Ira D Hamilton, Jr

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LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT Of

Ira Hamilton, Died March 10, 1866 In the name of God, Amen. I, Ira Hamilton of Freehold Warren County and State Pennsylvania, considering the uncertainty of this mortal life and being of sound and perfect mind and memory, blessed by Almighty God for the same, do make and publish this my last will and testament in the manner and form following. First, I give to my beloved wife, Betsey Hamilton all my estate both real and personal wherever and in whomsoever hands it may be found after my decease, if she the said Betsey shall survive me and also to make such d(?) position of said property as She may think proper at of before her decease. And I also appoint the said Betsey sole executrix of this my last will and Testament.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this thirty first day of Dec. in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty-seven. Ira Hamilton (L.S.)

The above named Ira Hamilton to his last will and testament in the presents of us who have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses in the presence of the testator.

Philander Parker Stephen B. Wright Harriet Parker

Pennsylvania, Warren County, SS. Before me, Register of Wills in and for said county personally came the above named Philander Parker and Stephen B. Wright two of the subscribing witnesses to the foregoing last Will and Testament who being duly sworn depose and say that they were present and saw and heard the above named Ira Hamilton, the testator, sign, seal, publish, pronounce and declare the said instrument of writing as and for his last will and testament and that at the time of so doing he was of sound mind, memory and understanding to the best of their knowledge and belief and that they subscribe their names whereto as witnesses at the same time.

Sworn and subscribed before me this tenth day of March A.D. 1866/

Jas. G. Marsh, Register

Philander Parker Stephen B. Wright

Birth 1788 Manhatten, King CO.,NY Marriage 1823 Residence 1830 Columbus, Warren, Pennsylvania, United States Residence1840 Columbus, Warren, Pennsylvania Residence: Age: 611850 Columbus, Warren, Pennsylvania Residence: Age In 1860: 72 1860 Freehold, Warren, Pennsylvania, United States Death 1861 Bear Lake, Warren, Pennsylvania, United States

Bear Lake.—This thriving village is the product of railroad enterprise. It was formerly called Freehold, but about fifteen years ago this name was changed to Bear Lake, after the beautiful body of water of that name about a mile east of the village. This lake has a surface about ten acres in area, is deep and very clear, and without a visible outlet. As late as 1860 there was no road through Bear Lake worthy of the name. Previous to that date a large part of the land now covered by the village was owned by Daniel Walker to the southwest, Asa Chapman to the north and east, and Ira Hamilton to the north and west. These three men, it is said, were here as early as sixty years ago.

The first store in Bear Lake was kept in a small shanty, 16 by 20, by Abner Chapman, on the site of Bordwell's present store. He dealt in groceries, liquors, etc., about 1860, while the railroad was in process of construction. After an experience of a few months he sold out to George and Bryan Hill, who enlarged the building and increased the trade. They also kept a boarding- house. They failed, however, in the course of eight or ten months, and in 1868 sold to C. T. Bordwell, who kept store there until some three years ago. Howard & Wadsworth then purchased the property and opened a store, which they kept until a year ago, when they failed. Mr. Bordwell took the property again in April, 1886, and now owns and conducts the store.

One of the early mills in this part of the township was that of Bushrod Woodin, on the Little Brokenstraw, about two miles southeast of the site of the village. This mill he built about 1855. It was a large mill for those days. After running it for some fifteen years Mr. Woodin sold it to James Dennison, of whom he repurchased it in a few years. The present owner, Clarence Triskett, bought it of Mr. Woodin about ten years ago, and has converted it from a water to a steam-power mill. Sylvester Williams built the first mill exactly on the site of the village about 1866 or 1867. It was a steam grist and saw-mill. It burned about 1871, after which he rebuilt it and soon sold it to James Goodwin, who operated it about five years. John Hill then owned it. Henry L. Wilcox next purchased the property, took down the old mill and built the present structure, which he now owns.

Present Business Interests.—It has already been stated that the oldest of the present merchants in Bear Lake, considering their term of service, is C. T. Bordwell, who began to trade here in February, 1868. He now deals in merchandise of almost every description, hardware, flour and feed, and other wares, his entire stock being valued at about $6,000. The store building now occupied by Howard & Laquay for the sale of dry goods and groceries, was built by Joel Carr about twelve years ago. The present firm came into the store in December, 1885. C. V. Mather began to trade in feed in 1876, and two years later changed his stock to drugs and groceries. He came into the building he now occupies in 1880. C. L. Chadwick and William Sweetland formed the firm of Chadwick & Sweetland on the 16th of April, 1883, and at that time bought out the store of Henry L. Wilcox, who had been engaged in mercantile business about two or three years. The stock is confined principally to groceries. The building which they now occupy was erected in March, 1886.

Willis H. Houghtling started a business in hardware about three years and a half ago, and in November, 1886, first occupied his present quarters. The stock which Mr. Houghtling originally owned was purchased in November, 1886, by Henry L. Wilcox, who now trades in this line of goods. The grocery and drug store of Phillips & Livermore was established by the present firm on the 18th of October, 1886, when the partnership was formed. The building which they occupy was erected by them in the summer of 1886. Their stock is valued at about $1,000. W. H. Davenny also deals in dry goods and groceries. The harness shop of G. W. Cole was opened in August, 1886. Mr. Cole then bought out George Livermore.

The saw-mill of Henry L. Wilcox, as it now stands, was built by the present proprietor in 1879. It has a capacity for 2,000,000 feet of lumber, but cuts ordinarily about 700,000 feet.

About 1874 Daniel Parkhurst built a steam shingle and planing-mill and cider-mill on Greeley street, west of the railroad station, which he sold the following year to Lorenzo Hyde. It was destroyed by fire about 1880, and Mr. Hyde then built another shingle and planing and grist-mill on the opposite side of the road, of larger capacity, which also burned in the fall of 1885. He now has a mill on Main street, with a planer and matcher, and connected with a grist-mill.

Sylvenus St. John erected his steam grist-mill—roller process—in the summer of 1886. The saw-mill of Borcher & Jamieson was built two years ago.

About the time that Mr. Chapman opened the first store in the village, one Jordan opened a small tavern on the site of the present hotel in Bear Lake; this was probably in the year 1861. Mr. Jordan did not remain long. The present hotel was erected in 1883 by A. E. Hollenbeck, who owns the property at this time. The lessee, since November, 1886, is B. C. Roberts.

The Bear Lake Record, a live newspaper which promises to be a success, was started here in November, 1886. Mr. Gardiner is to be congratulated both on the appearance of his paper and on his choice of a location.

The first physician to practice in Bear Lake was Dr. A. P. Phillips, who came about fifteen or sixteen years ago. Other physicians, of later arrival, are Dr. L. W. Harvey and Dr. F. T. Noeson.

The first postmaster in the village was Caleb Carr, who was appointed about 1862. The name of the office was at first Freehold. C. T. Bordwell succeeded Mr. Carr in two or three years, and was followed by William Sweetland about three years ago. Henry L. Wilcox then held the position a few months, and was succeeded by the present incumbent, W. H. Houghtling, in the summer of 1886.

The first house of worship erected in Bear Lake was built by the United Bretheren in 1874, at a cost of about $1,700. They formed a society in this vicinity about sixteen years ago, Rev. J. Hill being the first preacher. Among the first members were Joel Carr, S. Williams, H. C. Howard, William Huntley, and others, many of whom were from the surrounding country. The present pastor is Rev. Lucius Markham, who has resided here a little more than a year.

About 1876 the members of the Methodist Episcopal and Christian denominations organized churches here, and built a Union Church edifice at an expense of $2,000, in which they still worship. Among the first Methodists were Henry Widrig, Charles Goodwin, Harrison Robinson, and James Harter. Their present pastor is Rev. J. P. Burns. Among the early Christians were M. Kendall, Abner Chapman, and Frank Eddy. Their pastor is Rev. Mr. Wilbur.

About five years ago the town built a school-house here with two rooms. There are now in this building an attendance of not far from 100 pupils. H. Phillips is the present teacher.