History of Butler County, Pennsylvania. With illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 54

Author: Waterman, Watkins & Co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Chicago, Waterman, Watkins & Co.
Number of Pages: 638

USA > Pennsylvania > Butler County > History of Butler County, Pennsylvania. With illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 54

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HISTORY OF BETLER COUNTY

eame, performed their work, died. and many of them are now forgotten. The story of what they did and what they suffered is largely buried with them. The mutability of all things human is here freshly exem- plitied. Few of their lineage now remain to perpet- nate their memory in this locality. New-comers now fill the places which once they filled. and continne, after modern methods, the work which they began. At this late date it is impossible to ascertain when and by whom the pioneer settlement of Forward was begun. The township was formed in 1854. from portions of the old townships of Middlesex. Cranberry and Con- noquenessing. Probably the settlement began at or near the same date with the townships mentioned. But of the early families, only the Ashes, Critchlows. Browns, Brandons, Donthetts and a few others are now represented in the township. All are excellent an worthy people. honest and respectable. The places of other early comers are now largely in the possession of thrifty German settlers, to whom this county owes so large a share of its development.

Old John MeCollum was among the earliest set. tlers. He was a generous. good-natured, jovial man. well thought of by all his neighbors. Some of his descendants remained here for a time. but the last of them went West years ago. In 1804. Adam Brown bought a "settler's right" to a traet of 400 aeres, and moved to it with his family from Cumber- land County, Penn. The Browns have always been prominent citizens of the township. Joseph Brown. son of Adam, who came here when four years of age. is still living upon the farm, with his son. W. M. Brown. Adam Brown, Sr., died about ISI5, when a young man. Both he and his son John were in the war of 1812. Adam Brown's children were John, Adam, Joseph, Thomas Ray. Elizabeth (MeCandless). Margaret (White), Matilda ( White), and another daughter, who died young. Of this family, two sur- vive-Joseph, of Forward, and Thomas Ray. of Pitts- burgh. Joseph married Mary Marshall. a native of Ireland. His children who survive are as follows: Jane E. (Douthett), Forward: Hon. A. M. Brown, Pittsburgh; J. K. Brown, Illinois; W. M. Brown, Forward; Esther L. (Blakely). Pittsburgh: and Sar ah B. (Donthett), Brownsdale.

One of the first mills in this neighborhood was a horse mill, on Adam Brown's farm. Moses and Brin- ton Robbins, Yankees, were pioneers of this neigh borhood. The first grist- mill and saw-mill on Glade Run was built by one of them, who purchased 1,000 acres of settlers' land.

The mill on Glade Run known as Brown's Mitl was erected about 1820, by Maj. Rees Evans, and has since been in operation, of course with repairing and rebuilding. Subsequent owners have been Adam

Brown. R. H Browu and Philip Gelbaugh, the pres ent proprietor.

Until mills were established. long journeys on horseback were necessary when the settler wished to proenre meal or four. To avoid these journeys as much as possible, there were frequent resorts to hand- mills, mortars, and sometimes wheat was boiled whole and eaton -a palatable and wholesome food. Mush was over a staple article of food in the pioneer's household. These settlers, with all their privations and hardships, were generally cheerful and content- ed. They managed to secure sufficient food and clothing, and plenty of work prevented despondeney. We can imagine a winter evening scene in one of the rude dwellings of logs, with floor and loft of punch- eons, and. instead of chairs and tables, roughly fash- ioned benches cut from the forest logs. The moth- er, with her knitting, sits by " the household fire, so warm and bright," and the ruddy glow of the blaz- ing back-log throws its mellow light over her cheerful features. The cat and dog have cozy places at each side of the hearthstone. The rosy-cheeked. healthy- complexioned daughters sit near their mother. darn- ing or sewing, while the boys are busy with their jack knives, constructing toys or some simple utensil. By the rude bench, dignified by the name of table, the Imsband and father sits, a candle and a Bible before lim. As the hour of 9 approaches, each member of the family puits aside the work on which he or she is engaged, and listen, with reverent attention, while the father reads a portion of God's Word. Then all kneel and supplicato the Throne of Grace, with thank- fnl hearts, for oven the fow gifts they have received from kind Providence. The " Cotter's Saturday Night." so beautifully described by Burns, whose " simple and heartfelt lays" are so dear to these Scotch Irish hearts, is here re-enacted. Perchance, during the evening, a sociable neighbor has dropped in to ask after the health of the family, or perform some trifling errand. There was a neighborly, social kindness widely prevalent in those days Strangers were hospitably entertained. and the best the house afforded was set before them, without ostentation or apology. The picture of the pioneer's home life is a pleasing one, despite the rude framework which sur- rounds it. Let the memory of it be perpetuated!

Peter MeKinney settled in this township in 1792. For a sketch of his life, see the chapter devoted to Comoquenossing Township. He was the earliest pioneer of the Connoquenessing Valley of whom we have any record. The Gillilands and Glovers set- tled here about 1796. James Glover was the settler of the tract known as the Gilliland property. Bar- net Gilliland married his danghter Nancy.

The Scotch settlement mentioned in the history of

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY

Connoquenessing Township extended southward as far as the creek, and the names of some of the early settlers of Forward will be found in the account of that settlement.

About 1802, David and Adam Gilliland, who were enterprising and business-like men, purchased from Peter MeKinney the property on the Connoqueness- ing on which the mill now stands. The first log mill was here erected by David Gilliland, near the begin- ning of this century. The mill now standing was built on the same site by Barnet Gilliland in 1827. His son Adam afterward owned it, and from him Henry Buhl purchased the property. The next own- ers were Peter and James Ray. Peter Ray sold his interest in the mill to A. J. Evans, who later pur- chased the whole, and is now the owner. Adam Gil- liland, Sr., had no family, but lived with his brother David. David's son, Barnet, lived here. His sons were David, William, James and Adam. There were also several daughters. David built the brick resi- dence now owned by Henry Buhl. William moved to Adams Township, where he died. James moved to a farm near Wilkinsburg. Allegheny County. Adam moved to Michigan after he sold the mill.

The William Goehring farm was first settled by a man named Temple. Then Rev. Matthew Williams, Covenanter preacher. lived on the place. James An- derson was the next settler on the farm. His daugh- ter, Mrs. Mellvaine, now lives in Evansburg. Goeh- ring purchased the farm from Anderson.

Patrick Love was an early settler in the western part of the township. John, his son, became the owner of the property, and sold to William Bracken, from whose son. Aaron Bracken. Esq .. the farm was purchased by Peter Pfeifer, its present owner.

A Wilson family were among the early settlers. They went to Indiana, and Jesse Evans afterward occupied the farm,

James Anderson, one of the pioneers, was here previous to 1800. His children were William, James, ! Silas, John and Julia.

On the farm adjoining William Goehring's, a Martin family were early settlers. In this family occurred one of those distressing events which occa- sionally marred the peaceful serenity of pioneer days. Martin's youngest son, Daniel, hung himself in the log barn. Disappointment in love was said to have been the cause of the act.

Among the earliest families whose descendants still remain here was Joseph Ash. His life, though not a long one, was full of adventure and hazardous escapes. He was born in Kentucky, and, when a boy, was taken captive by the Indians, with whom he re- mained two years, being then ransomed by his broth- er. His mother and a child were killed by the sav-

ages. Joseph and two of his brothers were taken prisoners. The Indians split Joseph's ears so as to know him. When a young min, he found his way into Western Pounsylvania, and. during the Indian troubles, was engaged to carry mail from Fort Pitt to Detroit. He made one or more trips going the whole distance on foot. Afterward, other carriers took charge of the mail over certain portions of the ronte. The letters were fow, and a handkerchief easily containel them all. The changing places or distributing offices were hollow trees, known to the carriers, where the mail was deposited by one carrier and removed by another. Later, the route was tra- versed by horsemen, and the mail-carriers also rode horseback. In 1803, Joseph Ash and his wife, Sarah, found their way to the west side of the circular valley alrealy describe I. anl settled on the bottom land. This farm had been previously occupied for a time by a man named Murray. Joseph Ash was born in 1771, and diel in IS11. His wife died in 1826. They had four children, two of whom are living -Rachel (Williams) and Sylvester, both deceased; Elizabeth (Norman) and Isaac B. The latter lives upon the old homestead.

Sylvester Ash, born in 1905, died in 1550. He was well and favorably known. His wife, who sur- vives him. was Martha Boggs, daughter of Robert Boggs, Esq. Their surviving children are four sons and one daughter - Joseph resides near Evansburg; Isaac is an attorney, and resides in Oil City: Robert lives in Evansburg: Lizzie is the wife of Lewis Gansz, Esq., Evansburg: J. Andersou is engaged in farming and stock raising upon the old homestead.

Enoch MeLeod was an early Scotch settler who located on the farm where his daughter, Mrs. Robert Mc Nair. now lives. Three of his family are still living -- Catherine (McNair), Margaret ( Witte) and Jane (Marshall). Enos McLeod was a son of Norman Mc- Leod, one of the settlers of 1796. He had a brother. Daniel, who died young. Of the old gentleman but little is remembered. Four of his daughters were Margaret (Boggs), Catharine (Melain). Mary (Gra ham) and Nancy (MeLure).

John Brandon. a prominent pioneer, lived to the ripe old age of ninety-two. He came from Eastern Pennsylvania to Westmoreland County, thence re. moved to Mercer County, and, after a short residence there, came to this county and tanght school. About 1807, he married Susan Welsh and settled north of the Connoquenessing. He was ont in the war of 1812 a short time. He was the father of seven chil- dren -- William, settled in Butler and died single in 1839: Mary. died unmarried: Sarah (Kolker), For- ward Township: John W .. Comoquenessing Town- ship; and James, Forward Township, are still living;

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IHISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY

Eliza (Marvin), died near Serub Grass Furnace: Thomas, resides in Connoquenossing Township. Mr. Brandon was a worthy citizen. He was one of the most active citizens in the support of a temperance movement which originated in the neighborhood. and. in 1830, resulted in the formation of a total abstinence society, which met for some time at his house, but afterward, assuming greater proportions, temperance meetings were held at the church, and many became teetotalers. Mr. Brandon signed the total abstinence pledge among the very first, and strove to discourage the use of spirits. He was nna- ble to hire help in harvest the following season, be- cause he would allow no whisky on his premises. But a year later. help was plenty and sobriety the rule. The temperance movement accomplished so much good that, after it, whisky was rarely used in the harvest-field in this neighborhood.

John Brandon served one term as County Com- missioner. At the time of bis settlement, and during many years following, wolves and other wild animals were very numerous in the thick timber about the creek. At one time. they killed about a dozen sheep within fifty rods of his house.

Jesse Evans came from east of the mountains and took up a farm in the northern part of the township quite early. Archibald MeCollister. the pioneer school-teacher of this neighborhood, settled about 1800 on the present, John Banninger farm. Mrs. Mc- Collister and her two young children, together with the bedding and furnishing material for the new home, came on one horse. Archibald MeCollister died upon the farm. and all of his family are dead excepting one danghter. Margaret. now an aged sin- gle lady. The names of his children were: Joseph. Jane (Blakely), Dorcas, Hannah. Margaret and Polly (Graham). Jane died in ISS2. aged eighty-six years. She was the wife of Lewis Blakely. an early settler. who came from Westmoreland County with his ta ther, Joseph Blakely, who located on the farm now owned by Matthew Williams. He and Lewis both died on this farm. Joseph Blakely's children were Lewis, Jane (MeNellis). Fanny (Strele). Joseph, Har- vey and Mary (Rose). Of these, two are living Jo- seph and Harvey -- in the West. Lewis and Jane Blakely reared eleven sons and one danghter. Three sons are dead, and the remainder are widely seat. tered. Andrew resides in this township.

There was far more pleasure in pioneer life than one would imagine, regarding it from a modern point of vision. Nearly all the settlers were poor: but fow. if any, were destitute. Cheerfulness is an excellent substitute for riches, and this quality was the early settlers' main stay and support amid hardships and privations. There was, and always is, among settlers

in a new country, almost a fraternal intimacy, coupled with a lively interest in the prosperity of all -a helpful. geuerons spirit, which advancing civiliza- tion and accumulated wealth have almost banished From rural communities. In early days. every im- portant work, such as clearing, raising a cabin or a baru. ete., was performed by the united efforts of the neighborhood. These busy play-days were called " frolics," and the name was not inappropriate. for there was a great amount of mirth and mischief-mak- ing pent up in the minds of those sturdy sons of the forest. and on these occasions some of it was sure to break forth to relieve the monotonous routine of work, and make it appear but pastime. There was a time when to go to a raising was esteemed by the farmer's boy the ne plus ultra of enjoyment. and. having heard the announcement of one of these grand oenasions, his brain wis full of the thought of it un- til he witnessed the fulfillment of his anticipations. Whisky flowed freely on these gala days, but reckless intemperance was probably no more common then than now.

Couspien ms among the pioneers were the Critch- lows, and the name is still very commou. William Critchlow. whose daughter, Mrs. Gray, is still living, lived on a farm about a mile from James. The Critchlows and Donthetts made an excellent selection of land, and the part of the township where they lo- cated is now highly improved. James Critchlow was a Revolutionary soldier, and took part in the Indian wars later. Several members of the Critchlow fam- ily were killed by the Indians the brothers of James, Sr. James, Jr., was a war of- 1512 soldier. All the Critchlow family, sons and daughters of James. Sr .. are now dead. Their names were John. Mary. Mar- tha. Jane. David. James. Archibald and Ellen. James and Archibald died in this township. James died in 1559, aged sixty five. His son, Sanmel H .. now openpies the old homestead.

Matthew Williams, a native of Ireland, came to this country about the year 1798, and. about the year 1800, settled on the Goehring farm in this township. He was a man of better education than the average pioneer, having studied the classics at Edinburgh. Scotland, and completed his education at Washington and Jefferson College. in this State. In 1806. he married Elizabeth Barnhill. of Red Stone. Westmoreland County After coming to this coun- ty. he began preaching in the Covenanter faith. and continuing this work in Butler and Allegheny Coun- ties until 1827. when he died. at the age of sixty. He was a man of earnestness and sincerity. and was widely known by people of his faith. His wife was often left alone for days together while he was away preaching, and many times the wolves and bears came

RESIDENCE OF

WM. M. BROWN.

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTV.

near to her door. Mr. Williams had four preaching appointments -Pine Creek and Deer Creek in Alle- gleny County, and Union and Slippery Roek in this county. He moved from this county in 1815. His son Matthew returned to this township and settled in 1865. The children of Rev. Matthew Williams were: Martha (McClellan-deceased), Ann, Mary. Elizabeth (Young), Nanoy Jane, James and David (deceased), Joseph, William. Matthew and John. Joseph and William reside in Allegheny County. Joseph is a wealthy farmer, and is the founder of a town called Boston, three miles from Mckeesport. Rev. John Williams, the youngest son, is a preacher in Sulli- van County, N. Y., where he has been engaged in the ministry for the last thirty years.

On the farm adjoining the Waldron farm on the south lived a family by the name of Bruner. Henry Bruner. the father, was the victim of a melancholy accident, or, as some say, was deliberately murdered. One Sunday morning, he and his son Jacob were ont hunting, some two miles from home. They had sep- arated in order to hunt to botter advantage, and Ja- cob saw what he supposed was a deer, fired at it and killed his father. The explanation he gave was this: His father wore a light-colored wool hat. with holes ent in it, that it might not be too warm for his head. The old man was sitting on a log to rest, and Jacob, coming up through the woods. caught sight of the hat, and, mistaking it for the head and eyes of a deer, fired. It is strange that a practiced hunter should not be able to tell the difference between a man's hat and a deer's head. Still. the son may have been ab- solutely innocent of any evil intention. Nothing was ever done to clear up the mystery surrounding the affair.

Joseph McGregor and family were early settlers on the present Dunbar farin. John MeGeorge lived on a farm near McGregor. John Rice was an early settler in the Critchlow neighborhood. William Cratty lived for a time near the site of the Covenanter Church. and ran a distillery, which was much pat- ronized by himself and neighbors. None of those settlers now have representatives in the township.

John Crow emigrated from Ireland and settled in Allegheny County, whonce he moved to this county about 1810. He first settled on the Breakneck. but later moved to the eastern part of the township. tak- ing up a farm on which Samuel Skillings had settled early. Skillings had built a log barn. which is still standing, and doubtless one of the oldest buildings in the township. Another Skillings also settled a part of the same farm. Crow purchased from Will- iam Cratty. His father. William Crow, also settled here with him. John Crow died in 1852. at the age of seventy - five. Of his children, Mary (Donthett) re-

sides in Adams Township; Samuel and William are dead; John resides in Brooklyn, N. Y., and owns the old homestead-a most beautiful farm: David B. re- sides in this township, on a part of the original tract.

About 1836. John Hazlett purchased from Wil- kin-, a land-jobber aud surveyor. the farm now owned by James Sutton-a 200-acre tract, for $600. Itis son. Joseph, and Robert H. Kinnear, were subsequent owners.

John Hamel ] moved from Washington County to Butler County abont 1814; and settled in Forward Township, near Petersville. Of his children. two sons and two daughters are living. James, of Penn Township. is the only representative of this family now living in the county. John Hamel was an 1812 soldier, and was wounded at the battle of Lundy's Lane. He died in 1832.

Zachariah Coneby. now a resident of Forward Township. about 1842 settled on a farm about one mile from his present home. He is a native of Mary- land. Of his eight children. tive are living, viz. : Charles. Penn Township: Hannah J. (Sankey), New Castle; Mary (Small), dead: Joseph B., Allegheny City; Priscilla (Hunter), Nebraska; Homer, Forward Township; Clara (dead); and Lonisa (List). also de. ceased. The growth of the township in wealth and population was exceedingly slow. Land-jobbers bought the rights of settlers who became dissatisfied with their locations and sought to better their fortunes elsewhere, and for a long time many tracts were with- out occupants. Wilkins and Benjamin Chew held pos- session of much of the land for years, and at length disposed of it at very moderate prices. As late as thirty years ago. there were farms still unsettled.

Martin Behin emigrated from Germany and, about 1850, settled on an unimproved place. David Dick- ey. who died in 1865, came here in 1851 from Alle- gheny County. and settled on the farm where his sons. W. W. and A. A. Diekey. now live. He purchased his land from Benjamin Chew. the original patenter. Small improvements had previously been made upon the place.

The manufacturing interests of this township have never been extensive. Excepting in saw-mills and grist-mills. there has been but little machinery in use. Some fifty years ago. Samuel Minis erected a small frame building on what is now the Robert Me. Nair farm, on the Connoquenessing. He and Will- iam B. Evans here carried on for some years the bus iness of spinning, carding and fulling.

EARLY SCHOOLS.

Previous to 1835, there were no district schools. and the small school privileges enjoyed by the pio. neers' children before that date were confined to the

HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

tuition schools, kept in rudely constructed log school. houses or deserted log cabins, frequently by men who were of no earthly arronut or usefulness save in the capacity of seho dnistors Many of the aged and respected citizens of this county never attended school in a house which had glass windows, and nover stud- iol a text-book on geography or English grammar. The schools were usually a winter term of three months, rarely held for two winters in succession. Three miles was a short distance for the scholars of that day to walk. often through the snow and mud. and never over gool roads. An early school. ou the farm of Joseph Brown in the eastern part of the township, was in operation several years, and was at- tendel by the children of numerous settlers, residents of the present townships of Middlesex, Penn and Forward. For the settlers of the western part of the township. a school was established just north of where Evansbar is at an early dat ... Here some good teach- ers labored -at least in those days they were consid- ered good. though. if living to-day, it is very doubt- ful whether they would be able to secure a certificate of fitness. Archibald Gray and Archibaldl McCollister were the first teachers in this school. Gray was ac- counted a good scholar. Ho had been a sea captain, and was believed to have made money by it. He was a very gentlemanly and popular teacher. From this neighborhood he moved to Prospect. McCollister was an early settler, who died in this township. He taught school in varions places, and is still remem- bered by some who were his pupils. John Supple. who is describe las " a broken down Enghsh gentle- man." was another early teacher in the old shoolhouse above mentioned. Another schoolmaster was wounded veteran of the war of 1512. Joseph Alward. who came here a widower, and afterward married Mary, daughter of Michael Martin, an early settler. Later he settled near Tarentum, where he was shot by a neighbor with whom he had a dispute, and died from the effects of the wound.

There was an early schoolhouse on the John Stewart farm, where teachers named Kirk. Adam Bay- les. MeCollister and Sibbles taught. On John Ban- ninger's farm was another schoolhouse, with paper windows, puncheon benches, stick an l mnd chimney. Here Isaae Sutton and William Mc Kinney were teach- ers. Mckinney was quite a hoaster, and said much of his ability to manage refractory pupils. He did not propose to be "barred out." Ah. no! not he: unless condign punishment was visited upon the offenders. He would "make 'em smart for it" if they tried that game But one day he came to the house and sought admittance in vain. The boy- had been busy sines 2 o'clock A. M., preparing for his ar. rival. Almost his first question was, " Have you a

paper prepared? " On receiving an affirmative reply, he asked to see the treaty, and at once signed it. Four dozen cakes and four bushels of apples was the stipulation demanded, and to this he assented without murmur or complaint.

Later, there was a schoolhouse upon the Rose farm, near Petersville, and another on the Carson farm. in the same neighborhood. Alexander Par- viance, David McDonall. Daniel Graham, Esq., William, Thomas and James MeKinney, and Sarah Slater, were faithful and competent teachers who la- bored here.

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History of Butler County, Pennsylvania. With illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 54

Author: Waterman, Watkins & Co., Chicago, pub Publication date: 1883 Publisher: Chicago, Waterman, Watkins & Co. Number of Pages: 638

Author: Waterman, Watkins & Co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Chicago, Waterman, Watkins & Co.
Number of Pages: 638