USA > Pennsylvania > Butler County > History of Butler County, Pennsylvania > Part 67
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The Argyle Savings Bank, of Petrolia, established in September, 1572, offered interest on time deposits ranging from four to six per cent. The directors of the bank were John Pitcairn. Jr., John Satterfield, H. L. Taylor, George V. Forman. J. J. Vandergrift and George W. Thumm. After passing through many hands, it failed in 1891, injuring only the stockholders,
Near and at Argyle the highest well mouth did not exceed 1, 171 feet above the ocean, and that was Bly & Rowley's Number 2, on the A. L. Campbell farm. The well on the Harrop farm, Emery & Caldwell's producers on the R. D. Camp- bell farm, A. L. Campbell's wells, Satterfield & Taylor's wells, and other famous producers, were commenced at points ranging from 1,149 to 1,171 feet above the ocean level.
Angelica, on the Storey and Kepler farms, sprung into existence in June, 1873, when twenty store and dwelling houses were raised and occupied.
Iron City, now practically a part of Millerstown, was a busy place in 1873. Even prior to that date, in 1869, the Reformed society erected a church there, the history of which is given in the chapter on Millerstown. Hardware stores, saloons, hotels, boarding houses and all the institutions of an oil town were there even before the great railroad trestle was built, but the site is now given up to agriculture, the wrecks of derricks speaking of its former greatness.
Haysville is located in the midst of what was a most prolific oil field, where the Union Oil Company, or H. L. Taylor & Company, had, early in the seven- ties, ninety-seven producers, ranging in depth from 1,630 to 1,700 feet. That known as " Matthew Storey Number 2" opened as a 1,200-barrel producer, and others were equally great gushers. Thomas Hays ultimately became owner of the greater part of the lands, laid out the village round John McCorkle's store, and established his mercantile house there in 1875. A year after N. W. Krause opened his oil well supply store, and fifty or sixty other buildings were erected. Owing to the decrease in production, beginning in 1979, the people sought better fields, and Haysville was deserted.
CHAPTER XLV.
FAIRVIEW BOROUGH.
FOUNDING AND GROWTH OF THE VILLAGE-LATER BUSINESS ENTERPRISES -OIL FEVER -POPULATION-SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES-INCORPORATION AND OFFICIALS-POST- MASTERS AND JUSTICES OF THE PEACE-DESTRUCTIVE FIRES-SECRET SOCIETIES.
T HE village of Fairview was founded seventy-seven years after the French discovered oil on Oil creek, and almost forty-two years before the American operators knew anything of the "Fannie Jane," or her extraordinary contem- poraries on Bear creek. In 1826, it is true, James McElwee opened a little stock of whisky and groceries at the point now called Fairview, but not until 1830 did Thomas McCleary and William Hawk, who died in 1848, survey the site into town lots. Peter Beighley, the first postmaster, Robert Patton, the second post- master, James Adams, James McElwaine, the Star Route contractor, William McCafferty, John Emerick, John Smith, George Ward and James Moore were the first lot buyers. William McCafferty established a cabinet shop in 1830 or 1831, and also a tavern. McElwee appears to have left the place and Robert Patton to have succeeded him as merchant. George Ward was mail carrier and James Moore was the village blacksmith. John Adams opened a stock of goods in John Smith's house in 1838-39. This house, with twelve others, then constituted the town. A log house occupied the site of the present Adams House, in which James Adams opened a store. Within the ensuing ten years some progress was made ; George Emerick entered into friendly competition with McCafferty in the tavern business ; Shields Adams competed with Robert Patton and Maj. James Adams for general trade; James Scott opened a harness shop, and one or more tradesman found employment there. The Fairview foundry was established in 1844 by Col. James A. Gibson and M. S. Adams. The latter was also in the mercantile business until 1858, when he sold to Arnold & Crawford. la 1858 Arnold & Crawford became owners of the foundry, which was carried on from the fall of that year until 1860 by J. J. Maxwell, lessee. In the latter year he purchased the property, and continued to operate it until 1872.
In 1846 Shields Adams carried on a hotel in the old Emerick House. The old Adams House, a three-story frame building, was erected in 1872 for Maj. W. C. Adams. The building in itself is a history of the oil town. Before the pro- duction in the Fairview neighborhood fell to zero, the owner died, and the big hotel was taken apart, the lumber hauled to Butler, reconstructed opposite the McKean street school and named the Waverly House. In 1873 there were four licensed hotels, namely : The Adams House, the O'Brien House, the Ray House and the McFann House, now the Adams Hotel.
536
HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
The Fairview Reporter was established in 1872 by Col. Samuel Young, with R. W. Criswell, editor. In 1873 publication was discontinued. the owner and editor seeking a larger field for newspaper work.
The Fairviewe Deposit and Savings Bank was established August 15, 1872, by Ralston, McQuade & Company to transact a general banking and exchange business. The firm had an office also at Karns City, and transacted business at both places for some time, with D. A. Ralston president, and R. W. McKee cashier. On March 15, 1882, the concern closed its doors, leaving nominal assets. The liabilities, which aggregated $225,000, represented the savings of a thousand people and the capital of many oil operators and merchants.
In 1871 the oil men came to change all the quiet and happiness of forty years' growth into a cauldron, boiling with excitement, hope, disappointment, pleasure, joy and sorrow. They succeeded, and the old village was lost in the rioting of speculation and pleasure which reigned here after the Argyle stampede. A mania for boring through the earth seemed to have taken possession of young and old, merchant and tradesman. It was an epidemic of enterprise and is fully described in a preceding chapter.
In August, 1872, the Jameson well reached Third sand, at a depth of 1,430 feet, when a vein of gas and oil was struck. The two liquids caught fire, destroyed the rig and smothered young Jameson. The flow of oil was 300 barrels at first, then decreased to 200, and by August 30, fell to 150 barrels a day.
In 1870 the village contained some 200 inhabitants, but in 1876 there were over 1,000. By 1880 the population had dwindled to 333, and the census of 1890 gave it 303.
SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES.
In 1825 the first school building on the site of Fairview was erected. It was a rude log structure, with greased paper in the openings to take the place of glass, and a huge fire place. In 1835 Squire Thomas McCleary taught in the old school on the Rankin farm. In 1857 a modern school house was built. In 1875 this house being too small to accommodate all the pupils, a new two-story build- ing, thirty by sixty, costing, including furniture, $4,200, was erected, $2.200 of this amount being raised by subscription and a fair or festival. The present direc- tors, elected in February, 1894, are J. J. Maxwell and W. P. Jameson, the old board comprising II. S. Garner, W. C. Hawn, Thomas Hays, J. A. Wilson, J. M. Byers and 1I. W. Jameson. The children of school age, in June, 1893, numbered thirty-eight males and forty-one females. The total school revenue for 1893 was $874.64, including a State appropriation of $424.96.
The German Lutheran Church was organized here two years after the sur- vey of the town site was made, when the society erected a round-log house, with- out flooring, and with a roof only useful in dry weather. Owing to the limited number and financial condition of the worshipers, the Reformed society, and per- haps the first Methodist class, became interested in the old log house, and made of it a Union church, the former holding services therein until the building of their present church, in 1-57. The old log house, which stood opposite Young's
537
FAIRVIEW BOROUGH.
blacksmith shop, was moved by William McCafferty and is now a barn on David Rankin's farm.
St. Peter's Reformed Church may be said to have been organized in 1845, by Rev. Samuel Miller, of the old White Church congregation of Sugar creek. In 1849 Rev. L. D. Leberman succeeded him, but Mr. Miller resumed charge of St. Peter's as one of his appointments in 1850. Rev. 11. H. Hartman succeeded him in 1852 ; Rev. Abner Dale came in 1856; Rev. David O. Shoemaker in August, 1860; Rev. J. S. Shade in 1865, and Rev. Abner Dale again in September, 1869. He was pastor until his death, January 16, 1875. In June Rev. Joseph Hannaberry was elected pastor and served until April, 1879, when Rev. J. W. Alspach was called. In 1887 Rev. H. H. Sandoe came, and he was succeeded in October, 1888. by Rev. H. S. Garner, the present pastor, who has also charge of the church at Millerstown. The membership is placed at 118. On May 31, 1857, a frame building, erected by M. S. Ray in 1854, was dedicated. It was improved with a new roof in 1889 and again improved in 1892, and is now a fair house of worship. Down to 1874 this church was in the Sugar Creek charge. Then it became a distinct charge and remained so until 1879, when it was con- nected with the Millerstown church. The elders are William Ellenberger, J. D. Daubenspeck and J. M. Byers ; the deacons, Thomas Snow, Charles Ellenberger and David Daubenspeck. It was chartered November 3, 1876, with the follow- ing members : Joseph Hannaberry, John Daubenspeck, William Ellenberger, David Daubenspeck. Thomas Snow, Christian Gerner and Henry Shakeley.
The United Presbyterian Church dates back to 1834, when all but five families and one elder withdrew from the Bear Creek Presbyterian church and established the Associate Reformed church here, Rev. Joseph Johnston being credited with the leadership of the movement. The older Presbyterian church then became the Bear Creek United Presbyterian church, with Mr. Johnston as pastor. Revs. James Green. Robert W. Oliver, Riddle, James H. Fife and John A. Campbell were the pastors down to 1857, when the place of meeting was changed to Fairview village, where Robert Hawn erected a church in 1850. Rev. W. P. Breaden was ordained pastor, and was followed by Rev. Mr. Dodds, who served until 1878, when Rev. A. B. C. McFarland was ordained. The new building was dedicated August 24, 1883, on the site of the old church, which was taken down. Its building may be credited to the zeal and energy of Mr. Mc- Farland, who watched its construction and saw that the house was paid for as soon as the contractor reported it finished. William Gibson, John C. Ray and William Wilson lent important aid to the pastor. The society was incorporated September 12, 1883, the petitioners being W. Campbell, William Gibson, J. A. Wilson, J. C. Ray, M. P. Black and William Wilson. The new church was erected by Frank Stewart at a cost of $16,000, after plans by Bailey, of Pitts- burg. It is a German Gothic building, in red brick from the Gamble brickyard. Since Mr. McFarland's time Rev. R. M. Sherrard has been the only ordained pastor.
The Presbyterian Church was organized August 12, 1875, with ten mem- bers, by T. S. Negley, a student of Princeton college, who began his labors July 4, 1875, and Elders Thomas Hays and Robert W. McKee. They, with Mrs.
538
HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
Elizabeth Black, Mrs. Kate J. Ilays, Thomas HI. and Nancy HI. Moore, Curtis Moore, Jennie Moore, Mrs. Clara Stetson and Mrs. Harriet Young, were the first members. By August 21. 1875, the membership was increased to twenty- one. Eight days later Mr. Negley bade farewell to the congregation and, on November 6. his place was taken by Rev. I. D. Decker, who preached in the Ger- man Reformed building a day later, and also, on the same day, in the school house at Karns City. In February, 1876, the two churches had a membership of fifty-nine, and a movement to erect buildings was inaugurated. The trustees were the elders named, with M. S. Ray, R. M. Russell and D. F. McKee. On February 17, Thomas B. Clark, Thomas Hays, William Flemming, R. W. McKee and Alexander Ralston were appointed a building committee, and on May 25, work on the building at Fairview commenced, though ground was broken for the Karns City building the day before. The first was completed and dedicated December 17, 1876, the cost being $6,000. Mr. Decker was ordained pastor November 1, and on November 16, Karns City was consti- tuted a separate church, with thirteen members, the pastor continuing to serve both congregations until January 8, 1877. On October 2, however, he was asked to give half of his time to Karns City, and on October 30 became pastor of that congregation. At the beginning of 1878 there were ninety members at Fairview and fifty at Karns City. In 1883, M. S. Ray was chosen an additional elder. Mr. Decker continued until October, Iass, and was succeeded by Rev. F. A. Kearns, who served until January, 1892, when Rev. W. L. MeClure suc- ceeded him, being ordained in September, 1593. There are now fifty-three members.
The Methodist Episcopal Church dates back to the thirties, when the old Lutheran church was transformed into a Union meeting house. In 1847 a house of worship was erected, which is still used. Later the place was a charge of the Clinton circuit, again united with North Washington and again with Karns City, to which circuit it now belongs.
INCORPORATION AND OFFICIALS. .
The petition for the incorporation of Fairview borough was recommended by the grand jury February 28, 1866, and granted in September, 1867. The petitioners were J. J. Maxwell, J. S. Moore, W. Alexander, Harrison Gibson, John Bice, Henry Grupen, M. W. Alexander, HI. Wagner, A. C. Gibson, William Patton, S. S. Beatty, J. W. Waters, E. Scott, S. S. Bell, D. A. Holmes, W. C. Adams, M. S. Ray, A. H. Maxwell, J. C. Alexander, John Smith, Dr. J. F. Beatty, T. M. McMillen. Charles Fowler, W. F. Bice, R. Wood and Charles Millinger. Nothing appears to have been done under this act of incorporation for some years. In fact the first record is dated October 2, 1872, and ends March 8, 1873. The burgess and councilmen elected annually since 1872 are as follows :-
1872-John Pollock, burgess ; James Rutherford, A. J. Mabb, Harrison Gibson, Chambers Scott and J. J. Maxwell, councilmen ; W. F. Bice, con- stable ; John Smith, and A. ()'Brien, overseers of the poor, with M. S. Ray,
.
539
FAIRVIEW BOROUGH.
secretary. George H. Bemus was chosen permanent secretary, and R. W. McKee, treasurer.
1873-A. J. Mabb, James McCleary, R. W. McKee, J. J. Maxwell, John Ervin.
1874-James Rutherford, burgess. There is no record for 1874 or 1875.
1876-George H. Graham, burgess ; M. S. Ray, Hugh Young, J. A. Ervin, R. W. McKee and O. E. Tiffany.
1877-George H. Graham, burgess ; II. C. Birchard, assistant burgess; A. J. Nicholson, J. E. Brownyear, Franklin Chapman and J. J. Maxwell.
1878-George H. Graham, burgess; J. J. Maxwell, assistant burgess ; George W. Grow, II. C. Birchard and J. E. Brownyear.
1879-Thomas Hays, burgess ; Milton Conway, assistant burgess; R. W. McKee and J. A. Wilson.
1880-Thomas Hays, burgess: J. D. Burton, assistant burgess; A. J. Nich- olson, W. T. McCoy and James Rutherford.
1881-M. S. Ray, burgess; H. C. Birchard, assistant burgess; G. H. Gra- ham and E. Koonce.
1882-M. S. Ray, burgess; P. B. Kelchner. assistant burgess; Samuel Eykes, Thomas Hays and A. Grow.
1883-J. M. Byers, burgess ; P. T. Templeton and A. C. Gibson.
1884-James Byers, burgess ; T. P. Kelchner, assistant burgess; D. Eykes and H. Gibson.
1885-George H. Graham, burgess; William Storey, assistant burgess ; J. A. Wilson and P. B. Kelchner.
1886-G. H. Graham, burgess : William Storey, assistant burgess; Charles Hindman and W. P. Jameson.
1887-A. Grow, burgess ; M. S. Ray and A. T. McDowell.
1888-A. L. Timblin, burgess; P. R. Bollinger, assistant burgess ; A. C. Gibson and Eli Reep.
1889-A. L. Timblin, burgess; D. W. McClure, assistant burgess, and James Byers.
1890-Samuel Eykes, burgess; R. C. Scott, assistant burgess, and John Graham.
1891-Samuel Eykes, burgess ; R. C. Scott, assistant burgess; H. Gibson and F. M. Michael.
1892-Dr. V. F. Thomas, burgess; Charles McClung, assistant burgess ; J. A. Wilson and George H. Graham.
1893-Dr. V. F. Thomas, burgess ; Charles McClung, assistant burgess ; William Ellenberger and J. H. Warnmack.
1894-John Bice, burgess ; W. C. Hawn, D. Eyke, and F. M. Michael elected, but Mr. Hawn did not qualify. William Ellenberger, F. M. Michael, J. A. Wil- son, David Eykes and George II. Graham form the present council, with Sam- uel H. Templeton, secretary.
540
HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
POSTMASTERS AND JUSTICES.
The post-office was established near Bear Creek church in 1831, with Peter Beighley postmaster, and George Ward mail carrier, on the Butler road. Beigh- ley was succeeded in 1835 by Robert Patton. Dr. Bullard was the next incum- bent ; William Alexander and Dr. Beatty held the office subsequently; then W. C. Adams served prior to December, 1870, when William Alexander was appointed. the office being then named Baldwin in honor of Henry Baldwin, one of the first lawyers of the old circuit. Chambers Scott succeeded Mr. Alexander, but within a year, or on August 26, 1587. Samuel H. Templeton was appointed his successor. It was made a money order office April 4, 1892.
The justices of the peace elected since 1>73 are as follows : A. G. Mahaffy, 1873; M. S. Ray, 1874, 1879, 1885 and 1890; W. C. Adams, 1879; J. D. Bur- ton, 1881; James T. Wilson, 1888; William Storey (did not qualify) ; L. R. McFann, 1884 and 1889, and William Gibson, 1891.
DESTRUCTIVE FIRES.
The first fire in 1873 originated in the Patton clothing store, north of M. S. Ray's house, destroying it, with Clark & Timblin's office. The second fire started in the spring of 1874, in the old McCafferty House, occupied at the time by A. O'Brien, destroying the property. The explosion of gas, on January 28, 1877, in Robert Patton's house, resulted in wrecking the building, in the death of Mrs. Patton, and in serious injury to the owner and Rev. Mr. Decker, who had his rooms there. It appears that gas from the main found a way into the cellar under the frozen ground, and filled the space. A lighted lamp, being placed at the head of the cellar way, soon played the part of fuse and a mighty explosion followed. The fire of February 20, 1877, destroyed the building occupied by Mrs. Adams' millinery store, R. J. Wiles & Company's grocery store, Lupher's hardware store and T. A. Smith's book store. The old Emerick House, which stood nearly opposite the Hawn store. and was occupied by Wilson as a hotel, was burned August 9, 1881. C. Alexander's drug store was destroyed in 1885, the property belonging to Squire Ray.
SECRET SOCIETIES.
Victorious Lodge, I. O. G. T., was organized in February, 1877, with thirty-two members-R. J. Shanor presiding.
Liberty Lodge, Number 965, K. of II., was organized March 19, 1878, with the following named members: Thomas B. Clark, George H. Graham, Thomas Hays, A. J. Nicholson, Thomas F. Moore, J. L. Hite, M. S. Ray, R. W. McKee, S. I. Strickland, J. E. Brownyear, James Rutherford, F. H. Chapman, Thomas A. Smith, J. W. Love, H. C. Birchard, J. J. Maxwell, G. C. Maxwell, J. A. Gortland, J. A. Knapp, 1. T. McKee, W. J. Pollock, A. P. Shearer, G. W. McGroin, R. M. Russell and G. W. Miller. The Union Hall was originally built by David Stewart in 1875 for mercantile uses, and he kept store there until 1878, when it was sold at sheriff's sale, and was ultimately purchased by the Knights of Honor. It is now jointly owned by this lodge, the United Workmen
541
FAIRVIEW BOROUGH.
and the American Mechanics. Formerly the Equitable Aid Union had an inter- est in it. In the fall of 1893 there were twenty-nine members in this lodge. Four members have died since the organization : Miller, Russell, Conway and Bell.
McNair Lodge, Number 107, A. O. U. W., was organized April 5, 1877, with twenty-three members, which increased before the close of the year to sixty- five. C. C. Alexander was P. M. W. ; A. J. Nicholson, M. W ; W. H. Scott, G. F .; E. Coons, O .; C. W. Hovis, recorder; W. M. Patton, receiver; Charles Hindman, G. ; A. S. Miller, J. W., and P. L. Gibson, O. W.
Baldwin Union, Number 467, E. A. U., was organized in July, 1852, with twenty members. The lodge holds its charter with five members, namely : Thomas Hays, Keziah J. Hays, Sophia M. McClure, J. D. Burton and O. W. Akin.
Baldwin Council, Number 751, Fr. O. U. A. M., was chartered September 21, 1892, with the following named members : S. H. Templeton, E. E. Reep, (). W. Reep. George W. Campbell, J. W. Wagoner, H. W. Jameson, John H. Graham, James Alexander, S. A. Keefer, C. M. Storey, H. D. Storey, D. I. McClintock, R. N. Wilson, W. F. Alexander, E. W. Byers, J. M. Byers, P. R. Bollinger and James M. Maxwell.
The Producers' Protective Union, Number 12, was organized at Karns City, September 23. 1877, with W. H. Hoffman, president ; T. P. Thompson and N. B. Parker, vice-presidents ; M. H. Mercer, secretary ; A. J. Saulsbury, treas- urer, and John Galloway, sergeant-at-arms. The charter members of the asso- ciation numbered thirty. The organization finally fell to pieces, most of the members joining in the stampede to the Bradford field.
CHAPTER XLVI.
PETROLI BOROUGH.
FOUNDING OF THE TOWN-OIL DISCOVERED-RAPID GROWTH-EARLY BUSINESS INTER- ESTS-THE NOTORIOUS BEN HOGAN-POPULATION AND STATISTICS-POSTOFFICE AND SCHOOLS-DESTRUCTIVE FIRES, ETC-FIRE COMPANIES AND WATER SUPPLY- THE GREAT FLOOD-CHURCHES-BOROUGH COUNCILS AND JUSTICES OF THE PEACE -BANKS AND BUSINESS COMPANIES-SECRET SOCIETIES.
TN February, 1872, the site of Petrolia was a part of the Bear Creek wil- derness. The little building erected by W. E. Clark that month was the beginning of the town, though the J. B. Jameson farm house stood where the present opera house is, and the cleared lands and homes of A. L. Campbell and George H. Graham stood in evidence of pastoral civilization having settled there before commercial enterprise appeared. In April, 1872, the "Fannie Jane" was drilled into the oil land by Dimmick, Nesbitt & Lardin, and the fluid responded to the drill in such large quantities that the wilderness was soon filled with an army of excited oil men. A newspaper reporter, who rode down from Parker's Landing in the summer of that year, passed en route some twenty wagon loads of houses and household effects, including one two-story house forty feet square, which was undergoing removal for the fifth time. Before the close of the year a town, said to contain about 2,000 inhabitants, was brought into existence.
In December, 1 78, there were at that point four hotels, twelve grocery stores, two hardware stores, two dry goods stores, three clothing stores, two bakeries, seven barber shops, three machine shops, two meat markets, two drug stores, two billiard halls, one news room, and the offices of three physicians and several lawyers. The reporter of the period did not calculate the number of saloons, but it is certain that in 1874 there were sixty saloons in the village.
The first grocery and saloon was established at the corner of Main and Jamison streets, by John Painter, who moved from Brady's Bend in 1872. R. W. Cram built a news room and private postoffice; W. E. Clark erected a house, which was used as a machine shop by Wm. Robertson ; Ben Ilogan's opera house and gaming hall, Peter Christie's Central Hotel, McBride's drug store, Courtney's machine shop, and D. C. Backus, who moved his store and hardware stock from Argyle, were all here early in 1872. About that time the Argyle Bank was moved to Petrolia. Ellis Goodman opened a stock of clothing in 1873, L. P. Cross a photographer's studio, and scores of others established stores and shops here within the succeeding three years. From the spring of 1875 to the fall of 1877 it was an extraordinary specimen of the oil town species. Men and
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PETROLIA BOROUGH.
women, as good and true as the country ever produced, were here in numbers, while the representatives of the other class were also numerous, parading their vices in the sunlight as well as in the glare of the gaslight, in the Coliseum and Oil Exchange as well as on the streets. In Centennial year the E. P. Chesebro and the Benedict dry goods stores were opened ; drug stores, hotels, restaurants and saloons multiplied and began to assume permanency. In 1878 James L. Clark bought the house which he established as the Hotel Brunswick.
Argyle was eaten up by the new town at the cross roads, and each morning beheld new hotels, new stores and dwellings rising above the creek and in the valley. The population jumped from zero to 3,000, and from 3,000 to 5,000. The oil reservoirs of the twenty-second degree belt yielded up a golden stream, and money was expended lavishly and foolishly. This reign of prosperity was tem- pered by many set backs. Several conflagrations and one destructive flood vis- ited the place; but all could not quell the enterprise or the revels of the people.
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