Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1859-05-11

the hardy pioneer was required to clear the
land and till the soil. Ogden had with him a
plane, known as joInter, which, rather than
undertake the hazardous trip to the ssBig Is
land,' he managed to make supply the place
of grist-mill, c4opping his corn fine by
showing the ears along its face, from which
meal the good housewife made corn ssdodgers''
and bread to appease the hunger of the family.
Assisted by his sons, the timber disappeared
before Ogden, and his means of living were
improved. A few settlers soon located in the
county, between one of whom, Elizabeth, a
daughter of William Bloom, and Matthew, the
youngest son of Ogden, an attachment sprung
up, which resulted in their marriage in 1902,
Arthur Bell, Esq, performing the ceremony.
This was the first marriage solemni2ed IN the
county, and the parties became the happy pa
rents of seventeen children, most of whom now
reside in the county, and from whom have de-
scended numerous offspring, marked by some
of the traits peculiar TO their grandfather.
Daniel Ogden was man possessed of dis
tinctive traits of character. He was impul-
sivc, yet firm and resolute. Courageous, he
sought rather than avoided danger. Nor did
old age seem to impair bis Yigor in this re-
spect, for it is related of him that after he had
attained his 10th year, he determined to go in
search of bear, which was prowling about
committing depredations on their property,
and otherwise annoying the inhabitants. His
daughter-in-law tried to dissuade him from his
purpose, and whilst placing the gun in his
hands, remarked that such feeble, old man
might get injured or killed by the bear; but
the old gentleman, Strengthening himself up
as much as possible, spiritedly replied, "why,
haven't | the gun!'' and started off on a brisk
walk. In the course ola couple hours he re-
turned, having, to the astonishmcnt Of all,
killed the bear, which turned out to be an un-
usually large one, an old offender, and having
the marks OF several rifle shots on his body.
At another time, when they were out of meat,
Matthew went to watch the Lick, where the
old pump stock below tile Academy stood un-
til recently. The night was very dark-noth-
ing at all could be seen. Matthew, however,
waited patiently lorg titIe f0g Tie approach
of deer, but none came, and he was about
giving way to despair and leaving the Lick,
when he heard a stick crack ahead of him, in
the direction of the river, and he concluded
to fire at the noise. AS soon as his gun was
discharged, he heard something plunge into
the water and splurge about at terrible rate,
and on approaching it, found he had MORALLY
wounded a very large elk. As he was in the
act of cutting its threat, he saw light ap-
preaching, and upon observing it more closely
found it was in the hands of his aged father,
who had become so much interested in the
success of his son, that when he heard the re-
port of the gun, he at once hurried down to
see what Matthew had shot nor would lie
leave until he had assisted in dressing the elk
savory meal for the family.
Full of hope, verging on the visionary, Og-
den saw wealth and fortune far off in the dim
distance where civilization had not yet made
its mark. He was a firm believer in the mar
and, although averse to association
with his kind, was naturally of a jolly, rollick-
ing disposition, knowing how to take, as we'll
as to crack joke. 1t is supposed that some
at carly day had had its ef-
feet in changing the feelings of the man. He
had led a secluded life in Cherry Valley
Once, on a hunting expedition, meeting an
other man who was also in pursuit of the chase,
an cquaintanceship was struck up, and he and
his new companion sat down upon log to
compare notes. Having discovered from his
conversation that his acquaintance had
settled within f,ceIre miles of him, Ogden ab-
ruptIy left him, hurried home, and informed
his family that they ESmust get out of that
Immediately, because the neighbors were get
ting too thick, and they would soon be crowd
ed too much for comfort" Without delay,
preparations were made, 'estakes pulled up"
and Ogden emigrated to Pennsylvania. He
manifested the same spirit later in life, when
population increased in Clearfield but meet
ing with decided opposition from his son, who
to change his residence, he continued
to occupy the same spot until his death, which
oc Cured in 1919, at the age of 81 years. His
re mains were deposited in the family burial
ground in a spall grove OF locusts, near the
confluence of the run and the river, where al
SO rests, Hy his side, the partner OF his life,
the sharer of his tolls and adventures, an ami
able and worthy matron, who having reached
years, died in the year 1885.
In 1904, Matthew determined to carry into
effect the project which had prompted his fath-
er in.the selection of site for home, ana
commenced the erection of a srist-miii on the
Cbincbacl lamoose. which stream afforded more
advantages than the run on the homestead.
II was situated about half mile higher up the
stream than the present mill of Judge Shaw.
That it was the first mill erected in the coun-
~. is not the only circumstance rendering 1t
worthy of aote. IL was mill built after Its