Tunison Coryell 1791-1881

Tunison Coryell 1791-1881 

 "TUNISON CORYELL was closely identified with the progress and development of Lycoming county for more than half a century. His ancestors were Huguenots, who immigrated from France to America in 1665, landed at Perth Amboy, and settled at Scotch Plains, New Jersey, where descendants of the family still live. Emanuel Coryell removed from Scotch Plains to Well’s Falls, sixteen miles above Trenton, where he acquired a large amount of land and established a ferry across the Delaware river, known as Coryell’s ferry. Here George Coryell, father of Tunison, was born, April 28, 1761. At the age of sixteen he entered he Revolutionary army, and served until the fall of 1780. 

In 1790 he married Charity Van Buskirk of Mifflinburg, Pennsylvania, and Tunison Coryell, the eldest of his children, was born of this union in the old ferry house, in Hunterdon county, New Jersey, June 13, 1791.

Coryell's Ferry, 1776, by Joseph Pickett

 In 1793 George Coryell removed with his family to East Buffalo, Northumberland county (now Union), and settled on the property of Samuel Maclay. 

He was a carpenter, and erected many buildings in Buffalo valley, among others the old Black Horse tavern in Lewisburg. He was a captain of the Valley Troop in 1799, and was adjutant of George Weirick’s regiment at Marcus Hook in 1814. He came to Lycoming county at one time, but returned to Buffalo valley, thence removed to White Deer valley, and thence to the vicinity of Hamilton, Butler county, Ohio, where he died about 1837. His wife survived him only a short period. They left four sons: Tunison; John; Joseph R., and Abraham; also several daughters, most of whom settled in Ohio and Indiana.

  The subject of this sketch was reared in the Buffalo valley, and his advantages for an education were limited to the schools of pioneer days.

 In 1802, when but eleven years old, he carried the mail on horseback from Lewisburg to Bellefonte, for a, short time.  

He afterwards clerked in a store at Milton, and in May, 1809, he came to Jersey Shore and clerked in the store of James Collins until the fall of 1813. 

In 1812 he borrowed $50 of John Bailey to start in the lumber trade, which proved a profitable speculation and was the beginning of his future pecuniary success in life. In the autumn of 1813 he located in Williamsport, and clerked in the office of Gen. John Burrows, prothonotary of Lycoming county, for several years.

 He was appointed register and recorder, and clerk of the orphans’ court, in February, 1818 and served one term.

 In 1821 he purchased the Lycoming Gazette, and in two years built up the paper from 400 to 1,200 subscribers, retiring in August, 1823. 

He served as prothonotary of the county from January, 1824, to January, 1830, a period of six years. 

After retiring from this office he was engaged for some time on the public works on the North and West Branch canals, and took an active part in pushing those improvements to completion. 

He was one of the leading spirits in trying to got the government to build a national road through Williamsport, and also encouraged Peter A. Karthaus to construct two steamboats to ply on the Susquehanna and its branches. It was largely through his efforts that the Philadelphia and Erie railroad was built to Williamsport.

 In 1856 he was instrumental in organizing the Williamsport Gas Company, and for seventeen years he served as secretary, superintendent, and treasurer of the company. He was a director of the Northumberland Bank for a short time, and took an active part in founding the West Branch Bank, of which he served as cashier.

  Mr. Coryell was married, February 13, 1816, to Sarah, daughter of Gen. John Burrows of Montoursville, which union was blessed with three sons and three daughters, as follows: Jane, widow of John Gibson; John B.; George; Mary V,; Sarah, and Charles. Mrs. Gibson and John B., both of whom are residents of Williamsport, are the only survivors of the family. 

Mrs. Coryell died, March 24, 1869, after a married life of over fifty-three years. Her husband survived her more than twelve years, and died, August 8, 1881, in the ninety-first year of his age. 

Mr. Coryell possessed an active and remarkably retentive memory, and a strong taste for The collection and preservation of local history, on which he was a recognized authority until the close of his life. His mind was a storehouse of information, and he wrote much for the local press. Through his efforts a great deal of valuable data relating to pioneer days and trials have been preserved. In the later years of his life he published a volume of over 100 pages, filled with incidents and sketches of old settlers whom he had known personally. 

He enjoyed a wide acquaintance with public men, and was hold in high esteem by all who knew him. He presented a commanding personal appearance, was dignified in his manners, and sociable and kind to all. Owing to his splendid constitution and correct habits, Mr. Coryell lived to a greater age than is usually allotted to man, and few men of his time possessed to a greater degree the confidence of the community in which he resided for nearly three-quarters of a century."

Tunison and Sarah [Burrows] Coryell are buried at Wildwood Cemetery, Williamsport Pa.

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WRITINGS OF TUNISON CORYELL:

• "Tunison Coryell left an autobiography in manuscript in which he says he had a perfect recollection of the death of George Washington, as well as the election of Jefferson and McKean [Pennsylvania Governor]"

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Tunison Coryell well remembered as a prominent and representative citizen He was born in Hunterdon County New Jersey June 13 1791 settled in Williams port permanently about 1812 and died there August 8 1881 in his 91st year Few men of his time were more closely identified with the progress and development of Williamsport than Mr Coryell

  JOHN B. CORYELL is the only surviving son of Tunison Coryell, and was born in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, May 19, 1822. He grew to manhood in his native city, and there received a public school education. On reaching his majority he embarked in merchandising at Montoursville, was afterwards engaged in mercantile pursuits at Williamsport, has carried on the same business at St. Mary’s, Elk county, for many years, and is recognized as one of the prominent and successful business men of the West Branch valley, Mr. Coryell has taken an active interest in promoting the welfare of his home. He is one of the original stockholders in the Savings Institution, and has been one of its directors many years. He was also a stockholder in the Lycoming Savings Bank, and has been a director in its successor, the Lycoming National Bank, since its organization. In connection with his father he assisted in establishing the Williamsport Gas Company, and is a stockholder and director in the Edison Electric Illuminating Company. The Coryell Flint Paper Company, now managed by his sons, John G. and Bingham, owes its existence to his enterprise and public spirit. He was one of the organizers of the Hermance Chemical Company and the Otto Chemical Company, the plants of which are located in McKean county. Mr. Coryell has always extended his aid and encouragement to every worthy project, and has given liberally of his means to the cause of religion and charity. He was married November 28, 1855, to Margaret, daughter of James Bingham of Williamsport, who has borne him three sons and one daughter, as follows: James B., attorney at law; Sarah, wife of John K. Hays; John G., and Bingham, all of whom are residents of Williamsport. Mr. Coryell has been a member of the First Presbyterian church of Williamsport since early manhood, and has been one of the most liberal supporters of that organization. He has always been an unswerving, adherent of the Republican party, and is a stalwart in upholding its measures and principles.

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"But Milton was a distinctly visible spot on the map before of the Susquehanna valley long it was incorporated. Tunison Coryell, ancestor of General James B. Coryell, of Philadelphia, wrote an interesting account it, which he called 'Recollections of Citizens and Events of Milton from 1804 to 1808.' He was a pupil in Joseph Kerr's school, and among the other scholars Coryell named the Bradys Vincents, Woods, Jordans, Humes, Dericksons, Hoaglands, Armstrongs, Dougals, Pollocks, Taggarts, Wheelands and Follmers.

Tunison, as prothonotary, giving testimony for Michael Sechlers Revolutionary War Service

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The Culbertson House / Minnequa Club, Duboistown

 

The White Mansion. 

On verso of photograph: "This historic old house, once known as the "White Mansion", due to its neat white-washed appearance, was in many hands since the demise of the Culbertsons. 

It was for years a farm house, known as the Turley Farm, it was later purchased by the eccentric Peter Herdic (who was the greatest asset that Williamsport ever had or probably will have). 

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The old "draw well" at the Culbertson Home. Handwritten on back of photo: "The old 'draw well' at the Culbertson Home. This well was destroyed, caused by a wreck on the Linden branch of the Penna R.R. when a freight car plunged over the track and into the well. Time about 1898. C. Lee Berry".

Unidentified clipping attached to back of postcard reads: "There was also a never-failing supply of well water on the place procured by the aid of a draw well, from which many a thirst was quenched, and many a jug of water carried away from the well. This old well was destroyed several years ago by a freight wreck on the railroad when a car jumped the track caveing (sic) in the well. Much of this information was procured from writings of Charles Whitehead, who settled in DuBoistown in 1848, also from Dudley A. Martin and from the laborious researches of Mr, John Meginnes."

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The taxes on this farm were so high ($125.00 per acre) that it was impossible to meet the payments and the farm was sold to the South Williamsport Land Co.

 In 1894, Mr. John B. Otto purchased the property for a summer home. He gave it the appropriate name, "Lacomic Terrace", by which it was known until 1915, during which time it was visited by thousands of people.

 In 1915 a company of men, all members of the Masonic fraternity, leased this home as a club house and named it the "Minnequa Club", due to the fact that they met from time to time, at Peter Herdic's summer resort, Minnequa Springs, near Canton, Penna.

 In 1928 this historic old mansion was sold to Mr. Gottlieb Kohlberger.

1954

1960

1961 - Susquehanna Hotel

Culbertson Trail

Indian Path from Allenwood To South Williamsport

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THE FATAL WEDDING NIGHT...In February, 1807, when the old mansion was occupied by Charles Sarch, a very distressing accident occurred. A party had assembled to witness the nuptials of William Ray and Margaret Morris. Among the guests was James Duffy, of Larry's Creek. In the south west room of the upper story in the house was a door which had been intended to open on a balcony, but it had not been built. Young Duffy being upstairs, and seeing this door, opened it and stepped out. He fell to the ground, landing on a large flat stone which lay at the door of the north entrance, and was instantly killed. The stone was there a few years ago, scarcely changed from the position it occupied on that fatal night

Indian Relics Found

1936

More Notes:

Later Jack's place, Susquehanna hotel.  Susquehanna Hotel was torn down.

The chestnut logs were salvaged, and used to build a cabin on the mountain above Nisbet.

How the Bicentennial Created Legionnaires

 

"Mystery Illness Strikes Attendees of the American Legion Conference"
Philadelphia July 21-24

In the summer of 1976, three local men were among the twenty nine who died after attending an American Legion Conference during the Centennial Celebration in Philadelphia. The cause of the deaths was unknown, at the time, and was referred to as "The Legionnaires Disease". By the time the  bacterium was isolated,  and a  cause (the air conditioning) was determined, the name stuck.  

This is  how we came to have a type of pneumonia named for Veterans  - from their stay in an air conditioned hotel during the 1976 Bicentennial.

On July 21, 1976, the American Legion opened its annual three-day convention at The Bellevue-Stratford Hotel in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

More than 2,000 Legionnaires, mostly men, attended the convention. The date and city were chosen to coincide with America's celebration of the 200th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia in 1776

Delegated from Bloomsburg American Legion Post 273, including William Baird, posed for a photo before attending the Convention

Three days after the convention ended, Ray Brennen, a 61 year old retired Air Force Captain, died of an apparent heart attack. On July 30th, Frank Aveni, age 60, died, also of an apparent heart attack.

At 4pm on Friday July 30th, Dr Ernest Campbell of Bloomsburg called the regional office of the state health department. In his hospital were three patients he thought may have contracted typhoid at an American Legion Convention. The public nurse told Dr Campbell nothing could be done until Monday, all health offices would be closed for the week-end.

Other Doctors, and Nurses, made calls that week-end. A control nurse in Chambersburg , and doctor at Carlisle, were among those who called the Philadelphia City Health Department. No definitive action was taken.

That Sunday night, Dr. William Ford, Chairman of the infection control committee at Williamsport Hospital reached a state health official at home. He reported that six patients at Williamsport Hospital, all having attended the American Legion Conference, were all hospitalized with similar symptoms. He was told the matter would be looked into first thing Monday morning.

By Monday Morning, 11 conference attendees had died.

All had complained of tiredness, chest pains, congestion, and fever

Within a week, more than 130 people had been hospitalized, and 25 were reported dead.

The third to die was 82 year old Elmer Baird of Bloomsburg. A veteran of World War I, and a former employee for the Delaware and Lackawanna Railroad Co. A photo of his funeral was used in newspapers across the nation.

Elmer L Hafer of Lewisburg, was the 9th recorded death. A veteran of WWII, he was one of the original organizers of the State Police-American Legion youth Week, and former central Vice Commander of the American Legion.

Harold E. Stump, manager of the Milton Legion Club, and Veteran Of WWII, was hospitalized on August . He died on august 14th, the 26th death recorded from the convention, killed by the "unknown legionnaire's disease"

In total, 149 Legionnaires became ill, along with an additional 33 associated with the hotel or area. Of the 182 total cases, 29 were fatal.

It was not until January of the following year that the Legionella bacterium was finally identified and isolated and was found to be breeding in the cooling tower of the hotel's air conditioning system. This finding prompted new regulations worldwide for climate control systems.

The 1976 convention was the first occasion in which a cluster of a particular type of pneumonia cases were determined to be caused by the Legionella pneumophila bacteria, named for the convention where the outbreak occurred. Further research then determined this was not the first outbreak, that this had caused other deaths at least as far back as the 1950s, it had just never before been isolated and named.

Aug. 5, 1976

Mystery Disease Victims

PHILADELPHIA. Aug. 4 —Following is a list of the persons who have died as a result of the mysterious flu‐like disease that affected some visitors to Philadelphia for the state American Legion convention in late July. The names. listed by date of death. were compiled by the State Health Department.

Special to The New York Times

TUESDAY, JULY 27

BRENNAN. Ray, 61, Athens, PA

FRIDAY, JULY 30

AVENI, Frank, 60, Clearfield, Pa.

BAIRD, William, 82, Bloomsburg, Pa.

CHAMBERLAIN, Charles, 48, Chambersburg, Pa.

GROVE. Francis, 70, Tipton. Pa.

SATURDAY, JULY 31

GAGGAGIANI, 78, Republic, Pa.

SUNDAY, AUG, 1

DANISHEFSKY, Charles, 49, McAdoo Pa.

DOLAN, James, 39, Williamstown, Pa.

HAFER, Elmer. 57. Lewisburg, Pa.

HARVEY, Frank, 54, McKeesport, Pa.

REUBEN, Abraham, 82, Donora, Pa.

TUCKER, Marie, 48, Philadelphia.

MONDAY, AUG. 2

BYERLY, Louis, 59. Jeanette. Pa.

TUCKER, Mrs Charles 55, Philadelphia.

HORNACK, Andrew, 47, Monessen, Pa.

KILEY, John Jr., 60. Roslynn, Pa.

RALPH, John, 42, Williamstown, Pa.

SEIDEL, Charles, 82, Reading, Pa.

STRICKER, Frank, 80, Philadelphia

SYKES. James, 78. Pittsburgh.

WALDOW, Ben, 82, Philadelphia.

WILLIAMS, Meade, 53, Edinboro, Pa.

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See the CDC report here:

https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/lmrk053.htm

In early August of 1976, 8 of the 25 who attended from North Central Pa were in isolation at the Williamsport Hospital.

William J. Hartman, 63 - Critical Condition

Charles Buttorf, 46 - hospitalized

John & Arlene Sheleman hospitalized

At Geisinger:

Clifford Gilligeauer

William Pick

Harold "Goose" Stump

At Bloomsburg:

Sam Lee

Sam Morris

David Middleton

At Berwick:

Patric Stemrick

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"A September 1974 convention of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows was also held at the very same Bellevue-Stratford Hotel. Out of approximately 1,500 members who attended, 20 developed pneumonia and two died. A later article in The Lancet reported: "Illness [high fever and pneumonia] was significantly associated with attendance at one convention activity held on Monday morning, September 16, 1974, in the grand ballroom of the hotel." Oddly, staff members of the hotel seemed immune to infection and the CDC has yet to discover the reason for this apparent immunity"

Skating Then and Now By Agnes Schoch Selin

 

Skating Then and Now
By Agnes Schoch Selin
January 13th 1944

Little Norway, conducted by Miss Barbara Burns in the old canal boat basin on the Isle of Que, has added more winter pleasure to the young people of this vicinity than any other sport.

 A few years ago Barbara persuaded her father, J. Howard Burns, to allow her to make a skating rink of the property he owned just south of the Penn's Creek bridge on East Pine street.  Thru most of the summer Barbara and her brothers cleared the basin of underbrush. Then as the first freezing weather came they ran 4 pipeline into Penn's Creek and with the aid of an old automobile engine pumped water into the shallow basin. The next day it was a mirror of smooth ice. The basin is so shallow that were one to break thru the ice. they would no more than wet their ankles. This is one of the features of Little Norway that the fond parents especially approve of, as their darlings could not possibly be drowned. The basin being cup shaped is another advantage as the edges of the cup prevent the cold winter wind from blowing chilly blasts on the skaters. Another feature of the basin is that every year Barbara plants more and more evergreens along the edge, which add greatly to scenic effect.
 At length came the day when Barbara built the Wine Cellar, in which wine never appears, but where the skaters may purchase soft drinks. This building is a two story affair of stone construction with open fireplaces on both floors, where a roaring fire warms the skaters while they rest and refresh themselves. The Wine Cellar is rustic and boasts a brightly painted door thru which the skaters glide happily onto the ice. A loud speaker plays music for their enjoyment, and at night floodlights Illuminate the ice pond. Altogether Little Norway is most attractive, and affords the young people hereabout a clean healthy sport. During the height of the season Barbara adds special attractions by bringing into our midst professional skaters.

This winter Little Norway been one of the few amusements afforded to the young men of the 35th College Training Detachment of the Army Flying Corps stationed at Susquehanna University, It is especially enjoyed try the soldiers from Georgia and other Southern States who never before skated on ice. Apparently it is an experience worthy of their best efforts, for regardless of the number of tumbles they are up and off again with vigor and vim.
Upon the occasion of a recent visit to Little Norway I took special cognizance of the dress of the present day skaters--that is the girls. They were arrayed in so little. Skirts short indeed, attractive quilted jackets that fit like a glove, dinkies or what have yon, precariously perched on their heads, mittens of white fur or bright knitted affairs and on their feet white high top skating shoes attached to their figure skates. The skating curves were lovely--that the gay young things cut on the ice. Among this bevy of youth we spied Art "Laddie" who dates from our skating days. He is still going strong and I wager could beat any one in a game of hockey, which in our day was shinny.

The Hermit Of Blue Hill

Speaking of shinny, that strenuous game was taken seriously hereabout, where skating has been one of our major sports since the days of John Mason, Hermit of Blue Hill. He thought nothing of skating to Harrisburg on the Susquehanna River from his Leaning Tower on Blue Hill, making a few purchases and coming back the same day. Just a small matter of approximately 50 miles one way.

In the heyday of shinny Selin's Grove boasted two teams. Dr. Peter R.. Wagenseller was "chooser" of one team and William H. Gemberling of the other. The teams numbered as many skaters as turned up, sometimes over 100. Every Christmas afternoon when there was ice on the Isle of Que Mills dam on Penn's Creek, a big game was played. The limits for the skaters were from the breast of the dam to the old covered red bridge, now extinct. All along the shore bonfires were lighted and the admiring populi gathered around the flames to keep warm and cheer their favorites.

 After the game the two teams retreated to what used to be called the "Hole in the Wall", in South Market street, the building now occupied by the American Store. In the basement of that building Chris Staum ran a saloon. The town always treated the teams to refreshments, which consisted of 12 raw oysters and a glass of beer, followed by oyster stew, cabbage slaw, crackers and more beer, which cost the magnificent sum of 25 cents per head. 
James Carey, of West Chestnut street, still holds the title of best figure skater in town and for many miles hereabout, not including Hershey,. The Carey family came here from Maine and conducted the Maine Mill near the northern end of the Isle of Que. Naturally the Carey family, hailing from Maine, skated well. It was born in the bone, but "Jimmie" was the prize package. Beside figure skating he was high jumper. taking as many as six barrels in his stride. Occasionally Mr. Carey hears the call of the steel skates and demonstrates to the younger set, who look on enviously. 

Up at the old Maine Mill was what we called the "Gut", which refined name referred to an ideal place to skate. If you were good you skated up Penn's Creek, crossed the upper part of the island on foot and skated on the "Gut."  

The girls in my day preferred the old canal bed. It was a sheltered haven from the wind and the water under the ice not too deep, just in case you went thru. 

The Isle Of Que Dam

The dam at the Tale of Que Mills was another story.  It you went under the ice in that deep water you faced the possibility of going thru the mill, and not coming out a pretty spectacle to say the least of it tho Timesman J. Frank Youngman, Jr. performed the feat unharmed when a mere. lad.

All this was before the days of electric refrigeration, and cutting ice on the dam was a lively business nereabout. Not only were several local ice men's storehouses to be filled, but the dam furnished considerable ice for the Pennsylvania Railroad Company.

1940s skating costume pattern, in the Daily Item

Looking at those scantily clad youngsters the other night at Little Norway I tried to remember the dress of skating girls a generation ago. In the first place the skates were entirely different. Instead of being beautiful affairs on white kid shoes, they were skates that you locked onto your school shoes with a key that you wore on a string around your neck. Thus they were clamped around the toe of the shoe, and in the back were held in place with straps of leather wound around the ankle. 

 

American Wool and Fur Skating Ensemble, 1868. (Met Museum)

In order to wear the skate sufficiently firm you had to strap the things so tightly all blood circulation in the feet was stopped. That invariably caused frozen toes and heels. For years after such a frost bite how your feet tickled and burned in the evenings beside the stove, because furnaces were few and far between in Selin's Grove at that time. Were the girls barelegged? I should say not. They wore long underwear, over which were cotton stockings and as the final covering a garment called an Equestrian, altho it had nothing to do with horses. This latter affair was the triumph of the Gay Nineties. They were made of black wool, and apparently the forerunner of the Annette Kellerman bathing suit. Arrayed in Equestrians one might fall bead-over-heels and still remain a lady.

 Our best dressed young women wore short coats of Alaska Seal, with little fur hats, not unlike the lids of today, and carried muffs. Their skirts were long and enveloped them to the ankles, with a generous flair below the knee. In fact they looked charming.

Example of a Sleigh Runner Chair

Some of the more sedate owned seats on sleigh runners in which they sat while their gentlemen friends skated them over the ice. This was the height of elegance, and demanded no effort on the fair one of the weaker sex. And thus he of the derby hat and Bowing mustache, snug in his gray double-breasted short coat, gallantly pushed the fair maiden over the "Gut" Man's only reward was paid nights later in cony corners in the maidens homes with fudge and other sweetmeats. Sometimes they toasted marshmallows.

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"Shinny" - was a free form (no teams)  version of ice hockey, using whatever tools and equipment could be found - sticks, cans, etc.

Susquehanna University was chosen by the War Department as one of the colleges to provide the Army Air Forces training program. The University hosted the 35th College Training Detachment from March 1943 through the spring of 1944. This 1945 Lanthorn page details the detachment's time on campus.

The two couples are posing for photos near the isle of Que. I believe the girls are both wearing the seal coats that Agnes talks about in her Skating Then And Now article.

1897 Lancaster Examiner

1899 Wilkes Barre Newspaper

Silk and Fur Skating Ensemble, 1863-67.
(Met Museum)

According to author John Ruth in his 1878 book Decorum:

“Velvet trimmed with fur, with turban hat of the same, and gloves and boots also fur bordered, combine to make the most elegant skating costume imaginable. But any of the soft, warm, bright-colored woolen fabrics are quite suitable, if not so rich.”

Fur-trimmed velvets remained popular throughout the remainder of the century. In her 1893 book Rules of Etiquette & Home Culture, Mrs. Walter Houghton states:

“An elegant skating costume may be made of velvet, trimmed with fur, with fur bordered gloves and boots. Any of the warm, bright colored wool fabrics, however, are suitable for the dress. If blue or green are worn, they should be relieved with trimmings of dark furs.”

 ladies were warned to avoid dresses made of silk, a fabric which wasn’t suitable for wear on the ice. Novice skaters were also advised to steer clear of costumes trimmed in white fur. As Duffey explains:

“White furs should only be worn by experienced skaters, for they easily become soiled by the novitiate in tumbles upon the ice.”