USA > Pennsylvania > Butler County > History of Butler County, Pennsylvania. With illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 79
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Thomas Humphrey was a native of Ireland, county of Tyrone. He settled in this township in 1798. Previously to locating bere, however, he made his home in Greensburg. or near that place, for sey- eral years, remaining among friends who emigrated to America from the North of Ireland. While in Greensburg, ho met Miss Ruth Coulter, whom he married. They removed to this township to find for themselves a desirable home. There was not at that time very much. indeed, to attract a young married couple to the then unexplored and immense wilder- ness. in whose forest recesses the invading foot of the white settler was almost nuknown. Yet they as- sumed life's stern duties with strong hands and light hearts, fortified with the thought that industry is the
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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY
handmaid of success, and that perseverance will ulti- mately bring its reward. though it might be long de- ferred. They lived happily and prosperously to- gether for many years, finding comfort and conso- lation in each other's society, and pleasure and grati- tication in providing for themselves and the growing wants of their family. A sad bereavement happened to the family, however, in 1539, when the husband and father was called away by death. The members of the family were Jane, now widow of Thomas Emory, living with her son in Franklin, Penn. : James, who went to the Southwest in 1841 or IS42, and is now supposed to be dead (he was a carpenter by occupation, and worked for some time on the State house in Texas, shortly after it was admitted into the the Union); William, who died in 1864, aged sixty- three; he was the father of William Humphrey. Esq., who now resides at Portersville, and in en- gaged in the mercantile business. Besides him, there were five other brothers and three sisters, viz : Ange- line, now Mrs. Rutter, living near Newcastle. : James: Mary Jane, now Mrs. David Bennet. living in Ven- ango County, near Wesleyville: John; William; George W., living in Texas: David and Thomas, both deceased In early life. William followed the pro- fession of teaching. Abandoning this business after pursuing it for fourteen years, he embarked in the mercantile business in 1868, with James Newton. At the end of four years, he sold out to S. H. Bailey. Five years later. he entered into partnership with Peter Scheidemantle, keeping a general store in a room one door south of the present building, which was erected in 1876.
David Kennedy came from Philadelphia soon after 1800, and settled along Yellow Creek. His son David soon after settled on a farm in the northwest- ern portion of the township and built a saw-mill, grist-mill and fulling-mill thereon, and operated hom until 1840, as near as can be ascertained from other chronological facts. This was considered quite an on- terprise at that time, and persons came to these mills from near and far.
John Myers and family came from Virginia pre- vious to 1800, and settled in this township. The de- scendents of this family are still numerous in the neighborhood. The children of John Myers, Sr .. were Solomon. John, Anna ( Beighle), Samnel, George, David and Daniel. John, a son of Solomon, is an old resident of Lancaster Township, where he has re- sided fifty-three years, and others of the grandchil- dren of the first John Myers are now aged people. The family is of German descent.
It was the custom in those early days for the women to spin and weave their wool. and take it to the fulling mill where it was Inlled, dyed and dressed
preparatory to being manufactured into clothing for the men, which was also done by the industrious women of that time. These mills were operated by water power, the dam to which cansed a large amount of land to be inundated, and after a time, as land be- came more valuable, property owners objected to the flooding of their land, and after some litigation Mr. Kennedy was compelled to tear down his dam, and, steam power not then being in vogue, the mills were necessarily abandoned; the necessity for them have in a measure passed away.
But fow now living in the township remember that such mills ever existed, and played such an im- portant part in the early settlement and development of the township and surrounding country.
Joseph White was another Westmoreland man, who pitched his tont within the boundaries of the township as early as 1509. He purchased a tract of land of 200 acres from one Mrs. Elliott. Very little of it was cleared, and as a necessary consequence, much labor had to be expended upon it before it was suitable for cultivation. Joseph White married Sarah Cratty, of this township. Their son Charles lives upon the old farm.
During the rebellion in Ireland, which took place about 1798, Matthew McCullongh emigrated from the land of the Shamrock to American soil. He located first in Cumberland County; remaining there five years, he removed to this township, which was then very extensive, about the year 1503. He was a stone- mason by trade. having learned the business in Cum- berland County. He pursued the occupation as jour- heyman for two years previous to his coming to this township, and after settling hore he followed it in- dustriously for many years in connection with farm- ing. He assisted in building the old jail in Butler, working for John Negley, who was the contractor.
The family of Mr. McCullongh consisted of eight children seven boys and one girl. Thomas, the third son, is living on a farm purchased from Robert Craig. He married Eleanor A. McCullongh. from Beaver Connty. in 1837. After purchasing his farm. Mr. MeCullongh was somewhat distressed as to how he should pay for it. as money in those days was very scarce. He worked industriously, however, for ton years, at bricklaying and masonry during the summer. and in winter at shoe-making, and by perseverance and economy he was able to say in a year or so that he owned his farm absolutely. Mr. MeCullough had a great deal of mechanical genius, and found it not a difficult matter to work at various trades. He was a carpenter, as well as bricklayer and mason, and. in 1836, when the public school system came into oper- ation, he built the first schoolhouse in the township, and it may be said with credit to him that he not only
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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
erected schoolhouses, but was an ardont friend of ed- neation. lle had a family of fifteen children, eleven of whom still live. The oldest chikl, Benjamin, was killed by being struck by the main belt of a saw-mill. in this township, in 1880; Martha, married Joseph Allen: Matthew, married Maggio Tebay: Ellie, is now Mrs. W. H. Gallaher; Lonisa. is the wife of H. H. Gallaher, lately Register and Recorder of this county; Mary, married R. A. Kiskadden and is living in Freeport, Penn .; James P., resides in Newcastle; Lizzie, Maggie, William, Fellicia and Thomas are at home.
Joseph Tebay settled in this township in 1819 ; he was a native of England. and emigrated to this country with his father, mother and three brothers. They purchased a tract of land which originally was owned by one John Haines, granted to him by the United States in 1798 for services rendered in the American Army during the Revolutionary war. This farm consisted of one hundred acres, and lay in the northwestern part of the township : his brothers, William, Isaac and Robert, also purchased farms in this township and lived upon them until they were old men. In 1829, Mr. Joseph Tebay married Jane C. Mckee, and the result of this union was seven children, six of whom are yet living-Joseph Tobay died in 1877; William D. is residing on the old homestead where the State Militia Company used to assemble the first Monday in May every year, until the militia law was repealed The remaining mem- bers of the family are Catherine, Matilda, Eliza, Margaret and James H. Tebay. William married Margaret McGowan, a very estimable lady, in 1873 ; Catharine is now Mrs. John Douthett, and in 1856 removed to California, where he died in 1564 : Ma- tilda married James Jones and is living in Mercer, Penn. ; Eliza, now Mrs. Henry A. Black, lives with her husband in Page County, Iowa ; Margaret, now Mrs. J. Mccullough, lives in the township : James H., who was Prothonotary of the county in 1875, married An- nie Mccullough and lives in Butler, Penn.
The first wagon used in the township was brought by the Tebay family from over the mountains: it was hauled around among the inhabitants Far and near to be seen and admired.
Thomas Garvin came to Muddy Creek Township from Westmoreland in the year 1822 ; his father was killed by the Indians in 1795. The circumstances were as follows: He was carrying provisions from what is now Allegheny Conuty to his family who were at the block-house near Greensburg. While driving his team quietly along about half way be- tween his starting point and his destination. several of the savages rushed out of a clump of bushes where
they had been lying in ambush, and shot him down without a moment's warning. Having no home after his father's sad death, he went to Allegheny County, where he worked for some time as a ship carpenter near Pittsburgh. He purchased his farm in this township from Jacob Philips. In ISI8, he married Nancy Philips, a daughter of the above-mentioned gentleman. Eight children were born to them, but only four of the family are living to-day- three in various parts of this county, and one in Ohio. Thomas Garvin resides one mile west of Prospect on a farm purchased from the heirs of Margaret Fergu- son, widow of Hugh Ferguson. Mr. Garvin has four daughters married -Agnes is now Mrs. James Forres- ter : Minerva is Mrs. George Beighley : Lovina is the wife of J. C. Fisher : Dorcas married Lewis Bolton : Emma and Mary reside at home with their parents.
James MeClymonds and family, consisting of his wife and nine children, removed to this township from Allegheny County in 1831. They purchased a farm of 400 acres from John Pearson, of Mercer, They brought with them some sheep and milch cows. Their first work was to ereet a dwelling house fit for habitation as there was only a small hut on the farm, insufficient for the family in every respect. A double log barn stood on the place answering their needs for the first year.
Thus being partially equipped. as well as possi- bte under the circumstances, they entered upon the storn and urgent duties of their present life in ear- nost, firmly determined to. erelong, transform the ungainly-looking place to a cheerful and attractive home. They took their grain to be ground into flour to Caruther's mill on Slippery Rock Creek, car- rying it there on pack saddles, according to the usual enstom of that day. Shortly after, a mill was erected on Maddy Crook by David Komedy ; this was much more convenient, but it was operated only a short time when the dam gave way and the mill was aban- doned. They were then compelled to return to Slip- pory Rock, where they went regularly until a mill was built on the site where MeConnell's mill now stands, just one half mile over the Butler County line. The fall prior to his locating here, Mr. MeClymonds came ont and planted fruit trees on the Farm. many of which are still standing. possessing all their usual vitality, and bearing fruit.
The first death which occurred in this family was that of their son, Josoph, which occurred in 1833. John is living on a farm in the northeastern portion of the township. His wife was Martha Glonn. In 1814. he removed to Worth, where he engaged in the mercantile business. His store was known as a
JAMES MSCLYMONDS.
MRS. JAMES MCCLYMONDS.
JAMES MCCLYMONDS.
James McClymonds is a descendant of one of the early settlers. His grandfather, John McClymonds, was a Scotch-Irish emigrant to America who settled in Eastern Pennsylvania, and subsequently became one of the pioneers of Butler County, locating in what is now Brady Township. James MeClymonds. son of John, was born in 1788, and spent the greater portion of his life in this county. In ISI0, he married Jane Cornelius (born in 1784), a daughter of Isaac Cornelius, one of the early settlers of this county. lle resided in Allegheny County from about 1814 until 1831, and worked at farming. At the latter date he located in Muddy Creek Township, where his son James now resides. Beginning life poor, by indomitable energy and perseverance he gained a comfortable property. He was an estimable citizen and reared a family which is now prominent in this county. MIr. Mcflymonds died in 1852 and his wife in 1850. They had six sons and three daughters. Four sons and one daughter are still living. Mary M. is the widow of David Cleland, and resides in Muddy Creek Township ; Isaac died at the age of thirty-four years ; John is a resident of Mulily Creek Township : James is the subject of this sketch ; Elizabeth married Thomas Boyd, who was killed by a falling tree many years ago; she died in Law- rence County in 1882; Joseph died in 1833 in his fourteenth year : Sarah married John Newell Glenn. of Worth Township. she lied in 1854; Samuel is now clerk in the County Commis- sioners' office in Butler : William Wilson resides on part of the old homesteadl.
James, the third son of James and Jane MeClymonds, was horn in Allegheny County, December 4. 1816, and came to this county with his parents at the age of fifteen. lle was reared a farmer and has always followed that occupation successfully. He received a common-school education in the tuition schools of
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pioneer days, under the discipline of strict masters, sitting on slabs in a log house which had paper windows and none of the modern conveniences.
Mr. McClymonds has often been urged toaccept office but has never done so. Ile was a Whig and is now a Republican. Ife was a strong anti-slavery man. He is a friend to religion, eu- cation, temperance and every good work. He was brought up in the Associate Presbyterian faith, aud in 1858 connected him- self with the United Presbyterian denomination. He has reared a large family, and given them the best of training and educa- tional opportunities.
Mr. Metlymonds was married in 1845 to Lydia Vance, who still shares his home and is a true and faithful wife and mother. Her father. James Vance, was one of the carly settlers on the Slippery Rock, in Beaver County. He was twice married-first to Martha Walker, and second to Annah Harris, who was the mother of Mrs. MeClymonds Six children were born of each marriage and three of each group are still living. James Vance died in 1842 in his sixty-sixth year, and Annab Vance in IS50. in the sixty-second year of her age. He was a netive of Ireland and she of Chester County.
Mr. and Mr -. MeClymonds are he prent uf ten children living : Maria J. Glenn , residing in Portersville, James Vance, on part of the homestead farm: I-ane Milton, Professor in the Model School, Edinburgh, Eric Co. Penn. : John W . principal of a school at San Leandro, Cal .: Dr. Samuel E, practicing physician at l'ortersville: Willis JJ., in the West ; Horace S., who will graduate from the Medical Department of the University of the City of New York in the spring of 14 .. Ira D .. at home on the farm; Maggie Walters. residing near Butler, and Addison C., at home.
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IHISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY
branch of William S. Boyd's store in Butler. married Lydia Vance in 1SB, and established him- self on a farm of eighty-seven and a half aeres, given to him by his father. In the fall of 1815, he pur- chased his brother John's interest in the homestead of eighty-seven and a half acres, and also his brother William's of 106 acres. Mr. John McClymonds has ten living children grown to manhood and woman- hood. Mrs. Maria Glenn, living in Portersville, is the oldest of the family. James, who is the second. lives on part of his father's farm. Milton is a teacher. William J. is living in Almeda County. Cal. Both he and his wife are there engaged in teaching. Samuel E. is practicing medicine in Por- tersville. TIe married Annie E. Glenn. Willis is the next in order of birth. Horace is reading med- icine with Dr. A. G. Thomas, of Freeport. Maggie, now Mrs. Watters, lives near Butler. fra and Addi- son are living at home on the farm. The grandfather of these children died in 1852, aged sixty-five years; their grandmother, in 1850. also aged sixty-five years.
David Cleeland was born in this county, and after remaining with his father upon the farm until his twenty-first year, he purchased a farm in this town- ship, and began life for himself in 1833. His father was a native of Ireland. Mr. Cleeland married Mary M. McClymonds, sister of John and James McCly- monds, of this township, and of Samuel of Butler. Nine children were born to them, tive of whom are living. James enlisted in 1861. under --. Company D, Eleventh Reserves, Pennsylvania Volunteers, and served three years. Addison was a member of Com- pany C. One Hundredth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers After serving faithfully as a soldier for one year, he died near Fahnonth River, Virginia, of pneumonia. induced by exposure while at his post of duty. William J. belonged to Capt. MeCoombs' company, of Newcastle. He enlisted for three months, and at the expiration of that time he re-enlisted for a year. Mr. David Cleeland died in 1859. Thomas J. Cleeland has charge of the old farm.
William Williams came from Philadelphia in 1834. The means of travel was by stage. Arriving at Pittsburgh on Saturday night, he took the stage- coach the following day, intending to land at Porters. ville: but after he had ridden ten or eleven miles, he discovered that he was on the road to Butler. and that he had, by mistake, taken the wrong coach. He arrived in Butler on Sabbath evening and stopped at the Beatty House. He felt rather discon- solate because his funds were growing noticeably small. Monday morning came, and when he called for his bill he was astonished to find that it was only 621 cents. Mr. Beatty had divined his real predica-
James ' ment, and took pleasure in being lenient with him. Mr Williams relates this experience with a great deal of zost. He lived in this township, with his brother Jacob, for two years, when he established a cabinet shop in Portersville in 1836, working at his oreupation until two years since. At present he has a furniture store, confectionery and tobacco store, which he is capable of superintending.
His wife was Hannah Fithian. They were mar ried by Rev. Reid Bracken, in 1836. Mr. Williams has tilled several borough otlices with entire satisfac- tion to the people. He was Constable when the mur. der of Teeple and Cunningham took place in Porters- ville, and it was his province to bring the guilty party to justice. Mr. Williams was School Director for thirteen yours; was Justice of the Peace eight years, and was Postmaster eight years.
LATER SETTLERS.
Mr. James Newton came to Portersville in 1842, and settled on a small traet of land purchased from Thomas Stewart. Previous to locating here, he had been engaged in the mercantile business in an ad- joining county. In 1545, he and John Hall opened a general store near Brenneman's Hotel. and they did a flourishing trade. Mr. Newton was always justly regarded as a Christian gentleman, and a conscien tious business man. He recognized as a basis of every pursuit the time-honored maxim that "honesty is the best policy." He held the office of Postmaster for four terms, and was selected by the people to other trusts which he did not accept. Mrs. Newton was Mary Hall, sister of John Ilall. who was gen- erally known throughout the county, Her husband died July 20, 1582.
John Bander resided in Ross Township. Alleghe. ny County, previous to his coming here. In 1952, he located in this township and remained until 1559. when he took a trip to California. He worked in the mines for two years, and then returned to this town- ship and purchased ninety acres of land from his father. Subsequently. additions were made to it un til his farm now numbers 10 acres. A fine, largo flouring mill is located on the farm, which is operated by Henry and Samnel Bander.
William A. Gallaher was born in Muddy Creek Township, on the farm on which his widow. Mrs. Martha A., now resides. He obtained his farm from his father in 1856, and he diligently adhered to the honorable and independent occupation of tilling the soil and causing it to bring forth its treasures, until the dark days of the rebellion, when he laid aside the implements of toil. While in the army. he con tracted typhoid fever, from which he died in 1563. He belonged to Company G, One Hundred and
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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
Thirty- fourth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, enlisting in 1562 under Capt. Alfred Riddle. He was in the battles of Fredericksburg and Chancel- lorsville. Mrs. Gallaher's maiden name was Martha Pisor, born and reared in Worth Township.
In 1857, George Barkley, who was a native of Germany, located on a farm known originally as the McCullongh farm, consisting of 130 acres. The con- sideration paid by Mr. Barkley was $2,700. He farmed on this place until the year 1878, when his death occurred
James W. MeGeary, who became a resident of this township in 1865. is a carriage and wagon maker by trade, and before locating here proseented his business in Freeport, Brady's Bond. Pittsburgh, New Brighton, and in certain portions of Ohio. Mr. Me- Geary, being a man of intelligence and good judg- ment. has been called upon frequently to fill the offi ces of Justice of the Peace, School Director, Super- visor, and Overseer of the Poor.
The Brenneman Hotel was purchased by David Brenneman in 1865, and condneted by him until his death. which occurred in 1550. Before he came to this place to assume the role of landlord. he with his family resided on a 200 acre farm in Lawrence Coun- ty. which the sons. Sylvester and Alfred, now culti- vate.
The Brenneman House was formerly known as the Oliver House, and was purchased from the latter by David Brenneman. In JS71. the house was burned down, and a larger and more commodious one was erected in its place by Mr. Brenneman.
Samuel T. Okeson came from Mercer County. In 1875, he identified himself with the interests of Portersville, establishing himself in the undertaking and furniture industry. The people recognized in him principle, honesty and intelligence, and have intrusted him with important duties from time to time of a public nature. Mr. Okeson is regarded as an upright and honorable citizen.
In the year 1877, Mr. J. C. Ricketts purchased a farm of forty-seven acres, from Mr. David Wilson. Mrs. Ricketts is the daughter of William Medly- monds.
John Roth located in this township in 1878. His father is Lewis Roth, of Prospect. Mr. Roth read law with Judge MeCandless, of Butler, and was admitted to practice in 1875. For two years he prosecuted his profession in Butler, and later went to Indiana, and was elected District Attorney in Jay County.
JUSTICES OF THE PEACL.
1840. George Kirkpatrick: 1810, Robert Craig: 1842, David Fisher: 1843. Michael Stinedorf: 1547. David Fisher: 1548, William Dean; }Sal, Charles
Phillips: 1851. William H. Thompson: 1551. Thomas Garvey: 1859, John McClymonds; 1859. Thomas Garvey: 1864, Thomas Garvey. Jr .; 1867, J. W. Forrester: 1871, Sammel Hanna; 1872. Thomas Gar- voy. Jr. : 1875, Thomas Garvey: 1582, James W. MeGeary.
PORTERSVILLE BOROUGIL.
Portersville laid out il. 1828 by Robert Stewart, who is still living at the age of seventy-four years. He was born in this township in 1SOS, September 15. The town was first called Stewarts ville, but, when application was made for a post office, its name was changed by the department to Porters- ville in honor of Gov, Porter. The first settler on the present site of the town of Porterville was Robert S. Stewart, who came in 1796. Thomas Christy, brother-in-law of Mr. Stewart. came in shortly after, and a little later James Stewart and John, his brother, also settled. These, with Robert Stewart, Thomas Brandon. Dr. Cowden, James Cowden and Robert Craig with their families, constituted the population in 1525. The first post office was estab- lished in the above year. John Stewart was the first Postmaster, and he held the office for the term of ten sears The original building is still standing. Robert Craig succeeded Mr. Stewart, holding the position for at least eight years. In 1838, the office was moved to a building just opposite the Bren- neman Hotel. In 1845, Portersville Village was incorporated a borough. The first election was held in a small frame building called the Town Hall. The first Justices of the Peace wore James llall and Robert Stewart. Mr. Stewart refused to accept his commission. but Mr. Hall served in the capacity for soveral terms in succession. The first Coustable was William Sharp, and he continued to be elected with - ont any interim for many years. The School Directors wore Samuel Brenneman, James Watson, William Osborne, John Cleeland, John W. Riddle and John W. Stewart. The present board are Dr. William Wilson. John Noiper. Henry Hoberling. William Humphrey, Caleb Covert. Fred Berry. The first merchant was Robert Craig, who established a general store in 1529, and pursued the mercantile business until his death which was in 1852. For many years, it is said, he did a very flourishing busi. ness. At the present there are six stores in operation -two grocery, two dry goods, one millinery and one drug store. The grocery store in the center of the town is kept by Henry Hoberling; one on the op- posite side is kept by William Williams; two dry goods stores, one millinery store, kept by Maggie Newton. Mr. Frazier is the proprietor of the drug store, Besides those stores there are other industries a carriage and wagon shop, two harness shops, four
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