USA > Pennsylvania > Butler County > History of Butler County, Pennsylvania. With illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 52
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In ISII. he was apprenticed to u Fuldher in Zelie nople, and it was here that he developed a thirst for knowledge, and attended night school and pursued his studies privately until his fund of information was largely extended. In 1515. ho stablished him self in the business he had learned in Harmony. But youth and inexperience was no match for older trade- men, and he soon discontinued business, and became a wanderer. visiting Ohio and Indian on foot. H returned home, but in IS19 his raving propensito- again gainel the ascendeney, and he went farther east. finally locating in New York (ty. bay left there in February. 1820, because of the failure of his eoe ployer, and walking to Philadelphia and getting us employment, he was obliged to sell bis cont t pay expenses. In April, 1820, he returned to Zalionople. established himself in business, and . sist of the same year in organizing St. Paul's Church. In 1525. was elected to the church conneit, but suppe intended the erection of the sun . durch. Being a niff by hoop piety. he has done much contributing toreally of time and in mey to the support of the ( spel, and has traveled hundreds of miles on foot to assist along
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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY
the good work, having done his full share during the journey of life, now most terminated. He has al- ways observed the golden rule. With his brother Gottlob he continued in business for ten years from 1829. He also served as Postmaster for four years from 1841, when he resigned.
May 31, 1853. he was married to Mrs. Catharine Dioffenbacher, widow of Rev. Jacob F., who was once pastor of the Reformed Church in Harmony, where he died in 1842. Her maiden name was Hottel, and she was born in Woodstock, Va., June 6. 1815. By her first husband she bore four sons - Dioduras S., Eusebins H , Cyrus R. and Jacob F., the first three being ministers of the Gospel. Mr. and Mrs. Muntz are the parents of one daughter named Zolie, Mrs. Muntz is an estimable lady, and has well fulfilled her mission in life.
REV. F. A. EDMONDS.
William Edmonds, grandfather of the subject of this brief memoir, came from England in an early day, and located in Northampton County, Penn., and engaged in merchandising. During the Revolution- ary war, he was employed as land agent by the Gov- ernment, and acted in a similar capacity for a Lon- don organization. He had two sons. William F. and John 1., and three daughters. John A. was born in Northampton County in 180], where he re- sided until about 1864, when he removed to Center County, where he died in 1874. His wife Elizabeth died in 1871 at the advanced age of seventy years. Mr. Edmonds was a surveyor and conveyancer. and held the office of Justice of the Peace nearly all the entire years of his adult life.
He had a family of nine boys, some of whom on- listed and held commissions during the war of the rebellion.
F A. Edmonds, who was born in 1832, was edu- cated at Hedelberg College, in Ohio, which is under the auspices of the Reformed Church. receiving the title of A. M. He also graduated from the theolog- ical department in 1859, and was ordained this same year. and commenced the services of the ministry in Shelby, Ohio, acting as a supply for nine months. and then took charge of the Reformed Church in Berlin, Somerset County, where he labored very ac ceptably and successfully for five years. His next field of labor was in Foreston, Ill., where he re- mained for seven years, preaching with marked suc cess.
In 1870. he assumed the pastorate of the Re formed Church of Harmony, enthused new life and activity into the membership, and by indefatigable labor, both in and out of season, was enabled to es tablish a new era of prosperity: so much so that the
membership has more than tripled under his minis- trations, and they have the largest Sunday school in the county.
Being deeply interested in educational matters, he, in 1573. in connection with J. C. Tinsman and Rev. S. L. Johnson, established the Harmony Col- logiate Instituto, which attainel great success during his connection with it, for three years, and assisted very materially in advancing the cause of education, and awaking in many a desire for higher education.
Rov. Edmonds belongs to that class of advanced religions teachers who believe in advanceing the ma- terial as well as spiritual interests of the community where he resides, and therefore has ever taken a deep and activo interest in all public enterprises, especially regarding public improvements, such as the project- ing of railroads and extending borough limits. he and E. Ziegler having made an addition to Harmony known as the Ziegler-Edmonds Addition. During the war of the rebellion, he recruited Company F. of the One Hundred and Forty-second Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, and went into service as Captain, but ill health some five months later com- pelled his resignation.
In 1860. he was married to Miss M. A. Korns, and one daughter, Aggie, has blessed their union.
CHAPTER XXXIII.
CRANBERRY.
Characteristics of the People-Thrift -Condition of Schools-The Early Settlers-Benjamin Johnston. Alexander Banes -An Ancient Document Samuel Duncan-the Grab uns-Early Mills-Benjamin Garvin and Others - Liter Settlers -Chinches Stores, efe
YRANBERRY is one of the thirteen original townships, and no doubt derived its name from the fact that there are in the southern portion of the township extensive marshes covered with cranberry bushes.
En 1796, Benjamin Johnston, a native of Cumber- land County. emigrated to this township and settled on a firm in the southern portion. His wife, Martha Ken. nedy, was a native of South Carolina, but was reared in Cumberland County. Poun. Of their family of fifteen children, seven are now living. William Johuston, one of the sons, is a resident of the town- ship. His farin was formerly owned by his father in- law. Francis Pearce.
In the same year. Alexander Ramsey, a native of Ireland. left his native heath for this country. He first located in Cumberland County, whore he remained Int a short time. From thence he moved to West moreland, and from that county to Cranberry Town- ship, where he became one of the important charac. ters in its history. His wife, Grace Smith, who was
WILLIAM GOEHRING.
Among the most enterprising and industrious early settlers was Adam Goehring. a native of Germany, who settled in Cranberry Township, and was the progenitor of a family which is still largely represented in the county. William Goehring, the tenth of eleven children born to Adam and Magdalena Goehring. was born De- cember 25. 1821. But three members of the large family to which he belonged are now living-Christian. John and Sarah (Feazel).
William Gochring was reared a farmer. and always pursued that occupation, never moving from the farm on which he was born. He was diligent and successful in business : a man of good intelligence. honest and upright in all his dealings : much respected and hon- ored by his fellow-citizens. Mr. Goehring was a Repub- lican in politics. He never aspired to holdl office. In religion. he was a life-long member of the English
MRS. JANE GOEHRING.
Lutheran Church. He died March 25, 1864. His widow and two sons survive him.
William Goehring was married November 16. 1551. to Jane Marshall. daughter of Samuel and Mary Mar- shall. Her friends were carly settlers, and the family is a very prominent one. Mrs Goehring was born in Butler County, and is the third of a family of teu chil- dren, seven of them still living. The children of Will- iam and Jime Gochring are Mary M .. Walter II . Will- iam Altred. Thomas Winfield and Samuel Marshall Mary died at the age of twenty-one . Walter and Win- field died young. William Alfred is engaged in grain- buying at Zelionople. He is also the owner of a farm on Breakneck Creek, given him by his father. Samuel Marshall is at home and is to have the homestead on becoming of age.
RESIDENCE OF
MRS. J, P. GOEHRING.
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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY
born in Chester County. was the daughter of a Revo- lutionary patriot, who lost his life in that sanguinary struggle. They reared a family of ten children. Joseph Robinson, who lived a few miles east of But- ler, on the Freeport pike, married one of the dangh- ters (Hannah). Isaac Young, who is still living at an advanced age, was another son-in-law of this ven- erable pioneer. He married Polly.
The following is a vebatim copy of the agreement by which Mr. Ramsey acquired the title to his lands; the original document is still in possession of John Ramsey :
" Articles of agreement made and concluded be- " Witness present, JOHN CUMMINS."
tween Thomas Rees and William Harrison, of Phila- . delphia. of the one part. and Alexander Ramsey. of Westmoreland County. State of Pennsylvania, of the other part witnesseth: First, the said Thomas Rees and William Harrison. For the considerations heroin- after mentioned and expressed, doth eonsent, promise and agree to and with the said Alexander Ramsey, his expentors, administrators and assigns: that he, the said Alexander Ramsey, shall on or before the 22d instant, settle and improve a certain tract of land sit uate on the west side of the Allegheny river, in Allegheny County, on the waters of Breakneck, and on the Vonango Path adjoining Nicholson District, and continue his said settlement and improvement on the said tract of land for five years from thence next following: building on the same a house fit for the habitation of man, and clearing and feneing ten acres tit for cultivation. In consideration of which, and the covenants hereinafter expressed. to be performed on the part of the said Thomas Rees and William Harrison. and as an encouragement to the said Alex- ander Ramsey to be faithful and diligent in the un- dertaking aforesaid. he. the said Thomas Rees and William Harrison, doth hereby bind themselves, their heirs. executors and assigns, covenant, promise and agree to and with the said Alexander Ramsey. his ex- ecutors, administrators or assigns. well and truly to convey or cause to be conveyed to the said Alexander Ramsey, his executors, administrators or assigns, one hundred and fifty acres of said tract of four hundred acres of land, to be divided as fairly as possible, ac- cording to quantity and quality, reserving, neverthe less, to A. Ramsey, all improvements he may have made on the land and for the said quantity of land. the said Thomas Rees and William Harrison, their expentors, administrators and assigns shall. at the termination of the aforesaid period of five years, give a deed for the same, free from all inenmbrances. and shall warrant and defend the same to the said Alex- dor Ramsey, his heirs, executors, administrators or assigns.
" And for the true performance of all and every
the covenants aforosaid, cach of the said parties binds himself, his heirs, executors, administrators and as signs unto the other of them, his heirs, expentors and assigns, in a penal sum of one thousand dollars. In wit ness whereof, the parties above named have hereunto set their hands and seat the twenty-first day of June. 1796.
" DAVID MONAIR & " JAMES A. RIPPEY. per " THOMAS REES. | Seal ]. " WILLIAM HARRISON, [ Seal ]. [ Seal ].
" ALEXANDER RAMSEY.
Samuel Duncan. a native of Carlisle, Penn .. made a permanent settlement in this township in 1796. Ho was a young man of twenty-seven years, at the time of his emigration, and for several years previous to his settlement had been engaged in trafficking with the Indians. He purchased quito an extensive trat of land. The farm which for many years was the home of his son, Samuel. was purchased from Gon. Wilkins. of Philadelphia. He married, in 1793, Miss Nancy. daughter of James Boggs, who in the early days kept the ferry across the Allegheny River at Pittsburgh. They had six children -William, Matilda, David, Samuel, James and Robert. Mr. Duncan died in the year 1829. William married Jane Compton, and had three children. He died in 1821. Of these three chil. tren, Mary Ann Cleeand is still living in Illinois. Matilda married William Smith, from the State of New York. Mrs. Smith died in 1831. her husband surviving her a few years only. David married Sarah Hamil. of Allegheny County. They had nine chil- dren, viz. : William. Samuel. Catherine, Matilda, Margaret, Sarah, Mary A. and Nancy E. Samuel married Elizabeth Caldwell, daughter of David Cald- well, of Allegheny County.
In 1797. Mathew Graham, with his mother. brother and step-father, settled on a tract of land he had pro empted the year previous (1796) and began the ardnous task of clearing up a farm. His father (also named Mathewy was a native of Scotland: he died when Mathew. Jr, was but six years of age. The year following his decease. the family, consisting of the widowed mother and the two sons. Mathew and William, settled on a tract of 200 acres, on the Monongalia River, where Mckeesport now stands. They remained in possession of the lands until 1795. when they were dispossessed by a defective title by a Mr. McKee, the man after when Mckeesport was named. In 1501. Mathew was married to Mary Freeman. They reared a family of nine children - Hetty who afterward became Mr-, John Vaudevort: Ann. who married John Kelly : William, who mar- ried Elizabeth Shearer in 1543, and later to Maria
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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY
Pearce; William died in 187>; Harvey died in in- "was the proprietor of the Minnis Foundry in Birm- faney: Mary, who married John- Love in 1837. and after his death married W. M. Meredith. James H. Graham. who married Elizabeth Oakley in 1815: Mathew. who married Esther Dillen in 1849; Sam- nel. who married Matilda Duncan in the year 1856. Those children all had portions of their father's es- tate. Those who died in full possession of their property bequeathed it to their offspring. Those living remain on the homes thus acquired, with the exception of Mrs. Mary Meredith. who resides in Al legheny City. Mathew Graham died in November. 1858. in his seventy-ninth year. Mary Graham died June 10, 1866, i her eighty third year. In 1813. Mathew Graham erected the tavern known as the " Black Bear," on the Pittsburgh and Mercer road, which ran through his farm. This hostelry was the general stopping place of all who traveled from Pitts- burgh to Mercer for thirty years, and is still stand. ing. but unoccupied.
The early settlers in this section of the State were frequently gathered around the great fire-place of the " Black Bear." and there related stories of their struggles with poverty, of a desperate encounter with Indians and wild beasts, and talked of the time when their great tasks would be completed. and they in possession of comfortable homes, surrounded by their children and the comforts and luxuries of civilization.
After the erection of the " Black Bear. " be pur- chased a traet of 200 acres a short distance south of his original purchase. He also purchased 170 acres from Hansen Castlette. on Brush Creek: 206 acres of Sabina. widow of H. H. Brackenridge. on Brush Creek, and 170 acres of George Spyer. along the same stream. In 1531. he and his son-in-law. J. Vande vort built the first saw mill erected in the township. and on Bear Creek. In 1$33. he built the first grist- mill on Brush Creek. Mathew Graham was a man who seemed to have more than his portion of reverses during his pioneer life, but through them all he was -aid to be very courageons, resolute and trustful, a m'in of good common sense, generous-hearted, and a firm believer in that " Divinity which shapes our ends, rough hew them how we may."
Benjamin Garvin was a native of Rockingham. Va . and came to this township with his family of ten chil dron. His wife was a Miss MeFarland. of the same State. Mr. and Mrs. Garvin had many trials and privations. but with a firm conviction that, as the constant dropping of water will wear away the hardest rock. so health and constant labor will overcome all things. Ton children were born to them, viz., Elizabeth, Alexan- ander. John, Naney, David. James, William, Bon. jamin. Jefferson and Margaret. Elizabeth married James Minnis, of Pittsburgh, who for many years
ingham. Penn. Nancy married Joshua Stoolfier, and lived in this township until their death. The father of Joshua Stoolfier was a native of Germany, and after serving seven years in the army the Government released him. having no further claims upon him as a soldier. He emigrated to America, settling near the forks of the Youghiogheny River. in Westmoreland County. A short period after his location here. he married a Miss Mary Martin, daughter of a Presby- terian minister. Their offspring consisted of eight children -Charles, Joshna M., Sarah, David. Jacob. Mary, Elizabeth and George. A few years previous to the organization of Butler County. the entire fam- ily removed to what is now Cranberry Township, lo cating on a farm of 100 acres, purchased from Thomas Langley in the year 1800. Soon after settling upon this tract. he returned to Westmoreland County, and brought to his rnde cabin his father's family. With ont money, he was profoundly distressed as to how he would pay for this large tract of land, and he at once set lis wits to work to devise some plan. He had in his possession a very valuable gun. which he highly prized. and which had dealt ont destruction to many a tenant of the wood. This be offered Mr. Langley in part payment. but he. having no conceivable use for the weapon, declined the offer, saying he pre- ferred something having a greater measure of value. Mr. Stooltier then hit upon this happy plan of trad. ing his gun for a two-year old colt, which the Goy- Armament agent gladly accepted as part of the con- sideration money. He paid for the residue accord. ing to the covenants and conditions of the article of agreement.
Nancy Garvin and husband, JJoshna Stoolfier (son of Joshua M. Stoolfier). wero the parents of ten chil- drou, five of whom reached maturity. Those living are Irene. Nancy. Lavina. Elize and Minerva Alex- ander Garvin married Anna Mallison. and removed to Missouri. John also went to Missouri when a young man. and he there married Mary Love. David kept. hotel, or tavern as it was termed in those days. on what is now Newton Garvin's farm. in IS11. He mar ried a Miss Pormelia Mallison. Benjamin Garvin. the grandfather of David, kept the same hotel in 1500- the only public house then between Pittsburgh and Franklin. He continued in the business until [S]]. when. as we have already stated. the nephew. David. took charge of it. Ho raised a family of nine chil- dren. namely. Eliza. Emiline, Annie. Pormelia, Beu- jamin, Joshua. Newton. David and Milton, who was killed in the war of the rebellion.
The Cornplanter and other Indian bands made this hotel their stopping place on their way to and from Erie.
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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
Their business principally was running rafts on pealed to in matters of justice between his fellow the Allegheny, and their demeanor and manner was men. His immediate lineal descendants wore lrene. Nancy. Lavina, Eliza and Minerva. quiet, when not under the influence of "fire-water." The " Indian trail " leading then from a point beyond Pittsburgh to Erie and Franklin can to day be plainly pointed out as passing through the farms of Clevidence. Lawhead, Grency and what is known as the Glover farm. It is a common accurrent for farmers to-day. when plowing. to find the peculiar shaped flints they used on their arrows during the era when they roamed the forests and held complete and undisputed domin ion over them.
James Garvin was twice married. His first wife was Nancy Wilson, who was reared in this township. The fruits of this union were: William Wilson, Mar- garet, Benjamin, Eliza. Nancy and Henderson. His wife died in 1843, when he married Mrs. Isabella Wil son, daughter of John Waldron. and sister of William Waldron. of Jackson Township near Evansburg The issue of this alliance wis two children -- Belle and Boyd.
James (farvin was an enterprising farmer. a good citizen and always favorable to the interests of the common schoois, believing them to be valued factors iu the progress of civilization.
William, the brother of James, also married twice. Martha Rowan. of Bridgewater. Beaver County, a very excellent lady. amiable in disposition and with a beautiful Christian character, was his first wife. She was the mother of eight children.
His second wife was Hannah Spencer. They had one child-Samuel Church Garvin.
Benjamin died unmarried. Jefferson was united to Rebecca Rowan, and moved into Beaver County.
William Hall. of Pittsburgh, became the hus. band of Margaret
Benjamin, the son of William, and grandson of Benjamin Garvin. is residing on the aucestral home purchased from his farther. The farm consists of 120 acres. The wife of Benjamin Garvin was Ellen P. Wilson, who was born in Westmoreland County. The names of their children are: Emily A., who mar ried Archie Bryon: William H., Elmer Lynn. Martha Jane and Elizabeth .A.
Joshua M !. Stoolfier, who married Nancy Garvin. has already been mentioned as a descendant of one of the earliest and most prominent settlers of this town- ship. But as his career was an interesting one, and his family among the first in rank and intelligence. he demands more than a passing notice. Hle was a man of inflexible character, and the soul of honor and honesty. He ever took great pride in identifying him self with the growing interests of education, and he was the especial friend of the poor. Generous in heart and of excellent judgment. he was often ap
William Brickle was the husband of Lavina. Of their eight children, three are living to-day.
In the year of 1839. Nancy became the wife of of William Ray. Mr. Ray met with a terrible acej- dlent, the loss of one limb in a reaping machine. which proved fatal, termininating his life five days after its occurrence.
Mrs. Ray is now living with her son-in law. John Staples, in Adams Township.
Minerva was united in marriage to Capt. Alex- ander Gillespie, on Christmas Day, in the year 1542. They lived happily together for thirty seven years. and prospered in the accumulation of this world's good -.
The result of their marriage was the birth of four children, two ouly of whom are living -Nancy C. and Joshna M. The former became the wife of John ('. Kelly, who resided near Butler for many years and died there.
Joshua married Maggie Dunlap, of Allegheny County, in the year 1570.
Capt. Gillespie. the father of these children. was a gallant soldier in the war of the rebellion during the years of 1861 and 1565. He was among the first to respond to his country's eall. and enlisted in 1861. in Gen. John N. Purviance's Company of " nine months' men." At the expiration of the stipulated time, he re-enlisted and continued in the army until his failing health gave him an honorable discharge. which was in June, 1865. He died of consumption in 1879, induced by exposure at Nashville, Tenn., while in the barracks. His age was fifty -nine years
LATER SETTLEMENTS.
After the first settlers began to make inroads ou the noble forests and to cultivate the soil in rather a limited way the first few years of their pioneer life. other sturdy and energetic men came in and lent a helping hand.
Jacob Stont was a native of Northumberland County, and came to this township with his father. who emigrated from Germany in ISII. They located upon a tract of land purchased from Minerva Catlett. being the moiety of a traet sitnate I in this town-hip and marked in the plan of " Alexander's District." No. 69.
Jacob and his father were both energetic and in dustrions, and seemed to be netuated by the one great purpose of acquiring a home for themselves in the land of freedom, where they could attain property and happiness for themselves, and which would also be an inheritance for their offspring There were no
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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
prominent events in their lives to refer to. They were honest, industrions and persevering, bending all their energies to the cultivation of their lands.
Jacob Stout, JJr., married Annie Deemer, in the year 1532, and there were born to them twelve chil- dren; seven only are now living. viz., John, Lizzie, Henry, Daniel, Faunie, Lavina and George W.
Daniel, the fourth one of those living. married Margaret Reeder, of Beaver County, in December, 1871. Honey is unmarried, and resides with his brother and sister-in-law on the farm bequeathed to them by their father, who died in 1869.
John Barr located in 1820, on a tract of land pur- chased from William Roseborough. He was a native of Ireland. County Down. One year after his set tlement he married Jane Dickey, of Allegheny Coun- ty, and reared a large family.
Mary Jane became the wife of Jacob Stoup, of Adams Township, where they reside.
Andrew married Nancy, daughter of Judge Mar- shall (deceased). They had born to thom nine chil- dren, six of whom died quite young. The remaining chil fren are Finma Jane, John Chalmers and Martin Andrew.
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