Pennsylvania USGenWeb Archives

 

1804 - 1904

Clearfield County's Centennial

 

Raftsman's Journal

Clearfield, Pa.

 

Pages 70 - 85

 

transcribed for the Clearfield County PA USGenWeb by

Ellis Michaels

 

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This page was last updated on 23 Apr 2011

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1804 1904
CLEARFIELD COUNTY'S CENTENNIAL

CELEBRATED AT
CLEARFIELD, PA.
July 26, 27, 28 and 29.

Population Clearfield County
1804 685
1904 100,000
One Hundred Years Old

RAFTSMAN'S JOURNAL
Clearfield, Pa.

 

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RAFT SCENE

 

 

 

 

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     Hon. Alexander Irvin was a man of excellent business capacity and no little political sagacity. After having served as Prothonotary, member of the Legislature, State Senator, he was elected a Representative in Congress and served in 1846-8.


     The county was next honored in the election of the late Hon. William Bigler as Governor of the State from 1851-4, and in his selection as United States Senator for the term beginning 1856 and ending in 1861.


     Hon. John Patton was the next citizen from the county elected to Congress. He served from 1861-3, and again from 1887-8.


     In 1875 Hon. William A. Wallace was elected a United States Senator and served until 1880.


     Hon. James Kerr was elected a Representative in Congress and served during 1889-90. Mr. Kerr was afterwards elected Clerk of the House of Representatives of the United States, in which capacity he served four years.


     In 1873 the late H. Bucher Swoope became United States District Attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania.


     During his first and second terms President Cleveland appointed Edmund A. Bigler Collector of Customs for the Western District of Pennsylvania.


     President Cleveland in his second administration appointed William D. Bigler Assistant Treasurer of the United States at Philadelphia.


     Elmer S. Dundy, who, admitted to the bar of this county afterwards, became United State District and Circuit Judge at Omaha, Neb., where he died in 1896.


     Hon.      Scofield, a Clearfield county boy, became Governor of Michigan.


     Hon. John A. Patton, also a Clearfield County boy, became a United States Senator from the State of Michigan.


     There are others who have distinguished themselves and occupied positions of trust, prominent in the State and Nation, some born in this county, others who were citizens from choice. It may be said without reserve, that in whatever position found the men from Clearfield have been faithful to their trusts and discharged the duties imposed upon them with marked ability.


     It will be admitted by all that Governor Bigler and Senator Wallace had much to do in bringing Clearfield County into prominence and in bringing about the early industrial development of this section. They both made a deep impression, and to a good effect, upon the legislation of their time and are now entitled to the most honorable mention at this, the one hundredth anniversary of the county, for which, when living, they did so much.


     For many years Clearfield County was looked upon as the Gibraltar of Democracy. A nomination on the Democratic ticket was equivalent to an election, but 'tis not so now. For some years past it has been counted in the Republican column and may to-day be regarded as lost to the Democrats. It is unnecessary to state the reasons why, an attempt to do so might detract somewhat from the historical nature of this paper.


     As a part of the political history of the county the civil list and county organization is given below :


     GOVERNOR—William Bigler, 1851-4.


      United States Senators--William Bigler, 1856-61 ; William A. Wallace,
 

 

 

 

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1875-80.


     Clerk U. S. House Representatives—James Kerr, 1891-95.


     Representatives in Congress—Alexander Irvin, 1846-8; John Patton, 1861-3; 1887-8; James Kerr, 1889, 1891.


     Assistant Treasurer U. S. at Philadelphia—William D. Bigler, 1894-98.

 

     State Treasurer—Frank G. Harris, 1901-04.


     State Senators—William Bigler, 1842; Alexander Irvin, 1847; William A. -Wallace, 1863-75 ; Thomas J. Boyer, 1876; William W. Betts, 1887-90; M. L. McQuown, 1895-8 ; Alexander Patton, 1903-4.


     Representatives in State Legislature—Martin Hoover, first (date unknown) ; Greenwood Bell, second ; John Irwin, third; James Ferguson, 1837-8 ; James H. Lafferty, 1839, 1840; G. R. Barrett, 1841-2 ; Lewis W. Smith, 1844-5; Charles S. Worrell, 1846-7; George Walters, 1848-9; William J. Hemphill, 1850-I ; A. Caldwell, 1853-4; T. J. Boyer, 1858-62-3-4; Thomas J. McCullough, 1867-8; John Lawshe, 1872-3; Johnson W. Potter, 1874 ; W. R. Hartshorn, 1875-6; Aaron C. Tate, 1877-8; A. D. Bennett, 1879-80; James Flynn, 1881-2; J. P. Taylor, 1883-4; J. H. Norris, 1885-6; Aaron G. Kramer, 1887-8; Peter S. Weber, 1889-92; John F. Farrell, 1889-92; John K. Gorman, 1893-4 ; Charles S. King, 1893-4; Charles D. Ames, 1895-7 ; John H. Patchin, 1895-7; Frank G. Harris, 1897-1901; Joseph Alexander, 1897-1902 ; Harry Boulton, 1903-4; Frederick R. Scofield, 1903-4.


     President Judges—Charles Huston, 1822-6 ; Thomas Burnside, 1826-41; George W. Woodward, 1841-51 ; R. G. White, 1851-2 ; John C. Knox, 1852-3; James T. Hale, 1853 ; James Burnside, 1853-9; James Gamble, 1859 ; Samuel Linn, 1859-68 ; Joseph B. McEnally, 1868; Charles A. Mayer, 1868-75 ; John H. Orvis (Addl. law judge), 1875; David L. Krebs, 1883-94 ; Cyrus Gordon. 1894- '904; Allison O. Smith, 1904.


     Associate Judges—Francis W. Rawle, Moses Boggs, 1822-6; Moses Boggs, Hugh Jordon, 1826-40; Moses Boggs, James Ferguson, 1840-1 ; James Ferguson, John Patton, 1841-6 ; Abram K. Wright, James T. Leonard, 1846-51 ; Richard Shaw, John P. Hoyt, 1851-6; William L. Moore, Benjamin Bonsall, 1856-61 ; James Bloom, John D. Thompson, 1861-6 ; Samuel Clyde, Jacob Wilhelm, 1866-71 ; William C. Foley, John J. Read, 1871-6 ; Vincent Holt, Abram Ogden, 1876-81 ; John L. Cuttle, John Hockenbery, 1881-6.


     MEMBERS OF THE BAR, with the year of their admission: James Hepburn, 1822; Samuel M. Green, 1822; Robert Wallace, 1825 ; William Christie, 1826; Josiah W. Smith, 1826; Lewis Smith, ; John M. Martin, 1830; Daniel G. Fenton, 1830; George R. Barrett, 1836; James B. Marr, 1839; Elmer S. Dundy, Lewis J. Crans, --; Isaac G. Gordon, 1843; John F. Weaver, 1844; William A. Wallace, 1847; James Peterkin, ; Frederick O'Leary Buck,
Alfred A. Graham, ; Robert J. Wallace, Joseph S. Franz, 1850; J. Biddle Gordon, 1853 ; Henry Bucher Swoope, 1853 ; John Lever Cuttle, 1853 ; John G. Hall, ; James Harvey Larrimer, 1854; Thomas J. McCullough, 1854; William M. McCullough, 1856; Israel Test, 1858 ; John H. Orvis, 1857; Walter Barrett, 1859; John H. Fulfoid, 1860; Daniel W. McCurdy, 1868; Alonzo A. Adams, 1869; John P. Irvin, 1870; William A. Fleming, 1870; S. T. Brockbank, 1877; Joseph F. McKendrick, George D. Hamer, 188o; Truman Ames, 1881 ;
 

 

 

 

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Joseph W. Parker, 1882 ; W. Irvin Shaw, 1883 ; George W. Easton, 1883 ; William A. Ambrose, 1883 ; Alonzo P. McLeod, 1884 ; James T. Johnson, 1888 ; J. Frank McNaul, 1889 ; C. Ira Krebs, 1890 ; G. C. Beauseigneur, 1892 ; Harvey Roland, 1892 ; W. D. Lukehart, 1893 ; H. B. McCullough, 1893 ; William G. Kline, 1895 ; Harry M. Shoff, 1898 ; Clarence Loeb, 1899.


     MEMBERS OF THE PRESENT BAR, with date of admission-Joseph B. McEnally, 1849; Frank Fielding, 1864 ; William D. Bigler, May 8, 1866 ; Thomas H. Murray, May 24, 1869; David L. Krebs, May 26, 1869; H. W. Smith, June 21, 1869 ; Cyrus Gordon, November, 1870 ; Aaron G. Kramer, September, 1871 ; William C. Arnold, June 18, 1875 ; Oscar Mitchell, June, 1876 ; Harry F. Wallace, June, 1876 ; William E. Wallace, June, 1876 ; Smith V. Wilson, March 7, 1877 ; William H. Patterson, June 17, 1878 ; J. Frank Snyder, June 18, 1878 ; Roland D. Swoope, September 25, 1878 ; Frank G. Harris, January 14, 1879 ; William A. Hagerty, January 22, 1879 ; Arthur L. Cole, January 9, 1882 ; W. C. Pentz, September 25, 1882 ; Allison Opp Smith, January, 1883 ; D. S. Herron, May 30, 1883 ; Americus Hodge Woodward, June 5, 1883 ; Martin Luther McOuown, June, 1883 ; James Horton Kelly. January 14, 1884 ; Singleton Bell, January 29, 1884 ; George W., Zeigler, May 12, 1884 ; G. H. Lichtenthaler, May 14, 1884 ; George M. Bigger, March 22, 1886 ; William I. Swoope, December 6, 1886 ; Alexander Paterson, January To, 1887; Howard B. Hartswick, September 5, 1887; William C. Miller, January 14, 1889 ; Frank Hutton, February 2, 1891; Herbert A. Moore, February 3, 1891 ; George M. Fulford, May 25, 1891; Benjamin F. Chase, September 28, 1891 ; George E. Merritt, September 6, 1892 ; William Paterson, May 2, 1893 ; George R. Bigler, May 24, 1893 ; Fred G. Betts, August 27, 1894 ; Alfred M. Liveright, November 8, 1894 ; Fred R. Scofield, December 3, 1894 ; William F. Patton, February 3, 1896 ; John M. Urey, September 7, 1896 ; Harry Byers, December 8, 1896 ; Harry Boulton, September 6, 1897 ; James A. Gleason, December 6, 1897 ; Hazard A. Murray, September 5, 1899 ; Lewis E. Boyer, November 6, 1899 ; John B. McGrath, December 4, 1899 ; James P. O'Laughlin, December 20, 1900 ; Leno W. Edwards, July 1, 1901 ; Homer W. Edwards, January 5, 1903 ; F. Blake Kuntz, February 2, 1903 ; Thomas F. Garrahan, July 11, 1904 ; W. D. Crosby, George W. Lukehart, James Nolan.


     Deputy Attorneys, General and District Attorneys-From the fact that it is impossible to furnish all the dates of incumbency of this office, it is deemed prudent to give only the succession of incumbents thereof ; and in this a possible error may occur : Samuel M. Green, Josiah W. Smith, Samuel H. Tyson, George R. Barrett, Lewis W. Smith, John F. Weaver, D. Rush Petrikin, George W. Hecker, J. B. McEnally, Joseph S. Frantz, Thomas J. McCullough, Robert J. Wallace, Israel Test, William M. McCullough, A. W. Walters, Frank Fielding, William M. McCullough, Joseph F. McKendrick, Smith V. Wilson, Singleton Bell, A. H. Woodward and W. I. Swoope.


     Sheriffs-1822, Greenwood Bell ; 1823-6, Greenwood Bell ; 1826-9, William Bloom, 1829-32, Lebbeus Luther ; 1832-5, Robert Ross ; 1835-8, James Ferguson ; 1838-41, Abram K. Wright ; 1841-4, George Leech ; 1844-7, Ellis Irwin ; 1847-50, John Stites ; 1850-3, Alexander Caldwell; 1853-6, William Powell ; 1856-9. Josiah R. Read; 1859-62, Frederick G. Miller ; 1862-5, Edwin Perks ; 1865-8, Jacob A. Faust ; 1868-71, Cyrenius Howe; 1871-4, Justin J. Pie; 1874-7, William R.
 

 

 

 

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McPherson ; 1877-80, Andrew Pentz, Jr. ; 1880-3, James Mahaffey ; 1883-6, R. Newton Shaw ; 1886-9, Jesse E. Dale ; 1889-92, E. L. McCloskey ; 1892-5, F. M. Cardon ; 1895-8, Frank Smith ; 1898-1901, David D. Gingery ; 1901-4, Hugh McCullough ; 1904, James P. Stayer.


     Registers and Recorders—This office became separated from that of Prothonotary in 1856. Since that time the succession has been as follows : James Wrigley, 1856-62; Isaiah G. Barger, 1862-8 ; Asbury W: Less, 1868-74 ; L. J. Morgan, January, 1875-81 ; George M. Ferguson, 1881-7 ; D. R. Fullerton, 1887-93 ; Bine Koozer, 1893-9 ; E. E. Jimeson, 1899.


     Treasurers—During the early years, when Treasurers were appointed annually, it is impossible to ascertain the correct time the officer held the position ; it is therefore deemed expedient to furnish nothing more than the succession in the order of their holding, respectively : Arthur Bell, Samuel Coleman, Samuel Fulton, Alexander B. Reed, James Ferguson, Alexander Irvin, G. Philip Geulich, Martin Hoover, James T. Leonard, Christopher Kratzer, D. W. Moore, Robert Wallace, J. W. Wright, Isaac Bloom, Arthur Bell, John McPherson, Eli Bloom, John McPherson, George B. Goodlander, Joseph Shaw, Christopher Kratzer, D. W. Moore, William K. Wrigley, Lever Flegal, Samuel P. Wilson, David W. Wise, David McGaughey, Philip Dotts, John W. Wrigley, John M. Troxell, James Mitchell, James McLaughlin, George M. Dimeling, Lewis C. Dyer, George Weaver (died in office), A. B. Weaver (unexpired term), William C. Goss.


     Prothonotaries—Samuel Fulton, 1822 ; Reuben Winslow, 1825 ; Joseph Boone, 1827; Ellis Irwin, 1836 ; James T. Leonard, 1839 ; Alexander Irvin, 1842 ; William C. Welch, 1846 ; Ellis Irwin (by appointment) ; William Porter, 1851 ; George Walters, 1857; James T. Leonard (by appointment) ; John L. Cuttle, 1860 ; D. F. Etzweiler, 1863 ; Aaron C. Tate, 1869 ; Eli Bloom, 1875 ; James Kerr, 1881 ; Alfred M. Bloom, 1887; D. J. Gingery, 1893 ; Grant H. Thompson, 1899.


     County Superintendents—A. T. Schryver, 1854-7 ; L. L. Still, 1857-60 ; J. Broomall, 1860-3 ; C. B. Sanford, 1863-6 ; G. W. Snyder, 1866-72 ; J. A. Gregory, 1872-8 ; M. L. McQuown, 1878-84 ; Matthew Savage, 1884-90 ; B. C. Youngman, 1891; George W. Weaver, 1897-1900 (died in office) ; E. C. Shields (unexpired term) ; E. C. Shields, 1901-4.


     County Commissioners and Clerks-1812-13, Hugh Jordon, Samuel Fulton, Robert Maxwell; clerk, Joseph Boone. 1814-15, Hugh Jordon, William Tate, Robert Maxwell ; clerk, Joseph Boone. 1816, William Tate, Samuel Fulton, Thomas McClure ; clerk, Boone. 1817-18, Thomas McClure, David Ferguson, Robert Ross ; clerk, Boone. 1819, David Ferguson, Robert Ross, William Ogden ; clerk, Boone. 1820, William Ogden, Greenwood Bell, Alexander Read, Jr. ; clerk, Boone. 1821, Alexander Read, Jr., Matthew Ogden, Greenwood Bell; clerk, David Ferguson. 1822, Alexander Read, George Welch, Abraham Leonard ; clerk, Ferguson. 1823, George Welch, Elisha Schofield, Martin Nichols ; clerk, James Reed. 1824, Martin Nichols, Elisha Schofield, George Welch ; clerk, James Reed, who held until 1829. 1825, Schofield, Nichols, Job England. 1826, England, Nichols, George Wilson. 1827, England, Wilson, Joseph Hoover. 1828, Joseph Hoover, Robert Ross, George Wilson. 1829, Hoover, Ross, A. Caldwell ; clerk, Lewis W. Smith. 1830, Ross, Caldwell, J. Schnarrs ; clerk, James T. Leonard, who so held until 1834. 1831, Caldwell, Schnarrs, George Leech.
 

 

 

 

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1832, Schnarrs, Leech, Ignatius Thompson. 1833, Leech, Thompson, I. H. Warwick. 1834, Warwick, Thompson, Matthew Ogden ; clerk, L. W. Smith, until 1838. 1835, Warwick, Ogden, Smith Mead. 1836, Ogden, Mead, William Dunlap. 1837, Mead, Dunlap, James B. Graham. 1838, Dunlap, Graham, Isaiah Goodfellow ; clerk, James Reed. 1839, Graham, Goodfellow, John Stites ; clerk, Reed. 1840, Goodfellow, Stites, John McMurray ; clerk, G. R. Barrett. 1841, McMurray, Stites, James B. Caldwell ; clerk, H. B. Beissel, until 1846. 1842, McMurray, Caldwell, George C. Passmore. 1843, Caldwell, Passmore, John Carlisle. 1844, Passmore, Carlisle, Grier Bell. 1845, Carlisle, Bell, Samuel Johnson. 1846, Johnson, Bell, Abram Kyler; clerk, H. P. Thompson, until 1849. 1847, Johnson, Kyler, James A. Reed. 1848, Kyler, Reed, James Elder. 1849, Reed, Elder, Benjamin Bonsall ; clerk, W. A. Wallace. 1850, Elder, Bonsall, S, Way ; clerk, J. B. Beissell. 1851, Bonsall, Way, William Alexander ; clerk, John F. Irwin. 1852, Way, Alexander, Philip Hevener ; clerk, G. B. Goodlander, until 1855. 1853, Alexander, Hevener, Samuel Shoff. 1854, Hevener, Shoff, R. Mahaffey. 1855, Shoff, Mahaffey, David Ross ; clerk, R. J. Wallace, until 1858. 1856, Mahaffey, Ross, J. Wilhelm. 1857, Ross, Wilhelm, John Irvin. 1858, Wilhelm, Irvin, George Erhard. 1859, Irvin, Erhard, William McCracken ; clerk, William Bradley, until 1869. 1860, Erhard, McCracken, William Merrill. 1861, McCracken, Merrill, S. C. Thompson. 1862, Merrill, Thompson, Jacob Kuntz. 1863, Thompson, Kuntz, Thomas Dougherty. 1864, Kuntz, Dougherty, Amos Read. 1865, Dougherty, Read, Conrad Baker. 1866, Read, Baker, Charles S. Worrel. 1867, Baker, Worrel, Henry Stone. 1868, Worrel, Stone, Othello Smead. 1869, Stone, Smead, S. H. Shaffner ; clerk, G. B. Goodlander, until 1877. 1870, Smead, Shaffner, Samuel H. Hindman. 1871, Shaffner, Hindman, David Buck. 1872, Hindman, F. F. Conteret, Gilbert Tozer. 1873, Conteret, John D. Thompson, Gilbert Tozer. 1874, same. 1875, Conrad W. Kyler, Thompson, Clark Brown. 1876-7-8, Brown, Thomas A. McGee, Harris Hoover ; clerk, John W. Howe. 1879-80-1, Conrad W. Kyler, Elah Johnson, John Norris ; clerk, Jacob A. Foss. 1882-3-4, C. K. McDonald, John T. Straw, John Picard ; clerk, R. A. Campbell. 1885-6-7, James Savage, C. K. McDonald, Clark Brown ; clerk, R. A. Campbell. 1888-9-90, James Savage, G. I. Thompson, Jacob Mock ; clerks, W. V. Wright, George E. Owens. 1891-2-3, G. I. Thompson, E. G. Gearhart, John McGaughey ; clerks, Geo. E. Owens, C. C. Howe, H. E. Rowles. 1894-5-6, James Reed, W. T. Ross, A. E. Woolridge ; clerk, Geo. E. Owens. 1897-8-9, A. E. Woolridge, W. C. Davis, D. H. Waring ; clerk, P. T. Davis. 1900-1-2, W. C. Davis, C. H. Cole, H. J. Diem ; clerks, P. T. Davis, A. K. Stayer. 1903-4-5, S. R. Hamilton, Commodore Rowles, B. F. Wilhelm ; clerk, A. K. Stayer.


BOROUGHS.


     Clearfield is the oldest town, and the first borough, to be incorporated in the county. Although laid out in 1805, it was not incorporated until April 21, 1840, when the Legislature, in an Omnibus Bill, resolved "That Clearfield Town, in the County of Clearfield, shall be and the same is hereby erected into a borough under the name and title of the Borough of Clearfield." Its limits have been several times enlarged and extended, so that to-day it includes much additional territory, taken from Lawrence Township-and the Borough of West Clearfield.
 

 

 

 

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     Curwensville, or Curwinsville, is the second oldest town in the county and, although laid out at an early date, was not incorporated until February 3, 1851, when the Legislature enacted "That Curwinsville, in Pike Township, Clearfield County, shall be, and the same is hereby erected into a borough which shall be called the Borough of Curwinsville." Like Clearfield, its boundaries have been largely extended. Upon the early maps it was also known as "Curwin."


     The village of New Washington was likewise incorporated by the Legislature by an act approved April 13, 1859.


     These three boroughs were the creatures of the Legislature, the other boroughs were all incorporated by the Quarter Sessions under the act of 1851.
There are to-day 20 boroughs and 29 townships in the county, divided into 86 election precincts.


     The boroughs and townships, and date of incorporation or erection are as follows :


Name.                            Incorporated.
Brisbin                           January 8, 1883
Burnside                         October 5, 1874.
Chester Hill                    April 18, 1883.
Clearfield                      April 21, 1840.
Coalport                        September 24, 1883.
Curwensville                  February 3, 1851.
DuBois                          January 11, 188i.
Glen Hope                     June 28, 1880.
Grampian (Pennville)      December 30, 1885.
Houtzdale                      March 20, 1872.
Irvona                           September 2, 1890.
Lumber City                  August 21, 1858.
Mahaffey                      May 11, 1880.
Newburg                      October 4, 1875.
New Washington           April 13, 1859.
Osceola                        September 27, 1864.
Ramey                         March 29, 1893.
Troutville                     May 4, 1891.
Wallaceton                   March, 1873.
Westover                     September 6, 1895.
West Clearfield (now in Clearfield) September 24, 1883.


TOWNSHIPS.


Name.                         Organized.
Beccaria                      1807.
Bell                             February 4, 1835.
Bigler                          December 27, 1882.
Bloom                         January 14, 1860.
Boggs                          1838.
Bradford                      August, 1807.
Brady                          1826.
Burnside                      May 4, 1835
Chest                          October 16, 1826.
 

 

 

 

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Name.                         Organized.
Covington                    April, 1817.
Cooper                        January 18, 1884.
Decatur                       1828..
Ferguson                      February 7, 1839.
Girard                         1832.
Goshen                        May 5, 1845.
Graham                       August 26, 1856.
Greenwood                 March 19, 1875.
Geulich                       1858.
Huston                         1839.
Jordon                        September 4, I834.
Karthaus                      February 3, 1841.
Knox                           May 19, 1854.
Lawrence                    1814.
Morris                         February 3, 1836.
Penn                           February 4, 1835.
Pike                            November, 1813.
Sandy                          September, 1878.
Union                          December, 1848.
Woodward                  February 3, 1846.


POST OFFICES.


     It was desired to give a full history of the early post offices in the county, and the Post Office Department was appealed to for the needed information, but that Department could not, "in consequence of insufficiency of the present clerical force," comply with the request, or give the data.


     On the 20th April, 1813, Alexander Reed, Esq., was appointed Postmaster at Reedsboro (at the James Mitchell stone house south of Clearfield), and through the courtesy of Mr. H. F. Bigler a copy of the commission is given :

     GIDEON GRANGER, POSTMASTER GENERAL OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. To all who shall see these presents, Greeting:—
KNOW YE, That, confiding in the Integrity, Ability, and Punctuality of Alexander Reed, Esq., of Reedsboro, in Clearfield County, Pennsylvania, I do Appoint him a Deputy Post-Master, and authorize him to execute the Duties of that Office at Reedsboro aforesaid according to the Laws of the United States, and such Regulations comformable thereto, as he shall receive from me : To Hold the said Office of Deputy Post-Master, with all the Powers, Privileges and Emoluments to the same belonging, during the pleasure of the Post-Master General of the United States, for the time being.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my Hand, and caused the seal of my Office to be affixed, at Washington City, the twentieth day of April in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and thirteen, and of the Independence of the United States the thirty-seventh.
(Signed) GIDEON GRANGER.
 

 

 

 

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MISCELLANEOUS.


     At least one good Indian was found within the limits of the county, within the boundaries of Chingleclamousche old town, and the history of Clearfield would be incomplete without some account of this individual.


     "Indian Remains Found.—Last Friday (May 18, 1860), whilst the workmen employed at grading Market Street were digging between the Clearfield House and G. L. Reed's residence, they dug up portions of two skeletons, supposed to be the remains of Indians who had been buried there. They were found at a depth of about four feet under the original surface of the ground. One of the skulls and some of the bones are but little decayed, whilst others are entirely gone. One of the lower jaws having lost its angle, shows that it belonged to an aged person; the other retained the teeth in a state of good preservation, and is doubtless that of a child of perhaps 12 or 14 years of age."—Clearfield Rafts-men's, Journal of Wednesday, May 23, 1860.


CONCLUSION.


     Clearfield County had a very humble beginning. Fortunately the early settlers were men of intelligence, strong and fearless, to whom difficulties amounted to nothing except as a notice of the amount of effort required to accomplish the desired end. A history of the struggles of our forefathers in this region would show decision, coupled with an untiring perseverance, qualities which will secure success in any undertaking. The industrial growth of the country, slow at first, for want of facilities for transportation of its products, has been healthy and permanent. After the advent of the railroad her coal, lumber and fire brick interests developed rapidly and grew until now they are of enormous proportions.
 

     This paper, prepared hastily, before and after business hours during the past six weeks, is not published as a history of Clearfield County, but simply purports to give certain historical facts which tend to show its one hundred years of growth. No attempt has been made to eulogize this family or that—there is glory enough for all.
 

 

 

 

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     CLEARFIELD COUNTY COURT HOUSE—Erected in 1861. Additional built in 1883 and '84 at a cost of $60,000. The cost of the present structure and all late improvements is $140,000.
 

 

 

 

 

 

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Programme of Centennial Celebration
of
Clearfield County


1804 - 1904


JULY 26, 27, 28, 29, 1904
 

 

 

 

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Pioneer Day
July 26


     Beginning early on this clay two clerks will be found in the Relic Room in the Court House, to register the names of Pioneers, give them their badges and free dinner tickets. At 11 A. M. of said day the parade will take place, which will be as follows:
 

 

 

 

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Banner Inscriptions
July 26


     The following inscriptions on banners used on Pioneer Day of the great Centennial are made a part of the History of the great occasion.


"IN PIONEER DIVISION."


     First. William Penn made the Treaty with The Indians, the Indians with the Whites. The Descendants of all rejoice and are glad.
 

     Second (Red Men). We gave you your Chicaclamoose, we gave you your "Old town," and now extend to you the hand of Friendship.
 

     Third (Pioneers). We plowed with the ox team and the wooden plow, ate corn bread, lived in log houses. You have the improved machinery, the up-to-date baker and handsome Cottages.
 

     Fourth (Pioneer). We lived in homely hamlets, wore home spun clothing- and were educated in the log school house. Our children have better advantages.
 

     Fifth. Our forests we cleared that our children might have bread. Our hardships laid the foundation of your wealth.
 

     Sixth. We had the pine trees, you have the coal and fire clay ; we had hardships, you have ease and comfort.
 

     Seventh. We have lived three score and ten. The future of this great county we commit to our children.
 

     Eighth (Boys' Band). Call us Juveniles now, but come to the next Centennial and note how well we will play. Great trees from acorns grow, so all musicians must begin.
 

     Ninth (Boys' Procession). We will preserve this county, which our fathers and grandfathers have made great. From Youth to Old Age, makes a brilliant page.
 

     Tenth. Grandfather played "corner ball," we foot ball ; grandfather took his girl out on horseback (double), we take ours in the automobile.
 

     Eleventh. Our Pioneers travelled with the ox team and the cart, we have bicycle and the automobile; the Pioneers drove in the mud, we use paved streets.
 

     Twelfth. The Pioneers had the tallow candle, we have electric light. They had the old time fireplace, we have the steam heat.
 

 

 

 

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Soldiers' Day
July 27


     Probably this will be the biggest day of the Centennial, not perhaps the largest, but the patriotic one. The proceedings of this day will be very much the same as that of "Pioneer Day," except the make-up of the parade. It is under the direction of the Soldier Committee and everything is being done to make it memorable. The soldiers, as we understand, will meet at the Court House on the morning of July 27th, and will have their names registered and receive a badge and dinner ticket. The badges are beauties and will serve as splendid souvenirs of this memorable occasion. The parade will be a grand one, as this is the day when the Civic Societies will act as an escort to the veterans and music of all kinds will mark the glory of the occasion.
 

     The chorus of 200 voices on a platform, in front of the Court House will add much to the grandeur of the parade. After the parade and the Veterans have been well fed at their park they will be addressed by John McMains, Dept. Commander, Chas. Suydam, Assistant Adj. Gen. and Thos. G. Sample, Supt. of the Scotland Soldier's Orphan School, and by Gen. O. O. Howard, of Burlington, Vermont, the only surviving corps commander of the Federal army. Gen. Howard is one of the finest speakers of the Soldier platform and has been secured for this occasion at a great expense. He is a great attraction. We predict at least 1,600 soldiers and we may add that a genuine Soldiers' friend has contributed largely toward their entertainment.
 

 

 

 

84

 

Industrial and Farmers' Day
July 28


     This is to be "Red Letter Day" in the history of this great celebration. A great gathering of farmers and industrial people. It is not "Granger Day," but Farmers' Day without reference to organizations. This will be one of the best of the whole week. A great big Farmers' Picnic, and on this occasion, we understand, there will be no admittance charged to farmers to the park and the attractions on that day will be free to them. The Committee; --we under- stand, has already secured several eminent speakers for this occasion. arrangements have been made for a great big picnic and farmers will be given the use of the grove and the good spring water for the occasion. The parade will be a leading feature and already the work of organizing it has commenced. Imagine a glaring procession of industries in floats and here and there a sprinkling of the "olden times" like a crumpled horn cow marching along side of a fine Jersey or Alderney, and an automobile pacing along side of the old-fashioned vehicle and you have a faint idea of the parade on Farmers' Day. The Industrial Organizations are organizing and will make a fine display in the parade. R. S. Seeds, one of the finest talkers in the country, will be the speaker.
 

 

 

 

85

 

Firemen's Day
July 29


     This will be the glittering day of all. A regular Peageant of Glory. The Clearfield Fire Companies have had set apart for premiums on this occasion $800, and this will bring the companies from all parts of the country. A great big clay and a parade that will beat all others in fine step and drill. Ten bands are registered for the parade on Firemen's Day. The Park attractions on this day will beat all others and the finely uniformed men will be a sight that will attract the biggest crowd of the week. Good speaking has been made a part of the programme for that day.


IN THE PARK.


     The Park is being prepared for four days of delightful entertainment. Dancing, racing, merry-go-round, base ball, speaking, Menagerie of seventeen cages of trained animals and a first-class Carnival, with all the usual Midway attractions. A perfect World's Fair of attractions. The Park is being arranged to provide for the comfort of those who may want to spend the day there.
 

 

 

 

   

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