Century history of Butler and Butler County, Pa., and representative citizens 20th, Part 61

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

USA > Pennsylvania > Butler County > Butler > Century history of Butler and Butler County, Pa., and representative citizens 20th > Part 61

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When the fire department was organized in 1878, A. L. Reiber was elected chief, and continued to hold that position until 1900, when he retired, and Jacob C. Burkhalter, the present chief, was elected. Chief Burk- halter is a charter member of the Good Will Hose Company, and has been a mem- ber of the volunteer fire department since its organization. J. A. Walter, a member of the First Ward Company, was assistant chief for a number of years, but this office was abolished in 1907. The fire police is composed of three members from each company under command of J. W. Zeigler.

Paid Department. - The first steps toward a paid fire department were taken in January, 1909, when the city council purchased two hose and chemical wagons, and two teams of horses for the use of the department, and set about its re-organiza- tion. One of the paid companies is located on Lookout Avenue, Southside, and the other on West North Street, on the prop- erty recently purchased by the city for a City Building.

FUNERAL DIRECTORS.

The early funeral directors and under- takers' business was associated with that of cabinet-maker. One of the pioneers to engage in the business was George Miller, who manufactured furniture and coffins on South Mckean Street, and performed the duties of funeral director whenever his services were required.

George Roessing engaged in the busi- ness on West Jefferson Street about 1847, and subsequently conducted an undertak- ing business at his carriage and wagon-

making shop on West Cunningham Street until about 1888. The business was then removed to West Jefferson Street, and subsequently to the present location on North Main Street. For many years the firm was known as George Roessing & Son, the junior member of the firm being Wesley P. Roessing. After the death of the father, the son continued the business as W. P. Roessing, and at the present time he has associated with him his son, Fred Roessing.

The undertaking business now con- ducted by M. A. Berkimer was established in 1893 by Berkimer & Taylor. They first had rooms in the Cratty Building, two doors south of the present location, where they continued for two years, when Mr. Taylor retired, and Mr. Berkimer became the sole owner. He has an up-to-date es- tablishment, and in addition to his under- taking business conducts a livery at the rear of the Y. M. C. A. Building.

The firm of Amy & Eyth began the un- dertaking business in the old postoffice building on South Main Street in 1904. Frank Eyth retired from the firm in May, 1905, and the business has since been con- ducted by George W. Amy. In the spring of 1908 the business was removed to North Main Street, the present location.

JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.

The first justice of the peace in the town was Samuel Cunningham, the pioneer. The records show that in 1808 he united Wal- ter Lowrie and Miss Amelia McPherrin in marriage. In 1809 Mr. Lowrie was ap- pointed justice. After him came Abraham Brinker, Reuben Ayres, Hugh McKee, John Duffy, John Sweeney and Patrick Kelley, Jr. These justices were all ap- pointed by the respective governors pre- vious to the adoption of the Constitution of 1839, after which the office became elective. From 1840 to 1908 the following have served: Patrick Kelley, 1840; Rob- ert Carnahan, 1841-45-50-55; Samuel C.

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY

Stewart, 1841; Samuel G. Purvis, 1845-50- 55-60-65; James Glenn, 1846-51; George C. Roessing, 1856-61; James McNair, 1865; William S. Ziegler, 1866; Jacob Keck, 1869-1908, inclusive; Robert McClure, 1869; John G. Muntz, 1871-76; John B. Butler, 1875; Henry Pillow, 1878-79; Lewis P. Walker, 1881-86; John B. Black, 1881; Samuel P. Irvine, 1882; John W. Brown, 1885; J. P. McQuistion, 1886; R. C. MeAboy, 1888-91; Cyrus E. Anderson, 1891-96-1901; R. B. Gilchrist, 1896; Reu- ben McElvaine, 1901; R. C. McAboy, 1903 (appointed) ; James Maxwell, 1904; H. W. Christie, 1904; J. H. Sutton, 1907 (ap- pointed ) ; Wm. F. Lytle, 1907; F. H. Davy, 1908.

The Butler County Humane Society, a branch of the Federated Humane Society of Pennsylvania, was chartered by the Courts of Butler County, December 10, 1897, with one hundred and forty-three charter members. The purpose of the so- ciety is to protect animals, children and aged people from abusive treatment, and enforce such laws as have been enacted by the State covering the subject. For a num- ber of years the local society was sup- ported by the subscriptions of the mem- bers, but within the last two years the fines enforced have been sufficient to pay the running expenses of the local branch. The local society has representatives in all of the townships and boroughs of the county, and is governed by a board composed of the following: L. B. Stein, Al. Ruff, C. E. Cronenwett, Lewis P. Walker and E. E. Abrams. C. G. Christie is president of the board, E. E. Abrams, secretary, and John H. Sutton, agent. During the past year the society has investigated sixty cases of cruelty to animals, and tried twenty cases in the court, and in the past eighteen months they have prosecuted three cases of cruelty to children. The society is rep- resented on the State Board by C. G. Christie.

The Butler Public Library is kept up by

an organization of public spirited ladies of the town, of which Mrs. H. C. Phillips is president; Mrs. J. D. Lowrie, vice-presi- dent; Miss Grace Prugh, secretary; and the Butler Savings & Trust Company, treasurer. The association occupied a rented building at 226 North Main street for a number of years where the library was kept open every afternoon and even- ing, and a public reading room was main- tained in connection with the library. In the fall of 1908 the association moved the quarters to the old school building on East Jefferson Street. Miss Clara B. McJun- kin is the librarian.

CHURCHES.

First Presbyterian Church of Butler is the oldest congregation in the city. The records of the church, however, post-date its organization twenty years and the set- tlement of Presbyterians here by at least thirty-three years. A few years before the close of the eighteenth century, there were found among the settlers a few indi- viduals who, though ridiculed by the world, maintained the domestic and social worship of God and were members of the Presbyterian church, though not yet regu- larly organized as a congregation. It is thought that Rev. Mr. Gwinn was the first minister of the gospel who preached to them, in the fall of 1797. Rev. Mr. Moore- head preached here in 1798, and he was followed by Revs. Samuel Tait, William Wylie, and others. These men preached during the season of the "Bodily Exer- cise," which prevailed throughout the country, and to some extent in this place, particularly in 1803 and 1804. The gospel was now preached, for the most part, at Thorn's tent and Russell's tent-the former within the bounds of Butler con- gregation, near the house where William Kearns resided (in 1837), and the latter was within the bounds of the Concord con- gregation.

The church of Harmony was organized

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in 1805, with sixteen members, by Rev. building, south or southeast of Butler, for John McPherrin.

On April 7, 1813, Rev. John McPherrin was installed pastor of the churches of Butler and Concord by the Presbytery of Erie. He began preaching in the court house at Butler, to the newly organized church of this borough, devoting three- fourths of his time to it and giving one- fourth to the church at Concord. In 1815, a stone meeting-house was erected, on the site of the present building, and in it the pioneer preacher held regular services un- til his death, February 10, 1822.

In the fall of 1814 the movement to erect a house of worship was inaugurated, and the contract was awarded to John Neyman for $1,500. Rev. John Coulter was or- dained and installed pastor of the united churches of Butler, Concord and Muddy Creek September 10, 1823,-giving one- half his time to Butler. In the spring of 1833, he resigned the Butler charge, and in July of that year Rev. Loyal Young com- menced preaching at Butler, and was or- dained pastor, December 4, 1833. He found on the list the names of 105 members.

In 1833, the suggestion of a new building was carried out, and $3,200 expended on a house fit to accommodate the large congre- gation.

A constitution was adopted June 30, 1823, and on the 8th of January, 1824, the congregation was incorporated. A second charter was obtained in 1854, which is now the law of the church. In December, 1834, resolutions against the theatrical meet- ings, then being held at Butler, were adopted, and the elders exercised the closest supervision over the members of the congregation, calling on many of them to confess and reform. In 1836, the ques- tion of betting on elections was presented, and one member was suspended because he would, "under similar circumstances bet again." In December, 1858, Elders Boyd, Martin and Graham were appointed a committee to secure a lot for a church

the accommodation of members living dis- tant from the town in the direction indi- cated. In January, 1859, the committee of elders reported that an acre of land was secured form Joseph Robinson for twenty dollars, the location being five miles south- east, on the Saxonburg Road, and that funds of building to the amount of $350 were on hand. The years 1862 and 1863 are noted for the erection of a new church building.

April 28, 1868, Mr. Young's relation with the church was dissolved. During his ministry nearly 450 persons united with the church and several revivals of marked interest occurred. Witherspoon Institute owed its existence to him more than any other man. The work of calling the con- vention which brought the school into ex- istence, of preparing the charter, of rais- ing money and of starting the school, de- volved principally upon him, and he was its principal for a considerable period.

In May, 1868, Rev. W. I. Brugh was stated supply. He was installed pastor November 2, 1869, and resigned in April, 1871. On January 23, 1872, Rev. C. H. Mc- Clellan was installed pastor.

Rev. W. T. Wylie was installed pastor in June, 1879. He resigned December 25, 1881. In June, 1882, Rev. W. E. Oller was elected pastor; in December, W. D. Bran- don was chosen superintendent, and Jo- seph S. Gray assistant, of the Sabbath school.

The present church is simply an exten- sion of that erected in 1862-63, the work being accomplished in 1874-5. With the exception of the court house, and Jeffer- son Street school building and high school, this church building occupies the finest site within the borough limits. The extension was completed in 1880 at an expenditure of about $16,000. With the exception of reseating, the addition of a gallery, and some repair work, the building has re- mained the same. A new pipe organ was

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY

installed in 1899 at an expense of about $2,500.

In 1897 one hundred and sixty-two mem- bers of the congregation were dismissed by letter to form the Second Presbyterian Church of Butler. The membership of the old congregation in 1908 was 601. John F. Anderson was superintendent of the Sun- day school, George B. Wick, director of music, W. D. Brandon, teacher of the young men's bible class, and A. T. Scott, teacher of the Sullivan Men's Bible class. This class is one of the interesting fea- tures of the church, and was organized un- der the instruction of Col. John M. Sulli- van, February 5, 1888. Col. Sullivan con- tinued as teacher of the class until his death July 26, 1896, the membership at that time being about fifty. After the death of Col. Sullivan, A. T. Scott, Esq., a member of the Butler Bar, was chosen teacher, a position which he still holds. After the organization of the Second Pres- byterian Church, the class was divided, but it still retains a large membership. The branch of the class in the Second Church is instructed by D. D. Quigley.

The trustees in 1908 were W. C. Thomp- son, A. D. Sarver, Frank Mitchell, H. H. Boyd, E. I. Brugh, and E. E. Abrams. The elders were W. D. Brandon, John C. Red- dick, C. N. Boyd, John F. Anderson, Rob- ert M. Anderson and P. W. Lowry. The death of Elder William Campbell, Jr., and Elder James Stevenson was noted during 1907.

St. Mark's Evangelical Lutheran Church is one of the oldest church organizations in Butler, dating from 1813, in which year and subsequently Rev. Jacob Schnee made missionary visits, baptizing a large num- ber of German residents. Early in Novem- ber, 1821, Bishop J. C. G. Schweitzerbarth, a scholarly divine hailing from Stuttgart, Germany, took charge of the interests of Lutheranism in this place. When he came here he found but six members. June 3, 1821, he first administered communion to

the congregation, having the day previous confirmed his first class of catechumens and effected a preliminary organization. The officials chosen were Jacob Mechling, John McCollough and John Henshew. Ten years later steps were taken to draft a permanent constitution, to secure a char- ter, and build a church; and in 1841 the council was constituted a corporate and body politic by the title, "The Ministers, Trustees, Elders and Deacons of the Ger- man Evangelical Lutheran Congregations of St. Marcus Church in Butler."

The new church, a brick structure forty by sixty with an annex of twenty-two feet, and a belfry, was dedicated September 26, 1841.

The cost of the building, about $4,000, entailed some financial hardships on the members, but by a strong and united effort they succeeded in meeting the most press- ing obligations. Prosperity again re- turned in 1847, a small organ was bought, and soon after a burial ground was pur- chased.

The congregation originally had among its numbers a sprinkling of American born people. Some of these, together with others, were, through Rev. G. Bassler, or- ganized into an English Lutheran congre- gation on the 16th of January, 1843, and for a few years they held service in the German church. This drew off the English element, and in consequence St. Mark's congregation remained purely German. Bishop Schweitzerbarth's pas- toral relation with the congregation con- tinued till April, 1849, a period of nearly twenty-eight years.

On the 8th of April that year Rev. Will- iam A. Fetter became the first resident pastor. He remained till the summer of 1863, when he removed to Millerstown. The congregation was supplied by Rev. J. N. Wolf, and others, till January, 1864, when Rev. G. F. H. Meiser was secured as pastor. During the time of his service a comfortable parsonage on Wayne Street

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was secured, and a large pipe organ for the church purchased. Rev. Meiser resigned and was succeeded in January, 1869, by Rev. C. H. W. Luebkert. He retired in 1876, his successor being Rev. E. Cronen- wett, who has remained as pastor to the present time.

The corner stone of a new church edifice was laid August 15, 1878, in a new location on the corner of Washington and Jeffer- son Streets, and the dedication of the new building took place September 7, 1879. The cost of the entire property, site, structure, sheds, fencing, pavements, etc., was about $18,000.

During the past sixty years St. Mark's congregation, in addition to the usual loss of members by death and removals, has suffered several extensive drains through branch organization of its membership. - present United Presbyterian congregation of Butler.

Out of it grew in some measure the English Lutheran Church of Butler, or- ganized in 1843. The next was an effort to form an Evangelical Church in Butler which turned out German Reformed, and then became extinct about 1870, and in 1876 the German Lutheran Church of Summit Township was organized about four miles east of Butler. The so-called "White Church" four miles west of But- ler, was another branch organized about 1890, but has since become extinct, the members uniting with the church in But- ler. The territory of the congregation still extends in its extreme limits from five to seven miles in all directions from But- ler. In January, 1909, the number of com- municant members was 700. The young people and three-fourths of the adult membership are English, though services in the German language are still regularly held on every alternate Sunday morning. The Sunday-school has an enrollment of 185 scholars, and ten teachers. J. H. Troutman is superintendent, and C. E. Cronenwett and Frank E. Troutman, as- sistant superintendents. Two women's so-

cieties are in active work in the congrega- tion, the Senior and the Junior Ladies' Missionary Societies.

Rev. E. Cronenwett, D. D., pastor of this congregation, entered on the thirty-third year of his pastorate here in January, 1909, and is in the forty-sixth year of his ministry. He is at the present time the senior resident pastor of Butler.

United Presbyterian Church .- This is the second oldest church organization in the borough of Butler. At a meeting of the Associate Reformed Presbytery of the Monongahela, held at "Yough Meeting House," June 25, 1804, a petition was pre- sented for "supplies of gospel ordi- nances" from the congregation of "But- lertown." So far as any records that are extant show, this was the origin of the

The petitioners, though probably few in number, must have pressed their petition very earnestly, and the Presbytery must have regarded Butler town as no unprom- ising field, for the petition was promptly granted and Rev. Joseph Kerr, a young man who had just been ordained, was ap- pointed to supply on the first Sabbath of August, 1804.

It is evident that the congregation of Butler town was well pleased with the young minister, for we find them three weeks after hearing the first sermon present at a meeting of Presbytery, either by commissioners or petition, asking "for supplies of preaching." Again in the fol- lowing spring a similar application was made by the congregation of "Butler town."

Rev. Mungo Dick was appointed to preach in Butler on the second Sabbath of July, 1805. September 3, 1805, the Pres- bytery "received a petition from the con- gregation of Butler town and Deer Creek praying to be united and have as frequent supplies of sermons as can be afforded,"

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY

which petition was granted. In March, 1811, the Butler society presented a peti- tion to the Presbytery "praying for the dissolution of their connection with Deer Creek and the establishment of a connec- tion with Slippery Rock." The Butler congregation with its new partner at once put forth an effort to obtain a pastoral settlement, but, as on previous occasions, met with disappointment. After various unsuccessful attempts had been made to secure a regular pastor, the prayers of this people were answered, and on May 17, 1819, Rev. Isaiah Niblock, a young man and a licentiate from the Presbytery of Monaghan, Ireland, presented credentials. on the credit of which he was received as a probationer under the direction of Pres- bytery. He gave satisfaction and was or- dained and installed on the 17th of Novem- ber, 1819, when for the first time the Asso- ciate Reformed Presbytery met in Butler. The first communion service was held in the valley just south of the North ceme- tery. It was the first service of the kind conducted by the young minister, and the first time the congregation of Butler was permitted to receive the sacrament at the hands of their own pastor. The occasion was a memorable event. Rev. Niblock or- ganized a Sunday school but the exact date is unknown; but it was evidently the first held in Butler, for while conducted by the Associate Reformed congregation, mem- bers of other denominations were among its officers and teachers.

For some years after the advent of Mr. Niblock the congregation labored under the disadvantage of having no church building. For a time services were held in the court house, but as other denomina- tions met there, appointments often con- flicted. Arrangements were then made to hold services in the ravine below the ceme- tery, where the first communion was held. Hugh McKee obtained permission and the congregation hauled logs and put blocks under them, and on these rough hewn pews

they sat for hours listening to the word of life.

In 1824 a deed was given by Robert Campbell and Jane his wife to John Potts in trust for the Associate Reformed church of Butler, for lot 138 on which the church now stands. A brick meeting-house was proposed and the contract let. When com- pleted, it was an oblong square-cornered brick building costing four or five thou- sand dollars. "The old church," says Rev. Mr. Niblock, "forms a distinct picture in my mind. High upon the wall was the lit- tle old-fashioned red box pulpit with its closed doors. The pews were large with doors to each ; and every seat was occupied by one or more families. The gallery ran around the three sides of the church and was comfortably seated. The church was generally filled with worshipers, and on communion Sabbaths, which were always high days, a large audience crowded the building to over-flowing."

In addition to the onerous duties of the pastorate, Mr. Niblock was appointed county treasurer by the commissioners in 1826. At the close of the year we find pub- lished a full report of his receipts and ex- penditures amounting to $5,785.23.

After eighteen years of arduous service Mr. Niblock was, at his own request, owing to ill health, released from White Oak Springs of his charge, October 23, 1835. In 1839 additional seating accommoda- tions were required, and pews were placed in the gallery of the Butler church at a cost of $153. In 1845 an arrangement was entered into between the Butler and Union congregations by which a portion of Mr. Niblock's time was given to them. This arrangement continued until 1853, after which this congregation became a separate pastoral charge. In 1849 the charter of the congregation was amended by re- ducing the number of trustees from nine to three. Some time in 1851 a portion of ground south of the borough, containing one and a half acres or more, was given by

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John McQuistion to the trustees in trust for the congregation, to be used as a bury- ing ground.

In 1858, the degree of doctor of divinity was conferred on Rev. Niblock by West- minster College. At the opening of the year 1864, Dr. Niblock, who had never been a very strong man, began to show signs of failing health, and on Wednesday afternoon, June 29, 1864, he peacefully en- tered into heavenly rest. Greatly honored and respected through life, his memory will ever remain green in the hearts of those who knew him.

The congregation remained without a pastor for nearly two years, when Mr. John Gailey, a licentiate under the care of Monongahela Presbytery, was called. He was ordained and installed April 24, 1866. Soon after it was decided to enlarge the building, and the work was completed dur- ing the winter following at a cost of $5,800. In 1871 an addition of twenty feet was made to the east end of the church at a cost of about $3,000.

Rev. Gailey was released at his own re- quest, December 26, 1871, and was suc- ceeded by Rev. George McCormick, who was ordained and installed October 22d, following. He resigned to enter upon mis- sionary work in the far west, and was re- leased April 22, 1873. A year later the congregation secured the services of Rev. R. G. Ferguson, who was installed Janu- ary 18, 1875. On July 8, 1884, he was re- leased to accept the presidency of West- minster College.

Three weeks after the resignation of Dr. Ferguson the congregation extended a call to Rev. John S. McKee, D. D., of Mer- cer. He began his work here the first of October, 1884, and continued until his death, March 5, 1903. During his pastor- ate of almost twenty years the congrega- tion more than doubled in numbers, erected a handsome new church edifice, and had grown to be one of the strongest churches in the denomination. At a meet-

ing of the congregation held in June, 1903, a call was extended to Rev. A. R. Robin- son, of Martins Ferry, which was accepted, and he began his work the first of Septem- ber that year. He was installed at the regular meeting of Butler Presbytery, which was held in October. Rev. Robin- son continued as pastor until February 1, 1907, when he was released at his own re- quest to accept a call from the Sixth United Presbyterian Church at Pittsburg. The congregation was without a pastor for a little over a year, when a call was ex- tended to Rev. R. B. Miller, who was then pastor of the United Presbyterian Church at Beaver, Pennsylvania, which was ac- cepted. He began his labors here April 1, 1908.

As the church increased in strength from year to year, the old house became too small to accommodate the worshippers, and in March, 1891, it was unanimously voted to build a new church. A piece of ground fronting fifteen feet on McKean Street and extending one hundred feet · back, was purchased for $1,200, in order to give more room. The plan as finally set- tled on was for a stone and brick building in the Romanesque style of architecture, comprising an audience room sixty-nine by seventy-six feet, with a lecture room forty- nine by fifty-four feet. On July 9, 1891, contracts were made for the construction of a building to cost a little over $20,000. Sunday, July 12, 1891, the last service was held in the old building, and on the follow- ing Monday the pews were removed to Reiber's Hall, and on the 20th the work of demolition was commenced and such progress made that on August 12th the corner-stone was formally laid. Decem- ber 27, 1891, the lecture room was occupied for the first time, the congregation having worshipped twenty-three Sabbaths in Reiber's Hall. The building was com- pleted January 8, 1894, and on the 22d of February of the same year it was dedi- cated. It presents a fine appearance both

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Century history of Butler and Butler County, Pa., and representative citizens 20th, Part 61

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