History of Armstrong County, Pennsylvania, Part 52

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

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This church was incorporated by the court of common pleas of this county June 2, 1856. D. G. Kinnard was named in the charter as presiding elder, Samuel Jones, preacher in charge, and Jacob Treetley, Daniel Risher, D. L. Byres, Hugh Jones and Samuel Jack, trustees.

The Union Evangelical Lutheran church edifice, frame, 38×50 feet, situate on the second lot below Church street, on the southerly side of North street, was erected in 1861. Members, 105 ; Sabbath-school scholars, 80. Pastors : Revs. John A. Delo, James Wefley and M. Colver, the present one.

This church was incorporated by the court of common pleas of this county. The charter is

MRS. ELIZABETH JACKSON.

JOHN JACKSON.

Probably no one family have been more prominently identified with the early settlement and material prosperity of Kiskiminetas township than the Jackson family. The family is of Irish extraction, and we learn that James Jackson came from Ireland with his parents when a lad about seven or eight years of age. The family first set- tled in Westchester, Chester county, Pennsylvania, but soon moved to Hannahstown, in Westmoreland county, and were among the first settlers of that locality, of which they were residents when the em- bryo village was destroyed by the Indians. From this place they soon removed to what is now Kiskiminetas township, and were among the first, if not first, to make improvements north of the river. Here James Jackson attained manhood, married, and died at the advanced age of eighty-four years. The death of his wife, Jane, occurred at a ripe old age some ten years prior to her husband's, They were blessed with five children, four boys and one girl, who attained manhood and womanhood. Their eldest son, John, was born October 12, 1797, in Kiskiminetas township, and it continued to be his home until his death, which occurred January 8, 1853. Reared, as he was, in a pioneer's home, sharing the toils and privations incident to a resi- dence in the wilderness, he was specially prepared to cope with nature in its wildest aspect of unleveled forest and uncultivated fields, and well did he fulfill his arduous portion in life and assist in laying the foundations for the manifold blessings we now enjoy. Starting without assistance in life, the farm owned by his father having passed from their possession, he first purchased seventy-five acres of uncultivated land, now possessed by his sons, S. M. and J. Y. Jackson,

and boldly began the arduous task of carrying out for himself a home in the wilderness under the many discouraging surroundings of the pioneer, but being possessed of indomitable pluck and energy, he became one of the most successful farmers of this section, and his small farm of seventy-five acres was gradually increased, until be became the possessor, at one time, of between 600 and 800 acres. Mr. Jackson took an active part in educational affairs and was for many years a member of the district school board, Politically he affiliated with the whig party, then in a minority in the county. Although wedded to his chosen avocation, he took a deep interest in public affairs and was one of a company that built the first bridge across the Kiskiminetas, at Apollo.

Mr. Jackson was very highly esteemed by his associates and was selected near and far to act as arbitrator in disputes between neigh- bors, and he was always just and equitable in the decisions. Although not a member of any church, he attended the United Presbyterian church, of which he was a liberal supporter.

October 5, 1826, he was married to Elizabeth McCartney, of Scotch parentage, who was born in Indiana, Pennsylvania, October 10, 1805, and died August 9, 1880. She was a most estimable christian lady, being a member of the United Presbyterian church, and well fulfilled her mission in life both as a companion for her husband and a mother to her children, to whom she was devotedly attached, and her affection for them was warmly reciprocated.

They became the parents of ten children, viz: Nancy Jane (Cole- man), Sarah T. (Martin), James Y., Samuel M., John T., William T. (deceased), Mary E. (Owens), Martha M. (Cochran), Joseph B. and Winfield S. (deceased).

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KISKIMINETAS TOWNSHIP.

dated June 2, 1862, and its charter officers were John A. Delo, pastor ; Philip Long and Isaac Townsend, Jr., elders and trustees ; James Fair and C. Kepple, deacons and trustees ; and its charter members were John H. Townsend, S. Truby, George Gumbert, J. F. Cline and Isaac Townsend, Jr.

The United Presbyterian church edifice, frame, 25×30 feet, is situated on a lot on the southerly side of Mill street and westerly side of an alley, between it and the lot on which the public school- house is located. Members, 70; Sabbath-school scholars, 45. This church has not, as yet, had a regular pastor, but has been statedly supplied.

The First Baptist church edifice, brick, one- story, about 30×40 feet, situate near the left bank of the old canal, nearly opposite the mouth of Maple street, was erected in 1873.

This church was incorporated by the proper court, December 21, 1874, and William Reese, Sr., Thomas Reese, Hugh Evans, A. M. Hill, W. B. Ansley and John Morgan were the trustees named in the charter.

EDUCATIONAL.

Prior to the incorporation of the borough, schools were taught, first in two different log schoolhouses a short distance east of the town, and then in another schoolhouse in the hollow, the former in Allegheny township until 1832, and both thereafter in Kiskiminetas township. Soon after the organization of the borough, a frame schoolhouse, one story, abont 25 × 30 feet, was erected on the northerly part of lot No. 30, cor- nering on Church street and an alley thirty feet wide. The first teacher was Samuel Owens. In 1863 a new frame two-story house, 48 × 45 feet, painted white, with rooms adapted to a graded school of two departments, the ceiling of one ten and that of the other twelve feet, and furnished with neat and comfortable pine desks and seats, was erected on an acre lot now on the southerly side of the upper end of Mill street, near the in- tersection of Wood street, which has since been so enlarged as to contain six schoolrooms, which are furnished with convenient patent seats and desks capable of accommodating, respectively, from forty to fifty pupils. The directors have generally been careful in selecting competent and skillful teachers. Subscription schools have generally been main- tained during the intervals between the closing and opening of the public schools.

In 1860 the numbers of schools was 2; months taught, 4; male teacher, 1; female teacher, 1; aver- age salary of male teacher per month, $25; average salary of female teacher per month, $14; male

scholars, 61; female scholars, 58; average number attending school, 76; cost of teaching each per month, 47 cents; amount levied for school purposes, $254.86; received from state appropriation, $48.71; from collector, $264.61; cost of instruction, $200; fuel and contingencies, $28.60; repairing school- house, etc., $39.91.

In 1876 the number of schools was 5; average number months taught, 43; male teacher, 1; female teachers, 4; average salary of male teacher per month, $60; average salary of female teachers per month, $42.50; male scholars, 129; female scholars, 134; average number attending school, 211; cost per month for each scholar, 86 cents; total amount tax levied for school and building purposes, $3,299.40 ; received from state appropriation, $292.95; from taxes and other sources, $2,526.18; cost of schoolhouse, $646.19; paid for teachers' wages, $820; paid for fuel, collector's fees, con- tingencies, and other expenses, $1,335.42.

Milton Dally is said to have been the captain of the first boat that made a trip on the Pennsylvania canal west of the Allegheny mountains. John B. Chambers was the captain of the first packet-boat that plied between Apollo and Pittsburgh.

James H. McElwain is the oldest native of and now living in Apollo.

MILITARY.

The Independent Blues of Apollo were organ- ized as a volunteer company in 1848. Its first captain was Thomas C. McCulloch, now, a practic- ing physician at Kittanning. After his removal from Apollo he was succeeded by Samuel Owens in 1855, A. J. Marshall in 1856, J. C. Crawford in 1858 and Samuel M. Jackson immediately after the firing on Sumter in April, 1861. Its services were promptly tendered on President Lincoln's first call for 75,000 troops, but not in time to be then accepted. It was directed by Gov. Curtin to be held in readiness for future service, and June 5, 1861, it left Apollo for Camp Wright, and was assigned as Company G to the 11th regt. of Penn- sylvania Reserves, in which it served valiantly during the war. Captain Jackson having been promoted to the rank of colonel December 13, 1863, First-Lieut. James P. Speer succeeded him as captain, who, on his subsequent promotion to the rank of major, was succeeded by First-Sergt. James H. Mills, who continued to be its captain until that regiment was honorably mustered out of the service after the close of the war. The ranks of that company were filled by gallant and patri- otic men, not only from Apollo but from the sur- rounding country. Among its heroic deeds was

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HISTORY OF ARMSTRONG COUNTY.

its participation in the notable charge upon the rebel breastworks at Spottsylvania. When the writer mentions the names of the officers of that or any other company he does so as though they represent or personify the rank and file of the heroic "boys in blue" who served under them. All of their names and those of their compatriots in the military service from Armstrong county would, the writer is. informed by one of them, fill at least one hundred pages.

There appears to have been an earlier military company bearing the name of Charlestown Guards, which was probably organized in or prior to 1840, the particulars of whose history the writer has not had the pleasure of ascertaining.

SOLDIERS' AID SOCIETY.

An organization of the ladies of Apollo and vicinity was effected at an early stage of the war of the rebellion, which, like those in other places in this county, was effective in collecting such material and making up such articles as were needed for contributing to the health and comfort of the sick and wounded soldiers.

A post of the Grand Army of the Republic was in existence for a number of years.

TEMPERANCE.

Nothing has come to the writer's knowledge re- specting temperance organizations, except that a lodge of Good Templars was organized in 1868.

The petition of the people of this borough was effective in causing the sale of intoxicating liquors within its limits to be prohibited by the act of March 27, 1866, which is still in force. The vote February 28, 1873, was-against license, 109; for it, 4.

THE APOLLO CEMETERY

was incorporated by the proper court September 7, 1868. The charter members were Thomas A. Cochran, Samuel M. Jackson and John B. Cham- bers.

LODGES.

Masonic. No. 437 was constituted March 4, 1869. Its hall is in the second story of the new bank building, in the second square above the canal, on parts of lots Nos. 3 and 4, on the south- erly side of North street. Its membership is 42.

Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Mineral Point Lodge, No. 615, was instituted December 14, 1867; members, 75. The Kiskiminetas Encamp- ment, No. 192, was instituted December 13, 1869 ; members, 30.

The Improved Order of Red Men. Caughnewago

Tribe, No. 228, was instituted in December, 1875 ; members, 20.

Order of United American Mechanics. Kiski- minetas Valley Council, No. 325, was instituted in the spring of 1875 ; members, 53.

The hall, or place of meeting, of the last named four lodges is in the Odd Fellows' building, on lot No. 2, as numbered in the original plat of the town of Warren.

TRADES AND OCCUPATIONS.

The number of merchants and such mechanics as are usual in every town has, from the first set- tlement of this place, been adequate to its wants. The first resident physician was Robert McKissen, whose successors at different periods have been William Brown ; William P. McCulloch, who was surgeon, or assistant surgeon, in the 78th regt. Pa. Vols .; Thos. C. McCulloch, Thos. H. Allison, William McBriar, O. P. Bolinger, J. S. McNutt, W. B. Ansley, J. W. Bell and Robert E. McCauley. A dentist was first assessed in 1851. The first resident lawyer, since 1855, is Jacob Treetley, and later, John B. Guthrie and Horace N. McIntyre.

The first tannery appears to have been estab- lished in 1823-4 by John Wort, on lot No. 41, old plot, whence he removed it to a lot in the "new addition." He purchased lots Nos. 3, 5 and 6 on the southerly side of North street in 1817, for each of the first two of which he paid $45, and for the other $38.50. The deeds from Johnston & Speer for Nos. 3 and 6 are each dated January 8, 1817, and for No. 5 June 8, 1824. In 1839-40 James Guthrie established his tannery on an acre lot on the south- west corner of the present Maple and Canal streets. In 1850-1 Simon S. Whitlinger started his tannery on the northwest part of the square, which corners on Mill and Church streets, which he sold to John F. Whilinger, who removed it, several years since, to the lower part of the borough on Risher's run, near the present northern borough line. All of those tanneries were operated in the old slow mode until the removal of the Whitlinger one to its present location, since which it has been opera- ted by steam, that is, its process of tanning is by the use of steam, and is of course more rapid than was that of its predecessors. The various kinds of shoe and harness leather were manufactured at all of them, and they still are in large quantities at the last-named one.

The first hotel, or tavern, was opened in 1824.

The manufacture of pottery was introduced in 1832-3; of saddles and harnesses in 1837; of cabi- net-ware in 1836; of wagons in 1840; coverlet weav- ing in 1841; stonecntting in 1842; chairmaking in

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KISKIMINETAS TOWNSHIP.

1843; coopering in 1844; making tinware in 1848; carding in 1848; dentistry, cigar-making, making mill-wheels, etc., making copperware, in 1851; gro- cery business, as a separate branch, in 1855; teach- ing music, confectionery as a separate business, and butchering in 1858; coal merchant and drug- gist in 1860; coal hauler and miller in 1861; coal digger in 1863; brickmaking in 1865; auctioneer in 1867; planing-mill, foundry and salt merchant in 1868; stove and tin merchant, book agent and painter in 1870; barber, oil merchant and broom- maker in 1871; Apollo Savings Bank-assessed with one-fourth part of lot No. 3 (old plot) at $500-livery and speculator in 1872; undertaker and silversmith in 1873; oil dealer and photogra- pher in 1874; lumberman, furniture dealer and brickpresser in 1875. Some of those branches of business may have been introduced or commenced a year or two earlier than their first assessments indicate. The capital stock of the Savings Bank is $50,000.

The Apollo gristmill was erected by John H. and Eden Townsend in 1849. For the last ten years it has been owned by George Brenner. It is 62×44 feet, three stories, frame, with three runs of burr- stones, smutmill, corn-cracker and sheller, and other modern improvements. It is situated on the southerly side and at the lower end of Mill street.

A barrel factory was established by Samuel Lack, at the foot of Indiana street, in, 1854-5, and was continued in operation until 1864-5. The annual product was about 10,000 barrels, and the number. of employés varied from eight to twelve.

With the erection and starting of the iron works came a considerable number of persons following the various avocations incident thereto, such as manager, engineers, rollers, heaters, shinglers, shearers, etc.

Kiskiminetas Iron Company .- The certificate of organization of this company is dated September 20, 1855, accompanied with the declaration of the stockholders or partners that they wished to become a body politic, under the act of assembly "to en- courage manufacturing operations," approved April 7, 1849. The original number of shares of capital stock was 500. The rolling-mill was erected in 1856. The prime object at first was the manufac- ture of nails. That company conveys its property to George W. Cass and Washington McClintock for $40,000 by deed dated December 8, 1859. Its interests and that of Washington MeClintock in the property of the company were sold by the sher- iff, May 1 and 5, 1860, to Cass and McClintock for $4,100, to whom James P. Speer conveyed his

interest therein, by deed, dated December 29, 1866, for $5,564.58.

The mill was operated by Geo. W. Cass & Co. for eighteen months. In 1863, Washington McClintock, William Rogers, Sr., and W. E. Foale leased these works, and abandoned the manufacture of nails and commenced that of sheet iron. Until the destruction of dam No. 2, in February, 1866, these ironworks were operated by water-power, the supply of water having been obtained from the Pennsylvania canal. In August of that year, Mc- Clintock and Foale retired from, and Thomas J. Burchfield came into, the firm as active partners, and Thomas J. Hoskinson as a special partner, and the name of the firm was changed to that of Rogers & Burchfield. A large engine was procured and an additional waid of rolls laid. Then was com- menced the manufacture of the cold rolled iron for which these works became noted. Their capacity was fifty tons per week. The number of employés, including the coal diggers, was 140. The different kinds of manufacture were common, Juniata, Nos. 1, 2, 3 cold rolled, and showcard sheet iron. These were operated almost continuously from 1866 until 1875, when the firm went into bankruptcy. It is claimed that William Rogers, Sr., acquired, in 1872, while in Russia, a knowledge of the mode of making Russian sheet iron, and, while thus acquiring that knowledge, was for that cause obliged to make a sudden exit from the czar's dominions. The property belonging to these works consists of two sheet-mills, seven puddling fur- naces, one heating furnace, two sheet furnaces, two annealing furnaces, one new steam hammer, two gas-wells, sunk for the purpose of obtaining a sufficient supply of gas for fuel, one of which pro- duces a moderate quantity, one large, seven-feet- stroke engine, two small ones, twenty tenant houses, one other dwelling and store-house, a bakery, other necessary buildings, and a wire suspension bridge across the Kiskiminetas to the railroad sid- ing and coalbank.

The number of merchants assessed by the mer- cantile appraiser this year is twenty-one in the fourteenth and one in the twelfth class, in which are included the druggists, grocers and confec- tioners.

POPULATION.

In 1850 the number of white inhabitants was 329; colored inhabitants, 2. In 1860, white, 449. In 1870, white, 762; colored, 2. The number of taxables in 1876 is 315. At 43 persons for each taxable, the population is, in this centennial year, 1,449.

The last assessment list, that is, for 1876, indi-

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HISTORY OF ARMSTRONG COUNTY.

cates the numbers engaged in various avocations to be: Clergymen, 4; lawyer, 1; physicians, 3; teachers, 2; dentist, 1; laborers, 90; carpenters, 10; blacksmiths, 6; shoemakers, 3; saddlers, 2; paint- ers, 3; tailors, 2; clerks, 12; cashier, 1; wagon- makers, 2; tanners, 2; tinners, 2; weaver, 1; watch- maker, 1; cigarmakers, 3; miller, 1; plasterer, 1; barber, 1; toll-keeper, 1; printer, 1; roll-turner, 1; rollers, 2; puddler, 1; miners, 6; engineers, 3; heaters, 4; manager, 1; agent, 1; haulers, 2; stone- masons, 3; butchers, 3; bookkeeper, 1; farmer, 1; planing-mill, 1; planer, 1; foundry, 1; foundryman, 1; old gentlemen, 4.

FIRES.

Considering the age and size of this municipal- ity, its inhabitants have been rather fortunate in regard to fires. For a period of sixty years after the laying out of the town, only three buildings had been burned. An extensive conflagration oc- cnrred Wednesday night, January 19, 1876, which, it is supposed, originated from overturning a kero- sene oil lamp in H. A. Rudolph's shoe-store. Twenty-nine buildings in all were destroyed, cans- ing a loss of $32,000, on which there was insurance

to the amount of only $12,000. The high wind at the time caused the flames to extend rapidly along the southerly side of North street, from its "lower end to the third public alley above the canal, beyond which were the vacant lots of John B. Chambers, where they were stayed. About twenty- four buildings on the three squares or blocks above the canal, on the southerly side of North street, and about five on the northerly side of Main street, were destroyed, among which were several business houses, the postoffice and savings bank buildings on the former street. The people had no means of extinguishing the fire, except their own vigorous efforts in the use of common household buckets. It was very fortunate, under the circumstances, a high wind raging at least a part of the time, that the destruction was not more extensive than it was. Since then there has been but one building-Samuel Stull's-destroyed by fire. The burned buildings are being replaced, as is generally the case after fires, by more tasteful and substantial structures. The need of a fire de- partment and more effective means of promptly extinguishing fires than common buckets, is very apparent.

CHAPTER XI.

PINE (INCLUDING BOGGS).

Name-Erected from Territory in Kittanning Township- Decreased in Size by the Establishment of Boggs in 1878 -(Note)- Mahoning Creek and its Indian Name-The Old Path to LeBœuf- The Indian Town of Mahoning- Orrsville - History of the Original Land Tracts - Ore Hill Furnace - William Trumbull - His Mill on Pine Creek, Built Prior to 1790- Peart's Mills -Ineffective Search for Oil - Associate Reformed Church - The Wallis Lands-An Ancient Earthwork Near "Slabtown"-Stewardson Furnace - North American Land Company's Tracts - Goheenville and Other Hamlets - Population, Mercantile Appraisement and Assessment of the Township-Educational Statistics - Geology.

P INE township derived its name from Pine creek, which flows westwardly through the ter- ritory which it formerly embraced. Pine creek in the Delaware language is Cuwen-hanne, i. e., pine- stream-a stream flowing through pine-lands.

A petition of divers inhabitants of Kittanning township was presented to the court of quarter sessions of this county, December 25, 1835, set- ting forth that their township was entirely too large for their convenience, as some of them were compelled to travel from ten to fourteen miles to transact township business, and praying for a new township to be called "Pine Creek," to consist of the upper part of Kittanning township. Thomas Barr, Joseph Lowry and John Calhoun were ap- pointed viewers, whose report, favoring the prayer of the petitioners was read March 22, and con- firmed June 20, 1836, and "Pine Creek township" was organized with the following boundaries : "By a line commencing at the place where the purchase line crosses the line of the township of Kittanning at the corner of Wayne township ; "- now the southeast corner of Valley township- "thence by said township to Mahoning creek ; thence down said creek and the Allegheny river to the borough of Kittanning; thence by the same to the said purchase line," i. e., along the northwestern and southeastern boundaries of the borough ; "and thence by said purchase line to the beginning, about equally dividing Kittanning township." Although "Pine Creek" is the legal name of this township, as prayed for by the pe- titioners and specified in the report of the viewers, which was confirmed by the court, the latter part of the name appears to have been early dropped. On the title-page of the Kittanning township duplicate for 1837 is its full name, "Pine Creek Township," but in the next and the subsequent separate duplicates it is simply "Pine Township," and such it has ever since been called. It was

shorn, nineteen years after its organization, of about half its territory by the erection of Valley township. The present sketch of it is limited to that part of its original territory between Pine and Mahoning creeks .*

At the northwestern corner of this township is the junction of the Mahoning creek with the Alle- gheny river. The original name of this stream was Mo-hul-buc-tee-tam, or Mo-hul-buc-ti-ton, or more properly Mackol pakiton. When and why the change occurred is not known. The etymology of the original name is, A-moo-chool, a canoe, and pa- kiton, to throw away, the entire word meaning, where we abandon our canoes - at the head of navi- gation-where the stream will no more admit of navigating it.+ James White, of this township, in his eighty-fifth year related to the writer that Samuel Calhoun and Jeremiah Lochery were out hunting along this stream in early times, when the latter was shot in the shoulder by some Indian, who, with others, was also hunting there.

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History of Armstrong County, Pennsylvania, Part 52

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