SULLIVAN COUNTY

 

By Edwin A. Strong, Dushore
* Editor's Note: See the biographical comment provided by Larry Pardoe at the bottom of this page.


Edited and transcribed by
David Bailey

Excerpted from Egle's Illustrated History of Pennsylvania

 

            Sullivan county was formed by act of Assembly of 15^th March, 1847, and contains 434 square miles, or 277,760 acres. It was taken entirely from Lycoming county. It lies between 41 and 42 degrees north latitude, and one-half degree east of the longitude of Washington. The whole territory lies between the North and West branches of the Susquehanna river, on what might be termed the “highlands.” It is bounded its entire length on the north by Bradford county, on the east by Wyoming, Luzerne and Columbia, on the south by Columbia and Lycoming, on the west by Lycoming. The county is well watered by the Big and Little Loyal Sock and Muncy creeks, and their tributaries. The two branches of the Loyal Sock, which unite at the village of Forksville, traverse the whole length of the county, and drain the townships of Colley, Cherry, Hills-Grave, Forks, Fox, and Elkland, and a portion of Laporte and Shrewsbury. The head waters of the Big Loyal Sock are found near the boundaries of Sullivan and Wyoming counties. The Little Loyal Sock rises in Cherry township. Muncy creek, the next stream of importance, rises in the mountainous portions of Davidson township, and running south-west through Davidson into Lycoming county, empties into the West Branch a short distance above Muncy. Muncy creek, in addition to the tribute paid to it by many considerable streams as it passes through Sullivan county, receives, in addition, the surplus waters of Lewis’ and Hunter’s lakes. The East and West branches of Fishing creek - the largest creek in Columbia county - rise in Davidson. After the confluence of the waters of the Big and Little Loyal Sock at Forksville - by which the creek from that point loses the distinctive designation of “Big” and “Little” - it passes on to Hillsgrove, as the dividing line between Forks and Elkland townships; then passing through the whole length of Hillsgrove, receiving on its way several streams, the largest of which is Elk creek, it moves on in majestic grandeur, widening and deepening, until, increasing its waters to the dignity of a river, it empties into the West Branch about one mile below Montoursville.

 

            The Muncy creek, by a series of dams, to accumulate waters for the purpose of what is termed “flooding” or “splashing,” is made available from a point in Laporte township, to its terminus, for the purpose of floating logs, which has proven to be a success. The franchises of this highway are secured by corporate letters and powers, thus cutting off individual enterprise, save as provided by the act of incorporation, allowing others than the corporate company to float logs upon the payment of a toll fixed by law; in fact, the whole stream as well as its principal tributaries, is a monopoly.

            The Little Loyal Sock is navigable during high water for rafts from a point about three miles above its junction with its larger brother. The Big Loyal Sock, by the assistance of large dams which flood its banks during the ebbing of high waters, is made the medium by which millions of feet of hemlock logs are floated to Montoursville and intermediate points, for a distance of at least fifty miles from its mouth. From Hills-Grove rafts can be run during an ordinary freshet with ease and safety. The small rafts thus taken to the West Branch of the Susquehanna are united into larger ones suited for river navigation, and then floated to the mouth of the Susquehanna and intermediate points. At a point three or four miles below the coming together of the Sock creeks, a company incorporated have erected what is called Wolf Trap dam, for the purpose of swelling the waters of the creek, thus facilitating the floating of logs below. This artificial assistance materially increases and improves the capacity of the waters of the creek for many miles as a floating stream; but it is bitterly complained of by private individuals who wish to run rafts from points above, by reason of the obstruction to this kind of navigation, and the imposition of tolls allowed to be charged by the act under which it is incorporated.

            Mehoopany creek, and some of its larger tributaries in Sullivan county, forms an outlet for getting logs to the North Branch of the Susquehanna, for a small portion of the eastern territory of Colley and Cherry townships; but as yet no considerable lumber is taken to market in that way. The creek just referred to runs through the whole width of Colley from west to east, and through about one-forth of Cherry in the same direction.

            Sullivan county contains within its borders several lakes of real, and some of historic importance. The principal, Lewis’, or as it is now called, Eagle’s Mere, is located in Shrewsbury township, at an altitude of nearly 1,900 feet above the level of the sea; its greatest length is one and a quarter miles, its width one-half mile. The waters of this lake are clear and placid, with slight undulations toward the east. The depth has never been definitely determined. The western shore is lined with large quantities of the finest glass sand, which is not surpassed by any in the State. The lake is evidently fed by subterranean waters, whether streams or springs has not been discovered. An examination of the surroundings of the lake shows that it is not fed by visible waters. This lake covers an area of nearly six hundred acres, and is well filled with fish of various kinds. Recently its waters have been stocked with California salmon, and gives promise of success. The salubrity of the air, and the natural enchantment of the surroundings of the lake, draw to its environs each year many visitors.

            In the early part of the present century, a wealthy Englishman by the name of Lewis was attracted to the place, and discovering the value and quality of the sands on the shore of the lake, he built then what was regarded as extensive glassworks, cleared up and cultivated many acres of the surrounding forest, and built several houses, among the rest a stone mansion, and for some time carried on successfully and extensively the manufacture of glass. The war of 1812 intervening, and the distance from commercial centers so great, with no transportation but the cumbersome conveyances of that day, and the country surrounding the works being supplied with the wares manufacturers, business gradually decreased, and the works were fully abandoned; and now in their dilapidated condition the thriving glass works of 1810-’12 trace but a faint resemblance of the symmetrical grandeur and utility of their precedent. Like their enterprising projector, the cozy cottage and stately mansion, together with the fruits of ingenuity and skill, have passed away. The lake property comprises some five thousand acres. It is now called “Eagle’s Mere Chasse,” and will, at no distant day, become a noted summer resort.

            Hunter’s Lake is also situated in Shrewsbury township, about for miles south of Lewis’ Lake. Its altitude is somewhat less than that of Lewis’ Lake. This lake is also fed by subterranean waters. It discharges a great quantity of water, sufficient to drive the machinery of a large lumber manufactory. Its form is long and irregular, contains a number of mountain cat fish and pickerel, and is a great fishing resort. It covers an area of three hundred acres.

            Robinson’s, or Long Lake Pond, is situated in the south-eastern corner of Colley township, near the Susquehanna and Tioga turnpike. As its name indicates, it is a long sheet of water less pure than either Lewis’ or Hunter’s Lake; its inlet and outlet are of nearly equal capacity. The lake is well supplied with fish. Some two years since the waters were stocked with black bass, which has been attended with favorable results. The surroundings are of a wild, weird character, and it no doubt was among the chosen localities where the camp-fires of the aborigines were often lighted.

            Lopez Pond, Pickerel Pond, and Grant’s Lake are favorite resorts for fishermen. They are of but little note otherwise, except as the source of the Lopez branch of the Big Loyal Sock and the East branch of  Mehoopany creeks, respectively.

            The only remaining lake worthy of note is Elk or Merritt’s, lying in the northern part of Elkland, at one time a favorite resort for elk, many of which were found in that portion of the county when first settled. It is also of some note by reason of the secretion of a murdered body in its waters, the victim of the only murderer executed in the county. The waters are shallow and sluggish, and of small area.

            The only mines of note opened in the county are those at Bernice, in Cherry township, at the terminus of the State Line and Sullivan railroad (The projected Muncy Creek railroad is to connect with the State Line and Sullivan at this place.)  The State Line and Sullivan railroad company on some five thousand acres of land in one body at this locality, much of which is first-class coal land. The present operating capacity of the mines is about three hundred tons per day. The coal is semi-anthracite, possessing the leading qualities of the anthracite, but less dense and compact; it is said to be very superior as a generator of steam; it is also used largely for fuel, makes a pleasant, healthful fire, free of gases and sulphur; but is not so lasting as the Luzerne or Schuylkill coal. The immense body of coal known to exist at this place, together with the fact that and underlying vein is proven to assimilate more closely to the pure anthracite, will at some future day render this coal deposit as valuable as some in the anthracite region.

            Copper has been found in promising quantities in the south-eastern portion of the county, but as yet no smelting works have been erected, nor any considerable portion of the ore taken to market.

            Lead in small quantities, supposed to have been known to the Indians, has been discovered, but no mine or any extensive deposit has yet been revealed.

            Iron ore is abundant in many portions of the county, and at some future day is destined to add largely to the wealth of the county.

            Limestone of the gray variety is found in various parts of the county.

            Iron ore, limestone, and coal being abundant, the only obstacle in the way of manufacture of large quantities of iron is the want of facilities to market it.

            The manufacture of leather is the principal industry in the county. There are four large tanneries, besides three or four smaller ones. The largest tannery is that located at Thornedale, about five files east of Laporte. This tannery has the capacity to tan forty thousand hides per annum. It consumes about five thousand cords of bark during the year, and is one of the most complete, in all its arrangements, of any in Pennsylvania. Leather tanned at this place enabled the proprietors to take the best hemlock leather, at Vienna, in 1874. Laporte tannery, located four and one-half miles east of Thornedale, owned by the same firm, is of nearly the same capacity. A large tannery is located at Hills-Grove, capacity unknown; also a smaller one south-west of Sonestown. At Dushore are three small tanneries in operation.

            The fact that in the aboriginal period game and fish must have been abundant is sufficient evidence to presume that the whole territory was occupied by these dusky denizens; however, no marks or traces of their occupancy now remain. Only one stream in the county bears an Indian name, that of Muncy creek, taken from “Moncy,” the name given the tribe of Indians that inhabited the West Branch country near Muncy, in Lycoming county, and no doubt in their predatory excursions reached the territory of what is now Sullivan, if they did not abide there. The path to Fort Stanwix north must have passed through Sullivan.

            The fact that Sullivan contains no streams of importance, either historic or otherwise, and lies some distance from either branch of the Susquehanna, give it by location an isolation in the known history of the ancient Province of Pennsylvania, with no redeeming incidents to bring it to public notice. Its territory lies entirely within the purchase of the Indians made at Fort Stanwix in 1768, and the last purchase of the Penns.

            The first settlements in the county were made in the years 1784 and 1794. Messrs Ogden, Ecroyd, and Griffey located in what is now called Hills-Grove. Captain Brown, Strong and Miller settled in Forks township. The celebrated Dr. Priestly purchased a large tract of land about the forks of the Loyal Sock, and laid out roads and made improvements. About the year 1800, one Henderson. Robert Taylor, and George Edkin, settled near Muncy creek. G. Phillips and one Richart established a settlement quite early in Davidson township, known as the North Mountain settlement. About the same time, another settlement was made in what is now known as Cherry township. Among the first settlers of Cherry township were Messrs Zaner, Graifley, Huffmaster, King, Colley, Yonkin, Bahl, and others.

            A curious epoch in the history of the county is what is known as the “Wind Fall,” whereby the forest for the width varying from twenty rods to one-fourth mile, through the whole extent of the county running in a north-easterly direction, was entirely uprooted by a gigantic hurricane. Not one tree was left standing in the whole line of this belt of destruction. This occurred about fifty years ago.

            But little is known of the early history of Sullivan county, except as connected with that of Lycoming, from which it was taken.**
**Editor's Note: The original author's actual grasp of local Sullivan County history is minimal: many of the earliest settlements are never mentioned, nor the early settlers such as John Hill, Joseph Reeves, Molyneux/Bird/Warren, and Edward Eldred!

           

            LAPORTE, the county seat, was laid out in 1853. It contains the public buildings of the county. The court house (jail, sheriff’s dwelling, and public office, all under the same roof) is a brick edifice, about fifty feet square, three stories in height, with cupola and belfry, in which a bell is unsurpassed in sweetness of tone. Laporte is located near the centre of the county, and at an altitude of nearly 1,900 feet above the level of the sea; contains two churches, Methodist and Presbyterian, a public school building, and two newspapers.

            DUSHORE, one of the oldest towns in the county, was not incorporated until 1859. It is located near the centre of Cherry township, about nine miles north-east of Laporte, and contains between 400 and 500 inhabitants, is growing in trade, and increasing in numbers rapidly. It takes its name from one of the French refugees who took up his residence here at an early day. It covers an area of about 400 acres, and contains three churches - Catholic, Methodist Episcopal, and Evangelical - several manufactories, etc.  It is located on the Little Loyal Sock, and is intersected by the State Line and Sullivan railroad, and the Susquehanna and Tioga turnpike. It is surrounded by the most fertile farming land in the country. The church of St. Basil (Catholic) is, in architectural strength and interior beauty, one of the finest edifices in Northern Pennsylvania.

            FORKSVILLE, at the junction of the Big and Little Loyal Sock creeks, is a flourishing village, surrounded by a good productive country. It contains the finest school building and Protestant church in the county. The inhabitants are a thrifty, industrious people, hospitable and enterprising.

Biographical Notes on Edwin A. Strong
Provided by Larry Pardoe

Edwin A. appears to have been a senior editor of The Sullivan Review. Here are two articles from this source dated to May 12, 1881:

"The senior editor, Mr. ?___________, of "The Review" has "jumped the broom-stick" and taken unto himself a better half, Miss Mary Bernice Thompson. The marriage took place on Wednesday morning at 6:30 by Rev. Burson. The happy couple left on the morning train followed by a shower of old shoes, rice and slippers."

"Edwin A. Strong and Mary B. Thomson, both of Dushore, married at the home of the bride's parents, May 11th by Rev. G. L. Bursen."

Mary Bernice Thomson was born about 1859 and was the daughter of James Thomson (1820-1900) and Elizabeth C. (Jackson) Thomson (1824-1907). Elizabeth might have been married previously to a ? Gottletter, as the 1860 Federal census has Augusta F. Gottletter (adopted daughter of James Thomson) living with them. James and Mary had two children that I know of, Mary and Rush J. Thomson, b. March 1849, d. May 6, 1925. The 1880 Federal census shows him as an attorney; 1900 as a lawyer. He was married to Fanny Videan (June 1852-August 17, 1931). She was the daughter of Rev. Richard Videan, Jr. (March 24, 1825, Kent, England-September 10, 1884) and Sylvia Eliza ( ? ) Videan (February 11, 1824, PA -March 24, 1893). Fanny Videan had a sister Anna who was married to John Wesley Rogers, son of Moses Rogers and Jane (Sadler) Rogers. All of these personalities are introduced in some detail in Aunt Eliza's Scrapbook, the collected papers of Eliza Green Rogers.