USA > Pennsylvania > Butler County > History of Butler County, Pennsylvania. With illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 70
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
S. P. Young settled in this township in 1556, and in 1861 on his present farm. a part of the James Me- Curdy homestead.
In 1567. Augustus Jackman, a native of France, moved to this county from Allegheny County, and later purchased of Matthias Bleichner the farm on which he now lives.
In 1868, George Trimbur moved from Pittsburgh, where he had been employed in the rolling mills. and settled upon the farm he now occupies. He pur- chased from Keeling and Engstler. The land had previously been owned by E F. Mader and G. F. Drollinger.
John Nigh and his sons settled in the northern part of this township in 1569.
EARLY SCHOOLS.
The first schoolhouse in this township was a small log building north of Bonnybrook, near Brinker's mill. Early teachers: Maley, George Greer and Joseph Townley. Townley was a kind, considerate man and a good teacher. Greer was an old man and respected.
A frame schoolhouse was erected in this neighbor- hood at an early date, largely through the efforts of Squire Brinker, who furnished it with stoves, and in other ways manifested his interest in the cause of education. The first term of school in the frame schoolhouse was taught by Joseph Townley. An- other teacher-a jovial. good natured Scotchman and a most excellent pemnan-was John Watt. He was once barred ont, and looking in at the east window. discovered that the house was full of boys and girls. He raised the window -- entered the house. Of course the mischief-makers expected a whipping, and im- mediately upon the entrance of the master. great excitement ensued. There was a grand stampede for the back windows, and boys and girls piled out of them poll-mell. The teacher meanwhile laughing and shouting. "catch 'em! catch 'em."
Caleb Russell was another teacher in the same school. At Christmas time he was barred out. It being Saturday, and the master being indifferent "whether school kept or not." returned to his board ing place (Squire MeCurdy's). An article was written up in the usual manner, stipulating that Russell should treat the school to a half-bushel of apples. But the boy who wrote the article, in his haste forgot to introduce the words, "of apples," and the master readily signed pledging himself to give the scholars "a half bushel." He accordingly sent the signed paper back by the messenger, and with it an empty half bushel measure!
JUSTICES OF THE PLACE.
1$54. Francis Riott: 1954. Andrew W. Johnston: 1556. John kennedy: 1559. Francis Riott: 1561. Robert Gilleland: 1561. Francis Riott: 1566. Robert
306
HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
Gilleland: 1569. Francis Riott: 1572. Robert Gille- land: 1571, Francis Riott: 1877, Robert Gilleland; 1879. David Leech.
CHURCH HISTORY.
The nearness of Butler to this township, accounts for the fewness of the churches here. The early settlers were principally Presbyterians, and religions services were frequently held in the Bonneybrook neighborhood. The later comers were largely Cath- olies, though there are now sufficient Protestant German residents of this township to maintain a Lutheran organization.
ST. MARY'S CHURCH.
The original members of this church were the following:
Wendelin Ott, Michael Eichenlaub. Joseph Rey- mann, John Spahn. Francis Riott. Joseph Schell, Francis Eichenlaub, W. Krebs. B. Schehl, D. Holler, P. Burkbichler, Charles Seibert, Joseph Rohm, Charles Wernert, M. A. Maischein. J. Schuh, W. Eichenlanb. D. Schwebel. L. Weiland, Jacob Hoff- mann, Barth Ganter, Christopher Krecher, P. Eisen- menger. P. Schmidt. J. Berninger, Andrew Fleck. J. Ott. Nicholas Riott. Sr., Nicholas Riott, Jr .. B. Litsch, L. Bleichner. P. Greilich. J. Schneider, J. Frankle, Nicholas Bleichuer, Albinus Vogel. J Weiland. A. Schwobel, Jacob Dansch. Joseph Knit. tel. Joseph Diebold. Michael Reinhard. Valentine Muller, Martin Ober, Michael Spahn. Wendelin Nebel, JJ. Gallagher, P. Gallagher, M. Kobel, John Heim, Philip Klus. Andrew Becker, G. Schwebel. Jacob Riott. J. Weiland, A. Spohn, M. Bleichner. M. Hoffmann, Nicholas Baer, Herman Schmidt.
The church was erected in 1941, mostly through the voluntary work of its members. In 1563, it was enlarged, and the buikling is now 42x50 feet, and nicely furnished.
The first resident pastor was Rev. Robert Klein. adam. 1846-47. His successors have been as follows: Rev. Erminus Schmaltzbaner. 1547 19: Rov. John Hespelin (C. Ss. Red.). 1519-50: Rov. P. Nouber, 1850-51: Rev. G. Gostenenik, IS51: Rev. J. R. Tamchina. 1851-52: Rov. G. Gostenenik. 1852 58: Rev. J. T. Gezowsky. 1553; Rev. F. A. Grim- mer. 1553-59: Rov. P. Christy, 1559: Roy. C. Geyerstanger. O. S. B .. 1559 -60: Rev. Edmund Langenfelder. O. S. B., 1960 61: Rev. Lambert. O. S. B., 1861-66: Rov. Manrus Raphael. ( S. B .. 1566 70; Rev. J. H. Niemann, 1570-78; Rev. Gallus Hoch, O. S. B., 1873-75: Rov. G. All- manu, 1ST5: Rev. Joseph Lingel. 1575 -76; Rev. P. Matthias. O. M. Cap .. 1876-75: Rev. P Mauritius, O. M. Cap. 1578 51: Rey. P. Francisens. O. M. Cap .. since September, 15%}
The church has always been strong, and its mem- bership large. The present membership consists of about ninety five German families, and about twenty Irish American families.
The priests of the monastery minister to this church, and also to the German Catholic Churches at Oakland and at St. Wendel.
ST. MARY'S MONASTERY.
In 1873. the Capuchin monks in Bavaria, fearing that they might fall under the so-called Jesuit law. by which all religious orders were to be expelled from the German Empire, sent three of their number to America to prepare a home for their brothers in case sentence of expulsion should be pronounced against them. They, however. were not expelled, but the three who came to this country were soon followed by other-, and each year has added to the number of Fathers and Brothers. The three who first came were Very Rov. Father Hyacinth, Rev. Father Matthew and Brother Eleutherins. In 1871, Right Rev. Bishop Domenec gave them charge of the St. Angus- tine Church. in Pittsburgh. The same year Rev. Father- Joseph Calisanz and Maurice and Brother Leovigild came from Bavaria and joined them.
In June, 1876. Father Hyacinth sent to St. Mary's Father Matthew as Superior, and some other Brothers to take charge of the church. In September, 1876. Father Maurice was sent here. The monastery was built by Father Hyacinth. Work began in July, 1976, and the building was ready to be occupied De- comber 2. of the same year, when the Fathers and Brothers moved into it from the old parsonage. Father Matthew remained as Superior until January 26. 1575. and was succeeded by Father Maurice till September 9. 1551, from which time Father Francis has been Superior of the monastery, and pastor of the church.
In the spring of IST7, several boys came to be ed- ucated, and the old parsonage was used for their ac- commodation. The building proving too small, in 157S, it was renovated and enlarged. The college is intended to accommodate about twenty five pupils. In 1979, another building was created. to be used as a noviliate.
In 1SSO. Tour students, who had commenced their studies under the fathers in Bavaria, and have con- tinned them here, were ordained to the priesthood. they being the first who finished their education at St. Mary's monastery.
The muuber of priests at the monastery at present (July, 1582) is eight, and with them are ten lay brothers and ton clerics, or students of philosophy and theology. The average number of students at the college is from eighteen to twenty-two. The
RESIDENCE OF LEONARD DESTERLING, SUMMIT, PA.
1 1 - * K- *
307
HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY
church congregation is very liberal and helpful to- ward the monastery. Many members gave much time and labor toward erecting the varions buildings.
The monastery stands in a very pleasant spot, on an elevation a few rods from Herman Station, and from it a fine view of the surrounding country can be obtained.
ZION GERMAN LUTHERAN CHURCH.
This church was established in 1976. at the center of Summit Township, by members of the Butler church residing in the vicinity. A building was erected the same year for a chapel and schoolhouse The congregation was organized in 1877. by Rev. Wilhehn, of Hannahstown, the present pastor. The membership consisted of twenty-four families, and continues with about the same number at present. The first church council consisted of Adam Rettig. Adam M. Frederick. Adam J. Frederick. Charles F. Smith, John Filches and John Binsack. A tasty and substantial frame buikling. 32×60 feet in size, sur- mounted by a steeple, was erected as a house of wer- ship in 1550, at a cost of $1.500. The old grave yard was enlarged by the addition of half an acre, and has been much improved and beantified.
HERMAN STATION.
The few buildings at this place have been built since the railroad began running There is now at Herman a store, a hotel. a post office, a blacksmith shop and a shoo-maker's shop. Five producing oil- wells are situated near the station.
The first to buy a lot in the place was Charles F. Smith, who was also the first merchant.
The Herman House was built in 1575. by Charles Garlach. In 1877, it was purchased by Albert Smith, the present proprietor.
POST OFFICES.
At Bonnybrook (Brinker's Mills), a post office was established by Abraham Brinker, but it was discon- tinued long ago. Bonnybrook Post Office was estab- lished in 1868, and Henry Grupper. who was then keeping store here, was appointed Postmaster. The store was burned and the office discontinued.
Herman Post Office was established in IS76. Charles Smith, Postmaster. In 1880. Albert Smith was appointed to the office.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
ROBERT D. STEVENSON.
Robert D. Stevenson, son of John and Christianna (Dennison) Stevenson, was born in Mercer County, Springfield Township, December 20. 1533. The
older Stevenson was a native of Mercer County, and one of its prominent and successful agriculturists: he has always hell a high position among his fellow- mon, and is universally esteemed for his integrity of character, moral worth, and marked social qualities. Ilis wife was a native of Adams County. Penn., and died when Robert D. was a babe.
Robert spent his youth and early manhood at the parental home. and obtained such an education as was afforded by the common schools of that time. At the age of twenty-two, he came to Butler County, and purchased the farin on which he now resides, a view of which can be seen elsewhere in this volume. He has made agriculture his business to the exclusion of everything else, and in his chosen calling has been highly successful. Of late years, he has been giving special attention to stock-growing: he is now giving much time and attention to the breeding of "Oxford Downs," and on his farm can be seen some very fine specimens of this valuable breed.
In 1559. Mr. Stevenson was married to Miss Elmira ( .. daughter of George A. Rogers. She was born in Plain Grove Township. Lawrence Co., Penn., May 5. 1536: two children have been born to them --- William S. and Mary Ella.
Mr. Stevenson is a genial, pleasant gentleman, and ho and his wife are highly esteemed by all who know them. He is a Republican in politics, and both he and his wife are prominent members of the Presbyterian Church of Butler.
SIMON P. YOUNG.
Simon P. Young was born in Luzerne County. Penn., February 17, 1523. His parents, Henry and Nancy (Lutz) Young, were also natives of Luzerne. and came to Butler County in IS23, and settled on a farm about three miles west of Butler Borough. Here the elder Young resided until his death. which occurred in 1842. he was an industrious and success- ful farmer, and accumulated a competency, he was everywhere respected as a valuable citizen and a worthy neighbor; his wife died in 1539. Simon lived at home until the death of his father. when he became the head of the family. In company with it brother. he operated the old farm until 1550, when he sold his interest and went to California, where he remained two years: on his return to Butler, ho pur chased the MeCurdy farm in Centre, which he owned three years: he then removed to Summit Township. where he has since resided.
In IS44. he was married to Miss Eliza, daughter of Peter Barchman of Butler Township. She was born in Luzerne County in October of 1526. They have raised a family of eight children. six boys und two girls. Titus S .. Honry D .. Elmer E .. William L.,
HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTV.
Eli B .. Howard G., Mary P. and Permilla. Mr. Young has devoted his energies wholly to his farm, and the rearing of his family, and has been eminently successful, not only in the accumulation of property. but in the building up of an honorable reputation.
JOHN EMRICK.
John, son of Andrew and Catharine Emrick, was born in Butler County. December 26, 1831: he was married to Maria A. Burkhart, daughter of Elijah and Rebecca ( Richardson) Burkhart. December the 13. 1S55. The ancestors of Mrs. Burkhart came to America with William Penn. Mrs. Emrick's grand- father, John Burkhart, one of the first settlers of Butler County, was born in Allegheny County in 1762, and his wife in 1764. Elijah Burkhart was born in Butler County in 1503. Ho was a carpenter by trade. but always followed farming. He was the father of eight children - Maria A .. Hiram F., Elijah J., Rebecca M., Washington F., Sophia C., Baxter C. and Jacob I. Those now living are Maria A., Elijah J. and Sophia C.
Mr. and Mrs. John Emrick are the parents of eight children: Daniel B .. William .L., Asa W .. Catharine R .. Albert F., Barbara A .. Samuel M. and Mary L. Mr. Emrick settled on his present farm in Summit Township in 1861. Daring the rebellion, he served in the One Hundred and Seventh Pennsylvania Regiment. from the 19th of September, 1861, to the 20th of June. 1965. His conduct was such as to merit honorable mention by letter from Capt. J. 1. Tompkins, commander of his company.
The grandparents of John Emrick. Michael and Elizabeth Emrick, emigrated from Northumberland County to Butler County, with their family of four sons and two daughters, in 1913. John Burtner, who had previously settled in this county, went to the eastern part of the State, and brought this family out with wagons. They first located near Saxonburg. and Andrew Emrick, who is still living, helped to break the first ground and build the first house in Saxonburg. The children of Michael Emrick were Andrew, John, William and Michael, Elizabeth (Jones) and Catharine (Hicks). Of those, Andrew and William are living, the latter in Kentucky. One daughter survives-Mrs. Hicks, in Illinois,
Andrew Emrick, since he came to this county at the age of eleven years, has always resided not far from the farm where he first settled with his parents. From the first farm near Saxonburg. the family moved to an adjoining farm, in both instances com- mencing in the woods, and encountering many of the hardships of pioneers. In 1826. the second farm was sold and another purchased a mile distant from it. This was the homestead until IS51. Andrew then
purchased a farm in Summit Township, a mile and a half southeast of Butler, which he soll in 1856 and moved to Penn Township, where he now resides. Mr. Emrick is a man of the strictest integrity, and a respected and influential citizen. He has served in numerous township offices, and has performed all his duties faithfully and well. Ho married Catharine Burtner, who is still living. They had ton children Michael, Jefferson Township: Christiana (Gallagher), Donegal Township; John. Summit Township; Eliza- beth (Fair). near Millerstown; Barbara (Fisher). Centre Township; William and Catharine, deceased; Maria (Fair), deceased; Andrew and Daniel, Penn Township.
LEONARD OESTERLING.
Leonard Oesterling was born in Bremen April IS, 1831. In the same year, his parents, John and Eliza- beth Oesterling, came to this country, and settled in Summit Township, where the elder Oosterling died in a good old age. Ho was a farmer, and reared a family of eight ebil.lren. In 1850. Leonard went to Brady's Bend, where he remained until 1870, when he returued to Summit, and purchased the farm where he now resides, which consists of 200 acres of valua- ble land. In 1852. Mr. Oesterling was married to Margaret Flohr. She was born in Hosse-Darmstadt in [$29. In her twentieth year, she came to America. Eleven children have been born to them. seven boys and four girls John. Adam. Leonard, Simon Charles, George, William. Louis Benjamin. Mary, Maggie. Emilea and Annie.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Ousterling are members of the Lutheran Church. and worthy members of society. On another page will be found a view of Mr. Ooster- ling's home.
CHAPTER XXXIII.
DONEGAL
Dimensions of Township German and Irish Seulement -First Set- llers-wennity of Food Products-Hemphill, the Hunter-First Lily Wagon The Ship Trough Crad . Narrow Escape of John Black trom The Wolves-Millerstown-Phubp Barnhart, its Founder Julin Wiles, the L'ust Merchant and Hotel Kooper-Wonderful Growth in 1 , after the Of Discovery - Business Interests-Banks - Chuches Schools-St. Joe A Typical Off Town-Wonderful Gas We 1.
THE township of Donegal was one of the origi- T mal thirteen townships erected in 1804, and then embraced a much larger territory than at present. its dimensions being about eight miles square. In IS54, it was changed to its present di- mensions, approximately five miles square. It is lo- cated between Fairview on the north, Armstrong County on the east, and Clearfield and Oakland
JOSEPH HARTMAN.
RESIDENCE OF JOSEPH HARTMAN,
[
L
FEELIF
309
HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
Townships on the south and west respectively. The stitutes Fairview Township, originally a part of surface of the county is very rolling and uneven, and no sooner does the traveler mount one elevation than a second is presented to view. and so on over the whole township, and, to use a metaphor. the surface + like the billows of the surging ocean.
The soil is quite productive, and yields to the in- dustrious husbandman ample return of the cereals cultivated in that latitude.
Coal was first discovered on the farm of Matthew and Andrew Dugan, since which time it has been demonstrated that the whole surface of the country is underlaid with three veins of coal, the first being known as the Freeport vein, the second as the Kit- tanning vein, and the third as the Clarion vein. Al- though coal is found in sneh abundance, it has not yet been mined except for domestic purposes.
This township was named after Donegal in Ire- land. from which place a large number of the early settlers emigrated.
The reader will observe that the year 1796 wit- nessed the advent of a large number of settlers to all parts of the county. This was due to the consuunna- tion of Wayne's treaty with the Indians at Groen- ville, Ohio, the year previous, and the consequent expulsion of the Indians from the country. very few remaining after this period.
The early settlers were of two distinct nationali- ties- the Germans and Irish. Both classes preserved their distinct national characteristics for a long period.
The first man of whom we can learn who made this township his home was James Hemphill. in 1795. He was a man who delighted in hunting and front .. ier exploits. He was followed by several families of this name who did much pioneer work in the north- western portion of the township. It is related of James Hemphill that he delighted to load his gun with slugs, on top of which would be hammered a hickory plug to make the charge scatter. He then would climb a tree near a deer lick, place the breech against the tree and shoot into a drove of depr. as they were eating salt, often killing several at one shot.
As is stated in the history of Millerstown, six families of Barnharts came in at an early day. viz .: Philip Rudolph and Daniel, who were brothers, and their three cousins, Jacob, Andrew and Peter Barn- hart, who were also brothers. They were of German extraction. and John William Barnhart, the progeni- tor of the American branch of the family. came from Germany in 1764. and settled in Westmoreland County. He died in January, 1822. His son Philip, who was the founder of Millerstown, died in 1860 in bis eighty-second year. They settled in what now con-
Donegal. They did not bring their families on the first trip, but erected cabins on their several selections of land. and commenced the laborious task of clear- ing small spots of ground for cultivation. Their supply of meal soon ran out, and they subsisted on venison. onenumbers and squashes for four weeks, and when they reached Freeport on their way home in quest of provisions, they met a number of immigrants of whom they procured a supply, and so returned to this county. Rudolph Barnhart came near meeting with an untimely death, and the incident, as related by his descendants. is as follows: He had been sue cessful in killing a fine buck, which he was carrying home, on his back. with its hind legs tied together over his neck. In getting over a fonce he went on one side and the buck on the other, and it was only due to almost superhuman exertions that he escaped strangulation. Of the children of Daniel, David live, in Fairview Township, as also does Simon and Joseph. children of Peter, and Simon R., son of Rudolph. The Barnharts came in 1796, but some of them did not become permanent settlers until several years later.
In 1793. there was a very large emigration of people from the connty of Donegal. Ireland, to Penn - sylvania, and three later they commenced making their way into Butler County, and quite a number of families settled in Donegal Township, including Charles Duffy. Thomas Dugan, John Dugan. John Forker, John Gillespie. Moses Hanlen and P. Me. Elroy. They formed the nucleus for a large Irish settlement in this and adjoining townships. They first erected some small cabins and made preparations for their families, which were afterward brought here by means of pack horses along indistinct bridle paths. These pioneers endured all manner of hardships. They were far distant from civilization and a base of supplies, and even their meager products had to be conveyed to market by means of pack-horses, Salt and iron were quite important and necessary products to the settlement, and these were brought from Chambersburg and Harrisburg, usually by men known by the queer and inexplicable title of "tug tails." who also took out for sale the product- of the settlers. which consisted of beeswax. tallow and fax. and bags which the women manufactured. These men would take several horses. frequently those of the settlers, to inniko these long, wearisome trips. Occasionally they loaded their horses so heavily that. not being able to lift the load on when once off, they performed the whole journey without removing the horses' burden.
Some of the first settlers had no shepp. hogs or stock, other than their horses, and their poverty was
310
HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
painful. Mr. Haggerty became the possessor of two sheep, in which he took great pride, and in order to protect them from the bears and wolves they were so- enrely penned up each night. One day he saw a wolf stealthily approach his sheep, and made all due haste to save them, but too late, for the crafty wolf killed one of them before he could get to it, and this loss, trivial as it may now appear. was then severely felt.
As has been noticed, among the early settlers was Charles Duffy, who came here in 1796 from West- moreland County and settled upon the fract of over 312 acres of fand, which is still owned by the family intact. On the place is a log house, built in 1803, in a good state of preservation. He was a native of Ireland: came to America in 1793. and to Westmore- land County in 1795. He died in July, 1823. The methods then devised by the pioneers to construct needed appliances for the farm and household were very ingenious. As an illustration, Mr. Duffy needed a churn and none could be procured at any price. He therefore quartered a log of suitable size, and. having with his as and adze cut out the inside, fas- tened the quarters together by means of hickory withes, and the much needed article was produced. He was the father of a large family of children. John and Peter Duffy, his children. became residents and business men of Butler Borough. The latter is still living at this writing. Ho was born in Donegal in 1798, and is one of the oldest natives of the county. He was Postmaster at Butler for several years, and Prothonotary of the county. He was one of Califor- nia's "'49ers." His brother John. who was ofder. was one of the Associate Judges of this county. He died in 1865. In 1833, Peter Duffey was married to Deborah Dougherty. She died in December. 1845. They were the parents of three children -- Mary, de- ceased; Charles, the successor to his father's business in Butler Borough: and James, Pastor of St. John's Church, Albany.
John Gillespie, a native of Ireland, and one of the settlers of 1796, has with his descendants left indelible marks on the physical as well as historical part of Donegal. He remained here until his death at a very advanced age. His wife. Alice (Dugan). was upward of ninety years old at the time of her death. Of their children, Neil, who married Barbara Duffy. daughter of Charles, was in the war of 1812. Of their children, James, a resident of Freeport. Arm, strong County, is extensively engaged m coal mining; Charles, a physician, is also a resident of Freeport, while Edward is deceased The girls are Margaret, Alice, Bridget, Mary and Ellen. the three latter de- ceased. The other children of John are Patrick (de- ceased), John, James, Manassas, Sarah, Hugh, Mar-
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.