History of Butler County, Pennsylvania, Part 12

Author: Brown, Robert C., ed; Leeson, M. A. (Michael A.); Meagher, John, jt. comp; Meginness, John Franklin, 1827-1899, jt. comp
Publication date: 1895
Publisher: Chicago : R. C. Brown
Number of Pages: 1658

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In October, 1821, John Brandon took the oath of office as commissioner, and, with Messrs. Lemmon and Dodds, formed the board. In November, Robert Scott was restored to his old position as clerk. Beyond the attention given to new roads, such as that from Louisburg to Arley's ford and from Neyman's mill to the Mercer road, and to bridges, the issue of warrants to officers of elections and to jurors occupied the board. In the record of expenditures for this year items appeared, showing that Moses and John Sullivan were paid thirty-seven dollars and fifty cents for printing the statement of receipts and expenditures ; that Reese Evans was paid some moneys on account of his contract for building the bridge at Butler ; that Robert Graham was paid for hauling lightning rods and stove- pipe, and that men, named Martin and Bowers, were paid for coal supplied to the county in 1820 and 1821. The number of warrants issued was 517 and the sum

TRANSACTIONS OF THE COMMISSIONERS.

represented, $3,890.10}. John Shryock, who made the first pump for the jail yard, received for his work fifteen dollars. In July, 1-22, the construction of a bridge at Lowrie's mill was decided upon, and repairs on the court-house and jail were authorized. John Covert, who was elected commissioner, qualified October 26. and on November 4, took his seat with Messrs. Dodds and Brandon. The appointment of William Gibson, treasurer, was one of the first acts of the new board. \ book-case, made by Robert Carnahan, was introduced into the recorder's office, the jail doors were covered with sheet-iron, grates were placed in the open hearths of the jail and other advances toward the comfort, as well as the security of prisoners, were made. There were no less than 592 warrants issued in 1822, covering $3,589.803. The appointment of John Walsh as clerk, to suc- ceed Robert Scott, was made November 29, so that the new official was brought face to face with the intricacies of office at a time when election judges, clerks. inspectors, road views, jurors, etc., were hunting warrants for their pay as indus- triously as the bounty seckers were hunting old wolves and puppies.

One of the items of expense in 1523, was twenty-five cents paid to John Brandon for "goose quills," bought in Simon Reed's store. A singular case was presented in July, it being nothing less than the demand of William Hogg for three dollars and fifty cents for grand jury service, although he was discharged from service on account of being a Scotchman or Englishman. who never became a citizen. The commissioners issued the warrant.

In July, William Purviance surveyed a number of out-lots east of the borough, which were sold by the commissioners in October, Prior to that time, John McQuistion was elected commissioner and took his seat vice John Dodds, on November 5, on which date, John Sullivan was appointed treasurer. Hugh McGlaughlin was authorized to make window blinds for court-house, and the com- missioners bought two pairs of snuffers and one box of candles. The business of the year is indicated by the issue of 622 warrants, amounting to $3,755.58, including those issued for the Lick bridge, the bridge over the Connoquenessing and at the turnpike, and improving the bridge at Harmony.

The minutes of 1824 show 720 warrants issued and $4,140.56 disbursed, but the treasurer's statement shows an expenditure of $7,055.56. Among the items is one for six dollars and forty-three cents to William Reed " for schooling poor children." In August, 1524, the treasurer paid four dollars to Hugh McKee for a ream of Number 1 paper, and twenty dollars to John Sullivan for printing a ream of blank checks. John Alward received one dollar and eighty cents " for schooling poor children" ; while Joseph Sterrett, Alexander Hagerty and Robert Stephenson received two dollars each for apprehending and guarding David Mc Junkin. Hugh McKee, elected in October to succeed John Brandon, qualified November 5, 1824, and, on the 27th, William Gibson was appointed clerk to suc- cecd John Walsh.

In 1825, the bridge at Bell's ford, over Slippery Rock creek, was finished by Charles Coulter, and the Connoquenessing creek bridge, at the turnpike, was rebuilt by Henry Evans. A uniform standard for the triennial assessment was adopted in November, 1525, Robert Scott, Hugh McKee and John MeQuistion. being the commissioners. The assessors were William Campbell, and Rob-

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

ert Graham, of Butler; Oliver David, Middlesex: John Gillespie, Cranberry ; David Shannon, Connoquenessing ; Samuel Dodds, Muddy Creek ; Robert Black, Slippery Rock ; Richard Vandyke, Mercer ; Joseph Murrin, Venango; Samuel Erwin, Parker; Paul McDermott, Donegal ; John Slator, Clearfield; William Colmer, Buffalo, and David Mc Junkin, Centre. The auditors were William Purviance and Maurice Bredin. The expenditures of the county amounted to $1.558.62.

The appointment of Isaiah Niblock as treasurer, was made in January, 1826, his pay being based on one and one-half per cent. His appointment was strongly opposed by John McQuistion. The twelve year contract with Andrew Marshall to keep Harmony bridge in repair for that term was made,-the stated con- sideration being $317.50. At the close of October, Commissioner-elect David Dougal succeeded John McQuistion. The total disbursements amounted to $4.456.91.

The appointment of Samuel A, Purviance as clerk was made in February, 1827. The building of a bridge over the Connoquenessing, opposite the borough, was completed by John Stephenson, and the court-house was subjected to general repairs by authority of the board. On October 22, John McNees was inducted into office to succeed Hugh McKee. The annual expenditure was $6,198 40 as certified by auditors-Robert Martin, Maurice Bredin and Joseph Bryson.

In March, 1828, the plan for the bridge at Amberson's was adopted, and from January 1, to October 29, sufficient business was transacted to occupy the time of Commissioners Scott for eighty-three days, Dougal for eighty-one and a half days, and McNees for sixty-eight days. The clerk, Samuel A. Purviance, was engaged for 10912 days of his second term, down to March 6, 1828, and sixty-one days additional down to October 29. Alexander Graham succeeded Scott, as commissioner, October 20, and served sixteen days before the close of December. Christian Mechling was appointed clerk, for a short term, on October 28, and Treasurer Thompson reported a revenue of $6,710.98 for the year, of which $1,- 437.6816 were unexpended.

The question of appointing a treasurer was decided January 1, 1829, when James Thompson was chosen. In February, John N. Purviance was appointed clerk, at a salary of fifty dollars per annum. In April, 1829, the bridge at Zelienople was authorized to be built. In October, Joseph McQuistion was elected commissioner to succeed David Dongal ; John N. Purviance was re-ap- pointed clerk, at a salary of seventy-five dollars per annum, and Francis McBride was chosen treasurer, to succeed James Thompson. The expenditures for the year amounted to $5,508.

The dealings of the board in 1830, with assessors, collectors, jurors, officers of election, road and bridge viewers, and contractors, form an index to the advances made by Butler since 1820. Among the roads opened was one from James McCandless' house to the brick meeting-house in Connoquenessing township; and among the bridges projected was one opposite the former home of Detmar Basse Miller : one over Muddy creek, near Kennedy's mill; one over Wolf creek, and one over Slippery Rock creek, where the graded road from Butler to Franklin crossed that stream. The State road from Kittanning to Evans' ferry,

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TRANSACTIONS OF THE COMMISSIONERS.

on French creek, received some attention in August, and then came preparations for election days. In October. John MeCandless qualified as successor to Com- missioner MeNees. Later, the salary of the clerk, John Purviance, was increased to ninety dollars. The financial report shows $6,574.57 received, of which $699.86 remained in the treasurer's hands.

In January, 1831, Francis McBride was re-appointed treasurer and William Ayres attorney. The salary of Mr. Ayres was placed at twenty-five dollars, a small sum, indeed, looking at it through modern spectacles, but large enough for the duties of the office sixty-three years ago. The Breakneck creek bridge, oppo- site Boggs' house, was contracted to be built by Sylvester Ash, and the meeting with the merchants, who appealed from tax classification of the commissioners and associate judges, was held.

It may appear strange that one of the commissioners had to go to Pittsburg to procure " iron and nails and other things for the use of repair of jail and attending to have the same hauled from Pittsburg." James Spencer was then working on such repairs. In August Bennett Dobbs was employed to place sheet- iron on the western wall of the prison-room. In September the bridge over the Connoquenessing at the salt liek was begun by Contractor Charles Duffy. John N. Purviance was re-appointed clerk at a salary of one dollar per day. William Pillow, who succeeded Alexander Graham as commissioner, qualified in Novem- ber. Andrew Sproul was appointed treasurer in December, and, some days later, Samuel A. Purviance succeeded Mr. Ayres as attorney to the board at a salary of twenty-five dollars. Auditor William Moore reported a revenue of $6.9-16.07. including $1,278.57, which remained in the treasury on January 1, 1831.

The contract for repairing the court-house was awarded to George Miller in March, 1832, and the plastering thereof to Philip Varnum. About this time a new roof was ordered to be placed on the jail In May, B. G. Gall and A. Ziegler contracted to build a bridge over the Connoquenessing, opposite Ilarmony. Robert Graham qualified as commissioner, in October, to succeed Joseph Mc- Quistion, while later in the month William Campbell, Jr., was appointed clerk at a salary of seventy dollars per annum. The financial statement for 1832 shows a sum of $8,894.57, of which $670.56 were reported unused on December 31, 1832.

The year 1833 was opened by the appointment of Charles C. Sullivan coun- sel to commissioners, at a salary of twenty-five dollars, and Andrew Sproul as treasurer. In June a bridge over Buffalo creek in Clearfield township, was author- ized. John Vanderlin, who was elected to succeed John McCandless, qualified as commissioner October 18; William Campbell was re-appointed clerk at one dollar per day ; a pavement in front of the court-house was authorized ; John McLelland was appointed attorney at a salary of twenty-five dollars ; and George Miller, treasurer. Of $5,611.10 received during the year, only $224.83 were unexpended.

The elections of 1834 resulted in the return of Joseph Graham to succeed William Pillow. The total credits to tax amounted to $6,446.33 and expendi- tures to $6,802.94. In 1835, William Campbell, Jr., clerk, George Miller, treas- urer, and John MeLelland, attorney, were re-appointed. The tax levy for the

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

year was confirmed in March and duplicates given to the collectors. In April, Moses Crispin was employed as bell-ringer ; in September contracts for building bridges over Thorn creek, on the road from Butler to Boyd's mill, were sealed ; in October, Hugh Stephenson was elected to succeed Robert Graham as commis- sioner, and Jacob Ziegler was appointed clerk, vice Campbell, retired. Under date of October 17. a peculiar entry occurs. It records that on that day the commis- sioners were " employed in fighting with Joseph MeQuistion," but leaves the cause of the battle and its results untold. John Vanderlin was then a member of the board.

Early in 1836 John N. Purviance was appointed counselor to the commis- sioners at an annual salary of thirty-five dollars, and John B. McGlaughlin was appointed treasurer, the value of the office being two per cent on the levy. A brief reference to the new bridge over Bear creek and one to a meeting with the school directors show the terse style of the clerk. In October, 1836, Nathan Skeer qualified as commissioner to succeed Vanderlin. The auditor's report deals with a revenne of $8,314.59, of which the sum of $1,186.12 remained in the treasury.

In January, 1837, the treasurer was re-appointed, and John N. Purviance appointed counselor at a salary of thirty dollars per annum. The building of a bridge over the Connoquenessing, below Butler, claimed the attention of the board in February ; later the bridge near Boyd's mill was constructed, and one at Malachi Richardson's and one at Gillilands were authorized. William Criswell was elected to succeed Joseph Graham as commissioner. Of $8,372.16 charged to the treasurer, a balance of $2,743.47 was carried to 1888.

The appointments of James Frazier, as treasurer, and Jacob Ziegler, as clerk, were made in January, 1838. Jacob Shanor, commissioner-elect, qualified Octo- ber 28. On December 31, the auditor's report showed $8, 177.28 received into the treasury, of which $1,005.84 remained unexpended. In January, 1839, Jacob Ziegler was chosen clerk and counselor to the commissioners, his pay as clerk being one dollar and twenty-five cents a day, and as counselor thirty dollars per annum. This arrangement was not of long duration, for, on January 8, George Ziegler was appointed clerk, at one dollar and twenty-five cents a day; John N. Purviance, counsellor at thirty-five dollars per annum ; and Jacob Mechling, Jr., treasurer at three and one-half per cent. on tax levy. In October. Thomas R. McMillen took his seat as commissioner, vice Nathan Skeer, whose term expired. The sum audited for 1839 was $8,030.47, including $166.76 advanced by the treasurer to meet bills against the county.

In 1840, E. M. Bredin was appointed attorney; William Campbell, treasurer, George W. Ziegler clerk, and John McCollough, bell-ringer. Toward the close of October, George Miller occupied Commissioner Criswell's place and took a full part in the closing transactions of the board for that year. The revenue of the county in 1840 was $9,103.83, all of which appears to have been expended, jurors and grand jurors eating up no less than $1,809.11.

The officers of the commissioners, appointed in 1841, were Andrew Carns, treasurer ; William Timblin, clerk ; George W. Smith, attorney, and William Johnston, bell-ringer. One of the incidents of the year, was the receipt of a

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TRANSACTIONS OF THE COMMISSIONERS.

petition from leading citizens of Butler borough against continuing a boy of William Johnston's years as bell-ringer and custodian of public buildings, and recommending the employment of John McCollough, Jr. This petition was acquiesced in by the commissioners without delay. It August, John Ross was awarded the contract for painting the court-house and offices. On November 10. the election question arising in a tie vote for commissioner, was settled by com- missioners McMillen and Miller, sitting with the court of quarter sessions. John Ray, of Donegal township, was chosen-the claims of McCurdy and Moyer being set aside. The new member took his seat November 20. The revenues of 1511 amounted to $9,237.52, all of which were disbursed. The school fund then amounted to $254.15, or $111.66 from unseated land tax, and $142.49 paid by former treasurer.

The value of warrants issued in 1836 was $5,8>1.32; in 1837, $4,997.56; in 1838, $6,514.55; in 1839, $8,030.47; in 1840, $9,992.05, and in 1841, $7,456.80. The trustees of the Butler Academy owed on January 1, 1842, the sum of $2,457.70. This sum included $1,101.36, the amount of John Negley's judg- ment, and $150.00 subscribed toward the support of the institution, or a total of $42,872.25 in six years.

The record of the election of the county treasurer was made January 1. 1842, when Andrew Carns presented his certificate of election in October. 1841, for a term of two years. Alexander S. Mc Bride was appointed clerk ; George W. Smith, attorney, and Samuel R. Williams, bell-ringer. In October, John Ray and Abraham Moyer were elected commissioners, and, with Thomas R. McMillen, formed the board. The total expenditures, or rather treasurer's credits, amounted to $13,- 559.96. The warrants issued represented $8,309.75.

In 1843, Alexander McNair was appointed attorney at a salary of twenty- five dollars per annum, and John Gold, bell-ringer. at a salary of fifty dollars. Maurice Bredin qualified as commissioner on October 14. The total treasurer's credits amounted to $11,677.21 and the value of warrants to $7,292.47. On Janu- ary 1, 1844, Daniel Coll, treasurer elect, qualified. On October 26, W. W. Dodds, commissioner elect, qualified, and on January 1, 1845, voted for the appointment of Gilmore and Purviance, county attorneys; the re-appointment of Alexander S. Mc Bride, clerk, and John Gold, bell-ringer. Thomas II. Bracken took the place of Abraham Moyer in October, and in January, 1846. John Bredin, Jr., was appointed clerk; Oren Baldwin, attorney, and John Gold, bell-ringer or janitor. In April, David Douthett was appointed as the successor of Commissioner Bredin and qualified the same day. The appointment of Lewis Z. Mitchell as appraiser of mercantile taxes, on October 24, was the first to this position under the act of April 22, 1546, so far as the record tells. On the 27th, John Anderson qualified as successor to David Douthett, and on January 1. 1847, the board appointed George W. Crozier, clerk, at one dollar and twenty-five cents a day, John Borland, attorney, at twenty-five dollars per annum, and John McCollough Jr., bell-ringer. The election of Joseph Douthett, in October, to succeed Commis- sioner W. W. Dodds, and the appointment of William Timblin, as mercantile appraiser, completed the list of official changes for the year. In 1848, Andrew

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

Simpson succeeded Bracken, and, immediately after, the system of fuel contracts was changed, the resolution being as follows :

That the coal should be shipped by those who will supply at four cents per bushel and not take more than 400 bushels from an; one at any one time; also to supply the jail in the same way.

In 1849 George W. Crozier was re-appointed clerk and John Sullivan coun- sel and mercantile appraiser. An entry refers to the floods of July and speaks of the two bridges at Amberson's, one at Ralston's, one at Robb's, and one at Break- neck, as if they were damaged. The election of Thomas Kelly as commissioner, in 1849, to succeed Anderson ; the appointment of W. Timblin as counsel, at twenty-five dollars per annum, and the re-appointment of George W. Crozier, clerk, and of John McCollough, bell-ringer, in January, 1850, mark the personal history of the board. Thomas Welsh, elected commissioner to succeed Joseph Douthett, in October, 1850, qualified the same month; James White, of Prospect, was appointed mercantile appraiser to succeed Sullivan ; and in January, 1851, James A. McNair was appointed clerk, Arcus McDermit. attorney, and William Will- iamson, bellringer. The resignation of Mr. McNair in October, 1851, was fol- lowed by the appointment of John Sullivan as clerk, at the last meeting of the old board.

On October 28, 1851, James Mitchell succeeded Andrew Simpson as com- missioner, and on the last day of the year, John Greer, of Prospect, was chosen mercantile appraiser. In January, 1852, John Sullivan was appointed clerk; E. McJunkin, attorney, and John McCollough, bell-ringer. On May 28, of this year, Architect Barr was in consultation with the commissioners over the plans for the proposed new court-house. Subsequently the commissioners, Messrs. Kelly, Welsh and Mitchell, spent twelve days visiting the county seats of Law- rence, Beaver, Allegheny, Washington, Greene, Fayette, Blair and Indiana coun- ties to obtain information relative to court-house buildings, and continued to give this subject attention until July 16, when they awarded the contract for building to William Bell, of Warren, Pennsylvania. In November, 1852, John Miller suc- ceeded Thomas Kelly as commissioner, and David M. McDonald was appointed mercantile appraiser.

At the beginning of 1853 the commissioners and their appointees were the same as named in the minutes of 1852. Toward the close of January, G. W. Crozier was appointed temporary clerk. On March 31. 1853, the commissioners unanimously agreed to subscribe $250,000 to the capital stock of the North Western Railroad Company, as recommended and found by the grand jury, and, in accordance with the act incorporating that company. This resolution was duly signed by the commissioners and the clerk, John Sullivan. At this time the commissioners were also engaged in watching the progress of the new court- house, so that their positions were anything but sinecures. One of the sanitary acts of this period must be credited to the board. This was nothing less than the construction of a sewer from the jail to the creek, the first improvement of this class made in this section of Pennsylvania. In May, the basement of a church was prepared for holding courts. The election of William C. Campbell as commissioner in October, to succeed Welsh ; the "laying-off " new townships,

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bridge matters and court-house building, were the proceedings of the closing months of the year.

In October, IS54, railroad bonds were issued and a contract made for a court- house bell. In November, John Kennedy took his seat as commissioner. In January, 1855, Samuel Marks was appointed clerk. In August the commissioners were engaged in measuring the new court-house and laying carpet in court-room, although there is no minute of the acceptance of the structure; but, on the con- trary, Mr. Bell was notified to finish it. The cleaning of the interior, December 7, is the only record in minutes to tell how Bell observed this notice. In January, 1856, the clerk, Samuel Marks, the attorney, E. Mc Junkin and John MeCollough, the bell-ringer, were re-appointed officers of the board. In August, Architect Barr and Contractor Bell met the commissioners. In September, the members were in session with the agricultural societies, railroad officers, assessors, col- lectors, etc.

On February, 1857, John Graham was appointed agent of the county and ordered to visit Philadelphia to attend a meeting of the directors of the North Western railroad, on March 3, and find out the condition and policy of that cor- poration. On March 11, a settlement with Contractor Bell was effected. In December, Samuel P. Irwin was appointed clerk, while the attorney and bell- ringer were re-appointed. In October, 1858, the prothonotary was ordered to record only the general result of all elections, such record to be paid for at the rate of one cent for every ten words. Anxiety about the intentions of the rail- road company prevailed at this time, and the members of the board visited the directors at Pittsburg. On the last day of the year, the officers of the old board were re-appointed. Bridges at Evansburg, Black's mill, Bovard's mill. Zelien- ople and other points, were rebuilt or repaired during the year, and mention is made of a lawsuit, in which the commissioners were interested, being tried at Pittsburg. Subsequently the case is referred to as " Duberry vs. Butler county." In January, 1860, Samuel P. Irwin was re-appointed clerk and appointed attorney to the board. Irwin resigned the clerkship in August, and Samuel Marks was appointed.

The transactions of the commissioners from the beginning to the end of the Rebellion were of unusual importance. William S. Jack was appointed clerk in January, 1861, and John M. Thompson attorney. On April 30, John H. Niblock was appointed clerk, vice William S. Jack, who had enlisted. In January, 1862, following, Mr. Niblock was appointed permanent secretary : but on his resigna- tion being accepted in March, 1862, Harvey Colbert was chosen his successor. Early in 1862 mention is made of the relief work of the board. and on July 31. of the commissioners agreeing to give each volunteer in three companies of nine inonths' men, twenty-five dollars each as soon as mustered in. On August 26 this bounty was paid to the soldiers of Anderson's company, In October, 1862. Charles McCandless was chosen attorney, vice John M. Thompson, who entered the United States service. Mr. Greer attended the court at Pittsburg for sev- eral days in the matter of the railroad suits, and was credited with 209 days' service, from January I to December 31, together with thirty-six days' service in 1861, against the 477 days of Mr. McNees. In January the officers of the old

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board were re-appointed. In April, 1868, a meeting of the commissioners of Lawrence and Butler counties was held to settle some disputed points about sol- diers' bounties and determine on which side of the line certain claimants for bounty lived. The Butler officers had already paid bounty to eight Lawrence county men. To avoid future trouble in this matter, the commissioners suggested that on which ever side of the line the home was, the land should be assessed in that county and the soldier paid the bounty from the treasury of that county. The meeting to fix the boundary line was held at Portersville, September 17, when Messrs. Sutton, Wilson, Greer and Bartley were appointed to take the southern end of the line, and James Forrest, Thomas MeNees and Harvey Col- bert the northern end. In October. Samuel Leason was elected commissioner to succeed Thomas McNees, and, with Messrs. Bartley and Greer, brought the county business of the year to a satisfactory close.

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History of Butler County, Pennsylvania, Part 12

Author: Brown, Robert C., ed; Leeson, M. A. (Michael A.); Meagher, John, jt. comp; Meginness, John Franklin, 1827-1899, jt. comp Publication date: 1895 Publisher: Chicago : R. C. Brown Number of Pages: 1658

Author: Brown, Robert C., ed; Leeson, M. A. (Michael A.); Meagher, John, jt. comp; Meginness, John Franklin, 1827-1899, jt. comp
Publication date: 1895
Publisher: Chicago : R. C. Brown
Number of Pages: 1658