Trout Run, Lycoming County Pennsylvania
Assorted History and Photos
"Trout Run, just fourteen miles from Williamsport, is the "home of mountain peaks," Eleven of the highest mountains in Central Pennsylvania can be seen here. Park your car across the creek, at "Piedmont" and climb up the mountain path to Ringler's ridge, and you can look up the valley for miles and miles. The creek, railroad and roadways look like a lot of crooked ribbons in the valley far below. You never know how big and glorious this world is until you stand on top of Ringler's Ridge. It's a view that you will never forget."
In 1873 the station was a combination store/depot on the NE side of Liberty Street.
An unidentified Man Standing on Platform at Trout Run PA Depot Circa 1924
4th Of July 1915
Trout Run, Pa
The Trout Run Band
Trout Run Baseball Team, 1908
Pass Store, Trout Run, PA
General Merchandise, Coal
W.M. Cromwell, Owner
Lycoming Creek Inn on Rt 14 in Trout Run
Fry Brothers Turkey Ranch
Youtube video of old photos:
Trout Run Vol. Fire Co - Gator Aid
The Buttonwood Covered Bridge
Carson. Bros. Powys Amusement Park, North of Williamsport near Trout Run, PA
Building still stands - 7835 Lycoming Creek Road
Richards, Frederick De Bourg
"On Trout Run, Lycoming County.”
[near Williamsport, Pennsylvania]
Frederick De Bourg Richards, born in Wilmington DE, was a landscape painter and photographer in Philadelphia. Although he became well known for his large photographs, by 1865 Richards basically gave up photography in favor of painting and etching which consisted mostly of Pennsylvania landscapes. He exhibited at Brooklyn Art Association (1875-76); the American Art Union, The National Academy of Design (1865-76) and the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts (1848-91). He died in Philadelphia in 1903 and is buried in West Laurel Hill cemetery. This etching is a fine example of his work.
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History of Lycoming County Pennsylvania
edited by John F. Meginness; ©1892
CHAPTER XLII.
Robert Allen was one of the first permanent settlers at Trout Run. He was born at Northumberland, August 6, 1797, of Scotch-Irish parentage. His father, John Allen, came from County Down, Ireland, whilst his mother, Mary Torbet, was of Scotch descent. They settled at Northumberland in its earliest history and followed farming and weaving. Six children were born unto them, viz: Hugh, James, Jane, Elizabeth, John, and Robert. Hugh received not only an academic education, but secured a partial military training, and being well versed in civil engineering he obtained a position of some prominence in the vicinity of Weehawken. Here he probably formed the acquaintance of Aaron Burr, and scarcely being out of his teens, was easily induced by that wily adventurer to accompany him in his great southern expedition. Burr was an acquaintance of Charles Williamson, and about this time visited him at Bath and remained several days. And it is not improbable that Burr passed over the Williamson road, which was then recognized as the quickest and best thoroughfare south, and for years was traveled by many eminent men as far away as Maryland and Virginia. When Hugh Allen disappeared with Burr he never was heard from again.
Early in 1800 John Allen, father of Hugh, moved from Northumberland and settled on a large tract of land on Lycoming creek, lying between the present hamlets of Cogan Station and Hepburnville. Here he waited in vain for the return of his lost son. Several times he made journeys to Washington on horseback in search of him, but only to return disappointed and disheartened. In 1819 he died and his farm of 300 acres was divided among his surviving children.
Robert Allen, the subject of our story, soon sold his interest to his older brothers, John and James, and with John Reed, Esq., made large purchases at the mouth of Trout run. At that time there was but one small log house probably the Kyle house spoken of by Williamson in the present village of Trout Run. With a force of men Robert Allen then young and vigorous soon cleared ground for several small farms, and erected the Trout Run House.
He married Mary Ann Hews, (born June 13, 1803,) eldest daughter of Henry and Martha Hews, whose land bordered the Allen Reed estate on the south. In 1824 the partnership of Allen and Reed was dissolved by mutual consent, Reed taking all the land north of Trout run, consisting now of the Wise and F. R. Weed estates. Allen for his share took the land lying south of said stream, on which the larger portion of the present village stands, including those lands of A. S. Turner and the farm of M. B. Weed, trustee.
The village made scarcely any progress in those days. In fact it did not take a start until after the railroad was built. Robert Allen was well liked by all who knew him. As a member of the Masonic society he stood high and in company with other members from Williamsport, assisted in organizing the lodges at Elmira and Corning, New York. As the host of the hotel he owned he could not be excelled. Many happy days were spent there by such representative men of the times as Tunison Coryell, Ralph Elliot, Samuel Caldwell, Major Cummings, Sheriff Bennett, and others, all of whom have passed away.
As a surveyor and engineer Robert Allen was practical and spent several years on the Detroit river and Lake Huron, in the vicinity of Sault Ste. Marie, where he held a position under the government. He was a Democrat in politics, but never aspired to political preferment. In 1841 he sold his hotel property to the railroad company and soon after built another, one half mile east of Trout Run, which still stands. He died, April 12, 1849, and was buried in the old cemetery at Newberry. His widow survived him until January 18, 1883, when she died and was buried by his side. In the closing years of her life she was blind and an invalid, but she bore her afflictions with Christain fortitude. She was a member of the Presbyterian church at Newberry.
Of the seven children of Robert Allen all are living. Henry H. and Joseph H. live with their brother Robert R., near Field's Station. Mary T., the eldest daughter, married Joseph Essington and lives at Sterlingville, Now York. Martha B. married Maj. G. W. Sour, and they live at Pine, Clinton county. Elizabeth H. married Peter Tinsman and lives in Williamsport. Harriet J., the youngest, married Edwin Walker and they reside at Goff's Falls, New Hampshire.
Among other prominent early settlers at Trout Run were Henry Hews and his wife Martha, nee Burston. They came from England with the colony that settled at what is now known as Oregon Hill, Pine township, and endured great trials and sufferings in the wilderness at that time. Henry Hews was born in England, May 16, 1779, and his wife, Martha Burston, February 23, 1783. Her native place was the town of Chard, Somersetshire, and her family was one of rank. Her husband, whom she married in England, was a mechanic and tradesman. With others they were induced to come to the United States by land agents to found a colony, but when they sailed they had no idea of the trials, privations, and sufferings that were in store for them in the dreary Pine creek wilderness.
After a few years residence in the "English settlement," they found that no headway was being made in reclaiming the wilderness, that their scanty means were well nigh exhausted, and the outlook was very discouraging. In the spring of 1807 Henry Hews and one or two other families, having heard of much better land some fifteen miles further north, left the place with a guide and made their way to that beautiful farming country now known as Nauvoo, in Tioga county. Here he purchased a tract of woodland and started in to clear it. In a few years he had, through hard work, succeeded in clearing, enough land to enable them to live off the produce. But the tract was too small to make a profitable farm, and he exchanged it for a larger piece of land near the Block House. Here, in a few years, he had another and better farm under fair cultivation. About this time a stage line was established between Williamsport and Blossburg, and Hews, having learned of a larger tract of land, partly cleared, on Lycoming creek, one mile below Trout Run, sold his farm and purchased it from its first settler, David Reynolds. It is now owned by ex-Prothonotary William Follmer.
Here Henry and Martha Hews, with their family of five children, settled and started in to improve their now purchase. They soon remodeled and enlarged the house and opened a tavern. It was here that soldiers returning over the Williamson road from the war of 1812-14 found shelter. Years afterwards shelter was given one night to a party of about forty travelers. They were reticent as to the object of their journey, but it was learned that the party was headed by Joseph Smith, of Palmyra, New York, and that he and his band of Mormons were en route for the West to found a colony. At this time the Hews tavern was the only one between Williams-port and Canton, and Williamsport and the Block House.
By perseverance, economy, and good management Hews succeeded in clearing up a farm of seventy acres of good producing land. In 1815 he built a saw mill at the mouth of Martha Clendenin run, and from the outline of the plan which still remains, his idea of conveying logs by water from Lycoming creek to his mill, thus averting loss by floods, was a good one. His market for manufactured lumber was Harrisburg and Columbia, whither it was floated in rafts.
Henry Hews was a strong Abolitionist in sentiment; he took no particular interest in the early politics of our country, but exercised his suffrage according to the dictates of what he thought was right. He was a consistent member of the Church of England, and lived in that faith until his death, which occurred October 6, 1817, in the thirty-ninth year of his age. His remains were buried at Newberry. He left seven children, viz: Mary Ann, born June 23, 1803; Burston, October 31, 1806; Richard B., January 7, 1809; William B., March 14, 1811; Harriet W., June 21, 1813; Elizabeth, September 24, 1815, and Henry, March 10, 1818. But two are now living, Elizabeth, widow of Nelson T. Place, and Henry, both residing at Laporte, Indiana.
When Martha Hews was left a widow with seven children, the eldest scarcely thirteen years of age, she felt the blow severely, but she put her trust in Him who had favored them in their dark days of adversity in the wilderness and bore up bravely under her greatest affliction. Possessing a strong mind, and being resolute and determined, she set to work to carry on business and soon surprised her neighbors by the enterprise she displayed in conducting the farm and saw mill. In a few years she married Charles Clendenin, eldest son of John Clendenin, a Revolutionary soldier, who lived on Lycoming creek a few miles north of Trout run. Four children were the fruits of this union, viz: Rebecca, Robert, Thomas, and Martha. The first two are deceased; Thomas is a farmer near Wayne, Clinton county, and Martha lives with her daughter at Omaha, Nebraska.
In 1831 Charles Clendenin died, and again we find the subject of our sketch a widow. She still retained the same sterling qualities of perseverance and business tact which enabled her to assist and promote the interests of her first husband. And although keenly realizing her situation for the second time, her courage did not desert her, but with renewed energy she assumed the responsibility of managing her own affairs and succeeded. Her hotel was now known far and near on account of' her hospitality and good cheer, and often would the weary sojourner travel until late at night in order to stop with "Aunt Martha Clendenin," the name she came to be affectionately and popularly known by.
For several years the postoffice was kept at her house. She also built and conducted a general store, which was the only one in that section of country for a long time, and therefore did a good business. She personally attended to purchasing her own goods at Williamsport, and often made the round trip there and back in time to, prepare dinner for her employees, a distance of twenty-eight miles. Unfortunately,. about 1841, her store was destroyed by fire and never rebuilt. She then sold her mill and farm to Peter Tinsman about 1865.
This heroic woman had reared and educated her large family of children as well as her circumstances and the opportunities of the times afforded. Gradually her sons attained manhood and left her for Indiana, being the first settlers at Laporte. Her daughters married at an early age and also migrated to that State. In 1865, "Aunt Martha," then growing old, left her home at Trout Run, where she bad experienced sorrows, triumphs, and happiness, and went to live with her daughter, Mrs. Elizabeth Place, of Laporte, and there she died, November 26, 1867, in the eighty-fifth year of her age. No tribute too high can be paid to the memory of "Aunt Martha" Clendenin Stern in her business transactions, but above all, honorable, and always respected; always walking in the light of God and depending on her Bible as her only guide, she met and triumphed over her many sorrows and died in peace.
Another early settler on Lycoming creek was John Bodine. He came there in April, 1838, and was employed as a contractor in laying the track of the "strap railroad" between Bodines and Ralston. When the work was finished he settled there and his place came to be known as Bodines, a name which it bears to this day. His son, Samuel Bodine, born June 12, 1814, near Allentown, Pennsylvania, followed his father in 1839, and remained. He now ranks as an old settler. John Bodine was born in Hunterdon county, New Jersey, in 1785, and died at his home in 1857.
Industries. - Among the industries of Lewis township are two fine grist millstone at Trout Run, run by Berger & Neyhart; the other at Bodines, by S. L. Andrews & Company. Lumbering, as has been stated, was among the early manufacturing enterprises of the people. The Clendenin saw mill was probably the first erected. In 1835 John Reed started a mill at Bodines, and it was afterwards carried on by Samuel Bodine. A few years afterwards the DuBois mill was started and continued for some time. It is now known as Noon's mill. A mill at Field's was also among the early enterprises. Among the modern mills may be mentioned that of I. L. Truman, at Trout Run, by steam; John B. Emery & Company, at Clendenin's, steam, the large steam mill of Thomas E. Proctor, six miles up Gray's run, reached by a railroad and supplied with locomotive and cars for hauling logs and lumber. The road is about eight miles long, and the mill is first-class in every respect. J. W. Heylmun has a water mill at Field's.
The leading industry in Lewis is the extensive tannery of Robert Innes, at Bodines. He located there in 1877 and founded the business, which has developed into large proportions. A neat little town has grown up around the tannery. The private dwelling of Mr. Innes, as well as the tannery, offices, store, and other buildings, are lighted by electricity, the plant for which is located on the ground. The settlement is complete within itself, being supplied with everything requisite, even to a flour mill, creamery, church, and undertaking establishment. There is a hotel at the railroad station, and another store near by.
Trout Run, the largest village in the township, bad been a noted place for a hundred years on account of the historic associations which cluster around it. The growth of the village has been small, however, considering its importance as a point in fishing, hunting, lumbering, and railroading, and its population today scarcely exceeds 300. The large hotel built by the railroad company, and which became such a popular place of resort, was burned a few years ago and is not likely to be rebuilt soon. The village is 694 feet above tide, contains two hotels, three general stores, one church, railroad and telegraph Station, graded school, two blacksmith shops, one wagon shop, Odd Fellows' hall, and about sixty dwelling houses. In addition to its grist and saw mills, its greatest industry is the N. Spencer Thomas Extract of Hemlock Bark Works, which were built several years ago. The plant is a valuable one and affords a good market for hemlock bark. The village boasts a very good cornet band of twelve pieces and an orchestra of eight members, under the leadership of C. H. Foulkrod.
The postoffice was established March 19, 1825, and Charles Clendenin was appointed postmaster. His successors have been as follows: Robert Allen, appointed November 5, 1827; Samuel Hepburn, November 2, 1830; John Cunen, April 11, 1832; Robert Allen, April 25, 1835; Daniel Brown, July 26, 1837; Charles Drum, April 1.8, 1840; Robert Allen, November 21, 1844; Charles Drum, January 13, 1.846; Charles Burrows, February 23, 1852; Samuel Dale, July 10, 1854; Frederick R. Weed, November 29, 1854, Charles H. Wise, October 2, 1865; Frederick R. Weed, May 3, 1867; James McWilliams, May 10, 1869; Lewis Edwards, March 8, 1877; John Straley, September 14, 1885; Isaac Cornwall, May 21, 1889. He is the present incumbent.
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A fair variety of umbral iron ore (No. XI) occurs, and there is good fire clay. Building stone of an excellent quality have been quarried for many years and hauled to Williamsport. Copper has been found in pockets in the old sandstone (No. TX) at a number of places on Lvc6ming creek. One mile below Trout run there was found a thin deposit of copper shale, and at one point the copper shales had been dug out, leaving a hollow in the measures, in which was found a stone implement, left probably by some of the aborigines; but the copper was too lean and thin to be of any practical value. Good building and flagstone occur at many places just above Crescent, on the farm of Charles Heylman.
In 1792, then Charles Williamson was preparing to cut the road through to the Genesee country, by ascending Trout run and passing over Laurel Hill, he established a depot for provisions where the village of Trout Run now stands. That there was a settlement there at that date seems certain, for Williamson says (See Phelps and Gorham's Purchase, page 253) that his party went up the Lycoming to the "house of one Kyle," who was then one of the farthest advanced settlers. From that point he sent out men to explore the route up Trout run, and return and report. By camping, breaking up, and working by slow stages, they succeeded in getting through to what is now Blossburg. What has been known for a hundred years as the "Block House," just across the Tioga county line, was built by Williamson as the first depot after leaving Trout run.
Great information! So interesting about Joseph Smith and his party stopping there. If walls could talk! Thank you, Heather!
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