Even the casual follower of history has read or heard of the exploits of frontiersman Daniel Boone. His homestead is located in Berks County Pennsylvania. But his cousin, Hawkins Boone, who settled in the Susquehanna Valley, is a lesser-known name. As a defender of the local frontier, Hawkins gave his life at the Battle of Fort Freeland in Northumberland County.
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As early as 1731 traders had left written records of the Shawnee Indian village of Ohesson, ruled over by Chief Kishacoquillas in an area that is now Lewistown, Mifflin County. The Scotch-Irish, who first settled in the area, were undaunted by the burning of Fort Granville in August of 1754, and returned to establish new communities.
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In 1771, the Susquehanna River was declared a public highway by the provincial assembly, and a sum of money appropriated to render it navigable. But a fateful steamboat explosion near Berwick in May of 1826, ended efforts to navigate its shallow currents and rapids.
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Eking out a living on the Pennsylvania frontier in northern Pennsylvania was both arduous and dangerous. Treat Shoemaker was part of a large family that settled in Bradford County in the early 1820's. Escaping a stalking panther is a story retold in a Towanda newspaper in 1902.
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The area now encompassing Montour County was nothing but wilderness when two former Revolutionary War soldiers purchased land and carved out lives for their families and future generations in the Middle Susquehanna Valley
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Old Main, the Nittany Lion, and the phrase "We Are Penn State" all have interesting storylines. One includes the dark days of 1940 segregation in the South.
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The book "Old Time Tales of Warren County" was written by newspaperman Archibald Bristow. His reason for writing the stories caught my attention. Many counties in the Susquehanna Valley could be substituted in his preface, describing the lives that the early pioneers experienced, and the hardships that they faced.
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John Boyd was one of three brothers from Northumberland County who served during the Revolutionary War. His brothers, William and Thomas, died in the conflict. Thomas died an atrocious death while being held captive by the Indians. John, held captive by Indians and Tories in southern New York, was saved by an Oneida woman just moments before being burned at the stake.
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James Scarlet came to Danville at a young age. Following his early years as a blacksmith's apprentice, he carved out the career of a nationally respected attorney. The avid sportsman and accomplished storyteller also provided untiring support for the Geisinger Memorial Hospital.
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Snyder County businessman and politician Ner Middleswarth lived through the administrations of 16 Presidents of the United States, from Washington to Lincoln. He acquired 17 farms and left one to each of his 12 children. He also owned and operated a grist mill, three other mills, two distilleries and was part owner of the Beavertown furnace, a business venture in which he lost a great deal of money, reportedly through the mismanagement of his partner.
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