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History of Cambria County, Pennsylvania
History of Cambria County, Pennsylvania (Volume I)
A history of Cambria County and its people is an essential part of the progress of civilization in our country for two hundred and twenty-five years.
After its acquisition by William Penn it was at peace with the red man for a period of seventy years, followed by thirty years of cruel barbarism.
In the beginning its pioneers were with Washington in the struggle for independence; its rank and file have marched with Dearborn, Taylor and Scott, Grant, Farragut and Shafter, and gallantly sustained our government.
Its 666 square miles of land were richly endowed with the tall white pine and hemlock, and the forests are filled with hard wood, and its mountains are veined with the best quality of bituminous coal.
In the iron and steel industry it has created for itself an international reputation for excellent products, and in its fine arts its people have achieved a worthy place. In statesmanship and government, in the nation and state, the influence of its men has been wielded for the good.
It is worthy to modestly enroll the achievements of her people among the annals of our country.
In grateful acknowledgment of the invaluable assistance given in the preparation of this history by James M. Swank, George T. Swank and Anderson H. Walters of the Johnstown Tribune, John McCormick and other friends, the author de- sires to express his sincere thanks.
Table of Contents
CHAPTER I.
William Penn seeks to purchase title from the Susquehanna river — Penn secures the Dongan title — Penn's difficulties in England and in the province — Treaties with the Indians — French and Indian War — Charles Campbell procures a warrant for the land on the Conemaugh and Stonycreek rivers at Johnstown... 1
CHAPTER II.
The Revolutionary War period — Meetings in Carpenter's Hall in Philadelphia — Companies of Captain Robert Cluggage, Captain Richard Brown, Captain Andrew Mann, and Captain Jacob Hendershot — The companies of rangers; Captain John Boyd and Captain Solomon Adams — Mason and Dixon line — The whiskey rebellion of 1794 — The Forbes Road... 10
CHAPTER III.
Organization of Counties — Cambria county taken from Somerset and Huntingdon — First townships in Cambria county... 29
CHAPTER IV.
Indian Tribes in the Conemaugh valley — First white visitors... 46
CHAPTER V.
Pioneer settlers — Adams family — Prince Gallitzin — Captain Michael M'Guire — Joseph Johns — He lays out the village of Conemaugh... 67
CHAPTER VI.
Indian trails — Old roads... 91
CHAPTER VII.
A Political Review — The politics of the county, state and nation from 1808... 102
CHAPTER VIII.
The Judicial District — Jurisdiction of the courts, and legislation — Special acts, the judges and lawyers — Incidents... 143
CHAPTER IX.
Anti-slavery Sentiment — The underground railroad — "Abraham" and "Patrick" shot at by a slave hunter — Arrest of Henry Willis and others for aiding the slaves... 186
CHAPTER X.
First Settlements... 193
CHAPTER XI.
The Rivers, Creeks and Rivulets — Saw and grist mills, and rafting... 211
CHAPTER XII.
The City of Johnstown... 240
CHAPTER XIII.
Land Titles... 290
CHAPTER XIV.
The Rivers at Johnstown... 311
CHAPTER XV.
The Pennsylvania Canal... 330
CHAPTER XVI.
Old and New Portage Railroads... 347
CHAPTER XVII.
Newspapers and Periodicals... 367
CHAPTER XVIII.
Cambria Street Company — Origin and early history of the present great corporation... 400
CHAPTER XIX.
Fall of the Pennsylvania railroad platform... 448
CHAPTER XX.
The Great Flood of May 31, 1889... 457
CHAPTER XXI.
The Medical Profession... 509
CHAPTER XXII.
Old Families in the County... 535
CHAPTER XXIII.
Coal, coke, railroads and lumber... 573
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History of Cambria County, Pennsylvania (Volume III)
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When the shot was fired at Lexington, on April 19, 1775, it has been stated that its moral effect for religions liberty and political freedom encircled the globe.
When that took place the territory now within the limits of Cambria county was parts of Quemahoning and Frankstown townships of Bedford county. Fort Bedford was the county capital; there the courts administered justice to the people of the county; there the pioneers sought safety from the attacks of Indians on their homes and families throughout the county. The next fort west was Fort Ligonier, in Westmoreland county. Bedford, was the common meeting place for the patriot and the pioneer of this locality.
The inhabitants of the county were principally Scotch-Irish Presbyterians, but Germans of the Brethren denomination, Swiss and Irish, had also settled here. It was very natural that both patriots and tories should be represented, although there were few of the latter. Numbered with the patriots were Colonel George Woods, Judge Barnard Dougherty, Colonel David Espy, Samuel Davidson, Esq., Hon. John Cessna, Colonel Charles Cessna, Major Edward Coombs, Colonel Hugh Barclay, Captain Andrew Mann, Colonel Robert Galbreath, Captain Robert Cluggage, James Martin, William Proctor, Colonel Thomas Smith, James Wells, John Malott, Robert Scott, and Captain James Francis Moore.
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