LEIDY TOWNSHIP.

Leidy township was stricken from Chapman township in 1847. It is bounded on the north by Potter county, on the east by Chapman township, on the south by Noyes township, on the west by Cameron county.

The first white settler of Leidy township was Simeon Pfouts, who settled on Kettle creek in 1813. In the spring of 1814 he moved his family from their home in Perry county to the rude cabin he had built in the fastness of the mountains. He was an expert hunter, and game and fish furnished the largest share of his provisions. He reared a family of nine children. One of his daughters became the wife of Isaac Summerson, who is now a prominent citizen of Leidy township. Simeon Pfouts died August 26^th 1856, from the bite of a rattlesnake which he was handling.

Previous to 1820 — probably about 1819 — several men came to Kettle creek and settled upon the rich bottom lands of what is now Leidy township. An Englishman name Summerson settled on the northeastern side of Ox-Bow bend. He reared a family of ten children. Isaac Summerson, mentioned above, is a son of this pioneer; he now resides on the old homestead.

During the year 1824 Jacob Hammersley and Archie Stewart settled at the mouth of the first fork of Kettle creek. They erected the first grist mill in this section. This mill was a great boon to the settlers, who, heretofore, were compelled to carry their flour from the river. Their groceries at that time were purchased near the "Great Island" and shipped to the homes of the settlers in canoes. Jacob Hammersley was a great hunter. He is said to have killed five elks in one day. He reared a family of nine children. Many of his descendants still reside on Kettle creek. "Old Jake," as he was familiarly called, died in February, 1873, at the age of ninety years.

The first school house erected in Leidy township was built on the east bank of the creek, on the farm now occupied by Isaac Walters. The said house was erected in 1844. The first teacher in the school was a man named Grimes. The next school house was erected on the western bank of the creek, opposite the point where the Boone road reaches the stream. There are now five schools in the township, which are kept open during the summer season.

The first store where goods were offered for sale was erected on what is known as the Leonard farm. This was in 1858. In 1860 Hamilton Fish engaged in the mercantile business. In 1862 Munson & Goodman started a store, which they conducted for about nine years; then Munson sold out to Goodman & Brother. Clement & Mills conducted a mercantile business for about five years. They failed in January, 1874.

John J. Walton, Benjamin Wheaton, Michael Campbell, Arthur Clement and Nicholas Watt have served as justices of the peace for Leidy township. The latter is acting in that capacity at the present time.

The first hotel where liquor was lawfully sold in the township was kept by Isaac Summerson.

The Paddy’s Run road was constructed by Derlin, Chatham & Co., in 1862.

The first road extending from the river to Kettle creek was built many years before there was any settlement on Kettle creek. It was built under the supervision of an engineer named Boone, and has ever since been called Boone road.

The Butler road was constructed from Sugar Camp run to the river in 1850. The distance was twelve miles.

In 1869 an act of Assembly was passed authorizing the construction of a rod from Westport to the Potter county line. A. C. Noyes, Hamilton Fish and Nicholas Watt were appointed to superintend the work.

The township was named after Judge Leidy, of Salona. The first election in the township was held in the house of Alexander Kelly.

In 1864 a New York company put down an oil well to the depth of 888 feet, and as no oil was found the company ceased operations.

White and red sandstone, of an excellent quality, are found in the mountains of the township. Fire clay and coal, of a superior quality, also exists in the township. Several large tracts of land have recently been purchased, and it will be but a short time until the clay and coal mines will be fully developed. A. H. Mann, of Lock Haven, owns a number of acres of land in the township, which is underlaid with the finest quality of fire clay yet discovered.

Many Indian relics have been discovered in the Kettle creek region, such as fire places built of stone, stoneware, arrow heads and pipes, all of which go to prove that the section was once the home of the red man.