USA > Pennsylvania > Beaver County > History of Beaver County, Pennsylvania, and Its Centennial Celebration, Volume II > Part 20
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
820
History of Beaver County
next, 1853-57, living the rest of his life in the bounds of the congregation,-he died there and is buried in Mount Pleasant cemetery. Rev. A. W. Boyd was stated supply from 1860 to 1865; and then Rev. Albert Dilworth, a son of the church, filled the pulpit as pastor-elect, from 1865 to 1870. The present pastor is Rev. Henry N. Potter. He was called, October 24, 1870, began preaching regularly to the congregation, December 18, 1870, and was installed, February 2, 1871.
A long list of faithful elders have served this church. The first on record were Robert Clark, William Plumer, Robert Bovard, and Daniel Kirkpatrick. William Plumer I was the father of William Swan Plumer, D.D., LL.D., an eminent theo- logian and professor in the Western Theological Seminary, and
1 A brother of this William Plumer was the first white child born in Pennsylvania west of the Allegheny mountains under British dominion. This we learn from the fol- ing letter published in the Newburyport (Mass.) Herald:
"Jonathan Plumer a descendant of Francis and Ruth Plumer, was born in Newbury, April 13, 1724; June 6, 1744, he married Mehitable Herriman. He continued to reside in Newbury until after the death of his wife, which occurred about 1749 or 1750. Her death was such an affliction that he decided to seek relief in a change of scene, and he eventually settled and married his second wife at or near Old Town, Maryland, not many miles from Fort Cumberland. In 1755 he acted as a commissary in Braddock's expedition against Fort Du Quesne. The defeat of this army compelled Jonathan Plumer and his wife to take refuge in Fort Cumberland, where their eldest child. William [later of Greersburg, as noted above] was born in 1755. This William was the father of the late Rev. William Swan Plumer, D.D. In 1758 Jonathan Plumer, tradition says, was in the army under General Forbes when it took possession of Fort Du Quesnc, and changed its name to Pitts- burgh. Soon after this, Colonel George Croghan obtained a grant from the Indians of fifteen hundred acres of land on the southeast side of the Alleghany river, extending from Two-mile run up to the Narrows. Jonathan Plumer became interested in this grant, and in the summer of 1761, ' by permission of Colonel Henry Bouquet, he built a cabin and made many valuable improvements thereon.' It was in that cabin, on the fifth of December. 1762, George Plumer was born-'the first white child born west of the Alleghany moun- tains under British dominion.' He was named after Colonel George Croghan. Soon after the Revolutionary War, George Plumer married Margaret, the youngest daughter of Colonel Alexander Lowrey, a prominent, wealthy and influential Indian trader residing in Donegal, Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. George Plumer represented Westmoreland county in the Pennsylvania legislature in 1812, 1813, 1814. 1815 and 1817: he was elected to the 17th congress and re-elected to the 18th and 10th congress. He was long a ruling elder in the Presbyterian church. He died on his farm in Westmoreland county, Pa., June 8, 1843, leaving a large family of children and grandchildren of the most reputable character. His memory is perpetuated in Pittsburgh by an important street on the ground where he was born, now thickly covered with manufactories and other buildings.
"Alleghany (Pittsburgh) May 20, 1885.
ISAAC CRAIG."
The History of Westmoreland County says:
" Much concurrent testimony might be quoted to show that 'British dominion' was dated by settlers and soldiers from the closing of the preliminary treaty, and as Jonathan Plumer's son George was born December 3 following, they said of him that 'he was the first white male child born' to the westward of the Alleghanies 'under British dominion."
We have quoted both of the above selections from the Magasine of Western History for July, 1885, pp. 297-98. In the Diary of David McClure (p. 53) is the following notice of Jonathan Plumer:
"13. [Sept., 1772] Lord's Day, preached by invitation of Major Edminston in the Fort [Fort Pitt], & in the afternoon, in the village. The inhabitants of this place are very dissipated. We found, however, a happy few who live in the fear of God. & main- tain their integrity, particularly a Mr. Jonathan Plumer & his family. He was originally from Newbury port. In his family, which is numerous & laborious, the life of religion is duly maintained. The dissipated respect him for his goodness & benovolence; but by way of reproach, give him the name of Solomon. He was the first man who found us on our arrival, & treated us with every possible mark of attention & kindness, in his power."
Rev. William S. Plumer, D. D., LL.I.
First
821
History of Beaver County
was the grandfather of W. S. Plumer Bryan, D.D., of Chicago, Ill. The first additions to the eldership were George Dilworth, Joshua Beer, and Caldwell Semple. Mr. Beer subsequently entered the ministry. The next consisted of William Semple, John Martin, John Beer, Joseph Dilworth, and Thomas Dunlap. These were followed by Stephen Todd, Thomas Bradshaw, Rob- ert Leonard, and Samuel Fields. And then at different times were added in the order given: Richard Lewis, James Smart, Andrew Boyd, John Rayl, Benoni Wilkinson, Andrew Cole, Samuel Wells, William Barclay, David Boyd, Richard Porter, Shipman Newkirk, David Ferguson, Samuel Ross, William Mc- Lane, and Josephus McMillan. March, 1870, Alex. H. Anderson and Samuel Henry; July 25, 1875, Ira F. Mansfield, Ethan T. Brittain, and James F. McQuaide; June 17, 1888, Alex. F. Reid and John M. Creighton; and, June 19, 1898, Charles A. Simon- ton and Francis S. Chatley.
According to Dr. Dilworth, the first place of worship for this congregation was a lot of ground a little over a mile east of the village. This is now used as a cemetery. In a grove on that lot Mr. Hughes was ordained. In the same grove the first communion season enjoyed by this people was observed. The congregation worshiped in the grove for several years. The village was then growing, and a number of the people judged it advisable to have their house of worship in the town. A considerable portion of the congregation would not agree to this location.
After some time they tried to obtain a lot of ground adjoin- ing the village, on the slope of the hill a few rods east of the present church, and the congregation worshiped there for some two seasons. But, failing to obtain that lot, they finally secured the piece of ground half a mile east of the town, on what is now known as the John McCowin property. Mr. John Martin donated four or five acres of land to the church. The location was a compromise between the two parties. The next time they built they came into town, but not without a little opposition. The building they erected on this new site was a frame one. This church was remodeled in the year 1842 or 1843, and was in use almost, if not altogether, for half a century. The present structure was erected during the summer of 1861. It was dedicated in April, 1862. The sermon was preached by VOL. 11 .- 14.
822
History of Beaver County
Rev. Dr. Robert Dilworth. A few years ago it underwent ex- tensive repairs, and was to some extent remodeled.
Mention should be made of the fact that, in 1895, during the pastorate of Mr. Potter, this congregation erected a neat chapel building at New Galilee, at a cost, including the lot, building and its furnishings, of about $2100.
On the 23d of June, 1898, Mount Pleasant Church celebrated its Centennial Anniversary with great rejoicings.
The United Presbyterian Church .- This church was organ- ized about 1800, and was formerly known as Brush Run Church. Its first pastor was James Duncan, a man of remarkable talents and career. He was a native of western Pennsylvania, was edu- cated at Canonsburg Academy, and studied theology with Dr. John Anderson of Service, Beaver County. He was suspended from the ministry for heresy, reinstated, and again suspended; joined the Presbyterian Church, and spent the remainder of his life in preaching from cabin to cabin in the new settlements of Kentucky and Indiana, dying on one of these mission tours. He was pastor of Brush Run Church from 1800 to April 11, 1804. David Imbrie, the next pastor, served this church, with Big Beaver and Little Beaver (now Bethel), from the day of his ordination, September 3, 1806, until his death, which was due to a stroke of apoplexy to which he succumbed just before morning service at Little Beaver Church, Sabbath, June 13, 1842. Rev. Benjamin F. Sawyer was pastor from 1844 until 1860. He was followed after a vacancy of two years by Rev. Hugh Sturgeon, who was installed in June, 1862, and remained in the charge until December 26, 1891, when he resigned. The church was without a pastor until June 26, 1893, when Rev. J. F. Ray was installed. Mr. Ray resigned, December 2, 1894. The next pastorate was that of Rev. J. G. Houston, from De- cember 24, 1896, to November 18, 1900. The present pastor, Rev. R. A. Kingan, was installed June 10, 1901.
SOCIETIES
Meridian Lodge, No. 411, F. and A. M., was instituted the 27th of December, 1867. It met first in an upper room in the old Dustin building, then partly used, as we have stated, by
Rev. Robert Dilworth, D.D.
823
History of Beaver County
Mr. George Youtes as a wagon factory. Later the meetings were held in Duff's hall.
Darlington has also a flourishing G. A. R. Post, viz., Daniel Leasure Post, No. 402, which was organized, December 20, 1883, under the name of Darlington Post. December 18, 1886, the present name was adopted. It was through the efforts of this post, seconded by the cordial sympathy and financial assist- ance of the citizens in general, that the Soldiers' Monument which stands in the public square of Darlington was erected. The total expense of this work was over $1200. The dedicatory exercises were held, September 1, 1887, which consisted of an oration by Colonel Ashworth of Pittsburg, the presentation of a silk flag by the ladies of Darlington, and a lecture by Colonel Chil. Hazzard of Monongahela City, Pa. A view of this monu- ment is shown on the opposite page.
POST-OFFICE AND POSTMASTERS
The post-office at Darlington was established in 1831. The postmasters, with the dates of their appointments, have been as follows:
Stephen Todd, Feb. 12, 1831; Samuel R. Dunlap, Dec. 28, 1831; William Dunlap, Feb. 18, 1837; John McClymonds, Dec. 15, 1840; Samuel R. Dunlap, June 14, 1845; John McClymonds, May 15, 1849; John R. Frazier, July 23, 1861; Alex. McCrawford, Nov. 4, 1863; Miss Mary J. McMinn, Dec. 28, 1866; Jonathan Marsh, Sept. 27, 1893; Tina Grace Mccown, Sept. 17, 1897; Thompson Warnock, Dec. 10, 1901.
The population of Darlington by the census of 1900 was 270.
HOOKSTOWN BOROUGH
Harris's Directory of 1837 says of this place:
HOOKSTOWN .- Is 3 miles from Georgetown on the Ohio river, II from Beaver and 28 miles west of Pittsburgh. An industrious, flourishing village and driving an excellent business. Postmaster- Joseph McFerrin, Esq. Merchants-McFerrin & Lawrence, Samuel Witherspoon, Samuel Mclaughlin, James Trimble. Grist and Saw mill- R. & D. Wright. Also 2 tanneries; 2 smith shops; 1 wagon maker; 2 tailors; 2 hatters, &c.
Hookstown is an inland village, situated about two miles west of the center of Greene township. The place was named
824
History of Beaver County
from Matthias Hook and his brother Benjamin, who very early patented lands here. Matthias Hook died April 27, 1836, at eighty-nine years of age. We have seen the original papers of a contract between Matthias Hook and a negro boy, Evans, in which the former undertakes to bear the expenses of a suit against one who had unlawfully carried Evans out of the State and sold him into slavery: Evans on his part agreeing to work for Hook the space of a year, with sufficient meat, drink, lodging, and clothing furnished him. The contract is dated December 13, 1797. signed "Matthias Hook, Evens, His X mark," and witnessed by Martha and Sarah Hook. This was done at Hook's settlement, on the land where the village now stands, and the transaction shows him to have been here some years prior to the date of the contract. Hook came to this county from Maryland, as did also his neighbors, John Parks and Thomas Dawson.
INCORPORATION
Hookstown was incorporated into a borough by a special Act of the Legislature, April 18, 1843,' the Act being signed by Governor David Porter. March 19, 1852, this borough be- came subject to the provisions of the Act of April 3, 1851, relat- ing to boroughs.2
EDUCATIONAL AND PROFESSIONAL INTERESTS
In educational matters the community in this place has always taken a progressive attitude. Private and public schools have received here earnest support. When the public free- school system was established by Pennsylvania, in 1834, Hon. Milton Lawrence, M.D., of this village, was one of the school in- spectors for Greene township appointed by the court. In 1844 a select school was opened in Hookstown by Rev. J. P. Moore, and five years later a similar school was in charge of S. H. Jeffrey and G. S. Strain. Many other teachers have done good service in the community.
By reference to the chapter of this work on the medical his- tory of the county (Chapter X.), it will be seen to what a re- markable extent Hookstown has been connected with that history. No other town in the region, perhaps, has had so 1 P. L., 292.
' Quar. Sess. Docket No. 4, p. 143.
825
History of Beaver County
many physicians who were either born or educated in it, or resided there during some part of their professional career. Of these, the most eminent was Hon. Milton Lawrence, M. D., whose life is sketched in the chapter of this work just referred to. In that chapter will also be found some account of the epidemic of typhus fever which ravaged the village and the surrounding country in 1845, and which is known in local history as the "Hookstown fever."
CHURCHES
The United Presbyterian Church of Hookstown .- This church, in the Presbytery of Frankfort, was organized in 1846. Its first regular pastor was the Rev. Thomas Calahan (Asso. Ref.). He was a native of Washington County, Pa., and came to the churches of Hanover and Hookstown, June 20, 1849, remaining until April 11, 1854. He was followed by Rev. Marcus Ormond, who served the church of Hookstown from 1859 to 1867, excepting one year when he was chaplain of the 140th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. Alex- ander Imbrie Young was pastor from June, 1869, until May, 1872; James Porter Davis from September, 1872, until August, 1874; Samuel C. Reid (born in Beaver County), from 1879 until 1882; William McKirahan, 1884 until 1890; G. A. Roseberg, 1892 until 1900; and H. L. Hood, 1901-02; 1903 vacant.
This church was incorporated by a decree of the court, Hon. J. J. Wickham presiding, June 8, 1892, the names of the incor- porators being Samuel Nelson, Robert Leeper, R. M. Swaney, John Nelson, William Campbell, Joseph Mercer, Winslow Hood, Robert M. Bryan, John G. Adams, Hugh C. Leeper, Robert J. Leeper, and T. B. Lawrence.
The present membership of the church is 148.
The Presbyterian Church of Hookstown is an offshoot of the old Mill Creek congregation. It was organized in 1854 by mem- bers of that congregation living in the village and its immediate vicinity, who found it inconvenient to go to the old church. This church has had an honored history, its membership embrac- ing some of the most substantial and worthy families in the county. The roll of its original members is as follows:
David Kerr, Mary Kerr, John S. McCoy, Nancy McCoy, James S. Walker, Margaret Walker, Milton Lawrence, Sarah Lawrence, Joseph
History of Beaver County
A. Para. Her MePerran Sarah E. McFerran, Mary McFerran. John . Martha - Motions Nancy Stewart, Eliza McGahar. May to. Mary Panterai Alma Witherspoon. Jane Witherspoon. Whiteman, Margar .: Whitemil. William Thompson, Rett .:.. Radi L. Ker Vilam Ridgley. Thomas J. Laughlin. Mary "ihn Boudy. Margare: Moody. Joseph Moody, Benoni Reed. Can. Nancy 'sen. William Miller. Milo Thompson, Thomas M .re. A. R. Meciare. Caleb Whms. Rachel Whims, John Galbreath breath. Sara: Blackmore, Jane Miller, Nancy Chapman, Nancy
: Theatas Cateva. Mary .A. Calhoon. S. W. Miller and others.
ha : aggregation worshiped at first in a frame building. reste: About the time of the organization of the church and Water $2500. In :385 this building was destroyed by fire. "ne wflowing year the present building was erected with an .ut'ay vi about $3000. The church has been served by the Flowing pastors: R. S. Morton, 1854-63; W. M. White, 1866- " George Shaffer. 1873-74; D. L. Dickey, 1876-81; R. S. Morton. S.S., 1882-85; the pulpit was vacant from 1885 until 'Sgo. James H. Hunter, 1891-93; vacant in 1894; J. R. Hosick, 1805 1904.
The Mill Creek Valley Agricultural Association, Ltd.,' holds its annual fairs at Hookstown. These fairs are largely attended by the citizens of the whole county.
POST-OFFICE AND POPULATION
The lookstown post-office was established about 1818, and the list of those who have held appointments in it is as follows;
lo ph MeFerran, March 20, 1818; Ezekiel Carothers, Aug. 24, 1839; Strikt I MeLaughlin, Jan. 3, 1842; Joseph Bryan, Jan. 30, 1846; Edward cial, May 15, 1849: Miss Jane Crail, April 7, 1852; Samuel McFerran, Das. 20, 1853, James Bryan, Feb. 22, 1856; Thomas D. Moore, July 23, 1801, Miss Jennie Mercer, June 27, 1882; William H. Fuller, July 30, 1885. John H. Johnson, Sept. 11. 1885; Robert M. Bryan, Feb. 10. 1886; James A. Patterson, Aug. 13, 1889; Robert M. Bryan, March 2. 1893; Frank S. Pugh, June 9, 1897.
By the United States Census for 1900 the population of Hookstown was 259.
It may interest some of our readers to know that Hooks- town was in early days sometimes called Nineveh, as will be seen from the following matter of record:
1 Sec history of Mill Creek Valley Ag. Assoc. in Chapter VIII.
827
History of Beaver County
9th February, 1828, Came into court Thomas Henry, Esq., High Sheriff of the County of Beaver, and acknowledged a deed to John Carrol [this name is later in the same entry written Carson] for a certain lot of ground in the town of Nineveh or Hookstown, now Greene township in the County of Beaver, numbered in the plan of said town No. 4 on the west side of said - opposite James Preston's. 1
HOTELS, MILLS, ETC.
An early hotel in Hookstown was kept by the Widow Carothers, at the point where the Pittsburg and Washington roads cross each other. Another was kept by John Patterson for some years in the building now occupied by Owen Wilson as a harness shop. John Wright Thompson Mckibben, and Jackson and Basil Swearingen also kept a hotel in the same house. In 1857 David Gibb and John Van Reed erected a still-house on the side of the old grist mill on Mill Creek, one mile below Hooks- town. This mill was run by water-power, and was known as Laughlin's old mill. In the early sixties it was burned down, together with the distillery. The owners soon afterwards re- built the distillery near Hookstown, and operated it successfully until the passage of the Revenue Act during the Civil War. This distillery, with one operated by a Mr. Culmer in the same neighborhood and others in the township, then shortly went out of business. It is to the credit of the people of this community that, when the opportunity was afforded them to vote upon the subject, they voted almost solidly to abolish the manufacture and sale of intoxicating liquors.
FRANKFORT SPRING BOROUGH
This village lies in the southern part of Hanover township, near the Washington County line, midway of that line. It is about twenty-six miles from Beaver and thirteen from George- town. The village of Frankfort Springs is situated in the region where the earliest settlements in Beaver County territory were made, being on the edge of the tract of 1000 acres of land pur- chased in 1772 by Levi Dungan, the first settler. Nathan Dungan owned an adjoining tract of 351 acres, which was pat- ented to him, April 25, 1788. In 1781, Levi Dungan was a collector in what was then Smith (afterwards Hanover) town- ship, Washington County. He kept a tavern in the township
1 Appearance Docket No. 5, p. 447.
328
:fistore it Beaver Wanty
for Tantas fis rart mas atentan = is nie. Harr Jungan. : Lilianeinhia Potemter . - 30. I ur banter in che cionere: re tave Treat her ketrses i -se Jungans
chat i he ctace = Jams s
piace we aratert
raportat " ." wir water1 "word # wehmut a har -seoicmal imaines.
che montas it , fr @ .es
Thomas.r. Pressezans-V.n. 3anics
:- mm-3" I. C'Twee jeceder: james iran
Hotels -- trader fast im broncan _ Ramon dinera tonnes: Branider: Lomme Berat fagene
Frankt:r. : + iral.
at : ratus. The
rx- fratar: vith icrest
wat te with the springs
przed by Saac Stephen: : :: Sivari Metin-
Bigger is what is said by Har -:: ... ete igangs bad attained
Ht atar. People Ised
Steubenville. Mashing- ton, and: 2 .. ': commis so inak the waters or
to enjoy :+ 1/+; The number of the visitors so increased that Myfinan wald not accommodate them all. and James bongan of Frankfort then built the three-story brick Patins A large If Viewer 's / ... Parser's Nacional Bank of Beaver Falls, and grandfather & Wiley & ost a Bit of the Beaver County bar.
829
History of Beaver County
house still standing there, and for several years his house was full for two or three months during the season. Dungan often had as high as two hundred guests at his house at one time. J. Moore Bigger still further developed the springs, but their day is past, as more fashionable resorts have drawn the patron- age away from them. The analysis of the water from these springs shows it to contain iron, sulphur, magnesia, and alum.
CHURCHES
The United Presbyterian Church of Frankfort had in all probability no formal organization, but it is believed that a congregation was in existence here as early as 1790. The church was formerly known as King's Creek. Until the union of the Associate and Associate Reformed bodies into the United Presbyterian Church in 1858, it belonged to the synod of the first-named church, and is now in the Frankfort Presby- tery of the United Presbyterian Church. The congregation has had three houses of worship. The first, a log building, was located two miles north of the village in Hanover township, on the farm now of Andrew Stevenson's heirs, where the ancient graveyard connected therewith is still to be seen. This was replaced by a brick building located in the village of Frankfort Springs, which was burned down in 1876. The third and present structure is of brick, a commodious building, costing about $7000. King's Creek Church is an offshoot from this congregation.
This church is remarkable in having had but five pastors in over a century's existence, the combined pastorates of the first two extending over a period of nearly eighty-five years. The first pastor of the church was Rev. John Anderson, D.D., who was installed in the autumn of 1792, and remained until his death, April 6, 1830. He was at the same time installed pastor of Service Church; and April 21, 1794, he was appointed Pro- fessor of Theology for the Associate Theological Seminary (Eudolpha Hall) at Service. His history is given in connection with that of that church and school (see Chapter XXVI.).
The second pastor was Rev. William Meek McElwee, D.D., who labored in this field from March, 1833, until July, 1878. Mr. McElwee was born, April 1, 1802, in York County, S. C. He was graduated from the College of South Carolina in 1820, studied theology for a year with Rev. J. Mushat, and finished his
م -.
1
-
.-
...
Rev. William M. McElwee.
..
831
History of Beaver County
1885 until 1887, when John C. Pickens was called. He served from 1888 until 1890, there were supplies in 1891 and 1892, and in 1893 William E. Allen took charge as pastor and served until 1897, and there were supplies from 1897 until 1901. The present pastor is Rev. John T. Scott.
SCHOOLS
In the region in which Frankfort Springs is situated a high value has always been set on education, and the common schools are excellent.
Frankfort Academy, a school famous in its day, was con- ducted by the Rev. James Sloan, D.D., who taught the classical branches; and Hon. Thomas Nicholson, the first county superin- tendent of schools of Beaver County, who taught the other branches. It was started in 1841 and closed in 1848. Its cur- riculum was such as to fit the students to enter the junior class at Jefferson College. Among the number of its students who afterwards became prominent in the affairs of the county and State may be named Richard P. Roberts, Esq., Colonel of the 140th P. V. I., who was killed at Gettysburg; James K. Leeper, deceased; Rev. George Shaffer, deceased; David Craig, Esq., deceased; Thomas Bigger; Thomas Carothers; John J. Caroth- ers; William M. Farrar, deceased; William Guy; M. L. Miller, late postmaster at Steubenville, Ohio; John H. Wallace, editor, of New York City, and many others.
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.