LOCAL HISTORY: Mifflin, Borough of Lewistown - Part 1; Ellis, Franklin, ed. 
History of that part of the Susquehanna and Juniata Valleys embraced in the 
counties of Mifflin, Juniata, Perry, Union and Snyder.  Philadelphia, 1886. 

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492  JUNIATA AND SUSQUEHANNA VALLEYS IN PENNSYLVANIA.

                                  CHAPTER IV.

                           THE BOROUGH OF LEWISTOWN.

AMONG the traders who came up the valley of the Juniata a short time before the 
purchase of this territory from the Indians, in 1754, was Robert Buchanan, who 
had formerly lived at Carlisle. He located a trading-post at "the meeting of the 
waters" of the Kishacoquillas Creek with the Juniata, at the place where lived 
Pokety, an Indian chief, of whom he bought land.* Kishacoquillas, the Shawanese 
chief from whom the valley takes its name, also is said to have lived there. He 
died in 1756, and in June of that year Robert H. Morris sent a letter of 
condolence to his sons.

Robert Buchanan built a cabin on the bank of the Kishacoquillas, near the 
present stone bridge. Upon the breaking out of the Indian troubles in 1756, 
Buchanan was warned by Kishacoquillas of the danger, and he, with others in the 
region, escaped and went to Carlisle. He probably did not return until 1762, as, 
on the 2d of July in that year, he warranted a tract of two hundred and one 
acres of land lying on the northeast side of the river and extending above the 
mouth of the Kishacoquillas Creek. His son Arthur, on the same date, warranted 
ninety-six acres lying back of Robert's land and extending along the bank of the 
Kishacoquillas Creek. Jane Buchanan, a daughter of Robert, received a warrant 
bearing the same date, July 5, 1762, for two hundred and eighteen acres of land 
lying below her father's tract and the Kishacoquillas Creek. Opposite Arthur 
Buchanan's tract and above Jane Buchanan's laud, on the same side of the stream, 
Robert warranted a small tract, on which the St. Mark's Cemetery is located. The 
tract of Jane Buchanan is that part of the town that lies across the creek from 
the public square, while on the Robert and Arthur Buchanan tract the main part 
of Lewistown is laid out.

Below the tract of Jane Buchanan, and on the Juniata, Andrew Gregg, in 1787, 
took up a tract of land, built a cabin and brought a stock of goods to the 
place. John Norris, then a lad of sixteen years, came with him as a clerk. Gregg 
remained about a year and a half. The plot of these tracts of land can be seen 
in the prothonotary's office at Lewistown. The Buchanan tracts were all surveyed 
in April, 1766. In the sketch of early taverns it will be seen that "old Mr. 
Buchanan" was then keeping tavern at the place. It will not be out of place in 
this connection to give an account of the "Long Narrows," and the settlement at 
this place in 1788, as given by a writer in the Columbia Magazine, in an article 
called "A Description of the Juniata River, in the State of Pennsylvania." From 
it we quote, - 

"After crossing at Miller's Ferry (now Millerstown), which lies a few miles from 
the mouth of the river and keeping up at midway to Standing Stone, a three-fold 
junction of the mountains is plainly perceived, being the Tuscarora, Shade and 
Narrow Mountains. Through them, at this place, commence what is known by the 
name of the Long Narrows, formed by one continued break through the above hills, 
and continues surrounded by astonishing crags for upwards of eight or nine 
miles, during which space the traveller has nothing to walk on for either 
himself or horse (which he is obliged to dismount for better security) than the 
piled rocks and stones that have from time to time accumulated by their fall 
from the surrounding parts. After passing through this miserable place, 
immediately upon the other side stands the town or settlement called Old Town, 
consisting only of a tavern and a few scattered hovels, and containing nothing 
worth notice."
_____ 

*The first name applied to this locality was Pokety town, from the Indian chief, 
Pokety. It also was given the name Old Town and Kishacoquillas' Old Town, 
although Aughwick, farther up the Juniata, was also called Old Town.

MIFFLIN COUNTY.  493

The next year after this tour through the valley was made, the county of Mifflin 
was erected. Robert Buchanan, the owner of the tract on which the county-seat 
was located, died about 1780, and left the tract he had originally settled upon 
to his eldest son, Arthur. Robert Buchanan's family consisted of his wife, 
Dorcas, Arthur, William, Robert (the last was born in 1773) and Jane. Arthur was 
living in Lewistown as late as 1806.

In 1787, Arthur Buchanan became involved in financial difficulty, a judgment was 
obtained against him and the three hundred acres of land in his possession were 
seized by Thomas Buchanan, high sheriff of Cumberland County, and finally sold, 
a fuller account of which will be found in sketch of the erection of Mifflin 
County.

The trustees appointed under the act of erection of Mifflin County located the 
county-seat upon this tract.

Colonel James Potter and Samuel Edmiston were employed to survey the plot and 
lay out a town. They performed the work and received for their services 16 
pounds 15s. The trustees also appointed persons to value the lots laid out.

Lots 15 and 16, containing one-quarter of an acre, were set apart for a meeting-
house and a burying-ground. These lots are on the corner of Water and Brown 
Streets, and are known as the Old Burying-Ground. No meeting-house was ever 
erected upon them. Lot 86 was set apart for a jail, which was erected of logs 
early in 1790, and is the present jail lot. The lot on which the old stone 
school-house and the old brick school-house stand was marked on the town plot as 
lot 120, and was designated as "for the use of a publick school-house."

There was also reserved all the "ground on the Juniata from the first Alley to 
the junction of the River with the Kishacoquillas Creek, together with the 
streets, lanes, alley and the center of the said Borough, agreeably to the plan 
of the said town of Lewistown, as laid out by the Trustees." While the trustees 
were authorized to purchase one hundred and fifty acres of land and lay out a 
town thereon, with authority to sell lots they did not do it; yet the lots 
mentioned were set apart for public purposes, and the jail building, including a 
courtroom in the second story, was built and used in the year 1790, while the 
property was still in the hands of the High Sheriff of Cumberland County, and it 
was not until November 27, 1790, that it was sold, and was then bought at public 
sale by Samuel Edmiston, then prothonotary of the county, who soon after sold 
one-third interest to Colonel James Potter and Samuel Montgomery, who sold the 
lots of the town. The court-house on the public square was built in 1796-97, 
before the title of the different lots was conveyed to the county of Mifflin, 
which was done in 1802.

The following letter, in the possession of C. H. Henderson, was written by 
Charles Hardy, in 1791, to friends in England, and as it gives an idea of 
Lewistown and the surrounding country at that time, a part of it is here quoted. 
Charles Hardy purchased lot 17, as is shown in the list given.

"Dear Mam: I take this oportunity of a Quainting you of my present hilth and 
weel fair for which I have reason to prais the Lord and Likewise the defrent 
seaings of life that I have Goone through Since I come to this Country. I 
wrought the first 9 months through the summer and winter, and in March I Went 
out to the Back Country, 160 miles from Philadelphia, whear thaar is a new place 
a Bilding by the name of Lewes Town, Mifflin County, and as this County is but 
new laad out, all county business is satled and courts helde in this place, and 
on the 22th of October I purtched a Lott and Hous, not finished, which cost me 
60 pound, and 20 pounds mor will finish it which will Rent for 15 pounds per 
year. And 19th of January I purtched an improvement which is vacant Lands, on 
which is a Dwelling hous and Barn, Stablen, right Good Spring and 14 ackres of 
Cleared Land, and I have returned Back to Philadelpia to take a Ded out of the 
Land Ofes for 150 ackres of saad Lands, the improvement I pay 35 pounds, and the 
warent at Land Ofes is 2 pound 10 shillings per hundred, and 1 pound 10 
shillings the Sirvey and Clarkes fees, 1 pound 10 shillings all per hundred, 
which, in all, will cost me betwext 40 and 50 pounds. This is the best part of 
the country that I have Ever seen for industrius people of Every Trade. 
Carpenters and Masons 7s. 6d. per day, and Labrers 5s. per day, and everything 
is plentiful, the best of Wheat 4s. pir bushel, Rie 3s. this currency, Inden 
corn and buckwheat in proportion. Beef, Mutton and Bacon at 3d. per pound. This 
is a fearful Country for wild creatures, Such as Dears, Bars, Wolves and

494  JUNIATA AND SUSQUEHANNA VALLEYS IN PENNSYLVANIA.

A DISTANT VIEW OF LEWISTOWN. [illustration]

Panters, the Dears meet yousd for Beef or venison, and Bears meet Good Bacon. 
Fishes and Folls in Great plenty. This is a fine Country for Roots and Vegtales. 
I shall send you a smal account of them Coowcumbers, Water Mellens, Squashes and 
Pomp-cans, with a variety of Beanes, sich as you have none in England, with many 
others too tedis to Name. Al rises from the Ground With out much troble and 
comes to Great pirfection."

Continuing, he deplores the loss of the privilege of attending worship with the 
Methodists, "with whome I hav many times being Feelingly and Sensible Blessed, 
both in public and privet convarse," and says, "in which I am in sum measure 
deprived of, as hear is no Methodes in this part, nor no other sort of worship 
but Prespeterns, and it is 5 miles to thear meeting.* this causes me to reflect 
on my Own Self for leaving the parts Whear I had the hapness of asembling 
amongst a people that I beleave truly worships God. it cases many Reasnings in 
my own mind when I think of the blessings in yeares past I received in publick 
and in privet convarse, but many times I feel that the Lord preaches to my sowl 
in privet when I poor out my Speerit before him, but I shall endeaver to pravail 
with the preachers to come to Lewis-town."

The erection of the public buildings and the fact that the town was made the 
county-seat attracted many people to it, and in 1793 the following persons were 
owners of lots in Lewistown. Their names, with the number of the lots owned by 
them, are here given as found in the assessment roll of Derry township:

1. Thomas Duncan.                      17. Chas. Hardy.
2, 3, 4. William Adams.                18. James Montgomery.
6. Samuel Montgomery.                  19. Thos. Buchanan, Esq.
7. James Potter.                       20. William Early.
8. Brown & Ellis.                      21. William Brown, Esq.
9. William Brown.                      22. James Potter.
10. Samuel Montgomery.                 24. David Weldon Pickens.
11. Jos. Edmiston, Esq.                25. John Gillespie.
12. Zephaniah Stark.                   28. Jesse Adams.
13. Thomas Gregg and Sam'l. Edmiston.  30. James Humes.
14. William Brown, Esq.                44. Isabella Buchanan.
_____ 

*The Presbyterian Meeting-house he has reference to was evidently the one then 
standing in Granville township, in the old burying-ground, an account of which 
will be found in the sketch of Granville township.

MIFFLIN COUNTY.  495

46. Christian King.                    72. Robert Mitchell.
47. James Henderson.                   73. Geo. McClelland.
48. James Haslett.                     74. James Scott.
49. Wm. McCandless.                    75. John Wilson.
50. Michael Funcannon.                 76, 77. Saml. Edmiston.
51. Robert Cochran.                    78. Andrew Duff.
62. William Elliott.                   79. James Alexander.
53. Adam Berger.                       80. Moses Williamson.
55. George Riddle.                     81. Saml. Montgomery.
57. William Harper.                    82. Dr. Isaiah Blair.
58. Jones McDownell.                   83. Robert Parks.
59. John Elliott.                          Jacob York.
60. Alex. Cochran.                         Henry Bemtheisel.
61. Joseph Cowgill.                    93. Philip Weaver.
62. James Thompson.                    96. John Speck.
63. Samuel Marshall.                  100. John Buchanan.
64. Robert Power.                     102. John Schnell.
65. Patrick McKinney.                 116. Thomas Cullen.
66. William Power.                    121. William Kenney.
67. Robert Patterson.                 129. James Davidson.
68. Moses Williamson.                 130. James Mitchell.
69. Robert Campbell.                  131. John Norris or Wm. McCandless.
70. Samuel Henry.                     177. Jeremiah Daily.
71. Jas. McFarland, Esq. 

The act for the erection of the borough of Lewistown was approved April 11, 
1795, and the boundaries were defined as here given: "Beginning at a post on the 
Bank of the River Juniata;" then by courses and distances, "to a post on the 
south side of Kishacoquillas Creek; thence down said creek south 85 degrees, 
west 17 perches to a post; "thence, by courses and distances, "to the mouth of 
the said creek; then up the said river north 78 degrees, west forty-five 
perches, and then west 32 perches to the place of beginning."

The act provided for two burgesses, one of whom was to be chief and the other 
merely "assistant burgess," while there were also to be two "burgesses' 
assistants," a high constable and a town clerk.

The act named the first officers as follows: Joseph Cogill, chief burgess; 
George McClellan, burgess; Jeremiah Daily, high constable; James Robertson, town 
clerk; Robert Patterson and Michael Foncannon, burgesses' assistants. 

The officers so named were to hold until the first Monday of May, 1796, when an 
election was to he held. The act remained in force until February 6, 1811, when 
an act was approved by Governor Snyder, altering and amending the original, This 
act provided for the election of a chief burgess, an assistant and five 
reputable citizens to be a Town Council, and a high constable. The meetings of 
the Town Council were to be held in the court-house until otherwise provided 
for.*

The presidents of the Council are here given from 1814 for about fifteen years 
from which time the burgesses are given, - 

                                   PRESIDENTS.

1814. Peacock Major.                1824. Joseph B. Ard. 
1815. William P. Maclay.            1826. Joseph B. Ard.
1816. David Reynolds.               1827. E. L. Benedict.
1817. David Reynolds.               1828. A. S. Wilson.
1819. Peacock Major.                1830. William McHall.
1820. D. W. Hulings.                1833. Joseph B. Ard.
1821. Andrew Keiser.                1834. James Culbertson.

                                   BURGESSES.

1828. William McCay.                1858. John Davis.
1829. William McCay.                1859. John Davis.
1830. William McCay.                1860. Samuel Comfort.
1831. David Milliken.               1861. Samuel Comfort.
1833. William McCay.                1862. John Davis.
1834. James McCord.                 1863. John Davis.
1835. Henry Eisenbise.              1864. Joseph M. Cogley.
1836. Henry Eisenbise.              1865. George Frysinger.
1837. Henry Eisenbise.              1866. Samuel J. Brisbin.
1838. Henry Eisenbise.              1867. John B. Selheimer.
1839. Henry Kulp.                   1868. William B. Weber. 
1840. Abraham Blymyer.              1869. Wm. B. Hoffman.
1841. George Miller.                1870. William B. Weber.
1842. George Miller.                1871. William Willis.
1843. George Miller.                1872. William B. Weber. 
1844. Richard R. Franks.            1873. John Clark, Sr.
1845. R. Rush Franks.               1874. John Davis.
1846. Henry Kulp.                   1875. Geo. S. Hoffman.
1847. Henry Kulp.                   1876. Jos. M. Selheimer.
1848. John W. Shaw.                 1877. George W. Soult.
1849. John W. Shaw.                 1878. George W. Soult.
1850. Thos. A. Worrall.             1879. Robert McKee.
1851. Jas. L. McElvain.             1880. Geo. S. Hoffman.
1852. George Frysinger.             1881. Geo. S. Hoffman.
1853. Alex. A. Banks.               1882. John M. Nolte.
1854. George Frysinger.             1883. William Irvine.
1855. Geo. W. Stewart.              1884. A. E. Printz.
1856. John Davis.                   1885. A. E. Printz. 
1857. George Frysinger.
_____ 

*A supplement to the act of erection was approved March 19, 1829, concerning 
high constable; also March 31, 1836; another March 5, 1841, which increased the 
Town Council to six members. An act was passed March 25, 1842, which authorized 
the appointment of commissioners to re-survey the borough and to erect the East 
and West Wards. An ordinance passed the Borough Council July 15, 1857, ordering 
street lamps to be erected for the accommodation of the citizens.

496  JUNIATA AND SUSQUEHANNA VALLEYS IN PENNSYLVANIA.

Joseph Scott, in the United States Gazetteer of 1795, gives this account of 
Lewistown, - 

"Lewistown, the chief town in Mifflin county Pennsylvania, situated on the north 
side of Juniatta river at the mouth of Cishicoquilis creek. It is regularly laid 
out and contains about 120 dwellings, court-house and jail. A court of common 
pleas and general quarter sessions is held here the 2d Monday in January, April, 
August and November. It was incorporated by an act of the Legislature passed 
December 1, 1795, and is governed by two burgesses one high constable, town 
clerk and two assistants. It is 150 miles W. N. W. of Philadelphia."

In the early days of Lewistown a little stream ran through the town, crossing 
Third Street not far from the Methodist Church. On the bank of this stream was a 
fine grove of trees, under whose shade the women of the town were in the habit 
of doing their weekly washing. There was also a ravine, twenty or thirty feet 
deep, in the rear of the Ritz house, which, in time, was filled partly by 
stumps, and in the following manner: A borough ordinance was passed imposing as 
a fine for drunkenness the digging out a stump in the street, of which, at that 
early time, there were many. It came to be the custom that when a certain 
number, fifteen or twenty, had violated the ordinance, and were subject to the 
fine, that they would agree upon a time and have a stump-pulling bee, and upon 
the completion of the task the stumps were all thrown in this ravine. The items 
here given are taken from the various assessment rolls.

In the year 1803, Samuel Edmiston was assessed on two lots and one brick house 
on Market Street, valued at $1300; other lots and houses $1750; John Brown, 
house and lot, $300, store-house and half lot $400, grist and saw-mill and one 
acre of land $2000, one lot and barn $100, vacant lot $40; Robert Forsythe, two 
lots and three houses on Water Street, $1333.33, other houses and lots, $770; 
George McClelland, house and lots at the bridge, $1200; William Elliott, one 
brick house and two lots on the Diamond, $1100, unfinished house on Market 
Street, $140; George Mulholland, house and lot on Water Street, $600, house and 
lot on Market Street, $400. All others on the roll are assessed on less than 
$1000. James Criswell is assessed on one lot and two houses, one of which is in 
the tenure of "Old Nanny;" Foncannon & Smith, on a store-house and lot on Water 
Street; David Jordan, on a house and lot on Market Street, for the heirs of 
Arthur Buchanan (Jordan married Isabella, the widow of Arthur Buchanan); John 
McKelvey occupied a house, two lots and a store-house owned by the heirs of 
Samuel Montgomery; William Robison, a lot and brick house on Market Street; John 
and James Steel, store-house and half-lot on Water Street; William Scott, lot 
and hatter's shop on Market Street; Abraham Weaver, house and lot on Market 
Street and distillery and brewery.

The following are additional items culled from the assessment roll of 1809: Mary 
Estell, brick house on Diamond; Francis Ellis, "watterman" and inn; William 
Gallagher, brick house, Water Street; David McConahey, tanner, saddler and 
tanyard at Third and Brown Streets; Joseph and Samuel Martin, "watter-men."

The carpenters were Eli Smith, Anthony Ferrier (Main and Market Streets) Abraham 
Hufford, James McClintock. The masons were Philip and James Smith. The hatters 
were William McCoy and John Mulholland; coopers, John McKeely, John McDowell, 
John and James Pierce; saddlers, Francis McCoy, James McWilliams (also a 
butcher); chairmaker, John McBride; gunsmith, George Slaysman; blacksmith, Jacob 
Walters.

The following items were gleaned from the assessment of 1810: Pilots, John Baum 
and Rhoads Conner; tailor, Henry Harshbarger; tinman, Philip Rupert. In 1811, 
John Geepore was a barber and musician. In 1814, George Swartz, a brickmaker. 
The first mention of an apothecary is in 1823, when F. A. Milsheimer was keeping 
a shop in the town. In that year also Samuel Haller was keeping a shop for the 
repair of watches and manufacture of clocks, while Daniel McDavid was a 
silversmith. In 1833, Charles Ritz was keeping a drug-store.

Concerning the early business and other interests, much more will be found in 
this chapter, the several topics being treated separately.

In the year 1813, Andrew Keiser and Samuel Martin, both of whom owned 
considerable land

MIFFLIN COUNTY.  497

in close proximity to the borough, laid out nineteen lots. Twelve were on the 
road to Kishacoquillas and seven on the Sunbury Road. These lots were each sixty 
by two hundred feet and were advertised to be sold at public sale on the 8th of 
September, 1813. Other additions have been made from time to time. The facts 
connected with the constructing and opening the turnpike, canal and railroad 
through the borough will be found in the article on "Internal Improvements," in 
the "General History" of this work.

MARKET-HOUSE AND TOWN HALL. - The old court-house was erected in 1796 in the 
public square, and extending north from it was an open market-house, with a roof 
supported by brick piers or columns. This marketplace was used until 1819, when 
an ordinance of the Borough Council was passed, April 24th of that year, 
"Authorizing the sale of the ruins of the market-house, alleged to be a nuisance 
in the street." It was to be sold by the constable on or before the 1st of May 
following, and as, in an ordinance for improving the public square, passed May 
3d, mention is made that "the market square remains unimproved," and it was 
directed that the street, in all directions from the court-house, be graveled 
and turnpiked twenty-one feet from the pavements of the courthouse, it is to be 
presumed that it had been sold and removed prior to the latter action.

From that time for several years no markets were held in the town. Another 
market-house was built later on the square southwest from the court-house, and 
on June 21, 1833, an ordinance was passed to regulate the market and to sell 
stalls in the market-house. It remained in use until the destruction of the 
court-house, in 1843-44.

An act of Legislature was passed April 27, 1844, authorizing the burgess and 
Town Council of Lewistown "to purchase a lot in the borough for the purpose of 
erecting a market-house and town hall thereon." A lot was purchased on the 
corner of Main and Third Streets, and a town hall and market-house created in 
that year. An ordinance passed September 6, 1858, regulated for the management 
of the market. Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday mornings of each week were made 
market-days, at which times meats and vegetables were to be exposed for sale in 
the stalls in the town hall, and on stands "on the pavement of the Town Hall, on 
Third Street, from the north corner of the Hall to the alley," ten feet of which 
by four in breadth might be assigned to any butcher applying. No meat was to be 
sold elsewhere during market hours. Markets were regularly held in the town hall 
for several years, and in later years at irregular intervals. The custom was 
finally abandoned about 1870.

FIRE DEPARTMENT. - The first definite information concerning any preparation for 
the extinguishing of fires is found in an ordinance passed by the burgess and 
Council of Lewistown, February 23, 1815, which declared that every owner of a 
house "Shall furnish the same with leathern fire-buckets, which buckets shall be 
placed in the entry or such other part of the house as shall be most easy of 
access, and be marked with the owner's name or initial thereof, and shall be 
kept in good repair for using at all times in case of fire." No record has been 
found concerning the purchase of a fire-engine, but that one was soon after 
bought is evident from the following ordinance, passed April 4, 1817: "That, for 
the better and more perfect organization of a Fire Engine Company, the engine is 
hereby placed under the direction of the Corporation of the Borough of 
Lewistown, and is to be directed by the Burgess and Town Council for the time 
being," and "That for the purpose, of exercising the engine the Borough shall be 
divided into two districts, the first district to be composed of that part of 
the Borough lying east of the Main Street, and the second district of that part 
lying west of said street." The taxable inhabitants of the districts were to 
meet on the last Saturday of each month; the clerk of the borough was to attend 
at every training of the engine company and call over the names, noting the 
absentees, a list of whom he was to furnish to the burgess, to be fined for non-
attendance twenty-five cents. It does not appear that a fire company was formed 
until 1834, when a meeting was held to organize a company, and on the 12th of 
August a committee to draft a constitution reported "The

498  JUNIATA AND SUSQUEHANNA VALLEYS IN PENNSYLVANIA.

Kite Fire Company," composed of boys. It was organized March 12, 1836, with F. 
McCoy, secretary. An act of Legislature was passed June 22, 1839, incorporating 
the "Juniata Fire Company." These companies appear to have been in existence but 
a short time, as in 1841 the borough still was in charge of the engines and 
provided for action in case of fire. By an ordinance passed January 22, 1841, 
the Council was authorized to borrow not to exceed six hundred dollars, to 
purchase hose and other materials for the Fire Department. Section 2 of the 
ordinance authorized and required the high constable "to take in charge the 
fire-engines and hose after fires and have them carefully restored and kept in 
good order."

Section 3 "appointed Judge McCoy, Joseph Milliken, David Rittenhouse, John R. 
Weekes and William Brothers a Committee of Superintendence to compel the 
citizens to fall into ranks for the purpose of carrying water to the fires in 
time of necessity," the fine to be five dollars for disobedience of the orders 
of this committee.

James Kinsloe, William Butler, Francis McClure, Charles Ritz and Ephraim Banks 
were appointed a committee "to guard and protect property when carried into the 
street from houses in times of fire." On the 24th of May, 1843, the Republican 
contained a call for a meeting to organize a fire company. Two companies were 
organized soon after, - "The Fame" and "The Henderson Hook-and-Ladder." They 
continued until about 1878. In October, 1877, the Borough Council purchased a 
Silsby steamer No. 2, with one thousand feet of hose, for thirty-eight hundred 
dollars. The steamer was named "Henderson " and placed in charge of "the 
Henderson Hook-and-Ladder Company," whose name was then changed to "Henderson 
Steam Fire Company, No. 1." The steamer was kept in the old Lutheran Church on 
Third Street, which had been purchased by the borough many years before for an 
engine-house. In 1878 a tower was added to the engine-house, which was blown 
down in the spring of 1885, and rebuilt at a cost of five hundred dollars. The 
old Henderson Company at one time were in possession of a hand-engine named "The 
Hope," which was sold for old iron. The department also have twenty-eight 
hundred feet of hose in addition to that purchased with the steamer. The company 
contains one hundred and twenty-five members. R. H. McClintock was president, 
and Joseph M. Selheimer, chief director.

POLICE DEPARTMENT. - About 1849 a series of fires occurred in Lewistown, 
believed to have been started by incendiaries. It caused alarm, and on February 
4, 1850, an ordinance was passed by the borough and Council establishing a 
police force, to consist of a captain and first and second lieutenants, who were 
authorized to appoint a proper number of citizens in each ward to patrol the 
streets and alleys during the night. A police system has been maintained to the 
present time, and now consists of two policemen.

POST-OFFICE. - A post-office was doubtless established at Lewistown before 1800, 
but the first positive information of an office is in 1803, when Jacob Walters 
was postmaster. He held the office until his death, and was succeeded by his 
daughter, Margaret J. Walters, who resigned in 1835 upon her marriage to E. L. 
Benedict.* Samuel Stewart succeeded to the office and remained postmaster until 
1841, when William P. Elliot was appointed and served until 1845. Moses 
Montgomery was the successor and went out in 1849. The following persons have 
served as postmasters since that time: William Butler, 1849-53; Charles Ritz, 
1853-57; Sevarus S. Cummings, 1857-61; Samuel Comfort, 1861-65; Emanuel C. 
Hamilton, 1865-69; Peter Printz, 1869-1873; Robert W. Patton, 1873-1882.

BUSINESS INTERESTS. - The mouth of the Kishacoquillas Creek was selected by 
Robert Buchanan as a trading-post in 1754, or earlier, and he built a cabin here 
and kept his stock of goods - such as were used in those days in trade with the 
Indians. The next account of any business at the place, other than Buchanan's, 
occurs in a sketch of Andrew Gregg, who married Martha, the daughter of General 
James Potter, January 29, 1787, and came to the vicinity of
_____ 

*In the year 1814 William Rice was a post-rider and in 1818-19 Charles Hardy.

MIFFLIN COUNTY.  499

"Old Town" with a stock of goods and settled on a tract he took up below the 
town on the Juniata, where his daughter Mary was born November 3, 1788, John 
Norris (who died March 5, 1841) came to the site of Lewistown with store goods, 
as a boy in the employ of Gregg. The latter moved to Penn's Valley, two miles 
from Old Fort, in 1789, and in 1814 to Bellefonte, where he died in 1835. The 
town was laid out in 1789, and lots were sold at once, as the county buildings 
were to be erected. Carpenters, merchants, blacksmiths and other artisans and 
business men soon flocked to the place. The jail was in process of erection in 
1790. William Scott, a blacksmith, and William McCandlish, a carpenter, were 
both at work upon the jail. In 1793 William Adams opened a tan-yard on lots 2 
and 3. James Armstrong and Robert Forsythe were blacksmiths. Henry Bernheisel 
also opened a tan-yard at the west end of Grand street, which he continued until 
his death. His son-in-law, James McCurdy, then came into possession and 
continued it until 1862, when it was sold to J. A. & W. R. McKee, who carried on 
the business until 1870, when it was abandoned. George Walters, in 1793, kept a 
store-house at the foot of Water Street, which two years later was owned by 
George McClelland, who, still later, erected the stone house now the brewery. 
Francis Ellis & Co. opened a store in the same year, 1793. Ellis was in business 
at the place many years as merchant, jailer and tavern-keeper. Finley Ellis, a 
citizen well known, was a son of Francis. Benjamin Brierly, in 1793, had a saw-
mill in the vicinity. In December, 1800, Adam Ebert opened a tan-yard, which he 
continued several years. In 1803 the persons whose names are here given were in 
business: John Brown, grist and saw-mill; Adam Ebert, tanyard; Foncannon & 
Smith, store; James and John Steel, store on Water Street; William Scott, 
hatter; Abraham Weaver, distillery and brewery. In addition to the above: 1805, 
Nicholas Deal, tan-yard (bought of Ebert); Mark Kulp, watch-maker; Peacock 
Major, inn-keeper and butcher; 1806, Arthur Buchanan, James Criswell and George 
McClelland, merchants; Frederick Orwin, tinsmith; Rowe & Kulp, boat-builders; 
Robert Stark Little, wheel and chair-maker. 1809, Andrew Keiser, pottery, on the 
corner of Second and Brown. This he continued a few years. In 1809 Emanuel 
Philips was in possession of a pottery, and in 1813 Henry Fulton had a pottery 
and kiln at the corner of Third and Brown. A pottery was established by Joseph 
Matthews, about 1832, at the corner of Valley and Nusbaum streets, which was 
continued by him until 1852, when he sold to John Dipple. With slight changes in 
ownership, it was run until 1868, when the property was sold and a new pottery 
and kiln was erected, fourteen by fourteen feet square, with chimney stack 
thirty feet in height and having capacity of holding "twenty-two hundred gallons 
of ware." The business is still conducted by John Dipple.

In 1809 David McConahey had a tannery Third and Brown; Anthony Young was 
carrying on weaving.

In 1812 Henry Butler was a boot and shoe-maker; William McCoy a tailor; Miller, 
Morton & Co. were the proprietors of Freedom Forge (now Logan Iron-Works) and a 
company store in the town; Robert Davison was a lumber dealer; James Sherrard 
had begun merchandising in the Yellow House, at the northeast corner of the 
public square; Samuel Eisenbise opened a cabinet-shop in November; Humphrey Goff 
was a tailor; Franklin, Ellis & Baum were butchers.

On the 25th of June, 1813, Lieutenant James McGhee, of the 22d Regiment of U. S. 
Infantry opened a recruiting-office in town. July 20, 1813, Robert Lytle 
advertised that he had in operation at John Brown's mill a cotton-carding 
machine, and hoped to obtain custom. In August, 1813, Charles Haas proposed 
opening a military academy to teach the "broad-sword exercise" at Kinsloe's 
tavern. John George and John Swisher were gunsmiths in 1813-15. The guns 
belonging to the militia were ordered to this shop for repairs and examination. 
Swisher abandoned the business in March, 1815, but George continued it, and 
later went to where Mann's axe-factory now is.

J. McClintock rented, in December, 1815, the store-house of George McClelland 
(formerly

500  JUNIATA AND SUSQUEHANNA VALLEYS IN PENNSYLVANIA.

kept by Robert Starks), on the bank of Kishacoquillas Creek, for the reception 
of wheat, flour whiskey, etc. He was prepared with boats suitable for the 
shipment of grain at high or low water. Soon after this James Sherrard sold his 
store and became a partner of McClintock's. Steely & Marks also advertise 
boating and storage. Steely soon after retired, and on the 29th of December, 
1819, Philip Marks succeeded.*
In 1815, James McCord began the manufacture of saddles and harness next-door to 
Mrs. Powers' tavern, on Main Street. On Water Street, C. Eisenbise established a 
nail-factory, and George Swarts opened a brick-yard in the same year.

Samuel Smith, who was a merchant in the place before 1813, in that year sold his 
store to William Brisben, with the intention of going to Kentucky. Samuel 
Frampton, in October, 1813, moved his saddlery and harness-maker shop to Market 
Street, opposite Mr. Major's, and two doors above Hoyt's tavern.

John Brown, whose grist and saw-mill is mentioned in 1803, continued in business 
in and near Lewistown until after 1820, and was at one time part owner of 
Freedom Forge. He was a son of Judge William Brown; was born in Kishacoquillas 
Valley in 1772; came to Lewistown about 1800 and built a grist and saw-mill, and 
was identified with the business interests of the town in other ways. He was a 
member of Assembly from the district from 1809 to 1813, inclusive, and 
subsequently member of Congress from the district composed of Mifflin, 
Huntingdon, Centre and Clearfield Counties. He was highly esteemed by a large 
connection of friends and acquaintances. Later in life he moved to North 
Carolina, and died at Limestone, in that State, October 12, 1845, aged seventy-
three years.

Robert Forsythe was settled in the town before 1797, and later opened a store on 
Market Street, and built a distillery. He continued in business there until 
about 1818, when he moved to a farm in Derry township. See sketch of that 
township.

Of the early merchants of the town, and who had a marked influence on the 
business of the place for many years, was James Milliken. He was the eldest son 
of Samuel Milliken, who settled in the Kishacoquillas Valley in 1772. He was 
born in 1776, and in 1804 journeyed to Pittsburgh and down the Ohio River to 
Georgetown (now Wellsville), at which place he purchased flour, which he traded 
with the Indians for furs on his way to New Orleans. After remaining several 
week in the city he took passage on a sailing-vessel for Philadelphia, from 
where he returned home partly by stage and partly on foot. In 1810 he settled at 
Lewistown and opened a store on the Diamond, in the building now occupied as a 
barber-shop, west of Mr. Selheimer's store. As business increased, a younger 
brother, Joseph, came to the
_____ 

* The following sketch of early transportation is of interest in this 
connection. It was written by Mr. George Frysinger from the recollections of 
William P. Elliott, Esq., who was born in Lewistown in 1793, and still resides 
there:

"The early settlers of this county had to use pack mules in transporting 
whatever was necessary for food and such implements as axes, picks, shovels. 
&c., all of which had to be carried from Cumberland Valley across half a dozen 
mountains. Two paths were used, one by way of Shirley, the other coming out at 
Granville Gap, two miles south of Lewistown. The Narrows were then a tangled 
mass of undergrowth and full of rocks down to the water's edge, but a year or so 
afterwards a bridle-path was opened, thus in part avoiding the mountains. 
Peddling traders soon appeared and supplied minor articles, but meal and other 
necessaries involved a long and trying journey.

"Canoes next appeared, being constructed from large tree trunks and capable of 
carrying a considerable burden. These were run down the Juniata on a freshet to 
the Susquehanna, and thence down to Middletown, below which the roaring waters 
of Conewago Falls forbid further descent. These canoes were there loaded with 
plow-shares, hardware and other useful articles, and then poled back by two men, 
a distance of more than 70 miles. The first regular river boat was built for 
John Elliott, the father of W. P. Elliott, Esq., about 1791. This was followed 
by other large boats and arks for carrying produce. In the mean time a road was 
cut through the Narrows and wagons began to greet the vision of the pioneer.

"The turnpike eastward from Lewistown was opened about 1817.

"The first canal-boat arrived in Lewistown the first week in November, 1829, 
which event gave a great impetus to agricultural productions as well as business 
that continued until the opening of the Pennsylvania Railroad, in 1849. This 
road, with its branches, has curtailed all centres of previous business, the 
quantity of grain now shipped from Lewistown being less than a tenth of what it 
was in canal days."

MIFFLIN COUNTY.  501

place as clerk, and later became a partner, under the firm-name of J. & J. 
Milliken. The brick store building on Market Street, now occupied by Mr. John 
Clarke, was erected, and a general store for the sale of dry-goods, groceries 
and grain was opened. With increased facilities, their business extended over a 
wide range of country. Grain from all the surrounding region was drawn to 
Lewistown, and in the busy season as many as three thousand bushels per day were 
received. They established a line of boats, which carried from six to eight 
hundred bushels each, to ship the grain down the Juniata and to Philadelphia. 
After the canal was opened they owned a number of canal-boats and mules, which 
last were kept during the winter on some of their farms in the adjoining 
township.

A mill, long known as the Milliken Mill, was purchased and refitted, and for 
many years an extensive business in milling was conducted. In addition, the firm 
established six or eight branch stores in different parts of the county, and 
were also engaged in the manufacture of iron, being interested in the Martha and 
Brookland Furnaces, in Mifflin County, and the Hopewell Furnace, in Clearfield 
County. The building of the railroad through the county, in 1847, changed the 
nature of their business, as other stations along the line of the road became 
centres for shipment of grain and produce, and Lewistown from that time became 
only a station, and her prestige as a distributing centre for a wide range of 
country was gone, never to return.

James Milliken died in 1851, aged seventy-five years, leaving four children, of 
whom a daughter Mary is now a resident of Lewistown. Joseph Milliken married 
Elizabeth Patton, a daughter of Benjamin Patton, who for many years kept the 
stage-house. Of their children now resident in Lewistown are Margaret (Mrs. D. 
W. Woods), Elizabeth (Mrs. Robert W. Patton) and Mary (Mrs. William Russell).

Another early merchant was James Criswell, who, in 1806, opened a store, and 
later moved to McVeytown, where he established a store and, with his sons, 
conducted business many years; was proprietor at one time of the Brookland 
Furnace and associate judge of the county. Francis McClure, still living, came 
to Lewistown in 1826, and opened a store on the corner of the Diamond, in the 
Blymyer building, and continued in that place until 1842. when he was succeeded 
by George Blymyer, who, with his sons, conducted for many years a large 
business, dealing also in grain.

Of merchants now doing business in Lewistown there are but three who were in the 
town in 1844, - John Davis, saddler and harness-maker, came in 1840; Nathaniel 
Kennedy, in 1842; and F. G. Franciscus, who began a small hardware business 
November 1, 1844, and in 1865 erected the large building on Market Street and 
entered into the wholesale trade.

About 1820 R. U. Jacobs erected a tannery above the place where the old packet 
landing was located. In 1830 it was sold to Thomas and John McKee, who continued 
until 1854, when Thomas died. John remained in business until 1860, when J. A. & 
W. R. McKee, sons of Thomas, purchased the property and ran the business until 
1870, when it was abandoned. The tannery building was destroyed by fire in 1865, 
but was rebuilt and is now used as an armory for the National Guard.

R. U. Jacobs erected a tannery about 1830 on the corner of Third and Dorcas 
Streets, which was operated by the McKees for several years, and abandoned about 
1850.

In 1833, John R. Weekes, William Coggeshall and William Lockwood, under the 
firm-name of Weekes, Coggeshall & Co., built a foundry, which was called "The 
Lewistown Foundry." Mr. Lockwood retired March 5, 1834, and Weekes & Coggeshall 
continued until July, 1836, when Mr. Weekes became sole proprietor, and 
continued until 1855, when John Ziegler and William Willis became the owners. 
Several changes in ownership ensued, and in 1864 Thomas Reece, Sr., & Co. 
purchased the property and ran the business until 1869, when a slight change was 
made and the firm was called "The Weldon Engine and Brass Company." Under this 
firm the business was conducted until 1881; when James S. Weldon purchased it, 
and two years later the present partnership (consisting of George W. Elder, 
William Willis and James S. Weldon)

502  JUNIATA AND SUSQUEHANNA VALLEYS IN PENNSYLVANIA.

was formed, under the name of "The Lewistown Engine and Machine Company," under 
whose control the business is still conducted.

In 1834 R. H. McClintock established a furniture business in Lewistown, on 
Market Street, on the site now occupied by his sons. The building was burned in 
1851 and a two-story brick building erected, which has since been enlarged to 
meet the demands. His sons continue the business under the name of R. H. 
McClintock & Brother.

Anthony Felix come to the place in 1837, and in the next year purchased the 
furniture business of Hopper & Kenney, which he moved to the site now occupied 
by his son, W. H. Felix. He continued in business until 1866, when his son 
succeeded him, and in 1871 erected the present brick warerooms. Another wareroom 
is on Dorcas Street.

The Logan Foundry was established by A. B. Long & Brother about 1842, 
principally for the manufacture of Hathaway stoves, of which the firm made a 
specialty. In 1849 it was run by Robert McManigle, in 1858 by Long & Brother, 
and in 1863 by D. Bearly & Sons, who were the last. It was on the corner of 
Elizabeth Street, across the Kishacoquillas Creek from the main part of the 
town.

The Glenorgan Iron Company own and carry on two blast furnaces, one of which was 
built by other parties. That known as the Duncan Furnace was established by A. 
B. Long & Brother in 1846, and began operations in January, 1847, It was 
operated by them a few years and lay idle for a time. In the spring of 1853, 
Etting, Graff & Co., of Philadelphia, purchased the property, refitted it as an 
anthracite furnace and put it in blast in the fall of that year, with Colonel 
William Willis as manager. The firm and business continued until 1863, when the 
Glenorgan Iron Company was organized and purchased the property. The company was 
reorganized in 1867, and in 1868 Colonel William Willis was elected president, 
and continued, until 1873. In 1871 the company erected a new furnace, fourteen 
feet bosh, lower down and on the bank of the canal. This was blown in soon after 
its completion and was running until 1885, when it was blown out and refitted 
with an increased capacity. At present its output is one hundred and eighty tons 
per week. The old Duncan Furnace has a capacity of producing one hundred and 
twenty tons per week.

The first mill in the town was built by John Brown about 1800, and was continued 
down to 1820. It probably was on the site of the present Lewistown Mills.

The old Milliken Mill, of which an account will be found in Derry township, 
passed, in 1842, to John Sterrett, and was operated by him a few years, when he 
bought and refitted the large mill in the borough. This was destroyed by fire 
December 24, 1849, rebuilt of stone at a cost of thirty thousand dollars, and 
opened for business June 28, 1850. Mr. Sterrett continued in possession till 
1860, when the property was sold to Walter McAtee, who conducted business there 
for seven years, and sold to George Blymyer, who ran it till January 1, 1880, 
and sold to William Willis, who, in 1883, sold to A. Greybill, the present 
owner, who, with his son, still conducts the business.

About 1855, Marks and Mr. Birney erected a steam grist-mill at the foot of Grand 
and Water Streets, above the Juniata toll-bridge (now the railroad bridge). In 
1857 it passed to William Willis, who operated it until 1864, when he sold to 
Marks, who, the next year, sold to George Blymyer, who continued the business 
three years and abandoned it. The mill lay idle until 1884, when Blymyer & 
Rogers, the present proprietors, again fitted it up.

In 1806 Rowe & Kulp were boat-builders near the mouth of Kishacoquillas Creek. 
Boat-yards were there also in 1847 and in 1863. Allen & Gintner were carrying on 
the business.

The North American Tannery had its inception in 1866, when Jacob Spanogle, 
Andrew J. and Andrew Spanogle, under the firm-name of Jacob Spanogle & Co., 
purchased thirteen acres of land of James Burns, on the limits of Lewistown 
borough, and in Derry township. Upon this tract they erected a brick tannery, 
two hundred and thirty-one feet by forty-five, with an L one hundred and ninety-
five feet by

MIFFLIN COUNTY.  503

thirty-five, with slate roof, and filled with two hundred and ten tanning-vats, 
twenty-eight  leaches and six limes and soaks and seven pools, having a capacity 
of tanning twelve thousand hides per annum. The firm continued until 1876, when 
it was changed to Spanogle & Panebaker, and was operated by them until 1880, 
when the property was bought by William M. Panebaker, who continued until the 
spring of 1884, when D. P. Lease and T. E. McVitty, of Philadelphia, became 
associated with him, and the business, from that time, has been conducted under 
the name of W. M. Panebaker & Co.

R. H. Montgomery established a coach-works in a brick building on the corner of 
Third and Valley Streets in the year 1867, and in 1873 put in machinery for 
planing lumber. Business was continued at that place until 1871, when it was 
moved to opposite the depot of the Sunbury and Lewistown Railroad, where it is 
still carried on under the same management. In 1882 the manufacture of brick was 
established in connection with the other business.

In 1876 D. C. Matter erected a large building on Logan Street, in which he 
placed steam-power and planing-mill machinery, and began business. He was 
succeeded, in 1880, by his sons, L. W. Matter & Brother, who established also, 
in the building, coach-works, and in 1885 added a flouring-mill, under the name 
of the Globe Steam Flouring-Mill. These different industries are now being 
conducted by L. W. Matter & Brother.

Killian & Bailey established the business of carriage-making on Third Street in 
1878, and in 1884 moved to their present place of business, on Marble and Logan 
Streets.

LEWISTOWN WATER-WORKS. - In the supplement to "An act to erect Norristown, in 
Montgomery County, into a Borough, and for other purposes," passed April 10, 
1826, it was provided "that the corporations of the Borough of Norristown and 
the Borough of Lewistown be, and they are hereby authorized and empowered to 
introduce into said borough a sufficient supply of Schuylkill, Kishacoquillas or 
other wholesome water, for the use of said Boroughs, at the expense of said 
Boroughs;" also "authorized to convey such supply by means of pipes, trunks or 
aqueducts, and to provide cisterns or reservoirs for the reception thereof." The 
borough was authorized to borrow not exceeding eight thousand dollars for the 
purpose, and to apply such part of taxes as was necessary for the payment of 
interest; work to be commenced and water introduced within five years from the 
passage of the act. It appears, by the papers of the time, that work was 
commenced by the borough authorities January 1, 1829, and continued until the 
summer of 1830, but no record is found giving the location of the water supply.

On the 16th of April, 1838, the Lewistown Water Company was incorporated, with 
seven hundred and fifty shares of stock, at twenty dollars per share. The 
company was organized and work began on the reservoir June 7, 1839, under the 
superintendence of Jacob Bearly. In the act, authority was given the company to 
purchase springs, streams of water or water-power for their purposes. A lease of 
springs half a mile west of the town, on the Ridge, was obtained, and work was 
continued upon the reservoir and ditches until August 12, 1839, when it was 
abandoned.

Subscriptions to the capital stock began in 1839 and were continued until 1843, 
when, by an act of Legislature, five hundred additional shares were allowed.

On the 1st of May, 1846, a committee, appointed by the company, purchased of 
David W. Hulings twelve acres of land, including the springs. Prior to this time 
water was introduced into the borough from springs below this tract, and in 1843 
the first fire-plugs (six in number) were erected on the main streets of the 
town. The reservoir begun in 1839 was completed, and was fifty-three feet square 
at the bottom, eighty-five square at the top and sixteen feet in depth. The 
waters of the Hulings or Upper Spring were added to the supply by resolution of 
the board April 21, 1852. The contract for furnishing and laying the pipe was 
given to A. B. Long. By authority of an act of Legislature, April 6, 1839, the 
county subscribed for sixty shares of stock and the borough one hundred and 
eighty shares.

504  JUNIATA AND SUSQUEHANNA VALLEYS IN PENNSYLVANIA.

On the 2d of April, 1853, the borough was authorized, by act, to elect from the 
citizens of the town one who should represent their interests in the board of 
management of the Water Company. The borough retained the stock until authorized 
to sell, April 9, 1864. The reservoir is located two thousand one hundred and 
thirteen feet below the Upper Spring. Several springs are led to the main and 
add to the supply.

In July, 1865, there was reported as laid thirteen thousand eight hundred and 
fifty-two feet of pipe. Since that time Chestnut, Logan and several shorter 
streets have been laid with pipe. August 5, 1872, it was resolved to issue 
additional stock to the amount of five thousand dollars, or as much as was 
necessary to procure an abundant supply of water. Prior to the 12th a lot on the 
Kishacoquillas Creek, adjoining the first railroad bridge of the Sunbury and 
Lewistown Railroad, was bought for three hundred dollars from D. M. Kline. A 
building upon the lot was fitted for an engine-house. An engine was purchased 
and pipes laid to conduct water from the Kline lot to the terminus of the water-
pipes, at the end of Valley Street. The water is pumped from the Kishacoquillas 
Creek and. conducted in a six-inch pipe to a receiver on the Kline tract. In 
1880 a proposal was made to procure a supply of water from the Juniata River, as 
the water in the springs was decreasing and pumping from the Kishacoquillas on 
the increase. This plan has not yet been adopted and the supply of water is at 
present largely drawn from the Kishacoquillas.

The officers of the company are Colonel R. H. Lee, of Logan, president; William 
Russell, treasurer; and General T. F. McCoy, secretary.

The Lewistown Gas Company was incorporated April 6, 1855, with authority to sell 
twelve hundred shares of stock at twenty dollars per share. The company was 
organized by the election of E. L. Benedict president, and John W. Shaw 
secretary. Nine hundred and ninety shares of the stock were sold, realizing 
$19,800. A lot was purchased at the west end of Market Street and on the canal-
bank. A contract was made with Theodore D. Irish, of Carlisle, for the erection 
of gas-works and the laying of six-inch mains in Grand Street and four-inch 
mains in the other streets. The entire cost of the plant was $19,800. Mr. 
Benedict was succeeded as president by Andrew Reed, who still holds the 
position.

BANKING. - The Juniata Bank of Pennsylvania, located on the Main Street in 
Lewistown, was in operation in the year 1815. In that year William Armstrong was 
cashier, and he continued to hold that position until 1823, when William P. 
Maclay succeeded him. The bank continued doing business until 1833, when it 
failed. In January, 1841, David Condor was appointed Sequestrator of its 
affairs.

The Bank of Lewistown was chartered by act of Assembly April 14, 1835, with an 
authorized capital of two hundred thousand dollars. At a meeting of the 
stockholders Joseph Milliken was chosen president, and John Forster cashier. He 
soon after resigned to become cashier of the Exchange Bank of Pittsburgh. The 
teller, J. E. Whiteside, was elected cashier to fill the vacancy, and R. F. 
Ellis was made teller June 15, 1836. Mr. Whiteside died July 23d of the same 
year, and A. W. Burns was made cashier in October, 1836. On the 13th of 
December, Henry Stoner, James Parker and Henry Long, a committee from the 
stockholders, advertised for proposals to build a banking office. A contract was 
made and the present residence and banking office of William Russell was erected 
for that purpose. In that year R. F. Ellis was cashier. On the 8th of December 
in that year the bank suspended payment and was not again revived.

In August, 1849, the Bank of Lancaster established a branch bank in Lewistown, 
which was placed in charge of William Russell. The office of the Bank of 
Lewistown was secured and business opened. In November of that year, by 
authority of the State, Mr. Russell burned the remaining bills of the Bank of 
Lewistown. The Lancaster Bank failed about January, 1851, and Mr. Russell opened 
the banking business on his own account, and has continued in business from that 
time to the present.

The Mifflin County Bank was chartered on

MIFFLIN COUNTY.  505

the 26th day of March, 1860, with an authorized capital of one hundred thousand 
dollars. It was not, however, until the 17th of September, 1861, that the 
organization was effected. At a meeting of the stockholders held at that time, 
E. L. Benedict was chosen president, and on the 2d of October following, Robert 
H. Williams was elected cashier. The rooms now occupied by D. W. Woods, 
attorney, were fitted for a banking office and business was begun October 29th 
in the same year, and was transacted at that place until April 1, 1866, when the 
office was removed to the present location.

The bank was reorganized as the Mifflin County National Bank by authority of a 
charter granted September 22, 1865, which was renewed September 22, 1885. E. L. 
Benedict remained president until January 10, 1871, when Andrew Reed, who still 
holds the position, was elected. Robert H. Williams resigned the office of 
cashier September 20, 1864, and was succeeded, October 4th of the same year, by 
H. J. Walters, who served in that capacity until March 23, 1867, when David E. 
Robison, the present cashier, was elected.

A private bank was established in 1871 by E. L. Benedict, and kept by him until 
his death, in 1879, after which its business was suspended.

OLD-TIME TAVERNS AND MODERN HOTELS. - The first mention of a tavern at what is 
now Lewistown is given in an account of one McMurtre, who was traveling through 
this region on his way to what is now Huntingdon, in the year 1776. In writing 
of it in late years, be says: "I stopped at the solitary tavern of old Mr. 
Buchanan, where Lewistown now is, and at another cabin at Waynesburg." (The 
landlord was an Indian trader, and in 1755 had located a large tract of land at 
the mouth of the Kishacoquillas.) This tavern was also kept in 1788, and 
probably up to the time of the laying out of the town, as it was at the house of 
Arthur Buchanan the first court was held. A writer in the Columbia Magazine in 
the year 1788, in a description of the Juniata River, says: "After passing 
through the Long Narrows, that immediately upon the other side stands the town 
or settlement called Old Town, consisting of a tavern and a few scattered hovels 
and containing nothing worth notice." This was probably the tavern of James 
Alexander, who was licensed by the Mifflintown court in June, 1791. It was at 
his house a part of the voters met in September following, an account of which 
will be found in the history of the Bench and Bar of Mifflin County. At the 
September term of the same year Hannah Howe and Jeremiah Daily were also 
licensed to keep public-houses in Lewistown. In August, 1792, Michael Foncannon, 
William Powers and Benjamin Brearley were licensed; in August, 1793, Jeremiah 
Jacobs; and in April, 1795, Edward Williams. The name of James Alexander as a 
tavern-keeper soon disappears. It is probable that his tavern was at the corner 
of Main and Water Streets. On October 1, 1813, Elias W. Hale advertised the 
property for sale, and says of it: "It has been occupied for fifteen years and 
is now and ever has been the only Stage-House in town." The location was the 
natural place where Buchanan would open business when he came among the Indians, 
and where the business clustered for a long time. In 1823, and for some years 
after, it was kept by Benjamin Patton as "The Stage House." It was later kept by 
Christopher Mills, Jacob G. Lebo, S. W. Stewart, and last, from 1840 to 1844, by 
James Turner, who in that year built, with Alexander Wilson, the National Hotel. 
A room in Jeremiah Daly's house was used by the grand jury at different times. 
Michael Foncannon's tavern was on the present site of Pratt's grocery. It was 
kept by him for several years. About 1798 he exchanged property with David 
Jordan, who owned the Seven-Mile Tavern property, in the Long Narrows. He, 
however remained in the tavern in Lewistown until 1809, when he moved to the 
Long Narrows, and David Jordan became the landlord of the tavern in the town. 
Jordan was succeeded by Abraham Householder, Henry Spangler and Thomas Carr. The 
house has not been used as a tavern for many years. William Powers kept the 
tavern on the corner of the square, now occupied by the National Hotel. In 1806 
it was' kept by his widow, who later married Francis Ellis, after that event the 
landlord for many years. It had not been used as a tavern for several years 
prior to 1843,

506  JUNIATA AND SUSQUEHANNA VALLEYS IN PENNSYLVANIA.

in which year James Turner and Alexander Wilson purchased the property, erected 
a large part of the present hotel and opened it in 1845. It has been kept by 
James Turner many years and passed to Alexander Wilson, who rented it to Adam 
Hamaker, James S. Galbreath, John A. Ross and others. In 1867 the property was 
purchased by Adam Hamaker and is now owned by his heirs. It has since the 
purchase been kept by J. D. L. Bear, Mrs. J. D. L. Bear, C. D. Breneman, and at 
present William G. Thompson is proprietor.

The tavern kept by Edward Williams in 1795 was from 1809 to 1812 kept by his 
widow Mary.

In 1803 Peacock Major appears on the records as owning a house and lot on the 
corner of Third and Main Streets, which was the location where he kept tavern 
for nearly thirty years. It was famous for its long piazza, which was a favorite 
resort for the sporting men of the town. In 1833 it was assessed to his heirs, 
and was soon after abandoned as a tavern. The site is now occupied by the brick 
residence of Joseph Miller.

Francis Ellis in 1809 was landlord of a log tavern where Mrs. James Burns now 
resides, and later was proprietor of the tavern on the site of the National. On 
March 4, 1813, he advertised the brick house on corner of Main and Market 
streets, fronting the court-house, as for rent as a house of public 
entertainment, saying: "Its situation renders it among the best stands for 
either a store or tavern in the borough."

Andrew Keiser erected in 1810 a tavern on the corner of Market, and Brown 
Streets, which was known as "The Bear." He was the landlord until 1813, when he 
rented it to James Kinsloe, who kept it for several years.

The Valley House was kept about 1800 by Samuel Sloane, and for many years after 
by others, and finally abandoned. It was in later years reopened, and is now 
kept by Mrs. Breneman.

The Lewistown House, on the corner of Market and Main Streets, on the square, 
was built about 1820 by David Reynolds as a residence, but he opened it as a 
hotel and kept it for several years.  He sold the property to James Quinlan, of 
Philadelphia, who added the third story, and in July, 1845, it was kept by him 
as a tavern. In 1847 it was the property of William T. Moyer, and later passed 
to Adam Hamaker, who kept it as a hotel for several years and finally fitted it 
for a residence. The property is now owned by his son.

In August, 1834, Daniel Watson laid out the "Lafayette Gardens," and fitted up a 
house as a place of refreshment at the west end of the borough, on the place 
formerly owned by James Parker.  In 1833 the tavern-keepers of Lewistown were as 
follows: Jacob G. Lebo, Samuel W. Stuart, Daniel Eisenbise, Joshua Beale, Thomas 
Osborne, John L. Porter, Francis W. Kinsloe, Melker Stoffey, Joseph Lechmere, 
Thomas M. Elliot and James Sherrard. The house kept by Daniel Eisenbise was the 
"Red Lion," which stood on the site of the present Coleman House. Major 
Eisenbise continued as landlord of the "Red Lion" until his death. He was 
brigade inspector for many years, and in the performance of his duty mustered 
the Logan Guards into the State service in 1865.

A writer, in speaking of him, says, - 

"Who can fail to remember the day when we were mustered into the State service 
by our Uncle Dan in gorgeous array, immense chapeau, glittering epaulettes, 
nodding plumes, with first-class horse equipments? Who can forget him as he 
mounted his charger at the Red Lion Hotel, and in all the pomp and circumstance 
of war gave rein to his steed and bravely galloped out Market Street to the 
armory on Logan Street with his face beaming with smiles?"

The Red Lion Hotel was destroyed by fire some years ago.  

The Juniata House, located on the bank of the canal, was, about 1835, kept by 
John M. Wiley, and in 1845 by S. W. Stewart, and later by Major T. J. Hyneman.

The Union Hotel, now on Market Street, was opened in the year 1830. The hotel at 
the depot was completed in the fall of 1849, and opened in March, 1850, by James 
Allison, as proprietor. There were many other taverns kept in an early day not 
here mentioned, but which were of short-continuance.

BRIDGES. - The first bridge across the Kishacoquillas Creek at Lewistown, was 
built in

MIFFLIN COUNTY.  507

1794 by John Johnston, who contracted for its erection with the commissioners of 
the county. It is mentioned as being "opposite the public square." The bridge 
was paid for by the commissioners in 1795-96, in three orders, Nos. 4, 35, 48, 
which called for 106 pounds 13s. 4d. each. This bridge seems to have passed to 
the care of the borough, and in November, 1802, a petition was presented to the 
commissioners stating "that the bridge over the Kishacoquillas was out of repair 
and dangerous in passing," that an entirely new bridge was needed, and that a 
greater outlay was required than the borough authorities thought they could 
afford alone, and they therefore asked the county to assist in the erection of a 
new bridge. The commissioners examined the bridge, but it was not until 1805 a 
new one was built at the place.* Contract was then made with Isaiah Willis, who 
built the present stone bridge and warranted it for five years. There was a 
heavy flood in the creek in the year 1810, and the last year of his warrant. He 
was very much concerned for its safety, but it was not affected.

A town-meeting was held at Lewistown, December 7, 1836, to consider the idea of 
building a bridge over the Juniata River. The agitation caused by this meeting 
brought forth fruit in the presentation of a petition to the Legislature in the 
session of 1837-38, and on the 4th of April, 1838, the Lewistown and Tuscarora 
Bridge Company was incorporated. The commissioners appointed to receive 
subscriptions and superintend the erection were John Norris, James Milliken, 
David Cummings, James Parker, Finley Ellis, Abraham S. Wilson, James Dickson, 
Samuel Comfort, William Reed, William Mayes, Samuel Alexander and Henry Hall. 
The shares were limited to five hundred, at twenty dollars per share. 
Subscriptions were made, and on August 7, 1840, the commissioners of the county 
subscribed for one hundred shares of the stock. The bridge was not completed for 
several years, but was in process of erection by William Shimp in the year 1847. 
On Friday, the 8th, and Saturday, the 9th of October, in that year, the greatest 
flood since 1810 occurred in the Juniata and Kishacoquillas Creek, and the first 
span of the bridge was carried away. The stone bridge over the Kishacoquillas 
was entirely submerged and the buildings beyond it were filled to the second 
story. The water reached thirty-one feet above low-water mark. From this time 
the bridge was pushed to completion, and in 1849 was in use and opened as a toll 
bridge. It  was used exclusively as a road bridge until about 1865, when the 
Pennsylvania Railroad wished to form a connection with the Sunbury and Lewistown 
Railroad, and privilege was obtained to lay a track across the bridge and use it 
for the passage of trains. It was used as a railroad and toll bridge until July 
4, 1874, when a high wind blew it down. In the mean time the railroad company 
had purchased a controlling interest in the stock of the company. The bridge was 
immediately rebuilt and the toll feature was abandoned.

Before the destruction of the railroad and toll bridge there seemed to he a 
necessity for another bridge across the Juniata River, as accidents had occurred 
several times on the Water Street bridge. An appeal was made to the county for 
assistance, and on April 15, 1874, the commissioners made a contract with D. H. 
& C. C. Morrison to build an iron bridge across the Juniata at the foot of 
Market Street for twenty-two thousand dollars, and with William G. Stahl for the 
mason-work for nine thousand nine hundred and eighty-seven dollars. The bridge 
was built in that year and used a little over a year, when it fell, having an 
insecure foundation. The commissioners advertised for proposals to rebuild the 
bridge June 30, 1876, and let the contract to the King Bridge Company for 
fourteen thousand three hundred dollars, the bridge to be completed in November 
of that year. It was completed at the time specified, and has since done good 
service.

NEWSPAPERS. - The first newspaper established within the limits of the territory 
here treated was The Mifflin Gazette, published at Lewistown in 1796. In its 
columns were published the proposals for building the court-house on the 
Diamond, and on the 18th of May in
_____ 

*William P. Elliot says the bridge fell when a team of horses with a loaded 
wagon were passing over it.

508  JUNIATA AND SUSQUEHANNA VALLEYS IN PENNSYLVANIA.

                            W. P. ELLICOTT [portrait]

that year, 1796, the commissioners passed a bill in favor of Joseph Charles for 
advertising the proposals and for advertising unseated lands. William P. 
Elliott, the oldest printer in the United States and a native of Lewistown, has 
no recollection of hearing any mention even of this paper or its edition. But 
the fact stated above is in the minutes of the commissioners and was there 
found.

The Western Star, a four-column paper, was established on the 26th of November, 
1800, by Edward Cole and John Doyle; the latter retired January 22, 1801, and 
Cole continued the paper until about 1805, when, for some offense, his office 
was destroyed.

The Juniata Gazette (now The Lewistown Gazette) was established in the spring of 
1811 by James Dickson and William P. Elliott; the latter retired in 1814. Mr. 
Dickson continued a few years and sold the paper to T. W. Mitchell, who owned it 
in 1819. It passed later to George W. Patton, and in April, 1833, was owned by 
William Ross, of Thompsontown, who changed the name to Mifflin Gazette. Later in 
the same year it was purchased by William P. Elliott, one of its founders, who 
retained it until about 1839. The name was again changed, and it was called the 
Lewistown Gazette and Mifflin and Juniata Advertiser. Richard S. Elliott, a lad 
of eighteen years and son of the proprietor, assumed the editorial charge in the 
year 1835, but soon after went West, and Mr. Elliott again assumed charge, June 
10, 1836, and continued a short time. On January 5, 1837, the name of G. P. 
Edmiston appeared as printer and publisher. At this time William P. Elliott 
retired finally from editorial charge. He is still living at Lewistown, and is 
now in his ninety-third year. He was born in Lewistown January 12, 1793. His 
father was John Elliott, who kept tavern in a log house that stood on the site 
of 

MIFFLIN COUNTY.  509

the banking office of William Russell. His mother was Jane Power, a sister of 
Colonel William Power, of what is now Perry County. William P. Elliott attended 
school, in 1805, in the old stone school-house, which is yet standing in the 
rear of the old brick house on Third Street. He learned the printer's trade in 
Carlisle, and established the Gazette in 1811 with James Dickson. He was in the 
War of 1812 and served seven months. He was afterwards commissioned major by 
Governor Snyder. His presence at the unveiling of the monument to Governor 
Snyder at Selinsgrove, in the summer of 1885, was a marked feature of the 
occasion. In 1815 he became interested in the manufacture of iron at Mt. Vernon 
Forge, below Millerstown, where he continued about two years. Returning to 
Lewistown, he served several years as deputy sheriff, and held other local 
offices. He retired to a farm in what is now Granville township and resided 
there eighteen years, part of the time conducting the Gazette, of which he again 
became the proprietor. In 1841 he removed to Lewistown; was appointed postmaster 
and served during the terms of Presidents Harrison and Tyler. He married Miss 
Emily Smith, of Huntingdon County, March 17, 1814. Their children were fourteen 
in number, of whom four are living, - Richard S., John, Mrs. Anna King, of 
Pittsburgh, and Miss Jane Elliott, who resides with her father.

Richard Smith Elliott now resides near St. Louis. He became interested with 
Captain J. B. Eads in the construction of dikes or jetties at the mouth of the 
Mississippi River, and has been connected with the enterprise from its inception 
to its completion. John resides in Idaho. D. Stewart Elliott was a soldier in 
the Mexican War and in the late war. He was killed at Baxter Springs. James, the 
youngest son, was also in the late civil war. He entered the service May 5, 
1862, as sergeant of Company H, Eighteenth United States Infantry. He was in the 
battles of Murfreesborough, Chickamauga, South Mountain and Mission Ridge. For 
distinguished service in the last he received honorable mention in the official 
report of the commanding officer of the First Battalion. From disease contracted 
in the service he died in Henry Clay Hospital, May 1, 1864.

Reverting to the history of the Gazette, we find that about 1839 it came into 
possession of Henry Liebert, who changed the name to the Mifflin County Gazette 
and Farmers' and Mechanics' Journal. In 1841 F. C. Merklein became associated 
with Liebert and later was sole editor. In 1842 it was purchased by Adam Grier, 
who published it one year and sold it to William Ross, who, on November 18, 
1843, changed the name to The Lewistown Gazette, which it still retains. On the 
24th of October, 1846, George Frysinger became editor and proprietor, and 
continued its publication until March, 1865, when he sold it to Daniel Over, who 
kept it ten months and it was again taken by Mr. Frysinger, who became the 
editor and G. R. Frysinger publisher. In March, 1875, G. R. & W. M. Frysinger 
became publishers. The latter retiring in 1876, G. R. Frysinger became local 
editor and publisher and George Frysinger editor and proprietor. In January, 
1883, the paper was leased to George F. & J. S. Stackpole, who became the 
purchasers January 1, 1884, and are now editors and proprietors.

The Mifflin Eagle, a paper established in Mifflintown was moved to Lewistown in 
1826 and published by D. W. Hulings and Levi Reynolds from May in that year to 
1832, when it was suspended. It was succeeded by the Lewistown Republican and 
Workingmen's Advocate, which was established by John W. Shugert and Stephen 
Cummings as a five-column paper. The first number was issued August 11, 1832. 
The name of C. C. Hemphill appears as editor and publisher November 15, 1836, 
succeeding John W. Shugert. Mr. Hemphill was followed, in about one year, by 
James A. Cunningham, who conducted the paper until December 7, 1842, when it 
passed to Henry Eisenbise. Henry J. Walters became associated in partnership 
January 1, 1844. Under this management it continued until January 1, 1845, when 
James A. Cunningham became the owner and Henry J. Walters editor. The name was 
changed to The True Democrat. In 1849 it passed to Henry J. Walters and William 
R. McCay, by whom it was managed until

510  JUNIATA AND SUSQUEHANNA VALLEYS IN PENNSYLVANIA.

the death of Mr. McCay, in 1853. In 1854 it was purchased by Henry Frysinger, 
who conducted it until August, 1879, when it passed to D. L. Sollenberger, who 
published it but a few weeks, when it was merged with the Democratic Sentinel, 
and, with change of name, is The Democrat and Sentinel as now published.

The Democratic Sentinel was established September 1, 1871, by the Democratic 
County Committee of Mifflin County, with H. J. Walters as editor. It was 
conducted under his management until October 1, 1879, when it was consolidated 
with the True Democrat, and the name changed to the Democrat and Sentinel, under 
the management of H. J. Fosnot, who is editor and proprietor.

The Free Press, an independent paper, was established February 13, 1880, as an 
eight-page quarto, by W. W. Trout, who is editor and publisher.

The Aurora, established in 1852 by W. F. Shaw, was the organ of the American 
party for some years. It expired, the press and material being purchased for use 
in the West.

SCHOOLS. - By the plan of the town, laid out in 1790, lot No. 120 was designated 
for a school-house lot, and in 1804 it was deeded to the county for that 
purpose. Upon this lot a log school house was erected. It was made of round 
logs, without regularly-formed windows, but lighted by panes of glass fitted in
between the logs. A "nine-plate stove" was in the centre of the room, the pipe 
from which extended through the ceiling into the loft, from whence the smoke 
escaped between the logs and the roof. Boys were often put in the loft as 
punishment, and it was not uncommon for the occupants below to be smoked out 
through the mischievous covering of the pipe by the little urchin above. The lot 
is on Third Street, and is now occupied by the old stone and brick school-
houses.

William P. Elliott attended school in the old log house in 1806. An Englishman 
by the name of Robert Cooper was the teacher. He afterwards taught at Strode's 
Mills, died there and was buried in the old grave-yard at Lewistown. His widow, 
well-known by the older citizens as "Aunty Cooper," was also a teacher, and 
taught school from about 1810 to 1820 in a little log school-house on Third 
Street, above Brown. Mrs. Cooper and her niece, Betsey Smiley (afterwards the 
wife of Rev. Mr. Van Horne, who was also a teacher) lived in the back part of 
the house. Mrs. A. B. Long was a pupil who went to school in this house in 1815.

In the year 1809 what is now known as the old stone school-house was built on 
the site of the log house. James Kinsloe was the first teacher in the stone 
house, and taught in 1809-10. Samuel Crawford was teacher in 1811; Alexander 
Coulter, 1814; Captain Theodore Franks about the same time. Schools were kept by 
subscriptions until the public-school system was adopted. Immediately preceding 
the adoption Jabez Spencer and John H. Hickox were teachers.

The free-school law was passed April 1, 1834. A public meeting of the citizens 
of Lewistown and Derry township was held to consider this law September 6, 1834, 
and the court, at the November sessions in the same year, appointed Ephraim 
Banks and James Dickson as school directors. The directors, on the 10th of 
March, 1835, published that they would open three schools on the 16th inst., 
free to all children within the limits of the borough. At this time an election 
had been held, and the directors serving were Alfred Keiser, George W. Patton, 
Joseph M. Cogley, Charles Ritz, William Culbertson and A. Blymyer. The school 
directors' report for the year 1835 says, - 

"The Directors have labored under many disadvantages, owing to the difficulties 
in procuring competent teachers and school-rooms. The additional expenses for 
the 1st six months will be no more than the sum required for the same length of 
time hereafter. The number of scholars in the schools is 225; their tuition in 6 
months is $813.18, which would cost in other schools by subscription, for the 
same number of months, at an average of $2.50 per quarter, $1125, or $311.82 
more than the cost in the free schools, making a saving in the year of $623.64."

The statistics of the report are as follows:

"Year ending November 1, 1835.

"Number of Scholars: Male, 114; Female, 111  - total, 225. Number of Teachers: 
Male, 3; Female, 3. Teachers' salaries, with assistants', $565.58. Number of 
months taught, 6. Branches taught, Reading, Writing, Arithmetic, Geography and 
Grammar. Rents of

MIFFLIN COUNTY.  511

School-Houses, $59.00; Repairs and other expenses, $197.60; Money received for 
Schools, $822.18. From the State, $86.59; From the County, $100.00; From the 
Borough, $489.05, - total, $675.64."

The three schools that were begun in 1835 were increased from time to time, and 
in 1850 there were thirteen. On the 18th of August, 1849, the School Board 
advertised for one first-class and two second-class male and six female teachers 
to take charge of the several public schools to be opened September 17th. One of 
the females was to teach a primary school to be established in the north part of 
the borough. The teachers who were engaged for this term were: Male Department, 
Rev. J. W. Elliot, William Lytle, William Kinsloe, Miss Jane E. Sherrard; Female 
Department, Miss Buck, Eliza McFarlane, Mrs. Elizabeth McDonald, Miss Margaret 
Shaw, and Mrs. Caruthers.

In September, 1850, the directors advertised that thirteen schools would be 
opened on Monday (16th) and more thereafter. The teachers in that year were 
Lytle, McCord, Barr, Esquire Kulp and seven female teachers.

The old brick school-house, on Third Street, was built under the public-school 
system and was the leading school in the town. It was used until the completion 
of the present large and commodious house in 1872. It is the intention to refit 
the old brick house and use it as a school-house again to meet the demand for 
more room.

The new school-house was built of brick, seventy-five by ninety-one feet, in 
1872, on the corner of Third and Wayne Streets. It is three stories in height, 
with basement, and the entire cost, including the lot, was thirty-four thousand 
dollars. The building is heated by a furnace, and is under charge of a janitor, 
who, with his family, resides in the building. Miss Mary McCord was principal of 
the schools for several years before the erection of the present house and 
continued in charge at the new building until the fall of 1880, when she was 
succeeded by John G. Cope, of Chester County, who was the principal until the 
fall of 1885. George M. Wilner is now the principal. The building contains 
thirteen separate schools, under the charge of thirteen teachers. Six hundred 
and fifty pupils are in attendance.

LEWISTOWN ACADEMY. - An act was approved incorporating the academy March 11, 
1815, with supplements passed April 10, 1826, April 3, 1852, and April 2, 1853. 
The title of the act was "An Act for the establishment of an academy for the 
education of youth in the useful arts, sciences and literature, by the name and 
style of the Lewistown Academy." The trustees appointed in the act were the Rev. 
James Johnston, Rev. William Kennedy, Rev. John Hutchinson, Rev. Thomas Smith, 
Rev. John Coulter, David Reynolds, James Knox, Mathias Taylor, William Lyon, 
Richard Hope, James Sherrard, Robert McClelland, William P. Maclay, John Oliver 
and Andrew Banks. The first election of trustees was to be held on the first 
Monday of April, 1816. By the act five poor children were to be admitted to the 
school free for a term not to exceed two years. William Maclay, as secretary of 
the board of trustees, advertised for a teacher February 1, 1816. The academy 
building was not erected until 1828. An act of Assembly passed April 10, 1826, 
authorized the trustees to build an academy building "in or near Lewistown." The 
building was completed in 1828, as mention is made of it in the Gazette, "with 
its bright tin roof and belfry." Prof. John H. Hickox and his wife were the only 
teachers, and continued until after 1833. Since that time the principals were as 
follows: ----- Leavy, S. Carpenter, Rev. D. L. Hughes, Prof. Alfred S. Williams, 
W. H. Woods, Washington McCartney, A. J. Warner, Azariah Smith, John Laird, Rev. 
J. B. Strain,  Snyder, N. Foster Brown, W. F. Schuyler, Myers. The building was 
thoroughly repaired in 1872 and enlarged by the erection of a boarding-hall. In 
October, 1883, the property was sold by the trustees to George Miller, J. A. 
Miller and J. B. Selheimer, who, on the 18th of June, 1884, conveyed the 
property to Mrs. Elizabeth J. Knotwell, who at once opened it as an academy. The 
present faculty and board of trustees are here given, - 

Board of Trustees: H. R. Knotwell, President; T. M. Uttley, Esq., secretary; Wm. 
Russell, treasurer; G. W. Elder, Esq., D. W. Woods, Esq., D. E.

512  JUNIATA AND SUSQUEHANNA VALLEYS IN PENNSYLVANIA.

Robeson, Hon. Andrew Reed, F. G. Franciscus, H. J. Culbertson, Esq., N. J. 
Rudisill, John A. McKee, Esq., James H. Mann, William H. Felix, John W. Shaw, 
Esq.

Faculty: Hetty T. Knotwell, English branches; James W. Cain, A. B., mathematics 
and languages; Euphemia C. Knotwell, primary department; J. Emma Knotwell, 
French and music.

From about 1825 private schools were taught in different buildings in the town. 
The Rev. J. W. Woods taught a school in a building adjoining the old 
Presbyterian Church. He was afterwards a teacher in the academy. Mr. Leavy 
taught a school prior to his taking charge of the academy. Prof. Adams taught a 
school in the court-house in 1835. Rev. James Van Horne was teacher of a private 
school and later a tutor in the academy. A Mr. Anderson and a Mr. Walters were 
also teachers.

LIBRARIES. - An effort was made in 1801 to establish a Library Company in 
Lewistown. A subscription was opened, and on the 22d of January of that year 
Thomas Memminger advertised in the Western Star that "a number of shares have 
been subscribed for the establishment of the Lewistown Library Company, and the 
subscribers are requested to meet at the house of Edward Williams, tavern-
keeper, on Saturday, the 7th of February next, at three o'clock in the 
afternoon, to proceed to the organization of the company." Nothing further is 
definitely known.

The Lewistown Library Association, now in operation, was formed under a charter 
granted January 7, 1870. An organization was at once effected, one thousand 
dollars was subscribed, and the money was invested in the purchase of books, 
amounting to over a thousand volumes. Thus was formed the nucleus for the 
present library, which, by purchases and contributions, now numbers two thousand 
and fifty volumes. The library-rooms were for the first three years in the 
Bachman building, since which time the present rooms in the Lewistown House, on 
Main Street, have been occupied.

George W. Elder was the first and only president, David Robison the first and 
only treasurer; William R. McKee was the first librarian, and was succeeded in 
1875 by Miss Annie J. Clarke, the present librarian.

The Apprentices' Literary Society was organized on the 4th of July, 1842, in the 
old court-house, with twelve members. Henry J. Walters was chosen president, and 
Isaac W. Wiley (late bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church) secretary. The 
object of the society was the improvement of the young men of the town. Meetings 
were held for several years in the academy and elsewhere. A lot was purchased on 
Third Street, and the present brick Apprentices' Hall was erected, and meetings 
have since been held there. The society is still active, and has a membership of 
about forty. John A. McKee is president. The society is represented by its 
members in all ranks of life, and in its early days was a potent factor for 
good.

THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.* - The first resident minister having charge of a 
congregation in this part of the county was the Rev. Mathew Stephens, who, in 
1785, settled in what is now Bratton township, and preached along the river at 
Waynesburg, Lewistown and in Granville township until 1796. The next minister of 
whom any information is obtained was the Rev. James Simpson, an ordained 
minister from "the kingdom of Ireland." He was received January 7, 1800, under 
probation by the Huntingdon Presbytery, in accordance with the standi