USA > Pennsylvania > Butler County > History of Butler County, Pennsylvania. With illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 38
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TEMPIUM EN LUTHERANUM ST MARCO INSCRIPTUM CAD. MDUCUAL.
In the cost of the building, some $1,000, the members, then mimbering 200 communicants. had overestimated their financial strength, and the church council got themselves individually into sore straits. To redeem their personal property from attachment. as well as to save the church from the hamner, they severally, after exhausting their own resources, made pilgrimages elsewhere for aid. The aggregate result tided the congregation over the sorest need. and the church was saved. In 1817. a small organ wasbought. and subsequently a congregational burial-ground so- cured.
Originally the congregation had among its mom bership a sprinkling of American boorn. Some of these, together with others, were, through Rev. G Bassler, of Zelienople, Jannary 16. 1843, organized into an English Lutheran congregation, and for a few years held services in the Gorman church. This drew off the English element, and in consequence St. Mark's congregation remained purely German. Bish- op J. C G. Schweizerbarth's pastoral relation with the congregation continued till April, 1819, a period
By Rev. E. Clonenwell.
2
PETER DUFFY
The events prior to and during the early settlement of But- ler County having been reviewed in this history, it becomes also necessary to give short biographies of some of the actors in that drama. Among the very few survivors of that venerated band who came into the county when it was yet a wilderness, hard npon the track of the retreating savage, and helped to break the first paths, build the first churches and schoolhouses, and assist in laying the foundations for the manifold blessings we enjoy to- tlay, is the man whose name stands at the head of this sketch. Nearly all of his co-laborers have found a resting place in the peaceful grave, but the virtues which adorned their characters- their simplicity and strength, their patience in days of hardship and suffering-will be ever held in remembrance.
Peter Duffy was born in Donegal Township, Butler County, March 30, 1798. His father, Charles Duffy, a native of Ireland, having moved to that locality in April, 1796. Peter Duffy was baptized in Donegal Township in 1801, and distinctly remembers the event. The rite was performed by the Rev. Father Lanagan, the first priest who is known to have crossed the Allegheny River in this direction. The subject of our sketch remained upon the farm until 1816, when he came to Butler and took charge of a carding machine, located near the spot where the Reiber Mill now stands. In 1823, his brother. John Duffy, started a store in Butler, and afterward took him in as a partner. In 1827, he be- came a contractor on the Pennsylvania Canal, remaining upon the work until it was finished. lle became Postmaster at Butler in 1830, and afterward was Prothonotary of the county. When the great gold excitement broke out in 1849, he went to Cali- fornia, where he remained until 1853. Returning then to Butler, he commenced merchandising, in which business he continued until 1863, when he retired after a successful business career. In 1874, when operations on the Petrolia, Karns City and Mil- lerstown Belt reached Donegal Township, he was forced from his retirement to deal with the most irrepressible of all business men, the oil producer, for his farm was found to be within the limits of the belt. Here under his feet, so to speak, was the wealth which he had sought in the far away Pacific Slope. lle leased his farm for a one-eighth royalty. Forty wells were drilled upon it at a cost of about $5,000 each. Ten of them were dry, but the re- maining thirty produced $480.000 worth of oil, of which his one-eighth was $60,000.
Mr. Duffy's prosperity has been of value not alone to him- self, but the people among whom his long life has been passed. ITe has assisted in the building of the three Catholic Churches in Butler, the old stone chapel, and the present German and En.
glish Churches, and has generously aided other good works. He has ever been regarded as a most useful citizen, a man of the most kindly feeling and deep piety, of large information, great native ability and force of character. At his present great age, his mental faculties remain almost entirely undimmed.
Iu 1833, Mr. Duffy married Deborah Dougherty, by whom he had three children. Mary, the oldest, became a Sister of Mercy, and dedicated her life to acts of charity and mercy in taking care of the sick and orphans. In 1861, when the Government established the Soldiers' llospital at Pittsburgh, at which there were, during the greater part of the war period, a thousand sick and wounded soldiers, she was placed in charge of the institu- tion as Sister Superior, and held that position until the end of the rebellion. She died in February, 1870. The following lines composed by her father at the time showed the feeling and the resignation of the author when standing at the grave and giving up to God his only laughter :
Oh! wherefore hast thou hither wandered, Lovely, innocent and fair? Now, cold in death, thy days are numbered, Object of my love and care. The sunshine of thy early morning, Promise of a cloudless day ; With joy and hope my path adorning. Where didst thon hither stray ?
No more I hear thy voice of gladness, Never more thy social glee, To while away the hours of sadness. Mingled in life's destiny .
A gloom thy absener left forever. In our little social band ; Oh! why the tiry of nature seFer Never could I understand.
But hark' an angel's seeming whisper Softly says, of seems to say- " This earth is but the trau-tent memory Of an wyrtlastme diy
" The Sisters' lives are all devoted Tu works of Mercy to their raer: The orphan' prayers prochain their labor4. Even to the Throne of Grace "
Then fare thee well, devoted daughter, Thy vocation was divine. The prayers for me, dear child, continue, Your name is whispered oft in mine.
The eldest son of Peter and Deborah Duffy, Charles Duffy. succeedel his father in business in 1963, and has carried it on at the same place ever since. The second and youngest son, James E. Duffy, is pastor of St. John's Church, East Albany.
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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
of nearly twenty-eight years. During the latter part of this time, Rev. Frederick Illiger was called, who. however. after a brief activity of but several months, departed this life in Butler, March 23, 1815. He rests on the burial-ground of the congregation.
Rev. William A. Fetter then became the first per- manent resident pastor, April 8, 1849, remaining in office till the summer of 1863, when he removed to another part of his charge, Millerstown. this county. He died July 10, 1865, aged fifty-nine years, eight months and twenty-two days, and was buried in the North Cemetery of this place.
During an interval of several months, the congre- gation was temporarily supplied by Rev. J. N. Wolf and others, till in January, 1864. it secured the serv- ices of Rev. G. F. H. Meiser, of Galion, Ohio. Dur- ing his pastorate a comfortable parsonage on Wayne street, and a large pipe organ were procured. Through his instrumentality, the congregation, in accordance with the confessional position of the " Evangelical Lutheran Joint Synod of Ohio." placed itself on rec- ord on the subject of " Secret Societies," taking spo- cial exception to the doetrinal bearings of their semi- reli rious phases.
In January, 1869. Rev. C. H. W. Luebkort. of Londonville, Ohio, succeeded Rev. G. T. H. Meiser. who resigned at a call from Youngstown. Ohio. During his pastorate. the question as to the legal right of the congregation to exeommunicate mem- bers, because of affiliation with seeret orders, was carried into court. The court below found the expul- sion of the plaintiff's void. and protected them from further discipline for the same cause. The Supreme Court rescinded the second clause, but sustained the first, on the ground of want of jurisdiction. In keep- ing with the general polity of the Lutheran Church, the congregation had acted in the matter as a collect- ive body, whilst the charter required action by the church council. as such. This had been overlooked. Action by this legal judicatory of the congregation would have been final.
On the removal of Rev. C. H. W. Lutelekert, No- vember. 1876, to Washington, D. C., St. Mark's con- gregation extended a call to Rev. E. Cronenwett, then at Delaware, Ohio, which was accepted in January, 1877. In the matter of congregational school, the congregation had suffered disheartening experience. The congregation engaged the services of Mr. J. H. Wuller, teacher of music in Butler, for choir and or- gan, and the pastors themselves often personally at- tended to a summer term of instruction. Mr. Wuller finally. in 1876, resigned bis post at the organ. Iu February, 1877. Prof. J. M. Helfrich, formerly of Carthage College, Illinois, was called to fill the va- caney, and entered into hearty co-operation with the
pastor, both in church and school. The prosperity of the congregation as to its future development, called for a timely introduction of the English language in the public services, and this was accordingly done on Sunday evenings, with gratifying results. A new era dawned upon the congregation. A no inconsiderable debt had gradually been accumulating, and in addi- tion to its removal, the time-worn church needed ex tensive renovation. The debt was speedily canceled. and then the members made bold to utter preference for a new church in a more desirable locality. Ac cordingly, in the spring of 1875, a spacious lot was secured for this purpose, on the corner of Washington and Jefferson streete, for the sum of $3,000.
In the midst of general hopefulness and prepara tion for building. the congregation was called upon to mouru the death of Prof. J. M. Helfrich. He was called away, after brief but fatal illness, on June 26. 1878, at the age of twenty-six years ten months and twenty -two days. His remains were interred at Car- rollton. Ohio. His sister. Miss Mary E. Helfrich. afterward succeeded him as organist of St. Mark's.
The corner-stone to the new church edifice was laid August 15. 1878, The speakers on the occasion were: Revs. G. Cronenwett, of Woodville, Obio: G. F. H. Meiser. and Prof. M. Loy, of Columbus, Ohio, the latter in English. According to Lutheran cus- tom. various documents were deposited in the corner stone.
The dedication of the church took place on Sep tember 7. 1879. Rev. G. F. H. Meiser delivered the farewell address at the old church. and Rovs. G. Cronenwett. H. A. Feldmann. of Canton, Ohio, and J. L. Tranger, of Petersburg, Ohio, spoke in the new, the latter in English. The pastor led the dedi- catory formula. In style of architecture, the build- ing is somewhat mediaval Gothic, with corner tower and strong buttresses. The material is brick, and with stone trimmings. Exterior dimensions: Fifty- eight feet across the front: across the body of the church, fifty feet; extreme length. one hundred feet. The basement story, for lecture and schoolrooms, is twelve feet high: the auditorium above has a height of eighteen feet at the sides and thirty- four feet in the middle angle, exposing to view the ceiling tim- bers. Its interior dimensions, including the gallery. and arched altar recess, are FixSS feet. The archi tect was D. I. Kuhn, of Hulton Station. Jeghony County. Ponn. The contractors and builders, H. Bauer & Bro., members of the congregation. The in scription stone of the old church ha- been preserved as a relie, and is inserted in the inner front of the new. The cost of the entire property. site. structure. sheds. fencing. pavements, etc .. amounting to some $15,000, has all been successfully met.
162
HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
During the past half century. St. Mark's congre- . Michael Emrick, which for twenty seven years served gation, in addition to the nsnal loss of members by death. removal. etc., suffered several more extensive drains through branch organization of its member- ship. Ont of it grew, in some measure, the English Lutheran Church of Butter; then, largely, the so. called " White " Church, some four miles west of this place: nest, an effort at an " Evangelical" Church in town, which turned out German Reformed, and then became extinet; and lastly. at the close of 1876. the German Lutheran Church of Summit Township, some four miles cast. The territory of the congregation still extenils in its extreme limits from five to seven miles in all directions from Butler. It number 450 communicants, or differently stated. 100 subscribing members. Its German Sabbath school attendance in the morning averages eighty five children, and its German English summer school, sixty.
During these threescore and nine years, the pastors of St. Mark's, as such, baptized 1.626 persous, mostly infants and children; confirmed 897 members; mar- ried 273 couples, and buried 371 persons.
The present council of the congregation consists of E. Cronenwett, pastor; Gottlieb Herokl. Capt. J. (. Rippus, Peter Oosterling. Frederick Baner, Elders: William Siebert, Treasurer; Frederick Henninger, Secretary; John Kredel. Matthias Keck. Deacons; H. Julins Klingler. Jacob Keck. Esq., J. C. Groh- mann. Trustees.
English Evangelical Lutheran Church .-- The first meeting in Butler of those, favorable to the organiza- tion of an English Lutheran Church was held in the German Church of the same denomination, upon Janu- ary 16, 1543. Jacob Mechling being Secretary, and the Rev. (fobtlieb Bassler, Treasurer. A church con- stitution was adopted for the guidance of the organi- zation. and at a subsequent meeting the first church conneil was elected, consisting of JJacob Walter, Sr., and John Nogley. Sr., Elders, and John Dull. Jr., and Daniel Kreidler, Deacons. John Negley sulse- quently resigned, and John MeCullough was chosen in his place. The officers were installed February 11, 1843. The Rov Mr Bassler served as pastor, and upon June IS, conducted the first sacramental serv ices. About thirty persons had signed the constitu- tion. thus identifying themselves with the new or- ganization, and the number was increased at the first communion service by the reception of fourteen new members. The labors of Rev. Bassler covered a period of abont eleven years. from 1848 to 1854, with a brief interregnum. The society spent some time ue gotiating with the German Lutherans for the joint use of their church, but no arrangement was effected and the question of building was then agitated. A house was ereeted in 1849-50, upon a lot donated by
the congregation as a place of worship. During the period of the Rev. Bassler's ministry, the ordinance of baptism was administered to fifty children and up- ward of seventy adults. Among the adult baptisms there was that of an Indian, who had been convicted of a most brutal murder, a mother and several chil dren being the victims. The Indian was none other than Samnel Mohawk, who was confined in jail in Butler awaiting the execution of the capital sentence. and who had been converted by Mr. Bassler. The baptism was solemnized at the prison on February 25. 1514. It was while Rev. Bassler was pastor of the church, about a year after its organization. that the Pittsburgh Synod was organized, and it was in Butler that the preliminary conference was held for the purpose of making arrangements for the organiza- tion of the Synod. The place of meeting was in a little building on Washington street, which bad originally been the jail, but which was at that time a private dwelling. Those who followed the Rev Bassler as pastors of the church were: Rev. A. H. Waters, from June, 1855, to April, 1861; Rev. J H. Fritz. from April. 1861, to October, 1569. Rev. L. H. Goshwind. from August, 1870, to May, 1874. and the present minister. Rov. J. Q. Waters, since July, 1875. Early in the spring of 1876, negotiations were entered into for the purchase of the property of the Wither spoon University, now owned and occupied by the church. The changes and improvements made cost about $1,700, and the total cost of remodeling and purchase was about $7.700.
German Catholic Church. The first Roman Cath- lie house of worship was a stone chapel. which stood myon a hill in the eastern part of the borough, where is now the Catholic burying-ground. It was built in 1822. the ground being donated for the purpose. The building committee consisted of John Duffy. Norbet Foltz and William Haggerty. the last named being also the contractor. The church was known by the name of St. Peter's. Prior to the construction of the house of worship. in the year IS21. Rev. Charles Ferry came to the village and organized the congre- gation, which consisted originally of English for Irish ) ('atholies. His pastorate continued until 1826, when he was succeeded by Rev. P. P. O'Neil. In 1835, Rev. P. Rafferty assumed the charge. Since this time the succession of priests has been as follows: Revs. Jo- soph Cody. John Mitchell, Joseph Creeden. The present church. known as the German Catholic. was built in 1849.
St. Paul's English Catholic Church. -- This neat. though unpretentious church edifice, stands fronting on MeKean street. in one of the prettiest locations in the borough. Its erection was begun in April. 1866,
163
HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY
and in the month of February. in the following year, it was dedicated by Bishop Domenee, of Pittsburgh. assisted by a large number of the diocesan clergy. 1 great number of the citizens of the borough were also present at the ceremonies.
The original members of this church were among the first Catholic settlers of the county and before the present church was built, worshiped in St. Peter's, or, as it is now called, the German Catholic Church. which they in no small degree helped by their con- tributions to erect. A strong tide of German Cath- olic immigration to this place set in. and in a few years after the original members of St. Peter's found them- selves largely outnumbered by the German element. It was not long before a priest of their own (the latter's) nationality was placed in charge of the church, and ultimately it came about that nearly all the services were conducted in the German language. English services were held only at long intervals. Urged by this condition of things, the English speaking mem- bers determined to build a church for themselves, in which they could have the Gospel preached in the vernacular. The initiative in this good work was taken by Mr. Peter Duffy. He not only contributed largely to the erection of the church, but gave the building of it his personal supervision. The other members likewise contributed according to their means. The membership of St. Paul's, although at first small, has been annually mereasing. The first priest who assumed the pastoral charge of the parish. was the Rev. Stephen M. A. Barrett, a native of Pittsburgh and graduate of the Propaganda College in Rome. He came here in February, 1567. when the church was dedicated. and remained about one year. He was succeeded by Rev. Daniel Devlin, also a na- tive of Pittsburgh, whose pastorate was also of short duration, as within thirteen months. by illness to ro. sign, and died soon after. The next priest whom we find in charge was the Rev. Joseph Coffey, who came here in October, 1868, and left in the month of De- cember in the same year. The next pastor was the Rev. James Nolan, who began his labors in January, 1869, and was transferred in June of the same year to Mckeesport. He was succeeded by Rev. Francis J. O'Shea, who took charge of the parish in June. 1869, and continued pastor until March. 1572. He had for successor Rev. Francis MeCarthy, whose ap- pointment seems to have been but temporary, as he remained only three months. The next in succession was Rev. Columba MeSweeney. He became pastor in July, 1872, and remained in that relation till No- vember. 1876, when he was compelled to resign all active duties, owing to great physical infirmities. He was immediately succeeded as missionary reetor by the present incumbent, Rev. William Ambrose Nolan.
who assimned the pastoral charge on the 10th of No vember. 1876, and has continued in that office until the present time. During his administration. many and costly improvements have been made and the membership largely increased. He contimes to dis charge the duties of his exalted office with zeal and acceptance.
The first baptism administered in St. Paul's Church was that of William JJoh Vinroe, on the 17th of February, 1867. The first marriage solemnized in the same church was that of Augustine Jackman and Frances Sophia Vimos, on the 20th of February. 1867. In looking over the registry of deaths, the first death in the parish is recor ted to have occurred on the 10th of August. 1867 On account of its quaintness, we give a literal translation in English of the original Latin entry:
" On this day. 10th August. 1867, John Miller. infant son of Hugh Miller and of his wife, Hannah Morgan, being but one day ok, departed this life for a better one, and was buried in the German American Catholic Cemetery of Butler." Stephen M. A. Bar- rett, pastor.
This church is the first in the county. so far as we have been able to learn, in which stained-glass win flows were introduced. They were quite a novelty at that time and attracted great attention. Other do- nominations were not slow to imitate the example thus given them, so that at the present time every church in the borough has elegant or costly stained glass windows.
BAPTIST CHURCH.
This church was organized April 29. 1876. at Boyd's Hall. in Springdale, with about six members. Quite a number of persons who afterward joined the church participated in the exercises of organization. but as they did not have their letters could not unite at that time. Meetings were held every Sunday. and led by Mr. B. H. Osborn until a council was called to recognize the clurch. This council was held Novem- ber S. 1876, and by its act the church was recognized as a regular Baptist Church. From that time the Rev. T. Il Jones preached for the society about half the time, and Mr Osborn conducted the alternate meetings. On the 16th of June. 1577. the society purchased the German Reformed meeting-house for $1.500, which they immediately ocenpied. having preaching every Sunday. After thorough renovation and very material improvement the church was dedi cated November 1, the Rov. J. P. Jones officiating. Mr. Jones' pastoral charge continued until the fot. lowing April or May, since which time the church was without a Pastor until April. 1552. when Rev. W. H. Mckinney took charge. The present membership of the church is about thirty.
164
IHISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
ST. PAUL'S REFORMED CHURCH.
In the year 1877. Rev. T. F. Stauffer commenced preaching to a few members of the Reformed Church in the United States residing in the town of Butler. Meeting with success, the old Evangelical Lutheran Church was purchased. refitted and dedicated to the service of God. August 25. 1575, the dedicatory ser- mon was preached by Rev. Thomas J. Barkley, of Graco Reformed Church. Pittsburgh, Penn. The pastor, Rev. T. F. Stauffer, performed the dedicatory service, and was assisted in the other attending serv- ices by Rev. W. F. Lichliter, of Woodstock. Va., Rev. J. W. Alspach, of Armstrong County. Penn., Rev. Joseph Hannabery and W. B. Landoe. of Butler County, Penn.
The congregation was organized August 22. 1878, at 7 o'clock P. M. in the study of Rev. T. F. Stauffer. at the St. Paul's Orphan Home. Butler. Penn .. the following male members being present, viz .. Rev. T. F. Stauffer, Abraham Moyer, Henry Nicholas, Henry Biehl. Conrod Biehl. Oscar L. Schultz. G. L. Duffort. C. W. Rodgers, Melvil Rodgers and Henry Blongh.
An election for officers resulted as follows: Elders, Abraham Moyer, and Henry Nicholas; Deacons, Henry Biehl and G. L. Duffort. The congregation under the pastorate of Rev, T. F. Stauffer as stated supply until September 1. 1882, and from this date as regular pastor, has made commendable progress. numbering ninety-nine members, with a Sunday school of 140.
The church is located on West North street. But- ler. Penn .. and is convenient of access. The organ- ization was effected in connection with and by the permission of Allegheny Classes of the Pittsburgh Synod of the Reformed Church in the United States.
The doctrines held and expressed by the congre- gation are set forth plainly in the Heidelberg Cate. chism, as prepared and published in 1563 by the Elector Frederick III, of the Palatinate. Germany. having been prepared at his request by Prof. Zachai- rias Ursinns and the celebrated preacher Casper Ole. vianus. The constitution governing the cougrega- tion is the same as adopted by all Reformed Churches in the United States.
EDUCATIONAL.
The Butler Academy (old stone academy). the first building erected in Butler solely for school pur- poses, was built in 1810 and 1811 by JJohn Parviance, and stood where the high school bnilling now is upon land donated by the Cunninghams, Applica- tion having been made to the State for assistance, an appropriation of $2,000 was made, one- half of which was used to defray building expenses and the other $1,000 placed at interest for the benefit of the school.
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