Area History: Fulton County, 1884, Fulton County, PA, Part 7, pp. 663 - 672 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 [663] CHAPTER XCIV. TAYLOR. Organized as a Township of Bedford County in 1849 - Named in honor of President Zachary Taylor - List of Taxables, 1852 - Thomas Huston - Hustontown - Personal Mention - Hartman's Chapel Methodist Episcopal Church TAYLOR township was formed as a township of Bedford county in November, 1849, and named in honor of Zachary Taylor, President of the United States. The surface of the township is rugged and uneven. There is much well-improved farming land. Hustontown is the only village in the township. The following is a list of the resident property-holders of Taylor township in 1852, taken from the assessor's returns for that year:* William Atherton Lewis Berkstresser John Brant Michael Barndollar, Sr. Michael Barndollar, Jr. Charles Bratton Mary Barnet Isaac Baker Jacob Baker Jonathan Barnet Andrew Bolinger Charles Barns Jesse Berkstresser William Chesnut Elizabeth Culp Joseph Charlton Daniel Denisor James Deavor Andrew E. Davis Adam Deavor John Evans Alexander Edwards Jacob French Frederick Gluck Evans Huston John Henry William Henry Thomas Huston John Huston Levi Huston Johnsey Houck William Harper & Co. William Harper Henry Heffner Daniel King Abraham King William Keebaugh George Kesselring, Esq. John A. Keepers Daniel Laidey James Lyon, Sr. Daniel Laidey, Sr. Stewart Landis Daniel Lamberson David Lidey, Sr. Jacob Lamberson, Sr. Samuel Lutz John Lamberson Matthias Mort John McLain Henry Miller Joseph McLain William McDonald George Newman George Naugle, Sr., heirs Barnard Peonar's heirs James Price William Richardson John Roa Charles Ramsey John Ramsey Daniel Roberts John D. Richardson Alexander Richardson David Stevens Abner Stevens John Stinson Thos. Stinson Vincent Stevens Joseph Stevens Wm. Stevens Peter Smith Andrew Shaw George Sipes Solomon Stahlman Benjamin Speck John Shaw John Stephens' widow James Saltkeed Frederick Thomson Jonathan Tague James Wollett Thomas Wooddock James Winegardner Adam Wademan Abraham Witter Stephen Witter David Wolf Mary Mardel Jacob Muman John Bird Jacob Long Thomas Huston, a native of Ireland, came to America when seventeen years of age, and settled in Chester county, Pennsylvania, where he married Catherine E. Rickard. In 1818 he moved to Fort Lyttleton, where he lived one year, then removed to the O'Connor property on Clear Ridge. In 1821 he purchased the property of Vincent Stephens in Taylor township, and there resided until about 1850, when he bought the farm on which Mrs. Evans now lives, near Hustontown. He kept an inn on his farm, and in 1854 engaged in the mercantile business with Mr. Kirk. The village of Hustontown was named for him. Mr. Huston died about 1860. His children are James, Mary A., William, Maria (Heeter), John, Levi, and Thomas, deceased; Evan P., Rachel (Long) _______ * [Transcriber's note: These are given throughout as a list rather than as a paragraph so they will be easier to read.] [664] and Catharine E. (McClain), living. Evan P. Huston purchased of his father, in 1843, two hundred and fifteen acres of land, on which he now resides. The farm is in a high state of cultivation. Mr. Huston married Mary A. Woodcock in 1843; she died in 1874. In 1876 he married Mary J. Hunter, of Fulton county. Dennis O'Connor, Sr., from County Donegal, Ireland, settled in Philadelphia, whence he removed to Washington, D.C. While there he purchased large tracts of wild land in Bedford (now Fulton) county, to which he removed with his family, settling on Clear Ridge in Dublin township. There he erected the first two- story log house in the neighborhood. Mr. O'Connor took a large contract on the building of the turnpike from Chambersburg to Pittsburgh, and was assisted in the work by his sons, Bernard and James. Dennis O'Connor, Sr., married Sophia Mullen, and was the father of four sons who reached mature years - Bernard, James, Hercules and Dennis. Bernard O'Connor located on a farm purchased of James Lynsay, which is now owned by his youngest daughter, Miss Maggie J. O'Connor, of Altoona, Pennsylvania. Thence he removed to Fort Lyttleton, where he engaged in the mercantile business in partnership with his brother James. They also had a distillery and carried on a large trade. Bernard O'Connor married Catharine McFadden, of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. The O'Connors were prominent and influential Catholics, and their efforts availed to establish Catholic preaching in their neighborhood. James O'Connor was county surveyor of Bedford county. James Lyon and family moved from Shirleysburg, Huntington county, to West Dublin in 1839. In 1843 he engaged in the mercantile business. He was also postmaster at West Dublin from 1844 until about 1860, when he resigned and was succeeded by his son, B. A. Lyon. James Lyon died in 1872, aged eighty-six. He was a member of the Green Hill Presbyterian church, and an elder in the church, for a number of years. Only two members of his family survive - Benjamin A. and J. G. Lyon, both of whom live on the old homestead. James G. Lyon, in partnership with John M. Patterson and James M. McClure, erected Wells tannery in 1855, and operated it until 1872, when he sold out and moved back to the old homestead. During the war Mr. Lyon was deputy collector of internal revenue for Fulton county. He served as justice of the peace from 1878 until 1883. Mr. Lyon married Miss Maggie Roberts, of Somerset county. The first store in Hustontown was opened by Thomas Kirk, Esq., in 1854. Mr. Kirk continued business until 1866, and has been succeeded by G. W. Leighty, Samuel Hoover, John A. Zollinger & Bro., John A. Zollinger. In the fall of 1881 E. W. Kirk & Bro. purchased the stock of John A. Zollinger, who continued business at the old stand. Hinish & Lockland both carried on the mercantile business in Hustontown for a few years. S. M. McLaughlin is now engaged in the mercantile business in this place. Methodist Episcopal Church. - Hartman's Chapel Methodist Episcopal church, near Hustontown, was organized by Rev. Daniel Hartman - date unknown. The original members were D. F. Chesnut, A. C. Davis, D. Lamberson, S. Kirk, William Chesnut, Vincent Stevens, Peter Dyke, David Laidy, John Lamberson, Jacob Lamberson, and their wives; Abner Stevens, Mary Devere, Rebecca Laidy and May Laidy. The house of worship was created in 1851, at a cost of six hundred dollars. The church now has fifty-four members and the Sabbath school sixty. Methodist Church. - Zion Methodist Episcopal church is situated at the Gap of Sideling Hill. The first class of which we have any account met at the Barndollar schoolhouse in 1843. Rev. J. G. McKeehan was then preacher in charge, and John Hoover assistant. Ephraim Shore was class-leader. Mary Shore, James Frazier, Michael Barndollar, Elizabeth and Susan Barndollar, Andrew, Emily and Mary Shore, Israel French and a few others were members. The first meeting- house, which is still in use, was erected in 1844, and cost about fifteen hundred dollars. The church has about forty members and the sabbath school about sixty scholars. CHAPTER XCV. THOMSON. Formation of the Township, February 12, 1849 - Names in honor of Judge Thomson - Resources and Population - List of Resident Property-Holders, Mills and Industries from the Tax-List of 1852. THOMSON was formed as a township of Bedford county, February 12, 1849, and named in honor of Judge Thomson, an able and honored president judge of the district in which Bedford county was included. [665] This township adjoins Maryland. Its agricultural resources are limited, and its wealth and population small. As a matter of interest, and also reference, we give the following list of resident property holders of Thomson township copied from the assessor's book for the year 1852: Jesse Ash, minister Joseph Brewer Barnabas Bevens Henry Brewer William Bishop, Jr. Elias Bailey James Bell Henry Breakall William P. Bowhay William Bishop (gristmill) George Brewer Daniel Conrad Daniel Cook Bethuel Covalt Isaac F. Covalt Ralph Charlton William Culler Ephraim Covalt Isaac Covalt, Jr. Jacob Everett Oliver Ellison Michael Eichelberger William Everett John Furney Jacob Flick Henry Fite Jacob Fischer William Funk Moses Gordon David Gregory John Gauft Banner Graves John Gordon John Garland Peter Gordon Job Hill's heirs Daniel Housholder Stillwell heirs John Hess Ephraim G. Hedden Jacob Hull, Jr. Jacob Jenkins Daniel Johnson Jacob W. Kershner Nelson Knable James S. Kirk John Keefer John Keefer, Jr. Jacob Knable John Litton Peter Lake Andrew Linn Mary Linn Peter Mann Jacob Myers John Moats John Mullenix Robert McClelland Henry May George Myers Gerald Moran Barbara Miller Joseph Pittman Benjamin Pittman's heirs John K. Pittman Henry P. Peck Henry C. Peck Abraham Peck Isaac J. Peck William H. Powell Joseph Powell Jared Pittman James W. Powell William Peck Ezra Pittman Peter C. Peck Benjamin Pittman, Jr. Samuel Paylor, Joseph Richard Asenath Snider (widow) John Sowders Jacob Shives Charles Sowders John Shives George Sipes' heirs Jonathan B. Snider Obadiah Stillwell Abraham Stillwell Johnson Stillwell Andrew Shives Andrew Shives, Jr. Philander Smith Anthony Starlipper Peter Shives Jonathan Shives Levi Sevill Samuel Simpson Asa Selby Tobias Strasbaugh, blacksmith John Sevill John Stewart John and David Truxell Jonathan Truax George Trott William Truax Benjamin Truax Benj. Truax's heirs Stillwell P. Truax Elizabeth Truxell Stillwell W. Truax William Tanner Powell Vancleve John Weavel Elizabeth Ware Jacob Waltz Widow Yonker John L. Yonker Jonathan B. Yonker Adam L. Yonker George Zimmerman Jacob Zimmerman Jacob E. Zimmerman CHAPTER XCVI. UNION. Organization - James Wilson the first Proprietary - Initial Events - Barnes Gap Settlement - Various Settlements - Personal Mention UNION TOWNSHIP. UNION township was organized January 19, 1864, from a part of Bethel. It is located in and constitutes part of a valley originally known as Whipper Cove, or Sarah's Manor, now Buck Valley. It was surveyed in 1794 by Matthew Taylor, and deeded by the commonwealth of Pennsylvania to James Wilson, March 2, 1795. Then by deed of sheriff of Bedford county, April 4, 1822, to John R. Coats, who by deed dated June 10, 1822, conveyed the same to John Conrad, who by deed dated July 6, 1824, conveyed the same to Wm. Lee, who, in 1847, deeded to his children, S. I. McKibbin, Margaret Tenbrook and Alexander Lee's heirs eight thousand acres each, there being originally twenty-five thousand acres in the tract. They disposed of it to the present settlers. The valley is surrounded by mountains, excepting on the south, with three gaps - Mandy McKee's, northwest; Barnes, southwest in Ray's Hill, and Deneen's, east in Sideling Hill. The two latter are deep, with large creeks passing through them. It is about four miles wide and twenty miles long. The general character given to its face are interval side hill and upland, of which the latter is the most extensive, forming what is known but rarely seen, a true upland valley. It abounds in countless springs of pure, wholesome water. The soil is red shale and fertile, the mountain scenery beautiful, and is considered one of the handsomest valleys in the state for its size. INITIAL EVENTS. The first school in Buck Valley was taught by Mrs. Isabella Cowdey, of Ireland, about 1824. The first orchard was planted by James McKee. The first wheat was sown by James McKee. The first cabin was built by James Robinson. The first schoolhouse was built in 1838, by Chas. Barney. First marriage, Jonathan Hoopengardner to Jane McKee. The first sawmill was erected in the year 1810. The first flouring-mill was built by David Mann, in 1845. The first tannery was built by Joseph Deneen, about [666] the year 1800. Calico was printed by James Rough, an eccentric and visionary Scotchman, in Buck Valley, with hand type, about the year 1843. The township has four churches - Presbyterian, Christian, Methodist, Lutheran - and four schoolhouses. Barnes' Gap settlement, named in honor of James Barnes, who came from England and settled near Baltimore, Maryland, from whence he came with a company in the year 1777 and located at an old Indian camp, in what is now known as Barnes' Gap, Ray's Hill. He made a clearing, but followed hunting principally. He was a slaveowner, one slave accompanying him. He had four sons and three daughters: Abel, Elijah, Samuel, Archibald, Nancy Bell, Jemima, Ruth. They all, excepting Abel, went to Kentucky. Abel married Miss Mary Pool, of Maryland, and remained in the Gap until his death, aged ninety-one years. He followed hunting and farming; he reared eight children, five sons and three daughters: Catharine, Mahala, Eliza Jame, Abel, Lloyd, Samuel, Geo. W., Archibald. Abel Barnes married Miss Margaret Bishop, and still lives in the Gap. He is a carpenter by trade, but follows farming and hunting; has a family of five children: Geo. W., Eliza Jame, Margaret Ann, Louisa and Savannah. They have all been noted for their skill in hunting. Each generation, from the great-grandfather down, have been violinists. Deneen's Gap settlement was made by Joseph Deneen, who came from Jersey about the year 1800. His wife died soon after, leaving one child, the first white child born in Buck Valley. After his wife died he carried his child back to Jersey, then returned and married Miss Amey Bishop. He built a tannery and followed tanning for years, also farming and hunting. His offspring still live in the Gap. Zachariah Smith settled in Zach's Ridge about 1776. Built a cabin and cleared a spot of ground. He was a hunter and were it possible to obtain the data, doubtless many interesting facts could be recorded of him. The ridge has always borne his name. Indian Grave Run was named from an Indian buried there. He was killed by Abner Hunt and Emanual Smith, who followed them, the Indian in company with others, from Potomac river. Hunt and Emanual Smith were captured while following the Indian at Bald Hill, on the Alleghenies. FOSTER PLACE AND ZACH'S RIDGE. Foster Place settlement was made in the year 1770, by Caleb Barnes, of England, who married Miss Honor Stephens, of Baltimore; he followed hunting principally. His family consisted of six children: Dosson, Oscar, Caleb, Philomen, Mary and Elizabeth. They all moved away, excepting Dosson, whose grandchildren still live near the settlement. Caleb, Jr., married Mary Cavender; had one daughter, Honor. Sold the above-named property to James Watson, who in turn sold to George Foster. Zach's Ridge was settled by Zachariah Smith, who built a cabin and cleared a patch of ground about the year 1776 or 1777. Mr. Smith was a hunter, and soon moved away, but the ridge still bears his name. William Lee was born in 1775, at Inverness, Scotland. He was the son of James Lee and Rosanna Monroe; also a brother of Dr. Alexander Lee, of London, known as the great physiologist of his time, and translator of medical works. His father was a supporter of Charles the Pretender, and fought at the battle of Culloden. The subject of this sketch was a shepherd boy in the highlands of Scotland, but educated in the lowlands. He moved to London, then sailed for America while a young man, married Miss Elizabeth Thompson, the daughter of George Thompson, of Scotland, who was lost December 8, 1776, while crossing the Delaware during that memorable but disastrous retreat of Washington through the Jerseys. For over twenty years he taught school in Philadelphia; was then a shipping merchant. He dealt largely in real estate, and in 1824 bought twenty-five thousand acres in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, now known as Buck Valley, Union township, Fulton county, with the intention of going into the wool-growing business, but, losing his sight, gave up the enterprise, and deeded eight thousand acres each to Margaret Tenbrook, Sarah I. McKibbin, and eight thousand to Alexander Lee's heirs; died in Philadelphia in 1849, leaving five children. William Lee, Jr., served in the Mexican war, also in the late war; Margaret married William E. Tenbrook, of Philadelphia; Sarah I. Married William McKibbin, of Philadelphia; Alexander married Miss Sarah Hossin, of Chester county, Pennsylvania; there was also a son James. Alexander McKibbin was born in Philadelphia; he married Miss Elizabeth Bresler, who [667] died in 1880, leaving three children, one dying soon after; he again married Miss Elizabeth Hixson, of Brush Creek township; he has three children: Clara M., Ella R., John; he is a mechanic and farmer, owning about four hundred acres of land. William McKibbin, born in Philadelphia in 1809; married Miss Sarah I. Lee, of same place; moved to Buck Valley in year 1848; came in possession of eight thousand acres, by his wife; erected steam sawmill in 1851; reared eight children: Elizabeth T., William L., George, Martha M., Martha M. [sic], Margaret L., Harrie C., Alexander and Isabel. William McKibbin died April 1, 1880. George McKibbin, born in Philadelphia in the year 1839; moved to Buck Valley, 1848; married Miss Elizabeth Graves; has four children: Margret M., Robert W., Sarah, Marshall. He is a farmer by occupation, owning about four hundred acres of land. James McKee was born in Ireland, and settled in McKee's gap in 1800; married Miss Nancy Robinson, originally of Path valley; he took up a tract of land, on which he built a cabin; he left his wife in charge, and went back to Ireland; returned again; he belonged to the Masonic fraternity, also a member of the Christian church; he was a farmer, and brought the double-flowering marigold that is in our gardens from Ireland. He was a gentleman in every sense of the word. James Robinson and Millie, his wife, came from Ireland and settled the place now known as the old Bishop place. He died in 1816. Mrs. Robinson sold the improvements and four hundred acres to David Bishop in 1817, for twenty dollars. John Bishop came from England, settled in Jersey, came to Bedford county, then moved to Kentucky. He had three children: Jacob, Amy and David. The mother and father died in Kentucky. The three children, aged respectively twenty-three, twenty, and eighteen, came afoot from Kentucky to what is now Fulton county, Pennsylvania, in the year 1803. David married Miss Jane Robinson in 1812, and moved to what is now Union township in 1817. Mrs. Bishop died in 1844. Mr. Bishop died in 1876, aged ninety-one. They were the parents of ten children: Priscilla, died 1875; Margaret, died 1880; Elizabeth, George, Absalom, David, Jane, John, Amy, Minerva. Followed hunting principally; killed more deer and bear than any other man in our valley. He stated that he killed over six hundred deer with one rifle. He was a man of the finest physical organization, and retained his mental faculties until the last. On the road first known as Packhorse path, leading from Hancock to Cumberland, first settled by two brothers named Molden, who kept tavern about 1800; then came Souders; then Clark, who built the first sawmill in the valley about 1810; then in 1845, the first flouring-mill was built at the same place by David Mann. Alexander Lee was born in Philadelphia and came to Union township, or Buck Valley, in the year 1843; it was a wilderness at that time. He married Miss Sarah Hassin, of Philadelphia; they reared eight children: William, Henry, John, Margaret, Elizabeth, Mary, Sarah and Agness. They came in possession of eight thousand acres of land by deed from his father, William Lee. John Hoopengardner was reared in Whipps' cove, Brush Creek township. He was one of the oldest settlers in the cove. He married Elizabeth Hall. Mrs. Hoopengardner died in 1846. Mr. Hoopengardner died in the year 1863. They reared four children: George, Joseph, Henry and Elizabeth. Joseph was born in the cove; in 1856 moved to Buck Valley, purchased one hundred acres of land of William McKibbin, where he now lives; in 1856 married Miss Anna M. Sigel, of Germany; enlisted in Co. H, 208th Penn. Vol. Inf., September 1, 1864; discharged June 6, 1865. Anderson place was settled by the Andersons about 1812. Their son died soon after, and they moved west. The place has been improved and was Mr. Tennbrook's summer residence for years. Ralph Eddowes was born in Philadelphia in 1819, and received a thorough classical education. He married Miss Rebecca Woolens, of Chester county, Pennsylvania, in 1844. Went to California in 1850; was in the lumber business for two years, came home, but returned in 1853; then came back to Chester county, Pennsylvania, until 1858, when he removed to Buck Valley, Fulton county, Pennsylvania, purchased two hundred and fifty acres from W. E. Tenbrook, of Philadelphia, but took charge of Mr. Tenbrook's farm and summer residence and acted as agent for him, for twenty years, then removed to Greeley, Colorado. Served in Co. [668] E, 20th Penn. Vol. Cav. He was quiet and unassuming, but his attainments and character made him a welcome guest among all. He had four children. Ella Rebecca, married to Dr. Wm. L. McKebbin. Clara Teresa died October 3, 1881, in Colorado. Ralph Eddowes, the subject of the above sketch, was the son of Ralph Eddowes, a merchant of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and a grandson of Ralph Eddowes, who was one of fourteen Englishmen who, on the 12th of June, 1796, at the suggestion of Dr. Priestley, who came to this country two years before, held a special religious meeting for the purpose of establishing a Unitarian church in Philadelphia. It was the first formal public avowal of Unitarian belief in North America, and Ralph Eddowes was appointed the first minister. John Taylor was born in 1800, in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. Married Miss Sarah McRaragan, of the same place. Moved to Union township in 1857, purchased twelve hundred acres of Wm. E. Tenbrook; had four sons and one daughter: John, jr., Lorenzo, Thomas, Harvey and Rebecca. John, Jr., was a member of the 126th regt. Penn. Vols. He was killed at the battle of Fredericksburg, Virginia, December 13, 1862. Mr. Taylor was remarkable in his mental and physical organization, and far above the average man; a consistent member of the Methodist church for many years; an unflagging disciple of Vulcan, and one of the most successful farmers in the valley. Mr. Jonathan Boor was born in 1819. He was married to Catharine Kirchner in 1844. he came from Cumberland valley, Bedford county, Pennsylvania, in 1860, and removed to Union township, Fulton county, Pennsylvania. Was the father of eight children, four of whom, Mary Jane, Abraham, Amanda and William died in 1862. Of the other four two are married. Laura Ellen, born in 1851, was married to J. J. Hendershot, 1871. Michle M., born 1847, was married, 1873, to Miss M. J. Divelbiss. Michle has been a teacher for eight years. The other two, Irvine and Chalmer, are at home. Mr. Boor is a member of the Christian church, and a well-doing, prosperous farmer. John T. Richards, son of Jacob Richards, a native of Chester county, Pennsylvania, who moved to Cecil county, Maryland, in 1819, married Sarah Taylor. Followed farming; died August, 1881. Mrs. Richards died 1867. Reared ten children: Stephen, Thomas, John T., Jacob, William, Dianah T., Jacob, Sarah, Isaac, Elizabeth. J. T. came from Cecil, Maryland, April, 1859. Purchased one thousand acres of land (unimproved) of W. E. Tenbrook. Married Martha M. Neper. They have eight children. William P. Lashley was born in Southampton township, Bedford county, Pennsylvania. In the spring of 1872 he engaged in mercantile business at Royalsville, Main township, Bedford county, until 1873, then moved to Barnes' Gap, then back to his old stand, then moved to Buck Valley in 1881. His store and dwelling with all his goods were burned, but he rebuilt, and is at present engaged in general merchandising. It is the only store in Union township. The following is a list of the resident freeholders of Union township in 1867, taken from the assessor's returns for that year: Henry Beatty William Beatty John Beatty Lloyd Barnes Samuel Barnes Jonathan Boor Robert Carson David Deneen Job Deneen George Deneen George Foster Richard Foster Henry Fisher George M. Fisher Jacob Ganger George Ganger Tolbert Hill Daniel Hebner Samuel C. Hendershot Jacob D. Hendershot (of Samuel) Jacob D. Hendershot (of Charles) Jane Hoopengardner David Hoopengardner Joseph Hoopengardner Jacob Hammon Jacob Hess Isaac B. Hunter John Horning James Ervin Ralph Edows William Lee Elizabeth Lee Alexander Lee Henry Lee Jehu Reed Nathan Reed Andrew Reed Jacob Reed James Ward William Lafferty John Leip Isaiah Lehman James Lafferty Adam Lenhart Joseph Leasure John L. Littel John McKey William L. McKibbin George McKibbin William McKibbin John Miller James Noble Tighlman Northcraft Squires Oakman Francis Pressler Josiah R. Potter John W. Potter Charles C. Perlett Levi Potter John W. Potter Charles C. Perlett Levi Potter James Rough Robert Rhea John Rhea Thomas Rush John Richard David Richard Daniel Ritz Charles Shipaway John F. Schetrompf George Schetrompf John Schetrompf Christopher Schetrompf Daniel Smith George L. Shank John Schnite Mary Schenck Daniel Staly William Sigel Henry Schrever John Simon Jacob Shoultz Joseph Smith John Taylor John Taylor's widow Joh Tosh William Tinbrock Mountain Tinbrock Jacob Titmore James Wilson The Buck Valley Presbyterian Church. - The [669] first Presbyterian service held in Union township, Fulton county, Pennsylvania, was by Rev. Mr. Wilson, of Hancock, Maryland, who preached the funeral sermon at Harry McKibbin's grave in the year 1847. Held service at Wm. McKibbin's house in the year 1849. Capt. Johnson, of Hancock, Maryland, gave a piece of land for Presbyterian church and school. The house was erected but never dedicated; it is now used for school purposes. In 1863, upon the invitation of Mr. Ralph Eddowes, Rev. Samuel J. Donnelly, pastor of Hancock Presbyterian church, held service in Zack's Ridge schoolhouse, where a meeting was called by Mr. John Sheatrompf, with Rev. Mr. Donnelly in the chair, and W. L. McKibbin, secretary. It was decided to build a church, Wm. McKibbin offering a beautiful grove of three acres as a free gift for church and burying-ground, and deeded it to three trustees - Ralph Eddowes, John Sheatrompf and Wm. L. McKibbin. A building committee was appointed, with Mr. Eddowes as treasurer. A fund was subscribed and paid in, all denominations contributing liberally, with the understanding it was to be dedicated a Presbyterian church, but the doors were to be open to other denominations. In 1869 Rev. Maurice Waller, Rev. I. N. Hays and Elder Robert Budges organized the society with the following members: Martha M. Laffert, Thos. Rash, Mary A. Rash, Elizabeth T. Taylor, J. T. Richards, Martha M. Richards. The first officers were Elder Thomas Rash and John T. Richards. The pastors have been Rev. Samuel J. Donnelly, Rev. John T. Osler, Rev. M. Waller, Rev. E. L. Wilson, Rev. Richard Arthur and Rev. P. D. Stevenson. The present edifice was erected in 1866, at a cost of one thousand dollars, and dedicated January 14, 1867. Its present membership is fifteen. CHAPTER XCVII. WELLS. Organization in 1849 - Change of Name in 1850 - Wells, the Hunter and Pioneer Settler - Alexander Alexander, 1772 - Flight of the Family to Escape the Indians - Incidents and Adventures - Mills and Other Industries - Wells Tannery - Schools, Churches and Odd-Fellows - Taxables in 1850. AUGHWICK township, Bedford county, was organized September 1, 1840. By act of the legislature, the name was changed to Wells, April 2, 1850. In the same year the township became a part of the new county of Fulton. Wells' valley,* which includes nearly all of the township, derives its name from its first settler - a man named Wells, who came from Baltimore about 1760. He built his cabin at the head of the valley on the farm since known as "Wishart's upper place," and here he was accustomed to spend the autumn and winter months, devoting himself to hunting, but returning to his native place every spring. How many seasons he hunted here is not known; but in the year 1778 he was residing near the Allegheny mountains, where he had quite extensive improvements. Alexander Alexander, a Scotch-Irishman, familiarly known as "Double Alick," is believed to have been the first permanent settler in the valley. He emigrated to America in 1763 and settled near Greencastle, Pennsylvania, whence he removed to Wells' valley in 1772. He experienced the usual hardships of pioneers. His nearest neighbor, Jacob McClain, lived four miles distant, on Wooden Bridge creek, a short distance above Woodcock's mill. Alexander was obliged to go to McClain's to borrow coals to kindle his fire when he was unlucky enough to let it go out. He went to the vicinity of Fort Lyttleton for milling, to Fort Loudon for salt and groceries, and to Carlisle for drygoods. Alexander Alexander was a leader among the Presbyterians and was an elder of the "Great Cove congregation," the first church organized in the county. In the fall of 1777, with his wife and four children, he was driven from his home by the Indians, and sought shelter and safety among the inhabitants of the Great Cove, but the following spring he returned to his plantation. In the early autumn, 1778, a party of hunters, twenty or thirty in number, came from the vicinity of Baltimore and made Alexander's house their headquarters while enjoying the sport which the woods afforded. But a party of Indians, coming over from Ray's cove, caused their hunting operations to cease suddenly, and to escape their wily foe they hastened homeward. Alexander and his family again fled and went to the Conococheague settlement, where they remained until the close of the revolution. The _____ * The greater portion of this chapter is taken from "Reminiscences of Wells Valley," a series of historical sketches written by W. Scott Alexander, and published in the Fulton Democrat in 1870. [670] family then returned to their forest home, and Mr. Alexander erected a new house (now a part of the dwelling owned by his great-grandson, Harvey Wishart). He died November 8, 1815. About the year 1785 emigration began to fill the valley with settlers. The families of William Hardin, William Wright and Giles Stevens became permanent settlers. The quality of the land became known and this led to rapid settlement. By the close of the eighteenth century no less than twenty families had made their homes in Wells' valley. Among the pioneer families were those of Bancroft Woodcock, John Osborne, John Moore, William Ports, Hethcote Picket, Josephus Murray, Samuel Danner, John Giles, William Piniard, --- Frazier, Joseph Edwards, John Crocker and others. Drs. Wishart and Moulton, the first practicing physicians in the valley, were great acquisitions to the settlement, and their services were duly appreciated. A man named Dillan erected a tubmill at New Grenada, afterward known as "Tubmill Gap," at an early date. In 1797 Bancroft Davis built a larger and more serviceable mill. Martin Giles was the only man drafted from the valley for the war of 1812. His health was greatly injured in the service. About this time Jared Osborne built a powdermill, which was afterward operated by Alexander Ready. Ready also built one later. Lewis, the noted robber,* frequented the valley between 1820 and 1825, having his haunts along Sideling Hill. He was once captured by the citizens of the valley and brought before 'Squire Alexander. He was sent to jail, but escaped from his guard before he reached Bedford. In 1865 the oil excitement pervaded New Grenada and vicinity. Operations were begun and large expenses incurred, all of which resulted in failure. The people of Wells' valley have always evinced a commendable interest in educational matters, and today the schools of the township rank among the best in the county. A building for a graded school was erected in district No. 1, in 1858, at a cost of seven hundred and fifty dollars. This building is known as the Fulton Institute. The district not being large enough to support two schools, the two grades became one after three or four years. Select schools and literary societies have been held in the township at various times with good results. Wells' tannery was erected by Lyon and Patterson in 1855. The main building, 43 1/2 x 118 feet, was supplied with the necessary fixtures of a steam tannery, and for several years a prosperous business was conducted. A store was kept by the proprietors of the tannery. In 1869 the store and its contents were destroyed by fire, and in the spring of 1870 the tannery also burned. It was rebuilt by Lyon & McClure the same year. In 1872 J. G. Lyon and J. M. McClure sold out to Chatfield, Underwood & Co., of New York city. The former owners had tanned only sole leather, and had a capacity for seven thousand hides annually. The new firm began to make leather for belting. In 1879 C. H. Chatfield became the sole owner and made great improvements. At present the tannery is worked at its capacity, twelve thousand hides annually. About twenty men are employed. Three thousand cords of bark are used each year. John W. Blackhart became superintendent in 1872, and still holds the position. The following is a copy of the list of resident propertyholders of Aughwick (now Wells) township for the year 1850, taken from the assessment rolls on file in Bedford county: William Alexander's heirs John B. Alexander, Esq. S. P. Anderson John Bivens, blacksmith David Black Charles Barton, carpenter Benjamin Bradley John E. Cunningham, blacksmith John W. Durant James Dickson Joshua Edwards William Edwards, carpenter John Foot, shoemaker William Fisher, mason John Gest John Gibson, weaver William Gray Samuel Hockenberry, miller John S. Houk Thomas P. Horton, blacksmith Henry Keath Jacob Kegarice Peter Kegarice David Lane Dr. James Moore John Moore Elmer Menkley Henry Mulch John Miller David Osburn Philip Oakman John Piper Joseph Richardson, carpenter David C. Ross, tanner John K. Ready Alexander Ready's heirs James Ramsey, wagonmaker George Stewart, merchant David Stevens Matthew Stunkard James Stunkard's heirs George W. B. Sipes, postmaster Baltzer Schwartz John Wishart John White George White Zechael White, shoemaker John Woodcock, tanner Samuel Willett Allen Willett George Whitehill Thomas Willett Joseph Woodcock N. W. Horton, son of Henry and Elizabeth Horton, was born in Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, in 1815. In 1855 Henry Horton came _____ [Autobiography, Daring Deeds and Adventures of Lewis the Robber - http://files.usgwarchives.net/pa/centre/bios/lewis01.txt] [671] to Fulton county and purchased the Giles farm, where he resided until his decease in 1865, aged seventy-six years. N. W. Horton came to Fulton county in 1860 and purchased the Alexander Ready farm, where he still resides. He is the father of five children, now living. His eldest son, Samuel M., is a surgeon in the United States army and is now stationed at Fort Douglas, near Salt Lake City, Utah Territory. The other children are Mariah (Mrs. Dr. H. S. Wishart), Catharine (Mrs. W. H. Marklay, Laura C. (Mrs. T. S. Dickson), Edwin A., married to Miss Sioux Glover. Mr. N. W. Horton is an elder in the Presbyterian church. S. F. Geisinger, son of Adam and Eve, was born in York county, Pennsylvania, in 1823. His father died in 1833, aged fifty-three, and in 1842 he and his mother settled in Huntingdon county, where she died in 1859 at the age of seventy-six years. In 1869 S. F. Geisinger moved to Fulton, having purchased the farm in 1858, near new Grenada, where he now resides. He first purchased one hundred and twenty acres and has since added four hundred. He has a circular- saw mill and a good store property. In 1843 was married to Mary, daughter of James and Margaret McNeil. They are the parents of nine children. He has followed mercantile business five years and milling six years. The family are of German descent. John W., son of John and Phoebe Blackheart, was born in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, in 1847. John died in 1850, and Phoebe in 1876, aged sixty years. John W. enlisted when seventeen years of age in the 2d Penn. Cav. He participated in the battles of Bunker Hill, Darksville, Maryland Heights, Winchester, and some nine or ten others of greater or lesser magnitude. He received an honorable discharge at the mustering out of the troops. For three years he engaged in the tanning business in Maryland, and then came to Fulton county and engaged with the Wells tannery. For the past eight years has filled the position of superintendent of the tannery for C. H. Chatfield, of New York. Only two of the Blackheart family now live in this county - John W. and a sister, Eliza, the widow of J. G. Foster. W. H. Baumgardner, son of William and Mary A., was born in Havice valley, Mifflin county, Pennsylvania, in 1854. Came to Fulton county in 1880, and engaged in the mercantile business, he having purchased the old stand of C. H. Chatfield, where he runs a general store. He is building a new store, 45 x 23, with dwelling attached. In 1879 was married to Mollie M. Johnson, of Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania. She is a daughter of Irvin and Christina Johnson. He is an enterprising business man. A. S. Edwards, son of Joshua and Elizabeth Edwards, was born where he now resides, in 1849. His great-grandfather John came from England in 1770, and soon after settled in Bedford county, Pennsylvania. Joseph, one of the children of John, died, leaving a family of six children. One of these children, Joshua, died in 1871, aged sixty-seven years. He left thirteen children, the offspring of two marriages. Three of his sons were in the United States army, viz., G. W., Jehu and Arnon G. the latter was in the 26th Penn. Regt., and died from the result of a wound received in the battle of Antietam. John was wounded in front of Petersburg. Several of the boys were graduates of normal schools and followed teaching. A. S. Edwards is one of the fourth generation who resided on the farm settled by his ancestors. John R. Foster, son of Septemus and Elizabeth Foster, was born in Broad Top in 1849. John R. came to Fulton county with his parents about 1860; they purchased a tract of land where he still resides; John R. lives on a part of his father's farm. He was married in 1870, to Mary F. Edwards, daughter of George W. and Alice Edwards. George W. Edwards now resides in California and follows millwrighting. Jehu G. D. Cunningham, son of Joseph and Sarah, was born in Juniata county, Pennsylvania, in 1828. His uncle, John E. Cunningham, came to New Grenada, Fulton county, about 1845, where he followed blacksmithing some twelve years, during which time John G. learned blacksmithing with him, and has since carried on blacksmithing in this place, with the exception of three years. After a residence of two years in Fulton county, moved to Texas, where his mother died in 1865, and his father in 1866. Jehu G.'s brother, Joseph, was in the army three years and was honorably discharged. Jehu's son, W. S. F., graduated at Shippensburg college and is now teaching in Kansas. John S. Houck, was born in Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, October, 1811. He received an education in the common schools. He taught common schools and vocal music during the winter months from 1831 to 1850. In 1840 [672] he married Miss Henrietta Yocum, born in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, 1818. In 1845 he moved to a farm of one hundred acres, purchased in 1844, in Wells' valley, Bedford county. In 1850 he purchased one hundred and fifty acres. He died in 1857, his wife surviving him until December, 1875. Their children were W. McKenzie, J. Marshall, S. John, V. Sarah, E. Malinda, C. Rosswell, C. Milford, J. Emory. John S. died at the age of six years. In 1858 W. McKenzie apprenticed himself to the manufacture of tinware and served thirty-one months, when he and his brother, J. Marshall, enlisted in Capt. H. S. Wishart's company of Fulton riflemen. This company, not being accepted by the government, he enlisted in Co. F, 77th regt. Penn. Vols., for three years, or during the war. He served with credit, and participated in the battles of Shiloh, Murfreesboro, Chicamauga, Franklin, Nashville, to the numerous battles fought by Gen. Sherman while marching through Georgia. He was wounded in the battle of Chickamauga, Tennessee, September 19, 1863. Was honorably discharged at the expiration of term of service. He returned home to his mother, in Wells' valley, Fulton county, Pennsylvania, and engaged in the manufacture of tinware, also in the hardware and agricultural implement business. Marshall J., on his return from three-months service, enlisted in Co. F, 2d Penn. Reserves, for three years or during the war, and participated in all the battles fought on the Potomac, up to May 10, 1864, when he was wounded in the left arm so severely as to render its amputation necessary. Odd-Fellows. - Wells' Valley Lodge, No. 607, I.O.O.F., was organized in 1867. In 1870 the lodge erected a three-story frame building, 30 x 36 feet, in the upper story of which their meetings are held. The lodge is prosperous, with a good membership. Presbyterian. - The Presbyterian church of Wells' valley, consisting chiefly of the descendants of Alexander Alexander, was never formally organized. It has always formed a part of the McConnellsburg charge. At the beginning of Rev. N. G. White's pastorate, 1834-1864, a church-building was standing, but unfinished. Rough benches without backs served as seats. At a later period it was finished, weatherboarded and painted. John Alexander, son of Alexander Alexander, was chosen elder of the Wells' Valley church and served with zeal until his death, in 1840. He was a noble Christian, gifted with such a remarkable memory that it is said he could repeat verbatim nearly all of the New Testament, and more than half of the Old. The present membership in Wells' valley is forty-five. For a list of pastors see history of the McConnellsburg church. Methodist Episcopal. - Among the settlers who came into Wells' valley about 1790 were several families of Methodists. They probably had stated worship at private houses long before a church edifice was built, and it is believed that a class was formed before 1800. In 1818 they built a meeting-house, the first in Wells' valley, a simple log structure. In 1828 it was torn down and its place supplied by a new and more commodious edifice, which was built under the leadership of Joseph Woodcock. Joseph Edwards, Samuel Willett and Nathan Green were among the earliest members of the Methodist church, and were chief builders of the first meeting- house. The church now has fifty-five members and the Sabbath school seventy. Pine Grove Methodist Episcopal church, near Wells' tannery, was organized by Rev. George W. Bouse, in 1870. George W. White was the first class-leader. In 1881 a house of worship was erected at a cost of two thousand dollars. The church has forty-one members and the Sabbath school one hundred and eighteen scholars. Church of God. - This church was organized at New Grenada by Rev. Jacob Lininger about 1847. David Hoover was elected elder and J. E. Cunningham, deacon. Worship was held in dwellings and schoolhouses until 1861, when a church-building was erected. No list of pastors can be given. United Brethren. - The church of this denomination was organized in 1850, during the pastorate of Rev. R. G. Rankin. Samuel Willett was chosen class- leader, and George Lockard, Sr., steward. A house of worship was erected in 1853. Baptist. - the Baptist congregation was organized June 24, 1861, during the ministerial labors of Rev. Joseph Correll, with a small membership. There had been occasional preaching by ministers of this denomination for several years prior to the formation of a society. ~~~ FINIS ~~~