History of Butler County, Pennsylvania, Part 65

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 65


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 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121 | Part 122 | Part 123 | Part 124 | Part 125 | Part 126 | Part 127 | Part 128 | Part 129 | Part 130 | Part 131 | Part 132 | Part 133 | Part 134 | Part 135 | Part 136 | Part 137 | Part 138 | Part 139 | Part 140 | Part 141 | Part 142 | Part 143 | Part 144 | Part 145 | Part 146 | Part 147 | Part 148 | Part 149 | Part 150 | Part 151 | Part 152 | Part 153 | Part 154 | Part 155 | Part 156 | Part 157 | Part 158 | Part 159 | Part 160 | Part 161 | Part 162 | Part 163 | Part 164 | Part 165 | Part 166 | Part 167 | Part 168 | Part 169 | Part 170 | Part 171 | Part 172 | Part 173 | Part 174 | Part 175


The Butler County Bank was organized in 1873, with John Satterfield, who died in Paris, France, in April, 1894. president ; George G. Stiles, cashier, and II. J. Ifoyt. teller, under the firm name of H. L. Taylor & Company. Six years later, H. J. Hoyt took the place of Stiles, and E. C. Evans, who died in April, 1894, was appointed teller. In 1880 Patrick and Thomas Dorsey, II. J. Hoyt and others purchased the interests of H. L. Taylor & Company, and, on August 1, of that year, assumed control, with Thomas Dorsey, president ; H. J. Hoyt, cashier, and C. A. Bailey, teller. With the stockholders named, were Joseph Hartman, who succeeded to the presidency, A. II. Simpson and Owen Brady. The bank was quite prosperons for several years, and finally II. J. Hoyt purchased all the stock and became sole proprietor. Ile conducted it until Jan- uary 29. 1892, when he assigned to Francis Murphy, and business was suspended. The National Building, Loan and Protective Association was organized in November, 1890.


The Life, Protective Savings and Loan Association was organized in Feb- ruary, 1894, with H. C. Litzinger, president. and Henry J. Myers, secretary and treasurer. There are at least eighteen local stockholders and the association gives every promise of being a valuable addition to the business interests of the borough.


519


MILLERSTOWN BOROUGH.


The Citizens Light and Fuel Company was organized October 1, 1587, with A. E. Barnhart, president ; C. F. Peirce, vice-president ; J. C. Gaisford, secre- tary ; H. J. Myers, treasurer ; C. F. Peirce, H. C. Litzinger, C. J. Westermann, W. A. Dennison, A. Fleeger, C. H. Johnson, J. W. Titley, 1. A. Hoch and D. B. Campbell, directors. The rates agreed upon were one dollar and a half for the first stove, and one dollar for each additional stove. Though the company at first suggested even lower prices, by October 1, 1888, it became evident that the rates were too low to be profitable and the present schedule was agreed upon. In February, 1888, the company's new well in Oakland township, 7,000 feet north by west of North Oakland, proved an enormous gas reservior, at 1,105 feet in the regular gas sand. The original well, the property of Dennison, Fleeger, Litz- inger and other> was also located in Oakland township. The company now own five wells. The Keystone Gas Company, said to have been a Standard Oil Com- pany plant, supplied the borough, prior to 1987, or until its interests were pur- chased by the new company. Mr. Barnhart was succeeded as president by A. Fleeger in 18ss; W. A. Dennison served in 1889-1890-1891 and 1. Fleeger from 1892 to 1894. J. C. Gaisford has served as secretary from the beginning. The company operates twelve miles of three-inch main outside of the borough limits, and five miles of two and three-inch main in the borough. There are 475 stoves and grates supplied and 350 lights. The company is composed of seventeen stockholders.


The Chestnut Hill Stock Farm, which now occupies the fair ground-, was established in 1>90. when the Titley Brothers erected a large stable or barn near the entrance, and introduced such famous Tennessee horses, as Hal Braden, Star Pointer and Grandview. In the spring of 1994 they had quartered there, Star Pointer and Grandview, stallions; Belle Brooks, Lottie, Mollie Amis, Lady Brooks, Bulah T. and Bulah, brood mares; Brooklet, a two-year old and a number of promising colts. On the Titley farm are thirteen head of registered Jersey cat- tle, including Michael Angelo Pogus, from the Sibley farm, and Jim Kifer. from the McBride farm.


FIRES AND FIRE COMPANIES.


The great fire of April 1, 1874, resulted in the loss of six human lives and the destruction of property valued at $200,000, on which there was but $64,000 insurance. The fire originated in the Book House, which occupied the site of the present Central Hotel-or rather in the jewelry store beneath, carried on by Fred. Schaup. It extended to the Reiber Hotel, on the north, and to the creek, on the south. In May the rebuilding of the burned district-Slippery Rock and Main streets-was rapidly carried forward. By the middle of September the town boasted of 2.500 inhabitants, while 150 derricks could be seen from the reservoir.


The fire of April 11, 1875, swept down the west side of Main street, destroy- ing, among other buildings, the Mckinney Brothers, the Galey and S. Me Bride stores and the German National Bank. with Talmo's paint and oil store, and Ben Hogan's Opera House, which stood where A. E. Barnhart's dwelling now stands.


The fire of December 6, 1877, originated in C. F. Aldinger's tobacco store,


520


HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.


and destroyed twenty-eight buildings, entailing a loss of about $120,000. The east side of Main street, to which the fire was confined, may be said to have been wiped out. The Book House, erected after the fire of 1574, at a cost of $20,000, the Schrieber House, erected in the summer of 1877, the Barnhart-Frederick building, and all the houses between the two hotels named, were swept away. On Kittanning street and Mill street, a few houses were torn down to prevent the spread of the fire, but the embers from the burning district carried destruc- tion with them to dwelling and business houses on the streets named, while, on the west side of Main street, considerable damage was done to stocks and build- ings. To the assistant chief of the fire department and a stranger, who was present, the stoppage of the fire at the Scharbach building must be credited.


The fire of July 26, 1884, was a reminder of the fire of 1874, when six human beings were burned ; of the fire of 1875, when a number of buildings fell before the flames, and of that of 1877, when the whole town was threatened. The fire of 1884 originated in B. Frederick's dry-goods store, and was not checked until the flames threatened the Herald office. Frederick's building, John Dolan's building-or the Schrieber hotel-Aldinger's dwelling, Odd Fellows' hall, Pring's harness shop and dwelling, A. Henshew's dwelling, the Misses McCarthy & Byrnes millinery store and other buildings were destroyed.


The fifth great fire at Millerstown, June 15, 1892, resulted in the destruction of twenty-five houses and much damage to seven more. All the buildings on each side of Slippery Rock street, from the Forquer House toward the railroad, may be said to have been reduced to ashes, while the Westermann and Dr. De Wolfe stores and the Forquer House were damaged. In May, 1894, a few vacant lots, showing unmistakable evidences of this conflagration, were yet await- ing the builders' enterprise.


After the first great fire a department was organized here and raised to a high point of efficiency. It fell to pieces and made way for a new company of fireman, who were uniformed and equipped for any emergency. That also was disorganized, and later associations have been very transient affairs. In 1877 John G. Myers was chief and P. A. Rattigan assistant chief of the depart- ment. The re-organization of the old fire company was effected in April, 1891, when H. J. Myers was chosen president; W. W. Grossman, vice- president ; J. J. Westermann, secretary; C. L. Myers, treasurer; J. G. Myers, chief, and William E. Lackey, assistant chief of the department. Adam Schultz was foreman ; C. A. Wagner, assistant foreman ; Fred Daum, W. W. Campbell, W. B. Byers and W. W. Grossman, nozzlemen, and P. G. Frederick, W. J. Logan, Joseph Kessler and C. L. Myers, connection- men. This new fire company went the way of the old ones ; but undeterred by failures, another attempt was made ; so that to-day every man becomes a mem- ber of the department in case of fire, the borough furnishing hose carts and other equipment. In addition to the regular water supply for fire purposes, there is a special main leading from the pump house to and through the business center of the town. In connection with this pipe line there is also a hose company.


521


MILLERSTOWN BOROUGH.


POSTMASTERS AND JUSTICES.


The postoffice was known as Barnhart's Mills for more than half a century, when a portion of the citizens concluded they wanted a new name. An effort was made at first to change the name of the borough, but this failed, and the postmaster-general was then petitioned to change the name of the postoffice to Chicora. The effort met with great opposition, and the patrons of the office were divided on the question. The descendants of the Barnhart family and their friends fought the proposed change with unflagging determination. But finally Postmaster-General Wannamaker granted the petition, and Barnhart's Mills became Chicora on October 1, 1891. In July, 1888, it was advanced to a third- class office, and the incumbents have since been appointed by the president.


The first postmaster was Matthew Dugan, followed by Solomon Fleeger, who held the office until 1854, when Michael Dieter, the tailor, was appointed. During the war Solomon Fleeger was again appointed ; in 1868, Charles F. Aldinger ; in 1872, Michael Dieter, and in 1876 Andrew Barnhart. William McLaughlin succeeded him, and served until 1885, when Austin Fleeger was commissioned. Peter A. Rattigan, editor and proprietor of the Herald, was appointed August 20, 1885, and when the office was raised to third-class, August 10, 1888, he was re-commissioned, and served until March 1. 1890, when J. J. Crawford succeeded him. Harry T. Rattigan, of the Herald, was appointed by President Cleveland in April, 1894, and local journalists of all opinions hailed the appointment with words of praise.


The justices of the peace elected in the borough since 1 56 are as follows : John J. Miller, 1856, 1861, 1880 and 1881 : John Byers, 1859; Henry L. Wester- mann, 1863; J. McMichael, 1864; J. B. Craig, 1869; Solomon Fleeger, 1873; A Shreve, 1874; F. M. Small, 1876; I. Blakley, 1878; P. A. Rattigan, 1851; J. C. Gaisford, 1882; C. F. Aldinger, 1886; G. W. Huselton, 18 7; C. F. Aldinger, 1857 ; G. W. Huselton, 1892, and J. C. Gaisford, 1892.


BOROUGH COUNCILS,


The borough was incorporated in 1855, when John Byers, Christian Gump- per, Solomon Fleeger and Andrew Barnhart were named as councilmen to act until the officers chosen at the first election would qualify. The first record of the council, now in possession of J. C. Gaisford, clerk of the borough, is dated August 13. 1856. The members present were Solomon Fleeger, II. L. Wester- mann, John Frederick and HI. Sanderson. J. J. Miller was elected clerk ; HI. L. Westermann, treasurer, and Jacob Daubenspeck, collector. The first burgess was Jacob B. Byers, succeeded by Solomon Fleeger, Andrew Barnhart, J. J. Miller, B. Gallagher, II. L. Westermann, Michael Ileckart, Michael Dieter and others who were burgesses prior to 1872.


The council chosen each year since the close of 1871, is as follows :


1872-Simeon Barnhart, burgess ; S. B. Byers, HI. L. Westermann. J. G. Myers, R. Seibert, and J. Frederick, with S. Fleeger, clerk.


1873-A. A. Hoch, burgess; A. Barnhart, T. J. Craig, Augustus Hoch, S.


522


HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.


D. Bell, and G. F. Fetzer, with S. D. Bell secretary, until September, when A. Shreve was chosen. In December, A. E. Barnhart was appointed treasurer, vice A. Barnhart, deceased.


1874-P. M. Shannon, burgess ; A. HI. Simpson, II. L. Westermann, N. L. Willard, W. II. Hoffman, W. P. Book, and W. M. Reiber, with M. G. McCaslin, secretary, succeeded by A. Thornton.


1875-John S. Allen, burgess ; A. H. Simpson, HI. F. O'Neil, II. L. Wester- mann, G. F. Fetzter, C. F. Aldinger, and T. H. Russell ; A. Shreve, clerk.


1876 -- John S. Allen, burgess; H. L. Westermann, Henry Lockhart, John Walker, A. A. Hoch, W. M. Clark, and John Satterfeld, with A. Thornton, clerk.


1877-O. D. Colby appears to have served as burgess and died during the term and F. M. Small filled the vacancy ; Martin Hoch, assistant burgess; H. L. Westermann, Henry Lockhart, John Walker, W. M. Clark, G. Chapman, S. M. Reed, and G. F. Fetzer ; A. Thornton, clerk.


1878-Isaac Blaklev, burgess ; T. ()'Connor, Dr. McMichael, C. Scharbach, Jacob Frederick, G. F. Fetzer, and J. G. Myers ; T. J. Moffitt, clerk.


1879-F. M. Small, burgess ; J. McMichael, G. F. Fetzer, C. Scharbach, Z. Double, C. F. Peirce, and J. A. Heydrick ; T. J. Moffitt, clerk.


1880-Z. Double, burgess : J. J. Miller, assistant burgess ; G. F. Fetzer, C. Scharbach, C. II. Johnson, H. L. Westermann, H. Frederick and C. F. Peirce ; P. A. Rattigan, clerk.


1881-A. A. Hoch, burgess ; G. F. Fetzer, H. Frederick, H. L. Westermann, C. Scharbach and J. G. Myers ; P. A. Rattigan, clerk.


1882-Scott Wakenight and I. C. Gaisford received sixty-three votes each for burgess, but at a special election Wakenight was elected; W. B. Byers, assistant burgess ; A. E. Barnhart, A. Hoch and Henry Lockhart ; P. A. Rattigan, clerk, succeeded by C. A. Bailey.


1883-C. H. Johnson, burgess; C. D. Aldinger, assistant burgess ; A. A. Hoch, A. E. Barnhart and R. Seibert ; C. A. Bailey, clerk.


1881-W. B. Byers, burgess : A. E. Barnhart, A. L. Brenneman, R. Seibert, F. Schweiger, E. II. Bradley and A. A. Hoch ; A. L. Brenneman, clerk.


1885-J. C. Gaisford, burgess ; William Morris, assistant burgess ; E. H. Bradley, F. Schwieger and R. Seibert ; A. L. Brenneman, clerk.


1886-C. D. Aldinger, burgess; Augustus Iloch, assistant burgess ; A. E. Barnhart, R. Seibert, F. Schwieger and Dr. J. B. Showalter ; E. J. Calvert, clerk.


1887-A. E. Barnhart, burgess; W. J. Curran, assistant burgess; E. F. Hays, W. B. Byers, W. J. Curran, C. F. Peirce, A. A. Hoch, and W. Ferguson ; E. J. Calvert, clerk.


1888-C. F. Aldinger, burgess: P. G. Frederick, assistant burgess; C. F. Peirce, A. A. Hoch, W. J. Curran and H. C. Litzinger ; E. J. Calvert, clerk.


1889-C. F. Aldinger, burgess ; P. G. Frederick, assistant burgess ; W. Fer- guson and B. J. Forquer ; E. J. Calvert, clerk.


1890-C. F. Aldinger, burgess ; W. J. Curran, B. J. Forquer, C. F. Peirce, A. A. Iloch and W. Ferguson ; J. C. Gaisford, clerk.


1891-G. W. Huselton, burgess ; S. Frankle, assistant burgess ; C. F. Peirce,


523


MILLERSTOWN BOROUGH.


A. A. Hoch, A. E. Barnhart, B. J. Forquer, W. Ferguson and W. J. Curran ; J. C. Gaisford, clerk.


1892-G. W. Huselton, burgess; P. G. Frederick, assistant burgess ; S. Frankle, B. J. Forquer and D. C. Mobley ; J. C. Gaisford, clerk.


1893-P. A. Rattigan, burgess ; A. S. Flegar, assistant burgess ; C. H. John- son and A. A. Hoch ; J. C. Gaisford, clerk.


1894-G. W. Huselton, burgess ; A. A. Hoch, Francis Murphy, W. Purucker, C. H. Johnson, S. Frankle and B. J. Forquer ; J. C. Gaisford, clerk.


In April, 1873, the council authorized the purchase of handcuffs; and in De- cember of that year sixty-seven persons petitioned the council against permitting the use of gas within the borough. In 1874 committees on finance, streets, gas, water and fire, police and health were appointed. I. M. Landers was chosen superintendent of the water works at $1,000 per annum, and the municipal body became for the first time really an active corporation, winding up the year's work by an appeal to the people to help the borough financially. The water system was the only useful improvement brought into existence by the council of that year.


SCHOOLS.


Millerstown owes its incorporation in 1855 to the liberal treatment of the villagers by the directors of the old district. The people were compelled to send their children to the common school, far from the hamlet. for a number of years, or until they could afford to erect a log cabin and employ a teacher on the sub- scription plan. Some time in the forties they accomplished this, and when the borough was erected the old log cabin was used as the school-house of the new and independent district. In fact it was so used down to 1874, when the main part of the present building was erected.


The present record book of the school district dates back to January 14, 1876, when F. M. Small, S. R. Dresser, G. F. Fetzer, Mr. Dawson, H. L. Wester- mann and S. I. McKee were members of the board. A tax of thirteen mills for school building and thirteen mills for other school purposes was levied, and a sum of twenty-four dollars was paid the German Lutheran Society for rent of their church, in which school was held. In July, 1876. Thomas J. Moffitt was hired as principal at eighty-five dollars a month, J. H. Murtland at fifty-five dol- lars, Mrs. Brown at forty-five dollars, Miss Kirsh at thirty-five dollars, Miss Jen- nings at thirty dollars and Miss Grundy at thirty dollars. S. D. Bell and A. H. Simpson were members of the board in 1877. In March, 1575, Dr. James Mc- Michael took Dr. Bell's place on the board, and F. M. Small succeeded S. I. Mc- Kee as secretary. McKee, however, was reappointed in March, 1879. In ISSO P. A. Rattigan, Z. Double and B. Frederick qualified as new members of the board, with F. M. Small secretary. In September, 1880, P. A. Rattigan suc- ceeded Small and served until June, 1883, when A. L. Brenneman was appointed. H. J. Hoyt succeeded him in 1887, followed in 1888 by C. Scharbach, who served until June, 1889, when J. C. Gaisford, the present secretary, was elected. W. L. Campbell served as principal in 1879; F. A. Hoover, 1850-SI ; O. P. Cochran,


524


HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.


182 : John Golden, 1SS3 to IS85; S. W. McGarrah, 1886; H. H. Elliott, 1887 to 1893; J. H. Wilson, July, 1893, to April, 1894, and Howard Painter, 1894-95.


The number of children of school age reported in June, 1893, was 337, or 160 males and 177 females ; the per centage of attendance was eighty-seven, and the average cost each month eighty-eight cents. The total school revenue for the year was $4,759, including a State appropriation of $1,205.80. In January, 1894, there were six teachers employed in the borough schools, namely : John H. Wilson, principal ; Margaret Moore, Ella Clark, Mary Green, Mary Sabline and Julia Rabbit. The directors at that time were C. Scharbach, J. C. Gais- ford, H. J. Myers, W. A. Dennison, John G. Myers, S. F. Showalter and Henry Sheffield. During the summer months it has been customary to carry on a Normal Academy, the principal of the common schools being the conductor.


CHURCHES AND CEMETERIES.


The First Evangelical Lutheran Church petitioned for a charter August 14, 1819, at which time were presented articles of association, signed by Rev. Eli Fair, president, and Solomon Fleeger, secretary. The order to incorporate was made October 24. 1849, Eli Fair, William McCollough, Sr., Leonard Rumbaugh, Isaac Reep and Solomon Fleeger being the trustees. Services were first held in the school house and dwellings pending the settlement of the dispute about a church location. Through the influence of Solomon Fleeger this dispute was de- cided in favor of the Millerstown site, and here a house of worship was erected. The pastors since Mr. Fair's time are as follows: Revs. Clemens Ehrenfelt, Thomas Steck. J. B. Breckenridge, J. J. Delo, Mr. Singer, A. S. Miller, J. W. Reese, J. F. Cressler, A. C. Felker, Thomas A. Himes, and Eli Miller, who re- mained here over six years. Rev. J. R. Williams succeeded him in July, 1893. William McCollough, Sr., Isaac Reep, Joseph Double, David McCollough, Sr., John Wolford, David Reep, S. W. McCollough, J. J. Miller, Solomon Fleeger, Peter McCollough, J. C. MeCollough and P. P. Kiser were installed as elders from 1870 to 1886. The membership in 1894 was 140. The present church building was dedicated in 1884, the cost of construction approximating $6,000.


St. Pauls German Evangelical Lutheran Church was formally organized in 1849, when Rev. J. G. Hahn came here to preach to the Lutherans of this section, who worshiped at the White church prior to 1849. In 1853 Rev. William A. Fetter appears to have located and to have preached here until his death in 1865. In 1554 the church was permanently organized with the follow- ing members: Leonard, John, Adam, Jacob, Peter and John Barnhart, Jr. ; George Frederick, Gottlieb and John D Aldinger ; George Reiber, Gottlieb and Martin Hoch, Simon and Nicholas Koenig, Henry L. Westermann, David Bish, Valentine Pfaff, C. Schuster, Stephen Troutman, Henry and C. C. Gumpper, Michael Dieter, Jacob Moorlock, Isaac Ellenberger, Michael Leighner, Jonathan Andre, John Wagner, N. Eitenmiller, David Barnhart, John Lahner and several others, some of whose names cannot be ascertained from the original record. Rev. L. Vogelsang came in 1865, making this church an appointment of his charge at Brady's Bend. Rev. L. F. E Krause came in 1867, as resident pastor. Rev. AAdolph Pohl came in 1869, and remained until 1876. Rev. C. Schmidt


525


MILLERSTOWN BOROUGH.


took charge of the church in 1877, and under his administration the present house of worship was erected, the number of subscribers on January 11. 1882, being forty-eight, and the amount, $3,011.50. The old church building was erected prior to 1854, and perhaps as early as 1850, on the site of the present one.


The congregation was chartered September 1, 1879. The trustees at that time were John G. Myers, II. Frederick and J. D. Aldinger; Charles Divener and H. L. Westermann, deacons; Martin Hoch and Leonard Frederick, elders, and Charles Schmidt, pastor. In 1883 Rev. E. A. Born arrived and served the society until the fall of 187, when a vacancy occurred, visiting pastors preach- ing here occasionally. Rev. C. F. W. Brecht was called in January, Isss, and took charge in May of that year. At that time there were thirty members enrolled, while to-day there are forty heads of families, the congregation embracing 375 souls. The present council is made up of August Wagner. J. G. Myers and Charles Divener, trustees ; Peter Frederick and George Frederick, elders ; Adam Schultz and E. G. Frederick, deacons.


St. John's German Reformed Church was organized June 25, 1970, with seventy-three members, among whom were David, Susan, Simon, Philip F., R. W., Joseph, Michael, Peter, Obediah, Frederick and Jacob J. Barnhart; Mar- garet and Susanna Skakeley; John, Elizabeth, Jacob, Rosanna, Jemima, Rachel and Samuel Ilemphill; Christopher, Adam, Margaret, Samuel and Catherine Stewart; John and Catherine Eberhart, Lavina Seibert, Isaac and Elizabeth Hepler, Isaac Keppel, D. Bish, Abram Henshew, J. L. Byers, John Thorn, Cath- erine Mock, Michael Myers and Charles Warner. The first pastor, Rev. A. Dale, remained until 1875, though he was only supply from the fall of 1874, when he accepted a call from the Fairview Reformed society. Rev. J. W. Als- pach was here from January. 1875, to 1886; Rev. H. H. Sandoe from 1887 to May, 1888, and Rev. H. S. Garner, from October 1, 1888, to the present time. The corner stone of the church was laid August 7, 1869, and the house was ded- icated June 26, 1870. The society, though now composed of 112 members, is served by the pastor of the Fairview church. Prior to 1879 it was served from Sugar creek or Fairview.


The Methodist Episcopal Church may be said to date back to 1874, when Rev. B. F. Dillo, of the newly formed Greece City circuit, came here to organize a class. IIe was followed by R. F. Gwinn, the first pastor, under whose direc - tion a meeting-house was erected. From 1847 to 1874 the Methodists of this section attended the Fairview church. In 1876 or 1877, Rev. R. W. Scott came, and he caused the building of the Union church at Troutman ; then came Rev. W. W. Wythe, and next, Mr. Reno. In 1878 came Rev. C. Peters, who after three years' services, made way in 1881 for Rev. J. Lusher, who was here until 1884, when Rev. D. S. Steadman was appointed to the charge. The pastors since that time are as follows : Revs. P. J. Slattery, 1886: B. F. Wade, 1557; William Branfield, 1888, who remained until the fall of 1893, when Rev. J. H. Laverty took charge. In April, 1894, there were 150 members and seventy five probationers enrolled. The old parsonage was erected during Mr. Scott's terin; but when Mr. Slattery came he stated that he would prefer the noise of the rail- road to that made by school children and the society acceded to hi- preferences.


526


HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.


For a number of years, Solomon Pontius was superintendent of the Sabbath school, while H. J. Hoyt was also a zealous worker.


Mater Dolorosa Catholic Church was organized in 1878 by priests from St. Patrick's parish, who held occasional services in the old log school house. For many years prior to this stations were held periodically at the Boyle and Mclaughlin dwellings, in the vicinity of Milletstown, by Father Ferry and succeeding pastors of St. Patrick's congregation, so that the church of to-day is merely a continuation of these missions of pioneer days. The present church building was dedicated in 1874. under the title, " Mater Dolorosa." The families belonging to the new congregation were William Forquer, Timothy and Michael Sweeney. Bernard and William McLaughlin, James C. Redd, Timothy Nolan, Mrs. Ellen Nolan, Thomas Dorsey, Patrick Dorsey, Michael Haines, Cornelius McCarthy, Jeremiah Healy, Daniel G. McLaughlin, Neil, Patrick, Francis and P. M. Boyle, the Widow McNally, Patrick Conarthy, Cephas Mclaughlin, William Brennan, John D. Collins, William McCollough, John Farnan and John Little, Sr. Within a few years other families, such as the Rattigans and Litzingers, settled at Millerstown. In April, 1885, the Passionist fathers held the first mission here, a memorable event in the history of the congregation. The pastors of St. Patrick's parish have had charge of this church since its organization.




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.