USA > Pennsylvania > Butler County > History of Butler County, Pennsylvania. With illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 95
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Bev. Wilbam P Breaden was bein in Bavecen T wnship, Beaver County, Penn , in the year 1.1. His father was a native of County Down, Ireland, and one of the earliest sitt .is of Braver County. Having bished Lis comise of studies at Alleghany ( ny, Penn,, and Xenia, Ohio, Mr. Broulen was licensed to preach in 1840, and during the years 1511-92 be pro hel at various points in
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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY
called, and began preaching one third of the time, for $166 per anmun. He continued here until his death. in 1880. and daring the taore than thirty five years of his pastorate hore i received into the elmich abont one thousand communicants. Of the Elders of the congregation, Messrs. Christopher MeMichael, William Gilchrist and Dunbar Christy. have each served for many years.
Since the death of Mr. Breadon, the congregation has been supplied by Revs. Mr. Roseberg. Frazier, Mc- Dowell. Garvin and Clarence Dodge, the latter being the stated supply at present. preaching every Sabbath.
Methodist Episcopal Church .- This organization was formed in the winter of 1545 49. when a series ¿ of meetings were held in the schoolhouse in the village of West Sunbury by Rev. Edwin Hull. Among the original members of the class were William M. Gra- ham. John M. Brackney and his wife Martha E .. Jerusha Brackney. Andrew MePherrin, and his sister, Isaac Mann, John Dunlap and Susannah Humphrey. Mr. Graham served as the first class leader. After- ward Mr. John MI Brackney became the leader, and continued as such for years.
The first house of worship was commenced in 1850. and finished a year or two later. Thomas C. Thompson, Esq .. donated the site, and completed the structure; cost about $500. Its dimensions were twenty eight by forty feet, and it was used by the congregation until the completion of the second, or present church editice (in 1568). when it was sold to the proper authorities for school purposes, and is still in use as the public school building of the borough. The present house of worship is forty by tifty feet. and cost $2,200.
When first organized. this church was in the Clintonville Circuit. but for several years has been connected with the "North Washington Cirenit" (com- posed of churches at West Sunbury. North Washing- ton. Greece City and Annandale) Rev J. L. Strat- ton, who resides at North Washington, is the preacher now in charge. His predecessors, however, since Mr. Hull organized this church, have been S. Baird. J. Rigelsworth. D. M. Stever. J. G Thompson. J. C. Y. McClelland. J. H. Vance. J. McComb, S. A. Mil. roy. R. B. Boyd, W. A. Clark. G. W. Moore. 1. H. Domer. John Perry. W. Hayes. J. K. Mendenhall, J. Crum. W. Branfield. J. C. Rhodes, and James Cly le.
Presbyterian Church. The Presbyterian Church of West Sunbury was organized September 1. 1560. by a committee of the Presbytery. consisting of Rovs.
Loyal Young. R. B. Walker and Samuel Williams. The original members, thirty seven in number. were received on certificates From other churches. II. C. Linn. M. D. and J. W. Thorne were the first Elders. After its organization. Rov. John Coulter served as pastor of this church in connection with Concord for more than three years. Surveeding him came Rev. James Coulter, who supple ] this church in connec tion with Pleasant Valley, from 1861 to 1571. Mean- while. Samuel McElvame and William C Glenn were installed Ruling Elders in December, 1565.
In March. 1872. Rey. A. L Thorne, as stated sup ply. began his labour's hore andl at Pleasant Valley. and continned for two years. His successor was Rev. Will. iam T. Diekson, who began to minister to this con- gregation tin connection with his work in the Acad- emy) in March. 1875, and continued until his death in February, 1877. Under his ministry there was a season of spiritul awakening more marked than any previously enjoyed. During the early part of the summer following the demise of Mr. Diekson, Rev. Jesse C. Bruse supplied the pulpit. and from August 12. 1877. to May, 1575, Rev. George W. Bean preached as stated supply. In May. 1578. however, the latter was daly installed as pastor, a relation which contin nes to exist at this writing. Messrs. Samuel Hillard and J. S. Wick were installed as Elders in January, 1878. and in April, ISSO, Messrs. Andrew Porter. P. W Conway and C. R Glenn were added to that body. We remark here. that all who have been elected Rul- ing Elders, are still members of the session, except Dr. H C. Lynn, who is now a resident of Butler. Penn. Since the organization of this church, two hundred and ten members have been received on ex- amination. and one hundred and thirty added on certificates, or a total of three hundred and forty. Of this number, two hundred and eleven have been dismissed or died, leaving the present membership one hundred and twenty nine.
The first house of worship occupied by this con- gregation stood in the southern part of the village. It is now used as a dwelling house. The present church edifice was erected in 1873. and completed: cost $5,000.
West Sunbury Academy. - The West Sunbury Academy. a chartered institution. is pleasantly lo cated in the village of the same name. Concerning its early history. its inception, etc .. it appears that in 1853, a scholarly gentleman from the South, who called himself William Thomas (but whose correct name was Rev. William Thomas Hamilton), came here and established a privato school, wherein were taught studies of a higher grade than those usually pursued iu the public schools. His object. it seems, was more for the purpose of having something to occupy his
lowa. lu 1543, he began pre aching at Evansburg and Portereville in this . But- ler, county, and in the summer of 1844 at squbury one-third of the time Ear . ly la life he married Miss Charlotte Kline, who, as his widow, still tesides it Clay Township. To them were born five children, all living, and named as fol- lows: Mary, wile of Rey E. M. M.Elrer; J C; W J ; Rev. ] II , at present of Mount Pleasant U. P. Church, Braver County. Penn ; and Mrs Matilda C'. Con- wwy, of West Sur-bury Mr Btraden died May 11, 1260
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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY
attention. than the pecuniary gains derived from bis traching. for his pupils were limited to abont fifteen in mumber. This school was continued for two of three terms, when Mr. Thomas departed
However, a considerable number of those instruct- ed had by this time learned the great importance and needs of a higher course of instruction for their sons and daughters. Hence. in 1855, when the Rev. William T. Dickson ta Presbyterian minister, and an educator, as well as a native of Butler County) and his wife, en route for the State of Tennessee. stoppe l at Snubury for a few days. for the purpose of visiting acquaintances, it was proposed to him by various leading citizens to remain here and establish a high school. He finally consented, and as a result, with himself and wife as teachers, an academic school was established, which was a snecess from the begin- ning.
A building now owned by John Dunlap was ocen pieil until the fall of 1561. when through the efforts of people in th > village and the country surrounding. the present academy bnilling was completed and oc- enpied. The Sunbury Academy was then in a flourish ing condition. and its capacity. during the winter months at least. was tested to its full. But a terrible and desolating civil war had already been ushered in. The hydra-headed monster. treason, secession, slav- ery and its extension. had its a lherents and advocates in the North as well as in the South, and the govern- ment at Washington needed the services of the boyal youth everywhere. their brave hearts and willing hands to keep the starry banner from trailing. aye. more than that. to carry and maintain it in the fore- front of battle. In response to the President's call for volunteers. therefore. the "Dickson Gnards" (com. poseil of many of the arademy boys was organized in the summer of IS6], and under the command of Capt. Simnel Loilon. morchel to the front and joined the Eleventh Pennsylvania Reserves. as Com pany C. Afterward Mr. Dickson joinel the same regiment as Chaplain, remaining in the field one year
Returning from the army. Mr. Dickson again as- smed charge of the academy for a few months. He then, with his family. removed to Pine Grove, Penn., where he remained eleven years During these years the Snubury Academy was not in a flourishing condition, and for three years prior to 1875. its doors had been closed. In the autumn of that year (1975). however, Mr. and Mrs. Dickson returned to West Sunbury. The aca lemy building was repaired. and the sessions resumed under their management. Mr. Dickson died in February, 1877. since which time Mrs. Dickson with various assistants has remained in con trol. Seventy students are now attending aud under
the principalship of Rev. George W. Bean the fame and prosperity of the West Sunbury Academy is in no wise decreasing. Many lawyers, ministers of the Gospel, and prominent men of business have already grohe ont From it. Doubtless many more will do so in the future.
CHAPTER XLVII.
CHERRY TOWNSHIP.
When Formed-Derivation of Name-Mineral Deposits-Early Set- tlers-Numerous Paragraphs Alluding to Them-The Taxable In- habitants of 1844-Statistical Comparisons of isas and Isst-Villages Presbyterian Church of Pleasant Valley-Methodist Episcopal Church.
"THIS township was formed in 1954. and named at the suggestion of David Christy. * The surface is generally hilly, and the soil, as regards its quality and prodnetiveness, similar to that of adjacent town- ships. The township has vast deposits of bitumions coal. Extensive coal mining companies are now oper. ating within its borders, and the prospects for the future prosperity of its people are most flattering.
ITS EARLY SETTLERS.
Among the prominent pioneer families of Cherry Township were the Grossmins, Blacks. MeC'allens, Thompson4. Intehis ons. Russells. . Stevensons, Christys. Stewarts. Hills Daysous, anl others whose names will be mentioned further on in these pages The year 1797 seems to have been the date o" the first settlement, but the two or three families who then came were joined by a store or more of others before the close of the year ISON. However. as means of showing who many of the early settlers were, when and from where they came, we place before the rea ler the following:
During the year 1797. Benedict Grossman re- moved from York County. Penn., and after a journey franghe with mich labor and hardship, settled upon the farm now owned and ocenpied by his great grand- son, Abner MeCallen. Mr. Grossman was accom- panied by his wife,t and a family of children named as follows: Simon. Bujamin, Catherine (who became the wife of Jacob Kissinger). Jacob and Betsey (then the wife of Robert Blackt. Polly, another danghter. was married the same year, 1797. to Robert McCallen. but they did not become residents of this region nutil two years fater. Robert Black, however, came hore with the family. Mr Grossman brought into the
Varions auf r silents det ght in relating that Davul Christy was the owner of a lui_ht chetry ted Porw, highly prized, and that hoor color suggested the name to him Thete ne offers, who chum the name was adojded and Jermed appr pirates, h an the fact that many wild cheny tte's were to be lonud within its limits
F The maiden name edf Mrs Beneliet Grussman was Miss Bet-y Sivert. During the French and liels in war of 1796 64, she was captured by the savages in York County and kend among the in for a period of seven yours, but at the age ud thirteen years was finally returned to be friends adt Furt Pitt.
. Mrs. Dickson is a nalivendt Portland, Me
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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
country also a small stock of dry goods, notions, etc., which he placed in a log building owned by John Christy. Esq. (se> history of Washington Township), and there exposed them for sale, his son- in-law, Robert Black, being in charge of this pioneer store. After a year or so, however, the goods unsoll were faken to the home of the Grossmans and Blacks in the present township of Cherry, where the business of merchandising was continued for a number of years. During the war of 1812. Simeon and Benja- min Grossman, sons of Benedict, served with the Pennsylvania volunteers on the Northern frontier Benediet Grossman and his wife were both buried on the farm now owned by Abner McC'allen.
Robert Black was a native of Huntingdon County. Penn., and came to this part of the county in 1797. He first engaged in the sale of dry goods, ete., for his father-in-law, but before the beginning of the year 1800. he purchased and settled upon the farm -then wild and unimproved -- now owned by his son, Adam Black. The children of Robert and Betsey Black wore Benjamin (who was born in [800), Henry. Peggy (who died a spinsfer), Robert, Jr .. Betsey (who mar- ried John Prince), John, Adam. James, Simeon. Polly (who married John Turner), Joseph and Eli. Adam. the fifth son of Robert Black, Sr., was born in 1814. He married Mary Ann, daughter of William Turner. and to them have been born nine children, as follows: Robert P., William P .. Ann E. (who mar- ried Giles ('Vogan). John, Jane ( who married Will. iam H. Tinker). Martha C. (the wife of Clarence Bard), Sarah E. (who married Smily Smith), Joseph A. and John T. During the late war, Robert P. and John served in Company E. One Hundred and Third Pennsylvania Volunteers, and William P. in Com- pany C, Fourtieth Regiment (Eleventh Reserve) Pennsylvania Volunteers. The children of Joseph Black now living are EEzabeth. Robert and Julia Ann.
It is the recollection of Adam Black, that in a log house formerly occupied by his father. which stood just below where Russell MeCandless now re- sides. he (then about five years of age) attended school for the first time. The teacher, Martin Butts, was hired by Robert Black. Stephen Williams, Oba- diah Elmonds and David Christy. Butts was paid abont $100 for the time Another early schoolhouse, which was also built of logs. stood at the end of Henry Thompson's lane, and in this building Joseph Porter, Wilson Potts and Catharine McClosky were early teachers.
Robert MeC'allen was married to Polly. daughter of Benedict Grossman, in 1797. but he did not locate in what is now termed Butler County until 1799. He first settled on the premises now known as the John Hall place, near New Hope, where all his children
were born, but he ultimately became the owner of the Gros-man homestead, and there passel the remainder of his days. His children were John. Eliza (who) mar ried James Neal). Benjamin. Jane (who married Levi Sloan). Sally ( who married Hiram (. Mcd'oy), Catharine (who became the wife of William (filmore). Polly (who married Joseph Black). Julia Ann (who married Samuel Russell). Harriet ( who became the second wife of Hiram (. MeCoy) and Maria (who married Ebe- nezer Russell).
Abner MoC'allen, a grandson of Robert MeCallen. and great-grandson of Bouediet Grossman was mar. ried to M.ry 1. daughter of Joseph Porter. in 1550. and of six children born to them. five are living. viz .. Lizzie. Joseph P. Martha B., John R. and Mary M.
Joseph McCoy. son of Thomas, was born in the State of Virginia about the year 1796: his father and the family located i :: Mercer County, Penn., where he (Joseph) remainel until about 1802, when, having married Isabelta Craig ( who was also born in Virginia), he located upon the farm in Mercer Township. Butler Co. Penn., now owned by his grandson, David Ma- Coy. The children of Joseph and Isabella MeCoy, all born in Mereer Township, were Thomas, John. Nancy (who married David Johnson). Hiram (. Elizabeth (who married Alexander Black, and afterward Robert Mitchell), Hugh, David. William and Lewis. of these sons. Thomas, John. David and Hugh are dead. Thomas died in Tennessee: John in Clarion County. Penn. Lewis has been a resident of Australia For thirty years. During the war of 1512-15, Joseph Me. Coy served as First Lieutenant under Capt. Henry Evans. He died about 1820. in the State of Lonisiana. whither he had gone for the purpose of purchasing a plantation upon which fo locate his large family of sons.
Judge Hiram C. McCoy was born in Mercer Town- ship in IS11. For twenty years he worked at wagon- making in Harrisville. In 1850. he located at Annandale, and the following year engaged in merchan dising, a business which he has continued to the present writing. Besides having served as a Justice of the Peace for eight years. he was elected on the Republican ticket in 1861. to represent his distriet in the State Legislature, and was re-elected to the same office in 1862. In 1865. he was appointed Associate Judge of Butler County. By his marriage in 1531, to Sally MeCallen, he had six children, of whom three are living. viz. : Mary A., Sarah and Lewis. second wife, he married Harriet, sister of his first. and as a result of this union. two children have been born - - Isabella and John. During the late war, Lewis, the oldest son. served in Company F. One Hundred and Thirty-fourth Pennsylvania Infantry. also a Pennsyl- vania Cavalry Regiment.
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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
Mark MeCandless was born in Contre Township. Butler County. Ponn .. in 1507. He married Mary. daughter of James Russell, in 1529, and in 1834 set tled upon the promises. in Cherry Township, where he still resides. His children are Elvira, wife of John Blaine, of New Castle, Penn .; James R .. of Cherry Township: Martha J .. wife of Jerominh Hilliard; Eliza Ann, wife of David Arner: Alexander K .. a merchant in Pine Grove, Penn .: Minerva, who married John Chambers: and Mary, wife of James T. Bryan, of Cherry Township. Another son, Samuel B MeCand loss, served as a member of Company E. One Hun- dred and Third Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. but was taken prisoner at Plymouth. N. C., April 20. 1564, and after having been confined in the prison pen at Andersonville, Ga .. for several months. died at Charleston, S. C., October 29, 1861.
Mr. MeCandless engaged in the sale of merchan. dise soon after his settlement in this township, which he continued for many years. His tavern. however. was opened as soon as his house was built. He was located npon the highway upon which the raftsmien returned on foot to their homes on the head-waters of the Allegheny, and during the palmy days of rafting he frequently fed hundreds of those voracious, hardy river men in a single day. Scores of Indians also were in the habit of coming down in the river on rafts. being skillful pilots. and in great domand during the rafting seasons. On their return they would walk from Pittsburgh to MeCandless' tavern without eating by the way. but. once here. their capacity for things eat- able was truly wonderful. Mrs. McCandless assures us that she has phieed before three Indians six dozen boiled eggs, besides esenlents in like proportion, all of which disappeared at one sitting. One of these Indians could eat enough at one meal (a peculiarity character- istic of all of them) to last two and three days without innch apparent discomfort. As the food eaten, di- gested, the savage merely tightened his belt and strode on.
Joseph Porter. the oldest child of Alexander. was born in Washington County. Penn., in 1792. In 1795. his father and the entire family removed from Washington to Venango County, loeating in what is now known as Clinton Township. The family con- sisted of the father, mother and thirteen children. eleven of whom became men and women. Those now surviving are Joseph, James. Alexander, Mrs. Ann Kerr and Mrs. Margaret Yard.
During the war of 1812-15. Joseph Porter, with the Venango County troops. marched to the northern frontier twice in August. 1513, and again in the
following winter. He now draws a pension. In 1S17, he married Martha Vandyke, of Venango County, and the ensuing year settled on the boundary line be. tween Cherry and Marion Townships. His nearest neighbors then were the Waddles and MeEnallys, in Marion Township. the Thompsons and Christys in Cherry Township. The children of Joseph and Mar- ha (Vandyke) Porter, were Lucy, who married Robert M. Seaton. but is now deceased: John, a resident of Marion Township: Isabella. deceased, who married Cyrus Kerr: Mary Ann. the wife of Abar MeCallen. of Cherry Township: Braden, a resident of Marion Township: Martha, who died as the wife of David Din. Alexander, who resides upon the premises in Cherry Township, which were settled upon by his father in ISIS: and Sarah, who is the wife of Robert Sankey. of Cherry Township.
Michael Stevenson. with his wife and several children, emigrated from Ireland and settled on the farm in the southeast corner of Cherry Township. now owned by William Porter. prior to the year 1500. His sons were John. James, William. Andrew and Samuel. During the war of 1812-14, the three sons first mentioned John. James and William-joined Capt. McCullongh's company. composed chiefly of men from the northern part of Butler County, and marched northward to the Canadian frontier. There they endured many hardships. in common with others. by reason of not being properly equipped and sup- plied, and soon after their return they became very ill with what was then termed " Black Rock fever." and all died within a period of ten days, Andrew. the fourth son of Michael, had no family. Michael Stephenson was the father of five danghters -Lily. married a man named Miller and removed to Vir- ginia: Mary became the wife of John Smith, Esq .: Jane the wife of William Carothers: Sarah the wife of Sammel Turner, and Fanny the wife of William Greer. All were mothers of families.
The children of Samnel Stephenson, by his first wife. were Michael M. and James. The latter died in infancy. and the mother did not long survive him. The father then married Miss Kissinger and removed to Ohio. He died in Lawrence County, Ponn., in the winter of 1551 52. about eight years of age. Michael MI. Stevenson. his oldest son. was born in what is now Cherry Township in 1823.
John Christy was one of the earliest residents of Westmoreland County, Penn., and there married Miss Sarah Dunbar. Their children were Andrew, David, John. Jr., James. William. Dunbar. Robert. George, Gilbert, Mary. Anna. Elizabeth and Sarah, and all became heads of families. In the spring of 1799, John Christy winthis family removed from Westmore- land and settled upon a large tract in the present
. Alexander Pater was born in Lancaster County Penn., and was one of the first artthings of Washington County, where he mitried Miss Margaret Boulou. He died in Vemungo County at the age of eighty-two vrars, and his wife at tained to about the same numberof years before her death
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HHISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
county of Butler, now owned in part by Mrs. Martha Campbell, J. P. Christy. James Hindman. George Christy and Thomas S. Jamison. John Christy and his nine sons were pioneers. indeed. and all founded homes by clearing away the wilderness in various sec- tions of the county. Of the thirteen children, but three are now living. - William. in Washington Town- ship. aged ninety-two years. Dunbar, in Cherry Township, who was eighty nine years old Angust 15. 1SS2. and Gilbert, now a resident of Pine Grove, Mercer Co., Penn. During the war of 1812 14. Will- iam and Dunbar Christy served in the company of which the Stevenson brothers were members.
Dunbar Christy married Mary. a daughter of Indge Samuel Findley, # of Clay Township. June 16. ISIS. She died in 1870. at the age of eighty-two years. Their children were Mary, who died in in- fancy: John F., who now resides in Allegheny County. Penn .: Samnel D., who is a member of the Pennsyl- vania Heavy Artillery. died at Alexandria, Va., in 1864: Rev. David D., now a resident of Kansas: Rob- ert F., of Cherry Township: and Sarah Ann. who died at an early ago. Rev. David D. Christy is a clergy- man and a physician.
James Smith and his wife were natives of Ireland. and among the first settlers of what is now Parker Township Their children were John. Thomas. Rachel, Peggy and Ann. John.t son of James Smith, was born in 1791. and in September. 1821. married Mary Stevenson, daughter of Michael. who was born in 1801. Their children were John. Jr .. who was born February 17. 1824: James. Sammel. Sarah, Elizabeth. Mary. Harriet. Ann. Fanny, Dorcas Perry and Jane, of whom the sons and Fanny and Dorcas are now living. About sixty years ago, John Smith, Sr .. purchased a tract of land in the present township of Cherry, made the first improvements upon it, and there remained until his death. After- ward the homestead was divided among his sons, sixty acres of unimproved land being allotted to John. Jr. 'The latter finally bought out his brothers' portion of the home farm, and has since gradually increased his landed possessions until he is now the owner of 1.400 acres in Butler County. Seven hundred acres lying where he now resides, and 1,000 acres in Cherry Township. An excellent quality of bituminons coal. from three to four feet in thickness. underlies all of it. and the same has recently been leased to the Ma- honing Valley Iron Company. +
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