USA > Pennsylvania > Butler County > History of Butler County, Pennsylvania. With illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 51
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The capital stock of the association is 84,000, which is held principally by residents of this vicin- ity. The grounds consist of twenty acres, and are leased by the society. The buildings and improve- ments have cost about $5.000. Successful exhibitions have been hell annually. the receipts of which have averaged not far from $15,000 per annum.
The association is well established. on a sound basis, which augurs well for its future prosperity.
HARMONY M. E. CHURCH.
This church was organized in Zelienople quite early, but of its early meetings there are no records. In 1842. a house of worship was erected in Zelieno- ple, which has been sold and is now used as a dwell- ing. In ISS0. the organization changed its meeting
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place to Harmony, where a beautiful frame building 30x50 feet was erected. The church cost about 82,500. including the lot and furnishing. The pastor at the time it was built was Rev. J. W. Righter. It was dedicated in the fall of 1880 by Presiding Elder Chapman.
The present membership is about seventy.
PERSONAL AND INDUSTRIAL NOTES,
The Ziegler family has long been most promi nently connected with the affairs of this part of the county, and to them the town of Harmony is indebted in a large degree for its prosperity from the time the Harmonists left until the present. Abraham Ziegler succeeded the Rapp Community in the ownership of the entire property of the society, for which he agreed to pay $100,000. He had some property to begin with, but so large a debt was not so easily paid in days when business enterprises were hazardous and money scarce, as it would be in modern times. After he had bought the property and held it for a few years, he became discouraged at the magnitude of the task he had undertaken, and, saddling his horse, mode to the banks of the Wabash where the Harmonists then lived, in order. if possible, to make terms with his creditors by which the ownership of the property would revert to them. He found the colony in strait- ened circumstances, and sorely pressed for ready money. The managers listened to Mr. Ziegler's prop. ositions, but would not entertain them. They could not manage the property, and encouraged him to con- tinne his efforts to pay for it. They agreed to throw off all or a part of the accrued interest. and further bargained to take all the wool Mr. Ziegler would furnish them at 50 cents per pound -an extraordinary price for those days. Mr. Ziegler returned home and at once turned his attention to shepp-raising. He also made arrangements with some of his tenants whereby they were to keep sheep for him a certain term of years, and at the end of the time receive the land upon which they lived as compensation. Among those who undertook this work for him were Samnel and Jacob Swain. John Schwartz and David Stanffer. Several others soon engaged to keep sheep for him. and Mr. Ziegler was enabled to pay off his lebt quite rapidly. After the society moving to Economy. the wool was carried there at vastly less expense.
Abraham Ziegler was a native of Lehigh County. He bought the Harmony property in 1814. and in 1815 moved to it with his family. He died in 1836. aged sixty-three years. His children by two mar- riages were Abraham. Andrew. Jacob, Samuel. Jonas. David. Joseph, John. Catharine (Nohl). Betsey (Schontz), Barbara (Herr) and Nancy (Ziegler). Of these, two sons and two daughters are living: David.
Harmony: Josoph. Zelisuopl_ Barbar: ( Vorland, Ohio, and Nancy. Harmony.
Samuel Beam was among the first who settled in Harmony after the Harmonists left He was a native of Washington County. In ISI5. he moved from the Old Furnace, Beaver Count . t. Harmony, and fol lowed his trade of blacksmithing. He died aged abont eighty voars. Of his children, Abrahan died in ISS1: George resides in Harmony: Sarah (Reed) is deceased: Catharine ( Welsh) is living: Polly (Bol ton) is dead: Hottie ( Dickey) is living: Cynthia Gra hamt, dead: and Nancy. living.
Jacob Covert moved from Northumberland County to Harmony in 1824 He was a potter and followed his trade here for some years. He served as Justice of the Peacetwenty years. His death occurred in 1952. His son. Squire Francis Covert, is still a resident of this place.
The old Harmony tavern was kept from 1515 by Jacob Kolker for some years. A little later, Henry Shopand the latter oponel a tavern in another lionsp. James Mahard was an early comer. He built the " Welcome Inn " in 1825, which was kept for many years by the Beams.
The first hotel was built by the Harmonists in 1806. It was a frame building. and stood on the site of the present hotel. Samuel Beam, in 1535, pur chased it from Mr. Ziegler on the following terms: 75 cents per day for ten years. Mr. Beam's heirs sold the property, and the house was torn down. The present hotel was built by Jacob Se bene in 1962. The third story has since been added. The house is of brick, and is a large structure. Its pro prietor are now Beon & Dinding ; why began bus iness in IS>1.
John Fleming kopt the first store in Harmony af tor Ziegler erne. He was a shrewd Irishman of con sidorable business ability, and munch of Mr. Ziegler's Isiness was confided to his manage nout. He taught school in Harmony before entering upon his mereon tile lite John and Henry Schwart, hal a store quite early. Mr. Este Lathay, who is still a res i lent of the place, was one of the carly merchants.
Among the early settlers of the tow i was Ladenschlager, formerly a member of Rappiss wiet : Baltzer Gull. the bat hy; John Ruth a besoin Conrad Kreidler, carpenter: JJo con Finsme. Fran cis Bassler. Philip VasanI Anthony Her euper- Shelly and John Travels a doctor who was for lively and " full of busind s."
Jacob friss. a weaver, wy - of early settler, and a peculiar character.
From the beginning. i. d. Fromm IS15, until the Germans bogen to buy, selleng phi develop the country, the times were very hard. Money wa eren
HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY
produce was low and the necessaries of life high in it was purchased in ISSI by H. W Wise. J. b. Lytle comparison. The country had just passed through and G. F. Haine, who are now carrying a large stock and doing a prosperous business under the firm name Wise, Lytle & Haine. the war of 1812. and the effects of that war were felt by all classes. Especially severe were its results upon the poor. and the people of Harmony then belonged to that class.
The Economites had a tammery on the north side of the creek. Andrew Ziegler operated a tannery in Harmony many years.
The machine shop of Elias Ziegler was built and put in operation in 1866 by Latchaw & Ziegler. MEr. Latehaw sold out his interest to Mr. Ziegler, who has since managed the business. He erected a new building for a shop in 1879. He mannfactures threshing machines and other implements, and does a large amount of repairing of all kinds.
The carriage factory of G. Langbein & Son was started in 1575, and has since been in successful op- eration.
The distillery built by the Economites was oper. ated by various parties until about five years ago. High water in 1861 flooded the streets, and barrels of whisky from the storehouse floated about.
Harmony has a population of about five hundred. A greater variety of ocenpations are represented than is usnal in small places. For instance. we find here four general stores, one drug store, two groceries, one shoe store, one tinner's shop one millinery shop. one saddle and harness shop, one tailor shop. one machine shop, one foundry, three blacksmith shops, one car. riage factory, ono hotel, one wholesale liquor store, one barber shop. five shoe maker shops, one furniture and undertaking establishment, one marble cutter, one gunsmith, one bakery, two butcher shops. one livery stable, one job printing office. one lumber yard. one woolen fa tory, one steam touring mill, a large ice house. a National bank and a savings bank.
G. D. Swain has been a merchant in Harmony since 1571. The building occupied by him was erected by the Harmonists in IS11, but was remodeled in 1875. To illustrate the changes constantly making in business eireles. it may be well to give the names of the firm with which Mr. Swain has been connected: Peffer & Swain, Swain & Moyer. Swain & Euslon. Swain & Bonsholder and now Swain & Bontle.
A. W. Ziegler, dealer in drugs and medicines, he. gan business in 1575, succeeding 1. Pearce.
Enslen & Haine, dealers in general merchandise of all kinds, opened their store in 1981.
1. M. Wise, the proprietor of the livery stable. comeneed business in 1876.
A lumber yard wasstarted in 1979. by W. J. T. Saint. Shortly after. Murphy. McKean & Co. started in the business. The two yards were combined after a short time. and the business was run by Mr. Saint, from whom
The first job printing office in Harmony was es tabiished in February, ISSI. by Haine & Righter.
The foundry of H. Wiekberger was purchased Trom Isaac Latchaw in IS7S.
HARMONY SAVINGS BANK.
This institution was chartered in 1867, and or- ganized in Jos, with the following officers: Alfred Pearce, President: R. H. Pahner. Treasurer; Trust. ces: Alfred Pearce. R. H. Palmer. George Beam, John Enslen. Henry Goehring, Joseph Schwartz and John Pearce.
The bank continued under these officers until 1877, when H. Goehring became President, and George Beam Treasurer. The Trustees then were John Pearce. Henry Goehring. George Beam. Jacob Sleppy. John Euslen. David Ziegler. E. F. Winter and J. C. Scott.
William Wilson is now President (1852), and George Beam Treasurer. John Pearce, E. F. Winter and H. Goehring have withdrawn from the Board of Trustees, and their places are filled by Alexander Stewart, Ira Stauffer and Abraham Stauffer. This bank has a special charter allowing it. to receive IO per cent interest.
EVANSBURG.
This enterprising and busy village is situated on the Pittsburgh & Western Railroad in the eastern part of Jackson Township, a part of it extending over into Forward Township. The village, incorporated as a borongh in ISS2. contains a population of about. four hundred. Its business is farge when compared with other places of its size. There are at present five general stores, two hardware, two drug stores, one grocery, two hotels, one banking establishment. one flouring-mill, one tannery, one undertaker's shop. two wagon shops, four blacksmith shops. a barber shop. a livery stable and a hunber yard and planing-mill all in active operation.
The village is pleasantly sitnated in a valley sur- rounded by the hills which "ise abruptly on either side of the Breakneck Creek. a small but sometimes turbulent streamlet Tradition has it that the site of Evansburg was once occupied by an Indian village. but most probably it was but a temporary encamp. ment, with hastily constructed wigwams of poles and bark, such as the Indians were accustomed to build wherever they resided for a short time. The ah- origines gave to the stream the name of Big Beaver Run. but later it received its present appellation from the fact that a horse, while clambering over the
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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY
stony path which led along the creek, fell and broke its neck. This oldl path has a history if it could only be traced. It was a well known and frequently trav- ersed route of Indian travel leading from Fort Du- quesne to the French fort, where Franklin now is. It followed the Breakneck for some distance. crossing it near Evansburg, then going northward, nearly fol- lowing the line between Jackson and Forward Town- ships. Another Indian trail from Logstown. an In dian settlement on the Ohio River near the site of the town of Economy, intersected the Franklin path in this county. The Logstown trail also passed through Jackson Township, and the early settlers of Zelienople remember it well as it passed through that town. Washington traversed both these routes in 1753, and somewhere in this county narrowly escaped being shot by an Indian.
Along the Breakneck. in early times, grew hazel bushes wild plum trees, " fox-grapes " and other will fruits. The phims were much sought after by the boys of those days. Their tlavor is said to have been delicious,
In the year 1800, Robert Boggs, familiarly known as Squire Boggs, moved from Allegheny County and settled on the Breakneck bottom lands, taking up a farm of about four hundred and seventy-tive acres. The land had previously been taken up and a small improvement made. Boggs gave the settler a mare for his right to the traet, and at once settled upon it. He was a millwright and followed his trade besides farming. Soon after coming here. ho erected a log mill on the site of the present mill. which continued in oper- ation until torn away to make room for a better struct- ure in 1835. A little later, he erected a saw-mill-not a very elaborate affair, but a useful one nevertheless. The Pittsburgh & Franklin Military road of the war of 1812 passed through the Boggs farm. For a number of years Squire Boggs kept tavern, supplying outertainment to travelers upon this route. He died in 1855 at the age of seventy three. Ho raised nine children by his first marriage. and four by his second. His son, Thomas W. Boggs, Esq .. was born near the spot where he now lives.
In 1832, the village of Evansburg was laid out by William Purviance, Surveyor. Thomas B. Evans, the founder of the place, bought 200 acres of the Boggs farm. and upon this the town was platted. He was a man of a very enterprising spirit, but of limited ed- ucation, and, through a lack of keenness. was fre- quently unfortunate in his enterprises.
The first sale of lots took place in November. 1832. Evans was a millwright and followed his trade, keeping a number of apprentices and workmen about him. In 1535. he erected the grist-mill now owned by James Sutton. The mill was at first run by
water, but of late years only steam power has been nsed.
Excepting the Boggs' residence. Evans' was the first house in the village. His house, a log building. was afterward replaced by a frame structure. In 1835. he erected the brick house now owned by Peter Pfeifer. This was the first brick building, and, for a long time, the best house in town.
Most of Evansburg has grown up during the last fifteen years The arrival of the railroad in 1878 gave a fresh impetus to its prosperity.
Among the first who located in the village was Ray Brown, who kept a small grocery. A man named King started a store soon after. Two or three years after the founding of the village, John Ray moved from Pittsburgh, and located on the lot where Ifft's store now is. He kept a store and tavern, which was a general loating place for the entire neighbor- hood. Ray was a man of enterprise, and was a lead ing spirit among the villagers. Joseph MeIlvaine was among the early merchants. He was a live busi- ness man and had a good trade. The first blacksmith was Robert Boggs, and the first shoe maker, Samuel Bishop.
INDUSTRIAL NOTES.
Lewis Gansz, Esq., settled in this place in 1841. He emigrated from Germany in 1532, and worked in Harmony for Andrew Ziegler, tanning. He afterward followed the same business on the Big Connoquenos- sing, renting a tannery from James McGee. After coming to Evansburg, he started a tannery which is still in operation, being now managed. together with a boot and shoe store, by his son Lewis. The younger Mr. Gansz started his store in 1879. He deals in hides, leather, wool and furs.
About 1815, a foundry was established by John Kane. He carried on the business for a time on a small scale, then soll to James and Joseph Harbaugh and others, who conducted a more extensive business. making stoves and various kinds of castings. The Harbaughs built and ran a hotel where the Miller House now stands.
The enterprising firm of George Hft & Sous com- mener business as merchants in 1967. and have been longer in business without any change in proprietors than any other firm in the place.
J. N. Miller came to Evansburg in 1853. and worked at shoe-making. In 1570. he began keeping hotel. and, in 1876, erected the Miller House, one of the best hotels in Butler County. The house is a large brick building, two stories high. with a French roof. having a frontage of fifty feet. and extending sixty-five feet to the rear. The house is well fur nished throughout. and is an ornament to the town. Mr. Miller came to this country from the province of
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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY
Alsace. Germany. He serve I seven years in the ma cine coros of the Ranch Army, and, during that timo. visited Mexico, California, the West Indies, Brazil. Spain, Australia and other parts of the world. By conomy and rloso attention to business since he came to this contry, Mr. Miller has become a successful and prosperous business man. (Serengraving of the Miller House, elsewhere given )
Hory Stokey, now proprietor of the Eagle Hotel, Zelienople kept hotel in Evansburg five years, com- moneing in 1861. His son, H. W. Stokey, began the sim> business in ISSI. opening to the public the Central House, formerly kept by William Duncan.
Evansburg District School is now in two grades. al under good management. A two-story school building was erected in 1969 at a cost of $1.500. in. "Inding furniture.
Breakneck Post Office (Evansburg's postal cogno- mom was established very soon after the town was Til ont The mail was at first obtained once a work from Zelionople, by William Liken, mail. carrier.
Banking wes begun in this place in 1878 by the firm { J. Dambach & Son. In 1979. the lumber business was commenced by G. G. Lotz, who. in 1881. associa ed with him Elward Dambach as part- no. I saw mill and planing mill have been erected. opl the firm are now condneting a thriving business.
EVANSBURG CHURCHES.
Amaun Baptist Church. - The church edifice of Mus congregation is a small frame building erected La 154. The organization is an old one, but this was the first meeting-house built by the Baptists. The church was formally organized in 1820. Revs. Matthias Luse and Heary Spear were the first who breached here. Andrew Clark had preached occa- ionally bofor the church was organized. These and ther ministers who visited the place were assisted 1. C. Moker. J. Ash. Stephen Luse. David Morgan. Wilham Liken. Jesse Knox all others. Amana Baptist Church was constituted by Henry Spear. Na- :haniel Tibbet and Andrew Clark on the 200 of March. 1520. with twenty-five members. Roy. Au- Trew Clark was the first pastor, uil Rov, Nathaniel Vibbet the second. Mr. Tibbet's she sors were as ollow ; Rev. Samuel MeMillen. 1822; R v. Hopry Frazier. R.v. Samuel Stoughton. Rev. George (') Mins. 1953-55; Rev. Gabriel Lanhan, 1557 59; Km. John Temple, 1560; Boys, Gideon Sevitour. Juli Davis, Gabriel Houston. E. Hovey Jacob Gessner. W | Bows r. J. P. Jones and W. H. M.Kinney. : . J. T thilith i now the pastor. The church Heabont one hitrel nombers. Thirty-three mom- he withdrew their support in the fall of 1881 to
form a distinct organization. Some have returned. and it is believed that the dissention and the trouble arising therefrom will soon be placatod. The Dea vous of this church from its foundation are included in the following list: Stephen Luse, David Critch low. James Critchlow, James Jones, William Knox. Michael L Knox, William Cookson. Samuel Cooper, Josoph Ash and David Sims.
Evansburg U. P. Church. This church was or ganized by Rev. Isaiah Niblock as an Associato Re formed Church about the year 1537. anls, called until the consummation of the union of the various churches of the Presbyterian croods. In 1938, a lot was purchased, and soon after a mall brick house was erected. It was burned in IS51, and in 185.] So the present house of worship was built, also of brick
This church was formed principally by members from the White Oaks Springs Church, and among them were William Martin, Thomas. JJames and George Wilson, Mrs Donaldson. Thomas Donaldson. Alexander and Jamos Ramsey, William Cashdollar, Benjamin. Joseph and John Johnson and Joshua Davidson. Most of the above mentioned belonged t, the church, together with their wives and families. The first regular preacher was Rey. William P. Braden, who preached eight years or more, and was succeeded by Thomas Drennan, who was -pastor when the present meeting- house was erected. Next she. creded several stated supplies and the following pas- tors: Roys. William H. Jamison, John F. Martin. J. S. Brandon and J. M. Dwight, now in charge. The present membership is abont one hundred and thirty seven.
The first Elders of this church were Thomas Wil- son. James Ramsey and John Johnson. Thomas Donaldson has been an Eller for over thirty years.
Evansburg (terman Roformed and German Luth- eran Churches, -The first organization of this church took place in 1949. when an organization was & ffected bearing the name of the " Evansburg Intheran and Reformel Church." under Res. Homan Month of the Lutheran denomination. A small frame building was erected the same year and the joint congregations continned to moot together until 1553, when. on the 20 of August, Roy. Herman Muntz organized " St. Peter's German Lutheran Church." and the Reformed Church continued as a distinct organization. At the time of this division, each congregation numbered fifteen families. The Lutherans sold their part of the church property to the Reformed congregation. und. in 1859, ore .tel the church building which they now or apy, at a cost of $3.100. The bons is 34x IS feet with a basement for school purposes.
At present the Lutheran membership consists of
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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY
sixty-two families. That of the Reformed church is about the same. The pastors of the Lutherans have been Rovs Herman Muntz, ( F. W. Brecht. J. Wil- helm, E. Mahlberg. G. E. Sylla. W. E Bush and the present pastor, W. H. Kropp.
We have not a complete list of the pastors of the Reformed Church. Rev. Waltherger and Rey. E. F. Winter officiated here before the present pastor, Rev. C'aspar Schiel. took charge.
A. D. 1. W.
Evansburg Lodge. No. 189, Ancient Order of United Workmen. was formed October 15, 1581. with the following charter members:
Dr. F. V. Brooks. Rov. W. H. H. Mc Kinney. H. C. Bogys. Edward Dambach. William Ramsey, Joseph Ash. Robert Ash. Christ. Walter, John Staat. Jacob Mathay. Jacob Heayl. Houry Wise, John W. Dumbart. Joseph Stiver. The following were the first officers elected: Dr F. V. Brooks, Master: Rov. W. H. H Mckinney, Past Master: H. C. Boggs Foreman: Elward D'unbach. Secretary; Joseph Ash. Treasurer: Robert Ash. Financier.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
THE PASSAVANT FAMILY.
A detailed account of the work accomplished by Detmir Basse in the early history of Zelienople, will he found elsewhere in this chapter. His daughter. Zelie. became the wife of Philip Louis Passavant. and the two came to America in 1807 in company with Mr. Basse on his second visit to Zelionople. P. L. Passavant was, for many years, the foremost man iu Zelienople. much respecte l as a business man on ac- mount of his integrity and fair dealing, and a prom- inent and influential member of society by reason of his well-known taet and ability.
The name Passavant is of French origin. descended from the French Hugnonots. Philip Louis Passa- vant was born in Frankfort. Germany, in 1777. and diel in Zelienople. Peun . April 15, 1853 He mar- ried Zelie Basse in 1507. She was born 1756, and died December 29, 1ST1.
Mr. Passavant acted as agent in disposing of the lands of the Basse property. and himself bought the tract on which the town of Zelienople stands. He was the first merchant in the place. Bringing a mantity of goods with him from Germany in 1807, he at once commenced business. In 1810. he expected ho building, an engraving of which appears on an ther page To this store people resorted from all 'h . surronn ling country, and Zelienople thus became ah important trading point at an early day. Mr.
Passavant continned in the mercantile business until 18IS. when he sold out to his son. U. S. Passavant. who has now been in business very much longer than any other merchant in the place.
1. 1. and Zolie Passavant were the parents of five children -Emma, now the wife of Rov. C. S. Jen nings, AHogheny County: Philip Detmar (deceased) : Charly- Sidney. Zelienople: Virginia dereased); and Roy. William A. Passavant. D. D .. a well known Lutheran clergyman of Pittsburgh.
(. S. Passavant is a well-known and prominent eitiz m of the place of his nativity. Zelionople. His wife is Jane, daughter of Edward V. and Catharine Bnhb Randolph, of Zelienople, Mr. and Mrs. Pas- savant have two children -Charles S .. Jr .. and Emma V.
HENRY MUNTZ.
Henry Mnutz was born in Wurtemberg. GeridoLy, Sprit 11. 1791, and is a son of George and Christina (' (Rapp) Muntz. When ten years of age, he ne companied his parents to America, or the New World. as it was called. starting April 1, 1804, and arriving at Baltimore July 4 of this year, where he was very forcibly impressed with the peculiarities of the Ne , groes. Their first winter was spont at Zelienople, and the following year they removed to Harmony, where he attended school. His parents moved on a new farm. and, although young, he became conversant with the toils and privations of pioner life His father was killed June 4. 1912. by a falling tree. while his mother's death did not occur until 1536.
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