LOCAL HISTORY: STOREY, Henry Wilson. HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY PA. Vol. 1 The Lewis Publishing Co., 1907. Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Martha Humenik. There is an HTML version of this book, with page images, on the county web site: http://www.camgenpa.com/books/Storey/v1/ Copyright 2006. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm _______________________________________________ CHAPTER XIII. LAND TITLES. The subject of titles to land on the western hemisphere since its discovery has been an interesting one, especially at first between Spain and England, and latterly between the Indians who were in possession and the sovereign of England. The royal charter of Charles II to William Penn, dated March 4, 1681, for the land in Pennsylvania, is a classic. The diction is attractive, and for expression of thought, gratitude, honor, power and good will it is graceful and refined. The King, in expressing his good will, continued: "and having regard to the memory and merits of his late father in divers services, and particularly to his conduct, courage and discretion under our dearest brother James, Duke of York, in that signal battle and victory fought and obtained against the Dutch fleet, commanded by the Herr Van Opdam, in the year 1665." The interest so continues. Elsewhere is noted the negotiations and treaties between Penn and the Indians. Canoe Place, or Cherry Tree, is one of the earliest landmarks in the county, being included in the negotiations between Penn and Dongan, for the Susquehanna river lands, between 1682 and 1696, elsewhere noted. On November 5, 1768, by the treaty known as Fort Stanwix, in the State of New York, it was fixed as the boundary line of the Indian purchase of that date. On that occasion William Johnston, Richard Peters and James Tilghman, Commissioners for Pennsylvania, with representatives from New Jersey, met the chiefs of the Six Nations-the Mohawks, Onondagas, Senecas, Oneidas, Cayugas and Tuscaroras- with six thousand warriors looking on. At that time it was known as "Canoe Place" from the fact that it was the highest point to which in ordinary times an Indian could paddle his canoe up the river. It was at the junction of the Cush-Cushion creek and the west branch of the Susquehanna river. It was also on the trail to Kittanning, or to the upper Allegheny river. The name of Cherry Tree was derived from a wild cherry tree which stood on the bank at the junction of the two streams, but which was washed away in 1838. It is 291 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. [DIAGRAM] CHEST MANOR. 292 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. also the boundary corner of three counties, namely-Cambria, Clearfield and Indiana. The borough of Cherry Tree is in the latter county. On account, of its historical importance the state of Pennsylvania erected a granite monument on the original corner marked by the wild cherry tree, which was properly dedicated by the state and county officials on November 16, 1894. The shaft stands twenty-seven feet above the foundation, and thirty-five feet above the water level. It has three facings upon which is cut on the side next to the respective counties, the names "Cambria," "Clearfield" and "Indiana." The inscription is thus: ________________________________________ | | | Erected to mark Canoe Place | | the corner of the Proprietaries | | from the Indians, by the Treaty | | of Fort. Stanwix, N. Y., Nov. 5, 1768. | |________________________________________| There were fifteen hundred people present at the unveiling of the monument. E. B. Camp was chosen president of the meeting, and E. E. Brilhart, secretary. Ex-Governor James A. Beaver made the dedicatory address, with Judge Harry White and Frank A. Shoemaker, of Ebensburg, speaking on local affairs. The oldest paper title in Cambria county is dated October 13, 1760, when the Proprietors of the province issued a warrant for the survey of Chest Manor, containing almost twelve hundred acres, now in Allegheny township. The manor is about two miles north of Loretto, and the Bradley schoolhouse, which is also the polling place for that township, is located near the center of the manor. It was reserved by the Penns for a baronial estate such as are common in England, and is the only manor within the county. It was the custom of the Penns to reserve such estates in different parts of the province. There are several in Bedford, Somerset, Westmoreland and Indiana counties. However, Chest Manor did not develop, and it was sold to settlers, becoming vested in Thomas Duncan, of Cumberland county. Thomas Smith, a deputy surveyor, surveyed it June 16, 1773, and made a return thereof showing that there were several other owners to the land adjoining the Chest Manor at that time. On the north were the Gilpin and Fisher lands; on the south it was joined by William Holliday; on the east by Thomas Smith; and on the west by William Holliday. 293 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. The oldest title for land which was actually occupied and cultivated is the Homer title, in the Seventh ward of the city of Johnstown, extending into Dale borough and Walnut Grove, in Stonycreek township. It is officially known as the "Adams Improvement, or the Mill Seat," or otherwise as the Peter Snyder survey, which became vested in John Horner in 1797. Samuel and Solomon Adams and their sister Rachel occupied it about 1770. Samuel Adams was on his way from this land to the block house at Bedford when he was killed in the Indian duel at Sandy Run in 1771. John Horner and his family came from Washington township, in Franklin county, about 1796. He died in March, 1814, at his residence on Solomon's Run. He was then blind, very old and feeble. Information of the family while they resided in Franklin county is meager; however, in his book of accounts as a merchant beginning in April, 1779, he has an account against John Horner, senior, in the following form. "April 3, 1779. John Horner, Senior, settled accounts. Balance due me, 1 pound, 11 shillings and 10 pence. * * * "July, 1780. 266 Dollars 5 shillings. 100 00 pounds; Off (to) Congress." On the credit side of the account he has entered a payment on this account as follows: "In the fall, 1780. Received of him 575 dollars, Congress. There remains of that 3 pounds 12 shillings 6 pence. Reduct into specie, 1 pound, 6 shillings and 8 pence." At that period the Continental Congress met at the following places: Lancaster, Pennsylvania, September 27, 1777; York, Pennsylvania, from September 30, 1777, to June 27, 1778; Philadelphia, from July 2, 1778, to June 21, 1783. John Horner was not a delegate to the Continental Congress at any time, but was probably attached in some official position. The John Horner, senior, was probably the father of the accountant. Peter Snyder sold his warrant to Henry Hill on July 28, 1774, and on May 28, 1776, thirty-six days before the Declaration of Independence was proclaimed, the commonwealth issued a patent for it to Mr. Hill, who sold it to George Clymer. The title passed through several parties and became vested in Martin Reilly, who sold it to John Horner, June 3, 1797. The first paper title for the Adams Mill Seat is as follows: 294 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. PENNSYLVANIA, SS. BY THE PROPRIETARIES. WHEREAS, Peter Snyder of the County of Philad" hath requested that we would allow him [SEAL,] to take up three hundred Acres of Land on Stoney Creek and to include a large run which falls in stoney creek and Solomon Adams's Improvement in Brothers Valley Township Bedford County (Provided the same Land does not lie in, or interfere with, our Manor of Bedford or any other of our Manors or appropriated Tracts,) for which he agrees to pay to our Use, within the Term of Six Months from the Date hereof, at the rate of Five Pounds Sterling, or value thereof in Current Money of this Province, for every Hundred Acres: and also to pay the yearly Quit-rent of One Penny Sterling for every Acre thereof, to us, our Heirs and Assigns for ever, with Interest and Quit Rent, to commence from six months after date hereof. These are therefore to authorize and require you to survey, or cause to be surveyed, unto the said Peter Snyder at the place aforesaid, according to the Method of Townships appointed, the said quantity of three hundred Acres, if not already surveyed or appropriated, and make return thereof into the Secretary's Office, in order for confirmation; for which this shall be your sufficient Warrant: Which Warrant and Survey, in ease the said Peter Snyder fulfil the above agreement within Six Months from the Date hereof, shall be valid, otherwise void. WITNESS JOHN PENN, Esquire, one of the said Proprietaries, who, as well in his own Right as by virtue of certain powers from THOMAS PENN, Esq., the other Proprietary, hath hereunto set his Hand, and caused the Seal of the Land Office to be affixed, at Philadelphia, this twenty-fifth Day of July One Thousand Seven Hundred and Seventy-four. To JOHN LUKENS, Surveyor-General. JOHN PENN. A return of the survey was made to the land office on May 14, 1776. John Horner built a dwelling and a storeroom near the Von Lunen road and Solomon's Bun, and opened a store. About 1800 he erected a saw mill and grist mill on the run, and also had some kind of a weaving mill connected with the enterprise. One of the rooms in the mill was used for pay schools during the winter season. Jacob C. Horner, the son of Jonas Horner, attended the school about 1822. In addition to the Snyder tract he acquired other land contiguous, so that at his death he owned 478 acres, besides some lots, then in the village of Conemaugh, which he had purchased from Joseph Johns. 295 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. We give below extracts from the ledger of John Horner while he was operating the saw and grist mill on Solomon's Run, from 1799 to 1809. It is valuable for the names of the persons who were then living here, and the prices then prevailing compared with the money value at this date. The charges are made in pounds, shillings and pence. At that time the Pennsylvania values were: A pound, $2.66 2/3; a shilling was thirteen and a third cents, and a pence was five and fifty-five hundredths mills. These are the standards upon which the comparative prices have been based. It will be observed that in 1806 he sold a half quarter of beef weighing forty-three pounds at three cents per pound which would be $1.23, but in charging it he calculated it at ten shillings and nine pence, which is not twelve cents per shilling. This means that the values of Pennsylvania currency at Johnstown were less than in Philadelphia. The entries were: Comparative value, 1907. £ S D $ cents. "John Shatter, Dr. 1796. To one peck coarse salt 6 80 To one quarter of powder 4 9 58 To half-pound tobacco 1 2 14 Peter Fox, Dr. 1799. To one bushel of corn 5 66 2/3 To 2 bushels buckwheat 9 6 1 24 To one bushel of oats 3 40 1800. To 2 bushels of rye 8 1 07 To 2 bushels of corn 8 1 07 Cr. By weaving 38 yards linen 1 5 9 3 38 By weaving 31 yards of tow-cloth 18 1 2 41 By 2 days reaping in harvest 6 80 By spinning l0 1/2 of hemp, at 15d 13 1 1 74 By 10 pounds hemp tow, 28 pounds corntow 1 2 66 2/3 By 1 day breaking flax 3 40 By 1 day cradling buckwheat 2 3 28 By 3 days work; he and Peter 12 1 60 By work done on Race 5 9 72 Joseph Johns, Dr. (Mr. Horner has the name spelled "Johns" in ledger.) 1800. To 54 lath, 16 1/2 feet long, 900 feet 13 6 1 76 1801. To sawing 193 feet of pine boards 4 10 59 Jacob Snowberger, Dr. 1800. To one bear skin 5 67 Widow Beatty, Dr. 1800. To 94 pounds of pork 1 5 3 33 Jacob Good, Dr. 1800. To 39 pounds of venison 3 40 To going to Greensburg to the doctor 15 2 00 Jacob Reed, Cr. 1801. By making a pair of shoes 13 2 1 75 Abraham Longanecker, Dr. 1801. To sawing pine boards, inch thick, 512 feet 13 1 74 To sawing poplar boards, inch thick, 613 feet.. 16 2 13 Daniel Goughenour, Dr. 296 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. Comparative value, 1907. £ S D $ cents. 1801. To 5½ pounds of iron, at 8 cts 3 8 44 George Wimer, Cr. 1801. By 1/2 bushel of potatoes 1 13 By 15 gallons liquor 3 8 00 By 2 girls, 1 day swingling flax 3 40 By making 350 shingles 8 9 1 12 Michael Fink, Dr. 1801. To 226 pounds of flour 2 2 5 5 62 To 3 days reaping 9 6 1 23 Jacob Boyer, Dr. 1802. To 3 dozen of eggs 2 27 Abraham Hildebrand, Dr. 1802. To 40 pounds of flour 6 80 To 1 gallon of liquor 5 67 Peter Erlinkiser, Dr. 1802. To 1,012 feet scantling, 3x8 15 2 00 To 500 feet poplar, inch boards 1 17 6 4 97 To 100 feet oak, inch boards 5 67 Cr. By half pound allspice 2 27 By one gill of brandy 11 06 By one pound coffee 2 6 30 Ludwick Wissinger, Dr. 1802. To one pound tobacco 2 6 30 To 2 yards of tobacco 6 04 To 2 bushels of rye 9 1 22 To 1 pound tobacco, by John 2 8 31 Jacob Brumbach, Cr. 1802. By 1 day cleaning Race 3 40 Daniel Wertz, Dr. 1803. To 2 bushels of wheat 10 1 33 1807. To 2 bushels of wheat 12 1 60 John Shayver, Dr. 1803. To making 5,300 shingles 6 13 9 17 51 John Studebaker, Dr. 1805. To hauling half day, 4 horses 10 1 33 Adam Ream, Dr. 1805. To threshing 17 1/2 bushels of rye 9 10 1 26 Henry Smith, Dr. 1806. To 1/2 quarter of beef, 43 pounds, at 3 cts. 10 9 1 23 Jacob Anderson, Dr. 1807. To coat and trimmings 1 7 2 3 61 To making, tailor's bill 8 3 1 08 Adam Horner, Dr. 1807. To 3 pounds of butter, at 9 cts 2 3 27 Cr. By 2 days mowing 6 80 By 2 days reaping 6 80 Elias Horner, Dr. 1808. 1 horse 15 40 00 Samuel Horner, Dr. 1808. 1 mare colt 9 7 6 25 00 Jonas Horner, Dr. 1808. To 1 mare 15 40 00 Henry Kurtz, Dr. 1809. To 1 pair shoes 12 1 60 The following note, which was well prepared, was written on a leaf of the ledger. It was dated 1808, and it will be noticed that the amount due was calculated in dollars and cents, the method we are now using, instead of the old style of pounds, 297 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. shillings and pence. This is very good evidence the change was made in and around Johnstown about that time. "On demand I promise to pay or cause to be paid to John Horner, Sen. or his order, or assigns the just and full sum of Ninety Seven dollars and fifty four cents, good and lawful money of Pennsylvania, with lawful interest from date. Hereof for value received as witness my hand and seal this 2 day of July, 1808. "JOHN HORNER, JR. Seal. "Witness present: "CHRISTIAN HORNER." THE JOHN HORNER FAMILY. John Horner, the ancestor, died in March, 1814, at his residence in what is now known as the Seventh ward of the city of Johnstown. At the time of his death there were nine children living and two grandchildren as follows: Second generation: Adam, John, Elizabeth Horner-Reed, Susannah Horner-Hess, Jacob (b. 1774), Christian (b. Dec. 1, 1778, d. Oct. 6, 1865), Frederick, Samuel, Eli, and Jonas Homer. John died before his father and left to survive two minor children, John and George. John Horner died intestate, and in 1825 the land was divided in partition proceedings and the estate settled. This land was divided into four parcels and described thus: "No. 1. Part of a tract called the Mill Seat containing 140 acres 85 perches, adjoining lands of Peter Morgan, Joseph Harshberger; et al, and now in the possession of Jonas Horner. Value $8 95 per acre." Jonas Horner took this part at the valuation and paid the other heirs their share of the estate. All of this parcel lies south of what is now known as Messenger street, and south-east of Von Lunen road. No. 2, contained 108 acres 116 perches and adjoined lands of John Anderson and others, then in the possession of Jacob Horner. It is likely all of it lies north of Messenger street and extends to the Charles Campbell survey. It was valued at $6.62 per acre. Jacob Horner accepted this purpart at the valuation and likewise paid the other heirs. No. 3 contained about 150 acres and lay on both sides of Solomon's Run, adjoining the lands of Lewis Wissinger and others, then in the occupancy of Adam Horner, who took it at the appraised value of fifty cents per acre. It is in Stonycreek township. No. 4 was a parcel held by improvements, containing eighty acres, situated on the Stonycreek river, adjoining lands of 298 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. Samuel Kuhns and others, then in the occupancy of Joseph Aish. It was valued at $15, and taken by Frederick Horner. It lies on the west side of the river, above the Moxham bridge. Thus it will be observed the three sons, Adam, Jacob and Jonas Horner, became the owners of all the land on the east side of the Stonycreek river, which is now included in the Seventh ward, Dale and Walnut Grove. On April 1, 1835, Adam sold 33 acres 43 perches of his parcel to Jacob G. Horner for $225. This Jacob C. was a son of Jonas Horner. In 1836 and 1837 Adam sold the remainder to Peter Jacoby for $10 an acre, this land being in Stonycreek township. Again, it will be observed the present owners of lots in the Seventh ward procure their titles through the line of descent of either Jacob or Jonas Horner, and those in Dale through Jonas Horner. The Horner family rarely made wills. Occasionally the land has been divided by partition proceedings in court, but frequently the family did it by an amicable partition, giving deeds to each other, and in many instances did not record them, which omission makes a break in the paper chain of title. Inasmuch as the members of the Horner family are very numerous, and there being difficulty in tracing the title to the lots within the city, we give the descendants of the two brothers, Jacob and Jonas Horner: THE JACOB HORNER LINE OF DESCENT. Jacob Horner, b. 1774: died July 28, 1842, and Susan; his wife, b. 1778: died April 1 in that year; their children were: 1. Martha Horner-Tibbott. 2. Susan. 3. Catherine Horner-Smelker. 4. Elizabeth Horner-Tibbott. 5. Nancy Horner-Bheam. 6. Jonas W. 7. Elias B. 8. Emanuel. 9. Peter. 10. Jacob C. 11. John J. 12. Samuel or Simon Horner. 1. Martha Horner, b. Feb. 11, 1821, now residing in Conemaugh; married Samuel Tibbott, April 27, 1842; they had five children, namely: 1. Wesley Bosworth, b. Aug. 11, '44; d. Aug. 24, '49. 2. Priseilla J., b. July 24, '45; m. George W. Oatman, July 25, '60; second m. T. W. Shoemaker, Nov. 26, '85. 3. Alonzo Elliott, b. Oct. 24, '47; d. Aug. 22, '49. 4. Charles Edgar, b. March 23, '51; m. Nancy McKee, Nov. 23, '70. 5. Catherine Ann, b. June 10, '53; m. Henry Page, Dec. 25,'77. 6. Mary Isabella, b. Sept. 26, '61; m. L. A. dark, Sept. 18, '79. 2. Susan Horner-Goughnour had four children, namely: 299 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. 1. Daniel W. 2. Walter S. Magill. 3. Mary Kennedy. 4. Jane Holland. 3. Catherine Horner, b. Dec. 10, 1818; m. John O. Smelker, and had three children, namely: 1. Thedore, b. 1839. 2. Irvin, b. 1841. 3. J. P. Smelker, b. 1844. 4. Elizabeth Horner, b. Jan. 10, 1816; dead; married Richard Tibbott, and had three children, namely: 1. Henrietta, b. Nov. 3, '44; dead. 2. Amelia, b. May '51; dead. 3. William Tibbott, living in Iowa. 5. Nancy Horner, b. May 25, 1799; d. May 31, 1885; married George Bheam, and had thirteen children, namely: 1. Jacob, b. about 1818. 2. Elizabeth, b. Aug. 13, '20; m. Frederick Dishong; both living on Blaine street, this city. 3. Mary, b. '22; m. John Rodgers; both dead. 4. Samuel, b. July, '26; m. Sarah Fry; he died Sept. 15, '93; she died April 25, '93. 5. George, b. July 10, '28; m. Nancy C. Horner, a daughter of Emanuel Horner; dead. 6. Susan, b. April 12, '30; m. Philip Bird; went west. 7. Catherine, b. Feb. 10, '32; m. John Riblett; second husband, William Harding; all dead. 8. Martha, b. March, '34; m. Alfred Greek. 9. Nancy, b. Jan. '36; m. James Stewart; second husband, Weatherholt. 10. Daniel, b. Dec., '38; single, dead. 11. Paulina, b. Feb., '40; m. John Sheehan; went west. 12. Eliza, b. Feb., '42; single, dead. 13. Infant, dead. 6. Jonas W. Horner married and had six children, namely: 1. Elizabeth, or Bessie, m. Harvey Welsh. 2. Ella, m. Albert Myers. 3. Florence, m. Elias Benton Horner, Jr. 4. George Washington. 5. William J. 6. Lynn Horner. 7. Elias B. Horner, b. May 20, 1812; married, April 30, '35, Sarah Horner, b. Sept 8, '19, a daughter of Frederick Horner, and had seven children, namely: 1. Louisa, m. 2. Julia Ann, m. Jacob Jacoby. 3. William F. 4. Sarah Elizabeth, m. Charles Edward Henderson. 5. Elias B., Jr. 6. Aaron A. 7. Cyrus L. P. Horner. 8. Emanuel Horner, married Eleanor Cole, and had seven children: 1. Susan, m. Valentine Louther. 2. George Washington. 3. Marquis de Lafayette. 4. Jane, m. George Brubaker. 5. Sarah, m. George Geddes. 6. Nancy C., m. George Bheam, Jr.; m. second Richard Tibbott. 7. Samuel Horner, died in the Civil war. 9. Peter Horner, bachelor, dead. 10. Jacob Christian Horner, b. Nov. 10, 1803; d. Dec. 25, 1875; married Catherine Horner, a daughter of Christian 300 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. Horner, b. Oct. 30, 1810; d. Sept. 23, 1894; they had seven children, namely: 1. Nancy Horner-Crosby. 2. Mary Horner-Graffe. 3. Edward Horner. 4. Allison. 5. Watson. 6. Jacob C., Jr. 7. Jonathan Homer. 8. Simon Horner. This Jacob C., the father, was the founder of Sandyvale Cemetery. 11. John Jacob Horner married Elizabeth Horner, a daughter of Adam Horner, Sr., and had six children, namely: 1. Daniel. 2. Nancy, m. Christian Good. 3. Jacob. 4. Lucinda, m. Daniel Cobaugh. 5. Sylvester. 6. Jefferson, m. Jane Strasbaugh; second wife, Christina Singer; no children. 12. Samuel or Simon Horner; no record. 1. Nancy, a daughter of J. C. Horner, founder of Sandyvale; b. 1838; d. 1897; m. James Crosby, and had nine children, namely: 1. George. 2. Catherine. 3. James Watson. 4. Charles Melvin. 5. Ida. 6. Jennie. 7. Edith. 8. Matilda. 9. Gertrude Crosby. 2. Mary, a daughter of same, married Oscar Graffe, and had four children, namely: 1. Jacob, Feb. 3, '65; m. Clara Stickler. 2. Edward Albert, b. March 26, '67; m. Lilly Corbin. 3. John Arthur, b. Nov. 5, '71; m. Caroline Corbin. 4. William T., b. Dec. 12, '74; m. Nellie Gruber. 3. Edward Horner, a son of same; married Mrs. Matilda Karnes, and had two sons, namely: 1. Charles Allison. 2. Edward Horner. 4. Allison Horner, a son of same; married Annie Clark, and had seven children, namely: 1. James Franklin, b. Aug. 28, '70; m. Margaret Houseberg. 2. Charles Watson, b. Feb. 20, '72; m. Ling. 3. Jacob O., b. Sept. 18, '73; dead. 4. Emma May, b. May 12, 75; m. Clarence Love. 5. Clara B., b. July 7, '77; m. Edward Worley. 6. Minnie E., b. March 7, '80; dead. 7. Allison Grant Horner, b. Feb. 26, '84; second wife was Rebecca Clark; no children. 5. Watson Horner, a son of same, b. Jan. 19, '44; married Emma Burkholder, and have six children, namely: 1. Jacob L., b. July 12, '73; d. Oct. 10, 1906; m. Effie Williams. 2. William A., b. Nov. 26, '75; m. Katie Landis. 3. Watson C., m. Dora Simons. 4. Chester K. 5. Frazer E. 6. Robert B. Horner, b. June 12, 1896. 6. Jacob Christian Horner, a son of same; b. July 26, 1835; d. Oct. 4, 1906; m. Mary A. Shatter, Dec. 1, 1857, and had nine children, namely: 1. Eva Belle, b. July 13, '59; m. George Waters. 2. Dora Catherine, b. Sept. 22, '61; m. Alonzo Singer. 301 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. 3. Edward Watson, b. Aug. 6 '63; m. Elizabeth Knepper. 4. Curtis Eldon, b. Feb. 11, '66; m. Anna Richardson. 5. Jacob Martin, b. April 26, '66; m. Nettie Scott. 6. Bertha Ethel, b. Feb. 1. '71; m. James Flowers. 7. Elda, b. Feb. 6, '74; dead. 8. Otho Ira, b. March 8, '75; m. Elizabeth Ritz. 9. Emory Cleveland, b. Feb. 22, '79; m. Emma Harvey. 7. Jonathan Horner, a son of same, b. Dec. 3, 1828; d. Nov, 4. '95; married Lucinda Cover, Sept. 3, '51, and had eleven children, namely: 1. Mary C.; m. Christian Glitch, April 21, '73. 2. Francis, b. May 14, '53. 3. Nancy J., m. Henry Roberts, July 23, '84. 4. Martin J., b. Feb. 10, '56; d. Dec. 2, '60. 5. Susan S., b. Oct. 3, '58; d. Jan. 9, '81. 6. Sarah E., b. Jan. 11, '61; m. Zachariah Wingard. 7. Merrick C., b. March 2, '63; m. Olive Kuntz. 8. Cyrus P., b. Sept. 21, '65; m. Clara Dunlap. 9. Harry H, b. Aug. 1, '67; m. Ida Miller. 10. Jessie E., b. July 24, '70; m. Albert Miller. 11. Aaron F. Horner, b. May 30, '74; m. Grace Hicks. 8. Simon Horner, a son of same, b. Oct. 22, 1832; d. Sept. 7, '62; died in the Civil war; m. Mary Horner, a daughter of Jacob C. Horner, who was a son of Jonas Horner; no children. THE JONAS HORNER LINE OF DESCENT. Jonas Horner, b. Dec. 4, 1780; d. Feb. 12, 1855; married Martha Fox; b. Dec. 4, 1783; d. May 15, 1863; and their children were: 1. John. 2. Susannah Horner-Farner. 3. Christina Horner-Kuntz. 4. Jonas B. 5. Martha Horner-Metz. 6. Catherine Horner-Horner. 7. Samuel J. 8. Jacob C. 9. Elizabeth Horner-Ferner. 1. John Horner, son of Jonas, married Nancy Horner, daughter of Christian Horner, and had three children, namely: 1. Eliza Horner-McCartney. 2. Martha Jane Horner-Roberts. 3. Christina Horner-Hildebrand. 2. Susannah Horner married David Ferner, and had seven children. namely: 1. Jeremiah. 2. Lucinda. 3. Martha Jane. 4. Austin. 5. David. 6. William. 7. Susan. David Ferner also married his sister-in-law, Elizabeth, but they had no cliildren. 3. Christina married Adam Kuntz, and had five children, namely: 1. Chauncy. 2. Frank. 3. Martin. 4. Luther. 5. Mary Jane. 4. Jonas B. Horner married Christina Singer, and had seven children, namely: 1. Lavina Horner-Hildebrand. 2. 302 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. William. 3. David Jonas. 4. Benjamin F. 5. Dennis. 6. Almira Horner-Mellinger. 7. Mary Martha Horner-Kuntz. 5. Martha married Airwine Metz, and had ten children, namely: 1. Christina, m. James James. 2. Caroline. 3. Jane, m. George Campbell. 4. Lucretia, m. Samuel Masters. 5. Ceylon H., m. Alice Huston. 6. Martha, m. G. D. Penrod. 7. Kuhama, m. Theodore Judy. 8. Elizabeth, m. Charles Scott. 9. Ellsworth J., m. 10. Fremont J. Metz, dead. 6. Catherine married Christian Horner, a son of Christian Horner, a justice of the peace, and had six children, namely: 1. Magdalene, m. David Ford. 2. Archibald, m. first, Polly Helsel; second, Mrs. Elizabeth Henderson-Mull. 3. Harvey single. 4. Daniel, m. Lovina Speigler. 5. Elizabeth, m. Solomon Baldwin. 6. Lovina, m. Samuel Judy. 7. Samuel Jonas Horner married Hannah Varner, and had six children: 1. Nathaniel. 2. Aaron Jonas. 3. Henry Samuel. 4. Annie, m. Clinger. 5. William Lemon. 6. Erastus Horner. 8. Jacob Christian Horner married Caroline Cover, and had eight children, namely: 1. Amos. 2. Samuel. 3. Sylvester. 4. William. 5. Mary Horner-Patton- Barnacle. 6. Harriet Homer-Peden. 7. Sarah Horner-Irvin. 8. Annie, single, dead. His second wife was Mary Ann Garland, and had five children, namely: 1. Emmett. 2. Jonas Little. 3. Ida Dell, dead. 4. Lucy Jane Horner-Cobaugh. 5. Harry H. Horner. 9. Elizabeth, as stated, also married David Ferner. PIONEER LAND TITLES. The Joseph Johns and Peter Levergood titles include all the land in the First, Second, Third and Fourth wards of the city of Johnstown, and the greater part of the Ninth and Tenth wards, and a small portion of the Thirteenth, and by the Henry Wise survey include the Twelfth and Thirteenth wards. After the Fort Stanwix treaty the commonwealth opened the land in that purchase to settlers, and fixed the third day of April, 1769, as the date when applications could be filed. On that day Charles Campbell, grandfather of the late Joseph H. Campbell, took out a warrant for the land lying between the two rivers, and part of the Thirteenth ward, containing 249 acres, with six per cent additional for roads. On February 1, 1780, he sold it to James Wilkins, who on October 31, 1781, conveyed it to John Johnston. On September 24, 1782, Johnston sold the warrant 303 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. [Photo] Wm. Cover, Sr. [Photo] John Dibert, Sr. [Photo] George Gates. 304 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. to James McLanahan, incorrectly written "McClenahan," for fifty pounds, colonial currency. The commonwealth granted a patent to McLanahan on April 26, 1783, on the Campbell warrant. On September 30, 1793, he sold it to Joseph Johns. On November 4, 1800, Johns laid out the town of Conemaugh, which included all the lots west of Franklin street, as has been noted elsewhere. Mr. Johns sold several lots before, disposing of his holding in bulk. The lot on the southeast corner of Main and Walnut streets, lately partly occupied by Mrs. Ann Morley, and the lot on the southwest corner, each of them having a frontage of 66 feet on Main and extending back 264 feet to Sycamore alley, now known as Lincoln street, were sold to James Brown for $20 each, in January, 1803. The Griffith and Barry lot adjoining that of Mrs. Morley was sold for $10, because it was not on a corner. The lot on the corner of Main and Park place, 66 by 264 feet, now occupied by Mrs. Webster B. Lowman, John, Fulton, W. B. Tice, the Grand Army hall, and W. C. Lewis, was sold for $10. The four lots-45, 46, 47 and 48-between Franklin and Park place on the south side of Main street, extending back to Lincoln street, were sold for less than $150. The square is now known as the Bank Corner. On May 2, 1807, Johns sold the remaining plotted lots and other land in the Campbell and Henry Wise surveys to John Anderson and William Harley of Bedford, and on March 30, 1808, they conveyed the same to John Holliday, of Hollidaysburg. On June 21, 1811, Holliday sold the entire interest to Peter Levergood, and August. 26, 1813, Peter Levergood and Susanna, his wife, conveyed it to Thomas Burrell, George Brenheiser, Sr., and George Brenheiser, Jr., for $12,583.33, and gave a mortgage for the larger portion of the consideration. On November 2, 1816, Burrell and the Brenheisers sold about three acres of that part of the Third ward lying between Clinton and Franklin streets, from Cover's alley to Washington street, with the exception of a few lots otherwise disposed of, to Adam Cover, the father of the late William Cover. The mortgage was foreclosed, as the purchasers had failed, and Peter Levergood bought it back at sheriff's sale, his deed being given by John Murray, sheriff, bearing date of March 3, 1818. About 1828, Levergood and Cover laid out their holdings east of Franklin street to Clinton, and subsequently plotted the lots in the Ninth and Tenth wards. The corner at Main and Bedford streets, now known as 305 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. Swank's corner, was at this tune Mr. Levergood's garden patch, but in 1836 he erected thereon a residence and store room for his son-in-law, Jacob Myers, the husband of Lucinda Levergood. The land above the garden patch as far as Adam street, between Bedford and what was then known as the Frankstown road and now Main street, was purchased by Robert Hamilton, the father of David Hamilton, who plotted it, and, July 18, 1829, sold the Cover lot, which has been the residence of William Cover and his family since. The land lying between Bedford and Baumer streets, out to the Horner line, was acquired by Thomas Sharp, in consideration of a cow. Mr. Sharp plotted it and sold the lots. As late as 1870 it was known as "Sharpsburg." With the exceptions noted, all the titles for lots in the Campbell survey have come through Peter Levergood to the time of his death, July 26, 1860; then by his executor, Jacob Levergood, his son, and since his death by M. L. Levergood, the son and executor of the tatter's estate. The land in the Fifteenth and Sixteenth wards is a part of the James Dougherty warrant, dated April 7, 1769, who held it for eighty years and sold it to Williamina E. Smith, of Philadelphia, who procured a patent for it August 9, 1849. On September 13, 1849, she sold it to Jacob Brallier, who on February 25, 1854, conveyed the part which is included in these wards to David and James P. McConaughy. They laid it out into town lots about the time the Cambria Iron Company constructed the works. James P. McConaughy acquired the interest of his brother, and all the titles have come through them. The Woodvale Titles: On July 30, 1776, Benedict Dorsey procured a warrant for all the land now in the Eleventh ward of the city of Johnstown, extending across the river into Conemaugh township and the lower part of Franklin borough, and which contained 301½ acres. It joins the Henry Wise survey on Prospect, and the Campbell and Flack tracts on the west and south. The Flack survey includes Green Hill and lies between the Campbell and the Peter Snyder surveys. Henry Cauffield bought forty-five acres of it, the part known as "Peggy's Bottom," on September 17, 1845, and Peter Daniels about that time acquired a parcel of it which laid on the hillside above the bottom, or as the latter was afterwards known "Murray's Grove." On September 12, 1857, Daniel J. Morrell acquired Vol. I-20 306 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. the Cauffield holding and May 18, 1864, conveyed it to the Johnstown Manufacturing Company, who plotted it and sold the lots. The Minersville Titles: Thomas Afflick procured a warrant for the land which is now in the Fourteenth ward on March 12, 1785. In all he had 390 3/4 acres. Afflick sold it to Espy L. Anderson, who procured a patent for it on February 24, 1837; on the 28th of April, 1837, he sold it to Mark Graham. May 18, 1837, Graham sold it to Eli Benshoff, who sold the mineral rights to George S. King & Co. on September 26, 1845; however, the titles to the lots come through Eli Benshoff and his heirs. Osborne-Suppes Titles: A portion of the ground in the Eighth ward was acquired on a warrant in the name of Martin Reilty, but on September 15, 1787, a patent was granted to Martin Reilly and Thomas Vickroy for a tract of land called "Stony Point," containing 237 acres. On October 29, 1793, they conveyed it to Jacob Frazer, who on May 22, 1813, sold it to Jacob Stutzman. On the same day he conveyed it to William Proctor. On March 22, 1818, his interest in it was assigned to Isaac Proctor. Isaac Proctor sold it to John Buckwalter, who on the same day, April 25, 1818, conveyed it to Jacob Stutzman, a former owner. Mr. Stutzman acquired another tract containing 108 acres, adjoining the Reilly survey, by patent dated August 31, 1814. On November 3, 1855, Mr. Stutzman sold 108 acres to George W. Osborne for $7,150, who sold twenty-nine acres of it to Conrad Suppes on January 27, 1866, for $4,330. Mr. Osborne and Mr. Suppes died intestate. The Osborne property was divided by partition proceedings in court, and the Suppes heirs made an amicable distribution of their property, and all the titles to lots in that survey come through them. The Suppes lots have not been placed on the market. Titles in the Twelfth and Thirteenth wards: Henry Wise procured a patent for a tract of land on November 22, 1787. It was described as "'a certain tract of land called 'Maldon,' situate on the north side of the Little Conemaugh, and north-eastwardly from the mouth of Stonycreek, adjoining, the 'Old Town,' in Quemahoning township, Somerset county," containing 283 acres. On December 11, 1787, Wise sold it to Thomas Vickroy, and June 19, 1799, it was conveyed by Vickroy to "Joseph Phontz," intended for Johns, who now owned the Campbell and Wise tracts, making in all 532 acres. This also became vested in Peter Levergood by his purchase from Johns. 307 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. On June 1, 1835, Peter Levergood sold a small piece of the Campbell survey to Jacob Brallier, described as "beginning at the foot of the embankment of the bridge crossing the canal on the Ebensburg road." On March 18, 1848, Brallier sold it to Jacob Levergood, Robert P. Linton, John Linton, Peter Levergood, jr., and John Galbreath, and on February 6, 1849, Peter Levergood conveyed to the same gentlemen and John Benshoft, his son-in-law, fifteen acres more which included the blast furnace called the "Johnstown Furnace," consisting of a. bridge house, casting house, engine and engine house, a two-story hewed log house, four one-storied hewed log houses, one one-story frame and three two- story frame house's, a, store room, office, wagon and blacksmith shops. This furnace was directly opposite the station of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company. The Levergood and Benshoff interests were transferred to John and Robert P. Linton and Galbreath, who operated the furnace until October 8, 1851, when it was sold to George Rhey, Levi Mathews and William Ebbs of Pittsburg for $4,175. Rhey, Mathews & Company operated it until February 6, 1854, when they sold it to Christian Ihmsen, of Pittsburg, for $20,000. Rhey, Mathews & Company also purchased from Peter Levergood in addition to the furnace property 149 acres of the Henry Wise tract and a small parcel of the Dorsey survey. Mr. Ihmsen acquired this land under his purchase and plotted the lots on Prospect hill, now in these wards. The Kern, Haynes and Dibert titles in the Fifth and Sixth wards: On October 2, 1795, the commonwealth issued a patent to Robert Adams for seventy-four acres which included most of the land in these wards. On May 17, 1805, a patent was issued to William Adams for another tract lying to the south of it which contained fifty-nine acres. Robert Adams acquired the ownership of it by deed of May 13, 1806, and now held 133 acres on that side of the Stonycreek river. Adams sold the first tract to David Stutzman, and on the 26th of April, 1806, Stutzman conveyed it to Adam Croyle. On March 18, 1818, Croyle conveyed it to Mary Ann Burrell for $2,128, who subsequently married Thomas H. Fowler. On August 4, 1827, the Fowlers sold thirty-four acres and forty-eight perches of the Robert Adams survey, or that below Dibert street, to Shepley Priestly. On April 19, 1833, Priestly conveyed fifteen acres of it to Joseph Haynes, who also procured another strip extending from Dibert street to Water street, west of Apple Tree alley, 308 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. and plotted it, which is known as the Haynes plan of lots. On June 18, 1834, Priestly sold the remaining nineteen acres to John Taylor, Daniel C. Morris and George W. Kern for $800. On July 7, 1840, Joseph Kern, the father of George W. Kern, purchased the two-thirds interest held by Taylor and Morris. The Kerns sold the strip of land to Joseph Haynes, referred to above, being described as beginning at a point on "the road leading from the bridge to Amish hill, along the west side of Apple Tree alley." This deed bears date of August 2, 1847. The Kern land belonging to father and son lay below Dibert street and east of Apple Tree alley, which was between Franklin and Napoleon streets, extending to the Stonycreek river. The titles for all the lots below Dibert street come from the Haynes and Kern plan of lots. On January 30, 1846, George S. King purchased the remainder of the Fowler land, which lay above Dibert street, and sold thirteen acres of it, or that part south of Everhart street, to Jacob Benshoff for $125. On June 9, 1848, Mr. King sold the remainder of the Fowler purchase to John Dibert for $2,500, and on August 9, 1849, John Dibert, gave Benshoff a deed for the thirteen acres bought from King. Jacob Benshoff died intestate. His heirs were Mary Ann Everhart, John Everhart, Susanna M. Benshoff, Jemima Benshoff, Eliza Cramer, Daniel Cramer, J. Q. A. Benshoff, Ethalinda Benshoff, who married Captain Patrick Graham, and David Benshoff, who plotted it and sold the lots. John Dibert came to Johnstown in 1846 from Dibertsville, in Somerset county. He died testate in November, 1849, leaving to survive, Rachel, his widow, and eight children: David; John; Elizabeth, intermarried with Judge Mahlon W. Keim; Sarah, intermarried with Henry Yeagley; Mary D., intermarried with the Rev. John D. Knox; Jacob; Samuel, and Abraham C. Dibert. Jacob died in his youth. Dibert's field, which lay above Dibert street and between Franklin street and the Stonycreek river, was used for a race track and was the spot where the larger shows pitched their tents. Mr. Dibert in his will directed that the undisposed land should not be sold until his youngest child-Abraham C.- should become of full age, and which was then to be sold and the fund equally divided. Abraham C. and Samuel conveyed their interests to John Dibert. On April 16, 1866, Rachel Dibert and the other heirs concluded to sell the remainder of the estate, and David Peelor 309 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. made a plot of it, which is recorded in Vol. 26, at page 696, in the recorder's office. These lots were sold at public sale in June, 1866. Lots Nos. 13 and 14 on the southeasterly corner of Napoleon and South streets, 100 feet on Napoleon and 150 feet along South sold for $460. The Moxham Titles: There are two surveys for the land in and contiguous to the Seventeenth ward of the city, namely, the Solomon Vickroy tract and that of William Barr. On May 6, 1786, the Commonwealth granted a patent to Solomon Vickroy for fifty acres situated "on the east side of the Stonycreek river, adjoining lands of William Barr and Solomon Adams' old place." On October 18, 1786, Solomon Vickroy, who was single, sold it to Thomas Vickroy, the father of Edwin A. Vickroy of Ferndale. On April 24, 1800, Vickroy conveyed it to Daniel Ullery. The other tract was warranted in the name of William Barr, single, dated October 30, 1788, and on November 3, 1788, the Commonwealth granted a patent, to him for 278 1/2 acres. The Barr tract joined the Solomon Vickroy survey. On May 3, 1790, Barr sold it to William Matthews, and June 17, 1795, William and Martha Matthews conveyed it to Daniel Ullery, who now owned 328 1/2 acres. Ullery having died, his executors by deeds dated April 18, 1820, and June 11, 1822, sold both tracts of land to Joseph Harshberger, who on March 29, 1850, sold them to Carl von Lunen, Senior. As early as 1861 Mr. von Lunen plotted some lots along the Stonycreek river, each having over three acres of ground. On November 29, 1861, he sold one lot to Lewis Plitt for $259, which belonged to the Vickroy warrant. He sold others to William Miller, William Orr, Joseph Kost, Lewis Baumer, Sr. and David Berkey. On September 13, 1864, Carl or Charles, Senior, sold to his son Carl, or Charles von Lunen, forty-one acres lying along the Red Bridge road where the brick house was erected, and adjoining the Matthews farm, which Charles Jr., also purchased. The Matthews farm contained over 217 acres. On November 30, 1868, Carl von Lunen, Senior, sold 259 acres, the remainder of the Vickroy and Barr surveys, to his son Louis von Lunen for $20,786. On September 9, 1871, Louis purchased from Henry Constable nineteen acres which adjoined, making his holding in all 279 acres 117 perches. On February 19, 1887, Louis sold an acre to Samuel Schrock for $225, and on March 31, 1888, another acre to Cyrus Wissin- 310 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. ger for $250. On May 26, 1884, he also sold a piece containing 36 acres to Henry Stremmel for $3,695. On May 12, 1869, Louis von Lunen sold to his brother Charles, 13 acres, which lay on the east side of the Red Bridge road, and on November 20, 1877, he sold him another parcel of 20 acres, lying below that road. The Johnson Purchase: On November 1, 1887, Louis von Lunen sold to the Johnson Steel Street Bail Company, which was changed to The Johnson Company, on December 17, 1888, two pieces of the land, containing 95 acres, for $40,000. The mills were erected on this land. On the same day he sold to Albert. L. Johnson of Cleveland, Ohio, ninety-four acres, plus, for $25,250. The Johnson sales included all of the remainder of the Barr tract and the nineteen acres coming from Henry Constable. A. L. Johnson, a, brother of Tom L. Johnson, now mayor of Cleveland, made the plan of Moxham and sold the lots. Louis von Lunen also made a plan of lots as an addition to the Moxham plot and sold them. On May 3, 1887, Henry Stremmel sold his thirty-six acres to Alonzo Rodgers for $5,542.50, and on June 29, 1888, Mr. Rodgers purchased forty-three acres from Charles von Lunen for $2,000. On November 19, 1887, Mr. Rodgers sold nineteen acres of the Stremmel land to E. B. Entwisle for $6,600, and on June 28, 1888, he sold the remainder of it, being about seventeen acres, to Charles von Lunen. Charles von Lunen also made a plan of lots as an addition to Moxham, which he and his executors have sold, and are now selling, as most of the Matthews land lies beyond the city limits. George Bhram was the owner of the principal part of Morrellville and plotted it for town lots about 1878. Isaac E. Chandler acquired a large part of the Strayer land and made an addition to the Bhram plot. The titles for Coopersdale lots came from James Cooper who laid it out about 1868.