Century history of New Castle and Lawrence County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th, Part 44

Author: Hazen, Aaron L. (Aaron Lyle), 1837- comp. and ed. cn
Publication date: 1908
Publisher: Chicago, Richmond-Arnold publishing co.
Number of Pages: 1058

USA > Pennsylvania > Lawrence County > New Castle > Century history of New Castle and Lawrence County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th > Part 44

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).

333

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS

The farm known as the Abraham Shaf- fer farm, located about one and one-half miles south of the village of Princeton, was originally settled by Jacob Shaffer, about 1809-10. The tract originally con- tained 20 acres, and is lot number ninety- eight of the First Donation District. Mr. Shaffer settled the east 100 acres of the tract, and Miller Kennedy the west 100. Kennedy came about 1808. Jacob Shaffer was a native of Adams County, Pennsyl- vania, his old home being just across the line from Emmetsburg, Frederick County, Maryland.

The Charles Dombaugh farm was orig- inally settled by a German named George Herbst, about 1804-05. Mr. Herbst was born in Westmoreland County, Pennsyl- vania, his parents having come from Ger- many.

Solomon Fischer, whose father, George Fischer, settled below Rose Point, came from the farm adjoining the Thomas J. Kelty, Jr., farm, about 1816. His brother, John Fischer, was the only one of the fam- ily old enough to be drafted during the War of 1812, and was the only one who went out.

Johnson Knight came to Philadelphia about 1815-16, from the State of Maine, and in 1818 came to the farm now owned by a Mr. McDaniel, just in the edge of But- ler County, a portion of the original tract being in Lawrence County. Mr. Knight was the first settler on the place, and made the first improvements. He purchased a mill site on Slippery Rock Creek, from Thomas Wilson, who lived on the west side of the stream, and in 1824-25, or soon after, built a grist mill, a sawmill, a card- ing mill and an oil mill. He also built the first dam across the creek at the place, and afterwards built another one, farther down the stream. In 1874 the second dam was washed away. The present dam, at the McConnell mill, is twelve and a half feet high. In the carding mill Mr. Knight had three sets of machinery, the "picker," "breaker" and "finisher." He never did

any spinning. The wool was brought in by the neighbors, who would take it after it was carded and make it up themselves. These mills were all frame structures. In the grist mill he at first placed two runs of stone, and afterward added a third. He built a second grist mill, farther down the stream. None of the old Knight mills are now standing.

Thomas J. Kelty came originally from Ireland, and, about 1824, located on the farm now owned by his grandson, Thomas J. Kelty, Jr. The tract had been settled by Peter Fox, in 1809. Fox settled on the west side of it, but on the present Kelty farm he had made a clearing and planted an orchard. Arthur and Samuel Kelty built a grist mill on Slippery Rock Creek, above the present McConnell mill, in 1835. It was a frame mill, and was afterwards burned down. A second mill was built on the spot. The Keltys may have had a sawmill also, but the present sawmill was built by James Allen, about 1854.

Daniel Kennedy built a grist mill about 1852 on the same foundation on which the present mill, owned by McConnell, stands. It was burned down in November, 1868, (possibly 1867), and the present mill put up two years afterwards. The old mill had four runs of stone, was four and a half stories high, including the basement, and did a flourishing business. The second mill was built by Mr. Kennedy, and the property was purchased, after his death, by Messrs. Mehard, Oliver & Graham. In May, 1875, the firm of McConnell, Wilson & Co. came into possession. This mill, as was the old one, is a frame structure, with a stone foundation and basement.

Thomas Kildoo, who was from Wash- ington County, Pennsylvania, settled pre- vious to 1800, on what afterwards was known as the T. J. Ramsey farm.

Phillip Young settled in 1807 on the farm still owned by the family. He came from Maryland with his wife and three children, and settled on a 200-acre tract of Donation land, afterwards selling all

334

HISTORY OF LAWRENCE COUNTY

but 100 acres. Mr. Young was the first settler on the place, and made the first im- provements.

In the same neighborhood with the Youngs, five other families had settled prior to 1806. These were George Fischer, Samuel Stickle, George Herbst, Michael Saddler and Michael Saddler, Jr.

The Lawrence furnace, located about two miles south of Princeton, was built about 1865-66 by Emery, Culbertson & Breckenridge. These parties carried it on for some time, and finally disposed of it to Kennedy, Campbell & Co. Both these firms failed, and the furnace was secured by Messrs, Foltz & Jordan. The furnace has not been in blast since some time during 1875. The ore used was taken out in the neighborhood, and was of the quality known as "red ore," most of it coming from the ore banks of the Houk Brothers, in Shenango Township. The limestone used in the furnaces was taken out close by ; it is thin and brittle, making good lime, and in color is bluish gray. The coal used was also taken from the hill near by, but the fuel principally used was charcoal. Ten to twelve men were employed about the furnace while in operation, besides those engaged in hauling ore.

MILITARY.

Some of the settlers of the township were descendants of Revolutionary sol- diers, but we have found no record of a soldier of that war settling in the town- ship.

In the War of 1812 Slippery Rock was well represented. Wilson Kildoo com- manded a company which was raised in the vicinity, and took it to Erie. Captain Kildoo was a son of Thomas Kildoo, who came to the township previous to the year 1800. Jacob Shaffer served in Captain William Morton's company, which went to Erie, Black Rock, etc. James Mullen and John Fischer were also out. James Kildoo was out four or five weeks at Erie.

John Frew was out, and served as or- derly sergeant. John Boston went, and carried a rifle belonging to Peter Fox, Mr. Fox being so crippled with rheumatism that he could not go himself.

Among the organizations afterwards in the township was a rifle company called the "Donation Guards," organized at Princeton about 1842-43. Henry Hazen, of Shenango Township, was the first cap- tain. Mr. Hazen died, and was succeeded as captain of the organization by James Leslie (father of the late J. P. Leslie, of New Castle). James Gaston was one of the lieutenants. The uniform of the "Do- nation Guards" was black coat, white pants, green leggings with red stripes, red sash, shoulder straps bound with red braid, black hat with white cord and red plume. They were armed with common rifles.

A rifle company called the "Princeton Guards" was organized about 1845, with John Randolph as captain and George Eckles first lieutenant. This company served several years. Its uniform was a blue coat, with white pants, red sash, hat with red cord and tassel. Its members were armed with rifles. Captain Randolph had been a volunteer officer in a company at Porterville; Butler County, for eleven years. It was originally a company which went to Black Rock during the War of 1812, and the organization was kept up afterwards, being a part of the "Jackson Battalion," which mustered at Harmony, Butler County.

Some time before the Rebellion, a com- pany of infantry, called the "Ringgold Guards" was organized by men from New Castle, Princeton and Portersville, with William Hall as captain.

Captain Kline and Dr. Randolph raised a small company just before the war, which, when the war broke out, consoli- dated with another company at Eastbrook, in Hickory Township, and went out as Company F, of the One Hundredth (Roundhead) Regiment, comanded by Col- onel Daniel Leasure, of New Castle.

UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

DAMBACH BROS. BUILDING.

w. P

INTERURBAN BRIDGE.

CENTRAL PUBLIC SCHOOL.

SOME ELLWOOD CITY VIEWS.

337

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS

VILLAGE OF ROSE POINT OR STONERTOWN.

The site where this village now stands was first settled by Abraham Wigle, who came from Westmoreland County, Penn- sylvania, with Samuel Stickle. He had been an apprentice to Mr. Stickle, a gun- smith, and about 1803 came with the latter to the township and finished his appren- ticeship. He afterwards went to Pitts- burg, and while there purchased the farm on a part of which the village of Rose Point stands. To this farm Mr. Wigle came in 1804-5. Some time prior to 1825- 6 he built a grist mill and a sawmill on the run just southwest of where the vil- lage now stands, near the point at which the road crosses the stream. This was the first mill near the place, and was washed away by high water some time afterwards.

About 1850, John Stoner purchased the land on which the village stands, and a small cluster of houses was soon built, the place taking the name of Stonertown, from Mr. Stoner. The postoffice, established about 1855-58, was given the name of Rose Point, and Joseph Aiken was made the first postmaster.

About 1848-50, a man named McMaster built a carding machine and a grist mill on the creek. Neither is now in use.

A man named Edgar had probably the first store in the place, and Jesse and Sam- uel Jones built one afterwards. Joseph Aiken also engaged in conducting a store.

The first blacksmith shop was owned by John Chesney.

The Catholics have a frame church southwest of the town, erected in the fall of 1874.

The Reformed Presbyterian Church was organized in May, 1834, through the ef- forts of Matthew Stewart, Thomas Speer, Thomas Wilson and John Love. A frame church was built in 1833-34, and used un- til 1871, when it was abandoned, and the neat and substantial brick edifice now standing erected. A Sabbath-school was, within a few years, organized. The first

pastor of this congregation was probably Rev. James Blackwood, who preached in all the Reformed Presbyterian churches throughout this section of the State, get- ting around to each at long intervals. The first regular pastor was Rev. Thomas Han- ney, and he was succeeded by Rev. J. C. Smith.

Rev. Andrew Blackwood preached as a missionary previous to 1833, and was pas- tor for seventeen years. He preached in Lawrence, Mercer, Beaver and Butler Counties, and from what was his original congregation, five separate congregations have been formed. He died in 1851. Rev. Thomas Hanney was installed pastor No- vember 17, 1852, and served nine years, until October, 1861. Rev. J. C. Smith en- tered the ministry here. He was ordained and installed in New Castle (which was then a part of the congregation), in Jan- uary, 1863.

The schoolhouse in the village was built about 1860-62.

The Willie Roy furnace was built by Stewart & Foltz, about 1854. The "red ore" was used and was procured close by, as was also the limestone and coal. These men sold it to Smith & Collins, who leased it afterwards to Martin Wilson. It later fell into possession of the Philadelphia Oil Company, and has not been in operation for many years.

Hope furnace was built by Emery & Culbertson, who had a furnace also in the southern part of Plaingrove Township, at "Georgetown." The limestone used is found in abundance along the creek, and though unfit for building purposes, it burns freely, making a beautiful white lime. Hope furnace finally became the property of Brown Brothers, of Pittsburg.

The village is located on a high hill, several hundred feet above the waters of the Slippery Rock, the situation being most picturesque and beautiful.

J. W. MeClymond (present postmaster) has been proprietor of the leading store at

338

HISTORY OF LAWRENCE COUNTY

this place since 1902. W. R. Stewart is a general merchant here. His store was pur- chased from J. N. Wagner.

VILLAGE OF PRINCETON.

This town was laid out by John Ran- dolph, who came to the place in March, 1841, and laid out the town during the summer of that year. He named it in hon- or of his father's natal city, Princeton, N. J. Mr. Randolph and David Fetter built each a house the same year, and Mr. Fetter opened a shoe shop. John Eckles bought Fetter out, and put in a small store, the first one in the village. Mr. Randolph purchased the store, and carried on the business for six years, when he sold to James Sharp, who in turn sold to James Frew.

While Sharp was running his store, An- thony Henderson also started one in an- other building. Mr. Henderson sold out his goods, and Samuel C. Stewart put a stock in the same building, and kept store for a few years.

Charles Johnston opened a stock of goods in the Frew building, which was burned down two years later. In the mean- time John Randolph had purchased the Henderson store, which he rented to John- ston after the fire. A year or two after- wards, Mr. Randolph bought out John- ston, and soon sold to W. Gibson. Gibson sold to William Frew, who took in James A. Gardner as a partner, and finally sold to him. Gardner sold to Joseph and Al- bert Frew; they sold to William Frew.

A postal route was established some time between 1842 and 1845, between New Castle and Butler, through Princeton, and afterwards through Rose Point. A post- office was established at Princeton a year after the route was established. The first postmaster was Alexander Aiken, and others who filled that office in the early days were John Randolph (who held it five years), James Frew, Abraham Mc- Curdy, Charles Johnston, Abraham Mc- Curdy and E. L. Hoon.

Elisha Moore had the first blacksmith shop, and J. B. White the second. Robert Manning, who worked with Mr. White, suc- ceeded the latter as owner, and continued the business until his death in 1908. An- other shop was opened by a German in the fall of 1876. John Randolph opened the first harness shop in 1843. David Fet- ter opened the first shoe shop in 1841, and was followed by Sebastian Mersheimer; then Abraham McCurdy, Jr., Milton Wal- ton, John Whitling, and William Ballard.

A two-story brick schoolhouse was built in the fall and winter of 1876.

About 1848 or 1849 Jesse B. Rutter opened a tavern, the only one ever opened in the place, and conducted it about a year.

Abraham Sechler has conducted a mar- ble business here since 1887. William D. Walton has had a general store here since 1900. Scott Kildoo is proprietor of the principal store and is postmaster.

The first physician was Clement C. Pear- son, followed by James W. Eckles, Will- iam J. Randolph (lately of Kansas), Thomas Rhodes, A. M. Cowden, Montgom- ery Linville (now of New Castle) and Dr. John C. McKee, since dead.

Memorial Presbyterian Church .- The "Hermon" Reformed Presbyterian Church, north of Princeton, was divided in the fall of 1868, and a part of the old congregation organized a Presbyterian congregation, and held meetings for one summer in the Shaw schoolhouse. They built a temporary structure, which they called the "Tabernacle," and used it for two years. In 1870 a frame church was built in Princeton. Rev. Robert McMillan, who had been pastor of the Reformed Presbyterian Church for a number of years, was the first pastor of the "Me- morial" congregation, and preached for them until June, 1875, when he was obliged to cease his labors on account of failing health.

Rev. Alvin M. Reed was ordained and installed in June, 1876.

339

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS

The present congregation finally pur- chased the old "Hermon" church, holding meetings there, and at Princeton, Mr. Reed dividing his time between the two places.

SCHOOLS.

A schoolhouse was built on the Fox farm, in the northern part of the town- ship, about 1828-30, and was one of the first in the neighborhood.

A primitive log schoolhouse was built in 1810-12 on the farm where Phillip Young lived, and stood near his house. It was the first in that part of the township, and the first teacher was Cornelius Will- iam Stafford, an Englishman.

Another schoolhouse, of the same type as the Young school, was built about three miles southwest of the present village of Princeton, and was the first in that vicin- ity. It was probably built about 1808-12. The first teacher was a Virginian, named Jehu Lewis.

A schoolhouse was built in "Shady Dell" soon after the passage of the free school law in 1834, and in the summer of 1875, a new one was erected in that dis- triet, farther down the road towards the creek.

About 1810-12 a "log cabin" school- house was built on a portion of what in later years has been known as the George Shaw farm. William Wigton was the first teacher of whom we have any knowledge, but as he came to the township in 1815, it is probable that others taught before him.

CHURCHES.

A United Presbyterian Church was built in the summer of 1875, on land taken from the farm of E. M. MeMillin. The congre- gation is a part of the old "Hermon" United Presbyterian congregation, and was originally organized as a Reformed Presbyterian, that congregation dividing in the fall of 1868. The society held meet- ings for some time after the division in the old church, and Revs. Graham and Whitten preached to them.

Hermon Reformed Presbyterian Church

was organized about 1840 by Rev. Josiah Hutchman. After him came Revs. Riley McMillan and Robert McMillan. During the latter's pastorate it was divided, part organizing as a Presbyterian congrega- tion and remaining for a while in the old church under the pastoral charge of Revs. Robert Graham and James Whitten. The United Presbyterian congregation finally built a new church, and the "Hermon" church building was purchased by the Presbyterians of Princeton. Rev. Robert McMillan, who was preaching when the old church divided, went with the Presbyterian portion of his congregation, and finally gave up his charge on account of failing health. The church was built on land from the farm of George Shaw, and is still standing. The graveyard was taken from William Munnel's farm, on the opposite side of the road.

A Christian Church was organized about 1864-65, and meetings were held in school- house "number two" until about 1868-69, at which time a frame church was built, on land taken from the farm of Joseph Pearce. Their first pastor was Rev. O. Higgins, who organized the congregation. Among the pastors who subsequently had charge are Revs. S. B. Teegarden, Dr. Halleck, Cushman and Davies.

A Lutheran Church, a rude log struc- ture, was built about 1825, on the farm of George Herbert. It was organized as a German Evangelical Lutheran congrega- tion, and the first pastor was probably Rev. Hewitt, who preached some time be- fore the church was built. He also preached to the society at Harlansburg as early as 1800, so the organization of the congregation in Slippery Rock must have been not long after. They held their meet- ings in private houses and barns for years. Rev. Mr. Hilger came next, and he in turn was followed by Rev. Kranz. For some time after Mr. Kranz left them there were no meetings held, probably for a number of years. In 1862 an English Evangelical Lutheran organization was effected, under

340

HISTORY OF LAWRENCE COUNTY

the charge of Rev. A. H. Waters. He preached until about 1866, and after him Rev. Louis Hippee took charge. Rev. S. H. Swingle preached one year, and since his time the church has been supplied. The brick church now standing was built soon after the new organization was com- pleted, and is located a mile and a half west of the old church. The church is called the "Jerusalem Evangelical Lu- theran."

Harmony Baptist Church was consti- tuted November 2, 1849, and Nathan Hazen gave a little over an acre of land for church and graveyard; the church building, which was commenced in 1851 and finished in 1853, occupies the south part of the lot. The church was organized in a schoolhouse which stood on the west side of the road. The first Baptists in the neighborhood were John Hazen and his wife, Rebecca, and Nathan Hazen and his wife, Lavina. These had been members of Providence church in Beaver County. Harmony Church was constituted by Revs. Samuel Stoughton, Jacob Morris, Daniel Daniels, Levi Ross and A. G. Kirk, with a membership of eleven. The following were the original members: John Hazen, Nathan Hazen, O. J. Hazen, Levi Hazen, Samuel Baldwin, Rachel Hazen, Rebecca Hazen, Elizabeth Sherrard, Nancy Houk and Rebecca Newton. The first ministers who preached here were Thomas and Dan- iel Daniels. The first pastor after the church was constituted was Rev. Levi Ross, who preached from 1849 until 1854. The church was built during his pastorate. Among the early preachers who followed Rev. Ross were Daniel Daniels, Samuel Godshall, Gabriel Lanahan, Rev. A. G. Kirk, Rev. John Parker, Rev. John Moses and D. L. Clouse. The deacons of the church, previous to 1860 were John Hazen, Nathan Hazen, William Hazen and Oliver Hazen, none of whom are now living. The church stands close to the western line of the township, and is about seven miles southeast of New Castle.

The number of schools in Slippery Rock Township in 1908 was eleven, having an enrollment of 310 school children. The eleven teachers were paid $3,453, and the total expended for school purposes was $7,398.55. The average length of school term is seven months.

TAYLOR TOWNSHIP.

This township, named in honor of Pres- ident Zachary Taylor, was the first new township erected after the organization of Lawrence County. It was formed from parts of North Beaver and Shenango Townships. It originally extended to the old county line between Beaver and Mer- cer Counties, but on the 10th of Septem- ber, 1859, the township of Union was formed from portions of Mahoning, Ne- shannock and Taylor, taking a strip two- thirds of a mile in width from the latter. The township is irregular in outline, and contains an area of about six square miles, or 3,840 acres, being the smallest in the county. It is bounded on the north by Union Township and the city of New Castle, on the south by Beaver River and Wayne Township, on the east by the city of New Castle and Shenango Township, and on the West by North Beaver Town- ship. About one-half of the township lies in the valleys of the three rivers, and the remainder is hilly land on the north and east. The Mahoning and Shenango rivers unite and form the Beaver River a little north of the center, on the west side, and the old canal beds traverse the township as far south as the old village of Moravia, in courses parallel to the rivers. Numer- ous small creeks and spring runs flow into the rivers from the hills, and the town- ship is well watered. The soil on the bot- tom lands is exceedingly rich and produc- tive, and much of the hill land is good, and even the most precipitous hillsides af- ford excellent pasturage.

The mineral resources of the township are considerable. Coal is found in the

341

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS

bluffs all along the eastern part of the township. Although of excellent quality, the vein is not of sufficient thickness to make the working of it profitable. There is a great abundance of limestone in the northern and eastern portions of the town- ship, and in the northeastern part, at an elevation of about 300 feet above the river, is an excellent deposit of ferriferous lime- stone. This stone has been worked by George Johnson, who had a tram railway connecting with the Pittsburg and Lake Erie Railway, by means of an inclined plane and bridge over the Shenango River. The quarry was opened by Messrs. Green & Marquis about 1869, and the same year an inclined railway was built, which con- nected with the canal. When the canal went out of use, the company built a bridge over the Shenango about 1873, and put down a side-track to connect with the Erie and Pittsburg Railway. The lands upon which the quarries are situated are owned by Robert Cooper and Martin and New- ton Law. The quarries are opened for a distance of nearly half a mile, and the deposit is extensive. The stone is of two varieties, the upper portion showing a breast of from eight to nine feet in thick- ness, which is the valuable part, and all that is worked. The lower stratum is about three feet in thickness. There is a thick- ness of from three to six feet of earth overlying the limestone, and a bed of fire clay underlies the stone.

The Erie and Pittsburg Railway passes diagonally through the northern portion of the township, a distance of two and a half miles, and there is about a half mile of the Pittsburg, Youngstown and Ashta- bula Railway also in the township, lying between the Junction and the Mahoning River; the Pittsburg and Lake Erie Rail- way and the Pittsburg and Western Rail- way, the latter operated by the Baltimore and Ohio Railway Company, pass through this township. There is one railway sta- tion-Mahoningtown.

In this township a vast amount of labor

was expended on the canal, which is no longer in existence. The aqueduct over the Shenango was 330 feet in length, and its abutments, wings and piers were sol- idly constructed of heavy blocks of sand- stone. There were four piers, and the ca- nal bed was built of plank, hung with heavy iron rods upon strong elliptical arches resting upon the piers. There were also within the township four or five locks constructed, of the same material as the aqueduct, in the most substantial man- ner.

Frisbie & Newell had a sawmill at one time about one mile above Moravia, but this, with other plants, disappeared when the canal was abandoned.

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.

Century history of New Castle and Lawrence County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th, Part 44

Author: Hazen, Aaron L. (Aaron Lyle), 1837- comp. and ed. cn Publication date: 1908 Publisher: Chicago, Richmond-Arnold publishing co. Number of Pages: 1058

Author: Hazen, Aaron L. (Aaron Lyle), 1837- comp. and ed. cn
Publication date: 1908
Publisher: Chicago, Richmond-Arnold publishing co.
Number of Pages: 1058