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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
