Union County History Annals of the Buffalo Valley by John Blair Lynn Pages 523 thru 557 Contributed for use in USGenWeb by Tony Rebuck USGENWEB NOTICE: Printing this file by non-commercial individuals and libraries is Encouraged, as long as all notices and submitter information is included. Any other use, including copying files to other sites requires permission from the submitter PRIOR to uploading to any other sites. We encourage links to state and county table of contents. 1835. DEBATE IN THE LEWISBURG TEMPERANCE SOCIETY - COLONEL KELLY'S MONUMENT ERECTED WITH IMPOSING CEREMONIES - FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATIONS. THE winter of 1834 and 1835 was very severe. On Shade mountain, a pack of twenty wolves were found frozen after the melting of the snow. They appeared to have huddled together, perhaps exhausted with a long march, and perished of cold and hunger. On Friday evening, the 13th of February, the Lewisburg Temperance society again met, and resumed the discussion of the propriety of adopting the resolution, "that the distillation and vendition of ardent spirits, as a drink, is morally wrong," which, it must be known, had been discussed before by the society, and adopted by a majority of four votes; but the opponents of the resolution, not being satisfied with the proceedings, on account of illegal votes having been taken, as they alleged, it was, therefore, agreed by both parties to re-consider the resolution. The debate was held in the Methodist church. Mr. Merrill, Mr. Marr, and Mr. Aiken for affirmative. General Green, Doctor Joyce, Mr. Barber, and James P. Ross in the negative. The first resolution: Resolved, That the distilling and vending of ardent spirits, as a drink, is morally wrong. Second, that it is expedient that the temperance societies of Pennsylvania adopt the above resolution. The vote on the first, yeas, 70; nays, 36. Second, yeas, 58; nays, 30. 524 ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. [1835. February 24, Isaac G. Jones admitted to the bar.* April 8, the monument to the memory of Colonel John Kelly was erected with impressive ceremonies, in the Presbyterian burial-ground, in the borough of Lewisburg. A company of cavalry from Northumberland county, one from Union, with three infantry companies, participated. Abbot Green was grand marshal, with Michael Brobst, General R. H. Hammond, Colonel Philip Ruhl, and Doctor J. S. Dougal as aids. The procession was formed by the adjutant, Colonel Jackson McFadden, with the military, in front, followed by the revolutionary soldiers and citizens; after whom came the monument, drawn by four gray horses, flanked by cavalry; then the marshal and aids, preceding the orator, clergy, and relatives lastly, the ladies, and a section of cavalry brought up the rear. On its arrival at the ground, the cavalry were stationed outside the burial-ground, and the infantry formed a square about the grave, inclosing the relatives, clergy, &c. The monument was set by the architects, William Hubbard, F. Stoughton, Samuel Hursh, and Charles Penny; after which the grand marshal performed the rites of dedication, and James Merrill, Esquire, delivered an oration. On the 12th of April, Mr. Hood preached his farewell sermon to the Miltn congregation, and on the 19th, to the Buffalo congregation, thus closing with the latter a pastorate of thirty-one years. On the 3d of May, Reverend Isaac Grier succeeded him at Buffalo Cross-Roads. On the 31st of May, the German church in Lewisburg was dedicated. A great number of people in attendance. The 4th of July was celebrated at Buffalo Cross-Roads by a meeting, at which Colonel Philip Ruhl presided and James D. Chamberlin acted as secretary. Colonel Henry Noll delivered an oration, and James C. McCreight read the Declaration of Independence. The citizens of New Berlin and Hartleton united in a celebration at Mifflinburg. James A. Cummings was grand marshal, and there was a grand parade, in which Captain Forster's infantry, the Jackson guards, and the Lafayette troop, under the command of Captain Eilert, took part. A fourth of July sentiment, of a partisan character, appeared in the proceedings of the Mifflinburg celebration, contrary to an under- *Isaac G. Jones, Esquire, moved to Beaver, Pennsylvania, where he practiced law until his death, March 30, 1853. 1835.] ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. 525 standing that all political toasts should be suppressed. It appeared among the proceedings, and was published accordingly. The following is the toast: By J. H. Fries: Democrats, Jackson, and Anti-Bank men of Pennsylvania, will you, or can you, suffer to be beaten after such a glorious victory as you achieved in 1834? Lay all personal and family desires aside, and think on the true and faithful saying: "United we stand, divided we fall." Military Election. Abbot Green, Esquire, of Lewisburg, in this county, was, a few days ago, elected to the honorable station of major general of this division. We believe this selection has given general satisfaction. Henry Noll was elected colonel; Samuel Reber, lieutenant colonel; John Gundy and George Roush, junior, majors of the forty-third regiment. - Times, July 6. At September court, politics were lively in New Berlin. A Wolf meeting was held on Monday, a Muhlenburg meeting on Tuesday, and a Ritner meeting on Wednesday. September 24, John Sargent and family left Lewisburg, moving eight miles west of Meadville. November 27, an explosion occurred in Charles F. Schaffle's drug store at Lewisburg, in which he was badly burned. December 24, Beck's tannery burned down. [End of page 525.] 1836. POLITICAL APPOINTMENTS - ACCIDENT ON THE FOURTH OF JULY. WINTER of 1835-6 was very severe; snow frequently over twelve inches deep, and the river frozen to the depth of two or three feet. Joseph Ritner having been elected Governor, appoints his friends to office. Robert P. Maclay succeeding Joseph Stillwell as prothonotary, and George Aurand succeeding Samuel Roush as register and recorder. Ner Middleswarth was elected Speaker of the House of Representatives. On the 1st of April, the Lewisburg, Penn's Valley, and Hollidaysburg railroad was incorporated, and on the 16th of June an act was passed re-districting the State. Juniata, Mifflin, and Union a district, entitled to three members. May 23, James Reasoner died. He had hitched his horse to a post in Hartleton; the horse frightened and pulled out the post, and Mr. Reasoner, in trying to catch the horse, was struck with the swinging post, and died from the effects. James McClune commenced his classical school in Lewisburg. 16th June, Charles de Haas, engineer, commenced surveying the Lewisburg, Penn's Valley, and Hollidaysburg railroad. He ran his line up Cherry alley, Lewisburg. 4th of July celebration terminated unfortunately. Towards evening, a party were firing a cannon at the foot of St. John street. They had fired twice, when, in the act of ramming the third charge, it exploded. Joseph McCool had his right hand blown off, and his arm had to be amputated below the elbow. John Bower lost his two forefingers. Peter Bower had his thumb torn off. August 24, Kirkham, the grammarian, delivered a lecture in Lewisburg. 1837.] ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. 527 October 5, heavy snow-storm; one and a half feet deep in Penn's valley and on Buffalo and White Deer mountains. November 4, James Merrill, Esquire, and William P. Maclay, elected Senatorial delegates, and William L. Harris, Ephraim Banks, and John Cummin, Representative delegates to the Convention to propose amendments to the Constitution of the State. 1837. FIRST ABOLITION LECTURE IN THE VALLEY - SHOWS - REPORT OF THE UNION COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. FEBRUARY 5th, Philip Rorabaugh buried in the German grave-yard, at Lewisburg, with military honors, aged eighty-five. He was a hero of three wars, the Revolution, the whisky insurrection, and the war of 1812. March 15, Mrs. Dunlap's house, on Buffalo creek, a mile below Chamberlin's mill, was burned last night; Sally Gray and her son, (both deranged,) John Young, about seventeen years old, and a son of Joseph G. Wallace, eight years old, burned. There were eight in the house; four escaped. April 17, Doctor Thomas Vanvalzah, and others, left the Valley to settle in Illinois. This was the start of an emigration which has made Stephenson county, Illinois, a counterpart of Buffalo Valley. November 10, Miller McKim delivered his first lecture in Lewisburg on the abolition of slavery. On the 14th there was a meeting which, upon a motion made to determine whether McKim should be allowed to speak, ended suddenly in a small riot. Shows. Shows have changed in character with the increase of population. Welsh & Purdy's came through the county. They have collected upwards of one hundred beasts, birds, and reptiles, in a great cara- 528 ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. [l837. van of wagons; have an excellent band of musicians, and held their exhibition under a huge pavilion, capable of containing five thousand people. It is quite a grand spectacle to see them entering New Ber- lin. In front marches the elephant, clad in red housings, with a lofty saddle, on which are mounted two musicians; next, came a band of musicians, mounted upon gray horses, gaily caparisoned, followed by a train of wagons, containing the animals. The whole establishment embraced one hundred horses, all grays, and eighty men. The hotels were open before daylight, and people gathered in from the country as soon as it was light. The largest room in the house was thrown open for dancing, and the fiddles only ceased with the news of the entrance of the procession, to be resumed after the procession, and continued until the call for dinner. Union County Agricultural Society. It is with regret that we notice so late the reports of three com- mittees of this society, made on the 20th of October. They were the reports of the committee on grain, on hogs, and on butter and cheese. The way in which these reports came to be omitted in the report published in the Union Times, of the 4th instant, was, that they were handed to the former treasurer, who supposed that they would be called for, and the present treasurer, not knowing that such reports existed, they were omitted to be laid before the committee on premiums. Consequently, the articles recommended in those reports as worthy of premiums had no premiums awarded them out of the funds appropriated for that purpose. These reports are now noticed, because it is due to the producers of the articles noticed in them. It is only to be regretted, that the funds of the society will not afford them the premiums they merited. The following is an abstract of the reports: The committee on grain reported, that John Wilt, of Hartley township, produced evidence of the best yield of wheat per acre, according to the quality of the soil, having raised thirty-five bushels off an acre, selected out of a field of about eight acres, the wheat having been cultivated alike. They report the soil as being of second-rate land - a gravel shale - adjacent to limestone soil. That Colonel Samuel Barber, of West Buffalo township, exhibited 1837.] ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. 529 evidence of the next best specimen of wheat, having raised forty bushels off an acre, selected out of a field containing eleven acres, all cultivated alike. That the soil is of first rate limestone. Con- sidering the quality of the soil, the committee awarded the first premium to Mr. Wilt, and to Colonel Barber the second. The committee also considered Colonel Barber worthy of a premium for the best specimen of summer wheat. Francis Wilson's corn, being seventy bushels of shelled corn to an acre, was also deemed worthy of a premium. The committee also notice in terms of commendation Mr. Wilt's yield of corn; as also Philip Seebold's grapes; Samuel Templeton's potatoes, having yielded eighty bushels per quarter of an acre, (one single potato weighing four and three quarter pounds;) Mrs. Merrill's sugar-beet, and Mrs. Shroyer's red-beet, and Mrs. Schoch's cabbage. To some of these small premiums are recommended, especially Mr. Seebold's grapes. The committee on hogs awarded to John Clemmens a premium for the best breed of hogs, considering their size and age. The committee on butter and cheese recommended a specimen of butter exhibited by Mrs. Margaret Pontius, as of a superior quality, both in color and taste. JOSEPH STILWELL, Recording Secretary. Philadelphia Prices Current, October 21, 1837 - Grain: Wheat, Pennsylvania, bushel, $1 55; Rye, 8o; Corn, yellow, 93; Barley, inferior, 83; Oats, 35 to 38. Spirits: Whisky, rye, 33; hogsheads, 31. Wool: American, full blood, lb. 50 to 63. At the October election, Yearick, for Assembly, received 1,381 votes in Union county; Boyer, opposition, 1,666. [End of page 529.] 1838 LOCUST YEAR - BUCKSHOT WAR. THIS is the "locust year." I saw and heard them for the first time this year on the 17th of June, and the last of them were heard in the last week of July. They were very numerous, and most of the oak trees in this neighborhood bear witness of their labors; the present year's shoots of the branches being killed by the punctures this creature makes in laying its eggs. The common opinion is that they re-appear every fourteen years, (some say seventeen,) but I incline to think they are by no means regular in their visits. The first time I saw them was in 1804, when they were very numerous about Selinsgrove. in the year 1817, I saw them at Princeton, N. J.; in 1821, at Sunbury at Selinsgrove, in 1832 and, lastly, here, (Milton.) A gentleman who had a contract on the canal in 1827-28-29, informed me that the laborers frequently dug up this insect in the aurelia state, in the flats. Their size diminished according to the depth beneath the surface. Some were found at the depth of four feet, and were small, soft, and entirely white. They do not make their appearance in all parts of the country at the same period. - G. A. S. To the Electors of the District composed of the counties of Union, Juniata, and Mifflin:* FELLOW-CITIZENS: I have been in a deplorable situation for eight or ten days past. I was elected your representative. As such, I am *This communication was published as an extra of the Union Times, Wednesday, December, 19, and gives Mr. Montelius' reasons for withdrawing from his party organization at that interesting epoch in Pennsylvania political history, known as the "Buckshot War," causing a collapse of Thaddeus Stevens' "Rump Legislature," as it was called. Mr. Montelius was commissioned associate judge of Union county, February 21, 1845, by Governor Shunk, and died at Mifflinburg, March 31, 1864, aged eighty years two months and twenty-three days. 1838.] ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. 531 bound faithfully to discharge my duty to you, to myself, to God, and my country. You are already informed that there were two Speakers elected on the 4th instant, in the House of Representatives. With the information I had, and the advice of the friends in whom I confided, I was induced to act here with the party who profess the same principles with those of my constituents who nominated and elected me. But full information, cool and deliberate reflection, and warnings of my conscience, have convinced me that my party friends here have mistaken their course, and that, as a faithful representative, and an honest man, I was bound to retrace my steps, do what I conscientiously believed to be right, and trust to the impartiality of your judgment, upon a full and fair examination of all the facts. Finding my political friends had done wrong, according to my judgment, I withdrew from them immediately, and have waited for several days to give them time to retrace their steps, and to allow all concerned to arrange, peaceably and justly, the unhappy difference that had arisen; but finding this has not been accomplished, I have nothing left for me but to do that which I believe to be right, and leave to those who would destroy our beloved State the consequence of their rashness. Do not think I have acted rashly. The step I have taken was taken deliberately and coolly, and in obedience to my understanding of the constitution and laws of our dear country. I am for peace. "Es wird meiner seele bange zu wohnen bey denen die den frieden hassen." And I hope the course I have taken may help to save our beloved Pennsylvania from bloodshed and the horrors of civil war. The great question is whether the majority shall rule, and upon this question I know you all think with me. Now, all I have done has been done with an honest desire to carry out this great principle in our free government, that the minority must yield to the majority. And I am certain not one of you, however strong a party man he may be, will blame me for maintaining this principle. My constituents, particularly in Union county, all know me, and I beg of them all, before they condemn me, fully and coolly to examine the facts. I have not, in this instance, acted as a party man, but I have acted honestly, and according to my conscience. In joining with my party friends in organizing the House of Rep- resentatives, with the eight Philadelphia county members of the 532 ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. [1838. Whig party, I thought these had been elected by the majority of the votes of the county, and had been returned by a majority of the judges, but I soon found that this was not true, and that the eight members of the opposition party in the county of Philadelphia, had been elected by a majority of about five hundred votes in the whole county, and had been returned elected by a majority of the judges. I am sorry to say that the Secretary of the State kept back these returns, which I think was wrong. Under these circumstances, I could not continue to act with men who had no right to their seats, no more than my opponent had to mine. You would not, as honest men, ask me to sanction so bad a principle, and it is that I know your honesty that I have joined those who have been fairly elected by the majority. My party opinions and principles have not changed, and my future course will show that I am true to those principles. On your calm judgment I rely. What I have done has been done for what I believe to be your interest, and is approved by my conscience. I remain your friend, JOHN MONTELIUS. HALL OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, December 17, 1838. On the 17th of December, Messrs. Butler and Sturdevant, of Luzerne, and Mr. Montelius, of Union, appeared in the House, over which Mr. Hopkins was presiding, and, after some remarks by Mr. Butler, explanatory of their course, were duly sworn as members, thus ending the contest. [End of page 532.] 1839. AURAND'S HOTEL BURNED - POLITICS - OBITUARY NOTICE OF REVEREND J. H. FRIES JANUARY 15, David R. Porter proclaimed Governor. February 19, Samuel Aurand's hotel, at New Berlin, burned. It was court week, and the house full of lawyers, jurors, suitors, and witnesses. Some made narrow escapes, with the loss of their clothing, as the fire broke out in the night, when all were abed. April 5, John Eghert's stable, at Lewisburg, burned, with his horse and cow. This was followed by the burning of Alexander Graham's and a number of others, caused by incendiaries. The Times, August 21, publishes the following as the "Democratic- Republican Anti-Bank ticket: Assembly, Doctor Isaac Hottenstine; Prothonotary, Samuel Roush; Register and Recorder, Robert Forster; Commissioner, George A. Snyder; Auditor, Jacob Wittenmyer; Trustees of the Mifflinburg Academy, Colonel Samuel Barber, John Hilbish, and Charles Pellman; and the following as the "Abolition United States Bank ticket:" Assembly, John A. Vanvalzah; Prothonotary, Jacob H. Horning; Register and Recorder, John Glover; Commissioner, Henry Hilbish; Auditor, Samuel Bawling; Trustees, Samuel B. Barber, James Simington, and David Watson. Anti-Masonic candidate for Register and Recorder, David Schwenck. At the October election, Vanvalzah's vote was 1,577. Average majority of his colleagues on the ticket in Union county, 277. In October, the banks in Philadelphia and Baltimore suspended 514 ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY [1839. specie payment, and the Northumberland bank was compelled to follow. The directors of the latter bank, John Walls, Alexander Jordan, John Taggert, &c., however, published a card, in which they pledged their individual responsibility that all its issues should ultimately be made good. October 3, grew on the farm of Samuel Zellers, in East Buffalo township, two pumpkins on one vine, one measuring two feet three inches in diameter, and two feet five inches in length, and weighs one hundred and twenty pounds; the other measures six feet eleven inches in circumference, and weighs one hundred and seventeen pounds. November 19, Absalom Swineford, Esquire, admitted to the bar. On the 8th of December, the new Lutheran and Reformed church, at the place of the old Dreisbach church, in Buffalo township, was dedicated. The building committee were John Sheckler, Samuel Reber, Peter Engel, and Jacob Ritter. Obituary. Just Henry Fries died on Wednesday evening, the 9th of October, aged sixty-two years five months and sixteen days. For some years before his death, he was deprived of his sight, but his astonishing memory enabled him to give out the hymns in full, and preach with a precision for which he was always noted. He refused to take medicine in his last illness, saying he wished to die in the full possession of his senses. His disease was of a very singular character. In July he cut a corn on his toe, mortification took place, spreading gradually, with intense pain, to his knee. Here it remained seated in his knee, the pain having nearly ceased, when suddenly it commenced, spreading, and affected his whole body. He is buried in the Mifflinburg grave-yard. The grave-yard lies along a slope, somewhat elevated above the town, which lies immediately in front; beyond it, west and east, extends one of the finest valleys in Pennsylvania. To the west, in the distance, are the jutting knobs; and to the north, the broad, blue side of the mountains, with quiet nooks between; and as far as the eye can reach, in the north-east, are the breaks in the mountains, with the broad levels between, which indicate the course of the noble Susquehanna. Thus does 1839.] ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. 535 his quiet grave still overlook the wide scene of his labors, while he has gone to await the final issues of his care, as they shall gather around him in the resurrection of the just. Mr. Fries was remarkably open, honest, and true. His word could be depended upon. He hated all sham and hypocrisy to such a degree that he was constantly in danger of falling into a blunt frankness, without giving due attention to that suavity of mariner, which is to an open heart what the fragrance is to an open flower. He was fearless in preaching.* He was unnecessarily open and free with his political views. He not only argued readily on this subject in private circles, but often introduced political matters, with more or less plainness, into the pulpit, referring even to candidates and parties. He also wrote numerous articles for the papers during the heat of contests, anony- mously, it is true, yet still so that their parentage was recognized by many. This was one of his weaknesses, which his friends always regretted, but which he was never able to see in its true light. He was very kind hearted, which he manifested in great affection towards his family and in kindnesses to his friends. His labors in the min- istry were very extensive, and the complete statistics of his services show an astonishing result, &c. - Harbaugh's Fathers. He was twice married, first to Catherine Groff, by whom he had two children; second, to Susanna Grow, by whom he had eleven. Judge Henry W. Fries, late of Lewisburg, now of Iowa, is his son. *I have often heard quoted a remark he made in a sermon in Brush Valley: "Money rules the world, but ignorance rules Brush Valley." - Linn. [End of page 535.] 184O. WEATHER RECORD - STATE ROAD FROM HEBERLING'S TO ELK CREEK, CENTRE COUNTY, LOCATED - CENSUS OF 1840. JANUARY __, the deep snows of this winter, followed by intensely cold weather, drove the wolves down from Shade and Jack's mountain. A pack of thirteen attacked and destroyed an ox near Beavertown. Friday, January 16, was called the "cold Friday," thermometer being seventeen degrees below zero. On the 10th of February the ice broke in the river, and passed off, and on the 4th of December the first snow of the succeeding winter fell. The following is the result of the elections held on the 5th March, in the borough and township, for and against the common school: Borough of New Berlin. For the school 64 Against the school 31 __ Majority in favor of the school 33 Union Township. Against the school 154 For the school 12 ___ Majority against the school 142 May 26, the commissioners, Anthony Wolfe, of Centre county, Henry Noll, of Union, and Jacob Stitzel of Northumberland, com- 1840.] ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. 537 menced locating the State road from Heberling's mill, in West Buffalo township, to Elk creek, in Miles township, Centre county, through the Brush Valley narrows. James F. Linn was the surveyor, David Wolfe and Henry Peters, chain carriers, and Colonel Samuel Reber, axeman. July 4, a monument to the memory of Captain Samuel M. Patterson was erected in the Presbyterian grave-yard at Lewisburg, with appropriate ceremonies, by the "Union Hornets." On the 19th of October, Reverend Thomas P. Hunt commenced his series of temperance lectures, at Lewisburg, which gave a very remarkable impetus to the cause through Buffalo valley. On the 29th, Reverend Hugh Pollock, from Belfast, Ireland, arrived and took charge of the Lewisburg academy, made vacant by the removal of James McClune to Mifflinburg. United States Pensioners Residing in Union County in 1840. Centre, Conrad Swartzlander, aged 85. Union, George Miller, 81; Jacob Bickel, 85; John Derr, 86. Mifflinburg, Peter Lenhart, 85; John Linn, 84. West Buffalo, Robert Barber, 89. East Buffalo Jacob Mook, 86; Adam Schout, 86. White Deer, Joseph Bitting, 83. Hartley, Peter Klingaman, 85. Census of 1840. Mifflinburg, 704 Penn's, 2,280 Kelly, 788 Middle Creek, 562 Buffalo, 1,348 Chapman, 1,297 White Deer, 1,252 Perry, 1,254 Hartley, 1,866 Union, 1,630 Centre, 1,891 Washington, 1,135 New Berlin, 679 Beaver, 2,609 Lewisburg, 1,220 West Buffalo, 1,460 Total 22,787 East Buffalo 812 Samuel Roush, Esquire, was the deputy marshal, who took the census of the south side of the county. Captain John Forster, deputy marshal for the north side. [End of page 537.] 1841 to 1855. DEATH OF JAMES MERRILL, ESQUIRE - DEVELOPMENT OF IRON ORE IN THE VALLEY - NEWSPAPERS - POLITICS - DANVILLE ENCAMPMENT - NOTICE OF WILLIAM HAYES - MILLERISM - CAMP POTTER - LIBERTY PARTY FORMED - FURNACES BUILT - DEATH OF WILLIAM L. HARRIS - DAGUERREOTYPES INTRODUCED - RAILROAD MEETING - ACCIDENT AT TURTLE CREEK - LIST OF VALLEY SOLDIERS IN THE MEXICAN WAR - VOTE ON LICENSE - DEATH OF JOHN LASHELLS, ESQUIRE, AND GENERAL R. H. HAMMOND - LEWISBURG UNIVERSITY CHARTERED - HIGH's MILL BURNED - THE LAST BATTALION - TAXABLES AND VALUATION - CENSUS OF 1850 - SUSQUEHANNA RAILROAD COMMENCED - FIRST COMMENCEMENT AT LEWISBURG - RAILROAD EXCITEMENT - UNION COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY FORMED - LEWISBURG, CENTRE, AND SPRUCE CREEK RAILROAD COMPANY CHARTERED - GREAT FIRE AT LEWISBURG - DEATH OF HONORABLE GEORGE KREMER - UNION FURNACE AT WINFIELD ERECTED - ERECTION OF SNYDER COUNTY - VOTE IN FAVOR OP DIVISION - VOTE ON THE LOCATION OF THE COUNTY SEAT. [1841.] In the spring, J. & M. Halfpenny started the Laurel woolen factory, at the mouth of Laurel run, in Hartley township. They built the Winfield woolen factory, near Laurelton, and removed thither in 1851. The Presbyterian church, at New Berlin, was organized. Elders, John Lashells, James Merrill, and Joseph Stillwell. Mr. Hugh Pollock published his pamphlet, entitled "The Present State of America compared with England and Ireland." April 12, the People's Advocate, at Lewisburg, suspended publication. September 4, S. K. Sweetman and D. O. E. Maize commenced the publication of the Independent Press at Lewisburg. In October, the vote for Governor, in Union county, was: For David R. Porter, 1,568; for John Banks, 2,132. October 29, James Merrill, Esquire, died at New Berlin, after a lingering illness, from cancer of the face. He was born at Peacham, Vermont, May 8, 1790. Eldest son of Jesse and Priscilla (Kimbell) Merrill. Graduated at Dartmouth College in 1842.] ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. 539 1812, in the same class with Honorable John Blanchard, and came with him to Pennsylvania. He studied law with David Cassat, Esquire, at York, and settled in New Berlin in 1816. As a jurist, he soon became prominent in every department of legal science. He was always upright and candid in all his professional intercourse, and was a faithful and efficient advocate. He was a member of the Constitutional Convention of 1837-1838. In the fall, the iron ore below the mouth of Turtle creek was found to be of a superior quality, and its development was commenced by Napoleon Hughes, of Franklin county, a short distance above the site of the present furnace of Beaver, Marsh & Co., a few hundred yards from the river bank. On the 25th of December, Nathan Mitchell and James S. Marsh commenced the manufacture of the "Hathaway Cooking Stove," at the Lewisburg foundry. Current prices of grain at Lewisburg, September 18: Wheat, $1.20 rye, 50 cents; corn, 56 cents; oats, 33 cents; butter, 10 cents. [1842.] Current prices at Lewisburg, June 11, wheat, $1.00. August 20, wheat, 8o cents. The military spirit of the Valley may be inferred from the number of volunteer companies: Lafayette Troop, Union Troop, Patriotic Blues, Union Rifle Rangers, Mifflinburg Greens, and the Lewisburg Infantry. The Union Times, at New Berlin, was published by Jacob Reichly & Co., John M. Baum, editor. The Independent Press, at Lewisburg, by S. K. Sweetman and J. F. Busch. February 10, twelve, P. M., distillery of R. M. Musser, in Kelly township, burned down. March 2, the Northern temperance convention met in the Methodist church at Lewisburg. March 14, Elder William Lane commenced his labors at Lewisburg. March 21, Jonas Kelchner, editor of the People's Advocate, at Lewisburg, died, aged thirty-five. June 1, the encampment at Danville was held. General Winfield Scott was the distinguished guest. Lewisburg Infantry, Captain McFadden, and the Union Troop, Captain Vanvalzah, were in attendance. June 6, the election for field officers of the forty-third regiment resulted as follows: Colonel, Levi B. Christ; Lieutenant Colonel, Jacob Ritter; Major, Robert B. Green. Independent Battalion - Lieutenant Colonel, S. H. Laird; Major, S. F. Lyndall. July 4, General Abbot Green was elected major general of the eighth division. Union County Democratic Standing Committee - James Dale, Hon- 540 ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. [1843. orable George Schnable, Jacob Reichly, Honorable John Baskins, Thomas Bower, Colonel Samuel Reber, Captain John Forster, Major George Roush, Major John Gundy, Valentine Haas, Esquire. Democratic convention at New Berlin, August 29, was composed of the following delegates: New Berlin, Samuel Wilson and Sem Schoch; Union, Adam Miller and Jacob Wetzel; West Buffalo, Elias Kleckner and William Forster; Mifflinburg, J. G. Chestney and Joseph Ellert; Buffalo, Jacob Ritter and Martin Dreisbach; Kelly, David Kelly and David Howard; East Buffalo, James Reber and David Herbst; Lewisburg, John Walls and C. D. Kline; White Deer, Samuel Henderson and J. W. Drum; Hartley, Henry Charles and Charles D. Smith. Henry C. Eyer was nominated for Senator, and Samuel Reber for Assembly. Samuel Wilson, president; Thomas Bower, secretary. The Whig convention also met in August, and nominated the following ticket: Congress, William L. Harris; Senate, Ner Middleswarth; Assembly, John A. Vanvalzah; Register and Recorder, Michael H. Weaver; Commissioner, Solomon Engel; Auditor, S. H. Laird; Trustees, Robert Chambers, William A. Piper, Charles Montelius. This ticket is called, in the choice language of the Union Times, The Anti- Masonic, Anti-Suffrage, Peg Beatty, Blue Light, Federal Whig ticket of Union county. Vote in October: For John A. Vanvalzah, for Assembly, 1,562; for Samuel Reber, 1,405. October 29, the church at Laurel run, in Hartley township, dedi- cated. December term, George W. Graham, Esquire, admitted to the bar. December 13, Reverend S. H. Reed installed pastor of the German Reformed church at Lewisburg. December 23, New Berlin Artillerists organized by Colonel Jackson McFadden, brigade inspector. Officers: Captain, J. J. Maclay; first lieutenant, Michael Kleckner; second lieutenant, Charles D. Roush, and the event Celebrated by a dinner at Michael Kleckner's hotel. [1843.] In January, Honorable John Baskins resigned the office of associate judge of Union county, preparatory to moving to Mercer county, and on the 24th, B. F. Baskins was admitted to the bar. February 17, William Hayes, merchant of Lewisburg, died, aged sixty- one. His ancestors, John Hayes and Jane, his wife, with four children, emigrated from Londonderry about the year 1730 - settled in Chester county, where his house burned. He then moved to 1843.] ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. 541 Northampton county, where he kept public house and store. During the Indian troubles, he used to beat a drum on the hill-top, near his house, to warn the settlers of approaching danger. He died in 1788, aged eighty-three. His widow died at Derry, Northumberland county, aged ninety-four, in 1806. Of the four children born in Ireland: 1, William, moved to the State of Virginia at an early period; 2, Isabella, married to Patton, whose descendants live near Bellefonte; 3, John, died near Meadville, Pennsylvania; 4, Mary, married a Gray, afterwards a Steele. Of those born in Pennsylvania 5, Elizabeth, married Thomas Wilson, (grandfather of Francis Wilson, of Buffalo;) 6, James;* 7, Robert, born in Northampton county, in 1742; 8, Francis, who moved to Tennessee; 9, Jane, married a Brown, settled first in Virginia and afterwards moved back to Pennsylvania. Robert married Mary Allison, and moved to Northumberland county in 1790. He lived nine years on a farm near Warrior Run church, seven years at Derry, and in 1806 moved to the farm in Delaware township, where his son Joseph lately lived. He was a school-master, and at that time there were seven or eight acres of the place cleared and two indifferent huts on the premises, which he used as a dwelling and school-house. He died in 1819, and his children were: 1, John, whose descendants live at Waterford, Erie county, Pennsylvania; 2, Jane, married to Moses Laird, (father of Robert H. Laird, Esquire, of Lewisburg;) 3, William Hayes, born in 1776; 4, James Hayes; 5, Joseph Hayes, who was living a few years since, at the age of ninety; 6, Mary Walker, who died at eighty-four years of age; 7, Sarah Shipman, descendants re- siding in Michigan; 8, Elizabeth, married her cousin Brown, living near Franklin, Pennsylvania. William Hayes' wife was Mary, daughter of William Wilson, of White Deer, now Kelly township. Children: Robert and Thomas of Philadelphia, Mrs. Doctor Seiler of Harrisburg, Mrs. John Chamberlin, Mrs. Doctor Thomas Murray, James Hayes, late of the Auditor General's office, at Harrisburg, Doctor William Hayes of Muncy. Mr. Hayes was the second postmaster of Lewisburg, and held the office a long time, in con- *Lieutenant James Hayes served under Colonel Bouquet in the and Indian war, and received for his services a tract of land at the mouth of Beech creek, in Clinton county, on which he settled, raised a large family, and died. He is buried in the Hayes grave- yard, so called from him, at Beech creek. He Is the only one or his brother officers who fulfilled to the letter his contract with the Proprietaries by settling upon his allotment. 542 ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. [1843. nection with his store, which was the principal one in the Valley for many years. The late George A. Snyder relates the following incident of Mr. Hayes' early life in Lewisburg: "Soon after I commenced business in Lewisburg, said my old friend William Hayes, I was so unfortunate as to lose an entire cargo of wheat at Conewago falls. I was indebted to several persons for money borrowed, and much of the wheat had been purchased from the farmers on credit, who, being in easy circumstances, were content to leave the money in my hands, receiving interest after six months. So heavy a loss to so new a dealer created alarm. It was feared I should not be able to answer my liabilities, and every creditor discovered that he had just then need of his money. I paid out to every one who came, though with each payment my heart grew heavy, for it felt that I must be crippled, if not ruined, before all were paid. One of my creditors, however, on the day after I had paid him $400, came to my store and returned me the money, saying, by taking the money, I have been only making sure to you the ruin which I apprehended; take it back, I can trust it to your honesty, and it will help you get afloat again.' From that time I took courage and worked with a good heart, and was enabled to become what you see." In April, 1843, Isaac G. Gordon,* a student-at-law with James F. Linn, Esq., was admitted to the bar. Millerism. The grand delusion of this year was Millerism. A clergyman named Miller undertook the task of ascertaining when that hour should come "whereof no man knoweth; no, not the angels of God, neither the Son." Relying on the chronology of Rollin, and seemingly not aware of the impossibility of verifying the dates of the Old Testament writers, he confidently predicted that the visible and personal reign of Christ would commence in the year 1843. His preaching, vehement and fanatical in its tone, and the seeming accuracy of his calculations, quickly gained him hearers and prose- *In 1860-61 Honorable Isaac G. Gordon was elected member of the House from Jefferson, &c. April 12, 1865, commissioned president judge of the twenty-eighth judicial district, and in October, 1873, elected one of the justices of the supreme Court of Pennsylvania. 1844.] ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. 543 lytes. Miller was content to take the whole year for the fulfillment of his prophecy, but some of his disciples had undertaken to fix the precise day and hour. One preacher fixed on twelve, P. M., 14th February. He and his little flock provided themselves with ascension robes, and repaired to the church-yard to await the resurrection of their departed friends, and join them in their ascent. The clock struck twelve, one, and two, but the graves gave not up their dead, and the company gradually dispersed to their homes. September 23, William B. Shriner commenced publishing the Lewisburg Chronicle. October 28, some little boys collected some shavings at the new Presbyterian church, in New Berlin, and kindled a fire, which burned M. Kleckner's barn, with his poultry, hay, and oats, and almost set the whole town on fire. John Robinson, principal of the Lewisburg Academy. In Union county, in October, the vote on the State ticket for Canal Commissioner was, Whig, 2,034; Democratic, 1,393. General Henry Frick, Whig, was elected Congressman in the district by a majority of 249 over Honorable John Snyder. Lewisburg market prices in November: wheat, 75 cents: buckwheat, 40 cents; rye, 44 cents; corn, 37 1/2 cents; oats, 25 cents; butter, 10 cents. December 20, the revival services under the charge of Reverend William D. Grant, were crowned with success, in the baptism of a number of persons this day, which culminated in the formation of the first Baptist meeting at Lewisburg. December 31, Reverend Henry Harbaugh preaching in Lewisburg. [1844.] January 3, the Baptist church at Lewisburg was recognized as such, with Reverend C. A. Hewitt as temporary pastor. January 8, the new Lutheran church at Selinsgrove was dedicated. February 29, the Presbyterian church at New Berlin was dedicated. March 1, General Henry Frick, member of Congress from this district, died at Washington, D. C., aged forty-eight. He was interred at Milton on Monday, 4th. He established the Miltonian September 21, 1816. March 18, Charles G. Donnel, president judge of the eighth district, died at Sunbury, of paralysis, and on the 1st of April, Joseph B. Anthony, of Williamsport, held his first court at Sunbury. On the 5th, a special election for Congressman, vice General Frick, deceased, was held. In Union county, James Pollock received 2,086; Honorable John Snyder, 1,289. Pollock had 544 ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. [1845. 5 majority in Northumberland county, and 154 in Lycoming. Snyder had 89 in Clinton. May 16, John Hayes, deputy surveyor of Union county, died. Of his children were R. G. H. Hayes, Nancy, William, David, Esquire, and James Hayes. July 4 was celebrated in Brown's woods, at Lewisburg, four schools from the town and two from the country joining. There were seven hundred Sabbath-school scholars in procession, who were addressed by Reverends Crever, Harbaugh, Zeller, and Sutton. August 27, Camp Potter, on the farm of James F. Linn, in East Buffalo township, organized, by the arrival of two troops and three foot companies, General James Potter in command. September 2, Methodist camp-meeting on the farm of Jacob Ziebach. September 14, large Democratic meeting on the island, at Milton. Honorable James Buchanan spoke, and assured his auditors that James K. Polk was as good a tariff man as Henry Clay. The summer was noted for great efforts in the temperance cause - the burden of the speeches an appeal to the ballot-box. Reverend W. H. H. Barnes, who afterwards became a backslider, and was murdered by guerrillas during the Mexican war, canvassed the county and made a fine impression from his eloquence in advocating that appeal. General Reily, of Rochester, New York, also lectured frequently during this period. October 8, at the gubernatorial election, Francis R. Shunk and General Joseph Markle were the opposing candidates. Markle (Whig) received 2,721 votes in Union county; Shunk (Democrat) received 1,777. For the sale of the main line of canals, 1,289 votes were cast, against 2,113. F. J. Lemoyne was voted for by the Liberty party for Governor. November 1, presidential election. Henry Clay had 1,024 majority. James G. Birney (Liberty party) had 8 votes in Lewisburg. The names of those who voted for the latter were John K. Housel, H. R. Noll, _____ Augstadt, _____ Poeth, Samuel Evans, Dennis Phillips, and James F. Linn. December 18, a Native American meeting was held in the court-house, at New Berlin, which was addressed by Absalom Swineford, Esquire. [1845.] Market prices at Lewisburg, March: Wheat, 75 to 80 cents; rye, 50 cents; corn, 37 cents. In June, wheat, 80 cents. In October, 85 to 95 cents. J. M. Kuester editing the Pittsburgh Daily in January. February 4, occurred the first deep snow of the winter. It was over twelve inches in depth. April 30, James Kelly, 1845.] ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. 545 senior, opened a temperance house, on Market street, in Lewisburg. July 7, the first metal made at the Berlin iron-works, operated by Wilson, Green & Mitchell, was brought to Lewisburg. The Baptist church at Lewisburg, that stood on the corner of Pine alley and Third street, now the site of Music Hall, was built during the summer by L. B. Christ, Esquire, contractor. August 9, John Wolfe's barn, in East Buffalo township, was struck by lightning, and burned. August 13, Honorable Hugh Wilson, late associate judge of Union county, died, at three, P. M., aged eighty-four. His wife, Sarah Craig, was a daughter of Colonel Thomas Craig, of the third regiment, Pennsylvania Line, afterward General Thomas Craig, of Northampton county. August 29, West Branch Division, No. 53, Sons of Temperance, organized at Lewisburg. September 3, barn of George F. Miller, Esquire, in East Buffalo, burned by an incendiary. September 28, Reverend Joel E. Bradley preached the first sermon in the lecture room of the Baptist church at Lewisburg. September 13, first frost. October 9, Hugh Wilson, of Buffalo township, died. He moved to this Valley from Northampton county, and got here a few days before Christmas, 1790. Lived the winter of 1790-91 in an old cabin, on his father-in-law's, William Irvine, (Irish,) place, in Buffalo; then kept tavern for two years, one mile above Mifflinburg, (late John Kleckner's.) In the latter part of March, 1793, moved to a place owned by Colonel Hartley, one fourth of a mile east of Hartleton, on the old road, (late Verger's,) where he lived five years, and in the spring of 1798 moved to Lewisburg, where he kept store in a log building, formerly Thomas Caldwell's, (which stood where Doctor F. C. Harrison's house now is,) until 1804, when he was succeeded by William Hayes, and then moved on to his farm. one mile west of Lewisburg, where he died, lacking twelve days of eighty-five years of age. His children were, Doctor William I. Wilson of Potter's Mills, still living; Mrs. William C. Steadman, Francis Wilson, and Mrs. James F. Linn. At the October election, S. D. Karns, Whig candidate for Canal Commissioner, received 2,015 votes in Union county; James Burns, Democrat, 1,416. October 30, Frederick Bingaman died in Beaver township, aged ninety years. He was in the militia, under General James Potter, at Brandywine. In November, Green, Howard & Green commenced erecting the Forest iron- works, in White Deer township. November 11, Honor- 546 ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. [1846. able William L. Harris died at four, P. M., from the effect of an op- eration, performed between twelve and one, P. M., for the removal of a tumor. He was highly respected, and as it was not known that he was the subject of a disease, his death caused a great shock to the people of the Valley. He was a member of the House in 1833, and of the Constitutional Convention of 1837-1838. In December, an artist named Felch took the first daguerreotypes in the Valley. He charged $6 50 for a group of five in a small four-inch glass case. December 16, Charles Merrill, Esquire, admitted to the bar. [1846.] January 8, a large railroad meeting was held at Mifflinburg, Henry Yearick, president, to urge the incorporation of a company to make a railroad through the Valley. February 5, the act to establish the University at Lewisburg was passed, (Pamphlet Laws, 32,) and on the 5th of October, Professor Stephen W. Taylor opened its high school in the lecture room of the Baptist church. Friday evening, March 13, Thomas Follmer and his son Henry and William Gundy, son of Major John Gundy, who were managing the Farmers' company store at Turtle creek, were drowned at the mouth of that creek. They were going in a boat, about ten, P. M., to visit the store-house on the opposite side of the creek, and were on their return, when the mill dam gave way, and the boat struck a timber raft. William Gundy's body was found in the boat under the raft, the next day; the others were carried down the river, and their bodies were found three weeks afterward, some miles below. The flood in the river at this time exteeded that of 1810, being six and one half inches above the mark of that date on Kramer's store-house. The canal was broken, mails stopped, the Milton bridge badly injured, the bridge on the North Branch, at Northumberland, carried away, as well as the one at Duncan's island, and the Harrisburg bridge in part. March 21, price of wheat at Lewisburg, eighty-five to ninety cents April 1, the last sermon preached in the old stone church, at Buffalo Cross-Roads, by Reverend Isaac Grier, from Matthew, xxviii: v.5. The congregation worshipped twenty nine years and three months in that building. In August, Reverend Samuel Shaeffer had charge of the Lewisburg academy. At the October election, in Union county, James M. Power received 1,976 votes, and William B. Foster, 905, for canal commissioner. November 15, Baptist meeting-house at Lewisburg dedicated. November 27, John 1847.] ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. 547 Derr, a revolutionary soldier, died in Centre township, aged ninety- three years. Monday, December 28, the Columbia Guards, afterwards company C, second regiment, Captain John S. Wilson, passed through Lewisburg on their way to the seat of war in Mexico. They were provided with dinner by the citizens. Charles H. Shriner delivered an address, and Colonel Jackson McFadden presented them with a flag. List of Soldiers in the Mexican War from Union county. App, Jacob, Selinsgrove, company C, second regiment, died at San Francisco, California, in October, 1849, aged twenty-four; Best, Francis R., Mifflinburg, company C, second regiment, died at Perote, June 30, 1847; Bower, Doctor Charles, surgeon; Bruner, William, Hartleton; Cronmiller, Henry, Mifflinburg, Independent rocket and howitzer battery; Forster, R. H., Mifflinburg, company C, second regiment; Leopard, Joseph, Kelly, company I, first regiment; Miller, George; McFadden, Hugh, Lewisburg, company C, second regiment, died at Perote, September 14, 1847; McLaughlin, William, Lewisburg, fifth United States infantry, died in service; Montgomery, John C., company M, second regiment; Nyhart, Peter, died January 14, 1849; Oliphant George; Quiddington, Thomas; Varnell, Peter; Zentmyer, Enos, first regiment. The survivors of company C returned to Danville in August, 1848, and shortly after Lieutenant Clarence G. Frick returned the flag, tattered by the storms of war, and little left beside the staff, to Colonel McFadden, at Lewisburg. [1847.] March 19, vote in Lewisburg against licensing taverns, 210; in favor of, 75. In April, price of wheat in Lewisburg was $1 30 to $1 35. May 7, corner-stone of the German Reformed church in Lewisburg laid. Reverend Doctor John W. Nevin preached and performed the services. In April, the extreme distress in Ireland and Scotland, on account of failure of crops, caused meetings to be held for their relief, and large contributions of money and provisions were made by the people of Buffalo Valley. May 18, John Lashells, Esquire, died at New Berlin. He came to this county from Adams county, and his legal experience was contemporary with the county. He was buried at Buffalo Cross-Roads on 548 ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. [1848. the 20th, the following members of the court and bar attending: A. S. Wilson, president judge; Joseph Stillwell and John Montelius, associates; Hugh Bellas, Ebenezer Grenough, Alexander Jordan, James F. Linn, Isaac Slenker, George F. Miller, Joseph Casey, Samuel Weirick, D. W. Woods, R. B. Barber, William Van Gezer, and Henry C. Hickok. June 2, General R. H. Hammond, who was a paymaster in the United States army, died on board of a vessel, between Vera Cruz and New Orleans, aged fifty-seven. He served in Congress two terms. His body was interred with military honors at Milton, on Monday, August 2. Independent Grays, of Selinsgrove, Lewisburg Infantry, Danville Rifles, Lycoming and Northumberland troops, Masonic fraternity, in full regalia, were in procession; General Green commanding the military. In all, over six thousand people in attendance upon the ceremonies. In August, Alexander McClure was appointed postmaster at Lewisburg, vice William Murray. On Saturday, August 21, a meeting favoring the nomination of General Zachary Taylor for President, was held at New Berlin. Honorable George Kremer presided; General Abbot Green, William Cameron, Jacob Reedy, Henry Yearick, vice presidents; John Walls, Thomas Bower, and John M. Baum, secretaries. The meeting was addressed by Henry C. Hickok, Esquire, and Charles H. Shriner. September 15, a Democratic meeting, presided over by John Cummings, junior, recommended General Taylor for President. In October, the vote in Union county for Governor was, for James Irvin, 2,463; Francis R. Shunk, 1,479. October 9, river rose very high, and the west half of the Buffalo creek bridge was carried away, and lodged upon the river bridge. The river is said to have been one foot higher at Lewisburg than it was in the spring of 1846. October 20, Philadelphia synod met at Lewisburg, and was opened by a sermon by Doctor Yeomans, of Danville. December 25, O. N. Worden became editor and publisher of the Lewisburg Chronicle. [1848.] January 8, the German Reformed church at Lewisburg, was dedicated; the exercises were conducted by Reverend H. Harbaugh, pastor, assisted by Reverend Messrs. Fishers and Reverend Mr. Funk. It is situated on Third street, below Market, and is sixty feet by forty - H. R. Noll, architect. In February ground was broken for the academy building of the Univer- 1849.] ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. 549 sity. Noll and Crites had the carpenter work, L. B. Christ the brick and plastering; brick-work was let to Reed & Baker, painting to Metzgar & Munson. March 2, a meeting was held to secure a suitable place for a cemetery at Lewisburg. The company was incorporated April 10, (Pamphlet Laws, 446,) and in July they purchased six acres from John Chamberlin, adjoining the western limit of the borough. March 17, Reverend Thomas Hood died, aged sixty-eight. He was born in Chester county, in July, 1781, graduated at Dickinson college at the age of seventeen, studied theology under Reverend Nathan Grier, of Brandywine, was licensed in 1802, and was married April 16, 1803, to Miss Mary Haslet, of (Chester county. Mrs. Hood died November 10, 1840, and he married Miss Hannah McClure, March 4, 1845. His children were Mrs. Catherine McCormick, of Mill Hall, Clinton county, Mrs. Mary Rutter, Mrs. Margaret Harvey, and Wilson Hood. June 6, Charles L. Shoemaker, of West Buffalo, was kicked by a horse, and died on the 7th, aged thirty-five years. June 14, J. S. Hawke sold the Union Star to D. W. Woods, Esquire. The Union Democrat, published at New Berlin, by J. Young. June 9, Lewisburg market: wheat, $1 06; rye, 60 cents; corn, 35 cents; butter, 12 cents. October 10, Ner Middleswarth's vote for Canal Commissioner was 2,941; Israel Painter, 1,580. Joseph Casey had 1,333 majority for Congress in Union county, and 223 in the district. In November General Taylor had 1,473 majority in Union county. In Lewisburg, Taylor had 205; Cass, 124; Van Buren, 10. In New Berlin Taylor, 79; Cass, 57; Van Buren, 5. [1849.] January __, A. Kennedy appointed postmaster at Lewisburg, and R. P. Maclay appointed associate judge of Clarion county. Doctor Thomas A. H. Thornton commenced the practice of medicine at Lewisburg. The Berlin iron-works were blown out, and Forest iron-works in the hands of the sheriff. The California gold fever reached the Valley, and on the 26th of February, R. B. Green, David Howard, Cyrus Fox, W. H. Chamberlin, Frederick Schaffle and John U. Musser, set out for California, by the overland route. James K. Kelly, James M. Duncan, and others, left Lewistown for the same destination. March 5, Peter Struble, of West Buffalo, aged about fifty-eight, was found dead on the public road near Buffalo Cross-Roads. He had accompanied a newly married 550 ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. [1850. daughter to her home in Lycoming county, and was returning on foot, when death met him with a paralytic stroke. April 25, High's flouring-mill, at White Deer, burned. Over $5,000 worth of grain destroyed. Kaufman & Reber bought the Forest ironworks for $7,000. May 21 was the last of the battalions, one company only, the Lewisburg infantry, paraded. A great crowd of boys and people from the townships had come to Lewisburg. "The meanest battalion I ever seed," was the general expression. October 9, H. M. Fuller, candidate for Canal Commissioner, received 2,431 votes in Union county; John A. Gamble, 1,820. Colonel Eli Shafer's majority over John Cummings, junior, for Assembly, was 617. Against a poor-house, 2,537 votes were cast; for, 910. November 5, James McClellan, Esquire, died, aged eighty-two. He had lived over fifty years in the Valley, and was nearly the last of those worthies who settled our Valley. He came from Chester county, and married Mary Irvine, daughter of Captain William Irvine, of the Valley. He was a school-master and justice of the peace for many years. He was considered by many, who could not appreciate his worth, as an obstinate man, the true reason of which was, that he was firm in his opinions, and in nine cases out of ten right. I never knew a man who was more willing to acknowledge his error when he discovered it. Among his last expressions was, "when a man came to die, this world and all its interests were of little account." He was a living encyclopedia of church history, and with him passed away forever many interesting incidents of the early history of the Presbyterian church in Pennsylvania. - J. F. Linn's Diary. [1850.] January 2, H. C. Hickok, Esquire, takes the editorial chair of the Lewisburg Chronicle, O. N. Worden, publisher, and Reverend Henry Harbaugh issues the first number of The Guardian. February 26, report of James Marshall, John App, and Leonard Wolfe confirmed, erecting a new township, which the court direct shall be called Limestone. [1850.] ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. 551 Valuation of Taxables. Real Estate. Buffalo 251 $573,260 Buffalo, East 198 282,842 Buffalo, West 294 391,144 Hartley 384 403,495 Kelly 209 299,007 Union 346 441,105 White Deer 315 233,575 Lewisburg 428 168,782 Mifflinburg 207 57,147 New Berlin 153 86,922 In April; Frick & Slifer removed their boat-yard to Lewisburg, a pecuniary advantage both to the borough and the Valley, which should be specially noted. April 18, Doctor Robert Vanvalzah died at Buffalo Cross-Roads, aged eighty-five. He was born near Croton river, New York, April 17, 1764, and when a boy of sixteen, he served two tours in the militia with the Continental army. He came to Buffalo Valley in 1786, so poor, that one of the Beattys gave him a shilling to pay his ferriage over the river at Sunbury, a favor he never forgot, and repaid with much interest in providing for one of the family for many years. He settled on Penn's creek, and in connection with his father- in-law, Colonel Sutherland, built the mills, two miles below New Berlin, lately owned by the Maurers. He located at Buffalo Cross- Roads, about the year 1796, and his history is intimately associated with that of the Valley for sixty-four years. His practice extended into the present counties of Mifflin, Centre, and Juniata. Two of his sons, Doctors Thomas and Robert, became eminent practitioners in the Valley, and his grandsons, in the same profession, have been and are numerous and skillful. In May, Reverend D. Y. Heisler was installed pastor of the German Reformed church at Lewisburg, and a post-office was established at Forest Hill in West Buffalo township, on the Brush Valley road, A. H. Lutz, postmaster. In April, wheat at Lewisburg was at 95 cents to $1 00, and in June, $1 05 to $1 10. June 7, Captain William Housel died in Lewisburg, aged sixty-one. He served five years in the regular army, was captured in 1813, taken to Quebec, and there was exchanged, and rejoined his regiment. He was in the engage- 552 ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. [1851. ments at Chippewa and Lundy's Lane, and was in Fort Erie when the magazine exploded. He was buried with military honors by the Lewisburg infantry and the Cameron guards. Thursday and Friday, July 18 and 19, a north-east storm raged for thirty-two hours. Limestone run higher than ever known, and Chillisquaque creek higher than known before in fifty-seven years. In October, Henry W. Snyder had 2,172 votes for Auditor General; Ephraim Banks, 1,443. For the judicial amendment, 1,451 votes were cast; against, 1,424. Census of 1850. Buffalo 1,346 Mifflinburg 783 Buffalo, East 970 New Berlin 741 Buffalo, West 1,007 Union 1,452 Hartley 2,142 White Deer 1,537 Kelly 834 Lewisburg 2,042 Total 13,631 Limestone 807 [1851.] Honorable Ner Middleswarth was the Whig caucus nominee for State Treasurer. The following post-offices were established in January: Chestnut Ridge, Samuel R. Baum, postmaster; Dry Valley, J. Mitman; Winfield, M. H. Taggert; CrotzerviHe, H. Heiser. In April, the old bridge at the mouth of Buffalo creek was removed, and a new one commenced. The Sugar Valley and White Deer turnpike received an appropriation from the State, and was completed. Volksfreund, started at New Berlin, by F. & E. Smith. April 26, Thomas Howard, in digging a ditch, near his residence, in Kelly, dug up a tusk of a mammoth, ten feet long and nine inches in diameter. It was found in a layer of blue clay, two feet below the surface. In May wheat was 8o to 85 cents; rye, 50 cents; corn, 50 cents. May 26, the telegraphic wire was brought to Lewisburg, and before night a message dispatched to Philadelphia, and an answer received; and a meeting was held favoring the construction of the Susquehanna railroad, on the west side of the river, from Sunbury to Williamsport. August 20, the first commencement of the University at Lewisburg was held, and its first class graduated as follows: Salutatory, J. M. Linn, Washington Barnhurst of Philadelphia, R. M. Fish of Beaver, George O. Ide of Philadelphia, J. M. 1852.] ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. 553 Lyons of Chester county, Henry Pomerene of Pittsburgh. Valedictorian: J. H. Castle. The degrees were conferred by Professor Taylor, and Professor George R. Bliss delivered his inaugural address. Professor S. W. Taylor then took formal leave of the institution, having accepted the presidency of Madison university at Hamilton, New York; and Doctor Howard Malcolm was formally installed president of the University by Thomas Watson, Esquire, president of the board of trustees. October 14, vote in Union county: For Governor, William F. Johnston, 2,817; William Bigler 1,949. For president judge, Joseph Casey received 2,379, and A. S. Wilson, 2,283. [1852.] March 13, a railroad convention was held at Baltimore, attended largely by delegates from the Valley. April 15, Daniel L. Miller, junior, Esquire, president of the Sunbury and Erie railroad, visited Lewisburg and endeavored to interest the people in favor of that road, but public sympathy was with the Susquehanna or Baltimore company, and the railroad controversy was inaugurated, which ended in 1855 with a division of Union county by a proposition that the county commissioners should subscribe $200,000 to the stock of the road. This was done by Captain John Wilt and George Heimbach, county commissioners, on the 28th of April. The borough authorities of Lewisburg subsequently subscribed $75,000. In May the Union County mutual fire insurance company was organized; John Gundy, president, J. A. Mertz, Esquire, secretary. June 10, weather as cold as in December, a heavy frost on the morning of the 11th. August 31, the largest meeting ever witnessed in New Berlin assembled to take action on the railroad question. The court-house being too small, the meeting convened in front of the public buildings. John Swineford nominated R. B. Barber for president, and took the ayes, but not the nays. He then read a list of vice presidents and secretaries. The nays were again demanded, and when put the whole organization was voted down. C. H. Shriner attempted to offer a resolution, and Mr. Barber proceeded to state the object of the meeting, but his voice was drowned by a shout that compelled him to desist. Mr. Casey then nominated Honorable Ner Middleswarth for president, which motion was carried. He was helped into the wagon, and proceeded to state the object of the meeting. The repudiators of the bonds had retreated to the steps 554 ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. [1853. of the jail to make another stand, when a delegation of them sallied forth, seized the wagon, and carried off president Middleswarth and his fellow officers around the corner towards Penn's creek. The audience, however, kept its place, and the president returned and mounted another wagon, when the meeting was addressed by Messrs. Casey, S. C. Wilt, G. F. Miller, and resolutions passed approving of the $200,000 subscription to the Susquehanna railroad. The watchword of the Democratic party this fall in the county, "no more hay for Breyman's cow," arose from the fact that C. Breyman farmed and pastured the public lots. October 12, for Canal Commissioner, Jacob Hoffman received 2,555; William Hopkins, 1,807. Ner Middleswarth, for Congress, had 706 majority; Adam Sheckler, for county commissioner, had 718 majority over Philip Ruhl. The Union County agricultural society was formed at the courthouse at New Berlin, Saturday, November 13 the East Buffalo society, which had been in existence for a year, passed a resolution calling the meeting for such organization. Martin Dreisbach presided at this meeting, Samuel Weirick acting as secretary, and Jacob Gundy presented a form of constitution, which, after several amendments, was adopted. Jacob Gundy was elected president of the society; Samuel Shedle, of Perry, and others, vice presidents; R. H. Laird, treasuter; R. V. B. Lincoln, assistant secretary; O. N. Worden, recording secretary; Samuel Weirick, librarian executive committee, James P. Ross, Isaac Slenker, and Henry W. Snyder. In November, Nesbit Hayes and Fichthorn commenced erecting the first steam flouring-mill, upon Water street, in Lewisburg. December 14, at a meeting held at New Berlin the Crawford county system of voting directly for candidates was proposed. Joseph Casey, Esquire, Israel Gutelius, and John Wilt favoring its introduction. Ner Middleswarth, D. A. Woods, Samuel Weirick, and James Marshall, opposing. It was finally agreed to try the system for one year. [1853.] February 11, a meeting was held at Potter's Fort tavern favorable to building a railroad from Lewisburg to Spruce creek, and or the 12th of April, the Lewisburg, Centre, and Spruce Creek railroad company was incorporated, and on the 16th of May Thomas A. Emmett, with a corps of engineers, commenced the survey. April 20, the Lewisburg saving institution was incorporated; books 1854.] ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. 555 were opened on the 23d of June, and two hundred shares taken. It commenced business September 19, with William Cameron as president, H. P. Sheller, cashier. In October, the vote in Union county was, for Thomas A. Budd, judge of the Supreme Court, 2,616 John C. Knox, 1,521. On 13th and 14th of October, "The Union County agricultural society" held its fair at New Berlin; two hundred and seventy-five articles were entered for competition, and a plowing match came off. October 15, Frick, Slifer & Co.'s steam saw-mill burned down, with the newly erected county bridge, three boats, &c. Captain John Forster appointed postmaster at Mifflinburg, and Henry W. Crotzer, at Lewisburg. December 9, the workmen on the Susquehanna railroad, about two and a half miles below Lewisburg, on Major John Gundy's farm, came upon the skeleton of a full grown person covered with stones. The bones crumbled on exposure. The site was on the side of a steep and almost impassible hill, and the body must have been deposited there with considerable effort. [1854.] In April, price of wheat was $1 50; rye, 75 cents; corn, 55 cents. In June, wheat advanced to $1 87. At February term Jackson township was formed, out of parts of Penn's, Middle Creek, Limestone, and Union townships. In June, Professor J. S. Whitman was elected the first superintendent of public schools for Union county, with a salary of $300, and one hundred and fifty schools to oversee. July 15, W. A. Patterson, of Kelly, died, in his eighty-third year. He held a pen in his hand, preparatory to signing a note, when the "grim messenger" came, and he died before making a mark. Honorable George Kremer died, near Middleburg, on Sunday, September 10, aged seventy-nine. His last public appearance was in July, 1847, when he presided over a public meeting, held at New Berlin, to advocate the election of General Taylor to the presidency. He was buried in the family burying-ground, on his own farm, on Wednesday, attended by a large concourse of people. The new Christian chapel, on Third street, below Market, in Lewisburg, was built this year. At the election, in October, James Pollock had 2,881, and William Bigler, 1,913, for Governor in Union county. The vote in the county for a prohibitory liquor law was 1,440; against, 2,614. In October, the Union furnace at Winfield was built by Beaver, Marsh & Co. The University extension 556 ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. [1855. of the town plan of Lewisburg laid out by Reverend A. K. Bell, treasurer of the University, and James F. Linn, surveyor. [1855.] Wheat, in March, $2 00; rye, $1 00; corn, 75 cents; butter, 16 cents; eggs, 12 cents. Chronicle published by O. N. Worden and J. R. Cornelius, Henry C. Hickok having been appointed Deputy Superintendent of Public Schools. Thursday evening, January 18, Clinton Welch, Esquire, a lawyer from Lewisburg, was drowned in the Delaware, at Philadelphia. March 2, the act creating a new county, to be called Snyder, out of Union, was approved. The election provided for therein was held on the 14th of March. The vote was as follows: For. Against. Buffalo, 189 84 Buffalo, East 175 4 Buffalo, West 114 62 Hartley, 152 191 Kelly, 143 22 Lewisburg, 485 1 Limestone, 3 60 Mifflinburg, 69 92 White Deer, 254 21 In the county the vote stood, for division, 1,688; against, 1,643. In May, Union seminary at New Berlin was established. Reverend W. W. Orwig, president; Reverend F. C. Hendricks and Hoffman, professors. October 9, the election was held to determine the site of the county seat, Lewisburg and Mifflinburg were the competing towns, having each furnished a guarantied subscription, that the county buildings should be erected by the successful town, without any cost to the taxpayers. The vote was as follows: 1855.] ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. 557 For Lewisburg. For Mifflinburg. Lewisburg, North Ward, 286 - " South Ward, 233 - East Buffalo, 174 8 Union, 79 26 Kelly, 145 21 White Deer, 255 26 Buffalo, 157 121 West Buffalo, 13 200 Hartley, 78 321 New Berlin, 7 139 Jackson, 4 39 Limestone, 5 129 Mifflinburg, 1 196 _____ _____ 1,436 1,226 For Canal Commissioner, Nicholson's majority was 607. Census Returns for 1860 and 1870. 1860. 1870. Buffalo, 1,560 1,521 Buffalo, East, 968 1,011 Buffalo, West, 1,075 1,046 Hartley , 1,530 1,143 Hartleton, (incorporated 1858,) 288 292 Kelly, 779 942 Lewisburg, 2,666 3,121 Lewis, (taken from Hartley 1856,) 658 1,007 Limestone, 913 880 Mifflinburg, 865 911 New Berlin, 672 646 Union, 820 840 White Deer, 1,639 1,676 ______ ______ 14,433 15,036 [End of page 557.]