Century history of Butler and Butler County, Pa., and representative citizens 20th, Part 13

Author: McKee, James A., 1865- ed. and comp
Publication date: 1909
Publisher: Chicago, Richmond-Arnold Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1526

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In January, 1861, a bill was introduced in the Legislature annexing the Anderson farm in West Deer Township, Allegheny County, to Butler County. The people of Butler were inclined to ignore additions as well as subtractions and this project met the fate of its predecessors.

The last attempt to filch territory from Butler County occurred in 1871, when the people of East Brady asked for the forma- tion of a new county out of parts of Arm- strong, Butler, Clarion, and Venango Counties. This was at the time the Great Western Iron Works were in operation at Brady's Bend, and the development of the oil fields along the Allegheny River had reached Parker's Landing and the north- eastern section of Butler County. The Northwestern Independent, a paper pub- lished by Clark Wilson at Parker, was the official organ of the agitators. In June, 1872, a bill authorizing the change of boundary between Butler and Armstrong Counties was defeated in the House of Representatives, and shortly after the

Since that time the question of forming new counties out of Butler and parts of surrounding counties has been agitated several times, but no definite movement has ever been made.

HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY

TRANSACTIONS OF THE COUNTY COMMIS- SIONERS.

The first meeting of the commissioners of Butler County was held November 9, 1803, in a log house on the site of the Nixon Hotel on South Diamond Street, which was afterward used for holding court and such other public purposes as was required until the erection of the county building. Two of the commission- ers, Matthew White and James Bovard, took the oath of office on that date, but Jacob Mechling, the third commissioner, did not qualify until November 16, on which day the organization was completed and a term of four days begun. The time seems to have been employed in making estimates and adjusting a variety of busi- ness relative to the establishing of the office. On November 21, Mr. Mechling reported that districts Nos. 1 and 2 were laid off and the lines surveyed by Thomas Grimes at a cost of $5. Commissioners White and Bovard reported that districts Nos. 3, 4, 5 and 6 had been laid off by John Cunningham at a cost of $15. These dis- tricts were laid out under the act of Assembly of April 4, 1803, providing for the appointment of justices of the peace. On November 28, the commissioners were at Pittsburg consulting with the commis- sioners of Allegheny County in regard to transferring the official records to Butler County, but little seems to have been ac- complished prior to December 8, 1803, when duplicates of the records were re- ceived from Allegheny County showing the receipts and disbursements in the four townships of Butler County. The next item of business in December was the issu- ing of the first wolf order to John Cooper, the collector of Buffalo Township. At the same time a contract was entered into with John Negley for "a place to accom- modate the courts of justice of the town of Butler."

Toward the close of December the com-

missioners again visited the commission- ers of Allegheny County for the purpose of obtaining certain books and copies of records, but seem to have failed in their mission. They returned, however, with a copy of Reed's Digest which proved very useful to David Dougal, the commission- ers' clerk. With so much written law at hand the commissioners were able to transact any public business that came be- fore them, and the first public contract of importance appears to have been the awarding of the contract on January 16, 1804, to Samuel Meals for iron work of the "Public Prison." The tax duplicates of the several townships were issued on April 11, the amounts being :

For Slippery Rock

$ 364.00

For Middlesex 480.32

For Buffalo 166.32

For Connoquenessing 465.27

Total $1,475.81

From the beginning of 1804 to October 25 of that year the county commissioners rented a room for office purposes from William B. Young, to whom they paid $6 rent on that date.

In November, 1804, James Scott took the place of Jacob Mechling as a commis- sioner, and with Messrs. White and Bovard composed the board. The business of the month seems to have been the drawing of warrants to the judges and clerks of the general election held in October.

TAX ON BACHELORS.

An important item in the transaction of the county commissioners in December was the petition of Hugh Smith for relief of the disabilities under which single men labored at that time. The tax on single blessedness was 75 cents, but Hugh could now protest, and on the certificate of Squire Robert Galbreath, that he was mar- ried before the date of the petition. The commissioners exonerated him from the payment of an unjust tribute. The trans-

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS

actions of the county commissioners did not require all of their time, as will ap- pear from the record made by Clerk David Dougal at the close of 1804. On the 29th of December the clerk credited Commis- sioner White with ninety-four days' serv- ices, Bovard with one hundred three and one-half days, Scott with eleven days, and himself with eighty-three days.

On January 4, 1805, the question of esti- mates was disposed of, and a tax levy of $2,500 was ordered. On the 17th of the month John Negley received $28.89 for his services as treasurer of Butler County, from April 11 to December 31, 1804, being at the rate of $40 per year. In February John Negley received $50 in full for rent of courthouse from February 1, 1804, to February 1, 1805. John Negley was re- appointed treasurer for the year 1805, and required to give a bond in the sum of $3,000. In March, 1805, William McDon- ald, the coroner, held an inquest on the body of a child named Catherine Barrick- man at the house of Benjamin Thomas, and was paid $15.14 for his services. Dur- ing this year the work of redistricting the county into thirteen townships appears to have been completed, and the commission- ers paid David Dougal, James Bovard and James Scott, surveyors, Edward Grimes, George Scott and Alexander White, chain carriers and blazers, for their services in surveying and establishing the township line. In April the tax duplicates for the year were issued as follows :

Slippery Rock Township $ 351.81

161.84

Mercer Township Parker Township

178.53

Venango Township

116.28

Donegal Township

205.631/2

Clearfield Township

118.45

Buffalo Township

170.17

Middlesex Township

232.71

Butler Township

262.55

Center Township

273.33

Muddycreek Township

260.48

Connoquenessing Township 312.891/2

Cranberry Township

153.341%

Total

$2,798.021%

The total tax levied was $2,798.021/2.

A distinction seems to have been made in the amount of the tax levied in the various townships, but for what purpose the records do not state. In the first four named townships the rate was six mills, and in the others five mills.

In May and June public roads appear to have taken the time of the commission- ers. A road was viewed from McClure's in the direction of Beaver and from the Mercer County line through Zelienople to . the Butler County line. This road after- ward being known as the Pittsburg and Franklin Pike.

On the 9th of November, Abner Coats qualified as county commissioner and took the place of James Bovard. John Negley was reappointed treasurer, and William Campbell was paid $13.50 for making two jury wheels.

The making out of tax duplicates, or- ders for auditors, jurors, etc., and the pay- ment of election judges and clerks kept the commissioners busy in the early part of the year. The tax duplicates issued in May were as follows :

Slippery Rock $519.46

Mercer

243.38

Parker

278.891/2

Venango 180.94

Donegal 312.39

Clearfield 198.061/2

Buffalo 263.38

Middlesex

306.82

Butler 450.501%

Center 383.25

Muddycreek 386.46

Connoquenessing

332.271%

Cranberry

260.56

In August the commissioners awarded a contract for cutting the State Road through Butler County, while the month of September was given to the issuing of warrants and payment for jury services, and witness fees and other expenses con- nected with the Circuit Court. William Elliott, John McBride and John David, who were the trustees in the matter of the county seat lots, delivered their trust to

HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY

commissioners White, Coats and Scott on June 19, 1806. On November 7, the com- missioners paid David Dougal $20 for drawing à map of Butler County for the use of the commissioners. Contracts were awarded for the construction of a bridge over Connoquenessing Creek at Butler and for other bridges in the county during the same month, and constituted the last items of business recorded in the first minute-book kept by the commissioners. -

Jacob Smith qualified as county commis- sioner on December 2, 1806, and took the place of Matthew White. Nothing of im- portance was transacted during the re- mainder of the year.

The most important item of business at the opening of 1807 was the awarding of a contract on January 6 to Alexander Hill for the building of the courthouse. This contract was sealed and approved by the court on the 18th of the month. On the 7th of March, Abraham Brinker was ap- pointed commissioner vice Jacob Smith, but there appears to be no record of the resignation, removal or death of Smith. Under date of April 14, Mr. Coats was paid $2 for "laying out courthouse and going to Justice Scott's on business re- lating to courthouse." The county jail received some attention in the same month as the bill of John Negley for carpenter work and materials on jail building was ordered to be paid.

The organization of the Board of Com- missioners in 1808 contains the names of Abner Coats, John Negley, Francis Ander- son as commissioners, and Walter Lowrie clerk. A warrant was drawn in February to John Purviance for rent of courthouse from March, 1808, to March, 1809, for the sum of $50, while on March 12 George Young was paid $15 for courthouse rent up to April, 1808. Another item paid was a bill of D. C. Cunningham to the county commissioners for $2 for legal advice. In the fall of 1808, James Scott succeeded Abner Coats as commissioner, and on

October 27, 1809, Thomas Dodds and Joseph Williamson qualified as the suc- cessors of Negley and Anderson. During the years of 1808 and 1809 much of the time of the commissioners was occupied in the erection of the courthouse, the con- struction of bridges and the opening of public roads in the county.

Walter Lowrie qualified as county com- missioner in October, 1810, and with Joseph Williamson and James Scott formed the board. The principal work done by the board was fixing the budget for 1811 and making a schedule of values of land, horses, cows, mills and stills for the guidance of assessors. The estimate of expenditure for the ensuing year was $4,800. Samuel Williamson was appointed treasurer, his bond of $6,000 being signed by John Negley and Samuel Deniston.

The records of the commissioners' office for 1811 say that the commissioners were engaged in April "in compromising" with Alexander Hill the builder of the courthouse for $600, and gave him a draft on the Bank of Deposit and Discount at Pittsburg. In October William Balph was elected commissioner to succeed James Scott, letting contract for the State Road and issuing warrants formed the work of the officials up to December, when the board settled with John McGinnis for fin- ishing the sheriff's office.

The accounts with Allegheny County, as closed in 1803, had never been settled, and in September, 1812, commissioners Will- iamson and Lowrie visited Pittsburg for that purpose, but their mission proved a failure. In October, Robert Martin was elected commissioner, also Ephriam Har- ris vice Lowrie, resigned. They with William Balph formed the board on January 1, 1813, with Robert Scott clerk.

The term of Harris expired in Novem- ber, 1813, and James McKee qualified as his successor. Robert Scott was continued as clerk at $1.23 per day. The auditors appointed in the fall of 1813 were John

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS

Christy, Robert Lemmon, and Moses Sulli- van, who reported an account up to January 1, 1814.

Nothing out of the routine of issuing orders was accomplished until October 29, 1814, when the contract for building a bridge at Amberson's on Connoquenessing Creek was considered. On November 8, John Negley gave a bond for the com- pletion of this bridge. At this time John Christy qualified as commissioner in place of William Balph whose term had expired. It appears that a new jail building was in process of erection by John Negley at this time, the work having been begun in 1812; That a new bridge at "race grounds" was contemplated and three bridges were built at Slippery Rock on the State Road.

The race ground mentioned was known in later years as Stehle's field and was the baseball ground up until 1902, when the ground was plotted into lots and sold. It is now that part of the west end of the city which is bounded by Pillow Street, Race Street, and Fourth Avenue.

The expenses of the county in 1815, as shown by the five hundred and ten war- rants issued, aggregated $3,466.47, a large part of which represented court expenses and election expenses. On November 4, William Campbell took the oath of office as the successor of Robert Martin whose term had expired. The new jail building having been practically completed John Negley, who also furnished the floor and partitions for the second story of the. courthouse, received on the latter contract ' the sum of $175.

During the year warrants for $42 were given to John Ralston, John Burkhart, Daniel Graham and John Burtner for the scalps of fourteen wolf puppies, while John Reniston received $8 for a full grown wolf head. The principal item of public improvement was the completion of the bridge over Wolf Creek, which was built by Daniel Foster for the county. In November, Thomas McCleary qualified as

commissioner to succeed James McKee, whose term expired. The expenses of the county for the year, as shown by the auditor's report, were $5,858.

The important events of the year were the completion of the county jail by John Negley, which had been in course of con- struction for five years, and the plastering of the courthouse later by John Dunbar. The expenses of the county for the year were $4,074.35, which included the repairs of the public buildings and the final pay- ments on the county jail. Francis Fryer was elected commissioner in October and took the place of John Christy whose term had expired.

Comparatively little business was trans- acted in 1818; the county disbursements being $3,986.921/2. No public improve- ments were made during this year. Abra- ham Brinker qualified as commissioner in. November and he with McCleary and Fryer formed the board for the ensuing year.

During 1819 a new bridge was built at Harmony by David Townsend at a cost of $399, also one at Bassenheim and one at Zelienople. Robert Lemmon qualified as county commissioner in November, 1819, and John Dodds qualified as commissioner in 1820. The disbursements of the county for the two years 1819 and 1820 were $3,000.57 and $4,752.28, respectively. On November 6, Thomas McCleary was ap- pointed clerk to the commissioners to suc- ceed Robert Scott. The commissioners reserved the right to dismiss him at the close of three months if his work was not satisfactory. The salary of the clerk for that year was fixed at $100.

The expenditures for the county in 1821 were $3,390.101/2. John Brandon was the new commissioner elected in October, and in November Robert Scott was restored to his old position as clerk. An account for coal supplied to the county for the years 1820 and 1821 was settled and a warrant drawn to Martin and Bowers.

100

HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY

The construction of a bridge at Lowrie's mills was decided upon in 1822 and repairs on the courthouse and jail were author- ized. On November 4 the commissioners organized with Messrs. John Dodds, John Brandon, and John Coovert, the last named being the new member. William Gibson was appointed treasurer for the ensuing year. The appointment of John Walsh as clerk to succeed Robert Scott was made November 29. The expendi- tures for the year were distributed by 592 warrants aggregating $3,589.801%.

One of the items of expense for the year 1823 was a warrant drawn to John Bran- don for "goose-quills" bought in Simon Reed's store.

The case of William Hogg, who had been drawn for grand jury service in June, was adjudicated by the commissioners in July. It appears that Hogg had been dis- charged from service on the grand jury on account of being a Scotchman or an Eng- lishman who never became a citizen. Hogg demanded pay for his services, which was at first refused, but at a later hearing of the case the commissioners issued the warrant.

In July, William Purviance surveyed a number of outlots east of the borough of Butler, which were sold by the commis- sioners in October. These outlots now constitute a part of the town east of Mc- Kean Street, and compose some of the most valuable property in the city.

John McQuistion was elected commis- sioner to succeed John Dodds, whose term had expired and the new board organized on the 5th of November. John Sullivan was appointed treasurer for the ensuing year, and Hugh Mclaughlin was author- ized to make certain repairs on the court- house. An item of expense incurred by the commissioners' office was the purchase of two pairs of snuffers and a box of candles. The business of the year closed with the payment of the contractors for the Lick bridge over the Connoquenessing

at what is now known as the Transfer north of Butler, and the improving of the Harmony bridge. The expenses of the county for all purposes that year were $3,755.58.

The commissioners of 1824 had in mind the education of poor children in the com- munity whose parents were not able to provide for such education. Among the items for that year is one for $6.43 to William Reed "for schooling poor chil- dren." Later in the year another warrant was drawn to John Alward for the same purpose. On the 5th of November, Hugh McKee qualified as commissioner to suc- ceed John Brandon, and William Gibson was appointed as clerk to succeed John Walsh.

The most important item of business transacted by the commissioners in 1825 was the adoption of a uniform standard for the triennial assessment. On Novem- ber 25 the board was composed of Robert Scott, Hugh McKee and John McQuistion.

In January, 1826, Isaiah Niblock, of Butler, was appointed treasurer, his salary being based on one and one-half per cent. of the expenditures. This appointment was strongly opposed by John McQuis- tion, a member of the board of commis- sioners, but the reasons for the opposition are not given. It is probable that the opposing member did not believe that min- isterial and secular work could be com- bined, the new incumbent of the treas- urer's office being a minister of the gospel and pastor of the Associate Reformed Church, now the United Presbyterian Church of Butler. The same year the commissioners entered into a twelve-year contract with Andrew Marshall to keep the Harmony bridge in repair for that term at the stated consideration of $312.50. At the close of October, David Dougal qualified as commissioner and suc- ceeded John McQuistion. The disburse- ments of the county for this year were $4,456.91.

101

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS

In February, 1827, Samuel A. Purviance was appointed clerk to the commissioners. A bridge over Connoquenessing Creek opposite the borough was completed by John Stephenson and the courthouse was subjected to general repairs by the author- ity of the board. John McNeese was elected commissioner in October to suc- ceed Hugh McKee. The expenditures of the county for the year were $6,198.40, as certified by the auditors, Robert Martin, Maurice Bredin and Joseph Bryson.

From January 1 to October 29 in 1828, sufficient business was transacted to oc- cupy the time of commissioner Scott for eighty-three days, Dougal for eighty-one and one-half days, and McNeese for fifty- eight days. The clerk, Samuel S. Purvi- ance, was employed in the office for one hundred nine and one-half days of his sec- ond term down to March 6, 1828, and sixty-one days additional to October 29. Alexander Graham succeeded Scott as commissioner, October 29, and served six- teen days before the close of December. Christian Mechling was appointed clerk for a short term on October 28. At the close of the year, Treasurer Thompson re- ported a revenue of $6,710.98, of which $1,437.631% were unexpended.

The question of appointing a treasurer was decided January 21, 1829, when James Thompson was chosen and he served until the reorganization of the board of com- missioners in October, when Francis Mc- Bride was appointed to succeed him. Joseph McQuistion was elected commis- sioner to succeed David Dougal and John N. Purviance was reappointed clerk at a salary of $75 per year. He had previously been appointed clerk in Febru- ary to succeed Mechling, the short-term appointee of the previous year.

Public roads and bridges occupied most of the time of the commissioners during the year 1830. Among the roads opened was one from James McCandless' house to the brick meeting-house in Connoque-

nessing Township, and the State Road from Kittanning to Evans's Ferry on French Creek received some attention, in August. Among the bridges projected was one opposite the former home of Det- mar Basse Muller; one over Muddy Creek near Kennedy's mill, one over Wolf Creek and one over Slippery Rock Creek where the graded road from Butler to Mercer crosses that stream. In October, John McCandless qualified as commissioner as successor to McNeese. The salary of Clerk Purviance was increased to $90, and the financial reports show receipts to the amount of $6,574.57, of which $699.86 re- mained in the treasury.

In January, 1831, Francis McBride was appointed treasurer and William Ayres was employed as attorney at salary of $25.

It appears that the associate judges had something to do with the classification of merchants for taxable purposes about this time. One of the items on the minute-book of the commissioners is the record of a meeting held with the merchants of the county who appealed from the tax classi- fication made by the commissioners and the associate judges of that year.

It may appear strange that one of the commissioners had to go to Pittsburg to procure iron and nails and other supplies for the use of repair of jail and court- house, and attend to having the same hauled from Pittsburg. In August of that year Bennett Dobbs was employed to place sheet-iron on the western wall of the prison room of the jail. Previous to this time there appears to have been no iron work on the inside of the prison except that provided for the doors and the win- dows which was of a very light character. During the year the Breakneck Creek bridge, opposite Boggs' house, was con- structed by Sylvester Ash, and contractor Charles Duffy began work on the bridge over the Connoquenessing at the Salt Lick north of Butler. At the reorganiza-

102

HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY

tion of the board in October, William Pillow qualified as commissioner and suc- ceeded Alexander Graham. John N. Pur- viance was reappointed clerk at a salary of $1 per day. Andrew Sproul was ap- pointed treasurer in December, and Will- iam Ayres was succeeded as attorney by Samuel A. Purviance and the salary fixed at $25 per year. Auditor William Moore reported a revenue of $6,946.07, and a balance in the treasury for the year of $1,278.57.

In March, 1832, the commissioners awarded to George Miller, of Butler, the contract for repairing the courthouse and the plastering thereof to Philip Varnum. About the same time a new roof was ordered to be placed on the jail. B. G. Gall and A. Ziegler were given a contract to build a bridge over the Connoquenes- sing Creek at Harmony. Robert Graham qualified as commissioner in October to succeed Joseph McQuistion, and William Campbell, Jr., was appointed clerk at a salary of $70 per annum. The finances of the county were in excellent shape that year and showed a balance over expendi- tures of $670.56. The total receipts for the year were $8,394.57.

Charles C. Sullivan was appointed at- torney to the commissioners in 1833 at a salary of $25 and Andrew Sproul was appointed treasurer. John Vanderlin was elected to succeed John McCandless as commissioner and William Campbell, Jr., was reappointed clerk at a salary of $1 per day. Toward the close of the year George Miller was appointed treasurer to succeed Andrew Sproul and John Mc- Lelland was appointed attorney to suc- ceed Charles C. Sullivan, the salary re- maining at $25 per year. The receipts for the year were $5,614.10 and the bal- ance unexpended, $224.83.

In 1834 the commissioners were John McCandless, Robert Graham and Joseph Graham, the latter having been elected to succeed William Pillow, whose term had

expired. The expenditures for the year were $6,802.94 and the receipts from taxes $6,446.33, showing an indebtedness of $356.61.

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Century history of Butler and Butler County, Pa., and representative citizens 20th, Part 13

Author: McKee, James A., 1865- ed. and comp Publication date: 1909 Publisher: Chicago, Richmond-Arnold Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 1526

Author: McKee, James A., 1865- ed. and comp
Publication date: 1909
Publisher: Chicago, Richmond-Arnold Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1526