USA > Pennsylvania > Butler County > History of Butler County, Pennsylvania. With illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 62
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101
Mr. Nixon was twice elected Auditor of Butler County, and. in 1866, was elected Register and Recorder. Since the expiration of his term of office he has resided upon his farm in Penn Township. October 25, 1875, he was married to Jennie Temple. Mr. Nixon has always claimed that his courtship was longer than was neces-
MRS. SIMEON NIXON.
sary. He talked to the lady of his choice about three hours before he married her, and the two had never been acquainted until the evening on which the ceremony took place. The children of this union are Simeon Nixon. Jr .. born Angust 5, 1876; John Brown Nixon, born June 3. 1>78 : and Thomas Paine Nixon. boru August 12, 1880. Although Mr. Nixon is an infidel. he was once honored by being elected Trustee of the Methodist Camp-Meeting Association. He regarded the association as the best social institution of the neigh- borhood in which he lived. Simeon Nixon has always been known as an active supporter of the principles of the Republican party. He has contributed many arti- eles to the local press under his own signature, and the nom de plume. " Meteor." "Justice," ete. These arti- eles have attracted much attention on account of their vigorous style, delicate humor and powerful satire. He was the author of " My Policy," a pamphlet extensively virenlated as a campaign document in 1868. His arti- eles on " National Reform." and his sarcastic reply to its advocates were much read and commented upon by the people of this county. Mr. Nixon was a member of the National Liberal League Convention which met at Philadelphia in 1876. He was the founder and Score- tary of the Penn Township Farmers' Club, and has favored every organization of labor ng men to resist the influence of monopoly. Mr. Nixon was also the main organizer and chief manager of the Penn Township " Harvest Homes," which have been largely attended. lle has always been a fast friend of the common schools. and. on the 224 of February. 1576, held an intellectual fair in Butler, which was a grand success Mrs. Jennie Nixon was born in Rockdale, Jefferson County. Penn .. December 22, 1557. Her father. John Temple, is a Baptist clergyman. now living in Smithfield. Ohio. Ha was born in Westmoreland County. Her mother was born in Ireland, and is still living
269
HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
honey ? remained as much of a mystery as ever, and this is the first time the important seeret has ever been divulged.
PIONEER SCHOOLS.
Previous to the establishment of a free school sys- tem, all schools were conducted upon the tuition plan, each parent paying a certain sum proportionate to the number of scholars he sent. Schools were fre- quently held in deserted log cabins, or sometimes in one room of a dwelling. When schoolhouses were built, they were for use and not for comfort. We have been told by men who attended these schools that they have sat at the writing desk when the ink would freeze upon their pens, and it would be neces- sary to thaw it by the breath in order to continue writing. Most of the pioneer schoolhouses were built after the same pattern, and consisted of a rude struct- ure of round logs, with a door of splits or puncheons in one end, a floor of loosely laid puncheons, a ceiling of split saplings and a roof of long shingles or "shakes." hell down by weight-poles. Extending across one end of the building was a huge fire-place, built of stones, with a chimney of sticks, mud and stones surmounting it. The walls were plastered up with mud to keep the cold out-or some of it. One log was usually cut out, and across the intervening space sticks were placed: upon these leaves of copy books, greased to make them translucent as well as capable of resisting rain, were pasted. Beneath this window was the writing desk-a slab or puncheon, held in place by pins driven into the log, and extend- ing the whole length of the cabin. The seat under- neath the writing desk was made of a log or pole, with legs at each end, elevating it so high that the pupils' feet could not reach the floor. The benches on which the scholars sat were made in the same way-at first puncheons with legs in them; and later slabs. As years went by, the greased paper lights gave place to small panes of window glass, arranged in the space between the logs as before described. A schoolhouse of this description was early built in Forward Township, and in it pupils from Penn re- ceived instruction.
Probably the first schoolhouse in the township was a small log building which stood on the Jacob Hartzell farm. Here " Master" Sterrett taught school, and a little later John Boyle, a " terror to evil doers and little boys." Funston was the name of an- other early teacher. The pedagogne was invariably called the "master," and he was generally true to his name, except on occasions when " barring out " or putting sulphur in the fire compelled him to make concessions. Barring out was a universal practice, and old and young delighted in seeing it carried out
successfully. When the master found the door of his school room securely fastened, he knew that he must either " treat " his scholars or sign a treaty of peace agreeing to do so at some future time.
The early school teachers were Irishmen, and usually fond of showing their authority. Few are remembered who were noted for their mildness, and none can be charged with sparing the rod unduly. Reading, writing and "figuring" were the only branches taught: few of the early pupils, or teachers, we might say, knew anything of geography or En- glish grammar; they had never heard of it, and it was years before these useful studies were introduced into the schools. Reading was taught from the Bible or the old English Reader. Each pupil was assigned a lesson by himself, and made to recite it alone: class work was a thing unheard of.
The first schoolhouse in the eastern part of the township was a building of round logs, which stood on a corner of Thomas Bartley's farm. Here Bap- tiste Hall, an arbitrary, authoritative master, more than suspected of being fond of whisky, swayed the rod. William Dixon also taught school here about the year 1821.
Summer schools were unusual if not unknown in early times. A term of about twelve weeks in the winter was the only educational opportunity afforded the children of the pioneers. Frequently, too, a year went by withont there being any school.
INDUSTRIAL NOTES.
The industries of Penn Township, excepting ag- riculture and the oil business, are not numerous nor extensive.
The first saw-mill in the township was built by Moses Crispin on Thorn Creek about 1820. It was a small frame building. The mill was in operation several years, and boards obtained from it by the settlers were found to be a great convenience as well as a vast improvement upon the puncheons hitherto in nse. A part of the ruins of the old mill are still visible.
Probably the first whisky made in the township came from Robert Bartley's still. Robert Eady, on the Riddle farm, also had a small distillery.
D. A. Renfrew, in 1868, built upon the Conno- quenessing the first grist-mill ever erected in the township. It was known as Penn Mills. Its capac- ity for a day of twelve hours was about seventy bushels of wheat and one hundred and twenty bushels of chopped feed. Mr. Renfrew erected his saw-mill in 1854. These mills were burned in June, 1882, but will be at once rebuilt
Hiram and S. J. Rankin are the proprietors of a steam saw-mill and feed-chopping mill in the south-
270
HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
ern part of the township. This mill was erected in 157%.
The first store in the township was started at Brownsdale in ISE. A little later. Samuel Gamble opened a store not far from the present Sutton store. on the plank road. The first post office was Browns- dale, the second Maharg. John E. Maharg was the first Postmaster at the latter office.
The first frame house in the township was prob- ably Robert Eady's, built forty five or fifty years ago. lames Donglass about the same time built the house now owned by James Martin.
.
BROWNSDALE.
This little hamlet, consisting of about a dozen houses, is situated among the hills of the western part of Penn Township The place was named for 1. M. Brown, Esq .. of Allegheny County, who es- tablished a store here in 1811. A post office was soon created. and Mr. Brown appointed Postmaster. The store has continued up to the present time with several changes of proprietorship. Brownsdale now receives a mail three times a week. It is a thrifty and very busy little place, considering its size. The present business interests and the date of their estab- lishment are exhibited in the following summary:
D. B. Donthett, merchant. ISSI.
Michael Nicklas, blacksmith and carriage-smith.
J. D. Martin, wagon shop. 1570.
Ramsey & Nixon, blacksmiths. 1579. William Nixon began this business in 1577. and was joined by A. J. Ramsey as partner in 1579. Isaac Blakely, marble entter. ISSO. Grafton Shorts, shoo-maker, ISS1.
Dr. C. L. Campbell attends to the medical prac. tire of the vicinity.
RENFREW CITY.
In consequence of the Bald Ridge vil developments elsewhere mentioned, a thriving oil town has sprung up during the present year on the land of D. 1 Renfrew, in the northwestern part of the township. Simeon Nixon was the pioneer settler of the place. aud opened a boarding house here in January, ISS2. Lots were laid out in April, and speedily a number of buildings were erected. Renfrew City has since become a railroad station: has a post office. three hotels, five stores, several groceries and the usual industries of oil towns. It is a young but very active village.
CHURCHES.
No churches were organized in this township very early, owing to the scattered condition of the settle-
ment. Religious meetings, however, wer. held at. schoolhouses and in privato dwellings long before any societies were formed or churches built.
Thorn Creek Methodist Episcopal Church. Methodist meetings were occasionally hold during many years, but no regular organization was effected until abont 1537, when a class was formed in the eastern part of the township. at the house of John Kennedy, consisting of John and Anna Kennedy. Thomas Robinson, Betsey Cunningham. Hamilton Cunningham, Nancy Cunningham, Elijah Buckhart, Rebecca Buckhart and perhaps one or two others. John Kennedy was class leader, and held that po- sition several years.
The name of the preacher who formed the class is not remembered. Revs. Megown. Cooper. Murray and Williamson were early preachers.
The class met for some years in private houses. and afterward in a log building erected for religious purposes on the southwest corner of Hamilton Cun- ningham's farm. This rude building was known far and wide as the " Temple," and services continued to be held in it until the present church edifice was erected. The " Temple " was a small log building, probably 20:26 feet, with low walls and seats of slabs. For some time after the walls were up, it stood with- ont a roof. It was then completed and used by va- rions denominations, but toward the last by the Meth- odists alone. Now. like other relies of pioneer days. it has disappeared.
The prosent Methodist Episcopal Church building, completed in 1865, is a comfortable house, in good condition, and rost abont $1.500. The membership at present is about sixty, but it has been larger. In 1550, under the preaching of Roy. Sylvester Lane. quite an interesting revival occurred. which resulted in thirty three converts.
The Baptists of the eastern part of the township had an organization over fifty years of ago, but as their early records are Jost, statement- made by old residents inst supply their place. Meetings wore held for many years at the house of Stephen Luse, who was an active member of the church: also in schoolhonses and barns.
Among the leading early members were William Nixon. James Crutchlow and JJacob Sutton. Rev. Stoughton was an early preacher, and labored many years in this and neighboring churches.
Not until 1850. however, did the church become sufficiently large to justify the Proction of a meeting house. About that date the house now standing east of the plank road was erected. principally through the influence of Isaac Sutton. Roy. Dinsmore was
271
HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
the first preacher after the house was built. Of late years the membership has dwindled until searcely any members remain. No regular meetings have been held for two years.
BROWNSDALE U. P. CHURCH.
Measures wore taken for the formation of this church in 1859. That year a lot was donated by Joseph Douthett, and a subscription paper was eiren lated which received the signatures of various citi. zens, who pledged sufficient aid to encourage the originators to go on and complete the church. 1 building committee was selected, consisting of Joseph Douthett. John W. Martin. Adam Dodds, William M Brown and David Douthett. A neat and convenient house. 10x50 feet. was erected at a cost of about $1,500. This was completed and ready for oc enpancy in 1860.
Previous to the building of this'church meetings were held in the Nixon Schoolhouse. The church was regularly organized during the year 1860. under Rev. William H. Jamison. and consisted of about fifty members.
The first Elders elected wore John W. Martin and David Douthett. Joseph Douthett and John Dodds. Esq .. Ellers, joined: the former from the Union Church. and the latter from the Clinton Church.
The following church officers were elected May 12. 1860: S. C. Donthett, B. S. Donthett and James Maharg. Trustees: Joseph Douthett. Treasurer.
This church is supplied in connection with the I'nion Church. Rev. R. M. Patterson. the first pas. tor. began his labors in 1861. Rev. R. G. Young snc- ceeded him. and the present pastor, Rev. R. P. MeCles. ter. in 1850.
The church is now in a flourishing condition. with . a membership of over eighty persons.
Il'STICES OF THE PEACE.
1551, John Dodds: 1856, John Bartley: 1859. William C. Wallace: 1860, John Q. A. Kennedy: 1861. Joel Kirk: 1865. Joseph Donthett: 1867, Samuel Rea: 1870. Joseph Donthett: 1873, Felix W. Negley: 1875. Joseph Donthett: 1878. Williamson Bartley: 1879, George K. (traham.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
ALEXANDER WELSH.
The Welsh family were of Irish extraction. and can be traced back to Thomas Welsh. who came from that eonutry many years ago and settled in Phil adelphia, where he engaged in the baking business.
which he successfully followed for some years, having in the meantime married Elizabeth ( Welsh). He finally concluded to engage in agricultural pursuits. and removed to Pen Township, where he purchased an extensive tract of land containing 4,200 acres. where he remained until his death occurred in 1853, in his seventy-fourth year; his wife dying in 1873, when lacking but a few days of attaining the ripe old age of eighty-nine years.
They were both members of the Presbyterian Church, of which he was an Elder.
Their children are John, Sarah. Thomas, Ann. George, William. Elizabeth. Rebecca and Alexander, who were born in Philadelphia, and Sarah, William and James, born after coming to Butler County.
Vesander was born February 7, 1819. and was raised on the farm. receiving only such opportunities for an education as were afforded farmers' sons at that early time. Ho chose farming for a business, and owns the old homestead where his father first set- tled.
Mr. Welsh is numbered among that elass of men who do not erave office or station, but quietly pursues the even tenor of his ways, thereby escaping the an- noyances and perplexities that besets those ambitious for distinetion. As a farmer, he is monbered among the successful ones of his township. and daily deports himself so as to earn the respect of the community where he resides.
He was married. in February. 1844, to Sarah Campbell, who died leaving one child -- Rebecea J .. now the wife of George K. Graham, a farmer in Penn Township. In March. IS51, he married Catherine Nickel, who died in January. 1852. and in February, 1861, he was married to Margaret Ann MeGeary. his present wife. Having no children by his second and third marriages. he reared John A. Rifley, and is now providing for two children -Alexander C. and Sarah J. Medfeary.
Mr. and Mrs. Welsh are members of the Presby terian Church.
A tino view of the residence can be found on an- other page.
JAMES D ANDERSON.
In 1933, John Anderson. a native of County Down. freland, came from that country with his wife. Mary (Dunn). and settled in what is now Franklin Township. on a farm. where he remained until his death in August. 1866. when in his ninetieth year. his wife's death occurring in 1959. while in her eightieth year.
They were both consistent members of the Pres- byterian Church, as was also their entire family. Their children were Jane and Samuel, now deceased;
HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
Elizabeth, now Mrs. McCullongh: James D., Mary, now Mrs. Robinson; Margaret, now Mrs. James Mar- tin, in Penn Township,
James D. Anderson was born March 11, 1816, and was reared on his father's farm, receiving a common school education. In 1865, he purchased a farm in Ponn Township, on which he now resides. He is also a stockholder in the Butler Savings Bank, in which he has officiated as Director.
Although not an aspirant for office, he has filled nearly all the positions in the gift of his fellow- townsmen, and in 1876 was elected Register and Re- corder for a term of three years on the Democratic ticket in this, a Republican county, with a majority of some 600 voters, which attests the popularity of Mr. Anderson, who filled the office with credit to him- self and his constituents.
May 24. 1842, he married Mary Ann Martin, who was born January 2, 1522, and is a daughter of Rob- ort and Keziah (MeChire) Martin. Mr. Martin was one of the pioneers of Connoquenessing Township. He raised a company during he war of 1812.
Mr. and Mrs. Anderson are both active members of the Presbyterian Church, and highly honored members of the community where they roside. Their children are Robert M., a farmer in Penn Township; John F. and E. Howard. residents of Denver, Colo .; while Miry A., Elizabeth J., Emma. William C. and Florence reside at home.
HARVEY OSBORN
Daniel Osborn, the father of the subject of this sketch, was born Jannary 17, 1776, and his mother. Mary ( Leich), was born April 23, 1784. Mr. Daniel Osborn was a blacksmith by occupation, and moved from his home in New Jersey to Braddock's Field in Allegheny County, and from there to Pine Town- ship, Allegheny County, where they remained until coming to Butler County, after their son had engaged in farming in Middlesex Township. He died Jan- uary 22, 1869, and she January 10, 1857, respected by all. Their children were Usual, Eliza, Rhoda, Rachael, Oliver, Sarah A., Charles, Charity, Amanda, John and Harvey.
Harvey was born February 22, 1823, in the State of New Jersey, and received a common schont educa- tion.
For nine years Mr. Osborn was quite largely iden- titied with some of the leading railroads of the conn- try, having contracted for the laying of the track from Crestline to Fort Wayne on the Fort Wayne & Chicago Railroad, and for three years was Superin- ten lent of this division. He also superintended, for the company, the laying of the track from Fort Wayne to Chicago. He also laid forty five miles of
track on the Wabash & Western, and considerable on the New Albany & Salem Railroad. In 1848. he moved to a farm in Middlesex Township, and, after a time, turned his attention to merchandising, condnet- ing a general store at Glade Mills for three years. He then erected a warehouse on his present farm in Penn Township, where he now resides, and, some nine months later, or in June, 1877, when, having on hand a full stock of goods, all was destroyed by fire. entailing a loss of some $5,000. Since that time he has devoted himself almost exclusively to farming. and the energy and push which has characterized all his business enterprises, has been extended to this oc- enpation, for Mr. Osborn is a man who rises superior to adverso circumstances. November 29, 1551, he was married to Mary S., daughter of John and Mary (Drighorn) Barr, old settlers in Allegheny County. She was born October 13, 1827. Their union has been blessed with two children-Emma J., now Mrs. William J. Stepp, and William M., who is married to Amalda Knanf, and resides on his father's farm. Mr. and Mrs. Osborn are both members of the Pres- byterian Church.
JOSEPH LOGIN.
In an early day. Joseph Logan came from Ireland to Penn Township, and purchased 300 acres of un- cultivated land, where he remained until his death in July, 1839, aged sixty-eight years. His wife. Eliza- both, died in August, 1850, aged seventy seven years. They did much pioneer work, and left a family of children as follows: David, Lovi, Joseph, Nancy, Isabell, Mary, Barbara, and Elizabeth, now the widow of Samnel G. Parvis, of Butler. Joseph. the third son, who died November S. 1865, while in his fifty- second year, became possessed of one-half his father's original purchase. Ho married Margaret McCand- less. daughter of James McCandless. one of the pio- neers of Adams Township. She died Angust 1. 1863, while in her forty- first year.
Mr. Logan was a man whose chief characteristics were honesty, integrity and deep piety, which are at- tributos such as any man might aspire to obtain, and are qualifications which made him honored and re- spected by all those with whom his lot in life was east. Such men are the bulwarks of our nation. He was an Elder in the Clinton United Presbyterian Church, and was one of the four original members and founders of the same, which is an honor to his name.
His children are Analena, now Mrs. G. II. Love; Erastus; Elvy, now Mrs. W. I. Puff: Mary E., now Mrs. R. J. Anderson; Clorinda, now Mrs. S. J Shaw; Sarah J .. now Mrs. A. Shaw: and James C. Erastus, who married Elizabeth Renfrew, now owns the old
273
HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
homestead, and is, therefore, a representative of the ' third generation on this farm. Although but eight- een years of age at the time of his father's demise, he took charge of the farm and occupied the double capacity of brother and father to the younger chil- dren, a responsibility few at his age would be eompe- tent to assume. He discharged this double office with remarkable ability and fidelity. He is now the father of three boys -- Joseph R. G., Samuel C. and David C., and three girls -Edith A., Lilly B. and Emma L.
DAVID RENFREW.
The Renfrews date their ancestry back to Seot- land. from which historic country John Renfrew came to America in 1774, being then a young man, aged seventeen years. He settled on the banks of the Connocochigue Creek, in Franklin County. State of Pennsylvania, and there built one of the first grist- mills in that section, he having purchased the land on which it was located in 1778. This property is still in possession of the Renfrews of the fourth gen- eration. and the old stone mill tirst erected is still standing.
John Renfrew, who was a Revolutionary soldier, died in 1844 at the advanced age of ninety-six years. He married a Miss Thompson, and they became the parents of five children, as follows: Robert, Samuel, John, James and Margaret.
Samuel came in possession of the above property. and lived there until his death in 1854, while in his fifty-sixth year. He married Hannah Ann Lindsey, who departed this life in 1821. He married Mar- garet Andrew for his second wife, and they became the parents of one child, James.
By his first marriage he became the father of four boys, viz., John, who died in 1982; Robert, who died in 1875; David; and Samuel, who died in 1841.
David, the immediate subject of this sketch, was born April 30. 1817. Becoming impressed with the desirability of a more extended education than was afforded at the schools in his section, he commenced the regular course in Marshall College, but ill health compelled him to abandon his intentions to graduate after attending for two years. Thinking to benefit his health. he came to Butler County in 1840. and engaged in school teaching, intending shortly to re- turn home, but becoming acquainted with Mary L., daughter of John Kirkpatrick, one of the pioneers of Armstrong County, whom he married May 2, 1844, he was led to change his plans for the future, and purchased a farm in Allegheny County, which was disposed of in 1848, and in 1851 he purchased and re- moved to a farm in Penn Township. Butler County. To this was subsequently added the farm on which he now resides, and on which. in 1554, he erected a
saw-mill, which was run for many years. In 1865, he erected a grist mili, which did service until burned in June. 1SS2. This same year, 1882, coal oil was dis- covered in paying quantities on his farm, where at this writing extensive operations are being pushed to devel- op it, while several wells already down are prodlueing oil in considerable quantities, as will appear in the oil chapter in this volume. Renfrew City, one of the typical oil towns, is now being built on his farm, it also being one of the stations of the Pittsburgh & Western Railroad.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.