In the late 18th century, the Susquehanna River was a main artery for commerce. Finished goods such as cloth, tools, clothing, spices, liquor, and the like had to be transported from the populated areas of Lancaster, Harrisburg, and Philadelphia. Almost every village and town had a general store where food, clothing, medicines, tools, and household goods were found on the grocer’s shelves. An old ledger from a Montour County merchant, and reminisces by a country grocer in Columbia County provide a look at the old-time general merchant.
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His contributions to American hymn books are among the most familiar in the evangelical Church. “Almost Persuaded”; “Hallelujah, What a Saviour!”; and “Let the Lower Light’s Be Burning,” were all written by Philip P. Bliss, who was born in a log cabin in Clearfield County, Pennsylvania. When he was a boy, Bliss's family moved to Kinsman, Ohio in 1844, and then returned to Pennsylvania in 1847, settling first in Espyville, Crawford County, and a year later in Tioga County. When Philip was eleven years old, in 1849, he left home to make a living. He would spend the next five years working in logging and lumber camps and sawmills. At the age of twelve, in 1850, he made his first public confession of Christ and joined the Baptist Church of Cherry Flats, Pennsylvania.
The camp meeting of the nineteenth century came into being on the Kentucky frontier in July of 1800. In Pennsylvania, the first Methodist camp meeting of record was in Central Pennsylvania and was held in the summer of 1805 about two miles below Milton along the Chillisquaque Creek. Flavel Roan of Lewisburg attended two years later and recorded this in his journal dated September 19, 1807: "Sunday at camp... The moon shining through the trees, the fire, the candles in the camp, and the large quiet crowd of people, made a scene romantic and solemn."
An iron furnace in Winfield, Union County was put into operation in 1853. At times, its continued operation was dependent on the financial aid of businessman Thomas Beaver of Danville. In 1863 Thomas Beaver sold his interest to his brother Peter.
To understand the life of the early pioneers of the Susquehanna and Juniata Valleys, historians rely upon diaries, letters, and word of mouth. An 1886 History of Mifflin County includes a letter from a resident of Lewistown. Even with spelling errors, readers should be able to understand the contents. In 1791 Charles Hardy wrote to friends in England, providing a look at Lewistown and its surroundings.
When mentioning Union County, Pennsylvania, many people immediately think of Lewisburg's rich history, fine buildings, and Bucknell University. But traveling west, the borough of Mifflinburg has its own history, stories, and people who shaped that area's future. In October of 1892, Mifflinburg marked its Centennial anniversary, featuring a parade and speeches as part of the celebration.
Imagine being on call twenty-four hours a day. Imagine riding on horseback, with saddlebags that needed to contain remedies and the necessary tools of the trade for a country doctor. Early physicians made regular house calls in their communities. Add in the emergencies that needed immediate attention, and the country doctor's life was anything but ordinary.
Lumberjacks had to be well-fed, consuming an average of 8,000 calories a day. Feeding a large crew of hungry loggers - as many as 75 to 100 in each camp - was quite a challenge for the lumber company cook and his assistants.
Frank C. Laubach, born September 2nd, 1884, in Benton, Columbia County, Pennsylvania left a mark on the world of which many outside of religious and literary circles may not be aware. In 1915 Laubach and his wife Effa became missionaries and began sharing the Gospel of Christ in a remote area of the Philippines to Muslims. It was there, he developed the "Each One Teach One" literacy program.
Marshall Earle Reid Junior was born in Milton, Pennsylvania on August 31st, 1886. As an early pioneer in aviation history, his life story included many accomplishments and thrilling accounts of death-defying accidents. Reid was the first licensed pilot in Pennsylvania and was the 114th licensed aviator in the world.
