  and  plasterer,  was  born  in  Shamokin.  Penn- 
sylvania, April  3.  1S30.  on  the  site  of  the  Hotel  Yanderbilt.  He  is  a  son  of 
Joseph  and  Annie  Snyder,  and  was  the  tirst  white  child  born  within  the 
limits  of  the  borough.  He  is  therefore  the  oldest  native  resident  of  tlie  town. 
John  C.  Boyd,  the  proprietor  of  the  town,  had  agreed  to  deed  a  lot  to  the 
first  white  child  born  on  its  site,  and  soon  after  the  birth  of  our  subject  Boyd 
requested  his  father  to  select  the  lot.  Mr.  Snyder  chose  a  corner  lot  in  the 
northeast  part  of  the  village,  and,  true  to  his  promise.  Boyd  made  out  the 
deed  to  John  Boyd  Snyder.  That  gentleman  has  ever  since  owned  it,  and 
still  resides  in  the  house  which  he  erected  thereon  many  years  ago.  He 
grew  up  in  Shamokin,  and  received  such  education  as  the  schools  of  that 
period  afforded.  He  learned  the  trade  of  plasterer,  which  business  he  fol- . 
lowed  until  the  death  of  his  father,  when  he  inherited  the  homestead  farm 
and  has  since  been  engaged  in  farming  and  working  at  his  trade.  In  1861 
he  enlisted  in  Company  A.  Eighth  Pennsylvania  Volunteers,  and  served  until 
honorably  discharged.     Mr.  Snyder  was  married,  January  1,  1857,  to  Mary, 


874  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAXD    COUNTY. 

daughter  of  Daniel  Maury,  of  Sliamokin.  They  are  the  parents  of  eight 
children:  Annie,  deceased  wife  of  Matthias  Neely;  George  McClellan;  John 
H. ;  Edward  A.,  deceased;  Bessie;  Eebecca;  Emma,  and  Joseph  W.  Mr. 
Snyder  is  a  member  of  Shaniokin  Lodge,  Xo.  2->o,  F.  &  A.  ]\[.,  and  politically 
he  is  a  "dyed  in  the  wool"  Democrat. 

Bird  F.\mily.  —  James  Bird,  a  native  of  Warren  county.  New  Jersey,  was 
an  early  settler  of  Eush  to^vnship,  Northumberland  county,  and  a  farmer  by 
occupation.  He  married  in  New  Jersey,  and  had  a  family  of  nine  children: 
John;  Eachel,  who  married  Jacob  Shipman;  Sarah,  who  became  Mrs.  Scott; 
Susanna,  who  married  William  Kimball;  Ziba:  James;  Joseph;  William,  and 
Sylvanus.  Their  father  died  in  Eush  township  on  the  farm  which  he  first 
settled. 

Sylvanus  Bied,  youngest  son  of  James  Bird,  was  born  in  179G  and  reared 
in  Eush  township,  where  his  early  life  was  spent  on  the  farm.  He  learned 
the  trade  of  carpenter,  and  was  employed  by  his  brother  Ziba,  who  was 
superintendent  for  John  C.  Boyd,  the  founder  of  Shaniokin.  Our  subject 
located  at  Shamokin  in  1838,  and  biiilt  many  of  the  early  houses  of  that  bor- 
ough. In  18r)'2  he  was  appointed  postmaster,  which  office  he  filled  until  his 
death  in  March,  1850,  excepting  from  January  to  December,  ISoo;  he  held 
the  office  of  justice  6f  the  peace  twenty  years.  In  ISIO  he  married  Lena, 
daugliter  of  Eobert  Tietsworth:  she  left  the  following  children:  Pemberton; 
Eliza,  deceased;  John  W.,  deceased;  William  W.  and  Joseph  F.,  decea.sed; 
Angelina,  widow  of  George  W.  Eaver:  Matilda,  decea.sed  wife  of  Peter  Heim; 
Eobert  T.,  deceased;  Josiah  F.,  of  Shamokin,  and  Sarah  J.,  deceased. 

Pejiberton  Bird,  eldest  son  of  Sylvanus  Bird,  was  born  in  Shamokin 
township  in  1817.  There  he  acquired  the  rudiments  of  an  English  educa- 
tion, and  learned  the  trade  of  carpenter.  He  was  clerk  for  Boyd  &  Eosser 
eight  years,  for  Josejih  Bird  ten  years,  and  for  the  Bird  Coal  and  Iron  Com- 
pany, In  1842  he  was  ordained  a  local  preacher,  and  in  1840  he  was  ap- 
pointed to  the  Elysburg  circuit  by  the  Baltimore  Conference  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  church,  continuing^jn  the  active  ministry  eleven  years  at  various 
points.  For  a  period  of  sisC  years  he  was  president  of  the  Bird  Coal  and 
Iron  Company,  with  which  he  still  retains  official  connection  as  vice-presi- 
dent. In  1888  he  married  Mary,  daughter  of  Jacob  Arnold,  of  Snydertown, 
Five  children  were  born  to  them:  William  B. ;  Annie,  widow  of  C.  W.  Young; 
Sylvanus,  deceased;  Joseph  F.,  of  Missouri,  and  Charles,  of  Harri.sburg. 
His  second  wife  was  Sarah  E.,  daughter  of  Michael  E.  Deiterly,  who  is  the 
mother  of  three  children:  Henry  D. ;  Wellington  H.,  and  Delia  E.  Our  sub- 
ject has  been  a  member  of  the  borough  council,  borough  clerk,  and  for  a 
number  of  years  school  director.  He  is  one  of  the  original  members  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  church  at  Shamokin,  and  politically  he  is  a  Eepublican. 
Mr.  Bird  is  one  of  the  oldest  living  representatives  of  one  of  the  pioneer  fam- 
ilies of  the  countv. 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  875 

JusiAH  F.  BiED,  insurance  agent,  was  born,  March  14,  1S33,  sou  of  Syl- 
vaniis  and  Lena  (Tietsworth)  Bird.  He  received  his  education  at  the  pnlilic 
schools  of  Shamokin  borongh.  and  subsequently  engaged  in  teaching.  After 
a  brief  experience  in  mercantile  pursuits  he  was  superintendent  for  a  num- 
ber of  years  at  the  Big  Mountain  coUieiy,  and  afterwards  at  the  Henn,-  Clay 
colliery.  He  established  his  present  biisiness  in  ISOS,  and  is  general  agent 
for  many  of  the  large  fire,  life,  and  accident  insurance  companies.  In  iSoT 
he  married  Hannah,  daughter  of  Jacob  Scholl.  He  is  a  member  of  the  ITnited 
Brethren  cliurch.  in  w-hich  he  has  served  as  Sunday  school  superintendent 
twenty  years.  He  is  a  Eepublican  in  politics,  and  has  held  the  otiices  of 
overseer  of  the  poor  and  deputy  postmaster  of  Shamokin. 

Joseph  Bird,  deceased,  was  born  in  Franklin  township,  Columbia  coimty, 
Penn.sylvania.  in  1S14,  son  of  Ziba  and  Hannah  (Metze)  Bird.  He  was  reared 
to  manhood  on  his  father's  farm  and  obtained  a  limited  education  at  the  local 
schools.  He  began  his  active  career  as  a  farmer  on  a  tract  of  land  owned  by 
his  father  in  Maybeny  township,  Montour  county.  After  leaving  the  farm 
he  went  to  Sliamokiu  and  acted  as  clerk  and  general  assistant  to  his  father, 
who  had  charge  of  the  various  interests  of  John  C.  Boyd  at  that  place.  He 
tirst  entered  the  coal  trade  at  A.shland  on  a  small  scale,  bttt  returned  to 
Shamokin  a  year  or  two  later  and  became  associated  with  Dr.  J.  J.  John  in  the 
drug  business,  also  operating  what  was  known  as  the  Hat  vein  near  the 
corner  of  Spurzheim  and  Pearl  streets,  selling  the  product  to  local  consum- 
ers entirely.  In  1S.")()  he  entered  into  partnership  with  Dr.  J.  J.  John  and 
John  B.  Douty.  under  the  firm  name  of  Bird,  Douty  A:  John;  they  operated 
Big  Mountain  colliery,  one  of  the  most  valuable  properties  in  the  Shamokin 
coal  field,  of  which,  by  the  retirement  of  his  partners,  Mr.  Bird  ultimately 
Ijecame  sole  lessee.  After  operating  individually  eight  years  he  dispjsed  of 
his  lease  to  the  Bird  Coal  and  Iron  Company,  in  which  he  was  largely  in- 
terested. He  also  acquired  valuable  real  estate  at  Shamokin.  Northiimber- 
land.  and  elsewhere,  and  was  regarded  as  one  of  the  most  successful  coal 
operators  of  the  Shamokin  region.  Abotit  the  time  his  mining  interests  be- 
came vested  in  the  Bird  Coal  andiron  Company  he  removed  to  Xorthumber- 
land.  where  he  resided  the  remainder  of  his  life,  serving  as  piresident  of  the 
Northumberland  Cottnty  Agrictiltural  Society  several  terms.  Mr.  Bird  was 
three  times  married.  His  first  wife  was  Rebecca,  daughter  of  Jacob  Kram, 
a  pioneer  hotel  keeper  of  Shamokin,  by  whom  he  had  three  children,  one  of 
whom  is  now  living,  Elizabeth,  wife  of  Patrick  Gillespie,  of  Shamokin. 
After  her  death  he  married  Catherine,  daughter  of  George  Hill,  of  Shamokin 
township,  who  died  without  issue.  As  his  third  wife  he  married  Christiana 
C.  Kram,  who  survives  him.     His  death  occurred  on  the  18th  of  Jtme,  1882. 

FK.A.NKLIN-  A.  CL.iEK,  deceased,  was  born  in  Springfield.  Massachusetts,  in 
1818.  He  left  home  at  an  early  age  and  learned  the  trade  of  machinist. 
About  the  vear  1837  he  located  at  Simburv,  and  in  1839  removed  to  Shamo- 


876  HISTORY    OF    NORTHCilBERLAND    COUNTY. 

kin,  and  was  engaged  in  hotel  keeping  seven  years,  and  in  connection  with 
that  business  was  engaged  in  hauling  coal  from  the  mines.  He  then  pur- 
chased land  and  was  occupied  in  farming  iowr  years,  after  which  he  accepted 
a  position  with  the  owner  of  the  Lancaster  colliery  to  put  in  the  machinery, 
where  he  remained  four  years.  He  was  then  engaged  in  the  clothing  busi- 
ness a  number  of  years,  when  he  embarked  in  a  general  store.  In  1865  he 
engaged  in  the  drug  and  hardware  business,  which  he  continued  until  his 
death  in  1872.  He  married  in  1837.  Louisa  Eisely,  and  they  were  the  par- 
ents of  eleven  children:  JohnW. :  Frank  A.;  Angelina,  deceased;  Emma, 
deceased,  who  married  J.  Trible:  Ellen  P.,  deceased,  who  married  G.  F. 
Holshue;  Henry  S.,  who  died  in  the  recr^Uar  army;  Valentine;  Alice,  wife  of  R. 
G.  Eisenhart;  George  S. :  Flora,  deceased,  who  married  William  Buchanan, 
and  Katie,  deceased.  Politically  Mr.  Clark  was  a  Republican,  and  served 
as  coroner,  and  as  a  memljer  of  the  liorough  council.  He  was  a  consistent 
member  of  the  Methodist  church.  Hi~  wife  survives  him,  and  resides  in 
Shamokin. 

The  ^^■EAVER  Family  of  Shamokin  township  is  descended  from  ]Michael 
Weaver,  a  native  of  Wurtemburg.  Germany,  who  immigrated  to  America  about 
the  year  176'.l.  He  first  settled  in  B-^rks  county,  Penn.sylvania,  and  in  1770 
removed  to  Northumberland  county  and  located  near  Liberty  Pole,  Rush 
township,  upon  the  land  now  in  possession  of  the  heirs  of  Peter  Hughawaut. 
where  he  died  in  1884  and  was  burie<l  upon  the  farm.  He  joined  the  Amer- 
ican army,  and  served  under  Washington  seven  years.  He  married  before 
immigrating  to  this  country,  and  was  the  father  of  thirteen  children. 

Martin  Weaver,  the  fourth  .son  of  Michael  Weaver,  was  Ijorn  in  Rush 
township  in  1770.  He  was  a  farmer  by  occupation,  and  was  also  engaged  in 
the  hotel  business,  and  was  for  many  years  the  landlord  of  one  of  the  olden 
time  taverns,  which  was  situated  in  Shamokin  township,  eight  miles  east  of 
Sunbury.  He  died  in  1844.  His  first  wife  was  a  Miss  Hirsh  of  Rush  town- 
ship, by  whom  he  had  two  daughters  and  one  son:  Joseph,  who  died  in 
Shamokin;  Catharine,  widow  of  EncK?h  Howell,  and  Elizabeth,  wife  of  Jona- 
than Yarned,  both  deceased.  By  his  second  wife  he  had  five  children:  Mary, 
deceased  wife  of  Daniel  Evert:  Rebecca,  deceased  wife  of  Daniel  Rote: 
William  M. :  Rosetta,  deceased,  and  Solomon,  who  resides  at  Sunbury. 

William  M.  Weaver  was  born  in  Shamokin  township,  August  30,  1816, 
son  of  Martin  and  Catharine  (Lodsleger)  Weaver.  He  was  reared  upon  the 
homestead  farm,  and  his  early  life  was  occupied  in  farming.  In  1837,  in 
connection  with  his  brother-in-law,  he  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business  at 
Snydertown,  Pennsylvania,  at  which  he  was  engaged  until  1841,  when  he 
returned  to  the  homestead,  again  engaged  in  farming,  and  remained  there 
until  1844.  In  1845  he  removed  to  what  was  then  the  village  of  Shamokin 
and  leased  the  Shamokin  Hotel,  now  known  as  the  Hotel  Vanderbilt,  which 
he  conducted  five  j  ears.     He  then  purchased  what  is  now  known  as  Weaver's 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  877 

National  Hotel,  and  was  its  proprietor  from  1851  until  1803,  when  he  was 
elected  .sherilt'  and  served  three  years.  In  the  spring  of  1867  he  resumed 
the  hotel  business,  but  in  1S78  he  was  again  elected  sheriff.  After  the 
expiration  of  his  term  of  otSce  he  again  took  charge  of  his  hotel,  which 
he  conducted  until  188t).  since  which  time  he  has  not  been  actively  engaged 
in  business.  'Mi:  AVeaver  is  one  of  Shamokin's  oldest  residents,  and  has 
always  taken  an  active  interest  in  the  development  and  prosperity  of  the 
city.  In  lS-38.  in  connection  with  C.  P.  Helfenstein  and  William  H.  Mar- 
shall, he  assumed  a  large  amount  of  unpaid  mortgages  that  were  upon 
nearly  all  of  the  homes  in  different  parts  of  the  city,  and  prevented  them  be- 
ing sold  from  the  owners,  obviating  great  loss  and  distress.  He  was  one 
of  the  organizers  of  the  Xorthumberland  County  Bank,  was  also  identified  in 
the  purchase  and  laying  out  of  the  Shamokin  cemetery,  and  assisted  in  many 
other  enterprises.  In  politics  he  has  been  a  life-long  Democrat,  and  is  a 
member  of  Lodge  No.  2-3"i.  F.  \'  A.  M.  He  was  married,  August  26,  l8-t3, 
to  Lydia.  daughter  of  John  Smith,  of  Snydertown,  Pennsylvania,  and  by  this 
marriage  they  have  had  six  children:  Mary  E. ;  Martin,  deceased;  Catharine 
E.,  wife  of  David  E.  Shuster,  of  Shamokin;  John  A.,  late  chief  burgess  of 
Shamokin;  Clara  J.,  and  Rosetta.  deceased. 

John  A.  "Weaver  was  born  in  Shamokin.  October  15.  1847,  son  of  William 
M.  and  Lydia  (Smith)  Weaver.  His  education  was  obtained  in  the  puljlic 
schools  of  his  native  city,  and  until  1879  he  was  connected  with  his  father  in 
the  management  of  his  hotel.  He  then  entered  the  employ  of  the  Mineral 
Railroad  and  Mining  Company  as  their  representative  on  the  coal  and  iron 
police,  which  [)osition  he  tilled  until  Septf'inber.  1SS5.  when  he  resigned  to 
accept  the  position  of  superintendent  for  H.  A.  Weldy,  manufacturer  of 
explosives  and  jwwders.  which  position  he  now  tills.  In  1875  Mr.  Weaver 
was  elected  a  member  of  the  council,  and  in  1881  was  elected  chief  bur- 
gess, and  again  elected  in  1880.  He  was  married  in  June,  1872,  to  Clara 
A.,  daughter  of  A.  X.  Hanley,  of  Shamokin,  and  by  this  union  they  have  had 
two  children:  Charles  R..  and  Katie  M.,  deceased.  Politically  he  is  an  ar- 
dent Democrat.  He  is  a  member  of  Shamokin  Lodge,  No.  255,  F.  A:  A.  M. 
Fnder  Mr.  Weaver's  administration  many  improvements  took  place  in  the 
management  of  the  city  affairs.  The  first  uniformed  piolice  force  was  estab- 
lished, and  many  other  changes  were  made  that  meet  with  the  approval  of 
the  citizens.  He  is  one  of  Shamokin's  progressive  citizens,  and  commands 
the  respect  and  esteem  of  the  people  of  the  city. 

Judge  William  Leon-U'.d  Helfenstein  was  born  in  the  to^\•n  of  Lancaster, 
Lancaster  county.  Pennsylvania,  in  1801.  a  son  of  John  P.  and  Elizabeth 
Helfenstein.  His  paternal  grandfather,  Rev.  Conrad  Helfenstein.  came  to 
this  country  from  Germany  as  a  missionary  of  the  German  Reformed  church. 
When  quite  a  small  boy  William  L.  removed  with  his  parents  to  Carlisle, 
Pennsvlvania.  where  he  resided  until  manhood.     He  graduated  at  Dickinson 


8(8  HISTOr.Y    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

College  in  1823,  and  subsequently  studied  theology  at  Princeton  with  the  in- 
tention of  entering  the  ministry,  but  his  health  failing  he  abandoned  his 
studies,  and  thus  the  whole  after  current  of  his  life  was  changed.  Shortly 
afterwards  his  parents  moved  to  Dayton,  Ohio,  to  which  place  he  accomjjanied 
them.  He  there  entered  the  law  office  of  Jiidge  Crane,  one  of  the  eminent 
jurists  of  the  Miami  valley,  and  after  a  proper  course  of  study  he  was  ad- 
mitted to  the  bar  and  practiced  his  profession  in  Dayton  for  several  years 
quite  successfully.  He  became  prominent  in  the  local  councils  of  the  Demo- 
cratic party,  which  nominated  him  for  Congress  against  his  old  preceptor, 
■Judge  Crane,  and,  though  the  district  had  a  Whig  majority  of  over  two 
thousand,  his  great  personal  popularity  cut  down  the  majority  to  within 
thirty  votes  of  election.  After  this  favorable  expression  of  public  opinion  he 
was,  in  1835,  elected  by  the  legislature  judge  of  the  court  of  common  pleas  of 
the  Dayton  district,  which  position  he  filled  in  a  satisfactory  manner  for  the 
full  constitutional  term  of  seven  years."  He  then  removed  with  his  parents 
to  Milwaukee,  Wisconsin,  but  finally  settled  in  Chicago,  Illinois,  whert^  he 
opened  a  law  office  and  practiced  his  profession  for  a  few  years. 

His  attention  then  being  directed  to  the  undeveloped  anthracite  coal 
fields  of  Pennsylvania,  and  iirged  by  some  of  his  friends  to  undertake  their 
development,  he  came  east  in  1S4V)  and  commenced  the  great  work  with 
which  his  name  is  so  indelibly  connected.  He  organized  from  time  to  time 
a  number  of  coal  companies,  among  them  the  Zerbe  Run,  Mahanoy  Improve- 
ment, Carbon  Run,  Big  Mountain,  Green  Ridge,  Locust  Gap,  Locust  Sum- 
mit, and  others,  and  displayed  wonderful  energy  and  enterprise  in  the  develop- 
ment of  the  coal  fields  between  Trevorton  and  Mt.  Carmel.  He  organized 
and  partly  built  the  railroad  from  Trevorton  to  the  Sus(p;ehanna  river,  and 
laid  out  the  town  of  Trevorton;  he  was  a  leading  member  of  the  company 
that  purchased  the  Danville  and  Pottsville  railroad  at  sheriff's  sale,  changed 
the  name  to  the  Philadelphia  and  Sunbury  railroad,  and  organized  the  com- 
pany that  rebuilt  the  road  and  laid  it  with  T  rails;  he  was  the  leading  spirit 
and  president  of  the  company  that  built  the  extension  from  Shamokin  to  Mt. 
Carmel  and  the  branch  to  Locust  Gap;  he  was  a  member  of  the  company 
that  laid  out  Mt.  Carmel,  and  was  proprietor  of  the  towns  of  West  Shamokin, 
Helfenstein,  and  Gowen  City.  Judge  Helfenstein  was  largly  interested  in 
nearly  all  the  best  coal  lands  from  Mt.  Carmel  to  Trevorton,  and  these  were 
the  basis  of  the  several  coal  companies  oganized  by  him.  While  president 
of  the  Philadelphia  and  Sunbury  railroad,  and  eager  to  carry  the  road  through 
successfully,  he  risked  a  large  part  of  his  personal  estate  in  the  enterprise. 
Being  far  ahead  of  the  times  in  which  he  lived  his  hopes  were  not  realized, 
and  his  coal  estate  and  railroad  interests  were  consequently  sacrificed.  He 
then  united  with  his  brother,  Charles  P.,  in  the  Helfenstein  coal  lands,  and 
during  their  development  laid  out  the  towns  of  Helfenstein,  Gowen  City, 
and  West  Shamokin;  from  these  enterprises  he  realized  a  handsome  fortune. 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  879 

He  resided  in  Shamokiii  aud  Trevoi'ton  up  to  1S\V)  and  then  removed  to 
Pottsville.  In  1872  he  removed  from  Pottsville  to  New  York  City  and  pur- 
chased a  residence  at  Mott  Haven,  in  the  neighborhood  of  the  metropoHs. 
Judge  Helfenstein  subsequently  became  interested  in  silver  ami  iron  ore 
mines  in  the  Republic  of  Mexico,  and  spent  the  remaining  years  of  his  life 
between  New  York  and  Mexico.  He  died  of  Mexican  fever  at  Durango. 
Mexico,  in  March,  18S4.  in  the  eighty-third  year  of  his  age.  aud  his 
remains  were  interred  in  that  distant  land.  He  was  originally  a  Dem- 
ocrat, but  in  1801  united  with  the  Republican  party  and  was  ever  after- 
wards an  ardent  Repulilican.  He  was  a  member  and  vestryman  of  Trin- 
ity Episcopal  church  of  Pottsville,  Pennsylvania,  and  superintendent  of 
their  mission  Sunday  school  at  Fishback,  Schuylkill  county,  during  his  res- 
idence in  Pottsville.  Judge  Helfenstein  was  never  married,  but  wherever  he 
made  his  home  he  left  a  wide  circle  of  the  warmest  admirers  and  friends,  and 
his  death  was  deejDly  moiarned  by  all  who  knew  him.  The  early  impressions 
made  upon  his  mind  while  studying  for  the  ministry  at  Princeton  influenced 
his  whole  after  life,  and  his  character  was  deejily  imbued  with  the  most  sin- 
cere religious  sentiments.  He  was  a  truly  charitable  man,  and  was  a  spon- 
taneous and  frequent  contributor  towards  the  support  of  religious  and  char- 
itable objects.  He  was  a  fluent  and  logical  speaker,  and  was  well  versed  in 
the  current  literature  of  the  day.  His  lecture  on  Mexico,  its  mineral  resour- 
ces, and  its  people  and  their  habits  and  customs,  delivered  in  Shamokin. 
Pottsville,  and  other  places,  was  an  able  historical  paper,  was  highly  spoken 
of  by  the  local  press,  and  is  still  favorably  remembered  by  his  many  friends 
throughout  the  coal  region. 

Chaeles  p.  Helfenstein,  brother  of  Judge  "William  L.  Helfenstein. 
and  brother-in-law  of  Judge  Benjamin  Patton,  formerly  of  Trevorton.  was 
born  m  Carlisle,  Pennsylvania,  and  spent  most  of  his  boyhood  in  that  town. 
His  family  moved  from  there  to  Dayton.  Ohio,  from  which  place  h^  attended 
Yale  College,  graduating  from  there  in  1841.  He  subsequently  read  law 
for  two  years  in  the  office  of  his  brother-in-law,  Judge  Patton,  in  Pittsburg. 
In  the  meantime  his  family  removed  to  Milwaukee,  Wisconsin,  and  he  went 
to  that  place  and  entered  his  brother  Albert's  land  office.  About  18">(>  he 
came  to  Northumberland  county  to  assist  his  brother,  William  L..  in  his 
Trevorton  operations  and  in  the  development  of  his  coal  lands.  While  in 
Trevorton  he  had  charge  of  the  lumber  interests  of  the  companies  which  his 
brother  had  organized,  and  made  the  acquaintance  of  Jeremiah  Perkins,  who 
was  in  charge  of  the  lumber  interests  of  another  of  Judge  Helfenstein's  coal 
companies.  Mr.  Perkins  was  one  of  the  pioneers  of  Northumberland  county, 
was  a  native  of  New  Hampshire,  and  resided  for  a  number  of  years  in  .Sun- 
bury.  In  1855  our  subject  married  Caroline  H.,  oldest  daughter  of  Jeremiah 
Perkins,  and  settled  in  Shamokin,  where  he  built  himself  a  home  in  the  belt 
of  woods  between  the  eastern  and  western  portions  of  the  village  as  it  then 


880  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

was.  Havino-  in  the  meantime  purehaseil  the  interests  of  his  brother  and 
David  McKnight  in  the  town  of  Shamokin  and  surroimdiug  coxintry,  he  en- 
gaged for  several  years  in  the  real  estate  business,  and  was  for  several  more 
years  in  the  lumber  business.  He  also  turned  his  attention  to  the  develop- 
ment of  the  Helfenstein  coal  lands,  and,  in  connection  with  his  brother,  Judge 
Helfenstein,  laid  out  the  towns  of  Helfenstein  and  West  Shamokin.  After 
disposing  of  most  of  his  coal  lands  in  1S72  he  retired  from  active  business, 
and  is  now  residing  in  the  home  which  he  erected  in  IS.Jo. 

Mr.  Helfenstein  has  two  sons,  and  two  daughters:  John  P.,  attorney  at 
law,  of  Shamokin;  William  L.;  Elizabeth,  wife  of  T.  Pershing,  and  Carrie  A. 
He  has  been  interested  in  many  of  the  institutions  of  his  adopted  home.  He 
was  director  in  the  Northxmiberland  County  Bank,  vice-president  of  the 
Shamokin  Banking  Company,  a  stockliolder  in  the  Shamokin  Water  Com- 
pany, and  one  of  the  corporators  and  president  of  the  Shamokin  Gas  Light 
Company.  He  was  also  one  of  the  corporators  of  the  Shamokin  Cemetery 
Company,  and  the  fir.st  president  of  that  institution.  Although  a  member  of 
the  Reformed  Episcopal  church,  Mr.  Helfenstein  was  one  of  the  leading  spirits 
in  the  erection  of  the  First  Presbyterian  church  of  Shamokin  and  a  liberal 
contributor  towards  that  object.  He  has  been  a  Piepublican  since  the  war, 
Vjut  has  never  held  any  political  office  except  that  of  chief  burgess  of  Shamo- 
kin for  two  terms.  He  is  one  of  the  two  surviving  members  of  the  commit- 
tee of  creditors  of  the  Jay  Cooke  estate,  and  has  been  a  well-known  citizen 
of  the  county  during  the  past  forty  years. 

William  H.  Marsh.vll  was  one  of  the  most  promini'nt  and  enterprising 
citizens  of  Shamokin  during  his  residence  therein  of  more  than  a  quarter  of 
a  centurv.  He  was  born  in  New  Castle  county.  Delaware,  in  1797,  a  son  of 
Joseph  and  Agnes  Marshall,  members  of  the  Quaker  faith.  He  was  reared 
in  his  native  county  and  subsequently  removed  to  Pliiladelphia,  Pennsyl- 
vania, where  he  carried  on  a  wholesale  grocery  house  until  1S40,  when  he 
sold  out  his  business  and  left  that  city.  In  IMl  he  located  at  Pottsville, 
Pennsylvania,  and  operated  the  pioneer  iron  furnace  of  that  place.  And  it 
is  claimed  on  good  authority  that  he  was  one  of  the  tirst  men  to  demonstrate, 
that  iron  could  be  manufactured  with  anthracite  coal.  Meeting  with  the  same 
financial  reverses  that  overtook  nearly  all  of  the  pioneer  iron  manufacturers, 
he,  in  ISol,  came  to  Shamokin  as  the  land  agent  of  the  late  Judge  William 
L.  Helfenstein.  During  the  succeeding  twenty-five  years  he  was  one  of  the 
most  prominent  and  active  business  men  of  the  coal  region.  He  represented 
the  Big  Mountain  Improvement  Company,  Locust  Mountain  Summit  Im- 
provement Company,  Carbon  Run  Improvement  Company.  Burd  Patterson's 
coal  interests,  the  New  York  and  Middle  Coal  Field  Company,  and  numer- 
ous other  interests,  from  time  to  time,  during  this  period.  When  the  Phila- 
delphia and  Reading  Coal  and  Iron  Company  purchased  the  lands  of  the 
Locust  Gap  Improvement  Company  Mr.  Marshall  was  appointed  their  agent. 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  881 

and  held  that  position  nntil  the  intirmities  of  old  age  compelled  him  to  re- 
tire from  the  more  exacting  duties  of  business.  In  partnership  with  A.  S. 
Wolf,  of  Philadelphia,  he  opened  and  successfully  operated  the  A.  S.  Wolf 
colliery  for  several  years.  It  is  now  the  property  of  the  Philadelphia  and 
Reading  Coal  and  Iron  Company. 

Though  not  a  scientific  geologist,  Mr.  Marshall  was  one  of  the  most  prac- 
tical and  best  informed  men  of  his  time  regarding  the  geological  strata  and 
mineral  character  of  this  ponion  of  the  State.  When  making  his  geological 
survey,  Professor  Rogers  freely  consulted  him,  and  placed  great  reliance  on 
his  oj^inions.  He  possessed  very  correct  and  practical  ideas  about  the  coal 
dejiosits.  and  had  carefully  prospected  the  coimtry  from  Centralia,  Columbia 
county,  to  Trevorton,  Xorthimiberland  county. 

He  was  prominently  identified  with,  and  the  leading  spirit  in  many  of 
the  local  enterprises  of  the  borough,  one  of  the  earliest  being  the  Shamokin 
Town  Lot  Association,  which  had  for  its  object  the  establishment  of  a  large 
rolling  mill.  The  building  was  erected  in  ISoS,  south  of  the  Reading  round- 
house, and  partially  equipped,  but  the  stringency  of  the  times,  brought  on 
by  the  panic  of  1857,  resulted  in  many  of  the  subscribers  to  the  stock  being 
unable  to  meet  their  obligaticjus.  Work  was  consequently  stopjsed  and  the 
project  finally  abandoned.  Mr.  Marshall  also  gave  one  half  the  land  em- 
braced in  the  Shamokin  cemetery,  and  was  treasurer  of  the  cemetery  com- 
pany from  its  organization  up  to  his  death.  He  was  largely  instrumental  in 
having  the  channel  of  Shamokin  creek  so  changed  and  improved  that  con- 
siderable land  thus  redeemed  now  furnishes  many  of  the  most  valuable  build- 
ing sites  in  the  city.  He  was  the  founder  of  the  Shamokin  Water  Company, 
and  its  largest  stockholder,  and  treasurer  of  the  same  up  to  his  death.  He 
was  also  one  of  the  organizer-^  and  original  directors  of  the  Shamokin  Bank- 
ing Company.  In  fact,  to  the  energy  and  enterprise  of  William  H.  Marshall 
is  due,  in  a  great  measure,  the  Shamokin  of  to-day. 

Though  reared  in  the  Quaker  faith,  both  Mr.  Marsliall  and  wife  attended 
the  Presbyterian  church,  and  gave  liberally  of  their  means  towards  the  sup- 
port of  religion.  He  was  a  charter  member  of  Shamokin  Lodge,  No.  255,  F. 
&  A.  M.  In  politics  he  was  a  Repubhcan,  and  while  he  never  sought  ofiicial 
distinction  he  always  took  a  jiatriotic  interest  in  political  affairs.  The  only 
public  office  he  ever  held  was  that  of  chief  burgess  of  Shamokin. 

Mr.  Marshall  married,  in  early  life.  Miss  Ann  Farr,  of  his  native  county, 
who  survived  him  about  two  years  and  a  half,  and  died  childless.  His  death 
occurred  in  January,  1S7S.  in  the  eighty-first  year  of  his  age.  He  was  not 
an  educated  man,  as  his  advantages  for  obtaining  an  education  in  youth  were 
verj-  meao-er.  But  he  possessed  fine  natural  abilities,  keen  observation,  and 
a  wide  knowledge  of  men  and  affairs.  Positive  in  his  views  and  opinions, 
he  usually  impressed  men  as  gruff  and  harsh  in  his  manners.  Nevertheless 
he  was  kind-hearted  and  s_\-mpathetic,  and  always  charitable  to  the  needy. 


882  HISTORY  OF  NORTHUMBERLAND  COUNTY. 

Though  exacting  in  Ijusiness  affairs,  he  was  recognized  as  an  upright  and 
strictly  honest  man,  and  believed  in  paying  what  was  due  even  to  the  last 
farthing.  He  was  honored  and  respected  for  his  strength  of  character,  com- 
mendable enterprise,  and  unimpeachable  integrity. 

John  Bluxdin  Douty  was  for  many  years  one  of  the  most  prominent  and 
successful  citizens  of  the  coal  regions,  and  he  is  still  kindly  remembered  by 
a  large  circle  of  his  old  friends.  He  was  born  near  Lambertville.  New 
Jersey,  May  30,  1812,  and  was  a  son  of  William  and  Mary  (Blundiu)  Douty, 
who  settled  in  Rrish  township.  Northumberland  county,  Pennsylvania,  when 
John  B.  was  about  ten  years  old.  In  1820  the  family  removed  to  Pottsville, 
where  the  father  at  once  became  the  owner  of  a  line  of  five  boats  on  the 
Schuylkill  canal,  and  our  subject  was  placed  in  charge  of  one  of  them.  John 
B.  thus  became  one  of  the  pioneer  boatmen  of  the  Schuylkill,  and  he  followed 
the  business  iintil  1842,  and  then  entered  the  coal  trade  at  the  East  Dela- 
ware mines.  He  ojierated  here  for  a  few  years  and  then  went  to  the  We-st 
Delaware  mines,  where  he  remained  until  the  failure  of  the  company,  in  18")1. 
through  which  he  lost  the  slow  accumulations  of  years  of  toil  and  unflagging 
industry.  Coming  to  Shamokin  in  18r)2,  comparatively  penniless,  he  again 
commenced  mining  in  a  small  way  at  the  Gaji,  now  the  Cameron  colliery,  as 
a  member  of  the  Arm  of  Kase,  Douty  &  Eeed.  This  lasted  a  few  years,  and 
as  very  little  was  accomplished  Mr.  Douty  made  only  a  bare  living  out  of  the 
enterprise.  In  October,  ISriO,  at  the  solicitation  of  Dr.  J.  J.  John,  he  joined 
that  gentleman  and  Joseph  Bird,  under  the  lirm  name  of  Bird,  Douty  iS; 
John.  They  leased  the  Big  Mountain  colliery,  and  after  many  vicissitudes 
the  enterprise  finally  proved  successful.  In  lSr)7  Doctor  John  retired  from  the 
firm,  and  in  ISoU  Mr.  Douty  withdrew  and  took  charge  of  the  Henry  Clay 
colliery,  which,  under  his  experienced  and  careful  management,  became  one 
of  the  best  paying  mining  j^roperties  in  the  county.  Good  fortune  smiled 
upon  all  his  efforts,  and  he  accumulated  a  handsome  fortime.  Mr.  Douty 
subsequently  opened  the  Brady  colliery,  and  operated  it  several  years.  In 
March,  1873,  Douty  &  Baumgardner  began  working  the  Ben  Franklin  coll- 
iery, in  which  he  was  interested  up  to  his  death,  November  15,  1874.  A  few 
years  prior  to  that  event  he  imited  with  the  Fir.st  Presbyterian  church,  and 
died  a  consistent  member  of  that  faith. 

Throughout  a  residence  in  Shamokin  of  twenty-one  years,  Mr.  Douty 
was  largely  interested  in  the  growth  and  development  of  the  coal  trade,  and 
did  much  towards  building  up  the  diversified  interests  of  his  adopted  home. 
He  possessed  great  enterprise  and  public  spirit,  and  made  good  use  of  his 
wealth  in  erecting  substantial  buildings  and  contributing  liberally  towards 
charitable  and  religious  objects.  He  was  a  man  of  strong  likes  and  dislikes, 
and  positive  in  his  views  and  opinions,  but  possessed  a  kind  heart,  and 
always  extended  an  encouraging  word  and  a  helping  hand  to  the  needy  and 
afflicted.     Mr.  Douty  was  married.  May  22,  183(3,  to  La\-inia  Jones,  a  native 


6 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  885 

of  Eeading.  Peimsylvaoia.  aiul  a  daughter  of  William  and  Cathariue  Jones, 
then  residents  of  that  city.  One  son.  'William  H..  a  merchant  of  Shamokin. 
was  the  fruit  of  this  union.  Mrs.  Douty  is  living  in  the  home  on  Sunliury 
street,  Shamokin,  in  which  her  husband  passed  the  latter  years  of  his  life. 

De.  J.  J.  John,  general  insurance  agent,  was  born  in  Catawissa,  Coliuubia 
county,  PennsM-ania.  October  13.  1S20.  only  son  of  Jesse  Jones  and  Eliza 
V.  (Hicks)  John,  mention  of  whom  will  be  found  among  the  pioneers  of 
Kalpho  township.  His  father  died  before  the  birth  of  our  subject,  and  he 
grew  up  under  the  fostering  care  of  a  kind  and  watchful  mother.  He 
attended  the  common  schools  up  to  the  age  of  fifteen,  and  then  entered  an 
academy  at  Coatesville,  Chester  county.  Pennsylvania,  and  afterwards  at 
McEwensville,  Northumberland  county,  spending  in  both  institutions  two 
years  and  a  half.  At  the  age  of  eighteen  he  commenced  teaching,  and 
taught  three  years  in  Northumberland  and  Columbia  counties.  In  18-")0  he 
began  reading  medicine  with  Dr.  Joseph  C.  Robins,  of  Elysburg.  North- 
umberland county,  and  graduated  from  the  Pennsylvania  Medical  College. 
Philadelphia,  in  March,  LS-'>'J.  During  his  last  term  at  college  he  served  as 
assistant  demonstrator  of  anatomy.  In  the  spring  of  1N53  Doctor  John  came 
to  Shamokin,  and  here  became  connected  with  the  engineer  corps  under 
Kimber  Cleaver,  with  whom  he  remained  until  the  Shamokin  Valley  railroad 
was  finished  to  Mt.  Carniol. 

On  the  12th  of  March,  18.'')4,  Doctor  John  was  married  to  Elizabeth,  daughter 
of  George  and  Anna  Krick.  of  Shamokin  township.  Five  children  have 
been  born  of  this  union:  Annie  E. :  Walter  S..  deceased;  Mary  A.,  wife  of 
A.  M.  Shttman.  of  Shamokin;  Laura  V..  wife  of  George  B.  Schadt.  of 
Shamokin,  and  George  W.  Soon  after  his  marriage  he  associated  himself 
with  Dr.  Galen  S.  Robins  in  the  practice  of  medicine,  and  as  they  were  the 
only  physicians  in  this  j'art  of  the  county  their  practice  extended  from  Mt. 
Carmel  to  Trevorton,  and  embraced  the  whole  surrounding  country  for  nules 
in  every  dire-etion.  The  practice  of  medicine  not  being  congenial  to  Doctor 
John  he  retired  from  the  profession  in  ISoo.  and  in  partnership  with  Joseph 
Bird  purchased  the  drug  store  of  Bnmer  k  Weiser.  The  firm  of  Bird  & 
John  soon  after  bought  the  drug  store  of  AV.  J.  Haas,  and  thus  became  the 
only  druggists  in  Shamokin.  Late  in  iSoT  they  sold  out  the  business  for 
the  purpose  of  giving  their  whole  attention  to  the  Big  Mountain  colliery, 
which,  in  partnershiji  with  John  B.  Douty.  under  the  firm  name  of  Bird. 
Douty  &  John,  they  had  leased  in  Ib-JG.  They  operated  the  Big  Moiuitain 
tmtil  August,  1S5T,  when  Doctor  John  sold  his  interest  to  his  partners.  He 
then  formed  a  partnership  with  Kimber  Cleaver,  as  engineers  and  surveyors, 
which  contintied  until  the  death  of  Mr.  Cleaver,  October  19, 1858,  when  Doctor 
John  resumed  his  old  profession  of  teaching.  He  taught  in  Shamokin  until 
the  spring  of  1863,  and  rose  to  the  position  of  jirincipal  of  the  high  school. 
He  loved  his  profession,  and  was  therefore  one  of  the  most  sitccessf ul  teachers 


886  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

of  his  day.  Resigning  tlie  principalship  he  accepted  the  position  of  book-keej^er 
at  Shamokin  furnace,  which  he  filled  in  a  satisfactory  manner  until  April,  1865. 
He  then  became  book-keeper  for  May,  Patterson  &  Brother,  operators  of 
Buck  Ridge  colliery,  with  whom  he  remained  about  eleven  years.  In  the 
meantime,  in  1873,  he  had  opened  an  insurance  office  and'  established  a 
wholesale  and  retail  coal  business  in  Shamokin.  He  continued  the  coal 
business  successfully  for  several  years,  and  has  since  given  his  sole  attention 
to  the  insurance  business  which  he  has  made  a  gratifying  success. 

In  the  development  of  Shamokin's  material  interests  Doctor  John  has 
taken  an  active  part.  He  was  secretary  and  one  of  the  largest  stockholders  of 
the  Shamokin  Town  Lot  Association,  has  been  one  of  the  managers  and  sec- 
retary of  the  Shamokin  Cemetery  Company  since  1867,  was  an  original  stock- 
holder and  is  at  present  a  director  of  the  Shamokin  Gas  Light  Company,  is 
a  director  and  secretary  of  the  Home  Building  and  Loan  Association,  and  a 
director  and  secretary  of  the  Shamokin  Street  Railway  Company.  He  was 
one  of  the  editors  of  the  Shamokin  Herald  during  the  first  year  of  its  exist- 
ence. In  1868  he  became  coal  editor  of  that  paper  and  contributed  to  its 
columns  weekly  up  to  187o.  His  contributions  to  the  newspapers  on  educa- 
tional, historical,  and  other  subjects  have  been  quite  extensive  and  various, 
and  to  him  is  largely  due  the  preservation  of  much  local  history  that  other- 
wise would  have  been  lost  in  the  fading  twilight-  of  tradition.  And  to  the 
present  volume  he  has  contributed  two  of  its  most  important  and  valuable 
chapters,  beside  furnishing  data  embraced  in  several  others. 

Politically  an  old  line  Whig  he  became  a  Republican  in  1856,  but  has 
always  been  conservative  in  his  political  views.  He  enlisted  in  Company  K, 
Thirty-sixth  Volunteer  Militia,  during  Lee's  invasion,  and  acted  as  hospital 
steward.  He  has  served  in  the  borough  council,  also  as  overseer  of  the  poor, 
one  year  each.  In  1874  he  was  elected  to  the  legislature  and  served  two 
years  in  what  is  known  as  the  "Centennial  legislature."  He  served  on  the 
committees  of  education,  mining,  and  contested  elections,  and  was  the 
originator  of  John's  compulsory  educational  bill.  This  bill  was  fought  bitterly 
in  committee,  which  delayed  its  presention  to  the  House  until  late  in  the  ses- 
sion, and  it  thus  failed  to  become  a  law.  For  the  last  ten  years  he  has  been, 
one  of  the  visitors  for  the  Board  of  Public  Charities,  and  in  1877  he  pre- 
ferred and  partially  sustained  charges  against  the  superintendent  and  sur- 
geon of  the  Miners'  hospital  near  Ashland  for  cruelty  and  neglect  and  dis- 
charge of  a  suffering  patient,  which  created  quite  an  excitement  throughout, 
the  mining  regions  and  won  him  many  warm  friends  among  the  miners. 

Up  to  within  the  last  few  years  Doctor  John  took  the  deepest  and  most- 
active  interest  in  educational  matters  and  in  the  growth  and  progress  of  the 
public  schools.  He  was  one  of  the  original  members  of  the  Shamokin 
Lyceum,  a  literary  institution  that  flourished  between  1855  and  1863,  and 
embraced  the  leading  citizens  of  the  town.     He  served  as  school  director 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  887 

thirteen  years,  ten  years  as  secretary  of  the  board,  and  six  years  as  district 
superintendent,  and  gave  hberally  of  his  time  towards  this  worthy  object. 
In  Febriiary,  1S7T.  he  was  chairman  of  the  committee  that  selected  a  series 
of  text  books  for  the  schools  of  the  county,  and  he  personally  introduced 
them  into  nearly  every  district.  Though  coming  of  Quaker  lineage  Doctor 
John  has  never  been  connected  with  that  or  any  other  religious  body,  but 
has  always  been  liberal  and  charitable  towards  the  opinions  and  beliefs  of 
every  denomination. 

J.  H.  Zimmerman,  liveryman,  was  born,  January  5,  1820,  in  Aucrusta 
township,  Northumberland  county,  Pennsylvania,  son  of  George  and  Mary 
(Hall)  Zimmerman.  The  paternal  grandfather  was  John  Zimmerman,  a  na- 
tive of  Berks  county,  Pennsylvania,  who  came  to  Northumberland  county 
and  purchased  a  tract  of  two  hundred  acres  in  Augusta  township,  where  he 
died.  He  married  in  Berks  coiinty  a  Miss  Mahrberger,  and  tliey  were  the 
parents  of  five  sous  and  two  daughters.  George,  the  father  of  our  subject, 
was  a  blacksmith  by  trade,  and  conducted  business  for  many  years  in  Sun- 
bury.  His  family  consisted  of  six  children:  Jeremiah;  Bachel,  deceased, 
who  married  Isaac  Seller;  Lucy,  deceased;  Mary,  who  married  Solomon 
Stroh;  Elizabeth,  who  married  Jesse  McClow  of  Shamokin,  and  Emily,  de- 
ceased, who  married  Thomas  M.  Pursel.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  learned 
the  blacksmith  trade  and  ^va^^  i'iii;-aged  in  the  lousiness  a  number  of  years 
with  his  father,  in  Sunbury.  In  l^ol  he  was  elected  justice  of  the  peace 
for  Simbury,  which  ofiice  he  filled  two  years.  He  received  the  appointment 
of  collector  for  the  Pennsylvania  canal,  which  position  he  filled  until  185(i. 
In  1855  he  engaged  in  the  coal  business  with  J.  P.  Pursel  in  mining  and 
shipping  at  Shamokin.  In  1850  he  was  elected  to  the  State  legislature, 
serving  in  the  sessions  of  I8.")r)-5T.  and  subsequently  entered  the  emjiloy  of 
Stroh  Sc  Elliott  as  superiuti-ndfut  for  their  coal  business.  He  afterwards 
filled  positions  of  trust  with  Haas  ^^  Fagely  and  John  Dewees  &  Brother. 
In  ISG'J  he  established  the  business  now  conducted  by  his  son,  J.  B.  Zim- 
merman, the  manufacturing  of  wagons  and  carriages  and  dealing  in  harness. 
In  1877  he  established  the  livery  business,  which  he  has  since  carried  on. 
Mr.  Zimmerman,  in  1870,  was  elected  chief  burgess;  in  1875,  elected  a  mem- 
ber of  the  council;  in  1S76,  elected  chief  burgess,  and  again  elected,  1884- 
80  inclusive.  At  the  time  of  Lee's  raid  into  Pennsylvania  he  joined  Captain 
Bnmer"s  company  at  Sunbury.  Politically  Mr.  Zimmerman  has  been  a  life- 
long Democrat,  and  has  always  taken  great  interest  in  the  affairs  of  his  party. 
He  is  a  member  of  Stinbury  Lodge,  F.  &  A.  M.,  and  Northumberland  Chap- 
ter. In  1848  he  was  married  to  Harriet  M..  daughter  of  Jacob  Bright,  and 
by  this  marriage  they  have  had  nine  children,  seven  of  whom  grew  to  matu- 
rity: Lucy  Ella,  deceased,  who  married  J.  B.  Phillips;  John  B. ;  Harriet, 
wife  of  W.  P.  Roth;  George;  Eosetta,  wife  of  Samiiel  Haas;  William  E., 
attorney,  of  Shamokin,  and  William  C,  of  Philadelphia. 


888  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

William  C.  Kennedy  ^Yas  born  ia  Lycoming  county,  Pennsylvania,  in 
1825.  He  was  reared  and  educated  in  his  native  county,  and  after  the  death 
of  his  parents  went  to  Schuylkill  county  and  found  emplo\-iuent  in  the  coal 
mines.  In  1849  he  came  to  Shamokin  and  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of 
shingles,  and  subsequently  turned  his  attention  to  the  real  estate  business. 
He  then,  in  connection  with  Jonathan  Farnsworth,  opened  a  coal  drift  where 
the  Peerless  colliery  is  now  situated,  and  later  opened  a  general  store  on  the 
corner  of  Commerce  and  Vine  .streets,  which  was  one  of  the  pioneer  stores  of 
Shamokin.  He  owned  the  site  of  what  is  known  as  Gosstown  and  erected 
the  first  house  there. 

H.  A.  Shissler,  druggist,  was  born  at  Port  Carbon,  Schuylkill  county. 
Pennsylvania,  Feljruary  10,  1830.  son  of  Henry  and  Annie  (Long)  Shissler. 
At  the  age  of  twelve  years  he  entered  the  drug  store  of  his  father,  where  he 
remained  five  years.  He  then  engaged  in  teaching,  which  occupation  he  fol- 
lowed three  years.  He  then  located  at  Trevorton,  this  county,  and  estab- 
lished the  first  drug  store  in  the  place.  In  18-")S  he  removed  to  Shamokin. 
and  engaged  in  the  drug  business  at  the  place  where  he  is  now  located.  In 
1859,  in  connection  with  W.  K.  Kutzner,  he  opened  a  store  on  the  corner  of 
Sunbury  and  Shamokin  streets.  In  1800  he  sold  his  interest  to  his  partner, 
and  in  1802  enlisted  in  the  medical  department  of  the  United  States  regular 
army,  where  he  remained  five  months,  and  was  discharged  on  account  of 
physical  disability.  In  1870  he  again  resumed  the  drug  basiness,  which  he 
has  since  conducted.  In  1808  he  was  the  Republican  candidate  for  register 
and  recorder,  but  was  defeated.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  order,  of 
which  he  is  a  past  master,  also  of  the  G.  A.  E.  (Lincoln  Post.  No.  140).  and 
in  politics  a  Repitblican.  He  is  a  ruling  elder  in  the  First  Presljyterian 
church,  and  was  superintendent  of  the  Sunday  school  twenty-five  years.  He 
was  married  in  April,  1858,  to  Eosetta,  daughter  of  Joseph  Kasernan,  of 
Shamokin  township. 

Daniel  S.  Millek,  retired  boot  and  shoe  merchant,  was  born  in  Shamo- 
kin township,  Northumberland  county,  Pennsylvania,  April  17,  1820,  son  of 
John  and  Eliza  (Schroeder)  Miller,  natives  of  Lehigh  and  Berks  counties, 
respectively,  and  early  settlers  of  Shamokin  township.  John  Miller  was 
twice  married,  his  second  wife  being  Mrs.  Esther  Duttinger,  nee  Eeed,  and 
was  the  father  of  sixteen  children.  He  died  on  his  farm  atx)Ut  1801.  Daniel 
S.  was  the  third  son  by  the  first  marriage,  and  remained  under  the  parental 
roof  until  184(3,  when  he  went  to  Port  Carbon  and  learned  the  shoemaker's 
trade.  From  1849  until  September,  1850,  he  worked  in  Tamaqua,  and  then 
came  to  Shamokin.  In  1851  he  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  boots  and 
shoes,  and  in  connection  therewith  gradually  built  tip  a  lucrative  trade  in 
ready-made  goods,  to  which  line  the  business  is  now  confined.  He  erected  his 
present  store  room  in  1S02,  and  in  June,  1890,  retired  from  business,  and 
was  succeeded  by  his  sons,  Albert  D.  and  J.  Harmer.     Mr.  Miller  has  been 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  889 

twice  marrietl.  His  lirst  wife  was  Hannah  Ostler,  whom  lie  married,  Novem- 
ber IS,  1841).  She  bore  him  three  chilJren:  .John  F.,  deceased:  Irene,  wife 
of  William  H.  Chamberlain,  and  Araminta.  ilrs.  Miller  died,  February  22, 
1855,  and  November  IS,  1855,  he  married  Mrs.  Elmira  Stokes  nee  Schwartz. 
Seven  children  were  born  of  this  iinion.  four  of  whom  are  living:  Francis  A.; 
Rosie  B.,  wife  of  W.  C.  Zimmerman:  Albert  D..  and  J.  Harmer.  The  de- 
ceased are:  Anne  J.;  Clara  E..  and  Geori,'e  W.  In  politics  Mr.  Miller  is  a 
Republican,  and  has  served  in  the  borough  council,  and  as  school  director 
seven  years.  He  is  one  of  the  pioneer  Methodists  of  Shamokin.  and  has  been 
a  trustee  in  the  First  Methodist  Episcopal  church  since  its  organization. 

Daxiel  Yost,  btiilder  and  contractcjr.  w;;-  born  in  Shamokin  to^^Tishif), 
Northumberland  county,  Penn.sylvania.  April  22,  1820,  son  of  Conrad  and 
Sarah  (Shiill)  Yost,  natives  of  Schuylkill  and  Northumberland  counties,  Penn- 
sylvania, respectively.  He  was  educated  in  the  district  schools,  and  learned 
the  carpenter  trade  with  his  father.  In  1^45  he  located  at  Minersville,  Penn- 
sylvania, where  he  remained  six  years  working  at  his  trade.  In  1852  he  re- 
moved to  Shamokin,  and  in  1854  established  himself  in  business,  in  which 
he  has  continued  to  the  present  time.  Mr.  Yost  has  erected  many  prominent 
buildings  in  Shamokin:  among  them  may  lie  mentioned  the  Academy,  Isaac 
May's  block  on  Shamokin  street,  the  Reformed  church,  and  Isaac  May's 
residence.  He  was  for  many  years  the  principal  builder  of  the  place,  and 
since  he  established  his  business  has  erected  about  one  thousand  public  and 
private  buildings  in  the  borough.  Politically.  Mr.  I'ost  is  a  Democrat.  He 
has  tilled  the  office  of  overseer  of  the  pcxjr  a  number  of  years,  and  served  as 
;i  member  of  the  council.  He  is  a  member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  of  St. 
.Jolm"s  Reformed  church.  He  was  married.  October  7,  1S40,  to  Sarah  L. 
Hoover,  of  Sliamokin,  and  they  are  the  parents  of  nine  children:  Rev.  Francis, 
of  Phoenixville,  Pennsylvania:  John  A:  Mary  L..  wife  of  E.  W.  Deibler; 
Lillian;  Louisa,  wife  of  William  Heckjn;m:  George  L.;  Sallie;  Bertha,  and 
Laura.  Mr.  Y'ost  commenced  business  a  comparatively  poor  man,  and  there 
are  few  men  now  living  in  Shamokin  who  have  been  longer  identified  with 
the  material  development  of  the  town.  His  energy,  strict  attention  to  busi- 
ness, and  honorable  dealing  place  him  among  the  prominent  and  respected 
citizens  of  the  borough. 

John  Shipp,  deceased,  was  born  at  Hughes's  Furnace,  Franklin  county, 
Pennsylvania,  in  1822,  son  of  Michael  and  Catharine  (Smith)  Shipp.  He 
was  employed  at  the  Juniata  furnace  in  Perr}-  county,  and  from  there  went 
to  Victoria  furnace  in  Dauphin  coimty.  and  thence  removed  to  Millersburg, 
Pennsylvania.  In  Jime,  1850,  in  connection  with  Zacharias  Batorf,  he 
engaged  in  the  foundry  business  at  Tremont.  Schuylkill  county,  Pennsylva- 
nia. He  subsequently  came  to  Shamokin  and  was  in  the  employ  of  Stephen 
Bittenbender.  after  which  he  went  to  Port  Carbon  for  the  purpose  of  casting 
the  Henry  Clav  monument.     Returning  to  Shamokin  in  1853  he  again  took 


»yU  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBEELAND    COUNTY. 

charge  of  the  fouudry  and  machine  works  for  Stephen  Bittenbender,  where 
he  remained  through  the  years  1856-57.  He  then  established  in  Shamokin 
the  Star  Iron  Works,  which  he  operated  until  1873,  when  he  sold  his  plant 
to  Fisher  A;  Medlar.  He  then  connected  himself  with  Boughner,  Shipp  & 
Companr.  coal  operators,  where  he  remained  two  years.  At  the  expiration 
of  that  time  he  located  in  Ealpho  township,  and  engaged  in  farming  two 
years,  when  he  returned  to  Shamokin  and  embarked  in  the  mercantile  bus- 
iness, which  he  conducted  until  his  death  in  1878.  Politically,  Mr.  Shipp  in 
early  Ufe  was  a  Whig,  and  later  joined  the  Republican  party.  He  was  an 
earnest  Christian,  and  was  one  of  the  original  members  of  the  Methodist 
Episcojial  church,  of  which  he  was  class  leader  many  years,  and  was  a  liberal 
contributor  of  his  means  to  the  establishment  of  the  Methodist  churcli  in 
Shamokin.  He  married  Susanna  Askins,  of  Perry  county,  Pennsylvania, 
who  died  in  1858,  leaving  three  children:  James  A. ;  Sallie,  wife  of  John 
Cruikshank.  of  Yorkto\vn,  Virginia,  and  Wilbur,  of  Pittston,  Pennsylvania. 
Mr.  Shipp  was  a  member  of  the  F.  &  A.  M.,  and  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  was 
one  of  the  active  and  enterprising  citizens  of  Shamokin. 

EicHAED  Bluxdin  DorxY,  deceased,  was  born,  January  22,  1824,  in  Rush 
to'Nvnship,  Northumberland  county,  Pennsylvania,  son  of  William  and  Mary 
(Blundin)  Douty.  He  removed  with  his  parents  to  Pottsville  in  1820,  where 
he  grew  up  under  the  parental  roof.  He  engaged  early  in  boating  upon  tlie 
Schuylkill  canal,  having  charge  of  one  of  his  father's  boats  at  the  age  of 
nineteen,  in  which  business  he  continued  eleven  years.  He  subsequently 
removed  to  St.  Clair  in  the  same  county,  as  superintendent  for  Kirk  &  Baum, 
coal  operators,  where  he  remained  until  1859,  when  he  came  to  Shamokin  to 
take  charge  of  the  Henry  Clay  colliery.  In  1800  ho  engaged  in  coal  opera- 
tions for  himself,  at  Ben  Franklin  colliery,  where  he  continued  coal  mining 
until  early  in  1878,  when,  meeting  with  unfortunate  financial  losses,  he  was 
compelled  to  retire  from  operating.  He  afterwards  had  charge  of  the  Mt. 
Carmel  colliery  about  one  year;  and  was  subsequently  engaged  in  developing 
coal  veins  near  Centralia.  Mr.  Douty  was  elected  the  first  chief  burgess  of 
Shamokin,  and  re-elected  the  following  year.  He  was  again  chosen  for  the 
same  ofHce  in  1877,  and  took  a  prominent  and  active  part  in  suppressing  the 
labor  riots  of  that  year.  Politically  he  was  a  Republican  until  the  advent  of 
the  Greenback  movement,  when  he  joined  that  party  and  became  its  leader 
in  this  locality.  He  was  once  the  Greenback  candidate  for  sheriff,  and 
though  a  popular  man  his  party  was  largely  in  the  minority.  Mr.  Douty 
was  married  in  Januaiw.  1845,  to  Rebecca  A.,  daughter  of  Adam  Case,  of 
Columbia  coimty,  Pennsylvania.  They  were  the  parents  of  eight  children. 
only  three  of  whom  grew  to  maturifj-,  and  survive  their  parents:  Mary  L.. 
widow  of  Colonel  Alexander  Caldwell;  Elmira  J.,  wife  of  William  A.  Rich- 
ardson, of  Shamokin,  and  Charles  H.,  borough  engineer.  Mr.  Douty  died. 
October  12.  1889,  his  widow  suiwiving  him  iintil  December  81st  of  the  same 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  891 

year.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Masonic  order,  having  joined  Anthracite 
Lodge,  of  St.  Clair,  Pennsylvania,  about  1S54.  When  Trinity  Episcopal 
church,  of  Shamokin,  was  organized  he  became  a  member  of  that  bodv.  and 
was  elected  one  of  the  wardens,  and  subsequently  tilled  the  ofiice  of  senior 
warden  ten  years.  Mr.  Douty  was  a  square-dealing,  honest  man.  and  had 
hosts  of  friends  throughoitt  this  portion  of  the  State. 

C'H.iELES  H.  DoiTY,  civil  engineer,  is  a  son  of  Richard  B.  and  Rebecca 
Douty,  and  was  born,  October  29,  1S49,  in  Pottsville,  Pennsylvania.  He 
came  to  Shamokin  with  his  parents,  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of 
that  borough,  and  afterwards  studied  civil  engineering.  He  has  since  been 
principally  engaged  in  the  practice  of  his  profession.  In  ISSl  he  was 
appointed  by  the  council  Ijorough  engineer,  and  has  tilled'that  position  con- 
tinuously up  to  the  present.     Politically  he  is  an  independent  voter. 

"William  R.  Kutzxee  was  born  in  Sunbury.  Pennsylvania,  December  18, 
lS8o.  and  died  in  Shamokin,  May  24,  1885.  He  was  a  son  of  Edward  A.  and 
Anna  (Robins)  Kutzner,  natives  of  this  State.  At  the  age  of  twelve  he  went 
"West  with  his  parents,  and  there  grew  to  manhood,  jiriucipally  engaged  in 
clerking.  In  1857  he  returned  to  Northumberland  county,  and  a  couple  of 
years  later  located  in  Shamokin,  where  he  clerked  in  a  drug  store,  and  also 
was  a  partner  in  the  drug  business.  In  the  spring  of  1801  John  B.  Douty 
took  him  into  partnershij),  and  they  carried  on  a  drug  and  general  store  up 
to  1804,  when  the  partnership  was  dissolved.  Kutzner  then  established  a 
drug  and  hardware  store  which  he  conducted  until  August,  1S88,  when  he 
sold  out  to  Peter  E.  Buck  and  retired  from  business,  having  accumulated 
through  the  passing  years  a  valuable  estate.  Mr.  Kutzner  was  married,  June 
12,  IsOl,  to  Anna  M.,  adopted  daughter  of  John  B.  Douty,  who  sur^■ives  him. 
She  is  the  mother  of  nine  children:  John  D. :  Anna  L.,  wife  of  Dr.  J.  M. 
Maurer;  Lavinia  G.,  deceased:  Kathrina  B. ;  "William  E. :  HattieS. :  Edith 
C. :  Charles  P.,  and  "W.  R.,  deceased.  Politically  Mr.  Kutzner  was  a  Repub- 
lican, and  held  the  rank  of  major  in  the  National  Guard  during  the  labor 
riots  of  1877.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  and  was  con- 
nected with  the  Masonic  fraternity. 

David  Llewellyn  is  a  son  of  Edward  and  Sarah  (Harris)  Llewellyn,  na- 
tives of  South  "Wales,  who  immigrated  to  this  country  about  1S81.  They 
first  settled  in  Carbondale,  Luzerne  county,  Pennsylvania.  In  1830  they  re- 
moved to  St.  Clair,  Schuylkill  county,  and  in  1838  settled  in  Pottsville,  where 
they  resided  until  their  death,  which  occurred  in  1844  and  1800  respectively. 
Their  family  consisted  of  three  sons  and  two  daughters.  David,  the  eldest 
son.  was  born  in  South  "Wales,  November  20,  1825,  and  came  with  his  parents 
to  this  State.  His  early  life  was  spent  in  different  branches  of  the  mining 
business.  In  1853  he  located  at  Mt.  Carmel.  Northumberland  county,  and 
engaged  in  the  develoj^ment  of  what  is  now  known  as  Bell's  Tunnel,  at  which 
place  he  spent   several  years.     From  there  he  went  to  Locust  Gap  and  was 


892  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

inside  siiperintt'iideut  for  Haas  &  Bowen  and  others.  In  1SG3  he  settled  in 
Shamokin  as  siii^erintendent  for  Haas  &  Fagely,  coal  operators,  and  in  18(39 
became  one  of  the  firm.  He  was  interested  in  the  Cameron,  Helfenstein,  and 
Big  Mountain  mines,  and  continued  in  that  business  until  188G,  when  he 
retired  from  a  long,  active,  and  successful  business  career.  On  the  29th  of 
March,  1872,  he  was  elected  a  director  in  the  Shamokin  Banking  Company, 
and  September  14,  1883,  was  chosen  president  of  that  institution,  which  posi- 
tion he  tilled  in  a  very  etHcient  and  creditable  manner  up  to  January  20, 1891. 
While  a  resident  of  Mt.  Carmel  Mr.  Llewellyn  was  elected  its  first  borough 
treasurer,  and  also  rilled  the  otrice  of  president  of  the  school  board.  He  was 
one  of  the  promoters  and  original  directors  of  the  Shamokin  Electric  Light 
Company,  and  is  one  of  the  present  directors  of  the  Shamokin  Water  Com- 
pany. He  has  been  married  three  times;  his  first  wife  was  Mary  Haine,  of 
Columbia  county,  Pennsylvania,  by  whom  he  had  three  children:  Emma,  de- 
ceased; William,  and  Sarah,  wife  of  Xathan  Swank.  His  second  wife  was 
Susan  Laubensteiu.  by  whom  he  had  six  children:  Frank:  Alice;  Ida;  Annie; 
Effie,  and  Kate.  His  present  wife  was  Annie  Roben.~on.  of  Pine  Grove, 
Schuylkill  county,  Pennsylvania.  Politically  Mr.  Llewelh-n  is  a  Repitblican, 
and  is  one  of  the  prominent  and  wealthy  pioneers  of  the  coal  region,  where 
he  has  spent  the  greater  part  of  his  life. 

Andrew  Robertson. — For  more  than  forty  years  this  gentleman  lias  been 
connected  with  the  business  of  mining  anthracite  coal,  and  there  are  very  few 
positions  in  or  about  a  coal  mine  that  have  not  been  filled  by  him  at  one  period 
or  another  of  his  life;  slate-picker  boy,  blacksmith,  engineer,  mine  foreman,  and 
operator — all  of  these  lie  has  been  and  a  success  in  each.  There  are  but 
very  few  men  connected  with  the  business  who  have  so  thorough  a  knowledge 
as  he  has  of  the  intricacies  and  diffictilties  of  coal  mining;  he  is  equally 
at  home  in  the  depths  of  the  mine  developing  the  capacities  of  the  veins  of 
coal  and  in  the  breaker  preparing  the  commodity  for  market,  and  he  is  one  of 
the  very  few  coal  operators  who  have  solved  successfully  the  difficult  problem 
of  mining  profitably  and  making  a  triangular  division  of  the  profits  between 
himself,  his  workmen,  and  his  customers. 

Mr.  Robertson  was  born  in  Scotland  about  sixty-six  years  ago.  His 
parents  immigrated  to  this  country  when  Andrew  was  quite  yoimg,  stopping 
first  in  Canada,  but  afterward  moved  into  the  Unitetl  States,  locating  at 
New  Philadeljihia,  Pennsylvania,  about  seven  miles  from  Pottsville.  Near 
this  place  (at  Lick  Run)  the  father  and  imcle  had  a  small  coal  operation  at 
which  Andrew  worked,  and  he  afterward  learned  blacksmithing,  working  at 
Novelty  colliery,  at  which  place  he  was  subsequently  outside  foreman.  He  also 
engaged  later  in  mining  on  his  own  account  at  one  or  two  small  places,  but 
these  not  proving  profitable  he  went  to  California  abot\t  1852;  there  he 
remained  some  time  and  was  reasonably  successful.  The  place  did  not  suit 
him,  however,  and  he  returned  to  his  okl^home,  SchuylkiU  county.     Had  he 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  893 

remained  iu  Califoruia  he  would  without  doubt  have  been  one  of  the  very 
wealthy  men  of  the  Golden  State.  After  his  return  from  California,  for 
some  years  he  worked  at  his  trade  and  filled  various  j-iositions  at  collieries. 

In  ISfiO  or  1861.  in  connection  with  Thomas  Beddall.  now  dead,  he 
opened  the  Eagle  Hill  colliery  near  Port  Carbon:  here  his  successful  career 
commenced,  after  many  difficulties  that  would  have  proved  insurmountable 
to  most  men  had  been  overcome,  in  which  he  was  energetically  aided  by  his 
partner,  Mr.  Beddall.  \  This  colliery  proved  very  prolitable,  but.  having  a 
good  offer  for  its  purchase  in  the  early  part  of  ISO"),  the  firm  sold  out  to 
a  Boston  party:  and.  strange  to  say.  from  that  time  the  operation  has  ceased 
to  be  a  i^aying  one,  not  from  any  scarcity  of  coal,  but  the  master  workman 
and  skillful  operator  who  had  brought  success  had  removed  to  other  fields 
of  labor,  and  unfortunately  for  those  who  succeeded  him  had  taken  with 
him  his  energy,  his  brains,  and  his  skill. 

In  the  early  part  of  18<jtj  in  conjunction  with  two  other  gentlemen  he 
took  a  lease  on  a  valualjle  tract  near  Shamokin,  and  here  his  Northumberland 
county  operations  commenced.  Mr.  Robertson  was  the  business  manager  of 
the  firm  (Eobertson,  Guiterman  &  Company)  and  personally  superintended 
the  working,  and  his  ^lartners  were  perfectly  satisfied  to  leave  their  interests 
in  his  keeping.  The  Shamokin  region  at  this  time  was  comparatively 
itnknown.  In  April.  1S07,  the  new  colliery,  ''Greenback,"  was  started  and 
worked  continuously  and  successfully  until  the  coal  above  water  level  was 
exhausted,  when  Mr.  Eobertson  sold  his  interest  to  his  partners,  who  after- 
ward worked  the  colliery  below  water  level.  In  ISOS  the  same  firm  bought 
the  Henry  Clay  colliery,  Mr.  Eobertson  personally  superintending  that  as 
well  as  the  Greenback.  This  colliery  itnder  his  management  was  also 
continuously  and  profitably  worked  until  late  in  1872.  when  the  firm  sold 
out  to  Mr.  .Jervis  Langdon.  of  Elmira.  New  York. 

In  the  latter  jiart  of  1871  Mr.  Eobertson  in  connection  with  Alexander 
Fulton  of  Shamokin  concluded  a  contract  with  the  Mclntyre  Coal  Comjiany 
of  Ealston,  Lycoming  county,  to  mine  their  coal  for  them  at  a  certain  price 
per  ton.  Mr.  Eobertson  personally  superintended  this  work,  and  very 
successfully  both  for  himself  and  the  Mclntire  Coal  Company,  and  yet  he 
had  had  no  previotis  experience  in  the  soft  coal  business,  but  the  energy, 
industry,  and  brains  of  the  man  made  the  success.  During  this  time  Mr. 
Eobertson  had  negotiated  for  the  purchase  of  the  iron  furnace  then  in 
oiieration  in  Shamokin,  intending  to  embark  in  the  manufactttre  of  pig  iron. 
The  negotiations,  however,  fell  through,  whether  fortunatelyor  imfortimately 
for  himself — certainly  the  latter  for  Shamokin.  as  another  industry-  would 
now  be  employing  her  sturdy  workingmen.  The  furnace  has  since  been 
demolished. 

After  the  conclusion  of  his  Ealston  contract  Mr.  Eoliert.son  was.  for  a 
man  of  his  indomitable  energy  and  great   activity  and  industry,  in  a  very 


894  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

unfortunate  position.  For  the  first  time  in  many  years  he  had  nothing  to 
do,  a  great  misfortime  for  a  man  of  his  very  active  temperament.  As  he 
more  than  once  said  to  the  writer,  "  I  must  Vie  at  work  or  I  can  not  hve." 
and  while  the  matter  of  money  making  was  not  paramount  with  him.  the 
matter  of  employment  was.  After  a  short  period  to  him  of  '"  innocuous  desue- 
tude,'" with  a  view  to  a  future  purchase  he  accepted  the  superintendency  of  the 
Excelsior  colliery,  one  of  the  oldest  in  the  Shamokin  region,  but  unfortu- 
nately then  on  the  wane.  He  eventually  purchased  an  interest  in  the  colliery, 
and  under  his  skillful  management  it  has  become  a  large  producer  and  one 
of  the  most  profitable  operations  in  the  Shamokin  region.  He  still  holds  his 
interest  in  the  collier}-,  but  is  content  to  leave  it  largely  under  the  superin- 
tendency of  his  two  sons.  Andrew  D.  and  George  W. 

Although  Mr.  Eobertson  is  a  resident  of  Pottsville,  Schuylkill  coimty, 
the  bulk  of  his  btisiness  interests  are  in  and  around  Shamokin,  and  by  the 
citizens  of  the  to\\"n  and  of  Northumberland  county  he  is  considered 
emphatically  '•  a  Shamokin  man."  The  town  owes  a  great  deal  to  his  enter- 
prising spirit  in  the  erection  of  several  fine  buildings,  stores,  etc.,  and  also  a 
large  flouring  mill,  which  is  most  successfully  conducted  by  his  sons, 
Andrew  D.  and  George  W.,  and  John  F.  Osier  under  the  firm  name  of 
Robertson  &  Osier.  He  also  largely  aided  in  the  introduction  of  water  iutq 
Shamokin,  building  and  operating  the  gas  works,  electric  light,  etc.,  and  his 
means  have  been  freely  given  to  aid  the  erection  of  chitrches,  etc.  At  home 
Mr.  Eobertson  lives  in  a  very  plain  and  unostentatious  manner,  making  no 
show  of  his  large  and  honestly  acquired  wealth,  giving  largely  to  charity, 
and  it  may  be  truly  saiil  of  him  that  no  worthy  object  appeals  to  him  and 
goes  away  empty-handed;  his  benefactions  are  known  only  to  himself  and 
the  recipients.  Mr.  Robertson  is  one  whom  to  know  is  an  honor  to  anybody, 
in  any  station  of  life,  a  good  man,  and  while  to  the  writer's  knowledge  not 
professing  the  creed  or  religion  of  any  sect,  a  Christian. 

Alex.\nder  Fulton  was  for  many  years  one  of  the  best  known  and  most 
prominent  operators  in  the  Shamokin  coal  region,  and  is  recognized  as  one  of 
the  .successful,  enterprising  citizens  of  his  adopted  home.  He  comes  from 
the  land  of  Burns  and  Walter  Scott,  and  possesses  many  of  the  characteris- 
tics that  distinguish  the  Scotch  race.  Born  at  Hamilton,  near  Glasgow, 
Scotland,  May  9,  1S20,  son  of  David  and  Catharine  (McDonald)  Fulton,  his 
youth  was  passed  on  his  native  heath  until  the  year  1848,  when  his  parents 
immigrated  to  Schuylkill  county,  Pennsylvania,  where  Alexander  com- 
menced working  in  the  mines.  In  1850  he  was  placed  in  charge  of  the 
underground  work  in  the  mines  owned  by  Frank  McDonald,  at  Branchdale, 
Schuylkill  county,  which  position  he  tilled  about  two  years.  In  1852  a  com- 
pany was  formed  at  Nevada  City  for  the  purpose  of  tunneling  a  spur  of  the 
Rock}-  Mountains  to  turn  the  South  Yuba  river  and  supply  the  mining  dis- 
tricts with  water,  and  ilr.  Fulton  was  placed  in  charge  of  the  work.   Though 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  895 

the  company  failed  in  the  project,  he  completed  his  part  of  the  contract, 
which  took  him  about  two  years.  Returning  to  Pennsylvania  he  engaged  in 
operating  Locust  Mountain  coal  mines  near  ^Nlt.  Carmel  in  IS.J.J.  He  sold 
out  in  1850  to  Schall  &  Donohoe,  and  became  associated  with  J.  Laugdon 
\  Company,  then  the  most  extensive  operators  in  this  locality.  Owing  to  a 
misimderstanding  with  the  railroad  company  Langdon  &  Company  trans- 
ferred their  operations  to  the  Lackawanna  coal  region:  Mr.  Fulton  went 
with  them,  and  had  charge  of  their  business  until  the  breaking  out  of  the 
Eebellion  cut  off  the  Cumberland  coal  supply  and  necessitated  a  new  tield 
of  operations.  A  company  was  then  organized,  composed  of  Joseph  Scrau- 
t.;.n.  Thomas  Dickson.  Joseph  Albright,  J.  Langdon.  Alexander  Fulton,  and 
Samuel  A.  Barnard  to  operate  in  the  coal  fields  of  Nova  Scotia.  Mr.  Ful- 
ton was  selected  to  manage  the  mining  operations  in  that  field,  and  he 
remained  in  Nova  Scotia  until  the  close  of  the  war.  After  his  return  he  was 
employed  by  John  Jacob  Astor.  Franklin  Delano,  and  a  Mr.  Kennedy  to  open 
up  theXew'Soston  mines.  But  in  ISHT.  the  ditftculty  between  the  railroad 
company  and  J.  Langdon  &  Company  having  been  adjusted,  he  resumed  his 
old  position  in  that  tirm.  From  that  time  they  produced  and  purchased 
from  one  thousand  to  live  thousand  tons  of  coal  per  day,  which  included  the 
surplus  product  of  individual  operators  in  that  locality.  ^He  was  connected 
with  this  firm  until  he  retired  from  active  business  in  iNSo. 

During  his  operations  he  was  interested  in  the  following  collieries:  Locust 
M..untamrBig  Mountain.  Old  Henry  Clay,  New  Henry  Clay,  Hickory  Eidge, 
and  Stirling."^  Of  these  he  opened  Hickory  Ridge,  New  Henry  Clay,  and 
Stirling,  th^  last  named  being  owned  and  operated  by  Fulton  &  Kendrick. 
He  also  owned  the  :SIcIntyre  bitumen  mine,  which  he  operated  in  partner- 
ship with  Andrew  Robertson,  of  Pottsville,  Pennsylvania.  Among  other 
enterprises  Mr.  Fulton  was  one  of  the  jn-incipal  organizers  of  the  Miners' 
Tru-t  and  Safe  Deposit  Company  of  Shamokiu,  and  was  subsequently  identi- 
fied in  establishing  the  First  National  Bank,  of  which  he  was  vice-president 
and  a  director  up  to  1889,  when  he  disposed  of  his  stock  in  that  institution. 
He  has  fiUed  the  position  of  president  of  the  Shamokin  Cemetery  Company 
twenty  years,  and  was  president  of  the  Shamokin  Water  Company  ten  years. 
Mr.  Fulton  was  married,  December  31.  1851,  to  Elizabeth,  daughter  of 
Wiliiam  Muir  of  Schuylkill  county.  Pennsylvania,  who  has  borne  him  eight 
children-  Margaret,  deceased  wife  of  George  Marshall,  of  Shamokin:  Kath- 
erine.  who  died  in  infancy;  Elizabeth,  wife  of  George  Marshall:  Clara  A., 
deceased;  Clara  C.  J.,  wife  of  George  Robertson,  of  Shamokin:  David: 
Flora  and  William.  At  the  age  of  eighteen  Mr.  Fulton  was  made  a  Mason 
bv  dispensation  from  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Edinboro.  and  was  initiated  ,n 
Lodcre  No.  4,  Hollvtown.  Scotland.  He  was  doubtless  the  youngest  man 
ever" admitted  to  the  order,  and  it  occurred  because  he  belonged  to  the  Ma- 
sonic band,  and,  his  services  being  needed  with  the  band,  all  of  whom  were 


S9G  HISTORY    OF    NOKTHUMBERLAXD    COUNTY. 

Masons,  in  the  lodge  room,  the  lodge  petitioned  for  a  dispensation  on  these 
grounds  and  it  was  granted.  Politically  he  is  an  ardent  Republican,  and  has 
been  an  elder  in  the  Presbyterian  church  for  over  twenty  years.  He  has 
given  generously  of  his  means  towards  the  support  of  the  Shamokin  cluirch, 
and  much  of  its  present  prosperity  is  due  to  his  liberality. 

Conrad  Graeber  was  born  at  Spiesen,  in  Otweiler,  Prussia,  January  10, 
1S"2C).  son  of  John  Graeber,  and  one  of  a  family  of  fourteen  children.  He 
received  a  limited  education;  at  the  age  of  fourteen,  his  father  having  died 
the  year  previous,  he  entered  his  mother's  grocery  store  to  assist  in  main- 
taining the  family.  One  year  later  he  commenced  an  apprenticeship  at 
inspecting,  numbering,  and  asssorting  glass  and  glassware,  and  received  a 
diploma  at  the  age  of  eighteen.  Not  feeling  satisfied  with  the  outlook  for 
the  future  he  concluded  to  come  to  America,  landed  in  New  York  City,  May 
'2o.  ISio,  and  made  his  way  to  Patterson,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  had  rela- 
tives. The  first  employment  he  obtained  in  this  coiintry  was  to  remove  the 
dirt  from  the  coal  screens  at  one  of  the  collieries;  becoming  dissatisfied  with 
the  remuneration,  he  found  employment  as  a  laborer  in  one  of  the  mines. 
In  the  spring  of  bS4n,  in  partnership  with  Samuel  Heilner,  he  took  a  con- 
tract to  sink  a  shaft  one  hundr-ed  forty-five  feet  deep  and  drive  a  gangway 
west.  He  was  unfortunate  in  his  first  undertaking,  for  they  soon  struck  the 
workings  of  an  abandoned  mine,  when  water  entered  the  gangway  and 
they  narrowly  escaped  with  their  lives.  He  again  found  employment  in  the 
mines.  Feeling  satisfied  that  the  advantages  of  the  United  States  were 
superior  to  those  of  his  native  country,  for  working  people,  he  concluded  to 
go  home  for  the  purpose  of  inducing  his  mother  to  emigrate  with  her  family. 
He  went  to  Germany  in  the  fall  of  1840,  and  returned,  July  1,  1847,  with  his 
mother  and  the  entire  family,  excepting  an  older  brother  and  sister.  He  then 
went  to  Patterson,  Pennsylvania,  and  resumed  work  in  the  mines,  where  he 
remained  one  year,  when  he  removed  to  Tuscarora,  Pennsylvania,  opened  a 
confectionery  store,  and  after  two  years  added  a  restaurant  and  boarding 
house.  In  lSo3  he  was  elected  constable  for  Schuylkill  township,  serving 
two  years,  and  was  at  the  same  time  engaged  at  the  huckster  business.  In 
1'~'54  he  opened  a  general  grocery  store  and  also  conducted  a  hotel.  In  the 
same  year  Mr.  Graeber  was  elected  a  member  of  the  school  board,  which 
position  he  filled  nine  years,  serving  in  the  office  of  president  five  years,  and 
as  treasurer  two  years.  In  the  spring  of  1850,  in  connection  with  Jacob 
"Wagner,  he  commenced  his  first  operation  in  coal:  the  enterprise  not  proving 
successful  they  dissolved  after  a  ^partnership  of  two  years.  Mr.  Graeber  had 
still  kept  in  operation  his  grocery  business,  and  in  1S0(J  was  appointed  post- 
master for  Ttiscarora. 

In  1863  he  was  elected  on  the  Democratic  ticket  to  rejiresent  Schuylkill 
county  in  the  legislature.  During  this  session  Mr.  Graeber  was  instrumental 
in  causing  the  passage  of  the  act  to  prevent  the  paj-ment  of  laborers'  wages  in 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  897 

Store  orders.  The  following  year  he  was  re-elected  by  a  very  larg-e  majority, 
which  showed  the  appreciation  of  his  services  by  the  peoi)le  of  the  county. 
In  iSf'iT  he  received  the  nomination  for  sheriff,  but,  owing  to  defection  and 
duplicity  in  his  own  party,  he  was  defeated  by  thirty-seven  votes.  If  this 
was  considered  the  death  of  his  political  asjiirations  it  was  also  the  birth  of 
a  successful  business  career.  He  continired  in  the  grocery  business  iTntil 
IS6S,  when,  owing  to  the  abandonment  of  the  collieries  on  which  the  jh-os- 
perity  of  the  mercantile  business  depended,  he  decided  to  engage  in  coal 
operations.  He  was  offered  a  one-third  interest  in  a  colliery  at  Mahanoy 
Plane  providing  he  would  assume  the  entire  charge  of  the  management  of 
the  same,  but  not  being  satisfied  with  the  prospects  he  refused. 

Disposing  of  his  mercantile  business,  he  formed  a  partnership  with  John 
Kemple  of  Pottsville,  under  the  iirm  name  of  Graeber  &  Kemple.  They 
then  piTrchased  the  A.  S.  Wolf  and  Locust  Gap  collieries  of  Locust  Gap, 
Northumberland  county,  leased  from  the  Locust  Gap  Improvement  Company 
one  thousand  acres  upon  which  these  collieries  were  situated,  and  commenced 
the  mining  and  sale  of  coal,  and  also  opened  a  general  store  at  Locu.st  Gap 
under  the  firm  name  of  Graeber,  Kemple  &  McCarthy.  In  ISG'J  the  firm 
name  was  changed  to  Graeber,  Kemple  &  Company,  by  the  admission  of 
Daniel  Shepj),  a  iirominent  business  man  of  Tamaqua,  Pennsylvania.  In  the 
same  year  Mr.  Graeber  became  a  resident  of  Shamokiu.  where  he  was  soon 
recognized  as  a  prominent  and  influential  citizen  and  a  man  of  unusual  busi- 
ness ability,  anc^won  the  confidence  of  all  who  knew  him.  In  1871  he  suf- 
fered a  heavy  loss  in  the  destruction  of  the  Locust  Gap  colliery  by  fire. 

In  connection  with  a  number  of  other  citizens  Mr.  Graeber  founded  the 
Shamokin  Banking  Company  in  1S71,  and  was  one  of  the  original  directors. 
In  1S78  he  was  elected  president  of  the  bank,  which  otMce  he  filled  for  more 
than  ten  years.  This  institution  was  the  only  financial  one  in  Shamokin 
that  weathered  the  panic  of  1877,  and  to  him  is  largely  due  that  creditable 
result.  In  April,  1871,  in  partnership  with  Matthias  Ludes,  he  established 
a  general  mercantile  business  in  Shamokin,  which  was  a  successful  enterprise 
and  was  continued  until  November,  1872,  when  Mr.  Ludes  retired  from  the 
firm  and  the  business  was  conducted  with  Mr.  Graeber's  eldest  .son,  John  S., 
as  a  partner.  In  1873,  in  connection  with  Reuben  Fagely,  William  H.  Mar- 
shall, and  others,  he  obtained  a  charter  and  organized  the  Shamokin  Water 
Company,  and  was  elected  one  of  the  board  of  directors,  and  in  1878  he  was 
elected  treasurer  of  the  company  and  filled  the  office  three  years,  when  he 
resigned.  October  5,  1875,  the  new  breaker  built  by  the  Philailelphia  and 
Eeading  Coal  and  Iron  Company  was  destroyed  by  fire,  and  a  colliery  was 
immediately  built  by  the  firm  of  Graeber.  Kemple  &  Company  to  take  its 
place.  In  1876  the  firm  name  was  changed  to  Graeber  &  Shepp,  Mr.  Kemple 
retiring.  In  1877  John  S.  Graeber  retired  from  the  mercantile  business  of 
C.  Graeber  &  Son.  Mr.  Graeber  continuing  the  business  in  his  own  name. 


898  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

In  1881  he  was  a  delegate  to  the  Democratic  State  convention.  In  1883, 
after  an  active  busines.s  life  extending  over  a  period  of  thirty-five  years,  he 
disposed  of  his  entire  business  interests  and  retired,  but  soon  tiring  of 
inactivity  he  became  the  guiding  spirit  in  the  organization  of  the  First 
National  Bank  of  Shamokin,  and  was  its  tirst  president,  which  office  he  filled 
lip  to  his  death. 

Mr.  Graeber  was  twice  married;  his  tirst  wife  was  Catharine,  daughter  of 
Francis  C.  and  Katharine  (Hartman)  Mause  of  Buhlen  Brage,  Oltenburg, 
Germany,  who  died,  May  1,  18t)0,  leaving  three  children:  John  S.,  of  Sha- 
mokin; Carolina,  who  became  a  Sister  of  Charity,  and  is  now  deceased,  and 
Jacob  F.,  a  resident  of  Shamokin.  June  12, 185G.  he  married  Sarah,  daugh- 
ter of  Joseph  and  Mary  (Dindinger)  Mayers,  natives  of  Stimdwailer  in 
Alsace,  France,  and  by  this  marriage  they  were  the  parents  of  nine  children, 
six  of  whom  are  living:  Edward  N. ;  George  C. ;  Charles  A. :  Albert  W.;  Mary 
A.,  and  Frederick  E.  Mr.  Graeber's  death  occurred.  January  21,  1888,  dying 
as  he  had  lived,  a  faithful  memlier  of  the  Roman  Catholic  church,  to  which 
denomination  the  whole  family  belongs.  His  widow  sunives  him  and  resides 
in  the  family  homestead.  Though  a  close  dealer  and  verv"  economical  in  his 
habits.  Mr.  Graeber  was  recognized  as  a  man  of  the  strictest  honor  and  integ- 
rity. Possessing  a  well-balanced  mind  and  sound  judgment,  he  usually  suc- 
ceeded where  other  men  failed,  and  accumulated  a  Inrge  and  valuable  estate 
which  his  children  inherited  at  his  death. 

George  C.  Ge.\eber,  cashier  of  the  First  National  BaTik,  was  born  in 
Ttiscarora,  Schuylkill  county,  Pennsylvania.  Februarv-  IS.  18-jU,  son  of  Con- 
rad and  Sarah  (Mayers)  Graeber.  He  received  part  of  his  education  at  St. 
Vincent's  College,  Westmoreland  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  also  received  a 
one  year's  eotirse  at  Bryant  and  Stratton's  Business  College  of  Philadelphia, 
Pennsylvania,  from  which  he  graduated  in  1877.  In  the  same  year  he  took 
charge  of  his  father's  mercantile  business  in  Shamokin.  where  he  remained 
until  1881,  when  he  removed  to  Locust  Gap,  Pennsylvania,  and  assumed 
charge  of  the  mercantile  business  of  C.  Graeber  &  McCarthy,  remaining  with 
them  two  years.  He  was  one  of  the  corporators  of  the  First  National  Bank  of 
Shamokin,  which  was  organized  in  the  summer  of  lS*>y.  and  at  its  first  meet- 
ing was  elected  one  of  the  directors  and  appointed  cashier,  which  office  he 
still  fills.  In  1881  Mr.  Graeber  married  Mary  M..  daughter  of  Jacob  and 
Lydia  A.  (Thomas)  Hehr,  of  Shamokin.  and  by  this  union  they  are  the  par- 
ents of  five  children:  Conrad  R. ;  Clarence  M.;  George  H.:  Marion  St.  C, 
and  Sarah  C.  Politically  Mr.  Graeber  is  a  Democrat,  and  is  a  member  of  St. 
Edward's  Catholic  church. 

Robert  Goodwill,  coal  operator,  was  born  at  Lone  End,  Northumber- 
land county,  England,  October  7,  1827,  son  of  Anthony  G.  and  Margaret 
(Fleeman)  Goodwill.  At  the  age  of  ten  he  began  the  hfe  of  a  miner  at  Bel- 
ford,  England,  where  he  remained  seven  years.     He  then  went  to  Scotland 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  899 

and  followed  mining  nntil  the  age  of  twenty-seven,  when  he  immigrated  to 
this  country.  His  first  employment  in  America  was  at  Gold  Mine  Gap, 
Daujihin  county,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  remained  three  years.  He  then 
came  to  this  county  and  obtained  a  contract  at  the  Lancaster  colliery,  which 
he  worked  fourteen  months.  He  next  went  to  Trevorton  and  was  engaged 
in  mining  there  for  many  years.  In  1804  he  formed  a  partnership  with  A. 
A.  Heim,  under  the  firm  name  of  Helm  &  Goodwill,  and  worked  the  Bear 
Valley  colliery  until  November  15.  .1877,  when  it  was  sold  to  the  Philadel- 
phia and  Reading  Coal  and  Iron  Company.  In  connection  with  his  partner, 
A.  A.  Heim,  they  leased  the  Diamond  Gas  and  Coal  Company's  colliery,  and 
the  Pentcost,  located  at  Reynoldsville,  Jefferson  county.  Pennsylvania,  which 
they  operated  ten  years.  In  December,  1800.  they  jmrchased  a  quarter  in- 
terest in  the  Monitor  colliery  from  Richard  B.  Douty,  and  in  March,  1870, 
another  quarter  interest  was  obtained.  But  in  Sejitember  of  the  latter  year 
they  sold  their  interest  in  the  Monitor.  During  1^77  Mr.  Goodwill  occupied 
the  position  of  superintendent  with  the  Philadelphia  and  Reading  Coal  and 
Iron  Company.  In  1878  he  built  the  Carson  collien,-  and  operated  it  three 
years,  and  then  retired  from  active  business.  In  1880  he  again  entered  busi- 
ness, organized  the  Goodwill  Coal  and  Coke  Company  of  Flipping,  West 
Yircinia,  and  leased  a  colliery  from  the  Blue  Stone  Coal  Company,  and  in 
connection  with  it  has  in  operation  fifty  coke  ovens.  Mr.  Goodwill  is  a 
member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  of  which  he  was  a  tru.stee  fifteen 
years.  He  also  was  tru.stee  of  the  Second  Methodist  Episcojial  church  four 
years.  Politically  he  is  a  Republican,  and  is  one  of  Shamokin"s  most  sub- 
stantial citizens.  He  was  married.  July  27.  l'^47,  in  England,  to  Catherine, 
daughter  of  Philip  and  Margaret  (Jures)  Wake,  and  by  this  union  they  have 
had  five  children,  three  of  whom  are  living:  Anthony  G.,  a  merchant  of 
Shamokin,  and  Philip  and  William,  members  of  the  Goodwill  Coal  and  Coke 
Company  of  West  Virginia. 

Is.\.4.c  M.\Y,  Sr.,  was  born  in  Cornwall.  England.  March  18,  1819.  His 
parents,  Joseph  and  Anna  (George)  May,  emigrated  from  England  to  this 
country,  located  in  Schuylkill  county.  Pennsylvania,  and  subsequently  re- 
moved to  Canada,  where  they  died.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  employed 
in  the  coal  mines  of  Schuylkill  county,  and  later  in  the  lead  mines  of 
Galena,  Illinois.  He  returned  to  Schuylkill  coimty  and  again  found  employ- 
ment in  the  mines.  In  1804  he  located  at  Shamokin,  and  under  the  firm 
name  of  May,  Patterson  &  Company,  commenced  operating  the  Buck  Ridge 
colliery,  which  they  worked  ten  years;  it  was  sub.sequently  continued  by 
May,  Audenried  &  Company.  He  afterward  leased  the  Burnside  colliery, 
which  he  operated  six  years,  when  it  was  disposed  of  to  the  Philadelphia  and 
Reading  Coal  and  Iron  Company.  Under  the  name  of  Isaac  May  &  Com- 
pany he  leased  and  operated  the  Morris  Ridge  colliery  for  several  years,  and 
then  retired  from  active  business.     Mr.  May  has  been' connected  with  many 


900  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

of  the  enterprises  of  Shainokin.  He  was  one  of  the  directors  of  the  North- 
umberland County  National  Bank,  president  of  the  Miner's  Trust  and  Safe 
Deposit  Company,  one  of  the  originators  of  the  First  National  Bank,  and  its 
second  president.  He  married  Mary,  daughter  of  John  and  Sarah  Sterling, 
of  Berks  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  to  this  union  were  born  fourteen  chil- 
dren, eleven  of  whom  are  living;  -James;  Elizabeth,  widow  of  H.  W.  Mor- 
gan; Isaac,  Jr.:  Emma,  widow  of  A.  D.  Allen;  Jennie,  wife  of  A.  A.  Heiz- 
man;  Ida.  wife  of  J.  F.  Graeber;  Susie,  wife  of  W.  W.  Ryon;  George;  Jo- 
seph; Carrie,  and  Laura,  wife  of  D.  D.  DriscoU.  Mr.  May  is  a  Eepublican 
in  politics,  and  a  member  of -the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  while  his  wife 
and  family  belong  to  St.  Edward's  Catholic  church  of  Shamokin,  in  which 
faith  Mrs.  May  was  born  and  reared. 

Major  James  May,  coal  operator,  was  born  in  Schuylkill  county,  Penn- 
sylvania. December  4,  1S43,  a  son  of  Isaac  and  Mary  (Sterling)  May,  natives 
of  England,  and  Berks  county,  Pennsylvania,  respectively.  The  subject  of 
our  sketch  was  reared  in  his  native  county  and  received  a  common  school 
education.  In  IS'U  he  enlisted  in  Company  E,  Forty-eighth  Pennsylvania 
Volunteers,  and  jtarticipated  in  the  following  engagements:  Bull  Run,  South 
Mountain,  Antietam,  Frederickslnirg.  the  Wilderness  (where  he  was  commis- 
sioned second  lieutenant),  Spottsylvania,  Cold  Harbor,  Petersburg  Mine, 
Knoxville,  Loudon,  Campbell  Station,  and  Petersburg.  He  was  there  com- 
misioned  tirst  lieutenant,  and  served  until  the  close  of  the  war.  After  his 
return  home  he  was  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business  until  1871,  wlien.  in 
connection  with  his  father,  he  began  operating  the  Bumside  colliery.  He 
subsequently  was  interested  in  the  INIorris  Ridge  colliery,  of  Isaac  Jlay  A: 
Company,  which  is  now  operated  in  the  name  of  May,  Troutman  &  Company. 
In  1807  Mr.  May  joined  the  National  Guard  of  Pennsylvania,  and  was  ap- 
pointed first  lieutenant  of  the  Shamokin  Guards;  later  he  was  commissioned 
captain,  and  then  major,  serving  twelve  years.  He  was  married,  January 
31,  ISOr"),  to  Marj-  G.,  daughter  of  John  A.  and  Catherine  Snyder,  and  by 
this  union  they  have  had  twelve  children,  ten  of  whom  are  living:  Katie: 
Louise:  Lizzie:  Maggie;  Charlie;  Samuel;  Richard;  Jean;  Eleanor,  and 
James  I.  Mr.  May  has  served  in  the  borough  council  three  years,  and  is 
treasurer  of  the  Home  Building  and  Loan  Association.  He  is  also  a  mi^m- 
ber  of  the  Loyal  Legion,  and  Lincoln  Post,  No.  140,  G.  A.  R.  Politically  he 
is  a  Republican,  a  member  of  St.  Edward's  Catholic  church,  and  one  of  the 
leading  and  respected  citizens  of  Shamokin. 

Colonel  Alexaxder  Caldwell  was  one  of  the  bravest  and  most  efficient 
soldiers  that  went  out  from  this  county  in  defense  of  the  Fnion  during  the 
dark  days  of  ci^-il  strife.  He  was  born  in  Shamokin,  Pennsylvania,  Febru- 
ary 19,  1840,  son  of  Alexander  and  Martha  Caldwell,  early  settlers  of  that 
town.  Alexander  grew  up  in  his  native  ]>lace.  and  received  such  education 
as  the  schools  of  that  time  afforded.     He  taught  school  at  intervals  and 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  903 

attended  academies  at  Millville  and  Tuscarora.  Pennsylvania,  several  terms. 
He  was  a  well-read  man,  and  posses.sed  a  very  retentive  memory.  Eeturnino- 
from  school  to  resjiond  to  the  first  call  for  troops,  he  enhsted  in  Company  A. 
Eighth  Pennsylvania  Volunteers,  and  served  as  a  drummer  boy  in  the  three 
months'  service.  He  re-enlisted.  August  20,  1S61,  in  Company  K.  Forty- 
sixth  Pennsylvania  Volunteers,  for  three  years,  was  mustered  in  as  tirst 
sergeant,  was  promoted  to  second  lieutenant,  November  1.  ISGl,  to  tirst  lieu- 
tenant on  the  battlefield  of  Cedar  Mountain,  August  9,  1S'j2,  and  to  captain 
of  his  company,  November  1.  1S62.  He  served  in  all  the  battles  and  cam- 
paigns of  his  regiment,  and,  veteranizing  at  the  expiration  of  his  three  years" 
service,  he  took  part  in  the  closing  scenes  of  the  war,  and  participated  in  the 
grand  review  at  Washington.  D.  C.  May  24,  1S05.  He  was  mustered  out  of 
service  with  the  rank  of  captain,  July  10,  1S65.  Returning  from  the  war 
he  located  in  Shamokiu,  where  he  was  married,  September  11,  1S67.  to  Maiy 
L.,  eldest  daughter  of  Eichard  B.  Douty,  of  which  union  five  children 
were  born:  Richard  A.;  Katherine;  Grace,  deceased:  Frederick  C.  and 
Ralph  M.  Colonel  Caldwell  raised  a  company  in  Shamokin  which  was  mus- 
tered into  the  National  Guard,  and  he  afterwards  rose  to  the  rank  of  colonel 
of  the  Seventh  regiment,  N.  G.  P.  For  several  years  he  was  the  local  agent 
of  the  Northern  Central  Radway  Company  at  Shamokin,  and  afterwards  filled 
the  office  of  notary  public  and  pension  agent  very  successfully  up  to  his  death. 
Politically  he  was  a  stalwart  Republican,  and  was  a  thorough  soldier  in 
thought  and  deed.  He  died.  December  Id,  1SS6,  and  a  monument  to  his 
memory  and  gallant  deeds  has  been  erected  in  the  Shamokin  cemetery  by 
his  comrades  of  the  G.  A.  R. 

Capt.\i.n  Harry  W.  Morgan,  one  of  the  best  kno\Mi  and  most  prominent 
coal  operators  of  Shamokin,  died  at  his  home  in  that  borough.  Octoljer  22, 
1SS-"),  in  the  forty-fifth  year  of  his  age.  He  was  bom  in  Abew  Vale.  Mon- 
mouthshire, South  Wales,  March  17.  1S41.  son  of  William  and  Sarah  Morgan. 
also  natives  of  South  Wales.  His  father  died  in  his  native  land,  and  when 
twelve  years  old  our  subject  came  with  his  mother  to  Port  Carbon.  Schuyl- 
kill county,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  grew  to  manhood.  His  mother  died  in 
Shamokin  several  years  ago.  Our  subject  was  a  machinist  and  engineer  by 
trade,  which  he  followed  until  the  breaking  out  of  the  war,  when  he  enlisted 
at  Philadelphia  in  the  Anderson  Troop,  Fifteenth  Pennsylvania  Cavaln;-,  and 
participated  in  all  the  campaigns  of  his  regiment  rmtil  the  close  of  the  Re- 
bellion brought  jieace  and  harmony  to  a  united  land.  During  the  riots  at 
Pittsburgh  in  1S77  he  served  in  the  Pennsylvania  National  Guard  as  pay- 
master of  the  Seventh  regiment  with  the  rank  of  captain,  whence  he  derived 
that  title.  Coming  to  Shamokin  in  ISGo,  he  entered  the  employ  of  Isaac 
May.  Sr.,  and  for  the  succeeding  ten  years  looked  after  that  gentleman's  coal 
operations,  principally  at  Buck  Ridge  colliery.  Being  a  son-in-law  of  Mr. 
May,  he  then  became  a  member  of  the  firm  of  Isaac  May  k  Company,  and 


904  HISTORY   OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

operated  the  Burnside  colliery  until  its  sale  to  the  Philadelphia  and  Reading- 
Coal  and  Iron  Company,  when  he  became  associated  with  William  Beury  in 
the  timber  business,  and  subsequently  was  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  fire 
brick  at  Queen's  Run,  Chnton  county.  He  then  obtained  an  interest  in  the 
Morris  Ridge  colliery  imder  the  firm  name  of  Isaac  May  &  Company,  with 
which  he  was  connected  up  to  his  death.  Captain  Morgan  was  married, 
October  1,  1SG5,  to  Lizzie,  eldest  daughter  of  Isaac  and  Mary  (Sterling)  May, 
of  Shamokin.  who  bore  him  a  family  of  three  children:  Caroline,  wife  of 
James  Nagle,  of  Shamokin.  and  Susannah  and  Isaac,  both  of  whom  died  in 
infancy. 

Captain  Morgan  came  to  this  country  when  but  a  mere  lad,  filled  with  a 
laudable  ambition  to  succeed,  and  so  well  were  his  hopes  realized  that  his 
success  furnishes  a  striking  illustration  of  what  the  humblest  can  accomplish 
in  this  land  of  freedom  by  industry,  honesty,  and  perseverance.  Withoiit 
neglecting  his  legitimate  business  he  sought  every  opportunity  to  cultivate 
his  mind  and  enlarge  his  field  of  knowledge,  and  by  close  application  made 
rapid  advancement  in  the  practical  branches  of  mathematics.  Althoiigh,  in 
a  measiire.  self-educated,  few  business  men  were  better  informed  upon  all 
useful  siibjects.  He  was  a  genial  companion,  an  interesting  conversationalist, 
and  a  conservative  coimselor.  Captain  Morgan  was  an  expert  miner,  inti- 
mately acquainted  with  the  coal  mea.sures  of  this  region,  and  by  careful  man- 
agement amassed  a  handsome  fortune.  Shortly  before  his  death  he  iinited  with 
St.  Edward's  Catholic  church,  and  died  solaced  by  the  sacraments  of  that 
denomination.  In  all  the  relations  of  life,  as  a  citizen,  husband,  father,  and 
friend,  he  proved  true  and  steadfast,  and  in  his  death  the  community  lost  one 
of  its  most  respected  members.  He  was  a  sincere,  unostentatiou.s,  and  liberal- 
hearted  man.  and  was  always  deeply  interested  in  all  that  pertained  to  the 
welfare  of  the  town  wherein  his  fortune  and  rei)utation  were  established. 

A.  A.  Heim,  superintendent  of  the  Shamokin  Gas  Light  Company,  is  a 
son  of  John  J.  and  Christina  ("Winegardner  7ice  Mannel)  Heim,  natives  of 
Alsace-Lorraine,  and  'Wurtemberg,  Germany,  respectively.  His  father  im- 
migrated to  this  country  in  1820  and  located  in  Philadelphia,  where  he 
worked  at  his  trade  of  silk  weaver.  He  subsequently  lived  in  Lycoming, 
Montour,  and  Columliia  counties,  finally  settled  at  Dushore,  Sullivan  county, 
and  purchased  a  small  farm  adjoining  the  borotigh  limits,  which  he  laid  out 
in  lots,  and  it  now  comprises  a  part  of  Dushore.  He  was  three  times  mar- 
ried; his  first  wife  died  n{)on  the  voyage  to  this  country.  By  this  marriage 
he  had  one  son,  Jacob  J.,  who  hves  at  Freeport,  Illinois,  engaged  in  farming. 
By  his  second  wife,  Christina  Winegardner  nee  Mannel,  who  died  in  1854, 
he  had  five  children:  A.  A.:  Margaret,  deceased;  William,  deceased;  Sophia, 
deceased,  who  married  Samuel  Gulick,  of  Danville,  Pennsylvania,  and  Caro- 
lina, wife  of  M.  G.  Shults.  of  Montour  coimty.  His  third  wife  was  Anna  M. 
Barge,  who  died  without  issue. 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  905 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  in  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania, 
October  11.  1S2S.  and  received  but  a  verj-  limited  education,  which  com- 
prised only  four  months  of  English  and  four  months  of  German  tuition,  at 
Muncie,  Sullivan  comity,  Pennsylvania.  He  was  apprenticed  to  the  car- 
penter trade  at  Danville,  Pennsylvania,  and  in  May,  1S50,  located  at  Trevor- 
ton  and  engaged  in  the  carpenter  and  building  business.  He  built  all  the 
public  and  a  large  number  of  the  private  buildings  of  that  to^vn  erected 
previous  to  1S63.  among  which  were  the  Methodist  and  Baptist  churches,  the 
Trevorton  House.  Foulds"  Hotel.  Patton's  building,  and  Edward  Helfenstein's 
residence.  In  lSo'2.  in  connection  with  Jacob  Gass,  he  built  the  first  coal 
breaker  at  Trevorton.  While  a  resident  of  Trevorton  he  filled  the  office  of 
justice  of  the  peace,  and  served  upon  the  school  board  for  a  number  of  years. 
In  IbHS  Mr.  Heim  located  at  Bear  Yalley  and  built  for  Stephen  Bittenbender 
the  Burnside  collien.-,  and  in  the  following  year  he  leased  the  Bear  Yalley 
colliery,  which  he  operated  until  November,  1S77,  when  he  sold  his  lease  to 
the  Philadelphia  and  Reading  Coal  and  Iron  Company.  In  1S6U-70  he 
built  the  George  Fales  colliery  on  the  lands  of  the  Shamokin  and  Bear 
Yalley  Coal  Company,  near  Bear  Yalley  colliery.  In  INCO  he  purchased  a 
one-half  interest  in  the  Monitor  colliery  at  Locust  Gap  from  R.  B.  Douty 
and  completed  the  colliery,  and  in  September,  ISTO.  sold  it  to  George  W.  John 
&  Brother,  of  St.  Clair,  Pennsylvania.  In  1S72  he  located  in  Shamokin,  and 
in  ISSO.  in  connection  with  \Y.  L.  Shaft'er,  cashier  of  the  Girard  Bank  of 
Philadelphia,  and  William  and  Thomas  Audenried.  he  built  a  colliery  at 
Black  Ridge,  near  Hazelton.  Luzerne  county,  which  they  operated  until  1S82, 
under  the  name  of  the  Black  Ridge  Coal  Company. 

]Mr.  Heim  has  been  identified  with  many  of  the  public  and  private  enter- 
prises of  Shamokin.  He  is  vice-president  of  the  Shamokin  Banking  Com- 
pany, and  was  one  of  its  corporators.  He  is  also  superintendent  and  one  of 
the  l)oard  of  directors  of  the  Shamokin  Manufacturing  Company,  and  super- 
intendent and  secretary  of  the  Shamokin  Gas  Light  Company.  He  was 
married  in  184'.t  to  Barbara,  daughter  of  George  Kester.  of  Montour  county, 
Pennsylvania,  and  by  this  union  they  have  had  seven  children,  three  of  whom 
are  living:  Arthur  William,  merchant  tailor,  Reading,  Pennsylvania:  David 
W.,  teller  of  the  Shamokin  Banking  Company,  and  Charles  F..  of  the  Shamo- 
kin Manufacturing  Comj^any.  Mr.  Heim  is  a  member  of  Simbury  Lodge, 
F.  &  A.  M. ;  he  is  also  one  of  the  oldest  surviving  members  of  the  Shamokin 
Methodist  Episcopal  church,  and  one  of  the  trustees  and  stewards  of  that 
society.  At  the  time  of  Lee's  invasion  of  Pennsylvania  he  enlisted  in  the 
Trevorton  Guards,  which  were  known  as  Company  K.  Eighteenth  Pennsyl- 
vania Militia.  Politically  he  is  a  Republican,  and  a  gentleman  of  broad 
views,  liberal  princij^les,  and  commendable  enterprise. 

R.  S.  AccKER.  real  estate  dealer  and  builder,  was  born  in  Union,  now 
Snyder  countv.  Pennsvlvania,  Julv  G,  4«S^.  son  of  Emanuel  and   Hannah 


906  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBEKLAND    COUNTY. 

(Snyder)  Aucker,  natives  of  -Pennsylvania  of  German  descent.  He  was 
reared  iipon  the  homestead  farm,  and  received  only  such  schooling  as  could 
be  obtained  at  the  log  school  houses  of  that  period.  He  learned  the  carpen- 
ter and  mill- Wright  trades,  which  he  followed  until  1865,  when  he  located  in 
Shamokin  and  engaged  in  contracting  and  building  with  one  apprentice: 
this,  however,  soon  developed  into  one  of  the  largest  firms  of  the  kind  in 
the  county,  erecting  as  many  as  fifty  houses  in  one  year.  In  1S72  Mr. 
Aucker  established  a  furniture  and  undertaking  business,  which  he  carried 
on  until  1S8S,  when  he  sold  it  to  his  brother.  J.  S.  Aucker,  and  T.  H.  Paul, 
two  of  his  employees.  In  February,  1882,  he  organized  the  firm  of  Aucker. 
Slayman  &  Comjiauy,  taking  into  i)artnership  two  of  his  former  workmen.  C. 
J.  Slayman  and  Josejih  W.  Kessler.  This  tirm  has  since  conducted  an 
extensive  business  and  erected  many  of  the  best  public  and  private  buildings 
in  Shamokin.  Among  these  are  the  Garfield  school  house,  C.  C.  Leader's 
block,  the  Globe  building,  the  new  addition  to  the  Reformed  church,  and  the 
private  residences  of  C.  Q.  Mc Williams  and  George  O.  Martz.  Since  the 
organization  of  the  firm  of  Aucker.  Slayman  &  Company,  Mr.  Aucker  has 
given  his  attention  principally  to  the  management  of  his  large  real  estate 
interests.  He  was  married,  December  'i-'i,  INO'J,  to  Mary,  daughter  of  Wil- 
loughby  Walt,  of  Georgetown,  Xortiuimljerland  county,  Pennsylvania,  and 
they  are  the  parents  of  three  living  children:  Ida,  wife  of  M.  G.  Eeager.  a 
merchant  of  Shamokin:  Emma  E.,  and  Mary  E.  Mr.  Aucker  has  been  a 
member  of  the  borough  council  and  school  board,  also  president  of  the  West 
Ward  Building  and  Loan  Association,  and  one  of  its  directors  for  fifteen  years. 
He  is  a  member  of  St.  John's  Reformed  church,  and  has  filled  the  office  of  dea- 
con and  elder  eighteen  years.  Politically  he  is  a  Democrat.  Twenty-five  years 
ago  Mr.  AiTcker  established  himself  in  Shamokin.  and  by  hard  work,  energy, 
and  enterprise  he  has  succeeded  in  building  up  one  of  the  finest  business 
interests  in  the  county,  and  is  to-day  one  of  Shamokin's  prominent  and 
most  respected  citizens. 

John  Mullen,  proprietor  of  the  Shamokin  Iron  Works,  and  president  of 
the  First  National  Bank,  is  a  son  of  Thomas  and  Mary  (Mongey)  Mullen, 
natives  of  Ireland,  who  immigrated  to  Port  Carbon,  Schuylkill  county,  Penn- 
sylvania, in  1831,  where  our  subject  was  born,  February  27,  1838.  At  the 
age  of  ten  he  began  working  in  a  foundry  at  Port  Carbon,  and  afterwards 
learned  the  machinist  trade  with  T.  H.  Winterstein  of  the  same  place.  In 
1863  he  became  a  member  of  the  firm  of  Allison  &  Company,  of  Port  Carbon, 
which  continued  only  a  short  time  when  the  works  were  burned.  He  then 
served  as  foreman  of  Allison  &  Bannan  until  1870,  when  he  came  to  Shamo- 
km  and  in  partnership  with  David  Hufman  leased  the  Shamokin  Iron  Works 
and  commenced  business  under  the  name  of  Mullen  &  Hufman.  In  1874  Ste- 
phen Bittenbender  became  a  member  of  the  firm,  and  the  present  shops  were 
erected.     On  the  death  of  Mr.  Hufman  in  1876  his  interest  was  purchased  by 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  907 

bis  partners  ami  the  tirm  changed  to  John  Mullen  t*c  Company.  In  ISSO 
Mr.  Mullen  bought  out  Bitteubender.  and  in  April,  ISSD.  took  his  son  Thomas 
into  partnershij).  when  the  name  of  John  Mullen  &  Son  was  adopted.  They 
manufacture  all  kinds  of  mining  machinery,  and  the  Allison  Patent  Cataract 
Steam  Pitmp. 

Mr.  Mullen  is  recognized  as  one  of  the  most  enterprising,  .siibstantial.  and 
useful  citizens  of  Shamokin.  He  is  president  of  the  First  National  Bank,  a 
director  and  treasurer  of  the  Shamokin  Electric  Illuminating  Company,  a 
director  of  the  Shamokin  Gas  Light  Company,  president  of  the  Shamokin 
Coal  and  Coke  Company  of  May-Beury.  West  Virginia,  vice-president  of  the 
Shamokin  Building  and  Loan  Association,  a  .stockholder  in  the  "West  "Ward 
Building  and  Loan  Association,  a  member  of  the  Home  Building  and  Loan 
Association,  president  of  the  Shamokin  Powder  Company,  a  charter  member 
of  the  Shamokin  Steam  Heating  Company,  trea.surer  of  the  Driving  Park 
Association,  and  a  director  in  the  Shamokin  Manufacturing  Company.  He 
also  takes  an  active  interest  in  public  affairs,  and  served  in  the  boroiigh 
council  in  1SS4  and  1SS5.  In  politics  he  is  a  Eepitblican.  On  the  breaking 
out  of  the  war  he  enlisted  in  the  Ninth  Penn.sylvania  Volitnteers  for  the 
three  months'  service,  and  served  until  the  expiration  of  his  term. 

Mr.  Mullen  was  married,  Seiitember  3,  ISCl,  to  Miss  Mary  O'Brien,  of 
Herkimer  county.  New  York.  Seven  children  are  the  fruits  of  this  luiion: 
Thomas:  Mary,  wife  of  C.  McCarthy,  of  Shenandoah.  Pennsylvania:  Will- 
iam: Nellie;  Edward:  Charley,  and  Lettie.  The  whole  family  are  members 
of  St.  Edward's  Catholic  church.  Possessing  unboimded  energy,  a  sound 
knowledge  of  his  business,  and  connnendable  pluck,  Mr.  Mullen  has  arisen, 
unaided,  from  comparative  obscurity  to  a  foremost  place  in  the  financial  and 
material  progress  of  his  adopted  home.  Imbtied  with  rare  enterprise  and 
public  spirit,  and  of  strict  integrity  in  all  the  affairs  of  life,  he  has  won  an 
enviable  position  among  the  prominent  business  men  of  Northumberland 
county. 

HoLDEN  Chester,  sujierintendent  of  the  I'nion  Coal  Company,  was  born 
in  Vermont,  September  30,  1S83,  son  of  Joseph  and  Hannah  Chester.  His 
parents  dying  when  he  was  verv'  young,  the  advantages  of  an  education  were 
denied  him.  He  began  life  in  tlie  mines  at  the  age  of  nine  years,  and  con- 
tinued at  the  same  until  fourteen  years  old.  when  he  went  to  Tamaqua, 
Schuylkill  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  apprenticed  himself  to  the  blacksmith 
trade,  serving  sis  years.  In  1S61  he  enlisted  in  Company  L,  Third  Pennsyl- 
vania Cavalry,  and  ser\-ecl  three  years:  his  service  during  the  last  six  months  was 
as  a  veterinary  surgeon,  acting  under  a  commission  from  the  Secretary  of 
War.  At  the  close  of  his  term  of  enlistment  he  returned  to  Dauphin  county, 
bi^ilt  the  Williamstown  colliery,  and  was  otttside  superintendent  eight  years. 
In  March,  1878.  he  located  at  Shamokin  as  the  superintendent  of  the  Min- 
eral Railroad  and  Mining  Company,  which  position  he  occtipied  until  1880, 


908  HISTORY    OF   XORTHUJIBERLAN-D    COUNTY. 

when  be  was  made  general  superintendent  of  the  Lykens  Valley  Coal  Com- 
pany, and  filled  that  position  imtil  1S85,  and  was  then  appointed  superin- 
tendent of  the  Union  Coal  Company.  Mr.  Chester  is  one  of  Shamokin's 
enterprising  and  progressive  citizens,  and  has  been  identified  with  many  of 
its  public  and  private  improvements.  He  is  president  of  the  Arc  and  Edison 
Electric  Light  Companies,  also  president  of  the  Shamokin  Gas  Light  Com- 
pany, and  one  of  the  board  of  chrectors  of  the  Shamokin  Water  Company. 
He  has  always  taken  great  interest  in  educational  matters,  and  while  a  resi- 
dent of  Dauphin  county  served  as  school  director.  He  is  a  meml)er  of 
Mdlersburg  Lodge,  F.  &  A.  M..  and  is  an  attendant  of  the  Presbyterian 
church  and  one  of  the  trustees  of  the  Shamokin  congregation.  In  politics 
he  is  a  Republican.  Mr.  Chester  married,  in  1S57,  Christina  Wilson,  a 
native  of  Scotland.  During  the  Reljellion  Mr.  Chester  was  noted  as  a  brave 
and  efficient  soldier,  and  serveil  his  country  well  in  the  hour  of  danger. 
Since  coming  to  Shamokin  he  has  had  charge  of  a  large  number  of  collieries, 
and  managed  them  in  a  very  etficient  manner.  But  on  account  of  ill  health 
and  the  laborious  work  which  they  imposed,  necessitating  his  absence  from 
home  a  great  deal,  he  gave  up  the  two  large  collieries  in  Dauphin  county. 
He  has  always  been  held  in  the  highest  esteem  by  his  employees,  and,  there- 
fore, has  been  very  successful  in  the  management  of  the  large  interests 
which  he  superintends.  Mr.  Chester  is  recognized  as  the  soul  of  honor  and 
integrity,  and  has  won  an  en\"iable  reputation  among  his  business  cotein- 
poraries. 

D.\ELiNGTON  R.  KuLP,  lumber  dealer,  was  born  in  Philadelphia,  Pennsyl- 
vania, November  2'.J,  1826,  son  of  Christian  and  Catharine  (Renninger) 
Kulp,  natives  of  Pennsylvania,  the  former  from  Montgomery  and  the  latter 
from  Berks  county.  Both  spent  their  lives  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  State, 
dying  at  the  ages  of  seventy-three  and  eighty-three  years,  respectively.  Our 
subject  grew  up  near  Pottstown.  Montgomery  county,  and  received  a  limited 
education.  He  learned  the  carpenter  trade  and  in  early  manhood  began  tlie 
lumber  business  which  he  has  followed  up  to  the  jiresent.  Mr.  Kulp  was 
married,  October  o,  1851,  to  EHzabeth,  daughter  of  George  and  Sallie 
(Houck)  Gilbert,  of  Montgomery  county.  She  was  born  in  New  Hanover, 
Montgomery  county,  and  by  her  marriage  to  I\Ir.  Kulp  is  the  mother  of 
twelve  children,  eight  of  whom  are  living':  Zipporah,  wife  of  Chester  B. 
Thomas,  of  Shamokin:  Joanna  Catharine,  widow  of  Edwin  Shuman;  Mon- 
roe H.;  Clayton  A.;  Ella  J.:  Chester  G.;  Howard  C.  and  Gilbert  G..  all 
residents  of  Shamokin. 

In  October,  1867,  Mr.  Kulp  removed  to  Shamokin  and  continued  the  lum- 
ber business  in  partnership  with  D.  S.  Shultz  and  William  B.  Bechtel,  under 
the  firm  name  of  Shultz,  Bechtel  <fc  Company.  In  1860-70  he  operated  the 
Ben  Franklin  colliery  under  the  name  of  Kulp,  Bechtel  &  Company.  In 
July,  1871,  he  joined  Matthias  Ernes  and  the  finn  of  Kul}?  &  Ernes  continued 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  909 

about  six  year.-*,  when  the  latter  was  succeeded  by  Isaac  F.  Stetler.  On  the 
1st  of  May.  ISTS,  C.  Q.  McWilliams  purchased  Stetler's  interest  and  the 
firm  name  became  Kulp  &  McWilliams.  In  1879  they  added  ice  and  brick 
to  the  lumber  business,  and  carried  on  all  three  until  January  1,  1882,  when 
W.  C.  MeConnell  became  a  member  of  the  firm.  Kulp,  McWilliams  &  Com- 
pany dissolved  partnership.  August  1"),  1886,  Mr.  Kulp  retaining  the  lumber 
business,  which  he  has  ever  since  followed  successfully.  In  connection 
therewith  he  has  purchased  a  large  amount  of  timber  lands,  which  he  has 
cut  the  timber  from  and  converted  into  farms,  now  owning  ten  farms  in  this 
and  neighboring  counties.  In  the  spring  of  1886  Mr.  Kulp  and  his  eldest 
son,  Monroe  H..  opened  a  general  mercantile  store  under  the  firm  name  of  D. 
R.  Kulp  lV-  Son.  which  they  conducted  about  three  years  and  then  sold  to  J. 
O.  Keeler.  He  has  taken  a  prominent  interest  in  the  development  of  Sha- 
mokin,  and  was  the  first  president  of  the  Roaring  Creek  Water  Company, 
and  a  director  in  the  Shamokin  Water  Company.  Politically  a  Whig  and  a 
Republican,  he  has  always  taken  an  active  interest  in  the  success  of  his 
party.  He  has  served  in  the  borough  council  and  as  poor  director  of  Coal 
district.  At  the  time  of  Lee's  invasion  of  Pennsylvania  he  was  one  of 
those  loyal  emergency  men  who  responded  to  the  call  of  his  country  in  her 
hour  of'  danger.  Though  reared  in  the  German  Reformed  church  he  has 
atfiliated  with  the  Lutheran  church  since  coming  to  Shamokin.  He  is  a 
member  of  Elysburg  Lodge,  Xo.  414,  and  Shamokin  Chapter,  No.  '204.  F.  & 
A.  M.  Mr.  Kulp  is  recognized  as  a  progressive,  enterprising  citizen,  and  an 
upright,  honest  man. 

Maktis  Markle.  proprietor  of  Eagle  Run  brewery,  was  born  at  Werlhim, 
Ob  Balingen.  Konigreich  Wiirtemberg,  Germany,  February  12.  1835.  son  of 
George  and  Barbarl  (Souter)  Markle.  His  father  held  a  civil  otfice  under 
the  government  forty  years.  Mr.  Markle  was  educated  in  the  common 
schools,  and  remained  ripon  the  homestead  farm  until  seventeen  years  of  age. 
In  April.  1S52.  he  immigrated  to  the  United  States,  arriving  in  New  York, 
April  2;id.  where  he  remained  only  a  brief  time.  He  then  removed  to  Slat- 
iugton,  Northampton  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  found  employment  with  the 
Lehigh  Coal  and  Navigation  Company,  as  lock  tender,  where  he  remained 
nineteen  vears.  In  1802  he  engaged  in  operating  a  general  store  at  the 
lock,  which  is  known  to-day  as  Markle's  lock.  Mr.  Markle  located  at  Sha- 
mokin. December  1,  1871,  and  purchased  the  JohnB.  Douty  brewery  in  Coal 
to^vnship,  in  which  business  he  has  since  been  successfully  engaged.  He 
was  married,  June  17,  1852.  to  Helena,  daughter  of  Casper  Eith.  a  native 
of  Germanv.  bv  which  union  they  have  seven  children:  Hannah,  wife  of 
Pius  Schweibenz;  William  M.:  Amandus;  Helen,  wife  of  Daniel  Stahl: 
George  F.;  Sarah,  wife  of  Charles  Tretter.  and  Cecelia.  Mr.  Markle  is  a 
member  of  the  Lutheran  church,  and  in  his  political  alfiliations  he  is  a 
stanch  Democrat.       He   is  one   of   the   most   enterprising    and    progressive 


910  HISTORY    OF    NOETHUMBEKLAND    COUNTY. 

citizens  of  his  aduptt'il  home,  is  a  director  of  the  First  National  Bank,  and  a 
director  and  treasurer  of  the  Shamokin  Street  Eailway  Company.  Upright 
and  honest  in  all  his  dealings,  Mr.  Markle  has  won  the  respect  and  confi- 
dence of  a  large  circle  of  the  leading  business  men  of  this  section  of  the 
State. 

George  Marshall  was  born  in  Cincinnati.  Ohio,  September  23,  1847,  son 
of  George  W.  and  Esther  G.  (Bowen)  Marshall,  who  are  now  residents  of 
Shamokin.  He  was  reared  and  educated  in  his  native  city,  where  he  lived 
until  March.  iSfU),  when,  at  the  solicitation  of  his  uncle,  the  late  William  H. 
Marshall,  he  came  to  Shamokin,  and  in  jjartnership  with  Thomas  M.  Helm 
engaged  in  the  Hour  and  feed  business,  which  they  carried  on  six  years- 
He  then  sold  his  interest  to  Mr.  Helm  and  the  following  year  went  into  the 
planing  mill  and  lumber  trade,  which  he  conducted  successfully  up  to  May, 
1800,  when  he  disposed  of  his  mill  interest  to  his  brother.  While  in  this 
business  he  did  considerable  contracting  and  building  and  erected  many  of 
the  best  buildings  in  the  town,  including  the  Presbyterian  church  and 
chajiel.  Hotel  Yanderbilt,  Boston  block,  and  the  Oram  and  Helm  block. 
For  several  years  he  has  been  largely  interested  in  real  estate,  and  has  done 
much  in  building  up  his  adopted  home.  Mr.  Marshall  was  married  in  Sep- 
tember, 187").  to  Maggie,  daughter  of  Alexander  Fulton  of  Shamokin.  Two 
children,  William  H.  and  Ann  Farr.  both  of  whom  are  deceased,  were  the 
fruits  of  this  union.  Mrs.  Marshall  died  in  January,  1878,  and  in  June,  1885, 
he  married  Libbie  Fulton,  a  sister  of  his  first  wife,  and  they  are  the  parents 
of  three  children:  Elizabeth  F. ;  George,  and  Alexander.  On  the  death  of  his 
uncle  in  1878,  Mr.  Marshall  was  chosen  to  succeed  him  as  treasurer  of  the  Sha- 
mokin Cemetery  Company,  and  has  filled  that  office  to  the  present  time. 
Politically  he  is  a  Republican,  and  has  been  twice  elected  a  member  of  the  bor- 
ough council.  The  family  adhere  to  the  Presbyterian  faith.  Mr.  Marshall 
is  an  active,  enterprising  business  man,  foremost  in  advocating  and  assisting 
in  works  of  public  improvement,  and  is  recognized  as  one  of  the  prominent 
and  successful  citizens  of  Shamokin. 

F.  T.  Reed,  builder  and  contractor,  is  the  senior  member  of  Reed  &  Faust. 
He  is  a  son  of  Moses  and  Maria  (Kantner)  Reed,  natives  of  Schuylkill  county, 
Pennsylvania,  and  was  born  at  Schuylkill  Haven,  Pennsylvania.  October  0, 
1845.  His  education  was  obtained  at  the  public  schools.  He  learned  the 
carpenter  trade,  which  business  he  followed  at  various  places  until  1870.  In 
this  year  he  located  at  Shamokin,  working  for  William  Moore,  Samuel  Yost, 
Lewis  &  Ogden,  and  Joseph  Wildman  for  several  years,  when  he  accepted 
the  position  of  foreman  of  George  Marshall's  planing  mill,  which  position 
he  filled  until  188-"),  when,  in  connection  with  Daniel  Faust,  their  present 
firm  was  established,  and  they  are  now  among  the  leading  builders  of  the 
county.  Since  they  commenced  business  they  have  erected  over  two  him- 
dred  private,  residences  in  Shamokin,  and  several  public  buildings,  including 


""^f — " 


U/LO^e^AyU^L^  ^^^^. 


/4. 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  911 

the  Grand  Army  opera  bouse.  \n  l^ii>  Mr.  Eeed  was  united  in  marriage 
with  Rebecca,  daughter  of  John  Dres.-;.  of  Schuylkill  county,  and  by  this 
union  they  had  ten  children,  nine  of  whom  are  living:  Alice,  wife  of  Jacob 
Evans:  Adelia;  John:  Robert:  Sallie.  deceased;  Frank;  Bessie;  Edna;  Nel- 
son, and  Clara.  Mr.  Eeed  enlisted  in  Company  C,  Twenty-seventh  Penn- 
sylvania Militia,  and  served  until  discharged.  He  is  one  of  Shamokin"s  en- 
terprising and  liberal  citizens,  and  in  polities  is  a  Democrat. 

J.  S.  AucKEE,  of  the  tirm  of  Aucker  i:  Paul,  furniture  dealers  and  under- 
takers, was  born  near  Selinsgrove.  Snyder  county,  Pennsylvania.  July  '17>. 
1S47,  son  of  Emanuel  and  Hannah  (Snyder)  Aucker.  He  attended  the  dis- 
trict schools  and  the  Freeburg  Academy,  and  was  occupied  with  farming 
imtil  1S66,  when  he  removed  to  Shamokin  and  learned  the  carpenter  trade  with 
his  brother,  R.  S.  Aucker,  in  which  he  was  engaged  several  years.  In  IsTl 
he  and  F.  D.  Heckard  established  the  furniture  and  undertaking  business, 
and  were  succeeded  by  E.  S.  Aucker.  Between  the  years  1873  and  ISSS  our 
.subject  was  engaged  in  undertaking,  selling  and  mam;facturing  furniture, 
and  house-building  for  his  brother,  and  in  teaching  school  at  his  birth-place, 
in  Michigan,  and  in  Shamokin.  In  1>S'^,  in  partnershiji  withT.  H.  Paul,  he 
purchased  the  furniture  business  of  E.  S.  Aucker,  and  the  tirm  of  Aucker  & 
Paul  are  now  conducting  two  furniture  stores  in  Shamokin.  Mr.  Aucker  was 
married  in  1S7S  to  Sallie,  daughter  of  Daniel  Deibler  of  Shamokin,  and  by 
this  union  they  have  had  four  children:  Edna  V.;  Grace  A.;  Ira  E.,  and  Nel- 
lie H.  Mr.  Aucker  is  a  member  of  St.  John's  Eeformed  church,  is  a  Demo- 
crat in  politics,  and  is  a  member  of  the  Shamokin  school  board. 

T.  H.  Paul,  of  the  tirm  of  Aucker  lV  Paul,  furniture  dealers  and  under- 
taker>,  was  born  in  Schuylkill  county.  Pennsylvania,  May  20,  1854,  son  of 
Samuel  and  Catharine  (Haas I  Paul.  When  he  was  twelve  years  old  his 
parents  removed  to  Mt.  Carmel.  where  they  remained  four  years,  and  then 
located  in  Shamokin.  He  attendetl  the  common  schools  and  worked  in  the 
mines  until  he  was  eighteen  years  old.  learned  the  carpenter  trade  with  E. 
S.  Aucker,  and  followed  the  business  four  years.  He  then  embarked  in  the 
groceiy  business,  at  which  he  continued  four  years.  He  subsequently 
took  charge  of  the  furniture  business  of  E.  S.  Aucker,  which  position  he 
tilled  until  February,  1888.  when,  in  connection  with  J.  S.  Aucker.  they 
purchased  the  business,  and  are  now  conducting  two  stores  in  Shamokin. 
Mr.  Paul  was  married  in  187.J  to  Sophia  Fry,  of  Shamokin,  and  by  this  union 
they  have  three  children:  Mazie:  Lily,  and  Halen.  He  is  a  member  of 
Shamokin  Lodge,  No.  004,  I.  O.  0.  F..  and  of  Camp  30,  P.  O.  S.  of  A.,  and 
is  past  State  vice-jiresident.  In  I'^^U  he  was  elected  a  member  of  the  school 
board  of  Shamokin.  He  is  a  mnmlier  of  St.  John's  Eeformed  church,  and 
politically  a  Eepublican. 

C.  J.  Slayman,  of  Aucker,  Sla\-man  k  Company,  builders  and  lumber 
dealers,  was  born  in  Catawissa,  Columbia  county,  Penn.sylvania,  January  21, 


912  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

ISoi'.  sou  of  Jacob  and  Margaret  (McClgw)  Slavman,  natives  of  Northum- 
berland county,  Pennsylvania,  who  removed  to  Elysburg,  Pennsylvania, 
where  our  subject  was  reared  and  educated.  He  was  engaged  at  farming 
imtil  iSnS.  when  he  came  to  Shamokin  and  learned  the  carjienter  trade,  at 
which  he  worked  nine  years.  He  was  then  employed  by  Peter  Yocum,  of 
Bear  Gap.  as  a  clerk,  two  years,  after  which  he  returned  to  Shamokin  and 
worked  at  his  trade  one  year  with  K.  S.  Aucker,  when  the  lirm  of  Aucker. 
Sla^Tuan  &  Company  was  formed.  He  was  married,  March  3,  1S78,  to 
Amelia,  daughter  of  Joel  Engle,  of  Georgetown,  Pennsylvania,  and  to  this 
union  six  children  have  been  born:  Carrie  E.;  Maggie  E. ;  Annie  A.;  Ida 
G. :  Franklin  C,  and  EtKe  C.  Mr.  Slayman  is  a  member  of  the  Methodi.st 
church,  and  one  of  its  trustees;  he  is  also  a  director  of  the  West  Ward 
Building  and  Loan  Association.  Politically  he  is  a  Kepul)lican.  He  is  one 
of  the  best  known  business  men  of  Shamokin.  and  is  an  active  menil:)er  of 
the  largest  building  tirm  in  the  county. 

Joseph  W.  Kessler.  of  the  tirm  of  Aucker.  Slayman  &  Company,  was  Ijorn 
in  Schuylkill  county,  Pennsylvania,  December  L"),  1S4U,  son  of  John  M.  and 
Elizabeth  (Wolfgang)  Kessler.  He  was  reared  and  learned  the  carpenter's 
trade  in  his  native  county.  In  1S71  he  came  to  Slianiokin  and  found  em- 
ployment with  R.  S.  Aucker,  with  whom  he  remained  four  years.  He  then 
spent  some  time  in  Ohio  and  Indiana,  after  which  he  again  found  employ- 
ment with  Jlr.  Aucker.  In  187-")  he  accei)ted  a  position  as  foreman  for  B. 
Cooj'er.  of  Minneapolis,  Minnesota,  where  he  remained  eight  months,  when 
he  located  at  Kansas  City,  Missouri,  and  was  engaged  as  foreman  for  J.  F. 
Whitson.  and  subsequently  engaged  in  business  there  with  J.  W.  Werst.  In 
Februarj-,  1SS2,  he  disposed  of  his  interest  and  returned  to  Shamokin  to  ac- 
cept a  partnership  in  the  firm  of  Aucker,  Slayman  <fc  Company,  at  which  time 
that  tirm  was  organized.  Mr.  Kessler  was  married  in  March.  1S7'').  to  Polly, 
daughter  of  Joel  Engle,  of  Georgetown,  Pennsylvania,  and  by  this  union  they 
have  had  six  children:  Katie,  deceased;  Irwin;  Sadie:  Cora;  Bessie,  deceased, 
and  Annie.  Mr.  Kessler  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  and 
in  ix)litics  is  a  Republican. 

John  A.  Yost,  proprietor  of  Rock  Stre(>t  planing  mill,  was  born  in  Slia- 
mokin.  Xorthumlierland  county,  Pennsylvania,  August  0,  IH'u),  son  of  Daniel 
and  Sarah  L.  (Hoover)  Yost.  His  education  was  received  at  the  public 
schools;  he  learned  the  carpenter  trade,  which  he  followed  with  his  father 
until  May,  18SU,  when  he  established  his  present  business,  and  engaged  in 
the  manufacture  of  doors,  sash,  blinds,  and  all  kinds  of  molding,  giving 
employment  to  eight  men.  Mr.  Yost  was  married  to  Sarah  J.,  daughter  of 
Joseph  P.  and  So2>hia  (Startzel)  Kaseman.  of  Shamokin  township,  and  they 
are  the  parents  of  foitr  children;  Edna  L. :  Lillian  G. ;  Myrtle  M.,  and  Ralph 
E.  Pohtically  Mr.  Yost  is  an  ardent  Democrat,  and  is  a  member  of  St.  John's 
Reformed  church.  He  is  one  of  the  ptishing  young  business  men  of  Shamo- 
kin. and  commands  the  resj^ect  of  his  fellow-citizens. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  013 

Edmund  Morgan,  lumber  dealer,  was  bom  in  Minersville,  Schuylkill 
county,  Pennsylvania,  September  9.  3  838,  son  of  Thomas  and  Catharine 
(White)  Morgan.  He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  his  native  town, 
and  worked  at  the  carpenter  trade  in  various  jilaces  until  1875,  when  he 
located  in  Shamokin  and  followed  the  teaming  business  for  three  years.  He 
then  embarked  in  his  present  business,  and  has  since  been  engaged  in  fur- 
nishing prop-timber  for  mine  work.  Mr.  Morgan  was  married,  June  18. 
1803,  to  Rebecca,  daughter  of  Ezra  Cockill,  of  Schuylkill  county.  Nine 
children  have  been  born  of  this  union:  Harvey;  Frank;  Edmund;  Ezra; 
Thomas;  Albert;  Annie;  Efiie,  and  Cressy.  Politically  he  is  a  Republican. 
In  his  early  life  he  was  deprived  of  many  opportunities  accorded  to  other 
young  men,  but  by  energy.  self-ap)plication.  and  ceaseless  activity  he  has  suc- 
ceeded in  establishing  a  lucrative  business.  He  employs  fifteen  horses  and 
seven  or  eight  men  of  his  own,  besides  giving  employment  to  a  large  number 
of  men  and  teams.  In  his  community  Mr.  Morgan  is  respected  for  his  in- 
tegrity and  straightforward  business  character. 

Ad.a.m  J.  GoTsHALL,  president  and  manager  of  the  Shamokin  Liunber 
Company,  was  born  in  Lower  Augusta  township,  Northumberland  coiinty. 
Pennsylvania,  February  I'i,  185."),  son  of  Philip  and  Sarah  (Yeager)  Gotshall. 
He  was  reared  in  Columbia  and  Schuylkill  counties,  and  learned  tlie  car- 
penter trade  at  Ashland,  Pennsylvania.  In  1872  he  came  to  Shamokin  and 
engaged  with  the  Mineral  Railroad  and  Mining  Company,  in  whose  employ 
he  remained  until  1880,  when  he  began  contracting  for  himself,  building  for 
the  Union  Coal  Com[)any  new  breakers  at  the  following  collieries:  Hickory 
Swamp,  Luke  Fidler.  Cameron,  and  Hickory  Ridge;  also  new  breakers  for 
William  H.  Douty  at  the  Gartield  colliery,  and  the  new  coal  crusher  at  the 
Mt.  Pleasant  colliery  for  the  Pennsylvania  Crush  Coal  Company  in  West- 
moreland county,  Pennsylvania,  and  several  hundred  private  Iniildings  in 
Shamokin.  In  1889  he  organized  and  o])tained  the  charter  for  the  Shamokin 
Lumber  Company  for  the  purpose  of  manufacturing  lumber,  and  they  have 
two  mills  in  operation  in  Centre  county,  Pennsylvania.  Mr.  Gotshall  was 
married  in  1877  to  Matilda  F.  Fritz,  and  by  this  union  they  have  six  chil- 
dren: Mary;  Edward;  Holden;  Ida;  Jennie,  and  Mabel.  In  politics  Mr. 
Gotshall  is  a  Republican,  and  is  a  member  of  the  Lutheran  church. 

H.  Floyd,  plumber  and  steam  fitter,  was  born  in  Hayle.  Cornwall.  Eng- 
land, September  23,  18-14,  son  of  William  and  Elizabeth  (Hendrew)  Floyd. 
His  early  life  was  spent  in  his  native  town,  where  he  learned  the  trade  of 
machinist.  In  1864  he,  in  company  with  his  cousin,  emigrated  to  this  coun- 
try, locating  at  Locust  Gap,  where  he  obtained  employment  in  the  mines 
under  Superintendent  Benjamin  Chellew,  who  was  his  uncle,  where  he 
remained  six  months.  He  then  obtained  employment  sharpening  tools  for 
the  workmen  at  that  time  excavating  the  deep  cut  on  the  Reading  railroad 
at  Locust  Gap.  after  which  he  went  to  Centralia.  where  he  worked  on  inside 


914  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

repairs  in  the  Morris  Rido-e  colliery.  He  next  obtained  work  sharpening 
tools  for  the  workmen  driving  the  tunnel  at  Bell  Tunnel  mines  under  the 
late  Richard  Curnow,  who  soon  promoted  him  to  running  the  saw  mill.  The 
next  position  tilled  by  ]Mr.  Floyd  was  breaker  engineer  for  John  Gable  of 
the  Reliance  colliery,  which  he  tilled  one  year,  when  he  obtained  a  situation 
in  the  new  foundry  and  machine  shops  at  Mt.  Carmel.  On  account  of  dull- 
ness in  the  business  he  .sought  employment  at  Catasauqua,  and  was  given 
work  at  blacksmithing  in  the  Frederick  Car  Works.  In  a  short  time  he  was 
sent  for  to  return  and  take  charge  of  the  engine  at  the  Reliance  colliery, 
which  position  he  held  until  he  was  given  the  breaker  engine  at  the  Lan- 
caster colliery.  At  this  period  he  located  at  Shamokin.  where  he  has  since 
resided,  some  nineteen  years.  He  was  offered  a  position  in  the  machine 
shoi)s  of  the  late  John  Shipp,  and  was  placed  in  charge  of  the  machine  work 
of  the  Helfenstein  breaker.  After  completing  the  work  he  was  outside  fore- 
man, and  afterwards  superintendent  of  the  colliery,  remaining  here  a  year. 
He  was  then  employed  by  Fisher  &  Medlar,  who  had  purchased  the  Shipp 
works,  and  afterward  worked  at  Mullen  &  Hufmau's  Shamokin  Iron  Works, 
the  Northern  Central  railway  round-house  shoii.  and  the  railroad  shops  at 
Marysville  and  Williamsport,  Pennsylvania.  Returning  to  Shamokin  he 
did  gas-titting  for  the  Shamokin  Gas  Company,  and  subsequently  was 
ajipointed  superintendent.  Mr.  Floyd  then  opened  a  small  shop  for  liimself, 
and  by  the  assistance  of  C.  P.  Helfenstein  and  William  Douty,  the  foundation  of 
a  large  and  lucrative  business  was  laid.  He  is  the  inventor  of  a  steam  boiler 
for  heating  purposes,  and  of  many  other  inventions  and  improvements.  He 
was  married  in  iNflT  to  Amanda,  daughter  of  Aliram  Keiper,  of  Shamokin, 
and  by  this  union  they  have  had  ten  children,  live  of  whom  are  living:  Will- 
iam A.:  Christiana:  Edward;  Loretta.  and  CaiUderM.  Mr.  Floyd  has  been  a 
member  of  the  school  board,  in  which  he  has  tilh-d  the  office  of  president. 
He  is  a  member  of  Shamokin  Lodge,  No.  25-"),  F.  ».V'  X.  M.,  Shamokin  Chapter, 
No.  204,  and  Prince  of  Peace  Commandery,  of  .Ishland,  Pennsylvania. 
Politically  he  is  a  Republican.  Mr.  Floyd  has  succeeded  in  building  up  the 
largest  business  of  its  kind  in  the  county,  the  entire  cajntal  at  the  start  being 
energy  and  a  determination  to  succeed. 

C.  J.  Lessig,  paper  hanger  and  decorator,  was  born  in  Pottstown.  Mont- 
gomery county,  Penn.sylvania,  February  14,  184U.  son  of  Michael  and  Har- 
riet (Smith)  Lessig.  He  received  a  common  school  edxication,  learned  the 
trade  of  painter  and  paper  hanger  in  Pottstown.  Pennsylvania,  removed  to 
Pottsville  in  1871,  and  was  occirpied  at  his  trade  until  1881,  when  he  located 
at  Shamokin,  established  the  firm  of  Lessig  &  Larer.  and  engaged  in  the  bus- 
iness of  paper  hanging  and  decorating.  In  1884  he  purchased  his  partner's 
interest,  and  has  since  continued  the  business  alone.  Mr.  Lessig  was  the 
second  to  open  a  store  of  this  kind  in  Shamokin.  and  by  close  attention  to 
business  has  succeeded  in  establishing  a  lucrative  trade.   .  He  was  married, 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  915 

July  IT,  1S75,  to  Clara.-  daughter  of  Isaac  Hummel,  of  Pottsvilb".  Pennsyl- 
vania, and  by  this  union  they  have  had  four  children:  Maud,  Claude,  and 
Emma,  all  deceased,  and  Clara.  Mr.  Lessig  is  a  member  of  Shamokin  Lodge. 
No.  -o'k  F.  \-  A.  M..  and  Shamokin  Chapter.  No.  2(U:  he  is  also  a  member 
of  the  P.  O.  S.  of  A..  Camp  No.  UK.  In  pohtics  he  is  a  Republican,  and  in 
religious  faith  a  member  of  St.  John'.s  Pieformed  church. 

William  Hemingeay.  son  of  John  and  Ann  (Ellis)  Hemingray.  -was  l.iurn 
in.  the  village  of  Heage,  Derbyshire,  England,  in  the  year  ISI^T.  He  was 
brought  up  as  a  miner,  the  occupation  pursued  by  his  father,  and  at  the  early 
age  of  eight  years  commenced  work  at  the  Morley  Park  colliery,  carrying 
candles  for  the  miners  at  the  wages  of  six  pence  per  day.  From  this  he  was 
promoted  to  the  jiosition  of  driver  and  finally  became  a  miner,  having  passed 
through  all  the  intermediate  jiositions.  In  lS4*ihe  immigrated  to  the  L'nited 
States  and  settled  in  Schuylkill  county.  Pennsylvania,  working  at  various 
collieries.  In  iSot)  he  married  Rebecca  Chaimdy.  of  Schuylkill  county,  and 
to  this  union  were  liorn  two  children:  William,  a  colliery  engineer,  and  Eliz- 
abeth, deceased.  Our  subject  soon  became  a  foreman  of  the  mines,  which 
position  he  tilled  until  LS73,  when  he  was  appointed  mine  inspector  for  the 
Third  district,  embracing  the  collieries  of  Northumberland,  Columbia,  and 
Dauphin  counties,  and  a  portion  of  Schuylkill  county,  and  located  in  Sha- 
mokin, where  he  has  since  resided.  This  position  he  tilled  successfully  for  a 
term  of  live  years.  His  excellent  judgment  and  familiarity  with  the  mines 
specially  fitted  him  for  this  service.  Ejion  his  retirement  from  inspector  of 
the  mines,  he  was  employed  liy  the  Philadelphia  and  Reading  Coal  and  Iron 
Company  to  assiune  charge  of  their  iron  ore  mines  on  the  Hudson  river.  He 
was  afterwai-ds  engaged  for  several  years  developing  and  opening  coal  mines 
in  Ohio.  Virginia,  and  West  Virginia.  Mr.  Hemingray  is  a  well-read  and 
intelligent  man.  and  has  a  warm  regard  fur  his  adopted  country.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  borough  school  board  from  the  Fifth  ward.  and.  though  not 
favored  in  his  early  days  with  more  than  six  mouths"  schooling,  is  an  earnest 
friend  of  the  school  system. 

WiLLi.\5i  Booth  was  born  in  Yorkshire.  England.  Felu-uary  IS.  LS;jU,  son 
of  James  and  Mary  A.  Booth.  In  1S4S  his  parents  immigrated  to  this 
country  and  located  at  Llewellyn.  Schuylkill  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  in 
1S55  removed  to  Shamokin,  where  the  father  obtained  the  position  of  breaker 
engineer  at  the  Lambert  colliery.  He  was  a  painter  and  stonemason  by 
trade,  but  after  coming  to  this  country,  and  while  a  resident  of  Schuylkill 
county,  was  engaged  in  farming,  and  was  employed  upon  the  construction 
of  the  railroad  bridges  of  the  Minersville  and  Westwood  railroad  in  1830. 
He  died  in  1S5S;  his  widow  survived  him  until  ISTS.  They  were  the  parents 
of  ten  children,  three  of  whom  died  in  infancy.  Those  living  are:  Sarah 
A.,  wife  of  Henry  Van  Gasken:  Aquilla:  Marv:  Hannah,  wifeof  T.  J.  Jones: 
James,  of   Virginia;   Joseph,  deceased,  and  William.     The  subject   of   this 


916  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

sketch  was  tirst  employed  at  driving  mxiles  at  the  Big  Mountain  colliery, 
and  learned  the  business  of  a  miner  by  practical  experience.  In  1874  he  was 
appointed  mine  inspector  for  the  Philadelphia  and  Reading  Coal  and  Iron 
Company,  which  position  he  tilled  until  1SS2,  when  he  was  appointed  dis- 
trict superintendent,  and  in  1S84  he  was  promoted  to  division  superintendent, 
which  included  all  the  mines,  seventeen  in  number,  in  Northumberland 
county.  He  tilled  this  position  i;ntil  the  autumn  of  LSUO,  when  he  removed 
to  Roanoke.  Virginia.  Mr.  Booth  was  married  in  lS6:-3  to  Mary  E.  Coder, 
of  Shamokin.  and  by  this  union  they  have  had  the  following  children:  James 
Nelson:  Mary  C. :  John  F. :  Alida:  Sarah  A.;  William  B.;  Edward  R. ;  Phebe, 
and  live  who  died  in  infancy.  Mr.  Booth's  family  are  members  of  the  Meth- 
odist church,  and  in  politics  he  is  a  Republican. 

J.  G.  Medl.ir,  district  land  agent  of  the  Philadelphia  and  Reading  Coal 
and  Iron  Company,  was  born  at  Palo  Alto,  Schuylkill  coiinty,  Pennsylvania, 
August  7,  iS-tU,  son  of  John  and  Amanda  (Dreher)  Medlar.  His  early  life 
was  spent  in  his  native  town,  where  ho  was  educated  at  the  pulilic  schools. 
He  learned  the  trade  of  machinist  with  Allison  &  Bannan,  of  Port  Carbon. 
In  1871,  in  connection  with  his  father,  he  purchased  the  machine  and  foundry 
business  of  John  Shipp,  of  Shamokin,  which  they  conducted  two  years, 
when  the  father  sold  his  intere.st  to  AllLson  &  Bannan,  and  the  firm  became 
Medlar.  Allison  &  Comjiany.  Mr.  Medlar  suVjsequently  sold  his  interest  to 
William  Cruikshank  and  removed  to  Port  Carbon,  where  he  engaged  in  the 
milling  business.  He  remained  there  until  February  1.  1N7'.),  when  ho 
accepted  his  present  position,  and  was  locattnl  at  Pottsville  four  years,  when 
he  removed  to  Shamokin  and  took  charge  of  the  Northumberland  district. 
Mr.  Medlar  was  married  in  ]S8'2  to  Emma,  daughter  of  S.  Graham,  of 
Lewisburg,  Pennsylvania,  and  by  this  union  they  have  two  children:  Kate 
G.  and  Alva.  While  a  resident  of  Port  Carbon  Mr.  Medlar  was  a  member 
of  the  borough  coiincil.  He  is  a  memljer  of  Camp  No.  141),  P.  O.  S.  of  A., 
is  steward  of  the  Methodist  church  of  Shamokin.  and  politically  a  Rejmb- 
lican. 

William  Gable.  I'nited  States  deputy  revenue  collector,  was  born  near 
Pottsville,  Schuylkill  county,  Pennsylvania,  June  "id,  1S87,  sou  of  John  and 
Sarah  (Hammer)  Gable.  The  paternal  grandfather,  John  Gable,  was  a  na- 
tive of  Hesse  Cassel.  came  to  this  country  with  his  parents  at  an  early  date, 
and  settled  in  Berks  county,  Pennsylvania.  He  entered  the  Continental 
army  and  sersed  through  the  Revolutionary  war.  The  father  of  our  subject 
served  in  the  war  of  1812,  and  afterward  settled  in  Schirylkill  county,  Penn- 
sylvania. The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  reared  and  educated  in  his  native 
county,  and  prejiared  himself  for  the  profession  of  mechanical  engineer.  In 
1860  he  enhsted  in  Captain  Jenning's  company  at  St.  Clair  and  served 
through  the  three  months'  service,  after  which  he  returned  to  St.  Clair.  At 
this  time  Captain  Palmer,  who  was  in  command  of  the  Anderson  Troop,  was 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  91, 

authorized  to  raise  a  regiment  of  cavalry  to  perform  the  duties  of  body- 
guard for  General  Buell.  This  was  organized  as  the  Fifteenth  Pennsylvania, 
better  known  as  the  "Anderson  Cavalry,"  in  honor  of  Major  Eobert  Ander- 
son. Each  county  was  allowed  eight  men.  their  acceptance  de^iending  upon 
the  candidates  being  of  perfect  physique,  and  possessing  qualities  that  go  to 
make  the  gentleman.  'Mr.  Gable  made  apjjlication  and  was  accepted.  He 
participated  in  the  second  battle  of  Bull  Run.  Antietam,  Stone  Eiver,  and 
other  engagements,  advancing  by  promotion  to  the  position  of  sergeant  of 
his  company.  At  the  close  of  this  term  of  enlistment  he  joined  the  Army  of 
the  Cumberland  mider  General  Thomas,  participating  in  all  its  engagements. 
In  1S64  he  was  commissioned  first  lieutenant  of  the  One  Himdred  and  First 
I'nited  States  Colored  Infantry,  and  was  located  at  Nashville,  Tennessee 
imtil  the  close  of  the  war:  he  was  mustered  out,  June  21,  1SG6.  He  then 
located  in  Arkansas  and  engaged  in  the  raising  of  cotton,  where  he  remained 
until  November,  1S<)U,  when  he  removed  to  Shamokin,  and  in  connection 
with  his  brother  engaged  in  operating  the  Lancaster  colliery.  When  the 
Mineral  Fiailroad  and  Mining  Comjiany  was  organized  he  was  made  outside 
sujieriutendent,  which  position  he  filled  until  1875,  when  he  became  general 
manager  for  the  Enterprise  Coal  Company.  Here  he  remained  until  1884, 
passing  through  all  the  troubles  incident  to  the  Molly  Maguires.  In  1884 
he  was  elected  by  the  Rejniblican  i)arty  to  represent  Northumberland  county 
in  the  State  legislature,  although  the  county  at  that  time  was  Democratic  by 
ovt'r  one  tliousand  majority.  He  was  chairman  of  the  pension  and  gratui- 
ties committee,  and,  lender  tlie  rules  that  apply  to  the  second  member,  was 
chairman  on  the  mines  and  mining  and  geological  survey  committees.  He 
also  seconded  the  passage  of  a  bill  creating  an  additional  law  judge  for  this 
county,  which  was  vetoed  by  the  Governor.  He  was  one  of  the  committee  of 
fifteen  appointed  by  the  party  caucus  to  draft  an  apportionment  bill,  and  was 
earnest  in  his  opposition  to  the  mea.sure:  it  was  finally  pas.sed,  and  was  ve- 
toed by  Governor  Pattison.  At  the  expiration  of  his  term  of  office,  he  as- 
sumed the  proprietorship  of  the  National  Hotel  at  Shamokin.  which  he  con- 
ducted until  October  31,  188U,  when  he  was  appointed  to  his  present  position 
of  deputy  Fnited  States  revenue  collector.  In  1889  he  was  again  the  choice 
of  his  party,  and  received  the  nomination  for  member  of  the  legislature,  but, 
owingtothecomplication  arising  from  the  presence  of  aticket  placed  in  thefield 
by  the  Knights  of  Labor,  he  was  defeated.  He  is  a  member  of  Shamokin  Lodge, 
No.  255,  F.  &  A.  M.,  also  of  the  military  order  of  the  Loyal  Legion,  of 
Post  No.  140,  G.  A.  E.,  and  the  Veterans'  Union.  He  was  captain  and  com- 
missary of  the  Seventh  Eegiment,  National  Guard  of  Pennsylvania,  from 
its  organization  until  mustered  out. 

W.  A.  Richardson,  chief  clerk  and  cashier  of  the  Mineral  Eailroad 
and  Mining  Company,  was  born  in  the  city  of  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania, 
Augiist  4,  1837,  son  of  Thomas  and  Sarah   (Abbott)  Eichardson.     He  was 


918  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

educated  at  the  old  Ringgold  school,  at  Movaiuensing,  Philadelphia.  At  the 
age  of  fourteen  he  entered  the  employ  of  Brown,  Potter  &  Company,  dry  goods 
merchants  of  that  city,  in  whose  employ  he  remained  eighteen  months,  when 
he  accepted  a  position  with  the  firm  of  Rowley,  Ashburner  &  Company,  commis- 
sion merchants,  with  whom  he  remained  two  years.  He  then  apprenticed 
himself  to  learn  the  trade  of  gold  and  silver  spectacle  frame  making,  at 
which  he  served  four  years,  and  at  the  expiration  of  that  time  followed  it  as 
an  occupation  four  years,  after  which  he  was  engaged  on  government  work 
of  various  kinds.  In  1804  he  accepted  a  position  with  J.  C.  Thompson's  coal 
commission  house,  where  he  remained  one  year.  He  then  took  charge  of  the 
paper  department  of  the  American  Bank  Note  Company  under  his  father, 
who  was  superintendent  of  the  printing  department,  which  position  he  tilled 
two  years.  At  the  expiration  of  that  time  Mr.  Richardson  accepted  the  i>osi- 
tion  of  sujierintendent  and  paymaster  of  the  Luke  Fidler  colliery,  and  took 
up  his  residence  in  Shamokin.  In  the  spring  of  INTl  he  wa>  ottered  and 
accepted  a  position  with  the  Baldwin  Locomotive  Works  of  Philadelphia. 
Avhere  he  remained  six  months,  and  then  returned  to  Shamokin  to  accept  the 
assistant  paymastership  with  the  Mineral  Railroad  and  Mining  Company, 
organized  the  previous  spring,  which  he  tilled  three  years,  when  he  was 
advanced  to  his  present  jiosition.  ilr.  Richardson's  early  political  attiliatious 
were  with  the  Republican  party,  but  for  the  last  .eighteen  year~  he  has  been 
a  Democrat,  and  while  he  has  never  aspired  to  public  office  he  has  given 
much  valuable  assistance  to  the  furtherance  of  his  party's  intnrests.  ami  is  a 
zealous  exponent  of  the  principles  of  the  Democracy.  He  is  pr**^idi'nt  of  the 
Building  and  Loan  Association  of  Shamokin,  and  past  master  of  Shamokin 
Lodge,  No.  2oo,  F.  A;  A.  M.  In  his  religious  belief  he  is  an  Episcopalian, 
and  a  member  of  Trinity  church  of  Shamokin,  of  which  he  is  jmiior  warden. 
Mr.  Richardson  has  been  thrice  married:  his  first  wife  was  Sallie  E..  daugh- 
ter of  Jacob  Weaver,  of  Philadelphia,  to  whom  he  was  marrie<J  in  IS')! ;  she 
died  in  1874.  By  this  marriage  tive  children  were  bom,  all  of  whom  are 
deceased.  His  second  wife  was  Lena  Abel,  of  Lebanon.  Pennsylvania,  to 
whom  he  was  married  in  INTO;  she  died  in  January,  1877.  To  this  marriage 
was  born  one  child,  deceased.  He  subsequently  married  Ella  J.,  daughter  of 
the  late  R.  B.  Douty,  who  has  borne  him  three  children:  Holden  C. :  Charles 
E.,  and  Florence  E. 

Veey  Rev.  John  Joseph  Koch,  vicar-general  of  this  dioce^p.  and  pastor  of 
St.  Edward's  Catholic  church  of  Shamokin,  was  born  in  the  Province  of  Li^r- 
raine,  France,  February  5,  1840,  and  is  a  son  of  John  and  Elizabeth  (Fran- 
cois) Koch,  natives  of  the  same  Province.  He  was  educated  at  the  College  of 
Pont-a-Mousson,  on  the  river  Moselle,  near  Nancy.  Lorraine,  where  he  grad- 
uated, August  1,  lS-'i7.  He  afterwards  made  his  course  of  philosophy  and 
theology  at  the  Seminary  of  Nancy.  In  May,  1802,  he  came  to  Philadelphia, 
Pennsylvania,  and  entered  the  Seminary  of  St.  Charles  Borromeo.     On  the 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  921 

2Stli  of  Febraary,  1803,  he  was  ordained  j^riest  by  Bishop  "Wood  of  that  dio- 
cese, and  appointed  assistant  of  St.  Patrick's  church  of  PhiLidelphia.  and 
subsetpently  assistant  chaplain  of  the  government  hospital  in  the  same  citv. 

In  November,  ISfiS,  Father  Koch  became  pastor  of  St.  Joseph's  church  at 
Milton.  Pennsylvania,  and  had  charge  of  five  churches  and  tifteen  stations. 
Tnder  his  pastorate  the  debts  of  St.  Joseph's  were  paid,  the  buikling  repaired, 
and  other  substantial  improvements  carried  out.  While  at  Milton  he  had 
charge  of  St.  Hubert's  congregation  of  Danville,  Montour  county,  and 
erected  its  present  chiTrch.  He  also  built  a  church  at  Cascade,  Lycoming 
coimty.  attended  the  Sunbury  and  Trevorton  congregations,  and  completed 
the  church  and  paid  off  the  debt  at  the  latter  place.  His  mission  extended 
from  Kalston,  Lycoming  county,  to  Georgetown.  Xorthumberland  county, 
and  embraced  four  counties. 

In  August,  1S6G,  Shamokin  was  organized  into  a  parish,  with  Trevorton. 
Locust  Gap,  and  subsequently  Mt.  Carmel,  as  mission.?.  Bishoji  AVood  aj'- 
pointed  Father  Koch  its  first  pastor,  and  he  assumed  control  the  second  Sun- 
day in  September,  18^)0.  "With  characteristic  energy  he  applied  himself 
towards  building  up  the  spiritttal  and  material  interests  of  his  jiarish.  An 
old  place  of  worship  was  soon  after  torn  down  and  erected  on  Shamokin 
street,  on  a  corner  lot  jnirchased  at  a  cost  of  three  thousand  four  httndred 
dollars.  In  ISHlJ  additional  land  was  bottght,  and  the  present  parochial  resi- 
dence, costing  eight  thousand  five  httndred  dollars,  was  erected  thereon. 

In  the  meantime  the  congregation  had  grown  to  such  proportions  that  a 
new  church  became  an  imperative  necessity.  On  the  14th  of  September, 
1^72.  Father  Koch  laid  the  tirst  stone  in  the  foundation  of  the  present  impos- 
ing stone  editice,  and  May  23,  1873.  the  corner-stone  was  laid  by  Bisho]) 
0"Hara,  of  Scranton.  Fnder  Father  Koch's  personal  sttpervision  the  work 
was  ptished  forward  as  rai)idly  as  circumstances  would  justify,  and  on  Christ- 
mas morning,  1873,  he  celebrated  Mass  in  the  basement  of  the  new  chttrch. 
Through  his  persevering  and  vigorotts  management  the  building  was  brought 
to  a  successful  completion,  was  dedicated,  June  6,  188(\  and  stands  as  a 
montiment  to  his  zeal  and  devotion  in  the  cattse  of  his  divine  Master.  In 
September,  1874,  St.  Edward's  pai-ochial  school  was  opened  in  the  old  chtirch, 
which  served  the  purpose  until  the  comjiletion  of  the  present  substantial 
brick  school  house  in  the  atttttmn  of  1884. 

St.  Joseph's  congregation  at  Locttst  Gup  worshiped  in  the  school  build- 
ing imtil  1870,  when  Father  Koch  erected  a  church  costing  seven  thousand 
eight  hundred  dollars,  which  was  finished  and  dedicated,  Augttst  27,  1S7L  In 
1872  he  purchased  four  acres  of  land  adjoining  the  village  of  Springfield  for 
a  cemetery,  which  was  consecrated,  and  has  since  been  used  by  the  Catholics 
of  this  portion  of  the  county. 

Few  men.  either  as  priest  or  citizen,  are  Isetter  known  or  more  tiniversally 
respected  throughout  this  section  of  the  State  than  the  pastor  of  St.  Edward's. 


922  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

Possessing  mibouuded  enterprise  and  commendable  jiublic  spirit,  his  aid  has 
always  been  extended  to  every  worthy  object.  As  a  faitliful  servant  of  Christ 
his  voice  has  always  been  raised  against  wrong-doing,  and  its  tones  have 
never  borne  an  uncertain  ring.  By  kind  words  and  charitable  acts  he  has 
impressed  himself  upon  the  history  of  the  coal  region  in  a  manner  never  to 
be  forgotten,  and  from  the  little  child  to  the  gray-haired  sire  all  mention  his 
name  with  love  and  reverence. 

Rev.  Floriax  Klonowski,  pastor  of  St.  Stanislaus  Catholic  church,  was 
born  in  West  Pmssia,  August  25,  1845,  son  of  John  and  Mary  Klonowski. 
He  was  educated  at  Kawernik,  "West  Prussia,  and  at  Neustadt.  near  Danzig, 
and  was  ordained  by  Archbishop  Ledochowski,  now  cardinal  at  Rome.  He 
emigrated  to  this  country.  September  7,  1S75,  and  located  in  New  YorkCityj 
where  he  remained  a  few  months.  December  20,  1S75,  he  was  aLlmitted  to 
the  Harrisburg  diocese.  His  first  appointment  was  as  assistant  of  the  Lykens 
Catholic  church,  where  he  remained  from  January  Id,  lS7r).  until  July  13, 
1S76,  when  he  took  charge  of  tlif  Shamokin  Polish  parish,  which  then 
included  his  present  church  and  that  at  ]\lt.  Carmel.  His  brother  now  has 
charge  of  the  latter.  I'nder  Father  Klonowski's  pastorate  many  improve- 
ments have  been  made,  and  the  church  is  in  a  flourishing  condition.  Since 
coming  to  Shamokin  he  has  labored  faithfully  for  the  spiritual  and  mate- 
rial welfare  of  his  people  and  his  efforts  have  borne  rich  fruit. 

Rev.  J.\mes  W.  Gilland,  piaster  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  wa-  born  in  An- 
trim township,  Franklin  county,  Pennsylvania,  November  24.  l^'i'-'.  son  of 
Thomas  and  Susan  (Conrod)  Gilland.  He  attended  the  conmion  sch.jols  of  his 
native  township,  and  in  LS71  entered  Ursinus  College,  Collegeville.  Montgomery 
county,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  remained  one  year  and  a  half,  taking  a  pre- 
paratory course  for  his  entry  into  Lafayette  College,  Easton,  Penu.sylvania, 
which  took  place  in  1S7H.  and  from  which  he  graduated  in  1S77.  He  imme- 
diately entered  Union  Theological  Seminary,  New  York  City,  and  graduated 
in  May,  1880.  He  was  ordained  and  licensed  by  the  Presbytery  of  Carlisle, 
Pennsylvania,  called  to  Duncannon,  Perry  county,  Pennsylvania,  in  January, 
ISSl,  and  installed  in  June  of  the  same  year.  He  received  a  call  to  his 
present  charge,  February  20,  1884,  and  was  installed  pastor.  May  21),  1884. 
Mr.  Gilland  married  Mary,  daughter  of  Edwin  and  Mary  A.  (Davis)  Clark, 
and  by  this  union  has  six  children:  Thomas  O. :  James  M. :  Edwin  C. ; 
William  D. :  Mary  F.,  and  Susan  O.  During  the  seven  years  that  Mr.  Gil- 
land has  been  pastor  of  the  Shamokin  church,  gratifying  prosperity  has 
blessed  his  labors.  He  is  an  indefatigable  student,  a  careful,  conscientious, 
and  popular  pastor,  and  a  Huent,  logical,  and  impressive  speaker.  His  wise 
and  kindly  advice  has  been  strongly  felt  in  the  various  channels  of  church 
work,  while  his  denunciation  of  wrong-doing  has  been  always  outspoken 
and  fearless,  as  becomes  a  faithful  minister  of  the  Gospel. 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  923 

Eev.  Thumas  J.  Hackee,  late  jtastor  of  St.  John's  Reformed  church,  was 
born  at  Lincoln.  Lancaster  county.  Pennsylvania,  September  24.  lS.j4,  son 
of  Levi  and  Harriet  (Yagle)  Hacker.  He  attended  the  public  schools,  and 
afterward  took  a  course  at  Franklin  and  Marshall  College,  Lancaster.  Penn- 
sylvania. In  ISTO  he  entered  the  Theological  Seminary  of  the  Reformed 
church  at  Lancaster.  Pennsylvania,  and  graduated.  May  10,  ISTU.  He  was 
licensed  by  the  Lancaster  Classis.  June  5,  1ST9,  ordained  bv  the  East  Sus- 
quehanna Classis.  June  17.  1S79.  and  assumed  charge  of  his  present  pastor- 
ate at  that  time.  He  was  married  in  ISTJ  to  Susan,  daughter  of  William 
Meckley.  of  Lancaster  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  by  this  union  they  have  one 
child.  Oswald  W.  Mr.  Hacker  is  a  member  of  Shamokin  Lodge.  Xo.  "i-j-j. 
F.  A:  A.  M..  of  Shamokin  Chairter.  Xo.  204.  and  Prince  of  Peace  Command- 
ery,  of  Ashland.  Pennsylvania,  and  is  also  a  member  of  the  P.  0.  S.  of  A.-, 
Camp  X"©.  30.  Mr.  Hacker  is  a  popular  divine  of  Shamokin.  and  labored 
here  with  good  results  until  October,  IS'JO,  when  he  resigned  and  removed 
to  AUentown,  Pennsylvania.  When  he  took  charge  of  his  pastorate  in 
Shamokin,  the  congregation  nuuibi'red  one  hundred  seventy-sis:  under  his 
ministration  it  increased  to  seven  hundred  members. 

William  F.  Harpel.  superintendent  of  public  schools,  wa^  Iwrn  near 
Freemansburg,  Northampton  county,  Pennsylvania,  son  of  the  Reverend 
Mark  and  Martha  A.  (Morgan)  Harpel,  natives  of  Philadelphia  and  Schuyl- 
kill county.  Pennsylvania.  His  early  education  was  obtained  at  the  public 
schools  of  Lancaster  county  and  Roailing.  Pennsylvania,  and  sul)sei[Ut'ntly 
at  the  State  X'orinal  School  at  ^Milli-rsville.  In  ls74  ^Ir.  Harpi.-l  connuenced 
teaching  in  Elizabeth  township.  Lancaster  county,  where  he  remained  one 
year.  He  then  received  the  ai)pointment  of  principal  of  the  second  grammar 
school  of  Shamokin;  in  1S77  he  was  appointed  principal  of  the  lirst  grammar 
school,  and  September  "J.  issd.  !ii>  was  elected  su2)erintendent  of  schools, 
which  position  he  has  since  tillfd.  Mr.  Harpel  is  a  member  of  the  Lutheran 
church,  and  politically  is  a  l\e[)ublican. 

John  B.  Savidue  was  born  in  Lower  Augusta  townsjiip.  XorthnmbiTland 
coimty,  Pennsylvania,  February  11,  1S4(>,  son  of  John  and  Mar}-  (Bloom) 
Savidge,  natives  of  Chester  and  Northumberland  counties.  He  was  reared 
and  educated  in  the  common  schools  of  the  to^vnship,  and  completed  his  edu- 
cation at  Doctor  Huff's  school  in  Sunbury,  after  which  he  was  engaged  in 
teaching  in  the  schools  of  his  native  township  and  the  county  seat.  He 
studied  law  with  Simon  P.  Wolverton,  of  Sunbury,  and  was  admitted  to  the 
bar  in  1SG4.  He  located  in  Shamokin,  and  practiced  his  profession  a  few 
vears.  when  he  ao-ain  commenced  teaching  in  the  public  schools  of  Shamokin, 
and  taught  sixteen  years.  Since  he  has  been  a  resident  of  Shamokin  he  has 
served  in  the  offices  of  assessor  and  auditor.  Mr.  Savidge  was  married. 
October  18,  1S04.  to  Isabella,  daughter  of  Adam  and  Rachel  (McCurtin) 
Row,  of  Lower  Augusta  township,  who  died.  Februarj-  1,  1SS4.     He  again 


924  HISTORY    OF   XOP.THUStBEULAND    COUNTY. 

married,  January  14,  1SS<\  Harriet,  daughter  of  William  and  Mary  Ann 
(Marsh)  Telford,  of  Minersville.  Schuylkill  county,  Pennsylvania.  Mr. 
Savidge  is  a  member  of  Shamokin  Lodge,  No.  255.  F.  &.  A.  M.,  and  Shamo- 
kin  Chapter,  No.  264.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Lutheran  church,  and  polit- 
ically a  Democrat. 

Simon  Camekox  Wagexsellee.  postmaster  of  Shamokin  and  a  member 
of  the  firm  of  Wagenseller  &  Haa?.  merchants,  was  born  in  Tamaqua,  Schuyl- 
kill county,  Pennsylvania,  August  18,  1852,  son  of  John  N.  and  Sarah  (Mc- 
Yeagh)  Wagenseller,  natives  of  Chester  county.  Pennsylvania,  both  of  whom 
are  dead.  Simon  C.  received  a  common  school  education,  and  silent  three 
years  at  Holbrook's  Military  HiL'h  School,  Sing  Sing,  New  York.  At  the  age 
of  seventeen  he  entered  the  employ  of  the  Pennsylvania  Eailroad  Company 
at  Sunbury.  where  he  remained  nutil  tlu^  fall  of  1N77.  He  then  came  to 
Shamokin,  and  continued  in  tli>-  company's  (Mnploy  until  August,  ISSLl.  wln-u 
he  embarked  in  the  mercantile  business,  and  has  since  built  ii^)  and  carried 
on  a  successful  trade.  Mr.  Wagenseller  was  married,  April  11).  ISTS.  to 
Laura  M.,  daughter  of  Stephen  Bitteubender,  one  of  the  leading  pioneers  of 
Shamokin.  Four  children  have  been  born  of  this  union:  Walter  B.,  deceased: 
Harriet  S. ;  Sarah  McYeagh.  and  ^Mary  E.  The  family  are  connected  with 
Trinity  Evangelical  Lutherjui  church.  Politically  Mr.  Wagenseller  is  a 
Republican,  and  has  tilled  the  otKce  of  assistant  burgess  of  Shamokin  one 
term.  On  the  18th  of  August,  l'^'.>0.  he  was  appointed  by  President  Harri- 
son postmaster  of  this  Viorough:  since  taking  charge  of  the  oflice  he  has 
fitted  it  up  in  a  first-class  manner,  and  it  now  compares  favorably  with  any 
office  in  this  section  of  the  State.  He  is  a  meml)er  of  the  Masonic  order, 
and  is  a  stockholder  in  the  Shamokin  Street  Railway  Company,  the  Shamokin 
Industrial  Company,  and  the  Homo  Building  and  Loan  Association. 

David  L.  Sollexbeeger.  editor  and  publisher  of  the  Shamokin  Weiklij 
Times  and  the  Daily  Dispafrli.v:^^  born  in  Silver  Spring  township,  Cumljer- 
land  county,  Pennsylvania.  October  14,  1S53,  son  of  Samuel  S.  and  Mary  A. 
(Lehn)  SoUenberger.  He  is  a  descendant  of  a  long-lived  ancestry.  His  great  ■ 
grandfather,  John  SoUenberger.  was  born  in  Lancaster  county,  Pennsylvania, 
in  1771,  and  died  in  Cumberland  county  in  1855,  the  subject  of  this  sketch  at- 
tending his  funeral  in  his  mother's  arms.  His  grandfather,  whose  name  also 
was  John,  was  born  in  Lancaster  county  in  1708.  Later  in  life  he  removed  to 
the  farm  where  his  father  died,  and  i-esided  there  until  his  death  in  1878. 
The  father  of  David  L.  was  bom  in  Cumberland  county  in  188(1  He  en- 
listed in  the  army  and  contracted!  consumption,  from  which  he  died  in  1873, 
aged  only  forty-three  years.  Our  subject,  who  was  the  only  child  of  Samuel 
S.  SoUenberger,  spent  his  early  hfe  upon  the  homestead  farm,  and  received 
such  advantages  as  coiild  be  obtained  in  the  common  schools  of  the  to^\-n- 
ship.  In  1809  he  was  apprenticed  to  learn  the  printing  business  in  the 
office  of  the   Star  of  the    Valley,  published  by   J.  B.  Morrow   at   Newville, 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  '  925 

Peunsylvania.  where  he  remained  three  years.  Hi.s  tirst  situation  after  his 
apprenticeship  was  comi^letea  was  upon  the  Xew  York  Tribime,  where  he 
remained  only  one  night.  He  then  found  employment  upon  the  Philadelphia 
Age  until  the  spring  of  IS. 8,  when  he  removed  to  Rock  Island.  Illinois,  but 
remained  there  only  four  weeks.  He  returned  to  the  Philadelphia  Age, 
where  he  was  employed  until  June,  lN7:i  and  then  accepted  the  position  to 
set  the  advertising  matter  of  the  Pittsburgh  Post,  which  place  he  held  nearly 
four  years.  In  1877  Mr.  SoUenberger  settled  at  Watsontown.  purchased  the 
Record  from  J.  J.  Auten,  and  was  its  owner  and  publisher  ten  months,  after 
which  he  purchased  a  half-interest  in  the  Xorthimiberland  County  Democrat, 
on  which  he  was  engaged  until  June.  1S7U.  In  Septemlier  of  the  same  year 
he  bought  the  Lewistown  True  Democrat,  which  he  conducted  but  a  short 
time.  In  November,  1879.  he  purchased  a  half-interest  in  the  Shamokin 
Times,  and  in  October,  1883,  established  the  Dailt/  Times,  which  he  conducted 
eleven  months,  when  its  publication  was  sttspended.  In  November,  18SG,  he 
fotmded  the  Dispatch,  which  he  has  since  edited  in  an  able  and  satisfactory 
manner.  Mr.  SoUenberger  married  Annie  A.,  daughter  of  John  Bro-\vn,  of 
Xewville.  Cumberland  county.  Pennsylvania.  They  are  the  jiarents  of  four 
children:  Erie  G. :  H.  Pearl:  :\[ary  G..  and  Vida  C.  Politically  Mr.  SoUen- 
berger is  a  Democrat:  he  is  a  member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  P..  and  one  of  the 
most  popular  citizens  of  Northumberland  county. 

W.  H.  M.  Oram,  attorney  at  law.  was  born  in  the  city  of  Philadel2)hia, 
Penn.sylvania.  Ajiril  ('),  lS4-_'.  His  parents.  John  F.  and  Louisa  (Farr) 
Oram,  were  natives  of  Philadelphia  and  Chester  county,  Penu.sylvania,  re- 
spectively. Our  subject  received  his  primary  education  in  the  public  schools 
of  his  native  city,  and  graduated  from  the  Philadelphia  high  school.  He 
then  entered  the  law  office  of  Daniel  Dougherty,  the  distinguished  lawyer 
and  orator,  ttnder  wliom  he  purstted  his  legal  studies  two  years,  and  after- 
wards spent  one  year  in  the  office  of  John  Hanna,  a  leading  attorney  of  the 
same  city.  While  pursuing  his  studies,  he.  in  1802.  entered  the  University 
of  Pennsylvania,  and  after  a  thorough  course  in  the  law  department  of  that 
institittion  graduated  in  May,  180-3.  In  the  meantime,  having  pas.sed  a 
meritorious  examination,  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar  at  Philadelphia,  April 
15,  18<>").  In  May  following  he  came  to  Shamokin,  where  his  scholarly 
attainments  and  brilliant  pleadings  soon  placed  him  in  the  front  rank,  and 
won  for  him  a  large  jiractice. 

From  boyhood  his  political  affiliations  have  always  been  with  the  Repub- 
lican i^arty.  and  up  to  within  the  last  few  years  his  time  and  talents  were 
freely  devoted  to  advocating  and  defending  its  princijiles  and  measures. 
In  1873  Mr.  Oram  was  elected  solicitor  of  the  borough,  and  re-elected  at 
various  times,  filling  the  office  in  all  sixteen  years.  In  1876  he  was  the 
choice  of  his  party  in  Northumberland  county  for  State  Senator,  but,  through 
an  unfair  combination  of  the  other  candidates,  he  was  defeated.     In  1877  he 


926  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

was  appointed,  by  the  United  States  comptroller  of  currency,  receiver  of  the 
Northumberland  County  National  Bank  of  Shamokiu,  and  wound  up  its 
affairs.  In  ISSl  he  was  a  candidate  for  president  judge,  but  by  mutual 
agreement  with  the  two  other  aspirants  he  withdrew  from  the  contest.  He 
was  a  popular  candidate  for  Congress  in  1884,  but  was  defeated  in  the 
county  convention.  Since  that  time  he  has  not  sought  political  {jreferment, 
but  has  devoted  all  his  energies  to  the  duties  of  his  profession. 

Mr.  Oram  was  married,  March  4,  1865,  to  Miss  Lavina  E.,  daughter  of 
Joseph  W.  Jones,  of  Pottsville,  Pennsylvania.  Seven  children  have  been 
born  to  this  union,  tive  of  whom  are  li^ing:  Kate  A.;  Fannie  V. ;  Lavina 
E. :  Clara,  and  John.  The  whole  family,  except  the  elde.st  daughter,  who  is 
an  Episcopalian,  are  members  of  the  Lutheran  church  of  Shamokin. 

Following  the  footsteps  of  his  able  preceptor,  Mr.  Oram  has  become  wvU 
versed  in  the  many  intricate  phases  of  legal  science,  and  is  recognized  as 
one  of  the  most  thient  and  able  advocates  at  the  bar.  He  is  an  indefatigable 
student,  and  jirepares  his  cases  with  the  greatest  care,  supporting  his  con- 
clusions by  the  strongest  precedents  and  authorities.  Gifted  with  a  natural 
command  of  language,  and  a  master  in  analyzing  human  motives  and  pas- 
sions, his  groat  influence  over  a  jury  renders  him  a  very  dangerous  foe  iu  a 
legal  conflict.  He  is  the  oldest  i)racticing  attorney  in  Shamokin,  and  his 
large  and  constantly  increasing  business  before  the  several  courts  of  the 
State  occupies  nearly  all  his  entire  time  and  attention.  He  nevertheless 
watches  and  sujjports  the  march  of  public  improvement,  and  is  one  of  tlie 
most  liberal  and  enterprising  citizens  of  the  county. 

George  W.  Ryon,  attorney  at  law  and  jiresident  of  the  Shamokin  Banking 
Company,  is  descended  from  two  of  tht>  most  prominent  jtioneer  families  of 
Penn.sylvania.  His  great-grandfathers,  on  both  sides  of  the  ancestral  tree, 
served  in  the  Continental  army  throughout  the  memorable  struggle  for  inde- 
pendence, one  of  them  attaining  the  rank  of  colonel  and  commissary  of  sub- 
sistence in  General  Wayne's  division.  The  Ryon  family  had  been  residents  of 
the  Wyoming  valley  for  nearly  a  century,  when  John  Ryon,  grandfather  of 
our  subject,  removed  from  his  birthplace  in  Luzerne  county  to  his  future^  home 
at  Elkland,  Tioga  coimty.  He  soon  rose  to  considerable  prominence  in  pubhc 
affairs.  For  eleven  years  he  was  the  Democratic  State  Senator  from  the 
Tioga  and  Bradford  district,  and  tilled  the  ollice  o^  associate  judge  of  Tioga 
coimty  fifteen  years.  While  in  the  Senate  he  introduced  and  had  passed  by 
both  Houses  a  resolution  favoring  the  nomination  of  Andrew  Jackson  for 
President.  Sixty  years  ago  he  was  located  at  Milton,  Northuml^erland  county, 
as  superintendent  of  the  Pennsylvania  canal,  and  his  name  as  such  may  yet 
be  seen  cut  on  a  stone  in  the  lock  at  Shamokin  dam,  opposite  Sunljun.-, 
imder  date  of  1829. 

Our  subject  is  a  son  of  George  L.  and  Hannah  (Hammond)  Ryon,  the 
latter  a  descendant  of  the  Connecticut  Hammonds  who  were  earlv  settlers  of 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  927 

Peunsylvaiiia.  He  was  born  at  Elkland,  Tioga  county,  Pennsylvania.  April 
30,  1839.  When  he  was- ten  years  old  his  parents  removed  from  Elkland  to 
Lawrenceville,  in  the  same  county,  and  engaged  in  farming,  and  here  George 
W.  grew  to  manhood.  He  was  educated  in  the  Lawrenceville  Academv.  the 
Genesee  Wesleyan  Seminary.  Lima.  X(^w  York,  and  Eastman's  Commercial 
College,  Eochester,  New  York.  After  obtaining  a  good  education  he  accepted 
a  position  as  civil  engineer  on  the  Kenosha,  Pioekford  and  Rock  Island  rail- 
road, with  headciuarters  at  Eockford,  Illinois,  which  he  tilled  one  year.  In 
1S59  he  went  to  Tamac^ua,  Schiiylkill  county,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  entered 
the  office  of  his  uncle,  Judge  James  Eyon,  and  commenced  the  study  of  law. 
After  two  years  spent  in  diligent  application,  he  i^assed  a  creditable  examina- 
tion, and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  at  Pottsville,  September  lit,  l^'il.  Soon 
after  his  admission  he  returned  to  Lawrenceville  and  engaged  in  the  practice 
of  his  profession.  In  1809  he  located  at  Shamokin,  where  he  soon  built  up 
and  has  since  enjoyed  a  successful  and  lucrative  practice. 

Politically  Mr.  Eyon  adheres  to  the  unswerving  Democratic  faith  of  his 
forefathers,  and  has  always  taken  an  active  interest  in  the  triimijih  of  Demo- 
cratic measures  and  principles.  In  1870  he  was  a  delegate  to  the  St.  Louis 
convention  which  chose  Tilden  and  Hendricks  as  the  national  standard 
bearers  of  the  Democratic  party.  He  was  also  a  delegate  to  the  two  State 
conventions  that  put  in  nomination  Heister  Clymer  and  Judge  Persing  for 
the  governorshiii.  His  influence  in  the  councils  of  his  party  and  his  prom- 
inence at  the  bar,  led,  in  1881,  to  his  nomination  for  the  office  of  pr^-ident 
judge  of  Northumberland  county,  and  out  of  a  poll  of  twelve  thousand  votes 
he  was  defeated  by  only  two  hundred  nineteen. 

Mr.  Eyon  has  always  taken  a  prominent  part  in  the  development  of  the 
social  and  material  interests  of  Shamokin.  He  drew  the  charter  and  wa.-  one 
of  the  corporators  of  the  Shamokin  Banking  Company.  He  has  also  been  a 
director  of  the  bank  since  its  organization,  was  the  tirst  president  of  that  insti- 
tution, and  was  again  elected  to  that  position,  January  20,  1891.  He  was 
one  of  the  corporators  of  the  Shamokin  Gas  Light  Company,  and  has  been 
treasurer  of  the  company  since  1874;  he  was  one  of  the  promoters  and  is  now 
a  director  of  the  Shamokin  Manufacturing  Company,  and  is  also  a  stock- 
holder in  the  water  company.  He  lias  tilled  the  office  of  borough  sohcitor 
several  terms,  and  at  all  times  exerted  himself  in  the  line  of  progress  and 
pul»lic  improvement. 

He  was  married,  April  29,  1809,  to  Miss  Phebe,  daughter  of  the  late 
William  Huntzinger,  of  Schuylkill  Haven,  Schuylkill  county,  Pennsylvania, 
who  has  borne  him  a  family  of  three  children:  William  H.:  Lewis  H.  and 
Bessie. 

In  religion  Mr.  Eyon  adheres  to  the  faith  of  his  ancestors,  that  of  the 
Presbyterian  church,  and  in  the  congregation  of  that  denomination  in  Sha- 
mokin he  and  his  family  are  constant  and  regular  in  their  attendance.    He  has 


92S  HISTORY    OF    NOETHCJIBERLAND    COUNTY. 

held  the  office  of  trustee  for  a  number  of  years  aud  was  a.uiember  of  the 
building  committee  during  the  cou-truction  of  the  present  handsome  chiirch 
edifice,  to  which  he  contributed  very  liberally  of  his  means  and  gave  much 
of  his  time  and  personal  supervision:  and  to  his  judgment,  careful  and 
intelligent  counsel,  the  Presbyterian  church  of  Shamokin  is  greatly  indebted 
for  the  successful  consummation  of  this  aud  other  projects  of  its  manage- 
ment, and  in  whose  welfare  Mr.  Ryon  is  always  keenly  interested.  He  is 
held  in  high  esteem  for  his  many  acts  of  unobtrusive  charity,  and  the  many 
worthy  objects  of  benevolence  which  have  had  his  substantial  support  and 
encouraging  word. 

In  his  profession  he  is  recognizei.!  as  a-  safe,  conservative  counselor,  well 
groiinded  in  legal  science;  a  plain,  logical,  and  convincing  speaker,  a  man  of 
excellent  judgment,  and  a  diligent  student.  He  is  one  of  the  ablest  and  best 
known  lawyers  of  the  Northumberland  county  bar. 

Peter  A.  Mahox  is  one  of  the  best  known  lawyers  of  the  Northumber- 
land county  bar.  He  was  born  in  Sohitylkill  county,  Pennsylvania,  Novem- 
ber 11,  1N4U,  son  of  Patrick  aud  Catharine  (Kelly)  Mahon,  natives  of  Ireland 
and  residents  of  Schuylkill  and  suliseijuently  of  Northumberland  county  for 
many  years.  His  father  is  dead,  but  his  mother  resides  in  Shamokin.  His 
parents  moved  from  Schuylkill  county  to  Trevorton,  Northumberland  county, 
in  IN.jO,  and  our  subject  received  his  early  education  in  the  public  schools  of 
that  town.  He  afterwards  attendetl  Fryburg  Academy  and  Wyoming  Sem- 
inary, and  then  entered  the  law  otiiee  of  his  brother,  James  Mahon,  a  leading 
attorney  of  Scranton.  He  applietl  himself  diligently  to  the  study  of  his 
chosen  profession,  and  in  February.  l^To.  was  admitted  to  the  bar  of  Luzerne 
county.  After  a  short  practice  in  Scranton  and  Wilkesbarre,  he  came  to 
Shamokin  in  1875  and  opened  a  law  office.  Mr.  Mahon  was  then  compara- 
tively unknown,  but  with  the  passing  years  he  has  gradually  won  a  practice 
second  to  none  in  his  adopted  home,  and  is  to-day  recognized  as  the  peer  of 
any  of  his  professional  contemporaries.  He  has  reason  to  feel  proud  of  the 
fact  that  while  yet  one  of  the  younger  members  of  the  bar  he  was  chosen  to 
till  the  office  of  district  attorney  in  November,  1S83.  By  close  application  to 
the  duties  of  that  office  he  won  a  high  degree  of  success,  and  in  ISSG  was 
re-elected  to  the  same  position,  which  he  tilled  continuou.sly  for  a  period  of 
six  years.  During  his  official  career  his  vigorous  prosecution  of  offenders 
won  for  him  the  reputation  of  being  "one  of  the  best  criminal  lawyers  in  this 
section  of  the  State."  He  seems  to  possess  the  faculty  of  discovering  the 
strongest  possible  evidence  in  a  case,  weaving  a  legal  network  around  the 
criminal,  and  then  presenting  the  facts  to  the  court  and  jury  with  logical 
precision  and  crushing  force.  In  his  pleadings  before  a  jury  he  combines 
eloquence,  withering  sarcasm,  and  logical  argument,  while  his  Celtic  mother 
wit  is  used  with  telling  effect  against  opposing  counsel  and  witnesses.  He 
is  equally  strong  in  civil  practice,  and  is  always  a  safe,  conservative,  and  hon- 
est counselor. 


iUt^^ 


^^^pt^^^Y 


BIOGEAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  929 

While  devoting  bis  princiiial  attention  to  his  professional  duties.  Mr. 
Mahon  yet  finds  the  time  to  take  an  active  interest  in  the  social  and  material 
progress  of  his  home.  He  is  a  charter  member  and  director  of  the  Shamokin 
Street  Kaihvav  Company,  the  Electric  Light  and  Power  Company,  and  the 
Market  HoiTse  Company,  and  is  always  willing  to  lend  his  assistance  to  every 
worthy  object. 

Mr.  Mahon  is  one  of  the  stalwart  and  influential  Democrats  of  this  sec- 
tion of  the  State,  and  has  filled  nearly  all  the  political  offices  in  both  the 
county  and  district  committees.  Since  entering  political  life  he  has  devoted 
his  time  unsi)arin^dy  to  the  be.st  interests  of  his  party,  and  is  one  of  the 
ablest  advocates  and  most  sincere  defenders  of  Democratic  measures  and 
principles  within  the  local  councils  of  the  party.  He  was  married  in  18S8, 
to  Kate,  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Mary  (Egan)  Maloney,  natives  of  Ireland 
and  subsecp;ently  residents  of  Ashland  and  Shamokin,  Pennsylvania,  and 
both  deceased.  Five  children  are  the  fruits  of  this  union:  Paul;  Ida;  Eliz- 
abeth; Catharine,  and  Leonard.  The  whole  family  are  members  of  St.  Ed- 
ward's Catholic  church,  in  which  faith  Mr.  Mahon  was  born  and  reared. 

I'.  F.  John,  attorney  and  capitalist,  was  born  in  Shamokin  township 
(now  Ealpho).  Xorthumberland  county,  Pennsylvania,  October  15,  183-').  sec- 
ond son  of  Samuel  and  Angelina  John.  He  spent  his  early  years  on  the 
homestead  farm,  and  obtained  such  education  as  the  common  schools  of  that 
period  afforded.  He  was  engaged  in  farming  and  clerking  until  1854,  when 
he  located  at  3It.  Carmel,  and  opened  the  first  general  store  in  that  place, 
which  lie  conducted  two  years.  Being  desirous  of  securing  a  more  thorough 
education,  he  entered  Greenwood  Seminary,  Columbia  county,  in  1857,  and 
graduated  from  the  Commercial  College  of  York,  Pennsylvania,  in  1802.  He 
then  entered  the  law  office  of  Jolni  B.  Packer,  of  Sunbury,  and  was  admitted 
to  the  bar,  August  4.  1808.  In  the  same  year,  in  connection  with  his  father, 
he  located  at  Green  Mountain.  Mt.  Carmel  township,  and  engaged  in  the 
di'velopinent  of  a  colliery.  He  followed  the  coal  business  until  the  spring  of 
1^7*1.  when  he  removed  to  Shamokin  and  commenced  the  practice  of  his  pro- 
fession. Mr.  John  was  one  of  the  original  stockholders  of  the  Shamokin 
Banking  Comimny,  and  is  one  of  its  present  directors.  He  was  married, 
October  9,  1807,  to  Agnes,  daughter  of  Jacob  and  Sarah  Dundore,  of  Kead- 
ing.  Pennsylvania.  They  are  the  parents  of  four  children:  Howard,  de- 
ceased; Flora  A:  Samuel,  and  Sarah  I.  In  politics  Mr.  Jolm  is  a  stalwart 
Republican,  and  is  a  member  of  Lima  Lodge,  F.  ts:  A.  M..  of  Lima,  Ohio. 
He  has  been  very  successful  in  accumulating  property,  and  can  be  safely 
classed  as  one  of  the  wealthiest  citizens  of  Shamokin. 

Addison  G.  M\er,  attorney  at  law,  was  born  at  Lewisburg,  Union  coimty, 
Pennsylvania.  January  24,  1844,  son  of  Rev.  Phineas  B.  and  Mary  (Graham) 
Marr.  Our  subject  is  a  descendant  of  one  of  the  pioneer  families  of 
Northumberland  county.      His  paternal    grandfather,    William    Marr,    was 


930  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

descended  from  the  Marr-Erskin  family  of  England,  and  a  pioneer  of 
Northampton  county,  Pennsylvania.  He  subsequently  settled  upon  land 
adjoining  Milton,  where  he  died.  The  father  of  Addison  G.  spent  his  early 
life  njion  the  homestead,  and  received  his  education  at  Milton  Academy  and 
Princeton  College,  New  Jersey,  from  which  he  graduated.  As  a  minister  of 
the  Presbyterian  church  he  was  located  at  Milton,  Shamokin.  and  Lewisburg, 
and  died  at  the  place  last  mentioned  in  1ST4:  his  widow  survives  him  and 
resides  in  Lewisburg.  His  family  consisted  of  eleven  children:  Mary,  wife 
of  Dr.  J.  E.  Barber,  of  Leadville;  "William  A.,  attorney,  of  Ashland,  Penn- 
sylvania; Heniy  S.,  attorney;  Rev.  James;  Addison  G. ;  Margaret,  wife  of  P. 
M.  Barber,  of  Philadelphia;  Helen  "\V.,  wife  of  J.  "W.  Crawford,  of  the  same 
city;  Henrietta,  widow  of  William  Lister;  Carrie,  deceased;  Walter,  de- 
ceased, and  Eev.  George,  of  Philadelphia.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was 
educated  at  Randolph  Academy,  Lewisburg.  and  in  lb<)2  entered  Princeton 
College,  and  was  graduated  in  IStiO.  He  then  commenced  the  study  of  law 
with  J.  B.  Linn,  Seci'etary  of  the  Commonwealth,  and  was  admitted  to  the 
bar  in  1S07.  In  August  of  the  same  year  he  located  in  Shamokin  and  prac- 
ticed law  three  years.  He  then  engaged  in  the  banking  business  under  the 
firm  name  of  A.  G.  &  J.  C.  Marr;  in  1S71  it  was  merged  into  the  ^Miner's 
Trust  and  Safe  Deposit  Company,  which  they  ojterated  until  1S77.  wln-n  he 
resumed  the  practice  of  his  [)rofession,  which  he  has  since  followed.  Mr. 
Marr  tilled  the  otKce  of  city  solicitor  three  years.  Politically  he  is  a  Demo- 
crat, and  has  served  as  chairman  of  the  county  committee  four  years.  He 
was  married,  in  1S71,  to  Maggie  W.,  daughter  of  John  W.  Sheriff,  of  Lew- 
istown,  Pennsylvania,  and  they  are  the  parents  of  two  sons:  William  P.  and 
A.  Graham. 

WiLLi.iM  W.  RvoN,  attorney  at  law,  was  born  in  Lawrenceville,  Tioga 
county,  Pennsylvania,  in  ISol,  son  of  George  L.  and  Hannah  (Hammond) 
Ryon.  He  received  his  education  at  the  common  schools  and  the  Manstield 
State  Normal  School,  where  he  graduated  in  1874.  He  then  entered  the 
law  office  of  his  brother,  George  W.  Ryon,  of  Shamokin,  and  was  admitted 
to  the  bar  in  187S.  He  practiced  his  profession  a  short  time,  when  he  was 
apj^ointed  deputy  sheriff  for  three  years,  after  which  he  resumed  his  pro- 
fession, and  has  since  enjoyed  a  successful  practice.  He  was  married  in 
ISS'l  to  Miss  Sue,  daughter  of  Isaac  May.  Sr.,  and  by  this  union  they  have 
one  child,  Charles  A.  Politically,  Mr.  Ryon  is  an  ardent  and  influential 
Democrat,  and  is  a  leading  member  of  St.  Edward's  Catholic  church. 

W.  E.  Zimmerman,  attorney  at  law,  was  born  at  Suubury,  Pennsylvania, 
August  22,  1857,  son  of  Jeremiah  H.  and  Harriet  (Bright)  Zimmerman. 
His  early  education  was  obtained  at  the  public  schools  of  Shamokin  and  the 
State  Normal  School  at  Millersville.  Lancaster  county,  Pennsylvania.  Mr. 
Zimmerman's  early  occupation  was  that  of  a  teacher,  filling  that  position  in 
the   schools  of  Shamokin  ten   years.     In   18S1    he  commenced   the  studv  of 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  931 

law  under  George  "W.  Kyon:  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar  at  Simburv  in 
November,  ISSH.  and  immediately  commenced  the  jiractice  of  hi?  profession 
at  Shamokin.  Politically  he  is  an  ardent  and  prominent  Democrat:  he  is  a 
member  of  the  Lutheran  chnrch,  has  been  a  member  of  its  official  Iward, 
and  has  charge  of  a  large  library  connected  with  its  Sunday  scbiviL  AVhile 
comparatively  a  young  man  Mr.  Zimmerman  is  pushing  his  wav  in  his  jtro- 
fession.  and  laying  the  foimdation  for  a  successfiil  practic(\ 

J.  "VV.  Gillespie,  attorney  at  law.  was  born  in  ]S"iO.  in  Low^r  Augusta 
township,  Northumberland  county.  Pennsylvania,  son  of  Anthonv  and  Sarah 
(Foye)  Gillespie.  He  received  his  early  education  at  Shamokin.  Trevorton. 
and  at  the  Lewisburg  high  school.  He  then  learned  the  cabin^-t  maker's 
trade,  which  he  followed  as  a  business  until  the  spring  of  1^^4.  when  he 
went  to  Michigan,  and  entered  the  law  olMce  of  Sawyer  iV-  Knowlton.  of  Ann 
Arbor,  was  admitted  to  the  bar  the  same  year,  and  graduated  from  the  law 
department  of  the  Michigan  University  in  ISSP).  He  practiced  two  vears  in 
the  office  of  Sawyer  &  Knowlton,  and  in  l-ssr;  returned  to  this  county  and 
was  admitted  to  practice,  but  soon  after  removed  to  Lincoln.  Nebraska, 
where  he  remained  two  years.  He  then  returned  to  Shamokin.  wliore  h(> 
has  since  continued  to  prosecute  the  duties  of  his  profession.  H- wa- mar- 
ried in  1S71  to  Valeria,  daughter  of  Silas  Farrow,  of  Shamokin  township. 
Northumberland  county.  To  this  union  have  been  born  two  children: 
Lillian  I.  and  J.  Malcolm  Asbury.  In  ISSO  he  was  elected  city  solicitor, 
which  ofHce  he  now  tills.     Politically  he  is  a  Repul)lican. 

Edwin  S.  Eobins.  physician  and  surgeon,  was  born  in  Elysburi,'.  North- 
umberland county,  Pennsylvania,  June  8,  1S32,  son  of  Dr.  Joseph  anil  Leah 
(Shindel)  Eobins.  of  that  village.  He  grew  up  in  Ely.sburg.  rK;-eiving  a 
common  school  education,  and  subsequently  attended  Dickinson  Seminary, 
^^'illiamsport,  Pennsylvania.  Returning  from  school  in  the  autumn  of  ISol. 
he  commenced  reading  medicine  with  his  father.  In  1S52— "i:-!  h^  attended 
lectures  at  the  University  of  Maryland,  Baltimore:  in  1  S."(::i-.')4  li-  attended 
lectures  at  Jefferson  Medical  College.  Philadelphia,  and  wa-  graduated. 
March  10,  1854.  He  commenced  practice  at  Elysburg  with  his  father,  and 
in  October.  lS5o,  came  to  Shamokin  and  entered  into  partnership  with  his 
brother,  Galen  S.  The  latter  died,  October  1).  18-j<j,  and  our  .suljject  con- 
tinued jiractice  alone.  For  more  than  thirty-five  years  Doctor  Piobins  has 
been  one  of  the  prominent  and  successful  medical  practitioners  of  his  native 
county,  and  is  one  of  the  oldest  and  best  known  physicians  of  thi- section  of 
the  State.  His  long  and  successful  practice  of  surgery  has  given  him  a 
wide  reputation.  He  has  successfully  performed  many  of  the  mo'^t  difficult 
amputations,  and  his  professional  skill  in  this  field  of  practice  has  been  in 
frequent  demand.  Doctor  Eobins  served  as  surgeon  of  the  Seventh  National 
Guard  of  Pennsylvania  for  several  years  during  Hartranft's  administration. 
He  has  built  up  a  large  and  lucrative  practice,  and  stands  in  the  front  rank 


932  HISTORY    OF    XOaXHU-MBERLAND    COUNTY. 

of  his  profession.  Doctor  Eobius  was  married,  October  10,  IS^^j,  to 
Matilda,  daughter  of  William  Giilick.  of  Elysburg.  Eight  children  are  the 
fruits  of  this  union,  live  of  whom  survive:  Frank  A.;  Lizzie,  wife  of  F.  A. 
Thomas;  Ella,  wife  of  William  Brice;  Edwin  S.,  and  Josephine.  The 
family  are  adherents  of  the  Episcopal  church,  and  in  politics  the  Doctor  is 
an  ardent  Democrat.  He  has  been  a  member  of  the  Masonic  order  twenty- 
live  years,  and  is  one  of  the  popular  citizens  of  Shamokin. 

D.  S.  HoLLENBACK,  jihysician  and  surgeon,  was  born  in  Lower  Augusta 
township,  Xorthumberlaud  county.  Penn.sylvania,  May  20,  1836,  son  of 
Daniel  and  Elizabeth  (.Sh>^rryi  Hollenback.  His  early  education  was 
received  at  the  common  schools  of  the  township  and  at  Freeburg  Academy. 
He  then  entered  the  office  of  Doctor  Eyster,  now  of  Sunbury,  and  graduated 
at  Jefferson  Medical  College,  Philadelphia,  in  April,  1S<)4.  He  soon  after 
entered  upon  the  practice  of  his  profession  at  Shamokin,  where  he  has  been 
actively  engaged  up  to  the  present  time,  and  enjoys  a  large  and  lucrative 
practice.  He  married  Clara,  daughter  of  Isaac  Sober,  of  Shamokin  town- 
ship, and  they  are  the  parents  of  one  .son,  William  W.  The  Doctor  is  an 
ardent  Republican,  but  has  never  held  any  public  office  except  director  of 
the  poor,  which  position  he  tilled  in  iNTi).  He  is  a  member  of  St.  John's 
Reformed  church  of  Shamokin.  and  one  of  the  oldest  and  best  known  prac- 
titioners now  in  active  practice  in  this  part  of  the  county. 

Ch.\eles  W\  Weaver,  physician,  was  born  in  Rush  township,  Xorthum- 
l:>erland  county,  Pennsylvania.  August  28,  1S40,  son  of  Jesse  Weaver,  a  well 
known  resident  of  that  part  of  the  county.  He  received  his  education  at  the 
common  schools  and  Sunburv"  Academy.  In  ISfil  he  enlisted  in  the  Ninety- 
third  Pennsylvania  Volunteers,  and  served  until  ISfi:!,  when  In-  was  dis- 
charged because  of  physical  disability.  In  the  autumn  of  IN'i-J  he  com- 
menced the  study  of  medicine  with  Dr.  E.  S.  Robins,  of  Shamokin,  and  was 
graduated  from  Jefferson  Meilical  College  in  March,  1S')7.  He  has  gradu- 
ally built  up  a  good  practice,  Inu  on  accoiint  of  failing  health  ho  is  unable 
to  devote  his  entire  attention  to  professional  duties.  On  the  9th  of  June, 
ISTO,  Doctor  Weaver  married  Kate,  daughter  of  George  Heckert,  a  well  re- 
membered citizen  of  Shamokin.  By  this  union  they  are  the  parents  of  tive 
living  children:  Margaret;  Marion  A.;  Helen;  Edith,  and  Ralph.  Doctor 
Weaver  has  served  in  the  borough  council  and  on  the  school  board,  and  is  a 
member  of  Lincoln  Post,  G.  A.  R.,  Shamokin  Lodge,  F.  &  A.  M.,  and  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  church.  In  politics  he  is  a  stalwart  Repiiblican,  and  in 
November,  1890,  he  was  the  Republican  candidate  for  county  treasurer, 
when,  though  defeated,  he  ran  largely  ahead  of  his  ticket. 

M.  H.  Harpel,  physician,  was  born  at  Orwigsburg,  Pennsylvania,  Febru- 
ary 1,  1838,  son  of  Mark  and  Martha  (Morgan)  Harpel.  He  was  reared  in 
the  city  of  Philadelphia,  Northampton  and  Lancaster  counties,  Pennsylvania, 
and  received  his  early  education  at  the  public  .schools.     In  1801  he  entered 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  933 

the  State  Xormal  School  at  MiUersville,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  completed 
his  eclucation.  He  then  began  the  study  of  medicine  with  Dr.  Joseph 
Baker,  of  Lancaster,  Pennsylvania,  and  graduated  from  the  Homa?opathic 
College  of  Philadelphia.  Pennsylvania,  in  1S67.  In  the  fall  of  the  same  year 
he  commenced  the  practic^?  of  his  profession  in  Shamokin,  where  he  has 
smce  continued  to  reside.  He  is  one  of  the  present  members  of  the  school 
board,  with  which  he  has  been  connected  ten  years.  Politically  the  Doctor 
is  an  independent  voter:  he  is  an  adherent  of  the  Masonic  order,  and  is  a 
member  of  the  Lutheran  church  of  Shamokin.  He  married  Mary,  daughter 
of  Xathan  Haas,  of  vShamokin.  and  they  are  the  parents  of  tive  children: 
Edward  F.  and  Flora,  both  of  whom  are  preparing  for  the  medical  profession: 
"William  L. :  Frederick,  a:. J  Howard.  The  Doctor  is  one  of  the  leading 
physicians  of  the  city,  and  one  of  its  prominent  citizens. 

R.  L.  Weight,  physician,  was  born  in  Schuylkill  county.  Pennsylvania, 
son  of  Humphrey  and  Mary  (Cogan)  "Wright;  he  attended  the  pul)lic  schools 
until  his  parents  moved  to  Shamokin  township,  Xorthuml»'rland  county. 
A  short  course  of  private  instruction  under  a  former  tutor  enaVili-d  him  to 
secure  employment  as  a  school  teacher  at  Shenandoah,  Schuylkill  county, 
where  he  at  once  took  up  the  study  of  medicine  under  Doctors  Reagan  and 
McCrea.  At  the  age  of  twenty  he  started  for  Ann  Arbor,  Michigan,  to  pur- 
siie  a  classical  course  in  th;'  university  there,  Imt  before  reaching  his  desti- 
nation, an  unforeseen  event  compelled  him  to  retrace  his  steps  and  return 
home.  From  thence  he  proceediMl  to  Philadelphia,  and  entered  Jefferson 
Medical  College,  graduating  in  ^Marcli.  \SIV.).  He  immediately  commenced 
the  practice  of  medicine  at  Shamokin.  and  through  energy  and  perseverance 
he  has  established  a  large  and  lucrative  practice.  He  was  the  first  physician 
elected  to  the  office  of  coroner  of  Northumberland  county,  and  after  serving 
six  years  in  that  office  he  abandoned  politics  altogether.  In  ISSI  he  was 
married  in  Philadelphia  to  ^Monica  "^'.,  daughter  of  Robert  Barr.  and  by  this 
imion  they  have  four  children:  Alphonse;  Vincent:  Irene,  and  Mary.  Polit- 
ically, the  Doctor  is  a  stanch  Democratic,  and  both  he  and  wife  are  memliers 
of  St.  Edward's  Catholic  church  of  Shamokin. 

F.  A.  Cl.^bk.  physician,  was  born  in  Shamokin,  Pennsylvania.  May  'J.'-'i. 
1S41,  son  of  Franklin  A.  and  Louisa  (Eisely)  Clark.  He  attended  the  pub- 
lic schools,  after  which  he  was  occupied  as  a  miner  twelve  years.  August  "iO. 
1861,  he  enlisted  in  Company  K,  Forty-sixth  Pennsylvania  Volunteers,  and 
served  imtil  the  close  of  the  war.  He  participated  in  the  battles  of  Cedar 
Mountain,  second  battle  of  Winchester,  Chancellorsville,  Antietam,  and 
Gettysburg,  and  was  with  Sherman  on  his  march  from  Atlanta  to  the  sea. 
After  the  war  he  returned  to  Shamokin  and  resumed  the  occupation  of  miner. 
In  the  fall  of  ISOG  he  took  charge  of  the  drug  department  of  his  father's 
business,  where  he  remaine<l  until  isTo.  He  then  began  the  study  of  med- 
icine with  Dr.  J.  S.  Hollenback:  m  the  winter  of  1ST6-77  he  took  a  course  of 


934  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

lectures  at  Jefferson  Medical  College,  aud  subsequently  studied  with  Dr.  O. 
M.  Robins,  of  Sliamokin.  In  the  spring  of  1880  he  graduated  from  Jeffer- 
son Medical  College  and  at  once  began  the  practice  of  medicine  in  Shamokin. 
The  Doctor  is  a  member  of  Lincoln  Post.  No.  140.  G.  A.  E.,  and  of  the  P. 

0.  S.  of  A..  Camp  No.  1S7.  Politically,  he  is  a  Republican.  He  married, 
in  1860,  Mary  Ellen  Raymond,  who  died  in  1870,  leaving  two  children: 
Louisa,  deceased,  and  Harry.  His  second  wife  was  Valeria  Jacobs,  who  died 
in  1878,  by  whom  he  had  two  children,  one  of  whom  is  living,  Charles.  He 
married  for  his  third  wife  Mary  Kerlin.  Doctor  Clark  is  one  of  the  leading 
and  res])ected  physicians  of  his  native  town. 

R.  A.  Kennedy,  physician,  was  born  at  Shamokin,  August  1'2,  1853,  son 
of  William  C.  and  Maria  (Ammerman)  Kennedy,  natives  of  Lycoming  and 
Northnmberland  counties,  respectively.  His  early  education  was  received  at 
the  public  schools  of  his  native  town.  In  1809  he  entered  Bucknell  Univer- 
sity, Lewisburg.  Pennsylvania,  and  graduated  in  June,  1873.  He  then 
accepted  a  position  in  Mount  Pleasant  Seminary,  Boyertown,  Pennsylvania, 
where  he  taught  three  years,  and  read  medicine  with  Dr.  S.  M.  Todd  of  the 
same  place.  He  served  one  year  in  the  Wilkesbarre  hospital  as  resident 
physician:  in  ISSl  he  graduated  at  the  Tniversity  of  Pennsylvania,  and  in 
May  of  the  same  year  returned  to  Shamokin  and  commenced  practice,  where 
he  has  since  l)een  engaged  in  the  active  duties  of  his  profession.  He  was 
married  in  188'2  to  Sallie  Magee,  of  Lycoming  county,  and  they  are  the  par- 
ents of  three  children,  all  of  whom  are  dead.  The  Doctor  is  a  memljer  of 
Shamokin  Lodge,  No.  255,  F.  &  A.  M..  and  politically  he  is  a  Republican. 

F.  D.  Raker,  physician,  was  born  in  Little  Mahanoy  townsliip.  North- 
umberland county,  Pennsylvania,  December  21,  185(),  son  of  C.  H.  and 
Susannah  (Dornsife)  Raker.  He  attended  the  town.ship  .schools  and  the  Elys- 
burg  and  Freeburg  Academies,  after  which  he  was  engaged  in  teaching  in 
Washington  township.  In  1877  he  commenced  the  study  of  medicine  with 
Dr.  D.  H.  Dornsife,  of  Wyoming  county.  Pennsylvania,  and  graduated  from 
Jefferson  Medical  College,  Philadelphia,  in  March,  ISSl.  He  located  at 
Beaumont,  Wyoming  coiinty,  where  he  practiced  medicine  seven  months. 
January  10,  1882,  he  removed  to  Shamokin,  where  he  has  since  been  in  active 
practice.  In  1889.  in  connection  with  Dr.  David  S.  Hollenback,  he  estab- 
lished the  drug  business  under  the  name  of  Hollenback  &  Raker.  He  has 
served  as  county  coroner,  and  has  also  been  township  physician  for  Coal 
township.  Doctor  Raker  was  married  in  1882  to  Alvaretta  Wirt,  who  died, 
June  19,  1885.  On  May  27,  1890,  he  married  M.  Ada,  daughter  of  Joseph 
Deppen,  of  Mt.  Carmel.     He  is  a  member  of  the  P.  O.   S.  of  A.  and  of  the 

1.  O.  O.  F.  In  politics  he  is  a  Democrat,  and  is  a  member  of  the  Lutheran 
church. 

John  W.  Be.\loe,  physician,  was  born  in  Perry  county,  Pennsylvania. 
March    19,  1854,    son  of  Benjamin    and   Elizabeth   (Weibley)   Bealor.     He 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  935 

received  bis  early  education  at  the  common  schools,  and  later  entered  the 
New  Bloomtield  Academy,  from  which  he  gradiiated.  He  then  commenced 
the  study  of  medicine  with  Doctor  Richardson,  of  Newport.  Perry  coimty, 
Pennsylvania,  and  graduated  from  the  Washington  Medical  College  of  Bal- 
timore, Maryland,  in  1S7G.  He  first  located  at  Elliottsburg.  Pennsylvania, 
where  he  practiced  four  years,  after  which  he  removed  to  Locust  Gap.  this 
county,  where  he  remained  one  year  and  a  half.  In  May.  ]'^S2.  he  located 
in  Shamotin,  where  he  has  since  practiced  his  profession.  He  was  married 
in  1S79  to  Mary,  daughter  of  George  Albert,  and  by  this  union  thev  have 
three  children:  Benjamin  F.:  Florence  E.,  and  Quilla.  Doctor  Bealor  is  a 
member  of  Shamokin  Lodge,  No.  HfU,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  of  Camp  No.  I'^U.  P. 
O.  S.  of  A.     Politically  he  is  a  Democrat. 

KiMBER  C.  McWiLLiAMS,  physiciau.  was  born  at  Elysburg.  Northumber- 
land county.  Pennsylvania,  October  7,  1857.  He  attended  the  public  schools 
and  Elysburg  Academy,  and  completed  his  education  under  private  instruct- 
ors. He  began  the  study  of  medicine  with  Dr.  S.  F.  Gilbert  of  Elysburg. 
and  graduated  from  the  Jefferson  Medical  College,'of  Philadelphia,  in  1^S4. 
He  first  located  in  Mainville.  Columbia  county,  where  he  remained  two 
months.  He  then  located  in  Snydertown,  and  in  January.  IssfX  removed  to 
Shamokin.  where  he  has  since  been  engaged  inthe  jiractice  of  his  profession. 
Doctor  ^MeWilliams.  while  comparatively  a  young  man.  has  the  confidence  of 
the  }iul)lic.  and  ranks  among  the  leading  physicians  of  the  county.  He 
married  Lizzie  J.,  daughter  of  Holden  Chester,  by  wliieli  marria^'e  they  have 
two  sons:  Holden  Chester  and  Kimber  Cleaver.  He  is  an  elder  in  tlu'  Pres- 
byterian church,  and  politically  a  Prohibitionist. 

J.  M.  Mauree,  ])hysician.  was  born  in  Eldred.  Schuylkill  county,  Pennsyl- 
vania. June  4,  1802,  son  of  Charles  K.  and  Elmira  (Wolfgang!  Maurer, 
natives  of  Schuylkill  county,  who  settled  in  Mt.  Carmel  in  l^i'.'.i.  where  the 
subject  of  our  sketch  received  his  rarly  schooling.  In  1S77  h>'  euti'red  Elys- 
burg Academy,  where  he  remained  two  years.  He  then  entered  Lafayette 
College,  Easton,  Pennsylvania,  and  after  four  years'  study  graduated  from 
the  classical  department  with  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Arts,  in  June,  1S84. 
He  afterwards  entered  the  medical  department  of  the  University  of  Pennsyl- 
vania and  was  graduated  in  April.  1887.  In  1S8G,  while  pursuing  his  med- 
ical studies,  the  Doctor  was  connected  one  year  with  the  Philadelphia  Dis- 
pensary, lu  May.  1SS7,  he  commenced  the  practice  of  his  profession  in 
Shamokin;  he  is  one  of  the  leading  j)hysicians,  and  has  won  the  respect  and 
confidence  of  the  citizens  of  his  adopted  home.  Dr.  Maurer  was  married, 
October  1,  1890.  to  Anna  L.,  daughter  of  William  II.  and  Anna  M.  Kutzner. 
of  Shamokin. 

Alfred  G.  Shissler,  physician,  was  Viorn  in  Shamokin.  Pennsylvania. 
November  9,  180(3,  son  of  H.  A.  and  Pvosetta  (Kaseman)  Shissler.  He  was 
educated  in  the  public  schools  of  Shamokin.  graduating  from  the  high  schojl 


936  HISTORY    OF    N0RTHC3IBERLAND    COUNTY. 

in  1SS3.  He  commenced  the  study  of  medicine  with  C.  W.  Weaver,  gradu- 
ated at  the  University  of  Pennsylvania  in  I'^SO,  and  at  once  began  the  prac- 
tice of  his  profession.  In  connection  with  his  practice  he  is  engaged  in  the 
di'Ug  business  with  his  father.  He  is  a  member  of  Camp  No.  72,  S.  of  V.. 
and  Camp  No.  14'.',  P.  O.  S.  of  A.,  of  which  he  is  a  pa.st  president,  and  is 
scribe  of  Anthony  \\'ayne  Commandery.  No.  13.  Politically,  he  is  a 
Republican. 

E.  M.  E.MRicK,  physician,  son  of  George  and  Elizabeth  (Myers)  Emrick, 
was  born  in  1S55,  in  Jordan  township.  Northmnberlaud  county,  Pennsyl- 
vania. His  parents  removed  to  Uniontown.  Dauphin  county,  where  our  sub- 
ject was  reared  and  educated.  He  subsequently  entered  the  State  Normal 
School  at  Shippensburg,  and  completed  his  education  under  the  tutorage 
of  the  county  .superintendent  at  L'nionto\vu.  He  commenced  the  study 
of  medicine  with  Dr.  J.  J.  Read  of  that  place,  and  graduated  from  Jefferson 
Medical  College  in  1S78.  Doctor  Emrick  then  located  at  Augustaville, 
Northumberland  county,  where  he  remained  in  active  practice  eleven  years, 
when  he  removed  to  Shamokin,  where  he  has  since  continued  in  the  active 
duties  of  his  profession.  He  was  married  in  1878  to  Miss  A.  Wiest,  who 
is  the  mother  of  one  child,  Marion  "\V.  Doctor  Emrick  is  an  adherent  of  the 
Republican  party,  and  a  member  of  the  Reformed  church.  Though  a  resi- 
dent of  Shamokin  only  a  short  time  he  is  building  up  a  substantial  practice. 

Reuben  Hollexb.\ck,  D.  D.  S.,  was  born  in  Upper  Augusta  township, 
Nortlumiberland  county,  Pcnn.sylvania.  September  1,  1841,  son  of  Daniel 
and  Elizabeth  (Sherry)  HoUenback.  He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools, 
followed  the  occupation  of  farming  until  twenty-one  years  of  age  and  taught 
school  one  year  in  his  native  township.  In  l'504he  located  in  Shamokin,  and 
was  employed  as  engineer  at  the  Big  Mountain  colliery  two  years,  after  which 
he  was  engaged  in  teaching  the  public  schools  of  Coal  township  and  Shamo- 
kin until  1868,  when  he  commenced  the  study  of  dentistr)'  with  Doctor  Van 
Boskirk,  of  Selinsgrove,  Snyder  county.  Pennsylvania.  The  same  year  he 
commenced  practice  in  Shamokin,  where  he  has  followed  his  profession  up  to 
the  present,  and  has  built  up  a  successfid  business.  He  graduated  at  the 
Dental  College  of  Philadelphia,  March  1.  1877.  He  was  married  in  1805  to 
Dorcas,  daughter  of  Michael  M.  Sober,  who  died,  October  24,  1887,  leaving 
three  children:  William  S.,  a  piano  tuner  of  Reading.  Pennsylvania,  and 
Hudson  S.  and  Edwin  E.,  dentists.  He  was  again  married,  December  6. 
1888,  to  Savilla,  daughter  of  William  Fidler,  of  Shamokin;  by  this  union 
they  have  one  child,  Harry  F.  Doctor  HoUenback  is  a  member  of  St.  John's 
Reformed  church,  of  which  he  has  been  chorister  since  1876.  Politically  he 
is  a  Republican. 

Dr.  U.  S.  G.  Moore,  surgeon  dentist,  was  born  in  1868,  in  Shamokin. 
Northiimberland  county,  Pennsylvania,  son  of  W.  H.  and  Mary  ( Wolverton) 
Moore.       His  father  was  a  native  of  Luzeme  county,  who  came  to  Shamokin 


■iTjMw^iM^yp^-f 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  939 

in  1S53  and  engaged  in  the  Iniilding  business,  and  for  many  year.s  was  one  of 
the  prominent  builders  of  Shaniokin.  erecting  most  of  the  early  coal  breakers 
for  the  surrounding  collieries.  His  family  consi.sted  of  two  children.  The 
subject  of  this  sketch  was  educated  at  the  iniblic  schools  of  Shamokin.  and  at 
the  University  of  Pennsylvania,  commenced  the  study  of  dentistry  with  Dr. 
Edwin  Darby  of  Philadelphia,  graduated  from  the  University  of  Pennsylva- 
nia in  1SS5,  and  commenced  the  jiractice  of  his  profession  in  his  native  city. 
The  Doctor  is  a  member  of  the  ilethodist  church,  and  politically  he  is  a  Re- 
publican. 

Iv.\NHOE  S.  HuBER,  Cashier  of  the  Shamokin  Banking  Comjjany,  was  born. 
October  4.  1S4").  at  Pine  Grove,  Schuylkill  county,  Pennsylvania,  a  son  of 
Levi  and  Margaret  (Stackpole)  Huber.  In  iS-jT,  his  father  having  been 
elected  recorder  of  the  county,  they  removed  to  Pottsville,  where  Iw  was 
educated  in  the  irablic  schools.  In  1SC2  he  entered  the  law  otiice  of  F.  W. 
Hughes,  where  he  was  engaged  until  1S64.  when  he  was  appointed  teller  of 
the  First  National  Bank  of  Mahauoy  City,  which  position  he  tilled  until 
lS(jS.  when  he  became  secretary  and  superintendent  of  the  Einggold  Coal 
and  Iron  Company,  at  New  Einggold,  Schuylkill  coiTuty.  He  lilled  this 
position  ten  months  and  resigned  to  accept  the  aiijiointmeut  of  deputy  pro- 
thonotary  of  Schuylkill  county,  which  he  occupied  until  Septeml)er  4.  IsTl. 
when  he  was  appointed  cashier  of  the  Shamokin  Banking  Company,  which 
position  he  has  since  occupied.  Hr.  Huber  was  a  member  of  the  school 
board  from  1882  to  ISSo,  its  president  in  1S88,  and  its  treasurer  in  1884. 
and  has  been  a  director  and  treasurer  of  the  Building  and  Loan  Association 
of  Shamokin  since  1888.  In  ISli:!  |ii>  enlisted  in  Company  A.  Twenty-seventh 
Pennsylvania  Volunteer  Emergency  ^Nlen.  He  was  married.  September  8. 
]8t)l),  to  Mary  B..  daughter  of  John  W.  Houston,  of  Columbia,  Lancaster 
county,  Pennsylvania,  and  they  are  the  parents  of  live  children:  Levi  H. : 
John  H. ;  Margaret  E. ;  Mary  B..  and  Gertrude  S.  Mr.  Huber  is  a  member 
of  Trinity  Protestant  Episcoj>al  church:  ]iolitically  he  is  a  Democrat,  and 
has  been  treasurer  of  the  liorough  since  June,  1881,  and  is  one  of  the 
respected  and  substantial  citizens  of  Shamokin. 

Fredeeick  \V.''  V.  LoRENZ,  teller  of  the  First  National  Bank,  was  liorn  at 
Burgsleinfurt,  Westphalia,  Germany,  December  2(j,  1853,  son  of  Victor  and 
Augusta  (Drost)  Lorenz.  He  entered  the  University  of  Halle,  situated  on 
the  river  Saale,  and  prosecuted  his  studies  until  1873.  In  1877  he  came 
to  the  United  States  and  resided  in  Philadelphia  until  January.  1S78.  when 
he  joined  the  P.  and  T.  Collins  Expedition  to  Brazil,  where  he  remained 
until" November,  1879;  he  then  returned  to  the  United  States  and  entered 
the  employ  of  the  Philadelphia  and  Eeading  Eailroad  Company  as  civil 
engineer,  and  later  was  employed  as  clerk  in  the  construction  of  the  coal 
docks  at  Elizabethport.  New  Jer.sey,  where  he  remained  until  January,  1882. 
He  then  came  to  Shamokin,  and  was  in  the  employ  of  the  same  company,  as 


940  HISTORY  OF  NORTHUMBERLAND  COUNTY. 

civil  engineer,  in  the  construction  of  their  various  roads.  In  September, 
1887,  he  was  appointed  teller  of  the  First  National  Bank,  which  position  he 
has  since  tilled.  Mr.  Lorenz  was  married.  June  '20.  lsS4.  to  Clara,  daughter 
of  Christian  and  Nancy  (Lawton)  Beury,  of  Shamokin.  and  by  this  union 
they  have  four  children:  Helen  B. :  Nancy  L..  and  Charles  Christian  and 
Frederick  Victor,  twins.  Politically  he  is  a  Republican,  and  is  recognized 
as  a  worthy,  enterprising,  and  public-spirited  citizen. 

Curtis  Q.  McWilliams,  of  the  firm  of  McWilliams  &  McConnell,  was 
born,  September  10,  1852,  in  Shamokin,  Pennsylvania,  son  of  J.  Scott  and 
Catharine  (Fagely)  McWilliams,  natives  of  what  was  then  Shamokin  town- 
ship. Northximberland  county.  The  former  is  still  a  resident  of  the  county, 
biit  his  wife,  who  was  a  daughter  of  Solomon  Fagely.  an  early  settler  of  Sha- 
mokin townshiji,  is  dead.  Our  subject  spent  his  early  boyhood  days  at  Elys- 
hiiTg.  where  he  attended  the  inil)lic  schools  and  thf  Elyslmrg  Academy.  At 
the  age  of  tiftoeu  he  came  to  Shamokin  to  accept  a  clerkship  in  the  store  of 
Valentine  Fagely,  and  subsecpiently  entered  th^  employ  of  Ri>ubt>n  and 
William  Fagely,  well  known  pioneers  of  the  borough.  In  ISTO  he  took  a 
commercial  course  at  Eastman's  Busine.ss  College.  Poughkeepsif.  New  York, 
and  the  following  year  took  charge  of  the  store  of  William  and  Reuben 
Fagely,  wliich  position  lie  occupied  until  tlu'  autumn  of  ISTl.  Hi'  then  en- 
tered Lafayette  College.  Easton,  Pennsylvania.  wh>'re  h>-  ri'inaini'd  two  terms. 
In  April.  IST.'),  he  h-h  college  to  ent.T  tlic  .■niiiloy  of  R.>ul).'n  Fagely  for  the 
purpose  of  looking  after  his  various  interests.  This  po:>ition  he  tilled  up  to 
Mr.  Fagely's  death,  since  which  time  lu'  has  Vicen  acting  as  executor  of  the 
estiite.  On  the  1st  of  May,  IS78,  ^Ir.  Mc-Wiliiams  engaged  in  the  lumber 
business  \vith  Darlington  R.  Kulp,  under  the  tirni  name  of  Kulp  &  McWill- 
iams. The  following  year  tlie  ice  and  brick  l}U.-iness  was  added  thereto. 
W.  C.  McConnell  became  a  member  of  the  firm.  January  1.  1SS2.  and  the  title 
was  changed  to  Kulp,  McWilliams  &  Company.  In  Angu-t.  ISS'i.  a  dissolu- 
tion of  partnership  took  place,  McWilliams  iV  MeCounfll  ri'tainiiig  the  ice 
and  brick  business,  which  they  have  since  carried  oq.  Mr.  ilcWilliams  was 
one  of  the  corporators  of  the  Roaring  Creek,  Anthracite,  and  Bear  Gap  water 
companies,  and  has  been  treasurer  of  all  three  since  their  organization.  He 
has  also  been  treasurer  of  the  Shamokin  Water  Company  since  May,  1886. 
He  is  a  stockliolder  and  director  in  the  Sunlnir}- Nail  Works,  and  is  a  director 
of  the  Shamokin  Manufacturing  Company,  also  a  director  of  the  Shamokin, 
Sunbury  and  Lewisburg  railroad.  He  has  been  largely  interested  in  nearly 
all  the  public  enterprises  of  which  Shamokin  can  boast,  and  is  one  of  the 
most  progressive  and  enterprising  business  men  of  his  native  county. 

Mr.  McWilliams  was  married,  October  7,  1S71I.  to  Louisa,  daughter  of 
John  and  Anna  (Schmid)  Geywitz,  natives  of  Wiirtemberg,  Germany,  who 
came  to  Shamokin  before  marriage,  where  the  widow  still  resides.  Two  chil- 
dren are   the   fruits   of  this   union:  Guy  E.,  bom  September  28,  1882,  and 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  941 

Ida  Catharine,  born  May  20,  iSSo.  The  family  are  adherents  of  Trinity 
Lutheran  church,  and  Mr.  Me  Williams  is  a  member  of  Elysburg  Lodge.  No. 
414.  F.  Jt  A.  M.,  Shamokin  Chapter.  No.  204.  and  Cavalry  Commandry,  No. 
37,  of  Danville.  Politically  he  is  a  stalwart  Republican,  and  since  casting 
his  lirst  vote  he  has  been  fearless  in  upholding  the  measures  and  defendino- 
the  principles  of  his  party. 

William  C.  McCoxnell,  of  the  tirm  of  McWiUiams  A:  McConnell.  was 
born  in  Halifax,  Dauphin  county,  Pennsylvania.  April  4,  ISOO,  son  of  George 
Washington  and  Sarah  (Marsh)  McConnell.  natives  of  that  county,  both  of 
whom  are  dead.  The  former  was  prominently  identified  with  the  Northern 
Central  railway,  running  it  to  Baltimore.  Marv-land.  Our  subject  grew  to 
maturity  in  his  native  county,  and  received  his  primary  education  at  the 
public  schools.  In  ISTT  he  entered  Franklin  and  Marshall  Academy,  Lan- 
caster. Pennsylvania,  and  the  following  year  Franklin  and  Marshall  College, 
and  spent  two  years  prosecuting  his  studies  in  the  latter  institution.  In  l.SSO 
he  began  the  study  of  law  imder  Wayne  Mac  Veagh.  then  attorney  general 
of  the  United  States,  in  Garfield's  cabinet,  with  whom  he  remained  one  year. 
In  the  spring  of  ISSl  he  came  to  Shamokin  and  on  the  9th  of  June  in  that 
year,  married  Ida  V..  daughter  of  Nathan  F.  and  Eliza  (Samuel)  Martz.  of 
Siuimokin  township.  ]Mrs.  McConnell  is  a  Dative  of  tliis  county  and  the 
mother  of  two  children:  William  Donald,  decpa.-ed.  and  Katliarine  Martz. 

On  the  1st  of  January,  1SS2.  ]\Ir.  ^IcConnell  entered  the  firm  of  Kulp, 
Mc Williams  i*<:  Company,  dealers  in  lumber,  brick,  and  ice.  In  August,  18S6, 
the  firm  dissolved  partnership.  Mr.  Kulp  continuing  the  lumber  business, 
and  McWiUiams  k  McConnell  the  ice  and  brick  trade.  Mr.  McConnell  was 
one  of  the  corjrarators  of  the  Roaring  Creek.  Anthracite,  and  Bear  Gap  water 
companies,  with  which  he  has  since  been  oliicially  connected,  and  has  been 
jiresident  of  the  Shamokin  Water  Company  since  May,  ISSC).  He  is  a  direct- 
or in  the  Edison  Electric  Illuminating  Company,  and  the  Arc  Light  Com- 
pany, also  in  the  Sunbury  Nail  Works.  In  politics  he  has  always  been  a 
stalwart  Eepulilican.  and  has  taken  a  deep  and  prominent  interest  in  the  suc- 
cess of  his  ])arty.  In  ISUO  he  was  a  delegate  to  the  State  convention  Avhich 
placed  in  nomination  George  Wallace  Delamater  for  the  governorship.  He 
is  one  of  the  most  liberal  contribiitors  toward:,  the  campaign  expenses  of  his 
party,  and  is  always  ready  to  do  his  full  share  towards  every  worthy  object. 
Mr.  McConnell  and  family  are  attendants  of  Trinity  Lutheran  church,  and 
he  is  one  of  the  trustees  of  that  organization.  He  is  a  member  of  Elysburg 
Lodge.  No.  414.  F.  &  A.  M.,  Shamokin  Chapter.  No.  204.  and  Calvary  Com- 
mandery..No.  37,  of  Danville.  He  is  a  progressive  and  pubUc-spirited  citi- 
zen, and  is  thoroughly  in  harmony  with  our  nineteenth  century  civilization. 

George  O.  Martz,  dealer  in  wood-bitrned  lime,  was  born  in  Shamokin, 
Pennsylvania,  June  4,  1S42,  son  of  Solomon  Martz,  a  pioneer  now  residing 
at  Reed  station.     When  our  subject  was  ten  years  old  his  parents  moved  to 


942  HISTORY    OF    NOETHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

Shamokin  township,  aud  when  seventeen  he  went  to  Locust  Gap  to  accept 
the  position  of  book-keeper  for  Haas  &  Bowen,  proprietors  of  Locust  Gap 
colliery.  In  January,  1804,  he  came  to  Shamokin  and  accepted  the  position 
of  book-keeper  and  subsequently  outside  foreman  at  the  Cameron  colliery. 
In  ISOO  he  became  a  member  of  Haas,  Fagely  &  Company,  then  operating 
that  colliery.  In  July,  1S7'2,  the  firm  of  Fagely  &  Martz,  merchants,  was 
organized.  He  afterwards  became  a  member  of  the  firm  of  Patterson, 
LlewellTO  &  Company,  then  ojieratiug  Big  Mountain  colliery,  and  was  inter- 
ested in  the  coal  business  up  to  within  a  year  of  the  pi;rchase  of  that  colliery 
by  the  Philadelphia  and  Reading  Coal  and  Iron  Company.  In  1S7"2  he  em- 
barked in  the  lime  business,  which  he  has  since  continued.  Three  years  ago 
he  commenced  manufacturing  wood-burued  lime  for  building  purposes,  being 
the  fir>t  burned  in  this  part  of  the  State.  Mr.  Martz  was  married,  Septem- 
ber ■_'.  I^ii'i,  to  Emma  L.  Keener,  of  Schuylkill  Haven,  Pennsylvania,  who 
has  borne  him  one  daughter,  Ada  G.  In  politics  he  is  a  stalwart  Eepublican 
and  uu.swerving  in  his  allegiance  to  the  men  and  measures  of  that  organiza- 
tion. He  has  taken  an  active  interest  in  the  material  progress  of  the  town, 
is  a  director  of  the  Shamokin  Banking  Company,  a  director  and  secretary  of 
the  Edison  Electric  Illuminating  Company,  a  director  of  the  Shamokin  Arc 
Light  Company,  secretary  and  director  of  the  Shamokin  Water  Comj)any, 
and  president  of  the  Roaring  Creek,  Anthracite,  and  Bear  Ga[)  water  com 
panie.~.  He  is  also  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Trade,  and  one  of  the  wi'll 
known  citizens  of  his  native  place. 

George  McEliece,  deceased,  was  a  native  of  County  Armagh,  Ireland, 
and  was  born  in  ISIU.  At  the  age  of  eighteen  he  immigrated  to  this  coun- 
try aud  located  in  Dauphin  county,  Pennsylvania.  He  married  Mary  Ann 
Woodside,  and  in  IS-");!  he  came  to  Shaniokin  as  one  of  the  section  sui)eriii- 
tendeuts  of  construction  on  the  Philadelphia  and  Sunburj'  railroad,  which 
position  he  filled  until  1804.  He  then  removed  to  Locust  Gap  to  take  tlu- 
position  of  superintendent  of  the  A.  S.  Wolf  colliery,  where  he  remained 
until  he  was  elected  county  treasurer.  At  the  expiration  of  his  term  of  ofiice 
he  returned  to  Shamokin  and  engaged  in  the  wholesale  li(pior  business,  which 
he  conducted  until  his  death  in  1880;  his  wife  survived  him  only  one  week. 
He  was  a  charter  member  of  Shamokin  Lodge,  No.  '1T)7),  F.  &  A.  M.  He  was 
one  of  the  leading  Democrats  of  the  county,  and  always  took  a  deep  and 
active  interest  in  the  success  of  his  party.  In  religious  faith  he  was  a  Cath- 
olic. His  family  consisted  of  six  daughters  and  one  son:  Elizalieth;  John; 
Mark".  Mrs.  A.  J.  Gallagher;  Jane,  Mrs.  John  A.  Keefe;  Annie,  Mrs.  J.  J. 
Pigney:  Isabella,  Mrs.  Bryan  Denning,  and  Maggie,  deceased. 

JoHX  McEliece,  manager  of  the  Shamokin  Electric  Illuminating  Com- 
pany and  the  Shamokin  Arc  Light  Company,  was  born  in  Dauphin  county, 
Pennsylvania,  September  10,  1842,  and  is  the  only  son  of  George  and  Mary 
Ann  McEliece.      He  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  and  was  employed 


BIOGEAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  943 

by  his  father  imtil  August.  ]St)l.  when  he  enlisted  in  Company  K,  Forty- 
sixth  Pennsylvania  Yokmteers.  At  the  battle  of  Cedar  Mountain  he  re-ceived 
two  gun-shot  wottnds.  in  the  left  shoulder  and  hand;  he  was  taken  prisoner 
and  sent  to  Staunton.  Virginia,  from  tliere  to  Libby  prison,  whence  he  was 
transferred  to  Belle  Island,  where  he  was  paroled  and  returned  to  his  regi- 
ment. He  was  honorably  discharged,  December  G,  1S62.  on  account  of  dis- 
ability. At  the  battle  of  Winchester  he  was  promoted  to  corporal,  and  was 
discharged  with  the  rank  of  sergeant.  At  the  time  of  Lee's  invasion  he 
joined  Company  K,  Thirty-sixth  Pennsylvania  Militia,  and  was  a  sergeant  in 
his  company.  In  lSfV2  he  retiirned  to  Shamokin,  and  entered  the  employ  of 
the  Northern  Central  railway  as  a  brakeman.  and  later  as  tireman  and  con- 
ductor. In  ISfU  he  accepted  the  position  of  engineer  under  his  father  at 
Locust  Gap.  and  after  the  election  of  his  father  as  county  treasurer,  he  suc- 
ceeded him  in  the  position  of  stiperintendent,  which  he  tilled  twenty  years. 
In  ISS'J  he  removed  to  Shamokin.  "While  a  resident  of  Locust  Gap  he 
served  as  justice  of  the  peace  fifteen  years.  He  organized,  in  ISOU,  the 
Washington  Kitles,  .subsequently  attached  to  the  National  Guard  as  Company 
A,  of  the  Seventh  Regiment,  and  he  was  its  captain  six  years.  Mr.  McEliece 
is  a  member  of  Lincoln  Post,  No.  140,  G.  A.  E.,  and  is  also  a  member  of  the 
r.  V.  r.  He  was  married  in  18(10  to  Ann  Ellen,  daughter  of  Michael  Lukens, 
of  Philadelphia.  Pennsylvania,  and  by  this  imion  they  have  had  ten  children, 
seven  of  whom  are  living:  George:  Fred.;  Leo;  Lloyd;  Isabel:  Lillian,  and 
Maggie.  Politically  he  is  a  Democrat,  and  is  a  member  of  St.  Edward's 
Catholic  chitrch. 

Peter  E.  BrcK  has  Vieen  for  many  years  one  of  the  best  known  and 
must  prominent  hardware  and  iron  merchants  of  Schuylkill  and  Northumber- 
land counties,  and  is  recognized  as  one  of  the  most  successful  business  men 
of  eastern  Pennsylvania.  Born  in  Berks  county,  Pennsylvania,  May  13, 
1S40.  he  came  to  Pottsville  with  his  parents  in  1840,  and  attended  the  public 
schools  imtil  the  spring  of  IS."):?.  He  then  entered  the  hardware  store  of 
Ge<irge  Bright,  afterwards  Briglit  it  Lerch,  and  was  with  them  until  January, 
lNf'>:l  when  he  opened  the  beginning  of  his  now  large  business  located  at 
Ashland.  Schuylkill  county.  This  he  has  carried  on  successfully  to  the  pres- 
ent time,  and  has  built  it  up  to  a  mammoth  wholesale  and  retail  establish- 
ment; for  some  years  his  son,  Frank  L.,  has  been  the  active  manager,  assisted 
by  Harry  J.,  a  younger  son.  Mr.  Buck,  in  August,  1SS3,  purchased  the 
extensive  hardware  establishment  of  William  R.  Kutzner  of  Shamokin.  and 
has  carried  on  a  prosperous  wholesale  and  retail  hardware  business  there 
ever  since,  known  as  the  Shamokin  Hardware  Company,  Limited,  William  G. 
Buck,  manager,  Frank  L.  Buck,  chairman,  and  Peter  E.  Buck,  treasurer. 
Mr.  Buck  is  a  leading  RepuV)lican.  and  has  held  several  positions  of  honor 
and  trust;  he  was  chosen  without  opposition  an  elector  for  Harrison  and  Mor- 
ton in  ISSS.  was  trustee  of  the  Anthracite  hospital,  at  Ft.  Springs,  and  its 


044  HISTORY    OF    NOUTHUMBEHLAXD    COUNTY. 

treasurer  for  a  niunber  of  years,  filled  the  office  of  school  director  for  six 
years  and  president  of  the  board  five,  and  was  also  president  of  the  Ashland 
Gas  Light  Company  in  its  early  career. 

Mr.  Buck  is  a  large  stockholder  in  the  Citizens'  National  Bank  of  Ash- 
land, and  also  a  director:  he  is  interested  largely  in  the  First  National  Bank, 
and  the  Shamokin  Banking  Company,  both  of  Shamokin,  and  is  the  largest 
individual  stockholder  in  these  three  first-class  institutions.  He  al-o  owns  a 
nice  block  of  stock  of  the  First  National  Bank  of  Mt.  Carmel,  and  ha~  recently 
been  induced  to  accept  a  directorship  in  the  new  Merchants'  National  Bank 
of  Shenandoah  City,  in  which  institution  he  is  a  leading  stocldiolder.  He 
has  been  a  Mason  since  1803,  a  Knight  Templar  since  1870.  and  tiecame  a 
member  of  Philadelphia  Consistory,  Scottish  Rite  Masonry,  32^.  in  IS'.tO. 
Mr.  Buck  was  married.  May  S,  ISflO,  to  Anna  Elizabeth  Sterling,  of  Potts- 
ville,  who  has  borne  him  si'V(>n  children:  Carrie  J.;  Frank  L.:  William  G. : 
Harry  J.;  Anna  E. :  Walter  E..  and  H.  Gertrude,  the  two  la~t  named 
deceased. 

C.  C.  Leader,  merchant,  was  born  in  Alsace  township.  Berk,-  county, 
Pennsylvania,  July  13,  1843,  son  of  Edward  and  Catharine  i Snyder) 
Leader.  His  early  life  was  spent  upon  the  homestead  farm,  receiving  such 
education  as  the  neigiiboring  schools  afforded.  In  18G0  he  entered  the 
employ  of  A.  J.  Medlar,  of  Schuylkill  Haven,  Pennsylvania,  where  he 
remained  until  180.").  when  he  engaged  in'lnisiness  for  himself,  opening  a 
general  store  in  Schuylkill  Haven,  which  he  conducted  successfully  ten 
years.  In  187-")  he  located  at  Shamokin  and  engaged  in  general  merchandise 
business,  under  the  firm  name  of  Leader,  Muir  &  Company,  on  the  corner 
of  Liberty  and  Independence  streets,  where,  after  three  years,  the  firm  was 
dissolved  by  mutual  consent.  In  1878  Mr.  Leader  located  on  the  rorner  of 
Shamokin  and  Sunbury  streets,  and  engaged  in  the  dry  goods  business, 
Avhere  he  remained  two  years.  In  1880  he  removed  to  Independence  street, 
and  the  following  year  formed  a  partnership  with  R.  G.  Eisenhart.  imder  the 
firm  name  of  Leader  &  Eisenhart,  and  added  to  the  business  a  clothing 
department.  This  partnership  continued  three  years.  Mr.  Leader  then 
purchased  Mr.  Eisenhart's  interest  and  became  associated  with  his  brother, 
E.  M.  Leader,  under  the  firm  name  of  Leader  &  Brother.  In  1^^-'  ^Ir. 
Leader  built  his  present  store  building,  and  a  division  of  the  bu.-iuess  th;^n 
took  place.  It  would  be  jiroper  to  mention  here  that  Mr.  Leaders  present 
store  room  is  one  of  the  handsomest  and  most  commodious  to  be  fonnd  out- 
side of  the  larger  cities.  The  principal  salesroom  is  upon  the  ground  floor, 
and  is  -forty-eight  feet  wide  by  one  hundred  twenty-four  feet  deep,  and 
devoted  to  the  sale  of  dry  goods,  notions,  and  ladies'  and  children's  cloaks; 
upon  the  second  floor  are  the  carpet  and  dressmaking  departments.  Mr. 
Leader  while  in  the  development  of  his  business  has  also  been  interested  in 
other  enterprises.     He  is  a  director  of  the  Edison  Electric  Light  Company 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  945 

of  Shamokia,  and  of  the  Shamokin  Banking  Company,  and  is  also  a 
director  and  secretary  of  the  Shamokin  Arc  Light  Company  and  the 
Shamokin  jNIaniifacturing  Company.  Mr.  Leader's  early  political  aiiiliation.s 
were  with  the  Democratic  party,  but  of  late  years  he  has  been  an  inde- 
pendent voter,  with  strong  Prohibition  proclivities.  He  is  a  member  of  St. 
John's  Eeformed  church,  of  which  he  has  been  an  elder  and  a  leading- 
supporter  for  many  years  and  since  18S0  has  been  superintendent  of  the 
Sunday  school.  He  was  married  in  ISOT  to  -Amanda,  daughter  of  Benjamin 
Ketner,  of  Schuylkill  Haven,  Pennsylvania,  and  they  are  the  parents  of  live 
children;  Emma  M. ;  Charles  F. :  William  C:  Harry  K.  and  Edward  E. 
Mr.  Leader  has  exhibited  during  his  business  career  rigid  a}-)plication. 
vigor,  and  fidelity,  which  have  resulted  in  founding  the  large  establishment  of 
which  he  is  the  head.  He  enjoys  the  resjiect  and  confidence  of  his  fellow- 
citizens,  and  is  recognized  as  a  Inisiness  man  of  commendable  enter]:)rise 
and  public  spirit. 

Edwaed  M.  Leader,  manufacturer  and  dealer  in  clothing,  was  Ijorn  in 
Berks  county,  Penn.sylvauia.  June  2.  IS-")'.*,  son  of  Edward  and  Hattie  (War- 
ner) Leader.  He  was  reared  in  Berks  and  Schuylkill  counties,  and  received 
a  common  school  education.  In  IS'iS  he  entered  the  employ  of  his  brother, 
C.  C.  Leader,  who  at  that  time  was  engaged  in  the  dry  goods  business  in 
Schuylkill  Haven,  Pennsylvania.  In  1875  he  came  to  Shamokin  with  his 
brother,  and  remained  in  his  employ  until  ISsr).  when  he  purchased  an  inter- 
est, and  the  business  was  conducted  under  the  firm  name  of  C.  C.  Leader  & 
Brother.  In  iSN'.t  there  was  a  division  of  the  business,  Mr.  Leader  retain- 
ing the  clothing  department  and  rf-maining  at  the  old  .stand  on  Independence 
street.  The  retail  department  is  a  large  and  commodious  room  thirty-eight 
by  one  hundred  fifteen  feet,  devoted  entirely  to  the  sale  of  clothing  and 
gents'  furnishing  goods.  The  ladies'  department  for  the  sale  of  cloaks  is 
situated  in  the  rear  of  the  main  salesroom  and  is  handsomely  appointed. 
The  cu.stom  department  is  upon  the  second  floor,  and  is  a  room  thirty-eight 
by  fifty  and  finely  adapted  for  that  purpose:  the  manufacturing  department 
is  upon  the  third  floor,  where  twenty  to  thirty  hands  find  employment  making 
the  clothing  for  the  retail  department.  Ahogether  this  enterprise  is  the 
most  complete  of  its  kind  in  this  section  of  the  country-,  and  Mr.  Leader  can 
feel  proud  of  what  he  has  accomplished  in  his  short  business  career.  In 
politics  he  has  been  a  strong  Democrat,  but  not  active  as  a  politician.  He  is 
an  earnest  exponent  of  the  principles  of  the  P.  0.  S.  of  A.,  of  which  order 
he  has  been  a  member  thirteen  years.  In  his  religious  connections  he  is  a 
member  of  the  Presbj-terian  church,  serving  in  the  board  of  trustees,  of 
which  he  is  treasurer.  Mr.  Leader  was  married.  October  K^,  INSS,  to  Carrie, 
daughter  of  George  Hamilton,  of  Pottsville. 

James  M.  Shuman.  merchant,  was  born  in  Colimibia  county.  Pennsylva- 
nia, March  S,  1S44,  son  of  J.  L.  and  Eebecca  (Miller)  Shuman.     He  is  the 


946  HISTOr.Y    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

senior  member  of  the  firm  of  J.  M.  Shnman  &  Company,  and  was  reared 
and  received  a  common  school  education  in  his  native  county.  He  began 
clerking  at  an  early  age,  which  business  he  followed  a  number  of  years  at 
various  place.*.  In  1869  he  accepted  a  situation  with  C.  F.  Ryer  &  Brothers 
of  Shamokin.  subsequently  entering  the  employ  of  Ludes  &  Graeber.  gen- 
eral merchants.  In  IST-"),  in  connection  with  M.  L.  Gable  and  Edward  Shu- 
man,  they  established  their  present  busine.ss,  which  continued  until  1876, 
when  D.  E.  Shuster  purchased  the  interest  of  Edward  Shuman  and  subse- 
quently he  and  Mr.  Shuster  purchased  Mr.  Gable's  interest.  Mr.  Shuman 
was  married  in  iSSo  to  Maggie  Miller,  of  Catawissa,  Columbia  coimty,  Penn- 
sylvania. In  politics  he  is  a  Republican,  and  is  also  a  member  of  Shamokin 
Lodge,  F.  eV:  A.  M.  In  his  religious  preferences  he  is  a  Lutheran,  of  which 
church  he  and  family  are  attendants.  Starting  in  life  with  but  few  advan- 
tages, Mr.  Shuman.  by  rare  shrewdness  and  sagacity  and  close  attention  to 
the  details  of  his  business,  has  succeeded  in  placing  his  business  house 
among  the  leading  mercantile  establishments  of  Shamokin. 

David  £.  Shuster.  merchant,  was  born  in  Hummelstown,  Dauphin  county, 
Pennsylvania.  December  21,  18-1-1,  a  son  of  Dr.  John  A.  and  Mary  A.  (Bre- 
fore)  Shuster.  natives  of  Germany  and  France,  resjiectively.  When  seven  years 
old.  his  parents .  removed  to  Shipjiensburg,  Cumberland  county.  Pennsyl- 
vania, where  he  was  reared  and  secured  .such  education  as  the  schools  of  the 
village  afforded.  Contrary  to  the  wishes  of  his  parents,  who  desired  to  edu- 
cate liiui  for  the  medical  profession,  he  apprenticed  himself  to  his  uncle, 
John  Preston,  to  learn  the  trade  of  shoemaker,  and  completed  his  trade  with 
H.  F.  Snyder  at  Xewville,  Pennsylvania.  In  1868  he  went  to  Harrisburg, 
Pennsylvania,  entered  the  employ  of  George  M.  Groff,  and  found  employ- 
ment at  his  trade  until  1S69;  in  the  latter  year  he  entered  the  employ  of  the 
Xorthern  Central  railway,  filling  the  position  of  passenger  brakeman  between 
Harrisburg  and  Sunbury.  He  was  shortly  transferred  to  the  Shamokin  Val- 
ley and  Pottsville  division,  and  promoted  to  baggage  and  express  agent, 
which  position  he  filled  until  1871,  when  he  was  })romoted  to  passenger  con- 
ductor upon  the  same  division.  This  position  he  rilled  with  credit  to  himself, 
making  hosts  of  friends  among  the  traveling  people,  who,  as  a  mark  of  their 
appreciation  for  his  courtesy  and  attention  while  rilling  this  position,  pre- 
sented him,  November  27,  1875,  with  an  elegant  gold  watch  as  a  testimonial 
of  their  regard.  Mr.  Shuster  became  a  resident  of  Northumberland  county 
in  1869,  locating  at  Mt.  Carmel.  In  1876  he  resigned  his  position  with  the 
Northern  Central  railway,  removed  to  Shamokin,  and  purchased  an  interest 
in  the  mercantile  business  of  J.  M.  Shuman  &  Company,  in  which  business 
he  is  now  engaged.  He  has  been  a  warm  friend  to  the  cause  of  education, 
which  he  has  aided  by  his  infliience  and  means.  He  has  been  a  member  of 
the  school  board  rive  years,  was  president  of  the  same  in  1888,  and  served  as 
councilman  of  Shamokin  borough  in  the  year  1881.     In  his  religious  prefer- 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  947 

ences  be  is  a  Presbyterian,  of  ■which  church  he  and  family  are  attendants. 
Mr.  Shuster  organized  the  choir  and  has  been  the  chorister  a  number  of 
years,  and  is  also  connected  with  the  P.  O.  S.  of  A.  He  is  interested  in  the 
Hamilton  Car  and  "Wheel  Manufacti^ring  Company  of  Catawissa,  Pennsyl-, 
vania.  and  one  of  the  directors  of  the  same.  In  politics  he  is  a  prominent 
Republican.  He  was  married  in  1S70  to  Kate,  daughter  of  "\V.  M.  Weaver, 
of  Sliamokin.  and  liy  this  union  they  are  the  parents  of  two  children:  Will- 
iam W.  and  Lulu  B. 

J.  K.  Haas,  wholesale  merchant,  was  born  in  I'pper  Mahanoy  townshii"), 
Xortluimberland  county,  Pennsylvania.  July  4,  1S42.  son  of  Nathan  and 
Eliza  (Knorr)  Haas.  He  was  reared  upon  the  farm  and  received  his  primary 
education  in  the  common  schools.  In  ISCO  he  entered  Freeburg  Academy, 
Snyder  county.  Pennsylvania, -and  the  following  year  commenced  teaching  in 
the  public  schools  of  Schuylkill  county.  In  1S02  he  enlisted  in  Comjiany 
C.  One  Hundred  and  Thirty-lirst  Pennsylvania  Yolimteers.  and  served  six 
month-^.  whfn  he  was  discharged  for  i)hysical  disab>ility.  Returning  home 
impaired  in  health  he  remained  on  the  homestead  tmtil  I'^tV-'i.  when  he  en- 
tered Allento%\Ti  Seminary  and  remained  iintil  fall,  when  he  resumed  teach- 
ing in  the  schools  of  Lehigh  county  until  the  spring  of  ISfU.  He  then 
located  at  Kutztown,  and  attended  the  high  school  live  months,  and  subse- 
quently entered  Franklin  and  Marshall  College,  Lancaster.  Pennsylvania. 
His  health  again  failing  he  was  forced  to  return  home.  From  ISOo  to  ISGS 
he  tauLTht  at  intervals  in  the  schools  of  Shamokin.  Schuylkill  county,  and 
Hi'rndoii.  In  the  spring  of  ISO',)  he  accejited  a  situation  as  slate  picker  boss 
with  Isaac  May.  Sr.,  and  in  the  fall  commenced  teaching  in  Shamokin.  and 
continued  teaching  and  working  on  the  public  roads  of  the  borough  at  inter- 
vals. In  1S71,  in  partnership  with  E.  G.  Seller,  he  started  a  small  confec- 
tionery and  grocery  store,  and  this  was  the  beginning  of  what  are  now  the 
two  wholesale  houses  of  Seller,  Zimmerman  &  Company,  and  Haas,  Snyder 
L*c  Sower-.  The  Ixrsiness  of  Haas  &  Seller  continued  until  ls7<i.  and  in  the 
meant iine  they  had  established  a  general  store  in  connection  with  their  con- 
fectionery business.  In  1870  a  division  of  the  business  took  place,  Mr. 
Haas  forming  a  partnership  with  W.  K.  Erdman.  and  under  the  name  of 
Haas  i.^-  Eriknan  conducted  a  general  store.  Mr.  Seller  retaining  the  confec- 
tionery business.  The  partnership  existing  between  our  subject  and  Mr. 
Erdman  ceased  in  LS7U,  when  D.  G.  Seller  purchased  Erchnan's  interest  and 
became  associated  with  Mr.  Haas,  under  the  firm  name  of  Haas  &  Seller, 
which  lasted  imtil  1881.  Mr.  Haas  carried  on  the  business  until  1883, 
when  he  sold  out  and  purchased  the  wholesale  and  retail  notion  busi- 
ness of  WiDiam  F.  Kleinsmith,  of  Simbury,  Pennsylvania,  and  formed  a 
partnership  with  D.  G.  Snyder  under  the  name  of  J.  K.  Haas  &  Com- 
pany. In  ISSS  they  sold  the  retail  department  of  their  business,  and  in 
ISSV)  n-moved  to  Shamokin,  took  into  partnership  C.  L.  Sowers,  and  estab- 


948  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

lished  the  present  tirm  of  Haas,  Snyder  Sc  Sowers.  In  1872  Mr.  Haas  was 
a  member  of  the  council  of  Shamokin,  and  has  filled  the  otSce  of  assessor 
in  the  Second  ward  three  times.  Politically  he  is  a  Democrat,  and  a  mem- 
ber of  St.  John's  Reformed  church,  of  which  he  has  been  deacon  and  elder 
for  many  years.  He  was  married,  March  28,  1868,  to  Mary  M..  daughter  of 
Daniel  Seiler,  and  by  this  marriage  they  have  four  daughters:  Rose  M. ; 
Flora  E. ;  Sadie  E.,  and  Mary  A. 

Daniel  K.  H.i.\s,  merchant,  was  born  in  Upper  Mahanoy  township.  North- 
umberland county,  December  1,  18ol,  a  son  of  Nathan  and  Eliza  (Knorr) 
Haas.  He  was  reared  and  educated  in  his  native  township,  and  in  IS'39  be- 
gan working  in  the  mines,  at  which  he  continued  until  isTo.  He  subse- 
quently learned  the  plasterer's  trade,  which  he  followed  until  ]^T•l.  when  he 
resumed  work  in  the  mines  until  1879,  and  then  opened  a  green  grocery 
store.  In  188^^  he  formed  a  partnership  with  C.  L.  Sowers  for  the  purpose 
of  conducting  a  general  store.  In  1885  he  sold  his  interest  to  Mr.  Sowers, 
purchased  a  new  property  on  the  corner  of  Spruce  and  Market  streets,  and 
engaged  in  general  mercantile  business.  In  1887  he  disposed  of  his  busi- 
ness to  J.  A.  Wort,  purchased  a  farm  of  one  hundred  eighty  acres  in  Snyder 
county,  and  engaged  in  farming  and  distilling.  In  18SS  he  returned  to 
Shamokin,  and  again  associated  himself  with  Mr.  Sowers,  and  they  opened 
his  present  store,  which  they  conducted  until  April  2-"),  ISS'.t.  when  he  pur- 
chased Mr.  Sowers's  interest.  Mr.  Haas  is- a  member  of  Shamokin  Lodge. 
No.  6(54,  I.  O.  O.  F.  Politically  he  is  a  Democrat,  and  take.-  an  active  in- 
terest in  the  welfare  and  success  of  the  party.  He  is  a  member  of  .St.  -John's 
chitreh.  Mr.  Haas  married  Mary  E.,  daughter  of  W.  W.  Wary,  of  Shamo- 
kin. and  by  this  union  they  have  five  children:  William  D. :  Charles  W.: 
Carrie  E. :  Daniel  R.,  and  Clarence  L. 

E.  G.  Seilek,  merchant,  was  born  in  Schuylkill  county.  Permsylvania. 
June  21,  1847,  son  of  Daniel  and  Sarah  (Geist)  Seiler.  He  wa?  educated  in 
the  public  schools,  and  lived  upon  the  homestead  farm  imtil  he  was  eighteen 
years  of  age,  when  he  learned  the  carpenter  trade,  which  he  followed  five  or 
sis  years.  In  1868  he  removed  to  Shamokin,  and  in  connection  with  J.  K. 
Haas  engaged  in  the  dry  goods,  grocery,  and  confectionery  Imsiness.  He 
sold  his  interest  in  the  dry  goods  business  to  Mr.  Haas,  and  conducted  the 
grocery  and  confectionery  business  a  number  of  years.  In  1870  he  formed 
a  partnership  with  Henry  S.  Zimmerman,  as  E.  G.  Seiler  &  Company,  which 
continued  until  1886,  when  he  sold  the  retail  business  to  Zimmerman,  Haas 
&  Company,  and  engaged  in  the  wholesale  fancy  groceries  and  confectionery 
business  under  the  name  of  Seiler,  Zimmerman  &  Company.  He  was  mar- 
ried in  1869  to  Caroline,  daughter  of  Michael  Bower,  of  Lower  Mahanoy 
townshij),  and  to  this  imion  two  children  have  been  born :  Cora  and  Lula. 
Mr.  Seiler  has  been  a  member  of  the  borough  council,  and  is  treastirer  of 
the  West  Ward  Building  and  Loan  Associatian.  He  is  a  member  of  St. 
John's  Reformed  church,  and  politically  he  is  a  Republican. 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  949 

Henry  S.  Zimmerman,  merchant,  was  born  in  Schuylkill  coimtv,  Penn- 
sylvania, January  22,  1S52.  Although  prominent  in  the  pursuits  of  peace, 
the  wholesale  house  of  Seilcr,  Zimmerman  &  Comjiany.  of  which  he  is  a 
member,  being  among  the  more  prominent  institutions  of  Shamokin,  he 
springs  from  a  war-like  ancestry,  his  great-great-grandfather  Laving  achieved 
fame  as  a  general  under  the  king  of  Holland.  His  great-grandfather.  Abra- 
ham Zimmerman,  immigrated  to  Pennsylvania  in  the  colonial  days,  settled 
in  Maxatawny  townshiji,  Berks  coimty.  and  when  the  patriots  engaged  the 
mother  country  in  a  war  for  independence,  Mr.  Zimmerman  was  one  of  the 
first  to  enroll  himself  under  the  banners  of  the  strugglinir  Republic  as  a 
soldier  in  "Washington's  army.  General  Washington  was  a  frecpient  visitor 
at  the  Maxatawny  homestead,  and  on  two  or  three  occasions  established  his 
headquarters  there.  It  was  th.'re  that  Sebastian  Zimmerman,  the  grand- 
father of  th.'  subject  (.f  tliis  sketch,  was  born.  May  7.  ITV..  Arriving  at 
man's  estate,  he  moved  to  Schuylkill  county.  He  was  a  sol.iier  in  the  war 
of  1812,  and  was  one  of  the  four  men  detailed  to  bury  the  d^■ad  in  the  disas- 
ters about  Washington  that  resulted  in  the  burning  of  the  national  capital  Ijy 
the  British.  He  died  in  the  ninetieth  year  of  his  age.  July  l-"i.  ]SS."i.  He 
had  two  sons  in  the  war  of  the  Rebellion,  one  of  whom  wa~  killed  at  Peters- 
burg. 

The  surviving  .s.ju.  Sebastian  Ziuiuu'miaii.  Jr..  father  of  Henry  S.  Zim- 
merman, marrii'd  to  ]\Iiss  Elizabeth  Slobig,  had  sundered  the  tender  ties  of 
home  and  family  circle  to  go  forth  to  l^attle  for  the  I'nion.  leaving  his  chil- 
dren without  a  father's  guiding  hand  to  mould  their  character.  Young 
Zimmerman,  lujwevcr.  came  uji  to  the  threshold  of  man'-  estate,  a  model 
citizen.  He  received  his  education  at  the  public  schools  in  Lower  Augusta 
township,  and  in  1S74  entered  the  employ  of  Haas  c\:  Seiler  as  a  clerk. 
Five  years  later  found  him  a  member  of  the  firm  of  E.  G.  Seiler  A:  Company, 
which  was  remodeled  in  ISSf)  as  Seiler,  Zimmerman  lV-  Company,  for  the 
purpose  of  conducting  a  wholesale  business  in  fancy  groceries  and  confec- 
tioneries. In  1875  'Mv.  Zimmerman  was  married  to  Elizal.ieth.  daugliter  of 
Daniel  Zartman,  and  l)y  this  union  they  have  four  children:  Laura:  Walter: 
Emma,  and  Annie.  He  is  a  member  of  Shamokin  Lodge.  N(j.  2')'>,  F.  A:  A. 
M.,  and  of  Shamokin  Chapter,  No.  2tl4,  also  of  Camp  X...  ::!0.  P.  0.  S.  of 
A.  He  is  a  consistent  Christian  and  a  memljer  of  Trinity  Lutheran  church, 
of  which  he  has  been  a  trustee  for  a  series  of  terms. 

Joseph  Wolf,  clothier,  was  born  at  Gratz,  Dauphin  county.  Pennsylvania, 
December  9,  1844,  son  of  Solomon  and  Amelia  Wolf.  He  was  educated  in 
the  common  schools,  and  was  em[)loyed  by  his  father,  who  was  engaged  in 
farming  and  the  bottling  l>usiness,  until  eighteen  years  of  age.  He  then 
found  employment  with  Xewsbaum  &  Company,  dry  goods  merchants  of 
Harrisburg,  Pennsylvania,  as  a  clerk,  where  he  remained  one  year,  after 
which    he    entered  the  employ  of  his  brother-in-law,  Wilham  Wolf,  with 


950  HISTORY    OF    XORTHUMBEItLAND    COUNTY. 

wliom  he  remained  one  year.  In  ISO-"),  in  connection  with  Mr.  Wolf,  they 
opened  a  store  for  the  sale  of  clothing  to  the  retiirning  soldiers.  In  the  fall 
of  this  year  he  accepted  a  position  with  Hecht  &  Lochman,  clothing  mer- 
chants of  Altoona.  Pennsylvania,  where  he  remained  until  the  fall  of  1S66, 
when  he  took  charge  of  the  general  store  of  Samuel  Smith,  Phillipsburg, 
Centre  county.  Pennsylvania,  where  he  remained  until  the  spring  of  1807; 
he  then  came  to  Shamokin.  located  upon  Sunbury  street  and  opened  a  store 
for  the  sale  of  ready-made  clothing,  which  he  conducted  two  years,  when  he 
removed  to  Shamokin  street  and  located  wliere  the  New  York  shoe  store 
now  is.  In  1S78  he  located  at  his  present  stand  in  the  May  block  on  Shamokin 
street.  His  main  salesroom  is  sixty-four  feet  deep  and  twenty  wide,  in. 
which  he  carries  a  large  and  fine  stock  of  clothing  and  gent's  and  boys' 
furnishing  goods.  Upon  the  second  floor  is  situated  his  custom  department, 
a  room  fifty  feet  deep  and  twenty  wide.  Mr.  Wolf  by  close  attention  to 
btisiness  and  with  a  studied  desire  to  please,  has  built  up  one  of  the  finest 
trades  in  Shamokin.  He  has  always  taken  a  deep  interest  in  the  enterprises 
connected  with  the  city,  and  is  a  member  of  tlie  Board  of  Trade,  and  is 
interested  in  the  two  electric  light  companies,  also  the  Shamokin  Manufactur- 
ing Company  and  water  company  as  a  stockholder,  and  is  a  director  of  the 
Driving  Park  Association.  He  is  connected  witli  the  F.  iS:  A.  M.,  and  politic- 
ally is  a  Republican.  Mr.  Wolf  was  married  in  Jttne,  INTO,  to  Johanna, 
daughter  of  William  James,  of  Shamokin,  Pennsylvania:  by  this  union  they 
arc  the  parents  of  three  children:  Marlin;  Solomon,  and  William. 

WiLLi.\M  H.  li.  Smink.  druggist,  was  born  in  Shamokin  township,  North- 
umberland county,  Pennsylvania,  April  20,  1S."J2,  son  of  Daniel  C.  and  Eva 
(Kaseman)  Smink,  now  residents  of  Shamokin.  At  the  age  of  eight  years  he 
found  employment  picking  slate  in  the  l)reaker  of  the  Cameron  colliery, 
where  he  remained  three  years.  He  then  entered  the  office  of  the  Shamokin 
Herald  and  remained  there  two  years,  when  the  enlistment  in  the  army  of  O. 
M.  Fowler,  editor  and  publisher  of  the  paper,  necessitated  his  obtaining 
other  employment,  on  account  of  the  office  being  closed.  He  was  engaged 
at  different  places  clerking,  and  subsequently  found  employment  with  Ryer 
Brothers  &  Company,  where  he  remained  five  years,  the  last  two  of  which  he 
filled  the  position  of  book-keeper.  In  1871  he  opened  a  confectionery  store 
on  Market  street,  in  Shamokin.  which  he  conducted  for  some  time.  In  1872, 
in  connection  with  his  father,  he  erected  the  first  planing  mill  in  Shamokin, 
which  was  destroyed  by  fire  one  year  after  it  was  built,  and  in  which  was  in- 
vested their  entire  capital.  He  was  compelled  again  to  seek  employment, 
which  he  obtained  with  C.  C.  Leader,  where  he  remained  two  years.  In 
1877  he  went  to  Seisholtzville,  Berks  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  took  charge 
of  the  store  of  his  father-in-law.  Henry  Guiterman,  at  whose  death  he  was 
appointed  superintendent  of  the  iron  mines  of  the  estate,  for  the  executors, 
which  position  he  filled  three  years.     In  1883  he  returned  to  Shamokin  and 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  951 

established  liis  present  business,  and  by  close  attention  lias  built  up  cue  of 
the  largest  retail  drug  trades  in  the  county.  Mr.  Smink  is  a  memljer  of  the 
American  Pharmaceutical  Association,  and  the  Pennsylvania  Pharmaceutical 
Association.  Pohtically  he  is  a  Piepublican;  he  is  a  memlier  of  Shamokin 
Lodge,  No.  2r)5.  F.  \'  A.  M..  Shamokin  Chapter,  Xo.  'ilU.  Mount  ^loriah 
Council.  Xo.  Ill,  E.  S.  Ex.  and  S.  M.,  and  Caldwell  Consistory.  S.  P.  Pi.  S. 
32  ,  Ancient  Accepted  Scottish  Rite,  and  since  1S()9  has  been  a  member  of 
Camp  Xo.  30,  P.  0.  S.  of  A.  Mr.  Smink  was  married  in  1ST2  to  Annie  L.. 
daughter  of  HeniT  Guiterman,  of  Schuylkill  county,  who  died.  September  N. 
IST'J,  lea\-ing  three  children:  Henry  G. :Eva  K..  and  Annie  L.  He  was 
again  married,  December  24,  ISSO,  to  Ella,  daughter  of  Charles  Knappeu- 
berger,  of  Allentown,  Pennsylvania,  wlio  has  l)orue  him  two  children:  Ella  11. 
and  Marion  L. 

M.  G.  Reagek.  merchant,  was  born  in  Dauphin  county.  Pennsylvani;i. 
March  4,  ISJO,  son  of  George  and  Elizabeth  (Grimm)  l!eager.  His  early 
life  was  sjient  in  Dauphin  and  Xorthumberland  counties;  at  his  father's  death 
his  mother  settled  in  Uniontown.  and  engaged  in  the  niillinerv  business. 
where  she  still  resides  and  carries  on  that  business.  His  education  was  ob- 
tained in  the  schools  of  those  counties,  and  at  the  age  of  fifteen  he  commenced 
his  business  career,  entering  the  employ  of  Xoah  Cluck,  of  Jordan  township. 
Xorthumberland  county,  as  a  clerk  for  two  years.  At  the  expiration  of  this 
time,  being  desirous  of  a  better  education,  he  again  entered  school.  His 
next  position  was  manager  of  Galn'iel  Adams's  general  store  in  Jordan  town- 
ship. At  the  expiration  of  one  year  the  business  passed  into  the  hands  of 
J.  Yeager  &  Son,  for  whom  he  was  manager  two  years.  In  IH1{)  he  accepted 
a  position  with  D.  &  R.  G.  Eisenhart,  of  Shamokin,  and  at  the  end  of  two 
years  became  a  member  of  the  firm.  In  1SS3  he  severed  his  connection  with 
this  firm,  rented  a  store  on  Market  street,  and  engaged  in  the  notion  Inisi- 
ness;  in  six  months  he  added  dry  goods,  which  business  he  carried  on  about 
three  years,  when  he  erected  a  building  adjoining  his  store,  combining  the 
two.  and  added  carpets  and  ladies"  and  gentlemen's  clothing,  and  has  since 
done  an  extensive  business.  Mr.  Reager  was  married  in  1SS4  to  Ida, 
daughter  of  E.  S.  Aucker.  of  Shamokin,  and  they  are  the  parents  of  one 
child.  Goldie  M.  He  is  a  member  of  St.  John's  Reformed  church,  and  a 
teacher  in  the  Sunday  school.  Politically  Mr.  Reager  is  an  ardent  Demo- 
crat, and  is  one  of  the  enterprising  merchants  of  Shamokin. 

X.  C.  WoLVEETON,  merchant,  was  born  in  Xew  Jersey,  September  4,  1S61. 
son  of  Isaac  and  Mary  J.  (Creamer)  Wolvertou.  At  the  age  of  ten  years  he 
removed  with  his  parents  to  Shamokin.  and  was  educated  in  the  public  schools. 
In  1S72  he  entered  the  employ  of  James  Sible,  merchant,  where  he  remained 
one  year,  after  which  he  was  engaged  with  Thomas  &  Blosser,  grocers,  as  a 
clerk,  in  whose  emi:)loy  he  remained  two  years.  He  then  clerked  for  C.  C. 
Thomas,  John   Shipp,  and  Isaac  May,  Sr.     In  lyT'J  he  was  emj^loyed  by  G. 


952  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

H.  Holshue,  where  be  remained  four  years,  after  which  he  clerked  for  Edward 
Stewart,  and  later  for  D.  Eisenhart  &  Company,  and  Haas  &  Sowers.  He 
then  engau;ed  in  business  under  the  name  of  Zimmerman  &  Wolvertou,  and 
at  the  expiration  of  one  year  sold  his  interest  to  D.  K.  Haas.  In  ISS'J,  in 
connection  with  Mr.  Wirt,  the  tirm  of  Wirt  &  Wolverton  was  formed,  and 
they  are  engaged  in  the  general  mercliandise  business,  conducting  one  of  the 
largest  stores  in  the  city.  Mr.  Wolverton  was  married  in  1S86  to  Amelia, 
daughter  of  D.  Eisenhart,  of  Shamokin,  and  by  this  marriage  they  have  one 
child,  Sadie.  He  has  served  as  assessor  for  the  Fourth  ward  four  years,  and  is 
a  member  of  the  P.  0.  S.  of  A.,  and  of  the  tire  department.  In  politics  he  is 
an  ardent   Republican,  and  one  of  Shamokin's  enterprising  merchants. 

John  H.  Ad.vms,  wholesale  liqiior  dealer,  was  born  in  Upper  Mahanoy 
township.  Northumberland  county,  Pennsylvania,  in  LS84.  He  received  a 
liberal  English  and  German  education  in  the  public  schools  of  his  native 
township,  and  in  the  boi'ough  of  Minersville,  Schuylkill  county,  Pennsylvania. 
From  1S57  to  ISn:^)  he  was  engaged  in  the  mercantile  and  hotel  business  in 
Upper  Mahanoy  township.  In  lSt)8  he  removed  his  family  to  Freeburg, 
Snyder  county,  Pennsylvania,  to  embrace  the  superior  advantages  which  this 
town  then  afforded  in  an  educational  view.  There  he  was  engaged  with  John 
S.  Lentz,  wholesale  liquor  dealer,  of  Philadelphia,  Penn.sylvania,  as  travel- 
ing salesman,  remaining  in  his  employ  for  a  period  of  five  years.  In  1871 
he  located  in  Shamokin,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  embarked  in  the  mercantile 
business,  which  he  conducted  two  years.  He  then  became  the  head  of  the 
tirm  of  Adams,  Haldeman  &  Company,  wholesale  li([Uor  dealers,  of  Philadel- 
phia, in  which  business  he  remained  for  a  period  of  live  years.  In  ISTS  h(> 
again  embarked  in  the  mercantile  business  at  Shamokin.  with  T.  F.  Foltz: 
the  latter  sold  his  intere.st  to  Mr.  Adams,  who  formed  a  partnershiji  with 
Levi  Shoop,  and  engaged  in  the  same  business  under  the  firm  name  of 
Adams  &  Shoop.  Purchasing  Mr.  Shoop"s  interest  he  conducted  the  business 
alone  for  a  few  years,  when  he  sold  his  entire  interest  to  Miller,  Weaver  & 
Company,  intending  to  retire  into  private  life,  but  being  a  man  of  active  busi- 
ness habits  his  entire  lifetime  he  found  such  an  existence  imbearable  and 
connected  himself  with  the  tirm  of  Charles  F.  Stadiger  &  Comjiany,  whole- 
sale liquor  dealers  of  Philadelphia,  with  whom  he  remained  until  Marcli, 
1889.  He  then  established  his  present  business  on  Market  street,  Shamokin. 
Politically  Mr.  Adams  is  a  stanch  Republican,  and,  having  been  elected  just- 
ice of  the  peace  on  said  ticket,  was  commissioned  by  Governor  Packer,  April 
4,  1860,  and  by  the  same  Governor  commissioned  major  in  the  State  Militia, 
Jime  6,  1859.  He  is  a  member  of  Sunbury  Lodge,  No.  22.  F.  &  A.  M., 
Shamokin  Chapter,  No.  264,  and  Prince  of  Peace  Commandery,  of  Ashland, 
Pennsylvania.  He  was  married  in  18-"')n  to  Ellehna  H.,  daughter  of  Peter 
Beisel,  of  Ujjper  Mahanoy  township,  Northumberland  county,  and  by  this 
union  they  have  three  children,  all   living:  John  Q.,  attorney  at  law;  Emma 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  953 

R..  widow  of  Thomas  F.  Foltz.  and  Martha  J.,  wife  of  Francis  A.  Miller.  He 
entered  the  political  arena  of  Northumberland  county,  and  became  the  Ee- 
publican  nominee  for  .sheriff  in  1S77.  and  ran  for  treasurer  in  ISSI.  but  was 
defeated  both  times  by  small  majorities. 

"William  H.  Lewis,  dealer  in  books,  stationery,  and  music.  \yas  born  at 
Pottsville.  Pennsylvania.  June  13.  18-37.  son  of  William  B.  and  Elizabeth 
(Douty)  Lewis.  His  father  was  a  native  of  Schuylkill  comity,  and  at  his 
death  the  family  removed  to  Shamokin.  where  the  siibject  of  our  sketch  was 
reared  and  educated.  He  and  F.  Hoover  engaged  in  the  dry  goods  and 
grocery  business  in  1S77.  with  whom  he  was  associated  eight  years,  when 
they  dissolved  partnershii^  and  he  then  established  his  present  business. 
Mr.  Lewis  was  married.  March  24.  iSsl.  to  Helen,  dauijhter  of  Adam 
Brown,  of  Schitylkill  county,  and  they  are  the  parents  of  three  children: 
William;  Agnes,  and  Helen.  Mr.  Lewis  is  a  member  of  the  P.  0.  S.  of  A.. 
in  his  religious  faith  he  is  a  Presbyterian,  and  has  been  secretary  of  the 
board  of  trustees  of  the  Shamokin  church  for  the  last  four  years.  In  poli- 
tics he  is  a  Republican. 

W.  H.  Vnger  lV  Company,  dealers  in  stoves,  tinware,  hardware,  and 
plumbing  sup2)lies,  was  organized  in  ISSO.  The  members  of  the  tirm  are 
William  H..  George  C.  and  Warren  linger,  sons  of  Daniel  and  Huldali 
(Raker)  Unger.  natives  of  Shamokin  and  Lower  Augusta  townships.  Nortli- 
umlierland  county,  respectively. 

William  H.  Unger,  attorney  at  law.  was  born  in  the  liort.ugli  of  Shamo- 
kin. June  24.  ls<i4.  His  early  education  was  received  at  the  common  schools, 
and  at  the  age  of  fifteen  he  engaged  in  the  droving  business,  which  he  fol- 
lowed ten  years.  Being  desirous  of  obtaining  a  better  education  he  entered 
Elysburg  Academy,  and  later  Central  Pennsylvania  College,  at  New  Berlin, 
Union  comity.  Pennsylvania,  from  which  he  graduated  in  ]'^^7.  He  read 
law  with  W.  H.  M.  Oram,  of  Shamokin.  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in 
Sejiti'mlu'r.  bSlM).  since  which  time  lif  has  Iihch  engaged  iu  the  jiractice  of 
his  ])rofession.  ]Mr.  Unger  was  married.  April  Hi.  IS'.M).  to  Ella,  daughter 
of  Emanuel  and  Hannah  Malick.  of  Shamokin.  In  politics  he  is  a  Rei^ub- 
lican,  and  since  attaining  his  majority  up  to  ISSU  he  served  on  the  coimty 
committee  of  his  party.  In  the  spring  of  1S90,  though  a  resident  of  the 
borough  only  six  months,  he  was  elected  a  member  of  the  lx)rough  council. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  P.  O.  S.  of  A. 

George  C.  Unger  was  born  in  Shamokin  township.  October  13.  ISn."). 
He  received^his  education  at  the  public  schools,  and  was  employed  some 
years  with  his  brother,  William  H.  In  1SS3  he  entered  the  employ  of  A. 
Raker  and  learned  the  tinsmith  trade,  and  now  has  the  general  supervision 
of  the  business  of  W.  H.  Unger  &  Company.  He  was  married  in  1S87  to 
Clara  E.  Smink.  of  Shamokin,  and  by  this  union  they  have  had  three  chil- 
dren, two  of  whom  are  living:  Edith  L..  and  Clarence.  He  i:,  a  member  of 
the  P.  O.  S.  of  A.  and  S.  of  V.     In  politics  he  is  a  Republican. 


95-t  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

Warren  Uxger  was  born  in  Dauphin  county,  Pennsylvania,  April  7. 
1868.  He  received  his  education  at  the  common  schools  and  Central  Penn- 
sylvania College,  and  learned  the  trade  of  tinsmith.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
P.  0.  S.  of  A.  and  a  Eepubhcan  in  politics. 

F.  P.  \ViLLi.\MS0N,  furniture  dealer,  was  born  in  Liverpool,  Perry  county, 
Pennsylvania.  October  1-i.  1849,  son  of  J.  W.  and  Maria  (Shell)  Williamson- 
He  was  reared  and  educated  in  his  native  town.  He  learned  the  tinner 
trade,  which  business  he  followed  a  number  of  years.  In  188(1  he  located  at 
Shamokin  and  entered  the  employ  of  J.  G.  Farrow,  furniture  dealer,  where 
he  remained  four  years,  after  which  he  was  employed  by  the  Philadelphia 
and  Beading  Kailroad  Company.  In  1SS()  he  purchased  the  upholstery  Inis- 
iness  of  J.  G.  Farrow,  which  he  conducted  until  1888,  when  he  embarked  in 
his  present  business.  Politically,  Mr.  Williamson  is  a  Democrat,  and  is  a 
member  of  the  Baptist  church.  He  was  married  in  1878  to  Ellen  M.  Cook, 
of  Liverpool.  Pennsylvania,  and  by  this  union  they  have  one  child,  Emma  D. 

D.wiD  JoHSSTOx,  retired,  was  born,  November '18,  1800.  near  the  site  of 
Kirkwood.  Broome  county.  New  York,  on  the  North  Branch  of  the  Susque- 
hanna river.  He  is  a  son  of  Andrew  and  Elizabeth  (Snedaker)  Johnston, 
and  was  the  fourth  son  of  a  family  of  seven  children,  six  sons  and  one  daugh- 
ter: James.  Garrett.  L'r-ula.  and  Kenneth  A.,  all  of  whom  are  deceased: 
David;  John  B.,  who  re.-ides  at  Great  Bend,  Pennsylvania,  and  Andrew,  a 
resident  of  Scranton,  Pennsylvania.  The"  father  of  our  subject  died  when 
David  was  only  three  years  old  and  he  was  reared  upon  the  homestead 
farm  and  received  a  common  school  education.  He  followed  farming  until 
his  majority,  when,  in  connection  with  his  brothers,  Kenneth  and  John,  he 
located  one  mile  and  a  half  below  Great  Bend,  Susquehanna  county,  and 
leased  the  McKinney  mills  and  farm,  which  they  operated  six  years.  He 
subsequently  farmed  about  three  years  and  then  removed  to  Cleartield  county, 
where,  in  partnership  with  B.  C.  Bowman,  he  purchased  a  tract  of  three  hun- 
dred fifty  acres  of  timber  land  and  engaged  in  the  lumber  business  nine  years. 
He  then  sold  his  interest  and  removed  to  Phillip.sburg,  Centre  county,  em- 
barked in  the  mercantile  business,  and  afterward  in  the  hotel  business.  In 
1857  he  located  in  Curwensville,  where  he  carried  on  a  hotel  until  1800,  and 
then  leased  the  Mansion  House  in  Clearfield,  Pennsylvania,  which  he  con- 
ducted ten  years.  In  1870  he  removed  to  Pittsburgh  and  leased  the  Mer- 
chants' Hotel,  but  at  the  expiration  of  ten  months  he  sold  his  lease,  and, 
returning  to  Clearfield,  leased  the  Leonard  House.  Six  months  afterwards 
he  purchased  a  hotel  at  Luthersburg,  where  he  remained  only  a  few  months, 
removing  to  Bellefonte.  Centre  County,  where  he  leased  and  operated  the 
BrockerhofI  House  five  years,  and  then  retired  from  active  business  life.  Mr. 
Johnston  was  married.  August  17,  1840.  to  Charlotte,  daughter  of  Thomas  and 
Ellen  (Owen)  Hancock,  of  Phillipsburg,  Pennsylvania.  Four  children  are  the 
fruits  of  this  union:  James  E..  of  Shamokin;  John  K.,  a  merchant  of  Clearfield; 


V.-V 


■'ly-j^. 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  957 

Clarence  A.,  proprietor  of  the  Hotel  Vanderbilt.  Shamokin,  and  Thomas  0..  of 
Wilkesbarre.  Politically  he  is  a  Republican,  and  while  a  resident  of  Philiips- 
burg  served  as  justice  of  the  peace.  In  May,  1SS5,  he  came  to  Shamokin, 
where  he  and  wife  reside  with  their  son.  Clarence  A.,  and  are  in  the  enjoy- 
ment of  the  blessings  of  a  well-preserved  and  ripe  old  age,  and  in  the  posses- 
sion of  all  their  mental  faculties. 

Aaeon  Baerell,  proprietor  of  the  City  Hotel,  was  born  in  Berks  county, 
Pennsylvania,  August  29,  1S29,  son  of  -John  and  Anna  (Kroskoi>p)  Barrell. 
He  learned  the  milling  trade,  and  was  located  in  Allento%\-n.  Pennsylvania, 
four  years  previous  to  settling  in  Northumberland  county.  In  1S51  he  came 
to  this  county  to  accejit  a  position  in  Jacob  Leisenring's  mill,  at  Bear  Gap, 
which  he  tilled  four  years.  In  ISoO  he  purchased  a  farm  near  Paxiuos  on 
which  he  resided  seven  years,  and  then  engaged  in  merchandising  at  Pasi- 
nos,  where  he  remained  one  year.  He  was  subsequently  engaged  in  m^^r- 
cantile  business  at  Elysburg,  Mt.  Carmel,  and  Turbutville,  successively,  for 
about  seven  years,  when  he  retired  from  that  business  and  located  upon  his 
farm  on  the  Centre  turnpike  near  Paxinos,  which  he  had  purchased  in  I^'jS. 
He  commenced  purchasing  and  selling  all  grades  of  horses  and  mules,  and 
conducted  that  business  at  his  farm  until  increasing  trade  necessitated  a 
more  central  location,  and  in  November,  ISSS,  he  removed  to  Shamokin.  In 
December,  1SS9,  he  leased  the  City  Hotel  and  has  since  conducted  that  hou.se 
in  connection  with  his  previous  business.  Mr.  Barrell  is  also  extensively 
engaged  in  farming,  owning  .some  three  hundred  tifty  acres  of  land.  He  has 
been  twice  married;  his  tirst  wife  was  Juliann,  daughter  of  William  Krig- 
baum.  She  died.  Feliruary  S.  IS^i-"!.  leaving  four  children:  'William;  Francis 
r. ;  Annie,  and  Alice,  wife  of  Fred  Zeizer.  He  was  again  married,  August 
2'.).  ISS."),  to  Mrs.  Jane  Snyder,  a  daughter  of  Nicholas  Campbell,  of  Elys- 
Imrg.  Mr.  Barrell  is  a  Democrat,  and  filled  the  ot^ce  of  overseer  in  Ralpho 
township  three  terms,  also  serving  as  school  director  for  the  same  length  of 
time.  He  was  once  the  Democratic  candidate  for  county  commissioner.  He 
is  a  member  of  Shamokin  Lodge,  No.  2'w,  F.  &  A.  M.,  and  of  St.  Peter's 
Lutheran  church,  of  Pialpho  township. 

JinjN  ScH.\BO,  proprietor  of  the  Shamokin  Hotel  and  county  treastirer, 
was  born  in  Germany,  March  2(1,  1S41,  son  of  John  and  Annie  (Karis) 
Schabo.  The  family  immigrated  to  this  country  in  1853  and  located  in  Car- 
bon county,  Penn.sylvania,  where  the  parents  died.  At  the  age  of  twelve 
years  our  subject  commenced  work  on  the  Lehigh  canal,  which  business  he 
followed  in  its  various  branches  until  he  was  thirty  years  old.  In  1S71  he 
located  at  Weissport,  Pennsylvania,  and  engaged  in  the  hotel  business,  in 
which  he  continued  until  1875.  In  April  of  the  same  year  he  removed  to 
Shamokin  and  established  the  Shamokin  Hotel,  which  he  has  since  conduct e<l. 
In  1883  he  was  elected  chief  of  the  tire  department,  which  position  he  tilled 
up  to  the  close  of  1889.     In  1884  he  was  elected  a  member  of  the  council. 


y&a  HISTOKY    OF   NORTHCMBEELAND    COUNTY. 

and  served  one  term.  He  is  a  director  of  the  First  National  Bank,  the 
Shamokin  Building  and  Loan  Association,  and  the  Shamokin  Street  Rail- 
road Company,  and  is  treasurer  of  the  Shamokin  Driving  Park  Association. 
He  was  married,  February  12.  lStV2.  to  Eva  Schweibenz,  a  native  of  Germany, 
and  they  are  the  parents  of  two  children:  John  W.,  who  is  engaged  in  the 
boot  and  shoe  business  in  Shamokin.  and  Annie.  Politically  Mr.  Schabo  is 
a  stanch  Democrat,  and  in  November,  IStK),  he  was  elected  treasurer  of 
Northumberland  comity  by  a  majority  of  three  hundred  twenty-nine  votes, 
after  one  of  the  hardest  and  most  exciting  political  campaigns  in  the  local 
history  of  this  region.  Mr.  Schabo  and  family  are  members  of  St.  Edward's 
Catholic  church,  and  he  is  one  of  the  popular,  well  known  citizens  of 
Shamokin. 

George  S.  Fisher,  proprietor  of  the  Park  Hotel,  was  born,  August  29, 
1839,  in  Owego,  New  York,  son  of  George  L.  and  Angeline  (Leach)  Fisher. 
He  is  of  German  and  English  extraction,  and  traces  his  ancestry  on  the 
paternal  side  to  the  landing  of  the  Mai/flowfiv.  He  was  educated  in  the  pub- 
lic schools  of  his  native  town,  and  his  youth  was  spent  upon  his  fathers 
farm.  He  learned  the  trade  of  railroad  engineer  on  the  New  York  and  Erie, 
now  the  New  York,  Lake  Erie  and  Western  railroad,  where  he  remained 
seven  years.  In  iSf'iS  he  located  at  Scranton,  Penn.sylvania,  and  engaged  in 
the  hotel  business.  In  1870  he  kept  the  Tunkhannock  Hotel,  at  Tunkhan- 
nock,  Pennsylvania.  In  1871  he  removed  to  Shamokin  and  took  charge  of 
the  restaurant  business  at  the  Douty  House,  and  subsequently  opened  the 
Delmonico  restaurant  in  the  same  town.  In  1873  he  built  the  City  Hotel, 
which  was  partially  burned  in  1S>)7.  He  rebuilt  it  and  was  landlord  there- 
of until  December,  1889,  when  he  leased  it  to  Aaron  Barrell.  In  the  spring 
of  1890  he  leased  the  Park  Hotel,  the  profierty  of  the  Shamokin  Driving 
Park  Association,  which  he  has  since  conducted  sirccessfully.  Mr.  Fisher 
was  married  in  1870  to  Kassie  A.  Shaw.  Politically  he  is  an  independent 
voter,  and  is  a  member  of  Shamokin  Lodge,  No.  27)o,  F.  &  A.  M.  He  is  a 
director  of  the  Shamokin  Dri\"ing  Park  Association,  and  was  one  of  its  cor- 
porators and  its  first  president. 

B.  E.  Adams,  proprietor  of  the  Anthracite  Hotel,  was  born  in  I'pper 
Mahanoy  township,  Northumberland  county,  Pennsylvania,  in  1837,  son  of 
Gideon  and  Sarah  Adams.  His  early  life  was  spent  upon  a  farm,  and  at  the 
age  of  foirrteen  he  went  to  live  with  Jacob  Maurer  as  a  hired  boy.  At  the 
end  of  nine  months  he  left  his  place,  came  to  Shamokin,  and  was  employed 
in  building  bridges  on  the  Northern  Central  railway  between  Mt.  Carmel 
and  Sunbury.  From  Shamokin  he  moved  to  Stone  Valley,  where  he  worked 
in  a  lime  qiiarry,  and  was  subsequently  employed  by  Gabriel  Herb  until  he 
went  into  the  huckster  business.  He  kept  at  this  business  until  his  marriage, 
February  22,  1858.  to  Anna,  daughter  of  Henry  and  Anna  Arnold,  a  native 
of  Snyder  county.    They  have  had  eleven  children,  eight  of  whom  are  living: 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  959 

Henry  F. :  Arthur  E. :  Percival  A.:  J.  Elmer;  W.  Clyde:  Charles  O. :  Bernard 
E.;  Sylvia  L. :  Warren  E.:  Anna  J.,  and  Mabel  F.  Percival  A.  died,  Sep- 
tember II.  IS.HI.  at  the  age  of  twenty-six.  and  two  of  his  brothers  in  early 
childhood.  During  the  war  he  enlisted  in  the  One  Hundred  and  Seventy- 
second  Pennsylvania  Militia,  and  served  nine  months.  In  1SG3  he  went  to 
Locust  Gap  and  worked  at  the  stone  mason  trade,  which  he  has  followed  up 
to  the  present.  Mr.  Adams  resided  in  Freeburg  from  1SG7  till  1870,  and 
during  this  time  he  erected  the  school  house  in  that  town  and  was  engaged 
in  much  other  mason  work.  He  returned  to  Shamokin  in  1870  and  con- 
tinued to  work  at  his  trade  for  several  years,  and  also  carried  on  a  liquor 
store  in  connection  with  it.  He  subsequently  engaged  in  the  hotel  business 
which  he  still  carries  on.  He  operates  the  largest  marble  works  in  Sha- 
mokin. Mr.  Adams  has  been  a  life-long  Republican,  in  which  party  he  is  a 
quiet  but  efiicient  worker.  He  is  a  member  of  Lincoln  Post,  G.  A.  R.,  and  of 
Shamokin  Lodge,  F.  &  A.  M..  also  of  the  Conclave,  and  belongs  to  the  Tag- 
neghdorn  Tribe,  No.  2'1'k  His  father,  who  is  eighty-three  years  old.  resides 
with  him,  and  the  family  are  adherents  of  St.  John's  Reformed  church. 

George  F.  Crone,  restaurant  proi)rietor.  was  born  in  Westj^halia,  Pnis- 
sia,  in  1832,  sou  of  Gotlilf  C.  and  J.  W.  L.  (Stollen)  Crone,  whose  sketch 
appears  in  the  biographical  department  under  the  head  of  Zerbe  township. 
Hi'  cainr  to  this  country  ii:  1^4'.l  with  his  parents,  au<l  was  engaged  in  the 
slate  and  coal  mines.  In  lMi"i  lie  was  appointed  superintendent  of  the 
mines  at  Trevorton,  and  subsequently  tilled  the  same  position  at  Mahanoy 
Valley  and  Shamokin  until  18^-"),  when  he  opened  his  present  place  of  busi- 
ness. Mr.  Crone  is  associated  with  his  brother,  H.  T.  Croue,  in  the  manu- 
facture of  powder,  their  works  being  located  at  Trevorton.  While  a  resi- 
dent of  Trevorton  he  tilled  the  offices  of  election  judge  and  constable.  He 
was  married,  in  18r)7,  to  Charlotte  Creamer,  and  by  this  union  they  have  had 
eight  children:  those  living  are:  Lena,  wife  of  Isaac  P.  Treon;  Christian; 
H(^rmau  T..  and  Sarah  A.  In  l8t>2  Mr.  Crone  enlisted  in  Comj^any  D,  One 
Hundred  and  Seventy-second  Pennsylvania  Volunteers,  and  served  nine 
months.  He  is  a  member  of  Shamokin  Lodge,  F.  &  A.  M.,  of  Lincoln  Post, 
Ct.  a.  R.,  and  the  Lutheran  church,  and  politically  is  a  Democrat. 

St.\nislaus  Weyna,  proprietor  of  the  Central  Hotel,  was  born  iu  Prussian 
Poland,  August  Hi,  1848.  son  of  Frank  and  Eva  WejTia.  He  was  reared 
and  educated  in  Poland,  and  in  18G3  immigrated  to  this  country  and  settled 
in  Shamokin,  Pennsylvania.  He  was  employed  in  the  mines  at  this  place 
and  in  Allegheny  county,  Pennsylvania,  nineteen  years.  In  1882  he  en- 
gaged in  the  hotel  Ijusiness,  and  estaljlished  the  Central  Hotel.  In  1890  he 
built  his  new  hotel,  situated  upon  Shamokin  street,  containing  twenty-two 
rooms.  Its  appointments  are  tirst-class,  and  altogether  it  is  one  of  the 
desirable  hotels  of  Shamokin.  In  1888  Mr.  We}-na  established  a  gents"  fur- 
nishinir  and  clothin"-  store,  and  has  since  conducted  it  in  connection  with  his 


960  HISTOKY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

hotel.  He  was  married,  October  IS,  1805,  to  Margaret  Garski.  and  by  this 
union  they  have  eight  children:  Telda,  wife  of  Albert  Krantz;  Mary,  wife 
of  Peter  Mayeski;  Stanislaus;  Joseph;  John;  Anthony;  Agnes,  and  Eva. 
Mr.  Weyna  is  a  member  of  the  fire  department,  and  also  a  member  of  St. 
Stanislaiis  Catholic  church,  and  St.  Stanislaus  Society,  and  major  in  the  Kos- 
ciusko Society. 

John  Clifford  (Klofeta).  merchant,  was  born,  Febriiary  20,  1S48,  in 
Wierzchucin,  State  of  Posen,  Poland,  Prussia,  son  of  Joseph  and  Victoria 
(Klofeta)  Clifford.  The  first  eleven  years  of  his  life  he  spent  in  his  native 
town.  In  1854,  in  company  with  his  mother  and  stepfather,  John  Stanka. 
he  emigrated  to  Quebec,  Canada,  and  in  the  same  year  removed  to  Shamokin. 
where  he  found  employment  in  the  coal  mines  of  Shamokin  and  Trevorton. 
and  upon  the  construction  of  the  Northern  Central  railway  and  in  the  roll- 
ing mill  at  Danville.  In  1807  he  embarked  in  the  hotel  business  at  Shamo- 
kin, and  was  proprietor  of  the  Pulaski  House  twelve  years.  In  187'..)  he 
erected  his  present  place  of  business,  and  engaged  in  keeping  a  general 
store,  which  business  he  still  continues.  He  was  a  member  of  the  borough 
council  for  the  years  1880-87.  He  was  married,  December  27,  1804,  to 
Barbara,  daughter  of  Anthony  Harris,  of  Shamokin,  and  they  are  the  parents 
of  eleven  children:  Cecilia;  John;  Joseph;  Frank;  Charles;  Kate;  Alfred: 
Gertrude;  Genevieve;  Leo,  and  Marcella.  Mr.  Clifford  is  one  of  Shamokin"s 
enterprising  and  progressive  business  men.  In  18():i,  at  the  time  of  Lee's 
invasion  of  Pennsylvania,  he  enlisted  in  Comjiany  K,  Thirty-sixth  Penn.syl- 
vania  Emergency  Militia.  Politically  he  is  a  Democrat,  and  a  member  of  St. 
Stanislaus  Catholic  church. 

C.  E.  HcGHES,  livery  and  sale  stable  proprietor,  was  born  in  Bloomsburg. 
Columbia  county,  Pennsylvania,  June  '2'\  1847,  son  of  Charles  and  Mary 
(Roth)  Hughes,  natives  of  Philadelphia  and  Columbia  county,  respectively. 
He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  Bloomsburg  and  at  the  age  of  sis- 
teen  commenced  life  as  a  clerk  in  a  drug  store,  where  he  remained  three 
years.  He  then  served  an  apprenticeship  at  the  painting  business  and 
worked  as  a  joiirneyman  until  1869,  when  he  located  in  Shamokin  and  con- 
tinued at  the  business  two  years.  He  then  entered  the  employ  of  Stephen 
Bittenbender  as  a  clerk  at  his  coal  mines,  after  which  he  again  engaged  in 
the  painting  business,  which  he  carried  on  for  several  years.  In  1882  he  went 
into  the  livery  business  and  in  1884  sold  out,  and  two  years  later  resumed  the 
business.  He  was  married  in  1871  to  Alice,  daughter  of  the  late  Stephen 
Bittenbender,  and  by  this  union  they  have  had  six  children,  two  of  whom  are 
living:  Harry  B.  and  Stephen   B.     Pohtically  Mr.  Hughes  is  a  Eepublican. 

E.  H.  M.iRTZ,  liveryman,  was  born,  January  3,  1867,  in  Paxinos,  North- 
umberland county.  His  father,  Franklin  Martz,  was  a  native  of  this  county, 
a  farmer  and  carpenter  by  occupation,  and  died  in  July,  1887,  a  consistent 
member  of  the  German  Reformed  church.     His  mother,  Margaret  (Fisher) 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  961 

Martz,  is  a  native  of  Northumberland  coimty,  and  survives  her  husband. 
She  is  a  member  of  the  German  Reformed  church.  Of  her  ten  chiklren  tive 
survive:  Kate  A.;  E.  H. ;  William:  Clarence  C.  and  Bertha  M.  Our  sub- 
ject was  educated  in  the  common  schools,  and  began  his  business  life  in  the 
mines.  After  working  three  years  in  the  mines-  he  purchased,  in  ISSU.  a 
half-interest  in  the  livery  and  feed  stable  of  C.  JI.  Adams,  which  he  has  since 
conducted.  He  married  Miss  Hannah  Brocius.  Mr.  Martz  is  a  member  of 
the  I.  0.  0.  F.  and  the  P.  O.  S.  of  A.,  and  in  politics  is  a  Eepublican. 

Benjamin  Haupt.  butcher,  was  born  in  Cameron  township,  Northimiber- 
land  county.  Pennsylvania,  January  15,  1841,  son  of  John  and  Catharine, 
(^laurer)  Haiipt,  natives  of  Cameron  townshij),  and  grandson  of  Henry 
Haupt.  one  of  the  early  settlers  of  that  township.  He  was  reared  ujiou  the 
farm  settled  by  his  grandfather  until  1SIV2,  when  he  was  drafted  and  assigned 
to  the  One  Hundred  and  Seventy-second  Pennsylvania  Militia,  ser\-ing  nine 
months.  He  then  engaged  in  mining,  which  he  followed  seventeen  years. 
In  ISSO  he  located  on  Market  street  and  engaged  in  business,  and  after- 
wards removed  to  his  ^^resent  stand.  He  was  married  in  1SG3  to  Catharine, 
daughter  of  Thomas  Henninger,  who  died  in  ISSO,  leaving  four  sons  and 
four  daughters.  Those  living  are  Joseph;  Augustus;  Elizabeth,  wife  of 
Greorge  E.  Long;  James;  William  T.,  and  Harry.  Mr.  Haupt  was  again 
married  in  1SS3  to  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Elias  Daniel,  of  Schuylkill  coimty, 
Pennsylvania,  and  by  this  union  they  have  one  sou,  Charles.  Mr.  Haupt  is 
a  Reimblican  in  politics,  and  has  served  as  a  memlier  of  the  borough  council. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Evangelical  church,  and  one  of  the  trustees  of  the 
Shamokin  congregation. 

I.  S.  Reitz,  butcher  and  grocer,  was  born  in  Jackson  township,  April  12, 
1849,  son  of  Jose^A  and  Catharine  (Siders)  Reitz,  natives  of  Northumber- 
land county,  Pennsylvania.  He  was  reared  upon  the  farm  in  Little 
Mahanoy  township,  and  received  his  education  at  the  common  schools.  His 
father  was  a  farmer,  and  carried  ou  butchering  and  a  general  store  in  con- 
nection with  his  farm.  He  subseijuently  located  at  Trevorton  and  engaged 
in  the  mercantile  business,  which  he  conducted  until  his  death  in  1870. 
His  wife  survives  him  and  resides  in  Shamokin.  Their  family  consisted  of 
eight  children:  Susan,  wife  of  H.  L.  Rodgers,  of  Shamokin;  Nathaniel, 
merchant  of  Kansas  City,  Missouri;  JosejDh  S.,  of  Shamokin;  I.  S. ;  Sedick 
S.,  lumberman,  of  Juniata  county;  William,  of  Shamokin;  Sallie,  wife  of 
William  Zaring,  of  Shamokin,  and  Wilson,  merchant  and  cattle  dealer  of 
Wyandotte,  Kansas.  April  3,  1866,  the  subject  of  this  sketch  in  connection 
with  H.  L.  Rodgers  engaged  in  the  butcher  business  in  Shamokin,  which 
they  conducted  two  years.  Mr.  Reitz  then  engaged  in  the  business  individu- 
ally one  year,  when  he  engaged  in  selling  patent  rights,  which  business  he 
continued  two  years,  when  he  again  engaged  in  butchering  and  dealing  in 
cattle  and  horses,  and  for  a  niunber  of  years  gave  his  whole  attention  to  his 


yb'2  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

meat  market.  In  the  spring  of  1890  he  moved  to  his  new  store,  situated  on 
East  Sunbury  street,  and  has  one  of  the  most  convenient  and  handsomely 
fitted-up  meat  markets  in  the  county.  He  was  married  in  1S71  to  Lydia  S., 
daughter  of  Daniel  Reed,  of  Schuylkill  county,  Pennsylvania;  by  this 
marriage  they  are  the  parents  of  three  children;  Lizzie;  Emma  Rebecca, 
and  Samuel  W.  Mr.  Reitz  is  a  life-long  Rejiublican,  but  never  sought 
public  office,  and  in  religion  is  a  member  of  the  Evangelical  church. 

Levi  Shoop,  plasterer,  was  born  in  Dauphin  coimty,  Pennsylvania, 
September  13,  1S3(),  son  of  Michael  and  Elizabeth  (Kneer)  Shoop.  His 
early  life  was  spent  upon  the  farm,  receiving  such  education  as  could  be 
obtained  at  the  district  schools.  At  the  age  of  twenty-one  he  learned  the 
trade  of  plasterer,  at  which  he  was  occupied  in  an  adjoining  county  until 
1S6G.  He  then  located  at  Shamokin  and  estalilished  himself  in  business,  in 
which  he  was  engaged  until  1880,  when  he  embarked  in  the  mercantile 
business,  which  he  conducted  a  short  time:  he  then  resumed  the  plastering 
business,  at  which  he  has  since  continued  Mr.  Shoop  has  been  a  member 
of  the  council,  and  has  served  in  the  office  of  assistant  burgess.  He  is  a 
memlier  of  Shamokin  Lodge.  F.  &  A.  M..  and  has  been  for  manj^  years  a 
member  of  the  I.  0.  O.  F.  He  is  an  attendant  of  the  Evangelical  church,  to 
which  he  is  a  liberal  contrilnttor.  In  ixjlitics  he  is  a  Republican.  He  was 
married  in  1854  to  Lydia  Hopler,  of  Schuylkill  county,  Pennsylvania,  and 
by  this  imion  they  have  had  ten  children,  six  of  whom  are  living;  Rev. 
James  M.,  of  Datiphin  county;  George  0.:  Sarah  F.,  wife  of  David  Zaring; 
Charles  O.,  who  married  Mary  Seifert.  of  Dauphin  county,  Pennsylvania: 
William  E.,  who  married  Laura  Mayer,  of  Shamokin,  and  Robert  C,  of 
Shamokin. 

Thomas  H.  Lippiatt,  i^hotographer.  was  born  in  Somersetshire,  England, 
January  3,  1853,  son  of  Henry  and  Ann  (Hodges)  Lippiatt.  He  came  to 
this  country  with  his  parents  in  1SG4  and  settled  at  Locust  Gap,  and  in 
1865  came  to  Shamokin,  where  he  attended  the  public  schools,  and  at  an 
early  age  commenced  working  in  the  mines,  where  he  was  employed  seven- 
teen years.  In  1881  he  commenced  the  manufacture  of  picture  frames,  and 
subsequently  engaged  in  the  jihotograph  business  in  connection  with  the 
frame  business.  His  place  is  situated  on  Independence  street,  and  his  art 
room  contains  a  splendid  collection  of  oil,  crayon,  and  photographic  works 
of  art.  Mr.  Lipjiiatt  in  the  development  of  his  bitsiness  brought  energy 
and  close  apj^lication  to  the  object  he  had  in  view,  which  has  resulted  in 
building  up  one  of  the  largest  trades  of  the  kind  in  this  part  of  the  country. 
He  was  married  in  1875  to  Clara,  daughter  of  George  Zimmerman,  of  Ui^per 
Augusta  township,  by  which  union  they  have  had  seven  children.  Mr.  Lip- 
piatt is  a  member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.  and  the  Methodist  church,  in  which  he 
is  class  leader  and  superintendent  of  the  Simday  school.  In  politics  he  is  a 
Republican. 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  963 

Joseph  Henxingee,  superintendent  of  public  works,  was  born  in  Schuyl- 
kill county,  Pennsylvania,  in  1821.  son  of  Thomas  and  Catharine  (Karl) 
Henninger,  natives  of  Berks  and  Schuylkill  counties,  Pennsylvania.  He 
received  a  limited  education  in  the  common  schools.  In  1838  his  parents 
settled  in  Cameron  to\vnship.  He  learned  the  trade  of  miller  in  Schuylkill 
county,  and  followed  it  eight  years.  He  then  returned  to  Cameron  town- 
ship and  in  18-'')0  commenced  mining,  which  he  followed  twenty  years,  hold- 
ing the  position  of  inside  boss  for  Zimmerman  &  Pursel,  the  Lancaster 
Coal  Company,  John  Langdon  &  Company,  and  Patterson,  Llewellyn  & 
Fagely.  In  18GC  he  located  in  Shamokin.  and  in  1882  was  elected  burgess, 
tilling  the  office  two  terms.  He  then  engaged  in  the  cattle  business,  which 
he  carried  on  two  years,  when  he  was  elected  superintendent  of  jxiblic  works, 
and,  February  18,  ISDO,  was  elected  receiver  of  taxes  for  Shamokin.  Mr. 
Henninger  was  twice  married.  His  tirst  wife  was  Sarah,  daughter  of  George 
Reed,  of  Jackson  townshi]>,  who  dii-d.  April  Ki,  iSCil);  by  this  marriage 
were  born  thirteen  children,  eleven  of  whom  grew  to  maturity:  Ephraim; 
Emanuel,  deceased;  Josej^h;  Charles:  J.  Monroe;  Cellotes;  Zacharias; 
Cephas;  Priscilla.  wife  of  Henry  Knorr;  Kate,  and  George.  His  second 
wife  was  Mrs.  Mary  Eveland,  daughter  of  Henry  Fry,  of  Shamokin,  and  by 
this  union  they  have  one  daughter.  Elizabeth.  Mr.  Henninger  is  a  warm 
Republican,  and  enjoys  the  confidence  of  the  citizens  of  Shamokin.  In  his 
religious  belief  he  is  a  Lutheran. 

Joseph  H.  Davidson,  justice  of  the  peace,  was  born  in  Dauphin  county, 
Pennsylvania,  December  29,  1881,  son  of  William  and  Elizabeth  (Hempton) 
Davidson,  natives  of  Ireland  and  Dauphin  county,  Pennsylvania,  respectively. 
After  the  death  of  his  father,  which  occurred  a  few  months  after  his  birth, 
his  mother  removed  to  Schuylkill  county,  where  the  subject  of  this  sketch 
was  reared  aud  educated.  He  learned  the  painter's  trade,  and  at  the  age 
of  eighteen  years  returned  to  WiconLsco.  Dauphin  county,  Pennsylvania,  and 
entered  the  employ  of  Miller  &  Company  as  a  clerk,  where  he  remained  ten 
years.  In  1859  he  accepted  a  position  in  West  Virginia,  where  he  remained  a 
few  months,  when  he  returned  to  Schuylkill  coimty  and  entered  the  employ  of 
P.  W.  Sheafer  of  Girardsville.  He  then  entered  the  United  States  service  as 
assistant  dispatcher  and  commissary  to  the  railroad  employees  of  the  Orange- 
ville  and  Alexander  railroad.  In  1S'V2  he  was  transferred  to  the  post  com- 
missary department  rmder  Captain  Wikon.  of  the  regular  army,  and  was 
stationed  at  Warrenton  Junction,  Virginia,  and  at  other  points  at  the  front. 
He  returned  home  and  again  entered  the  employ  of  P.  W.  Sheafer  as  sujjer- 
intendent  of  his  coal  business  at  Mahanoy  Plane,  where  he  remained  until 
1879.  In  1880  he  located  at  Shamokin  and  engaged  in  the  grocery  business 
a  short  time,  after  which  he  worked  at  his  trade.  In  1887  he  was  elected 
justice  of  the  peace,  and  has  served  in  this  office  continuously  to  the  present 
time.     Mr.  Davidson  was  marrried.  December  8,  1850,  to  Harriet  M.,  daugh- 


964  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

ter  of  Michael  Shatter,  of  Dauphin  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  by  this  union 
they  have  had  eight  children,  tive  of  whom  are  living:  Emma,  wife  of  J.  C. 
Connor;  Eleanor;  Harry;  Annie  E.,  and  Edith.  Politically  he  is  a  Kepub- 
lican. 

Feaxcis  a.  Miller,  justice  of  the  peace  and  insurance  agent,  was  born  in 
Shamokin.  Pennsylvania,  August  19,  1S59,  son  of  Daniel  S.  and  Elmira 
(Schwartz)  Miller.  He  received  his  education  at  the  public  schools  of  Sha- 
mokin and  learned  the  shoemaker's  trade,  at  which  he  was  occupied  until 
ISSi  I.  when  he  entered  the  employ  of  J.  H.  Adams  as  clerk  in  his  general 
store.  In  1SS5  he  bought  a  one-half  interest  in  the  same,  and  the  firm  name 
was  changed  to  F.  A.  Miller  &  Company,  which  business  they  conducted 
until  ISST.  Mr.  Miller  served  in  the  council  as  a  member  from  the  Fourth 
ward  for  the  years  18S3  and  1884,  and  in  1887  was  elected  assistant  burgess. 
March  14,  1S89,  he  was  appointed  by  Governor  Beaver  justice  of  the  peace 
for  Shamokin  borough,  and  was  elected  to  the  same  ofifiee  in  Febniary,  1890, 
to  serve  for  five  years.  In  connection  with  this  office  he  is  engaged  in  the 
general  insurance  business.  Mr.  Miller  was  married  in  1880  to  Martha  J., 
daughter  of  J.  H.  Adams,  and  they  are  the  parents  of  six  children:  Ella  V.; 
Olive  M. ;  J.  Frances;  Emma  F. :  Julia  A.,  and  George  D.  Politically  Mr. 
Miller  is  an  ardent  Republican. 

William  K.  Erdman,  insurance  agent,  was  born  in  I'pper  Mahantango 
township,  Schuylkill  county,  Pennsylvania,  November  Ti,  1837,  son  of 
George  and  Mary  (Knorr)  Erdman,  of  German  and  Scotch  extraction.  He 
had  limited  advantages  of  an  education;  six  months  cover  the  entire  tuition 
received  by  him.  His  life  iintil  twenty-four  years  of  age  was  spent  upon  the 
homestead  farm.  In  18^1  he  came  to  Shamokin  and  ol)tained  employment 
as  a  laborer  upon  the  railroad.  He  subsequently  obtained  work  at  the  Big 
Moimtain  colliery  in  loading  cars,  where  he  remained  five  years,  when  he  was 
promoted  to  outside  superintendent,  which  position  ho  filled  three  years. 
He  then  worked  at  the  Buck  Ridge  colliery  several  years,  leaving  there  to 
engage  in  carpenter  work,  and  was  employed  by  Daniel  Weaver,  Joseph 
Kaseman.  and  others.  In  1873  he  opened  a  small  grocery  store,  shortly 
afterward  entered  the  employ  of  J.  K.  Haas  as  clerk,  and  in  1875  entered  into 
partnership  with  Mr.  Haas,  which  continued  two  and  a  half  years.  In  1809 
and  1871  Mr.  Erdman  filled  the  office  of  street  commissioner.  In  1873  he 
was  elected  justice  of  the  peace,  serving  until  1878.  At  this  perio'd  he  estab- 
lished his  insurance  business.  He  was  again  elected  justice  of  the  peace  in 
1883,  and  filled  the  office  five  years,  after  which  he  was  elected  clerk  of  the 
directors  of  the  poor,  which  position  he  filled  two  years.  In  1888  he  was 
again  elected  to  the  office  of  justice  of  the  peace,  discharging  the  duties  of 
the  office  two  years,  when  he  resigned.  Mr.  Erdman  has  tilled  the  office  of 
con.stable,  has  served  two  terms  in  the  borough  council,  and  was  a  member  of 
the  first  school  board  elected  after  the  erection  of  Shamokin  borough.     In 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  965 

politics  he  has  ever  been  a  strong  Democrat  and  an  active  worker  in  his 
party.  His  reputation  for  intelligence  and  foi-ce  of  character  gives  him  an 
influence  that  does  much  to  further  the  success  of  his  jjarty.  He  possessed 
no  early  advantages,  but  employed  his  leisi^re  hours  in  study  and  by  self- 
api^lication  he  gained  in  book  knowledge:  he  also  educated  himself  by  close 
observation  and  judgment  of  men  and  things,  which  has  contributed  in  no 
small  degree  to  his  standing  as  a  citizen  and  success  as  a  man.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.  and  represented  his  lodge  in  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
the  State.  He  was  married  to  Mary  Dimick.  of  Northumberland  county, 
and  to  them  have  been  born  seven  children:  Clara  T..  wife  of  D.  B.  Felix; 
Luther  M.:  Oscar  O. :  Ida  M,.  wife  of  L.  M.  Fisher:  Emma  S.:  William  E., 
and  Lizzie  M. 

James  A.  Shipp,  borough  clerk  and  manager  of  the  City  Hotel,  was  born 
in  Perry  county,  Pennsylvania.  October  9.  1S48,  son  of  John  and  Susanna 
(Askins)  Shipp.  He  received  his  education  at  the  imVilic  schools  of  Shamo- 
kin.  after  which  he  learned  the  trade  of  machinist.  In  l^Hl  he  enlisted  in 
Company  K,  Forty-sixth  Pennsylvania  Yolimteers,  of  which  he  was  corporal. 
At  the  battle  of  Cedar  Mountain,  Aiigust  9,  1S02,  he  received  a  gim-shot 
wound  in  his  left  shoukhn-,  was  taken  prisoner  and  sent  to  Staunton.  Vir- 
ginia, and  transferred  from  there  to  Liliby  prison,  where  he  remained  until 
January.  ISiV.l.  wlu-u  he  was  paroled.  In  LS(]S.  under  the  firm  name  of 
Boughner  A:  Shii^p.  ln'  was  engaged  in  the  coal  business,  operating  the 
Penitentiary  colliery.  In  1 ST2  he  was  operating  the  Frank  Gowen  colliery, 
and  was  burned  out  by  the  Mollie  Maguires.  He  then,  in  connection 
with  Isaac  May,  Jr.,  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business  until  1870.  In 
187S  he  was  engaged  in  the  oyster  business,  and  was  elected  in  this  year  secre- 
tary of  the  borough  council  and  market  clerk.  In  1879  he  was  appointed 
a  member  of  the  borough  police,  and  served  four  years.  In  ISSI  he  was 
appointed  a  member  of  the  coal  and  iron  police,  and  was  at  the  Houtzdale 
riots  in  Clearfield  county.  In  IS.Sl  he  was  appointed  depot  master  for  the 
Philadelphia  and  Beading  Railroad  Company.  January  1,  1890,  he  ac- 
cepted the  position  of  manager  of  the  City  Hotel.  In  1871  Mr.  Shipp  was 
elected  lieutenant  of  the  Shamokin  Guards,  and.  in  1S78  became  its  com- 
manding officer,  and  was  at  the  Shenandoah  riot  in  1.S74,  Williamsport  in 
1S7'_'.  and  the  Pittsburgh  riots  with  his  company.  He  was  one  of  the 
charter  members  of  Lincoln  Post,  G.  A.  A.:  he  is  also  a  member  of  the 
:Masonic  order  and  the  K.  of  G.  E.  Politically  he  is  a  Eepublican.  Mr. 
Shipp  was  married  in  1804  to  Kate  Boughner,  of  Shamokin.  who  died.  July 
'I'f.  ISMI.  leaving  two  children:     Harry  E.  and  Charles  A. 

Francis  Schleif  was  bom  in  Schuylkill  county.  Pennsylvania.  December 
7.  lS-")-2,  son  of  Francis  and  Barbara  (Stien)  Schleif.  He  was  reared  and 
educated  in  his  native  county  and  commenced  work  as  a  miner,  which  occu- 
pation he  followed  in  Schuylkill  and  Northtimberland  coimties.     In  1885  he 


966  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

engaged  in  the  grocery  business,  at  which  he  continued  until  18S7,  when  he 
was  elected  to  his  present  position  as  secretary  of  Coal  township  poor  dis- 
trict, and  re-elected  in  1889.  He  was  married  in  18S9  to  Mary  Schwoyer, 
of  Shamokin,  and  by  this  union  they  have  had  six  children,  four  of  whom 
are  living:  Francis;  Solomon;  Eva,  and  Clara.  He  is  a  member  of  the  P. 
O.  S.  of  A.  and  of  the  K.  of  P.  Mr.  Schleif  is  a  member  of  St.  John's  Ke- 
formed  church,  and  politically  a  Repul)lican.  He  is  now  filling  the  office  of 
secretary  of  Coal  township  poor  district,  to  which  he  was  re-elected  in  188V). 
IS.A..A.C  G.  K.\sE,  teacher  of  music  and  dealer  in  musical  instrirments,  was 
born  in  Rush  township,  Northumberland  county,  Pennsylvania,  November 
22,  1S34,  son  of  William  H.  and  Ann  (Haugh)  Kase.  He  was  reared  on  the 
homestead  farm  and  educated  in  the  common  schools  of  the  township.  He 
learned  the  carpenter's  trade,  and  at  the  age  of  twenty-two  he  purchased 
from  his  father  his  tannery  business  and  conducted  it  thirteen  years.  He 
then  found  employment  at  his  trade  upon  the  construction  of  the  bridges  for 
the  Sunbury,  Hazelton  and  "VVilkesbarre  railroad.  Having  educated  him- 
self for  the  musical  profession,  he  subseqtiently  engaged  in  teaching  vocal 
music.  In  1876  he  located  in  Shamokin,  and  engaged  in  teaching  vocal  and 
instrumental  music  and  the  sale  of  pianos  and  organs.  Mr.  Kase  was  mar- 
ried in  1850  to  Sarah  J.,  daughter  of  B.  P.  Kase,  of  Rush  township,  who 
died  leaving  three  children:  William  E. ;  Sarah  L.,  wife  of  J.  R.  Sharpless, 
and  Agnes,  wife  of  H.  Hardrex.  His  second  wife  was  .Jennie,  daughter  of 
Isaac  Snyder,  of  Shamokin,  who  has  borne  him  three  children:  Maud;  Mal- 
colm, and  Clara  A.  While  a  resident  of  Rush  township  Mr.  Kase  served  in 
the  offices  of  auditor,  constable,  and  school  director.  In  1888  he  was  elected 
borough  assessor,  and  in  1884  was  appointed  to  the  same  office  by  the  com- 
missioners. Politically  he  is  a  Democrat,  and  was  a  member  of  the  county 
committee  nine  years.     Mr.  Kase  is  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church. 

John  J.  Del.\ney,  local  manager  of  the  Singer  Sewing  Machine  Com- 
pany, was  born  in  Forestville,  Schuylkill  coimty,  Pennsylvania,  October  18, 
1850,  son  of  John  and  Sarah  (Dougherty)  Delaney,  both  natives  of  Schuyl- 
kill county.  His  paternal  grandfather,  John  Delaney,  was  a  native  of  Canada, 
and  settled  in  Pottsville,  Pennsylvania,  about  1810.  His  maternal  grand- 
father, Patrick  Dougherty,  a  native  of  the  North  of  Ireland,  settled  in  early 
life  in  Pottsville,  where  he  held  the  office  of  justice  of  the  peace  fifteen  years. 
John  Delaney,  father  of  our  subject,  was  inside  foreman  at  different  collieries 
for  many  years,  and  was  killed  at  Eagle  Hill  shaft,  Jtily  0,  1870.  He  was  a 
soldier  in  the  Rebellion,  serving  in  the  Sixteenth  Permsylvania  Volunteers 
three  months,  and  fifteen  months  in  the  Forty-eighth  regiment.  Our  sub- 
ject was  reared  in  Pottsville  up  to  the  age  of  twelve  years,  and  afterwards 
lived  in  St.  Nicholas  until  1874,  when  he  lecated  in  Mt.  Carmel,  Northum- 
berland county.  For  several  years  he  worked  in  a  breaker,  firing  and  run- 
nino-  the  engine  at  Alaska  shaft  for  the  Philadelphia  and  Reading  Coal  and 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  967 

Iron  Company.  In  1SS2  ho  engaged  in  the  sewing  machine  business, 
which  he  followed  in  Mt.  Carmel  and  vicinity  until  May  20,  1890,  when  he 
removed  to  Shamokin  and  became  local  manager  for  the  Singer  Sewing 
Machine  Company.  Mr.  Delaney  was  married,  December  20,  1879,  to 
Mary,  daughter  of  John  and  Ellen  (Flanigan)  Flynn,  of  Mt.  Carmel,  who 
has  borne  him  four  children:  John,  deceased:  Ellen;  Sadie,  and  Margaret. 
Politically  he  is  a  KejDublican,  and  is  a  member  of  the  Sons  of  Veterans,  at 
Mt.  Carmel.     The  family  are  members  of  the  Catholic  church. 

Thom.w  L.  McNamar.\  was  born  in  Mt.  Pleasant,  Schuylkill  county,  Penn- 
sylvania, in  March,  1859.  He  is  a  son  of  Fiichard  and  Helen  (Lee)  McNamara, 
natives  of  Ireland,  both  of  whom  are  dead.  His  father  served  in  Company 
K,  \inety-sixth  Pennsylvania  Tolimteers.  Our  subject  was  reared  and  edu- 
cated in  Pottsville,  Pennsylvania,  and  learned  the  engineer's  trade.  He  ac- 
cej)ted  a  position  in  Atkiusiin  A:  Brother's  macliine  sliop,  in  Pottsville,  which 
he  tilled  two  years.  He  then  removed  to  Williamstowu  to  accept  the  posi- 
tion of  loader  boss  at  the  Mineral  mine,  where  he  remained  ten  years.  He 
then  came  to  Shamokin  and  clerked  for  E.  C.  Hamilton,  of  the  Exchange 
Hotel,  which  position  he  tilled  for  three  years.  In  April,  1890,  he  leased 
the  hotel  at  Paxinos,  which  he  conducted  until  1891,  when  he  returned  to 
Shamokin.  Mr.  McNamara  was  married  in  February,  1883,  to  Ida,  daughter 
of  William  and  Sarah  Patrick,  of  Wilhamstown,  Pennsylvania.  They  are 
the  parents  of  three  children:  Richard:  "William,  and  Sadie.  He  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  S.  of  v..  Camp  Xo.  29,  and  the  K.  of  L.,  Lodge  Xo.  210,  both  of 
Williamstown.  Politically  he  is  a  Democrat,  and  is  a  member  of  St.  Ed- 
ward's Catholic  church  of  Shamokin. 


CHAPTER  XLIV. 

BIOGEAPHIC.AJL  SKETCHES. 

•       MII.TDX. 

De.  James  and  J.\ne  (St.a.rkett)  DorG.\L,  natives  of  Ireland,  and  early 
settlers  of  Milton,  were  married,  October  14,  1798.  The  former  was  a  gradu- 
ate of  the  College  of  Surgeons,  Edinburgh,  Scotland,  and  was  practicing 
medicine  in  Ireland  when  he  became  involved  in  the  Irish  rebellion  of  1798, 
and  was  comi:ielled  to  escaj^e  in  disguise  to  the  United  States,  whither  his 
wife  and  two  children,  James  and  Margaret,  followed  him.  He  located  in 
Milton,  Pennsvlvauia,  where  he  erected  the    stone  house  in  1803  now  occu- 


968  HISTORY    OF    XORTHUJIBERLAND    COUNTY. 

pied  by  his  grandson,  and  practiced  his  profession  until  his  sudden  death, 
July  IS.  ISIS,  caused  by  a  fall  from  his  horse.  He  was  the  pioneer  physi- 
cian of  \[ilton,  and  a  gentleman  of  marked  ability  and  patriotism,  whose 
loyalty  to  the  emblem  of  freedom  in  his  adopted  home  was  as  fervent  as  his 
hatred  of  tyranny  in  his  native  land.  During  the  war  of  1812  he  did  all  in 
his  power  against  English  oppression,  and  sent  his  son,  James  S.,  into  the 
ranks  of  his  coiuitry's  defenders  to  fight  for  the  flag  of  liberty. 

Dr.  James  S.  Doug-^l  was  born  in  County  Tyrone,  Ireland.  October  7, 
1704,  and  came  to  Milton  with  his  parents.  Dr.  James  Dougal  and  wife, 
where  he  received  a  good  education.  He  read  medicine  with  his  father,  and 
graduated  at  the  University  of  Pennsylvania  in  1817.  Upon  his  father's 
death  the  following  year  he  succeeded  to  his  practice,  and  for  fifty-eight 
years  he  was  actively  engaged  in  the  duties  of  his  profession.  He  served  in 
the  war  of  1812,  against  the  ojipressor  of  his  native  land.  In  politics  he  was 
originally  a  Democrat,  but  in  later  years  united  with  the  Rei^ublican  party. 
Doctor  Dougal  was  married.  July  2,  1818,  to  Sarah,  daughter  of  William 
Pollock,  and  sister  of  the  late  ex-Governor  James  Pollock,  who  was  born, 
July  10.  17U0.  She  died,  April  1,  1873,  and  he  survived  her  until  May  23, 
1878.  They  had  a  family  of  eight  children:  James,  a  physician,  and  Will- 
iam P.,  both  deceased;  Sarah  Jane,  widow  of  James  Gilmour;  Mary  Louisa, 
wife  of  E.  H.  Duncan,  of  Wa.shington,  D.  C. ;  Caroline,  deceased  wife  of 
Horace  A.  Beale,  of  Chester  county,  Pennsylvania;  Margaret  P.;  Charles  H., 
of  Milton,  and  Elizabeth  E..  wife  of  Robert  Bailey,  of  Williamsport,  Penn- 
sylvania. Doctor  Dougal  was  a  gentleman  of  enterprise  and  public  spirit, 
and  was  for  many  years  one  of  the  leading  citizens  of  his  adopted  home. 

C.\PT.\iN  William  P.  Dougal  was  the  second  son  of  Dr.  James  S.  and 
Sarah  (Pollock)  Dougal,  and  grandson  of  Dr.  James  Dougal,  the  second  res- 
ident physician  of  Milton.  He  was  born,  December  28,  1823.  in  the  sub- 
stantial stone  house  erected  by  his  grandfather  on  the  corner  of  Front  and 
Mahoning  streets,  Milton,  Pennsylvania,  early  in  the  present  century,  and 
was  educated  at  the  old  Milton  Academy.  In  early  manhood  he  engaged  in 
farming  in  Union  county,  and  followed  agricultural  pursuits  iintil  1800. 
Upon  the  breaking  out  of  the  civil  war  he  at  once  gave  his  active  support  to 
the  Union  cause,  and  September  4,  1802,  he  was  commissioned  first  lieuten- 
ant of  Company  D,  One  Hundred  and  Fiftiefh  (Bucktail)  regiment,  Penn- 
sylvania Yohmteers,  which  company  he  recrriited  in  Union  county,  where  he 
then  resided.  His  regiment  was  at  once  sent  to  the  front,  and  afterwards 
became  celebrated  as  one  of  the  fighting  regiments  of  the  Army  of  the 
Potomac.  Lieutenant  Dougal  was  promoted  to  the  captaincy  on  the  field  of 
Gettysburg.  July  1,  1803,  where  he  was  so  severely  wounded  as  to  necessitate 
his  retirement  from  active  service,  and  he  was  finally  discharged,  February 
1,  1804.  The  firm  of  Murray,  Dougal  &  Company  was  organized  the  same 
year,  and  the  Milton  Car  Works  established,  with  which  Captain  Dougal 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  969 

wr,~  actively  identitied  until  ISTS.  when  he  withdrew  from  the  tinii  ami  lived 
a  retired  life  up  to  his  death,  July  S.  IS'-H). 

Captain  Dougal  was  twice  married,  first  to  Sarah  Cliiii;-au,  of  riiion 
county,  who  bore  him  one  daughter.  Sarah,  wife  of  "William  C.  Lawson,  Jr., 
of  Milton.  His  second  wife  was  Agnes,  daughter  of  Robert  and  Eliza  (Mont- 
i;-omery)  McCormick,  of  Milton,  a  descendant  of  two  well  known  pioneer 
families  of  the  West  Branch  valley.  Seven  children  were  the  fruits  of  this 
union:  James:  Robert;  William;  Eliza;  Charles;  Agnes,  and  Margaret,  all 
of  whom  are  living  except  the  eldest.  Caiitain  Dougal  was  a  member  of  the 
Prcsbj-terian  church,  to  which  faith  his  widow  and  family  also  adliere,  and 
in  politics  he  was  an  ardent  Eepublican.  He  was  a  director  of  the  Milton 
National  Bank,  and  always  manifested  a  deep  interest  in  the  social  and 
material  growth  of  his  native  town.  He  was  affable,  kind,  and  generous  in 
all  the  relations  of  home  and  family,  and  in  business  life  he  was  recognized 
a-  the  soul  of  honor  and  integrity. 

Charles  H.  Douc.iL,  physician,  was  born  in  Milton,  Pennsylvania,  Sep- 
ti-mber  20,  1S8S.  son  of  Dr.  James  S.  and  Sarah  Dougal.  He  received  a 
gi.Kjd  common  school  education,  and  subsequently  entered  Princeton  College, 
X  'W  Jersey,  where  he  graduated  in  the  springof  ]S")-I.  He  then  commenced  the 
-tudy  of  medicine  in  his  father's  otitice.  but  in  iSlil  i"ntere<l  the  United  States 
s.Tvice  under  General  Stoneman,  as  a  medical  cadet.  He  was  taken  prisoner, 
Julv  ],  1S()8,  and  was  confined  in  Libby  prison  five  weeks,  when  he  was 
^'Xohanged  and  assigned  to  duty  at  Eckington  hospital,  near  Washington, 
D.  C.  where  he  remained  until  the  following  September.  Hf  then  returned  to 
Milton  and  i-esumed  his  medical  stitdies,  and  in  March.  lS(i4,  graduated 
from  the  University  of  Pennsylvania.  He  has  since  been  one  of  the  active 
[■ractitioners  of  Milton,  and  has  built  u]i  a  large  practice.  Doctor  Dougal 
\s  as  married.  January  4,  18G0,  to  Annie  M.,  daiighter  of  Samuel  Oakes,  of 
Montour  county,  Pennsylvania.  Two  children  were  bom  to  them,  one  of 
whom  is  living,  J.  Starrett.  Mrs.  Dougal  died,  March  '20,  1N78,  and  he  was 
at,'ain  married,  March  111,  IS'.U,  to  ]Miss  Emma  Clinger.  of  Williamsport. 
Puhticallv  the  Doctor  is  a  Republican:  he  has  been  chief  burgess  of  Milton 
and  has  served  in  the  borough  council  three  terms.  He  has  also  served  in 
the  school  board.  He  is  an  adherent  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  and  a  mem- 
bnr  of  the  G.  A.  E.  and  the  Masonic  fraternity. 

De.  William  McCleery  was  for  many  years  one  of  the  best  known  medical 
practitioners  in  the  coiuity.  He  was  a  native  of  Dauphin  county,  Pennsyl- 
vania, and  a  son  of  John  McCleery,  a  merchant  of  Harrisburg  and  subse- 
quently of  Milton,  who  died  on  his  farm  near  the  latter  place.  William  re- 
moved with  his  parents  to  Milton  in  boyhood,  read  medicine  with  Dr.  James 
S.  Dougal.  and  graduated  from  Jefferson  Medical  College  in  the  class  of 
1S27.  For  more  than  thirty  years  he  practiced  his  profession  in  Milton  and 
th.'  surroimding  comitry   for  miles    in    every   direction,  and  shared  with  his 


970  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

contemjioraries  a  large  and  lucrative  in-actice.  Doctor  McCleery  married 
Margaret,  daughter  of  "William  Pollock,  and  a  sister  of  the  late  ex-Governor 
James  Pollock,  who  bore  him  six  children,  five  of  whom  survive:  J.  P..  of 
Milton;  Mary,  wife  of  Joseph  D.  Potts,  of  Philadelphia:  Juha  J.,  wife  of 
Jesse  Merrill,  of  Lock  Haven;  John,  of  Milton,  and  William  P.,  of  Troy, 
Pennsylvania.  In  1857  Doctor  McCleery  turned  over  his  practice  to  his 
eldest  son.  Dr.  J.  P.  McCleery,  and  engaged  in  the  lumber  business.  He 
erected  the  first  steam  saw  mill  on  the  river  at  Milton,  and  followed  the  lum- 
ber trade  up  to  his  death,  December  4,  1S07.  His  wife  died  fourteen  years 
prior  to  his  decease. 

J.  P.  McCleery,  physician,  is  the  eldest  .son  of  Dr.  William  McCleery, 
and  was  born  in  Milton,  Pennsylvania,  November  13,  1832.  He  received  a 
good  education  at  the  schools  of  Milton  and  McEwensville.  He  began  the 
study  of  medicine  with  his  father,  and  attended  Jefferson  Medical  College, 
of  Philadelphia,  graduating  in  March,  1857,  and  since  that  time  has  prac- 
ticed his  profession  in  Milton.  June  4,  1870,  he  was  united  in  marriage  with 
Margaret  S.,  daughter  of  John  McCormick,  of  Lewis  township,  this  county, 
and  by  this  union  they  have  five  children:  Annie  M. ;  Mary  H. :  Martha  G. ; 
William,  and  Josephine  P.  Doctor  McCleery  is  a  Republican  in  politics,  and 
the  family  are  adherents  of  the  Presbyterian  church. 

Abraham  Straub  was  born  in  Milton,  Northumberland  county.  December 
0,  171*4,  son  of  Andrew  Straulj  and  twin  brother  of  Isaac  Straub.  He  re- 
ceived the  ordinary  education  of  that  period,  learned  the  tanner's  trade,  and 
carried  on  a  tannery  in  Milton  until  1824,  at  which  time  he  sold  out  and 
joined  his  brother  Isaac  in  what  were  known  as  the  Birchwood  Mills,  on  the 
island  opposite  Milton,  where  they  were  engaged  in  the  lumber  and  milling- 
business  a  number  of  years.  They  invented  and  introduced  into  their  mill 
the  first  reaction  water  wheel  probably  ever  used  in  the  State.  They  also 
had  a  railroad  track  to  their  mill  and  yard.  In  1832  and  1833  they  erected 
the  first  bridges  over  the  West  Branch  of  the  Susquehanna  at  Milton,  which 
were  carried  away  by  the  flood  of  March  17,  1805.  In  1834  Isaac  retired 
from  the  firm  and  went  to  Lewistown,  where  he  engaged  in  merchandising. 
Abraham  contimted  to  operate  the  mills  itntil  1840,  when  he  took  do^vn  the 
grist  mill  and  moved  it  to  Muddy  run,  two  miles  above  Milton,  where  he 
continued  the  milling  business  until  1853,  when  he  sold  the  same  and 
erected  a  bridge  across  the  Siisquehanna  river  at  I'niontown.  After  the 
comjiletion  of  this  undertaking  he  turned  his  attention  to  the  invention  of  a 
centrifugal  pump.  He  was  a  self-educated  surveyor,  and  became  one  of  the 
foremost  in  this  section  of  the  State.  November  29,  1821,  he  married  Nancy 
Balliet,  whose  father  was  a  native  of  Lehigh  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  a 
settler  in  Limestone,  Montour  county.  They  were  the  parents  of  the  follow- 
ing children:  John  Andrew,  deceased;  Ambrose  White,  who  died  in  infancy; 
Stephen  Daniel,  of  Hagerstown,  Maryland;  Elizabeth  Caroline,  wife  of  Eev. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  971 

"William  Goodrich;  Clement  Calvin,  of  Milton;  Ambrose  'White,  of  Philadel- 
phia; William  Alfred,  of  Cumberland,  Maryland,  and  Mary  Louisa,  de- 
ceased. He  died,  August  21,  1804.  Isaac  Straub  left  Lewistown  in  1S8S 
and  went  to  Cincinnati,  where  he  died,  December  17,  lS7r).  Christian  Straub 
tatight  school  and  engaged  in  merchandising  in  Schuylkill  county,  where  he 
served  as  sheriff;  he  was  also  elected  to  the  Pennsylvania  legislature  and  to 
Congress,  but  died  befoi-e  the  expiration  of  his  term,  and  was  liuried  in  the 
congressional  burying  ground  at  Washington,  D.  C. 

Clement  C.  Steaub  was  born  in  Milton.  Northumberland  county.  Penn- 
sylvania, November  23,  1833,  son  of  Abraham  and  Xaney  (Balliet)  Straub. 
He  attended  the  public  schools  and  academy  under  Reverend  Dieter,  and  was 
for  many  years  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business.  For  the  last  twenty-five 
years  he  has  been  engaged  in  building  portable  mills  in  connection  with  his 
brother  Ambrose,  the  inventor,  their  place  of  business  being  in  Philadelphia. 
He  is  a  director  in  the  First  National  Bank  of  Milton.  Febrtiary  17,  1804, 
he  was  united  in  marriage  with  Elizabeth  A.,  daughter  of  Justus  Swenk,  of 
Milton.  She  died,  May  24.  1872.  Mr.  Straub  is  a  prominent  Repuljlican, 
and  was  for  many  years  a  member  of  the  school  board  and  to-mi  council. 

Joseph  Mare  was  one  of  the  pioneers  of  Turbut  township,  Northumber- 
land county,  the  site  of  his  home  being  now  embraced  in  the  borough  of 
Milton.  He  was  born,  June  ITi,  1750,  in  Northampton  cotmty,  Penn.sylvania, 
where  he  married  Susannah  Frampton  of  the  same  county,  born  April  27, 
17"i4.  In  1702  he  purchased  three  hundred  seventy-nine  acres  of  land  from 
the  widow  of  Turbutt  Francis,  a  part  of  a  tract  known  as  •■Colonel's  Re- 
ward," lying  on  the  east  bank  of  the  West  Branch,  immediately  north  of 
Milton.  It  must  have  been  well  improved  property,  as  he  paid  at  the  rate 
of  four  pounds  per  acre  for  it.  In  1793  he  settled  upon  his  purchase,  where 
he  died,  September  3,  1790;  his  widow  survived  him  imtil  December  27, 
1820.  They  were  the  parents  of  six  children:  Mary,  who  married  Robert 
Martin;  Hannah,  who  became  the  wife  of  William  Hull:  David,  who  died, 
February  14,  1819;  William,  who  died,  December  18.  1S28;  Joseph,  who 
died,  October  5,  1804,  and  Alem,  who  became  quite  a  prominent  lawyer  and 
jiolitician  and  served  two  terms  in  Congress. 

William  Hull  was  a  native  of  Sussex  coimty.  New  Jersey,  horn  July  17. 
1771,  and  settled  in  Turbut  township,  Northumberland  coimty,  Peimsylvania, 
in  the  last  decade  of  the  eighteenth  century,  where  he  married  Hannah 
Marr,  January  12,  1797.  Her  father,  Joseph  Marr,  came  from  Northamp- 
ton county,  Pennsylvania,  in  1793,  and  located  immediately  north  of  Milton. 
She  was  born,  March  23,  1777,  and  was  about  sixteen  years  old  when  her 
father  settled  in  this  coimty.  To  William  and  Hannah  Hull  were  born  four- 
teen, children,  only  nine  of  whom  reached  maturity:  Susan,  who  married 
Samuel McCarty;  Elizabeth;  Jesse;  David;  Alem;  William  P.:  Thomas  R. : 
Sarah  A.,  who  married  John  H.  Brown,  and  Hannah  M..  who  married  Robert 


972  HISTOKY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

M.  Slater.  William  Hull  died  upon  the  homestead  farm  in  1828;  his  widow 
afterward  moved  into  Milton,  where  she  died,  February  10,  1858,  in  the 
eighty-first  year  of  her  age. 

Dr.  Tho5i.\s  R.  Hull,  youngest  son  of  William  HuU,  was  born  on  the 
old  homestead  near  Milton,  February  19,  1815.  He  here  grew  to  manhood, 
and  received  his  early  education  at  the  old  Milton  Academy.  About  1832  he 
entered  Lafayette  College,  and  subsequently  read  medicine  under  Doctors 
James  S.  Dougal  and  William  McCleery,  and  graduated  from  Jefferson  Med- 
ical College  in  1838.  He  commenced  j^ractice  at  Washingtonville,  Montour 
county,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  remained  until  18()1,  when  he  removed  to 
Milton  and  continued  in  the  active  duties  of  his  profession  up  to  his  death. 
May  25.  188(1  On  the  23d  of  February,  1843,  Doctor  Hull  was  married  to 
Elizabeth  McCormick.  who  survives  him.  Seven  children  were  born  to  this 
union:  Margaret  Mc:  William;  Alem  P.;  Thomas  R. ;  Harry  B. ;  Edward 
L.,  deceased,  and  Elmer  S.  Doctor  Htdl  was  a  skillful,  careful,  and  consci- 
entious physician,  and  enjoyed  a  large  and  lucrative  practice.  Politically 
he  was  a  Repiiblican.  and  was  a  member  of  the  electoral  college  which 
elected  Lincoln  to  the  presidency  in  ISdO.  He  was  chief  burgess  of  Mil- 
ton two  terms,  and  always  took  a  deep  interest  in  the  public  schools,  and 
was  a  member  of  the  board  of  education  several  years.  He  was  an  attendant 
of  the  Episcopal  church  and  a  man  of  unquestionable  integrity  and  upright 
character. 

William  Hull,  dealer  in  coal  and  grain,  was  born  in  Montour  county. 
Pennsylvania,  June  3ii.  1S46,  and  is  the  eldest  son  of  Dr.  Thomas  R.  Hull. 
Ho  was  educated  in  the  Milton  schools,  and  in  1809  he  began  clerking  for 
his  uncle,  William  P.  Hull,  and  continued  in  that  capacity  until  the  death  of 
the  latter  in  1870,  when  he  and  his  father  purchased  the  business  and  con- 
ducted it  under  the  firm  name  of  William  Hull.  On  the  death  of  Doctor  Hull 
in  1880,  his  son,  Thoma.s  R.,  became  a  member  of  the  firm,  which  has  since 
been  known  as  Hull  k  Company.  Mr.  Hull  is  also  interested  in  the  lumber 
business  at  Jersey  Shore  and  Pine  Creek,  Pennsylvania,  and  is  a  stockliolder 
in  the  Milton  Trust  and  Safe  Deposit  Comi)any.  He  was  married,  July  4. 
1872,  to  Emma,  daughter  of  Samuel  Leidy  of  Milton,  who  has  borne  him 
two  children:  May.  and  William  P.  Politically  Mr.  Hull  is  a  Republican. 
and  is  now  serving  his  ninth  year  as  school  director. 

The  McCormick  Family. — The  ancestry  of  the  McCormick  family  is 
traced  to  James  McCormick,  of  Londonderry,  Ireland,  one  of  the  signers  of 
a  memorial  to  William  and  Mary  in  108'J.  His  son,  Thomas  McCormick. 
was  bom  in  1702  and  immigrated  to  America  in  1735,  locating  in  Paxtang 
township,  Lancaster  ( now  Dauphin)  county,  Pennsylvania.  In  1745  he  removed 
to  East  Pennsboro'  township,  Cumberland  county,  Pennsylvania,  where  he 
died  in  1702.  He  married  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Adam  Carruth,  and  they 
were  the  parents  of  six  children.     The  eldest,  Thomas  McCormick,  was  born 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  975 


.um- 


in  the  North  of  Irehtiid  in  lT"-!7,  ami  died  in  East  Pemi;-boro"  township.  Ci 
berland  county.  Pennsylvania,  in  177S.     In  17.j('i  he  married  Jean,  dano-hter 
of   John  and  Mary  (Patterson)  Oliver. 

Of  the  five  children  born  to  this  union  the  elde.-t.  John  McCormick, 
removed  to  Xorthumberland  county  in  17'.t4  and  -was  the  jn-ogenitor  of  the 
branch  of  the  family  to  which  this  .sketch  more  particularly  relates.  He  was 
born  near  Silver  Sjiring,  Cumberland  coimty,  Pennsylvania.  March  20.  1757. 
and  died  in  his  adopted  county,  September  22,  lyio.  He  married  Ann, 
daughter  of  John  Sample,  and  they  had  issue  as  follows:  Elizabeth,  who 
married  John  Cook;  Robert,  who  married  Mrs.  Eliza  Wood,  nee  Montgom- 
ery: Jane,  who  married  John  Samiile;  Maria:  John,  who  married  Martha 
Giff'en:  William,  who  married  Rachel  Slote,  and  Sarah,  who  became  thr  wife 
of  Da^-id  Davis. 

Robert  M.  McCoemick.  eldest  son  of  John  and  Ann  McCormick.  was 
born  on  the  old  homestead  in  this  county.  January  '!').  171J0,  and  died  in 
Milton,  whither  he  had  removed  from  his  farm.  September  Id,  1.S7;'.  He 
was  married.  May  4,  iN^iO,  to  Mrs,  Eliza  Wood,  widow  of  ,Dr.  , Thomas 
Wood,  of  Muncy,  and  eldest  child  of  David  and  Agnes  (Shaw)  Montgomery. 
She  was  born,  April  27,  ISOO,  upon  the  old  homestead  in  what  is  now  Lewis 
township,  and  died  in  Milton,  February  1.  lS7(i.  Six  children  were  born  to 
Rol.iert  and  Eliza  McCormick:  David  M..  who  died  in  childhood:  John,  who 
died  in  early  manhood:  Robert,  who  was  killed  l)y  guerrillas  at  Bardstown, 
IvHutxTcky.  December  2'.»,  18(')4,  while  serving  in  the  Seventh  Pennsylvania 
Cavalry:  Charles  C,  a  gallant  soldier  of  the  same  regiment,  since  deceased; 
Agnes,  widow  of  William  P.  Dougal.  and  William  C.  of  Kansas. 

Gexeeal  Charles  C.  McCormick,  deceased,  was  bom  in  Paradise,  Lewis 
township.  Northumberland  county.  Pennsylvania,  February  IS,  ]S8>i,  and 
died.  January  >!!,  1SS4.  His  parents  were  Robert  and  Eliza  McCormick. 
He  was  reared  on  the  homestead  farm,  and  manifested  a  great  love  for 
books  and  a  desire  to  improve  his  mind.  He  attended  the  McEwensville 
Academy  and  the  Lewisburg  University,  and  took  a  course  at  the  Pittsburgh 
Commercial  College.  He  removed  with  his  parents  to  Milton  in  ISOO.  At 
the  breaking  out  of  the  civil  war  he  was  among  the  first  to  respond  to  his 
coiintry's  call,  and,  owing  to  his  military  tact,  indomitable  energy,  and 
unquestionable  bravery,  he  gradually  arose  from  the  rank  of  private  to  that 
of  brigadier  general.  October  'J.  ISIil,  he  enlisted  in  Company  D,  Eightieth 
Regiment  (Seventh  Cavalry),  and  November  18,  INIil.  was  promoted  to 
captain  of  Company  L;  January  10,  1805,  he  became  colonel  of  the  regi- 
ment, and  was  brevetted  brigadier  general,  March  13.  ISO."),  for  long,  faith- 
ful, and  gallant  service.  He  was  mustered  out,  Aitgust  23,  180-3,  and  was 
promoted  after  the  war  to  the  rank  of  major  general  of  the  National  Guard  of 
Pennsylvania.  He  fought  in  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee  as  a  cavalryman, 
and   was  wounded    at    Bardstown,  Kentuckv,    and    Selma.    Alabama.     The 


97b  HISTORY    OF   NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

bullets  received  at  the  latter  place  remained  in  his  body  until  his  death. 
He  participated  in  the  battles  of  Murfreesboro,  Stone  River,  Alexandria, 
Chickamauga,  Macon.  Dallas,  Atlanta,  Columbia,  and  Kenuesaw  Mountain. 
At  the  close  of  the  war  he  returned  to  Milton  and  purchased  an  interest  in 
the  firm  of  Murray,  Dougal  &  Company,  car  manufacturers,  from  which  he 
retired  in  1877.  June  3(i.  1S6S,  he  married  Charlotte  A.,  daughter  of  L.  M. 
and  Sarah  (Blake)  Wright,  of  Troy,  New  York,  and  to  them  were  born  three 
children:  Robert  C,  a  student  at  Cornell  University;  Helen  C,  and 
Walter  W.,  now  attending  school. 

The  Follmer  Family  are  among  the  earliest  settlers  of  this  portion  of 
Northumberland  coimty.  George  Jacob  Follmer  was  born,  December  4, 
1738,  in  Berks  coimty.  Pennsylvania.  His  father  with  an  older  brother, 
Michael,  emigrated  from  Germany  in  1737,  and  located  near  Reading, 
Berks  county,  Pennsylvania.  In  1778  Michael  and  George  Jacob  came  to 
this  county  and  located  in  Turbut  township.  They  took  up  a  large  tract  of 
land,  built  their  cabins,  and  engaged  in  clearing  and  improving  the  same. 
George  Jacob  Follmer  married  Catharine  Walters  and  reared  a  family  of 
twelve  children.  He  was  a  soldier  in  the  Revolutionary  war  five  years,  and 
a  Democrat  in  politics:  he  was  elected  as  a  member  of  the  Pennsylvania 
House  of  Representatives  in  1794  and  continuously  from  179S  to  1802, 
and  was  elected  to  the  Senate  in  1803.  He  died  in  1804  before  his  term  ex- 
pired. From  these  two  brothers  sprang  the  Follmer  family,  which  now  has 
several  hundred  descendants  in  this  county. 

Daniel  Follmeb,  youngest  son  of  George  Jacob  Follmer,  was  born  in 
Northumberland  coimty.  Jime  9,  178(5,  and  was  a  farmer  by  occupation. 
He  was  colonel  of  a  militia  company  for  many  years,  and  participated  in 
the  war  of  1812.  He  was  associate  judge  of  Montour  coimty  one  term. 
He  married  Susan  Diffenbecher.  a  native  of  Columbia  county,  Pennsylvania, 
who  died  in  1836.  Eight  children  were  born  to  this  union,  three  of  whom 
are  living:  Conrad,  of  Kansas;  Mary,  widow  of  John  A.  Eshbach,  of  Iowa, 
and  J.  M.,  of  Milton.  His  second  wife  was  Mrs.  Rachel  Grier,  by  whom  he 
had  one  child,  who  died  at  the  age  of  twelve  years.  Mr.  Follmer  was  a 
member  of  the  GeiTaan  Reformed  church,  and  served  as  elder  many  years. 
He  died  in  1873. 

J.  M.  Follmer  was  Ixirn  in  Limestone  township,  Montour  county,  Penn- 
sylvania, May  3,  lS2"i.  He  attended  the  public  schools  and  Danville 
Academy,  and  has  been  engaged  in  farming,  lumbering,  and  stock-raising. 
In  1863  he  enlisted  in  Company  E,  Thirty-seventh  Militia,  received  the 
appointment  of  regimental  quartermaster,  and  was  honorably  discharged. 
A.ugust  4,  1863.  He  was  a  charter  member  of  Bryson  Post,  G.  A.  R.,  of 
Watsontown,  and  chaplain  of  Henry  Wilson  Post,  Milton.  In  1865  he  was 
a  candidate  for  the  legislature,  but  was  defeated.  In  1888  he  was  elected 
to  the  House  of  Representatives  by  a  majority  of  about   two  hundred.      In 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  977 

1850  he  was  nnited  in  marriage  with  Susan,  daughter  of  J.  P.  Hackenberg, 
of  this  county.  Seven  children  were  born  to  this  luiion:  Emma;  Matilda, 
Mrs.  C.  G.  Wilson,  of  St.  Mary's,  Pennsylvania:  Edward  H.,  who  died  at  the 
age  of  one  year:  Ada.  Mrs.  J.  G.  Bower,  of  Wat.sontown:  William  H..  ])hy- 
sician.  of  Milton:  Eoland  B..  of  Philadelphia,  and  John  H.  Mr.  Follmer 
was  connected  with  the  Masonic  order  for  twelve  years,  and  Eoyal  Arch 
three  years;  he  is  a  member  of  the  German  Eeformed  chitrch,  was  an  elder 
several  terms,  and  has  been  sujierintendent  of  the  Sunday  school  for  many 
years.  He  is  now  engaged  in  the  insurance  business,  and  represents  several 
of  the  strongest  companies. 

Seth  C.vd\v.^.lladee  was  one  of  the  pioneer  merchants  of  Milton,  in  which 
town  he  settled  about  1812.  He  was  born  in  Montgomery  county,  Pennsyl- 
vania. October  11.  17'. It),  and  after  coming  to  Milton  engaged  in  clerking,  but 
subsecjuently  went  into  business  and  followed  merchandising  imtil  1S.")4, 
when  he  retired.  On  the  '.id  of  February,  1824,  he  married  Elizabeth, 
daughter  of  George  Hammond,  and  a  native  of  Northumberland  county. 
Her  father  was  one  of  the  first  settlers  of  this  part  of  the  State,  was  captured 
by  the  Indians  during  the  Eevolutionary  war  and  turned  over  to  the  Hessians, 
antl  was  held  a  prisoner  five  years.  Eleven  children  were  born  to  Seth  and 
Elizabeth  Cadwallader.  only  three  of  whom  are  living:  Hammond,  of  Juni- 
ata county;  All>ert.  of  ililtun.  and  Kate,  wife  of  James  McConkey,  of  Phila- 
delphia.    Till'  par.'uts  died.  August  24.  ISli:!  and  June  3. 1880,  respectively. 

Albert  Cadwallader  was  born  in  Milton,  Pennsylvania,  October  11, 
1841,  was  reared  and  educated  in  his  native  town,  and  was  engaged  in  the 
grocery  and  provision  business  until  187'.).  October  20,  1808,  he  married 
Annie  L..  daughter  of  Andi-ew  Supplec,  of  Philadelphia,  and  by  this  union 
they  have  seven  children:  Gertrude  H. :  Austin  S. ;  Seth  Iredell:  Mary 
Louisa:  Kate  E. ;  Bertha  May,  and  All)ert.  During  the  Rebellion  he  volun- 
teered in  Company  A.  Third  Pennsylvania  Militia,  and  later  in  Company  E. 
Twenty -eighth  Emergency  Men,  and  was  afterwards  appointed  agent  for  the 
I'nited  States  sanitary  commission  to  distribute  supplies  to  the  sick  and 
wounded  soldiers  at  the  front.  In  politics  he  is  a  Republican,* and  was 
elected  county  treasurer  in  1871,  the  first  Republican  ever  elected  to  that 
otfice  in  this  county.  He  served  five  terms  as  chief  burgess  of  Milton,  and 
has  alxi  l.ieen  a  meml>er  of  the  town  council.  He  is  secretary  and  treasurer 
in  till'  ^lilton  Knitting  Factory,  and  has  been  a  director  of  the  Milton 
National  Bank  for  several  years.  Mr.  Cadwallader  is  a  member  of  Henry 
A\  ilson  Post,  G.  A.  E..  and  served  as  quartermaster  of  the  same  four  years. 
He  and  family  attend  the  Presbyterian  church. 

Samuel  T.  Brown  was  for  many  years  one  of  the  best  known  business 
men  of  Milton,  where  he  lived  nearly  half  a  century.  He  was  born  in  White 
Deer  valley.  Union  county,  Peimsylvania.  July  IS,  1708,  and  was  a  descend- 
ant of  an  old  Puritan  familv  that  settled  in  that  valley  at  an  early  date  in  its 


978  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

history.  He  learned  the  tanning  trade,  and  in  1880  came  to  Milton  and 
purchased  the  property  now  ImoNvii  as  the  Milton  tannery,  where  he  carried 
on  business  over  thirty  years.  During  this  time  he  beca'me  actively  identi- 
fied with  the  growth  and  jjrogress  of  the  town.  He  was  a  stockholder  and 
director  of  the  old  Northumberland  Bank  more  than  twenty  years,  and  was 
one  of  the  organizers  and  directors  of  the  First  National  Bank  from  its  incep- 
tion iiY>  to  his  death,  June  4,  1875.  Mr.  Brown  was  twice  married,  first  to 
Nancy  Woods,  June  18,  1819,  who  bore  him  five  children,  three  of  whom 
grew  to  maturity:  Cyrus;  J.  Woods,  and  Oliver.  The  two  last  mentioned 
are  dead.  He  married  for  his  second  wift>  Elizalietli  A.  Young,  of  which 
union  one  child  was  born,  but  died  in  early  youth.  His  widow  survivt-d 
him  until  October,  1883.  Mi-.  Brown  was  an  excellent  citizen,  a  good  neigh- 
bor, a  man  of  sterling  business  character,  and  a  kind  husband  and  father. 
Politically  he  was  a  Democrat,  and  in  religion  a  consistent  memlier  of  the 
First  Pre-sbj-terian  church  of  Milton. 

Cyrus  Brown,  druggist,  was  born  iii  White  Deer  valley.  I'nion  county. 
Pennsylvania,  May  25,  1824,  eldest  son  of  Samuel  T.  and  Nancy  ( Woods i 
Brown.  He  was  educated  at  the  schools  of  Milton,  and  the  Lewisburg 
Academy,  after  which  he  entered  a  drug  store  in  Philadelphia,  where  he 
remained  until  he  acquired  a  thorough  knowledge  of  the  business.  In 
1854  he  returned  to  Milton,  and  established  liis  present  drug  huuse.  which  i< 
now  the  largest  in  the  county.  He  was  burned  out  in  May,  ISSO.  with  a 
loss  of  fifty  thousand  dollars,  outside  of  his  insurance,  but  rebuilt  the  sami- 
year,  and  in  1882  erected  his  present  store.  Mr.  Brown  handles  white  lead  in 
large  quantities,  and  is  the  inventor  and  manufacturer  of  the  Bed  Horse 
powder.  He  is  a  believer  in  printer's  ink,  and  is  probably  the  most  extensive 
advertiser  in  the  county.  In  1859  he  married  Louisa  B.,  daughter  of  David 
Krauser,  who  died  leaving  one  daughter,  Hettie  L.  He  was  again  married. 
January  1,  1870,  to  Mrs.  Rebecca  H.  Rhodes,  widow  of  Doctor  Rhodes,  of 
Milton.  Politically  Mr.  Brown  is  a  Democrat;  he  has  served  as  city  council- 
man, and  is  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church. 

J.  Woods  Brown,  deceased,  was  born  in  White  Deer  valley.  Union 
county,  Pennsylvania,  December  1,  1820,  son  of  Samuel  T.  and  Nancy 
(Woods)  Brown.  He  attended  the  Milton  Academy,  also  the  McEwensville 
Academy  mider  the  Rev.  S.  S.  Sheddon,  D.  D.  He  entered  Jefferson  Col- 
lege in  the  spring  of  1840,  and  graduated  from  that  institution  in  184^. 
He  then  read  law  one  year  with  Samuel  Hepburn,  of  Milton,  and  afterwards 
entered  the  law  school  at  Easton,  Pennsylvania,  under  Judge  McCarty  and 
Henry  Greer,  and  graduated  in  1851,  when  he  returned  to  Milton  and 
engaged  in  practice.  In  1853  he  entered  into  co-partnership  with  W.  C. 
Lawson,  which  relation  contimred  successfully  until  1880.  After  the  great 
fire  of  that  year  in  Milton  neither  partner  cared  to  continue  in  the  practice 
of  law.     Mr.  Brown  was  an  active  and  influential  Democrat  and  a  leader  in 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  079 

thf  local  coimcils  of  his  party.  In  1 802-03  he  represeuteil  Xorthumberlaud 
county  in  the  House  of  Kepresentatives  in  the  State  Legislature  and  occu- 
pied a  prominent  position  in  that  body.  He  held  a  number  of  positions  in 
civil  life,  in  which  his  tidi'lity  and  conscientiousness  were  prominently  mani- 
fested. He  was  the  principal  factor  in  the  organization  of  the  Fir.st  National 
Bank  of  Milton  in  iSC):-).  was  elected  its  president,  and  continued  in  this 
otHce  until  his  death.  He  was  a  remarkably  cjuiet  and  unobtrusive  man.  yet 
possessed  of  that  courage  which  always  prompted  him  to  follow  the  line  of 
duty  in  a  forcible,  and  oftentimes,  aggressive,  manner.  His  conceptions  of 
right  and  his  condemnation  of  all  things  that  reflected  the  image  of  impro- 
priety made  him  a  fearless  advocate  of  good.  January  29.  IS.'il,  he  married 
Maria,  daughter  of  William  and  Catherine  Polk,  of  Easton.  Penn.sylvania. 
Seven  children  were  born  to  their  union,  four  of  whom  are  living.  Mr. 
Brown  died,  January  0,  ISSS. 

William  Heinen,  deceased,  was  born  in  York  county,  Pennsylvania,  in  . 
IN  17,  son  of  Doctor  Heinen.  who  emigrated  from  Germany  and  married  Miss 
Etzler,  of  York  county,  and  practiced  medicine  in  that  county  before  remov- 
ing to  Milton.  William  Heinen  came  to  Milton  with  his  parents  when  a 
child,  and  received  his  education  at  the  Milton  Academy  under  Kev.  Da\-id 
Kirkpatrick.  He  started  in  life  as  a  clerk,  and  served  an  extended  appren- 
ticeship. In  1885  he,  in  co-partnership  with  Jesse  Schreyer.  established  the 
mercantile  firm  of  Schreyer  &  Heinen.  He  remained  a  member  of  that  tinu 
until  1800,  when  he  withdrew  and  retired  from  active  bttsiness  in  1S7(>.  He 
married  Anna  M..  daughti'r  (if  Henry  Funk,  of  Bucks  county,  by  whom  he 
had  eight  children,  three  of  whom  are  living:  Catharine,  wife  of  D.  M. 
Krauser;  William  A.,  and  T.  ('.  ^Ir.  Heinen  was  one  of  the  organizers  of 
the  Milton  National  Bank,  and  served  as  a  director  many  years.  He  was  a 
prominent  member  of  the  Luthi'ran  church,  and  a  Democrat  in  politics.  He 
died.  July  10,  lS7'.t:  his  widow  die.l  in  188.-). 

William  A.  Heinen  was  burn  in  .Milton,  Northumberland  county,  Peim- 
sylvania,  October  10,  l8.-,().  sun  uf  William  and  Anna  (Funk)  Heinen.  He 
received  his  education  in  the  Milton  schools  and  Bucknell  University,  Le\^"i5- 
burg,  Pennsylvania,  and  in  early  life  turned  his  attention  to  farming.  In 
1870  he  became  a  member  of  the  firm  of  Heinen,  Schreyer  &  Company,  but 
retired  from  the  same  in  ISSO.  and  has  since  returned  to  farming.  He  is  a 
director  in  the  Milton  Trust  and  Safe  Deposit  Company,  the  Milton  Iron 
Company,  the  Milton  Gas  Company,  and  the  Milton  Driving  Park  and  Fair 
Association,  a  stockholder  in  the  Milton  Water  Company,  and  a  member  of 
the  Milton  Bridge  Company,  also  one  of  the  organizers  and  secretary  and 
treasurer  of  the  Milton  Creamery  Company.  Politically  he  is  a  Kepuljlican. 
October  8,  1880.  he  married  Mary,  daughter  of  S.  J.  Shimer.  of  Milton. 

■  T.  C.  Heinen  was  born  in  Milton.  March  11,  18-30,  son  of  William  and 
Anna   (Funk)   Heinen.     He   was   educated   in   the   schools  of  Milton,   after 


980  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

which  he  entered  the  mercantile  business  as  clerk,  and  succeeded  his  father 
as  a  member  of  the  tirm  of  Heinen.  Schreyer  &  Company.  He  is  a  stock- 
holder in  the  Milton  Iron  Company,  the  Milton  Knitting  Company,  thi»  Mil- 
ton Water  Company,  the  Milton  Gas  Company,  and  the  Milton  Driving  Park 
and  Fair  Association.  In  1885  he  married  Carrie  V.,  daughter  of  D.  \\.  A. 
Belford,  of  Milton,  and  has  one  child.  Catharine  E. 

William  Chamberlin  was  bom  in  Xew  Jersey,  September  25,  178n.  He 
was  lieutenant  colonel  in  the  New  Jersey  militia,  and  served  in  the  Revolu- 
tionary war.  He  was  married  in  175s  to  Miss  Tinbrook,  who  bore  him  seven 
children.  March  8,  1771.  he  married  .\nn  Park,  who  bore  him  four  chil- 
dren, and  died.  November  12,  177U.  In  1782  he  married  Margaret  Park,  and 
by  her  were  born  four  children;  she  died.  April  29,  1791,  and  August  16,  1791, 
he  married  Ann  Mary  Kimble,  and  to  this  union  were  born  eight  children.  He 
was  twenty-three  years  of  age  at  the  birth  of  his  first  child,  and  seventy-six 
years  of  age  at  the  birth  of  his  twenty-third  child.  He  died,  August  21,  1817. 
His  oldest  son  Lewis,  while  on  a  visit  to  his  father,  was  killed  at  the  battle  of 
Germantown,  October  4,  1777,  by  a  cannon  ball.  About  1792  he  removed  to 
Buffalo  valley  and  purchased  six  hundred  acres  of  land,  in  what  is  now 
Kelly  township,  l^nion  county,  where  he  lived  in  prosperity  until  his  death. 
He  was  a  prominent  member  of  the  Baptist  church.  His  last  wife  came  of 
an  old  family.  She  was  familiar  with  Washington  Irving,  George  Washing- 
ton, and  others.  She  was  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  and  having 
a  very  retentive  memory,  committed  many  chapters  of  the  Bible  to  mem- 
ory.    She  died,  March  4.  1859. 

Moses  Ch.wiberlix  was  born  in  L'nion  county.  Pennsylvania,  Novemlier  S, 
1812,  youngest  son  of  William  and  Ann  Marj'  ('Kimble)  Chamberlin.  He 
was  reared  on  his  father's  homestead  and  educated  at  the  schools  of  that 
period.  At  the  age  of  twenty  years  he  went  to  Lewisburg  and  served  an 
apprenticeship  of  three  years  at  the  tanner's  trade.  In  1833  he  removed  to 
Milton,  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business,  and  followed  the  various 
occupations  of  milling,  lumbering,  and  farming  until  1874,  when  he  retired 
from  active  life.  He  purchased  the  land  and  laid  out  what  is  known  as  the 
Chamberlin  addition  to  Milton,  and  also  laid  out  and  sold  land  upon  which 
Watsontown  is  situated.  He  was  married  in  1835  to  Mary  Ann,  daughter  of 
George  Correy,  of  Milton,  who  died.  August  15,  1838.  One  child  was  born 
to  this  union,  Elizabeth  H.,  widow  of  William  Follmer,  of  Watsontown. 
He  was  again  married  in  1840  to  Jane  H.  Montgomery',  daughter  of  John 
Watson,  of  Watsontown,  and  to  them  six  children  have  been  born,  four  of 
whom  are  living:  William,  of  Milton:  Caroline,  Mrs.  A.  0.  First,  of  Belle- 
fonte;  James,  of  Harrisburg,  and  Frank,  an  attorney  of  Milton.  Mr.  Cham- 
berlin is  a  Republican  in  politics,  and  has  served  in  the  several  mtmicipal 
offices  of  his  town.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church, 
and  has  served  as  trustee,  recording  steward,  class  leader,  Sunday  school 
superintendent,  etc. 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  9S1 

John  Haag,  deceased,  was  a  native  of  Berks  county.  Pi'nnsylvauia.  and 
after  marrying  Mary  Knauss,  of  that  county,  he  removed  in  1S8I)  to  Turbut 
township.  Northumberland  county,  where  he  followed  farming  until  his 
death  in  18f)7;  his  %vidow  survived  him  until  LSS'i,  and  they  were  consistent 
members  of  the  Lutheran  church  and  the  parents  of  seven  children:  John, 
deceased:  Catharine,  deceased:  B.  K. ;  Elizabeth,  deceased:  Eebecca,  who 
married  "William  BalHet  and  lives  in  Montour  county,  Pennsylvania;  Hettie, 
wife  of  William  Gouger,  also  of  Montour  county,  and  Sarah,  deceased. 

B.  K.  Haag,  merchant,  was  born,  January  It,  LSI 7,  in  Berks  county. 
Pennsylvania,  and  is  a  son  of  John  and  Mary  C.  (Knauss)  Haag.  His  edu- 
cation was  received  in  the  subscription  and  common  schools.  At  the  age  of 
twenty-one  years  he  left  his  father's  farm  to  begin  a  business  life  for  him- 
self, his  lirst  employment  being  in  the  general  mercantile  store  of  Geddes, 
Green  A:  Walls  at  McEwensville,  this  county,  where  he  remained  four  years. 
Following  this  were  four  years'  service  as  a  clerk  in  a  general  store  in  Lewis- 
burg,  Pennsylvania.  In  1S47  he  came  to  Milton  and  formed  a  jiartnership 
with  T.  S.  Mackey  cV  Son,  under  the  firm  name  of  Maekey  &  Haag,  dry 
goods  and  hardware.  At  the  expiration  of  two  years  Mr.  Haag  withdrew 
from  this  connection  and  joined  Montgomery  Sweney,  and  for  one  year  did 
a  general  dry  goods  and  grocery  business,  under  the  firm  title  of  Sweney  & 
Haag.  After  one  year's  association  with  the  concern  of  Haag  &  Caldwell, 
the  stock  was  divided  and  Mr.  Haag  kept  a  store  for  a  period  on  the  present 
site  of  the  Milton  National  Bank.  In  1853  he  established  his  present  hard- 
ware and  book  store,  which  was  conducted  under  the  firm  cognomen  of  Haag 
&  BrowTi  until  the  panic  of  1S57,  which  compelled  Mr.  Haag  to  assume  all 
responsibility  of  the  business,  and  since  when  he  has  been  alone  until  joined 
by  his  son-in-law,  John  Buoy.  In  1868  he  purchased  a  lot  south  of  his 
present  hardware  room,  of  Elizabeth  Miller,  and  in  lS6o  erected  buildings 
on  the  same.  In  1875  his  business  block  was  burned,  rel.niilt,  and  again 
burned  in  1S8(*.  and  soon  after  rebuilt  the  second  time.  Besides  this  hand- 
some l;)rick  block,  he  has  constriicted  many  dwellings  in  the  to\\-n  of  Milton, 
including  the  Hotel  Haag,  which  magnificent  structirre  was  erected  in  ISiM 
at  a  cost  of  over  seventy-five  thousand  dollars,  and  opened  up  for  business 
on  x4.pril  1.  1S90.  Mr.  Haag  was  married,  February  20,  1852.  to  Sarah 
Schuck,  daughter  of  Philip  and  Catharine  (Diebert)  Schuck.  She  was  born. 
July  19,  1821,  in  Fnion  county,  Penn.sylvania,  and  to  her  union  with  Mr. 
Haag  have  been  bom  six  children:  William  A.,  deceased:  Mary  E.,  the  -wife 
of  John  Buoy;  Charles  H.,  deceased;  Sallie,  deceased;  Thomas  J.:  and 
Hettie.  the  wife  of  C.  A.  Chapin.  Mr.  Haag  was  postmaster  while  at 
McEwensville  and  also  trustee  of  school  funds  at  the  same  place.  He  was 
ajjpointed  one  of  the  distributing  committee  of  the  relief  funds  after  the 
great  fire  of  1880.  He  was  a  director  of  the  National  Bank  of  Milton  from 
18G5  to  1875. 


982  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

William  C.  Lawson,  president  of  the  Milton  National  Bank,  was  born  in 
Union  county,  Pennsylvania,  December  3,  1817,  son  of  JoseiDh  and  Ann 
Clinwan)  Lawson,  natives  of  Lycoming  and  Lancaster  counties,  Pennsylvania, 
respectively.  Roger  Lawson,  the  original  ancestor  of  the  family  in  America, 
came  from  the  North  of  Ireland  in  1720,  and  settled  at  Bohemia  Manor.  Mary- 
land, whence  John  Lawson,  grandfather  of  our  subject,  removed  in  1785  to 
Lycoming  county,  Pennsylvania.  Joseph  Lawson  was  born  and  reared  in 
that  comity,  and  subsequently  went  to  Union  county,  where  he  married  Ann 
Clino-an,  whose  parents  moved  from  Lancaster  to  Union  county  in  lS<tl.  He 
was  a  prominent  farmer,  and  both  he  and  wife  died  in  that  county.  Though 
originally  a  Democrat  he  became  a  Whig  during  Jackson's  administration, 
and  ever  afterward  voted  that  ticket. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  reared  in  his  native  county,  and  in  18;]l) 
commenced  attending  an  academy  at  Milton,  then  under  the  charge  of  Eev. 
David  Kirkpatrick,  where  he  spent  two  years  and  a  half.  In  1835  he  entered 
Delaware  College,  at  Newark,  Delaware,  from  whence  he  was  graduated  in 
1838.  After  leaving  college  he  began  the  study  of  the  law  in  the  otHce  of 
James  F.  Linn,  of  Lewisburg,  Pennsylvania,  and  comjileted  his  studies 
under  Judge  Eeed  of  Carlisle.  He  was  admitted  to  the  bar  of  Cumberland 
coimty  in  1840,  and  the  same  year  opened  an  oftice  in  Greenville,  Mercer 
county,  where  he  practiced  his  profession  until  the  fall  of  1843.  when  he 
located  in  Milton  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  of  Northiimberland  county, 
April  1,  1844.  Mr.  Lawson  contimred  in  active  and  successful  practice  at 
this  bar  for  about  forty  years,  but  the  tire  of  1880  having  destroyed  his 
home,  oftlce,  and  library,  ho  concluded  to  abandon  the  active  duties  of  his 
profession,  and  he  gradually  gave  iip  the  practice  of  the  law  and  has  since 
devoted  his  attention  to  his  private  affairs.  He  was  one  of  the  organizers  of 
the  Milton  Savings  Bank  in  1858,  and  since  July,  1800,  ho  has  been  presi- 
dent of  that  institution  and  its  successor,  the  Milton  National  Bank,  continu- 
ously, up  to  the  present.  He  also  has  been  president  of  the  Milton  Bridge 
Company  for  many  years. 

Mr.  Lawson  has  been  twice  married.  His  first  wife  was  Hannah  P., 
daughter  of  James  P.  Sanderson,  of  Milton,  to  whom  he  was  wedded,  Oc- 
tober 19,  1843.  She  died  in  1854,  leaving  two  children:  James  Lawson,  cash- 
ier of  the  Williamsport  National  Bank,  and  Mrs.  William  B.  Chamberlin, 
of  Milton.  His  second  marriage  occurred  in  April,  1858,  to  Mrs.  Ann  D. 
Shannon,  daughter  of  James  Strawbridge,  of  Lewisburg,  Pennsylvania.  She 
died,  December  11,  1SS5.  In  religious  faith  the  Lawsons  have  been  Presby- 
terians since  the  coming  of  Roger  Lawson  to  America  in  17'20,  and  our  sub- 
ject has  been  a  member  of  that  church  since  early  manhood.  He  has  always 
taken  a  very  deep  interest  in  the  progress  and  prosperity  of  the  Milton 
church,  in  which  body  he  has  filled  the  ofHce  of  elder  since  1859.  In  pohtics 
he  was  originally  a  Whig,  and  since  the  birth  of  the  Republican  party  he 
has  been  an  active  supjiorter  of  that  organization. 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  9S3 

Samuel  Wilson  Murray  was  born  at  Lewisljurg.  I'nion  county.  Peim- 
sylvania,  October  10,  LS'iU.  He  was  etlncated  at  the  old  Lewisburg  Academy 
under  Hugh  Pollock  and  his  successor  in  that  venerable  institution.  John 
Eobinson.  When  he  was  about  seventeen  years  of  age  he  went  to  Lancaster, 
where  his  father  then  resided.  Two  years  later  he  went  to  Portland,  Maine, 
and  entered  the  Portland  Locomotive  Works  for  a  term  of  three  years  for 
the  purpose  of  learning  the  trade  of  a  machinist.  At  the  expiration  of  his 
time  at  the  Portland  Works  he  spent  a  year  and  a  half  at  Yernon,  Indiana, 
and  in  Rhode  Island,  after  which  he  returned  to  Lancaster  and  was  emi)loycd 
for  the  three  succeeding  years  as  draughtsman  in  the  Lancaster  Locomotive 
Works. 

In  September.  lS'i<>.  lie  wi>nt  to  A\'illiamsport.  Pennsylvania,  and  in  con- 
nection with  William  "\'anderbilt  and  Charles  Bowman  engaged  in  the  machine 
business  under  the  lirm  name  of  Vanderbilt,  Murray  &  Bowman.  About  the 
middle  of  the  following  January  their  works  were  entirely  destroyed  by  lire. 
They  immediately  purchased  another  establishment  then  owned  and  operated 
by  John  B.  Hall,  but  during  the  following  summer  came  the  great  commercial 
crash  of  1S57,  and  this,  together  with  their  losses  by  tire,  crippled  the  firm 
to  such  an  extent  that  they  deemed  it  expedient  to  resell  the  works  to  Mr. 
Hall  and  retire  from  business.  Mr.  Murray  then  returned  to  Lancaster,  and 
shortly  afterward  went  to  Pittsburgh,  where  he  was  employed  a  year  in  the 
shojis  of  the  Pennsylvania  Railroad  Comi^any.  The  succeeding  year  lie  spent 
in  the  Baldwin  Locomotive  Works  at  Philadelphia. 

In  the  fall  of  1S0<>  he  returned  to  Lewisljurg.  and  became  interested  in 
the  lirm  of  Slifer,  Walls,  Shriner  &  Company,  which  was  about  to  engage  in 
the  manufacture  of  agricultural  implements.  In  February.  1S04,  he  came  to 
Milton,  and  in  connection  with  several  other  gentlemen,  founded  the  Milton 
Car  Works,  with  which  enterprise  he  i.s  still  identified. 

Mr.  Mttrray  was  married,  December  17,  1S(j(],  to  Sarah  Matilda  3[eekly.  a 
daughter  of  Dr.  John  Meekly,  of  Milton,  and  two  children,  a  son,  John  Heljer. 
and  a  daughter,  Helen  Beatrice,  are  the  residt  of  this  union. 

While  a  resident  of  Portland,  Maine,  Mr.  Murray  cast  his  first  vote  at  the 
municipal  election  at  which  Neal  Dow  was  elected  mayor  of  the  city  and 
which  resulted  in  the  enactment  of  the  famous  "Maine  Law."  He  became 
at  that  time  a  convert  to  the  theory  that  prohibition  was  the  only  practical 
remedy  for  the  evils  of  intemperance  and  he  has  remained  a  life-long  ailher- 
ent  to  the  cause.  In  early  life  he  joined  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  to 
which  creed  his  parents  and  sister  also  adhered,  and  he  has  been  a  prominent 
leader  in  church  work  for  many  years.  He  has  been  a  liberal  contributor  to 
religious  and  benevolent  purposes  and  his  business  career  furnishes  evidence 
that  a  competence  can  be  secttred  without  the  sacrifice  of  religious  principles 
or  honor. 

Charles   Heber   Dickerman.   manufacturer   of  railroad   equipment,   was 


984  HISTOUV  OF  NORTHUMBERLAND  COUNTY. 

born  in  Harford,  Susquehanna  county.  Pennsylvania.  February  8.  1848.  His 
father,  Clark  Dickerman.  was  a  native  of  Guilford.  Chenango  county,  New 
York,  born  June  12,  1808.  and  a  son  of  John  and  Thankful  Dickerman.  The 
family  traces  its  paternal  ancestry  back  to  168-"),  when  Thomas  Dickerman 
came  from  England  and  settled  in  Dorchester,  Massachusetts.  At  his  death 
he  left  two  sons:  Isaac  and  Abram.  The  latter  married  Mary  Cooper,  and 
died  at  New  Haven,  Connecticut,  lea^-ing  a  family  of  eight  children;  the  fifth 
child  and  oldest  son  was  also  named  Abram.  He  married  Elizabeth  Glover, 
who  bore  him  fovir  sons,  the  third  being  John  Dickerman,  who  removed  to 
Brattleboro.  Vermont,  and  married  Esther  Sperry.  Nine  children  were  born 
of  this  union,  the  fifth,  also  named  John,  being  the  founder  of  the  Guilford 
branch  of  the  Dickerman  family.  He  married,  in  1789,  Thankful  Smith,  a 
native  of  Granby,  Massachusetts,  and  a  daughter  of  Seth  and  Thankful 
Smith,  the  former  having  served  with  the  rank  of  colonel  in  the  Revolittion- 
ary  war.  John  Dickerman  was  born  in  Vermont,  March  17,  17n4,  and  served 
in  the  Revolution  nine  months,  being  employed  as  a  scout  during  the  latter 
part  of  his  service.  He  learned  the  blacksmith  trade  in  New  Haven,  Con- 
necticut, and  about  the  year  1800  moved  with  his  family  from  Vermont  to 
Guilford,  Chenango  county.  New  York,  where  he  followed  blacksmithing  and 
farming.  Both  he  and  wife  died  in  Ot>ego  county.  New  York,  November  (5, 
1848,  and  October  7,  IS")*),  respectively.  They  were  the  parents  of  eleven 
children,  Clark,  the  father  of  our  suliject.  being  the  seventh  in  the  family. 
He  was  twice  married,  first  in  November.  182U,  to  Eliza  Knapp,  who  died, 
November  9,  1880.  He  was  again  married,  October  14,  1888,  at  Gibson, 
Susquehanna  county,  Pennsylvania,  to  Sarah  Adelia  Chandler,  born  June 
30,  1815,  who  bore  him  the  following  children:  James  Bedell,  and  Eugene 
Durand,  both  deceased:  Eliza  Knapp.  wife  of  Ralph  H.  Eaton;  Charles 
Heber;  Payson  Kingsburv-,  and  Mary  Louisa,  wife  of  Clement  R.  Woodin. 
Clark  Dickerman  was  a  jAysician,  and  died  at  Harford,  Susquehanna  county, 
Pennsylvania,  August  5.  1858.  His  widow  is  still  living  at  Hazelton,  Lu- 
zerne county,  aged  seventy-six  years. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  educated  in  the  pitblic  schools  and  at  Har- 
vard University,  and  for  several  years  was  a  teacher  in  the  public  schools  of 
Susquehanna  and  Ltizerne  counties.  In  18G2  he  was  registered  as  a  law- 
student  in  the  ofiice  of  Daniel  S.  Dickinson,  Binghamton,  New  York,  but  in 
1808  he  abandoned  the  law  and  accepted  a  position  with  Carter  &  Son,  coal 
operators,  at  Beaver  Meadow,  Carbon  county,  Pennsylvania.  In  1808  he 
removed  to  Bethlehem,  Pennsylvania,  and  engaged  in  the  coal  commission 
business.  In  1869  he  became  interested  in  the  Chapman  Slate  Company, 
Chapman  Quarries,  Northampton  coimty.  Pennsylvania,  miners  and  manu- 
facturers of  roofing  slate  and  other  slate  products,  and  was  elected  secretary 
of  that  company,  and  in  1870  was  chosen  general  manager.  In  1880  he  be- 
came associated  with  S.  \V.  Murrav  in  the  manufacture  of  freight  cars,  and 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  iVSo 

removed  to  Milton,  where  he  ha.>  ?iuce  resided.  Mr.  Dickerman  is  secretary 
and  treasurer  of  Murray.  Dougal  \'  Company.  Limited,  and  is  a  director  of 
the  First  National  Bank  of  Milton.  During  the  past  eleven  years  he  has 
taken  a  prominent  part  in  the  social  and  material  development  of  his  adopted 
home,  and  is  to-day  one  of  the  best  and  most  favorably  known  citizens  of 
Northumberland  county.  He  has  always  been  an  unswerving,  uncompromis- 
ing Democrat,  and  a  fearless,  outspoken  advocate  of  Democratic  principles. 
Three  years  ago  he  was  elected  chairman  of  the  county  committee,  and  has 
been  twice  re-elected  to  the  same  position.  Under  his  wise  and  vigorous 
management  the  party  has  been  twice  successful  in  carrying  the  coiinty,  and 
filling  the  offices  with  stanch  Democrats. 

Mr.  Dickerman  was  married.  March  10.  1S09,  at  Beaver  Meadow.  Carlson 
county,  Pennsylvania,  to  Joy  I.,  daughter  of  William  and  Margaret  Carter, 
natives  of  Cornwall.  England,  where  ^Mrs.  Dickerman  was  boin.  Four  chil- 
dren are  the  fruits  of  this  union:  Adelia  Margaret;  William  Carter:  Grace 
Beatrice,  and  Joy  Chandler.  The  family  are  attendants  of  the  Presl)yterian 
church,  and  Mr.  Dickerman  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity. 

S.\iMUEL  Johnston  Shimer,  senior  member  of  the  firm  of  S.  J.  Shinier  & 
Sons,  was  born  in  Bethlehem  township,  Northampton  county,  Penn.sylvania, 
December  8,  1S37.  son  of  Abraham  B.  and  Margaretta  (Johnston)  Shimer, 
natives  of  the  same  county  and  of  German  and  Scotch  descent,  respectively. 
Mr.  Shimer  was  reared  upon  the  old  homestead  in  Bethlehem  township,  and 
during  his  youth  he  followed  the  daily  routine  of  farm  life.  He  attended  the 
public  schools  of  his  neighborhood,  and  finished  his  education  at  an  academy 
in  the  borough  of  Bethlehem.  Throughout  his  early  manhood  Mr.  Shimer 
was  engaged  in  farming,  but  in  October,  1S71,  he  came  to  Milton  for  the 
purpose  of  joining  his  brother  George  in  the  lumber  business,  whither  the 
latter  had  preceded  him  in  the  spring  of  ISOU  and  commenced  operations 
under  the  firm  name  of  Applegate.  Shimer  &  Company.  Their  first  purchase 
consisted  of  a  tract  of  eighteen  hundred  acres  of  heavily  timbered  land  in 
Union  county,  from  which  they  cut  the  timber,  and,  converting  it  into  lum- 
ber, hauled  it  to  Milton,  their  nearest  shipping  point.  Subseqiient  purchases 
increased  these  operations  until  the  product  of  about  three  thousand  acn^s  of 
fine  timber  lands  had  been  cut  and  marketed. 

During  this  period,  in  1S78,  an  event  occurred  that  has  proven  an  incal- 
ciilable  benefit  to  the  firm — the  invention  of  a  matcher-head  by  George  and 
Samuel  J.  Shimer,  which  is  recogmized  as  one  of  the  most  valuable  mven- 
tions  of  the  centurv'.  In  1872  the  firm  estaljlished  a  saw  and  planing  mill  in 
Milton,  with  a  small  machine  shop  attached,  which  was  operated  \\p  to  its 
destruction  by  the  fire  of  May.  lSSl>.  They  then  rebuilt  the  plant  as  a 
machine  shop  for  the  manufacture  of  cutter  heads  and  other  .specialties, 
and  from  that  time  forward  devoted  their  whole  attention  and  energies  to  the 
prosecution  of  the  new  business.     In  1>>S4  George  Shimer  retired  from  the 


9S6  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

tirm.  and  our  suliject  became  sole  pro2)rietor.  He  afterwards  took  into  part- 
nership his  sons  Elmer  S.  and  George  S.,  and  the  firm  then  became  S.  J. 
Shimer  &  Sons.  In  the  fall  of  188S  they  assumed  control  of  the  Milton 
Manufacturing  Company's  plant,  which  they  have  since  ojierated  success- 
fully. In  the  sjiring  of  1SS9  Mr.  Shimer  invented  and  patented  a  valuable 
machine  for  cutting  washers,  to  the  manufacture  of  which  the  latter  plant  is 
principally  devoted. 

Mr.  Shimer  was  married,  September  '27,  ISGO,  to  Catharine  A.,  daughter 
of  Isaac  and  Catharine  (Clemens)  Stout,  the  former  a  native  of  Northamp- 
ton coimty  and  the  latter  of  Bucks  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  both  of  Ger- 
man origin.  Mrs.  Shimer  was  born  in  Northampton  county,  and  is  the 
mother  of  three  children:  Elmer  S. ;  Mary  C.  wife  of  William  A.  Heinen, 
and  George  S.  The  whole  family  are  members  of  the  Pre.sbyterian  church, 
and  are  ardent  supporters  of  the  principles  and  measures  of  the  Eepublican 
party.  Mr.  Shimer  is  one  of  the  corporators  of  the  ^Milton  Trust  and  Safe 
Deposit  Company,  and  a  director  and  vice-president  of  that  institution.  He 
is  widely  known  and  recognized  as  a  gentleman  of  commendable  enterprise 
and  public  spirit,  as  well  as  one  of  the  most  successful  manufacturers  of  the 
West  Branch  valley. 

P.  C.  Johnson,  secretary  and  assistant  treasurer  of  the  Milton  Iron  Com- 
pany, was  born  in  Union  county,  Pennsylvania,  April  22,  1S2S.  His  grand- 
father, Christopher  Johnson,  was  a  native  of  New  Jersey,  settled  in  Union 
county  in  17S7,  and  died  there  in  1887.  He  served  as  captain  in  the  Revo- 
lutionary war  seven  years.  Jonathan  C.  Johnson,  father  of  our  subject,  was 
a  native  of  Union  county,  and  married  Elizabeth  Coldren  of  Northumberland 
county.  They  were  farmers  by  occi^pation,  and  removed  from  Union  to  Cen- 
tre county  in  1882,  where  the  father  died  in  1874  and  the  mother  in  1888. 
They  reared  nine  children,  eight  of  whom  are  living:  Josiah,  of  Centre 
county:  William  E.,  of  Illinois:  J.  C.  of  Lock  Haven;  Maria.  Mrs.  Levi 
Disson.  of  Centre  county:  P.  C,  of  Milton:  Joel  H.,  of  Centre  county:  Dan- 
iel J.,  of  Centre  county,  and  Emily  Elizabetli,  Mrs.  McMully,  of  Centre 
county.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  reared  and  educated  in  Centre 
county,  where  he  removed  when  four  years  old,  and  remained  on  the  farm 
until  he  was  twenty  years  of  age.  In  1857  he  entered  the  employ  of  the 
Hecker  Furnace  as  book-keejjer,  and  has  since  been  engaged  in  the  iron  bus- 
iness. He  came  to  Milton  in  1872,  and  was  one  of  the  organizers  of  the  Mil- 
ton Iron  Company.  In  1861  he  married  Margaret  A.,  daughter  of  Samuel 
Lowrie,  of  Montour  county,  and  they  are  the  parents  of  three  children: 
Newell  Lowrie;  William  Howard,  and  James  Curtis.  Mr.  Johnson  is  a 
member  of  Bellefonte  Lodge,  F.  &  A.  M.,  a  Republican  in  politics,  and  a 
member  of  the  Presbyterian  church. 

Johnson  B.  Godch.\rles,  of  the  firm  of  C.  A.  Godcharles  &  Company, 
manufacturers  of  nails,  was  born  in  Crescent,  Lycoming  county,  Pennsylvania, 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  987 

(October  1,  IS-jl,  son  of  Henry  and  Esther  (Price)  Godcharles.  He  was 
reared  in  his  native  town,  and  received  his  education  at  the  to^\^lship  schools 
and  Bloomtield  Academy,  after  which  he  learned  the  nailer  trade,  and  has 
since  followed  that  occupation.  In  187(>  he  went  to  Towanda,  Bradford 
county,  Pennsylvania,  and  was  a  member  of  a  co-operative  manufacturing 
couijiany  two  years,  and  from  there  went  to  Lycoming  county,  and  was 
engaged  iu  business  until  187-");  he  then  removed  to  Milton  and  worked  at 
his  trade  until  188s.  and  then  Ijecame  a  member  of  the  present  firm.  'Sir. 
Godcharles  is  a  director  in  the  Milton  Trust  and  Safe  Deposit  Comiuuiy.  In 
1N77  he  married  Sarah  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  George  Baker,  of  Milton. 
They  have  one  daughter,  Sarah  Baker.  Politically  he  is  a  Republican,  and 
is  connected  with  the  F.  A:  A.  M. ;  both  he  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  church. 

Ch.\rles  E.  Corp,  shipjnng  clerk  of  J.  B.  Godcharles's  nail  works,  was 
born  in  Tuscarora,  Schuylkill  coirnty,  Pennsylvania,  Xovember  14,  1848,  son 
of  A.  Nelson  and  Elizalieth  (Rank)  Coup,  of  Union  county,  Pennsylvania,  and 
uf  Gi-mian  descent.  The  family  removed  to  Chilliscpiac[ue  townshi}:),  this 
county,  in  ]S">1  where  the  father  followed  carpentering.  After  completing 
his  school  days  the  sul)ject  of  this  sketch  traveled  through  the  western 
States:  in  IMV.I  he  enlisted  in  the  Eighth  Cavalry  Regiment  of  the  United 
States  Regular  Army  and  was  stationed  iu  Arizona  and  New  Mexico  in  serv- 
ice for  five  years.  He  was  married  in  June,  1870,  to  Sarah  M.,  daughter  of 
David  S.  Carbaugh,  of  Milton,  and  to  this  union  have  been  born  eight  chil- 
dren: James  H..  deceased:  Clara  M..  deceased:  Annie  E.,  deceased;  David 
A.:  ilartha  D. :  Charles  E. :  Samuel  L..  and  Isaac  I.  Mr.  Coup  has  been 
with  his  present  employers  since  1N77.  and  has  lield  the  position  of  shipping 
clerk  since  Januarj',  1880.  He  is  a  Republican  in  politics  and  his  wife 
belongs  to  the  Evangelical  church. 

E.  F.  CoLvix,  proprietor  of  machine  shop  and  foundry,  was  born  in  Lu- 
zerne county,  Pennsylvania,  March  '2'.t,  18.35,  son  of  Israel  and  Eliza  (Smith) 
Colvin.  natives  of  Massachusetts.  His  father  was  a  carpenter  and  millwright 
by  trade.  He  died  in  1876:  his  widow  still  survives  him.  They  reared  six 
children:  James  W.,  of  Wilkesbarre:  C.  W.,  of  Plymouth;  Jess  W.,  of 
Scranton;  H.  P.,  of  Tunkliannock;  Louisa  M.,  of  Dalton,  Lackawanna 
county,  and  E.  F.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  reared  in  his  native 
county  and  educated  at  Wyoming  Seminary,  Kingston,  Pennsylvania,  after 
which  he  learned  the  machinist  trade  at  Wilkesbarre,  Pennsylvania.  In 
1880  he  removed  to  Milton  and  worked  at  his  trade  until  1885,  when  he  pur- 
chased his  jiresent  business.  In  ISTC)  he  married  Elizabeth,  daughter  of 
Abram  Fairchild,  of  Chillisquaque  township,  and  to  this  union  have  been 
born  three  children:  Abbie  E. :  Dora  M.,  and  Dix.  Mr.  Colvin, is  a  stock- 
holder in  the  Milton  Knitting  Company,  the  Milton  Creamery,  the  Milton 
Driving  Park  and  Fair  Association,  and  Montandon  Paint  Works. 


988  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

Frederick  Malcolm  Kelly  was  born  in  Huntingdon  coiuity,  Pennsyl- 
vania, July  1,  ISSf).  He  was  educated  at  the  university  in  Lewisburg,  (now 
Bucknell  University)  from  which  he  was  graduated  in  IST.').  being  the  first 
grandchild  of  that  institution.  In  1879  he  came  to  ililton  where  he  became 
connected  with  the  Milton  Iron  Company,  of  which  he  was  made  secretary 
in  1882.  He  held  this  position  six  years,  and  in  September,  1888,  was 
made  general  traveling  agent,  which  ho  resigned  to  accept  his  present  posi- 
tion with  the  Milton  tannery.  Mr.  Kelly  possesses  great  business  ability, 
and  is  recognized  as  one  of  Milton's  prominent  business  men.  His  is  a 
stockholder  in  the  Milton  Iron  Company,  one  of  the  directors  and  ex-secre- 
tary of  the  Milton  Driving  Park  Association,  a  stockholder  in  the  Milton 
"VVater  Company,  and  a  member  of  the  Milton  Board  of  Trade.  Politically 
he  is  a  Republican. 

Jacob  Fetter,  lumber  dealer  and  proprietor  of  a  planing  mill,  was  born 
in  Sunbury,  Pennsylvania,  December  29,  1830,  son  of  Samuel  and  Mary 
(Wise)  Fetter,  natives  of  Cumberland  county,  this  State.  His  father  was  a 
carpenter  by  trade  and  moved  to  Sunbury  in  1832.  He  was  captain  of  a 
militia  company  and  was  familiarly  known  as  Captain  Fetter.  His  wife, 
Mary  Wise,  was  born,  September  28,  1802,  and  died  in  1^79.  while  he  was 
born,  February  IS,  1798,  and  died  in  1887.  They  reared  a  family  of  six 
children,  four  of  whom  are  living:  Henry  G..  a  retired  photograi)her  of 
Peru,  Indiana;  Rebecca,  wife  of  Gideon  Conrad,  of  Purdytown;  Jacob,  and 
James  H.,  who  resides  in  Peru,  Indiana.  Our  subject  was  reared  in  Sunbury 
and  received  a  common  school  education.  He  learned  the  carpenter  trade, 
which  ho  followed  from  1854  to  188(\  when  ho  removed  to  Milton  and  in 
1881  established  his  present  business.  In  1800  he  was  married  to  Jane 
Ann  Gossler,  daughter  of  Samuel  Gossler,  of  Sunburj-.  To  this  union  were 
born  two  children:  William  G.,  who  married,  October  2(i.  1887,  Margaret 
B.  Kremer,  a  daughter  of  Daniel  Kremor,  of  Philadelphia,  and  James  Her- 
bert; both  of  these  sons  are  engaged  in  business  with  their  father.  In  1805 
he  went  out  as  a  corporal  of  the  Seventy- fourth  Pennsylvania  Volunteers. 
He  is  a  member  of  Sunbury  Lodge,  No.  22,  F.  &  A.  M..  is  a  Republican, 
served  nine  years  as  school  director  of  Sunbury,  and  with  his  family  belongs 
to  the  Lutheran  church  of  Milton. 

D.  Clinger,  lumber  manufacturer,  was  bom  in  Lycoming  county,  Penn- 
sylvania, November  IS,  1837,  son  of  Henry  and  Susanna  (Wagner)  Clinger, 
natives  of  Chester  and  Berks  counties,  respectively,  who  removed  to  Lime- 
stone township,  Lycoming  county,  in  1828.  The  father  purchased  a  large 
farm,  and  erected  thereon  a  grist  mill  and  saw  mill,  and  also  purchased  a 
mill  site  and  built  thereon  a  tannery.  He  became  one  of  the  representative 
men  of  the  county.  He  was  a  prominent  Democrat,  colonel  of  a  military 
company  in  the  early  days,  was  justice  of  the  peace  many  years,  was  county 
commissioner,  and  a  general  land  surveyor  and  conveyancer.     He  served  as 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  989 

elder  in  the  Reformed  church  for  some  years.  He  died  in  lS-'">4.  Eight  of 
his  children  grew  to  mati^rity.  six  of  whom  are  hving;  John,  of  Winchester, 
Virginia:  Abraham,  of  Williamsport :  Daniel,  of  Milton:  Mary,  wife  of 
Michael  Sypher.  of  Antes  Fort,  Lycoming  coimty;  Catharine,  wife  of  Adam 
Baker,  of  Winchester,  Virginia,  and  Susan,  wife  of  John  Knouf,  of  Milton. 
The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  reared  in  Lycoming  coimty,  and  was  edu- 
cated at  the  township  schools.  In  June.  1S07.  he  came  to  Milton,  and 
became  a  member  of  the  tirm  of  Balliet,  Dreisbach  &  Clinger,  lumber 
manufactiirers.  He  has  since  purchased  the  interests  of  the  other  members, 
and  for  fourteen  years  he  has  conducted  the  business  alone.  Mr.  Clinger  is 
a  stockholder  and  director  in  the  Milton  Trust  and  Safe  Deposit  Company, 
and  also  one  of  the  executive  board.  He  has  stock  in  the  Milton  Knitting 
Company,  the  Milton  Water  Company,  and  is  the  president  of  the  Milton 
Driving  Park  and  Fair  Association,  and  director  in  the  Milton  Creamery 
Company  and  the  Milton  Record  Publishing  Comjiany.  He  is  an  active 
Democrat,  and  is  a  school  director  of  Milton  and  treasurer  of  the  school  and 
building  fund.  In  ISCtO  he  married  Sarah  Amanda,  daughter  of  Israel  and 
Leah  (jNIoore)  Gann,  of  Lycoming  coimty.  and  by  this  union  they  have  six 
children:  Harry  R.;  Edgar  M.;  Frank  W.;  George  W.:  Joseph  A.,  and 
Daniel  J.  Mr.  Clinger  has  served  as  elder  in  the  Reformed  church  for 
many  years.  He  is  a  director  in  the  Young  Men's  Christian  Association, 
and  a  member  of  Milton  Lodge,  F.  .i  A.  M. 

H.  G.  CoHiLL  was  born  at  Williamsburg.  Blair  county,  Pennsylvania, 
August  25,  1858,  son  of  Andrew  A.  and  Mary  Jane  (Mapes)  Cohill,  of 
Huntingdon  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  New  York  State,  respectively.  His 
father  removed  to  Williamsport  and  accepted  the  position  of  general  super- 
intendent of  the  Pennsylvania  canal.  During  the  Rebellion  he  was  em- 
ployed by  the  government  as  a  civil  engineer.  He  died  in  Williamsport. 
December  4,  1SS7.  His  tirst  wife  died.  June  20,  ISOl;  by  her  he  had  two 
children:  Edmond  P.,  of  Hancock.  Washington  coimty,  Maryland,  and  H. 
G.  His  second  wife  was  Annie  E.  Egan.  by  whom  he  had  five  children, 
three  of  whom  are  living:  Andrew  X..  a  civil  engineer;  Ella  Maud,  and 
Thomas  W.  The  subject  of  our  sketch  was  reared  in  Williamsport  and 
educated  in  the  public  schools,  after  which  he  engaged  in  railroad  contract- 
ing and  building.  He  built  four  miles  of  the  Shamokin,  Sunbury  and 
Lewisburg  railroad,  also  the  Wilkesbarre  and  Western  from  Watsontown  to 
]NIillville,  and  was  connected  with  the  Reading  railroad,  building  the  annex 
from  West  Milton  to  Milton.  In  188s  he  organized  the  Milton  Knitting 
Companv,  erected  the  building,  and  became  one  of  the  heaviest  stockholders, 
and  held  the  position  of  secretary  and  treasurer  up  to  a  recent  date.  He  is  a 
director  of  the  Milton  Trust  and  Safe  Deposit  Company,  a  stockholder  in 
the  Milton  Driving  Park  and  Fair  Association,  and  one  of  the  auditors  of 
the  same.     Februarv   22,  1SS3,  he   married  Annie  L..  daughter  of  Maurice 


990  HISTORY    OF    NOKTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

Van  Busldrk.  of  Milton,  by  whom  liP  has  two  children:  Thomas  Haskins 
and  Maurice  Blanchard.  Mr.  Cohill  is  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian 
church,  and  politically  is  a  Democrat. 

Isaac  F.  Rittee,  2'>roprietor  of  the  Eitter  Granite  Works,  was  born  in 
Chillisqiiaqiie  township,  June  9,  1S65,  son  of  Solomon  H.  and  Annie  E. 
(Miller)  Eitter.  natives  of  Northampton  county,  who  settled  in  Chillisqua- 
que  to\vuship  in  1842^and  still  reside  there.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was 
edvicated  in  the  township  schools,  and  Pottsgrove  Academy,  and  remained 
at  home  ^mtil  1SS5,  when  he  came  to  Milton,  and  engaged  in  his  present 
occupatio'n  as  an  apprentice.  In  1887  he  engaged  in  business  on  his  own 
account  at  Lewisburg,  and  in  ISSS  purchased  his  present  business.  Mr. 
Eitter  is  a  stockholder  in  the  Milton  Knitting  Company.  He  is  a  memljin- 
of  the  Lutheran  church,  and  politically  is  a  Democrat. 

Chakles  jSTewhaed  was  born  in  Lehigh  county,  Pennsylvania.  March  1  7. 
1823,  son  of  John  and  Eva  (Reber)  Xewhard,  natives  of  that  county.  In 
1837  they  removed  to  Montour  county  and  engaged  in  farming.  The  father 
served  in  the  war  of  1812,  and  was  a  i)rominent  and  consistent  member  of 
the  German  Eeformed  church.  He  died  in  1858;  his  widow  still  survives 
him  with  her  son,  Charles.  Their  family  consisted  of  eight  children,  three 
of  whom  are  living:  Charles;  Isabella,  Mrs.  Peter  Carr,  of  Montour  county, 
and  Cyrus,  of  Sunlniry.  The  sul)ject  of  this  sketch  was  reared  on  the 
homestead  farm,  and  received  his  education  at  the  public  schools.  He 
remained  with  his  parents  until  1847,  when  he  engaged  in  the  lumber  busi- 
ness on  Muddy  run,  two  miles  from  Milton.  He  later  built  two  saw  mills 
in  Milton  and  was  engaged  in  manufacturing  lumber  twenty-one  years.  The 
mills  were  both  destroyed  by  fire;  the  first  mill  burned  in  1SC4,  the  second 
in  1877.  and  since  then  he  has  retired  from  active  business.  He  was  reared 
a  Democrat,  and  voted  with  that  party  until  1800;  since  then  he  has  been  an 
active  member  of  the  Eepublican  party.  In  1887  he  was  elected  county 
commissioner,  and  served  three  years  in  that  office.  In  1850  he  married  Anna 
M..  daughter  of  David  Eckert,  of  Turlrat  township.  Five  children  were  born 
to  this  union,  one  of  whom  is  living:  William  G.,  in  the  employ  of  the  Penn- 
sylvania Eailroad  Company  at  Sunbury.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Newhard  are  mem- 
bers of  the  German  Eeformed  cliurch  of  Milton,  and  for  twenty-eight  consecu- 
tive years  he  has  served  as  deacon  and  elder  in  that  organization. 

Egbert  Wilson,  deceased,  was  born  near  Williamsport,  Pennsylvania,  in 
1810,  and  subsequently  became  a  resident  of  the  State  of  New  York  until 
about  the  year  1844,  when  he  returned  to  his  native  county  and  followed  the 
saddlers  trade  in  Williamsport.  In  1850  he  removed  to  Milton,  where  he 
continued  his  trade.  In  1856  he  devised  what  is  known  as  the  "  Wilson  fly 
net"  for  horses,  had  it  patented  in  1858,  and  with  the  machinery  invented 
by  him.  he  engaged  largely  and  profitably  in  the  manufacture  of  that  article. 
In    1863.   at  the   age  of  fifty-live  years,    he   volunteered   and   served   three 


c^^^^^l^^yy'^-^  /t^llh^/t^iU.^^ 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  993 

months  in  the  defense  of  his  country.  He  married  Luccetta.  daiTghter  of  Dr. 
Henry  Heinen:  she  died  in  1858,  leaving  three  sons:  WilhamE.;  Henry  H., 
and  Eeuben  F.,  the  last  named  being  the  only  surnvor.  He  was  again  mar- 
ried in  1800  to  Mrs.  Rebecca  Overpeck,  and  died  in  lSTl>. 

Michael  F.\eley  was  born  in  Tnion  ccninty.  Pennsylvania.  April  ,">.  18211, 
son  of  Abraham  and  Rebecca  (Wolf)  Farley,  natives  of  Union  coimty,  and 
of  German  ancestry.  They  reared  six  children:  those  living  are:  Abraham, 
residing  upon  the  homestead  in  Tnion  coimty;  Jacob,  of  White  Deer  town- 
ship, Union  county,  and  Michael.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  reared 
tipon  the  farm,  and  received  but  three  months'  schoohng.  In  October,  1840, 
he  removed  to  this  county,  and  tirst  settled  in  Turbut  toN^Tiship,  and  in  IS'")!) 
located  on  the  site  of  his  present  homestead  in  South  ^Milton.  He  was 
engaged  in  manufacturing  brick  twenty-four  years,  in  the  butchering  biTsi- 
ness  twelve  years,  and  since  ISoo  has  followed  the  dairy  business  and  farm- 
ing, being  the  proprietor  of  the  South  Milton  dairy.  During  the  war  of  the 
Rebellion  he  furnished  two  substitutes  for  the  Union  army.  In  March,  1857, 
he  married  Hannah,  daughter  of  John  Hoy.  of  Turbut  to%vnship,  and  three 
children  were  born  to  this  union:  John:  William  E..  deceased,  and  Harry  ]M. 
Mr.  Farley  is  a  Democrat  in  politics,  and  has  served  as  assessor  of  Turlnit 
township.  Though  a  contriliutor  to  several  churches  he  is  not  connected 
with  any  denomination,  but  his  wife  is  a  member  of  the  Lutheran  church. 

William  Riddell,  farmer,  was  born  in  Turbut  township,  Northumberland 
county,  Pennsylvania,  March  4,  1881).  His  grandfather,  Charles  Riddell, 
emigrated  from  Ireland,  and  was  among  the  very  early  settlers  of  Delaware 
township,  where  he  remained  until  his  death.  He  reared  a  family  of  eight 
sons  and  two  daughters.  Charles  Riddell,  the  father  of  our  subject,  was 
reared  in  Delaware  township,  and  was  a  farmer  by  occupation.  He  married 
Catharine,  daughter  of  William  Stadden,  of  Turbut  township.  In  politics 
he  was  a  Whig,  and  served  as  township  supervisor  eight  years.  He  was  one 
of  the  charter  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church  of  McEwensville,  and  for 
many  years  served  as  deacon  of  the  same.  He  died.  January  <),  ISOO;  his 
wife  died,  Febniary  21,  1805.  They  were  the  parents  of  three  children: 
William:  Mary,  Mrs.  Samuel  Eckert.  of  Milton,  and  Margaret,  Mrs.  Oscar 
Hartranft,  of  Michigan.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  reared  and  educated 
in  Turbut  township.  December  11,  1850,  he  married  Annie,  daughter  of 
David  and  Elizabeth  (Crissman)  Eckert,  natives  of  Xorthamiiton  county, 
Pennsylvania,  arid  by  this  union  they  have  one  child.  Mary  Ellen,  Mrs.  C.  F. 
Balliet,  of  Milton.  Mr.  Riddell  followed  the  occupation  of  a  farmer  until 
his  retirement  from  active  life,  and  has  since  resided  in  Milton.  He  is  a 
stockholder  in  the  Milton  Trust  and  Safe  Deposit  Company  and  the  Milton 
creamery.  He  and  family  are  members  of  the  Lutheran  church,  and  he  has 
served  in  the  otKce  of  deacon. 


994  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

George  W.  Steine  was  born  in  Mifflinburg,  Union  county,  Pennsylvania, 
March  15,  ISIS,  son  of  Matthias  and  Catharine  (Welshans)  Strine,  natives  of 
York  county,  Peonsvlvania,  and  early  settlers  of  Union  county.  His  grand- 
father emigrated  from  Germany  and  served  in  the  Revolutionary  war.  The 
father  of  our  subject  removed  to  ^Milton,  April  1,  1818,  where  he  worked  at 
his  trade  and  boat  building.  Prior  to  this  he  was  engaged  in  saddletree 
making  at  MitHinburg,  Union  county,  Pennsylvania.  He  was  an  elder  in  the 
Lutheran  church  many  years.  He  died  in  ISOl ;  his  wife  died  in  185S.  They 
were  the  parents  of  nine  children,  four  of  whom  are  living:  Henry;  George 
W. ;  Daniel,  and  Matthias.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  reared  and  edu- 
cated in  Milton,  and  learned  the  trade  of  boat  builder,  which  he  has  followed 
about  thirty  years,  twenty  of  which  he  was  a  contractor,  and  biiilt  boats  for 
the  Pennsylvania  Canal  Company.  He  was  also  engaged  in  farming  about 
ten  years.  In  1841  he  married  Mary,  daughter  of  Frederick  Burnman,  who 
died  in  1SS8  leaving  three  children:  Melancthon;  Mary,  wife  of  John  Peeler, 
of  Milton,  and  Alice,  wife  of  Lewis  Small,  of  York  county,  Pennsylvania. 
Mr.  Strine  has  been  an  active  member  of  the  Democratic  party.  He  was 
postmaster  at  Milton  under  James  Buchanan's  administration,  was  elected 
sheriff  of  Northumberland  county  in  1875,  and  served  one  term,  and  has  also 
served  several  terms  as  councilman  and  member  of  the  school  board  of  Mil- 
ton. He  is  a  stockliolder  in  the  Milton  Knitting  Company  and  the  Milton 
Bridge  Company.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Lutheran  chui-ch,  in  which  he  has 
served  as  elder. 

\ViLLiA>t  A.  De.vn.  retired  farmer,  was  born  in  Montour  county,  Penn- 
sylvania, October  27,  18"27.  His  father,  Joseph  Dean,  was  born  in  that  part 
of  Columbia  county  which  is  now  attached  to  Montour  county,  Pennsylvania. 
He  was  a  farmer  by  occupation,  and  was  captain  of  a  company  in  the  war  of 
1812.  He  served  as  treasurer  of  Montour  county,  also  as  associate  judge  ten 
years,  and  was  a  Democrat  in  politics.  He  was  an  elder  of  the  Presbyterian 
church  for  many  years,  and  became  a  wealthy  and  influential  citizen  of  the 
community  in  which  he  resided.  He  married  Adeline  Cole,  of  Fishing  Creek, 
Columbia  coimty,  Pennsylvania,  by  whom  he  had  eight  children.  William  A., 
the  oldest,  was  reared  and  educated  in  his  native  county,  and  has  followed 
the  occupation  of  farming  and  surveying.  In  1872  ho  purchased  a  farm  in 
Lewis  to^vnship,  this  county,  where  he  resided  until  1884,  when  he  retired 
to  Milton.  October  3,  1853,  he  was  married  to  Susan,  daughter  of  John  and 
Mary  Gauger,  of  Montour  county,  Pennsylvania.  She  died,  March  3,  1881, 
leaving  two  children:  Mary  Ada,  wife  of  John  Z.  McFarland,  of  Watsontown, 
and  Jessie,  wife  of  George  F.  Richmond,  of  Scranton,  Pennsylvania.  He 
was  again  married,  January  8,  1884,  to  Louisa  McCurdy,  daughter  of  Jacob 
McCurdy,  of  Union  county,  Pennsylvania.  He  has  always  been  an  active 
Democrat,  and  for  twenty  years  was  a  justice  of  the  peace  for  Montour 
and  this  county.     From  1880  to  1888  he  represented  Northumberland  county 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  995 

in  the  State  legislature.  He  i.s  a  stockholder  of  the  Milton  Trust  and  Safe 
Deposit  Company,  and  one  of  the  examining  board  of  the  same.  He  is  a 
member  of  Danville  Lodge,  No.  224,  F.  &  A.  M..  and  with  his  family  belouirs 
to  the  Presbyterian  church. 

\ViLLiAM  P.  Wendle  was  born  at  Muncy.  Lycoming  county.  Pennsyl- 
vania. AiTgust  16,  1S40,  son  of  Peter  and  Sarah  (Buck)  Wendle.  natives  of 
that  county.  His  father  was  a  wagon  maker  by  trade,  and  prominent  in  Dem- 
ocratic politics,  served  as  county  commissioner,  and  in  varioiis  other  ofhces, 
and  was  a  member  of  the  Evangelical  church.  He  died  in  ISOS;  his  wife  died 
in  184^.  They  reared  a  family  of  eight  children,  sis  of  whom  are  livino-:  D. 
B..  merchant.  T.  P.,  carriage  maker.  P.  E..  cabinet  maker,  and  Ellen,  ]Mrs. 
Joseph  Gib.son,  all  of  Philadeli>hia;  Jane.  Mrs.  Phelix  Axtcl.  of  Iowa,  and  Will- 
iam P.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  educated  m  the  schools  of  Muncy.  went 
to  Indiana  in  IS-jO.  where  he  learned  the  trade  of  cabinet  maker,  and  in  ISGl 
enlisted  in  Company  H.  Twentieth  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry.  He  was 
taken  prisoner  in  North  Carolina,  was  honorably  discharged  because  of 
physicial  disability,  and  returned  to  Muncy,  where  he  engaged  in  business. 
In  l'^''i-j  he  married  Ellen  J.,  daughter  of  Daniel  Blue.  In  ISTl  they  re- 
moved to  Indiana,  and  in  1S74  came  to  Milton,  where  he  engaged  in  cabinet 
making  until  1S7U,  when  he  was  elected  justice  of  the  peace  and  has  since 
held  that  ottice.  They  have  three  children:  Carrie  Ida,  wife  of  Eeverdy  J. 
Bramble,  of  Winchester,  Virginia;  Nellie  T..  and  Elizabeth  M.  Mr.  Wendle 
is  a  member  of  Henry  Wilson  Post.  G.  A.  E..  the  Knights  of  tlu'  Golden 
Eagle,  and  K.  of  P.  He  and  family  attend  the  Lutheran  church,  and 
pohtically  he  is  a  Republican. 

Spexcer  L.  Finney,  merchant,  was  liorn  in  Buffalo  valh'v,  I'nion  county, 
Pennsylvania,  February  IH,  1S:^4,  son  of  James  and  Elizalieth  (Johnson) 
Finney,  farmers  by  occupation.  His  father  was  a  Republican  in  polities, 
and  6\\"d  various  to\\iiship  ofhces  in  L'nion  county.  About  1804  he  removed 
to  ililtun.  where  he  died  in  1S7<J;  his  wife  died  in  1872.  They  reared  seven 
children:  Elizabeth,  wife  of  John  S.  Lawson,  of  Milton;  Mary  H. ;  Spencer 
L. ;  Margaret  S.,  widow  of  J.  H.  Haines,  of  Genesee  county.  New  York; 
Eleanor,  wife  of  B.  Young,  of  Mitfiinburg.  L'nion  coimty,  and  James  R..  of 
Lawrence.  Kansas.  Mr.  Finney  was  reared  on  the  home.stead  farm  and  received 
his  education  at  the  township  schools,  and  at  the  old  academy  on  Broadway 
hill,  Milton,  Pennsylvania.  At  the  age  of  eighteen  years  he  came  to  Milton 
and  entered  the  store  of  William  Heinen  &  Brother  as  clerk,  and  has  since 
been  engaged  in  mercantile  pursuits.  He  established  his  jiresent  business 
in  May.  1850,  starting  in  a  small  way,  and  had  become  one  of  the  prosper- 
ous merchants  of  Milton  when  the  tire  of  18S0  burned  him  out.  with  a  loss 
of  twenty  thousand  dollars  above  all  insurance.  He  immediately  rebuilt  his 
present  store  room,  where  he  conducts  one  of  the  leading  mercantile  estab- 
lishments in  Milton.     He  is  a   stockholder  in  the  ^Milton  Knitting  Company 


996  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

and  the  Milton  Trust  and  Safe  Deposit  Company,  of  which  he  is  one  of  the 
examining  committee.  Politically  he  is  a  Kepublican,  and  has  served  as 
chief  bnrgess  of  Milton  two  terms  and  as  member  of  the  town  council  iif- 
teeii  years.  In  September,  ISoO,  he  married  Sarah  W.,  daughter  of  Elias 
Wertman,  of  Columbia  county.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Finney  are  members  of  the 
Presbyterian  church,  in  which  he  has  served  as  trustee  and  librarian  many 
years,  and  has  been  a  ruling  elder  for  aboiit  twenty  years.  He  is  a  mem- 
ber of  Henry  Wilson  Post,  G.  A.  E.,  of  Milton.  In  1802  he  served  as  cor- 
poral in  Captain  Thaddeus  Bogle's  comj^any  of  Emergency  Men  that  went 
out  to  assist  in  repelling  the  rebel  invasion  of  that  year,  but  saw  no  further 
active  service. 

W.  A.  ScHREYER.  merchant,  was  born,  -June  1),  18-j-'.  in  Milton.  Northum- 
berland county,  Pennsylvania,  a  son  of  Jesse  and  Maria  (Heinen)  Schreyer. 
He  received  his  education  in  the  common  schools  and  at  an  academy  at  Lew- 
isburg.  In  1848  he  was  employed  as  a  clerk  in  the  mercantile  establishment 
of  William  Heiner  at  Milton,  where  he  remained  until  1852,  when  he  was 
transferred  to  his  father's  general  store  at  Lewisburg.  Upon  reaching  his 
majority  he  was  taken  into  jiartnership  by  his  father  and  continued  to  do  a 
mercantile  business  in  Lewisburg  until  1801,  at  which  time  he  became  the 
comiiany  part  of  the  general  mercantile  establishment  of  Heinen.  Etzler. 
Roush  &  Company,  located  at  Milton,  and  has  ever  since  been  connected 
with  this  house.  He  and  W.  C.  Lawson  laid  out  what  is  kno^vn  as  Lawson 
and  Schreyer's  addition  to  Milton.  He  is  a  director  in  the  First  National 
Bank  of  Milton,  and  is  president  of  the  Milton  Iron  Company.  He  was  tirst 
married  in  1801  to  Mary  E.  Young,  and  has  four  living  children:  ^Nlaria. 
who  married  W.  K.  .Kremer;  Rebecca  Y. ;  John  Y.,  and  Henrv"  H.  Mrs. 
Schreyer  died  in  1870  and  he  was  subsecpiently  married  to  Octava  L.  Kelcli- 
ner,  and  to  this  union  two  children  have  been  born:  Kate  W.  and  Sarah  L. 
Mr.  Schreyer  is  a  Republican  and  one  of  the  best  known  and  mo~t  highly 
respected  citizens  of  the  community  in  which  he  resides.  He  and  family  are 
adherents  of  the  Presbyterian  church  of  Milton. 

Hexey  Koerber,  merchant,  was  liorn  in  York  county,  Pennsylvania,  April 
19,  1884,  and  is  a  son  of  Jacob  Koerber,  also  a  native  of  that  county.  He 
was  educated  in  the  common  schools  and  learned  the  cedar  cooper's  trade 
which  he  followed  for  several  years.  In  1805  he  came  to  Milton,  where  he 
worked  at  his  trade  until  1870,  when  he  established  his  present  grocery  busi- 
ness. In  1804  he  enlisted  in  Company  H,  Two  Hundredth  Pennsylvania 
Volunteers,  and  served  until  the  close  of  the  war.  He  was  married  in  1856 
to  Sarah  Agnes  Wasser,  daughter  of  John  Wasser,  of  York  county.  Pennsyl- 
vania. He  is  a  stockholder  in  the  Milton  Knitting  Company,  the  Milton 
Trust  and  Safe  Deposit  Company,  and  the  Evangelical  Publishing  Company, 
of  Harrisburg,  Pennsylvania.  He  belongs  to  Henry  Wilson  Post.  No.  129, 
G.  A.  R.,  and  Mutual    Lodge,  No.   84,  I.  0.  O.  F.,  is  a  Republican  in  poli- 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  997 

tics,  and  one  of  the  progressive  business  men  of  Milton.  His  wife  is  ii  mem- 
ber of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 

C.  F.  FoLLMEE,  insurance  agent,  was  born  in  Turbut  township,  North- 
umberland county,  Pennsylvania,  August  15,  1S3S.  son  of  Daniel  and  Sarah 
(Lance)  Follmer.  Daniel  Follmer  was  a  son  of  Henry  and  a  grandson  of 
■John  Follmer.  the  first  of  the  family  to  settle  on  Limestone  rim  in  Turbut 
township.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  educated  at  the  township  schools 
and  the  McEwensville  Academy.  He  engaged  in  farming  until  about  1SG4, 
when  he  established  his  jjresent  business,  representing  many  of  the  best  com- 
jianies  of  America  and  England.  Mr.  Follmer  is  interested  in  the  Buffalo 
Milling  Company  of  Lewisburg,  and  the  old  homestead  in  Turbut  township. 
He  is  secretary  and  treasurer  of  the  Milton  Gas  Company,  and  one  of  the 
directors  of  the  First  National  Bank.  In  1872  he  was  united  in  marriage 
with  Abby.  daughter  of  William  F.  Thomas,  of  Moorestown,  New  Jersey, 
and  by  this  union  they  have  two  children:  Henrietta  and  Annie  G.  Mr. 
Follmer  and  family  are  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  and  politically 
he  is  a  Democrat. 

J.  E.  Smith,  proprietor  of  a  furniture  and  music  store,  was  born  in  Cen- 
tre county.  Pennsylvania.  October  17,  1S8S,  son  of  William  and  Isabella 
(Keighard)  Smith,  natives  of  Union  and  Centre  coimties.  respectively.  They 
removed  to  I'nion  county,  where  the  father  died,  and  where  the  mother  still 
resides.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  reared  in  I'nion  county  from  the  age 
of  four  years,  and  received  his  education  at  the  Mifflinburg  Academy,  after 
which  he  engaged  in  teaching.  He  subsequently  removed  to  Columbia 
county,  Penn.sylvania,  and  was  engaged  in  the  mercantile  and  boat  building 
business  three  years,  and  then  went  to  Mooresburg  and  one  year  later  to 
Pottsgrove.  this  county,  where  he  conducted  a  mercantile  business  until  1S84. 
In  November,  1S79.  he  established  his  present  business  in  Milton,  and  was 
burned  out  in  May,  1S80,  but  immediately  started  ac,'ain  under  a  tent,  and 
continiied  his  business  until  the  completion  of  his  present  mammoth  store 
room,  which  is  erected  upon  the  former  site  of  the  Academy  of  Music.  He 
now  has  the  largest  wholesale  and  retail  establishment  of  the  kind  in  the 
county,  and  one  of  the  largest  in  the  State.  Mr.  Smith  is  a  stockholder  in 
the  Milton  Tiiist  and  Safe  DeiDOsit  Company.  He  is  a  member  of  Milton 
Lodge.  F.  &  A.  M.,  the  Watsontown  chapter,  and  the  consistory  of  Blooms- 
burg.  In  December,  1869,  he  married  Sarah  C,  daughter  of  William  Reed, 
of  Pottsgrove,  by  whom  he  has  two  children:  William  R.  and  John  R.  G. 
Mr.  Smith  is  a  Presbyterian,  while  his  wife  is  a  member  of  the  Lutheran 
church;  in  politics  he  is  a  Democrat. 

J.  J.  F.\rsNATJGHT  was  born  in  Milton,  Northumberland  county,  Pennsyl- 
vania, AugiTst  3,  1839,  son  of  George  and  Mary  iSwartz)  Fausnaught.  His 
grandfather.  John  Fausnaught,  was  a  native  of  Germany,  and  located  in 
Milton   between   1800   and   1805.     His  children   were:  George:  Catharine; 


998  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

Heni-y.  and  Joseph.  George  Fausnauglit,  father  of  our  subject,  was  born  in 
ISOO,  and  was  a  millwright  and  distiller  by  trade.  He  died  in  1842.  His 
widow  married  J.  M.  Huff,  of  Milton,  and  died  in  1878.  The  children  of 
George  Fausnaught  were:  David,  who  died  in  infancy;  Catharine,  deceased; 
George,  and  J.  J.  His  widow  had  six  children  by  Captain  Huff,  four  of 
whom  are  living:  JIartha,  wife  of  J.  C.  Balliet;  Laura  M. ;  Harry  E.,  and 
William  A.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  educated  in  the  public  schools 
and  began  life  by  working  in  a  planing  mill  and  sash  and  blind  factory, 
which  he  followed  sis  years.  His  step-father  was  proprietor  of  the  Huff' 
House,  and  after  his  death  he  conducted  the  same  from  1874  to  1879.  Pre- 
vious to  this,  however,  he  had  been  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business,  was 
burned  out  in  1880,  and  started  again  in  1881.  In  186G  he  was  united  in 
marriage  with  Adelaide  Chen-y,  of  Steuben  county.  New  York,  by  whom  he 
has  two  children:  Marj-  Matilda,  and  James  Cherry,  of  Boston,  Massachu- 
setts. He  is  connected  with  the  F.  &  A.  M.  and  I.  O.  O.  F.,  has  been  a 
memlier  of  the  German  Reformed  church  thirty-three  years,  and  has  served 
as  elder  and  as  superintendent  of  the  Sabl:)ath  school  for  several  years. 
Politically  Mr.  Fausnaught  is  a  Republican,  and  has  served  as  chief  burgess 
of  Milton  one  term. 

John  Y.  Buoy,  member  of  the  tirm  of  B.  K.  Haag  &  Company,  was  born 
in  Milton,  Northumberland  county,  Pennsylvania,  March  14,  1851,  son  of 
James  and  Eliza  (Yearick)  Buoy.  His  father  was  a  cabinet  maker  by  trade, 
a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  and  served  as  steward  and 
treasurer  of  the  same  many  years.  Politically  he  was  a  Democrat,  and  was 
candidate  for  sheriff  at  one  time.  His  wife  died  in  1854,  and  he  was  again 
married,  to  Eliza  Cromniller,  of  Union  county.  He  died  in  1801.  and  his 
widow  in  1885.  Seven  children  were  liorn  to  the  first  union,  five  of  whom 
are  living:  Sarah,  of  Olean,  New  York;  Charles  W.,  pastor  of  Trinity  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  church.  Philadelphia;  Clara,  Mrs.  P.  L.  Hackenberg;  James, 
groceiy  merchant,  and  John  Y.  By  the  second  marriage  there  was  one  child: 
Thomas,  of  Penfield.  Clearfield  county,  Pennsylvania.  The  sxibject  of  this 
sketch  was  reared  in  Milton,  and  received  his  education  at  the  public  schools 
and  the  Williamsport  Commercial  College.  In  18()9  he  went  to  Williams- 
port,  entered  the  office  of  the  general  superintendent  of  the  Pennsylvania 
railroad  as  train  dispatcher,  and  held  that  position  until  1887,  when  he  re- 
moved to  Milton  and  became  a  member  of  the  present  firm.  In  1SS2  he  mar- 
ried Mary,  daughter  of  B.  K.  Haag,  by  whom  he  has  three  children:  Robert; 
Charles,  and  John.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Williamsport  Lodge,  F.  &  A.  M., 
and  jwlitically  is  a  Reiniblican  with  Prohibition  proclivities;  he  is  the  present 
treasurer  of  the  borough  of  Milton.  Mr.  Buoy  and  family  are  members  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  of  which  he  is  steward. 

G.  W.  Imbody,  merchant,  was  born  in  Milton,  Northumberland  county, 
Pennsylvania,  Februarv  22,   1852,  son  of  George  and  Julia   (Heintzelman) 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  999 

Imbody,  natives  of  Berks  and  Northumberland  counties,  respectively.  His 
father  was  a  shoemaker  by  trade,  and  came  to  Milton  about  IS44.  He  en- 
listed in  lSiV2  and  was  honorably  discharged  in  1805.  He  was  a  Republican 
in  politics,  and  a  member  of  the  German  Reformed  church.  He  was  killed 
by  accident  in  ISOl):  his  wife  still  survives  him.  They  reared  seven  chil- 
dren, live  of  whom  are  living:  William,  undertaker,  of  Milton;  JohnH. ; 
George  W. :  Henry  J.,  and  Cyrus  B..  a  druggist  of  Bridgeport,  Connecticut. 
The  subject  of  our  sketch  was  reared  and  educated  in  Milton  and  learned  the 
carpenter's  trade,  which  he  followed  until  1870.  when  he  engaged  in  the 
mercantile  business  as  clerk,  and  in  1883  established  his  present  grocery 
business.  In  ISTT  he  married  Clara,  daughter  of  Samuel  Shiunan,  of  Cata- 
wissa,  by  whom  he  has  one  child:  Bertha  Irene.  Mr.  Imbody  is  a  stock- 
holder in  the  Milton  Knitting  Company.  Politically  he  is  a  Republican,  and 
he  and  wife  attend  Christ  Evangelical  Lutheran  church. 

John  T.  Fishzr.  merchant,  was  born  in  Union  county.  Pennsylvania,  Jan- 
uary 21.  18"i-|.  His  father,  Thomas  T.  Fisher,  was  born  in  Lycoming  coimty, 
Pennsylvania,  and  was  a  blacksmith  by  trade.  He  married  Annie  Addis  of 
the  same  coimty.  and  April  1,  184'.).  they  removed  to  Union  eoimty,  where 
they  still  reside.  Their  children  are:  Addis,  of  Union  county,  Emma  J., 
deceased;  Kate  E..  wife  of  Philiii  Davis,  of  Williamsport.  Pennsylvania; 
Margaret  A.,  wife  of  Robert  Hartzel,  of  Williamsport;  Hannah  B. ;  Edna  J., 
of  Williamsport:  Victor  B.,  of  Newberry;  Bennette,  and Dollie,  of  Williams- 
port. The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  reared  and  educated  in  Union  county, 
and  learned  the  black.smith  trade,  which  he  followed  until  May  27,  1885,  when 
he  was  appointed  clerk  in  the  railway  mail  service  and  ran  from  New  York 
to  Pittsburgh  on  the  Pennsylvania  railroad.  He  was  jiromotedto  chief  clerk. 
November  1.  ISS"^.  having  his  ofKce  at  Harrisburg.  and  held  the  same  until 
April  4.  ISSU.  He  then  came  to  Milton  and  became  a  member  of  the  firm  of 
Stahl  &  Fisher.  He  was  married.  Februarv'  8.  1882,  to  Martha  Elizabeth, 
daughter  of  Rolx>rt  Riddell,  of  Milton,  and  they  have  three  children:  Charles 
Merrill;  Frank  Monteville,  and  Ralph  Stewart.  Mr.  Fi.sher  is  connected 
with  the  F.  cV"  A.  M.  and  I.  O.  O.  F.  He  is  a  stockholder  in  the  Milton 
Rfcord.  and  j^olitically  is  a  Democrat. 

J.  H.  Stout,  druggist,  was  born  in  ^Nlilton.  Northumberland  county.  Penn- 
sylvania. June  1.  1856,  son  of  Charles  Stout,  a  native  of  Northampton 
county,  Pennsylvania,  who  came  to  Milton  with  his  parents  at  an  early  date. 
He  was  a  carpenter  by  trade,  and  married  Elizabeth,  a  daughter  of  J.  B. 
Heller,  and  reared  a  family  of  fourteen  children,  ten  of  whom  are  living.  He 
served  as  deacon  in  the  Reformed  church  for  many  years.  The  subject  of 
this  sketch  was  educated  in  Milton,  and  in  187G  he  entered  the  drug  store  with 
the  view  of  learning  the  retail  drug  business,  and  clerked  for  a  number  of 
years,  in  the  meantime  attending  the  Philadelphia  College  of  Pharmacy. 
In  1884  he  embarked  in  business  for  himself,  ojiening  a  new  drug  store  on 


1000  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

Broadway  where  he  is  still  located.  Success  began  from  the  day  he  and  his 
assistant — his  brother,  Charles  E.  Stout — opened  up  their  doors.  In  con- 
nection with  the  drug  business  he  is  sole  proprietor  of  Dr.  D.  Waldron's 
Improved  Liver  Pills,  having  had  the  doctor's  signature  patented  in  Wash- 
ington, D.  C,  "Trade  mark  No.  14,745."  His  trade  in  this  liver  pill  is 
growing  wonderfully,  even  extending  as  far  as  Florida.  He  is  a  member  of 
the  Reformed  church  of  Milton,  and  one  of  the  progressive  business  men  of 
the  place. 

George  C.  Stahl,  merchant,  was  born  in  Paradise,  Lewis  townshijj, 
Northumberland  county,  Pennsylvania,  August  24,  1858,  and  is  a  son  of 
George  Stahl.  He  was  educated  in  the  common  and  public  schools,  and 
Franklin  and  Marshall  College,  Lancaster,  Pennsylvania,  from  which  he  was 
graduated  in  1883,  and  in  1886  the  degree  of  A.  M.  was  conferred  upon  him 
by  this  institution.  He  taught  in  the  common  and  normal  schools,  and  for 
one  term  he  was  principal  of  the  McEwensville  public  schools.  For  a  time 
he  was  connected  editorially  with  one  of  his  home  papers,  was  deputy  post- 
master at;  Milton  imder  President  Cleveland's  administration,  and  was  once 
a  delegate  to  the  Democratic  State  convention.  He  is  a  Democrat  and  was 
elected  a  member  of  the  Milton  Council  in  ISUl).  He  is  a  memlier  of  the 
Phi  Kappa  Psi  fraternity,  the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  Encamjimeut  and  Patriarch  mili- 
tant, Masonic  order.  Knights  of  the  Golden  Eagle,  and  Royal  Arcanum.  He 
was  married  near  Turbutville,  this  county,  December  18,  1884,  to  Lillie  B. 
"White,  born  in  Milton,  Pennsylvania,  July  9,  1851),  and  is  a  daughter  of 
James  White,  born  in  Kempton,  Bedfordshire,  England,  January  15,  1819, 
and  Isabella  (Frymire)  White,  a  native  of  McEwensville,  this  county.  By 
this  union  he  has  one  child,  Isabella  D.,  born  November  12.  1885.  Mr. 
Stahl  belongs  to  the  Reformed  church. 

John  Henry  Kreitzee,  wholesale  and  retail  grocer,  was  born  in  Milton. 
Northumberland  county,  Pennsylvania,  October  24,  1858,  son  of  Washing- 
ton and  Catharine  (Lore)  Kreitzer.  He  attended  the  public  schools  and 
when  fourteen  years  of  age  engaged  himself  to  a  boatman  as  driver  on  the 
tow  path.  At  the  close  of  the  season  he  found  employment  at  William 
Price  Hull's  grain  and  coal  office  two  years,  after  which  he  attended  school 
until  1877,  and  was  engaged  as  clerk  until  1881,  when  he  associated  himself 
with  James  Buoy,  trading  under  the  firm  name  of  Buoy  &  Kreitzer.  The 
same  year  he  was  elected  auditor  for  three  years.  In  1883  James  Buoy 
retired  from  the  firm,  and  Mr.  Kreitzer  took  charge  of  the  entire  business. 
In  1884  he  was  elected  borough  councilman  for  three  years,  and  in  1887  was 
elected  ward  committeeman.  He  is  a  director  in  the  Milton  Board  of  Trade. 
Febriiary  11.  1886,  he  married  Mary  Catharine,  daughter  of  George  H.  and 
Amanda  C.  Ettla.  Mr.  Kreitzer  is  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church, 
and  served  as  secretai-y  of  the  Baptist  Simday  school  nine  years.  In  poli- 
tics he  is  a  Republican.     He  is  a  stockholder  in  the  Milton  Knitting  Company, 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  1001 

also  stockholder  and  auditor  of  the  Milton  Driving  Park  and  Fair  Associa- 
tion, and  a  stockholder  in  the  ^Milton  Trust  and  Safe  De230sit  Company. 

H.  M.  OvERPECK.  dealer  in  stoves  and  tinware,  was  born  in  Milton.  North- 
umberland county,  Pennsylvania,  February  21,  1862,  son  of  George  "\V.  and 
N.  E.  (Hougendoubler)  Overpeck.  His  grandfather  was  a  native  of  Berks 
county,  and  settled  in  Turbut  township  previous  to  1830.  The  father  of 
our  subject  was  born  in  this  county  in  1839,  and  was  a  merchant  by  occupa- 
tion. He  was  a  member  of  the  One  Hundred  and  Thirty-iirst  Pennsylvania 
Volunteers,  and  served  two  years.  He  is  a  member  of  the  German  Reformed 
church,  and  of  Mritual  Lodge.  I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  in  politics  is  a  Eepublicau. 
He  died  in  1870;  his  widow  still  survives  him.  They  reared  two  children: 
H.  M..  and  John  P..  of  Philadelphia.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  reared 
in  Milton,  and  received  his  education  at  the  public  schools  and  Ea-tman 
Commercial  College,  Poughkeei>sie,  New  York.  In  1884  he  married  Emma 
E.,  daughter  of  David  Hertz,  of  Harrisburg.  Pennsylvania.  He  is  a  mem- 
ber of  Mutual  Lodge,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  politically  is  a  Eepublican. 

W.  H.  Hackexberg,  attorney  at  law,  was  born  at  White  Pigeon.  Michi- 
gan, May  14,  1859,  son  of  P.  L.  and  Mary  E.  (Hood)  Hackenberg.  His 
jiarents  removed  to  Milton  in  1801,  where  he  received  his  education  in  the 
public  schools,  after  which  he  read  law  with  his  father,  and  was  admitted  to 
the  bar  in  1881.  He  immediately  formed  a  partnership  with  his  father  in 
the  practice  of  law,  which  continued  until  1889  when  his  father  retired  from 
the  tirm.  Mr.  Hackenberg's  large  practice  is  entirely  dite  to  his  own  efforts 
and  his  thorough  knowledge  of  his  profession.  He  is  recognized  as  one  of 
the  leading  young  lawyers  of  the  county,  and  is  a  member  of  the  examining 
board  of  the  Northumberland  county  bar.  Politically  he  is  a  Eepublican: 
at  the  age  of  twenty-one  years  he  was  elected  justice  of  the  peace,  and  was 
probably  at  that  time  the  youngest  man  in  the  State  holding  that  otiice. 
After  serving  one  half  of  the  term  he  was  compelled  to  resign  on  account  of 
his  increasing  law  practice.  Mr.  Hackenberg  was  twice  elected  burtrt-ss  of 
Milton,  and  was  a  delegate  to  the  Eepitblican  State  conventions  in  iS'^'i  and 
IS'.H).  In  1878  he  married  Mary  H..  daughter  of  D.  H.  and  Susanna  Krau- 
ser.  of  Milton,  and  by  this  union  they  have  two  children:  .lames  Osborne 
and  Nina  K. 

Allen  S.  Hottensteix,  attorney  at  law,  was  born  in  Liljerty  townshij:), 
Montour  county,  Penn.sylvania,  son  of  Charles  and  Veronica  (Kauff'mani  Hot- 
tenstein.  He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  Turbut  township  and 
Milton  Academy,  and  remained  on  his  father's  farm  until  twenty-two  years 
of  age.  when  he  went  to  Berks  county,  this  State,  and  taught  school  He 
was  a  member  of  the  first  faculty  of  the  Keystone  State  Normal  School  at 
Kutzto^^^l.  Berks  county,  Pennsylvania,  which  position  he  resigned  to  accept 
the  principalship  of  the  high  school  of  that  place.  He  subsequently  began 
the  studv  of  law  with  H.  H.  Swartz.    judge   of    the  orphan's  court  of  Berks 


1002  HISTORY    OF    XORTHUJIBERLAND    COUNTY. 

county,  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  at  Lebanon,  Pennsylvania,  Januar}'  14, 
1S71.  He  removed  to  Scranton.  where  he  practiced  his  profession  for  ten 
years.  In  July,  1S81.  he  returned  to  Milton,  the  home  of  his  youth,  and  has 
since  engaged  in  various  occupations  in  connection  with  his  profession. 
Politically  he  is  a  Democrat  and  is  considered  a  leader  in  the  party  of  the 
community  in  which  he  lives.  ^Miile  residing  in  Berks  county  he  was  in  the 
internal  revenue  service  and  also  held  the  office  of  justice  of  the  peace.  He 
was  appointed  postmaster  of  Milton.  July  2G,  ISSG,  by  President  Cleveland, 
serving  his  full  term  of  four  years,  two  of  which  were  under  a  Kepxiblican 
administration.  In  IS'u  he  was  married  to  Mary  E.,  only  daughter  of  Daniel 
Zimmerman,  of  Berks  county.  She  died,  August  2,  1809.  He  was  again 
married,  on  the  24th  of  September.  ISTd,  to  Henrietta  Frances,  daughter  of 
Frederick  W.  Graff,  of  Philadelphia,  by  whom  he  has  seven  children:  Bessie 
May;  Lulu  Graff';  Katie  Veronica:  Annie  Boneta;  Ethel  Margaret ;  Henry 
Kauffman,  and  Kobert  Lee.  In  1^S4  Mr.  Hottenstein  became  connected 
with  the  Milton  Economist,  which  he  successfully  conducted  until  1888. 
Starting  with  an  old  Washington  hand  press,  he  refitted  the  office  with  steam 
power  and  Campbell  presses  and  increased  the  circulation  from  six  hundred 
to  one  thousand  nine  hundred  copies.  Mr.  Hottenstein  and  his  family  are 
members  of  the  German  Reformed  church. 

Samuel  T.  Swaetz,  attorney  at  law,  was  born  in  Milton,  Northumberland 
county,  Pennsylvania,  January  25.  l^-")0.  His  father,  George  P.  Swartz,  was 
born  in  New  Berlin,  Union  county,  this  State,  and  his  mother,  Eliza  (Tmcken- 
miller)  Swartz  was  a  native  of  McEwens\-ille,  Northumberland  county,  Penn- 
sylvania. The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  admitted  to  the  bar  of  Northum- 
berland county,  September  0,  lS>il.  and  began  at  once  to  practice  in  Milton, 
where  he  has  since  remained. 

Clarence  G.  Vokis,  attorney  at  law,  was  born  in  Danville,  Montour  coun- 
ty. Pennsylvania,  January  29,  iSol.  son  of  A.  G.  and  Rebecca  N.  (Frick) 
Voris.  His  father  was  born,  November  14,  1817,  in  Chillisquaque  township, 
Northumberland  county,  and  his  mother  was  born  in  the  borough  of  North- 
umberland, January  15,  1815,  and  died  in  Danville,  August  25,  1887.  His 
father  is  a  builder  and  contractor,  and  has  resided  in  Danville  since  1840. 
They  were  both  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  in  which  his  father 
has  served  as  elder  for  many  years.  Five  of  their  children  grew  to  maturity: 
Ehzabeth  A.,  deceased;  Mary;  Clarence  G. ;  Louisa,  and  John  G.  The  sub- 
ject of  this  sketch  was  reared  in  Danville,  attended  the  academy  of  that 
place,  and  graduated  from  Lafayette  College  in  1872.  He  read  law  with 
Silas  M.  Clark,  now  a  member  of  the  Supreme  bench,  also  attended  the 
Columbia  Law  School,  of  New  York  City,  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  of 
Indiana  county  in  the  spring  of  1S7G.  In  1877  he  opened  an  office  in  Sun- 
bury,  where  he  practiced  his  profession  until  January  1,  1887,  when  he  re- 
moved to  Milton,  and  formed  a  co-partnership  with  Colonel  John  McCleery. 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  1003 

McCleery  iV:  Voris  are  attorneys  for  the  Milton  Trust  and  Safe  Deposit  Com- 
])any.  He  is  a  Repulilican  in  politics,  and  is  a  member  of  Mahoninc]^  Lodge, 
F.  \-  A.  M..  of  Danville.  In  March.  ISSS,  he  married  Mary  G..  daughter  of 
Captain  Charles  J.  Bnmer,  deceased,  of  Sunbury.  ]Mr.  and  Mrs.  Yoris  are 
members  of  the  Presbyterian  church. 

J.  HuxTEK  Miles,  physician  and  surgeon,  was  born  in  what  is  now 
Columbia  coimty.  Penn.sylvania,  in  1S44,  and  is  a  son  of  Rev.  J.  G.  and  Isa- 
bella iHimter)  Miles,  natives  of  Centre  and  Northumberland  counties.  Penn- 
sylvania, respwtively.  He  was  reared  in  Lock  Haven  and  Williamsport. 
and  educated  at  the  public  schools  of  those  cities.  He  read  medicine  with 
Doctor  Bro%vii.  of  Port  Carbon.  Schuylkill  county.  Pennsylvania,  and  was 
graduated  from  Jeff er.son  Medical  College.  Philadelphia,  in  1S72.  He  began 
his  professional  career  in  Limestoneville  and  Muncy,  this  State,  and  located 
in  Milton  in  the  fall  of  1S72,  where  he  has  built  up  an  extensive  practice. 
He  was  married  in  1S72  to  Florence  Runyan,  daughter  of  G.  B.  Runyan,  of 
Montour  county.  Pennsylvania,  by  whom  he  has  one  daughter.  Elizabeth  R. 
In  1S62  he  enlisted  in  Comjiany  B.  One  Hundred  and  Thirty-Hrst  Pennsyl- 
vania Volunteers,  and  after  a  service  of  nine  mouths,  re-enlisted  in  Company 
C.  Two  Hundred  and  Seventh  Pennsylvania  Volunteers,  and  was  honorably 
discharged  at  the  close  of  the  war.  He  is  one  of  the  directors  of  the  Milton 
Drivmg  Par):  and  Fair  Association,  in  politics  is  a  EepuWican,  and  with  his 
family  belongs  to  the  Baptist  church. 

J.  S.  FoLLMEK.  physician  and  surgeon,  was  born  in  Turbut  township.  North- 
umberland county.  Pennsylvania,  July  IS,  1S52,  son  of  Daniel  and  Sarah 
(Lover)  Follmer.  His  father  was  bom  in  Turbut  township  in  lSl)o, and  was 
a  farmer  by  occupation.  Id  politics  he  was  a  Democrat  up  to  the  war.  served 
in  the  various  township  oiJices,  and  was  trustee  of  the  Follmer  Lutheran  church 
many  years.  He  died  in  ]*~iS7;  his  wife  died  in  1S,S2.  They  reared  four 
sons  and  four  daughters:  Mary  E..  wife  of  Charles  Engle:  "William  G. : 
Margaret:  C.  F..  insurance  agent  of  Milton:  Elmira,  wife  of  William  Raup, 
of  Lewis  township:  Daniel  H. ;  Susan  L..  and  J.  S.  The  subject  of  our 
sketch  was  educated  at  the  public  schools  of  Milton  and  at  Limestone 
Academy.  He  read  medicine  with  Dr.  C.  H.  Dougal,  and  graduated  from 
the  Jefferson  Medical  College  of  Philadelphia  in  1S76.  Previous  to  this  he 
had  served  an  apprenticeship  in  the  drug  business,  and  after  practicing 
medicine  one  year,  he  engaged  in  the  drug  business,  which  he  has  since  fol- 
lowed. In  ]N7y  he  married  Lizzie  B..  daughter  of  Peter  Voris.  of  Chillis- 
quaque  township,  by  whom  he  has  two  children:  Fred  Voris  and  Malcom 
Murray.  Doctor  and  Mrs.  Follmer  are  memliers  of  the  Methodist  E2)iscopal 
chitrch,  and  politically  he  is  a  Democrat. 

J.\MES  A.  OsBORX.  physician  and  surgeon,  was  born  in  Philadelphia  in 
1S4II.  son  of  Peter  and  Rebecca  (George)  Osljorn,  of  that  city.  He  was 
educated  in   Philadelphia,  read  law  in  Washington,  D.  C,  graduated  from 


1004  HISTORY    OF    XORTHUMBEIILAND    COUNTY. 

the  law  department  of  Columbia  College,  and  was  admitted  to  the  Washing- 
ton bar,  but  never  practiced.  He  read  medicine  with  Dr.  Seth  Pancoast,  of 
Philadelphia,  graduated  from  the  Hahnemann  Medical  College  of  Philadel- 
phia in  ISTo,  and  came  to  Milton,  where  he  has  since  been  engaged  in  an 
extensive  practice.  He  married  in  1884  Anna  H.,  daughter  of  Rev.  A.  M. 
Barnitz,  of  York,  Pennsylvania,  by  whom  he  has  two  children:  Harry  and 
Herbert.     Politically  the  Doctor  is  a  Republican. 

H  C.  Sticker,  D.  D.  S.,  was  born  in  Reading,  Berks  county,  Pennsyl- 
vania, September  24,  1838,  son  of  Frederick  and  Elizabeth  (Gift)  Sticker, 
natives  of  Philadelphia.  His  father  was  a  paper  manufacturer  by  trade, 
and  also  a  hotel  keeper.  He  came  to  Milton  at  an  early  day  and  became 
proprietor  of  the  Washington  House,  and  continued  as  such  until  his  death, 
which  occurred  in  1850.  He  was  a  Democrat  in  his  early  life.  He  was  a 
member  of  the  Reformed  church;  his  widow  survived  him  until  1877.  Their 
family  consisted  of  eleven  children,  of  whom  the  following  are  living: 
Eliza,  wife  of  Abraham  Martz;  Catharine,  wife  of  Col.  Thomas  Swenk;  Isaac, 
a  resident  of  California;  Louis,  a  resident  of  Philadelphia;  Charles,  a  moul- 
der, residing  in  Milton,  and.H.  C.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  reared  in 
Milton,  and  received  his  literary  education  in  the  high  schools  of  that  city- 
His  professional  education  began  in  Milton,  and  was  completed  in  Philadel- 
phia and  Now  York.  His  practice  in  Milton  has  extended  over  a  period  of 
thirty  years.  In  181)3  he  was  married  to  Rosetta,  daughter  of  William 
Smith,  of  Milton,  by  whom  he  has  four  children:  Laura;  Hattie;  Lake,  and 
Carroll.  He  at  one  time  belonged  to  Company  A,  Third  National  Guard 
of  Pennsylvania.  He  is  a  Republican,  and  has  served  as  burgess  of  Milton 
for  three  consecutive  terms,  also  in  the  town-  council   and  as  school  director. 

Rev.  M.  J.  Caeothees,  presiding  elder  in  the  Central  Pennsylvania  Con- 
ference of  the  Evangelical  Association,  was  born  near  Carlisle,  Cumberland 
county,  Pennsylvania,  August  14,  1S25,  and  is  a  son  of  William  M.  and 
Fannie  (Clark)  Carothers,  also  natives  of  Cumberland  county,  and  of  Scotch- 
Irish  extraction.  Their  ancestors  were  among  the  very  early  settlers  of 
that  county.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  reared  on  the  farm  until  the 
age  of  twenty-one  years.  His  literary  education  was  obtained  in  the  com- 
mon schools  and  the  Union  Academy  in  his  native  county.  Before  reaching 
his  majority  he  began  preaching,  having  been  appointed  to  the  Bedford 
charge  in  Bedford  and  Somerset  counties,  this  State,  which  position  he  tilled 
creditably  for  one  year,  and  was  then  transferred  to  the  Somerset  charge  in 
Somerset  and  Westmoreland  counties  for  one  year.  Following  this  was  a 
service  of  two  years  in  the  Perry  charge,  two  years  in  Cumberland  county, 
and  two  years  in  Shrewsbury,  Y'ork  county,  this  State.  He  was  then  two 
years  at  Hagerstown,  Maryland,  and  from  there  went  to  the  Cumberland 
charge  two  years.  On  account  of  failing  health  he  was  granted  a  vacation  of 
one  year,  after  which  he  was  on  the  Leesburg   charge,  Cumberland  county. 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  1005 

aiul  then  trausferrfd  back  to  Shrewsbury,  thence  to  Lock  Haven  and  New 
Berlin.  In  1S07  he  was  elected  jiresiding  elder  and  stationed  in  tlie  Centre 
district,  and  at  the  end  of  four  years  was  re-elected  and  stationed  in  the 
Lewisburg  district,  which  he  also  served  four  years.  He  was  again  elected 
and  stationed  in  the  Williamsiwrt  district  and  after  this  in  the  city  of 
Williamsport  for  one  year.  He  was  then  elected  conference  agent  to  raise 
money  to  jriay  off  the  mission  church  debts,  after  which  he  was  again  elected 
elder  and  stationed  in  the  York  district.  In  1872  he  came  to  Milton,  where 
he  has  since  resided  in  charge  of  the  Lewisburg  district.  He  ha>  Iven  a 
member  of  the  General  Conference  since  18.34  and  of  the  Board  of  Mi-sions 
since  1870.  In  1848  he  was  married  to  Elizabeth  Weller,  a  daughter  of 
Ludwig  "Weller,  of  Somerset  county,  Pennsylvania,  by  whom  he  has  live 
children:  Carrie  Belle:  Amanda  Elizabeth,  wife  of  Bishop  R.  Dubs.  D.  D., 
of  Cleveland.  Ohio:  Jann'S  Moran.  of  Alliany.  Xew  York,  special  airent  of 
the  Phoenix  Fire  Insurance  Company:  Flora  Jane,  wife  of  James  M.  Tag- 
gert.  of  Milton,  and  John  Weller,  M.  D.,  of  Somerset,  Somerset  cotmty.  this 
State.  Mr.  Carothers  is  a  Democrat,  and  has  served  as  president  of  the  Milton 
school  board  three  years.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity,  and 
also  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.  He  is  i)resident  of  the  Vioard  of  trustees  of  tL>^  Cen 
tral  Pennsylvania  College  at  New  Berlin,  this  State. 

Joe.  a.  Logan,  editor  and  publisher  of  the  Miltonkm,  was  born  i:;  ^lil- 
ton.  Northumberland  cottnty,  Pennsylvania,  son  of  Samuel  and  Rosr- i Sties) 
Logan.  His  father  was  a  native  of  Philadelphia,  and  removed  to  Milton  in 
1840,  and  died  in  Septemlier,  ISO:-};  his  mother  was  born  in  Germany,  and 
still  resides  in  Milton.  The  stibject  of  this  sketch  was  educated  in  the  pub- 
lic schools  and  an  academy.  In  December,  1880,  he  became  publisher  and 
proprietor  of  The  Miltonian.  He  was  married,  in  1882,  to  Lulu,  datighter 
of  Enos  and  Isabella  Tilden,  natives  of  Massachusetts  and  Pennsylvania, 
respectively,  and  to  them  were  born  two  children;  Bolton  and  Inez.  ^Ir. 
Logan  is  a  Repttblican  in  politics;  he  has  served  as  a  member  of  the  tow^n 
council,  and  held  the  position  of  postmaster  under  President  Artliur.  He 
enlisted  when  fifteen  years  old  in  Company  E,  One  Hrmdred  and  Thirty-first 
Pennsylvania  Volunteers,  served  until  discharged,  re-enlisted  in  C'om]>any  E. 
Fifty-first  regiment,  and  served  until  the  close  of  the  war.  He  is  a  jiast 
post  commander  of  Henry  Wilson  Post.  G.  A.  R.,  and  a  member  of  the  F. 
&  A.  M.  Mr.  Logan  is  a  stockholder  in  the  Milton  Trust  and  Safe  Deposit 
Company  and  the  Milton  Driving  Park  and  Fair  Association. 

William  Henry  Smith,  editor  and  publisher  of  the  Record,  was  born  at 
Huntington  Mills.  Luzerne  county,  Pennsylvania,  October  12,  1847.  son  of 
Conrad  and  Julia  Smith,  the  former  a  native  of  Germany  and  the  latter  of 
Pennsylvania.  His  primary  education  embraced  only  three  months"  attend- 
ance at  the  public  schools,  but  through  the  passing  years  he  devoted  his 
spare  time  to  study  and  reading,    and  thus  obtained  a  wide  and  diversified 


1006  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

knowledge  of  men  and  books.  At  the  age  of  twelve  he  was  apprenticed  to 
the  copper  and  tinsmith  trade,  and  at  seventeen  engaged  in  business  for  him- 
self. He  carried  on  tinsmithing  several  years,  and  then  sold  out  and  took 
control  of  the  Independent  Weekly  at  Benton,  Coliunbia  county,  Pennsylva- 
nia, which  he  published  four  years.  In  Sejitember,  1876,  he  came  to  Milton 
and  established  the  Argus,  which  he  edited  and  published  until  March  23, 
1889.  The  Economist  and  Argus  were  then  consolidated,  the  Kecord  Pub- 
lishing Company  organized,  and  the  name  changed  to  the  Record,  of  which 
Ml-.  Smith  became  editor  and  general  manager.  After  the  great  fire  of  18S0 
he  procured  the  loan  of  two  freight  cars  from  the  Pennsylvania  Railroad 
Company,  and  with  characteristic  energy  and  enterprise  had  an  entirely  new 
printing  office  in  opei-ation  within  four  days,  bringing  all  the  nece.ssary  mate- 
rials from  the  eastern  cities,  and  not  missing  a  single  issue  of  the  Argus. 
Mr.  Smith  was  married.  June  "-'■'"i,  l^'i'.t.  to  Mary  J.  Gibson  of  Rohrsburg, 
Columbia  county,  Pennsylvania.  ISfveu  children  have  been  born  to  them, 
four  of  whom  died  in  early  chikUiood.  The  living  children  are  as  follows: 
Julia  A.;  Elizabeth  G..  and  Cleveland  R.  Politically  our  subject  is  a  stanch 
and  active  Democrat;  he  is  a  member  of  the  Royal  Arcanum,  and  the  Ignited 
American  Mechanics. 

Robert  W.  Correy.  machinist  and  postmaster,  was  born  in  ]\Iilton,  North- 
umberland county,  Pennsylvania,  December  26,  1838.  His  father,  George 
Correy,  was  born  in  Chester  county.  Pennsylvania,  January  24,  1786,  a  son 
of  Robert  and  Rachel  Correy.  He  camf  to  Milton  when  a  young  man,  started 
one  of  the  first  wagon  maker  shops  in  the  town,  and  was  the  manufacturer  of 
the  old  Dearborn  wagon  a  number  of  years,  after  which  he  was  engaged  in 
the  mercantile  business  twenty-tive  years.  He  was  a  public  spirited  man, 
and  was  highly  esteemed  by  all.  He  was  one  of  the  organizers  of  the  Pres- 
byterian church,  and  a  member  of  the  same  over  fifty  years;  in  politics  ho 
was  a  Whig.  He  married  Susan,  daughter  of  John  Evans,  of  Roaring  Creek 
valley,  Columbia  county,  and  reared  a  family  of  seven  children,  four  of  whom 
are  living:  Rachel;  Hannah  M..  wife  of  E.  W.  Chapin;  John  K.,  of  New 
York,  and  Robert  W.  The  subject  of  our  sketch  received  his  education  at 
tjie  public  schools,  and  learned  the  trade  of  machinist.  In  18-').")  he  and  his 
brother  John  K.  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business,  succeeding  their  father 
under  the  firm  name  of  J.  K.  Correy  <fc  Company,  and  continued  about  twenty 
years."  Mr.  Correy  then  engaged  in  the  foundry  and  machine  works  under 
the  firm  name  of  Correy.  Bailey  &  Company,  and  continued  until  1873.  He 
then  became  employed  in  Shimer's  matcher-head  factory  as  machinist,  and 
has  since  held  that  position.  In  18-J6  he  married  Lucretia,  daughter  of  John 
Murray,  by  whom  he  has  four  children:  George,  a  machinist  in  Milton,  who 
married  Belle  Hagenbach;  John  ]\[.,  druggist,  of  Milton;  William,  and  Rob- 
ert Irwin.  Mr.  Correy  is  an  active  mf-mberof  the  Republican  party,  and  has 
served  as  overseer  of  the  poor  fifteen  years.     He  and  wife  are  members  of 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  1007 

the  Presbyterian  church.  June  2').  iSilO.  he  was  appointed  postmaster  at 
Milton,  and  August  27th  following  took  possession  of  the  same,  with  his  son, 
John  M.,  as  deputy. 

I.  D.  Gresh,  professor  of  music,  was  born  in  Montour  county,  Pennsyl- 
vania, April  22.  1S52,  son  of  Jesse  and  Mary  (Derr)  Gresh.  natives  of  Berks 
county,  who  came  to  Northumberland  county  about  1832.  located  in  Chillis- 
quaque  township,  and  afterwards  removed  to  Montour  coiuity,  where  they 
lived  until  1877.  The  mother  died  in  1809,  and  the  father  died  in  Milton  in 
1884.  He  was  an  elder  in  the  Lutheran  church  for  many  years.  They 
reared  twelve  children,  five  of  whom  are  living:  Joseph,  of  Washino-tonville, 
Montour  county:  George  D. :  Ephraim:  Sallie  E.  Odell,  of  Haverstraw,  New 
York,  and.  I.  D.  The  subject  of  our  sketch  was  reared  in  Montour  county, 
and  received  his  education  at  the  township  schools  and  Bloomsburo-  State 
Xormal  School.  He  also  paid  close  attention  to  the  study  of  music.  He 
removed  to  Milton  in  1878,  and  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business  for  two 
years,  and  since  1876  has  been  the  organist  and  leader  of  the  choir  of  the 
Presbyterian  church.  He  married.  December  22,  1874,  Clara,  daughter  of 
Samuel  Lerch.  of  Lewis  township,  and  has  four  children:  Cyrus  L. :  Mary 
Edith;  Theodore  Ralph,  and  ^L^urice  Evans.  He  is  a  member  of  Mutual 
Lodge,  No.  84.  I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  a  Knight  of  the  Golden  Eagle,  Castle  2nr,. 
Politically  he  is  a  Democrat,  and  takes  an  active  part  in  the  success  of  the 
party.  Mr.  Gresh  is  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  and  his  family 
of  tlie  German  Reformed  church. 

Ch.^bles  a.  Ke.\m  was  born  in  Milton,  Pennsylvania,  April  17,  1807.  He 
was  educated  in  the  common  schools  of  his  native  town  and  at  the  Milton 
Academy  under  Professor  Elias  Schneider,  and  graduated  at  the  Milton  high 
school  in  1884.  During  the  years  1884-89  he  taught  a  sub-grammar  school 
in  the  Milton  school  district.  In  the  fall  of  ]  889  he  entered  Bucknell  Uni- 
versity at  Lewisburg,  but,  owing  to  a  protracted  illness,  was  obliged  to  dis- 
continue his  studies.  In  Febmary.  1890,  he  was  appointed  to  a  position  in 
the  census  bureau,  and  is  now  in  charge  of  a  section  of  the  tabulating  force 
of  the  office.  Mr.  Kram  is  an  active  young  Republican,  and  was  elected 
borough  auditor  when  twenty-one  years  of  age  by  the  largest  majority  on  the 
ticket.  Since  residing  in  "Washington,  D.  C,  he  has  been  pursuing  studies 
at  the  Georgetown  Law  School,  an  institution  whose  halls  are  tilled  with 
hundreds  of  Encle  Sam's  ambitious  sons. 

John  W.  Eombach  (originally  Eambach),  was  born  in  Luzerne  county, 
Pennsylvania,  October  5,  1847.  son  of  Silas  and  Sarah  Romliach.  He  re- 
moved with  his  parents  to  Watsontown  in  1859,  where  he  attended  school 
until  1806,  after  which  he  took  a  business  course  at  Reading  Commercial 
College.  He  was  then  engaged  as  a  clerk  in  the  general  store  and  postoffice 
of  Captain  Shay  at  Watsontown  one  year,  and  in  1870  went  to  North  Caro- 
lina and  clerked  for  a   lumber  company   two   years.      He   returned  to  this 


1008  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

county  for  one  year,  and  then  located  at  Hall's  Station,  Maryland,  on  the 
Baltimore  and  Potomac  railroad,  where  he  engaged  in  the  lumber  business, 
sawing  timber  for  railroads,  the  United  States  government,  and  foreign  coun- 
tries. In  1881  he  removed  to  Milton,  and  is  now  engaged  in  farming.  In 
1ST4  he  married  Clara,  daughter  of  William  and  Catharine  (Wagner)  Faux, 
of  Riverside,  Pennsylvania,  natives  of  Columbia  county,  and  to  this  union  have 
been  l)orn  four  children:  Sallie  E.  Howard;  William  Jesse;  Katie  Faux,  and 
John  W.  Mr.  Eombach  is  a  director  of  the  Milton  Trust  and  Safe  Deposit 
Company,  the  Pleasant  Valley  Creamery  Company,  and  the  Milton  Driving 
Park  and  Fair  Association,  and  vice-president  of  the  latter.  He  is  a  member 
of  the  Lutheran  church.  He  is  a  member  of  the  town  council  and  in  politics 
is  a  Democrat. 

Thomas  A.  Muedock,  station  and  freight  agent  for  the  Pennsylvania 
Piailroad  Company  at  Milton,  was  born  in  Milton,  June  20,  1847,  and  is  a 
son  of  Thomas  M.  Murdock,  who  was  born  in  Chillisquaque  township  in 
1S03,  and  a  grandson  of  Augustus  Miirdock,  the  first  white  male  child  born 
in  Fort  Augusta.  His  great-grandfather  was  of  Scotch  ancestry  and  came 
to  America  on  account  of  religious  troubles.  He  was  with  Braddock  at  the 
time  of  his  defeat,  and  was  afterwards  stationed  at  Fort  Augiista.  His  sou. 
Augustus  Murdock,  learned  the  trade  of  a  cabinet  maker  and  lived  and  died 
in  Chilliscpiaque  township.  He  reared  seven  children,  all  of  whom  are  dead. 
Thomas  M.  Murdock  became  a  carpenter  by  trade,  married  Eleanor  Wilson, 
a  native  of  Montour  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  located  in  Milton,  where  he 
died  in  1872.  His  widow  died  in  1874.  To  their  union  were  bom  six  chil- 
dren: Sarah  M.,  wife  of  C.  W.  Tharp  of  IVIilton;  E.  H.,  agent  for  the. Penn- 
sylvania Eailroad  Company  at  Corry,  Pennsylvania;  Jane  Mary,  widow  of 
William  Marsh,  of  Milton;  Nathaniel  W.,  who  died  in  1800;  Thomas  A., 
and  Elizabeth  Ellen,  wife  of  George  Barclay  of  Milton.  Our  subject  was 
reared  and  educated  in  Milton.  He  learned  telegraphy  and  worked  six  years 
in  Sunbury  for  the  Pennsylvania  Eailroad  Company.  In  1872  he  was  aj)- 
pointed  passenger  and  freight  agent  at  Milton  and  has  since  held  that  posi- 
tion. In  1870  he  was  married  to  Margaret  L.  Gray,  daughter  of  P.  W.  Gray, 
of  Sunbury,  by  whom  he  has  five  children:  EdnaG. ;  Helen;  Donald;  Will- 
iam, and  Fannie.  Mr.  Murdock  is  a  Eepublican.  Captain  William  Gray, 
the  great-grandfather  of  Mrs.  Murdock,  was  a  Revolutionary  soldier  and  one 
of  the  charter  members  of  the  Society  Cincinnatus.  He  married  a  sister  of 
Captain  Samuel  Brady  and  General  Hugh  Brady,  both  noted  in  Indian 
warfare. 

L.  O.  Clinger,  agent  for  the  Adams  Express  Company,  was  born  in  Ly- 
coming county,  Pennsylvania.  January  31,  18'')2,  son  of  J.  W.  and  Rebecca 
(Meixell)  Clinger,  natives  of  Lycoming  and  Union  counties,  respectively,  and 
now  residing  at  Winchester,  Virginia.  His  father  is  a  Democrat,  and  served 
as  justice  of   the  peace    many  years.     The  subject  of  our  sketch  removed 


cmnM. 


/?c^n.e^4. 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  1011 

to  Union  coimty,  Pennsylvania,  when  nine  years  of  age,  and  was  educated  in 
the  ptiblie  schools  and  the  Bloomshnrg  State  Normal  School.  In  1S05  he 
came  to  Milton,  and,  with  the  excejition  of  four  years  sjient  in  Virginia,  has 
since  resided  here.  His  principal  busine^^s  had  been  liook-keeping  until  1SS3, 
■when  he  accepted  his  present  position.  In  1S71  he  married  Sarah  Jane, 
daughter  of  William  Nagle,  of  MiUon.  and  they  are  the  parents  of  five  chil- 
dren: John  Benton;  William  Bruce:  Sarah  Nagle;  Mary,  and  Kebecca. 
Mr.  Clinger  is  a  member  of  the  Eoyal  Ai-canum  of  Le\visburg.  and  politically 
he  is  a  Democrat.  He  and  wife  are  members  of  the  German  Reformed 
church. 

Charles  Malady,  liveryman,  was  lx)rn  in  Chillisquaque  township,  North- 
umberland coimty,  Pennsylvania,  February  18,  184-2,  son  of  Lydia  and  x\n- 
thony  (Wertz)  Malady.  His  father  was  a  native  of  Ireland  who  immigrated 
to  America  when  eighteen  years  old.  He  came  to  Milton  and  heljied  build 
the  Penn.sylvania  canal,  and  died  in  Chillisquaque  township  in  1800.  The 
subject  of  this  sketch  was  reared  on  the  homestead  farm,  and  received  his 
education  at  the  township)  schools.  He  was  engaged  in  boating  on  the  canal 
until  1877.  when  he  established  his  present  livery  business.  In  180.3  he 
married  Emily,  daughter  of  Jonathan  Eissell,  of  Danville,  Pennsylvania. 
Mr.  Malady  is  a  stockholder  in  the  Milton  Driving  Park  and  Fair  Associa- 
tion, and  in  politics  is  a  Democrat. 

Henry  Wilhelm  was  born  in  Lanca.ster  county  in  1810,  a  son  of  Anthony 
Willu'lm,  a  native  of  Prussia,  who  removed  from  Lanca.ster  county  to  Milton 
in  ISll  and  engaged  in  liutchcriiig.  which  he  followed  some  years.  He  also 
founded  the  Broadway  House,  and  was  proprietor  of  the  same  many  years. 
His  children  were:  Henry;  Catharine,  deceased;  Mar}',  of  Lock  Haven; 
Eliza,  deceased  wife  of  Joseph  WoLfinger;  Angstadt;  Sarah.  Mrs.  James 
Bobbins,  of  Williamsport ;  John,  deceased,  and  Frederick,  deceased.  Henry 
Wilhelm  came  to  Milton  when  one  year  old,  and  was  educated  in  the  public 
schools.  He  learned  the  butcher  trade  of  his  father,  and  engaged  in  that 
business.  He  married  in  ]830  Mary  A.,  daughter  of  William  and  Catharine 
Wolfinger,  and  reared  seven  children,  five  of  whom  are  living:  Sarah  Cath- 
arine, widow  of  William  H.  Wolf,  of  Lewisburg;  Mary  Susan,  wife  of  John 
L.  Bennage,  of  Lock  Haven;  Charles  H;  Ellen  Nora,  wife  of  Dr.  Wilson  P. 
Ard,  of  Centre  county,  and  Emma,  wife  of  Horace  Evans,  of  Philadeli^hia. 
Henry  Wilhelm.  as  well  as  his  father,  was  a  Democrat  in  politics,  and  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Baptist  church.  He  died  in  1874;  his  widow  still  survives  him. 
Charles  H  Wilhelm  was  born  at  Milton,  April  20,  1840.  son  of  Henrj- 
and  Mary  A.  (Wolfinger)  Wilhelm.  He  received  his  education  at  the  Milton 
Academy.  He  engaged  in  clerking  for  some  time,  for  seven  years  was  the 
proprietor  of  the  Danville  Hotel,  and  has  since  been  engaged  in  the  liveiy 
business  and  dealing  in  horses.  In  1'>'>N  he  married  Elizabeth  R.,  daughter 
of  John  L.  Goodlander,  of  Milton.     She  died  in  1871,  leaving  two  children: 


1012  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

John  Henry,  bom,  February  10,  1869,  and  Linda  B.,  born.  May  22,  1871. 
He  married  in  1875  Katie  J.,  daughter  of  William  H.  Bright,  of  Ashland, 
Pennsylvania,  who  died  in  1884  leaving  two  children:  Anna  B.,  who  was 
bom  on  the  ISth  of  July,  1870,  and  died  on  the  loth  of  July,  18'.t().  and 
William  Bright,  who  was  born  on  the  13th  of  February,  1878. 

Fredeeick  Wilhelm,  son  of  Anthony  Wilhelm,  was  boi-n  in  Milton,  August 
2o.  1S25,  and  after  growing  to  maturity  succeeded  to  his  father's  business  as 
proprietor  of  the  Broadway  House  for  many  years.  He  also  formed  a  co- 
partnership with  his  brother  Henry  in  the  livery  biisiness,  which  he  followed 
until  his  death  in  1871.  He  married  Mary,  daughter  of  Captain  John  M. 
Huff,  of  Milton,  who  still  survives  him.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Masonic 
fraternity,  and  a  Democrat  in  politics.  Ten  children  were  born  to  them,  live 
of  whom  are  living:  William  B. ;  James  B. ;  Flora,  Mrs.  D.  J.  Bachtel,  of 
Trenton,  New  Jersey;  Elizabeth,  Mrs.  J.  Frank  Trogle,  and  Annie  L. 

W.  B.  Wilhelm  was  born  in  Milton,  May  20,  1854,  and  was  reared  and 
educated  in  his  native  town.  In  1878  he  married  Sadie,  daughter  of  Peter 
Leedy,  of  Danville. 

James  B.  Wilhelm  was  born  in  Milton,  October  10,  185-"),  and  in  1882 
married  Dora,  daughter  of  John  Peeler,  of  Milton.  These  gentlemen  have 
been  engaged  in  the  livery  business  a  numlier  of  years  under  the  firm  name 
of  W.  B.  Wilhelm  &  Brother.  Politically  thfey  are  both  Democrats,  and  take 
an  active  part  in  local  politics.  James  B.  is  a  member  of  Milton  Lodge,  F. 
ct  A.  M.,  and  Mutual  Lodge,  I.  O.  O.  F. 

J.\coB  Dietzler  was  born  in  Turl)ut  township,  Xorthuml:)erland  county, 
Pennsylvania,  son  of  John  and  Hannah  (Yeager)  Dietzler,  natives  of  Ger- 
many, who  immigrated  to  America  in  1818,  settled  in  Turbut  township,  this 
county,  and  engaged  in  farming.  They  were  members  of  the  Lutheran 
church,  in  which  he  served  as  deacon  and  .  elder  many  years.  They  both 
died  in  McEwensville.  Eight  children  were  born  to  them,  six  of  whom  are 
living:  Jacob;  Frederick,  of  Turbut  township;  Christina  Ann,  widow  of 
Frederick  Goodman;  Mary,  widow  of  Daniel  Smith,  of  Turbiit  township; 
Matthias,  of  Illinois,  and  Hannah,  widow  of  William  Smith,  of  Turbut 
township.  The  subject  of  tlris  sketch  was  reared  iipon  the  homestead,  and 
attended  the  public  schools,  after  which  he  learned  tlie  carpenter's  trade. 
which  occupation  he  followed  several  years.  In  1805  he  removed  to  his 
present  farm  in  the  outskirts  of  Milton,  and  for  the  past  four  years  has  been 
engaged  in  the  butchering  business.  He  was  married  in  1845  to  Sarah, 
daughter  of  George  Overpeck,  of  Turbut  township,  by  whom  he  has  four 
children,  three  of  whom  are  living:  Isaiah,  who  married  Susanna  Deihl: 
George  M.,  of  Point  township,  who  married  Isadoro  Bitenbinder,  and  Jacob, 
who  married  Annie  Sanders,  of  Northumberland.  Mr.  Dietzler  is  a  Repub- 
lican in  politics,  and  sent  a  substitute  to  the  war  of  the  Rebellion.  He  and 
wife  are  members  of  Trinity  Lutheran  church  of  Milton. 


BIOGKAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  1013 

William  G.  Millee,  nailer,  was  born  in  Point  to%\iisliii),  Xorthnmber- 
land  county,  Pennsylvania,  June  30,  1863,  son  of  Jarrett  and  Susan  (Van 
Kirk)  Miller,  the  father  a  native  of  New  Jersey  and  the  mother  of  this 
county.  They  settled  in  Point  townshiji  in  ISHl  and  engaged  in  fanning. 
The  father  died  in  1872 ;  the  mother  is  still  living.  They  were  members  of 
the  Lutheran  church.  Four  children  were  born  to  them,  three  of  whom  are 
living:  "William  G. :  Daisy,  and  Albert.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was 
reared  in  Point  township,  and  was  educated  in  the  township  and  Milton 
schools.  He  learned  tlie  nailer  trade,  which  he  has  since  followed.  He  is  a 
member  of  Mutual  Lodge,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  Pilgrim  Encampment,  and  the 
Knights  of  the  Golden  Eagle  of  Milton,  and  politically  is  a  Kepulilican. 


CHAPTER  XI.Y. 

BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

MT.  C.VliMF.I.. 

Patrick  Donohoe  was  born  in  County  Galway.  Ireland,  January  1,  1828. 
He  landed  in  New  York,  July  111,  IS  Id.  and  at  once  boarded  the  train  for  the 
Schuylkill  mining  region,  and  secured  employment  as  a  miner  at  Branch- 
dale.  He  remained  in  that  vicinity  until  18-")3.  when  he  made  Mt.  Carmel 
his  home.  In  July,  1853,  he  was  married  to  Julia  Fahey,  of  Philadelphia, 
from  which  union  a  large  family  were  born.  At  the  time  of  Mr.  Donohoe's 
arrival  at  ilt.  Carmel  a  forest  grew  on  the  site  of  that  prosperous  town,  and 
the  coal  trade,  to  which  it  owes  its  development,  received  but  little  attention. 
The  Locu-st  Moimtain  Coal  and  Iron  Company,  following  the  discoveries  of 
Professor  Eogers,  geologist,  had  done  some  shafting:  soon  after  Mr.  Dono- 
hoe's arrival  he  was  given  the  contract  to  drive  two  hundred  yards  of  gang- 
way at  what  is  known  as  the  Rough  and  Ready,  and  thus  became  the  lirst 
miner  of  any  consequence  in  the  Mt.  Carmel  region.  In  l8ol  he  was  given 
the  contract  to  open  the  mine  now  operated  by  S.  S.  Beckel  &  Company. 
Later  he  opened  the  Skidmore  at  the  Coal  Ridge  colliery  and  subsequently 
upon  Ihe  failure  of  Eckle  &  Son,  the  operators,  and  the  abandonment  of  the 
Rough  and  Ready  by  Beaver,  Geddis,  Marsh  &  Company,  secured  the  lease 
of  the  entire  tract  and  with  George  Schall  and  Richard  Curnow  operated 
very  extensively  until  1866,  when  their  lease  expired.  Mr.  Donohoe  was  very 
successful  in  his  coal  ventiires  and  shortly  after  the  war  erected  a  tine  stone 
mansion  on  the  outskirts  of  the  town,  where  at  an  advanced  age  he  now  lives 


1014  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTV. 

in  retirement.  He  is  a  consistent  member  of  the  Catholic  church,  has  filled 
various  positions  of  public  trust  in  the  town,  and  enjoys  the  esteem  of  the 
entire  public. 

Alfred  M.  Montelius,  deceased,  was  born  at  Mifflinburg.  Union  county, 
Pennsylvania,  son  of  John  Montelius,  a  native  of  Philadelphia  and  grandson 
of  Charles  Montelius,  the  progenitor  of  the  family  in  this  State.  The  latter 
was  a  Frenchman  of  noble  birth,  who  was  educated  for  the  French  legislat- 
ure, but  ditring  the  French  Revolution  the  opiwsing  parties  kidnapped  him 
and  sent  him  to  America,  where  he  was  sold  as  a  "  redemptioner,"  serving 
over  seven  years  for  his  freedom.  He  was  pttrchased  by  a  merchant  on 
Market  street,  Philadelphia,  and  by  his  natural  business  ability  eventually 
became  a  memljer  of  the  lirm,  and  finally  married  the  daughter  of  his  former 
purchaser.  During  the  "  Bttckshot  war"  he  was  a  member  of  the  legislat- 
ure of  Pennsylvania.  Alfred  Montelius  was  reared  and  educated  in  Mifflin- 
burg. and  in  his  early  manhood  he  was  a  clerk  and  teacher,  and  for  several 
years  a  merchant  at  Curwensville,  Pennsylvania.  He  served  in  the  late  war 
eleven  months  as  a  member  of  the  One  Hundred  and  Fifth  Pennsylvania 
Volunteers,  and  after  leaving  the  service  came  to  Mt.  C'armel  in  October, 
ISG'2,  as  superintendent  of  what  is  now  the  Mt.  Carmel  colliery.  He  after- 
ward operated  this  colliery  as  a  member  of  the  firm  of  Montelius,  Righter  & 
Company,  and  was  also  interested  in  the  mercantile  business  of  that  firm  ttn- 
til  his  death,  November  27,  1885.  He  married  Eliza  J.,  daughter  of  Benja- 
min Hartshorn,  a  pioneer  distiller  of  Clearfield  county.  Pennsylvania,  where 
he  settled  in  180G.  To  Alfred  M.  and  Eliza  J.  Montelius  were  born  eight 
children:  William  T.;  Ralph  W.;  Walton  H.;  Kate.  Mrs.  Henry  Brown: 
Belle.  Mrs.  D.  M.  Hinkle;  R.  Clark;  Howard  H.,  and  Frank  S. 

Sern.\rd  H.\rvey,  contractor  and  builder,  was  bom  in  Coimty  Donegal, 
Ireland,  January  1,  1837,  son  of  Jeremiah  and  Margaret  (Harvey)  Harvey. 
His  early  life  was  sjjent  in  his  native  land,  where  he  received  a  common 
school  editcation  and  learned  the  stone  mason  and  bricklayer  trade  with  his 
father.  In  1804  he  came  to  America  and  located  in  Mt.  C'armel,  Northum- 
berland county,  where,  with  the  exception  of  two  years  spent  in  Kansas,  he 
has  ever  since  resided.  He  has  been  engaged  in  contracting  and  building, 
and  has  erected  many  of  the  largest  public  and  private  buildings  in  the  bor- 
ough, among  them  being  the  Church  of  Our  Lady  of  Mt.  Carmel  and  the 
new  public  school  building.  He  also  erected  the  Catholic  church  at  Locust 
Gap,  and  has  laid  the  foundations  of  nearly  all  the  principal  buildings  of 
Mt.  Carmel  and  vicinity.  Mr.  Harvey  was  married,  July  3.  18G7,  to  Fannie, 
daughter  of  Frank  and  Margaret  (Boyle)  Cull,  of  Mt.  Carmel.  They  are 
the  parents  of  six  children:  Jeremiah;  Frank;  James:  Joseph;  Mary,  and 
Kate.  The  whole  family  are  practical  members  of  the  Catholic  church,  in 
the  growth  and  prosperity  of  which  denomination  Mr.  Harvey  has  always 
taken  an  active  interest.    He  was  a  director  for  several  vears  of  the  Mt.  Carmel 


BIOGRArHICAL  SKETCHES.  1015 

Building  and  Loan  Association,  was  one  of  the  organizers  of  the  First 
National  Bank,  and  is  at  present  a  member  of  its  board  of  directors.  Politic- 
ally he  is  independent,  and  is  now  serving  his  second  term  of  three  years  in 
the  borough  council.  Mr.  Harvey  is  recognized  as  one  of  the  enterprising 
and  successful  business  men  of  the  borough. 

KicH.iRD  AND  Sarah  (Gripe)  Curnow,  natives  of  England,  came  to  Amer- 
ica about  the  year  1847,  and  settled  in  Schuylkill  coimty,  Peimsylvania, 
where  the  former  worked  in  the  mines  until  1860,  when  he  removed  to  Mt. 
Carmel  and  engaged  in  business  for  himself  as  a  coal  operator.  He  was  one 
of  the  pioneer  operators  of  the  town,  and  died  there  in  January,  ISSG,  at  the 
age  of  sixty-three  years.  He  was  the  father  of  five  children,  three  of  whom 
siirw-ed  him:  William;  Henry,  of  Philadelphia,  and  Sarah  J.,  deceased 
wife  of  M.  K.  "Watkins,  of  Mt.  Carmel. 

William  Curnow,  station  agent  of  the  Philadelphia  and  Pleading  rail- 
road, was  bom  in  Llewellyn.  Schuylkill  county,  Pennsylvania.  November  IS, 
1852,  and  is  the  eldest  son  of  Richard  and  Sarah  Curnow.  He  was  reared 
in  Mt.  Carmel  from  the  age  of  eight  years,  and  received  a  common  school 
education.  He  began  his  business  life  as  a  slate  picker  in  the  breaker,  and  later 
worked  as  a  driver.  At  fifteen  years  of  age  he  learned  telegraphy,  spending 
ten  months  in  the  local  office  of  the  Philadelphia  and  Reading  Railroad 
Company.  One  year  later  he  was  appointed  station  and  telegraph  agent  at 
Mt.  Carmel  for  the  Northern  Central  Railway  Company,  and  held  that  posi- 
tion seven  years,  later  held  positions  as  operator  at  Sxmbury  in  the  superin- 
tendent's office,  Pennsylvania  Railroad  Company,  at  Susquehanna  for  the 
same  company,  at  North  Bend  for  the  Standard  Oil  Company,  and  spent  two 
years  in  Albany,  New  York,  in  the  employ  of  the  Western  Lnion  Telegraph 
Company,  thence  to  Norristo^vn,  Pennsylvania,  a  short  time,  and  October  1, 
1883,  was  appointed  station  agent  and  telegraph  operator  for  the  Philadel- 
phia and  Reading  Railroad  Comjiany  at  Mt.  Carmel.  which  position  he  has 
since  filled  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  company  and  the  public  generally.  On 
July  6,  1876,  he  married  Rebecca,  daughter  of  John  B.  and  Catherine 
(De  Frehn)  Reed,  of  Mt.  Carmel,  who  has  had  five  children:  Harry  E.,  de- 
ceased; Albert  R. ;  Glenn  N, :  William  R.  C.,and  Russell  Vivian.  Mr.  Cur- 
now is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  I.  0.  0.  F.,  P.  0.  S.  of 
A.,  and  R.  A.     Politically  he  is  a  Repul>lican. 

John  Yarnall,  retired,  was  born  in  Coal  township,  Northumberland 
county,  Pennsylvania,  in  1828,  son  of  Richard  and  Man"  (King)  Yarnall, 
The  father  of  our  subject  was  a  carpenter  and  millwright  by  trade;  in  early 
manhood  he  located  at  Mt.  Carmel,  where  he  erected  the  Mt.  Carmel  Inn, 
one  of  the  first  dwellings  within  the  limits  of  that  borough.  The  subject  of 
this  sketch,  who  has  been  a  resident  of  Mt.  Carmel  forty  years,  learned  the 
carpenter  trade  with  his  father,  and  worked  at  that  occupation  for  some 
years.     In  18-j'J  he  married  Henrietta,  daughter  of  Henry  B.  and  Elizabeth 


1016  HISTOKY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

(Winters)  Mussina,  of  Centre  county,  Pennsylvania.  They  are  the  parents 
of  eight  children:  Mrs.  William  H.  Hinkel;  Henry  M. ;  Newton  L. ;  Kichard 
K. ;  Jerusha  M.,  deceased;  John  W. ;  Williahi,  and  Lizzie. 

KicH.uiD  K.  Y.tRNALL  was  born  at  Mt.  Carmel,  February  6,  1805.  After 
taking  advantage  of  the  education  afforded  by  the  public  schools  of  his  native 
town,  he  learned  the  trade  of  jjainter  and  paper  hanger.  After  working  as  a 
journeyman  five  years  he  commenced  business  at  his  present  location,  March 
1,  1SS9.  since  which  time  he  has  met  with  much  success.  He  is  a  Repub- 
lican, and  now  holds  the  office  of  constable  of  Mt.  Carmel. 

D.wiD  J.  Lewis,  justice  of  the  peace,  was  born  in  Shropshire,  England, 
October,  1S24,  son  of  David  and  Margaret  (Xaylor)  Lewis.  He  came  to 
America  in  1832,  with  John  Jones,  an  uncle,  who  located  in  Minersville, 
Schuylkill  county,  Pennsylvania,  where  our  subject  was  reared  and  received 
a  common  school  education.  In  1853  he  settled  at  Mt.  Carmel,  and  em- 
barked in  the  general  merchandise  business,  dealing  also  in  coal,  until  1857. 
September  3,  18*51,  he  enlisted  in  tlie  Seventh  Pennsylvania  Cavalry;  he  was 
taken  prisoner  in  the  battle  of  Stone  River,  and  spent  two  months  in  Libby 
prison.  He  was  then  paroled  and  detailed  from  camp  parole  to  make  out  a 
list  of  drafted  men  imder  Provost  Marshal  Clement,  and  was  soon  after 
exchanged,  receiving  an  honorable  discharge  from  the  service,  September  30, 
1865.  Mr.  Lewis  was  first  married  to  Carolina  Price,  of  Minersville,  Penn- 
sylvania, by  whom  he  has  one  daughter  living:  Margaret,  Mi-s.  J.  Henry 
Merkle.  He  married  for  his  second  wife  Amanda  Hill,  of  Schuylkill  Haven, 
Pennsylvania,  by  whom  he  has  four  children:  John,  a  druggist;  Kate,  Mrs. 
Albert  Norsted;  Josephine,  Mrs.  William  Camji,  and  William  H.,  a  physi- 
cian. Since  the  war  Mr.  Lewis  has  been  elected  three  terms  as  justice  of  the 
peace.  He  is  a  member  of  the  K.  of  M.  and  G.  A.  R.,  and  politically  is  a 
Republican. 

John  B.  Reed,  late  justice  of  the  peace,  was  born  in  what  is  now  Miners- 
ville, Schuylkill  county,  Pennsylvania,  April  16,  1819,  son  of  Jacob  and 
Rebecca  (Bittle)  Reed,  both  natives  of  Schuylkill  county.  His  father  served 
as  justice  of  the  peace  in  Pottsville,  Pennsylvania,  fifty-four  years,  and  was 
a  i:)rominent  citizen  of  his  locality.  He  was  a  son  of  Thomas  Reed,  also  a 
native  of  Schuylkill  coimty,  who  was  a  son  of  Samuel  Reed,  a  native  of 
Scotland,  and  a  pioneer  of  Schuylkill  county.  The  maternal  grandfather  of 
our  subject  was  Jacob  Bittle,  a  native  of  Berks  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  of 
German  descent.  John  B.  was  reared  and  educated  in  his  native  county, 
and  began  his  business  life  in  the  mines,  with  which  he  was  connected  forty 
years  as  a  miner  and  superintendent  of  mines.  He  resided  at  St.  Clair, 
Schuylkill  county,  fifteen  years,  and  during  that  time  was  justice  of  the 
peace  ten  years.  In  JilIv,  1861,  he  enlisted  in  Company  A,  Seventh  Penn- 
sylvania Cavalry,  sers'ing  as  a  private  four  months,  when  he  was  promoted 
to  regimental  commissary,  in  which  capacity  he  acted  until  the  company  re- 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  1017 

enlisted  in  1S04.  when  he  was  detailed  as  chief  clerk  and  superintendent, 
Third  division.  Quartermaster  General  department,  under  Colonel  T.  R. 
Dudley,  serving  in  that  position  until  his  discharge  in  September,  ^SI^:>. 
He  then  located  at  Mt.  Carmel,  where  he  was  superintendent  of  coal  works 
three  years,  and  also  held  the  same  position  at  Locust  Gap  one  and  a  half 
years,  when  he  became  superintendent  of  Coal  Ridge  mines  at  Mt.  Carmel 
until  lST-1.  In  1S7G  he  was  elected  justice  of  the  peace  at  Mt.  Carmel,  and 
resig-ned  in  1879  and  removed  to  Mahanoy  City,  residing  there  three  and  a 
half  years:  he  then  returned  to  Mt.  Carmel,  where  he  resided  until  his  death, 
Febraaiy  22.  IMH).  Mr.  Reed  was  twice  married,  his  first  wife  being  Cath- 
erine, daughter  of  Jacob  De  Frehn.  of  Chester  county,  Pennsylvania,  by 
whom  he  had  eight  children:  Emma  E.,  Mrs.  David  Huffman;  Sarah  J.; 
Mary  A..  Mrs.  John  Stahl;  Rebecca,  Mrs.  William  Curnow;  Clara,  Mrs. 
"\\'illiam  Umpleby,  deceased:  John  E. ;  Jacob  H.,  and  Kate  I.,  Mrs.  H.  P. 
Helwig.  His  second  wife  was  Eleanor  F.  (Teague)  Adams,  daughter  of 
AVilliam  Teague,  of  England,  who  survives  him.  Mr.  Reed  was  a  member 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  and  politically  was  a  stanch  Rejiublican 
since  the  organization  of  the  party. 

Edw.vkd  C.  Herb,  deceased,  was  born  in  Eklred  townshiji.  Scliu\lkill 
county.  Penn.sylvania,  November  23,  1S4U,  son  of  Decatan  and  Maria  (Con- 
■  rad)  Herb,  natives  of  Schuylkill  county  and  Sunbury,  Pennsylvania,  respect- 
ively. His  father  was  a  merchant  and  hotel  keeper  in  Schuylkill  county 
and  afterwards  in  Mt.  Carmel,  and  was  a  son  of  Adam  Herb,  a  native  of 
Berks  county,  Pennsylvania.  John  Conrad,  maternal  grandfather  of  our 
suliject.  was  a  jiioneer  of  Sunbury  and  resided  there  until  his  death.  Deca- 
tan Herb  and  family  moved  to  Mt.  Carmel  in  1S6S,  where  he  was  engaged 
in  merchandising  and  subsequently  in  hotel  keei:>ing.  Edward  C.  jiurchased 
the  hotel  from  his  mother  in  1872,  and  erected  the  four-story  brick,  corner  of 
Chestnut  and  Market  streets,  now  known  as  the  Locust  Mountain  Hotel,  in 
April,  I'^SO.  He  was  engaged  in  the  hotel  and  livery  business,  and  also  in 
the  purchase  and  sale  of  horses,  up  to  his  death,  December  5,  1889.  Mr. 
Herb  was  married,  April  18,  1870,  to  Mrs.  Maria  A.  Detrich,  daughter  of 
Lemuel  and  Sarah  J.  (Malick)  Chamberlin,  of  Northumberland  county. 
Two  children  are  the  fruits  of  this  union:  Decatan  E.  and  Clarence  G.  By 
her  first  husband,  Harry  Detrich,  of  Dauphin  county,  Pennsylvania,  she  had 
one  child,  Sarah  J.,  wife  of  Harry  ]Martz.  of  Mt.  Carmel.  Throughout  his 
residence  in  Mt.  Carmel  Mr.  Herb  was  recognized  as  a  progressive  and  enter- 
prising citizen.  He  served  in  the  council  for  several  years,  was  a  director  of 
the  First  National  Bank,  treasurer  of  the  K.  of  M.,  and  a  member  of  the 
Lutheran  church.  Politically  he  was  a  Republican.  He  was  an  iipright, 
honest  man.  and  by  close  attention  to  his  business  affairs  accumulated 
through  the  passing  years  a  valuable  estate. 


1018  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

Michael  Horan.  retired,  was  born  in  County  Galway,  Ireland,  in  ISlo, 
son  of  Thomas  and  Maria  (Grady)  Horan.  His  father  was  a  farmer  by 
occujiation,  and  our  subject  was  reared  upon  a  farm.  He  came  to  America 
in  1835,  stopped  in  Philadelphia  for  a  few  months,  and  then  went  to  Lan- 
caster county,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  remained  one  year.  He  then  removed 
to  Maryland,  where  he  was  employed  on  a  tunnel  by  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio 
Railroad  Company  four  years,  after  which  he  went  to  Indiana,  where  he 
was  engaged  for  some  time.  He  then  returned  to  Ireland,  remaining  nine 
months,  and  in  1838  was  married  to  Maria,  a  daughter  of  Bryan  McDemiott, 
of  County  Galway,  Ireland,  by  whom  he  has  three  children  living:  Thomas 
J.;  Hannah,  Mrs.  William  H.  Gallagher,  and  Bernard  F.  Mr.  Horan  re- 
turned to  America  in  1838  and  located  in  Pottsville,  where  he  worked  in  the 
mines  for  a  time,  subsequently  engaging  in  the  hotel  business  at  Miners- 
ville,  Pennsylvania,  eleven  years,  after  which  he  removed  to  Ashland,  where 
he  built  the  Union  Hotel  and  conducted  it  ten  years.  In  18G4  he  was 
elected  sheriff  of  Schuylkill  county  and  filled  that  office  three  years.  At 
the  end  of  his  term  he  resumed  the  hotel  business  for  a  period,  and  then 
engaged  in  the  coal  trade.  He  located  at  Mt.  Carmel  in  1870,  where  he  has 
since  resided.  He  was  engaged  for  part  of  the  time  as  a  railroad  contractor, 
but  since  the  fall  of  1888  has  lived  a  retired  life.  He  is  a  Democrat  in 
politics,  has  served  in  the  borough  council  one  term,  and  is  a  member  of  the 
Catholic  church. 

M.  K.  Watkins,  cashier  of  the  First  National  Bank,  was  born  in  Miners- 
ville,  Schuylkill  county,  Pennsylvania,  June  11.  1851,  and  is  a  son  of  James 
and  Mary  A.  (Kear)  Watkins,  natives  of  Wales,  who  came  to  America  in 
1851  and  reared  a  family  of  five  children,  four  of  whom  are  living:  Ann, 
Mrs.  Robert  Wilson;  William;  Lizzie,  and  the  subject  of  our  sketch,  who 
was  reared  in  his  native  coimty,  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  Miaers- 
ville,  and  at  the  age  of  fourteen  years  began  life  for  himself  as  a  telegraph 
messenger,  the  first  in  that  place.  While  acting  in  this  capacity  he  learned 
telegraphy,  and  in'  1871  located  at  Mt.  Carmel,  where  he  received  the 
appointment  of  ticket  and  freight  agent  of  the  Philadelphia  and  Reading 
railroad,  which  position  he  filled  five  years,  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  com- 
pany and  the  public.  In  April,  1875,  he  embarked  in  the  book,  news,  and 
stationery  business  in  Mt.  Carmel,  conducting  the  same  until  November, 
1878.  In  1879  he  established  the  Mt.  Carmel  Neios,  which  he  successfully 
conducted  alone  until  1885,  when  he  disposed  of  a  half -interest  to  Professor 
E.  E.  White,  and  in  1887  disposed  of  the  balance  to  his  nephew,  R.  J. 
Wilson.  January  29,  1889,  he  was  elected  cashier  of  the  First  National 
Bank  of  Mt.  Carmel,  which  position  he  now  holds.  He  was  one  of  the  main 
organizers  of  that  institution,  having  disposed  of  a  large  majority  of  its 
stock,  and  is  the  largest  stockholder.  He  was  also  one  of  the  prime  movers 
in  the  organization   of  the  Mt.  Carmel  Water  Company  in   1883,  and  also  in 


/j^^a-<u-^*^^^'j^     <?'^Cj&-'*-«^-'1^< 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  1019 

the  Ellison  Electrical  Illuminating  Company,  of  which  he  is  president,  and 
is  the  largest  stockholder  in  both  institutions.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Citi- 
zens' Building  and  Loan  Association,  of  which  he  has  been  secretary  ten 
years.  In  fact,  there  have  been  few  public  enterprises  attempted  at  Mt. 
Carmel  in  which  the  aid  and  influence  of  Mr.  Watkins  have  not  been  felt. 
He  is  a  man  of  great  business  energy  and  commendable  public  spirit,  and  is 
always  ready  to  extend  substantial  encouragement  to  every  enter^^rise  that 
has  for  its  object  the  welfare  or  advancement  of  his  adopted  home.  He  was 
married,  July  S,  ISSO,  to  Sarah  J.,  daughter  of  the  late  Kichard  Curnow.  a 
pioneer  coal  operator  of  Mt.  Carmel.  Four  children  were  the  fruits  of  this 
union:  James  Marshall;  Shirley  S. ;  Matthew  K.,  and  Eichard  Yivian. 
Mrs.  Watkins  died,  December  27,  ISSU.  She  was  a  prominent  member  of 
the  Jlethodist  Episcopal  church  of  Mt.  Carmel,  and  contributed  liberally 
towards  the  erection  of  the  present  church  edifice.  Mr.  Watkins  is  treasurer 
of  the  board  of  trustees  of  that  church,  is  a  member  of  the  F.  &  A.  M., 
chapter  and  commandery,  the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  R.  A.  He  is  an  ardent  and 
influential  Republican,  and  is  now  (ISUO)  president  of  the  borough  council. 
Thomas  M.  Righter,  of  the  firm  of  T.  M.  Righter  &  Company,  general 
merchants  and  coal  operators,  is  one  of  the  best  known  and  most  prominent 
citizens  of  the  anthracite  region.  He  is  a  native  of  Berwick,  Columbia  county, 
Pennsylvania,  and  a  son  of  Dr.  W.  W.  and  Jane  F.  (McNair)  Righter,  natives 
of  Dauphin  county,  Pennsylvania.  His  father  was  a  well  known  physician 
of  Berwick  and  Mauch  Chunk,  and  died  at  the  latter  place  at  the  early  age 
of  thirty-three  years.  Our  suljject  was  reared  in  Maiich  Chunk  and  received 
a  good  education.  He  tirst  engaged  in  clerking,  and  was  afterwards  ap- 
pointed United  States  mail  agent  between  Mauch  Chunk  and  Janesville, 
Pennsylvania,  and  later  was  timekeeper  in  a  foundry  in  the  former  city.  He 
was  an  engineer  of  construction  on  the  Lehigh  and  Susquehanna  railroad, 
now  a  jiortion  of  the  Jersey  Central,  and  was  afterwards  weighmaster  of  the 
Lehigh  and  Susquehanna  railroad  at  Upper  Lehigh,  and  subsequently  mining 
engineer  and  assistant  superintendent  of  the  Upjier  Lehigh  Coal  Company. 
From  1S76  to  1S.'5'2  he  was  superintendent  of  Sandy  Run  colliery,  and  in  tlie 
latter  year  removed  to  Mt.  Carmel  and  embarked  in  the  coal  business  as  a 
member  of  the  firm  of  Montelius,  Righter  &  Company,  successors  to  Montel- 
ius,  Robinson  &  Company,  proprietors  of  the  old  Stuartville  colliery.  Mr. 
Righter  has  operated  these  mines  verj-  successfully,  mining  about  one  hun- 
dred fifty  thousand  tons  of  coal  annually.  In  October,  1S8'2,  the  pres(>nt 
store  was  established  by  Montelius,  Righter  &  Company,  and  on  the  1st  of 
Januarj-,  ISSG,  T.  M.  Righter  &  Company  succeeded  the  old  firm.  Mr. 
Righter  is  recognized  as  a  man  of  enterprise  and  commendable  public  spirit. 
He  is  a  director  in  the  Edison  Electrical  Ilhiminating  Company  and  president 
of  the  Mt.  Carmel  Water.Company,  and  was  one  of  the  principal  promoters 
of  the   latter   enterprise.      He  has   taken  an  active   interest    in   educational 


1020  HISTORY    OF    XORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

matters,  and  has  been  a  member  of  the  school  board  for  six  years  and  presi- 
dent of  the  board  live.  He  is  a  member  of  the  board  of  managers  of  the 
Miners'  hospital,  located  at  Ashland,  Pennsylvania,  and  devotes  much  time 
to  the  interest  and  welfare  of  that  institution.  Besides  his  local  interests  he 
is  also  connected  with  the  Midvalley  Coal  Company  at  Wilbnrton,  and  Oak 
Hill  colliery,  near  Minersville,  operated  by  Leisenring  &  Company;  he  is  inter- 
ested in  the  Moosic  Mountain  Coal  Company  and  the  Mt.  Jessttp  Coal  Com- 
pany near  Scranton,  and  is  a  director  in  the  First  National  Bank  of  Shenan- 
doah. He  is  politically  a  Republican,  is  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian 
church,  and  is  connected  with  the  Masonic  fraternity.  He  has  always  taken 
a  deep  interest  in  the  growth  and  progress  of  his  adopted  home,  and  is  a  lili- 
eral  contributor  towards  the  development  of  its  social  and  material  institu- 
tions. 

Daniel  D.  Bolich,  dealer  in  boots  and  shoes,  was  born  in  Barry  town- 
shifi,  Schttylkill  county,  Peun.sylvania,  July  22,  1S3(\  son  of  Charles  and 
Sarah  (Dengler)  Bolich.  His  paternal  grandfather,  Michael  Bolich,  was  a 
native  of  Pennsylvania  and  a  pioneer  of  Schttylkill  county.  His  great-grand- 
father, Andrew  Bolich,  was  a  native  of  Connecticut,  a  Revolutionary  soldier, 
and  one  of  the  first  settlers  of  Schuylkill  cottnty,  Pennsylvania.  His  mater- 
nal grandfather,  Daniel  Dengler,  was  a  son  of  George  Dengler,  a  resident  of 
Pottsvill(\  Pennsylvania,  as  early  as  1S12,  and  there  erected  the  first  hotel  in 
that  town,  now  known  as  the  Merchant's  Hotel.  His  father.  Charles  Bolich. 
was  born  in  Schuylkill  county,  learned  the  shoemaker's  trade,  and  resided  in 
his  native  county  until  the  spring  of  1804.  He  then  came  to  Mt.  Carmel 
and  embarked  in  the  boot  and  shoe  trade,  which  he  carried  on  until  his 
death,  July  27,  1872,  at  the  age  of  tifty-two  years.  He  was  appointed 
postmaster  of  Mt.  Carmel  by  President  Johnson,  September  27,  18G-").  and 
served  in  that  office  nearly  three  years.  To  Charles  and  Sarah  Bolich  were 
born  the  following  children:  Daniel  D. ;  Susan  E.,  wife  of  T.  J.  Klace:  T. 
Eliza,  wife  of  Dr.  James  L.  Seibert;  Charles  I.;  Newton  A.;  Michael  0.: 
Sadie  E. ;  Abraham  L.,  and  David  W.  Our  subject  came  to  Mt.  Carmel 
with  his  parents  in  the  spring  of  1S04.  He  worked  in  his  father's  shop  for 
a  short  time,  and  for  two  years  served  as  deputy  postmaster.  He  afterwards 
remained  in  his  father's  employ  until  the  death  of  the  latter,  when  lie  .suc- 
ceeded to  the  business  which  he  has  since  condttcted.  Mr.  Bolich  was  mar- 
ried, September  9,  1880,  to  Emily,  daughter  of  Benjamin  and  Catharine 
(Burchfield)  Hartshorn,  of  Clearfield  county.  Pennsylvania.  Three  children 
have  been  the  fruits  of  this  union;  Charles;  Wayne,  deceased,  and  Newton. 
Politically  Mr.  Bolich  is  a  Republican,  and  an  enterprising  and  progressive 
citizen. 

Henry  T.  John,  merchant,  was  born  in  Locust  township,  Cohtmlna 
county,  Pennsylvania,  September  28,  1885,  son  of  Abia  and  Jane  (Teat si 
Jolin.     His  paternal  grandfather,  Asa  T.   John,  was  a  son  of  Abia  John,  a 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  ]021 

native  of  Choster  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  later  a  resident  of  Northum- 
berland county.  Asa  T.  was  born  in  Chester  county,  and  lived  and  died  in 
Ealpho  town.ship,  Northumberland  county.  The  maternal  grandfather  of 
our  subject  was  John  Teats,  a  pioneer  farmer  of  Shamoldn  township,  North- 
umberland county.  Abia  John,  father  of  Henry  T..  was  a  tanner  by  trade. 
Ijut  in  later  years  engaged  in  farming,  and  died  in  what  is  now  Ralpho  town- 
ship, near  Bear  Gap.  He  reared  a  family  of  six  sons:  Daniel  T..  of  Ne- 
braska; Henry  T.,  of  Mt.  Carmel;  Asa  T..  a  memljer  of  the  Fourteenth 
United  States  Eegulars.  who  died  at  Fairfax,  Virginia,  in  the  fall  of  ISCiS: 
Lloyd  G.,  of  Nebraska;  Josiah  E.,  who  also  served  in  the  Fourteenth  United 
States  Regulars,  and  is  now  residing  uu  the  old  homestead  in  Pialpho  town- 
ship, and  Jeremiah  M.,  of  Mt.  Carmel.  The  suljject  of  this  sketch  was 
reared  in  Columlna  and  Northumberland  counties,  received  a  common  school 
education,  and  at  the  age  of  sixteen  began  teaching  in  the  public  schools. 
which  vocation  he  followed  some  time.  In  August,  1S02.  he  enlisted  in 
Company  H,  One  Hiuidred  and  Thirty-second  Pennsylvania  Volunteers,  a- 
second  sergeant,  and  was  honorably  discharged  at  the  expiration  of  nin.' 
months'  service.  In  September,  1S(U,  he  eidisted  in  Company  H.  Seventeenth 
Penn.sylvania  Cavalry,  and  served  iu  the  ranks  until  the  close  of  the  war. 
He  participated  in  the  battles  of  South  ^Mountain,  Antietam.  Cedar  Creek. 
Gordonville,  Five  Forks,  and  other  engagements,  and  was  present  at  the  sur- 
render of  Lee  at  Appomattox.  After  the  war  Mr.  John  settled  in  Mt.  Car- 
mel, where  he  has  resided  up  to  the  present.  In  1809  he  embarked  in  the  gen- 
eral merchandise  business,  in  which  he  has  since  been  successfully  engaged. 
In  June,  1SB3,  he  married  Mary  E.,  daughter  of  Silas  H.  and  Eliza  (Rimk) 
Johnson,  of  Colitmbia  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  has  seven  children  li^■ing: 
Silas  C;  Charles  L.;  Clarence  E. ;  William  H.:  George  W.;  Abia  F..  and 
Milton.  Mr.  John  is  a  member  of  the  F.  &  A.  M.  and  the  G.  A.  R.,  is  vice- 
president  of  the  Mt.  Carmel  Water  Company,  a  director  of  the  Electrical 
Illuminating  Coni])any.  and  a  stockholder  in  the  First  Nati(3nnl  Bank.  Polit- 
ically he  is  a  stalwart  Reintblican.  and  has  served  two  terms  as  chief  burge>s 
of  Mt.  Carmel. 

WiLLi.wr  McFee,  retired  merchant,  was  born  at  Ayrshire.  Scotland. 
January  20,  1S31,  son  of  George  and  Mary  (Armour)  McFee.  He  was  edu- 
cated in  his  native  land,  where  he  also  learned  the  trade  of  carpet  weaver, 
at  which  he  was  engaged  seventeen  years  iu  Scotland.  He  immigrated  to 
America  in  1803,  and  first  located  at  Branch  Dale,  Schuylkill  county,  Penn- 
sylvania, where  he  remained  six  months.  After  removing  to  various  places 
in  this  part  of  the  S*:ate,  he  came  to  Mt.  Carmel,  July  1.  ISOO,  where  he 
has  since  resided.  During  the  first  few  years  Mr.  McFee  worked  in  the 
mines  and  at  his  trade,  and  in  1808  embarked  in  the  candy  business  on  a 
small  scale,  enlarging  his  business  from  year  to  year.  In  1'~>T"  he  estali- 
lished  a  general  mercantile  business,  which  he  continued  until  18S8,  when 


1022  HISTORY    OF   XORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

he  retired  in  favor  of  his  son  George.  December  31,  1851,  he  married 
Margaret,  daughter  of  John  and  Mary  (Gibb)  Weir,  of  Ayrshire,  Scotland, 
and  to  this  nnion  have  been  bom  five  children:  George;  Mary,  Mrs.  James 
Shaffer:  Jeannette,  Mrs.  Alexander  Himter;  John,  and  Wilham.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  McFee  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  and  in 
politics  he  is  a  Republican. 

Joe  Gould,  dealer  in  general  merchandise,  was  born  in  Belmont,  near 
Pottsville,  Schuylkill  county,  Pennsylvania,  April  21,  1840,  a  son  of  Will- 
iam and  Catherine  (Hill)  Gould.  His  father  was  a  native  of  Bristol,  Eng- 
land. He  came  to  America  in  early  life,  and  enlisted  in  the  United  States 
Navj-,  in  which  he  served  eight  years.  He  then  located  in  Pottsville,  Penn- 
sylvania, where  he  was  engaged  as  a  huckster  for  many  years,  and  in  later 
life  was  boss  and  clerk  for  a  coal  company  in  Taylorsville,  Pennsylvania. 
In  1806  he  located  in  Mt.  Carmel,  and  died  there  in  1870.  His  widow  still 
survives  him  at  the  age  of  eighty.  She  was  a  daughter  of  John  Hill,  a 
miller  of  Berks  county,  Pennsylvania,  whose  wife,  Mary  Boone,  was  a  de- 
scendant of  Daniel  Boone,  the  celebrated  Kentucky  pioneer.  The  family  of 
Mr.  Gould  consisted  of  eight  children:  Maria,  Mrs.  A.  B.  Cochran;  Joseph; 
Mary;  William:  Lizzie.  Mrs.  John  Pieith:  John;  Kate,  Mrs.  John  F.  Ostler, 
and  George  B.  The  subject  of  our  sketch  was  reared  in  his  native  county; 
he  served  in  the  war  of  the  Rebellion,  enlisting  September  21,  1801,  in  Com- 
pany F,  Forty-eighth  Pennsylvania  Yolunteers,  and  re-enlisted  in  the  same 
company  and  regiment,  January  1,  I'^'U.  He  was  honorably  discharged, 
July  24,  1805,  quartermaster  sergeant  of  the  regiment.  In  1800  he  located 
in  Mt.  Carmel,  where  he  was  contractor  in  a  steam  saw  mill  one  year,  when 
he  accepted  a  position  with  the  Coal  Ridge  Coal  and  Improvement  Company, 
until  18<u.  He  then  located  in  Bath.  Northampton  county,  Pennsylvania, 
where  he  held  the  position  of  superintendent  of  rooting  slate  qiiarries  two 
years.  He  returned  to  Mt.  Carmel,  where  he  was  station  agent  for  the  Le- 
high Valley  railroad  two  and  one  half  years,  when  he  accepted  a  position 
as  clerk  for  William  Montelius.  which  position  he  held  until  March,  1878. 
He  then  embarked  in  the  general  merchandise  business  with  Frederick  Gross, 
which  partnership  existed  up  to  Januarj-,  1887,  when  he  purchased  his 
partner's  interest,  and  has  since  conducted  a  successful  business  alone.  ^Ir. 
Gould  was  twice  married:  his  first  wife  was  Elizabeth  M.  Laurie,  of  Easton, 
Pennsylvania;  the  second,  Sarah  D.,  daughter  of  Charles  and  Elizabeth 
(Lerch)  Culp,  of  Ashland,  Pennsylvania,  by  whom  he  has  had  two  children: 
Anna  C,  and  Joseph  W.,  deceased.  Mr.  Gould  is  a  leading  merchant  of 
Mt.  Carmel,  and  one  of  its  most  enterprising  citizens.  He  is  a  member  of 
the  F.  &  A.  M.,  G.  A.  R.,  and  R.  A.  Politically,  he  is  a  stanch  Repu})lican. 
Osc.iE  H.  SiLLYMAX,  merchant,  was  born  in  Pottsville,  Pennsylvania.  Jan- 
uary 20,  1830,  a  son  of  John  and  Margaret  (Bobb)  Sillyman.  His  paternal 
grandfather,  James  SillvTnan,  was  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  and  an  early 


BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES.  1023 

settlpi-  of  Sc'luiylkill  coimty.  ^yllel•e  he  died.  His  materual  c,a-;mdfatlnn-.  Con- 
rad Bobb.  was  a  pioneer  hotel  keeper  of  Schiiylkill  coimty.  John  Sillyman, 
the  father  of  our  subject,  settled  in  Pottsville  about  1818;  he  was  one  of  the 
lirst  rivermen  to  raft  coal  to  Philadelphia,  and  helped  to  develop  the  coal 
interests  of  that  section.  He  was  superintendent  of  collieries  for  many  years. 
and  was  recognized  as  one  of  the  most  successful  superintendents  in  the 
Pottsville  region.  The  last  twenty  years  of  his  life  he  lived  retired.  Our 
siibject  was  reared  and  educated  in  Schuylkill  county,  and  liegan  his  busi- 
ness life  when  a  lioy  in  the  mines,  whiTe  he  worked  in  different  capacities 
with  the  view  of  being  trained  for  the  superintendency.  In  1^47  he  became 
clerk  in  a  general  store  in  Pottsville  and  served  in  that  capacity  up  to  1S."):1 
He  then  engaged  in  business  for  himself  for  a  period,  after  which  he  had 
charge  of  stores  for  different  persons  in  Schuylkill  county,  Pennsylvania, 
until  1865,  when  he  came  to  Locust  Gap,  and  embarked  in  merchandisiu"-. 
In  ISGS  he  removed  his  stock  of  goods  to  ilt.  Carmel,  where  he  has  since 
done  a  general  mercantile  business.  'Sir.  Sillyiaim  has  always  taken  a  deep 
interest  in  the  public  schools,  is  a  ^lason,  and  has  been  an  ardent,  uncom- 
promising Republican  since  the  inception  of  that  party. 

Thomas  Scott,  manufacturer,  was  born  in  Northumberland  county.  Eng- 
land, February  24,  l^:^ii.  and  is  a  son  of  John  and  ^Mary  (Patton)  Scott,  who 
came  to  America  in  ]^-]l.  settling  at  IMine  Hill  Gap,  where  his  father  was 
engaged  in  mining  ten  years,  when  he  removed  to  what  was  then  known  as 
Paynes  Patch.  wlnTf  le'  sunk  tin' s.'cuiid  sloiie  in  that  valley.  After  a  resi- 
dence of  seven  years  at  that  place  he  removed  to  l^lymonth.  Luzerne  county, 
Pennsylvania,  where  he  was  superintendent  of  mines  seven  years.  In  1801, 
after  a  short  stay  at  Hazeltou.  ho  located  at  Locust  Gap,  this  county,  where 
lu"  was  superintendent  of  mines  until  his  death  in  18()',).  He  had  five  chil- 
<lren:  Tliomas:  Mary  A..  Mrs.  Henry  Eckman;  Elizabeth.  Mrs.  George 
Pioudenbush:  George,  and  James.  The  subject  of  our  sketch  settled  at  Lo- 
cust Gap,  this  county,  in  IS'il,  where  he  was  oittside  superintendent  of 
a  l)reaker  three  years.  He  then  engaged  in  the  hotel  business  at  that  place 
until  June,  ISOT,  when  he  .sold  out  and  engaged  in  farming  in  Xew  Britain, 
Bucks  comity,  Pennsylvania,  eighteen  months.  In  18')U  he  settled  in  Mt. 
Oarmel,  where  for  fifteen  years  he  was  engaged  in  the  hotel  business.  In  the 
spring  of  188-")  he  embarked  in  the  wholesale  liquor  business,  in  which  he  is 
still  engaged.  In  June.  188U,  the  Progress  Hat  and  Cap  Manufacturing 
Company  was  established,  of  which  concern  Mr.  Scott  is  president  and  treas- 
urer. He  was  one  of  the  prime  movers  and  one  of  the  charter  members  of 
the  Mt.  Carmel  Water  Company,  and  has  been  its  efficient  .superintendent  since 
its  organization.  He  is  a  director  of  the  Citizens'  Building  and  Loan  Associa- 
tion, and  a  stockholder  of  the  Edison  Electrical  Illuminating  Company.  In 
1  S<V2  he  married  Sarah,  daughter  of  Christian  Gunsett,  of  Locust  Gap.  and 
has  seven  children  living:  Minnie;  Oscar;  Frank;  Alex.:  George;  Katie,  and 


1024  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

Sallie.  Mr.  Scott  is  a  prominent  and  leading  citizen  of  Mt.  Carmel,  a 
member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  in  politics  a  Republican. 

S.vMUEL  A.  Beegsteessee,  hardware  merchant,  was  born  in  I'nion  county, 
Pennsylvania,  December  26,  1S16,  son  of  John  and  Ann  (Auchmuty)  Berg- 
.stresser,  of  Scotch  Presbyterian  ancestry.  His  paternal  grandfather  was 
Philip  Bergstresser,  a  native  of  Montgomery  county,  Pennsylvania,  a  farmer 
by  occupation,  and  a  pioneer  of  Snyder  county,  where  he  died.  His  mater- 
nal grandparents  were  Samuel  and  Ann  (McMahan)  Auchmuty,  who  resided 
at  Fisher's  Ferry,  Northumberland  county,  as  early  as  1772.  Samuel  Auch- 
muty was  drafted  in  the  war  of  the  Revolution,  in  which  he  served  four 
years,  participating  in  the  battles  of  Monmouth,  Valley  Forge,  Long  Island, 
Germantown,  and  elsewhere,  under  General  Washington.  He  resided  in 
this  county  until  his  death.  John,  father  of  our  subject,  was  a  millwright 
by  trade.  He  settled  at  Fisher's  Ferry,  this  county,  in  1817,  and  built  a 
saw  and  grist  mill,  which  he  operated  nine  years.  He  then  removed  to  Ber- 
rysburg,  Dauphin  county,  and  followed  his  trade  in  connection  with  farming 
up  to  his  di'ath  in  IS;}!].  He  was  the  father  of  ten  children:  Jacob;  Willv 
iam;  Mary,  Mrs.  Joseph  Shipman;  John;  Lot;  Phel^e,  Mrs.  Jonathan  Hoff- 
man: Samuel  A.;  Hannah,  Mrs.  Daniel  Rumbarger;  Asa,  and  Julia,  Mrs. 
A.  B.  Sprout,  all  deceased  but  Asa  and  Samuel  A.  The  latter  came  to  this 
county  in  1S17  with  his  parents,  removed  with  them  to  Dauphin  county  in 
l.S2(»,  and  returned  to  Northumberland  county  in  bSlU.  He  worked  as  a 
millwright  until  ISiH;  he  then  located  at  Elysburg,  and  embarked  in  the 
general  merchandise  business,  which  he  successfully  continued  for  twenty- 
three  years.  In  1S70  he  removed  to  Mt.  Carmel  and  engaged  in  his  present 
business;  his  son,  Samuel  E.,  has  been  associated  with  him  since  l.S7<i.  Mr. 
Bergstresser  was  married,  June  1),  38 4-0,  to  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  John  and 
Eleanor  (De  Witt)  Case,  of  this  county,  by  whom  ho  had  seven  children,  of 
whom  two  are  living:  James  C,  editor  and  pro})rietor  of  the  Insurance 
World,  Pittsburgh,  Pennsylvania,  and  Samuel  E.  Mrs.  Bergstresser  died, 
April  27,  ISGU.  January  IG,  1872,  he  married  Ann  M.,  daughter  of  Dr. 
Jose2:)h  C.  Rollins,  of  Elysburg,  Pennsylvania,  who  died,  March  25,  1878. 
Mr.  Bergstresser  is  an  elder  in  the  Presbyterian  church,  of  which  he  has 
been  a  member  many  years.  In  ]85;3  he  represented  Northumberland 
county  in  the  legislature,  and  in  1800  he  was  a  delegate  to  the  national 
Republican  convention  at  Chicago  which  nominated  Abraham  Lincoln  for 
the  presidency.  Politically  he  has  been  a  stanch  Refiublican  since  the 
organization  of  the  party. 

David  C.\.mp,  merchant,  was  born  in  Elysburg,  Northumlierland  county, 
Pennsylvania,  November  22, 1834,  a  son  of  Benjamin  and  Magdalena  (Hinkle) 
Camp.  His  paternal  grandfather,  Henry  Camp,  and  maternal  grandfather, 
Abram  Hinkle,  were  pioneer  farmers  near  Elysburg;  both  died  near  Bear 
Gap  and  are  buried  in  the  Reed  Church  cemetery.     Henry  Camp  had  seven 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  1025 

children:  Benjamin;  Samuel;  David:  Lambert;  Mary,  Mrs.  John  Long: 
Sarah.  Mrs.  Daniel  Hill,  and  a  daughter  who  married  Daniel  Bloom,  all  of 
whom  are  dead.  Benjamin  Camp,  a  carpenter  and  farmer,  removed  from 
Elysburg  to  Columbia  county,  Pennsylvania,  in  1S39,  and  died  there  in  1ST:1 
He  had  ten  children  who  grew  to  maturity:  Abraham;  William,  killed  in  a 
breaker,  Aiigust  8,  1854;  Samuel;  Benjamin;  Daniel;  David;  Lavinia,  Mrs. 
David  Everett;  Mary,  Mrs.  Jacob  Culp;  Hannah,  Mrs.  Joseph  Boyer.  and 
Sarah,  Mrs.  Joel  Cox,  all  living  except  William.  The  subject  of  this  sketch 
was  reared  in  Cohimbia  county,  received  a  limited  education.  Irarnrd  the 
carpenter  trade  with  his  father,  and  at  the  age  of  twenty-one  years  started  out 
for  himself.  He  was  a  resident  of  Centralia,  Pennsylvania,  thirteen  years, 
where  he  worked  at  his  trade  eight  years,  and  conducted  a  drug  store  live 
years.  In  1S72  he  settled  in  Mt.  Carmel  and  in  1S75  embarked  in  the  lumber 
business,  in  which  he  continued  thirteen  years.  In  November,  ISsCi.  he  en- 
gaged in  the  general  merchandise  business,  and  still  continues  at  that  occu- 
pation. His  first  wife  was  Lavinia.  daughter  of  Peter  and  Mary  (Taylor) 
Persing  of  Columbia  county,  by  whom  he  has  two  children:  Edward  A.  and 
Robert  E.  His  second  wife  was  Phebe  Persing,  by  whom  he  has  seven  chiklren 
living:  Ida,  Mrs.  Robert  Davis;  Joseph;  Stella;  George  W. ;  May;  Carrie, 
and  Garfield.  :\Ir.  Camp  is  a  member  of  the  Lutheran  churcli.  and  is  con- 
nected with  tlie  F.  A:  A.  M.,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  K.  of  M.  He  has  s.n-V(Ml  as 
councilman  and  member  of  the  school  board  of  Mt.  Carmel  several  terms. 
Politically  he  is  a  Republican,  and  in  November,  ISUO,  he  was  a  popular 
candidate  of  his  i)arty  and  borough  for  the  legislature,  but  was  defeated. 

E.  C.  Tier,  merchant,  was  born  in  Fttca,  New  York,  in  1840.  He  received 
his  early  education  at  the  common  schools,  and  at  the  age  of  seventeen  left 
home  and  followed  the  sea  for  eighteen  months;  on  his  return  he  received 
further  education  at  the  Academy  of  Clinton,  New  York,  a  private  school  at 
Waterville,  and  under  jirivate  tuition  at  Woodtown,  New  Jersey.  In  Sep- 
tember, 1802,  he  enlisted  in  Company  H,  Twelfth  New  Jersey  Volunteers. 
He  received  a  very  severe  wound  in  the  battle  of  Gettysburg  in  1S()H,  after 
which  he  was  promoted  to  corpotal,  then  to  sergeant,  and  afterwards  to  first 
sergeant.  Just  before  the  siege  of  Petersbiirg  he  was  honored  with  a  first 
lieutenancy,  and  with  that  rank  was  discharged  at  the  close  of  the  war.  Mr. 
Tier  is  a  Republican,  and  has  served  as  councilman  of  Mt.  Carmel:  he  is  now 
a  member  of  the  school  board,  of  which  body  he  is  treasurer. 

LoDis  JoHXKOwsKi,  merchant,  was  born  in  Nakel,  Reg  Bezirk  Bromlterg. 
Province  of  Posen,  Prussia,  April  17,  1857,  and  is  a  son  of  Louis  and  Mary 
(Smoczkiewicz)  Johnkowski.  He  was  reared  and  educated  in  his  native 
country,  and  came  to  America  in  1S72,  locating  at  Shamokin,  this  county, 
where  he  was  occupied  as  a  barber  six  months.  In  1873  he  settled  in 
Mt.  Carmel,  where  he  conducted  a  barber  shoj)  five  years.  In  187s  he 
began  teaching  music,  which  vocation  he  followed  until  1885,  when  he  be- 


1026  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBEULAND    COUNTY. 

came  manager  of  the  general  merchandise  business  of  Partica  &  Lubeski, 
which  position  he  held  until  August,  ISSS,  when  he  embarked  in  his  present 
business,  and  has  already  built  up  a  large  and  successful  trade.  Atigust  31, 
1870,  he  married  Lizzie,  daughter  of  Joseph  and  Susan  (Weaver)  Neal,  of 
Mt.  Carrael.  Mr.  Johnkowski  is  a  member  of  St.  Joseph's  Catholic  church, 
of  which  he  has  been  organist  since  1SS4.     Politically  he  is  a  Democrat. 

Is.\Ac  GoLDSCHMiDT,  clothiug  merchant,  was  born  at  Cincinnati,  Ohio, 
December  24,  1847,  son  of  Henry  and  Hannah  (Shoenhouse)  Goldschmidt, 
natives  of  Germany.  His  father  came  to  America  in  1840,  and  located  in 
Baltimore  one  year;  he  then  went  to  Cincinnati,  where  he  remained  fourteen 
years,  thence  in  1855  to  Iowa,  residing  there  thirty-two  years,  and  in  1887 
located  in  Mt.  Carmel,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  .still  resides.  He  is  a  cabinet 
maker  by  trade,  and  has  followed  that  occiapation  fifty  years.  He  is  the 
father  of  five  children:  Isaac;  Max:  Dorothea:  Al>raham,  and  Lewis.  His 
wife  died  in  1887.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  reared  in  Cincinnati, 
where  he  received  a  common  school  education.  He  began  business  life  at 
the  age  of  fourteen  as  clerk  in  a  general  store,  which  occtipation  he  followed 
for  some  time.  In  1870  he  located  in  Shamokin,  where  he  was  book-keeper 
for  Strouse  &  Company  seven  years,  when,  on  the  dissolution  of  the  firm, 
succeeded  by  W.  H.  Douty,  he  became  manager  of  the  business  three  years. 
In  1880  he  removed  to  Mt.  Carmel.  whnre  he  embarked  in  business  on  an 
individual  basis.  He  is  now  proprietor  of  the  leading  clothing  house  in  Mt. 
Carmel.  He  married,  October  5,  l87:i  Amelia,  daughter  of  Solomon  and 
Amelia  Wolf,  of  Harrisburg,  Pennsylvania.  They  are  the  parents  of  eight 
children,  of  whom  .seven  are  living:  Charles;  Helen;  Saidy;  Hattie;  Jennie, 
deceased;  Amy;  Solomon,  and  Joseph.  Mr.  Goldschmidt  is  a  member  of 
the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  a  director  in  the  Edison  Electrical  Illuminating  Com- 
pany.    Politically  he  is  a  Democrat. 

Thomas  J.  Hor.^n,  book-keeper,  was  born  at  Minersville,  Schuylkill 
county,  Pennsylvania,  March  22,  1845.  son  of  Michael  and  Maria  (McDer- 
mott)  Horan,  natives  of  County  Galway,  Ireland.  He  was  reared  and 
received  his  education  in  his  native  county,  and  began  life  as  clerk  in  the 
office  of  the  superintendent  of  the  Philadelphia  and  Heading  Kailroad  Com- 
pany, which  position  he  filled  one  year.  On  his  father's  election  as  sheriff 
he  was  appointed  deputy,  which  office  he  held  three  years,  and  at  the  expira- 
tion of  this  time  he  read  law  one  year  with  John  W.  Eyon,  of  Pottsville.  In 
1802  Mr.  Horan  enlisted  in  the  first  nine  months'  service,  in  Company  K, 
One  Hundred  and  Thirty-seventh  Pennsylvania  Volunteers.  From  1871  to 
1877  he  acted  as  book-keeper  for  railroad  contractors,  engaged  in  the  con- 
struction of  railroads,  after  which  he  removed  to  Kansas,  where  he  was 
engaged  in  the  same  business  three  years.  He  located  at  Mt.  Carmel  in 
1881,  since  which  time  he  has  held  his  present  position.  February  5,  ISSO, 
he  married  Martha  C,  daughter  of  Frederick  G.  Walbridge,  of  Kansas  City. 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  1029 

III  politics  Mr.  Horaii  is  a  Democrat,  and  one  of  the  respected  citizens  of  Mt 
Carmel. 

Charles  K.  Mauree,  deceased,  was  liorn  in  Schuylkill  county,  Pennsyl- 
vania, in  lS3o,  son  of  John  K.  and  Catharine  Maurer.  He  was  reared  upon 
the  homestead  farm  and  early  engaged  in  butchering;  in  ISGU  he  located  at 
Mt.  Carmel  and  established  the  lirst  meat  market  in  that  place,  which  he 
conducted  until  1SS7,  when  he  retired  from  business  on  accoimt  of  failing 
health  and  removed  to  Shamokin,  where  his  death  occurred  in  February. 
1889.  Mr.  Maurer  was  married  in  1SG(1  to  Elmira,  daughter  of  John  Wolf- 
gang, of  Schuylkill  county,  who  survives  him  and  resides  with  her  son.  Dr. 
J.  M.  Maurer,  of  Shamokin.  ]Mr.  ^Maurer's  family  consisted  of  six  children, 
three  of  whom  are  living:  J.  :M.  ;  May,  and  Valeria,  all  of  whom  reside  at 
Shamokin. 

William  Kiefek,  Jr..  was  born  in  Schuylkill  colinty,  Penn.sylvania.  No- 
vember '.I,  ]S.')9.  son  of  William  and  Ladora  Kiefer,  natives  of  Germany. 
His  father  came  to  America  in  1S.3()  and  located  at  Pottsville.  where  he 
learned  the  Initcher  trade,  which  he  followed  several  years.  In  IS.S.")  he 
removed  to  Mt.  Carmel,  where  he  still  resides.  He  is  the  father  of  seven 
children:  Alice,  wife  of  Dr.  A.  W.  Samuels;  William;  Anna,  wife  of  Oscar 
Scott;  Thomas;  Mary;  Mark,  and  Emma.  The  subject  of  our  sketch  was 
educated  in  the  public  schools  of  Schuylkill  county,  and  learned  the  butch- 
er's trade  with  his  father.  In  1878  he  located  at  Mt.  Carmel  in  the  employ 
of  C.  K,  ]Maurer.  October  20,  ISS.'),  he  embarked  jn  business  for  himself. 
Mr.  Kiefer  has  been  a  successful  business  man.  and  in  1889  he  erected  a 
large  three-story  brick  dwelling,  on  the  tirst  tioor  of  which  he  has  his  meat 
market.  Ho  married,  December  lo,  1887,  May,  daughter  of  Peter  and  Lydia 
(Wolley)  Eddy,  of  Shamokin,  by  whom  he  has  two  children:  Ray  and  Will- 
iam. Tlie  family  attend  services  at  the  Lutheran  church;  politically  he  is  a 
Democrat. 

William  W.  Klees  was  born  near  Fountain  Springs,  Schuylkill  county, 
Penn.sylvania,  Jiily  15,  18-")5.  a  son  of  Isaac  and  Ann  (Stevens)  Klees.  His 
paternal  grandfather,  a  native  of  France,  was  a  drummer  boy  under  General 
Lafayette  in  the  war  of  the  Revolution,  and  settled  in  the  Wyoming  region 
of  Penn.sylvania.  His  maternal  grandfather  was  of  English  descent,  a  pio- 
neer of  Schuylkill  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  at  one  time  was  owiierof  a  large 
part  of  Frackville.  The  father  of  our  subject  resided  for  many  years  in 
Schuylkill  county,  and  died  at  Girardville,  where  he  reared  a  family  of  seven 
sons  and  two  daughters.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  reared  in  his  native 
county,  began  life  picking  slate  in  the  breaker  when  seven  years  of  age,  and 
afterward  engaged  in  mining  ten  years,  when  he  served  an  apprenticeship  of 
two  years  at  the  butcher  trade.  He  came  to  Mt.  Carmel  in  1881,  where  for 
seven  years  he  was  employed  in  the  meat  market  of  C.  K.  Moyer;  he  then 
purchased  the  business,  which   he  has   since   successfully  conducted.     Mr. 


1030  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

Klees  married,  December  12,  1SS3,  Kate,  daughter  of  John  Tysher,  of  Mt. 
Carmel,  and  has  two  children:  Anna  and  Delia.  He  is  a  memlier  of  the  K.  of 
M.  and  P.  O.  S.  of  A.,  was  elected  to  the  borongh  council  of  Mt.  Carmel  in 
18S0,  and,  politically,  is  a  Republican. 

Osc.\R  J.  Scott,  manufacturer  and  dealer  in  furniture,  was  born  in  Mt. 
Carmel  township,  Northumberland  county,  July  28,  1SG4,  son  of  Thomas  and 
Sarah  A.  (Gunsett)  Scott,  of  this  borough.  He  was  reared  in  Mt.  Cai-mel 
and  received  his  education  in  the  public  schools.  At  the  age  of  thirteen  he 
began  clerking  in  a  general  store,  and  followed  that  occupation  five  years. 
He  afterwards  seiwed  a  three  years'  apprenticeship  at  the  cabinet  maker's 
trade.  In  the  spring  of  ISS")  he  embarked  in  tlie  furniture  trade,  and  has 
built  up  a  fair  l)usiness.  Mr.  Scott  was  married.  Augii>t  22.  ISSS,  to  Anna, 
daughter  of  William  and  Deborah  (Zindel)  Kiefer,  of  Mt.  Carmel.  who  has 
borne  him  one  son,  Ralph.  Mr.  Scott  is  a  member  of  the  F.  i!t  A.  M.  and  P. 
O.  S.  of  A.,  and' in  politics  he  is  a  Reptrblican. 

Rev.  Mark  A.  O'Neill,  pastor  of  the  Church  of  Our  Lady,  was  born  at 
King  James  Battery,  County  Roscommon,  Ireland,  in  1S44.  a  son  of  Joim 
and  Alice  (Dimn)  O'Neill.  His  father  was  a  major  in  her  Majesty's  Royal 
Artillery.  The  .subject  of  this  sketch  first  studied  for  the  army  at  the  Royal 
College,  Woolwich,  England,  and  later  studied  three  years  at  the  Missionary 
College  of  All  Hallows,  Dublin.  In  \Hi)C)  he  went  to  Rome  to  study  for  the 
priesthood,  and  remained  four  months  at  the  Carmelite  Convent.  After 
spending  two  years  at  home  he  came  to  America,  located  at  Windsor,  On- 
tario, and  taught  in  Sandwich  College  one  year.  He  then  came  to  German- 
town.  Pennsylvania,  joined  the  order  of  St.  Lazarus,  and  was  connected  with 
Lazarus  College  nine  months,  after  which  he  went  to  Philadelphia,  where  he 
was  ordained  to  the  priesthood,  November  4,  ISTO,  and  was  assigned  as  as- 
sistant of  St.  Joseph's  church,  Danville,  Pennsylvania,  serving  in  that  capac- 
ity six  months,  after  which  he  was  pastor  one  year.  In  1871  he  was  appointed 
pastor  of  St.  Joseph's  church,  Milton,  and  St.  Michael's  church,  Sunbury, 
which  charges  he  filled  four  years,  with  residence  at  Milton.  He  was  then 
assigned  to  charges  at  Lykens  and  Williamstown,  Pennsylvania,  and  resided 
at  Lykens  thirteen  years,  where  he  built  a  parsonage,  and  also  erected  a 
church  at  Williamstown.  In  18S7  he  took  charge  of  the  Church  of  Our 
Lady  of  Mt.  Carmel,  and  under  his  supervision  the  present  fine  church  edifice 
was  erected.  This  churcli  has  a  membership  of  fifteen  himdred,  and  under 
the  pastorate  of  Father  O'Neill,  has  grown  rapidly. 

Rev.  Jerome  Klonowski,  pastor  of  St.  Joseph's  Catholic  church,  was 
born  in  West  Prussia,  February  28,  1862.  He  received  a  classical  education 
in  his  native  land,  and  came  to  America  in  1879.  He  studied  theology  three 
years  and  a  half  at  St.  Vincent's  College,  Latrobe,  Penn.sylvania,  and  a  year 
and  a  half  at  the  Catholic  Seminary  on  Sylvan  Heights,  Harrisburg, 
Pennsylvania.      He   was  ordained  to  the  priesthood  by  Bishop  Shanahan, 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  1031 

December  24,  1SS4.  and  was  immediatelv  appointed  assistant  of  St.  Stanislaus 
Catholic  church  at  Shamokin,  Pennsylvania.  He  remained  in  Shamokin  until 
December  9,  1880.  when  he  was  appointed  pastor  of  St.  Joseph's  church  of 
Mt.  Carniel.  where  he  has  since  been  located.  Since  cominr^  to  Mt.  Carmel 
Father  Klonowski  has  shown  much  energy,-,  and  made  many  improvements  in 
the  church  property.  He  has  fenceil  and  painted  the  buildino-s,  {mt  in  sfi-am 
heating  apparatus  in  both  the  residence  and  church,  and  has  recently  had  the 
latter  beautifully  frescoed.  He  contemphites  erecting  a  substantial  brick 
school  building,  on  the  site  of  the  present  jiarochial  school,  in  1891,  and  is 
working  hard  for  the  spiritual  and  material  interests  of  his  congregation. 

William  X.  Leioian-,  siiperintendpnt  c  f  the  Mt.  Carmel  iml^lic  schools, 
was  born  in  Tremont.  Schuylkill  county.  Pennsylvania,  December  1,  IS-IS, 
son  of  John  E.  and  Sarah  H.  (Cressmrini  L-Lman.  His  paternal  grandfather, 
Jacob  Li'hman.  wa- i'.  nativi>  of  Schu_\lki!i  county,  and  of  German  descent. 
His  maternal  grandfather  was  born  in  ^lontgoniery  county,  and  for  many 
years  was  a  resident  of  Schuylkill.  His  fatb-r  is  a  native  of  Schuylkill  county 
and  is  now  engaged  in  tlie  Ijoot  and  shoe  business  at  Tremont,  Pennsylvania. 
Professor  Lehman  obtaini'il  his  early  t-d-acation  at  local  common  and 
select  schools,  and  began  teaching  at  the  age  of  sixteen.  From  that  time 
until  the  prex.nt  he  has  l,een  cnutiiiiK.ii-ly  ei,:,-i,-ed  in  e.lucational  WMi-k, 
with  till"  excel)tioH  (.)f  one  year.  For  tWelv-  e.)Iiseeutive  terms  he  taught  in 
his  native  town,  rising  from  the  l(jwe.~t  i:r;.de  to  tlie  position  of  jirincipal. 
He  was  elected  to  the  sujierintendency  ist  Mt.  Carmel  in  IHS'I,  and  has  per- 
formed the  duties  of  this  responsible  jositirm  in  a  manner  creditable  to  him- 
self and  valuable  to  the  community.  On  tlie  l<>th  of  July,  IMl.  he  married 
Alice  R..  daughter  of  Amos  an.l  Lydia  i  Sehzer)  Sliirk.of  Grantville.  Dauphin 
cotmty,  Pennsylvania,  and  they  are  th  ■  parents  of  tiv(^  children:  Katie  L.; 
John  S. ;  Minnie  G. ;  William  C..  and  Emily.  ;Mr.  Lehman  is  a  Republican 
in  politics,  and  is  connecteil  with  the  P.  0.  S.  of  A.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Lutheran  church,  in  which  he  has  served  as  superintendent  of  the  Sunday 
school. 

Eliiau  White  was  born  in  England  in  1"^82.  His  early  days  were  spent 
in  superintending  machinery  in  the  mines  uf  Cornwall  and  Devonshire.  He 
came  to  America  in  lyOfi,  and  worked  as  a  miner  and  mine  contractor  and 
foreman  of  mines  in  the  anthracite  coal  regions.  He  has  tilled  several  posi- 
tions of  honor  and  trust  in  the  borough  of  Mt.  Carmel,  and  is  a  Rei)ublican 
in  politics.  Mr.  White  was  married  in  his  native  land  to  Catharine  New- 
combe,  a  native  of  England,  who  is  the  mother  of  six  children.  He  is  a 
Methodist  in  religious  persuasion,  and  a  m.-mber  of  the  Order  of  Foresters, 
L  O.  O.  F.,  and  K.  of  P. 

Elitah  E.  White,  editor  and  school  teacher,  was  born  near  the  city  of 
Plymouth,  England.  March  15,  18-38,  and  is  a  son  of  Elijah  and  Catharine 
White,  of  Mt.  Carmel.     He  came  to  America  in  1869,  and  spent  his  early 


1032  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

days  ill  the  coal  mines  near  Mt.  Carmel.  He  received  his  education  in  the 
common  schools  of  that  borough  and  at  Elysbiirg  Academy,  also  from  private 
instructors.  In  1874  he  began  newspaper  work  as  correspondent  for  the 
Shamokin  Herald  and  seven  years  later  accepted  the  editorship  of  the  Mt. 
Carmel  News,  which  position  he  tilled  in  an  able  and  efficient  manner  until 
his  retirement  in  1891.  In  1876  he  was  appointed  a  teacher  in  the  Mt.  Car- 
mel public  schools,  with  which  he  has  since  been  connected,  and  is  now 
principal  of  the  grammar  school.  In  connection  with  his  professional  duties 
he  is  also  engaged  in  the  real  estate  business.  He  is  a  director  of  the  Citizens' 
B;ulding  and  Loan  Association,  clerk  to  the  borough  council,  and  notary 
public  for  the  First  National  Bank.  Mr.  White  was  married  in  June,  1887, 
to  Fannie,  daughter  of  Tobias  and  Julia  Bickel,  of  Mt.  Carmel.  One  daugh- 
ter. Julia  Catharine,  has  been  born  of  this  union.  He  is  a  Republican  in 
politics,  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  and  is  connectt>d  with 
the  I.  0.  O.  F.  and  Masonic  fraternity. 

Geohge  a.  Stecker,  postmaster,  was  l)orn  in  Mt.  Carmel,  Penusylvania. 
May  1:5.  1S.')8,  a  son  of  A.  F.  and  Mary  A.  (Beck)  Stecker,  natives  of  North- 
ampton and  Schuylkill  counties,  Pennsylvania,  respectively,  who  settled  at 
Mt.  Carmel  in  1850,  where  the  father  was  identified  with  the  coal  interests 
in  dilierent  ca])acities,  and  for  several  years  was  postmaster.  His  family 
consisted  of  seven  children:  Cliarles  Edward;  William  H. ;  George  A.; 
Jn.epli  O.;  Mary  E. ;  Ada,  and  Kate,  Mrs.  Frank  Semmet.  The  subject  of 
this  sketch  was  reared  and  I'dueated  in  his  native  town,  began  his  business 
hfe  iu  the  collierii's,  and  was  engaged  at  mining  engineering  twelve  years. 
In  l'^81  he  married  Alma  E.,  daught(n-  of  Elijah  and  Catharine  White,  of 
Mt.  Carmel,  formerly  of  England,  and  has  three  children:  Leon;  Mabel,  and 
Eaymond.  In  politics  Mr.  Stecker  is  an  active  Republican;  he  was  appointed 
jxjstmaster  of  Mt.  Carmel,  August  17,  1S8U,  and  confirmed  by  the  Senate, 
December  20,  ]88l». 

Joseph  Deppen,  dealer  in  real  estate,  was  born  in  Upper  Mahanoy  town- 
ship, Northumberland  county,  Pennsylvania,  December  2,  1837,  son  of  Abra- 
ham and  Mary  (Snyder)  Deppen.  His  father  is  a  farmer,  and  resides  in 
Jackson  township,  this  county.  He  is  the  father  of  sis  children,  four  of 
whom  are  living:  Louisa,  wife  of  Dr.  Reuben  Muth:  George;  Joseph,  and 
Alexander.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  received  a  limited  education  in  a 
school  taught  in  a  grist  mill,  situated  in  Daujihin  coimty,  close  to  the  line  of 
Northumberland;  after  attaining  his  majority  he  was  engaged  in  the  droving 
business  three  years,  and  afterwards  in  mercantile  pursuits  at  Herndon  nearly 
two  years.  In  April,  ISOU,  he  removed  to  Mt.  Carmel,  where  he  was  engaged 
in  the  hotel  business  fifteen  years,  being  proprietor  of  the  house  now  kno^vIl 
as  the  Commercial.  Mr.  Deppen  was  one  of  the  organizers  of  the  Mt. 
Carmel  Savings  Bank,  in  which  he  is  still  a  director.  He  was  married,  Sep- 
tember 7,  1867,  to  Lizzie,  daughter  of  Jacob  and  Eve  Elizabeth  (Weiser) 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  1033 

Hoffman,  of  -Jordan  township,  Xorthnmberland  county.  They  are  the 
parents  of  four  children:  Lizzie;  Mary  Ada,  wife  of  Dr.  F.  D.  Eaker.  of 
Shamokin;  Joseph,  and  Gertrude.  Mrs.  Deppen  has  been  a  member  of  the 
Evangelical  Lutheran  church  all  her  life,  and  November  2,  1890,  her  hiis- 
band  and  four  children  united  with  that  clmrch.  In  iiolitics  Mr.  Deppen  is 
a  Democrat,  but  has  never  taken  a  very  active  interest  in  political  affairs. 

"Walton  H.  Montelius,  dealer  in  real  estate,  was  born  in  Curweusville, 
Pennsylvania,  July  13,  1856,  son  of  Alfred  M.  Montelius.  He  was  reared 
and  educated  in  Mt.  Carmel,  and  subsequently  took  a  course  at  Pierce's 
Commercial  College  of  Philadelphia.  He  then  became  a  partner  of  the  firm 
of  A.  !M.  Montelius  &  Sons,  merchants,  in  which  he  was  interested  three 
years,  when  the  firm  became  Montelius,  Kighter  &  Company,  in  which  our 
subject  retained  the  position  of  manager.  In  November,  1887,  he  went  to 
Slater,  West  Virginia,  as  secretary  and  vice-president  of  the  Slater  Creek 
Coal  and  Coke  Company,  with  which  he  was  connected  until  June,  1888. 
Returning  to  Mt.  Carmel  he  afterwards  entered  the  real  estate  business  with 
headquarters  at  Charleston,  AVest  Virginia,  in  which  he  has  since  been 
engaged.  Mr.  ^Montelius  was  married,  September  17,  187U,  to  Alice  M., 
daughter  of  Abraham  Gates,  of  Curweusville.  Pennsylvania.  Two  children, 
Ella  and  Jennie,  are  the  fruits  of  this  union.  Politically  he  is  an  independ- 
ent Republican,  a  member  of  the  F.  &  A.  M.,  Lodge  No.  378,  and  Griscom 
Chapter,  No.  219,  also  Prince  of  Peace  Commandery,  thelast  twoof  Ashland, 
Pennsylvania. 

WiLLiAii  B.  Faust,  attorney  at  law,  was  born  in  Reading,  Pennsylvania, 
a  son  of  Samuel  and  Margaretta  (Miller)  Faust,  August  -"),  ]8.")3.  His  father 
was  a  hatter  by  trade,  and  removed  to  Sunbury,  this  county,  in  18C)3,  where 
he  died.  January  1,  1888.  The  early  education  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch 
was  received  in  public  and  private  schools.  In  1  SHU  he  entered  ilereersburg 
College,  Franklin  county,  Pennsylvania,  for  a  preparatory  course,  remaining 
there  until  1873.  The  same  year  he  entered  Franklin  and  Marshall  College, 
Lancaster,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  remained  one  year.  In  187.J  he  began 
the  study  of  law  with  A.  N.  Brice,  of  Sunbuiy,  Pennsylvania,  and  was  admit- 
ted to  the  bar,  Juno  8,  1877,  remaining  with  Mr.  Brice  until  September, 
l's7^.  when  lie  located  at  Mt.  Carmel,  where  he  has  built  up  a  successful 
practice.  Mr.  Faust  is  a  jirominent  member  of  the  F.  &  A.  M.  and  I.  O.  O. 
F..  and.  politically,  he  is  a  Republican. 

VoRis  AuTEN,  attorney  at  law,  was  born  in  Chillisquacjue  township,  North- 
umberland county,  Pennsylvania,  July  8,  1850,  son  of  "William  Maxwell  and 
Sarah  (Allison)  Auten.  His  paternal  grandfather  was  a  native  of  this  county, 
and  a  miller  by  occupation;  his  maternal  grandfather  was  a  pioneer  of  this 
county.  His  father  was  born  in  this  county,  was  a  millwright  by  trade,  and 
resided  in  Chillisquaque  township  until  his  death  in  January,  1891.  He  and 
his  wife  were  both  married  twice,  and  reared  a  family  of  thirteen  children.    The 


1034:  HISTOKY    OF    NOKTHUMBEHLAND    COUNTY. 

subject  of  this  sketch  was  reiired  in  his  native  township,  and  educated  in  the 
common  schools,  the  Lewisburg  Academy,  and  the  University  at  Lewisburg, 
receiving  at  the  latter  institution  a  partial  scientific  course.  He  taught 
school  several  terms  in  his  native  township  and  sis  years  in  the  public 
schools  of  Sunbury.  He  began  the  study  of  law  with  Frank  Marr  of  Sun- 
bury,  in  April,  1S79,  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  September,  1S81.  In 
1883  he  located  at  Mt.  Carmel,  whei-e  he  has  since  been  in  active  practice. 
He  married,  June  9,  1SS7,  Jennie,  daughter  of  Dr.  George  M.  Renn,  of  Sun- 
bury.  Mr.  Auten  was  elected  district  attorney  for  this  county  in  the  fall  of 
18N'.).  He  is  a  member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.  and  F.  &  A.  M..  and  in  politics  is  a 
Democrat. 

Jekemiah  Snyder  was  born  in  Peiin  township,  Snyder  county,  Pennsyl- 
vania, June  IS,  1832,  a  son  of  George  A.  and  Catharine  (Schoch)  Snyder. 
He  was  reared  in  his  native  county,  and  was  nearly  twenty  years  of  age  be- 
fore he  could  read  or  write.  The  first  twenty  years  of  his  hfe  were  passed 
on  the  farm  and  in  the  saw  and  grist  mill  of  his  father.  He  then  began  to 
attend  a  common  school  during  the  summer  mouths,  and  worked  in  the  mill 
during  the  winter.  He  had  now  arrived  at  an  age  when  he  felt  most  keenly 
the  need  of  an  education,  and  therefore  applied  himself  with  great  diligence, 
both  in  and  out  of  school.  In  a  short  time  he  became  qualified  to  impart 
instruction  to  others  in  the  common  English  branches,  and  taught  school 
for  a  few  winters  in  the  vicinity  of  his  home,  and  also  for  a  short  time  in 
New  Berlin.  While  thus  engaged  in  teaching  he  began  the  study  of  law  by 
himself,  bending  all  his  energies  in  that  direction,  and  improving  all  the 
spare  time  therein.  During  this  time  he  received  occasional  instructions 
from  Isaac  Henker.  When  aliout  twenty-five  years  of  age  he  entered  the 
law  office  of  Charles  Hower,  at  Selinsgrove,  where  he  finished  the  projiaration 
for  his  profession,  and  in  March,  1801,  was  admitted  to  the  bar  at  Middle- 
burg,  Snyder  county,  Pennsylvania.  The  summer  j^revious  he  had  served  as 
a  delegate  of  the  Democratic  party  to  the  Charleston  convention.  In  April, 
1801,  when  the  call  was  i.ssued  by  President  Lincoln  for  seventy-five  thou- 
sand volimteers  to  aid  in  quelling  the  Eebellion,  Mr.  Snyder  was  the  first 
man  to  enlist  from  Snyder  county.  He  was  elected  corporal  of  Company  G, 
Fourth  Penn.sylvania  Volunteers,  and  after  three  months"  service  was  honora- 
bly discharged  and  returned  to  his  home  in  Middleburg.  In  Jime,  1862,  he 
recruited  Company  F,  One  Himdred  and  Thirty-first  Pennsylvania  Volun- 
teers, and,  although  the  unanimous  choice  of  the  company  for  captain,  yet, 
owing  to  political  influences,  he  yielded  the  honor  to  George  W.  Ryon,  of 
Snyder  county,  who  obtained  the  position.  Mr.  Snyder  was  then  elected 
lieutenant  of  the  comjiany;  unfriendly  political  influences,  however,  were 
brought  to  bear  against  him,  and  he  resigned  his  position  at  Hagerstown, 
Maryland,  and  returned  home.  During  the  winter  Oi  1863  he  removed  to 
Shamokin,  where  he  entered  upon  the  practice  of  his  profession.    The  follow- 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  1035 

ing  April  he  located  in  Sunbury.  and  iu  ISn-j  he  was  elected  district  attorney, 
and  re-elected  in  1S6S,  and  served  six  years.  In  August.  ISOti,  he  was  a 
delegate  from  the  Fourteenth  congressional  chstrict  of  Pennsylvania  to  the 
Union  convention  at  Philadelphia.  In  1S73  he  was  elected  justice  of  the 
peace,  and  resigned  his  position  to  enter  the  lower  house  of  the  Pennsyl- 
vania legislature,  to  which  he  had  been  elected  by  the  Democratic  party  of 
Northumberland  county  in  the  fall  of  ISTd  In  1S84  he  purchased  the  Com- 
mercial Hotel  at  Mt.  Carmel,  which  he  still  owns,  remodeled  it  into  a  tirst- 
class  hotel,  and  conducted  it  two  years.  He  then  removed  to  Simbury  and 
remodeled  the  Fairmount  Hotel,  which  he  had  purchased  in  1ST9,  conducted 
it  one  year,  and  sold  it  in  ISSU.  He  returned  to  Mt.  Carmel  in  the  spring  of 
1SS9,  where  he  now  resides.  Mr.  Snyder  was  first  married.  Ajiril  24.  ISO'i, 
to  Harriet,  daughter  of  Henry  A.  Smith,  of  Middleburg.  Snyder  coimty, 
Pennsylvania,  and  May  1.  IST'.I.  to  Emma,  daughter  of  Jonathan  and  Cath- 
arine (Byerly)  Rupp.  of  ^It.  Carmel. 

William  T.  Williams,  physician  and  surgeon,  was  born  in  Merthyr 
Tydfil.  Wales,  April  27,  185-1,  a  son  of  Thomas  T.  and  Margaret  (Hughes) 
Williams.  They  immigrated  to  America  in  April,  iSo-j.  and  located  at 
Scranton.  Pennsylvania,  where  the  father,  who  was  a  stone  mason  by  trade, 
followed  his  vocation  several  years.  In  18*34  he  removed  to  Northiunber- 
land  county  and  engaged  in  mining  and  contracting:  he  is  now  living  in 
Mt.  Carmel,  where  he  has  resided  since  18<;o.  He  reared  a  family  of  four 
children:  William  T. ;  John  E.,  for  several  years  a  merchant  of  Mt.  Carmel, 
where  he  died  in  August,  188*);  Maggie,  a  teacher  in  the  public  schools,  and 
Mary,  who  is  clerking  iu  E.  C.  Tier's  dry  goods  store.  Our  subject  was 
educated  in  the  public  schools  of  Mt.  Carmel.  In  1872  he  began  the  study 
of  medicine  under  Dr.  H.  Gulick,  with  whom  he  studied  two  years,  after 
which  he  read  with  Dr.  D.  Y.  Boyntou,  of  Knoxville,  Tennessee.  He  then 
attended  two  courses  of  lectures  at  the  Louisville  Medical  College,  and  in 
September,  1874,  entered  the  Medical  University  of  the  City  of  New  York, 
from  which  he  graduated,  March  14,  187.3.  The  same  spring  he  began  the 
practice  of  his  profession  at  Plains,  Luzerne  county,  Pennsylvania,  where  he 
remained  one  year.  In  January,  187*),  he  removed  to  Mt.  Carmel,  where  he 
has  built  up  a  large  and  successful  practice.  He  has  also  been  engaged  in 
the  drug  business  with  Dr.  E.  W.  Montelius  since  November.  ISSO.  He 
married,  April  13.  1880,  Jennie,  daughter  of  Howell  and  Sarah  Jeffries,  of 
Mahanoy  City,  Pennsylvania,  and  has  had  two  children:  Thomas  Lamar, 
and  Harold,  deceased.  Doctor  Williams  is  a  member  of  the  Congregational 
church,  the  F.  &  A.  M.,  K.  T.,  and  I.  O.  O.  F.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Schuyl- 
kill Coimty  Medical  Society,  is  ex-president  of  that  society,  member  of  the  exec- 
utive committee  on  medical  State  law,  the  Pennsylvania  State  Medical 
Society,  and  the  American  Medical  Association,  and  was  a  member  of  the 
International  Medical  Congress  of  1887.  Politically  he  is  a  Eepublican, 
and  one  of  the  enterprising  citizens  of  the  county. 


1036  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

Ralph  W.  Montelius,  physician,  was  born  in  Curwensvillo,  Clearfipld 
county,  Pennsylvania.  February  5,  1S54,  son  of  Alfred  L.  and  Eliza  J. 
(Hartshorn)  Montelius.  After  reaching  the  age  of  nine  years  his  parents 
removed  to  Mt.  Carmel,  where  he  was  reared  and  received  a  common 
school  education.  He  also  attended  the  academies  at  Mifflinburg  and  Elys- 
burg,  and  the  State  Normal  School  at  Bloomsburg,  Pennsylvania.  He  began 
the  study  of  medicine  under  Dr.  W.  J.  Haas,  of  Mt.  Carmel,  in  1871,  and 
graduated  from  Jefferson  Medical  College  at  Philadelphia,  March  11,  1876, 
at  the  head  of  his  class.  In  the  autumn  of  the  same  year  he  entered  upon 
the  practice  of  his  profession  at  Mt.  Carmel,  where  he  has  since  successfully 
prosecuted  its  active  duties.  October  17.  1876,  he  married  Carrie  E., 
daughter  of  0.  H.  Sillyman,  and  they  are  the  parents  of  two  children:  Car- 
rie E.  and  Katharine.  Doctor  Montelius  is  a  member  of  the  F.  &  A.  M.  and 
R.  A.,  the  Schuylkill  County  Medical  Society,  the  State  Medical  Society, 
and  the  American  Medical  Association.  He  is  a  Republican  in  politics,  and 
one  of  the  best  known  and  most  progressive  citizens  of  his  adopted  home. 

Edmund  W.  Samuel,  physician  and  druggist,  was  born  at  Blanavon,  Eng- 
land, November  27.  lSo7,  son  of  Edmund  and  Mary  (Bower)  Samuel,  who 
came  to  America  in  l^'jl)  and  located  at  Scranton,  Pennsylvania.  In  1861 
they  removed  to  Schuylkill  county  and  in  1863  settled  in  Ashland,  where 
they  resided  until  1S7"J:  after  changing  about  to  different  parts  of  the 
county  they  finally  returned  to  Ashland  in  1886,  where  they  now  reside. 
The  Doctor's  father  occupied  the  position  of  superintendent  of  the  Phila- 
delphia and  Reading  Coal  and  Iron  Company  fifteen  years,  and  in  1889  was 
a  member  of  the  State  board  of  mining  examiners.  He  was  the  father  of 
seven  children,  three  sons  and  four  daughters:  Dr.  Edmund  W. ;  Lizzie, 
wife  of  Samuel  McConnell;  Thomas  P.;  William  C. ;  Mellie;  Emma,  and 
Gertrude.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  received  his  early  education  at  the 
public  schools,  and  was  under  private  instructors  four  years.  In  1874  he 
entered  the  drug  store  of  J.  H.  Pritchard  &  Company,  Ashland,  Pennsylva- 
nia, and  while  engaged  in  the  drug  business  he  also  pursued  his  medical 
studies  with  Dr.  "William  R.  Owens  of  the  same  place.  He  entered  Jeffer- 
son Medical  College,  Philadelphia,  in  October,  1878,  and  graduated  from 
that  institution,  March  18,  1880.  He  commenced  practice  in  Ashland  in 
April  of  the  same  year,  and  the  following  November  located  in  Mt.  Carmel, 
where  he  has  since  been  engaged  in  the  active  duties  of  his  profession.  In 
1887  Doctor  Samuel  became  a  member  of  the  firm  of  Dr.  E.  S.  Heiser  & 
Company,  driiggists,  which  partnership  existed  until  July  25,  1889,  when  he 
purchased  Doctor  Heiser"s  interest  and  has  since  conducted  the  business  alone. 
Doctor  Samuel  was  married,  April  28,  1886,  to  Alice,  daughter  of  William 
and  Deborah  Kiefer,  of  Mt.  Carmel,  who  has  borne  him  two  sons:  Frank 
and  Roger.  The  Doctor  is  a  member  of  the  Schuylkill  County  Medical  So- 
ciety and  the  State  Medical  Society.     Politically  he  is  a  Republican,  and   is 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  1037 

a  member  of  the  school  board,  taking  a  deep  interest  in  the  growth  ami 
l^rogress  of  the  pnblic  schools.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episco- 
pal church,  the  I.  0.  O.  F..  K.  of  M.,  and  E.  A. 

George  W.  ILiEPEL,  homceopathic  physician,  was  born  at  Nazareth, 
Northampton  county,  Pennsylvania,  November  12,  1849,  son  of  Mark  and 
Martha  (Morgan)  Hari^el,  of  German  and  Welsh  descent,  resi^ectively.  Mr. 
Harpel  was  educated  at  the  State  Normal  School  at  Millersville.  Lancaster 
county.  Pemisylvania,  and  began  the  study  of  medicine  with  Dr.  M.  H. 
Harpel  at  Shamokin,  Pennsylvania.  In  1879  he  entered  Hahnemann  Med- 
ical College.  Philadeljihia.  from  which  he  graduated  in  1881,  and  began  the 
practice  of  his  j^rofession  at  Lititz.  Lancaster  county,  Pennsylvania,  the  same 
year.  In  January.  1882.  he  located  at  Mt.  Carmel,  where  he  has  since 
been  in  active  practice.  In  May,  1882,  he  married  Annie  R.,  daughter  of 
George  and  Lizzie  (Kennedy)  Garrett,  of  Lebanon  county,  Pennsylvania, 
and  to  this  union  one  child  has  been  born,  Bessie  E.  Doctor  Harjiel  is  a 
member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  and  politically  is  a  Republican. 

B.  F.  Bartho,  physician,  was  born  in  Halifax,  Dauphin  county,  Pennsyl- 
vania. July  4,  18G2,  son  of  Gabriel  and  Magdalena  (Kessler)  Bartho,  natives, 
respectively,  of  Berks  and  Sclntylkill  counties.  Pennsylvania,  and  of  German 
origin.  His  father  is  a  miller  by  trade,  and  resides  in  Schuylkill  county. 
John  Bartho  was  the  father  of  Gabriel  Bartho;  the  father  of  Magdalena  Bar- 
tho was  Michael  Kessler,  a  pioneer  of  Hegins  township,  Schuylkill  coitnty, 
where  he  o^vned  and  improved  a  tract  of  three  hundred  acres  of  land  which 
acquired  the  name  of  Kessler's  District.  It  was  with  him  that  B.  F.  Bartho 
was  reared,  obtaining  an  elementary  education  at  the  jniblic  schools,  after 
which  he  attended  Berrysburg  Academy  and  the  Millersville  State  Normal 
School.  He  taught  three  terms  of  school  in  Schiiylkill  county.  In  18s2  he 
began  the  study  of  medicine  with  Professor  H.  R.  Barnham,  demonstrator  of 
anatomy  at  the  College  of  Physicians  and  Surgeons  in  Baltimore,  Maryland; 
he  entered  that  institution  in  1884,  and  was  graduated  with  honors  in  ISSfi, 
recei\-ing  the  gold  medal  in  gynfecologv*.  He  was  at  once  apjiointed  resident 
physician  to  the  Maryland  Lying-in  Asylum,  Baltimore.  Resigning  this 
position  in  1887  he  came  to  Mt.  Carmel,  where  he  has  since  been  engaged  in 
the  active  duties  of  his  profession.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Schuylkill  Cotmty 
and  State  Medical  Societies,  and  while  in  Baltimore  he  belonged  to  the  Med- 
ical Chirurgical  Society.  He  is  a  member  of  the  K.  of  M.,  and  in  politics  is 
a  Rejiublican.  Doctor  Bartho  was  married,  June  10,  1890,  to  Annie,  daugh- 
ter of  Tobias  Bickel  of  Mt.  Carmel. 

William  H.  Lewis,  physician  and  surgeon,  was  born  in  Mt.  Carmel. 
Pennsvlvania.  August  2.  I8t'>0,  son  of  David  J.  and  Amanda  (Hull)  Lewis, 
mentioned  in  this  chapter.  He  received  his  education  in  his  native  town, 
and  began  the  study  of  medicine  with  Dr.  W.  T.  Williams,  of  ^Nlt.  Carmel.  in 
18S4.     He  entered  the  medical  department  of  the  I'niversity  of  Pennsylvania 


1038  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

in  18S"),  and  graduated  from  Jefferson  Medical  College  in  ISSS.  He  began 
the  practice  of  medicine  at  Locust  Dale,  and  in  1889  came  to  Mt.  Carmel, 
where  he  has  since  been  in  active  and  successful  practice.  In  politics  he  is 
Kepublican.  i 

H.  H.  Geiger,  of  the  lirm  of  Geiger,  Hinkel  &  Company,  proprietors  of 
planing  mills,  was  born  in  Port  Carbon,  Schuylkill  county,  Pennsylvania, 
September  8,  1851,  son  of  Michael  and  Mary  A.  (Handwork)  Geiger,  natives 
of  Berks  county,  Pennsylvania.  Our  subject  was  reared  in  Port  Carbon,  and 
served  an  apprenticeship  of  three  years  at  the  carpenter  business.  He 
worked  as  a  journeyman  up  to  February,  1883,  when  he  located  in  Mt.  Car- 
mel and  in  connection  with  his  brother  William  established  a  planing  mill 
under  the  firm  name  of  Geiger  Brothers.  They  operated  the  mill  four  years, 
and  in  March,  1887,  William  H.  Hinkel  and  John  P.  Gibson  were  admitted 
into  partnership,  since  which  time  the  business  has  been  conducted  under  the 
name  of  Geiger,  Hinkel  &  Company.  It  is  the  only  planing  mill  in  Mt.  Car- 
mel, and  is  doing  quite  a  successful  business.  Mr.  Geiger  was  married. 
December  18,  1888,  to  Lizzie,  daughter  of  George  and  Catherine  (Marquardt) 
Gwinner,  of  Port  Carbon.  He  is  one  of  the  representative  and  well  known 
business  men  of  the  borough. 

WiLLi.vM  H.  Hinkel,  of  Geiger,  Hinkel  &  Company,  proprietors  of  a 
planing  mill,  was  born  in  West  Delaware,  Schuylkill  county,  Pennsylvania, 
November  28,  1851,  son  of  Michael  and  Lydia  (McCord)  Hinkel.  His 
paternal  grandfather,  Abraham  Hinkel,  was  a  pioneer  stone  mason  of  North- 
umberland county.  His  maternal  grandfather,  John  C.  McCord,  was  a  native 
of  Schuylkill  county  and  of  Irish  descent.  He  was  a  carpenter,  wheel- 
wright, and  cabinet  maker  by  trade.  Michael  Hinkel,  father  of  our  subject, 
was  born  near  Elysburg,  Northumberland  county,  is  a  brickmaker  by  trade, 
but  has  spent  most  of  his  life  working  in  the  mines.  He  has  been  a  resi- 
dent of  Mt.  Carmel  since  1800,  and  is  the  father  of  the  following  children: 
Elizabeth,  wife  of  John  D.  Frank;  William  H. ;  Daniel  M. ;  Lydia,  wife  of 
James  Gibson;  Samuel;  Elmer;  George  and  Sherman,  deceased,  and  James. 
The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  of  Schuyl- 
kill and  Northumberland  counties.  After  working  in  a  machine  shoi>  six 
months,  he  learned  the  carpenter  trade  in  Ashland  and  Shenandoah,  and  has 
ever  since  followed  that  occupation.  Mr.  Hinkel  has  been  a  resident  of  Mt. 
Carmel  since  1800,  a  contractor  since  1881,  and  a  member  of  the  firm  of 
Geiger,  Hinkel  &  Company,  since  March,  1887.  On  the  10th  of  September, 
1880,  he  married  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  John  and  Henrietta  (Mussina)  Yar- 
nall,  of  Mt.  Carmel,  and  to  this  union  have  been  born  four  children:  Fremont 
Newton;  Henrietta;  William,  and  Daniel.  In  politics  Mr.  Hinkel  is  a  Re- 
publican, and  is  serving  his  second  term  as  overseer  of  the  poor.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  K.  of  M.,  and  P.  O.  S.  of  A. 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  10S9 

DoMixicK  Oats,  contractor  and  builder,  was  bom  in  County  Eoscommon, 
Ireland,  in  1S'2'>.  son  of  Dominick  and  Jane  (Logan)  Oat.s.  His  father  came 
to  America  in  l>i4r)  and  enlisted  in  the  United  States  Army  for  the  Mexican 
■war.  but  whether  he  was  killed  in  battle  or  died  of  disease  was  never  known, 
as  nothing  was  learned  of  his  subsequent  history.  Our  sialiject  was  reared 
in  England,  where  his  mother  died.  After  reaching  manhood  he  returned  to 
Ir^'land  and  learned  the  carpenter  trade  with  his  uncle,  and  in  1S()',)  immi- 
grated to  this  State  and  located  at  Locust  Gap,  where  he  remained  about 
two  years.  He  then  went  to  Green  Kidge,  where  he  spent  twelve  years, 
coming  to  Mt.  Carmel  in  ISSll  He  has  followed  contracting  and  building 
since  that  time,  and  has  carried  on  quite  a  successful  Inisine.ss.  Mr.  Oats 
married  Catharine  Burns,  a  native  of  Ireland,  and  has  one  daughter,  Jane. 
Tlie  family  are  members  of  the  Catholic  church,  and  iJolitically  Mr.  Oats  is  a 
stanch  Democrat. 

Cteoege  Mokse.  architect  and  carpenter  and  builder,  w^s  born  in  Pem- 
brokeshire. South  Wales.  Di'cember  28,  1S41,  son  of  Al-xauder  and  Jane 
(Llewellyn)  Morse,  natives  of  the  same  shire.  He  grew  up  in  his  native  land, 
learned  the  carpenter  trade,  and  worked  there  as  mn^t.■r-lnulder  until  the 
spring  of  ISS'2,  when  he  immigrated  to  Philadelphia.  He  worked  there  one 
year  and  then  returned  to  "Wales  for  his  family,  which  he  brought  out  in 
bctol)er,  lss:i.  and  located  in  Mt.  Carmel.  where  he  has  since  resided.  He 
has  followed  his  trade  up  to  the  present,  and  since  Sejjtember,  ISST,  has 
been  foreman  and  architect  for  Bernard  Harvey,  the  leading  contractor  and 
builder  of  the  town.  Mr.  Morse  has  been  twice  married,  tirst  to  Margaret 
Morgan,  of  Pembrokeshire,  June  2,  1S(32,  who  bore  him  one  son,  George 
Arthi^r.  She  died,  January  4,  18(38.  He  was  again  married  in  April.  1S(>7, 
to  Mrs.  Si;sanna  Lewis,  nee  Thomas,  of  Carmarthenshire.  South  "\^'ales,  who 
liad  three  children  by  her  first  husband:  Esther  J.:  James  J.,  and  Henry  E. 
By  her  marriage  to  Mr.  Morse  the  following  children  have  lieeii  born:  Will- 
iam T.:  Alexander;  Elizabeth  T. :  Charles;  Laura:  Gertrude:  Letitia:  Meli- 
cent.  deceased;  Clara  S.,  and  Alfred.  The  family  are  adherents  of  the  Meth- 
odist church,  but  originally  belonged  to  the  Church  of  England.  Politically 
he  is  a  Republican,  and  a  member  of  the  K.  of  G.  E. 

Rudolph  Hehb,  carpenter,  was  born  near  Reading.  Pennsylvania,  April 
17.  ]S42.  son  of  John  and  Leah  (Reddinger)  Herb,  natives  of  Berks  cotmty, 
Penn>ylvania.  His  father  was  a  farmer  and  sjient  his  life  in  Berks  county. 
Ritdolph  was  reared  on  the  homestead  farm,  and  received  his  education  in 
the  common  schools.  He  learned  the  carpenter  trade,  which  he  followed  in 
Berks.  Schuylkill,  and  Northumberland  counties  seventeen  years.  He  came 
to  Mt.  Carmel  in  1S7I,  and  in  ISSI  engaged  in  the  dair}-  basiness,  which  he 
conducted  until  April  1.  18'JU.  when  he  sold  out  and  resumed  carpentering. 
Mr.  Herb  was  married,  May  20,  18f3('),  to  Valeria,  daughter  of  William  and 
Susan  ( Shipe)  Buck,  of  Schuylkill  coimty.     Thirteen  children  have  been  born 


10-40  HISTORY    OF   NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

of  this  union,  six  of  whom  are  living:  Alice,  wife  of  Joseph  Keiser;  Matilda; 
Emma;  Minnie;  James,  and  Bertha.  The  deceased  children  are  as  follows: 
Willie;  Valeria;  Harry;  Kate:  Curtis;  Bertha,  and  one  who  died  in  infancy. 
Mr.  Herb  is  a  Republican,  and  has  served  as  constable  of  Mt.  Carmel  five 
years,  and  in  the  council  two  terms.     He  is  a  member  of  the  K.  of  M. 

Charles  E.  Steckee.  carpenter,  was  born  in  West  Branch  valley,  Schuyl- 
kill county,  Pennsylvania,  in  April,  1S54.  In  1856  he  came  with  his  father  to 
Mt.  Carmel,  where  he  was  reared  and  educated  in  the  public  schools.  He 
learned  the  carpenter  trade,  but  spent  many  years  working  in  the  mines, 
where  he  began  as  a  slate  picker,  and  later  worked  as  schute  boss  and  in  the 
carpenter  shop.  Since  18S7  he  has  followed  general  carpentering.  He  mar- 
ried, May  23,  1887,  Susan,  daughter  of  Nathaniel  and  Harriet  Reader,  and 
to  this  iinion  have  been  born  three  children:  Hattie;  Mary  A.,  and  Florence. 
Mr.  Stecker  is  a  member  of  the  P.  O.  S.  of  A.,  is  a  Republican,  and  has  served 
one  term  in  the  borough  council 

Peter  F.  Kelly,  carpenter,  was  born  at  Harper's  Ferry,  West  Virginia, 
in  1885,  son  of  John  and  Mary  (McGuire)  Kelly,  natives  of  County  Mona- 
ghan,  Ireland,  who  came  to  America  about  1825,  and  located  in  New  Jersey. 
They  removed  from  there  to  Harper's  Ferry,  Virginia,  where  the  father 
worked  on  the  Chesapeake  and  Ohio  canal.  He  died  about  188U,  leaving 
four  children:  James;  Jolm:  Peter  F.,  and  Bernard.  Our  subject  was 
reared  in  Cumberland,  Maryland,  and  removed  to  St.  Clair,  Pennsylvania, 
with  his  mother  and  brothers  in  1847,  where  he  worked  in  the  mines  up  to 
1850.  He  then  served  an  apprenticeship  at  the  carpenter  trade,  which  he 
followed  up  to  April,  1801,  when  he  enlisted  in  Company  H,  Ninth  Pennsyl- 
vania Volunteers,  for  the  three  months'  service,  and  was  discharged,  July 
21,  1801.  In  September  following  he  enlisted  in  Company  A,  Seventh 
Pennsylvania  Cavalry,  and  served  until  mustered  out  at  Macon,  Georgia, 
August  23,  1805.  He  was  promoted  in  succession  from  private  to  corporal, 
then  to  quarterma.ster  sergeant,  and  was  commissioned  second  lieutenant  at 
Gravelly  Spring  in  the  spring  of  1805.  He  participated  in  the  battles  of 
Chickamauga,  Stone  River,  Shelb}-ville,  and  Selma,  besides  many  other  minor 
engagements.  At  the  close  of  the  war  Mr.  Kelly  returned  to  St.  Clair, 
Schuylkill  county,  where  he  worked  at  his  trade  up  to  1872,  and  then  re- 
moved to  Mahanoy  City.  In  ls7y  he  came  to  Mt.  Carmel,  where  he  has 
since  been  engaged  at  the  carpenter  business  in  the  Reliance  colliery.  He 
was  married  in  1807  to  Mar\-.  daughter  of  David  and  Julia  Gorman  of  St. 
Clair,  Pennsylvania,  who  is  the  mother  of  five  living  children:  John;  David; 
Mary;  Peter,  and  Alice.  The  family  are  adherents  of  the  Catholic  church, 
and  in  politics  Mr.  Kelly  is  a  Republican.  He  is  a  member  of  Burnside 
Post,  G.  A.  R..  and  has  held  the  office  of  junior  vice-commander  of  his  post. 
Charles  H.  Hobson,  patentee  and  manufacturer  of  Hobson's  patent  lamp 
carriers,  was  born  in  Doncaster,  Yorkshire,  England,  September  27,  1845, 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  1041 

son  of  William  and  Eliza  (Hodgson)  Hobson,  also  natives  of  England.  He 
grev.-  up  in  Lis  native  land,  and  there  learned  the  house  and  sign  painter's 
trade,  which  he  followed  in  England  mitil  February,  1S72;  he  then  immi- 
grated to  Miners^-ille.  Schuylkill  county,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  continued 
working  at  his  trade.  In  May,  ISSl,  he  came  to  Mt.  Carmel  and  soon  after  es- 
tablished a  business  for  himself  which  he  conducted  until  the  fall  of  bSS9. 
Having  in  the  meantime  invented  a  miner's  lamp  carrier  he  obtained  a  patent 
for  his  invention,  December  ?,.  ISSU,  and  at  once  began  their  manufacture, 
which  business  he  has  since  prosecuted  successfully.  It  is  regarded  as  one 
of  the  best  lamji  carriers  in  the  market,  and  is  destined  to  have  an  extensive 
and  permanent  sale.  He  has  also  obtained  patents  on  two  improvements  on 
the  original  lamji  carrier  that  renders  it  still  more  valtiable.  He  is  also  the 
patentee  of  a  railroad  frog-switch  which  di.spenses  with  the  old  frog-crossing 
ttsually  emjiloyed.  He  is  now  working  on  other  inventions  from  which  he 
hojies  to  realize  good  profits  in  the  future.  Mr.  Hobson  was  married,  No- 
vemlier  4.  1^7:1  to  Eliz;ibeth  Jane,  daughter  of  George  and  Jane  Hodges, 
of  ^liuiTsvill.'.  Pennsylvania.  Seven  children  have  been  Ijorn  of  this  union; 
Etieldipha  J.:  Hettie  H. :  Charles  H. :  George  W.;  Elizabeth  E.:  Johanna 
8..  deceased,  and  Stuart  J.     Politically  Mr.  Hobson  is  a  stanch  Democrat. 

HfGH  M.  Phillips,  deceased,  was  a  native  of  England  and  immigrated 
to  -America  when  a  young  man.  He  located  in  Schuylkill  county.  Pennsyl- 
vania, prior  to  IS-'iO.  and  was  subseqttently  married  to  Caroline  Bickelman,  of 
Pottsville.  He  worked  in  collieries  at  Tuscarora,  Middleport,  and  New  Phil- 
adi'lphia.  all  in  Schuylkill  county,  before  coming  from  the  last  named  place  to 
Shamokin.  where  he  was  lioss  of  one  of  the  Shamokin  collieries  itntil  he 
removed  to  Mt.  Carmel  in  INO.").  He  was  outside  foreman  of  the  Reliance 
colliery  from  the  time  he  located  at  Mt.  Carmel  up  to  his  death  in  LSSU.  He 
was  an  honest,  upright  citizm.  a  member  of  the  Episcopal  church,  a  Repub- 
lican, and  an  Odd  Fellow.  He  was  di'eply  interested  for  many  years  preced- 
ing his  death  in  the  Building  and  Loan  Association  of  Mt.  Carmel.  His 
widow,  a  daughter  of  Conrad  Bickelman,  resides  with  her  son,  "W.  H.  Pliil- 
lips.  She  belongs  to  the  Methodist  church.  Her  father  was  a  native  of 
Germany,  a  wheelwright  by  trade,  and  for  many  years  a  resident  of  Schuyl- 
kill county.  Pennsylvania.  Mrs.  Piiillips  and  Harriet,  wife  of  Nathaniel 
Reader,  of  Mt.  Carmel.  are  the  only  living  children  of  Mr.  Bickelman.  He 
died  in  Pottsville.  but  for  a  year  before  his  death  he  had  spent  the  most  of 
his  time  with  his  daughter,  Mrs.  Phillips.  The  children  of  Hugh  M.  and 
Caroline  PhiUips  are:  Martin,  an  engineer;  Edward,  a  blacksmith;  W.  H.. 
merchant,  and  Matilda,  wife  of  Myer  Kolb.  an  auditor  of  the  Reading  rail- 
road, living  in  Philadelphia. 

"W.  H.  Phillips,  hardware  merchant,  was  born  in  Middleport.  Pennsyl- 
vania. July  C).  lNr)0.  son  of  Hugh  M.  and  Caroline  (Bickelman)  Phillips.  He 
was  educated  in  the  public  schools,  and  began   his  business   life  as  a  slate 


104:2  HISTORY    OF    NOliTHDMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

picker  in  a  breaker.  For  several  years  preceding  1879  he  clerked  in  a  store. 
and  in  1S80  he  was  employed  to  manage  a  breaker  engine  at  the  Reliance  coll- 
iery. This  he  continued  until  1890,  when  he  opened  a  general  hardware  store 
inMt.  Carmel,  which  he  has  since  conducted  with  successful  results.  He  i>  a 
member  of  the  P.  O.  S.  of  A.  and  the  K.  of  M.,  a  Eepublican,  and  one  of  the 
progressive  young  business  men  of  the  commtmity. 

Claek  B.  Zimmerm.\n,  yard  foreman  for  the  Pennsylvania  Railroad  Com- 
pany, was  born  in  Shamokin  township,  Northumberland  county,  Penn'^yl- 
vania,  March  15,  1841,  son  of  Ephraim  and  Priscilla  (Campbell)  Zimmer- 
man. His  paternal  grandfather,  Michael  Zimmerman,  was  a  native  of  Peuu- 
sylvania  of  German  parentage;  he  removed  to  this  county,  where  he 
engaged  in  farming,  and  died  in  Shamokin  township.  His  maternal  grand- 
father, William  Campbell,  was  a  native  of  Scotland,  a  wheelwright  by  trade, 
and  quite  an  early  settler  of  this  county.  The  father  of  our  subject  was  a 
farmer,  and  resided  in  this  county  up  to  his  death  at  Shamokin  in  1SI)4. 
Two  children,  Clark  B.  and  Diadem  C,  wife  of  Iv.  T.  John,  are  the  fruits  of 
this  union.  Our  subject  was  reared  in  Shamokin  township,  was  educated  in 
the  common  schools  and  at  Williamsport  Academy,  and  commenced  teaching 
at  the  age  of  seventeen,  following  that  occupation  eight  years.  At  the 
breaking  out  of  the  Rebellion  in  April,  1801,  he  enlisted  in  Company  A. 
Tenth  Penn.sylvauia  Reserve,  and  served  three  months,  when  he  was  dis- 
charged from  the  service  and  returned  to  Shamokin.  He  re-enlisted  in  the 
Forty-sixth  Pennsylvania  Volunteers,  in  which  he  served  two  years  and  eight 
months,  and  was  again  discharged.  He  then  enlisted  as  a  veteran  in  Deckerd. 
Tennessee,  and  served  until  August,  180."),  when  he  was  mustered  out  of  tlu- 
service,  and  the  same  year  located  in  Mt.  Carmel.  He  clerked  in  the  store 
of  S.  A.  Bergstresser  a  short  time,  and  then  engaged  in  mining.  In  1883  lie 
was  appointed  assistant  inside  foreman  at  Mt.  Carmel  coUierj',  which  position 
he  held  one  year.  In  May,  1884,  he  entered  the  employ  of  the  Pennsyl- 
vania Railroad  Company  as  car  inspector,  and  was  apjiointed  to  his  pre.-ent 
position  in  October,  1888.  Mr.  Zimmerman  was  married,  January  21,  IMK"). 
to  Sally  A.,  daughter  of  Jonathan  and  Sarah  (Keiser)  Hoover,  of  this 
county.  Two  children  have  been  born  to  them:  Lorenzo  B.  and  William  H. 
In  politics  he  is  a  Republican,  has  served  as  chief  burgess  of  Mt.  Carmel 
one  term,  and  filled  the  unexpired  term  of  J.  B.  Reed  as  justice  of  the 
peace.  He  is  a  member  of  the  F.  &  A.  M.,  G.  A.  R.,  K.  of  M..  and  P.  O. 
S.  of  A. 

WiLLi.\M  T.  BuEKEET,  Car  inspector,  was  born  in  Minersville,  Schuylkill 
county,  Pennsylvania,  March  27,  1848,  son  of  Thomas  and  Mary  (Koch) 
Burkert,  both  natives  of  Pennsylvania  and  descended  from  two  of  the  old- 
est families  of  the  State.  They  located  in  Mt.  Carmel  in  March,  1805,  where 
his  father  leased  the  Mt.  Carmel  House  and  operated  it  three  years.  They 
were  the  parents  of  ten  children,  six  of  whom  are  living:  Sarah;  Caroline; 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  1043 

Mary  Jane;  William  T. ;  Emma,  and  Oliver  C.  The  father  died  in  Mt. 
Carmel  and  the  mother  lives  in  Shamokin.  Our  subject  was  seventeen  years 
of  age  when  he  removed  with  his  parents  to  Mt.  Carmel.  He  learned  tlie 
lilacksmith  trade  in  Ashland  and  followed  that  business  for  many  years.  He 
traveled  in  the  western  States,  working  at  his  trade,  and  returned  to  Mt. 
Carmel  in  .September,  18^4.  For  the  past  live  years  he  has  been  emplo\ed 
as  car  insjiector  for  the  Pennsylvania  Railroad  Company.  Mr.  Burkert  was 
married,  December  22.  1S72,  to  Susannah,  daughter  of  Abraham  and  Sarah 
(Simerson)  Lerch,  of  Mt.  Carmel.  Politically  he  is  a  Eepublican:  he  was 
elected  burgess  of  Mt.  Carmel  in  February,  1SS9,  and  served  one  term.  He 
is  a  member  of  the  K.  of  M. 

Joseph  S.  Ramsey  was  born  at  Cornwall  Furnace,  Lebanon  countv.  Penn- 
sylvania, April  18,  1S22,  son  of  Daniel  and  Nancy  Ramsey.  He  was  reared 
in  Lebanon  and  Berks  counties,  i-eceived  his  education  at  the  acailemv  of 
"VVomelsdorf,  and  began  life  as  a  country  school  teacher,  which  vocation  he 
followed  twelve  years  in  Scliuylkill  and  Northumberland  counties:  he  al~o 
taught  a  select  school  at  Mt.  Carm(4.  where  he  located  in  IS-jS.  for  two  t.-nns. 
He  had  charge  of  breakers  in  the  vicinity  of  Mt.  Carmel  and  Shamokin.  and 
for  two  years  had  sole  control  of  the  Lancaster  colliery  breaker  near  Sha- 
mokin. In  ISCiO  he  was  elected  justice  of  the  peace  in  Mt.  Carmel.  which 
ofUce  he  tilled  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  people  for  a  term  of  five  years.  In 
1841  he  married  Sarah,  daughter  of  Henry  and  Martha  Houser,  of  Lebanon 
county.  They  are  the  pan/nts  of  ten  children,  seven  of  whom  are  living: 
Cyrus;  Rufus;  Lydia,  Mrs.  William  Ewing;  Daniel;  Samuel;  Catharine. 
Mrs.  Abram  Markle.  and  Clara.  Mrs.  Richard  Jones.  In  polities  Mr.  Ram- 
sey is  a  Repul4ican. 

John  Kulick,  hotel  keejjer,  was  born  in  the  Province  of  Posen.  Prussia. 
Febiaiary  20,  1845,  and  is  a  son  of  John  and  Mary  Kulick.  He  was  reared 
in  his  native  country  and  came  to  America  in  1867,  settling  in  Mt.  Carmel. 
where  he  worked  in  the  Mt.  Carmel  colliery  for  over  sixteen  years.  He  then 
embarked  in  the  hotel  business,  which  he  has  since  continued  with  success. 
He  erected  his  present  brick  hotel  in  the  spring  of  1889.  Mr.  Kulick  was 
married,  May  80,  1S6(),  to  Cassie  Dix,  a  native  of  Prussia,  and  to  this  union 
have  been  born  eleven  children,  eight  of  whom  are  living:  Rosa;  John:  Mary; 
Anna;  Maggie:  Josie;  Frank,  and  Florence.  The  deceased  are:  Peter;  An- 
thony, and  Katie.  Mr.  Kulick  is  a  member  of  St.  Joseph's  Catholic  church, 
the  Kosciusko  Guards,  of  which  he  is  general,  and  St.  Joseph's  Society.  He 
is  one  of  the  representative  Polish  citizens  of  Northumberland  county,  and 
in  politics  is  a  Republican. 

Enoch  Ldbeski,  proprietor  of  the  Kosciusko  Hotel,  was  born  in  the  Prov- 
ince of  Posen,  Prussia,  in  February,  18."')8,  and  is  a  son  of  Michael  and  Anna 
Lubeski.  He  came  to  America  in  May,  1872,  and  settled  in  Mt.  Carninl. 
where  he  worked  in  the  mines  thirteen  vears.     He  was  also  engajred  in  thf 


1044  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND   COUNTY. 

grocery  trade  three  years,  and  in  ISSl)  embarked  in  the  hotel  business  near 
the  Lehigh  Valley  depot,  which,  with  the  exception  of  one  year,  he  has  since 
continued.  In  July,  ISUO,  he  erected  the  new  addition  to  his  hotel.  He  was 
married,  October  4,  1S74,  to  Rosa,  a  daughter  of  Lawrence  Kornaski,  of  Mt. 
Carmel,  and  has  the  following  children:  Enoch;  Walter;  John;  Bronie:  Frank, 
and  Martha.  Mr.  Lubeski  is  one  of  the  popular  Polish  citizens  of  Mt.  Carmel, 
is  a  Republican,  a  member  of  St.  Joseph's  Catholic  church,  and  St.  Stanis- 
laus and  Kosciusko  societies. 

Ben  "Wirt,  proprietor  of  the  Valley  House,  was  born  in  Jordan  township, 
Northumberland  county,  Pennsylvania.  Jime  29,  1848,  son  of  John  and  Ju- 
dith (Weutzel)  Wirt.  His  paternal  grandfather,  John  Wirt,  was  a  native  of 
Dauphin  county  and  an  early  settler  of  Jordan  township,  where  he  en- 
gaged in  farming  and  spent  the  remaining  years  of  his  life.  His  children 
were  as  follows:  John:  Lydia  A.,  who  married  David  Campbell;  Ann.  who 
became  the  wife  of  Frederick  Snyder:  Kate,  who  married  Jacob  German; 
Elizabeth,  second  wife  of  David  Campbell;  Moses;  Michael;  Daniel,  and 
Mary,  who  married  Martin  Horris.  His  maternal  grandfather,  Christopher 
Weutzel,  was  a  farmer  of  Jordan  towTiship  and  a  veteran  of  the  war  of  1812. 
The  father  of  our  subject,  John  Wirt.  Is  a  farmer  and  miller  by  occupation, 
and  is  living  in  Jordan  township,  this  cotmty,  where  he  was  born  and  reared 
and  has  always  resided.  His  family  consists  of  four  sons:  Ben:  William; 
Daniel,  and  Michael.  Our  subject  was  reared  in  his  native  township  and 
learned  the  milling  trade  in  his  fathiT's  mill,  which  he  followed  seventeen 
years,  the  first  ten  years  in  the  old  mill  and  the  remaining  seven  years  at 
Millersburg,  Datiphin  county.  He  then  returned  to  Jordan  township  and 
engaged  in  buying  cattle  two  year.s,  thence  removing  to  Herndon,  where  he 
kept  hotel  one  year.  In  February,  ]^^•T),  he  removed  to  Mt.  Carmel  and  has 
since  been  the  successful  landlord  of  the  ^'alley  House,  which  he  purchased 
in  October,  1SS8.  Mr.  Wirt  was  married.  April  ;}0,  1871.  to  Mary  Malinda, 
daughter  of  Isaac  L.  and  Anna  (Bubb)  Witmer,  of  Lower  Mahanoy  to^vn- 
ship,  Northumberland  county.  Five  children  have  been  born  to  them:  Moses, 
deceased;  Alice;  Charles  Edgar;  George,  deceased,  and  Cyrus  Webster,  de- 
ceased. The  family  are  adlierents  of  the  Reformed  church;  Mr.  Wirt  is  a 
member  of  the  F.  &  A.  M.  and  K.  of  M..  and  in  politics  is  a  Democrat. 

James  Harris,  proprietor  of  the  Harris  Hotel,  corner  of  Second  and  Market 
streets,  was  born  in  South  Wales,  October  10,  18:iS,  son  of  John  and  Eliza- 
beth (Banner)  Harris.  He  was  educated  in  his  native  country,  and  in  June, 
1865,  immigrated  to  America,  locating  at  Frostburg,  Maryland.  In  1869  he 
removed  to  Mt.  Carmel,  where  he  was  engaged  in  mining  until  1887.  Dur. 
ing  this  period  he  was  inside  foreman  at  Hickory  Ridge  and  Garfield  coll- 
ieries five  years;  he  also  opened  the  latter  and  put  it  in  good  working  order, 
and  entered  his  present  business  in  Januan.-,  1887.  March  6,  18r)S,  he  mar- 
ried Mary,  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Man."  Thomas,  natives  of  Wales.     They 


'<.^uA--<:> 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  1047 

are  the  parents  of  nine  children;  William;  John:  George;  Lydia;  Thomas; 
Eliza;  Frederick;  Helena,  and  Elizabeth.  In  jjolitics  Mr.  Harris  was  bom  a 
Repiiblican.  and  still  holds  the  fort. 

J.  B.  YouxG,  proprietor  of  the  National  Hotel,  was  born  in  Pottsville. 
Pennsylvania,  Jime  10,  1857,  a  son  of  John  and  Mary  Young,  natives  of 
Germany,  who  came  to  America  about  the  year  1850  and  located  in  Schuyl- 
kill coimty,  Pemi.sylvania.  The  subject  of  our  sketch  was  reared  and  edu- 
cated in  his  native  county,  and  began  life  for  himself  in  the  mines  as  breaker 
and  slate  picker.  At  the  age  of  sixteen  he  entered  a  general  store  as  clerk 
at  Locust  Dale,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  was  employed  twelve  years.  In 
1882  he  located  at  Ashland,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  conducted  a  store  one 
year;  in  1SS3  he  removed  to  Mt.  Carmel  and  embarked  in  the  general  mer- 
chandise business,  which  he  conducted  successfully  until  Octobei-,  and  for 
two  years  was  also  the  proprietor  of  one  of  the  leading  drug  stores  of  the 
place.  In  the  fall  of  1S8S  he  purchased  the  National  Hotel  property,  of 
which  he  has  been  proprietor  since  February  20,  1889,  and  has  built  up  a 
successful  business.  In  1S82  Mr.  Young  was  married  to  Ella  M.,  dai^ghter 
of  Patrick  and  Mary  (Horn)  Carey,  of  Ashland,  Pennsylvania,  and  has  three 
children  living;  Josejih;  Ella,  and  Frank.  Mr.  Young  is  one  of  the  Uve 
and  enterprising  business  men  of  Mt.  Carmel.  is  a  member  of  the  Catholic 
church,  and  in  politics  a  Democrat. 

D.\NiEL  F.  GALL.iGHEE.  was  boiTi  at  Big  Mine  Run,  Schuylkill  county. 
Penn.sylvania,  Aj^ril  7,  18G1,  and  is  a  son  of  Anthony  and  Nancy  (McMani- 
man)  Gallagher,  natives  of  County  Donegal,  Ireland,  who  came  to  America 
in  18-17  and  settled  in  Schuylkill  county,  Pennsylvania,  where  his  father  en- 
gaged in  mining.  In  1864  the  family  removed  toMt.  Carmel,  where  Anthonv 
worked  as  a  miner  until  within  a  short  time  of  his  death,  which  occurred. 
Febnaary  22,  1888.  He  had  the  reputation  of  being  one  of  the  most  prac- 
tical miners  in  the  anthracite  coal  regions.  His  children  were  seven,  of  whom 
three  si;rvive:  Daniel  F. ;  Mary,  Mrs.  M.  J.  Carroll,  and  Anthony.  Our 
subject  was  reared  in  Mt.  Carmel  and  educated  in  the  ]niblic  schools  of  that 
vicinity.  He  began  working  at  the  age  of  eight  years  in  a  breaker  in 
Columbia  county,  Penn.sylvania.  He  worked  in  the  mines  at  Mt.  Carmel 
from  1870  to  1880,  and  subsequently  kept  the  Washington  Hotel  at  that 
place  one  year.  He  was  active  in  labor  circles  from  boyhood,  and  held  vari- 
ous positions  of  trust  in  labor  organizations.  In  January,  1888,  he  was 
appointed  deputy  sheriff  under  Jacob  Kremer,  but  resigned  four  months 
later  to  engage  in  the  gents'  furnishing  business  in  Mt.  Carmel,  which  he 
carried  on  a  year  and  a  half.  In  May,  1888,  he  was  nominated  by  the  Labor 
Union  jiarty  for  the  House  of  Representatives,  which  nomination  was  endorsed 
by  the  Republican  party,  and  he  was  elected  in  the  fall  of  1888  for  a  term 
of  two  years.  He  was  the  father  of  the  Anthracite  Miners"  Examining  bill, 
which  became  a  law.     Januarv  27,  1884.  he  was  married  to  Fannie,  a  daue^h- 


1048  HISTORY    OF   NOETHUJIBEELAND    COUNTY. 

ter  of  Michael  and  Mai^'  (Dougherty)  McCauley,  of  County  Donegal,  Ireland, 
and  has  three  children:  Anthony;  Daniel,  and  Patrick.  Mr.  Gallagher  is 
a  member  of  the  Catholic  church,  the  Father  O'Eeilly  L.  S.,  A.  O.  of  H., 
and  K.  of  L.  He  is  a  Republican  in  pohtics,  and  a  young  man  of  much 
enterprise  and  public  spirit. 

Daniel  F.  H.\etline,  restaurant  proprietor,  was  born  at  Pottsville,  Penn- 
sylvania, September  9,  1842,  son  of  John  and  Catharine  (Mowry)  Hartline. 
His  paternal  grandfather,  Daniel  Harthne.  and  his  maternal  grandfather, 
Daniel  Mowry,  were  natives  of  Berks  cotmty.  Pennsylvania,  and  farmers  by 
occupation.  The  father  of  our  subject  was  a  farmer  who  resided  near  Potts- 
ville for  many  years  and  died  in  that  vicinity.  Daniel  was  reared  near  Potts- 
ville, where  he  received  a  common  school  education  and  served  a  twenty 
months'  apprenticeship  at  the  machinist  trade.  He  enlisted  at  Pottsville, 
August  22,  ISGl,  in  Company  A,  Ninety-sixth  Pennsylvania  Volunteers.  He 
received  four  wounds  at  Spottsylvania  Court  House,  where  he  was  captured 
and  taken  to  Libby  prison.  He  was  transferred  to  Lj-nchburg  and  Salis- 
bury, North  Carolina,  and  after  suffering  one  hundred  six  days'  confinement 
he  at  last  reached  Annapolis,  Maryland,  and  was  discharged  at  Philadelphia, 
October  21,  1804.  He  located  at  INIt.  Carmel  in  ISO-"),  where  he  worked  at 
his  trade  a  few  months,  followed  railroading  eight  months,  as  conductor  on 
the  Northern  Central  railway,  after  which  he  was  station  engineer  twenty 
years,  and  then  embarked  in  his  present  business.  Mr.  Hartline  married 
Caroline,  daughter  of  Owen  J.  and  Catharine  (Heft'ner)  Owen,  of  Coal  town- 
ship, this  county,  by  whom  he  has  four  children:  William;  Kate;  Thomas, 
and  Guy.  The  family  is  connected  with  the  Presbyterian  cliurch.  Mr.  Hart- 
line is  a  Republican  in  politics,  and  has  ser.-ed  as  school  director  and  tax  col- 
lector. 

William  H.  Steckee,  restaurant  proprietor,  was  born  in  Cressona, 
Schuylkill  county,  Pennsylvania,  Februar."  21.  18-j5,  and  is  a  son  of  Amelius 
F.  and  Mary  A.  (Beck)  Stecker,  who  settled  in  Mt.  Carmel  in  18-")<).  He  was 
reared  and  educated  in  Mt.  Carmel,  and  was  left  an  or[ilian  at  tlie  age  of 
fourteen,  when  he  began  life  for  himself  Vjv  working  in  a  breaker,  at  which 
he  was  employed  for  several  years,  afterwards  working  for  twelve  years  as  a 
miner.  In  the  spring  of  1881  he  was  elected  chief  burgess  of  Mt.  Carmel, 
and  re-elected  the  following  year.  In  IsT'.i  he  was  elected  to  the  council  and 
served  two  years.  In  1885  he  entered  the  employ  of  the  Lehigh  Valley 
Railroad  Company  as  a  car  inspector  at  Mt.  Carmel.  which  position  he  tilled 
satisfactorily  three  years.  He  opened  a  restaurant  in  Mt.  Carmel  in  Febru- 
ary, 1889,  and  has  built  up  a  good  business.  He  was  married  in  1884  to 
.Christiana,  daughter  of  Levi  and  Sarah  (Hawes)  Werntz,  of  Mt.  Carmel.  To 
this  union  have  been  born  two  children:  Lela.  deceased,  and  an  infant.  Mr. 
Stecker  is  an  enterprising  citizen,  a  member  of  the  P.  0.  S.  of  A.,  and  polit- 
ically is  a  stanch  Republican. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  1049 

W.  C.  James,  proprietor  of  the  Exchange  Hotel,  was  born  in  Pottsville, 
Pennsylvania,  Xovember  Id  1840,  and  is  a  sou  of  John  H.  and  Charlotte 
(Cooper)  James,  natives  of  Philadelphia  and  Camden,  New  Jersey,  respect- 
ively. They  settled  iu  ]Mt.  Carmel  in  l^of),  wlu're  the  father  carried  on  busi- 
ness as  a  carjieuter  and  contractor  up  to  IS-MJ:  during  that  time  he  was 
elected  a  justice  of  the  peace,  and  was  also  the  Kepublican  nominee  for  mem- 
ber of  the  legislature,  but  was  defeated.  He  removed  to  Pottsville  in  IS-j'J, 
and  died  there  in  181)2.  He  had  a  family  of  twelve  children,  all  but  one  of 
whom  grew  to  maturity:  Sarah,  Mrs.  .Joel  Moore;  Jesse  M.;  Thomas  H., 
who  was  a  member  of  the  First  New  York  Lincoln  Cavalry  and  was  killed  in 
action  near  Alexandria.  Virginia,  in  I'^'iL;  David  E. ;  Charles  M..  who  was  a 
member  of  the  Eighth  Illinois  Infantry  ;md  was  killed  at  the  battle  of  Shiloh: 
Annie  M.,  Mrs.  A.  B.  Mtirtiii:  Harri^ijn.  who  was  a  member  of  the  Eighth 
Kentiicky  Cavalry,  Confederate  Army:  George  W.,  who  was  ameml^er  of  Com- 
pany E,  Forty-eighth  Pennsylvania  Vcilnnteers.  and  was  wounded  at  Spott- 
sylvnnia,  in  May.  ]N(U.  and  at  P.-trr^bun:.  Virginia,  in  April,  ISG');  Emily  I., 
Mrs.  George  Fox:  Eliza,  and  W.  C.  (_)ur  subject  was  reared  in  Mt.  Carmel 
from  ten  years  of  age.  In  January,  l^'■4.  he  enlisted  in  Comjiany  E.  Forty- 
eighth  Pennsylvania  Vulunte.Ts.  and  nu  the  12th  of  May,  18(U.  was  wounded 
iu  tlu<  right  arm  at  the  battle  of  Sputtsvlvania.  He  was  shot  through  the 
riglit  lung  at  Petersburg.  Virginia.  April  2.  isf')-").  and  was  honorably  dis- 
charged from  service  in  Novemlier  of  that  yi-ar.  After  the  war  he  was  engaged 
as  a  clerk  iu  the  hardware  store  of  S.  A.  Bergsti^esser.  of  Mt.  Carm(4.  with 
whom  he  ri'maiued  six  years,  after  which  he  engaged  as  clerk  with  the  Phila- 
delphia and  Pleading  Coal  and  Iron  Company  at  Alaska,  serving  in  that 
capacity  nine  years.  In  1880  he  was  appointed  United  States  postal  clerk, 
between  Mt.  Carmel  and  Penn  Haven  junction,  and  after  live  years'  service 
on  that  route,  he  was  transferred  to  the  route  between  Harrisburg  and  Lock 
Haven,  where  he  remained  two  years.  In  1880  he  embarked  in  the  hotel 
business  at  Mt.  Carmel,  in  which  he  has  since  continued.  In  1SS8  he  erected 
the  building  he  now  occupies,  which  was  opened  to  the  public  in  April,  1889. 
Mr.  James  is  one  of  the  charter  members  of  Bumside  Po.st,  No.  92,  G.  A. 
K.,  of  Mt.  Carmel,  also  a  charter  member  of  Camp  Xo.  110,  P.  O.  S.  of  A., 
a  charter  member  of  the  K.  of  M..  and  a  member  of  Ivanhoe  Conclave,  Xo.  9, 
S.  P.  K.  Politically  he  is  a  stanch  Fiepublican.  and  has  always  taken  an 
active  interest  in  the  success  of  his  party. 

Petek  F.  Omloe,  proprietor  of  the  Kozv^jesko  Hotel,  was  born  in  Crow 
Hollow,  near  St.  Clair,  Schuylkill  coxmty,  Pennsylvania,  October  17,  1859, 
son  of  Frank  and  Josejihine  (Beienschmitt  i  Omlor,  both  natives  of  Germany. 
His  paternal  grandfather  was  John  Omlor  and  maternal  grandfather, 
Michael  Beierschmitt,  both  natives  of  Germany,  and  for  many  years  residents 
of  Schuylkill  county,  Pennsylvania.  Frank  Omlor,  father  of  our  subject, 
settled  at  Locust  Gap,  this  county,  in  ISTit.     He  was  superintendent  of   the 


1050  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

Monitor  colliery  of  that  place  sixteen  years,  and  died  there,  February  21, 
ISSS.  Prior  to  removing  to  Locust  Gaji,  he  held  the  position  of  mine  fore- 
man at  St.  Clair  for  several  years.  He  had  seven  children:  Henry  J.:  Peter 
F.:  Charles  X.:  Frank  J.;  Lizzie,  Mrs.  John  Meagher;  Mary,  and  Josephine. 
By  his  second  wife,  Lizzie  Keichwein,  there  are  two  children  living:  Joseph 
and  Aloysius.  The  subject  of  our  sketch  was  reared  in  Schuylkill  and 
Noithuinberland  counties:  he  received  a  common  school  education  and  a 
course  of  instruction  at  the  Pottsville  Business  College.  He  worked  in  the 
mines  for  several  years  at  St.  Clair  and  Locust  Gap,  was  a  shipping  clerk 
for  eleven  years,  and  outside  foreman  at  the  Black  Diamond  colliery  one 
year.  He  has  been  engaged  in  his  present  business  since  August  19,  18S9. 
Mr.  Omlor  married.  May  23,  1SS3,  Lena,  daughter  of  Ferdinand  and  MoUie 
(Smeltzer)  Tretter,  of  Shamokin.  and  has  four  children:  Lizzie;  Josephine: 
FerLlinand.  and  Franklin  P.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Catholic  church,  and 
politically  a  Democrat. 

Thomas  Roney.  miner  and  proprietor  of  restaurant,  was  born  at  Beaver 
Meadows.  Carbon  county,  Pennsylvania,  Janiiary  20,  1S:-!S.  son  of  Ferdinand 
and  Eleanor  (Kelly)  Eoney,  natives  of  the  counties  of  West  Meath  and  Kil- 
kenny, Ireland,  respectively.  His  father  immigrated  to  Canada  about 
lSo-1.  and  there  married  Eleanor  Kelly,  and  in  1S87  located  in  Carbon 
coimty.  Pennsylvania.  He  was  one  of  the  first  coal  inspectors  of  that  coiinty. 
also  one  of  the  pioneer  operators  in  that  section  of  the  State.  He  died  there 
in  I'^oT.  and  his  widow  in  USo'.t.  They  were  the  parents  of  three  children: 
Thom:is:  Mary,  deceased,  and  John.  Our  subject  was  reared  in  his  native 
county,  and  received  a  common  school  education.  He  began  working  in  the 
mines  as  door-tender,  and  has  been  connected  with  the  mining  interests  of 
the  anthracite  region  nearly  forty  years.  He  located  in  Mt.  Carmel  in  ISHl, 
where  he  was  employed  in  the  mines  up  to  1SS9.  He  then  embarked  in  the 
restaurant  hitsiness,  and  has  also  recently  returned  to  his  previous  occupa- 
tion. Mr.  Eoney  married  Catharine,  daughter  of  John  and  Eve  (McQuade) 
Blactwell.  of  Carbon  county,  by  whom  he  has  had  ten  children,  seven  of  whom 
survive:  Thomas  B. ;  Eve  E.;  Catharine;  Margaret;  Ferdinand;  Sarah,  and 
John.  In  politics  he  is  a  Democrat,  and  has  been  a  member  of  the  council 
of  Mt.  Carmel  two  terms.  In  ISSo  he  was  a  member  of  the  committee 
appointed  to  revise  the  mining  laws  of  the  anthracite  region.  The  whole 
family  are  members  of  the  Catholic  church. 

Sami-el  Deiteich,  liquor  dealer  and  bottler,  was  born  in  Llewellyn, 
Schuylkill  county,  Pemisylvania,  Jime  21,  lSo4,  son  of  George  and  Han- 
nah (Oister)  Deitrich.  natives  of  Pennsylvania,  who  removed  to  Mt.  Car- 
mel in  ISTlt.  where  they  now  reside.  Our  suliject  was  reared  in  Schiiyl- 
kill  and  Xorthimiberland  coitnties,  and  received  a  common  school  education. 
At  the  age  of  nine  years  he  commenced  working  in  a  breaker  at  the  mines, 
and  subsequently  followed  mining  for  eighteen  years.     In    the  spring    of 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  1051 

ISSO  he  embarked  in  his  present  business  in  Mt.  C'armel.  which  he  has  con- 
tinued up  to  the  present.  He  was  married.  April  8,  1S7G,  to  Margaret 
Manney.  of  Mt.  Carmel,  who  has  borne  him  five  children:  Mary:  Idella  I.; 
Maud;  George,  and  Ada.  Mr.  Deitrich  is  a  stalwart  Republican,  has  served 
one  year  as  constable  of  the  borough,  and  three  terms  in  the  council.  He 
was  one  of  the  original  members  of  the  fire  department,  and  has  always 
taken  an  active  interest  in  its  prosperity. 

William  F.  King  was  bom  in  County  Tipperarj-,  Ireland,  April  25, 
1854,  son  of  Thomas  and  Jane  (Mitchell)  King,  natives  of  St.  Austle,  Corn- 
wall, England.  The  latter  died  in  Ireland  and  the  former  still  resides 
there.  Our  subject  grew  up  and  received  his  education  in  Ireland,  and  in 
the  fall  of  1870  came  to  Shamokin,  where  he  engaged  in  mining.  In 
1878  he  located  at  Mt.  Carmel  and  followed  mining  until  1882,  when  he 
was  elected  constable,  and  has  filled  that  position  continuously  up  to  the 
present.  He  also  served  as  mercantile  appraiser  of  the  county  in  1880. 
Politically  he  is  a  stalwart  Republican,  and  is  one  of  the  original  members 
of  the  Mt.  Carmel  fire  department.  Mr.  King  was  married,  July  25,  1880, 
to  Ella,  daughter  of  Henry  and  Emma  Wemtz.  of  Mt.  Carmel.  Four 
children  have  be^en  born  to  them:  Edith:  Emma  and  Ella,  twins,  the 
former  deceased,  and  Harriet. 

D.^xiEL  McCauley,  wholesale  agent  for  Yeungling  &  Son,  was  bom  in 
County  Londonderry,  Ireland,  in  1857,  and  is  a  son  of  Michael  and  Mary 
(Dougherty)  McCauley.  He  came  to  America  in  1801,  first  locating  at 
Hazelton,  Pennsylvania.  At  an  early  age  he  began  work  in  the  mines,  and 
followed  mining  as  an  occupation  in  different  parts  of  the  coal  regions  up 
to  1880,  when  he  was  badly  injured  in  a  fall  of  coal  and  was  laid  up  for 
a  year.  He  then  embarked  in  the  hotel  business  in  Mt.  Carmel,  conducting 
the  Washington  House  five  years,  and  has  been  in  his  present  business  for 
several  years.  He  has  been  a  resident  of  Mt.  Carmel  since  187-1:.  He  mar- 
ried Man*-,  daughter  of  Thomas  Monroe,  of  Ashland,  Pennsylvania.  ^Lr. 
McCauley  is  a  member  of  the  Catholic  church,  and  in  politics  is  an  independ- 
ent voter. 

John  Carl,  superintendent  of  collieries,  Philadelphia  and  Reading  Coal 
and  Iron  Company,  was  bom  in  Prussia,  October  2,  1835,  son  of  Henry  and 
Catharine  (Klinej  Carl,  who  emigrated  to  America  in  1853,  and  settled  at 
St.  Clair,  Schiiylkill  county,  Pennsylvania.  There  the  father  pursued  the 
occupation  of  weaver  (although  a  farmer  in  Germany)  until  1881,  when  he 
removed  to  Shenandoah,  where  he  now  resides  at  the  advanced  age  of  eighty- 
four.  Seven  children  were  born  to  Henry  and  Catharine  Carl:  Philopena, 
Mrs.  Peter  Bauer:  John;  Frederick;  Anna,  Mrs.  Adam  Bonnesbough:  Con- 
rad: Peter,  and  Henry.  John  Carl  was  reared  and  educated  in  his  native 
country",  and  came  to  America  with  his  parents  in  1853.  He  began  work  in 
the  mines,  continuing  at   that  until  the  breaking  out  of  the  war,  when  he 


1052  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

enlisted  (April  27,  1S61)  in  Company  A,  Ninth  Pemisvlvania  Volunteers. 
In  the  following  August  he  entered  the  Seventh  Pennsylvania  Cavalry  and 
served  until  the  close  of  the  war,  experiencing  the  hardships  of  a  protracted 
military  service.  He  then  returned  to  Schuylkill  coimty  and  was  employed 
as  a  miner  from  1805  to  1867.  In  the  latter  year  he  became  colliery  super- 
intendent; three  years  later  he  was  sent  by  the  company  to  Berks  county  to 
take  charge  of  ore  mines,  remaining  there  seven  months.  The  following 
seven  years  he  was  superintendent  of  a  colliery  in  Schuylkill  county,  and 
was  then  appointed  to  his  present  position  with  seven  collieries  under  his 
supervision.  In  March,  187U,  he  took  iip  his  residence  at  Mt.  Carmel,  wliere 
he  has  been  a  member  of  the  local  school  board.  September  2(),  1805,  he 
married,  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Leonard  and  Lena  (Besti  Kline,  of  Bavaria, 
Germany,  by  whom  he  has  eight  children:  John;  Peter:  Mary;  Joseph; 
Lizzie;  Millie;  George,  and  Alice.  Mr.  Carl  is  a  Republican  in  politics;  he 
is  connected  with  the  Lutheran  church,  the  F.  &  A.  M.,  I.  0.  O.  F.,  and  G. 
A.  R. 

John  Stine,  inside  foreman  at  Reliance  colliery,  was  born  in  Eldred 
townshi}),  Schuylkill  county,  Pennsylvania,  July  12.  1^'M.  son  of  George 
and  Catharine  (Eiscnhart)  Stine.  His  paternal  grandfather,  Anthony  Stine, 
was  a  native  of  Alsace-Lorraine,  a  pioneer  of  Berks  coimty,  Pennsylvania, 
and  later  a  resident  of  Schuylkill  county.  He  died  in  what  is  now  Eldred 
township,  and  was  a  farmer  and  weaver  by  occupation.  He  was  the  father 
of  five  children,  two  of  whom  were  sons:  George  and  David.  The  former 
was  a  farmer  and  weaver  and  lived  in  Schuylkill  county  many  years,  dying 
in  Eldred  township.  He  had  a  family  of  seven  sons  and  one  daughter: 
Joseph,  Jonas  L.,  and  Levi,  all  of  whom  are  dead;  William;  Elias,  deceased; 
John;  Daniel,  deceased,  and  Caroline,  who  married  Elias  Yoder.  The  ma- 
ternal grandfather  of  John  Stine  was  John  Eisenhart.  a  native  of  Berks 
county,  Pennsylvania,  and  an  early  settler  of  Washington  township,  North- 
umberland county.  Our  subject  was  reared  in  his  native  county,  received  a 
limited  education  in  the  common  schools,  and  began  working  in  the  mines  at 
the  age  of  nineteen.  In  1850  he  removed  to  Mt.  Carmel.  and  in  1808  was 
appointed  inside  foreman  at  the  Reliance  collien,-,  which  position  he  has 
since  occupied.  Mr.  Stine  was  married,  November  10.  1855,  to  Amanda, 
daughter  of  Samuel  and  Elizabeth  (Hoffman)  Fisher,  of  Branch  towTi.ship, 
Schuylkill  county,  who  has  borne  him  fifteen  children,  ten  of  whom  are  living: 
Elizabeth,  wife  of  Robert  Camp;  William  F. ;  Ira  H,  deceased;  Joseph  T. ; 
George  W.;  David  E. ;  Alfred,  deceased;  Caroline  M.;  Sarah  J.;  John  F., 
deceased;  Miriam,  deceased;  Charles  W^.;  Howard  F.;  ilillard  L.,  deceased, 
and  Edmimd  J.  The  family  are  adherents  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
church,  in  which  Mr.  Stine  has  served  as  trustee.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
F.  &  A.  M.  and  I.  O.  O.  F.,  a  Republican  in  politics,  and  has  been  connected 
with  the  local  civil  administration  in  various  official  capacities. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  1053 

John-  Kline,  assistant  inside  foreman  at  Eeliance  colliery,  was  born  in 
Bavaria,  Germany,  near  the  river  Rhine.  July  "24,  1S34,  son  of  Leonard  and 
Mary  M.  (Baest)  Kline.  He  was  reared  in  his  native  country  and  served  two 
years  at  the  baker"s  trade,  at  which  he  worked  four  years.  He  came  to 
America  in  1S52,  located  in  St.  Clair,  Schuylkill  county.  Pennsylvania,  and 
engaged  in  mining.  He  worked  in  the  mines  at  that  place  up  to  ISSO, 
when  he  removed  to  Mt.  Carmel:  he  has  since  been  employed  at  the 
Reliance  colliery,  with  the  exception  of  one  year,  and  has  held  his  jiresent 
position  eight  years.  Mr.  Kline  was  married,  October  0.  lStV2,  to  Eliza- 
beth, daughter  of  George  and  Catharine  iBosche)  Young,  of  St.  Clair,  and 
formerly  of  Germany.  They  are  the  parents  of  eight  children:  Mary;  George; 
John;  Joseph;  Lizzie;  Henry;  William,  and  Christian.  Mr.  Kline  served 
three  months  in  Company  F,  Sixth  Pennsylvania  Volunteers,  the  first  com- 
pany to  leave  Pottsville  for  the  front.  He  was  honorably  discharged  at  the 
expiration  of  his  term  of  service,  and  re-enlisted,  but  on  account  of  disabil- 
ity was  again  discharged  before  joining  the  regiment.  Politically  he  is 
a  Democrat  and  the  whole  family  are  adherents  of  the  Catholic  church. 

WiLLi.iM  C.\MP,  outside  foreman,  Eeliance  colliery,  was  born  in  the  town 
of  Barey,  Michigan.  November  25,  1S55.  son  of  Abraham  and  Olive  (Nor- 
wood) Camp.  His  father  is  a  native  of  this  State  and  has  resided  at  Mt. 
Carmel  thirty-four  years.  He  is  a  carpenter  by  trade  and  the  father  of  nine 
children,  five  of  whom  are  living;  William:  Frank;  Edward;  Mary,  Mrs. 
Albert  Jefferson,  and  Lydia.  William  Camp  received  his  education  in  the 
pulilic  schools  at  Mt.  Carmel.  He  learned  the  carpenter  trade,  which  he 
followed  eighteen  years.  He  has  held  his  present  position  since  ISSU.  Jan- 
uary ly,  18S2,  he  married  Josephine,  daughter  of  David  J.  and  Amanda 
(Hill)  Lewis.  They  are  the  parents  of  four  children:  Helen;  Bertha;  Stew- 
art, and  Walter.  The  family  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
church,  and  Mr.  Camp  is  a  Republican  in  pohtics. 

Thomas  Morton,  miner,  was  born  in  Renfrewshire,  Scotland,  June  29, 
1n8(),  and  is  a  son  of  James  and  Agnes  (Connell)  Morton.  He  removed  with 
his  mother  to  America  in  1840,  located  at  Brock\-ille.  Schuylkill  county, 
Pennsylvania,  and  worked  in  the  mines  until  lS')o,  three  years  of  that  time 
in  Tamaqua.  Catching  the  gold  fever,  he  went  to  California  in  1853,  and 
was  engaged  in  mining  there  until  ISi'il'.  returning  to  Schuylkill  county  in 
November  of  that  year.  In  September,  IS'il,  he  enlisted  in  Company  H, 
Eighty-first  Pennsylvania  Volunteers,  as  second  lieutenant,  was  promoted  to 
first  lieutenant  at  Antietam  in  September.  1802,  and  to  the  captaincy  in 
April,  1863.  He  was  mustered  out  of  ser\-ice.  June  10,  1803,  on  account  of 
wounds  received  in  the  left  leg  above  the  knee  at  ChancellorsviUe,  and  was 
a  participant  in  all  the  battles  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  from  Fair  Oaks 
to  ChancellorsviUe.  On  his  return  he  was  for  a  short  time  located  in  Colum- 
bia countv,  and  later  removed  to  Carbon  cotmty,  where  he  held  the  position 


1054:  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

of  mine  foreman  from  1SC4  to  1800.  In  June,  1800,  he  settled  at  Mt.  Car- 
mel.  where  he  has  since  resided.  For  a  time  he  held  the  position  of  mine 
foreman  and  for  several  years  operated  on  his  own  account,  and  has  been 
connected  with  the  mines  in  various  capacities,  contracting  and  otherwise, 
since  his  removal  to  Mt.  Carmel.  In  1804  he  married  Jeannette,  daughter 
of  John  and  Jane  (Young)  Paterick,  of  Schuylkill  county,  Pennsylvania,  and 
has  four  children:  Jean  L. ;  Agnes  C. ;  Margaret  J.,  and  John  E.  Mr. 
Morton  is  a  member  of  F.  &  A.  M.,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  G.  A.  K.  He  served 
one  term  of  three  years  as  coimcilman  of  Mt.  Carmel.  Politically  he  is  a 
Repubhcan. 

Morgan  Davis,  outside  foreman  at  Mt.  Carmel  colliery,  was  born  in  Min- 
ersville.  Schuylkill  county,  Pennsylvania,  November  25,  1830,  son  of  Reese 
and  Marj-  (Williams)  Davis,  natives  of  South  Wales,  who  came  to  America 
in  1S20  and  settled  in  Minersville.  His  father  followed  mining  for  a  time, 
and  was  subsequently  superintendent  of  mines  fifteen  years.  He  was  a  resi- 
dent of  Mt.  Carmel  eleven  years,  coming  here  in  1853,  and  sunk  the  first 
slope  in  the  county.  He  removed  to  Centralia  in  1864,  where  he  filled  the 
position  of  inspector  for  the  Lehigh  Valley  Coal  Company  until  his  death 
in  Januar}',  1870.  He  was  the  father  of  eight  children:  Sarah,  who  married 
M.  Watkins;  Rachel,  who  married  John  Lewis;  Morgan;  Mary,  who  married 
William  Davis;  Isaac;  Reese,  deceased;  Reese  (2d),  and  Elizabeth,  deceased. 
Our  subject  was  reared  in  Schuylkill  and  Northumberland  counties,  received 
a  common  school  education,  and  has  been  engaged  in  the  mines  since  early 
boyhood.  He  was  for  many  years  an  engineer,  and  has  held  his  present 
position  since  1808.  In  August,  1801,  he  enlisted  in  Company  I,  Seventh 
Pennsylvania  Cavalry,  was  promoted  to  first  corporal,  and  served  under 
Generals  Buell,  Rosecrans,  and  Sherman.  He  was  taken  prisoner  at  the 
battle  of  Stone  River  twice,  but  escaped  both  times.  He  served  three  years 
and  two  months,  and  was  honorably  discharged  from  the  service.  Mr.  Davis 
was  married,  September  7,  1801,  to  Deborah,  daughter  of  John  and  Ann 
(George)  Plyer,  of  South  W'ales.  They  are  the  parents  of  five  living  chil- 
dren: Mary  A.;  Morgan;  Reese  A.;  Deborah,  and  Lillian.  The  family  are 
adherents  of  the  Congregational  church.  Politically  Mr.  Davis  is  a  Repub- 
lican, and  is  a  member  of  the  G.  A.  R.  and  the  Masonic  fraternity. 

Ca^vin  D.  Wright,  clerk  at  Mt.  Carmel  colliery,  was  born  in  Springfield, 
Che.ster  county,  Pennsylvania,  July  21,  1844,  son  of  Robert  and  Margaret 
(Mortimer)  Wright.  His  paternal  grandfather,  Hugh  A.  Wright,  was  a  son 
of  John  Wright,  a  native  of  Cornwall,  England,  and  a  pioneer  mechanic  of 
Chester  county,  Pennsylvania.  His  maternal  grandfather,  William  Mortimer, 
was  a  miner  of  Schuylkill  county  and  a  son  of  William  Mortimer,  of  English 
and  Scotch  descent.  Robert  Wright,  father  of  Calvin  D.,  was  a  native  of 
Chester  county,  Pennsylvania,  a  millwright  by  trade,  and  lived  and  died  in 
his  native  county.     Our  subject  was  reared  in  Chester  county,  and  received  a 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  1055 

-  common  school  education.  On  the  19th  of  August,  ISGl,  he  enlisted  in  Com- 
pany L.  Third  Pennsylvania  Cavalry,  and  served  three  years  and  two  months, 
when  he  was  honorably  discharged  from  the  service.  He  served  in  all  the  bat- 
tles of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  during  his  term  of  service,  and  was  woimded 
at  Kelly's  Ford  and  Gettysburg.  After  the  war  he  located  in  Schuylkill  coun- 
ty, and  was  clerk  in  collieries  at  Donaldson,  "William  Penn.  and  Shenandoah, 
and  was  subsequently  emj^loyed  as  brakeman,  baggageman,  and  conductor, 
successively,  on  the  railroad.  In  August,  1S71,  he  located  in  Mt.  Carmel,  and 
entered  the  employ  of  Thomas  Bamngardner  &  Company,  of  the  Reliance 
colliery,  with  whom  he  served  as  clerk  nine  years  and  a  half.  He  then  ac- 
cepted his  present  position  with  T.  M.  Eighter  &  Company,  which  he  has 
filled  in  a  satisfactory  manner  ever  since-T  Mr.  Wright  was  married  in  March, 
ISnO,  to  Kate,  daughter  of  John  and  Henrietta  (Potts)  Gartly  of  Pottsville, 
Pennsylvania.  Six  children  are  the  fruits  of  this  union:  Margie,  wife  of  C. 
C.  Boyer;  Robert;  Harry;  Calvin,  Jr.;  Maud,  and  Gartly  W.  /Mr.  Wright 
is  a  member  of  the  F.  &  A.  ]\I„  G.  A.  R.,  and  K.  of  M.,  and  in  politics  he  is 
a  Republican. 

CoNEAD  Heiser,  engineer  and  carpenter  at  Mt.  Carmel  colliery,  was  born 
at  Janesville,  Luzerne  county,  Pennsylvania,  May  2,  ISoS,  son  of  Charles  and 
Barbara  (Lingelbach)  Heiser.  His  parents  were  natives  of  Germany,  came 
to  America  in  the  '50's,  and  located  in  Luzerne  county,  where  his  father 
worked  in  the  mines  until  his  death.  Conrad  Heiser  was  reared  and  educated 
in  his  native  county,  where  he  began  life  by  working  about  the  mines.  Later 
he  served  an  aprenticeship  of  ^three  years  at  the  carpenter  trade.  Since  1S80 
he  has  been  employed  about  the  Mt.  Carmel  collier}-  as  carpenter  and  engi- 
neer. He  married  in  1881,  Amelia,  daughter  of  Henry  and  Margaret  (Dell) 
Knopp,  by  whom  he  has  two  children:  Edward  and  Charles.  The  family 
are  Lutherans  in  faith;  .Mr.  Heiser  is  a  member  of  the  P.  0.  S.  of  A.  and  in 
politics  a  Republican. 

John  H.  Eeilly,  late  inside  foreman  at  Mt.  Carmel  colher}-,  was  bom  in 
Cass  township,  Schuylkill  county,  Pennsylvania,  December  4.  1853,  son  of 
Terence  and  Ann  (McManus)  Reilly,  natives  of  Coimty  Cavan,  Ireland. 
They  came  to  America  in  1851  and  settled  in  Cass  township,  Schuylkill 
county,  where  they  are  still  residing.  They  are  the  parents  of  four  children: 
John  H. ;  Francis;  James  B.,  and  Mary,  wife  of  William  Reilly.  Our  subject 
was  reared  in  Schuylkill  coimty,  and  at  the  age  of  seven  years  commenced 
working  in  the  mines.  He  followed  the  life  of  a  miner  up  to  1881,  when  he 
embarked  in  the  coal  trade  at  Forestv-ille,  where  he  carried  on  business  one 
year.  He  was  subsequently  foreman  for  Harrison  &  Company  one  year,  and 
afterwards  employed  about  the  mines  of  that  section  until  his  removal  to  Mt. 
Carmel  in  1886.  He  then  became  inside  .  foreman  at  Mt.  Carmel  colliery, 
which  position  he  held  until  his  removal  to  Tennessee  in  1890.  Mr.  Reilly 
was  married  in  December,  1878,  to  Mary  A.,  daughter  of  Francis  and  Ann 


1056  HISTORY    OF   NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

McCabe.  of  Schuylkill  county,  but  formerly  of  Ireland.  Five  children  are 
the  fruits  of  this  union:  Annie  C. ;  Kate  F. ;  Mamie;  Ella,  andCittia.  Polit- 
ically be  is  a  Democrat,  and  the  family  are  adherents  of  the  Catholic  church. 

Ben.j.^min  H.  Williams,  miner,  was  born  at  Carbondale,  Pennsylvania, 
July  19.  1S33,  son  of  David  and  Sarah  Williams.  His  father  was  a  native 
of  South  Wales,  and  came  to  America  in  1821).  He  tirst  located  at  Carbon- 
dale,  where  he  remained  some  time,  filling  the  position  of  foreman  for  the 
Delaware  and  Hudson  Canal  Company.  In  1830  he  removed  to  Pottsville, 
Schuylkill  county:  after  remaining  there  for  some  time  he  removed  to  Sum- 
mit Hill.  Carbon  county,  where  he  operated  a  mine  known  as  Spring  Tunnel 
five  years.  At  the  expiration  of  this  time  he  accepted  the  position  of  general 
agent  for  the  Lehigh  Coal  and  Navigation  Company,  which  he  filled  until 
his  death,  November  G.  1848.  The  subject  of  our  sketch  was  reared  in  his 
native  State  and  received  his  education  in  the  common  schools.  In  1852  he 
went  to  California,  where  he  remained  five  years,  engaged  in  mining,  after 
which  he  returned  to  Pennsylvania  for  one  ye^r,  and  again  went  to  Califor- 
nia in  1858,  where  he  made  his  home  until  1874.  He  then  returned  to  Penn- 
sylvania and  located  at  Mt.  Carmel,  where  he  has  since  resided,  engaged  in 
coal  mining.     Mr.  Williams  is  a  Republican. 

Joseph  BEiftRSCHMiTX.  inside  foreman  of  Merriam  colliery,  was  born  at 
Wartenburg,  Germany.  May  7,  1843,  son  of  Michael  and  Catherine  (Herman) 
Beierschmitt,  who  came  to  this  country  in  1840.  They  first  located  at  Potts- 
ville, Schuylkill  county:  three  months  later  they  removed  to  St.  Clair,  where 
the  father  was  employed  in  the  mines  until  his  death  in  1804.  His  first  wife 
died  in  Germany;  his  children  by  her  are:  Mary,  Mrs.  Matthias  Kline,  and 
Peter,  who  was  killed  in  a  mine  at  St.  Clair.  Those  by  his  second  wife  are: 
Katherine:  Rosa;  Josephine;  Joseph;  John;  Lizzie;  Lena,  and  Margaret. 
The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  reared  at  St.  Clair,  where  he  began  work  in 
the  breaker  at  the  age  of  eight  years,  and  when  thirteen  years  old  began 
work  in  the  mines,  at  which  he  continued  fourteen  years.  In  1870  he  lo- 
cated at  Locust  Gap,  this  coimty,  where  he  was  assistant  foreman  at  the  mine 
two  years.  He  was  then  appointed  inside  foreman  of  the  Monitor  colliery, 
which  position  he  held  seventeen  years.  In  1889  he  was  appointed  to  the 
same  position  in  the  Merriam  colliery,  and  removed  to  Mt.  Carmel.  He  was 
married.  May  19,  1808.  to  Mary,  daughter  of  Frank  and  Magdalena  Frey,  of 
St.  Clair,  a  native  of  Germany.  They  are  the  parents  of  eight  children: 
Lizzie;  Mary;  Frank;  Josephine;  Joseph;  John;  Henry,  and  Albert.  The 
family  are  adherents  of  the  Catholic  faith,  and  in  politics  Mr.  Beierschmitt 
is  a  Democrat. 

Thom.\s  J.  WooDsiDE.  outside  foreman  of  the  Merriam  colliery,  was  born 
in  Upper  Paxton  township,  Dauphin  county,  Pennsylvania,  December  29, 
1829,  a  son  of  Thomas  and  Mary  (Yarger)  Woodside.  His  paternal  grand- 
father, John  Woodside,  was  of  Irish  descent;  he   was  reared  on  a  farm  in 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  1()0< 

Dauiiliin  county,  in  which  his  father  was  one  of  the  first  settlers.  His 
maternal  grandfatlier  was  also  reared  in  Dauphin  county,  of  German  descent, 
and  was  a  farmer.  The  father  of  our  subject  was  also  a  farmer,  and  lived 
and  died  in  Dauphin  county.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  reared  in  his 
native  coimty.  where  he  received  a  limited  education,  and  before  attaining 
his  majority,  had  served  an  ajiprenticeship  at  the  carpenter  trade,  which  he 
followed  until  1854.  He  then  located  at  Lykenstown,  and  had  charge  of  the 
carpenter  work  in  the  collieries  of  that  place  three  years,  after  which  he 
entered  the  employ  of  the  Lykens  Valley  Railroad  Company,  with  which  he 
remained  until  the  fall  of  l^t')'2.  In  November  of  that  year  he  enlisted  in 
Comjianv  K.  One  Hundred  and  Seventy-third  Pennsylvania  Volunteers,  and 
was  honorably  discharged  from  the  service  in  August,  1SC8.  The  following 
year  he  built  a  forge  and  iron  works  at  Oakdale;  in  September,  1S()4,  he  located 
at  Shamokin,  where  he  held  various  responsible  positions  in  the  collieries 
until  ISO'.A  He  then  removed  to  Locust  Gap,  being  employed  about  the 
mines  in  various  capacities  for  the  period  of  eight  years.  In  1870  he  located 
at  Mt.  C'armel.  and  has  held  his  present  position  nine  years.  Mr.  Woodside 
married  in  October,  185'J,  Kate,  daughter  of  James  L.  Pell,  late  of  Locust 
Gap,  and  has  four  children:  William  W. :  Josephine,  Mrs.  Charles  Strauss; 
Mary,  Mrs.  Robert  Benning,  and  Edith.  Mr.  "Woodside  is  a  member  of  the 
F.  &  A.  M.,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  G.  A.  R.,  and  politically  is  a  Democrat. 

M.\TTHEw  P.  Ward,  engineer,  son  of  James  and  Margaret  (Coleman) 
^^'ard,  was  born  in  Statfordshire,  England,  March  10,  ls;iS.  He  was  reared 
in  his  native  country,  where  he  served  a  twelve  years'  apprenticeship  as 
mechanical  engineer.  He  came  to  America  in  18(')1.  locating  in  Philadel- 
])hia,  and  for  over  a  year  was  in  the  employ  of  Simons.  &  Jenkins,  govern- 
ment contractors.  In  1802  he  located  at  Ashland,  Schuylkill  county,  Penn- 
sylvania, and  for  three  months  was  engineer  for  Bast  &  Pearson,  at  Big  Mine 
Run.  In  the  fall  of  the  same  year  he  enlisted  in  Company  G,  One  Hundred 
and  Twenty-ninth  Pennsylvania  Volunteers,  and  served  nine  months,  when 
he  was  honorably  discharged.  Returning  to  Ashland,  he  again  entered  the 
employ  of  Ba.st  &  Pearson,  with  whom  he  remained  until  1805.  He  then 
settled  at  Mt.  Carmel,  where  he  has  since  resided,  and  has  been  employed 
as  engineer  in  and  outside  of  the  principal  collieries  of  the  i)lace.  Mr.  Ward 
is  the  patentee  of  several  of  his  inventions,  and  is  the  inventor,  patentee,  and 
manufacturer  of  the  Miners'  Safety  Tube,  to  prevent  miners  from  being 
burned  with  powder.  He  is  also  the  inventor  of  a  square  and  spirit  level 
for  truing  engines,  and  a  pulley  for  carrying  wire  ropes.  In  1800  Mr.  Ward 
married  Margaret  George,  a  daughter  of  Edward  George,  of  North  Wales. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Episcopal  church,  in  politics  a  Ke])ublican,  and  a 
member  of  the  G.  A.  R. 

S.^MCEL  Owen,  outside  foreman  of  Black  Diamond  colliery,  was  born  in 
Staffordshire,  England,  May  '25,  1854,  and  is  a  son  of  WiUiam  and  Emma  A. 


1058  HISTOEY    OF    NOETHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

(Cooper)  Owen,  who  came  to  America  in  1S5G  and  settled  in  Trevorton,  this 
county,  where  the  father  engaged  in  mining  four  years.  He  then  removed 
to  Shamokin,  where  he  resided  until  his  death  in  1S79.  The  last  seven  years 
of  his  life  he  was  inside  foreman  of  Helfenstein  colliery,  and  seventeen  years 
prior  to  his  coming  to  America  he  was  inside  foreman  of  a  colliery  in  Eng- 
land. His  family  consisted  of  fifteen  children,  seven  of  whom  grew  to  matu- 
rity: Thomas,  a  minister  of  the  Methodist  church;  Sarah,  Mrs.  Joseph  Tay- 
lor; Kiehard,  paymaster  of  the  Piedmont  Air  Line  railroad,  West  Point,  Vir- 
ginia; William,  assistant  principal  of  the  public  schools  of  Shamokin;  John, 
shipping  clerk  of  the  Philadelphia  and  Reading  Coal  and  Iron  Company;  Job, 
a  machinist  of  Shamokin,  and  Samuel.  The  subject  of  our  sketch  was  reared 
and  educated  in  Northumberland  county,  and  began  life  in  the  breakers  at 
Trevorton  when  nine  years  of  age.  He  worked  as  a  miner  imtil  1879,  when 
he  was  appointed  assistant  outside  foreman,  which  position  he  has  filled  to 
the  present  time.  Mr.  Owen  has  been  twice  married;  his  first  wife  was  EUa 
Willson,  of  Shamokin,  the  second,  Anna  L.,  daughter  of  William  Salter,  of 
Shamokin.  By  the  latter  he  has  three  daughters  living:  Minnie  B.;  Hazel 
S.,  and  Emma  A.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  church,  has  served 
three  terms  as  member  of  the  borough  council  of  Shamokin,  and  in  politics 
is  a  Republican. 

Joseph  Schw.vetz,  miner,  was  born  in  Bavaria,  Germany,  April  25,  1845, 
a  son  of  John  and  Mary  Schwartz,  who  came  to  America  in  1851,  locating  in 
Philadelphia,  and  residing  there  until  1854,  when  both  parents  died  of  chol- 
era. The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  reared  in  Philadelphia,  where  he  learned 
the  shoemaker  trade.  In  December,  1801,  he  enlisted  in  Company  I,  Sixth 
Pennsylvania  Cavalry.  After  two  years'  service  he  re-enlisted,  February  26, 
1804.  in  Company  L.  Sixth  Penn.sylvania  Cavalry,  and  was  honorably  dis- 
charged. August  7,  1805.  After  his  return  from  the  army,  he  worked  at  his 
trade  at  St.  Clair,  Pennsylvania,  six  months,  and  later  at  Tremont.  In  1808 
he  located  at  Excelsior,  near  Shamokin,  and  worked  at  mining  three  years, 
and  in  1871  located  at  Mt.  Carmel,  where  he  has  been  employed  in  the  mines 
ever  since.  In  1807  he  married  Mary,  daughter  of  John  Harner.  of  Schuyl- 
kill county,  Pennsylvania,  and  has  six  children  living:  John;  Emma;  Clara; 
Sallie;  Ida,  and  George.  Mr.  Schwartz  is  a  member  of  the  G.  A.  R..  and 
was  the  commander  of  Burnside  Post.  G.  A.  R.,  No.  92,  in  18>SS.  Politically 
he  is  a  Republican. 

Chaeles  WiGHTii.iX,  miner,  was  born  in  Derbyshire,  England,  April  3, 
1829,  and  is  a  son  of  James  and  Rebecca  (Booth)  Wightman.  He  was  reared 
in  England;  in  May.  1854.  he  came  to  America  and  located  at  Pottsville, 
Pennsylvania,  where  he  engaged  in  mining  two  years,  after  which  he  removed 
to  La  Salle,  Illinois,  worked  at  mining  two  years,  and  declared  his  intention 
of  becoming  a  citizen  of  the  United  States.  He 'then  went  to  Trevorton,  this 
county,  where,  with  the  exception  of  three  months  of  service  in  the  army,  he 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  1059 

was  engaged  in  mining  until  LStiO,  when  he  removed  to  Locust  Gap.  and 
worked  in  the  mines  there  six  years.  He  came  to  Mt.  Carmel  in  1S72,  where 
he  has  since  resided,  being  emi)loyed  about  the  mines  in  various  capacities. 
Mr.  Wightman  was  married  in  1859  to  Sarah  A.  Jones,  of  Trevorton.  Penn- 
sylvania, by  whom  he  had  thirteen  children,  of  whom  eight  are  li^-ing:  :Marv 
E.,  Mrs.  Jacob  Reed:  James;  Charles;  John;  Sallie;  Edith:  Warren,  and 
Phebe.  The  family  of  Mr.  Wightman  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal church.  He  enlisted  in  1862  in  Company  I,  Eighteenth  Pennsylvania 
Vokmteers,  and  was  honoralily  discharged  after  three  months"  sen-ice.  He 
is  a  member  of  the  F.  &  A.  M..  I.  O.  0.  F.,  and  G.  A.  E.,  has  held  the  othces 
of  assessor,  councilman,  and  assistant  burgess  of  Mt.  Carmel.  and  in  politics 
is  a  Eepublican. 

Francis  McCarthy,  deceased  merchant  and  postmaster,  Lociist  Gap.  was 
born  in  Aughagreagh,  County  Longford,  Ireland,  June  4,  l>2t5.  son  of 
Michael  and  Catherine  (Farrelly)  McCarthy,  of  the  same  county,  where  lioth 
spent  their  lives.  Francis  passed  his  boyhood  days  in  his  native  land,  and 
soon  after  reaching  his  majority  he  immigrated  to  Pennsylvania  and  settled 
at  Mine  Hill  Gaj),  Scliuylkill  county,  where  he  engaged  in  mining  coal. 
While  thus  employed  he  met  Mary  Jane  Eobinson.  daughter  of  Thomas  and 
Elizabeth  (Patton)  Eobinson,  natives  of  England  and  residents  of  iline  Hill 
Gap,  wliom  he  married  in  Philadelphia,  at  St.  Peter  and  St.  Paul's  chapel, 
January  1.  bSli'i.  She  was  born  in  Minersville,  Pennsylvania,  Febriiary  17. 
1S4"-'.  and  bore  him  a  family  of  four  children:  Michael  A.,  of  Locust  Gap: 
Elizabeth  A.,  wife  of  Thomas  Donlau.  of  Mt.  Carmel;  Francis  G..  of  Locust 
Gap,  and  Mary  Florence,  deceased.  In  March,  1802,  Mr.  McCarthy  located 
at  Locust  Gap.  and  in  partnership  with  Thomas  Scott  opened  the  first  regu- 
lar hotel  in  the  place.  He  also  engaged  in  mining,  which  he  followed  three 
years  in  connection  with  hotel  keeping.  Tlie  firm  of  Scott  &  McCarthy  then 
opened  a  general  store,  and  carrii'd  on  the  hotel  and  mercantile  business 
three  years  longer,  when  Mr.  McCarthy  purchased  his  partner's  interest  and 
became  sole  proprietor.  In  1875  he  abandoned  hotel  keeping,  but  continued 
merchandising  up  to  his  death.  For  a  number  of  years  he  was  in  partner- 
ship with  the  late  Conrad  Graeber,  and  the  firm  of  Graeber  i  McCarthy 
conducted  the  principal  mercantile  establishment  of  Locust  Gap  throughout 
its  existence. 

Politically  Mr.  McCarthy  was  an  ardent  Democrat,  and  took  a  very  active 
interest  in  local  affairs.  On  the  14th  of  Febniary.  1871,  he  was  appointed 
postmaster  of  Locu.st  Gap,  by  J.  W.  Marshall,  first  assistant  postmaster 
general,  and  served  continuously  through  the  several  administrations  for 
nearly  seventeen  years,  and  at  his  death  was  succeeded  by  his  eldest  son, 
Michael  A.,  who  has  since  held  the  office.  He  was  a  life-long  member  of 
the  Catholic  church,  and  died  in  full  commimion  with  that  faith.  November 
<>,  1887.     Mr.  McCarthv  was  a  careful,  honest,  and  successful  business  man. 


1060  HISTORY    OF   NOKTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

and  was  res^jected  by  the  commiinitY  in  which  the  last  twenty-five  years  of 
his  life  were  spent.  He  was  a  kind  father  and  Imsliand,  and  left  to  his 
widow  and  children  a  handsome  estate. 

MicH.\EL  A.  McCaethy,  merchant,  Locnst  Gap,  was  born  at  Locust  Gap, 
NorthiTmberland  county,  Pennsylvania,  October  18,  1802,  and  is  the  eldest 
sou  of  Francis  and  Mary  Jane  (Eobinson)  McCarthy.  He  was  reared  in 
Locust  Gap  and  educated  in  the  common  schools  and  at  Pottsville  Business 
CoUeo-e.  He  commenced  his  business  life  as  a  clerk  in  his  father's  store,  and 
was  admitted  to  a  partnership  in  1S83,  under  the  tirm  name  of  McCarthy  & 
Sou,  in  which  name  the  store  is  still  conducted.  He  is  also  interested  in  the 
dry  goods  and  millinery  store  of  McCarthy  &  Donlan  in  Mt.  Carmel,  Yvhich 
was  established  in  December.  I'^'SS.  Mr.  McCarthy  was  married  in  Janiiary, 
1884,  to  Anna,  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Anna  Carney,  of  Phoenixville, 
Pennsylvania.  She  is  the  moth.-r  of  two  children,  one  of  whom,  Ambrose, 
survives.  Politically  ho  is  a  Dt-mocrat,  and  has  been  postmaster  of  Locust 
Gap  since  tlw  death  of  his  father  in  1887,  who  filled  the  same  office  nearly 
seventeen  years.  Mr.  MrCartliy  and  family  are  adherents  of  the  Catholic 
church,  and  he  is  one  of  the  mo-t  enterprising  and  best  known  business  men 
of  his  vicinity. 

J.\MES  A.  McCarthy,  dealer  in  general  merchandise.  Locust  Gap,  was 
born  at  that  place.  Fel)ruary  l'>.  ISfil,  son  of  John  and  Maggie  (Mahan) 
McCarthy.  The  paternal  grandparents,  Francis  McCarthy  and  wife,  were 
natives  of  County  Longford,  Ireland,  and  came  to  America  prior  to  1840. 
They  settled  in  Schuylkill  coimty,  Pennsylvania.  John  McCarthy  was  born 
in  Schuylkill  county,  was  an  engineer  by  trade,  and  prior  to  the  year  1803 
removed  to  Locust  Gap,  thenceforth  his  residence  until  his  death,  which 
occurred  in  July,  180r).  His  wife  was  born  in  County  Fermanagh,  Ireland, 
daughter  of  James  and  Catharine  (McGwyn)  Mahan,  who  immigrated  to 
New  Orleans  in  1841  and  subst-queutly  removed  to  Pittsburgh,  where  both 
died.  To  John  and  ]\Iaggie  McCarthy  were  born  three  children:  Frank; 
James  A.,  and  John.  Our  subject  was  reared  at  Locust  Gap,  received  his 
education  at  the  common  schools,  and  at  the  Bryant  and  Stratton  Business 
College  of  Philadt4phia.  and  began  his  business  life  as  door-keeper  in  the 
mines.  In  the  year  1841  he  became  clerk  in  a  store,  and  on  the  20th  of 
August,  1889,  embarked  in  his  present  business,  and  conducts  one  of  the 
leading  stores  at  Locust  Gap.  Mr.  McCarthy  married  Bridget,  daughter  of 
William  and  Bridget  (Cannon)  Harvey,  December  81,  1885;  to  this  union 
two  daughters  have  been  bora:  Mamie  and  Margaret.  He  is  a  member  of 
the  Catholic  church,  and  in  his  [wlitical  affiliations  an  ardent  Democrat. 

Michael  Kellagher,  proprietor  of  Locust  Summit  Hotel,  Locust  Gap, 
was  born  at  Forestville.  Schuylkill  county,  Pennsylvania,  November  21,  1857, 
son  of  Patrick  and  Jane  ( Lj-nch  |  Kellagher,  natives  of  Counties  Fermanagh 
and  Cavan,  Ireland,  respectively.     His  parents  came  to  America  in  1840  and 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  lOGl 

settled  in  Schuylkill  county,  where  his  father  began  work  in  the  mines:  hi-  is 
still  following  that  occupation,  and  has  resided  at  Locust  Gap  for  the  past 
twenty-one  years.  They  are  the  parents  of  twelve  children,  two  of  whom 
are  deceased.  Those  survi%-ing  are:  Michael;  Mary,  Mr-s.  John  McHugh: 
William:  Jane:  Eobert:  John:  Anna:  Kate:  Susan,  and  Elizabeth.  The  sub- 
ject of  this  sketch  was  educated  in  the  public  schools,  and  at  the  age  of  nine 
years  began  work  in  a  coal  breaker.  He  was  engaged  at  the  mines  until 
twenty-one  years  old.  when  he  established  his  present  business  at  Locust 
Gap  in  which  he  has  been  quite  successful.  April  14.  18S7.  he  married 
Margaret,  daughter  of  Simon  and  Mary  (Casey)  Bro%vn,  of  DanviUe.  Penn- 
sylvania, and  to  this  imion  has  been  born  one  daughter,  Jane.  Mr.  Kella- 
gher  is  a  Catholic  in  faith,  a  Democrat  in  politics,  and  has  filled  the  oflices  of 
school  director  and  of  coimty  commissioner:  the  latter  oiiice  he  tilled  for  two 
successive  terms,  being  first   elected  in  iSSl. 

John  McDonnell,  proprietor  of  the  National  Hotel,  Locust  Gap.  was 
born  in  Sclutylkill  county.  Pennsylvania,  December  27,  1S40,  son  of  Peter 
and  Hannali  (Patton)  McDonnell,  natives  of  Ireland  and  England,  respect- 
ively. The  father  came  to  America  in  1S3S  and  located  at  Pottsville,  Penn- 
sylvania, where  he  was  engaged  in  mining  until  18G1,  when  he  removed  to 
Locust  Gap.  Here  he  worked  in  the  mines  for  several  years,  and  during  the 
latter  ]iart  of  his  life  kejit  the  hotel  now  condiicted  by  his  son.  He  was 
the  father  of  seven  children:  John;  Thomas;  Elizabeth  J.,  Mrs.  Tiiomas 
Pepper;  George;  Andrew:  Mary,  Mrs.  Jacob  E.  Betz,  and  Hannah.  Mrs. 
Henry  J.  Omlor.  The  grandfather  of  our  subject,  Thomas  Patton,  was  a 
native  of  England,  and  settled  in  Minersville,  this  State,  in  1888,  where  his 
sons  opened  the  first  coal  mines  in  that  region.  Our  subject  was  reared  at 
Mine  Hill  Gap.  Schuylkill  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  began  life  in  the  mines 
as  a  laborer.  In  IStiU  he  located  in  Locu.st  Gap,  where  he  was  employed 
about  the  mines  for  nine  years.  In  1879  he  was  appointed  inside  foreman 
of  Locust  Gap  colliery,  which  position  he  held  four  years,  and  was  then 
transferred  to  the  position  of  hoisting  engineer,  which  he  filled  ttntil  1883. 
He  tliefi  engaged  in  his  present  business,  and  has  continued  it  with  good 
success.  He  was  married.  May  20,  1805,  to  Catharine,  daughter  of  Frank 
and  Ann  (Lynch)  McCarthy,  natives  of  County  Longford,  Ireland,  by  whom 
he  has  had  eight  children:  Peter;  Anna,  deceased;  Lizzie,  deceased;  Frank: 
Mary;  Agnes;  Catharine,  and  John,  deceased.  The  family  are  members  of 
the  Catholic  church.  Mr.  McDonnell  has  served  three  years  as  school 
director,  and  in  politics  is  a  Democrat. 

Ch.\bles  Dugan,  proprietor  of  the  Harvey  House,  Locust  Gap,  was  born 
in  County  Donegal.  Ireland,  in  1S2U,  son  of  Hugh  and  Bridget  (0"Don- 
nell)  Dugan.  He  was  reared  in  his  native  country  and  came  to  America  in 
1852,  locating  in  Carbon  county,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  remained  twelve 
years  engaged  in  mining.     In    18'J4:  he  removed  to  Locust  Gaji,  where  he 


1002  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

worked  in  the  mines  until  1883.  From  this  time  to  1880  he  was  super- 
visor of  the  roads  of  Mt.  Carmel  township.  He  then  engaged  in  the  hotel 
business,  in  which  he  has  since  continued  with  good  .success.  He  was  mar- 
ried in  1863  to  Susan,  daughter  of  Michael  and  Isabella  (Friell)  Dougherty, 
of  Ireland.  Of  the  children  born  of  this  union,  live  are  living:  Charles  E. . 
Cassie;  Belle;  Maiy  A.,  and  John.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Catholic  church, 
and  a  Democrat  in  politics. 

Ch.\eles  H.  Dougherty,  proprietor  of  the  Locust  Gap  Hotel,  was  born 
in  Johnstown,  Pennsylvania,  June  28, 1850, son  of  Michael  and  Mary  (Boyle) 
Dougherty,  both  of  Irish  parentage.  The  father  was  a  native  of  County 
Donegal,  Ireland,  and  the  mother,  of  Pennsylvania.  They  settled  in  Locust 
Gap  in  1800,  where  the  father  followed  mining  sixteen  years.  He  reared 
a  family  of  five  children:  Charles  H. ;  James  F. ;  Edward;  Michael,  and 
Mary.  Our  subject  was  reared  in  Locust  Gap,  and  was  educated  in  the 
common  schools.  He  began  his  business  life  in  a  breaker  at  the  age  of 
eight  years,  and  worked  about  the  mines  fourteen  years.  In  1875  he  was 
employed  as  clerk  in  the  store  of  Graeber  &  McCarthy,  at  Locust  Gap,  with 
whom  he  remained  two  years,  and  afterwards  held  the  same  position  with 
William  Harvey  &  Son  two  years.  He  then  became  clerk  of  a  hotel  and 
store  combined,  of  which  he  has  been  proprietor  since  1880.  He  was  mar- 
ried in  188(5  to  Margaret,  daughter  of  John  and  Ellen  Hogan,  of  Locust 
Gap.  To  this  union  one  daughter  has  been  born,  Gertrude.  He  and  wife 
are  members  of  the  Catholic  church,  and  in  politics  he  is  a  Democrat. 

Peter  Breckek,  mine  foreman.  Locust  Gap  colliery,  was  born  in  Bavaria, 
Germany,  January  5,  1844,  son  of  Peter  and  Magdalena  (Omler)  Brecker, 
who  emigrated  in  1849,  and  from  that  date  until  1871  the.  father  was  cm- 
ployed  in  the  mines  of  Schuylkill  county.  In  the  latter  year  he  removed  to 
Locust  Gap,  where  he  was  killed  by  the  fall  of  an  embankment.  May  5, 
1875.  Of  his  family  five  children  are  living:  Peter;  Nicholas;  Harriet, 
Mrs.  Alexander  Butt,  and  Charles.  Their  maternal  grandparents,  John  and 
Magdalena  (Colin)  Omler,  natives  of  Germany,  settled  near  St.  Clair  in 
1851.  There  Mr.  Brecker  received  his  education,  and  began  life  as  a  miner. 
In  1871  he  came  to  Locust  Gap,  and  as.sumed  his  present  position  in  1875. 
May  15, 1807,  he  married  Mary  A.,  daughter  of  Peter  and  Magdalena  (Luck) 
Steinfeld,  natives  of  Bavaria,  and  to  this  imion  seven  children  have  been 
born:  Henrietta  C;  Elizabeth;  Peter  N. ;  Josephine  M.;  Joseph  J.;  Henry 
W.,  and  George  F.  In  politics  Mr.  Brecker  is  a  Democrat,  and  has  been  in- 
trusted with  various  township  offices;  the  family  is  Catholic  in  faith. 

M.iEK  Wh.\len,  engineer,  was  born  at  Locust  Gap,  Northumberland 
county,  Pennsylvania,  October  10,  1803,  son  of  John  and  Julia  (Brennan) 
Whalen,  natives,  respectively,  of  Counties  Queen  and  Kilkenny.  Ireland. 
His  father  came  to  America  in  1845  and  located  at  Mt.  Carmel,  where  he 
labored  in  the  mines  fifteen  vears.     Later  ho  removed  to  Brookville,  where 


^^^e/z-^A 


BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES.  1065 

lae  remainod  five  years,  and  in  isCt]  he  removed  to  Locust  Gap,  where  he 
has  since  resided.  Up  to  isST  Mr.  Whalen  worked  as  a  miner;  he  then 
received  the  appointment  of  watchman  at  Lociist  Gap  colliery,  which  posi- 
tion he  still  holds.  The  mother  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch  is  a  daugliter  of 
John  and  Eliza  (McCormick)  Brennan,  who  were  among  the  earliest  residents 
of  Mt.  Carmel.  They  are  the  parents  of  thirteen  children,  eight  of  whom 
are  living:  Mary;  James;  Mark;  Margaret;  Bridget;  John;  William,  and 
Kate.  The  subject  of  our  sketch  was  reared  and  educated  at  Locust  Gap, 
where  he  learned  his  trade,  and  has  occupied  his  present  position  eleven 
years.  He  is  a  member  of  the  A.  0.  H.  and  the  Catholic  church,  and  polit- 
ically he  is  a  Democrat. 

John  Davis,  engineer  at  Locust  Gap  colliery,  was  born  in  Buckley,  Wales, 
November  7,  1S40,  son  of  Thomas  and  Anna  (Reed)  Davis.  He  was  reared 
and  educated  in  his  native  town,  and  served  a  six  years'  apprenticeship  at 
his  trade.  In  ISG'J  he  immigrated  to  Pennsylvania  and  located  at  Mahauoy 
City,  where  he  found  employment  at  Lawton's  colliery.  He  siibsequontly 
went  to  Colorado,  where  he  spent  two  years,  and  returned  to  Doutyville, 
Northumberland  county,  where  he  remained  four  years.  He  then  located  at 
Locitst  Gap  and  has  since  filled  his  present  position.  Mr.  Davis  has  been 
twice  married.  His  first  wife  was  Alice,  daughter  of  John  and  Ellen  (Keed) 
Boyer,  natives  of  England  and  Scotland,  respectively.  She  bore  him  four 
children,  all  of  whom  are  dead:  Anna;  Ellen;  Sarah,  and  Thomas.  His 
second  wife  was  Anna,  daugliter  of  William  and  Sarah  Rodgers,  of  Sher- 
manville,  of  which  union  four  children  have  been  Ijorn:  Thomas;  George; 
Emma,  and  Sarah.  In  jjolitics  Mr.  Davis  is  a  Republican,  and  is  an  adherent 
of  the  Episcopal  church. 

Peter  Smith,  engineer  at  Locu.st  Gap  colliery,  was  born,  October  IG, 
IS.jN.  in  Riley  township,  Schuylkill  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  is  a  son  of 
Dennis  and  Margaret  (Wall)  Smith,  natives  of  County  Cavan,  Ireland,  who 
came  to  America  about  l8-j(1  and  located  in  Schuylkill  county,  whence  the 
father,  who  was  a  carpenter  by  trade,  removed  with  his  family  to  Locust  Gap 
in  1805,  and  resided  there  until  his  death  in  1S82.  He  had  five  children: 
Edward,  deceased;  Mary,  deceased;  Ann,  who  married  James  Donlan;  Kate, 
Mrs.  Robert  Broderick,  and  Peter.  The  last  named  was  reared  from  eight 
years  at  Locust  Gap,  and  began  his  active  life  as  slate  picker  in  a  breaker. 
For  eight  years  he  had  charge  of  the  breaker  machinery,  and  since  1887  has 
held  the  position  of  engineer  at  Locust  Gap  colliery.  He  is  a  member  of 
the  K.  of  L.,  an  adherent  of  the  Catholic  church,  and  a  supporter  of  the 
Democratic  party. 

Joseph  P.  Whalen,  outside  foreman  of  the  Monitor  colliery,  was  born  at 
Tuscarora,  Schuylkill  township,  Schuylkill  county,  Pennsylvania,  in  1837, 
son  of  Michael  and  Bridget  (Gormley)  Whalen,  natives  of  Ireland  and 
pioneers   of   Schuylkill  county.      They  were  the   parents   of   six   children: 


1066  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

Patrick,  deceased;  Thomas;  Joseph;  Michael,  deceased;  John  F.,  and  Mary, 
Mrs.  Thomas  Campbell.  The  father  was  a  miner  and  died  in  Schuylkill 
county.  The  paternal  grandfather  was  Patrick  Whalen,  an  early  resident  of 
Schuylkill  county,  Pennsylvania.  Josejih  P.  Whalen  began  his  business  life 
picking  slate  in  a  coal  breaker  at  the  early  age  of  eleven  years.  He  then 
learned  engineering  and  followed  this  vocation  twenty-five  years.  In  1885 
he  was  ajipointed  outside  foreman  at  the  Bast  colliery  in  Ashland,  Pennsyl- 
vania. In  1889  he  was  transferred  to  the  Monitor  colliery  at  Locust  Gap, 
with  which  he  is  still  connected.  In  1878  he  married  Theresa,  daughter  of 
Patrick  and  Mary  (Tracy)  Langton,  of  Ashland,  and  to  this  union  were  born 
four  children:  :Mary  E. ;  Laura:  William,  and  Theresa.  Mrs.  Whalen  died, 
October  14,  IS'.IO,  a  jjractical  member  of  the  Catholic  church.  ilr.  Whalen 
is  independent  in  politics,  and  is  a  member  of  the  Catholic  church. 

Joseph  W.\tkixs,  inside  foreman  of  Monitor  colliery,  Philadelphia  and 
Eeading  Coal  and  Iron  Company,  was  born  in  South  Wales,  May  18,  1S")4, 
son  of  John  and  Jane  Watkins.  He  was  educated  in  his  native  country, 
where  he  began  life  in  the  mines  at  nine  years  of  ago.  After  following  that 
vocation  in  Wales  fifteen  years  he  came  to  America  in  1880,  and  located  at 
St.  Clair,  Schuylkill  county,  Penn.sylvania.  Here  he  was  employed  in  the 
mines  fifteen  months,  and  two  years  at  Raven  Run,  same  county.  He  was 
then  engaged  at  the  Hammond  colliery,  Girardsville,  where  he  remained  six- 
teen months,  and  was  then  employed  at  another  colliery  as  inside  foreman 
three  years,  when  he  was  transferred  to  Gilberton  colliery,  where  he  was  em- 
ployed ten  months.  In  the  spring  of  1889  he  located  at  Locust  Gap,  since 
which  time  he  has  filled  his  present  position.  In  1876  he  married  Elizabeth, 
daughter  of  William  and  Anna  (Morgan)  Morgan,  of  South  Wales,  and  they 
are  the  parents  of  four  children:  William;  Edward;  Alltert,  and  May.  He 
is  a  member  of  the  Welsh  Congregational  church,  the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  K.  of 
G.  E.,  and  politically  he  is  a  Republican. 

John  W.  Mokhison,  outside  foreman,  Alaska  shaft,  was  born,  September 
13,  1854,  at  St.  Clair,  Schuylkill  county,  Pennsylvania,  son  of  John  and 
Martha  (Hoffman)  Morrison.  His  paternal  grandfather,  William  Morrison, 
was  a  native  of  England  and  one  of  the  earliest  settlers  of  Schuylkill  county. 
His  maternal  grandfather,  Henry  Hoffman,  was  among  the  early  settlers  of 
Berks  county,  Pennsylvania.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  spent  his  childhood 
days  in  Schuylkill  county,  where  he  began  life  as  a  slate  picker  on  the 
breaker  at  the  age  of  nine  years.  In  December,  1889,  he  removed  to  Mt. 
Carmcl  to  accept  his  present  position.  In  3876  he  married  Emily,  daughter 
of  Henry  and  Hannah  Heim,  of  St.  Clair,  and  to  them  were  born  six  children: 
Delia;  Clara;  Hannah;  Beulah;  Harry,  and  Robert.  Mr.  Morrison  is  con- 
nected with  the  P.  O.  S.  of  A.,  and  is  a  Republican  in  politics. 

Alfred  Ayers,  inside  foreman  at  Alaska  shaft,  was  born  at  York  Tunnel, 
Schuylkill  county,   Pennsylvania,   July   25,  1841,  son   of  Abram   and  Anna 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  1007 

(Kussell)  Avers,  natives  of  England.  His  maternal  grandfather.  James 
Russell,  was  a  jiioneer  miner  of  ScLiiylkill  county,  and  lived  and  died  there. 
Abram  Avers,  father  of  our  subject,  was  a  miner  in  Schuylkill  and  North- 
umberland counties,  and  at  one  time  a  mine  foreman,  also  operating  a  mine 
on  his  own  account.  He  located  in  Mt.  Carmel  in  1S53,  where  he  resided 
until  his  death  in  18S3.  His  children  were  as  follows:  Marv  A.,  who  mar- 
ried Frank  Pershing:  Alfred;  Caroline:  Ettie.  who  married  John  Bell;  C'hira, 
wife  of  John  Shaw,  and  Sarah,  wife  of  Frank  Shoener.  Mr.  Avers  has  lieen 
a  resident  of  Mt.  Carmel  since  IS^S,  and  is  therefore  one  of  its  oldest  citi- 
zens. He  began  in  the  mines,  worked  on  a  breaker,  afterwards  worked  as 
loader,  and  finally  engaged  as  a  miner.  He  was  iiromoted  to  tire  boss,  then 
to  assistant  boss,  and  became  inside  foreman  in  December,  18SS,  which  jiosi- 
cion  he  has  since  tilled  in  the  Alaska  shaft.  He  was  married,  October  IS, 
ISCiO.  to  Caroline  E.,  daughter  of  James  Adams,  of  Mt.  Carmel,  and  has  ten 
living  children:  Eliza  E.,  wife  of  Eobert  Taylor;  Matthew  H. ;  Bessie,  wife 
of  Charles  Hertzog:  S.  Matilda;  Carrie;  James;  Alfred:  Claude:  Howard, 
and  Irvin.  Mr.  Ayers  served  nine  months  in  Company  G,  One  Hundred  and 
Twenty-ninth  Pennsylvania  VoluntciTs.  and  was  honoraljly  discharged  at 
the  close  of  his  term  of  service.      Politically  he  is  a  Rejniblican. 

NicHoi,.\s  Metzixger.  inside  foreman.  Locust  Spring  colliery,  was  born  in 
Bayarn,  Germany,  March  22,  1885,  son  of  Jacob  and  Gertrude  (Schraier) 
MetzingiT.  His  parents  came  to  America  in  April.  1S.")2.  and  located  at  St. 
Clair.  Schuylkill  county,  Pennsylvania,  where  they  remained  until  their 
death.  They  were  the  parents  of  six  children:  Peter;  Jacob;  Nicholas; 
Eva.  Mrs.  Jacob  Yohan;  Joseph,  and  Kate.  Mrs.  Matthew  Drobile.  The 
subject  of  our  sketch  began  life  as  a  miner,  which  oceujiation  he  followed 
tintil  IST't.  In  1S74,  he  located  at  Locust  Gap  and  was  ai)pointed  to  his 
present  position  in  188-").  He  married,  April  30,  1S.')1),  Elizabeth,  daughter 
of  Philip  and  Catharine  Diehl,  of  St.  Clair.  They  are  the  parents  of  seven 
children:  Augustus;  Lewis;  Eva;  Catharine;  Gertrude;  Carrie,  and  Lottie\ 
Mr.  IMetzinger  is  a  member  of  the  Catholic  church,  and  is  independent  in 
politics. 

James  M.  Derby,  clerk  at  Pennsylvania  colliery  and  postmaster,  was  liorn 
at  Dunmore,  near  Scrantou,  Pennsylvania,  September  10,  hS-JO,  sou  of 
Chauncey  and  Esther  (Carey)  Derby.  He  received  his  education  at  Scranton 
and  began  life  by  learning  the  trade  of  tinsmith,  which  he  followed  until 
187.-).  when  he  located  at  Shamokin.  Here  he  clerked  in  a  general  store 
several  years,  when  he  embarked  in  business  on  his  own  account  four  years. 
Later  he  was  in  business  at  Mt.  CarmeL  and  in  1SS7  he  removed  to  Green 
Ridge,  where  he  accepted  the  position  he  has  since  occupied.  Mr.  Derby  is 
a  member  of  the  F.  &  A.  M.,  K.  T.,  and  I.  O.  O.  F.  In  politics  he  is  a  Re- 
publican, and  is  justice  of  the  peace  of  Mt.  Carmel  township.  Through  his 
efforts  a  postoffice  named  Strong  was  established  in  July,  1886,  of  which  he 
is  postmaster. 


1068  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

CHAPTER  XLVI. 

BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES. 

AVATSUXTOWX. 

Silas  E.\mb.\ch  was  born  in  Newport  township.  Lnzcrno  county,  Pennsyl- 
vania. February  J  5,  1813,  son  of  John  and  Elizabeth  Rambacli.  His  father 
died,  October  17,  1836,  and  his  mother,  Augaist  13.  1840.  He  engaged  in 
teaching  in  the  common  schools  of  his  neighborhood,  and  afterward  entered 
the  general  store  of  his  uncle,  Jacob  Rambach.  tir.st  as  clerk,  and  subse- 
quently becoming  the  owner  of  the  store.  He  later  formed  a  co-partnership 
with  Michael  Hess,  and  opened  a  store  at  Newjiort  Centre,  Luzerne  county, 
Pennsylvania,  in  1847.  During  the  administration  of  President  Polk,  a  post- 
ofKce  was  established  at  this  point,  and  Mr.  Rambach  was  apjiointed  post- 
master. He  soon  afterward  sold  his  interest  in  the  mercantile  business,  and 
directed  his  attention  to' the  management  of  his  farm,  which  was  situated  in 
the  immediate  vicinity.  In  18rj4  he  decided  to  enter  politics,  and  presented 
his  name  to  the  Luzerne  county  Democratic  convention  for  nomination  to  the 
otHce  of  coimty  commissioner.  His  friends  did  not  indorse  him  for  that  otJice, 
but  the  convention  voluntarily  nominated  him  for  the  office  of  county  treas- 
urer. He  was  elected  by  a  large  majority,  and  made  for  himself  an  enviable 
reputation  as  a  business  man  and  financier.  In  the  spring  of  1859  he  re- 
moved with  his  family  from  Luzerne  county  to  Delaware  township,  North- 
umberland county,  having  purchased  the  Frederick  Fo.x  farm,  which  now 
forms  the  northern  boundary  line  of  the  borough  of  'NVatsonto'wn.  Here  he 
resided  until  the  village  of  Watsontown  commenced  to  assume  the  propor- 
tions of  a  modern  town,  when  he  erected  for  himself  a  commodious  brick 
mansion,  where  he  resided  until  his  death.  At  the  erection  of  the  first 
church  edifice  in  AVatsontown,  St.  Bartholomew's  Evangelical  Lutheran  and 
German  Reformed,  he  was  the  chairman  of  the  building  committee,  and  the 
treasurer.  He  declined  to  serve  longer  as  an  elder,  but  served  as  trustee  and 
treasurer  until  his  decease.  He  was  one  of  the  corporators  and  managers,  as 
well  as  the  secretary  and  treasurer,  of  the  Watsontown  Cemetery  Association, 
a  member  of  the  Watsontown  town  council,  and  borough  treasurer  a  number 
of  years.  He  took  an  active  part  in  the  organization  and  placing  upon  a 
good  business  basis  of  many  things  pertaining  to  the  town.  At  the  organiza- 
tion of  the  Watsontown  Bank,  he  at  once  became  identified  with  its  interests, 
solicited  for  stock,  became  a  member  of  the  board  of  directors,  and  was  the 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  1069 

vice-president,  and  he  succeeded  Ario  Pardee  in  the  presidency  after  the  in- 
stitiition  was  made  a  national  bank.  He  was  also  for  many  years  a  director 
and  treasurer  of  the  Watsontown  Building  Association.  July  14,  1S34,  he 
married  Sarah  Fenstermacher,  of  Salem  township.  Luzerne  comity,  and  to 
this  union  were  born  three  children:  Emily,  who  married  George \v.  Hess, 
of  Watsontown,  and  died  June  19,  ISTS:  George  W.,  cashier  of  the  Watson- 
town  National  Bank,  and  John  W.,  of  :Milton.  He  was  a  man  of  sterling  in- 
tegrity, and  of  most  excellent  business  qualifications,  and  maintained  the 
respect  and  confidence  of  the  entire  community.  He  died,  September  8, 
1881.  His  wife  was  a  consistent  member  of  Trinity  Reformed  church  of 
Watsontown,  and  contributed  Yen,-  generously  to  the  erection  of  the  new 
church  edifice  built  several  years  ago.  She  also  presented  the  bell  hancrincr 
in  the  tower,  which  is  engraved  with  the  name  of  the  congregation,  the  date 
of  the  presentation,  and  the  name  of  the  donor.  She  died.  May  10,  1887, 
aged  seventy-seven  years  and  ten  months.  The  jMrtrait  of  Mr.  Rambach 
which  appears  in  this  work,  was  inserted  by  his  son  John  W.,  of  Milton,  as  a 
filial  tribute  to  the  memory  of  his  father. 

George  W.  Rombach,  (originally  Rambach)  cashier  of  the  Watsontown 
National  Bank,  is  a  son  of  the  late  Silas  Rambach,  and  was  born  in  Newport 
township,  Luzerne  county,  Pennsylvania,  on  the  22d  of  February,  1840. 
He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  and  at  Wyoming  Seminary,  Kings- 
ton, Pennsylvania,  and  soon  after  the  completion  of  his  education,  his  parents 
left  Luzerne  county  and  located  on  a  farm  in  Delaware  township,  Northum- 
berland county,  adjoining  the  borough  of  Watsontown.  ilr.  Rombach 
followed  farming  until  the  year  1878,  when  he  accepted  a  position,  first  as  a 
clerk,  and  subsequently  as  teller  in  the  Watsontown  Bank  In  the  fall  of 
1870,  he  was  chosen  cashier,  which  position  he  has  tilled  up  to  the  present. 
He  is  a  member  and  one  of  the  trustees  of  the  First  Lutheran  church  of 
Watsontown,  was  the  chairman  of  the  building  committee  of  the  substantial 
new  edifice  erected  by  that  churcli.  and  was  one  of  the  many  contributors  to 
the  building  fund.  He  is  also  a  membiT  of  Watsontown  Lodge,  No.  401, 
F.  &  A.  M.,  has  been  a  member  of  the  town  council,  and  is  at  this  time 
treasurer  of  the  White  Deer  Bridge  Company,  and  secretary  and  treasurer 
of  the  Watsontown  Cemeter.-  Association.  On  the  27th  of  September, 
180)4,  he  was  married  to  S.  Kate  Lantz.  only  daughter  of  Simon  and  Harriet 
Lantz  of  Watsontown.  To  this  union  have  been  born  three  children:  Hat- 
tie  N. :  De  La.  G.,  and  Howard  W. 

Philip  Sh.\t  was  born  in  Pittston,  Kennebec  county,  Maine,  in  LSl-l  His 
parents  were  Michael  and  Anna  Shay,  who  both  died  in  the  year  182],  after 
which  the  subject  of  this  sketch  went  to  reside  with  a  married  sister,  Mary, 
the  wife  of  Abiathar  Field,  at  Brookline.  near  Boston.  Soon  thereafter  Mr. 
Field  removed  to  Baltimore,  where  as  a  young  man.  Mr.  Shay  assisted  his 
brother-in-law  in  the  establishment   and  management  of  one  of  the  pioneer 


1070  HISTORY    OF   NOBTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

oyster  packing  houses  of  the  Monumental  City.  It  was  in  the  interest  of 
this  business  that  Mr.  Shay  located  in  Northumberland,  Pennsylvania,  where 
he  opened  a  depot  for  the  distribution  of  this,  then,  comparatively  unlmown 
bivalve  to  the  citizens  of  the  West  and  North  Branches  of  the  Susquehanna. 
While  a  resident  of  Northumberland  he  became  connected  with  the  packet 
company,  and  by  reason  of  it  was  known  by  his  many  friends  along  the 
route  as  Captain  Shay.  In  1S54  he  left  Northumberland  and  located  in 
Muncy,  Lycoming  county,  where  he  engaged  extensively  in  the  mercantile 
and  lumber  business;  soon'  after  this  time,  but  for  one  year,  however,  he 
resided  in  Hughesville,  in  the  same  county,  at  the  end  of  the  term  returning 
to  Muucy.  where  he  continued  his  mercantile  and  lumber  operations,  and  in 
the  great  Hood  of  1805,  he  was  one  of  ttie  heavy  losers.  During  the  civil 
war,  Mr.  Shay  was  one  of  the  directors  of  the  old  Northumberland  Bank,  of 
which  Joseph  Priestley  was  the  cashier,  and  John  Taggart  and  John  B- 
Packer  were  in  turn  the  president.  General  Simon  Cameron,  Samuel  T. 
Brown  of  Milton,  and  other  leading  citizens  of  this  part  of  the  State  were 
his  associates  as  members  of  the  board.  In  1808  he  removed  from  Muncy 
to  Watsontown,  and  at  once  became  one  of  the  leading  merchants  and  citi- 
zens of  the  new  borough,  and  was  identified  in  many  interests  pertaining  to 
the  early  growth  and  establishment  of  the  town.  In  1871  he  was  elected 
chief  burgess  and  for  a  number  of  years  he  served  as  a  member  of  the 
school  Ixjard.  He  was  one  of  the  corporators  and  a  charter  member  of  the 
Wat.sontown  Bank  (now  the  Watsontown  National  Bank)  and  soon  after  its 
establishment  ho  was  appointed  to  the  office  of  notary  public  by  Governor 
Geary,  and  at  the  expiration  of  his  term,  he  was  reappointed  by  Governor 
Hartranft.  Ho  was  also  one  of  the  corporators  and  influential  members  of 
the  First  Presbyterian  church  of  Watsontown,  and  served  many  years  as  one 
of  the  trustees.  In  1808  he  was  appointed  postmaster  of  Watsontown,  and 
commissioned  by  Alexander  W.  Randall,  postmaster  general.  He  held  the 
office  imder  this  commission  only  a  short  time,  but  eleven  years  afterwards 
he  was  again  appointed,  and  held  the  office  during  several  administrations  to 
the  date  of  his  death,  his  last  commission  being  under  the  hand  of  Presi- 
dent Arthur. 

Mr.  Sbay  was  married  three  times;  first,  in  1851  at  Northumberland  to 
Marv'  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Dr.  Samuel  H.  W'allis,  (son  of  the  pioneer 
Samuel  Wallis) ;  Mrs.  Shay  died  in  1858,  and  left  to  survive  her  an  only  son, 
William  Field  Shay.  Mr.  Shay  was  next  married  on  the  22d  of  November, 
1855,  at  Mimcy  to  Priscilla  Minerva  Llewellyn.  By  this  union  there  were 
four  children:  Charles  P. ;  Edward  E. ;  Mary  V.,  and  Priscilla  L.  The  wife 
and  mother  died  at  Muncy,  April  I'J,  1802.  Mr.  Shay  was  again  married, 
March  9,  1805,  to  Emma  J.,  daughter  of  the  late  Leonard  Stoughton,  of 
Milton.  Their  children  are  Frank  S.  and  Emma  E.  Shay.  Philip  Shay 
took  part  as  a  good  citizen  in  many  of  the  affairs  of  life.     He  was  a  patriot, 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  1071 

loved  his  couatry,  and  iu  all  projun-  ways  sought  to  advance  her  interests.  In 
his  younger  days  he  was  an  old  line  Whig,  and  a  great  admirer  of  Web- 
ster and  Clay,  having  heard  them  both  speak  during  his  boyhood.  He  was 
present  at  the  laying  of  the  corner-stone  of  the  great  Bunker  Hill  monument 
by  General  Lafayette  in  June,  1825,  when  Daniel  Webster  pronounced  the 
oration  to  an  immense  concoirrse  of  people,  and  he  was  also  present  at  the 
dedication  of  the  monument,  eighteen  years  afterwards,  when  Webster  was 
again  the  orator.  Mr.  Shay  was  temj^erate  in  all  things,  and  opposed  exces- 
ses of  every  kind.  He  was  a  moral  and  religious  man  and  his  neighbors 
respected  him.  He  loved  his  family  and  his  home,  and  he  was  a  kind  and 
affectionate  husband  and  father.  His  death  occurred  on  the  2d  of  February, 
ISS-").  and  his  remains  repose  in  the  beautiful  cemetery  at  Watsontown.  His 
wife  and  children  survive  him. 

WiLLi.\M  Field  Shay  was  born  in  Xorthumberland,  Pennsylvania.  He 
is  a  son  of  the  late  Philip  Shay  and  Mary  Elizabeth  Shay,  nee  Wallis,  who 
was  a  daughter  of  Dr.  Samuel  H.  Wallis  and  Elizabeth  Wallis,  nee  Cowden, 
and  a  granddaughter  of  Samuel  Wallis,  the  noted  pioneer.  His  paternal 
grandparents  were  Michael  and  Anna  Shay,  of  Pittston,  Kennebec  coimty, 
Maine.  Some  years  prior  to  his  majority,  the  subject  of  this  sketch  entered 
the  law  otHce  of  Oscar  Foust.  at  Watsontown,  who  was  a  leading  member  of 
the  Northumberland  county  bar  and  an  able  precejjtor.  After  three  years 
of  liard  study  and  close  application  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar,  after  a  very 
creditable  and  satisfactory  examination,  and  soon  thereafter  he  engaged  in 
jiractice  in  Watsontown,  where  he  is  still  pursuing  his  profession.  He  has 
been  admitted  to  all  the  courts  of  the  neighboring  cottnties,  as  well  as  to  the 
Supreme  court  of  Penn.sylvania,  and  to  the  district  and  circuit  courts  of  the 
United  States.  He  has  given  considerable  attention  to  local  historical  mat- 
ters, and  a  number  of  leading  articles  in  print  are  from  his  pen.  He  has 
been  closely  identified  with  leading  projects  in  Watsontown,  prominently  the 
building  of  the  water  works,  and  the  securing  to  the  town  the  terminus  of 
the  Wilkesbarre  and  Western  railway.  He  has  been  the  solicitor  of  the  road 
smce  its  incej^tion,  as  well  as  for  the  Watsontown  National  Bank  and  the 
borough  of  Watsontown  for  many  years.  In  addition  to  his  legal  business, 
he  has  for  years  managed  a  large  and  profitable  in.surance  agency. 
Masonic  matters  have  received  considerable  attention  at  his  hands.  He  has 
served  both  as  secretary  and  worshipful  master  of  Watsontown  Lodge,  No. 
4nl,  and  as  secretary  and  most  excellent  high  j^riest  of  Warrior  Kun  Royal 
Arch  Chapter,  No.  240,  at  Watsontown.  He  is  also  a  member  of  the  coun- 
cil, the  commandery,  and  of  the  A.  &  A.  Rite,  thirty-second  degree.  He  is 
a  member  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Pennsylvania,  and  the  Grand  Holy  Royal 
Arch  Chapter,  and  in  the  years  ISS-J-SO  he  was  the  grand  high  priest's 
deputy  for  the  counties  of  Lycoming.  Clinton,  Elk,  Snyder,  Fnion.  and  a 
jiortion   of   Northumberland.     Mr.  Shay  is   married   to  M.   Alice,    the  only 


1072  HISTOKY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

daughter  of  Charles  Hower,  the  leading  member  of  the  Snyder  county  bar. 
/  KiLYAN  DuxKEL  was  born  in  September,  1805,  and  was  the  third  son  of 

Peter  Dunkel,  who  removed  from  Northampton  to  Union  county,  Pennsylvania, 
at  an  early  date.  Peter  Dunkel's  family  consisted  of  six  sons  and  five 
daughters,  Kilyan  being  the  third  son.  When  the  latter  was  aboi:t  thirty 
years  of  age  his  father  removed  with  his  family  to  Xorthiimuerland  coimty. 
In  March,  1836,  Kilyan  Dunkel  married  Mary,  youngest  daughter  of  James 
Slote,  of  this  county.  She  was  born,  August  9, 1815,  and  became  the  mother 
of  one  son,  Hiram,  now  cashier  of  the  Farmers'  National  Bank  of  Watson- 
to^vIl.  Her  father  lived  near  the  Warrior  Kun  church,  his  farm  being  the 
site  of  Fort  Freeland,  until  his  removal  to  Michigan  \vith  his  family  about 
1S37.  His  family  consisted  of  seven  sons  and  three  daiighters.  About  one 
year  afterward  he  returned  on  a  visit  to  this  county,  and  was  taken  sick  and 
died.  His  interment  took  place  in  the  Warrior  Run  graveyard.  Mr.  Slote 
was  active  in  the  rebuilding  of  the  old  Warrior  Run  church,  and  served  on 
the  building  committee.  Kilyan  Dunkel  was  a  farmer  all  his  life,  and  for 
thirty-three  years  owned  and  cultivated  a  farm  near  Muddy  run.  in  Turbut 
township.  He  was  industrious  and  energetic,  a  man  of  strict  integrity  and 
unimpeachable  character.  The  last  two  years  of  his  life  he  resided  with  his 
only  son.  Hiram,  in  Delaware  township,  and  died,  March  2,  ISTS.  He  was 
buried  in  the  cemetery  at  Paradise  church.  His  widow  still  survives,  and  is 
spending  her  declining  years  with  her  son  and  married  grandchildren. 
/  Hiram  Dunkel,  cashier  of  the  Farmer's  National  Bank  of  Watsontown, 
was  born  in  Turbut  township,  Northumberland  county,  Penn.sylvania,  March 
30,  1837,  and  is  the  only  child  of  Kilyan  and  Mary  (Slote)  Dunkel.  Up  to 
the  age  of  thirteen  he  attended  the  public  schools  in  winter  and  assisted  his 
parents  on  the  farm  in  summer.  He  subse(|uently  prosecuted  his  studies  at 
the  McEwensville  Academy  until  sixteen  years  of  age,  when  he  began  clerk- 
ing in  a  store  at  Milton.  After  spending  eight  months  as  a  clerk,  he  com- 
menced teaching  a  school  in  his  native  township,  and  he  continued  to  teach 
during  the  winter  sessions  and  assisted  his  father  on  the  farm  until  Januaiy 
14,  1858,  when  he  married  Christiann,  eldest  daughter  of  Isaac  and  Julia 
(Wolf)  Frederick.  After  his  marriage  he  devoted  his  whole  time  to  the  cul- 
tivation of  the  homestead  farm  until  the  sjiring  of  1872,  when  he  purchased 
and  removed  to  what  was  known  as  the  old  Kirk  farm,  near  the  Warrior 
Run  church,  and  continued  to  cultivate  this  farm  for  several  years.  In 
March,  1886,  the  Farmer's  National  Bank  at  Watsontown  was  organized,  and 
Mr.  Dunkel  became  identified  with  the  enterprise,  and  was  chosen  as  cashier. 
Although  he  had  no  previous  experience  in  the  banking  business,  he  has 
filled  the  position  up  to  the  present  in  a  very  creditable  and  satisfactory  man- 
ner. In  early  life  he  was  a  member  of  the  German  Reformed  denomination, 
but  after  removing  to  Warrior  Run  he  united  with  the  Presbyterian  church 
there,  in  which  he  served  as  trustee   and  elder.     Since  locating  in  Watson- 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  1073 

town  he  has  been  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church  in  that  place,  and  is 
now  tilling  the  offices  of  elder  and  trustee.  Mr.  Diinkel  has  always  been  a 
conservative  Democrat,  and  has  never  taken  an  active  interest  in  politics.  He 
is  the  father  of  one  son  and  six  daiighters:  E.  K..  of  Easton.  Pennsylvania; 
Mary  J.,  wife  of  E.  P.  Dateman;  Ada  L.,  wife  of  Ambrose  Fairchild;  Sarah 
S. :  Annie  L. ;  Bessie,  and  Kate  G. 

Samuel  Bell  Mokg.^n,  general  manager  and  treasurer  of  the  Pardee  Car 
and  Machine  Works,  of  Watsonto\vn,  was  born  at  Northumberland,  Pennsyl- 
vania, February  15,  1845,  and  is  a  son  of  Henry  and  Sarah  (Housel)  Morgan, 
who  were  born  in  Chillisquaque  township,  Northumberland  county,  in  1S()3 
and  1811,  respectively.  His  grandfather.  John  Morgan,  was  a  native  of 
County  Tyrone,  Ireland,  whither  the  great-grandfather  of  our  subject  removed 
from  Wales  while  a  single  man,  and  where  he  married  a  Miss  Bell.  John 
Morgan  was  a  son  of  that  marriage,  and  on  arriving  at  maturity  he  married 
Mary  Burns,  of  County  Tyrone,  and  about  17'J5  immigrated  with  his  wife 
and  three  children  to  Pennsylvania,  tirst  settling  at  McYej-town,  Juniata 
county.  Some  two  years  later  he  removed  to  Chillisquaque  township,  North- 
umberland county,  where  the  father  of  our  subject  was  born  and  reared.  In 
1828  Henry  Morgan  and  wife  removed  to  the  town  of  Northumberland,  where 
both  resided  until  their  death,  in  1800  and  18U0,  respectively.  They  were 
the  parents  of  eight  children,  five  of  whom  are  living:  Thaddeus  G. ;  Martin 
Luther:  William  H. ;  Celinda  J.,  wife  of  John  Volp,  and  Samuel  Bell.  The 
deceased  are:  Hamlet  H.;  Mary  E.,  and  John  Calvin.  The  last  mentioned 
died  in  March,  1805,  at  Annapolis,  Maryland,  from  sickness  contracted  in 
Southern  prisons.  Four  of  the  sons  served  in  the  L'nion  army  in  the  late 
Rebellion:  Martin  Luther:  William  H. :  Samuel  Bell,  and  John  Calvin. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  named  after  the  late  Samiiel  Bell,  of  Read- 
ing, Pennsylvania,  whose  father  was  a  brother  of  his  great-grandmother  Bell. 
He  received  a  common  school  education  in  the  public  schools  of  Northumber- 
land, attending  only  the  winter  terms  from  18511  to  l^O'iT^'^-T'om  January. 
ISO'J,  until  July,  1804,  he  clerked  in  the  postoffice  of  his  native  town.  On 
the  latter  date  he  enlisted  in  the  One  Hundred  and  Ninety-fourth  Pennsyl- 
vania Volunteers,  for  the  one  hundred  days'  service,  and  at  the  expiration  of 
his  term  he  re-enlisted  in  the  Seventy-fourth  regiment,  and  served  until 
August,  1865,  when  he  was  mustered  out.  In  October,  1805,  he  entered 
Eastman's  Business  College,  Poughkeepsie,  New  York,  and  on  the  'I'Sd  of 
December  following  he  graduated  with  the  highest  honors  in  a  class  of  twenty- 
tliree.  On  the  1st  of  March,  1800,  he  accepted  the  position  of  book-keeper 
and  clerk  in  the  general  store  of  W.  T.  Forsyth,  of  Northumberland,  Penn- 
sylvania, and  in  August,  1808,  he  was  admitted  to  a  partnership  in  the  busi- 
ness. In  1874  he  sold  his  interest  to  his  partner  and  embarked  in  the  plan- 
ing mill  business,  from  which  he  retired,  April  1.  1S70.  by  reason  of  unsatis- 
factory results.      Mr.  Morgan  then  entered  the  employ  of  Cook  &  Pardee 


1074  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

(later  A.  Pardee  &  Son)  at  Watsontdwn,  May  1,  1876,  and  the  following  June 
he  was  appointed  manager  of  the  firm's  saw  mill  and  match-stick  factory 
business,  which  position  he  filled  until  the  sale  of  the  plant,  'May  6,  1890. 
In  March,  1882,  he  was  appointed  by  Ario  Pardee,  of  Hazelton,  Pennsylvania, 
as  agent  in  charge  of  his  personal  and  real  estate  in  Watsontown  and  vicinity, 
and  in  August,  1883,  he  was  appointed  assistant  manager  of  the  Pardee  Car 
and  Machine  Works.  Upon  the  death  of  H.  F.  Snyder,  general  manager,  in 
November,  1883,  'Six.  Morgan  was  elected  by  the  firm  general  manager  and 
treasurer,  and  at  the  expiration  of  the  limited  partnership,  June  1,  1890, 
when  Ario  Pardee  became  sole  owner  of  the  works,  he  was  appointed  by 
that  gentleman  general  manager  and  treasurer,  which  position  he  still  holds. 
Mr.  Morgan  was  married.  September  IS,  1871,  to  Maggie  H.,  daughter  of 
William  and  Catherine  (Weimar)  Leighow,  of  Northumberland,  Pennsylvania. 
Three  children  are  the  fruits  of  this  union:  Walter  W.,  deceased:  lone  M., 
and  Mae;  the  last  two  reside  with  their  parents.  Politically  Mr.  Morgan  is 
a  Democrat,  and  has  served  as  a  school  director  in  Northumberland,  and  in 
the  borough  coimcil  of  Watsontown. 

S.\MUEL  Caldwell  was  born  in  Union  county,  Pennsylvania,  May  2.j, 
1818,  son  of  James  and  Nancy  (Woods)  Caldwell.  Robert  Caldwell,  the 
grandfather  of  our  subject,  immigrated  from  Ireland  to  America  about  the 
year  1790  and  located  in  what  is  now  Montour  county  (then  Northumber- 
land), Pennsylvania.  The  eldest  son,  Samuel,  died  at  Black  Rock,  while 
serving  in  the  war  of  1812.  James  Caldwell  was  born  during  the  voyage 
across  the  Atlantic.  He  was  a  farmer,  and  reared  a  famih"  of  six  children: 
Robert,  deceased:  John,  deceased;  Margaret,  widow  of  John  McWilliams; 
Samuel;  James,  of  New  Jersey,  and  Dr.  L.  T.,  deceased.  Samuel  Caldwell 
was  educated  in  the  common  schools,  and  has  followed  farming  all  his  life. 
In  1855  he  took  a  contract  on  the  construction  of  the  Catawissa  railroad,  and 
after  completing  this  he  was  engaged  ten  years  in  the  tanning  business.  He 
was  one  of  the  charter  members  of  the  Watsontown  Bank,  and  was  active  in 
securing  stock  for  the  same.  He  became  the  first  president  of  this  bank  and 
continued  as  such  four  years.  In  1884  he  was  a  candidate  for  the  legislat- 
ure on  the  Republican  ticket  and  was  defeated  by  only  one  hundred  sixty- 
four  votes  when  the  county  gave  a  Democratic  majority  of  over  eight  hun 
dred.  He  was  married,  February  22,  1844,  to  Elizabeth  A.,  daughter  of 
Thomas  and  Nancy  (Butler)  Gillen,  of  Montour  county,  Peiinsylvania,  and  to 
this  union  have  been  born  nine  children:  Thomas  G.,  a  merchant  of  Watson- 
town; Margaret;  Martha  A.,  wife  of  Ezra  Weist,  of  Fairmount,  Florida; 
Nora  A. ;  James,  who  was  one  of  the  corps  of  engineers  who  surveyed  the 
Nicaragua  canal;  Kate;  Rhoda;  Ida,  and  Pansy.  Mrs.  Caldwell  died, 
March  20,  187G,  in  the  faith  of  the  Baptist  church.  Mr.  Caldwell  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Reformed  church,  and  one  of  the  best  known  and  most  enterpris- 
ing citizens  of  Watsontown. 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  1075 

Jacob  Kremer,  ex-sheriff  and  treasurer  of  Xorthiimberland  county,  was 
born  in  Albany  township,  Berks  county,  Pennsylvania,  April  30,  1S27,  son  of 
Benjamin  and  Sarah  (Levan)  Kremer.  The  former  was  a  weaver;  he  located 
at  Milton  in  I'S^'J  and  thence  removed  successively  to  the  Stitzel  farm  near 
McEwensvilleandthe  De  Armoud  farm  near  Warrior  Run  church,  remaiuini,^ 
at  each  place  two  years  in  the  pursuit  of  his  trade.  He  engaged  in  farming 
in  White  Deer  valley  in  1834,  subsequently  kept  hotel  one  year  in  Wliitc 
Deer  township,  Union  county,  and  five  years  later  removed  to  Alleuwood, 
I'nion  county,  where  he  opened  a  hotel  and  continued  at  that  business  the 
remainder  of  his  life.  Jacob  Kremer  accompanied  his  parents  to  this  county, 
and  obtained  a  common  school  education  at  the  different  points  where  they 
successively  resided.  After  attaining  his  majority  he  embarked  in  the  stock 
business  at  Allenwood.  In  1807  he  removed  to  Armstrong  township,  Lyco- 
ming county.  Pennsylvania,  and  thence  in  1S6U  to  Williamsport,  where  he 
continued  in  the  stock  business  and  engaged  in  the  raising  of  thoroughbred 
horses.  In  April,  ISTTi,  hi'  located  at  Dewart,  Northumberland  county,  as 
proprietor  of  a  hotel,  and  in  1S7U  he  assumed  the  proiirietorship  of  the  Man- 
sion House  at  Watsoutown.  In  ISSl  he  was  the  candidate  of  the  Repiib- 
lican  party  for  sheriff  of  Northumberland  county,  but  was  defeated;  he  was 
again  nominated  in  1 884,  and  was  elected  by  a  majority  of  two  hundred  sev- 
enty-four— the  first  Republican  sheriff  in  this  county  for  a  number  of  years. 
In  1887,  before  the  expiration  of  his  term  of  office,  he  received  the  Repub- 
lican nomination  for  county  treasurer,  and  was  elected  by  a  majority  of  seven 
hundred  sixty-four,  his  largest  gains  being  at  his  home  and  where  he  was 
best  known.  Three  years  later  (180(1;  he  was  again  the  Republican  candi- 
date for  sheriff,  but  shared  in  the  general  reverses  of  his  party  in  that  year. 
Mr.  Kremer  married.  January  G,  18-34.  Julia  A.,  eldest  daughter  of  Isaac  and 
Jane  (Piatt)  Allen,  of  Allenwood,  Union  county;  of  nine  children  born  to 
them  five  are  now  living:  Sarah  Alice,  wife  of  Charles  G.  Pursell,  of  Jersey 
City,  New  Jersey:  .Vllrn  I.  and  Daniel  A.,  proprietors  of  the  Mansion  House 
at  ^^'at.sontown :  Charles  L.,  who  has  served  as  deputy  sheriff'  and  treasurer 
during  his  father's  official  terms,  and  Jennie  L. 

Samuel  M.  Miller,  retired  farmer,  was  born  near  Catawissa,  Columbia 
county,  Penn.sylvania,  November  17,  1820.  His  father,  Henry  Milli-r,  was 
born  in  Berks  coiinty,  Pennsylvania,  in  1778,  was  a  farmer,  and  died  in  ISOO. 
His  mother,  Catharine  Mastellar,  was  also  born  in  Berks  county  in  1770  and 
died  in  1840.  Her  marriage  with  Henry  Miller  gave  her  twelve  children: 
George;  Henry;  Benjamin;  Daniel;  Samuel  M. ;  John;  Susan;  Lydia;  Eliza- 
beth: Catharine:  Sarah,  and  Rebecca,  all  of  whom  are  dead  except  Samuel 
M..  John,  Sarah,  and  Rebecca.  Our  subject  was  '  educated  in  the  public 
schools,  and  is  a  farmer  by  occupation.  He  came  to  this  county  in  1804,  and 
in  ls71  settled  in  Watsontown.  He  has  been  largely  interested  in  the  tan- 
nery business,  the  car  shops,  the  Watsontown   Furniture  and  Table  Works, 


1076  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

the  Watsontowii  Boot  tind  Shoe  Com2:)any,  is  a  stockholder  in  the  Watsontowu 
National  Bank,  and  for  several  years  was  one  of  the  proprietors  of  the  Wat- 
sontown  Record ;  he  is  also  a  director  of  the  Watsontown  Cemetery  Associa- 
tion. He  was  one  of  the  trustees  of  the  Union  church,  the  first  church 
erected  in  the  town,  and  was  one  of  the  largest  subscribers  to  the  erection  of 
the  new  Lutheran  church,  of  which  he  is  an  active  and  consistent  member. 
He  is  a  Democrat  in  politics,  and  belongs  to  the  Masonic  order.  He  has 
served  as  school  director  and  in  various  township  and  borough  offices.  He 
was  married  at  Catawissa,  Columbia  county,  Pennsylvania,  April  i:l  iS-ll.to 
Emeline  Shuman,  born  at  Catawissa  in  1821,  and  a  daughter  of  Jacob  and 
Barbara  Shuman,  of  Columbia  county.  To  this  imion  have  been  born  the 
following  children:  Hulda,  wife  of  John  Earick;  Barbara,  wife  of  William 
Seeman;  Miranda  and  Amanda,  both  deceased;  Francis  H.,  of  the  firm  of 
Bower  &  Miller;  Emma,  deceased;  Charles,  and  one  who  died  in  infancy. 
Mr.  Miller  and  family  are  members  of  the  Lutheran  church,  and  he  is  one  of 
the  old  and  respected  citizens  of  the  county. 

George  Burns,  retired,  was  born  in  Sunbury,  Northumberland  county. 
Pennsylvania,  June  14,  1814,  son  of  Peter  and  Elizabeth  (Specs)  Burns. 
His  grandfather  immigrated  to  this  country  from  Scotland,  and  settled  in 
L'nion  county,  Pennsylvania.  Peter  Burns,  his  father,  was  a  pilot  on  the 
Suscptehanna  river.  He  helped  build  one  of  the  first  public  school  houses  in  the 
county  otitside  of  a  borough.  This  school  house  was  built  by  four  neighbors; 
Peter  Burns  gave  the  ground,  gave  and  hewed  the  timber,  and  carried  tlie 
nails  and  glass  for  the  building  from  Harrisburg,  a  distance  of  fifty-five 
miles,  on  his  back.  He  served  in  the  war  of  1812,  and  was  the  fatln^r  of 
thirteen  children,  five  of  whom  are  living;  Peter,  of  Wisconsin;  George,  of 
Watsontown;  Christian,  of  Union  county;  Mar>-,  Mrs.  Jacob  Frederick,  and 
Leah.  Mrs.  William  Campbell.  The  stibject  of  this  sketch  was  educated  in 
the  log  school  hoxtse  his  father  helped  build,  and  at  the  age  of  twenty-one 
went  to  the  Arctic  ocean  on  a  whaling  exjiedition;  he  returned  in  eight^-n 
months  and  learned  the  gunsmith  trade.  In  1841  he  accepted  the  contract 
to  deliver  the  stone  and  timber  for  the  Shamokin  dam.  He  then  built  the 
bridge  across  the  mouth  of  Mahanoy  creek,  after  which  he  went  to  Indiana 
and  spent  nine  years  in  that  State  farming  and  wool  growing,  after  which 
time  he  returned  to  near  the  headwaters  of  Penn's  creek,  built  a  saw  mill, 
and  ran  it  successfiilly  for  several  years,  rafting  the  products  of  the  mill 
down  Penn's  creek  to  Selinsgrove,  thence  down  the  Susqitehanna  to  the  dif- 
ferent markets.  In  1802  he  removed  to  Watsontown,  and  engaged  in  the 
mercantile  business.  He  was  one  of  the  .stockholders  of  the  tannery  and 
shoe  factory,  has  served  in  the  town  council,  and  as  president  of  the  Cemetery 
Association  since  its  organization.  Mr.  Burns  has  been  married  three  times. 
His  first  wife  was  Lucinda  McMoody,  daughter  of  John  R.  Mc^NIoody.  of 
Lower  Augusta  township,  Northumberland  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  by  her 


BIOGBAPHICAL    SKETCHES.  1077 

he  bad  seven  children,  tliree  of  whom  are  living:  Samuel  P..  of  Selinsgrove ; 
Lucy  A.,  Mrs.  Andrew  Hyronimus,  and  Sarah  J.,  Mrs.  Samuel  Wiukleman. 
His  second  wife  was  Eliza  Quinn,  and  the  third  Anna  Quinn.  dauf^hters  of 
Michael  Quinn,  of  Union  county,  Pennsylvania.  Mr.  Burns  has  been  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Masonic  order  since  1832. 

Robert  Buck,  deceased,  was  born  at  New  Ca.stle.  Delaware,  December 
14.  1827,  son  of  James  and  Mary  (Thompson)  Buck.  His  father  was  a  native 
of  Ireland,  and  died  in  October,  1869;  the  mother  was  a  native  of  Delaware, 
and  died  in  1872.  They  were  the  parents  of  tw-elve  children,  seven  of  whom 
are  livirio-:  David,  of  Iowa:  Margaret,  Mrs.  Absalom  Barben,  of  Chester 
coiTnty.  Pennsylvania;  Mary  E. ;  Samuel,  of  Eenovo,  Pennsylvania:  -John,  of 
Driftwood,  Pennsylvania;  James,  of  Harri.sburg.  and  William.  The  subject 
of  this  sketch  received  a  common  school  education,  and  engaged  in  the  boot 
and  shoe  business  at  Loudon  Grove,  Penn.sylvania,  and  in  1804  embarked  in 
railroading,  first  as  a  laborer,  and  then  took  charge  of  construction.  In  1871 
he  was  apjwinted  supervisor  by  the  Pennsylvania  Eailroad  Company,  and 
cuntiuued  in  that  position  up  to  his  death,  January  7.  IS'.Ht.  He  was  mar- 
ried in  1855  to  Ruth  A.  John,  who  died  in  1808.  leaving  three  children: 
Ernmaline.  Mrs.  H.  P.  McKee;  Mary  H..  Mrs.  Edwin  B.  Hogue,  and  Jennie, 
Mrs.  William  Eossel.  He  was  again  married  in  June,  18711.  to  Elizabeth 
A.  Si'iler.  of  this  county,  and  to  this  union  has  been  born  oui'  child.  Robert 
'M.  [Mr.  Buck  was  a  nieml)cr  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  of  Watson- 
town,  also  a  member  of  ^\'atsoutowu  Lodge,  No.  4li].  F.  c\:  A. -lil.  Warrior 
Run  Chajtter,  and  Baldwin  Coniinandery.  No.  22,  of  Williainsport.  Peuusyl- 
vaiiia. 

Simpson  Smith  was  born  in  Lycoming  county,  Pennsylvainia.  March  22, 
1S21,  son  of  Jonathan  and  Annie  (Simpson)  Smith,  natives  of  Montgomery 
county.  Pennsylvania.  The  grandfather  of  our  subject  built  the  tirst  grist 
and  saw  mill  erected  on  Muncy  creek,  in  Lycoming  comity.  Jonathan  Smith, 
father  of  our  subject,  died,  April  7,  1S54;  his  wife  died.  November  18.  18o2. 
They  were  the  parents  of  nine  children:  Hannah;  Sarah;  John:  George;  Bar- 
clay; EfiSe;  Mary  A.;  Thomas,  and  Simpson,  all  deceased  but  the  last  two 
named.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  attended  the  public  schools,  after  which 
he  began  business  life  as  a  farmer  and  lumberman.  He  came  to  this  county 
in  1S()7  and  located  on  a  farm,  and  in  1S7U  removed  to  Watsonto^\Ti.  At  the 
organization  of  the  Farmers'  National  Bank  of  Watsontown  in  ISb'i.  he  was 
chosen  president,  and  served  in  that  position  until  January  1.  ISUl.  He  was 
married,  March  22,  1855,  to  Charlotte  Opp,  of  Lycoming  coimty,  and  to  this 
union  have  been  born  four  children:  George,  a  cattle  dealer,  of  Kansas; 
Allison  O.,  a  lawyer  of  Clearfield,  Pennsylvania:  Clara  S..  wife  of  Rev.  M. 
A.  Denman,  of  Schuylersville,  New  York,  and  Thomas  K..  of  Watsontown. 
Mr.  Smith  was  one  of  the  trustees  of  the  Presbyterian  church  of  Wat.-5ontown, 
of  which  he  and  wife  are  memliers. 


1078  HISTORY    OF   XORTHUIIBERLAND    COUNTY. 

Samuel  De  Aemond,  retii-ed  farmer,  was  born  in  Xorthiimberland  county, 
Pennsylvania,  March  22,  1811.  son  of  Samuel  and  Esther  (Wallace)  De  Ar- 
mond.  His  grandfather  emigrated  from  Scotland  to  Ireland,  from  there  to 
America,  and  located  in  Daupliin  county,  Pennsylvania.  The  De  Armond 
and  Wallace  families  came  from  Dauphin  county  to  Northumberland  county 
about  17U3,  and  settled  near  the  present  site  of  the  Warrior  Run  Presby- 
terian church.  Samuel  De  Armond  was  the  father  of  seven  children,  but 
two  of  whom  are  living:  Thomas  and  Samuel.  He  died  in  1818,  and  his 
widow  in  January,  ISol.  The  subject  of  our  sketch  was  educated  in  the  old 
log  school  house,  and  followed  farming  as  an  occupation  until  1873,  when 
he  removed  to  Watsontown  to  live  a  retired  life.  He  was  married  in  1842 
to  Rebecca  G.  Ferguson,  a  native  of  this  county,  and  to  this  union  were  born 
five  children:  Hadssah  G. ;  William  W. ;  Andrew  W.;  Thomas  D..  and  Sam- 
uel E.,  all  of  whom  are  dead  except  the  last  mentioned.  Mr.  De  Armond 
and  wife  are  members  of  the  Warrior  Run  Presbyterian  church. 

JoH\  M.  Kirk  was  born  in  Northumberland  county,  Pennsylvania,  Octo- 
ber 14,  1815,  son  of  William  and  Jane  (Kno.\)  Kirk.  His  grandfather,  Moses 
Kirk,  emigrated  from  Scotland  at  an  early  date,  and  located  at  the  Warrior 
Run  church,  this  county.  At  the  time  of  the  surrender  of  Fort  Freeland  to 
the  British  and  Indians  in  177'.*.  the  treaty  guaranteed  the  women  and 
children  freedom,  while  the  men  wi>re  to  remain  prisoners.  Mary  Kirk, 
the  widow  of  Moses  Kirk,  with  her  ten  children,  was  in  the  fort;  she  put 
dresses  on  hi'r  little  boys  and  j)a^sed  them  out  as  girls,  and  thus  obtained 
their  freedom.  William  Kirk,  father  of  our  .sul)ject,  sold  his  farm  in  tliis 
county  in  182U,  and  removed  to  Monroe  county,  New  York,  where  he  pur- 
chased a  farm.  He  was  the  father  of  eleven  children,  only  two  of  whom  are 
living:  William,  of  Monroe  county.  New  York,  and  Mary,  residing  in  Michi- 
gan. Ho  died,  June  S,  1842,  and  his  widow  in  May,  1862.  The  sul)ject  of 
this  sketch  was  educated  in  the  public  schools,  and  followed  the  occupation 
of  farmer.  He  was  married.  June  S.  1 S43,  to  ^Margaret  Burns,  who  died 
leaving  five  children:  Myron  B. :  William  T. ;  John  F. ;  Frank  E.,  and 
Ettie  L.,  deceased.  He  was  again  married,  October  28,  1878,  to  Catharine, 
daughter  of  James  Kirk.  Mr.  Kirk  was  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian 
church  up  to  his  death,  March  8il.  18'J<),  to  which  faith  his  widow  also  ad- 
heres. 

Thom.^s  Kirk  was  born  in  Northumberland  county,  Pennsylvania,  March 
15,  1821,  son  of  James  and  Marj-  (Foster)  Kirk.  The  grandfather  of  our 
subject  came  to  this  county  before  the  Revolutionary  war,  and  purchased  a 
farm,  the  deed  of  which  is  written  on  sheepskin,  and  signed  by  William  Penn. 
The  parents  of  our  subject  were  natives  of  this  coiuity,  and  reared  a  family 
of  ten  children,  two  of  whom  are  living:  Catharine,  who  married  John  Kirk, 
and  Thomas.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  educated  in  the  public  schools, 
and  has  followed  the  occupation  of  farming  all  his  life.  He  is  a  member  of 
the  Warrior  Run  Presbyterian  church. 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  1079 

Si:«oN  Laktz  was  bom  in  Xortliumbcrland  county,  Penusylvauia,  Sep- 
tember 21.  1^14.  and  was  a  son  of  Henry  and  Christiana  (Follmer)  Lantz. 
Henry  Lantz  was  born  in  Berks  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  came  to  this 
county  when  a  boy.  He  followed  farming',  and  was  the  father  of  ten  chil- 
dren, three  of  whom  are  hvintr;  Mary,  wife  of  Charh's  Brown,  of  Ohio: 
Christiana,  wife  of  Jonas  Fox,  of  Michigan,  and  Jonathan,  of  Goshen. 
Indiana.  Our  sixbject  was  educated  in  the  subscription  schools,  and  followed 
farming  all  his  life.  He  was  married  in  Xovember,  1S43,  to  Harriet,  daugh- 
ter of  Grigtrs  Marsli.  and  to  this  union  were  born  five  children:  Catharine, 
wife  of  G.  V,'.  Eombach:  S.  Griggs,  and  thn^e  who  died  when  voung.  Mr. 
Lantz  remained  on  his  farm  iintil  the  spring  of  ISS'.J,  when  he  moved  to 
Watsonto\vn  to  spend  the  remainder  of  his  life  in  retirement.  He  was  a 
consistent  member  of  the  Reformed  cluxrch  of  Watsontown  up  to  his  death 
January  Id.  IS'HI.  to  whicli  denomination  his  widow  belongs. 

Joseph  Aleuk.ht.  retired,  was  born  at  AUentown,  Pennsylvania.  Julv  '>, 
]S:^r..  son  of  Charles  S.  and  Esther  (Xewhart)  Albright.  The  father  of  our 
subject  was  a  tailor  by  trade.  l)nt  was  engaged  in  the  latter  part  of  his 
life  in  farming.  He  died  in  Ib'iT,  his  widow  in  bSM.  They  were  the 
parents  of  twelve  children;  eleven  grew  to  maturity,  and  .six  are  now  livin": 
George  W..  of  Oregon;  John  T. ;  Joseph:  Charles  F..  of  Iowa:  Esther,  and 
Lizzie.  The  subject  of  our  sketch  received  his  education  at  the  public 
schools,  and  at  the  age  of  twenty  learned  the  trade  of  i)lasterer.  He  came 
to  this  county  in  1S.">(j,  and  worked  at  his  trade  until  August,  ISfVi.  when  he 
enlisted  in  Company  B,  One  Hundred  and  Thirty-first  Pennsylvania  Vol- 
unteers, and  served  nine  months.  He  again  enlisted  in  Feliruary,  1804,  in 
Company  K.  One  Hundred  and  Twelfth  Hea^y  Artillery,  and  served  until  the 
close  of  the  war.  He  was  taken  prisoner  at  Peter.sburg.  July  ^(X  1804,  and 
was  confined  in  Danville  and  Libby  prisons  until  ilarch  HI,  ISCi,").  After 
the  war  he  worked  at  his  trade  one  year,  engaged  in  the  livery  business 
eight  years,  and  returned  to  his  trade  until  ]SM.  He  was  married  in 
December,  lS-")8.  to  Mary  A.  Tate,  of  Milton,  and  to  this  union  were  born 
four  children:  David;  John  S.  and  Elmer  C.  twins,  and  William  N.  Mr. 
Albright  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  and  he 
is  a  member  of  the  G.  A.  E. 

Andrew  M.  Lowky,  retired  minister  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  was  born 
in  Northumlierland  county,  Pennsylvania,  June  21,  1820,  son  of  James  M. 
and  Sarah  (Laird)  Lowry.  His  grandfather  emigrated  from  Ireland  and 
located  in  Columbia  county,  Pennsylvania.  James  Lowry  was  a  farmer; 
he  went  to  the  war  of  1812,  but  was  too  late  for  active  service.  He  was 
born,  June  1-".  1792,  and  died,  March  17.  1871:  his  wife  died.  December  L"), 
180(5.  Thev  were  the  parents  of  eleven  children,  five  of  whom  are  living: 
Elizabeth,  Mrs.  Samuel  McKean:  Margaret,  Mrs.  Joseph  G.  Durham: 
Andrew  M. :  Jane  W.,  and  Mary  E.      The  stibject  of  our  sketch  was  editcated 


1080  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

at  the  common  schools,  Lafayette  College,  Easton,  Pennsylvania,  and  Wash- 
ington College,  now  known  as  Lee  University,  Lexington,  Virginia,  graduat- 
ing from  the  last  named  in  June,  1850,  after  which  he  spent  three  years  at 
Princeton  Theological  Seminary.  He  spent  several  months  doing  the  work 
of  an  evangelist.  His  first  charge  was  at  Port  Carbon,  Schuylkill  county, 
Pennsylvania,  where  he  remained  twenty-one  and  a  half  years,  and  his 
ministry  was  crowned  with  much  success.  Owing  to  ill  health  he  has  not 
accepted  a  charge  since  1877,  when  he  removed  to  Watsontown,  where  he 
has  lived  a  comparatively  retired,  though  very  far  from  an  idle  life.  He 
preaches  occasionally,  and  renders  such  ministerial  service  as  circumstances 
call  for  and  the  condition  of  his  health  will  permit. 

Is.\AC  N.  Messinger,  hardware  merchant,  was  born  in  Union  county, 
Pennsylvania,  November  22,  1841,  son  of  Aaron  and  Susan  (Royer)  Messin- 
ger. Aaron  Messinger  was  a  farmer  by  occupation,  and  died,  June  7,  18SU. 
He  was  the  father  of  seven  children:  Isaac  N. ;  Joe  R. ;  Mary,  wife  of 
Kilian  Dunkel,  of  Reading,  Pennsylvania;  Kate,  wife  of  Samuel  Linthurst, 
of  Muncy,  Pennsylvania;  Susan,  wife  of  Dr.  T.  H.  Fisher,  of  New  York: 
Ethan  A.,  and  Horace  A.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  educated  in  the 
common  schools  and  at  J.  M.  Kelso's  Institute,  Danville,  Pennsylvania.  He 
enlisted,  April  lU,  1801,  in  Company  G,  Eleventh  Pennsylvania  Volunteers, 
in  the  three  months'  service,  returned  and  taught  school  one  term,  and  re- 
enlisted  in  Company  B,  One  Himdred  and  Thirty-first  Pennsylvania  Volun- 
teers, in  which  he  served  nine  months;  he  again  enlisted  in  August,  1864,  in 
the  Seventh  Pennsylvania  Cavalry,  and  was  mustered  out  in  June,  ISCo. 
He  came  to  Watsontown  in  1807,  and,  in  partnership  with  Phineas  Leiser, 
engaged  in  the  mercantile  business,  continuing  one  year,  when  he  opened  a 
new  store  composed  of  hardware,  groceries,  and  wall  paper,  in  which  busi- 
ness he  has  since  continued.  He  has  also  been  interested  in  farming  since 
1879  and  has  been  remarkably  successful  in  both.  Mr.  Messinger  has  served 
as  a  member  of  the  town  council  several  terms,  and  at  present  is  the  presi- 
dent of  the  school  board.  He  was  married,  September  2,  1809,  to  Sarah  E. 
Mackey,  and  to  this  union  have  been  born  seven  children,  five  of  whom  are 
living:  Rachel;  Isaac  N. :  Bessie;  Carl,  and  Ruth.  Mr.  Messinger  is  a 
member  of  the  G.  A.  R.  and  the  Masonic  order. 

Josi.\H  Stewart,  merchant,  was  born  in  Carbon  county,  Pennsylvania, 
March  25,  1830,  son  of  Joseph  and  Maria  (Leigh)  Stewart  the  former  a 
native  of  Berks  county,  and  the  latter  of  Germany.  The  Stewart  family  is 
of  Scotch  descent.  David  J.  Stewart,  the  grandfather  of  our  subject,  and  his 
mother  were  the  only  ones  of  the  Stewart  family  not  killed  by  the  Indians. 
Joseph  Stewart  was  a  farmer  of  Schuylkill  county,  Pennsylvania.  He  died 
in  1874,  and  his  wife  in  1S83.  They  reared  a  family  of  ten  children:  David 
L. ;  Josiah;  James;  William;  Edwin;  Hettie;  Mary  A.;  Solomon;  George,  and 
Levi,  deceased.     The  subject  of  our  sketch  obtained  his  education  by  diligent 


^^co-^ 


BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES.  1083 

self-npi:ilication,  not  having  the  Oi)poi-tunity  of  going  to  school  when  youno-. 
He  was  engaged  at  farming  and  the  coal  mines  until  he  enlisted  in  Company 
A,  One  Hundred  and  Seventy-third  Pennsylvania  Volunteers,  and  served  ten 
months.  In  1873  he  removed  to  Watsontown  and  engaged  in  the  coal  and 
grocery  business.  He  was  married,  November  12,  1803,  to  Sarah  Groe,  of 
Northumberland  county,  and  to  this  imion  have  been  born  four  children: 
Harry  C,  of  Shamokin;  Gertrude:  Oliver,  and  Emma,  deceased.  Mr.  Stewart 
and  wife  are  members  of  the  Lutheran  church,  and  he  is  a  member  of  Bry- 
son  Post,  Xo.  22-').  G.  A.  E. 
y  J.  A.  Weidenhamee,  merchant,  was  born  in  Berks  county,  Penn.sylvauia. 

Ajiril  •"),  1830,  son  of  Jacob  and  Susanna  (Dreibelbis)  Weidenhamer.  His 
father  was  a  farmer  by  occupation:  he  died  in  1803,  and  his  wife  in  18sT. 
They  reared  the  following  children:  "Wellington,  a  tanner  and  justice  of  the 
peace  in  Montour  cotmty:  Sarah,  deceased;  William;  Daniel,  of  Milton;  John 
A. ;  Mary  E.,  and  Mouser,  of  ;Milton.  The  subject  of  our  sketch  was  edu- 
cated at  the  common  schools,  and  at  the  age  of  fourteen  began  clerking  in 
his  brother's  store.  In  LS'm  he  bought  C.  B.  Eeifsnyder"s  general  store  at 
Dewart,  Xorthumljerland  county,  and  in  1882  removed  to  Watsontown  and 
opened  a  general  store,  where  he  has  since  been  engaged  in  business.  He 
was  married,  November  1.  18."i'.i.  to  Sarah  A.  Deitzman,  and  they  are  the 
parents  of  three  children:  Charles  D.;  Horace  G.,  and  Walter  L.  He  and 
wife  are  members  of  the  Lutheran  church,  in  which  he  has  served  in  the 
otlice  of  deacon. 

W.  T.  Russell,  merchant,  was  born  in  Northuml)erland  county,  Pennsyl- 
vania, Jantiary  31,  1850,  son  of  John  and  Mary'  (Tweed)  Russell.  The  Rus- 
.sell  family  are  the  descendants  of  Andrew  Russell,  great-grandfather  of  otir 
subject,  and  his  brother,  who  removed  from  Delaware  to  this  county.  John 
Russell,  father  of  our  subject,  was  a  carpenter  by  trade,  but  was  engaged  the 
latter  part  of  his  life  in  farming.  He  was  born,  February  21,  1817,  and  died, 
June  11),  1880.  He  was  the  father  of  ten  children:  John  A.;  Albert  P.; 
Mary  H. ;  Sarah  T. :  Preston  W..  and  John  A.,  all  deceased;  and  Isabel,  wife 
of  E.  H.  Russell:  William  T. :  Ella  L.,  and  James  H.  In  politics  he  was  a 
Republican,  and  served  in  varioiLs  local  offices.  The  subject  of  this  sketch 
was  educated  in  the  public  schix)ls.  and  in  1878  began  clerking  in  the  gen- 
eral store  of  J.  E.  Durham,  and  afterwards  became  a  partner.  In  188tt  he 
sold  his  interest,  and  opened  a  drv"  goods  and  notion  store,  which  he  has  since 
conducted.  He  was  married,  September  7,  1881,  to  Maud  D.  Himter,  of 
Watsontown,  and  by  this  union  they  have  had  three  children:  Helen,  de- 
ceased: Isabel,  and  Mary.  Mr.  Russell  is  a  member  of  the  I.  0.  O.  F.,  and 
n  Knight  of  the  Golden  Eagle. 

H.  W.  Hagexbuch,  jihotographer,  was  born  in  Columbia  county,  Penn- 
sylvania, March  28,  1834,  son  of  Charles  and  Elizabeth  (Hess)  Hagenliuch. 
natives  of  Berks   and  Columbia  coimties,    respectively.       The  father  was  a 


1084  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

blacksmith  by  trade,  but  devoted  part  of  his  time  to  farming.  He  died  in 
1870,  and  his  widow  two  years  later.  They  reared  a  family  of  eight  children; 
Artemns,  deceased;  Henry  W. ;  Matilda,  Mrs.  Cornelius  Scales,  of  New 
Hamjishire;  Lavina;  Hiram;  Selicia,  Mrs.  Daniel  Menges;  Sarah  E.,  Mrs. 
Henry  Dieffenbach,  and  Emma  E.  The  subject  of  onr  sketch  was  educated 
in  the  public  schools,  and  in  1858  learned  the  daguerreotype  business.  In 
September,  1861,  he  enlisted  in  Company  H,  Fifty -third  Pennsylvania  Vol- 
unteers, and  served  one  year.  He  again  turned  his  attention  to  photograph- 
ing, and  has  continued  at  it  since.  In  1870  he  settled  in  Watsontown,  where 
he  has  devoted  his  whole  time  to  his  business.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Lu- 
theran chiirch  of  Watsontown. 

Samuel  G.  Fkey,  proprietor  of  a  bakery  and  manufacturer  of  confection- 
ery, was  born  in  Berks  county,  Pennsylvania,  September  IS,  1835,  son  of 
Charles  and  Sarah  (Kitter)  Frey,  natives  of  Montgomery  and  Berks  counties, 
respectively.  His  father  was  a  carpenter,  and  devoted  his  whole  life  to  that 
occupation.  He  died,  July  20,  1888,  and  his  widow,  Ajiril  21,  ISS'J,  leaving 
a  family  of  five  children:  Samuel  G. ;  Henry,  of  Colorado;  Francis  R.,  of 
Lewisburg;  Charles  A.,  of  Montandon,  and  John  W.,  of  Arkan.sas.  Our  sub- 
ject was  educated  in  the  common  schools,  and  his  first  business  venture  was 
at  farming  and  teaching  school,  after  which  he  kept  hotel  at  Montandon  three 
years,  and  during  which  time  he  started  a  general  store  at  that  place  which 
he  conducted  five  years.  He  then  ran  a  wholesale  store  boat  for  four  years 
on  the  Pennsylvania  canal,  afterwards  returning  to  a  .store  in  Montandon, 
where  he  manufactured  confectionery.  In  1870  he  came  to  Watsontown, 
where  he  conducted  his  confectionery  business  in  connection  with  a  drug 
store;  he  abandoned  the  latter  in  1878.  He  was  elected  surveyor  of  North- 
umberland county  in  1874,  re-elected  in  1877,  and  served  six  years.  He  was 
married,  January  1,  1857,  to  Deborah  Hackenberg,  of  Snyder  county,  Penn- 
sylvania, and  to  this  union  have  been  born  foiir  children:  Sarah  C,  wife  of 
H.  M.  Knowlton,  of  Elk  county,  Pennsylvania;  Emma  J.,  at  home;  Mary  E. 
L.,  wife  of  S.  B.  Hilliard,  and  William  H.,  who  died  in  infancy.  Mr.  Frey 
is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  order,  is  connected  with  the  Lutheran  church, 
and  his  family  are  attendants  of  the  Baptist  church. 

J.  F.  McClure,  physician  and  surgeon,  was  born  along  the  west  branch 
of  Brandy  Wine,  Chester  county,  Pennsylvania,  May  19,  1850,  son  of  James 
and  Francina  (McCalmant)  McClure.  John  McChire,  the  great-grandfather 
of  our  subject,  and  his  brother,  Joseph,  with  a  colony  of  about  two  hundred 
persons,  were  banished  from  the  North  of  Ireland  on  account  of  their  relig- 
ious opinions,  in  the  year  1080.  They  immigrated  to  America  and  John  and 
Joseph  purchased  a  tract  of  land  from  the  sons  of  William  Penn  in  Chester 
county,  Pennsylvania,  which  is  still  owned  by  their  descendants.  James 
McClure,  the  father  of  J.  F.  McClure,  died  in  1860  and  was  buried  in  the 
Presbyterian  grave-yard  at  Honey  Brook,  Chester  county.     His  widow  died 


BIOGKAl'HICAL     SKETCHES.  1085 

in  1S70  leaving  four  children:  Sarah,  wife  of  Wesloy  Good;  Elizabeth,  wife 
of  George  Prutsman;  Hannah,  deceased,  and  John  F.  The  last  nanu'd 
received  his  education  at  Kingston  Seminary.  He  taught  two  years  in  Law- 
renceville  Academy,  Tioga  county.  Pennsylvania,  after  which  he  began  the 
study  of  medicine  with  R.  B.  Smith  of  Tioga,  this  State.  He  then  attended 
Bellevue  Medical  College,  from  which  he  was  graduated  in  IS"-'),  and  the 
following  April  located  at  Watsontown.  where  he  has  built  up  an  excellent 
practice.  He  was  married,  August  IS,  lS7-"i,  to  Jennie  Mills,  of  Steuben 
county,  New  York.  He  is  a  prominent  memlaer  of  the  Masonic  order,  and 
one  of  the  censors  of  the  Medico-Surgical  College  of  Philadelj^hia.  He  is  a 
member  of  tlie  Northumlierland  County  Medical  Society,  has  served  in  the 
Viorough  council  of  Watsontown  for  three  years,  acting  as  secretary  of  that 
body,  has  )>oen  a  member  of  the  school  board  for  six  years,  three  of  which 
he  was  secretary  of  the  same,  and  in  IMIl  was  elected  chief  burgess  of  Wat- 
•sontown. 

Fuller  S.  Dere.  physician  and  surgeon,  was  born  in  Lycoming  county, 
Pennsylvania,  Novernbtn-  4.  1S()0.  son  of  Jolin  F.  and  Sarah  (Houseknecht) 
Derr,  natives  of  Lycoming  county.  Our  sulijrct's  jiaternal  great-grandfather 
immigrated  from  Germany  at  an  early  date  and  located  in  Montour  county, 
Pennsylvania,  where  his  grandfather,  Christopher  Derr,  was  born,  and  from 
whom  the  present  Derr  family  have  descended.  Christopher  Derr  removed 
into  Lycoming  county  and  died  there.  John  F.  Derr  is  a  farmer,  and 
in  ISTl  he  moved  from  Lycoming  to  Montour  county,  where  he  has  resided 
ever  since.  He  has  reared  nine  children:  Judson ;  Alice,  wife  of  John  Krumm: 
Hiram  H.  deceased:  Fuller  S. :  Pliebe  J.,  wife  of  Albert  Mutlly:  Elmer  B. : 
Mill's  J.:  Homer  M..  and  Annie  F.  Our  subject  was  educated  in  the  com- 
mon schools  and  at  Bucknell  University.  He  began  tlie  study  of  medicine 
under  Dr.  E.  H.  Horner,  of  Turbutville,  and  was  graduated  from  Jefferson 
^Medical  College,  Philadelphia,  March  2i),  INSI.  He  immediately  formed  a 
partnership  with  his  preceptor,  which  continued  four  years,  when  he  removed 
to  Watsontown,  where  he  has  since  devoted  liis  entire  attention  to  the 
practice  of  his  profession.  Doctor  Derr  was  married.  December  '11.  1SS8, 
to  Annie  Schmucker,  of  Watsontown.  and  has  one  child.  Woods  F.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Masonic  order,  and  one  of  the  well  known  citizens  of  his 
adopted  home. 

Dr.  J.  E.  HorsEL,  dentist,  was  l)orn  in  ^liltdu,  ■NorthumlM^rlaud  coirnty, 
Pennsylvania,  January  15,  1840,  son  of  Isaac  and  Mary  (HougendoV)ler) 
Housel,  natives  of  this  county.  The  Housel  family  originally  came  from 
Holland,  but  the  grandparents  came  from  New  Jersey  to  this  comity.  His 
paternal  grandfather  served  in  the  war  of  1812,  and  his  great-grandparents 
on  both  sides  served  in  the  Revolutionary  war.  Isaac  Hoiisel  was  the  father 
of  the  following  children:  J.  R. ;  Annie,  widow  of  William  Everard;  George, 
deceased;  Miller,  deceased;  Frances  E.,  widow  of  Lindsley  Priestley:  Sallie  S. ; 


1086  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

Jolinstoa,  of  Milton,  and  Kate  C,  deceased.  He  died,  August  28,  1872.  The 
subject  of  our  sketch  was  educated  at  the  common  schools  of  Reading  and  the 
Nickson  Street  grammar  school  of  Philadelphia.  He  studied  dentistry  with 
Dr.  H.  H.  Martin,  of  Jersey  Shore,  Pennsylvania,  began  practicing  in  Milton  in 
1860,  and  came  to  Watsontown  in  1878.  He  enlisted  in  the  Fourteenth 
Pennsylvania  Emei-gency  regiment  in  1862,  and  re-enlisted,  February  28,  1865, 
as  a  private,  in  Company  E,  Seventy-fourth  Pennsylvania  Volunteers,  and 
served  until  the  close  of  the  war.  He  was  married.  December  31,  1863,  to 
Rebecca  J.  Smith,  of  Jersey  Shore,  Lycoming  county,  and  to  this  union  have 
been  born  two  children:  Edgar  L.  and  Mary  B.  Doctor  Housel  and  wife 
are  members  of  the  Methodist  church,  and  he  is  a  member  of  the  G.  A.  R. 

Edgar  L.  Housel,  dentist,  was  born  in  McEwensville,  Northumberland 
county,  Pennsylvania,  son  of  J.  R.  Housel.  He  was  educated  at  the  Watson- 
to^\^^  high  school;  and  at  the  age  of  sixteen  he  entered  the  dental  oiWce  of 
his  father,  and  in  1886)  the  Pennsylvania  Dental  College  at  Philadelphia,  and 
graduated  in  1888.  He  located  in  Watsontown  in  the  same  office  with  his 
father,  where  he  has  devoted  his  whole  attention  to  his  chosen  profession. 
He  was  married,  December  12,  ISSS,  to  M.  Clemence.  daughter  of  Charles 
Heilmau.     Doctor  Housel  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  order. 

Lew  C  Fosxot,  editor  and  publisher  of  the  Watsontown  Star,  was  born, 
February  8,  1848,  in  Cumberland  county,  Pennsylvania.  His  father,  Jacob 
Fosnot,  was  born  in  Lancaster  county,  Pennsylvania,  in  1799,  was  a  weaver 
by  trade,  and  died  in  18-")().  His  mother,  Mary  Yanderbilt,  was  born  in 
Cumberland  county,  Pennsylvania,  in  18(14,  and  died  in  1872.  Her  union 
with  Jacob  Fosnot  gave  her  twelve  children,  eight  of  whom  grew  to  maturity : 
William  C;  Mary  Jane;  Martha  M.;  JohnC. ;  Jo.shuaV. ;  Edward  A.;  Lew 
C,  and  Henry  J.  Our  subject  received  his  education  in  the  common  schools 
of  Cumberland  county,  and  began  learning  the  printer's  trade,  working  at 
that  at  intervals  until  1864.  He  began  his  business  career  clerking  in  a 
country  store,  following  this  with  labor  on  the  line  of  the  Cumberland  Valley 
railroad  for  three  years;  he  also  drove  a  huckster  wagon  and  worked  ujion  a 
farm.  June  30,  1864,  he  enli.sted  as  a  private  in  Batteiy  G,  Second  Penn- 
sylvania Artillery,  and  served  until  Januan,-  29.  18^)6,  with  the  Army  of  the 
Potomac  and  the  Army  of  the  James.  He  was  employed  in  the  United  States 
weather  bureau  for  three  months,  and  began  the  printing  and  publishing 
business  in  1871,  which  he  has  continued  to  date.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
G.  A.  R.  and  the  L  O.  0.  F.,  is  a  Democrat  in  politics,  and  somewhat  liberal 
in  his  religious  belief.  He  was  married,  Januars-  23,  1871,  at  Nevrville, 
Pennsylvania,  to  Belle  Westafer,  of  Cumberland  coimty,  Penn.sylvania,  who 
was  born  in  1850.  To  this  union  have  been  born  the  following  children:  Lula 
Maud,  who  died  in  1879;  Bessie  Irene,  who  died  in  1877,  and  John  Clyde. 

J.  Ward  Diehl,  editor  and  proprietor  of  the  Wat.sontown  Blade,  is  a  son 
of  Alfred  Diehl,  a  baker  of  Watsontown,  and  was  bom  at  Laurelton,  Union 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  1087 

county,  Pennsylvania.  August  31,  LsOT.  He  was  apprenticed  to  the  "art 
preservative"  in  a  printing  shoj)  at  bis  present  home,  and  on  the  completion 
of  his  trade  was  tendered  the  foremanship  of  the  Williamsport  Sunday  Break- 
fast Table,  which  position  he  accepted  and  held  for  eighteen  months.  He 
founded  the  Blade  in  ISS'J.  ,  During  a  vacation  on  the  Breakfast  Table  given 
him  on  account  of  imi3aired  health,  he  started  for  Colorado  as  a  special  con- 
tributor to  the  Philadelphia  Sunday  Press,  but  did  not  get  farther  than  Kan- 
sas owing  to  sickness  e?i  route.  Prior  to  going  into  the  newspaper  business, 
he  was  employed  at  the  Cook  &  Pardee  match-stick  factory,  where  he  earned 
his  first  money.  His  education  was  very  limited,  and  he  is  a  true  specimen 
of  a  "print-shop  educated  man."  His  tirst  contributions,  under  the  iwni- 
de-plnme  of  Sam  Sykes,  were  of  a  hiunorous  nature  and  were  "set  from  the 
case."  They  attracted  considerable  attention,  and  Sam  Sykes  soon  gained 
a  local  reputation.  Mr.  Diehl  was  married.  January  18,  ISUl,  to  Sadie 
C,  daughter  of  Eev.  S.  P.  Orwig,  of  Montgomery.  Lycoming  coimty,  Penn- 
sylvania. 

Thompson  Bower,  president  of  the  Watsontown  National  Bank,  was  born 
in  Washington  township,  Lycoming  county.  Pennsylvania,  March  'J,  1826, 
son  of  John  and  Sarah  (Quinn)  Bower,  the  former  a  native  of  New  Jersey 
and  the  latter  of  Ireland,  both  of  whom  spent  the  greater  part  of  their  lives 
in  Lycoming  county.  Thompson  was  reared  a  farmer,  and  has  followed  agri- 
cultural pursuits  all  his  life.  He  lived  in  Lycoming  and  Union  counties, 
successively,  until  1SS4,  when  he  came  to  Watsoutown,  where  he  has  since 
resided.  He  has  been  president  of  the  Watsontown  National  Bank  several 
years,  and  is  one  of  tlie  substantial  citizens  of  the  town.  Mr.  Bower  was 
married,  Xovemlx-r  IT),  1S4U,  to  Catharine  A.,  daughter  of  Christian  Gosh, 
of  Northumberland  county.  She  was  bom  in  Lycoming  county,  and  is  the 
mother  of  three  children:  Laura  E..  wife  of  R.  M.  Griffey;  J.'  G.,  of  Wat- 
sontown. and  ilargaret  J.,  wife  of  George  W.  Crane.  Mr.  Bower  is  a 
Democrat,  and  both  he'  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Lutheran  church. 

William  Bly.  ferryman,  was  born  in  Union  county,  Penn.sylvania.  His 
father.  Captain  John  Bly.  was  born,  December  IS,  1814,  and  was  married  in 
183:)  to  Lydia  Rhoads.  and  to  this  union  were  born  ten  sons,  all  of  whom 
grew  to  maturity  but  Edwin,  the  youngest,  who  died  at  the  age  of  seventeen 
months.  Those  living  are:  Joseph;  David,  a  broker  of  WiUiamsport ;  James, 
a  ferryman  of  West  Milton,  and  William,  all  of  whom  served  in  the  war  of 
the  Rebellion;  Manoah;  Charles;  Alem;  Phineas,  and  John  A.,  of  Buffalo, 
New  York,  Captain  John  Bly  was  one  of  the  original  settlers  of  Watson- 
town, having  resided  there  over  fifty  years.  He  was  one  of  the  tirst  to 
establish  the  ferry  at  that  place,  and  was  captain  on  a  canal  boat  on  the 
Pennsylvania  canal  about  fifteen  years.  In  ISOG  he  bought  the  ferry  across 
the  Susquehanna  river  at  Watsontown,  and  operated  it  until  his  death. 
William,  the  subject  of  our  sketch,  was  married.  December  23,  1809,  to  Mary 


1088  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

Bower,  who  died,  February  7,  1884,  leaving  four  childi-en:  Elizabeth;  John; 
Minnie,  and  William.  He  was  again  married,  February  14,  1887,  to  Annie 
Wallize.  of  Watsontown.  Mr.  Bly  enlisted  in  Company  B,  (Captain  David 
Ely's),  One  Hundred  and  Thirty-first  Pennsylvania  Volunteers,  August  1, 
1862,  and  served  nine  months;  he  subsequently  served  three  months  in  the 
One  Hundred  and  Xinety-fourth  regiment,  and  one  year  in  the  Seventh 
Pennsylvania  Cavalry.  He  is  a  member  of  the  G.  A.  R.  and  of  the  Masonic 
order. 

J.iMEs  W.  MuFFLY  was  born  in  Montour  county,  Pennsylvania,  May  17, 
1842.  sou  of  Samuel  and  Mary  (Kleppinger)  Muffly,  natives  of  Northamp- 
ton county,  Pennsylvania.  His  father  came  to  what  is  now  Montour  county 
in  1837,  and  located  upon  a  farm.  He  was  a  leading  Whig  of  his  section  of 
the  coimtr}'.  He  died,  July  1,  1873;  his  wife  died  in  December,  1808,  leav- 
ing a  family  of  six  children:  Samuel  K. ;  Catharine  Walter;  Maria  Kamp; 
George  H.,  of  Illinois;  Stejjhen  J.,  and  James  W.  The  subject  of  this  sketch 
was  educated  in  the  public  schools,  and  at  the  age  of  twenty  began  to  work 
at  the  carpenter  trade,  after  which  he  was  successively  engaged  in  the  coal 
and  lumber  business  until  1876,  when  he,  in  company  with  Wagner  Broth- 
ers, built  the  planing  mill,  and  formed  what  is  known  as  the  Watsontown 
Planing  Mill  Company,  from  which  he  retired  on  the  26tli  of  August,  1890. 
He  was  married,  December  10,  1882,  to  Sarah  E.  Caldwell,  of  Reading, 
Pennsylvania,  and  they  have  two  children:  Walter  C.  and  William  J.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Muffly  are  members  of  the  Reformed  church,  and  he  is  a  charter 
member  of  the  Masonic  Lodge,  No.  401,  of  Watsontown. 

J.  H.  Wagner,  of  the  Watsontown  Planing  Mill  Company,  was  born  in 
Montour  county,  Pennsylvania,  son  of  Daniel  and  Catharine  (Follmer)  Wag- 
ner, who  were  the  parents  of  twelve  children,  eight  of  whom  are  living: 
William,  a  lumberman  of  Virginia;  G.  N.  and  L.  B.,  lumbermen  of  Michigan; 
C.  A.,  living  on  the  homestead  in  Montour  county;  J.  H.  and  D.  F.,  both  of 
the  Watsontown  Planing  Mill  Company;  Lucy,  Mrs.  William  Hackenburg, 
of  Emporium,  and  Amanda,  Mrs.  James  Caldwell,  of  Titusville,  Pennsyl- 
vania. The  subject  of  this  sketch  received  his  education  in  the  public 
schools  of  his  native  county.  In  1863  he  enlisted  in  the  Twenty-eighth 
Pennsylvania  militia,  was  mustered  out,  and  then  re-enlisted  in  the  Seventh 
Pennsylvania  Cavalry,  and  served  until  the  close  of  the  war.  He  was  with 
Sherman's  army  from  Chattanooga  to  Atlanta,  and  took  part  in  Wilson's 
raid  through  Alabama.  After  the  war  he  located  in  Watsontown,  and 
engaged  in  his  present  business.  Mr.  Wagner  was  married,  December  23,. 
1880,  to  Mary,  daughter  of  Mrs.  E.  H.  Follmer,  and  they  are  the  parents  of 
five  children:  Elizabeth  C. ;  J.  H.;  Edith  M. ;  William  C,  and  Ned  F. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wagner  are  members  of  the  German  Reformed  church,  and  he 
is  connected  with  the  F.  &  A.  M.  and  G.  A.  R. 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  10S9 

D.  Fkank  Wagnek.  of  the  Wat<ontown  Planing  Mill  Company,  was  bom 
in  Montour  county,  Pennsylvania.  September  IS,  1849,  son  of  Daniel  and 
Catharine  (Follmer)  Wagner.  He  was  educated  at  the  public  schools,  and 
reared  upon  his  father's  farm.  He  came  to  \Vatsonto\vn  in  1S6S  and  worked 
in  the  planing  mill  two  years,  when  he  bought  an  interest,  and  has  since 
been  connected  with  the  firm.  He  was  married,  November  22,  1S82,  to 
Mary  I.  Cooner,  of  Watsonto\^-n.  and  to  this  union  has  been  bom  one  child, 
Clara  C,  deceased.  Mr.  Wagner  has  served  in  the  town  council  of  Watson- 
town,  and  has  for  years  been  identitied  with  the  fire  department,  having 
lieen  a  member  of  Hope  Hose  Fire  Company  since  its  organization  in  1S73, 
and  serving  as  the  company  treasurer  for  many  years,  a  position  he  now  tills,  as 
well  as  that  of  chief  of  the  borough  department,  which  is  composed  of  paid 
and  voliuiteer  firemen. 

D.  C.  HoGUE  was  born  in  Lycoming  county,  Pennsylvania,  March  11, 
1S44.  son  of  Joseph  P.  and  Sarah  A.  i Caldwell)  Hogue.  William  Hogue,  his 
great-great-grandfather,  was  banished  from  Scotland  on  account  of  his  relig- 
ious opinions,  came  to  America  on  the  ship  Caledonia  in  1680,  and  located 
ai  Perth  Amboy,  New  Jersey.  Three  of  his  sons  went  to  Cumberland  county 
and  located  at  what  is  known  as  Hoguesto^vn,  opposite  Harrisburg,  Pennsyl- 
vania; here  they  separated,  one  going  south,  to  Virginia,  one  to  Washington 
county,  Pennsylvania,  and  John  located  in  the  West  Branch  valley.  He  was 
a  Presbyterian  minister,  and  a  graduate  of  Princeton  College.  He  had  four 
sons  and  three  daughters.  Samuel,  grandfather  of  our  subject,  was  a  farmer 
and  blacksmith,  and  owned  what  is  now  known  as  the  Eombach  farm  adjoin- 
ing Watsontown.  He  had  five  sons  and  two  daughters.  Joseph,  father  of 
D.  C,  kept  a  store  at  White  Deer  Mills,  after  which  he  went  to  South  Bend, 
Indiana,  thence  to  Logan-sville,  Clinton  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  back  to 
White  Deer  Mills,  where  he  bought  a  farm.  In  1854  he  returned  to  Wat- 
sontown, and  continued  in  the  mercantile  business  and  as  postmaster  until 
his  death,  March  28.  1808;  his  wife  died.  September  9,  1803.  Both  are  bur- 
ied in  the  iipper  cemetery  at  Milton.  Pennsylvania.  They  were  the  parents 
of  four  sons  and  two  daughters:  D.  C. ;  Davis,  a  physician  of  Clearfield 
county;  Edmund  B. :  James  H.  a  physician  of  Altoona;  Grace,  and  Mary, 
both  deceased.  The  former  is  buried  at  the  Milton  cemeterj',  the  latter  al 
Logansville,  Pennsylvania.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  educated  at  the 
Milton  and  McEwensville  Academies.  On  the  1st  of  August,  1802,  he 
enlisted  in  Company  B,  One  Hundreil  and  Thirty-first  Pennsylvania  Volun- 
teers, and  served  nine  months.  On  the  18th  of  June,  1803,  he  enlisted  for 
the  emergency  in  the  Twenty-eighth  Pennsylvania  Volunteers  to  serve  so 
long  as  the  soil  of  Pennsylvania  was  invaded.  In  August,  1804,  he  again 
enlisted  in  Company  D.  Two  Hundred  and  Second  Pennsylvania  Volunteers, 
and  was  discharged  in  August,  ISO-J.  by  rea.son  of  the  war  being  over.  After 
the  war.  in  company  with  others,  he  started  the  first  planing  mill  in  Watson- 


1090  HISTOBY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

town.  He  then  served  as  book-keeper  for  the  Watsontown  Lumber  Company 
eleven  years,  after  which  he  kept  a  general  store  seven  years.  He  was  secre- 
tary of  the  WatsontoAvn  Nail  Works  at  its  organization  in  18S6.  Mr.  Hogne 
was  first  married,  Jitne  10,  1869,  to  Kebecca  B.  Starr,  who  died,  De- 
cember 8,  1880,  and  is  buried  in  Watsonto^vn  cemetery.  Two  sons  survived 
her:  Charles  J.,  and  Frank,  deceased.  May  23,  1888,  he  married  Sarah  E. 
Parvin,  of  Leesport,  Pennsylvania.  Mr.  Hogue  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic 
order,  and  of  Bryson  Post,  No.  225,  G.  A.  R.  He  served  in  the  first  council 
of  Watsontown  and  several  terms  since,  and  has  also  served  as  burgess  and 
school  director. 

J.  P.  Stark  was  born  in  Lycoming  county,  Pennsylvania,  August  10, 
1838.  son  of  John  and  Sarah  (Parvin)  Starr.  The  Starr  family  is  of  Scotch- 
Irish  descent.  His  parents  were  natives  of  Berks  county,  Pennsylvania,  who 
came  to  Lycoming  county  about  1831  and  established  a  shoe  factory  at 
Muncy.  His  father  in  company  with  Enos  Hawley  bought  the  Franklin  tan- 
nery, near  Lairdsville,  Lycoming  county,  and  operated  it  until  1849,  when 
he  sold  out  and  accepted  a  position  as  superintendent  of  the  Madison  tannery 
in  Columbia  county.  In  1850  he  removed  to  Watsontown  and  served  aB 
agent  for  the  Philadelphia  and  Erie  Railroad  Company,  after  which  he  kept 
books  for  Marr  &  Griffey's  woolen  factory  until  his  death  in  March,  1803. 
His  widow  died  in  March,  1884,  leaving  a  family  of  six  children:  Mary,  de- 
ceased; Ellen,  Mrs.  Clinton  Robinson;  Jacob  P.;  Rebecca,  deceased;  Charles 
E.,  of  the  firm  of  Starr,  Durham  &  Company,  and  Henrietta,  Mrs.  P.  Leiser. 
The  subject  of  this  sketch  received  his  education  at  the  common  schools,  the 
Academy  of  Millville,  Columliia  county,  and  Wyoming  Seminary,  Kingston, 
Luzerne  county,  Pennsylvania.  He  began  clerking  in  a  dry  goods  store 
when  seventeen  years  old,  and  in  IStil  took  his  father's  place  as  agent  of  the 
Philadelphia  and  Erie  Railroad  Company  at  Watsontown,  remaining  in  this 
position  until  1880,  and  had  charge  of  the  office  at  White  Deer  until  1888. 
Mr.  Starr  helped  establish  and  was  superintendent  of  the  Electric  Light 
Company  of  Watsontown,  after  which  he  was  interested  in  the  planing  mill 
business.  He  was  married,  June  5,  1873,  to  Agnes  Sloan,  of  Lock  Haven, 
and  to  this  union  have  been  born  four  children:  Sarah  E.;  Margaret  A. ; 
John  E.,  and  William  P.  Mr.  Starr  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Presbyte- 
rian church,  and  he  was  a  charter  member  of  the  Masonic  lodge  of  Watson- 
town. 

T.  H.  KiSTNEE,  foreman  of  the  Watsontown  Planing  Mill  Company,  was 
born  in  Northumberland  coimty,  Pennsylvania,  September  IS,  1839,  and  is  a 
son  of  George  and  Catharine  (Confare)  Kistner.  The  Kistner  family  are  of 
German  ancestry.  Our  subject  was  educated  in  the  common  schools,  and  at 
the  age  of  twenty  years  learned  the  carpenter  trade  with  James  Henderson 
at  Turbutville,  Penmsylvania.  April  IS,  1861,  he  enlisted  in  Company  G, 
Eleventh  Pennsylvania  Volunteers,  and  served  for  three  months.     At    the 


BIOGEAPHICAL    SKETCHES.  1091 

esiiiration  of  said  enlistment  he  returned  home  and  engaged  in  the  carpen- 
ter business  at  Picture  Kocks,  Lycoming  county,  Pennsylvania,  for  a  short 
time.  In  August,  1802,  he  again  enlisted,  in  Company  H,  One  Hundred  and 
Thirty-first  Pennsylvania  Volunteers,  and  held  the  rank  of  second  sergeant 
imtil  mustered  out  at  the  end  of  nine  months.  He  at  once  entered  the  United 
States  Militia  Railroad  department  as  a  carpenter  and  bridge  builder,  with 
headquarters  at  Alexandria,  Virginia,  and  served  in  that  department  until 
after  the  close  of  the  war.  He  was  married,  June  21,  1S64,  to  Sarah  E.  Wal- 
lize.  of  Xorthumberland  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  to  this  union  have  been 
born:  Flora  I.,  wife  of  O.  H.  Hilliard;  Dora  E.,  wife  of  John  L.  Fisher; 
Ambrose  P.;  Sherman  S. ;  Lewis  W.,  and  Loreda  M.  In  ISfiS  he  came  to 
Watsonto\vn  and  accepted  his  present  position.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kistner  are 
members  of  the  Lutheran  church,  in  which  he  has  served  as  an  active  mem- 
ber in  the  church  coimcil.  He  is  a  member  of  Bryson  Post,  No.  22-5.  G.  A. 
R.,  and  was  its  commander  for  1890.  He  is  a  Republican  in  politics,  and 
has  served  a  number  of  years  in  the  town  council,  and  also  as  school  director. 
Joseph  Ely,  machinist,  was  born,  January  17,  1830.  in  Union  coimty, 
Pennsylvania,  son  of  John  and  Lydia  (Rhoades)  Ely.  Our  subject  was  edu- 
cated in  the  common  schools  and  at  the  age  of  eighteen  years  began  to  learn 
the  trade  of  machinist.  He  was  engineer  in  a  saw  mill  for  Seth  T.  McCor- 
mick  for  some  time,  after  which  ho  assisted  his  father  in  rtinning  a  canal 
boat.  He  helped  to  construct  the  first  saw  mill  in  Watsontown,  in  which  he 
was  employed  until  he  enlisted  in  Captain  David  Ely's  company,  known  as 
Company  E,  One  Hundred  and  Thirty-first  Pennsylvania  Volimteers.  Au- 
gust 8,  1802.  After  serving  out  his  term  of  enlistment  he  again  enlisted, 
September  0,  1801,  in  Company  D,  Two  Hundred  and  Second  Pennsylvania 
Volunteers,  and  remained  in  active  service  until  the  close  of  the  war.  After 
returning  from  the  war,  he,  in  i)artnership  with  the  firm  of  FoUmer  A:  Cook, 
ojierated  a  planing  mill  for  one  year,  when  the  mill  was  destroyed  by  fire, 
after  which  time  he  was  connected  with  ditterent  lumber  companies  of  "Wat- 
sontown until  1870,  when  he  was  employed  by  the  Watsontown  Planing 
Mill  Company,  in  which  institution  he  is  still  working.  In  1872,  when  the 
first  fire  engine  was  purchased  by  the  citizens  of  Watsontown,  he  was  chosen 
engineer,  and  in  1875  was  appointed  chief  engineer,  and  has  served  as  such 
ever  since.  He  was  married,  December  HO,  18.38,  to  Harriet  Slenker,  who 
died,  January  17,  ISOS.  To  this  union  were  born  three  children,  one  of 
whom  is  living,  Ida,  wife  of  James  Findley.  of  Iowa.  He  was  again  mar- 
ried, June  17,  1809,  to  a  Mrs.  Hogey,  whose  first  husband  died  in  the  army. 
By  this  union  two  children  have  been  born:  Irman  I.  and  Minnie,  both 
deceased.  Mrs.  Ely  had  two  children  by  her  first  marriage:  Charles  and 
Mary  C.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bly  are  consistent  members  of  the  Reformed  church 
of  Watsontown. 


1092  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

W.  A.  Durham  was  bom  in  Northumberland  county,  Pennsylvania,  Jan- 
uary 7,  1852,  son  of  Joseph  G.  Durham.  He  was  educated  in  the  common 
schools  and  at  Dewart  Academy.  He  taught  school  three  years,  and  then 
engaged  in  the  mercantile  business  in  Watsontown.  Soon  after  he  opened  a 
general  store  at  Coburn,  Centre  county,  Pennsylvania,  which  still  continues 
in  the  name  of  Durham  Brothers  &  Company.  From  18S0  to  1SS4  he  dealt 
in  farm  produce,  agricultural  implements,  etc.,  in  Watsontown.  Since  18S7 
he  has  been  engaged  in  the  lumber  business  and  in  manufacturing  doors, 
sash,  and  blinds.  May  31,  1876,  he  married  Mary  A.  Giffen,  of  Marion,  Iowa, 
and  to  this  union  have  been  born  four  children:  Joseph  E.,  deceased;  Glenn 
G. ;  W.  Leigh,  and  James  G.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Durham  are  members  of  the 
Presbyterian  church  of  Watsontown,  of  which  church  he  is  a  trustee.  He  is 
connected  with  the  Masonic  order,  is  secretary  of  the  to^vn  council,  and  in 
politics  is  a  stanch  Republican. 

Alfred  Hockley,  manufacturer  and  dealer  in  carbonated  drinks,  was  born 
in  Montgomery  county,  Pennsylvania,  son  of  Clement  L.  and  Elizabeth 
(Keyser)  Hockley,  natives  of  that  county.  The  father  was  a  farmer  by  occu- 
pation, and  was  one  of  the  first  men  to  vote  for  the  public  school  system  in 
Montgomery  county.  He  reared  a  family  of  nine  children:  Alfred;  Jacob, 
agent  for  the  Standard  Pipe  Line  Company  of  Ohio;  William,  a  school 
teacher,  of  Lycoming  county;  Irwin  R.,  who  has  been  principal  of  the  high 
school  at  Emporium,  Cameron  county,  ten  years,  but  is  now  in  the  general 
merchandise  business;  Franklin  C,  deceased;  Theodore;  Amelia;  Lucy,  and 
Maggie.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of 
Montour  county,  and  worked  as  a  carpenter  ten  years.  He  then  opened  a 
grocery  and  provision  store  in  Mahanoy  City,  and  remained  there  eight  years, 
and  three  years  was  at  the  same  business  at  Eldred,  McKean  county,  Penn- 
sylvania. In  1880  he  came  to  Watsontown,  and  has  since  been  engaged  in 
the  manufacture  of  carbonated  drinks.  He  was  married,  December  1,  1870, 
to  Hattie  Fox,  of  McEwensville,  and  they  are  the  parents  of  three  children: 
Roscoe  I.,  deceased;  Chester  F.,  and  George  A.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hockley  are 
members  of  the  Lutheran  church;  he  is  a  member  of  the  town  council,  and 
on  the  1st  of  June,  1S*J0,  became  chief  burgess  of  Watsontown,  being  ap- 
pointed by  the  town  council  vice  E.  Sherman  Follmer,  resigned. 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  1093 


CHAPTER  XLVII. 

BIOGEAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

XORTIIUMBEKLAXD  BOROUGH  AND  PoIXT  ToWXSIIIP. 

Thomas  Taggart  was  the  lirst  of  the  Taggart  family  to  come  to  North- 
umberland county.  He  was  Njrn  in  Ireland,  May  10,  172S,  and  prior  to  the 
year  1750  immigrated  with  his  brother,  Robert,  to  Bhiladelphia,  where  the 
latter  became  a  merchant.  It  was  about  1775  when  Thomas  made  his  ad- 
vent into  the  toWn  of  Northumberland,  settling  near  the  present  site  of  Mor- 
gan's shoe  store.  He  marrit-^1  Man.-  Tanderbilt,  a  native  of  Philadelphia, 
who  died  in  Northumberland  in  IS' '5.  The  children  of  this  union  were: 
Elizabeth,  who  was  born.  January  15.  1751:!.  married  William  Bonham,  and 
died  al)out  17S0  (her  son.  Thomas,  was  for  many  years  a  tanner  at  Northum- 
berland, but  finally  removed  to  Wabash  county,  Illinois,  where  he  died); 
Christiana,  who  was  born.  May  17.  1755.  married  a  Mr.  Sample,  and  settled 
in  Allegheny  county,  this  State:  Robert,  born,  February  IS.  1757:  John. who 
was  born,  June  ;>().  175'.).  and  died,  July  21,  1759;  Catharine,  who  was  born, 
September  G,  1760,  married  Captain  John  Painter,  and  died  in  18-tO;  Thomas, 
who  was  born,  October  27,  17'J2.  and  died,  January  16,  17S0;  Mary,  who  was 
born,  January  19,  1765,  and  married  a  Mr.  Patterson,  a  noted  frontiersman 
of  Pennsylvania;  John,  who  was  born,  July  11,  1767,  and  died,  Febntary  8, 
177-5;  David,  who  was  born.  February  21,  1769,  and  died,  May  17,  1S12; 
A\'illiam.  who  was  born,  Octoljer  8.  1771,  and  died,  January  24,  1778:  Will- 
iam (2d),  who  was  born.  Augu-t  6.  1778,  kept  store  at  an  early  day  in  North- 
umberland, and  in  the  latter  part  of  his  life  resided  on  a  farm  in  Chillisqua- 
que  township,  where  he  died  at  the  age  of  eighty  years,  and  James,  born. 
January  1,  1780. 

David  Taggart,  pre\-iously  mentioned,  was  educated  in  Northumberland 
and  was  a  prominent  Democrat.  He  married  Marv'  McCalla  and  to  them 
were  born  the  following  children:  John,  born.  April  12,  1796,  in  Northum- 
berland; James,  who  died  in  Xorthimiberland  about  1855,  was  a  merchant, 
and  was  engaged  for  some  time  in  running  ])ackets  on  the  canal,  and  was  col- 
lector of  tolls  on  the  canal  at  Himtingdon  for  many  years  (his  son,  Gran- 
tham I.,  is  a  coal  dealer  at  Savannah,  Georgia,  and  another  son,  John,  de- 
ceased, was  a  physician  and  died  at  Salt  Lake  City;  his  two  daughters  were: 
Mary,  who  married  Marks  B.  Priestley,  and  Gertrude,  who  married  Solomon 


1094  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

Kregar);  Sarah,  who  married  Samuel  C.  McCormick,  and  Mary  A.,  who  mar- 
ried Alexander  Colt. 

John  Taggart  was  educated  in  Northumberland  county  and  began  his 
business  career  as  a  brewer  at  the  town  of  Northiimberland,  his  brewery  be- 
ing located  near  the  present  steamboat  landing.  When  the  canal  was  con- 
stn.icted  his  brewery  was  removed  to  give  place  to  it.  so  he  quit  the  business. 
He  was  appointed  canal  commissioner  by  Governor  Joseph  Eitner,  held  the 
position  about  one  year,  resigned,  and  was  succeeded  by  Thaddeus  Stejihens. 
He  was  president  of  the  Northumberland  Bank  for  a  number  of  years.  He 
married  Hannah  Huston,  a  native  of  Philadelphia.  Both  were  members  of 
the  Unitarian  church,  and  at  the  time  of  his  death  Mr.  Taggart  was  a  Eepub- 
lican  in  politics.     He  was  a  highly  respected,  enterprising  citizen. 

David  Taggart,  son  of  John,  received  a  good  education,  read  law  with 
Ebenezer  Greenough,  wfts  president  of  the  Pennsylvania  State  Agricultural 
Society  for  some  years,  was  State  Senator  before  the  war,  serving  the  last  year 
of  his  term  as  Speaker  of  that  body;  he  was  chairman  of  the  Whig  State 
central  committee  in  1852,  subsequently  a  Republican,  and  was  in  the  pay- 
master's department  during  the  war.  He  married  Anna  P.  Cowden,  and  his 
children  were:     James;  Helen,  and  Hannah. 

Matthew  H.  Taggart,  son  of  John,  was  brought  up  in  Northumberland, 
iKirn,  February  IS,  1824,  and  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  and  Lewis- 
burg  Academy,  closing  his  literary  studies  at  the  latter  in  1842.  He  began 
at  once  to  clerk  for  Walls  &  Green,  general  merchants,  then  at  Lewisburg, 
where  he  remained  for  three  years,  after  which  he  commenced  the  study  of 
law  with  his  older  brother,  David.  Subsequently  he  taught  school  for  two 
winters  and  then  took  charge  of  a  store  in  Union  county,  remaining  there 
from  1840  to  1858.  Closing  this  connection,  he  opened  up  a  store  on  his 
o^vn  account  at  Beaver  furnace.  Union  county,  this  State,  where  he  did  a  suc- 
cessful business  for  six  years,  removing  thence  to  Northumberland,  and  soon 
became  an  employee  of  the  State  treasurer's  ofKce  at  Harrisburg,  continuing 
in  that  important  position  for  about  ten  years,  having  his  home  a  part  of  the 
time  in  Lancaster  county.  In  1884  he  removed  to  Philadelphia,  where  he 
resided  until  1890,  when  he  returned  to  his  native  town  of  Northumberland 
to  give  personal  attention  to  the  business  of  the  Taggart  Nail  Mills,  in  which 
he  has  been  interested  for  fifteen  years.  His  first  wife  was  Eebecca  McCurley, 
who  died,  leaving  six  children:  Harrj'  C.  and  John  K.,  both  interested  in  the 
nail  mills;  Anna,  widow  of  J.  F.  Frueauff;  Clara,  and  James,  book-keeper  at 
Godcharles's  nail  mills  at  Milton.  His  second  wife  was  Eliza  McCurley, 
by  whom  he  has  the  following  living  children:  Matthew  H.,  Jr.,  and  Mary. 
His  third  wife  was  Ella  G.  Royer  before  their  marriage. 

Captain  James  Tilggart,  third  son  of  John  Taggart.  was  born  in  the  bor- 
ough of  Northiunberland,  February  4,  1827,  and  received  his  education 
almost  entirely  at  the  public  schools  of  his  native  town.     At  the  age  of  six- 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  1095 

teou  years  he  was  employed  by  the  hite  Ejjhraim  Shannon  in  his  store  at 
NorthumberLind,  where  lie  remained  four  years,  properly  mastering  the 
duties  assigned  to  him  and  to  a  large  extent  engrafting  the  spirit  of  his  em- 
ployer, whose  genial  humor,  facetious  witticisms,  and  well  spun  yarns  are 
thoroughly  remembered  by  the  older  citizens  who  congregated  around  this 
store,  where  fun  always  took  precedence.  In  1848  he  went  to  western  New 
York  in  the  capacity  of  paymaster  for  James  Moore,  who  had  a  large  contract 
in  the  vicinity  of  Hornellsville,  and  after  completing  this  he  returned  to 
Northumberland,  purchased  the  store  of  the  late  William  H.  Waples,  and 
entered  into  business  for  himself.  He  forgot  none  of  the  training  by  his  old 
employer,  and  mixing  fun  with  business  he  did  a  fairly  profitable  trade  until 
18ni,  when  he  entered  the  army.  In  December,  1850,  he  married  Sarah, 
daiTghter  of  John  H.  Cowden,  by  whom  he  had  four  children;  two  died  in  in- 
fancy and  two  survive  to  the  present  time:  Sarah  C,  who  resides  in  North- 
umberland, and  David,  a  physician  at  Fruckville,  Schuylkill  county,  this  State. 
Immediately  upon  the  news  of  the  tiring  ou  Fort  Sumter,  a  roll  was  started, 
naturally  at  his  store,  because  it  was  the  i)riucipal  rendezvous  for  the  yoimg 
and  active  spirits  of  the  community.  A  comjVany  was  formed  and  he  was 
elected  cajttain.  But.  owing  to  the  spontaneous  response  to  the  call  of  Presi- 
dent Lincoln  and  the  inability  of  the  government  to  furnish  guns  for  all, 
this  eager  company  was  not  directly  accepted;  but  through  the  foresight  of 
Governor  Curt  in  in  effectively  recommending  the  formation  of  reserve  corps, 
tliey  were  received  a>  Conipauy  B.  Fiftli  Pennsylvania  Reserve,  and  placed 
under  command  of  that  brave  and  able  officer.  Colonel  Seneca  G.  Simmons. 
This  comjiany  has  a  history  and  the  subject  of  this  sketch  figures  largely  in 
that  history.  His  comrades  will  attest  his  worth  as  a  man  and  soldier;  and 
the  laying  down  of  his  life,  as  he  did  in  the  field  at  the  battle  of  Charles 
City  Cross  Roads,  proved  his  valor  and  patriotism. 

John  K.  Taggart,  another  son  of  John,  was  secretary  and  clerk  to  his 
brother,  David,  in  the  paymaster's  department  in  the  army,  and  died  about 
1808  in  St.  Louis. 

Hannah,  daughter  of  John  Taggart.  married  Dr.  Joseph  Priestly  and  has 
four  children:  Hannah,  who  married  Rev.  H.  D.  Catlin;  Fannie  D.,  wife  of 
William  Forsyth,  Jr.;  Anna,  and  Jennie. 

Frank  A.  Taggart,  son  of  John  Taggart,  is  employed  by  the  Pennsylvania 
Railroad  Company  in  PhiladeliDhia,  and  his  children  are:  John;  William; 
Joseph,  and  Anna,  Mrs.  Christy. 

William  Forsyth,  deceased,  was  born  of  Scotch  parentage  in  Hamburg, 
Berks  coimty,  Pennsylvania,  October  8,  1788.  His  father,  Andrew  Forsyth, 
was  with  Washington  in  Philadelphia  and  Valley  Forge.  By  reason  of 
depreciation  of  Continental  money  he  was  reduced  in  circimistances,  and 
with  his  family  moved  to  the  mouth  of  Fishing  creek,  where  he  taught 
school  and  also  at  Danville.     In  1804  William  was  apprenticed  to  John  Cow- 


1096  HISTORY    OF   NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

den,  of  Northumberland,  to  learn  the  art  and -mystery  of  store-keeping. 
After  he  was  free  he  managed  a  keel-boat,  and  was  one  of  the  first  to  navi- 
gate the  Susquehanna  river  from  Northumberland  to  Owego,  New  York, 
carrying  iron  and  stoves  to  the  latter,  and  Ijringing  salt  and  plaster  to  the 
former.  In  ilarch.  1817,  he  was  married  to  Betsey  Gaskins,  daughter  of 
Thomas  Gaskins  of  Point  township,  and  kept  a  tavern  and  stage  office  on 
Water  street,  Northumberland.  At  the  commencement  of  the  construction 
of  the  public  works,  he  took  contracts  and  built  several  miles  of  canal,  and 
also  of  the  Sus<piehanna  canal.  In  1835  he  purchased  the  store  of  John 
Cowden  and  in  1837  was  appointed  jiostmaster,  which  position  he  filled  until 
IS-ll.  He  was  an  active  business  man,  took  a  great  interest  in  the  affairs  of 
his  adopted  borough,  and  served  many  years  in  its  council.  He  died  in 
March,  1870,  an  honored  and  respected  citizen. 

William  Elliott,  farmer,  was  born,  October  .">,  IS  14.  son  of  Alexander 
and  Mary  Elliott,  born,  respectively.  May  29,  1777,  and  October  31,  1783. 
The  father  was  of  Scotch-Irish  extraction,  and  after  learning  the  hatter's 
trade  at  Eeading,  Pennsylvania,  removed  from  tha,t  city  to  Northumberland 
county  and  followed  his  trade  at  the  borough  of  Northumberland,  where  he 
died,  February  .">,  l,s;',ri.  To  Alexandi-r  and  Mary  Elliott  were  born  the  fol- 
lowing children:  Mary,  born  July  4,  1804:  Thomas,  bom  September  18, 
1800;  Margaret,  born  August  '21,  ISIO;  Sarah;  William:  Ann,  and  Samuel. 
Our  subject  received  a  common  school  education  with  means  obtained  l)y 
labor  at  such  jobs  as  he  could  get  to  do.  The  first  work  he  did  for  himself, 
was  digging  in  a  ditch  from  the  river  to  what  is  known  as  the  gut  in  Sun- 
bury — the  old  Sunbury  canal,  which  was  never  comjileted.  He  received 
seventy-five  cents  at  this  employment  and  was  subsequently  hired  by  John 
Cowden  for  one  summer  at  two  dollars  fifty  cents  per  month.  With  the 
money  thus  obtained  he  attended  school,  doing  chores  for  William  Forsyth 
mornings  and  evenings  for  his  board  and  lodging.  After  closing  this  term 
of  school  he  took  employment  at  the  tavern  of  C.  Buttles,  in  Northumber- 
land, where  he  remained  one  summer,  and  then  drove  a  team  on  a  trip  to 
Philadelphia  with  William  A.  Lloyd.  After  this  he  jjurchased  a  team  and 
followed  farming  and  teaming  for  some  time.  He  was  married  in  January, 
1837,  to  Christiana  Knox,  and  settled  in  Northumberland.  Two  years  later 
he  removed  to  a  farm  of  one  hundred  acres  on  what  is  kno^vn  as  Blue  Hill 
and  which  still  belongs  to  the  family.  In  1841  he  began  boating  on  the 
canal,  transporting  lumber,  coal,  etc.,  which  he  continued  successfully  eight 
years.  He  then  purchased  an  interest  in  the  grocery  business  of  Henry 
Wenck;  two  years  later  he  became  sole  proprietor  of  the  store,  which  he  con- 
ducted until  the  Philadelphia  and  Erie  railroad  was  opened,  when  he  withdrew 
and  took  the  position  of  first  station  agent  for  that  company  at  Northumber- 
land; after  this  began  a  series  of  railroad  contracting,  as  follows:  Bennett's 
branch;  Oil  Creek  road,  Venango  county;  Philadelphia  and  Erie,  at  Will- 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  1097 

iamsport,  eight  miles  of  double  track,  and  eight  miles  of  the  same  road  fnjm 
St.  Mary's  to  Rathburn. 

He  was  appointed  by  the  State  canal  coumiissioners  as  superintendent  of 
the  canal  from  the  mouth  of  the  Juniata  river  to  Northumberland,  to  which 
was  subsequently  added  the  line  to  Mihon.  In  l'^^n  he  was  elected  to  the 
legislature  from  this  county;  he  has  also  served  as  school  director  twenty- 
five  years,  and  belongs  to  the  I.  O.  0.  F.  His  wife  died.  November  7,  1875, 
and  was  the  mother  of  four  children:  Anna:  Emily  I.,  wife  of  Charles  Davis; 
Mary  J.,  wife  of  A.  H.  Hathaway,  and  John.  The  last  named  was  educated 
at  Freeburg  College,  graduated  from  the  Bellevue  Hospital  of  New  York 
City,  and  is  practicing  medicine  in  Northiunberland.  Mr.  Elliott  is  the 
owner  of  one  hundred  seventy-six  acres  of  land  in  Fnion  county,  three  hun- 
dred seventy-eight  acres  in  Chillisquaque  township,  one  hundred  thirty-eight 
acres  in  Point  township,  and  other  valuable  property,  all  of  which  is  the 
acquisition  of  his  own  labors. 

Dr.  Robert  McCay.  dfCcased.  was  burn  in  Nurthumberlaiid,  May  17, 
LS20.  His  father.  William  MeCay,  was  born  in  ]77t;  and  was,  it  is  "said, 
the  first  white  child  born  in  the  town  of  Northumberland.  His  grandfather, 
Neal  McCay,  was  of  Scotch  nationality;  he  immigrated  to  America,  settled 
in  New  Jersey,  and  about  1774  removed  to  Northiimberland,  where  he 
cleared  a  tract  of  land.  He  died,  March  2,  1S14.  William  McCay  became 
a  land  speculator  and  a  practical  surveyor.  He  served  in  the  war  of  1812. 
He  was  twice  married,  and  lived  and  died  in  Northumberland.  Dr.  Robert 
McCay,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  educated  at  Gettysbiirg,  read  medicine 
with  Doctor  McClellan,  of  Philadelphia,  and  graduated  from  the  University 
of  New  York  in  the  winter  of  1844— 4.1,  after  which  he  practiced  his  profes- 
sion in  Danville  one  year,  and  then  located  at  Northumberland,  where  he 
had  an  extensive  practive  until  his  death.  He  was  a  tine  Spanish  scholar, 
aiL<l  during  the  Mexican  war  was  the  bearer  of  dispatches  to  General  Taylor. 
May  1,  1801,  he  enlisted  as  assistant  surgeon,  was  promoted  to  surgeon, 
and  sulisequently  to  first  assistant  medical  inspector  general  at  Washington, 
D.  C.  He  organized  hospitals  at  Fortress  Monroe.  Hampton  Roads,  and 
Portsmouth.  In  1804  he  was  sent  to  New  Orleans,  and  remained  there 
until  July,  1805.  He  was  also  a  jtractical  civil  engineer.  He  took  an  active 
interest  in  the  affairs  of  the  town,  especially  to  matters  pertaining  to  the 
advancement  of  education,  and  was  possessed  of  more  than  ordinary  knowl- 
edge of  the  general  topics  and  information  of  his  time.  He  was  one  of  the 
oldest  Masons  in  the  State,  and  was  prominent  in  the  workings  of  the  order. 
Politically  he  was  a  Democrat,  and  took  an  active  part  in  promoting  the 
interests  of  his  party.  He  died,  November  IS.  l^SH.  In  1850  he  married 
Susan  C,  daughter  of  Alexander  and  Mary  Ann  (Taggart)  Colt,  of  North- 
umberland, who  still  survives  him.  One  child  was  bom  to  this  union.  Dr. 
Mary  A.    McCay,   who  read  medicine  with  her  father    and   also    with    Dr. 


1098  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

William  Stoner,  graduated  from  the  Woman's  Medical  College  of  Philadel- 
jjhia  in  1887,  and  has  since  practiced  in  Northumberland  and  Sunbury.  She 
was  married  in  LST.").  Mrs.  McCay,  the  widow  of  our  subject,  has  been 
engaged  in  the  drug  business  for  several  years.  This  drug  store  was 
established  by  Miss  Mary  McCay,  sister  of  Dr.  Robert  McCay,  in  1848,  and 
has  since  remained  in  the  family. 

Je.sse  C.  Hoetox,  deceased,  was  bom  near  Forty  Fort,  Luzerne  county, 
Pennsylvania,  May  1,  1797,  son  of  John  and  Mary  (de  la  Montague)  Horton. 
The  latter  was  of  Scotch  and  French  descent;  her  mother,  whose  maiden 
name  was  Sarah  Miller,  was  a  Scotch  Puritan,  and  her  father  was  the  son  of 
a  French  physician.  John  Horton  was  of  English  descent.  During  the 
Revolution  he  served  as  a  lieutenant  in  the  New  Jersey  militia.  After  the 
conclusion  of  peace  he  sold  his  property  in  that  State  for  Continental  money 
and  removed  to  the  vicinity  of  Forty  Fort  in  the  Wyoming  valley,  Luzerne 
county,  Pennsylvania.  There  he  died  in  1810,  leaving  a  widow  and  nine 
children.  Jesse  C.  was  then  in  his  thirteenth  year.  Four  years  later  he 
served  in  the  New  Jersey  militia  under  Colonel  Seward  and  Captain  Swazey 
in  the  war  of  1812.  In  1816  Miller,  Lewis,  and  Jesse  C.  Horton  inaugurated 
a  new  era  in  stage  coach  traveling  in  northern  Pennsylvania  by  establishing 
a  line  of  four-horse  coaches  from  Baltimore  to  Owego,  New  York,  by  the  way 
of  Harrisburg.  Sunbury,  Wilkesbarre,  and  Montrose,  and  also  a  line  from 
Philadelphia  to  Wilkesbarre  by  the  way  of  Easton,  and  from  New  York  City 
to  Montrose,  Pennsylvania,  by  the  way  of  Morristown  and  Newark,  New 
Jersey,  and  Milford,  Pennsylvania,  with  postoffices  established  at  Plymouth, 
Kingston,  Pottstown,  and  Tunkliaiinock.  In  1820  he  lived  at  Berwick,  Co- 
lumbia county,  Pennsylvania,  engaged  in  staging  and  carrying  the  United 
States  mail;  he  removed  from  there  to  Owego,  New  York,  in  1881  to  North- 
umberland, and  soon  after  to  a  farm  in  Point  township.  In  1841  he  repre- 
sented Northumberland  county  in  the  legislature,  and  in  1842  he  was  elected 
to  the  Senate.  He  was  a  stockholder  and  director  in  the  Bank  of  Northum- 
berland. FebruaiT  6,  1820,  he  married  Harriet  Ford,  daughter  of  Dr.  Sam- 
uel Headley,  of  Benvick,  by  whom  he  had  two  children:  Annie  Maria,  Mrs. 
Allen  M.  Gougewer,  of  Washington,  and  Mrs.  Harriet  Westler,  of  Berwick. 
His  wife  died,  June  17,  1823.  He  was  again  married,  December  12,  1825, 
to  Mrs.  Martha  Cooke,  daughter  of  James  Lemon,  of  Northumberland  coimty. 
Five  children  were  born  to  this  union,  two  of  whom  are  living:  Mary  C,  and 
Amelia  H.,  wife  of  Anthony  Simpson,  of  Michigan.  The  second  wife  died, 
July  25,  1S80.  Mr.  Horton  was  a  Democrat  in  politics.  He  was  active  in 
getting  the  public  school  system  established  and  an  active  worker  and  sup- 
porter of  any  enterprise  conducive  to  the  welfare  of  the  general  public.  He 
was  well  kno\vn  throughout  Pennsylvania,  and  had  an  extensive  and  intimate 
acquaintance  with  the  prominent  men  of  the  State. 


^£r^,^</^^<^a^. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  .  1101 

C.  W.  GuTELU-s,  editor  niul  publisher  of  the  Public  Press,  was  Ijorn  in 
Mifflinburg,  Union  county,  Pennsylvania,  November  4,  1S:57,  son  of  Israel 
and  Sarah  Gutelius.  The  father  was  bom  in  ]s<)2  at  Mifflinburg,  Penn- 
sylvania, and  the  mother  in  Trajjpe,  Montgomery  county.  They  were  the 
parents  of  ten  children:  Louisa;  Henrietta;  Sarah:  Percival;  Mary;  Emma; 
H.  Clay;  Clara;  Florence,  and  C.  W.  The  last  named  received  a  common 
school  education  and  began  his  Inisiness  life  as  a  printer.  From  1803  to 
ISOn  he  edited  and  published  the  Post  at  Selinsgrove,  Pennsylvania,  and 
from  January  I,  IbTO,  to  the  latter  part  of  1ST2  he  edited  and  published  the 
Democratic  Guard  at  Sunbury.  He  established  the  Public  Press  at  North- 
umberland in  1S72,  and  has  made  it  a  paying  institution.  Ho  went  out  in 
an  emergency  company  during  the  late  war,  is  a  Democrat  and  a  member  of 
the  S.  P.  K.,  and  was  janitor  for  the  Pennsylvania  House  of  Eepresentatives 
in  iss:'.  He  was  married  at  Greenville.  Montgomery  county,  Pennsylvania, 
to  Eleuuora  Lesclier,  l)orn  in  Wilkesbarre,  this  State,  in  1845,  daughter  of 
liev.  .J.  W.  Lescher  and  Jane  (Foltz)  Lescher,  natives  of  Northampton  and 
Franklin  counties,  Pennsylvania,  respectively.  To  this  union  have  been 
born  the  following  children:  Jennie:  N.  T. :  "\V.  L. ;  Norah;  Edith,  and 
AVarren. 

J.  C.  FoESYTH.  ex-postmaster,  was  born.  October  Id.  IS:}';),  son  of  William 
and  Elizabeth  (Gaskin)  Forsyth.  He  received  a  common  school  and  com- 
mercial education,  and  after  clerking  some  time,  formed  a  partnership  in 
I8<')r),  with  William  H.  Morgan  in  the  grocery  and  coal  business,  which  lasted 
until  b87G.  After  two  years  experience  in  the  grocery  business  in  Columbia 
county,  Pennsylvania,  he  2>nrchased  in  1884  the  general  store  of  William  T. 
Forsyth  at  Northumberland  and  continued  the  business  until  188(1  In 
LSS-")  he  was  appointed  postmaster  at  Northumberland  and  served  in  that 
office  until  IN'.M).  He  was  married  in  ISdri  to  Alice  Gulick,  by  whom  he  has 
four  children:  Charles  G. ;  \\ii\Wv  L. :  Jennie  C,  and  J. "  Howard.  He 
served  as  chief  burgess  of  Northumberland  for  three  successive  years,  and 
is  a  Democrat  in  politics  and  a  member  of  the  Lutheran  church. 

S.  M.  G.  Wenck,  pharmacist,  was  born  in  the  borough  of  Northumber- 
land, September  24,  1830,  son  of  George  and  Elizabeth  (Pardoe)  Wenck,  of 
German  and  Quaker  ancestry,  respectively.  He  received  an  ordinary  educa- 
tion, and  in  18o5  established  his  2)resent  business  at  McEwensville,  this 
county,  where  he  remained  until  1880;  he  then  removed  his  stock  to  North- 
umberland, where  he  has  built  up  a  large  trade.  He  was  married  in  1855  to 
Christiana  Kauffman,  by  whom  he  has  three  children:  William  G. ;  Maggie, 
wife  of  Morton  McFarland,  and  Edgar  S.  Mr.  Wenck  is  a  member  of  the 
Lutheran  church. 

James  Dieffenbacher  was  born  in  a  part  of  Northumberland  (now  Mon- 
tour) county,  Pennsylvania,  May  31,  ISOlJ,  son  of  Conrad  Diett'enbacher, 
a  native  of  Montgomery  county,  this  State,  and  a  grand.son  of  Conrad  Dief- 

62 


1102  HISTORY    OF    XORTHUMBEHLAND    COUNTY. 

fenbaclier,  who  was  horn  in  Germany  and  settled  and  died  on  the  farm  where 
our  subject  now  resides.  Our  subject  learned  the  carpenter  trade,  which  he 
followed  forty  years.  He  settled  in  Northumberland  in  1831,  and  was  mar- 
ried in  1S3S  to  Nancy  Goston,  who  died  in  1842,  the  mother  of  one  child, 
James  G.  He  was  again  married  to  Maria  Hunsicker.  He  was  a  justice  of 
the  peace  twenty-two  years  and  a  school  director  twenty  years. 

Jacob  M.A.TTHi.is,  merchant,  was  born  iu  York  county,  Pennsylvania,  Sep- 
tember 20, 1828,  sou  of  John  and  Elizabeth  (Growl)  Matthias,  natives  of  York 
and  Lancaster  counties,  respectively.  They  moved  to  Daujihin  county,  Penn- 
sylvania, where  both  died.  They  were  members  of  the  Lutheran  church. 
Jacob  Matthias  was  reared  in  York  county,  and  attended  the  local  schools; 
he  has  been  engaged  in  various  occupations,  such  as  boating,  driving  stage, 
and  railroading.  In  1860  he  removed  to  Northumberland  county  and  estab- 
lished his  present  business.  In  1850  he  married  Susan  Van  Dyke,  daughter 
of  Israel  Gross,  of  Snyder  county.  Their  children,  by  adoption,  are:  Mary 
Guistwelt,  wife  of  Harry  Frey,  of  Cumberland  county;  Susan  Gross,  wife  of 
Frank  Shilmer,  of  Northumberland,  and  Bertha  Newman.  Mr.  Matthias 
and  wife  are  members  of  the  Lutheran  church;  in  politics  he  is  a  Repub- 
lican, and  has  served  as  overseer  of  the  poor  sixteen  years. 

Cyrus  Broi'se.  merchant,  was  born  in  that  part  of  Union  county  which  is 
now  Snyder  county,  Pennsylvania,  October  15,  1840,  son  of  Peter  and  Amelia 
(Moore)  Brouse,  both  natives  of  that  county,  and  farmers  by  occupation. 
They  were  members  of  the  Lutheran  church.  The  mother  died  in  1887,  and 
the  father  in  1889.  They  reared  five  children,  four  of  whom  an^  living:- 
Cyrus;  Margaret,  Mrs.  E.  I.  Snyder,  of  Lewisburg,  Pennsylvania;  Mary  E., 
Mrs.  Abel  Johnson,  of  Union  county,  and  Franklin,  of  Sunbury.  The  subject 
of  this  sketch  was  educated  at  the  township  schools  and  at  Freeburg  Acad- 
emy. In  September,  1802,  he  came  to  Northumberland,  and  first  engaged 
as  clerk  for  William  T.  Forsyth,  with  whom  he  remained  until  June,  1803; 
he  then  engaged  with  M.  H.  Taggart,  and  was  subsequently  in  the  employ 
of  Reuben  Johnson,  Colt  &  Todd,  and  others.  April  1,  1888,  he  established 
his  present  business.  In  18*54  he  married  Esther  J.,  daughter  of  John  John- 
son, of  Point  township,  by  whom  he  has  five  children:  Reuben;  Franklin  C, 
who  married  Sarah  Dull,  of  Lewisburg;  Thomas;  Williard,  and  Earl  M. 
Politically  Mr.  Brouse  is  a  Republican,  and  has  served  as  councilman  and 
burgess  of  Northumberland;  he  is  a  member  of  the  K.  of  P.  of  Northumber- 
land. He  and  family  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  in 
which  he  holds  the  office  of  recording  steward. 

W1LLI.A.M  B.  Stoner,  physician  and  surgeon,  was  born  at  Westminster, 
Carroll  county.  Maryland,  October  2('),  1845.  He  received  his  education  at 
a  collegiate  institute  at  that  place,  now  known  as  the  Western  Maryland  Col- 
lege, also  received  four  years'  instruction  under  Professor  Beggs,  now  of 
Belfast,  Ireland,  and  graduated  from  the  Edinburgh  University.     After  com- 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  1103 

pleting  his  education  he  read  medicine  with  Dr.  William  Taylor,  of  Gettys- 
burg, Pennsylvania,  was  graduated  from  the  Philadelphia  University' of 
Medicine  and  Surp^ery  in  ISfiC),  and  began  practicing  in  Hummelstowu, 
Dauphin  county,  where  he  remained  until  ISTI.  From  there  he  removed  to 
Georgetown.  Northumberland  county,  and  in  IST:^  to  Northumberland,  where 
he  has  since  enjoyed  an  extensive  practice.  His  father,  George  W.  Stoner, 
was  a  native  of  Dauphin  county.  He  married  Mary  A.  Sullivan,  and  settled 
in  Carroll  county.  Maryland,  where  he  engaged  in  farming  and  still  resides. 
They  reared  ten  children,  seven  of  whom  are  living:  William  B. :  Georo-e  W., 
of  Baltimore.  Maryland;  Annie,  wife  of  John  C.  Eckenrode,  of  Westminster, 
Maryland:  Sarah  S..  wife  of  Martin  Babylon,  of  Westminster;  Leah  S.,  wife 
of  William  C.  Robinson,  of  Littlestown,  Pennsylvania;  James  M..  of  Balti- 
more, and  Maggie.  Doctor  Stoner  is  a  member  of  Eureka  Lodge,  F.  <S:  A.  M., 
and  politically  is  a  Democrat.  He  has  served  as  chief  burgess  and  member 
of  the  borough  council  of  Northumberland,  and  as  delegate  to  the  State 
convention  of  his  party.  May  I').  ISfiO,  he  was  irnited  in  marriage  with 
Margaret  E.  Henderson,  daughter  of  Dr.  William  Henderson,  of  Hmnmels- 
town,  Pennsylvania,  by  whom  he  has  iive  children:  Mary  A.;  Sarah  H. ; 
Margaret  E. ;  Floreufi'  ^■..  and  William  Bruce.  In  18l)"2  he  enlisted  in  Com- 
pany G,  First  Maryland  regiment,  and  served  three  months;  on  account  of 
being  under  age  Iw  withdrew  and  afterwards  served  in  an  independent  com- 
pany at  Harrisburg,  Pennsylvania.  The  Doctor  was  formerly  president  of 
the  Board  of  Trade  of  Northumberland,  and  is  now  secretary  of  the  North- 
umberland Electric  Light  Company. 

M.\RTix  J.  D.  WiTiiixGTON,  agent  for  the  Standard  Oil  Company  at 
Northumberland,  was  born  in  MifHinburg.  Union  county,  Pennsylvania,  July 
Ul,  1S28,  and  is  a  son  of  George  and  Catharine  (Youngman)  Withington. 
The  father  was  of  English  ancestry  and  was  engaged  in  the  hotel  and  mer- 
chandise business.  Our  subject  was  reared  in  Centre  county  iintil  the  age 
of  fourteen  years,  when  he  came  with  his  jiarents  to  the  town  of  Northum- 
berland. He  received  his  education  in  the  public  schools.  For  twelve  years 
he  was  collector  of  toll  for  the  canal  company,  and  for  some  time  was  engaged 
in  boating  and  operating  coal  mines  at  Shamokin.  Since  1878  he  has  acted 
as  agent  for  the  Standard  Oil  Company.  In  1840  he  was  married  to  Eliza- 
beth G.  Forsyth,  daughter  of  William  Forsyth,  late  of  Northumberland,  by 
whom  he  has  six  children:  G.  E.,  cashier  of  the  First  National  Bank  of  Ore- 
gon; Alice,  wife  of  Captain  C.  M.  Clement,  of  Sunbury;  Elizabeth,  wife  of 
Thomas  Ball,  of  St.  Paul.  Minnesota;  F.  H.,  wife  of  G.  R.  Van  Alen.  of 
Northumberland:  Helen,  and  Martin.  Mr.  Withington  is  a  Democrat,  and 
was  at  one  time  a  candidate  for  Congress.  His  wife  is  a  member  of  the 
Presbyterian  church. 

F.\BNSwop.TH  Reed,  farmer,  was  born  in  Rush  to^^^lship,  Northumberland 
county,  Pennsylvania,    Decemlier    17.   1S24,  son  of  Matthias    and  I'riscilla 


1104  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

(Farnsworth)  Reed.  His  father  wa.s  born  in  IT'JO  in  Shamokiu  township, 
where  his  father  had  settled,  and  where  he  lived  and  died.  After  his  mar- 
riage he  located  in  Rush  township,  but  in  1833  moved  back  to  Shamokin 
townshij).  He  was  a  Whig  in  politics,  and  a  deacon  in  the  Baptist  church 
for  many  years.  He  died  in  Shamokin  township  in  LSoU,  and  his  wife  in 
1857.  They  reared  seven  children,  all  deceased  except  Farnsworth  and 
Sarah,  Mrs.  William  Depew,  of  Riverside.  The  subject  of  our  sketch 
attended  the  schools  of  Rush  and  Shamokin  townships.  In  1843  he  married 
Rosanna,  daughter  of  David  Miller,  of  Shamokin  township,  and  has  since 
resided  in  Shamokin,  Augusta,  and  Point  townships,  settling  on  his  present 
farm  in  the  spring  of  180G.  His  family  consists  of  nine  children:  S.  O..  of 
Suiibury;  Maria  Elizabeth,  Mrs.  Charles  P.  Seasholtz,  of  Northiuuberland; 
Clarissa  A.,  Mrs.  George  W.  Vandevender.  of  Snyder  county:  Jacob  A.,  a 
merchant  of  Winfield,  Pennsylvania;  Sarah  L.,  Mrs.  Thomas  J.  Tandelbing, 
of  Packer's  island;  Laura  D.,  Mrs.  Charles  M.  Park,  of  Kingston.  Peimsyl- 
vania;  Harriet  I.,  Mrs.  James  B.  Leslier,  of  Nebraska:  Elmer  E..  of  Point 
township,  and  George  M.,  of  Iowa.  Mr.  Reed  is  an  active  memlier  of  the 
Republican  party,  and  has  served  in  various  township  otKcps.  He  is  a  dea- 
con in  the  Baptist  churcli  of  Xorthiimberland. 

Geoiuie  M.  Ditzler,  farmer,  was  born  in  Tnrbut  township.  Ncjnhumber- 
land  county,  Penusylvauia.  January  -">.  ISl'.t,  son  of  Jacob  and  Sarah  l Over- 
peck)  Ditzler.  He  was  educated  in  the  pul)lie  schools  and  learned  the  trade 
of  tinsmith,  which  occupation  he  followed  for  ten  years  and  has  since  been 
farming.  In  1S74  he  was  married  to  Isadore  M.,  daughter  of  Stephen 
Bittenbender.  one  of  the  early  settlers  of  Shamokin,  by  whom  he  has  one 
child.  William.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  lodge  of  Northumberland, 
the  chapter  of  Danville,  and  also  of  the  Danville  commandery.  He  is  a 
Republican,  and  a  member  of  the  Lutheran  church.  He  settled  upju  his 
present  farm  in  187.")  and  is  bringing  it  to  a  high  state  of  cultivation. 

H.\KEisoN  C.  Kase,  farmer,  was  Ijorn  in  Rush  township,  Northumberland 
county,  Pennsylvania,  April  2U,  1N44.  His  father,  Charles  Kase.  was  also 
born  in  Rush  township.  His  grandfather,  John  Kase,  was  a  native  of 
England,  who  came  to  America  as  a  young  man,  married  Eleanor  Dewitt,  a 
native  of  New  Jersey,  and  was  among  the  early  settlers  of  Rush  to^^Tiship. 
He  and  his  wife  were  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church  for  many  years. 
They  retired  from  farming  and  moved  to  Ely.sburg,  where  both  died.  They 
reared  eight  children,  four  of  whom  are  living:  Charles,  of  Riverside:  Cath- 
arine, Mrs.  George  West,  of  Danville;  Clinton,  a  farmer  of  Montour  county, 
and  James,  of  Danville.  Charles  Kase,  the  father  of  our  subject,  was  engaged 
in  farming  in  Rush  township  until  he  retired  and  moved  to  Riverside, 
where  he  now  resides.  He  is  a  stockholder  in  the  Danville  Bridge  Company. 
Mt.  Carmel  Bank,  and  Danville  nail  factory.  His  wife  died,  Augnst  '25, 
1880.     Thev    reared    four    children;  Oscar   S.,    of  Riverside;  Harrison    C. ; 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  1105 

Hannah  Ellen,  deceased,  and  John  Wilson.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was 
reared  in  Eush  township  and  .^lucated  in  the  township  schools  and  Dan\ille 
Academy.  In  1SG3  he  went  as  a  substitute  for  his  father  in  Company  H, 
One  Hundred  and  Seventy-second  Penn.sylvania  Volunteers,  and  served  nine 
months,  when  he  re-enlisted  in  Company  A,  Sixteenth  Pennsylvania  Cavalry, 
and  served  one  year;  since  then  he  has  been  engaged  in  farming.  February 
2,  1870,  he  married  Maranda  Ellen,  daughter  of  Robert  and  Bethiah  (Bang- 
hart)  Davidison,  natives  of  New  Jersey  and  settlers  of  Montour  county,  bv, 
whom  he  has  three  children:  Cora  May;  Eleanor  Gertrude,  and  Bertha 
Ellen  M.  Politically  Mr.  Kase  is  a  Eepublican,  and  has  served  in  the 
various  township  otKces;  he  is  a  member  of  Goodrich  Post.  G.  A.  R..  and  of 
the  Presbyterian  church  of  Danville. 

Robert  Cukky  McWilliams,  farmer,  was  born  in  Mooresburg.  Montour 
county,  Pennsylvania,  February  20,  1845,  son  of  John  and  Margaret  (Cald- 
well) McWilliams,  of  the  same  county,  and  of  Scotch-Irish  extraction.  He 
received  his  education  at  the  juiblic  schools,  and  at  academies  at  Milhille, 
Pennsylvania,  and  Newark,  New  Jersey.  His  business  career  has  been  prin- 
cipally that  of  a  farmer,  and  he  came  to  this  county  in  1872.  In  October, 
]87(),  he  married  Louisa  V.  Reighard,  daughter  of  Dr.  Jacob  Reighard.  of 
Juniata  county,  this  State.  To  this  union  have  been  born  six  children: 
Margaret  Caldwell;  Lucinda  AVagner:  Amanda  Belle;  Jenette  June;  Rob- 
ert Curry,  and  Mary  E.  ]Mr.  ;^Ic^\'illiams  has  always  been  an  active  worker 
in  the  Democratic  party;  in  the  winter  of  1883-84  he  represented  Northum- 
berland county  in  the  State  legislature,  and  was  a  member  of  the  committees 
on  military,  election,  federal  relations,  and  banking.  He  has  also  tilled 
various  township  otlices.  He  is  a  member  of  Eureka  Lodge,  No.  404,  F.  &. 
A.  M.,  a  charter  member  of  Warrior  Run  Cha]iter,  No.  240,  and  a  member 
of  the  S.  P.  K.  uf  Northumberland.  He  is  a  deacon  and  elder  in  the  Pres- 
byterian church  of  Northiimberlaiid. 

Henry  Watts,  farmer,  was  born  at  his  present  homestead,  October  11, 
1817.  His  father,  John  Watts,  was  a  native  of  England,  who  immigratetl  to 
America  in  1801  and  settled  ui^on  the  farm  on  which  our  subject  now  resides 
in  1 M  t2.  He  married  in  this  country,  Sarah  Hales,  also  a  native  of  England. 
He  was  a  Whig  in  politics,  and  his  wife  was  a  member  of  the  Bai^tist  chitrch. 
He  died  in  ISHO.  and  his  widow  in  1854.  They  reared  three  children: 
Henry:  John,  and  William,  of  Des  Moines,  Iowa.  The  subject  of  this 
sketch  was  reared  and  educated  in  Point  township,  and  has  always  lived 
upon  his  present  farm.  In  1847  he  married  Lydia  Ann,  daughter  of  Peter 
and  Margaret  (Giest)  Dentler,  of  Point  township.  They  have  no  children. 
Mr.  Watts  is  an  active  Republican,  and  has  served  on  the  election  board 
twenty-five  years,  as  asses.sor  of  the  township  eight  years,  and  as  school 
director  a  number  of  terms.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Watts  are  members  of  the  Bap- 
tist church  of  Northumberland. 


lion  HISTORY    OF   NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

H.  W.  Burg,  physicican  and  surgeon,  was  born  in  Lower  Windsor,  York 
county,  Pennsylvania,  May  10.  iSo'i.  He  received  his  literary  education  at 
New  Berlin,  Union  county,  the  W'illiamsport  Seminary,  and  at  a  commercial 
college.  He  read  medicine  with  Dr.  S.  W.  Burg,  of  New  Berlin,  attended 
lectures  at  the  Jefferson  Medical  College,  from  which  he  graduated  in  1877, 
and  has  since  practiced  his  profession  in  Northumberland.  In  1875  he  mar- 
ried Cora  H.,  daughter  of  A.  C.  Simpson,  attorney  at  law,  of  Selinsgrove, 
Pennsylvania,  by  whom  he  has  three  living  children:  Edwin;  Stoddard,  and 
Dorothy.  A  daughter,  Mary  Blanch,  was  born,  December  23, 1882,  and  died 
on  the  13th  of  October,  1SS-").  The  Doctor  is  a  Democrat  in  politics,  has 
served  as  burgess  and  assessor  of  Northumberland,  and  is  a  member  of  the 
Sunbxtry  Medical  As.sociation.  His  wife  is  a  member  of  the  Episcopal  church. 
His  father,  Philip  William  Bur^.  was  a  native  of  Amsterdam,  Holland,  came 
to  America  when  a  young  man.  and  settled  in  York  county.  He  married 
Mary  A.  Eckert,  a  native  of  Nurthmuberland,  and  lived  in  Y'ork  county  iintil 
1855,  when  he  died,  and  his  wife  and  two  sons  removed  to  Northumberland 
in  the  same  year.  They  had  two  children:  H.  W.,  and  Somers,  a  machinist 
of  Danville. 


CHAPTP]R  XLVIII. 

BIOGEAPHICAL    SKETCHES. 

TLU15LT   AND   (  HrLMS(JL'AQUK  TOWNSHIPS. 

Michael  Follmeb,  born  in  Germany  in  1723,  was  the  father  of  six  sons 
and  three  daughters,  and  died  in  17'J3,  aged  seventy  years  and  three  days. 
He  and  his  sons  donated  the  site  of  the  Follmer  Lutheran  church,  and  a  farm 
of  eighty  acres  to  the  congregation,  and,  with  his  wife,  ho  was  buried  in  this 
church  yard.  He  left  a  tract  of  land  near  Milton  to  his  sixth  son,  Henry 
Follmer,  an  active  member  of  the  church,  who  married  Susan  Stohl,  by  whom 
he  had  iive  children:  Philip:  Andrew;  Thomas;  Maria,  and  Elizabeth.  He 
died  in  1822,  aged  tifty-four  years  and  nineteen  days,  and  his  widow  died  in 
1861,  aged  eighty-nine  years,  eleven  months,  and  nineteen  days.  Andrew 
Follmer,  the  second  son  of  Henri-  Follmer,  inherited  sixty-eight  acres  of  land, 
upon  which  he  reared  two  sons.  Henry  P.  and  Reuben  T. ;  the  latter  is  dead. 
He  obtained  a  common  school  education,  and  was  an  elder  of  the  Reformed 
church  at  the  time  of  his  death.  March  29,  1SG2,  aged  si.xty-six  years  and 
five  months.  His  widow,  who^e  maiden  name  was  Mary  Pool,  a  native  of 
Mercer  county,  Pennsylvania,  died  in  1863,  aged  sixty-seven  years.    , 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  1107 

Henry  P.  Follaiee.  farmer  and  orardener,  whose  ancestry  can  be  traced 
back  nearly  two  centnries,  was  born  where  he  now  resides,  December  28, 
1819,  and  is  a  son  of  Andrew  and  Mary  (Pool)  Follmer.  He  received  a  lib- 
eral education  in  the  schools  of  that  jwriod;  after  the  death  of  his  father  he 
purchased  the  farm  where  the  former  was  born,  and  is  consociuently  of  the 
fourth  generation  to  possess  that  valuable  property.  On  the  2'2d  of  Feb- 
ruary, ISST,  he  and  his  sons  established  a  green  grocery  at  Milton.  In  .1840 
he  married  Mary  Jane,  daughter  of  Elijah  Crawford,  of  Northumberland 
county,  and  they  are  the  parents  of  eight  children:  Alfred  C,  of  Clearfield 
county;  Sarah,  wife  of  Jesse  Server,  of  Milton;  Lewis  L.,  who  married  Cora, 
daughter  of  Anthony  Barber,  of  Lewis  to^v^lship;  Harvey  W.,  of  Milton,  who 
married  Alma,  daughter  of  Thomas  Foresman,  of  I'nion  county;  Andrew; 
Eliza;  Eleanor  C.  and  Edward.  Elijah  Crawford,  father  of  Mrs.  Follmer, 
was  born  in  Montour  county  in  179G.  His  father,  Jacob  Crawford,  was  also 
a  native  of  that  coimty.  Elijah  Crawford  married  Eleanor  Voris;  about 
1827  he  moved  to  Packer's  island  and  remained  until  1820,  when  he  removed 
to  Delaware  township.  He  was  a  farmer  by  occupation,  a  member  of  the 
Presbyterian  church,  and  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  1812.  He  died  in  18<)8, 
and  his  widow  in  1~>S8.  They  reared  nine  children;  those  living  are;  Pris- 
cilla,  Mrs.  Daniel  Blue:  Sarah,  Mrs  John  Good;  Mary  J.,  Mrs.  Follmer,  and 
Thomas,  of  Turbut  township.  Mr.  Follmer  is  a  Republican,  and  has  served 
as  school  director:  he  was  jury  commissioner  for  three  years,  and  has  filled 
various  township  offices.  He  and  his  family  are  members  of  the  German 
Reformed  church,  of  which  he  is  an  elder. 

WiLLi.\M  Follmer,  deceased,  was  born  in  Turbut  township,  Nortliimiber- 
land  county,  Pennsylvania,  January  24,  1810.  He  married  Eleanor  Mc- 
Williams,  daughter  of  John  McWilliams,  and  followed  farming  in  Turbut 
township.  He  was  a  Democrat  and  served  one  term  in  the  State  legislature; 
he  was  also  justice  of  the  peace  for  a  number  of  years  and  president  of  the 
Danville  Mutual  Fir^^  Insurance  Comj^any.  He  was  a  member  of  Milton 
Lodge,  F.  Jt  A.  M..  and  of  the  Lutheran  church.  He  was  also  a  stockholder 
of  the  Buffalo  MiUmg  Company  of  Lewisburg.  He  died  in  1888,  and  his 
wife  on  the  27th  of  December,  187G.  Twelve  children  were  born  to  their 
union,  four  of  whom  are  living:  Margaret,  wife  of  David  Ott,  of  Turbut  town- 
ship: Hannah;  John,  and  Francis  M.  The  last  named  was  born  on  the  farm 
where  he  now  resides.  February  Id,  ISI'w.  He  received  his  education  in  the 
public  schools  and  Bloomsburg  State  Normal  School. 

D.iNiEL  H.  Follmer,  farmer,  was  born  in  Turbut  township,  Northimiber- 
land  coimty,  Pennsylvania,  August  10,  1848,  son  of  Daniel  and  Sarah 
(Lantz)  Follmer.  He  received  his  education  at  the  public  schools  and 
Milton  Academy,  and  has  always  been  engaged  in  farming.  In  1800  he 
married  Rebecca  C.  daughter  of  Elias  Schafler,  a  native  of  Berks 
county,  Pennsylvania,  and  an  early  settler  of    Turbut   township.      By  this 


1108  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

union  they  have  two  children:  Eollin  Sydney  and  Bertha  Gertrude.  Mr. 
Follmer  is  a  Democrat  in  politics,  and  tilled  the  ofdce  of  townshij)  auditor 
two  years.  He  and  his  family  are  members  of  the  Follmer  LiTtheran  church, 
and  he  formerly  served  as  deacon  of  the  same. 

The  McKxight  F.\mily. — The  name  of  "William  McKnight,  or  rather  one 
phonetically  the  same,  a2)pears  upon  the  records  as  one  of  those  who  made 
application  for  three  hundred  acres  of  land  on  April  3,  1769,  the  finst  day  of 
the  opening  of  the  land  office.  As  jiireference  was  given  those  who  had 
rendered  military  service,  this  would  indicate  presence  in  the  valley  for 
some  time  previous  to  this  date.  In  1774,  while  a  resident  of  Buffalo 
township,  then  a  Y'art  of  this  county,  he  purchased  three  tracts  of  land, 
"contiguous  to  and  bounded  on  each  other,"  in  Turbut  township,  about  four 
miles  east  of  Milton,  along  the  Limestone  run.  One  tract  was  called  "  Troxit 
Spring;"  the  second,  the  "  Limestone  Quarry,"  and  the  third,  "  McKnight's 
Addition."  The  first  tract,  of  over  three  luindred  acres,  was  taken  up  at 
the  opening  of  the  land  office  by  Christian  Eora,  who,  on  Sejitember  1st  of 
the  same  year,  sold  his  claim  to  John  Lowdon.  Lowdon  had  his  claim  con- 
firmed by  a  patent  in  1774,  and,  in  less  than  a  month  after  the  survey  and 
granting  of  the  patent,  he  sold  the  tract  to  McKnight  for  three  hundred 
twenty-one  pounds,  English  money.  Nine  years  later  McKnight  sold  two 
hundred  acres  to  John  Follmer,  "  to  be  taken  off  the  eastward  ends  of  the 
before  described  three  tracts."  Family  tradition  records  that  an  old  soldier 
who  owned  the  projierty  now  called  the  John  McCormick  homestead  offered  it 
to  McKnight  for  a  ritle  and  an  overcoat.  In  1770,  at  the  breaking  out  of  the 
Revolutionary  war,  he  was  one  of  th(>  Committee  of  Safety  for  this  county. 
At  the  Trout  Spring  he  liad  a  log  hut  filled  with  portholes,  and  often  he 
had  to  leave  tliis  fort  and  go  to  the  neighboring  Limestone  ridge,  where  he 
would  spend  the  night  sleeping  with  his  rifle  by  his  side.  Both  he  and  his 
wife,  Elizabeth,  finally  perished  at  the  hands  of  the  Indians,  being  scalped 
by  them  near  Fort  Freeland.  Their  only  son  had  to  take  charge  of  their 
remains  and  burj-  them  himself.  They  are  interred  in  the  Chillisquaque 
graveyard.     They  had  a  family  of  one  son  and  three  daughters. 

J.\MES  McKnight,  their  son,  was  married  to  Elizabeth  Gillen.  He  was 
regarded  as  a  man  of  the  greatest  courage  and  integrity.  In  1778  he  was 
elected  a  member  of  Assembly,  and  while  the  incumbent  of  this  position 
was  captured  by  the  Indians,  but  his  life  was  sjiared.  He  had  a  family  of 
five  children,  two  sons  and  three  daughters.  All  the  children,  but  William, 
left  this  county,  and  settled  in  Seneca  and  Ontario  coimties.  New  York, 
where  their  descendants  still  reside.  William  McKnight  married  Susanna 
Boyer,  and  had  a  family  of  four  daughters:  Catharine,  who  became  Mrs. 
Thomas  Bitter;  Priscilla,  who  married  Isaac  Dunkel;  Annie  M.,  who 
married  Charles  Artman,  and  Elizabeth,  who  died  young.  Mrs.  Artmaii  is 
the  only  surviving  member  of  the  family.  Her  family  and  that  of  Thomas 
Bitter  still  live  on  part  of  the  land  i)urchased  in  1774. 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  1109 

John  Eschbach  was  born  in  Germany.  December  15,  1747.  immigrated 
to  America,  and  settled  in  that  part  of  Northampton  coimty  which  is  now 
Lehigh  county.  He  married  Catharine  Bush,  who  was  born  in  Germany  in 
1741).  Their  immediate  descendants  were  John;  Anthony;  Valentine:  Philip; 
Solomon;  Elizabeth;  Susanna;  Savilla;  Mary,  and  Catharine. 

Anthony  Eschbach  learned  the  blacksmith  trade,  which  occuiiatiou  he 
followed.  He  was  married  in  Northampton  county,  Pennsylvania,  to  Barbara 
Romig.  and  their  children  were:  Jonathan;  David;  Jacob;  John;  .-^thony; 
Catharine;  Sarah,  and  Elizabeth  B.  In  the  fall  of  1S04  Anthony,  Jr..  and 
his  father  traveled  on  horseback  from  Lehigh  to  Xorthiamberland  county. 
and  together  purchased  a  tract  of  three  hundred  forty-seven  acres  of  land  in 
Turbut  township  for  twenty-six  dollars  fifty  cents  jier  acre.  In  the  spring 
of  ISOo  they  moved  their  families  over  the  moiantains  and  settled  upon  the 
same,  building  a  log  house  sixteen  by  twenty  feet,  one  story  high.  They 
were  one  of  the  early  families  of  the  county,  and  endured  the  jiri  vat  ions  and 
hardshijis  of  the  pioneer.  The  only  child  living  of  Anthony.  Jr.,  is  Eliza- 
beth, Mrs.  Balliet,  of  Lockport,  New  York.  Anthony  Eschbach  was  one  of 
the  early  members  of  the  Paradise  Reformed  church,  helped  to  organize  the 
same,  and  served  as  elder  for  many  years. 

David  Eschbach  was  born  in  Lehigh  county.  Pennsylvania,  in  lsn2.  son 
of  Anthony,  and  removed  with  him  to  Turbut  to-\vnship  in  1807).  He  ac- 
ijuired  his  education  at  the  schools  of  the  township.  In  1824  he  married 
Elizabeth  Rishel.  of  Chillis(iua(iue  township,  who  die<l  in  1S44.  Their  chil- 
dren were:  David,  deceased;  Edward,  of  Frederick  City.  Maryland:  Clarissa. 
wife  of  Benjamin  Shaffer,  of  Kansas,  and  Elizabeth,  wife  of  William  S. 
Klapp,  of  Milton.  He  was  again  married,  in  September,  1845.  to  .Sarah, 
daughter  of  Philip  Eschbach.  by  whom  he  had  the  following  children:  Seth. 
a  merchant  of  Milton;  I.  A.,  of  Turbut  township;  Henr}-  Clay,  a  physician 
of  Iowa,  and  Daniel  Elmer,  a  real  estate  agent  of  Des  Moines,  Iowa.  Mr. 
Eschbach  became  one  of  the  prominent  farmers  of  the  townshi]>,  and  was 
also  an  extensive  lumber  manufacturer.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Paradise 
Reformed  church,  in  which  he  served  as  elder  many  years  and  until  his 
death.  Politically  he  was  a  Republican,  and  tilled  the  office  of  school 
director  a  number  of  terms.  He  was  one  of  the  directors  of  the  Lewisburg 
Bank,  and  later  a  director  in  the  Milton  National  Bank,  which  office  he  held 
at  the  time  of  his  death.  He  died  in  February.  1879;  his  wife  survives  him. 
and  lives  near  the  homestead  farm. 

IsAi.iH  A.  EscHB.\cH  was  born  on  his  present  farm  in  Turbut  township. 
May  19,  1854.  He  received  his  education  in  the  township  schools,  and  has 
always  followed  farming.  In  December,  1875,  he  married  Alcesta.  daughter 
of  William  Balliett.  by  whom  he  has  three  children:  Ralph  Da\-id:  Paul 
Balliett.  and  William  Josiah.  He  is  an  active  member  of  tlie  Republican 
party,  and  now  holds  the  office  of  school   director.     He  and  his  family  are 


1110  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

members  of  the  Paradise  Reformed  church,  in  which  he  is  deacon  and 
secretary  of  the  consistory.  He  is  a  stockholder  in  the  Milton  Creamery 
Company,  a  member  of  Turbut  Grange,  P.  of  H.,  and  present  secretary  of 
the  latter. 

Jacob  Hottenstein  was  one  of  three  brothers  who  immigrated  to  America 
at  an  early  day.  The  family  had  its  origin  in  Germany,  the  name  being 
originally  Von  Hottenstein.  One  of  these  brothers  died  in  Philadelphia; 
another  settled  in  Lancaster  coimty,  Pennsylvania,  where  some  of  his  poster- 
ity are  living,  and  Jacob,  the  third  one.  located  in  Berks  county,  Pennsyl- 
vania, about  the  year  1727  and  is  the  ancestor  of  a  large  number  of  descend- 
ants yet  living.  In  172U  "he  removed  to  Maxatawny  township,  in  that 
county,  where  he  purchased  one  hundred  sixteen  acres  of  land  for  forty 
pounds  and  twelve  shillings,  which  property  is  now  owned  by  a  descendant, 
Dr.  Edward  Hottenstein.  Jacob  married  Dorothy  Reber,  and  to  this  union 
were  born  four  sons  and  two  daughters;  Jacob;  William;  David;  Henry; 
Dorothy,  and  Maria.   He  died,  March  2o.  17.J8,  at  the  age  of  fifty-six  years. 

Henky  Hottenstein,  son  of  William  Hottenstein,  and  grandson  of  Jacob 
Hottenstein,  purchased  a  farm  in  Ontelaunee  townsliip,  Berks  county, 
Pennsylvania,  where  ho  resided  thereafter,  becoming  one  of  the  prominent 
farmers  of  the  county.  He  was  independent  in  his  political  proclivities  and 
served  one  term  of  three  years  as  commi-sioner  of  Berks  county.  He 
married  Catharine  Sjiohn,  and  to  them  were  lx>rn  nine  .sons  and  four  daugh- 
ters, all  of  whom  are  dead  except  Esther  and  Charles.  He  died  in  1844,  and 
his  wife  in  1S-5U. 

Charles  Hottenstein,  farmer,  was  born  in  Berks  county,  Pennsylvania, 
May  2o,  ISll,  son  of  Henry  and  Catharine  iSpohn)  Hottenstein.  He  was 
educated  in  the  common  schools  and  an  academy  at  Reading,  and  was  the 
second  German  in  Ontolaunee  township  who  was  considered  competent  to 
teach  in  the  common  schools,  which  occupation  he  followed  during  winter 
seasons  for  about  twelve  years.  Ho  has  also  been  a  practical  surveyor.  He 
married  Veronica  Kauffman,  removed  to  Montour  county,  Pennsylvania,  in 
1840,  and  in  lS4d  he  came  to  Northumberland  county  and  located  on  the 
farm  where  he  now  resides  in  Turbut  township.  While  in  his  native  county 
he  was  elected  township  auditor,  which  he  resigned  to  accejjt  the  position  of 
clerk  of  the  county  poorhouse  for  a  term  of  one  year.  In  18.").")  he  was 
elected  commi.ssioner  of  Northumberland  coimty,  and  after  serving  for  three 
years  he  was  elected  to  the  Pennsylvania  legislature;  he  subsequently  served 
as  county  auditor.  He  was  elected  a  justice  of  the  peace  in  1854  and  has 
served  continuously  ever  since.  During  the  war  he  was  treasurer  of  the 
bounty  fund  and  handled  about  thirty  thousand  dollars  without  being  re- 
quired to  furnish  bond.  He  has  always  been  an  ardent  Democrat,  and  in 
1800  was  chosen  a  delegate  to  the  national  Democratic  convention  to  nominate 
candidates  for  President  and  vice-president  of  the  United  States,  held  in  Charles- 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  1111 

ton.  South  Carolina,  and  which  adjourned  to  meet  .subsequently  in  Baltimore, 
Maryland,  which  resulted  in  the  selection  of  Dougla.s  and  Breckenridge;he  at- 
tended both  of  these  conventions  but  didnot  vote.  His  wife  died  in  1877  audhe 
was  subsec^uently  married  to  Caroline  Susan  Elwell,  of  Orleans  county,  New 
York.  There  were  born  to  his  first  marriage  twelve  children:  Allen  S.,  an 
attorney  of  Milton;  Henry  and  Daniel,  both  of  TurUit  township;  Mary,  wife 
of  Harry  Hafer,  of  Tnion  county.  Pennsylvania;  Sarah,  wife  of  Jacob  K. 
Stahl,  of  I'nion  county  (she  was  graduated  from  the  Keystone  State  Normal 
School  at  Kutztown,  Pennsylvania,  and  taught  four  years  in  Scranton,  this 
State);  Susan,  wife  of  Thomas  0.  Long,  of  ^ViUiamsport;  Clara,  wife  of 
Daniel  F.  Eaup,  of  Turbut  township:  AbramC..  who  was  graduated  in  the 
class  of  ISS'2  from  Franklin  and  Marshall  College  at  Lancaster,  Pennsyl- 
vania, and  now  resides  in  North  Carolina;  "William,  who  lives  in  Turbut 
township,  and  three  who  died  in  infancy.  Mr.  Hottenstein  is  a  member  of 
Paradise  Reformed  church,  in  which  he  has  served  as  trustee,  deacon,  and 
treasurer. 

D.iNiEL  Hottenstein,  farmer,  was  born  in  Turbut  township,  Northumber- 
land county,  Pennsylvania,  November  1,  184(3.  He  received  an  academic 
education  at  Limestoneville,  Montour  county,  and  followed  teaching  ten 
terms.  He  was  married  in  1S71  to  Sarah  Ellen  Horlocher,  a  native  of  Le- 
high county,  Pennsylvania,  and  daughter  of  M.  Horlocher,  who  came  to  Tur- 
but township  with  his  parents  when  five  years  old,  in  18l;l  Mr.  Hottenstein 
is  the  father  of  five  children:  Edna:  Mary  V. ;  Charles  H. ;  Sarah  E.,  and 
Aaron  C.  He  is  a  Democrat  and  has  served  six  years  as  school  director.  He 
belongs  to  Turbut  Grange,  P.  of  H..  and  is  a  member  and  deacon  of  the  Par- 
adise Reformed  church. 

Jacob  Hoffa  was  bom,  May  2n.  iSOd,  in  Berks  county,  Pennsylvania, 
and  removed  to  Northumberland  county  between  1817  and  1820;  he  learned 
the  carpenter  trade  and  followed  the  same  for  many  years.  In  1832  he 
began  farming,  at  which  he  continued  successfully  until  his  death.  May  15, 
1882.  His  business  career  was  a  remarkably  successful  one,  and  he  won  the 
esteem  of  all  with  whom  he  had  deaUngs.  He  married  Ragina  FoUmer,  who 
was  born,  June  23,  1804,  and  was  a  daughter  of  John  and  Elizabeth  (Bower) 
FoUmer.  She  died,  Augiist  2fi,  18'i7.  To  this  union  were  bom  seven  chil- 
dren, five  of  whom  are  living:  John:  Samuel  F. ;  Cyrus;  Sarah,  who  mar- 
ried Jolm  Shalt er.  and  Reuben.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hoffa  were  leading  members 
of  the  Lutheran  church,  in  which  Mr.  Hoffa  was  deacon,  elder,  trustee  and 
Sunday  school  superintendent  for  many  years.  In  politics  he  was  a  Demo- 
crat. 

John  Hoffa.  farmer,  was  bom.  May  3,  1S2(),  son  of  Jacob  and  Ragina 
(FoUmer)  Hoft'a.  He  received  a  common  .school  education  and  has  devoted 
his  active  life  principaUy  to  agricultural  pursuits.  He  located  on  his  present 
fiirm  in  lsi)-"i.     In  1880  he  was  elected  a  member  of  the  State  Board  of  Agri- 


1112  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

culture  and  re-elected  in  ISN'J.  He  is  a  member  of  Turbut  Grange,  No.  34*J, 
P.  of  H..  lecturer  for  the  .same,  and  al.so  for  Pomona  Lodge,  No.  31,  composed 
of  Montour  and  Northumberland  counties.  He  served  one  term  as  auditor  of 
Northumberland  county,  and  has  been  school  director  and  overseer  of  the 
poor  of  Tiirbut  township.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Lutheran  church,  and  has 
held  official  positions  in  that  denomination.  In  his  political  affiliations  he  is 
with  the  Democratic  party.  His  children  are  named  as  follows:  Catharine, 
wife  of  J.  D.  Smith,  of  Kansas;  Jacob  P.,  a  physician  at  Washingtonville, 
Pennsylvania;  Daniel  H. :  John  F. ;  William  F. ;  Cora,  who  married  Ham 
Maginness,  of  Allenwood,  Pennsylvania,  and  Cyrus. 

D.wiD  Ieel.\nd,  deceased,  immigrated  from  Scotland  to  Northumberland 
county  and  purchased  over  one  thousand  acres  of  land  in  Turbut  township; 
he  settled  thereon  and  was  subsequently  forced  to  take  refuge  with  his  wife 
at  Sunbun,-  during  the  Indian  incui'sions.  While  there  David  Ireland,  Jr., 
was  born  to  them.  The  senior  David  Ireland  spent  much  time  in  trying  to 
invent  a  device  of  perpetual  motion.  His  son,  David,  Jr.,  was  a  member  of 
the  early  mihtia  companies;  he  married  Sarah  Teitsworth,  and  to  them  were 
born  three  children:  David;  Sarah,  and  Eliza.  He  was  a  Presbyterian  and 
a  member  of  the  Chillisquaque  Presbyterian  church.  His  son  David  was 
born  in  Turbut  township  in  ISttT,  and  in  April,  1S48,  married  Martha  H. 
Hover. 

John  Hoy.  retired  farmer,  was  born  in  Schuylkill  county,  Pennsylvania, 
December  '20,  ISO."),  and  was  married  in  182S  to  Sarah  Kimmel.  In  1S4S 
he  came  to  Northumberland  county  and  settled  upon  the  farm  where  he  has 
since  resided.  In  connection  with  farming  he  has  been  engaged  in  the 
manufacture  of  brick.  He  is  a  Democrat,  and  has  filled  various  township 
offices  in  a  creditable  manner.  He  is  a  member  of  the  German  Reformed 
church.  His  wife  died,  September  22,  1S02,  and  was  the  mother  of  fourteen 
children,  twelve  of  whom  are  living:  Edward;  Hannah,  wife  of  IVIichael 
Fagely:  Sarah,  widow  of  Nathan  Fehr;  Franklin;  Hettie,  wife  of  William 
Follmer:  Le-vina,  wife  of  Thomas  Kirchner;  John;  Maria,  widow  of  William 
Wagner:  Amanda,  wife  of  Jacob  Friese;  Samuel;  Elizabeth,  wife  of  John 
Naraconk,  and  David  N.  Mr.  Hoy  was  again  married,  to  Mrs.  Sarah  ^Miller, 
widow  of  George  Froby. 

D.WID  N.  Hoy,  son  of  John  Hoy,  was  born  on  the  farm  where  he  now 
resides.  November  28,  1850.  He  received  his  education  at  the  township 
schools  and  has  followed  farming,  butchering,  and  brick-making.  In  1871 
he  was  married  to  Maggie  Harman,  daughter  of  Mrs.  Mary  Harman,  of  Mc- 
EwensviUe,  by  whom  he  has  four  children:  Tillie  Diana;  Eaymond  M. ; 
Lula  Fronetta,  and  Jesse  Clarence.  He  is  a  Democrat,  and  a  member  of 
the  Lutheran  church,  in  which  he  has  been  a  deacon  and  assistant  superin- 
tendent of  the  Sunday  school,  being  treasurer  of  that  organization  at  the 
present  time. 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  1113 

John  Eoush,  farmer,  was  born  iu  Vnioa  county,  Pennsylvania,  June  :',ii. 
1812,  son  of  Michael  and  Sarah  (Lincoln)  Koush,  the  former  a  uativi'  ni 
SclmylkiU  county,  the  latter  of  Union  county,  Pennsylvania.  They  were 
married  in  Union  county.  The  father  was  a  farmer,  and  in  after  life  engaged 
in  the  mercantile  business.  He  was  a  major  in  the  military  company,  and  a 
prominent  member  of  the  Lutheran  church.  His  wife  was  a  member  of  the 
Methodist  church  during  the  greater  portion  of  her  life.  Six  children  were 
born  to  them,  two  of  whom  are  living:  John,  and  Rachel,  widow  of  Daniel 
Bellman,  of  Davis,  Illinois.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  received  his  educa- 
tion at  the  pul)lic  schools  and  at  MifHinburg  Academy  under  Professor  Todd, 
and  engaged  as  clerk  in  the  mercantile  business  at  Miftlinburg.  In  1830  he 
formed  a  co-partnershij)  with  Charles  Montelius  and  engaged  in  the  dry 
goods  business,  which  continued  three  years.  In  1S46  he  came  to  North- 
iTuiberland  county,  married  Mary  E..  daughter  of  John  T.  and  Hannah 
(Hower)  Montgomery,  located  at  McEweusville,  and  soon  after  purchased  a 
farm  near  that  town.  In  1S.")I)  he  purcliased  the  Jacob  Kerr  farm  and  lived 
ujiou  the  same  four  years.  In  IS.")!  he  removed  to  Milton,  and  ui  lS.")."i 
formed  a  co-partnership  with  William  Heinen,  and  established  the  present 
business  of  Heinen,  Schreyer  &  Company.  This  partnership  continued  until 
INTO,  when  he  retired  from  the  firm,  and  has  since  lived  upon  his  present 
farm  near  Milton.  He  has  reared  one  child.  John  ;\L  Mr.  Iloush  is  an 
active  memlier  of  the  Democratic  jiarty.  and  has  tilled  various  to\viiship 
offices.  He  is  a  director  jn  the  Milton  National  Bank,  and  a  prominent  mem- 
ber of  the  Lutheran  church. 

WiLLi.\M  M.  At'TEN  was  bom,  July  7,  IN  14,  along  the  l^anks  of  Chillis - 
qua<pte  creek  about  nine  miles  from  its  motith,  in  what  is  now  Montour 
county,  Penn.sylvania,  a  son  of  Henry  and  Jane  (Maxwell)  Auten,  of  Irish 
and  Scotch  ancestry,  respectively.  He  was  educated  in  the  common  schools, 
and  when  about  eighteen  years  old  began  to  learn  the  trade  of  a  millwright, 
which  he  subseqtiently .followed  in  connection  with  farming  to  the  close  of 
his  business  life.  He  was  first  married  to  Sarah,  daughter  of  Joseph  Kline, 
and  to  this  union  were  born  live  children:  Joseph  H. ;  Wesley;  Isaiah;  Cath- 
arine J.,  who  married  Samuel  Gifi'en,  and  John  J.  Mrs.  Auten  died  in  1S4S 
and  he  was  afterwards  married  to  Sarah  Marr,  widow  of  John  Marr,  and  by 
this  marriage  were  born  seven  children:  James;  William;  Edward;  Yoris; 
George  B. ;  Elizabeth,  who  married  W.  B.  Cox.  and  Annie,  who  married  An- 
gus Fairchild.  On  the  Sth  of  January,  INUl,  Mr.  Auten  died  after  a  severe 
ilhiess  of  aboitt  four  weeks.  He  served  one  term  as  a  justice  of  the  peace  for 
Chillisquaque  township,  and  for  many  years  was  an  earnest  promoter  of  the 
public  schools,  having  served  several  terms  as  school  director.  In  his  polit  - 
ical  affiliations  he  was  an  imswerving  Democrat  and  represented  his  party  in 
coitnty  and  State  conventions.  Mr.  Auten  was  a  member  of  the  ^Methodist 
Episcopal  chtirch,  a  true  Christian,  one  who  was  always  at  his  post  of  duty 


1114  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

when  health  woukl  permit,  and  was  a  devout  student  of  the  Bible.  In  his 
death  the  community  in  which  he  lived  lost  one  of  its  most  upright,  honest, 
and  respected  citizens. 

WiLLi.\si  W.VLDRox,  farmer,  was  born  in  Turbut  township.  September  17, 
1S14,  son  of  Lafferd  Waldron,  who  was  born  in  Hunterdon  coiinty.  New 
Jersey,  in  1704,  came  to  this  county  with  his  father,  Cornelius  Waldron,  in 
178'),  and  settled  near  Muncy,  in  what  is  now  Lycoming  coimty.  Cornelius 
Waldron  was  a  captain  in  the  Revolutionary  war.  and  a  cajitain  in  a  military 
company  after  its  close.  He  afterwards  purchased  a  farm  in  Brady  township, 
Lycoming  county,  and  still  later  settled  at  the  mouth  of  Muddy  run.  He 
was  killed  by  accident  while  felling  a  tree  upon  the  latter  place.  The  father 
of  our  subject  married  Hannah  Webb,  and  settled  upon  the  farm  whereon  his 
son  William  now  resides,  where  he  resided  until  his  death  in  1S37;  his  wife 
died  in  1832.  They  were  members  of  the  Warrior  Run  Presbjierian  church. 
They  reared  eleven  children,  all  deceased  except  William  and  Charles.  The 
subject  of  this  sketch  received  his  education  at  the  township  schools,  and  has 
always  followed  farming.  In  1841  he  married  Annie,  daughter  of  Philip 
Hilgert,  of  Chillisquaque  township,  by  whom  lie  has  rearetl  ten  children: 
Philip  H.,  residing  near  home;  William  A.,  of  Michigan;  Charh-s  L.,  of  Milton; 
Frank  P.,  of  Chillisquaiiue  township;  George  W.,  of  Limestone  township; 
John  C,  residing  at  home;  James  M.,  a  civil  engineer  of  Georgia;  Hannah 
J.,  wife  of  Ephraim  Deitch,  of  Williamsport ;  Mary,  wife  of  James  Marsh, 
of  Michigan,  and  Sarah  Elizabeth,  residing  at  home.  Mr.  Waldron  is  a 
Presbyterian  in  faith,  and  has  always  been  an  active  member  of  the  Demo- 
cratic party;  he  has  served  as  justice  of  the  peace  fifteen  years,  and  also 
tilled  various  other  township  offices.  Ho  was  one  of  the  original  members  of 
Turbut  Grange,  P.  of  H,  and  was  one  of  the  original  stockholders  of  the 
First  National  Bank  of  Milton.  His  oldest  son  was  a  memlier  of  Company 
B,  One  Hundred  and  Thirty-tirst  Pennsylvania  Volunteers. 

J.  W.  Kelsey,  farmer,  was  born  in  Connecticut,  May  2*>.  ISl.").  son  of 
Noah  and  Sophronia  (Hinkley)  Kelsey,  natives  of  that  State  and  farmers  by 
occupation.  His  father  was  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  1812.  a  Democrat  in 
politics,  and  a  member  of  the  Congregational  church.  He  reared  a  family 
of  fourteen  children,  nine  of  whom  are  living:  J.  W. ;  Edwin,  of  Connecti- 
cut; Cynthia,  Mrs.  Studley,  of  Hartford,  Connecticut;  Maria.  Mrs.  Calvin 
Post,  of  Connecticut;  Emily,  Mrs.  Serens  Gladding,  of  Connecticut;  Jean- 
nette;  Sarah;  Harriet,  and  Isaac,  of  Connecticut.  The  subject  of  our  sketch 
was  reared  and  educated  in  his  native  State,  came  toNorthimiberland  county 
in  1838  at  the  age  of  twenty-three  years,  and  engaged  in  school  teaching, 
having  taught  in  Northumberland  and  Union  counties  twenty-four  winters. 
In  1850  he  married  Margaret,  daughter  of  Samuel  Blain.  of  Turbut  town- 
ship, and  to  them  have  been  born  six  children:  Hannah  S. :  Mary  L.,  wife 
of  Cornelius  Vanderbilt,  of  Paterson,  New  Jersey;  Samuel  B.,  of  Paterson, 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  1115 

who  married  Maggie  Flood,  of  Xorthujuberlaud  county;  Albert  S.,  of  Ly- 
coming county,  who  married  Dora  ^Miipple,  of  Northumlierland  county; 
Eosa,  and  Watson  R.  Mr.  Kelsey  ha?  hved  in  Turbut  townshiji  since  his 
marriage,  and  settled  upon  his  present  farm  in  1887.  He  i.s  a  Republican  in 
politics  and  has  served  as  school  director:  he  is  a  member  of  Turbut  Grange, 
P.  of  H.,  and  has  served  as  master  ten  years.  He  has  been  a  member  of  the 
German  Reformed  church  twenty-seven  years,  and  has  served  as  elder  and 
deacon. 

Jacoby  Hartman.  deceased,  was  bom  in  Bucks  county,  Penn.sylvania, 
April  "21,  18l().  He  came  to  Northumberland  coimty  when  a  voung  man, 
and  began  life  as  a  farm  laborer.  October  13,  1842,  he  married  Elizabeth, 
daughter  of  John  Haag,  and  after  marriage  engaged  in  farming  in  Turbut 
township.  Mr.  Hartman  received  but  an  ordinary  education  in  the  schools 
of  that  period,  and  was  an  entirely  self-made  man.  He  started  in  life  a 
poor  boy.  and  at  the  time  of  his  death  was  considered  one  of  the  well- 
to-do  farmers  of  Turbut  township.  He  was  a  member  of  the  First  Lutheran 
church  of  Milton,  and  retained  that  connection  to  the  time  of  his  death. 
Politically  he  was  a  Republican.  He  died  in  1880,  and  his  wife  in  1881. 
Nine  children  were  born  to  them,  three  of  whom  are  living,  and  reside  upon 
the  homestead  in  Turbut  to-\\'nship:  SaUie  A.;  Hettie  M.,  and  Harrison  H. 

Stephen  Glaze,  farmer,  was  born  in  Lewis  township,  August  4,  ISIG, 
son  of  Stephen  and  Mary  (Beck)  Glaze,  natives  of  Berks  county,  who  settled 
in  Lewis  township  at  a  very  early  date.  The  father  was  a  wagon  maker  l)y 
trade,  and  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  lsl2.  He  and  wife  were  members  of  the 
Lutheran  church.  Their  family  consisteti  of  live  children,  two  of  whom  are 
living:  Stephen,  and  Levi,  of  Michigan.  Mr.  Glaze  was  one  of  the  prom- 
inent men  of  Lewis  township,  and  a  man  of  good  business  ability.  Politic- 
ally he  was  a  Democrat,  and  sen-ed  in  the  various  township  offices.  He 
died  in  1870.  The  subject  of  our  sketch  was  reared  upon  the  homestead 
farm,  and  received  his  education  at  the  public  schools.  He  began  life  as  a 
carjienter,  and  has  followed  that  occupation  in  connection  with  farming.  In 
1848  he  married  Rachel  Raup,  who  was  born  in  Lewis  township,  by  whom 
he  has  had  five  children,  three  of  whom  are  living:  Mary,  wife  of  John  C. 
Folt,  of  Watsontown;  Gusta\iis,  and  Alfred  R.,  a  Ltitheran  minister  of 
Espy.  Mr.  Glaze  again  married,  November  10,  1881,  Mary  Annie  Gagle. 
Her  parents,  Conrad  and  Margaret  (Weber)  Yagle,  were  natives  of  Berks 
county,  and  settled  in  Lewis  to\\Tiship.  In  politics  Mr.  Glaze  is  a  Democrat, 
and  has  tilled  several  township  offices.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Lutheran 
church  of  Turbutville,  and  has  sers-ed  as  elder  and  deacon  many  years. 

John  Mausteller.  farmer,  was  bom  in  Montour  county,  Pennsylvania.  Jime 
17,  1822,  son  of  Daniel  and  Elizabeth  (Shultz)  Mati-steller.  His  father  was 
drafted  in  the  war  of  1812,  and  ftimi.-hfHl  a  substitute:  he  became  one  of 
the  jsrominent  farmers  of  the  county.     In  politics  he  was  a  Democrat.     He 


lUG  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

died  in  1868,  and  his  widow  survived  him  until  1SS7.  They  were  members 
of  the  Presbyterian  church  for  many  years.  Their  family  consisted  of  eight 
children,  seven  of  whom  are  living:  John;  Mary,  wife  of  Peter  Crosley,  of 
Montour  coxmty;  "William,  of  Columbia  county;  Rebecca,  widow  of  Levi 
Wright  of  Columbia  county,  Margaret,  wife  of  Hiram  Cromley,  of  Montour 
county;  Sarah,  wife  of  Elijah  Cromley,  of  Montour  county,  and  Paul,  of 
Montour  county.  The  subject  of  our  sketch  was  reared  in  Columbia  and 
Montour  counties,  and  received  his  education  in  the  local  schools;  he  has' 
always  followed  farming,  and  removed  to  his  present  farm  in  Turbut  town- 
ship in  INIi'S.  In  1844  he  married  Maria  J.,  daughter  of  James  Girton,  of 
Columbia  county.  She  died.  January'  8,  18(58;  by  her  he  had  four  children: 
James  Dallas,  formerly  a  practicing  physician  of  Danville,  who  died  in  Den- 
ver, Colorado,  August  21),  18^:J:  Elsie,  wife  of  William  Geiger,  of  Montour 
county;  Sarah  Matilda,  who  died,  June  24,  1890,  and  Daniel,  of  Turbut 
township.  He  was  again  married,  in  1871,  to  Catharine,  daughter  of  James 
Black,  of  Tnion  county,  by  whom  he  has  one  child,  William.  Mr.  Maustel- 
ler  is  a  Democrat  in  politics,  and  has  served  as  school  director,  supervisor, 
and  tax  collector. 

Daniel  S.  Linebaugh.  farmer,  was  ])orn  in  Turbut  township,  Northum- 
berland county,  Pennsylvania.  July  ;^t),  1822,  son  of  John  C.  and  Mary 
(Stitzel)  Linebaugh,  who  settled  in  Turbut  township  about  1820.  They  were 
jiromintrnt  members  of  the  old  Paradise  church,  and  reared  a  large  family. 
Our  subject  was  married  in  184-'')  to  Mary  Fich,  and  has  four  children:  Annie 
M.;  John  A.;  Daniel  O.,  and  Charles. 

MiXNER  G.  Marsh,  farmer,  was  born  in  Rush  town.ship,  Northumberland 
county,  Pennsylvania.  April  V».  1824,  son  of  Isaac  and  Sarah  (Gulick)  Marsh, 
natives  of  New  Jersey  and  Huntingdon  county,  Penn.sylvania,  respectively. 
The  father  came  to  this  county  in  1807  with  his  father,  Isaac  Marsh,  who 
purchased  a  farm  in  Rush  township.  He  died,  Januaiy  81,  1874,  and  his 
wife  died.  May  28,  18<)7.  They  reared  five  children:  Minner  G. ;  Mary;  Daniel 
G. ;  Williamson,  and  Ellen. 

George  Washington  Funk,  farmer,  was  born  in  Bucks  county,  Pennsyl- 
vania, July  27,  1831,  son  of  Heury  and  Catharine  (Stover)  Funk,  natives  of 
that  county  who  came  to  Northumberland  coimty  in  1839,  and  located  upon 
the  farm  whereon  our  subject  now  resides.  He  was  a  prominent  member  of 
the  Milton  Baptist  church,  and  served  as  deacon  many  years;  in  politics 
he  was  a  Republican,  and  served  in  the  various  townshijj  offices.  He  died  in 
1852  and  his  wife  in  1871.  Their  family  consisted  of  six  children  who  grew 
to  maturity:  Franklin,  of  Milton:  George  W.;  Clementine,  wife  of  Samuel 
Hoffa,  of  Milton;  Catharine,  wife  of  Michael  Rissell,  of  Milton;  Lewis,  de- 
ceased, and  Annie,  Mrs.  William  Heinen,  deceased.  The  subject  of  this 
sketch  came  to  Northumberland  coimty  at  the  age  of  eight  years ;  he  received 
his  education  at  the  township  schools,  and  has  always  lived  upon  his  present 


<y(rU^ntxm^  e>^^>^^^y4^:/^ 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  1119 

farm.  In  1864  he  married  Rebecca,  daughter  of  George  T.  and  Catharine 
(Martin)  Gauby,  natives  of  "Berks  county,  who  came  to  Xorthumberhind 
county  in  1840  and  located  in  Milton.  Mr.  Gauby  was  a  deacon  b  the  Bap- 
tist church,  and  died  in  Milton  in  ]SS9;  his  wife  still  survives  him.  They 
reared  four  children:  Reese  D.,  of  Florida;  Mary,  Mrs.  Harn.-  Snyder,  of 
Milton;  Rebecca,  Mrs.  G.  W.  Funk,  and  Lydia,  deceased.  The  subject  of 
this  sketch  has  no  children.  He  is  independent  in  politics  with  prohibition 
proclivities.  He  is  a  stockliolder  in  the  Milton  Driving  Park  Association,  and 
a  member  of  Turbut  Grange,  P.  of  H.  Mr.  and  :\lrs.  Funk  are  m^mljers  of 
the  Bajitist  church  of  Milton. 

Wii.r.iAM  Weidexhamer,  farmer,  was  born  in  Berks  county.  Pennsylvania. 
January  "ill,  ls:5'i,  son  of  Jacob  and  Susannah  Weidenhamer,  also  natives  of 
that  county,  who  afterwards  moved  to  Montour  county,  where  the  father  en- 
gaged in  farming  and  in  the  mercantile  trade  at  Limestoneville.  He  was  a 
Democrat  in  politics  and  filled  various  township  offices.  His  death  occurred 
in  1803  and  that  of  his  widow  in  1S87.  They  reared  four  sons  and  two 
daughters,  five  of  whom  are  living:  Wellington  D.,  of  Limestoneville:  Will- 
iam: Daniel,  of  INIilton:  John  A.,  of  Wat.sontown.  and  Elizabeth  E..  who 
married  Emanuel  Mauser,  of  Liberty  township.  Montour  county.  Our  sub- 
ject moved  to  Montottr  county  at  the  age  of  seven  years  and  received  his  ed- 
ucation in  the  common  schools.  At  the  age  of  nineteen  years  he  began  boat- 
ing and  has  since  followed  different  occupations,  principally  farming.  On 
January  !:!9,  1830,  ho  was  married  to  Margaret  Kurtz,  daughter  of  George 
Kurtz,  of  this  county,  and  moved  to  Iowa,  where  he  was  engaged  in  Imubering 
and  the  mercantik'  business  for  four  years.  In  ISOT  he  came  to  his  present 
farm  in  Turbut  townsliip.  where  he  hits  since  remained.  His  wife  died  in 
1SS7  and  was  the  mother  of  the  following  children:  Clarence  A. :  Harry ; 
Thomas  S.;  William;  Edward:  Ada  Gertrude;  Clinton  EUis,  and  George  S. 
Mr.  Weidenhamer  is  a  stockholder  in  the  Milton  creamery,  The  Eec'ord  Pub- 
lishing Company,  the  Milton  Driving  Park  and  Fair  Association,  and  the 
]\Iilton  Trust  and  Safe  Dejiosit  Comj)any.  He  has  always  taken  a  deep  in- 
terest in  the  success  of  the  Democratic  party  and  was  once  a  camiidate  for 
sheritf.  He  has  served  as  school  director  for  a  number  of  years,  having  been 
recently  re-elected  to  that  office.  He  was  a  member  of  Milton  Lodge,  No. 
'2")0,  F.  &  A.  M.,  and  a  charter  member  of  the  Turbut  Grange;  he  is  a  trastee 
of  Trinity  Lutheran  church  of  Milton,  and  was  a  charter  member  of  the 
Wilkesbarre  and  Western  Railroad  Comjiany. 

Reuben  H.  Klapp,  farmer  and  fruit  grower,  was  born  in  Berks  coimty, 
Pennsylvania,  January  12.  1838,  son  of  Peter  and  Catharine  (Haagt  Klapp, 
natives  of  that  county,  who  settled  in  Union  county  in  1842.  His  father  was 
a  tanner  by  trade,  and  followed  that  occupation  over  twenty  years,  after 
which  he  engaged  in  farming.  He  was  a  deacon  and  leader  of  the  choir  in 
the  Lxitheran  church,  and  politically  was  a  Republican.     He  had  a  good  edu- 

63 


1120  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

cation,  and  in  his  younger  days  taught  the  German  language.  He  died  in 
1861,  and  his  widow  in  1ST4.  They  reared  fourteen  children:  Reuben; 
Jerrett,  of  Lock  Haven:  Sophia.  Mrs.  Henry  Heberling,  of  White  Deer  Mills, 
Union  county;  Catharine:  Mary;  "William,  of  Florida;  Daniel,  deceased; 
Samuel,  of  Milton;  Eebecca.  Mrs.  William  Michael,  of  Trevorton;  Charles, 
of  Milton;  Sarah,  deceaseil:  Delilah,  Mrs.  Beck,  of  Dakota;  Ella,  of  Milton, 
and  John,  of  Union  coimty.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  removed  to  Union 
county  at  the  age  of  nine  years.  He  received  his  education  at  the  township 
schools,  Milton  Academy,  and  Pennsylvania  College,  Gettysburg,  Pennsyl- 
vania, after  which  he  was  engaged  in  teaching  fourteen  years;  since  then  he 
has  been  engaged  in  farming  and  fruit  culture.  In  1870  he  came  to  North- 
umberland county  and  located  upon  his  present  farn>.  In  Se])tember,  IS'H, 
he  enlisted  in  Company  C.  One  Hundred  and  Ninety-ninth  Pennsylvania  Volun- 
teers, and  served  until  tli'-  close  of  the  war,  receiving  wounds  at  the  battle  of 
Appomattox.  June  11.  ]^t\i.  he  married  Mary,  daughter  of  Isaac  Marsh,  of 
Northumberland  county.  She  died,  January  20,  1880,  leaving  no  children. 
He  was  again  married,  Jime  3,  1888,  to  Mrs.  Hettie  Herr,  widow  of  Chris- 
topher Herr,  and  daughter  of  Charles  and  Hettie  (Newhart)  Albright,  of  Le- 
high county,  Pennsylvania.  Mr.  Klapp  is  an  active  member  of  the  Repub- 
lican party,  of  Henry  Wilson  Post,  G.  A.  R.,  and  of  the  Turbut  Grange.  He 
and  his  wifi^  are  meml)ers  of  the  Lutheran  church. 

S.\MUEL  M.  Bl.un.  farmer,  was  born  in  Milton,  Pennsylvania,  November 
23,  1834,  son  of  Samuel  and  Hannah  (Kietter)  Blain.  The  first  of  his 
ancestors  to  settle  in  Northumberland  county,  was  George  Blain,  a  native  of 
Dublin,  Ireland,  who  immigrated  to  America  prior  to  1800  and  settled  in 
Turbut  township.  The  father  of  our  subject  was  born  in  Tui-but  township 
in  IIW  and  was  a  farmer  by  occupation.  He  was  a  member  of  Warrior 
Run  Presbyterian  church,  but  subsequently  joined  the  Milton  Presbyterian 
church.  He  was  a  Whig,  a  strong  Abolitionist,  and  a  Republican  in  politics. 
His  death  occurred  in  1^S2.  and  that  of  his  widow  in  188rj.  He  reared  a 
family  of  seven  children:  Margaret,  wife  of  J.  W.  Kelsey;  Sarah  Jane,  who 
married  James  B.  Wilson,  of  Lewisburg,  and  died  in  18SU;  George;  Mary 
Ann,  wife  of  John  Russell:  Samuel  M. ;  Matilda,  wife  of  Zacharias  Yagel, 
and  John.  Our  subject  was  reared  in  his  native  township  and  received  his 
education  at  the  public  .schools.  In  1861  he  enlisted  in  Company  D,  Seventh 
Pennsylvania  Cavalry,  as  a  private,  and  was  promoted  to  the  rank  of  second 
lieutenant,  in  which  he  served  to  the  close  of  the  war,  receiving  an  honorable 
discharge.  His  service  was  principally  in  the  West,  and  although  partici- 
pating in  several  of  the  famous  battles,  he  was  fortunate  enough  to  escape 
wounds.  After  the  close  of  the  war  he  purchased  a  farm  in  Chillisquaque 
township,  where  he  resided  five  years,  and  then  became  a  resident  of  Turbut 
township.  In  1804  he  was  married  to  Sarah  E.  Wilson,  daughter  of  William 
and  Ellen  Wilson,  by  whom"  he  has  three  children:  Mattie  W. ;  Jessie  Belle, 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  1121 

and  Ella  M.  Mr.  Blaiu  ir-  a  Republican,  and  with  his  family  belongs  to  the 
Milton  Presliyterian  church.  He  is  a  member  of  Henry  Wilson  Post.  G.  A. 
E.,  of  Milton.  Mrs.  Blaia's  grandparents  were  Hugh  and  Annie  (Crawford) 
Wilson,  natives  of  Scotland  and  Ireland,  respectively,  who  settled  in  that 
part  of  Northumberland  county  which  now  forms  a  part  of  Columbia  county. 
Pennsylvania.  At  the  fall  of  Fort  Freeland  :\rr.  Wilson  was  captured  and 
scalj:)ed  by  the  Indians. 

Samuel  Everitt,  farm-T.  was  born  iu  Northampton  county.  Pennsylvania, 
January  U.  l^;^(i.  son  of  A-^a  and  Susan  (Adams)  Everitt.  His  father  was  a 
native  of  New  Jersey,  and  his  mother  of  Northampton  county.  They  re- 
moved to  Nurthumljerlnnd  county  in  1.S8S  and  located  in  Turbut  township, 
where  they  were  recognize.!  as  one  among  the  leading  families  of  the  town- 
ship. Ml-.  Everitt  w;-.s  ;i  Republican  in  politics,  and  he  and  wife  wi're 
members  of  the  :\[eth..,li-r  EMi:;copal  church  of  Milton.  He  died.  February 
<'i.  ISMI;  lii>  wife  dieil  ill  Is^-J.  They  reared  a  family  of  nine  children,  six 
of  whom  are  living:  :M;iti!  !.■'..  wife  of  James  Fries,  of  Iowa;  Samuel:  Catha- 
rine, wife  of  Daniel  Detri.-k.  of  White  Deer  townshij).  Union  county.  Asa. 
of  Delaware  township:  William,  of  White  Deer  township,  Union  county, 
and  Mary,  wife  of  Willi:im  Koch,  of  Chillis(pia(|Ue  township.  The  three 
dead  an>  Su-an.  deceased  wife  of  Charles  Heilman.  of  Watsontown;  David, 
and  Christiana,  wlio  wu-  ih-  tir^t  person  burii'd  in  the  upper  cemetery  at 
Milton.  Til"  subject  (if  rliis  ,-ketcli  came  to  this  county  at  the  age  of  two 
years,  and  ha-  always  li.-.:;  engaged  in  farming.  He  was  married  in  1S(U 
to  Catharine,  daughter  vi  Piiili[i  Heilman,  of  Lycoming  coianty.  Pennsyl- 
vania, and  by  this  union  rh.y  have  two  children:  John  E.  and  Heilman  P. 
Mr.  Everitt  is  a  stockhohh-r  and  director  in  tli(>  Farmers'  National  Bank  of 
Watsontown.  having  served  as  director  since  its  organization.  He  is  one  of 
tiie  wealthy  and  influ'-utial  citizens  of  Turbut,  and  has  one  of  the  line.st 
farms  in  tlie  tuwnshi[i.  H-  and  his  family  are  memliers  of  the  Lutheran 
church,  and  j'olitically  he  i^  a  Republican. 

Zachakias  Yagel,  carpenter,  was  born  in  Northamjiton  county,  Pennsyl- 
vania, October  8,  1S8(),  son  of  Conrad  and  Margaret  Ann  (Weaver)  Yagel, 
natives  of  Germany,  who  immigrated  to  America,  located  in  Northampton 
county,  and  afterwards  removed  to  Northumberland  county.  The  subject  of 
our  sketch  received  his  education  at  the  township  schools,  and  also  acquired 
the  German  language.  He  learned  the  carpenter  trade,  which  he  has  since 
followed.  October  ],  1S04.  he  married  Hannah  Matilda  Blain:  for  five  years 
they  lived  in  Watsontown.  and  have  since  resided  upon  their  present  farm  in 
Turbiit  township.  Eight  children  have  been  born  to  this  union:  Annie  B., 
wife  of  Willard  W'hipple.  of  Milton;  Annie  Margaret;  Emma  Jane:  Eliza- 
beth L. ;  Samuel  Blain:  -James  Watson:  John  Russell,  and  George  Z.  In 
1S(V2  he  enlisted  in  Company  B,  One  Hundred  and  Thirty-first  Pennsylvania 
Volunteers,  and  served  nine  months.      He  and  his  familv  are  members  of  the 


112'i  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBEELAND    COUNTY. 

Presbyterian  church  of  Milton,  and  politically  he  is  a  Democrat.  Mr. 
Yagel's  father's  family  consisted  of  six  children:  Lavina,  wife  of  Samuel 
Shade,  of  Limestoneville;  Zacharias;  John,  of  ^Vatsonto^vn ;  Sarah,  wife  of 
William  Derr,  of  Union  county;  Mary  Ann,  wife  of  Stephen  Glaze,  and 
Martin,  of  Watsontown. 

Seth  C.  Hill,  farmer,  was  born  in  Chillisquaque  township,  Northumber- 
land county,  Pennsylvania,  November  9,  1830,  son  of  Elijah  and  Rebecca 
(Wenrich)  Hill.  His  father  was  a  native  of  Berks  county,  and  came  with 
his  parents  to  Cliillisquaque  to^vnship•,  here  he  was  reared  and  began  life 
as  a  day  laborer,  but  afterwards  engaged  in  farming  in  Limestone  township, 
Montour  county,  where  he  remained  ten  years,  and  then  moved  to  Turbut 
township,  where  he  remained  until  his  death  in  March,  18S7.  He  was  an 
active  Republican  in  politics,  and  for  thirty-five  years  a  member  of  the 
Lutheran  church  of  Milton,  serving  as  deacon  of  the  same  many  years. 
His  wife  still  survives  him.  They  reared  live  children,  two  of  whom  are 
living:  Seth  C.  and  Alfred.  The  siibject  of  this  sketcli  received  his  educa- 
tion at  the  public  schools,  and  has  principally  followed  the  occupation  of  a 
farmer.  For  six  years  he  engaged  in  the  lumber  business  in  Clinton  county, 
Pennsylvania,  and  was  engaged  in  the  grocery  business  in  Milton  several 
years,  after  which  he  embarked  in  the  dairy  business,  and  in  ISSO  accepted 
his  present  position  as  manager  of  the  farm  and  dairy  of  William  Heiner. 
In  1861  he  married  Rachel,  daughter  of  Abraham  Angney,  a  native  of 
Bucks  county  and  a  settler  of  Turbut  township.  By  this  union  they  have 
six  children;  Clara;  Kate;  Alice;  Bessie;  William,  and  Harry.  Mr.  Hill  is 
an  elder  in  the  Lutheran  church  of  Milton.  Politically  he  is  a  Republican. 
JoHX  Sheep,  farmer,  was  born  in  Montour  county,  Pennsylvania,  April  lU. 
1887.  son  of  William  and  Margaret  (McCollum)  Sheep,  natives  of  that 
county,  and  farmers  by  occuiiation.  They  were  members  of  the  Presbj-terian 
church,  and  both  died  in  the  year  187)0.  They  reared  a  family  of  four 
children:  David  M.,  of  Bloomsburg;  James;  John,  and  Annie,  who  died  in 
bSriS.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  reared  in  Montour  coimty,  and  re- 
ceived an  ordinary  education.  In  185o  he  removed  to  Michigan,  where  he 
remained  two  years;  he  then  returned  to  Northumberland  county,  resided 
two  years  at  Milton,  and  in  1859  settled  upon  his  present  farm  in  Turbut 
township.  In  1860  he  married  Jane,  daughter  of  Robert  McKee,  of  Montour 
county,  by  whom  he  has  had  seven  children:  Margaret  Jane,  wife  of  Albert 
C.  Crawford;  Mary;  Flora,  wife  of  G.  B.  Wesner,  of  McEwensville ;  Harriet: 
William,  who  died  in  1877;  Robert  M.,  and  John  E.  Mr.  Sheej)  was  drafted 
in  the  war  of  the  Rebellion,  and  furnished  a  siibstitute.  In  politics  he  is  a 
Democrat,  and  has  served  as  school  director  of  the  township.  He  and  his 
family  attend  the  Presbyterian  church. 

Edw.\rd  J.  Stamm,  farmer,  was  born  in  Lewis  township,  Northumberland 
county,  Pennsylvania,  December  15,  1839,  son  of  Jacob  and  Mary  (Deifen- 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  1123 

bacher)  Stanim.  The  father  was  born  in  Berks  county,  Pennsylvania,  in 
180S,  removed  to  this  county  %yith  his  father,  Frederick  Stamm,  iii  ISIO.  and 
settled  on  a  farm  in  Turbut  township.  Frederick  Stamm  afterwards  moved 
to  Centre  county,  but  in  a  few  years  returned  and  died  upon  the  old  home- 
stead. He  was  a  prominent  member  of  the  Reformed  church,  and  served  as 
deacon  and  elder  for  many  years. 

Jacob  Stamm,  the  father  of  Edward  J.  Stamm,  was  brought  up  ou  the 
homestead  farm  which  in  later  years  he  purchased.  In  1S34  he  married 
Mary  Deifenbacher,  daughter  of  Philip  Deifenl)acher,  of  Montour  county, 
this  State.  He  learned  the  trade  of  carpenter,  which  he  followed  for  many 
years.  He  was  an  influential  Democrat,  and  served  as  overseer  of  the  poor 
over  eighteen  years;  he  also  tilled  various  other  township  offices,  and  was  a 
member  of  the  Paradise  Reformed  church,  of  which  he  was  deacon  and  elder 
for  many  years.  He  died  on  the  2Sth  of  October,  ISSl,  and  his  widow  sur- 
vives with  her  son,  Edward  J.  Stanmi.  Her  children  are  named  as  follows: 
William  B.;  Edward  J.;  Daniel  D. ;  Franklui  H. ;  Levi  F.,  and  P.  L.  Our 
subject  received  his  education  at  Limestoneville,  Turbutville,  and  Milton, 
after  which  he  was  employed  as  a  teacher  sixteen  years.  He  settled  upon 
his  present  farm  in  1871.  He  was  married  in  1800  to  Amelia  A.  Berger, 
daughter  of  Jacob  Berger,  of  Montour  county,  Pennsylvania.  By  this  union 
six  children  have  been  born:  Alovesta  M.  E.,  wife  of  Franklin  Lahr,  of  Tur- 
but township:  Hurley  W. ;  Grace  C. :  Lloyd  W. ;  Charles  E.,  and  Ralph 
Jacob.  ]\rr.  Stamm  is  a  Democrat;  ho  has  served  as  overseer  of  the  poor  and 
in  other  township  offices.  He  is  one  of  the  stockholders  and  directors  of 
The  Record  Publishing  Comjiany,  and  a  stockholder  of  the  Milton  Creamery 
Company.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Reformed  church,  while  his  wife  belongs 
to  the  Lutheran  church. 

J.  U.  KuETZ.  farmer,  was  born  in  New  Jersey,  October  it,  lS4lt.  son  of 
Andrew  and  Sarah  E.  (Diehl)  Kurtz,  who  came  to  Northumberland  county 
in  1842,  engaged  in  farming  in  Chillisquaque  to^\Tiship,  and  also  engaged 
extensively  in  lime-burning.  The  father  was  a  Democrat  in  politics,  and 
served  in  various  township  offices.  He  and  his  wife  were  prominent  members 
of  the  Lutheran  church  of  Milton.  He  died  in  March,  1885;  his  wife  died 
in  Ajiril.  1SS2.  They  reared  nine  children,  three  of  whom  are  living;  J.  U. ; 
Amandus,  of  Turbut  towusliip,  and  Sarah,  wife  of  Abraham  Clemens,  of 
ChilliscpKupie  township.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  reared  and  educated 
in  Turbut  township,  and  remained  upon  the  homestead  farm  until  1859.  In 
1801  he  enlisted  in  the  three  months'  service  ui^der  Colonel  Stewart,  re-en- 
listed in  the  three  years"  service  in  Company  A,  Sixth  Pennsylvania  Reserve, 
and  was  honorably  discharged  at  the  expiration  of  twenty-three  months  on 
account  of  disability.  After  the  close  of  the  war  he  went  to  Williamsport, 
where  he  engaged  in  the  lumber  business  five  years.  In  1868  he  settled 
upon  his  present  farm  in  Turbut  township.     In  1808  he  was  united  in  mar- 


1124:  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

riage  with  Sarah  E.  Bartoe,  of  Cohimbia  coiinty,  Pennsylvania,  by  whom  he 
has  twelve  children :  George  McClellan,  who  married  Ida  Ammons,  and  re- 
sides in  Turbut  township:  William  Andrew;  Edward  E.,  who  married  Lizzie 
Royer,  of  Lewisburg;  Elizabeth,  wife  of  John  Bender,  of  Turbut  township; 
Margaret;  Ida;  Hattie;  Charles  E. ;  Ella;  Annie:  Jennie,  and  Bessie.  In 
politics  Mr.  Kurtz  is  a  Democrat;  he  is  a  member  of  Henry  Wilson  Post, 
G.  A.  E.,  and  one  of  the  trustees  and  treasurer  of  Turbut  Grange,  P.  of  H. ; 
he  and  his  family  are  members  of  the  FoUmer  Lutheran  church. 

John  Dunkel,  farmer,  was  bom  in  Turbut  to-\vnship,  Northumberland 
county,  Pennsylvania,  March  25,  1842,  and  is  a  son  of  John  and  Margaret 
(Kissinger)  Dunkel.  He  received  his  education  in  the  public  schools  and 
has  followed  farming  during  his  active  life.  He  was  married  in  1871  to 
Mary  E.  Kauffman,  daughter  of  Solomon  Kauffman,  of  Lycoming  coiiuty, 
Pennsylvania,  and  has  one  child,  John.  He  is  a  Democrat  in  pohtics,  has 
served  as  school  director,  and  is  a  member  of  Paradise  Reformed  church. 
His  father,  John  Dunkel,  was  born  in  I'nion  coiinty.  Pennsylvania,  in  1808, 
and  after  marriage  located  in  Turbut  township  in  ls3().  He  was  a  member 
of  the  Paradise  Reformed  church,  and  died  in  1S81.  His  wife  died  in  1871, 
and  was  the  mother  of  seven  children:  Fanny  M. :  A.  K. ;  Peter;  John;  Mar- 
garet; D.  K,  and  Emma. 

W.  A.  Deeter  was  born  in  Chillisquaque  township,  Northumberland 
county,  Pennsylvania,  January  lU,  1840,  son  of  Jacob  and  Eliza  Ann  (Barr) 
Deeter,  natives  of  Montour  and  Lycoming  counties.  Penn.sylvania,  respect- 
ively. They  were  consistent  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church, 
of  which  ho  was  deacon  and  elder.  The  father  died  in  1850  and  his 
widow  married  David  Karchner,  who  died  in  188U;  she  survives  him  and 
resides  in  Milton.  Her  first  marriage  gave  her  two  children:  W.  A.  and 
George;  and  her  second  marriage  four  children:  Russell  K.,  of  Williams- 
port;  Martha,  Ann,  and  Nora,  all  of  Milton.  Our  subject  has  resided  upon 
his  present  farm  since  the  age  of  four  years.  In  1871  he  married  Margaret 
Ganger,  daughter  of  John  B.  Ganger,  of  Montour  county,  this  State,  and 
by  her  has  two  children:  Harry  and  May.  He  is  an  active  Democrat,  and 
was  the  candidate  of  tliat  i«irty  for  commissioner  in  1888.  He  is  a  member 
of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  with  his  family  belongs  to  the  Lutheran  church,  of 
which  he  has  served  as  deacon  fifteen  years. 

H.  W.  Wolfe,  school  teacher  and  farmer,  was  bom  in  Union  coimty, 
Pennsylvania,  September  6,  1847,  son  of  Daniel  and  Caroline  (Farley) 
Wolfe,  natives  of  Union  coimty,  who  settled  upon  the  present  farm  of  our 
subject  in  1853.  They  became  one  of  the  prominent  families  of  the  town- 
ship, and  removed  to  Missouri  in  1881,  where  they  now  reside.  Their  family 
consisted  of  three  children:  H.  W. :  Sarah,  wife  of  Lewis  Rissell.  of  Mis- 
souri, and  Mary  C,  wife  of  Daniel  Masteller,  of  Turbut  township.  The 
sixbject  of  our  sketch  came  to  Turlnit  township  when  six  years  of  age.     He 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  1125 

Avas  educated  in  the  public  schools  and  Milton  Academy,  and  learned  the 
caq^enter  trade,  which  he  has  followed  since  1S72;  he  has  also  been  engaged 
in  teaching  school  during  the  last  eighteen  years.  In  LSTO  he  married 
Maggie  A.,  daughter  of  John  Dimkel,  of  Turbut  township,  by  whom  he  has 
one  child,  Frank  D.  Mr.  Wolfe  is  a  member  of  the  Prohibition  party,  and 
of  St.  John's  Reformed  church  of  Milton,  in  which  he  has  served  as  deacon. 
Since  ISSO  he  has  been  employed  in  the  Milton  Car  Works. 

JoHX  C.  Krock,  farmer,  was  born  in  Northampton  county,  Pennsylvania, 
January  31,  1N4.S,  son  of  John  and  Mary  (Smith)  Krock.  natives  of  that 
county,  who  removed  to  Northumberland  county  about  1S58  and  settled  in 
Delaware  township,  where  the  father  still  resides.  His  family  consisted  of 
John  C. ;  Mary,  wife  of  E.  Diefenbacher,  of  Delaware  township,  and  Annie. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  German  Reformed  church,  and  politically  is  a 
Republican.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  reared  and  educated  in  Dela- 
ware township,  and  learned  the  trade  of  shoemaking,  which  he  followed 
eight  years,  since  which  he  has  been  engaged  in  farming.  In  isriT  he 
married  Emma,  daughter  of  Frederick  W'hitman,  of  Watsontown,  by  whom 
he  has  five  children:  Ida;  Flora  Elizabeth;  Minnie;  John  Frederick,  and 
Maud.  Mr.  Krock  and  wife  are  members  of  the  German  Reformed  church 
of  Milton,  and  politically  he  is  a  Republican. 

J.  W^.  HofSE.  blacksmith,  was  born  in  Chillisquaque  township,  North- 
umberland county,  Pennsylvania.  April  o,  1S4S,  son  of  Andrew  and  Caroline 
(Bitzner)  House,  natives  of  Germany,  who  immigrated  to  this  county,  where 
they  were  married.  Otir  subject  was  reared  and  educated  in  his  native 
township  and  learned  the  blacksmith  trade  at  Milton;  he  has  since  followed 
this  occupation,  locating  in  Turbut  township  in  1S71.  In  ISTfi  he  was 
married  to  Sarah  Steiner,  datighter  of  John  Steiner,  of  Lewis  township,  by 
whom  he  has  two  children:  John  and  Mary.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Turbut 
Grange,  P.  of  H.,  and  of  the  Lutheran  church,  and  is  a  Democrat  in  politics. 
His  father's  family  consisted  of  six  children:  Emanuel,  of  Turbut  township; 
Jacob,  of  Chillisquaqtte  to\\"nship;  Andrew,  of  Milton;  Henry,  of  Chillis- 
quatjue  township;  Caroline,  and  J.  W.     The  two  last  named  are  twins. 

Heney  J.  Sypher,  farmer,  was  born  in  Lnion  county,  Pennsylvania,  May 
I'.l,  184S,  son  of  Abraham  and  Annie  (Follmer)  Sypher,  farmers  by  occupa- 
tion, and  now  residents  of  I'nion  county.  Their  family  consists  of  two 
children:  Henry  J.,  and  Leah  Ann.  wife  of  John  Bricker,  of  Union  county. 
The  sitbject;  of  this  sketch  received  his  education  at  the  luiblic  schools  of  his 
native  county.  In  1869  he  married  Julia  Ann,  daughter  of  George  and 
Mercy  (Sternart)  Berkheimer.  of  Chillisquaque  township,  and  former  resi- 
dents of  Union  county,  where  the  father  still  lives,  her  mother  having  died 
in  18S7.  The  stibject  of  this  sketch  settled  uj^on  his  present  farm  near 
FoUmer's  church  in  1870;  he  has  five  children:  Annie  M.,  wife  of  Harvey 
Soues,   of  Hucrhesville.   Lvcoming  cotmtv;    William   Henrv;  George  Abra- 


1126  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBEKLAND    COUNTY. 

ham:  Veronica  Idilla,  and  Bessie  Leah.  Mr.  Sypher  is  independent  in 
politics,  and  has  filled  the  office  of  school  director  of  Turbut  township.  He 
has  been  a  prominent  member  of  Turbvit  Grange,  P.  of  H.,  since  its  organi- 
zation.    His  wife  and  family  are  members  of  the  Lutheran  church. 

WiLLi.^M  Klick,  farmer,  was  born  in  Lebanon  county.  Pennsylvania,  Feb- 
ruary 15,  1850,  son  of  Peter  and  Lavina  (Wenrich)  Klick,  natives  of  Schuyl- 
kill and  Berks  counties,  respectively.  Mr.  Klick  was  reared  and  educated  in 
Lebanon  county,  and  has  always  followed  farming.  He  migrated  from  Leb- 
anon to  Union  county,  and  April  3,  1879,  removed  to  Turbut  township,  where 
he  is  now  engaged  in  farming  and  huckstering.  In  1872  he  married  Mary, 
daughter  of  Christian  Page,  of  Union  county.  She  died  in  187-1  leaving  no  chil- 
dren. He  was  again  married,  in  1876,  to  Carrie,  daughter  of  Daniel  Pick, 
of  Union  county,  by  whom  he  has  five  children :  Mary  Alice ;  William  Arthur ; 
Peter  Harrison;  Sallie  E,stella,  and  Charles  Dougle.  Mr.  Klick  is  a  member 
of  Turbut  Grange,  P.  of  H.,  in  which  he  has  tilled  several  offices.  He  and 
his  wife  are  members  of  the  Follmer  Lutheran  church,  in  which  he  has 
served  as  deacon,  and  is  now  church  treasurer;  in  politics  he  is  a  Democrat. 

The  Murrays  of  Chillisquaque.-- About  the  year  1770  three  brothers, 
James,  William,  and  John  Murray,  settled  on  lands  lying  along  the  Chillis- 
quaque  creek  in  Northumberland  county  in  the  vicinity  of  the  present  vil- 
lage of  Pottsgrove,  for  which  they  obtained  patents  from  the  Commonwealth. 

To  this  original  colony  were  afterwards  added  several  members  of  a  fam- 
ily of  the  name  of  Murray  who  had  come  from  Scotland  and  settled  on  the 
Swatara  (now  in  Dauphin  county)  in  17:52.  It  is  known  that  kinship  was 
claimed  between  these  two  families  but  the  relationshi])  was  probably  remote 
and  can  not  now  bo  determined.  There  appear  to  have  been  others  also  of 
the  same  name  who  settled  in  the  same  locality  at  about  the  same  period,  but 
it  is  not  known  that  any  blood  relationship  existed  between  the  latter  and  the 
two  families  first  mentioned. 

The  Murrays  were  stanch  Presbyterians  and  active  members  of  the  Chil- 
lis([uaquo  church.  The  several  families  of  the  same  name  became  at  one 
time  so  numerous  as  to  constitiite  a  largo  proportion  of  the  local  community, 
but  subsequently  many  of  the  members  removed  to  different  parts  of  the 
West   and  comparatively  few  of  their  descendants  now  remain  in  this  State. 

Among  the  members  of  the  Swatara  family  who  settled  on  the  Chillis- 
quaque,  was  John  Murray  who  represented  this  district  in  the  House  of  Rep- 
resentatives from  1807  to  1810,  and  served  as  a  member  of  Congress  from 
1817  to  1820.  He  was  born  in  1708  and  was  married  to  Margaret  Murray, 
a  daughter  of  Colonel  John  Murray  of  Dauphin  county.  They  had  several 
children,  one  of  whom  was  the  late  John  Murray  (merchant)  of  Milton. 

James,  one  of  the  three  brothers  first  mentioned  and  known  as  Colonel 
James  Murray,  took  an  active  part  in  the  war  of  the  Revolution  as  colonel  of 
a  regiment  of  militia  which  had  probably  been  raised  in  the  upper  end  of  the 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  1127 

county.  At  the  organization  of  the  Xorthumberhmd  county  militia  in  Janu- 
an-  and  February,  1776,  James  Murray  was  captain  of  the  Seventh  company 
of  the  Second  battalion  (Colonel  James  Potter's)  and  William  Murray  was 
captain  of  the  Fifth  company  of  the  Third  battalion  (Colonel  William  "piun- 
ket's),  in  which  the  lieutenant  colonel  was  James  Murray.  Subsequently 
James  Murray  became  colonel  (succeeding  Colonel  Plunket  probably,  as  the 
latter  was  not  in  entire  sympathy  with  the  American  cause  after  the  declara- 
tion of  independence) ;  he  was  first  called  into  active  service  in  the  winter  of 
1776-77,  and  on  the  11th  of  November,  1777,  marched  with  the  Northum- 
berland county  militia  to  Philadelphia.  His  regiment  was  attached  to  Gen- 
eral James  Potter's  brigade  and  particij.ated  in  the  movements  in  Pennsyl- 
vania and  New  Jersey  in  177()-7S. 

A  paper  dated  May  1,  1778,  is  on  record  in  the  oltice  of  the  Secretary  of 
the  Commonwealth,  giving  the  names  of  the  captains  and  number  of  men  in 
the  rank  and  tile  of  the  Second  battalion  of  the  Northumberland  comity 
militia  commanded  by  Colonel  James  Murray,  a  copy  of  wliich  will  be  found 
in  Chapter  III.  p.  119.  James  McMahan,  one  of  the  captains  of  this  regi- 
ment and  subsequently  known  as  Major  McMahan.  was  married  to  a  sister  of 
Colonel  Murray.  There  are  but  few  of  Colonel  Murray's  descendants  now 
living  in  the  county. 

John  Murray,  one  of  the  three  brothers  first  mentioned,  had  one  son, 
Thomas,  and  three  daughters:  Jane,  married  to  John  McMahan;  Ann,  married 
to  John  Reznor,  and  Mary,  unmarried.  The  son  was  known  as  Thomas  Mur- 
ray. Jr.,  to  distinguish  him  from  another  of  the  same  name  a  fewyears  his  senior. 
Thomas  Murray,  Jr.  was  a  member  of  the  House  of  Representatives  in  1813, 
and  in  1814  was  elected  to  the  Senate.  In  1820  he  was  elected  a  member 
of  the  XVIIth  Congress  and  served  during  the  years  18"21  and  1822,  being 
the  immediate  successor  of  -John  Murray  i:)reviously  mentioned.  On  account 
of  increasing  ill  health  he  declined  a  renomination,  and  died  on  the  2r)th  of 
August,  1823.  He  was  married  to  Charity  Arbour,  who  in  her  early  life  had 
some  thrilling  experiences  with  the  Indians  and  had  frequently  been  oliliged 
to  tly  to  Fort  Augusta  for  protection.  Their  children  were  Mary;  John  F. ; 
William;  Hannah;  Joseph  Arbour;  Nancy;  James;  Thomas,  and  Margaret. 
Thomas  was  born,  January  22,  1809,  was  educated  at  the  Milton  Academy 
under  Dr.  David  Kirkpatrick.  studied  medicine  under  Dr.  James  S.  Dougal, 
of  Milton,  and  Dr.  Thomas  Van  Valzah,  of  Lewisburg,  was  graduated  at  the 
University  of  Pennsylvania  in  1883,  and  siTljsecjueutly  practiced  in  West- 
moreland and  Indiana  counties.  He  retired  from  the  practice  of  medicine  a 
few  years  ago  and  has  since  lived  at  Beaver,  Pennsylvania. 

William  Murray  was  born,  August  20,  1796;  he  was  married  to  Nancy 
Gray  Wilson,  of  Lewisburg,  resided  for  a  time  at  Washingtonville.  Montour 
coimty,  removed  from  there  to  Lewisburg  and  subsequently  to  Lancaster, 
Pennsylvania,  where  he  died,  June  13,  1886.     W'illiam  and  Nancy  G.  Mur- 


1128  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COCXTY. 

ray  had  three  children:  Eliza  N.,  who  was  married  to  James  Black,  of  Lan- 
caster; Thomas,  who  died  in  early  life,  and  Samuel  Wilson,  who  is  at  present 
a  resident  of  Milton. 

The  McMahan  Family  of  Northumberland  county  are  descended  from 
John  and  Margaret  McMahan,  natives  of  the  North  of  Ireland,  who  immi- 
grated to  Pennsylvania  about  1744  and  settled  in  Sherman's  valley,  Cumber- 
land county.  They  had  one  son,  James,  born  to  them  in  Ireland,  and  two 
sons  and  six  daughters  were  bom  after  coming  to  their  new  home  in  the  wilds 
of  Pennsylvania.  Their  names  were:  John;  Benjamin:  Rachel;  Sarah;  Eliz- 
abeth; Agnes;  Margaret,  and  Mary.  The  father  followed  farming  in  Cum- 
berland county  until  his  death  in  17<w.  Two  years  later,  in  17GU,  James 
McMahan,  in  company  with  James,  William,  and  John  Murray,  Johnson 
Cheney,  Thomas  Hewitt,  and  William  Fisher  paid  a  visit  to  the  West  Branch 
valley  for  the  purpose  of  seeing  the  country  and  inspecting  the  lands  which 
had  been  thrown  open  for  settlement  the  previous  year.  They  were  so  well 
pleased  with  the  country  that  all  decided  to  make  it  their  future  home,  which 
purpose  they  afterwards  carried  into  effect.  James  McMahan  selected  and 
purchased  three  hundred  acres  of  land  on  Chillisquaque  creek,  and  in  1771 
located  permanently  upon  his  purchase.  His  wife.  Mary,  was  a  sister  of 
Colonel  James  Murray,  and  became  the  mother  of  seven  sons  and  one 
daughter:  John;  Jane;  James;  William;  Thomas;  Robert;  Benjamin,  and 
Samuel.  Soon  after  he  had  effected  a  settlement,  his  lirothers,  John  and 
Bt>njamin,  and  also  his  mother,  followed  him  to  this  valley.  John  bought 
land  about  one  mile  east  of  James,  a  part  of  which  farm  is  still  the  home  of 
one  of  his  grandsons.  Benjamin  subse(piently  moved  to  Huntingdon  county, 
where  many  of  his  descendants  now  live.  John  McMahan  married  Jane, 
daughter  of  John  Murray,  and  sister  of  Thomas  Murray,  Jr.,  who  bore  him 
nine  children:  James;  Peggy;  John;  Hannah;  Benjamin;  Thomas;  Polly; 
William,  and  Samuel.  Mrs.  Margaret  McMahan  also  tix)k  up  her  abode  on 
Chillisquaque  creek,  and  a  few  years  after  coming  she  was  drowned  while 
crossing  that  stream  in  a  wagon. 

Whether  the  McMahans  were  soldiers  from  choice  or  from  necessity  we 
know  not,  but  one  thing  is  certain,  as  soldiers  they  did  their  duty  and  did  it 
well.  Major  James  McMahan,  as  he  was  familiarly  known,  got  his  first  taste 
of  war  when  a  lad  of  eighteen,  being  fired  upon  by  a  band  of  Indians  on  the 
bank  of  the  Juniata  river  and  wounded  in  the  left  shoulder.  He  afterwards 
served  as  first  sergeant  in  the  Second  batallion  of  Pennsylvania  troops  in  the 
French  and  Indian  war.  He  held  a  captain's  commission  in  the  Revolution- 
ary war,  and  at  the  close  of  the  Revolution  he  was  promoted  to  major.  At  one 
time  he  had  command  of  a  small  stockade  fort,  built  on  his  own  farm  on  the 
bank  of  Chillisquaque  creek  for  the  protection  of  the  settlement  against  rov- 
ing bands  of  Indians.  During  this  period,  while  in  the  woods  hunting  stock. 
Major  McMahan  was  taken  prisoner  by  an  Indian  and  a  white  man  painted. 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  1129 

But  being  left  alone  with  the  Indian  he  brained  the  savage  with  the  butt  of 
his  gun.  made  his  escape,  and  returned  to  the  fort  in  safety.  He  went  with 
CajDtain  Boone's  company  to  the  relief  of  Fort  Freeland,  but  it  had  surren- 
dered before  their  arrival.  In  short,  both  James  and  John  McMahan  did 
admirable  service  in  defense  of  Northumberland  county,  as  well  as  elsewhere, 
throughout  the  struggle  for  American  liberty,  and  at  its  close  they  retired  to 
their  farms,  upon  which  the  remaining  years  of  their  lives  were  spent.  They 
were  among  the  founders  of  Chillisquaque  Presbyterian  churcli,  and  were 
worthy  men  and  good  citizens.  John  McMahan,  eldest  .son  of  Major 
McMahan,  was  a  colonel  in  the  war  of  isr2.  while  James,  the  second  son, 
was  a  major  in  the  same  war.  both  serving  with  credit  along  the  Niagara 
river.  Colonel  McMahan  was  complimented  by  General  Scott  as  one  of  the 
bravest  and  most  efficient  officers  in  his  command. 

James  Moxtgomeey  immigrated  from  Scotland  to  this  country,  and  pro- 
cured a  tract  of  land  in  Montour  comity,  where  he  lived  and  died.  He  was 
one  of  the  founders  of  the  Chillisquaque  Presbrterian  churcli. 

H.  K.  Montgomery  was  born  in  Montour  coimty.  Pennsylvania,  in  ISID, 
a  son  of  James  Montgomery.  He  married  Sarah  Mull,  a  native  of  Berks 
county,  and  afterwards  located  where  his  son  D.  M.  now  resides.  He  served 
as  justice  of  the  peace  twt'nty-five  or  thirty  years  in  Montour  county,  also 
served  as  overseer  of  the  poor  of  Chillisquaque  township.  He  was  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Presbyterian  church,  and  politically  a  Democrat.  He  died  in 
ISSl;  his  wife  still  survives  him.  They  reared  nine  children:  James,  a  phy- 
sician of  Buckhorn.  Columbia  county,  Pennsylvania:  John  S. ;  Mary,  Mrs.  C. 
H.  Marsh:  Sarah  A.,  Mrs.  William  Eckman.  of  Simbury:  D.  M.:  William,  a 
farmer  of  Chillis(jua(|ue  township:  H.  B. :  Clara  B.,  and  Alice  Jane. 

John  S.  iloNTGOMEKY  was  liorn  in  Chillisquaiiue  township,  August  21, 
IS^'.t.  He  received  his  education  at  the  Pottsgrove  Academy,  learned  tel- 
egraphy, and  was  in  the  employ  of  the  Philadelphia  and  Reading  Railroad 
Company  five  years  at  Danville.  In  iSbb  he  established  his  present  mer- 
cantile business.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  and  politically 
a  Democrat. 

D.  M.  Montgomery,  of  the  tirm  of  J.  S.  Montgomery  &  Company,  mer- 
chants, was  born  in  Chillisquaque  township,  September  27,  18(55,  son  of  H. 
R.  and  Sarah  (Mull)  Montgomery.  He  was  educated  at  the  Pottsgrove  Acad- 
emy, and  afterward  learned  telegraphy,  which  occupation  he  followed  several 
years.  In  18S0  he  became  a  membt-r  of  the  present  firm.  He  is  a  member 
of  Corona  Lodge,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  of  Conemaugh.  and  Brownfield  Lodge.  R.  of 
P..  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  and  politically  a  Democrat. 

Jacob  S.  Rishel  was  born  in  that  part  of  Northumberland  county  which 
is  now  Montour.  Pennsylvania.  July  7.  ISnO.  son  of  Jacob  and  Mary 
(Sanders)  Rishel.  His  grandfather,  Michael  Rishel,  was  a  native  of  Bucks 
county.  Pennsylvania,  and  one  of  the  early  settlers  of  Northumberland  coun- 


1130  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

ty.  The  father  of  our  subject  was  a  farmer  by  occuijation,  and  died  in 
Montour  coimty  in  1830.  He  reared  twelve  children,  two  of  whom  are  liv- 
ing: Jacob  S.,  and  Regina,  wife  of  Jacob  Wireman,  of  Montour  coimty. 
The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  reared  on  the  homestead  farm  and  attended 
the  district  schools,  after  which  he  learned  the  tanner's  trade,  which  he 
soon  relinquished  to  become  a  farmer,  which  has  been  his  principal  occu- 
pation. In  lS-30  he  removed  to  Northumberland  county  and  settled  in  this 
township.  In  1S29  he  married  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Anthony  Diehl,  of 
Montoiir  county.  She  died  in  1870.  Ten  of  their  children  grew  to  matur- 
ity; those  living  are:  Mary,  Mrs.  William  Eayer;  Michael,  of  the  firm  of  J. 
R.  Smith  it  Company,  of  Milton;  Susan,  widow  of  John  C.  Mc Williams; 
Hannah,  Mrs.  Thomas  Kutz,  of  Williamsport;  Thomas  H.,  of  Missouri;  Jacob 
Henry,  of  Milton,  and  William  James,  of  Kansas.  Mr.  Rishel  has  always 
been  an  active  Democrat,  and  has  tilled  offices  of  trust  in  Montour  and 
Northumberland  counties.  He  has  been  identified  with  the  Lutheran  church 
many  years,  and  is  serving  as  elder  of  the  same. 

Hugh  M.iETiN  was  born  in  Lewisburg,  Pennsylvania,  April  5,  1810.  His 
father  was  bom  in  White  Deer  township.  Union  county,  Pennsylvania,  and 
married  Man.-  Ambrose,  also  a  native  of  that  county.  Our  subject  was  reared 
in  Lewisburg.  and  attended  the  public  schools.  Before  he  was  eighteen  years 
of  age  he  had  earned  sufficient  money  by  working  on  the  canal  to  buy  a  house 
and  lot  in  Lewisburg.  After  this  he  learned  the  trade  of  j^lasterer,  which  he 
followed  nearly  twenty-five  years.  In  1848  he  removed  to  Chillisquaque 
township,  and  for  eleven  years  engaged  in  farming,  after  which  he  removed 
to  Montandon,  where  he  has  since  resided.  In  1831  he  married  Hannah, 
daughter  of  John  Waurer,  of  Berks  county,  Penn.sylvania.  She  died  in  1884, 
leaving  a  family  of  two  sons  and  two  daughters:  Alexander,  a  farmer  of 
this  township:  Elizabeth,  Mrs.  James  Banuen,  who  has  two  sons  in  the 
Lutheran  ministry;  Robert,  who  was  killed  at  Milton,  and  Fannie,  Mrs. 
Elias  Bieber.  Mr.  Martin  is  a  member  of  the  Democratic  party,  and  in 
1804  was  elected  county  commissioner,  serving  three  years.  He  has  also 
sen-ed  as  overseer  of  the  poor  seven  years  and  in  other  township  offices.  He 
is  a  charter  member  of  the  Lewisburg  I.  0.  O.  F.,  and  a  stockliolder  in  the 
Lewisburg  Bank,  the  First  National  Bank  of  Milton,  the  Lewisburg  Nail 
Company,  and  the  Lewisburg  Bridge  Company.  He  is  a  liberal  suiJj>orter 
of  all  churches,  but  not  identified  with  any  particular  denomination. 

William  Reed,  farmer,  was  born  at  Pottsgrove,  February  15,  1820,  son 
of  James  and  Mary  (Perry)  Reed,  natives  of  Berks  coiinty,  who  settled  at 
Pottsgrove,  where  he  secured  a  tract  of  land,  which  he  cleared  and  improved; 
he  also  erected  the  first  hotel  in  the  town,  and  conducted  the  same  several 
years.  He  served  as  postmaster  twenty-ejght  years.  He  reared  five  children: 
Washington,  deceased;  Eliza;  Margaret;  William,  and  Joseph,  who  was  a 
member  of  Company  D,  One  Hundred  and  Twelfth  Pennsylvania  Volunteers, 


BIOGRArHICAL     SKETCHES.  1131 

and  was  killed  at  Petersburg.  Virginia.  The  subject  of  our  sketch  married  in 
]S4:i,  Lydia.  daughter  of  Emanuel  Beck,  of  Moutour  county,  l)y  whom  he 
had  three  children:  E.  B. :  Charles,  deceased,  and  Sarah,  Mrs.  J.  R.  Smith, 
of  Milton.  Mr.  Reed  is  a  Repiiblicau.  and  has  tilled  tlie  various  towushij) 
otKces.     Ho  is  a  member  of  the  Lutheran  church. 

Em.^nuel  B.  Reed,  son  of  William  and  Lydia  (Beck)  Reed,  was  born  at 
Pottsgrove,  April  2(),  ISdr..  He  received  his  education  at  the  Milton 
Academy,  after  which  he  became  station  agent  for  the  Philadelphia  and 
Reading  Railroad  Company  at  Pottsgrove.  which  jiosition  he  filled  six  years. 
He  is  an  active  member  of  the  Republican  party,  and  has  served  in  several 
of  the  township  offices. 

Solomon  F.\iechild,  farmer,  was  born  in  Luzerne  county,  Pennsylvania, 
May  15,  1S23.  He  was  reared  in  his  native  county  and  educated  in  the  pub- 
lic schools,  and  has  followed  the  occupation  of  farmer.  December  2;',,  isr)2. 
he  married  Emily,  a  daughter  of  Abraham  Lines,  of  Luzerne  county.  She 
difd  in  lS-38.  April  20,  IS.IG,  he  married  Sarah,  daughter  of  Jonathan  Rob- 
bin-^,  of  Luzerne  county.  He  is  the  father  of  eight  children:  Ambrose; 
Franklin:  George;  Solomon;  Sarah  Elizabeth;  Linda  May;  Minnie,  and 
Grace  D.  Mr.  Fairchild  removed  from  Luzerne  county  to  his  farm  in  this 
townshii")  in  1S73.  He  is  a  director  in  the  First  National  Bank  of  Milton. 
Politically  he  is  a  Reiniljlican,  and  has  served  as  school  director  and  in  other 
township  offices.  Mr.  Fairchild  and  family  are  members  of  the  Presljyterian 
church  of  Milton. 

William  S.  Foresm.^n,  farmer,  was  born  in  Chillisqua(pie  township,  De- 
cember 10,  182").  His  grandfather.  Joseph  Foresman,  removed  to  Xortlmm- 
berland  county  in  IT'.K)  and  took  up  a  tract  of  land,  whereon  he  lived  for 
many  years.  He  was  a  pioneer  and  prominent  man  of  the  to\vnshi2i.  Josejih 
Foresman,  fatlu'r  of  our  suliject,  was  born  in  17S4.  He  learned  the  black- 
smith trade,  which  occupation  he  followed  until  he  had  earned  money  enough 
to  purchase  a  farm  in  Chillisquaque  townshiji.  He  married  Elizabetli, 
daughter  of  Joseph  Wilson  Hunt,  and  reared  a  family  of  six  children,  three 
of  whom  are  living:  Evaline,  Mrs.  Dubias  Cawley,  of  Milton;  John  H.,  of 
Point  township,  and  Elias.  From  1S82  to  1855  he  conducted  a  hotel  near 
!Montandon,  which  was  widely  and  favorably  known  as  Foresman's  Hotel.  He 
was  a  Republican  in  politics,  and  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church.  His 
wife  died  in  May,  1845,  and  he  in  1855.  The  subject  of  our  sketch  was 
reared  in  this  township,  received  his  early  education  in  the  district  schools, 
and  has  followed  the  occupation  of  farming.  In  January,  1851,  he  married 
Sarah  Ann,  daughter  of  Thomas  Pardoe,  by  whom  he  has  seven  children: 
Sarah  Elizabeth;  Benjamin  F.,  of  Philadelphia;  Amanda,  Mrs.  Jacob  Har- 
mon, of  Lewisburg;  Charles  Edward,  of  Shamokin;  Emma;  Harry  B.,  and 
lantha.  Mr.  Foresman  settled  on  his  present  farm  in  April,  1870.  Politic- 
ally he  is  a  Republican,   and  has  served  as  supervisor   and  overseer  of  the 


1132  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

poor  of  the  township.  He  and  his  family  are  members  of  the  Presbyterian 
church. 

Joseph  Xe.\gley,  farnit-r,  was  born  in  Dauphin  county,  Pennsylvania. 
October  12,  JN2U.  His  father,  Daniel  Neagley,  was  also  a  native  of  Dauphin 
county,  and  his  rnothi'r,  Margaret  (Gable)  Neagley,  was  a  native  of  Canada, 
and  moved  with  her  parents  to  the  United  States  when  seven  years  old. 
After  her  marriage  to  Mr.  Neagley  she  located  in  Dauphin  county,  where 
both  died,  he,  February  2,  1S78,  and  she,  October  '4.  ISTC).  They  were  mem- 
bers of  the  Reformed  church,  of  which  he  was  an  elder  for  many  years. 
They  reared  eleven  children:  George;  John;  Joseph;  Daniel;  Mary,  Catha- 
rine; Sarah;  Isaac;  Margaret;  Hannah,  and  William.  Our  subject  remained 
on  the  homestead  farm  until  \^'<'-K  wh(>ii  he  removed  to  his  present  place, 
where«he  has  since  resided.  In  1S.J4  he  was  married  to  Elizabeth  Leuker, 
daughter  of  John  Lenker,  of  Northumberland  coimty.  and  to  this  imiou 
have  been  born  eight  children:  Agnes,  wife  of  John  Schwenk;  William  A., 
of  Milton;  Jacob  A.,  of  Sunbury;  Alice,  wife  of  E.  F.  Marsh,  of  Williams- 
port;  John  D. ;  Elizabeth  M. ;  Jose|»h  C,  and  Catharine  E.  Mr.  Neagley  is 
a  Democrat  and  has  filled  the  oitice  of  school  director.  He  and  his  family 
belong  to  the  Lewisburg  Reformed  church,  aiul  for  twelve  years  he  has 
served  as  d(>acon  and  trustee  of  the  same. 

Abkam  Fairchild,  farmer,  was  born  in  Luzerne  county,  Pennsylvania, 
December  2,1,  1832,  son  of  Solomon  and  Elizabeth  (Lutsey)  Fairchild,  na- 
tives of  that  county,  and  farmers  by  occupation.  They  were  members  of 
the  Presbyterian  church,  and  the  parents  of  thirteen  children.  Those  living 
are:  Solomon;  Rosanna,  Mrs.  Cornelius  Styer,  of  Montour  county ;  Priscilla, 
IMrs.  Matthias  Rasley,  of  Butler  county,  Pennsylvania;  Isabella.  Mrs.  Ziba 
Kramer,  of  Iowa,  and  Abram.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  reared  in 
Luzerne  county  and  attended  the  district  schools.  In  1S51  he  married 
Hannah,  daughter  of  Barnot  Miller.  He  was  engaged  in  farming  in  Lu- 
zerne county  imtil  1S74,  when  he  removed  to  Northmuberland  county  and 
located  upon  the  farm  where  he  now  resides.  Mr.  Fairchild  is  a  director  in 
the  First  National  Bank  of  Milton,  and  a  stockholder  of  the  Milton  Knit- 
ting Company,  the  Milton  Trust  and  Safe  Deposit  Company,  and  the  INIilton 
Driving  Park  and  Fair  Association.  Politically  he  is  a  Republican:  he  has 
served  two  years  as  supervisor  and  two  years  as  constable  in  Luzerne  county. 
He  has  seven  children:  Elizabeth,  wife  of  E.  F.  Colvin,  of  Milton;  Annie, 
wife  of  John  D.  Derr,  of  Steelton,  Pennsylvania;  Milton  0.,  a  farmer  of 
Union  county;  Mary,  wife  of  Eyer  Spyker,  of  Lewisburg;  Angus  A.,  of  Potts- 
grove;  Clara  J.,  and  Milo  Wesley.  Mr.  Fairchild  and  family  are  members 
of  the  Presbyterian  church. 

S.  M.  Miller,  postmaster,  Pottsgrove,  was  born  in  Montour  coimty.  Pemi- 
sylvania,  April  24, 1S34,  son  of  Daniel  Miller,  who  was  bom  in  Chillistpiaque 
township  in  1810.     He  married  Jane  Dale  and  settled  in  Montour  county, 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  1133 

where  he  worked  at  the  shoemaker  trade.  He  afterward  removed  to  Potts- 
grove,  and  was  appointed  postmaster  in  1872.  He  ilied  in  1880;  his  wife 
still  survives  him.  They  reared  seven  children,  two  of  whom  are  living: 
William  D.,  of  Philadelphia,  who  is  engaged  in  the  real  estate  business,  and 
S.  M.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  attended  the  to\vuship  schools,  and  after- 
ward learned  the  trade  of  harness  maker,  which  he  has  since  followed.  In 
18G2  he  enlisted  in  Company  E,  One  Hundred  and  Thirty-first  Pennsylvania 
Volunteers;  he  was  wounded  at  the  battle  of  Fredericksburg,  Virginia,  and 
was  honorably  discharged  from  the  service.  He  re-enlisted  in  the  Thirty- 
ninth  Pennsylvania  Militia,  and  again  in  the  Second  Pennsylvania  Heavy 
Artillery,  and  served  as  corporal  until  the  close  of  the  war.  He  was  then  in 
the  employ  of  the  Philadelphia  and  Reading  Eailroad  Company  three  years. 
In  1872  he  married  Emma  R.,  daughter  of  Enos  Brookes,  of  Lewisburg, 
Pennsylvania,  who  died  in  1882.  He  again  married  in  ISS^I  and  has  three  chil- 
dren: Jennie  May;  Hattie  M.,  and  William  L.  Mr.  Miller  is  a  Republican 
in  politics,  and  was  appointed  postmaster  at  Pottsgrove.  October  28,  18SU. 

J.  F.  BucHER,  deceased,  was  born  in  Northampton  county,  Pennsylvania, 
May  24,  1834.  His  father,  Nicholas  Bucher,  was  a  native  of  Switzerland, 
and  settled  in  Northampton  county  when  a  boy.  He  married  Elizabeth 
Bachman.  and  in  1887  removed  to  Northumberland  county,  where  he  engaged 
in  farming.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Reformed  church.  He  was  the  father 
of  six  children,  five  of  whom  are  living:  Samuel;  John,  of  Milton;  Sarah; 
J.  F.,  and  Catharine,  wife  of  David  Kohler.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  re- 
ceived his  education  at  the  Lancaster  and  Milton  schools,  and  at  the  age  of 
eighteen  years  learned  the  blacksmith  trade,  which  occupation  he  followed 
for  some  time.  In  1802  he  enlisted  in  Company  B,  One  Hundred  and  Sev- 
enty-second Pennsylvania  Volunteers  as  first  lieutenant,  serving  nine  month.s. 
In  1808  he  removed  to  Milton,  where  he  worked  at  his  trade  imtil  1874.  In 
1880  he  located  upon  the  farm  where  his  family  now  resides,  and  where  his 
death  occurred,  September  l-l,  1800.  In  1804  he  married  Adeline,  daughter 
of  John  Wolfe,  by  whom  he  had  eiglit  children:  Elizabeth:  Mary:  Clara 
W.:  JohnN.;  Margaret  J.:  J.  F. :  Frederick  B..  and  .Vdelim-,  deceased.  He 
was  a  member  of  the  F.  &  A.  M.  of  Milton  and  the  G.  A.  R.  Politically  he 
was  a  Democrat;  he  served  in  the  otKces  of  justice  of  the  peace  and  auditor 
of  the  township,  and  was  elected  county  treasurer  in  1881,  serving  three 
years.  Mr.  Bucher  was  a  member  of  the  Reforme<l  church,  to  which  his 
family  also  adheres. 

Ei.i.\s  BiEBER,  farmer,  was  born  in  Lycoming  county,  Pennsylvania,  Sep- 
tember 1,  18;]-"),  son  of  John  and  Hannah  (Shaeft'er)  Bieber,  natives  of  Lycom- 
ing county,  Penn.sylvania,  and  Seneca  county.  New  York,  respectively.  His 
father  was  a  farmer,  a  Democrat  in  politics,  and  sened  as  school  director. 
He  was  a  consistent  member  of  the  Lutheran  church  and  died  in  October, 
180;l     His  widow  died  in  Mav,  1809.     Ten  children  were  born  to  their  union, 


1134  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

four  of  whom  art' living:  Elias;  Benjamin,  of  ChiUisquaque  township;  Anna, 
a  maiden  lady,  living  in  Lycoming  county,  and  William,  of  Lycoming 
county.  Our  subject  was  reared  and  educated  in  his  native  county  and  his 
occupation  has  always  been  that  of  a  farmer.  December  24,  1868,  he  was 
married  to  Sarah  F.  Martin,  daughter  of  Hugh  Martin,  of  Montandon,  by 
whom  he  has  six  children  living:  Howard  L.,  of  Lycoming  county;  Woods 
M. :  Florence  B. ;  William  E.:  Benjamin  F.,  and  Annie  E.  In  1850  he  came 
to  Northumberland  county  and  located  upon  his  present  farm.  He  is  a 
member  of  ChiUisquaque  Grange,  P.  of  H.  He  is  a  Democrat  in  politics 
and  is  a  member  of  the  school  board.  He  and  his  wife  belong  to  the  Lu- 
theran church  of  Lewisburg. 

James  O.  Giffen.  farmer,  was  born  in  ChiUisquaque  township,  March  3, 
1837.  His  grandfather,  James  Giffen,  a  blacksmith  by  trade,  was  a  native 
of  Delaware  and  one  of  the  early  settlers  of  Montour  county,  whence  he 
removed  to  Chillisqtiaque  township  and  engaged  in  farming.  Ho  was  a 
member  of  the  Presbyterian  church.  John  Giffen,  father  of  our  subject, 
was  born  in  Montour  county,  November  23,  1805,  and  removed  to  Northum- 
berland county.  December  24,  1833.  He  married  Margaret,  daughter  of 
Samuel  and  Jane  (Pieed)  McMahan.  Ho  became  one  of  the  prominent 
farmors  of  the  towiship.  Ho  was  a  member  and  an  elder  in  the  ChiUisquaque 
Presbyterian  church,  and  politically  a  Republican.  He  died,  March  10, 
1SN">;  his  wife  still  survives  him.  They  roared  live  children:  Christiana, 
wife  of  I.  C.  Bishel.  of  Chillis(iua(|uo  township;  James  O. ;  Mary,  wife  of 
Rev.  Charles  Park,  of  Orange  county,  Now  York;  Samtiel  M.,  of  Muskegon 
county,  Michigan,  and  John  R.  The  subject  of  our  sketch  was  reared  on  the 
homestead,  where  he  still  resides,  and  attended  the  pttblic  schools.  Decem- 
ber 4,  18(57,  he  married  Martha  C,  daughter  of  John  Watson,  of  Lock  Haven, 
Clinton  county,  Pennsylvania,  by  whom  ho  has  three  children:  Walter  W. ; 
Jennie  M.,  and  John  M.  Mr.  Giffen  was  engaged  in  the  grocery  business 
two  years  at  Milton,  the  remainder  of  his  time  being  occu2)ied  in  farming. 
Ho  is  a  Republican  in  politics,  and  has  served  as  township  auditor  and 
assessor.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Chillisquarjue  Grange,  and  purchasing 
agent  for  the  same  and  for  the  Grange  Association  comprising  six  counties. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  ChiUisquaque  Presbyterian  church. 

Joseph  P.\bdoe,  farmer  and  county  commissioner,  was  born  in  ChiUisqua- 
que township,  March  l-"j,  1839.  His  father,  Thomas  Pardoe,  was  born  in 
London,  England,  March  4,  1795,  and  came  to  America  with  his  jiarents 
when  a  child.  The  father  of  our  subject  married  Sarah  Hause  and  located 
upon  a  farm  in  Chillisquarpie  township,  where  he  followed  the  occitpation  of 
farmer,  distiller,  miUer.  and  store  keeper.  He  was  a  Republican  in  politics, 
served  as  justice  of  the  peace  for  many  years,  and  also  as  supervisor  and 
school  director.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  chitrch.  He  died, 
April  21.  1873;  his  widow  died,  November  18,  1870.     They  reared  ten  chil- 


^(TitlA/u    u4vLo^^c'<-^ 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  1137 

dren,  of  whom  live  are  living:  William,  of  Milton;  Sarah.  Mr>.  W.  S. 
Foresman:  Franklin  C,  of  Montour  coiintv;  Joseph,  and  Hannah.  Mrs.  John 
H.  GottshaU,  of  Flint  City,  Michigan.  The  subject  of  oui-  sketch  was  edu- 
cated in  the  public  schools,  and  has  been  engaged  principally  in  farming. 
In  1S60  he  married  Susan,  daughter  of  Andrew  I.  Fetzer,  of  Chillisquaque 
township,  by  whom  he  has  four  children:  Mary  J..  Mrs.  C.  K.  Shearer; 
Sarah  L..  iirs.  Thomas  F.  Haup,  of  Sunbury;  T.  H.,  and  Grace.  He  is  an 
active  member  of  the  Republican  party,  was  elected  tax  collector  in  ISSS, 
in  which  capacity  he  served  two  terms,  and  in  1890  was  elected  coimty 
commissioner.  In  ISUl,  when  taking  his  official  position,  he  sold  his  farming 
implements  and  removed  his  f;\mily  to  the  town  of  Xorthumberlai.i.L  Mr. 
Pardoe  and  family  are  atlherents  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 

Rev.  T.  O.  Clees,  deceased,  was  born  in  Lycoming  county,  Peansvlvania, 
November  Hi,  ISot',  son  of  Frederick  and  Hannah  (Obern)  Clees.  natives  of 
the  same  county  and  of  Scotch-Irish  extraction.  He  spent  his  early  days 
upon  a  farm,  and  at  the  age  of  fifteen  years  he  began  learning  the  cabinet 
maker's  trade,  which  he  followed  for  a  time.  He  received  his  education  at 
Dickinson  Seminary,  "Williamsport,  from  which  he  was  graduated  in  IStV!). 
From  this  date  to  ISHS  he  was  principal  of  the  high  school  at  MoLtourviUe, 
Pennsylvania.  He  joined  the  Methodist  E[iiscopal  church  in  l^-"i''i.  March 
11,  ISOS,  he  entered  the  East  Baltimore  Conference,  and  was  appointed  to 
the  Watsontown  charge  with  Eev.  Henry  "Wilson.  He  afterwarJis  served 
the  Washingtonville  charge.  He  was  married,  November  1",  l^Tll,  to  A. 
Tillie  Andrews,  daiighter  of  John  Andrews,  a  native  of  Columbia  coimty, 
Pennsylvania,  who  removed  to  Moutandou  in  iSOs.  From  1ST8  to  1ST6 
Mr.  Clees  had  charge  of  a  church  at  Elysburg:  from  IST*'  to  ISi'J  he 
preached  in  Columbia  county,  where  he  was  assigned  to  the  Orp.ngeville 
charge  and  built  three  churches  at  a  cost  of  twenty-five  thousand  dollars. 
In  1SS2-S4  he  preached  at  Selinsgrove  and  Shamokin  Diuu.  where  he  also 
completed  a  church.  From  here  he  went  to  Town  Hill  and  soon  after  retired 
from  active  ministerial  duties  on  aecomit  of  failing  health.  He  was  a 
pioneer  of  the  Prohibition  party  and  one  of  its  most  active  workers.  He 
died,  Februaiy  IS,  1SS7.  His  widow  survives,  and  in  1SS7  established  her 
present  mercantile  business  at  Montandon.  She  lias  two  children:  William 
Atwood  and  Bobbins  Kimber  Clees. 

J.  Wilson  Hess  was  born  in  Columbia  coimty,  Pennsylvania,  January  9, 
IS-H.  son  of  Jacob  Hess,  who  was  also  bom  in  that  coimty.  John  Hess, 
grandfather  of  our  subject,  was  bom  in  Nonhampton  coimty,  and  settled  in 
Columbia  about  the  year  ISIO.  He  was  a  farmer  by  occupation,  one  of  the 
substantial  men  of  the  community,  a  Democrat  in  politics,  and  a  member  of 
the  Reformed  church.  The  father  of  our  subject  married  Saloama  Fenster- 
macher,  a  native  of  Luzerne  coimty,  Pennsylvjinia.  In  1802  he  removed  to 
Union  coimty.    and   thence   in    l8iU   to   Chillisquaque  township,  where  he 


1138  HISTORY    OF    XORTHUMBEKLAND    COUNTY. 

engaged  in  farming.  He  served  in  the  different  township  offices,  and  for 
many  years  as  elder  and  deacon  of  the  Eeformed  church.  He  died  in  1874, 
his  wife  having  died  in  1870.  They  reared  five  children,  two  of  whom  are 
living:  Catharine,  Mrs.  Jones  of  Talmadge,  Ohio,  and  J.  Wilson,  who 
attended  the  schools  at  Bloomsburg,  Millville,  Limestoneville,  and  Lewis- 
burg.  In  18(34  he  enlisted  in  Company  I,  One  Hundred  and  Ninety- second 
Pennsylvania  Volunteers,  as  captain  of  the  company,  and  was  honorably  dis- 
charged in  1805.  After  his  return  from  the  war  he  was  engaged  in  the 
mercantile  business  at  Montandon  two  years,  after  which  he  practiced  den- 
tistry nearly  three  years.  He  was  then  engaged  with  the- Pennsylvania 
Kailroad  Company  as  weighmaster  at  Montandon  one  year,  clerked  one 
year,  after  which  he  taught  school  in  Baltimore  county,  Maryland,  two  years, 
and  clerked  in  Baltimore  about  five  years.  In  1805  he  located  in  Mon- 
tandon. In  1864  he  married  Emma,  daughter  of  Jacob  Wolfe,  of  Buffalo 
township,  L'nion  county,  by  whom  he  has  three  children:  Charles  E.,  of 
Nanticoke,  Pennsylvania;  Jessie  M.,  and  Clara  E.  Mr.  Hess  is  a  member  of 
Andrew  G.  Tucker  Post,  G.  A.  R..  of  Lewislnirg.  Politically  he  is  a  Demo- 
crat, has  served  as  township  auditor,  and  is  now  servuig  his  tenth  year  as 
justice  of  the  peace.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Ba})tist  church,  and  his  wife  of 
the  Reformed  church. 

Wii.Li.vM  Henry  Harrison  Xesbitt,  farmer,  was  born  in  Chillis(ptanue 
township,  February  27,  1841.  His  grandfather  was  a  native  of  York 
county,  Penn.sylvania,  and  one  of  the  pioneer  settlers  of  this  township.  He 
built  the  first  boat  and  rowed  the  first  ferry  across  to  Lewisburg.  He  served 
in  the  Revolutionary  war.  Fleming  Ne.sbitt,  father  of  our  subject,  married 
Annie  W.,  daughter  of  Job  Randolph,  of  Cumberland  county,  Pennsylvania. 
He  was  a  member  of  a  militia  company  of  Lewisburg  for  many  years.  He 
started  in  life  poor,  and  became  one  of  the  affluent  and  influential  citizens  of 
the  township.  He  was  an  elder  in  the  Presbyterian  church,  and  in  politics 
an  active  Republican.  He  dietl  in  1877,  and  his  wife  in  1874.  They  were 
the  parents  of  eleven  children,  of  whom  seven  are  living:  Susan  Ann,  wife  of 
Robert  Montgomery,  of  Columbia  county;  Jonathan,  of  Pottsgrove;  Marv' 
Ellen,  wife  of  Thomas  Robin.'^on.  of  Washingtonville;  Rebecca  M.,  wife  of 
Robert  Johnson,  of  Pottsgrove:  Catharine;  Randolph,  and  W.  H.  H.  The 
subject  of  this  sketch  was  reareil  in  this  township  and  educated  in  the  public 
schools.  September  4,  1801.  he  enlisted  in  Company  E,  Twelfth  United 
States  Infantry;  he  was  wounded  in  the  right  arm  and  ribs  at  the  battle  of 
Bull  Run,  and  in  the  right  shoulder  at  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness.  In 
1805  he  married  Ellen  J.,  daughter  of  Joseph  Gray,  of  Dauphin  county, 
Pennsylvania.  They  have  eight  children:  Edith  M. ;  Jennie  G.;  Arthur  F. ; 
Harold;  Annie  L.;  Helen  J.;  Joseph  Gray,  and  John  R.  He  is  a  member 
of  the  Presbyterian  church  of  Milton,  and  politically  is  a  Republican. 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHE.S.  H39 

Benjamin  Franklin  Truxell,  farmer,  was  born  upou  the  farm  whereon  he 
now  resicL's.  An-u-,t  2'.).  l,S4'.l.  His  grandfather,  Aln-aham  Troxell,  was  one 
of  the  early  settlors  of ^Chilhs.iuaque  township,  where  his  father.  Georj^e 
Troxell,  was  born  in  1  ,U/.  He  married  Catharine,  dan^rhter  of  Henry  Kliire, 
of  Chillis(iuaque  township,  and  by  occupation  was  a  farmer.  He  was  a 
prominent  memlier  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  and  politicallv  a 
Democrat.  He  died  in  1884:  his  wife  died  in  1S72.  They  were  the  par- 
ents of  ten  children,  eight  of  whom  are  living:  Eeuben,  of  Michigan;  John, 
of  ChillisquacpiH  tnwnshii.:  Cliarles.  of  Chicago,  Illinois;  George,  of  Indi- 
ana; Aaron,  of  Chilli.s.iuaqu.'  township;  Lucy,  Mrs.  William  Pardoe,  of 
Milton;  Margaret.  :Mrs.  John  Hassenplug.  and  Benjamin  F.  The  subject  of 
this  sketch  was  educated  in  the  ])ublic  schools.  In  ISO'J  he-married  Rebecca, 
daughter  of  Israel  Royer,  of  Union  comity,  Pennsylvania.  She  died.  July 
Hi,  IST'.t.  leaving  four  children:  Katie;  Blair;  George,  and  Cora  May.  In 
ISS;^  he  married  Amanda,  daughter  of  Thompson  and  Mary  (Homan)  Stra- 

hon,  of  Centiv  ruiuity.  Pennsylvania.      One  eliild  lias  1 n  born  to  this  imion. 

Mary  Bordell.  Politically  he  is  a  Demncrat,  and  has  s,.rved  in  the  office  of 
township  constable.  Mr.  Truxell  and  family  attend  tlie  Methodist  Episcopal 
church. 

John  A.  Rine.  farm.'r.  was  born  in  Snyder  county.  Pennsylvania.  Decem- 
lier  l:!,  IS.">(i.  Mjii  of  Benjamin  and  Susan  (Huiumel)  Rine,  natives  of  that 
county,  who  came  to  Northumberland  county,  in  I  S.". 2. -and  settled  in  Chil- 
lis(pia4Ue  township,  where  they  now  reside.  They  are  members  of  the 
Lutheran  church  at  Lewisburg,  Five  children  have  been  born  to  them: 
John  A.;  Mary  Ann.  Mrs.  Frank  B.  Sliuck.  of  Delaware  town.ship;  Susan, 
Mrs.  William  Noll:  Benjamin  F..  who  married  Annie  Stahl,  and  Maria  S. 
The  subject  of  our  sketch  attended  the  townshiji  schools  and  Lewisburg 
Academy,  and  has  been  engaged  in  farming  and  dt^tling  in  stock.  Deceml)er 
ol,  LS7'2,  he  married  Amanda,  daughter  of  John  and  Catharine  Shuck,  of 
Kelly  township.  Fnion  county,  by  whom  he  has  four  children:  Ada  G. ; 
Jennie  ]\Iay:  Har\ey  Luther,  and  Charles  Edwin.  Politically  Mr.  Rine  is  a 
Democrat;  he  is  now  serving  in  the  office  of  school  director,  and  is  treas- 
urer of  the  school  board.  For  twelve  consecutfve  years  he  has  been  deacon 
and  trustee  in  the  Lutheran  church  of  Lewisburg. 

John  Henry  Wixgeet  was  born  in  Pine  Grove,  Schuylkill  county.  Penn- 
sylvania, December  3,  1852.  His  father,  Jeremiah  Wingert,  was  a  native  of 
Perry  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  married  Hester,  daughter  of  John  Van 
Gundy,  of  Union  county.  In  1855  he  removed  to  that  county,  where  he 
engaged  in  business  as  a  farmer  and  nurseryman.  He  became  one  of  the 
prominent  farmers  of  that  county.  Politically  he  was  a  Reintblican.  and 
served  in  various  toAvnship  offices.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Christian 
church.  He  died  in  1804;  his  widow  still  survives  him,  and  is  the  wife  of  J. 
H.  Seabold,  of  New  Berlin,  Pennsylvania.     The  suliject  of  this  sketch  was 


1140  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

reared  in  I'nion  county  and  educated  at  Bucknell  University,  from  which  he 
graduated  in  1ST2.  Since  then  he  has  been  engaged  in  the  mercantile  Inis- 
iness  at  Lewisburg  and  Montandon,  one  year  at  each  place,  and  in  teaching 
school  and  farming.  In  1S7S  he  married  Lizzie,  daughter  of  Edward  Hum- 
mel, of  Chillisfjuaque  township.  She  died  in  February,  18S8,  leaving  one 
child.  Marion  Mae.  Mr.  Wingert  has  been  teacher  of  the  same  school  sis 
years.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Baptist  church  of  Montandon,  deacon  and 
clerk  of  the  same,  and  has  also  been  superintendent  of  the  Sabbath  school 
for  a  number  of  years.  Politically  he  is  a  Democrat,  and  has  been  auditor 
and  assessor  of  the  township  several  term's. 

George  M.  Waltee,  farmer,  was  born,  December  IS,  1858.  His  father. 
Solomon  B.  Walter,  was  a  native  of  Buffalo  township,  Union  county,  Penn- 
sylvania. He  married  Catharine  Mark,  of  Snyder  county.  They  came  to 
Xorthunilierland  county,  and  settled  upon  the  farm  now  in  possession  of  our 
subject  iu  1S4T.  The  father  was  a  Kepuljlican  in  politics,  and  served  as 
school  director  and  as  postmaster  of  Chillisquaque.  He  was  a  member  of  the 
Evangelical  church.  He  died,  January  lU,  ISSl ;  his  wife  .still  survives  him. 
They  reared  nine  children:  Cj'rus  F.,  of  Point  township;  Mary  C,  Mrs. 
Abraham  Grove,  of  "Union  county,  Pennsylvania;  Lillian,  Mrs.  G.  W.  Furey. 
of  Sunburv:  Lavina;  George  M. ;  Joanna,  Mrs.  F.  H.  Shermer,  of  Suubury: 
Maggie.  Mrs.  W.  H.  Herr,  of  Clinton  county,  Pennsylvania;  Lincoln,  attor- 
ney at  law.  :Mt.  Carmel,  and  Chester  F.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was 
reared  on  the  old  homestead,  and  received  his  education  at  the  townshij) 
schools  and  Bucknell  University,  Lewisburg,  Pennsylvania.  January  1, 
1881),  he  married  Lizzie,  daughter  of  Samuel  MutHey,  of  Montour  county. 
They  are  menil)ers  of  the  Lutheran  cliurch.  Politically  Mr.  Walter  is  a 
Republican. 

John  E.  K.  Schwenk,  merchant  and  jiostmaster  at  Chillisquaque,  was 
born  in  Schuylkill  county.  Pennsylvania,  August  24,  1854,  son  of  Abraham 
and  Catharine  (Klinger)  Schwenk,  natives  of  Montgomery  and  Schuylkill 
counties.  Pennsylvania,  respectively.  His  father  was  a  merchant,  a  manu- 
facturer of  blasting  powder,  and  hotel  keeper  in  Schuylkill  county.  He  re- 
tired from  business  and  removed  to  Lewisburg,  Union  county,  this  State, 
where  he  died,  March  10,  1885;  his  widow  died  in  1887.  They  were  mem- 
bers of  the  Lutheran  church  and  the  parents  of  eleven  children:  Sanmel  K., 
who  was  a  member  of  the  Fiftieth  Pennsylvania  Volunteers  and  rose  to  the 
rank  of  l)rigadier  general;  Aaron  K.,  also  a  member  of  the  Fiftieth  Penn- 
sylvania Volunteers,  and  now  a  wholesale  merchant  of  Philadelphia;  Abraham, 
who  resides  in  Philadelphia,  and  was  also  a  member  of  the  Fiftieth  Penn- 
sylvania Volunteers;  Daniel,  deceased;  Milton,  a  retired  lieutenant  of  the 
United  States  Navy,  residing  in  New  York  City;  Elmira,  of  Philadelphia: 
John  E.  K.  and  Peter,  twins,  the  latter  being  a  physician  in  Philadelphia: 
George;  Jacob,  and  Frances,  deceased.      Our  subject  received  his  education 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  1141 

at  Bucknell  Vniversit} ,  and  followed  farming  until  1SS5,  -when  he  eugat^ed 
in  the  mercantile  business  at  Chillisquaque.  January  27,  1879,  he  married 
Agnes  Xeagley,  daughter  of  Joseph  Neagley  of  Chillisquaque,  by  whom  he 
has  three  children:  Edna;  Lizzie,  and  Annie.  He  is  a  Eepublican  in  politics 
and  was  apj^ointed  postmaster  in  October,  1SS9.  He  and  his  wife  are  mem- 
bers of  the  Reformed  church  at  Lewisburg,  of  which  he  is  a  deacon. 

William  B.  Co.x,  postmaster,  Montandon,  was  born  in  Chester  county, 
Pennsylvania,  January  5,  1S57,  son  of  Samuel  and  Mary  (Schmucker)  Cos, 
natives  of  Delaware,  who  settled  in  Lancaster  county  and  later  in  Chester 
county.  In  18^1  Samuel,  father  of  our  subject,  enlisted  in  the  One  Hundred 
and  Twelfth  Pennsylvania  Volunteers,  serving  three  years  and  six  months  in 
the  commissary  department.  Since  the  close  of  the  war  he  has  had  charge 
of  hotels  at  Montandon,  Selinsgrove,  and  for  the  last  five  years  has  been  pro- 
prietor of  the  Eagle  Hotel  at  Lebanon,  Pennsylvania.  Mrs.  Cox  died  in 
1884.  She  was  the  mother  of  five  children:  "William  B. :  Elizabeth.  Mrs.  J. 
M.  Funk,  of  Lebanon;  Harry.  Ada,  and  Edward.  His  second  wife  was  Mrs. 
Sarah  (Bisell)  Bigony,  by  whom  he  has  three  children:  Charles;  Belle,  and 
Carrie.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  educated  at  the  Millersville  State 
Normal  School:  for  several  years  he  was  engaged  in  teaching,  and  later  in 
the  sale  of  agricultural  implements.  He  removed  to  Montandon  in  1S77. 
In  1880  he  married  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  W.  M.  Auten,  of  Chillisquaque 
township,  by  whom  he  has  three  children:  Frank;  Maxwell,  and  Blanche. 
Mr.  Cox  is  a  Republican  in  politics,  and  was  appointed  ))ostmaster  of  Mon- 
tandon, August  15,  ISS'J.  He  is  a  member  of  the  I.  O.  0.  F.  of  ^Montandon 
and  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 


CHAPTER  XLIX. 

BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES. 

LEWIS    AND     I)i:i,.VWAKF.    T<  )WXSl[IP.s.    AND    nOROUGHS    OF    TriiHUT- 
XllA.i:   AM)    :\I(K\VEXSVILLE. 

The  ]Montgomeky  Fa:milv. — In  1737  Robert  Montgomery  emigrated 
with  his  family  from  Coimty  Armagh.  Ireland,  and  settled  near  the  pres- 
ent site  of  Harrisburg.  Pennsylvania.  He  died.  October  l-"..  177'>.  aged 
seventy-one  years,  and  was  buried  in  the  Paxtang  church  graveyard,  three 
miles  from  Harrisbiirg.  His  wife,  Sarah,  died.  October  l-">,  1784,  and  was 
buried  at  the  same  place.  They  were  the  parents  of  five  sons  and  three 
daughters.  The  sons  were  as  follows:  "William:  Thomas;  Hugh,  who  kept 
a  public  house  in  Milton;  David,  and  John. 


11-42  HISTORY    OF    NORTHrMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

John  Montgomei?y,  youngest  son  of  Robert  jVlontgomery,  was  a  native  of 
Ireland,  married  Christiana  Foster,  of  Lancaster  county,  Pennsylvania,  and 
first  settled  on  an  improved  farm  at  the  foot  of  Peter's  mountain,  about  ten 
miles  north  of  Harrisburg.  In  1773  he  exchanged  his  farm  in  Dauphin 
county  for  a  large  tract  of  unimproved  land  owned  by  William  Patterson, 
in  Turbut  township,  Northumberland  county,  and  soon  after  removed  to  the 
same,  building  himself  a  small  dwelling  house  of  hickory  saplings,  and  named 
it  "Paradise."  In  17711  when  the  British  and  Indians  attacked  Fort  Free- 
land,  four  miles  from  his  home,  he,  with  his  wife  and  children,  escaped  and 
returned  to  Dauphin  county,  where  he  rented  a  farm  until  1783,  when  he 
rettirned  to  his  home  in  Turbut  to^sTishij).  On  arriving  he  found  that  the 
buildings  had  been  burned,  and  that  Captain  "William  Rice  and  company, 
who  had  been  sent  to  the  frontier,  had  built  a  two-storv'  limestone  building  that 
inclosed  the  sjiring  and  was  known  as  Fort  Rice.  He  made  some  alterations 
in  it,  and  used  it  for  a  dwelling  house.  November  S,  1792,  he  was  killed  by 
a  tree  falling  upon  him  while  he  was  opening  the  Derry  road,  leading  from 
Milton  to  Derry  township,  Montour  county.  His  widow  died,  March  2,  1821. 
They  are  buried  in  the  old  Chillisquatjue  graveyard.  They  reared  four  sons 
and  three  daughters:  Robert;  John;  William;  David;  Jane:  Sarah,  and 
Margaret. 

Robert  ]Montgomery,  eldest  son  of  John  Montgomery,  Sr.,  was  born  in 
Dauphin  county,  Pennsylvania,  in  17'VJ.  and  about  1790  he  married  Cather- 
ine Frick,  who  bore  him  the  following  children:  John;  David:  Catherine; 
Margaret;  Christiana,  and  Sarah,  all  of  whom  were  born  on  the  farm  settled 
by  their  father,  and  lying  about  one  mile  east  of  the  old  Paradise  farm  set- 
tled by  John  Montgomery,  Sr.  The  mother  died,  September  9,  ISO'),  and 
about  ISOS  Rol)ert  Montgomery  married  Marj'  Harrison,  who  bore  him  two 
children:  Robert  and  Mary.  Mr.  Montgomery  died,  Deceml)er  1,  1S14;  his 
widow  survived  him  until  18'")2. 

John  Montgomery,  eldest  son  of  Robert  and  Catherine  Montgomery,  was 
born,  July  26,  1792,  and  became  the  o^\-ner  of  his  father's  homestead.  He 
was  married,  March  3,  1825,  to  Rebecca  Day,  a  native  of  York  county,  Penn- 
sylvania, who  bore  him  one  son,  Robert,  the  present  sheriff  of  Northumber- 
land county.  She  died,  September  2.  1830,  aged  forty-three  years.  He 
afterward  married  Grace  Hammond,  who  died  without  issue.  Mr.  Mont- 
gomery was  prominent  in  the  local  councils  of  the  Democratic  party,  and 
served  as  associate  judge  of  the  county  many  years.  He  died,  March  17, 
18(56. 

Robert  Montgomery,  farmer  and  sheriff,  is  the  only  child  of  John  and 
Rebecca  Montgomery'.  He  was  bom  on  the  old  homestead  in  Lewis  town- 
ship, June  1,  1830,  and  received  a  common  school  editcation,  and  was  en- 
gaged in  farming  from  boyhood  up  to  taking  the  ofiice  of  sheriff  in  January, 
1891.     Mr.  Montgomery  was  married.  February  23,  1854,  to  Elizabeth  Vin- 


BIOGKAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  1143 

cent,  who  was  born  near  Watsontown  in  Delaware  town-hiji.  September  17, 
1883,  and  is  a  daughter  of  Isaac  Vincent.  Three  children  are  the  fruits  of 
this  union:  John;  Harry  B..  and  Grace.  The  family  are  adherents  of  the 
Presbyterian  church,  and  Democratic  in  politics.  For  eighteen  years  Mr. 
Montgomery  served  as  a  school  director  in  Lewis  township,  and  has  always 
taken  a  deep  interest  in  educational  matters.  He  was  a  delegate  to  the  State 
convention  that  nominated  Heister  C'lymer  for  Governor,  served  in  the  legis- 
lature in  1S70-71,  and  in  November,  1890,  was  elected  sheriff  of  Xorthirm- 
berland  county,  which  office  he  is  now  tilling.  In  fact,  he  has  been  one  of 
the  active,  hard-working  Democrats  of  the  county  since  early  manhood,  and 
has  won  hosts  of  friends  who  remained  true  to  him  in  the  close  political  bat- 
tle of  last  November. 

John  Montgomery,  second  son  of  John  Montgomery,  Sr..  married  Eleanor 
■\Vilson.  May  3,  17U1.  and  settled  in  Black  Hole  valley.  They  were  the  par- 
ents of  twelve  children:  John,  who  married  Polly  Hammond;  Peggy,  who 
was  twice  married,  first  to  John  Brindle,  and  after  his  death  to  "William  A. 
Petriken;  Fleming;  Robert,  who  married  Margaret  Montgomery;  "William 
"W. ;  David;  Hugh,  a  physician,  who  was  married  four  times,  first  to  Maria 
Thompson,  then  in  succession  to  Ann  Johnson,  Isabella  Stuart,  and  Martha 
Coates;  Eleanor,  who  married  Joshua  Bowman;  Thomas,  who  married  So- 
phia Keller;  William  (2d):  Washington  D. ,  and  James,  who  married  Jane 
Watson. 

WiLLi.\M  MoxTGOitERY.  third  son  of  John  Montgomery,  Sr.,  married  Ra- 
chel Simpson,  of  Sunbury,  who  died,  March  7,  ISOG.  He  lived  on  the  old 
Paradise  farm,  and  survived  his  wife  until  June  17,  1S2S.  Both  are  buried 
in  the  old  Ghillisquaque  graveyard.  They  had  a  family  of  three  children: 
Nancy,  who  married  Dr.  Robert  "\"an  Valzah;  John  T.,  who  married  Hanna 
Hower,  and  William. 

"\\'iLLiAM  Montgomery,  youngest  child  of  William  Montgomery,  was  born, 
March  7,  180-"),  and  died.  February  7.  1S7.3.  He  married  Molly  Galdwell, 
who  bore  him  a  family  of  four  children^:  William  C.,  deceased;  Mary  Jane, 
who  married  John  M.  Thatcher:  Caroline,  who  became  the  wife  of  John  H. 
Vincent,  and  Sarali  V.,  who  married  Valentine  O.  Trackenmiller,  proprietor 
of  the  grist  mills  n^ar  McEwensville.  Mrs.  Montgomery  died,  September 
2('),  1SG7,  and  both  she  and  her  husband  are  buried  in  the  McEwensviUe 
cemetery. 

David  Montgomery,  youngest  son  of  John  Montgomery,  Sr.,  married 
Agnes  Shaw.  She  was  bom,  May  25,  1777,  and  died,  August  22,  1853; 
her  husband  survived  her  until  November  23,  1859,  and  reached  the  ripe  old 
age  of  ninety-two  years.  They  resided  upon  the  old  homestead  in  what  is 
now  Lewis  to\vnshii),  and  reared  a  family  of  four  sons  and  five  daughters, 
VIZ. :  Eliza,  who  was  twice  married,  tirst  to  Dr.  Thomas  Wood,  and  second  to 
Robert   McCormick;  John  G. ;    Margaret,  who  married  her  cousin,   Robert 


114-1:  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBEELAND    COUNTY. 

Montgomery,  and  died  in  Muncy;  William  S. ;  David  B. ;  Eobert  F.,  born 
Jiine  13,  1813,  and  killed  by  a  falling  tree,  March  7,  1828;  Christiann,  wid- 
ow of  Joshua  Bowman;  Nancy  M.,  who  married  Joseph  Nesbit,  and  Caroline 
B.,  widow  of  Edward  Lyon. 

John  G.  Montgomery,  oldest  son  of  David  Montgomery,  was  honi  Janu- 
ary 28,  ISOo.  He  was  twice  married,  first  to  Deborah  B.,  daughter  of  Jacob 
Kerr,  of  McEwensville,  who  was  killed  by  accident  the  day  after  her  marriage. 
He  afterwards  married  Henrietta,  daughter  of  John  Cooper,  of  Danville, 
Pennsylvania,  who  bore  him  seven  children:  Alice;  Agnes;  Elizabeth;  Henri- 
etta; Margaret;  Cooper,  and  Caroline.  He  was  a  member  of  the  legislature 
two  years,  after  which  he  was  elected  to  Congress,  but  did  not  take  his  seat. 
He  attended  the  inauguration  of  James  Buchanan  as  President  of  the  United 
States,  and  while  there  contracted  disease,  from  which  he  died,  Aj^ril  24, 
18-37. 

WiLLi.^M  S.  Montgomery,  second  son  and  fourth  child  of  David  and  Agnes 
Montgomer}-,  was  born,  December  17,  1808,  and  died  at  Milton,  October  23, 
1883.  He  married  Jane  Caldwell,  who  bore  him  a  family  of  four  sons  and 
one  daughter:  David,  of  Colorado;  Oliver,  deceased;  Robert  C,  of  Lewis 
township;  Edward,  of  Grand  Rapids,  Michigan,  and  Margaret,  widow  of 
James  Bryson.  Mr.  Montgomery  was  a  farmer,  and  followed  that  vocation 
near  McEwensville  until  his  removal  to  Milton,  where  ho  died. 

Robert  C.  Montgomery  was  born  on  the  old  homestead  in  Lewis  town- 
ship, December  24,  1830,  and  is  a  son  of  William  S.  and  Jane  Montgomery. 
,  He  was  educated  at  the  McEwensville  Academy,  and  is  a  farmer  by  occupa- 
tion. He  was  married,  February  5,  1803,  to  Mary  Lowry,  of  Derry,  Mon- 
tour county,  who  has  borne  him  six  children:  William;  Helen,  wife  of  Rev. 
George  Marr;  Lowry;  Jennie;  Fannie,  and  Margerj-.  The  family  are  attend- 
ants of  the  Presbyterian  church,  and  in  politics  Mr.  Montgomery  is  a  Demo- 
crat. 

D.wiD  B.  Montgomery,  third  son  of  David  Montgomery,  was  born,  No- 
vember 28,  1810,  and  married,  March  30,  1837,  to  Elizabeth,  daughter  of 
John  Brown,  of  White  Deer  valley,  and  a  niece  of  Dr.  Matthew  Brown, 
president  of  Jefferson  College,  Washington  county,  Pennsylvania.  Mr. 
Montgomery  served  two  terms  in  the  House  of  Representatives,  the  first  in 
1841-42,  and  the  second  in  1853-54.  In  1803  he  was  elected  a  member  of 
the  Pennsylvania  Senate,  and  served  one  term.  He  reared  three  sons  and 
two  daughters:  Agnes,  born  March  12,  1838,  who  lives  with  Mrs.  Edward 
Lyon,  of  Williamsport;  Alfred,  who  was  born,  November  19,  1839,  and  died 
March  19,  1879;  Mary  Isabella,  bom  April  9, 1842,  who  resides  in  Philadel- 
phia, and  Robert  L.  and  David  J.,  both  residents  of  Lewis  township.  David 
B.  Montgomery  and  wife  died  upon  the  old  homestead,  the  latter,  June  9, 
1883,  and  her  husband.  May  10,  ISSO. 

Robert  L.  Montgomery,  second  son  of  David  B.  Montgomery,  was  born, 


^. 


^ 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  1145 

October  10,  1845.  He  was  educated  at  the  townshiij  schools  and  the  Lime- 
stoneville  and  Turbutville  Academies.  December  23,  1874,  he  married 
Priscilla  Stuart,  daughter  of  Dr.  Hugh  Montgomery,  by  whom  he  has  three 
children:  Elizabeth  B. ;  Esther  A.,  and  Isabella  Stuart.  He  is  an  elder  in 
the  Warrior  Run  Presbyterian  church,  and  politically  he  is  a  Democirat. 

David  J.  Montgomery,  youngest  son  of  David  B.  Montgomery,  was  born, 
October  0,  1849,  and  was  married.  January  13,  1881,  to  Harriet  Hays,  and 
resides  on  the  home  farm.     He  has  two  children:    Walter  B.  and  Robert  H. 

Geohge  Stahl,  farmer,  was  bom  on  the  farm  where  he  now  resides.  Feb- 
riiaiy  25,  1S14.  son  of  Philip  and  Ehzabeth  (Eshbach)  Stahl.  His  paternal 
grandfather,  John  .Stahl,  served  in  the  Revolutionary  war  as  quartermaster 
and  captain,  and  at  times  was  recruiting  officer.  At  the  close  of  the  war  he 
came  to  Northumberland  county,  and  settled  on  a  tract  of  land  containing 
four  hundred  acres.  He  was  the  father  of  six  children,  Philip,  father  of  oitr 
subject,  being  one  of  the  number.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  received  his 
education  in  the  district  schools,  and  has  been  a  farmer  all  his  life.  He  has 
served  two  terms  as  school  director,  and  in  other  township  otlices.  Mr. 
Stahl  was  married  in  1842  to  Elizabeth  Deshler,  of  this  county,  and  to  them 
were  born  eight  children :  William  J. ;  Thomas  P. ;  Mary  E. ;  Levi  H. ;  John 
O. ;  Da^-id  F. ;  Edwin  O.,  and  George  Calvin.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Ger- 
man Reformed  church,  and  politically  he  has  been  a  life-long  Democrat. 
Mr.  Stahl  is  one  of  the  oldest  and  most  respected  citizens  of  his  native  town- 
ship. He  is  a  man  of  the  strictest  integrity,  and  of  unimpeachable  charac- 
ter, and  is  a  fitting  representative  of  old  Northumberland's  best  and  purest 
citizenship. 

Geoege  P.  Kamp,  retired  farmer,  was  born  in  Bavaria,  Germany,  May  24, 
1817,  son  of  Adam  and  Susan  (Reider)  Kamp.  Adam  Kamp  immigrated 
from  Germany  to  America  in  lS3iiand  settled  in  Lycoming  county,  Penn- 
sylvania. He  was  born.  ]May  20.  17^7,  and  died  at  the  home  of  our  subject 
in  1809.  His  wife  was  bom,  August  1,  1792,  and  died  in  1873.  They 
reared  a  family  of  seven  children:  Catharine,  deceased:  George  P.;  Rosetta, 
wife  of  Aaron  Gaston:  Christian:  John,  deceased;  Flora,  deceased,  and 
Sophia,  deceased.  Our  subject  received  his  etlucation  in  his  native  country 
and  the  common  schools  of  Northumberland  county.  His  first  business 
venture  was  in  the  mercantile  trade  at  Turbutville,  which  he  continued  from 
1847  to  1802,  since  which  time  he  was  farming  until  he  retired.  He  was 
married  in  September,  1847.  to  Rosannah  Lantz,  a  si.ster  of  Simon  Lautz, 
whose  sketch  appears  in  this  vokmie.  She  died  in  ISHI  after  assisting  to 
rear  seven  childi-en  born  to  their  iinion:  Luther,  deceased;  Clarmda:  John 
P.;  Charles  F.,  an  attorney  of  Williamsjwrt;  Simon  R. ;  Mary,  deceased, 
and  William  S.,  deceased.  He  was  again  married,  in  18(55,  to  Mary  Walter, 
and  to  this  union  were  born  two  children:  Elizabeth,  wife  of  William  Beaver, 
and   Rosanna,   wife  of    Edward  Waldtschmidt.      His  second  wife   died   in 


11-16  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

1871,  and  he  was  again  married,  July  2,  187G,  to  Maria  Miiftly.  Mr.  Kamp 
is  a  member  of  the  Lutheran  church,  and  has  served  in  the  various  offices  of 
the  same  for  thirty  years.  He  was  one  of  the  building  committee  in  the 
erection  of  the  Lutheran  church  of  Turbutville.  His  wife  is  a  member  of 
the  Reformed  church. 

Andrew  Tenbeook,  farmer,  was  born  at  Elmira,  New  York,  December  12, 
1817,  son  of  Andrew  and  Eleanor  (Curry)  Tenbrook.  Wiuant  Tenbrook, 
the  great-grandfather  of  our  subject,  emigrated  from  Holland  to  America 
about  the  year  1728,  in  the  ship  Good  Woman,  it  being  the  first  ship  to 
enter  the  Narrows  at  New  York  City.  He  was  the  owner  of  three  hundred 
twenty  acres  of  land,  where  the  cit.y  of  New  Y'ork  is  now  located,  and  helped 
to  plan  the  laying  out  of  the  city.  John,  a  son  of  Cornelius  Tenbrook,  and 
a  descendant  of  Winant  Tenbrook,  was  a  colon€>l  in  the  Revolutionary  war, 
and  was  with  Washington  in  the  battle  of  Germantown  and  in  other 
important  engagements.  He  was  the  father  of  ten  children.  Andrew,  his 
third  son,  was  married  in  this  county,  and  removed  to  Elmira,  New  York, 
where  he  operated  a  grist  mill  seven  years,  and  then  returned  to  this  county. 
He  was  born  in  New  Jersey  in  1772,  and  died,  September  14,  1851.  His 
wife  died,  August  8,  184.").  They  reared  a  family  of  thirteen  children: 
John,  deceased;  Matthew;  Sarah;  Mrs.  Ann  Hutchinson;  John  (2d);  William; 
Jane;  James;  Andrew;  Mrs.  Ellen  Wilson;  Nancy;  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Sweeny, 
and  Thomas  C.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  educated  in  tlie  public 
schools,  and  has  always  been  a  farmer.  He  was  married,  June  18,  1850,  to 
Hannah  McCarty,  of  this  county.  Five  childien  were  born  to  this  union: 
William,  a  physician  of  Paris,  Illinois;  Andrew,  a  physician  of  Parsons, 
Kansas;  Edwin,  deceased;  Robert  S.,  deceased,  and  Ada  C.  His  wife  died, 
June  9,  1809.  His  second  wife  was  Ada,  daughter  of  George  H.  Dougherty, 
of  Columbia  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  to  them  has  been  born  one  child, 
Carrie.     They  are  members  of  the  Warrior  Run  Presbyterian  church. 

A.  S.  Wagner,  justice  of  the  peace,  was  born,  February  27,  1818,  in 
Montour  county,  Penn.sylvania,  to  Michael  and  Barbara  (Snyder)  Wagner. 
His  grandfather  immigrated  to  this  country  from  Germany  anti  located  in 
Lehigh  county,  Pennsylvania.  Michael,  father  of  our  subject,  located  in 
Montour  county  about  the  year  1808.  He  was  the  father  of  ten  children, 
four  of  whom  are  living:  Peter;  George;  A.  S.,  and  Mary.  He  died  in 
1804,  his  wife  in  1844.  The  subject  of  our  .sketch  was  educated  in  the  dis- 
trict schools,  and  followed  the  occupation  of  farming  until  185'),  at  which 
time  he  went  into  the  mercantile  trade  in  Washingtonville,  and  continued  at 
that  business  six  years.  In  1858  he  was  elected  county  commissioner  of 
Montour  county,  serving  three  years,  and  was  then  elected  county  treasurer 
of  the  same  county,  and  served  three  years.  He  again  engaged  in  farming, 
at  which  he  continued  until  1809,  when  he  removed  to  Turbutville,  this 
county.     In   1870  he  was  elected  justice  of  the  peace,  which  office  he  has 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  1147 

since  held.  He  was  married.  February  3.  1842,  to  Mary  Saul,  and  to  this 
union  were  born  four  children:  A.  Luther,  of  Altoona;  Calvin:  Mary  E., 
wife  of  Eev.  Tilghman  Derr,  and  Laiara  C.  wife  of  Wallace  Barr.  Mr. 
AVagner  and  family  are  members  of  the  Paradise  German  Reformi'd  church; 
he  has  held  the  office  of  elder  of  the  church  twenty  years,  and  has  served 
twenty-five  years  as  school  director.     Politically  he  is  a  Democrat. 

E.  H.  HoKXER,  physician  and  surgeon,  was  born  in  Northampton  county, 
Pennsylvania,  September  4,  1881,  a  son  of  Hugh  and  Sarah  (Hiuni)lirey) 
Horner.  His  grandfather  immigrated  to  this  country  from  the  North  of  Ire- 
land. Hugh,  father  of  our  subject,  was  a  merchant  in  early  life,  and  later 
followed  the  occupation  of  farming.  He  was  the  father  of  eight  children: 
Hugh;  Jolm;  Elizabeth;  Jane;  Harriet;  Louisa;  Edward  H.,  and  Matilda. 
He  died  in  July,  18<)1,  and  his  wife  in  October.  1S72.  The  subject  of  this 
sketch  was  educated  in  the  common  schools,  at  Lafayette  College,  Easton, 
Pennsylvania,  and  Union  College,  Schenectady,  New  York.  He  graduated 
at  the  latter  institution  in  lsr)2.  and  immediately  began  the  study  of  medi- 
cine with  Dr.  Samuel  Al^ernethy,  of  Rahway,  New  Jersey,  after  which  he 
attended  the  University  of  Pennsylvania,  at  Philadelphia,  where  he  gradu- 
ated in  1855.  He  located  at  Newberry,  Lycoming  county,  Pennsylvania, 
remaining  there  six  years.  In  lS<i2  he  was  appointed  surgeon  of  the  One 
Hundred  and  Twenty-seventh  Pennsylvania  Volunteers  and  served  one  year, 
and  afterward  served  two  months  as  surgeon  of  the  Twenty-sixth  Pennsyl- 
vania Emergency  regiment.  Doctor  Horner  was  married,  February  24.  1S59, 
to  Sarah  E.  Webli,  of  Jersey  Shore,  and  to  this  union  have  been  born  four 
children:  Edward  S. ;  S.  Weblr,  Mary  G.,  deceased,  and  one  who  died  in 
infancy.  He  is  a  member  of  the  State  Medical  Association,  and  of  Bryson 
Post  G.  A.  E.,  of  Watsontown. 

George  Treon,  physician  and  surgeon,  was  born  in  Lycoming  coiinty, 
Pennsylvania,  January  13,  1832,  son  of  George  and  Susan  (Ritz)  Treon, 
natives  of  France  and  Northumberland  county,  Pennsylvania,  respectively. 
:Micliael  Treon,  the  grandfather  of  our  subject,  immio^rated  at  an  early  day  with 
his  familv  to  America.  He  was  master  of  eleven  languages,  was  a  physician, 
and  three  of  his  sons  also  became  physicians.  By  his  first  wife  he  had  seven 
children,  five  sons  and  two  daughters.  She  died,  and  he  was  again  married, 
to  A.  Ganger  of  Selinsgrove,  to  which  union  were  born  seven  daughters. 
Georo-e  Treon,  Sr.,  was  a  physician,  and  settled  in  Muncy,  Lycoming  county, 
Pennsylvania,  when  there  were  but  three  houses  in  the  place.  He  practiced 
medicine  in  that  community  about  forty-eight  years,  or  to  the  time  of  his 
,  death,  which  occurred  February  28,  1858.  His  widow  died  in  1871;  she 
was  the  mother  of  twelve  children:  Elizabeth ;  Polly:  Lydia;  Lorine,  deceased; 
Caroline,  deceased;  Sarah,  deceased;  Ellen;  Susan;  infant,  deceased;  George; 
John,  a  physician  of  Lycoming  county,  and  Peter.  Our  subject  was  edu- 
cated in   the  Muucv   Academy,   studied   medicine   from    boyhood   with   his 


114S  HISTOBY    OF    NOIiTHUMBERLANT)   COUNTY. 

father,  and  attended  medical  lectures  at  the  TTniversity  of  Pennsylvania. 
He  began  the  practice  of  his  profession  at  Georgetown,  this  county,  where 
he  remained  four  years.  In  1860  he  located  at  Turbut^^lle  and  built  up  a 
lucrative  practice.  He  removed  to  his  farm  east  of  that  borough  early  in 
1890,  where  he  .still  devotes  his  attention  to  his  professional  duties.  Doctor 
Treon  was  married,  January  1,  1852,  to  Criser  Xickle  of  Lycoming  county, 
Pennsylvania,  and  to  this  union  five  children  have  been  born:  William; 
Emma,  deceased;  Alice,  wife  of  George  Kellar;  Ida  M.,  deceased,  and 
Asher. 

O.  L.  IVIdffly,  physician  and  surgeon,  was  Iwrn  in  this  county,  October 
22,  1860.  He  is  a  son  of  Samuel  and  Charlotte  (Treon)  Muffly.  and  brother 
of  J.  W.  Muffly,  of  Watsontown.  He  was  educated  in  the  puljlic  schools  and 
McEwen.sville  Academy.  In  1882  he  began  the  study  of  medicine  with  Dr. 
George  Treon,  of  Turbutville.  He  attended  -Jefferson  Medical  College, 
Philadelphia,  one  year,  and  graduated  at  the  Baltimore  College  of  Physicians 
and  Surgeons  in  1880,  and  then  practiced  in  the  City  hospital  of  Baltimore 
six  months.  In  1887  he  formed  a  partnership  with  Dr.  George  Treon.  of 
Turbutville,  and  continued  to  practice  with  him  until  March  1,  1890,  when 
they  dissolved.  He  was  married,  September  2n.  1S,'S8,  to  Matilda,  a  daugh- 
ter of  Samuel  Hoffman,  of  Delaware  township.  Northumberland  county. 

Peter  R.  Menges,  merchant,  was  born  in  this  county,  July  29,  1886,  son 
of  Samuel  and  Catharine  (Roubenoult)  Menges.  The  father  of  our  subject 
was  born  in  this  county,  and  reared  nine  children:  Benjamin;  William;  Isaac; 
John;  Mary,  wife  of  Charles  Rohne;  Daniel;  Susan,  wife  of  George  Franken- 
field;  Peter  R.,  and  Jacob.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  editcated  in  the 
common  schools,  and  followed  the  occupation  of  farming  until  1881,  when 
he  embarked  in  the  mercantile  business  in  Turbutville,  at  which  he  was 
engaged  seven  years.  Politically  he  is  a  Democrat,  served  as  postmaster  of 
Turbutville  from  IS'Jo  to  1858,  has  been  overseer  of  the  poor,  and  is  now 
serving  his  second  term  in  the  borough  council  of  Turbutville.  He  was  a 
director  in  the  Farmers'  National  Bank  of  Wat.sontown  luitil  October,  INOO, 
when  he  disposed  of  his  stock,  and  November  1.  1S9(\  organized  the  present 
firm  of  P.  R.  &  R.  F.  Menges,  and  agaiji  embarkeil  in  the  general  mercantile 
business.  Mr.  Menges  was  married,  January  1,  1S62,  to  Mary  Bieber.  One 
child  was  born  to  this  union,  who  died  in  infancy.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Menges 
are  members  of  the  Lutheran  church,  and  he  is  recognized  as  one  of  the  lead- 
ing citizens  of  his  community. 

Benjamin  Savidge,  merchant,  was  born  in  Turbutville,  Northumberland 
county,  Pennsylvania,  August  20,  1857,  son  of  William  and  Elizabeth  (Stan- 
ton) Savidge,  natives  of  Montour  and  Northumberland  counties,  respectively. 
William  Savidge  was  a  prominent  merchant  of  Turbutville  for  many  years, 
and  died  in  July,  1876.  His  wife  died  in  September,  1870.  She  was  the 
mother  of  three  children  by  her  union  with  Mr.  Savidge:  Sarah,  wife  of  P. 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  1149 

A\'.  Opp;  Esther  H.,  wife  of  Jacol)  :McFarlaua.  and  Benjamin,  wlio  .suceeedea 
his  father  in  business.  The  last  named  was  educated  in  the  pulilic  schools, 
and  began  his  business  career  as  a  merchant.  He  is  a  director  of  the  First 
National  Bank  of  Milton,  and  is  borough  auditor  of  Turbutville.  He  was 
married  in  May,  1S79,  to  Sophia  Runion.  and  to  this  union  have  been  born 
four  children:  Lizzie;  Barton:  Fuller,  deceased,  and  William.  Mr.  Savidge 
is  one  of  the  best  known  and  most  enterprising  business  men  of  Turbutville. 

John  P.  Dentlee,  farmer,  was  born  in  Lycoming  county,  Pennsylvania, 
April  4,  1S42,  son  of  William  C.  and  Christianna  (Raup)  Dentler.  natives  of 
this  county.  His  paternal  grandfather  came  to  this  county  in  JSlli,  and  lo- 
cated near  Turbutville.  He  was  the  father  of  sis  children:  John,  who  was 
associate  judge  of  this  county:  Frederick:  Franklin:  William;  Rachel,  and 
Maria.  William  C,  father  of  our  subject,  began  life  by  working  on  the 
Pennsylvania  canal,  and  afterward  chosp  farming  as  an  occupation.  He 
served  ten  years  ;is  justice  of  the  peace,  and  was  an  elder  in  the  Lutheran 
church  at  the  time  of  his  death,  November  7.  iSfiO.  His  widow  died,  March 
2S.  lN7:i.  They  reared  a  family  of  live  children:  WiUiam;  Savilla:  John  P.; 
Mary  C,  wife  of  D.  A.  Engle,  and  Jennie,  wife  of  Samuel  Comley.  The 
subject  of  our  sketch  was  educated  in  the  puljlic  schools,  and  has  followed 
the  occupation  of  farming  all  his  life.  He  was  married.  January  18.  1870, 
tr,  Jennie  A.,  daughter  of  Philip  Raup.  of  Turbutvill,^  She  died,  July  11, 
ISNS.  They  had  two  children:  Lillie  and  Roy.  January  1,  IS'JO,  he  mar- 
ried Sarah  Leinliach,  of  McEwensville.  Mr.  Dentler  is  a  director  of  the  Wat- 
sontown  National  Bank,  and  is  a  member  of  the  Lutheran  church,  in  which 
he  has  served  as  elder,  deacon,  and  trustee.     Politically  he  is  a  Democrat. 

RiJisEHT  C.  RrcKMAX,  farmer,  was  born  in  Lewis  township,  this  county, 
December  14.  1N20.  son  of  William  and  Margaret  (Caldwell)  Ruckman.  His 
grandfather,  William  Ruckman,  a  native  of  Northampton  county,  Pennsyl- 
vania, settled  in  Lewis  township,  on  the  farm  where  our  subject  now  resides. 
William,  father  of  our  subject,  was  born  on  that  farm  in  1790,  was  a  farmer 
In-  occupation,  and  resided  on  the  old  homestead  until  his  death.  He  reared 
a  family  of  eleven  children,  seven  of  whom  are  living:  Robert  C ;  Elizabeth, 
widow  of  H.  P.  Sheller,  of  Lewisburg:  Eleanor,  widow  of  Henry  Follmer.  of 
I^nion  county;  Thomas  and  John,  both  of  Texas;  Rebecca  Jane,  and  Hester, 
widow  of  Robert  Hutchinson,  of  Milton.  The  deceased  are:  William;  Mar- 
garet; Sarah,  and  Rachel.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  reared  on  the  old 
homestead,  attended  the  district  schools,  and  in  1SG2  married  Paulina  S. 
Wheat,  daughter  of  Edwin  R.  and  Rachel  (Ruckman)  Wheat,  of  Lebanon 
county,  Peniasylvania,  and  to  this  union  were  bom  three  children:  Edward 
W. ;  Robert,  and  Hugh  S.  Mr.  Ruckman  has  served  as  school  director  and 
supervisor,  and  politically  is  a  Republican.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Warrior 
Run  Presbvterian  church. 


1150  HISTORY    OF    NOETHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

Daniel  K.  Hoy,  farmer,  was  born  ia  Lewis  township,  May  1,  1838,  son  of 
Michael  and  Ehzabeth  (Karchner)  Hoy.  The  father  of  our  subject  was  born 
in  Union  ooimty.  May  81,  1811,  a  son  of  John  Hoy,  a  native  of  Berks  county, 
who  came  to  this  coitnty  when  a  young  man  and  first  located  at  Kieft'erstown, 
and  Liter  on  the  farm  where  his  son  now  resides.  He  married  Elizabeth, 
daiighter  of  Andrew  and  Barbara  Karchner.  He  died,  March  6,  1882,  his 
wife,  January  28,  1880.  He  was  an  honest,  upright  citizen,  a  member  of  the 
Lutheran  church,  and  politically  a  Democrat.  He  reared  throe  children: 
Charles  E. :  Daniel  K.,  and  John  A.  The  sulfject  of  our  sketch  was  reared 
on  the  farm  and  wa.s  educated  at  the  district  schools.  November  IN.  ISfUJ, 
he  married  Alice,  daughter  of  Henry  Falier,  of  Lewis  townshij),  l)y  which 
union  they  have  had  ten  children:  Sallie;  Daisy;  Annie;  John;  Willis;  Harry; 
Frank:  Fannie;  Charles,  and  Nettie.  Mr.  Hoy  has  served  as  school  din^ctor, 
and  has  been  to\vnship  treasurer  five  years.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Liitlieran 
church,  and  politically  is  a  Democrat. 

S.  P.  Gastox,  farmer,  was  born,  December  10.  1S2U,  a  son  of  Robert  and 
Eleanor  (Shannon)  Gaston.  The  Gaston  family  is  of  Scotch  descent.  Joseph, 
grandfather  of  our  subject,  was  born,  November  10,  170G.  He  came  from  New 
Jersey  to  Northumberland  county,  locating  on  a  farm,  where  he  died,  April 
18,  lS:-!4.  He  reared  a  family  of  seven  children.  Eobert,  his  oldest  son,  and 
the  fatlur  of  our  subject,  was  born,  November  80,  17V)0,  and  was  married, 
April  S.  Is24,  to  Eleanor  Shannon,  who  bore  him  seven  children.  The  Sub- 
ject of  our  sketch  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  and  at  McEweiisville 
Academy,  and  followed  the  occupations  of  farming  and  school  teadiing. 
Noveml^T  •">,  1801,  he  married  Lydia  Matchin,  and  to  this  union  weri'  born 
four  children:  Robert  A.,  deceased;  Robert  C. ;  Edward  H.,  in  the  empl(jy  of 
the  Adams  Express  Company  at  York,  Pennsylvania;  and  Harry  G.,  a  tele- 
graph operator  at  Mount  Morris,  New  York.  Mr.  Gaston  has  served  as 
auditor  of  the  county,  and  has  been  a  Republican,  but  is  now  a  Prohibition- 
ist.    He  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Warrior  Run  Presbyterian  cliurch. 

Levi  H.  Follmer,  farmer,  was  born  in  Turbut  township,  Northumberland 
county.  January  o,  1841,  son  of  Charles  and  Teresa  (Eshbach)  Follmer, 
both  natives  of  this  county.  The  father  was  a  farmer  by  occupation,  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Paradise  Reformed  church,  and  politically  a  Democrat.  Hi'  died 
in  1882.  and  his  wife  in  1805.  They  were  the  parents  of  five  children:  Levi 
H. ;  Margaret,  Mrs.  Samuel  Lerch;  Sarah,  Mrs.  William  Miller;  Susan,  Mrs. 
Josiah  Baker,  and  Charles  D.  His  second  wife  was  Angeline  Hanse.  The 
subject  of  our  sketch  was  reared  in  this  township,  and  educated  in  the  ])ublic 
schools  and  at  McEwensviUe  Academy.  December  5,  ]  808,  he  married  Ella, 
daughter  of  Thomas  and  Mary  Watts,  of  Lewis  township;  they  havi'  one 
daughter  by  adoption,  Lizzie  B.  Mr.  Follmer  is  a  prominent  member  o(  the 
Turbutville  Reformed  church,  and  after  serving  one  term  as  deacon,  was  re- 
elected.    He  has  served  as  school  director  and  overseer  of  the  poor  of  Lewis 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  1151 

township.  Politically,  hi'  is  a  Democrat,  and  has  boeu  a  iin'mbor  of  the 
Patrons  of  Husbandry  for  fifteen  years,  holding  office  in  the  same  nearly  all 
of  that  time. 

H.  P.  B..KVP.  farmer,  was  born  in  Lewis  township,  this  county.  April  17, 
lS")l.son  of  Philij)  and  Sarah  Ann(Klapp)  Ranp,  who  reared  a  family  of  eight 
children,  five  of  whom  are  living:  Mary  Ann;  Sarah  Catharine,  Mrs.  S.  W. 
Keller,  of  Milton;  Cora  E.,  Mrs.  Martin  L.  Schmucker;  H.  P.,  and  Edward 
L.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  reared  in  Lewis  townshij),  attended  the 
di>trict  schools,  and  after  the  deatli  of  his  jiarents  took  charge  of  the  home 
farm.  He  married  in  May.  ISTN.  Frances,  daughter  of  William  Seidel.  of 
Derry  township,  ilontour  county,  and  has  three  children:  J.  Seidel:  Jessie 
May.  and  Ralph  K.  Mr.  Eaup  has  held  the  ofKces  of  township  clerk,  tax 
collector,  and  insi)ector  and  judge  of  election.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Lu- 
theran church,  of  the  :\mtun  Mutual  Lodge,  No.  S4.  I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  politic- 
ally is  a  Democrat. 

Jkuemlui  Leinbacii.  son  of  Samuel  and  ]\laria  (Barto)  Leinbach.  was 
born  in  Berks  county,  Pennsylvania.  July  I'J,  lS4'i.  He  came  to  this  ciiunty 
in  IS-")'.!,  and  located  in  this  township.  He  was  well  educated  and  in  early 
life  taught  school.  He  reared  a  family  of  eight  children,  four  of  whom  are 
living:  Samuel,  of  Berks  county;  Nathan  B.,  of  Lycoming  county:  Jeremiah, 
and  Maria.  Mrs.  Ezra  Deisher,  of  Union  county.  In  lN()r>  he  married  Lu- 
cinda.  daugiiter  of  John  and  Elizabeth  (Heft'ner)  Fick,  of  Berks  county,  who 
ciuiie  to  this  county  in  1S5',)  and  located  in  Delaware  township.  By  this 
UKuriage  were  born  five  children:  Charles;  Annie  Elizabeth,  Mrs.  Henry 
Bitner;  Lloyd;  Allen,  and  Ellen  Gertrude.  In  1802  Mr.  Leinbacli  enlisted 
in  Company  E,  One  Hundred  and  Thirty-first  Pennsylvania  Volunteers,  and 
after  u  service  of  nine  months  was  honorably  discharged.  Mr.  Leinbach  is 
a  member  of  the  G.  A.  K.  of  Watsontown  and  of  the  Reformed  clmrcli. 

Antiiskw  Russell  was  a  native  of  Ireland  and  immigrated  to  this  county 
at  a  very  early  date.  He  remained  but  a  short  time,  being  driven  away  l)y 
the  Indi;ins.  He  went  to  Delaware,  where  he  married  Isabella  Kerr,  and 
about  the  year  17S0  returned  to  this  county,  where  he  purchased  a  tract  of 
land  which  includes  the  farm  now  occupiecl  by  T.  W.  and  Samuel  RusselL 
This  he  cleared  and  improved  and  there  experienced  much  trouble  with  the 
Indians.  He  was  a  Presbyterian  and  took  an  active  interest  in  the  cause  of 
religion.  His  familv  consisted  of  four  sons  and  two  daughters,  all  of  whom 
are  dead. 

John  Russell  was  born  on  the  homestead  farm  in  17711.  and  died  in  De- 
cember, 1821.  He  was'a  farmer  l)y  occupation,  and  was  recognized  as  one 
of  the  prominent  and  influential  citizens  of  the  township.  He  was  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Warrior  Run  Presbyterian  church.  He  married  Susan  Wallace, 
daughter  of  Thomas  Wallace,  a  native  of  Ireland  who  came  to  this  county 
at   an  early  day  and  died  in  Delaware  township.      To  this   union  were  liorn 


1152  HISTOltY    OF    NORTHUMBEKLAND    COUNTY. 

three  daughters  and  four  sons:  Hester,  who  married  Joseph  Laird;  Isabella, 
deceased;  Maria,  who  married  John  Tweed;  John;  Andrew.  Samuel,  and  T. 
W. 

T.  W.  Russell,  farmer,  was  born  in  Lewis  township,  Northumberland 
county,  Pennsylvania,  November  7,  1S18,  and  is  a  son  of  John  and  Susan 
(Wallace)  Russell.  He  was  reared  on  the  old  homestead  and  attended  the 
public  schools  of  his  neighborhood.  He  was  married  in  March,  1851,  to 
Lovina  Kerr,  a  daughter  of  Nathan  Kerr,  and  has  three  children:  Jane, 
wife  of  William  Stout;  Sarah,  and  John.  He  is  a  Republican,  a  member  of 
the  Warrior  Run  Presbyterian  church,'  and  a  much  respected  citizen  of  his 
community. 

S.vMUEL  RussEL,  farmer,  was  born  on  the  farm  where  he  now  resides  in 
Lewis  township,  Northumberland  county,  Pennsylvania,  July  'IS,  1S'2(\  and 
is  a  son  of  Samuel  and  Susan  (Murray)  Russel.  His  father  was  born  on 
this  farm  in  ITT-'i,  and  here  grew  up  and  became  one  of  the  well  known  and 
enterprising  farmers  of  the  township.  He  was  a  member  of  the  AVarrior 
Run  Presbyterian  church,  was  a  Whig  in  politics,  and  filled  various  township 
offices.  He  died,  December  7,  1848,  and  his  wife,  October  "28,  1850;  nine 
childi-en  were  born  to  their  union,  four  of  whom  are  living:  Ellen;  Thomas 
M. ;  Isabella,  and  Samuel.  The  last  named  was  reared  on  the  homestead 
farm,  where  he  has  since  remained  engaged  at  farming.  January  2,  18.")!,  he 
was  married  to  Elizabeth  Wilson,  daughter  of  William  Wilson,  of  Lewis 
township,  and  to  this  union  seven  children  have  been  bom,  live  of  whom  are 
living:  Emma  B. ;  Annie  L. ;  Maggie  R.,  wife  of  John  Cathcart,  of  Dela- 
ware township;  Ida  P.,  and  Thomas.  He  is  a  Rejiublicsm  in  politics  and 
attends  the  Warrior  Run  Presbyterian  church. 

J.  B.  Leixb.\ch,  retired  farmer,  was  born  in  Northumberland  coitnty, 
Penn.sylvania,  September  9,  ISIT),  son  of  Henry  and  Man,'  (Bamhart)  Lein- 
bach.  His  grandfather,  Henry  Leinbach,  was  a  native  of  Berks  county, 
Pennsylvania,  came  to  this  county  about  the  year  1800,  and  located  upon  a 
farm  in  Lewis  township.  Henry  Leinbach,  his  son,  and  the  father  of  our 
subject,  was  a  farmer  by  occupation,  and  politically  he  was  a  Democrat. 
He  died  in  1S29;  his  widow  survived  him  until  1840.  They  reared  a  family 
of  eight  children:  Daniel  and  Henry,  deceased;  John  B. ;  Benival,  de- 
ceased; Sarah,  Mrs.  George  Hittle;  Mary,  Mrs.  F  H.  Carver;  Elizabeth, 
Mrs.  Simon  Cameron,  and  Rebecca,  deceased,  who  was  married  to  C. 
Sweeney.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  educated  in  the  common  schools, 
and  at  the  age  of  sixteen  years  learned  the  carpenter  trade,  at  which  he  was 
employed  about  ten  years;. be  then  engaged  in  farming  until  1861,  when  he 
was  appointed  agent  for  the  American  Life  Insurance  Company  of  Philadel- 
phia, which  position  he  held  for  five  years.  In  1867  he  became  manager 
for  the  Union  Mutual  Life  Insurance  Company  for  the  central  part  of  Penn- 
sylvania and  also  filled  this  position  for  five  years.     Since  1872  he  has  been 


^^^,  /Q ,  ^UJ^iiu^^A-y 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  1155 

agent  for  the  North  Western  Life  Insurance  Company.  He  was  married, 
October  2,  1S5S,  to  Mary  Dnnkle,  a  native  of  this  county,  and  to  this  union 
nine  children  have  been  born:  Fannie  Bird:  Elizabeth,  Mrs.  S.  S.  Alex- 
ander; Susan,  Mrs.  George  W.  Haag;  Sarah,  Mrs.  J.  P.  Dentler:  John  F..  a 
paint  manufacturer  of  Muncy,  Pennsylvania;  C.  E.,  a  traveling  salesman; 
Mary,  Mrs.  P.  E.  Moss;  Gertrade,  and  Oliver.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Leinbach  are 
members  of  the  German  Keformed  church  of  McEwensville,  and  in  jiolitics 
he  is  a  Democrat. 

James  H.  Cathcaet,  farmer,  was  born  on  the  homestead  where  he  now 
resides,  in  Delaware  township,  Xorthuruberland  county,  Peimsylvania,  Au- 
gust 11,. 1  soil,  and  is  a  son  of  John  and  Mary  (Gilford)  Cathcart.  John 
Cathcart  was  born  in  Dauphin  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  removed  to  North- 
umberland county  prior  to  the  Eevolutionary  war.  He  subsequently 
returned  to  his  native  county  and  from  there  entered  the  service  as  a  drum- 
mer boy  in  the  American  army,  after  which  he  came  back  to  Dauphin  county, 
and  later  located  on  the  farm  in  Delaware  township,  this  county,  where  his 
son,  James  H..  now  resides,  and  there  died  in  18:^2.  His  wife  died  in  ISIO; 
she  was  the  mother  of  seven  children,  only  one  of  whom  is  now  living,  James 
H.  The  latter  was  educated  in  the  subscription  schools,  and  has  devoted  his 
whole  life  to  farming.  He  was  married,  February  22,  ISl'J,  to  Margaret,  a 
daughter  of  John  "Wortman  of  this  county,  and  to  this  union  one  child  was 
born,  John  G..  who  married  Maggie,  a  daughter  of  Samuel  Eussel  of  this 
county.  Mr.  Cathcart  and  wife  are  consistent  members  of  the  Presbyterian 
church.  During  his  younger  days  he  took  a  deep  interest  in  politics,  and 
has  always  been  an  ardent  supporter  of  the  principles  and  measures  of  the 
Democratic  party. 

Thomas  3Iast.  retired  farmer,  was  born  in  Northamjiton  county,  Pennsyl- 
vania, June  4.  181-3,  son  of  John  F.  and  Sarah  (McHoes)  Mast.  The  Mast 
family  emigrated  from  Germany  to  this  country,  and  first  located  in  Bucks 
county,  Penn.sylvania,  and  from  there  John  F.  Mast  removed  to  Northamp- 
ton coiuity.  where  he  married  and  reared  a  family  of  seven  children,  all  of 
whom  are  deceased  but  Thomas  and  John  W.,  of  Bethlehem,  Pennsylvania. 
John  F.  Mast  died  in  Northampton  county  in  1815;  his  widow  survived  him 
until  June  10,  1854.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  educated  in  the  com- 
mon schools,  and  at  the  age  of  nineteen  learned  the  blacksmith  trade,  which 
occupation  he  followed  twenty-seven  years.  He  removed  to  Northumberland 
county  in  18G0,  and  has  since  been  engaged  in  farming.  He  was  married  in 
April,  1842.  to  Harriet  B.  Thomas.  They  are  members  of  the  Eeformed 
church  of  Watsontown,  of  which  church  he  is  an  elder. 

Thomas  De  Armond,  retired  farmer,  was  born  upon  the  farm  where  he  now 
resides,  Februarv'  10,  1807,  son  of  Samuel  and  Esther  (Wallace)  De  Armond, 
and  brother  of  Samuel  De  Armond,  whose  sketch  appears  elsewhere.  He 
was  educated  at  the  subscription  schools  of  his  boyhood,  and  has  followed 
the  occupation  of  farming  all  his  life. 


1156  HISTORY    OE   NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

G.  W.  Armstrong,  merchant,  McEwensville,  was  born  in  Northumberland 
county,  Pennsylvania,  July  30,  1S22,  son  of  Anthony  and  Elizabeth  (Guffy) 
Armstrong.  His  grandfather,  James  Armstrong,  immigrated  from  Ireland 
to  this  country,  and  settled  at  Carlisle,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  was  teacher 
of  mathematics  in  the  high  school.  In  1785  he  engaged  in  the  mercantile 
business  at  Ncsthumberland,  this  county,  and  later  at  McEwensville.  An- 
thony, his  son,  a  farmer  by  occupation,  died  in  January,  1868,  and  his  wife 
in  1832.  He  reared  a- family  of  eight  children:  Jane;  Andrew:  Matilda; 
Samuel;  Richard;  James  P.;  Margaret,  and  George  W.  The  subject  of  our 
sketch  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  and  Milton  Academy,  and  at  the 
age  of  eighteen  years  learned  the  printer's  trade  in  the  office  of  the  Milton 
Ledger;  he  eventually  became  one  of  the  editors  of  that  paper,  after  which 
he  was  connected  with  a  paper  in  Williamsport,  Pennsylvania,  a  short  time. 
He  then  enlisted  in  the  Mexican  war  in  Company  C,  Second  Pennsylvania 
Volunteers,  in  January,  1847,  and  in  August  of  the  same  year  brotiglit  home 
the  remains  of  General  R.  H.  Hammond,  of  ililton.  He  was  a  member  of 
the  Northumberland  Troop,  and  served  in  all  the  offices  from  heutenant  to 
general.  He  was  connected  with  the  Bordentown  Palladium,  of  Borden- 
town.  New  Jersey,  and  in  company  with  G.  L.  Vliet  he  published  a  paper 
called  the  True  Democrat  at  Pottsville,  Pennsylvania,  two  years,  when  they 
were  burned  out.  About  the  year  1850  he  embarked  in  the  mercantile  busi- 
ness at  McEwensville,  where  he  has  since  resided.  He  was  postmaster  for 
eight  years  at  McEwensville,  during  the  administrations  of  Presidents  Pierce 
and  Buchanan.  He  was  married  in  Februaiy,  1849,  to  Elizabeth  Witter,  of 
Milton,  and  to  this  union  have  been  born  five  children:  Blanche,  wife  of 
William  Dewitt,  of  Troy,  Bradford  county,  Pennsylvania;  George  P.:  Annie; 
Tillie,  wife  of  James  Buoy,  of  Milton,  and  Harry,  who  served  as  ix)stmaster 
of  McEwensville  during  Cleveland's  administration.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Arm- 
strong are  members  of  the  Warrior  Run  Presbyterian  church.  He  has  served 
as  school  director,  as  burgess  and  councilman  of  McEwensville.  and  politic- 
ally, is  a  stanch  Democrat. 

Joseph  Kerr,  wagon  maker,  was  born  in  Montour  county,  Pennsylvania, 
July  4,  1821,  son  of  Daniel  and  Sarah  (Cooper)  Kerr.  His  grandfather, 
John  Kerr,  emigrated  from  Ireland  to  America  at  the  breaking  out  of  the 
Revolutionary  war,  in  which  ho  served  two  years.  He  settled  in  New  Jersey, 
and  married  Catharine  Drake,  after  which  they  removed  to  Columbia  county, 
Pennsylvania,  where  they  died.  Daniel  Kerr,  father  of  our  subject,  was  a 
farmer  by  occtipation.  He  married  a  Miss  McNinch  and  after  her  death 
Sarah  Cooper,  and  to  the  latter  union  were  born  eleven  children:  Mary,  de- 
ceased; John,  deceased;  Susan;  Joseph;  Peter,  deceased;  David,  deceased : 
Henry;  Andy;  Sallie  A.;  Elsie  J.,  and  Jane,  deceased.  The  father  died  in 
1851,  and  his  widow  in  1870.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  attended  the  public 
schools,  and  at  the  age  of  eighteen  years  learned  the  wagon  maker's  trade, 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  1157 

and  has  since  been  engaged  at  that,  in  connection  with  farming.  He  was 
married  in  February,  1S47,  to  Margaret  J.  Derr,  and  they  are  the  parents  of 
seven  children:  John;  Serena,  Mrs.  Joseph  Whitman:  Mary.  Mrs.  John  C. 
Waldren:  William  C:  Emma,  Mrs.  William  Faust;  Malinda  J.,  deceased, 
and  Valentine  B.  Mrs.  Kerr  died,  December  10,1888.  in  the  faith  of  the 
German  Eeformed  church.  He  was  again  married  and  h.i?  two  children 
(twins)  by  this  last  union,  Minnie  M.  and  Tillie  A.  Mr.  Kerr  is  a  member 
of  the  German  Reformed  church,  and  in  i^olitics  is  a  Democrat. 

John  P.  Be.vkd  was  born,  April  12, 1822,  son  of  James  and  Nancy  (Moore) 
Beard.  His  grandfather,  John  Beard,  was  a  native  of  Dauphin  county. 
Pennsylvania,  who  removed  to  this  county  in  1789,  and  located  on  a  farm  in 
Delaware  township.  James  Beard,  his  oldest  son,  and  the  father  of  our  sub- 
ject, served  in  the  war  of  1812  under  Captain  William  FuLkerson.  After  the 
war  he  was  engaged  at  farming  in  this  township  imtil  1859.  when  he  removed 
to  McEwensville  and  lived  a  retired  life.  He  died,  December  7,  1809,  ao-ed 
seventy-eight  years;  his  widow  died,  July  27,  1870.  aged  eighty  years.  Thev 
reared  a  family  of  seven  children:  Jane;  Eleanor,  deceased:  John  P.;  Sarah, 
deceased;  Agne.s;  William,  deceased,  and  Mary.  The  subject  of  our  sketch 
received  a  common  school  education,  and  followed  the  occupation  of  farming 
iintil  1859,  when  he  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business  at  McEwensville. 
where  he  remained  until  he  enlisted  in  Company  L,  Sixteenth  Pennsylvania 
Cavalry,  as  first  lieutenant,  and  served  until  April  9.  18it8.  Since  1874  he 
has  been  engaged  in  the  fruit  tree  business.  He  was  married.  Jtme  12,  1801, 
to  Sarah,  daughter  of  Charles  Allen,  of  Williamsport,  Pennsylvania,  and  to 
this  union  were  born  tive  children:  James  C,  who  married  Emily  L.  Mc- 
CuUough.  of  Shippensburg,  Pennsylvania,  and  died,  September  15,  1880: 
Eachel  A.,  Mrs.  J.  Bruce  Cakes;  Agnes  J.:  Sarah,  deceased,  and  Georgetta. 
Mr.  Beard  is  a  member  of  Warrior  Kun  Presbyterian  church:  his  wife  died 
in  1804. 

S.vMUEL  C.  Bryson,  deceased,  was  born  in  Northumberland  county.  Penn- 
sylvania, upon  the  farm  where  his  widow  now  resides,  in  1837.  son  of  Will- 
iam B.  and  Rebecca  (Caldwell)  Bryson.  He  was  a  farmer  by  occupation. 
He  enlisted  in  Company  D,  Seventh  Pennsylvania  Cavalrv*.  as  a  private,  and 
was  promoted  to  the  rank  of  captain,  serving  nearly  four  years.  December 
23,  1808,  he  married  Martha  W.,  daughter  of  Joseph  Dean,  of  Montour 
county,  Pennsylvania.  Her  father  sen-ed  two  terms  as  associate  judge  of 
Montoitr  county,  and  his  first  wife  was  Mary  Pollock,  by  whom  he  had 
three  children,  Joseph  being  the  only  one  now  living.  His  second  wife  was 
.  Adaline  Coal,  who  bore  him  eight  children:  Oliver,  a  lawyer,  of  Kansas  City, 
Missouri;  Mary  D. ;  Clingan;  Urstila  Ganger:  Alice  D. ;  Foster:  William  A., 
and  Martha.  Captain  Bryson  died,  December  24,  1879.  He  was  the  father 
of  six  children:  James;  Howard:  Helen:  Janet:  Fannie,  deceased,  and  Ada. 
deceased. 


1158  HISTORY    OF   XORTHUMBEELAND    COUNTY. 

Chakles  Hartzell,  farmer,  was  bom  in  Northampton  county.  Pennsyl- 
vania, January  16,  1834,  son  of  Charles  and  Leah  (Ehodenberger)  Hartzell. 
Charles  Hartzell,  Sr.,  was  a  shoemaker  by  trade,  but  was  principally  engaged 
in  farming.  He  removed  from  Northampton  county  to  Milton  in  1840,  and 
soon  after  removed  to  Lewis  township,  and  from  there  to  Delaware  township, 
where  he  died,  February  14.  1S75;  his  widow  died,  February  16,  1877. 
They  reared  three  children:  Lydia,  deceased;  Charles,  and  Henry.  He 
helped  build  the  River  and  Delaware  Eun  churches,  and  has  served  as 
deacon  and  elder  of  the  Delaware  Eun  church  a  number  of  years.  The  sub- 
ject of  our  sketch  attended  the  common  schools  and  the  McEwensville 
Academy.  He  was  engaged  as  a  carpenter  about  six  years,  and  has  since 
been  occujiied  in  farming.  He  was  married,  December  24,  1857,  to  Catha- 
rine E.  "VVoirline,  and  to  this  union  have  been  born  three  children:  Mary  E., 
Mrs.  George  0.  Sarvi.';;  Anna  L.,  Mrs.  David  Prior,  and  Carrie  S.  Mr. 
Hartzell  is  an  active  member  of  the  Democratic  party;  he  has  served  as 
township  auditor,  and  sixteen  years  as  school  director.  He  and  wife  are 
members  of  the  German  Eeformed  church,  and  he  has  served  in  the  offices 
of  elder,  deacon,  secretary-,  and  treasurer  of  the  Delaware  Eun  church.  He 
is  a  member  of  the  P.  O.   S.  of  A. 

W.  \V.  Watson,  farmer,  was  born  in  Northumberland  county,  Pennsyl- 
vania, February  9,  1842.  son  of  David  C.  and  Margaret  (Wilson)  Watson. 
His  great-grandfather,  John  Watson,  with  his  three  sons,  removed  from 
Chester  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  settled  where  Watsontown  is  now  situated. 
David,  his  oldest  son,  was  the  first  merchant  of  Watsontown,  and  for  him 
the  town  was  named.  He  wa.s  the  owner  of  the  first  carriage  in  the  county, 
and  his  wife  was  the  first  woman  in  the  county  to  possess  a  watch.  He  had 
throe  sons  and  four  daughters:  John;  David;  Robert;  Maria.  Mrs.  John 
Vincent;  Sarah.  Mrs.  Charles  Ketchner;  Elizabeth,  and  Hattie.  Mrs. 
Edmund  Piper,  all  deceased  but  Mrs.  Piper.  The  father  died,  January  7, 
1856,  and  the  mother,  December  3,  1853.  David  C,  the  second  son,  was 
married.  March  12,  1S2U.  to  Margaret  Wilson,  and  to  this  union  were  born 
the  following  children:  Annie  E.,  Mrs.  J.  J.  Lawrence;  David;  Robert  C. ; 
James  A.,  who  died  at  Murfreesboro,  Tennessee,  during  the  late  war:  Jem- 
mella  J.;  Hampton  C;  Wilham  W.;  Margaretta  H.;  Winfield  S.,  and 
Daniel  C.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  educated  in  the  public  schools, 
and  enlisted  in  Company  B.  One  Himdred  and  Thirty-first  Pennsylvania 
Volunteers,  and  served  nine  months.  Mr.  Watson  is  a  Knight  Templar 
in  the  Masonic  order,  and  a  de.scendant  of  one  of  the  pioneer  families  of  the 
county. 

Alem  Mauser,  of  the  firm  of  Mauser  Brothers,  McEwensville.  was  born 
in  Montour  county,  Pennsylvania,  July  20,  1846,  son  of  Michael  and 
Catharine  (Wortman)  Mauser.  He  attended  the  district  schools,  and  at  the 
age  of  seventeen  years  came  to  McEwensville  and  was   engaged  in  William 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  1159 

Hood's  carriage  shoii  as  an  apprentice,  remaining  there  six  years,  when  he 
purchased  the  business  from  his  employer.  A  few  years  later  he  took  as  a 
partner  his  brother  Cain,  and  they  now  em2:>loy  fifteen  men.  He  was 
married.  December  22,  1869,  to  Hannah  M.,  niece  of  William  Hood,  and 
they  are  the  parents  of  two  children:  Sallie  H.  and  Harry  S.  Mr.  Mauser 
and  wife  are  members  of  the  German  Keformed  church  of  McEwens-ville. 

J.  B.  Oakhs,  farmer,  was  born  in  Northumberland  county,  Pennsylvania, 
July  4,  IS-lrS.  and  is  a  son  of  James  and  Maria  (Durham)  Oakes.  James 
Oakes  was  a  farmer,  was  born  and  reared  in  ^^^lite  Deer  valley,  Union 
county,  Pennsylvania,  was  a  prominent  Democrat,  and  the  father  of  two 
children:  Maggie,  wife  of  Eilforde  R.  Shaffner,  and  J.  B.  The  father  died, 
September  0.  ISOO,  and  his  widow  died,  April  5,  ISSl.  Our  subject  was 
educated  in  the  common  schools  and  has  devoted  his  entire  life  to  farming. 
He  was  married.  November  18,  1874,  to  Eachel  A.  Beard,  of  McEwensville, 
this  county,  and  to  this  union  seven  children  have  been  born:  Charles,  de- 
ceased; Maria:  John  Walker;  William /W.;  James  B. ;  Sarah,  deceased,  and 
Rachel.  Mr.  Oakes  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Warrior  Run  Presbjierian 
cliurch.  Hf  i-  a  member  of  Watsontown  Lodge,  No.  401.  F.  &  A.  M..  and 
"Warrior  Run  Chapter.  No.  24G,  R.  A.  M.,  and  one  of  the  enterprising  citi- 
zens of  the  community  in  which  he  resides. 

Caix  MArsER,  carriage  manufacturer,  was  born  in  Montour  county, 
Pennsylvania.  Augu.st  14,  1849,  son  of  Michael  and  Catharine  (Wortman) 
Mauser.  Hi>  grandfather,  Christian  Mauser,  was  a  native  of  Northampton 
county,  Pennsylvania.  Michael,  the  father  of  our  subject,  was  a  carpenter 
by  trade,  but  was  principally  engaged  in  farming.  He  died,  October  15, 
1854,  leaving  sis  children:  an  infant,  deceased;  Mary,  Mrs.  Lewis  Bayler; 
Alem:  Cain:  Emanuel,  and  Michael.  His  widow  married  Anthony  Faust, 
and  to  this  union  three  children  have  been  born,  but  one  of  whom  is  living. 
Peter  Faust.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  educated  in  the  common 
schools,  and  at  the  age  of  seventeen  years  learned  the  harness  making  trade; 
he  then  clerked  in  a  general  store  at  Orangeville,  Columbia  county,  Penn- 
sylvania, after  which  he  took  a  trip  West.  After  his  return  he  learned  the 
carriage  trimming  trade,  and  in  company  with  his  brother  Alem  has  since 
been  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  carriages  at  McEwensville.  He  was 
married.  December  12,  1877,  to  Emma  C.  Wesner,  of  McEwensville.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Mau.-er  are  members  of  Messiah  Lutheran  church. 

E.  H  ErssELL,  farmer,  was  born  in  Northumberland  county,  Pennsyl- 
vania, March  15,  1851,  son  of  Robert  M.  and  Esther  G.  (McKinney)  Rus- 
sell. P.  Kerr  Russell,  grandfather  of  our  subject,  was  a  farmer  by  occupation. 
He  served  as  justice  of  the  peace  and  as  elder  in  the  Presbyterian  church, 
and  also  sersed  in  the  war  of  1812.  He  married  Margaret  Montgomery,  and 
thev  reared  a  family  of  eight  children:  Isabella;  Montgomery;  Kerr  H. ; 
William;  Charles;  Robert  M.;  Edmonds,  and  Preston,  all  deceased.     Robert 


1160  HISTORY    OF    NOETHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

M.  Russell,  father  of  our  subject,  was  a  farmer  by  occupation,  and  a  member 
of  the  Presbyterian  church,  in  which  he  served  as  elder  aboiit  thirty-five 
years.  He  married  Esther  McKinney,  by  whom  he  had  four  childi-en :  James, 
deceased;  Edinond  H. ;  Eugenia  R.,  Mrs.  William  H.  Nicely,  and  Maggie  M., 
who  married  Thomas  De  Armoud.  He  died,  September  G,  1SS8.  The  sub- 
ject of  this  sketch  received  his  education  at  the  public  schools,  and  has 
always  been  occupied  as  a  farmer.  He  was  married,  December  17.  1S7S,  to 
Isabella  W.,  daughter  of  John  Russell,  and  to  this  union  has  been  born  one 
child,  John  H.  Mr.  Russell  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Presbyterian 
church  of  Watsontown,  of  which  church  he  is  an  elder. 


CHAPTER  L. 

BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES. 

UPPER  AUGUSTA,  LOWER  AUGUSTA,   AND   liOGKEFELLER   TOWNSHIPS. 

John  F.  Kline,  farmer,  was  born  in  Augusta  township,  Northumberland 
county,  Pennsylvania,  December  25,  1814,  son  of  Henry  Kline,  who  was  born 
in  Hunterdon  county,  New  Jersey,  in  17'Jl  and  came  to  this  county  with  his 
father,  Isaac  Kline,  in  17'J9.  The  father  of  Isaac  Kline,  whose  name  was 
also  Isaac,  died  in  this  county  in  1S'20,  and  Herman,  one  of  his  two  sons  who 
came  to  this  county,  settled  in  Augusta  township  and  died,  leaving  a  large 
family.  The  other  son,  Isaac,  died  in  1S04,  and  had  four  children:  Henrv-; 
Herman;  Isaac,  and  Sarah.  The  oldest  of  these  died  in  1S7S.  and  his  wife 
died  in  1859;  their  children  were:  JohnF. ;  Jane;  Isaac  F.;  Elizabeth;  Mary, 
and  Francis.  Our  subject  was  married  in  1839  to  Eliza  Mettler,  and  has 
four  children:  Sarah  Ellen;  Martha;  Henry  M.,  and  Lizzie. 

Herman  Kline,  farmer,  was  born  in  Rush  township.  Northumberland 
county,  Pennsylvania,  August  30,  1818,  son  of  Isaac  and  Elizabeth  (De  Witt) 
Kline.  He  was  married  in  1841  to  Mary  Bassett  and  had  nine  children: 
Luther;  Elisha;  Elizabeth;  George  M. ;  Margaret;  David  C;  Isaac;  Jere- 
miah S.,  and  Rachel. 

Isaac  Campbell,  farmer,  was  born  in  Rush  township,  Northumberland 
coimty,  Pennsylvania,  May  9,  1818,  son  of  Christopher  and  Sarah  (Kline) 
Campbell.  Robert  Campbell  was  the  first  of  the  family  to  come  to  this 
county.  He  settled  in  Rush  township  and  became  one  of  the  prominent 
citizens  thereof.  The  father  of  our  subject  was  born  in  1795,  and  died  in 
1851;  his  wife  died  in  1841;  they  had  ten  children,  of  whom  five  are  living: 
Rhoda;  Catharine;  Elizabeth;  Lemuel,  and  Isaac.     The  last  named  received 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  1101 

a  common  school  education;  he  was  married  in  1S4S  to  Hannah  Campbell, 
daughter  of  Joseph  D.  Campbell,  and  had  live  children:  John:  Rebecca; 
Lemuel  C. ;  James,  and  Flora  H. 

George  Baenhart,  deceased,  was  born  in  Northumberland  county,  Penn- 
sylvania, in  1S07,  son  of  Adam  Barnhart,  a  native  of  New  Jersey,  who  died 
in  Chillisquaque  township  in  1S43.  Our  subject  was  a  farmer  and  school 
teacher;  about  the  year  1S44  he  removed  to  Upper  Augusta  township,  where 
he  died  in  1S6G.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  and 
the  father  of  live  children,  three  of  whom  are  living:  Rachel  Jane,  widow 
of  Herman  Campbell;  D.  W.,  and  Mary  C. 

J.  M.  Akter,  proprietor  of  the  Shamokin  Valley  Mills,  was  born.  Octo- 
ber 15,  lS3y,  son  of  Jacob  and  Jane  ( Woodside)  Arter.  The  father  was  born 
in  Shamokin  townshiji,  this  county,  and  was  a  son  of  John  Arter.  who  emi- 
grated from  Germany  and  settled  near  Elysburg  about  the  year  ISOO.  Jacob 
Arter  died,  July  28,  ISSO;  his  wife's  death  occurred  on  May  31.  IST'J.  Their 
children  were:  Mary;  Margaret;  WiUiam;  Priscilla;  J.  M. :  Valentine,  and 
Joseph.  Our  subject  purchased  his  present  mills  in  1S77.  He  served  nine 
months  in  Company  H,  One  Hundred  and  Seventy-second  Pennsylvania  Vol- 
unteers, and  is  a  member  of  the  G.  A.  R.  at  Sunbury. 

Charles  P.  Rinehart,  farmer  and  dairyman,  was  born  in  Sunbury,  Penn- 
.sylvania.  May  19,  1851.  John  Rinehart,  grandfather  of  our  subject,  emi- 
grated from  Germany  to  America  when  a  young  man,  and  was  sold  to  ])ay 
his  passage  across  the  ocean.  For  this  indebtedness  he  served  three  years. 
He  married  a  Miss  Oberhoff,  also  a  native  of  Germany,  who  was  sold  to  the 
same  man  and  served  live  years  to  pay  her  passage  across  the  ocean.  After 
their  marriage  they  located  in  Lancaster  county,  Pennsylvania,  where  he 
became  a  naturalized  citizen  of  this  country.  In  1812  they  removed  to  Mont- 
gomery, where  they  remained  a  few  years,  and  thence  to  ITpper  Augusta 
township,  where  they  resided  until  death.  Charles  Rinehart,  father  of  our 
subject,  was  reared  on  the  homestead.  For  twenty-five  years  he  followed 
the  occupation  of  boating.  During  this  jieriod  he  lived  in  Sunbury,  where 
he  served  in  various  borough  offices.  In  1808  he  purchased  the  farm  where 
his  son,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  now  resides.  His  death  occurred  in  Jan- 
uary, 1870.  In  his  early  life  he  was  a  Democrat,  but  from  1801  he  voted  the 
Rei^ublican  ticket.  His  family  consisted  of  seven  children,  five  of  whom  are 
living:  Martha,  widow  of  G.  W.  Fisher,  of  Sunbury;  Sarah  C.wife  of  G.  R. 
Krohn,  of  Sunbury;  Susanna,  wife  of  Charles  F.  Martin,  of  Stmbury;  Mar- 
garet Louisa,  wife  of  William  Krisher,  of  Sunburvj  and  Charles  P.  The 
subject  of  our  sketch  was  reared  and  educated  in  Sunbury,  and  from  1800  to 
1808  was  engaged  in  boating.  Since  that  time  he  has  been  occupied  in 
farming  and  conducting  a  dairy.  In  1885  he  married  Ella,  daughter  of  John 
Stroh,  of  Riverside,  by  whom  he  has  two  children:  William  and  Mary. 
Politically  Mr.  Rinehart  is  a  Democrat,  and  has  filled  the  office  of  auditor  of 


1162  HISTORY    OF   NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

the  township  for  three  consecutive  terms.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Conclave 
of  the  Lance  and  Shield  and  the  Eoyal  Arcanum,  of  Sunbury.  His  wife  and 
himself  are  members  of  the  Lutheran  church. 

Daniel  K.4uffm.\n,  deceased,  was  born  in  Upper  Mahanoy  township  in 
1S04,  son  of  Leonard  Kauflman.  who  died  in  Northumberland  county.  He 
received  a  limited  education  in  the  schools  of  that  period,  and  was  a  farmer 
by  occupation.  He  married  Mary  Ressler,  and  first  settled  in  Upper  Ma- 
hanoy township,  where  he  remained  until  1838,  when  he  removed  to  Lower 
Augusta  township,  where  he  lived  until  his  death.  He  became  one  of  the 
prominent  men  of  the  township.  Politically  he  was  a  Democrat,  and  served 
in  the  various  township  offices.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Lutheran  church, 
and  gave  of  his  means  to  help  build  churches  in  Lower  Augusta  and  Ma- 
hanoy townships.  His  wife  died  in  1885;  he  survived  her  until  1889.  Their 
family  consisted  of  eleven  children.  Those  living  are:  JohnE. ;  Daniel, 
of  Sunbury;  Levi,  of  Mahantango:  Caroline,  wife  of  James  Coldron;  Melinda, 
wife  of  I.  J.  Eenn;  Lucy,  wife  of  Abraham  Brosius,  of  Buchanan,  Michigan, 
and  Rachel,  wife  of  I.  T.  Eenn. 

John  E.  Kautfman,  merchant  and  postmaster,  was  born  in  Upper  Mahanoy 
township,  October  17,  1828,  son  of  Daniel  and  Mary  (Ressler)  Kauffman. 
He  attended  the  public  schools,  and  in  1850  established  his  present  mercan- 
tile business  in  Lower  Augusta  township.  He  has  also  been  engaged  in 
farming,  butchering,  and  the  real  estate  business,  with  uniform  success  in 
advancing  his  financial  interests.  In  1886  he  was  appointed  postmaster  of 
Asherton.  He  was  married  in  1S52  to  Boann,  daughter  of  John  Shaffer,  of 
Luzerne  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  to  this  union  eight  children  have  been 
born,  six  of  whom  are  living:  Frank  S.,  born  in  1857,  and  married  to  Minnie, 
daughter  of  Isaac  Smink,  of  Shamokin;  Daniel  S.,  a  merchant  of  Millheim, 
Centre  county,  John  E.,  Jr..  attorney  at  law  and  secretary  of  the  Buffalo 
Lumber  Company  of  Bayard.  West  Virginia;  Dora  A.;  Alferetta,  wife  of  E. 
H.  Long,  of  Spring  Mills,  Centre  county,  and  Annie.  Mr.  Kauffman  has 
always  been  an  active  member  of  the  Democratic  party,  and  has  served  as 
auditor  and  assistant  assessor  of  his  townshij).  He  was  a  candidate  for 
sheriff,  but  was  defeated  for  the  nomination  by  George  W.  Strine,  of  Milton. 
He  is  a  director  in  the  Sunbury  Nail,  Bar,  and  Guide  Iron  Manufacturing 
Company,  the  Buffalo  Lumber  Company  of  Bayard,  West  Virginia,  the  Sun- 
bury Trust  and  Safe  Deposit  Company,  and  the  Blue  Wing  Copper  Com- 
pany of  North  Carolina.     He  is  a  member  and  elder  of  the  Eeformed  church. 

John  Campbell,  farmer,  was  bom  in  Elysburg,  Northumberland  county, 
Pennsylvania,  December  7,  1S23,  son  of  Obadiah  and  Elizabeth  (Shipman) 
Campbell.  His  grandfather  came  to  this  county  in  1784  and  settled  at  Elys- 
burg, where  he  purchased  several  hundred  acres  of  valley  land.  He  was  a 
tailor  by  trade,  but  was  not  engaged  at  that  after  his  removal  to  this  county. 
He  helped  build  the  old  Presbyterian  church  between  Snydertown  and  Elys- 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  11G3 

bnrg,  and  was  elder  in  the  same  for  many  years.  His  children  were  James: 
John;  Albert;  Obadiah;  Joanna,  and  Elizabeth.  They  were  all  good  singers, 
and  sang  at  the  memorial  ser\-ice  held  at  Sunbury  at  the  time  of  Washing- 
ton's death.  Obadiah,  father  of  our  subject,  was  born  in  New  Jersey  in 
1777.  He  acquired  a  fair  education,  and  engaged  in  farming,  lumbering, 
and  building  saw  mills.  He  married  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Nicholas  Ship- 
man,  a  native  of  New  Jersey,  and  located  on  the  homestead  farm,  where  he 
became  one  of  the  well  known  and  active  men  of  his  day.  He  was  captain  of 
a  military  company  thirteen  years,  a  member  of  the  Presbj-terian  church, 
and  leader  of  the  choir  for  many  years.  Politically  he  was  a  Democrat,  and 
served  in  the  various  to\niship  offices.  He  died,  July  27,  18G6,  and  his  wife 
May  '27th  of  the  same  year.  Twelve  children  were  born  to  them,  ionr  of 
whom  are  living:  Obadiah,  of  Elysburg;  John;  Jackson,  of  Columbia  coimty, 
and  Joanna,  widow  of  John  McMintry,  residing  at  Elysburg. 

The  subject  of  our  sketch  obtained  a  good  education,  after  which  he  was 
engaged  in  teaching  school  and  attending  to  his  father's  business.  He  pur- 
chased a  farm  in  Shamokin  township  and  lived  upon  the  same  three  years, 
when  he  removed  to  Fulton  coimty,  Ohio,  remaining  there  three  years.  In 
IS.IU  he  returned  to  this  county,  and  has  since  resided  upon  his  present  farm. 
He  was  married  in  1853  to  Mary  Ann,  daughter  of  John  and  Phebe  (Mailey) 
Fuller,  natives  of  Lancaster  county.  By  this  union  they  have  seven  chil- 
dren: Georgiana,  wife  of  Henry  Smith:  Theodore  Alvin,  of  Fisher's  Ferry: 
Clara  Jane,  wife  of  Jared  H.  Yeager,  of  Rush  township;  Delmar  F.,of  Seven 
Points;  Charles  W.;  "Warren  L.,  and  Miles  H.  Mr.  Campbell  has  been  an 
elder  in  the  Hollowing  Run  Presbyterian  church  for  many  years;  in  poli- 
tics he  is  a  Democrat,  and  has  served  in  the  office  of  school  director. 

Daniel  D.  Heilman,  farmer,  was  born  in  Lower  Augusta  township, 
Northumberland  county,  Penn.sylvania,  December  25,  1829,  .son  of  Daniel 
and  Gertrude  (Diehl)  Heilman.  natives  of  Northampton  county,  who  came  to 
this  township  about  the  year  1820,  and  located  ujion  the  farm  now  in  pos- 
session of  their  son.  The  father  was  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  1812.  He 
was  engaged  as  a  cabinet  maker,  carpenter,  and  undertaker.  He  was  a 
Democrat  in  politics  and  a  member  of  the  Lxitheran  church,  in  which  he 
served  as  elder  and  deacon.  His  wife  was  a  member  of  the  Reformed  church, 
and  died  in  184(5,  leaving  ten  children,  seven  of  whom  are  living:  Lydia,  wife 
of  Henry  H.  Malick,  of  Nebraska;  Hannah,  widow  of  William  Malick,  of 
Rockefeller  to^^-nsbip;  Gertrude,  widow  of  Henrj-  Savage,  of  Mt.  Carmel; 
Jeremiah,  of  Nebraska:  Daniel  D. ;  Maria,  wife  of  Hiram  Bloom,  of  Rocke- 
feller township,  and  Esther,  wife  of  Andrew  Hauk,  of  Kansas.  He  was  again 
married,  to  Mrs.  Christopher  Ummel,  who  died  in  1888,  and  two  children 
born  by  her  are  living:  Diana,  wife  of  Peter  Gulp,  of  Rockefeller  township, 
and  Isaiah  A.,  of  Kansas.  Mr.  Heilman  died  in  1875.  The  subject  of  this 
sketch    learned   the  carpenter's  trade,   and  followed   it    in  connection  with 


1164  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

undertaking  and  farming.  In  1856  he  married  Elizabeth,  daiighter  of  David 
and  Anna.  (Lantz)  Hauck,  natives  of  Montgomery  and  Northumberland 
counties,  respectively.  To  this  union  were  born  four  children:  Margaret 
Annie,  wife  of  Robert  Charles,  of  Scranton;  Clara  Elizabeth,  wife  of  Andrew 
Jackson  Smith;  Daniel  F.,  and  John  C,  who  was  killed  in  Indiana  at  the  age 
of  twenty-five  years.  Mr.  Heilman  is  a  Democrat  in  politics,  and  has  served 
as  overseer  of  the  poor.  He  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  German  Re- 
formed church,  in  which  he  is  trustee,  and  has  served  as  elder  and  deacon. 

Moses  Reitz,  merchant,  Fisher's  Ferry,  was  born  in  Lower  Augusta  town- 
ship, Northumberland  county,  Pennsylvania,  June  3,  1830.  His  grandfather, 
Michael  Reitz,  a  native  of  Berks  county,  settled  in  Washington  township  in 
1790,  where  he  remained  until  his  death.  One  of  his  children,  Henry  Reitz, 
is  still  living,  a  resident  of  Washington  township.  There  were  seven  broth- 
ers and  two  sisters,  all  of  whom  lived  to  be  over  eighty  years  of  age.  Samuel 
Reitz,  son  of  Michael  Reitz,  and  father  of  our  subject,  was  born  in  Washing- 
ton township  in  1802.  He  was  a  mason  by  trade,  but  his  principal  occupa- 
tion was  farming.  In  1842  he  married  Rebecca  Burrell,  a  native  of  this 
county,  and  after  a  short  residence  in  Washington  township  removed  to 
Lower  Augusta,  where  his  wife  died  in  1881,  and  he  in  1887.  He  was  a 
Democrat  in  politics,  tilled,  the  office  of  supervisor  several  terms,  and  was  for 
many  years  an  elder  in  the  Lutheran  church.  His  family  consisted  of  five 
children:  Jonathan,  of  Nebraska;  Solomon,  deceased;  Moses;  Mary,  deceased, 
and  Catharine,  wife  of  Jeremiah  Hileman,  of  Nebraska.  The  subject  of  this 
sketch  was  reared  and  educated  in  Lower  Augusta  township,  and  in  early 
life  was  engaged  in  farming.  In  1878  he  embarked  in  the  mercantile  busi- 
ness at  Fisher's  Ferry,  in  connection  with  which  he  has  served  as  postmaster 
eleven  years.  In  1859  ho  married  Lydia.  daughter  of  William  Bloom,  of 
Rockefeller  township,  who  died  in  1860,  leaving  two  children:  Mary  Cathar- 
ine, wife  of  T.  A.  Campbell,  and  John.  He  was  again  married,  in  1868,  to 
Martha,  daughter  of  Walter  Speece,  of  Lower  Augusta  township,  and  by  this 
union  they  have  three  children:  Lizzie  Jane;  William  Edward,  and  George 
Amon.  Mr.  Reitz  is  independent  in  politics,  and  has  served  in  the  office  of 
township  trea.surer  three  terms. 

I.  J.  Renn  was  born  in  Lower  Augi;sta  town-ship.  May  30,  1842,  son  of 
Jacob  and  Eve  (Conrad)  Renn.  His  grandfather,  Adam  Renn,  was  a  native 
of  Germany,  who  immigrated  to  America  and  settled  in  the  above  township 
about  the  year  1800.  He  was  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  1812,  a  Democrat,  and 
a  prominent  member  of  the  Lutheran  church.  His  children  now  living  are 
Abraham,  of  Rockefeller  township,  and  Mary,  wife  of  Abraham  Leeser,  of 
Sunbury.  The  father  of  our  subject  was  reared  on  the  homestead  farm  and 
in  early  life  engaged  in  the  butchering  business,  which  he  followed  forty 
years.  Politically,  he  was  a  Democrat.  He  died  in  Shamokin,  February 
28,  1889;  his  wife  died  in  1876.     He  gave  the  ground  and  helped  to  build 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  1165 

St.  Peter's  Lutheran  church,  of  which  he  served  as  elder  many  years.  His 
tirst  wife  was  Lydia  Landau,  and  three  sons  by  her  are  living:  Hiram;  John, 
of  AVintield,  Union  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  Henry,  of  Shamokin.  The 
children  by  the  second  marriage  are  I.  J.,  of  Lower  Augusta  township; 
Samuel  C,  of  Milton;  Ira  T.,  of  Lower  Augusta  township,  and  Mar\-L.,  -^vife 
of  Lewis  Evarts.  of  Shamokin.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  reared  in  his 
native  to-svnship  and  received  his  education  at  the  public  schools.  He  has 
followed  the  occupation  of  butchering  twenty-five  years,  and  is  also  engaged 
in  farming  and  the  sale  of  agricultural  implements.  In  1S63  he  married 
Melinda,  daughter  of  Daniel  Kauffman,  of  this  township.  He  is  a  Demo- 
crat in  politics.  He  has  served  as  justice  of  the  peace  since  1881,  and  has 
also  served  as  overseer  of  the  poor  and  township  auditor.  On  the  4th  of 
November,  1890,  he  was  elected  to  the  legislature  from  Northmnberland 
county  on  the  Democratic  ticket,  receiving  eight  hundred  one  votes  more 
than  the  highest  number  cast  for  a  Republican  candidate.  Mr.  Eenu  and 
family  are  members  of  the  Lutheran  church. 

Ira  T.  Eexn,  farmer,  and  proprietor  and  operator  of  a  steam  thresher, 
was  born  in  Lower  Augusta  township,  Northimiberland  coimty,  Pennsyl- 
vania, December  1-1,  1850,  and  is  a  son  of  Jacob  and  Eve  (Conrad)  Eenn. 
He  received  his  education  in  the  township  schools  and  learned  the  miller's 
trade,  which  he  followed  for  a  number  of  years,  after  which  he  began  farm- 
ing and  stock  dealing.  He  is  the  owner  of  two  fine  horses  known  as  "Henry 
Clay"'  and  "  Black  Hawk."  In  ISO'.J  he  married  Rachel  Kauffman.  daugh- 
ter of  Daniel  Kauffman,  of  Lower  Augusta  to^\^lship,  and  to  this  union  have 
been  born  seven  children:  Roland  D. ;  I.  Bertram;  Clayton  Jacob;  .Imos  S. ; 
Ira  T.,  Jr.;  Grover  Cleveland,  and  Franklin  F.,  who  was  born  on  the  ^I'th 
of  July,  1888,  and  died  on  the  8th  of  May,  188'J.  Mr.  Eenn  and  wife  are 
members  of  the  Lutheran  church,  in  which  he  holds  the  office  of  elder. 
Politically  he  is  a  Democrat. 

W.  P.  Speech,  farmer,  was  born  in  Lower  Augusta  township,  North- 
umberland county,  Pennsylvania,  September  24,  1842,  son  of  Walter  and 
Sarah  Jane  (Snyder)  Speece.  His  father  was  a  native  of  Luzerne  county 
and  removed  to  this  county  when  a  young  man.  He  was  a  millwright  by 
trade  and  was  employed  in  many  of  the  large  mills  of  the  State;  and  after 
coming  to  this  county  he  married  and  settled  in  Lower  Augusta  township, 
where  he  was  engaged  in  farming  until  his  death,  November  17,  1861.  His 
wife  still  survives  him  and  resides  at  Fisher's  Ferry.  Three  sons  and  one 
daughter  were  born  to  them;  those  living  are:  Martha,  wife  of  Moses  Reitz, 
of  Fisher's  Ferry;  W.  P.,  and  Anthony  S.,  of  Little  Mahanoy  township. 
The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  reared  and  educated  in  this  to%vnship,  and  in 
1808  married  Matilda,  daughter  of  Thomas  Snyder,  who  is  the  mother  of 
two  children:  Delia  May  and  Franklin  K.  Mr.  Speece  furnished  a  substi- 
tute in  the  war  of  the  Rebellion.     He  is  a  member  of  Augusta  Grange,  P.  of 


1166  HISTORY    OF   NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

H.,  and  of  the  Presbyterian  church:  his  wife  is  a  member  of  the  Baptist 
church.  Politically  he  is  a  Repubhcan,  has  served  as  triennial  assessor  of 
the  township,  and  for  some  years  has  been  engaged  in  the  flour  and  feed 
business. 

G.  F.  G.\RiNGER,  physician  and  surgeon,  was  born  in  Upper  Augusta 
township,  March  5,  1850,  son  of  Charles  Garinger.  His  grandfather, 
Samuel  Garinger,  was  a  native  of  Berks  county  and  an  early  settler  of 
Rockefeller  township.  Three  of  his  children  are  still  living:  John,  of 
Rockefeller  to^vllship;  Susan,  wife  of  Lafayette  Haas,  of  Danville,  Pennsyl- 
vania, and  Hettie,  wife  of  John  Shipe,  of  Rockefeller  township.  Charles 
Garinger,  father  of  our  si;bject,  was  bom  in  Rockefeller  township  in  1822. 
He  married  Deborah,  daughter  of  Frederick  Haas,  and  located  in  Upper 
Augusta  township,  where  he  was  engaged  in  milling  and  later  became  a  con- 
tractor, which  business  he  followed  until  his  death  in  1880.  In  early  life  he 
was  a  Democrat,  later  became  a  Republican,  and  was  the  nominee  for  sheriff 
of  the  county,  but  withdrew  his  name.  His  wife  also  died  in  1880,  surviving 
him  only  two  weeks.  They  reared  a  family  of  eight  children,  seven  of 
whom  are  living:  G.  F. ;  Emma  Alice,  Mrs.  R.  A.  Gass,  of  Purdytown; 
Mary  Catharine,  Mrs.  "Wesley  Jarrett,  of  Sunbury;  Samuel  L.,  of  Shamokin 
Dam;  Charles  A.,  of  Sunbury;  Adeha  F.,  Mrs.  R.  H.  Savage,  and  Marga- 
ret L.,  Mrs.  J.  W.  Bartholomew,  of  Sunbury.  The  subject  of  this  sketch 
received  his  education  at  the  schools  of  Sunbury  and  read  medicine 
with  Dr.  D.  W.  Shindel,  of  the  same  place,  after  which  he  attended  Jefferson 
Medical  College,  Philadelphia,  graduating  in  1873.  He  has  since  been 
engaged  in  the  practice  of  his  profession  in  Snyder  and  Lebanon  counties, 
locating  in  Lower  Augusta  township  in  1870.  He  married  in  187:^  Sadie, 
daughter  of  George  Smith,  of  Troxelnlle,  Snyder  county.  They  have  one 
child,  Mary  Adia.  Doctor  Garinger  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Lutheran 
church,  and  politically  he  is  a  Republican. 

John  Weitzel,  deceased,  was  bom  at  Sunbury  on  the  24th  of  March, 
1772,  son  of  John  and  Tabitha  (Morris)  Weitzel,  of  whom  extended  mention 
is  made  in  this  work  in  the  chapter  on  Sunbury  borough.  He  was  a  merchant 
and  miller  at  Sunbury,  a  Whig  in  politics,  and  justice  of  the  peace  from  18O0 
to  1830.  In  the  later  years  of  his  hfe  he  resided  at  the  farm  upon  which 
Joseph  Weitzel,  his  son,  now  lives,  and  there  he  died  on  the  9th  of  October, 
1835.  He  married  Elizabeth  Walters,  of  Chestnut  Hill,  Philadelphia,  who 
was  bom  on  the  same  day  that  the  battle  of  Germantown  was  fought.  They 
were  the  parents  of  five  children,  two  of  whom,  Joseph  and  William,  are  now 
living. 

Joseph  Weitzel,  farmer  and  miUer,  was  born  on  the  5th  of  October, 
1808,  sou  of  John  Weitzel.  He  received  an  ordinary  education  and  early  be- 
gan life  for  himself;  he  has  been  employed  as  a  miUwright,  farmer,  and  car- 
penter, operated  a  saw  mill  for  a  time  and  engaged  in  distilling  fourteen 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  1167 

years,  and  also  embarked  in  the  business  of  buying  and  selling  grain  and 
lumber.  He  married  in  1882,  Sarah,  daughter  of  John  Woodrow,  a  native  of 
Middletown.  who  settled  in  Rockefeller  township.  She  died,  July  19,  1SS4; 
nine  children  were  born  to  them,  five  of  whom  are  living:  Paul,  of  Scranton; 
Charles,  of  Sunbury;  Lot  B.,  of  Kansas;  Joseph,  and  George,  of  Philadel- 
phia. Mr.  Weitzel  is  a  member  of  the  Lutheran  church  of  Sunbury,  and 
politically  is  a  Eepublican. 

Samuel  Bloom,  a  native  of  Xorthimiberland  county,  was  an  active  mem- 
ber of  the  Democratic  party  and  served  as  treasurer  of  the  county  from  1S34 
to  1837.  He  was  a  prominent  member  of  the  Lutheran  church,  and  con- 
tributed toward  the  erecting  of  Zion  Lutheran  and  Reformed  church  at 
Aiigustaville:  he  was  a  charter  member  of  the  same,  and  treasurer  of  the 
church  at  the  time  of  his  death.  He  married  Magdalene  Dunkelberger,  a 
native  of  this  county,  by  whom  he  reared  the  following  children:  John; 
Daniel:  Samuel:  Jacob:  Henry;  Mary:  Catharine;  Magdalene,  and  Eliza- 
beth, all  of  whom  are  deceased  except  Elizabeth,  Mrs.  George  Keiser,  of 
Rockefeller  to\STishi2). 

Jacob  Bloom  was  born  on  the  farm  now  occupied  by  his  son,  Hiram; 
after  his  marriage  to  Julia  Ann  Bartholomew  he  settled  in  the  same  town- 
ship, and  in  1S30  moved  to  the  farm  where  he  was  born.  He  was  a  life-long 
Democrat,  sers-ed  as  justice  of  the  peace  ten  years,  also  as  school  director  of 
the  townshiji.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Lutheran  church  and  served  as 
deacon,  elder,  and  treasurer  of  the  same.  He  was  a  self-made  man,  and  be- 
came one  of  the  prominent  farmers  of  the  township.  He  died  in  1870:  his 
wife  still  survives  him.  They  reared  a  family  of  nine  children,  seven  of 
whom  are  living:  Detwrah,  wife  of  D.  D.  C'onrad,  of  Rockefeller  township; 
Sarah,  wife  of  Samuel  Sober,  of  Shamokiu  township;  Mary;  Julia  Ann,  wife 
of  S.  P.  Malick.  of  Purdytown;  Hiram;  William,  and  Peter,  both  of  Lincoln 
county,  Nebraska. 

HiEAM  Bloom,  farmer,  was  born  in  what  is  now  Rockefeller  township. 
Northumberland  county,  Pennsylvania,  October  22,  1831,  son  of  Jacob  and 
Julia  Ann  (Bartholomew)  Bloom.  He  early  learned  the  trade  of  carpenter, 
which  has  been  his  occupation  in  connection  with  farming  and  ojierating  a 
custom  saw  mill.  In  1852  he  married  Maria,  daughter  of  Daniel  Hileman, 
of  Rockefeller  township,  by  whom  he  has  eight  children:  L'rias,  of  Sunbury, 
register  and  recorder  of  Northirmberland  county;  John  F.,  of  Purd\i:own, 
carpenter;  William  E.,  coimty  superintendent  of  j^ublic  schools;  Laura,  wife 
of  Daniel  Long,  of  Rockefeller  township;  Daniel  E.,  of  Sunbury,  clerk 
in  the  First  National  Bank;  Frances;  Adella,  and  Florence  Gertrude.  Mr. 
Bloom  is  a  member  of  the  Lutheran  church,  in  which  he  has  held  the  ofiices 
of  deacon,  elder,  and  treasurer;  he  is  a  prominent  Democrat,  has  served  as 
township  auditor  over  twenty  years,  and  as  school  director,  and  was  elected 
justice  of  the  peace  but  did  not  serve. 


1168  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

Valentine  Fausold,  a  native  of  Germany,  immigrated  to  Lehigh  county, 
Pennsylvania,  about  the  year  1795.  He  served  in  the  war  of  LSTi,  and  in 
1816  he  removed  to  Northumberland  coiinty,  locating  on  a  farm  in  Shamokin 
township,  where  he  remained  until  his  death.  He  was  twice  married;  to  the 
first  union  were  born  three  children:  Susan,  who  married  Abraham  "VVolf 
and  is  dead;  Elizabeth,  who  married  Henry  Dornsife  and  is  dead;  John, 
also  dead;  the  second  union  resulted  in  the  following  children:  Catharine, 
who  married  Jonathan  Kreigbaum;  Jonathan,  deceased;  Peter,  deceased; 
George;  Lydia,  who  married  Samuel  Haupt;  Charles;  Mary,  who  married 
John  Daughabach;  Joseph,  deceased;  Sarah,  who  married  George  Zimmer- 
man and  is  dead;  Henry,  deceased,  and  Mary  Ann,  who  married  Daniel 
Kreiger.  On  the  ITjth  of  December,  1885,  a  reimion  of  the  Fausold  family 
was  held  in  Farrow's  Grove  at  Snydertown,  this  county,  at  which  time  about 
three  himdred  descendants  of  Valentine  Fausold  were  in  attendance. 

Jonathan  Fausold,  son  of  Valentine  Fau.sold,  was  born  in  1805  in 
Lehigh  coimty,  Pennsylvania,  and  removed  to  this  county  when  about  eleven 
years  of  age  with  his  parents.  He  married  Catharine  Bartholomew  and  to 
this  union  were  born  eight  children:  Elizabeth,  deceased;  Jonathan,  de- 
ceased; Catharine;  Mary  A.;  Simon  P.;  David;  Hannah,  and  Liicinda. 
Our  subject  was  a  shoemaker  by  trade  and  followed  the  same  in  connection 
with  farming  until  his  death,  which  occurred  in  1885.  He  was  a  Lutheran 
in  religious  belief  and  a  Democrat  in  politics.  His  widow  survives  at  this 
writing  (1801)  on  the  old  homestead  in  Rockefeller  township  and  belongs  to 
the  Lutheran  church. 

John  Snyder,  Sr.,  was  a  native  of  Berks  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  was 
among  the  early  settlers  of  Lower  Augusta  township.  He  was  a  prominent 
and  influential  man  in  the  community  where  he  resided,  a  Whig  in  politics, 
a  justice  of  the  peace  for  many  years,  and  a  consistent  member  of  the  Pi-es- 
byterian  church;  he  improved  a  farm,  built  and  operated  a  saw  mill  and 
distillery,  and  also  kept  ten  teams  for  many  years  on  the  road  transporting 
goods  to  and  from  Lancaster. 

John  Snyder  was  born  in  1814.  He  married  Martha  Norvinger,  of 
Dauphin  county,  this  State,  and  located  in  Lower  Augusta  township.  He 
was  a  millwright  by  trade  and  followed  that  occupation  principally  during 
his  whole  life,  traveling  all  over  the  State.  He  became  one  of  the  well-to-do 
and  influential  citizens  of  his  community.  He  filled  various  township  offices, 
and  in  his  early  life  was  a  member  of  a  militia  company,  holding  the  position 
of  captain.  His  wife  was  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  and 
died  in  1861 ;  his  death  occurred  in  1877.  To  their  union  were  born  eleven 
children,  of  whom  eight  are  living:  William;  Matthew;  Margaret,  wife  of 
Peter  Shipman,  of  Trevorton;  John  N. ;  Henry  C,  a  dealer  in  lumber  and 
cattle;  Susan,  wife  of  David  Devitt;  Stephen  D.,  a  railroad  engineer,  and 
Lydia,  wife  of  Charles  N.  Smith. 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  1169 

John  X.  Snyder,  farmer,  was  bom  in  Lower  Augusta  township,  Xorth- 
innberland  county,  Pennsylvania,  March  5,  1840,  son  of  John  Snyder.  He 
received  an  ordinary  education  and  learned  the  trade  of  miller,  which  he 
followed  for  twenty  years,  since  which  he  has  been  engaged  in  farming.  In 
1SG8  he  married  Kate  E.  Seller,  daughter  of  George  Seiler.  of  Lower  Au- 
gu.sta  townshii^,  by  whom  he  has  six  children:  Hubert  E. :  George  A.: 
Claude;  Elizabeth;  Keturah,  and  Jennie  May.  In  18f)2  he  enlisted  in  C(jm- 
pany  C,  One  Hundred  and  Thirty-sixth  Pennsylvania  Volunteers:  after 
a  service  of  nine  months  he  re-enlisted  in  Company  H,  Fifth  Pennsylvania 
Cavalry,  and  was  honorably  discharged  in  one  year,  after  having  participated 
in  many  of  the  famous  battles  of  the  late  war.  He  is  a  member  of  Bnmer 
Post,  G.  A.  K.,  of  Simbury,  Lafayette  Lodge,  F.  &  A.  M.,  and  is  a  prominent 
and  influential  Republican.  His  wife  and  family  are  members  of  the  Eeformed 
church. 

Samuel  Haupt,  deceased  farmer,  was  born  in  Kockefoller  township  in 
180-1.  son  of  George  Haupt,  a  native  of  Berks  county,  Pennsylvania,  who 
settled  in  this  county  on  the  farm  now  occupied  by  his  grandson,  A.  G. 
Haupt,  in  1803.  Samuel  Haupt  married  Lydia  Fasold,  by  whom  he  had 
eight  children,  all  of  whom  are  living:  Louisa;  A.  G. :  David;  Francis  E.; 
Samuel;  John;  William,  ;uid  Henry.  Mr.  Haujit  removed  to  Schuylkill 
county,  this  State,  prior  to  his  death,  which  occurred  in  1882.  He  served  in 
various  minor  offices,  including  that  of  councilman  at  Pottsville. 

Jacob  Fagley,  miller,  was  born  in  Rockefeller  township,  Northumberland 
county,  Pennsylvania,  in  1815,  and  is  a  son  of  Conrad  Fagley,  a  native  of 
Germany,  who  immigrated  to  America  and  was  employed  as  a  laborer.  Our 
subject  jnirchascd  his  present  mill,  known  as  the  Fagley  mill,  in  18")"2.  and 
has  since  been  its  owner.  He  was  married  in  1840  to  Catharine  Stagle,  to 
which  union  have  been  born  seven  children:  Louisa,  wife  of  David  Brosius. 
of  Shamokin  township;  William;  Peter;  David;  Simon;  Mary,  wife  of  Albert 
Jones,  of  Purdytown,  and  Isabella,  wife  of  John  Stetler.  He  and  wife  are 
members  of  the  Reformed  church,  of  which  he  has  been  deacon.  In  poli- 
tics he  is  a  Democrat. 

Andrew  Gonser,  farmer,  was  born  in  Shamokin  township,  Northumber- 
land county,  Pennsylvania,  January  4,  1817,  and  is  a  son  of  Samuel  and 
Catharine  (Long)  Gonser.  natives  of  Schuylkill  county,  this  State,  who  came 
to  this  county  at  an  early  date,  settling  in  Shamokin  township,  where  they 
subsequently  lived  and  died.  The  father  was  a  farmer  and  miller  by  occu- 
pation, an  influential  member  of  the  Lutheran  church,  and  an  upright,  hon- 
orable citizen.  His  children  who  survive  are  named  as  follows:  George: 
Daniel;  Jacob;  Jesse,  and  Isaac,  all  of  whom  reside  in  Shamokin  township; 
Hannah,  wife  of  John  Campbell,  of  Snydertown;  Harriet,  wife  of  Jeff  Miller, 
of  Lewisburg,  and  Andrew.  The  last  named  was  married  in  1844  to  Eleanor 
Persino-.  dauo-hter   of  William  Persing,  of  Upper  Augusta  township,  this 


11 ^U  HISTOEY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

county.  He  first  located  at  Snydertown,  where  he  farmed  for  his  father 
eleven  year.s.  In  1S55  he  removed  to  his  present  farm,  where  he  has  since 
resided.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gonser  are  the  parents  of  five  children:  Francis,  of 
Kockefeller  township;  Samuel,  of  Shamokin  township;  Sarah  Emma,  wife  of 
Morris  Emerick,  of  Purdytown;  William,  of  Upper  Augusta  township,  and 
Landis,  deceased.  Mr.  Gonser  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal chiirch,  and  he  is  a  Republican  in  politics. 

Amos  Reed,  retired,  was  born  in  Little  Mahanoy  township,  Northumber- 
land county,  Pennsylvania,  January  Id.  1S20,  son  of  Leonard  and  Elizabeth 
( Dimkelberger)  Reed.  His  father  was  a  native  of  Berks  county,  this  State, 
and  came  into  this  coimty  at  an  early  period  with  his  parents,  who  settled 
along  the  banks  of  Plum  creek  in  what  is  now  Rockefeller  township.  He 
was  a  mason  by  trade  and  a  consistent  member  of  the  Lutheran  church. 
His  children  were  six  in  number,  three  of  whom  are  living:  Solomon;  Eliza- 
beth, wife  of  Abraham  Shaeffer,  and  Amos.  The  last  named  was  married 
in  1846  to  Rebecca,  daughter  of  Jonathan  Fagely.  She  died  in  1852  and 
was  the  mother  of  three  children:  Emanuel,  of  Iowa;  Mary,  wife  of  New- 
ton Furman,  of  Westjjort,  and  Maggie,  wife  of  Andrew  Wilson,  of  Rocke- 
feller township.  Mr.  Reed  was  again  married,  to  Sarah  Swinehart,  by  whom 
he  has  six  children:  Elizabeth,  wife  of  Henry  Dunkelberger,  of  Shamokin 
township;  Harriet,  wife  of  Luther  Ellis,  of  Westjiort;  Charlotte,  of  Ne- 
braska; Jemima,  wife  of  Henry  Miller,  of  Rockefeller  township;  Coleman, 
of  Iowa,  and  Ira,  of  Nebraska.  His  present  wife  was  Susanna  Trion, 
widow  of  Abraham  Reitz.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Lutheran  church,  of 
which  he  has  served  as  elder  and  deacon.     In  politics  he  is  a  Republican. 

Heney  Bartholomew,  farmer,  was  born  in  Rockefeller  townshiji,  North- 
umberland county,  Pennsylvania,  November  '■'>.  1821,  son  of  William  and 
Susan  Elizabeth  (Wolfe)  Bartholomew.  His  father  was  born  in  Berks 
coiuity  in  1707,  came  to  this  county  with  his  parents  when  a  young  man,  and 
settled  upon  Plum  creek  in  Rockefeller  township.  Two  children  of  the 
grandfather  of  our  subject  are  still  living:  Catharine,  wife  of  Jonathan 
Fausold,  of  Rockefeller  township,  and  Julia  Ann,  wife  of  Jacob  Bloom,  of 
Rockefeller  township.  The  father  of  Henrj-,  after  marriage,  settled  near 
Emanuel's  church  in  this  township,  where  he  died  in  18G0.  His  wife  sur- 
vived him  many  years.  They  were  members  of  the  Lutheran  church.  They 
reared  thirteen  children,  nine  of  whom  are  living:  Charles;  Valentine;  Joel, 
of  Shamokin  township:  Harry  H.,  of  Kendall  Creek,  McKean  county;  Rev. 
Edward  F.,  of  Illinois:  Henry;  Mary,  wife  of  William  Taylor,  of  Shamo- 
kin township;  Hettie,  wife  of  Ambrose  Taylor,  of  Shamokin  township,  and 
Ann  Eliza,  wife  of  Michael  Smith,  of  Washington  township.  Mr.  Bar- 
tholomew married  in  1849  Mary  Magdalene,  daughter  of  John  F.  Shipe,  a 
native  of  Bucks  county  and  a  settler  of  Rockefeller  township,  by  whom  he 
has  six  children;     Elizabeth  J.,  wife  of  Gay  Ion  Bower,  of  Jordan  township; 


0o£(r0icruy    ^A6ahU^ 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  1173 

John  L.,  of  Lower  Augusta  township;  Rachel  Annie,  wife  of  Emanuel 
Gerringer,  of  Purdyto\vn;  David  E.,  of  Purdytown;  Dennis  Newton,  and 
Norman  Emerson.  In  1SG2  Mr.  Bartholomew  enlisted  in  Company  H,  One 
Hundred  and  Seventy-second  Pennsylvania  Militia,  and  served  nine  months, 
when  he  was  honorably  discharged.  Politically  he  is  a  Democrat,  and  has 
tilled  the  office  of  supervisor  of  the  to^vnship;  he  is  a  member  of  the  Lu- 
theran church  and  has  served  in  the  offices  of  deacon  and  elder  many  years. 
His  wife  is  a  member  of  the  German  Reformed  church. 

Samuel  H.  Zimmerman,  farmer,  was  born  in  Rockefeller  township,  North- 
umberland county,  Pennsylvania,  August  23,  1824,  son  of  Daniel  and  Cath- 
arine (Hall)  Zimmerman.  He  received  an  ordinary  education,  and  was  mar- 
ried in  1850  to  Mary  Bartholomew,  daii^hter  of  Jacob  Bartholomew,  of  Rush 
township,  by  whom  he  has  four  children:  Melinda;  Angeline;  "William,  and 
Sarah.  He  is  a  Republican  in  politics  and  a  member  of  the  Lutheran 
church.  His  parents  removed  to  this  coiinty  at  an  early  day  and  here  died, 
the  father  in  bS-42  and  the  mother  in  1808. 

Samuel  L.  Keefer,  farmer,  was  born  in  what  is  now  Rockefeller  township, 
March  28.  1828,  son  of  George  and  Rebecca  (Lantz)  Keefer.  He  was  mar- 
ried in  1851  to  Barbara,  daughter  of  George  Savidge,  who  died,  leaving  him 
two  children:  Peter  and  Amelia.  He  was  again  married,  to  Harriet  Malick, 
daughter  of  W.  Malick,  by  whom  he  has  live  children:  Jennie;  David  F. ; 
Charles  M. ;  Otto,  and  Eva.  He  is  a  Democrat  in  politics,  a  member  of  the 
Reformed  church,  and  belongs  to  the  P.  of  H.,  of  Seven  Points. 

H.  M.  Raker,  physician  and  surgeon,  was  born  in  Rockefeller  township, 
Northumberland  county,  Pennsylvania,  April  25,  1840.  He  received  his 
edvication  at  the  public  schools  and  Freeburg  Academy,  after  which  he 
engaged  as  a  clerk  in  a  mercantile  store  for  one  year.  After  reading  med- 
icine with  his  father  and  brother  he  attended  lectures  at  Jefferson  Medical 
College,  from  which  he  was  graduated  in  1802.  He  began  practice  at  once 
where  he  is  now  located,  and  is  recognized  as  the  leading  physician  in  his 
part  of  the  county.  He  is  a  prominent  Democrat,  and  has  served  as  school 
director  and  assessor  of  Rockefeller  township.  In  Augvist,  1804.  he  was 
married  to  Josephine  Weaver,  daughter  of  John  Weaver,  of  Trevorton,  by 
whom  he  has  the  following  children:  Agatha  J.,  wife  of  J.  H,  Haupt,  of 
Schuylkill  county;  Sarah  Isabella;  Carrie  Elizabeth;  Charles  Hilton;  Min- 
nie Maud;  Warren  Le  Roy,  and  Gertrude  Florence. 

Jacob  Raker,  the  grandfather  of  Dr.  H.  M.  Raker,  was  one  of  the  early 
settlers  of  Rockefeller  township.  He  moved  to  Tioga  county,  Pennsylvania, 
where  he  died. 

John  Raker  was  born  in  Rockefeller  township,  and  read  medicine  with 
Doctor  Treon  of  Muncy,  Pennsylvania.  After  remaining  with  his  preceptor 
a  few  years  he  returned  to  his  native  township,  where  he  practiced  until  his 
death.     He  filled  various  township  offices,  was  a  member  of  the  Lutheran 


1174  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COCNTY. 

church,  and  died  in  1873.  four  of  his  chiklren  are  living:  William,  a 
jAysiciaa  of  Uniontown,  Dauphin  county;  Catharine,  wife  of  A.  S.  Azariah 
Kriasger,  of  Middleburg,  Pennsylvania;  Dr.  H.  M..  and  Elizabeth. 

William  B.  Eister  was  born  in  what  is  now  Rockefeller  township,  (it  be- 
ino-  then  a  part  of  Lower  Augusta),  Northumberland  county,  Pennsylvania, 
Aiigust  3,  18-")3,  son  of  Nathan  S.  Eister,  who  was  Ixim  in  Washington  town- 
ship. His  father,  Abraham  Eister,  moved  from  there  to  Eockefeller  township, 
where  he  died.  In  his  younger  days  he  worked  at  blacksmithing,  but  was 
principally  engaged  at  farming.  Nathan  S.  Eister  married  Amanda,  daugh- 
ter of  William  Bartholomew,  and  settled  in  Rockefeller  township.  He  was  a 
shoemaker  by  trade,  and  a  member  of  the  Lutheran  church,  in  which  he  held 
the  office  of  deacon  and  elder  for  many  years.  PoHtically  he  was  a  Demo- 
crat. He  and  wife  died  within  five  days  of  each  other  in  1882,  of  typhoid 
fever.  They  reared  eleven  children;  those  living  are:  William  B.;  Angeline, 
wife  of  Delos  Roadarmel,  of  Excelsior;  Heniy  M..  of  Shamokin;  Charles  A., 
of  Rockefeller  township;  Flora,  of  Rockefeller  to^^Tiship,  and  Clinton  L.,  of 
Excelsior.  William  B.  was  reared  in  Rockefeller  township,  and  attended  the 
township  schools  and  Elysburg  Academy  two  terms,  after  which  he  taught 
school  five  years  during  the  winters,  in  the  meantime  applying  himself  to  study 
to  better  his  education.  He  learned  the  shoemaker  trade,  and  after  finishing 
his  teaching  apprenticed  himself  to  Gehrad  Snyder,  with  whom  he  learned 
the  trade  of  harness  maker  and  saddler.  After  completing  his  trade  he  went 
to  Excelsior  and  took  charge  of  a  section  of  the  Philadelphia  and  Reading 
railroad  as  foreman,  whicli  position  he  held  four  years.  After  the  death  of 
his  parents  the  management  of  the  affairs  of  the  family  fell  upon  him,  and 
he  engaged  in  farming  one  year.  In  1883  he  purchased  his  present  business, 
which  he  has  since  continued,  having  added  a  line  of  groceries,  tobacco,  and 
cigars.  In  1877  he  married  Louisa,  daughter  of  J.  Jacob  Beck,  of  Rocke- 
feller township,  by  wliom  he  has  five  children:  Elsie  E. ;  A.  Bertram;  W. 
Howard;  Edna  V.,  and  Mary  E.  Mr.  Eister  was  appointed  postmaster  of 
Seven  Points,  September  l.j,  1887),  and  has  since  hnld  that  office.  He  was 
elected  school  director  in  1880,  serving  as  secretary  and  president  of  the 
board.     In  1889  he  was  elected  justice  of  the  peace. 

Rev.  a.  J.  L.  Breinig,  pastor  of  the  Lutheran  church.  Trevorton  charge, 
was  born  in  Lehigh  county,  Pennsylvania,  April  2-"J.  18G(I,  son  of  Edwin  L. 
and  Catharine  (Swartz)  Breinig,  natives  of  that  county  and  farmers  by  occu- 
pation. Mr.  Breinig  was  educated  at  Muhlenburg  College,  Allentown,  Penn- 
sylvania, from  which  ho  was  graduated  in  1884.  He  then  took  a  theological 
course  of  three  years  at  the  Lutheran  Seminary  in  Phladelphia,  was 
ordained  as  a  minister  of  the  Gospel  in  1887,  and  in  December  of  the  same 
year  was  appointed  to  his  present  charge.  In  1SS8  he  married  Annie  S., 
dauo-hter  of  Joseph  Keefer,  of  Lehigh  county,  by  whom  he  has  one  child, 
Joseph.     Politically  he  is  a  Democrat. 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  1175 

Delmar  F.  Campbell,  school  teacher,  was  born  in  Lower  Au^-usta  town- 
ship), Xorthumberland  coimty,  Pennsylvania.  February  18,  1S()4.  son  of  John 
and  Mary  (Fuller)  Campbell,  of  that  townshiji.  He  was  educated  in  the 
public  schools,  and  Milton  and  Georgetown  normal  schools,  and  for  six  years 
has  been  engaged  in  teaching,  this  being  his  third  year  in  his  present  school. 
June  28,  ISSU,  he  married  Tomson.  daughter  of  Anthony  S.  Speece,  of  Little 
Mahauoy  township.  Politically  Mr.  Campbell  is  a  Democrat;  he  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Presbyterian  church,  has  served  in  the  otKce  of  treasurer  four 
years,  and  has  also  filled  all  the  otKces  connected  with  the  Saltbath  school. 


n.V*^ 


CHAPTER  LI. 
BIOGR.IPHICAL    SKETCHES. 

X.    P.AI.Pim,    lU'SH.    AND    GKAKIIAHT     TOWXSHI 
R(>1{(  )U<;H.-^  of  SXYDEKTOWX  AXD  lUVEIiSIDE. 


:-^X 


of  Crattehaft.  OffenburcrLancrendieliach,  was  born. 


•  ,y  April  25,  IToo,  and  died,  January  20.  1S82,  and  is  buried  in  the  cemetery  of 
St.  Peter's  church  in  Kalpho  township.  Nothing  of  his  early  life  or  the  date 
of  his  settlement  in  Ralpho  township  is  known,  further  than  that  traditions 
in  the  family  point  to  liis  being  one  of  the  early,  if  not  the  earliest,  settler  in 
Ralpho  township.  His  wife  was  Elizabeth  Hinkle  and  it  is  presumed  he 
lived  and  married  her  in  Berks  county  previous  to  coming  to  Northumber- 
land county.  His  settlement  was  made  where  John  Campbell  now  resides, 
and  he  owned  a  large  tract  of  land  embracing  many  hundreds  of  acres.  His 
family  consisted  of  six  daughters  and  six  sons:  Nellie,  wife  of  George  Start - 
zel;  Susanna,  wife  of  Samuel  Startzel:  Elizabeth,  wife  of  Gilbert  Liby:  Polly, 

y       wife  of  Peter  Strausser;  Maria,  wife  of  Jacob  Kreher;   Catharine,  wife  of 

Samuel  Anspach;  Frederick:  John:  Samuel;  Casper:  Leonard,  and  Peter,  all 

of  whom  are  dead.  ^ — . 

Casper  Adajis,  fourth  son  of  Casper  Adams,  Sr.,  was  born  in  ]7T<)  upon 
the  homestead  farm;  he  was  reared  a  farmer,  and  on  coming  of  age  his  father 
deeded  to  him  one  hundred  acres  of  land,  which  was  situated  where  his  sou 
George  C.  now  resides.  He  married  Susanna,  daughter  of  John  Startzel, 
and  by  this  union  they  were  the  parents  of  the  following  children:  Benjamin; 
,David;  Casper,  deceased;  George  C. :  Jacob;  Samuel,  deceased:  William; 
Elizabeth,  deceased  wife  of  William  Smith;  Susanna,  deceased  wife  of  Will- 
iam Klase;  Pollie,  deceased  wife  of  a  Mr.  Fry;  Angelina,  wife  of  William 
Smith,  and  Harriet,  deceased.  Mr.  Adams  was  a  life-long  member,  and  elder 
of  St.  Peter's  Reformed  church,  and  was  a  liberal  contributor  towards  the 


1176  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

erection  of  the  church  edilice.  Politically  he  was  an  ardent  Democrat.  He 
died  in  1882,  his  wife  having  died  in  1873. 

George  C.  Adams  was  born,  August  17,  1826,  son  of  Casper  and  Susanna 
(Startzel)  Adams.  He  received  such  education  as  coiild  be  obtained  in  the 
schools  of  that  period.  After  coming  of  age  he  was  engaged  in  railroad 
work,  and  for  some  years  in  the  huckstering  business  and  farming  for  his 
father-in-law.  In  1863  he  purchased  the  old  homestead  property,  where  he 
has  since  been  engaged  in  farming.  He  was  married,  September  12,  1855, 
to  Susanna,  daughter  of  Valentine  Klase,  of  Shamokin  township,  and  they 
are  the  parents  of  four  children:  Leanna,  wife  of  Francis  T.  Barrell;  Mahala, 
wife  of  Charles  Paul;  General  G.,  and  Alvin  A.,  deceased.  Mr.  Adams  is  a 
member  of  the  German  Keformed  church,  of  which  he  is  an  elder.  In  his 
political  affiliations  he  is  a  Democrat,  and  while  he  neither  sought  nor  would 
hold  office,  he  manifests  great  interest  in  the  success  of  his  party. 

The  Reed  Family. — Among  the  pioneers  of  Northumberland  county 
were  Jacob  and  Casper  Reed,  natives  of  Berks  county,  Pennsylvania,  wlio 
came  to  Northumberland  county  as  early  as  1774.  They  took  up  a  tract  of 
some  five  hundred  acres  of  land,  which  is  situated  around  what  is  known  as 
Reed's  Station,  in  Shamokin  and  Ralplio  townships,  and  now  in  the  posses- 
sion of  their  descendants.  Jacob  married,  in  Berks  county,  Elizabeth  Dro- 
her,  and  by  this  marriage  they  had  nine  children:  John;  Jacob;  David: 
Matthias;  Salome,  who  married  John  Hursh;  Catharine,  who  married  George 
Hower;  Maj^dalone,  who  married  John  Smith;  Eva,  who  became  the  wife  of 
Daniel  Haas,  and  Elizabeth,  who  married  W.  H.  Muench.  Jacob  Reed  was 
a  natural  mechanic,  and  carried  on  the  blacksmith  and  carpenter  business  in 
connection  with  farming.  He  was  one  of  the  leading  men  of  his  time,  and  to 
him  is  due  considerable  of  the  development  of  the  locality  in  which  he  set- 
tled. He  was  the  promoter  of  the  organization  of  Jacob's  church,  which  was 
named  for  him.  In  religious  belief  he  was  a  Lutheran.  John,  his  oldest 
son,  married  Eva  C.  Gillinger,  and  to  them  were  born  two  sons  and  four 
daughters;  Jacob,  his  second  son,  married  Hannah  Duttinger,  and  to  this 
union  were  born  four  sons  and  three  daughters;  David,  the  third  son,  married 
Catharine  Haas,  and  they  were  the  parents  of  seven  sons  and  live  daughters; 
Matthias,  the  fourth  son,  married  Priscilla  Farnsworth,  and  to  this  union  were 
born  three  sons  and  three  daughters. 

John  Reed,  eldest  son  of  Jacob  Reed,  was  born  upon  the  old  homestead 
in  Shamokin  township.  He  was  reared  and  resided  in  his  native  to\vnship 
all  his  life,  and  followed  farming  as  an  occupation.  He  married  Eva  C.  Gil- 
linger,  who  bore  him  the  following  children:  Jesse,  deceased;  Maria,  widow 
of  John  Lake;  Jacob,  deceased;  Elizabeth,  deceased  wife  of  Casper  Scholl; 
Hannah,  wife  of  Solomon  Martz,  and  Eve  C,  wife  of  William  Zuern,  of  Col- 
orado. The  whole  family  were  members  of  the  Lutheran  church,  and  Mr. 
Reed  was  one  of  the  leading  members  of  that  denomination.     In  politics  he 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  II  I  I 

was  a  Kepublican,  and  an  honest,  worthy  citizen.     Both  he  and  wife  died  in 
this  to-\^ship,  and  were  buried  at  Jacob's  church  graveyard. 

Jacob  Eeed,  second  son  of  Jacob  Keed,  was  born  upon  tlie  homestead 
farm  in  1795,  where  he  lived  until  his  marriage.  He  then  settled  upon  the 
land  where  his  son  William  now  resides  in  Shamokin  township.  He  was  a 
tanner  by  trade,  and  erected  a  carding  mill  and  saw  mill,  which  he  operated 
in  connection  with  his  farm  of  two  hundred  fifty-eight  acres.  He  married 
Hannah  Duttinger,  by  whom  he  had  seven  children:  Daniel,  deceased;  Maria, 
who  married  George  Young;  Simon  P.,  of  Rush  township;  Elizabeth,  widow 
of  John  Deibler;  Julianne,  Mrs.  John  Rohrbach;  William,  who  resides  upon 
the  homestead,  and  John  Jacob.  He  was  a  Liitheran  in  his  religious  belief, 
and  politically  a  Republican. 

Jesse  Reed,  deceased,  was  a  son  of  John  and  Eva  (Gillinger)  Reed,  natives 
of  Shamokin  township,  Northumberland  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  was  lx)m. 
March  3,  180S;  his  death  occurred,  June  IS,  18S4.  He  was  a  farmer  by 
occupation,  but  in  early  life  assisted  his  father,  who  was  tax  collector 
many  years  for  Shamokin  township,  which  at  one  time  included  Rush,  Sha- 
mokin, Ralpho,  Mt.  Carmel,  Coal,  and  Cameron  townships.  He  also  assisted 
his  father,  who  had  a  contract  for  building  a  portion  of  what  is  now  the 
Northern  Central  railway  between  Shamokin  and  Sunbury.  By  trade  he  was 
a  brickmaker,  which  business  he  followed  in  his  early  life.  He  married  in 
1884  Charlotte,  daughter  of  Joshua  Farley,  of  Hunterdon  county.  New 
Jersey,  and  by  this  union  they  had  six  children:  Harriet  S.,  widow  of  John 
Shipman;  John  W.,  of  Ralpho  township;  Farley,  deceased;  Catharine,  de- 
ceased; Oliver,  deceased,  and  William  A.  Mr.  Reed  was  an  extensive  farmer, 
cultivating  some  three  hundred  acres,  and  also  carried  on  the  milling  busi- 
ness. In  religious  faith  he  was  a  Lutheran,  in  which  church  he  was  a  prom- 
inent member  and  an  elder  many  years.  In  his  political  associations  he 
was  first  a  Whig,  and  subsequently  a  Republican. 

John  W.  Reed,  eldest  son  of  Jesse  and  Charlotte  (Farley)  Reed,  was  torn 
at  the  homestead,  October  3,  1838.  He  was  educated  at  the  common  schools 
and  learned  the  milling  business,  at  which  he  has  since  been  engaged.  In 
1871,  in  connection  with  John  Shipman,  he  purchased  the  mill  property 
known  as  the  Shipman  mills,  which  he  operated  until  1873,  when  he  pur- 
chased his  present  mill.  He  was  married  in  1876  to  Bethiah,  daughter  of 
Robert  Davison,  of  Montour  county,  and  by  this  marriage  they  have  one 
daughter,  Kate  M.  Politically  Mr.  Reed  is  a  Republican,  and  a  member  and 
deacon  of  the  Lutheran  church. 

William  A.  Reed,  the  youngest  son  of  Jesse  and  Charlotte  (Farley)  Reed, 
was  born,  November  19,  1855,  upon  the  homestead  where  he  now  resides. 
He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools,  and  was  reared  a  farmer.  He  is 
also  engaged  in  the  milling  business,  having  purchased  the  Shipman  mill  in 
the  spring  of  1890.  In  politics  Mr.  Reed  is  a  Republican,  and  is  one  of  the 
progressive  citizens  of  Shamokin  township. 


1178  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUJIBERLAXD    COUNTY. 

The  Teits worth  Family. — Among  the  early  pioneers  of  Nortliiuuberland 
county  was  John  Teitsworth.  It  is  quite  certain  by  the  information  in  posses- 
sion of  his  descendants  that  his  father  also  came  at  the  same  time.  They 
settled  on  Shamokin  creek  near  Snydertown,  prior  to  the  Revolutionary  war, 
and  came  from  New  Jersey.  John  Teitsworth  had  two  sons,  and  one  daugh- 
ter who  married  Benjamin  Campbell.  He  subsequently  kept  a  tavern  at 
what  is  known  as  Paxinos  on  the  line  of  Ralpho  and  Shamokin  townships,  and 
also  owned  about  five  hundred  acres  of  land.  He  dieil  about  1800.  William, 
the  eldest  son,  was  born  in  Shamokin  township,  and  served  in  the  war  of  the 
Revolution.  He  was  twice  married;  by  his  first  wife,  whose  name  is  not 
known,  he  had  no  posterity.  His  second  wife  was  Mary  Campbell,  by  wliom 
he  had  five  children:  Isaac,  deceased;  John  B..  deceased;  Elizabeth,  of 
Ralpho  township;  Katie,  deceased,  who  married  Peter  Yocum,  and  Mary, 
deceased,  who  married  John  Persing.  He  conducted  for  many  years  the  tavern 
that  descended  from  his  father,  and  was  also  engaged  in  farming.  He  died 
in  March,  1830. 

Isaac  Teitsworth,  eldest  son  of  William,  was  bora  at  Paxinos,  Northum- 
berland county,  Pennsylvania,  in  1801.  He  married  Catharine,  daughter  of 
John  Persing.  She  was  born  in  1800,  and  is  now  living  and  resides  with 
her  son  Isaac  N.  in  Columbia  county,  Pennsylvania.  By  this  union  they 
were  the  parents  of  thirteen  children:  Mary  A.,  wife  of  J.  H.  Reed;  Lemuel; 
Rev.  William  P.,  of  California;  Benjamin  F.,  decea.sed:  Alfred,  who  was 
killed  at  Cedar  Mountain,  member  of  the  Forty-sixth  Pennsylvania  Volun- 
teers; Harriet,  deceased;  Susan,  wife  of  Daniel  Adams:  Isaac  N.,  of  Colum- 
bia county;  Matthias,  of  Ralpho  township;  Katie,  deceased;  John  H.,  of 
Michigan;  Antoinette,  wife  of  H.  B.  Soult,  of  Elysburg,  and  Matilda,  wife  of 
Theodore  Clayton,  of  Riverside.  He  was  a  prominent  member  of  the  Pres- 
byterian church,  of  which  he  was  an  elder  fifty  years.  He  died  in  August, 
1888. 

Lemuel  Teitsworth,  eldest  son  of  Isaac,  was  born,  January  15,  1828. 
He  was  reared  a  farmer,  and  educated  in  the  common  schools  of  the  town- 
ship and  Danville  Academy.  He  learned  the  trade  of  tanner,  and  in  1852 
located  at  Elysbiirg  and  erected  a  tannerv",  which  he  operated  fifteen  years. 
In  1807  he  retired  from  business,  purchased  his  present  farm  of  one  hundred 
acres,  and  has  since  been  engaged  in  farming.  He  was  married  in  1854  to 
Elizabeth,  daughter  of  William  H.  David.son,  of  Catawissa  township,  Columbia 
county,  and  by  this  marriage  they  have  two  children:  Alverda  C,  wife  of  J. 
L.  Wolverton,  and  Ellen  E.,  wife  of  S.  C.  Wolf,  of  Iowa.  Mr.  Teitsworth 
is  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church  of  Elysburg.  and  has  taken  great 
interest  in  the  erection  of  the  new  church  edifice  erected  this  year,  being  one 
of  the  building  committee.  Politically  he  is  a  Republican.  He  is  also  one 
of  the  promoters  of  the  Pine  Hill  cemetery. 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  1179 

Matthias  Teitsworth,  sixth  son  of  Isaac,  was  born  upon  the  farm 
where  he  now  resides,  October  25,  1S40,  and  is  a  farmer  by  occujiatiou.  He 
was  drafted  in  1S6"2,  assigned  to  the  One  Hundred  and  Seventy-second 
Pennsylvania  Militia,  and  served  nine  months.  He  was  married  in  I860  to 
Lena  S.,  daughter  of  John  C.  Myers,  of  Columbia  county,  and  they  are  the 
parents  of  eight  living  children:  Alfred;  Harvey  B.;  William  M.;  Amos; 
Maggie  M. ;  Josiah  B. ;  Preston,  and  Delia.  Mr.  Teitsworth  is  a  member  of 
the  Presbyterian  church,  of  the  Elysburg  Lodge,  I.  0.  O.  F.,  also  of  the  P. 
O.  S.  of  A.,  and  in  politics  is  a  Republican. 

Obadiah  Campbell,  a  native  of  New  Jersey,  removed  to  Nortlurmberland 
county,  Pennsylvania,  in  ITTU,  and  located  in  Ralpho  township.  He  pur- 
chased a  tract  of  land  containing  four  hundred  acres,  upon  part  of  which  the 
village  of  Elysburg  is  built.  He  built  his  log  cabin  uj)on  the  site  of  the 
present  residence  of  Davis  Hirff.  which  was  the  homestead  of  the  Campbells 
for  several  generations.  His  children  were:  Benjamin;  John;  James; 
Robert;  Albert;  Jane,  who  became  the  wife  of  Caleb  Ely,  and  Joanna,  who 
married  George  Ely.  He  was  a  Presbyterian  in  faith,  and  one  of  the  organ- 
izers of  a  church  in  his  new  settlement.  Politically  he  was  a  Democrat, 
and  a  zealous  exponent  of  the  principles  of  his  party,  of  which  he  was  a  leader 
in  his  locality. 

Obadiah  Campbell,  fifth  son  of  Obadiah.  Sr..  and  father  of  the  present 
member  of  the  family  of  that  name,  was  Iwm  in  New  Jersey,  in  177f). 
He  was  reared  upon  the  homestead  in  Ralpho  township.  He  purchased 
a  large  tract  of  timber  land  in  Columbia  county,  to  which  place  he  removed, 
erected  a  saw  mill,  and  engaged  in  the  lumber  business,  which  he  con- 
tinued until  his  death  in  ISOo.  He  inherited  from  his  father  strong 
Democratic  principles,  and  while  he  would  never  hold  office,  he  was  a  power 
in  the  local  councils  of  his  party.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian 
church  and  held  official  jwsitions  in  the  same.  He  married  Elizabeth 
daughter  of  Nicholas  Shipman,  one  of  the  pioneer  families  of  New  Jersey 
who  settled  in  Rockefeller  township,  Northumberland  county.  She  bore 
him  four  sons  and  six  daughters:  Nicholas;  Mary,  deceased  wife  of  William 
Thompson;  Hannah,  deceased  wife  of  James  Hile;  Jane,  deceased  wife  of 
Elijah  Yocum;  Obadiah  S. ;  Elizabeth,  deceased  wife  of  James  Fox;  Joanna, 
widow  of  John  McMurtrie;  John;  Sarah,  deceased  wife  of  ShultzKnittle,  and 
James  J.,  of  Columbia  county. 

Obadiah  S.  Campbell,  oldest  son  of  Obadiah,  Jr.,  was  born,  November 
25,  1816.  He  was  reared  upon  the  homestead  and  educated  in  the  township 
schools.  He  followed  the  occupation  of  a  millwright,  and  was  engaged  in 
the  building  of  grist  and  saw  mills  throughout  Lycoming,  Columbia,  Mon- 
tour, Northumberland,  and  Schuylkill  counties  thirty-five  years.  A  part  of 
this  time  Mr.  Campbell  was  a  resident  of  Coltmibia  coimty.  In  1856  he  re- 
tired from  active  business  life  and  settled  upon  his  farm  in  Ralpho  township, 


1180  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

purchased  in  connection  with  his  brother-in-law,  James  Fox,  in  1852,  and 
was  engaged  in  farming  until  the  spring  of  1889,  when  he  retired  from  all 
business,  and  is  now  living  in  Elysburg.  In  politics  Mr.  Campbell  is  a 
Democrat,  and  in  1865  was  elected  justice  of  the  peace,  in  which  office  he 
served  ten  years.  He  has  been  a  member  of  the  school  board  and  has  served 
in  the  various  township  offices.  In  his  religious  faith  he  is  a  member  of  the 
Jlethodist  Episcopal  church,  of  which  he  has  been  a  class  leader  ten  years. 
He  is  connected  with  the  I.  O.  O.  F.  Mr.  Campbell  was  married,  January 
9,  1840,  to  Eliza,  daughter  of  John  Teats,  and  they  are  the  parents  of  six 
children:  Almira,  wife  of  Samuel  Swank;  Oliver,  of  Michigan;  John; 
Clemens  M. ;  Edgar  B.,  of  Sunbury,  and  Iva,  wife  of  Oliver  Brady.  Mr. 
Campbell  is  one  of  the  town-ship's  oldest  and  most  respected  citizens,  and  is 
always  ready  to  assist  any  enterprise  that  will  tend  to  the  public  good,  a 
warm  friend  of  the  cause  of  education,  and  a  liberal  contributor  to  religious 
and  charitable  purposes. 

Jacob  Pexstl  (Bentzel),  a  native  of  Germany,  was  one  of  the  pioneers  of 
Northumberland  county.  His  first  settlement  was  on  the  site  of  what  is  now 
the  borough  of  Shamokin,  where  he  took  up  tifty  acres  of  land,  located  where 
the  Eagle  Hotel  now  stands.  He  subsequently  abandoned  this  tract  and 
took  up  a  two-hundred-acre  tract,  where  David  K.  Pensyl  now  resides  in 
Ralpho  to%%'nship.  He  had  one  son,  John,  who  was  nine  years  of  age  when 
his  father  settled  in  what  is  now  Shamokin,  and  from  him  the  Pensyls  of 
Northumberland  county  have  descended.  John  married  Barbara  Hinkle,  bv 
whom  he  had  five  children:  Kate,  who  married  Frederick  ^ebicj)  Leah, 
who  married  John  Fisher;  John;  George,  and  JLeonard,  all  deceased.  He 
died  upon  the  homestead  in  Ralpho  township  in  April,  1849.  He  was  a 
member  of  the  German  Reformed  church,  and  was  one  of  the  organizers  and 
original  members  of  the  old  Blue  church  of  Ralpho  township.  He  donated 
one  acre  of  ground  for  church  purposes,  upon  which  the  church  edifice  stands 
to-day. 

,  jiEoy.^RD  Pensyl,  deceased,  the  youngest  son  of  John  and  Barbara  (Hin- 
kle) Pen.syl.  and  grandson  of  Jacob  Pensyl,  was  born  upon  the  homestead  in 
Ralpho  to^vnship,  Northumberland  county,  Pennsylvania,  in  1804.  He  was 
a  farmer  by  occupation.  He  married  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Frederick 
William  Kaseman,  of  Ralpho  township,  and  by  this  union  they  were  the 
parents  of  two  sons  and  one  daughter:  Daniel,  deceased;  David  R.,  of 
Ralpho  township,  and  Sarah  A.,  wife  of  D.  H.  Adams,  of  Ralpho  town- 
ship. Mr.  Pensyl's  death  occurred,  October  31,  1884;  his  wife  survived  him. 
He  was  a  member  of  the  German  Reformed  church,  and  served  as  deacon 
and  elder  twenty-one  years;  in  politics  he  was  a  Democrat. 

David  R.  Pensyl,  farmer,  is  a  son  of  Leonard  and  Elizabeth  (Kaseman) 
Pensyl,  and  a  great-grandson  of  Jacob  Pensyl.  He  was  born  in  IS^T)  upon 
the  old  Pensyl  homestead,  and  to  him  has  descended  the  patrimonial  estate. 


^ 


BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES.  1181 

upon  which  his  progenitor,  Jacob,  settled  over  one  hundred  years  ago,  where 
he  now  resides.  Mr.  Pensyl  was  reared  a  farmer,  having  over  two  hiuidred 
acres  of  land,  and  is  still  engaged  in  that  pursuit.  He  received  a  common 
school  education,  and  in  1857  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business,  which  he 
conducted  two  years.  He  married  in  1859  Carolina,  daughter  of  Joseph 
Fry,  and  they  are  the  parents  of  ten  living  children:  Joseph;  Lenora,  wife 
of  E.  D.  Smink;  Laura,  wife  of  J.  B.  Hill;  Leonard;  David;  Lizzie;  Han- 
nah; Cora;  Oscar  W.,  and  Carrie  F.  Politically  Mr.  Pensyl  is  a  pronounced 
Democrat,  and  while  he  manifests  great  interest  in  the  success  of  his  party, 
he  has  never  sought  public  office.  He  is  a  member  of  the  old  Blue  church 
founded  by  his  great-grandfather,  is  connected  with  Shamokin  Lodge,  F.  &  A. 
M.,  and  is  also  a  member  of  the  Conclave. 

Geokge  Pensyl,  deceased,  was  born  in  Ralpho  township,  Northumber- 
land county,  Pennsylvania,  August  1,  1799,  .son  of  John  and  Barbara  (Hin- 
kle)  Pensyl,  and  grandson  of  Jacob  Pensyl.  In  his  early  life  he  was  engaged 
upon  the  Centre  turnpike,  between  Northumberland  and  Beading.  He  sub- 
sequently purchased  a  small  tract  of  land  situated  in  Bal^sho  township  where 
Benjamin  Adams  now  resides.  He  afterwards  purchased  the  Jacob  Keller 
farm,  where  he  lived  until  the  death  of  his  wife,  when  he  took  up  his  resi- 
dence with  his  daughter,  who  married  Benjamin  Adams;  there  he  died,  June 
11,  1885.  He  was  a  member  of  the  German  Reformed  church,  of  which  he 
was  an  elder,  and  politically  a  Democrat.  He  married  Mary,  daughter  of 
Jacob  Keller,  and  their  children  were:  Mary,  wife  of  Benjamin  Adams;  Leon- 
ard, deceased;  George,  deceased;  Hannah,  deceased,  who  married  David 
Fry;  Leah,  wife  of  Lewis  Hoffman;  Solomon,  of  Rush  to^\^lship;  Jacob,  of 
Rush  township;  Jeremiah,  of  Rush  township;  Daniel,  of  Columbia  county; 
John,  of  Bloomsburg,  Pennsylvania;  Henry,  of  Shamokin  township;  Susanna, 
deceased,  who  married  Peter  Adams,  and  Elizabeth,  who  married  Cynis  Burk- 
hart. 

Henry  Pensyl,  farmer  and  insurance  agent,  is  the  youngest  son  of  George 
and  Mary  (Keller)  Pensyl,  and  great-grandson  of  Jacob  Pensyl.  He  was 
born  in  Ralpho  to^vnship,  Northumberland  county,  Pennsylvania,  in  1844. 
He  was  educated  in  the  common  schools,  and  was  engaged  in  farming  upon 
the  homestead  and  other  places  until  1873,  when  he  purchased  his  present 
farm  of  eighty  acres,  situated  one  half-mile  south  of  Snydertown.  He  is  also 
the  general  agent  for  Shamokin  township  for  the  Shamokin  Township  Insur- 
ance Company.  He  has  tilled  the  office  of  constable  for  his  township  for  the 
years  1883-85,  and  was  elected  as  supervisor  in  1887,  1888,  and  1890.  He 
was  married  in  1868  to  Matilda,  daughter  of  Samuel  Mutchler,  of  Montour 
county,  and  they  are  the 'parents  of  four  living  children:  Everett  C;  Kate 
M. ;  Lottie  M.,  and  Mellie.  In  politics  Mr.  Pensyl  is  a  Democrat,  and  he  is 
a  treasurer  and  one  of  the  board  of  trustees  of  the  Stonington  Methodist 
Episcopal  church. 


1182  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

William  Pensyl,  tanner  and  farmer,  was  born  in  Kush  township.  North- 
umberland county,  Pennsylvania,  September  29, 1835,  son  of  John  and  Mary 
(Arter)  Pensyl.  He  was  reared  upon  the  homestead  farm  and  learned  the 
trade  of  tanner  with  Charles  Hull,  for  whom  he  worked  several  years.  In 
1857  he  formed  a  partnership  with  William  Hull  in  the  tannery  business 
situated  in  Kalpho  township,  which  he  subsequently  purchased  and  enlarged, 
and  which  now  has  a  capacity  of  one  Imndred  hides  per  week.  In  connec- 
tion with  the  tannery  he  has  a  farm  of  two  hundred  acres.  Mr.  Pensyl  was 
married,  June  28,  1800,  to  Harriet,  daughter  of  Isaac  HvlII,  of  Ralpho  town- 
ship, who  died,  August  10,  1889,  leaving  live  daughters:  M.  Laura:  Estella 
v.;  Anna  M. ;  Viola,  and  Carrie  B.  In  politics  Mr.  Pensyl  is  a  Republican; 
he  has  tilled  many  township  offices  and  has  served  upon  the  school  board  of 
his  township.  In  religious  faith  he  is  a  member  of  the  Baptist  church,  and 
one  of  the  trustees.     He  is  also  a  member  of  Elysburg  Lodge,  F.  <k.  A.  M. 

The  Miller  Family. — George  Miller,  who  is  commonly  called  "Hunter 
George,"  immigrated  from  Germany  some  time  in  1700.  He  settled  near 
Hamburg,  Berks  county,  Pennsylvapia.  He  had  several  children,  but  noth- 
ing is  Jfnown  of  them  by  his  descendants.  Avith  the  exception  of  John  Miller, 
who  settled  in  Shamokin  township  prior  to  17S5.  He  owned  about  thirteen 
hundred  acres  of  land  situated  ujion  the  Centre  pike.  He  built  his  log  house 
on  the  south  side  of  the  road  opposite  where  George  W.  Miller  now  resides. 
He  married,  in  17S5,  Catherine  Raber,  who  was  born,  September  26. 1700,  by 
whom  he  had  two  sons  and  two  daughters:  George  and  David,  both  deceased; 
Elizabeth,  who  was  twice  married,  first  to  a  Mr.  Rockefeller,  and  second  to  a 
Mr.  Wilhour,  and  Sarah,  who  married  a.  Mr.  Miller.  Before  his  death  John 
Miller  divided  his  property  between  his  sons.  David  taking  the  land  on  the 
south  side  of  the  valley  and  George  that  on  the  north  side.  George,  the 
eldest  son,  was  born,  June  18,  1704,  upon  the  homestead.  He  married,  De- 
cember 28,  1820,  Mary  M.,  daughter  of  George  and  Elizabeth  Stezler,  and 
by  this  marriage  they  had  twelve  children:  Elizabeth,  who  married  Daniel 
Smith;  Catherine,  who  married  Silas  Farrow;  Dr.  John  J.,  deceased:  Rosetta, 
who  married  Samitel  Lewis;  Amandus,  of  Shamokin  township;  RiL-sia,  de- 
ceased, who  married  Dr.  Aaron  Savidge;  Juliann,  who  married  Ephraim 
Baker;  Allison  R.,  deceased;  William  J.;  Clara  L.,  deceased  wife  of  Dr.  Isaac 
Huff;  Emma,  who  married  John  Eplej,  and  one  who  died  in  infancy.  Pre- 
vious to  the  construction  of  the  Centre  turnpike  this  locality  was  not  de- 
veloped to  any  extent.  Mr.  Miller  obtained  a  contract  for  constructing  two 
miles  of  the  pike;  he  then  built  the  buildings  where  George  Miller  now  re- 
sides, and  opened  a  hotel,  which  he  conducted,  in  connection  with  his  farm, 
until  the  railroad  was  built.  George  Miller  was  one  of  the  enterprising  men 
of  his  day,  and  filled  many  township  offices.  Politically  he  was  a  Democrat. 
He  died,  July  24,  1880,  at  the  advanced  age  of  eiglity-six  years,  his  wife  fol- 
lowing three  weeks  later. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  1183 

Amandus  Miller,  second  son  of  George  3Iiller.  was  born,  Sejitember  13, 
1S2S,  upon  the  homestead.  He  received  a  common  school  education  and 
early  in  life  commenced  teaching  in  the  pubhc  schools,  and  through  life  has 
been  a  warm  friend  to  the  cause  of  education,  ha^■ing  tilled  the  office  of  treas- 
urer of  the  school  board  for  years.  Mr.  Miller  is  extensively  engaged  in 
farming,  cultivating  some  four  hundred  acres.  He  married  Hannah  J., 
daughter  of  John  Wolverton.  of  Shamokin  township,  and  by  this  marriage 
they  have  had  ten  children:  Florence  Y..  deceased:  Mary  I.,  wife  of  J.  M. 
Kline;  George  "NY.;  Silas  W. ;  Laura  E. ;  Julia  F..  wife  of  Ellworth  Dyer,  of 
Elysburg.  Pennsylvania;  John  A.,  deceased:  Charles  A.:  Cordelia,  and  Lulu 
Y.  Politically  Mr.  Miller  is  a  Democrat,  and  while  he  has  never  sought  pub- 
lic office.  Jie  is  a  man  of  influence  in  his  vicinity;  in  religious  faith  he  is  a 
Lutheran. 

George  AV.  Miller,  eldest  son  of  Amandns  and  Hannah  J.  (Wolverton) 
Miller,  was' born,  April  '21,  ISoT,  upon  the  homestead.  He  attended  the  pub- 
lic schools  and  Lewisburg  Academy.  After  completing  his  education,  he 
leased  hi^  grandfather's  farm. and  cultivated  it  four  years,  and  taught  in  the 
public  schools  eight  winters.  In  1S85  he  and  his  brother,  Silas  W.,  pur- 
chased their  grandfather's  farm,  containing  one  hundred  thirty-tive  acres,  and 
divided  the  land.  George  W.  retaining  the  homestead.  Mr.  Miller  was  mar- 
ried, September  30,  1880,  to  Eosanna,  daughter  of  Thomas  P.  Yastine,  of 
Montour  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  they  are  the  parents  of  four  children: 
Gussie  M. ;  Florence  Y. ;  David  O.,  and  Ruth  A.  Mr.  Miller  is  one  of  the 
leading  Democrats  of  the  to\vnship,  and  is  now  tilling  the  office  of  overseer 
of  the  poor.  In  religious  belief  he  is  a  Lutheran,  and  one  of  the  prominent 
citizens  of  the  township. 

The  Johx  F.^mily  of  Northumberland  county  are  a  branch  of  a  Welsh 
family  that  settled  in  Chester  county  in  the  early  colonial  days  of  our  State. 
Their  ance.stor.  Griffith  John,  Sr.,  was  bom  in  Pembrokeshire,  South  Wales, 
in  1083.  With  many  others  of  his  locality,  he  immigrated  to  Pennsylvania, 
taking  passage  in  a  slow  sailing  vessel  that  was  several  months  in  making 
the  voyage.  He  landed  in  Philadelphia,  Februar.-  11,  1709,  and  went  to  one 
of  the  Welsh  townships  which  was  a  part  of  a  district  then  known  as  the 
Welsh  Barony.  This  section  was  principally  settled  by  his  countrymen,  at 
that  time  called  "ye  ancient  Britons."  On  the  23d  of  July,  1714,  he  was 
married  to  Ann  Williams,  daughter  of  Eobert  Williams,  surnamed  "  the  king 
of  Goshen."  About  1715,  under  the  auspices  of  David  Lloyd,  the  keeper  of 
the  Great  Seal,  Twchlan  township  was  settled,  and  among  the  tir.st  purchas- 
ers of  farms  were  Griffith  John,  Sr.,  Noble  Butler,  Robert  Benson,  Cadwal- 
lader  Evans,  and  others.  The  fruits  of  his  marriage  were  twelve  children, 
six  sons  and  six  daughters,  all  of  whom  reached  mature  years  except  one  son 
that  died  in  childhood.  Most  of  his  children  settled  in  other  parts  of  the 
State,  but  his  son  Griffith  John,  Jr.,  remained  on  the  Uwchlan  farm  and  took 


1184  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

care  of  his  parents  in  their  declining  years.  Griffith  John,  Sr.,  united  with 
the  Society  of  Friends  soon  after  his  arrival  in  the  colony  and  became  a 
prominent  minister  of  that  sect.  He  stood  well  in  his  church,  and  after  hi.s 
death  a  testimony  relating  to  him  was  published  by  his  monthly  meeting. 
He  lived  in  great  simplicity  and  plainness  and  was  a  lover  of  peace  and 
labored  to  promote  good  feeling  among  liis  neighbors.  At  the  advanced  age 
of  ninety  years  he  was  a  constant  attendant  at  his  church  and  was  a  minister 
of  the  same  for  over  seventy  years.  He  died,  May  29,  1778,  aged  ninety-five 
years. 

Griffith  John,  Jr.,  the  seventh  child  of  Griftith  John,  the  emigrant,  wa.s 
bom  in  Uwchlan  township,  Chester  county,  Pennsylvania,  August  2G,  1729. 
He  inherited  his  father's  farm  and  was  a  farmer  by  occujiation.  On  the  13th 
of  March,  1752,  he  married  Sarah  Lloyd,  daughter  of  Humphrey  Lloyd,  and 
reared  a  family  of  eight  children,  consisting  of  one  son  and  seven  daiighters, 
one  son  having  died  in  infancy.  During  the  Revolutionary  war,  while  both 
arpiies  were  for  some  time  within  a  few  miles  of  his  home,  he  seems  to  have 
been  fortunate  in  not  suffering  any  losses  thereby.  His  children,  when  grown 
up  and  married,  all  migrated  to  what  was  then  Northumberland  county  about 
1795,  and  settled  at  various  points.  Upon  the  death  of  his  wife  he  sold  his 
farm,  and  a  few  years  afterwards  moved  to  Shamokin  township,  and  lived 
with  his  only  son,  Abia  John.  He  died,  August  21,  1811,  aged  eighty-two 
years,  and  was  buried  at  Roaring  Creek  burying  ground. 

Abi.\.  John,  the  only  son  who  grew  to  maturity  of  Griffith  John,  the 
farmer,  and  grandson  of  Griffith  John,  the  emigrant,  was  born  on  the  old 
homestead  in  Uwchlan  township,  Chester  county,  November  20,  1701.  He 
was  reared  on  the  farm,  but  acquired  a  good  business  education.  On  th(» 
8th  of  March,  1788,  he  married  Martha,  daughter  of  his  uncle,  Reuben  John. 
In  1795  he  moved  to  Northumberland  county  and  reached  Shamokin  town- 
ship on  May  5th  of  the  same  year.  He  rented  rooms  from  one  of  the  first 
settlers  and  went  right  in  the  woods  and  took  up  a  tract  of  land.  He  put 
up  a  small  log  house  and  commenced  clearing  off  his  farm.  The  country 
was  infested  with  wild  animals,  and  for  some  years  the  nights  were  made 
hideous  by  their  screams  and  howls.  The  scanty  products  of  his  place  that 
he  had  to  spare  were  hauled  over  miserable  mountain  roads  to  Reading, 
where  they  were  sold  and  exchanged  for  articles  of  food  and  clothing.  But 
he  was  a  man  of  determination  and  succeeded  in  life.  He  was  a  practical 
surveyor  and  conveyancer,  and  soon  acquired  a  very  extensive  business.  In 
1809  Governor  Snyder  appointed  him  a  justice  of  the  peace,  which  office  he 
held  until  1830,  and  did  a  very  large  business.  He  was  a  man  of  integrity 
and  excellent  judgment,  and  his  coimsel  was  regarded  as  safe  to  be  followed. 
He  was  held  in  high  esteem  by  the  court  and  attorneys  at  the  county  seat. 
He  became  an  extensive  land  holder,  and  retired  from  business  in  his  old 
days  in  comfortable  circumstances.     In  religious  faith  both  he  and  his  wife 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  1185 

were  Quakers.  Hi.s  wife  was  a  woman  of  more  than  common  ability  and 
imder  favorable  surroundings  would  have  been  noted  for  her  intelligence. 
He  left  thirteen  children,  all  of  whom  reached  their  majority.  They  were 
as  follows:  Asa  T. ;  Hiram;  Emily,  who  married  Levi  Hughes,  and  after  his 
death  Abisha  Thomas;  Griffith:  Reuben;  Lydia,  who  married  John  Wolver- 
ton.  and  after  his  death  Amos  Yarnall;  Sarah;  Jesse  J.;  Elida;  Samuel; 
Jehu:  Ehza,  and  Perry,  all  of  whom  are  dead  excepting  the  last  mentioned. 
Abia  John  died,  April  27,  183S,  and  was  buried  at  Catawissa.  His  wife 
died,  November  10,  1840,  and  was  buried  at  the  same  place. 

As.i  TowNSEND  John,  the  oldest  child  of  Abia  John,  was  born  in  Chester 
county.  Pennsylvania.  December  10.  1788,  and  came  with  his  father  to 
Northiunberland  cotmty  in  1795.  He  was  reared  on  a  farm,  and  secured  a 
fair  education  for  those  pioneer  days.  In  1810  he  married  Mary  Thomas, 
who  bore  him  the  following  children;  Abia;  Enoch,  who  died  at  an  early 
age;  Townsend.  who  died  at  the  age  of  twenty;  Joseph  T. ;  Jesse  G.,  de- 
ceased, a  late  resident  of  Mt.  Carmel,  and  at  one  time  chief  burgess  of  that 
toNvn;  Ann,  who  married  John  Kester,  now  a  resident  of  Philadelphia,  and 
Amos  Y.  All  of  these  children  are  dead.  Abia  John  is  noted  as  the  first 
person  who  taught  school  in  the  town  of  Shamokin.  Joseph  T.  lived  on  the 
old  homestead,  and  his  widow  is  still  residing  there.  Asa  T.  John  was  a 
farmer  by  occupation,  and  also  a  tanner,  having  started  a  small  tannery  on 
his  farm  about  182").  The  sole  leather  from  this  tannery  was  noted  for  its 
enduring  qualities,  and  was  in  great  demand  among  the  pioneers  of  that 
vicinity.  He  was  one  of  the  original  members  of  the  Society  of  Friends 
established  in  Ralpho  township,  and  died,  February  2,  18*38,  aged  eighty 
years. 

Jesse  Jones  John,  the  fifth  son  of  Abia  John,  was  born  in  Shamokin  (now 
Ralpho)  to\vuship,  Northumberland  county,  March  9,  1803.  He  acquired  a 
good  practical  education  and  excelled  in  mathematical  studies.  He  was  a 
teacher  for  several  years,  and  subsequently  became  engaged  in  surveying 
and  engineering.  About  1828  he  assisted  in  making  the  first  experimental 
survey  for  a  railroad  from  Pottsville  to  Danville.  At  this  period  he  surveyed  ' 
a  number  of  coal  land  tracts  in  and  about  Shamokin,  and  acquired  an  inter- 
est in  the  old  forgo  near  Paxinos.  In  October,  1828,  he  married  Eliza  V. 
Hicks,  only  daughter  of  Dr.  Gilbert  E.  Hicks,  of  Catawissa,  a  noted  prac- 
titioner of  those  times.  By  this  marriage  one  son  was  born.  Dr.  J.  J.  John, 
of  Shamokin,  Pennsylvania.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  died,  September  2, 
1829,  acred  twenty-six  years,  and  was  interred  at  Catawissa  in  the  Friends' 
burying  ground.  His  widow  married,  in  1839,  John  Walter,  of  Chester 
county,  and  resided  on  the  old  homestead  near  Bear  Gap  until  her  death, 
February  15,  1889. 

Elida  John,  the  ninth  child  of  Abia  John,  was  born  upon  the  old  home- 
stead in  Shamokin  (now  Ralpho)  township,  Northumberland  county,  August 


1186  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

29,  1S05.  He  acquired  a  fair  business  education,  and  taught  school  during 
the  winter  seasons  for  several  years.  He  served  as  justice  of  the  peace,  was 
a  surveyor,  and  was  much  occupied  in  settling  up  various  estates.  While 
qiiite  a  young  man  he  married  Sarah  Hughes,  of  the  same  to\%"nship,  and 
reared  a  family  of  ten  children:  Palemon,  founder  of  the  Bloomsburg  Re- 
publican; Edwin;  Martha;  Abia  C. ;  Ruth  A.;  Hugh;  Chalkley:  Sallie; 
George  D.,  and  Emma.  When  the  school  system-  was  adopted  in  Shamokin 
township,  Elida  John  was  one  of  the  first  directors,  and  all  through  life  took 
an  active  interest  in  educational  matters.  About  1840  he  commenced  taking 
an  active  part  in  the  anti-slavery  movement,  and  speakers  who  advocated 
those  doctrines  and  were  mobbed  for  so  doing  were  protected  by  him.  On 
several  occasions  his  home  furnished  refuge  for  escaped  slaves,  and  his  house 
was  recognized  as  a  station  on  the  Underground  railroad.  He  was  always 
an  active  temperance  worker,  was  a  leading  member  of  the  Society  of 
Friends,  and  frequently  represented  his  society  in  yearly  meetings  at  Phila- 
delphia. Mr.  John  was  one  of  the  first  directors  of  the  Shamokin  Bank,  and 
was  well  and  favorably  known  throughout  the  county.  In  ISMS  he  removed 
to  Whiteside  county,  Illinois,  where  he  purchased  considerable  land,  and  died 
there  in  1888.     Nearly  all  of  his  children  are  residents  of  that  State. 

Perry  John,  farmer,  was  born  in  what  is  now  Ealpho  township.  North- 
umberland county,  Pennsylvania,  in  1815,  the  youngest  son  of  Abia  and 
Martha  John.  He  was  reared  upon  the  farm,  and  learned  the  wheelwright 
trade  with  Ezra  Hayluirst,  of  Catawissa,  and  subsequently  purchased  the 
business,  which  ho  conducted  some  years,  when  he  established  his  business 
near  Paxinos,  which  he  conducted  thirty  years.  Mr.  John,  like  his  father, 
has  always  been  a  member  of  the  Society  of  Friends,  and  in  IN 43  in  connec- 
tion with  his  brothers  organized  the  Friends'  society  of  Kalpho  townshi[), 
and  abotit  1844  erected  the  meeting  hottse.  Mr.  John  is  a  minister  of  the 
society,  has  preached  in  different  localities  for  a  number  of  years,  and  is  the 
only  living  representative  of  the  original  congregation  organized  nearly  fifty 
years  ago.  He  was  married  in  1837  to  Aimie,  daughter  of  Ezra  Eves,  of 
Millville,  Columbia  county,  Pennsylvania,  who  died  in  185U.  leaving  one 
child,  who  is  deceased.  In  1842  he  married  Rebecca,  daughter  of  Z.  Vnder- 
wood,  of  Centre  county,  Pennsylvania,  who  died  in  1877;  by  this  union  there 
were  two  children:  Grifiith  and  William.  Mr.  John  is  one  of  the  oldest 
living  "residents  of  what  is  now  Ealpho  township.  In  the  community  in 
which  he  has  spent  his  life  he  is  much  respected  for  his  consistency  of  char- 
acter, and  beloved  for  his  kindly  nature.  In  early  life  he  was  a  Whig,  and 
since  the  formation  of  the  Republican  party  he  has  been  a  member  of  that 
organization,  but  has  never  sought  or  accepted  public  office  of  any  kind. 

Griffith,  the  eldest  son,  was  born  in  Ralpho  township  in  1S43.  He  was 
educated  in  the  public  schools,  and  at  the  age  of  eighteen  years  commenced 
teaching  in  the  public  and  private  schools  in  various  parts  of  the  State, 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  11S7 

which  was  his  occupation  for  more  than  twenty  years.     He  is  also  a  member 
of  the  Society  of  Friends,  and  in  his  pohtical  affihations  a  Republican. 

William  was  born  upon  the  homestead  and  received  his  education  at  the 
public  schools,  and  has  followed  teaching  and  farming.  He  was  married  in 
1875  to  Ruth  Roberts,  who  died  in  187U,  leaving  four  children:  Mary;  Re- 
becca; Rachel,  and  Ruth.  He,  like  his  father  and  brother,  is  a  member  of 
.  the  Society  of  Friends,  and  in  his  political  aiiiliations  a  Republican. 

Mrs.  Eliza  V.  Walter  was  born  at  Catawissa,  Pennsylvania,  December 
28,  1802,  and  died  at  her  residence,  on  Rimnymede  farm,  three  miles  east  of 
Elysburg,  February  15,  ISSU,  at  the  advanced  age  of  eighty-six  years,  one 
month,  and  seventeen  days.  She  was  descended  from  a  branch  of  an  old 
English  family  that  came  to  America  with  the  Pilj^rims.  On  the  11th 
day  of  June,  1G21,  the  ship  Forttote  arrived  at  PhTuouth,  Massachusetts, 
direct  from  London,  bringing  over  the  balance  of  the  Pilgrim  colony  that  the 
Mayflower  was  unable  to  carry  the  year  previous.  Among  the  colonists  on 
board  of  the  Fortune  was  Robert  Hicks,  the  ancestor  of  the  Hicks  family  in 
America.  His  settlement  in  the  new  world  was  only  fourteen  years  later 
than  the  tirst  permanent  English  settlement  at  Jamestowii,  Virginia.  He 
was  a  lineal  descendant  of  Ellis  Hicks,  who  was  knighted  on  the  battle 
field  of  Poitiers  in  France  by  the  Black  Prince  in  135<i.  Mrs.  Walter  was 
the  only  daughter  of  Dr.  Gilbert  E.  Hicks,  a  prominent  physician  some 
sixty  years  ago.  She  received  an  excellent  education  from  such  teachers  as 
Mrs.  Paxson  and  Ellis  Hughes,  both  noted  as  instructors.  She  was  not  only 
well  versed  in  the  English  classics  and  standard  authors  of  that  period,  but 
kept  herself  posted  on  the  passing  events  of  the  times  by  closely  reading  the 
newspapers.  She  was  an  occasional  contributor  to  the  Shamokin  Herald 
during  the  time  it  was  published  by  O.  il.  Fowler.  Mrs.  Walter  was  a  life- 
long member  of  the  Society  of  Friends,  and  on  several  occasions  repre.sented 
her  society  at  the  Philadelphia  yearly  meeting.  She  was  liberal  and  con- 
.servative  in  her  religious  opinions  and  was  tirmly  settled  in  her  convictions. 
She  was  twice  married;  tir.st  to  Jesse  Jones  John,  having  one  son,  Dr.  J.  J. 
John,  of  Shamokin;  and  afterwards  to  John  Walter,  of  Chester  county.  By 
the  second  marriage  she  had  three  children:  W.  E.  Walter,  of  Ralpho  town- 
ship, now  deceased;  Mary  Emma  Walter,  of  Catawissa,  and  Anna  M.  Orms- 
bv,  of  Philadelphia.  She  continued  quite  active  and  enjoyed  good  health 
until  a  few  days  before  her  death.  She  was  buried  at  the  ancient  burial 
o-round  of  the  Friends  at  Catawissa,  where  a  large  number  of  her  kindred 
are  at  rest. 

The  Muexch  Fajiilv. — Charles  E.  Muench  was  a  descendant  of  a  French 
family  of  nobility  by  the  name  of  Beauvoir.  He  probably  crossed  the 
French  line  into  Germany  prior  to  the  French  Revolution,  and  took  the 
name  of  his  patrimonial  estate  ••  Munchhofen."  He  was  born  at  Mellenheim. 
on  the  Rhine,  January  7,  17t)l),  and  was  educated  at  Heidelburg,  where  he 


1188  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

spent  fourteen  years  preparing  for  the  ministry,  learning  five  different  lan- 
guages. He  inherited  a  large  fortune  and  a  landed  estate.  Marshall  Jour- 
dan  under  orders  of  the  French  Directory  (then  the  ruling  power  in  France), 
invaded  that  section  of  the  countrj-,  when,  in  defense  of  his  country,  Charles 
E.  raised  a  company  of  dragoons,  and  in  an  engagement  with  the  French 
his  left  arm  was  so  terribly  injured  that  it  became  partly  useless.  His  por- 
tion of  Germany  being  over-run,  and  in  possession  of  the  French  troops,  . 
he  gathered  together  his  personal  property,  abandoned  his  landed  estate,  and 
sailed  for  America.  On  the  voyage  they  were  overtaken  by  a  French  priva- 
teer, and  all  their  valuables  taken  from  them.  Penniless  he  landed  in  Phila- 
delphia with  his  wife,  whose  maiden  name  was  Margaret  Bieser,  and  eldest 
daughter.  Unable  to  obtain  employment  he  driftedto  Shafferstown,  Lebanon 
county,  Pennsylvania.  Here,  February  10,  1799,  his  eldest  son,  William 
Henry,  was  born.  From  Shafferstown  they  removed  to  different  points  in 
Pennsylvania,  locating  in  Lykens  valley,  near  Berrysburg,  where  Charles  E. 
Muench  engaged  in  school  teaching.     His  family  consisted  of  seven  children:  ; 

Juliana,  born  in  Germany,  who  married  Jacob  Wolf;  William  H. ;  Charles  S, 

F. ;  Susan,  wife  of  Jacob  Reigle;  Jacob  D.,  all  deceased;  Daniel  A.,  of  Har-  f 

risburg,  and  Margaret,  deceased  wife  of  Peter  K.  Miller.  Charles  E.  died 
at  Lykens  valley,  Dauphin  county,  in  1888,  and  his  wife  in  1.834,  both  aged 
sixty- four  years. 

WiLLi.\M  Henry  Miench  was  born  a  cripple,  and  his  parents  gave  him  as 
good  education  as  po^slble,  a  want  of  means  limiting  it  to  English  and  Ger- 
man. In  1819  Rev.  J.  P.  Shindel  proposed  that  William  H.  como  to  Sha- 
mokin  valley  to  teach  those  branches.  He  located  at  Reed's  Station,  where 
he  taught  twenty-four  years  at  the  same  place.  He  was  appointed  by  Gov- 
ernor Shultz  justice  of  the  peace  for  Shamokin  township,  which  once  included 
Shamokin,  Balpho,  Zerbe,  Coal,  Mt.  Carmel,  and  Cameron  townships,  which 
position  he  filled  thirty  years,  during  which  time  he  married  eighty-nine 
couples,  and  was  known  as  the  "marrying  squire."  Being  an  expert  and 
elegant  pensman,  this  opened  the  way  for  the  use  of  the  pen.  and  he  trans- 
acted an  immense  amount  of  business,  making  out  deeds  and  mortgages  for 
the  early  settlers.  He  served  as  county  commissioner  and  in  all  the  town- 
ship offices,  and  was  a  man  of  extensive  acquaintance  and  the  early  friend  of 
General  Simon  Cameron.  He  married  in  1820  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Jacob 
Reed;  his  death  occurred,  September  8,  188.").  He  was  an  elder  and  leading 
supporter  of  the  German  Reformed  church. 

Jacob  E.  Muench  was  born  at  the  old  homestead,  September  29,  1823, 
only  child  of  William  Henrj-  and  Ehzabeth  (Reed)  Muench.  When  a  young 
man  he  taught  in  the  township  schools  a  number  of  years,  but  his  principal 
occupation  has  been  that  of  a  farmer,  in  which  business  he  is  extensively 
engaged.  In  his  early  life  he  was  prominently  connected  with  the  State 
militia,  serving  fourteen  years.     He  was  appointed  by  Governor   Johnston 


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BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  1101 

first  lieutenant,  subsequently  elected  major,  and  in  1S53  was  appointed  brig- 
adier general  by  Governor  Bigler.  Mr.  Muench  is  a  Eepublican  in  his  polit- 
ical sentiments;  he  served  in  the  office  of  county  auditor  from  1S73  to  1875, 
and  as  to-vvnship  auditor  several  terms.  Mr.  Muench  has  always  been  an 
earnest  friend  to  the  cause  of  education,  tilling  the  office  of  school  director, 
of  which  board  he  was  secretary  eighteen  consecutive  years.  In  ISSG  he  was 
elected  justice  of  the  peace,  and  is  now  serving  in  that  office.  He  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  German  Reformed  church,  of  which  he  has  been  an  elder  five 
years.  He  was  married,  December  3,  1854,  to  Lavinia  SchoU,  who  died,  Sep- 
tember 1,  1802,  leaving  three  children:  Mary  E.,  wife  of  Jacob  S.  Eohrbach, 
of  Shamokin  township;  William  F.,  deceased,  and  Emma  E..  wife  of  Eeuben 
F.  Martz,  of  Shamokin  township.  November  28,  1878,  he  married  Hattie 
S.,  daughter  of  John  Cooper,  of  L'pper  Augiista  township. 

The  Vastine  Family. — William  Vastine,  deceased,  was  born  in  Rush 
township,  Northumberland  county,  Pennsylvania,  in  1810.  son  of  John  and 
Catharine  (Osborne)  Vastine.  He  settled  at  the  age  of  twenty-one  years  on 
the  farm  where  Simon  Vastine  now  lives,  and  was  a  farmer  and  distiller  by 
occupation.  He  was  a  large  land  owner,  cultivating  some  four  hundred 
acres.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Lutheran  church,  and  in  politics  was  a 
prominent  Whig  and  Republican.  He  married  in  1882  Elizabeth,  daughter 
of  John  Hursh,  and  their  children  were:  Amos;  Jacob  H.:  Hugh;  Simon: 
Ezra;  Elizabeth,  wife  of  Dr.  Joseph  Oglesby,  and  Daniel.  He  died  in  185U; 
his  widow  survived  him  until  the  spring  of  IS'.IO. 

Amos  Vastine,  deceased,  was  born  in  Rush  townsliip.  Northumberland 
county,  Pennsylvania,  in  1818,  son  of  John  and  Catharine  (O.sborne)  Va.stine. 
In  his  youth  he  came  to  what  is  now  .Raljiho  township  with  his  uncle, 
Thomas  Vastine,  who  settled  upon  the  land  now  in  possession  of  his 
daughter,  Catharine  Persing.  His  principal  business  was  farming,  but  at 
one  time  he  was  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business  at  Paxinos.  His  farm- 
ing pursuits  were  extensive,  as  he  o\vned  some  six  hundred  acres  of  land. 
Mr.  Vastine  also  owned  large  real  estate  interests  in  Mt.  Carmel.  He  was 
one  of  the  promoters  of  the  Mt.  Carmel  Savings  Bank,  of  which  he  was 
president  from  its  organization  until  his  death.  He  was  also  one  of  the 
organizers  of  the  Shamokin  Township  Fire  Insurance  Company,  of  which  he 
was  treasurer  at  the  time  of  his  death.  Politically  he  was  a  Republican, 
and  was  county  commissioner  from  1871  to  1874.  He  married  in  1837 
Susan,  daughter  of  Felix  Lerch,  and  by  this  union  they  were  the  parents  of 
sis  children,  four  of  whom  are  living:  John,  of  Ralpho  township:  Thomas, 
of  Ralpho  township;  Catharine,  wife  of  E.  S.  Persing.  of  Ralpho  township, 
and  Hattie,  wife  of  William  Metz,  of  Mt.  Carmel.  The  deceased  are  Sarah 
and  Felix.  Mr.  Vastine's  death  occurred.  November  15.  1889,  his  wife 
having  died,  July  12,  1888.  He  was  a  self-educated  man.  and  a  man  of 
rare  shrewdness  and  sagacity  in  all  business  relations.     He  was  well  read, 


1192  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

and  kept  himself  well  informed  on  all  current  events  and  important  ques- 
tions of  the  day.  He  brought  to  bear  during  his  active  life  application, 
vigor,  and  lidelity,  which  brought  to  him  many  trusts  of  a  public  and  private 
nature.  In  his  religious  preferences  he  was  a  Baptist,  of  which  church  he 
was  an  attendant.  He  was  a  warm  friend  to  the  cause  of  education,  and 
served  many  terms  upon  the  school  board  of  Ralpho  town.ship. 

John  Vastine,  eldest  son  of  Amos  and  Susan  (Lerch)  Vastine,  was  born 
upon  the  homestead  farm,  November  10, 1S44.  He  was  educated  at  the  public 
schools,  and  in  1870  settled  upon  his  present  farm  of  two  hundred  acres, 
where  he  has  since  resided  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits.  He  was 
married,  February  11.  1809,  to  Kate,  daughter  of  the  late  John  Bird,  of 
Shamokin.  Politically  Mr.  Ya.stine  is  a  Repu})lican,  and  he  and  wife  are 
members  of  the  Lutheran  church. 

Thomas  Vastine,  second  son  of  Amos  and  Susan  (Lerch)  Vastine.  was 
liorn  upon  the  homestead  farm.  October  24,  1847.  His  early  education  was 
obtained  at  the  common  schools  and  completed  at  Dickinson  Seminary,  of 
Williamsport,  Pennsylvania,  and  Lewisburg  Academy.  He  has  always 
followed  farming  as  an  occupation.  In  1877  he  located  upon  his  present 
place  of  one  hundred  fifteen  acres.  He  was  married,  January  20,  1871,  to 
Lizzie,  daughter  of  William  Haas,  and  by  this  luiion  they  have  had  five 
children,  two  of  whom  are  living:  Amos  and  Hattie.  In  his  political  con- 
nection ]\Ir.  Vastine  is  a  Kepublican.  and  always  manifests  an  interest  in  the 
success  of  his  party.     In  religious  faith  he  is  a  Lutheran. 

John  Boughner,  decestsed,  was  born  in  Hunterdon  county.  New  Jersey, 
and  in  1814  removed  to  Snydertown,  Pennsylvania.  In  the  same  year  he 
enlisted  in  a  company  organized  at  Snydertown  in  defense  of  Erie.  He  was 
a  tanner  by  trade,  bilt  after  his  settlement  at  Snydertown  engaged  in  the 
carpenter  business,  which  he  conducted  until  his  death.  He  was  one  of  the 
enterprising  men  of  his  locality,  and  held  many  minor  township  offices.  He 
married  ilargaret  Colkie.  a  native  of  New  Jersey,  and  they  are  the  parents 
of  six  children:  Peter;  Mahlon,  deceased;  Charity,  who  married  Jonas  Gil- 
mer; Susanna,  who  al-^o  married  Jonas  Gilger;  Andrew  J.,  deceased,  and 
William,  deceased.     Mr.  Boughner  was  a  Republican  in  politics. 

Peter  Boughner,  retired,  was  born,  January  23,  1810,  at  Snydertown, 
Penn.sylvania,  son  of  John  and  Margaret  (Colkie)  Boughner.  He  received 
such  education  as  the  subscription  schools  of  that  period  afforded,  and  sub- 
sequently learned  the  carpenter  trade  with  his  father.  After  acquiring  his 
trade  he  settled  in  Shamokin,  Pennsylvania,  entered  the  employ  of  the  rail- 
road company,  and  later  was  placed  in  charge  of  repairs  and  construction 
from  Sunbury  to  Mt.  Carmel.  After  the  road  passed  into  the  hands  of  the 
Northern  Central,  and  the  new  road  was  laid  out,  Mr.  Boughner  in  connec- 
tion with  Mr.  Dunkelberger  laid  the  track  from  Shamokin  to  Mt.  Carmel, 
under  contract.     In  18o<)  he  was  placed  in  charge  of  grading  and  construe- 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  1193 

tion  of  the  streets  of  Trevorton.  With  the  exception  of  this  period  of  ei^rhteeu 
months  Mr.  Boughner  \yas  in  the  employ  of  the  Northern  Central  Railway 
Company  thirty  years.  Boughner  &  Gilger  bnilt  the  first  breaker  at  Luke 
Fidler  mine  and  Cleaver  &  Boughner  the  first  two  at  Locust  Gap.  :Mr. 
Boughner  was  married  in  1S8T  to  Margaret,  daughter  of  John  Repley.  wIkj 
died  in  1877:  by  this  union  they  were  the  parents  of  six  children:  Henry: 
Joseph:  John,  deceased:  Katherine.  deceased;  Lricy,  wife  of  Hoffman  Reed, 
and  Somerfield.  Mr.  Boughner  finally  retired  from  active  business  and 
purchased  the  farm  where  he  now  resides.  He  was  one  of  the  charter  mem- 
bers of  Shamokin  Lodges,  F.  &  A.  M.  and  I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  in  politics  he  is 
a  pronoimced  Republican. 

Sebastian  Boi-ghner.  deceased,  was  born  in  Hunterdon  county,  New 
Jersey.  He  enlisted  in  the  regular  army  and  served  at  Fort  Erie  with  a 
company  from  Phillipsburg.  New  Jersey,  and  at  the  close  of  his  term  of  en- 
listment he  settled  at  Snydertown,  Penn.sylvania,  and  engaged  at  the  carpen- 
ter business.  He  subsequently  removed  to  Sunbury,  where  he  died.  He 
married  Abbie  Snyder,  and  to  this  marriage  were  born  five  children:  Ri-lieeca: 
Isaac:  Silas:  Harriet,  and  Lydia. 

Solomon  ]Martz.  farmer,  was  Ijorn  in  Upper  Augusta  township,  North- 
umberland county,  Pennsylvania,  March  22,  ISIS,  son  of  Henry  and  Eliza- 
beth (Fagely)  ]Martz.  His  paternal  grandfather  was  David  Martz,  who,  with 
his  l)rother  Jacob,  came  from  Berks  county  towards  the  close  of  the  last  cent- 
ury, and  si>ttled  on  Shamokin  creek,  three  miles  south  of  Sunbury.  David 
was  a  blacksmith,  and  engaged  in  that  business  in  connection  with  farming. 
He  married  Barbara  Miller,  and  to  this  union  were  born  five  sons  and  two 
daughters:  David:  Henry;  Peter:  Afjraham,  and  George,  all  of  whom,  with 
the  exception  of  Henry,  removed  to  Dayton,  Ohio,  where  they  died. 
The  daughters  wen-  Susan,  wlio  married  John  Richstine,  and  Elizabeth,  who 
became  the  wife  of  Abraham  Arter.  Henry,  the  father  of  our  subject,  was 
born  upon  the  homestead  in  Shamokin  township,  Northuml)erland  county. 
He  was  a  farmer  by  occupation,  and  married  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Chris- 
tian and  Magdalena  Fagely,  pioneers  of  Shamokin  township.  Their  children 
were:  Hettie:  Katie:  Mary  Ann.  and  George,  all  deceased;  Solomon,  and 
Nathan.  Both  the  parents  died  in  Shamokin  and  are  buried  at  St.  Peter's 
graveyard.  "When  a  youtli  of  seven  years  the  subject  of  this  sketch  went  to 
live  with  his  uncle.  Solonv^n  Fagely,  of  Shamokin  township,  with  whom  he 
remained  until  he  was  eighteen  years  old,  when  he  entered  the  employ  of  his 
uncles,  Amos,  George,  and  Nathan  Fagely,  as  a  clerk  in  their  store  at  Mauch 
'  Chunk,  where  he  remained  sixteen  months,  when  he  returned  to  Shamokin 
and  entered  the  employ  of  William  and  Reuben  Fagely,  with  whom  he 
remained  one  year.  He  then  went  to  Mt.  Carmel,  and  was  emjiloyed  by 
Solomon  Fagely,  who  kept  a  tavern  there,  remaining  with  him  one  year.  At 
this  period  a  stage  line  was  started  between  Mt.  Carmel  and  Shamokin,  and 


1  194  HISTORY    OF    NORTHDMBEliLAND    COUNTY. 

he  was  appointed  driver  and  mail  carrier,  which  position  he  filled  a  few 
months.  He  was  then  appointed  to  the  same  position  on  the  stage  line  be- 
tween Pottsville  and  Northumberland,  where  he  remained  one  year,  and  is 
the  last  living  representative  of  that  useful  class  in  that  vicinity.  He 
returned  to  Shamokin  and  was  elected  supervisor  of  Coal  township,  having 
charge  of  the  roads  from  Mt.  Carmel  to  Trevorton,  which  position  he  filled 
two  years.  At  this  time  he  received  a  contract  from  William  and  Keuben 
Fagely  for  hauling  coal  over  the  railroad  from  Shamokin  to  Sunbury,  and  was 
engaged  at  this  seven  years,  when  he  settled  upon  his  present  farm  at  Reed"s 
Station.  Mr.  Martz  was  married,  April  6,  1841,  to  Hannah,  daughter  of 
John  Reed,  of  Shamokin  township.  They  are  the  parents  of  seven  children: 
Isabella,  deceased;  Sophronia,  deceased;  George;  Reuben;  John  Henry: 
Jesse,  and  William  F.,  deceased.  In  his  political  affiliations  Mr.  Martz  is  a 
stalwart  Republican,  and  has  always  taken  great  interest  in  the  success  of 
his  party.  He  has  never  desired  any  public  office,  but  consented  to  serve  in 
the  office  of  overseer  of  the  poor  for  one  year  since  he  has  been  a  resident  of 
Shamokin  township.  In  religious  belief  he  is  a  German  Reformed,  of  which 
church  he  and  family  are  attendants.  When  Jacob's  Lutheran  and  Re- 
formed church  was  rebuilt  in  1S70  Mr.  Martz  contributed  the  necessary 
amount  of  brick,  one  hundred  thousand,  for  that  purpose,  and  his  children 
contributed  the  money,  twelve  hundred  dollars,  to  erect  the  steeple.  Mr. 
Martz's  liberal  disposition  has  prompted  him  through  life  to  extend  a  helji- 
ing  hand  to  those  in  need,  and  he  is  respected  for  his  open-heart edness  and 
philanthropic  nature,  which  has  contributed  in  no  small  degree  to  his  stand- 
ing as  a  citizen  and  success  as  a  man. 

Samuel  Sober,  deceased,  a  native  of  New  Jersey,  settled  in  Shamokin 
township  shortly  after  the  close  of  the  Revolutionary  War.  He  purchased  a 
tract  of  land  containing  about  seven  hundred  acres,  situated  where  the  Sober 
brothers  now  reside.  He  married  a  Miss  Moore,  a  resident  of  Shamokin 
town.ship.  His  children  were:  John;  Michael;  Susan,  who  married  Morris 
Smith;  Alexander;  Isaac,  and  Aaron.     His  death  occi;rred  about  1820. 

Is.\AC  Sober,  deceased,  was  the  fourth  son  of  Samuel  Sober,  Sr.  He  was 
born,  February  23,  1814,  upon  the  homestead  in  Shamokin  township.  He 
received  such  education  as  the  schools  of  those  days  afforded,  and  was  reared 
a  farmer,  which  occupation  he  followed  through  life.  He  inherited  the  home- 
stead farm  which  is  now  in  the  possession  of  his  family.  Mr.  Sober  was  one 
of  the  enterprising  men  of  his  day;  a  warm  friend  of  education,  he  spent  a 
good  deal  of  time  and  money  in  estivblishing  the  public  school  system  in  Sha- 
mokin township  and  served  on  the  school  board  many  years.  In  politics  he 
was  a  pronounced  Democrat,  and  in  religious  faith  a  Presbyterian.  Mr. 
Sober  married  in  1837  Mary,  daughter  of  George  Krickbaum,  who  survives 
him.  By  this  imion  they  were  the  parents  of  the  following  children:  Free- 
man  W.,  of  Virginia;  Harriet,   wife  of   Samuel   Swineheart,   of    Shamokin 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  1195 

township;  Coleman  K.,  of  Lewisburg,  Pennsylvania;  Clinton  D..  of  Sbamo- 
kin  township:  Isabella,  wife  of  Francis  Geiger,  of  Shamokin.  Pennsylvania; 
Barbara  A.,  wife  of  Mahlon  Moyer  of  Shamokin;  Amanda,  wife  of  George 
Startzel,  of  Shamokin;  M.  L.,  of  Shamokin  township;  Martha  S.:  Adaline. 
deceased,  who  married  A.  J.  Campbell,  and  Clara,  wife  of  Doctor  HoUen- 
back  of  Shamokin.     Mr.  Sober  died  in  1882. 

Alex.^ndee  Sober,  deceased,  was  born  in  Shamokin  township.  Northum- 
berland county,  Pennsylvania,  upon  the  homestead  farm  in  3S0T.  son  of  Sam- 
uel Sober,  Sr.  He  was  a  farmer  throughout  life,  and  inherited  a  r«3rtion  of 
the  homestead  farm.  He  married  Mary  Fay,  who  bore  him  ten  children: 
Samuel;  Beulah;  Uriah:  Abram;  Morris;  Isaac;  Mary  A.;  Susanna:  Josei)h, 
and  William.     Mr.  Sober  died  in  180U. 

S.iMCEL  Sober,  the  eldest  son  of  Alexander  and  Mary  (Fayi  Solder,  was 
born  in  Shamokin  township  in  1881.  He  was  reared  a  farmer,  which  occu- 
pation he  followed  through  life.  He  married,  February  111  lS-"iT,  Sarah 
Bloom,  and  by  this  union  they  are  the  parents  of  three  children:  Jeaunetta: 
Ursula,  and  U.  W.  Politically  Mr.  Sober  is  a  Democrat,  and  one  of  the 
respected  citizens  of  Shamokin  township. 

Clinton  D.  Sober,  farmer,  was  born,  August  12.  1844,  son  of  Isaac  and 
Mary  (Krickbaum)  Sober.  He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  and  reared 
upon  the  homestead  farm.  Ho  married  Maggie,  daughter  of  Rev.  J.  W. 
Swank,  of  Lancaster  City,  Pennsylvania.  In  1878,  in  connection  with  his 
lirother,  Martin  L.,  they  formed  the  tirm  of  Sober  Brothers,  and  are  engaged 
in  farming  and  the  lumber  busines.s.  Politically  Mr.  Sober  is  a  Democrat, 
and  is  one  of  the  enterprising  business  men  of  Northumberland  county. 

Martin  Luther  Sober,  farmer  and  lumber  dealer,  was  bom  in  18-31,  son 
of  Isaac  and  Mary  (Krickbaum)  Sober.  He  received  his  education  at  the 
common  schools,  and  his  early  life  was  spent  upon  the  homestead  engaged  in 
farming.  In  1878  he  associated  himself  with  his  brother.  Clinton  D.,  under 
the  tirm  name  of  Sober  Brothers,  farmers  and  lumber  dealers.  He  married 
Sarah  A.,  daughter  of  John  Fisher,  and  thoy  are  the  parents  of  four  children: 
Albert;  Zella;  Cora,  and  Gertie.  Politically  he  is  a  warm  Democrat,  and 
one  of  the  pushing  and  enterprising  business  men  of  the  county. 

Daniel  Krigbaum,  miller  and  farmer,  was  bom  in  Snyderto^vn.  Pennsyl- 
vania, in  1813,  son  of  William  and  Marv"  (Gonsar)  Krigbauju.  His  paternal 
grandfather,  John  Adam  Krigbaum,  a  native  of  Berks  county,  settled  in  Plum 
Creek  valley,  and  later  purchased  eighty  acres  of  land  at  Eeed's  Station.  He 
married  a  sister  of  Governor  Snyder,  who  bore  him  five  sons:  John:  William; 
George;  Daniel,  and  Jonathan.  William,  the  second  son,  was  bom  in  Berks 
county,  and  removed  with  his  parents  to  this  county  when  nine  years  of  age. 
He  was  a  miller  by  occupation,  and  was  engaged  at  that  business  ten  years 
at  Snyderto^^Ti.  In  1822  he  purchased  a  farm  of  one  hundred  fifty  acres  of 
land  in  Shamokin  township,  where  he  remained  until  1836,  when  he  pu»- 


1196  HISTORY    OF   NOKTHCMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

chased  the  mill  property  and  a  farm  of  one  hundred  acres  where  our  subject 
now  resides.  His  family  consisted  of  five  children:  Catharine,  deceased: 
Kebecca,  deceased;  Daniel;  Harriet,  widow  of  David  Reeser,  of  Shamokin, 
and  Julia  Ann,  deceased.  The  subject  of  our  sketch  learned  the  milling 
trade  and  succeeded  to  the  business  of  his  father,  and  is  also  extensively  en- 
gaged in  farming.  He  was  married  in  1849  to  Sarah,  daughter  of  John 
Duttinger,  of  Shamokin  township,  and  they  are  the  parents  of  seven  children: 
Mary  J.,  wife  of  Joseph  Buddinger.  of  Mt.  Camel;  William  F..  who  is  engaged 
in  business  with  his  father;  Julia  A.,  wife  of  William  H.  Mettler,  of  Rush 
township;  Christian;  John  W. :  Daniel  W.,  and  Adam  E.  In  politics  Mr. 
Krigbaum  is  a  Rejiublican,  and  has  always  manifested  a  lively  interest  in  the 
success  of  his  party,  but  never  sought  public  office  of  any  kind,  and  never 
served  in  any  office  of  public  trust  excepting  that  of  postmaster,  which  posi- 
tion he  filled  nine  years  at  Bear  Gap.  In  religious  faith  he  is  a  Lutheran, 
and  is  one  of  the  respected  citizens  of  the  township. 

Solomon  R.  Krick.  son  of  George  and  Mary  Krick,  was  born  in  Cumru 
township,  Berks  county,  Pennsylvania,  October  17,  1772,  and  in  1801)  settled 
on  the  land  in  Ralpho  township,  Northumberland  county,  now  owned  by  his 
grandson,  John  Krick.  He  was  thrice  married;  his  first  wife  was  Elizal:)eth 
Homan,  by  whom  he  had  three  sons:  George;  Peter,  and  David,  all  of  whom 
are  dead.  His  second  wife  was  Elizabeth  Geist,  by  whom  he  had  one  son, 
Solomon.  His  third  wife  was  Elizabeth  Wearing.  Mr.  Krick  was  a  man  of 
some  local  prominence  and  great  force  of  character,  and  served  in  several 
township  offices.  In  politics  he  was  originally  a  Whig,  and  in  later  years  a 
Democrat.  In  religion  he  was  a  member  of  the  German  Reformed  denomi- 
nation, and  an  elder  and  deacon  in  Jacob's  church  many  years.  His  death 
occurred,  September  27,  1849,  and  he  was  buried  in  the  old  grave-yard  at 
St.  Peter's  church.     He  was  a  veteran  of  the  war  of  1812. 

George  Krick,  eldest  son  of  Solomon  and  Elizabeth  (Homan)  Krick, 
was  born  in  Berks  county,  Pennsylvania,  February  14,  1804.  He  was  reared 
upon  the  homestead  in  what  is  now  Ralpho  township,  and  attended  the  rude 
log  school  house  of  that  period  He  learned  the  trade  of  weaver,  and  lived 
for  a  time  in  Rush  township  and  at  Snydertown.  For  several  years  he  was 
employed  upon  the  construction  of  the  Northern  Central  railway.  After  his 
marriage  he  cultivated  the  Hoover  farm,  and  in  March,  1849,  returned  to  the 
homestead,  which  he  inlierited  at  his  father's  death  in  the  same  year.  He 
was  an  ardent  Democrat,  and  filled  the  office  of  school  director  and  other 
townshiji  positions.  He  was  a  consistent  member  of  the  German  Reformed 
church,  and  an  elder  and  deacon  of  Jacob's  church  for  many  years.  He 
married  Anna  Hoover,  who  bore  him  a  family  of  six  children:  Mary  E.,  wife 
of  Robert  R.  Teitsworth;  Elizabeth,  wife  of  Dr.  J.  J.  John,  of  Shamokin; 
John;  William,  of  Shenandoah,  Pennsylvania;  Maggie,  wife  of  Rev.  Jacob 
F.  Wampole,  of  Freeburg,  Pennsylvania,  and  Annie.     Mr.  Krick  died,  Oc- 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  1197 

tobei-  15.  ISSS.  in  the  eighty-tiftb  year  of  his  age,  leaving  an  nntarnished 
reputation  for  honesty  and  truth.     His  wife  died,  June  20,  1SS3. 

John  Kp.ick.  farmer,  is  the  eldest  son  of  George  and  Anna  (Hoover)  Krick, 
and  was  born.  August  14,  1S34.  upon  the  homestead  where  he  now  resides. 
He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools,  and  has  always  been  engaged  in  farm- 
ing. Mr.  Krick  was  married,  December  28,  1803,  to  Margaret  Ellen,  daugh- 
ter of  Daniel  Swank,  of  Kalpho  township,  by  which  union  they  have  live 
children:  Emma,  wife  of  W.  C.  Kase,  of  Montour  county;  Mary  C. ;  George 
D. ;  Charles  F.,  and  Lizzie  E.  Mr.  Krick  is  one  of  the  members  of  the  town- 
ship school  board,  and  in  religious  faith  a  Lutheran,  in  which  church  he  has 
served  as  elder  and  deacon.  Politically  he  is  a  stanch  Democrat,  and  is  one 
of  the  worthy  citizens  of  his  native  to^vnshi2■>. 

The  Fisher  Family  of  Northumberland  county  are  descended  from 
Josej)h  and  Catharine  (]Minegar|  Fisher,  natives  of  Germany,  born  in  April, 
1734.  and  August.  174(i,  respectively,  and  married,  June  5,  17*54.  Tiiey 
were  the  parents  of  the  following  children:  Catharine,  who  married  Nicholas 
Shipman:  Henry;  Mary,  who  married  Samuel  Mutchler;  Hannah,  who  be- 
came the  wife  of  Caleb  Farlee;  Elizabeth;  John;  Moses;  David;  Jacob,  and 
Joseph.  It  is  claimed  that  the  parents  settled  near  the  site  of  Catawissa,  in 
wliat  is  now  Columbia  county,  Pennsylvania,  some  time  in  the  last  century, 
but  prior  to  that  they  evidently  lived  in  Bradford  county,  where  their  oldest 
son.  Henry,  was  born,  July  2'>.  17<i7.  The  latter  resided  in  Columbia  county, 
wlience  he  removed  into  this  county.  He  was  the  father  of  eight  children: 
Jacob;  John:  Caleb;  Clot  worthy:  Joseph;  Sarali;  Elizabeth,  and  Catharine. 
He  located  upon  the  land  now  owned  by  Peter  Leisenring,  where  he  built  a 
grist  mill  and  tavern,  which  he  operated  many  years.  He  also  owned  about 
eighteen  acres  of  land  adjacent  to  tlie  mill  and  hotel  property.  His  death 
occurred  about  1825.  after  which  all  his  family,  excej)t  his  son  John,  left 
Northumberland  county. 

John  Fisher  was  born  in  Columbia  county,  Penn.sylvania,  September  20, 
ISOO,  son  of  Henry  Fisher.  He  was  a  miller  by  trade,  and  after  the  old  mill 
property  passed  into  the  hands  of  the  Leisenring  family,  he  was  engaged  as 
miller  for  them  until  1851.  He  then  purchased  tlie  Sober  mill,  now  known 
as  Reed"s  mill,  on  Shamokin  creek,  which  he  operated  until  1873  in  connec- 
tion with  his  farm  of  eighty  acres,  when  he  purchased  two  farms  in  Ealpho 
township.  His  son,  Albert  S.,  now  resides  upon  one,  and  his  daughter,  Mrs. 
Charles  Paul,  possesses  the  other.  He  married  Hannah,  daughter  of  Nich- 
olas Yocum.  His  death  occurred,  September  17,  1881,  his  widow  surviving 
him  luitil  August  11,  1889.  Politically  he  was  a  Eepublican,  and  a  member 
of  the  Methodist  church.  They  were  the  parents  of  fourteen  children,  two 
of  whom  died  in  infancy;  Clotworthy,  of  Snyder  county;  Sarah,  wife  of 
Joseph  Sanders;  Nicholas  Y.,  of  Indiana:  Esther,  widow  of  Charles  Martz,  of 
Shamokin;  Charles,  of  Columbia  countv:  Jacob  F.,  deceased;  James  B.,  de- 


1198  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

ceased;  Catharine,  wife  of  John  McWilliams,  of  Missouri;  Peter  Y.,  killed  at 
the  battle  of  Fredericksburg,  a  member  of  Company  C,  One  Hundred  and 
Thirty-first  Pennsylvania  Volunteers;  Margaret,  wife  of  Franklin  Martz,  of 
Columbia  county;  Albert  S.,  of  Ralpho  township;  Mary  J.,  wife  of  Peter  G. 
Bobb,  of  Paxinos;  Harvey  E.,  of  Boston,  Massachusetts,  and  Alice,  deceased 
wife  of  Charles  Paul. 

Albert  S.  Fisher  was  born  at  Bear  Gap,  Northumberland  county,  Penn- 
sylvania, March  2,  1843.  He  was  educated  at  the  public  schools.  Sejit em- 
ber 10,  ISni,  he  enlisted  in  Company  F,  Fiftieth  Pennsylvania  Volunteers, 
re-enlisted  in  ]8()4,  and  served  until  the  close  of  the  war.  He  participated 
in  the  following  battles:  Port  Royal,  Beaufort,  Port  Royal  Ferry,  Acquia, 
White  Sulphur  Springs,  second  Bull  Run,  Centreville,  and  Chantilly,  where 
he  was  wounded,  September  1,  1802,  receiving  a  gun-shot  wound  in  the  left 
thigh.  After  recovering  he  participated  in  the  battles  of  South  Mountain, 
Antietam,  siege  of  Vicksburg,  Bhie  Stone  Sulphur  Spring,  Hughes's  Ferry, 
Tenoir  Station,  Campbell  Station,  Knoxville,  the  Wilderness,  Ny  River,  and 
Spottsylvania  Court  House,  where  he  was  taken  prisoner  and  sent  to  Ander- 
sonville,  where  he  remained  four  months.  He  was  then  transferred  to  Flor- 
ence, South  Carolina,  where  he  was  confined  three  months.  He  was  paroled, 
December  13,  1SG4,  and  rejoined  his  regiment  in  April,  1805,  where  he  re- 
mained until  discharged.  At  the  close  of  the  war  he  engaged  with  his 
father  in  the  mill  one  year,  when  he  foimd  employment  with  the  Pennsyl- 
vania Railroad  Company,  where  he  remained  five  years.  In  1878  he  located 
upon  his  present  place,  and  has  since  been  engaged  in  cultivating  his  farm 
of  one  hundred  acres.  He  was  married  in  1808  to  Mary,  daughter  of  David 
Martz,  of  Ralpho  township;  by  this  union  they  have  two  children:  William 
E.  and  Margie  L.  Mr.  Fisher  is  a  member  of  Lincoln  Post,  G.  A.  11..  of 
Shamokin,  and  the  P.  O.  S.  of  A.  of  Paxinos,  and  a  member  of  the  German 
Reformed  church  of  Ralpho  township. 

Peter  Leisenring,  Sr.,  was  a  son  of  a  German  emigrant  who  settled  in 
Northampton  county,  Pennsylvania,  from  whom  the  Leisenrings  of  Lehigh 
and  Northumberland  counties  have  descended.  He  was  born,  February 
28,  177(\  in  Lehigh  county,  Pennsylvania,  came  to  this  county  in  ISO-l.  and 
settled  upon  a  tract  of  one  hundred  nine  acres  two  miles  south  of  Sunbury. 
He  erected  a  tannery,  and  was  also  engaged  in  distilling.  He  was  a  pro- 
gressive man,  and  carried  on  a  large  business  for  those  days.  He  introduced 
and  raised  the  first  red  clover  in  this  section  of  the  country,  and  planted  the 
first  fruit  orchard  in  his  locality.  He  married  Susan  Schod,  who  was  born  in 
Lehigh  county.  May  17,  1774,  and  brought  his  family  with  him,  consi-sting 
of  three  sons  and  two  daughters:  Jacob;  Gideon;  Peter;  Lydia,  wife  of 
Christian  Baldy,  and  Kittie,  wife  of  Martin  Weaver,  all  of  whom  are  deceased- 
Both  he  and  his  wife  died  in  this  county. 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  1199 

Jacob  Leiseseixg,  eldest  son  of  Peter  Leisenring,  was  bom  in  Lehigh 
county,  July  14,  1794.  He  learned  the  tanning  trade,  and  in  youth  was 
engaged  with  his  father  in  the  transportation  of  the  products  of  the  tannery, 
distillery,  and  farm  to  the  Philadelphia  market,  which  in  those  days  was  done 
by  teams.  It  is  said  he  used  to  carry  to  Philadelphia  large  simis  of  money 
to  purchase  supplies  for  the  surrounding  farmers.  In  the  war  of  1812  he 
enlisted  imder  Captain  Hummel  and  served  nine  months.  In  1S33  in  con- 
nection with  William  Cloyd,  whose  interest  he  subsequently  bought,  he  pur- 
chased the  Fisher  property,  where  his  son  Peter  now  lives,  consisting  of  one 
hundred  live  acres,  a  grist  mill,  and  tavern,  where  he  was  the  landlord  forty 
years.  He  subsequently  purchased  from  Benjamin  Tillman  the  adjoining 
farm  and  had  in  one  tract  live  hundred  sixty-five  acres,  and  at  Pasinos  a 
farm  of  two  hundred  acres.  He  was  a  man  of  line  executive  ability,  and  his 
opinion  and  judgment  was  much  sought  by  his  neighbors  and  friends. 
Politically  he  was  a  strong  Democrat,  and,  while  not  an  active  politician,  he 
manifested  much  interest  in  the  success  of  his  party.  He  gave  much  time 
and  thought  to  the  cultivation  and  improvement  of  his  land  and  management 
xof  his  other  interests,  and  by  industry  and  self-reliance  succeedeil  in  making 
himself  one  of  the  most  prominent  farmers  of  the  county.  He  married.  June 
13,  IS  19,  Mary,  daughter  of  Henry  Bucher  of  Sunbury,  who  died.  June  11, 
1S7B,  at  the  age  of  seventy-three  years  and  six  months.  His  death  occurred. 
May  11,  1878.  In  his  religious  faith  he  was  a  Lutheran,  of  which  church 
ho  was  a  life-long  member,  filling  the  office  of  deacon  many  years.  His 
family  consisted  of  nine  children,  seven  of  whom  reached  maturity:  Charles, 
deceased,  who  married  Maria  Haas;  Henry,  who  still  survives:  Lydia,  de- 
ceased wife  of  Benjamin  Wolverton;  Catharine,  widow  of  George  Hugh  want; 
Frank;  Mrs.  Doctor  Miffiin,  of  Paxinos,  and  Peter. 

Frank  Leisenring,  third  son  of  Jacob  and  Mary  (Bucher)  Leisenring, 
was  l)orn  in  1835  upon  the  homestead,  educated  in  the  public  schools,  and  is 
a  farmer  by  occupation.  He  married  in  1801  Angelina  Keller,  of  Ralpho 
township,  and  they  are  the  parents  of  two  children:  George  K.  and  Laura. 
jMr.  Leisenring  has  filled  many  of  the  minor  offices  of  the  township,  and  is 
one  of  the  present  members  of  the  school  board.  He  is  a  Democrat  in  poli- 
tics, and  a  member  of  the  Lutheran  church. 

Peter  Leisenring,  fourth  son  of  Jacob  and  ]Mary  (Bucheri  Leisenring, 
was  born,  May  1-,  184"_',  upon  the  homestead  farm  where  he  now  resides. 
He  was  educated  in  the  township  schools,  and  at  the  age  of  twenty-one  en- 
gao-ed  in  the  lumber  busine.ss,  which  he  carries  on  in  connection  with  his 
grist  and  saw  mill.  He  is  also  extensively  engaged  in  farming,  cultivating 
two  hundred  eighty  acres  of  land.  He  was  married  in  1876  to  Mary  A., 
daughter  of  Joseph  Sanders  of  Columbia  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  by  this 
union  they  have  two  children:  Jacob  E.  and  Mary  C.  Mr.  Leisenring  is  a 
pronounced  Democrat,  a  Lutheran  in  religious  faith,  and  is  one  of  Ralpho 
township's  influential  and  progressive  citizens. 


1200  HISTORY    OF   NORTHUMBEEXA'ND    COUNTY. 

Jacob  Eplee,  a  native  of  Tulpehocken  townshij),  Berks  county,  Pennsyl- 
vania, settled  in  Shamokin  about  the  year  ISIO.  He  married  in  Berks 
county,  and  his  family  consisted  of  ten  children.  His  son  Jacob  died  in 
Shamokin  township  in  1845;  his  wife  survived  him  about  tive  years.  Samuel 
Epler,  the  youngest  son,  was  bom  in  Shamokin  township  in  1810.  He  was 
reared  a  farmer,  and  in  1841  purchased  the  farm  containing  one  hundred 
twenty  acres  of  William  Walter,  where  his  .son,  Samuel,  now  resides.  In  his 
political  affiliations  he  was  a  warm  Democrat,  and  served  in  the  minor  town- 
ship offices.  In  his  religious  belief  Mr.  Epler  was  a  German  Keformed,  of 
which  church  he  was  a  prominent  member,  and  elder  for  many  years.  His 
death  occurred  in  1887;  his  -wife  died  in  1871.  His  family  consisted  of 
eight  children,  one  of  whom  died  in  infancy;  William  H.,  who  died  at  the 
age  of  twenty-three;  Valentine,  of  Rush  township:  Caroline,  wife  of  Solo- 
mon Pensyl;  John,  of  Point  to\vn-ship;  Henry  J.,  of  Saratoga,  New  York; 
Amos,  and  Samuel  M.,  of  Shamokin  to\\Tiship. 

S.\MrEL  M.  Epler  was  bom  at  the  homestead  farm.  Ajiril  S,  IS.'j'i,  son  of 
Samuel  and  Mary  (Zimmerman)  Epler.  He  received  liis  education  at 
the  township  schools  and  Freeburg  Academy,  in  Snyder  county,  Pennsylva- 
nia. In  early  life  Mr.  Eph-r  wa.s  engaged  in  teaching  in  the  schools  of 
Shamokin  township,  and  for  a  uumVxTof  years  has  been  engaged  in  farming. 
In  1888  he  established  iiis  coal  ba-iiiess  in  the  borougli  of  Sliamokin,  which 
he  0{)erates  in  connection  with  his  farai.  In  politics  Mr.  Epler  is  a  life-long 
Democrat,  and  is  a  leading  spirit  in  iiis  party.  He  has  served  in  the  office 
of  school  director  five  years.  He  is  an  earnest  friend  to  the  cause  of  educa- 
tion, which  he  is  always  ready  to  aid  with  iiis  means  and  influence.  He  has 
also  filled  the  offices  of  township  clerk,  constable,  overseer  of  the  poor,  and 
was  secretary  of  the  school  board  live  years.  He  married  Hannah  E.,  daugh- 
ter of  the  late  Charles  Hull,  in  l^M,  and  by  this  union  they  iiave  on(>  son, 
Charles  H.  Mr.  Epler  is  a  member  of  the  German  Reformed  church,  of 
Elysburg  Lodge,  F.  &  A.  M.,  and  is  an  enterprising  and  progressive  citizen. 

WiLLi.vM  Frederick  Kaseman  was  one  of  the  early  settlers  of  this  portion 
of  Northumberland  county.  He  was  born  in  Nassau-Dilburn,  Germany, 
June  8,  17f>0,  and  came  at  the  age  of  twelve  years  to  this  country,  with  a 
brother  and  sister,  landing  at  Philadelphia.  Little  is  known  of  his  early 
life  excepting  that  he  was  a  resident  of  Berks  county  from  1772  up  to  the 
date  of  his  coming  to  Northumberland  county,  about  181  o.  He  purchased 
a  tract  of  land  containing  fifty  acres  in  what  is  now  Ralpho  township,  which 
he  cleared,  and  afterwards  added  to  by  subsequent  purchases.  He  was  an 
excellent  farmer,  and  a  successful  business  man.  He  married,  in  Berks 
county,  Elizabeth  Himtzner,  and  they  were  the  parents  of  the  following 
children:  Jacob,  who  died  in  Ohio:  John;  Joseph;  Daniel;  David;  Lydia  A., 
who  married  John  Pensyl;  Catharine,  who  was  twice  married,  her  last  hus- 
band being   Gotleib  Fogle,   and  Elizabeth,  who   married  Leonard  Pensyl. 


BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES. 


1201 


William  Frederick  Kaseman  vras  well  known  throughout  the  sparsely  settled 
coimtr^-  at  that  time  for  his  great  physical  endurance.  \Vhen  he  first  made 
his  settlement  the  nearest  store  was  at  Sunbury,  where  he  would  go  bare- 
footed for  the  necessary  purchases  for  his  family,  up  to  within  four  years  of 
his  death.  August  1,  1867,  at  the  remarkable  age  of  one  hundred  seven,  he 
continued  to  "do  his  share  of  the  farm  work.  He  was  one  of  the  original 
members  of  St.  Peter's  Reformed  church,  of  which  he  was  an  elder,  and  was 
buried  in  the  old  graveyard  of  that  society.  His  wife  died  many  years  be- 
fore him.  and  of  his  familv  all  are  dead  but  one  son. 

Daniel  Kaseman.  the  only  living  son  of  William  F.  Kaseman,  was  born 
in  January.  l^U.  in  Berks  county,  and  resides  upon  the  old  homestead  m 
Ealpho  towns^hip.  He  received  such  education  as  could  be  obtained  at  the 
old  locr  school  houses,  and  learned  the  carpenter  trade,  which  he  followed  a 
number  of  vears,  when  he  settled  upon  the  homestead  farm,  where  he  has 
<;ince  lived'  He  was  married  in  1S34  to  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Frederick 
\dams,  who  died  in  Mav.  IS^S.  They  were  the  parents  of  eight  children: 
David-  Joseph,  deceased:  Lydia.  wife  of  Daniel  Camp;  Sybella,  wife  of 
Thomas  Everts:  Llovd,  deceased:  Joel;  Amanda,  wife  of  F.  P.  Martz,  and 
one  who  died  in  infai^cv.  Daniel  Kaseman,  like  his  father,  has  always  been 
a  pronounced  Democrat.  He  has  tilled  minor  to^vnshlp  offices,  and  is  a 
member  of  St  Peter's  Reformed  church,  of  which  he  has  been  an  elder  and 
deacon  Mr  Kaseman  has  retired  from  any  active  supervision  of  his  farm, 
and  David,  his  eldest  son.  in  connection  with  another  farmer,  is  engaged  in 
the  cultivation  of  both  places.  •  i  „„  1 

DvviD  K.sEMAN  was  bom  upon  the  homestead  m  1830,  son  of  Daniel  and 
Elizabeth  (Adams)  Kaseman.  He  was  educated  at  the  public  schools  ancl 
Earned  the  carpenter  trade,  which  he  followed  until  187o,  when  he  purchased 
his  place  and  has  since  been  occupied  in  farming.  He  was  married  in  18o , 
,u  Lena  dau^^hter  of  Jacob  Yeager,  and  by  this  union  they  have  been  the 
parents'of  ni^e  children,  six  of  whom  are  living:  Roselda,  wife  of  Lewis  Car- 
roll- James,  of  Shamokin:  Amelia,  wife  of  Lewis  Dunkleberger:  Clementine. 
^vife  of  Elmer  Lewis;  Leah  Elizabeth,  wife  of  Amos  Driesbach,  and  Henry. 
Air  Kaseman  has  filled  the  office  of  supervisor  two  terms;  politically  he  is  a 
Democrat,  and  is  a  member  of  the  German  Reformed  church,  of  which  he 
has  served  as  elder  and  deacon.  v  n  ^. 

John  Dcttinger,  farmer,  was  born  in  1828,  son  of  John  and  Mary  Esther 
,Reed)  Duttinger.  His  maternal  grandfather,  Casper  Reed  was  one  of  the 
pioneer  settler^  of  Shamokin  to.-nship.  The  paternal  grandfather  was  John 
.  Duttincer,  a  native  of  Germany  who  married  Elizabeth  Leise,  and  immi- 
.rated^vith  their  son  John,  to  this  country  about  the  beginning  of  the  pres- 
et ceiiturv.  and  settled  in  Alsace  township,  Berks  county,  Pennsylvania. 
Ibout  the'vear  1819  they  removed  to  Northumberland  county  and  settled  in 
Shamokin  iownship,  where  Dieblers  Station  is  now  located.     He  purchased 


1202  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

a  small  tract  of  land,  where  they  lived  until  their  death.  John,  their  son, 
was  born  in  1799.  He  was  a  wheelwright  and  blacksmith  by  trade,  which 
business  he  condiicted  at  the  old  homestead  luitil  his  death  in  1834.  He  was 
a  prominent  member  of  the  Lutheran  church,  of  which  he  was  an  elder  to 
the  time  of  his  death.  In  his  political  sentiments  he  was  a  pronounced 
Democrat.  He  married  Mary  Esther  Reed  about  the  year  1822,  and  she  bore 
him  five  children;  Sarah,  wife  of  Daniel  Krigbaum,  of  Ralpho  township; 
Jolm;  Lavinia,  wife  of  Solomon  Unger,  of  Columbia  county;  Peter,  and  Mary, 
who  died  young.  Mrs.  Duttinger  survived  her  husband,  and  married  John 
Miller,  a  resident  of  Shamokin. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  and  Dan- 
ville Academy.  He  learned  the  trade  of  blacksmith,  at  which  he  was  em- 
ployed until  February  29,  ISG-l,  when  he  enlisted  in  Company  G,  One  Hun- 
dred and  Eighty-fourth  Pennsylvania  Volunteers.  July  25,  1804,  at  the  battle 
before  Petersburg,  he  was  sun-struck,  removed  to  Herwood  hospital,  D.  C, 
and  sent  from  there  to  Philadelphia,  where  he  was  discharged,  DecemVjer  18, 
lSr)4,  for  disability.  After  his  return  he  located  upon  his  present  farm,  to 
which  he  has  added  until  he  possesses  one  hundred  acres  of  land.  He  was 
married  in  ISoO  to  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Joseph  Kaseman,  of  Shamokin 
township,  who  died  in  1858,  leaving  four  children:  Emma,  wife  of  George 
May,  of  Cameron  township;  John  F.,  deceased;  Florence  M.,  wife  of  George 
Biddinger,  of  Rush  township,  and  Anna  R.,  wife  of  George  Fessler,  of  Sha- 
mokin. Mr.  Duttinger  married  for  his  second  wife  Elizabeth,  daughter  of 
Reuben  Rupp,  of  Columliia  county,  and  to  this  union  were  born  ten  children: 
■\VilliamA.;  Lorenzo  M.;  Sarah  J.;  Harriet  M.;  Esther  C,  wife  of  Jacob 
Kline;  Daniel  F.;  Flora  J.;  George  E. ;  Irwin  L.,  and  Bertha  E.,  deceased. 
In  early  life  Mr.  Duttinger  was  a  Democrat,  but  after  the  war  became  a  Re- 
publican in  politics;  at  the  formation  of  the  Greenback  party  he  was  a  zeal- 
ous exponent  of  its  principles,  and  was  the  candidate  of  that  party  for  the 
legislature  in  1879;  he  was  defeated,  and  has  since  been  an  independent 
voter  with  Prohibition  proclivities. 

George  Hefley,  deceased,  was  a  native  of  Germany,  who  immigrated  to 
America  about  the  year  1810,  and  settled  near  Bloomsburg,  Columbia  county, 
Pennsylvania.  He  was  a  farmer  and  distiller  by  occupation.  He  married 
;Mary  Woomkistle,  of  Columbia  county,  and  they  were  the  parents  of  five 
children:  Lucy,  Mrs.  Worthman;  Mary,  Mrs.  Samuel  Bailer;  Lavina,  Mrs. 
Solomon  Hartley;  Sarah,  and  Charles,  all  deceased.  He  died  in  Columbia 
county  in  1847.  Charles  Hefley,  his  son,  was  born  in  Columbia  county  in 
1811,  and  was  reared  and  educated  there.  At  the  age  of  ten  years  he  entered 
a  store,  and  subsequently  engaged  in  that  business  in  Bloomsburg,  where  he 
died.  He  married  Margaret,  daughter  of  Jonathan  Vastine,  of  Rush  town- 
ship, and  to  this  union  were  born  three  children:  Elizabeth,  wife  of  Harvey 
Robins;    Harriet,   deceased,    and  George  W.     Mr.   Hefiey  was  a  prominent 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  1203 

Democrat,  and  a  member  of   the  Lutheran  church.     He  died  in  1S4S;  his 
wife  survived  him  until  1SS4. 

Geoege  W.  Hefley,  farmer,  was  born  in  Columbia  county  in  1843,  son  of 
Charles  and  Margaret  (Vastine)  Hetley.  After  his  father's  death  the  family 
removed  to  Elysburg,  where  he  was  reared  and  educated.  He  was  occupied 
in  farming  until  1865,  when  he  enlisted  in  Company  F,  One  Hundred  and 
Fourth  Pennsylvania  Volunteers,  and  served  until  the  close  of  the  war.  He 
was  with  General  Grant  before  Petersburg,  and  at  the  fall  of  Richmond. 
After  his  return  home,  in  connection  with  Harvey  Eobins,  he  engao-ed  in  the 
mercantile  business  in  Elysburg,  which  they  conducted  three  years,  when 
he  purchased  his  farm  of  one  hundred  seventy-two  acres  and  has  since 
been  engaged  in  farming.  He  was  married  in  1866  to  Emma,  daughter  of 
Matthias  Persing,  who  died  in  1887  leaving  two  children:  Harriet  and 
Harvey.  In  politics  Mr.  Hefley  is  a  warm  Republican,  and  manifests  great 
interest  in  the  success  of  his  party.  He  is  the  present  assessor,  which  posi- 
tion he  has  tilled  three  years.  In  faith  he  is  a  Lutheran,  of  which  church 
he  is  a  member  and  an  elder.  Mr.  Hefley  is  one  of  the  progressive  citizens 
of  Shamokin  township,  and  enjoys  the  respect  and  confidence  of  its  citizens. 
Emanuel  S.  Persing,  farmer,  was  born  in  August,  1843,  son  of  Matthias 
and  Johanna  (Parent)  Persing.  The  paternal  grandfather,  John  Persing. 
was  a  native  of  New  Jersey,  who  settled  in  Irish  valley,  upon  the  laud  now 
in  possession  of  Joseph  Bird,  at  an  early  date.  He  was  a  farmer  and  dis- 
tiller. He  married  in  New  Jersey  Ann  Larkins,  who  bore  him  ten  children: 
Benjamin,  deceased;  Washington,  of  Illinois;  William,  deceased;  Alfred,  de- 
ceased; Matthias,  deceased;  Nancy,  deceased,  who  married  Jacob  Goss;  Catha- 
rine, wife  of  Isaac  Teitsworth;  Mary  deceased,  who  married  John  Shipmau: 
Susan,  deceased  wife  of  a  Mr.  Willitt.  and  Sallie,  deceased,  who  married  Michael 
Taylor.  John  Persing  died  in  1858,  and  his  wife  in  1850.  Matthias,  the 
father  of  our  subject,  was  born  in  New  Jersey  about  1814.  He  was  reared 
upon  the  farm  in  Shamokin  township,  where  he  remained  until  his  death  in 
1873.  Politically  he  was  a  Republican,  and  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian 
church,  in  which  he  was  a  deacon.  His  wife  was  Johanna,  daughter  of 
Ephraim  Parent,  who  died  about  1871,  leaving  six  children:  Emanuel; 
Emma,  deceased  wife  of  George  Hefley;  Hamilton;  Edwin;  Ida,  deceased, 
who  married  Adoljihus  Hartman,  and  Ambrose,  who  married  Ida  Cook.  The 
subject  of  this  sketch  spent  his  early  life  in  Pottsville  and  upon  the  farm  in 
Shamokin  township.  In  1864  he  enlisted  in  Company  F,  One  Hundred 
and  Fourth  Pennsylvania  Volunteers,  and  served  until  the  close  of  the  war. 
After  his  return  he  attended  school  for  some  time,  and  engaged  in  farming, 
and  subsequently  in  mercantile  business.  He  is  now  engaged  in  farming. 
He  was  married  in  1867  to  Catharine,  daughter  of  Amos  Vastine,  and  by 
this  marriage  they  are  the  parents  of  four  children:  Anna  and  Sadie, 
both  deceased;  Amos,  and  Susan.  Politically  Mr.  Persing  is  a  Republican, 
and  is  a  member  of  the  F.  &  A.  M. 


120-4  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

James  Fox,  farmer,  was  born  in  Catawissa  township,  Columbia  county, 
Pennsylvania,  Febraary  28,  1813,  son  of  Jacob  and  Eachel  (Mclntire)  Fox. 
The  paternal  grandfather  was  a  native  of  Berks  county,  and  his  family  con- 
sisted of  six  sons  and  three  daughters.  Jacob,  the  father  of  our  subject, 
was  born  in  Berks  county,  and  was  by  occupation  a  mason.  When  a  young 
man  he  obtained  the  contract  for  building  a  church  at  Catawissa,  and  after 
the  comj^letion  of  his  contract  concluded  to  remain  there.  He  siibsequently 
bought  a  farm  in  Catawissa  to^vnship,  where  he  resided  and  worked  at  his 
trade  for  many  years.  He  was  the  father  of  seven  children:  "William; 
Daniel;  Hannah,  wife  of  Isaac  Invin;  Mary  E. ;  Price;  James,  and  Jacob. 
His  death  occurred  in  1851,  his  wife  having  died  lifteen  years  before.  The 
subject  of  this  sketch  received  a  common  schcpl  education,  and  spent  his 
early  life  at  the  homestead  farm.  After  the  death  of  his  father  he  removed 
to  this  county,  and  in  connection  with  his  brother-in-law,  John  Campbell, 
purchased  a  tract  of  land  containing  four  himdred  twenty-six  acres,  upon 
part  of  which  he  now  resides.  Mr.  Fox  was  married  in  1840  to  Elizabeth, 
daughter  of  Obadiah  Camjibell.  To  them  were  bom  eight  children:  George 
■\V.  and  Isaac  N.,  deceased;  Obadiah,  of  Mt.  Carmel;  Isabella,  wife  of 
William  Cherington;  Joanna;  William;  Mary  J.,  and  Christoplier.  Mr. 
Fox  is  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  jwlitically  he  is  a  Rejtublican, 
and  is  one  of  the  enterprising  citizens  of  the  tijwnship.  In  the  cultivation 
of  his  farm  he  has  paid  unusual  attention  to  fruit  growing,  and  has  the 
largest  fruit  farm  in  tiie  county. 

Daniel  Campbell,  a  native  of  New  Jersey,  was  one  of  the  early  settlers 
of  Shamokin  township,  Nortlmmljerland  county.  He  located  on  Shamokin 
creek  near  where  Jacob  E.  Muench  now  lives.  He  married  in  New 
Jersey,  and  his  children  were  as  follows:  William;  Robert;  Daniel;  John; 
Benjamin;  Mary,  who  married  William  Teitsworth,  and  Kate,  all  of  whom 
are  dead. 

John  Campbell,  fourth  son  of  Daniel  Campbell,  was  born  in  New  Jersey 
in  1770.  In  1801)  he  settled  on  the  land  where  his  .son  Simeon  resides,  and 
was  extensively  engaged  in  farming.  He  reared  a  family  of  four  children: 
Samuel,  deceased;  Simeon;  Susan,  who  married  John  Hooey,  and  ilary,  who 
married  Henry  Haupt.  Mr.  Campbell  was  a  consistent  member  of  the  Pres- 
byterian church  for  many  years.  His  wife  died  in  1S30,  and  he  survived 
her  until  lSr)-j. 

George  Wilhoue,  deceased,  was  a  native  of  Northampton  county,  Penn- 
sylvania. He  came  to  Northumberland  county  with  the  Klase  family,  and 
subsequently  married  Mrs.  Peter  Rockefeller,  who  was  Elizabeth  Miller  be- 
fore her  marriage.  Their  family  consisted  of  five  children:  Peter  R.; 
Charles,  deceased;  Catharine,  Mrs.  John  Campbell;  Grace,  deceased  wife  of 
Henry  Coble,  and  Jane,  Mrs.  Enoch  Taylor.  George  Williour  died  in  1870, 
his  wife  having  died  in  180-5.  He  was  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  181'2,  a 
Baptist  in  religious  faith,  and  in  politics  a  Democrat. 


BIOGF.APHICAL     SKETCHES.  1205 

Peter  E.  Wilhoue,  farmer,  was  the  eldest  son  of  George  and  Eliza- 
beth Wilhour.  and  was  born  upon  the  homestead  in  182:1  He  was  reared 
upon  the  farm,  learned  the  carpenter's  trade,  and  at  the  death  of  his  father 
returned  to  the  homestead  and  engaged  in  farming.  He  was  married  in 
1S47  to  Harriet  E..  daughter  of  Alexander  Tharp.  and  by  this  imiou  they 
have  eleven  children:  Andrew  C. :  Freeman  H.:  Jane;  Kosetta:  George  W.: 
Joseph  M.:  Kate:  Mary  A. :  William  F.;  Sarah  E.,  and  David.  Mr.  Wil- 
hour  has  tilled  the  offices  of  tax  collector  and  school  director.  He  was  in 
active  military  service  for  a  short  time  in  the  late  Eebellion  and  was  honora- 
bly discharged.  In  politics  he  is  a  Democrat,  and  in  religious  faith  a  Bap- 
tist, of  which  church  he  is  one  of  the  trustees. 

Joseph  Fey  came  from  .Schuylkill  county,  Pennsylvania.  His  father  was 
a  German,  who  tirst  settled  near  Leesport,  Berks  county.  Pennsylvania, 
and  subsequently  removed  to  Schuylkill  county,  where  he  passed  the  re- 
maining years  of  his  life.  His  son,  Joseph,  came  to  Northumberland 
county  and  settled  on  the  land  now  owned  by  Peter  Bobb,  at  Pasinos. 
He  was  a  blacksmith  by  trade,  and  about  1S45  located  uijon  ihe  farm  in 
Ralpho  township  where  his  son  Absalom  now  lives.  He  married  Hannah 
Boyer.  of  Schuylkill  county,  and  his  family  consisted  of  the  following  chil- 
dren: Lydia.  widow  of  P.  il.  Langton;  Maria,  widow  of  Henry  Nelson: 
Margaret,  wife  of  William  Lupoid;  Sabina,  widow  of  Galen  S.  Eoliins.  M. 
D. ;  Caroline,  wife  of  D.  E.  Pensyl;  Mary  M.,  widow  of  A.  J.  Kanoble; 
A\'illiam.  deceased;  Absalom,  and  Jacob,  of  Nebraska.  Joseph  Fry  died  in 
1S()8;  his  widow  survived  him  imtil  1S7S.  They  were  members  of  the  Ger- 
man Reformed  ciiurch.  and  he  was  a  deacon  and  elder  in  that  denomina- 
tion. Politically  he  was  a  Democrat,  and  one  of  the  well  known  citizens  of 
his  township.  He  carried  on  the  blacksmith  business  forty  years  and  thus 
Ix'came  widely  known. 

Absalom  Fry,  farmer,  was  born  on  the  homestead  at  Paxinos.  grew  up 
under  the  parental  roof,  and  learned  the  blacksmith  trade.  He  worked  at 
various  jolaces  iintil  1857.  when  he  jjurchased  the  proi^erty  and  business  of 
his  father  and  conducted  the  same  until  1888,  when  he  gave  up  blacksmith- 
ing  and  has  since  been  engaged  in  farming.  He  was  married  in  1 862  to 
Mary,  daughter  of  Casper  Adams.  She  died  in  1807,  and  in  1879  he  mar- 
ried Kate  Levan.  of  Berks  county.  Pennsylvania.  Mr.  Fry  is  a  memlier  of 
the  Reformed  church,  and  in  politics  a  Democrat. 

WiLLi.wi  S.  Ammeeman.  deceased,  was  born  in  Northumberland  county. 
Pennsylvania,  February  lo.  1S09,  and  at  the  age  of  eight  years  he  went  to 
live  with  an  uncle  in  Northampton  county.  In  1841  he  returned  to  this 
county  and  settled  in  Eush  to\vnship,  but  subsecjuently  removed  to  Sha- 
mokin  township  and  located  upon  the  land  where  his  son  Robert  B.  now  re- 
sides. He  later  established  a  store  at  this  place,  which  he  carried  on  some 
nine  vears.     He  married  Juliana  Bachman,  and  by  this  union  thev  were  the 


120G  HISTOKY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

parents  of  one  son,  Robert  B.  In  politics  Mr.  Ammerman  was  a  Republicaa 
and  served  as  school  director;  he  was  a  Baptist,  and  served  in  the  office  of 
deacon  many  years.  His  death  occurred,  July  20,  1875;  his  widow  survives, 
and  resides  with  her  son  Robert  B. 

Robert  B.  Ammerm.\n,  farmer,  was  born,  July  18,  1834,  at  Lockport, 
Northampton  county,  Pennsylvania.  He  came  with  his  parents  to  Northum-  . 
berland  county  in  1841.  He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools,  at  an  early 
age  commenced  teaching,  and  subsequently  engaged  in  the  fruit  business. 
He  served  in  Company  F,  Thirty-sixth  Penn.sylvania  Militia,  from  June  29, 
1863,  until  the  following  August.  In  1804  he  enlisted  in  Company  G,  One 
Hundred  and  Eighty-fourth  Pennsylvania  Volunteers,  and  served  until  the 
close  of  the  war.  He  was  in  the  following  engagements:  Petersburg,  Straw- 
berry Plain,  Weldon  Railroad,  Cold  Harbor,  and  Ream's  Station.  August 
27),  1804,  he  was  shot  in  the  left  thigh  with  a  musket  ball,  was  taken  prisoner, 
and  sent  to  Libby  prison,  where  ho  remained  about  ten  days.  Ho  was  pa- 
roled and  sent  to  St.  John's  hospital,  Maryland,  and  discharged,  June  12, 
iSOo,  at  Summit  House  hospital.  Ho  then  returned  to  his  homo  and  was 
engaged  with  his  father  in  the  mercantile  business  from  bSOO  until  1875,  and 
tiien  einbarkcd  in  his  present  occupation.  Mr.  Ammerman  was  married, 
September  12.  ISO"),  to  Matilda,  daughter  of  C.  J.  Reed,  and  by  this  union 
they  are  the  parents  of  four  sons:  Gillmau  C. ;  William  G. ;  Joseph  C,  and 
Lloyd  R.  ^Ir.  Ammerman  is  a  member  of  Bruner  Post,  G.  A.  R.,  and  of 
the  Baptist  churcli.     I'olitically  he  is  a  Republican. 

William  H.  M.  Baily,  farmer  and  Horist,  was  born  near  Red  Lion,  Ches- 
ter county,  Penn.sylvania,  August  15,  1843,  son  of  Ezekiel  and  Margaret 
(]Marsliall)  Baily,  natives  of  Chester  county.  His  father  was  a  tailor  by  trade, 
and  for  many  years  was  engaged  in  droving,  and  afterwards  in  tho  mercan- 
tile business  four  miles  from  West  Chester;  he  also  conducted  a  hotel  at 
Cciitreville,  Delaware  county.  He  was  twice  married;  by  his  first  wife  he 
had  six  children,  and  by  his  second  marriage  ten,  live  of  whom  are  living: 
Marshall,  of  Chester  county;  Ezra,  of  Chester  county;  Agnes,  of  Camden, 
New  Jersey;  Ezekiel,  of  Chester  coiinty,  and  William  H.  M.  He  died  in 
1S50  at  Red  Lion,  Chester  county;  his  wife  died  in  1851.  Tho  subject  of 
this  sketch  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  his  native  ])lace,  and  in 
early  life  followed  droving  with  his  brother.  In  1807  he  removed  to  Sha- 
mokin  and  entered  the  employ  of  his  uncle,  the  late  William  H.  Marshall,  and 
in  the  same  year  located  upon  his  present  farm  of  one  hundred  forty-five 
acres,  where  he  has  since  resided.  In  1887  he  erected  his  hot-houses  and  is 
engaged,  in  connection  with  farming,  in  the  cultivation  of  roses  and  carna- 
tions for  the  Philadelphia  market.  Mr.  Baily  married  in  1803  Sarah, 
daughter  of  Elwood  and  Mary  Lamborn,  of  Chester  county,  and  by  this 
union  they  are  the  parents  of  seven  living  children:  Ella  M.,  wife  of  Daniel 
Gerhart;   Elwood;  Ezekiel;  William;  John;  Er,   and  Ida.     Politically  Mr. 


'J  ^tJ- 


1 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES. 


1209 


Baily  is  a  Republican.  He  is  a  member  of  Elysburg  Lodge,  I.  O.  O.  F., 
Fairmount  Castle,  K  of  G.  E.  (of  which  order  he  is  district  grand  chief), 
Washington  Camp,  P.  O.  S.  of  A.,  and  Susquehanna  Commandery,  No.  9,  of 
Simbury.  Mr.  Baily  is  one  of  Shamokin  to%vnship's  progressive  citizens, 
alive  to  all  matters  of  public  interest,  and  commands  the  respect  and  esteem 
of  his  neighbors. 

Solomon  Hummel,  deceased,  was  of  German  ancestry,  came  to  North- 
umberland county  about  ISjO,  and  purchased  the  farm  where  George  Koch 
now  resides.  He  was  a  shoemaker  by  trade,  which  occupation  he  followed  in 
connection  with  farming.  He  married  Hettie.  daughter  of  Frederick  Adams, 
who  bore  him  foiirteen  children,  nine  of  whom  are  living.  He  died  in  1882; 
his  wife  died  the  same  year. 

Franklin  Hummel,  farmer,  is  the  fifth  child  of  Solomon  and  Hettie 
(Adams)  Hummel.  Ho  was  bom,  April  28.  1843.  in  Elysburg,  Pennsylvania, 
where  he  was  reared  and  educated.  He  followed  the  occupation  of  farming 
until  1861,  when  he  enlisted  in  Company  F.  Fiftieth  Pennsylvania  Volun- 
teers, and  served  three  years,  participating  in  the  following  battles:  Port 
Royal,  Beaufort,  Port  Royal  Ferry,  Accpiia.  White  Sulphur  Springs,  Centre- 
ville,  Chantilly,  South  Mountain.  Antietiim  and  the  siege  of  Yick.sburg. 
After  the  close  of  his  term  of  enlistment  in  June,  180-4,  Mr.  Hummel 
returned  home  and  followed  various  occupations  until  1883,  when  he  pur- 
chased his  present  farm  of  seventy-five  acres,  and  is  now  engaged  in  general 
farming.  He  was  married,  November  0,  1S70,  to  Clara,  daughter  of  Henry 
Hill,  of  Rali)ho  township,  and  they  are  the  parents  of  seven  children:  So- 
phrona  Ellen,  deceased;  Henry;  Edward:  Curtis  Sylvester;  Solomon  Joseph ; 
Annie  F.,  and  Franklin  Albert,  deceased.  Mr.  Himimel  is  a  member  of  the 
G.  A.  R.,  in  religious  faith  a  Lutheran,  and  in  jwlitics  a  Rei)ublican. 

William  Kuhns,  farmer,  was  born  in  Lehigh  county,  Pennsylvania,  in 
1837.  He  is  a  .son  of  Joseph  and  Rhoda  Kuluis."  and  spent  his  early  years 
in  Berks  and  Schuylkill  counties.  In  1S72  he  came  to  Northumberland 
county  and  located  at  Bear  Gap,  where  he  found  employment  as  a  farmer, 
which  he  followed  one  year  and  a  half.  He  then  removed  to  Shamokin  and 
engaged  in  mining  and  lumbering,  in  which  business  he  remained  until 
1881?  when  he  purchased  his  present  farm  of  one  himdred  thirty-five  acres 
in  Shamokin  township.  Mr.  Kuhns  conmienced  life  with  very  little  edu- 
cational advantages,  and  nothing  to  depend  uiron  but  his  own  energy,  yet,  by 
hard  and  honest  toil,  he  has  succeeded  in  acquiring  a  splendid  farm  and  a 
comfortable  competence.  He  was  married  in  ISOi  to  Sarah  Hummel,  who 
'has  borne  him  seven  children:  John;  William :  Marv' L. ;  Edward;  George; 
Charles,  and  Jacob.  Mr.  Kuhns  is  a  member  of  the  Catholic  church,  and  an 
attendant  of  St.  Patrick's  church  of  Trevorton.  Politically  he  is  a  Repub- 
lican and  one  of  the  enterprising  citizens  of  his  township. 


1210  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY.  I 

Charles  Paul,  farmer,  was  born,  October  1,   1845,   in   Point   township       '    "     | 
Northnmberland  county,  Pennsylvania,  son  of  Henry  and  Euphemia  (Huntz-  1 

wiger)  Paul,  natives  of  Lebanon  and  Northampton  counties,  Pennsylvania.  4 

The  father  of  our  subject  settled  in  Point  township   about  1828,  where  he  .f 

purchased  a  farm.     He  was  a  shoemaker  by  trade  and  engaged  at  his  trade  4 

in  connection  with  his  farm.     His  family  consisted  of  the  following  children:  n 

Mary  E.,  deceased,  who  married  Josiah  Newberry;  Jamella,  widow  of  John  =; 

Hamor;  Margaret,  wife  of  I.  Johnson,  of  Point  township;  Isabella,  -wife  of  J.  _£ 

Hamor:  Robert ;  John,  and  Charles.    Henry  Paul  died  in  1 887,  and  his  wife  in  f 

1885.     Mr.  Paul  filled  many  of  the  to\vnship  offices,  was  a  Republican  in  poli-  '■; 

tics,  and  in  his  religious  faith  was  a  Liitheran.  The  subject  of  our  sketch  was 
reared  in  Point  township,  educated  in  the  public  schools,  and  spent  his  early  '  i 

life  on  the  farm.      In  180-1  he  enlisted  in  Company  B,  Two  Himdred  and  '  '• 

Tenth  Pennsylvania  Volunteers,  and  served  until  the  close  of  the  war.  He 
participated  in  the  battles  of  Weldon  Railroad,  Peach  Orchard,  and  Hatcher's 
Run.  After  the  close  of  the  war  he  was  engaged  at  various  occupations  im- 
til  1874,  when  he  settled  upon  his  present  farm.     Ho  was  married  in  1870  to  ; 

Alice,  daughter  of  John  Fisher,  who  died  in  1888,  leaving  two  sons:  JohnW. 
and  Frank  L.  Mr.  Paul  was  married  in  1880  to  Mahala,  daughter  of  George 
C.  Adams.  Politically  Mr.  Paul  is  a  Republican,  and  has  served  in  the  office 
of  school  director  four  yeans.  He  is  a  member  of  Elysburg  Lodge",  F.  &  A. 
M.,  and  is  one  of  the  enterprising  citizens  of  Ralj)ho  township. 

George  Hudson,  farmer  and  lumber  dealer,  was  born  in  Derbyshire, 
England.  October  14,  1840,  son  of  Benjamin  and  Ellen  (Hodie)  Hudson,  who 
immigrateil  to  this  country  about  1850  and  settled  in  Philadelphia,  Pennsyl- 
vania. They  were  the  parents  of  four  daughters  and  two  sons:  Emma,  widow 
of  William  Burrows,  of  Shamokin,  Pennsylvania;  Katherine,  deceased;  Eliza-  A 

beth,  deceased;  Rebecca,  deceased;    John,   who  remained  in  England,  and  u 

George.     Benjamin  Hudson  was  a  miner  by  occupation,  and  worked  in  the  ^] 

various  mines  of  Northumberland  county.     He  died  in  1882,  and  his  wife  in  y) 

1884.     The  subject  of  this  sketch  commenced  the  life  of  a  miner  at  an  early  ^, 

age,  finding  employment   in  the  mines   of   Shamokin  and  Trevorton  fifteen  ^ 

years,  and  subsequently   engaged   in   teaming   and   fr;rnishing  prop  timber,  ^ 

which  he  has  followed  a  number  of  years.     In  April,  1880,  ho  purchased  his  | 

fami  of  one  hundred  twenty  acres  in  Shamokin  township,  where  he  now  re-  , 

sides.  Mr.  Hudson  was  married  in  1884  to  Alice  Hartzog  of  Shamokin,  and 
by  this  union  they  have  three  children:  Benjamin;  Archibald,  and  Elizabeth. 
Politically  Mr.  Hudson  is  a  warm  Republican,  and  one  of  Shamokin  town 
ship's  representative  citizens. 

Henry  M.  Yordy,  merchant  and  postma.ster,  was   born  in  Lower  Augusta  j 

township,  Northumberland  county,  Pennsylvania,  September  18,  1850,  son  of 
AVilliam  and  Catharine  (Raker)  Yordy.  He  learned  the  blacksmith  trade, 
which  he  followed  imtil  1S84;  he  then  located  at  his  present  place  and  en- 


I 


1  BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  1211 

1  cracred  in  the  blacksmith  ami  wheelwright  business,  which  he  carried  on  until 

■  iSSy,  when  he  sold  the  blacksmith   business   to  W.   F.  Wilhour:    he  still 

carries  on  the  wheelwright  business.  In  1886  he  established  his  mercantile 
business  in  connection  with  H.  M.  Overdorf,  whom  he  bought  out  in  ISSO. 
Mr.  Yordy  was  appointed  postmaster  for  Stonington  postoffice  in  1877. 
Politically  he  is  a  Democrat,  has  tilled  minor  township  ofKces,  and  is  one  of 
the  present  auditors.  He  married  Rosetta  Wilhour,  and  they  are  the  parents 
of  three  sous:  William;  Calvin,  and  Edward.  Mr.  Yordy  is  a  member  of 
Snydertown  Lodge,  I.  O.  0.  F. 

Is.\AC  F.  Shipe,  farmer,  was  born  in  1852  in  Rockefeller  township,  North- 
lunberland  county,  son  of  Samuel  and  Lavina  (Friling)  Shipe.  His 
grandfather,  Jacob  Shipe,  was  a  native  of  Berks  county,  Pennsylvania, 
and  settled  in  what  is  now  Lower  Augusta  township,  Northumber- 
land county,  about  ISIS.  He  purchased  a  farm  of  two  hundred  forty 
acres,  upon  which  he  resided  until  his  death.  His  family  consisted  of  six 
sons  and  one  daughter.  Samuel,  father  of  Isaac  F.,  was  the  eldest  son.  He 
married  Lavina  Friling,  and  his  family  consisted  of  six  children:  John; 
Reuben,  deceased;  Isaac  F.;  Henry;  Washington,  and  Louisa  C,  deceased. 
Our  subject  engaged  in  farming  in  early  manhood  and  subsequently  went 
into  the  huckster  business,  which  he  followed  several  years.  In  1887  he 
purchased  his  present  farm  of  one  hundred  acres,  and  has  since  devoted  his 
attention  to  agriculture.  He  was  married  in  187(3  to  Silvania  Wilkison,  and 
by  this  union  they  have  had  three  sons:  Samuel,  deceased;  Guy  E.,  and 
Isaac.  Politically  Mr.  Shipe  is  a  Republican,  and  with  his  wife  belongs  to 
the  Methodist  Episco])al  church. 

J(iN.A.THAN  Y.\sTiNE,  deceased,  was  a  native  of  Bucks  county,  Pennsylvania, 

and  came  to  Northumberland  county  late  in  the  last  century.     He  settled  on 

*'  Shamokin  Hill,  upon  the  land  where  Valentine  Epler  now  resides.     He  took 

up  six  hundred  acres.     He  was  a  member  of  the  Society  of   Friends.     His 

family  consisted  of  Benjamin  L.,  who  married  a  Miss  Yanzant;  John,  who 

I  married  Catharine  Osborn,  by  whom  he  had  six  children :     Thomas :  William ; 

I  John;  Amos;  Margaret,   wife  of  Charles   Hefley,    and  Sarah  Ann,  wife  of 

1  Robert  Campbell;  Jeremiah,  who  was  the  third  son  and  married  Elizabeth 

f  Robins;  Thomas,   who  never  married,   and  Jonathan,   who  married  Nancy 

I  Hucrhes.     His  two  daughters  were:     Hannah,   wife  of    Peter  Yastine,  and 

i  Mary,  wife  of  a  Mr.  Marsh.     Jonathan,  Sr.,  died  about  1836  and  was  buried 

I  in  the  Friends'  cemeterj-  at  Catawissa,  Pennsylvania. 

»     ''        ,       Petek  Yastine,  deceased,  was   born  in  Bucks  county,  Pennsylvania,  and 
I     ■  was  a  nephew  of  Jonathan  Yastine,  a  pioneer  of  Rush  township.     He  settled 

i  in  Rush  township  about  the   same  time   as  his  uncle,  upon  the  land  where 

Peter  Y.  Johnson  now  resides.  He  purchased  three  hundred  acres  and 
remained  there  until  his  death.  He  married  Hannah,  daughter  of  Jonathan 
j  !  Yastine,  and  their  family  consisted  of  the  following  children:  Benjamm; 
! 


1212  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

Thomas;  Jeremiah;  Peter;  Elizabeth,  wife  of  John  Colket;  Katherine,  de- 
ceased; Lydia,  wife  of  Mr.  Housel,  and  Mary,  wife  of  Henrj-  R.  Johnson. 
For  many  years  he  conducted  a  store  and  mill.  He  erected  the  mill  now 
operated  by  Valentine  Epler,  and  was  also  extensively  engaged  in  the  saw 
mill  business,  and  was  one  of  the  progressive  men  of  his  day.  He  died  in 
1838. 

Amos  Vastine  was  born  in  Rush  township,  Northumberland  coimty,  Penn- 
sylvania, November  18,  1833,  son  of  William  and  Elizabeth  (Hursh)  Vastine. 
He  was  educated  at  the  common  schools  and  at  the  Presbyterian  Institute, 
Wyoming,  Pennsylvania.  He  was  reared  a  farmer  and  subsequently  pur- 
chased the  homestead  farm,  where  he  lived  nine  years.  In  1S03  he  settled 
upon  his  present  place  of  two  hundred  eighty  acres.  Politically  he  is  a  Re- 
publican, and  has  served  in  the  minor  township  offices.  He  is  a  member  of 
the  Presbyterian  church,  and  has  filled  the  office  of  tnistee  fifteen  years. 
He  was  married  in  1855  to  Mahala,  daughter  of  Jacob  Schultz.  of  Danville, 
Pennsylvania,  and  by  this  marriage  they  have  had  sis  children,  five  of  whom 
are  living:  Lizzie,  deceased;  William;  Mary  L.,  wife  of  Dr.  John  Kemerer; 
John;  Ella  K.,  and  Amos  B.  Mr.  Vastine  is  a  member  of  Danville  Lodge, 
F.  &  A.  M.,  and  a  gentleman  of  enterprise  and  public  spirit. 

Alexander  Moore,  deceased,  was  a  native  of  Sussex  county.  New  Jersey. 
In  1790  he  settled  in  Rush  township  upon  the  land  now  in  possession  of 
Gideon  Rothermell.  He  subsequently  purchased  three  hundred  acres  where 
his  son  Alexander  now  resides.  He  married,  Febmary  11.  IT'.HI.  Margaret 
Albertson.  of  Sussex  county,  New  Jersey.  Their  family  were:  David; 
Esther,  wife  of  Valentine  Iliff;  Michael;  Jane,  wife  of  William  Clark  Gar- 
rett; Abraham;  Margaret,  wife  of  Isaac  Ellin;  Helen:  Alexander;  William, 
and  Corinda.  He  died,  November  4-,  1859;  his  wife  died  in  1856.  Ht>  was 
one  of  the  early  justices  of  the  peace  and  filled  the  office  forty  years.  He 
was  connected  for  many  years  with  the  State  militia,  and  held  a  commission 
as  major.  In  religious  faith  he  was  a  Presbyterian,  of  which  church  he  was 
an  elder. 

Alexander  Moore  was  born  upon  his  present  homestead.  November  20, 
1810,  son  of  Alexander  and  Margaret  (Albertson)  Moore.  He  learned  the 
trade  of  carpenter,  which  he  followed  thirty  years:  He  then  engaged  in 
farming,  which  has  since  been  his  occiipation.  Mr.  Moore  was  twice  mar- 
ried; his  first  wife  was  Mary,  daughter  of  John  Campbell,  who  bore  him 
two  children:  Marilla,  wife  of  Uriah  Swenk,  and  Eleanor,  deceased.  His 
second  wife  was  Lucinda,  daughter  of  John  Hile.  who  died  in  1882,  leaving 
two  children:  Fidelia  A.,  wife  of  Benjamin  Swenk,  and  Garrett  E.,  of  Sun 
bury.  Mr.  Moore  has  been  a  life-long  Republican.  He  has  tilled  the  office 
of  school  director,  and  is  one  of  the  substantial  and  oldest  hnng  residents 
of  Rush  townshiji. 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES. 


1213 


Casper  J.  Reed,  deceased,  was  born  in  Shamokin  township,  Northumber- 
land county,  Pennsylvania,  December  2U.  1S09,  son  of  John  Reed.  He  was 
a  mason  by  trade,  and  at  one  time  was  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business 
at  Snufftown,  Pennsylvania,  in  connection  ^vith  A.  C.  Barrett.  He  also  con- 
structed a  jwrtion  of  the  old  railroad  between  Sunbury  and  Shamokin.  He 
subsequently  located  in  Rush  township  and  engaged  in  farming,  purchasing 
one  hundred  eighty  acres,  where  he  resided  until  his  death  in  ISNo;  his  wife 
died  in  ISS'J.  '^ He  was  married  in  1S34  to  Alice  C,  daughter  of  Nathan 
Barrett,  of  Heinsdale,  Massachusetts,  and  by  this  union  they  were  the  parents 
of  thirteen  children:  Angeline,  deceased,  who  married  Doctor  Snyder;  Gill- 
man;  James;  Mary  A.,  wife  of  Peter  T.  Johnson;  Matilda,  wife  of  R.  B. 
Ammerman;  Rebecca,  wife  of  Henry  Kimbler;  Rosetta,  wife  of  Marshall 
Davison;  Alice,  wife  of  D.  Rockefeller;  Florence,  wife  of  Joseph  Gulick; 
Lafayette;  Howard  M.;  Elizabeth,  deceased,  and  Esther,  deceased. 

James  Reed  was  born  in  Rush  township.  Northumberland  county,  Penn- 
sylvania, in  1S39,  son  of  Casper  J.  and  Alxe  (Barrett)  Reed.  He  was 
reared  upon  the  old  homestead,  and  his  early  education  was  obtained  at  the 
common  schools  and  Danville  Academy,  where  he  also  learned  civil  engineer- 
ino-.  At  the  age  of  eighteen  he  commenced  teaching,  and  followed  that 
occupation  eighteen  years.  In  1S62  he  was  drafted  and  assigned  to  the 
One  Hundred  and  Seventy-second  Pennsylvania  militia,  and  served  nine 
months,  being  first  sergeaiit  of  Company  H.  He  then  returned  to  Rush 
township  and  engaged  in  farming  the  homestead,  and  in  1882  purchased  the 
same.  In  1878  Mr.  Reed  was  instrumental  in  procuring  the  charter  and 
*  oro-anizinc^  the  Rush  Township  Fire  Insurance  Company,  and  has  filled  the 
otficG  of  secretary  since  its  organization.  He  has  served  in  various  town- 
ship offices,  and  was  elected  justice  of  the  peace  in  1882,  and  served  five  years. 
He  married  Sarah  Sober,  of  Rush  township,  in  1871.  She  died  in  1S<8, 
leaving  two  chikken:  Jennie  M.  and  Bessie  I.  His  second  wife  was  Sophia 
Culp. "  In  politics  Mr.  Reed  is  a  Republican. 

Simon  P.  Reed,  farmer,  is  a  son  of  Jacob  and  Hiinnah  (Duttinger)  Reed. 
The  father  of  our  subject  was  a  son  of  Jacob  Reed,  one  of  the  pioneers  of 
Shamokin  to^™ship.  He  was  born  in  1795  in  Shamokin  township  upon  the 
Reed  tract  at  what  is  now  Reed's  Station.  He  was  a  tanner  by  trade,  also 
erected  one  of  the  early  saw  mills  of  Shamokin  township,  and  later  in  life 
was  a  farmer.  He  filled  many  minor  township  offices.  He  was  a  Lutheran 
in  faith  of  which  church  he  was  an  elder  and  deacon  many  years;  in  politics 
he  was  a  Republican,  and  was  one  of  the  sixteen  original  members  of  that 
'  partv  in  Shamokin  township.  His  family  consisted  of  Daniel,  deceased; 
Maria  wife  of  George  Young;  Simon  P.;  Elizabeth,  widow  of  Jonathan 
Deibler;  Julianne,  wife  of  John  Rohrbach;  William,  and  John  Jacob.  Simon 
P  was  born  in  1825  in  Shamokin  township  on  the  homestead  farm.  He 
le'irn'ed  the  trade  of  wool  carding,  and  in  ISOI  he  engaged  in  the  manufactur- 


1214  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

ing  of  wtxilen  goods  at  Reed's  Station,  which  he  carried  on  for  twenty  years. 
He  then  located  upon  his  farm  in  Eush  township,  which  he  had  purchased 
in  1855,  and  has  since  been  engaged  in  farming.  He  was  married  in  1850 
to  Jane,  daughter  of  Daniel  Campbell,  of  Shamokin  township,  and  by  this 
union  they  had  six  children,  four  of  whom  are  living:  Daniel  Jacob;  Ambrose 
Alvernon.  who  married  Harriet  A.  Berger;  Clara  E.,  and  Norman  C.  Polit- 
ically he  is  a  Eepublican;  he  is  a  member  of  Jacob's  Lutheran  church,  and 
is  one  of  the  enterprising  and  leading  citizens  of  Eush  township. 

John  Pesstl,  deceased,  was  the  eldest  son  of  John  and  Barbara  (Hinkle) 
.  Pensyl.  and  grandson  of  Jacob  Pensyl.     He  was  born  upon  the  old  home- 

1  '\^^'^  stead  in  Ralpho  township,  Northumberland  county,  Pennsylvania.  When  a 
^vj  young  man  he  went  to  Sunbury  and    learned    the    shoemaker    trade.     He 

subsequently  purchased  a  farm  containing  two  hiindred  acres  at  L'nion 
Corners  in  Eush  township,  where  he  lived  for  a  number  of  years;  he  after- 
wards purchased  the  adjoining  farm,  where  he  died  in  1873.  He  was  twice 
married.  His  first  wife  was  Lydia  Kaseman,  by  whom  he  had  six  children: 
George,  deceased;  John,  of  Eush  township:  Barbara,  deceased  wife  of  Henry 
Hill,  of  Shamokin  township;  Hannah,  twice  married,  her  first  husband  being 
Charles  Dimick  and  the  second  Frederick  Hiney;  Catharine,  wife  ot  James 
Matter,  who  lives  at  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  and  Samuel,  of  Danville.  Mr. 
Pensyl  married  as  his  second  wife  Mary,  daughter  of  John  Arter,  of  Sha- 
mokin, who  died,  November  18,  1890,  at  the  home  of  her  son,  Adam,  of 
Rush  to\\"nship.  By  this  marriage  they  had  seven  children:  Jacob,  deceased; 
William,  of  Ealpho  township;  Samuel,  of  Rush  township;  Margaret,  de- 
ceased: Adam,  of  Eu.sh  township;  Henry,  deceased,  and  Franci.s,  of  Colum- 
bia coimty. 

S.^MFEL  Pensyl,  farmer,  is  the  third  son  of  John  and  Mary  Pensyl,  and 
qA)  was  born.  October  13,  1837,  upon  the  homestead  in  Eush  township,  North- 
"Jfi*^  umberland  county.     He  received  a  common  school  education,  and  spent  his 

early  life  working  iipon  the  farm  for  his  father  until  ho  arrived  at  the  age  of 
twenty-eight  years.  In  1805  he  married  Julia,  daughter  of  John  Yought, 
and  they  are  the  parents  of  four  children:  Elwood,  who  died  when  four 
years  old:  Dora  E.,  a  student  at  Kee-Mar  College,  Hagerstown,  Marj-land; 
John,  who  died  when  ten  months  old,  and  Dallas  G.,  now  a  student  in  the 
Danville  .\cademy.  In  1869  Mr.  Pensyl  purchased  his  present  farm  of  one 
hundred  fifty  acres.  Politically  he  is  a  Democrat,  and  a  member  of  the 
Lutheran  church. 

Solomon  Pensyl  was  born  in  Ealpho  township,  Northumberland  county, 

\\^  Pennsylvania,  October  25,  1881,  son  of  George  and  Mary  (Keller)  Pensyl. 

'^^      *  He  was  reared  a  farmer  and  lived  upon  the  homestead  until  he  was  twenty 

years  old.  when  he  worked  for  his  uncle,  George  Keller,  six  years.     He  then, 

in  connection  with  his  uncle,  purchased  a  farm  in  Shamokin  township,  where 

he  lived  eight  years,  after  which  he  sold  his  interest  and  purchased  his  pres- 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  1215 

ent  place  of  one  hundred  forty  acres.  In  iiolitics  Mr.  Pensyl  is  a 
stanch  Democrat,  and  has  served  in  the  minor  township  offices;  in  relij^ion 
is  a  member  of  the  German  Eeformed  church.  He  married  in  ISSG  Caroline, 
daughter  of  Samuel  Epler,  and  by  this  union  they  have  had  four  children: 
Mary  E.,  deceased  wife  of  B.  Vought;  Sallie  A.,  wife  of  George  Yocum; 
Hatty  S.,  and  Harry  W.,  deceased. 

William  Mettlee,  deceased,  a  native  of  Hunterdon,  New  Jersey,  settled 
at  Klinesgrove,  Rush  township,  at  an  early  date,  upon  the  land  now  in  pos- 
session of  Elhott  Eckman.  He  purchased  about  three  hundred  eighteen 
acres  of  land,  where  he  remained  until  his  death  in  1848.  He  married,  in 
New  Jersey,  Elizabeth  Apgar,  who  died  in  February,  1876,  by  whom  he  had 
thirteen  children:  Katherine,  deceased,  who  married  Robert  Campbell;  Han- 
nah, wife  of  William  Price;  William,  deceased,  who  married  Jane  Kline; 
Eleanor,  deceased,  who  married  Philip  Huff;  Ehza,  wife  of  J.  F.  Kline; 
George,  deceased;  Isaac,  deceased;  Lorenzo,  deceased;  John,  deceased; 
Sarah,  who  married  Charles  Gerhart,  and  after  his  death  Aaron  Rimyon; 
Nancy,  who  was  twice  married,  first  to  William  Carr  and  subsequently  to 
Daniel  Beckley;  Susan,  wife  of  Dewitt  Kline,  and  Enoch. 

Lorenzo  Mettler,  the  fourth  son  of  William  and  Elizabeth  (Apgar) 
Mettler,  was  born  in  1821,  in  Rush  township,  Northumberland  county,  Penn- 
sylvania, and  was  educated  in  the  old  log  school  house  of  that  time.  He 
remained  upon  the  homestead  farm  until  twenty-one  years  old,  when  he  pur- 
chased the  John  Deibler  farm  in  Shamokin  township,  where  ho  lived  until 
1S54,  when  he  purchased  the  farm  where  William  Mettler,  his  son,  now 
resides.  He  was  a  man  who  interested  himself  in  public  affairs,  and  served 
in  the  different  township  offices.  In  politics  he  was  a  Republican,  and  in 
religious  belief  a  Methodist.  He  married  Permelia,  daughter  of  Charles 
Wolverton  of  Augusta,  now  Rockefeller  township,  who  died  in  1860.  They 
were  the  parents  of  eight  children,  three  of  whom  lived  to  maturity:  Charles 
W.,  who  was  a  member  of  Company  K,  Forty-sixth  Pennsylvania  Volunteers, 
and  died  in  Tennessee,  in  the  service;  William  H.,  and  Margaret  L.,  wife  of 
J.  C.  Campbell.  In  1861  he  married  Matilda  E.  Eckman,  of  Upper  Augusta 
township,  by  whom  three  children  were  born  to  them,  none  of  whom  lived  to 
maturity.  Mr.  Mettler  died  in  1889;  his  widow  survives  him  and  resides 
with  her  stepson,  William  H. 

William  H.  Mettler,  the  only  surviving  son  of  Lorenzo  and  Permelia 
(Wolverton)  Mettler,  was  born  in  1848  in  Shamokin  township.  He  was 
reared  upon  the  farm  and  educated  in  the  common  schools.  In  1874  he  pur- 
chased a  farm  in  Rush  township,  where  he  remained  until  1881,  when  he 
removed  to  where  he  now  resides.  In  1873  he  married  Julia,  daughter  of 
Daniel  Krigbaum,  and  they  are  the  parents  of  six  children:  Lorenzo  P.; 
Elizabeth  J.;  WiUiam  K. ;  Sarah  P.;  John  D.,  and  Rachel  R.  Mr.  Mettler 
is  engaged  in  the  cultivation  of  a  farm  of  two  hundred  twenty-eight  acres. 


vr' 


1'216  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

In  early  life  he  taught  school  a  number  of  years,  and  has  filled  the  office  of 
school  director  three  years.  Politically  he  is  a  Eepublican.  and  is  one  of  the 
leading  citizens  of  Rush  township.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal church,  filling  the  office  of  steward,  and  is  also  a  member  of  the  P.  of 
y^  H.  of  Eush  townshiji. 

O  Sa^iuel  Gillinger,  deceased,  a  native  of  Berks  county,  Pennsylvania,  set- 

tled at  Paxinos  at  an  early  date.  He  kept  hotel  there  for  many  years;.  His 
family  consisted  of  John;  Jeremiah;  Samuel;  William,  and  Sarah,  wife  of 
James  Dunlap.  Samuel,  Jr.,  was  born  in  Shamokin  township  and  was  a  shoe- 
maker by  trade.  He  settled  in  Rush  township  when  a  young  man  and  fol- 
lowed his  trade  for  some  years.  He  subsequently  purchased  the  farm  where 
his  son  Martin  W.  now  resides.  He  married  Katherine  Weaver,  and  by  this 
union  they  had  the  following  children:  Eugene  K. ;  Martha  W.;  Susan,  wife 
of  James  Harris;  Lucy  A.,  wife  of  M.  Salter;  Man,-  E. ;  E.  Tibley;  Martha, 
wife  of  S.  P.  Enterline;  Jeremiah;  Matilda,  wife  of  William  Danson;  Sarah, 
wife  of  Jacob  Tribley,  and  Katherine,  wife  of  Hugh  H.  Campbell.  Politic- 
ally Samuel,  Jr.,  was  a  Republican,  and  a  member  of  the  Baptist  church. 

Eugene  K.  Gillinger,  son  of  Samuel  and  Katherine  (Weaver)  Gillinger, 
and  grandson  of  Samuel  the  pioneer,  was  born,  February  '20.  1S82,  in  Rush 
township,  Northumberland  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  educated  in  the  com- 
mon schools.  He  learned  the  wagon  maker  trade  and  has  followed  it  as  an 
occupation.  In  ISOl  he  purchased  his  present  farm  of  sixty-three  acres. 
He  was  married  in  LSoH  to  Elsie  Campbell,  who  died,  June  111.  ISS',).  leaving 
one  son,  Samuel  E.  Mr.  Gillinger  has  filled  several  minor  to\niship  offices. 
Ho  is  a  member  of  Shamokin  Valley  Lodge,  I.  0.  O.  F..  and  in  religious' 
faith  he  is  a  Baptist,  of  which  church  ho  is  a  member.  Politically  he  is  a 
Republican. 

Valentine  Epler  was  born  in  Shamokin  township,  Northumberland 
county,  Penn.sylvania,  in  1848,  son  of  Samuel  and  Marj'  (Zimmerman)  Epler. 
He  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  and  followed  the  life  of  a  farmer 
until  1801,  when  he  enlisted  in  Company  K.,  Forty-sixth  Pennsylvania  Vol- 
unteers, and  served  three  years  and  eleven  months.  At  the  battle  of  Win- 
chester he  was  taken  prisoner  and  sent  to  Belle  Isle,  where  he  was  kept  four 
months,  after  which  he  was  e.xchanged.  He  then  retunn^ni  to  his  regiment 
and  was  detailed  to  the  quartermaster  department,  in  which  he  served  until 
the  close  of  the  war.  In  ISOO  he  settled  upon  his  present  farm.  In  1889 
he  purchased  the  Logan  Run  mill,  which  he  is  operating  in  connection  with 
his  farm.  He  married  Ellen,  daughter  of  Reuben  Snyder,  of  Shamokin 
township,  and  by  this  union  they  have  had  ten  children,  eight  of  whom  are 
living:  Reuben;  Harry  S.;  Mary  J.;  Sallie  E. ;  Flora  L. ;  JohnC. ;  Francis 
M.,  and  George  H.  Mr.  Epler  has  filled  several  township  offices.  Politic- 
ally he  is  a  Democrat,  and  in  religious  faith  a  German  Reformed,  and  is  a 
member  of  Jacob's  church  of  Ralpho  township. 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  1217 

Peter  V.  Johnson  was  born  in  Rush  to^ynsllip,  Northumberland  county, 
Pennsylvania,  son  of  Henry  K.  and  Mary  (Yastine)  Johnson.  His  father 
was  a  millwright  and  followed  that  business  in  his  younger  life,  but  in  after 
years  he  engaged  in  farming.  His  family  consisted  of  eight  children,  six  of 
whom  grew  to  maturity:  Jackson  B.,  who  was  killed  in  the  army  and  buried 
near  Hagerstown,  Maryland;  Thomas  J.,  who  enlisted  in  1SI52.  in  Company 
C,  One  Hundred  and  Thirty-first  Pennsylvania  Volunteers,  and  served  nine 
months,  participating  in  the  battles  of  South  Mountain,  Antietam,  Freder- 
icksburg, and  the  Wilderness;  Peter  V.;  Lydia,  widow  of  Jesse  Conway;  Ann, 
wife  of  J.  S.  Bassett,  and  Katharine,  wife  of  T.  W.  Campbell.  Peter  V. 
Johnson  was  educated  in  the  common  schools,  and  taught  J^chool  during  his 
early  life,  but  is  now  a  farmer.  He  married  Mary  A.,  daughter  of  Casper  J. 
Reed.     Politically  he  is  a  Republican. 


CHAPTER   LII. 

BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES. 

ZEKISE  (Ti{KVOHT()N),  tAM?:H<»X,  LITTLE  M.VHAXOY,  .J.VCKSOX,  LOAVEK 

>LVnAX()Y,  WASHINCTOX,  .lOUDAX,  AXD  UPPER 

MAHAXOY  TOWXSHIPS. 

J.  B.  Newb.\ker,  physician  and  druggist,  was  born  at  Halifax,  Dauphin 
county,  Pennsylvania,  July  2,  1820,  son  of  Philip  and  Marj-M.  (Rahm)  New- 
baker.  Ho  attended  the  schools  of  his  native  borough,  after  which  he  began 
the  study  of  medicine  with  Dr.  S.  P.  Brown,  of  Halifax,  and  graduated  from 
Jefferson  Medical  College  in  1S-J2.  He  located  in  Lower  Aiigusta  township, 
whore  ho  practiced  his  profession  two  years.  He  then  removed  to  Jersey 
Shore,  Lycoming  county,  where  he  remained  one  year,  when  he  again  located 
in  Lower  Augusta  township;  there  he  remained  until  1S6I.  and  then  settled 
in  Trevorton  and  established  his  drug  business,  which  he  has  since  conducted 
in  connection  with  his  practice.  He  was  married  in  1842  to  Caroline, 
daughter  of  Henry  Maize,  of  Dauphin  county,  by  which  union  they  have 
four  children  living:  Phillip,  a  physician  of  Danville;  Louisa,  wife  of  A.  L. 
Bastress,  of  Lycoming  county;  John  J.,  of  Dauphin  county,  and  Mary  M., 
wife  of  J.  J.  John,  of  Lykens,  Pennsylvania.  In  1862  the  Doctor  was  com- 
missioned by  Governor  Curtin  assistant  surgeon  of  the  Fifty-sixth  Pennsyl- 
vania Volunteers,  with  which  he  remained  three  months,  when  he  was  com- 
pelled to  resign  on  account  of  failing  health.  In  ISOl  he  was  again 
commissioned  by  Governor   Curtin.   and  was   attached  to  the  White  Hall 


1218  HISTORY    OF   XORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

hospital,  Bucks  county.  Pennsylvania,  and  the  Seminary  hospital,  Alexan- 
dria, Virginia.  In  politics  he  is  a  Democrat,  and  in  1871  was  chosen  to 
represent  this  coiinty  in  the  State  legislature.  He  has  served  in  the  ofiSce 
of  township  treasurer,  also  as  school  director  many  times.  He  is  a  member 
of  the  Baptist  church,  is  connected  with  the  Masonic  and  I.  O.  O.  F.  frater- 
nities, and  is  recognized  as  one  of  the  representative  citizens  of  Northumber- 
land county. 

■James  Kenney,  deceased,  was  the  pioneer  of  Trevorton.  He  was  bom  in 
England,  about  the  year  17SS,  and  in  183lt  immigrated  to  this  country  and 
first  settled  in  Pottsville.  Pennsylvania,  but  soon  after  removed  to  Sunburj', 
where  he  became  acquainted  with  Hugh  Bellas.  About  1883  this  gentleman 
with  Burd  Patterson  and  others  employed  Mr.  Kenney  to  take  charge  of 
the  Gap  coal  veins  near  the  site  of  Trevorton,  his  duty  being  to  develop  the 
coal  lands  and  hold  possession  of  them.  He  at  once  removed  his  family  to 
the  place,  and  built  the  house  he  lived  in  at  the  time  of  his  death,  August 
29,  1878.  When  Mr.  Kenney  settled  at  what  is  now  Trevorton  his  nearest 
neighbor  was  a  mile  distant  and  the  nearest  store  was  at  Sunbury,  twelve 
miles  distant.  As  soon  as  the  coal  veins  had  been  fully  located  the  work  of 
laying  out  the  town  began.  Hospitality  was  one  of  the  leading  traits  of 
his  character,  and  for  years  their  lonely  house  was  the  headquarters  of  all 
who  visited  that  region.  Mr.  Kenney  married  Ann  Bell,  May  7,  1810,  at 
Long  Benton,  England:  she  stirvived  him,  dying  June  1),  188G,  in  her 
ninetieth  year,  at  the  residence  of  her  son-in-law,  William  Foulds,  of  Tre- 
vorton. Their  descendants  are  fourteen  children,  eighty-four  grandchildren, 
and  over  one  hundred  great-grandchildren.  Eleven  of  their  descendants 
served  in  the  Union  army,  their  son,  James  B.,  dying  at  Yorktown  of  disease 
contracted  in  the  service.  In  all  relations  of  life  both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kenney 
•  were  honorable,  upright,  and  charitable,  and  to  him  is  largely  due  the  early 
growth  and  development  of  the  town  of  Trevorton. 

Thomas  Foulds,  Sr..  was  a  practical  English  miner,  who  immigrated  with 
his  family  to  this  countn,-  in  1S4U,  locating  at  Good  Spring,  Schuylkill 
county,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  was  engaged  in  mining  until  1851,  and  then 
removed  to  Trevorton.  When  the  two  mines  were  consolidated  in  1853,  he 
was  appointed  superintendent,  which  position  he  filled  until  1858.  W^hile 
superintendent  he  discovered  the  vein  of  coal  known  as  Zero,  which  underlies 
No.  1,  and  was  overlooked  by  Professor  Rogers  in  his  geological  survey, 
and  for  this  discovery  Mr.  Foulds  was  presented  with  a  handsome  gold  watch 
by  James  L.  Morris,  president  of  the  company.  After  severing  his  connec- 
tion with  the  colliery  he  was  engaged  in  manufacturing  powder,  and  after- 
wards in  connection  with  his  son,  Thomas,  and  Kobert  Goodwill,  leased  the 
Bear  Valley  mine,  and  subsequently  purchased  the  Union  Hotel  at  Trevor- 
ton, which  he  conducted  until  his  death  in  1870.  In  politics  Mr.  Foulds  was 
a  Republican,   and    a   prominent  member  of    the  I.  O.  O.  F.     He  married 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  1219 

Dorothy  Metcalf  in  his  native  land,  and  his  family  consisted  of  three  sons 
and  live  daughters:  Thomas;  William;  Annie,  wife  of  Joseph  Ditchfield; 
Jane,  wife  of  Alexander  Simpson,  of  Scranton;  Eichard,  deceased:  Mary,  de- 
ceased wife  of  James  Caldwell;  Carrie,  wife  of  Scott  Dawson,  of  Wilkesbarre, 
and  Julia,  wife  of  Daniel  Campbell. 

Thomas  Foulds,  proprietor  of  the  Pennsylvania  House,  Trevorton,  is  the 
eldest  son  of  Thomas  and  Dorothy  Foulds.  He  was  born  at  Tupton  Moor, 
North  "Winiield  parish,  Derbyshire,  England,  September  16,  1830,  and  came 
to  America  with  his  parents  in  1849.  He  followed  mining  in  Schuylkill 
county.  Pennsylvania,  imtil  1851,  when  he  located  in  Trevorton,  and  subse- 
quently entered  the  employ  of  the  late  William  H.  Marshall,  and  in  company 
with  him  went  to  Centralia,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  was  engaged  one  year 
prospecting  for  coal.  He  returned  to  Trevorton,  and  opened  all  the  jirinci- 
pal  gangways  of  the  North  Franklin  colliery,  except  two  on  the  west  side  of 
the  Gap.  In  1856  he  purchased  his  present  place  of  business,  and  in  1857 
assiuued  charge  of  the  hotel.  In  the  same  year  Mr.  Foulds  went  South  with 
Mr.  J.  W.  Beebe,  of  New  York  City,  and  took  charge  of  the  bituminious  coal 
mines  for  a  New  York  company  near  Montevallo,  Alabama,  and  while  there 
was  successful  in  introducing  coal  on  the  steamboats  on  the  Alabama  river. 
Returning  to  Trevorton  in  1858,  in  connection  with  his  hotel  he  engaged  in 
the  mercantile  business,  which  he  conducted  until  1867,  and  again  embarked 
in  the  coal  trade  at  Bear  Valley,  and  was  also  connected  with  the  Eock  Eidge 
Coal  Company  of  Huntingdon  county,  Pennsylvania.  Mr.  Foulds's  early  ad- 
vantages were  limited,  but  ho  educated  himself  by  a  knowledge  gained  from 
books  and  close  observation  of  things  around  him.  In  1862  he  invented  an 
improvement  in  ordnance  known  as  the  needle  gun,  for  which  he  refused  ten 
thousand  dollars.  In  1872  he  invented  a  pumji,  and  also  invented  a  con- 
denser (or  what  is  commonly  known  as  an  exhaust  in  receiving  pipes  of 
pumps),  for  which  he  was  awarded  the  only  medal  for  condensers  at  the  Cen- 
tennial Exposition  in  1876.  In  1885  he  received  letters  patent  for  an  im- 
provement in  injector  condensers,  and  in  July,  1890,  he  patented  an  exhaust 
steam  receiver.  A  metallic  railroad  tie  is  his  latest  invention,  for  which 
letters  patent  have  recently  been  received.  He  is  also  well  known  as  the 
proprietor  and  manufacturer  of  the  tonic  called  "Uncle  Tom's  Bitters,"  for 
which  he  received  a  trade  mark  in  1886.  He  was  the  originator  of  the  slid- 
ing scale  adopted  V)y  the  Bear  Valley  Coal  Company  in  the  regulation  of  its 
payment  of  wages  for  mining  coal,  previous  to  the  ado2>tion  of  the  same  by 
the  Philadelphia  and  Reading  Coal  and  Iron  Company.  Mr.  Foulds  has 
served  in  the  various  township  oftices,  and  in  his  political  affiliations  is  a 
Democrat,  but  was  a  zealous  exponent  of  the  Greenback  party,  and  was  its 
candidate  for  the  legislature  in  1879.  In  religious  faith  he  is  an  Episcoiial- 
ian.  Mr.  Foulds  was  married  in  1849  to  Margaret  Framey,  a  native  of 
Queens    county,   Ireland,  who    died.  May   10,   1863,  leaving   two    children: 


1220  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

Julianne,  wife  of  J.  L.  Beury,  of  West  Virginia,  and  Anastasia,  wife  of  Jere- 
miah Pannel,  of  Kentucky.  His  second  wife  was  Mary  Knapp,  daughter  of 
Henry  Herb,  and  by  this  union  they  have  had  one  child,  Thomas  H.,  deceased. 
Mr.  Foulds  is  connected  with  the  F.  &  A.  M.,  the  K.  of  P.,  and  the  I.  O.  0.  F. 

William  Foulds,  Sr.,  proprietor  of  the  Union  House,  was  born  at  Tup- 
ton  Moor,  North  Wintield  parish,  Derbyshire,  England,  in  1833,  son  of 
Thomas  and  Dorothy  (Metcalf j  Foulds.  His  early  life  was  spent  in  England, 
where  he  followed  mining,  and  in  the  employ  of  his  father,  who  was 
engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  coke  for  some  years  previous  to  his  immi- 
gration to  the  United  States  in  1849.  Mr.  Foulds's  entire  business  trans- 
actions, prior  to  the  death  of  his  father,  who  came  to  Trevorton  in  1851, 
were  confined  to  his  business,  as  he  was  connected  with  him  in  all  his  enter- 
prises. On  the  death  of  his  father  in  1870  the  hotel  in  Trevorton  passed  to 
him,  since  which  time  he  has  given  that  business  his  sole  attention.  Mr. 
Foulds  was  married  in  1855  to  Eliza  B.,  daughter  of  James  Eenney,  the 
pioneer  of  Trevorton,  and  by  this  marriage  they  have  had  sixteen  children. 
Tho-SG  living  are:  George;  M.  Eliza,  wife  of  Peter  Badman;  Mary  A., 
widow  of  S.  N.  Derrick;  Susan,  wife  of  Thomas  Moore;  Alice  E.;  Soj^hia 
J.;  Martha  B.;  Florence  J.,  and  Thomas  J.  In  politics  Mr.  Foulds  is  an 
independent  voter.  He  is  a  member  of  Trevorton  Lodge.  I.  O.  O.  F.,  and 
Augusta  Encampment. 

RiCH.VRD  LoBB,  mini>r  and  farmer,  was  Ijorn  in  Cornwall,  England.  Janu- 
ary 7,  1837,  son  of  Richard  and  Jane  (Treawin)  Lobb.  When  a  child  his 
parents  removed  to  Monmouthshire,  Wales,  where  he  lived  until  185] ;  at  the 
age  of  nine  years  ho  commenced  working  in  the  mines.  His  father's  death 
occurred  when  he  was  live  years  old,  and  his  mother  married  William 
Pinches,  who  immigrated  to  this  country,  and  in  1851  our  subject,  in  com- 
pany with  his  mother  and  her  family,  joined  his  stepfather,  who  had  located 
at  Trevorton.  Richard  Lobb  found  employment  at  the  mines,  where  he 
remained  a  few  months,  and  in  company  with  his  stepfather  went  to  Schuyl- 
kill county,  where  they  were  emjjloyed  eight  months,  when  they  were 
engaged  by  Judge  Helfenstein  to  shaft  the  Shamokin  region,  his  stepfather 
being  appointed  foreman,  in  which  work  they  were  engaged  six  or  seven 
years.  They  then  went  to  Ashland,  where  they  remained  one  year,  and 
returned  to  Shamokin  to  work  in  Bear  Valley  colliery.  In  1850  Mr.  Lobb 
returned  to  Trevorton  and  remained  one  year  working  in  the  mines,  after 
which  he  went  to  Lykens  valley,  where  he  remained  until  1802,  and  again 
returned  to  Trevorton,  where  he  has  since  resided.  Mr.  Lobb  is  also 
engaged  in  farming,  o\vning  some  fifty  acres  at  Trevorton,  and  a  farm  of  two 
hundred  forty  acres  in  Maryland.  He  was  married,  June  17,  1855,  to  Mrs. 
Emia  Jones,  a  native  of  Wales.  Mr.  Lobb  is  a  Republican  in  politics,'  and 
has  filled  the  ofiSce  of  overseer  of  the  poor  for  Zerbe  township.  In  his 
religious  faith  he  is  a  Methodist,  of  which  he  is  a  life-long  member;  he  has  been 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES. 


1221 


Sunday  school  superintendent  for  many  years,  and  one  of  the  official  members 
of  the  Trevorton  church.  He  is  also  a  member  of  Shamokin  Lodge,  F.  &, 
A.  M.,  Trevorton  Lodge,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  the  K.  of  P.  In  1S64  he  enlisted 
in  the  emergency  corps.  He  is  one  of  Trevorton's  progressive  citizens,  and 
has  responded  liberally  toward  the  building  of  all  the  church  edifices  of 
Trevorton.  He  is  a  warm  friend  to  the  cause  of  education,  and  manifests  an 
interest  in  any  movement  tending  to  the  advancement  of  his  commimity. 

Bexj.\min  Knauss,  deceased,  was  born  in  Northampton  county,  Penn- 
sylvania, in  1790,  and  was  one  of  the  early  settlers  of  Trevorton.  He  served 
through  the  war  of  1812,  and  held  the  commission  of  lieutenant.  He  was 
prominent  in  the  old  State  militia,  and  held  the  commission  of  captain,  being 
appointed  by  Governor  Snyder.  In  ISIO  he  settled  in  Mifflinburg,  Union 
county,  Pennsylvania,  and  subsequently  removed  to  Montour  coimty,  and  ni 
1858  came  to  Trevorton  and  engaged  in  the  hotel  business,  keeping  the 
Franklin  House  for  many  years.  His  death  occurred  in  lsS:i  He  was  twice 
married;  nothing  of  his  first  marriage  is  known  by  his  descendants.  His 
second  wife  was  Miss  Billinger,  by  whom  he  had  seven  children:  Susan; 
Fannie;  Margaret;  Elizabeth;  Benjamin;  Ellen,  and  Daniel. 

'Gothilf  C.  Crone,  deceased,  was  born  in  Westphalia,  Prussia.  In  IS 4'.) 
he  immigrated  to  this  country  and  settled  in  Reading,  Pennsylvania.  He 
subsequently  removed  to  Lehigh  county,  where  he  was  engaged  in  the  mining 
of  slate;  one  year  later  he  removed  to  Middleport,  Schuylkill  county,  and  en- 
cacred  L  coal  mining.  In  1855  ho  located  in  Trevorton  and  for  a  number 
of  years  was  employed  in  the  mines  at  this  place.  He  married  m  Prussia, 
J  \V.  L.  StoUen.  Their  children  are  all  deceased  excepting  three  sons:  H. 
Julius,  of  Shamokin;  George  F.,  of  Shamokin,  and  Herman  T..  of  Trevorton. 
His  wife  died  while  he  was  a  resident  of  Middleport,  Penn.sylvania.  In  his 
relicrious  faith  he  was  a  Lutheran,  in  which  church  he  was  an  elder  for  many 
years,  and  superintendent  of  tlie  Sunday  school.  While  a  resident  of  Tre- 
'vorton  he  filled  the  offices  of  supervi.sor,  tax  collector,  and  poor  director.  In 
politics  he  was  a  warm  Democrat,  and  was  one  of  Trevorton's  enterprising 
and  solid  citizens.     His  death  occurred  at  Trevorton  m  1S<W. 

Hermvn  T  Crone,  butcher,  was  born  in  Westphalia,  Prussia,  in  1844, 
son  of  Gothilf  C.  and  J.  W.  L.  Crone.  He  came  to  this  comitry  m  1S4'J 
with  his  parents,  and  spent  his  early  life  in  mining.  He  came  to  Trevorton 
with  his  father  and  for  some  years  was  engaged  in  the  same  busmess.  In 
18G2  he  enlisted  in  Company  D,  One  Hundred  and  Seventy-second  Pennsyl- 
vania Volunteers,  serving  nine  months.  In  1S69  he  engaged  in  his  present 
business,  which  he  has  since  conducted.  In  1882,  under  the  farm  name  of 
GiUespie  Crone  &  Company,  the  Shamokin  Powder  Company  was  organized. 
He  subsequently  sold  his  interest  and  in  connection  with  his  brother  George 
F  established  and  erected  their  present  work  at  Trevorton,  under  the  firm 
name  of  H   T.  Crone  &  Brother,  manufacturers  of  powder.     Mr.  Crone  was 


1222  HISTORY    OF   XORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

married  in  ISHl  to  Fredrica  Knapp,  who  died  in  18'5'2,  leaving  one  child,  de- 
ceased. He  subsequently  married  Mary  S.  Yueiiglincg,  of  Trevorton,  and 
by  this  union  they  have  six  living  children:  Emma  C. ;  Loiiisa  P.;  Francis 
G. ;  Henry  J. ;  Bertha  C,  and  William.  In  his  political  sentiments  Mr.  Crone 
is  a  pronounced  Democrat,  and  has  filled  the  office  of  school  director  and  tax 
collector.  He  has  been  connected  with  the  K.  of  P.  and  the  I.  O.  0.  F.,  and 
is  a  Lutheran  in  religious  faith,  and  a  meml)er  of  that  church.  Mr.  Crone 
is  one  of  the  progressive  citizens  of  Trevorton,  and  manifests  great  interest 
in  all  public  matters;  he  is  a  warm  supporter  of  all  enterprises  of  a  public 
character,  and  enjoys  the  respect  of  the  people  of  the  community. 

John  P.  Plummer,  retired,  was  bom  in  the  parish  of  Kilmerstoue.  Somer- 
setshire, England,  June  9,  1821.  son  of  Thaddeus  and  Ann  (Prattou)  Plum- 
mer. He  was  reared  and  educated  in  his  native  parish,  and  early  engaged  in 
mining.  In  ISoH  he  immigrated  to  this  country  and  located  at  Trevorton, 
Northumberland  county,  Penn.-;ylvania.  He  found  employment  under  Super- 
intendent Mowtofi  at  the  coal  lin'aker,  and  was  soon  promoted  to  foreman, 
which  position  he  tilled  twenty  vt-nrs.  He  is  the  oldest  outside  operator  now 
living  in  Trevorton,  and  one  of  the  oldest  citizens  of  the  place.  I\Ir.  Plum- 
mer was  married  in  1S42,  in  England,  to  Harriet,  daugliter  of  Thomas  Gid- 
dings;  her  death  occurnnl  in  l'^.'')4.  They  were  tlie  parents  of  three  cliihlren: 
Joseph:  ^Villiam,  and  Harriet  M..  wife  of  Joseph  Knight,  of  Ohio.  Mr. 
Plummer  married  for  liis  second  wif(>  Sarali,  daugliter  of  James  Hellas.  He 
is  a  member  of  the  Baptist  church,  of  the  I.  0.  O.  F.,  and  politically  is  an 
independent  voter. 

Joseph  Plummer,  the  oldest  sun  of  John  P.  Plummer,  was  l)orn  in  Eng- 
land in  1.S44,  and  is  a  miner  by  occupation.  He  married  Ellen  Bin.scotter, 
a  native  of  Berks  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  their  children  are:  Harry;  Hat- 
tie,  and  Carrie.  Mr.  Plummer  is  a  m(>mber  of  the  ISIethodist  church,  of 
which  he  is  a  local  pnwher,  and  politically  h(>  is  a  Pepnl)lican. 

William  Plummer,  second  son  of  John  P.  Plummer,  was  born  in  Eng- 
land, Fel)ruary  12,  bS4T,  and  has  ahvavs  followed  the  occupation  of  a  miner. 
He  married  Rebecca,  daughter  of  John  Singer,  and  they  have  on(>  child, 
William  E.  Politically  Mr.  Plummer  is  a  Democrat,  and  has  tilled  the 
offices  of  supervisor  and  townshij)  auditor.  He  is  a  memljer  of  the  Method- 
ist church,  and  an  industriotis.  jiublic-sjtirited  citizen. 

Dennis  Fitzp.\trick,  proprietor  of  the  Trevorton  House,  was  born  in 
County  Limerick,  Ireland,  in  1S34,  son  of  Timothy  and  Mary  (Hanlon)  Fitz- 
patrick.  His  parents  were  farmers  and  his  life  was  spent  upon  the  home- 
stead until  1854,  when  he  immigrated  to  this  country.  He  found  employ- 
ment at  Plymouth  Hill,  Connecticut,  where  he  remained  a  short  time,  when 
he  removed  to  Lebanon  county,  Penn-sylvania,  and  obtained  emj^loyment  in 
the  construction  of  the  Lebanon  Valley  railroad.  In  18-37  he  settled  in 
Trevorton  and  engaged  in  mining,  which  business  he  followed  until  1887, 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  12'23 

and  then  went  into  the  butcher  business,  which  he  conducted  until  Septem- 
ber, 18S9,  when  he  assumed  the  proprietorship  of  the  Trevorton  House.  Mr. 
Fitzpatrick  was  married  in  County  Limerick,  Irehind,  in  1854,  to  Mary, 
daughter  of  Thomas  Joyce,  and  they  are  the  parents  of  twelve  children,  nine 
of  whom  are  living:  Thomas:  Mary  A.:  Dennis;  Bridget;  Ellen;  John: 
Matthew;  Johanna  Amadia.  and  Maurice.  In  jiolitics  Mr.  Fitzpatrick  is  a 
Democrat,  manifests  great  interest  in  the  success  of  his  party,  and  has  been 
treasurer  of  his  township.  In  his  religious  faith  he  is  a  Catholic,  and  is  a 
member  of  St.  Patrick' .s  church  of  Trevorton. 

William  Deppen,  deceased,  was  a  son  of  George  and  Margaret  (Greise) 
Deppen.  His  father  was  a  native  of  Berks  county,  Penn.sylvania,  and  settled 
in  Jackson  townshiji,  Northumberland  county,  near  Herndon,  about  IS'-MK 
where  he  died.  He  had  three  sons  and  one  daughter.  William  was  the  eld- 
est son,  and  when  a  young  man  he  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business  at 
Augustaville.  subsequently  living  in  Jackson  township,  at  Mahanoy,  for 
eighteen  years.  In  the  sjiring  of  IN'SO  he  located  at  Trevorton  and  engaged 
in  merchandising  about  two  years,  when  he  retired  from  active  busine.ss. 
He  was  a  R(>pul)lican  in  politics,  and  a  member  of  the  German  Reformed 
church.  He  married  Susan  Lantz,  of  Lower  Augusta  township,  and  they 
were  the  parents  of  three  sons  and  one  daughter:  B.  F. ;  George  W. :  R.  L., 
and  Sarah  A.  He  died  in  January.  ISi'l:  his  widow  survives  him.  and  re- 
sides in  Trevorton. 

B.  F.  Deppen,  merchant,  was  born  in  Jackson  township,  Northumberland 
county,  Pennsylvania,  in  I'^+T.  son  of  William  and  Susan  (Lantz)  Deppen. 
He  was  educated  at  the  public  schools,  and  was  appointed  agent  for  the 
Philadelphia  and  Reading  railroad  at  Trevorton,  which  jiosition  he  tilled 
twenty  years.  In  188')  he  established  his  present  business.  Politically  Mr. 
Deppen  is  a  Republican.  He  married  Susan  Herb,  who  died  in  1SS8  leaving 
four  children:     Laura  M. :  Susan  M. ;  Samuel  H..  and  William  R. 

James  Cooper,  j^roprietor  of  the  House  of  All  Nations,  Trevorton,  was 
born  in  Staffordshire,  England,  January  20,  1818,  son  of  William  and  Su- 
sannah (Jones)  Cooper.  At  the  age  of  ten  years  our  subject  commenced  the 
life  of  a  miner,  which  he  followed  in  his  native  land  until  1808,  when  he  im- 
migrated to  this  country  and  settled  in  Trevorton,  Northumberland  coimty, 
Pennsylvania,  where  he  found  emjiloyment  in  the  mines.  He  subsequently 
removed  to  Shamokin,  was  employed  in  the  mines  near  that  place  until  1S09, 
and  then  returned  to  the  mines  at  Trevorton.  In  1870  he  went  to  Mahanoy 
City,  but  the  following  year  he  returned  to  Trevorton.  In  1872  he  opened 
his  present  hotel,  which  he  had  purchased  in  1809,  and  has  since  been  en- 
gaged in  the  hotel  business.  Mr.  Cooper  was  married,  November  15,  1845, 
to  Jane  Sunland,  of  England,  who  died,  May  20,  1885.  She  was  the  mother 
of  seven  children,  all  of  whom  are  dead  except  Mary  A.,  wife  of  Otto  Lout, 
of  Trevorton,  and  James,  who   resides  in  Cleariield  county,   Pennsylvania. 


1224  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

Mr.  Cooper  was  again  married,  November  17,  1885,  to  Mrs.  Betsy  Whittle, 
a  native  of  England,  and  a  daughter  of  Abraham  and  Jane  Roper,  also  na- 
tives of  England.  Politically  our  subject  is  a  Republican,  and  has  filled  the 
office  of  township  supervisor.  He  has  been  a  member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.  and 
the  K.  of  P.  He  is  one  of  the  oldest  living  miners  in  Trevorton,  and  has 
always  manifested  an  interest  in  the  growth  of  his  adopted  home. 

Joseph  Kline,  tinsmith  and  merchant,  was  born  in  Berks  county,  Penn- 
sylvania, January  25,  1829,  son  of  Joseph  and  Elizabeth  (Keene)  Kline. 
He  was  reared  and  educated  in  Lebanon  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  learned 
the  trade  of  blacksmith,  which  he  followed  twelve  years.  In  1868  he  settled 
in  Trevorton,  and  purchased  his  present  business  from  his  brother,  who  had 
established  it  some  time  previously.  Mr.  Kline  was  married  in  1852  to 
Catharine  Bumgardner,  of  Lebanon  county,  and  by  this  union  they  are  the 
parents  of  six  children:  William  H. ;  Joseph  A.;  George  M. ;  John  E. ;  Addie 
K.,  widow  of  Henry  Foulds,  and  Ulysses  Grant.  In  politics  Mr.  Kline  is  a 
Republican;  he  has  served  as  school  director  and  in  other  township  offices, 
and  is  a  member  of  the  Evangelical  church,  in  which  he  was  class  leader 
twenty- four  years. 

Abr.\h.\m  Rothermel,  a  native  of  Berks  county,  Penn.sylvania,  settled  in 
what  is  now  Little  Mahanoy  township  about  181)0.  He  married  Mary  Yea- 
ger,  who  bore  him  six  sons  and  three  daughters:  William,  deceased;  Sam- 
uel, of  Philadelphia;  Joel,  deceased;  David,  deceased;  Lewis,  deceased; 
Reuben;  Annie,  wife  of  Samuel  Wagner,  of  Illinois;  Susan,  wife  of  John 
Hensel,  of  Little  Mahanoy  township,  and  Maria,  wife  of  Solomon  Dunkel- 
berger.  He  purchased  some  three  hundred  acres  of  land  in  Little  Mahanoy 
township,  where  he  lived  and  reared  his  family.  He  was  a  prominent  Whig, 
and  for  many  years  tilled  the  office  of  justice  of  the  peace.  He  was  one  of 
the  organizers  of  the  German  Reformed  church  of  that  township,  and  gave 
liberally  toward  the  erection  of  the  churcli  edifice. 

William  Rothermel,  eldest  son  of  Abraham  Rothermel,  was  born  upon 
the  homestead  in  1805,  where  he  was  reared  and  obtained  such  education  as" 
could  be  had  at  the  schools  of  that  period,  and  was  engaged  in  farming  a 
number  of  years.  In  his  latter  years  he  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business 
in  Little  Mahanoy  township,  which  he  carried  on  until  his  death  in  1851. 
In  his  political  sentiments  he  was  a  Republican,  and  a  life  member  of  the 
German  Reformed  church.  His  wife  was  Juditah,  daughter  of  Daniel 
Herb,  of  Upper  Mahanoy  township,  and  by  this  union  they  were  the  parents 
of  eleven  children:  Rebecca,  wife  of  Gail  Smith;  Maria,  widow  of  Matthias 
Boughner;  Samuel,  of  A.shland,  Pennsylvania;  Sarah,  wife  of  Daniel 
Greoif;  Catharine,  wife  of  James  Raker,  of  Little  Mahanoy  township ;  Will- 
iam, who  served  through  the  war  of  the  Rebellion  as  a  member  of  the  Sev- 
enty-seventh Indiana  Volunteers,  subsequently  enlisted  in  the  United  States 
regular  army,  and  was  killed  by  the  Indians  in  Arizona;  Daniel  H. ;  Eliza- 


i/^A^.^0- 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  1227 

betb.  deceased,  who  married  William  G.  Maurer;  Lavioia.  wife  of  Nathaniel 
Eeitz.  of  Illinois;  Lawisa,  wife  of  Rev.  J.  H.  Wohlfarth.  of  Illinois,  and 
Susan,  wife  of  William  W'right. 

Daniel  H.  Eothekjiel,  merchant,  was  born  upon  the  old  homestead, 
April  10,  1840,  son  of  W'illiam  and  Juditab  (Herb)  Rotbermel.  He  was 
educated  in  the  common  schools,  and  engaged  in  farming  in  his  early  life, 
and  with  bis  father  as  clerk.  In  1870  he  located  at  Trevorton  and  estab- 
lished bis  store,  which  he  has  since  conducted.  In  politics  be  is  a  Repub- 
lican, has  served  in  the  oi^ce  of  township  treasurer,  and  is  the  present  tax 
collector.  Mr.  Rotbermel  was  married  in  187."j  to  Mary  E.,  daughter  of 
Felix  Maurer,  of  Upper  Mahanoy  township,  and  by  this  marriage  they  are 
the  parents  of  four  children:  Minnie  M.;  Harry  M.;  Reuben  R.,  and  Clara 
B.  Mr.  Rotbermel  is  one  of  the  leading  citizens  of  Trevorton,  and  is  a 
liberal  supiiorter  of  all  enterprises  tending  to  promote  the  interests  of  his 
town  or  county.  He  was  one  of  the  largest  subscribers  towards  the  building 
fund  for  the  erection  of  the  new  Evangelical  church  of  Trevorton. 

Peter  S.  Bergstressee,  county  surveyor  and  teacher,  was  born  in  Lower 
Augusta  township.  Northumberland  county,  Pennsylvania,  November  2, 
1880,  sou  of  Lot  and  Jemima  (Snyder)  Bergstresser.  In  1848  his  parents 
moved  to  Berryslnirg.  Dauphin  county.  Here  he  attended  the  Berrysburg 
Seminary;  at  the  age  of  seventeen  he  commenced  teaching  at  Reed's  Station 
in  Shamokin  township,  Northumberland  county,  and  subsequently  liecame  a 
student  and  teacher  at  the  West  Chester  Academy,  Chester  county,  Pennsyl- 
vania, where  he  remained  two  years,  obtained  a  preparatory  course,  and  fitted 
himself  for  Lafayette  College,  Easton,  Pennsylvania,  which  institution  he 
entered  in  18r)S.  In  lN(i2  he  was  commissioned  liirst  lieutenant  of  Com- 
pany I.  One  Hundred  and  Seventy-scvcntli  Pennsylvania  Volunteers,  a  nine 
months'  regiment.  After  the  expiration  of  his  term  of  ser\-ice,  he  tiuight 
one  year,  when  he  raised  Company  H,  One  Himdred  and  Ninety-second 
Pennsylvania  Volunteers,  and  had  command  until  the  close  of  the  war.  In 
ISO.j  he  re-entered  Lafayette  College  and  graduated  in  1807.  In  1808  be 
■was  elected  to  the  legislature  from  Dauphin  county,  and  in  1874  was  ap- 
pointed principal  of  the  Lykens  high  school,  where  he  remained  seven  years. 
In  1888  he  received  the  appointment  of  principal  of  the  Trevorton  high 
school  and  superintendent  of  the  to-svnship  schools.  In  1889  he  was  elected 
county  surveyor,  which  position  he  now  (1890)  fills.  Mr.  Bergstresser  is  a 
member  of  Lincoln  Post,  G.  A.  R.,  of  Shamokin,  Trevorton  Lodge,  No.  528, 
I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  of  Susquehanna  Lodge,  No.  304,  F.  &  A.  M.,  of  Millers- 
.  burg.  Pennsylvania.  He  was  married,  November  3,  1808,  to  S.  Jane, 
dauo-bter  of  John  D.  Snyder,  and  by  this  union  they  are  the  parents  of  five 
livino-  children:  Una  M. ;  Bertha  S.;  Alice  O.;  John  L.,  and  Roscoe  K. 

Adam  Schleig  immigrated  to  this  comitry  from  Germany,  served  through 
the  Revolutionary-  war,  and  subsequently  settled  upon  the  land  now  owned 


1228  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

bv  Isaac  May.  Sr..  in  Cameron  township.  His  son  Adam  is  the  progenitor 
of  the  present  Schleig  family  of  Cameron  township.  He  was  born  about 
1774,  and  inherited  the  homestead,  where  he  lived  his  entire  life.  He  taught 
German  in  the  neighboring  schools;  his  death  occurred  in  this  township. 
He  married  Catharine  Derek,  and  they  were  the  parents  of  six  children: 
Daniel;  Michael;  Martin;  Elizabeth;  Sarah,  Mrs.  John  Derr,  and  Catharine, 
Mrs.  Philip  Kerstetter,  all  deceased  but  Elizabeth,  who  resides  in  Cameron 
township. 

D.\NiEL  Schleig,  the  oldest  son,  was  born  at  the  old  homestead,  August 
8,  1812.  He  learned  the  blacksmith  trade,  which  he  followed  in  connection 
with  farming.  He  served  in  the  minor  township  offices,  and  was  a  member 
of  the  Reformed  church,  of  which  he  was  an  elder  and  deacon.  He  was 
a  prominent  Democrat  in  politics.  His  death  occurred  in  ISl'I;  his  wife 
survives  him  and  resides  in  Cameron  township.  Their  family  consisted  of 
seven  children,  live  of  whom  are  living:  Peter;  Joseph;  Michael;  Hannah, 
wife  of  Daniel  Knarr,  and  Salome,  wife  of  Henry  Sortman. 

Peter  W.  Schleig,  merchant,  was  born  in  Cameron  township,  Northum- 
berland county,  Pennsylvania.  April  2S,  1845,  son  of  Daniel  and  Catharine 
(Weary)  Schleig.  He  was  reared  upon  the  old  homestead  inherited  by  his 
father,  and  educated  in  the  township  schools.  At  the  age  of  thirteen  he 
began  working  in  the  mines,  tilling  various  positions  for  sixteen  years.  In 
1874  he  established  his  present  busmess.  He  has  always  been  a  warm  friend 
to  the  cause  of  education,  and  served  many  years  as  a  member  of  the  school 
board;  he  has  also  filled  the  offices  of  townshij)  treasurer,  auditor,  assessor 
for  live  years,  and  in  187G  was  elected  justice  of  the  peace,  and  is  now  tilling 
his  third  consecutive  term.  Mr.  Schleig  has  been  a  life- long  Democrat,  of 
which  party  he  is  a  lending  spirit  in  his  townshif).  He  is  a  member  of 
Gowen  City  Lodge,  I.  0.  O.  F.,  of  Sliamokin  Lodge,  F.  &  A.  M.,  and  Gowen 
City  Camp,  P.  O.  S.  of  A.  In  faith  he  is  a  member  of  the  Reformed  church, 
of  which  he  was  a  deacon  six  years.  He  married  Annetta,  daughter  of  Ben- 
jamin Haupt,  and  of  this  union  they  have  one  son,  Andrew.  The  latter  was 
born,  March  28,  1804.  He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  and  entered 
the  employ  of  his  father  at  an  early  age,  in  whose  employ  he  has  since  con- 
tinued. In  188-J  he  was  appointed  postmaster  for  Gowen  City,  which  posi- 
tion he  now  tills.  He  has  served  in  the  office  of  township  auditor,  and  is  the 
present  tax  collector.  He  is  a  member  of  Gowen  City  Lodge,  I.  O.  O.  F., 
and  of  the  encampment.  He  married  Mary,  daughter  of  Nathan  Henninger, 
of  Cameron  township,  and  by  this  union  they  have  two  children:  Charles  and 
Goldie.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Schleig  are  members  of  the  Lutheran  church;  in  his 
political  affiliations  he  is  a  Democrat. 

Thom.\s  Henninger.  deceased,  was  born  in  Tulpehocken  township,  Berks 
county,  Pennsylvania,  in  1801,  son  of  George  Henninger.  His  early  life 
was  spent  at  farm  work  u])ou  the  homestead;  at  a  .suitable  age  he  was  put. 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  1229 

out  to  learn  the  weaver  trade,  and  subseiiiiently  removed  to  Schuylkill  county, 
where  he  engaged  in  his  business  among  the  farmers.  While  a  resident  of 
Schuylkill  coimty  he  married  May,  daughter  of  Peter  Karl,  who  bore  him 
eleven  children:  Peter,  deceased;  j'oseph.  sujierintendent  of  public  works,  Sha- 
mokin;  Elizabeth, Mrs.  Daniel  Derk,  deceased;  William,  deceased;  Charles, de- 
ceased; Isaac,  deceased;  Jared,of  Cameron  township;  Maria,  Mrs.  Henry  Long, 
deceased;  Nathan;  Aaron,  of  Shamokin,  and  Kittie,  Mrs.  Benjamin  Haupt, 
deceased.  About  the  year  1S3S  Mr.  Henninger  removed  to  Cameron  township 
and  purchased  a  farm  of  one  hundred  nine  acres,  upon  which  he  lived  until  his 
I  death  in  1S43;  his  wife  survived  him  and  died  in  187(5  at  the  age  of  seventy- 

I  one  years.     Mr.  Henninger  was  a  man  of  strong,  religious  belief,  and  was  a 

I  prominent  member  of  the  Lutheran  church.     In  politics  he  was  a  Democrat  - 

'  until  the  two  last  years  of  his  life. 

I  X.\THAN  HE^■^-I^•GER,  farmer  and  stock  raiser,  was  born  in  Cameron  town- 

j.  ship.  Northumberland  county,  Pennsylvania,  in  1839,  son   of  Thoiiias  and 

'  Catharine  (Karl)  Henninger.     He  was  reared  in  his  native  township,  and 

i  educated  in  the  German  schools.     His  early  life  was  sjient   upon   the  farm, 

I  after  which  he  commenced  working  in  the  mines,  which  occupation  he  fol- 

j  lowed  until  IN-M'.  when  he  settled  iipon   his    present  place.     Mr.  Henninger 

has  one  of  the  tiufst   farm's  of  some  four  hrmdred  acres  in  the  township,  and 
?  is  extensively  engaged  in  the  breeding  of  Jersey  cattle.     He  was  married  to 

I  Eliza  Billman,  and  by  this  union  they  have  five  children:  Emmaline,  Mrs. 

-  John  Schleig;  Mary  J.,  Mrs.  Andrew  Schleig;  Sarah,  Mrs.  Francis  Kerstet- 

■  ter:  Lewis,  and  West.     In  politics  Mr.  Henninger  is  a  Republican,  and  is  a 

"  member  of  the  Lutheran  church.     He  is  one  of  the  representative  farmers  of 

'*.  Northumberland  county,  and  commands  the   resjiect    of    the  citizens   of  the 

r-|  cumuiunity. 

j'l  Henry  H.^upt,  deceased,  was  a  son  of  Conrad  Haupt,  a  native  of  Wiir- 

tembero-.  Germany,  who  settled  in  Berks  county,  Pennsylvania.  Henry  was 
one  of  live  Ijrothers:  Conrad,  who  settled  in  Lower  Augusta  township, 
Northumberland  county;  Daniel,  who  settled  in  Bellfonte,  Centre  county, 
Pennsvlvania;  Samuel,  who  settled  in  Schuylkill  county,  and  John  who 
settled  in  the  western  part  of  the  State.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  settled 
in  Coal  township,  now  Cameron.  He  was  born  toward  the  close  of  the  last 
century,  and  came  to  Northumberland  county  when  a  young  man.  He  came 
into  possession  of  about  four  hundred  acres  of  land  in  the  valley  of  Mahanoy 
creek.  He  was  the  father  of  ten  children:  Jacob:  Benjamin;  John;  George: 
Sn.-anna.  Mrs.  George  Kreamer;  Annie,  Mrs.  Samuel  Deer;  Marv',  Mrs. 
Hnnrv  Kluck:  Mrs.  Daniel  Kreamer,  of  Schuylkill  county;  Sarah,  Mrs. 
Georo-e  Derk,  and  Hetty,  Mrs.  Gideon  Derk.  Mr.  Haupt  was  a  member  of 
the  Lutheran  church,  and  a  Democrat  in  politics,  serving  in  a  number  of  the 
minor  offices  of  the  township.     His  death  occurred  about  1847. 


1230  HISTORY    OF    NOETHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

John  Haupt,  the  third  son  of  Henry  Haupt,  was  born  ujwn  the  home- 
stead, April  20,  ISOS.  He  learned  the  stone  mason  trade,  which  business  he 
followed  in  connection  with  farming.  In  his  political  affiliations  he  was  a 
Democrat,  and  served  in  different  township  ofKces.  He  married  Catharine 
Maiirer,  and  they  were  the  parents  of  eight  children:  Benjamin,  a  butcher 
of  Shamokin;  John,  William  and  Philip,  all  residents  of  Cameron  to^vn- 
ship;  Kate,  of  Philadelphia;  Sallie,  Mrs.  William  Yoder;  Mary,  Mrs.  John 
Bonner,  and  Annie,  Mrs.  Jared  Hoverter.  He  died  in  November,  1S73;  his 
widow  sm-vives  him,  and  resides  with  her  son  John.  Mr.  Haupt  was  a 
Christian  man,  and  was  much  respected  for  his  honesty  and  consistency  of 
character.  He  was  a  life-long  member  of  the  Lutheran  church,  of  which  he 
was  an  elder  and  a  leading  supporter. 

John  Boyer  wa.s  a  native  of  Berks  county,  who  settled  in  Coal  to^\'n^hip, 
now  Cameron,  and  subsequently  removed  to  Columbia  county,  where  he 
died.  He  was  the  father  of  seven  children,  and  the  owner  of  about  four 
hundred  acres  of  land  in  what  is  now  Cameron  township,  and  here  his 
children  were  reared.  His  son  John  purchased  the  farm  and  cultivated  it. 
The  latter  married  Elizabeth  Bixler,  and  was  the  father  of  eleven  children; 
those  living  are:  S.  B.  Boyer,  attorney  of  Sunlmry;  Susan,  Mrs.  J.  K. 
]\Iaurer;  Lydia,  Mrs.  Solomon  Zegenfuse;  Charles  B. ;  John;  Annie.  Mrs. 
Peter  Wool;  Hettie,  Mrs.  Samuel  Wikel:' ATigelina,  Mrs.  Gilbert  Koitz.  of 
]\It.  Carmel,  and  Gabriel,  of  Schuylkill  county.  He  was  born  in  l^H^l  and 
died  in  1 S70.  He  served  as  supervisor  and  auditor  of  the  township,  and 
was  one  of  the  original  members  of  the  Lutheran  church,  of  which  he  was 
an  elder.  Ho  was  originally  a  Democrat,  but  the  last  twenty  years  of  his 
life  was  a  Republican. 

Cn.iULES  B.  BovER,  farmer  and  dealer  in  agricultural  implements,  was  l«irn. 
April  '11.  1 880,  son  of  John  and  Elizabeth  (Bixler)  Boyer,  was  reared  u]ion  the 
homestead  farm,  and  received  about  five  months'  schooling  in  German.  He 
followed  farming  as  an  occupation  until  ISOO,  when  he  opened  the  Union 
Hotel,  where  he  now  resides,  and  conducted  it  as  a  hotel  sixteen  years,  when  he 
discontinued  the  business  and  turned  his  attention  to  the  sale  of  agricultural 
implements  and  farming.  He  also  operated  a  saw  mill  on  Mahanoy  creek 
from  ISOS  to  ISSo,  when  the  dam  was  torn  away  by  high  water.  He  was 
postmaster  from  1S77  to  1SS5,  and  filled  the  offices  of  supervisor,  school 
director,  and  auditor.  He  married  in  1858  Lucy,  daughter  of  Benjamin 
Haupt,  who  died  in  1802,  leaving  two  children:  Aaron  and  Albert.  He 
again  married  in  1805  Eosanna  M.  Startzel,  who  died  in  1S74,  leaving  two 
children:  Charles  E.,  and  Mary  E.,the  latter  deceased.  In  1882  he  married 
Ametia  Maurer,  of  Upper  Mahanoy  township,  by  whom  he  has  two  children: 
Martha  and  Elvorda.  Mr.  Boyer  is  a  member  of  the  Lutheran  church,  has 
been  connected  with  Eureka  Lodge,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  of  Upper  Mahanoy  town- 
ship, for  thirty-two  years,  and  in  politics  he  is  a  Republican. 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  1231 

Conrad  Kaker  was  a  native  of  Montgomery  county,  Pennsylvania,  and 
married  Barbara  Dunkelberger,  of  Northumberland  county.  After  marriage 
he  settled  in  Rockefeller  township,  where  he  remained  two  years;  he  then 
removed  to  Little  Mahanoy  township,  where  he  resided  imtil  his  death.  He 
served  as  county  commissioner,  and  was  prominent  in  church  work,  assisting 
to  build  Emanuel's  Lutheran  church  in  Little  Mahanoy  township  and  the 
"Stone  church"  at  Augustaville.  He  was  the  father  of  ten  children: 
John:  Kate;  Frederick;  Jacob;  William;  Enoch;  Isaac:  Maria;  Esther,  and 
Mary,  all  deceased  except  Isaac,  who  resides  at  Shamokin. 

Frederick  Raker,  son  of  Conrad  Raker,  was  bom  in  Rockefeller  town- 
ship, Northumberland  county,  December  21,  181)4.  He  learned  the  black- 
smith's trade,  and  in  1825  married  Elizabeth  Hoffman,  who  was  born  in 
Berks  county  in  181  Ki.  Her  parents,  John  and  Susanna  (Dranchaller)  Hoff- 
man, settled  in  Washington  township,  this  county,  in  1818.  After  their 
marriage  Frederick  Raker  and  wife  removed  to  Lycoming  coimty  and  re- 
mained there  four  years,  when  they  returned  to  Little  Mahanoy  township, 
where  he  died,  August  4,  1844.  He  was  a  Democrat  in  politics,  sei-ved  as 
justice  of  the  peace,  and  was  also  a  prominent  member  of  the  Lutheran 
church.  His  widow  still  survives  him.  They  reared  seven  children,  three 
of  whom  are  living:  Conrad  H. ;  Catharine,  wife  of  Samuel  Frederick,  of 
Ralpho  township,  and  Harriet,  widow  of  Samuel  Dornsife. 

Cdnuad  H.  Raker,  farmer,  son  of  Frederick  Raker,  was  born  in  Lyco- 
ming county,  Pennsylvania,  November  8,  1S2S.  He  received  his  education 
at  the  township  schools,  after  which  he  learned  the  trade  of  gunsmith,  which 
has  been  his  principal  occupation.  With  the  exception  of  four  years  spent 
in  the  western  States,  ho  has  always  lived  in  Little  Mahanoy  township. 
Aju-il  27,  1850,  he  married  Susan,  daughter  of  Daniel  Dornsife,  and  they 
are  the  parents  of  nine  children:  John  Henry:  Albert:  Conrad;  Edward; 
Mary  Elizabeth,  wif(>  of  Alvin  Raker,  of  Shamokin:  Lydia,  wife  of  John 
Schleger,  of  Shamokin;  Frederick  D.,  physician,  of  Shamokin;  Ida,  wife  of 
John  Hilbish,  and  Hattie,  wife  of  Samuel  Moyer,  of  Shamokin.  Mr.  Raker 
is  a  member  of  the  Lutheran  church,  in  which  he  is  a  trustee,  and  politic- 
ally is  a  Democrat.  He  was  the  lirst  postmaster  of  Raker,  and  held  the 
office  seven  years.     Raker  station  and  postoffice  were  named  in  his  honor. 

Samuel  C.  Long,  farmer,  was  born  in  Rockefeller  township  in  December, 
1828,  son  of  John  Long,  who  was  bom  in  the  same  township  in  1805. 
George  Long,  the  father  of  John,  was  a  native  of  England,  and  immigrated 
to  this  county  prior  to  the  war  of  1812,  in  which  he  was  a  soldier.  He  set- 
tled on  the  farm  now  occupied  by  Andrew  Gonser,  where  he  died.  His  son, 
John,  died  in  1888,  and  was  the  father  of  Elizabeth:  Samuel  C ;  Catharine; 
Henry;  Julia:  Benjamin,  and  Lucinda.  Our  subject  learned  the  trade  of 
miller  and  followed  that  occui^ation  for  about  fifteen  years.  He  was  mar- 
ried in  1854  to  Lvdia  Dunkelberger,  bv  whom  he  has  four  children:    Peter; 


1232  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

Elizabeth;  Phebe,  and  David.     Ho  is  a  Democrat   in  politics,  and  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Lutheran  church. 

WiLH.\M  DuxKELBERGER,  farmer,  was  born  upon  hi.s  present  farm  in 
Northumberland  county,  Pennsylvania,  September  26,  1842.  His  i>aternal 
grandfather,  Christopher  Dunkelberger,  wa.s  a  native  of  Berks  county,  Penn- 
sylvania, and  an  early  settler  in  Little  Mahanoy  to\vnship.  His  father,  Jo- 
seph Dunkelberger,  was  born  in  ISOG  upon  the  farm  adjoining  that  of  our 
subject.  He  married  Mary,  daughter  of  David  Malick,  of  Lower  Augusta 
township.  He  was  a  carpenter  by  trade,  but  was  princijially  engaged  in 
farming,  became  one  of  the  prominent  and  wealthy  farmers  of  the  township, 
and  served  in  various  local  political  offices.  He  and  his  wife  were  members 
of  the  Lutheran  church.  She  died  in  187U,  and  he  in  1883.  They  reared  a 
family  of  seven  children,  four  of  whom  are  living:  David,  of  Montana;  Na- 
than, of  Washington:  William,  and  Harriet,  wife  of  Frank  Klock,  of  Lower 
Augusta  township.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  reared  upon  the  home- 
stead farm  and  received  a  limited  education,  attending  the  Freyburg  Acad- 
emy one  term.  He  was  married,  November  22,  1874,  to  Mary,  daughter  of 
John  and  Mary  (Seiler)  Zartman,  of  Jackson  town.ship,  this  county,  and  by 
this  union  they  have  one  child,  Daisy.  '  Politically  he  is  a  Democrat,  and  has 
served  as  constable  and  in  other  offices  of  the  township.  He  is  an  elder  in 
the  Lutheran  church;  his  wife  is  a  member  of  the  German  Reformed  church. 
INIr.  Dunkelberger  has  one  of  the  tinest  farms  of  Little  Mahanoy  township; 
he  is  extensively  engaged  in  raising  blooded  stock  and  makes  a  specialty  of 
Berkshire  hogs. 

Anthony  S.  Speece,  manufacturer  of  blasting  powder,  was  born  in  Lower 
Augusta  township,  Northumberland  county,  Pennsylvania,  October  17,  1S44, 
son  of  Walter  and  Sarah  Jane  (Snyder)  Speece.  He  was  reared  on  the 
home.stead  farm,  and  received  his  education  at  the  schools  of  the  township. 
Early  in  life  he  learned  the  milling  trade,  and  followed  the  same  many  years, 
working  in  Wilkesbarre  for  the  Hilliard  brothers  and  O.  M.  Martin,  also  for 
Beckle  and  Kantz  on  Middle  creek.  After  working  as  a  journeyman  some 
years,  he  rented  the  mill  of  W.  W.  Dewitt,  of  Lower  Augusta  township 
(where  he  had  first  learned  his  trade),  which  he  operated  until  April  1,  18(39. 
At  this  time  he  formed  a  co-partnership  with  John  Campbell,  of  Lower 
Augusta  to\vnship,  and  purchased  the  grist  mill  at  his  present  location;  they 
operated  it  two  years,  when  he  purchased  the  intere.st  of  his  partner  and  con- 
ducted the  business  individually  until  1889.  At  the  time  he  purchased  his 
present  property  there  was  an  old  powder  mill  upon  it,  and  on  the  1st  of 
Aiigust,  1809,  he  rented  the  same  to  William,  John,  Joseph,  and  Christian 
Beury,  who  improved  the  mill  and  engaged  in  manufacturing  powder.  April 
1,  1870,  Mr.  Speece  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  powder,  and  after  being 
in  business  thirty  days  had  an  exjilosion,  with  the  loss  of  fifteen  hundred  dol- 
lars and  the  death  of  one  of  his  employees,  Eichard  Foulds.    Aboiit  two  years 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  1233 

later  he  rented  his  mill  to  Eathermal  &  Mowrj-,  and  thev  sold  their  lease  to 
the  Latlin  &  Rand  Powder  Company.  At  the  expiration  of  this  lease  Mr. 
Speece  relet  the  mill  to  this  firm  for  twelve  hmidred  dollars  per  year,  and 
they  operated  it  seven  years.  He  then  remodeleil  the  mill,  put  in  steam 
power  instead  of  water,  greatly  enlarged  the  capacity,  and  soon  expects  to 
be  able  to  mannfacture  two  hundred  fifty  kegs  per  day.  He  uses  his  grist 
mill  for  pulverizing  piirposes,  and  gives  employment  to  twenty-five  men. 
Mr.  Speece  is  also  engaged  in  farming  and  the  buying  and  selling  of  real 
estate.  November  15,  ISOO,  he  married  .^n.  daughter  of  Abraham  Ship- 
man,  of  this  county,  and  they  are  the  parents  of  sixteen  children,  twelve  of 
whom  are  living:  Eliie.  Mrs.  A.  S.  Dewitt:  Tomson.  Mrs.  Delmar  F.  Camp- 
bell; Orphie;  Laura;  Ella;  Walter;  Lloyd;  Howard;  Anthony  Scott;  James 
Muir:  Newton  Withington,  and  Don  Apsley.  Four  are  deceased:  Bertie  M.; 
Chloe:  Hudson,  and  William  H.  In  politics  Mr.  Speece  is  a  Republican, 
and  has  served  as  school  director  and  auditor  of  his  township.  During  the 
late  war  he  enlisted  in  Company  F,  Thirty-sixth  Pennsylvania  Volimteers, 
under  Captain  Wolverton,  and  served  six  weeks.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Hollowing  Run  Presbyterian  church,  of  which  he  is  an  elder. 

D.  M.  Zahtm.\n,  merchant,  was  bom,  October  IS,  1849,  in  Jackson  town- 
ship, this  county,  son  of  Abraham  and  Elizabeth  (Michaels)  Zartmau,  natives 
of  the  same  place,  and  the  parents  of  nine  children:  Wilhelmina;  D.  M. ; 
Hannah;  William;  Samuel  M. ;  Mar^,-;  Joseph:  Alice,  and  Elizabeth.  Our 
subject  established  his  present  business  at  Domsife  in  1877.  He  married 
Lena  Peifer  in  18G8  and  has  two  children:  WiUiam  and  Cossie.  He  was 
appointed  postmaster  at  Dornsife  in  1879,  the  first  incumbent  of  the  office  at 
that  i)lace. 

Grant  Bolig,  station  agent  at  Domsife  station,  was  Ijoni  near  Selinsgrove, 
Penn  township,  Snyder  county,  Pennsylvania.  May  16,  1805,  son  of  B.  F. 
and  Harriet  (Ulrich)  Bolig,  farmers  of  that  township.  He  received  his  edu- 
cation at  the  schools  of  Freeburg  and  Selinsgrove,  after  which  he  was  en- 
gaged in  teaching  school  in  Snyder  coimty  four  terms.  He  then  learned 
telegraphy,  and  operated  for  the  Western  Union  Telegraph  Company  at 
DoylestowD,  Bucks  county,  Pennsylvania,  about  one  year.  He  was  then  en- 
gaged with  the  Philadelphia  and  Reading  Railroad  Company  as  dispatcher, 
and  was  located  at  Munc}',  Simbury,  Tamaqua.  Allenwood,  and  Sunbury.  In 
February,  1888,  he  took  charge  of  Domsife  station,  and  has  since  held  that 
position.  July  8,  1888,  he  married  Agnes  M.,  daughter  of  Alexander  Deppen, 
of  Dornsife,  Pennsylvania.  They  have  one  child,  Harry  Deppen  Bolig.  Mr. 
Bolig  is  a  member  of  the  Lutheran  church,  and  politically  is  a  Republican. 

Joseph  Haas,  physician,  was  bom  in  Upper  Augusta  township,  Northum- 
berland county,  Penn.sylvania,  Januarv-  17,  1830,  son  of  Frederick  and  Sarah 
(Zimmerman)  Haas.  His  early  education  was  obtained  at  the  common 
schools;  at  the  age  of  nineteen  he  commenced  the  study  of  medicine  with 


1234  HISTOHV    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

Dr.  J.  W.  Peal,  of  Sunlmry,  Pennsylvanita,  and  was  graduated  from  the 
Pennsylvania  College  of  Medicine  in  18.">2.  In  the  same  year  he  located  in 
Jackson  township,  where  he  has  since  resided  and  practiced  his  profession. 
The  Doctor  is  also  engaged  in  farming,  cultivating  some  two  hundred  acres 
of  land.  He  was  married,  October  28,  IS-J."),  to  Mary  F.,  daughter  of  Dr.  J. 
W.  Peal,  and  by  this  marriage  they  are  the  parents  of  four  living  children: 
Eichard  P..  jihysician,  of  Williamstown.  Pennsylvania;  John  P.:  Edward  L., 
and  William  H.  Politically  the  Doctor  is  a  pronounced  Democrat;  he  was 
instrumental  in  establishing  the  public  school  system  in  Jackson  town.ship, 
and  served  upon  the  first  school  board.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Sunbury 
Lodge,  F.  cV  A.  M. 

Kev.  a.  R.  Hottenstein  was  born  near  Reading,  Berks  county,  Pennsyl- 
vania, March  IS.  188."),  son  of  Jacob  and  Esther  (Rahn)  Hottenstein.  He 
received  his  early  education  at  the  Milton  and  Landisburg  academies,  and 
was  graduateil  from  the  Reformed  Theological  Seminary  of  Mercersburg, 
Franklin  county.  Pennsylvania.  In  1802  he  was  ordained,  and  his  first  pas- 
torate was  at  Selinsgrove,  Snyder  county,  Penn.sylvania,  whore  he  remained 
three  years.  His  second  was  at  Berwick,  Columliia  county,  Pennsylvania, 
where  he  remained  ten  years.  He  was  then  elected  to  the  Mahanoy  charge 
of  Northumberland  county,  consiisting  of  six  congregations,  which  he  served 
until  188'>.  when  it  was  reduced  to  four  and  one  supply.  Mr.  Hottenstein 
was  married  in  187-1-  to  Ella  E.  Walp,  and  by  this  union  they  have  two  sons: 
David  F.,  of  Shamokin.  and  Daniel  E.,  who  resides  upon  his  father's  farm  in 
Dauphin  county,  Penn.sylvunia.  Politically  he  is  an  independent  voter,  be- 
lieving that  the  office  should  seek  the  man,  and  that  none  but  competent, 
honest  men  should  be  selected  for  public  office.  Mr.  Hottenstein  is  one  of 
the  best  known  ministers  of  the  Reformed  church  in  this  section  of  the  State, 
and  is  very  popular  with  the  members  of  his  denomination.  He  is  an  enter- 
prising, pubhc  spirited  citizen,  and  is  doing  much  good  among  his  people. 

Rev.  Daniel  M.  Stetler  was  born  in  Montgomery  county,  Pennsylvania, 
November  IT.  1843,  son  of  Isaac  and  Sarah  (Johnson)  Stetler.  His  early  edu- 
cation was  obtained  at  the  public  schools,  Frederick  Institute,  and  a  classical 
school  on  Chestnut  street.  Philadelphia.  In  1871  he  entered  the  Lutheran  Theo- 
logical Seminary  of  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania,  and  was  graduated  in  1874. 
He  was  ordained  at  Lanca.ster,  Pennsylvania,  in  June  of  the  same  year,  and 
was  elected  to  a  mission  in  Snyder  county,  Pennsylvania,  where  ho  remained 
thirteen  years,  residing  at  Beavertown.  In  1877  he  was  elected  to  the  Ma- 
'  hanoy  charge  of  Northumberland  county.  Mr.  Stetler  was  married,  Decem- 
ber 1,  18G6,  to  Barbara  Shetler,  of  Frederick  township,  Montgomery  comity, 
Pennsylvania,  and  they  are  the  parents  of  twelve  children :  William  T. :  Isaac 
H. ;  Eugene  S.:  Ada  E. ;  Sarah  E.  and  Mary  Amanda,  twins;  Daniel  L. ; 
Anna  C,  deceased:  Johnson  V.;  Harry  A.;  Emma  S.,  and  Jacob  N.  He 
preaches  in  both  English  and  German,  has  charge  of  six  congregations,  is 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  1235 

very  poiiular  in  the  community,  and  highly  spoken  of  by  his  parishioners. 
Two  of  his  sons  are  preparing  for  the  ministry  in  the  Lutheran  church,  at 
Muhlenberg  College,  Allentown,  Pennsylvania. 

George  Deppen,  grain  and  leather  dealer  and  justice  of  the  peace,  was 
born  in  1S30  at  Locust  Gap,  Mt.  Carmel  township,  Northumberland  coimty, 
Pennsylvania,  son  of  Abraham  and  Mary  (Snyder)  Deppen.  He  was  reared 
in  Jackson  township,  to  which  place  his  parents  removed  during  his  early 
youth.  His  education  was  obtained  in  the  subscription  schools,  and  his 
early  life  was  spent  in  farming.  In  1S<53  he  embarked  in  the  mercantile 
business  in  Snyder  county,  and  later  followed  the  same  business  at  Herndon, 
Northumberland  countj-.  In  ISOS  he  established  his  present  business,  the 
buying  and  shipping  of  grain  and  dealing  in  hides  for  sole  leather,  etc.,  and 
has  built  up  Cjuite  a  successful  trade.  Mr.  Deppen  was  married  in  186S  to 
Mary  Mertz,  of  Freeburg.  Snyder  county,  who  has  borne  him  the  following 
children:  Lizzie  J.;  Laura:  George  E. :  Henry  C;  Charles  P.;  Carrie; 
John  E. ;  Siisan,  and  Ray.  Mr.  Deppen  is  a  member  of  the  Lutheran 
church,  and  in  politics  is  a  Democrat.  He  is  now  filling  his  third  term  as 
justice  of  the  peace  of  Jackson  township,  and  is  recognized  as  a  progressive 
citizen. 

C.  W.  Dewitt,  miller,  was  born  at  Boyle's  Eun,  Lower  Augusta  towTiship, 
Northumberland  county,  Pennsylvania,  in  iSoO,  son  of  Jacob  and  Mary 
(Clark)  Dewitt.  He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  and  learned  the 
trade  of  miller,  which  he  has  followed  as  an  occupation,  and  in  1882  pur- 
chased his  present  mill  at  Mahanoy,  since  which  time  he  ha.s  been  engaged 
operating  for  himself.  He  married  in  iSTd  Malinda.  daughter  of  William 
W.  Dewitt,  of  Lower  Augusta  township,  and  by  this  union  they  are  the 
parents  of  six  children:  Flavie:  Sallie;  Eeapard;  Daniel:  Henry,  and  Eosie. 
Politically  Mr.  Dewitt  is  an  ardent  Democrat,  and  is  a  member  of  the  P.  O. 
S.  of  A.  " 

R.  H.  MuTH,  physician,  was  born,  September  3,  lS2fi.  in  Berks  county, 
Pennsylvania,  son  of  Frederick  and  Mar\-  (Snyder)  Muth.  His  early  edu- 
cation was  obtained  in  the  common  schools,  and  he  subsequently  attended  Mar- 
shall College,  Mercersburg,  Pennsylvania.  In  1S5"2  he  commenced  the  study 
of  medicine  with  Dr.  Lewis  Eogers.  of  Schuylkill  Haven,  and  graduated 
from  the  I'niversity  of  Pennsylvania  in  ISoo.  He  commenced  practice  the 
same  year  at  Fredericksburg,  Lebanon  county,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  re- 
mained until  1860.  He  then  located  in  Jackson  township,  Northumber- 
land county,  and  has  since  been  in  continuous  and  active  practice.  Doctor 
Muth  was  married  in  1862  to  Louisa,  daughter  of  Abraham  Deppen,  and 
has  one  son,  Henrj-.  He  is  a  Democrat  in  pohtics,  and  an  elder  and  trustee 
in  the  German  Reformed  church. 

WiLLi.iM  H.  Lamb  was  bom  in  Tioga  coimty,  Pennsylvania,  May  17, 
1826,  son  of  Lorrain  and  Susan  (Adams)  Lamb.     He  was  educated  in  the 


1236  HISTORY    OF   NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

common  schools,  early  engaged  in  railroad  work,  and  for  many  years  has 
been  employed  as  superintendent  upon  the  construction  of  various  railroads 
throughout  the  United  States.  In  1853  he  came  to  Georgetown  for  the  pur- 
pose of  getting  out  the  stone  for  the  railroad  bridge  at  Hemdon;  he  was 
subsequently  appointed  foreman  in  the  construction  of  the  railroad  between 
Trevorton  and  Herndon,  afterwards  bridge  tender,  and  held  the  latter  posi- 
tion until  1870,  when  the  bridge  was  condemned  and  removed.  "While  he 
held  this  position  he  was  also  express  agent  and  postmaster.  Since  the 
removal  of  the  bridge  Mr.  Lamb  has  been  connected  with  the  postal  service 
and  engaged  in  various  enterprises.  He  was  married  in  1858  to  Susan 
AUman,  and  their  family  consists  of  the  following  children:  William  L.: 
George  E. ;  Harry  S.;  John  A.:  Marj-  D.;  Charles  F.,  and  B.  A.  Mr.  Lamb 
is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity. 

J.\coB  R.  HiLBusH,  surveyer,  conveyancer,  and  insurance  agent,  Jackson 
township,  was  born  in  Lykens  township,  Dauphin  county,  Pennsylvania, 
March  1-1,  1835,  son  of  Daniel  and  Nancy  (Romberger)  Hilbush.  The 
latter  was  born  in  Lykens  township,  Dauphin  county,  September  11,  1811. 
Daniel  Hilbush  was  bom  in  Northumberland  county,  Pennsylvania,  Decem- 
ber 20,  1S07,  son  of  Daniel  Hilbush,  a  native  of  Amity  township,  Berks 
county,  Pennsylvania,  who  settled  in  Upper  Mahanoy  township,  Northumber- 
land county,  in  1802,  removed  to  Washington  township  in  1820,  was  captain 
of  a  military  company  in  1812,  and  justice  of  the  peace  from  March  31, 
1823,  to  April  10,  1860;  he  was  born  in  1779  and  died  in  1862.  Daniel  and 
Nancy  (Romberger)  Hilbush,  both  of  whom  are  still  living,  are  the  parents 
of  three  sons:  Jacob  R.;  Henry  A.,  and  Elias  R.  Jacob  R.  Hilbush  received 
his  education  at  the  common  schools,  at  Freeburg  Academy,  and  at  the  Mil- 
lersville  StateNormal  School.  He  began  his  active  life  as  a  plasterer  and 
school  teacher.  As  surveyor  and  conveyancer  he  'has  been  concerned  in 
many  real  estate  transfers  in  the  southern  part  of  the  county;  he  has  also 
served  as  county  surveyor  eleven  years,  having  been  first  elected  to  that 
office  in  18G2.  He  was  justice  of  the  peace  twenty  years  and  two  months, 
and  is  at  present  filling  the  office  of  notary  public;  he  holds  commissions 
as  justice  and  nota.ry  public  from  all  the  Governors  of  Pennsylvania 
from  A.  G.  Curtin  to  James  A.  Beaver.  As  insurance  agent  he  transacts 
a  large  business,  representing  half  a  score  of  the  leading  fire  insurance  com- 
panies. On  the  29th  of  September,  1867,  he  married  Amanda,  daughter  of 
John  Zartman,  and  they  are  the  parents  of  three  children:  Annie,  deceased; 
Mary,  and  Lydia.  Mr.  Hilbush  is  a  Democrat  in  politics  and  a  member  of 
the  Reformed  church.  He  one  of  the  best  known  and  most  highly  respected 
citizens  of  Northumberland  county. 

Samuel  S.  Zartman,  farmer  and  justice  of  the  peace,  was  born  upon  the 
homestead  farm,  which  is  a  part  of  the  original  Zartman  tract,  in  Jackson 
township,  Northumberland  county,  Pennsylvania,  in  1845,  son  of  Daniel  and 


BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES.  1237 

Catharine  (Seiler)  Zartman,  and  great-grandson  of  Henry  Zartman,  one  of 
the  pioneers  of  Jackson  to\vnship.  He  was  educated  at  New  Berlin  and  New 
Bloomlield,  Pennsylvania,  and  has  always  followed  farming  as  an  occupation. 
He  married  in  1ST5  Susan  Fenstermaker,  and  by  this  union  they  are  the 
parents  of  five  children:  Jennie  C. ;  Emma  B. ;  Ella  M. ;  Daniel  H.,  and 
Isaac  S.  Mr.  Zartman  was  elected  justice  of  the  peace  in  1SS5,  and  is  now 
serving  a  second  term.  He  has  served  in  minor  township  offices,  and  in  poli- 
tics is  a  Republican. 

JoHX  BixGEM.vx,  deceased,  was  born  in  Lower  Mahanoy  to\vnship,  North- 
umberland county,  Pennsylvania,  in  1817,  son  of  Adam  and  Hannah 
(Shroyer)  Bingeman.  He  was  reared  upon  a  farm,  early  in  life  became  a 
boatman  upon  the  Suscpiehanna  canal,  and  in  the  winter  drove  teams  to 
Pittsburgh  and  Philadelphia  transporting  the  produce  of  the  farms  to 
market.  Early  in  the  '40's  Mr.  Bingeman  located  at  Georgetown  and  en- 
gaged in  the  coal  and  lumber  business,  and  about  1850  he  purchased  the 
hotel  property  now  knowTi  as  the  Bingeman  House,  which  he  conducted  in 
connection  with  his  other  business.  In  1875  he  built  the  brick  store  now 
owned  and  conducted  by  his  son,  W.  0.  Bingeman,  and  engaged  in  the  mer- 
cantile business,  which  he  conducted  iintil  his  death,  March  81,  1SS9.  Mr. 
Bingeman  was  also  extensively  engaged  in  farming.  In  politics  he  was  an 
active  and  ardent  Eepublican,  although  he  never  sought  or  would  accept 
public  office.  He  was  a  member  of  the  German  Reformed  church  and  of 
the  I.  O.  O.  F.  He  was  twice  married;  his  first  wife  was  Louisa  Brosius,  who 
bore  him  one  son,  John,  who  resides  in  Virginia.  His  second  wife  was  Mary 
Wiest,  who  survives  him  and  resides  in  Georgetown;  to  this  marriage  were 
born  nine  children,  six  of  whom  are  living:  "William  O. ;  Charles;  Mar}-, 
wife  of  Joseph  Morgan;  Harry  W. ;  Frederick  W.,  and  Lizzie. 

AV.  0.  Bingeman,  merchant,  was  born,  February  6,  1856,  son  of  John  and 
Mary(\Viest)  Bingeman.  He  received  his  education  at  Berrysburg  and 
Freeburg  academies,  and  at  the  Shippensburg  State  Normal  School.  In 
1S75  he  entered  the  employ  of  his  father  as  clerk  in  the  store,  where  he  re- 
mained until  the  death  of  the  latter,  when  he  purchased  the  business.  Mr. 
Bingeman  has  filled  the  office  of  assessor,  postmaster,  and  tax  collector. 
Politically  he  is  a  Republican,  and  in  November,  1890,  he  was  a  candidate 
for  commissioner,  but  the  whole  county  ticket  was  defeated.  He  married 
Lilly  M.  Beaver,  of  Snyder  county,  and  they  are  the  parents  of  two  children: 
Blanche  and  John  G.  The  family  are  adherents  of  the  German  Reformed 
church. 

Isaac  H.  Ressler,  postmaster,  was  bom  at  Georgetown,  Northumberland 
county,  Pennsylvania,  March  26,  1831,  son  of  Solomon  and  Catharine  (Haas) 
Ressler.  He  received  his  education  at  the  subscription  schools,  and  learned 
the  .trade  of  cabinet  maker.  In  1853  he  was  elected  justice  of  the  peace  for 
Lower  Mahanoy  to-^vnship;  at  this  time  he  was  engaged  at  cabinet  mating 


1238  HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 

and  in  the  manufacture  of  corn  and  seedintr  plows,  which  business  he  carried 
on  until  1802,  when  he  enlisted  in  Company  L,  Sixteenth  Pennsylvania 
Cavalry,  and  was  commissioned  second  lieutenant.  In  the  following  sjiring 
he  was  promoted  to  first  lieutenant,  and  in  the  summer  of  1863  was  appointed 
captain  of  his  company.  At  the  battle  of  Boyden  Plank  Road,  October  27, 
1S04,  he  received  a  gun-shot  wound  in  his  left  leg  and  was  commissioned 
brevet  major.  He  spent  several  months  at  City  Point  hospital:  after  his 
recovery  he  rejoined  his  regiment,  and  at  the  battle  of  Middleburg.  Virginia, 
Jime  IS,  1803,  was  again  wounded,  in  the  right  leg.  On  the  7th  of  April.  1805, 
he  was  wounded  at  Farmville,  Virginia,  in  the  left  groin.  At  the  close  of 
the  war  he  returned  to  Georgetown,  and  built  a  steam  saw  miU,  but,  owing 
to  reverses,  was  compelled  to  close  up  his  business.  He  was  again  elected 
justice  of  the  peace  and  filled  the  ofJice  fifteen  years.  In  ISSU  he  was  ap- 
pointed postmaster  of  Dalmatia,  Pennsylvania.  Mr.  Ressler  is  a  member  of 
Colonel  James  Cameron  Post,  G.  A.  E.  He  married  Mary  A.  Heckart.  and 
by  this  union  they  have  had  ten  children,  four  of  whom  are  living:  Elemor  P. ; 
Plato  A. ;  Linda  P.,  and  Norman  W.     Politically  Mr.  Ressler  is  a  Eeijulilican. 

B.  M.  BuBB,  justice  of  the  peace  and  surveyor,  was  born  in  Lower  Maha- 
noy  township,  Northumberland  county,  Pennsylvania,  son  of  Philip  and 
Magdalinc  (Michael)  Bubb.  His  education  was  obtained  at  the  subscription 
schools  and  the  Freoburg  Academy.  His  early  occupation  was  clerking  in 
Georgetown,  and  about  1858  he  engaged  in  the  general  mercantile  business 
in  the  same  place,  which  he  conducted  some  three  years,  when  he  sold  out. 
In  ISOO  he  was  appointed  postmaster,  and  tilled  the  office  six  years.  He 
was  elected  ju-stice  of  the  peace  in  1809,  which  office  he  has  since  filled.  In 
1880  he  established  his  business  as  surveyor.  Mr.  Bubb  was  one  of  the  first 
school  directors  elected  in  the  township,  in  1805,  and  held  the  office  until 
1888.  He  is  a  member  of  the  German  Reformed  church,  and  has  served  in 
the  office  of  deacon  and  elder.  Politically  he  is  a  Republican,  and  a  gentle- 
man of  enterprise  and  public  spirit. 

B.  L.  Kekchner,  physician,  was  born  in  Greenwich  township,  Berks 
county,  Penn-sylvania,  son  of  Benjamin  and  Mary  M.  (Lintz)  Kerchner.  He 
was  educated  at  the  public  schools  and  Freeland  Seminary  of  Montgomery 
comity,  Pennsylvania.  For  some  years  he  was  engaged  in  teaching  in  the 
schools  of  his  native  township  and  the  high  school  of  Leonardsville.  In 
1808  he  commenced  the  study  of  medicine  with  Dr.  J.  B.  Potteiger,  of  Ham- 
burg, Berks  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  graduated  from  Jefferson  Medical 
College.  Philadelphia,  in  1871.  He  was  appointed  in  the  same  year  one  of 
the  ward  physicians  in  the  Blockley  hospital,  of  Philadelphia,  and  later  in 
the  same  year  he  located  at  Georgetown,  where  he  has  since  practiced,  and 
for  sixteen  years  was  in  the  employ  of  the  Northern  Central  Railway  Com- 
pany as  physician.  The  Doctor  has  filled  the  office  of  school  director,  and 
was  the  treasurer  of  the  board  through  his  term  of  office.     He  was  married 


'i  BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHEy.  1239 

in  I87"i  to  Etta,  daughter  of  Henry  Spotts,  of  Snyder  county,  Pennsylvania. 
In  religiovis  faith  the  Doctor  is  a  Lutheran,  and  in  politics  a  Eepublican. 

E.  D.  Messser,  saw  mill  proprietor,  was  born  in  Lower  Mahanoy  town- 
ship. Northumberland  county,  Pennsylvania,  in  1852,  son  of  Philip  and  Mary 
(Dockey)  Messner.  He  was  educated  at  the  public  schools  and  Freeburg 
and  Berrysburg  academies.  He  learned  the  carpenter  trade,  which  business 
he  followed  sixteen  years.  In  1883,  in  connection  with  his  brothers  Jacob 
and  Isaac,  they  erected  a  sham  saw  mill  at  Georgetown,  which  business 
they  carried  on  until  March,  1890,  when,  in  connection  with  E.  S.  Radel, 
they  biiilt  the  present  mill,  and  are  engaged  in  manufacturing  shingles,  lath, 
and  fence  raihng,  and  dealing  in  Hooring,  doors,  and  moukhng.  Mr.  Mess- 
ner was  married  in  1874  to  Mary  M.  Moyer,  and  to  this  union  have  been  bom 
six  children:  Clara  A.;  Henry  P.,  deceased;  Alda  E. ;  Morris  G.:  John  F., 
and  Eugene  A.  In  politics  he  is  a  Republican,  and  is  a  member  of  Susque- 
hanna Lodge.  F.  &  A.  M.,  of  Millersburg,  and  of  the  P.  O.  S.  of  A.  of  Tower 
City.  Pennsylvania. 

William  B.  Keihl.  miller,  was  born  in  184o,  in  Lower  Mahanoy  town- 
ship. Northumberland  county,  Pennsylvania,  son  of  John  and  Anna  (Binge- 
man)  Keihl.  He  was  educated  at  the  common  schools,  and  was  apprenticed 
to  the  milling  trade  at  an  early  age.  This  calling  he  followed  for  some 
years.  The  mill  property  now  owned  and  operated  by  him  was  purchased 
m  1SC8  by  himself  and  his  brother,  John  B.  Keihl.  In  addition  to  this  he 
also  o\vns  a  farm  of  fifty  acres.  In  1808  Mr.  Keihl  married  Lavina  Raker, 
and  they  are  the  parents  of  the  following  children:  Emma  R. ;  Brosius:  John 
E..  and  "William  H.  Mr.  Keihl  is  a  Democrat  in  politics;  in  1878  he  was 
elected  a  school  director,  and  has  tilled  various  local  offices.  The  family  is 
connected  with  the  Lutheran  church. 


1241 


INDEX. 


Adams,  B.  E 938 

Adams,  Casper 1175 

Adams,  George  C 117C 

Adams,  John  H 953 

Advocate  and  Day-Spring 2S8 

Afkicax  Methodist  Episcopal  Church- 
es-Milton,  582;  Sliamokln 638 

African  Metliodist   Episcopal  Zion  Church, 

Milton 583 

Agricidtiiral  Epitomlst 29G 

Agricultural  Societies 341 

Agriculture 329 

Albright,  Andrew 338 

Albright,  Joseph 1079 

AUumapees 23 

,iAmmerman,  Robert  B 120G 

Ammeniian,  William  S 1205 

Andastes 21 

Antes.  Frederick 215 

Anthony,  Joseph  B 227 

Anthracite  Building  and  Loan  Association, 

Mt.  Carmel 604 

Anthracite  Water  Company C27 

Argument  Court,  first  provision  for 211 

Armstrong,  G.  \V 1155 

Arter,  J.  M IIGI 

Assembly,  members  of 190 

Associate  judges 233 

Associate  Keforiied  Churches.— Mil- 
ton, 5s1;  the  "Pines,"  Delaware  township.  7G3 

Attorneys 240 

Aucker,  J.  S 911 

Aucker.R.S 905 

Augusta  Bank 405 

Augusta  regiment 50 

AUGUST.^  TowxsHiP.— Original  and  subse- 
quent boundaries,  698 ;  disintegration  of  its 

territory,  1.53,  699 ;  pioneers 84,  699 

'  Augustaville 791 

Augiistaville  Farmers'  and  Mechanics'  Asso- 
ciation    345 

Auten,  WilUam  M 1113 

Auten,  Voris 1033 

Awl,  .Jacob....' 804 

Awl,  R.  H.,  265,805;  reminiscences  of 458 

Awl.  WiUiamM 804 

Ayers,  Alfred 1066; 


PACE. 

Bailey,  C.  H 2G3 

Baily,  William  H.  M 1'306 

Ball,  Thomond 450 

Bank  of  Xorthuraberland 494 

Baptist  Churche.s.— Augusta,  Lower  Au- 
gusta township,  707:  Milton.  581;  Montan- 
don,  7-25;  Mt.  Carmel.  674:  Northumberland, 
544;  Rush,  742;  Shamokin.  Sliamokin  town- 
ship, 731;  Sliamokin.  644:  Summit,  Shamo- 
kin township,  732;  Sunliury,510;  Trevorton, 

782 :  Turbutville.  7G5 :  Watsontown 688 

Barnhart,  George 1161 

Barren,  Aaron 057  ' 

Bartho,  B.  F 1037 

Bartholomew,  Henr>- 1170 

Batman,  John  J 852 

Bealor,  .John  W 934 

Beard,  John  P 1157 

Bear  Gap  Water  Company  6'27 

Becker,  John  P.J 263 

Beckley,  Daniel 836 

Beidelspach,  Is;iac 239 

Beierschmitt,  Joseph 1056 

Bellas,  Hugh 247,  807 

Bench  and  Bar 201 

Bergstresser,  Peter  S 1227 

Bergstresser,  Samuel  A 1024 

Blckel  &  Bailey's  foundry  and  macliiue  shop, 

Milton 561 

Bleber.  Elias 1133 

Bingeman,  John 1237 

Blngeman,  W.  0 1237 

Binns,  .John 275 

Bird  Family 874 

Bird,  Joseph 875 

Bird,  Josiah  F 875 

Bird, 'Pemberton 874 

Bird.  Sylvanus 874 

Bird,  Zlba 601 

Bittenbender,  Stephen 603,  869 

Black,  John  and  James 472 

Blade  (Watsontown  i 290 

Blain.  Samuel  M 1120 

Bloom,  Hiram 11C7 

Bloom,  Jacob 1107 

Bloom,  Samuel 11C7 

Bloom.  Urias 8.50 


1242 


HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 


PAOE. 

BIy,  Joseph 1091 

Bly,  ■William 1037 

Bout  Imildina  at  Suiilnuy,  4*1;  at  Nortlium- 

berland 5.H 

Bogar,  John 475 

Bogle,  Thaddeus  G.,  campanyof 437 

Bolich,  Daniel  D 1020 

Bohg,  rirant 1233 

Booth,  William 915 

Boiighiier,  John 1192 

Boughner.  Peter GOi,  1192 

Bouglier,  Sebastian 1193 

Boundaries  of  the  county 143 

Bower,  Tlionipsoh 1087 

Fowlliy,  M.  C,  foinulry  and  macliine  sliop, 

Sunhuiy 401 

Boyd,  John 519 

Boyd,  .Tohn  C GOO 

Boyer.  riiarles  1! 1230 

Boy.T,  .Inlni 1230 

Boyer.  Solomon  B 827 

Bradford,  E.G 248 

Brady,  .Tolin 717 

Brautigam,  Daniel  >I 520 


ulcer,  Beter. 


.1002 


Brelnig,  A.  J.  L 1174 

Brlce,  Andrew  X 843 

Bright,  William  S 2G0    ' 

Bi-odlicad.  Daniel 123   [ 

I'.roose.  Cyrus 1102   I 

Brown,  Cyrus 978 

Brown,  J.  Woods 978 

Brown,  Samuel  T 977 

Brule,  Etienne,  explorations  of 20 

Bruner,  Charles  J.,  2.52.824;  company  of,  404,  437 

Bryson,  James,  company  of 423   j 

Bryson,  Samuel  C,  1157;  company  of 423 

Bubli,  B.  M 1238    j 

Buclier.  .John,  r.ietdcli,  and  Henry 454 

Buclier.J.  F 1133 

Buclier,  J.  Weiser 839   | 

Buck,  Peter  E 943   ; 

Buclc,  Robert 1077    i 

Bull,  John 520    ; 

Buoy,  John  Y 998   - 

Burd.  James,  assumes  command  of  Fort  An-  I 

gusta,  59;  extracts  from  his  journal 60 

Burg,H.  W HOG   ! 

BurK-ert,  William  T 1042 

Burns,  George 107G 

Buyers,  John 473 

Buyers,  John,  company  of 42G   | 

Buyers,  WiUiam  F.,  277;  company  of :..  393   | 


Cadwallader,  Albert 977 

Cadw.allader,  George  B S4G 

Cadwallader,  Seth 977 

Calte.  John  A 853 

Caketown 445 

Caldwell,  Alexander.  900;  company  of 411 

Caldwell,  Samuel 1074 

Cameron,  James 443 


PAf;E. 

Cameron,  Simon 274 

Camkuox  TowxsHif.— Extent  and  organi- 
zation, 7G9;  drainage,  770;  villages  of  the 
past  and  present,  770;  seho(ds,  770;  ehurcli- 

es,  771;  biograplilcal  sketches 1217 

Camp,  David 1024 

Camp,  William i05:i 

Campl)ell,  Daniel 1204 

Campbell,  Dehnar  F 1175 

Campbell,  Isaac ilGO 

Caiii|.b.dl.  .bilui 12W 

C;uiii.b,ll.  .("Iiu  ; 1102 

Caiiipl,,-!!.  Lmrrnre ,520 

Canipl"-ll,  obiiiliah 1179 

Campbell,  Obadiali,  Jr 1179 

Campbell,  Obailiali  S 1 179 

Canals 310 

Carl,  Jolui 1051 

Carothers,  John .520 

Carotliers,  M.  J 1004 

Catawissa  railroad 324 

Catlicart,  James  H 1155 

Catholic  CuriiciiEs.— Our  Lady  of  Mt. 
Carmcl,  Mt.Carmel,  G73:  ,St.  Edward's,  Sha- 
niokiii,  G.30;  St.  .Joseph's,  Locust  Gap,  785; 
St.  Joseidi's,  Milton,  6C8;  St.  Joseph's,  Mt. 
Carmel,  073;  St.  Michael's,  Sunljury,  510; 
St.  Patrick's,  Trevorton,  781 ;  St.  Stanislaus 

Kostka,  Shamokin G34 

Centre  Turnpike  Company 305 

Chamberlin,  Moses 980 

Cliamberlln,  William 980 

Cliambers,  Steplien 242 

Chapman,  Edward 499 

Cliapman,  Setli 223 

Clierry  Family 59,s 

Cliester,  Holden 907 

Clillllsauaque 724 

Clilllisciuafiue  creek 19 

CliilHsfiuaque  Mills 718 

Chillisquaque  TowN.SHif.— Area  and  to- 
pography, 71G;  erection  and  subdivision, 
71G:  pioneers,  717;  Industries,  718;  Potts- 
grove,  719;  Montandon,  720;  Sodom,  724; 
Chlliisipiafine,  724;  schools,  724;  churches, 

724;  biograplilcal  sketches IIOG 

Chulasky  Furnace 71G 

Church  of  Christ,  Sunbury 51 1 

Clmrcli  of  God,  Mt.  Carmel 674 

Citizens'  Building  and  Loan  Association,  Mt. 

Carmel €G4 

CivilWar 39G 

Clapham,  William,  regiment  of,  50;  military 

administration  0  53 

Clark,  F.  A 933 

Clark,  FranlUin  A 875 

Cleaver,  Kimber GOO,  8G2 

Clees.  T.  0 1137 

Clement,  Charles  M 831 

Clement,  Ira  T.,  814;  industries  at  Sunlniry...  491 

Clement,  John  K 825 

Clerks  to  county  commissioners 189 

CUfford  (Klofeta),  John 9Cn 

dinger,  D.,  988 ;  planing  mill.  Milton 562 


1243 


PACK. 

dinger,  L.O IOCS 

Clyde,  Thomas 527 

Clyde.  William 527 

Coal  Poor  distrlet "50 

Coal   Township.— Suggestiveness    of    the 

name.  749;   organization,  740;  streams  and 

roads.   749;    industries.  749;    \1llages,    750; 

Coal  poor  district.  730;  churches 751 

Cohill.H.  G 98» 

Cold  Spring  Brewerj- 490 

Cold  Spring  Creamery 719 

Colonial  Period 1' 

Colt,  Henry  A.,  company  of 431 

Columbia  Gazette '^6 

Colvin,  E.  F.,9S7;  foundry  and  machine  shop, 

Stilton 


iW. 


2.50 


Conily,  Joshua 

Committee  of  Safety,  abstract  of  proceedings, 

111;  constituent  members 112, 11.3, 

Committee  of  Safety  (State  i.  members  of 191 

Condition  of  the  farming  interests  in  1S45 340 

CONGBEGATIONAr.     CHURCHES.— Mt.     Car- 

mel,  672;  ShamoWn 645 

Constitutional  Conventions,  representation  In  189 

Cooke.  'William.  23T :  regiment  of 106 

Cooper.  James 1223 

Cooper.  Thomas 219 

Coroners 1S3 

Correy.  Robert  W lOOC 

Council  of  Censors,  representation  in 190 

Council  of  Safety,  members  of 191 

County  auditors 186 

Countj-  Boundaries 143 

County  commissioners 183 

County  officers 1'9 

County  poor  house 171 

County  prisons 161 

County  superintendents  of  public  schools 179 

County  surveyors 188 

County  treasurers 186 

Coup.  Charles  E  987 

Court  houses 155 

Court  of  common  pleas 209 

Court  of  quarter  sessions 202 

Cowden.  Jolin 526 

Cox.WiUlamB IHI 

Cressinger,  Jacob  K 842 

Crone,  George  F 959 

Crone,  Gothilf  C 1221 

Crone,  Hennan  T 1—1 

Curnow^  Richard 1015 

Curnow,  William  . .  - 1015 


D 


283 


Daily  American  (Sunburji 

Dally  Dispatch  (Shamokin) 294 

Dally  Herald  (Shamokin) 293 

Daily  Times  (Shamokin) 294 

Dalmatia "H 

Dalmatia  Iron  and  Nail  Company 712 

Dan\1Ue  and  Pottsrille  railroad 312 

Danville  Turnpike  Road  Company 309 

DaWdson,  Joseph  H 963 

70 


Davis,  H.E 8i» 

Davis,  Isaiah  B.,  company  of 429 

Davis,  John 1065 

Davis,  Morgan 1054 

Davis,  U.Q 267 

Dean,  WilUam  A 994 

De  Armond,  Samuel 1078 

De  Armond,  Thomas 1166 

Deeter,  W.  A 1124 

De  Gruchy,  .lohn  P 533 

Deitrich,  Samuel 1050 

Delaney,  John  J sse 

Delaware  Indians 22.  42,  46,  47 

Delaware.  Lackawanna  and  Western  railroad  327 
Delaware  Township.— Organization  and 
boundaries,  752;  pioneers,  752;  early  indus- 
tries, 753;   borough  of  McEwensville,  753; 
Dewart,  755;   churches,  7.59;   schools,  764; 

cemeteries,  764 ;  biographical  sketches 1141 

Dentler,  John  F 239 

Dentler,  John  r 11-»9 

Deppen,  B.  F 1223 

Deppen,  George 1235 

Deppen,  Joseph 1"32 

Deppen,  William 1223 

Derby,  James  M 106" 

Derr,  Fuller  S 1085 

Deutsche  Amerlkaner 283 

Deutsche  Deinokrat 283 

Development  of  the  farming  Industry 337 

Development  of  the  Shamokin  Coal 
Field.— Discovery  of  anthracite  in  this  re- 
gion, .358;  first  application  to  general  nses, 
359;  first  Shamokin  coal  taken  to  market, 
360;  opening  of  the  first  mines  at  Shamokin, 
Coal  run,  and  Trevorton,  360;  the  Dan%111e 
and  Pottsville  railroad,  354;  pioneer  coal 
operations,  365;  the  disastrous  year  of  1842, 
367;  revival  of  1850,  368;  Judge  Helfen- 
steln's  developments,  368;  original  coal 
breakers,  370;  Marshall's  letter,  371;  new 
collieries  and  outlets,  372;  coal  shipments 
to  Ehnira  in  1855,  374;  other  collieries  started 
and  breakers  erected,  374;  tonnage  of  this 
region  for  the  years  1S57  and  1889,  389  i  total 

production  for  the  past  fifty-one  years 390 

Dewart 7.55 

Dewart  Academy "64 

Dewart,  Lewis ''37 

Dewart,  William 472,  816 

Dewart,  William  L 255 

Dewitt,  C.  W 1235 

Diamondtown , "85 

Dickerman,  Charles  H 983 

Dieffenbacher,  .lames HOl 

Diehl,  J.Ward 1086 

Dietzler,  Jacob 1012 

Distilleries.— ChllUsquaqne  township,  718 ; 
Delaware  township,  753;  Lower  Mahanoy 
township,  712;  Milton,  558;  Northumber- 
land, 533,  534;  Point  township,  716;  Rush 
township,  741;    Shamokin    township,    729; 

Sunbury 484 

District  attorneys 180 


1244 


HISTORY    OF    NORTHDMBEBLAND    COUNTY. 


?     I 


Ditzler,  (.eoi^oM  1104 

Donnel,  Cliules  (.  i' 

Donohoe   I'ltiiok  lOH 

Dougal,  Cli  iiles  H  ,  9G0  coinp  in>  of  439 
Doiii-al,  Jimes  2Wi  %7 
Dougal,  I  imes  b                                       2tJ7,  9oS 

Dougal,  \\  1111  nil  F  96)1 

Doughei  tj    C  li  11  li  s  H  Id  ^ 

Douty.fharlesH  891 
Douty,  Joliii  B                                              bOo   88' 

Douty,  KiLluid  B  890 

Douty\ille  "70 

Drainage  of  the  countj  10 

Drelbelbies   lobepli  tomp  iiij  of  3Jj 

Dugan,  Oliai  les                '  lotjl 

Duncan,  Uiomis  m 

Dunkel,  HIriiii  10"2 

Dimkel,  John  11-4 

Dunkel,  Kilj  in  1072 

Dunkell]crt,ei   ^\  ilium  l.'J.> 

Durham,  \\    A  1002 

Duttlngfr  John  1201 

E 

Eagle  Run  Brewery 619 

Early  county  fiscal  affairs 172 

Early  township  officers 193 

East  Sun  r.i'uv.— Early  history,  513;  local  in- 
dustries, 514 ;  incorporation 514 

Eckert,  Henry  T 849 

Edison  Electric    lUumlnatlng    Company   of 

Shamokln 627 

Edison   Electric   Illiuiilnating   Company  of 

Sunbury 490 

Edison  Electrical  Illuminating  Company  of 

Mt.  Carmel 635 

Elchholtz,  Jacob  E 845 

Eighth  Pennsylvania  Volunteers 405 

Eightieth  Pennsylvania  Volunteers 422 

Eister,  William  B 1174 

Eleventh  Pennsylvania  Volunteers 402 

Elliott,  Samuel  M 854 

Elliott,  WUUam 1090 

Elysburg 797 

Elysburg  Academy 798 

Emrlck,  E.  M 936 

Engle,  Norman  S 855 

Enterprise 750 

Enterprise  railroad 322 

Epler,  Jacob 1200 

Epler,  Samuel  M 1200 

Epler,  Valentine 1216 

Erdman,  WilhamK....'. 964 

Eshbach,  Anthony 1109 

Eshbach,  David 1109 

Eshbach,  Isaiali  A 1109 

Eshbach,  John 1109 

Evangelical  Association.—  Bingeman, 
Lowtr  Mahanoy,  713;  ChiUisquaque  town- 
ship. 726;  Dewart,  763;  Emanuel,  Jackson 
towushlp,  748;  Milton,  582;  Mt.  Zion,  Hern- 
don,  "48;  Salem,  Jackson  township,  748;  St. 
John's,  Little  Mahanoy  township,  73C;  St. 


PAGE. 

John's,  Shamokin,  G.39;  St.  Luke's,  Upper 
Augusta  township,  703;  St.  Paul's,  Mt. 
Carmel,  673;  Seven  Points,  703;  Sunbury, 
611;   Trautman's,    Jordan    township,   774; 

Trevorton 782 

Evans,  Edwin  A.,  company  of 431 

Evans,  Evan  R 245 

Evening  News  (Sunbury) 285 

Everitt,  Samuel 1121 

Excelsior 750 

Excelsior  Wagon  Works,  McEwensvlUe 754 

F 

Fagely,  Reuben 602,  860 

Fagely,  William 602,  8i» 

Fagley,  Jacob 1169 

Fail-child,  Abram 1132 

Fall-child,  Solomon 1131 

Farley,  Michael 993 

Farmers'  National  Bank  of  Watsontown 683 

Farnswoitli,  William  C 831 

Faulkner,  James 266 

Fausnaught,  J.  J ". 997 

Fausold,  Jonathan 1168 

Fausold,  Simon  P 851 

Fausold,  Valentine 116S 

Faust,  William  B 1033 

Fetter,  Jacob,  988;  planing  mill,  Milton 505 

Fifty-eighth  Pennsylvania  Volunteers 425 

Fifty-first  Pennsylvania  Volunteers 414 

Fifty-sixth  Pennsylvania  Volunteers 420 

Fifty-third  Pennsylvania  Volunteers 418 

Finney,  Spencer  L 995 

First  courts  and  cases 202 

First  National  Bank  of  Miltim 557 

First  National  Bank  of  Jit.  Carmel 664 

First  National  Bank  of  Shamokln 624 

First  National  Bank  of  Sunbury 494 

Fisher,  Albert  S n9,s 

Fisher  Family 1197 

Fisher,  George  S 958 

Fisher,  John 1197 

Fisher,  JohnT 990 

Fisher's  Ferry 705 

Fiske,  A.  R.,  company  of 440 

Fithlan,  Philip  V.,  journal  of 88 

Fltzpatrick,  Dennis 1222 

"Floyd,  H 913 

FoUmer,  C.  F .997 

FoUraer,  Daniel 976 

FoUmer,  Daniel  H f....ll07 

FoUmer  Family 976 

FoUmer,  Henry  P 1107 

Follmer,  J.  M 976 

Follraer,  J.  S 1003 

Follmer,  Levi  H 1130 

Follmer,  Michael 1106 

Follmer,  William 1107 

Foresman,  William  S 1131 

Forsyth,  J.  C 1101 

Forsyth,  William 1095 

FOKT  AUGUSTA.— First  suggested,  49;  expe- 
dition for  erection  of  organized,  53;   plan 


1245 


P.AGE. 

and  location,  54;  progress  of  eoDstniction, 
55,  66;  dilBculty  of  obtaining  provisions, 
ammunition,  and  pay,  57;  resignation  of  the 
ofiicers,  58;  Colonel  Clapham"s  grievances, 
53;  extracts  and  incidents  from  Major 
Burd's  journal,  60;  successive  commanding 
officers,  66;  the  magazine,  66;  Indian  trad- 
ing house,  68;  miUtary  operations  in  1763, 
71;  numerical  strength  of  the  garrison,  73; 
the  armament,  76;  the  old  cannon,  77;  the 
flag,  77 ;  doctors  and  chaplains,  78 ;  plan  of 

thefort,80;  colonel's  quarters 81 

Fort  Boone 129 

FortBnuly 126 

Fort  Bunner 134 

Fort  FreelanO 125,  129 

Fort  Jenkins 124,  123,  133,  135,  136 

Fort  Merainger 129,  133 

Fort  Montgomery 134 

Fort  Muncy 124,  126,  137 

Fort  Kice 134,  135 

Fort  Swartz 135,  136 

Forty-seventh  Pennsylvania  VoUinteers 412 

Forty-sixth  Pennsylvania  Volunteers 410 

Fosnot,  LewC 10S6 

Foulds,  Thomas 1219 

Foulds,  Thomas,  Sr 12IS 

Foulds,  William,  Sr 1220 

Fowler,  Owen  M 292 

Fox,  James 1-201 

Freiheitsvogel  (Sunbury) 276 

French  and  Indian  war 47 

French  pretensions 47 

French  traders 31 

Frey,  Samuel  G 1084 

Frick,  Henry 285 

Frontier  defense 49 


Fult. 


ider. 


Funk,  (leorge  W 1116 

Furman,  Isaac,  carriage  works,  Sunbury 4.S6 

Fry,  Absalom 1205 

Fry,  Joseph 1205 


Gable,  William 

Gallaglier,  Daniel  F 1 

Garlnger,  G.  F 1 

Ga.ston,  S.  P 1 

Gazetteer  (Sunburyi 

Gearhart  &  Brotlier's  foundry,  McEwensville. 

Gearhart,  Bonham  K 

Gearhart,  Jacob 

Geaeh.\kt  Towxship.— Erection  and  or- 
ganization, 800;  borough  of  Kiverside.  801; 
South  Danville,  802 ;  scliools,  802 ;  churches, 
802;  cemetery,  803;  biographical  sketches..! 

Gelger,H.H 1 

Geiger,  Hinkel  &  Company's  planing  milI,Mt. 
Camiel 

General  Staats  Zeltung 

Geologj'  of  the  county ,.3-29, 


German  regiment. 


P.VGK. 

Gettig,  Christian ^j 

Gettig,  Christopher 4k 

Gibson,  Charles  D ^^37 

Giffen,  James  0 1134 

Gilger,  Jonas  L 602.  87-^ 

Gilland,  .lames  W ;ej 

Gillespie, , I.  W 'g^'i 

Gillinger,  Eugene  K... 1216 

Gillinger,  Samuel 1216 

Glaze,  Steplien ni5 

Gobin,  J.  P.  S.,  company  of 413 

Godcharles  (C.  A. (Company 563 

Godcliarles,  Johnson  B 956 

Goldschmidt,  Isa;ic 1026 

Gonser,  Andrew ]i69 

Goodwill,  Robert \ jg.s 

Gotshall,  Adam  J 013 

Gould,  Joe io-_>2 

Gowen  City 770 

Graeber,  Conrad ;,% 

Graeber,  George  C 8'.i.s 

Grant,  Alexander 447 

Gray,William  454 

Greek  Catliolic  (Ecce  Homoi  church,  Shamo- 

kin ^....  645 

Greek  cemetery,  Shamokin 655 

Greenough,  Ebenezer 24S.  t-os 

Greenougli,  William  I 05.1.  so;. 

Green  Ridge 7,>5 

Gresh,I.  D ..my: 

Guffy,  Andrew  J .,57 

Gutelius.C.W not 

Guyer,  George .v.-.r, 

H 

Haag.B.  K g,,, 

Haag.  .T(din 951 

Haas,  Daniel  K 943 

Haas,  Hiram  M sss 

Hiias,  J.  K 9J7 

Haas,  John 473 

Haas,  John §15 

Haas,  John  S 5137 

Haas,  Joseph - 1233 

Hackenberg,  W.  H 1001 

Hacker,  Thomas  J 903 

Hagenbuch,  H.  W ]       ios3 

Hall,Charles .745 

Hand,  Edward,  military  administration  of  .. .  123 

Hannah,  John 527 

Harmony  Cemetery  Association .591 

Harpel,  George  W 1037 

Harpel,  M.  H [[[[[  930 

Hari)el,  William  F 923 

Harper,  Henry  C,  company  of +40 

Harris,  James irm 

Harrlsburg  and  Sunbury  railroad '  31S 

Hartley,  Thomas,  ordered   to   Northumber- 
land coimty  with  his  regiment,  123;  disposi- 
•  tion  of  his  forces,  124;  official  correspond- 
ence, 124;   expedition   .igainst  tlie  Indian 

towns  on  the  North  Branch i-.4 

Hartline,  Daniel  F im. 


1246 


[ISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 


Hartman,  .lacoby 1115 

Haiti-aDft,  Uiiali  C,  company  of -123 

Haitzell,  Charles 1158 

Harvey,  Bernard ion 

Hauck,  H.  L. ,  carriage  works,  Sunbury 4S9 

Haupt,  Benjamin 9G1 

Haupt,  Henry riS 

Haupt,  John 1230 

Haiipt,  Samuel 11G9 

Hebe 773 

Heckert,  Benjamin 85S 

Hefley,  (ieorge 1202 

Heftey,  George  W 1203 

Hegins,  Charles  W 2.52 

Heilman,  Daniel  D lltB 

Helm,  A.  A 904 

Heim,  Daniel 820 

Helnen,  T.  C 979 

Heinen,  William 979 

Heinen,  WilUam  A 979 

Heiser,  Conrad 1035 

Helfensteln 770 

Helfenstein,  Charles  P 879 

Helfensteln,  William  L 604,  877 

Hemingray,  William 915 

Hendricks,  Benjamin 858 

Hennlnger,  Joseph 9C3 

Henninger,  Nathan 1229 

Hennlnger,  Thomas 1228 

Hepburn,  .lames 249 

Hepburn,  James,  Sr 52G 

Hepl)urn,  Samuel 24C 

Herb,  Edward  C 1017 

Herb,  Rudolph 1039 

Herndon .^ 744 

Hess,  J.  Wilson 1137 

Hewitt,  Tliomas 213 

Higbee  &  Wagner's  saw  mill,  Watsontown. ..  680 

Hllbush,  .Jacob  E 1230 

Hile,  Ira 859 

Hill,  George 266,  820 

Hill,  John  N 827 

Hill,  SethC 1122 

Hinkel,  William  H 1038 

Hobson,  Charles  H 1040 

Hockley,  Alfred 109-2 

Hoffa,  Jacob llll 

Hoffa,  John llll 

Hoffman,  William 516 

Hogue,  D.  C 1089 

HoUenback,  D.  S 932 

Hollenback,  Reuben 936 

Holshue,  Galen  F.,  flour  mill,  Shamokin 619 

Horan,  Michael 1018 

Horan,  Thomas  J 1026 

Horner,  E.  H 1147 

Horton,  Jesse  C 1098 

Hott'-nstein,  A.  K 1234 

Hotteastein,  Allen  S 1001 

Hotteustein,  Charles UIO 

Hottenslein,  Daniel llll 

Hottenstein,  Henry 1110 

Hottenstein.  Jacob 1110 

House,  J.  W :..1125 


PAGE. 

Housel,  Edgar  L 1080 

Housel,  J.  R 1083 

Hoy.  Daniel  K 1150 

Hoy.  David  N 1112 

Hoy,  John 1112 

Huber,  Ivanhoe  S 939 

Hubley,  Bernard 520 

Hudson,  George 1210 

Hughes,  C.  E 960 

Hulings,  Marcus,  Jr 545 

Hull.  Thomas  R 972 

Hidl.  William 971 

HiUI.  William 972 

Hummel,  Frankhn 12i» 

Hiuurael,  Jacob,  company  of 394 

Hummel,  Solomon 1209 

Hunter,  Samuel,  appointed  county heutenant, 
US;  official  correspond"ence,  118;  official  ac- 
counts, 138 ;  biography 447 

Iml«>ly,  (;.  W 998 

Indkin  traders 31,    36 

Indians,  21;  Andastes,  21;  Susquehannocks, 
21:  Delawares,  22;  Sluiwanese.24;  Iroijuois.    25 

Intenuil  Improvements 297 

Ireland,  David 1112 

Irich's  graveyard,  Shamokin 633 

Iron  FiK-VAck.s.— Chulasky,  Point  town- 
ship. 716;   Northumberland,  535;   Paxinos, 

Shamokin  township,  729;  Shamokin 615 

Iroiiuols  Indians 25,    43 

IrwintJaridC 850 

J 

Jackson,  Angelo,  company  of 426 

Jackson,  Sanuiel 266 

Jack.sox  Town.ship.— Original  boundaries, 
743;  pioneers,  743;  industries,  744;  Hern- 
don.   744;    Mahanoy,    745;    schools,   745; 

churclies,  745 ;  biographical  sketches 1217 

Jails 161 

James,  W.C 1049 

John.  Abia : 1184 

John.  Asa  T 1183 

John.Elida 1185 

John.  Family 1183 

JoliD.  Griffith 1186 

John,  Griffith,  Jr 1184 

John.HenrjT 1020 

.Iohn,J.  J 885 

John.  Jesse  J 1185 

John,  Perry 1136 

John.  Samuel 603,  871 

John.U.  F 929 

John.  William 1187 

Johnkowski,  Louis 1023 

Johnson,  P.  C 986 

Johnson,  Peter  V 1217 

Johnston,  David 954 

Jones,  Thomas  E.,  company  of 428 

Jordan,  Alexander 229 


1247 


PAGE. 

Jordan  Township.— Erection  and  organ- 
ization, 772;  drainage,  772;  roads.  772;  post- 
villages,  773;  industries,  773;  schools,  773; 

churches,  773 ;  biographical  sicetches 1217 

Judges 213 

Jury  commissioners 188 

Justices  of  the  peace 103 

Justices  from  1772  to  1790 213 

K 

Kamp,  George  P 1145 

Kase,  Harrison  C IIW 

Kase,  Isaac  G 900 

Kase,  Spencer  M 609 

Kaseman,  Daniel 1201 

Kaseman,  David 1201 

Kaseman,  William  F 1200 

Kauffman,  Daniel 11C2 

Kauffman,  John  K 1162 

Kennedy,  .John 263 

Keeter,  George  W 854 

Keefer,  Samuel  L 1173 

Keene,  Laurence •. 453 

Kelhl,  William  B .'1239 

Kellagher,  Michael lOCO 

Kelly.  Frederick  M 988 

Kelly,  Peter  F IWO 

Kelsey,  J.  W 1114 

Kennedy,  John 263 

Kennedy,  K.  A 9*4 

Kennedy,  WiUiani  C 88S 

Kerchner,  B.  1 1238 

Kerr,  Joseph 115i; 

Kessler,  Joseph  W 912 

Keystone  Machine  Works,  Sunburi' 400 

Kiefer.  William,  Jr 1020 

King,  Kobert 520 

King.  William  F 1031 

Kirk,  John  M 1078 

Kirk,  Thomas 1078 

Kistner,  T.  H lOOO 

Klapp  &  Lucas's  carriage  works.  Milton 5C5 

Klapp,  Keuben  H 1119 

Klees,  William  W 10'29 

Klick,  William 1126 

Kline,  Herman IICO 

Kline,  John , lOM 

Kline,  John  F llCO 

KUne,  Joseph 1224 

Klonowskl,  Florian 922 

Klonowski,  Jerome 1030 

Knauss,  Benjamin 1221 

Koch,  J.  Joseph 918 

Koerber,  Henry....: 996 

Kram,  Charles  A 1007 

Kramer,  .Jacob  G 857 

Kremer,  Jacob 1075 

Kreitzer,  John  H 1000 

Krick,  George 1196 

Krick.  John 1197 

Krick,  Solomon  R 1196 

Krigbaum,  Daniel 1195 

Krock,  John  C UK 


r.\GE. 

Kuhns,  William 1200 

Kulick,  John IMS 

Kulp,  Dariington  R 908 

Kurtz,  J.  U 1123 

Kutzner,  William  R 891 


Lamb,  William  H 1235 

Lamerson,  Lawrence 655 

Lantz,  Simon 1079 

Latliey,  William  K 265 

Lawson,  William  C 255,  082 

Lawyers  240 

Leader,  C.C 944 

Leader,  Edward  M 945 

Legislative  representation lOO 

Lehigh  Valley  railroad 328 

Lehman,  William  N 1031 

Leinbach,  J.  B 1 132 

Leinbach,  Jeremiah 1151 

Leisenring,  Frank 1199 

Leisenrlng,  .Jacob 1199 

Leisenring,  Peter 1199 

Leisenrlng,  Peter,  Sr 1198 

Lemon,  Thomas 715 

Lerch.  FeliJC 657 

J.esslg.C.J 914 

LeTort,  James 31 

Le\-y,  Daniel 245 

Lewis,  David  J 1016 

Lewis,  Ellis 226 

Lewis,  John  H.,  company  of 435 

Lewi.s  Township.— Topographical  features. 
71x5;  political  organization,  765;  Freeland's 
mill,  765;  borough  of^  Turbutville,  765; 
churches,   767;     schools,   768;    Turbutville 

cemetery,  769 ;  biographical  sketches 1 141 

Lewis,  William  H 953 

Lewis,  William  H 1037 

Lewisburg  and  TyTone  railroad 320 

Limestone  331 

Limestone  ridge 332 

Limestone  valley 332 

Linebaugh,  Daniel  S 1116 

Llppiatt,  Thomas  H 962 

Little  Mahanoy  Township.— Bounda- 
ries, 734;  organization,  734;  pioneers,  735; 
mills,  735;  schools,  735;  churches,  735;  bio- 
graphical sketches 1217 

Llewellyn,  David 891 

Lobb,  Richard 1220 

Locust  Gap 784 

Locust  Gap  Local .■ 296 

Logan  (Sayughtowa) 30 

Logan,  Joe.  A 1005 

Long,  Hiram 841 

Long,  Samuel  C 1231 

Lorenz,  Frederick  W.  V 939 

Ixjwdon,  John,  company  of 100 

Lower  Aicusta  Township. -Territorial 
development,  705;  topography,  705;  Fish- 
er's Ferry,  705;  mills,  706;  schools,  706; 
churches,  700 ;  biographical  sketches 1160 


1248 


HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 


LfiwEit  Mahaxoy  Township.— Organiza- 
tiou,  711;  (Iniinage,  711;  early  history  and 
present  business  and  Industrial  Interests  of 
Georgetown,  711;  Malta,  712;  industries, 
712;  scliools,  712;  cliurclies,  713;   biograpli- 

Ical  slsetches 1217 

Lowry,  Andrew  M 1079 

Lubeski,  Enoch 1043 

Lutheran  Churches.  —  Christ,  Milton, 
581;  David's,  Jordan  township,  773;  Eden, 
Roclveteller  township,  793;  Emanuel,  Rocli- 
eteller  townslilp,  795;  Follmer's,  Turbut 
townsliip,  695;  Georgetown,  713;  Grace,  Mt. 
Carmel,  670;  Grace,  Slianioliin,  641;  Him- 
mel,  Washington  townslilp,  788;  Hollowing 
Pain,  Lower  Augusta  township,  707;  Im- 
manufl's,  LittN'  Malianoy  township,  735; 
Messiah,  .M.K«viis\iii,.,  763;  Paradise,  Tur- 
but township,  i,'.7.  I'ottsgrove,  720;  St.  Ja- 
cob's. i;;il|)liii  tnuu-lilp,  799;  St.  Jacob's, 
Upper  Maliauoy  township,  710;  St.  James, 
TurljutviUe,  767;  St.  John's  (Delaware  Run), 
Delaware  townsliip,  761 ;  St.  John's,  Jack- 
son township,  7-17;  St.  Jolin's,  Locust  Gap, 
786;  St.  John's.  Xortluiniherlaud.  540;  St. 
John's,  Shamolcin  township.  732;  St.  Jolin's, 
Upper  Mahanoy  township,  710;  St.  Mat- 
thew's, Mt.  Carmel,  G71;  St.  Paul's,  Cam- 
eniu  township.  771;  St.  Paul's,  Jordan 
township,  774;  St.  Peter's,  Cameron  town- 
slilp. 771;  St.  Peter's,  Jackson  township, 
745;  St.  Peter's,  Lower  Augusta  township, 
707;  St.  Peter's,  Ralpho  township,  798; 
stone  Valley,  Lower  Mahanoy  township, 
7i:!;  Trinity,  .Milton,  579;  Trinity.  Shamo- 
kia.  640;  Verj.  Cruz,  Lower  Mahanoy  town- 
ship, 713;  Watsontown,  690;  Zlon,  Jackson 
township,  747;  Zion,  Mt.  Carmel,  671;  Zion, 
Rockefeller  township,  792;  Zlon,  Sunbury, 
.WJ;  Zion,  Trevorton,  783;  Zlon,  Turbutville  767 

Lyo:i,  Edward 700 

Lyon,  John 454 

31 

Maclay,  Samuel 234 

Jlaclay,  William,  correspondence,  121 ;  resi- 
dence at  Sunbury  fortified,  129;  biography  448 

Macpherson,  John 233 

M;ihanoy 745 

M,-ihanoy  Creek .* 20 

Mahanoy  Township.— Proceedings  for  its 
erection,  708 ;  division  into  Upper  and  Lower 
>[ahanoy,  70S ;  further  disintegration  of  its 

*     territory,  153 ;  pioneers 709 

Mahanoy  and  Samokin  Improvement  Com- 
pany   323 

Mahanoy  and  Shamokln  railroad 3'22 

Mahon,  Peter  A 928 

Malady,  Charles 1011 

MiUta 712 

Mandata 773 

Markle,  Martin 909 

Markley,  Solomon 262 


Marr,  Addison  G 929 

Marr,  Josepli 971 

Marsh,  .Limes  D.,  company  of 419 

Marsh,  Minner  G 1116 

Marshall,  George 910 

Marshall,  William  H 880 

Martin,  Charles  M 840 

Martin,  Hugh 1130 

Martin,  Robert 516 

Martz,  E.  H 960 

Martz,  George  0 941 

Martz,  Peter 238 

Martz,  Solomon 604,  1193 

Massacre  of  Penn's  creek 47 

Masser,  FrankUn  B 842 

Ma.sser,  Henry 474 

Masser,  Henry  B 2,52,  soe 

Masser,  .Jacob  B 2ffi,  842 

Mast,  Thomas 1155 

Matthi:is,  Jacob 1102 

Maurer,  Charles  K 1029 

Maiirer,  J.  M 935 

Maus,  John  A.,  company  of 408 

Mauser,  Alem .' 1158 

Mauser   &    Brother's   carriage   works,    Mc- 

EwensvlUe 754 

Mauser,  Cain 11.59 

Mausteller,  John 1115 

May,  Isaac,  Sr 899 

May,  James 900 

Mead,  David 453 

Meekly,  John 267 

Medical  profession 261 

Medical  societies 269 

Medlar,  J.  (4 910 

Menges,  Peter  K 1148 

Mercantile  appraisers 189 

Messlnger,  Isaac  N 1080 

Messner,  E.  D 1239 

■  Methodist  Episcopal  Churches.— 
Boyle's  Run,  Lower  Augusta  township,  706; 
DoutyviUe,772;  Ehenezer,  Rockefeller  town- 
ship, 795;  Elysburg,  799;  Excelsior,  751; 
Georgetown,  714;  Irish  Valley,  733;  Klines- 
grove,  702;  Milton,  571;  Montandon,  723; 
Mt.  Carmel,  671 ;  Mt.  Pleasant,  Upper  Au- 
gusta township,  702;  McEwensviUe,  763; 
Northumberland,  539;  Oak  Grove,  Ralpho 
township,  800;  Rushtown,  742;  St.  John's, 
Sunbury,  ,507;  Sliamokln,  First,  634,  Second, 
637;  Snydertown,  733;  South  Danville  (River- 
side), 802;  Upper  Augusta,  702;  Trevorton, 

780;  Watsontown 689 

Mettler,  Lorenzo 1215 

Mettler,  WilUara 1215 

Mettler,  WilUam  H 1215 

Metzlnger,  Nicholas 1067 

Miles,  J.  Hunter 1003 

Militia.— Organization  of  at  the  outbreak 
of  the  Revolution,  116;  called  Into  active 
service,  118;  mobilized  in  the  war  of  1812, 
391;  mintia  musters,  459;  militia  of  1862, 

436;  mlhtlaof  1863 438 

Miller,  Amandus 1183 


1249 


PAGE. 

Miller,  Daniel  S 888 

Miller  Family 1182 

Miller,  Francis  A 9W 

Miller,  George 1182 

Miller,  George  W 1183 

Miller,  Lewis,  company  of 430 

Miller,  Nicholas 450 

Miller,  S.M 1132 

Miller,  Samuel  M 1075 

Miller,  WilUam  6 1013 

Mii.i.s.— Cliillisquaque  township, 718,719;  Del- 
aware township,753;  Jackson  township,  744; 
.Iiirdan  township,  773;  Lewis  township, 763; 
Little  Mahanoy  township,  735;  Lower  Au- 
gusta township,  706;  Lower  Mahanoy  town- 
ship, 712;  Milton,  558, 501;  Northumberland, 
536;  Point  township,  713;  Ealpho  township, 
798;  Kockefeller  township,  791 ;  Eush  town- 
ship, 741;  Shamokin  township,  728;  Shamo- 
kin,619;  Sunbury,484;  Turbut township,G84 ; 
Tiirliutville,  760;  Upper  Augusta  township, 
701;  Upper  Mahanoy  township,  710;  ^Vash- 

Ington  township,  787 ;  'VVatso'ntown 081 

MiLTiiN.— Pioneer  lilstory,  &45 ;  the  town  plat, 
543 ;  Inhabitants  from  ISW  to  1808, 649;  taxa- 
hles  in  1818,  532;  borough  government,  553; 
the  postofflce,  554;  facilities  of  travel  and 
transportation,  554;  general  business  Inter- 
ests, 553;  industries  of  the  past  and  present, 
JS8;  noodsandnres,503;  secret  and  other  so- 
cieties, 568;  churches,  5CS;  Sunday  schools, 
583;  miscellaneous  moral  and  humanitarian 
organizations,  585;  educational  interests, 
587;  local  papers,  285,  590;  cemeteries,  591; 

biographical  sketches 9C7 

Miltim  Academy 588,  589 

Milton  Association  tor  the  Better  Observance 

of  the  Christian  Sabbath 586 

Milton  Hlble  Society 585 

Milton  Car  Works 602 

Milton  Cemetery  Association 591 

Milton  Classical  Institute 589 

Milton  Democrat 288 

Milton  Driving  Park  and  Fair  Association....  346 

Milton  Cias  Company 5.57 

Milton  Iron  Company 563 

Milton  Knitting  Company 66.'-. 

Milton  Ledger 288 

Milton  Manufacturing  Company 504 

Milton  National  Bank 550 

Milton  Record 288 

Milton  Steam  Boiler  Works 56.5 

Milton  Steam  Tannery 558 

,  Milton  Sunday  School  Union 580 

Milton  Temperance  Society 586 

SUlton  Trust  and  Safe  Deposit  Company 537 

Milton  Water  Company 657 

amtonian 285 

Mine  Hill  and  Schuylkill  Haven  railroad 321 

Miners'  Trust  and  Safe  Deposit  Company.. ..  623 

Montandon ' 720 

Montelius,  Alfred  M 1914 

Montehus,  Ralph  W 1030 

Montelius,  Walton  H 1033 


I".\C1E. 

Mont,?omery,  D.  M 1129 

Montgomery,  David 1143 

Montgomery,  Darid  B 1144 

Montgomery,  David  .F 1145 

Montgomery  Family 1141 

Montgomery,  H.  R 1129 

Montgomery,  James 1129 

Montgomery,  John 238,  1142 

Montgomery,  John 1143 

Montgomery,  John  G 1144 

Montgomery,  Jolin  S 1129 

Montgomery,  Robert 1142 

Montgomery,  Robert  C 1144 

Montgomery,  Robert  L 1144 

Montgomery,  William 216 

Montgomery,  William 1143 

Montgomery,  William  S 1144 

Moore,  Alexander 1212 

Moore,  Jesse 245 

Moore,  U.S.  G 930 

Moravian  Missionaries 40 

Morgan,  Edmund 913 

Morgan,  Harry  W 903 

Morgan,  Samuel  B 1073 

Morris,  William  T 263 

Morrison,  John  W 1000 

Morse,  George 1039 

Morton,  Thomas 1033 

Mowry,  Jacob 602 

Mt.  C.A.BMEL.— Old  hotels,  653;  the  town  plat, 
658;  first  Improvements  and  subsdiuent 
growth,  639;  the  first  merchants,  physicians, 
and  lawyers,  661;  tlie  postofflce,  602;  rail- 
roads, 602;  municipal  organization  and  gov- 
ernment, 602;  the  Mt.  Carmel  coal  trade, 
663;  general  industrial  Interests,  063;  flnan- 
cial  institutions,  064;  water  and  electric 
light  companies,  065;  secret  and  other  so- 
cieties, 600;  the  press,  2W,  606;  schools,  606; 
churches,  670;  cemeteries,  676;  biographical 

sketches 1013 

Mt.  Carmel  American 295 

Mt.  Carmel  Cemetery  Company 670 

Mt.  Carmel  Iron  Company 003 

Mt.  Carmel  Manufacturing  Company 663 

Mt.  Carmel  News 294 

Mt.  Carmel  Progress 2!M 

Mt.  Carmel  Savings  Bank 6&4 

Mt  Carmel  Tow»(ship.— Organization, 784; 
drainage  and  roads,  784;  collieries,  784; 
mining  villages,  784;  churches,  783;  bio- 
graphical sketches 1013 

Mt.  Carmel  Water  Company 663 

Mt.  Vernon  Cemetery 803 

Muench,  Charles  E 1187 

Muench  Family 1137 

Muench,  Jacob  E 1188 

Muench,  William  H 1133 

MufHy,  James  W 1088 

MufBy,  0.  L 1148 

Mullen,  John 906 

Murdock,  Thomas  A 1003 

Murray,  James 1126 

Murray,  James,  regiment  of 119 


1250 


HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 


I'AGE. 

Murray,  John 1120 

Murray,  .John 1127 

Muiray, Samuel  \V 083 

Murray,  William IILT 

Murrays  of  Cliilllsiiuaque ll'JG 

Mutli,  R.  H 1235 

Mc 

McBrlile,  Robert 400 

McCarthy  Fnncis  1053 

McCarthy  .1  imps  -V  lUW) 

McCarthy,  Mitli  lel  A  lOoO 

McCarty,  \\  llli  im  bl7 

McCauley,  Diniel  10)1 

McCay,  Robert  1007 

MeCleery,  J   P  ro 

McCleery,  John  comp  inv  of  400 

MeCleery,  William  2o7   0(9 

McClon-,  Bciij  iinm  602 

McClure,  H    M  835 

McClure,,!  i  1034 

McConnell  \\  lib  im  C  041 

McCormlck  Charles  C  075 

McCormick  hamilj  972 

Mccormick,  Robert  M  075 

McDevitt,  r  lme^  H  »2i, 

McDonnell    John  lOol 

McEIiece,  Gcnrte  J42 

McEliece,  John  942 

McEwENsv  ILI  F  — Early lustory  753  gio^vtli 
7.54;  local  Industries.  754.  borou^'li  organi 

zation,  755 ;  biographical  sketches 1141 

McEwensville  Academy 764 

McFee,  William 1021 

McGowan,  Arthur,  carding  mill  and  sickle 

factory,  Milton 5o.S 

McGiiigan,  Robert,  company  of 39i 

McGuire,  William,  company  of 392 

McHarg,  Joseph 108 

McKee's  fort 67 

McKinney,  David 430 

McKniglit  Family 1108 

McKnight,  James 1108 

McMahan  Family .....1128 

McMahan,  .James 1128 

McManlgal,  David  A.,  company  of 428 

McNamara,  Thomas  L 9G7 

Mc  Williams,  Curtis  Q 040 

JlcWilliams,  Kimber  C 935 

McWUUams,  Robert  C .■ 1105 

N 

JJatioual  Greenback  ( Shamokin) 294 

Neagley,  Joseph ..1132 

Neff,  Christian 836 

Neff,  George  H 83G 

Nesbit,  D.  M.,  planing  mill,    Cliillis(iuaque 

township 719 

Nesbitt,  William  H.  H 1138 

Newbaker,  J.  B 1217 

Newcomer,  John  T.,  company  of 423 

Newhard,  Charles 990 


PAGE. 

NEW.srAi'ED.s.— Xorthimil)erland.  273;  Sun- 
bury,  27G;  Milton,  2S5;  Shamokin,  291 ;  Mt. 
Carmel,  294;  Watsontown,  295;  McEwens- 
ville and  Locust  Gap 296 

Nicely,  Joseph 239 

Nortliern  Central  railway 318 

NOKTHLMBERLAXD.— The   tOWU    plat,    515; 

early  history,  51tf:  prominent  early  resi- 
dents, 610;  early  merchants  and  hotels,  525; 
tlie  postofllce,  527;  bridges,  canals,  and 
railways,  528;  borough  organization  and 
government,  533;  Industrial  activity,  533; 
schools,  536 ;  local  journaUsm,  273, 537 ;  secret 
and  other  societies,  538;  churches,  538; 
cemeteries,  544;  biographical  sketches ....  1093 

Northumberland  Academy 530 

Northumberland  Agricultural  Works 535 

Northumberland  Bridge  Company 328 

Nortliumberland  Car  Works 535 

Nortiiumberlami  Cemetery  Company 545 

Northumberland  County  Agricultural  So- 
ciety   341,  345 

Northumberland  County  Democrat 283 

Northumberhind  County  Herald 288 

Northumberland  County  Legal  News 285 

Northumberland  Coimty  Medical  Society....  209 

Northumberland  Coimty  National  Bank 023 

Northumberland  County  Soldiers'  Monu- 
ment Association 442 

Nortliumberland  Iron  and  Nail  Works 535 

Northumberland  Missionary  Society HSb 

Northumberland  Republikaner 279 

Northumberland  Union 276 

Nortliumberland,  Union,  and Columlila  Bank  656 

Northumbrian 287 

Nurseries,  first 340 

o 

Oakes,  J.  B 1159 

Oats,  Domlnick 1030 

Officers'  surveys 82 

Omlor,  Peter  F 1049 

One  Hundred  and  Fifty-second  Pennsylvania 

VoUmteers 431 

One  Hundred  and  Thirti-first  Pennsylvania 

Volunteers 427 

One  Hundred  and  Twelfth  Pennsylvania  Vol- 
unteers   424 

O'Neill,  Mark  A 1030 

Oram,  W.  H.  M 925 

Organization  and  Administration 142 

Orphans'  court 207 

Osborn,  James  A 1003 

Overpeck,  H.  M 1031 

Owen,  Samuel 1057 

Oyster,  Daniel,  company  of 413 

P 

Packer,  Jolin  B 255,  810 

Packer,  Samuel  J 249,  809 

Packer,  Samuel  J 810 

Packer.  WilUam  C 810 


1251 


Pardee  Car  and  Machine  Works 6S2 

Pardee's  saw  mill,  Watsontown 681 

Pardee,  Joseph 1134 

Parr,  James,  company  of 102 

Parton,  John,  foundry,  Milton . . . . , Ml 

Paul,  Charles 1210 

Paul,  T.  H 911 

Paxinos 730 

Paxinos  Furnace 729 

Paxinos  Powder  Mills 729 

Faxton,  Harry  B.,  company  of 409 

Peal,  John  W 822 

Pennsylvania  railroad 312 

Pennsylvania    Railroad    Company's    repair 

sliops,  Sunhury 492 

Pensyl,  David  K 1180 

Pensyl,  George 1181 

Pensyl,  Henry 1181 

Pensyl,  Jacob 118O 

Pensyl,  John 1214 

Pensyl,  Leonard IISO 

Pensyl,  Samuel 1214 

Pensyl,  Solomon 1214 

Pensyl,  'William 1182 

Persing,  Emanuel  S 1203 

Philadelphia  and  Erie  railroad 3IS 

Philadelphia  and  Reading  railroad 321 

Philadelphia  and  Sunbury  railroad 312 

Phillips,  Hugh  M 1041 

Phillips,  Robert 268 

Pliiillps,  W.  H 1041 

Piper,  Tobias -. 267 

Pleasants,  Charles 251 

Pleasants,  James 251 

Fhunmer,  John  P 1222 

Plummer,  Joseph 1222 

Phnnmer,  'VVimam 1222 

Plmil<et,  -SVilliam 215,  261 

PoiXT  TowxsHLP.— Proceedings  for  its  erec- 
tion, 714;  first  township  officers,  714;  pi- 
oneers, 714;    industries,    715;  biographical 

sketches 1093 

Pollock  Guards 409 

Pollock,  James 228 

Pomf ret  manor 82 

Pomf ret  Manor  Cemetery  Company 513 

Population,  statistics  of 1S4 

Pottsgrove 719 

Pbesbvteriax  Churches.— Chiiiisquaciue, 
ChilUsquaciue  tomiship,  724;  Elysbm-g.  800; 
Hollowing  Run,  Lower  Augusta  townsliip, 
700;  Mitton,  574;  Mt.  Carmel,  675;  McEwens- 
ville,  763;  Northumberland,  538;  Rush,  741; 
ijhamokin,  Shamokin  township,  731;  Sha- 
mokin,  638;   Sunbury,  501;   'Warrior  Run, 

Delaware  township,  759;  'Watsontown 691 

President  judges 214 

Price,  John  B 264 

Priestley,  Joseph -266 

Priestley,  Joseph 520 

Primitive  Methodist  Churches.— Mt. 

Carmel,  672 ;  Shamokin 637 

Progress  Hat  and  Cap  Mjinufacturiug  Com- 
pany   664 


r.\GE. 
Protestant     Episcopal     Churches.— 
Grace,    Riverside,   803;    Milton,    570;    St. 
Mark's,   Northumberland,   543;    St.   Mat- 
thew's, Sunbui-y,  509;  Trinity-,  Shamokin...  643 

Prothonotaries 179 

Public  buildings 155 

Publick  Inquirer  (Sunburj-) 277 

Public  Press  (Northumberland) 276 

Public  roads 297 

Pubhc  school  system,  inauguration  of 176 

Purchase  of  the  Susquehanna,  42 ;  of  1736,  44 ; 

of  1749,  45;  of  1754,  45;  of  1768 82 

Purdy,  Truman  H 818 

K 

Railroads 3U 

R;iker,  Conrad 1231 

Riiker,  Conrad  H 1231 

Raker,  F.  D 934 

Raker,  Frederick 1231 

Raker,  H.M 1173 

Raker,  Jacob 1173 

Raker,  John 1173 

Ralpho  Township.— Successive  steps  in 
the  proceedings  by  which  the  townsliip  was 
erected,  796:  line  of  division  from  Sliamo- 
kin,  7%;  drainage  and  roads,  796;  pioneers, 
797;  eariy  history,  growth,  and  secret  so- 
cieties of  Elysburg,  797;  industries,  798; 
schools,   798,   churches,  798;    biographical 

sketches ...1175 

Rambach,  Silas 1068 

Ramsey,  Joseph  S ll>t3 

Raup,  H.  P 1151 

Reading  road '209,  305 

Reager,  M.  G 951 

Rebuck "87 

Reed,  Amos 1170 

Reed,  Casper  J 1213 

Reed,  Emanuel  B 1131 

Reed  Family 1176 

Reed,  Farnsworth 1103 

Reed,  F.T 910 

Reed,  Jacob , 1177 

Reed,  James 1213 

Reed,  Jerome  B 856 

Reed,  Jesse 1177 

Reed,  John 1176 

Reed,  John  B 1016 

Reed,  John  W 1177 

Reed,  Simon  P 1213 

Reed,  ■William 1130 

Reed,  •VN'imam  A 1177 

Reformed  Churches.— David's,  Jordan 
township,  773;  Emanuel,  Rockefeller  town- 
ship, 795;  Georgetown,  713:  Grace,  Mt.  Car- 
mel, 675;  Himmel,  Wasliington  townsliip, 
788 ;  Hollowing  Run.  Lower  Augusta  town- 
ship, 707 ;  Immanuel's.Little  Mahanoy  town- 
ship, 735;  Paradise.  Turbut  township,  696; 
St.  Jacob's,  Ralpho  township,  799;  St. 
Jacob's,  Upper  Mahanoy  township,  710;  St. 
John's   (Delaware   Rimi,  Delaware  town- 


1252 


HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 


ship.  761 ;  St.  .Jolurs.  Milton,  575;  St.  .Jolin's, 
McEwensviile,  76-.>;  .St.  Jolm's.  Sliuinoliin 
townsliip,73L';St.  Jolin's,  Sliamolcin,  642;  St. 
Jolm's,  Upper  Malianoy  township,  710;  St. 
Paul's,  Cameron  toivnship,  771;  St.  Paul's, 
Joi-dan  township,  774;  St.  Peter's,  Cameron 
township,  771;  St.  Peter's,  Jackson  town- 
ship, 745;  St.  Peter's.  Ealpho  township,  798; 
Stone  Valley,  Lower  Mahauoy  township, 
713;  Sunhnry,  5W:  Trinity,  Turbutvllle,  7i»; 
Trinity,  Watsontown.  6S9 ;  Vera  Cniz,  Lower 
Mahanoy  township,  713;  Zion,  Jackson 
township,  747;  Zion,  Kocketeller  township.  792 

Registers  and  recorders 17D 

Reilly,  JohnH 1085 

Keimensnyder,  George  B 834 

Eeimensnyder,  John  J 833 

Reitz.  I.  S 961 

Eeitz,  Moses 1164 

Religious  Wusemu  ( Xorthumberland) 276 

Renn,  I.  J 1164 

Renn.  Ira  T llGo 

Renn,  Philip  H 841 

Renney,  James 1218 

Representatives  (State  1 191 

Republican  Argus  (Northumberland) 275 

Ressler,  Isaac  H 1237 

Revolutionary  Period 99 

Rich.irdson,  W.  A 917 

Eiddell,  William 993 

Rigliter,  Thomas  M 1019 

Rine,  John  A 1139 

Einehart,  Charles  P 1161 

Rlppei.  Conrad 859 

Rishel,  .Jacob  S 1129 

Kltter.Isaac  F 990 

River  navigation 309 

Riverside.— Location  and  plat,  801 ;  growth 
and  suburban  character,  801;  municipal 
government,  SOI ;  blograpliicai  sketclies ....  1175 
Ro.U).s.— Tulpehocken  road,  298,  303;  old 
Reading  road.  299;  Fort  Augusta  to  Lycom- 
ing, 299;  Fort  Augusta  to  Mahoning  (Dan- 
ville), 300;  .Sunbury  to  Mahantango.  300, 3W ; 
Sunburyto  Mahoning  (Danville),  300;  Sun- 
bury  to  Catawissa,  301 ;  Sunbury  and  Sha- 
mokin  creek,  301;  Simbury  to  Lycoming, 
301;  Harrison's  road,  302;  Strawbridge's 
road,  302;  Valley  of  Mahantango  creek, 
303;  Jforthumberland  to  Lycoming,  301; 
Muncy  to  Malionlng  (Danville),  3(M;  Ma- 
honing (Dannlle)  to  the  old  Reading  road, 
304;  valleys  of  Little  Shamokln  and  Green- 
brier creeks 306 

Roaring  Creek  Water  Company 626 

Robb,  Eobert 112 

Roberts,  Samuel 246 

Robertson,  Andrew 892 

Robertson  &  Osier's  flour  mill,  Shamokln 619 

Robins,  Edwin  S 931 

Robins,  Galen  S ; 268 

Robins,  John  K 268 

Robins,  Joseph  0 268 

Robins,  WiiUam 264 


p.\t;E, 
Robinson,  Thomas,  company  of,  136;  corre- 
spondence    i3(i 

Rockefeller,  David 813 

Rockefeller  Township.  —  Organization 
and  boundaries,  790;  drainage  and  roads, 
790;  villages,  790;  mills,  791;   schools,  791; 

churches,  792;  biographical  sketches 1160 

Rockefeller,  William  M 231,  814 

Eock  Street  Planing  MiU,  Shamokln 619 

Eockwell,  Ludlem  B 852 

Eodrigue,  M.  Arlstide 266 

Rohbach,  Ellas  P.,  company  of 435 

Rohrbach,  George,  foundry,  Simbury 490 

Rohrbaeh,  Lloy<l  T 826 

Rombach,  George  W 1069 

Rombach,  John  W |007 

Roney,  Thomas 1050 

Roster  of  the  medical  profession 269 

Rothermel,  Aliraham 1224 

Rothermei,  Daniel  H 1227 

Rothermel,  William 1224 

Roush,  John 1113 

Ruckman,  Robert  C 1149 

Rules  of  court 211,  212 

Rush,  Jacob 216 

Rushtown 741 

Rush  Township.— Successive  movements 
for  the  division  of  Shamokln  townslup,  737; 
formation,  origin  of  name,  and  first  town- 
ship officers  of  Rush,  737;  pioneers,  737;  in- 
dustries, 741;  Rushtown,  741;  scliools,  741; 

churches,  741 ;  biographical  sketclies 1 175 

Russell,  Andrew 1151 

Russell,  E.  H 1159 

Russell,  John 1151 

Russell,  Samuel 1152 

Russell,  T.W 1152 

Russell,  W.T 1033 

Ryan,  George  W.,  company  of 430 

Ryon,  George  W 926 

Ryon,  WilUain  W 930 

S 

Samuel,  Edmimd  W 1036 

Sanitary  Aid  Society  of  Sunbury 402 

Sanitary  Commission 402 

Savidge,  Benjamin 1148 

Savidge,  C.  R 834 

Sa\1dge,  John  B 923 

Schabo,  John 957 

Schleif,  Francis 965 

Schleig,  Adam 1227 

Schleig,  Daniel 1228 

Schleig,  Peter  W 12'28 

Schoil,  Casper 239 

Schools.— Cameron  township,  770;  ChilUs- 
quaque  township,  724;  Delaware  township, 
764;  Gearhart  townslilp,  802;  Jackson  town- 
ship, 745;  Jordan  township,  773;  Lewis 
township,  768;  Little  Mahanoy  township, 
735;  Lower  Augusta  township,  706;  Lower 
Mahanoy  township,  712;  Milton,  589; 
Mt.    Carmel,    666;    Northumberland,   536; 


1253 


Ealplio  township,  798;  Rockefeller  town- 
ship, 791 ;  Rush  township,  741 ;  Sliamokln, 
W3;  Shamokln  township,  730;  Sunbury, 
497;  Turbut  township,  697;  Upper  Augusta 
township,  701 ;  Upper  Mahanoy  township, 
710;  Washington  township,  787;  Watson- 
town.    687;    Zerbe   township,  780;     public 

school  system  inaugurated 176 

Schreyer,  Philip  H.,  company  of 419 

Schreyer.W.  A 096 

Schwartz,  Joseph 1058 

Schwenk,  John  E.  K 1140 

Scott.  Oscar  J 1030 

Soott,  Thomas 1023 

Scott.  William  L 610 

Scudder,  Daniel 249 

Scupham,  -Mark  P.,  carriage  works,  Sunbury.  4SC 

Seasholtz,  J.  S.,  carriage  works,  Sunbury 486 

Second  Pennsylvania  Heavy  Artillery 424 

Seller,  E.G ' 948 

Senators  (State) 192 

Seven  Points 790 

Seventh  Pennsylvania  Cavalry 422 

Seventy-fourth  Pennsylvania  Volunteers  ...  435 

Shaffer,  Henry 238 

Sh.\mokin  (Indian  town).— First  visited,  32; 
traders,  35;  location  of,  41 :  burned  and  aban- 

iloned 49 

Shamokix.— General  summary,  591;  brief  of 
title,  592;  the  town  plat,  597 ;  pioneers,  59S ; 
Sliamokln  In  1839,  605;  subsequent  growtli 
summarized,  607;  the  first  stores  and  ho- 
tels, 607;  early  physicians  and  lawyers,  e09; 
municipal  organization  and  government, 
611);  the  riot  of  1877,611;  facilities  of  travel 
and  transportation,  612;  tlie  Shamokln 
coal  trade,  612;  general  industrial  inter- 
ests, 615;  the  postofflce,  621;  banks,  G21; 
water,  gas,  and  electric  light,  625;  board  of 
trade,  628;  secret  and  other  societies, 
628;  the  press,  291,629;  churches,  630;  edu- 
cational Interests,  645;  cemeteries,  653;  bio- 
graphical sketches 860 

Shamokln  Agricultural    and    Driving    Park 

.Association 340 

Shamokln  and  Trevorton  railroad 322 

Shamokln  Arc  Light  Company 628 

Shamokln  Bank 621 

Shamokln  Banking  Company 624 

Shamokln  Board  of  Trade 628 

Shamokln  Business  College 653 

Shamokln  Canalboot 279 

Shamokln  Cemetery  Company '.  653 

Shamokln  Coal  and  Iron  Company 615 

Sh.\mokin  Coal  Field.  — Importance  of 
coal,  347;  Its  location,  J4f>;  nomenclature  of 
veins,  349;  position  and  character  of  the 
veins  at  Shamokln,  350;  description  of  the 
coal  veins,  353 ;  a  section  of  the  measures, 
a'>4;  brief  description  of  the  local  districts, 
3.56;  probable  diu-atlon  of  the  coal  supply. 
3S7;  development  of  the  Shamokln  coal  Held  358 

Shamokln  Collegiate  Institute 647 

Shamokln  creek 19 


PAOE. 

Shamokln  Gas  Light  Company 627 

Shamokin  Guards 405 

Shamokln  Herald 292 

Shamokln  Industrial  Company 620 

Shamokin  Ironworks 617 

Shamokln  Island 700 

Shamokin  Journal 291 

Shamokln  Manufacturing  Company 620 

Shamokln  Planing  Mill 619 

Shamokln  Powder  Company 620 

Shamokln  Powder  Mills 620 

Shamokin  Register 291 

Shamokln  Rolling  MIU 618 

Shamokm  Sentinel 294 

Shamokln  Steam  Bakery 620 

Shamokln  Street  Railway  Com^pany 612 

Shamokin,  Sunbury  and  Lewlsburfe  railroad. .  324 

Shamokln  Times 293 

Shamokin  Township.— Formation  of  Ral- 
pho  township  and  description  of  Its  original 
boundaries,  726;  change  of  name  to  Shamo- 
kln, 727;  physical  features,  728;  pioneers, 
728 ;  Industries,  728 ;  borough  of  Snydertown, 
729;  villages,  730;    schools,  730;    churches, 

731 ;  biographical  sketches 1175 

Shamokln  Valley  and  Pottsvllle  railroad 312 

Shamokln  Water  Company 625 

Shannon,  Ephralm  P 526 

Shawane  Indians 24 

Shay,  Philip 1069 

Shay,  William  F 1071 

Sheep,  John 1122 

Sheriffs 180 

Shikelllmy 26 

Shinier,  Samuel  J 983 

Shinier,  S.  J.  &  Sons,  Industries  at  Milton. . . .  6C4 

Shindel,  Daniel  W 823 

Shipe,  Isaac  F I2li 

Shipinan,  Abraham 239 

Slilpp,  James  A 965 

Shlpp,  John 889 

Shlssler.  Alfred  G 935 

Shlssler,  H.  A 888 

Shoop,  Levi 9*62 

Shuman,  James  M Wo 

Shuster,  David  E 946 

Sniyman,  Oscar  H 1022 

Silvlus,  Thomas  J 845 

Simpson  Brothers'  planing  mill,  Sunbury 491 

Simpson,  Jeremiah 453 

Simpson,  John 453 

Slater,  James  D.,  company  of 408 

Slayman,  C.J 911 

Smlnk,  WllUamH.E 960 

Smith,  Charles 243 

Smith,  Daniel «46 

Smith,  Enoch 246 

Smith,  Henry  B 838 

Smith,  J.  R 997 

Smith,  Matthew,  &»8;  correspondence 122 

Smith,  Peter 1065 

Smith,  Simpson 1077 

Smith,  William  H 1005 

Siuifftown 730 


1254 


HISTORY    OF    NORTHDMBERLAND    COUNTY. 


•  Snyder,   Jeremiah lost 

.Snyder,  John  B 87a 

.  Snyder,  John  N 1160 

•  Snyder,  John,  Sr 11C8 

-Snyder,  Joseph COl,  873 

Snyder,  Martin  L 832 

Snyder,  Peter  H 838 

Snydertowx.— Location,  720;  pioneers,  720: 
the  town  plat,  729,-  municipal  government, 

730;  biographical  sketches 1175 

Sober,  Alexander 1195 

Sober,  Clinton  D 1195 

Sober,  Isaac 1194 

Sober,  Martin  L. 1195 

Sober,  Samuel 1194 

Sober,  Samuel 1195 

Sober,  William  A. : 822 

Society  of  Friends,  Ralpho  township 800 

Sodom 724 

Soldiers"  monuments 441 

Sollenberger,  David  L 924 

South  Danville 802 

Speece,  Anthony  S 1232 

Speece,  W.  P lies 

Springfield 750 

Stahl,  George 1145 

Stahl,  George  C lOOO 

Stamm,  Edward  J 1122 

Stamm,  Jacob 1123 

Standard  (Milton) 291 

Starr,  Durham  &  Company's  planing  mill, 

Watsontown 682 

Starr,  J.  P 1090 

States  Advocate  (Milton) 287 

Statistics  of  population 154 

Stecker,  Charles  E 1040 

Stecker,  George  A 1032 

Stecker,  William  H 1048 

St.  Edward's  cemetery,  Shamokin 654 

St.  Edward's  parochial  school,  Shamokin. . ..  652 

Stetler,  Daniel  M 1234 

Stewart,  Josiah 1080 

Sticker,  H.  C 1004 

Sflne.Jo'in 1052 

St.  Joseph's  cemetery,  Turbut  township 697 

Stone,  Henry  K 853 

Stoner,  WUUam  B 1102 

Stonlngton 730 

Stout,  J.  H 999 

Straub,  Abraham 970 

Straub,  Andrew 547 

Straub,  Clement  C 971 

Strawbridge,  James 233 

Strawbridge,  Thomas '233 

'  Strine,  George  W 994 

Stroh,  George  W 857 

Stroh,  J.  S.  &  Brother,  carriage  works,  Sun- 
bury 489 

Stronse,  Cyrus,  company  of 405,  411 

St.  Stanislaus  Kostka  cemetery,  Shamokin , .  G54 
St.  Stanislaus  Kostka  parochial  school,  Sha- 
mokin   653 

Stuartville 785 

SuKBUKY.— The  town  plat,  4M;  early  resl- 


PAGE. 

dents,  446;  Sunlmry  In  1808,  455;  reminis- 
cences of  Dr.  K.  H.  Awl,  458;  prominent 
merchants,  1771  to  1850,  471 ;  early  hotels, 
475;  municipal  organization  and  govern- 
ment, 470;  facilities  of  travel  and  transpor- 
tation, 480;  Industrial  activity,  484 ;  banking 
institutions,  494;  gas,  electric  light,  and 
water  companies,  4%;  local  papers,  276, 
496;  the  postofHce,  497;  secret  and  other 
societies,  497;  educational  Interests,  497; 
churches,  502 ;  cemeteries,  512 ;  borough  of 
East  Simbury,  513;  biographical  sketches...  804 

Sunbury  Academy 600 

Sunbury  American 282 

Sunbury  and  Lewlstown  railway 320 

Sunbury  and  Northumberland  Gazette 273 

Simbury  and  Northumberland  Street  Railway 

Company 484 

Sunbury  Canal  Company 403 

Sunbury  Carpet  Cleaning  and  Novelty  Works  493 

Sunbury  Dally 2S4 

Sunbury  Electric  Light  and  Power  Company.  496 

Sunbury  Enterprise 285 

Sunbui7  Gas  Light  Company 496 

Sunbury  Gazette 280 

Sunbury  Guards 403 

Sunbury,  Hazelton  and  WUkesbarre  railroad  320 

Sunbury  Independent 284 

Sunbury  Lumber  Company 401 

Sunbury  Medical  Association 260 

Sunbury  Nail,  Bar,  and  Guide  Iron  Manufact- 
uring Company 402 

Sunbury  Steam  Ferry  and  Tow  Boat  Com- 
pany    483 

Sunbury  Trust  and  Safe  Deposit  Company...  496 

Sunbury  Water  Company 406 

Sunbury  Weekly  News '283 

Supreme  court 230 

Supreme  Executive  Council,  members  of 101 

Susquehanna  and  Union  Bridge  Company 323 

Susiiuehanna  Bible  Society 585 

Susquehanna  Emporium 281 

Susquehanna  railroad 310 

Susquehanna  river,  purchase  of 42 

Susquehanna  Tract  Society 586 

Susquehannock  Indians 21,   43 

Swartz,  Samuel  T 1002 

Sypher,  Henry  J 1125 

T 

Tachnechdonis 30 

Tagg.art,  David 255,  1094 

Taggart,  David 1093 

Taggart ,  F rank  A 1095 

Taggart  Guards 407 

Taggart,  James,  1094;  company  of 407 

Taggart,  John 10*4 

Taggart,  John  K'. 1005 

Taggart,  Matthew  H 1004 

Taggat  t,  Thomas 1093 

Taggarts  &  Howell's  Nail  Works,   North- 

berland 535 

Talk  of  the  Day  (Shamokin) 294 


Tanneries.— Cliillisquaque  township,  713; 
Jackson  township,  7+1;  Jordan  township, 
773;  Milton,  558,  561;  Northumberland,  534; 
Kalpho  township,  798;  Shamol<in  township, 
728;    Siml)iuy,  4S4;  Turbutville,  76G;  Upper 

Augusta  township.  701;  Watsontown 681 

Tate,  McCurdy,  company  of 419 

Taxables.  — Augusta  township,  1774,  84, 
1788,  690;  ChilUsquaque  township,  1788,  717; 
Little  Mahanoy  township,  1814,  735;  Ma- 
hanoy  township,  1778.  709;  Point  township, 
1787,  714;  Rush  townslilp,  1820,  737;  Slianio- 
liln  township,  1788,  728;  Turbut  townslilp, 

177-,  86,1787 693 

Teachers'  Institutes 178 

Teas,  James 266 

Teitsworth  Family 1178 

Teitsworth,  Isaac 1178 

Teitsworth,  Lemuel 1178 

Teitsworth,  Matthias...... 1179 

Tenbrooli,  Andrew 1146 

Tharp,  Charles  W 235 

"Tlie  Great  Rimaway  " 121 

The  Press 273 

Tlilrd  Pennsylvania  Heavy  Artillery ; . . .  431 

Third  Regiment,  militia  of  1862 437 

Thlrty-fourtli  Pennsylvania  Volunteers,  Fiftli 

Reserve 40i; 

Thirty-seventh  Regiment,  militia  of  18G3 441 

Thlrty-slxtli  Regiment,  mlUtia  of  1803 4.39 

Tier,  E.  C , 1025 

Times  (Sunburyi 277 

Topography  of  the  county 17 

Township  officers,  1772-92 193 

Townships  and  boroughs,  formation  of 149 

Treon,  George 1147 

Trevorton.— Origin,  778 ;  early  history  and 
growth,  779:  secret  societies,  780;  schools, 
780;  churches,  780;  cemeteries,  783;  bio- 
graphical sketches 1217 

Trevorton,  Mahanoy  and  Susiiuehanna  rail- 
road    322 

Trites,  David  T ' 204 

Tri- Weekly  American  (Mt.  Carmel) 293 

Troxeli,  Benjamin  F 1139 

Tulpehocken  road 298,  303 

TURBiT  Township.— Erection  and  original 
boundaries,  692;  subdivision  and  present 
area,  693;  pioneers,  86,  693;  miUs,  694; 
churches,  695;  schools,  697;  cemeteries,  097; 

biographical  sketches 1106 

TuREUTVir.LE.  — Settlement,  765;  growth, 
766;  local  industries,  706;  secret  societies, 
760;  mimicipal  government,  766;  biograph- 
ical sketches 1141 

Turbutville  cemeteiy 769 

Turner,  WlUlam 239 

Turnpikes '. 305 

Twelfth  Pennsylvania  Regiment  of  the  Con- 
tinental Line 106 

Twenty-eighth  Regiment,  miUtla  of  1863 439 

u 

Unger,  George  C 953 


Unger,  Warren 9.54 

Unger,  William  H 953 

Union  Park  and  Agricultural  Association  ...  340 

Unitarian  church,  Northumberland 539 

United  Brethren  Chvrche.s.— Asliprove, 
Shamokin  township.  731;  Clark's  Grove, 
Shamokin  township,  733 ;  XUles  Run,  Lower 
Augusta  township,  706;  Sit.  Carmel,  674; 
Pleasant  Hill,   Shamokin   township,    733; 

Sliamokin,  639;  Uniontown 751 

Upper  Augusta  Township.— Erection  of 
Augusta  township  and  development  of  Its 
subsequent  boundaries,  698;  forrnatioh  of 
Upper  and  Lower  Angusta,  699;  pioneers, 
699;  roads  and  streams,  701;  hidustries,  701; 
schools,  701;    churches,  703;  biographical 

sketches tioo 

Upper  Mahanoy  Township.  —  Proceed-  ^ 
ings  for  the  erection  of  Mahanoy  townslilp, 
708;  disintegration  of  its  territory,  708;  or- 
ganization of  Upper  Mahanoy,  709;  pio- 
neers, 709;  hotels,  709;  mills.  710;  secret 
society,  710;   schools,  710;   churches,  710; 

biographical  sketches 1217 

Urban ■....773 

V 

Vastine,  Amos 1191 

Vastlne,  Amos 1212 

Vastine  Family 1191 

Vastlne,  John 1192 

Vastine,  Jonathan 1211 

vastine,  Peter 1211 

Vastine,  Thomas 1192 

Vastine,  William 1191 

Vorls,  Clarence  G 1002 

w 

Wagenseller,  Simon  C 924 

Wagner,  A.  S 1146 

Wagner,  D.  Frank 1089 

Wagner,  J.  H 1088 

Waldron,  David 267 

Waldron,  WUUam 1114 

Walker,  Jonathan  H 244 

Walter,  George  M 1140 

Walter,  Mrs.  EUza  V 1137 

War,  French  and  Indian 47 

War  of  1812 391 

War  of  the  Rebellion 396 

War  of  the  Revolution 90 

Ward,  Matthew  P 1057 

Warrior  Run  Rifle  Company 392 

Washington  Township.— Original  bound- 
aries. 780;  first  township  officers,  786;  pi- 
oneers, 786;  Industries,  787;  Rebiick,  787; 
schools,   787;   churches,  788;   biographical 

sketches 1217 

Watklns,  Joseph 1066 

Watkhis,  M.  K 1013 

Watson,  W.  W 1158 

Watsontown —Pioneer   historj-,  677;    the 


1256 


HISTORY    OF    NORTHUMBEKLAND    COUNTY. 


first  surveys,  G77 ;  early  intliistries,  stores, 
and  hotels,  67S;  the  town  plat.  ST'J;  rail- 
roads, 6S0;  the  postofrtce,  6S0;  manufact\ir- 
Ing,  past  and  present,  680;  banks,  esi;  elec- 
tric light  and  water  companies.  6S3 ;  borough 
organization  and  government,  6S4;  secret 
and  fraternal  societies,  6S4;  educational 
and  literary  effort,  295,  6S7;  churches,  6SS; 
Watsontown   cemetery,   691;   biograpliical 

sketches lO&s 

Watsontown  Boot  and  Shoe  Company CS2 

Watsontown  cemetery 691 

Watsonto^vn  Electric  Light,  Gas,  Power,  and 

Heating  Company 6S:! 

Watsontown  Furniture  and  Table  Works 082 

Watsontown  Nail  Works 682 

Watsontown  National  Bauk 682 

Watsontown  Planing  Mill  Company 681 

Watsontown  Record 295 

Watsontown  Steam  Flour  >IiU 681 

Watsontown  Steam  Tannery 681 

Watsontown  Water  Company 684 

Watts,  David 243 

Watts,  Henry 1105 

Weaver,  Charles  W 932 

Weaver  Family '.........  8T0 

Weaver,  John  A 877 

Weaver,  Martin 876 

Weaver,  William  M 876 

Weekly  Independent  (Sunbury  i 285 

AVeekly  Item  (Mt.  Carmel) 295 

Weidenhamer,  J.  A 1083 

Weidenhamer,  Wimam 1119 

Welser,  Conrad 36 

Welser,  George 238 

Welser,  George 239 

Welser,  George  B 265 

Weitzel,  Casper,  242;  company  of 104 

Weitzel,  John 471 

Weitzel,  John 1160 

Weitzel,  Joseph 1166 

Welker,  George  C 239 

Wells,  Charles,  company  of 408 

Weltner,  I.udwlg,  miUtary  administration  of.  133 

AVenck,  S.  M.G 1101 

Wendle,  William  P 995 

Wertnian,  W.  K.,  carriage  works.  Milton 562 

West  Branch  bridge,  Northumberland 532 

West  Branch  Farmer  and  Tnie  Democrat...  287 
West  Branch  Intelligencer  (McEwens\1llei...  296 

West  Branch  Star  (Watsontown  i 295 

West  End  Planing  Mill,  Shamokin 619 

Weyna,  Stanislaus 959 

Whalen,  Joseph  P 1065 

»Whalen,  Mark 1002 

White,  Elijah 1031 

White,  Elijah  E 1031 

Whitmer,  William    837 

Wightman.  Charles 1058 

Wiihelm,  Charles  H 1011 

Wilhelm,  Frederick 1012 

Wilhehn,  Henry loii 


PAGE. 

WUhelni,  James  B ioi2 

Wilhehn,  W.B 1012 

Wllhour,  George 1204 

WiUiour,  Peter  R 1205 

Wllkesbarre  and  Western  railroad 328 

Williams,  Benjamin  H 1056 

Williams,  William  T 1035 

Williamson,  F.  P 9&t 

Wilson,  Robert 990 

Wilson,  R.  F.  &  Company,  fiy  net  factory,  Mil- 
ton   562 

Wilson,  William,  234;  company  of 102 

Wlngert,  .lohn  H 1139 

Wirt,  Ben 1044 

Withington,  Hudson 846 

Withlngton,  Martin  J.  D 1103 

Witmer,  Charles  B 82S 

Witmer,  Isaac  L 828 

Wolf,  Joseph 949 

Wolfe,  H.W 1124 

Wolfe,  William  H.,  company  of 436,  441 

Wolfinger,  John  F 251 

Wolverton,  N.  C 951 

Wolverton,  Simon  P.,  818;  company  of 439 

Woodslde,  Thomas  J 1056 

Worklngmen's  Advocate  (Sunbury) 280 

Wright,  Calvin  D 1054 

Wright,  R.L 933 


Y 

Yagel,  Zacharias 1121 

Y'ankee  and  Pennamlte  war 96 

Yarnall,  John 1015 

Yarnall,  Richard 656 

Yarnall,  Richard  K 1016 

Yordy,  Henry  M 1210 

Yost,  Daniel 889 

Yost,  John  A 912 

Y'oung,  Benjamin  F 265 

Y'oung,  John 474 

Y'oung,  J.  B 1047 

Youngman,  John  G 279,  280 

Young  Men's  Christian  Association  of  Milton  586 
Y'oxtheimer,  Henry 475 

Z 

Zartman,  D.  M 1233 

Zartman,  Samuel  S 1236 

Zeigler,  George  W 821 

Zkrbe  Township.  —  Organization  and 
boundaries,  777;  Pioneers,  778 ;  Trevorton, 
778;  schools,  780;  churches,  780;  cemeteries, 

783 ;  biographical  sketches 1217 

Zimmerman,  Clark  B 1042 

Zimmerman,  Henry  S 949 

Zimmennan,  J.  B.,  carriage  works,  Shamokin  618 

Zimmerman,  J.  H 887 

Zimmerman,  Samuel  H 1173 

Zimmerman,  W.  E 930 


1865 


0 


Y^ 


vO 


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BINDERY,        INC. 

Bound-lb-Plcaae' 

OCT  01 

H.  MANCHESTER,  INDIANA  46962