History: Local: Blooming Grove And Its First Inhabitants: Lycoming Co, PA

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Blooming Grove And Its First Inhabitants
Written anonymously by "SQUIBOR"
for the
Lycoming Gazette & Bulletin


First Installment - Saturday, July 23, 1870, Page 4

As a matter of interest to many of your readers, I have taken the trouble
during my leisure hours, to give a few facts in relation to the early history
and settlement of Blooming Grove.  Not being able to give the particulars in
full, perhaps, I hope to be excused for any error that I may commit in the
details set forth.

In 1794, Mr. Nathaniel Pierson built the first house in the settlement.  It
was erected on the property now belonging to Mr. Joseph Gross, and the only
house at that time between the streams of the Loyalsock and Lycoming.

In 1794, John Doane next came, built a shanty on his property, and commenced
clearing his land not far from where Mr. Pierson settled.

In 1795, Ephraim Lundy made his purchase and settled upon a fine tract of
land.  Mr. Lundy was the grandfather of Mr. Lundy and Hiram Mudge, now
residents of Williamsport.

In 1801, Peter Marshall purchased a large tract of land on the Loyalsock
creek, (at present the Lloyd property,) but shortly after the purchase, sold
and located in Blooming Grove on the property where his son, John Marshall,
Esq., now resides, and also the property of James Marshall, deceased,
adjoining.

In 1801, Daniel Balley purchased a tract two or three miles this side of the
Loyalsock creek, which some years afterwards became the property of William
Crawford, who also settled here in 1807.

In 1803, Stephen Cook arrived, purchased property along Mill creek, and
erected the first saw mill in the settlement which, it is said, is yet
standing as a sample of one of the lumbering institutions of that day.

In 1803, Samuel Carpenter settled where Warrensville now stands and built the
grain mill on the site where J. W. Milnor, Esq., lately erected his new
mill.  Mr. Carpenter also put up a very fine saw mill.

In 1806, George Weisel built the second grain mill in the settlement, now
called Ball's Mill, and was also the owner of a vast tract of land.  A saw
mill was also erected about this time.

In 1804, the Germans made their purchases and among the number recollected
were the Heims, Ulmers, Dr. Holler, Steigers and others.

In 1806, were the Van Horns, Wilsons, Winners, Sloats , Starrs, Christopher
and George Kiess, Michael Biehl, Stablers, Grosses, Waltzs, Kimbles,
Matthews, Casners, Boothards, McCaslins and others.

These hardy and industrious pioneers commenced their operations in the woods
and cleared a portion of their lands from year to year until they realized
sufficient produce to answer the necessities of life.  In time, they erected
substantial log dwellings and barns.  They endured great hardships in that
time and suffered the inconvenience of mills and produce stores, traveling a
great distance for the commodities of life.  As game was plenty, they fared
well on that; and, with a stern will and an indomitable energy, they
succeeded at last in establishing for themselves happy homes, and from the
wilderness they made broad fields to "bloom and blossom as the rose."  Bears,
wolves and foxes committed many depredations upon their stock, but the
unerring aim of their rifles soon brought those meddlesome intruders to "bite
the dust."

>From the period we speak of, emigration continued to flow into Blooming
Grove rapidly.  Improvements followed the wake of enterprise.  Schools and
churches were established and the most friendly relations existed among the
inhabitants of the settlement.  The only difference was on the question of
religion, (politics were of no account at that day,) which quietly settled
down into two classes or denominations, the Quaker, or Friends Society, and
the German Society.  After some time, the Methodists formed a church and
Daniel Rote established a Christian Church and devoted great zeal in adding
to its numbers, but failing to multiply his fold, he left for the new field
of labor in the far West.  In our mind's eye, we can yet see Daniel's
swallow-tail coat and the prominent Roman nose that decorated his thin, spare
face.  He was sincere and delivered most eloquent sermons for the salvation of
sinners.

The Society of Friends erected a meeting house on the hill, near the property
of Mr. Joseph Gross and the old Farm of Moses Stark.  The writer of this
frequently attended this Church, but heard but few sermons.  It was here
where one could commune with his own soul and, in silence, reach the deep
recesses of his heart.  On one occasion, however, the spirit moved one of the
ladies and she rose and said, "Thou must not wear mixed cloth!"  The words
were significant and impressive.  Some years afterwards the congregation
began to diminish, the building was abandoned, and fell a wreck to old
memories and old associations.  The enclosed graveyard is still there, and
kept up, with three acres or so of wood land attached.  All societies now are
allowed to deposit their dead.  This old spot is still called "Quaker Hill,"
and will remain by that name until the end of time.

The Germans and Methodists have their churches of worship and have quite
extensive congregations.  The people here are frugal and industrious,
especially the German population, for they will cultivate good crops on land
where others would despair of reaping anything.  The farms, however, in
Blooming Grove are in a fine state of cultivation.  Fine and healthy fruit
orchards, graperies and, in fact, fruit of every variety may be found upon
almost every farm.  The coldest and purest spring water is also convenient to
almost every farmer's door.  Many, indeed, have fountain pumps at their
dwellings and, indeed, the finest and most suitable locations for trout ponds
we have seen.  It would be no trouble to grow them here, for the springs never
fail in the driest seasons.

The hillside slopes look beautiful after being shorn of their crops, and the
clustering shade trees afford a cool retreat for the grazing herds.  We
always liked the romantic beauty of these hills and vales and every year's
improvements add interest to their rural charms.

The early settlers of Blooming Grove chose this ground for the choice soil of
red shale, good water, and its fine majestic timber of white pine, oak, maple
and chestnut.  At that day they little thought that timber in this country
would ever become scarce, and the axe and saw executed their fatal work, and
the choicest timber felled and rolled into log heaps for burning.  Acres upon
acres were demolished in this way until lumber merchants were seeking lands
for a supply of timber to stock their mills.  There is yet, however, some
heavy pine and oak here, and an abundance of fine chestnut, maple, birch and
the like.  The land of William E. Ecke, Joseph Gross, and some others contain
a quantity of choice timber of this description.

Warrensville - let us not forget this town (or is it a borough) has two
stores, two blacksmith shops, two grain mills, one saw mill, two tanneries,
two shoe shops, one justice of the peace, and one hotel, kept by Mr. Peter
Kimble, a very clever gentleman, and very attentive and sociable landlord,
two wagon-maker shops, and one cabinet-maker shop, and a saddler shop.  Nor
is this all.  It has three churches and a school house.  There is still a
prospect in view for the future improvements of this place.  Who knows but a
railroad may have its depot there at no distant day.  Stranger things than
these have occurred.  Never despair!  There is a good time coming!  Look out
for the cars!

But few of the old pioneers of the early settlement of Blooming Grove are now
living.  John Marshall, Esq., still resides on the home his father left him. 
He is now in his 85th year with his faculties of mind unimpaired, cheerful
and intelligent, and has a very retentive and correct memory.  To him we are
indebted for many facts given in this article.  The hand of time has dealt
gently with the squire.  May his life be prolonged for many days to come to
enjoy the fruits of a well-spent life.

William Crawford, another old pioneer, is in his 77th year.  He yet walks
firmly and is blessed with a fine memory.  He is, for one of his years,
remarkably active.  From him we gleaned much intelligence of the hardships of
the early settlers of Blooming Grove.

Having taken a sunset view of the grand old hills from a high point, we
strolled down the cliff.  In the twilight of eve, we reached the residence of
a friend, under whose latticed grapery we listened to the shrill notes of the
whip-poor-will and heard the plaintive cooing of the cuckoo!  How pleasant,
calm and quiet is a summer evening in the country!  More Anon!


Second Installment - Wednesday, August 10, 1870, Page 4

In my last, I neglected to mention the names of John Ent, Henry (Rick) Low,
Mr. Hyde, Thomas Mathews and Benjamin Pidcock as among the number of the
first settlers of Blooming Grove.  With the others who have gone before them,
they also have sank calmly to rest in the silent slumbers of the grave.

Shortly after the first settlers had made their purchases, Blooming Grove
rapidly improved.  But a few years elapsed before the settlement presented a
prosperous appearance, the land being new and rich, abundant crops were
raised, and a fine overplus above what they consumed was appropriated for
household necessaries, such as dry-goods, groceries, and the like.  The
inhabitants raised a great quantity of flax which they converted into wearing
apparel.  Ball's fulling mill also furnished them with woolen goods from the
raw material, which enabled them to decorate their persons in new suites of
"homespun."  Spinning-wheel pianos were then in vogue, and many a family was
made happy by their cheerful music.  Gold and silver were not at a premium at
that day.  The old "quarters" rattled in every man's pocket.  Butter averaged
from eight to ten cents per pound, eggs six cents, ham from eight to ten
cents.  Look at it, ye time servers of Mammon!  Taxes were light, and our
government in a prosperous and healthy condition!

Williamsport, at that time, was but very little larger than Warrensville. 
Two or three brick houses were in the place (Effie Dumm's Court House was
there, of course,) and every family had their garden and "truck patch."  I.
and D. Grafius, we believe, had the first store, after which came John Turk,
who opened a hotel and store.  Then came the Elliot Brothers, Ralph, John and
Robert, with their store upon their backs, and with a ready eye to business,
they opened their wares - all new, handsome and cheap - to the inspection of
the public.  They sold and replenished, and continued to sell and replenish
until the magnitude of their sales compelled them to enlarge their store
rooms from year to year, when they finally purchased the property opposite
the old U. S. Hotel and opened a magnificent store.  They also had a store at
Newberry and other places, but we think soon sold out and centered their
interests in the large concern at Williamsport, where the firm dissolved, and
Ralph became sole proprietor, the two brothers removing to Philadelphia, who
are now deceased.  Ralph now lives retired on an honestly earned
competency.  Long may he live to enjoy it.

But let us return to Blooming Grove.  We were obliged to digress from it, in
order to show the condition of Williamsport at that time.  The hotel-keepers
and the merchants purchased the most of their market supplies from the German
population of Blooming Grove.  Fruits and every description of vegetables,
butter, eggs, chickens and the like were conveyed to market in baskets placed
upon the heads of the ever faithful and industrious German women of Blooming
Grove, and carried a distance of seven miles to Williamsport - stopping
occasionally to rest in some shady nook to refresh themselves with a slice of
fresh rye bread and a wee drop of "good old rye" to resuscitate their physical
natures, in order to enable them to reach their destination through the hot
rays of the sun.

Ah! In those days we had good and pure Old Rye.  It was none of your
idiot-juice, none of your limber-shank stuff you find at the present day. 
And we had fine women then, whose simplicity of style and neatness in dress
would well become those of the present day.  They were not up to their arms
in flounces, frills and puckers.  They wore no "fuss and feathers,"
Grecian-bends or chignona, but presented a comely appearance without those
unnatural projections in the rear!

But lo!  The scene changes.  Blooming Grove now goes to market in wagons. 
The best "duds" are put on to accompany the market basket.  Hoop-skirts take
up more than half the seat, or perhaps half the wagon.  Williamsport has
become the great center of attraction in all that is to be seen, eaten, drank
or grabbed up.  It is the Head Center of high taxes, ten cent collections, and
fines upon those who feed the hungry, and for what we know, help clothe the
naked.

In early days there lived a man in the settlement by the name of Samuel
Landon, a tall, athletic six-footer, a powerful man to work and an enormous
eater.  He could chop as much cord wood in one day as any two men.  On one
occasion, he was engaged to split rails for a man who, on the day named, was
obliged to be absent from home.  The lady of the house prepared what she
thought a plentiful dinner for an ordinary laboring man, a pot-pie consisting
of two chickens and "the fixens," and other et ceteras.  Samuel sat down,
finished the entire contents, and asked if he could be favored with another
dish.  The lady replied she had no more cooked.  "Well," said Samuel, "I am
sorry I have to go back to my work with an empty stomach."  His breakfast
rations were four mackerel and meat as a dessert.  He was a great worker and
a kind, honest, good-hearted man.

The range of farms in Blooming Grove, from the Loyalsock to the Lycoming
creek, look beautiful.  The farm of Pierson and Charles Tallman is decidedly
the richest and best cultivated one we have seen, with fine, large and
convenient buildings.  They are industrious young gentlemen and know
precisely what a farm should be.  Passing on to that of Mr. George Kimble,
and our clever friend, Mr. Emanuel Kiess, we find a gentle rolling upland in
a high state of cultivation with fine orchards of fruit and delightful spring
water.  We envy Wyman with his cool fountain pump at his door and his rolling
acres of finely cultivated land.  He has all the elements around him of a
happy country life.  Mr. Mansel joins acres with him, and is in no way behind
him in home comforts.  Mr. Jesse Streby has two or three fine farms, some
parts of them finely timbered.  Jesse is one of the most industrious men in
the Grove, and if there is a ghost of a chance of any one getting rich in
Blooming Grove, Jesse is bound to be the man.  Mr. Joseph Gross and Mr.
William E. Eck both have finely cultivated farms, cold water springs at their
doors, and the choicest apples and grapes.  Mr. Samuel Southard has a "snug
little farm," clean and in tip-top order, with comfortable buildings.  Mr.
Mosteller has a splendid view from his residence of the surrounding
country.  He is not exactly monarch of all he surveys, but he is monarch of
his own broad, fat acres that lay out in prospective view before him.  He has
a good farm, fine fruit and substantial buildings.  J. W. Milnor, Esq., has a
very fine farm property, a handsome and neatly finished dwelling, beautiful
trees in front, and all the comforts desirable.  He resides on the banks of
Mill Creek where he has also a rapid-going saw mill.  There are other good
farms, but we cannot particularize farther.

Having said all that is necessary in this and my former article, in giving
the readers of your very excellent paper, The Gazette and Bulletin, an idea
of the first and present settlers of Blooming Grove, and a small inkling of
Williamsport in its early days, I feel well assured that I have left unsaid
much that might be of interest.

As I finish this article, I am standing on the summit of a high hill under
the broad green branches of a noble old chestnut tree, watching the fleecy
clouds bathed in golden glory surrounding the fiery orb of light as he slowly
sinks to his resting place amidst the mellow tints of the purple, gold and
scarlet, blending in such exquisite harmony and contrast without one single
shadow to mar the beauty of the resplendent spectacle!

And now, having partaken of the generous hospitality of our friends here,
especially William E. Eck, Esq., and enjoying the relish of their fresh,
light bread, golden butter and cream, and other palatable dishes, we return
them our thanks, and most respectfully bid Blooming Grove farewell, for the
present.