USA > Pennsylvania > Montgomery County > Bridgeport > Hart's history and directory of the three towns, Brownsville, Bridgeport, West Brownsville also abridged history of Fayette county & western Pennsylvania > Part 22
USA > Pennsylvania > Washington County > West Brownsville > Hart's history and directory of the three towns, Brownsville, Bridgeport, West Brownsville also abridged history of Fayette county & western Pennsylvania > Part 22
USA > Pennsylvania > Fayette County > Brownsville > Hart's history and directory of the three towns, Brownsville, Bridgeport, West Brownsville also abridged history of Fayette county & western Pennsylvania > Part 22
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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45
The Mechanics' Fire Company, of Brownsville, petitioned the council Nov. 7. 1843, to furnish them with one hundred feet of rope and two axes, which was done.
June 27, 1851, "the large fire engine" was placed under control and in charge of a company who had recently organized and petitioned the council for that purpose.
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Old Cemeteries
Subsequently, at different times, when by the occurrence of fires, the attention of the citizens had been called to necessity of taking measures to prevent widespread disaster from that cause, new fire companies have been formed and organized, but as often have they become disorganized and disbanded after a brief period of activity and enthusiasm.
OLD CEMETERIES.
On the hill adjoining the "public square" on Front Street is Brownsville's oldest burial place, but now, and for some years past, inclosed with the grounds of J. W. Jeffries. Within the inclosure until recently, may have been seen the headstone which once marked the grave of Thomas Brown, the founder of the town. Upon it is the following inscription, still legible: "Here lies the body of Thomas Brown, who once was the owner of this town. De- parted this life March 8, 1797, aged 89 years." There was also a stone sacred to the memory of Basil King, who died in 1805, and three others, which were respectively erected over the graves of John H. and Archibald Wash- ington, brothers of George Washington, and Edward B. Mechem, all of whom died in 1818. These three men (of whom the latter was a native of South Carolina, and the other two of Southampton, Va.), were members of a party who came through from Baltimore, Md., having with them a gang of negro slaves, manacled and chained together, and bound for Kentucky, which they expected to reach by flatboat from Brownsville, down the Monongahela and Ohio. Arriving at Brownsville they were compelled to wait for some time for means of transportation down the river, and during the period of this delay the "jail fever" (declared by many to have been smallpox) broke out among the negroes, several of whom died and were buried in the south part of the public ground. The disease was communi- cated to the white men; the two Washingtons took it, and both died on the 10th of April in the year named. Mechem was also a victim, and died three days later, April 13th. All three were interred in the old burial ground, and stones erected over their graves, as before mentioned. These stones as well as all others in the old ground, have been removed from their places at the graves which they once marked, and none are now left standing. Many years have passed since any interments were made here, and there is nothing seen upon the spot to indicate that it was ever used as a burial place.
Connected with the churchyards of the Episcopal and Methodist churches are grounds set apart many years ago for burial purposes, and containing a great number of graves. These were in general use as places of interment until the opening of the cemetery outside the borough limits, about twenty years ago. The Catholics have a cemetery connected with their church.
REDSTONE CEMETERY ASSOCIATION.
The "Redstone Cemetery," situated on the high land on the south side of the National Road, about three-fourths of a mile southwardly from Brownsville.
265
Redstone Cemetery Association
Birthplace of Senator P. C. Knox, Brownsville
was laid out and established as a burial ground by an association formed in 1860, and composed of William L Lafferty, Rev. R. Wallace, William H. Clarke. James Slocum, William M. Ledwith, William Parkhill, Thomas C. Tiernan. John R. Dutton, David Knox, and Capt. Adam Jacobs. They purchased the cemetery tract (about nine acres) of Daniel Blubaker for $1,600. The soil is underlaid, at the depth of about two feet, with a bed of soft sand- stone, and this, in the case of each interment, is cut through to the required size of the grave, thus forming a sort of vault, which in making the burial is covered by a flagstone, of which a large supply is constantly kept on hand by the association.
The cemetery is located on a spot which was made attractive by nature, and its beauty has been greatly enhanced by the laying out, which was done in the modern style of cemeteries, with winding paths and graded carriage- ways, and all embellished by the planting of ornamental trees, with an abundance of evergreens. There has been many handsome and expensive monuments and memorial stones erceted in this ground, and in regard to these and other particulars, few cemeteries can be found more beautiful than this.
FIRST AND PRESENT OFFICIALS.
The cemetery association, formed in 1860, was not chartered until Feb. 24, 1877. The first president was Dr. Wm. L. Lafferty; secretary and
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First and Present Officials
treasurer, William M. Ledwith. In 1865, Dr. Lafferty was succeeded by John R. Dutton, now deceased.
The present officials are: H. W. Robinson, president; William A. Edmis- ton, secretary; S. S. Graham, H. W. Robinson, W. A. Edmiston. T. M. Rogers and C. L. Snowdon, directors.
RULES OF THE CEMETERY ASSOCIATION.
From the Rules and Regulations of the Redstone Cemetery Company of Brownsville, Fayette County, Pa., chartered February 24th, 1877. we copy the following:
1. The Corporation shall be known as the "Redstone Cemetery Company," and by that name shall have perpetual succession.
2. The purpose of the Company shall be the maintenance of a public cemetery for the burial of the dead, under such conditions, rules and regulations as the Board of Directors or Managers may from time to time establish.
3. The place of business of the said Corporation shall be in Brownsville, Fayette County, Pa. (The grounds of said Company being in Brownsville Township, Fayette County, Pa.)
4. The regular annual meeting of the stockholders shall be held on the first Monday of May in each year, at which time an election shall be held for five directors of said Company, and in case of the failure or neglect of the stockhloders to meet and hold the election as herein pro- vided, then the old Board of Directors shall continue to hold office and perform the necesssary duties of the same until their successors are duly elected, and any vacancy in the Board caused by death, resignation or otherwise, may be filled by a majority of the directors in office. The directors shall have full power to put in execution all laws, rules and regulations, as may be necessary and proper for the government of the Corporation, its officers and affairs.
5. No certificate of title or ownership to any lot in this Cemetery, shall issue until the pur- chase money is wholly paid up, and any purchaser of a lot who is in arrears for any balance of purchase money and who has refused or neglected to pay the remainder thereof, for a term of one year from the date of purchase, shall forfeit his rights to any further occupancy of said lot. and no permit for any interment shall be granted to him or any of his heirs until all arrearages, both principal and interest are fully paid, and if said person shall neglect to pay said arrearages for a further term of one year after being served with a notice of said arrearges, said lot shall be absolutely forfeited, and if there have been interments therein the graves may be leveled and the lot resold, or it may be set apart as a portion of the ornamented part of the Cemetery, as the managers may decide in each case.
REGARDING INTERMENTS.
1. Whenever an interment is to be made and before the ground can be broken for any grave, a permit shall first be obtained from the President, authorizing the Sexton to prepare the same, and application for such permit should in all cases be made in ample time to allow the work to be properly done.
2. Any lot owner allowing a friend to make an interment in his lot, shall leave a written request or order with the President before a permit for said interment can be issued.
3. All interments must be paid for to the President, when the permit is given and before the interment is made.
DISINTERMENTS.
1. No disinterment either for removal from the Cemetery or for reinterment in another part of the same, can be allowed during the month of April, May, June, July, August or Sep- tember, but from the first of October to the 31st of March, disinterments may be made at the discretion of and by permission from the President (see act of assembly). No allowance shall be made for a grave vacated by disinterment.
VISITORS.
Visitors will be admitted on all days of the week (except Sunday) subject to such regula- tions as the Board may from time to time prescribe.
Visitors must retire and the gates be closed and locked at 7:30 o'clock during the long evenings of the summer, and 4 o'clock during the balance of the year.
Children will not be admitted, unless attended by some person who will be responsible for their good conduct.
Schools or other large assemblages or parties with refreshments, persons on horseback or with a dog, will positively not be admitted at all.
No visitors will be admitted to the cemetery grounds on the Sabbath day, except owners of lots and their families, and they will be required to present a pass, to be obtained from and signed by the president and reads as follows:
"REDSTONE CEMETERY " LOT OWNER'S SUNDAY TICKET. NOT TRANSFERABI.E.
Admit
Pres.
This ticket will admit none but owners of lots and their families. Children must be accom- panied by an adult, who will be held responsible for their good conduct while on the ground.
267
Not Run for Benefit of Stockholders
ENDOWMENT FUND.
In order to comply with the urgent demand of numerous owners of lots for some method by which permanent means can be supplied to secure and insure the perpetual care and preser- vation of their lots, etc., the following plan is proposed :
ARTICLES OF AGREEMENT.
This agreement, made this day of . A. D. 18. . between . of the one part and Board of Directors of the Redstone Cemetery Company, of Brownsville, Fayette County, Pa., of the other part.
Witnesseth, that the said. .has deposited with said Cemetery Company the sum of $50.00, in consideration of which the said directors, for themselves and their successors, hereby agree to receive and hold the same sum in trust forever and invest it with other funds of like character, and to apply the income arising therefrom, from time to time, under the supervision of the directors, for the time being, to the repair and preser- vation of any headstone, tomb, or monuments, or for planting or cultivating trees and
shrubs upon or in Lot No . .in Sec .. . ... in the said Redstone Cemetery, and the surplus, if any, at the end of each year, to remain as a sinking fund, to be applied solely and exclusively to the repair and keeping in order said Lot. .. .
.in Sec .. PROVIDED
that the said directors shall not be responsible for their conduct in the discharge of said trust except for good faith, and such reasonable diligence as may be required of mere gratuitous agents; and provided further, that the said directors shall in no case be obliged to make separate investment of the sum so given, and that the average income derived from all funds of like nature, belonging to the Corporation, shall be divided annually and carried proportion- ately to the credit of each lot entitled hereto. In witness whereof, the said. . has hereto set his hand, and the directors of Redstone Cemetery Company have hereunto set their corporate seal, together with the signature of president and treasurer. this. .day of A. D. 18 Pres
Treas
NOT RUN FOR THE BENEFIT OF STOCKHOLDERS.
While it does not appear in the foregoing, it is nevertheless truc, that the Brownsville Cemetery is not run for profit, as the stockholders, in 18SS mutually, and unanimously agreed to cease paying dividends. The company or incorporation was $1,000.00 in debt when it ceased paying dividends, but now has in its endowment fund about $9,000.00.
LADIES OF THE ROUND TABLE.
One of the interesting literary clubs of Brownsville, is known as the "Ladies of the Round Table." Weekly meetings have been held for more than a year, at the homes of the members who now number twelve.
Up to the present time the work of the elub has been confined to the study of Shakespeare and his dramas, but other English authors will be discussed later.
The club colors are royal purple and gold, and the motto is " Knowledge Diffused Immortalizes Itself," and reflects in some measure the spirit of the organization. Mary Joseph Johnston is secretary of the club.
Biographies of Borough Officials (Brownsville )
WILLIAM H. FISHER is a son of William and Mary Ann (Horton) Fisher and was born in East Bethelchem township, Washington County, Pennsylvania, September 25, 1862. He was raised on the farm that he now owns and that has come down through three generations, first having been bought from Joseph Woodfield who secured the patent for it from the government and who sold it to Mr. Fisher's grandfather, William Fisher, in 1803. He left it to his son, William, and he in turn to William Fisher the subject of this sketch.
Mr. Fisher received his education in the public schools of East Bethlehem township and in Washington and Jefferson college. After finishing his educa- tion he remained on the farm till he was twenty-nine years of age when he moved to Brownsville where he has since resided.
On leaving the farm and coming to town he took up the real estate and insurance business and has followed that with excellent success ever since.
Mr. Fisher is a Republican and has always taken an active part in the deliberations and work of his party. From the time he reached his majority till he left Washington County he attended every county convention as a delegate. He was continuously a member of the county and a number of times chosen as chairman of the township committee. Mr. Fisher was twice a member of the congressional conferce committee of this congressional district both times being for Hon. E. F. Acheson. One of these times was after he came to Fayette County and before this congressionl district was changed. He was also a member of the senatorial committee during the Hawkins-White contest which resulted in both inen running and ultimately in the election of Dunlap, a Democrat.
When Mr. Fisher came to Fayette County he at once joined the local political forces and continued his activity to such an extent that four years after he landed here he was chosen councilman and has served continuously since then until he was elected burgess, which office he still holds. For the past eight years he has been a member of the Fayette County central committee and stands high in the ranks of his party.
April 14, 1892, he married Miss Anna Buffington, daughter of Hon. Jackson L. and Elizabeth (Taylor) Buffington, and a sister of O. K. Taylor of the National Deposit Bank of Bridgeport.
To this union there have been born three children, namely, May Elizabeth, Florence and William Fisher.
HARRY KISINGER is a son of John W. and Margaret (Lenox) Kisinger and was born in Brownsville, June 11, 1866. He received his education in the Brownsville schools and after leaving school started in the livery business at which he has been engaged continuously since then.
269
W. A. Edmiston -C. 12. Snowdon
Mr. Kisinger has for the past twelve of thirteen years been a member of the borough council of Brownsville and most of that time has been president of that body. He is also at present a member of the board of education, where he has served for nearly seven years. He is also a director of the Monongahela National Bank.
Mr. Kisinger is just completing one of the finest and most complete livery stables in this part of the State. It is one story in front and three stories in the rear. The top story which is level with Market Street, is used for a carriage depository and waiting rooms, while the horses are kept below, an incline leading to the lower stories. The feed is dropped directly into bins from the top floor. The arrangement is perfect and from balconies in the rear of the top and the next story below, a grand view of the Monongahela river may be had for miles up and down the river.
May 1, 1890, Mr. Kisinger married Miss Annie Wright, daughter of Ben- jamin and Margaret (Chalfant) Wright of Greene County. Mrs. Kisinger died in 1897, leaving besides her husband, two children, Arlic and Lilian.
WILLIAM A. EDMISTON, a son of Samuel and Margaret (Bryce) Edmiston, was born at Brownsville, Pa., December 23, 1846 and received his education in the public schools of that town. On leaving school he commenced clerking in the store of John Wallace & Co., and continued clerking in different stores till 1866 when he secured the position of second clerk on one of the steamboats of the Geneva Packet Co. He continued in the employ of this company for sixteen years with the exception of the years 1871-2 when he was engaged in the dry goods business in Brownsville. Up until 1878 he served as first and second clerk and from that time until 1882 as captain of the "Germania." plying between Pittsburg and Geneva.
In 1882, Mr. Edmiston was elected teller of the Monongahela bank and in 1888 cashier, which latter position he still holdls. He has served several years as clerk of the town council and also as treasurer of the borough. Mr. Edmiston has also served as a member of the board of education, being chosen secretary of that body, which position he filled most of the time he was a member of the board. In 1893 he was elected president of the school board which office he still continues.
In 1869 he was married to Miss Virginia Beacom, daughter of Rev. L. R. Beacom of the Methodist Episcopal church. They have four children, Clarence B., Bessie V., William B., and Helen M.
Mr. Edmiston is a staunch though conservative Republican and has ever taken an active interest in political and other public matters that in any way concerned the welfare of the community in which he lives.
CHARLES L. SNOWDON is the son of John N. and Eliza J. (McSherry) Snowdon, and was born June 25, 1854, in Brownsville, Pa., where he received his education and where he has since resided and been actively engaged in business. He clerked for a time in different stores and from 1873 to 1877 was teller in the Dollar Savings Bank of Bridgeport, now the National
270
A. A. Carmack - W. L. Lenhart
Deposit Bank. The following three years he was clerk on the steamer "Geneva," of the Brownsville and Geneva Packet Company, that plied be- tween Brownsville and Pittsburg.
Leaving the river, he became interested in the Empire Coal Works of Cunningham and Co., which. after a number of changes, in 1882 became the firm of C. L. Snowdon & Co. In 1882 Mr. Snowdon also opened the Oro Coal Works opposite the old glass works on Water Street, Brownsville, Pa. In 1885 he formed a partnership with Frank T. Hogg and they opened the Albany mine one mile down the river from Brownsville. The firm also manufactures coke of an excellent quality.
On the 26th day of June, 1879, he married Miss Elizabeth Hogg, daughter of George E. Hogg of Brownsville. They have four children, namely, Eliza, George Hlogg, Caroline McClurg, and Felix Brunot. He has served a number of terms as borough councilman and also as a member of the board of education.
AMARIAH A. CARMACK is a son of Abraham and Susanna (Wickham) Car- mack, and was born in Monongahela City, March 13, 1850. He received his education in the Monongahela City public schools which he attended till he was about fifteen years old. He then commenced clerking on a steamboat that plied between Brownsville and Pittsburg, for his brother, Capt. Z. W. Carmack. He followed the river for about three years when he went to Pitts- burg and secured a position as traveling salesman for Hertzog Bros., re- maining with them about five years. He next accepted a position as traveling salesman for the firm of Joel J. Bailey & Co., Philadelphia, with whom he remained seven and a half years. He then established a dry goods store in Brownsville which he conducted with gratifying success for twenty- two years.
Mr. Carmack served as a director of the Second National Bank for nine years and is at present a director of the Monongahela National Bank. He is also a director of several other institutions. He is a member of the Browns- ville council, now serving his fourth term. He holds several offices in the Presbyterian church of which he is an active member, and stands high in the community where he has spent most of his life. Mr. Carmack is also widely known and highly esteemed in Masonic circles being a 32d degree Mason.
Mr. Carmack has been married three times. His first wife was a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. S. A. Wood of Brownsville, Pa., his second wife was a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ivins Finley of Belle Vernon, Pa., and his third wife is a daughter of Captain and Mrs. W. S. Craft of Merrittstown, Pa. Mr. Car- mack has five children, two sons and three daughters. They are Allen B. of Pittsburg; William Graham, at home; Myrtle R. and Lucy S. V. at home; Mary E., now the wife of Burnie Mason of Bridgeport.
WM. L. LENHART Was born in Brownsville, Fayette County, Pennsylvania, in 1868 and is a son of Geo. W. and Sarah (Charlton) Lenhart. He received his early education in the borough schools subsequently attending LaFayette College where he graduated with the class of 1889.
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Geo. C. Steele -B. F. Hibbs
Politically, Mr. Lenhart is a Democrat though he has never sought political preferment. However his friends have twice elected him member of the board of education of Brownsville and he is now a justice of the peace.
In 1891 Mr. Lenhart married Miss Ann Jacobs, daughter of John N. and Sarah (Colvin) Jacobs of Brownsville. To them have been born five children, Sara MeD., Ann J., Georgia, Wm. Chatland, and John J.
Since the death of his grandfather, Win. Chatland, Mr. Lenhart has had entire charge of the manufacture of the famous Brownsville water crackers, and it was he who conceived the idea of having the word "Brownsville" moulded into the Crackers.
GEORGE CONWELL STEELE is a son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Conwell) Steele (see sketch of Wm. C. Steele). He was born February 28, 1865, in Browns- ville, Pa., and was educated in the public schools. In May, 1887, he opened a meat market in Brownsville, which he sold in September of the same year, after which he engaged as clerk for A. A. Carmack, dry goods merchant. He continued clerking until 1895, when he bought a half interest in the busi- ness. In 1898, he sold his interest to Mr. Carmack, bought a half interest in a furniture store, with Mr. Ross, which business is still continued under the name of J. T. Ross. Mr. Steele is quite prominent among the Odd Fellows, is a Republican, and has been twice elected councilman in Brownsville. lle is a type of the genial, wide-awake, hustling young business man: who is a credit to any city. He is at present tax collector, and Secretary and Treasurer of the Elwood Gas and Oil Company.
JOHN HOWARD SNOWDON is a son of John N. and Miss J. (Bowman) Snowdon, and was born in Brownsville, Fayette County, Pennsylvania, February 20, 1858. He received his education in the schools of Brownsville and shortly after leaving school commenced to clerk in the store of Adam Jacobs. He afterwards also clerked in the dry goods store of John Nichols. In 1877 he went into the post office as assistant to his father who had been appointed postmaster under President Hayes, and remained during his father's term. In 1881 he established a retail coal office in Brownsville, which he continued to operate until 1889. He then closed the coal office and accepted the position of bookkeeper for the Pacific Coal Company of Pittsburg. He remained there till 1892 when he returned to Brownsville and for a number of years was with Snowdon, Gould & Co., and the Browns- ville Water Company as bookkeeper. He is at present engaged in the real estate and insurance business.
June 17, 1896, Mr. Snowdon married Emilie L. Taylor, daughter of O. K. and Carrie (Moore) Taylor. Though an active worker in the Republican ranks, Mr. Snowdon has never aspired to office. Notwithstanding this he was elected auditor of the borough of Brownsville and still holds that position,
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN HIBBS, one of Brownsville's most active and influen- tial citizens, is a son of Aaron J. and Margaret Ann (Weltner) Hibbs and was born in Redstone Township, Fayette County, Pa., January IS, 1868. He
272
W. A. Griffin -E. T. Brashear
received his early education in the common schools of Redstone Township and in the California, Pa., Normal College.
Mr. Hibbs spent his early days on his father's farm but of late years has been and is still an extensive dealer in coal and coal lands. He owns and operates the coal works known as the Dunlaps Creek Coal Company and is a heavy stockholder in the Wheeling Coal and Coke Company, being a director in the latter company. He is now serving his second term as a member of the Brownsville borough council and was this spring elected a member of the board of education of that borough.
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