Jackson Township, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania

History

Jackson Township was once part of Lycoming Township. At the time Lycoming Township stretched from the West Branch Susquehanna River to the northern border of Lycoming County. The residents of the northern part of the township became dissatisfied with their representation in township matters. Most of the officers of the townships were from the southern most portions near the river and they tended to forget about their neighbors to the north. The concerned citizens of the northern portions of Lycoming Township petitioned that a township for their interests be formed from Lycoming Township. The Pennsylvania General Assembly agreed and Jackson Township was formed in September 1824. The township was named for Andrew Jackson who was then known as the hero of the Battle of New Orleans in the War of 1812. He was not to become President until 1829.

Peter Sechrist was one of the first settlers to arrive in Jackson Township. He moved there from Liverpool, Pennsylvania in 1811. Sechrist cleared the land for a farm and also constructed a saw and gristmill. His mills were the first of their kind in the area and his child, Daniel, was the first white child born in the area. Other earlier settlers, seeking their fortune, arrived from York County. Two sets of brothers, Jacob and Daniel Beck and George and Daniel Miller first stopped in Williamsport before moving further to the north. They cleared some dense wilderness and established their homesteads in what is now eastern Jackson Township.

The population of Jackson Township was 619 according to the 1890 census. It has since declined to 414 residents as of the 2000 census. The area is largely mountainous and is covered with a thriving second growth forest.

The Buttonwood Covered Bridge was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.

Geography

Jackson Township is bordered by Tioga County to the north, McIntyre Township to the east, Cogan House Township to the south, and Pine Township to the west. As the crow flies, Lycoming County is about 130 miles (209 km) northwest of Philadelphia and 165 miles (266 km) east-northeast of Pittsburgh.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 35.6 square miles (92 km²), all of it land.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 414 people, 148 households, and 121 families residing in the township. The population density was 11.6 people per square mile (4.5/km²). There were 192 housing units at an average density of 5.4/sq mi (2.1/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 99.76% White and 0.24% Pacific Islander. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.48% of the population.

There were 148 households, out of which 37.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 70.9% were married couples living together, 7.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 18.2% were non-families. 14.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 4.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.80 and the average family size was 3.11.

In the township the population was spread out, with 27.1% under the age of 18, 5.1% from 18 to 24, 30.0% from 25 to 44, 23.7% from 45 to 64, and 14.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 97.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 105.4 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $40,568, and the median income for a family was $40,000. Males had a median income of $28,958 versus $19,063 for females. The per capita income for the township was $16,903. About 6.7% of families and 6.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.9% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.