USA > Pennsylvania > Butler County > History of Butler County, Pennsylvania. With illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 13
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 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101
He was taken ill with fever. and. after two weeks' sickness, passed away on the 22d of September. 1. D. 1960. His widow and three children still survive -two daughters and a son the latter now a clergy- man in the Episcopal Church. The name of John Graham. Esq., is still a household word with the more elderly portion of the people of his native county, and his life would be worthy the study of the young men of the rising generation as a model of frankness and purity in all the relations in life.
John HI. Negley, oldest son of the late John Nog-
ley, was born near Butler February 7, 1823. He re- ceived a common-school education. and attended the old Butler Academy in his early days. He entered Washington College, Washington, Penn., in 1841. and left in 1543, without graduating, owing to the stringency in money matters then prevailing. Begin- ning the study of law under the late Hon. John Bred- in, then Judge of the courts of the county. he was admitted to the bar of the county in 1845. He was appointed District Attorney of the county, then called Deputy Attorney General, by the Attorney General of the State, in 1848, Lewis Z. Mitchell being also an applicant. He held the office until some time in 1819, when he was succeeded by Ebenezer MeJunkin, owing to a change in the State administration. Shunk, Democratic Governor, having died. was sue- ceeded by William F. Johnston, Whig. who, as Speaker of the State Senate, became Governor under the law, and was subsequently elected by the Whigs. The next Legislature. in its session of 1850, passed a law making the office elective, and changing its name from Deputy Attorney General, or as it was commanly called, Proseenting Attorney, to that of District Attorney. Provision was made for electing this officer in each county at the fall election of 1850. Mr. Negley was nominated for the office on the Dem- ocratie ticket. by a county convention composed of delegates, and Mr. MeJunkin, then holding the office. was nominated in similar iuanner by the Whigs. Thins these two men, having each first held the office by appointment. came before the people as rival can- didates. although always personal friends. The elec- tion resulted in favor of Mr. Negley by a majority of 144. lle held the office for three years. In 1851. he was elected a member of the Town Conneil of But- ler. In the spring of 1855. he suggested to his brother-in-law. Col. Joseph P. Patterson, the purchase of the Democratic Herald, then published by its pres- ent owner. Capt. Jacob Zeigler. familiarly known as " U'nele Jako." In November, 1855, Col. Patterson was obliged. by declining health. to discontinue the business of publishing the paper, and it passed into the hands of Mr. Negley. In this way, and very un- expectedly to him, he became an editor. He pub- lished and edited the Herald until July. 1858, when he sold it to John C. and Samuel Coll. Up to this time. Mr. Negley had acted with the Democratie party, but, for some time prior, had differed with its leaders upon the slavery question. In 1860, he voted for and earnestly supported the election of Abraham Lincoln as President. In ISUI, he was appointed by Gov. Curtin to make an enrollment of the men in his county for military and draft purposes, the war for the Union then being in progress. In the spring of 1863. he was nominated by the Republicans for the General
61
HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY
Assembly. and elected in the fall of the same year. He was renominated and re-elected in the years 1864 and 1865, thus serving his county three consecutive years in the Legislature of the State. While there, he was instrumental. with Senator Haslett, in secur- ing important legislation affecting the railroad inter- ests of Butler County, as the chapter in this work upon internal improvements shows. After his last term of service in the Legislature expired, he prac- ticed his profession in Butler until 1869, when he purchased the American Citizen, a Republican paper, which had been started some years before. Soon after, he changed the name to the simpler and better one of the Butler Citizen. This paper he, in connec- tion with a son, continues to edit and publish. It has always maintained a leading position and influence in the Republican party of the county. Mr. Negley has held no office since he became editor of the Citizen except that of Assistant Assessor for his county in the Internal Revenue Department, which position he filled for a period of from fifteen to eighteen months in the years 1870 and 1871. Mr. Negley's religious attilia- tion is with the English Lutherans, and he is one of the oldest members of that church in Butler.
L. Z. Mitchell was born in Lower Hanover, Town- ship, Dauphin County, on the 12th day of September, 1824, and came to Butler County in 1834. He was educated at Jefferson College; read law with Hon. S. Gilmore, and was admitted to the bar in 1846. He at once took rank as an eloquent advocate, and has, ever since his admission, pursued his profession with great industry and success. He is yet in the midst of a lucrative practice.
He is a Democrat in politics. He was elected Clerk of the Courts in ISIS. He ran for Congress in 1868, but went down with his party. He made the canvass an aggressive one, however, and allowed lit- tle rest to his opponent. He was a member of the Constitutional Convention of 1873.
Possessing a rare use of language, he is at home either before a popular assembly or before a jury. He is in the possession of a Incrative practice. He married a sister of one of our present Judges ( Bredin).
Franklin Mechling was admitted to the Butler bar in May, 1847. He soon after located at Kittanning, Armstrong County, where he still remains. He has been District Attorney and member of the Legisla- ture. He is still engaged in the practice of his pro- fession.
David C. Cunningham (brother to John, who ceded the site for the town of Butler) was at one time a member of the bar. He was a native of Conestoga. on the Susquehanna. He was a man of good culture. Arcus MeDermott was born in Butler County. Had an academic education: read law with Hon. C.
(. Sullivan, and was admitted to practice on the Ist day of October, 1850. He soon located at Moreer. Penn., where he soon took a front rank in his profes- sion. Ho formed a partnership with S. H. Miller. Esq. (prosent member of Congress from that distriet ). He was finally elected Judge of the district. in 1871, which position he still occupies, his present term ex piring in 1885.
Archibald Blakeley was born on the 16th day of July, 1827, near Glade Run. Butler Co., Penn., near its junction with Connoquenessing, on the farm How occupied by Andrew Blakeley, in Forward Town ship. After securing all the assistance he could in the common schools of his neighborhood. young Blakeley pushed his way to Virginia and completed his literary course in Marshall Academy. an institution then pre- sided over by the Rev. William MeKennan, a brother of T. M. T. MeKennan and an unele of Hon. William McKennan. the present United States Circuit Judge. To enable him to finish his education at this institu- tion, he occasionally taught school, having charge of the children of the more wealthy families of the F. F. V. 's, according to the old order of things. Ro- turning to Pennsylvania, ho entered as a law student in the office of Hon. George W. Smith. in Butler, and was admitted to the bar in the fall of 1852 (9th Nov.) During this period, he taught school near Brownsdalo as a means of assisting him in his expenses.
In October, 1853, he was elected District Attor ney for Butler County, which office he filled with ae ceptability. He was elected on the Whig ticket. be ing the last of the line of Whig candidates, politics taking a radical change soon after.
In company with Thomas Robinson, Esq .. Mr. Blakeley was sent as a delegate to the first Repub lican Convention held in this State, being held in Masonic Hall. in the city of Pittsburgh. on the 224 of February. 1855, and took part in the deliberations of that body. He was afterward prosented as a candi- date for State Senator for the Senatorial district com posed of the counties of Beaver and Butler, but gave way in the conference to Hon. De Lormia Imbrie, of Beaver. Mr. Blakeley followed up his profession with great diligence and fair success until the breaking out of the war in 1861. when he took an active part in recruiting the Seventy -eighth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, and was mustored into the service of the United States on the 17th of September of the same year, as Lieutenant Colonel, at once accompanying his regiment to Kentucky. He remained with it un- til after the battle of Shiloh, when he was appointed by Gen. Buell President of General Court Martial and Military Commission, over which he presided at their respective sittings at Nashville. Tenn .. during the summer of 1862. The questions that came before
12
IHISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY
this body were of great interest. but would be too te- dious for presentation here. During the progress of inany of the discussions had before this tribunal, fre- ment consultations were had between Col. Blakeley and A. Johnston, then Military Governor of the State. who occupied rooms in the same building with this military court, the object being to ascertain what meth. od of treatment, consistent with law. would best serve the Union cause. The Colonel was as brave in the field as he was wise in conneil. Wherever placed. he acquitted himself with credit to himself and bene- fit to his country.
On leaving the service in 1864, on account of sickness in his family. Col. Blakeley commenced the practice of the law in Franklin. Penn., where he re- mained until 1865. when he removed to Pittsburgh.
While in Franklin, Col. Blakeley was concerned for Hon. C. V. Culver, a banker, who was also at that time a Member of Congress. He failed financially. his liabilities amounting to several millions. He was charged with embezzlement and conspiracy to embez- zle. He was arrested on a capias in a civil action for the alleged conversion of $86,000 of Government bonds, on oath of Col. J. S. Myers. He gave bail on a criminal charge, and went to jail on the capias.
When Congress met, Col. Blakeley presented his application for discharge from imprisonment to Judge Trunkey, then Common Pleas Judge of Venango County. A Habeas Corpus was issued. His imprison- ment was alleged to be a breach of his privileges as a Member of Congress. The application for discharge was finally refused, whereupon application was made to Congress. Col. Blakeley made the arguments in the case before the Judiciary Committee, and. on their report. Congress resolved that his imprisonment was a breach of the privileges of the House, and the Sergeant at- Arms was sent to Franklin to condnet the absent member to Washington. Col. Blakeley re- epived great credit for his successful management of the case. It was alleged that there was no prece. dent in this country by which the case could be gov- erned. and therefore recourse was naturally had to English Parliamentary law. which was found, on ex- amination. to sustain the application for release.
From the time he opened up his law office in Pitts- burgh. in 1868. Col. Blakeley has devoted himself most assidnonsly to the practice of his profession. Ho still. however, keeps up his relations to the or- ganization of the Army of the Cumberland. On its meeting at Pittsburgh. he delivered the address of welcome, and is at this writing chosen to deliver the annual address before the same organization at Mil- waukee this fall. He also devotes a portion of his time to the Republican canse during the progress of important campaigns.
James Bredin, son of John and Nancy Bredin. was born in Butler on the 9th of May. 1531. He was educated in the common schools and the academy of his native town, and one session at Washington College, in the spring and summer of 1516. He was appointed a Midshipman in the navy in July. 1846; attended the Naval School at Annapolis in the fall of that year. He afterward served in the United States ship of the line Ohio, and sloop of war Warren, dur- ing the Mexican war. on the Mexican coast. east and west. and was present at the taking of Enspan. and at the bombardment of Vera Cruz. Ho relinquished a seafaring life, resigning in January. 1850. He re- turned home via the Isthumus, and began the study of the law with his father. Judge John Bredin, who died in May, 1851. He finished his legal studies with his brother-in-law. E. MeJunkin (now Judge MeJun- kin), and was admitted to the bar in 1953. In 1854, with others, he opened a bank in Butler, under the name of Campbell. Bredin & Co., and opened a branch of said bank in New Castle in the fall of the same year. In 1855. he resumed the practice of the law. During the years 1857 and 1858, he had a partner- ship with E. MeJunkin, under the firm name of Mc- Junkin & Bredin.
In the fall of 1871. he removed to Allegheny City, and pursued the practice of his profession in the sev- eral courts of that county.
In 1874, while still remaining in Allegheny Coun- ty. he was nominated as one of the candidates for Judge in the Seventeenth Judicial District, composed of the counties of Butler and Lawrence, and was elected. The commission of President Judge fell to E. MeJankin by lot. He removed to Butler in Jan- uary. 1875, and assumed the duties of the office to which he had been called by his fellow-citizens. He was qualified in the first Monday of January. His term runs to the first Monday of January. 1885. As a citizen and as a Judge he has the confidence of all who know him. and who admire a just Judge. He is strong in his convictions, but those convictions are the result of an honest examination of the ques tions involved. Ilis integrity has never been ques- tioned.
He was married to Miss Matilda Spear, daughter of William Spear, Esq., formerly a well known and inuch-esteemed citizen of the county. now deceased.
Samuel Fallz was born in Brady Township. He read law with Hon. C. C. Sullivan, and was admitted to the bar October 1, 1852. He afterward betook himself to the iron business. under the advice of his father in-law. William Stewart, Esq .. and was quite successful. He afterward became a banker in New Castle. Ponn. Ho was accidentally killed a few years ago, In his horse taking affright, throwing him vio.
HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY
lently out of the carriage and fracturing his skull. His sons succeed him in business,
James T. Lane was born at Williamsburg, then in Huntingdon County (now Blair), Penn., on the 16th day of March, 1830. About two years afterward, his father removed his family to Butler, where he opened a store, with Samuel M. Lane as partner. In 1835, le removed to Karns' Salt Works, about three and a half miles below Freeport, on the Pennsylvania Ca- nal (now railroad). With the exception of a year at Tarentum, the remained there until 1842, when he removed to Freeport. During this time, young Lane was kept at school, with the exception of about one year and a half in his father's store at Freeport. In the fall of 1845. he was sent to the Lewisburg Un iversity. in Union County, Penn .. where he remained five years. After completing his literary studies, he entered himself as a law student in the office of Pur- viance & Sullivan, at. Butler, where he followed his studies for three years, with John M. Thompson as a fellow-student. He was admitted to the bar in Octo- ber, 1853, as was William G. Thompson and John M. Gilchrist.
In February, 1854. Mr. Lane located in Daven- port, Iowa, and commenced the practice of his profes- sion. In 1858, he was elected City Attorney, which position he held until 1862, when he was elected to the Legislature. While in that body, he served as Chairman of the Committee on Military Affairs-at that time the most important committee in the body. He was also Chairman of the Republican State Com. inittee for 1862-63. He was Presidential Elector in 1568, and again in 1872, and voted twice in the Elec- toral College for Gen. Grant for President. In 1873, he was appointed United States District Attorney for Iowa, and held the office until the spring of 1882. Mr. Lane never accepted position except in the line of his profession. He enjoys a Incrative practice.
Mr. Lane was married to Miss Annie J. Reed, of Butler, daughter of Maj. Reed, in October, 1854.
John M. Thompson was born in Centre, now Brady. Township, Butler County, on the 4th day of January. A. D. 1830. He is the son of Mr. William N. Thomp- son, who was a member of a very large connection of the same name, most of whose descendants still live in the same community. His mother was a danghter of John McCandless. The subject of this sketch is one of a family of three sons -Solomon, still residing on the old homestead: William G., is a citizen of Iowa, and at present represents his district (the Fifth) in Congress. John M. received the primary instruc- tion usually acquired at the public schools of the State. He received an academic course at the Wither- spoon Institute, an institution located at Butler, from
whose walls many gol minds have gone forth to make their mark in the history of the various profes sions and callings to which they respectively aspired. Mr. Thompson became a law student in 1552. in the office of Hon. S. A. Purviance, then a leading member of the Butler bar. He was admitted to the practice of his profession in IS51, and soon took rank as an able advocate, He entered into a partnership with his former preceptor, and soon bad charge of the office business, Mr. Parviance soon after being elected to Congress. Thompson had the entire control of a large practice. He early took a front rank in his pro fession. It was soon demonstrated that nature had in his case been quite lavish of her gifts. His quick perceptions, his close legal discrimination and his fo rensie eloquence soon asserted their power. En 185%. Mr. Thompson was nominated as a candidate for the Legislature by the Republicans, and, notwithstanding it was an off year, and there was a strong movement made against the school system by a formidable com- bination, which had a ticket of its own in the field, he was elected by a large majority. He was renominat- ed the following year, and re-elected. He was a leading member of the body of which he was a mem- ber during his whole term of service. On his return the second session, his name was used by some of his friends as a candidate for the Speakership. The con- test finally settled down, in caucus, between Col. A. K. MeLure and W. C. Lawrence, Esq. The latter gentleman was successful. But, being prevented by sickness from being present during a greater part of the session, Mr. Thompson was the presiding officer of the body in the capacity of Speaker pro tem. Ou his return from the Legislature, he renewed his ap- plication to his profession.
In 1862, he became Colonel of the One Hundred and Thirty- fourth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers. He took part in the battle of Fredericksburg, under Burnside. In the same year, he was the choice of the Republicans of his county for Congress, as he was also two years afterward, but Hon. Thomas Will- iams. of Allegheny County, was nominated in the dis- triet. In 1874. he was elected to Congress at a spe. cial election, to fill the vacancy that had been caused by the resignation of Hon. E. MeJunkin, who hal been elected Judge, to till the unexpired term of the latter. In 1876, he was re elected, and served the full term. He at once took rank as an able debater. He was again presented for renomination by his county, but failed of receiving a district nomination. the rotation custom of the district obtaining. He is still in the enjoyment of a merative practice, and doubtless has still higher achievemen's of a profes sional and public character before him. He is mar ried; has a wife living, and two sons. O. D. Thomp
61
HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
son. William C. Thompson, and one daughter. Anna Eloree, all reside in the State.
Engene Ferrero read law in Col. Thompson's office; he afterward was elected District Attorney by the Re- publicans; he was afterward elected County Superin- tendent of Common Schools, which office he filled three years. He then practiced law in Venango Conn- ty. where he acquired some means. He was a gentle- man of fine scholarly attainments,
His first wife was a sister to Judge Gilmore (daughter of Hon. A. Gilmore). After remaining a widower for several years, he married the oklest daughter of Gen. Purviance. He has one child, a daughter, by his first marriage, and several children by his present wife.
Thomas Robinson+ son of Thomas Robinson. Sr., was born in Armagh County, Ireland, on the Ith day of July, 1825. He came to the United States with his parents in the spring of 1832. The family located in Middlesex Township (now Penn). Butler County, in the spring of 1836. He received a limited com- mon school and academie education. He was married on the 20th of June. 1854. to Miss Ann E. De Wolf, daughter of Dr. Eli De Wolf, of Centerville, and was admitted to the bar in 1855. He was elected to the Legislature in 1860, and was the nominee of his party for the State Senate in 1876, but did not receive the district nomination.
Mr. Robinson for many years and until recently was editor and proprietor of the Butler Eagle and only ceasel his duties as such about two years ago, when he passed his interest in the establishment to his son, Eli D. Robinson, after having established it on a basis of confidence with the people generally as a true and faithful exponent of Republican prin- ciples. He had previously owned and edited the Butler Cilizen.
A leading trait of Mr. Robinson's character is strong and unswerving fidelity to his friends, adher. ing to them in adversity as well as prosperity.
Politically, he has always been an ardent Repub- lieau, and as a journalist steadily sustained with zeal and ability the principles of the party and its organ- ization. During the late civil war, his paper sup- ported the cause of the Union with marked ability, and always had words of cheer and comfort for the soldier in the field. As a delegate to the last National Convention, he voted for James G. Blain, in obedience to what he believed to be the sentiments of his con stituents as well as in harmony with his own opinion. and when that distinguished statesman could not be nominated. he voted for the late lamented Garfield.
As an attorney. Mr. Robinson's career has not been as extensive as it would otherwise have been, owing to * This sketch is from the pen of Gen John N. Porviance.
the duties devolving upon him as editor, but in the sev eral courts of the county, as well as in the Supreme Court, it has been characterized by more than ordinary success. With zeal and fidelity be represented the in. terests of his clients. At present he holds the posi- tion of County Solicitor.
William G. Thompson was born in Centre Town- ship (now Brady). Butler Co., Penn. He is a brother to Col. John M. Thompson, of this county. He re- ceived a common school and academie course; first at the public schools of his neighborhood, the latter at the Witherspoon Institute. Ho read law with Will- iam Tomblin, Esq., and was admitted to the bar in 1851. He soon after became a member of the bar of Linn County, Fowa, where he has ever since resided.
HIe served as Major of an Iowa regiment during the war, and on his return home renewed his relations to the profession of his choice. Like his brother, Col. Thompson, nature had done well for him in the way of a liberal supply of mental vigor. He has been for years one of the recognized leaders of his professsion in the State. He is a Republican in politics, and was elected to represent his district (the Fifth) in the Forty seventh Congress, where he has made an in- dustrious, able member. He is re-elected, and will therefore serve in the Forty-eighth Congress. The friends of his early life are pleased to see him sustain their early hopes in his success in' life. He is an honor to his native county and State,
Walter L. Graham, born in Butler, Penn., October 25, 1831. was a student of the Butler Acadamy, Witherspoon Institute and Jefferson College, graduat- ing from the latter institution in 1854. After read- ing law with Samuel Purvianer and Charles Sullivan, he was admitted to the Butler County bar in the antumn of 1855. In 1860, he attended as a dele- gate the National Convention held at Chicago, IN., which nominated Abraham Lincoln for the first time. Although Butler has been his home for the major portion of his life, he has resided in the State of Cal- ifornia and other places.
William Blakeley was born of Scotch-Irish par- ents in Cranberry Township, this county, on his father's farm, near Brown's Mills, on the 10th of March, A. D. 1533, and is the ninth son of a family of twelve children. He was only eleven years of age when his father, Lewis Blakeley, died in the prime of life. The cares of the family were thrust upon the mother and widow. Mrs. Jane McAlister Blakeley. who by her devotion, energy and perseverance main- tained her family, and educated and fitted four of the younger ones for teachers, and lived to see her chil- dron all settled in life, she dying at the age of eighty- tive, on June 15th. A. D. 1882. At an early age, William was trained to the duties and labors of the
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.