Area History: Fulton County, 1884, Fulton County, PA, Part 6, pp. 652-663 Contributed and transcribed by Judy Banja jbanja@msn.com The html table of contents for this history including the illustrations may be found at http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/fulton/1picts/1884history/watermantoc.htm USGENWEB ARCHIVES (tm) NOTICE All documents placed in the USGenWeb Archives remain the property of the contributors, who retain publication rights in accordance with US Copyright Laws and Regulations. In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, these documents may be used by anyone for their personal research. They may be used by non-commercial entities so long as all notices and submitter information are included. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit. Any other use, including copying files to other sites, requires permission from the contributors PRIOR to uploading to the other sites. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. ___________________________________________________________ HISTORY of BEDFORD, SOMERSET and FULTON COUNTIES, PENNSYLVANIA. With Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of some of its PIONEERS AND PROMINENT MEN. Chicago: Waterman, Watkins & Co., 1884 CHAPTER LXXXIX. BETHEL. [652] The Township Organized in 1773 - The Original Territory, now Much Reduced - Complete List of Taxables in 1774 - The Village of Warfordsburg - Joseph Warford its Founder - Personal Sketches of Early Settlers and their Descendants - New Jersey Settlers - Revolutionary Soldiers - Stores - Warfordsburg Postoffice - Churches. BETHEL was organized as a township of Bedford county January 12, 1773. Several townships and parts of townships have been made from the territory originally included within its limits. The following is a complete list of the taxable inhabitants of Bethel township for the year 1774, copied from the Bedford county records:* Benjamin Abbott William Anderson Abraham Ausborn Jacob Brown George Bishop John Brathed John Burd John Bellew David Brown Christopher Bush Henry Brewer John Cramer John Combs Abraham Clavenger William Carney Abraham Cares Thomas Crosson Edward Coombs Bethuel Covalt John Dogood David English Goien Eddy John Fisher Samuel Greaves James Graham Philip Gilleland Thomas Hines George Horse Jacob Hinersheet Jacob Hough George Hills William Hart William Hunt George Harman Evan Jenkins George Inslow John Lancaster Nathan Linn Jane Linn Addis Linn Bartholomew Longstreth Martin Longstreth John Maurer Andrew Mann John Melott William Moreton Edward Moreton James Mitchell John Martin Richard Martin Barnet Mooney Jacob Money John McKinney George Miller James McCormick John Mason George Maurer Thomas Newberry William Pitman John Pitman (one sawmill) Richard Pitman John Powell George Peck Joseph Powell Jacob Rush, Sr. Jacob Rush, Jr. Henry Rush Peter Rush Francis Reynolds Moses Reed (two mills) John Smith Benjamin Stephens Richard Stephens Adam Smith Thomas Stafford William Steed Henry Sipes George Shingledecker Jacob Shingledecker Lawrence Slicken John Stanley John Simmerman Emanuel Smith Christopher Studyheifer Obadiah Stilwell Christopher Spelser Michael Sousel Peter Steed Peter Smith Elias Stilwell, Esq. John Shafer John Truax Jacob Truax, Jr. Stilwell Truax Samuel Truax Benjamin Truax Joseph Warford John Wilkins William Wilkins John Walker John Whipze William Yeates. Total tax for the above, £18 1s. Jacob Money, collector; Toscape Death,** alias Harman Husband, Robert Moore, William Parker, Jacob Hendersheet and Richard Long, assessors. Warfordsburg received its name from Joseph Warford, who owned the land on which it is built and laid out the village. He was among the earliest settlers of the township. His family consisted of seven daughters. None of the descendants are now living in the township. Adam Stigers came from New Jersey prior to the revolutionary war and settled on land now owned by Baltus Stigers, of Washington county, Maryland. He died in 1808. His children were Catharine (Fetter), Susan (Graham), Mary (Curtis), John and Balthus, all deceased. John Stigers died in 1846. Of his children, John and Baltus are living. Baltus Stigers (the younger) was born and reared in Fulton county. From 1856 to 1874 he was engaged in farming and stock-raising in Iowa. He then returned to Fulton county and purchased of Amos Stigers his present property. Mr. Stigers runs a gristmill, sawmill and plastermill. The Stigers gristmill was built by James and Isaac Hunter. About the time it was completed, James Hunter, while walking on a plank between the new mill and the old one, accidentally fell a distance of fifteen feet and received injuries from which he died a few days later. The mill is 30 x 40 feet, four stories high, and contains two runs of stones. The sawmill and plastermill was built by the Hunters about 1840. Obadiah Stillwell came from Frederick county, Maryland, and settled in the present county of Fulton before the revolutionary war. His farm was on the present line between Bethel and Thompson townships, and is now owned by Banner Graves. John Breathed was an early settler on the property where Baltus Stigers' gristmill now is. It is believed that the first gristmill within the limits of the township was erected by him. This mill stood near the site of Stigers' mills. _______ * [Transcriber's note: These are given throughout as a list rather than as a paragraph so they will be easier to read.] ** What this means we are unable to say, but thus it appears upon the records - Ed. [653] Andrew Mann, Sr., came from Germany to New Jersey, and then to Pigeon Cove, before the revolution. He served in the war and held a captain's commission. He was the father of Jacob, John, Joseph, Andrew, Bernard and David. Bernard settled where Stilwell Truax lives; he was the father of the Hon. David Mann, of Licking Creek. John Mann settled on the farm now owned by the widow of Peter Massie. Andrew settled on the farm now owned by Noah Linn and Mr. Hughes; Jacob, on the farm owned by Graves and Barnhart in Thompson township. David Mann removed to Bedford when a young man. Benjamin Truax, Sr., was one of the early settlers of Bethel. He came from New Jersey before the revolution and settled within the present limits of Thomson township, on land now owned by Mr. Weller. His son Benjamin lived on the old homestead and died about 1840. Benjamin Truax, Jr., married Ethidia Palmer, who lived to the age of ninety-nine years and twelve days, and died in March, 1880. She was born on the farm where she lived all her days. Even to the end of her life she retained her bodily and mental faculties in great strength. The children of this couple were William (deceased), Joseph Stilwell, Samuel, Elizabeth (Fisher), Job, David, Rebecca (Fisher) and Mary (Fisher). Stilwell Truax, born on the old homestead in 1802, removed to Bethel township in 1829. He married Rachel, daughter of Bernard Mann, and lived on the old Mann homestead. Mrs. Truax died in 1857. Mr. Truax is still living and in good health. He is the father of eight sons and eight daughters. The land now owned by Stilwell Truax was patented by the Penns to Lawrence Sliger in 1767. Moses Graham, one of the earliest settlers on the Conolloway creek, came from New Jersey before the revolution and located near Warfordsburg, on the farm now owned by John Charlton. He was a captain in the revolutionary army and died of smallpox at Gettysburg during the war. Before entering the war he had prepared logs for building a log house. After the war his son (also named Moses) raised the house and finished it. The building has been weather-boarded and is still standing, being now the residence of John Charlton and his son William. Moses Graham, Sr., left three sons - Moses, James and Thomas. James and Thomas went west. Moses remained on the farm. He married Phebe Thomas, and reared nine children, all of whom are dead. Ralph Charlton came from Washington, D.C., in 1826, and settled in Thomson township, where he resided until his death in 1859. His son John, reared in Washington, came to his father's home in Thomson township in 1828, and remained there until 1833. He then married Phebe, daughter of Moses Graham, and purchased the Graham farm, on the Conolloway, where he has since resided. Noah K. Linn, ex-sheriff of Fulton county, was born in Thomson township. He served in the late war in Co. B, 3d Md. Inf., from March 19, 1864, to June 2, 1865. In 1866 he began the mercantile business in Allegheny county, Maryland, and continued it for three years. He then returned to Fulton county, and has since followed carpentry and farming. Mr. Linn was married in 1872 to Mollie C. Kirk, of Bethel township. In 1880 he was elected sheriff of Fulton county. A store was established at Warfordsburg in 1840 by I. J. Kirk and J. Kirk. J. L. Stevens and William Cardiff began mercantile business in 1850; Bridges & Cardiff in 1855, continuing until 1859; A. Covalt, 1859-70. Wm. P. Gordon (established 1870) and William Palmer (1879) conduct the two stores now in the place. The Warfordsburg postoffice was established in 1850; Jacob Waters, postmaster. His successors have been A. Covalt, 1861-4; Wm. H. Byas, 1864-70; Tobias Strausbraug, 1870 to the present time. Philip Gordon was born on the banks of Licking Creek in 1802; moved with his father, Moses Gordon, to Pigeon Cove, two miles north of Warfordsburg, in 1809, and died on the same farm in 1882. William P. Gordon, the son of Philip, is a merchant at Warfordsburg, where he has been engaged in business since 1870. Churches. - The Methodist Episcopal church and the Presbyterian church at Warfordsburg were both erected in 1858. There was regular preaching in this vicinity at an early date. Rev. George Askins was the Methodist preacher in charge in 1813-14, succeeded by Rev. Robert Wilson, 1815-16. The Methodist congregation now numbers forty members. [654] CHAPTER XC. BELFAST. An Old Township. Copy of the Earliest Tax List of Belfast - Personal Mention - the Village of Needmore - First Dwellings - First Store - Postoffice Established - Present Industries - Baptist Church. BELFAST is an old township, having been constituted a division of Bedford county prior to 1785. The successive formation of other townships has reduced its original dimensions, but today Belfast is large in territory, though not in population. The following is a list of the taxable inhabitants of Belfast township for the year 1785, as they appear upon the Bedford county assessment rolls of that year: William Alexander Francis Allison James Bunghunt Simon Boyle Conrad Cloyne (Cline?) Thomas Crosson Abraham Clevinger Morris Deshong William Deshong John Darr Christopher Enslow Jacob Four Moses Gordon Philip Gilleland Daniel Gillan Rowell George Albright George Edward Head William Hess William Hart George Hill Frederick Humburd George Hoop James Hollingshead Jacob Hakersmith Peter Henry - Jones Robert Kerr Benjamin Kidd John Kinney estate Henry Lavering James Longstreth John Longstreth Philip Longstreth Christian Lance John Melott John Milburn Edward Morton Thomas Morton Obadiah Melott John McKewn Philip Miller Jacob McClain Theodore Melott James McClain John Madden Daniel McConnell James Murray William Morton Barnard Money Daniel Miller Jacob Poorman Richard Pitman Thomas Patterson estate William Pitman Peter Rush Henry Rush, Sr. Henry Rush, Jr. Jacob Rush John Stanley estate Henry Stall Hermonius Sheeler Henry Supes Jacob Shock Jacob Shingledecker George Shingledecker Peter Swartzwelder John Straight Michael Shingledecker James Stewart James Shields Christian Stover Anthony Stoutagh Samuel Truax John Truax Jacob Truax Richard Willard Ephraim Wallace William Wilkins Jacob Wink Widow Walker Francis Welch William Wood Hugh Walker Joseph Wilson Thomas Barret Edward Conner William Cline Benjamin Galbreath Adam Rail. State tax, £41 19s. 9d.; county tax, £36 10s. 5d. George Garland came to America with the king's army, during the revolutionary war, and served throughout the contest. After the war he went to Germany for his wife. She was bound out to serve for several years, to pay her passage money. Mr. Garland settled on White Oak run, in Bethel, on land now owned by Henry L. Garland, where he died about 1825. His children were Nicholas, Jacob, Susan, George, Catharine, David, Rachel, Elizabeth - all now dead but Rachel. George Garland, son of George, Sr., was born and reared in Bethel township, on the old homestead. In 1835 he bought out the rest of the heirs, paying two hundred and sixty dollars for two hundred and fifty acres. He died in 1870. His wife (nee Mary Hill) is living, aged 72. They reared eight children, six of whom are living. Lemuel Garland followed daily labor and school-teaching until 1867, when he purchased a farm of two hundred and twelve acres in Belfast township. He married Harriet Truax in 1857. Mr. Garland served one term as county auditor. He was elected to that office in 1871. Rev. Thomas Runyan came from New Jersey in 1780, and settled on land now owned by John Daniels. He was a preacher and farmer. His circuit was extensive, covering Bedford and portions of other counties. He married Mary Frazey, of Belfast township, and reared several children, among whom were George, Benjamin, Mary, Elizabeth, Jane, Polly and Lucretia, all of whom are dead. By his second wife, Mr. Runyan's children were Sarah (Sipes), Martha (Palmer) Thomas and Ahimaaz. Thomas is still living. He was born in 1800. He married Ruth Palmer, who died in 1845. Children: Rachel (deceased), Ahimaaz, William P., Elizabeth J. (Morgret), Joseph, Phineas, Charlotte (Morgret) and Anna (Morgret). For his second wife he married Lydia Slusher, of Ohio, who died in 1877. One child was born of this union, Mary M. (Mellott). Ahimaaz Runyan was born on the old homestead, and followed farming there until he was twenty-four. For ten years thereafter he was engaged in farming and teaching. In 1853 he married Leah Garland. She died in 1857. In 1859 he married Sarah Hart. He has four children living. Mr. Runyan engaged in the mercantile business in 1871. The first houses in Needmore were built by A. Runyan and Isaac Morgart. The first store [655] was started by Job Hart in 1870. Hart was succeeded by A. Runyan in 1871. Needmore postoffice was established in 1872, with A. Runyan postmaster. Mr. Runyan still holds the office. The village contains one church, one schoolhouse, one marbleshop (Hart & Runyan), one store (A. Runyan), one wagon and blacksmith shop (A. Mellot and William Sigle), one gristmill (built by H. K. Mellott, and now owned by Hill & Peek. John Palmer came from England in an early day with his parents, and settled in New Jersey. From there he came to Sideling Hill, where he raised a large family, he being twice married. He removed to Monroe county, Ohio, where he died. He was a member of the Old School Baptist church. All of his children went to Ohio with him, except two - Ezediah, who married Jacob Truax, and she lived to be nearly one hundred years old, and Joseph, who married Berthenia Pitman. They raised a family of ten children, viz: David, Elijah, William, John, Joel, Effany, Ruth, Matilda, Charity, Charlotte. David married Martha Runyan, and they became the parents of seven children, viz.: Rebecca, Effany, Joseph, Thomas R., Henry S., Benjamin, Elijah N. Thomas R. married Maria Morgret, and the issue of their marriage is six children, viz.: Rebecca F. (Hart), Harriet J. (Dixon), Hannah M., Martha C., Bernard N., R. J. Judson. Elijah N. married Elizabeth Sipe, and their children are: Bertha M., Frederick V. Joseph married Susan Slusher, and their children are: Charles C., James G., Samuel B., David A., Aurlana L., Henry H., Thomas A., John D., Lorenzo V., Lydia A., Martha E. and Louisa A. Sideling Hill Church. - The Sideling Hill Baptist church was organized by Thomas Runyan about 1780. In 1782, a log building, covered with clapboards, was built for a church, which in 1826 was supplanted with a frame building that cost about seven hundred dollars, and this in turn was supplanted in 1871 by a more modern frame building, at a cost of one thousand dollars. The present membership is forty-five. The following pastors have officiated: Thomas Runyan, about thirty years; Moses Star, about thirty years, who was succeeded by Joseph Correll, the present pastor. Baptist Church. - The Baptist church at Needmore was built in 1871, at a cost of six hundred dollars. There was then no organized society. In 1872 the congregation, known as the Fairview Baptist society, was formed. The church lot was deeded to the society by Job Morgart. Rev. Thomas Rose was the first pastor, and still continues in charge. The membership in 1872 was twelve; in 1883, twenty-five. CHAPTER XCI. BRUSH CREEK. Organized as a Township april 19, 1850 - Taxables in 1852 - Early Families - Personal Mention of Prominent Citizens - Mills, Tanneries and other Industries - The Villages of Emmaville and Akersville - Their Beginning and Growth - Churches. BRUSH CREEK township was erected by the act establishing Fulton county, April 19, 1850. The township is long and narrow. It contains some very good farming land. Two small hamlets, Emmaville and Akersville, are included in the township. The following list of the resident property holders of Brush Creek township is taken from the assessor's book for the year 1852: Ralph Akers Ephraim Akers Israel Akers John Akers (gristmill) Abiah Akers John H. Akers (merchant) Catharine Barton Abraham Buzzard (innkeeper) Joel Barton Aaron Barton Elisha Barton Jonathan L. Badgley Perry Barton Joshua N. Barton Mahlon Barton William Clevinger Lewis A. Carpenter Asa Duval Samuel Dillon James Ensley (innkeeper) Christopher C. Ensley Abraham Ensley David Felton Adam Furney George Hess Ephraim Hixon (blacksmith) John Hanks William Hanks Caleb Hixon Morgan Hill Timothy Hixon, Jr. Timothy Hixon, Sr. Asa M. James Stiles Jackson Peter Kegarice Aquilla Lodge, M.D. John S. Linn James Linn Hugh Linn (gristmill) Mason Lodge John Peck Phebe Peck Jacob Rhom, Sr. (gristmill) John G. Rhom Aaron Simmons David Smith (shoemaker) James Sproat Sarah and Tamar Snowden Jonas and Nathan Welch Polly Welch Jacob A. Wink. George Barton, Sr., and his son Elijah, from New Jersey, settled in 1790, on a tract of eight hundred and thirty-four acres. In 1793 Noah Barton, son of George, Sr., came from New Jersey, and settled on land now owned by Mahlon Barton. George Barton, Sr., died about 1815. He was the father of John, Elijah, George, [656] Noah and Jane. Elijah Barton died in 1824. His children were Elisha, George, Rebecca (Hanks), Henry, Noah, Rachel (Frazey) and Mary (Enslow), all dead. Mahlon Barton was born and reared in the house where he now lives. The house was built by Elijah Barton about 1800. Mahlon was married in 1826, to Anna James, of Brush Creek, and has reared eight daughters and four sons, all living except one son, Asa. Three of the sons were in the army - Asa, Co. H, 208th Penn. Regt. died in hospital at Nashville; James served in Co. H, 158th regt. Penn. Vols., and Morgan in Co. M, 22d Penn. Cav. Mahlon Barton was one of the pioneers of Methodism, and served as class-leader for twenty-five years. His descendants are quite numerous - eleven children, ninety grandchildren and twenty-eight great-grandchildren, living. George Barton, the son of Elijah and Mary Barton, was reared in this county. He married Catharine Morgart, of Bedford county, in 1806, and in the spring of 1807 moved on a tract of land owned by his father on Brush creek. The farm had only a small improvement, and a little cabin erected by a former occupant, in which they lived until a better dwelling could be fashioned. They endured many hardships. Geo. Barton died in 1825, Mrs. Barton in 1863. Their children are John H., Mary A., Peter M., Elijah, Philip, Baltzer E. and George W. Hon. George W. Barton was born on the old farm in 1826. He was a school teacher in early life, and taught for thirteen winters in succession. He was among the leading citizens of Brush Creek township, and served as justice of the peace, county auditor and county commissioner. In 1876 he was elected associate judge, an office which he filled with credit and fidelity. He died in 1872. His widow (nee Maria Kerr, a native of Ireland), resides on the homestead with her children. This family possesses an article of rare workmanship - an old- fashioned clock, the case of which was made by Thos. Hazlett in 1828, from walnut grown on the farm. Williams Hanks came from Virginia about 1801, and settled on the south branch of Brush creek. He died in 1812. His son Benjamin, who came here with him, married Rebecca Barton in 1803, and lived on the place where his father first located. He died in 1822; his widow lived until 1875, and died at the age of ninety-two. They had twelve children: Laban, John, Sarah, Jared, Fletcher, William, Mary (Ensley) and Delilah (Miller), dead; Candace (Snider), Barton and Jason, living. William Hanks was born in 1817, was a school teacher and farmer; lived on the old homestead; died in 1879. He married Matilda Hixson in 1846. She lives on the home farm of three hundred acres, has three sons and four daughters. Jacob A. Wink was reared in Belfast township. In 1816, at the age of twenty, he came to Brush Creek valley. In 1822 he bought a farm in the valley. He married Sarah Markle, of Bedford county, in 1818, and reared four children - Sansom, Beulah R. (Akers), Lucinda (Akers) and Amos. Jacob A. Wink died in 1857, his widow in 1882. Amos Wink was born and reared on the farm where he now lives. He married Miss O. Barton in 1857. He is a progressive farmer, and owns two hundred and eighty acres of land. Ephraim Akers, Sr., was the first of the name in Brush Creek valley. His son Ephraim was reared on the farm of his father. He built the first sawmill on Brush creek. In 1821 he married Margaret Hill, of Bethel township. Ephraim Akers, Jr., died in 1870; his wife in 1862. Their children were John H., Job S., West A. and Charlotte H. (Barton), living; Nazanzen, Charles L. and Ephraim E., deceased. John H. Akers was born in 1822. He learned the wagonmaker's trade, and followed it for several years in Bedford county. In 1851 he moved to Emmaville, Brush Creek valley, where he built a store and a gristmill, and followed milling and mercantile business until 1864. In August of that year he enlisted in Co. F, 56th regt. Penn. Vols., in which he served until discharged in May, 1865. In 1866 he purchased the mill property and farm of three hundred and sixty-eight acres of John Akers, Sr. He is now the owner of "Akersville." His possessions consist of a gristmill, sawmill, planing-mill and a farm of fourteen hundred acres. Mr. Akers married Rhoda Hixson in 1847. Timothy Hixson, Sr., came from Virginia about 1790. He first lived on land now owned by A. Spade, then purchased a tract now owned by Enoch Hixson. He was a farmer and blacksmith. He died in 1857, aged eighty-one years; his wife died in 1854, aged eighty-three. Children: John, Jabez, Ephraim, Nathan, Timothy, Rachel (Akers), Mary (Lodge) and [657] Julia A. (Barton). Only timothy and Julia are living. Ephraim Hixson was born on the homestead, and learned blacksmithing with his father. He married Osee Barton in 1824, and in 1828 bought a farm, on which he died in 1877. His children are Joshua, Caleb, Matilda (Hanks), Rhoda (Akers), Nathan B., Stephen J., Nancy (Akers), Emily J. (Jackson), Mary A. (Rohm), Amos and Jared H. Mrs. Hixson is still living, aged seventy-eight years. Her grandchildren number ninety-six, and great-grandchildren forty-five, all living. Amos Hixson learned the blacksmith's trade of his father. He owns a part of the home farm. Mr. Hixson married Rebecca Rohm in 1862. November 28, 1864, he entered the service of his country in Co. I, 82d regt. Penn. Vols.; discharged July 14, 1865. Nathan B. Hixson, son of Ephraim Hixson, was born on the Hixson homestead in this township. He was apprenticed to learn the shoemaker's trade at the age of seventeen, and from 1851 to 1853 had a shoeshop at Clearville, Bedford county, and at Emmaville from 1853 to 1858. He then located on the farm where he now lives. Mr. Hixson was married in 1852, to Mary Barton, and has nine sons and five daughters living. In 1869 he erected a sawmill and in 1883 a carding-mill, both of which are in operation. Mr. Hixson was county auditor, 1874-7, and is at present a jury commissioner. Timothy Hixson was born in Brush Creek township in 1812. In 1838 he bought one hundred and fifty acres of land of Benjamin Runyan, and has since followed farming and blacksmithing. In 1832 he married Mary Barton, of Bedford county. They have eight sons and five daughters living. Four of the sons served in the late war. Mrs. Hixson died in 1873. Mr. Hixson, in addition to farming, runs a sawmill, built by him about 1850. James Sproat was born in York county in 1792. He came to Bedford county when a young man, and for several years followed teaming from Pittsburgh to Baltimore. He afterward drove stage for two years, from Statler's hotel, on the Allegheny mountain, to Stoystown, Somerset county. In 1820 he married Margaretta Statler, and moved to Schellsburg, where he kept hotel. In 1821 he moved to what is now Fulton county, and continued tavernkeeping. In 1824 he bought four hundred acres, and the hotel now McIlvaine's. He made additions and improvements, and his hotel became well and favorably known. In 1858 he sold the property, and 1859 moved to a portion of his land at the head of Brush Creek valley. He died in 1861. His widow is still living at the age of eighty-four. Children: John S., Margaret (Hoke), Mary (Shuck), Samuel, James, George, Joseph R., Elizabeth (Miller), William, living; Amanda, Isaac W., deceased. John R. Sproat, the owner of eight hundred acres of land, is a son of James Sproat. From 1860 to 1862 he was in California. In August, 1862, he enlisted in Co. C, 133d regt. Penn. Vols.; discharged May 7, 1863. In 1864 he went to California again, and remained until 1866. In 1876 he made a trip to Colorado, where he remained nearly a year. In 1871 he married Margaret Swartzwelder, of Bedford county. John McIlvaine is a native of Huntingdon county. He moved to Bedford county in 1825, and spent several years milling for Dewalt Lysinger, near Everett. He afterward milled at Dr. Wishart's, on Yellow creek, at Martin Loy's, in Morrison's cove, and at Hopewell. In 1838 he kept tavern in Woodberry. He followed milling until 1848, then engaged in the stock business and farming. He moved to Juniata Crossings in 1852, and there kept hotel until 1858. Mr. McIlvaine then bought five hundred acres of land and the tavern-stand of James Sproat, on the east side of Ray's Hill, where he has since lived, following farming and hotelkeeping. Mr. McIlvaine is one of the best known men of Fulton county. He married Mary Lysinger in 1827; she died in 1865. In 1869 he married Kate Cook, of Bedford. The McIlvaine hotel has been a place of entertainment for nearly one hundred years. McAffey and William Gray were among its early landlords. Before Mr. McIlvaine purchased, James Sproat kept tavern here for about thirty-eight years. Adam Furney came from Montgomery county, Maryland, in 1825, to the farm now occupied by his son Oliver. He cleared and improved the tract, and built several houses upon it. He died in 1869; his widow (nee Mary Moxley), in 1872. Children: Alexander (dead), Elizabeth (Hoopengardner), Daniel (dead), Emanuel (dead), Julia A. (Mills) and Oliver. [658] Oliver Furney was born in 1831; taught school when young; married Amelia Chisholm in 1868. He is engaged in farming and stock dealing. VILLAGES. The village of Emmaville was formerly a very busy place, but it has now fallen into quiet and obscurity. John H. Akers came to this place in 1851, when it was a wilderness. He bought a piece of ground, cleared the brush away and built a store. Mr. Akers named the village and was its first resident. In 1855 Doyle McNeal & Boblets, of Franklin county, erected a tannery in Emmasville. In 1866 the tannery was sold to J. B. Hoyt & Co., of New York. In 1867 it was burned down, but immediately rebuilt. The business was carried on extensively until 1877, when operations were stopped, owing to the scarcity of bark. With the closing of this industry the prosperity of Emmaville declined. The place now contains one gristmill, operated by George M. Truax; one store, I. M. Mills; one shoeshop, John Smith. The Emmaville postoffice was established in 1858, John H. Akers, postmaster. G. M. Truax is the present postmaster. Akersville postoffice was established in 1858; Jere Jackson, postmaster. Charles Beard was his successor in office. John H. Akers has been postmaster since 1868. The gristmill at Akersville was built by John Akers, Sr. It is three stories high, 30 x 60 feet. John H. Akers built a sawmill in 1876, and a planing-mill in 1883. Methodist Church. - The Methodist Episcopal congregation which now worships at Akersville was organized about 1812. The first meetings were held in the second story of John Akers' gristmill. Rev. James Sewall preached in the mill for about two years, 1816-17. Meetings were held in the mill, in the house of Robert Akers, and in the schoolhouse built in 1825, until 1858, when the present house of worship was erected at a cost of seven hundred and fifty dollars. The membership of the church, when organized in 1812, was twelve; the present membership is about eighty. Sabbath-school scholars, seventy-five. McKendree Methodist Episcopal Church. - This church was named in honor of Bishop McKendree. It was built about 1825, a log structure, 30 x 40 feet, and dedicated by Bishop McKendree. Timothy Hixon was the principal builder. He and his wife, Rebecca Hanks and family, Asa James and wife, Rosanna Lodge, Mason Lodge, Ephraim Hixson and wife were the members of the church when it was built. In 1867 a brick church was erected on the site of the old building at a cost of twenty-five hundred dollars. It was dedicated September 12, 1868, by Rev. D. S. Monroe. Present membership, church, forty; Sabbath school, fifty. Union Church. - Gapsville Union church, a log building, was erected about 1815, for the use of all Protestant denominations. In 1856 it was weatherboarded, repaired and improved at a cost of five hundred dollars. It is now used by the Lutheran and Christian denominations. CHAPTER XCII. DUBLIN. The Second Oldest Township in Fulton county - Organization in 1767 - Its Original Boundaries - Taxables in 1767 - John Burd's Property in 1770 - Tax-List of 1773 - The Historic Spots, Burnt Cabins and Fort Lyttleton - the Two Villages Today - Industries - Personal Mention of Prominent Citizens and Old Residents - The Methodist Church - Fort Lyttleton I.O.O.F. Lodge - The Oldest in Fulton County. DUBLIN is, next to Ayr, the oldest township in Fulton county. It was created a township of Cumberland county at the October sessions of court, 1767. Its boundaries are thus indefinitely described: "Dublin. Bounded by Air and Fannet on the one side, and Colraine and Barre townships, on the top of Sidling Hill, on the other side. John Ramsey,* constable." At the time Bedford county was formed the bounds of Dublin township were left "as fixed by the Cumberland county court." On the assessment list for 1767, among the taxables of Dublin township, appear the names of the following persons, who probably resided within the present limits of Fulton county: John Burd, 300 acres warranted land, 150 acres unwarranted, 20 acres cleared, 2 horses, 5 cows, 1 servant. Samuel Charleton, 200 acres warranted, 10 acres cleared. Benjamin Elliot, 100 acres patented, 3 acres cleared, 1 horse, 1 cow. Robert Elliot, 150 acres warranted, 4 acres cleared. James Elliot, 100 acres warranted, 4 acres cleared. John Elliot, 100 acres, 4 acres cleared. James Elliot, 100 acres warranted, 4 acres cleared. John Elliot, 100 acres, 4 acres cleared. William Ramsey, 50 acres warranted, 2 acres cleared, 1 horse. John Ramsey, 100 [659] acres warranted, 15 acres cleared, 1 horse, 1 cow, 5 sheep. All lived near the present county line, and possibly some of them in Huntingdon county. John Burd must have been among the wealthiest of the pioneers. In 1770 he is taxed with 300 acres, 100 acres cleared, 2 servants, 1 negro, 4 horses, 4 cows and 6 sheep. The following is a copy of the first tax-list of Dublin township recorded in Bedford county, for the year 1773: Anthony Aser Charles Boyle James Bogle James Barnard John Burd (one gristmill) John Bell Francis Cluggage John Carmichael Samuel Charles Davis Bartholomew (one sawmill) James Deley Benjamin Elliott James Elliott Josiah Davenport Jams Foley James Flemon James Galbreath John Graham Philip Gillelan John Holliday David McGaw Charles Magill James Mortin John Moore Nathaniel McDowell William McDowell John McDowell William Ramsey John Ramsey Robert Ramsey Lawrence Swope George Swaggard Samuel Thompson John Walker Total tax of the township, county and provincial, five pounds fourteen shillings and sixpence. It should be borne in mind that Dublin township, at the time of this list, included a large portion of the present county of Huntingdon. In its two small villages, Burnt Cabins and Fort Lyttleton, Dublin township perpetuates the memory of the stirring events of colonial days and Indian warfare. The facts which lend historic interest to these localities are given in a preceding chapter, therefore we will simply give a description of the two villages which now occupy the ground which history has rendered celebrated. Fort Lyttleton has about one hundred and ten inhabitants, one church (Methodist); two merchants, Hon. S. L. Buckley and D. K. Baer; one physician, Dr. David A. Hill; one blacksmith, Alexander Mayne; one foundry, run by J. J. Cromer; one tinshop, S. R. Cromer; one gristmill, E. Baldwin; one hotel, M. S. Wilt; one butcher, W. J. Cline. Burnt cabins has about the same population as Fort Lyttleton, two stores of general merchandise, two blacksmith-shops, one wagonshop, one undertaker's shop, one hotel, and two churches (Methodist and Presbyterian). Hon. Samuel L. Buckley, at present one of the associate judges of Fulton county, is a native of Huntingdon county. His father, Jacob Buckley, moved to Fulton county in 1840 and resided here until his death, in 1878. Judge Buckley was reared on a farm and educated at Rainsburg, Bedford county. He spent the early years of his manhood in clerking and teaching school. In 1865 he removed to Fort Lyttleton, where he engaged in the mercantile business, which he has since successfully conducted. Judge Buckley is a stanch republican, and very popular in a political sense, as is evinced by the fact that in 1881 he was elected to his present office in a county which is overwhelmingly democratic. He was married in 1862, to Mary Ellen Morrow, of Fulton county, who died in 1881, leaving three children: Sarah E., Anna M. and Edgar A. Judge Buckley has been postmaster at Fort Lyttleton since 1866. Ephraim Ramsey, who was born and reared in Fulton county, settled at Fort Lyttleton in 1834, purchasing a farm of the Wilds heirs. In the early part of his life he followed the saddler's trade. Mr. Ramsey married Mary C. Uncles, who died in 1842. She was the mother of five children - two of whom, Elizabeth J. (Evans) and William reached mature years. Mrs. Evans is still living. Mr. Ramsey is now (November, 1883) in his ninety-second year, and is the oldest man in Fulton county. George S. Doran, Esq., is a native of Fulton county, and is now engaged in the business of huckstering. Mr. Doran was elected a justice of the peace in Dublin township in 1878. He resides at Burnt Cabins, and is one of the energetic business men of the place. In 1870 Mr. Doran married Elizabeth Appleby, of Huntingdon county. Children: Samuel W., Alice B. and Anna. Henry McGowan was born in Franklin county, and resided there until twenty- eight years of age. In 1856 he purchased a farm of the Walker heirs, situated in Huntingdon county, near the Fulton county line, and there resided for three years. He then removed to Burnt Cabins and engaged in his present business, hotelkeeping. After three years he purchased the hotel he now owns, which he has since enlarged and improved. Besides the hotel business, Mr. McGowan also carries on farming and the stock business. He was married in 1859, to Miss Sarah Guyer, of Franklin county, and has ten children living: Margaret E., Laura, Adaline, Belle, George M., Harry, Henderson, Richard, Theodore and John. [660] The landlords who preceded Mr. McGowan in the management of the Burnt Cabins hotel were John Jamison, James Walker, Lee Cline, James Rodgers, Mrs. Ingraham and M. S. Wilt. The house was built by Welsh and Dr. Hunter. David G. Miller was born in Franklin county and moved to Fulton county in 1852. He lived at Burn Cabins until 1855, when he purchased of Lewis Dubbs the farm which he now occupies. Mr. Miller removed to his present farm in 1870. He is a member of the M. E. church, and a progressive farmer. He served in the late war, enlisting September 24, 1864, in the 199th regt. Penn. Vols.; was mustered out June 28, 1865. Mr. Miller was present on the day of Lee's surrender; his youngest son was also born on that day, and named in honor of the distinguished Union general. Mr. Miller married Sidney Snyder, of Huntingdon county, in 1852, and is the father of six children: Malbira, Annabel, Henry F., Samuel S., Ulysses G. and Hannah V. (deceased). Mr. Miller has filled various township offices. Nathan Baker, a native of Chester county, moved to Dublin township in 1818. After renting farms for fifteen years, he purchased two hundred and twenty acres of land, settled by James Justice in 1795. Mr. Baker married Barbara Hause, of Chester county, in 1820. Children: Jesse, John, Benjamin and Joseph, deceased; Hannah (Stellinger) Samuel, William, Betsey (Henry), Nathan and Isaac, living. Mr. Henry died in 1869, his wife in 1856. William Baker, the present owner of the homestead, came to Dublin township with his parents when about three years of age. He has always followed farming. In 1839 he married Malinda Gunnell, who died in 1849. In 1850 he married Kate Simmers, of Fulton county. William Henry came from Chester county in 1815, and settled upon a farm of two hundred acres. He resided upon the farm until 1832, then moved to Clear Ridge. Michael Woollet, a native of York county, came to Fort Lyttleton as early as 1800, and commenced blacksmithing near the little pond. A few years later he bought a farm of Adam Zook, and devoted himself to his trade and farming. In 1811 he began keeping public-house at his residence, which was situated upon the Old State road. There was at that time a great deal of wagoning upon the road, and a few years later drovers began to pass over it, and sometimes as many as a hundred droves of cattle passed the house in a day. Mr. Woollet died in 1833. He married Margaret Lingenfelter, of York county, and reared eleven children: Mary (Adams), Elizabeth (Kemp), Peggy (Keebaugh), Sarah (Beckley), Catharine (Keebaugh) and Peter, deceased; Benjamin, Jacob L., Michael, Caroline (Henry) and Louisa (Bradley), living. Benjamin Woollet, who resides upon the old homestead, was born in 1808. He owns six hundred acres of land and is a successful farmer. Mr. Woollet was married in 1836 to Catharine Barndollar, of Bedford county, who is still living. Samuel Cromer came from Mercersburg to McConnellsburg in 1854, and erected the building in that town which is now the carriageshop of A. Heikes. Mr. Cromer engaged in the manufacture of agricultural implements until 1857, when he sold his property in McConnellsburg and moved to Fort Lyttleton, where he built a foundry. This establishment is 25 x 40 feet, with an addition 24 x 60 feet. Mr. Cromer carried on the business until 1867, when he sold out to his son, J. J. Cromer, and George Bain. They conducted the business in partnership until 1879, when Mr. J. J. Cromer purchased his partner's interest. He has since carried on the business alone, having a good trade from the surrounding country. J. J. Cromer enlisted in Co. D, 49th regt. Penn. Vols., September 21, 1861; was wounded May 10, 1864; discharged October 26, 1864. In 1877-8 he was sergeant- at-arms in the senate of Pennsylvania. The first licensed hotel at Fort Lyttleton was opened by John D. Richardson in 1855, in a building which was destroyed by fire in 1875. Mr. Richardson was succeeded by John Early, William J. McFarland, Thompson Wilds and M. S. Wilt. Mr. Wilt commenced business in this place in 1869, and is the present landlord. Methodist Church. - The Methodist Episcopal church, at Burnt Cabins, was organized by Rev. Robert Beers in 1851. The society built a frame church, 35 x 45 feet, at a cost of six hundred dollars. Among the older members of the church were Frederick Miller and wife, Robert Clymonds and wife, Conrad Matthias, David Matthias and wife, Mrs. Boyles, Hugh Campbell and wife, Samuel Campbell, John Matthias, Jr., Mrs. Mort and Elizabeth Sites. The original membership was thirty. The present membership is forty-five in the church and eighty in the [661] sabbath school. The old church has been torn down and is being rebuilt. The work will cost about seven hundred dollars. Odd-Fellows. - Fort Lyttleton Lodge, No. 484, I.O.O.F., was first instituted May 20, 1853. There is no record of the first officers and charter members, as the lodgeroom was destroyed with all of its contents in March, 1855. The lodge was re-organized November 3, 1855, when the following officers were elected: John Chesnut, Sr., N.G.; William S. Thompson, V.G.; John Chesnut, Jr., Sec'y; John M. Hedding, A.S.; Ephraim Ramsey, Treas. At the date of re-organization there were thirty-nine members. The meetings were held in the second story of Hedding's store-building until 1869, when the lodge was moved to its present quarters in the second story of the Cromer building. At present the membership is thirty-six. The lodge property is valued at two thousand three hundred and fifty-four dollars and eighty-nine cents. Forty Lyttleton is the oldest lodge of Odd-Fellows in Fulton county, and has enjoyed a high degree of prosperity. CHAPTER XCIII. LICKING CREEK. Organization of the Township in 1837 - Taxable Inhabitants, Mills and Industries in 1838 - Personal Sketches of Prominent Men - Austin's Tannery - Saluvia Postoffice - Green Hill Presbyterian church - Harrisonville Odd-Fellows' Lodge. LICKING CREEK was organized as a township of Bedford county, September 21, 1837. It derives its name from the principal stream of the township. The surface is hilly, broken and mountainous; in the valleys are some fine farms, well- improved. The township contains the two small villages of Harrisonville and Saluvia. The following list of the taxable inhabitants of Licking Creek township in 1838 is copied from the assessment books in the commissioners' office at Bedford: David Andrew Jacob Ambrose, Sr. Jacob Ambrose, Jr. (one sawmill) James Austin Andrew Alexander Robert Blair Thomas Bowles Ludwick Betz (one sawmill) John Bivens Henry Brahker Levi Corbar Abrham Clevinger Jacob Clouser Conrad Clouser Henry Clouser John Chesnut, Esq. John Cook Thomas B. Clarkson George Canell Frederick Dishong, Sr. (one sawmill) Henry Dishong Peter Dishong Frederick Dishong, Jr. John B. Dishong Frederick Dishong (of Baltis) William Dishong John F. Davis, Esq. Benjamin Dishong Enoch Dishong Widow Dishong Peter Decker Benjamin Daniels Adam Deeker John Deeker William Dishong (of Frederick) John Dishong Robert Dishong John Daniels Jacob Detrich (blacksmith) Aaron Daniels Judge John Dickey William Gody Phillip Greenawalt Jacob Gaster Jacob George William Hanna, Sr. Samuel Hockensmith Obadiah Hockensmith Jacob Hockensmith Matthias Hann Peter Hammon John Harr Benjamin Harr John Hoop Christian Hammon George Hoop William W. Harris William B. Hammett Robert Hammill William C. Hammett Susannah Hill John Jordan, Esq. Conrad Kline David Keefer Peter Kline John Kline, Jr. Samuel Kline Conrad T. Kline Jacob Leighty (blacksmith) Widow Mellott Benjamin Mellott John Mellott (of Obadiah) John Miller John Marshall (one sawmill) John Myers Daniel Metzler Alexander McKillip Obadiah Mellott Uriah Mellott Jacob Mellott, Sr. Jacob Mellott, Jr. David Mellott Daniel Mellott John Mellott Samuel Mellott George Metzler Jacob Muman John Noble Samuel Newman Joseph B. Noble (one gristmill and two sawmills) John Noble, Sr. John H. Noble John Nawgle Richard Pittman Joshua Pittman Widow Pittman Richard Pittman, Sr. Widow Reamer Richard Ross Henry Sipes Samuel Sipes Jacob Sipes, Sr. John Sipes, Sr. Conrad Sipe George W. Sipe (one sawmill) John H. Sipe David Snyder John Sipe (innkeeper) George Sipe, Sr. Jacob Singledecker John Singledecker Jacob Sipe (of George) Henry Sipe (of George) James Sipe Andrew Singledecker Martin Singledecker George Sharp Samuel Sharp David Shull David Sharp Joseph Stright Widow Stright Daniel Stright Samuel Stright Robert Sipe Amos Sipe Adam Sipe Philip Stoner Robert Suter Jacob Snyder Jacob Sipe (of Jacob) Samuel Shimer Widow Truax Adam Vallance Abraham Walker Adam Wible John Woodall John Jordan, assessor; John Noble, William C. Hammett, assistant assessors. Hon. David Mann, a well-known and prominent citizen, was born in Fulton county, in Bethel township, where his grandfather, Andrew [662] Mann, a native of Germany, settled before the revolutionary war. Andrew Mann served as a captain in the revolution. His son, Bernard Mann, married Rebecca Cramer in 1797, and reared four children - David and Joseph, living; Jacob and Rachel (Truax), deceased. David Mann lived on the farm until he was twenty-one years of age, then went to Bloody Run (Everett), where he clerked for Jacob Barndollar, Sr., until 1826. Then in partnership with his cousin, the late Hon. Job Mann, he purchased Mr. Barndollar's goods, and until 1840 followed the mercantile business. In 1840 Mr. Mann purchased of the Walker heirs a lot of land in Licking Creek township, and carried on farming, the mercantile business and hotel-keeping. About 1870 he retired from active business. Mr. Mann was one of the first associate judges of Fulton county, receiving his appointment from Gov. Johnston in 1851. Mr. Mann is now eighty-four years of age. In 1826 he married Abigail Culbertson, of Bedford county, who bore seven children - Jacob A., Bernard J., Eliza R. (Robinson), and James A. (deceased), William C., Sarah E. (Miller), and Rachael A. (Speer). Thomas Speer was among the early settlers in Wells valley. He built and operated the first distillery in the valley, on the farm now owned by G. W. B. Sipes. He afterward kept hotel in Pittsburgh and Broad Top, and died in Bedford in 1871. William A. Speer, son of Thomas, was born in Wells valley. October 16, 1862, he enlisted in Co. H, 158th regt. Penn. Vols.; mustered out in August, 1863. In 1862 he married Rachel, daughter of Hon. David Mann, of this township. Mr. Speer owns the William Alexander farm, of two hundred and ten acres, near Saluvia. In 1873-4 he served as treasurer of Fulton county. George Hoop, Sr., was an early settler on land now owned by David Mellott. He probably located there about 1775 and died about 1830. John Hoop, his son, died in this township. George Hoop, Jr., an old resident, was born in this township in 1809. In 1837 he married Anna Uncles, who died in 1842. In 1843 he married Catharine George; she died in 1850. In 1855 he wedded Susan Hockensmith, who is still living. John W. Hoop, son of George Hoop, was born and reared in Licking Creek township. He was in the army, mustered into service March 1, 1865, Co. A, 97th regt. Penn. Vols.; discharged August 25, 1865. In 1866 he married Mary Sipes, of Licking Creek. They have two children - Sarah F. and Eva C. In 1868 Mr. Hoop purchased one hundred acres of land, the farm which he now owns. In connection with farming he has followed thrashing several years. The Austins are a prominent family and are noticed elsewhere. Jacob Tritle was born in Franklin county, Pennsylvania. In 1851 he moved from Washington county, Maryland, to the Big Cove, in Fulton county, and settled on a farm of three hundred and sixty acres. He died in 1882. William H. Tritle, son of Jacob, was born in 1833, and removed to Fulton county with his parents. Up to 1870 he was principally engaged in teaching and clerking. During the war he engaged for a time in the mercantile business in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, in partnership with his brother, Lewis W. (since deceased). When the rebels burned the town they lost about five thousand dollars' worth of property. In 1870 Wm. H. Tritle engaged in the mercantile business in Harrisonville as a member of the firm of Tritle & Hoover. This partnership was dissolved in 1871, and Mr. Tritle has since conducted the business alone. He was appointed postmaster in 1874. He married Amelia H. Smith, of Chambersburg, in 1869; she died in 1873. In 1876 Mr. Tritle married Hattie L. Bea, of Harrisonville, N.J. Nicholas Metzler, an early settler of McConnellsburg, and the first who acted as a medical adviser in that town, moved from Washington county, Maryland. His sons, George and Daniel, worked at saddlery in McConnellsburg. George moved to Ray's Hill, and thence to Harrisonville, where he purchased a hotel property of John B. Noble, situated east of the creek. He afterward bought the hotel now owned by John G. Metzler. George Metzler died in 1876. His widow (nee Catharine Bortner, born in 1805), is still living. John G. Metzler, son of George, was born at Ray's Hill in 1829. He succeeded his father in the hotel business which he still conducts. Mr. Metzler also owns a farm of one hundred and fifty acres. He married Catharine Clevenger in 1858, and has seven sons and three daughters. Harrisonville, a small village in Licking Creek township, received its name during the [663] famous Harrison campaign of 1840. Prior to that time it was known as Licking Creek. The industries of the place are represented thus: W. H. Tritle, merchant; Dr. H. S. Wishart, physician; Miles Hockensmith, blacksmith and wagonmaker; John G. Metzler, proprietor of the Harrisonville Inn. The postoffice at Saluvia was established in 1876. James R. Davis was the first postmaster. After two years he was succeeded by Preston R. Austin, the present postmaster. Presbyterian Church. - The Green Hill Presbyterian congregation, a part of the McConnellsburg charge, was organized during the pastorate of Rev. N. G. White, November 12, 1835, and then consisted of twenty-one members. John Jordan was elected the first ruling elder. A house of worship was erected in 1835. The present membership of the church is sixty-five. For list of pastors, see history of McConnellsburg church. Odd-Fellows. - Harrisonville Lodge, No. 710, I.O.O.F., was instituted May 17, 1870, with officers and charter members as follows: William A. Speer, N.G.; Charles R. Davis, V.G.; H. S. Wishart, Sec'y; William C. Mann, A.S.; William B. Davis, Treas.; William H. Hockensmith, G. W. Mumma, John W. Davis, James Davis, John G. Metzler, Nicholas Metzler, James A. Harris. The first meetings were held in a building owned by George Metzler. In 1873 the lodge purchased, of Dr. H. S. Wishart, a two-story frame building, 20 x 32 feet, for six hundred dollars. The present value of the lodge property is nine hundred and thirty-two dollars and forty-five cents. Present membership, twenty-seven. ~~~*~~~