Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1859-11-23
CLEARFIEID. PA, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 23 1852

eye danced in his head, and betrayed at times
other thoughts and other emotions than his
tongue expressed. His speech was quick and
plausible, having always the semblance of sim
certify. Though he talked much, John Patchin
was close mouthed and reserved--bis CONVEX
sation having for its object to lead men out
and gain information by their casual remarks,
and in so doing he displayed much tact.
Though deficient in the knowledge OF the
schools, his habits of life, his nerve, bouyancy
OF hope, perseverance and fixedness of pur-
pose, qualified him for the part which he was
to act in the drama of life 1t was early in
1886 he made his advent here. He was alone.
Few knew aught of his antecedents, or OWNED
or sought to know his errand. In passing
through the country he here and there picked
up SOME small groves of timber, paying a NOM
inal price and getting the right to remove it
during a long period of years. His peregrna-
tiOns made him familiar with the best timber
tracts in the country. He was then acting as
agent or partner of Newlin and Rodgers, two
gentlemen of wealth residing in New York.
Sumo years later he transferred his first pur-
chases to these gentlemen, and commenced
purchasing on his own account. He engaged
in the mercantile business in the section which
we have mentioned above, and became one OF
the most notable men therein. His business
was carried on as an aid to a large numbering
business in which he had embarked. He built
mills, opened several stores and had a general
oversight of all. Tract after tract of Wild un-
productive lands he has been yearly adding to
the long list which the tax books contain, and
thus increasing the load which he had to car
ry. Whilst oth9rs, during the times of finan-
cial embarrassments, trembed and sank, he
could only see the future big with hope and
promise. and Increased his exertions. His
dreams, if realized, must produce colossal
fortune, the result OF few years of steady and
we'll directed application. He brought his ia
mily to this county about 184S-several of his
sons having come here a few years earlier.
He now occupies and manages the most valua-
ble numbering establishment on the river, en-
bracing over Is 900 acres of the choicest vir-
gin timber land in the county. Time has
dealt gently with him. He retains his vivacity
and energy His application to business is
unremttiDg, and be is yet recognized as the
'sspar-king.'' Having lost raft, which es-
capped from its mooring, Patchin traced part
of it to lumber yard, where they had en-
deavored TO obliterate some of the marks. In
fact, it this effort at obliteraton which at
tracted his attention to the lumber. Patchin
claimed the lumber, and his ownership was de-
nicd. An examination of the end of the log
was made and the initials J Z. found stamped
thereon. 'There, begad,' = said he, 'sdid l not
tell you it mine. You may cut it up into
logs of twenty feet, ten feet or five feet, and
[ can recognize every foot OF my lumber, for
when l mark my lumber [ strike it so hard that
j. P. goes clear through the stick. bcgad.'
Among the settlers of this section we might
mention the McMurrays, Mehaffeys, MitchellS,
Kings, Michaels, Campbels, Sunderlands and
others, but we have been unable to CLEAN any
details which could incorporate herein.
The citizens of this part of the county are
generally Industrious, moral, hoSpitable and
well to do. To find head of a family who is
not connected with one of the branches of the
church, is the exception, not the rule. The
land is of good quality, and if proper system
of cultivation is pursued, this section cannot
fail to become one of the richest and most
productivein the county.
Cro BE ooSTNUEDl