Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1882-07-12
A SCRAP OF HISTORY
FROM SUsQuEHANNA TOWNSHIP
By S. 6. Dressler


By S. 6. Dressler.
The first settlers in that portion of Jun
iats county, now embraced within the linz
IFS Of Susquehsnns township, settled on the
banks OF the Susquehanna river, about the
time Of the Revolutionary war. Among the
title papers of that section are found few
sncient documents, which were executed
under the reign Of King George III.
accrtain Thomas Mckee appears to
have owned large scope of land from Me-
Kee's Half Falls in Snyder county, down
along the river including portion of what
is COW Susquehanua township. Mckee
sold out in farms to such as came In with
the intention OF settling upon and improv-
ing the lands.
The farm latsly owned and occupied by
Hon. Jonathan Weiser, now deceased, was
one Of the first settled it was settled bv
certain John Wilmer, Pennsvlvauia
Dutchmau, from some one Of the lower
counties in this State. He was more fs-
uiiiarly called "Hans", M abbr-viatioa o,
Johannes the German fer John. lie was
minister Il the gospel of the Mennonite
Church, was blessed with sulficiencv of
Ills worlds goods TO keep him above the
reach of want, built Z grist mill on Mahon-
congo creek, which was a great Gccommo-
dation 70 the early settlers. The girls.
mill vas i stone structure, but the wear of
time at last fell too heavily upon it. and at
last hsving served its time and generation,
il had to give way and uas substituted by
8 large frame structure, few rods further
down the creek, with improved machinery
erected some 2n years ago b. Mr.. Weiscr
Tradition has it that ..Hans" Wilmer was
very close in his dealings, and in many
ways very eccentric cid gentleman.
Some Of his quaint say ings are still quoted
among the people OF that community. He
raised family of sous and daughters
how many the writer never learned:-We
doknow however, that some of his descen-
darts are still remaining in Juniata county,
and are numbered among our best citizens
He had brother, Abraham who lived
about 4 miie further mp the river, between
"Hans" and IcKee's Half Falls, on what
was later the Beshoar farm but is now
owned b. J. B. Hall Esq. But that being
in Snyder county We pass ii over.
Next in order are the Selchrists. There
were three bro Tiers of them as far az the
writer knoweih. Henry also settled above
the mouth OF Nahontongo creek along the
river, thus leaving him ont OF the scope of
cur present writing. Christian Seachrist
settled about one mile bclow the mouth Of
the creek, improved his lands End became
Ike the winners, a man who was looked
upon In those davs a. being wealthy. His
farm was the same upon which his son
Christian Scschrist lived afterwards, and
upon which he died about 10 years ago at
an advanced. Upon the death of his son
Christian Seachr.s-, the farm was divided
sna sold. Judge Weiser becoming the
purchaser of That portion with the build
ings on, and Jacob Wciser esq, bought
the Other pI:;.
The old Scsch-ists we're great hunters,
ali kinds OF game being plenty in those
days, they were never idle; but whenever
they desired recu,eration from the labors
of the farm and from clearing the virgin
soil Of it, irxur;ant growth of timber to
bring it under cultivation, they would be
sure TO shoulder their un"rring rifles and
vend their way 10 the woods after game.
Often hath tho writer he.rd OF the old peo-
pie of the community, relate some OF the
adventure in their hunting excursions by
the Seechrists and 4 certain Andrew MID
over. There was another brother Fcter
Scschrist, who was as much il not more
noted as skiliful hunter than his brothers.
1t was said by the former generation that
the OLD Seachrists were men Of a rather
rough exterior, but had hearts that beat
warmly for suffering humanity, that no
Seach-is. would permit it to be said of him
thai the poor was turned away hungry or
empty from his door. There are ont few
of the SeAehri.t family now remaining in
the county.
Other families soon followed those nam
ed, and that portion OF the township is nov
tl,ickiy settled by an intelligent people, but
We pass them over for the present. as We
dcsi-e, in series OF articles, merely 10
.ake IS il were, = glance at ths first and
mos; prominent pioneers Of each locality
in the township, aud shall therefore direct
our stef.s away from the beautiful sceueries
in our next you may expect TO hear from
US from the ueighborhood OF Oriental.
Juiy 1851.