Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1859-05-18
ECOPYRIGHT sECUREDl
ELEARFIELD COUNTY:
OR. "REMINISCENCES OF THE PAST

We will yet make one brief aIIusion to Mat
thew, the youngest son OF Daniel Ogden. Be-
sides his other marked characteristics, he was
man of extraordinary mechanical ingenuity.
Cutting out and making coats, vests, pants,
boots and shoes were matters of frequent oc-
currence with him. He also made loom and
spinning wheel; would weave and spin with
much celebrity, repair guns, phil teeth, and
play surgeon and doctor. He made the stones
which he used in his grist-mil, and which are
yet doing service in Shaw's mill at Trout run.
In short, there was scarcely anything needed
that he did not seem competent to construct.
It is, indeed, remarkable that man reared, as
he was, in the woods, away from all manufac-
turing establishments, should have had such
diversified mechanical skill.
The same year that Daniel Ogden made his
first trip to this county, he fell in with Arthur
Bell at the "Big Island" Mr.. Bell, better
known as Squire Bell, either came up the riv-
er with Ogden, or followed soon after. He re-
manned short time with Ogden, assisted him
in the erection of his house, and then went
farther up the river, seeking place on which
to settle. Pleased with the situation now oc-
cupied by James Fairwell, he determined to
locate there. Bell was at that time resident
of Path Valley, Centre county; was married
10 Miss Greenwood, and had several chill
dren. He was a man of large stature, well pro-
portoned, of comely appearance, and had an
iron frame, united with great softncsS of man
ners. Industrious, inhcxible, honest and cour-
ageous, this kind and obliging neighbor was
delightful compound OF those characteristics
which we most delight to find in man and
child. He soon followed here by Caspar
Hockenberry and James McCracken, who had
married sisters OF his wife.
'Sduire Bell cleared for himself comforta-
bic home, erected house, and planted an or
cflard He met with many difficulties during
his early residence here, tilling the soil with
- rude implements of husbandry, having to grind
his grain in a coffee-mill to produce meal, un-
Ill after the erection of the Ogden mill, to
which place he first made trips in a canoe, and
being compelled to visit Lock Haven, by the
River, whenever he required the services oi
smith, there being no smith shop nearer. As
these trips occupied at least two weeks, and
compelIed him to travel about 500 miles, going
and coming, through uninhabited country,
sible. Fond of huntingi during hours not de-
voted to agriculture, or clearing OF land, he
would collect the skins OF a number OF wild
animals, and clerk" such portions OF their
flesh as were not needed for food in the fami-
". and at least once a year he would carry the
sLins and .sierk" to the 'sBig Island, " where
he would trade them for tools and necessaries-
Once he started down, rather early In the sea-
son that he might reach home in good time
IN mn, his land in order, and bro't with him all
that was necessary to put his piow, Which was
one of the old bar-shear wooden piows, IN good
working condition. He commenced MS spring
plowng, and in less than halt day broke OH
what is called the teat. that part which iocheu
the shear and coulter together. with all MS
skill, being destitute of proper tooiS' he
could not draw on another, or make the pio"
work without it. For that season he was COM
PEELED to depend upon the hoe.
AS Bells circumstances were improving
and when he had gathered around him some
stock, wolf, which had been prowling about
the settlement, made bold to enter pear to his
dwelling. It's conduct was of such a charzc-
te. a. to alarm tA5 family. The volt Was al