USA > Pennsylvania > Fayette County > Connellsville > Centennial history of the borough of Connellsville, Pennsylvania, 1806-1906 > Part 26
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37
THE AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
This congregation was constituted in Mathiot's hall. New Haven, in the year 1878. A few years later ground was purchased from George A. Markle, and a neat one- story frame house of worship was erected on it. It stands on the north side of Main street, between Sixth and Sev-
384
CENTENNIAL, HISTORY OF CONNELLSVILLE
enth, and has a bell and vestibule. The name, Payne Chapel, was given it in memory of the late Bishop D. A. Payne. The building was dedicated in 1884 by Rev. J. J. Jones. The first pastor was Rev. Charles Herbert, and the first Board of Trustees was composed of the following persons : Wm. Sturling, Jesse Freeman, Jacob Johnson, Alex. Davis and Abraham White. The present pastor is Rev. William N. Young, who took charge of the church in October, 1903. The present trustees are: T. H. Brown, S. R. McNeal, A. J. Taylor, Chas. Ashbury, Calvin Wash- ington, John Poindexter, Burrel Mills, S. Drew, M. O. Hunter.
THE MOUNT ZION BAPTIST CHURCH (AFRICAN).
This church was organized in Connellsville in the year 1883, by Rev. J. C. Robinson, a Baptist missionary, who served the church about three months. The charter mem- bers were twelve in number. Upon Rev. Robinson's retire- ment from the field, Rev. T. H. Ford, of Washington, D. C., was installed pastor. McIlvaine Hall, corner Main and First streets, New Haven, was rented and in it worship was held several years. A lot was then purchased for $400 on Fourth street, near Trader's alley, New Haven, and a frame church erected at a cost of $2,000. Rev. Ford's pas- torate was seven years in length. He was followed by Rev. P. H. Thompson, of Nelson county, Va., who remained with the congregation four years. During his stay the entire debt of the church was paid. Rev. R. D. Epps, B. D., of Harrisburg, Pa., became the next pastor. He has continued in this position to the present time, having faithfully labored for ten years, and during his pastorate the congregation has had encouraging growth. W. L. Corbin is the church clerk.
ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST SLOVAK CATHOLIC CHURCH.
This congregation of Slovak people was organized Oc- tober 4, 1895. A one-story brick church building, occupied at one time by a United Brethren congregation that had
385
RELIGIOUS FORCES
disbanded, and situated on the corner of Seventh street and Trader's alley, New Haven, was bought, remodeled and used as a house of worship for several years. Rev. R. Wider was the first minister. He came from Silesia, and took charge at the time of the organization of the church. He died February, 1897, and was buried in the cemetery of the church, on the Leisenring road, near Trotter. A beau- tiful monument was erected over his grave, July 4, 1906, by the Catholic Union, the congregation and other friends.
Rev. E. E. Gellhof, the present pastor, took charge April, 1897. The Seventh street church becoming too small for the large and increasing congregation, lots were purchased on the corner of Main and Eighth streets, and the present beautiful and commodious church was built. It is of brick, is splendidly furnished, and is two-storied. The corner stone was laid on Thanksgiving day, 1899, and the church was dedicated one year later, Thanksgiving day, 1900, with imposing ceremonies. Rt. Rev. Hapde, Bishop of South Carolina, preached in English; Rt. Rev. Nepomuk Jager, Abbott of Bohemian Benedictine Fathers of Chicago, preached in Slavish. A chime of bells, costing $1,600, was dedicated Thanksgiving day, 1902; candelabra costing $1,300, Thanksgiving day, 1904; and a pipe organ, costing $3,500, Thanksgiving day, 1905. Andrew Carnegie gave $1,500 toward the purchase of the pipe organ. The church, with its furnishings, cost about $50,000. The Seventh street property was sold to the Polish Catholic church. There are in all about 500 families connected with the con- gregation, scattered all the way from Ohio Pyle to Layton, many living as far as Springfield on one side and the Leisen- rings on the other. The national societies have 900 mem- bers, and the Catholic Slovak Union 1,000. A comfortable parsonage is on Main street, close to the church.
THE POLISH CATHOLIC CHURCH.
This church was organized in 1903, and worships in the one-story brick building purchased that year from the
386
CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF CONNELLSVILLE
Slovak Catholic congregation. It is located on the corner of Seventh street and Trader's alley. In the front of the church is a tablet with Polish words painted thereon. These words, translated into English, constitute the corpo- rate name of the organization: "Church of the Holy Trin- ity." A parochial school house stands next to the church on the west, and a parsonage stands next to the school house. Both school and parsonage are two-storied frame buildings.
The first pastor, Rev. Krapinski, served the church two years. The second and present pastor, Rev. Lunawski, has been in charge one year; 180 families are connected with the congregation. They are from Austrian and Russian Poland, and are an intelligent, industrious, law-abiding peo- ple. They are chiefly employed as miners and coke workers in the region roundabout, but an increasing number buy homes and small farms, having for the most part been peasant farmers in their native land.
THE YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION OF CONNELLS-
VILLE.
Pennsylvania was the first state in the Union to em- ploy a State Secretary in Y. M. C. A. work. The first man to occupy that position was the Rev. Samuel A. Taggart, and Connellsville was one of the first places visited by him in his official capacity. This visit was made in 1871, though no organization was effected for a number of years after- ward. After repeated but unsuccessful attempts, the pres- ent organization was formed in 1893. On March 6th of that year a meeting was held in the Presbyterian church, at which it was decided to start an Association, and members were received. At a meeting in Kilpatrick's hall, held the next day, the following officers were elected : Col. James M. Reid, Kell Long, David B. Evans, George B. Brown, N. B. Sproat and Charles M. Hyatt, trustees ; and James L. Paull, John Adams, Jr., Lin F. Ruth, B. F. Boyts, D. K. Artman, J. M. Kurtz, E. B. Cameron, J. L. Gans, H. C. Norton, W.
y.m.C.
Connellsville
THE YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION BUILDING (Opened in 1906)
388
CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF CONNELLSVILLE
H. Hugus, E. W. Horner, J. M. Sembower, E. D. Turner, Dr. H. F. Atkinson and L. S. Lincoln, directors. The Board of Directors organized March 8, by electing James L. Paull president, E. W. Horner first vice president and Dr. H. F. Atkinson second vice president, H. C. Norton sec- retary, and Lin F. Ruth treasurer. In the month of March the Association purchased the property of Capt. Thomas M. Fee, corner Pittsburgh street and Fairview avenue, at an approximate cost of $4,000. The dwelling house on the property was remodeled and occupied as headquarters, with K. Clifford Seip as General Secretary. In less than a year the work was suspended, and after a time the building was rented. The organization was kept intact, and interest did not wholly die, but four years passed before the work was resumed. During those four years a part of the frontage on Pittsburgh street was sold to L. W. Wolf, and the pro- ceeds were applied to the reduction of the debt.
The annual Convention of the Associations of the Third Pennsylvania district was held in Connellsville, December, 1898, and immediately after the convention S. M. Bard, then State Secretary, and E. B. Buckalew, his assistant, gave valuable aid in reviving the work. Rooms were se- cured in the Masonic building and C. Edgar Reed, of Erie, was appointed General Secretary. He took charge Janu- ary 9, 1899, and continued with the Association until Octo- ber 31, 1906, with the exception of about a year, during which H. A. Bricker, of Williamsport, Pa., filled the posi- tion. April 20, 1899, the Association moved to the second and third floors of the Kilpatrick building, 107 East Main street. Four years later the Main street building having been sold, and the purchaser wishing immediate possession, it was decided to inaugurate a movement to secure an As- sociation building. An office was rented on the second floor of the Weihe building, and a canvass made to secure funds for building purposes. Subscriptions to the amount of $13,140 were secured. In the autumn of 1902 the work of excavation had begun, but it was not until 1905 that the
-
389
RELIGIOUS FORCES
building was erected. In the summer of 1906 it was com- pleted. The property is valued at $50,000, and the present home of the Association is regarded as one of the best build- ings of the kind in the State outside the cities. It is of buff brick, and is three stories in height. On the first floor are two store rooms ; on the second floor, a reception hall, read- ing rooms, committee rooms, boys' rooms, offices, parlors and a lecture room seating 300 persons; on the third floor, four class rooms, ten dormitories and janitor's living apart- ments; while in the basement are bath rooms, a swimming pool, 12x30 feet, and a large and finely equipped gymna- sium.
The officers of the Board during the erection of the building were: E. W. Horner president since 1898, Joseph McConnell first vice president, James C. Long second vice president, James M. Cecil recording secretary, and H. L. Douglas treasurer. Dr. G. W. Gallagher was chairman of the building committee.
August 24, 1906, the following persons were chosen and constitute the present Board of Directors: Worth Kil- patrick president, Dr. G. W. Gallagher first vice president, Joseph McConnell second vice president, James C. Long secretary, H. L. Douglas treasurer, I. C. Smutz, E. W. Hor- ner, Eugene T. Norton, W. N. Leche, John A. Armstrong, E. R. Floto, J. L. Kurtz, A. S. Silcox, J. Wilbert Brown and John Curry. The trustees are: Col. J. M. Reid, Kell Long, H. M. Kerr, Worth Kilpatrick, W. H. Hugus and W. S. Schenck. Before the close of the former Board's term of service, Mr. C. Edgar Reed tendered his resignation as General Secretary, the resignation to take effect October 31, 1906. It was accepted by the Board with sincere regret.
On Thursday evening, August 30, a Business Men's dinner was given in the hall of the new Association building, attended by about 150 of the business men of the commu- nity. Hon. James A. Beaver, one of the judges of the Su- perior Court of Pennsylvania, was the guest of honor, and made the principal address, speaking of the claims of the
390
CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF CONNELLSVILLE
Y. M. C. A. from a business standpoint. A resolution was adopted providing for a debt-raising campaign in the month of September, subscriptions to be secured for $30,000, the amount needed to pay off the entire indebtedness, and pro- vide in part for the expenses of the coming year, and all subscriptions to be conditioned upon the whole amount being raised before September 30, 1906. Fifteen leaders were appointed who afterward selected teams of ten or more men each, in order to conduct the campaign in a system- atic way. Saturday evening, September 29, $8,000 re- mained to be made up of the amount required. The As- sociation workers redoubled their efforts, and just as the midnight hour arrived the ringing of church bells an- nounced to the community that the whole amount had been raised. A jubilee meeting was held Sabbath afternoon in the hall. A large and animated assembly sang songs of praise, and listened with pleasure to the many brief ad- dresses that were made. The success of this work was due chiefly to L. W. Mumma, the special Financial Secre- tary, who rendered most admirable service. Rev. John Al- bert Eby accepted a call from the directors to become Gen- eral Secretary, and took charge the first of November. Tuesday evening, November 6, a supper was given in one of the Association rooms by the trustees and directors as a reception to Mr. Eby and a farewell to Mr. Reed, for six years the highly esteemed and faithful General Secre- tary. A well-filled purse was presented to Mr. Reed in token of the high regard in which he has been held by the officers and members of the Association.
For seven years the work has been greatly aided by the Ladies' Auxiliary, which at the present time has a mem- bership of 135, and of which Mrs. Lloyd Johnston is the present President.
It is worthy of mention that for several years a Balti- more and Ohio railroad branch of the Y. M. C. A. carried on an excellent work, though with very inadequate facili- ties. George E. Enterline was in charge of this work dur-
391
RELIGIOUS FORCES
ing the greater part of its continuance. Soon after his departure to enter the ministry of the Baptist church the old railroad building in which the work had been carried on was demolished (1903), and the work has not been re- sumed.
THE WOMAN'S CHRISTIAN TEMPERANCE UNION.
This worthy institution was organized May 1, 1881. At a meeting, held in the afternoon and evening of that day, in the Presbyterian church, Connellsville, Mrs. Annie Wit- tenmyer, of Philadelphia, who was president of the first W. C. T. U. national convention in 1874, and State President in 1881, delivered two addresses on temperance work. At the close of the evening address a local union was formed, with the following officers: Mrs. Lutellus Lindley president, Mrs. N. B. Long corresponding secretary, Mrs. W. L. Neff recording secretary, Mrs. R. C. Morgan treasurer, Mrs. J. M. Barnett, Mrs. A. D. Brown, Mrs. L. B. Hyatt, Mrs. Wm. B. Minor and Mrs. A. Hutton, vice presidents.
Notwithstanding many discouragements, the meetings have been regularly held from that time to the present, and the work has been carried on without interruption. Ser- vices of praise and prayer and conferences on plans and methods are of frequent occurrence. The Union has brought lecturers on temperance and kindred topics, dis- tributed much literature, aided in bringing about various reforms, held mothers' meetings, parlor and cottage meet- ings and meetings for young, established Loyal Legions, visited the schools in the interest of scientific temperance instruction, sustained temperance work among the miners, conducted flower missions and for 16 years has maintained a department for the relief of the poor. During the indus- trial depression of 1892-3 the Union raised funds, collected clothing and provisions, opened headquarters in a vacant store room in the Morton building, Pittsburgh street, and rendered valuable and timely aid to many families that were in need.
392
CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF CONNELLSVILLE
The following persons have served as Presidents : Mrs. Lutellus Lindley, Mrs. N. B. Long, Mrs. Thomas M. Fee, Mrs. W. L. Neff, Mrs. James L. Paull, Mrs. William A. Edie, Mrs. A. R. Seaman and Mrs. Geo. B. Brown. Some of these Presidents served several years and at va- rious times. The longest term was that of Mrs. Edie, who served twelve consecutive years, from April 27, 1887.
The present officers are: Mrs. Geo. B. Brown, presi- dent; Mrs. Elizabeth Lucas, vice president; Mrs. W. R. Clasper, secretary, and Miss Mary Kane, treasurer.
CHAPTER XI.
PUBLIC UTILITIES
The founder of Connellsville, in his wisdom and fore- sight, provided the first public utilities of the town when he gave it its charter.
Of these, the franchise for the first one mentioned was reserved to himself, and consisted of the right to operate a ferry between Connellsville and New Haven, or Stewart's Crossing. This right was exercised by Zachariah Connell and his associates from 1793 to 1800 for the convenience of travelers of the "Great Road" or others who might wish to transport themselves or property from one side of the river to the other.
The second, third and fourth were dedicated to the use of any of the inhabitants of the community without let or hindrance, and free of charge forever. These con- sisted of "an excellent stone coal bank on the edge of the river," and a stone quarry, "where stone may be got for building;" but of more immediate good and convenience was the setting aside of certain springs or fountains for the benefit of all.
The terms under which these utilities are placed at the disposal of the people of the town will be found in an- other part of this history, where the charter is given in full.
THE YOUGHIOGHENY BRIDGE COMPANY.
On March 15, 1800, authority was conferred by act of the Legislature under which Isaac Meason and Zachariah Connell built the first bridge across the Youghiogheny river from Connellsville to what is now New Haven.
Said act provides in part as follows :
"An act to authorize Isaac Meason and Zachariah
393
394
CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF CONNELLSVILLE
Connell, their heirs and assigns, to erect, build and main- tain a toll bridge across the Youghiogheny River at Con- nellsville in Fayette county.
Section 1. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in General Assembly met, and it is hereby enacted by the authority of the same,
That it shall and may be lawful for Isaac Meason and Zachariah Connell, their heirs and assigns, to erect, build, support and maintain a good and substantial bridge over and across the Youghiogheny river at Connellsville, near the great road leading from Philadelphia to Uniontown across said river ; and that the property of the said bridge, when built, shall be, and the same is hereby vested in the aforesaid Isaac Meason and Zachariah Connell, their heirs and assigns forever; and that the said Isaac Meason and Zachariah Connell their heirs or assigns, may demand and receive toll from travelers and others, not exceeding the following rates, viz: For every coach, landau, chariot, phaeton, chair, or other pleasure carriage, for each horse drawing the same fifteen cents; for every loaded wagon or cart, for each horse drawing the same, twelve and one- half cents; for the same carriage when empty, for each horse drawing the same nine cents ; for every sleigh or sled when loaded, ten cents for each horse drawing the same; for the same empty seven cents for each horse drawing the same; for every single horse and rider, six cents ; for every horse or mule with their burden or load, four cents; for every horse or mule without burden or load, three cents ; for every foot passenger one cent; for each head of horned cattle, two cents; for each sheep or swine, one cent; and for all carriages which shall be drawn by oxen or partly drawn by oxen and partly by horses, two oxen shall be estimated as equal to one horse in charging all the afore- said respective tolls, and each mule as equal to one horse : Provided always nevertheless, that nothing in this act con- tained shall extend to authorize the said
395
PUBLIC UTILITIES
MEMORANDUM OF AN AGREEMENT
made the 4th day of September, eighteen hundred and thirteen, between Hiram Connell, William Page and Greenberry Jones, executors of Zachariah Connell, deceased, of the one part and Isaac Meason, Jr., of the other part.
Witnesseth, That the said executors for and in considera- tion of the yearly rent of four hundred dollars to be paid as is hereinafter mentioned, have leased by these presents do lease unto Isaac Mason, Jr., and his assigns, all their interest in the bridge at Connellsville with the house occupied by Mrs. Wal- lace, for the term of one year, to commence as soon as Firman & Trump complete the repairs they have contracted to make and fully to be completed and ended:
And the said Meason on his part covenants and agrees to pay to the executors aforesaid four hundred dollars, in four equal quarter yearly payments, to commence and be counted from the commencement of this lease.
And it is further agreed on the part of the executors that any repairs that the said Meason may be under the necessity of making on the half of the bridge next Connellsville shall be re- tained out of the rent aforesaid, and that if it should so happen that the bridge, by floods in the river, or otherwise should be injured and rendered impassable, then and thenceforth the rent to cease and determine until the damage be repaired.
In testimony whereof the parties have hereunto set their hands and seals.
Test.
HIRAM CONNELL (Seal)
WILLIAM PAGE (Seal)
G. R. JONES (Seal)
ISAAC MEASON, Jr., (Seal)
It is agreed that this lease commence the twentieth of Octo- ber, 1813, and it is agreed on the part of Isaac Meason, Jr., that the families of the executors, foot and horse, pass free and that Messrs. Page and Jones have the privilege of passing the bridge free with their teams to supply the said Meason and the Messrs. Taylor with the coal now contracted for.
ISAAC MEASON, Jr.
April 9th, 1814, received of Meason, Jr., two hundred dol- lars for rent reserved in the within article.
G. R. JONES.
396
CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF CONNELLSVILLE
October 17, 1814, received of I. Meason, Jr., two hundred dollars for rent as above.
G. R. JONES.
October 13, 1814. It is truly agreed by the parties to the within lease, that Isaac Meason, Jr., is to have the bridge from the 20th inst. until 20th October, 1815, for four hundred and fifty dollars, to be paid in quarter annual pay't.
Witness their hands and seals.
Test.
G. R. JONES (Sea1)
Jos. Rogers of Jones.
ISAAC MEASON, Jr., (Seal)
It is hereby agreed by the parties to the above lease, that Isaac Meason, Jr., is to have the bridge for one year, commenc- ing the 20th October last part, and ending the 20th October, 1816, for four hundred and twenty-five dollars, payable quarterly.
Witness their hands and seals the 20th October, 1815.
Test.
WILLIAM PAGE (Seal)
Daniel Rogers.
G. R. JONES (Seal)
ISAAC MEASON, Jr., (Seal)
Isaac Meason and Zachariah Connell, their heirs and assigns, to erect or build a bridge in the manner in this act before mentioned, on any private property-without the consent of the owner or owners thereof, or to erect the same in such manner as in any way to injure the navigation of said river, or the passage over the ford across the river, near where the bridge may be erected."
It was further provided by the act "That all poor per- sons, or those who may be exempted from payment of county rates and levies, shall have liberty to pass and repass over and across said bridge toll free."
The time was limited to one year for beginning the erection of the bridge and to three years for its comple- tion.
The work was completed within the limit of time fixed by the statute although it is not known exactly when it was thrown open to the public. Its location was nearly one hundred feet up stream from the present bridge and
No the sulimiting dease treason and Bachauch Connell have this twenty second day of april 180%, finally settled and claude our accounts for .
building the Bridge over the Rough logany- zum ~ and un do herty aque to help the said Bridge in complete refrain in the following order - This said reason to hup, the about_ might and that half of the bridge my : the Town of how- have in repair and the said bonnell to Kluk the alritmo half
and that fait next Conniliville in repair agathe to the provisions of the law authoring the building
1 Jaai Alcyon
Rept
Zachi Sonnell
Fax Meaza4.
AN OLD YOUGHIOGHENY BRIDGE AGREEMENT
398
CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF CONNELLSVILLE
was a wooden-bent structure, resting at the two ends on abutments, which were rude affairs, each formed of a strong crib-work of logs filled in with stones. The bridge re- mained for perhaps, fifteen years, and was carried away by floods sometime in the year 1816, or early in 1817, as evidenced by a memorandum found, showing that a ferry was in operation by Joseph Keepers and George Sloan in the spring of 1817. The abutment and old toll house re- mained standing for a number of years at the Connells- ville end-about opposite the present Hotel Haas, on Water street-in fact, the toll house was not demolished until the building of the railroad made it necessary, which is within the memory of many now living.
In the year 1818 the second bridge was built. This was also a wooden-bent structure, built after a model fur- nished by Adam Wilson, a Scotchman, known throughout the country for his ingenuity. This bridge was supported above by four heavy arches, formed of two-inch oak planks bolted together, and it rested between the abutments on three strong bents of heavy timber, having breakers ex- tending from their bases up stream between thirty and forty feet and sloping at an angle of forty-five degrees from the bed of the river to the chords of the bridge. For nine years this bridge stood intact, but in 1827 the span next to the New Haven shore fell, while a wagon heavily laden and drawn by six horses was upon it. It went down with a crash, yet it fell so squarely that neither horses, driver, wagon or load sustained any serious damage. The work of rebuilding the fallen span was at once undertaken, and the wooden arches replaced by a kind of truss work. While the repairs were being made, Samuel Downey ran a ferry to take care of the traveling public. In February, 1831, a heavy ice gorge in the river broke up and carried away all of the bridge except the new span on the New Haven side.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.