Twentieth century history of Clearfield County, Pennsylvania, and representative citizens

Preface

Only those who have undertaken similar work can appreciate the amount of labor involved in preparing a history of a great county like Clearfield, particularly when, as in this instance, so much of the early history of the county is dependent upon local tradition and practically all of the early settlers have passed away.

While great care has been taken to avoid mistakes, it is but natural that in a work of such an extensive scope errors will occur and for such as may be found in the book, the editor asks the indulgence of the reader.

Whatever be its merits or imperfections, the work of preparation has been one of great interest and instruction to the editor.

To the many persons who have so kindly aided us by giving information and data, we desire to take this method of returning our sincere thanks.

Roland D. Swoope, Jr.

CuRWENSVILLE, Pa.,

Note. — Sketches unrevised by subscribers are distinguished by a small asterisk (*).

Contents

CHAPTER I page

Geography, Topography and Geology 19

Dimensions and Acreage of the County — Its Situation and Boundaries — Hills and Valleys — Streams — Character of the Soil — Geological Strata — Coal Measures — Conglomerate — Mahoning Sandstone — The Three Great Coal Basins — Fire-clay — Limestone-Oil and Gas-Iron Ore, Etc.

CHAPTER II Indian Occupation 22

The Andastes — Their Conflict with the Iroquois and Partial Destruction— Brule’s Expedition — His Capture and Escape — The Lennia-Lenapes or Delawares — The Monceys — Their Subjection by the Iroquois — The Shawnees and Tuscaroras — Retreat of the Indians.

CHAPTER III Land Titles 24

Charles the Second’s Grant to William Penn — Penn’s Lease from Governor Dongan — Indian Deed Confirming the Purchase — Indian Deed to Penn’s Heirs — The Articles of Consideration — Penn’s Will — His Sale to the Crown — Thomas Penn Assumes Charge of the Province — First Surveys — Early Land Owners — Litigation over Titles.

CHAPTER IV The Early Settlers 27

Character of Clearfield County’s Early Population— Former Political Divisions — The First White Settler — The Leading Pioneers of the County and the Credit Due Them.

CHAPTER V Organization of the County 30

Penn’s Division of Pennsylvania into Three Counties — Thirty-six Counties Formed in 1803 — Additions in 1804, Including Clearfield County — The Act in Regard to Same — Annexation of Clearfield to Centre County — Settlement of Jurisdiction — Appointment of Commissioners to Select Seat of Justice — The Site Selected and Named Clearfield — Population of the County in 1806 — Election Laws — Organization of the Townships and Boroughs.

CONTEXTS

CHAPTER VI County and Other Officials

A List of the Principal State and County Officials — United States Senators— Representatives in Congress — U. S. District Attorney — U. S. Marshall — Clerk of House of Representatives — State Officers — Senators, Representatives — President Judges — Associate Judges — Deputy Attorneys — General and District Attorneys — Sheriffs — Registers and Recorders — T reasurers — Prothonotaries — County Superintendents — County Commissioners and Clerks.

CHAPTER VII Military History and the County Militia — The Civil War

Loyalty of Clearfield County’s Sons — Military Organizations Before the War — Thirty-fourth Regiment, Fifth Reserves — Its General and Individual Record, Officers and Men — Forty-second Regiment, “Bucktails” — The Fifty-first Regiment — Fifty-ninth Regiment, Second Cavalry — Eighty-fourth Regiment.

CHAPTER VIII Military History — The Civil War — Continued

History of the One Hundred and Fifth Regiment — Roster of Officers and Men — History of the One Hundred and Forty-ninth Regiment, with Roster — In Other Commands— -Independent Battalion.

CHAPTER IX The Spanish-American War i

History of the Fifth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, with Roster and Individual Records.

CHAPTER X The Press i

A Sketch of Journalism in Clearfield County — The First County Paper — A Home-made Press — The “Banner” — Clearfield Republican — Clearfield Whig — Raftsman’s Journal — Clearfield Citizen — The Times-Monitor — Evening Herald — Clearfield County Times — Curwensville Herald — County Review — The Mountaineer — DuBois Morning Courier — DuBois Express — The Enterprise — DuBois Morning Journal — Houtzdale Citizen — Osceola Reveille — The Leader-Courier — Coalport Standard — The Hustler, and Other Newspapers.

CONTENTS

CHAPTER XI The Bench of Clearfield County 178

Clearfield County’s Judicial Connection with Centre County Previous to 1822 — The Act of 1822 Providing for the Holding of Courts in Clearfield County — Population at That Time — Provision for Keeping Prisoners — Sketches of Hon. Charles Huston, Hon. Thomas Burnside, Hon. George W. Woodward, Hon. Robert C. White, Hon. John G. Knox, Hon. James T. Hale — The Twenty-fifth District Formed — Hon. James Burnside, Hon. James Gamble, Judge Linn, Hon. Joseph B. McEnally, Hon. Charles A. Mayer — Act of 1874 Providing for an Addition Law Judge — Hon. John H. Orvis Appointed — Clearfield County Created a Separate Judicial District— Hon. David L. Krebs, Hon. Cyrus Gordon — Hon. Allison O. Smith.

CHAPTER XVII Transportation Facilities 224

Turnpike Days — Water Transportation — The Tyrone and Clearfield Railroad — The Pennsylvania & Northern — The Buffalo, Rochester & Pittsburg R. R. — The Karthaus R. R. — The Beech Creek R. R. — The Cresson, Clearfield County & New York Short Route R. R. — The Philipsburg R. R.

— The Clearfield Southern R. R. — The West Branch R. R. — The Curwensville & Bower R. R. — The Buffalo & Susquehanna R. R. — The Franklin & Clearfield R. R. — The DuBois Street Railway — The Philipsburg Street Railway Co.

CHAPTER XVIII Manufacturers 22 7

The Lumber Industry — Method of Operating — Rafting — Log Drivers and Lumber Arks — Conflict with “Square Timber” Men — Marking the Logs — Erection of Saw-mills — Decline of the Business — The Fire Brick Industry — Firms and Companies Engaged in the Business — The Tanning Industry.

CHAPTER XIX Financial Institutions 233

Banking in the Early History of the County — Private and State Banks — Special Act of the Legislature Necessary to Incorporation Before i860 — The Act of i860 — Unreliability of the State Banks — Passage of the National Banking Law — Banks of Clearfield County with their Officers and Directors.

CHAPTER XX Agriculture 239

The Patrons of Husbandry, “The Grange” — Object of the Society — When Founded — The First Grange Founded in Clearfield County — Other Branches of the Society — The Clearfield County Agricultural Society.

CHAPTER XXI Coal Production and Development 242

Early Coal Shipments — Early Coal Mines and Railroads — The Moshannon Branch of the T. & C. R. R. — Coal Companies and Proprietors — Description of the Mines, with Character of the Product, Quantity Mined and Shipped, etc.