Century history of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th, Vol. I, Part 73

Author: McFarland, Joseph Fulton; Richmond-Arnold Publishing Co. (Chicago) pbl
Publication date: 1910
Publisher: Chicago, Richmond-Arnold Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 584

USA > Pennsylvania > Washington County > Washington > Century history of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th, Vol. I > Part 73

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California Church of Christ-When Edward Riggs moved his family to California iu 1858 he began to de- elare the gospel to his neighbors, and became a center of religious influence in the community. Five members of his honsehold were disciples of Christ, and they found two others, David Thomas and wife. Judson D. Bene- diet, of Tonawanda, N. Y., an able and finent speaker, was secured to hold a series of meetings in this new community. His work was successful, for the records show that on March 24, 1859, several persons united in an organization to be known as the Christian Church of California, the meeting being held in the Riggs House on Second avenue.

Soon after the organization Mr. Riggs changed his place of residence to Fifth street, where the church as-

sembled regularly for nearly seven years. On January 7, 1866, the church began to meet in the old school honse, and continued so to meet until the completion of the present plain but comfortable honse of worship.

Prudently considering the financial ability of the mem- bership, and desiring to avoid the embarrassment of a depressing debt, the leaders were inclined to move slowly. Having obtained some subscriptions on January 4, 1866, it was resolved that the trustees be instructed to pur- chase a lot known as the Wilkins lot for $175 on which to build a meeting house.

In the earlier history of the church the general policy was to rely on the local talent, chiefly the eldership, for the public instruction of the congregation and guidance into all good works, and to call in preachers to aid in special efforts to reach the world with the offers of salva- tion. Of the four elders longest in service were Edward Riggs, Josiah W. Phillips, Robert Wilson and G. G. Hertzog. The membership of the congregation is elose to 150.

First Baptist Church of California, occupying the neat and comfortable meeting house on Second avenue, near Wood street, was organized in March, 1889. The gen- eral missionary of the Pennsylvania Baptist State Mis- sion Society was sent to California during the winter of that year, and after holding meetings in this build- ing, which was then owned by the regular Presbyterians, he gathered together twelve persons who were Baptists, and led them to see the advisability of organizing a church. The leading spirit of this movement was Mr. James B. Van Dyke, a man active in every good under- taking in the community and a stanch Baptist. It was not long before the building was purchased from the Presbytery, the Presbyterian church having disbanded. Among the pastors who have ministered to this congre- gation were Revs. Ross Ward and E. Z. Zwayer.

Lodges and Societies-The following lodges and so- cieties are located at California : Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Royal Areanum, Senior Order United Amer- ican Mechanics, Junior Order United American Me- chanies, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Fra- ternal Order of Eagles, Order of Moose, Woodmen of the World, Century Club, Tecolote Club, Friday Afternoon Club, United Mine Workers of America.

CANONSBURG AND SOUTH CANONSBURG BOROUGHS.

In the preparation of this article the editor is under great obligations to the Notes Publishing Company, of Canonsburg, Pa .- David H. Fec, president and editor ; William H. Fee, vice-president and news editor, and W. R. Ebeling, secretary and treasurer-for the many extracts taken from the Canonsburg Daily Notes, Fif-

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

teenth Anuiversary Number, of date Saturday, April 17, 1909.

The town of Canonsburg is situated on Chartiers Creek, seventeen miles from Pittsburg, seven miles from Washington, and forty miles from Wheeling.

The town derived its name from John Canon, who came from Virginia and settled on the present site of Canonsburg. Col. Canon's property consisted of several tracts, which embraced land upon both sides of Chartiers Creek. Virginia certificates were issued to Col. Canon for four tracts in May, 1780, covering 1,200 acres. The three at the creek were called Mount Airy, Abbington, and Canon's Hill, and one at some distance from the creek, Sugar Tree Grove. Some time afterwards, pre- sumably in 1781, when first mention is made, a mill was built by John Canon on Chartiers Creek where Canons- burg now stands. This mill was one of the first on this branch of Chartiers. To it the farmers from a great distance around brought their grain. In May, 1790, advantage was taken of a high stage of water to send two barges carrying flour from John Canon's mill down the tortuous course of Chartiers Creek, at that time un- obstructed, thence to the Ohio and so on to New Or- leans. The clearing up of the country since then may possibly account for the present thread-like appearance of the stream, which does not suggest the idea that Canonsburg was once the head of navigation. This feat shows some of the possibilities of the country and loca- tion. The successor to the old mill is still standing on the same site and is owned by MeBurney & Moore. John Canon's house stood on the slope nearby the flouring mill. He tried at one time to have the county seat lo- cated at this place, but was unsuccessful in his attempt. In 1781, road viewers were appointed to view a road from John Canon's mill to Pittsburg. Other roads were laid out to this point, until ere long, when John Canon laid out the first plan of the towu, there were roads lead- ing from near his mill to Mr. Smith's meeting house, on Buffalo, to Dr. McMillan's meeting house, to Campbell's mill, to Devore's Ferry and to Washington; and from the top of the hill, on the north end of his plot, two roads branched out, one to Pittsburg, the other to Well's mill on Cross Creek. (See plot in Canonsburg Centennial, by Blaine Ewing, Esq., p. 146.)

Lots in the first plot of the town were located on each side of Market street, now Central avenue, and extended from the cross road near the present Pitt street, up the hill, north to the forks of the road, now Greene street.

In these days, when there is much talk of municipal ownership, which many appear to regard as a brand new discovery, it may be of interest to state that in the early days of Canonsburg the town owned a coal mine, and that the inhabitants of the town were entitled to all the wood and coal they needed for their own use, ac-

cording to provisions in deeds made by Canon. He speci- fied that the purchasers of lots should have the privilege of cutting and using underwood, and taking coal from the town mine for their own use, forever gratis, the pur- chasers (of lots) to pay the said Canon 3 pounds pur- chase money and $1 annually forever afterwards, and to build a stone house, frame or hewed log house, at least twenty feet in front, with a stone or brick chimney, within two years of their purchase.

Canon had obtained the steep hillside familiarly known as "Dam Hill," with the underlying outerop of coal, but the road to the coal banks, as shown in the plot, indi- cates that the bank was up the stream and on the west side of the creek near Oak Grove Cemetery. The bor- ough afterward leased out the coal bank and regulated the price to be charged per bushel. Unfortunately for the town, John Canon died in 1798, in the prime of his life.

On this ancient town plot only twelve purchasers are named. Lot No. 4 is marked "Dr. Thompson, March 15, 1787." Capt. Craig Ritchie and Col. Matthew Ritchie took the two lots just across the street on the same date. The last date of sale indicated was June 1, 1790, when John Todd saw a chance for speculation in the coming village and secured three lots well up the street toward what was known a century later as "Sheep Hill."

Upon this plot at one side is the entry, "Never to make it a seat of a tavern or public house." The Canonsburg of today has had no tavern or hotel for many years, although it had them in the days of stage coaching. A public house did not pay after the entry of the railroad. The community is prosperous without it and the traveler, if he needs it, will be accommodated with a comfortable lodging in a towu not excelled for hospitable people. The borough was offered a hotel with saloon attachment a few years ago, but a prompt, strong remonstrance defeated the proposed licensed saloon, and the applicants disappeared.

The first act of the town Council, after it convened in its first session, 1802, was to make a return of all taxables, and the next to specify that "all hogs, shoats and pigs running at large within the bounds of this borough without yokes and rights, upon complaint to the burgess, shall become a forfeiture," and in the next ordinance: "Resolved, that all tavern keepers, cider and beer houses shall have their doors shut by 10 o'clock (tavern keepers for the reception of travelers only ex- cepted)."

The Council in those days had in its care the market house, which stood at the intersection of Main (Central avenue) and College streets. In 1804 the market days were fixed on Tuesdays and Saturdays, and "no meat, butter, fruit, vegetables or any other articles" were to to be offered for sale at any other place than at he

GREENSIDE AVE. U. P. CHURCH. CANONSBURG

CHARTIERS U. P. CHURCHI, CANONSBURG

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, CANONSBURG

JEFFERSON ACADEMY AND DORMITORY, CANONSBURG

THE STANDARD TIN PLATE MILLS, CANONSBURG

-NEW YORK BRARY

DE AND

INDATIONS,

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

market before 10 o'clock a. m., on paiu of forfeiture to any person who chose to take them, and no bnteher was allowed to sell any meat on any other day in the week than market days, unless he would notify every family iu the borough of the faet.

In 1810 the borough bought seales for the market, and prohibited the use of "steel yards" by persons selling in the market.

In March, 1830, the question of grading and laying sidewalks was first taken up, and in the same year a seal was procured for the boroughi.

Canonsburg had but one voting place up to 1885, in August of which year the borough was divided into two wards, designated as East and West. Central avenue was made the dividing line between the wards. The vot- ing place was at the borough building, on the site of the present structure, which replaced the old brick building used as Council chamber and lockup. and which was de- stroyed by fire November 14, 1898. Previous to the erec- tion of this building the voting place was in the old "Town Hall," or schoolhouse, which stood on the site of the present Central avenue school building. In 1901 the West ward was divided into two election precincts, the center of West Pike street being made the dividing line.

Perhaps the most interesting of the many Council meet- ings that have been held was the one on Saturday after- noon, February 22, 1902, in the Morgan Opera House. This meeting was held for the purpose of observing the 100th anniversary of the incorporation of the town. The meeting was public, as all Council meetings are, and was attended by many of the citizens.

Canonsburg was created a borough February 22, 1802, by act of the Legislature, then sitting at Lancaster. It is the oldest borough in Washington County, and one of the oldest in western Pennsylvania. Jefferson College was granted a charter in the same year that the town was incorporated.

The first election in the borough was held on the third Monday of the following May, when Samuel Murdoch was chosen burgess, and William Clarke, William White, Thomas Briceland, John Johnston and John Watson, councilmen. John MeGill was chosen high constable. The first meeting of the Conncil was held May 26, 1802.

One of the earliest actions of the town fathers was the erection of a pair of stocks, "for the better securing of the peace and happiness of said borough of Canons- burg." The stocks stood near the old market honse at the corner of what is now Central avenue and College street.

There must have been trouble in securing a quorum of conneilmen 100 years ago, for the members, in 1808, passed the following: "That every member of Couneil who does not attend at the place of meeting, due uotice

being given, within fifteen minutes, shall be fined 50 cents." Almost 100 years later a verdict for $4,300 was given in court in favor of one councilman who was forced to attend a Council meeting against his will. After a reversal by the Supreme Court of the State this case was compromised.

In 1805 the borough paid Thompson and Weaver $65 "for building bridge, " probably at the foot of the pres- ent Central avenue.

The formal celebration of the centennial of the borough's ineorporation was held June 26, 1902. Will- iam B. Chambers was chairman of the centennial execu- tive committee. The addresses and other matter re- lating to this anniversary is preserved by Blaine Ewing, Esq., and makes an extremely interesting and entertain- ing book entitled "Canonsburg Centennial."'

For three-quarters of a century the town prided itself on being the educational center of this Western Penn- sylvania, and the large number of Jefferson College students made the business and the excitement for the village until war times and the union of Jefferson and Washington College in 1864-70. "Few communities have been more richly blessed with a predominance of all the better qualities that go to make up the highest type of society.''*

The Canonsburg Notes describes the growth of the town as follows:

First the seat of the college around which the com- munity moved and lived and had its being, then a sleepy village mourning the loss of its chief glory, it was not until 1882, or 94 years after the town had been laid out, that the village awakened to its possibilities and secured its first importaut industry, the Canonsburg Iron and Steel Works. This concern was put in oper- ation at the beginning of 1883, and simultaneously there was an awakening. A building boom followed, and everywhere there was renewed life. "The iron mill" was now the center of the community, and the whistle of the engine took the place of the old college bell; employes of the noisy foundry filled streets where for- merly care free students loitered. It was industrial, rather than classic, Canonsburg; and there was no ob- jection on the part of the citizens, for the mill put dol- lars into the pockets of the people and created a market for the farmer.

For years after the first mill had turned its first wheel the community felt the quickened life, and the town continued to grow and expand. The discovery of natural gas and the development of the oil in the com- munity helped along the renewed life of the town dnr- ing the years that followed; there was increased activity everywhere.

In the early nineties another important industry was secured-the Pittsburg Structural Works, now the Fort Pitt Bridge Works. A little later came the pottery, and still later the coal development on an extensive scale. Early in the present century the Standard Tiu Plate mill was secured, and smaller industrial cou-

* Rev. W. B. Smiley, Centennial address.

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

eerns have followed. These, however, were not secured without hard and persistent work ou the part of the people, and weeks and months were required to raise the required stock or bonuses in order that the manu- facturers would locate their plants here.

The location here in the late nineties of several in- dustries caused a general expansion of Canonsburg and the growth in the outlying districts was remarkable. The part of the town on the south side of Chartiers Creek was quick to feel the effects of the expansion, and in the spring of 1897 the citizens of that suburb took up the matter of annexation to the old borough, or incorporation as a separate borough. It was decided to incorporate, instead of aunex, and on May 10 of that year the court granted a charter under the name of South Canonsburg. The first electiou in the uew borough was held Monday, May 31, 1897, and John W. Grubbs was elected burgess. The first council was composed of B. F. Noah, Frank Taylor, E. C. Treat, J. B. Scott, S. A. Crozier and R. M. Hott.

The borough's population, as shown by the census of 1900, was 610. Its growth in population since then has been rapid, and there has been much building. Streets that were such in name only at the time of incorporation have been built up, and there are many handsome residences. The present population is from 1,500 to 2,000. Two important industries-the Fort Pitt Bridge Works and the Canonsburg Pottery-are located in this borough of East Canonsburg.

The streets are lighted with electricity, and the prin- cipal streets have good sidewalks.

In the summer of 1908 the town Council put in a system of sanitary sewers in a number of the streets.

A large number of additious to Canonsburg have been built up during the past 15 or 20 years and the town has spread out in every direction, until today the borough of Cauonsburg comprises only about half the population of what might be termed the Greater Canonsburg. In 1883-4 the hill district enjoyed a building boom, and Ridge avenue was built up within a year or two.

However, the greatest amount of building has been done in South Canonsburg, which has become a separate borough. Building activities had a real start in this suburb after the Canonsburg Land and Improvement Company, formed in the spring of 1894, purchased the farm of the Black Bros., Richard and Robert, and laid it out in building lots. The farm comprised 185 acres, and was purchased by the land company for $30,000. Through the operations of this deal by the land com- pany the necessary amount of money to secure the lo- cation of the Pittsburg Structural Iron Works (now the Fort Pitt Bridge Works) was raised, the land eon- pany giving a site and $10,000 in money. At a meet- ing held April 20, 1894, iu the interest of securing the works, 30 lots were sold. At a public sale of lots held May 4 of the same year 89 lots in this plan were sold, and others were sold later. Since that time much prop- erty has changed hands, and the Black farm of 15 years ago is today a built-up and thriving borough-a modern town in all respects.

East Canonsburg, another suburb, came into existence as the result of the location there of the Standard Tin Plate Company in 1902. The Cecil Improvement Com- pany was formed at that time, and purchased the John M. Giffin and the S. W. MeNary farms and, after plat- ting them, placed them on the market. Many lots were sold, and quite a number of houses have been built.

Streets were laid out and graded, and water and gas mains constructed.

White Lawn Terrace, a suburb located in Chartiers Township and adjoining Canonsburg Borough on the west, was plotted and placed ou the market in 1904 by Potts Bros., who purchased a tract of 20 acres from W. V. White. Most of the houses in this addition were erected by Potts Bros., who later sold them. The houses are of a good class and are modern structures. The streets have been graded and walks laid, and the suburb has gas and electric lights, water and sewers.

'The town has also extended eastward as a result of the development in the East End by the Pittsburg-Buf- falo Company, New Philadelphia, Buffalo Hill and Buffalo Park being mining settlements.

Another important addition to the town, which is included in the corporate limits, was laid out in the nineties by S. C. and G. V. L. Smith, who had the Smith tract, now comprising Vine and Smithfield streets, sur- veyed into lots and placed on the market.

Alexander Place was laid out by the Alexander Land Company, composed of Canonsburg people. This com- pany purchased the Alexander farm and placed it on the market as building lots, and many lots have been sold. A general sale was held in the autumn of 1902 and many lots were sold at that time. The Chartiers railway and the Pittsburg Railways Company 's electric road run through this company's lands. The traet con- tains many excellent building sites, and is practically certain to be built up with factories and residences at no distant date.

An addition was laid out some years ago by Cockins & Johnson, this tract lying adjacent to South Canons- burg Borough. A number of lots in this addition have been sold.

A more recent addition is that of the Bernstein plan, in the western section of South Cauonsburg Borough. Mr. Bernstein built many houses here during 1906 and 1907, and has sold a number of them since that time. The Hazleton plan, in the eastern part of South Canons- burg, was placed on the market by Potts Bros. Other smaller additions have been built up here and there throughout the Greater Canonsburg.

Canonsburg has moved forward by leaps and bounds during the first few years of the twentieth century, when water works and sewers and paved streets and street ears came almost simultaneously. In June, 1902, Canons- burg celebrated the centennial of its incorporation. And while the town had completed a hundred years of munic- ipal existence, it had not a foot of paved street; there was not a street ear within ten miles; nor were there water works or a sewer system. By the end of the fol- lowing year all these had beeu secured, and Canonsburg, instead of a little country village, had become a modern town. It is true that only one street had then been paved, but the mere improvement of Pike street proved a wonderful object lesson, and the paving of the other streets had gone on since then, until today the more important thoroughfares have been permanently im- proved, and Canonsburg has been lifted out of its een- tury-old mud.

Canonsburg has had railway service ever since the Chartiers Valley Railroad, now operated by the P., C., C. & St. L. R. R. Co., was opened. Street car service was instituted in 1902-3, when the Washington and

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

Canonsburg Railway was built. Both steam and electric roads eonneet Canonsburg with Washington and Pitts. burg. Several good improved roads lead from the sur- rounding country to Canonsburg.

At the November election, 1901, the citizens of Canonsburg voted on a proposition to issue bonds to the amount of $40,000, for a complete system of sanitary sewers. The proposition was carried by a vote of 397 to 41. The contract for constructing the system in all the streets was let by the town Conneil in 1902 and work was begun the same year. Previous to this the North Strabane Water Company had obtained a fran- chise to lay its mains through the streets, and this work was done during the fall of 1901 and the spring of 1902. In Angust of 1902 the borough granted a franchise to tho Washington and Cauonsburg Railway Company to lay its track in l'ike street, the company agreeing to pay the borough $3,000 for the coneession.

In July, 1903, the contract for the paving of Pike street the entire length of the borough was let. This was the first street paving done in the borongh, although the town had, the preceding year, celebrated the cen- tenary of its corporation.

A start having been made, other streets were paved, until today the following thoroughfares have been per- manently improved :

Pike street its entire length.

Jefferson avenue, from the southern borough line to West College street.

West College street, its entire length.

Central avenue, from the southern borough line to Pitt street.

Belmont avenue, as far as the street has been opened. Ridge avenue, entire length.

Greenside avenue, Pike street to East College street.

Spring street, from East Pike street to near the Standard Tin Plate Company. (Only a part of Spring street is in the borough, and it was not paved by the borough, which has no jurisdiction over it.)

About five miles of streets have been paved within less than six years. This work has been done on what is known as the two-thirds plan, the owners of property abutting on the improved streets paying two-thirds and the borough one-third of the cost.

In 1907-8 Canonsburg and South Canonsburg let joint- ly the contract for the installation of a fire alarm sys- tem, at a total cost of nearly $3,000. Alarm boxes are located in all parts of town, aud a 1,200-pound bell is located on the borough building.

There are two fire companies, one occupying quarters in the borough building and the other in a building specially ereeted for it in Ridge avenue. Both com- panies are supplied with adequate fire-fighting ap- paratus.

The present borough building was erected in 1899, to replace the Conneil chamber and lockup destroyed by fire in November, 1898. The building is constructed of pressed brick, containing two stories and basement, the basement being used as a lockup. The dimensions of the structure are 40x80 feet.

The borough employs two policemen, these being on duty from 4 p. m. to 4 a. m.

There is hardly a borough in Western Pennsylvania that has made as many publie improvements during the past few years as has Canonsburg. These have been secured, too, without any opposition, and the town Conn- eil has been free from the factional fights which fre- quently impede the transaction of business iu such bodies.

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Century history of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th, Vol. I, Part 73

Author: McFarland, Joseph Fulton; Richmond-Arnold Publishing Co. (Chicago) pbl Publication date: 1910 Publisher: Chicago, Richmond-Arnold Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 584

Author: McFarland, Joseph Fulton; Richmond-Arnold Publishing Co. (Chicago) pbl
Publication date: 1910
Publisher: Chicago, Richmond-Arnold Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 584