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1804 - 1904

Clearfield County's Centennial

 

Raftsman's Journal

Clearfield, Pa.

 

Pages 20 - 29

 

transcribed for the Clearfield County PA USGenWeb by

Ellis Michaels

 

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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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     RICHARD SHAW, SR.—A prominent citizen of the county during its infancy, was born in Ireland in 1792. He came to the county in 1810. He at one time owned nearly all the land upon which the present town of Clearfield stands. He died August 17th, 1876.

 

 

 

 

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of the Counties of Huntingdon and Lycoming situate North of the Moshannon and West of the Sinnemahoning Creek, stating, that they experience great inconvenience and disadvantage from their remote situation from the seat of Justice of their respective Counties ; suggesting the propriety of annexing to Centre County certain parts of Huntingdon and Lycoming Counties, as described in the petition ; and praying to be erected into an election district; and the same was read, and
     "On motion of Mr. Harris, seconded by Mr. Findlay.
     "Resolved : That the said petition be referred to a committee, to consider and report thereon, and
     "Ordered : That Mr. Harris, Mr. Reed and Mr. Hamilton be a committee for that purpose."
     That the reader may have a better understanding, it should be stated that at this date portion of the territory lying South and East of the Susquehanna, and South of the Moshannon was part of Huntingdon Co. ; and all that portion lying North and West of the Susquehanna, included within the bounds of Lycoming County.
     Friday, April 2nd, 1802. Senate Journal, 363.
     "Mr. Harris, from the committee, to whom was referred on the 18th of February lasts the petition of the subscribers, Inhabitants of parts of the Counties of Huntingdon and Lycoming, etc., on leave given, reported a Bill entitled "An Act for annexing Parts of the Counties of Huntingdon and Lycoming to the Counties of Centre and Westmoreland," and the same was read the first time.
     The bill failed to pass.
     March 26th, 1803. House Journal, 585.
     "Mr. Steel presented a petition from sundry inhabitants of Huntingdon and Lycoming Counties, residing on the West Branch of the Susquehanna, praying that their settlements may not be annexed to Centre County, but may be permitted to remain in their respective counties, as heretofore, until a new one shall be erected and established."
     The remonstrants prevailed, and the settlers on the South and East of the Susquehanna continued to journey to Huntingdon when in search of Justice, those on the North and West sides of the River traveling to Williamsport, until March 26th, 1804, when Chapter LXXVIII., Laws 1803-4, became effective.   The act was entitled :
     "An Act to erect parts of Lycoming, Huntingdon and Somerset Counties into separate county districts."
     Section 1. Erects Jefferson County.
     Section 2. Erects McKean County.
     Section 3. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid. That so much of the County of Lycoming, included in the following boundaries, to wit : Beginning where the line dividing Cannon's and Broadhead's districts strikes the West Branch of the Susquehanna River; thence, North along the said district line until a due west course from thence will strike the Southeast corner of McKean County; thence, West along the Southern boundary of McKean County to the line of Jefferson County ; thence, Southwesterly along the line of Jefferson

 

 

 

 

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     JOSIAH W. SMITH—The pioneer member of the Clearfield Bar came to Clearfield in 1821 from Philadelphia ; was appointed Deputy Attorney General in 1825. During his lifetime he acquired a great deal of property. He died March 2d, 1882.

 

 

 

 

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County to where Hunter's district line crosses Sandy-lick Creek ; thence, South along the district line to the canoe place on the Susquehanna River ; thence, an Easterly course to the Southwesterly corner of Centre County, on the heads of Mushannon Creek ; thence, down the Mushannon Creek the several courses thereof to its mouth ; thence, down the West Branch of the Susquehanna River to the place of beginning, be, and the same is hereby erected into a separate County, to be henceforth called Clearfield County, and the place of holding the Courts of Justice in and for said County, shall be fixed by the Legislature at any place which may be most beneficial and convenient for said County.


     Sec. 8. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid. That as soon as it shall appear by an enumeration of the taxable inhabitants within the Counties of Jefferson, McKean, Clearfield, Potter, Tioga and Cambria, that any of the said Counties, according to the rates that shall then be established for apportioning the representation among the several Counties of this Commonwealth shall be entitled to a separate representation, provision shall be made by law for apportioning the said representation, and enabling such County to be represented separately, and to hold the Courts of Justice at such place in said County, as is, or may hereafter, be fixed for holding the same by the Legislature, and to choose their County officers in like manner as in the other Counties of this Commonwealth.


     Sec. 9. And be it, etc. That the Governor be, and he is hereby authorized and required to appoint three suitable persons for trustees, in each of the said counties, who shall receive proposals in writing from any person or persons, or any bodies corporate or politic, for the grant or conveyance of any lands within the said Counties respectively, and within the limits prescribed by this act for fixing the place of holding Courts of Justice in said Counties respectively, or the transfer of any other property, or payment of money for the use of said Counties, and transmit to the Legislature from time to time a copy of the proposals so received under their hands ; and when the place of holding Courts of Justice in the said Counties respectively shall be fixed by the Legislature, to take assurance in the law, for the lands and other valuable property, or money contained in any such proposals, which shall or may be accepted of.


     Sec. 11. And be it, etc. That for the present convenience of the inhabitants of said Counties of Clearfield and McKean, and until an enumeration of the taxable inhabitants of said Counties shall be made, and it shall be otherwise directed by law, the said Counties of CLEARFIELD and McKean shall be, and the same are hereby ANNEXED to the COUNTY OF CENTRE, and the Jurisdiction of the several courts of the County of Centre, and the authority of the judges thereof shall extend over and shall operate and be effectual within said Counties of Clearfield and McKean.


     Sec. 15. And be it, etc. That the electors within the Counties erected by this act, shall continue to elect at the same places and with the same Counties as heretofore."


     The recital in the act "That so much of the County of Lycoming included within the following boundaries." That part included within the actual boundaries mentioned in the Act from CANOE PLACE on the Susquehanna River; in "an Easterly course to the Southwesterly corner of Centre County at the head of

 

 

 

 

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     WILLIAM IRVIN—The pioneer settler of Curwensville, who located there in 1820 was born in 1801. He was the most extensive lumberman and merchant in the county in the early days. He died December 29th, 1869.

 

 

 

 

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Mushannon Creek ; thence down the Mushannon Creek the several courses to its mouth," and then up the river to Canoe Place was taken from Huntingdon County, and the remaining territory was from Lycoming County, as stated.


     Under the 15th Section of the Act March 26th, 1804, the. "Electors" were "to continue to elect at the same place and with the same Counties as hertofore." In other words, the electors residing South and East of the river were to vote in Huntingdon County, those residing on the North and West side, in Lycoming County.


     The territory embraced within the limits of the County was by an order of the Quarter Session of Centre County, August Sessions, 1804, made an election district and called Chincleclamousche.


     Sec. 4 of the Act of March 14th, 1805, provides "That the County of Clearfield shall be an election district, and° the electors thereof shall hold their general election at the house of Benjamin Jordan in said district, and shall be entitled to vote for members of the Federal and State Legislatures, Sheriffs, Commissioners and other County Officers for Centre County.


SEAT OF JUSTICE.


     Section 9 of the Act of March 26th, 1804, required the Governor to appoint three trustees in each of the newly created Counties to receive proposals in writing for the grant and conveyance of land, for the fixing the place of holding courts, or the transfer of any other property or payment of money for the tise of said Counties. Copies of proposals so received were to be transmitted from time to time to the Legislature.


     Roland Curtin, Robert Boggs and William Tate were appointed Trustees for Clearfield County, under this section of the Act. These Trustees addressed a letter to the Legislature reading :
     "To the Honorable Robert Whitehill, Speaker of the Senate of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
     Annexed you will see a true copy of Mr. Abraham Witmer's proposals for having the seat of Justice for Clearfield County established on one of his tracts of land. We do not consider ourselves authorized by law to point out decidedly any particular part of the County the Most Eligible situation for the seat of Justice.- We only, therefore, remark that a handsome seat for a town might he situated on some of the supposed tracts, and that Mr. Witmer's observations are, in our Humble opinion, Sufficiently correct.
     With due respect, we subscribe ourselves,
Your obedient Servants,
ROLAND CURTIN,
ROBERT BOGGS,
WM. TATE,
Trustees for Clearfield County.

Canestoga, January 18th, 1805.
"Messrs. Roland Curtin, Robert Boggs and Wm. Tate, Esqs.,
Gentlemen :-
     I have three tracts of land, situated on the West Branch of Susquehanna River, in Clearfield County, viz. : one in the name of Charles Smith, Containing 318 acres, 113 perches; one of 273 acres, 131 perches, in the name of John

 

 

 

 

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     DR. G. W. CALWELL—One of the earliest practitioners of medicine, was born in Union County. He established himself at Glen Hope in 1851, where he practiced his profession until his death on October 5th, 1885.

 

 

 

 

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Morgan; and one in the Name of Jacob Morgan, 327; for all of which Tracts of land I have an in Disputable Title. They include the indian town called Chinglaclamoose old town, which was one of the largest Indian towns on the Susquehanna. These lands were surveyed as early as July, 1769, and are justly Considered the Most Desirable Both as to Quality and Situation in the part of the County. The great Road to presqueisle was laid out By the Commissioners appointed for that Purpose to Pass through these Lands as may be seen by a reference to their Reports in the office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth. I propose, should Either of these Tracts be Deemed Eligible fof the County Town, to give 250 acres to be laid off into Town Lots and out lots, in Such Manner as May be Desired by the Proper authoritye, one fourth Part of the Neat Proceeds of Sales for the Erection of the public Buildings, one fourth for the Endowment of an Academy in the contemplated Town, the other Morety for my use.
I am, Gentlemen, Very Respectfully,
Your Obedient Servant,

ABRAHAM WITMER."


     This letter was transmitted to the Senate and the House of Representatives, and there were rival propositions made and other "eligible" sites for the location of a seat of Justice for Clearfield County offered. The following extracts from the Senate and House Journals will convey some idea of the contest then made for the coveted town.
 

January 28th, 1805. Senate Journal, 117.

     "The Speaker laid before the Senate certain proposals of Samuel Miles (accompanied with a recommendation of the Trustees of Clearfield County) offering one hundred acres of land at the confluence of Clearfield Creek and the West Branch of Susquehanna to extend an equal distance up each stream, provided the seat of Justice of said County is fixed thereon; and the said papers were read and laid on the table.
 

January 28th, 1805. Senate Journal, 117.
     "The Speaker laid before the Senate a paper purporting to be a recommendation (by the Trustees of Clearfield County) of land belong to Abraham Witmer, as the most eligible situation for the seat of Justice for said County.
 

     To the recommendation of the Trustees is annexed certain proposals of Abraham Witmer, as follows, to wit. :—
     I propose to give two hundred and fifty acres to be laid of into town and out lots in such manner as may be directed by the proper authority, one fourth part of the nett proceeds of sales for the erection of public buildings; one fourth for the endowment of an academy in the contemplated town ; the other morety for my own use ; and the said papers were severally read and laid on the table."


     January 29th, 1805. House Journal, 223.
     "A letter directed to the Speaker, from Abraham Witmer, and another inclosed therein from the Commissioners of Clearfield County, both relative to the offer of certain lands in said County by said Witmer to the public as a proper scite for a seat of Justice in said County, were severally read and referred to Messrs. D. Mitchell, White & Weinich."


Feb. 7th, 1805. House Journal, 291.

 

 

 

 

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     G. L. REED—Was born in 1825, and represents one of the early families of Clearfield County. In his early days he followed surveying, and laid out the plan of Clearfield. He is now a Director of the County National Bank, and resides in the old Reed homestead on First Street.

 

 

 

 

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     "Mr. D. Mitchell, from the Committee to whom was referred on the 29th ultimo the communication of the trustees of Clearfield Comity, containing proposals from Abraham Witmer of a grant of certain lands on which to erect public buildings, &c., for the seat of Justice in said, made report, which was read as follows, viz.:— That they have duly examined Mr. Witmer's proposals, and consider them sufficiently liberal; they have also paid attention to the plot of said County, as exhibited on Howell's map of Pennsylvania; and although the situation of said lands is not entirely central, yet as they adjoin a navagable stream of water passing through a fertile country, and combine as many advantages as any other situation in the County, your committee consider it an eligible scite for the purpose proposed ; they submit for the consideration of the House the following resolution, viz.:—
 

     Resolved : That the proposals of Abraham Witmer, offering a tract of land for the seat of Justice in Clearfield County be accepted ; and that the Governor be authorized and required to appoint three trustees for the purpose of ascertaining the most eligible scite for the seat of Justice in Clearfield County on the lands of Abraham Witmer, situate near the mouth of Clearfield Creek ; and on motion


     The said Report was read a second time.


     The resolution being under consideration, a motion was made by Mr. Findlay and Mr. Miller to postpone the further consideration thereof for the present, which was agreed to."


     Feb'y 19th, 1805. Senate Journal, 206.
"The Speaker laid before the Senate certain proposals made by James Hamilton (accompanied by the recommendations of the trustees of the County) of a tract of land in the County of Clearfield, for the purpose of fixing the seat be laid out in a town; one fourth of which is to be set apart for a public of Justice of said County.


     The proposal contemplates granting 300 acres (part of a 1000 acres) to school ; one fourth for public buildings and the remaining half to be reserved for the benefit of the proprietors ; and the same was read and laid on the table.


     Feb'y 21st, 1805. House Journal, 377.
     On motion of Mr. D. Mitchell and Mr. Ogle, the report of the Committee on the Communication of the Trustees of Clearfield County containing proposals from Abraham Witmer of a grant of certain lands on which to erect public buildings, &c., for the seat of Justice in said County, read the 7th instant, was read a second time and the same resolution under consideration.


     A motion was made by Mr. Porter and Mr. D. Mitchell to recommend said report, which was agreed to, and
     Ordered, That Messrs. Boileau, Dr. Mitchell, Hall, Crouch and Lytle be a committee for that purpose.
 

     On motion of Mr. Lacock and Mr. Ferree the proposals from Rowland Curtin and Robert Baggs, on behalf of William Hamilton, together with the petition of sundry inhabitants of Clearfield County relative to the seat of Justice for said County, was read the 19th inst., and referred to the last mentioned committee.


     Feb'y 23rd, 1805. House Journal, 384.

 

 

 

 

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