USA > Pennsylvania > Butler County > History of Butler County, Pennsylvania. With illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 41
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Mr. Purviance was married, by the Rev. B. B. Killikelly, of the Episcopal Church, on the Ist of Jannary, 1835, to Miss Catharine Bredin, daughter of Hon. John Bredin: had ten children, seven of whom are now living: his wife died in the spring of 185I, and he did not again marry
Mr. Purviance is now a resident of Butler, shar- ing largely the respect and contideneo of the citizens of the town and county.
JAMES DUNLAP.
The subject of this sketch, born in Butler April 18, 1807, was the son of James Dunlap, Esq., a law- yer who practiced here a short time, and the grand- son of the Rev. James Dunlap, who was a clergyman for many years in Washington County and the first President of Cannonsburg College. His father re- moved to Natchez, Miss., whore ho died. after serving for a long term of years as United States District Judge. The subject of our sketch got his early edu- cation in Butler and at a school near Stevenson's Mill, taught by a very able teacher, Prof. John Wait. He also attended the Butler Academy, and afterward studied surveying under the pioneer. David Dougal. He has followed surveying from 1836 to the present time, and has a more minute and accurate knowledge of the lands in Butler County than any man living, being also well versed in the history of the enrions and complicated system of land title in Western Pennsylvania. He was appointed County Surveyor by Gov. David R. Porter, in 1839, and served in that vapicity for six years.
In his early life. Mr. Dunlap served seven years in the military of the county, being First Lieutenant of the Bonniebrook Company of infantry, and after-
ward holding the same position in a Butler cavalry company. In his latter years, he has written much for the local papers upon political and other subjects. He has been a life-long Demoerat.
Mr. Dunlap is now seventy five years of age. Ho is now living and most of the time has lived in But. Fer, and is the oldest man residing here who was born in the town. He obtained his early odneation and made his way in life by his own endeavors. His large reading and experience of life have brought him a l'und of information, and he has been an intel- ligent and useful citizen who has held the respect of all who have known him. He has served as School Director in the county and in Butler for eleven years, and has taken a prominent part in creating school- houses in Clearfield and Jefferson Townships and the present beautiful high school building in Butler Bor ongh. He surveyed and sold the property from which a portion of the building fund was raised, and draft- ed a part of the aet which was passed by the Legis- lature anthorizing the sale. Ho also planned the sinking fund and took an active part in the financial management of school affairs during the whole period of building, which was about four years. being a di- rector all of that time.
Mr. Dunlap married, in 1838, Miss Margaret Murdoch, a native of Washington County. Four children were the offspring of this union, three of whom are living, viz., Sammel ME., located in Alle- gheny City: Mary L. (tenry) in Butler, and Lydia R. (McKee) in Martinsburg,
G. W. REED.
Maj. G. W. Reed came to Butler in 1824, from Bedford County. Penn., where he was born in 1803. He is one of the oldest residents of the borough. During bis early years he was prominently identified with the militia of the county and district and took an active part in public affairs, He was a commis- sioned officer from the time of his coming to the county until 1855, serving at first as Captain and Major. He was elected Brigade Inspector of the Butler and Beaver County Militia in 1835, and again in 1812 was chosen Inspector for the Butler County Soldiery. In 1848, he was elected Brigadier General, and afterward was Adjutant for his battalion and commanded it. He was nominated for Sheriff on the Whig ticket, in 1839, but declined running for the office. In 1845, however. ho was elected to it, and served the people of the county very satisfactorily. He was chosen County Treasurer in 1852. and subse- quently was Revenue Storekeeper at Butler. His name will be found frequently mentioned in the chapter on Internal Improvements and in the history of Butler Borough.
Kon : Jacob Leighton
HON JACOB ZIEGLER.
The first part of the following sketch of " Uncle " Jacob Ziegler, is, as the reader will see, autobio- graphical:
"I was born in the town of Gettysburg, Adams County, Penn., on the 19th day of September 1. D. 1813. To my parents, George and Elizabeth Ziegler, were born nine children, seven sons and two daugh- ters. I was the second in birth. After receiving such an education as the schools of that day afforded. in the place of my birth, my father removed to a farm about three miles from Gettysburg, and I assisted all I was able in the necessary work. However, I did not believe I was adapted to a farm life. and so I bundled up what few clothes I had in a bandana handkerchief. or, as I often termed it, a "calico knapsack that locked with a knot." and took to the road, determined to find something to do in the " far West," which at that day was considered Pittsburgh and its vicinity. My parents knew nothing of my determination and I did not let them know it. I threw my little bundle of clothes out of the garret window, in order to avoid detection, went down stairs, out into the yard ontside of the house, and after hunting about for awhile, for it was after night, obtained it. With it in my arms I stood at the gate in front of the house, and for some time watched my
mother cooking in the kitchen. It was a warm night in Angust. No one can fully appreciate my feelings. If ever there was a son who loved his mother it was I. With tears in my eyes, I simply said to myself, "Good-by, dear mother," and turned into the dark- ness to find my way the best I could to Gettysburg. My father was not at home at the time, and so I did not fear pursuit. At Gettysburg I slept with a young boy who was learning the hatting trade with an in- cle. In the morning, I started off, taking a circuit- ons route, coming out on the Baltimore & Pittsburgh Turnpike. twenty-four miles west of Gettysburg. I then traveled on, eating but one meal each day, for I had but $1. 12 in my pocket when I started from home, and it required me to use economy. When I came to Pittsburgh. I had 371 cents left. Of this I gave the landlord 12 cents for a " cold check " and 6 cents for a bed. They did not charge as much then for a meal of vietnals and the use of a bed as they do now. and it was fortunate for me that they did not, for my exchequer would have been exhausted long before I arrived at Pittsburgh. From the hotel, I came down Liberty street to its junction with St. Clair street. I stood there for some minutes, undecided which way to go. At last I went to the Allegheny bridge, crossed over without being seen by the toll gatherer, and so saved 2 cents. When I came to the Allegheny
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City side, I went up Federal street to what is now the native home and exercising wonder what my parents were doing and how they felt in regard to their runa. way boy. I engaged with MeCHlaughlin & MeClelland to learn the printing business, they being then the proprietors of the Repository. The agreement was written with chalk on the inside of the front door of the office, and was abont in these words: Diamond. Here I came again to a stand, not know ing which way to go. At last, I said to myself. " Keep to the right as the law directs," and so I went along Ohio street, but it was not much better then than a common road. Following this road. I came to Stuartstown, now called Etna. Here I bought a loaf of bread for 6 cents. and at the foot of a little hill SEPTEMBER . 1831. north of the town and on the old Pittsburgh. Butler Jacob Ziegler came to learn the printing business with Medlaughlin & McClelland. He agrees to stay two years and six months, when he will be free. During that time, we agree to furnish him with vietuals, clothing and lodging. & Erio Turnpike, sat down and ate the loaf of bread. washing it down with water that flowed from a little spring. Although I did not know where I was going, JAWOR ZIEGLER. and cared less. I was as happy as a boy could be. Į MOGLAvanIN & MeCHEI LAND. always believed " where there is a will there is a " I remained the full time, and my father. tinding ont where I was. he. with my mother. visited me. As he found me diligent and faithful. he purchased for me an interest in the office. way." and. as the workl was wide, the good Lord would find something for me to do. I came to Butler in the evening of the 21st day of Angust, 1831. hav- ing first washed myself with water from the small " Being satistied with my new home, and becom rivulet that is to the right of the old road, south of . ing acquainted with the people, I concluded to marry, and so on the 30th day of June, 1535, was married to Miss Sarah Brinker, daughter of Abram Brinker, Esq .. an old resident of the county. by the Rev. Kil- likelly, of the Episcopal Church. Our marriage was blessed with seven children; three are now dead, and four. two sons and two daughters, are still living. The names of my children are Amelia, George W .. Julia E .. Annie L .. Mary A., Alfred G. and Henry. " In May, 1842, the Herald, which I am publish ing now, in connection with my son, A. G. Ziegler. was first issued by James MeGlanghlin and myself. We published it for a number of years, when it fell into other hands. It is not necessary to mention the various changes or the persons who had charge of the office from time to time. In 1867, it fell into my hands. and since then has been issued by J. Ziegler & Son. "
town. Coming down Main street. Tobserved some seven or eight young girls having a good time on the pavement in front of the Etzel property, then owned by Dr. H. C. Dewolf. One of these girls afterward became my wife. I stopped at Mr. Beatty's hotel, told him my condition, and that while I would like to have some place to lodge, yet I had no money to pay for it. William Beatty was a man rough in speech. but of as kind a heart as any person I over met in all my life. He gave me supper and told me I could stay. After I had eaten, he demanded of me who I was, where I came from and what I intended to do. I was frank with him and answered his questions truthfully. He gave me good advice. aud told me that as I was a young man starting out in the world I should be truthful and sincere in all I did. While we were talking, Mr. David Agnew, his son-in-law. came into the hotel. I was as surprised to see him as he was me. We had gone to school together, al- though he was several years my senior. I remained in the hotel that night, and in the morning, at Mr. Agnew's request, went and stayed at his house.
About four weeks afterward, a young man named Neil McBride, who was learning his trade in the Re- pository office, died, and one of the editors, James Mc- Glaughlin. asked me if I would take McBride's place. I agreed to do so. on condition that I was to eat at the same table with the family. He said, certainly, but I would find the victuals d-n poor. I had but one pair of stockings, for all the money I had. which was 12 cents. I gave to James Graham, store-keeper, for tobacco, because I concluded I could chew longer on it than anything else. Every two or three days I. went to what is known as Sullivan's Run, and there washed my stockings, and while they were drying, sat on the bank allowing my thoughts to wander to my
Concerning Mr. Ziegler's official career. there re- mains considerable to be said. He was elected Clerk to the County Commissioners in 1835, and served in that capacity until appointed Prothonotary by Gov. Porter in 1$38. Then the State constitution was changed and county offices made elective. In Octo- ber, 1SBS, Mr. Ziegler was elected Prothonotary, and served three years. In 1543. he was elected Tran- scribing Clerk in the Pennsylvania Senate, and as such served during two sessions, and then being elect ed Assistant Clerk, served in that capacity one year, when. the Senate changing politically, he returned home. In 1847, he was elected a member of the Legislature, and took his seat in January, 1545. He would not consent to again being a candidate. Mr. Ziegler was appointed Clerk of the Pension Depart- ment. at Washington, and served in that capacity for one year. when, the election of Gen. Taylor to the Presidency resulted in a general turning out of
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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
Democrats. In 1819, he went to California and re- mained in the mines about fourteen months. Return- ing. he was appointedl Chief Clerk in the Secretary's office, at Harrisburg and served in that position dur- ing the administration of Gov. William Bigler. In 1857. he was eloctel Assistant Clerk of the Pennsyl- vania House of Representatives, and he was Chief Clerk from IS58 to 1860, In 187], he was elected Chief Clerk of the Senate and served during one sos- sion During the term he was Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives, he wrote a work on parlia- mentary law, which embraced the rules of Senate and House of Representatives, the decisions had on points | of order and various other matters of interest. Small's Hand Book is simply a copy of this work, with such statistics as were compiled from year to year. This manual of Mr. Ziegler's is still used as a standard au thority in the Legislature.
The subject of our sketch took an active interest in the war for the preservation of the Union; and did all in his power to assist in the work of erushing the rebellion, believing that this Goverment was made to exist for all time. Hence, he was called a " War Democrat." After the war closed and peace was re- stored. he, as heretofore stated. took charge of the Democratic Herald, in 1867, and has continued to edit it ever since.
Mr. Ziegler is possessed of fine conversational and social qualities, and those, with his solid attainments. intellectual and moral worth, have ever made him the object of the respect, esteem and friendship of all with whom he has come in contaet, either as editor, official, or simply private citizen. He is probably known personally by more people in Butler County than is any other of its 52,000 citizens and almost universally by the semi-affectionate and familiar titles of " Uncle " Jacob Ziegler or simply " Uncle Jake." The term is appropriate, for he stands very much in the attitude of unele to the whole of Butler County. The origin of this not undignified nick-name here for the first time finds its way into print. Many years ago, when Mr. Ziegler was a comparatively young man, it was given him by a lady in Harrisburg, who is still living there at this writing. It happened that the lady who was herself very vivacions and fond of so. ciety, gay parties, balls, the theater and similar en- tertainments, was courted aud eventually won by a very shy, society-shunning and somewhat austere gentleman who could seldom be indneed to attend the gatherings of the merry class to which his affianced belonged. Not desiring to accompany her himself to the dance or theater, he was still unwilling that she should be wholly deprived of the pleasures so dear to her. In this dilemma. MIr. Ziegler became the Pla- tonic friend of the young lady, and frequently, with
the cordial permission of her lover, acted as her escort to parties and places of public amusement. Knowing that she was the promised bride of another, her friends began to question the propriety of her associa. tion with Mr. Ziegler. It was suggested by some- body that he might be a relative, and when the young lady was questioned on that subject, she allowed the impression already formed to go forth strengthened by tarit assent that he was her uncle. She ealled him " Unele Jacob," and the term so applied in fun by the Harrisburg lady has ever clung to him and be- come familiar to all.
JOHN DUFFY
Judge lohn Duffy, the elder brother of Peter Duffy, was born in Ireland in 1784, and emigrated with his father's family to America and Westmore. land County. Penn .. in 1793, where they resided un- til the treaty was made by which the Indians were forever withdrawn from the region surrounding But- ler County, when they removed to Donegal Township. This was in the spring of 1796. They settled upon the farm known as the Duffy farm, and still owned by the family. The subject of our sketch remained for a number of years with his father and was elected one of the first Justices of the Peace in the township. He held the office until 1823, when he took up his residence at the county seat. On coming to Butler. he opened a store and followed the mercantile busi . ness very successfully until 1542, when he was ap- pointed one of the Associate Judges of the county. This office he heldl for ten years, at the expiration of which period he retired from all active pursuits. He was a man of the strietest integrity and was governed by the highest sense of honor and justice in all his transactions, and possessed in an eminent degree those sterling qualities for which the first settlers were noted. He was one of those men in whom was illustrated the truth of the old line of the poet: " An honest man is the noblest work of God." Judge Duffy never married. He died in June, 1864, at the ripe age of eighty years, honored and respected by all who know him.
WILLIAM BEATTY.
William Beatty was for many years one of the prominent characters of Butler Borough and County. He was born near Stewartstown, County Tyrone, Ire- land, in the year 1757, and emigrated to this country in 1807. In 1812. he was an officer in one of the Butler companies, which marched ont to aid in do- fending the frontier. He became very popular and both won and was worthy of popular esteem. He was frequently honored with election to public office of high station. Three times he was sent to the
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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY
Legislature, while the connties of Allegheny and But- ler formed a representative district, and be faithfully discharged the duties intrusted to him by the people. Previous to this, he was elected Sheriff and subse- quently represented the Congressional District of which Butler is a part, for four years in the Congress of the United States. It is said that in every publie place he filled he commanded the unwavering and hearty support of the people whose suffrages he ro- ceived. and discharged every duty with unswerving faithfulness. He was a man of uncommon ability, as well as of exalted moral character and as noted for his energy and his integrity. For many years his business was tavern or hotel keeping, which he fo !- lowed in Butler Borough, but his latter years were spent upon the farm in the old township of North Butler. He died there April 2. 1851. aged sixty- four years.
The writer of an obituary notice pays this high tribute to William Beatty: " His probity, uprightness of conduct and high, noble and dignified character as a man had endeared him to all. while his unceasing efforts to advance the prosperity of the county-his untiring industry and business capacity, induced at all times a firm reliance upon his sound, diseriminat- ing judgment. He had no enemies."
REV. ISAIAIE NIBLOCK.
The Rev. Isaiah Niblock. D. D., was for over forty-five years the pastor of the United Presbyterian Church of Butler (or originally known as the Re- formed Church). He was born in Monaghan County, Ireland. in 1794. He studied divinity under the care of John Dick. D. D., Professor of Theology in the United Secession Church, in Glasgow, Scotland. and was licensed to preach in 1817. He sailed for the United States and landed in New York in 1818. In the months of October and November of that year. he preached in Philadelphia. In December, he visited a near relative, Rev. Dr. Gray, in Baltimore, Md .. ! and was urged by him to go to the West. Having crossed the Alleghany Mountains upon horseback. he arrived in Pittsburgh December 20, 1818. Receiving appointments to supply vacancies northwest of the Alleghany River, for three months. he arrived in Butler two days before Christmas. and preached in the court house on the last Sunday in the year. On April 23. 1819. a call was made out for him by the united congregations of Butler and White Oak Springs, which he accepted, and after filling his own engagements he took charge of these congregations, being ordained and installed by Monongahela Asso. ciate Reformed Presbytery as their pastor. and preached the first sermons of his pastorate on the third Sunday of May. 1819. The persons then com-
posing the church in Butler were one Elder and nine communicants. During his ministry, there were add ed to the church at Butler, White Oak Springs and Union (the field of his labors) about oleven hundred members. He baptized about 2,000 children and adults and joined over 200 couples in marriage. For nearly five months previons to his death. he was in- able to preach, owing to disease of the throat. He died at his residence in Butler June 29, 1864. of the - gradual doray of his vital powers.
One who knew him has written: " Dr. Niblock was a minister of modest disposition and retiring habits -not much known to the world. but believed by all his fellow ministers who knew him, and much esteemed among his pastoral charge. Of him it might be said: 'He was a good minister of Jesus Christ . - an able and faithful expositor of the Word of God. Among the first of our ministers who settled northwest of the Alleghany River. he lived to see the church and the country grow numerons and prosper- ous around him, and as the fruit of his own labors many added to . the church of such as should be saved ' He loved the church of which he was minister, ardu ously and faithfully labored to maintain her princi- ples and her purity, and the work of the Lord pros- pered in his hands. His life was one of self-denial, labor and usefulness, esteemed in the community and beloved in the church."
REV. WILLIAM WHITE.
Rev. William White, of the Episcopal Church for over a half-century a resident of Western Pennsylva- nia, and for most of that period of Butler. is another long-serving pastor. The subject of this brief sketch was born in Stewartstown. County Tyrone, Ireland. March 18. 1SIL. He came to Pittsburgh in 1532. and entered the Western University, from which he graduated in 1534. He graduated from the General Theological Seminary of New York in 1837, and was ordained Deacon by Bishop Underdonk, in Christ Church. Philadelphia, the same year, and was sent to Butler and Freeport. He was ordained as a priest the next year, by the same Bishop, and continued in pastoral charge of both congregations until 15-12. when he gave up that of Freeport and subsequently confined his labors to Butler and its vicinity. For a number of years he combined with his pastoral duties those of a teacher in the Butler Academy. He ro- mained pastor of the Episcopal Church until 1577. when he resigned his charge. He still continues the office of his ministry. however. in the neighboring coun ties of Armstrong and Clarion. Mr. White's forty years of service for the Butler Episcopal Church was remarkable, not alone for its length. but for its activ- ity and rare usefulness.
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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
REV. LOYAL YOUNG.
Rev Loyal Young, D. D., the third pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Butler, Penn .. was born in the town of Charlemont, Franklin County, Mass., July 1, 1806. His parents were Robert Young, Esq., and Mrs. Lydia Young (whose maiden name was Goukb). The family removed from Charlemont, Mass, to French Creek, Harrison Co. (now Upshur), Va., in the year ISII, Loyal being five years old.
After receiving a good English education, he entered Jefferson College, when about twenty years of age, or in 1826. He graduated at Jefferson College in the fall of 1828. After teaching a year a private family school in Virginia, he entered the Western Theological Seminary (at Allegheny ) and was licensed to preach the Gospel, by the Presbytery of Ohio, on June 21, 1532. John C. Lowrie, of Butler (now Dr. Lowrie, of New York City), was licensed at the same time.
On the 25th of October, 1832, he was married to Miss Margaret P. Johnston, daughter of Rev. Robert Johnston, who spent the first years of his ministry in Scrubgrass, Butler Co., Penn., and who was the first pastor of that church.
Loyal and Margaret Young had seven sons and one daughter. all of whom, with the parents, are still living, and October 25, 1852, was the golden wedding.
Mr. Young's first sermon in Butler was Angust 20. 1832. In the summer of 1833. he preached as a candidate, and was ordained and installed as pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Butler on the 4th day of December, 1832. by the Presbytery of Allegheny.
He continued pastor of the church of Butler nearly thirty-five years, and during that time, as we see in his farewell sermon, delivered May 10. 1865, preached in the bounds of the congregation 2,920 times. be- sides delivering addresses at prayer-meetings, funerals and upon other occasions. Elsewhere he delivered during the same period 1,151 sermons, making a total of 1,071. He married 203 couples and baptized nearly 700 infants and about seventy adults. During his ministry, nearly 450 persons united with the church and several revivals of marked interest oc- curred.
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