History of Butler County, Pennsylvania. With illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 93

Author: Waterman, Watkins & Co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Chicago, Waterman, Watkins & Co.
Number of Pages: 638

USA > Pennsylvania > Butler County > History of Butler County, Pennsylvania. With illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 93

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The increase of population in Clay Township has been but gradual, never at any period rapid. Yet. the children. grandchildren, and great grandchildren of many of the Butler County pioneers now reside here. and mention of them irrespective of order (in a chronological order), will be given in the succeed ing paragraphs.

Archibald Kelly, the great-grandfather of James W. Kelly. Esq. ( at present of the village of West Sunbury), came from one of the oldest settlements cast of the Alleghanies, and settled in what is now Parker Township, as early as 1795. He was of Scotch ancestry, a rigid. yet honest man, and a school teacher. Of his large family. Thomas, John. David, Andrew, James and William were the names of his sons. They were farmers. large. able-bodied men. and all became heads of families, except Will- iam, who died a bachelor. Thomas. the eldest, had two sons (Thomas and James) and four or five daughters. Of these sons, Thomas became a resident of Washington Township, and the father of nine children -- James W., John T .. Richard. Thomas D .. Melvin. John M., Melinda. Mellie and Isabella. of whom Melvin. John M. a. d Isabella are dead.

Samuel Louden was born in Huntingdon County (in the vicinity of the present city of Altoona) in ES10. His father died early, and though still retaining his name. he became the adopted son of John Mont gomery. In ISIS. the latter removed to Franklin Township. Butler County, and Louden continued with his benefactor until about twenty - five years of age. He the .. married Miss Eliza Ann Brewster, and for three years thereafter rented a farm in near the White Oak Springs. Meanwhile. Mr. Montgomery had become the owner of the muimproved promises

now known as the Louden farm, in Clay Township. and about 153S presente lit to Me. Lalen. who at onen occupied it. The children of Samuel Louden were Mary Jane, Rachel. Rebecca. John M .. Cath - arine, Matilda and Almira, of whom the two first mentioned are dead. Mr. Louden died May IS. 1550. his wife. October 5. 1862. During the late war. he served as Captain of Company C. Eleventh Pennsyl- vinia Reserves. In consequence of ill-health, he was honorably discharged for disability. He had also been prominent in various militia organizations, serv- ing as Captain and Major of the " Martin Battalion."

Andrew Porter was born in Venango County. Prom .. December 11. 1816, and remained there until IS37, when he became a resident of the present town- ship of Cherry. Ten years later. or in 1517, he vis- itel Michigan, and after a few months' sojourn re- turned to Butler County. He married Mary, daughter of Joseph Glenn, and after an interval of three years. again returned to Michigan, where he remained undil 1575, when he settled where he now resides. in the northeast corner of Clay Township. For eighteen mouths be taught the Indians at the "Ok" or "Daugh- erty Mission." and from 1852 to 1871. the Ottawas and Chippewas, at Bear River Mission." His great- grandfather came from Ireland and settled in Chester County, Penn, where Andrew. Sr., his father, was born.

Among the earliest settlers of Butler County were the ancestors of P. P. Brown. of West Sunbury Village, who is a native of Pem Township, and who served during the war of the rebellion in the Thirteenth Pennsylvania Infantry. One Hundred and Thirty Fouth Pennsylvania Infantry, and Thirteenth Penn- sylvania Cavalry, respectively as private. First Lienten ant and Second Sergeant. His great grandfather on his mother's side. John Piece, came from New Jersey and settled two miles southwest from Butler Borough, in 1796. Mr. Pierce was the father of elovon children, and lived to the age of one hundred and one years. John Brown. the grandfather of P. P. Brown, came to the vicinity of the Glade Mills, Middlesex Town ship. from Westmoreland County, about the year 1799. He had ten children, seven sons and three daughters, of whom Robert was the oldest child The latter had eleven children, ton of whom are living, and named as follows: Margaret J .. Elsie. John M .. P. P .. Sam- nel. Robert. Mary, Sarah E .. James and Ephriam O. The mother of these children also survives, Int Rob- ort, the father, died in IS61.

John Mechling, was a native of Germany and an early settler in Washington Township, while his brother, Jacob. was an early and prominent resident of Butler. Of the three sons and six of seven danghters of John Mechling. William (the father of

JOHN . R. M& JUNKIN.

AMANDA MEJUNKIN.

John R. MeJunkin, or Squire MeJunkin, as he is familiarly known, was born on the MeJunkin homestead April 27. 1825. lle was the son of James Melunkin. who was born in the North of Ireland in 1777. and came to this country when a young man, and obtained by settlers right 100 acres of land in Clay Township, which is a part of the farm now owned by his son lohn. He was a typical pioneer, strong and resolute. full of energy and ambition. and well qualified to endure the privations and hardships incident to pioneer life in Butler County. He married, for his first wife. Miss Asseneth Turk She lived but a short time, and he was again married. in 1818. to Miss Nancy Turner. She was born in Ireland in 1788. and came to this country when but two years of age. The family were among the first settlers of Parker Township. In 1833, the elder VeJunkin died. leaving his widow with a family of seven children. the eldest of whom. James T .. was but thirteen years of age. Her resources were limited and the maintenance of a family at that time was a difficult task : but Mrs. MeJunkin was a woman of strong mind and rare busi- ness ability. She not only managed the farm success- fully, but gave her children all the advantages for edu- cation that were accessible She was a devoted mother

and friend. and a Christian woman. She died in 1858. By the first marriage there were two sons-David and William : by the last. eight children - Mary. JJames, Hannah. Samuel. John R Sarah Jane. Martha and Susan. The boyhood days of John R. were replete with trials troubles and toil. Left without a father at the age of eight years and being the eldest son at home, he was nominally the head of the housebold. and she- ceeded to the estate of his father In 1856, he was married to Miss Mary Hays, of Connoquenossing, where she was born in 1827. She died in December of 1863. leaving four children- Agnes, Hattie L., James L. and Jolm W. In 1866. he was again married to Miss Amanda Clark, of Crawford County, where she was born January 12. 1826. Two children are the result of this union-Eva A and Imelda J. The life of Mr. MeJunkin has been a successful one, not only in the accumulation of property, but in the building up of an honorable rec- ord As a farmer, he is enterprising and progressive. and as a citizen he is appreciated for his integrity of character. He has served his fellow-townsmen as Mag- istrate for four terms. He is a stanch Republican in polities, and a member of the Presbyterian Church of Muddy Creek.

RESIDENCE OF JOHN R. M. JUNKIN.

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY

John Mechling, of West Sunbury Borough) was the oldest, and his ( William's) children, eight in number, were George W., Jolm. Henry C .. Joseph, Sophia (the last two being twins). Isaac N .. William S. and Ly- curgus. William removed to Seisto, Ohio. about 1853, and died there. The others are all living. George W. and Lycurgus are ministers of the Presby- terian Church. and during the war of the rebellion. Henry C. Isaac N., William S. and Lycurgus served as soldiers in the Union army. John. the sec- ond son of William, and the grandson of JJohn Mech- ling, of Washington Township, first mentioned, is a furniture dealer. etc., in West Sunbury. He has had six children born to him, viz : Albert. George W .. Chlotilda. Mary A., Florence and Emma S .. all of whom are living except the last named. who died when four years of age.

Joseph Thorn, the grandfather of the present Joseph W. Thorn, of Clay Township. came from Westmoreland County, and settled in what is now known as Oakland Township, about 1797. He had three sons and five daughters. of whom Robert was the father of Joseph W. Thorn. Robert Thorn at. tained the age of ninety-one years, and died npon the premises he was the first to improve. He had ten children, named Jane. Prudence G .. John M., Joseph W .. Sarah. James. Mary. Martha. Robert and Alexan- der S .. of whom Joseph W .. Sarah. Martha and Alex- ander S. only. are living. Alexander S. Thorn being a Presbyterian minister and editor of a newspaper at Harrison. Mo. Joseph W. Thorn located where he now resides. in Clay Township, in 1959. His only child, Oliver R, is the result of a second marriage.

In 1803, James Bartley, accompanied by his wife. came from Ireland and settled in the central part of Butler County. He was the father of cleven sons and one daughter. David. the seventh child of the family, was born in 1815. Ou attaining his majority. he followed brick-making for a considerable period. and made the brick of which "Concord Church" is constructed. His first wife was Sarah. a daughter of Hugh Wasson. About 1846. he purchased of hi- father-in-law a tract of unimproved land, being the same premises still occupied by him. His first wife did not long survive, and he afterward married a Miss Phillips, who is still with him. He i- the father of eight children. all of whom are living

The McClungs. of Butter County, are of SeUch ancestry, and their forefathers were among the earliest settlers of Maryland. Charles MeChing (the f. ther of Charles McClung, of Clay Township) was born in Maryland March 15, 1751. When a small boy. his parents removed to the vicinity of Greensburg. West moreland County. Penn .. where he grew to manhood and learned the trade of making spinning wheels.

etc., a business which he followed for many years, sometimes employing three or four assistants. In 1803. he became a resident of what is now Fairview Township. Butter County, and soon after he married Miss Jane Robinson, of Westmoreland. She died in October. 1512. In 1551, he located in Concord Town. ship, just west of the hamlet of Buena Vista. He finally became a resident of the village of Sunbury, and died there December 21. 1566. He was the father of seven sons and five daughters. Of the sons. six are living. viz. : Robert R., John. Charles, David, Samuel and James. William, the other son, died in 1579.

S. P. Painter, born in Westmoreland County in 1835. became a resident of Butler County in 1840. and located where he now resides in the spring of 1559. He is known as one of the most extensive coal operators in Clay Township.

The Suttons were carly settlers in New Jersey. There, Jesse Sutton. one of the pioneers of Western Pennsylvania, was born and married, and about the year 1790, accompanied by his wife and two children. viz .. Jacob and Isaac, he migrated to the westward and found a home, until 1815, near the forks of the Monongahela and Youghiogheny Rivers. At the lat- ter place John was born in 1796, Jesse. Jr .. in 179S. and Phineas. the youngest. making five sons in all. In 1815, the whole family removed from the forks of the rivers mentioned to a point in Butler County, about six miles south of the town of Butler. where the parents and sons. except John and Jesse, re mained permanently anring the remainder of their lives. In 1829, the sous last named, i. e .. John and Jesse. sought homes in the township now known as C'lay. John Sutton. Sr .. was the father of seven children, of whom four are now living. John Sutton, residing in the southern part of the township, being one of them. Jesse Sutton is the father of three daughters, all living-Margaret E .. wife of R. B. Conn: Sarah. wife of William Conn: and Olive, wife of Albert Miller. He was eighty-four years of age August 7. 1552, and is the only member of his father's family living.

Robert Mel'andless was born in Ireland, and cmi- grated from there to Centre Township. Butler Conn- ty. Penn .. about the year 1803. He married Miss Elizabeth Turk, and about 1S20 located on nbim proved lands in the present township of Clay. the premises now owned by his son, Redick. He died in June. 1579. after attaming the age of more than ninety-one years. His wife died in 1876. Their children. six in all. were Emma. Martha, David. John. Wilson and Redick. Three important veins of coal are found in the region settled by Robert MeCandless, the first. cr njo cze. leing from

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY

three and one half to seven feet in thickness. the mid (He one is for foret thick, and the lower one (which is near the surface of the valley) is five feet in thick-

The Christleys are of German origin and were among the early residents of Lancaster County. Penn. Soon after the close of the Revolutionary war. George Christley (the grandfather of James P.) removed from Lancaster to Westmoreland Connty. Penn. His children were William. John. Michael. George, Samuel, Curtis, Polly. Peggy. Catharine and Betsey. Of these children Mrs. Polly Cooper. of Mercer County. Penn., is the only one now living. John (the second son of George Christley) who was born in Westmoreland County in 1797, became an parly settler in Mercer County. Penn., but in 1522 he located in the vicinity of Centerville, Bitler Conn- ty. Penn., where he remained until his death. in 1872. His children were James P., born in Mercer County, 1521. and now living in Clay Township: William G .. deceased; John H. living: Thomas F., living: Washington E. living: Sarah J. Kockenberry. living: Sarah E. Moore, living at Cedar Rapids. Towa: Samuel L.+ who was a member of the Eleventh Pennsylvania Reserves, was killed at the second battle of Bull Run. Va .: Catharine F. Bruce, living; Cur- tis I .. living. who also served in the army: Margaret (. Foster. living: and Caroline Foster. living James P. Christley was married to Miss Mahala Keister in 1546, and has resided whore he is now to be found since the spring of 1866. His children are Jacob S .. Melvin H . Milton, Emma V., Thomp- son. Elmer E .. Margaret A, Mabel. Mary H. and Horace G.

During the early part of this century. John Stoner removed from Bedford to Lawrence County. Penn . and as early as 1520 the family made another re- moval to Beaver County. Andrew Stoner (son of John) became a resident of Clay Township in 1952 He was the father of twelve children, of whom ton are now living. Two sons, viz , W. J. and Charles S .. served during the late war in Company B. One IEnndred and Thirty fourth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. The former was wounded at the battle of Fredericksburg. Va.

James McJunkin came from the North of Ireland. and in the year 1798 lorated upon the 100 acre tract now ownel for the most part by his son John R MeJunkin. The first night in the wilderness was passed by sleeping upon a huge sandstone rock, which

stood near the site of the large barn on the home s cad. A small log cabin was ereeted at once. how- ever. which served as a dwelling until abont 1830, when a substantial house of hewel logs was built. to be succeeded in turn by the present brick structure. which was erected in 1561, by John R MeJunkin. The elder MeJunkin (James) was married soon after his settlement in this county to Miss Furk, and by her he had two sons, viz., David and William She diel early, and in ISIS he was married again to Miss Nancy Turner. The children by this marriage were Mary Ann. James, Hannah. Samuel. John R. and Sarah J., twins. Martha and Susan: of whom dames, John C .. Hannah, Sarah J. and Susan are living. the father died March 6. 1833. and his second wife, Fob- ruary 25, 1555. When James MeJunkin died. he left his wife and a large family of little ones still struggling upon an encumbered estate. the conditions of its purchase not yet fulfilled. As a consequence. men denominated in those days " land jobbers." ever on the alert to take advantage of one's pecuniary distress. stepped forward and obtained possession of three- fourths of the tract. However. the widow and the children managed successfully. One of her sons was elected County Register and Recorder, also to represent this district in the State Legislature. while another son (John R ) besides being known as one of the most respected citizens of the township and county. has succeeded in again obtaining possession of 350 of the [00 acres first settled by his father. and also owns eighty acres in a separate traet. James MeJunkin, Sr .. had two brothers, viz .. David and lohn, and two sisters, who settled in this part of the county. besides a consin named William Medunkin, who was the first to occupy the Brackney farm.

In the Medunkin neighborhood was erected the first church edifice (in church history) and the first school building in this part of Butler County. The first schoolhouse, which stood near the present Muddy Creek Presbyterian Church, was built in 1827. of the logs which Formed the first church building. One side of the interior was occupied by a large fire place. In summer an opening the width of one log extending around the three remaining sides, afforded space for the penetration of light. In winter these open spaces were covered with greased paper. The building when used either as church or schoolhouse, had no floor, and the sittings were rude and rough benches hewed from the trunks of trees. Thomas Allen. Joseph Sterritt and Stephen Allen were the carly subscription teachers. After the adoption of the free school law in 1531. Daniel Carter and others, among them, John R. MeJunkin officiated as teachers.

Robert Gibson, a native of Ireland, was one of the early settlers of Westmoreland County. Penn. In

· Sammel J Chre they was the first volunteer from slippery Rock Towir bnp and Will om Moure was the first In enlist from Worth Township They were, as citizens and sobieis, devoted, unswerving friends Moore was illed at the brittle of Gamey' nin, Va , June 27. Fate, and at the Spoon I battle of Boll Hus, Va, samuelJ Christley, sergrant of Company D. Eleventh Pennsylvania Res me Cops, feb in the forefront of Inttle, Print to that bie, however, he had written a most appropriate obimary article on the death of his comrade, which, after his death, was found in his & Christley's knapsack Ste Butler . American of April 1. 1ML:

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY

that connty he married Miss Jane Karns, and there. on the 17th day of January. 1797. was born their son William Gibson. About the time of the birth of his son, the father visited Kentucky upon some business, when he was thrown from his horse and killed. Mrs. Gibson, with her child (then but six weeks okdl) then moved to the vicinity since known as the town of Butler. Penn. Seven years later, or in 1804, she was again married. to John Potts, one of the earliest merchants of Butler. William Gibson, having be- come one of the most popular young men in that conn- ty. was appointed County Treasurer in 1821. In 1822. he married Miss Agnes Gilchrist. He was the candidate for Sheriff on the Democratic ticket in 1824, and in 1526, while serving as Deputy for Sher- iff William Beatty, be settled on the premises (in the present township of Clay) where he now resides. To him and his first wife were born John, William. Margaret, Mary Ann. and Juliet. His wife. Agnes, died in September, 1538, and in 1942 he married Miss Mary W. Shannon, who is now living. also a son of his named James W. Gibson.

Although nearly eighty six years of age, and an invalid for many years by means of terrible injuries received in a fall from his barn. Mr. Gibson remem. bers that. during the war of 1512. the farmers of But- ler County were paid SI per bushel for oats. many of them thus being enabled to pay for their lands at once. and in 1526. when he first came to Minddy Creek to reside. the Mully Creek Church had no floor other than nature afforded. and not a single individual came to church in a light wagon or buggy.

James Webb. together with hi- three sons. viz .. Edward. John and James, Jr .. came from Franklin County and settled in Allegheny County, Penn., about 1796. Elward, the oldest son, seems to have been of a migratory nature. and resided for various periods in different counties of Western Pennsylvania. He had five sons. viz., John, James, Edward. Jr .. Androw and Newton. besides three daughters. His oldest son is the present John Webb of Clay Township .. The latter purchased the tract where he now resides in 1532, and has since been known as one of the most practical and successful farmers of the county.

Robert Hockenberry came from Juniata County. Penn . abont the year 1810, and first settled near the locality now known as West Liberty, or Bulger Post. Office. Butler County. After remaining they . some years. he removed to a farm. now the site of Coaltown. in Cherry Township, and another change found him located on the lands now owned by John Smith. E-q .. of Cherry Township, where he died. Some of his children were born in Juniata County. others in But- ler County. Their names were John. William. Ben-

jamin. Joseph. Goorge. Margaret and Rebecca. The latter of whom became the wife of George Ralston. Of the sons. John married Mary J. Christley, and their children were Bertram L., now a resident of Cherry Township, Dr. Harvey D .. now practicing medicine at the village of West Sunbury, and Isa- dore, who married Alfred ' Christy, of Cherry Town- ship.

A brother of Robert Hockenberry, named Peter. was also a resident of Cherry Towship many years ago. his chief occupation being hunting: but he finally removed to Michigan, where he accumulated considerable worldly wealth. Other Hockenberrys (consins of Robert and Peter) became settlers in this part of the Butler County, and among them were brothers named Jonathan, who located in the west part of Clay Township, Casper. Joseph and others, who settled some few miles to the southwest of Jon athan.

Quite early in the history of Westmoreland Coun ty. Penn .. being a time when the Indians were still hostile, and when all the settlers, very frequently. fled to forts and block houses for safety. Elisha Wick, his wife. and a family of small children. removed from the State of New Jersey, to Loyalhanna, in the county just mentioned. Among his children were sons named John. Elisha, Jr., and Jeremiah. The family remained in Westmoreland County, however. until 1796, when all the settlers in Sugar Creek Township. Armstrong County, where the father. mother and Elisha. Jr .. * remained until their deaths. John, the eldest son of Elisha, Sr., was a millwright. or at least engaged in mill operations for years. and ultimately settled in the western part of Clay Township, while Jeremiah married Miss Isabella Brownfield. of Armstrong County, and made that county his home until ISeS. when he came to the vicinity of West Sunbury and purchased the property owned for many years prior to that time by Rev. John MePherrin. On these premises (now owned by John Coulter. son of Rev. James Coulter). Jeremiah Wick died in 1863. His children (ten of whom were liv- ing at the time of his death) were Andrew. now living near West Sunbury: John. deceased; William now a resident of Concord Township: Elisha. deceased Jeremiah C., who married Rebecca Glenn, and was for years a prominent resident of West Snubury, but is now deceased; Sarah, who never married, and is now living with her brother. Andrew: Isabella, who mar ried John Coulter, and is still living: Mary (deceased) who married Hugh P. Conway: Rachel (living), who married Hugh R. Conway ; and Eliza A. (living). who married Harrison Conway. Andrew Wick. the oldest

Elisha Wick, Jr , was ont with the Pennsylvania Troops during the war of 1812. IT was also the father of three physicians, all of whom were practicing during the same period of time.

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

son of Jeremiah, married Sarah Shryock in April. 1535. Their children have been Alfred, the present proprietor of the "Wiek House. " in Butler: John S .. now of West Sunbury Village: Bell. who married James Me( Inng: Richard C., who was a member of Company C. One Hundred and Third Pennsylvania Volunteers, died in the Andersonville. Ga .. prison pen: and Ida May, who at the age of seventeen years died in 1876. Four other children died when quite small. On the Ist day of January. 1835. Andrew Wick+ first began selling goods in the little village of West Sunbury. an occupation he followed together with farming and dealing extensively in live stock for twenty-one years.

About the year 1800, the brothers, Joseph. John.+ fames. William and Samuel Glenn, came from West- moreland County. Pen., and located upon lands now situated mostly in the northeast corner of Clay and the southwest corner of Washington Townships. The'r father. however. had visited this region, and purchased the land, but died just prior to the removal of his sons and widow to this locality. There were three sisters. also, named Margaret, who married David Findley: Mary, who married a Dr. Cowden; and another who married a Mr. Porter. Of the brothers mentioned. Joseph married Anuis MeElvain: John married Dorcas MeElvain: James married Anna Campbell: William married Rebecca Porter, and Sam- net married Jane Conway. None of the eller members of the Glenn family now survive. The children of Samuel and Jane Gloun were Mary, who married Elisha Wick: Rebecca, who married Jeremiah C. Wick (brother of Elisha): Jane, who married William Ekin, also C. Foster: William (, who married Rachel Borland; Sarah, who married Edward Gra- ham: and Margaret, who married Dr. E. J. Say, of Oil City. and George Crager.

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History of Butler County, Pennsylvania. With illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 93

Author: Waterman, Watkins & Co., Chicago, pub Publication date: 1883 Publisher: Chicago, Waterman, Watkins & Co. Number of Pages: 638

Author: Waterman, Watkins & Co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Chicago, Waterman, Watkins & Co.
Number of Pages: 638