Gypsy Heart
Gold Member
I would research and see if this place is available to hunt..............................
In the year 1792 Michael Rager, ancestor of many of the Rager families now residing in Jackson township, settled on land near the line of the Cambria and Summerhill townships, on the first public road that crossed the mountain. He came here with Prince Gallitzin and was successful as the proprietor of a tavern. Many of his patrons were the teamsters that traveled the highway, hauling freight between Hollidaysburg and Pittsburgh. When the location of the road was changed, Mr. Rager moved to "Rager Mountain" which was described as "a most unfriendly piece of ground," a dense forest at that time and in its wildest state. By dint of great hardship, Mr. Rager was able to make a home for himself and family which turned out to be a large one. He married three times and was the father of twenty children, many of whose descendants are still living in this community, which was named for his son, Jackson Rager, who lived where Hiram Rager now has his home. Michael Dan Rager, a great-grandson of the first Rager, died within the past year in the community where he had lived his entire life. Jackson Rager had a shook shop at his home, and also a sugar camp.
The first Michael Rager died in 1841 and was buried with military honors, having been a faithful soldier in the Revolutionary War. He is buried in the old Lambaugh cemetery which is located near the Jack Rager school. No burial stone marks the grave of the last resting place of this soldier and pioneer.
Mr. Rager was a great hunter and stories were often told of his success. One of the tales handed down was that, knowing where a she wolf had her lair; Mr. Rager would go there each spring, get her offspring and sell the pelts for the bounty which was ten dollars each. In this way he paid his yearly taxes. This earliest settler was granted a pension of $40 annually.
In the "Ebensburg Sky" of November 8, 1832, we read an account of the burning of Mr. Rager's house: "On Thursday last the house of Michael Rager of Jackson township, in the county, was consumed by fire, with all his furniture. The family were absent and it is not known whether the fire was communicated from the chimney or from the woods which was on fire in the vicinity. Mr. Rager was an old soldier and one of the first settlers of the county. This is the second time he has lost his all by fire. His case calls for the sympathy and the aid of his fellow citizens, which we have no doubt he will receive." In the 70's the Meegan brothers were plowing on their farm and found old coins at the place where the Rager home once stood.
http://www.jacksontwppa.com/historychaptereighteen.htm
In the year 1792 Michael Rager, ancestor of many of the Rager families now residing in Jackson township, settled on land near the line of the Cambria and Summerhill townships, on the first public road that crossed the mountain. He came here with Prince Gallitzin and was successful as the proprietor of a tavern. Many of his patrons were the teamsters that traveled the highway, hauling freight between Hollidaysburg and Pittsburgh. When the location of the road was changed, Mr. Rager moved to "Rager Mountain" which was described as "a most unfriendly piece of ground," a dense forest at that time and in its wildest state. By dint of great hardship, Mr. Rager was able to make a home for himself and family which turned out to be a large one. He married three times and was the father of twenty children, many of whose descendants are still living in this community, which was named for his son, Jackson Rager, who lived where Hiram Rager now has his home. Michael Dan Rager, a great-grandson of the first Rager, died within the past year in the community where he had lived his entire life. Jackson Rager had a shook shop at his home, and also a sugar camp.
The first Michael Rager died in 1841 and was buried with military honors, having been a faithful soldier in the Revolutionary War. He is buried in the old Lambaugh cemetery which is located near the Jack Rager school. No burial stone marks the grave of the last resting place of this soldier and pioneer.
Mr. Rager was a great hunter and stories were often told of his success. One of the tales handed down was that, knowing where a she wolf had her lair; Mr. Rager would go there each spring, get her offspring and sell the pelts for the bounty which was ten dollars each. In this way he paid his yearly taxes. This earliest settler was granted a pension of $40 annually.
In the "Ebensburg Sky" of November 8, 1832, we read an account of the burning of Mr. Rager's house: "On Thursday last the house of Michael Rager of Jackson township, in the county, was consumed by fire, with all his furniture. The family were absent and it is not known whether the fire was communicated from the chimney or from the woods which was on fire in the vicinity. Mr. Rager was an old soldier and one of the first settlers of the county. This is the second time he has lost his all by fire. His case calls for the sympathy and the aid of his fellow citizens, which we have no doubt he will receive." In the 70's the Meegan brothers were plowing on their farm and found old coins at the place where the Rager home once stood.
http://www.jacksontwppa.com/historychaptereighteen.htm
