USA > Pennsylvania > Crawford County > Gazetteer and business directory of Crawford County, Pa., for 1874 > Part 7
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Greenwood Free Will Baptist Church was organized with six members, Jan. 22, 1832, by Rev. George Collins, the first pastor. The Church edi- fice was erected in 1843, The building of a new one is contemplated. It is to be constructed of brick and cost about $3000. There are 104 mem- bers. The pastor is Rev. A. C. Bush .- [Information furnished by Mr. Wil- liam Thacher.
Greenfield Presbyterian Church, in the south-west corner of the town- ship, was organized with twenty members, June 22, 1854. The church edifice was erected the same year at a cost of $1500. It will seat 250 per- sons. The first pastor was Rev. George Scott, but previous to his install- ation (June 27, 1860, ) the pulpit was supplied by Rev. James Coulter and others. The present pastor is Rev. I. W. McVitty. The Society consists of forty-five members; its property is valued at $1250 .- [Information fur- nished by Mr. James Hamilton.
The Church of the United Brethren in Christ, at Genevn, was organized with four members. in 1870, by Rev. P. W. Ish, the first pastor, and the house of worship which will sent 500 persons, was erected in 1871, at a
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cost of $2700. The pastor is Rev. -- Everts, and the number of mem- bers, twenty-four. The Church property is valued at $2800 .- [Informa- tion furnished by Mr. I. D. Christ, class leader
HAYFIELD was formed in 1830. It is an interior town- ship, lying a little north-west of the center of the county and con- tains 22.641 square acres. The surface is well drained by French and Cussewago creeks and their numerous tributaries. The former of these creeks forms the eastern boundary of the township, and the latter flows in a southerly direction through the town a little west of the center.
The population of the township in 1870, was 1,824, of whom 1,732 were native, 92, foreign, 1,821, white and three, colored.
During the year ending June 3, 1872, the township contained sixteen schools and employed thirty teachers. The number of scholars was 464; the average number attending school, 358; and the amount expended for school purposes, $2,129.25.
COONS CORNERS (p. o.) is a hamlet, situated on the Cusse- wago Creek, a little west of the center of the township, and contains two churches, a store, blacksmith shop, carriage shop, two shoe shops and a few dwellings.
LYTTLES CORNERS, (p. o.) situated one mile west of Coons Corners, contains one church, two stores, three steam and one water power saw mills, a shingle mill, turning establishment, grist mill, tannery, shoe shop, and about twenty dwellings.
We are not advised of the date of the first settlement, nor by whom it was made. Coonrad Cole, who settled here 1802, is said to be the first man who crossed the Alleghanies with a wagon. He cut his own road. After few years residence in this township he removed to the east bank of French Creek, where he raised four sons and four daughters.
The M. E. Church at Coons Corners, was organized with twelve mem- bers in 1844, by Rev. - McClellen, the first pastor, and the church edi- fice, which will seat 300 persons, was erected in 1848, at a cost of $700, twice the present value of the Church property. There are thirteen mem- bers, who are under the pastoral care of Rev. - Brown .- [Information furnished by Mr. Joseph Cease.
The M. E. Church, at Lyttles Corners, was organized with nine members, in 1852, by Rev. J. K. Hallock, the first pastor. Their house of worship was erected in 1865. It cost $1,700, and will seat 400 persons. The So- ciety, which numbers seventy, is ministered to by Rev. A. R. Rich, and its property is valued at $2,500 .- [Information furnished Mr. A. De Forest.
The Lutheran Church of Hayfield, at Blacks Corners, was organized with fourteen members, in 1854, by Rev. J. A. Nuner, the first pastor, and the church edifice, which will seat 200 persons, was erected the same year, at at a cost of $400. The present pastor is Rev. D. M. Kemerer, and the number of members, eighteen. The Church property is valued at $550. -[Information furnished by Mr. Roderick Frazier.
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The Christodelphian Church of Hayfield, at Coons Corners, was organized with twelve members, in 1861. They do not have a pastor. They meet the " first day of the week," their worship consisting in prayers, thanks- givings and the breaking of bread. The Society, which numbers twenty-four, has no property of its own, and worships in the house of the Baptists .- [Information furnished by Mr. T. H. Dunn, Lecturer.
The Church of the United Brethren, at Blacks Corners, was organized with forty members, in 1869, by Rev. Silas Casterline, the first pastor. The church edifice was erected in 1870, at a cost of $1,700, and will seat 250 persons. There are thirty members, who are under the pastoral care of Rev. Reuben D. Day. The Church property is valued at $2,000 .- [Infor- mation furnished by Mr. Hermon Rice.
MEAD was formed in 1790. It is an interior township, lying upon the east bank of French Creek, a little south of the center of the county, and contains 25,472 square acres. The surface is hilly, but the soil produces good crops, especi- ally in the valley of French Creek, where it is very fertile and supports a wealthy population. French Creek forms the west- ern boundary and is the principal stream, the only other con- siderable stream being Sugar Creek, which drains the eastern and western portions of the township. The farmers are chiefly engaged in dairying and stock raising. Manufacturing, in the city of Meadville, forms an important branch of industry.
The Atlantic & Great Western R. R. and the Franklin branch of that road, extend in a continuous line through the township, along the valley of French Creek. The main line crosses the creek a little south of Meadville. The old Erie Canal feeder also extends through the township, along the valley of the creek, from Bemustown, its northern terminus.
The population in 1870, exclusive of the city of Meadville, was 2,421, of whom 2,073 were native, 348, foreign, 2,398, white and 23, colored.
During the year ending June 3, 1872, the township, exclu- sive of the city, contained sixteen schools and employed nine- teen school teachers. The number of scholars was 503; the average number attending school, 332; and the amount expend- ed for school purposes, $2,398.36. The city contained twenty- one schools and employed twenty-four teachers, all of whom were females. The number of scholars was 1,214; the average number attending school, 800; and the amount expended for school purposes, 828,296.92.
MEADVILLE, the seat of justice of Crawford county, is situat- ed in the rich and picturesque valley of French Creek, abont the center of the west border of the township, and on the line of the A. & G. W. R. R. and the Canal feeder. The fine hills which surround it rise gently from the creek, presenting a beautiful and varied landscape and affording many eligible
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building sites. A commendable appreciation of these advan- tages is evinced in the ornate and substantial public buildings and the many elegant and costly private residences which adorn its streets and lend an additional charm to the otherwise attrac- tive scenery. A public park inclosing about five acres of ground is centrally located, and adjacent to it are situated the county buildings, which have previously been described. Meadville is named in honor of David Mead, its founder. It was incorporated as a borough March 29, 1823, and received a city charter Feb. 15, 1866. It contains four wards, and had, in 1870, a population of 7,103, of which number 1,661 were in the first ward, 1,961, in the second, 1,635, in the third and 1,846, in the fourth. It is the seat of Allegheny College, and the Mead- ville Theological School, and contains a Business College-one of the Bryant & Stratton chain of colleges-four banks-the First National, established in 1863, with a capital of $200,000; the Merchants' National, established in 1864, with a capital of $100,000; the Meadville Savings Bank, established in 1867; and J. R. Dick & Co.'s Banking Office, established in 1853-a new elegant and commodious opera house, and various manufactur- ing establishments, prominent among which are the Meadville Agricultural Implement Works, which were established Dec. 29, 1868, with a capital of $100,000, and give employment to about seventy persons; the Dick Foundry and Machine Works, estab- lished in 1864, with a capital of $30,000, and giving employ- ment to about thirty persons; the Eagle Foundry and Machine Works, the oldest establishment of the kind in the city, which employ thirty persons; the Meadville Woolen Factory, which gives employment to seventy-five persons in the manufacture of cassimeres, flannels, blankets and yarn ; Sayer & Co.'s Planing Mill, which was established in 1865, with a capital of $25,000, and gives employment to fifteen men ; Thomas & Harper's Sash und Blind Factory, employing twenty men and a capital of $20,000 ; O. C. Whitney's Cabinet Organ and Melodeon Manufuc- tory, which gives constant employment to a large number of persons; A. McMichael's and J. A. Dunn & Co.'s Carriage Fac- tories, the former of which was established in 1866, and the latter in 1857, the aggregate annual product of which is valued at $45,000; a Stave Factory, employing fifteen men and a capital of $8.000 ; and the Meadville Tannery, which was established in 1860, and the annual product of which is valued at about $20,000.
Allegheny College was projected at a meeting of the intelligent citizens of Meadville, which was held June 20, 1815. The main building was erected in 1816-17, and the school was opened July 4, 1816, though it was not incorporated until March 24,
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1817. Its establishment is mainly due to the enlightened efforts and untiring zeal of Rov. Timothy Alden, D. D., its first president, to whom, also, it is largely indebted for the valuable library in its possession, the most liberal contributor to which was Rev. Dr. Bentley, a Unitarian clergyman, of Salem, Mass. When chartered it received a grant from the State of $2,000, which was subsequently increased to $7,000. The patronage received from the Presbyterians, under whose auspices it was started, was inadequate to its support and the institution lan- guished. In 1829, an unsuccessful attempt was made to estab- lish a military school ; and in 1833, its care devolved upon the Erie and Pittsburgh Conference of the M. E. Church, under whom it has become a flourishing institution. In 1851, a large three-story brick structure, containing the chapel, library, laboratory, &c., was erected east of the main building, at a cost of $6,000, and in 1864, through the munificence of Hon. C. V. Culver, was built and furnished the commodious boarding hall, which stands opposite the building erected in 1851, and is capable of accommodating over one hundred students with lodgings. The college is situated north of the city, upon ele- vated ground, which overlooks the valley and surrounding hills. It enjoys the use of a valuable collection of astronomical instru- ments, complete and most approved chemical and philosophic- al apparatus, and extensive and well selected conchological, lithological, paleontological and entomological cabinets ; and a commencement has been made in the formation of a museum to illustrate the history of the Fine Arts.
The Meadville Theological School was established by the efforts of the Unitarians, in 1844, and has an endowment of real and personal property of about $150,000. Though denominational in tendency the act of incorporation declares that "no doctrinal test shall ever be made a condition of enjoying the opportuni- ties of instruction in the School, except a belief in the divine origin of Christianity." Applicants unknown to the officers of the institution are required to produce satisfactory testimonials of good character before their admission; and those desiring advanced standing must have completed the studies previously pursued by the class they propose to enter. No charge is made for tuition, nor for the use of the library and text books, and students who bring satisfactory evidence of their need may receive aid from the Beneficiary Fund. The library contains about 12,000 volumes, about 1,200 of which are text books. Private and public libraries, containing more than 10,000 vol- umes, are also open for the use of students.
Meadville is the headquarters of the 20th Division of the National Guard of Pennsylvania, comprising the Meadville
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Zouaves, German Rifles, Conneautville Zouaves, Conneautville Greys and a colored company of Titusville.
St. Joseph's Hospital, situated near the eastern end of Pine street, in a quiet, pleasant and healthy locality, was established as an asylum for orphans, in 1865, by mother Agnes, Sister Superior of the sisters of charity of this city, who drew largely upon her own private means for the construction of the build- ing and the care of its unfortunate inmates. Not only orphans, but many others sick, wounded, or destitute found food and shelter in this institution. The rapid growth of the city made the need of a building to be devoted to the exclusive uses of a hospital more and more felt, and as the means were not avail- able for its erection application was made to the Legislature at its session in 1869-70 for the conversion of this asylum into a hospital. A charter was granted under the present title, and provides that patients shall be received without regard to sect or condition. The institution is in charge of a competent physi- cian and surgeon, and is under the supervision of the Sisters of Charity. It is heated by furnaces and supplied with pure water from a spring, and is capable of accommodating about thirty patients. It is self-supporting, and while those receiving its benefits who possess the means are expected to pay, no appli- cant is rejected by reason of his or her inability to do so. Thus, while Meadville has made ample and excellent provision for the scholastic needs of its youth, this establishment, which stands as an enduring monument to the energy, earnest devo- tion and noble self-sacrifice of those who projected and continue to sustain it, shows that its physical requirements have not been overlooked.
FRENCHTOWN (p. o.) is located in the eastern part of the township, and derives its name from the fact that its inhabit- ants are principally French. It contains a church, (Roman Catholic,) a school, store, blacksmith shop and about twenty dwellings.
MEAD CORNERS (p. o.) is situated a little east of the center of the township.
Settlement was commenced by the first settlers of the county. In the summer of 1787, John and David Mead, from North- umberland county, explored the valley of French Creek with a view to making it their future home. The favorable report which their impressions enabled them to give induced seven others to accompany them the following spring to this locality for the purpose of settlement. The party comprised, besides the two already named, Joseph Mead, Thomas Martin, John Watson, James T. Randolph, Thomas Grant, Cornelius Van
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Horne and Christopher Snyder. The latter two were from New Jersey, and arrived at Sunbury, whence the party started, while preparations for the journey were in progress. This little band of pioneers reached French Creek on the 12th of May, and spent the first night on the east side of that stream, near "Ken- nedy's Bridge." The next day they crossed the creek, above the mouth of Cussewago Creek, and erected a temporary place of abode. Ten acres were plowed in a field, which had previously been cleared by some unknown party, and planted with corn. A freshet in the stream soon after destroyed the crop and the piece was replanted in June, and yielded a good crop, which was considered common property. The site of Meadville was first settled by Thomas Grant, who, for some reason, left it in the fall and returned to Northumberland county. John and David Mead brought their families here that fall, and the latter, who had previously selected a place immediately south of his brother's, on the west side of the creek, about a mile above Meadville, crossed the Creek and occupied the place abandoned by Grant. Mead erected a double log house, which was the first one built upon the site of the city which perpetuates his name. The families of the Meads were the first to settle in the county. The remainder of the party located on the west side of the creek, principally upon the point of land formed by the confluence of French and Cussewago creeks. Having fully established themselves in their new homes, their number was soon increased by other settlers, among whom were Samuel Lord, John Wentworth and Frederick Haymaker. In 1789, they were joined by Frederick Baum, Robert FitzRandolph and Darius Mead, the father of John and David Mead; and these were soon followed by many others, so that the colony became respectable in numbers, as well as in the character of those who composed it.
In this year occurred the first birth in the county - that of Sarah Mead-in the family of David Mead ; and a saw mill was commenced by the same individual, and was completed the following year. From this mill in the spring of 1790, was sent to Pittsburgh, together with a raft of logs, the first raft of boards which descended the Allegheny. The lumber was sold for twelve shillings per hundred to Major Isaac Craig, who was Quartermaster to the troops located at that place. These early settlers were obliged to transport their provisions and utensils from Pittsburgh, or the more distant Susque- hanna country, whence many of them came, through dense forests, devoid of roads, and over bridgeless streams. For a long time the streams were their only common high- ways, and along these, as might be expected, the settle-
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ments 'were first projected. But in addition to the hard- ships and privations incident to pioneer life, they were for several years harassed and subjected to imminent peril by the frequent warlike incursions of the bands of hostile Indians who infested this country, and who so long retarded its settle- ment and for some time threatened the utter expulsion of the whites, who were too few in number to cope successfully with their wily adversary. Happily, however, a few of the nomadic Indians preserved their friendship for the whites, to whom they rendered valuable aid by giving timely warning of the approach of their enemies. Among these were a chief named Cana- daughta, and his three sons, Flying Cloud, Standing Stone and Big Sun, who occupied wigwams at the mouth of Conneaut Creek, in Ohio; Halftown, also a chief, and half-brother of the cele- brated chief Cornplanter ; an old chief named Strike Neck, and an Indian named Wire Ears. During the year 1790 the settlers tilled their farms without molestation, but about the first of April, 1791, they were apprised by Flying Cloud of a contem- plated attack by the western Indians, who were then on their way to the settlement. This was corroborated by Wm. Gregg, who reported having seen eleven strange Indians four miles north-west of Meadville. Immediate preparations for flight were made, and on the second day of April, the women and children were sent in canoes down French Creek, under the escort of six of Halftown's warriors on each side of the stream, to Franklin, a small military post established in 1787, where were about forty effective men. That chief, at the head of his remaining warriors, some fifteen in number, then acted in con- cert with the whites, who remained to guard their property. They lay in wait during the day at Kennedy's Bridge, on the east side of the creek, expecting the enemy would ford the stream at that place, but as nothing further was seen of them they re- tired at night to the house of David Mead, which had been fortified by means of a stockade and rendered capable of defence against small arms. The next day the settlers, after consulta- tion, started for the fort at Franklin, to rejoin their families. They arrived at their destination on the fourth, with their cattle and moveable effects, accompanied by Halftown and his men. After a month's stay at the garrison three of the party (Cornelius Van Horne, Wm. Gregg and Thomas Ray,) returned to the farms they were obliged temporarily to abandon for the purpose of putting in their spring crops, but the hazardous adventure resulted in the death of Gregg, at the hands of the Indians, and the capture of both VanHorne and Ray, both of whom, however, effected their escape and subsequently became useful and honored citizens, the former locating in the township
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of Vernon, and the latter on the east side of the creek, above Bemustown, where he died. This same year witnessed the cap- ture and death of Darius Mead, by the same agency. He was made a prisoner while engaged in plowing in a field adjacent to the fort, by two Indians, and is supposed to have met his death while attempting an escape, as his dead body was subsequently found lying beside that of one of his captors, near the Shen- ango Creek, in Mercer county. The year 1791 was one of extreme peril to the settlers on the western border of the State, as owing to the defeat of the army under Harmer in the early part of the year, and that under St. Clair in November, they were left almost entirely to the mercy of their savage enemies. Being thus exposed, the settlements in this county were aban- doned, and the locality was only visited by scouting parties and surveyors. In the spring of 1793, Gen. Wayne having been appointed to command the army, and confidence in a measure restored, the settlers returned and were joined by others from the Susquehanna country. At their solicitation Gen. Wayne detached a company of twenty-four men, under command of Ensign Lewis Bond, from his army to protect them while en- gaged in putting in their crops. This company was stationed at the house of David Mead, before alluded to. During the summer it was recalled to join the main army, and soon after its departure the settlers were again notified by the friendly Flying Cloud that their old foes were about to make another descent upon them. Being without any adequate protection they had no alternative but to flee to the fort at Franklin, or continue to cultivate their lands at the peril of life. Pru- dence dictated the former course and consequently the improve- ments were again abandoned. Some, however, of the more resolute ones returned in the fall and winter of the same year, in defiance of the dangers which beset them. In the spring of 1794 nearly all the old settlers had returned and many new ones had joined them. Many improvements were instituted; muni- cipal law began to be enforced, and a militia company, of which Cornelius Van Horne was elected captain, was organized. The settlers resolved to defend themselves and their homes against the assaults and barbarities of their savage foes, and the more effectually to effect this object a rude but serviceable block- house, mounting a cannon in the upper story, and surmounted by a sentry-box, was constructed on a triangular lot, at the cor- ner of Water Street and Steer's alley. It was built of logs, and the upper story projected beyond the lower one. In 1828, having served at various times as a school house, carpenter shop, black- smith shop and tenement house, it was removed to make way for the improvements of the growing village. The lot on
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which it stood was donated by Mr. Mead for school purposes. It was subsequently transferred by the Legislature to the Mead- ville Female Seminary, and by the trustees of that institution was sold to Thomas Wilson.
Prior to the enforcement of municipal law it must not be presumed that the social intercourse of the settlers was characterized by entire harmony ; on the contrary disputes hot and fierce often occurred, and were sometimes settled with their fists, but more frequently by the arbitrament of a disinterested party. A somewhat singular instance of this character is related in which a dispute between David Mead and John Wentworth, relative to a field of corn which the one agreed to cultivate for the other, was referred to two strangers who were passing through the village at the time and were accosted by the disputants on Water street. They immediately unslung their knapsacks and, having listened to the statements of both parties, rendered a decision which gave mutual satisfaction, when they resumed their journey. David Mead was the first commissioned justice of the peace in the county, an office which he held till 1799, when he became one of the Associate Judges of the county. One of the first cases on his docket was an ac- tion for debt, in which he was plaintiff and Robert Fitz Ran- dolph, defendant. Unfortunately when the Governor gave the people a justice he forgot to give the justice a constable. Here was a novel dilemma, but Mead did not suffer it to defeat the ends of justice. He issued and served the summons himself, and when the day of hearing came a trial was had and a judg- ment rendered the plaintiff for the amount of his claim. He then issued and served an execution, levying upon a horse, the property of the defendant, which he advertised for sale. He put up the notices, and at the sale, over which he presided, he bought the horse, and paid the surplus proceeds over to the defendant.
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