USA > Pennsylvania > Butler County > History of Butler County, Pennsylvania. With illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 90
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101
In 1519. Alexander Seaton, whose father settled in Marion Township in 1500. bonght of Alexander Donaghy the farm on which he now lives. In 1828. Mr. Seaton built a grist mill. which, having been three times rebuilt. is still in operation. It is now run by his son Abner. He built a saw-mill in 1925. He also built a carding and fulling mill later, which he operated for eight years. Mr. Seaton has been a resident of Butler County from its organization -- eighty-two years ago. He was born in Huntingdon County in 1794. and is very active for a man of his age.
About 1820. John Johnston and family emigrated from Ireland to this county, and settled near Harris- ville. Two of his sons are now living on the old homestead. The children of John and Mary John- ston were Joseph. Alexander, Mary J. (Martin). Will- iam, John W. and Margaret A. (Ray), all living ex- cept the one last mentioned JJohn Johnston died in 1867, at the age of seventy eight
Charles Cochran came from what is now Cochran- ton, Crawford County, in 1525, and with his wife and one child began operations in the woods on the farm which he now ocenpies. Mr. Cochran served as Jus- tice of the Peace ten years, and for sixteen years he was Captain of a company known as the Slippery Rock Light Infantry. He is the father of nine chil- dren. Six daughters and one son are still living.
Mr. Cochran says that when he came to the conn- ty. everything was in an exceedingly primitive condi
turkey that weighed forty-two pounds. Cattle and hogs ran in the woods, and often became almost as wild as the bears and wolves abont them. The cat- tle which fed in the swamp east of Mr. Cochran's farm sometimes got imbedded in the mire, and lost their lives. Bears frequented the vicinity of the streams, and exhibited a great fondness for wild cher. ries. They would climb the cherry trees, and break all the branches they could reach, and then sit and piek off the cherries.
Sammel Braham. originally from Ireland. moved to this township from New Castle in 1834, and pur- chased a farm at $S per acre. The same farm is now owned by the Mereer Mining Company, who pur- chased it in 1872, at $100 per acre. The farm was settled by William Agnew, and MIr. Braham pur- chased it From his administrator. At that time it was slightly improved, having about thirty acres cleared and a log house and log barn upon it. Log buildings were then well-nigh universal in the country and very common invillages. Mr. Braham died in 1574, at the age of eight-five. Samnel and Mary Ann (Patton) Braham were the parents of sixteen children. eloven of whom reached mature years. viz., Hugh, William P .. Agues (Beatty), Jane (Dngan), Samuel, Mary A .. Eliza (Snyder), Margaret (Mifflin), Sarah A. (Kirk- patrick ). Belle and Asenath (MeCleary); Jane, Sam tel. Mary A. and Sarah 1. are dead. Hon. W. P. Braham, of Harrisville, was ten years of age when he came to this county, and has witnessed the almost miraenlons changes wronght by man's labor during the past half century, which have transformed the al. most primitive wilderness to a region alnost as fair as any that the sun shines upon. He was elected a member of the State Legislature in ISSO, and a can didate for re election in 1SS2.
HARRISVILLE.
The site of this now attractive and thriving bor- ough, as the early settlers beheld it, was a piece of low, swampy ground, trosloss, and covered with tall grass. There were many pools in which water stood throughout the year. The land on which Harrisville stands was known as the " prairie tract " A part of it had been utilize I by the Indians as a corn-field.
The first cabin ereetel within the limits of the town proper, was built abont 1500, by a man known as Old Zeke Brodin. He was a blacksmith and fol- lowed his trade here some years. His house stood north of the center of the town.
Ephraim Harris started a store in ISO1. and a few years later Henry Evans opened a tavern. Ev- ans quit the business before the town was laid out. and his log honse was sold to Harris.
399
HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY
Ephraim Harris, the founder of Harrisville, came to the Harris farm in 1804, from Franklin County. He and John Evans made the settlement of the tract in partnership. Evans lived on a part of the tract. and once had a store there. Harris began keeping store in 1804. and continued the business until his death in 1825. All of his sons were merchants at various periods of their lives. His store was in a room of his log house. He hauled his goods from Pittsburgh in a one horse wagon. Mrs. Harris had a fine carpet-the first ever seen in the settlement -and it was a great enriosity. One day a German. Fred. erick Keifer. came in, and it was observed that he stepped very daintily around the edge of the room. and seemed trying to avoid stepping on the carpet. On being asked to come forward and take a seat, he said to Mrs. Harris that he was afraid he should soil her blanket! Harris' old store stood on or near the spot where Luther Braham's house now is. Mr. Harris, as might be conjectured, did not carry a large stock of goods. It is said that he never would sell more than two pounds of coffee at a time. for the rea- son that he wished to keep on hand enough to supply other customers. Ephraim and Hannah (Elliott) Harris were the parents of fourteen children. twelve of whom reached mature years. viz. : Samuel, Fran- ces, Rebecca ( Waddle). Eliza (Adams). Juliet (Waters), John R., James, Ephraim. Sarah (De Wolf), Maria (Forker), Amelia (Parker), and Anna. But one of this family survives- Mrs. Amelia Parker. of Parker City. Maj. John R .. Ephraim and Sam- uel resided permanently in Harrisville. James lived some years on the old homestead. then went West. Maj. Harris started a carding mill east of the town. which he ran four years. He then removed to Har- risville and was a merchant and hotel-heeper until his death. in 1874. His widow, Mrs. Maria (Black) Harris, is still a resident of the borough. Maj. Harris began his career as a merchant in 1827. in a building (afterward burned) which stood where the Kerr House now is. His brother, Ephraim, was in partnership with him several years. Maj. Harris was a man of prominence and influence. He was a Major of militia and served three terms as Represent. ative to the Legislature and three terms as Stato Senator.
Robert Walker moved to the present site of Harrisville in 1816. He was a millwright by trade. and came here from Slippery Rock Township. Ho died in 1839. aged fifty-nine years. His widow Cree Sarah Reed. now Mrs. Waddle), is still living, and has resided in the township longer than any other person. Her children are John. Robert R .. Cynthia M. (Martin), James H .. O. Perry and Angeline (Riddle), all living but Mrs. Martin. The second son.
Robert R. Walker, Esq., born in ISIS, is now the oldest native resident of Harrisville Borough.
The town was laid out in IS25, and the first sale of lots was made by Ephraim Harris on the Ith of April. That portion of the borough extending south of R. Black's store, was laid out in 1533 on the farm of Col. Robert Reed, and at first was known as Reeds- ville.
After the town was laid out, James Lee purchased a lot and erected a frame house, in which he started a store. In 1830. Lee sold his store to Jonathan Me- Millan. who continued the business several years, with James Kerr as his clerk.
Samuel E. Harris and William Stanley next built honses in the village.
Hon, James Kerr, now one of the oldest citizens of Harrisville, recalls the following names of residents of the place in 1830: Thomas McElree, cabinet- maker: James and William Forker. hatters; Samuel E. Harris, merchant; Washington Parker. had a store then. or soon after: William H. McGill, father of James McGill. now a blacksmith in the town, had a shop a mile and one- fourth south: John Caldwell, an ex-sailor. then a laborer, and William Stanley laborer. resided in Harrisville. Maj. Harris kept tavern in a frame honse on the corner where the Kerr House now stands James Forker lived in a frame house on the next lot sonth of the spot where Brown's drug store now is, and Jonathan McMillan kept store in a frame house. The other buildings were all log structures.
As there was formerly a great deal of travel on the Franklin road, tavern- keeping was long a very dourishing business in Harrisville. Samuel E. Harris and William Waddle. brothers-in-law. carried on the business a number of years. At one time there were four taverns in the village, and there was considerable rivalry between the landlords to obtain the patronage of the militia on training days. There were ten distilleries within three miles of Harrisville. Whisky sold at a shilling a quart or 25 cents per gallon by the barrel. Josiah Hardy was one of the shrewd- est of the tavern-keepers, and resorted to various expedients to obtain custom. One day he induced the Captain of a training company to halt his men at noon in front of his door. and just at the very moment the halt was made, rang the dinner bell. Of course his patronage was large that day. Hardy became a Methodist, and when asked if he thought whisky-selling consistent with his profession, acknowl- edged that he thought it took a good deal of grace to attend both to business and religion rightly! Besides Hardy. Maj. Harris, John Dougherty and John Kerr. kept tavern at the same time.
In 1833, two brick house, were erected by John
HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
McCoy and Washington Parker. William P. Brown began business as a cabinet-maker and furniture dealer in IS34, on the same spot where his establish ment now is. The first building he erected was torn down, and the present one built in 1551. About 1845. Gihner & Shoffer established a foundry. Since 1866, it has been owned by Bingham & Son, of Centreville. The town advanced far more rapidly than is usnal with country villages, By 1847. it had become sufficiently large so that it was deemed ex pedient that a borough government be organized; this was done. and Dr. Lyman L. Howard was elected Burgess. In the borough there are now four general stores, two drug stores, one hotel, two livery stables, one general notion store, one tailor shop. three millinery stores, two shoe-maker shops, for black- smith shops, one wagon shop, one furniture store. one hardware and tin-shop. Bingham's foundry. Kerr & Walker's mill, etc. In 1970, the town had a popula- tion of 545: in 1SS0, 541. Harrisville wears an air of neatness and quiet, which renders it a very pleasant spot in which to live.
At what date the post office was established we are unable to learn. Judge Kerr, when a mere boy, car- ried th. mul twice a week from Mount Etna Furnace where there was a post office. through to Franklin. going on horseback. This was about 1826. There was then a post office at Harrisvill ,, and Samuel E. Harris was Postmaster.
Kerr & Walker's grist-mill was erected in ISS] 82. It is a three-story building. 32.50 feet, provided with the best of machinery. and contains four runs of buhrs.
The largest fire in Harrisville occurred June 6. 1872, when William Kirkpatrick's two-story dwelling and Samuel Korr's hotel were destroyed. These buildings stood on the east side of Main street.
PERSONAL.
Hon. James Kerr and his brother Sammuel are among the oldest residents of Harrisville. Judge Kerr was engaged in the mercantile business fromll 1840 until about four years ago. From 1837 to 1510. he was a contractor on the canal. He has served twenty years as Justice of the Peace: was elected Associate Judge in IS61, and State Senator in IS6S. Samnel Kerr has been proprietor of a well-kept hotel in this place several years.
Thompson Kyle, of Harrisville, farmer and coal operator, is a native of Ireland. Ho settled in this place in 1845, and was one of the pioneers in develop- ing the coal resources of Butler County.
J. E. Curry, who was Postmaster at Harrisville for eight years, came to the place in 1850. He fol- lowed the business of manufacturing and dealing in
furniture until 1860, and since that time has been keeping a general notion store. The building he now ocenpies was built by him in 1568.
T. W. Morrow came from West Virginia to Har risville in 1860, and entered into partnership with J. R Harris in a general merchandise store. under the firm name of Harris & Morrow. After the death of Maj. Harris, he formed a partnership with H. C. Black, and continued the business until 1877, when he sold his interest to Black. In 1879, he bought out 1. B. Patton, and since that time has been en- gaged in the drug business.
( W. Magee came to this town from Mercer County in 1860, and established a carriage-shop, in which he still continues business.
JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.
IS17. William A. Gilmer: 1850. Robert Long; 1852. James Kerr: 1855. George B. Williamson: 1857. Robert Long: 1858. William A, Gilmer; 1859, Robert R. Walker: 1559. Z. C. Quillen: 1860. Thompson Kyle: 1864, R. R. Walker: 1865, John Black: 1869. J. R. Snyder: 1870, John Black: 1874, J. R. Snyder: 1875, James McGill: 1876, C. M. Brown: 1877. C. M. Brown; ISSO, James McGill; ISSO, W. H. Orr: 1582. J. M. Elrick.
HARRISVILLE CHURCHES. .
Presbyterian. - In the " History of the Presbytery of Erie." the following sketch of the Harrisville Pres byterian Church is given:
" The organization took place in 1907: it first ap pears on the minutes in ISOS. It is sometimes called West Unity. The first pastor was Rov. Cyrus Riggs, installed April 6, 1511; released April 2. 1831. The next pastor was Rov. John R. Agnew, installed April 3. 1835: released October 21. 1515 or 1546: Rev. John Moore was pastor from Isti to ISM; Rev. Meade Satterfield, son of Rev. James Satterfield, one of the original members of the Presbytery. was pas- tor from 1850 to the time of his death, a period of six years. He was succeeded by Rov. J. F. Boyd, who was installed in ISA6: released June 26. 1566; Rev. W. D Patton was installed in IS66."
From other sources we have the following add: tional information: Since Rev. Patton left, about five years ago, there have been only supplies. Among the earliest preachers in the neighborhood were Revs. Samuel Tait and Robert Lee. The first meeting place was a tent at Rocky Springs. Then the place was changed to "the prairie" where Harris- ville now is. During the war of 1512, while the soldiers were on their way to Erie. Rev. Tait preached to them in a tent one Sunday, and people from fifteen miles around were present. Afterward
401
HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY
a log house was erected, in which the congregation sat upon the sleepers. This was abandoned after a few years, and West Unity Church erected. In IS34, Rev. Robert Johnson officiating at West Unity, made an effort to " unionize " the church. and an Associate Reformed congregation was formed. The Presbyte- rian portion of the congregation changed their place of worship to Harrisville, and in 1837. erected a church The church was very strong in numbers for some years, but of late dissensions and removals have greatly reduced the membership.
Harrisrille Methodist Episcopal Church .- 1 Methodist class of twelve members was formed about 1833. Among the members were Robert and Sarah Walker, William H. McGill and wife. John McCon- nell and wife. Robert Knowlton and wife and Abner Gill and wife. Revs. Carl, Davis and Hallock were among the first ministers. Services were generally held in the schoolhouse, though sometimes at private houses. In the fall of 1942, a substantial church ed ifice was completed. The present membership is eighty-eight The church once numbered over two hundred, but has decreased greatly on account of re- movals. Seventy members of this church went West in one year ( 1569).
LODGES.
Knights of Honor .- Harrisville Lodge. No. 2397, K. of H., was instituted March 21. 1881, with thirty- one charter members. Membership in October. 1552. thirty-two.
Grand Army .-- Z. C. McQuillen Post, No. 246. G. A. R., was organized May 12. 1SS2, with sixteen charter members. Present membership, twenty-three.
SCHOOLS.
The first schoolhouse in the township was built just at the boundary line of the borough of Harris ville, about the year 1800. Wright Elliott. a brother of Mrs. Harris, was the first teacher. Another early schoolhouse stood near where the old log church was built. Among the early teachers were JJames Hardy (an old man who taught many years), Master O'Hara and David C. Cunningham
The first schoolhouse in Harrisville was a frame building ereeted in 1830. Samuel E. Harris tanght the first term. Judge Kerr taught there in 1533. Channey Hamilton taught several years. Harrisville now has a good school building and a well-conducte } school. in two grades
HARMONY C. P. CHURCH.
Harmony congregation was at first called Boiling Spring, and in connection with Coal Spring. Mercer County, and Serubgrass, now called East Unity, con- stituted one pastoral charge. The name was changed shortly after the organization was effected. This con-
gregation was organized in connection with the Asso ciate Presbyterian or Seceter Church, and it remained in that connection until the Union of the Associate and Associate Reformed Churches in IS58, which gave birth to the United Presbyterian Church. Har mony congregation was organized by the Presbytery of Chartiers. The first services were held in 1800. and it is probable that a congregation was organized that year or the year following. In 1805, Coal Spring was separated from the two other churches mentioned, which during the two first pastorates formed one charge. In 1505, the congregation was placed under the Ohio Presbytery, and so remained until 1535, when it came under the Shenango Presbytery. Since 1558, it has belonged to the United Presbytery of Butler.
Thomas Matthews. William Gill, John Atwell and Alexander White were probably the first ruling El ders. Later. Thoma- McElree, Samuel Cross. John Matthews, Samuel G. White and David Beatty held that office. John Matthews. Ebenezer Beatty and William Buchanan were the first trustees and were Mleeted in 1503. The property for church site and graveyard was purchased from Thomas McCoy in 1507, for $12. The lot includes four acres.
Rev. Thomas MeClintock, the first pastor. began his labors in 1503 and served most acceptably until his death. in 1832. In 1535, Rev. William Pollock was installed pastor of the united congregations of Harmony and Unity, Rov. Alexander Boyd preaching the sermon on the 27th of May. His pastorate ended in 1852. The present pastor of Harmony. Rev. Sam nel Kerr, D. D .. was installed February S. 1553; ser- mon on that occasion by Rov. Alexander Boyd. The church then numbered 160 members. Its prosent membership is 285. The Sabbath school has 250 members.
The first church erected was a small log cabin. Preaching was held in it in winter, and in a tent in summer. The next hous . of worship was a larger log structure. The present house, a substantial frame building. 50x60 feet, was built in 1836.
In 1565, Benjamin Niblock, of Youngstown, Ohio, James M. Bredin, then of Butler, now of Franklin. and Thompson Kyle of Harrisville, under the name of Niblock. Bredin & Kyle, made leases of coal lands in this county. proposing to develop the coal fields largely. They secured leases of some fifty thousand acres of land lying in Pine Township. Mercer County. Irvin Township, Venango County, and in the town- ships of Mercer. Marion. Venango. Allegheny. Parker. Washington and Cherry. Butier County. These
Though this matter properly belongs in several townships, it is inserted here to avoid separating that which should be connected
402
HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY,
lands were leased for the consideration of ten cents per ton of coal to their owners, which is the price generally paid to-day, Mr. Kyle. W. P. Braham and others having leased coal lands at this price during the present year.
This enterprise was undertaken on the supposition that the so-called Harrisville vein of coal (a four foot vein) was the principal mining vein. But on inves tigation, in Bull Valley. in Cherry Township. a second vein of good mining coal. five and one-half to six feet in thickness, was discovered, lying imme diately below the limestone. This is known as the Burnett vein, from its discoverer. In the same val- Joy. a third vein, which has not yet been mentioned in geological reports, was found forty feet below the second or Burnett vein. This is known as the Slope vein, and is the best vein in the valley. The Burnett vein was afterward discovered at Pardoe, and in 1SSO, at Pine Grove. It has now been tested to a point within two miles of Harrisville.
The Bull Valley coal is generally conceded to be of the best quality for eoking. The Slope vein is not much known outside of this valley. It is believed that it extends through a tract at least five or six miles square. Two slopes are already open touching it, and mining operations are being pushed every day. From the Burnett mines, a three mile branch railroad, running north and east, is now completed. and another, running south to the Judge MeJunkin farm, in Bull Valley. Mr. Burnett, who has been developing these mines largely for several years, has sold out to a Philadelphia company, which has now leased a large quantity of land, and surveyed a rail- road from New Castle to Annandale Station. The coal deposits are believed to be sufficient for the mining operations to endure scores of years. A large extent of the Harrisville vein yet remains untouched, and offers an encouraging field for future operations.
Soon after the first leases were made, Niblock. Bredin & Kyle became associated with a number of capitalists, among whom were Messrs. Wick, Wells and others, of Youngstown; Messrs. Shryock. Rey- nokls and Gill, of Meadville: Cunard and MeHenry. of London; Jackson, of New York, and others, who compose the Mereer Mining & Manufacturing Com- pany. This company built the Shenango & Alle- gheny Railroad in 1868 69, and now operate it. Their principal mines are at Pardo. Mercer County. at Harrisville and New Hope. At Harrisville. from 200 to 300 tons of coal are being mined daily, and about the same quantity at Pardoe.
FORESTVILLE.
Forestville, commonly known as " The Blocks." is a small mining village, near the line of the S. & 1.
Railroad, which has sprung up since the coal mines were opened. It contains a post office, two stores and a varying population.
Maj. W. C. Bryson, who has been engaged in the mercantile business in Forestville since 1875. is a uative of Connoquenessing Township, where he lived on a farm from his birth, in 1814, until 1865. He then removed to Prospect and engaged in keeping a store. In 1866, he went to West Sunbury, where he confinned the same business until he came to Forest- ville. While in Sunbury, Maj. Bryson was for a long time the only Democratie voter in the borough. He has held the office of Justice of the Peace and been a candidate for Representative, Associate Judge and County Commissioner. His store and house were burued in 1881. but were immediately rebuilt.
JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.
Mercer Township. - 1840, John Murrin; 1840, James Kerr: 1815. John Black: 1845. William Rns. sell; 1847. James Seaton; 1850. James Porter; 1852, Alexander Seaton; 1554. Wm. H. McGill; 1857, Hugh Braham; 1859, Charles Cochran: 1562. Hugh Braham: 1861. Alexander Seaton; 1867. Charles Cochran; 1869, Alexander Seaton; 1872, John Elder; 1875, James Mel'adden: 1877, T. D. Kelly; 1882, Joseph Brown.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
HON. W. P. BRAHAM.
Hugh Braham emigrated from Ireland to America in 1701 anl settle l near Lewistown. Penn. His son Samuel was born in Ireland in 1789. and came to this country with his parents. From their first loca- tion, the family removed to Mereer County, in 1807, settling near New Castle, in what is now Lawrence County. Samuel Braham married Mary Ann Patton and reared a large family, which is elsewhere men- tioned.
William P .. the son of Samuel and Mary Ann Braham, was born in Hickory Township, Mercer County (now Lawrence), Penn., on the 6th of Jann- ary, 1821, and came to Butler with his parents in 1831. His father followed farming. and William re- mained at home, assisting him in his work and ob- taining an education, until 1845. He then married Nancy Rebecca, daughter of Philip and Deborah Snyder, who were early settlers of Slippery Roek Township, and the following year moved to Conno- qnenessing Township. Mr. Braham began life under most adverse conditions and circumstances, which might well have discouraged a less resolute man.
JOHN SAY.
MRS. JOHN SAY.
Among the pioneers of Parker Township was John Say, the father of the immediate subject of this biog- raphy. He came from Mifflin County, and obtained. by " settler's right." a tract of land in Parker Township. on which he made permanent settlement in about the year 1800. Previous to this date, he had married Miss Sarah Martin, of Westmoreland County. They roared a family of four children-three boys and one girl. John was the eklest of the family, and was born on the farm ad- joining that on which he now resides. January 26. 1511. The elder Say was a medium-sized man-pleasant and affable in his manner-and universally esteemed. He was a successful farmer, and acquired a fine competency. He died November 15. 1859. at the age of seventy four years. His wife survived him until 1864, when she de- veased at the age of ninety-two.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.