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Franklin Township Information
A description of the township from the History of Huntingdon and Blair Counties, Penna. by J. Simpson Africa published by Louis H. Everts of Philadelphia, PA in 1883. The township information starts on page 268.
Geographical and Natural Features
This township extends northeast from the Little Juniata to the
Centre County line, a distance of nearly twelve miles, embracing the Spruce Creek Valley
and the country lying between the Tussey Mountains on the southeast and the hills of
Warrior's Mark township on the northwest. The average width of the township is about
four and a half miles. The surface has a general inclination towards the river, and
that part of it in the valley of Spruce Creek in underlaid by limestone, and has a very
productive soil. Although limited in extent, these lands are held in high esteem for
agricultural purposes, and the valley contains a number of fine and well improved farms.
The evidences of comfort and plenty appear in the form of good roads and fences and
handsome homes. Much of the northwestern slope of the valley contains rich deposits
of iron ore, the development of which has enriched the township, and given it a foremost
position among the iron manufacturing districts of the State. Within its bounds are
two extensive furnaces, and in the best period of the manufacture of charcoal-iron it was
the east of six or eight forges. For the successful carrying on of these enterprises
Spruce Creek and its principal affluent, Warrior's Mark Run, have been important factors.
The former is a rapid, constant stream of clear mountain water, affording a number
of powers in its course which have been well utilized. The latter stream has a
smaller volume, but is also constant and supplied with mill-seats. It has a general
southeastern course, and flows into Spruce Creek three miles above its mouth. The
township is well supplied with springs, some of which are remarkable for their size and
the excellence of their waters.
Early Settlers and Old Surveys
Mention has already been made of Alexander Ewing. On Aug. 31,
1786, he took warrant for three hundred and fifty acres of land, including improvements
begun in 1777. The survey, containing three hundred and eighty-four acres and one
hundred and forty perches, preserves the north of Ireland name of "Aughnacloy."
His next neighbor on the south, Zephaniah Weakland, owned an improvement made in
May, 1786, by Jacob Miner. Elexous Fowler, another neighbor on the northwest side,
owned a tract, including Spruce Creek, that was improved in 1783. The tract next
below Weakland's is the old Travis farm called "Moulines," and was first
improved in May, 1777. Continuing down the creek we find Abraham Dean's tract at the
Great Falls, called Mexico, the warrant for which was issued Sept. 2, 1784. From
this tract to near the mouth of the creek, which was then called the East Branch of the
Little Juniata, the best land had been taken up by speculators in 1766. Richard
Rickets, in 1786, owned the tract at the junction of Warrior's Mark Run with Spruce Creek,
that had been improved in 1781. Immediately below the forks and on the western side
of the creek an improvement was begun in 1761 on a tract that in 1791 was divided between
and occupied by John Spanogle and Henry Nearhoof. Passing down the creek the next
old and adjoining survey included parts of the farms of John Q. Adams, Robert L.
Henderson, David P. Henderson, and others. Immediately below and extending along the
creek to its junction with the Little Juniata and up the north bank of that stream for
more than half a mile, is a tract held by a warrant issued June 14, 1762, probably the
oldest in the township. The application describes it as being "situated in the
forks of Little Juniata Creek, including the clear meadows." On the original
field work of this survey, made Sept. 12, 1766, occurs probably the earliest application
of the name "Spruce Creek" to the stream now known by that designation.
Feb. 22, 1788, Abraham Sells applied for a warrant for twenty-five acres of land "lying on the mouth of Spruce Creek, including of one mill." The improvement was made in 1766.
One the 10th of July, 1789, James Hunter surveyed a route for a road from the head of the Cool Run to the Indian fording on Spruce Creek. the beginning tree stood at the road leading from Huntingdon to Northumberland. The points noted along the route were Charles Montgomery's barn, George Mathorn's lane, and John Smith's barn. The line crossed Warrior's Mark Run, and appeared to terminate about fifty-six perches southwest there from. Hunter, who was a surveyor of extensive practice, became the owned by deeds, executed in 1794 and 1795, of a large and valuable farm, since subdivided and held by Robert L. Henderson, John Q. Adams, and others. He resided there for a number of years. In 1817 it became the property of Joseph Moore.
The Gensimer, Pat. Madden, Dysart Plum Bottom, Stewart, Seeds and other farms are parts of the London Company's land, and were warranted in 1766. An Indian path extending from Water Street to the path leading from Frankstown to the Bald Eagle's Nest, shown upon the olds maps, traversed these lands in a northwest direction from the crossing of the Little Juniata, a short distance above Spruce Creek village.
James Armitage settled at an early date on Warrior's Mark Run, near Huntingdon Furnace, and warranted several tracts of land. The oldest warrant was issued July 23, 1776, and a survey was made theron the next year by Thomas Smith, then deputy surveyor. Other warrants for adjacent lands were granted to him in 1785, 1786, and 1788. Some time before 1787 he had erected a grist-mill.
The following names appear upon the first assessment taken after the organization of the township at March sessions, 1789:
Some of the foregoing were among the first settlers, but many had lived for a period in Franklin, and removed to distant parts, leaving no account of their settlement of the township.
George Mattern, a native of Germany, came from Maryland in 1779, and the following year secured a deed for his land, upon which he had already built a cabin. Into this he and his family moved the same year. Besides Catherine, his wife, there were children named George, Jacob, Adam, Andrew, David, John, Elizabeth, and Catherine. The cabin stood near where was afterwards the "Seven Stars" building, a large log house used for tavern purposes many years, and which was not demolished until 1866. The elder Mattern died in 1810. His daughters married Truman Curtis and Andrew Truby. George, the oldest son, married Catherine Hyskell, and settled west of Franklinville, on the present John B. Thompson farm, where he died in 1833. He was the father of John Mattern, of Centre County; Samuel, living at Franklinville at the age of eighty-five years; George P., and Jacob S., deceased. The daughters married Henry Fulton, John Gray, Isaac Gray, and William McPherran. The second son of George, Sr., Jacob, lived on the homestead until his death in 1851, at the age of eighty-one years. He was the father of sons named John W., David B., Andrew, and Henry, who moved to the West; George W., owning the homestead; William J., living in Clarion County; and Jacob and Jeremiah, living in Hollidaysburg. Daughters married Samuel Conrad, Williams Stevens, George Shoup, John B. Thompson, Samuel Miller, and Alexander Babb. John and Andrew Mattern moved to Ohio and Clarion County. David, the fifth son, married Catherine Wareham, and died on the present Ingram farm in Franklin township. He had daughters who married John Marks and Samuel Marks, of Tyrone; Samuel Jones, of the same place; Caleb Jones of Minnesota; Angus Gill, of Clearfield; and Nicholas Parks, of Franklin. His sons named David J., John W., and George, the latter being killed by a railway engine at Tyrone Forges.
About the same time, 1780, Charles Montgomery, an Irishman, came from Maryland and settled on the present Stewart farm. He died in the township at an advanced age. Of his sons, John removed to Williamsburg; Thomas died in the township, one of his daughters becoming the wife of William B. Johnston; Charles, after living on the homestead a number of years, removed to Armstrong County. The daughters married John Porter, of Alexandria, and John King, who removed to Clarion County.
William Ingram settled on the present Ingram farm about 1787, living there until his death some time about 1830. He had two sons, John and William. A daughter married Samuel Wigton, of Franklin. The oldest son was married to Mary Ann McCartney, and they were the parents of sons named Robert O., William D., and John W. Ingram. Adjoining the Ingram farm lived as pioneers John Nichol and James Clarke, and below Ingram was the farm on which lived Robert McCartney (Robert McCartney was drowned Wednesday, Jan. 27, 1813, in fording the Little Juniata at James Gray's fording, near the Dr. McPherran place. Up to February 11th his body had not been recovered, and his administrators offered a reward to twenty dollars for its recovery. He was remarkable for his stature, being six feet and six inches in height.), one of the earliest prominent settlers of Franklin. Farther up the stream, on a farm yet owned by the Travis family, John Travis settled at an early day. HIs son James was the progenitor of the family now living in Franklin. Next above was the farm of George Thompson, of Irish descent, the father of Gardner M. and Harris Thompson, who removed to Illinois. Evan Crain livd on the farm next above the latter, and was a settler there before any of the foregoing. The road leading from his improvements was called "Crain's path," and was a landmark among the pioneers. He was the father of sons names John, Evan, Henry, Abraham, and Benjamin, and descendants of his family yet remain in the township.
Alexander Ewing crossed Tussey's Mountain from Barree before 1790, and settled at what is now Graysville, owning a large tract of land in that vicinity, and being also the owner of mills. He was a devout Presbyterian, and in 1809 went to Lancaster County to procure a large Bible, which he carried all the way in his arms to his Franklin home. This book is now the property of his grandson, A. B. Ewing, of Franklinville. He died in 1828, and his wife in 1831. Of their children, Thomas, the oldest son, married a daughter of John Bailey and removed to the West; William, the second son, born in 1798, married Rachel Gray and removed to Venango County. He was the father of Alexander G. Ewing, of Franklin Township. James, another son, was the husband of Esther Bailey, and lived until his death at Graysville, departing this life in 1854. The youngest son, John, born in 1808, is yet a resident of Graysville; Mary, a daughter, became the wife of James G. McWilliams, of Centre County, and is also a resident of the above place at the age of eighty-two years. At Graysville, Jonathan Williams was an early settler, following the blacksmith's trade. Subsequently he made axes on Fowler's Run near the gap of the mountain. He attained legislative honors, and was elected associate judge. His sons were John B., George W., Thomas, and Samuel, the latter being a banker at McVeytown, Mifflin Co.
David Stewart, a native of Dauphin County, came to Pennsylvania Furnace as a manager, but subsequently became an associate of John Lyon and Anthony Shorb as owners of the furnace. In 1831 he moved to Coleraine Forges, and lived there until his death in May 1869, aged seventy-seven years. He was the father of S. C. Stewart, of Tyrone Forges, and of other sons who removed to Ohio. Two of his daughters were married to the Rev. J. R. Hughes and L. M. Speer, also of that State; and two others, Catherine W. and Margaret, occupy the homestead at Coleraine. A sister of David Stewart became the wife of John Lyon, who was the father of George W. Lyon, of Pennsylvania Furnace.
George Anshutz, the pioneer of the iron interests in Huntingdon County, lived at Huntingdon Furnace from about 1795 until 1830, when he removed to Pittsburgh. He had sons named George, Jacob and Christian, who left the township about the same time. At a later period James and Joseph Dysart settled southwest from the furnace, coming from Mifflin County. They were the sons of Joseph Dysart, and nephews of Col. Alexander Dysart, of Sinking Valley, for a number of years one of the most popular men in the county. James Dysart married Betsey Roller, a daughter of Phillip Roller, of Morris, and moved to Lee County, IL. He was the father of John Dysart, of Porter township; of the Hon. Joseph P. Dysart of Iowa; and of sons named Alexander, William, Philip, and Samuel, living in Illinois. Joseph Dysart lived on a farm adjoining James' for many years, when he moved to Tyrone. His daughters became the wives of E. B. Isett, Dr. Samuel Conrad, and ___ McClain. The sons were named Wilson, James, John and William.
Daniel Conrad, from Lancster County, lived on Eden Hill until his death. He was the father of daughters who married George Dinsmore, David Henderson, James Dickson, and William Hunt. The sons were Samuel, who became a Baptist minister in Indiana County; Daniel, who died in Franklin; John , who lived at McAlevy's Fort until his death, and who was the father of Wilbur F. Conrad, of Tyrone; and Fletcher, Benson W., and Charles Conrad, of Philadelphia.
In the same neighborhood Hugh Seeds improved a farm which is now owned by his son, John C. Robert Henderson, a native of County Derry, Ireland, came from Chester County about 1800, and died on the Bald Eagle Ridge some eight years later, leaving a family of eight children. Of these, Samuel, the oldest, died on the Henry Kuhn place; Thomas removed to Ohio; Robert died in Centre County; John died in Warrior's Mark (he was the father of Robert L. Henderson of that township); Joseph removed to Colorado, and Elias to California; David, of whom we append a short sketch, another son, has lived in Franklin and vicinity most of the time since 1800. He was married to Margaret Conrad, and reared children as follows: Robert L., residing on the "Moore" farm; Thomas K., living at Union Furnace; Samuel C., living at Warrior's Mark; David P., occupying the homestead; Elizabeth married Daniel Weight; and Isabella, John S. Weight, both of Warrior's Mark; Jane, Samuel Dysart, of Illinois; and Mary, living at Spruce Creek.
The lands lying at the mouth of Spruce Creek were warranted June 4, 1762, but were not patented until many years afterwards. On the east side of the creek the Bebault brothers erected simple mills in the colonial period, and made other slight improvements. During the Revolution this property was occupied by Levi Hicks, who operated the mill. He was a brother of Moses and Gershom Hicks, both unmarried men, who had their home at Water Street. Levi had a half-breed for a wife and several children. This fact led him to believe that he would have immunity from Indian attacks, and he subsequently paid no heed to the warnings of his neighbors, who urged him to go to some fort, in the spring of 1778, when Indians were reported to be about. On the 12th day of May that year he started his mill as usual, early in the morning, and then went to get his breakfast. While at the house he procured a needle and thread to mend his moccasins, and returning to the mill seated himself in the door to do this work. He soon heard rustling of leaves near the mill, but having no idea that Indians were about, he imprudently, and contrary to his custom, went to see what caused it, leaving his wife in the mill. While advancing towards the spot from whence the noise issued, he was shot through the heart. Mrs. Hicks heard the gun and ran down to the river, crossed the fording, and sped with all haste toward Lytle's Fort. On the way she met a horseman, but could hardly make him understand her, but when he comprehended the story he quickly rode to the fort. Mrs. Hicks then for the first time saw her boy, about ten years old, following her, which recalled her thoughts to her children. Arriving at the fort, the men there refused to go in pursuit of the Indians, on one pretext or another until the next day. They then found Hicks scalped on the spot where he fell. A little girl who had ventured out to see what the Indians were doing to her father was knocked on the head, scalped, and left for dead. The Indians left without entering the house, into which the little girl managed to crawl, where she was found the next day sitting in the corner and gibbering like an idiot. Her face and head were covered with clotted blood. Two children were lying on the floor crying, and the infant in the cradle was moaning for nourishment. The scalped girl lived a number of years, but, not having had medical attendance, became feeble-minded. No clue of the Indians could be obtained, nor did any other depredation follow the murder of Hicks.
After the Revolution, Abraham Sells lived a number of years at the mouth of Spruce Creek, and later Jacob Beigle owned a tract of six hundred acres on both sides of the river, including the mill-seat, which was parceled out among his sons. In 1827, Jacob Isett purchased the property, and the same year his son, John S., made it his home, residing at Spruce Creek since that period. He was born at Arch Spring, Oct. 14, 1799, and at the age of twenty-six years married Mary N., a daughter of Edward Bell, of Bell's Mills. Of their family, nine attained majority, viz.: Edward B., president of the Altoona Bank, but residing at Spruce Creek; William D., a merchant in Altoona; Jacob H., living on part of the homestead; John D., a citizen of the upper part of the valley; and daughters who married, Eleanor, James K. Lawrence; Mary, James Gardner, who died at Spruce Creek in 1858; Ann, C. F. Sargent, of West Philadelphia; and Lucretia, the youngest, is the wife of Dr. Sidney Thompson, of Spruce Creek.
In 1880 the population of Franklin township was 1129.
General Manufacturing and Business Interests
Education and Religious
The pioneer religious history of Spruce Creek Valley is the same as
that of Warrior's Mark township. For a number of years the settlers of this part of
the county maintained a common place of worship in a locality which is now known as Dry
Hollow, but where two springs of good water, the only ones in all that region. That
fact and the further one that it was a central point for the Presbyterians living the the
half-dozen valleys round about caused them to build a small log meeting-house there,
probably about 1790, in which worship was statedly held a number of years. Prior to
this evangelists visited the people, preaching at the houses of the members, and in the
summer season in the woods, near some spring where the people might refresh themselves
during the noon intermission. The Rev. Matthew Stephens preached as early as the
fourth Sabbath in June, 1786, and was probably the first Presbyterian minister to venture
west of Tussey Mountain. The next preacher of whom any account has been preserved
was the Rev. Samuel Wilson, a licentiate, who held a meeting on the first Sabbath of
August, 1786. Following him was the Rev. Mr. Caldwell, a "probationer"
from Ireland. The Rev. James Martin assumed pastoral relations about 1789, and
remained until his death, which occurred June 20, 1795. His salary was fixed at
sixty-five pounds specie "to relieve him from worldly concern." He was an
able man and a popular minister, and it was while he labored among the people that the
Dry Hollow meeting-house was built. His successors in the pastoral office were
supplies sent by the Presbytery of Huntingdon, among the number being the Revs. Wiley,
Johnston, and Bard.
In 1797, Thomas Wilson, who seems to have been an elder, besought the Presbytery for preaching supplies, and Mr. Stephens again visited the people of Warrior's Mark and Franklin, who, although regarded as a congregation, do not appear to have been regularly organized, being united probably only by a common purpose to maintain preaching. But about this time the congregation of Spruce Creek was formed, and from this period, 1798, we may properly date the history of:
Spruce Creek Presbyterian Church
Spruce Creek Lutheran Church
The Franklinville Methodist Episcopal Church
Lower Spruce Creek Presbyterian Church
No very authentic account of the early schools of Franklin can be given in this sketch of the township history. The records have not been preserved and tradition is too vague to be trustworthy. Early schools were maintained at Huntingdon Furnace, Graysville, and at the Lutheran Church. Under the free-school system the following were elected as directors:
In 1880 there were eight districts in the township, in which school was maintained six months. The male attendants numbered 136; the female, 123. The average attendance was 203. The cost of instruction was eighty-three cents per pupil per month. The sum of $1,542.40 was raised for building purposes.
