Small Store in the East End

Selea Cutshall lost both legs to a serious railroad accident. But he built a life anyway. Born in Springfield Township on February 6, 1870, he came to Mount Union in October 1905 and opened a small store in the eastern section of town. He worked as a confectioner and cobbler. By 1909, when the town's history was written, Cutshall was described as getting around remarkably well and ambitious toward making an honest living. The railroad that built this town took plenty from its people. Yet Selea Cutshall took what remained and built something of his own.

From the record

Passages about this subject, quoted from county histories now in the public domain. Each one names the book and the position in the text so it can be checked. Spelling is as printed.

Aughwick creek soon after that war. He was soon joined by William Jones, John Robertson and William Ward. Then came a tide of immigration from Maryland, the Browns, Maddens, Ramseys, Lanes, Cutshalls, Wibles, and several other families locating in what is now Springfield township. Thomas Stains settled where the village of Meadow Gap is now, and the village of Maddensville bears the name of one of these pioneer families. Spruce Creek township, the youngest, but one in the county, was erected in September, 1895, from the townships of Morris, Franklin and Porter. It takes its name from the stream which empties into the Juniata river opposite the village of Spruce Creek. The early 8o HISTORY OF THE JUNIATA VALLEY history of this township is included in the sketches of those from which it was taken. Tell, one of the southeastern border townships, was erected in April, 1810, its territory being taken from Dublin township. It lies between the Tuscarora and Shade tnountains and its surface is divided into several small valleys by parallel ridges running from northeast to southwest. Although a populous township there are no boroughs within its limits and only a few small villages. The first land warrant was issued to Barnabas Barnes on February 3, 1775. Among the early settlers were Samuel McMath, Robert Vaughan, James Stonkard, Thomas Morrow and Jacob Goshom, all of whom were located in the Shade valley by 1780.John W. Jordan, ed., History of the Juniata Valley and Its People (New York: Lewis Historical Publishing, 1913) · character 202,099 of the scanned text

Robert McCarl's is the only one of the four now in Mapleton. Swope carried on the business of carpentering and cabinet-making at Mapleton till 1871, and put up about all the houses erected in the village during that time. In 1871 he bought out the small store of David L. Smith in Mapleton, materially increased the business, and in 1876 sold it to Samuel Hatfield, so that he might devote closer attention to the business of lumbering. In April, 1879, Hatfield retiring from the store, Swope resumed trade, pushed it more briskly than ever, and Aug. 10, 1882, sold to Phillips & Son, the firm now in possession. In the spring of 1881 he embarked in stone-quarrying, and to that and lumbering now gives his attention. He has in his employ from thirty to fifty men on an average. He has had six children, of whom four are living. One of his sons, Isaac N., is one of the editors of the Mount Union Times. Swope was chosen justice of the peace in 1859, and is now serving his fifth consecutive term, at the close of which he will have held the office twenty-five years. There are now in the borough three stores, one hotel, three millinery establishments, two sand quarries, two blacksmith-shops, one shoe-shop, one wagonshop, and one meat-market. Mapleton Depot post-office was established at an ‘early day. An evidence of the intelligence of the people in Mapleton is to be seen in an elegant school-house which stands on a hillside overlooking the borough.J. Simpson Africa, History of Huntingdon and Blair Counties, Pennsylvania (Philadelphia: Louis H. Everts, 1883) · character 2,421,933 of the scanned text

Shawneetown, from there on foot by the way of Kaskaskia to St. Not finding employment to suit him he went to Carlisle, Mo., where he met Dr. Lambert and family, with whom he visited a short time, then went into partnership with the doctor in a small store. He was soon taken sick, and on his recovery found the business in such a condition that he was glad to accept the doctor's offer to take his money back and work on a salary. He got the work, but, owing to the failure of the doctor, never got his money, and he returned to his home a sadder but wiser young man than when he left it. For more than a year he worked on the farm after his St. Louis trip, then went into the mill again. In 1824 his father built a new mill (the one now at Arch Spring), which he managed, as well as a store owned by him and his brother-in-law. Isett was joined in marriage with Miss Mary Ann Bell, daughter of Edward Bell, of Antis township, Blair Co. To Mr. and Mrs, Isett there have been born eight sons and four daughters, of whom three sons and four daughters are still living. In 1826 his father (Jacob Isett) bought of ex-Governor Heister the Spruce Creek property, and in October, 1827, the family moved to the new purchase, which has since remained their home. In 1828 the present mill at Spruce Creek was built by Mr. Isett, which he managed in connection with the mercantile business.J. Simpson Africa, History of Huntingdon and Blair Counties, Pennsylvania (Philadelphia: Louis H. Everts, 1883) · character 1,800,937 of the scanned text

Checked 2026-10-06 · Historic Mount Union collection

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