USA > Pennsylvania > Butler County > History of Butler County, Pennsylvania. With illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 58
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In the spring of 1794, Patrick Harvey returned to the spot he had settled for his home, built a log cabin, and during his atay cleared and feneed ten aeres. His land was heavily timbered, as was generally the case with the lands of the southern half of this township. While engaged in this work, he was entirely alone in the wilderness, his nearest neighbors being at Freeport. About the Ist of May, 1795, he came from Westmoreland with his family-then consisting of his wife and two children-bring -. ing them and his goods on packhorse. That year he plantel wheat and corn, and theneeforth he resided here, continuing his work of clearing and improving. The wheat and corn which he raised during his first and second year he was obliged to take thirty miles to Dennissonstown, Westmoreland County, in order to have it ground, fording the river with his horses.
In 1796, this family began to have a few neighbors. These settlers had to bring salt, iron and other articles from east of the mountains. It was customary for one volunteer from a neigh- borhood to go about once a year. taking along five or six horses, with such products as the settlers had to sell, and bring back a supply of salt and other necessary articles for himself and neighbors. This custom continued several years until salt works were established in Westmoreland County. These early setilers all manufactured their own clothes, and occasionally had some surplus linen to sell. Some cloth that was made by his family, Mr. Harvey rook to Harrisburg to sell, and with the proceeds he purchased material for a silk dress and three silk umbrellas. His son, Mr. William Harvey, says he remembers this well, as these were the first articles of the kind that he ever saw.
In 1798, Mr. Harvey raised a log barn. 26x60 feet in its dimensions. It was a simple structure, consisting of round logs with a clapboard roof : but help was so scarce that the raising required seven days' labor-and we might add, considerable quantities of whisky. Settlers from Freeport came to the rais- ing. some of whom remained until the building was finished.
MRS. WILLIAM HARVEY.
Some time Inter, Frank Karns, Sheriff of Westmoreland County, saw the harn and pronounced it the hest in Butler County.
Patrick Harvey was a man of medium size, but of a strong constitution, capable of a great deal of hard work. It was his eustom to keep two teams of horses, and while plowing, to have his meals brought to him in the field, and changing the horses for fresh ones at meal time, he, himself, kept at work from early morning until night. He was a true type of the earnest, courageous pioneer; industrious and frugal by nature, and honest, frank and sineere in his intercourse with men.
A daughter, Martha, born to Mr. and Mrs. Harvey in the year 1796, was, very probably, the first white child born in this part of the county. Mr. Harvey died in 1849, Mrs. Harvey in 1831. They had ten children, all of whom reached mature years ex- cepting one son. There are only two survivors, James and William, who live upon the homestead farm. The names of the children were as follows : Margaret ( Kirkpatrick ), Mary | Pat- ton), Martha (remained single), Anna ( Forceythe ), Jane ( Ful- ton), "'atharine ( Kirkpatrick), lames, William and John, and Naney ( l'otts). John died at the age of six. James, born in 1806, married first Mary Ann Norris, and second, Margaret Ann Fulton. He is the father of four children, all of whom are living.
William Harvey, born in 1808, has resided continually on the farm. Ile was married, January 10, 1824, to Bettie .Inn Potts, daughter of James Potts, an early settler of Middlesex Township. She was born in this county in 1808. In. January, 1858, Mr. and Mrs. llarvey will celebrate their golden wedding. To them have been born twelve children, eight of whom are still living. The first, at son, diedl in infancy. John resides in Clinton Township ; Hannah Ann (Criswell) in Sharpsburg: James died in Issh. aged forty-three; William llarrison esides in Clinton , Patrick Newton, in South Pittsburg, Allegheny County ; Jane Love, Clinton ; George Potts, Clinton ; Alexander died at the age of three years ; Isaiah Niblock resides in Clinton ; Alexander. in MeKean County : Alfred Milton died at the age of three. All of the children now living are married, excepting George, who is a widower. The grandchildren of Mr. and Mrs. Harvey number fifty-three. forty-seven of whom are living. Mr. Harvey and four of his sons were in the army, as will be seen from the uil- tary record in this volume. lle enlisted when fifty-four years of age, and served as First Lieutenant in Company D, One Hundred and Thirty-seventh Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. His sons, James, Harrison, George an I Newton, were in the ser- vice. James was alsoa First Lieutenant.
William Harvey now holdls his sixth commission as Justice of the Peace, and during the long termi he has hell the office, never has a case from his docket gone to enurt. This is a most unusual record. Mr. Harvey has a most vivid recollection of pioncer days, and is now passing the evening of his life on the place whose changes and improvements he has helped to make, and which he has seen transformed from & wilderness to a beautiful and pleasant home.
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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
Thomas Walker, from Cumberland County, moved to this county in 1823, from Washington County, where they had resided a short time. They purchased
1.000 acres in one tract of land at $2.50 per acre. 1 few years before the same tract had been offered to Patrick Harvey for $2. by Mr. Lowry, its owner: but Harvey said he would not take it as a gift and pay taxes on it. The land lies in Buffalo and Clinton Townships, and upon it are now some most excellent farms, smooth. fertile and beautiful. The Walker brothers lived in a wagon until they could preet a cabin. Both came here single and for a year they kept bachelor's hall. lived on mush principally. Their bread they procured from the Burtner family. After a year of this life their sister Jane came and kept house for them. Their brother William, who held an interest in the land with them, came later. Jonathan Walker died in 1879. in his eighty-third year. Ho married Rebecca Meeks, of Allegheny County. His son Jonathan lives upon the old farm. Thomas never married.
William Walker, widely known in this county as Squire Walker, died in 1855, aged seventy-two. He served in the United States Navy five years, and was in the war of 1812. He had studied law when young, and after removing from Cumberland County to Pittsburgh, was Clerk of Courts in Allegheny County several years. After settling here he was Justice of the Peace for many successive years.
William Hay moved from Franklin County about 1525, and settled on the farm where his son James now lives. His brother James, who, with William. had purchased 200 acres, had settled here several years earlier. The land was in' the Cunningham District, so called. and was conveyed by deed from Philip Mowry and wife to James and William Hay, April 6, 1803. William Hay raised six children: the oldest, named William, died in the army; James resides in Clinton: John in Armstrong County; Jane (Cruikshank). in Winfield Township; Ruth (Bartley). in Michigan. and Martha (Cunningham). in Jefferson Township.
Robert Thompson, son of William Thompson, an early settler of Middlesex, was a soldier from this county in the war of 1812. In 1828, he settled in Clinton Township, on the farm now occupied by his son William M. He married. for his first wife, Mar- garet Coulter, and for his second Mary Brown. The children of the first marriage were Ellen (Brown). Clinton. and James, deceased. By the second mar- riage, John, Kansas City; Margaret (Brewer) and William M .. Clinton; Robert, Bradford, Penn. ; Mary Ann (Henry) and Catharine (Montgomery). Allegheny County. Robert Thompson died in ISSO, in his eighty-ninth year.
John Gibson, in 1528, settled upon the farm now owned by his son George M .. moving here from Alle- gheny County. For his first purchase, he paid $2.50 per acre. The land was then entirely unimproved. John Gibson was a soldier from Washington County in the war of 1812. and served under Gten. Harrison. Hle was the father of ton children; eight are still liv. ing. viz., Andrew (deceased). Nancy ( McCannanghey). Beaver County: George M .. Clinton; Eliza ( Morgan). Jefferson County; John, deceased; James, Clinton; Sarah Bette (Lardin). Allegheny County: Evan S., Kansas: Robert, Penn Township: Thomas. Missouri.
James Criswell and his wife, Jane ( Brownlow). came into the township from Washington County in 1831, and settled near the Allegheny County line. Mr. Criswell died in 1870, at the age of eighty-two years. He was the father of a large family. of whom all are living but one -Eliza (Norris). William is in Allegheny City; James in Sharpsburg; Lititia (Mar- shall) in Kansas: Thomas in McKeesport. Joseph has been for the past twelve years a resident of But. ler Township. John is in Sharpsburg: Ross in Rich- burg, and Susan (Burtner) in West Virginia.
The farm now occupied by Thomas Westerman was bought by him and his brother James in 1832. It consisted, originally, of about 500 acres, aud cost $800. Soon after the purchase of the farm. John Pennant, Mr. Westerman's father-in-law, came upon it and remained until his death. Mrs. Pennant diel in 1852, aged ninety years. In 1813, this farm was purchased by a society styled the Belvidere Commu nity of Practical Christians, of which one William Hick was the leader and moving spirit. He was es- sentially an unmitigated rascal, and his "community" soon learned to know it. The society did not thrive. and Mr. Westerman got the farm back into his pos- session after troublesome litigation.
Thomas Westerman is a native of England. and emigrated to this country in 1829. For some years. he was employed as foreman in the machine shops of the cotton mills at Pittsburgh, where he distinguished himself as a very expert workman. He continued working at his trade until 1861, and since that time has resided upon his farm. He moved his family to this township in 1843.
Matthew Bicket settled on the farm where he now lives in 1835 His only son. Harvey, lives upon the place with him. Mr. Bicket came from Ireland to America in 1823. with his father, Matthew Bieket. his brother Thomas and his sisters, Henrietta and Margaret. The family first settled in Winfield Town- ship. where Thomas resides. One sister is living Margaret (Caruthers), in Iowa.
James Hemphill was born in Ireland, and came to America when nine years old. In 1935, he came
252
HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
from Allegheny County and settled upon the farm he now occupies. A shanty had been erected upon the place and a small clearing of about three aeres mado by Thomas Dutf.
About 1836. James Wood moved from Allegheny County to this township, and lived upon the Maizland farm. He afterward sold and removed to Taren- tum. His son William settled upon the farm he now occupies in 1858. In place of a slightly im- proved farm, with only log buildings upon it, he now has over 370 acres of land, mostly highly cultivated, and most beautiful buildings.
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William Norris moved from Allegheny County to ' crawled into the dark cave. Presently he saw two his present farm in 1837. A few improvements had previously been made by Alexander Dutf. One hun- dred acres were purchased by Mr. Norris father. Rob- ert Norris, for $150. Mr. Norris has reared a family of twelve children, all of whom are living. five sons and seven daughters, All reside in this county, ex- eept one son, who lives in Allegheny County.
James Norris, a native of Ireland. moved from Allegheny County to this township in 1837. and. in 1838, settled upon the farm on which his son James H. now resides. His first purchase of 100 acres was from Michael Stepp, and the price paid was about $7 per acre. James Norris died in 1870; he was the father of eight children, five now living. viz., John C., James H., and Melissa E. (Marshall), Clinton Town. ship. Two of the sons were in the army-Harrison all through the war. William Henry died in the service.
Henry Kirkpatrick, a native of Indiana County. purchased the farm on which he now lives, in 1828, and settled upon it in 1543. He learned the black- smith's trade and worked at it a number of years in Kentucky, Ohio and Indiana.
In 1551, Presley Katz moved from Allegheny County and settled on the farm where his son Alvin B. now lives.
George and John Maizland moved to this town- ship, from Allegheny County. in IS58. George is now deceased, and his farm is occupied by his sons, George and James. John Maizland still resides upon the farm.
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John Wood, another Allegheny County settler. located on the farm now ocenpied by himself and his sons in 1858.
A BEAR STORY.
In the early years of the settlement as Patrick Harvey was on his way to Sarver's Mill one day, he tracked a bear, and following up the trace. ran the bruto into a den of rocks some distance above Sarver's. Returning home, he told his neighbors, and readily obtained their promise to join him in his efforts to capture the bear. So, with Plants, Stincheomb and
two or three others, he returned to the spot with dogs, guns and other paraphernalia of the chase. The dogs worried the bear so that several times he issued forth, and each time was fired upon. Finally, he was quiet in his den, and neither sending the dogs in nor discharging the guns into the cavern served to move him, but his growls could be heard oeeasionally. The party saw no way of getting at him and were about giving up, defeated. Harvey said, "Hold on, I'll go in and try him; " and having cansed a rope to be tied to his leg, so that he could be drawn out in case of attack. he took his gun in his hand and
large angry eyes, glaring like balls of fire. Bring- ing his weapon to his shoulder, he aimed direetly between them, fired, and soon the bear was dead. Then, taking the rope from his own leg, he tied it to the bear and slowly backed out through the narrow space by which he had entered. When he was out. side his companions speedily drew the dead bear ont. He was a huge fellow, and his hindquarters dressed over a hundred pounds each.
EARLY SCHOOLS.
Every person has delightful recollections of his school days, and the old residents of this county are no exception. We have never mentioned carly schools to them that it did not cause a smite to over- spread their faces; and usually with a hearty langh. they relate the ludicrous features of their school life. Certainly, if one of the pioneer schoolhouses were in existence to-day, with its stick chimney, it paper windows, its log walls, puncheon benches and rude writing desk, it might well afford us pleasure to con- trast it with the comfortable houses of the present, rejoieing that such houses are no longer in nse.
An early schoolhouse was situated on the Davis farm, in the western part of the township. The school was taught by Michael Herran, Robert Cun- ningham and others,
On the Riddle farm was one of the earliest school- houses in the settlement. Later, schoolhouses were built in various localities until the free school system established them with some regularity.
James Jack, Robert Cunningham, Edward Mc- Corkle, dames Love, Thomas Watson, William Mc- Gary and others were early teachers. MeGary was rather fond of whisky, and frequently it got the mas- tory over him. One day he fell asleep in his seat, and was snoring away londly, his hand outstretched and his attitude very unschoolmaster-like. One of the scholars came up and dropped a hot fire coal in his hand. Quick as lightning the teacher was on his feet, rubbing his hands together briskly. " Who did that ? " he shouted. No answer. "I'll find ont," he
HENRY KIRKPATRICK.
EX
LC
FLOUR MILL OF RINHOLT & ALWINE, & RESIDENCE OF FRANCIS ALWINE.
253
HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
roared, and then proceeded to whip every scholar in ! David Williams and John Carnahan. The number school. Of course, his services as an educator were |of members was twenty-five. The present member- ship is eighty-seven. The first Elders elected were James Hemphill and Stephen Brewer: the first Trust- ves, J. B. Cunningham, J. C. Norris and Thompson Love. A house of worship, 36x50 feet, was erected in 1875, at a cost of $1,300, and dedicated March 28, 1879.
then at an end. "Barring ont " was universally prac- ticed. and sometimes the schoolmaster was very roughly treated. Watson was once barred out and attempted to climb into the house through the win- dow, when he was assaulted with hickory withes by boys who hal remained outside. Waiting until all were in the schoolhouse, he climbed upon the roof, covered the chimney with sticks and smoked out the whole school.
The number of school districts in Clinton Town. ship is six, and each contains a good briek school- house.
JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.
1854, Cyrus E. Anderson; 1855, William Harvey; 1860, Samuel B. MeNeal, William Harvey; 1865, Samuel Anderson, James Criswell: 1870. James Criswell. Samuel Anderson; 1875, William Harvey, William A. Walker: 1550, John B. Davis, William Harvey; 1581, William Harvey.
WESTMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
Rev. Abraham Boyd began preaching in this neighborhood early. In 1535, he organized the Westminster Church, with nineteen members. The first Ellers were James Boyd and William MeGeary. Mr. Boyd became pastor of the church and continued his labors until 1847. Rev. E. Ogden was pastor from 1548 to 1858. and was succeeded by Rev. John V. Miller, 1858 to 1863; Rev. J. MePherson, 1865 to 1872: Rev. J. T. Patterson. 1574 to 1879. In 1580, the present pastor. Rev. John S. Atkinson, began his labors.
The first public meetings were held in a tent. Abont 1845, a log church was erected. The present church edifice (brick, 44x60 feet) was built in 1852. and cost $1,600.
CLINTON U. P. CHURCH.
The Associate Reformed Church had an organiza- tion very early A sketch was promised the historian, but on account of its non-arrival. only the following account can be given:
The first house of worship was a small log build- ing, 22x25 feet in its dimensions, erected about 1844. The seats were made of planks hewed from split logs. Later, high pews of boards were constructed. The present church, a substantial building. was erected in 1954, at a cost of about $1,600.
OAK GROVE U. P. CHURCH,
The congregation of Oak Grove U. P. Church was organized August 27, 1575, by a committee of the Allegheny Presbytery, consisting of Rev. N. E. Wade.
1
INDUSTRIAL ITEMS.
Francis Anderson built the first saw-mill in the township, on the Riddle farm. He also owned one of the first wagons over brought to the settlement.
The first and only grist-mill was the Lardin Mill.
David Walter built the first frame house about the year 1510. Probably the second was built by Adam Ekas. John Wiley had the first brick house in the township.
The first store was started by James Wood, about forty-five years ago.
About 1818, Arthur Kirk built a carding-mill and woolen-mill, in the northern part of the township, which continued in operation until the time of the war.
Riddle's Cross Roads is the only post office in the township. The date of its establishment could not be ascertained.
A number of blacksmiths find work in the town- ship. Perhaps a shop that does as much business as any is the blacksmith and wagon shop of John B. Davis. in the northwestern part of the township. Mr. Davis commenced business here in 1869.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
HENRY KIRKPATRICK.
Henry Kirkpatrick, the only surviving son of Sam- uel and Rebecca Kirkpatrick, was born in Indiana County, Penn., January 8, 1801. His parents had eight children: Jane, who died in infancy: Margaret, the wife of William Martin, resides in Lawrence City. Kan .: Nancy, married William Dunmore, and resides in Indiana County. The other members of the fam ily were Bebecca, James. Thomas, Henry and John. John served in the war with Mexico, and was killed in battle. Henry is the only one now living. The father was seven years a soldier in the Revolutionary war. He entered a tract of land in Indiana County. upon which he resided until his death. He died on the Ilth of September, 1816, at the age of sixty-nine. His wife survived until January. 1852. and died at the ripe old age of eighty six. He resided with Hen ry. Both were members of the Presbyterian Church.
254
HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
Henry Kirkpatrick eame to Bufler County in 1528. and purchased the farm on which he now resides. He did not settle here. however, until 1843. but worked at the blacksmith's trade in Kentucky. Indiana and Ohio and Pennsylvania for twenty years. Two of his brothers settled in the neighborhood. and resided here until their decease. Thomas, who located in 1831. on a tract of land adjoining Henry on the east. and James, who settled upon a farm west of Henry, in 1837.
Mr. Kirkpatrick was married. June 1. 1843, to Miss Mary Ann Patton, of Armstrong County, and is the fa- ther of six children-John P., Rebecca J., Mary C., Samuel. James and Margaret E. Mary C. died May i. 1850. aged about fifteen months. James died Au- gust 17. 1863. at the age of ten years. The other children are living, and all reside at home, except Samuel. who is a practicing physician in New Bed- ford. Lawrence County. The oklest son. John P .. was in the service one year during the late war as a member of Company 1. One Hundred and Twelfth Regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteers (Sixth Heavy Artillery ).
Mrs. Kirkpatrick died January 23. 1573. at the age of sixty-three. She was a true and faithful wife and mother and a devofed member of the Presbyterian Church.
Mr. Kirkpatrick. although eighty-two years of age. is still hale and vigorous, and lives in quiet en- joyment of the fruits of many years of earnest toil. When he came to his farm it was all in timber, and it required the exercise of constant and unwearied effort to render it suitable for cultivation. He erect- ed a log house and a log stable in IS43, and began life after the manner of all pioneers, In 1859, the log house gave place to a good frame dwelling, and in 1865. a substantial barn was erected. The farm is underdrained by 800 rods of well-built stone drains, and has many other noticeable improvements.
CHAPTER XXVII.
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BUFFALO.
Pieluresque Scenery-The Pioneers, the Bells, Elliotts, Sarvers, etc - Joseph Smmmtuers' Death-Massy Harbison- Stories about John Black - Early Mills-Villages.
B EFORE the re-organization of townships in 1854, Buffalo was one of the largest townships in the county, being nearly nine miles in length and eight in width, and including portions of the present town- ships of Clinton, Jefferson and Winfield. In this chapter will be treated only that portion of the conn- ty now known as Buffalo Township.
Buffalo is situated in the southeastern corner of Butler County, and is bounded thus: On the north, by Winfield Township: on the east. by Armstrong County; on the south. by Allegheny County: and on the west, by Clinton Township. It is a thriving ag- ricultural region, in which the marks of improve- ment are very conspienons. The soil is of average fertility, well adapted to the production of grass. grain and fruit Clayey loam predominates. but. near the streams, some portions are sandy. The sur- face is diversified by two principal water-courses - Ltitle Buffalo Creek and Big Buffalo which. with numerous small tributaries, drain almost the entire territory of the township. The valleys of the streams are generally deep and narrow, with rocky banks, upon which man's labor has not yet essayed to remove the wild impress of nature. The contour of the coun- try is hilly and broken.
No part of Butler County has more picturesque natural beauty than Buffalo Township The Little Buffalo. or rather that branch of this stream known as Smith's Creek, enters the township from the north, and, flowing southerly, is joined near Sarversville by Sarver's Branch from the northwest. The traveler following either of these streams downward will ob- serve that his surroundings constantly grow wilder as he descends: while from their junction the Little Buffalo. as it winds its hasty course through its rocky barriers, becomes grandly impressive from the beauty of its environments. The creek bends gradually east- ward. and. about a mile from the county line. joins the Big Buffalo. The latter stream enfers this county from Armstrong. very near the northeastern corner of Buffalo Township, and emerges about midway of the line separating this township from Armstrong County. Many hemlock and pine trees derive support from the scanty soil of the banks of these creeks. and their dark green foliage adds beauty and attraetivo- ness to the lovely scenery. The gore of land between the two Buffalos, especially its northern portion, con- tains a number of round-topped. mound shaped hills some of them being of a sufficient height to command a view of a large expanse of country. He who elimbs them may read from nature's own book and feast his sight upon pictures of surpassing loveliness.
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