Pennsylvania USGenWeb Archives
Clearfield County
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
HIST0RY EDITED BY
|
BOROUGH OF CLEARFIELD. IT was not until the month of April, in the year 1840, the town of
Clearfield became detached from Lawrence township, and was for all purposes
erected into a municipality, independent of the surrounding territory of which
it had hitherto formed a part, and became by the act erecting it, incorporated
into a a borough.
|
HISTORY OF CLEARFIELD COUNTY.
After the completion of the court-house the jury room was used for some time as a school, and taught by Dr. A. T. Schryver.
|
HISTORY OF CLEARFIELD COUNTY.
|
BOROUGH OF CLEARFIELD.
Frank, Alice, Charlie, Fanny, Annie, and George, all of whom, except Fanny and
Annie, still live. Colonel Walter Barrett married Sophie, daughter of Rev.
Alexander MacLeod.
|
HISTORY OF CLEARFIELD COUNTY.
Michael Frank was a tailor, and had a shop
on the front part of Dr. Hill's lot. He was appointed postmaster to
succeed Charles A. Watson, and was, in turn, succeeded by Captain Peter A.
Gaulin in 1866. After leaving the town, Frank went to Nebraska.
|
BOROUGH OF CLEARFIELD. gance. The Jacksons were one of the earliest families in the county, having settled in the vicinity known as "Guinea Hill" soon after the year 1800.
|
HISTORY OF CLEARFIELD COUNTY.
John Moore was a gunsmith living on Cherry street on the lot now occupied by C. Whitehill. His shop was at the same place. |
BOROUGH OF CLEARFIELD. street, on the site now occupied by the Masonic building. The hotel was built by Collins. Merrill died in the borough about twenty-five years ago.
|
HISTORY OF CLEARFIELD
COUNTY. Catharine F., and Mary W., who became the wife of Thaddeus H. Shaw.
William L. Moore was elected to the office of associate judge of the county. He
was the second postmaster of the town. |
BOROUGH OF CLEARFIELD.
|
HISTORY OF CLEARFIELD
COUNTY. William C. Welch was another descendant from
pioneer stock, a son of George Welch, of the "upper country" of the county.
William C. was prothonatary in 1846, and died during the term of his office.
He lived on Market street.
Robert F. Ward was a tailor, in partnership
with Radebaugh. He lived on Locust street, east of Second. Robert F. Ward, jr.,
son of Robert F. sen., was at one time connected with the Clearfield
Republican, being associated with Maj. J. Harvey Larrimer. Richard Mossop came from Philadelphia about
1840. He was by trade a shoemaker. About the year 1850 he engaged in mercantile
business and has been in trade ever since. His place of business was formerly on
Second street, but now occupies more convenient quarters on Market street west
of Second. William F. Irwin, son of John Irwin, who came from Milesburg. He was
interested in business with his brother, Ellis Irwin, on Market street. William
F. married Susan Antes, daughter of John Antes. Isaac G. Gordon, non-justice of the Supreme Court of the State, came here
|
BOROUGH OF CLEARFIELD.
|
HISTORY OF CLEARFIELD
COUNTY. were also built by him, not at one time however, but as occasion
required. Mr. Shaw died in the year 1876, aged eighty-five years.
|
HISTORY OF CLEARFIELD COUNTY.
passed and approved on the 21st day of April, in the year
1840, under the name and title, "The Borough of Clearfield," the extend and
boundaries of which were declared by the act as follows: Beginning at a point on
the Susquehanna River about sixty feet south of Walnut street, thence by a line
east until it strikes the west line of Hugh Leavy's out lot, so as to included
the houses and lots now (1840) occupied by Dr. H. Loraine and Joan Powell;
thence north along said lot of Hugh Leavy until it again strikes Walnut street;
thence east along the southern edge of Walnut street to Fourth street; thence
north along the eastern edge of Pine street to the Susquehanna River, and along
said river by its several courses to the place of beginning, to include the town
of Clearfield as at first laid out, according to the plan thereof, and the two
lots south of said town occupied by Dr. H. Loraine and Joan Powell, as above
described. The same act made further proposition that the qualified
electors are authorized to elect one justice of the peace for the said borough,
at the time and place of holding the general election for said borough. |
BOROUGH OF CLEARFIELD. borough, as extended, but does not, in any manner, declare it to be a
part of the borough, or declare the borough limits to be extended to the limits
described, but declares the same to be a separate election district, although
the evident intent of the act was to enlarge the borough limits, and this intent
has always been acted upon, and the borough limits always considered as extended
as by the act described.
|
HISTORY OF CLEARFIELD
COUNTY. as possible to acquire a greater population without regard to symmetry
to any noticeable extent. 1846. Burgess, Josiah W. Smith ; council,
James Wrigley, David Litz, James McIntosh, William Jones, Robert Wallace ;
clerk, Robert Wallace; treasurer, Ellis Irwin.
|
BOROUGH OF CLEARFIELD. 1848. Burgess, William C. Welch; council, Isaac Southard, William Radebaugh, Richard Mossop, Charles Miller, D. W. Moore; clerk, D. W. Moore; treasurer, H. P. Thompson.
1853. Burgess, M. A. Frank ; council, John F.
Weaver, David Sackett, Isaac Johnston, William Porter, A. K. Wright ; clerk,
William ,Porter ; treasurer, James Wrigley. 1855. Burgess, William Irwin ; council, A. M.
Hills, George W. Rheam, C. Pottarf, H. B. Smith, W. M. Dugan ; clerk, William
Porter; treasurer, A. H. Shaw. 1856. Burgess, George D. Lanich ; council,
James Alexander, I. W. Baird, W. L Bradley, H. W. Park, W. A. Wallace ; clerk,
W. A. Wallace. 1857. Burgess, George D. Lanich ; council, W. F. Irwin, John Troutman, O. B. Merrill, W. A. Wallace, D. F. Etzwiler ; clerk, W. A. Wallace ; treasurer, William Porter.
|
BOROUGH OF CLEARFIELD.
1884. Burgess, R. H. Shaw ; councilmen, A. W.
Lee, W. E. Wallace, P. A. Gaulin; clerk, Frank G. Harris. 1885. Burgess, H. F. Bigler ; councilmen, Paul
F. Weaver, Frank B. Reed, Frank G. Harris ; clerk, William V. Wright. 1886. Burgess, H. F. Bigler ; councilmen,
Warren Thorn, A. W. Lee, E. M. Schemer; clerk, Singleton Bell. The present officers of the borough are as follows : Burgess, H. F. Bigler ; members of council, A. W. Lee, Frank G. Harris, Frank B. Reed, Paul F. Weaver, Warren Thorn, and E. M. Scheurer; clerk of council, Singleton Bell ; justices of the peace, Levis K. McCullough, Cyrenius Howe ; high constable, W. Dorvitt ; constable, John F. Kramer ; assessor, Joseph Shaw ; judge of election, Harry F. Wallace ; inspectors of election, J. M. Bloom, A. H. Woodward ; overseers of the poor, W. J. Hoeffer, H. W. Park ; auditors, J. F. Snyder, W. A. Hagerty, Ed. Kauffman ; collector, William Tucker ; school directors, Henry Bridge, James L. Leavy, Oscar Mitchell, Henry Snyder, George L. Reed, Arnold B. Shaw ; street commissioner, James Behan.
|
HISTORY OF CLEARFIELD COUNTY. has a front of ninety-seven feet and a depth of one hundred feet. The upper floor is reached by a wide stairway leading from the street. The opera-house, from which the building derives its name, is on the second floor in the rear, and has a seating capacity of about seven hundred and fifty. The third floor is occupied as a printing-office of the Clearfield Republican and the lodge-room of the O. U. A. M. The ground floor is used entirely for business
purposes. From Mr. Pie the ownership of the block passed to Messrs. A. W.
Lee, James L. Leavy, E. A. Leavy, George M: Ferguson, John W. Wrigley, and Harry
F. Wallace. Ferguson’s interest was recently sold to the others. The Masonic Building is the property of W. A.
Wallace and the estate of William Bigler. It derives its name from the occupancy
of the third floor by the Masonic order of the borough. The building was erected
in 1871. The first floor is used in part as a clothing store and the Clearfield
County Bank.
|
BOROUGH OF CLEARFIELD. Helmbold, (1882), fire, life and accident insurance; John Schafer,
(1882), cigar manufacturer and dealer, capacity 160,000 per annum; A. J. Hagerty,
(1884), dry goods, notions and millinery; W. R. Higgins, (1886), canned goods
and confections; James N. Burchfield, (1886), jeweler; J. E. Hess, (1886),
grocer; Richard Mossop, (1842), general merchandise.
|
HISTORY OF CLEARFIELD
COUNTY. T. Leonard, situate on Read street near the Tyrone and Clearfield
depot. A substantial three-story frame building with modern conveniences and
large enough to provide for sixty guests. R. Newton Shaw, proprietor. St. Charles Hotel.-This was built in 1870 and
occupied by William S. Bradley. It is located at the corner of Reed and Third
streets. In 1872 it was purchased by James McLaughlin, who refitted the same
throughout and built an additional story, making now three. The name was changed
to St. Charles by Mr. McLaughlin. This is a well kept house, convenient to the
depot and not far from the business center. It has accommodations for sixty
guests.
|
BOROUGH OF CLEARFIELD. Business was commenced November 26, 1860. In the year 1865, the bank
surrendered its charter on account of a ten per cent tax on circulation, but was
immediately reorganized as a private bank. Richard Shaw was made president,
James B. Graham, vice-president and John M. Adams, cashier. During the panic in
the money market in the year 1873, the capital stock was somewhat impaired but
made good by the stockholders. The present officer, are William A. Wallace,
president ; John M. Adams, cashier.
The chapter devoted to a review of the press of the county will be found so full, thorough and exhaustive, that there need be said under this heading but sufficient to furnish a record of the several publications of the present day, and to allot a space to the recognized medium of communication between occurring events and the reading people of the county.
(46)
|
HISTORY OF CLEARFIELD
COUNTY. The Clearfield Republican, the
descendant from the oldest newspaper of the county, became the property of
George B. Goodlander by purchase from D. W. Moore, on the 1st of July, 1865, and
from that to the present day Mr. Goodlander has occupied the editorial chair, as
well as the position of manager and publisher. When he assumed the position
referred to, the paper was a four page, six column paper in size, and had a
circulation of about eleven hundred. On three several occasions has its size
been enlarged, one column being added each time, and its length proportionately
increased. The most substantial evidence of Mr. Goodlander’s success as a
journalist, is shown by these additions, and the further fact that the present
circulation of the Republican reaches nineteen hundred. While the paper is the
recognized organ of the Democratic party of Clearfield county, its editorial and
local columns are devoted to every interest of benefit to the community at
large.
|
BOROUGH OF CLEARFIELD. Greenbackism. At this time Allison O. Smith became a partner in its
management, and so continued until March, 1886, when the paper was sold to J. F.
& W. A. Short. The latter sold his interest in June following, to his
partner, who became sole editor and publisher. The Democrat is an
eight page paper, with "patent inside," and has a circulation of about fourteen
hundred. LOCAL IMPROVEMENT COMPANIES. The Clearfield Water Company was incorporated
January 3, 1882. The purpose of this corporation was to supply the borough of
Clearfield with pure and wholesome water. The capital stock was fixed at
$40,000, in two thousand shares of $20 each. The first officers were : W. W.
Betts, president ; E. A. Bigler, secretary and superintendent ; Jonathan
Boynton, treasurer ; direct-
|
HISTORY OF CLEARFIELD
COUNTY. officers elected were: A. B. Shaw, president; T. W. Moore, secretary;
W. M. Shaw, treasurer; Edward Everett, superintendent. The company has a
large boiler house built on lands in rear of the Opera House block. About
nine thousand feet of pipe, three, four, and five inches in diameter, is laid
through the streets of the borough. There were about sixty heat consumers
in the place the first year; at the present time the number is increased
to one hundred and thirty. Four large boilers are sufficient to supply the
necessary heat in the most severe weather, and about twenty-seven hundred tons
of coal are consumed annually at the works. The company are now furnishing heat
for about three and a half millions cubic feet of space. The officers first
elected have been continued in office to the present time. The present board of
directors consists of A. B. Shaw, William Powell, J. F. Weaver, F. B. Reed, and
T. W. Moore.
The earlier manufactories of this locality
were nearly all removed years ago, but of the few that are still standing is
that known as the Shirk Tannery. This industry was started at an early day by
Orris Hoyt, and by him operated many years. The Shirk tannery was built on the
same site, and managed by the brothers Shirk until a few years since. They were
unsuccessful in business, and since their misfortune the buildings have not been
used, although in fair condition.
|
HISTORY OF CLEARFIELD COUNTY.
Before the advent of Mr. Clotworthy, and
during the visits of Mr. Natt, to Clearfield, George R. Barrett had expressed
his preference for, and an intention to connect himself with the Episcopal
Church. In 1848 he opened a correspondence with Bishop Potter, the result of
which was a visit of that prelate to Clearfield early in the summer, which visit
brought about a union of the distant, but interested persons in the cause of the
church. There being at the time neither at Philipsburg, nor at any other point,
a clergyman nearer than Bellefonte, it was deemed necessary to form an
association sufficiently strong to support a clergyman in Clearfield county and
Philipsburg. The friends of Dr. Alexander MacLeod believed that he had the
personal influence among the people of all the localities to make this scheme
successful ; they therefore invited and (with the influence of Bishop Potter),
succeeded in gaining his consent to unite his labors with those of the church
workers in the district named. In December, 1849, Dr. MacLeod came to Clearfield
and preached his first sermon in the court-house, the result of which was the
establishment |
BOROUGH OF CLEARFIELD. of the Protestant Episcopal Church in Clearfield as an enduring
institution, following soon afterward by the building of a church edifice.
|
HISTORY OF CLEARFIELD COUNTY.
|
HISTORY OF CLEARFIELD
COUNTY. $300, and this not entirely paid in money; the other points contributed
but little for pastoral support.
|
BOROUGH OF CLEARFIELD.
Rev. W. H. Dill, Rev. W. M. McCullough, Jonathan Boynton, A. F.
Boynton, D. W. McCurdy, George W. Rheem, Thomas H. Murray, J. B. McEnally, A. B.
Shaw, J. W. Shugart, J. M. Stewart, F. G. Harris and others. The present
membership numbers two hundred and seventy-eight persons. Succession of pastors: 1822, John Thomas;
1823-4, unknown; 1825, John Bowen ; 1826, W. P. McDowell ; 1827, W. 0. Lumsdon ;
1828, David Kennison ; 1829, Oliver Ege and Allen Brittain ; 1830, James Sanks
and Zachariah Jordon ; 1831, Peter McEnally ; 1832, Allen Brittain; 1833,
Stephen Smith ; 1834, John McEnally ; 1835, Eli Nicodemus and Isaac Stratton ;
1836, John Anderson and S. V. Blake ; 1837, S. V. Blake and Elisha Butler ;
1839, Joseph S. Lee and J. A. Ross ; 1840, Joseph S. Lee and Gideon H. Day ;
1841, Hildebrand and Stephenson ; 1842, Elisha Butler and T. F. McClure ; 1843,
Robert Beers and Samuel Register ; 1844, Robert Beers, Jacob Montgomery ; 1845,
Elias Welty, Thomas Barnhart ; 1846, Elias Welty, John Lloyd, Rev. Hoffman ;
1847, John Steine, H. W. Bellman ; 1848, Peter McEnally, Albert Hartman ; 1849,
McEnally, J. A. Melick; 1850; George Bergstresser ; 1851, Bergstresser, Thaddeus
Stauber ; 1852, George Guyer ; 1853-4, Adam Hockenberry : 1855, A. M. Barnitz,
W. W. Hicks ; 1856, John Elliot ; 1857-8, Thomas Barnhart; 1859-60, W. Lee
Spottswood ; 1861-2, Thomas Gotwalt ; 1863-4, L. M. Gardner; 1865-6, David S.
Monroe ; 1867-8, Asbury Guyer ; 1869, W. H. Dill ; 1870-1, James H. McCord ;
1872-3-4,
|
HISTORY OF CLEARFIELD COUNTY.
|
BOROUGH OF CLEARFIELD. A full council was subsquently elected, and by them J. B. Heisey was
chosen treasurer. Rev Peter Lane was pastor during the organization of the
society, and at the time the church edifice was built. Since the formation
of the society the pastors in charge have been Revs. Diehl, Focht, Bratton,
Height, Harrison, Nixdorf, Hartsock, Moser, Tomlinson, Fletcher, and A. J. Bean,
the present incumbent. Under Rev. Hartsock the society was, in part,
supported by the Home Mission Board, which also, during the last year, assisted
with an appropriation, the congregation still remaining a mission. In
1873-4, a parsonage was erected on the lot adjoining the church. From a
fund created in part by the sale of the old church and certain lots owned by the
society, together with contributions made to that end, a new brick church
edifice is in course of erection on the site formerly occupied by the old
building. A single story in height, 54 x 73 feet in size, a Gothic
architecture, the new church will meet the needs of the congregation for some
years to come. This church society has never been numerically strong, the
number of members not, at any time, exceeding one hundered persons. At
present it is in a prosperous condition, having from eighty to ninety members, a
Sabbath-school of one hundred and forty scholars, catechetical classes, and a
ladies' aid society. The church is a member of the Allegheny Synod. SOCIETIES AND ORDERS. Clearfield Lodge No. 314, F. and A. M., was chartered January 11, 1858, with the following charter members : Thomas Barnhart, George R. Barrett, Henry Loraine, John McGaughey, Alexander MacLeod, John Patton, Samuel B. Row, A. T. Schryver, and Robert J. Wallace. The first meeting was held February 22, 1858, at which the following named officers were elected: Rev. Thomas Barnhart, W. M. ; S. B. Row, S. W.; John McGaughey, J. W.; John Patton, treasurer ; R. J. Wallace, secretary. Appointed officers : Daniel Faust, S. D.; O. B. Merrill, J. D.; A. T. Schryver, tyler.
|
HISTORY OF CLEARFIELD
COUNTY. Succession of worshipful m,asters: 1859, S. B. Row; 1860, John McGaughey; 1861, Daniel Faust; 1862, Robert J. Wallace; 1863-4-5-6. George W. Rheem; 1867, S. J. Row; 1868, James R. Caldwell; 1869, Thomas Liddell; 1870, Zara C. McCullough; 1871, William M. McCullough; 1872, William H. Dill; 1873, John R. Cullingsworth; 1874, William L. Parker; 1875, Levis K. McCullough; 1876, J. H. Fulford; 1877, William M. McCullough; 1878, J. P. Burchfield; 1879, Wash. I. Curley; 1880, William H. Dill; 1881, William M. McCullough ; 1882, Hiram T. King ; 1883, Smith V. Wilson; 1884, J. Boynton Nevling ; 1885. Matthew Savage ; 1886, M. L. McQuown. Officers for 1887 : William H. Dill, W. M.; Allison 0. Smith, S. W. ; Walter L. McJunkin, J. D.; Daniel W. McCurdy, treas.; Asbury W. Lee, sec’y ; John G. Schryver, S. D.; Albert M. Row, J. D.; Eli Bloom, sen. M. C.; J. Boynton Nevling, jun. M. C.; J. P. Burchfield, William C. Cardon, stewards ; L. K. McCullough, chaplain ; J. P. Burchfield, pursuivant ; Thomas Robbins, tyler. Present number of members, fifty-three ; regular meetings, first Monday on or before full moon, at Masonic Hall.
|
BOROUGH OF CLEARFIELD.
Larimer Post, No. 179, G. A. R., was instituted July 2, 1880, with forty-two charter members. The first officers were : Commander, Peter A. Gaulin ; sen. vice corn., E. M. Scheurer ; jun. vice corn., H. T. King; surgeon, Dr. J. P. Burchfield; officer of the day, William A. Ogden ; officer of the guard, C. Owens ; Q. M., William R. Brown ; chaplain, J. D. Snoke. Appointed officers: Q. M. S., Samuel H. Snoke; adjutant, Frank A. Fleming ; sergt. maj., George D. Ronk; ord. sergt , J. M. Hastings. Succession of commanders : P. A. Gaulin, H. T. King, Amos Row, Frank G. Charpenning, Samuel H. Snoke, R. H. Shaw, Cornelius Owens, J. D. Snoke.
Knights of Pythias.-The charter for this order was granted on the 19th of July, 1871, to the following members : William M. McCullough, jr., Noel B. Lee, Joseph Leman, J. K. Johnson, D. W. Flemmer, George D. Ronk, Robert McCorkle, Edward Mack, and Samuel H. Snoke. The order at present numbers fifty-two members. Regular weekly meetings are held each Monday evening. The present officers are: Past chancellor, Frank Thorn ; C. C., Thomas W. King ; V. C., George D. Ronk ; prelate, J. C. Smith ; M. A Ed. O. .Berger ; K. of R. and S., A. P. Moore ; M. F., J. K. Johnson ; M. Ex.: A. M. Guinzburg ; I. G., John Murray ; 0. G., J. B. Larimer ; trustees, J. C. Smith, G. D. Ronk, and Robert McCorkle.
|
HISTORY OF CLEARFIELD COUNTY.
Susquehanna Assembly of the Knights of Labor
organization of Clearfield, was created by charter dated June 11, 1886, to
nineteen charter members. The officers chosen at their first meeting were : John
Schafer, master workman ; George Whorl, worthy foreman ; Charles Bickle, car.
and rec. secretary ; Wesley Leisure, treasurer. Having been in existence only a
year, the order has exhibited a remarkable growth, increasing to sixty present
members. Their meetings are held each Wednesday evening at the K. of P. Hall,
Kratzer’s Building. The officers for the present year are: George Cowdrick, M.
W. ; Albert Dutra, W. F. ; ,William Short, sec’y ; Henry Schafer, treas. St. Francis Catholic Total Abstinence and Benevolent Society, is an organization for the promotion of temperance among the members and congregation of St. Francis R. C. Church. It was formed through the efforts of Rev. Father Sheridan, pastor of that church, with the assistance of members of the congregation. The society has a membership of about thirty persons.
|
BOROUGH OF CLEARFIELD.
(48)
|
HISTORY OF CLEARFIELD COUNTY.
SCHOOLS In this place it is not deemed necessary to
make any detailed or even general reference to the educational institutions of
Clearfield borough. The subject of education, found in an earlier chapter, is so
fully, exhaustively and elaborately treated that special mention here would
amount merely to a repetition of what has already been fully commented upon. The
chapter referred to, aside from containing full statements and history of the
early schools of the county, has as its foundation, a record of the several
schools established from time to time in this town and subsequent borough. The
chapter was prepared with the greatest care and research and will be found as
interesting as it is reliable. FIRE DEPARTMENT. Prior to 1882, there was no organized means of
protection against fire in Clearfield. While the town had been remarkably
fortunate in escaping any general conflagration, or serious fire losses, a
number of disastrous fires had occurred, entailing heavy losses to individuals,
and which were only confined to a small area by the heroic efforts of citizens.
In March, 1882, a volunteer fire department was organized, whose object was to
combine proficiency and discipline, and insure a perfect organization. The town
council appointed a chief marshal and two assistants, whose duty it was to take
charge at fires of the entire force of firemen and citizens present, and direct
all measures needful on such occasions. The social organization consisted of a
president and two vice-presidents, a treasurer and secretary, to be elected
annually by the members of the department. The firemen are under a distinct
organization, consisting of a hook and ladder and hose company, with
seventy-five members, and under command of a foreman and two assistants, a
captain of ax, marshal and steward. The equipments of the company consist of a
fireman’s hat, belt and shirt. The apparatus now in use is a hook and ladder
truck fully equipped with modern appliances, and a hose truck with one thousand
feet of three-inch hose.
|
County File Manager - Gary L. Caldwell
Return to Clearfield County Index
USGenWeb Archives |
PAGenWeb Project |
USGenWeb Project |
Copyright 1997-2024, USGenWeb Archives