History of Butler County, Pennsylvania. With illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 78

Author: Waterman, Watkins & Co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Chicago, Waterman, Watkins & Co.
Number of Pages: 638

USA > Pennsylvania > Butler County > History of Butler County, Pennsylvania. With illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 78

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Of their living children. James R and Mary Jane reside in Washington Township. John C. owns part of the David MeJunkin farm. He is a successful oil producer. He has, unaided, acemulated a compo. tency, and is emphatically a self-made man. active. enegetie and prosperous. For thirty-five years he followed the business of school teaching winters. The other children are Sammel H., in Kansas, and Sarah A .. in Brady Township. William E. enlisted in 1861 in Company E. Eleventh Pennsylvania Vol- unteers, and having his right arm shot off at Chicka- hominy, he was discharged and came home and as- sisted in raising a company, of which he was made First Lieutenant, and assisted in capturing Morgan. After being again discharged. ho studied law with Judge MeJunkin. of Butter, and in the second year, while so engaged, was elected County Treasurer. He died October 30, 1866. while in office.

When a young man twenty-one years of age, in IS18, John Howe accompanied his father. Henry, to Butler County. About the year 1530 or 1532. John Howe purchased 225 acres of land in Centre Town- ship for $1,160, and resided hore until his death in 1864. Of his children, there are still living Mar garet J., John C., Mary E .. Ann M .. Taiah N .. Nelson, Adda and Thomas R. The latter is in possession of the homestead. His wife. Sarah J .. is a daughter of David Jones, who some fifty years since settled in Franklin Township.

Isaac Curry, a native of Ireland, was an early settler near Unionville. His children -James ( .. Robert. David. Isaac. Barbara, Julia Anu. Nancy and Elizabeth are all dead except Barbara (MeMi chael) and Robert. The latter lived many years on the old homestead: then moved to the West.

Matthew Mccullough was an early settler in Muddy Crock Township One of his son -. Dinwid die, lives on the old homestead; another. A. G .. ro sides in Centro Township.

William Maxwell came from Westmoreland County in an early day with his wife Mary, and settled on the farm now owned by his son in law, James Kick patrick. He died in 1876, and his wife in 1875. For some time after coming. the only method of transportation was by pack-horse along bridle paths. Ho gave ten acres of land. which has since been sold for $1,000, for a wagon, and considered it a good bargain. His daughters, Jane and Sarah Ann. both reside on the okl farm. the latter being the wife of J. Kirkpatrick before referred to.

William Fisher and his wife 'Hannah (Creeks) came from Berks County in 1831. and settled in

Penn Township, and remained there until his death in 1868. The journey was performed in fourteen days. At this time the road was filled with emi- grants making their way to the new country. Frank- lin Fisher, son of William. was then a lad seven years of age. He well remembers the journey, and the little iow cabin with mud and stick chimney. puncheon floor, and greased paper which was used in lien of window glass, that greeted them on their arrival. The schools, three and four miles distant, were found by means of blazed trees, and the rude benches, made by splitting a sapling and inserting wooden legs, were the same as those used at home in lieu of chairs. Corn bread and buckwheat cakes thes; formed the bill of fare. After reaching manhood. Franklin engaged in the manufacture of brick, and finally located in Butler Borough, but a few years since he removed to his tine farm in this township. He and his wife Barbara (Emerick) are the parents of thirteen chil- dren.

Among the later settlers were Joseph Brewster and his wife Jane R. (Dun). Ile came from Allegheny County in 1832, and purchased a tract of land and engaged in farming until his death in 1866 His widow resides on the old farm with her son, Alexan- der. and his wife. Lila M. (Albert ).

In an early day, timothy grass was unknown to the settlers, and when, in abont IS16. Anthony Thomp- son raised some of this grass, it was regarded as a noxions weed by farmers, and he was censured by many. However. he sold a load of hay to Robert Stewart, and in taking it to him in the winter, to avoid the snow drifts, passed through a field belong- ing to James Phillips, where, unfortunately, the load- up-et. The following spring, the seed bore scattered sprang up and began to grow Insuriantly. This cansed Mr. Phillips no little uneasiness, and he sued Mr. Thompson for damages the trial to come off bofore Justice of the Peace John Brackney. When the day for trial arrived. the Justice was so busy in his distillery he was anxious to have the snit settled withont litigation, and therefore announced that he had heard of that grass, and did not believe it injuri- ous to the land: in fact, was of the opinion that it was a good thing, and said that if the contestants would drop the matter he would " set up" the whisky, to which proposition they at once agreed.

Apples, now so plentiful, were once very scarce, and the younger children were very curious regarding them. This was particularly the case with William and the other children of David MeJunkin, and in answer to numerous inquiries as to when they would be ripe. Mrs. McJunkin told them "when the bees swarmed." Arriving home one day. long before the apples word ripe, she was joyfully met by William,

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

who announced that the " bees had swarmed" and they had picked all the apples, and sure enough they had picked them all, and stored them in the house.

MILLS.

There are no mills of any considerable note in the township. About 1810, John Neyman built a grist- mill and fulling-mill. and soon after a saw-mill. The property was subsequently purchased by John MeGrath, who ran the grist mill until his death.

SCHOOLS.

The children of the pioneers were deprived of the opportunities for obtaining an education afforded those of the present generation. Schools were taught on the subscription plan, and children whose parents were unable to pay their tuition could not attend.

No one was more interested in the cause of educa- tion than William Wallace, who was instrumental in erecting a schoolhouse on his farm, in 1803, the first one in the township. It was constructed of logs, had a wooden chimney, puncheon floor and rough slab seats, but was as comfortable as most of the private houses. This same year, a schoolhouse was erected on the David McJunkin farm, and thus was estab. lished the first of what is now a series of tive school districts, which have an average of seven months' school each year, and are attended by 296 scholars. From the humble log schoolhouses have arisen good buildings, the school property now being valued at $2,000. The average wages paid teachers is $28 per month, including board. Among the early school- teachers can be mentioned William A. Campbell, Samuel Cook, Mark Sloan, George Carlan, Mr. Greer and O. H. Olney.

A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT.

A singular and terrible casualty, which is remem- bered by the older people throughout the county, oc- curred in this township in 1827. Upon the 18th of April in that year, Abraham Markle Neyman, who was then keeping a hotel in Butler Borough, where the Vogeley House now stands, and his brother-in-law, Parker McCleary, set out in a wagon to bring home Mrs. Neyman and her two children, who had been visiting at the house of John Neyman, the children's grandfather, where is now the MeGrath Mill. Soon after the little party started homeward, and while they were upon the hill, south of the mill, a violent storm arose, and a huge tree by the roadside was hurled crashing upon the wagon and its occupants. Abraham Neyman was instantly killed; a child, about three years and a half of age, received injuries from which death speedily ensued; Mrs. Neyman was stunned so severely that she did not recover conscions- ness until after her husband and child had been

buried, and through her long life ishe died at the age of eighty-three years) suffered from her injuries, be- ing ineurably crippled. Her youngest child. at her breast when the free fell, which killed father and brother, escaped uninjured, and now. after the lapse of over fifty-five years, is known to many of our road- ers as Dr. A. M. Neyman, of Butler. The accident caused widespread sorrow, for in that early time. al. though people dwelt farther apart than now, they were fully as closely knit together by the ties of sym- pathy.

JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.

Centre Township. 1810. John Brewster: 1940, John MeCandless: 1814, John Sutton: 1845, David Davis: 1519. Thomas C. Thompson; 1850. David Davis: 1552. William Gibson: 1854, Nathan Mc- Candless: 1551. R. K. Hunter; 1857, Moses Thomp son: 1859. John M. McCandless; 1862, Moses Thomp- son; 1964. John M. McCandless; 1867. William A. Christy ; 1869, Nathan F. MeCandless. 1872, William A. Christy; 1874. J. C. Moore: 1877. William Allison; 1879, J. C. Moore; 1882, William Allison.

UNIONVILLE.

The village of Unionville, which contains less than fifty inhabitants, dates its commencement back to 1829 or 1830, when Samuel Thompson opened a store at this point with a small stock of goods. He con- tinued in trade for a few years, and was succeeded by his brother James, but about three years later again resumed business. They were succeeded by David Stewart, who also conducted a tavern. About this time. Blaisdell & Cornish commenced business as co- partners. Robert J. McGowan next tried the mer- cantilo business for a few years, and was succeeded by David and Mark McCandless. In June, 1847. Joseph Coulter, who is still in business, brought in the first large stock of goods, and commenced doing a large business. At present two others, D. C. Miller and W. T. Campbell, are also engaged in business.

The post office which is called MeCandless, was established in the winter of 1839 40. David Stewart being the Postmaster. He was succeeded by J. M. MeCandless, who held the place for twenty-eight years. W. T. Campbell is the present Postmaster. A post office known as Holyoke is also established in the township with H. L. Young Postmaster. Mr. Young also conducts a store.

The first road constructed through the township was built by the State in 1505 6, and ran from Butler to Mereer. About this time a road was con- structed from Butler to Franklin.

RELIGIOUS MATTERS.

Rev. John McPherrin was the first Presbyterian preacher who officiated in Centre Township. He held

HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY

-tronar- To ed co three sides. In tin pensoof the mely while his congrega from meestporal bes, dogs and other improvised por ou Un exterior, In Front of him.

Ther on three churchos of the this township. It of when I've been recently established.

the Holyoke United Presbyterian Church was or- gymized August 25. 157%, by Rov. James A. Clark, John S. Fisher, Georgs Stephenson and John M. Dunn, in accordance with a petition presented to Butler Presbytery. Alexander Blain. William Alli som. T. R. Hoon. Samuel Irwin and J. C. Moore were elected Elders, and John R. Pollock, Alexander Blain and William Allison were elected Trustees, Services were first held in Robert Miller's barn. This samo year a substantial frame church, 32x48, was constructed. at a cost of $1,375,50. The church has a membership of forty nine, and a flourishing Sunday school of eighty scholars.

For some seven years prior to 1877. Rev. Sammel Williams, pastor of the Muddy Creek Presbyterian Church, came to Unionville every month and preached in the schoolhouse to a good congregation. It was considered advisable to oreet a church edifice, and at the first meeting of record, held February 17, 1877. subscription papers were presented showing pledges to the amount of $1.460. After several meetings bad been held, a building committee, consisting of Joseph Coulter. E. D. Eagal. E. L. Varnum. W. H. Me- Candless, N. S. Thompson. H. C. MeCandloss and R. M. Russell, were appointed, and they created a frame. bnikling. 36x56 foot, at a cost of about $2. 100, inelnd ing furnishing. The church was organized October 30, 1877. with forty-seven members, by a committee consisting of Revs. James Coulter and J. H. Marshall and Elder John Bingham. E. D. Eagal. J. M Dunn and E. L. Varmum were the first Trustees, and R. M. Russell, Treasurer. Elders: N. F. MeCandless. R. M. Russell. N. S. Thompson. The house was dedicated October IS. 1879.

Rev. Samuel Williams, who officiated as pastor. was not installed until the fall of 1878, He now holds services every other wock. The church has a mom bership of about 111, and a prosperous Sunday school of abont 100 scholars.

In 1870, Elder Joseph Grimm, of the Winebron narian Church, commenced preaching, and in August. 1872, organized a church with a membership of twenty-five. with Andrew Albert. James S. Joues, as Elders; and Houry Albert and Ira Bacon, as Deacons, In 1874, they erected a substantial frame house of worship, 31x50 feet. They now have a membership of thirty seven, and a Sunday school connected with

the chapel The fellow ctos Lave officiated in steen jon: J. Grimm. J. \ Days, K. Nanaman, J. Crian. \ R. MeCahan . N. IL. MeElveen, who is the passent pastar

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

WILLIAM C. MCCANDLESS

William MeCandless came from Ireland, when a youth, with his parents, and settled near Turtle Creek, in what was then Westmoreland, but now Allegheny County, where they remained until their demise. William came to Centre Township in 1796, and lo- cated 200 acres of land where his son. William C., now resides, and made it his home until his death. February 19, 1850, in his seventy-third year. bis wife's death ocenrring September 26, 1570. at the ad- vanced age of eighty years. He was for many years a beacon in the Presbyterian Church, and a most ex- emplary and honorable man. His was one of the first cabins erected in the township, and it was chris- tened " The Hermitage," according to an arrange- ment made by the first settlers, as will appear in the township history. The name of William MeCandless will ever bear honorable mention in connection with the history of this county, he being one of those honest. hard-working pioneers who acted as urant- vontriers to the thousands who will follow them and reap the benefits of their hardships and privations. April 23, 1801, he married Naney Fish, who was born in Carlisle, Penn., June 7, 1753. and was a daughter of Nathan Fish, who came in the county at an early day. Their children were : John F., born March 27. 1802 : Nathan P., bor December 28, 1503 : Jane ( .. born January 15. 1506 ; Nancy, born February 1, ESOS : Mary 1., born in May. ISIO : Robert W., bora November 22. IS12 : Josiah. born March 6. IS16 ; Anderson, born May 26. 1515: Jemima, born Manu- ary 16, 1820: Porter, born January 29. 123 : Will- iam ( born November 7. 1995.

William ( is numbered among the prosperous, progressive farmers of Contre Township. an l resides on the parental estate, a view of which appears else- where. He is a man who prefers the quiet of home life to public affairs. Politically, he is identified with the Republican party. February 2, 1965, be was married to Amelia (Bingham). daughter of W. S. Bingham, and they have been the parents of the fol- lowing children : Mary A., William B .. Warren F. (die) September 20, 1577), Origen, Olive J. (an infant that died March 1. 1579), Ploronce, and an infant boy.

RESIDENCE OF W. C. M& CANDLESS.

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

DANIEL SHANER.

In 1797, Adam Shaner and his wife, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Whitehead, came from West- moreiand County to Butler, and first located near the present site of Butler Borough ; not long afterward, he removed to the farm, on part of which Daniel Shaner, his grandson, now resides. He was the fath- er of seven children -Jacob, Catharine, Daniel, John, Susan, William and Mary, only the latter of whom survives. He was among the first to ereet dist leries once so common in the county. His son Jacob, fa- ther of the subject of this biography, resided on the old farm until his death, which occurred in October, 1873, in his eighty-fourth year. He held varions township offices, and served one term as County Com- missioner, and did much pioneer work. lle was a member of the Lutheran Church. He first married Elizabeth (Heighberger), who died in 1843, and then married Sarah (Mechling). By his first wife he had children as follows : Simon, Daniel, John, Barbara, Adam, Catharine, Jacob and Henry. Simon and Ja- cob are in Oregon. Henry went to California, while the others (except Catharine, who resides in Alleghe. ny City) are deceased.

Daniel Shaner was born May 5, ISI5. He pur- chased the farm on which he now resides, and has done much pioneer work in preparing it for cultiva- tion. Mr. Shaner is not an aspirant for office, al- though he has held several township offices, prefer- ring to quietly pursue his chosen vocation, farming, but has ever maintained an honorable position in the community where he resides. He and his wife, Sophia (Mechling), to whom he was married August 2, 1852; are consistent members of the Lutheran Church.

Mrs. Shaner was born August 2, 1831, and is a daughter of William and Catharine (Kuhn) Mech- ling. Henry Kuhn, her maternal grandfather, was a Revolutionary soldier, and participated in the battle of Bunker Hill. He settled in Venango Township in 1820. John Mechling, her paternal grandfather, settled in what is now Washington Township in 1795. He was also a farmer and an early distiller. He and his wife, Margaret (Saams), became the parents of children as follows : Mary, Catharine, William. Elizabeth. John. Margaret. Joseph, Sarah, Harriet and Esther. William was born March 15, 1798, and died in Ohio, to which State he had removed in 1853. His wife (Catherine Kuhn) was born in 1797, and died in IS50, leaving the following children : George W., John, Henry K. ( who was a member of the Eighteenth Battery Ohio Artillery ; he enlisted August S, 1862, and served until June, 1865), Sophia, Joseph, Newton J. (who served his country as private in Company H. One Hundred and Ninety fourth Ohio

Volunteer Infantry). Lycurgus was a member of Company A. Fifty-third Ohio Infantry; he enlisted in 1561, and at the expiration of his term of enlist. ment. re enlisted. Jacob Shaner (son of Jacob Shaner) served three years in an Iowa cavalry regi- ment.

Mr. and Mrs. Shaner have been blessed with four children Rov. Henry K., a Lutheran clergyman; Mary A., deceased ; John J. and George H., who ro- side at home.

R. M. RUSSELL.

R. M. Russell was born in Venango County, Penn .. August 11. 1538, and is a son of William and Eliza- beth (MeCandless) Russell. At an early age, he re- moved with his parents to Butler County, where he grew to manhond's estate with no other facilities for obtaining an education than those enjoyed by other farmers' sons. He, however, improved his opportn- nities so that he was enabled to engage in school teaching. Ho nobly responded to his country's call during the war of the rebellion, and was mustered into service Angust 31, 1864. in Company A. Sixth Regiment Heavy Artillery Pennsylvania Volunteers, for one year, and was honorably discharged June 13, 1865. He was married, November 11, 1861. to Ke- ziah M., daughter of John and Jemima (Sullivan) MeCandless. The fruits of their union are one son. John M., born October 21, 1863. R. M. followed his father's avocation, farming. and was engaged in this pursuit in Centre Township at the time of his death, July 8, 18S2. June 20, 1863, he united with the Presbyterian Church of Muddy Creek, of which he remained a faithful and consistent member until the organization of the Presbyterian Church of Union- ville, October 30, 1877, when he united with that church and was elected and ordained as Ruling El- der. He was chosen Superintendent of the Sabbath school, both of which offices he faithfully and effi- ciently filled until he was disabled by sickness, which terminated in his death. As a man he was faithful aud sine re, kind and amiable in all his relations, which, coupled with striet honesty and integrity, won for him the esteem of his associates, so that he left behind him the legacy of a well-spent life, to which his family ean point with pride.

CHAPTER XXXVII.

MUDDY CREEK

Organization-Physical Features Mineral Resourers-Early Settlers -The Stewarts, Humphreys, Mecalle ughs and Others Pioneer Customs-Liter Settlers-History of Portersville.

PREVIOUS to the year 1551, this township em- braced all of what is aow Franklin, together with portions of Connoquenessing and Worth. But from time

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IHISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

to time in the past two decades, it has been reduced in size, until it is now as the others, approximately five miles square. Its form is almost a square, the irreg- nlarity being its northern boundary or Muddy Creek, from which creek the township takes its name. The surface of Muddy Creek Township is very uneven: some portions of it are even diversified by high hills. In the eastern part. however, it is level and is very appropriately called Pleasant Valley. The mineral resources of this township are abundant, although ag- riculture is the principal pursuit of its inhabitants. In almost every part. and especially in the western and northern regions, coal is found in considerable quantities and of excellent quality. There are about twenty-five coal banks in the township. all of which furnish abundance of coat for local use. A good quality of limestone and iron ore is also sound. The people of Muddy Creek Township are hospitable, in- telligent and progressive. Improvements of various kinds are generally excellent. Farmers of this part of the county, as well as those in other parts, point with a just pride to their well cultivated broad acres, substantial and even elegant houses, and to their im proved live stock. All these desirable changes and improvements come not of themselves, but are the legitimate result of serupulous care and intelligent and unwearying industry. The herenlean labors of those who were the heralds of civilization are being enjoyed by the present generation. To them we are indebted primarily for the removal of the forests and the luxuries of a cultivated soil, and the Jater tasks of the active throng united with theirs have trans formed the once barren wilderness into fertile and prolific fields.

Robert Stewart came from Westmoreland County and settled in 1796 at what is now Portersville on a tract of land of four hundred and fourteen acres, be. ing part of what was denominated the eight tracts which had not been surveyed, and which was known as " depreciation land." When Mr. Stewart located on this land, there was no human being living with- in fifteen miles, nor a building, except a little log cabin, which he found on the territory upon which he settled. This cabin belonged to a negro who called himself Cæsar, and who declared that he had lived there two years, obtaining bis living by hunting and fishing. Mr. Stewart, of course, was surprised to tind this dusky being there in solitude, and doubly surprised when he claimed the land which he resided upon and evinced a thorough knowledge of a settler's right. Mr. Stewart bought ont Caesar's right of set- tlement for a paltry sum. and the sable individual took his departure without explaining anything with reference to his antecedents or his intentions. Short. ly after Robert Stewart's settlement, a Mr. Thomas

Brandon came to the same part of the country look- ing for an eligible place for himself and family. To him Mr. Stewart offered 100 acres if he would bring his family and settle there.

It need scarcely be observed that Mr. Brandon ac- copted the offer, and he and his family removed there a few weeks later, thus becoming very early settlers of Muddy Creek Township. Mr. Stewart was born in Westmoreland County, near the Yonghiogheny River, in 1771. In 1800, he married Miss Margaret Christy.

Shortly after his permanent location. Mr. Stewart built a large log house, where the Burnside Hotel now stands. It was of hewn logs and stone founda- tion. The mantle-piece and stones of the building may yet be seen, although many years have elapsed since it was torn down. Elizabeth was their first born. She afterward became Mrs. John Tebay. She died in 1542. The first few years Mr. Stewart raised corn and potatoes only. The corn he packed to Beaver, receiving salt in return, generally getting one bushel for ten of corn. At that early period. corn was in greater demand than most all other productions of the farm except wheat. Potatoes were taken to Pittsburgh and exchanged for provisions, such as coffee. rice. tea, sugar, ote. The nearest mill was at Har- lansburg, and thither would Mr. Stewart repair with his grain and have it converted into four.

It has been mentioned that Elizabeth was born in 1801: the remaining members of the family were Margaret, afterward Mrs. David Fisher: Sarah, who married John Levis: Martha, who became the wife of John Fithian: Jolm C .: Robert; Samnel, died at Beaver Falls. July, 1982: Thomas. Jane, Joseph MI .. Alexander. Joseph and Newton. Of this family, Martha Fithian and Thomas. in Iowa, and Robert. of Portersville, still survive. The father of these children died in 1851. Robert Stewart. son of Robert Stewart, deceased, married Jane Gardner in 1830.

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History of Butler County, Pennsylvania. With illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 78

Author: Waterman, Watkins & Co., Chicago, pub Publication date: 1883 Publisher: Chicago, Waterman, Watkins & Co. Number of Pages: 638

Author: Waterman, Watkins & Co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Chicago, Waterman, Watkins & Co.
Number of Pages: 638