USA > Pennsylvania > Butler County > History of Butler County, Pennsylvania. With illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 48
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James Magee, one of the first settlers on the bean tiful lands of the Commoquenessing Valley, was born in County Down, Ireland. in 1769. He settled in 1797. on the farm a part of which is now owned by bis son John. A barn built by him is still standing. The first erop he put in the ground by the aid of a mattock. He was a soldier of 1512. He died in 1816. . He was the father of thirteen children Isa- bel, Mary Ann, Robert, Elizabeth. Robocca. William, John.
the age of eighty-two His children were Anna ( Little), who rosides in Cranberry Township: John. died in Forward Township in 1SS1; Nancy remained single and died on the old farm; Elizabeth (Dodds) resides in Penn Township: Thomas is well known as Squire Martin, of Evansburg: William died young; Ellen. single, lives on the oldl homestead: George died young; James resides in Michigan: John W .. the second child. married Margaret Maharg. daughter of John Maharg. of Penn Township, and reared ten children. all of whom are living.
Michael Martin, brother of William. settled on the creek in 1800. None of his children now live in this vicinity. His sons who grow to manhood. James and William. are both dead. His daughters were Elizabeth (Scott), Margaret (Armstrong), Esther (Johnson). Jane (Ransom), Catharine (Johnson). Mary (Alward) and Rachel ( Davitt ).
David Young was a pioneer on the farm now oe cupied by his son Isaac. The Covert family came early to the same neighborhood. John Dunn was an early settler near the creek, west of Evansburg. The Nixons were early settlers in the Wilson neighbor. hood. Josoph Little settled on the Breakneck about 1800. His son Samuel, a soldier of 1812, died in Cranberry Township, where his widow still lives.
John Dann moved from the forks of the Yiong- hiogheny. He was killed when upward of eighty years of age, being thrown from a wagon, and having his neck broken. as he was returning from a visit to his former home.
Thomas Wilson. an Irishman, and his sons. An- drew. James and Thomas, were early settlers. An- drew's son John and daughter Ellen live on the old farm. James raised a large family, about four- teen children in all, all of whom died of consumption, excepting ono daughter, Mary ( Lindsay ), now living in Jackson Township. Thomas Wilson, a genial old gentleman. long known as " Squire Thomas." left no descendants. He resided for some time in Evans- burg. but returned to the farm and died.
Thomas Scott, Morris Covert and James Covert wore early settlers, all in the same neighborhood. James Donaldson was a pioneer on the farm where his son Thomas now lives. He was a native of Ire George, Susan, Jane, Lueinda. Margaret, James and i land. and moved to this township from Allegheny County. His children were Margaret, Jane. Sarah. William Martin, a native of Ireland, came from . James, Eleanor. Thomas, Elizabeth. John. David and Robert. Thomas, Robert and John are living. all in this connty.
the vicinity of Mckeesport. and settled on the Har mony road on the Breakneck Creek, a milo west of Evansburg, where he remained three years. He then In 1816. Jacob Swain moved to Harmony From Westmoreland Connty, and died here in 1537. His only surviving son, Samuel, was born in Maryland in 1800, and has lived in this connty since he was six settled on the farm where he lived and died. After coming hore, he married Ellen Wilson, daughter of Thomas Wilson, who settled in the same neighbor- hood about 1500. William Martin died in 1850. at ; toen years of age. He labored for Abraham Ziegler
Henry Manty
D.b. Mentz
Andrena Metz
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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY
six or eight years. 375 cents being his usnal daily wages. In 1824, he settled on the farm where he now resides. His brother Jacob died in Lancaster Township, on the farm now occupied by his widow. Samuel Swain married Sarah Brown for his first wife, and Hannah Emerich for his second. His surviving children are Ambrose. Jackson Township: Samuel, Olno; Gellard, Economy; Gedaliah. Harmony: Mar garet (Halstein). Franklin. Penn .: Maria, at home.
Jonas Hartzell, a wagon-maker by trade, moved to this county in 1820 from the western part of the State. After twelve years' residence in Harmony, he moved to a farm in Jackson Township. The sons of Jonas Hartzell were Jacob. Eli. Isaac and George. Eli died in 1873 in Ponu Township, where his son H. M. now resides. The others are living, located as follows: Jacob, in Pom Township: Isaac, in the West, and George, on the old homestead in Jackson Township. One daughter. the oldest of the family. Anna (Goas), now lives in Beaver County.
John Wise, from Montgomery County, settled in Harmony in 1831. and followed weaving and cloth dressing. Thence he removed to Beaver County. His son, Jacob F., who came with his father, is still a resident of Jackson Township. He settled on the beautiful farm he now occupies in 1542. purchasing from John Latchan. The farm had formerly been John Ziegler's.
M. H. Sitler, whose beautiful residence forms a pleasing feature of the fine scenery north of the Con- noquenessing." is a late settler, but a most enterpris. ing and prosperous citizen. He came to this town- ship in 1851 from Columbiana County, Ohio. A fairer landscape than is spread out before an observer standing on the veranda of Mr. Sitler's honse it would be difficult to find. To the southward are the graceful outlines of the hills which inclose the creek; backward from them stretch the fertile. level bottom- lands of the Connoquenessing -the " Eidenan." or Beautiful Meadows, as the Harmonists called them. and on all sides are evidences of prosperity. peace and plenty-a wondrous transformation from the un. broken wilderness of this valley at the beginning of the present century.
Joseph Allen, in 1836, bonght over four hun- dred acres of the Bassenheim farm, including the old mansion. He moved here from Allegheny County. A part of the farm has been sold. The remainder is occupied by his son Joseph. Joseph Alleu. Sr., died in 1865, aged eighty-five years. Three of his chil- dren are living in this county, viz .: Joseph. on the old farm: William. Zelienople. and Mrs. Ramsey, near Mount Chestnut.
The first Merino sheep brought to this county or to this part of the State, were introduced by Detmar
Basso in 1807. People can from the Eastern States to purchase, and paid enormous prices for them.
JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.
1555, Thomas Wilson: 1855. Frederick Zehner; 1860. Frederick Zehner; 1960. Lewis Gansz: 1865. Frederick Zehner: 1865. Lewis Gansz: 1870, Henry Cooper: 1575. Frederick Zebuer: 1875, Henry Cooper: 1576. Houry Cooper: 1879. Thomas I. Wilson: ESSO, Andrew Harper: 1582, J. B. Knox.
ZELIENOPLE,
Pleasantly located on, the south side of the Con . noquenossing. occupying an elevated platean of wide extent. stands the borough of Zelienople. The town is regularly laid ont: its streets are neatly kept, its sidewalks good. and its houses, though not stylish or imposing in appearance, yet have about them an air of homelike comfort. To the northward, the wind ing Connoquenessing pursnes its course around wooded foothills whose gracefully arebing summits in pictur- esgne ontlines against the sky offer a pleasing con- trast to the level bottom-lands, teeming with agri cultural wealth, which stretch backward from the river for miles.
Surely Dr. Detmar Basse, the cultured, scholarly German, who selected this pleasant spot upon which to establish his Bassenheim and found a town, when all of it was but a wilderness, must have been attracted by a love for the beautiful as well as a desire for gain: and doubtless he foresaw how bean. tiful the whole might one day be made by man co. operating with nature. Detmar Basse was a man of wealth and good taste, who had held several positions of trust in his own country: among others. he was sent as ambassador to Paris during the Napoleonic contest, representing the free city of Frankfort. In the year 1502, possibly attracted by a desire for ad- venture, ho came to Pennsylvania and purchased an extensive tract of land (abont 10,000 acres). lying in Butler and Beaver Counties. Soon after his settle- ment here. Dr. Basse had a town laid ont upon his land and gave it the name of Zelienople, in honor of his daughter Zelie. afterward the wife of P. L. Pas savant. In 1806, he went back to Germany, and. in 1807. returned. accompanied by his daughter. Mrs. Passavant and her husband. In the year ISIS, Basso returned to his native country, leaving the settlement of his business affairs in the hands of his son-in law, Mr. Passavant. During his residence here, he built a large three story house which he christened The Bassenheim. The building was of_ wood. built in imitation of ancient castles, The main portion of the house was three-story: there were two porches in front. one above the other, and two bow-windows.
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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
The front door was reached by a long flight of stops. Attached to the body of the house were two wings. each of two stories. The roof of the main part was tlat and surrounded by railings. About the house were numerons ontbuildings of peculiar shapes-cir- cular, square, triangular, octagonal. etc. The Bas senheim mansion stood on the north side of the Counoquenessing near the spot where Joseph Allen's house now stands. It was destroyed by fire in 1842. Leading from it to the village. Dr. Basse had a road ent through the wood-, perfectly straight, and three rods in width.
The appellation, Doctor, was awarded Mr. Basse by his American fellow-citizens He had some know !- edge of the use of simple drugs, and. in the early days of the settlement. when no physicians were to be had. he sometimes prescribed such remedies as he knew would be beneficial to those who were ailing. Ho is sometimes spoken of as Dr. Miller. This mis. take arose from the fact that he was accustomed to write his name Dr. Basse Muller, either to mystify the people or from some peculiar whim of his own. As he was a mill-owner. the use of the word was not
Philip Lonis Passavant, for years the most inth- ential and leading citizen of Zelionople, was born in Frankfort, Germany. in 1777, and died in Zielenople in 1953. His wife. P. W. Zelie (Basse), was born in 1786 and died in 1971. Mr. Passavant acted as agent for the disposal of the land- of the Basse tract, and himself bought the tract on which the town stands. He was the first merchant in the place. Bringing some goods with him in 1507. he commenced business immediately after his arrival. and continued the same until 1846, when he sold out to his son. C. S. Passa- vant, who is now the oldest merchant in the place.
1
Henry Muntz, an aged and respected citizen of Zelienople, was born in Germany in 1794. In IS04. he came with his father. John George Muntz, to Ohio. and in the fall of 1804 the family came to Zolienople. Shortly afterward, his father joined the Harmony Society: after living for a time with them. he re- moved to Beaver County, where he met his death in 1812, being crushed by a falling tree, while working at rail-making.
the old Mereer road. He afterward bought a large farm, upon which he died Christian Buhl was a hatter, and worked at his trade. Ho built the brick house in which Squire Randolph now lives, and died in it in 1861 at the age of eighty eight. His wife. Mrs. Fredrica Buhl. dielin IS6S in the ninetieth vear of her age. Christian Buhl was a worthy citizen and an intelligent man. He serve las Justice of the Peace thirty years or more. anil was afterward Asso- ciate Judge. Two of his sons are now wealthy and influential citizens of Detroit. Mich .. where they are engaged in the fur and iron trade.
Among the early residents were Diemer and his son Andrew. stone masons: Jacob Heberling. stone mason, who took the contract for building the stone church: Mcintyre, the spinning-wheel maker: Me. Clure, the tavern keeper, and John Locke, the mil- ler.
The family of Vance Randolph was one of the few English families among the early settlers of Zelienople. Mr. Randolph came from Williamsport, Washington County, to this county, and after resid. ing on a farm a short time, settled at Zelienople in inappropriate, but only a mark of eccentricily. He | 1816. He was a millwright, and worked at his trade is remembered as a very courteous gentleman, a man of intellect and ability.
around the country. He died in 1517. His family consisted of four sons and three daughters. Eliza- beth (Reed), William, Eleanor ( Kelker) and John are dead: Edward V. resides in Zolienople: Mary (Christy), in Valparaiso. Ind., and Houry H. in the West. E. V. Randolph. Esq . a well-known citizen. now hohl- his sixth commission as Justice of the Peace.
Zelionople had grown little in IS16. Mr. Passa- vant. the merchant, had a store which was doing a fair business for those days. Andrew MeClure kept tavern in a small frame building the first in the place where the Bastian Honse now stands. There wore a half dozen or so of log cabins and a few shops. in which various trades were carried on.
Charles Cist came to Harmony in 1814, and a lit- tle later located in Zelienople, where for some years he kept store on a small scale. He was a man of good intelligence, and of literary tastes. Froiu this place he removed to Cincinnati, where he became well-known as an editor and newspaper writer. He was at one time editor of a paper called the Western General Advertiser in Cincinnati, where his sons still reside. Cist's father published German almanacs in Philadelphia. Lewis J. Cist. son of Charles, has published several literary efforts, among them a vol nine of poofry.
Mr. Muntz informs the historian that Zelienople consisted of two honses in 1504; Christian Buhl and Daniel Fiedler lived in small log cabins near the creek. They were both Germans, and had walked from the eastern part of the State to this place in search of a John Locke was a well known character in the village. He was formerly the miller at the Basson heim mill, bat later settle l on a farm In one of home Daniel Fiedler lived here many years, and curried on the business of distilling. He also ran a ferry boat across the creek north of the village. on | Charles Cist's contributions to a Cincinnati paper. the
RESIDENCE OF C.S. PASSAVANT, ZELIENOPLE, PA.
CROQUET GROUND.
OLD STORE OF P, L.PASSAVANT, I810.
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IHISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY
following story is related: In early days, the mills were frequently over-run with enstom, and it was an invariable rule that each grist brought should await its turn. One Monday morning. John was on his way to mill with a grist. when he was thus accosted by a neighbor: " Hello, John! Going to Slippery Rock Mill?" .. No; I'm going to Ziegler's." " You're a fool to do that," said his friend: " I've had a grist there for a week, and I can't get it until Thursday. " Well." returned Locke. "I'll get mine ground be- fore that time -see if I don't." In an hour or two ho was seen returning with a bag of meal. Being pressed for an explanation, he gave the following ac count. which may or may not be true, as Locke was a noted prevaricator. At the mill he had found Abra ham Ziegler and Mike, the miller. " Mr. Ziegler. here's a bag of corn I want ground." " Fery vell: shust you put it here. und ven its turn cooms. it vill grind: you know der rule." " Yes," said John: I have tended mill and know the rule, but I can't obey rules now. Next Saturday week will be twelve days since our folks have had any bread in the house." "Is dot so? Dot vash too pad. Mike, put dis in der hopper." said the proprietor of the mill. pitying John's distressing(?) condition. Shortly after. Locke departed. elated at the success of his ruse.
We will conclude this sketch by mentioning a few of the comparatively early settlers, without any attempt at chronological order, which, considering the limited sources of information at hand. is well- nigh impossible. Jacob Hoffe and David Arneal wore among the early comers, as were also Robert Bolton. blacksmith, and Hungelmeyer, carpenter. John Levis, store-keeper. was a Justice of the Peace and Postmaster. John Fleming and Squire Gull were prominent citizens. John Anthony Beyer. a native of Austria, came to this town in 1817, and engaged in shoe-making. His son Anthony still resides here. and follows the same business.
Ziegler had a store, and owned several acres of land in the town. John Story lived near where the schoolhouse stands.
Frederick Bentel, a blacksmith, from Economy. settled here early, and with Henry Bohn ran a distil- lery in the old brick building now standing on Dr. Lusk's lot. A building which had been erected as a 1 granary for the distillery was converted into a steam flouring-mill. and operated a number of years. Dis- tilling was also carried on by John Bolton and Jacob Reiber.
Rev. Boyer. a German preacher used to hokl meetings in the old schoolhouse, before the Lutheran Church was built.
Zelionople. The tannery business bogan by him is still carried on by his son Lewis,
INITIAL, EVENTS.
The first frame building in the place was Me (Anre's Hotel. A part of the old building is now in eluded in the Bastian House. The latter was built by John Randolph.
The Eagle Hotel was built by Randolph Kelker over fifty years ago, and has passed through the hands of numerous owners. The present proprietor, H. Stokey, began business here in 1875.
The first brick house was built by P. L. Passa vant. and is now the residence of his son. C. S. Passa- vant. Charles Cist built a brick house carly, on the southwest corner of the common. It is now ocenpied by Mr. White. Henry Muntz erected two brick houses early.
We are unable to learn who taught the first school. Mrs. Hoffe taught a school. giving instruction in En glish. about 1817. A man named Brewster taught two terms soon after. Jacob Heberling taught both German and English.
The first schoolhouse in the place was a small. one story brick building, which stood on the common. It was eight-sided, and was generally known as the " Round Schoolhouse." It was built previous to 1520. Rev. G. Bassler taught a select school for some years. but was called from this work to take charge of the Orphans' Home.
Zelienople became a borough in 1540. Dr. Orrin D. Palner was the first Burgess.
JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.
1810. Christian Buhl: 1540. John Levis: 1845, John Reed; ISI5. John Levis: ISIG. James Hoon: 1850, John Reed: 1552, James Hoon: 1855. John Reed: 1857, E. V. Randolph: 1860. Ernst Schmidt: 1862. E. V. Randolph: 1863, Joseph Hunter: 1567. E. V. Randolph; ISTO. Ferris Armor: 1572. E. V. Randolph: 1576. Ferris Armor: 1877. E. V. Ran dolph: ISSI. Ferris Armor: 1982. E. V. Randolph.
BUSINESS INTERESTS.
Zelienople contains a population of over 600, an l a variety of industrial pursuits are represented.
There are three hotels. five generat stores, one each of hardware, drug and jewelry stores. several shoe maker shops, two tailor shops, two millinery shops, two saddlery and harness shops, two dealer- in agricultural implements, three blacksmith shops, one undertaker and furniture store. one tannery. one banking house, one newspaper, off
Since the advent of the Pittsburgh & Western Railroad, whose repair shops are located here. the
John Reed came to Harmony in 1919, and ran Abraham Ziegler's tannery until 1521. when he came i population has increased somewhat. and the commer
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HUSTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY
cial interests of the town have become immensely greater. The first passenger train on this railroad reached Zelienople January 1. 1579
George Stahl came to this town in 1870. Ho bonght Jacob Schoene's distillery and ran it for a time, and has since been engaged in keeping a whole- sale liquor store.
Philip Housholder. wagon- maker, began business in 1576.
The banking business of N. Dambach & Son was commenced in March, 18S2.
11. Stokey came from Germany in 1846, and kept hotel at Evansburg. He was afterward engaged in farming. In 1575. he purchased the Eagle Hotel in Zelienople, one of the oldest hotels in this part of the county. The hotel is now conducted in first-class style by his son. Charles Stokey. A view of the build. ing appears on another page.
M'CLURE AND THE POST OFFICE.
Even before the Harmony Society left their town, muito a spirit of rivalry existed between their settle- mout and the village of Zelienople. At the latter place had been established a post office upon the old Mercer route. Andrew MeChire, the tavern-keeper, was Postinaster. He was a free- spoken politician, and his views upon the questions of the day were not in exact accord with the sentiments of many of his fel- low citizens who were rank Democrats. He was charged, though unjustly. with being a Tory. At the breaking-out of the war of 1812. the volunteers who were moving toward Black Rock had encamped one evening on the Harmony common. Some of the inhab- itants of Zelienople visted the encampment, and dur- ing the conversation which ensued. McCture and his alleged rebellions opinions. were discussed. The martial spirit of the patriots was aronsed, and it was determined then and there that MeClure should be taught a lesson. Accordingly. some of the soldiers accompanied the citizens to Me( Iure's door in the evening.
The landlord met them and invited them to walk in. "No: you walk out." was the reply. MeChire was dragged forth and ready hands poured a bucket of tar over him. then ent a pillow and shook its feathery contents upon him, leaving him tarred and feathered from head to foot. This indignity was too much for him. and he determined to have revenge. Accordingly, as soon as he could make himself present able, ho proceeded to Harmony, and. seeking out one of the leaders of the community, told him of the treat ment he had received at the hands of bis townsmen. " Now." said he. " I have a proposition to make.
Your town is larger than ours: what will you give me if I will turn the post office over to you ?"
It is not known what bargain was made: but short- ly after Mcclure resigned his office, and at his recom- mendation, a member of the Harmony Society was appointed Postmaster, and the office was removed to the larger village. Zelienople continued without an office until 1835, when John Fleming, being then about to remove to the place from Harmony, gave up his commission as Postmaster, and managed to have the office moved to Zelienople. John G. Muntz became the Postmaster. After the lapse of some years. the Harmony office was re-established, and since then both towns have enjoyed equal postal privileges.
THE BASSENHEIM FURNACE.
Though not in this county, properly deserves men- tion here, as its owners lived near Zelienople, and much of the business was transacted in the village. From a published sketch of this furnace, by Mr. Henry Muntz, we learn that the furnace was built and put in operation in ES1 4 by Detmar Basse, who carried on the business till 1818. Daniel Beltzhoover, Rob- inson and McNichol were its subsequent owners and managers. It went out of blast about 1524. and now only a stack of stones remains to mark its site. The furnace was situated on the Basse property in Beaver County, about one mile from the Butler County line. Charcoal and native ore of the valley were used. No forge was ever connected with the works. and except- ing the manufacture of pig-iron and the casting of pots, kettles, flatirons, etc., no other work was carried o1. The bellows was blown by water- power at first, but, after high water had washed one of the abnt. ments of the dam away. an engine was applied at considerable expense. The furnace was never profit- able. The cost of getting the pig iron to market. over bad roads was the main cause of the failure.
MANUAL LABOR SCHOOL.
This school was established by the Presbytery of Pittsburgh, and was in operation from about 1825 until !836. It was held in the old Bassenheim man- sion. and its mannal labor department, under the su- perintendency of Mr. Saunders, confined its opera- tions to the Bassenheim farin. Only boys were received. The attendance was usually good, probably averaging about sixty pupils per term. Besides al- lowing students to pay their tuition in work. special students in the classies and sciences were received at established rates. Rev. Williams was the first teacher, and Mr. Hayes his successor.
MILLS.
The first mill near Zelienople was a saw mill erected by Detmar Basse in 1804. A year or two later, he erected a grist mill on the site of the pres-
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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY
ent mill of Seidel Brothers. In a flood in the early years, the creek broke the dam and changed its course so that the mill was left standing out in the stream. For some years it stood thus, and a bridge was laid across from the south bank to the mill. Michael Douglas was the miller for many years. The old mill often ran on Sunday on account of a press of business.
John Herr built the mill now standing. It was purchased from him in 1857 by Albert Seidel and Joseph Schwartz, who purchased the property and seventy-five acres of land. After about three years, Mr. Seidel became the sole owner of the mill, and continued to own it until his death in ISSO, since which time it has been run by his heirs. The mill has a capacity of about sixty barrels of flour and eighteen tons of feed per day. Recently, improve ments have been made and machinery of the most approved kind introduced.
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