Submitted by Linda M. Stitt and copyright ©2002 to her.

Porter Township was named in honor of David R. Porter, governor of Pennsylvania from 1839-1842. Until that time it was a part of Redbank Township. Bounded on the north by Monroe and Limestone townships, on the east by Redbank, on the south by New Bethlehem and Redbank Creek and on the west by Madison, Toby, and the southern corner of Piney containing 28,875 acres most of which is tillable land.

It has a wealth of resources within its limits such as rich veins of coal, iron ore, limestone, fire-clay and timber.

At the close of the Revolutionary War, a company in Holland purchased land in Pennsylvania some of which lies in the western part of what is now Porter Township. It was bought for twelve and one half cents an acre. David Lawson, father of James, was one of their agents. One thousand and two acres in the north-western part of the township was granted to John Latimer of Philadelphia, being No. 3 of Lot 162 granted to Timothy Pickering and others May 17, 1785. A large tract was granted to Jonathan Mifflin of Philadelphia. A tract of land containing one hundred acres was granted to Joseph Thomas in March, 1794, and deeded to Daniel Broadhead on March 2, 1795. Broadhead later owned several one thousand acre tracts in the township. Archey Dickey owned considerable land in Porter Township, some of which he bought as unseated land sold for taxes.  His claims included some of the farms claimed by early settlers. About 1832 he started a series of law suits by which he gained farms claimed by Adam Brinker, Slagle, Washie, Wilkins, and others. This caused a panic among the land owners and to secure their land titles, many of them obtained patents about 1838 from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Some of them had owned their farms for years.

The settlement of the locality now included within the limits of Porter Township proper began with the year 1800. So far as can be ascertained, no permanent settlements were made here before that. The whole tract was woods. Many of the early settlers were John Henry of Westmoreland County in 1799.  Henry Sayers came to Leasure Run in 1799.  Leasure Run was named in memory of Mr. Leasure who was drowned in the Run and buried near its waters. David Shields settled near Smithland in 1801. He was a Coppersmith and made many bells and pewterware. In 1802, Robert Travis, John William Beatty, Robert Beatty, Christian Smathers, Nicholas Polliard and Michael Harriger settled along the Leatherwood Creek.

Daniel Boyles, John Washie, Peter Fiddler, John Wilins and Richard James were farmers. William Guthrie, also a farmer, came in 1806 from Westmoreland County. He was killed by falling off a bridge on his way home from Kittanning where he had gone for a load of store goods. John Nulph, Robert Stewart, Moses Kirkpatrick, Samuel Williamson, General Craig, Michael McComb, James Gourley, McClure and James G. Wilson were early settlers. These were some of the families that endured the hardships and labored under the disadvantages of early pioneer life. Most of them came here poor, on foot, carrying their provisions and household furniture on pack saddles and settled in the wilderness. Most of their history is faded into oblivion, yet our community owes them the remembrance of their names, because it is from them we obtained our heritage.

Other settlers were William Latimer of Northampton County, Peter Wiant, George and John Burns, Phillip Bittenbender and Alexander Blair. George Delp, an undertaker at Leatherwood, John Hareger, a shoemaker at Leatherwood, Theo Smith, a shoemaker at Brinkerton, Evan Will, a tailor, James Wilkins, a coal dealer, R. Milne from Scotland, a stonecutter. Other stone-masons were William Polliard, D. E. Salyard, John A. Space, C. S. Space, and Henry James. Other settlers and their professions were William Dine, a wagon maker, J. C. Smith, a tanner, John Ardery, a tanner located in the eastern part of the township and J. T. Henry a tanner at Rockville. These tanners cured the hides by putting them in large wooden boxes that had been dug in the ground.

Michael Buzzard came in 1818 from Northampton County and was the first blacksmith to settle in the township. His wife had some knowledge of medicine and often performed the duties of a family physician. Both were useful citizens in the community. Thomas Armagost came to Squirrel Hill in 1840 and worked at the blacksmith trade. He was considered excellent in his field. He is the great-grandfather of Thomas M. Armagost of Rimersburg, who is now serving as a Commissioner of Clarion County, having been elected to that office in November 1975. S. C. Jones, Roll Madison, W. P. Miller, Albert Schlotterbeck, John Stauffer, Jr., also were blacksmiths by trade. Barney McEntire and Mr. White were blacksmiths at Brinkerton on what is now the Austin Brinker Farm. James Barton Pyle, son of David and Jane (Steiger) Pyle, born July 22, 1882, at Long Run, Clarion Co., Pa., also was a noted blacksmith for many years in Porter Township. He kept mine horses and mules shod and machinery repaired. Jim was also affiliated with coal mining industry and was known throughout the area as "Number Five." He received a fifty year pin from the United Mine Workers of America. Blacksmiths were a hardy group. Their shops were quite small in comparison to the modern shop today. In April 1935, he married Laura A. Reed. They had one son, Donald Pyle who resides at Cottage Hill.

Thomas Paul Bowersox, son of John and Mary (Weckerly) Bowersox, was born in Redbank Township December 9, 1857. At an early age, the family moved to Porter Township and later he married Susan Stahlman, daughter of Daniel Stahlman. They had six children: Arthur, Gertie (Bowersox) Weeter, Henry, Blaine, Walter, and Margaret (Bowersox) Sample. Along with farming and raising cattle Thomas repaired harness and did much blacksmithing for the community.

Herbert Homer Folk, son of John and Catherine (Funk) Folk, born in Snowshoe, Centre County, on February 21, 1875, moved to Leatherwood with his family at an early age. At the age of thirteen he started to work in the Starburg Mines. Some years later he married Mertie Henry, and they took up farming. In 1914, because of his fathers failing health, he took over his father's blacksmithing business. He continued in this trade until his death in 1933. They had one daughter, Mrs. Hillis (Irene) Shanafelt of Kittanning.

Since guns were items of necessity in those days, our history would not be complete without a gunsmith. Nicholas Shanafelt, son of William, made his home in McConnellstown, where he labored industriously at the trade of gunsmithing. In 1835 he settled along the Leatherwood Creek. Being among the early settlers, only a few acres of the land were under cultivation. While the land was being cleared and buildings erected, he continued successfully in his trade as gunsmith. He was widely known and respected.

Some of his sons became prominent Baptist ministers. His son William imported and raised short-horned cattle. Some of them were bred directly from cattle brought from England. He had one of the finest herds in the county. Many fine cattle have been raised down through the years and today, just as it has been for many years, dairying and farming are large industries in our township due to our wealth of rich fertile lands.

The farmer with dairy cows separated milk and shipped his cream by railroad in five gallon cans to Fairmont, West Virginia. Then in the late 1920's a representative from the Otto Milk Company from Pittsburgh met in New Bethlehem with the area farmers and asked if they would sell whole milk in a milk plant was established in New Bethlehem. This was a big decision for the farmer. Would he really be able to make money doing this? Would it be profitable for him to increase his number of cattle? Could he raise enough feed to winter a large herd? After much discussion they decided to give it a try. Contracts were signed and the milk was hauled in ten gallon cans by truck to the New Bethlehem Plant. Harry Jack was the first milk hauler. Within a few years the Dairying industry greatly increased. In recent years, the bulk tank was introduced to the farmer. The trucker purchased a truck with a bulk tank and the milk was pumped directly into the truck from the tank which introduced a more sanitary method of handling milk today.

More settlers in the township were James Goheen in 1827; Samuel Lowry in 1824; William Divins in 1831 who was a member of the Pennsylvania Legislature in 1861 and also served as County Commission, County Auditor and Justice of Peace. Christian Hamm in 1832, George Polliard in 1835, Philip Seifrit in 1836 and the Pines, settled in Smithland in 1834. Smithland took its name from Jacob Smith who settled near there in 1838. George McWilliams came there in 1842 and kept a hotel for several years. The Mohneys and Krotzers, both farmers came to Porter in 1835, also Abraham Slatterback. Samuel Bowersox, George Fox, Thomas Elder, William Milligan, Patterson, Johnston, David Wilson, John Brinker, Browns, Whites, Toshs, Christian Brinker, George T. Henry and Aaron Kline.  These are among the early farmers.

Dr. H. M. Wick came to Rockville in 1845 and remained for twenty years. His kindness, excellent judgment and courteous disposition won fond affection in the hearts of his neighbors.

Ross M. Corbett came in 1834 to Rockville. It was named for its rocky surface. In the summer of 1834, he built a sawmill and the next summer a grist mill. It first operated on October 3, 1834. It was a three story structure and was considered a first class mill running day and night. Farmers traveled a great distance to the mill. Fire destroyed the building and it was replaced with a one story structure. John Klingensmith was the first miller, followed by Samuel Fagley. Others were Ad Shankle, Ed McNutt, Earl Young and Marion Lafayette Phillips. Lafayette, known to many as "Lafe," was born on the Phillips farm in Porter Township in April, 1860. He was a farmer and raised many fine cattle. In 1883 he married Pearl Fulton. They had five children, George Carlton, Nell Clare (Philips) Brown, Fred R., James B. and Marion Leland. In 1920 he took over the grist mill and ran it for a number of years.

In 1866 Mr. Corbett built another sawmill. His sons became quite successful. Hunter was a missionary in China for twenty-five years, Scott a wholesale merchant in Wichita, Kansas; Lawson a merchant in DuBois; and Samuel a farmer at Squirrel Hill. There were many sawmills in the area during the years as it was richly wooded with an abundance of good timber. We still have much valuable timber today. Lumbering has been a great source of wealth to the community.

At one time there was a woolen mill and a saw mill on the Michael and Mary Jane Phillips property, which is now the Carson Minich farm. William McNutt, son of Collin McNutt, the weaver, made sleds, plows and cutting boxes. His sons, Collin and James became skilled carpenters andbuilt many fine buildings.

In the 1800's Leatherwood was an active business center in the community. It took its name from the stream, on the banks of which a kind of shrubgrass grew called Leatherwood. In 1846, Manasseh Arnold, son of Peter and Susannah Arnold, at the age of sixteen left his family home in Clearfield County, to make his way in the world.  He came to Clarion County and secured a position in James Laughlin's country store at a salary of $72.00 a year with his board. After a years employment his salary was increased to $144.00 and the next year to $192.00. His services were so satisfactory that in fourd years Mr. Laughlin offered him a partnership in the business. He accepted, and the firm became known as Laughlin and Arnold. They carried on an extensive mercantile, lumbering, grist and flour milling, boat building and live stock. They conducted their operations at Leatherwood near the St. Charles Furnace. There was also a woolen mill and a blacksmith shop in the area. About a year after the formation of the partnership, the senior member of the firm met with a serious accident in the flour mill. He eventually recovered sufficiently to assist in minor jobs, but remained an invalid until his death in 1870. Thus the management of the business was in the hands of the junior partner and was carried on successfully. In 1875 he sold his interest in Leatherwood and moved to Clarion and was elected Prothonotary and Clerk of the Courts.

In 1840 the Leatherwood Post Office was established in the Laughlin Store and James Laughlin was appointed postmaster and held this position until his death in 1870. The office was granted a tri-weekly mail in July 1884 and daily in 1886. Peter Rickard, S. P. McNutt, and W. A. Laughlin also served as postmasters. In 1855 a post office was established at Brinkerton with Soloman H. Hamm as the first postmaster. He also served as Justice of the Peace.

Tornado of Redbank Valley

On the morning of May 30, 1860, a tornado swept up the valley on the northern side of the Redbank Creek, leveling houses and barns and causing considerable loss of life. In appearance it was a large storm cloud of dense blackness, discharging little water except along its borders where there were heavy showers of rain and hail accompanied by continuous flashes of lightning.

It varied in width from thirty miles to one half mile. Where it was narrowest the force was the greatest.

It took its rise on the farm of Christopher Foster in Sugar Creek Township, Armstrong County, ricocheted northeasterly over Madison Township and crossed the Redbank near the mouth of Leatherwood Creek. Its dire force was first felt at the store of J. B. Hassen, which it wrecked. It passed up the valley of the small tributary of Leatherwood in a northeast by east direction. Mr. William Shoemaker's house was swept away with the exception of the rafters and the lower floor. Mr. Shoemaker had both legs broken; and infant was saved by being lowered through an opening in the floor. Neither the cradle in which the child had been sleeping nor any part of the house, barn or springhouse were ever found. The orchard was up-rooted, carried off and stones driven into the stumps. Flying embers from ruined houses set fire to barns and hay stacks. These firey conflagrations were caught up by the cyclone and shot through the air in many places blasting vegetation and burning woodwork. The awe-stricken people mistook these fiery meteors for electric flames and this added to their terror.

Another peculiarity of the storm was that as a rule where it passed a few feet above the ground, groves of trees were snapped off and wrenched around to make it appear that the tornado had come from the opposite direction.

Another peculiarity of the storm was that as a rule where it passed a few feet above the ground, groves of trees were snapped off and wrenched around to make it appear that the tornado had come from the opposite direction.

Another victim of the rage was Valentine Miller. The superstructure of his log house was blown away but the family, huddled about the chimney, escaped unhurt. The daughter of Thomas Dougherty, about sixteen years of age, was killed by a falling log in attempting to escape from her father's house. The homes of J. M. Henry, Joseph Smith and John McMillen were leveled wounding the occupants. Here the storm deflected slightly to the south, destroying Charles Stewart's house and burning the barn. As the storm approached it burst the door open. Mrs. Stewart attempted to close the door, but the full fury of the tornado then fell on the house and moved it some distance from its foundation. She was found lying between two rafters and beneath a heavy oak timber. She was fatally injured. Her child, with its cradle, was dropped into the cellar and was unharmed. Others of the family were hurled about but not seriously injured. Stewart's barn was ignited "by what appeared to be a flint two feet thick borne along by a dark cloud."

John Hilliard's house and barn were destroyed. The family escaped death by taking refuge under a bed and were rescued from the ruins of a stone chimney which had tumbled around them. The tornado appears to have leaped to John Mohney's farm two miles distant as there was no trace of disaster in the interval. Mr. and Mrs. Mohney were away. The children gathered in the cellar, the house was torn away from their heads and they escaped injury. A wheelbarrow was found lodged, unbroken, in the top of a maple tree seventy-five rods away.  John Shick and his horses were blown over and over through the field without serious harm. Jacob Hartzell's barn was raised and his house to the first story. The storm then hit Maysville, continued up the valley of Redbank, passed three miles south of Brookville and through to Clearfield County. The damage to property in Clarion County was estimated at $125,000.00.

Underground Railroad

"The Underground Railroad" was the title given by southerns to the secret dispatching of escaped slaves through the north to Canada and safe northern points. Few citizens knew that for years there was a systematic transportation of fugitive slaves through Clarion County. There were no fewer than 4 stations here and the conductors were some of the most respected and substantial citizens of the county.

The harboring and aiding of fugitive slaves was illegal (penalty by act of Congress 1850, fine not exceeding $1,000 and imprisonment not exceeding six months, also civil damages.) The greatest care was exercised to conceal the operations of the movement. The conveyance of the slaves was necessarily done by night.

The slaves who passed through western Pennsylvania were all from Virginia and of the male sex. In escaping from their masters, they would start soon after nightfall, provided with horses whenever possible.

The first assisted Fugitives (6 in number) arrived in Clarion County, June 1847, and from thence to 1855 they came from time to time in groups of 2 to 7. Rev. John Hindman was an Associated (Seceder) minister-resident near Dayton. He received and forwarded the negroes to William Blair, a farmer of Porter Township. His property joined the Simpson farm in the area known as Long Point. He was the great-grandfather of Maxine (Blair) Barlett, Maxwell Craig, and Dwight Blair, all now living in Porter Township.

Mr. Blair sent the slaves on to Rev. John McAuley, a Seceder clergyman of Rimersburg. Mr. McAuley kept them in his barn and during the night, through by-paths, he or his eldest son brought them to the house of James Fulton, who lived a little north of Rimersburg. Mr. Fulton fed and cared for the fugitives and then conveyed them by wagon to Benjamin Gardner, Sr., of Licking Township, two or three miles north of Callensburg. A few times Mr. Fulton was bold enough to move them in daytime.

The next station was Elihu Chadwick of Venango County, sixteen miles away. Mr. Chadwick had several rooms in his barn fitted specially for their reception. He and his father concealed them in one compartment until dark and then escorted them by the underground train to the next station at Franklin.

Stories have been told down through recent generations that they sometimes were kept in a cave on what is now the Alvin Whitling farm.

One of the slaves said that if the Lord spared him to get through, he would return and steal his wife. When asked if this would be a great risk, he said that he would gladly risk his life that they might enjoy freedom together.

Brick and Old Houses

Just prior to 1840, apparently a company representative traveled through the area selling the idea of brick houses. He would check the soil for suitability and if near enough to the home site another workman came in later and set up equipment for making bricks. Later the actual construction of the house was started.

According to tradition, in many cases, these excavations or "brick yards" are still visible. The Melvin Wadding house were both built at the same time with brick made from the excavation just across from the White house. In 1831 Robert White obtained a warrant on 176 acres in Porter Township. In 1839, he obtained a patent on the land and built a brick house where he lived with his wife, Nancy (Moorhead) White, and they raised six children. His son, Irvin, and [Irvin's] wife, Roxanna, lived there and raised their family.

Later Harry White purchased the part on which the house stands. His son, Richard, now owns the property, making five generations of Whites to live in this house.

In 1871, Robert White and his brother, William, bought some 300 acres in Porter Township from John Faulk. They sold 149 acres to James Goheen. He built a brick house and in 1880 sold it to James White. It was later purchased by his son, Robert White. Apparently it was in the White family until it was sold to Powell Fiscus. It was later bought by Melvin Wadding who resides there.

In 1870, William P. Miller built the house on the farm now owned by Percy Wells. Percy's grandfather Wells was a stepson of Mr. Miller.

The brick house owned by George B. McCall was built around 1863 by Mrs. W. J. Campbell, her son and brother-in-law.

Henry Musser, with his wife, Elizabeth Eshelman Musser, came to Redbank Township, Armstrong County, in 1829 with six Conestoga wagon loads of belongings. In 1846, he purchased 122 acres of land in Porter Township, which had been in the Broadhead Tract. He built a house, which the Mussers occupied until about 1930, when it was replaced by a modern brick home. It is now owned by Robert Musser, son the late Arthur Musser.

In 1848 the brick house at Goheen's Crossroads was built from brick made from clay on the Goheen farm. Joseph Mateer Goheen was born in this house and lived there until his death in 1934. His son, Dale purchased the house in 1959. He and his family now reside there.

The brick house known for many years as the Stover House, was built in 1832 by Uriah Wilson.  He owned 500 acres. Later he divided his land with his two sons. David took the land that is known as the I. L. Brown Farm, and James G. the homestead. James married Annie Core. They had no children, but raised four foster children. Two of them were Edward W. Stover and Maude Potter, who later married. They were parents of twelve children and lived on the homestead the rest of their lives. Their son, Elmer, farmed the farm for many years until his death.

Presently the home is the residence of the Dr. Donald A. Nair family.

James Laughlin, grandfather of the late Charles Laughlin, Sr., purchased the "old home farm" from John, Samuel and Stewart Wilson in 1855. The brick house was built about that time from locally made brick, not far from where the house stands.

James F. Laughlin, son of James and his wife, Annie White Laughlin, lived in the house. After Mr. Laughlin's death, Annie with her sons Charles A., W. Harold and Francis L., continue to live there.

In 1926, Charles Laughlin acquired ownership of the property.

Charles Laughlin, Jr., and his wife, Jeanne, took up residence in early 1951 where they raised their children, Connie, Robert and Barry. Charles, Jr., and his father spent many hours restoring the house and grounds. The Charles Laughlin, Jr., family continue to live there.

Ross Corbett settled along the Leatherwood Creek at Rockville previous to 1835. He built a log cabin just upstream from the present brick house. The logs of this cabin stood on end. Major McNutt built the brick house for Mr. Corbett in 1841. It is now owned by Clyde Walls.

The Alexander Blair family settled around 1825 in what has been known as the Blair settlement. The farm, now owned by Gary Kirkpatrick, was part of this old settlement and the house is the oldest one in existence in that area. It was probably built in pre-Civil War times.

Collin McNutt, a weaver by trade, came from Westmoreland County to land of General Craig in Porter Township in 1806. His cabin still stands and is occupied as a summer home by members of the Marshall family, who bought it about 1885. The cabin has not been changed much from its original appearance.

The houses on the farms now owned by Elmer McCauley were built previous to 1860.

In 1817 Peter Wyant, with his sons, Abraham and Conrad, came to Porter Township and settled on what is known as the Stokes Land. They built a house, and Abraham farmed and raised a large family. The farm has changed hands several times and, at the present time, Harry Warner is the owner and lives in the original house.

The Bittenbender house was built in 1850. Elmer Longwell married Alice Bittenbender; thus, the farm became known as the Longwell Farm.

In 1842, Dwight Forringer bought 150 acres from the Holland Land Company and erected a log cabin. I t was built of hand-hewed white oak timbers. The outside of the cabin remains the same today.

In 1896, Charles George bought the property, and in 1944 A. R. Thompson acquired the deed. Extensive remodeling was done in the interior, and a chocolate sandstone fireplace was added.

The cabin is now owned by Millard Thompson, son of A. R. Thompson.

William Shanafelt built the large frame house where Herbert (Pete) Phillips lives. Herbert was a great-grandson of Nicholas Shanafelt (father of William). Five generations of Shanafelts have resided on this farm.

Four generations of Samples have lived in the original log cabin owned by Robert Sample, who purchased the homestead in 1863. Robert married Susanna McNutt, daughter of Collin and Nancy Lowry McNutt. Their son, Marion M. Sample, bought the farm in 1910. The cabin was enlarged and greatly improved. Marion, along with his son, James M., managed the farm until his death in 1953, at the age of 90. A fourth generation member, James J., and his wife, Martha, now reside in the old homestead.

Few buildings remain from early Brinkerton except the old brick home built by John Hamm sometime in the 1840's. It is made of homemade brick, made and burned on the farm, with walls of three brick thickness and heavy doors. In an outbuilding, there remains a huge, old hand-hewn stone fireplace from an earlier cabin. The outside bake oven still stands. The pine trees standing around the homestead were planted shortly after the house was built, while some of them were planted more recently by descendants. The home remains in the family line, being owned by David Delp.

The house now has 15 rooms and 2 large hallways. In the attached rear section of the house is a summer kitchen with a bee-hive type oven and fireplace built of handmade brick. Bread-baking was done quite differently in those days. A fire was built, and when the oven was very hot, the ashes were scraped to the front and down a little shute. The housewife would hold her arm in the oven until she counted to a certain number, and then she knew the temperature was right for baking the bread. She usually made 12 to18 loaves at a time.

The farm has been in the Brinker family for at least 88 years. The Powells sons, Randy Dean and Gary Eugene, who are the great-great-grandsons of Christian Brinker, make the five generations of Brinkers to live in this house.

One of the older houses, a landmark in the township, was a stone house located near Fiddlers Run. The run took its name from Mr. Fiddler, the first settler in that area. We have no record of when the house was built. In 1857, Dr. John F. Summerville, son of J. A. Summerville, was born in this house, and, in 1873, Thomas D. Stewart was born there. Mr. Stewart served many years as county commissioner. When the stone house burned, it was replaced by the wooden structure where Harry Stewart, son of Thomas, now resides.

In the late 1800's one of the houses in the mining town of Starburg was dismantled and moved to a Lerch property in Frostburg, rebuilt and lived in by a Mr. Miller. In 1902 William and Pearl (Hepler) Pence started housekeeping in this five (5) room house. They raised six (6) children; Margaret and Mildred, twins; Clarence; Ruth; Bernice; and Alme. In 1919 they moved to the near by Milton Hepler residence. In 1933 Clarence Pence moved the former Starburg house, on skids, across two fields and a creek to its present location. He built on two additional rooms and covered it with brick. In 1943 this house was purchased along with the William Pence farm by Arthur and Bernice (Pence) Henry and their three children, Rudell, Royd, and Avanell. Mrs. Henry resides there at the present time, while her two sons are the fifth generation of the descendants of Milton Hepler to farm this farm. Rudell and family live in the Milton Hepler home. The house where Royd Henry and family reside and the Vernon Moore home in Porter Township were also originally from Starburg.

The Pence homestead in Leatherwood near St. Charles Furnace has been in possession of the Pence family since 1831. First by Henry Pence, Sr., then his son, George, then his son, James, and now by his son, Harry. The present house was built in the mid-1840's. Harry and his wife, Zelda (George) Pence, are looking forward to celebrating their 63^rd wedding anniversary this summer (2002). They are the parents of three children:  Robert, Chester, and Mrs. Hilton (Maxine) Wiant.

Barrel-Making

Henry Musser, Sr., and his son Isaac, came from Berks County in 1846 and settled on the land now known as the Musser Fruit Farm. Their reason for purchasing this property was the vast amount of white oak timber located there which they used to make barrel staves. Some of the tools used to make these were: a special saw, a Cooper plane, a Copper adz, a hoop driver and wooden mallets. Some of these tools are still at the Musser farm.

The staves were stacked, then hauled by wagon to New Bethlehem. They built a raft of white oak logs and once a year they loaded the raft with staves and floated them down the Redbank Creek and Allegheny River to Pittsburgh. There they were sold, along with the logs from the raft. The men then had to walk back to their homes.

On some special occasions Henry assembled some barrels and filled them with cider from the orchard he established. Two of the original apple trees still stand and bear fruit -- one of these being a Northern Spy.

Isaac was the father of William Musser. William kept the fruit orchard going until his death, when his son Arthur took over. It is now owned by Robert Musser, a son of Arthur, who continues to grow fruit which is sold to customers who come from near and far each year at picking time. Five generations of Mussers have worked this farm. From 1910 to 1945 William Musser bottled milk and delivered it along with eggs, butter, and his "well known" buttermilk. He was known as "Buttermilk Bill." 

Pence Fruit Farm

In 1900 Elmer Pence purchased 100 acres from Enos Marshall and established a fruit orchard. This became a prosperous business. At his death in 1917, it was taken over by his sons, Edgar and Owen Pence. In 1923, James Young, an uncle, joined them. The orchard continued in business until 1950.

Mink Ranch

From 1950 to 1959, the late Francis L. Laughlin, son of Annie (White) and James Franklin Laughlin, was involved in mink farming, having over five hundred animals the last year. These he pelted, and sold cured pelts to Hudson Bay Company at New York City.

Creamery

The building, which housed the Leatherwood Creamery, was built by "Woodsmen of the World" for a lodge building.

On April 27, 1898, it was deeded, by Leatherwood Stockholders, to Frank H. H. Knight, who established a creamery. Also the same year, 3 additional acres were purchased from Mr. and Mrs. J. F. Laughlin, by Mr. Knight, and he was granted rights to construct a dam on Leatherwood Creek, to cut, collect and remove ice from said dam.

Herman Fox, Merle Magness and Edwin Emhoff were some of the men who gathered cream from the farmers and delivered it to the creamery. The cream was hauled, by bob-sleds and wagons, drawn by teams of mules. Mr. Fox gathered cream from the Curllsville area. Mr. Emhoff and his father, John, worked several years in the creamery for Mr. Knight.

Ed recalls one winter, as he was traveling his route between the George Mohney and Gene Burns farms, the sleds stuck in the deep snow and even the mules had to be "shoveled out." Once when they were mining the ice on the dam, the horse fell through the ice. It was rescued, doctored with hot tea and survived.

Mr. Robert Gates operated the creamery for a number of years for Mr. Knight. In 1930, he sold the business to Arthur Yingling. Mr. Yingling manufactured his own ice, bought milk from local farmers and made ice cream. This he sold with his other dairy products. In 1937, it was deeded back to Frank Knight.

In 1946, the building was purchased by Mr. and Mrs. Francis Laughlin from Robert Knight; son of Frank Knight, Mr. Laughlin used it as a store and an apartment building.

Porter Township Stores

Climax was known as Anthony's Station before the U. S. Post Office came to the village. A company store was located near the railroad tunnel. Mr. Bill Craig was the first manager followed by Mr. Collins, Mr. Tommy Barret, Mr. John Louther, Mr. Bill Cowans and Mr. Otto Roebuck, the last two being partners.

The first post office was in the store building. Mr. Robert Buzzard moved the store across Redbank Creek and it was later taken over by Mr. Martin Lyden who continued to operate it until November 11, 1960, when he closed it out.

The store at St. Charles was built and owned by I. E. Shumaker from Deanville in 18097. Mr. Shumaker sold the store in approximately 1905 to his two sons, L. A. Shumaker and Ernest Shumaker, and his son-in-law, George Goodhart. Mr. Park Shreckengost was the new manager. The next manager was William Bish.

In 1908, George Goodhart and his wife, Lillian, took over the store management and lived on the second floor.

In 1910, the store burned, as did the brickyard. An interesting story was told. The day the store burned, Mrs. Goodhart was having guests and had her good china on the table. Thinking she could save the prize dishes, she gathered them up in the tablecloth and started down the stairs. The dishes kept falling out in her haste to get safely outside. In her haste to get safely outside, she discovered nearly all the dishes were broken.

The store was rebuilt by the Brick Yard Company and was operated by the Goodharts until 1915. It then came under the management of Foy Willison, who not only managed the store, but also served soup and sandwiches to the men from the brick yard at lunch break.

Mr. Willison was manager until the death of Ernest Shumaker in 1918. The store then became the property of L. A. Shumaker and Claude Shumaker. Claude and his wife, Irene, operated it until 1926 when H. Cromer Shumaker bought Claude's share. Now L. A. Shumaker and Cromer Shumaker were the owners, with Cromer serving as manager.

In 1940, Leonard, brother of Cromer, purchased the store and operated it until September 13, 1971 when his death occurred. Leonard's wife, Euvene, closed out October 29, 1971.

The St. Charles Post Office was in the store and taken out August 18, 1972.

J. B. Hassen store was destroyed by the tornado of May 30, 1860. The store was located in Porter Township, Clarion County, near the community of Climax.

During this period the St. Charles iron ore furnace was in operation, between 1844- 1865, a store was kept at the furnace.

A co-operative store was kept at the Leatherwood P. of H. Hall at Piolet. It was organized March 6, 1880, and remained in operation for a number of years.

Mrs. Flo Phillips tells of accompanying her father, Carmi T. Polliard, on many trips to the store. It was on one of these trips that she remembers about "Uncle" George Delp, the manager, giving her a very pretty doll.

Mary M. Doughett, sister of Mrs. Emma B. Wyant, came from Tarentum about 1890 and opened a grocery store in the Leatherwood Railroad Station, where she also served as ticket agent for the railroad.

A few years later, her father, Robert Stewart, built a storeroom and house across the railroad tracks from the station. This was the last location of the store, which operated until around 1910.

A store was opened in Starburg in the 1880's by a man affectionately know as "Daisy John" Fleming, and continued in operation for about 20 years.

The store was located on the McClure farm. Since the company store was in New Bethlehem, Mr. Fleming was not permitted to locate on company property.

Mr. Craig Blair and Mr. Scott Nulph opened a new service station near the village of Smithland on May 1, 1932. Later it was changed into a grocery store.

In 1939 Mr. Blair sold out to Mr. Nulph, who continued to operate the store until he closed it in 1965.

In the spring of 1923, Wallace Womeldorf and his wife, Lizzie (Delp) Womeldorf, opened a small store in Cottage Hill.  Several years later, they enlarged the store and continued to operate it until Sept. 4, 1934, when it was sold to Earl and Maxine Barlett, who operate it today.

Harry Lamison opened a small store in Smithland on Nov. 1, 1953, and closed it on Jan. 24, 1956, at which time he sold the building to operate a small store for three or four years.

In the spring of 1934, Donald G. Phillips purchased a small building in Wildcat and moved it to a location at the intersection of Route 854 and 861, near the old iron bridge over Leatherwood Creek and the St. Charles Furnace.

He first opened as a service station; later added to the building and began to sell groceries.

In 1941 Penn DOT built a new bridge over Leatherwood Creek and changed the highway intersection. At this time Mr. Phillips purchased land from Mr. and Mrs. Harry Pence. He built a new home which included a grocery store and service station.

Mr. Phillips' mother, Mrs. Flo Phillips, operated the store for 23 years. Upon retirement, his wife, Margaret, continued the store until it was closed Jan. 1, 1973.

Archie Dickey owned the first store at Rockville. After Mr. Dickey, the following men operated it:  Ross Corbett, George T. Henry, S. P. McNutt, and T. J. Henry were partners for a time.  Then T. J. Henry operated it alone.  Mr. Henry also had a tannery there.

Another person to operate the store in this location was Clell Shirey.

In the early 1900's, Calvin Gathers, grandfather of Grace Warner, took charge of the store.

Mr. and Mrs. J. K. Henry (parents of Annie Barlett) bought it from Mr. Gathers in 1906. Mrs. Henry and Milt Reed (her brother) ran the store together for a time. An impressive sight was to watch Milt whittle for hours. Friends and neighbors would gather there to visit. School children made it a point to all bring a penny to school the same day and then would pay a visit to the store to buy candy. All kinds of supplies were sold in the country store -- even horse medicine.

On August 11, 1958, the property was sold by the Henry heirs to Clair and Blanche McCullough.  In turn, the McCulloughs sold the property to Donald and Margaret Phillips on August 26, 1960 who are the present owners. The store is no longer standing.

Around 1938, Francis Laughlin started a grocery and hardware store in the original part of the house now owned by Charles and Romaine McCauley.

Women who served as clerks in this store were Catherine McGregor Crusan and Lorena Emhoff Henry. Also working for Francis were Jane Polliard Blair and Doris Kelly.

Quite often the school children would visit the store to buy penny candy.

In February, 1946, Francis bought the "old creamery" from Robert Knight. He moved his store into this building and also sold gasoline.

In August, 1957, his son, James Laughlin took over the store and operated it until December, 1959. Since that time the store has stood empty.

Solomon H. Hamm, son of Christian, started a store at Brinkerton in 1847. He served as justice of the peace for one term in Porter Township and also was elected to the Pennsylvania Legislature in 1880.

Charles Swartfager had the store in 1888.

In 1902, Tom Slaugenhoupt operated the store. His daughters, Grace Slaugenhoupt Newell and Stella Slaugenhoupt Quering, live in Sligo.

The next in line to run the Brinkerton store were Luke Shoemaker, Vess Gathers and Clyde Goss. Mrs. Goss also had a millinery in the store.

For a time, there was also an election booth in the back of the store. Russell Brinker operated the store from 1924 to 1929. In 1929 it burned.

John and Stewart Wilson built a mill and along with James Laughlin, who came here in 1837, started a store

Manasseh Arnold came to the store as a clerk on July 1, 1846 and became a partner on October 1, 1850. Upon James Laughlin's death, Mr. Arnold became sole owner. The store was later owned by S. P. McNutt and W. A. Laughlin. W. A. Laughlin and S. S. Laughlin owned the store about 1887.

A store, on what is now the Thomas Aaron property, was operated by Clell Shirey. Mr. Shirey closed this store and bought one at Rockville.

In the early 1900's a store was located near the Independent School.  The merchant who started it was Howard Henry. It derived the name of "Whiskville Store" from Henry, who had a lovely beard, one that many men today would envy. It was located on land now owned by E. W. Fox.

The store wasn't the self-service markets of today, but really helped out when the "country folks" ran out of groceries and staple supplies. The small black building was heated by a "pot bellied" stove. Nail kegs were used to sit on while visiting and telling tall stories and news of the neighborhood.

Later, the store was sold by Mr. Henry to John (Jockey) Bargerstock.  He operated the store for a time and then sold it to Jim Magness.

Hotels

Porter Township once boasted three hotels; one at Frostburg and two in Smithland.

Sam Houten owned the first mentioned located at the present residence of Rudell Henry.

John Smith built and managed one in Smithland until it burned. Any dates connected with this were unavailable, but it is known that it was located on ground now owned by the L. S. Travis heirs.

The second one in that area, located on Olean Road, was built in 1842 by George McWilliams. He operated it as a Half-Way House until 1844 when it was purchased by Jacob Hepler. He in turn sold it to James Laughlin, grandfather of Charles, Harold and Francis Laughlin. Jairus Thompson, great-grandfather of Charles Thompson, was the last to operate it as a hotel.

President James Buchanan (1857-1861) Pennsylvania's only president, was an honor guest here during his presidency.

It is presently owned by Charles Travis who bought it in 1946.

New Bethlehem Tile Company

In 1898, two brothers, Charles M. and George W. Lower, and George's son, Ira E. Lower, industrialists from Canton, Ohio, came to New Bethlehem and established the New Bethlehem Tile Co. In 1890 they had established a plant in Canton and learning there was a desired type of clay in ample deposits located here, they came to our community.

Much of the heat used in burning the tile was derived from 28 gas wells owned by the company. When needed to maintain the flow, new wells were drilled.

The company manufactured nearly a score of designs to serve the many purposes for which the tile are used.

One of the first types manufactured in large quantities was the old pioneer 8-8-16 inch salt glazed, rock face cellar tile. Some other types were SCR brick, well suited for the modern home, an oversized utility brick and the structural clay tile that was manufactured in large volume.

For many years Clarence G. Lower, son of Ira, of New Bethlehem, served as sales manager and director of the office. His brother, the late Lloyd Lower, also of New Bethlehem served as general manager of the plant and gas production. In later years Lloyd C., son of Lloyd, and David H., son of Clarence, joined the company and a corporation was formed.

For many years the factory was a substantial factor in the prosperity of the community.

The company remained in the Lower family until 1973 when it was sold to the Mt. Savage Refractories Co. of Pittsburgh.

Brick Companies

The Climax Fire Brick Company, founded in 1840, is one of the oldest brick companies in the United States. A great amount of pioneering was done in the fire brick industry in it's years of operation.

On November 1, 1900, it was incorporated under the law of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

When Bessmer furnaces were first introduced to America, Climax Fire Brick Company was called upon to manufacture tuyeres for this process. These were manufactured in such large quantities that expansion and new facilities became necessary. A second plant was built in 1915. In 1953 it produced over 95 percent of the Bessemer Tuyeres manufactured in the country. They were of good quality and a good standard for service. Their refactories have been produced from Pennsylvania clays.

In 1959, the company was purchased by A. P. Green Refractories Company of Mexico, Missouri.

The modern brick making equipment has helped to develop the growth of business, which has been steady and consistent through the years. The plant is a large asset to the community.

For 16 years Issac E. Shumaker was engaged in shipping fire clay from his own property of 100 acres and land leased adjoining it, to Rochester and Sharon, Pennsylvania, and to Massillon and Newby, Ohio. He also shipped iron ore to Kittanning. In 1900 he organized the Clarion Brick company; of which he was president. The works at St. Charles, Pennsylvania consumed 60 tons of fire clay per day in the manufacturing of a superior grade of fire brick, which was used exclusively in steel furnaces.

The clay was first hauled in wagons to the bank of the Redbank Creek. It was then taken across in buckets on a wire cable, then reloaded into wagons and hauled to the railroad siding and loaded for shipment.

Issac was head of that concern from organization until 1919 when it was sold to the McLain Fire Brick Company, owner of five other plants in Pennsylvania and Ohio. It was his idea to drill wells to furnish natural gas for the operation of the plant.

George McDonald was superintendent of the plant when it was first built, followed by Harvey Martin, William H. Bish, and a son Ernest E. Shumaker, L. A. Shumaker, Issac Shumaker, grandson of the founder, and Ben Miller.

In 1910, fire destroyed the plant along with a company store. On August 22, 1918, a boiler exploded killing a Mr. Songer and seriously injuring the superintendent, Ernest Shumaker. In 1965, fire again destroyed the plant and it had to be rebuilt.

The plant manufactured sleeves, nozzles and rummer brick. A continuous kiln is used in burning the products. Over 1200 different shapes could be manufactured at this plant.

In 1970, after the plant had been idled a few months, it was sold to A. H. Rost, owner of Mt. Savage Refractories. In 1973, it was reopened as St. Charles Refractories with Fred Anderson of New Bethlehem as General Manager. The plant is located in St. Charles on township Route 466.

The late Roy Thompson of St. Charles, one of the foremen, was with the company from the organization until his retirement in 1954.

The plant has been very beneficial to our community.

Furnace

The St. Charles Furnace, originally (Cocheco) built in 1844, was one of the largest stacks in the county. It was 10 feet across the bosh, 33 feet in height; situated on Leatherwood Creek, about 2 miles from the Low Grade Railroad. The property, adjacent to Donald G. Phillips, is now owned by Reid and Howley of Pittsburgh. It was built by John and Samuel Wilson. Andrew Reed, a son of James and Jane (Blair) Reed, broke the first sod for the furnace. It was purchased in the spring of 1846 by J. and P. Kerr of Clarion; leased in 1861 to Michael McCue, who operated it until 1865 when it was dismantled.

Hot blast was introduced in 1857. It is the only furnace that employed raw coal. Though essentially a charcoal stack, this furnace was run for one year on coke, made from the Freeport lower coal and for nearly a year on raw coal from the Freeport upper bed, which in this vicinity is a "block" character.

In 1845, it produced 1,000 tons; in 1850 it produced 2,000 tons.

All that remains today is a, crumbling pile of stones, and many passersby never notice it as they travel along the Rockville Road, Route 854.

Coal

Coal has been the biggest factor in our mineral resources. Star and Long Run Mines, both drifts, were situated on Long Run and are near each other. They were operated by Northwestern Coal and Mining Company. The first opening of the Star was made in 1882. In 1885, these mines which employed 172 men and 10 mules, operated 232 days a year, producing 109,828 tons of coal and shipping 74, 545 tons of lump coal. At peak production, 400 men were employed. Both collieries were ventilated by furnaces.

S. T. Shaeffer served as superintendent and John Friel as head foreman. Frank Beck, John Freeman and Adam Nichols were killed in mining accidents.

Gordon McNutt, father of William McNutt of R.D. 2, New Bethlehem, cut and supplied the posts that were used in the mines. Nine feet of coal was taken out, while three feet had to be left for a roof.

Thriving settlements sprang up, only to die or fade as the mineral deposits were exhausted. Not a remnant remains of the little town of Starburg, which was located along Route 839 between the Samuel Fowkes and William Musser properties. The town was built and owned by the Northwestern Coal and Mining Company. It had a company store, a church and schoolhouse. The population was around 200.

The late W. J. (Kelly) Kerr of Cottage Hill, was a resident of Starburg. He started his mining career at the age of 12. He drove the mules and received 25 cents for a 10-hour day. Miners received about 35 to 40 cents a ton for machine dug coal and 80 cents a ton for pick dug coal. They were doing well if they earned $30.00 a week. Mr. Kerr, father of 10 children, died in 1968 at the age of 88 years.

All the water for the town was obtained from the "watering trough" located near the sharp curve in the road near the Musser property. This was a popular meeting place. Many arguments were settled her (even if a few fistfights were sometimes used).  People traveling Route 839, to and from New Bethlehem, stopped here to water their horses. On a few occasions they were held up or robbed when they stopped.

The town ceased to exist in the early 1930's and became a major industry during the World War II period. It continues today as a very active and important industry.  Millions of dollars worth of coal have been taken from the ground in our township.

Iron Ore

Iron ore was mined in several areas in the township including the following:  In the 1880's the hills of the David Hoover Farm, which joins what is now known as the Paul Mohney Farm, had many ledge mines. The miners traveled from quite a distance, and so they would "shanty" there for at least a week. These mines were closed out around 1892.

A lot of iron ore was taken from the farm at Smithland where William Barlett lived, and also the adjoining farm. This ore was sold and shipped by railroad. Mining was also done on the Walter Willison Farm, now owned by John Pyne.

Natural Gas

Natural Gas has been an important asset to this area. It not only has provided fuel for industry, but it has been used for heating many homes for many years. When the land was leased the gas company agreed to pay a royalty of approximately $100.00 per year for each well drilled, plus free gas necessary for one dwelling. Many homes are supplied with gas under these terms yet today.

Central Office

In the early 1900's a most-welcome invention, the telephone, with 50 subscribers, was an addition to many homes in our township. The Leatherwood Telephone Company installed a Central Office at Rockville, G. R. Summerville was elected president of the company, J. F. Laughlin was vice president, W. P. Henry was treasurer and F. J. Marshall was secretary. The directors were E. E. Polliard, Henry Spindler and S. A. Fowkes. The central office was located in one room of Mrs. Eliza Woods' home. She served as the first telephone operator. Some of the others later employed were Kit Lamison, Ruth Hoover Laughlin, Besse Laughlin, Maude Matthews, who later owned the home and office, and her daughter, Avis Matthews Blair.

It was called the Central Telephone Office, but might have well been called the "Central Bureau of Information" or the "Early 1900 Computer." The people did not have the dialing system or a telephone number, and they could not ring their neighbors. They called the operator and told her the name of the person they wished to talk with, and she connected them with their party. She was kept quite busy with calls wanting information, on such things as births, deaths, time of funerals, illnesses, fires, and even quite often, the time of day. Few people had radios. Television had not been invented, so if your clock stopped, "call Central" -- she knew the time.

In the 1930's a new telephone system was installed by Henry Drohn, with the office located in New Bethlehem.