|
The third village [in
Springfield Township], Balm
Post-office, or Blacktown as it is
more familiarly known, was first populated by Henry
Black, who erected a log dwelling and prepared to greet
all new-corners. His brother Alexander
shortly afterward followed. In 1845 James
S. Black opened a small grocery. He was succeeded in this
enterprise by William Gilmore,
Black & Stewart, Black & Painter, and Alfred Painter. who is now the
sole owner. In 1848 Christian
Snyder opened the first hotel. Others have since acted as
hosts, among them Adam Ketler,
Henry Van Horn and James
Stevenson. The school system dates its origin back to
1847, when the first educational institution was opened, the building
being a small frame. In a list given elsewhere will be found the names
of the officers of Springfield Township who held public trust up to
1831. Many familiar ones will be found among the number. The list
illustrates who were in the early days sufficiently well versed in the
dubious ways of politics to obtain preferment, and who, of those not
distinctive politicians, were thought worthy of public honor by their
fellow citizens. A list of postmasters is also given, as is a list of
early tavern keepers.
History of Mercer County, 1888,
page
596
|
|
|