Page:Historical and Biographical Annals of Columbia and Montour Counties, Pennsylvania, Containing a Concise History of the Two Counties and a Genealogical and Biographical Record of Representative Families.pdf/307

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COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

M. Rcimensnyder* Wiitiam Kelly* E. A. Sharrctts, M. O. T. Sahm* A. R. Glaze, C. V. Se* C h r is t, D. E. Rupley, J. J. Minimier, J. H. C. Mansfield, H. E. Harman. L. W. Kline, H. O. Reynolds, and O. £. Sunday, the present pas­ tor, In 1895 the old church was replaced by a neat frame building, and in 1905 a parsonage w as built. The pastors o f this church for some years have officiated at the Hidlay and Fowlersville Churches. The Evangelical societies at Espy, Almedia and Light Street have alw ays been included in the Bloomsburg mission, but w*cre established while this territory* w as included in the Colum­ bia circuit. l>uring the winter o f 1866-67 re­ vival services held by Rev. A, J. Irvine in the Presbyterian Church at Light Street resulted in many conversions and caused the formation o f a congregation there. The church here w*as built in 1860. Almedia became a preach­ ing point in 1866, services being held in the schoolhouse until a church was built in 1872. It was not till 1875 fbat preaching became established at Espy, and in the following year the church there was built. These churches are under the charge o f Rev. John Shambach. o f Espy. T he Lutheran church at Almedia was built in 1852. It was in regular use until 19 12, w*hcn it w as damaged by lightning. Since then no regular services have been held therein. SCHOOLS

The first .schoolhouse in Scott towmship was established at Espv in 1805, the trustees being John Kennedy, Jofm Webb and a Mr. Waters. Y h e building stood at the com er o f .Market and Main streets and was 20 by 24 feet in dimensions. It had small-paned glass win­ dows. slab benches, writing tables around three sules of the room, and a wood-burning stove i*nmpletc<l the furniture. The second school at Light Street was built on a lot later owned by J. W. Sankcy in the extreme low*er end of the town, in 1A06. In 18 14 a third school was opened in a building on one o f B. Ammerman’s lots, in the upper end o f Light Street. The teachers of these schools were George Vance, Joseph Solomon, William I ^ v c and John Kennc<ly. Ac present the township supports eight schools, including a liigh school at Espy, and the average numlier of scholars in attendance is liW. T he school directors of the township arc: 1. C. Creveling. A. F. Tcrw illiger. Austin Ohl, Brucc Sneidman. Joseph Hippensteel.

TH E ••caBVBLINU’ CHAPE

T his famous vine w as propagated by M rs. Charity Creveling, w ife o f John Creveling, a member of the Sw tety o f Friends, at her home near Espy. The vine ran over a large pear tree beside the house, and cuttings from it were sold all over the nation. It ts still a popular grape in many parts of the country. RAISING OSTRICHES JN A COLD CLIMATE

The first and at present the only ostrich farm tn a northern latitude is (hat of the Ostrich Farm & Feather Company, at the edge of the eastern end o f Espy, ^ e company w'as organized in 19 10 with W. H. Hile, president; George W. Oster, vice president; Jam es E . Tcplc, scerctar)*; A. N. V osl, treasurer. A ll of these gentlemen but M r. Oster are native sons o f Columbia county. Mr. Hile was led to o^^anizc the company by having visited several of the famous ostrich farms in other parts of the world. He pro­ cured the first o f hts stock in A frica and has developed the farm into one of the sliow* places of the State. 11c also has exhibition vards in Cleveland, Ohio, where forty-four birds arc kept. In the Espy farm he has twenty-eight old birds and several young ones. A n incu­ bator house, pens, nesting house and factory fo r the preparation of the feathers are part of the djuipment. Besides ostriches the company breeds B el­ gian draft horses, thoroughbred (lucm scy cattle and Berkshire hogs. They arc the first farm ers in the county to grow alfalfa success­ fully. and they have a number o f acres of land dc*oted to grain and forage crops and vegetables. The farm is neatly kept, is localetl beside the trolley line and is a popular resort for visitors. ^'Ostrich farm s arc found in California, Arizona, Texas* .Arkansas* Florida and Penn­ sylvania. Ten farm s have over one hundred birds each, five farm s over four hundred birds each and one farm has over tw*o thousand birds. In all. about seventy-five farm s in the United States are making a business o f oound. Besides this, a pair o f breeding binls will easily reach $350 each, and eggs fo r hatching sell at about $ 1 0 apiece. shells find a limited market as curiosities at fifty cents to one dol­ lar each."