USA > Pennsylvania > Butler County > History of Butler County, Pennsylvania. With illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 71
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garet and Bridget (deceased). Jame- married El- len MeBride (deceased), and their children are John, Alice. Mary. Dennis. Bridget, James M., Peter, Elizabeth, Sarah. Frances, Margaret and Catharine. James M. lives on part of the old homestead; Mary, the widow of Mr. MeClafferty, is in Clearfieldl Town- ship, and her father, aged eighty eight years, resides with her and Margaret: Mrs. Melaughlin also re- sides on part of the oldl homestead.
Manassas married Margaret Duffy. and their chil- dron are Michael, who lives on part of the Moses Hanlen farm; John. on part of the old homestead; George W, on the Hunter farm: and Peter, in New Mexico.
Sarah, who died in 1875, aged seventy-two years, married Manassas Me Faddon, who died in 1562. aged seventy-six years. He was in the war of 1812. Their children are Dennis. John. Hugh (who was in the army). Michael (oow deceased, was also in the service). Alice. Mary Ann (deceased). Sarah and Grace. Hugh settled on the farm now owned by P. Hildebrand.
When John Gillespie. Sr .. came to Donegal, the country being destitute of roads, and theonly method of conveyance the pack-horse, he carried his chil dren on either side of the horse in huge bags or sacks especially prepared for this purpose. He was one of the first distillers in the township. and one of the fields where the stillhouse was located is now known as the "stillhouse field."
Money in those days was long a very scarce article and diffienlt to obtain. James Gillespie, Sr., having purchased a cow of Archibald Black for $15. went to the furnace in Slippery Rock Township and worked un- til he earned one-half ton of iron: and here, procur- ing Barney MeLaughlin's wagon, the only vehicle in that section, he conveyed the iron to Catfish furnace, the other side of the Allegheny River, where it was disposed of for the requisite money.
Moses Hanlon, who in 1796 settled on the farm now partially owned by Frank Hildebrand. was a man of fair education, and assumed considerable im- portance among the early settlers, and as a magis- trate was noted for the justice of his decisions and heating the differences and animosities that arose among the impetnous frish. He was much respectod for his many admiralde traits of character. Ho died in 1842. aged eighty-four years. His children were William. Margaret and Jane. William. who died in March, 1856, aged seventy-two years. married Margaret Coffins, who died in October, 1566, in her seventy-ninth year. He, like his father, hold the office of Justice of the Peace for many years. They were the parents of ten children. of whom Ellen, Joseph, Margaret and Ellen are now living. Effen married Francis
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Boyle, now deceased. Mrs. Boyle now lives with her son, W. J. Of her other children. Martin L. and John N. died when young men. Joseph and William Hanlen live on the old homestead. and Mar- garet is the wife of F. Hildebrand. Dennis Boyle came to Donegal at a somewhat later date than the Hanlens. His children were Francis, Hugh. Charles, John. Mary and Bridget, all of whom are dead, except Mary, who resides in Butler.
with his knife. At another time the boys caught a enb. which they tamed and kept nutil it became so cross it had to be killed. Thomas Haggerty was the father of thirteen children by his second wife. Ten of them reached mature years. One of the sons, Thomas, married Catharine Higgins, and reared a large family. He kept hotel in Pittsburgh and Law- rencebury. In 1852. he moved back to the ohl farm in this township, where he died in 1877.
Some of the settlers had narrow escapes from the wild animals, once so anumerous in this section. It is related that as Margaret Hanlon was returning home from Sugar Creek Church, with a small babe, she dismounted from her horse only to find herself almost immediately surrounded by a pack of wolves. Hastily remounting, she threw her babe across the saddle and urging her now thoroughly frightened horse forward. narrowly escaped. It was only by exercising the greatest diligence. that Mr. Haggerty procured enough to sustain his family. Only one of his children, Mrs. John Mehan. now resides in the county, her home being with her daughter Nancy (Broomfieldh), and there now live in this house the representatives of four generations. The mind of Mrs. Mehan appears perfectly clear. especially on things pertaining to pioneer days. She in common with other women of her time. reaped Daniel Slater settled in Donegal in quite an early day. His wife, Mary, now lives with her son Frank on the old homestead. Peter McKrever (now de- ceased) located on the farm in this township now occupied by his son John. Thomas Haggerty came from Donegal. Ireland, with his wife and three chil- dren and lived in Delaware. He afterward moved to Westmoreland County, and his wife having died. he married Anna MeNealy. John. one of the sons of the first wife, lived in this county. About 179S. Thomas Haggerty and his family came to this town- ship. He carried a bucket of dishes in his hand and walked, leading behind him an old horse, which wheat with a sickle. split rails and in fact performed all manual labor on her father's farm. She distinctly recalls the time when such a thing as a fanning mill was unknown. and the process of cleaning wheat was called "riddling." The riddle or sieve, was made of dleer skin, or tough bark cut in suitable slips for this purpose. It required the services of two persons to "riddle" wheat. one to shake it through the "riddle" while another fanned away the chaff with a sheet. The cloth manufactured by women was colored with plum, cherry and other bark. It was no uncommon thing for people to attend church barefooted. Mocca- sins were much used. One pair of shoes per year, carried his two small boys, John and James, in a "costing $1.25, was all that many could afford; still bag, one on each side of the horse, and their heads "frolies" and dances were frequent. Among the old fiddlers was John Wortman. protruding from the bags. Mrs. Haggerty walked. driving a cow and carrying in her arms her baby and John Forquer and Patrick McElroy were cousins, and came into the township together. The latter lived to be one hundred and six years old. and one year before his death walked to Butler and home again. twenty-eight miles, in one day. Mr. Forquer settled on the land owned by H. Mcclintock. Z. Double and others. Buckwheat was one of the first crops raised by the early settlers, and large quantities of it are still produced in the county, the rim of her spinning wheel. The child thus brought here is still living. She is now Mrs. Re- becca Mehan, and is in the eighty fifth year of her age. After coming here, Mr. Haggerty worked at Mason's furnace in winter to support his family, and the wife and small children were left alone in the woods. Panthers often cried about their lonely dwelling, and Mrs. Haggerty kept them off by way- ing fire brands. Mrs. Mehan, wben a small child. Among the ohl pioneers noted for the love of the chase, can be mentioned Patrick MeElroy, John For- immer, Matthew Dugun. Andrew Dugan, Samuel Hemphill. David, Jacob Barnhart, Sr .. James Hemp- hill and John Ekas. They had ample opportunity to indulge their love for hunting, for bears. wolves and lesser game could be found in great abundance, and they furnished many of the settlers, who were not skillful sportsmen, with a large proportion of the meat used in their families. was bitten by a rattlesnake and came near dying. She was unconscious for several days and sick for a month. Another time, she and her brother were chased by wolves, which they kept off with clubs. Two of the boys, Thomas and Archie, were in the woods one day, and Thomas, who was standing on a hollow log. felt the motion of something in the log. He went to the end of the log and discharged the contents of his gun into it. A fierce she-wolf came out and made for his throat, and would have killed Michael Maloney came from County Donegal, Ire- land, to Philadelphia. and there married his wife Lim had not Archie came up and cut the beast open
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(': tharine, who was a native of County Cork, Ireland. About 1$10. he moved to Donegal Township, and pur- ebased of Michael and Niet Dugan some 200 acres of land. only twelve or fifteen acres of which were cleared. (Michael Dugan eventually moved to Zanesville, Ohio. ) Michael Maloney died in 1556. aged eighty-seven years. Of his children, John. who married Jane Dougherty. died in 1829, and of his children only one, feremiah, who married And Burns, now resides in Butler County. He owns 150 acres of his grandfather's estate, and is one of the enterprising farmers of the township: of the other children. John. Bernard, Catharine and Matilda live in Missouri. The other sons of Michael Maloney were Patrick. Michael, Jeremiah and Daniel. Daniel, now deceased. married Mary Gallagher.
A daughter of Michael Maloney, named Nancy, married Barney Johnson. Both are now dead, and one of their two sons. Jeremiah. now lives on a part of his grandfather's farm.
When Michael Maloney first settled in Donegal. wagons were unknown. His son Patrick brought the first one into the neighborhood, and it was the sub- jeet of much comment, as it was the first one seen by many raised in this section, who walked many miles to view this mechanical wonder.
Among the old pioneers who helped perform the initial labors, incident to the clearing np of any new country. was George Wolford, who came from West. moreland County in 1504. and took np a 500 acre tract where his son fohn now resides. Farm imple. ments were then vory rude. Wooden plows wore used, and John recalls the time when hickory withe traces, straw horse collars, and hair rope bridles were in quite common use: "treadle" wagons -the wooden wheels of which were from three to four inches in thickness, ent from large logs -were all that farmers conldl then afford. and the music evolved from the axles as they wont winding over the nnfrequented roads, was enough to frighten the wild animals then so numerous. A sap trough, attached to the joint of the house with ropes, contained the numerous babies, and was swayed to and fro by the busy housewife as she performed her arduous labors. The other furniture. which was home-made, was ognally as rude: but aris- tocracy then being unknown. anything that could be utilized for domestic or other purposes was con- sidered good enough.
Jacob Wolford, who enlisted in June. 1862, in the Fourteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, was killed by a shot through the head. He was a brave soldier, and at the time of his death was detailed to carry dispatches from Light House Landing to (ton. Grant's headgnar. ters on the Potomac. His wife, Mary A. MeC'nl- longh. died in 1866. Two of their children-William
( .. and John M now reside on the old homestead. Gal, fiel Pontions was an early settler of this town ship. on the farm where his son Solomon now lives. Ho married Mary Barnhart, and roared a family which is still well represented in this county. Gabriel Pontions died at the a o of eighty-four. and his wife aged eighty-six.
Christopher Stewart ant his wife. Barbara (Demers, came from Westmoreland County and settled in this township about 1797. Christopher Stewart died in IS54. Names of children: Mary (Sylphist. Catharine (Thorn). John, Elizabeth (Cra- vener). Susannah (Homphilb. Andrew. Barbara (Barnhart), and Christina (Bish). Three are living - Elizabeth. Susannah and Christina.
C. Rodgers, one of the carly tailors, lived in close proximity to 4. Moloney.
Archibald Black came from Ireland, and in 1798 to Donegal Township, and settlel ou a tract of 200 arres. He and his family have been important fac- tors in the settlement of the southeastern portion of the township. John. one of his sons, now fat ad- vanced in life. lives on the old homestead, while an- other son. Archibald. lives on a tract adjoining. lohn married Elizabeth MeElroy, daughter of the old pioneer. Patrick. Their children now living are Alice. Mary Jane. Archibald. John F .. Matilda and Patrick S. The latter is mimmbered among the sne- cessful agrienlturists of Donegal Township, and has reduced his farm from a state of nature to one admi- rabiy adapted for cultivation. Mary. wife of Patrick S. is a daughter of Neal MeOne, one of the pioneers of Armstrong County.
When a boy, John Black had a narrow escape from being devonred by the wolves. Returning home with his cow- one night. he was treed by the wolves. and tied himself to a limb with his suspenders to kepp from falling into their Intehes. As he did not come home with the cows, search was na le for him through the wilderness by his parents and neighbors. They scoured the wool in all die tions, blowing horns so as to indicate their provence to the lost boy. who could look down upon the eraof eyes and sharp. gleaming teeth of the savage animals as they vainly os-ayed to reach him. When discovered. the wolves had made considerable progress in gnawing down the tree to get their victim, but they were driven away by the people who resened him.
James Bredin, whose record appears elsewhere. was also one of the pioneers of Donegal. He event- nally moved to the borongh of Butler.
Noble Hunter settled the farm now owned by Rov. Hickey. William MeManni- was also nnm- bered among the pioneers.
The Hartmans have done their I'll share in de-
RESIDENCE OF WILLIAM BROWNFIELD.
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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
veloping the township. A sketch of them appears , on the land now comprised within the borough of elsewhere.
Among the later settlers can be mentioned Philip Hildebrand, who some thirty-two years since came from Germany. and first located in Allegheny County, but subsequently came to this township and purchased fifty acres of Hugh Gillespie at $2 per acre. He afterward purchased enough to aggregate 200 acres. He died in 1873, aged sixty-six years, and his widow, aged seventy five, still resides on the old homestead. The following children reside in the county: Francis, George, Andy, Margaret, Peter, Mary, Philip and Sara.
Simon King, who served in the French Army un- der Napoleon when Moscow was burned, came from Germany to Butler County in 1831, and six years later to Donegal Township, where his son John is now one of the farmers, occupying land purchased as late as 1861 at $5 per acre.
John Little came from " east of the mountains " about thirty years since, and took his present farm when but two acres were cleared.
R. Morrow came from Armstrong to Butler County in 1844, and settled in Concord Township with his father. Some twelve years since. he moved to his present farm in this township, and his father, aged eighty years, lives with him.
William Brumfield, whose father, also named Will- iam, was one of the pioneers of Armstrong County, came to this township in 1875. and purchased his present farm. Another son. James, is also a farmer in this township.
George and John Rodgers, are also among the later settlers. Barnard Burns came from Ireland when about twenty-two years of age, and located in Alle- gheny County, but some forty-five years since pur chased 200 acres of unimproved land, at $3.50 per acre, and commenced life in a small shanty. He died in ISSI in his ninety-third year, and his wife Elizabeth in 1876 in her sixty-eighth year. Daniel Burns now occupies 140 acres of the original tract of Owen Brady.
JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.
Donegal Township: 1840. John F. Wiles: 1840. William T. Jamison; 1845, James A. Gibson: 1845, Mathew Dongan; 1846, William Hanlin; 1849, John Byers; 1851, Dennis Boyle: 1854. John Byers; 1857, Hugh Mckeever; 1857, Solomon Pontious: 1862. Solomon Pontious; 1862. Hugh Mckeever; 1867, Michael McGinley; 1868, Solomon Fleeger; 1872, Solomon Pontious; 1872, Michael McGinley; 1877, Peter H. Gillespie; 1877, Solomon Pontions: ESSO, F. C. Flannigan; 1882, Solomon Pontious.
MILLERSTOWN.
Since 1795, at which time the Hemphills settled
Millerstown. wonderful changes have taken place, and a retrospective view leads one into the labyrinth of thought regarding these changes and the people who have been instrumental in their accomplishment. The following year, 1796, witnessed the advent of the Barnharts, viz., Philip, Rudolph and Daniel, three brothers, and Jacob, Andrew and Peter Barnhart, three brothers, and cousins of those first named, who set- tled in the immediate neighborhood Thus was formed the nucleus of a now thickly settled region and the borough of Millerstown. These first settlers for several years devoted their entire attention to agricultural pursuits, and redeeming the land from a state of nature to one fitted for the habitation of man.
The tirst event looking toward the present borough of Millerstown was the erection by Abraham Lasher in 1805. of a primitive log grist mill, almost on the site of the one now occupied by the mill of Fetzer & Myers. It was the Mecca to which the early settlers repaired for miles around, and obviated the necessity of their going to Kiskeminitas and other places equally as far distant to obtain flour. The brand of flour produced would hardly compare with that now manufactured by the improved methods, but it suf- ficed for the hearty appetites of the people of that early time. The mill was imperfect in structure Owing to this, and a lack of water, it only run about one fourth the time. It was enstomary for the set tlers to help repair the race and dam each spring sans remuneration, and such occasions were denom- inated "frolies." quite appropriately too, as whisky was furnished free, and in the evening all took part in dancing and other social enjoyments.
The mill was purchased by John Wick, who in turn sold it to James Hemphill. While in possession of the mill, Mr. Hemphill died, and it was purchased by Benjamin Fletcher. administrator of the Hemphill estate. In January, 1836, it was sold to Philip Barn- hart, who also purchased about 150 acres of land. which includes that on which Millerstown is situated. He tore down the old mill. erected a new and im- proved structure. Some years later his son Henry remodeled the mill. and put in steam power for the first time. The property is now in possession of Messrs. Fetzer & Myers, who have remodeled and placed in it the modern mill appliances The mill has a capacity of sixty barrels of flour per day.
When Philip Barnhart purchased the mill prop orty and the surrounding land, he made quite a large payment in silver. His safe was a large tin pan, placed on top of the cupboard. After the money had been sorted out in piles on the dining table and care- fully counted. Mr. Fletcher dumped it into a grain
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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
bag, and after tying, throw it under a bench, where he allowed it to remain, although the doors were lockless. This showed the confidence men then re- posed in each other, a thief being something un- known among them: they were all sturdy, industrious, and hard working men. Soon after coming into pos- session of the property in 1836, Philip Barnhart laid out Millerstown, which took its name from the loca- tion of the grist mill. The lots were then solt at anetion, Manassas Gillespie acting as auctioneer. Mr. Barnhart offered a lot free to the first one who would ereet a house, and Daniel Barnhart secured the prize by erecting a house where the Westermann Brothers are now doing business. The first building erected was utilized by John F. Wiles as a grocery store, the stock being quite small and consisted only of simple and indispensable articles. After a time, he went to the opposite corner, the present location of the Central Hotel, where he had built a house, and contin- ued in the mercantile business, and in addition opened up a tavern. the first one in Millerstown. Owing to the death of his wife, he rented his entire establishment to John MeKisson, who conducted the business for a short time. The property was then soll to Simon R. Barnhart, who used one portion for storing grain. An Evangelical Lutheran minister, named Stake, the first minister who located in this place, lived in the other part of the building. John Barnhart became the next possessor of the property, and conducted a store and tavern until 1853. when Martin Hoch pur- chased it. He conducted the business until 1873. when he leased the property to Dr. W. P. Book. as will appear further on. After Wiles vacated his first store, it was occupied by Andrew Barnhart for mer- cantile purposes, for several years, until he moved in- to a residence of his own. erected between the Herald office and the property of Jacob Frederick, beside which, in 1848. he erected a store, and one year sub- sequent F. W. and Simon R. Barnhart engaged with him as copartners. They did an extensive business, carrying a stock of from $3,000 to $4,000, which was considerable for those times. This partnership only continued for two years, when F. W. retired, going to Medina County, Ohio, where he still resides, and one year later Simon R., who is now a farmer in Fairview Township, and from this time until April 9. 1873, Mr. Barnhart conducted the business alone, and was thus for over thirty years identified with the business interests of Millerstowu. He was very sue- cessful as a business man, and his name was a syno- nym for honesty and integrity. He was a strong temperance advocate, and maintained and supported his convictions and principles on all occasions. He died December 6, 1873. His wife is still a resident of this place, living with her son, Aaron E. The
third merchant was John Smith, who conducted busi- ness on the property best known as the MeCullough property. in the rear of the Westermann store, front- ing Slippery Rock street. Some twenty years since he removed to a farm in Fairview Township and there died.
Daniel Barnhart died in 1548, and the store prop- erty was purchased by Philip Barnhart. Martin Reiber became the next purchaser of the property and engaged in business, after the store was vacated by A. Barnhart, with Henry Yediter. Mr. Yedder left in a short time. and Mr. Reiber took in as part- ner his brother George, who succeeded to the busi- ness in 1850, Martin removing to Butler Borough.
In 1856, Henry L. Westermann purchased not only the real estate but stock of goods, and com- menced at once to enlarge the business, which con- stantly increased under his efficient management. In 1879, he disposed of his interests to his sons. Charles, Jr., and J. J., who now conduct the business.
Barnhart Frederick, now one of the substantial business men. came from Darmstadt, Germany. in 1853. to Millerstown. After about one year. he re- moved to St. Louis, Mo., and three years later. back to Millerstown, and engaged in the wagon manufact- ure until disabled by an accident, when he turned his attention to merchandising. His first stock of goods, consisting of confectionery and some trinkets to the amount of $35. was purchased in Pittsburgh. He gradually enlarged his business until he became one of the most extensive business men of the place, and is now one of the two oldest merchants, Michael Dieter, a former tailor, commencing business the same year. 1559.
In 1 19, Martin Hoch and Martin Reiber estab. lished a brewery, and some four years later sold out to Gottlieb Hoch who continued the business up to the time of his death. in 1879 Long previous to the erection of the brewery. it was customary for the settlers to distill their own whisky. and the first one who commeneed this business of whom we can learn was James Hemphill, in about 153S. The " still. house" was built on the brink of the hill near the house of A E. Barnhart. Here, some of the pioneers would meet exchange the conventionalities of life, and often get very social as their feelings be- came warmed with frequent libations of pure rye.
Peter Baker was the first blacksmith that settled in this place. He was succeeded by Jacob and Jolm Frederick who have since been fixtures in Millers- town. In 1529, Johu, Adam and George Frederick came from Pfaffenbierfurt, Germany, and settled in Summit Township, and in 1834 their father and mother (Peter and Mary) came over with Jacob and two other sons and three daughters. In 1847. Jacob
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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY
came to Millerstown, and as has just been mentioned. engaged in blacksmithing. His sons. Edward and William, have succeeded him in the business.
In about 1538. Gottlieb Gumper opened up a tavern in a log house on the site of the Schreiber House, and was therefore among the first to announce " entertainment for man and beast." He served the public in this capacity until his death.
The oldest living resident of Millerstown is Solo mon Fleeger who is a native of this county, Centre Township being the place of his birth. He removed to Crawford County, and from there to Millerstown where he engaged in the manufacture of furniture, which was continued until the advent of oil, and the railroad made the business unprofitable. He was the second Postmaster, and held this position for many years. He has also held the othice of Justice of the Peace for many years, and is numbered among thie most respected residents of Millerstown. His son Austin at present officiates as Postmaster.
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