USA > Pennsylvania > Butler County > History of Butler County, Pennsylvania. With illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 81
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William Elliott, another very early pioneer, was a surveyor. Ho came from what is now Wilkensburg. in the year 1793, to take up land. With him came John Dennison. John Elliott and one or two others.
In order to secure a large amount of land, Mr. Elliott laid off traets of 400 acres, and located parties upon them to hold possession for him, giving them in due course of time a certain number of acres ac- cording to agreement. Before the county was organ. ized. William Elliott was the owner of 1. 100 acres of land in this township. Ho hell the office of Justice of Peace, in 1796, when this county still belonged to Allegheny. Mr. Elliott's wife was Agnes Perry. They were married in 1799. Of six children, there are three living, viz . James P. : B. F. Elliott. resid ing in this township: and Cyrus, who resides at Great Belt.
William Elliott assisted David Dougal, who died a few years ago. in laying off Butler Borough.
David Armstrong, with his son. George, and danghter. Rebecca, came here abont 1794 from West. moreland County. They accomplished their journey on horseback, bringing with thein in this way as many household implements as was possible. It was impos- sible to travel with wagons, for at that time there were no roads -the only avenue- were beidlo paths. They lived for a short time in a tent or sort of wir
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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
wam until they had constructed a cabin. In the fall of that year, David Armstrong and his daughter re- turned to Westmoreland County after the remainder of the family, consisting of the mother and five chil- dren, whose names were Archibald. Thomas, Roland. Polly and David. Anna. Samnel and Elizabeth were born here. Elizabeth, or as she is more familiarly known as " Aunt Betsey," is the only one of this family now living. Her age is seventy-seven years. George, the oldest of the family, settled near Centre- ville, and died there. His wife's maiden name was Elizabeth McCune. Archibald resided for many years in what is now Slippery Rock Township. He subsequently moved into Lawrence County, where, in 1869, he died, aged eighty-four years. Thomas lived and died on the farm where his father built his cabin. Roland learned the tanning business with his uncle, Roland Harris, in Path Valley. He and James Mc- Cune established a tannery in Lawrence County, and he subsequently soll his interest to McCune and went to Ohio, where he pursued his occupation only a short time. Ho finally located permanently in Pittsburgh, at which place he died soon after the war of the rebellion. The major portion of his family were reared in Pittsburgh. Polly was the wife of Alexander MeBride, who was favorably known by not a few persons throughont the county. David and
Samuel were both stone-masons. The former died near Mechanicsburg, and the latter in Mahoning County. Ohio. All these boys, in their youth, particu- larly George, mingled a great deal with the Indians, entering the chase with them, and becoming much at- tached to their customs and manner of life. George Armstrong, who resides at the ancestral home where the red man was a constant visitor, is a son of Thomas and grandson of David Armstrong. Thomas MeCune came from Lawrence County, in 1868, and now resides with him.
In the fall of the year 1795, Jacob and John Pisor, with Henry Stinetorf, came from what is now Fayette County, formerly Westmoreland, and settled each a tract of 100 acres of land surveyed by Wil !- iam Elliott, to whom we have already referred. They immediately built cabins, cleared off' a small portion of their land for wheat, sowed it and then returned to their former homes to complete arrangements for bringing back with them their families, which they did in the spring of 1796. In the same year, the parents and two brothers and a sister of Jacob and John Pisor followed them to their new homes. da- cob had settled in what is now the northern part of the township, and John in the western part. Fred- erick, the father of these children, was wakened from his sleep one night shortly after his arrival by the squealing of their young pigs which he had brought
with him on horseback, and which they had confined in a log pen near the house. He hastily rose, went ont to the pen with his dog, and discovered a large bear in the pen, chewing at one of the pigs' ears. The bear turned on him, and after a short combat hied himself away to the woods. Occurrences such as this, however, were numerous. The farm on which Adam Pisor now resides was the home of his grand- father, Frederick Pisor Frederick Pisor's children were John, Jacob, George, Adam and Nancy. John Pisor, the son of Jacob, was the first white child born on the banks of Slippery Rock. Thomas Cross, with his father, Samuel, and two brothers, David and William, emigrated to this township from Adams Conuty in 1795. They settled along Wolf Creek, on a 100-acre tract. Thomas was a Revolutionary sol- dier, and was in the battle of Lexington. A few years after locating here, Thomas married Margaret Porter. He died in 1850. The other brothers also married and resided on the original settlement until their deaths, which transpired soon after the close of the war. Samuel Cross, son of Thomas, and grand- son of Samnel, was born here in 1809, and is living on the old settlement with his son. M. A. Cross.
William McConnell resided at Dennistown provi- ons to the year 1796. In that year, he and his par- ents located in this township, bringing their goods on horseback from the place before mentioned. They settled a large tract of land, and met with greater snecess in pioneer life than they had anticipated. The father of William McConnell died in 1830, and his mother three years later. William married El- canor Kelly, from east of the mountains. Of their three children, Daniel is the only one living. He occupies the pioneer home. His father died in 1871.
Jonathan Kelley came from Path Valley, east of the mountains, and settled near the center of the township on a tract of land of the nonal number of acres in 1796. His outfit for aggressive and pro- gressive work was an ax, a gun and a bushel of corn meal. Withont delay, he reared a cabin, cleared a potato patch, and then went to Fort Pitt to work at his trade, blacksmithing, during the winter. When he returned in the spring, he found his cabin ocen- pied by Benjamin Jack. Of course, ho immediately proceeded to convince Mr. Jack that he was occupy- ing his mansion. His argument did not at once carry with it the force of conviction, and it was some time before Mr. Jack was willing to believe that this nnex- pected claimant was the rightful owner, and held a pre-emptory claim. But finally, everything was ad justed amicably. Jonathan Kelley married Nancy Taylo , in this county. Their children, Jonathan, John, Silas, Rebecca (Taylor), Hiram, Eliza (Still- wagon) and Amaziah. Rebecca, Eliza and Amaziah
JOHN C. MENEES.
John C. MeNees was born in Worth Township. But- ler Co .. Penn., January 23, 1-13. He was the fourth child of a family of five children. two of whom, Thomas, in Ohio, and Mary J. (McCune). of Lawrence County, are living. His parents were John and Mary (Taylor) Me Nees, who came from Westmoreland to Butler County among the first settlers. John C. was brought up on a farm, and received a common school education. He resided until his death on the land cleared and improved by his father and himself, and transformed, by their labor. from a wilderness to a beautiful and pleasant home.
Mr. MeNees was married three times. February 24. 1842. he wedded Elizabeth Vogan, of this county. Mrs MeNees died February 22. 1813. His second mar- riage was November 12, 1845, with Eleanor JJ. Beatty. of Beaver County. She died May 18. 1854. Of this union, two children were born-Margaret M .. now the wife of lIngh Moore, of Lawrence County, and Eliza J., who died March 20. 1849, at the age of eleven months.
November 6. 1855, Mr. MeNees married Susannah Armstrong, who is still living. and the mother of six children-Elizabeth E .. Robert W .. Addison A., Rose E .. Fannie V, and Mary F. All are living and at home. except Robert Walker, who died October 1. 1873. aged fifteen years. Ile was a lad of bright promise, and greatly beloved.
John C. MeNees died November 25. 1-73, in the sixty-first year of his age. He was of pious connection -his grandfather, William MeNees, having been one of the first Elders of the Plain Grove Presbyterian Church- Mr. Me Nees was himself a member of the same church
MRS. JOHN C. MẸ NEES.
for more than thirty years, and an Elder about twenty- two years. As husband. father. friend. neighbor and citizen. he was much beloved and respected He was kind. affectionate and gentle, and led a pure, blameless Christian life. All his family are Presbyterians. Ilis widow and surviving children reside upon the home stead. which is a part of the farm formerly belonging to his father.
Mrs. MeNees is the daughter of Thomas Armstrong. who was a member of one of the oldest families in But- ler County. and spent all his days in this county Hle was married. November 15, 1925, to Frances Drake : native of Washington County. Mr. Armstrong died April 3, 1800, at the age of seventy-three : Mrs. Arm strong died October 3, 1875, aged seventy-five years Both were members of the Presbyterian Church. They reared a family of twelve children, seven of whom are living -- David IL .. Mercer County Samuel. Kansas James, deceased , Susannah MeNeest, Worth Township . Sarah A .. deceased : George W .. Worth Township. on the old farm : Rebecca (MeCune) Lawrence County . Archibald, deceased : Thomas deceased ; Alexander W .. deceased : Frances J. @Quakenbush). Kansas, and Mary A. (Wible), Kansas.
Thomas Armstrong, Jr. served three years in the army. in Company F. One Hundred and Thirty-fourth Pennsylvania Regiment, and was killed at the battle of the Wilderness May 12. Isof Alexander W. was also in the army. in the nine months service He died March 25. 1565, from the effects of disease contracted in the service.
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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
are living. John lived on a part of the tract settled by his father. He was the father of six children, all now living. Amaziah occupies the old homestead. His father was an 1812 soldier.
Charles Coulter, a soldier of 1812, was an early settler in Worth Township. He came from West- moreland County at the age of twenty-one, and lived to be eighty-nine. From this township he moved to Slippery Rock ; his children were George Washing- ton. Mary (Christie), Isaac, Charles, John W., Will- iam, Eliza (Coulter), Hannalı (Atkinson) and Marga- ret Elliott. Four are living -Mary, William, Eliza and Hannah. Washington kept the brick hotel in Centreville a number of years; then went to Clarion County, where he was a merchant, and afterward a hotel-keeper ; Isaac died in Centreville.
Andrew Douglas and his brothers Edward and James came to this county in 1798. Andrew married Mary Kelley, daughter of Joseph Kelley, an early settler in the eastern part of Worth Township, where he died in 1852. Names of his children -- Thomas, Joseph, Andrew and Samuel. Elsa (Humphrey), Mar- garet (Allison), Mary ( Morrow), Ellen (Douglas) and Rebecca (Double). Still living-Joseph, Andrew, Samuel and Ellen.
Thomas Clark, Sr., was a Revolutionary soldier; he enlisted in 1777, and remained in service until the elose of the war. He came to Butler County in 1797, with his two sons ; he purchased fands in this township from the Trustees of the Western Academy, who owned quite an extensive tract in the same neighborhood. Here he built a cabin, and began the erection of a permanent home ; his wife was Esther Johnson, of Westmoreland County. They obtained their provisions in Allegheny County, and meat was gotten from the woods. Mr. Clark often remarked that the lean part of the deer and turkey was bread, and the fat part meat. He died at the forks of the Youghiougheny in 1842, in his ninety-fifth year, and was interred in the Mckeesport Cemetery with mili- tary honors. Often during his life, he related to his children pleasing conversations which he had had with George Washington, then commander-in chief of the American forces. For some years previous, there was only one Revolutionary soldier besides him living in Allegheny County ; these two old veterans met onee a year for many years, in Pittsburgh, to receive their pensions, Mrs. Clark died in the year 1819. Their family consisted of ten children. Unity Bap- tist Church of Harlansburg was organized at their residence in September 17, 1SOS. Andrew, the old- est son of Mr. Clark, born in 1786, came to this township with him ; he studied for the ministry and was ordained in 1813; was installed in Providence Church, Beaver County, in 1814, and his death oc-
eurred in 1825. He was twice married, and his old est child is still living in Trumbull County, Ohio, aged seventy-five years. The youngest daughter, Rebecca Jackson, is living in Westmoreland County, at Mount Pleasant ; of Thomas, the youngest son, the Baptist Encycloparlia, says: " Thomas Clark as sisted in the organization of the MeKeesport. Church, Allegheny County, Penn. He was the pioneer Bap- tist in lowa, where his house was a meeting place of an infant chmurel, and was also the pioneer Baptist in Eastern California. settling near Bishop's Creek in 1864, where he opened his house for publie worship. He died in 1578. November 1."
Thomas Clark, grandson of Thomas Clark of Rev- olutionary fame, lives in this township. We append the following. from the Citizen, of Butler, l'enn., as being pertinent to the subject at hand: "A num ber of friends and acquaintances met at the residence of M. Thomas Clark, Worth Township, this county. on November 17, 1881. The occasion of this social gathering was in honor of a great-grandson of Mr. Clark, who is the tifth generation living. There were present the five generations -a very numusnal gathering. Mr. and Mrs. Clark have a grand-dangh- ter married to W. J. Moore, whose first-born son has living all four grandparents, six great-grandparents. and one great-great grandmother. At this social gathering there were present the parents, all the grandparents, two great-grandparents and the great. great grandmother, together with a number of other relatives and friends."
As nearly as can be ascertained. Christopher Wimer came into the present boundaries of this town- ship in the year 1798. His settlement was made in the northern portion of Worth. He was the father of seven children-Samuel. John, Peter, Jonathan, William, Isaac and Rebecca, who became the wife of Thomas Kelly, one of the pioneers of the township. John married Naney Coulter, of Venango County. He located in the southwestern part of the township. He had seven children, viz .. Mary S (who died when eighteen years old); Isaae F .. who resides in Brady Township : Jonathan, living in this township; Nan- cy (who died when eleven or twelve years of age); Naney R., who became the wife of Cyrus Alben, and died in 1865; John and Sammel, who reside here on the same farm. Jefferson Wimer, living in elose proximity to John and Samuel, and a consin of theirs, is the son of Jonathan Wimer, who died in 1881.
In 1801, Isaac M. Cornelius came from Chester County, and settled on Hog back Ridge. He moved his family here with a cart drawn by a yoke of oxen and one horse. The famity of twelve children all reached mature years -- John, James, Jesse. Isaac, Samuel, Sarah (Moore), Catharine (Adams), Jane
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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
(Mollymonds). Elizabeth (Coulter), Mary (Covert). Margaret (Daniels) and Nancy (MeClymonds) All are now dead. James was in the war of 1812. Jesse. the longest survivor. died in 1551, aged eighty-three.
Joseph Kelly emigrated from Perry Conuty in 1798, and located on a large tract of land which had been taken up for settlement by his brother Jonathan one year previons. Joseph's special purpose in com. ing into this part of the country was to hold his brother's claim, while he pursned his occupation as a blacksmith. There was great demand for work in his line for miles around. His chief work was sharpening mattocks and coulters for plows, His brother received half his interest in the 100 acres of land, for helping to improve it. Their first erop was potatoes and turnips. Their provisions they obtained in Pittsburgh. Joseph Kelly died in 1828. His wife was a New Jersey lady named Else Lacey, They had a family of ten children -seven boys and three girls-Joseph, Thomas, Aaron and Abner lived in this county. The other boys were somewhat of a roving disposition. They all lived, however, to be quite oldl. Thomas, the father of Thomas L., who resides on the old homestead. died in 1863. aged sev- enty six years. Thomas L. Kelly married Sarah Hogue.
Samuel Wimer lived in Lancaster provions to 1798, but in that year he and his father started on horseback for this county. They located on a farm in this township purchased from William Elliott, a surveyor and land agent. The place is now ocenpied by the widow of John Pisor. The father of Samuel Wimer worked at blacksmithing. Sammel married Elizabeth Hines. Their children were Samnel (who was killed by the falling of a heavy rail from a fence upon him). Samuel. Mary Jane (now Mrs. Dr. Aber- nethy, of Mechaniesburg). Abner, and George ( who reside near the Mercer and Lawrence County lines). Their father was a soldier in the war of IS12. His wife is still living, at the age of ninety-three years.
William MeNees with his family-James, John and William, all grown to manhood became residents of this township in 1798. They came from what was known as Black Lick. Westmoreland County. His wife was the first person interred in the Plain Grove Cemetery. Mrs. A. A MeNees, living on a farm in the northwestern part of the township, is the widow of William MeNees, who is the grandson of this venerable pioneer.
LATER SETTLERS.
In IS10. Robert Glen with his family of five boys and three girls. came from Spruce Creek Valley, Center County. John, Mary. Andrew. Robert, Catha- rine. William, Margaret and Archie constituted the
family. Their means of travel were four horses and wagon. After then arrival they located on a farm purchased from a man named Hockenberry, or rather it was a settler's right to 150 acres. Of their children. Archie is the only one living. John married Eleanor Newell, both are dead. Mrs. Newell died in 1839, and her husband in 1864. Their children are John N. Gleun and Martha, now Mrs. John McCly- monds, living in Mnddy Creek Township. John resides on a farm in the eastern part of the township. Mary became the wife of John Gilfillan, and resided in Lawrence County until her death. Andrew married Annie Aiken. of Lawrence County. John A. Glenn is living on the old homestead of his grandfather. His wife was Elizabeth MeDevitt. Robert's death oc- curred in 1875. Catharine became Mrs. James Hum phrey: she died about 1820, William learned the trade of cabinet- making in Mercer, and for several years worked in Lawrence County. He afterward moved into this township, his wife was Elleanor Christy. Margaret became the wife of Mr. John Christy: both are long since dead. John Christy was a farmer for a few years near Portersville: tiring of this, he established a general store at North Liberty. He prosecuted the mercantile business at the latter place for a few years; he died in Newcastle. Archie moved to Law- renee County after his marriage to Susan Christy.
Alexander McBride was a native of the Emerald Isle. He emigrated when eighteen years old, in 1520. He located along Slippery Rock Creek, and for many years he dovoted his time to school teaching. He bore the appellation of the "Irish Schoolmaster." The first grist mill ereeted and operated within the present limits of this township was erected and run by Mr. MeBride Soon after he got the grist mill in operation. he attached a saw mill. and in connection with the mill operated it for years-until 1850. He was a prominent man in the township in educational matters and in business enterprises. He filled the office of Justice of the Peace for several terms. He died in 1879 leaving a family of eight children. viz. : Rebecca J., who is Mrs. Amaziah Kelly of this town ship; Alexander. a resident of Harlansburg; Thomas, living in Newcastle: Mrs. Samuel Gill. of Muddy ('reek: William, of this place: Robert, a citizen of Lawrence County : and Samuel J., of the same place: George D., of Gallipolis, Ohio. William McBride. before mentioned. enlisted as a soklier in Company " 1." One Hundred and Third Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers. and served during the entire war. His wife was Elizabeth Taylor, daughter of George Taylor, who became a resident of this township in 1830.
James MeLure located near Mechanicsburg in 1830, having purchased land from James MeNeese.
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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY
He came from Westmoreland County with his wife and four children -- Hiram, Martha, Cyrus and Catha- rine. Five more children were added to this family after living here. H. W. MeLure, one of the sons, resides on a farm in the southern part of the town- ship, which was formerly owned by George Vogen. John Humphrey was born and raised on the farm he now occupies and owns. The place is part of the old homestead which was settled by his grandfather, Humphrey, who emigrated from County Tyrone, Ire- land. It was devised to William Humphrey. father of John Humphrey, in 1839. At his death, which occurred in 1864. it was willed to John. Very in- different buildings were on it at that time, but only a short time elapsed when the "old tenements " gave place to the present elegant residence and large and substantial barn. As a rule, Mr. Humphrey's occu- pation has been that of a farmer, although he learned the trade of a carpenter when quite a young man, and worked at it for a few years. In 1856, he mar- ried Miss Lydia Studebaker. daughter of Henry Stu- debaker of this township. His wife died 1879.
Mr. John Humphrey has been a very prominent man in both education and politics since he reached his majority. Has been an acting Justice of the Peace for fourteen consecutive years. Has been con. neeted with the schools, both as teacher and Director. for several years, at different periods. In 1879, he filled the office of Deputy Sheriff of this county, during the time William Hoffman was High Sheriff. and recently he has been engaged in the banking business in Portersville. Hon. James Humphrey. brother of John, resides in this township.
Jacob Fisher, who died in September, ISSO, at the age of eighty years, had resided on a farm in the southern part of the township, on which he located in 1832. George W. Fisher, with his mother. resides in this township.
John G. Reichart was a tailor. In 1834. he came from Beaver County, and found his way into Worth Township, where he located permanently. He did tailoring for the whole country around. within a radius of six miles. In 1535. he married Mary Ann McNeese, daughter of William MeNeese, a pioneer of this township. He purchased the farm he still re- sides upon from his benefactor-William Jack. Their family munbered seven children. Jacob was their first born. William S. belonged to the One Hundred and Eighty-eighth Pennsylvania Volunteers, He was killed at Cold Harbor, June 3, 1864, and his record tells the story of patriotism and bravery. Catherine became the wife of George W. Gibbons,
Nicholas Kanfman came to this township from Germany, and settled on the farm where he now re-
sides in 1915. He has three sons and one daughter living in this county,
John Dombart was a native of Germany. When he emigrated to this country. he first located in Adams Township in 1817. He was a member of Company "E." Seventy-eighth Regiment Pennsyl- vania Volunteers. After the close of the war, he lived a short time in Jackson Township, then moved to this township.
Alexander MeCoy came in in 1548. He emi- grated from county of Down, Ireland, and soon after arriving in this country he purchased an ini proved farm from Judge Wilkins. of Pittsburgh. Previous to his settling here, he resided in Allegheny County. All of his family except one were born in that county. He died in 1569. His two sons-W. W. and Hugh MeCoy, and his daughter Mary, reside on the farm. W. W. MeCoy served as County Anditor from 1875 to 1878.
James McGowan was born in this county in 1817. within the bounds of Muddy Creek Township. He located in this township in 1850. He purchased his land from the Books -George and William-and a quantity also from Samuel Riddle. James Me- Gowan married Aunie Wilson, of Lawrence County. They have eight children grown to maturity, viz. : Mrs. James Wimer. Burton, Alexander, Hadessa. widow of Joseph Boyd; Mis. Samuel Parker. Wil- mina. Levi and Martha.
About 1820. George Taylor. at the age of twenty one, came to this township from Ireland. He was married in this county to Rebecca Kelly, who is still living. Mr. Taylor died in 1562. Names of chil- dren: Thomas (deceased). William, Eliza (McBride). Angeline (deceased). Silas (deceased), Margaret (Kiester). deceased. Sarah ( Kiester), Thomas and George.
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