USA > Pennsylvania > Butler County > History of Butler County, Pennsylvania. With illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 74
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In the year 1795. Connell O'Donnell emigrated from Ireland, County Donegal, and settled a five- hundred-aere tract of land in the vicinity of what is now North Oakland. Fifteen years afterward. it was sold by the State for the taxes, and was bought. with several other tracts, by Archie MeCall. of Philadel- phia, the gentleman who built the Orphans' Home in Butler, Penn. It was subsequently redeemed by Mr. O'Donnell for fifty acres of land and $5 in money. He died in 1513. leaving a widow and four children, all deceased. with the exception of one-Mrs. Reid. mother of James Reid. Esq. of this township. She is seventy-six years of age James Reid. Esq .. has been closely connected with the best interests of Oak-
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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTV.
land Township ever since its organization. His wife, Mary Boll, is of German extraction. When a young man, Mr. Reid learned the plow and wagon making business with William Balph, deceased. Af- ter remaining with him five years, he changed his field of labor to Pittsburgh, Brady's Bend and Alle- gheny City. In the year ISIS, he was employed in building wagons for the Government during the Mexican war, and it was not until 1849 that he lo- cated on his prosent farm, which had formerly been owned by his father, who died in 1852. Mr. Reid has been Justice of the Peace for ten years.
William Robb came from Westmoreland County, where he was boru, and became a resident of this township previous to the war of 1812. He brought with him his wife and family. consisting of three children, viz .: Maria, now Mrs. William Aiken, liv- ing iu Venango County; Rebecca. who afterward married Jolin Christy, is now deceased; and Isaac Robb, still residing in this township. Mr. Robb purchased his farm from Samuel Riddle in 1813. He resided upon it until 1838, when he disposed of it and bought another four miles west of the former- the present farm, which Mr. Isaae Robb still lives upon. He died in 1847. Had he lived until the day of his funeral, he would have been sixty-four years old precisely. Other members of the family were John, now] living in Westmoreland County: Elizabeth, who became the wife of Thomas Campbell, Concord Township; James, who resides in Oregon; Sarah, now deceased, who was the wife of Hugh Christy; Jemima, now dead; William J., a citizen of this place, and' an excellent farmer. The grand- father of the children, Isaac, Robb, was drowned in the Ohio River in the year 1809.
Robert Hamilton was reared in Chester County and came with his family, consisting of four chil- dren, to this township in ISIS. He located on a farm which had been settled by one James Douglas, a few years prior to his emigration. and a small cabin had been built upon it, which was used for a schoolhouse. John Thompson, known as "Conno- quenessing' John,"_was the teacher. This name was given to him to distinguish him from other persons of the same name. When Robert Hamilton died in 1830. his farm, consisting of 100 acres, descended to his son James and a life estate in 100 aeres more to his wife (mother of James). James married Isabella Gordon in 1827: their offspring were eight children -- Robert, Nancy, John, Margaret, Mary, Obadiah, James and Annie. Robert owns the traet which be- longed to his aunt. John was a soklier in the war of the rebellion and was mortally wounded in front of Petersburg. James was also a gallant soldier during the rebellion, and died from starvation in Anderson.
ville Prison. Margaret is the wife of William F. Camp- bell. Naney married Samuel Gold. Mary wedded Franklin Double. Annie is the wife of W. R. Camp- bell. During the last nine months of the war, Rob- ort served as a soldier in the Fourteenth Pennsyl- vania Cavalry. Mathew Dougan was born in this township. His father, Thomas Dougan, was a na- tive of Donegal, Ireland. For five years after his arrival in this country, ho worke l at Bear Creek Fur - nace, near Parker, Penn. His wife's name was Grace O'Donnell, and she was the mother of ten children, six of whom are living Michael, who married Cath- erine Smith, is living in this township; Mathew is not married; Benjamin Bosbrink, who lived in But- ler for many years, is the husband of Mary; Annie became the wife of Charles Boyle, who is the propri- etor of the hotel near the West Pennsylvania Depot in Butler; Bridget resides at the old home, unmar- ried; Elizabeth, now Mrs. Charles Forquer, resides in Armstrong County. Their father, Thomas, was a hard working man, strictly honest, and respected for many other good traits of character. In 1822, Dan- iel MeElwee located in the northeastern part of the township. His farm was pre-empted by Enoch Ver- num. Mr. MeElwee died in 1852. aged seventy-four years. His son Michael, now an elderly man, located on his farm in 1841, not a great distance from the original tract of his father. He was elected the first Constable in this township, and during his life has filled the offices of Collector, Assessor and School Director, with credit to himself and satisfaction to others. His wife was a danghter of John McKeever, deceased, of Donegal Township.
John Moser, with his wife and family, consisting of five children, namely : John, Elizabeth, Lonisa, Ja. eob and Mary. came into Butler County as early as 1795, from Westmoreland County. Mr. Moser was a Revo- Intionary soldier and an admirer of George Washing- ton, with whom he had a speaking acquaintance. Some of his comrades in arms were John Green. Samuel Robb and John Lowe. Mr. Robb was taken prisoner by the British at the battle of Brandywine, and was held some weeks before released. All these gentlemen were also settlers in the same year with Mr. John Moser. Solomon Moser is the grandson of the former; he settled in this township in the year 1826, on a tract of land owned previously by Stephen A. Lowry. In 1829, Solomon married Jane Martin, by whom he had ten children. Mrs. Moser died in 1873, but Mr. Moser is still living, aged seventy- eight. Daniel Moser, who carried on the business of wagon-making in Butler for many years, was a brother of Solomon.
James Patton came from Bedford County in 1824. Remaining in Washington County five years, he
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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY
finally settled in Oakland in 1829, on a tract of land owned by Mrs. Sarah Collins,
He married Mary Sisler, from his native county. They reared a large family, all of whom are living. Rachael, now Mrs. Millinger, lives in Kansas; Isa- bella, now Mrs. Flannigan, lives in this township; William resides at Fairview, Butler County; his wife was Lydia Millinger; she died on Christmas Day, 1882; James, who married Jane Beatty, resides near Middletown, this county; Elizabeth, now Mrs. John Millinger; John, who married Margaret Beatty; Abner, who married Agnes McClung, is living on the old homestead; Samuel, now living at Pittsburgh, married Isabella Bartly.
Jacob Shoup emigrated from Wurtemberg, Ger- many, on the 4th day of July, 1834. to America. His family consisted of his wife and two children- John and George, who all came as far as Bremen in a heavy two-horse wagon. Mr. Shoup sold his team at Bremen, and shipped his wagon to this country. When they reached Butler County, they sought out some friends who had built a cabin near Brunker's mill and settled there, and with them they sojourned a short time, and finally located on a farm in the southwestern part of the township purchased from Mrs. Collins for $2.50 per acre.
For some time after their settlement, Mr. and Mrs. Shoup found it very difficult to get along, as they could not speak a syllable of English. On one occasion Mrs Shoup discovered that she needed some flour, accordingly she took a flour sack in one hand, and money in the other, and went to a neighbor's house to buy some. She exhibited her money and then her sack, and made all possible significant signs, but could not be understood. Finally she hit upon this happy plan of shaking the dust out of the sack, and make her wants known in that way. She was successful in this, and went off rejoicing at finally be- ing understood. It was the custom where Mr. and Mrs. Shoup were reared, to stand during the offering of prayer, either in church or under any other cir- cumstances, and it was a custom which was tenaciously adhered to by all classes. On one occasion he and his excellent wife were invited to dine at Mr. Curdy's, which invitation they accepted. While a blessing was being asked, every one reverently bowed their heads except Mr. S., who rose to his feet and remained standing until "grace was said."
John Shoup married Mary Thorn; George married Charlotte, daughter of Eli Balph, and is in posses- sion of a valuable farm of seventy-five acres, in the southwestern part of the township, which he pur- chased from Mrs. Judge McCandless.
farm until 1875, when he moved on the Addison Gold place, near North Butler Presbyterian Church, where he commenced on his own responsibility. Mr. Pat- ton was a soklier in the late war, and was in the bat. tle of Petersburg. He belonged to Company B, Thirtieth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers. In 1858, Mr. Patton married Margaret Beatty.
Capt. John G. Bippus was a native of Wurtem- berg, Germany. In 1832, he came to this country when eleven years old, but did not settle within the present boundaries of Oakland Township until 1844. He had spent the intervening years in Pittsburgh, Brady's Bond, and in Fairview, this county. He purchased his farm from Col. John M. Thompson. It originally consisted of seventy-five acres, but a lit- tle later he added eighty-seven acres more, purchased from Mrs. Sarah Collins. In 1862, Mr. Bippus raised a company of volunteers, and with them went to the seat of war. After nine months had expired, he raised another company in Pittsburgh, but it was made up of volunteers from several different counties. Peter Fennell, of Clearfield, and John Irvin, of
were the only Butler County men in the company. In the year 1865, Capt. Bippus was severely wounded on the head, at Petersburg. After remain- ing in the hospital for four weeks, part of which time he was in an unconscious condition, he reported for duty, and was detailed Assistant Inspector General on the staff of Brig. Gen. Briscoe. doing duty in this capacity until the regiment was dismissed, in 1865. in front of Richmond. Since the close of the war, the Captain has been a very valuable member of society, always taking a decided interest in the cause of education. After the organization of the township, he built the first schoolhouse, having learned the trade of carpenter in Holidaysburg. Mrs. Bippus was formerly Rachel Myers, of this township, and is the mother of eight children, viz .: John; Jacob, mar- ried to a daughter of Rev. Booth; Mathias; Samuel; MeCalvin, medical student with Dr. S. Graham; Christy, a schoolteacher; Katie, now Mrs. Booth, liv ing in Clarion County; Lyda and Emma.
LATER SETTLERS.
Lawrence Walsh came from Donegal, Ireland, in 1850, and after spending eight years at the Brady's Bend furnaces, he located in this township. His wife was Ellen Bush, daughter of Judge Bush, of County Cork. Mr. Walsh diod in June. of this year (ISS2). Their son, Michael, is in Colorado. The small farm which Mr. Walsh is living on was pur chased from Mrs. Blainey.
Eli Balph became a resident of this township in 1845. He is the oldest of twelve children, all of
John Patton came with his parents to this town- ship in 1836. He remained with his father on the , whom were reared in the neighborhood of Mt. Chest
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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
nut. this county. His father was a soldier in the war of 1512. Previous to permanently locating here, Mr. Balph lived on rented farms for several years. The farm he has owned in fee simple, and resided upon for thirty -seven years, was purchased from Abijah Evans, formerly a resident of this county, but now deceased. When the purchase was made, the farm was entirely woodland, and to bring it into a tit condition to cul- tivate, Mr. B. worked days, and frequently nights. to clear it of its ample growth of heavy timber. In 1828, he married Nollie Henshew, of this county, and reared quite a large family. Rev. Thomas Balph, of St. Clairsville. Ohio, is their son. and Mrs. George Campbell. of Butler, their daughter. Mr. Eli Balph was a stanch friend of the public schools, and la- bored faithfully for their prosperity, against a strong current of opposition.
George Herdman was a native of Washington County. He came to this township in 1855, and lo- cated in the southeastern part of the township on a farm bought from Abraham Martin, paying him $20 per acre. Mr. Herdman died of dropsy, in the year 1871. aged sixty-two years. His wife, whom he mar- ried in 1850, was Margaret Hazlette. Her son, Harper, farms the place, while her two daughters, Maggie and Jennie, devote much of their time to tenching public schools.
In 1857, Christian Pfeister emigrated from Ba- varia, Germany, and in the same year located on a farm formerly owned by Joseph Bredin. of Armstrong County, paying $1,000. His son, Joseph. is living on a farm purchased from Charles Duffy.
Martin Eyth moved into this township in 1862. He emigrated with his parents from Wurtemberg in 1839, being then fifteen years of age. Their first location, after arriving in this county, was on a tract of sixty-five acres of land, purchased from John Bard, it being situated in close proximity to Brewster's Schoolhouse. Young Martin lived with his father on the farm until he was twenty-three years of age, when he married Margaret Haggarty. of Butler, Penn. She died eight years after marriage, leaving two children -William J. and Lizzie. The former is engaged in the mercantile business at Chillicothe. Ohio. The latter is now Mrs. Baldauf, and resides in Pittsburgh. In 1857. Martin Eyth the second time entered the marriage relation, selecting for his life companion Eva Ritzard, of this township. Eight of their children are living, viz .: Maggie. Caroline, Francis, Stephen, Josephine, Clara Celia Stella. Mary A. Dolorosa and Gertrude. Caroline is now Mrs. Charles Geible, and resides in Carbon Center.
For four years after Mr. Eyth's first marriage, he kept what was well known as the Haggarty Honse in Butler. It was not until IS62 that Mr. E. removed to
this township and located on his present farm. which tells unmistakably of wise and prudent management.
Mr. Thomas Craig, who settled here in 1872, de- seends from ancestors who were early settlers in this county. He has a good farm of 235 acres, which he purchased from Thomas Bartley, for which he paid the handsome sum of $15, 210.
Isaac Hepler moved from Fairview to this town- ship in 1873. His farm is well known as the "Old Captain Goff plaec," which he purchased from David Henry. The "Wood Bine," is the name of the hotel kept on the premises by Mr. Hepler. Elizabeth Barnhart was Mrs. Hepler's maiden name. Thirteen children was the result of this marriage, only seven, however, are living. Margaret married Danbenspeek. from the vicinity of Fairview: Sarah married John Kamerer: Lavina is Mrs. Reuben Sibert, resides near Millorstown; Mary is now Mrs. William Byers; Julia Ann is the wife of Adam Kamerer, a farmer; Isaac B. married Bena Sailor, and he is cultivating his father's farm: Oliver married Nettie MeJunkin, of this town. ship
James A. Horton came to Butler County in 1875 from Buffalo, N. Y. For several years he was engaged in driving stage. Tiring of this, he engaged in the landable business of tilling the soil, having rented the Thomas Martin farm near St. Joe. Mr. Horton married Miss Martin, daughter of Thomas Martin, who settled on the above farm in 1847.
In 1876, John A. Gordon located on a farm pur. chased from Thomas MeKissick. Philips' grist mill. which has been in operation for forty years, or rather been in existence that term of years, is situated on this farm Mr. Gordon married a daughter of William S. Thompson, of Lawrence County.
After the organization of the township. the first election was held at the house of William MeChung, where it has ever since been the voting place. Michael McElwee was elected Constable. School Directors were Henry Conway. Capt. J. Goff. Michael McGinley, John MeElwee. Thomas Martin and Eli Balph. Later Directors wire Archie McJunkin. Michael O'Donnell. A. J. Simpson. Hugh MeCafferty, Robert Hamilton. John H. Neyman. Anthony Hoon, John Millinger and John Whitmire.
FIRST SCHOOLS.
The first school building was erceted on the farm now owned by Martin Eyth, in 1831, and in the fall of the same year another school was held in a house which had been used as a dwelling house on the Goff farm.
William Greer taught the first school in the township. Other early teachers were John and Roh- ert Thorn, Jacob Boyd. Abraham Stevenson, William
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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
MeClung and John O'Donnell. In 1851, when the township took its present form, public schoolhouses were built throughout the township in sufficient num . ber, viz .: The Goff School, the Millinger School, the Whitmire School. the Duffy School, now called Me- Ginley School. And in 185S arrangements were made to build six new houses, because the former were not properly located and too rude in construe- tion. Some of the prominent early publie school teachers were William McClung. William Greer, John L. Neyman, David Scott, James Reid, William Christy. Isaac Hill, John MePherrin, Abram Fleeger, Zachariah Philips, Thomas Balph. William Ray, Isaac Hilliard and Mrs. Hood. The first grist mill was built by William Neyman, in the year 1800, on the Connoquenessing Creek, which passes through the western part of the township. It was a large, unattractive log structure. and was propelled by water exclusively. A few years later, a saw mill and a fulling machine were added by Mr. Neyman and sons. William and Henry. Thirty years later. they erected another and more convenient mill a few miles west of the first one on Gordon's farm.
RELIGIOUS MATTERS.
There are two Catholic Churches in this township, one being the outgrowth of the other, and both are situated in North Oakland. One building is a neat frame structure and the other is an imposing brick building. The frame work of the first house was reared in 1852, and Father Long held the first serv- ices. performing mass on Christmas night. For several years afterward, priests from various congre- gations ministered. The first established priest was Father Leander Snerr, who officiated for three years, according to the custom of the priest's office. He was succeeded by Father Gregory. who remained but one year. when Father Devlin succeeded to his po- sition and ministered but one year. Rev. Stegher came in after him and sustained his position for three years, when he was succeeded to the pastorate by Father Diermire. Other ministers who followed were Rev. John Ritter, Rev. Thomas Devin, Rev. Edward Dignum, and Rev. Robert Waters, the pres- ent pastor. In 1872. a large brick church was erected, in order to accomodate the growing congre- gation and English-speaking congregation. It was com- pleted in 1573 and regular services have been bold in it ever since. During the building of the church, the German portion of the congregation became dis- satistied and a division took place, they keeping the former (frame) house as a place of worship. They have no regular minister, but are supplied from the Summit Monastery every week. As has been said. Rev. Waters is the present minister of the English church.
NORTH BUTLER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
This church received its name from the fact that when it was constituted it was in the northern part of Butler Township, but after the re-districting of the county it was placed in Oakland Township. Long before any church building was ereeted. people assembled at stated times for publie worship at the house of Fergus Hutchison. During the summer months services were conducted in his barn. In the year 1846. according to the urgent request of some eleven or twelve persons who had been brought up in the Presbyterian faith. the Presbytery appointed a committee, composed of Revs. Coulter. John Mun- son and oither R B. Walker or Reed Bracken, to or- ganize a congregation and constitute a church. The organization took place at the residence of Fergus Hutchison. The original members of the church were Samuel Jack and his wife, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Thorn, Mr. and Mrs. John Russell, Mr. and Mrs. Wilson M. Call. Isaac Robb and wife, and Mrs. Wil- liam Neyman. This infant church was constituted a branch of Concord Presbyterian Church and re- mained so until ISIS, when a frame building was raised on a lot purchased from Mr. Hutchison, in about the center of the township. It was burned down before it was entirely completed. It was re- placed by another frame structure one year later, built on the original foundation. The present house was reared in ISSI. When the first edifice was erected and completed, Rev. John Coulter preached the dedicatory sermon. Until the year 1849 the congregation was supplied by Presbytery. and in the same year Rev. John V. Miller was ordained and in- stailed. He continued pastor of this congregation for at least ten years, when he abandoned his charge and accepted a call from Lawrenceburg, this county. Rev. James Coulter then was appointed stated sup- ply. and aeted in this capacity up till 1867, as near- ly as can be determined, when Rev. James Marshall, the present minister. was installed. The original members of session were Samnel Jack, Joseph Thorn and Isaae Robb. The Trustees were Fergus Hutchison, Joseph Thorn and John Russell. The present members of Session are John L. Neyman. Archie MeJunkin, Isaac Robb and Christy Robb. The present Trustees are Henry Neyman. John Robb and W. J. Hutchison. A Sunday school consisting of seventy-five members is connected with this con- gregation.
JUSTICES OF THE PEACE OF OAKLAND TOWNSHIP.
1851, John L. Neyman; 1551, Jeremiah Mellin- ger: 1859, Caspar Scholl. 1859, John L. Neyman; 1864. Caspar Scholl; 1861. Joseph MeCaskey; IS69. Caspar Scholl: 1873. James Reed; 1877, A. Hoon; 1878, James Reed.
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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
CHAPTER XXXV.
FRANKLIN.
Settled in 1796-The Dodds, Thompson, Sullivan and MeGowen Fami- les-The Fraternal Spirit of the Pioneers-Whisky-Drinking- Prospect Borough-Its Public Men.
H FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP, as at first organized, was formed from Muddy Creek Township. The ter- ritory now known as Franklin was taken from Frank- lin and Centre Townships, with the exception of a small portion lying south of Muddy Creek stream, which has been added to Franklin from Brady since the re-division of 1854. The township contains ex- cellent land, and the farms are generally well im- proved and highly prodnetive.
The borough of Prospect and the village of Mount Chestnut are situated in Franklin. The township was named from the Franklin road, which passes through it from south to north.
SETTLEMENT.
The earliest settlers of whom we have any account came in 1796. They were generally from the older portions of the State, some of the number being originally from Ireland.
Stephen Crawford was one of the earliest settlers. He took up and improved a farm in the southeastern part of the township. He worked at blacksmithing some years. His sous Stephen and Christopher lived with him, but afterward moved away.
Jesse Nash was living in the southwestern part of the township in 1796. He moved away early. 1 Bowers family lived on the land which afterward he. came the Jones farm, near Prospect. at about the same time. Peter Saltsman lived on a farm adjoin- ing Nash a few years. John Dick, James McGrew. John or " Jackey " JJones, Edward White and his sons John and Joseph. Eliakim Anderson, William Dodds, Aaron and David Moore, and doubtless others whose names are now forgotten, were among the early settlers.
Abner Coates was one of the first settlers, and lived on the farm which afterward belonged to Charles Gallagher. Eliakim Anderson lived on the Riddle farm. He was a man of some prominence, and was once Sheriff of Butler County. Both he and Coates went to the State of Indiana. Aaron and David Moore lived near Mount Chestnut. Aaron died on the farm, and David moved to Indiana.
William Dodds, Esq., the father of Judge W. W. Dodds, of Prospect, settled on the Rev. Clark farm about 1796, coming from Westmoreland County. His brother Thomas was an early settler in Connoquen- essing Township. At first they lived principally by hunting. On one occasion, as Thomas Dodds was going to his brother's place, he saw a bear killing a
hog. But when the bear saw the man, he turned his attention from the hog, came at Mr. Dodds and drove hiin up a tree. There he remained until his shouts attracted the attention of his brother, who armed himself, and came to his relief. William Dodds planted the seed for one of the first orchards in the settlement- now on the MeC'ullough place. He came to this country with a family of three children, which subsequently increased to eight. He was a soldier of 1812. He died in 1818, and was buried in the Nebo Churchyard. Names of his children : John, James, Samuel, Thomas, Jesse. Susan (Spear), William W. and Margaret (Martin). The only survivors are Susan (Spear) and Judge W. W. Dodds. Judge Dodds remembers going to Kirkpatrick's store when a boy with some wheat to sell. and hearing the mer- chant grumble at giving a pound of coffee (373 cents) for a bushel of wheat !
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