USA > Pennsylvania > Armstrong County > Armstrong County, Pennsylvania her people past and present, embracing a history of the county and a genealogical and biographical record of representative families, Volume I > Part 32
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The most important point about this plant is the absolute purity of the water. No other towns in the county have such a clean water supply. The Beaver run is free from con- tamination by mines or factories, and no per- sons are allowed to foul the waters, which come from a strictly clear farming country. When the Public Service Commission rates went into effect in 1913 the Apollo company, although a private concern, did not have to alter its rates one cent.
The company is not overloaded with orna- mental officials. The three gentlemen in charge have office hours alternately morning and evening, in Leechburg and Apollo. They are: W. C. Hawley, general superintendent ; D. C. Shull, superintendent ; W. J. Murphy, cashier.
NEWSPAPERS
The first newspaper published in Apollo was
The Apollo Sentinel was started in 1907 by R. V. Bentzell & Bro., who sold it in 1913 to E. W. and C. C. Hilderbrand. It is a weekly, and the new firm has only got under way.
THE PRESBYTERIANS
The early history of the Presbyterian Church in Apollo is somewhat indefinite as to date, but probably the first steps taken to place it upon a permanent footing were made at the time the town was laid out in lots, the Presbyterian plot, a donation of two acres from Messrs. Spear and Johnson, being received in 1814. The signers of the deed were Samuel Gordon, David Watson and George T. Crawford, trustees. Jacob McCartney, an
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HISTORY OF ARMSTRONG COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
elder, rode over to Kittanning the day follow- ported Miss Fannie Martin as missionary to ing the signing of the deed and had it recorded. the Punjab, India. The church membership is 250, and the Sabbath school, 200. At first the services were held in the open air, the congregation seated on logs and the preacher holding forth from a rostrum of logs THE LUTHERANS covered with a board roof. Rev. Robert Lee was the first temporary pastor, and in 1824 The First Evangelical Lutheran Church of Apollo was organized in 1859, at a meeting in the old M. E. church, by Revs. Geo. C. Ehrenfeld and L. M. Kuhns, with the follow- ing members: Isaac Townsend, Mary Town- send, James Fair, Philip Long, Sarah Long, Peter Branthoover, Emeline Branthoover, Christian Kepple, Elizabeth Kepple, John Bair, Elizabeth Bair, Mary Martin, Frederick Dib- ler, Nancy Dibler, Bohemia Townsend, G. W. McMillen, E. C. McMillen, Levi Risher, Bel- inda Risher, Margaret J. Hunter, Sarah Un- capher, Esther Gumpert, Matilda Mccullough, Deborah Starry. Rev. Joseph Harper was chosen permanently. During his pastorate in 1826, a rough stone edifice was erected, and was for many years the only church in Apollo. Following Mr. Harper came the Rev. Mr. Dunlap, for about six months. Rev. Watson Hughes next filled the pulpit from 1830 to 1837, and for a year following there was no supply. Rev. Alex- ander Donaldson served for six months in 1838 and in 1840 Rev. Levi M. Graves took charge, remaining until 1843. Dating from 1846 Rev. Cyrus B. Bristol remained as pastor for twelve years, resigning in 1858. Follow- ing came Rev. Robert McMillan, until 1864, Isaac Townsend and Philip Long were elected elders, and Christian Kepple and James Fair, deacons. A few weeks after the organization Rev. Mr. Ehrenfeld resigned. The old "Seceder" church was at first used as a house of worship. and in 1865 Rev. John Orr began a service which lasted until 1872. During his incum- bency the third church, a brick, was founded, but not completed. It stood facing First street, a little further up the hill from the present one. Rev. Hezekiah Magill in 1872 took charge, remaining until 1879. After him came Revs. Samuel E. Elliott, J. Q. A. Fullerton, R. P. Daubenspecht, Leon Stewart, and the present pastor, Rev. William W. Brockway.
In 1906 the present building was erected. It is of the lantern dome style of architecture, the architect being J. C. Fullerton of Union- town, Pennsylvania. It is built entirely of stone quarried near Apollo, and the total cost was $33,000. There are nine classrooms and a fine auditorium, yet the congregation are al- ready crowding the building, so fast have they grown in numbers. The present membership is 550, and the Sunday school has 348 on the roll. The superintendent
is Charles W. Walker, and the organist is Eugene T. Bal- drige, son of the editor of the News-Record.
The elders are: T. A. Cochran, W. T. Gil- kerson, T. M. Willard, F. T. Wray, A. C. Hammit. John H. Jackson, W. E. Jones, R. F. Orr. The trustees are: Ira J. Wray, presi- dent ; Adam Alcorn, secretary; E. E. Coch- ran, J. M. Jackson, George W. Steele, J. M. Spahr.
The United Presbyterian Church of Apollo was organized in 1868. The present church building was erected in 1885, and greatly re- modeled in 1911. The present value of the church and parsonage is $20,000. Rev. R. A. Jamison has been the pastor for thirty-five years. For eighteen years the church has sup- the largest in the entire county.
The pastors have been: Revs. Lewis M. Kuhns, 1859-60; Rev. John A. Delo, 1860-64; Rev. John Welfley, 1864-68; Rev. M. Colver, 1868-76; Rev. G. F. Schaeffer, 1876-82; Rev. C. B. King, 1883-90; Rev. M. L. Culler, 1890- 97; Rev. William H. Nicholas, 1897-1902; Rev. M. E. McLinn, 1903-10; Rev. H. E. Berkey, 1910 to date, 1913. The present adult membership is 515. The present church build- ing was erected in 1863, and subsequently re- peatedly enlarged and improved. The amount expended on it originally and later, including $2,200 for pipe organ, was about $10,000. The Sabbath school has 393 members.
THE METHODISTS
The Methodist Episcopal Church was incor- porated June 2, 1856, with Rev. Samuel Jones as pastor. Jacob Freetley, Daniel Risher, D. L. Byrer, Hugh Jones and Samuel Jack were trustees. The first church edifice, a frame, was erected on a lot adjoining the one where the present building is situated. The second church was a brick structure, with a lecture room in the basement, on the south side of Mill street, near Church. It was built in I851. The membership in 1876 was 272; Sunday school, 150.
The present pastor is Rev. H. G. Gregg. The membership is 535; Sunday school, 850,
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HISTORY OF ARMSTRONG COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
THE BAPTISTS
The First Baptist Church was erected in The only public library in Armstrong county 1873 on the canal and Maple street; incorpo- at present is located in Apollo, in the W. C. rated December 21, 1874, William Reese, T. U. building. Its foundation came about Thomas Reese, Hugh Evans, A. M. Hill, W. from a festival given by the ladies of the town, B. Ansley and John Morgan, trustees. The present new brick church was erected in 1895- 96. The present pastor is Rev. W. S. Caron.
THE CATHOLICS
St. James Roman Catholic Church of Apollo had an unusual life story. The first Catholic resident of the town was Thomas Shorter, a colored man, in ISS4. Soon after came James Mallon and family. In the autumn of that year Rev. James McTighe, resident pastor of Leechburg, took compassion on the little band of the faithful and in the house of James Rey- nolds the first Mass was said in Apollo. Later on a hall on North Fourth street was leased and occasional services held. As Father Mc- Tighe had already two congregations to serve, he was compelled to turn the work over to St. Vincent's Benedictine monastery, situated near Latrobe, who sent Father Fidelius to the scene. Under his care the congregation in- creased sufficiently to enable them to erect a frame church in North Apollo, which was dedicated in 1892. Following Father Fidelius came Father Constantine, and in 1895 Father Macarius Schmitt, who had the honor of being the last pastor. At that time the Apollo Roll- ing Mill was moved over to Vandergrift, and as the congregation were almost entirely from that source deriving a livelihood, they moved with it. They had increased to seventy-five families of over 450 souls, had outgrown the little frame edifice and had bought two lots for the purpose of erecting a brick building of larger capacity. However, they proceeded with their plans, and shifting the work to Van- dergrift put up a neat brick church at a cost of $5,000. To complete their history it may be said that they now worship in one of the largest and handsomest churches in western Pennsylvania, lately erected in that place.
OTHER DENOMINATIONS
The Reformed Chapel was built in 1893, near the Hartman House. The pastor in charge is Rev. D. W. Kerr.
The Free Methodists are under the charge of Rev. R. B. Campbell, of the Pittsburgh Conference.
PUBLIC LIBRARY
the proceeds of which were used to purchase the first twenty books. Other donations were later made by the citizens and friends in Pitts- burgh, and the State now sends fifty books every six months to the library. At present there are nearly sixteen hundred volumes on the shelves. Miss Agnes Mullen, the librarian, is paid a salary by the borough, and attends to the issuing of books three times a week. The Woman's Club pays the rent of the upper floor of the W. C. T. U. building, where the books are kept.
WOMAN'S CLUB
The Woman's Club of the Kiskiminetas valley was organized in 1908, federated in the same year and united to the congress of wom- en's clubs in 1910. Regular meetings are held twice a month in the W. C. T. U. building, where the most important topics of the present century and historical matters are discussed. For the coming year (1914) the topic will be "South America-The Land of To-morrow." The officers for the coming year are: Mrs. C. W. Bollinger, president ; Mrs. H. G. Gregg, vice president; Mrs. Walter George, second vice president ; Miss Grace Mclaughlin, re- cording secretary; Miss Bella Glass, corre- sponding secretary; Mrs. T. J. Henry, treas- urer.
WOMAN'S CHRISTIAN TEMPERANCE UNION
The headquarters of the W. C. T. U. of Armstrong county is located at Apollo, where they occupy a building of their own, erected in 1907. This is also the home of the Woman's Club, making Apollo the center of feminine activities for the county. The officers of the Armstrong County W. C. T. U. are: Miss Laura Guthrie, president, Apollo; Mrs. Sarah Leslie, vice president, Slate Lick; Mrs. Ida Cowan, corresponding secretary, Apollo; Miss Jennie Gallagher, secretary, Manorville; Mrs. Jennie Butler, treasurer, Dayton; Mrs. M. J. Mechling, Dayton, and Mrs. J. M. Guthrie, Apollo, honorary presidents. Regular meet- ings are held on the first and third Tuesdays of each month. They are making a strong campaign for national prohibition in 1920. It is proposed to publish the names of all signers
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HISTORY OF ARMSTRONG COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
of petitions for saloon licenses, with their Guthrie, their successor being Walter J. Guth- church connection, if any, and thus cause them to make a stand for or against the cause.
SECRET ORDERS
Apollo Lodge No. 437, F. & A. M., was instituted March 4, 1869. Membership, 42.
Mineral Point Lodge No. 614, I. O. O. F., was instituted Dec. 14, 1867. Members, 75. Kiskiminetas Encampment, No. 192, was insti- tuted Dec. 13, 1869. Membership, 30.
Conewago Tribe No. 228, I. O. R. M., was organized in 1875. Membership, 20.
MILITARY RECORDS
The Charleston Guards were organized in 1840, and were merged with the Independent Blues of Apollo, a volunteer company, in 1848. The first captain of the latter organization was Thomas C. McCulloch, afterward a practicing physician of Kittanning. After his removal from Apollo he was succeeded by Samuel Owens in 1855, A. J. Marshall in 1856, J. C. Crawford in 1858 and Samuel M. Jackson, im- mediately after the firing on Sumter in April, 1861. The services of the Blues were promptly tendered on President Lincoln's first call for 75,000 troops, but not in time to be then ac- cepted. It was directed by Governor Curtin to be held in readiness for future service, and June 5, 1861, it left Apollo for Camp Wright, and was assigned as Company G to the 11th regiment of Pennsylvania Reserves, in which it served valiantly during the war. Captain Jackson having been promoted to the rank of colonel Dec. 13, 1863, First Lieut. James P. Speer succeeded him as captain, and, on his subsequent promotion to the rank of major, was succeeded by First Sergt. James H. Mills, who continued to be its captain until that regi- ment was honorably mustered out of the serv- ice after the close of the war. The ranks of that company were filled by gallant and patri- otic men, not only from Apollo but from the surrounding country. Among its heroic deeds was its participation in the notable charge upon the Rebel breastworks at Spottsylvania.
Charles S. Whitworth Post No. 89, Grand Army of the Republic, has but twenty-four members in 1913, but the combined ages of these old veterans is 1,754 years. The young- est is sixty-seven years and the oldest eighty- two.
LAW AND MEDICINE
The first resident lawyer in 1855 was Jacob Freetley, who later united with John B.
rie. Horace N. McIntyre also practiced in 1883. The present resident members of the bar are J. Q. Cochrane and his sons, Earl F. and Alexander M.
The first resident physician was Robert McKissen, whose successors at different pe- riods have been William Brown; William P. McCulloch, who was surgeon, or assistant sur- geon, in the 78th Regiment, Pa. Vols .; Thomas C. McCulloch, Thomas H. Allison, William McBriar, O. P. Bollinger, J. S. McNutt, W. B. Ansley, J. W. Bell and Robert E. McCauley. A dentist was first assessed in 1851.
The members of the medical profession now resident in Apollo are Drs. Thomas J. Henry, James C. Hunter, A. Howard Townsend, William W. Leech and Robert E. McAuley, retired. The dentists now here are Drs. C. Cameron and J. W. Currie.
EDUCATIONAL
Prior to the incorporation of the borough schools were taught in two separate log struc- tures a short distance east of the town, and then in another in a hollow near the forks of a run. The first stood above the old grave- yard on the State road in what is now Owens' field. It was made of hewed logs, one story high, with a fireplace on one side wide enough to hold logs six feet long. Backless seats ran across the room, and desks were arranged along the sides, so that the scholars stood fac- ing the teacher. Sliding windows at inter- vals gave some light. Samuel Owens (later an attorney and judge of court in California ) and a Mr. Beacon were successively masters here. The late William Mckinstry attended school there in 1825.
The second schoolhouse was erected on the run in the rear of the old Presbyterian church, the Owens farm at that time. It was taught by Jack Brown, grandfather of J. J. Brown and Mrs. Henry Bowers, now living in Apollo.
Soon after the organization of the borough, in 1850, a frame schoolhouse was erected on Church street. After seeing good service, this building was purchased by Alexander Henry, remodeled and used as a dwelling. It still stands on the corner of Pennsylvania avenue and Third street, and is owned by William Kirkwood. The bell that swung in the little tower is now doing duty in the new building. In 1863 a two-story frame schoolhouse was erected on Mill street near Wood, well fur- nished, and containing six schoolrooms.
The first board of school directors was
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HISTORY OF ARMSTRONG COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
elected at the spring election in 1850, and con- sisted of William C. Bovard, John B. Cham- bers, John T. Smith, Thomas Cochran, Samuel Owens and H. M. G. Skiles.
In 1860 the number of teachers was 2; scholars in attendance, II9; amount of State appropriation, $48.71 ; from collector of town- ship, $264.61 ; general expenses, $228.60.
In 1876 the number of schools was 5; av- erage number months taught, 47%; male teacher, 1; female teachers, 4; average salary of male teacher per month, $60; average sal- ary of female teachers per month, $42.50; male scholars, 129; female scholars, 134; av- erage number attending school, 211 ; cost per month for each scholar, 86 cents ; total amount tax levied for school and building purposes, $3,299.40; received from State appropriation, $292.95; from taxes and other sources, $2,- 526.18; cost of schoolhouse, $646.19; paid for teachers' wages, $820; paid for fuel, collec- tor's fees, contingencies, and other expenses, $1,335.42.
In 1913 the number of schools was 14; av- erage months taught, 9; male teachers, 2; fe- male teachers, 14; average salaries, male, $IIO; female, $48.93; male scholars, 324; female scholars, 348; average attendance, 580; cost per month, $2.00; tax levied, $9,775.69; received from State, 3,231.52; other sources, teachers' wages, $8,145; fuel, fees, etc., $7,831.61.
$41,446.57 ; value of schoolhouses, $18,000; is the "Borough Horse." A newspaper con-
The school directors are: A. D. Stewart, president ; C. H. Truby, secretary ; J. N. Nel- son, treasurer ; W. M. Biehl, Milo D. Shaw, W. J. Henry.
POPULATION
white, 449. In 1870, white 762; colored, 2. The number of taxables in 1876 was 315.
In 1876 the population was 1,449; in 1890, 2,156; in 1900, 2,924; in 1910, 3,006.
The assessment list of 1876 showed the va- rious avocations to be : Clergymen, 4; lawyer, L; physicians, 3; teachers, 2; dentist, I ; lab- orers, 90; carpenters, 10; blacksmiths, 6; shoemakers, 3 ; saddlers, 2 ; painters, 3 ; tailors, 2; clerks, 12; cashier, I; wagonmakers, 2; tanners, 2; tinners, 2; weaver, I ; watchmaker, I ; cigarmakers, 3; miller, 1 ; plasterer, 1 ; bar- ber, 1; tollkeeper, 1; printer, 1; rollturner, I; rollers, 2; puddler, 1; miners, 6; engineers, 3; heaters, 4 ; manager, I ; agent, I ; haulers, 2 ; stonemasons, 3 ; butchers, 3 ; bookkeeper, I ; farmer, I ; planingmill, 1 ; planer, I; foundry, I ; foundryman, I ; old gentlemen, 4.
In 1913 the assessment returns were: Num- ber of acres, 9, valued at $12,500; houses and lots, 804, valued at $538,475 ; average, $672.88; horses, 126, value, $5,215; average, $45.88: cows, II, value, $345; average $28.85; tax- ables, 1,077 ; total valuation, $606,335. Money at interest, $89,245.71.
THE BOROUGH HORSE
One of the interesting residents of the town troversy arose over his purchase and under the above caption many a witticism was printed, aimed at contemporary occurrences. John Marshall raised him and in 1893 sold him to Joseph Owens for $85. Owens sold him to the borough of Apollo for $180. Some per- sons claimed at that time that he was defective, yet in 1913, when he was twenty-four years
In 1850 the number of white inhabitants old, he was still pulling a wagon every work- was 329; colored inhabitants, 2. In 1860, ing day for the street cleaning department.
CHAPTER XVI
FREEPORT BOROUGH
PREHISTORIC REMAINS-BLOCKHOUSES-FIRST SETTLERS-THE PENNSYLVANIA CANAL-IRISH IMMIGRANTS-INDUSTRIES- MERCANTILE-BANKS-PROFESSIONS-NEWSPAPERS-Y. M. C. A. -RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS-MILITARY-CEMETERIES-SOCIETIES-SCHOOLS-POPULATION -FIRE PROTECTION-LANEVILLE-TODD'S ISLAND-NOTED CHARACTERS AND THEIR DESCEND- ANTS
From undoubted evidences in the shape of site of Freeport was once as densely populated mounds, clearings, fortifications and other pre- as at present, although by strange and un- historic remains there is no doubt that the known races, whose history we can only con-
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HISTORY OF ARMSTRONG COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
jecture. But of the history of the present population and their immediate ancestors we have very definite information of most inter- esting character.
Some time prior to the establishment of per- manent peace by Wayne's victory over and treaty with the Indians, a blockhouse was erected on the Allegheny, about 120 rods above the mouth of Buffalo creek, which is now on Water, below Fifth street, Freeport. Its com- mandant was Capt. John Craig, whose com- mand consisted of forty or fifty men, most of whom were inexperienced soldiers, "raw recruits," and were addicted, before they had been tried, to boasting how easily they could defeat the Indians. They were "brave in words." and continued to be until they were tried. Gordon and Mehaffey, two old rangers, determined to test their pluck. With the con- sent of the commandant, they were marched one day to the spring on the hillside north of the blockhouse. Gordon and Mehaffey, disguised as Indians, having posted themselves among some rank ironweeds just below the spring, yelled and whooped and shook those weeds, which so frightened those raw soldiers that they hastily threw their guns down in the road and rushed pell-mell into the block- house, to which Gordon and Mehaffey re- turned in the evening by the way of the "eddy" and over the river bank, and were refused ad- mittance by those soldiers because they feared the presence of Indians below the bank, who would rush into the blockhouse if it were opened. The commandant finally ordered Gordon and Mehaffey to be admitted. When those soldiers learned from them that they were the only Indians in those ironweeds near the spring-when they realized how readily they had allowed themselves to be alarmed by that piece of "bushwhacking"- that they had so needlessly proved themselves "cowards in the field," they hurriedly left the blockhouse. Craig said a regiment couldn't have kept them there after they saw how easily they had been scared.
In those early war times there was a place of refuge on John Reed's farm on the left bank of the Allegheny, about two and a half miles below the mouth of the Kiskiminetas, called "Reed's Station," which was named after "Uncle Johnny Reed," as the owner of the ground on which it was situated was called.
FIRST SETTLERS
opened a hotel and established a ferry. By the act of April 4, 1798, such parts of Allegheny county as were then within Elder's district, be- ing part of Deer township, were made an elec- tion district, and the place fixed for holding the elections was "at the house of James Mc- Cormick, in the town of Freeport," which was the first house built on Water street.
Some time during that year Charles Duffy and his family arrived here from Ireland and stopped at McCormick's, where his daughter Barbara, then in her eleventh year, remained several months. Her father located on the headwaters of one of the western tributaries of Buffalo creek, then in the wilderness.
The town was laid out in 1796 by William and David Todd, and was at first called "Toddstown," but from the fact that David Todd insisted that it should always remain a free port for water craft, the name was later changed to its present one.
The first house in Freeport was built be- side the old blockhouse by Andrew Patterson.
Among other later arrivals at this place were Jacob Mechling, formerly of Greensburg, and afterward of Butler, and his co-commis- sioners, Hamilton, Lane, Morton and Weaver. Mechling, in his "journal of proceedings to fix the seats of justice in the counties of Armstrong," etc., notes their arrival at the mouth of Puckety, June 3, 1802, and then "eleven miles to Freeport, where we lodged that night," which is all he noted in his jour- nal respecting this town, in which there were then but a very few log houses, besides Mc- Cormick's tavern, where he and the other com- missioners probably lodged.
In 1805 there were only eight indifferent houses of hewn logs. The first one was McCormick's tavern ; the second one, built by Thomas Johnston, adjoined McCormick's ; the third, by one of the Thornburghs on or near Water, above Fifth street; the fourth by Henry A. Weaver, on the north side of Mar- ket street ; the fifth on the second lot above the last-mentioned one; the sixth, by Alexander Hunter, on Water, between Second and Third streets ; the seventh, by David Porterfield, on Water, between Third and Fourth streets; the eighth, on Water, near Fifth street.
The assessment list of Buffalo township for 1805 shows the valuation of lots, personal property and occupations in Freeport to have then been: Alexander Hunter, one house, one lot and four cattle, $102 : the next year, $96: Thomas Johnston, one house, one lot, two
James McCormick, the second sheriff of horses, two cattle and 400 acres elsewhere in this county, settled here, probably in 1797, and the township, $262; the next year $150; James
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HISTORY OF ARMSTRONG COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
McCormick, one house, five lots, one horse, quadruped and biped races. John Karns on one cow and one ferry, $216; the next year, a certain occasion jumped from one side of $222. Jacob Weaver, who was the first post- the canal lock to the other, a distance of six- master, was the first assessed here in 1806, tecn fect. It is related that Simon Shields with one house, one lot, one horse, one cow, and as storekeeper, at $III. Henry A.
won $50 by jumping three "stand-and-jumps." Other noted jumpers were Elliott and Samuel Weaver settled here before Jacob Weaver did; D. Karns and Henry Gass. On St. Patrick's he had a Frenchman as a partner in trade, day, 1828, the Irish from "Garry Owen" and "Mullengar" had a large procession. They were decked with pine and laurel to represent the shamrock. After marching through town regaled by strains of music, they closed their celebration with real Irish joviality at Neil Gillespie's tavern. There were then about thirty houses in Freeport. who was an interpreter to the Indians; Peter Clawson, who was raised near Greensburg, lived for years on his father's farm at Rum- baugh's ferry on the Kiskiminetas, and was well versed in early events, used to relate that about 1806 a considerable quantity of wheat and flour was transported from Greensburg or Hannastown to Rumbaugh's ferry, thence to Freeport, and shipped thence by Weaver and his partner to Blennerhasset's island for the use of the expedition fitted out by Aaron Burr, and that Weaver in consequence of be- ing engaged in that shipment was obliged to be absent for a while.
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