USA > Pennsylvania > Butler County > History of Butler County, Pennsylvania. With illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 75
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John MeCandless and Aaron Moore were among the first settlers of what is now Franklin Township -and located here, says J. M. McCandless, their grandson -as early as 1795, before any surveying had been done west of the Allegheny River.
John Thompson, from Lancaster County, came to the eastern part of this township in 1796, with a yoke of oxen and a cart. bringing his wife and one child. A few years later, his brothers, Mathew and James, came, and settled in the same neighborhood. Each resided here and reared families. John's children were named James, John, Isabella. Samuel. William, David and N. S. The three last mentioned are still living. Matthow's children are all gone from the neighborhood. James settled in Center Township.
Nathaniel Stevenson, of Irish birth. moved from Westmoreland County to the eastern part of this township in 1798. He had previously been here on foot to select land. The children of Nathaniel and Mary (Allen) Stevenson numbered eight, two of whom were born here Jane (Thompson). George, Betsey (Balph), tIngh, Mary ( Rose). Nathaniel, Sarah ( Bry- son) and James. Except George and Betsey, all lived to be old Hugh was in the war of 1812; he died recently at the age of eighty-seven. Nathaniel, James, Mary and Sarah are still living. Nathaniel was born in Westmoreland County, in 1796, and has been acquainted with Butler County from its earliest existence as a county.
Henry Montooth lived in the eastern part of the township, and died here. He came from Delaware County. The name is now entirely gone from the county, the last of the family having emigrated to Ohio some years ago. The names of this family were -Mary, Henry, Nancy, Sarah, Elizabeth, Margaret and William.
Andrew MeGowen settled within the present lim-
JOHN MARTINCOURT.
JOHN MARTINCOURT.
John Martincourt, well and favorably known as an active and influential citizen of Prospect, died at his home on the 25th of December. 1881. He was born in the city of Nancy. France. in June. 1807. and there received his education. At the age of twenty-one. he emigrated to America. and some time afterward settled at Gallipolis, Ohio. He came to Butler County forty years ago and engaged in the mercantile business at Prospect in partnership with William Allen. He after- ward continued the business with Robert Allen. The partnership resulted disastrously to Mr. Martincourt. and he was left with only a large business experience. Having no capital, he went to Clarion County, where he acted as book-keeper and manager of certain iron fur- naces. By this means he gained enough to purchase a farm west of Prospect, to which he removed, and there remained several years. He then went to Pittsburgh for a short time, then returning to Prospect he purchased the Allen property, renovated the house and opened it to the public as the Prospect Hotel. He was a most popular landlord. genial, affable and polite. and his house soon gained an enviable reputation. His charac- ter was above reproach, and his circle of friends large. A published obituary says of Mr. Martincourt : " During his sojourn in Prospect he was called upon to fill every position of trust and importance. In all these he did
his work admirably. especially in the office of Justice of the Peace, which he filled for many years. Liti- gant parties ever found his decisions equitable. nor were they ever. on the same testimony. reversed by a higher court. His life was a busy one. His vigorous constitution enabled him to withstand the encroach- ments of disease for many years. But, finally, the increase of years and the complication of disorders pre- vailing. his body gave way. his mind continuing unim- paired to the end. As sinks the full orbed sun in the West, so departed his sonl." He died of asthma, a dis ease from which he had suffered forty years.
Mr. Martincourt was a strong Republican and we use ful citizen. He was twice married. first. April 2. 15.16. to Nancy Allen, who died January 28. 1859. at the age of thirty-five. May 1. 1861. he married Elizabeth MeMillen, who is still living. By the first marriage. six children were born-Charles Thomas (now with (. Ault- man & Co. Canton, Ohio ; Letitia J. (who married Isaac N. Beighley and died in Prospect February 12. 1579. aged thirty years) : John N mhow engaged in mining business in Georgetown. Color: Samuel A. (now in New Mexico. Christina (the wife of Joseph Edmund son. Prospects, and William F. (who died in Pittsburgh in 1861. aged three years. The only child of the second marriage. S. Burt Martincourt, reside- in Prospect. and conducts the hotel started by his father.
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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY
its of Prospect in 1998. He was born in Maryland. but came here from Westmoreland County, bringing with him a wife and three children. Andrew Me- Gowen died in IS35, aged seventy seven. Mrs. Cath- aring MeGowen (nee Craner) died about the year 1820. Their children Mary (Strain), Nancy. George, Eliza (Nevil), Rebecca (Walton), Catharine (Grossman), Doreas (Sullivan). James and Cynthia (Brown) -all lived to have families except George, who died at the age of thirty three. Four daughters are still living, viz .. Rebecca. Catharine, Dorcas and Cynthia. Mrs. Sullivan, born in 1807, still resides upon the land which her own labor helped to convert into a home.
Mr MeGowen was the first settler within the bounds of the borough Prospect. His dwelling was. in contrast with the beautiful homelike structures now so common. a very primitivo one. The floor was of split logs, and the roof of elapboards, In ISJa, he raised a two story log house, built a stone chimney. and put glass windows in. To hanl the stone, be made a wagon, cutting off the end of a log two blocks for wheels. This wagon was used many a year on the farm in place of a sled, which was the usual method of conveying loads in those days. Soon after coming here. Mr. MeGowen lost his horse, the ani mal getting "swamped " in the low ground, and. having to go to mill. he took the grist upon the back of an ox. The first day he reached the mill, which was twenty miles distant. on the Big Beaver. Ho re- mained with the miller over night. and the next day returned as far as Zelienople, where he encamped for the night. turning the ox loose to feed. The third day he arrived home, and was eagerly welcomed by his wife and little children who had been alone during his absence.
William Hunter settled north of the MeGowen farm at an early date. He died, and was buried on the place. His wife lived over one hundred years. Two of their danghters, Peggy and JJonnie, married McCullonghs (Matthew and John), and the father willed the property to them. The MeCufloughs were Irish.
Leonard Shannon was born while his parents were crossing the Atlantic ocean coming from Ireland. He passed his early life in Philadelphia. and moved here from Cumberland County with his family about the year 1795 When he came ont to settle the place, he built a little shanty of punchoons in which he lived alone for three months. Salt was at times a very scarce article. Old Thomas Means, one of the neighbors. brought a quart from Westmoreland County at a period of great scarcity, and divided it among several families. Shannon packed salt from Westmoreland County, when that article was worth $10 a bushel. He also had to take his plow-points to
Westmoreland to have them sharpened. His son David afterward learned the blacksmith's trade in Pittsburgh, and returning home, worked for the settlers Wolves and bears gave this Family much amoyance. Mr. Shannon built a stout log pen to preserve his sheep. The wolves would come at night and howl around. frequently digging under the logs in an effort to get the sheep. He built wolf traps of logs, and so captured many wolves and bears. The family had a hand and for grinding corn. It consisted of two stones npoon a bench. one fitted with an arrangement for turning it, and required two persons to operate it, one turning and the other dropping in the kernels with the hand.
There was much hunting at this date: deer, pan- thers, bear-, wolves, turkeys and wild bees, were all abundant. Jefferson's Rock, on the Shannon farm. is so called from a hunter named defferson, who, with the assistance of Leonard Shannon. killed a bear over 100 pounds in weight, having first driven him into a hole under the rock. Rattlesnakes were so mmerons that. while the men were mowing upon the farm, they soluetimes killed as many as a hundred in one day. Their scythes became so full of poison that handling them made the mon sick. Leonard Shannon and his wife lived and died upon the farm now owned by their son, Samuel W. Shannon, Esq .. who furnished the foregoing particulars. Three of their children were born before the family removed to this county. The names of this family were David tonce editor of the Butler Repository). Rachel, Sarah. Joseph, John. Mary (Gibson), Jane (Borger). Samuel W .. Betsey and Hannah (MeGinnis): Mary. Jane. S. W. and Hannah are still living. Leonard Shannon was once Sheriff of Cumberland County. He was a man of great physical strength It is said that he could pick up a barrel of whisky, hold it and drink from the bing as easily as most men can drink from a jug.
Thomas Means lived in the swamp. on the farm now owned by George C. MeCandless. He was a Revolutionary soldier. and emme from Westmoreland County. He moved West. William and Jolm Me- Candless were among the early settlers in the northern part of the township. William was a tailor, aud was known as "Tailor Billy" in distinction from another William Candless. The fatter lived in Centro Township, ran a distillery, aud was known as " Stiffer Billy."
The most friendly social feeling prevailed among the settlers In old resident says all were like brothers. They worked hard and consumed a great deal of whisky. But they had their amusements, and occasionally some boisterous Inn. One election day. two young men wore returning home at evening, after
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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY
having imbibed some of the "ardent," when they took it into their heads to indulge in a coon hunt. It was moonlight. and a fine night for hunting. Near Leonard Shannon's they treed some coons in a large oak, which stood beside a tall, stoep rock. It was proposed to climb the tree and secure the game. One could not climb, and the other had Mr. Dick's wed- ding pants on. which he had borrowed for the day and feared to soil them. Finally the other agreed to lend the climber his own pantaloons, and so a change was made. One ascended the tree-the other stood on the rock pantless. By some accident, he lost his balance, and fell from the rock. bruising his flesh severely and tearing considerable of the skin from his back. They allowed the coons to remain undisturbed, went to Shannon's and called up the family to dress the wounds of the sufferer.
John Dick, a native of York County, moved from Westmoreland County with his parents, William and Nancy Dick, and settled on the farm where William Dick now lives. in 1798. At an early day there was preaching at his house by Rev. Mungo Dick, father of Dr. John N. Diek, of Westmoreland County. After coming here. John Dick married Margaret Mc Ginnis, who bore seven children. three of whom are still fiy- ing, viz., William, Margaret (Stevenson) and Jane (Black).
About the year 1799, Henry Shaffer, a native of Germany, came to this county from Westmoreland. He moved to Pennsylvania From the State of New Jersey. He settled upon the farm now occupied by Israel Shaffer. Mr. Shaffer brought apple-souds with him. and planted an orchard. His family consisted of eight children Jacob. Peter. John. William, Mary (Laffer), Betsey (Carter). Ann (Forrester) and Margaret (Hockenberry ). John, William, Margaret and Ann all lived and reared families in this county. John was a Captain in the war of [S]2. He married Catharine Elliot, and roared four children - Henry. William ( deceased ), Mary ( Barrow ) and Jemima ( White). William, son of Henry, Sr., fived on the old homestead. He married Mary Mackinson. and had a family of six children, four of whom are now living -- Henry and John. Iowa: and Catharine .1. and Israel, on the old place. Henry Shaffer, of Pros- peet, lives on the old Hunter farm. through which the Indian trail to Franklin passed. He remembers seeing Lafayette, and recalls other events of a long time ago. When he was about fifteen years of age he went hunting one day, armed with an old flint. lock gun and a butcher-knife. The young bunter had not penetrated far into the woods before he saw a large buck. Here was a good chance; he tired and the animal fell. Thinking him dead. the boy rushed upon him, drawing his knife. The buck drew up his
hind feet and kicked the boy off. One hoof hit the arm that holdt the knife, and the weapon thew from hitu and was never found. The boy stepped back, and reloaded his gun: the buck, meanwhile, had risen to his feet Henry eropt up close to him and fired; this time the game was killed.
John Kennedy cleared the farm on which his son Robert lives.
William Jewell, one of the first settlers, lived on Muddy Crock. He moved hore From New York State. Ilis children, who came here with him, were Sarah ( Baker , and Euphomin ( Graham ). Cadwallader Baker, also from New York, soitled near the creek. He was a firm supporter of the Baptist Church, and the house was erected on his land. His children were J. Jewell. William R., James, Hiram. Maria (AI- bert) and Matilda (Gallagher). J. J., Hiram and the daughters are living.
Samuel McCall and William Davis were early set- tlers south of the creek. in the northeastern part of the township.
Jacob Hays was an early settler north of Prospect. He lived here some years, then went to Allegheny County, but finally returned, and died upon the farm in Franklin. His son, John K., recently deceased, bought the property after his father's death, and re- sided here from 1875 until his death, in 1SS2.
William Forrester died in 18-15, at the age of seventy seven. He was born in Scotland, and came to this county from Pittsburgh. He settled near Porter-ville at a date some years prior to 1800. In IsOs, he bought fand of Andrew MeGowen. and set- ilend on the farm where his grandchildren now live. The children of William and Elizabeth (MeFern) Forrester were William. Thomas, Joseph. Sarah (Gallagher) and Elizabeth (ones). All lived aud died in Butler County. William was in the war of IST2. He was a school teacher and surveyor. He never married. Joseph. Forrester occupied the old homestead. He married Elizabeth Sharp, who still survives. She was born in this county in 1507. Her children living in the county are James N .. S. S., D. Watson, Rov. John B., Tirzah J. ( Balph ) and Amanda (Shanor). Mrs. Forrester says that when she married, she determined that no whisky should be used about her home. She met with great opposition, especially when her husband informed the neighbors that he was going to raise a log- barn without whisky. But the point was carried, aud thereafter no whisky was used upon the farm.
It is evident that an old Indian camping ground must have been located upon the Forrester farm ; or, possibly, an Indian village. Spear heads and arrow heads have been found here in large quantities.
Samuel Riddle, a native of Chester County, settled
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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
in Butler about 1800. Some years later, he moved to 1571. Three of the daughters are living : Eliza this township and settled where James Cratty now (McCullough), Muddy Creek Township ; Jane ( Me- Collough). deceased : Mary (Robinson), lowa . Mar- garet (Martin). Penn Township. lives. Of his children - James, Martha (Spear), John, Matilda ( Brinker), Eliza ( Foltz), Hannah (Gal- lagher) and Julia (Harvey)-none are now living. James, the oldest, married first Sarah Potts, and see- ond. Eliza Potts, and reared a large family.
The Sullivan family, well known in this county, are descended from Peter O'Sullivan, who settled in Northumberland County, Va., about the year 1700. Charles, a son of Peter, married Jemima Reeve in 1757. The children of this union were John, Charles. Elizabeth, James and Anna, all born in Northumberland County. John and Charles were in the Revolutionary war at Valley Forge. Charles married Susannah Johnston in Chester County, Penn., in 1755. Their children were Moses, Aaron, Thomas, John. James, Margaret (these were born in Allegheny County) : Jemimah (born in Franklin Township, Butler County, in 1800), Elizabeth, Will- iam. Charles Craven. Charles C., Sr., died in Butler County on the oldl homestead in IS13, His son. Charles C., died in Butler in 1860. John died in Butler in 185 -; Moses died in 1839 : James died William died in New Albany, Ind .: Aaron in Pitts- burgh. There were tive generations of Charles C. Sullivans. The daughters of Charles Sullivan, Sr .. after they married became respectively Margaret (Stewart), Jemima (MeCandless). Elizabeth (White), and Susan ( Bradshaw.) All are now dead.
In 1800. William Spear, a Revolutionary soldier. settled in this township. Edward, William, Andrew and Matthew were his sons ; Jane (Dodds) and Eliza (Kincaid) his daughters. Andrew and Matthew were well-known physicians and school teachers.
Adam Albert, a native of Virginia, moved from , farm in 1865.
Virginia to Muddy Creek Township. and settled near Portersville in IS06. About seven years later, he moved to the farm in Franklin on which his descend- ants now live, purchasing from George Shannon. He reared a large family-Daniel, Adam. Mary (Dunn), George, William, John, Peter, Henry, Andrew. Eliz- abeth (Henshew), Margaret ( Miller) and Nancy (Pearee). All are now living except Daniel. Adam and Elizabeth. In 1833, George Albert settled where he now lives. A four-hundred-acre tract, purchased by the Alberts from Mrs. Collins, was then a wilder- ness, but is now beautiful, well cultivated land.
John Anderson emigrated from Ireland and settled near Prospect in 1833. He died in 1867, at the age of seventy-nine. He was the father of two sons and four daughters. James D. resides in Penn Town- ship, where he has lived since 1865. He has a son. R. M., also a resident of Penn. Samuel, the second son of John Anderson, died in Franklin Township in
Robert S. McCandless emigrated from Ireland when a young man, and about 1519 settled in Frank- lin Township. He brought up a family of six daugh- ters and two sons, whose names are as follows : Will- iam T., Penn Township: Mary (Diekson), dead ; Nancy (MeCandless), dead : Jane (Black), Butler County : Eliza (Harbison), dead ; Peggy (Hilliard), Franklin Township: Nelson, died in the army; Lavi- na (Cress), Connoquenessing Township.
William Brannan, an Englishman, came from Washington County to the northeastern part of Law- rence County in 1803. thence he removed to farm in Worth Township, and in 1845 his son Thomas settled in the northern part of this township, on a farm which William Carter had been occupying for some years. Thomas Brannan married, in this county, first. Mary Burrows, and seeond, Mary Ann Reed. Names of children-Susan. Jane, William, Mary Elizabeth. Rebecca, Thomas D., Margaret E., Alzira and Isaae R. Mary, Elizabeth, William and Thomas D). are dead.
Francis Currie, a native of Scotland, came to this county in 1840. He lived m Slippery Rock and Worth Townships: then moved to the northern part of Franklin, where he died in 1850. He was married after coming here. to Jane Brannan. Of his family. only one survives-W. B. Currie.
James Finlay, bought and settled upon the farm he now owns in 1861. He came from Pittsburgh to this county in IS19.
A. Webber moved from Venango County to his
J. S. Fisher came from Lawrence County and set- tled where he now lives in 1865.
JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.
Franklin Township, - IS12, Cadwallader Baker : 1815, David Marshall: 1817. William Spear; 1517. Isaac Double: 1552, William Spear: 1552, William Shaffer: 1856, Samuel W. Shannon; 1559. James Stevenson; 1861, Samuel W. Shannon: 1866. Samuel W. Shannon; 1867. John Stevenson; 1971. S. W. Shannon; 1872, William Diek: 1577, Samuel Davis; 1879, John M. Dann: 1582, W B. Curry.
EARLY SCHOOLS.
About 1503, a log building on the Stevenson farm was converted into a schoolhouse of the primitive style o' pioneer days. John Thompson was the first teacher, and was a good instructor. The school was next taught by Charles Sullivan. Later, Samuel .Cook tanght summer and winter.
HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY
A short distance. east of Prospect stood a log cabin. first survey was made by Thomas M. Forrester. A which was used as a schoolhouse about the year 1>11. Master Fletcher, who had formerly taught in Alle- gheny County, was the teacher. Afterward Andrew Spear (Dr. Spears taught the school, and was sys. tematie and thorough in his methods.
MUDDY CREEK BAPTIST CHURCH.
Rev. Henry Spear was the first Baptist minister who preached in this place. Later. Rev. Nathaniel Tibbet assisted him. Having gathered a small band of believers, these two organized a church of seven- teen members on the 19th of October. 1819. Rev. Nathaniel Tibbet was the first pastor. He was suc ceeded by Rev. Samuel Stoughton, who was licensed to preach in 1822, and ordained November 28. 1823. He remained in charge of this church until about 1562 -- a period of forty years during which time he labored faithfully and zealously for the upbuilding of Zion.
This church has never suffered from dissensions. Its house of worship is a brick structure, erected in 1844, and sitnated about three miles north of Pros- peet. Since Mr. Stoughton concluded his labors here, the church has been ministered to by Reys. D. L. Clouse. Enos Woodruff. M. I Browser and W. H. Mckinney, the present pastor.
The Deacons of this church have been Jacob Rinse. John Shaffer. Robert Hampson, C. Baker, William Shaffer. Andrew Stoughton. Daniel Smith, Oliver Peiser, Robert MeGinnis Simon Stickle. Leonard Shannon, James Cratty.
The number of members is over one hundred and fifty. The average attendance of the Sabbath school during ISS1. was sixty. The first person buried in the graveyard of this church was Cadwallader Baker. son of J. J. Baker. The second was William Jewell.
PROSPECT.
This borough contains about 100 inhabitants, and is pleasantly situated in the midst of a delightful country. The town bears few of the marks of heg leet usually so apparent in small villages. Every thing is tidy, and the buildings are tasteful and in good repair. Prospect has four churches and two physicians, one grist mill, one tannery. one bank. four general stores, one drug store, one confectionery store. two shoe-makers' shops, one tin shop. four blacksmith's shops, two wagon shops, one furniture and undertaking establishment, one marble cutting shop, two tailor shops, two saddlery and harness shops, two hotels, one job printing office, etc.
Andrew MeGowen was the first settler within the present limits of the village. He cansed the town to be laid out about the year 1825, on his land and the land of John Jones and James Mccullough. The
srend survey was made in 195 by James Dunlap. The name Prospect was given the village by George 1. Kirkpatrick, May 25, 1525, and is so recorded on the town plat It is related that he was coming to- ward the town one evening, and as he came to the broad stretch of level land lying between this place and Whitestown, he mentally exclaimed .. What a beautiful prospect !" and then and there decided that Prospect should be the name of the village. Kirk- patrick was the first store keeper in the place, and proved a very enterprising and useful citizen. His place of business was in the second log cabin built in Prospects it stood on the northeast corner of the cross roads Kirkpatrick was a young Irishman who was intheneed to come here by Mr. MeGowen. John Cabey, of Pittsburgh, started here in business. He lived in his little hut and kept store five years. He had so little room to spare that his sister, who kept house for him, was obliged to go to MeGowen's to sleep. He next bought a piece of land and erected the house in which Dr. Richardson now lives, where he kept store for twenty-five or thirty years, doing a very thrifty business for those days.
The second store was Robert Allen's, established in 1536. The building he occupied was the first frame house created in the place. It was built by Lewis Evans soon after the town was laid out, and stood on the northeast corner, where Kirkpatrick's logg store (also built by Evans) had formerly stood. Robert Aler came from Pittsburgh in 1536 and started store in Pro-poet in partnership with G. W. MeCas key. of Wocheny City. Mr. Allen was next in part nership with William Allen, then alone, and finally with John Martine ort for a time. Mr. Allon was in business in Project for about eighteen years. During this time he created the building which is now ( (. Sollrand tos, and in IM15 the brick building now the Proper Honso. He also had an interest in a tampael and a stage line during his residence here. William Allen came to Prospect in 140. He had formerly been in a wholesale house in Pittsburgh. He gete has a merchant in Pro piet un til IS57. when he removed to Allow's Mill Conno quenessing Township, where he died in 1579.
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