USA > Pennsylvania > Butler County > History of Butler County, Pennsylvania. With illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 47
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In 1817. Samuel Moyer moved from Northumber- land County and purchased of John Boyer a farm. His son. Samuel. lives upon a part of the tract and has an excellent farm. He has been farming for him self about fifty years. His Mother, Abraham, resided here, and was a Justice of the Peace many years. Samuel is the only surviving son of Samuel Moyer, Sr. He has three sisters living-Sarah (Boyer), Ohio: Catharine (Sigler), Ohio, and Mary (Boyer), Venango Connty. Samuel Moyer is the father of seventeen children, fifteen of whom reached years of maturity. Fourteen are still living.
Several of the Boyers, now dead, resided in this neighborhood at the time of Mr. Moyer's settlement. Daniel Ramsey and his sons came soon after. The Ramseys are now all either dead or widely scattered.
About the same date, David Stauffer purchased land of Abraham Ziegler, and settled where his son. Abra ham Stauffer, now lives.
John Lutz. a native of Northampton County. moved from Imzerne County, and. in company with eight orten families, most of whom were related. went. to Ohio and settled near Salem. After a short stay there, these families left on account of the ague. ro turned to Pennsylvania and nearly all settled in But ler County. About 1823. John Lutz bought a farm with John Shaffer, which the two cleared and im- proved. He died in 1858, aged sixty two. He had six sons and one daughter. Of this family, three survive -William. in Indiana: Jonathan, in Lawrence County. and Joseph. in Middle Lancaster.
Jonathan Lutz came to this county when twelve years of age. He now resides in Lawrence County adjoining. His son, William. settled upon the farm where he now lives in 1957. This farm originally belonged to B. R. Bradford, who had ronted it to va rions parties until Mr. Lutz purchased it of him.
Henry Rice was born in Lehigh County. Penn. About the year 1815. he moved to Harmony. where he worked for Mr. Ziegler two years. He then bought the farm on which his son John now lives, and there resided until he died aged abont seventy. tive. His children were John, Julia (Moyer). Jesse and Henry. Lancaster Township; Eliza (Stauffer). deceased: Sam- uel. New Castle, and Rebecca (Shaffer), deceased. Jesse Rice settled on the farm he now occupies in 1835. Only about an arre had then been cleared : now. not only his farm. but the entire neighborhood is in a most prosperons and thriving condition. Time and labor work wonders.
A worthy man and a sturdy pioneer was Johu Scott. who was one of the first settlers on the Ridge in the western part of the township. He was born in Scotland, and. when a young man, came from Philadelphia to Lawrence County with his father. William Scott. There he married Rachael Morrison. and. in 1821. he settled upon the farm now occupied by his sons. William and Francis. The place had a fow slight improvements which had been made by leasers. Mr Scott had served in the war of ISI2. He died of palsy in 1865 at the age of eighty four. His wife died some years before. Their children were as follows: William. Lancaster Towns hip: Naney (Moore). Muddy Crock; Betsy (Morrison). de ceased: Rosa (Kirker). Whitestown: John. deceased: Jane (Morrison). Indiana: Francis, Lancaster Town ship. and Margaret (Wright). Lawrence County.
William Scott is now seventy six years of age. Hle married Anna Wright, and roared eight chiklren John. Lancaster Township: Marian (Stewart). near Whitestown; James, Greenville: David. died in the
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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY
army; William 1 .. on the old homestead: Mary (Nevin): Nancy Jane, deceased, and Elizabeth (Hun- ter). deceased.
John Ruby came from Maryland at the age of eighteen, and lived with John Scott for a time. Later he married Elizabeth Baumgartner, and settled where the village of Middle Lancaster now is. He made the first improvement and built the first cabin on the site of the village. Lewis Teats owned the place after him, and later. Thomas B. Baldwin. Mr. Ruby moved to a neighboring farm where he died in 1865.
John Myers, now seventy six years of age, was born in Muddy Creek Township. He settled upon his farm in 1827. There had been several renters upon the place before he came. Mr. Myers has moved three times, but has never moved off the farm. He married a daughter of John Beighle; she is still liv- ing, and is six months older than he. About the same date, his brother Samuel settled on a farm in another part of the township. Mrs. Myers was once ont in the woods looking up the cows which were allowed to roam at will through the woods, where she had an adventure with a bear. A neighbor's wife was with her at the time; the bear was treed, and one of the women remained keeping him up the tree while the other went to summon the men, who came and killed him. Bears have been seen in this township since 1540. One was hunted for several days by a large party of men and boys. The hunters were sconring the woods in two divisions, each set of men having agreed to call the others if the bear was discovered. At length several men came upon him. They at onee began shouting to their companions, but did not think to use their own gnus. The bear, as a natural consequence. became frightoned, and made his escape.
David Matthews has been in this county since he was a boy. Ile bought his farm at a sale before he was of age, bidding $100 for 100 acres. He had some twelve competitors, but no one would bid above his figures. He purchased a second 100 acres, and settled where he now lives in IS29. Hosea King had Imilt a cabin and made a small clearing previously, but he did not live upon the farm. Mr. Matthews paid 75 cents tax on his 200 acres the first year. For some time he made charcoal upon his farm. finding a market for it at Beltzhoover's Furnace, near Zole nople.
Jamos Kirker was an early settler on Yellow Creek. His farm is now ocenpied by his son Robert.
The Germans have done far more toward develop- ing the agrienltural resources of this township than any other class, not only on account of their industry and frugality but because they ontnumber the others. True to their well-known social instincts, a mumber of German families usually settled in the same neigh
borhood at the same time. Henry Beaver, on Yellow Creek, where his son George now lives, was one of the first German settlers. About 1536, John Miller and John Flinger settled on the ereck. Henry Schoener was an early settler in the same neighbor- hood. George Rosenbaugh, a German from Virginia, was an early settler on the place now occupied by Joseph Croft. The name is generally called Ross.
Frederick Peffer, a native of Germany. is now eighty-three years old. He emigrated to Philadelphia in ISI6, and in 1819 came to Harmony. They were three weeks on the road from Philadelphia to Pitts. burgh. Passengers as well as baggage were then carried at a stated price per hundred-weight. Mr. Peffer worked for Mr. Ziegler until 1823, when he returned to Philadelphia on foot. In 1839, he re- turned to this county, and in IS41 he settled upon the farm where he now lives. For 400 acres of land he paid about $10 per acre. Two tenants, John Seott and Oakland Morrison, had lived upon the farm. Mr. Peffer's sons, William F. and Charles, now oc. enpy a part of this land, as do two of his daughters, Mrs. Conrad Myers and Miss Caroline Peffer. His father. also, named Frederick, a tailor by trade, came to Harmony before his son. He rented from Mr. Ziegler the house in which Swain & Bentle's store now is for one year; the price was the making of a coat for Ziegler. Mr. Peffer, Sr., died in Middle Lancaster in 1850. His wife died in 1846. Their children who came to this county were Gottlieb, who lied in this township in 1866; Mrs. Mary Swain, who still lives here, and Frederick.
Francis Croft. a native of England, came to this country with his father, who settled in Allegheny County. In 1831, he settled in Cranberry Township, this eonuty, and having moved several times, came to this towuship in 1866, and located on the farm where he and his son John M. now live.
In 1866, Lewis Shiever, a native of Germany, moved from Beaver County to the farm he now oe enpies.
John P. Sheidmantle, a native of Germany, set- tled in this township about 1St9. His sons. Andrew and William, are engaged in oil production. Andrew has been in the oil business since 1566, and is now the proprietor of the celebrated Sheidemantle well, at Ball Ridge. William is an oil producer near Po trolia. He has been in the oil region since 1572
PIONEER CUSTOMS.
In early years, not only boys but men went bare- footed in the summer months, Boots were unknown. Stoga shoes and moccasins were the only covering worn upon the feet. Tow and linen goods for sum- mer and home-made flannels for winter comprised
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IHISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY
the clothing for both sexes. Home made hats of plaited oat straw were worn by the men on Sundays. A pair of cotton pantaloons, colored yellow, and a cotton and linen shirt for Sunday wear made an ex- cellent snit of clothing. People were not too proud to go to church without fine clothes.
Hard work, simple fare and little money these rules were universal.
MIDDLE LANCASTER.
This quiet little rural village contains about twenty houses, and supports one physician, two mer- chants, one hotel. two wagon-makers, two blacksmiths. two shoe-makers and one undertaker.
Middle Lancaster was laid out about the year 1535 by Henry Johns for Thomas B. Baldwin. a colored man, who owned the land. formerly the Ruley farm. Baldwin was an ambitious " colored gemmen," an enthusiast in religion, and devoutly believed that he had a " call to preach." He was quite a noted character, and frequently preached, drawing good audiences. For years, the town of which he was the founder was known everywhere as " Nigger- town. "
One of the first buildings erected after the village was laid ont was the house of William Beighle. About the year 1544. Jacob Kristophet began keeping a small grocery. He kept the first public-house in the place, on the lot where Mr. Uhl's house now stands.
In 1846. Andrew Metz moved from Philadelphia. and began keeping store where Mrs. Swain now lives, south of the village. A year later, he moved to the cabin where Baldwin had lived, and began business in a small frame store. The building had been erected by George Beam, of Harmony, and a man named Redpath had kept store there a short time. Middle Lan aster then contained four or five houses, all of logs. Henry Johns, a school teacher, lived in one: Steinmetz, a blacksmith. lived in another, and a third was occupied by a negro family. Mr. Metz died in 1554. The store has since been conducted by Mrs. A. E. Metz and her son, A. B. Metz.
Abont 1547, a post office was established. Will- iam Beiglile, Sr., was the first Postmaster. He was succeeded by Henry Lnebben, Sammel Reed, W E. Kirker. and in 1565 by Mrs. A. E. Metz. the present incumbent. Mail was first received weekly, then daily and now tri-weekly.
Samuel Reed and Nicholas Gardner cach kept store here for a time. In 1861, J. Laderer moved from Zelienople, and began his mercantite business in the store he now occupies. The store was erected by Samuel Reed
Christopher Uhl settled in this place in 1553, and has since followed Ins trade of shoe-making. Since
he has been here, and esp cially of late . car-, many improvements and buildings have been made, though the village has grown little in population. Mr. Uhl has done considerable for improvement, having erected four houses for himself since he came, besides re- pairing several.
J. H. Dimhoff moved from Pittsburgh to Middle Lancaster in 1869, and purchased of C. Chl the place on which he now lives. Mr. Domhoff follows carriagesmith work and farming.
CHURCHES.
The religious organizations of this township are now three in number -two Lutheran and one Ro. formed. A Methodist Church was organized about 1841. with John Seachrist, class-leader, and mainly through his efforts a log building was erected soon after at Middle Lancaster. The organization is ex tinet, and the old church is now converted into a wagon shop. Two of the churches of the township are at Middle Lancaster, and the old stone church in in the northeastern part of the township.
THE OLD STONE CHURCH.
St. John's Church is one of the oldest German churches in the county, and is the parent of several congregations. It was formerly composed of both Reformed and Lutheran members, but for some years has been distinctively Lutheran. During the greater portion of its history, services were conducted both in German and in English, but now only the English language is used. There are no records of the first meetings. Rev. Moeckenhaut was the first Lutheran preacher, and held meetings in John Beighle's barn. Rev. Jacob Schnee. of Harmony, preached at irreg ular intervals for some years. Rev. Michael J. Steck, pastor of the Greensburg congregation, preached oc casionally in this neighborhood from ISOS to 1520. There is the record of a baptism by him in 1812. Previous to 1820, a tog building was erected near the spot where the stone church now stands. This prim itive structure was both the meeting house and the schoolhouse of the early settlers in the neighborhood. Probably there was no actual organization of a con gregation during the early years of the church. The first communion of which there is any record, took place December 29. 1522. at which thirty-two persons were confirmed. making the number of communicants seventy- four. The membership was from the Beighle, Myers, Miller, Rosenbaugh. Albert, Shanor, Keister, Mühleisen, Moon, Baumgartner, Lepley, Kneiss. Bar ley, Bargley, Baston and other families of German descent.
Rov. Christian G. Schweitzerbarth, the founder of most of the German churches in this county. bogan
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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
ministering here in 1821. He had eleven appoint ments in Butler, Lawrence and Mereer Counties, and sometimes made the rounds on Foot. He was a tal- ented mau and an indefatigable worker. Largely through his efforts the present house of worship was erected, and, during his ministry, St. John's Church enjoyed a high degree of prosperity. It is said that he went East to raise money for the building: the congregation joined in the work, and performed the manual labor at "frolies." Work began in 1829. The building was dedicated on St. John's Day. 1531. The completion of the church was delayed on account of the destruction of the seats by tire. The building is 40x50 feet, and its construction cost a great deal of hard work.
Mr. Schweitzerbarth continued as pastor until 1849. His long and faithful service is gratefully re- membered. It was his custom to preach two sermons daily -one in German the other in English. Rov. W. A. Fetter was his successor, and remained nntil September, 1850. The remaining pastors of this congregation have been: Rev. B. H. Mante, two years; Rev. Anthony Lachenmeyer, June to Novem- ber, 1854; Rev. C. F. W. Brecht. 1855 64: Prof. Herman Gilbert, 1865 67; Rev. F. G. Butz. 1967 -65.
March 31. 1856, it was agreed that the English Lutheran congregation be allowed equal rights with the Germans. (The church had always been mainly Lutheran, the Reformed membership being very small. ) The English Lutheran pastors have been: Rev. Asa H. Waters, 1855 66: Rev. Lewis Hippee, 1866-73: Rev. S. H. Swingle, 1874-79: Rev. G. W. Critchlow, 1879, is now in charge.
From St. John's have sprung the congregations of Middle Lancaster. Prospect and West Liberty. The present membership is fifty two.
ZION LUTHERAN CHURCH.
This church was organized as a German congrega- tion about ISTO, by Rev. Schweitzerbarth. It was formed with abont fifteen families, but now has a large membership for a country church. It WAS wholly German for some years; then an English con gregation was formed. The house of worship erected in ISHI, is now occupied by both congregations on alternate Sabbaths. Revs, Schweitzerbarth. Muntz. Helsche, Bassler. Tice and Butz have been the preach er's up to date. Rev. Rifer is the pastor of the Eu glish congregation.
ST. PETER'S REFORMED CHURCH.
This congregation was organized by Rev. II. F. Hartman in 1854. The first officers were JJohn Scheidemantel and Adam Lauch, Elders; and JJohn Sonne and Christopher Uhl. Deacons. The original
membership consisted of some twenty families. Till the church edlitice was erected in 1862. services were held in the old log church built by the Methodists. The church was erected under the pastorate of Rev. F. W. Dechant. The pastors of the church have been Roys. Hartman. Lneien Cort. F. W. Dechant. W. M. Landis. E. F .. Winter, - Knanth and C. Schoel. There are at present abont one hundred communi- cants. The organization was incorporated in 15TY.
MIL.L.S, ETC.
Abraham Ziegler was instrumental in getting salt works established on Yellow Creek at an early day. The business was carried on by the Wilsons, who also had salt works at Harmony For several years.
Mills have been few. The early settlers had their milling done at Liebendeifer's Mill. where Wartem- berg now is, at Slippery Rock Mill and at Harmony. The first grist-mill of any importance in the town ship was erected by John Pyle, on Yellow Creek. about IS13. It was burned down. and has never been rebuilt.
John Bachr had the first saw mill. It was on Scholar's Run. on the site now occupied by Shaffer's saw mill. Later. Samuel Myers built a saw mill on Little Yellow Creek.
A small grist-mill was erected by Moses Bolton on Crab Run. He was among the first settlers, and the mill was built soon after he came. It ran but a short time, and " never amounted to much." Old set- thers describe it as a "eorn eracker." and a " kind of a thunder-gust mill."
SPHlooks.
This township now contains seven school districts. each provided with a good schoolhouse. The number of pupils in attendance in 1882 was two hundred and eighty three.
One of the first schoolhonses in the township was in the Scott neighborhood It was a rude log struct. ure. built with purcheons in place of boards, and without the aid of nails or glass. Samnel Pollock, William Bird and John Welsh were among the early teachers, Henry Falls, who lived in the edge of Boaver County, taught one or two terms. Any man who could write a legible hand and had some knowl edge of figures, could be a schoolmaster if he could spenre pupils enough. Falls was considered a little "cracked. " Sometimes when the moon was full he appeared crazy, and was unable to teach for two or three days at a time. A primer and a Presbyterian catechism, the United States Speller, and a very few arithmeties were the text-books. Figures were gene rally tanght by the master, always withont the aid of a blackboard. John Welsh also taught later, after the
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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY
free schools were established. He was an excellent teacher, thorough and systematic in his methods.
Playing ball at all times, and barring the teacher ont at Christmas, were the chief amusements. Some young men of twenty-five years attended school. The teacher had to be master, and only a strict adherence to rales would preserve the pupils from floggings.
A later teacher was Henry Johns. He was a very eccentric kind of a schoolmaster: called his school a menagerie. and niek-named his scholars " Tiger," " Lion," " Elephant." etc.
The old Concord Schoolhouse in Muddy Crook Township was attended by pupils from Lancaster. Charles Phillips and John Sterrett were among the teachers in that school.
A log building. used both as a church and a school- honse. stood in the eastern part of the township. very near the spot on which the old stone church now stands Constantine, who taught both German and English, and John McHenry taught in this school. The latter was a good scholar and a sneeestul teacher.
JUSTICES OF THE PEACE -LANCASTER TOWNSHIP.
1554. Abram Moyer; 1856, James S. Kirker: 1559. John H. Gibson: 1861. Abram Mover: 1861. James Morrison: 1866, Abram Moyer: 1866. I. D. Lytle; 1871, Henry Lenbben: 1872. John Hoberling: 1876. Jacob Laderer: 1877, John Heberling; 1879, John Martin: 1881. J. S. Rice: 1881. J. Laderer.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
ANDREW METZ.
Andrew Metz was the son of Abraham and Eliza- beth Metz, and was born in Montgomery County. Penn., December 21, 1811. His parents were Meu- nonites, and very worthy people: they were of Ger- man extraction. His father was a farmer and miller by occupation. Andrew received a common-school education, and went to Philadelphia. where he ro- mained until 1840, when he came to Butler County. and was married near Harmony: he then returned to Philadelphia.
In 1548, Mr. Metz and his wife moved to this county from Philadelphia, and began keeping store. where Mrs. Swain now lives. Mrs. Metz still has in her possession the first piece of money taken in, which was known by the name of a " fip." A year later. they moved to the village, where Mr. Metz continued the business with good success. until his death. Jan nary 8, 1854. since which time it has been conducted by Mrs. Metz and her sons.
Mr. Metz was a man of honesty and integrity. prudent in business, and fair and honorable in all his dealings.
In polities, he was originally a Whig. afterward a Republican. When he came to this county he was a member of the Presbyterian Church, but finding no organization of that denomination near his home, he and Mr -. Metz joined the Intherans.
Mr. Metz was married. May 11. 1840, to Miss Ann Elizabeth Luebben, who was born in Philadel- phia May 19. ISIS. Mrs. Metz is the daughter of Henry and Catherine Enebbon. Her father died in April. 1822. llor mother afterward married J. F. Peffer, and lived in Lancaster Township, where she died September 3, 1977. in the eighty-sixth year of her age. Mr. and Mrs. Lnebben had three children who reached mature years - the oldest Henry Luebben, survived his mother six months; Mary, now Mrs. F. Scott, of Lancaster Township, and Mrs. Metz.
To Andrew and Ann E. Metz were born four chil dren Mary Louisa, now Mrs. William E. Kirker; Albert Henry, now a physician in East Liverpool, Ohio: Anna E .. now Mrs. S. D. Kirker, and Andrew B., who now conducts the business established by his father.
One of the sons-Albert H., was in the nine months' service during the late war. in the One Hnu- dred and Thirty-fourth Pennsylvania Regiment.
CHAPTER XXII.
JACKSON.
James Magee, the Martins and Wilsons Zelienople-Founded by Dr. Basse in 1802 -- The " Bassenheim "-The Growth of the Village -Anecdotes-The Founding of Harmony by George Rapp. A D. 1805 The Work. the Religion and the Social lafe of the Ilirmon Ists-subsequent History of the Town from ista to 1ss2- - Evausburg.
THERE is much of historical interest connected T with the pioneer life of this township chiefly arising from the fact that it was here that the Har- mony Society made their first settlement in America. Besides the old town of Harmony, Jackson Township contains the thriving towns of Zelienople and Evans- burg. of which detailed sketches are given in this chapter.
Jackson Township was formed in 1854 from por- tions of Cranberry and Connoquenossing Townships. It is situated in the western part of Butler County. and is bounded by Lancaster Township on the north, Forward Township on the east. Cranberry Township on the south and Beaver County on the west. Its soil is well adapted to agriculture, and it- mineral wealth. though as yet little developed. i- extensive. Coal has been mined here from the earliest times; iron ore and limestone are also found in considerable quantities.
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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY
The township was originally covered with a heavy growth of valable timber, consisting of black wal- nut, chestnut, the usual varieties of oak, etc. The alluvial bottom lands of the Connoquenessing are here broad and level, and contain some of the choicest farming lands in Butler County. The natural scen - ery is also superb. A pleasanter location for a town it would be impossible to find than the site occupied by the twin boroughs of Harmony and Zelienople.
The drainage of the township is received by the Connoquenossing, which erosses it from east to west. and by its smaller tributarios, the Little Connoquen ossing from the north and the Breakneck Creek from the southeast. Sonth of the banks of the Conlo- quenessing, the surface is a constant succession of hills and valleys, fertile fields and verdant woodlands, upon which the progressive industry of a thrifty pop- ulation is constantly exerting its beantifying and im- proving influences.
EARLY SETTLERS.
The name of the first pioneer who invaded the wilderness and established his home within the pres- ont limits of Jackson Township is lost in the mists of oblivion. The earliest settlements of which we have any account, with one exception. were made on the Breakneck in 1800; then came the founding of Zelie- nople, 1802-3. and the settlement of Harmony, 1805. The population of tho township is largely German and " Pennsylvania Dutch." The latter class began to settle in Harmony after the departure of the Rapp Community in 1815. Zelienople was founded by a German, and the German element has always been a most influential factor in its growth and development. Many German settlers made their homes in the town- ship from 1825 onward, the largest emigration prob- ably ocenrring between the years 1826 and 1810.
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