Sullivan County PA Archives History - Books .....History: Part I - Thomas J. Ingham's "History of Sullivan County Pennsylvania" 1899
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                History of Sullivan County Pennsylvania
                          by Thomas J. Ingham
  
                        Compendium of Biography
  
                      The Lewis Publishing Company
                              Chicago: 1899
  
  ===============================================================================
  
  INTRODUCTION.
  
         This is a history of about two-thirds of the first century of the
  settlements and improvements in what is now Sullivan county. I have not
  attempted a narrative of events within the memory of the present generation, but
  some recent events have been naturally drawn into the narrative.
  
          Those who read this history will feel that the conclusion has not been
  rounded up, but left with jagged ends. This seems unavoidable, for events which
  make history are constantly transpiring, and the historian can only stop at the
  most convenient point.
  
         When I first passed through Sullivan county, in 1850, the most of it was
  a primeval forest; but old settlements, like islands in a sea of woods, were
  scattered through it. Around the Forks, and in Elkland, Fox and Hillsgrove were
  old farms, free from stumps, with stone fences and old buildings. In Shrewsbury,
  separated by miles of dense woods from the Forks, was a settlement which seemed
  to have been finished forty years before. A thread of small farms along Muncy
  creek and some old farms along North Mountain and at Elk Lick constituted
  Davidson; while far away from these settlements, and separated from them by
  lonely wildernesses, was the township of Cherry. The new county seat, Laporte,
  was a mere stumpy clearing, with a few small buildings, surrounded by miles of
  dark woods.
  
         The peculiarities of these old settlements excited my curiosity and led
  me to inquire from the older settlers what brought them into such a wilderness
  at such an early day. I made memorandums of information thus received. After I
  had accumulated considerable information of this kind, I published in the Press
  and Standard a series of articles relating to each township, which attracted
  some attention and brought criticisms, corrections and new facts.
  
         In 1876 I condensed the most striking facts in relation to the history of
  the county into an address which I delivered at Laporte on the Fourth of July. I
  did not publish this, because I felt that it was incomplete and I desired to add
  more to it. In 1894 I delivered a historical address at the Forksville fair, in
  which I used the material of my former address with additions and corrections.
  This I declined to have published for reasons already expressed. An address on
  the Molyneux, Bird and Warren families, which had been prepared with great
  research by George M. Pardoe, Esq., was read at the same fair and published in
  newspaper and pamphlet form. About this time Mr. William Meylert was employed by
  the state librarian to write a series of articles on the history of Sullivan
  county, and I placed my two addresses and all of my manuscripts at his disposal.
  He made such use of them as he desired, and made extensive researches of his
  own, which he combined in a number of articles published in a Harrisburg
  newspaper, and which I believe are preserved in the state library in scrap-book
  form. Mr. Meylert has preserved them in the same form, and has given me free use
  of his scrap-book, for which I here tender him my thanks. I also tender thanks
  to Mr. Pardoe for the copy of his address which he furnished to me and which I
  have used freely. I am indebted to Ulysses Bird, Esq., for facts collected by
  him and published in a newspaper several years ago, and also for his kindness in
  loaning me the docket of Edward A. Eldred, Esq., and other old and valuable
  manuscripts.
  
         I cannot begin to name all of the persons who from time to time have
  given me information in personal interviews and by letters; and to name a part
  would seem invidious. Many of them are deceased; to those living I tender my
  thanks. I have not made use of nearly all of the information collected, because
  the publishers did not desire a lengthy history, but I have used that which
  seems most interesting. I am indebted to my brother, J. W. Ingham, of Sugar Run,
  for his assistance in collating the material and in writing the history. Without
  his efficient aid I could not have completed the work at the present time.
  Having given just credit to so many others about the only credit I can claim for
  myself is perseverance in collecting and preserving facts. This I may call a
  labor of love, for it has been done without any compensation. When I came into
  this county, nearly fifty years ago, I was treated with the greatest of kindness
  by the people then living, and from time to time as occasion has offered, I have
  experienced many favors from the rapidly increasing population, which I fully
  appreciate. My heartiest wish now is that the people who continue to inhabit
  these picturesque uplands and delightful valleys may be prosperous and happy.
  
                                          THOS. J. INGHAM.
  
  
  
       HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY.
  
          Sullivan County is in that part of Pennsylvania purchased from the
  Indians in 1768, and also in the territory claimed by Connecticut. It was formed
  from Lycoming county by act of March 15, 1847; and Lycoming county was formed
  from Northumberland county by act of April 13, 1796. Many of the original
  surveys of lands now in Sullivan county were returned to the land office as in
  the county of Northumberland.
  
     SITUATION.
  
         The county of Sullivan is situated midway between the north and west
  branches of the Susquehanna river. Its waters empty into these branches at
  widely divergent points. The Mehoopany creek and a branch of the Towanda creek
  take their rise near together and empty into the North Branch about forty miles
  apart. One branch of the Loyalsock rises very near the head-waters of the
  Mehoopany and Towanda creeks and running in an opposite direction empties into
  the West Branch near Williamsport. The head-waters of Muncy creek and of Fishing
  creek are but a few miles apart, yet one empties into the West Branch at Muncy,
  the other into the North Branch near Bloomsburg. Pleasant stream, which rises in
  Fox township, takes its way into Lycoming creek, which empties above
  Williamsport. The streams which rise on the northern line of our county go north
  into the Towanda creek. Sullivan county may therefore be called the "Highlands"
  of northern Pennsylvania; and yet with high mountain ridges running through it,
  nature has left valleys for railroads, some of which have been constructed and
  others in contemplation.
  
     EARLY SETTLEMENTS.
  
         One of the earliest settlements of the West Branch above Northumberland
  was made at the mouth of Muncy creek in 1768, by Connecticut settlers from
  Wyoming Valley, but their settlement was entirely broken up by Colonel Plunkett,
  under orders of John Penn, governor of Pennsylvania, and the settlers
  imprisoned, or driven off. Their improvements were immediately occupied by
  Pennsylvania claimants, who lived there until 1778, when they were attacked by a
  band of Indians, and, being panic-stricken, fled, leaving the Indians in
  possession of the whole valley. The war with the Indians lasted about six years,
  the settlers in the valley suffering all the hardships and cruelties of an
  Indian warfare. We can easily imagine that no hardy, adventurous settlers
  undertook to begin settlements within the present boundaries of Sullivan county
  while this Indian war was going on. The Indian war paths from the North Branch
  of the Susquehanna led through this county, and in the fastnesses of this region
  the savages retired after committing their depredations on the West Branch, and
  no doubt caught big trout from the waters of the Loyalsock, and killed game on
  the banks of that beautiful stream. When the first settlers came they found an
  Indian meadow on the flats above the forks of the Loyalsock.

     FIRST RESIDENTS.
  
         So far as is now known, the first white resident within the boundaries of
  what now constitutes Sullivan county, was Daniel Ogden, who settled at Hill's
  Grove considerably more than one hundred years ago, -probably in 1786, - on land
  at present owned by Richard Biddle. He made a clearing, built a house and a
  small gristmill on the waters of Mill creek. He sold his property to John Hill
  (for whom the township was named) and moved away about the year 1794. It is said
  that Ogden, like many other American pioneers in the wilderness, did not care
  for society, disliked near neighbors, and when the Englishmen began to move in
  around him, determined to leave the place. It is also said that, having had a
  son killed in the Revolutionary war with Great Britain, he had acquired an
  unreasonable hatred against all Englishmen. There was a rumor that he was a
  Tory, but the evidence is against it, and the rumor was, no doubt, started by a
  personal enemy.
  
         James Ecroid went to Hillsgrove before Ogden left the place, and improved
  the land which was afterward owned and occupied by Jonathan Lewis. He afterward
  went to Elkland and built a mill on Mill creed, afterward called King's creek.
  The following incident is related in a publication of Mr. Gernerd, of Muncy: "On
  Saturday, the 30th of January, 1796, James Ecroyd set out to hunt, and lost
  himself in the woods. The whole neighborhood drove the woods every day, yet he
  was not found until the following Friday. He had wandered eight miles from the
  nearest house, although he had been twice within a quarter of a mile of
  Hillsgrove. In crossing a run by means of a pine log he had slipped in the water
  and wet his lower extremities, and subsequent exposure to the frost, on one of
  the sharpest nights in winter, resulted in the loss of most of his toes. The
  dog-bark disclosed his whereabouts, and he was found by an expiring fire in a
  very exhausted condition."
  
         About 1787 a man named Griffith Griffey settled on land since well known
  as the farm of Judge Speaker. He built a log hut back near the mountain side, on
  a rise of ground about thirty feet high, as he said, to be out of the way of
  high water. He planted a small orchard, and lived there about ten years. He was
  a "squatter," as no survey of the lands thereabouts had yet been made. He was
  living there one or two years before John Hill settled at Hillsgrove. After
  Griffey left the place, Charles Edwards lived there two years and made a little
  clearing. Thomas Wallis lived there a short time. Richard White made the
  greatest improvement in the way of clearing, and built a small frame house and
  log barn. His only title was a clearing lease for a term of years. He died about
  1833, but his widow remained on the place until about 1841, when John A. Speaker
  moved there. His farm was called "Sidney," because the James Campbell tract was
  patented in the name of Sidney, in 1797.
  
         John Hill settled on what is now Hillsgrove about 1789, and took up all
  the flat land along the north side of the Loyalsock creek for two miles up and
  down it, and half a mile back from the creek on the mountains. This land was
  surveyed and patented about 1794. Hill died in 1839 and was buried in the
  cemetery near by, where several strangers had already been buried before any of
  the original settlers had died, the first one having been M. Charles Bui
  Boulogne, a Frenchman, agent of the French colony at Asylum, who was drowned in
  attempting to ford the Loyalsock at Hillsgrove, July 20, 1796.
  
         After John Hill's death, his son, John C. Hill, the uncle of John Sadler,
  had charge of the farm until his death, when John J. Sadler and W. J. Eldred
  were appointed administrators. Mrs. David Rogers, a daughter of John Hill, Sr.,
  became the owner of the farm where John H. Rogers now resides, extending almost
  up to the mouth of Elk creek. Mrs. Joseph Sadler, mother of John J. Sadler,
  became the owner of the second farm above Hillsgrove. Mrs. Martha Craven, by
  will, became owner of property where the Tannery Company now own and have their
  buildings. John C. Hill acquired the property now owned by Richard Biddle.
  
         After John Hill's death, his son, John C. Hill, the uncle of John Sadler,
  had charge of the farm until his death, when John J. Sadler and W. J. Eldred
  were appointed administrators. Mrs. David Rogers, a daughter of John Hill, Sr.,
  became the owner of the farm where John H. Rogers now resides, extending almost
  up to the mouth of Elk creek. Mrs. Joseph Sadler, mother of John J. Sadler,
  became the owner of the second farm above Hillsgrove. Mrs. Martha Craven, by
  will, became owner of property where the Tannery Company now own and have their
  buildings. John C. Hill acquired the property now owned by Richard Biddle.
  
         Nearly ten miles farther up the Loyalsock a man known as Captain Brown
  built a cabin on land now occupied by Isaac Rogers, below the Forks. He was an
  Indian fighter in the wars on the west branch, and did not like clearing land.
  He lived by hunting and fishing, always standing ready to furnish venison or
  bear's meat on a half day's notice. He was probably the first dealer in fresh
  meat in this county. A man named Miller lived on the opposite side of the creek
  from Captain Brown's cabin. A man named Strong came from Cherry Valley, in "York
  State," and built a cabin on the bench of land where Millview now stands, close
  by the mountain brook which starts from a spring on George C. Bird's land, and
  is still known as "Strong's Run." He had been led to believe that it was only
  twelve miles down the Loyalsock to its junction with the west branch of the
  Susquehanna, but when he had made the trip to the river and ascertained that
  instead of twelve miles, the distance was at least forty, he returned to Cherry
  Valley. Strong and Ogden were old acquaintances, but there were no roads from
  Ogden's to Strong's and when Mrs. Ogden visited Mrs. Strong she was taken up the
  creek in a canoe. The settlers named above came without concert with each other,
  or backing, and were in the county previous to 1794.

     OLD COUNTY LINES.
  
         Before the year 1796 the territory now comprised in Sullivan was all in
  Northumberland county. By an act of the legislature, passed September 25, 1786,
  Luzerne county was organized. The west line of Luzerne ran from the head of
  Towanda creek along the ridge which divides the waters of the north branch of
  the Susquehanna from those of the west branch, to a point due west from the
  mouth of Nescopeck creek. This new county of Luzerne took in some of the eastern
  portion of the territory which is now in Sullivan, but left the larger part in
  Northumberland. By an act of the legislature, passed April 13, 1796, the county
  of Lycoming was formed, which took all the settlements in this county then
  commenced.
  
     PRIMEVAL FOREST.
  
         The country at this time, between the north and west branch of the
  Susquehanna river, was an almost unbroken wilderness, consisting of dense
  forests of heavy timber-trees, thick tangled growths of laurel bushes, windfalls
  full of tall blackberry briers, and dark, dreary swamps containing alders,
  tamarack bushes, and coarse grass. This wilderness of woods, rocks, hills,
  mountains and streams was well peopled with wild animals, such as deer, elk,
  bears, wolves, panthers, catamounts, wild-cats, - to say nothing of the smaller
  inhabitants, such as minks, beavers and foxes. There were also serpents, such as
  rattlesnakes, copperheads and blacksnakes.
  
     THE LAND LAWS.
  
         From April 3, 1792, to March 28, 1814, these lands could be purchased
  from the State for six and two-thirds cents per acre, to which the cost of the
  warrant and survey had to be added. It is not wonderful that enterprising men
  with capital made haste to acquire large bodies of land. It was not the
  intention of the law-makers to assist "land-grabbing," as it is called, by
  fixing so low a price per acre for the State lands, but it was intended to be
  for the interest of the poor who desired to own land; and to encourage a rapid
  settlement of the public domain. The result proved to be exactly the opposite to
  the intent of the legislature.
  
         Although the law allowed the sale of only a four-hundred-acre tract to a
  single individual, the law was evaded generally by men of large means who bought
  as many four-hundred-acre tracts as they wanted, under different warrantee
  names. Having obtained their titles, they raised the price of unimproved lands
  so high that it placed them beyond the means of the poor, and the settlement of
  this county, as well as adjoining counties, was impeded. The State did not first
  survey the land and then sell it, as was the practice of the United States
  government, but sold the land, and then issued warrants to survey it.
  
  
     THE WALLIS LANDS.
  
         Samuel Wallis, of Muncy, took a large number of warrants to locate on the
  Loyalsock. To get supplies to his surveying parties he had a road cut from Muncy
  to the summit of the Allegheny, thence down the steep mountain side to
  Hillsgrove on the Loyalsock. This was known as Wallis road, but was merely a
  foot-path, or pack-horse road cut through the woods to convey supplies to his
  surveying parties engaged in this county. As early as 1793 another pack-horse
  road was cut, leaving the Wallis road at the foot of the Allegheny, thence
  northward to the left of Hunter's Run, on through to the forks of the Loyalsock,
  where Forksville is now situated. This was called the "Courson Road," and was
  first used by surveyors, in bringing in provisions and traveling to and from
  their work.
  
         A great deal of surveying was done by Wallis in 1793, and it is said that
  William Molyneux was with one of his surveying parties at the Forks in that
  year. As soon as Wallis had completed and returned his surveys, he sold a large
  body of land on the waters of the Loyalsock to Joseph Priestley, Jr., and John
  Vaughan.
  
     PRIESTLEY LANDS.
  
         Joseph Priestley, Jr., and some other English gentlemen had projected a
  settlement for English emigrants on the waters of the Loyalsock, and
  contemplated the purchase of three hundred thousand acres of land. It was to be
  a rallying point for the English, who were at that time coming to America in
  great numbers. It was thought by them that by the union of industry and capital
  the wilderness would soon be cleared, and made equal to any other part of the
  country in everything necessary to the enjoyment of life. The project was
  finally abandoned, as it was found that the generality of Englishmen who came to
  this country were not adapted to the kind of labor required and the hardships to
  be endured by the first settlers in a wilderness. Joseph Priestly, Jr., however,
  did what he could to establish a prosperous colony.
  
         In 1794 he sent William Molyneux, Powell Bird and John Warren to make a
  clearing near the forks of the Loyalsock. They cleared about two acres and built
  a small house for Priestly, near where the Methodist church now stands. These
  men afterward brought their families, and the manner of their coming is best
  described by Josiah Warren (a son of John and Mary Warren), as related by George
  M. Pardoe and found in his Genealogy of William Molyneux and his Descendants.
  
         Mr. Pardoe says: "Josiah Warren, of Canton, a son of John and Mary
  Warren, and who was born on the old Warren homestead, near Millview, May 10,
  1808, and who knew all of those old pioneers well, told the writer in 1890 that
  William Molyneux came up first with a surveying party for Joseph Priestly, Jr.,
  of Northumberland; that soon after he came back and brought Powell Bird with
  him, and that Molyneux, at least, built his house at that time. That they then
  went back to Northumberland, and Molyneux went to England to get his family.
  That the next spring his parents, John and Mary Warren, came up with their
  family and lived in the Molyneux house until they had built a house for
  themselves, on their land above and adjoining the Molyneux land. That his
  sister, Jane, was born on the way up, at Abram Webster's, on the old Genesee
  road between Muncy and Hillsgrove. That the father and oldest child, Sarah, came
  on and left the mother and babe at Webster's, who, a few weeks after, completed
  the journey on horseback. That his sister, Jane, was born May 24, 1795. That
  Molyneux and Bird came afterward with their families, he thought in the fall of
  the same year. He also stated that his mother, Mary Warren, was the first woman
  who baked bread in Sullivan county. That Rebecca Bird Molyneux was the first
  white person born there. That he, Josiah Warren, was at that time (1890) the
  only living member of either of the three first families, and also the oldest
  person then living who was born in the settlement. This statement as to the date
  of his sister Jane's birth I find verified in the old family bible of the
  Warrens, now in the possession of William Warren, of Elkland."
  
         Mr. Pardoe further states: "I think it reasonably certain that of the
  permanent settlers William Molyneux was the first to come and spy out the land,
  and the first to make improvements, which was in 1794. That in all probability
  Powell Bird was the second to come and view the land, which was also in 1794,
  and that John Warren, who came with his family in 1795, was the third to come,
  and the first to bring his family, and that William Molyneux and Powell Bird
  brought their families in the fall of the same year."
  
         It will be noticed that this differs somewhat from our statement, that in
  1794 Mr. Priestley sent Molyneux, Bird and Warren to make a clearing at the
  Forks. It is proper, therefore, to give our authority, who was Moses Rogers
  (father of Judge Rogers), and whose statement was made to the writer many years
  ago, and taken down by him at the time in writing, which memorandum is still
  preserved. Those who knew Moses Rogers will attach great weight to his
  statement, for he was a clear-headed, truthful man, and had an excellent memory.
  We will quote still farther from Mr. Pardoe's interesting history: "I understand
  that in coming here these settlers came over the mountain from Muncy, past Abram
  Webster's and struck the Loyalsock at or below Hillsgrove. It is told that they
  forded the Loyalsock thirteen times from Hillsgrove up. That everything had to
  be packed on horseback or on their own backs, and as horses were scarce they
  frequently had to go on foot to Muncy, their nearest trading place (only thirty
  miles), and bring back what few store goods they were compelled to use. The
  mortar and pestle was the only mill they had for years."
  
         These pioneers selected lands on the Little Loyalsock adjoining each
  other. Although William Molyneux apparently purchased his land in 1794, the land
  was not conveyed to him until January 18, 1803. The Molyneux farm had a large
  amount of bottom land. The village of Millview now stands on this tract.
  
         After the clearing was made for Priestly at the Forks, Molyneux commenced
  clearing on his own land. He built a cabin on the opposite side of the creek
  from where Millview stands. He lived there several years without his family. One
  day while attending a deer-killing at the creek, on his return he found no cabin
  - it had taken fire and burned up. He then built a house of hewn logs, near the
  present site of the Molyneux sawmill, and having made a house that seemed
  comfortable, returned to England for his family. His wife died before his
  return, but he brought three of his children with him, viz.: John, Thomas and
  Elizabeth. Edward was left at that time; but came afterward. He built the third
  house on the bank of Strong's Run in the limits of the present village of
  Millview, and only a few yards south of the Molyneux Homestead. Elizabeth kept
  house for her father until she was married to William Snell some years
  afterward. William Molyneux and his son John then kept house for themselves
  until 1823, when John married Martha Saddler. William Molyneux lived until 1848,
  and died in his eighty-ninth year.
  
         The land of John Warren adjoined the Molyneux land, being the next farm
  up the Little Loyalsock creek. Warren's first house stood about half way between
  the present residence, formerly the Warren homestead, and the creek, on a bench
  of land near where an old log building stood until a short time ago. The second
  house was built just across the road from the present residence on that farm,
  which was the third and last Warren homestead. John Warren died April 17, 1813,
  being the first of the original settlers to pass away. His good wife, Mary Ward
  Warren, the first woman who came there, lived until May 14, 1840. The Warren
  farm is now owned by the descendants of William Molyneux and Powell Bird.
  
         The land of Powell Bird adjoined the Warren land, and still farther up
  the creek still goes by his name. It is now owned and occupied by his grandson,
  John K. Bird. The first house built by Powell Bird stood only a few rods from
  the residence of John K. Bird, across the mountain brook which runs between the
  house and the barn, and nearer Bird's creek than the present residence. Powell
  Bird died April 13, 1829. His wife, Lydia Hannant Bird, died January 29, 1832.
  Powell Bird's descendants are numerous and have always been among the most
  substantial and respected citizens of the county.
  
         Thomas Huckell brought his family to the Forks in 1797. He had contracted
  with Priestly for four hundred acres of land lying on both sides of the
  Loyalsock at the Forks. He lived only one year after he came there, and his
  widow being unable to complete the payments due on the land, surrendered to
  Priestly that part of the tract which lies on the side of the creek now occupied
  by the business part of Forksville. The part which she retained was afterwards
  owned by her grandson, D. T. Huckell. The homestead on which the widow resided
  until her death was on the left side of Little Loyalsock, about a fourth of a
  mile from the church. Daniel T. Huckell, grandson of Thomas Huckell, was
  accidentally killed a few years ago. He was a man of fine talents, and extensive
  information, active in all good works. He was one of the most eloquent public
  speakers who ever resided in this county.
  
         The farm in Hillsgrove where Wheeler Green now lives, was settled on in
  1793 by John Huckell. It is not known whether or not he was connected with
  others in the county of the same name. The old settlers called him "the little
  Englishman." He was not successful. His wife and two daughters died. He then
  started to go back to England but took sick and died at Muncy. His son, an
  officer in the British army, had started to bring his father home, but
  contracted a fever and died on the ship. In 1796 Joseph Huckell settled on the
  land below Hillsgrove. His son, Benjamin Huckell, who was an excellent farmer
  and a man of great intelligence and influence, succeeded to the farm, and lived
  there all his life. He raised a large family and has many descendants. The Snell
  farm, now owned by Ezra S. Little, on Elk creek, was first settled by Joseph
  Warren about 1796. John Snell purchased the land in 1833. Mrs. Ezra S. Little, a
  daughter of John Snell, has lived on the farm since 1837.
  
     THE GENESEE ROAD.
  
         The Genesee road was opened about the year 1800 - so called because it
  afforded the first road for emigrants from southern Pennsylvania to the rich
  valley of the Genesee river, New York. This road ran from Muncy (then called
  Pennsburg), passing the house of William Ellis, on Wolf Run, and of Abraham
  Webster, near Huntersville; thence over the Allegheny by Highland lake and down
  the Ogdonia creek to the Loyalsock; thence up that stream, passing Hill's to Elk
  creek, which it followed to Lincoln Falls; thence over the ridge to King's
  creek, which it followed for some distance, then turned eastward, passing
  Eldred's and went over Burnett's Ridge and down Millstone Run to Shrader's
  Branch and down that to Towanda creek, where it connected with other roads to
  Tioga river.
  
     AT THE FORKS.
  
         In 1802, Samuel Rogers, Sr., purchased the one hundred and forty acres of
  land surrendered by the widow of Thomas Huckell, and made considerable
  improvements. His sons, Samuel, William and Jonathan, erected a woolen factory,
  which stood a few rods below the bridge, on the south side of the creek. The
  factory was in operation until 1816, when it was swept away by a flood. The
  Rogers family had been engaged in the manufacture of woolen goods in England,
  and thoroughly understood the business of making cloth. Previous to the
  establishment of this factory each family in this region had done its own
  spinning and weaving. The factory proved a great help to the neighborhood by
  giving employment to people, and making a ready market for their wool. When the
  war of 1812 came, they obtained contracts from the government to furnish kersey
  cloth for the army. Several teams were constantly employed in transporting their
  goods to Philadelphia; and bringing back raw material. So thorough was the
  destruction of this factory by the raging stream that nothing remained to show
  the place where it had stood except a single log imbedded in the gravel at the
  bottom of the creek. The only thing ever found of the building and its contents
  was a dye kettle which was discovered some months after the flood in a deep hole
  about a mile below the Forks.
  
         Samuel Rogers, Sr., brought a family of ten children to the Forks. His
  youngest son, Moses, who was born in 1806, took the land after his father's
  death, and occupied it for many years. He laid out the village of Forksville in
  1854, and lived to see it a prosperous town. He was a quiet, unobtrusive, but
  highly intelligent man, who was greatly respected in the county. He died in
  February, 1879. His sons were Saddler S., M. Austin, Isaac, J. Wesley and
  William. Saddler S. is now acting as county commissioner; M. Austin was an
  associate judge of the county for five years; J. Wesley Rogers is an acting
  justice of the peace; William Rogers enlisted in the army, and was killed in the
  service; W. C. Rogers, a grandson of Moses, has served as a representative in
  the Pennsylvania legislature.
  
         The first store started in Forksville was in 1848, by Alonzo Potter, in
  the old schoolhouse. The next year, having built a new store, his goods were
  removed to it. In 1850 he sold out to William J. Eldred, who continued the
  business until 1853. In 1855, M. A. Rogers, having erected a new store building,
  commenced the mercantile business, which he has continued to conduct until the
  present time, and has probably been longer in business than any other merchant
  in the county.
  
         Soon after the first improvements were made at the Forks, Priestly sent a
  good many settlers to the Elklands. Among them were William Snell, William King,
  William Gingley, Edward J. Eldred, James Ecroyd, Jesse Haines, David Thomas,
  Jonathan Hartly, Joel McCarty, Francis Boyles and Charles Mullen. The name of
  Elklands was adopted at an early day, because elk were found in that region.
  
         William King came to America about 1799, being then about twenty-six
  years of age. He stopped at Northumberland a short time and then went to Elkland
  to work for Ecroyd. About the year 1803 he bought the land now occupied by
  George W. Glidewell and built a cabin a few rods south of a fine flowing spring.
  As he was unmarried, he sent to Northumberland for his father and mother to come
  and live with him. Their names were Thomas and Esther King, and they brought
  with them their youngest daughter, Sarah, who afterwards married George Bird. In
  1817 they built a better house. Esther King died in 1832 and her husband died
  some time before. Two years after the death of his mother, William married Polly
  Crandall, and lived with her until the time of his death in 1852. William King
  left no children, but his brothers and sisters have numerous descendants still
  living.
  
         William Snell made the first clearing on the land since occupied by
  Robert and James Hart. William Bingley made his commencement on the farm since
  owned by Joseph Whitely. Bingley's house had a panel door, - the first ever seen
  in Elkland.
  
         Charles Mullan first settled the land now known as the "Peck place. "
  David Thomas went to Elk Lake, which was then called Thomas' Lake. Francis
  Grange was also an early settler, and exceedingly domestic. In 1828 he went to
  Northumberland to make a payment on his land, and he then told Joseph Priestly,
  Jr., that he had been married forty years, and that was the first time he had
  passed a night away from his wife. It is stated that he lived with his wife for
  seventy years, and that both lived until they were upwards of nine-six years of
  age.
  
         James Ecroyd, who commenced an improvement near Hillsgrove, removed to
  Elkland about 1800 and built a sawmill and gristmill under one roof, on King's
  creek. This creek was also called Mill creek. He and Jesse Haines were Quakers,
  and influenced others of that denomination to move there.
  
         Joel McCarty was born on the 16th of December, 1771. His wife, Ellen, was
  born on the 14th of May, 1781. They were married in 1798, and had one child,
  Aaron, when they moved to Elkland, in 1801, and took up land near Elk lake. He
  made one of the best farms in Elkland township. At an early day he made a
  profitable business in hunting panthers and wolves. There was a bounty of eight
  dollars on each wolf killed, which was afterwards raised to twelve dollars. Mr.
  McCarty had a family of eleven children, and his descendants settled around him
  until it was called the McCarty settlement. Many of his descendants remain in
  the county.
  
     FRIENDS' MEETING HOUSE.
  
         David Thomas, James Ecroyd, Jesse Haines, Ezra Haynes and Joel McCarty
  were active in erecting a Friends' meeting house in that vicinity. This meeting
  house was in use previous to 1805, and was located northwest of Eldredsville,
  and a half mile south of Ecroyd's settlement, on lands afterwards taken up by
  Thomas Baker, and now included in the farm owned and occupied by Mahlon C.
  Mercur. The old road leading to the church has been for some time vacated; a
  thicket of small timber has grown up around the site. The scattered stone from
  the fallen chimney marks the place of its location, and a noble spring of water
  is very near the stone pile. Near the point now known as Lincoln Falls a
  settlement was made prior to 1800 by Joseph Reeves.
  
     CONDITIONAL SETTLERS.
  
         The first twelve settlers in Elkland were each granted one hundred and
  fifty acres of land free of cost, on the following conditions: First, that they
  would within one year build a substantial log house, completely clear, fence and
  improve ten acres in five years, - only one family to settle on a tract of four
  hundred acres, - and they were to have the privilege of purchasing the remainder
  of the tract at two dollars and fifty cents per acre; hence the first settlers
  were at some distance from each other.
  
         Francis Bull, who was a carpenter, married a daughter of Robert Lambert.
  The Bull farm was long the home of Joseph Pardoe, and was afterward owned by
  Barton Luther. In 1825 Charles Mullan erected at his own expense, in Elkland, a
  house to be used for school, scientific and religious purposes, which was for
  many years the central place for religious and educational gatherings in that
  township. Miss Zelpha Mason taught the first school in this building. The next
  winter James Green, an Englishman, taught, and later Nehemiah Ross, and a Mr.
  Woodruff, from Monroton.
  
     FOX SETTLEMENT.
  
         A number of settlers went farther west into the territory since known as
  Fox township. They were induced to go by the gift of one hundred acres of land
  to each family. Among the first who went there, were Joseph, Amos, John,
  Jonathan and Samuel Hoagland; Philip, Anthony and Henry Kilmer; Brumley and
  Thomas Williams; Archelaus Luce, and Marshall Battin.
  
         Philip Kilmer was of German descent, born in the Mohawk valley, New York,
  about 1781, and moved from there to Fox township with oxen and wagons. He and
  his two sons, Anthony and Henry (who were of age) were three of the first ten
  settlers in the township who each received the gift of one hundred acres of land
  from the land-owner. His other children were Charles, Martha, Rosina, Philip
  Jr., Peter, Hannah and George. At the time of their settlement, the nearest
  gristmills were at Muncy and Canton. A. B. Kilmer, a grandson of Philip Kilmer,
  Sr., is now a resident of the township and is a justice of the peace.
  
         The settlement established there was composed chiefly of Friends, and the
  name of Fox was given to it, in memory of George Fox, the founder of the Society
  of Friends. A Friends' meeting house of hewn logs was built near the present Fox
  Center.
  
         Marshall Battin cleared a large farm and was a leading man in the new
  settlement. He was a consistent Friend and contributed largely to build the
  Quaker meeting house. His sons, so far as we have their names, were Joseph,
  John, Joshua, Reuben and Samuel. These sons remained in the county, were good
  farmers, and substantial citizens, and have many descendants. John Battin held
  the office of county commissioner for three years.
  
         In 1805 an English traveler named Robert Sutcliff visited Elkland, and a
  few extracts from his journal will serve to illustrate life in Elkland at that
  period:
  
         "Twefth month, 13th, I spent the afternoon at Jesse Haines', whose family
  were busily employed in making maple sugar. J. H. is a minister in good esteem,
  has an agreeable wife and a group of fine children who have plenty of employment
  in clearing and cultivating his plantation in the wilderness; which, however,
  appears to be an excellent soil, and the situation being dry and healthy, on a
  rising ground, there is every probability that at some future day this may
  become a property of great value.
  
         "Twelfth month, 14th, I visited at E. H.'s (Ezra Haines, afterward of
  West Chester), a nephew of J. H.'s. He, with his wife and one fine child, had
  but lately come into this country, and had cleared only a few acres, but which
  appeared to be well managed and very productive. He had just nailed up the skin
  of a large bear against the side of his house. He had shot the beast while in
  the act of seizing one of his hogs, having been led to the scene of action by
  the shrieks of the poor animal while under the rude embraces of the bear. By E.
  H.'s attention the tables were quickly turned in favor of the hog, which was
  rescued and was in a fair way of recovering from his wounds.
  
         "Twelfth month, 15th, I attended Elkland's meeting. During the sitting of
  it, a company of hunters came in and leaving their rifle guns at the door,
  behaved in a becoming manner until the meeting was broke up.
  
         "Twelfth month, 16th. I spent this day at my relation's. In the course of
  it I saw two of his men cut down a hemlock tree, which is a species of pine.
  This tree was four yards in circumference, and fifty yards in length; yet it was
  of but little value here. The timber which most abounds on this farm is the
  sugar maple, the beech, the locust and oak. This day I saw a family from near
  Derby, England, of the name of Lambert, who I understood were likely to do well.
  
         "Twelfth month, 17th, I rode from Elkland to Muncy, across the Allegheny
  mountains, in company with J. H. and one of his neighbors. When near the top of
  the Allegheny mountains, we passed the company of hunters who had attended the
  meeting at Elklands. The principal objects of their pursuit were deer, although
  they had no objections to meeting with a bear or a wolf. In passing down the
  Allegheny mountains we came near the house of a man of the name of Webster who
  had killed thirty-six bears the last season. "
  
         Edward J. Eldred came to Elkland in 1800. He was from London, England,
  had studied law, and been admitted to the bar; afterward engaged in business as
  a wholesale tea merchant, in which he was not very successful. He decided to
  come to America in 1798, and was two and a half months on the ocean. After
  staying some time in New Jersey and in Kingston, Pennsylvania, he went to
  Northumberland with letters of introduction to Joseph Priestly, Jr., who induced
  him to go to Elkland as his agent.
  
         At first he lived in a log house belonging to William King, Sr., but as
  soon as possible went on the land he had purchased from Priestly, and erected a
  comfortable frame house thereon. In this house he afterward entertained many
  travelers who were passing through on their way to the Genesee county. He soon
  became a leading man in that section, surveyed, and sold land, wrote deeds,
  wills and contracts, viewed and laid out roads, When the needy required
  assistance he was among those who rendered aid, as may be seen by an agreement
  in his handwriting which shows the kind feelings of other early settlers toward
  each other and their willingness to give assistance to the unfortunate. The
  agreement is as follows:
  
  
     To the Men of Elklands:
  
         Since one of our number, Edward Jones, has the misfortune to be afflicted
  with lameness, and consequently unable to do that for himself which the
  situation of a settler in this country requires; under these circumstances it is
  but a fellow-feeling to give our assistance, for we are all liable to the like
  affliction. It is therefore suggested that we should, as many of us as are so
  disposed, meet together at Edward Jones' house, on the first Monday in April
  (taking our own provisions along), there to cut over for him a piece of woods;
  and should his lameness continue, then to meet again at his house, on the first
  Monday in May, to log off and clear the said piece for planting.
  
                                      {Signed} Edward J. Eldred,
                                               David Barrington,
                                               William Molyneux,
                                               Peter Dominique,
                                               Jonathan Frisbey,
                                               Powell Bird.
         March, 1801
  
         When the first death occurred in Elkland, in 1802, - the death of Felix
  Powell, - Mr. Eldred was called to make an address at the funeral. On the 29th
  of March, 1808, Edward J. Eldred was appointed a justice of the peace, and from
  his well-kept docket, which is now in the hands of Ulysses Bird, Esq., many
  interesting facts have been obtained. All the marriages solemnized by him are
  there recorded, and attested by the signatures of witnesses present. All
  certificates that were given for bounty on wild animals killed are noted, and we
  find, among others, that John Youns, Joseph Reeves, John Rogers and Samuel Bill
  each killed a panther; that George Bird killed seventeen wolves, Joel McCarty
  six wolves, and William Molyneux, Aaron McCarty, John McCarty, Powell Bird and
  John Snell each killed one wolf. All of these animals were killed in that
  vicinity within fourteen years.
  
         The first school in the county that we have any record of was commenced
  in 1804 in a log house owned by John Warren. The teacher was named John Bull,
  and, as his name indicated, he was a stalwart Englishman. He conducted his
  school on a strict and summary method. Though a severe disciplinarian, Mr. Bull
  did great service from 1804 to 1811. He taught wherever he could obtain
  scholars. Provision was made by the settlers for the tuition of children whose
  parents were too poor to pay the teacher. The docket of Esquire Eldred records
  an affidavit, dated April 24, 1811, in which John Bull gave the names of those
  who were unable to pay, - evidently for the purpose of obtaining payment from a
  fund provided for that purpose.  
  
  AT THE FORKS.
  
         In 1816 Mrs. Sarah Huckell conveyed half an acre of land to Samuel
  Rogers, Powell Bird and William King, trustees of the Loyalsock school. The 4th
  of July that year was celebrated by a bee for clearing off the land for a
  school-house. The building was completed, and a school commenced on the 1st of
  December, 1816, John Warburton being the teacher. This was the first building
  erected especially for school purposes in Sullivan county.
  
         In 1819 an organization was formed establishing a Sunday-school in the
  Elklands. The agreement, which is still preserved, shows that it was the work of
  very intelligent men. It provided for a Sunday-school to commence at eight or
  nine o'clock in the morning, with an intermission of two hours, and to close at
  four or five o'clock in the afternoon. In the intermission preaching was allowed
  by ministers of various denominations. The pupils in the Sunday-school were to
  be taught reading, writing, and the fundamental rules of account. The members of
  the association were to act as teachers in turn: The signers of this agreement
  were William Russell, E. J. Eldred, James Royle, John Snell, William King,
  Francis Bull, Francis Boyles, Joseph Pardoe, John Raper, Thomas Baker, John
  Grange, Charles Mullen, Richard Snell, James Hardy, John Huckell and John King.
  A library of excellent books was contributed by John Vaughn, of Philadelphia.
  Afterward the members themselves assisted annually to increase the library. This
  school was maintained for twenty-three years, and during this period Edward J.
  Eldred and William and John King served as three of the five members of the
  executive committee; Joseph Pardoe, and John Snell having served part of the
  time. Charles Mullen was librarian for a number of years.
  
         The condition of the country and the people in 1818 was described by
  Thomas Merideth, a land agent who traveled through the settlements. He said:
  "The settlements were few and scattered and the roads poor; they were so narrow
  that the branches of the trees interlocked and formed a shade impenetrable to
  the sun. The bridges were composed of round logs or poles thrown carelessly down
  with the bark on and openings between them. The poorer class of people, with
  whom I had much to do, resided in log cabins - dark, smoky and cold. The
  furniture was of the rudest kind - a bench for a seat, a deal board for a table,
  a couple of sticks set in the logs, and tough bark cut in strips and crossed for
  the straw bed to rest upon. This was a luxury; it was more common to lie on the
  floor on a straw bed, often wrapped in a blanket. I have seen fifteen to twenty
  men, women and children crammed into one room in this manner. As mills were at a
  distance, flour was a rarity. The family frequently lived for a length of time
  on pounded corn, milk and potatoes with venison, if the good man could find time
  to kill it."
  
     SHREWSBURY SETTLEMENT.
  
         While the settlements were extending from the Forks to Elkland and Fox,
  settlements were also being made along the Courson road. Abraham, Isaac and
  Jacob Courson, who were brothers, settled on adjoining farms on Muncy creek
  flats, about ten miles from Pennsborough (Muncy). These farms were not in the
  present limits of Sullivan county, but were not far from the present county
  line. All the settlers who came into what is now Shrewsbury passed the Courson
  farms. Samuel Wallis had located most of the lands in that vicinity previous to
  1794, and in June of that year he sold a number of tracts to Charles
  Wolstoncraft, who in September of the same year sold ten thousand two hundred
  and seventeen acres to George Lewis. This land included the lake long known as
  Lewis lake, and now Eaglesmere, and extended from the Loyalsock to Muncy creek.
  Mr. Lewis was a wealthy Englishman who resided in New York at that time and
  conducted the American branch of a London importing house. He also engaged in
  buying real estate for English capitalists. There is no evidence that Mr. Lewis
  visited his lake before 1803, but in the summer of that year he spent six weeks
  at the lake. On returning to his home in the city he found that yellow fever had
  prevailed during his absence, and that very many of his dearest friends had died
  in consequence. He was so impressed with the feeling that his life had been
  spared from his remaining in this mountainous wilderness, that he resolved to
  build him a home on the shore of the lake.
  
         His first sale of land was made to Robert Taylor, who settled on Rock Run
  in 1804. Taylor made his own road over the ridge to Rock Run, cleared up a farm
  and erected a sawmill and a gristmill. He was the father of Richard, Frederick,
  James, Robert and George W. Taylor; and many of his descendants are still in
  this county. In 1804 Lewis employed men to open a road from Robert Taylor's to
  the lake, and had a house erected there. He then commenced clearing his farm,
  and putting up buildings for the manufacturing of glass. He pushed the work so
  steadily that in 1808 the great stone building on the summit overlooking the
  lake was completed, and also a large frame house, which was occupied George
  Lewis and his family; and on the same street (now, Eaglesmere avenue) three
  stone houses, and on the street at right angles therefrom were six frame houses,
  painted red; also a school-house; and further around, out of sight of the lake,
  a large boarding-house. A sawmill was built at the outlet of the lake. That the
  buildings described were erected there is certain, but some fix the date a year
  or two later. This was the first village in the county, and for some years a
  very busy one. They boated sand from the head of the lake and hauled it up the
  hill to the glass-works building.
  
      George Edkins came to the Shrewsbury settlement in 1806. He was an
  Englishman who had been in the employ of General Horatio Gates, to superintend
  his farm on the Hudson. His first journey to Lewis lake was made on foot, and he
  kept a journal of each day's travel. He was eight days going to Shrewsbury, and
  six days returning to the Gates farm. The distance as he made it was two hundred
  and fourteen miles. Edkins purchased of Lewis lands which had been improved by
  John Henderson, and moved his family there May 10, 1808. It was an interesting
  incident in the life of George Edkins that he left England to avoid an arrest,
  because he had not sufficiently respected the game laws. When he left he was
  engaged to a young lady named Moorby, and as it was not prudent for him to
  return to her, she came to him, and they were married in this country. Edkins
  built a good frame house, made a good farm, planted orchards, ornamental trees
  and shrubs. The evidence of his taste remained upon the place long after his
  death. After Sullivan county was organized he was elected county treasurer. He
  left a family of four sons and two daughters, and their descendants are numerous
  in this county.
  
      John G. Holmes, who was among the early settlers, taught school in his own
  house, two miles from the lake, in the winter of 1807-8. He understood
  navigation and surveying. Mr. Holmes continued to teach occasionally until 1818.
  
      Theophilus Little made an examination of lands from Pennsborough (Muncy) to
  Lewis lake as early as 1799. Land where the borough of Hughesville now stands
  was offered to him at a lower price than land near the lake, but he did not like
  the soil, preferring timbered land of the mountains, and purchased about three
  thousand acres within a mile or two of the lake. He was at that time a resident
  of Monmouth county, New Jersey. He had six sons, named John, Daniel, Thomas,
  Theophilus, Tobias and another whose name cannot be obtained. Daniel, the second
  son, came upon the land in 1804, and others came later. John commenced at Rock
  Run. Thomas, with his father, cleared the farm at Little's Corners, a mile from
  the lake. Thomas afterward exchanged land with Tobias Little and went to the
  valley of the Loyalsock. Tobias was a younger brother, born in July, 1779, and
  with him came his father and mother. Tobias made a large clearing, a mile or so
  beyond Little's Corners, but built no house there, and afterward moved on the
  land where J. H. W. Little now resides. Mary Little, his mother, died soon after
  she came there. His father died February 19, 1825, aged eighty-one years. The
  Little family came from England, but were of Scotch-Irish descent. They were
  active patriots during the Revolution, two of the family having been in the army
  as commissioned officers. They were always active in promoting the educational
  and religious interests of the community. The descendants of the family are
  numerous and many still reside in the county.
  
      Among the early settlers of Shrewsbury, though not the very earliest, were
  Joel Bennett and Thomas Bennett. Joel Bennett came from Jersey in 1809, when he
  was twenty-one years of age, and went into the settlement about the forks of the
  Loyalsock, where he worked six or eight years, and during that time earned money
  to buy some land in Elkland. He then married Sarah Bird, daughter of Powell
  Bird, and in 1817 they moved on the land which he had bought in Elkland. There
  he remained about three years, and then sold his land to Joseph Pardoe and moved
  to Lewis' lake, where he worked for George Lewis about six years. He then bought
  land of George Lewis, adjoining Edkin's, and commenced a clearing there, where
  he remained during the greater part of his life. He died in 1867. He had ten
  children. Only three remained in this county, - George W. Bennett, William
  Bennett and Caroline Sheets.
  
      Like most of the settlers at that day, Joel Bennett was an occasional
  hunter, and incidents of his early hunting in this county are still related. On
  one occasion he and his brother Thomas were out together; one went up one side
  of Hunter's lake, and the other on the opposite side. Joel soon saw a large
  animal on a log, and, having a ball and twenty buckshot in his musket, fired
  away. The animal rolled off; up started another of the same kind, which made a
  few jumps, and then stopped and looked him in the face. He hastened to load and
  at the same time called his brother. The shouting started the beast away, and
  when Thomas came it was gone. The dead animal proved to be a large panther.
  
      Thomas Bennett, brother of Joel, came with him to this country in 1809, but
  returned to Jersey, where he remained several years, and there married. He then
  came with his wife to Lewis' lake and worked for George Lewis for several years,
  then moved to the outlet of Hunter's lake where he tended Lewis' gristmill. He
  remained there a number of years, then bought land of Lewis, adjoining land
  bought by his brother Joel, and there made a home, which he occupied most of his
  life. He died in 1870, aged eighty-eight years, ten months and four days. He had
  fourteen children.
  
      George W. Bennett, son of Joel Bennett, was an influential man in Shrewsbury
  for many years. He was a justice of the peace and held other township offices.
  His children were Boyd P., Nelson M., Monroe, Herbert, Libby, Ida, Martha and
  Bernice.
  
      George L. Bennett, son of Thomas, was likewise a leading citizen and
  highly-respected man in the township. His children were Richard W., Jonathan F.,
  Araminta, Emma K. and Annie E. Bennett.
  
      While the war with Great Britain continued the glassworks of George Lewis at
  the lake, although situated far from the market for his glass at Philadelphia,
  and with no other means of transportation except by wagons over poor roads, was,
  nevertheless, profitable; but when peace was declared, and English glass was
  imported in large quantities, with low duties, the manufacture of glass so far
  in the interior was impossible except at a loss, and Mr. Lewis was compelled to
  suspend operations. His farming business, however, continued. The farm was
  large, and was in a state of good cultivation. At one time he had a flock of
  four hundred sheep, a fine stock of cattle, raised a good deal of grain, and had
  an abundance of fruit. In 1822 he was living at the lake with his family, but
  the tenant houses were empty, and most of the laborers gone.
  
      Among the notable events which took place here was a Fourth of July
  celebration at the glassworks in 1824. Preparations were made on a grand scale,
  and almost the entire population of the surrounding country gathered at the
  place to give utterance to their patriotic feeling, which had been rekindled by
  the visit of General Lafayette to this country. After this date Mr. Lewis'
  health began to fail. He had met with severe financial losses, not only in the
  stopgage of his glassworks, but by investments made in New York and elsewhere,
  and in the purchase of such large bodies of wild lands, which were taxed but
  produced no income. In 1829 he placed his real estate of twelve thousand and two
  hundred acres of land, in Sullivan county, and seven thousand and five hundred
  acres, in Franklin county, New York, in the hands of William Elliott, his
  brother-in-law, and Ithiel Town, to be sold for the benefit of his creditors. He
  soon afterward went to England on business, and there, in 1830, died. In his
  will he gave direction for the removal of his body to Mount Lewis for burial,
  and his directions were followed to the extent of shipping his remains to New
  York, where they were buried. The difficulty of removing the body to Mount Lewis
  in warm weather, without railroad facilities, no doubt prevented his wishes from
  being carried out. The glassworks, with about two thousand acres of land, were
  sold at public sale in June, 1831, and purchased by John J. Adams, of
  Washington, District of Columbia. Adam removed to Mount Lewis with his family,
  and recommenced the manufacture of glass, which he continued for three or four
  years. The property then passed through several hands, and in 1845 was purchased
  by J. R. Jones, who, about 1847, came with his family to reside upon it. His
  wife's maiden name was Clay. She was twice married, her first husband's name
  being Laussat.
  
      Judge Jones farmed extensively, and practiced law. He was a fine scholar and
  a very ready and forcible speaker. Mr. Jones' military service and death in the
  war for the Union will be related further on. While Mrs. Jones was attending the
  funeral of her husband, the family residence took fire and burned to the ground.
  
      Thomas Haywood, an Englishman, with wife, daughter and son John, accompanied
  by his son-in-law, Christopher Peale, and wife, came to reside at Eaglesmere
  about 1858. Two years later another son of Thomas Heywood, Thomas Heywood, Jr.,
  with his wife, joined his parents at Eaglesmere. These four families purchased
  wild lands west and south of the outlet of the lake, and labored from year to
  year in clearing land. After the death of Judge Jones, Christopher Peale
  continued in charge of the Eaglesmere estate.
  
      Even at that early period Eaglesmere had many summer visitors, and the homes
  of the occupants of the property would often be taxed to their utmost capacity
  to accommodate the boarders who desired to remain some time at the lake. Soon
  after the death of Judge Jones a considerable amount of his real estate was
  conveyed to Emile C. Geyelin, Mrs. Jones' son-in-law, who erected a sawmill,
  made improvements, and carried on the lumber business at the outlet of Hunter's
  lake. The stage route from Muncy had been changed as to reach Laporte by way of
  Sonestown. The only families remaining at Eaglesmere were those who had small
  farms adjoining the Jones property. The heirs of the Jones estate, through their
  representative, William Bradford, commenced the sale of lots at Eaglesmere
  during March, 1877. The Hays and Green lots were then conveyed, and buildings
  erected soon afterward. Dr. Hays, of Muncy, acted as agent in making sale of
  lots, and to his energy and his faith in the health-giving situation of
  Eaglesmere may be attributed the rapid development of the place as a summer resort.
  
      In 1879 Lewis Smith purchased the lots on Allegheny avenue, on which was
  standing the only dwelling-house that had survived since the days of George
  Lewis. During the same year Henry Van Etten obtained title to the land on which
  Hotel Eaglesmere is erected, and built during that summer a part of the hotel
  building. He retained his ownership one year, when he disposed of the property
  to E. V. Ingham. Mr. Ingham had, the year before, purchasing the hotel, built a
  store-house on the corner of Laporte and Eaglesmere avenues.
  
      As soon as Mr. Ingham obtained the hotel he enlarged it, and continued to
  make improvements from year to year. He was the first to send out advertising
  pamphlets, and his energy and good management did much to attract attention to
  Eaglesmere as a summer resort in its early years. We have not space to outline
  the recent rapid growth of this fine village.
  
     DAVIDSON.
  
      Another settlement, quite distinct from the others described, was made at
  the base of the North mountain by Colonel Adam Derr, David Richart and Nathan
  Howell. They came from that part of Northumberland county since made Columbia
  county. While hunting, they found a fertile upland plateau at the west end of
  the North mountain. They were so much pleased with the location that they
  purchased land, and made a road around the mountain to it. They moved there with
  their families in 1806 or 1808. Colonel Derr had served in the Continental army
  during the Revolutionary war. When these settlers first moved there, no road was
  open to Muncy. The distance, in a direct line, to the gristmill of Robert Taylor
  was not very great. It is probable that a road was made to the Shrewsbury
  settlement before very long.
  
      In 1812 Griffith Phillips, Sr., moved to the North mountain with his family.
  He cleared up the farm since occupied by David Phillips, Griffith Phillips, Jr.,
  and Thomas Phillips. He was an enterprising and intelligent man. His son, Evan
  H. Phillips, was the first sheriff of this county. His son, Griffith Phillips,
  Jr., was a county commissioner, and his grandson, Maynard J. Phillips, has been
  one of the associate judges of Sullivan county. David S. Phillips, who went with
  Griffith Phillips, Jr., to the North mountain, enlisted in the army and served
  in the war of 1812. He was at the battles of Lundy's Lane, Chippewa and Stony
  creek.
  
      Elias Smith moved to the North mountain settlement the same year that
  Griffith Phillips, Sr., came. Soon after that William Richart, Thomas Reed, John
  Strawbridge and William M. Clemens moved there. About 1805 Thomas Reed moved
  down to Muncy bottom and commenced improvements on land afterward owned by James
  Taylor. The adjoining farm was first settled by William Smith and afterward
  taken by Robert Taylor, Jr. His farm included the land now occupied by the
  thriving village of Muncy Valley. The first opening in the mountain-sheltered
  valley, where the village of Sonestown is now flourishing, was made by Timothy
  Crawley and Peter Anderson. They kept bachelor's hall for several years, until
  Timothy Crawley was married. Anderson and Crawley sold the land to Benjamin
  Fiester, who afterward sold it to George Sones.
  
      George Sones at one time owned the whole valley. He sold a large part of it
  to his son, John Sones, who lived there until his death. John Sones had
  previously commenced an improvement on land which included the present site of
  the village of Glen Sharon.
  
      About 1820 James Glidewell, an Englishman, bought land and settled a short
  distance up the east branch of Muncy creek. He came to America in 1801, first
  settling in Northumberland county. His wife was Mary King, whose parents were
  settled in Elkland township. Mr. Glidewell was the father of ten children:
  Hester, Thomas, Elizabeth, Mary, John, William, Sarah, Ann and Dinah. His sons
  Thomas and John took up lands near their father. Thomas Glidewell married Hester
  Lacey, and their children were: James, Josiah, Sarah, Thomas, Ann, Dinah and
  Charles. John Glidewell (son of James) settled on the high plateau overlooking
  the valley of Muncy creek above Sonestown, not far from a precipice. He cleared
  a large farm, raised a large family, and was a man of honesty and intelligence.
  As a hunter he was mostly after the bear, and the number he killed and trapped
  was remarkable, but no record has been kept of the number. He lived until he was
  past ninety. William, another son of James Glidewell, removed to Elkland
  township, where he made a fine farm and put up excellent buildings. His son,
  George W. Glidewell, still owns the farm, and has been county commissioner.
  
      In 1822 John Whitacre moved on the land first taken by John Sones and
  improved it. He was succeeded by his son, William Whitacre, who was succeeded by
  his son, Robert, from whom it passed to Peter E. Armstrong, who laid out the
  village of Glen Sharon.
  
     SONESTOWN.
  
      A sawmill was built by George Sones near the present village of Sonestown
  about 1843, and John F. Hazen, a millwright, purchased a site and built a
  gristmill in 1850. Jacob Simmons moved from Moreland township, Lycoming county,
  into a log house that stood near where Magargle's hotel now stands, on the 17th
  day of March, 1842, and lived there until he bought the Morrison place, on which
  he resided until after the close of the war, when he moved into the house where
  Thomas S. Simmons now lives and where he died August 9, 1884, aged seventy-nine
  years. His wife was Jane Sones, and their children were John, Isaac N., George
  W., Simpson S., Thomas S., Davis S., Rosetta A. and Jacob L. His son John was
  elected sheriff in 1863. Five of his sons did good service in the war for the
  Union, and two of them, Simpson S. and Isaac, were killed in service. The other
  three who enlisted are still living, - George W. Simmons is postmaster at
  Sonestown; Thomas S. Simmons is a justice of the peace, and David S. is in the
  west.
  
      In 1851 George Miller made a purchase of one thousand seven hundred acres of
  land in Sonestown and vicinity, and moved his family there. He had several sons,
  among whom were Cyrus, William and Peter, who were for a number of years engaged
  in improving the place. In 1851 Jacob Reed purchased lots and erected a small
  tavern, which he occupied for a few years, and then disposed of the property to
  William Corson. In connection with his tavern Mr. Corson ran a line of stages
  from Muncy to Dushore. He continued in the hotel business about ten years, when
  he sold the tavern stand to James Taylor and moved to the west. The tavern stand
  was subsequently sold to Thomas S. Magargle.
  
      The first store-house was built by Edkin Corson, who engaged in the
  mercantile business for a short time and afterward in lumbering. In 1867 Edward
  Lyons purchased the Bennett farm, sawmill and timber lands of Mr. Corson, and
  engaged extensively in the lumber business. About the same time William and
  Jacob Lorah and Thomas Dent engaged in lumbering, farming and mercantile
  business in the place.
  
     ELKLICK SETTLEMENT.
  
      The part of Davidson known as the Elklick settlement was an unbroken forest
  until 1823, when James Rogers and a Mr. Wilson first explored it. The next year
  they cut a road from the Susquehanna and Tioga turnpike, and moved in with their
  families. In 1826 John Keeler moved there with his family and soon after that
  John Hiddleson, Edmund Pennington, John R. Pennington, Christopher Speary,
  Samuel Speary, John Hunter, Robbins and a few others moved there. It was some
  time before they had a road to connect them with the Crawley-Anderson settlement.
  
      Miles Sperry came from Huntington, Luzerne county, in 1826, and took up four
  hundred acres of land in Davidson. He was the father of seventeen children, and
  his descendants are quite numerous in the county. One of his grandsons, James
  Sperry, was killed at the battle of Chancellorsville. Joseph Converse came to
  Elklick settlement in 1828. He was the father of nine children, and the Converse
  families are remembered as possessing many of the characteristics of the New
  England people. Although in a wilderness their homes were made enjoyable by good
  housekeeping, neatness and pleasant surroundings.
  
      In 1833 William Smith removed from the Muncy valley farm to the Elklick
  settlement, where he lived until he was nearly eighty. He was county
  commissioner in Lycoming county before Sullivan county was formed, was active in
  the formation of the new county and the location of the county seat, and a
  leading man in the politics. He held the offices of county treasurer and
  associate judge.
  
      About 1832 the Elklick settlers united and built a schoolhouse at the
  intersection of the Muncy road with the first road built across North mountain.
  John Hiddleson was born in 1790 in Chester county, Pennsylvania, was a carpenter
  and joiner by trade, and arrived with his family in the settlement in April,
  1826. He cleared a large farm, built and operated a sawmill. About 1865, his
  health having failed, and desirous of being near his children who had gone west,
  he removed to Illinois, where he died in 1875, having outlived his wife for
  several years.
  
     DUSHORE.
  
      In 1794, the same year that Molyneux, Warren and Bird made the first
  clearing for Priestly at the Forks, a lone Frenchman, with one arm, made a
  clearing and built a cabin in the present limits of Dushore. His name was
  Aristide Aubert Dupetit Thouars - pronounced Du-Petit-Twor. We are indebted to
  the researches of Rev. David Craft for this man's biography, which may be found
  at length in Craft's history of Bradford county.
  
      Aristide Dupetit Thouars was born in France, in 1760, educated at a military
  school, obtained a position in the marine corps and was in several naval
  battles. In a few years he was made a captain and had command of a warship. In
  1792 he set out on a voyage to rescue LaPerouse, in a vessel purchased in part
  with the proceeds of his share of his father's estate. A fatal malady carried
  off one-third of his crew, and he put into the nearest Portuguese harbor. He was
  arrested and sent to Lisbon, where he underwent a captivity of some duration.
  His vessel was confiscated and sold. After an investigation it appeared his
  arrest was illegal. He was released and six thousand francs were paid to him by
  the Portuguese government as the proceeds of the sale of his vessel. He
  distributed most of this money among his crew, and made his way to the United
  States. He landed at Philadelphia and went on foot to the French settlement at
  Asylum, which is on the North branch, ten miles below Towanda. He arrived there
  in the spring of 1794 entirely destitute. Mr. Talon, the resident manager at
  Asylum, gave him four hundred acres of land, including what was subsequently the
  John Mosier farm, in Cherry. He built a cabin near a spring, afterward called
  the Frenchman's spring, which is now well known in Dushore. There alone, and
  with only one hand, he undertook to clear a farm. His habit was to return to
  Asylum, fifteen or twenty miles distant, every Saturday night and back to his
  work Monday morning.  Thus he spent the summer of 1794. In 1796 he went on foot
  to Niagara Falls in company with some French noblemen, who rode on horseback.
  The next year he got a small patch of land under cultivation, but the progress
  of events in France soon took him back to that country. He sailed for France in
  1797, obtained a place in the navy, was put in the command of a vessel with
  eighty guns, and sailed with the French fleet on an expedition to Egypt. The
  French fleet encountered the English fleet, under the command of Admiral Nelson,
  and the famous battle of the Nile ensued. The French were taken at a
  disadvantage, and the fire of the English guns raked them with terrible effect.
  Captain Du Thouars, finding that the battle was growing desperate, nailed his
  colors to the mast and told his men they would never surrender. A shot took off
  his only arm, but he still kept on his feet, commanding his vessel. Very soon
  another shot took off a leg. Though prostrate on the deck he still incited his
  men to fight to the last, but while being carried away a third shot killed him.
  This was on the first day of August, 1798, and Du Thouars was then only
  thirty-eight years old.
  
       The first house within the limits of Dushore, was built by Theodore
  Phinney, near the site of Headly's mills. It was built with logs, with only one
  room, a big fire-place and stone chimney. Phinney was originally from
  Connecticut, but never lived in the house, and it was first occupied as a
  residence by John Stowers, before 1819. This family was so far from neighbors
  that Mrs. Stowers did not see one of her own sex for seven months. Stowers came
  from the vicinity of Towanda Creek. Soon after Stowers went there, Phinney built
  a sawmill near the falls (Headley's mill site) and put the first dam in the
  stream at that place.
  
===

     THE TURNPIKE.
  
      In 1806 an act was passed incorporating a company to be called the
  "President, Managers and Company of the Susquehanna and Tioga Turnpike Road."
  The turnpike was designed to furnish a shorter route from Berwick to the Tioga
  river at Newtown, now Elmira. This company constructed a road in 1808 as far as
  the Loyalsock creek, and in 1810 completed it to the Haverly settlement. From
  near the Long pond it went directly to the Loyalsock, which it crossed about a
  mile below what is now Ringdale Station, and crossed the Little Loyalsock near
  what is now Sick's Mill, and continued northward to the Haverly settlement.
  Supplements to the act of 1806 were passed in 1812 and 1815. A new route was
  surveyed, and Andrew Shiner took the job of building the road, and got it opened
  as far as Birch creek in 1818. In that year Amos Ellis built a shanty on the
  Loyalsock, and boarded men who worked on the turnpike. He afterward built a
  hotel at that place. John R. Lopez built a shanty and boarded men near Birch
  creek. At that time Samuel McNeal was on land not far from the place where the
  old Evangelical church was built. There Sally McNeal, the first white child in
  Cherry township, was born. Frederick Huffmaster was at the Phinney mill; Jacob
  Miller was on the land since known as the Lewis Zaner place. Ezra Payne came in
  the fall of 1818 or winter of 1819. He moved into a house called the "Yankee
  house;" built of hewn logs with two rooms, a chimney in the middle and a
  fire-place in each room. This house was built by John Stowers after he left the
  Phinney log house at the Falls. Stowers then moved away from Cherry.
  
      On the 18th of March, 1819, Freeman Fairchild and his wife, whose maiden
  name was Hannah Kitchen, moved into the house with Ezra Payne. Soon afterward
  Payne moved across the road on his farm (the same afterward owned by Daniel and
  Soloman Bahr), where he built the first farm house and frame barn in that
  township. He also planted the first orchard. He was the first postmaster at the
  Cherry post office, and also the first justice of the peace in the township.
  Afterward a road was started from the turnpike on his premises, which went to
  Wyalusing and was known as the "Payne road." Later in the spring of 1819,
  Frederick Huffmaster moved to the farm where his grandson, Henry Huffmaster, has
  recently lived.
  
      The public spirit of the new settlement was shown on the 4th of July, 1819,
  when they raised a tall cherry "Liberty-pole," from the top of which the stars
  and stripes were first flung to the breeze in that township. Roswell Phelps read
  the Declaration of Independence. We have no report of speeches, but a patriotic
  song was sung, which commenced:
  
      "Come all ye gallant heroes,
          I'd have you lend an ear;
      I'll sing you a small ditty
          Which will your spirit cheer. "
  
      As soon as Payne left the Yankee house Fairchild leased it and there
  commenced the hotel business. He afterward purchased a farm and built a large
  frame house, long known as the Fairchild's Hotel. It was situated on the ground
  now occupied by the house of B. M. Sylvara, on the hill south of Dushore.
  Freeman Fairchild and his wife were from Morris county, New Jersey, but had
  lived in Berwick, whence they moved to Cherry. Their children were Stephen,
  Harriet and Caroline, brought with them, and another son, David, born after
  their settlement in Cherry.
  
      In the Fairchild tavern, for many years, weary travelers over the mountain
  found a welcome resting place. In 1834 Mr. Fairchild died, but his widow
  continued to keep the hotel until about 1851. Among the settlers who came in
  1819 and 1820 were Brookins Potter, Roswell Phelps, Linas Holcomb and David E.
  Davis. About this time Mr. Shiner built a sawmill, and later a gristmill, at the
  crossing of the turnpike at Big Loyalsock, and the location was from that date
  known for some time as Shiner's Mills. Here was established a post office, and
  Mr. Shiner received the appointment as postmaster. A road was built making
  connection with the original road connecting Lewis's lake with the old turnpike,
  which became the mail route from Mount Lewis to the turnpike. On its completion
  John Reeser, a miller by trade, then living in Columbia county, was induced to
  move his family, and take charge of the mills. About 1823 Mr. Shiner contracted
  with his son-in-law, Amos Ellis, and sons, Evan O. and Andrew, to sell them the
  Shiner's Mills property.
  
  SHINERSVILLE.
  
      Previous to this he had commenced improvements at a point on the turnpike
  afterward known as Shinersville. Here he laid out a village plat, on lands
  conveyed to him by the turnpike company, and offered village lots for sale at
  thirty-five dollars each. This point seems to have been one first selected by
  the settlers as the most convenient place of gathering. Here was the first
  burial after the settlements commenced, occurring during the summer of 1821,
  being that of William Maston, who came from Symsbury, Connecticut. Among those
  purchasing and improving the property were: David E. Davis, merchant,
  tavern-keeper and potash manufacturer, and John Mosier, blacksmith. A post
  office was here established, and Henry W. Cooper appointed postmaster. In this
  neighborhood we find the largest number of settlers at the time of the
  organization of the township. Among those who took up lands, we have the name of
  Samuel Thomas, who cleared the land still known as Thomas farm.
  
      A sawmill was built by Shiner at the crossing of Birch creek at the
  turnpike. Jesse, John and Samuel Hicks each improved lands in this vicinity.
  John M. Kirkendall made the first improvements on lands known as the Pendergast
  place. Jesse Kirkendall's name is found among the list of single freemen in the
  returns of 1824, and Charles Scott and Samuel Dill, who settled on lands still
  known by their names, came as early as 1820. The second schoolhouse built in the
  township was located here.
  
      John R. Lopez was a sub-contractor on the turnpike and was working near
  Ellis' in 1819. Later he purchased land on the turnpike north of Shinersville,
  where he continued to reside until his death. Lopez creek was named after him,
  and has given name to the present flourishing town of Lopez. In addition to the
  persons already named, Dennis Thrall, William Graifly, Caspar King, Joseph
  Litzenswope, Alden Potter, Nicholas Potter, William Potter, Joseph Potter,
  Charles Scott, Samuel Dill and John Miller were settlers before 1822. Henry
  Yonkin moved into the township in 1822. He was born in Germany and came to this
  country in 1806. He purchased land and cleared a farm on a ridge south of the
  Little Loyalsock. The same farm was afterwards occupied by Peter Yonkin, his
  son. Henry Yonkin came to Cherry from Brier creek, Columbia county. He had seven
  children - Henry, John, Jacob, Joseph, Peter, Elizabeth (who married Henry
  Graifly) and Catharine (who married Christian Mosier). Quite a large settlement
  of Germans gathered around Henry Yonkin, and that part of Cherry township became
  known as "Germany." In that settlement was erected, about 1825, the first church
  in Cherry township. Henry Yonkin, Joseph Litzenswope, Dennis Thrall and William
  Graify were among the active men in that church-building work. It was called a
  Lutheran or German Reformed church, but they received assistance from Catholics
  in building it, and it was used for Catholic worship as occasion required. The
  Rev. John Miller, a young German minister, first preached there in the German
  language. Henry Yonkin's sons were all highly intelligent, industrious and
  thriving men, and his numerous descendants have been worthy, influential citizens.
  
      Andrew Shiner had town lots regularly laid out at the point on the turnpike
  north of the present village of Mildred. He sold a number of these lots, and
  buildings enough were erected to give it the character of a village. He had
  purchased a good deal of land, and incurred expenses, as he stated, to the
  amount of seven thousand dollars. Being unable to meet his obligations he was
  sold out by the sheriff in 1829. He returned to Columbia county, and with his
  departure his village decayed. Natural causes took the center of business to
  Cherry Hill. Samuel Jackson, who had been employed by Andrew Shiner in his
  business, and had married one of the latter's daughters, now removed to land on
  the turnpike, south of Ezra Payne's, and occupied the "Yankee house," heretofore
  mentioned, built by John Stowers. Here he opened a store.
  
      As soon as the turnpike was completed a coach was put upon it, and a great
  deal of travel went over it, especially in the spring of the year, when hundreds
  of raftsmen from southern New York and northern Pennsylvania were returning from
  their rafting trips to the lumber markets on the lower Susquehanna. The lands
  were found to be good, and settlers flocked in and took up farms in every
  direction. Among those who came early (some in 1823) were Henry Yonkin, William
  Graifly, Casper King, Joseph Litzleswope, Dennis Thrall, William Hartzig, John
  Mosier, William Darby, Frederick Barge, John Reeser, Lewis Zaner and William
  Colley.
  
  FIRST SCHOOL-HOUSE IN CHERRY.
  
      The first school-house in Cherry township was built on Cherry Hill, near the
  residence of Daniel Bahr, in 1820, and a school was taught here the same year by
  Salome Tompkins, at one dollar per week and board. The next term was taught by
  Roswell Phelps, from Connecticut, and the next by Alma Potter, of Huntington.
  
  LITTLE LOYALSOCK.
  
      After John Reeser left the Shiner mill, about 1823, he took up land along
  the Little Loyalsock, including a mill site about a mile below Phinney's
  sawmill. Here he erected a gristmill. He had sons named William, John, Daniel
  and Amos. His son, the Rev. William Reeser, has given to the public considerable
  information in regard to the early settlement. We quote Mr. Reeser as follows:
  
      "A considerable source of income to our fathers in those early days was the
  maple-sugar product. The seasons were much better than now, and considering the
  crude appliances in use in the manufacture of sugar, the amount of the crop in
  pounds was very gratifying, although the prices realized were generally small.
  Game and fish were plenty. Deer could frequently be seen walking along the
  highway. For a period of about eight years wild turkeys were very plenty. My
  wife, whose maiden name was Sarah Martin and who was raised on the farm now
  owned by Lyman Baker, says she was frequently sent by her parents to drive the
  wild turkeys from the buckwheat, and sometimes the flocks were so large as to
  frighten her. Trout in great numbers could be found in all of our streams, and
  of a size, too, that would set wild the anglers of to-day. Wheat could not be
  raised in this country at that time. There was a plentiful growth of straw but
  it would not head. Corn was the same way - all stalks, and no ears. The first
  corn was raised on what is now known as the Lyman Baker farm. Rye and buckwheat
  did well. Wages in those times were small. Finally the times improved and a good
  workman was able to get seventy-five cents a day during haying and harvesting;
  at other work fifty cents a day was considered a day's wages. A day's work was
  from sunrise to sunset.
  
      "We knew nothing about the eight-hour law then. A girl's wages were from
  fifty to seventy-five cents per week. Very often the men were compelled to go
  from home to earn money with which to pay for their lands, leaving their
  families, as we may say, in the wilderness to shift for themselves for months at
  a time. The tools used by the first settlers were an axe and a handspike, and
  with the assistance of a pair of oxen the early settler was ready to commence
  his battle with the wilderness. "
  
      The Rev. William Reeser, from whom we quote, has always been a prominent man
  in the county and acted for three years as county commissioner. Amos Reeser, son
  of John Reeser, was a genial and much respected hotelkeeper in Dushore for many
  years.
  
      William Colley, who came from Columbia county when a young man, in the
  employ of Mr. Shiner, was one of the first to engage in the public business of
  the township. He succeeded Mr. Maxwell as justice of the peace. Mr. Colley was
  president of the first school-board in Cherry township, and among the most
  active in measures connected with the organization of the county. He received
  the appointment as associate judge, and when a change was made, by which judges
  were elected, he was continued in office five years longer. He served also as
  prothonotary and recorder, continuing to hold important public positions, either
  in connection with county or township, until impaired health compelled him to
  give up public business.
  
      Among the early settlers in Cherry township was George Hunsinger. He had
  formerly resided near Berwick, and moved to the Genesee country in New York, but
  finding the fever and ague prevailing there, returned and took up land near the
  southwestern corner of the present boundary of the township, along the old
  turnpike. By him and his sons the first clearings were made on the ridge between
  the two branches of the Loyalsock. His family consisted of seven sons and two
  daughters, viz.: Christian, George, Samuel, Charles, Jacob, Solomon and Barney.
  His daughters married Thrashers and resided in Schuylkill county. Christian was
  a blacksmith by trade; Jacob moved to Lycoming county; Solomon to Bradford;
  Barney to Schuylkill, and George settled in Forks township, where his father
  made his home with him until he died.
  
      David H. Goodwin came about 1830. He was first employed as a surveyor by
  non-resident land-owners, and in a few years became their agent for the sale of
  lands. He was a well educated man, thoroughly alive to the importance of
  improving the county, and especially interested in advancing its educational
  interests. During the winter months he was employed as a school-teacher, and
  sometimes taught singing schools. He was active in church work, and occasionally
  served as a local preacher.
  
      Joseph Bachelor settled along the turnpike on the hill north of what is now
  Dushore, but did not remain long. William Lawrence took up land on the turnpike
  about three-fourths of a mile north of Bachelor's improvement. He came from
  Augusta township, Northumberland county. He was born in 1805, married a daughter
  of Horatio Ladd in 1824, and built a log house in the neighborhood. In 1825 he
  contracted for forty-eight acres of land at two dollars per acre, for which he
  obtained a deed, and five years afterward he increased the amount to one hundred
  and twenty acres. Mr. Lawrence was one of the first commissioners of the county,
  and prominent in all its affairs until he left this county and moved to Bradford
  county, in 1854. His wife died in 1847, leaving one son, John H. Lawrence, who
  was afterward sheriff. His grandson, William J. Lawrence, is now prothonotary
  and recorder.
  
      Cornelius Harrington took up lands in the northwestern part of the township
  about 1828. He was from Ireland, and was afterward joined by a number of his
  countrymen. The neighborhood is known as the Harrington district. He was an
  energetic man in all measures pertaining to the interests of the county, and was
  the first in taking active measures for the establishment of the Sullivan county
  fair. So far as is now known he was the first Catholic Irishman who settled in
  Cherry township. Joseph Litzleswope (father-in-law of Cornelius Harrington), who
  settled in Cherry township in 1823, was the first German Catholic. Cornelius
  Harrington's son Cornelius owns the homestead, and James is a prominent business
  man in Dushore.
  
      Isaiah Bartley, who was one of the most active managers in the contest for
  the county seat at Cherry Hill, came into the county about 1835. He kept a store
  and, being a single man, boarded at the Fairchild hotel. He was of Protestant
  Irish descent, had an excellent education, and was a man of fine talents. He was
  the most efficient man at Harrisburg of all who advocated the county seat in
  Cherry. He afterward moved to Harrisburg and continued in business there until
  he died.
  
  DUSHORE.
  
      In December, 1825, John Mosier purchased seventy-five acres of land,
  including Du-Thouars spring and clearing, and a large part of what is now
  Dushore. He afterward purchased thirty-five acres more. He moved there in the
  spring of 1826. He was a blacksmith by trade, and earned the money to pay for
  his land by working as a journeyman in blacksmith shops along the river. In
  clearing his land, after cutting the underbrush and small timber, he trimmed the
  big hemlocks from the top down, and left them standing. His object was to get a
  partial use of the land, and he supposed that the trees would remain sound until
  he could build a mill and saw them into lumber. Mr. Mosier was generally
  supposed to be a German, but his certificate of naturalization says he renounced
  his allegiance to the government of Switzerland. He was a man of low stature,
  being about five feet and four inches in height. He died January 17, 1859.
  
      In 1829 Mathew McDowell erected a building for a store within the lines of
  what is now Dushore, and stocked it with goods. He had a clerk named Henry W.
  Cooper, who conducted most of the business. This was the first store within the
  limits of Dushore. McDowell sold out to Henry W. Cooper. How long the latter
  continued business there is uncertain, but he erected another building near the
  one purchased of McDowell. Both of these buildings were on land now owned by
  George H. Welles, where the store and bank building is erected. Cooper sold this
  property to Samuel Jackson, who moved his family and store goods there. To make
  more room he erected another building between the two purchased, and connected
  them together, making one long two-story house. In this he lived and kept a
  store and a tavern. John Mosier's blacksmith shop was on the same side of the
  street a little farther northeast. Mosier's swelling house was on the other side
  of the street, near where the George D. Jackson homestead now stands. The place
  was called "Jackson Hollow" until Charles F. Welles, of Wyalusing, being a guest
  of Jackson, an [sic] remembering that the residence of the celebrated French
  captain (Du Thouars) had been near by, suggested to Jackson that he should put
  the name on his sign. The suggestion was promptly acted upon, and Dushore was
  put upon the sign. The name Du Thouars was altered to Dushore, because it was
  easier spoken. Although this name was adopted by Samuel Jackson, and used by
  him, the old name was still used by some, and to give it authoritative sanction
  a public meeting was held and the name of Dushore formally adopted.
  
      Samuel Jackson died in January, 1840. After his death the store was
  continued in the same building, by William Colley, until it was disposed of to
  Edward Hughes. Hughes remained one or two years, when Dr. Josiah Jackson moved
  his family into the Samuel Jackson house and kept a store in the same building.
  Prior to this, and whilst Hughes was still in business, Dr. Jackson had a store
  up the creek, near the falls, in the house recently occupied by the late Judge
  Fairchild. This store was chiefly in charge of his son George D. Jackson. In
  1847 John Mosier sold his blacksmith-shop lot to Cornelius Cronin, and his
  dwelling-house lot to Josiah Jackson. Cornelius Cronin immediately erected a
  building and established a store. Soon afterward Dr. Jackson built a store-house
  and dwelling-house on the opposite side of the street. Prior to this John
  Dieffenbach had acquired the old Phinney mill-site at the Falls and had erected
  a sawmill and gristmill, which were destroyed by a flood in 1850. Dr. Jackson
  practiced as a physician, and his son, George D., was the leading man in the store.
  
      About 1847 Dr. John M. Heacock came and practiced as a physician. He had his
  home and office at Mrs. Fairchild's.
 

 
  End of Part I