USA > Pennsylvania > Beaver County > History of Beaver County, Pennsylvania, and Its Centennial Celebration, Volume II > Part 11
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
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 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70
Grace M. E. Church was organized by Rev. A. L. Petty, D.D., Presiding Elder of the Allegheny district, Pittsburg Conference, Wednesday evening, October 16, 1895, in the Thirteenth Avenue Mission chapel, with a membership of 176. At a meeting of the congregation, April 15, 1896, a charter was adopted, and, August 26th, by-laws under this charter were framed. The society rented the first-floor room of the Andre & Mali carriage works and fitted it up for use, November, 1895, and bought the property in 1896. The ministers who have served the church are: Rev. R. N. Leak, Rev. J. R. Wolf, D.D., Rev. D. H. McKee, Rev. J. E. Wright, and Rev. G. M. Kelley.
ser; o Beaver County
Bie ms Sans (colored) was orgar:ze: May 10.
rac and secured quarters in Astenreith's
Tem was called as the first pastor and was
Association .- This society was CadaC-
March 13, 1891, the Young Vez's L :- zei over to the Y. M. C. A. all its property. was founded in 1850.
.Enstian Temperance Union was organized And has done a good work in the tow. :
ANTI-SLAVERY AGITATION
Falls Colonization Society, auxiliary to the Penn- Men's Colonization Society, was organized in New mier !. 1837, and officers were elected, January "ows: president, Richard Leech; vice-presidents, . hamberlin and Benjamin Davis; secretary. C. W. wsurer. Harvey Blanchard; managers, T. H. Thorniley. Williams. and M. B. Mason. This society led to the a vi the Beaver County Society in 1838, with James president. The love of liberty on the part of these +grous people led to the establishment of the "underground " by which many a poor, hunted slave escaped safely to
HOTELS
Among the earliest hotels in New Brighton may be men- :ned the Blount House, which was built about 1848, the build- ag vet standing on the line of the old canal. Below it, near the keg factory, was another house kept by Mr. Blount, and wear it was the Lukens House, the building being after- wards moved and now used as a dwelling. Later came the Park Hotel, made so popular by the Magaws, and by H. L. Stuber, and now run by Sidney Cook; and the Sour- beck (now Kenwood) made known all along the railroad by its early proprietor, Daniel Sourbeck, and now managed by S. E. Gallagher. The Huron House, built in 1857, opposite the passenger station, is still standing, but not in use. In 1855
719
History of Beaver County
the building now owned by Dr. C. T. Gale, was built for a hotel, but has been a residence for over a third of a century. The Clyde House was built in the eighties, and is now run by William Leckemby. The old schoolhouse, after its abandonment for school purposes, was bought and turned into the White House, but is not now open as a hotel. The most ambitious house of the kind was the "New Brighton House," built in 1837 by M. T. C. Gould and others on the corner of Third Avenue and Eleventh Street, fronting 100 feet and 8 inches on Third Avenue and 62} feet on Eleventh Street, being four stories high. It was not finished, and during the silk manufacturing excitement prevailing at that time it was used as a place in which to feed silk worms. There was also a large building near Alle- gheny Street and Eighth Avenue where silkworms were fed. In the upper part of town, on the flat above Eighth Street, were grown a large number of mulberry trees, the leaves from which were used to feed the worms. Very little, how- ever, was accomplished in the manufacture of silk. In 1851 the building was completed and became the "Merrick House," one of the most popular houses in this section. It was burned about noon, October 5, 1855. The ruins stood until 1871, when the "Opera House" block was erected, the two lower stories being owned by private parties, and the hall in the third story by the Broadway Hall Company. It was a popular play- house for years, but fell into disuse as such, and was occupied as the armory of Company B, roth Pennsylvania Regiment, for about nine years. It was destroyed by fire, February 16, 1899. On its site the present News building and the Martsolf build- ing have been erected.
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS
The National Bank of New Brighton was organized October 29, 1884; capital, $100,000; M. T. Kennedy, president; and C. M. Merrick, cashier. It succeeded the National Bank of Beaver County, capital-$200,000, which began business No- vember 12, 1864, and was the first, and for years the only, national bank in Beaver County; Silas Merrick, president; and Edward Hoopes, cashier. This bank succeeded the Bank of Beaver County, a State bank organized in 1857; Silas Merrick,
Hister a Grave Com
i2.
E. az occupied the
DEL There Dr. T. C.
:ss. I was one
. =
L' Mapa Deen: Silas
K.
:. M. Mer-
Vis organ-
. Barker. .NII
Falls. It
will
cegan busi-
.: scenreith. VI !:-
. : apical of
1-
ER& J F.
LEI TIS in-
3 Mitchell,
premier :
Weiter solici-
tor. __ 3
IS C. W.
Bradiste%
Build-
ing 12:
with
J F. N ::..
Enon Fugh.
treasure:
et was in-
secretary:
D. C.
Storein:
The Second New Brighton
terrorited December 21,
. capital. $:s.scc.ooo:
. 1. Schofield. secretary. C. E. .. .... : 3. Cuthbertson. solicitor
=
The home Brewstive savings and Loan Association was
gomes, chleber. 000. capital, $30,000.000; officers: T. L.
721
History of Beaver County
Kennedy, president; Samuel Hamilton, secretary; and F. G. Barker, treasurer.
POST-OFFICE
New Brighton was unable to secure a post-office for many years after its importance warranted it, and was dependent upon Fallston for its mail. The first office in the town was established in 1849, when B. B. Chamberlin was appointed postmaster, dating from November 12, 1849. He had been in the office of Millard Fillmore, who was elected Vice-President in 1848, and through his influence the post-office here was obtained. The succeeding postmasters were Charles H. Higby, John Glass, Isaac Covert, John C. Boyle, Mrs. E. B. Cuthbertson, 1869; Walter S. Braden, 1886; A. J. Bingham, 1890; William Wallace, 1894; D. R. Corbus, 1897; Charles M. McDanel, 1902-4.
The location of the post-office has been changed several times, being from 1859 to 1883 in the brick building in rear of the News building, later in the Walker room, between Ninth and Tenth streets, and then in the Bert room, between Tenth and Eleventh streets. Since April 1, 1902, it has occupied the new federal building. The erection of this building was authorized by Congress in 1899. Bids were asked for a site for the building, and that offered by Thomas Bradford and Charles C. Townsend, on the northeast corner of Third Avenue and Tenth Street, was accepted. It is a curious fact that for at least forty years the post-office has been located within a square of the site that the Government selected for the new building. For a short time only it was taken off Third Avenue. The new building is a fine structure, erected at a cost of about $60,000.
GROVE CEMETERY
March 18, 1859, Grove Cemetery was incorporated by the Legislature of Pennsylvania, and the grounds, about thirty-two acres on Block House Run, were dedicated to the purpose of burial, on the 13th of October of the same year. A board of managers was chosen, with William P. Townsend, president; George S. Barker, secretary; and M. Gilliland, treasurer. A handsome soldiers' monument, in memory of the struggle of the Civil War, is one of its attractions.
722
History of Beaver County
NEW BRIGHTON'S PATRIOTISM
During the Civil War the town sent two companies to the front for three years-Company H, 9th Pennsylvania Reserves, Captain, John Cuthbertson, of which 96 members were from New Brighton; and Company C, 63d Pennsylvania, Captain, Jason R. Hanna, most of the men being from the town. In addition to these there were men in a number of other commands, making in all nearly 300 men from this town. In 1863 Captain G. S. Barker took to the front a company of three-months men, and another company, largely composed of New Brighton men, was sent.
In the Spanish-American War of 1898, Company B, 10th Regi- ment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, went from New Brighton; 58 of its members, 8 members of Company A, and Major H. C. Cuthbertson of the same regiment, being from New Brighton- 67 in all. In addition to these there were 22 men in other com- mands-volunteer and regular regiments-making a total of 89 from this town, or more than four times its quota under the calls of the President.
SOCIETIES AND ORDERS
Robertson Lodge, No. 450, I. O. O. F., chartered July 18, 1851; Union Lodge, No. 259, F. and A. M., instituted Novem- ber 20, 1851; Ruth Lodge, No. 1, D. of R .; Evergreen Encamp- ment of Patriarchs, No. 151, I. O. O. F., instituted February 16, 1867; New Brighton Lodge, No. 301, I. O. G. T., instituted April 7, 1867; Social Lodge, No. 351, K. of P., instituted May 1, 1872; Beaver Valley Lodge, No. 81, A. O. U. W., instituted September 23, 1874; E. M. Stanton Post, No. 208, G. A. R., organized 1881; Royal Arcanum, organized May 19, 1887; New Brighton Circle, No. 42, P. H. C., instituted May, 1888; Knights of the Golden Eagle, organized July 8, 1889; Beaver Valley Council, No. 301, O. U. A. M., instituted June 1, 1890; Star Council, No. 55, Jr. O. U. A. M .; Beaver Valley Camp, No. 3, Woodmen of the World, instituted December 22, 1891; New Brighton Tent, No. 190, Knights of the Maccabees, instituted October 6, 1893; Central Labor Union of Beaver County.
INCORPORATION
New Brighton was incorporated as a borough by Act of
-
General John S. Littell. Robert Townsend.
Grace Greenwood. (Sarah Jane Clarke.) Edward Hoopes.
723
History of Beaver County
Assembly in 1838.' At the March sessions of the court in 1855 a petition, signed by J. R. Martin, burgess, and M. T. Kennedy, Joseph T. Pugh, Joseph McConnell, J. S. Winans, Jacob E. Sharrar, Henry Hipple, and T. A. Barker, councilmen, was pre- sented, asking that the borough be placed under the provisions of the Act of April 3, 1851. The court granted the request, June 7, 1855.ยช
POPULATION
By the United States Census of 1890 the population of New Brighton was 5616; in 1900 it was 6820.
NOTABLE RESIDENTS
"Grace Greenwood" (Sarah Jane Clarke), the well-known writer, was for some years a resident of New Brighton. She lived in the house now occupied by Dr. Evelyn S. Pettit. Her brother, Albert H. Clarke, Esq., still resides in the town.
Another eminent literary woman, Anna Dickinson, lived here for some time. She was a pupil in the school taught by Myra Townsend.
Stephen C. Foster also resided at one time in New Brighton, and wrote here some of his early songs. He lived in the one- story cottage house still standing on the southeast corner of Tenth Street and Seventh Avenue, then owned by General Milton Townsend.
1 P. L., 564.
" No. 6, March Sess. 1855, Road Docket No. 2, p. 485.
CHAPTER XIX
FALLSTON BOROUGH
Location-Indian Occupation-Brady's Adventures-Pioneer Settle- ments-Manufacturing Developments-Harris's Directory-Fallston Bridge-Religious and Educational Features-Newspapers-Post- office-Population-Incorporation.
FALLSTON is beautifully situated on the west bank of the Beaver, just below "the Falls" from which it took its name.' It is immediately opposite New Brighton and about a mile below Beaver Falls, with which it was formerly connected by a road running through the "Narrows, "or the contracted space be- tween the hills and the Beaver. This road was vacated at the time the Pittsburg & Lake Erie Railway was built. Down these "Narrows" a race-way was built from a dam at the Lower Falls, the water-power from which supplies the works at present in operation, and formerly gave the place its great importance as a manufacturing center.
INDIAN OCCUPATION
The site of Fallston borough is connected with some of the most important incidents in the pioneer history, and industrial development of Beaver County. In the period of the Indian occupation it was a spot much frequented by the savages, and up the little stream which comes dashing down the wild glen on the west of it ran a path leading to one of their great towns in what is now Ohio, viz., Sandusky. This path was much used by Captain Sam Brady and the rangers from Fort McIntosh. It was some-
' "The Beaver river, within five miles from its mouth, falls 69 feet. 'The Falls' origin- ally consisted of a succession of rapids for about two-thirds of that distance. By individual and State enterprise the stream has been made to assume a succession of pools and dams." Day's Historical Collections (1843), p. 108.
724
Bridge near Mouth of Brady's Run, 182 ;.
725
History of Beaver County
where near Kuskuskee, on this trail or one of its branches, that Brady in 1780 rescued Jenny Stupes and her child, who had been taken captive by the Indians on the south side of the Ohio.' The little stream and the hill back of the borough are both known to this day as "Brady's Run" and "Brady's Hill." At the foot of.Brady's Hill an Indian trail branched northwest, and passed by the site of Darlington to what is now Petersburg, Ohio. Opposite the present site of Fallston was the block- house which was built in the fall of 1788, when, by order of Congress of date October 2d, that year, Fort McIntosh, at what is now Beaver, was ordered to be demolished. Lieutenant Nathan McDowell was placed in command at this post, which was intended to protect communication up the Big Beaver and to cover the country after the removal of Fort McIntosh .? In the spring of 1791 Brady figured again in an affair which was connected with this blockhouse and vicinity. He and about twenty others were following the trail of some Indians, who were supposed to have committed various depredations on the inhabitants south of the Ohio River, and, coming up the west side of the Beaver, when they had arrived at about where Falls- ton now is, opposite the blockhouse, these rangers discovered a party of nine Indians, with horses, who were engaged in trade with William Wilson, an Indian trader. The ran-
gers immediately opened fire, killing several of the Indians, among them being two women; the rest fled and Brady and his company crossed the creek and secured the horses, arms, and merchandise that the Indians had purchased. This deed, by the better portion of the people of the frontier, was denounced as an atrocious murder.3
1 See account of this rescue in Chapter IV., pp. 164-65.
" See Chapter III for notice of this blockhouse and of Lieut. McDowell; also of Major John Toomey, who commanded there in 1793.
' The following from CRAIG's History of Pittsburgh (pp. 223-33) will show the sequel to this affair:
"PITTSBURGH, May 25, 1793.
"On Monday last, the 20th of this month, a Court of Oyer and Terminer and Gaol Delivery, and of Nisi Prius, for the county of Allegheny, was held at this place by the Chief- Justice and Judge Yeates.
"The only criminal business that came before the Judges was the trial of Capt. Samuel Brady, who, when the Judges were last here, had been indicted for murder, in killing cer- tain Indians near the mouth of Beaver Creek, in the spring of the year 1791.
"It was proved to the satisfaction of the court, that notwithstanding the treaties of Fort Stanwix, M'Intosh, Muskingum, and Miami, which established peace between the Indians and the people of the United States, and obliged the Indians to surrender all who should commit any murder on our frontiers-certain banditti of them had from time to time infested the western frontier, stolen horses, taken boats, and murdered our citirens, that recently, before the killing of the Indians, for which Brady was now tfied, several .. people from Ohio county, particularly Boggs, Paul Riley's family, and Mrs .. Vantuskirke, VOL. II .- 8.
-30
History of Beaver County
Year the west end of the present Fallston bridge was a pund. surmounted Er a dense thicket. m which the Indians often secreted themselves for the purpose of attack. where, when ob- served. cker what a: fred upor by the soldiers m the blockhouse.
209222 SETTLEMENTS AND MANTIACTITING
Settlements wert early made at this point. One of the first to make aprimements where Fallston now stands, was John Menee. of what is now Mckeesport. On the 18th of March. :200. be executed an article of agreement with one Levi B. Stuart. of Moce township. Allegheny County, in which be agrees to give Staar:
a part of the plantation that lies on the west side of Big Beaver creek opposite the birakhouse and beginning at a stone on Daniel Leet's corner on Beg Bearer. then running up said creek about eighty perches :0 a small sugar isee on said bank. then to run a west course to Damel Hill's Line. thence along said line to Daniel Leet's, and so along said line to the place of beginning. This described part of said plantation, be it more or less is to be said Stuart's for living and clearing on his own part what the law requires :- said Levi B. Stuart binding himself. his heirs, executors and administrators to live on, or cause some family to live on, the said plantason for the full term of five years, and to make an improvement as the law directs.
January 26, 1798, Stuart formally assigned his rights. under the title thus bestowed, to Joseph Wells, who in turn assigned all his rights to David Townsend, January 26, 1799, and the
had been put to death; that to pursue the Indians who had committed these murders, and to recover wane property stolen, a party of volunteers from Ohio county, of which Brady was one, crossed the Ohio, and led by the trail of the Indians towards the place where the killing happened, fired and killed those for whose death Brady was tried. It was proved by the oath of Keyashuts, an Indian chief. that the Delawares had long before fet gu the chain, that they, the Shawanese, Chippewas, Ottawas. Wyandots, and some renegade Mingoes, were in the battle against Gen. Harmar, 1700. It was also proved that the attack and firing of Capt. Kirkwood's house was by Delawares, that some of the in- stances of murder and rapine above mentioned were by Delawares, that the persons killed were Delawares and had in their possession some of the property just before taken from Ohio county, manifested an intention of proceeding to commit other murders on our citizens, and, when fired on by those who attacked them, and whom they had just discovered. were in the art of sizing their guns: and, moreover, the relation of John Hamilton, a trader on the spot, satisfied the court of the malignant and hostile temper of those very Indians.
"The Chief Justice, in a charge distinguished not less by learning than humanity, ex- plained the laws of war, and the right of putting enemies to death, urged the impropriety of killing those who might with safety be taken prisoners, and the baseness of killing women; lamented that any acts of outrage by our citizens should occasion retaliation on themselves; but stating that in his opinion, the Indians were hostile, directed, if the jury concurred in his opinion, of which he had no doubt, they should acquit the prisoner without leaving the bar, The jury did so, and the court ordered Captain Brady to be discharged oa payment of frey."
To the above account the editor adds: "In relation to the testimony of Guyasutha, in this case, the late James Kons, Emj., who was Brady's counsel, told a characteristic story. The testimony of that Indian was no very strong in favor of the defendant, that even his ; counsel was shuthed. After the trial was over, he spoke to Guyasutha, and rather expressed b's surprise at the decided tone of his testimony: upon which that Chief clapped his hand upon his breast' and exclaimed. 'Am I not the friend of Brady ' It seems obvious that he considered himself as much bound to swear for his friend, as he would be to fight for him."
727
History of Beaver County
property was deeded by John McKee to David Townsend, June 19, 1799. Soon after this, one hundred acres of this property came into the possession of a company composed of David Townsend, Benj. Townsend, and Benj. Sharpless, who sold, De- cember 13, 1802, the f of this tract to Evan and John Pugh. In 1800 David Townsend started a saw-mill; and in 1804 the Messrs. Pugh set up a flouring mill, the first improvements made in Fallston, when it was yet a wilderness. The Pughs came here from Chester County. In 1682 two brothers, James and John Ap Hugh, came from Wales with a party of their countrymen to this State, and the name was subsequently Anglicized into Pugh.
In 1808 David Towsend erected a mill for the manufacture of linseed oil, and one for the manufacture and spinning of cot- tons. He connected a store with the factory, and in 1814 was succeeded in this business by Messrs. Thomas Thorniley and Armitage, and eventually Evan and John Pugh became members. The Thornileys came from England in 1790, and to Beaver County in 1813. Septimus Sharpless started the first woolen mill in 1809, and was succeeded by Abel Towsend in 1814. In 1812 James Douglass started the manufacture of carding ma- chines. Marsh & Stone began the manufacture of scythes in 1823, and in the year following William Blanchard engaged in the same business, running it until 1836. In 1825 William Eich- baum and E. Clark Stockton started a paper mill, which was afterwards carried on by Messrs. Johnson and Stockton. Wil- liam Cannon was superintendent of this mill, and also of the general store kept in connection with it.
About 1825 a cotton factory was started by John and Evan Pugh, Hall Wilson, and Thomas Thorniley. In 1826 John Miner, M. F. Champlin, W. Porter, and B. F. Mathers began the manufacture of buckets and tubs, under patents obtained by Amos Miner, father of John Miner, in a frame building, on the site of the present Thorniley foundry property, Two years later they built what was afterwards known as the Darragh Machine Shop. In 1836 Silas Merrick became a partner, and the firm name was changed to Miner & Merrick. In 1837 the new firm built the bucket factory on the site of Blanchard's scythe factory,' and afterwards built the brick factory at the head of
" This building, the bucket factory, is still standing, and is now owned by C. C. and E. P. Townsend. Where the brick factory stood is now the power-house of the Valley Electric Company.
728
History of Beaver County
the race, and changed the oil mill into a tub factory. This was the chief industry of the valley for a number of years. The business was sold to Bailey & McCandless in the spring of 1865, and was continued until 1871. The Miners came here from Onondaga County, N. Y .; their ancestor, Thomas Miner, having emigrated to this country from England in 1630. The Merricks were from the same county in New York, and their ancestors came from Wales in 1634. Both families first settled in New England. The Champlins came from the same county, New York, and their ancestors from France between 1600 and 1700.
In the Darragh Machine Shop, M. and S. H. Darragh oper- ated a machine shop and foundry until a short time ago. John and J. W. Thorniley ran the same business for several years in the property yet standing, and later the Keystone Driller Com- pany and an enameled sign concern operated there.
In the year 1828 the wire and rivet mill was established by Robert Townsend, Reese C. Townsend, Robert Beer, and John D. Baird of Pittsburg, under the style of Townsend, Baird & Co. This firm was succeeded by W. P. Townsend, son of Robert Townsend, and his sons, C. C. and E. P., in 1866, under the firm name of W. P. Townsend & Company, who in turn were succeeded in 1894 by C. C. and E. P. Townsend, the works being in existence here seventy-three years. The Townsends were from Chester County, and their ancestor, Richard Town- send, came from England with William Penn in 1682.
In 1832 Joseph T. Pugh, who lived on Third Avenue, New Brighton, began the manufacture of window sash, and after- wards the manufacture of flour barrels, in partnership with John Collins. The building erected for the sash factory was used in later years for a handle factory by R. G. Phillips, and until a few years ago it was occupied by S. A. Dickey & Sons. It was torn down in 1898 to give place to the building for the Valley Electric Company.
The Fallston Academy was built in 1832, and was used for school purposes and church services, being open to all denomina- tions. It was bought by H. M. Burns of New Brighton, in 1897, who established a lumber yard there. In 1836 M. T. and S. Kennedy began the manufacture of cabinet and wheelwright work, which was later changed into a nail-keg, and afterwards into a lead-keg, factory. It is still in operation under the man-
729
History of Beaver County
agement of the sons of the founders, largely increased and prosperous.
In 1835 a saw-mill was put in operation by Charles Lukens and others, which was continuously run until 1864, when it was burned. It was succeeded by a mill erected by J. F. Miner, Hiram Platt, and David Critchlow, which was continued by this firm until 1885, and was operated after that for a few years by H. M. Burns, who leased it. It is now abandoned, its water power being used by the Valley Electric Company. In 1835 John Pugh & Company started another linseed oil mill, which, as stated above, was later changed into a tub factory by Miner & Merrick. About 1837 Richard Moreland built a flouring mill at the lower end of the race, which was later overhauled and in- creased by James Duncan and John Edgar & Company, who operated it a number of years, and it is now run by S. D. Ken- nedy & Company.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.