Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1859-07-18
CoPYRIGHr SECURED.
CLEARFIELD COUNTY:
Or. REMINISCENcES oE The PAsr

OR, RE EMtNtSCENCES OF THE PAST,
At an carly day, few persons leaving the
river bottoms TO penetrate further into the
woods, gave an impetus to three important
settlements-the Ridge settlement on the
north side of the West Branch, between the
two turnpikes-the Grampian Hills settle
ment, on the same side of the River but high
er up stream-and the Ridge settlement to
the south of the River. Abraham Passmorc
was born in Chester County on the 11th of
August, 176i, and died in tho first named set
tlement on the 10th of August, 1854, having
just completed his nineticth year. Although
not the first who made an opening in this set
Element, he was of those who early cmi-
grated TO the county. Leaving Chester coun-
~, he removed to Spruce Greek, from thence
to Centre county, and afterwards, in the fall
of 1902, he settled on the bank of the West
Branch, where he commenced clearing the
farm now occupied by Jacob Hoover. He fol-
lowed his -blacksmithing-and from
that fact was quite accession to the COM
munity. His business was more extended
than extensive-his customers coming FROM all
the surrounding settlements. In 1906 he left
the river for the ridge settlement, and COM
mcnced anew upon the farm owned by his
son, Col. Geo. c. Passmore. Here he made
for himself comfortable home, and was soon
surrounded by children, whose marriages have
connected him with many of those who
live at ease in this productive and lourishing
settlement. He had two sons and six daugh-
ters. The Blooms, Baileys, Hartsocks and
Smcals are related TO him by blood and mar
riage. His wife died before him, in 1913, hav-
ing reached three score years and ten.
We believe the first clearing made on the
ridges was.by Robert Askey, who has been
mentioncd'oefore, and who took up piece of
vacant land abouta mile and half from the
river. He soon after had for a neighbor, Ca
leb Bailey. the progenitor of a numerous fam
lily. In 1874, Benjamin Hartshorn, a native of
Maryland, moved to Centre county, and in
1906, having determined to try the coun-
~ of Cieaffeld, accompanied by his wife and
six small children, his goods borne by wagon
drawn by two yoke of oxen, left the former
for the latter place. For some distance he
had to cut the road. On his way here, mis-
hap compelled him to leave his little family in
the woods for two days and nights without
pfOitCtOEs " ltiliu ISC uiiicS VI
his wagon broke down, and with difficulty and
delay he had it repaired, and continued his
Journey. A flood in Clearfield creek prevent
ed him crossing for several days. Having
crossed the river, near Jordan's, he penetrated
the forest. Axe in hand, he felled the trees
10 permit passage for his wagon from the
river to where he settled, late in October, on
the farm OF Jonathan Hartshorn, making
cover of hemlock brush to shelter his family
until he erected cabin. Here, after clearing
some land, he resumed his former business, by
commencing tannery. He died in March,
1921, leaving eight children, who wero single
and under age, in charge of his wife, who sur
vived him 81 years. His children were {: Mar
garet, who was married TO Alexander Cad
well, formerly Sheriff of this county and twice
elected member of the Legislature Anne,
the wife of Robert Ross, formerly Sheriff, Of
tho county; Jonathan; William, now dead;
Benjamin, who, as a politician, is pretty well
known throughout the State Nancy, married
to Samuel Clyde; Eliza, the widow of George
Welch, jr., and Mary Ann, the wife of Man.
ming Stevenson CThis ridge settlement is
principally inhabited by former citizens of
Centre county and their descendants. It lies
high and presents to the eye, from several
parts of the county where it can be observed,
a large expanse of we'll cleared land. The
land is rolling and we'll adapted to the culture
of grain.
That part of the county now known as the
Grarapian IIiH settlement in its origin might
have been considered as two distinct settle
ments. portion lying towards the river and
back of the bottom lands occupied by Bell,
Ferguson and Fenton, was early taken up by
John Bennett, Nun England, William Hepburn,
Joseph Spencer, Francis Severns and Samuel
cochran, as vacant land. From 1905 to 1903
1t was claimed unsuccessfully by Charles
Smith. These settlers soon made quite large
opening in the woods. Their lots were cast in
pleasant places. They have all departed to
that bourne from which no traveller e'er re-