USA > Pennsylvania > Butler County > History of Butler County, Pennsylvania. With illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 84
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John Craig lived south of the present site of Karns City. He was a large man physically, and his sons were all men of great size. One of them- George -- was very tall, and though not fleshy, weighed 250 pounds.
Abont 1796, Adam Hemphill, of Scotch Irish de- scent, and his brothers- - John and James-and his sis- ter -- Elizabeth (Fletcher) -- came and settled in this township. All married here and reared families. Adam's wife was Christina Sanderson, and their children were Samnel, John, Jacob, Henry, David. Elizabeth, Jane, Mary, Ann, Rachel, Margaret and Lydia. Jacob, Elizabeth, Rachel and Lydia are still living.
Paul MeDermott settled on the Banks farm in 1796. His children were Edward, Polly, Robert, James and Paul. Two are living-James, in Butler County, and Paul in Armstrong County.
The Wilson family is one of the few old families now remaining in Fairview Township. In 1798, William Wilson moved from Lancaster County, and built his first cabin near where William Gibson's house now is. A settler had been on the place pre viously, and made a small clearing. Mr. Wilson bought out the settler, and entered upon the work of making a farm. He made frequent visits to Cham
erries. Each trip required two weeks Wolves were very numerons in the erecek bottom, and bears so plenty that the stream was named Bear Creek Stock was in constant danger, and had to be carefully guarded to prevent it being destroyed by wild beasts. Mr. James Wilson relates, that the wolves sometimes chased his father's cattle, and bit the tails from some from thirty to forty, and the boys canght many in traps of rails. Having built a small pen, with strongly built sides, and the top covered over, they scattered corn along in front and underneath the rails where an open space had been left of sufficient size to ad- mit the birds. The turkeys readily walked into the trap; but once inside, they elevated their heads and songht vainly to get out, never appearing to notice the way by which they had entered. Rabbits were also very plenty, and those the boys hunted in winter, often securing fifteen or twenty dozen skins in a single season. Their father took the skins East and sold them to hatters for a " fippenny-bit " each.
Samnel Hall. the Campbells. Paul MeDermott, Matthew Smith, the Reeps and Samuel Erwin, were the neighbors of the Wilsons, and were almost the only settlers near them for some years. William Wilson died in 1839, at the age of eighty-six. His wife, Eleanor Jano, died in 1537; they came here with a family of six children, and two were born af. terward. Names of the family: (Robert, Nancy (wife of Edward MeDermott), William, James, Jane (wife of Robert McDermott), John. Armstrong and Thomas. Robert, William and Thomas went to Ohio; Nancy died in 1882, at the age of ninety-one years. Arm- strong was killed at a raising at Mr. Campbell's. Robert served in the war of 1812; two of the family are still living-John in Beaver County, and James in Fairview Township. The latter is the oldest resi- dent of the township; he was born in 1798, and was brought here when an infant. In 1829, he married Sarah Hutchison, who is still living; they reared five children - Margaret W. (Jamison), William, Eleanor J. (Graham), Martha (Gibson) and James Armstrong. the youngest of whom was born in 1839, and death has never yet entered the family. Few men now liv- ing have had more experience in pioneer life than Mr. Wilson. The town of Petrolia now marks the site of the old Wilson farm.
About 1799, James Bovard. afterward Associate Judge, came to this county; he was a native of Ire land, and was married in Westmoreland County to Jane Chambers; the farm on which he located was situated near Karns City: he soll it about 1525, and moved to Cherry Township where he died in 1553. at the age of seventy four. His children were Will.
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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY
iam. John. James, Johnston, Hutchison, Charles. George, Washington, Jane (Floyd) and Fanny. Four of the sons. James. Hutchison. George and Washing- ton are still living. William married Sarah Cross; he died in 1972: children James J., Samuel C. and Sarah E. all living.
Alexander Storey. a native of Ireland, moved from Eastern Pennsylvania to Westmoreland County. and thence to Butler County. He bought out a settler's right to a small clearing on the farm where his grandson. M. S. Storey. now livos. He came a little better prepared to encounter pioneer hardships than most early settlers, having some means and some stock which he brought with him; he moved bis fam- ily here in a wagon with a team of five horses. For years he was obliged to pack provisions from the older settlements. The children of Alexander Storey were Robert. James, William, Betsey (Sloan). Nancy (Steele) and Aun (Moore). All of the sons were in the service in the war of 1812, and James died dur- ing the war; William lived upon the old homestead and died in 1863, in his eighty sixth year. His wife Mary (Smith), died at the age of seventy-three.
Matthew Smith was a native of Ireland; he set- tled east of Potrolia. His children were Martha, Polly (Storey), Margaret (MeGarvey), Elizabeth (Mc- "leary). Ann (Ray). Jane (Millen), Nancy (Storey), John and Robert. Mrs. Storey is still living in Missouri. Robert was killed by a falling tree: John was thrown from a wagon when well advanced in years, and lay helpless many years before his death. John Snow and Sanmel Erwin were early settlers in the Smith neighborhood.
Squire Kincaid. a prominent figure among the pio- neers, lived and died on a farm adjacent to the Rid die farm. His son James occupied the old homestead until his death; his widow and children moved West after the oil excitement commenced.
George Emrick and his brother John were early settlers near Fairview. John had no family: George kept tavern in Fairview Village several years: his sons, William, Lewis and George, were residents of this township, but none of them now remain.
Andrew Campbell. sou of John, who settled in Concord Township in 1798, settled in 1804 on the farm now occupied by his grandson, Hon. A. L Campbell: he died in 1863. at the age of seventy- nine. His wife Jane (Lewis) died in IS61. Their children were Robert, John. Mary, Ann (Gibson). Betsey (Turner), Jane (Gibson), Nancy ( Ray) . and Andrew. Still living -Robert Betsey and Andrew; John was killed at the raising of William Fleming's Jog barn in 1532. now owned by Dickson Bartley near Martinsburg : Robert was born in 1805, in Clarion County, where his father had removed temporarily,
and came to the farm where he now lives four years later. His son. A. L .. is an ex-member of the Leg- islature.
William Campbell and his wife Jane (Beatty) settled early on the farm now owned by Washington Campbell: William Campbell died in ISI]: his widow survived until 1875, and died at the age of eighty- four. The names of their children who lived to ma- ture years, were as follows: Jane. William, Ann. John B., Juliet (Storey). Washington. Nancy (Craig). Robert, Joseph, Margaret J. (Ray ). Shepard R. and James G. Of those, six are dead.
John Cumberland settled near the spot now ocen- pied by Karus City.
Mr. Robert Campbell relatos the following bear story of early times: One morning, after a heavy fall of snow had covered the earth to a depth of six or eight inches, bear tracks were discovered near his father's house, and presently several hunters came along in pursuit of the game. They wished to get Mr. Campbell's bear-dog. but the dog would not fol- low them. One of the boys put on the old man's hunting-shirt. hoping to deceive the dog and make him follow. But the dog was not deceived. So An- drew Campbell was obliged to join the hunting party. They followed the bear a long time and finally troed him near the Allegheny River. After some skirmishing and much excitement. the ani- mal was killed and found to weigh over 100 pounds.
The first saw mill in the township was built by John Harold where the town of Petrolia now is. Harold bought the property of Wilson, but was in- able to pay for it.
Michael Sheakley, a Pennsylvania German. was an early settler in the eastern part of the township. His son Henry is now one of the old residents.
William Ray and family emigrated from Ireland and settled about one and a half miles southwest of Fairview. They had five children John. William, (feorge. Elizabeth (Campbell) and Jane (Jackson). Two survive - George and Elizabeth. Mrs. Jackson lived on the old homestead. John the father of M. S. Ray. Esq. of Fairview. lived and died in this township.
Andrew Moor: settled on the farm where his son William now lives. He began in the woods in a primitive way, but lived to see a great transformation wronght. He died in 1872, at the age of eighty-two. His wife was Ana Storey, Their children-James, John. Andrew. William. Rankin and Betsey (Kin- caid) are all living. except the two first mentioned
Peter Thorn and his wife Elizabeth (Byers) set- tled in 1871 on the farm where John Thorn now lives. Mr. Thorn was a son of John Thorn, who settled near Greece City quite early. He was born
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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
in Westmoreland County and was thirteen years of age when his parents came to this county. Peter Thorn died in 1855, aged sixty-three Ho was the father of five sons and three daughters: fonr sons and two daughters are still living.
At the time this family settled here, most of the land was unimproved and settlers were few. Thomas Jackson lived where Buena Vista now is; John Thompson lived on an adjoining farm and Paddy Mc Ferrin lived on the James Swartzlander farm. Charles Swartzlander also occupies a part of the Me- Ferrin tract, having settled upon it in 1850.
In 1882, one of the most severe storms over known passed over the southern part of this township. It swept from the south to the northeast, tearing down trees, fences and everything else in its way. John Thorn's barn was torn down and his house par tially destroyed. Clapboards were carried a mile. Not a fence was left standing on the farm. The next day the neighbors gathered and hehad Mr Thorn to repair the damage.
Adam. John and James Hemphill all settled carly in the southern part of the township.
Rudolph. Philip and Daniel Barnhart and their consins Jacob, Peter and Andrew came from West- moreland County and all settled in the same neigh- borhood early.
Daniel and Catharine Barnhart settled in 1812. Their children were Elizabeth ( Daubenspeck). Mary, Catharine. Christina (Kepple), Susannah, William, David, John and Daniel. Elizabeth, Christina, Da- vid and John are living.
William MeGarvey, an aged citizen of this town- ship, is a native of Ireland. In ISTO, he moved from Armstrong County and settled about a mile from Petrolia He has seen the township grow from a very thinly-peopled territory to its present prosper- ous condition.
D. L. Kamerer, who was born just over the line in Arinstrong County, came to this township and settled on his present farm in 1556.
Jonathan Keppel, a native of this State, where he was born in 1524. settled in Fairview Township in 1850; he is a farmer by occupation, and during the late war was one of "the brave boys in bho."
The development of the oil resources of this township began in 1571, and in the five or six suc- feeding years great social and financial changes were wronght. During the excitement, many of the old residents disposed of their farms and removed to oth- er parts of the country. Others remained, and reaped great financial gains, thus laying the founda- tions of future prosperity: while not a few embarked upon the treacherous sea of speculation, and lost the earnings of long years of constant toil.
JUSTICES OF THE PEACT.
Fairview Township* 1516, John Scott. 1850. John MeKisson: ISSI, John Scott: 1551. Thomas Craig: 1856, Matthew S. Ray: 1557. Robert Camp bell: 1561, Matthew S. Ray; 1862, R. C. Campbell: 1866. William C. Adams: 1565, Alex Story; 1869, M. S. Ray: 1572. A. G. Campbell: 1873, Alex Story; 1873. William Mednllongh: 1576, T. P. Brown; 1875, Daniel Updegraff: 1876, William Storey: 1575 S. W. MeCullough: 1850, Robert MeChing.
EARLY SCHOOLS.
The first school of which we have any account was taught in a house which stood in the hollow west of Petrolia. Probably as early as 1800, Master Ben Fletcher taught here a term or two. The early schoolhonses were all constructed after about the same pattern, and have been so often described in this work that a repetition of the description is un. necessary.
Abont 1806, a schoolhouse was erected where Karns City now stands, and John Brown served as schoolmaster. A little later, Morris Brodin was the teacher. The next schoolhouse was built on the Shakely farm. James Reed was the teacher. Will iam Gibson taught school in a house on the Mortimer farm about 1812, and Thomas MeCleary a year or two later. From all accounts, MeCleary fafterward well known as Squire MeCleary) was a schoolmaster of unusual severity of manner, without that suavity of appearance which has been regarded as necessary to members of his profession. He was accustomed to keep at hand a "cat o' nine tails" made of buckskin, and whenever a scholar was canght offending. this formidable weapon was thrown at him, accompanied by the command, "Bring that here, sir." The trem- bling culprit of course obeyed. and the reader can imagine the next art of the performance.
" Dominio " Cook, a Roman Catholic, was another teacher in the same place. He was an' odd old fel- low. with a somewhat exalted opinion of his own importance. On one occasion. after a great freshet. Cook was on his way to the schoolhouse, and came to a swollen run which he did not dare to cross. Seeing two of his pupils. Thomas Wilson and Robert Camp. bell. approaching, he called them to his assistance. There was a log across the stream, and upon this the old man attempted to cross, one of the boys on each side, leading him, and walking in the water, which was fully waist dopp. The boys did not enjoy this cold bath. and thought it but right that the school. master should be wet as well as themselves. There- fore, when they had reached the middle of the stream, Robert gave Thomas a wink. both staggered. and
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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
somehow Dominie Cook was drawn into the water. The boys ran back to Mr. Wilson's house and were drying themselves by the fire when the schoolmaster appeared, wet and wrathful. He wanted to whip them, but Mr. Wilson threatened to treat him the same way if he did, and there the matter ended.
It was customary to bar the master out the day after Christmas, and, if possible, get his signature to an agreement to furnish a treat of apples and whisky before admitting him. Apples were very scarce, and Knox's orchard, in Armstrong County, usually fur- nished the supply, it being the only orchard of any importance in the neighborhood.
A schoolhouse, erected a short distance east of where the Fairview Presbyterian Church now stands, was Fairview's first school building. It was built about 1825, and had glass, instead of paper, for win- dow lights.
FAIRVIEW.
This pretty country village, sober, quiet and un- pretentious, dates its foundation as far back as the year 1826, when James McElwee started a small gro- eery at the crossroads. He soll whisky; the whisky prodneed fights, as it invariably does, and made busi- ness for the Squire. In 1830, Thomas MeCleary, Esq., and William Hawk eansel town lots to be laid off on portions of their farms, and soon a small but prosperons village sprang into existence.
Among the early settlers of the town were Robert Patton, James Adams, William McCafferty, James Moore, George Ward. John Emrick, Peter Beighle, John Smith and others.
William MeCafferty came to Fairview soon after the town was laid out, and worked at cabinet-making. Ho kept the first tavern. When he engaged in this business, he had not much to start with, not even a glass for his enstomers to drink ont of. When a man called for a drink of whisky, a flask was handed to him, and he gauged the drink according to his own liking.
Robert Patton was one of the early merchants, James Adams began keeping store in a part of John Smith's house, in 1839. He afterward built a log store, and his son W. C. Adams, afterward Maj. Adams, clerked for him Major Adams also kept store on his own account some years later, and be- came ono of the leading business men of the place. In 1872, he erected the large three-story hotel now known as the Adams House. He died in 1881.
George Ward was the first blacksmith in the place. James Moore also worked at the same trade, Ward acted as mail-carrier after a post office was established, and walked to Butler once a week to carry the mail.
The post office was established soon after the town was laid out Peter Beighle was the first Postmaster,
and his share of the receipts of the office for the first quarter was 90 cents. Robert Patton was Post master in 1836. James MeElwain was mail con. tractor, and Robert T. Maxwell, then a lad of twelve years, carried the mail through the woods on horse. back from Butler to Lawrenceburg.
William Alexander, the oldest resident of the bor- ough, came to Fairview in 1810 He states that at that date all the buildings in the place, including houses, shops, stores and ontbuildings, numbered only seventeen.
Ten years later, the village had grown consider- ably. In 1850, there were three stores kept by Rob- ert Patton, Shields Adams and Maj. Adams. Will- iam MeCafferty and George Emrick each kept hotel at this dato. There were several shops where differ- ent trades were carried on, and altogether. Fairview was a good business point. C. Scott came in 1850, and engaged in the saddlery and harness business. In 1862, he began keeping a generat store, which he still continues, being now the oldest merchant in the place. John Scott, his brother, commenced the har- ness business bofore 1850, and remained there till elected Sheriff.
In 1844, Col. James A. Gibson and M. S. Adams started a foundry. Adams sold the foundry to Arnold & Crawford in 1858. J. J. Maxwell ran it from 1858 until 1872, when he quit the business. The foundry has not been in operation since.
Fairview grew but slowly until 1872, when the oil developments began to lend impetus to its pros- perity. Previous to the date mentioned, probably the population of the village was at no time over 200; in 1876. it was estimated that there were 1,000 people living in the town. During the oil period, there was great business activity and commendable progress in all directions. Many business houses appeared, and a large number of tasty and elegant residences were erected. Nearly all of the old buildings of the town disappeared and were replaced by new ones of a bet- ter kind.
In 1872, the borough of Fairview was organized, and John Pollock elected the first Burgess. In 1875, a public school building was ereeteil at a cost of about $3,000, and the school graded. For building the honse abont 8500 was raised by the citizens in per- sonal subscriptions. A festival was hell with a lot. tery as a feature of the entertainment, to raise funds for furnishing the schoolhouse. The receipts from this fostival-the most successful ever hell in Butter County --- netted about $1,800, which sum was turned over to the school fund. The schools have been un- der good instructors, and are in a prosperous condi- tion. R. W. MeKer, himself an oldl teacher, settled in Fairview in 1872, and has taken commendable in
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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY
terest in the schools. He was the leading spirit in organizing the festival above mentioned. Mr. MeKee is the inventor of a new system of school rewards, known as the "National Bank of Knowledge," which is meeting with great favor among leading educators everywhere.
A number of destructive tires have visited the town of recent years, destroying two hotels and other buildings. January 28, 1877, occurred a shocking casualty which deserves more than passing mention. At that time the town was supplied with gas from the Indian Spring gas well. A leak in the main on the opposite side of the street from Mr. Robert Patton's house allowed the gas to escape and make its way be- neath the ice in the street into Mr. Patton's cellar, which was filled completely without the knowledge of the inmates of the house. Rev. D. Decker, who was boarding with the Patton family at the time, brought his lamp down stairs for Mrs. Patton to fill. She took it and set it, still burning, in the cellar way at the head of the stairs. The next thing was a terrific explosion, which alnost completely destroyed the house. Mr. and Mrs. Patton and Rev. Deeker sus- tained severe injuries. Mrs. Patton died three days after. Mr. Patton and Rev. Decker lay for a long time, and their recovery was doubtful; but after about two months, they were able to be about.
The Fairview Deposit and Savings Bank was es. tablished August 15, 1872. It was a private bank, managed by Ralston, McQuaide & Co .; D. A. Rals- ton, President, and R. W. McKee, Cashier. This bank closed March 15, 1882; liabilities about $225,- 000, and assets very small. This was the most dam- aging blow ever received by Fairview.
The situation of Fairview, away from railroads. and the springing up of towns near by, and the do. cline of the oil business, have all contributed to diminish the prosperity of the town. In 1 82. the borough contains an estimated population of 400, four churches, one physician. one hotel, two large general stores, two drug stores, one grocery, one hard- ware store, one harness shop, one shoe-maker's shop, one meat market, two blacksmiths' shops, two wagon shops, one bakery, one furniture store, three livery stables, two millinery shops, etc.
John A. Christie kept stationery and furnishing goods in connection with the post office in 1872 77. In 1877. C. C. Alexander bought the store and en- gaged in the drug business. H. W. Jameson began keeping a livery stable in ISSO.
Hon. George K. Graham, of Fairview, is a grand son of Samuel Graham, an early settler in Allegheny Township. John Graham, son of Sammel, resided some years in Venango County, and there the subject of this notice was born. Mr. Graham came to Butter
County in 1815, and lived in Parker Township, near Martinsburg. In 1862, he removed to Fairview Township, his present home. Mr. Graham was in the service during the late war as a member of Com- pany G, One Hundred and Thirty-seventh Pennsylva- nia Regiment. Enlisting as a private, he became Regimental Quartermaster, and subsequently was on the staff of Gen. Paul as Brigade Quartermaster. Mr. Graham has been engaged in the oil business for sov- eral years, also in surveying and civil engineering. He was a teacher for several years, and Principal of Sunbury Academy from 1867 to 1570. In 1875, he was elected a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from Butler County, and discharged the duties of this position with much credit to himself and the district which he represented. His wife is Eleanor J., daughter of James Wilson, the oldest res ident of this township.
JUSTICES OF THE PEACE. .
Boroughof Fairview-1873. A. G. Mahafty: 1874, . M S. Ray; 1876, William C. Adams; 1879, M. S. Ray: ISSI, J. D. Burton.
BEAR CREEK PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. +
This was the earliest religions organization in the northeastern part of the county. A congregation was formed near the close of the last century. The first place of worship was a tent, known as the Deer Lick Tent, and stood in the old graveyard, midway bo- tween Fairview and Karns City. About 1800. Sam- uel Kineaid, Joseph Smith, John Craig and other Presbyterians of the neighborhood undertook and com- pleted the work of greeting a log church, a mile northeast of Fairview. Its site was in the present Lower Bear Creek Cemetery. William Wilson gave two acres of ground for a ehrch lot. The building was small, unplastered, and could be used only in
In December, 1800, Rov. William Moorhead ro- ecived a call to become pastor, but did not accept.
The first pastor, Rev Robert Johnston. began his labors in 1803, and preached for the Bear Creek and Sernbgrass congregations. In 1807, he withdrew, and devoted all of his time to the Serubgrass Church. Rev. Robert Lee, one of the five original members of the Erie Presbytery, supplied Bear Creek Church a few years. At the opening of the war of IS12, the church was without a pastor, and during several subsequent years, there were occasional supplies, and communions at stated times, condneted by the order of the Presbytery. A Sabbath society was hekl, and the exercises generally led by Elder Kincaid. For
*For this article, and other items and history, the thanks of the editor are sua Rev. D Do ker, of Fairview.
HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
some time prestons to FS20, Rev. Cyrus Riggs, sta tioned at West Unity, preached frequently at Bear Creek. In June, 1821. Roy. Alexander Cook was in stalled pastor of this church and of Ebenezer (now Parker City). In IS22 or 1523, he secured the eree- tion of a larger church. of logs. The logs were hewed and the building plastered. Its site was the Upper Bear Creek Cemetery. In June, IS27. Mr. Cook was released from this charge. He died in Ohio the following year. In 1830. the Allegheny Presbytery granted the request of the Bear Creek Church for the services of Rev. Joseph Johnson, a stranger. who claimed that his credentials were in Ireland. He failed to produce his credentials, for which reason, among others, sanction to his further labors was refused by the Presbytery. His people took issue with the Presbytery. sustaining the pastor, who was very popular. The bitterness increased, un- til at length, in 1834. all the congregation, excepting tive families and one Elder, withdrew from the control . of the Presbytery and were received into the Associate Reformed Congregation soon after. Mr. Johnson returned to Ireland, leaving in his place Rev. James Green, who continued to preach at Bear Creek and West Unity. From that time the history of the Bear Creek Church is the history of the U. P. Church at Fairview.
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