USA > Pennsylvania > Butler County > History of Butler County, Pennsylvania > Part 74
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Emanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church was organized January 2, 1543, with Lewis Roth, David Roth, William Albert. J. J. Shanor, Robert Scott, Thomas Garvey, Benjamin C. Roth and David Barkley official members. The formal meeting was held December 4. 1542. the first meeting of council February 27, 1843, and on May 21 the Lutheran communion was administered to thirty-four members. Prior to 1815 services were held in the school-house or in the AAssociate Reformed building : then an old building was purchased from G. P. Robinson for $300, which was used as a meeting house down to the completion of the present brick church. March 9, 1-19. The pastors of the con- gregation since 1843 are named as follows: Revs. G. Bassler, 1818: A. H. Waters, 1855; Lewis Hippe. 1867; S. HI. Swingle. IS74; G. W. Critchlow. 1880; R. R. Durst, 1886, and N. Sheffer. January 27, 1889, to December 1. 1894. The pulpit is now vacant. The English Lutheran society paid one-half the cost of the building and now own an equal share therein. The membership of Emanuel church at the beginning of 1891 was 163, an increase of ten in twelve years.
The German Reformed and Lutheran Church had its inception December 5, 1842, though organization was not completed for fully a year later, when the 38
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594
HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
Lutheran communion service was conducted in the English language. Rev. John Issense presided over the meeting in 1844, when Daniel Heck, Peter Klinger and Christian West were chosen elders, and they, with twenty-five others, formed the society. Rev. Herman Muntz was the first regular preacher, Prospect being in his appointment. Messrs. Brecht, Lachenmeyer, Waltberger and Dechant, names well known and often repeated in the several sketches of the Lutheran churches of this county, filled the pulpit successively down to 1865. when Rev. C. A. Limburg, of the Butler church, took charge, holding services every fourth Sabbath in the Lutheran building, which is owned jointly by the Lutherans and the German Reformed people.
Bethel Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in 1844 by Rev. Samuel Crouse, with Alexander Bryson leader. Prior to that date, however, George A. Kirkpatrick, who is said to have renounced Presbyterianism in Ireland, in favor of John Wesley's newer doctrine, was leader of a Methodist class here. From 1844 to 1861 the members worshiped in the school house or in the Cumberland Pres- byterian meeting house. In the latter year an attempt was made to erect a church, but not until 1866 could the owners say that the present frame building was complete. The society was incorporated June 12, 1862, with John Ilipple, Samuel Me Elhaney, Robert Thompson, Thomas Alexander and Alfred G. Riddle, trustees. In January, 1878, Thomas Galloway, Adam Weber and John HI. MIc- Lure were elected trustees. John Cooper succeeded the last named as secretary in January, 1891. These officers, with Abram Weigle, are now trustees. Prior to 1885 the circuit was composed of Prospect, Harmony and Petersville, but since that time Renfrew has taken the place of Harmony. The preachers in charge have been J. R. Stiffy, 1886; R. L. Hickman. 1888; S. M. Mackey, 1890, and W. F. Hunter, 1891. F. B. Cutler, the present pastor in charge, came in 1893.
The Cumberland Presbyterians, seeing the Associate Reformers, Lutherans and Methodists organized in the " Forties," determined not to be outdone, and imitated their neighbors. A society was formed with Samuel Hoon and wife, James Hays, Robert Scott, Samuel Hays, John Shearer, John A. Dickey, Enos MeLure and Thomas Critchlow members. In 1550 a brick house for worship was erected by Thomas Critchlow, the same now owned by the Presbyterians. Rev. Joseph Bowman was their preacher at that time and down to 1863, when he went into the military service, as related in a previous chapter. After the war he resumed his labors, remained a year or so, and then was succeeded by Revs. J. N. Gallagher, Mr. Wall, J. K. Norris, J. R. Morris and W. F. Silvius, in the order given. Rev. R. N. Grossman came in 1885 and remained until the dissolution of the church in 1887.
The Presbyterian Church was organized July 8, 1887. On June 21, 1887, a petition from the Cumberland Presbyterian society was presented, asking to be admitted as a body or as individuals : T. J. Critchlow, J. L. Wilson and J. B. Kaler presented this petition. On the first date given a society of seventy mem- bers was formed, thirty-six of whom were formerly of the Mt. Nebo society, twenty-six of the Cumberland Presbyterian, six from other churches and two on examination. The elders chosen were John Martin, John Weigle, Elliott Robb,
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John Cratty, G. W. Stevenson, J. D. Wilson, T. J. Critchlow and W. F. Hen- shaw. The trustees elected were J. M. Lieghner, M. D. ; A. A. Kelty, M. D., and A. Bowers. It is now in the Mt. Nebo appointment. In April, 1893, it was credited with eighty-seven members.
CHAPTER LV. LANCASTER TOWNSHIP'.
ORGANIZATION- PIONEERS- POPULATION AND STATISTICS -- SCHOOLS AND JUSTICES OF THE PEACE -- CHURCHES MIDDLE LANCASTER OIL, BRUNN.
L ANCASTER township was organized in 1854, its territory being taken from Connoquenessing township, directly west of which it lies. Owing to the rugged and broken character of its surface it was not settled or developed as rapidly as many of the other townships in the county, although the pioneers found their way within its boundaries at an early day, the first actual settler, a hunter, named Eli Scholar, making his home here in the wilderness before the appearance of the surveyors in the township. When, in 1796, other settlers appeared here, the solitary hunter disappeared, and, in 1803, when the county was organized, not one of the inhabitants knew that such a man as Eli Scholar existed.
The Beighleys may, however, be credited with pioneer honors, for a number of them came in 1796 and entered at once on the improvement of their lands. Henry, John, George and Peter Beighley were the pioneers; but John, Henry and Peter were the only land owners of the family in 1803. The story of Henry Beighley's first cabin, a short one, is worth repeating. He had a few logs in place when he left his work to visit a neighbor. While absent a new comer, seeing the unfinished cabin, took possession of it and was at work building when the origi- nal beginner appeared. The matter was submitted to a committee of pioneers, who decreed the title to be in Beighley, and so he completed the little home. A few days after, a band of Indians from Lawrence county tore down the cabin.
William Martin and family fled from Ireland, after the unsuccessful Rebel- lion of 1798, and, in 1801, settled on a 400-acre tract in the Yellow creek valley. Samuel Stewart was not the owner of land in 1803, though he located here. with his large family, in 1801. He was a celebrated hunter, however, and made the chase profitable. Mrs. Anne Freeman and William Freeman, a single man, located a few miles north of the old Indian town, which stood near the present town of Harmony. The Morrisons-John and William-came in 180] ; but did not begin agricultural life until late in ISO3.
HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
Between the years 1803 and ISII, such pioneers as Henry Baumgartner, Joseph Neely, John Neely. John Ruby, Abraham Moyer, Thomas Ruby, Jacob Nelly. Peter Neely, John Boyer, who settled near the south township line, William Bellis, who came in ISTI and died in IS5l, and a few others found homes in the township. The true settlement of the township was not effected. however. until the Harmonists or Economists sold their estate here to Abraham Ziegler, in ISI5.
In 1817 Henry Rice and George Kneiss moved up from Harmony, and Samuel Meyer from Northumberland county. Conrad Myers, son of Samuel Myer-, was born here in 1820. In IS19 came David Stauffer, from Westmore- land county, and Daniel Ramsey, from Adams or Cranberry township. Gottlieb Peffer, who came from Germany with his parents to Harmony in IS19, did not move into this township until 1899, requiring nearly 20 years to carry out his original intention of settling here. John Scott brought his family here from Lawrence county in 1820. Lewis Teats, John Lutz. John Myers, Ilosea King and John Shaffer were here in 1828. The Matthews and Henry Schoener also came in the twenties. In the thirties a number of settlers located here, such as the Scheidemantles and the Flinders, thus completing or rounding out the list of pioneers.
The first enumeration of inhabitants was made six years after the township's organizatión, or in 1860, when there were 1.130 persons reported. In 1870 the number was 1,059: in 1880. 1.070. and in 1890, 946. The assessed value Janu- ary 1. IS91. was $281, 129. the county tax $1, 186.50, and the State tax $226.27.
SCHOOLS AND JUSTICES.
The first school was that on the ridge near the western line of the township. it was established prior to 1920 by Samuel Pollock the first teacher, and carried on sufrequently by William Bird. John Welch and Henry Falls. In ISIS a log cabin was erected west of Whitestown, for church and school purposes. It stood ett the site of the " Stone Church," and there Nicholas Muhlieson, John Con- stantine, John MeHenry, and other German- American teachers wielded the birch ne cessfully. In the " Thirties" John Welsh and Henry Johns were the com- Tion school teachers, while north of the present north towhship line. John Ster- rett and Charles Phillips taught a small class, made up principally of Lancaster township children. In June. 1893, there were 112 male and 118 female children of school age. The total moneys received for school purposes during the year 1-92-93 amounted to $2. 166.88, of which a sum of $922.49 was appropriated by the State.
The justices of the peace elected in Lancaster township from its organization to 1SOL are named as follows :- Abraham Moyer. 1854, 1861 and 1866 ; James S. Kirker. 1:56: John II. Gibson. 1959: James Morrison, IS61: J. D. Lytle. 1566; Henry Leubben, ISTI: John Heberling, 1872 and 1877; Jacob Laderer, 1876 md ISSE: John Martin, 1879: J. S. Rice, ISSI: W. Il. Leubben. 1555 and IS,00; E. R. R. Boyer. 1886 and 191, and J. L. Moritz. 1-93.
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LANCASTER TOWNSHIP.
CHURCHES.
St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church dates its organization to 151s. when a log building was erected in the Beighley neighborhood west of Whites- town. In its membership the society dates back to 1796, when the pioneers located within the present limits of Lancaster township. Ten years after. a preacher named Moeckenhaut held a meeting at John Beighley's; then Rev. Jacob Schnee visited the settlement, and from IsOs to 1>Is, Rev. Michael J. Steck, of Greensburg, kept Lutheranism alive here. In 18Is a log house was erected for church and school purposes and within it. December 19. 1822, the communion was administered. On that date thirty-two individuals were con- firmed in the Lutheran doctrine. and the whole membership. seventy-four, included all the Lutherans in a wide district. In 1821 Rev. J. C. G. Schweitzerbarth made this one of his eleven appointments, walking from one church to the other in sabots and jeans. Later he extended his walking tours, begging en route for money- to build churches for the Lutherans in Butler county. He succeeded in obtaining small sums. part of which he devoted to the erection of the " Stone Church," near Peter Beighley's house. the corner stone of which was placed June 21, 1829, on the site of old Zion's log cabin. Peter and Henry Beighley and John Bastian formed the building committee. The house was practically com- pleted in 1830, but a fire destroyed the seats and benches. The new work was tedious, so that the society did not occupy the building until St. John's day, in 1-31. Rev. Schweitzerbarth remained until 1549, preaching in German and English on each Sabbath. In September, 1550, Rev. W. A. Fetter came as pas- tor ; in 1-52, Rev. B. IL. Muntz, and in June, 1551, Rev. Anthony Lachen- meyer, who remained until November. He was followed by Rev. C. F. W. Brecht in 1855. In March, 1856, the English Lutherans were given equal rights with the Germans, and Mr. Brecht preached to both parties until 1861. The pulpit was vacant for about a year, when Rev. Herman Gilbert took charge. In 1867 Rev. J. G. Butz was appointed. On the English side, were Rev. Asi U. Waters, 1855; Rev. Lewis Hippe, 1866; Rev. S. H. Swingle, 1871, and Rev. G. W. Critchlow, 1879. Rev. R. R. Durst, who took charge of the Prospect church in connection with St. John's and that at West Liberty, remained until December, ISSS. In January, 1889, Rev. Nathaniel Shaffer was appointed pas- tor of the three churches. W. Myers is secretary of the society; Henry Shanor, D. Z. Kniess and W. L. Kniess, deacons, and Lee Croft, treasurer.
Baldwin's Church of the "Thirties" had a regular membership and wa. generally well attended, for the owner of the town site was himself a preacher. who had his own gospel and extraordinary ideas of ethics. Sometimes he would convince his audience that they were in the "right pews now." and again he would advise each one to follow his will.
The German Lutheran Church was organized as a German society in 1-1. with the following named members : Jacob Schwoen, F. Bieber, Chim. un 1. Wehr, J. Wehr, F. Fallstein, Jacob Gutekunst, C. Uhl, A. Schilling, Lo Koch and F. Beighley. In after years four of the Mueller family became members, as well as the large Barkley family, including the father and five son .
598
HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
In 1814 a meeting house was erected through the aid of Mr. Schweitzerbarth. The German pastors named in the history of St. John's church attended to this congregation. Rev. J. G. Butz, of Zelienople. is the present pastor. Revs. Helsche, Bassler, Tice and Riffer also preached here. Until the spring of 1892 services were carried on in the English language on alternate Sundays, but the English Lutherans separated that year, leaving the Germans the old building of 1511. There are forty families. numbering 225 communicants, in the mem- ber-hip.
The Methodist Episcopal Church may be said to have been organized in Is11, when John Seachrist organized a class and was chosen leader. A log cabin was erected that year at Middle Lancaster, which was abandoned when the society disintegrated. In 1856-63 it was used by the Reformed church. After the war it was dedicated to manufacturing purposes.
St. Peter's Reformed Church of Middle Lancaster was organized in 1856, with Johannes Sonne. J. Scheidemantle, Adam Lauch, Friedrich Maier, George Druschel, Jacob Brenner. C. Uhl, Johannes Bander and Samuel Bratchi, mem- bers. For six years services were held in the dilapidated log cabin built by the Methodists some fifteen years before, but in 1863 the society took possession of their new brick meeting house. Rev. F. W. Dechant being the pastor, as suc- cessor of the first pastor, Rev. 11. F. Hartman. The pastors since Mr. Dechant left have been Reys. E. F. Winter and F. G. E. Knauth. Rev. C. Scheel, the present pastor, took charge November 1, 1875. The congregation numbers over 110 members. The society was incorporated in 1878.
The English Lutheran Church was organized by Rev. G. Bassler many years ago, but was carried on in connection with the German Lutheran society until May 8, 1892, when their new house of worship was dedicated.
MIDDLE LANCASTER.
John Ruby made the first improvements on the site of Middle Lancaster in the " Twenties," his wife-Elizabeth Baumgartner-assisting him in clearing the forest and building the first cabin. Lewis Teats purchased the improve- ments, and he sold to Thomas B. Baldwin, a freeman of color, who employed Henry Johns, the school teacher, to survey a town site for him in 1835. " Nigger Town " was the name applied to Baldwin's village by the people of the neighborhood, who kept aloof for some years. William Beighley then ventured to build a dwelling on the town site. A little later, Jacob Christophel estab- lished his tavern there. and, in Ist1, opened a grocery store. Andrew Metz came in 1846, opened a store south of the hill and entered into friendly competi- tion with Christophel, but in 1847 entered Middle Lancaster as the successor of George Redpath, who had kept store in a small frame building erected by George Beam, of Harmony. When the postoffice was established in 1817, with William Beighley, Sr., postmaster, there were four log cabins and one frame cabin in evidence of the town's progress. The Beighleys, Henry John. J. Stein- metz, the blacksmith, and a sister of the colored preacher. Baldwin, occupied the cabins, while the Metz family had possession of the one frame dwelling. Many changes have marked the hamlet since 1847 : frame houses supplanted
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LANCASTER TOWNSHIP.
the old log cabins years ago, and even enterprise to build one or more brick houses was not wanting. Good church buildings have taken the place of Sea- christ's log Methodist church, and large, frame houses, now bearing signs of age, were constructed for domestic, tavern and business purposes. The postoffice has been carried on uninterruptedly since 1847. Hemy Luebben succeeded Beighley as postmaster ; then came Samuel Reed, the merchant, and next W. E. Kirker. The office was administered by a woman from July, 1865, to August, 1885, when Mrs. A. E. Metz was appointed. She was succeeded by Jacob Laderer, who removed here in 1861 from Zelienople and opened a store in the building erected in the fifties by Samuel Reed. C. Uhl located here in 1853, followed the shoemakers' trade and invested his savings in the erection of four or five houses. Frederick Hallstein, also a shoemaker, was here in 1857. J. II. Domhoff, who came in 1869, bought one of them. The Moritz family. repre- sented by Leonard, the Ziegler family, by Henry, and the Laderer family, by Jacob, are well known throughout the township. The mercantile circle embraces J. Laderer and A. E. Metz & Son, general merchants. A blacksmith shop. fur- niture store and one hotel constitute the business interests of the little village. Dr. W. R. Cowden and son are the resident physicians. The churches already described and Lodge Number 648, I O. O. F., of which Leonard Moritz is secre- tary, and Philip Flinner one of the charter members, constitute the social circle. The proximity of Harmony. Zelienople, Whitestown, Prospect and Portersville, all old villages, have militated against the advance of the little hamlet. That it has come down to this day is testimony to its vitality, and a promise that it may yet be one of the prosperous little boroughs of the county.
The old village of Oilbronn, two miles north of Harmony was established as an outpost of the Economites in 1808, when ten houses with stables and barns were erected there for an agricultural branch of that society. The place is now forgotten by the oldest settlers.
CHAPTER LVI.
MUDDY CREEK TOWNSHIP.
ORGANIZATION- CHANGE OF BOUNDARIES -- PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS -- COAL AND COAL MINES- PIONEERS -SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS -MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES- POPULATION AND JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.
rTIIIS, as originally constituted, formed one of the thirteen townships into which Butler county was divided in 1801, by order of the court of quar- ter sessions. At that time its area included all of the present township of Franklin, as well as portions of Connoquenessing and Worth townships. It was reduced within its present boundaries in 1854. Its name is derived from Muddy creek, which forms its northern boundary and separates it from Worth township.
Although the surface of this township is uneven and rugged. as a rule, it yet abounds in fertile and productive land, and its farmers are thrifty, prosperous, progressive and intelligent. Its mineral resources, consisting of coal, iron ore and a good quality of limestone, are rich and are proving a source of wealth to those engaged in their development. The highest measured point in the township is about 7,000 feet east of Porter-ville, on the Prospect road. This is 1,375 feet above ocean level. Along the road from Portersville to Muddy creek, as well as in other places. the Freeport upper limestone outcrops, and about 2,700 feet north of the borough, the limestone and coal are found fully thirty feet higher than the outerop near the cemetery. Ferriferous limestone may be seen in the old qurrry on the north bank of Muddy creek, at the iron bridge ; in the quarries at Shaw's bridge, and in outerops in the valley. The rich coal deposits have been exposed by the miners at Bailey's bank, northwest of Portersville, in a five feet bed ; at the gristmill, southwest of the borough, where a bank was opened in 1868 ; near the mouth of the east branch of Yellow creek, on the White farm; at the head of the east branch on the Ralston and McConnell farms; on the Garvey. Sigfried, Wallace, White. Barkley, Melvin and Myers farms, along the west branch ; on the Moore farm, 10,000 feet northeast of Portersville, and on the Burns and Gallagher farms still farther in that direction, coal banks have been successfully worked, and several of them are still sources of paying production.
PIONEERS.
The first settler of this township, always excepting the Indians, was a negro named Caesar, presumably a runaway slave, although nothing concerning his antecedents are known. He appears to have come into the township in 1794, and was found occupying a little cabin, in 1796, by Robert Stewart, the first white settler. Caesar informed Mr. Stewart that he had occupied the cabin two years, had obtained a living by hunting and fishing, and that he claimed the land
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MUDDY CREEK TOWNSHIP.
as a settler, at the same time showing that he was thoroughly posted as to his rights in the premises. As Mr. Stewart had located upon the land, supposing it to be unsettled, he found it necessary to purchase Caesar's rights, which he did for a small amount. The latter then left the place, but where he went or what became of him is not known. On the land thus acquired by Stewart the village of Stewartsville, now known as Portersville, was located.
The third settler was Thomas Brandon, to whom Stewart deeded 100 acres of land on condition that he would settle here with his family. This condition was observed in 1796, and in 1803 Brandon was one of the taxpayers of the county. Thomas Clarke is said to have been in this township as a resident in 1795, but his home was outside its limits. James Cratty, with his sister Rachel, and brothers Robert and Thomas, came about 1798, and Henry Shanor arrived the same year and died here in 1838.
In 1800 David Kennedy purchased the soldier's claim of Matthew Kelly ; Arthur Cleeland, one of the United Irishman, sought a refuge here from British tyranny, the same year; James White was here in 1800; Marvin Christie also came in 1800; John Myers and family arrived in 1801-05: John Boston, who afterwards served in the War of 1512, came in 1505; Edward White and family followed his son James, in 1509; Thomas Christie came in 1812; James English was here about that time, and also John Wimer; Dr. John Cowden arrived in 1818; Joseph Tebay purchased John Haines' soldier claim, in 1819; Johnson Mc- Knight and Thomas Oliver purchased lands in 1820; Thomas Garvey purchased the Jacob Phillips' clearing in 1822, and Richard McKee located here in IS24. The McClymonds came in 1881, when the township was dotted over with garden spots and the log cabins of the pioneers began to give way to the modern frame buildings.
SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS.
The story of " barring out " in 1521, also tells us that Johnson MeKnight, a farmer, was the first teacher. Arriving at the school-house be found the door closed and admission denied. Returning to his cabin, he donned his wife's dress, and repre- senting himself as a woman, appeared before the little school-house. The urchins quickly unbarred the door to admit the lady : but the figure cast off the female dress and appeared, to the astonished little wags, in all his pedagogic fury. He was succeeded by John Lewis, and other teachers, who carried on the MeKnight school down to 1833. On the Christie farm, George Greer opened a school early in the " Twenties," In 1823 the Concord school-house was erected and in it Charles Phillips wielded the birch. In 1885 the common school law was adopted. In 1836 the Frazier, Double, Whippoorwill. Albert, Kiester, Webb and Snyder school-houses were erected and two other buildings projected. Matthew McCollough built the first common school structure. Rev. R. B. Walker, John Supple, Johnson McKnight, Samuel Armstrong, Old Master Sterrett, John McKnight, Joseph McGowan and John B. Campbell, were among the first common school teachers, and William Humphrey was a well known teacher before the war. The number of school children enumerated in June, 1893, was 239,-or 110 males and ninety-nine females. The revenue for school purposes, including $1,226.52 State appropriation, was $3,015. 10.
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