History of Butler County, Pennsylvania, Part 77

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 77

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Elora-The postoffice named Memphis, south of Stone House, may be called the successor of the Forest House postoffice, established in 1878. It, in turn, was superceded by Elora postoffice, which was presided over in 1594 by Josiah M. Thompson. On January 9, that year, the Thompson store was destroyed by fire, and with it the undelivered mail and postoffice equipments. The loss to Mr. Thompson was placed at $3,600, against which an insurance of $2,500 must be credited.

Hallston is the name given to a railroad station in the northeast corner of the township. In the vicinity was the old pottery of Constantine Weidel, who made earthen crocks, jars, etc., long years before the echoes of the locomotive whistle resounded through the forests. The McNees pottery, at Hallston Station, is comparatively modern, being scarcely a decade old.

Browington postoffice is almost contemporary with the Stone House. It was discontinued in the " forties," but restablished in May, 1558, with R. Don- caster, postmaster. In 1870 it was again discontinued and has not since been restored.

CHAPTER LX.

SLIPPERY ROCK TOWNSHIP.

ORGANIZATION-CHANGE OF BOUNDARIES -- PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS COAL, BANKS -- SALT WORKS-NATURAL GAS DISCOVERED- POPULATION PIONEERS EARLY INDUS- TRIES-SCHOOLS AND JUSTICES OF THE PEACE -CHURCHES VILLAGES.

P RIOR to 1800 Butler county formed a portion of AAllegheny, its territory being divided into four townships, one of which was named Slippery Rock. Its area comprised the northwestern quarter of the county. In 1804, when the county was divided into thirteen townships, its territory was considerably reduced. A further reduction took place in the final re-subdivision in 1854. when it was cut down to its present arca. The township derives its name from Slippery Rock creek, which flows in a westerly direction through its territory.

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

The elevations of the divide between this creek and the Wolf creek range are from 1,150 to 1.300 feet above ocean level. The soil partakes of the charac- ter of the limestone on which it rests.

Coal is abundant and gas reservoirs numerons. A coal bank on the Isaac Davidson farm is supposed to have been opened in the thirties. On the Lewis Patterson farm, Stephen Osmer opened a mine, which was abandoned in 1815. Thomas MeGatfic opened a bank on the same farm, after the war, which was a producer down to 1557. On the Ezekiel Wilson Farm is an oldl slope near where the Edward Christley mine was worked. The W. S. Bingham bank was opened in the eighties. Banks were at one time worked on the John Wolford and the Nathaniel Cooper farins, but were abandoned years ago. Coal is still mined on the farm of John Reed, north of Centreville.

Fifty years ago two salt wells were drilled on the Edmund Smith farm, north of Centreville. Gas flowed with the water, and it was determined to use the vapor for fuel. The result was disastrous, pans and machinery being blown up.

The population in 1810 was 458; in 1820, 865; 1830, 1.541: 1810, 1,507: 1850, 1,190; 1860, six years after the re subdivision of the county. 993; 1870, 879: 1880. 1, 124: 1890. 1.247.

PIONEERS.

It is a matter of considerable difficulty to determine who is entitled to the credit of being the first person to settle in this township. There is evidence going to show that temporary settlements were made as early as 1796, but the identity of the first actual settler has not been discovered. The first permanent settlers, however. appear to have been Nathaniel and Zebulon Cooper, a brother and nephew of Stephen Cooper. They came from Washington county, Penn- sylvania, in 1796, and selected lands on both sides of Wolf creek, on which they settled in 1798. In 1800 Stephen Cooper, who had for some time previous been making his home with them, settled upon 200 acres of land, com- prising the present site of Centreville. It is stated that Nathaniel Cooper found a few brush cabins on Wolf creek, evidencing temporary occupation, and soon afterward learned that Adam Barber. David Cross, John Burrows and William Burrows were here before him. The Burrows were assessed in 1503.

John, James and Ilugh McKee, who arrived in this county from Ireland in 1797, were also among the earliest settlers. Their four sisters and their parents came shortly after, but none of them appear to have owned property here in 1803. Adam Funk, who had 400 acres in 1803, came about 1798. Jonathan Adams, John and Jacob Stillwagon, John Moreland, Alexander McDonald and John Slemmons appeared about 1800. Philip Snyder, who came in 1801, was a celebrated maple sugar maker until his death in 1857. John Walker settled here in ISO5. William Bigham, a Revolutionary soldier, his sons Thomas and Hugh Bigham, the former a soldier of the war of 1812, and Samuel Cross came in 1806. James Stephenson and Samuel Weakley in 1817 ; Philip Kiester in ISIS; Joel Beckwith in 1819; Thomas Mittlin in 1820: Dr. John Thompson, John Christley, the cabinet-maker ; Michael Christley, Samuel Kerr, who worked in Thompson's furnace, and Samuel Bard, the tailor, in 1822: William Ilill in 1828; Cornelius

SLIPPERY ROCK TOWNSHIP.

Gill, James A. Patterson, John Mc.Nulty and Samuel Caldwell, the blacksmith. in 1825: Peter Sowash in 126; John Neal in 1>27; William Miller in 1830, and Joseph C. Swearingen, Henry Wolford, Jonathan Maybury and John Reed within the decade ending 1×40. Whether on the farm, in the industries along the creek, or as village builders, all were thorough pioneers, who laid the foundations on which the prosperity of this division of the county rests.

EARLY INDUSTRIES.

The Mt. Etna furnace was established in 1822 by Dr. John Thompson, with Samuel Kerr as foreman. It was opened in 1823 and run for six years, when it was sold by the sheriff to David Mc Junkin, by whom it was carried on until 1835, when W. S. Bingham rented and operated it until 1838. It was next leased by Ephraim Rose, Robert McGowan and others, and continued until [ 4], when work ceased.

Ilickory furnace, founded in 1836 by Joseph C. Swearingen, was sold a few years later by the sheriff to William Stewart and C. C. Sullivan, who rebuilt it and opened the new iron works in June, 1816. This furnace stood opposite the present Kiester mill, which was also erected by them in 1843. It was closed in 1860, having been in operation twenty-four years.

The Bard & Bingham foundry at Centreville was opened in 1538. Some time after Isaac Pearson established a foundry, which W. S. Bingham purchased in 1848, and which has been carried on down to the present.

Charles Coulter's fulling and carding mill on Slippery Rock creek, which was burned March 11, 1824, was one of the first industries of the kind in the township.

Wolf Creek woolen factory, operated in 1845 by Samuel Curry, northwest of Centreville on Wolf creek. appears to have produced the goods named in the list of the Hopewell manufacturers at a lower price. Here carpets were manu- factured at from forty to fifty cents a yard, and Kentucky jeans at thirty-seven cents and a half a yard. The factory is now operated by William Curry.

James Layton carried on the old Samuel McMurry carding and cloth-dress- ing concern on Slippery Rock creek.

The Scott Stephenson and the William Fleming, later the Christley tan- neries, were the first industries of this character at Centreville, or in the town- ship. The Christley tannery occupied the present site of George Maxwell's barn. The Stephenson concern was purchased in 1839 by John Covert from John Hodge, and later by Samuel Taggart from John Covert. In 1542 Perry Convert established a new tannery, which was operated for half a century, when the expense of obtaining hemlock bark resulted in its closing down.

The Thompson grist mill of 1822, situated on Slippery Rock creek, southeast of Centreville, passed away years ago. The Etna mills now occupy the site. The Wolf Creek mill, now owned by J. H. Christley, was established in 1832 by James and Robert Vincent. It was afterwards owned by W. F. Rumberger, and later by the McKnights.

A flouring mill. erected by Stewart & Sullivan on the Brownington and Franklin turnpike, at the falls of Slippery Rock creek, was opened July 14. 15-14.

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

The equipment consisted of four pairs of buhrs, with a capacity of from thirty to forty bushels an hour. The sawmill, in connection with the flouring mill, was driven by water power. The sawmill went out of existence years ago. A new buhr mill was erected to replace the old. It is now owned and operated by John Kiester.

Among the carly sawmills were MeKnight's, on Wolf creek ; Kiester's, on Slippery Rock creek, and the Neyman mill on Long run, between Kiester and Centreville. Of late years portable mills have been operated in different parts of the township. One of these mills, owned by John W. Ralston, exploded near Branchton November 26, 1888, killing Jesse Hall, Carlyle Cross and George Kelly, and seriously injuring Lewis Ralston and Joseph Dickson.

SCHOOLS AND JUSTICES.

The first school house was erected on the Wolford clearing about one mile and a half northeast of Centreville. It was here that such teachers as Stephen Cooper, William Parker and Adam Dunn instructed the youth of the settlement. About 1822 or 1823 a log school house was erected on the Abraham Snyder farm in the northwestern part of the township, where Eli and Asenath Beck- with and Rachael Colton taught. In the thirties the Stillwagon school was built on the John, Samuel and Robert Mawha farm, south of Centreville.

The number of children of school age, reported in June, 1893, was 164 males and 120 females in the township, and seventy-eight males and seventy females in Centreville borough. The school revenue in 1893, was $2,8-13.46, including $1,267.4> State appropriation, and in the borough $1,375.57, including $329.04 State appropriation. The assessment of the township in 1891 was $361,699, and of the borough $91,661. The county tax was $1, 1-16.79, for the township and $366.64 for the borough, while the State tax levied in the town- ship was $ 188.02, and in the borough $180.93.

The justices of the peace elected for Slippery Rock township from 1840 to - 194, inclusive, are as follows : Alexander Mc Bride, 1810; James I. Hoge, 1840- 15: Thomas Mifflin, 1845-50; William Moore, 1850; Nathaniel Cooper, 1854-59; Jacob Kiester, 185-60-65; C. D. DeWolf, 1864; II. II. Vincent, 1866-71-82; Jesse Kiester, 1878-77-52; Dawson Wadsworth, IS77; Jacob Kiester, 1884; John Reed, ISS7-92; W. G. MeLaughlin, deceased, 1887-92; W. J. Morrison, to fill vacancy, 1593.

CHURCHES.

The Methodist Episcopal church at Hickory Mills, was established in the thirties, but the organization died out before the war. Members of the Centre- ville class detached themselves and with recruits formed classes in Cherry and adjoining townships.

Bethel United Presbyterian Church is the successor of the Covenanter society. In 1838 the Reformed Presbyterians organized and held meetings in the log school house near the north line of the township. Rev. Andrew W. Black served as pastor from 1833 to 1838, the elders being Samuel Ilogg and Samuel Braham. For a decade subsequent to Is38 the pulpit was vacant. In 1848 Rev.

623

SLIPPERY ROCK TOWNSHIP.

Josiah Hutchman became pastor. He was succeeded in 1852 by Rev. David Kennedy, who organized the Sunday school. The pulpit was again vacant from IS55 to 1858, when Rev. J. F. Hill became pastor and remained until 1866. About this time the original organization passed out of existence. In 1868 a reorganization took place, under the present name, with Rev. William Hutchin- son as pastor, sixty two members being enrolled. Rev. W. D. Ewing, Rev. J. O. McConnell and Rev. A. B. Diekey have been successive pastors of this con- gregation, which now numbers thirty-four members.

VILLAGES.

Mt. Etna was the pioneer village of the township. It grew up around the furnace established in 1822, on Slippery Rock creek, by Dr. John Thompson. A postoffice named Slippery Rock, which was moved to Centreville in 1826, was established there in 1824 with William Ferguson as postmaster. The village passed out of existence many years ago, and is now but a memory.

Kiester, formerly Hickory Mills, is situated on Slippery Rock creek south- east of Centreville. The location is one of the most beautiful in the county, and the water power inexhaustible. The Kiester mills located here foris one of the most important industries of the township. The little village is a station on the Pittsburg, Shenango and Lake Erie railroad, contains a postoffice, named in honor of the Kiester family, with John Kiester, postmaster, and a general store. Slippery Rock Park, which adjoins the village, is one of the most picturesque and beautiful places in the county, and a favorite resort for visitors during the summer.

Branchton is situated at the junction of the Hillard branch of the Pittsburg, Shenango and Lake Erie railroad with the main line. The general store of J. A. Morrison, known as the W. J. Hindman store, a good depot building and eight cottages constitute the village.

Wick is situated in the northeast corner of the township, on the Pittsburg, Shenango and Lake Erie railroad. The depot building, a few cottages and the Critchlow lumber yard, a postoffice and store carried on by Ephriam Adams com- prise the town. A deposit of blue limestone has been utilized for burning lime and making land plaster. The enterprise has been carried on, with occasional interruptions, for several years by W. B. Bard. The station was named for H. E. Wiek, now a resident of Butler. He was the first postmaster.

CHAPTER LXI.

CENTREVILLE BOROUGHI.

FOUNDING OF THE TOWN -STEPHEN COOPER, THE FIRST SETTLER-EARLY BUSINESS ENTERPRISES-FATAL FOURTH OF JULY ACCIDENT-SAVINGS BANK - GAS PLANT -- WATER WORKS -- CO-OPERATIVE CREAMERY ASSOCIATION-CENTREVILLE CEMETERY ASSOCIATION-PRESENT BUSINESS HOUSES -- BOROUGH OFFICIALS -- JUSTICES OF THE PEACE-SCHOOLS -- STATE NORMAL SCHOOL-CHURCHES-SECRET SOCIETIES.

C ENTREVILLE, known to the postoffice department as Slippery Rock, and to the old settlers as " Ginger Hill," was surveyed, in 1824, by David Dougal, on a part of the Stephen Cooper farm. Stephen Cooper, a brother of Nathaniel Cooper, was living in 1800 upon the tract of land settled by the latter in 1798, in what is now Slippery Rock township. Ile knew of 200 acres of land in the township that had not been settled, and which he contemplated taking up. His nephew, Zebulon Cooper, who had settled upon a tract adjoining Nathaniel, discovered one evening that a family was near this land, but, on investigation, found that they were not within the line. That night, Stephen, his brother, Nathaniel. and nephew, Zebulon and wife, located on the land, and working all night, erected a cabin. This land is now a part of the site of Centre- ville. Stephen Cooper cleared a farm on it, and subsequently engaged in keeping tavern in connection therewith, and it is claimed that he was the first landlord as well as the first settler on the site of Centreville borough. His name appears upon the assessment list of ISOB.

A year or two later William Hill arrived and, locating near Cooper's cabin, proved a very welcome neighbor. Samuel Bard, the tailor, came in 1>28. In 1524 John Reynolds built a log house where Robert Kissick's resi- dence now stands, and in April of that year opened it as a tavern. His cabin. with those of William Hill, William Cross and 1. S. Pearson, constituted the vil- lage. In 1826 the Slippery Rock postoffice was moved from Mt. Etna, and I. S. Pearson appointed postmaster. The name Slippery Rock has been continued as the name of the postoffice to the present time. A. J. Bard, the present post- master, was appointed in May, 1893.

Between 1825 and 1830 the pioneer circle was recruited by the arrival of Dr. Eli G. De Wolf. Jesse and Simeon Baker. Samuel Caldwell, the blacksmith, John McNulty. Amos and William Fleming, and Peter Sowash, the blacksmith. Isaac S. Pearson came before 1826, opened the first store and became the first post- master. In the thirties he erected a brick building, occupied in later days by W. S. Bingham. While he was engaged in the mercatile business, Samuel Bard, a contemporary and friend abandoned tailoring, became a chairmaker, and in 13, a foundryman and windmill builder. Bard and Pearson died in 1811, leav-

0,25

CENTREVILLE BOROUGH.

ing valuable properties to their heirs. Thomas Floyd open the second store. made money, and erected a brick building which was afterwards purchased by Ezekiel Wilson, himself an old settler. Peter Sowash and John McCoy erected smaller brick houses prior to 1835, while John Cross built the hotel now known as the Eyth House early in the thirties.

In 1535 the trade, mercantile and professional circles of this village con- sisted of John Eagle, chairmaker : 1. S. Pearson, merchant : Samuel Bard, tailor ; John Taggart, laborer : Moorhead & Wallace, merchants; G. W. Coulter. tavern keeper: Peter Sowash, blacksmith; Peter Uber, cabinet maker: Dr. E. G. De Wolf, physician : James Fulton, wagon maker: Thomas Floyd, merchant ; Scott Stephenson. tanner : William Parshall. tavern keeper; John and Robert McCoy, carpenters : Thomas Stephenson, hatter; George Christley and William Fleming, tanners ; William Ramsey, blacksmith ; Joseph Justice, hatter ; William Gibson, tinsmith ; John Seth, tavern keeper; John Reynolds, justice of the peace ; Samuel Kerr, representative in the legislature ; Robert Young, wheel- wright : Alexander Buchanan, cabinet maker ; Stephen Cooper, farmer: James Bell and G. W. Bratton, laborers; John Mcclintock, shoemaker : Samuel Cur- ran, wagon maker, and John Cross, brickmaker.

In the forties came Charles Prosser, a tailor, Daniel K. Hill, a shoemaker, John C. Ramsey, Romain Eyth, Elisha Kingsbury, George Potts and Thomas Humphrey. In 1846 Elisha Kingsbury started a store, and during the Mexican war the village was the trading center of a wide district.

The Fourth of July celebration of 1849. in Centreville, resulted in the death of William Mccutcheon, and the serious injury of John Neal, Jr., Samuel Weak- ley and David Ramsey. It appears that the brass cannon used upon this occa- sion, had been charged, in addition to the usual load of powder, with a wadding above the powder, of pieces of sod in which there was a mixture of coarse gravel. When the cannon was discharged Mccutcheon and the other three were struck by the gravel. This cannon afterward saw service in the Civil war.

In 1 59 J. S. Wilson located here ; T. S. Coulter opened his hardware store in 1865, and W. HI. Sturdevant a wagon and carriage making establishment in IS66. In this year also Charles Prosser returned from Butler. J. S. French's drug store was established later.

The Savings Bank was established in 1873. by John T. and Austin T. Bard, Norman Patterson, John Bigham, R. F. Glenn, Thomas George, W. O. Breck- enridge and Milton Henry as stockholders and officials. After the death of John T. Bard, Norman Patterson was elected president, and later purchased the inter- ests of the members of the company. He carried it on as a private bank until 1>>7, when W. H. Wilson, who now conducts it, became the owner.

Between 1870 and 1880, the Wilson hardware store. Muntz's harness shop. Kaufman's blacksmith shop, C. W, Coulter's drug store, and other trade and mercantile enterprises were established.

The natural gas plant was established in 1987 by H. P. Griffith. Four wells, two in the borough, one on John Wolford's and one on Franklin Eyth's farm. form the source of supply for 400 fires and 700 light -.

The water works were constructed in the fall of 1992, by John Mc Gonegal.

626

HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

about fifty rods north of the State Normal School. The source of supply is a drilled well. The pumping is done by windmill, and when that fails, by a six- horse-power engine.

The Co-operative Creamery Association (limited ) was organized August 12, 1>93, with 11. M. Gill, president ; W. J. Morrison, secretary and treasurer ; W. H. Grine, manager : Robert McCoy. J. J. McGarvey, E. Il. Kirkpatrick, H. M. Gill and W. J. Morrison, directors. The new building, twenty-eight by forty- two feet, is equipped with all the latest improved mechanical appliances. The capacity is 500 pounds of butter a day.

The Centreville Cemetery Association was incorporated in 1871, with Benja- min l'earson, president : 11. 11. Vincent, vice-president; Thomas S. Coulter, sec- retary ; J. T. Bingham, treasurer, and C. O. Coulter, superintendent. The vacancy in the vice-presidency, caused by the death of II. II. Vincent, has not yet been filled.

The town has grown rapidly since the establishment of the State Normal School, and now claims a population of about 800. Building has been active, resulting in the erection of a large number of handsome and costly residences, and more modern and sightly business houses. Mercantile and trade inter- ests have kept pace with the increase in population, and the town is recognized as an important trade center. The principal business houses are as follows : F. 1. Bingham and T. S. Coulter & Company, hardware ; John T. Bingham, agri- cultural implements ; Clutton Brothers, drugs and medicines ; Bard & Son, F. T. Whitten & Company, J. C. Kerr, Bolton & Wilson and W. T. Ramsey, general stores; R. N. Nelson and Uber & Bestler, furniture and undertaking; E. F. Chandler & Company, millinery ; W. T. Ramsey, Jr., bakery ; J. N. Stillwagon and Thomas Rhodes. harness makers; J. R. Martin & Sons, butchers; W. E. Lawrence, hotel and restaurant ; W. H. Wilson. banker ; and Baker & Nelson and Hall & Campbell, livery stables. There are two hotels, the Eyth House, by Francis Eyth, and the Central House by W. E. Lawrence. The press is repre- sented by the Slippery Rock Signal, a seven-column weekly, established Febru- ary 12, 1892. It is edited by Albert L. Weihe, and is Republican in politics. On September 1, 1894, a telegraph line connected with the main line of the Western Union Telegraph company at Wick station, on the Pittsburg, Shenango and Lake Erie railroad, was opened for business. The office is in Clutton Brothers' drug store, and is in charge of W. H. Pattison as operator.

BOROUGH OFFICIALS,

The borough was incorporated in 1841 ; but for thirty-six years little was accomplished by the councils toward raising the village above the condition of a country hamlet. The old records are not in possession of the clerk, but from the records in the county offices the following names of burgesses and councilmen were obtained :

1877-W. H. Curran, burgess : Thomas Reed, J. L. Warmcastle, E. A. Mc- Coy, D. S. Ramsey, S. Sowash and A. W. Shroyer.

1878-C. O. Kingsbury, burgess ; L. Sturdevant, J. P. MeQuistion, W. G. Coulter, J. M. Roberts and John Wick.

627

CENTREVILLE BOROUGH.

1879-W. R. Hays, burgess ; John Wick, Harry Young, W. G. Christley, Thomas Wilson and A. B. Prosser.

1880-Robert Kissick, burgess ; S. S. Morrison, J. 11. Muntz, C. O. Kings- bury. A. B. Prosser, Francis Eyth and Milton Covert.

1>>1-Milton Covert, burgess ; J. P. MeQuistion, Samuel Dickey, Edward Maybury, C. O. Kingsbury and J. N. Stillwagon.

1882-David Wilson. burgess ; S. S. Morrison, George Maxwell, John Kerr and L. V. Kiester.

18SB-John Daugherty, burgess : C. W. Coulter, Rev. Ewing and Rev. Wright.

1881-F. P. Bingham, burgess ; C. W. Bard, W. J. MeCarnes , Joseph Des- sett. John H. Hogan and Joseph Bestler.

1885-E. M. Maybury, burgess ; J. P. MeQuistion, John Wick and W. HI. Wilson.

1886-J. M. Roberts, burgess; J. H. Muntz, E. M. Maybury and W. Kauffman.

1857-P. L. Coulter, burgess : C. O. Kingsbury, S. S. Morrison and A. H. Baker.

1888-L. D. Kiester, burgess ; G. Morrison, J. II. Hogan and T. C. Kelly. 1889-W. H. Wilson, burgess; E. M. Maybury and J. N. Stillwagon.

1890-W. H. Grine, burgess : A. W. Christy and J. 11. Muntz.

1891-Thomas Peters. burgess ; W. 11. Grine and Thomas Logan.

1892-R. N. Nelson, burgess : A. H. Baker, J. C. Ricketts and P. II. Sowash.

1893-J. Maybury, burgess ; W. II. Wilson, G. W. Campbell, John Kerr, Frank Glutton and W. M. Humphrey.

1894-Lewis Bolton, burgess ; E. M. Maybury. W. M. Humphrey, W. J. Kissick, J. E. Bard and Frank Clutton.

The justices of the peace elected for the borough of Centreville, from 1841 to 1894 are as follows : Charles Prosser, 1>41 ; Alexander Buchanan. 141-58- 58-63: Daniel K. Hill, 1846; George W. Bratton, 1846; Francis Findley, 1848; John C. Ramsey, 1848: Jame- D. Riddell, 1:50: John J. Kelly. 1854; James P. Christy, 1859; A. J. Bard, 1861-66-71-76: W. J. McCarnes. 1866: William Grill, 1869 ; David McDonald, IST8; T. S. Coulter, INTE-N : A. Prosser, INSI ; C. O. Kingsbury, 1881-82; T. C. Kelly, I>>3 ; J. Maybury, 1887 ; Alfred Christy, ISAS : E. M. Maybury, ISS9; T. C. C . James S. Wilson, 194.

SCHOOLS.

Prior to 1835, when the common school system went into effect, the youth of Centreville received instruction in the rudiments of an English education in subscription schools, the log school house being the predecessor here, as well as in other pioneer settlements, of the better buildings of later days. Among the early teachers, both in the subscription and public schools, were Robert MeEl- wain, John Bollinger, of Cherry township, William Murphy and Samuel Christley. Dr. Asa M. Patterson, now a resident physician of the borough, taught school here as early as 1854. About I>5S or 1860 the borough school was

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History of Butler County, Pennsylvania, Part 77

Author: Brown, Robert C., ed; Leeson, M. A. (Michael A.); Meagher, John, jt. comp; Meginness, John Franklin, 1827-1899, jt. comp Publication date: 1895 Publisher: Chicago : R. C. Brown Number of Pages: 1658

Author: Brown, Robert C., ed; Leeson, M. A. (Michael A.); Meagher, John, jt. comp; Meginness, John Franklin, 1827-1899, jt. comp
Publication date: 1895
Publisher: Chicago : R. C. Brown
Number of Pages: 1658