Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1859-06-29
(coPrRIGHT sECURED.I
CLEARFIELD COUNTY:
OR REmINIscENCES OFTBE PAST

Whilst the River settlement was increasing
in numbers, similar causes induced the settle
ment of the country near the upper part of
ClearfieId creek. The first improvement made
there, above the Forks, was in the year 1871,
when Capt. Edward Ricketts, made a small
clearing and built a cabin on the north side of
the creek, above the Ox-bow, on Joseph Stew
arts farm. Circumstances, however, prevent
ed him removing his family there before 1901.
He was born near Annapolis, Maryland, in
1886; removed to Pennsylvania in his youth,
and in 1875, when but nineteen years of age,
entered the Army. The defeat of Braddock,
the previous year, had left the defence of the
frontiers in a great measure to the settlers.
Ricketts,, being brave and courageous, possess
ed of a frame and constitution which marked
him out for soldier, embraced the first op-
portunity of volunteering in the war then
waged against the Red Men. Apt-he was
soon skilled in the mode of Indian warfare,
and his skill and worth were soon rewarded by
a captains commission. During the long and
bloody wars that followed, and until the close
of the Revolutionary struggle, Ricketts, was
In the field, battling the savage foe, or their
equally cruel allies. When not on the war
path he engaged himself in making i'm
proyement in some new spot, where he could
enjoy the howl of the wolf, the shrek of the
wild cat, the fierce scream of the panther, oc-
casionaly interspersed with the deadly war
whoop of the Indian. These were music to
his ear, and thus, always in advance of civili-
cation, he passed from.place to place, until we
don county, then wilderness; afterwards in
the wild and romantic Tuckahoe, and at last,
when thrce-sccre years had stamped the mark
of age upon his brow, following the Indian
trail from Tuckahoe to the uninhabited region
of Clearfield creek, where he made his last
home. He disliked labor, was passionately
fond of hunting, and as game grew scarce,
from influx of population and other causes, he
had always changed his abode. He left Tuck
ahoe valley on the Sth of October, 1901, ac-
companied by his family. Following the In
dian trail, with his few effects borne upon pack
horses, he reached on the first day the head
waters OF Mushannon creek, and there en-
canned on one of the widest spots of that
will region. The next day he reached his
cabin. and found it occupied by the family of
Joseph Leonard, who had been staying there
since spring.
Leonard was of Irish descent, and had lived
at Shaver's creek, Huntingdon county, prevl-
ous to his removal here. Whilst occupying
the Ricketts, cabin,-he had commenced an
Improvement below the Ox-bow, on the Thom-
as Lord property. He and his two sons are
now numbered with the dead. He has three
daughters living-the wives Of ofSchooley Scott,
Jacob illegal and Isaac Southard. The wife
of Mr. Scott was the first white child born In
that part of the county. We know no incl
dents of Leonard's life, but infer, from the
manner in which his name has often been men,
TONED. that he was an unostentatious, inde-
pendent and fearless aian.
These two families were the only settlers IN
that section during the winter OF loOi-z.
Their means of subsistence were procured Dy
the rifle, or packed across the mountain on
the Indian path, (traces of which are yet 10 oe
seen,) which left the Juniata river near oola
Spring. passed through the Three-Sprihg
gap, struck the extreme head waters OF Mu-
shannon creek, and after following 1t lew
miles, took nearly direct line for the mouth
of Muddy Run on ClearfeId creek. 1t con-
nected with the great trail leading to the AL
legheny River. Ricketts, family at this time
consisted of himself, wife, and an adopted
daughter. He had three married sons, two of
whom-Ja1nes and 1saac-lived on French