Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1859-06-08


extended over to the Clearfield Creek, and
embraced the land from that line down to
where the Greek and the River come togeth-
er. at ssthe Point.'' AS this brought him in
sight of nearly all the settlements that were
then in the county, along the river, We will
here glance at those we have not already men
toned.
About mile and half below Cloyer's. on
the same side of the River, lived Robert AS
key, near the present mill of Isaac Bloom,
Esq. Askey was very obliglng, aiding people
to cross the River at his place, where there
was ford, on the Milesburg and LeBeuff
road. He would relate to the pioneers his ad.
ventures with the Indians, whilst he was un-
der Gen. Wagner, andgive them such infor-
nation as he possessed.of the country which
they intended making tieir home. He lived
more for others than for himself, died recent
ly at an advanced age, and has been succeed
ed by large family, whose principal trait is
their kind and neighborly disposition.
A little father down, on the opposite side
of the River, lived Benjamin Jordan, who was
Revolutionary soldier, originally from the
State of Maryland, and who, in Centre coun-
ty: had become connected, by marriage, to the
family of Gen. Potter. He was tall man-all
bone and sinew. He was eccentric, and though
his place was one of general resort for long
time, he seemed TO show little disposition for
cOnViviality or society. He located a number
OF surveys in this county, several of which
bear his own and the name of his wife Isabel
Ia. 1t was at his house the early trainings
took place, during of which, whilst the
lite war was in progress, recruiting party
paid this county a visit. There were then in
he neighborhsod, two young men from Indi-
/ ana county, ramed Porter and McAnulty.
| The former had received the bounty money,
enlisted and at erwards deserted. The latter,
who was neaineighbor of Porter, tempted
by thereward nfered for the apprehension of
deserters, gave nformation which led to Por-
lIerss arrest. Tie prisoner was taken within
! tie lines, where lhe watched bis opportunity,
anl when McAnilty came near him, he seized
| tin informer andgave him a sound thrashng.
| fol doing which lie received the appreciation
of the bystanders. Towards evening, Porter,
escping through the lines, reached he River,
ano divested himself of part OF his clothing
bef)re his captors were aware of his escape.
Pursuit was made, but though the Rger was
then high, the water cold, and numerou shots
fred at him, he succeededin reaching tn op-
| posit, bank, where, with graceful wave of
the hand, he bid goodbye to the soldiers, al
was not heard of afterwards. Jordan was be
loved by his neighbors, and his sudden and
tragical end startled the little community IL
which he lived, and filled it with gloom and
sadness. He had FIVE children. One OF hi:
sons died in youth another removed to Cen
tire county and died there one daughter mar
ried Thos. Reed, the father of ex-Sheriff 10
siah r. Reed another was the first wife o
Alexander Reed and the third was married
to James Reed. Benjamin Jordan had bro
ther Hugh, also Revolutionary soldier, VIII
removed to this county in 1903, and settled o
, the Ridges, in what is now known as the 81
5 rishtown settlement lie was man of som
: note, became an Associate Judge, and fror
: him has descended a numerous family. JOl
dan township was named after him.
| Opposite to Benjamin Jordan's lived Georg
$ and John Wclcff,> two brothers, the latter
f. whom was without a family, and was subst
I quently frozen to death whilst crossing th
I Allegheny Mountains. George still occupit
: the old place. He is the father of the lamen
!; ed William C. Welch, who died whilst in con
:. mission as Prothonotary in the year 1850, an
y has a numerous projeny.
e Below Welch's, near the Centre meetin!
y house. was the home of Martin Hoover, a n
: tive of York county, who removed to Cent
: county in 1892, and from therce came
r Clearfield in 1901. During that year, he clea
l. ed about three acres of ground, part of whiC
IL he sowed with turnips and the remainder wit
grass. The soil was very productive, and Il
l. second year Ire raised on three acres near
e lO0C bushels of turnips. The hay crop wa
,r however, failure, and during the winter IL
f. cattle subsisted principally on the twigs
ID trees which were cut down for that purpos
at At the time the Ogden mill was destroyed |
III fire, Hoover had three bushels of wheat, pa
le of the first crop of that cereal which he h;
e. raised, burned up-a loss which then was CO
a sidered very serious. In 1914, Mr.. Hoov
&c was elected member of the Legislature, [
at ing the first sent from this county. He aftt
IN wards held the position of Treasurer, and a
e. filled a number of minor posts. He died
If 1871, in the 10Th year of his age. lie
I'd twelve children. OF the sons, John, Samu
n David, Daniel and George are dead. Jac
he and Joseph are living. Elizabeth, the eid
at daughter, was married to Lebbeus Luth'
ed Polly. to Roswell Luther; Catharine, to Isl
es Packer, a cousin of the Governors; and N
be cv TO John illegal. Esther remains sing
at polly and Catharine are dead. George HI