Thompsontown, Juniata Co PA
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Thompsontown


History of that part of the Susquehanna and Juniata valleys, embraced in the counties of Mifflin, Juniata, Perry, Union and Snyder, in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania...
Edited by F. Ellis and A. N. Hungerford.
Published in Philadelphia by Everts, Peck & Richards, 1886
Pages 874-879

CHAPTER XIX.
BOROUGH OF THOMPSONTOWN.


John Tennis came from Montgomery County, and on August 1, 1765, made an article of agreement with Colonel Samuel Hunter for a tract of three hundred acres of land he warranted on Delaware Run, July 20, 1755. The deed of this tract he received from Hunter, July 4, 1772. In 1770 he sold to John Kepler, or Kepner, one hundred and sixty acres of the tract on which the borough of Thompsontown now stands, who, in 1771, erected a grist-mill and saw-mill on the run below, not far from the present mill. The family of Kepler, or Kepner, have been quite numerous in this township. Of the early settlers were Abraham, Sr., from 1776-87; Abraham, Jr., 1804 to 1812; Benjamin, Sr., 1778-83; Daniel Sadler, 1818; Frederick, 1822; Isaac, 1797-1818; Jacob, 1778-81; Jacob (distiller), 1809-30; John, Jr. (potter), 1778-81, and many others later. The family were also in Milford and Turbett townships.

The Kepler mill was abandoned in 1781, and in that year the people in the vicinity, seeing the necessity of a road to a mill, presented a petition to the court of Cumberland County, as the July term, 1781, for a road from John Kepler’s to John Hamilton’s mill, then on Cocolamus Creek, at the site of Robert Humphrey’s present saw-mill. This road was soon after laid out and is the present road through the town down to the river.

Michael Quiggle, who had been a settler in Fermanahg township from the year 17714, and the owner of land, also purchased a part of the Hunter tract of John Kepler, and on September 13, 1785, sold it to William Thompson, son of John Thompson, who lived on the place now owned by Uriah Shuman. Quiggle owned other lands until 1794. He had three sons—John, Peter and Philip—who resided here from the time they were of age until as follows: John, 1793-98; Peter, 1793-96; and Philip, 1794-1805.

William Thompson, who bought the Quiggle property, was the second son of John Thompson, the ancestor. He was born in 1755; married Jane Mitchell, sister of the wife of Robert Thompson, his older brother. Upon coming to this property to settle, he built a stone dwelling-house below the present residence of Theodore S. Thompson, and a stone grist-mill the same year upon the site of the present mill, and in 1790 built a saw-mill near the grist-mill. In this year he laid out a town on the land, and Michael Holman in this year was licensed to keep a tavern at Thompsontown.

On the 16th of January, 1794, he sold to Jas. McLin (sometimes spelled Macklin) a one-acre lot in the new town, with right “forever of sufficient water for use of a Tan-yard to be taken in a trench out of the race dug to convey water out of Delaware Run and lying west of said lot.” At this time the patent was not yet obtained, and Thompson bound himself to give another deed when obtained. August 29, 1796, he sold a lot to Andrew Thompson, tailor, and another March 30, 1798, and a lot to John Walters, December 7, 1796. He and James Murray were licensed to keep tavern in Thompsontown in January, 1794. Walter sold the lot he bought, February 28, 1799, to William Groathouse, who erected upon the lot a tavern-house. He kept tavern in this house until his death in 1805. He had several daughters, of whom Amelia became the wife of General Louis Evans; Rachel was the wife of --- Jones, and in 1808 became the wife of Joseph Buchanan.

Rachel Jones, and later Mrs. Buchanan, kept the tavern from her father’s death until 1809, when the property passed to John McGary, who married a daughter of William Groathouse, and in that year erected the present stone house that stands at the junction of the two roads. He kept tavern in this place until about 1840.

Samuel Davis owned a lot adjoining the tavern-lot, which was on the north side of the Main Street. On the 11th of September, 1798, Mr. Thompson sold to John and Michael Holman, Jr., two one-quarter acre lots, and October 16, 1767, two lots to William Groathouse, with the right to repair the mill-race. March 16, 1808, Thompson sold lot No. 32, on Mill Street, to Caleb Worley.

Matthias Lichtenthaler came to Thompsontown in 1796, and from 1797 kept tavern for several years. He also carried on two distilleries where Miss Louisa Thompson now lives. He died about 1810. Dr. I. N. Grubb’s residence is known as the old Lichtenthaler residence. His sons were Albert and Griffith. The former lived and died here. Griffith went to Lock Haven. A daughter, Jane, lived many years in the town.

The tannery built soon after 1794 by James McLin, in 1820 was owned by James North and in 1837 came to Solomon Sieber, who continued it at that place until 1846, when he moved it to its present location and ran it until 1883, since which time it has been unused.

Michael Holman kept tavern until after 1820. John McGary began keeping tavern in the house now owned by Daniel Bastress in 1809, and continued until 1840. He was the first postmaster and was appointed a justice of the peace in 1825.

The family of Michael Holman was quite numerous. He appears to have been a settler here in 1783, and owned land in partnership, part of the time, with John Holman. Of other tavern-keepers were Fleming Stewart, in 1815; Samuel Miller, in 1818; and Albert Lichtenthaler, in 1819.

In 1801 William Thompson opened a store in the stone house now occupied by Theodore S. Thompson, and kept there until his death. In 1809 he erected a fulling-mill and two distilleries at the place, and in 1812 put in carding-machines. He died about 1813.

His children were John (known as Goshen John), William, James, Robert, Isaac and Samuel, Sarah, Jane and Elizabeth. James went to Mexico, Isaac to Hollidaysburg and Samuel to Pottsville. Sarah married Judge William McAlister; Jane, Henry Walters; and Elizabeth, Dr. William Waterhouse. John settled about 1809 on the old Poultney tract, where Van Dyke Station now is. The tract was known as the “Happy Banks of Goshen,” and the school-house is now known by that name. William married Jean, a daughter of George Patterson and granddaughter of Colonel James Burd. After the death of his father he, with his brother Robert, took the business at Thompsontown and conducted it many years, increasing the business and purchasing much other land in different parts. They also purchased at different times the Cuba Mills and Oakland Mills, and other mill properties. About 1829 they built a store-house on the Diamond, and removed the store to that place, now occupied by Wickersham & Shelley; a store-house was built on the canal-bank, and in 1835 the old mill was torn down and the present brick mill was erected. William Thompson died about 1835, and his son, Theodore S. Thompson, lives in the old mansion-house. Robert was a bachelor and died January 3, 1866. The property is now owned by the heirs of Wm. and Robt. Thompson.

In 1812 James Ross and John Wood were engaged in merchandising in the village, and on March 30, 1813, they dissolved partnership, Wood remaining. Ross went farther up the Juniata, and later was a contractor on the canal. His son now keeps a hotel at McVeytown.

A Fourth of July celebration was held in the grove at the east end of the town in 1813, now the cleared field opposite the residence of Dr. I. N. Grubb. The citizens met at “Mr. Holman’s Inn” (now Mrs. Snyder’s), where dinner was served and nineteen toasts drank, of which the last was “The Fair Sex of the United States.” Colonel Jacob Reigert, of Lancaster, read the Declaration of Independence.

The first post-office was established at the tavern of John McGary, of which he was the postmaster. He was succeeded by his wife, Mrs. Elizabeth McGary. It was at one time held by Levi Myers, and for many years by Mrs. Eliza James, who now holds the position. Hotels have been kept by a number of persons since Michael Holman and John McGary. In 1869 Amos Snyder opened the tavern which many years previous had been kept by Michael Holman, and later by many others, and continued until his death, in 1875, since which time it has been kept by his widow, Mrs. Snyder.

CHURCHES.—Before the year 1825 a number of members of the Episcopalian denomination living in the neighborhood invited the Rev. Mr. Baker, of Chester County, to visit this section and preach to them, which invitation was accepted, and in 1828 the stone church at the east end of the borough was erected. He remained a few years and was succeeded, in order, by the Rev. Mr. Huff and the Rev. Charles Snowdon. The congregation, however, did not thrive, and services were abandoned. About 1840, after the United Presbyterian Church was erected at Mexico, services were held at Thompsontown by that denomination, and are now held in the church edifice. The Rev. Francis McBirney is in charge and resides at Mexico. About 1834 the Methodists of this place and vicinity erected a house of worship on a back-street, and on a lot now owned by Dr. I. N. Grubb. This was used until 1881, when the present brick church edifice was erected at a cost of two thousand six hundred and twenty-two dollars. It was dedicated in February, 1882, the Rev. Dr. Gray, of Williamsport, preaching the dedication sermon. The memorial window was placed in the church by the Tennis Brothers.

The congregation has been under the care of the Thompsontown Circuit, which embraces, besides, Pine Grove, East Salem and Marshall Chapel, in Pfoutz’s Valley.

Emmanuel’s Lutheran Church building was erected in 1843.

The society is in the charge with McAlisterville and Centre. A full account of the pastorate will be found in the history of the McAlisterville Church.

SCHOOLS.—The first school-house within the limits of the borough was built of logs and stood in the rear of J. S. Lukens’ present residence. In that year Miss Nancy McGary, sister of John McGary, was a teacher. In 1815 Mr. Crosby was a teacher. James Ross was a teacher later, he having been a merchant in the place. William Jones, who had taught in may parts of the county, was also a teacher. Of other teachers were William P. Law, Samuel Skuyler. At this school most of the young men of the town were educated. The Rev. Charles Snowdon, who was here as an Episcopal clergyman, taught in the village. The Thompsontown Academy was built by subscription, in 1833, for church and school purposes, and was used successfully for several years.

In 1838 the township of Delaware accepted the school law, and the schools were connected with the township until March 20, 1868, when it became an independent district. In 1865, however, a large brick house, forty-eight by forty-eight feet, was built, at a cost of three thousand five hundred and sixty dollars, which is still used. The district now contains seventy-three pupils. The Juniata school-house of the township is on the western border of the district.

LODGES AND SOCIETIES.

SINCERITY LODGE. No. 357, I.O.O.F., was chartered by the Grand Lodge, I.O.O.F., of Pennsylvania, 16th of April, 1849, and instituted at Thompsontown, Pa. On May 30, 1849, the Lodge was organized by the election of E. D. Crawford, Noble Grand; Matthias Benner, Vice-Grand; Jehu M. James, Secretary; Jacob Strayer, Assistant Secretary; John F. Benner, Treasurer, as officers and charter members.

The lodge first met in the old stone building over on Main Street, now owned and occupied by Horace Myers.

The Thompsontown Odd-Fellows’ Hall Association was organized April 20, 1861, when Messrs. Barnett Rapp, Israel Tennis and James McKnight, previously appointed a committee, met in the hall of the lodge of Odd-Fellows and opened the books of the I.O.O.F. Hall Association and received subscriptions for the stock of the Associations.

On the 1st day of June the same year the committee, Messrs. Rapp, Tennis and McKnight (commissioners), again met and “opened an election for officers of the Association for one year, with the following result: Barnett Rapp was elected President; Israel Tennis, Treasurer; and Dr. P. L. Greenleaf, Secretary of the Association; each one having received thirty-two votes.”

At the same meeting Messrs. Thomas W. Lukens, J. T. Carpenter and George W. Lloyd were elected association trustees.

The number of shares subscribed for this association was one hundred and ninety-three, at five dollars per share—for which the building on Main Street and now occupied and largely owned by the Odd-Fellows’ Lodge was built in the summer of 1861, with Mr. J. T. Carpenter as architect.

The new hall was dedicated February, 1862, since which time the lodge has occupied it. The lodge started with a membership of fourteen, and gradually increased to sixty-five. During the War of the Rebellion the membership dropped off some, and after the stringent times of 1872 the membership fell off rapidly, until at the present time only twenty-two remain in fellowship. This last semi-annual report, made March 31, 1885, shows as follows: Funds in hands of treasurer, $347.39; invested, $1163.79; value of regalia, etc., $45; total assets of lodge, $1,555.18.

The present officers are A. R. Fulner, Noble Grand; L. G. Cameron, Vice-Grand; John F. Detra, Secretary; Israel Tennis, Treasurer; I. C. Lautz, Assistant Secretary; Jacob Spicher, Warden; Elihu Benner, William J. Dennis, John F. Detra, Lodge Trustees.

The Thompsontown Odd-Fellows’ Hall Association building was erected on lot purchased from Thomas W. Lukens, and deeded to the trustees of said Association in 1861. The original contract for building was for seven hundred dollars; but with additions and extras it reached the sum of nine hundred and sixty-five dollars, of which Sincerity Lodge took in stock one hundred and forty shares at five dollars per share. The lodge now holds one hundred and sixty-three shares of said stock.

POST-OFFICE BUILDING ASSOCIATION.—In connection with Odd-Fellows’ Hall Association the Post-Office Building Association was formed, October 23, 1865. At a meeting held in the Odd-Fellows’ Hall, it was resolved to erect a joint-stock building on Lukens’ corner. The ground was leased from John S. Lukens at six cents per annum, its location is on the Town Square on the southeast corner of Bridge and Main Streets; size of building sixteen by twenty-two feet.

First officers of association were John Deitrick, President; Dr. P. L. Greenleaf, Secretary, and John S. Lukens, Treasurer. The amount of stock subscribed at ten dollars per share was three hundred and forty dollars. Cost of structure was $331.73. The association received an annual rent from the building of twenty-five dollars, the greater portion of which now goes into the treasury of Sincerity Lodge.

LAMBERTON LODGE, F. AND A. M.—A charter was granted by the Masonic Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, Oct. 16, 1866, to thirteen persons who were constituted Dec. 24, 1866, Lamberton Lodge, No. 371, F. and A. M., with Geo. W. Rothrock as Worshipful Master; John Dietrick, Senior Warden; Jacob T. Emerick, Junior Warden; Louis E. Atkinson, Secretary; and George W. Smith, Treasurer. The lodge started with a membership of sixteen, within two years increased to thirty, and now has thirty-eight in active membership.

The present officers are: W. M., Rev. Luther F. Smith; S. W., Chas. C. Tennis; J. W., Lucian W. Seiber; Secretary, Isaac N. Grubb; Treasurer, Israel Tennis,--Treasurer Tennis having been elected to that office each year since 1877. The lodge has initiated forty-five members; admitted six; its loss in deaths, resignations, etc. has been twenty-nine. It has paid a revenue to the Grand Lodge of eight hundred and eighty-two dollars, besides liberal amounts to charitable and other worthy purposes. Its meetings are held monthly in Odd-Fellows’ Hall, Main Street, Thompsontown.

ORDER OF UNITED AMERICAN MECHANICS (SENIORS).—Council No. 350 was organized June 17, 1875, at Thompsontown, Pa., with the following officers: Councilor, James S. Vines; Vice-Councilor, Luke Davis; Rec. Sec., Emanuel Smith; Asst. Rec. Sec., A. F. Henkels; Fin. Sec., I. C. Lautz. The council continued in working order for two years, when it suspended, but reorganized on November 13, 1884. The present officers are,--Councilor, James Hostetler; Vice-Councilor, A. H. Wetzler; Rec. Sec., C. C. Kloss; Asst. Rec. Sec., R. T. Bastress, Treasurer, M. R. Bastress.

ORDER OF UNITED AMERICAN MECHANICS (JUNIORS).—Council No. 153, J.O.U.A.M., was instituted in February, 1875, with Edgar A. Tennis as Councilor; Luke Davis, Vice-Councilor. The council continued in existence for a little more than a year, when it became defunct and surrendered its charter, books and papers to the Grand Council, and has not since reorganized.

DELAWARE LITERARY SOCIETY.—From a debating society, holding its sessions in “Smith’s School-House,” one and one-half miles north of Thompsontown, the “Thompsontown Lyceum” was organized on the 29th of November, 1858, and at once moved to Thompsontown and held its meetings in the “Stone Academy,” now on Bridge Street, north of the town centre.

On the 26th day of April, 1861, the lyceum was merged into the present organization, under the title of “The Delaware Literary Society,” with the following as its “charter” or organization members: John B. Porter, President; George W. Lloyd, Secretary; Theorus D. Garman, J. C. McNaughton, John C. Tennis, P. L. Greenleaf, M.D., Edwin Davis, Miss Susan Rothrock, Miss Fannie Greenleaf, Miss Jennie R. Tennis, Miss Elizabeth Seiber, Miss Mattie J. Lukens, Miss A. B. Greenleaf, Miss Tillie Kauffman, Miss Clementine McNaughton, Miss Elizabeth Haldeman, Miss Jennie E. James, Miss Tillie Hutchison, Miss Mattie R. Smith. The objects of this society are set forth as follows:

“We, the undersigned, do declare ourselves an association for mutual improvement in elocution, composition and debate, and for enlarging our fund of general intelligence, in which object we desire to exhibit a due consideration for the opinions and feelings of others, to maintain a perfect command of temper in all our intercourse, to seek for truth in all our exercises; and, to further these objects, have adopted for our government the following Constitution, By-Laws and Rules of Order.”

These now constitute a twenty-page printed pamphlet, which, up to 1874, were in manuscript only.

The society elects a full complement of officers every six months, who are inducted into office on the first meeting night of January and July of each year. The meetings are held weekly, on Friday evening, and the length of session is limited to ten and a half o’clock P.M.

The present officers are M. Luther Keizer, president; Miss Annie Leyder, secretary; M. G. Shuman, financial secretary; Miss Lottie McAlister, librarian; Edwin Davis, treasurer; J. N. Grubb, critic. This society now holds its meetings in the borough school-house.

The borough of Thompsontown was incorporated by the Court of Quarter Sessions of Juniata County receiving the report of the grand jury on the 4th of December, 1867, and confirming it on the same day.

The Thompsontown Bridge Company was organized in 1857 and in 1857-58 a roofed bridge was built over the river by Wise & Ebey, of Huntingdon County, at a cost of eleven thousand five hundred and seventy-five dollars. It was used until destroyed by an ice flood February 7, 1874.

The wires of the Western Union Telegraph Company were put in connection with the borough for the first time January 31, 1873.

The borough now contains four hundred and thirty inhabitants, three churches, hotel, post-office, creamery, school-house, two general stores, drug-store and shops of the different trades.

The following is a list of the chief burgesses of the borough of Thompsontown from its organization, 1868, to 1885:

1868.—Thomas Patton
1869.—S. Miller Keppler
1870.—Elihu Benner, Esq.
1871-72.—Daniel Bastress
1873-74.—J. Stewart Lukens, Esq.
1875-77.—Daniel Bastress.
1878-80.—J. Warren Plette
1881-82.—Jacob Spicher
1883.—Jac. W. Leyder
1884.—Peter G. Shelley
1885.—Robert T. Bastress








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