History of Butler County, Pennsylvania, Part 55

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

USA > Pennsylvania > Butler County > History of Butler County, Pennsylvania > Part 55

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).

At this time the following members of the " Plains" congregation became members of the re-organized church : William Graham, Sr., William Graham, Jr., Elizabeth, David, Hannah, Matthew and Mary Graham, Jane Simpson, Jane Wallace, Margaret Bowman, Eleanor Wilson, Rebecca Cooper, James and Nancy Garvin, Ann, John and Morgan Covert, Robert Boggs, Sr., Margaret, Samuel, Jane, Andrew and Mary Ann Boggs, Ann McGregor, Margaret Dunbar, Job and Susanna Staples, Joseph and Margaret Richardson, Mary Coats, Rebecca Bolander and Mary Rowan. Among the new members admitted in the fall were William, Nancy and Phoebe Vandivort, Mary and Jane Hutchison, Martha Goehring, Nancy Boggs, Eliza and Susanna Vandivort, Philip and Esther Covert, Thomas Hamilton, Alexander and Margaret Parks, William and Emma Nesbitt. Mary Croft and Sheldon Coats. Early in 1839, four elders were chosen to assist the pioneer elder-Morris Covert. They were William Graham, Sr., Andrew Boggs, James W. Garvin, and William Vandivort. In June, 1839, there were admitted Jane McClelland, Margaret Evans, Andrew Wilson, John and Hester Vandivort, Christian Goehring and Samuel and Anna Covert. Shortly after,

438

HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

Morris Covert died. In 1839 a brick house was erected close beside the old log church, by Matthew Graham, John Rea and other old members. The brick was made on John Goehring's farm and Thomas Evans was the contractor.

The society was incorporated November 16, 1849, the trustees being David Garvin, James W. Garvin and James Sample. In April, 1858, Rev. Newton Bracken succeeded Mr. McAboy as pastor. Thomas W. Boggs, John Graham, Josiah Covert and John Rowan were elected elders. Of all these men, who guided the church in 1859 and for many years after, John Rowan is the only one living. Early in 1860 Rev. Mr. Bracken left the church, and the old pastor, Rev. McAboy, Rev. Milton McMillan and others preached here at intervals, until 1868, when Rev. John W. Potter was called as pastor. He died June 10, 1866. At that time this society united with that at Fairmount in a call to Mr. Potter, and the " Plains " church was transferred from the Allegheny Presbytery, now But- ler, to the Allegheny City Presbytery.

From June, 1866, to 1868, the churches were without a pastor. In the last named year, Rev. Samuel R. Kerr received a call from the two churches, was installed pastor and served until July 1, 1869. Rev. Levi Risher came here in November, 1869, but was not installed pastor until June 27, 1870. In 1876 seventy-six members were admitted on examination and three on certificates, the total membership being 215. Rev. A. G. Baker, an evangelist from Nauvoo, Illinois, aided Mr. Risher in the revival services which drew so many new mem- bers into the society. Mr. Risher was released as pastor October 31, 1876. In November, 1876, Rev. Mr. McLean supplied the pulpit. In December Rev. William Wilson was supply and preached here several Sabbaths. Rev. R. J. Criswell came in April, 1877; was called as pastor, June 4, that year, and installed June 20. In September, 1877, Andrew Boggs, Josiah Covert, John Rowan, James Sutton, R. A. White, Thomas W. Boggs and James Thompson are named as elders. In January, 1878, services were authorized to be held in the Baptist church at Evansburg. In March of that year the question of build- ing a new church was discussed and finance and building committees were appointed. James Sutton, Samuel McClelland, J. M. Covert, James Thompson and Samuel Graham formed the first, and Thomas Graham, R. A. White, B. F. White, William Croft, John Staples, Nicoll Allen and John Rowan, the second. The old church was torn down in May, 1878, and the new church was dedicated November 3, 1879, Rev. W. H. Jeffers preaching the dedicatory sermon. On March 31, 1878, there were 231 communicants reported and 160 attendants at Sunday school.

From January to June, 1880, Rev. George Scott filled the pulpit, while Dr. Young, E. P. Louis, A. W. Lawrence, G. W. Stewart and G. W. Shaffer visited the church from June to October, 1880. Revs. Shaffer, Junkin, Minton, Pollock, McMahon and several others came to fill the pulpit until December, 1881, when Rev. G. M. Potter began his labors as stated supply. The organization of the church at Evans City was considered February 18, 1883, and thirty-nine members were dismissed from the old church to form the new one. Rev. R. C. Yates was moderator in June, 1885, and continued to preside until June, 1888. On Octo- ber 5, that year, Rev. G. M. Potter's name re-occurs as moderator, and on Octo- ber S, Mr. Yates was elected pastor ; but the minority being forty-four in a total

439

CRANBERRY TOWNSHIP.

vote of ninety-four, the choice was not pressed. John Rowan, Josiah Covert, James Thompson, J. M. Covert, Matthew Graham, John Goehring and O. P. Graham were the elders at that time. At the close of 1889 Rev. J. P. White was moderator. The statistical report of April, 1890, is signed by J. K. McKallip, moderator ; but in May of that year Mr. White's name re-appears. In June, 1890, John Rowan was elected moderator, J. M. Covert, who was elected clerk of session in 1888, signing the record. Rev. G. M. Potter presided October 25, 1890, John Rowan in April, 1892, Rev. J. P. White in May, 1892, Rev. McNees in October, 1892, and Rev. A. J. Hetrick in May, 1893. The number of com- municants in 1894 was about 135.

St. John's German United Evangelical Lutheran and Reformed Church, formerly called " St. Daniel's church," in Cranberry township, adopted a consti- tution, June 7, 1869, at a meeting of members, presided over by Christoph Kirschler, of which John G. Hoffman was secretary and Andrew Kirschler treasurer-these three being the trustees. In the article providing for the gov- ernment of the burial ground, it is written, " as long as a member remains in connection with this congregation, that is from June 7, 1869, and has signed his name on the church book, he has, for himself and his children the right of burial in our graveyard, but for the daughters only as long as they go by the name of their parents."

Dutillh Methodist Episcopal Church, in Cranberry township, originally a class of the Plains church of Allegheny county, dates its distinct organization from 1879, when the present church was erected under the direction of William Lonsdale, Sr., Dr. Elder Crawford, Thomas Crea, Jacob Crider and Thomas Robinson. The heads of families at that time were Mary A. Douthett, Daniel and Ruth Emerick, Eli and Eliza Easton, Mary Emmell, John English and his wife, Albert and Savila Graham, Maud Graham, Austin and Amanda Graham, G. B. and Elizabeth Gill, Eliza Headland, Jacob and Libbie Headland, Charles Headland, John and Sadie Headland, Eli Headland, Michael Headland, Lewis and Jennie Hoffman, William and Hannah Hillman, Amelia Hoehn, Edward Harper, Blanche Harper, Ida Kibler, John and Elizabeth Keshler, William and and Jane Lonsdale, William F. and Jennie Lonsdale, Sarah Lambert, Jennie Mulligan, Mary A. Murray, Harriet Pearce, Thomas and Mary Ann Robinson, William and Estella Robinson, Anna Robinson, A. N. and Julia Richardson, Lone Sherar and Mary Sherar, Lizzie Shannon, Robert and Nannie Trimble, Josephine Vandivort and family, Sadie Wilson, Dr. Elder and Martha Craw- ford, Thomas and Dora Crea, Jacob and Mary Crider. The stewards in 1879 were Dr. Crawford, Thomas Crea, and William Lonsdale. Thomas Crea was class leader and Thomas Robinson was superintendent of Sunday school. Jacob Crider succeeded Lonsdale as steward ; William F. Lonsdale succeeded Crea, and Isaac Wright succeeded William Lonsdale, Sry The pastors of this church since 1879 are Rev. Mr. Swann, followed by Revs. W. C. T. Weaver. Steven- son, Freeman, McCurdy, J. J. Davis and William Medley, who was serving in 1894. The churches attached are Salem, in Allegheny county, and Mars in Adams township.

440

HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

VILLAGES.

Ogle is the local postoffice and village. For some time Thomas Robinson, who was postmaster, had the office at his home ; but, when William Garvin was appointed, the office was moved to the hamlet, since known as Ogle, where he was the first merchant. John Frantz succeeded Mr. Garvin in 1885, and he carried on the office in his store until 1889, when Mr. Garvin was re-appointed. In July, 1894, Mr. Frantz was again appointed postmaster at Ogle. The stores are con- ducted by William Garvin, J. A. Boggs, John Frantz and H. M. Johnston.

Hendersonville, the old postoffice of the township, was superseded by Mars, in Adams township, whither many of the inhabitants went after the railroad was completed to that point.

The Brush Creek Protective Association was organized in 1878 with fifty- eight members. The officers or directors, in March, 1879, were John Ziegler, S. M. Ilazen, Charles Herman, Thomas Ferguson, John Snyder, James Alcorn, Henry Knauff, Milo E. Rider, Jacob Gaebe, Henry Gardner, Henry Blinn and Charles Goehring. The total risks at that time amounted to about $70,000. In January, 1892, Thomas Ferguson was elected president and Milo E. Reader. secretary.

The Patrons of Husbandry in Cranberry boast of one active grange. To every organization, whether local or general, promising benefits to agricul- turalists, her citizens have been always friendly. The Farmers' Alliance has a membership here; and Grange, Number 908, has now no less than thirty-four mem- bers. The first to join January 21, 1890, were Fleming West, Jacob Emmell, John Leise, O. P. Graham, W. H. Ramsey, A. J. West, Edwin Ramsey and Nicol Allen, the first officers in order of grange rank, with Madams West, Emmell, Leise and Graham. The grange hall is on the Leise farm.

CHAPTER XXXII.

ADAMS TOWNSHIP.

ORIGIN OF NAME - ORGANIZATION - PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS - COAL DEPOSITS- PIONEERS-POPULATION AND STATISTICS-SCHOOLS AND JUSTICES-CHURCHES- VILLAGES.

A DAMS township, named in honor of John Quincy Adams, the sixth president of the United States, was organized in 1854, its territory being taken from Cranberry and Middlesex townships. It is drained by Breakneck creek, Little Breakneck and Glade run. They flow through broad, fertile val- leys, and serve to diversify as well as beautify the scenery of the township. Along the Breakneck, near the Forward township line, a four to six-inch layer

Philip Getback

441

ADAMS TOWNSHIP.

of cannel coal is found, resting on about two feet of the Upper Freeport coal. Both deposits were mined by George Marburger ; while on the hill above, fully seventy feet over the cannel, Dunbar opened a bank in eighteen inches of what is locally called the Brush creek coal. The Davidson and Hays banks above this, show the Upper Freeport on each side of the river in veins fourteen to twenty inches thick. In 1876 coal was discovered on the Park farm. The green, crinoidal limestone found on a few of the higher summits, as on the Stoup and Hill farms, has seldom, if ever, been utilized for lime or building purposes. The red shale banding other summits is simply an ornament of nature. This town- ship escaped the enterprise of the oil man for many years; but his industry has at last gained him a foothold and created a new and prosperous section of the Butler oil field.

PIONEERS.

The first settler of this township was James Glover, born in New Jersey, in 1753, a soldier of the Revolution, and a pioneer of Pittsburg. During his hunting expeditions, he found, in what is now Adams township, a deer lick, and near it, in 1792, he built a hunter's cabin. In 1795 he made a clearing, and the following year claimed a tract of 400 acres round it. In 1796 he abandoned the cabin to take possession of a log-house, which he had erected that year, and there resided until his death, in 1844. Prior to the building of the log house, James Irvine, who came from Ireland in 1770, to Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, and thence to Butler county, erected a large house of round logs, in the center of his claim of one hundred acres, where he died in 1830. He was one of the pioneer teachers of the county. About that time, William McCandless, the tailor ; William Mc- Candless, the distiller, and Robert McCandless appeared upon the scene. Adam Johnson, who died at the age of 103 years, in 1827, came about 1796, accompanied by his son, also named Adam, with Joshua and George Stoolfire, Moses Meeker, who did not stay, Timothy Ward. a teacher, who moved to Ohio, and David Spear.

In 1798 William Criswell, a native of Ireland, came into the township, as did William Roseboro, James and Matthew Park, Silas Miller, Isaac Covert, Joseph and Thomas Means and one or more of the Gillilands, John Gilliland being born here, November 25, 1798. The Davidsons were also among the pioneers, as prior to 1803: James, Sr., James, Jr., and Peggy had 800 acres of land, with horses and cows. John Richardson and William Forsythe came about the close of the cen- tury ; Andrew Barr with wife and three children came in 1813 and settled on the old Roseboro farm, which the original owner called Edenderry. Thomas Ken- nedy located here about the same time. Robert Mckinney came in 1816, and established a distillery in 1819; Job Staples, a farmer, preacher and school-teacher, moved in from the Brush creek country, and the Coverts, Plummers, Orrs, Mc- Marlins, Kennedys, Cashdollars, Kidds, Marshalls, Walters, Coopers and Halls followed the pioneers and cleared the glades.

The township has never departed from its attachments to agriculture, and hence the record of manufacturing industries is confined to Robert Mckinney's distillery, established in 1819, and Samuel Roseboro's grist mill, near Mars, built in 1883, near the site of Matthew P'ark's old mill.

442

HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

The population in 1860, was 866; in 1870, 978 ; in 1880, 1,156, and in 1890, 1,817. The last number has been increased, owing to the rapid development of the oil field and general progress of of the township. The total assessed value of property in 1894 was $115.840; the county tax $1,663.30, and the State tax $415.28.

SCHOOLS AND JUSTICES.

Though the first log house for school purposes was not erected until 1805, the children of the pioneers of Adams township were not left without instruc- tion, for a wandering teacher or some resident capable of teaching reading, writ- ing and arithmetic, would convene a class and preside over it. After 1805, such teachers as Timothy Ward, Matthew Wright and later Job Staples of Cranberry taught in this township and prepared the way for the common schools. The first building erected for common school purposes, was that in which Robert Hill taught, in the MeMarlin-Criswell neighborhood, on or near the old Davis farm. Near the present village of Callery, a log house was built in 1837. Samuel Hood taught a school, in what is now Adams township, about forty-six years ago, in the untenated house of Reuben Conaby, just south of the Robbins mill. It was the first school in that neighborhood. Hood, with Joseph and Robert Cowan and, it is said, one or two of the Donthetts, as well as John Irvine and Silas Miller, were among the first teachers of the public schools. In 1894 there were 230 male and 209 female children of school age reported; the school revenue was $5,558.05 and the number of schools, ten.

The justices of the peace, elected in Adams township, since its organization in 1854, are named as follows : William Rea, 1854-59 and '64; John S. Douthett, 1857-59; Francis H. Davidson. 1864; Samnel Marshall, 1865-70; Benjamin Douthett, 1869; Jacob Hutchman, 1872-77-82; James Barr, 1874-79 ; Thomas M. Marshall, 1884; Joseph Cashdollar, 1885; D. B. Wilson, 1887 ; T. W. Kennedy, 1890; John Shannon, 1894, and W. J. Gilliland, appointed in July, 1894, vice Kennedy, deceased.

CHURCHES.

The United Presbyterian Church of Adams township, known as the " Union church," was organized in 1806 near Brownsdale, as related in the history of For- ward township. In 1820 the place of meeting was changed to the point near the present house of worship, and the tent was carried thither. In 1824 the society purchased two acres from Robert Mckinney, and in 1825 erected a log building in which Rev. Matthew Williams preached until 1826, when Rev. T. C. Guthrie, a licentiate of the Pittsburg Reformed Presbytery was installed pas- tor of Union and Pine Creek churches, with William Criswell, of Glade Run Associate church, and David Spear of the Pine Creek Reformed Presbyterian church, additional elders. When the division took place the followers of the " New School " section of Union church, held the property.

In 1839 the log house was abandoned, the " Old School" party purchasing an adjoining lot and erecting a brick building on it, in which they afterward worshipped. In 1885 the " Old Schools " had called Rev. Hugh Walkinshaw as pastor, who served them until April, 1843, when he resigned. In the following

443

ADAMS TOWNSHIP.

June he was succeeded by Rev. John Galbraith, who remained until 1872, when he accepted a call for his entire time from North Union church. Mr. Galbraith was born in Donegal county, heland, April 6, 1818. He came to the United States in 1832, graduated from the Western University at Pittsburg in 1838, from the Reformed Theological Seminary of Allegheny City in 1842, was ordained in 1843, and took charge of the Union church of Adams township the same year.

On May 17, 1876, Rev. A. Kilpatrick was installed pastor of Union and Pine Creek churches. In 1877 the congregation of Union removed their church to Mars, two miles south of the old place.

The "New School " Presbyterians date their church building back to 1839. The " Old School " Presbyterians having led the way in church building, the "New School" people purchased a lot about one mile northwest of the "Old School" building, and erected a large brick house, which now carries the name, "Union Church, 1839," on a stone inserted in the gable. In 1810 an election of elders resulted in the choice of John McGeorge, Samuel Boyd, John Waldron and David Gilliland. About that time Rev. T. C. Guthrie resigned the charge, and the pulpit was supplied at intervals until 1851, when Rev. Andrew Walker was installed pastor of this and the Mount Pleasant church, as formed in 1850. In 1854 his pastorate with these organizations ceased. The elders chosen in 1855 were David Dickey, William Anderson, Joseph Douthett and Jacob Stoup. With the exception of 1857 and 1858, when Rev. Guthrie was stated supply, the pulpit was vacant until after the society merged into the United Presbyterian church. The members from the Brownsdale neighborhood withdrew in 1859 to attach themselves to a new organization there, and in June, 1859. the remnant of the Union congregation became allied with the United Presbyterians. The elders elected in January, 1860, were Joseph Johnston, Joshua Davidson and Jacob Hutchman. About that time the application for transfer to the Butler Presbytery was acquiesced in by the Allegheny Presbytery. Union and Browns- dale churches agreed to unite in one charge, and in the summer of 1861 extended a call to Rev. R. M. Patterson, who was installed as pastor November H, 1861. John Donaldson, an elder of the Evans City society, was installed an elder here in 1861; John S. Douthett and John Martin were elected elders in 1867, and Alexander Hunter, an elder of the Middlesex Presbyterian church, in 1875. In 1864 the Union and Brownsdale societies dissolved connection, and Mr. Patter- son was allowed to devote his whole time to the Old Union church until appointed by the Freedmen Missions' board school teacher at Knoxville. The society was incorporated June 14, 1866, with Jacob Ilutchman, Francis H. Davidson and Samuel Orr trustees. In 1871 Rev. R. G. Young was called by Union and Brownsdale. He accepted the call and remained until 1875. In 1880 the two churches joined in a call to Rev. R. P. McClester, who was installed June 15 of that year. May 3, 1881, J. J. Smith, a ruling elder of the United Presby- terian church of Buena Vista, was installed an elder here, and on October 14, 1886, William A. Sloan and James W. Park were elected elders. On June 9, 1890, Mr. McClister resigned, since which time the pulpit has been vacant. The session is made up of John Martin, J. J. Smith, William A. Sloan and Jacob

444

HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

Hutchman. The last named has been clerk of the session for many years. The number of members in 1894 was 141.

Crest View Presbyterian Church was organized in 1590, letters being granted August JO, of that year, by the session of Plains church to the following named members : John Staples, Mandana Staples, Nancy Staples, Susan Staples, Mand Staples, William Staples and Seth P. Staples; Joseph, Maria, Fleming, Mar- garet, Ida, Mary, Andrew and Annie L. West ; Nicoll and Nancy Allen ; Annas and Mary Metz ; Elizabeth, Alfred, Annie and Sarah Richardson ; Joseph and Jane Davis ; John Vandivort, and Tillie Goehring. The petition, bearing the above signatures was presented by Rev. R. C. Yates, and granted. The society was incorporated February 15, 1892, with Nicoll Allen, F. C. McNeal and Alfred Richardson, trustees.

The United Presbyterian Church of Mars, the early history of which is related in that of Union church, was incorporated May 16, 1893, on petition of Dr. John C. Barr, T. M. Marshall, John Davidson, John A. Criswell and Presley Duncan. On January 20, 1894, the new church building was completed at a cost of about $4,000.

The Methodist Episcopal Church of Mars was organized with eight mem- bers, Joseph Borland, one of the most zealous friends of the society, being one of them. The church building followed organization. Rev. Mr. Ilunter is now the preacher in charge.

The Evangelical Association is a recent addition to the churches of this town- ship. They have a church building, and fair sized congregation.

VILLAGES.

Mars, formerly Overbrook postoffice, is a stirring hamlet, the center of a promising oil field. In 1875 Samuel Park, the miller, was appointed postmaster at Overbrook. When the Pittsburg and New Castle Narrow Guage railroad was completed to that point, Frank Johnston built a small store, which he sold in 1877-78 to W. H. Walters and W. J. Gilliland. Two years later they sold to J. B. Dickey, when Gilliland erected a larger building west of the railroad for mercantile purposes, which Dickey also purchased. Oliver Pinkerton commenced building the third store, when the report that the depot would be moved to Little Breakneck stopped the enterprise, and caused Dickey to sell his building to W. H. Walters, who carried on business for a year, when Samuel and Andrew Thompson became the owners. Then W. J. Gilliland purchased five acres of the S. A. Kennedy tract and erected a building, now occupied by Thomas Marshall. In the fall of 1883 W. J. Gilliland and D. G. Marshall erected the store and depot, where they carried on business until 1884, the railroad office being removed from the Thompson location. D. B. Wilson, who came from Hendersonville, built a house, which he traded for the Samuel Thompson store. Later he built a second house, near the depot. F. P. Confer erected a blacksmith shop and dwelling. The shop he sold one year after to John Conley and the dwelling to John Davis. Samuel Ziegler followed Conley as blacksmith. Mrs. Craney, J. W. Davidson. Joseph Davidson, Samuel Crowe, J. E. Brown, Al. Shook, Margaret Barr, Benjamin Douthett, Brice Owens, S. J. Marshall, Andrew Barr, G. H.

445

ADAMS TOWNSHIP.

McCaw, John Magee, W. J. Link. Joseph Borland, and the Methodist Episcopal and United Presbyterian societies, were the builders of the village next to the pioneers named.

The postmasters, in order of service, were Samuel Park, W. H. Walters, J. B. Dickey, J. F. Shannon, Samuel Thompson, Thomas Marshall, D. B. Wilson, J. E. Boggs, and the present incumbent-T. M. Marshall. In November, 1882, the postal authorities changed the name to Mars. The fire of September 18, 1892, originated in the William Bowser building and destroyed that, with the houses owned by J. B. Conlin, W. J. Gilliland and J. D. Marshall. The mer- chants of the village are Dr. J. C. Barr, drugs; W. D. Boyd, lumber ; J. E. Graham, general stock ; Irvine Brothers, furniture ; Jordan & Company, general stock; W. J. Link, coal ; J. D. Marshall, general stock ; and T. H. Miles, res- taurant. The estimated population of the village in 1894 was 350, showing a remarkable advance since 1890.

Valencia, a hamlet near the south line of the township, was surveyed for Dr. S. O. Sterrett and named by him. It contains at present the general stores of J. A. & W. F. Anderson, A. L Cooper and Dr. S. O. Sterrett, and the agricul- tural implement store and coal yards of J. C. Barr.

Myoma is a small village, unpretentious in its buildings, but yet the center of a rich agricultural section. The mercantile houses of H. II. Berringer and C. B. Irvine, who took the place of J. C. Davidson ; W. W. Wilson's blacksmith shop : Rev. Mr. Shimp's church and the school-house, with a number of dwelling houses, constitute the village. The postoffice is administered by Mr. Berringer.

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.

History of Butler County, Pennsylvania, Part 55

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