History of Butler County, Pennsylvania, Part 75

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 75


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


602


HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.


MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES,


Muddy Creek never gave much attention to manufacturing industries. Down to 1831 there was no mill within the township better than a hand mill, and there is no mention made of even a distillery. The proximity of the Slip- pery Rock mills and distilleries may account in a measure for the lack of these industries. In 1:31-82 David Kennedy came to remedy all this by crecting a grist mill and a fulling mill on Muddy Creek. The following spring a freshet carried the dam away, and later law proceedings were instituted against him for damages caused by back water from the dam, so that for some years. subsequent to 1839, the people had to patronize the mill at Slippery Rock. The next enterprise was a grist mill built on the site of the old McConnell mill. In 1867 John and Henry Bauder erected their grist mill. John located here in 1852, but did not become a permanent resident until 1861 or 1962. The mill is a three-story structure, thir- ty-five by forty feet in dimensions, with engine room, fourteen by thirty-five, and a capacity of thirty barrels of flour a day.


POPULATION AND JUSTICES.


The population of the township in 1810 was 395; in 1820, 808; in 1830. 1,817: in 1>10. 1,998; in |>50. after re-subdivision, 1,112; in 1860, 1,094; in 1570, 972; in 1950, 1,001, including Portersville, and in 1890, 785, exclusive of Portersville, which then was credited with 190 inhabitants.


The justices of the peace elected for Muddy Creek township from 1-10 to 1894. are named as follows: George Kirkpatrick, 18J0; Robert Craig, 1840; David Fisher, 112 and 1847; Michael Stinetorf, 1813: William Dean, 1848; Charles Phillips, 1851; William H. Thompson, 1854; Thomas Garvey, 1854, 1859, 1878 and 1854; John MeClymonds, 1859: Thomas Garvey, Jr., 1864-72: J. W. Forrester, 1867; Samuel Hanna. 1871: James W. McGeary, 1882 and 1886: J. C. Rickitts, 1883; Robert Moore. 1885; W. S. Moore, 1886 and 1888, and G. W. McGeary, 1893.


CHAPTER LVIL.


PORTERSVILLE BOROUGH.


LAYING OUT OF THE TOWN. - CHANGE OF NAME- POSTMASTERS-BUSINESS ENTERPRISES STATISTICS-BOROUGH OFFICIALS-JUSTICES OF THE PEACE-CHURCHES-SECRET SOCIETIES.


P ORTERSVILLE, surveyed into town lots in 1825, was named Stewarts- ville, in honor of Robert Stewart, who was born here September 15, 1%. a son of Robert Stewart, the first white settler of the township. The latter located the land on which the town stands in 1796. and made it his home until his death, in 1851.


In March, 1826, when a postoffice was established. the name of the village was changed to Portersville, in honor of Governor Porter. John Stewart, the first postmaster, held the office until 1836, when he was succeeded by Robert Craig, who moved it to a new building opposite the site of the Brenneman House, in 1838, carrying it on there until Is46. William Williams was post- master for eight years, and James Newton, who located here in 1812, filled the office for sixteen years. His successors have been as follows : Thomas II. White, Alexander HI. Aiken, Maggie Newton and Nellie K. Frazier.


In 1814, before the laving out of the town, Thompson McCosh opened a cab- inet shop here. The first storekeeper was Robert Craig, who began business in 1829 and continued selling such goods as the trade demanded until his death, in 1852. James Newton and John Hall opened a store in 1845. John W. Riddle, who died at Portersville in 1852, started a wagon and furniture factory on the site of the village about 1831. It was operated by steam and was the first steam power plant in the western part of the county. Mr. Riddle carried on the business until bis death. It was then operated for a few years and finally abandoned. William Williams established himself here as a cabinet maker in 1836. The hotel was subsequently opened and carried on as the Oliver House until 1868, when David Brenneman purchased the property. The old house was burned in 1874. and the present large brick hotel erected by the new landlord, who carried it on until his death in 1880. The present Humphrey store, a modern mercantile building, was erected in 1876. The general store of William Humphrey & Son, which may be said to date back to 1868, when Mr. Humphrey entered mercantile life, carries the largest stock of goods of all the houses between Butler and New Castle. The general store of Ramsey Brothers; G. B. McDonald's hardware store; A. S. Marshall's drug store, and H. D. Ziegler's furniture shop, with the banking house of J. M. Marshall & Company, may be said to make up the business circle of the borough. Samuel T. Okeson established a furniture shop here in 1875. and other men, such as S. If. Bailey, in 1872, and Peter Scheidemantle were con- nected with the business interests of the town. The Portersville Creamery Com-


604


HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.


pany, organized early in 1891, built a creamery on the lot where the Covenanter meeting house stood, and in April of the same year, began the manufacture of butter on a large scale.


The population of the borough in [890, was 190. In June, 1893, there were twenty-four male and twenty-five female children of school age in the town. The revenue for school purposes was $ 186. 16, including a State appropriation of $238.89. The assessed value in January, 1891, was $12.200; the county tax, $169.01. and the Sate tix. $56.70.


BOROUGH OFFICIALS.


The question of borough organization was first discussed March 14, 1811. At a meeting held at John Oliver's house. May 29, 1811, presided over by John M. Smith, with John Craig, secretary, and at one held June 5, resolutions were adopted favoring incorporation. The petition for the incorporation of Porters- ville was presented to the court, September 11, 1511, with a plan of the town. The signer- were William G. Christie, William Sharp, William Stephenson, George Oliver, John Deets, Robert Craig, Dr. W. R. Cowden, John Hall, Jesse Johnston, John Milliken, J. W. Stewart, D. M. Beatty, J. A. White, F. D. Cook, Robert Stewart, Jr., R. Badger, John Cleeland, James Hall, Sheplar Bos- ton. John Oliver. J. S. White. F.A. Welsh, G. W. Welsh, John Stewart, W. P. Breaden, D. G. Craig, J. M. Smith, John Craig, J. W. Riddle, James Wat- son. James Sharp, J. C. Sharp, Peter Masser, Simon Shanor, James Young, James Murray, John McGrith, Robert Stewart. Sr., Jonathan Lilly. Joseph P. Work, Sipe Bellis, James Stewart, James Hall, Jr., Dr. William McClelland, William Boston, James Armstrong, Joseph Stewart, Newton Bracken, William Williams, Peter Masser, Dr. John Cowden, Joseph Cheeseman, John Cheeseman and Samuel Espy. The grand jury approved the petition, and, on December 16, 1811, the borough was incorporated. The first election took place January 6. 1815, when Dr. John Cowden was chosen burgess ; William Sharp, William G. Christie, John Oliver. John Cowden and John Craig, councilmen. They organized. January 11. 1915, with James Hall, clerk. Owing to John Cowden's election for two offices, the vacancy in the council was filled by James Stewart, who was regularly elected. Robert Craig was appointed treasurer ; William Williams and Robert Stewart, Sr .. street commissioners, and James W. Stewart, collector; while William Sharp was elected high constable. Owing to the fact that the constable had no authority under the act of 1831 to serve precepts issued by a justice of the peace, a petition to the legislature was adopted in Feh- ruary, Is 15. asking such privilege and for the authority to elect three auditors. AAt that meeting ordinances were passed providing for the construction of side walks : prohibiting horses from running at large or galloping through the streets, and authorizing the erection of hitching posts. In April, James Sharp resigned the office of assessor and William Dunlap was appointed. The burgess was fined twenty-five cents for absence and William Sharp a like sum for the same offence.


Following is a list of the burgesses and councilmen from 1516 to 1893 :


1816-John Cowden. burgess: Joseph P. Work, John Cleveland, William Mcclelland, John A. White and Jesse Johnston, with John W. Riddle, clerk.


605


PORTERSVILLE BOROUGH.


1847-John Oliver, burgess; James Hall, Samuel Brenneman, John .1. White and Joseph P. Work.


Is18-John A. White, burgess; John Oliver, John Deeds, James Watson, D. G. Craig and Boston Myers.


1819-William G. Christie, burgess ; Jacob Wimer, J. W. Riddle. Jesse John- ston. William Williams and James Hall : D. G. Craig, clerk.


1850-James Newton, burgess: John W. Riddle. Thomas II. White, John Oliver, Gordon C. Sloss and John Hall ; Thomas H. White, clerk.


1:51-John W. Riddle, burgess ; Andrew Douglas, John Deeds. William Young and William Brown ; Robert Fisher, clerk.


1852-John Hall, burgess; Robert Stewart. John Deeds, Adam Streeter and Robert Badger ; Adam Streeter, clerk.


1853-Dr. W. R. Cowden, burgess : John A. Newberry, A. Streeter, Bos- ton Myers, William Young and John K. Kennedy : John A. Newberry, clerk.


1854-William Williams, burgess: Robert Fisher, Boston Myers, George Boston, John Deeds and J. A. Newberry.


1855-A. Douglass, burgess; F. D. Cook, R. Badger, J. S. Fisher, Boston Myers and S. M. McClymonds ; Robert Badger, clerk.


1:56-John Deeds, burgess; W. G. Christie, Robert Fisher, John A. Now- berry, Sheplar Boston and Robert Fisher ; Robert Fisher, clerk.


1. 57-Jacob Wimer, burgess ; John Deeds, William Williams. James New- ton, B. F. Wimer, and Boston Myers; Boston Myers, clerk.


1858-W. H. Patterson, burgess ; J. Oliver. Robert Badger, James Newton and W. G. Christie; W. G. Christie, clerk.


1 59-Samuel MeClymonds, burgess ; James Watson, George Boston, Shep- lar Boston and Boston Myers; II. Oliver, clerk.


1-60-James Hall, burgess : John A. Newberry, James Newton, J. K. Kon- nedy, William Humphrey and Henderson Oliver : HI. Oliver, clerk.


1861-W. R. Cowden, burgess; Samuel MeClymonds, B. F. Wimmer, Will- iam Williams and William Humphrey. Later Sheplar Boston took the oath.


1862-64-William Williams, burgess; Jacob Wimer. James Newton, Will- iam W. Roberts, Robert Badger and Il. Oliver.


IS65-A. II. Aiken, burgess: W. W. Roberts, James Watson, William Humphrey and Findley Brandon. Jasper Myers was elected vice William Williams.


1866-A. II. Aiken, burgess ; James Newton, Henry Heberling, George Oliver, Alex. Stewart and Jacob II. Kinsey.


1-67-68-A. II. Aiken, burgess; W. W. Roberts, William Williams, John P. Kennedy and John Glenn.


1869-70-J. Il. Kinsey, burgess; B. F. Wimer, Sr., Joseph Ryle. Caleb Covert, Solomon Albert, Albert Shanor and F. Brandon ; John Hay, clerk.


1871-J. II. Kinsey, burgess; B. F. Wimer, George Oliver, William Bauder and David Brenneman.


1872-Jacob Kinsey, burgess ; Robert Badger. Paul Lambert, William Williams, James McBurney and Frederick Burry.


606


HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.


1878-James R. Pringle, burgess : William Williams, A. S. Fulkman, B. F. Wimer and Paul Lambert.


1874-William Williams, burgess ; David Brenneman, F. Burry, Paul Lam- bert and HI. Heberling.


1875-Caleb Covert. John Lehman, Henry Bloom and William Cleeland.


IST6-F. Burry. D. Weigle, C. Covert. II. Bloom and George Boston.


1877-David Weigle, burgess ; D. Brenneman. S. T. Okeson, Samuel Bratchi, A. Henshew, P. Lambert and William Clifford.


1878-A. Bratchi, burgess; H. Bloom, F. Burry, C. Covert and William Hleberling.


1879-William Williams, burgess; J. Whithing, H. Bloom, C. Covert, F. Burry and William Ileberling.


1880-William Humphrey, burgess ; C. Covert, F. Burry, A. Bratchi, G. Nye and S. T. Okeson.


ISS1-William Humphrey, burgess : George Nye, C. Covert, F. Burry, A. Bratchi and S. T. Okeson.


1882-D. Weigle, burgess; 11. Heberling, S. Brenneman and J. Il. Kinsey.


18 3-J. Kinsey, burgess; James McBurney, David Weigle, B. F. Wimer, William Kennedy and S. T. Okeson.


1884-S. T. Okeson, burgess; Andrew Glasser, William Bauder, R. II. Oliver, David Brenneman and William Cleeland.


1885-Joseph Lehman, burgess : R. Oliver, P. Lambert, D. Brenneman and J. Kinsey.


1ss6 -- Joseph Lehman, burgess ; Ed. Landers, W. Heberling and W. E. English.


1887 -- Ed. Landers, burgess : Samuel Brenneman and W. R. Wilson.


INSS-William C. Kennedy, burgess ; David Brenneman. John Niper, W. 11. lleberling, Peter Scheidemantle and S. A. Heyl.


1889 -- J. C. Milleman, burgess : John Humphrey and W. L. English : John Humphrey, clerk.


1890-D. McCollough, burgess ; John Humphrey. S. Brenneman, W. L. English and S. T. Okeson.


1 91-D. MeCollough, burgess : J. S. Brenneman. 1892-Sela Krause, burgess; Henry Lang and Louis Wetzel. 1898-A. S. Marshall, burgess : S. A. Heyl and J. R. Humphrey.


The justices of the peace for Portersville borough, from 1815 to 1894, inclusive, are named as follows ; James Hall, IS-15 and 1850; John W. Riddle, 1>45; Francis Findley. 1817 : Jacob Wimer. 1852 : William H. Patterson. 1855 : William W. Roberts, 1859 and 1865; Thomas II. White, 1860; William Hum- phrey, 1863 .- 68,-78 .- 78,-83; William Williams. 1868,-78: Samuel T. Okeson, IS76,-SA,-92 : R. Badger, 1882: J. J. Ramsey. 1884; William Cleeland, 1885; James Ramsey. 1856: James Lehman, 1887: S. L. Vanorsdal, 1890: W. II. Dann, 1891: Joseph Lehman, 1893.


607


PORTERSVILLE BOROUGH.


CHURCHES.


The Presbyterian church was organized October 13, ES20, although as early as 1814, Rev. Reid Bracken visited the settlement and preached to the people in the cabinet shop of Thompson MeCosh. The original members were John and Sarah Walker, Robert and Margaret Stewart, Samuel and Nancy Stewart, Eph- raim and Martha Hunter, Thompson and Nancy McCosh, and Elizabeth and Barbara Stewart. Peggy Burns was the first adult baptized. John Walker and Samuel Stewart were the first ruling elders. The latter died in 1829, but Mr Wal- ker served until 1542. In 1833 John Stewart, Thompson MeCosh and Alexander Morrison are named among the elders. The last served until 1837, the others until 1845. In 1839 William Cratty and Robert Craig are named as elders ; in 1843, Thomas Cooper, Joseph Eckles and William Carruthers; in 1850, Robert Dun- lap, Samuel Hanna and John Cleeland: in 1854, John W. Stewart, John Cheese- man, John Boston, James Morrison and John Swick ; in 1864, Thomas Cratty, and in 1868, Peter S. Greavis and George Oliver. The session, as constituted in 1876, comprised Samuel Hanna, John Cheeseman, James Morrison and George Oliver. In November, 1881, William Humphrey, Guyan Morrison and Horatio 1). Payne were ordained ruling ellers, and with George Oliver, James Morrison and John Cheeseman formed the session. John Cheeseman was then, as in former years, clerk of the session. serving until his death, in February, 1891, when Mr. Eggert served as clerk until the election of William Humphrey, in the same year.


Rev. Reid Bracken served as pastor from the organization of the church until 1841. On October 15, 1841, his son, Newton Bracken, was ordained and installed pastor, serving until 1859. In 1863 Rev. William P. Harvison came and remained until 1867. Rev. Samuel S. Johnston was installed in 1870 and preached here until 1872. when Rev. R. B. Walker took charge as stated supply and served until October, IS83. Rev. A. M. Reed was moderator in 1864; but Rev. J. W. Miller, who came in 1885, was the pastor until October. 1887. Rev. R. M. Davis was moderator in 1888, and Rev. J. H. Wright in 1890. Rev. John E. Eggert. the present pastor, came in October, 1890.


The church was incorporated April s. 1841, on petition of the trustees pre- sented to the court December 16. 1543, by Joseph Eckles, Solomon Meyer, Rob- ert Dunlap, Robert Craig and John W. Riddle, trustees. The brick church, erected in 1842, has been kept in a good state of repair. During the administra- tion of the first pastor there were 108 additions to the congregation ; under Rev. Newton Bracken there were ISS; under that of Rev. Mr. Harvison, twenty-six : under Rev. Samuel S. Johnston, twelve, and under Rev. R. B. Walker forty- five. The present membership is 175.


The United Presbyterian Church was organized in December. 1811. as an Associate Reformed society, with the following named members : Dr. John Cowden, Elizabeth Cowden, Thomas and Eleanor Christie, James and Jane McClymonds, James and Catherine Gardner, George Frazier, John McClelland, David and Mary Cleeland, Jonathan MeClymonds, and others, the total mem- bership at the beginning being seventy-five. The pastors have been : Ress.


008


HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.


William Douthett. 1811-49; James N. Smith, 1 53-57; A. Irons, 1859-63: J. M. Donaldson, 1865-70: William Galbraith, 1872-78, and James A. Clark, 1-76-88. Rev. J. J. Ralston came in Iss9, and is now pastor of a congregation embracing 147 members. The brick house of worship was erected in 1810 at a cost of $3.000, and remodeled in 1890.


The Old Covenanter Church, on the site of which stands the new creamery, dates back to 1898, when Rev. Mr. Guthrie preached to the Reformed Presby- terians of this vicinity. A quarter of a century elapsed. however, before a resi- dent pastor was appointed. Rev. Thomas Hanna came in I>5S, but four years after joined the United Presbyterian church. Rev. J. C. Smith, who was installed in 1868, remained until 1890, or five years after the society at Portersville dis- banded. When Mr. Hanna came, the old building formerly occupied by the Seceder church was purchased and dedicated by the Covenanters. A. F. Kennedy was then, as he still is, the clerk of the session, while he, with Joseph Kennedy, Matthew Stewart, Thomas Blair, Thomas Spear. John Love and Thomas Wilson, were elders. Among other members were Samuel Me Elwain, George Magee, Matthew Wright and Mr. Scott. The remaining members of the old Covenanter society attend the church at Rose Point, in Lawrence county. Among the latter- day ellers the names of Thomas Young. Robert Wylie and Robert McCaslin may be mentioned.


SECRET SOCIETIES.


Portersville Lodge, I. O. O. F., was organized June 30, 1875, with James Porter, Levi Beighley, Caleb Covert, Frederick Bauder, Nicholas Bander, James Humphrey, William II. Shanor, George Nye, Milton Kennedy, William Moore, Samuel Bauder, Peter and John Scheidemantle, Alexander Mc Donald, Nicholas Gardner. Clark Porter, John Porter, David Pregenzer and John Ruby members. James Porter served as Noble Grand until September 30, 1875. His successors in the chair are named as follows : Levi Beighley, Frederick Bauder C. Covert, John Scheidemantle, George Nye, M W. Kennedy, S. J. Musselman, Thomas Book, C. W. Porter, S. T. Okeson, Samuel Bauder, John Bauder, James Humphrey, John Dombart, William Bauder, W. S. Young, Joseph Lehman, A. A. Adams, John W. Wimer. John M. Roth, Andrew Draubaugh, Nicholas Bauder, W. Mc- Clymonds, P. Lambert, J. P. Carter, Isaac Jones, H. R. Wilson, W. R. Wilson, E. Il. Laderer, J. N. Bauder. J. W. MeCiymonds, James C. Me Clymonds. P. J. Newton and Alonzo llenshew, who is now serving, with Joseph Lehman secre- tary. The strength of the lodge is seventy-nine and its financial condition is most satisfactory.


Watson Brothers Post, Number F8. G. A. R., at Portersville, and Randolph Post at Prospect, embrace in their membership the greater number of the Union veterans of Muddy Creek township.


Roundhead Camp, Sons of Veterans, Number 84, was instituted at Porters- ville, September 30, 1887, with twelve members. James McConnell was elected captain; A. A. Adams first, and R. B. Kennedy second lieutenant ; W. S. Luiz, S. G. Cummings and J. S. Lutz council, and F. R. Covert, Q. M. S.


CHAPTER LVIII.


WORTH TOWNSHIP.


ORGANIZATION-MINERAL WEALTH-COAL AND GAS-CENSUS AND SCHOOL STATISTICS -TAXABLE WEALTH-JUSTICES OF THE PEACE-PIONEERS-EARLY INDUSTRIES- CHURCHES-SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS-MECHANICSBURG-PRIVATE CORPORATIONS.


T IIIS township, which was named after General Worth, a gallant hero of the Mexican war, was organized in 1854. The greater portion of it formerly belonged to Muddy Creek, a small part being taken from Slippery Rock. It is situated in the northwestern part of the county, is noted for its mineral wealth, and has, especially in the northern part, a productive agricultural area. Abound- ing in coal, it also lies within the gas field, the development of which is due to modern enterprise. The Greenlee & Forst wells, on the William Elliott, James Pisor, Jacob McCracken and Campbell Boyd farms, now form a part of the Grove City plant. As stated in the chapter on the " Butler Oil Field," a few fruitless attempts to find oil in this district were made in the seventies.


The population in 1860, was 928; in 1870, $98; in [880, 1,076, and in 1890, 93%. The enumeration of children of school age reported June 5, 1893, showed 113 males and seventy-eight females. The moneys received for school purposes for that year, amounted to $1.954.57, including $1,029.59 appropriated by the State. The assessed value of property was $319,538, the county tax, $1.279.35. and the State tax, $100.37.


The justices of the peace elected for Worth township from 1854 to 1894, were: Michael Stinetorf, 1854; William Moore, 1855 and 1860: Isaac Double, 1856 and 1866: B. F. Elliott, 1861; Archibald Murphy, 1861 : John Humphrey, 1865; B. F. Elliott, 1870 and 1875; James Humphrey, 1871 and 1876; John Humphrey, 1879, 1882 and IS57 : Samuel HI. Moore, ISSO, 1SS5 and 1891 : D. P. Davis, 1890; M. C. Searing, 1893.


PIONEERS.


In a previous chapter an account is given of the red men who built their town on the Slippery Rock, cleared the Indian field and dwelt here, amid peace and plenty, until the white man appeared upon the scene. The adventurous spirits who made their way through the wilderness to the very gates of the Indian corrals, prior to 1796, are also noticed, but here a record of the pioneers of industry will be necessary.


David Studebaker, a native of the Cumberland Valley, and Abraham Snyder. were the first who voluntarily entered the territory embraced in this township, with the object of making a permanent settlement. In the autumn of 1790 they came from Westmoreland county, and. after testing the friendship of the occu- 39


610


HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.


pants of the Indian village on Slippery Rock, erected a cabin, spent the follow- ing three months in hunting and exploring the country in this vicinity, and then returned to their homes. Three years later Studebaker came again, bringing with him one of his sisters to keep house, took possession of the cabin and be- came a permanent settler. His father, Joseph, and family joined him later. The former had been a captive among the Indian tribes of Pennsylvania for nine years, afterwards served under Washington in the Revolution, and died here in 1815. David married Catherine Michaels, this being the first marriage in the township, and reared one son and four daughters, viz : Henry, born in 1804 and still living in the township; Elizabeth, who married John Bennett ; Mary, who married James Book ; Susan, who married John Bonner, and Lydia, who became the wife of John Harland. Mrs. Studebaker died in 1519, and her husband in 1810. Many descendants of this pioneer family are residents of Butler county.


William and John Elliott and John Dennison came in 1793; David, George and Rebecca Armstrong in 1794, and later that year, Mrs. Armstrong and her five children. In 1795 came Henry Stinetorf and John and Jacob Pisor, Thomas Cross, a soldier of the Revolution, David and William Cross and their father, Samuel, and Daniel and William McConnell. William MeNees and Benjamin Jack are also said to have been here in 1795.


The pioneers of 1796, were Jonathan Kelly, the blacksmith, with his father and mother. The names of Archibald, Michael and Joseph Kelly, who came in 1798, appear on the records of original Slippery Rock township, in 1803. Jona- than built a cabin in 1796, and then went to Pittsburg. Returning in 1797 he found Benjamin Jack in possession ; but evicted him without process of law.


Thomas Clark, Sr., a Revolutionary soldier, with his two sons, Andrew and John, came in 1797, the balance of the family joining him here later.


Thomas Humphrey, Andrew, Edward and James Douglass, Christopher Wimer, and, it is said, Charles Coulter, arrived in 1798, all except one being natives of northern Ireland.


Charles Martin, who located on what is now the Vosler farm, John Martin, Sr., and John Martin, Jr., John Taggert, who owned 400 acres, where John W. Taggert now reside, Hugh Henderson, who was also a land owner and distiller , and John Moore, who made a temporary home two miles south of the present Moore homestead, were all here prior to the close of the year 1800; while many of the pioneer children of adjoining townships found homes here in after years.


In ISOI came Isaac M. Cornelius, his wife and twelve children, to settle on Ilogback ridge. His son James served in the War of 1812. Robert Glenn and his large family settled on the Hockenberry claim in 1810, and Casper locken- berry located on the north bank of Muddy creek the same year. Alexander Mc Bride, the miller and school teacher, and George Taylor came in 1820, while others, named in the history of the United Presbyterian church, settled in the vicinity of the mouth of Wolf creek between 1506 and 1820.




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.