USA > Pennsylvania > Butler County > History of Butler County, Pennsylvania. With illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 16
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Robert J. Thompson was admitted to the bar on the 18th of March, 1875.
Porter W. Lowry was born in Butler, Poun., Fcb. ruary 12, 1855. After graduating from the Wither- spoon Institute, he read law with Judge Ebenezer Me- E
.
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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
Junkin, and was admitted to practice in the courts of Butler County in April, 1876.
L. J. Levis was a citizen of the western part of the county. He read law in the office of Col. Thompson, and was admitted to the bar June 13. 1876. He went to Colorado.
Eugene G. Miller read law with his brother, John M., and was admitted on the 3d of October, 1876. HIe is a young man of considerable promise. He has removed to MeKean County.
G. D. Hamer read law with L. Z. Mitchell, Esq., and was admitted June 6, 1876.
Newton Black was born in Marion Township. But- ler County, Penn .; he received most of his education in the common sebools. He entered the army in March, 1864, at seventeen years of age, and was wounded September 29, 1864, at Fort Harrison, Va. : was discharged May 19, 1865, by reason of wound: began studying law with MeCandless & Greer, in Sep- tember, 1874; was admitted to the bar on the 5th of October, 1876, since which time he has been follow- ing his profession with great diligence, and gives promise of obtaining a good rank in his profes- sion.
B. J. Pollock was admitted to the bar on the 14th of June. 1877: he is at present in Colorado.
James F. Britton, a native of Butler, studied law in the office of Lewis Z. Mitchell, and was admitted to the bar February 12, 1877. He is a young gentle- man of excellent character and good legal mind; he was the nominee of his party (Democratie) in 1880, for District Attorney, and, although the party vote of the district was heavily against him, he came near an election. He is a reliable. industrions, ambitions young man, and may yet be heard from.
W. H. Lnsk, son of Dr. Amos Lnsk, was born at Harmony, Butler Co., Penn., May 11, 1853. His literary studies were pursned chiefly under the in- structions of his father and Prof J. R. Tetzel, of the Zelionople Academy. In Angust, 1875, he commenced the study of law with W. D. Brannon. and October 21, 1877, he was admitted to practice. Speaking briefly, Mr. Lusk is one of the most promising of the younger members of the Butler County bar.
L. Q. Maxwell, son of Mr. Newton Maxwell, read law and was admitted to practice on the 11th of March, 1878.
W. C. Findley was admitted to the practice of the law on the 3d of June, 1878.
Frank S. Purviance, son of Gon, Purviance, read law with his father; he was admitted on the 19th of March, 1878; he is now practicing in Pittsburgh.
D. J. Kyle, son of Thompson Kyle, of Harrisville, read law and was admitted to practice on the 21st of December, 1878.
Kennedy Marshall was born in Adams Township July 21, 1834. He entered the freshmen class of Jefferson College in the fall of 1854; pursued his studies until the close of the Junior year, in 1857, when he entered the law office of Marshall & Brown as a student; was admitted to the bar of Allegheny County abont June 1, 1859. Was married to Anna E. Totten, of Pittsburg, July 21, 1859. In October, 1860, was elected to represent Allegheny County in the Legislature: served one term. In 1872. he removed to Butler, where he has sinee resided.
John H. Thompson read law with Col. Thompson, and was admitted to the bar on the 20th of April, 1879.
George C. Pillow was born near Whitestown, Connoquenessing Township. Butler Co., Penn., March 1, 1855. After acquiring an academie educa- tion, he studied law under the instructions of Hon. J. D. MeJunkin, and was admitted as a member of the bar of Butler County June 1, INTH.
J. W. Reed was admitted to practice law on the 2d of June, 1879, and is now engaged in the active duties of his profession.
F. J. Forquer is a young man of good character, born in Butler County, a brother to William A. He read law with his brother, and was admitted to prac- tiee October 8, 1879; he was a genial, companionable young man, with a good mind; he is at present in the West.
1. M. Cornelius is a native of Butler County: he read law with W. D. Brandon, Esq., and was admit ted to practice October 12, 1879.
William H Colbert is a son of Mr. William Col- bert, of Butler, and grandson of Mr. Isaac Colbert, one of the oldest citizens of Butler. He acquired a liberal academic edneation at the Witherspoon Institute, read law with Hon. J. M. Greer, and was admitted to the bar on the 25th of October, 1879; he is now en- gaged in his profession and bids fair to make his mark.
James M. Donny, a son of one of the oklest and leading citizens of Winfield Township, read law in the office of Col. Thompson, and was admitted to the bar March 2, 1880; he was an excellent young man, of good judgment, strong will and unswerving integ- rity.
John K. Kelly is the son of Patrick Kelly, Esq .. an early settler ; he read law in the office of the Mil- ler Bros .. and was admitted on the 2d of March, 1880.
W. M. Cornelius is a native of Butler County, Penn .; he read law and was admitted to practice in the soveral courts of the county on the 2d of March, 1880; he soon located in Nebraska, where he still re- sides.
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IHISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
Oliver D. Thompson, son of Col. John M. Thomp son, was born in Butler, Penn .. September 24, 1856: his literary studies were perfected at Andover. Mass .. Academy and Yale College. Graduating from this latter institution in June, 1879, he read law with his father and was admitted to practice in June, ISSO.
E. R. Shaner was admitted to the bar on the 31st of May, ISSO, since deceased.
Stephen Cummings, son of I. J. Cummings, de- ceased, nephew to Judge Bredin. was admitted to practice on the 31st of May, ISSO; went West.
D. H. Jack, son of Joseph Jack, was admitted to the bar June 1, 1850: is now in Bradford, Penn.
A. M. Cunningham is a native of Butler County, a son of Rev. Alexander Cunningham, deceased. He received his education at Washington and Jefferson College; was Principal of West Sunbury Academy. He studied law with the Miller Bros., and was admit- ted to the bar in June, 1878, and was elected District Attorney, which office he now holds.
William C. Thompson, brother of Oliver D., was born in Butler, Penn., August 5, 1861; he is a grad- uate of the Andover Academy, Mass., and was admit- ted to practice June 29, 1882.
John D. Marshall was born in Prospect. Butler Co., Penn .. June 20. 1859; educated in the public schools, serving, also, as a teacher; he studied law with W. D. Brandon, and was admitted to practice July 10, 1882.
William H. Martin was born in Penn Township, Butler County, Penn., December 7, 1858. His edu- cation was acquired in the public schools and With- erspoon Institute; he read law in the office of Frank M. Eastman, and was admitted to the bar September 22, 1882.
Samuel B. Snyder who was admitted on the 3d of March, 1882; read law with J. D. MeJunkin, Esq-
CHAPTER IX.
THE PRESS.
The Butler " Palladium and Republican Star "-The Butler " Centinel" -The " Butler County Whilg " -- The " Press "-The " American ('it- Izen "-Butler " Citizen "-The old " Repository " and its successor, the" Democratic Herald "-The " Eagle "-Newspapers in Prospect -Petrolia, Millerstown, Karus City and Zelienople.
THE first newspaper established in the county was the Butler Palladium and Republican Star. The initial number of this pioneer venture in journalism appeared August 17, 1818, and bore at the column head of its editorial page the name of John Galbraith as editor and publisher. Ile afterward became prom- inent as Judge Galbraith, of Erie, but the paper which he founded did not have so long, prosperous, useful and honorable career as he led. It was, in fact, short-lived, and, within a period of a little over
two years from the time of its establishment was merged in another journal. This was the Butler Con- linel, a Federalist paper, brought out in October, 1820, by Moses and John Sullivan. For its motto, the editors adopted the words of Washington: "Watch- ing with zealous anxiety for the preservation of your National Union, and discountenancing whatever may suggest oven a suspicion that it can in any event be abandoned." The Sullivans were prominent and able men. Moses was elected to the State Senate for three terms in succession, and afterward retired to his farm, called "Solitude, " a mile northeast of Butler, from which, however, he came forth to serve as a Canal Commissioner, being appointed by Gov. Ritner.
John Sullivan, besides assisting in the publication of the Cenlinel, followed, for a number of years, the mercantile business, and was Prothonotary from 1836 to 1839. In 1824, Moses and John Sullivan sold the paper, which they had established four years earlier. to William Stewart and Joseph Buffington, the for- mer of whom (a brother-in-law of the Sullivans) is still living in Birmingham. Buffington came to But- ler from the vicinity of Pittsburgh, and, prior to his connection with the press, had studied law with William Ayres, Esq. He removed from Butler to Kittanning: was elected to Congress, and, at the time of his death, was President Judge of the Armstrong Court. While Stewart & Buffington were the pro- prietors of the Centinel (which, by the way, they changed to the Sentinel). they produced a fairly good paper for the times, but, judging from an advertise- ment which appeared in 1825, did not receive very liberal reward for their labors. They were willing to take almost anything in payment for subscriptions, and kept the following novel reminder to delinquents standing in their columns:
THE PRINTERS WANT
In payment of subscriptions a little of each of the following articles:
Pork. Bref,
Cheese,
Flour.
Butter,
Wool,
Honey,
Flax.
and "rather than miss," they would take a little-you know what-CASH.
William Stewart became sole proprietor and edi- tor of the Sentinel April 22, 1826. He was appoint- ed Prothonotary in 1829, and. soon after. transferred the paper to Parker C. Purviance and George W. Smith, who continued its publication for quite a term of years. It was edited by them during the heated campaign of 1840, and was an energetic and able champion of the Whig canse, and also of the Anti- Masonic.
Five years after the Sentinel was first posted (no play on words intended), in the year 1825, there came
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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
forth a journalistic guard of the opposite party-the Democratic Republicun, as it was called. This was the Repository, the progenitor of the present Demo- cratie Herald.
Leaving the narration of the Repository's history for the present, we will take up those journals which may be called the lineal descendants of the Sentinel. Although this paper passed from existence in the early forties, its spirit survived in the Butler County Whig, which was founded by William Haslett, and first issued on the 24th of June, 1816. This journal was ably edited, and presented a fine appearance, be- ing. both in size and typographical neatness, an im- provement upon its predecessor. Its motto was: " Whig and Anti- Masonic Principles, and men who will faithfully sustain them." In the early issues, it was announced that the Baller County Whig would " ardently advocate and faithfully labor for the su- premacy of the principles upon which the organiza- tion of the Democratic Whig party is based, believ- ing that the establishment of these principles will secure the greatest good to the greatest number." Haslett took J. L. Braden into partnership October 10, 1850, and the relation was continued until Au- gust 25, 1852, but the greater part of the time he was sole editor and proprietor. The name of the paper was changed to the Butler American in 1855, and its publication was suspended in 1865. In August, 1867, Mr. Haslett started the Batler County Press, a Re- publican paper, which he conducted until the spring of 1869, when the publication of this journal ceased. Mr. Haslett had been for twenty years an editor in Butler. He was a prominent and useful man in the town and county otherwise than as a journalist. He was elected to the State Senate in 1849, to the House of Representatives in 1863, and was for several years in the employ of the General Government. A glance at the early railroad history of Butler (chapter on in- ternal improvements) will reveal the fact that the people of the county are largely indebted to him for the measures which brought about the building of the Butler Braneb road. In his early life, he had studied law and been admitted to the bar, but he never en- gaged in practice to any extent. His death occurred in Butler December 10, 1872, about three years after the close of his services as an editor.
The American Citizen was a rival of the Butler American during the last two years of the latter's ex- istence, and of the Press during the whole of its brief existenep. It was brought before the people as a Re- publican journal in December, 1863, Cyrus E. Ander- son being its editor and proprietor. Upon April 7, 1869, the paper was purchased by John H. Negley who subsequently changed the name to the more spe- cific and appropriate one, the Butler Citizen. In
May of the same year that he became editor of the paper, he bought the subscription list of Haslett's Press, and also the greater part of the office inaterial. In November, 1872. he took into partnership his son, William C. Negley, since which time there has been no change in proprietorship. The paper has been Republican in polities From the date of its establish - ment.
The Repository, which has been allnded to as the progenitor of the Democratic newspaper, as the Sen. tinel was of the Whig and Republican sheets, was started March 14. 1523, by Manrice and John Bred- in. Like the Butler Palladium and the old Centinel, the Repository was a small paper, and contained com- paratively little local news. Its size was originally about eleven by seventeen inches, and its pages were divided into four colamus. Its subscription price was from the start 82 per annum. The paper was ably edited from the very first, and gained public favor so rapidly that its projectors were soon warranted in en- larging it. Following is the prospectns of the Re- pository as it appeared in the initial number:
tndneed to believe that the establishment of another newspaper in this place would be useful and was desired by a considerable portion of the citizens of this county, the under- signed have undertaken the publication of the Repository.
The editors are Democratic Republicans in principle. In the publication of the Repository they intend to pursue a lib- eral course of policy, claiming the right of expressing their own opinions of public men and public measures, at the same time allowing the same right to their patrons, its columns shall be open and free to all without regard to party distinc. tions or party names.
The object of this paper being to diffuse useful informa- tion to their patrons, the editors believe that this object will be best obtained by pursuing this course.
tts columns shall be open to the examination of the pub- lie conduct of public officers, and to the examination of pub- lie measures.
Personalities and attacks on private character will not be permitted, but will be carefully avoided and excluded.
The Repository will contain a detail of the earliest foreign and domestic intelligence, the progress and improvements in agriculture and manufactures, together with whatever the editor- may consider interesting to the lovers of literature, wit, poetry, etc. They will endeavor to make their paper useful and interesting to all classes of the community.
MAURICE AND JOIN BREDIN.
Maurice and John Bredin were among the early merchants of Butler, and carried on business in a store which stood fronting the diamond, west of the ground where is now the residence of Clarence Wal- ker, Esq. Maurice died in Butler in 1852. John Bredin ocenpied the bench from 1831 to 1851, and a biographical sketch of him appears in the chapter upon the bar of the county.
The Repository passed into the hands of James Me(laughlin {a brother-in-law of the Bredins) and John McClelland about the year 1830. They pub-
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HISTORY OF BETLER COUNTY
lished the paper for a number of years, and then transferred it to David Shannon, Esq., and Jolin Lit- tle.
The Democratic Herald was established in May, 1842, under the editorial management of James Mc- Glaughlin and Jacob Zeigler, and the old Repository was merged into the new paper. The founders of the Herald, whom we have named, published it until they disposed of it to a company, of which Samuel G. Purvis was the head. While it was under the man- agement of this company, Joseph MeMurtin was the publisher of the paper. A few years afterward, the Her- ald passed into the possession of James MeGlaughlin and Cornelius Coll. who, in 1852, sold it to Jacob Zeigler. He in turn sold. in March, 1855, to Col. Jo- seph P. Patterson. Associated with this gent.eman in its editorial management from the time he bought the paper was Jolm H. Negley. Esq .. and he became the sole owner in November, Col. Patterson's declin- ing health compelling him to abandon business and go South. He died not long afterward in New Or- leans. Mr. Negley continued to conduct the Journal until July. 1858. when he sold it to John and Samuel Coll. He soon transferred the property to Clark Wilson. who sold it to John Coll, from whom the pres- ent proprietors. Jacob and A. G. Zeigler, purchased the Democratic Herald in 1867.
The Butler Eagle was first published in February, 1870. by an association of gentlemen, a majority of whom were soldiers; all were Republicans; the paper was established with a view to assist in the maintenance of the Republican party and its prin- ciples.
Thomas Robinson was selected as political editor: John M. Greer. Esq., as local editor: and Capt. Ed Lyon. agricultural editor; with F. M. Eastman. Esq .. as business manager.
The management of the paper was at first under a Board of Directors, viz .. W. L. Graham. President ; F. M. Eastman. Hugh Morrison. J. B. Story and C. E. Anderson. Some differences in regard to the man- agement having occurred. the editorial staff was changed, and Hugh Morrison. Esq., and J. B. Clark. were severally chosen editors. Some legal differen- ces followed. which resulted in Thomas Robinson be- coming the proprietor, publisher and editor. This occurred in 1871. The paper continued in this own- ership up to the Ist of January. 1879, when it was purchased by his son, Eli D. Robinson. Subso- quently, he disposed of one-fourth of the concern to James M. Carson. The paper is now published by Robinson & Carson. It is in a healthy condition financially, and has a large subscription list. It is Republican in polities, and is a good local and gen- eral newspaper.
A creditable amateur journal, the Semi-Mouthly. started in September. ISS1, is published by C. M. & W. J. Hineman.
PROSPECT.
The history of journalism in Prospect is not a record of brilliant successes. The first newspaper in the place was the Prospect Record, established in 1852 by Dr. D. H. B. Brower. It was a good sized paper, all printed at home and ably edited. After an existence of one year, the Record expired, not from a lack of patronage, but for want of good manage- ment.
In 1854. Spear & Fairman began the publica- tion of the Mirror and News, a six column folio. They made a good local newspaper, but its prosperity was not sufficient to keep it alive, and the Mirror and Vous was published only about one year. Two years later, a small sheet called the Tramp was run for three months.
In December, 1979. the Prospect Leader was started by S. B. Martincourt. The Leader was a four-column. eight-page sheet. After four months, it was discontinued for lack of support. The town is now without a newspaper, but it has a good job print- ing office, started in 1877, by S. B. Martincourt.
PETROLIA.
The Petrolia Record was established in 1877. by its present editor and proprietor, Charles E. Herr. The first issue appeared October 27. The Record was then a folio of twenty columns. In April. 1878, it was enlarged to its present size, a twenty-eight-col- munn folio. with pages 24x36 inches. The Record is all printel at home, and, typographically, it is one of the neatest local papers published. It is well con- ducted and prosperous.
Lerch & Mapes started the Advertiser a short time before the Record appeared. Only a few num- bers were ever issued. In 1878, the same firm began the publication of the Producers' Free Press, a jour- nal devoted to the oil interests. The Free Press was edited by P. C. Boyle, and had an existence of about one year.
ZELIENOPLE.
The Commoquenessing Valley Nous. of Zelienople. was started in 1879, by Sammel and John R. Young. Col. Samuel Young is now the editor and sole pro- prietor. He is a veteran newspaper man. and makes the Veirs a live local paper. The Veres is a good-sized sheet. and is all printed at home. Its list of sub- seribers is constantly increasing, and its advertising patronage is large. The experiment of establishing a paper at Zelienople was regarded by many as a haz- ardous undertaking, but the success of the News is no longer a matter for speculation.
78
HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
MILLERSTOWN.
The first paper in Millerstown was established by (). P. Jackson in 1871. It was a diminutive sheet. about eight by ten inches, rejoicing in the name of the Sand Pump. It was as short lived as it was small- sized. The Millerstown Rerier, a six-column paper, established by Rev. A. S. Thorn, made its appearance in 1875. In 1879, the proprietor discontinued publi- cation and removed to Atwood, Kan., where he estab- lished the Atwood Pioneer.
The Weekly Herald was started in September. 1876, by S. J. Small, who carried it on until May 19, 1877, when it was purchased by the present proprie- tor, P. A. Rattigan, who brought to his new field of enterprise the results of years of experience, and was successful in building the paper np to a prosperons condition. He was a practical printer, and had also been business manager of the Oil City Times (after- ward the Republican, and now the Derrick), and ot the Oil City Daily and Weekly Herald. Mr. Rattigan has succeeded in securing for the Millerstown Herakl a large eirenlation. In polities. it is independently Democratic.
KARNS CITY.
This place no longer sustains a newspaper. The first paper published here was the Karns City Lem. which had an existence of abont one year. At first, it was printed at Millerstown. but afterward the offier was established here. The Hem was a small paper. Rev. A. S. Thorn was the editor.
In 1978. the Karns City Telephone was started by J. Borland. The Telephone had a fairly successful career of abont four years. In the spring of ISS2. Mr. Borland moved his office to Pine Grove, Mercer County, where the paper is still published.
FAIRVIEW.
The only attempt to start a newspaper in this place was made in 1872, when the Fairview Reporter made its appearance. Cot. Samnel Young was pro- prietor, and R. W. Criswell, now engaged with the Cincinnati Enquirer Company, editor. The Reporter survived about one year.
CHAPTER X.
THE MEDICAL PROFESSION.
The Succession of Physicians in Butler Borough-Brief Mention and Biographies of Physicians in Harmony and Zelienople-Evansburg -Middle Lancaster-Whitestown -Saxonburg - Prospect-Union- ville -Glade Mills-Centreville Harrisville West Liberty-Si- bury -North Washington-Mechamesburg-Millerstown-Petrolia -Karus City- Martinsburg-Fairview.
"THE first physician who ministered to the mortal needs of poor, suffering humanity in Butler was Dr. George Miller. He was born in Cannonsburg,
Washington Co., Penn .. in the year 1790, and was the son of Prof. Samuel Miller, who filled the chair of Mathematies and Natural Sciences in Jefferson Col- lege for a period of thirty years. He was of Scotch- Trish descent. Dr. Miller graduated from Jefferson College in the class of 1513, and immediately began the study of medicine under Dr. Letherman, of Can- nonsburg, a man of acknowledged ability in his pro- fession. Having completed his studies, and being fully prepared to enter upon his professional career, he contracted marriage with Martha, daughter of William Anderson, who resided near Warren, Trum- bull Co., Ohio. After his marriage. he located in the village of Butler, where he successfully practiced his profession for about eight years. Considering the then new State of Ohio a better field. he was induced to leave Butler, and settled in Marion. This change proved fatally unfortunate to him. for, after being there only about tive years. he was attacked by a vio- lent fever, which soon terminated in death He left a widow and four children, who returned to Butler and lived here many years. Dr. Miller, as a physi cian. gave promise. His education was greatly su perior to that of most men of his time and his profes sion in the West. His work was always faithfully. conscientiously and intelligently done, and he was held in high esteem both in Butler and his Ohio home.
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