USA > Pennsylvania > Butler County > History of Butler County, Pennsylvania. With illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 98
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
435
HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY
Wright: John Wilson; Mary Ward: James White, 50.
We thus find that, at the time the township was ushered into existence. it contained 159 taxable in- habitants, an iron furnace, one grist mill. three saw mills and two stores for the sale of dry goods, etc. etc. That the real and personal estate was valued at. $58,422, upon which was levied a county tax of $350.76, and a State tax of $179 52. In comparison with the foregoing. it is learned by scrutinizing the County Commissioners' report, that. in ISSO, the township had 289 taxable inhabitants. 211 horses and mules over four years of age. 371 head of cattle over four years of age, and that the aggregate value of all property taxable for county purposes amounted to $237.579; upon which was assessed a county tax of $1. 187.89, and a State tax of $1.SO. being the least. in the latter respect, of any township in the county.
JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.
1554. John Black: 1855. Joseph Cummins: 1559. William Black: 1860, Joseph Cummins: 1864. John Kerr: 1865, Diekson AAtwell: 1869, William Black: 1870. John Kerr: 1873. William Carson: 1874, Thomas Gilmore: 1878, J. K. Vincent: 1878, Will- iam Black.
VILLAGES.
The township has two small villages, viz., Ann- andale Station (Boyer's Post Office), situated in the southeast quarter, on the Shenango & Allegheny Rail- road, and Murrinsville, in the eastern part. The for- mer has sprung up since the completion of this rail- road in 1876, and now contains ten dwelling-houses, R. Byers' Hotel (erected in 1876, was the first build- ing built in the village), two stores for the sale of general merchandise, a steam grist mill (built in 1878. having four run of stones). and a blacksmith's shop. William G. Smith is the Postmaster, William Mabold and A. MeCandless the merchants. H. Sprowl & Co. proprietors of the flour mill, E. A. King the miller. J. B. Keefor. station agent. and H. Baldwin, blacksmith.
Murrinsville, a hamlet of but little importance. derived its name from the Murrin family, who set- tled in its immediate locality. It is noted, however. as the site of St. Alphonsus' (Roman Catholic) Church, and can also boast of a blacksmith's shop. store. and post office. The town plat was laid out about 1527. by John Murrin.
UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
During the first decade of the present century. a Presbyterian Church (known as " Unity Church ") was organized in what is now Marion Township, and its members met for public worship in a Jog build. ing which stood near the present United Presbyte.
rian Church editice. Abont 1525, though, it was de- termined to build a new and more suitable structure. and. as a result of this determination, the church standing to day was ereeted and inclosed, under the supervision of a competent builder -- Orrin Waters.
Its interior arrangements were not completed for some years after, however, roughly made, movable benches being the only sittings afforded those who attended. During those early years, Rev. Mr Riggs seems to have been the principal minister in charge.
Meanwhile, many of those who then attended this church. and listened to the preachings of Mr. Riggs, claimed to be Seceders. Covenanters, or members of the Associate Roformed Presbyterian Church. Hence, the question whether hymms or psalms should be sung during publie worship gave rise to many heated arguments, and. if we may believe the stories told by varions old residents, the meetings held during the latter part of Mr. Riggs' pastorate were not. in the slightest degree. harmonious.
It is currently reported that. about 1832, when this controversy among the members of this congre. gation was at its height. it had been mutually agreed upon, by all parties, that Mr. Riggs should do the preaching. but psalms must be sung in the morning and hymns in the evening. With the arrival of the next Sabbath morning, and a full house in attend- ance. Mr. Riggs arose, and, through inadvertence or otherwise, began reading a hymn. Henry Thomp- son, a devout and active member of the denomination now known as the United Presbyterians, quickly de- tected what he deemed an infraction of the compact on the part of the reverend gentleman, and. springing to his feet. thundered in the ears of the clerical gen- tleman occupying the pulpit words about as follows: "Quit that, or I'll tak' ye oot o' there by the nake! " During the confusion arising from this unseemly in- terruption, an Elder of the church approached Mr. Thompson. and besought him to remain quiet, and not again interfere with the services. Without reply- ing. however, the latter seized his hat, and. striding from the house, never again sat down under the min- istrations of Mr. Riggs, or we believe. of any other Presbyterian divine.
The successor of Mr. Riggs. in a charge which consisted of Presbyterian congregations at Unity. Bear Creek, North Washington. Lawrenceburg, and. perhaps, other localities, was a Rev. Mr. Johnson. then but recently from Ireland. He proved to be a disturber in the Presbyterian ranks, however. for. be- coming ine musel with some rulings or acts of the Presbytery. he deserted that body, joined the United Presbyterians, and carried a goodly portion of each of his congregations with him. Very soon after, or about the autumn of 1835. the United Presbyterian
436
HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
congregation of Unity Church was organized, while those formerly members of the old Unity Presby terian Church, joined, or assisted to form, the Presby terian Church at Harrisville.
Returning to the perusal of some early church records, we find that in the fall of 1835. Hugh Lee. James Bovard and James Waddle were elected and ordained as the first Elders of the Unity United Pres. byterian Church: and in the fall of 183s, the list of Elders wasstill further increased by the ordination of James Black, Charles Conghrin and Alexander Buchanan. Meanwhile, the interior of the church orifice had been made more inviting, sittings con- structed, etc., etc .. and in May, 1837, thirty-two pews were sold for one year, at prices ranging from $10 to $20 each. Those who purchased are mentioned in the records as follows:
James Bovard: John McCuer and James Barron: Jane Black: B. Black and J. Porter; David Christy: Hugh Lee: Elias Lee and Joseph Cummins: James Waddle and Samuel Montgomery: William McCoy and Polly MeCoy: William Black and John Kerr: Peter Cook and William Bigley, Thomas Kimes and Samuel Morrison: John Black: John and James Bai- ley: William and A. C. Donaldson, and James Mil- ford: John McGregor and Guy Hilliard: Robert and Robert, Jr .. Bailey: Wallace Atwell and James and William Dugan: James Stevenson and David Bailey : Francis Ramsey and Humphrey Grimes: William and Robert Gilghrist and David Mckee: Alexander Bu chanan: Robert Hogg: James Brown and sons: Charles Coughrin and David Johnston: Jacob Sowash and Joseph Neely: Robert and Mathew Black: Alexander Seaton: Andrew Porter and George McLoy: James Black and William Russell: Mary Ward and Mary Gilmore: and Heury Thompson.
The records also give the information that. early in 1537, John McCnen, David Christy and Hugh Lee were elected as the first Board of Trustees, and the duty of " finishing the church, presenting the call. and attending to the collection of the first year's sal- ary" was imposed upon them. In October. 1537. Rev. James Green (the successor of Rev. Mr. Johnson) was duly installed, and he received from this congre- gation. for two or three years, a salary of $133.33 per year. James Bovard. James Black and Alex. ander Buchanan were the trustees elected in IS3S. and for the year ending June 1. IS[0. the trustees were Charles Conghrin, Thomas Kimes and Robert Hogy.
Following are the names of pastors since the de- parture of Mr. Green. which occurred about 1540: Rey. Robert W. Oliver. 1842 to ISI6: J. K. Riddle. 1816 to ISAS: J. H. Fife, ISAS to IS55: J. A. Com]- bell. 1S58 to 1559: W. A. Black. 1860 to 1873: J. E.
Dodds. 1571 to 1877: R. A. Gilfillan. September, 1879 to April, 1882.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
WILLIAM BLACK
This well-known gentleman, whose family is al- luded to at considerable length in the history of Marion Township, was born in that township in September, 1810.
When about nine years of age, he first attended school. which was taught by David C. Cunningham, in the old Unity Church. After availing himself still further of such limited educational advantages as the schools of that day afforded, he attained to manhood's years, and married. as his first wife, Miss Isabella Mitchell. To them were born eight children who reached mature years. viz .: John M., who died in Arizona: Robert M .. killed in battle: Hiram. killed in battle: Margaret J .: William A .. killed in battle; Julia A. : Sammel J. and Isabella. His first wife dying when all of these children were quite young. he married. as his second and present wife. Miss Mar- garet M. Cross, whose parents were among the most prominent of the early settlers of Slippery Rock Township. The children living. as a result of this marriage, are Mary E. and Washington Ellsworth.
For much concerning the history of this remarka- ble family, the reader is referred to the township an- nals: yet, we will here add, in conclusion. that Will- iam Black, Esq .. has ever been a consistent and prom- inent member of Unity United Presbyterian Church. Until 1861. he was a Democrat. and supported John C. Breckenridge for the Presidency: but at the com. mencement of the war of the rebellion he identified himself with the Republican party. He has been three times elected as a Republican Justice of the Peace in a Democratic stronghold.
JOSEPH PORTER.
This venerable gentleman. the oldest child of Alexander Porter, was born in Washington County, Penn., in the year 1792, and. consequently, is now over ninety years of age. He represents a family noted for longevity. his great-grandfather having died in Ireland at the great age of one hundred and twenty years.
In 179S. Alexander Porter, Sr. (who, born in Lan- caster County, was one of the first settlers of Wash- ington County, where he married Margaret Braden), removed, with his entire family, from Washington County to the present township of Clinton, in Venan. go County, where he remained until his death, which
437
HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
occurred when eighty-two years of age. His wife, also, attained about the same number of years before her decease. They were the parents of thirteen chil- dren. of whom eleven attained mature years. Those now living are Joseph (our subject), James, Alexan- der. Mrs. Ann Kerr and Mrs. Margaret Yard.
During the war of 1812 11. as a soldier. Jo- seph Porter visited the Northern, or Canadian, front- ier twice. i. e., in August. 1513, and again in the winter of 1813-14; hence, his name now appears on the United States pension rolls. In 1817, he married Miss Martha Vandyke, of Venango County, and the following year purchased and settled upon a farm in Butler County, on the line now dividing Cherry and Marion Townships, where he has resided continuous- ly to the present time. His children, eight in all. were Lucy, who married Robert M. Seaton, who died as a prisoner of war at Andersonville, Ga. : John. who married Martha C., daughter of James and Mary Turner: Isabella, who died as the wife of Cyrus Kerr in 1857: Mary A., the present wife of Abner MeCal- len; Braden, who married Mary McCallen; Alexander, who married Mary Dunlap; Martha, who died as the wife of David Dunn, in 1878; and Sarah, who is the wife of Robert Sankey.
Joseph Porter has ever been known as a most worthy citizen. Quiet and unostentatious, strictly honorable in all that the word implies, it is said, to his credit, that he never was sued or instigated a suit during his long and eventful life.
WILLIAM A. SEATON.
William A. Seaton was born June 21. 1831. He was reared on a farm. and attained an academical ed- ncation. Ho acquired the trade of a blacksmith. which vocation he followed for five years, when he went to California, where he remained six years en . gaged in mining. In 1861, he returned, and in the same year enlisted in the Fourth Pennsylvania Cav. alry, and served three years. On his return, he went to Mercer County, where he followed his trade until 1876. when he bonght the farm in Marion Township, where he now resides. In 1864. he was married to Miss Ann Eliza, daughter of Robert and Ann Hutch- inson, of Butler County, Penn. Mr. Seaton is one of the prosperous farmers of his locality, and is in every way worthy of the reputation he has acquired for pro- bity and general uprightness.
CHAPTER XLIX.
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP.
Its Relative Position-Natural Features Early Settiers The Tax Payers of 1554-Statisties in 1880-Villages -- North Washington Academy -History of Various Religious Denominations.
W ASHINGTON TOWNSTHE is adjoined on the north by Venango, east by Parker, south by Concord. and west by Cherry, and. it is to be presumed. like scores of towns, townships. counties, ete .. through- out the Cuited States of America, was named in honor ot the first President. The surface is hilly and bro- ken, particularly so in the northern part, yet fine farm- ing lands are observable in various quarters. especially along the head-waters of Slippery Rock Creek, and in the localities tormed . The Glades." In the southern part are valuable deposits of cannel coal, while in the vicinity of Hilliard Station in the northern portion. vast quantities of bituminous coal are found. The villages of the township are North Washington. Hilliard Sta- tion. Parsonville and Annisville. Church edifices and public school buildings abound. and at North Washing- ton and Hilliards, the people are supplied with daily mails.
EARLY SETTLERS, ETC.
The Hilliards. Christys. Meals. Shiras. Wilsons. Glenns, Kellys. Pettigrews, Campbells and Mechlings were among the first to settle in the township as now described. Doubtless there were numbers of others who came in here equally as early, and are equally as dleserving of mention. yet. in the absence of authentic data. and the fact that time has dimmed the rec- ollection of the two or three surviving pioneers con- necting the shadowy past with the bright light of to-day, the year 1796 with 1882. we are unable to place before the reader ( within the space allotted) more laets than will be found by scanning the following par- agraphs:
During the middle of the eighteenth centmy. was born in York County, Penn .. Samuel Meals, whose parents were natives of Germany. He there grew to manhood, married. and raised a family of children named as follows: George, who married Elizabeth. danghter of JJoseph Studabaker;" Peggy, who married George Daubenspeck: William, who ultimately became a resident of Clarion County. Penn .; Samuel, Jr., who married a Miss Hoover: Jacob, who married a Miss Varnum ; and Daniel. who married Catharine Studa baker.
Prior to the marriage of any of this family of chil dren, however, or in the spring of 1796. George Meals, the oklest son of Samuel. Sr .. came to this locality and began improvements upon a tract of 500 acres (situated
. When a resident of Westmoreland County and but eleven years of age, the Inchians, during one of their hostile incursions into that region, killed the mother of Joseph Studebaker, several of his brothers and sisters, and taking him to the remote regions of the great Northwest, kept him as a captive among them until he was twenty-one years of age. They then allowed him to return to Westmoreland, where he married and became the father if a mod- Fiable family He died in 1812
HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
partly in Washington and partly in Concord Townships as now formed) now owned. separately, by JJames Hall. P. F. Ray. Mathew MeGarvey. Samuel P. Campbell, Irwin Bell, and Joseph G. Meals, son of George. The following summer (1797) the father. Samuel Meals. St. and the remainder of his family slowly wended their way westward over the Alleghany Mountains, and finally settled on the premises described. His descend- ants are still numerous hereabouts. and numbers of them are known as among the many well-to do farmers of Butler County. The father was a blacksmith as well as a farmer, as were also his sons George and Samuel. Jr. All of them attained a ripe old age, Mrs. Peggy Dau- benspeck being ninety years old at the time of her death. The great-grandmother of Joseph G. Meals (or rather the mother of Samuel Meals. Sr .. who was born in Germany, also came to this locality and here remained until her death. As a rather remarkable incident. it is further related that while Samuel Meals. Sr., was on route to his new home here, in 1797. he out by the way- side a small water-willow sapling which he fashioned into a walking-stick. Upon his arrival he stood it up- right in the ground. upon lands now owned by James Hall. where it flourished, and grew to be a tree of great dimensions. O'ut down in 1881, its trunk measured over four feet in diameter.
Of the children born to George and Elizabeth (Stud- abaker) Meals. there were Samuel. Lydia (who be- came the wife of John Mahood). Molly. Joseph G. Peggy ( who married Joseph Pisor). Elizabeth (who mar- tied Jacob Pisor). and Susanna (who married Daniel Pisor).
Jacob Hilliard, the immediate progenitor of the fam- ily, once so numerous in Washington Township was of German origin, and removing from Northampton County. Penn .. settled upon the premises now owned by William Adams, about the year 1797. The homestead. in carly days. comprised several hundred acres. His children were George. Francis, Abraham. Isaac. Jacob. Peter Philip. John and Elisha, sons, and a daughter named Leah, who died in infancy. Of the sons, all married and became heads of families, except Philip. During the war of 1812- 15. Abraham and Isaac served as mem- bers of Capt. Story's company of Pennsylvania troops and did duty on the Canadian frontier.
In 1798 or 1799, John Christy. Sr .. and his family of thirteen children. came from Westmoreland County and settled in the southwest quarter of Washington Township. as now formed. But as this family has been aliuded to at some length in the history of Cherry Township. we will merely add in this connection. that the John Christy here mentioned and the carly school teacher. and Justice of the Peace, known as John Christy, Esq., were closely connected. Thus James. the father of John Christy, Esq., and John Christy, Sr., referred to at the beginning of this paragraph. were brothers: James, however, always remained in West-
moreland County. William and Andrew Christy, brothers, who settled in the region now known as Con- cord Township, were also related to this family. But the Christys who settled at Portersville.+ of whom Thomas T. and Marven G. are descendants, were, so far as we have been able to learn. in nowise re- lated to either of those already named.
John Shira was a native of Berks County. Penn .. and during the long war waged for American independ- once, served three terms in the Continental army. He participated in the battle of Trenton. N. J., and various other engagements. After the close of that war, he married a young lady (believed to have been Miss Maria Ann Frifugle, who, like himself, was of German origin) and about 1793, with three children. they settled in Westmoreland County. A removal from that locality was determined upon. however, and in the spring of 1798, with five children, they settled upon a tract of four hundred acres now in the township of Wash- ington, and owned. or a . portion of it at least, by Purviance Bell. In the spring of 1814. the farm now ocenpied by his son David became the homestead. and there he resided until his death, which occurred at the age of sixty-five years. Of the children of John Shira were Daniel. Susan, who married Adam Mooney, of Clarion County: Polly, who married Jacob Hilliard; John. Jr., who served six months in a company of Penn- sylvania volunteers during the war of 1812 15, and afterward located in Armstrong County: William, who remained in Butler County: Jacob, who removed to Michigan. Peter, who remained in Butter County: Lewis. who removed to Ohio; Elizabeth, who married Robert Hanna: and David. the youngest, who was born March 4. 1805, and still resides upon the farm which has been his home nearly sixty-nine years. Besides the children of John Shira here enumerated. there were two who died when small. in Westmoreland county, from the bite of a rabid cat. and one died in infancy after the removal to this (Butler) county. David Shira married Miss Maria Hutchison, of Butler County, who is now living. To them have been born eight children. viz .: John (who died when a young man). William M., Samuel, Robert O .. Alfred, David II .. Eliza J. and Maria A. During the war of the rebellion. Robert O., while a member of the One Hundred and Third Pennsylvania Volunteers, was dangerously wounded in one of the battles on the Virginia peninsula. Afterward he served as Second Lieutenant in the Sixth Pennsylvania Heavy Artillery. David Shira's son states that when about eleven years of age he attended a school which was held in a small log schoolhouse sto ding on the present premises of Henry Stoner. Holm Dickey was the teacher. John
"Since the fairpong was written we have barned that it was a tradition among the older members of the Christys of Portersville, that about the middle of the last century a scotchman named Christie came to America, and settled in Connecticut where he raised a family of seven sons and one daughter. Very early in the history of Westmoreland County, three of these sons located near the forks of the Yon_togheby an I Monongaboli Rivers, while the other for went to Nova Sentie but ultimately hecame residents of the State of Ohio.
139
HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
Christy, Esq. John Hanna and William Coun. after- ward taught in the same rude building
John Christy, a nephew of the John Christy men- tioned in the preceding pages relating to the history of this township, was born in Westmoreland County, and about the year 1797, he settled upon a tract of land now owned separately by his son. James Christy. Samuel Campbell and James R. Moore. He built a snug log cabin* soon after his settlement here. but he did not occupy it for housekeeping purposes until some two or three years afterward, at which time he married Mary. a daughter of John Christy. Sr. The childrent of John and Mary Christy, were Mary, who married Samuel N. Moore; Andrew J .: Sarah, who married Isaac Robb; Ann, who died when eight or nine years old: Jane, who married Samuel P. Campbell: Ebenezer: James; Eleanor. who married William Campbell, and Nancy, who married William Robb. While a resident of West- moreland County, John Christy served against the In- dians, going as a substitute for his father, and he was well known as an early County Commissioner and a most capable Justice of the Peace, though he seldom collected his own l'ees. lle was also an efficient teacher, and one of the earliest in the region where he lived.
In this connection. we will add that about sixty years ago Miss Abigail Edmonds, of Ohio, taught school in a small log cabin. It had neither floor nor windows. It was on the farm now owned by Robert O. Shira. In a small log building, which James Christy says stood on land now owned by Robert A. Mifflin, but which may have been the same one mentioned by David Shira. as having stood on the premises now owned by Henry Stoner, Samuel N. Moore, Sarah Christy and Thomas Kelly taught school long before the enactment of the free school law. John Wick was another early teacher, and held sway in a building which stood south- cast of the village of North Washington, and is now occupied by Thomas Hindman.
James Gibson and his wife were natives of Ireland. and about 1798 came from Westmoreland County, and settled in what is now Parker Township of this county. Their children were Levi, Elizabeth. Esther, John L .. Eleanor, James, George, Samuel and Huston. All be- came heads of families, and all continued as residents of Butler County, except Huston, who located in Arm- strong. About 1826, Levi Gibson married Mary .1. daughter of Andrew Campbell. of Fairview Township. and their children were Rebecca, Lewis C., Nancy. William. James II., Andrew C., Mary A .. and Levi B. all of whom are living except Mary A., who died when sixteen years of age. Of the sons, James II. served (during the war of the rebellion) in Company G. One
Hundred and Thirty-fourth Pennsylvania Infantry, and Company L. Fourteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry; Andrew (. and William also served in the same company and regiment of cavalry. Andrew being wounded by a shot through the body in a skirmish in the Shenandoah Val- ley. Virginia.
William Hutchison was born in County Armagh. Ireland, and as one of the first settlers of Parker Town- ship. located there about the year 1799. His children were Sarah, Sunuel. Margaret, Mary. Jane, David William, Jr .. and Martha, of whom only Sarah (Mrs. James Wilson), of Fairview Township, and David. of Armstrong County, are living. William Hutchison. Jr .. was born in 1812. and died when about thirty-five years of age. lle married Esther (now living), daughter of James Gibson. Sr., and their children were Rebecca J., James and William.
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.