The Elk advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Elk Co., Pa.) 186?-1868, 1866-07-26

Other embarassments In the way OF
Entertainment " along the river we're
a source Of much discomfort. There
were but few houses along the margin
Of the stream, and it was sometimes diff.
ficult " to make " those stopping places
for shelter. Soon, however, raftmen
came up from Armstrong county, who
had acquantances along the river, and
the well known insignia, a red "wam.
est" generally insured q reception
which would otherwise be denied to
what was then Demonstrated Van.
kee frcm tie ellis settlement" A
short period suffced TO dispel these
fears, and the Yankees money ceased
to burn in their pockets. The con COM
itants Of these RIdgwayites, with their
legends Of spoobs and acitche5 coon
evaporated, and in a few years ample
accommodations were provided and
raftmen were made comfortable. There
are many yet who have had business
upon the Clrrion waters who can attest
to these "Reminiscences.
JONATHAN CoLEGROyE.
This gentleman 50 often mentioned in
these chapters though residing in Nc
kean county, is intimately connected
with this vicinity; coming there as ear
ly as the year 1927 was born in Nor.
wich, Chenango county, N. Y. lie
commenced improving a farm in the
town of Norwich, in the valley of Pota.
toe creek. lie was surveyor and as
such surveyed nearly all the lands in
that section, and particularly for Mr..
Ridgway both in Mexican and Jefferson,
(nOw Elk). lie was in fact the conf
dental agent, in all matters relating to
his lands, selling, receiving payment,
executing deeds &C., continuing his ser.
vices to the surviving heir, John Ridg-
way, Esq, now residing in Paris, until
age and love OF quiet, admonished him
to surrender the trust to his sou William
Colegroye, Esq, who is now the urbane
and popular agent in his stead. AS a
citizen, Mr. Colegrove has always taken
an active and prominent part in all con-
Germs of a public character within
large district of country; possessed of
strong constitution and Injured to cxer-
else, he was proyorbially surveyor who
made hard work for his assistants. Axe
and chain men must travel fast to keep
up with the compass. 1t made no diff,
ference whether lie was running lines
by the mile or day. So familiar had he
become in tracing the old surveys Of
1870, that the least vestige of scar
upon tree that indicated survey
mark, was sure to be recognized. One
who had often carried the axe for him,
declared he :! would as leave follow q
Bear through the woods, as follow Mr.
ColeGrovc." lie was a member of the
Pennsylvania Legislature for the year
1928, during the Governorship of A.
Shultz and representing the then dis
trict of Lycoming, Tioga, Potter and
Mexican. To reach the seat of govern
ment he went via Bellfonte on horseback
thence by stage. lie has filled other
various Offices in his county; rigid aud
indcfatigable in the discharge of every
duty, he was liberal in its exercise. As
manager and coadjutor in the con-
struction of the Milesburgh and Smcth-
port turnpike road. No one in his de-
partment spent more of his time, nor
more prompt on all occasions to forward
the enterprise, The difficulties attend
ing that important work has been men
toned, much OF its success may be attri-
buted to Jonathan Colegrove. During
the many years of application to the
Legislature for the erection of Elk
county, out of Mexican, Jefferson and
Clearfold ; Mr.. Colegroye, although
slice was to be cut off his county, was
literally active in its favor, from pure
public regard and its utility and inter.
est to this section of country. Mr..
Colegrove is now in the sere and yell
low leaf" being 81 years of age and
must as all ,eW soon do, be gathered to
his fathers leaving a large family
and an unblemished reputation-their
best inheritance.
TO BE Continued
-BrownlOw is sending insulting dis