A History Of Watsontown PA by R.H. McCormick Esq
As published in The Sunbury Gazette, and Northumberland County Republican,
Fri, Jul 13, 1877
WATSONTOWN.-We publish the following history of our enterprising sister borough of Watsontown, written by R. H McCormick, Esq., which will, no doubt, be interesting to many of our readers who have heard of that flourishing borough, located in this county.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN--The duty has been assigned me to write a history of Watsontown and its surroundings from the colonial days to the present. That duty in a pleasant one. I feel that I am honored by my fellow citizens by appointing me to that position, and have only one cause of regret, and that is that the duty was not assigned to one more competent to perform the work. It is right, it is proper, that we of the present day, should review the past, and hold up to view the patriotic deeds of our forefathers, imitate their virtues, avoid their faults if they had any, and teach our children to appreciate the blessings of civil and religious liberty that we now enjoy and for which our ancestors made such great sacrifices.
Watsonburg, on the 1817 Map
Let us as we yearly assemble on this the anniversary of the birth day of American Independence take pleasure in rekindling the flames of patriotism in the youth of our country, that they in turn, may hand down unsullied and unimpaired to future generations, a sacred regard for the heroic deeds of our fathers, a love of country, its institutions and its laws.
The first written account we have of what le now the borough of Watsontown, we find recorded in the first chapter of Genesis. When this world was created Watsontown, or the place where it now stands, was a port and parcel of that creation.
We find that for 1656 years thereafter nothing of importance occurred, at least there is no mention made of it in history. At that time, however, we And an account of the wickedness of the rest of the world the town (if there was any town here) was entirely swept away by a flood. In fact it was the only flood that ever was large enough to do the town any damage- of any consequence. We presume everything passed off pleasantly here until A. D.1492, when quite a commotion, was created by a Spanish invasion of our country headed by one Christopher Columbus, who in the name of Ferdinand and Isabella captured the whole country, and Watsontown with the rest peaceably surrendered. It does not appear to have been considered of much consequence as the daily papers published here at the time give no account of It..
From this this place time and its forward 200 year, this place and vicinity was held in peaceable possession by lawful owners, the aborigines of the country. The noble red man of the forest, unmolested and untrammeled, free as the native air he breathed, roamed at large in search be of the buffalo, the deer, and elk, while the squaw occupied the wigwam and the papooses sported upon the banks of their "Otzinachson" our beautiful West Branch of the Susquehanna; and acknowledged allegiance to no one but the Great and Spirt whom they worshiped. In the year 1681 the great and good Quaker, Wm. Penn, arrived we in America and by treaty with the Indians purchased a large tract of land and named it Pennsylvania or Penn's Woods. Watsontown was a part of that purchase. The first title to any lands which the borough of Watsontown upon now stands was issued to Lieut. Hunsicker for military services in the French and Indian war. The application ranks as No. 1, bearing date application the February 3rd, 1769, and was surveyed May 23rd of the same year. That application contains that part of the town north of Front street and the extending to Eighth street. It is a remarkable fact that this is the first application for land granted under the present Land Office System which was then under the proprietary government. and was continued under the commonwealth after it was established. That part of the town above Eighth street was granted to Capt. Wm. Piper, also for military services, and that south of Front street, to Lieut. Haussegger all about the same time. Several years after, the Hunsicker and Haussegger tracts were purchased by John Watson, Sr., and the Capt. Piper the a tract was purchased by the Rev. John Kogue.
1858 Map
In 1794 Mr. Watson laid out original Watsontown called by some Watsonburg and by others out of disrespect it was called Slabtown. The only streets were the one the river and a along the one between the Hunsicker and Haussegger grounds now called Front street. For a number of years there was but three houses in the town. At the death of Mr. Watson his three sons David, John and George fell heir to his property. His oldest son David inherited the farm south of Front street, John had that north of that street, while George inherited the lands in the rear of that of both of his brothers. It is worthy of note that two of the sons of David Watson, David Correy and Robert were both elected captains of the Old Northumberland troop and in of those days it was no small honor. They served some time as such, and commanded the respect of all their subordinates. David Correy was afterwards elected Brigadier General. They both died respected by all who knew them. Watsontown on account of its elevated position, its beautiful healthy location, its rich land, and fine surroundings would have been the principal town of the West Branch, but on account of the elder Watson and his sons refusing to sell lots its progress was retarded. After the death of David and John Watson, Moses Chamberlin, son-in-law of John and E. L. Piper, son-in-law of David Watson, both enterprising men, in 1857 laid out a good part of the present town. The first lot was sold to Jos. P. Hogue, among the fret buildings were those of J. P. Hogue, Wm. Cooner and E. L. Piper. In 1866 the lower portion of the town was laid out by A. Pardee and afterwards additions were made in the North end of the town by Jos. Hollopeter, S.M. Miller and Samuel Caldwell.
BOROUGH INCORPORATED.
The borough was incorporated Nov. 4, 1867. The first election was held November 16th of the same year. The election was warmly contested by each political party and resulted in the success of the Democrats, but like all elections ever held in the borough the officers were divided between the two parties. Joseph Hollopeter was the first Burgees, and the Town Council was John Bly, D. C. Hogue, Thomas Carl. Frederick S. Whitman and C. O. Bachman.
Watsontown has the honor of having the first church located within its borders that was built in what is now Northumberland county. The first Presbyterian church of Watsontown was built in the year 1775 and was called the "Warrior Run Church." It stood pear the old burying ground, a portion of which is still undisturbed ed, and was very near where the Watsontown Lumber Co.'s Saw Mill now stands. The first preaching we any record was 00 of which have July 16th, 1775, by Rev. Philip V. Fithian, a licentiate of Donegal Presbytery. In his journal, which is still in existence, he states that be preached to a large and attentive congregation coming from all parts of the country within ten and twelve miles, some in canoes and some on horseback, only one wagon being there. The Rev. John Hogue, great grandfather of our estimable citizen, D. C. Hogue, occasionally preached in this church. Who can estimate the Amount of good that emanated from that log church planted in the wilderness 102 years ago ? From this sacred old temple dedicated to the service of the Lord its first child was born and named after its parent in the year 1789 three miles from this place, and within sight and gunshot of Fort Freeland, where they could resort in case of an attack by the Indians. In 1835 the present Warrior Run church was built, and after more than forty years service it is still a handsome commodious structure. In 1841 the Presbyterian church of McEwensville was formed out of Warrior Run church and might be denominated a grand child of the original, and in 1876 the great grand child, miscalled the first Presbyterian church of Watsontown, was completed. We to day are honored with the presence of the present pastor of that good old church, Rev. George Elliot, who has participated in the services.
More than ninety years transpired from the of the first church in the a building town, until the building of St. Bartholomew's Union church, which was built by the Lutheran and Reformed churches, assisted by donations from the citizens generally In 1866. The Baptist church on the corner of Fourth and Main streets, was commenced and by the untired industry, benevolence and enterprise of a few devoted Christians, was dedicated in February, 1871. That handsome structure, the Methodist Episcopal church, was dedicated in 1872. It is a credit to the place, and an honor to the denomination that built it.
SCHOOL HOUSES.
The first school house stood on the run south of where the depot now stands. It was built of logs and was in use between the years 1790 and 1800. I do not know who the teacher was, but I judge he was a good one, as I was familiarly acquainted with an estimable lady who, before 1800, received the first rudiments of her education there. I had the honor to call her by the endearing name of mother.
The second school house stood on the hill south of G. C. McKee's. About the year 1833 a frame school house was built at the intersection of Sinking Springs and Bald Eagle roads, now Fifth and Liberty streets, It was burnt in the year 1858.
The Academy building which occupies so prominent a position upon the hill was built in the year 1859. The building committee were Joseph P. Hogue, Peter Schaffer, Joseph Eferitt and others, and at the time was considered quite an ornament to the town and A credit to its enterprising projectors. After the organization of the borough, other houses were built and the school system is in a prosperous condition. The first Sunday school way established in the year-, by Mrs. Margaret Watson, second wife of the second John Watson, assisted by our old and respected citizen. Joseph Everitt, and others. Mrs. Watson, familiarly termed Aunt Margaret, was in every respect one of the best women that ever lived in the town. She was loved and respected by all who knew her. I remember very well visiting that Sunday School when a boy. The little boys, dressed with only their clean shirts and tow check trousers, in their bare feet, and the little girls with their calico dresses and nice white sun bonnets, could repeat more verses of Scripture, and "Screen you off effectual calling" better, and take home more blue and red tickets in one Sunday than the present generation with All their advantages and all their fine toggery could do in a mouth of Sundays.
The Union Sunday School was organized in 1859, and was a good school. It was a sad blow upon the school that in the year 1865 it lost three of its best men by death within nine months of each other--its superintendent, Wm. H. Follmer, and two of its teachers, Hassinger Truckenmiller and Martin Augeny but the good seed sown by such men fell not upon the stony ground, and it still lived and prospered and to-day there are five schools in prosperous condition which sprang from it, viz. the Methodist, Presbyterian, Lutheran, Reformed and Baptist.
PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS.
The fret public improvement in Watsontown, after mentioning the public road, was the connecting link between Northumberland and Union counties, the Ferry, started by Dan Caldwell, who was an enterprising, wealthy citizen White Deer Mills, in Union county, directly opposite the town. It was started about the year 1800, and is now owned and conducted successfully by Captain John Bly.
The next improvement was the West Branch canal, which was completed in 1830, and was great convenience and a much safer mode of conveying the products of the country to market than the old river arks and flat bottom boats. But its day has passed -let it flow gently along. We love it for the good it has done.
The next improvement was the Sunbury & Erie R. R. (Now Philadelphia & Erie.) That portion of it from Milton to Williamsport was built by the Catawissa R. R. Co., and was first operated by that Company. The first train ran over the road Nov. 3d, 1854. It consisted of an engine and two passenger cars, and was to many a great curiosity. The superintendent was Charles Paxton, Esq. The first agent here was John Starr, who commenced business for the company in January, 1857. He was a good man. He was one that could do justice to his employers, and at the same time be courteous and obliging to the public. He resigned in favor of his son, after serving four years and nine months, and the son has now officiated in that capacity for nearly sixteen years. May the mantle of the father still continue to rest upon the son.
In 1867 Ario Pardee, of Hazelton, completed his large and extensive saw mill, which, with probably one exception, is the best on the Susquehanna ; its cost was about $100.000. Watsontown owes considerable to Mr. Pardee for this enterprise. He has done more to build up the town, given more employment to laboring men, and done more to enhance the value of property than any one else. Out of his abundant means may he continue to do so. Mr. J. M. Folimer is agent for the concern.
Ten years prior to the time Mr. Pardee commenced here, in 1857, Moses Chamberlin and Wm. H. Follmer built their first mill on the canal at the western end of Fourth street, which was then entirely out of town. In 1858 Joseph Hollopeter took an interest in the mill, and in 1859 Mr. Chamberlin retired from the concern. On Nov. 3d, 1860 it was entirely destroyed by fire. Mr. Chamberlin returned to the firm, it was immediately rebuilt and business continued under the firm name of Follmer, Hollopeter & Chamberlin. In 1863 Hollopeter retired, and m 1865 it was purchased by Robert G. Cook, Joseph Hollopeter, Enoch and Enos Everitt, and in 1867 the other parties sold out to R. G. Cook and Ario Pardee, who have owned it every since. It has always been quite a source of revenue to its owners. Since its erection its production has been about 4,000,000 feet square timber annually. During the time that Follmer, Hollopeter and Chamberlin owned it they also ran a boat yard and small planing mill successfully at the foot of Second street.
There is also a Match Stick Factory connected with the mill, which is doing a good business. The Watsontown. Steam Flour Mill was built in 1868, by John McFarland, who still owns it, and has done merchant work to the amount of $160,000 annually. The Watsontown Tannery was built in 1867, by Wm.Wagner and Joseph Hollopeter. It has since been owned principally by Samuel Caldwell, who no doubt will realize a handsome profit out of it. The Watsontown Boot and Shoe Manufacturing Co. is quite an extensive concern owned by several of our wealthiest citizens, and conducted by 0. S. Lawrence.
The planing mill of Wagner, Starr & Co.. was built by them in 1868, and was destroyed by fire in 1875. A new company was then formed, consisting of J. H.
Wagner, J. W. Muffly, Wm. Hackenberg and D. F.
Wagner, who built a new mill between Sixth and Seventh streets, and commenced May 1st. 1876, and no doubt will do well. The Car Works are quite extensive buildings, and it is hoped will some day be made to pay, but whether they do or not the owner of them can afford to let them stand idle.
LITERARY SOCIETIES.
The first literary society, called the Minerva Association, was organized in 1860. The original members were D. C. Hogue, J. P. Starr, Jos. Long, A. 8. Lamm, Worthington Meixell, John R. Cooner, George Piper and C.M. King. The initiation fee was $5.00. The fret President was D. C. Hogue, and A. S. Lamm was Secretary. Their place of meeting was an upper room of the house now occupied and owned by Jas. Taylor, Esq. Their object was social inter. course, cultivation of the mind, &c. Far be it for me to say anything derogatory to the character of the members of that society, those remaining with us are among our best citizens, but as a truthful historian I am compelled to say that during the nights they were in session the citizens were remarkably careful to have their cellars and pantries well secured and the turkeys and chickens were sure to roost high on those occasions. When the war broke out, nearly it not all of them volunteered in defense of their country and the consequence was the "Minerva" ceased to exist, and the fowls once more were happy. In October, 1869, the society was again revived and with additional members that spacious edifice, Minerva Hall, corner of Second and Main streets, Was built, and I imagine that act blotted out all their past misgivings forever.
The next literary Institution was the Watsontown Lyceum. Through the efforts of Dr. J. J. Leiser and others, a stock company was raised a suitable building was erected and on 'the first Monday of May, 1976, the Institution was organized. H.F. Algert was elected President, and after one rear's service, in which he presided with dignity and impartiality, Wm. F. Shay Esq., was elected his successor. The society is a good one, and if the proper interest is manifested by the members much will be done to benefit themselves intellectually and to add to the general intelligence of the community.
The Watsontown Bank was chartered March 27th, 1872, commenced business January 7th, 1873, with A. Pardee, President, and De La Green, cashier. On January 1st, 1874, Mr. Green resigned for a better position, and Was succeeded by R. B. Claxton, Jr., a man of more than ordinary intelligence and ability. Mr. Claxton resigned in September, 1876, and on account of his gentlemanly deportment as a business man his loss was regretted by those doing business in the bank.
The Watsontown Cemetery Association was incorporated November 5th, 1866, with Geo. Burns as president, who bas retained that position ever since. May he so conduct himself and control his passion and appetites that it may be A long time before he goes there to stay.
THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
In regard to the Fire Department. In the spring of 1873 the borough purchased a hand engine, and a company was immediately formed. It was organized June 11th, 1873, and was called the Hope Hose Fire Co., No. 1. Soon after second company was formed and named the Eureka. The Hope Hose company soon after, with the aid of the citizens. purchased a first class Hook and Ladder Truck. In June, 1874, the borough purchased a new No. 3 Silsby Engine, and the West Branch Steam Fire Company was organized with about 100 men. Both companies are composed of our best citizens, and have done and will continue to do good service, whenever their services are required.
The oldest citizens of the place, those who bare lived here continuously the longest, are Mr. and Mrs. James Campbell, aged respectively 77 and 74 years. May their last days be their happiest and best.
The first tavern (they didn't have Hotels in those days) kept in the town was kept by James Watson, and who does not of hearing of Jimmy Watson's tavern. He was no relation of the other Watsons. His tavern was the headquarters of the gay and festive portion of our ancestors. Here they congregated and had their horse races and other sporting games. The first question Jimmy would ask them on their arrival was ("My Dear Sir, a gill or half pint, sir ?")
The tavern stood near the corner of Front and Main streets, about where the Messrs. Kirk now reside. The tavern was afterwards kept by Robert Brown, James Brown, Andrew Glover and George Fox. The hotel on the north west corner of Front and Main streets was built in 1857 by Wm. Cooner, and bas been kept by himself and sons ever since. The "Mansion House" was built by John H. Foresman in 1867. He afterwards sold it to J. H. Wagner, and it is now the property of Samuel Caldwell.
Watsontown has nine secret societies.
The Independent Order of Odd Fellows, No. 619.
Watsontown Lodge, No. 401, Ancient York Masons: Warrior Run Chapter, No. 246 Roval Arch Masons : Patriotic Order Sons of America:
Wawenoc Tribe, No. 153, Independent Order of Red Men ;
Order of United American Mechanics;
Junior Order of United American Mechanics;
and Knights of Pythias.
The Watsontown Record was first published in April, 1869, by Oscar Foust, Esq, and afterwards by a joint stock company. It has been successfully published until quite recently by John J. Auten and H. F. Algert, and by Jobn J. Auten alone. It is now the property of D. L. Sollenberger. May he always conduct it in the cause of right.
The Watsontown Silver Cornet Band Was organized in December, I872. No enlogy is necessary from me ; they are here and have spoken for themselves.
As regards the patriotism of Watsontown, allow me to say a word. When our flag was fired upon at Fort Sumter more than fifty of our young men voluntarily rushed arms to defend that flag, and nobly did they do it. Twenty-nine in one company alone. I intended giving you their names and regiment bat time will not allow.
And why should the citizens of Watsontown not be patriotic ? They cannot help it. It is born in them. We have to day right here the descendants of those who so nobly defended their firesides and homes in this immediate neighborhood-- at Fort Freeland, Fort Boone, Fort Montgomery, Fort Augusta, and elsewhere -against the attacks of the British and Indians, many of whom laid down their lives, that we, their posterity, might enjoy the blessings and privileges that we today enjoy. Were it not that it might be construed as boasting, I would name you some of those descendants. Among them I would mention the names of the Kirks, the Vincents, the Bradys, the Daughertys, the Follmers, the Wallaces, and the Russells, I might also mention that in our town we have a grand-son of Mrs. Durham, who just below the town was attacked by the Indians, her child shot in her arms, she herself thrown from her horse, scalped by an Indian, and left apparently lifeless. I might further tell you that we have in our town a grandson of Alexander Guffy, who was the first to find that Mrs. Durham weltering in her blood, and carried water in his hat from the river, and bathed her temples, and restored her to life, so that she lived, many years thereafter.
And now in closing my history may I indulge the hope that the spirit of patriotism may never die out, and that the fair fame of the beautiful borough of Watsontown may never be tarnished.
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The above address was given at the 4th of July Festivities in Watsontown in 1877.
Robert Hammond McCormick was born in 1822 in the White Deer Valley, Lycoming County Pa, the son of Seth & Hanna [Hammond] McCormick. He married Nancy M. Platt. R.H. Hammond died in March of 1894, aged 71.
McCormick was the mercantile appraiser for the county for some time. When the entire town of Milton was lost in the 1880 fire, McCormick made arranged, in his role as mercantile appraiser, to have all licensing fees waived that year. At the time of his death, he was Justice Of The Peace.
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The Sunbury Gazette, and Northumberland County Republican
Sunbury, Pennsylvania
Fri, Jul 13, 1877
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