History of Armstrong County, Pennsylvania, Part 122

Author: Smith, Robert Walter
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Chicago : Waterman, Watkins
Number of Pages: 790

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ELISHA ROBINSON.

Elisha Robinson, one of the best known of the early settlers in Armstrong county, was born in Windham, Connecticut, December 4, 1791. His parents, Andrew and Olive Robinson, were of English descent, and of a family which had been for several generations in New England. The subject of our sketch learned a trade with a Mr. Bingham of his native town, and in 1814 came ont to what was then known as the West to seek his fortune, his only capital being that trade. He located in that portion of old Perry township now constituting Hovey, upon the land where his son Elisha now lives. His first occupation was tanning and shoemaking, and his tannery was undoubtedly the first one in the northern part of the county. He followed these industries until about 1846, working hard, saving money and securing land. Shortly after his settlement in this county he had married, and by this time had sons who had nearly attained their ma- jority. To one of them, Samuel M., he transferred his tannery, and henceforth devoted his whole attention and energy to farming. He followed this quiet avocation until 1870, by which time pioneer or "wild cat" oil op- erations had demonstrated beyond a doubt that the region around Parker's landing was rich in petroleum. He then began to lease his land to operators for one- fourth and one-eighth royalties, and as a large number of good wells were soon struck, he found himself in re- ceipt of a heavy income. The production in 1870 and 1871 was very large, and in some of the months in the latter year Mr. Robinson received as high as 20,000 bar- rels of oil as his share. In the fall of that year he placed the business under the control of his son Elisha, who succeeded him upon his death three years later. The ex- act date of his decease was October 17, 1874. He passed away after a comparatively short sickness. His life was one of activity and well directed industry, and he achieved by his own labors an independency before the great value of the lands he owned was proven by the drill. Mr. Robinson was a man of sturdy and sterling character, a very moral man, scrupulously honorable in his dealings, and actuated in all the affairs of his life by

MRS. ELISHA ROBINSON.

the principle of the golden rule. He was not a church member. Politically he was a democrat, and one of life- long standing.

Mr. Robinson's marriage, which has been already alluded to, occurred January 7, 1816. His wife was Eliz- abeth Rohrer, of Greensburg. She survived her husband several years, passing away at a ripe old age, upon Sep- tember 21, 1881. Mr. and Mrs. Robinson were the par- ents of ten children, whose names, with the dates of their births, are as follows, viz .: Simeon H., born March 20, 1817 (deceased); Mary Ann (Bovard), January 14, 1819; W. D., October 20, 1820 (now a resident of Kit- tanning) ; Olive (McConnell), June 28, 1822 (deceased) ; Simeon H., May 2, 1824 (a resident of Hovey township) ; Frederick Augustus, May 22, 1826 (deceased) ; Andrew Jackson, April 17, 1828 (deceased) ; Samuel M., March 10, 1830; Elisha, December 4, 1832 (both residents of Hovey township); and Frederick Rohrer, May 29, 1835 (deceased).

Elisha Robinson, who has been mentioned as taking charge of his father's business in 1871, and succeeding him upon his death, has since carried on a large farm and continued his oil business. He has operated but little himself, but has leased land on royalty. There are now abont twenty producing wells upon his farm. He has a finely improved and valuable farm of about 400 acres, and is regarded as one of the most advanced and successful agriculturists and stock-raisers in the county. His carriage and horse barn is probably unsurpassed, in fine appearance, perfection of detail and convenient arrangement, by any to be found in the rural regions of Western Pennsylvania. For about five years -from 1861 to 1866-Mr. Robinson carried on a store at a point between his residence and the site of Parker City. Like his father, his political predilections have been with the democratic party. He is one of the oldest members and a steward of the Parker City Methodist Episcopal church.

Mr. Robinson was united in marriage with Miss Caro- line Truby, of Brookville, Jefferson county, November 24, 1857. Ten children have been born of this union, of whom eight are living.

RESIDENCE OF ELISHA ROBINSON.

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PARKER CITY.

alarming extent. During the period of greatest prosperity many costly and elegant residences were erected on the beautiful sites which the crest of the bluff affords. To-day their value is reckoned in hundreds of dollars instead of thousands .*

On October 30, 1879, River avenue, from Smul- lin's building to the site of the glassworks, was entirely destroyed by fire. The state of business at that time did not warrant the erection of new buildings, and consequently but a small portion of the burned district has been rebuilt.

In ten years Parker has experienced more vicis- situdes than has fallen to the lot of many other towns whose years amount to half a century.

THE PRESS.

A number of unsuccessful newspaper enterprises originated in Parker during the prosperous period of the city's history. A daily paper was estab- lished by Johns & Jackson, and published a short time in 1871-2. Clark Wilson conducted the Oilman's Journal several years. These papers, and several others which were started, were never financially successful.

The Parker City Daily, however, had an excep- tionally prosperous career. Established in Sep- tember, 1874, by G. A. Needle, it soon became recognized as one of the most reliable and influen- tial journals of the oil regions, and its circulation rapidly increased. The Daily was started as a rival of the Oil City Derrick, and was of the same size as the latter journal. It was controlled by able editors, who were assisted by a staff of enterpris- ing reporters and correspondents. The Daily con- tained the Associated Press dispatches and much general information, in addition to its careful digest of news from every part of the oil region. It was published as a morning paper until 1879, when it was issued as an evening journal for about three months. The office was destroyed by fire in that year, and the paper ceased to exist. Mr. Needle, who had for some years been issuing a weekly edition of his journal, at once began the publication of The Phoenix, a weekly local news- paper, which is still flourishing.

PHYSICIANS.

For many years Dr. Simeon Hovey was the only medical adviser for the entire northern region of Butler and Armstrong counties, as well as consid- erable portions of Venango and Clarion counties. Some account of his services will be found in the history of Hovey township.

The first physician who settled in Lawrenceburg

was Dr. Joseph Beggs, who came from Ireland and located at this place about the year 1824. 1Ie was accounted a good and skillful doctor, and won many friends and a most excellent reputation. IIe prac- ticed in Lawrenceburg several years, and died at Miller's eddy.

Dr. James Goe, a cousin of Dr. Beggs, came from Ireland a little later, and joined his uncle in the practice of his profession. After the death of Dr. Beggs he moved to Callansburg, Clarion county, and thence moved west and died.

After 1869 physicians became so numerous in Parker that it would be useless to attempt to cata- logne their names. Scores took up their abode here, some of whom remained a few days, others a few weeks or months. The principle of "the survival of the fittest," however, appeared to pre- vail, and the number of those whose stay length- ened into years was not large. We mention the names of those who have practiced longest and most successfully : Dr. A. M. Hoover, who has been a resident physician of Parker longer than any other member of the profession in the city, located at this place in 1870, coming from Freeport. Dr. Hoover is a native of Butler county, and a gradu- ate of the Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia.

Dr. J. Eggert is the second oldest physician in Parker. He came in 1870, after having practiced for some years in neighboring towns. His son is now associated with him in practice.

Since 1870 the following physicians have located in Parker City : Dr. J. Eggert & Son, Dr. Mur- doch, Dr. J. R. Murray, Dr. J. E. Hall, Dr. B. F. Goheen, Dr. J. Y. McCulloch, Dr. A. M. Hoover and Dr. W. B. Wynne. All are still practicing, with the exceptions of Drs. Murdoch, Hall and McCulloch.

PETROLEUM AGRICULTURAL ASSOCIATION.

Application for a charter for the above association was made to the county court in May, 1881, by E. Robinson, G. A. Needle, Samuel Robinson, J. P. Parker, Dr. J. W. Wick, William Dee and others- J. Smullin, attorney for the application-and on the 26th of the month a decree was granted by the court, approving the proposed charter.

The following directors were chosen for the first year : Elisha Robinson, Hovey township, Arm- strong county ; Henry Kohlmeyer, Crawford's Corners, Butler county ; Ira D. McCoy, Crawford's Corners, Butler county ; John M. Shira, North Hope, Butler county ; J. S. Grant, Perry township, Clarion county ; William Crawford, Emlenton, Venango county ; Dr. J. W. Wick, William Dee and W. J. Parker, Parker City.

* As an example the fact may be stated that a house costing at least $4,500 recently sold for the small sum of $100 !

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HISTORY OF ARMSTRONG COUNTY.

The association leased thirteen acres of land for the fair grounds, and erected suitable buildings. The capital stock is divided into 1,000 shares, and has been largely taken by farmers of Arm- strong, Butler, Venango and Clarion counties, at $5 a share.

Two successful exhibitions have been held, at each of which the exhibits were creditable, and much interest was manifested.

The officers of the association consist of a presi- dent, vice-president, nine directors (one of whom shall be president), a secretary and a treasurer. The following are the officers and directors for 1882 : Officers - A. Tippery, president ; Ira D. McCoy, vice-president ; G. A. Needle, secretary ; E. Y. Fullerton, treasurer. Directors-A. Tippery, Foxburg, Clarion county ; E. Robinson, Hovey township, Armstong county ; J. M. Shira, North Washington, Butler county ; J. M. Fox, Foxburg, Clarion county ; H. R. Fullerton, Parker City, Armstrong county; J. P. Parker, Parker township, Butler county ; William Dee, Parker City, Arm- strong county ; Joseph Grant, Pollock, Clarion county ; William Martin, Crawford's Corners, Venango county.

SECRET SOCIETIES.

Masonic .- Parker City Lodge, No. 521, F. and A. M., was instituted October 28, 1873, with 14 charter members. The present membership is about 75.

Odd-Fellows .- Parker Lodge, No. 761, I. O. O. F., was instituted June 13, 1871, with 20 charter members. There are now about 30 members in good standing.

Lawrenceburg Lodge, No. 782, I. O. O. F., was instituted November 22, 1871. The membership, which has numbered over 100, is now reduced to 64.

Workmen .- Penn Lodge, No. 10, A. O. U. W., instituted December 21, 1871, now has about 50 members.

Royal Templars of Temperance .- Hughes Council, No. 37, R. T. of T., was instituted April 4, 1879, with 32 charter members. Present membership, about 75.

Knights of Honor .- Parker City Lodge, No. 580, K. of H., was instituted April 6, 1877, with 22 charter members.

Knights and Ladies of Honor. - Parker City Lodge, No. 103, K. and L. of H., was instituted December 12, 1878, with 27 charter members.

Grand Army .- Calvin A. Craig Post, No. 75, G. A. R., was chartered April 21, 1880. Sixteen names appear on the charter. The post is now large and flourishing, numbering 65 members.

Royal Arcanum. - Parker Council, No. 179, Royal Arcanum, was organized October 17, 1878, with 32 charter members. The membership Janu- ary 1, 1883, was 46.

Aid Union .- Parker Union, No. 420, Equitable Aid Union, was organized in March, 1882, with 175 charter members. The present membership is about 130, 74 of the number being beneficiary members.

Labor Union .- Garver Assembly, No. 2370, was organized November 2, 1882. Meetings are held in Odd-Fellows' hall, in the Second ward, every Thursday evening.

SCHIOOLS.

The first school building erected within the present limits of Parker was a log structure which stood in Lawrenceburg. The school was supported by subscription, and presided over by the itinerant schoolmasters of pioneer days. Later, a union school district was formed, and the schools jointly supported by Perry (afterward Hovey) township, Armstrong county, and Parker township, Butler county.

During the past eight years the city schools have consisted of three school buildings, in which schools have been conducted at an annual cost of about $3,400. For six years the schools have been thus divided as to grades : one grammar school, two intermediate and two primary. The fact that the three school buildings are situated about half a mile apart has prevented thorough grading. The schools have generally been well managed, and the pupils have made fair progress. The value of the schoolhouses is about $5,000. Seven teachers are employed, T. J. Moffitt being the principal.

In 1882 the school board, against strong opposi- tion, began the erection of a large two-story brick schoolhouse, which is to be completed and occu- pied by the 1st of September, 1883. The opposi- tion came from citizens who feared an increase of taxes, but all dissatisfaction seems to have passed away, and the new school building is pointed out with pride by some who strongly opposed the pro- ject of building. The house contains eight school- rooms, and will afford ample accommodations for all the pupils of the city. Its cost is $11,000.

At last reports, the school population was 497.

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHI.

The cariiest Presbyterian church in the northern part of the county was the church of. Ebenezer, organized at Lawrenceburg in 1819. William Redick and Gideon Gibson were the first elders. The congregation was largely composed of resi- dents of Butler county, though the church was

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PARKER CITY.

attended by all the Presbyterians of the surround- ing country. A meeting-house was erected in 1882. For several years the congregation was without a pastor, but there was preaching by sup- plies at stated intervals.

The pastors have been as follows : Rev. Ebe- nezer Henry, 1847-55; Rev. James Coulter, 1860-9; Rev. Samuel A. Hughes, 1870-7; Rev. James N. McGonigle, 1878-80; Rev. H. W. Lowry, 1881, now in charge. The present church edifice was erected in 1867. The church enjoyed great pros- perity during the period of oil development. There has since been some decline, but the congre- gation is still a strong body, numbering 205 mem- bers. The membership of the Sabbath school is 215.

UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

In 1834 the Lawrenceburg Associate Reformed Church was organized by Rev. Joseph Johnston. A house of worship was erected the following year. Rev. Mr. Johnston became pastor, and after getting the church well established returned to his native country, Ireland, and his friends never again heard from him. There are but scanty records of this ancient organization. James Turner, Thos. Allen and Samuel Hutchison were among the first elders.

Rev. James Green succeeded Johnston as pas- tor, and was followed by Revs. Robert Oliver, Riddle and Fife. The congregation became so reduced as to be unable to support a pastor, and there were no regular services for a number of years prior to the oil excitement.

The present United Presbyterian organization was formed May 12, 1871, by a committee appointed by the Presbytery, and consisting of Rev. M. Clark, and Elders Robert Campbell, Robert Black and Joseph Rosenberry. The number of members was about 35. The first elders elected were E. Mc- Henry and G. W. Weller. The first pastor, Rev. W. G. Nevin, was installed in May, 1872, and served during 1872-3. Rev. J. T. Wilson was pastor in 1874-9. The present pastor, Rev. Will- iam Robertson, was installed in 1879. The pres- ent membership is about 60. The number of Sab- bathı-school scholars is about 65.

The new church edifice is a commodious and costly building, erected during the years 1877-8, at a cost of $8,500.

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

At the first session of the Erie conference in 1836, Lawrenceburg and vicinity was missionary territory. From 1836 to 1840 the following minis- ters were appointed to the mission: Revs. D.

Richey, II. Elliot, A. S. Hitchcock, Stephen Heard and W. S. Winans.

The closing up of business by the company operating the Bear Creek Furnace caused the ap- pointment to be discontinued. In the winter of 1858-9, M. S. Adams, a local preacher, held a series of meetings at Lawrenceburg, which awakened great interest. Rev. John MeCombs, then in charge of the North Washington (Butler county) circuit joined with Mr. Adams in carrying forward the work. As a result of their labors, a society was formed and Elisha Myers became class-leader. The charge was added to the North Washington circuit and continued a part of the same from 1859 to 1869. During this period the circuit was sup- plied by the following ministers: Revs. Milray, Johnson, Paden, Boyd, Bennett, Clark, Moore, Hubbard, Domer, Perry, Hays, Hicks and Menden- hall. The following were the class-leaders during the same period: Elisha R. Robinson, Renben Leonard and George W. Morrow.

In 1870, the Lawrenceburg charge was removed from the circuit and made a station. The first pastor, Rev. R. W. Crane, served until 1873, and has been succeeded by the following ministers: R. M. Baird, 1873-4; R. N. Stubbs, 1874-6; J. S. Lytle, 1876-9; E. D. McCreary, 1880; J. M. Bray, 1881-3.

No church edifice was built by the society until 1870, when the present house was erected. The dedication took place January 15, 1871, with ser- vices conducted by Rev. Dr. Pershing. A parson- age was subsequently erected. Many improvements in the church property have since been made. Since April, 1882, the sum of $1,400 has been ex- pended in improvements. The church is ont of debt and in good financial condition.

The present membership is 240, and the number of Sabbath-school scholars, 230. A number of re- vivals have blessed the labors of the pastors.

CHURCHI OF THIE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION.

The first Catholic services in Lawrenceburg, so far as there is any record, took place September 6, 1831, when Bishop Kenrick visited the place and confirmed eighty-three persons, gathered from a wide extent of surrounding country. Few if any Catholics were residents of the place until the dis- covery of oil. In 1869, Rev. Joseph Haney, of Murrinsville, visited Lawrenceburg and conducted services. He continued his labors until July of the following year, when lots were purchased and the work of erecting a church was begun. Though the building was not completed until the summer of 1871, it was occupied in October, 1870. It was then a frame building 45×30 feet. In March, 1871,

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HISTORY OF ARMSTRONG COUNTY.

Rev. J. Stillerich became pastor. He remained until November of the same year, when he was succeeded by Rev. James P. Tahany. To Father Tahany's labors much of the temporal prosperity of the church was due. He built a neat honse to be occupied as a parsonage; and after the congre- gation had increased, enlarged the church by an addition 18 feet to the front and 24 feet to the rear. The belfry was added and the interior of the church finished. The edifice was dedicated by the bishop as the Church of the Immaculate Conception, November 24, 1874. Father Tahany also organized a church in Petrolia, and the two formed one pastorate. In December, 1875, Father Tahany was succeeded by Rev. James Donelly, who acted as pastor until October, 1877. Rev. P. M. Garvey then became pastor, and in August, 1879, was suc- ceeded by Rev. F. X. McCarthy. Father Melady is the present pastor. The church is in a prosper- ous condition, although its membership has been greatly diminished by the decline of the town.

BAPTIST CHURCH.

While Parker was most flourishing, a Baptist congregation was organized, which during 1875-6

enjoyed great prosperity. A church was erected and the congregation became quite large. But with the decline of the oil interests, the member- ship diminished rapidly, and the organization ceased to exist.

ENGLISH LUTHERAN CHURCHI.

Christ's Evangelical Lutheran church of Par- ker City was organized in the fall of 1879. During the summer of that year R. M. Zimmerman, a theological student, had conducted services in the place, and succeeded in awakening an interest which resulted in the formation of the church. The congregation was organized by Rev. W. A. Passavant, D. D., of Pittsburgh, with twenty-one members. A house of worship was erected during the fall of 1879, at a cost of $3,300, and was dedicated about the close of the same year. Rev. J. H. Kline became pastor in 1880, and resigned after serving one year. The congre- gation finding it impossible to support a pastor any longer, the church was taken under the care of the Pittsburgh synod as a mission, and the appointment has since been filled by regular supplies.

ODmust Broad

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

GENERAL DANIEL BRODHEAD .*

General Daniel Brodhead, of revolutionary fame, whose portrait appears elsewhere in this volume, was born in Marbletown, Ulster county, New York, in 1736, and died and was buried in Milford, Penn- sylvania, November 15, 1809. He was the great- grandson of Capt. Daniel Brodhead, of the Eng- lish army, who came to this country in 1664, as a member of the expedition commanded by Col. Richard Nichols, in the service of King Charles II, after the Restoration. After the surrender of Stuyvesant Capt. Brodhead was sent up to Albany, in September, 1664, and was a witness to the treaty made with the Indians there in that month. He was afterward promoted to the com- mand of the military forces of Ulster county, by commission from King Charles, dated September 14, 1665, which position he held till his death in 1670. He left one daughter and two sons-Ann Brodhead, Charles Brodhead and Richard Brodhead. The latter was born at Marbletown, New York, in 1666, and was the grandfather of General Brodhead. Richard Brodhead had two sons, Richard Brod- head, Jr., and Daniel Brodhead, born in Marble- town, Ulster county, New York, in the year 1698, and died at Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, in the year 1755. This Daniel Brodhead, the father of the subject of this biography, removed with his family from Ulster county, New York, in the year 1737, to Danville, Pennsylvania, while the subject of this biography was but an infant. Inured to the dan- gers of the Indian frontier from his very cradle, the impression made as he grew up among the scenes of Indian barbarities, and the outrages of the savages, helped to form his future character and to mold him into the grand, successful soldier and Indian fighter which his subsequent history proved him to be.

General Brodhead first appeared prominently in public life when he was elected a deputy from Berks county to a provincial meeting which met at Philadelphia, July 15, 1774, and served on a com- mittee which reported sixteen resolutions, one of which recommended the calling of a continental congress and acts of non-importation and non-ex-

portation from Great Britain. These were among the first steps toward the revolution which fol- lowed.

At the beginning of the war of the revolution he was commissioned by the assembly of Pennsyl- vania at Philadelphia as colonel of the 8th regt. Pa. Colonial Troops. He first participated in the battle of Long Island. Before the close of this battle he commanded the whole of the Pennsylva- nia contingent troops, composed of several battal- ions. He was especially mentioned by Washing- ton in his report to congress on this battle, for brave and meritorious conduct. He also partici- pated in several other battles of the revolution. Having received the approbation of Washington, he was sent by him, in June, 1778, with his troops to Fort Muncy, where he rebuilt that fort formerly destroyed by the Indians, which command he held until Washington, on the following spring, recom- mended his selection to congress for the command of the western department. Washington, being personally acquainted and warmly attached to him, knew well his qualifications as a brave, jndi- cious and competent general. Washington, by sanction of congress, issued an order, dated March 5, 1779, directing him to proceed to Fort Pitt, Pennsylvania, and take charge of the western de- partment, extending from the British possessions, at Detroit, on the north, to the French possessions (Louisiana) on the south, "a command and re- sponsibility equal to any in the revolutionary army ..

Gen. Brodhead established the headquarters of his department at Fort Pitt, now Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He had under his command the posts of Fort Pitt, Fort McIntosh, Fort Lanrens, Fort Tuscarora, Fort Wheeling, Fort Armstrong and Fort Holliday's Cove. He made a number of successful expeditions in person against the In- dians with a large part of his command. In 1779 he executed a brilliant march up the Allegheny with 605 men, penetrating into New York, over- coming almost insurmountable difficulties, through a wilderness without roads, driving the Indians be- fore him, depopulating and destroying their vil- lages all along his route, killing and capturing many. This expedition began August 11 and ended Sep- tember 14, 1779, between 300 and 400 miles in

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History of Armstrong County, Pennsylvania, Part 122

Author: Smith, Robert Walter Publication date: 1883 Publisher: Chicago : Waterman, Watkins Number of Pages: 790

Author: Smith, Robert Walter
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Chicago : Waterman, Watkins
Number of Pages: 790