USA > Pennsylvania > Butler County > History of Butler County, Pennsylvania. With illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 82
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Horatio D. Payne became a resident of this town ship the year it was organized. 1854. His former home was in Vermont, Immediately after coming to Worth. he resided with his father and mother in Lawrence County. The farm he now owns was pur- chased from John Book.
Mr. James Maxwell also came to this township when it was yet in its infancy. In 1551, he married Susan Dodds. She died in 1857. He subsequently married Mary Balph, daughter of John Balph, who at one time owned and operated the woolen mill of this place. They have five living children. John Maxwell. who practices medicine in Scioto, Ohio, and Mrs. Gall. living in Adams County, Ohio, are chil- dren of Mr. Maxwell's first wife. Mand. Adda, Bell and Anna Flora, are the children of the present wife. Mr. Maxwell, with others, answered his eoun
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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
try's eall for men, and in 1862 enlisted in Company " F." commanded by Capt. Breckenridge, and served for one year. In 1861, he re-enlisted in Company " B." and remained in service until the close of the war. Ile was in the battles of Antietam and Chan- cellorsville.
Mr. S. H. Moore was reared and married in Muddy Creek, but located in this township in 1856, on a farm purchased from Michael Stientorf.
Archibald Dickey located on a farm in 1854, pur- chased from the heirs of Daniel Cross. Mrs. Dickey, whose maiden name was Jane Cross, was born and died on this farm. The parents of Mr. Dickey are both dead.
Two years after the organization of this township John Pisor purchased a farm in its northwestern part from John Hays. and moved on it. He was married twice. His first wife, who died in 1858, was Jane Cooper. Mr. Pisor died in 1876. His widow, formerly Mary Jane Emery, resides on the farm with her son. J. B. Pisor. Five children of this family died within fifteen months from the first death.
Mr. Cyrus Alben resided in Prospect until the year 1855. when he moved here and located on a farm formerly owned by Alexander Wilson, and from whom | he purchased it. He has made several improvements upon his place since he assumed charge of it. He was a carpenter by trade, and gave his entire atten- tion to this branch of industry before he came to this township. His sons, John and Isaac, are both farm- ers, one in Brady and the other in this township.
The farm owned by Jacob MeCracken was proba- bly among the earliest settled in the township. He purchased it from John Stewart, in 1855. Previous to this he resided in Lawrence County, not more than eighty rods from his present site. His wife's maiden name was Huldah Shaffer.
Zebulon Cooper purchased a farm from John T. MeNeese, of 160 acres, and settled upon it in the year 1857.
Andrew Drawbaugh came from Perry County in 1866. The farm he resides on was formerly owned by Hampson Dean.
Mr. W. P. Elliott was born in this township. Mr. Perry is a grandson of William Elliott. one of the tirst settlers in this township. Mr. Elliott was united in marriage to Clarissa Kelly. sister of Mrs. Benja- min Jack, of Butler.
Mr. James C. MeClymonds is a son of John Mc- Clymonds, of Muddy Creek Township, whose history appears in that township. Mr. James McClymonds is living on a farm formerly owned by James Clee- land He located upon it in 1870.
William H. Gallaher commenced the business of farming for himself, in 1870. on a farm given to him
by his father shortly before his death. A little later he added thirty acres more to his farm, which he pur- chased from his mother, it being part of the old home- stead. Mr. Gallaher married Ellen Mccullough, daughter of Thomas MeCullough, of Muddy Creek Township.
Robert 11. Young came from Lawrence County and located upon a farm purchased from William Hogue, in 1870. He married Mary A. MeElwain.
Joseph P. Hockenberry was born in this township, in 1552, and when about twenty years of age, or in 1872, his father presented him with the tine farm he now owns and cultivates. His father, Joseph, was (mite an early seitler.
Joseph Graham, with his brother James, came to this township From Brady, in 1581. The farm they are located upon was purchased by them from Eleanor Hines.
James M. Marshall came into this township in 1873, and for several years followed the honorable occupation of teaching school, and during vacations pursued farming. Previous to locating here. he lived in Prospect where he was engaged in the mercantile business. He was at one time elected County Super- intendent of Schools of this county, but on account of some technicality was superseded by David Me- Kee shortly after his election. He was regarded, however, as a good teacher, and remained in the pro- fession for ten years. He abandoned his profession to engage in the banking business at Portersville, winch business he is at present engaged in. llis wife is a danghter of John Riddie, of Portersville.
SCHOOLS.
It is always a pleasure to trace back the history of early schools in a township or county, and to record their gradual progress, and make honorable mention of those who were the warm Friends and hearty support- ers of education. For we firmly believe that those who make provision For the development of the intel lectual and moral faculties of the rising generation, and those who devote their lives to the honorable oc- enpation of training the youth of our country for lives of future usefulness, are alike publie benefac- tors, and deserve more applause than the victorious General fresh From the slaughter of uncounted hosts, thongli upon him the greater meed of praise is gener- ally bestowed. The early history of the schools of this township is not enveloped in that quiet obscurity which invests the ancient records of many other townships, but we have sutheient data to trace it from its very inception to the present time. The early settlers had broad and generous views with reference to the education of their offspring, and, therefore, the church and the schoolhouse- rude
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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
though they were were built almost simultaneous with their cabins, or as soon thereafter as practicable. Previous to the war of 1812, a rude log house was ereet ed by the voluntary contribution of settlers, in the western part of the township, on what is known as the Pisor farm This house (if house it might be called) had an earthen floor, a thatched roof, and was minus a chimney. It was built of round logs, and the in terstices between them were closed with mud and leaves mixed. The windows were paper. The teacher of this school was Robert Marcus, a young numarried man, from Mercer, Penn. He was of delicate consti- tution, and died before his term of one year was tin- ished. His school consisted of twenty-five pupils, whom he taxed $6 apiece for the term. He was said to be a good man and a successful teacher. He was succeeded by John Mitchell, a Mereer County man, who was quite a prodigy in arithmetic. It is related that on a certain occasion, some engineers who were locating a canal between Pittsburgh and Erie, became terribly puzzled in a calculation pertaining to their work. They were informed of the "schoolmaster's" natural ability and genins for figures and advised to go and see him. They smiled at the idea of a peda- gogne enlightening them in the profound mysteries of their abstruse calculations, but they finally were persnaded to go and see him. They found him in a elearing, burning brush. Informing him of their arithmetical perplexity, they awaited, with some cu- riosity and no little incredulity, an answer. He took their paper upon which they had been figuring, ex- amined it scrupulously, and at once pointed out to them their wrong premises and finally, with scoming ease, worked the question for them much to their as- tonishment In other branches, however, Mr. Miteli- ell was rather deficient. About the same time this school was opened, another was taught on the Me- Nees farm. These schools remained in operation for several years, when better buildings were constructed and more of them throughout the township, or within the territory now forming the township of Worth. Itinerant teachers, and generally good ones, too, taught in these schools till the common-school system came into operation, which was in 1836.
The law establishing free schools did not at the beginning meet with much encouragement among the masses, but rather with general disapproval and with violent opposition from not a few. This was not be canse they did not appreciate educational advantages, but because it was something new, in the first place, and secondly, because the thought of paying by taxation for the education of other children besides their own did not seem to be palatable. The opposi- tion, however, continned for a few years; the good and permanent effeet of the common-school law was
soon felt and recognized as a blessing. The improve. ment in the schools was so great that those who for- merly opposed to the law became its ardent friends.
There are at present eight schools in the township, and all of the buiklings are entirely new excepting three, and are all well furnished. The majority of the houses bnitt in 1854 cost $300 apiece, but the later buildings which displaced them were oreeled at a cost of $750.
The first publie schoolhouses were built by Shanor and John A. Moore; and the first public teachers wore David Emory, William E. Taylor, Will- iam P. McCoy, John Humphrey and Robert Peebles. At present, in attendance there are about 125 pupils. The people of Worth Township generally are very warm friends of popular education, and cheerfully foster and encourage every measure looking toward its advancement.
JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.
Worth Township - 1854, Michael Stinetorf; 1855, William Moore; 1856, Isaae Double; 1860, William Moore: 1861, Archibald Murphy; 1865, John Mur- phy; 1866, Isaae Donble; 1870, B. F. Elllott; 1871, James Humphrey; 1875, B. F. Elliot; 1876, James Humphrey; 1879, John Humphrey; 1880, Samuel H. Moore.
WORTH MUTUAL FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY.
This company was organized in 1879. by Amiziah Kelly, Abraham Sickle, William McBride and oth- ers - charter members. The charter originally cov- ered four townships-Worth, Muddy Creek, Brady and Franklin. It was afterward extended to cover Slippery Rock, Mercer, Marion, Cherry, Clay, Centre, Connoquenessing and Lancaster. About $700.000 worth of property is insured by this company at the present time. The officers of this company are: President. John Humphrey: Vice, John Book; Treas- urer, W. J. Kennedy; Secretary, W. E. Taylor: Di- rectors, John Humphrey, Thomas Clark, Amos Hall, William Ronniek, Mathias Mayer. S. W. Moore, William Diek, George Dnishall, J. W. Glon. W. P. Smith, James Cleland and J. L. Shannon.
ZION BAPTIST CHURCH.
Among the first Baptists here were Robert Hampson and his wife Mary; they, in union with a few others, commenced a meeting of prayer, and says one: In these meetings, John Orlton nited in the spirit of Jacob, when he said to the angel, " I will not let thee go except thon bless me." Thomas Daniels and his son, Daniel Daniels, were the first ministers who preached here. The church was constituted Novem ber the 15th. 1511, by Rees Davis, Thomas Daniels and Daniel Daniels; in number there were seven.
W
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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY
At this meeting, thirteen were baptized, making twenty in all. Daniel Daniels was elected their first pastor in 1841, continuing until 1543. Samuel Fur. man in 1814. continuing until 1548. G. T. Dins- more supply six months: Samuel Stoughton in 1850. remained until 1852; David Philips in 1853, re- mained until 1854: John Trevitt in 1856. He is the present pastor.
In 1842. William Cooper received license to preach. and in the same year Daniel Daniels was or. dained. The Deacons were William Emery, Robert Hampson, Samuel Pence. Harlan Vogan and Thomas Clark.
During the pastorato of Daniel Daniels, a very large and substantial brick church was erected; it is situat- ed in a beautiful forest grove three miles south of east from Harlansburg, and four miles from Porters ville. Their present number is 165 members. In 1863, Rev. John Trevitt resigned his pastorate, and Rev. D. L. Clouse accepted the charge, and was installed the same year. His ministry covered a period of seven years. Rev. Honston, the present minister, was settled in 1860 In ISS1, $1. 100 were expended in renovating and repairing the church both inside and out. A good Sabbath school is con- nected with the church, the Superintendent of which is William Studebaker.
SLIPPERY ROCK UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHI. +
The first Associate Presbyterian sermon preached in this neighborhood was in the year 1807, by Rov. John Anderson. under an oak tree. on the banks of Slippery Rock Creek. not far from the present bridge. The text was from Rev .. iii, 2-" Be watchful aud strengthen the things which remain." Preaching for several years was in the house of Mr. John Moore, whose grandchildren are still members of the con gregation. During the summer, on pleasant days, preaching was in the woods, and on unpleasant days in the house of Mr. Moore. After some years, a large tent was prepared for summer services. The congregation was organized in ISO8 or 1809, and it was denominated at first " Month of Wolf Creek Church," but was changed a short time after to its present name, at least the minutes of Synod of IS1? give it the name of Slippery Rock Church.
The first Elders were Messrs. John Moore. David Cross, John Cornelius and William Brandon. A call was made out for Alexander Murray in 1810. He was installed by the Presbytery of Chartiers, which then embraced all the seceder churches west of the Alleghany Mountains. Mr. Murray at the same time accepted calls from Eight Tracts tow Mountville). Neshanock and Newcastle. This con- . History furnished by Rev N Brown.
gro gition oresto l th ar first bonse of worship in 1811 It stood nearly in front of the schoolhouse. It was built of howed logs, and seated with benches. For heating purposes, they scooped out a hole in the ground. in which they burned charcoal. The house soon became too small. and it was enlarged by taking out the west end and attaching a frame. It was ac cidently burned while workmen were engaged getting ont Inmber for the present building. The present house was built in the fall of 1835. Rev. Murray retained charge of this congregation and Mountville until the time of his death. which occurred in June, 1816, at the age of seventy three. He had been pastor of these congregations thirty-six years. During this time he was but twice incapacitated for filling his appointments. His remains lie in Mountville Cemetery. Rev. J. D. Wolf accepted a call and ministered to this people until 1854 -six years. In 1557, Rev. Rankin was installed pastor, and was re- leased by Presbytery in 1861. Rov. Atkins then acted as stated supply for six months.
Rev. Newton Brown. the present pastor, was or- dained and installed in June, 1866. There have, therefore, boon but four pastors of this congregation during its existence of seventy-four years. The present membership of the congregation is eighty- four.
CHAPTER XXXIX.
BRADY
Early Settlers, Then Lives and Hardships- The Gavert, Meleavitt. Medlymonds. Donglas, Thompson and Snyder Families The Old StourHouse -Strange Stones Concerning It A Mysterious Disap
BRADY TOWNSHIP was formed in IS51, From Franklin Township. anl small portions of Slippery Rock and Contre. It takes its name from Brady, the celebrated Ludian fighter, who, according to tradition, once made a leap of wondrous teng h across the Slippery Rock Creek when pursued by the Indians. Inasmuch as the scene of " Brady's leap " is located at several other places in the Indian country. it is evident either that he made several dis- plays of his surprising agility, or else tradition has inaccurately reported his exploits.
Brady is a good farming township, and its in habitants are generally prosperons.
SETTLEMENT.
The pioneers of this part of the county were. in general, Scotch Irish, and native Pennsylvanians. Settlement commenced about 1796. A few of the descendants of the pioneer settlers still live in the township.
REV. S WILLIAMS,
at.
MRS. REV. S. WILLIAMS,
RESIDENCE OF REV. SAMUEL WILLIAMS.
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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
Among the very first to take up land and make a his parents, died in 1852 at the age of eighty-five home within the territory now known as Brady Town- years. Until the very close of his life. he retained a remarkably clear and vivid rocollection of carly events, and delighted in narrating pioneer experi ences. ship was Enke Covert, a Holland Dutchman, who had been a soldier in the American Army during the Revolution. He came from New Jersey to Northum- berland County, and thence here. His family con- sisted of eleven children, of whom John Covert was the last survivor, and died in 1873, in his ninety- second year. John Covert married Sarah Bennett, and reared a family of eight children.
The Covert family moved from the East with horses and a wagon, cutting roads and making bridges as they came. After settling here, they allowed their horses to run in the woods, until sometimes they be- came so wild it was difficult to catch them. Mr. Cov- ert, however, had a method which seldom failed. He would creep up to a horse as he was feeding, catch him by the tail, wind it around a tree and cling on. untit the animal could be haltered and rendered man- ageable. He once kopt a horse all winter standing near the corner of his log house. He had no stable. but he covered the beast with warm blankets. fed him well, and in the spring the animal was fat and in good order.
Soon after Covert settled. James Campbell came from the East and located where S. Fisher now lives. His son Henry afterward resided there.
Bartol Laffer was one of the first comers, and | and Jonathan. The daughters were Elizabeth (Moore),
lived on the tract which was subsequently purchased from him by Conrad Snyder. Henry Laffer. a son. married a Shaffer, and lived on Muddy Creek. He moved to Ohio and died there.
Daniel MeDeavitt, a native of Ireland. moved from Newcastle, Del., to Greensburg; thence. in 1797, came to Butler County, and settled in this town - ship. He brought his goods upon paek-horses, his family, consisting of his wife and three children, ac. companying him; also the Montooth family (which settled in Franklin Township). making thirteen in the party. Mrs. MeDeavitt rode horseback, carrying her youngest child, James, while Catharine, aged nine years, and Henry, aged seven, drove two cows. They arrived here the 27th of April. Mr. MeDeavitt cleared ground and raised corn and potatoes that year. After getting his family established in their new home, the father went back to Maryland to work and earn money for their support, leaving his wife and little ones alone in the wilderness, with few neighbors anywhere near them. During his absence, some hunting Indians came and encamped near the house. They appeared friendly, and never disturbed the family. The second house built by Daniel Me- Deavitt, a structure of hewed logs erected in 1515. is still standing. In that house James, the youngest of the three children that came to this county with
The children of Daniel and Elizabeth (Sturgeon) MeDeavitt Were is follows: Catharine, Henry. James and John. Catharine and James both re- mained single. Henry married Jane MeClymonds for his first wife, and Mrs. Rebecca Bell for his sec. ond. Six children were born of the first wife, and one of the second. All are now living except one. John married Jane St. Clair, and died while absent on Imisiness at Louisville, Ky .. in 1851. Catharine died in 1561: Henry in 1876. He was an 1812 sol- dier. Daniel MeDeavitt, the father, died in 1805 at the age of forty -nine. His widow survived until 1835.
James I. Hoge settled in 1797 in the northeastern part of this township. His children were Archibald, Thomas. John. Mary. Jano, Martha. Rachel, Eliza- beth and Sarah. Mr. Hoge died in his eighty fourth year. He was born cast of the mountains.
John MeClymonds, a native of Scotland, moved from Westmoreland County to this township in 1798. He brought here all of his famlly, and all settled here excepting Thomas and John, who lived in Beaver County. The other sons were James, William
Agnes (MeJunkin), and Ann (Cornelius). John Mc- Clymonds settled mpon the farm where Thomas MeClymonds now lives. His son Thomas settled upon the west end of the same tract, but moved thence to Beaver County some years later. He was quite a noted hunter. Thomas MeClymonds, grand- son of John, is an old resident, having been born in 1810.
Edward, Andrew and James Douglas came to this county in 1795, and made the first clearing where the Stone House now stands. In 1799. they moved to the farm on which J. J. Croll now lives. William Morrow. a relative of the Douglases, settled about 1801 on land now owned by John Wigton. He died on the place, and his widow moved to Venango County some years later.
Edward Donglas, of Scotch descent, but a native of Pennsylvania, Franklin County. came to this county in 1795, bringing a knapsack, a gun and an ax, and camping ont along the way. In 1501. or near that time, he married Hannah Kelly, and passed the remainder of his days hore. His brother James settled with him, but afterward sold out and went to Beaver County. Edward Donglas died about IS53, aged seventy.eight. The first grindstone that he owned was brought by him from Pittsburgh, on his back. being carried on a stick run through the hole
1
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IHISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
in the center of it. Four of the children of Edward and Hannah Douglas are still living: Elsa and Re becea in the West, John in Missouri, and Squire Thomas Douglas in Buffalo Township.
John Wigton, a native of Bucks County, came from the East in 1799. He at first stayed a short time on the land now known as the Foltz property, then bought out John Morrow's settler's right, lived on the Morrow farm seven years, then moved to the farm on which he died. Mr. Wigton was a good penman, and tanght school where West Liberty now is, holding writing-school in the evening. Names of the children of John and Magdalena (Covert) Wigton : Elizabeth (Cornelius). William, Cornelia (Graham), Mary (Wiek), Sarah (Grossman).
Benedict Grossman, of German origin, moved to this county among the first settlers with his sons Benjamin, Jacob and Simon, and his danghters, Bet- sey (Black) and Mary (MeCallan). Benjamin and Jacob settled in Slippery Rock. Simon was the miller at. Elliott's mill for a time, then settled in Brady, where his son James now lives. His children are Benjamin (born in IS01), Alexander, Eliza (Black), Simon (deceased), Ingh, James (deceased) and Mary (Webber).
In 1799,+ John Thompson moved to this county from Chartier's Creek. He was born in Ireland. Mr. Thompson settled in the eastern part of the town- ship, where his decendants are still immerons. Ho died in 1816, at the age of ninety-fonr. His widow, Martha (Humes), died in 1861, aged eighty-nine. Names of their children - William H., John H., Robert W., Thomas C., Homes, James, Jane (Als- worth), Margaret (Turk), Elizabeth, Martha (McCand- less) and Mary (Cooper). Of these, two survive -- Thomas C., Sunbury, and Mrs. Cooper, Mercer County. The sons were all men of remarkable size, each being at least six feet tall. William was six feet tive inches, and was reckoned the strongest man in the county. He settled where his son Solomon now lives. He was the father of Jolm N. Thompson, Esq., of Butler. Another son, William, is a prominent lawyer in Iowa, and has been a Representative to Congress. John II., settled about. 1833, on the farm where his son, J. M. Thompson, Esq., now lives. He was accidentally drowned in Slippery Rock Creek in 1860. Robert, settled where his son N. Il. now resides. Humes, lived on the place now owned by his only son, J. N. James, settled on the Rov. Williams farm, but after- ward moved to Clay Township. Thomas C., seitled in Clay, where he now resides.
Abont 1799, David MeJunkin and his brother James settled on Muddy Creek, in Clay Township.
John, another brother, came a few years later. David, soon took up a farm in Brady Township. He married Nancy MeClymonds after settling in this county. His children were William, Elizabeth (Rosenberry), David and Hannah. David is the only survivor.
Alexander Irwin and James Campbell were early settlers, who lived and died in the northern part of this township.
Conrad Snyder, a settler of 1800, was born in Philadelphia County, from which he moved to Bed- ford County, thence removing to Allegheny County, where he resided two years. In 1800, he came to Butler County, selected land, and the following year brought his family. His father, Conrad Snyder, a na tive of Switzerland, and his mother, Nancy, and a sis- ter, Nancy (Carfor), came here with him. Conrad Sny- der married Ann Mary Bryan, in Allegheny County. He died in 1865, aged ninety years. His wife died two years later. Of their children-John, born in 1801, married Elizabeth Ralston, in 1826. Both are still living, in the fifty seventh year of their wed- ded life. They have had twelve children. Mary (deerased), was the wife of Thomas Strain: Elizabeth, married Zephaniah Donole; she is a widow and resides at Millerstown; Nancy, widow of Isaac Double, resides in Worth Township; Effie, Conrad ( first ) and Joseph, died young; Zephaniah, married Rachel Kennedy and resides in Brady Town. ship; Prudence, is the wife of John Webb, of Clay Township; Effie Jane, widow of Himes Thompson. resides in Brady; Jane, is dead; Conrad, married Naney MeCandless; he resides in Brady: Catherine, is the wife of John J. Croll, of this township.
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