History of Danville

Orchards After some interesting general remarks, Mr. Frazer observes in relation to the early orchards of this locality. About 1785, some of the pioneers in Mahoning, then almost coextensive with the present county, planted small orchards. They were not deterred by the silly couplet, “He who plants pears, plants them for his heirs,” for, with … Read more

Reverend William B. Montgomery About 1821, Mahoning, from having been on the frontier, and dependent, to some extent, for religious instruction on missionary labors, began to send missionaries abroad. Of these were Reverend o William B. Montgomery, son of Colonel John Montgomery, one of the prominent pioneers of Mahoning, and Jane, his wife, daughter of … Read more

Robert C. Grier The venerable Justice Grier, late of the United States Supreme Court, died at his residence, No. 1428 Spruce street, Philadelphia, at the advanced age of seventy-six years, having been born in Cumberland county, Pa., March 5, 1794. His father was the Reverend Isaac Grier, who, shortly after the birth of his son … Read more

Indiantown In the lower portion ‘of Danville borough there is a lovely tract of level ground near the mouth of the Mahoning. This beautiful and picturesque locality with all its charms of scenery and with all its inspiring associations is still known by the unpoetic name of the “Creek’s Mouth.” Other localities with far less … Read more

Christ’s Episcopal Church On the 28th day of October, 1828, the corner-stone of the Protestant Episcopal church was laid in Danville. Previous to that period a number of early settlers who had wandered beyond the reach of their respective congregations found themselves deprived of the, privileges and ordinances in which they had been reared. Actuated … Read more

Olden Habits and Customs The habits and customs of the last generation, it is true, may have been less refined in some respects, but they were more wholesome and more favorable to longevity. A thousand inventions of the present day, then unknown, invite to ease, indolence, and luxury; but they are at the same time … Read more

Susquehanna Floods   There was an old tradition, or rather a prophecy, among the Indians that roamed about the Susquehanna, that great floods in this river occurred at regular intervals of fourteen years; and this in some degree proved true in the days of our fathers. The first great flood of which we have any … Read more

Fifty Years Ago The recollections of Mr. John Frazer, now of Cincinnati, are so interesting and so admirably detailed, that I copy them entire, exactly as written by himself, as I also copy many other sketches in relation to the olden time. In kindly replying to my request for sketches on various points, historical and … Read more

Union Hall Hotel Union Hall Hotel, near the court-house, was built by Philip Goodman, in 18×8. He had previously kept the “old Pennsylvania House.” His card in the town paper was inserted as follows: “NEW TAVERNPHILIP GOODMANinforms his friends and the public that he has commenced keeping tavern in his new brick house, sign of … Read more

Master Gibson and the Mahoning School. To rescue from oblivion the name and services of Master Gibson, a worthy school-master of the days of yore, is the object of the present chapter. The picturesque eminence, the site of the Grove church and schoolhouse, and the cemetery, comprising in all two acres, was the donation of … Read more