History of Butler County, Pennsylvania, Part 80

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 80

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).

Anandale Station, Boyers postoffice, was founded in August, 1878, under the name of Byerstown ; but not until January, 1882, was a post-office established there, with W. G. Smith, postmaster. Frederick Byers and family came from Armstrong county in 1810, and purchased the William Stoops property that year, the owner moving to Washington township. On this farm a hotel was erected in 1876 by a grandson of Frederick, and the true beginnings of the pres- ent little railroad town were made. Six years after, William Mabold was the general merchant of the place and the second postmaster and express agent ; A. McCandless was also a merchant ; Sproul & King operated the grist mill ; Henry Baldwin carried on a wagon and blacksmith shop ; Stephens & Taft were owners of the stave and heading mill, and R. Byers carried on the hotel business. The trade revival of that year led to several building enterprises in 1882-83; but, dur- ing the ten succeeding years, little progress was made. In 1893, however, the new store buildings of L. J. Sisney and H. Hamilton were built.

At Bailey's store, near Harrisville, Joseph Bailey carries on a general mer chandise business.

645

MARION TOWNSHIP.

CHURCHES.

The United Presbyterian Church of West Unity had its inception about 1807, when several Presbyterian ministers visited Butler county with the object of organizing churches, and, it is said, came into Marion township in 1809 to enter into friendly competition with the old Seceder church, near Harrisville. They were successful in gathering a membership, and erecting a log building in which to hold services. In 1825 the trustees agreed to erect a new house of worship, and that year, Orrin Waters built a good house for the time and place, -- the fathers or grandfathers of five of the men named in the articles of incorporation, with Henry Thompson, being the prime movers in the enterprise. Rev. Cyrus Riggs, who preached a gospel acceptable to members of the Presbyterian, Asso- ciate Reformed, Seceder and the Covenanter denominations, was then filling the pulpit and continued his services until 1829 or 1830. Then came Rev. Jo- seph Johnston, an Irishman, to take charge of the Calvinistic churches of Bear Creek, Unity, North Washington and one or two others. Within four years he carried the larger part of the membership into the Associate Reformed church and in 1835 witnessed the transportation of the Atwell Presbyterian society into the Unity Associate Reformed society-James Bovard, James Waddle and Hugh Lee being the elders. Two years later John McCuen. David Christy and Hugh Lee were elected trustees, and Rev. James Green called as pastor. James Black, Charles Cochran and Alexander Buchanan were installed elders in 1838. Under Rev. James Green and the trustees named the building of 1>25 was made habitable for the worshipers, who had by that time cooled down and decided to remain members of the Associate Reformed congregation.

The church was incorporated February S, 1886, with William H. Atwell, S. . J. Black, James Dugan and Joshua Black, trustees. Among the petitioners were S. M. Seaton, R. G. AAdams, S. F. Milford and Samuel Laughlin. The pastors since Mr. Green's day are as follows : Revs. Robert W. Oliver, 1812 ; J. K. Riddle, 1846; J. H. Fife. 184>: (vacancy 1>55-58) : James .1. Campbell, 1858: W. A. Black, 1860: J. E. Dodds, 1 74: (vacancy 1877-79) R. A. Gilfil- lan. 1879: (vacancy 1882), and J. J. Imbrie from 1882 up to the present. The membership in 1894 was 165. Mr. Imbrie preaches also at the Scotch Hill and Ebenezer churches, in Mercer county, and is one of the most energetic and suc- cessful ministers in Butler county.

St. Alphonsus Catholic Church at Murrinsville, dates its foundation back to 1841. Fully forty-one years prior to that date a small congregation assembled at stated times at the Murrin homestead, east of the present village. to participate in the service of the mass, for. as in 1753, when the French soldiery and carpen- ters were here. so in 1800 missionary fathers visited the settlements in Butler county. About 1807 Father Ferry came to this neighborhood. and his successors in charge of St. Patrick's church, on Sugar creek, continued the good work until the stone church building was completed in ISH1. Father John Cody baptized Sarah McNally at Murrinsville. August 13, 1839. Father Hugh P. Gallagher appears to have come here in 1>42; Father Michael J. Mitchell, in 1843; Father Hoy, in 1845; Father Michael Creadon. in 1>45: Father Mitchell. 1850; Father

HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

Doyle, ISSI: Father Thomas O'Farrell attended from New Castle in 1855, and Father John C. Farren in 1859. Father Hughes came in November, 1859 and remained one year, when Father Thomas Walsh succeeded him. Early in 1863 Rev. J. C. Bigham, (now of St. Bridget's church, Pittsburg), took charge and remained until the coming of Father Kerr, in 1865. Father William A. Nolan visited the church in July, 1866, then came Father C. V. Neeson, who remained until 1870, when Father Heaney was appointed. Ile was succeeded the same year by Father James Tahaney, and he by Father Neeson in 1872. From 1875 to 1880, Father James F. Tobin was here. Rev. Hugh Connery came in 1880; Rev. Hugh K. Barr in ISSI ; Rev. Hugh Haggerty in 1882; Rev. F. B. Brady in 1885; Rev. Thomas J. Morris in 189, and Rev. William T. Dwyer, the present pastor, in 1892.

The old members of the congregation are named as follows : Hugh Murrin. Sr., John Murrin, Sr., Joseph Murrin, Sr., George, Philip, Hugh, ( who donated 160 acres for church purposes), Peter, Hugh (B), William, John. Hugh K., James and Joseph Murrin and their families; James Green, Peter Mclaughlin, Jacob and IIngh Kellerman, Zachariah Fielding, Dudley, Patrick and Francis Carr, Michael, James and Edward Higgins, James, John, Joseph and Hugh Mc- Anallen, Patrick, John and Francis McNamee, Thomas, Hugh and William G. Me Laughlin, John Peoples, Thomas and Daniel McDermott. James, Daniel, John and David Kelly, Michael Kelly, Sr., Bernard Gardner, Thomas McGarvey. William Holland. Michael McClafferty, William Forquer, Michael Conway. Neil Gormley, Michael, Patrick (merchant), and Patrick ( farmer ) McBride, John Kinnehan, Michael, Dennis and Charles Logue, James Read. Daniel Mc- Cauley, John Mccullough and their families. The congregation now numbers forty families, though nearly double that number claim the mother church as theirs. In 1839 John Murrin donated an acre for church and cemetery purposes, and, in Is41, the stone church was completed thereon. The roof and flooring of the old church were destroyed by fire, January 20, 1893; but the furniture and bell were saved. The work of restoration was at once entered upon, under the superintendence of the pastor, with John C. and C. G. Murrin. A tower and belfry were added and, practically, a new church was completed.

CHAPTER LAV. CHERRY TOWNSHIP.

ORGANIZATION-PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS-COAL DEPOSITS-MINING COMPANIES- POPULATION AND STATISTICS-PIONEERS-EARLY MANUFACTURERS-FIRST ELEC- TION-SCHOOLS-JUSTICES OF THE PEACE-CHURCHES-VILLAGES-THE CYCLONE OF 1882.

C HERRY township, organized in 1854, is watered by Slippery Rock creek. its north and south branches, Murrin's run and Findley run. In the vici- nity of Anandale the elevations are from 1, 150 to 1,490 feet above ocean level, while in the southwest quarter of the township 1,100 feet elevations are found. The highest rock discovered is the Upper Freeport sandstone, and the lowest, the Homewood, as seen near water level on the main stream and its feeders. Kit- tanning coal has been mined on the Galloway and Grossman, the Bryan, the Robert Black, John Smith and the Hockenberry farms, a seam of cannel coal being found in the mine on the last named farm, near Five Points. The effect of the Union Coal and Coke Company and the Gomersal Coal Company's enterprise in opening up the coal fields of this section cannot be overestimated. The ferri- ferous limestone quarry and kiln, southwest of Anandale, near the Robert Black dwelling, were known years ago when McGregor operated them.

The population in 1840 was 625; in 1850, 970; in 1860, 907; in 1870, 903; in 1880, 1,161, and in 1890, 1,433. The total assessed value January 1. 1894, was $296,712, the county tax, $1, 186.35 and State tax, $68. 10.

PIONEERS.

The first pioneer settlement of this township was made in 1797. by Benedict Grossman and his family and Robert Black, his son-in-law. Mr. Grossman brought with him a small stock of goods which were exposed for sale in a log cabin in Washington township, owned by John Christy, with Robert Black in charge. Within a short time, however, he removed the unsold portion of the stock to his place in Cherry township. Benedict Grossman's wife, whose maiden name was Betsey Stivert, was taken captive by Indians in York county, Pennsylvania, in 1756, and kept by them until 1763, when she was restored to the whites at Pittsburg. In 1803 Benjamin Grossman, a son of Benedict, paid four- teen cents taxes on two cows and one horse, while Robert Black paid eleven cents on one horse and one cow, neither of the families being assessed for real estate.

Michael Stevenson, his wife Sarah, and sons John, James and William, came from Ireland in 1798 and settled here. The three sons afterward served in the War of 1812. All three of them died within ten days after their return home of

648

HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

"Black Rock fever." In 1803 John was the owner of 400 acres of land in this township, and was practically the head of the family until the breaking ont of the War of 1812 called him into the service of his country.

Andrew Stewart came here from Northumberland county in 1798, and set- tled on 400 acres of land, where some of his descendants still live. He was one of the pioneer school teachers of the county, and served at Black Rock in the War of 1812. He married Mary Russell, and reared a large family.

John Christy, a native of Ireland, came here from Westmoreland county in the spring of 1799, and settled on 400 acres of land where his granddaughter, Mrs. Martha Campbell, now lives. Robert McCallen, who married Polly Gross- man in 1797, the same year in which her father settled here, came in 1799, and cleared land for Benedict Grossman his father-in law, until he purchased a farm for himself near New Hope church.

Alexander Hutchison and family came from Westmoreland county in 1800, but did not own taxable real estate when the county was organized. William Hutchison, however, had 228 acres of land, three cows and two horses. The Russell family, who settled in Scrubgrass township, Venango county, in 1798, contributed five sons to the settlement of Cherry. Samuel, the ellest, died in 1870, aged ninety-four years. They were not here when Butler county was or- ganized, but came into the Stewart neighborhood shortly afterwards.

Joseph Porter, son of Alexander and Margaret ( Braden ) Porter, of Wash- ington county. settled near the north line of Butler with his parents in 1798, and twenty years after south of the north line of Cherry township. John Hocken- berry, who settled in Brady township in 1803, afterwards moved into Cherry and died here. John Smith, Sr .. came from Parker township prior to 1820. In 1821 he married Mary Stevenson, and began the improvement of the lands which he purchased here. For three-quarters of a century the Smiths of Cherry town- ship have been leading farmers. James Bovard, who settled in Fairview town- ship in 1798, moved into this township in 1824, settling on 250 acres of land now owned by his grandson. Charles B. Bovard.

The old mill, known as Ray's mill, was built early in the century by General Campbell, a soldier of the Revolution. McMurry's distillery and grist mill were established on McMurry's run in 1810. Twenty years after the linseed oil and woolen mills were built. In Is43 the property fell into the hands of Samuel McMurry. Jr., and he added a saw mill. The McCoy & Grossman mill was erected in 1866 on the site of Bovard's mill.

The first election in Cherry township was held October 13, 1840, when the following vote was cast : S. A. Purviance, sixty-five. and William Jack fifty- three votes for Congress : Charles C. Sullivan, sixty-five, and John Negley fifty- three votes for State Senate : Isaac S. Pearson, sixty five, and George Potts fifty- three votes for Assembly ; George Miller, sixty-four, and Alexander Henry fifty- three votes for commissioner: George Emerick, sixty-five, and David Shannon fifty-three votes for auditor ; Jacob Brinker, forty-six, and II. C. De Wolf forty- six votes for long term trustee, and William Stewart, forty-six. for short term trustee of academy.

649

CHERRY TOWNSHIP.

SCHOOLS AND JUSTICES.

The schools of the pioneer period were very primitive affairs. The children of the southeastern section attended Robert McElvaine's class north of where West Sunbury now stands ; while Martin Butts taught in the Christy-Black neighborhood, receiving $100 for his services. Prior to 1815 the school question was not considered in Cherry township, so that the teachers named appeared here after that date. Joseph Porter, one of the pioneers, was the first teacher of the school in the Porter settlement, his immediate successors being Wilson Potts and Catherine McCloskey. Andrew Stewart was also one of the pioneer teacher -. The number of children of school age reported June 5, 1893, was 158 males and 165 females. The State appropriation for schools was $1,603.12, and the school revenue from all sources, $3.172.21.

The justices of the peace elected from 1840 to 1894 are as follows: Joseph Cross, 1840; John Hanna, 1840; John Glenn, 1843, 1848 and 1853; Thomas Floyd, 1845; Johnston Bovard, 1849; Washington Bovard, 1854; George E. Christy. 1854; Hiram C. McCoy, 1858 and 1868; Robert Dunn, 1859; Moses Crain, 1863 : Samuel D. Christy, 1864; John Smith, 1865, 1870, 1875, and 1880; John McCallen, 1871; Robert McElhaney, 1876, 1881, 1886 and 1891; A. W. Christie, 1884 ; Thomas Christley, 1887; J. S. Campbell, 1888 and 1893.

CHURCHES.

Pleasant Valley Presbyterian Church was organized in 18-15, by Revs. Loyal Young and John Munson, and Elder McBride, with eighteen members. The first elders were Dr. H. C. Linn, James Smart and Robert Allison. The original members included the first elders and their wives, with James Campbell. Levi Gibson, David Russell and Robert McCallen, with their wives; Elizabeth McCandless, Nancy McElvaine, Elizabeth Black and Mary Ann Black. In 1846 a house of worship was built, and in April, 1847, a call was extended to Rev. John Moore, a licentiate. He was installed June 22, 1817, pastor of the socie- ties at Pleasant Valley, Clintonville and Harrisville, and served until November 13, 1849, when Rev. T. S. Leason filled the pulpit. In April, 1850, Rev. John Coulter was called, and he served until April 12, 1858. In June, 1865, Rev. James Coulter was installed, but from February, 1871, when he was released. to July, 1872, when Rev. Alexander S. Thorn was called, the church was without a pastor. Three years after Mr. Thorn was released, or on May 14. 1875, Rev. Alonzo W. Lawrence was installed, and he served until April, 1880. Rev. George W. Bean was stated supply from August, 1850, to September, 1883, and he was followed by other supplies, such as Revs. D. Il. Laverty, James G. Rose and others. Among the elders appear the names of James Campbell, William Porter, George Christy, Thomas Christy, W. McElvaine, Robert Ilindman, Nelson McElvaine, Kerr McCandless, A. W. Christy, J. R. Billingsley, Walter Curry, C. H. Book and Ilenry Peters. There are now seventy-four members. The church was incorporated May 7, 18SS, on petition of Walter Curry, Joseph Black, J. R. Allison, Henry Peters and Charles II. Book. The trustees named in the articles of association were Joseph Black, D. J. Washabaugh, M. D., and Oliver Thompson.

650

HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

New Hope Presbyterian Church was organized November 17, 1879, by Rev. J. 11. Marshall and Elder W. P. Braham, with forty-two members. The elders were John Porter, Robert McElhaney, Agnew Hartley. John Webb and P. A. Shannon. Rev. A. W. Lawrence was supply for a few months at the begin- ning : Rev. J. A. Menard, from March, 1880, to 1882; Rev. Mr. Laverty in 1886, and James G. Rose in 1887. In 1893 this society of 112 members was without a regular pastor. A charter was granted June 24. 1881, to Il. L. Rhodes, M. Brookmyer, John Porter, Robert Mc Elhaney, P. A. Shannon, T. J. Shannon, R. A. Hartley and J. D. Stevenson, the three last named being the trustees.

The Methodist Episcopal Church of Anandale was organized in 1858, by Revs. J. McCombs and J. Nye, as a class of the Centreville circuit, holding ser- vices in an unfinished house of T. F. Christley. The first complement of ten members was increased in 1859, when a camp meeting was held near Pleasant Valley Presbyterian church, and many converts were enrolled. Ultimately the Presbyterian church was obtained in which to hold services. Later that year a round log house was erected north of the Presbyterian house, and in it meetings were held until 1863, when it was burned. Nine years later a church building was begun at Anandale, which was completed May 3. 1873, at a cost approxi- mating $2,000. Since the close of the war, in fact, since its organization, the ministers named in the sketch of North Hope Methodist church have preached here.

VILLAGES.

Coaltoten, formerly Coalville, a town created in 1880 on the line between Slippery Rock and Cherry townships, is a place of some promise. A branch of the Shenango railroad, then having its terminus at Hilliard's, was constructed to the creek in 1880, and a promise made to extend it to Butler. In the fall of 1881 there were thirty coke ovens completed, twenty new two-story cottages, as well as the great coal wash-house of the company. Bard & Brother opened a store there in the fall of 1880. A few months later Shannon & Book's store was opened ; A. L. Kelso built the hotel: John HI. Walker established a drug store. and Dr. De Wolfe arrived before the summer of 1881. Then came Lewis Owens, who was succeeded in 18 2 by Sample & Elliott.

On July 3, 1882, a postoffice was established here under the name of Coal- town, and Perry Shannon appointed postmaster. Mr. Bollinger, who succeeded II. W. Elliott, is the present incumbent. The cyclone of June, 1882, described at the close of this chapter, brought the village prominently before the people. and had some effect in winning the recognition of the postal authorities.

At present James Welsh is the general merchant and mine superintendent, while H. W. Elliott carries on the old Sample & Elliott store, and V. Fogal the drug store. There are now sixty-nine houses belonging to the company, or twenty two-story, forty-two one-story and four double houses or blocks, exclu- sive of the large wash-house and other buildings. The private buildings, about twenty in number, include the hall built by Jacob Rennick and Perry Double & Company for religious, musical and secret societies, and for village purposes.

The Union Coal and Coke Company commenced operations at Coaltown in

651

CHERRY TOWNSHIP.

November, 1879; but the railroad, built by that company, was not completed until December, 1880, when the first coal was shipped by rail from this point. In June, 1881, the building of coke ovens was commenced and the first shipments of coke made in December following. By April, 1883, there were fifty ovens in operation, and the production of coal for shipment equalled 300 tons a day, The officers in 1879, were Henry Rawle, chairman, and George G. Stage, of Greerville, secretary, treasurer and manager. The other stockholders were J. J. Spearman, George Boyce and P. L. Kimberly, of Sharon, Pennsylvania. J. J. Spearman has been chairman since IS81. while Mr. Stage hold- the same position to which he was elected in 1879.

Gomersal was named by the Gomersil Coal Company, the name being derived from an English coal town. The president is Charles Arms, of Young -- town, Ohio. The banks are in the Middle Kittanning vein. Sixty miners and other employes bring the number of workers up to seventy-five. The daily ship- ment is about 150 tons of screened coal, shipped to Youngstown and Buffalo. The company leased their land- here from John Smith, George W. Hockenberry, Jacob Wolford and R. F. Christy in 1881, and began building the same year under the superintendence of William Ferguson, who still holds that position. There were forty-five diferent houses erected, including the large apartment houses of six apartments each. The store, also built by the company, has been operated by three firms. Sproul & Stoops have had it for the last five years and the postoffice for about three years. The Gomersal South Branch Railroad was constructed four miles from Branchton, in 1852. F. W. Ferguson is book-keeper and operator. There are two main drifts in operation.

The Garfield Mine, north of Gomersal, is operated by the Mercer Mining and Manufacturing Company. For over three and one-half years it was idle, and the work of cleaning up had commenced when the reduction of 1894 interrupted it. The company have about twelve frame houses there. There are now only three families in the place.

Borard, near the confluence of McMurry's run and Slippery Rock creek, take- its name from the pioneer family of this section, one of whom located here. When the railroad was constructed the place became of more importance than even in the days when Bovard's mill was the only attraction. In 1866 McCoy & Gros-man's grist mill was built on the site of Bovard's mill, and about the time the depot was erected a dozen or more of large frame houses were put up. The Grossman mill and blacksmith shop. and J. A. Bailey's store represent the manu- facturing and mercantile interests of the village.

Anandale, surveyed in 1840 for John llanna, is a pleasant hamlet. The founder established the first tavern there, and also the first store. Through his exertions it was made a postal village, with himself as postmaster, and for over half a century it has played an important part in the history of this township. Hiram C. McCoy, at one time associate judge. Rev. James Green, B. Shulte, J. D. Vogan and Braden Porter are all counted in its old mercantile circle, while John Riddle, J. Stillwagon, Jacob Seth and Richard Graham were among its tavern keepers. In January, 1858, the name of Anandale postoffice was changed to Wigton's Store, and John Wigton was appointed postmaster ; but the old

652

HISTORY OF' BUTLER COUNTY.

name was afterwards restored. The present postmaster is Mrs. Clara McCoy, who was appointed in December, 1893.

Moniteau is one of the new postoffices, of which J. H. Graham was appointed postmaster in 1894.

THE CYCLONE OF ISS2.

The cyclone of June 30, 1882, is said to have formed at or near Hickory mill dam, a mile west of Coaltown, and to have advanced to destroy the new village. Bard Brothers' store, the first struck, was torn in pieces ; then the houses of Seth Myers, William Barron, W. A. Kelly, Theodore Ehrhart, Frederick Stewart, Dr. De Wolfe and Leonard McQuistion were carried away and destroyed and the doctor's barn torn to pieces ; while the wind played havoc with the store of Sample & Elliott, the shoe shop of Adam Korn, the drug store of J. II. Walker, the office of Dr. De Wolfe, the Kelso hotel, Mrs. Kiester's Hall, occupied by the Knights of Honor, and S. Jamison's store. Mrs. William Barron was killed, Henry Hendley, an engineer, was taken up in the air column and lashed to death, while several others received severe injuries. The Union Coal Com- pany's buildings, located here almost three years before this atmospheric freak, escaped with trivial damage. Though the track of the cloud was from forty to fifty rods wide, and its velocity beyond comprehension, the country east of Coaltown suffered little. The Pigeon-wing school house, in Cherry township, was de- stroved, the orchards of Samuel Glenn, John Smith, Charles Tinker and Levi Stewart were carried away and their crops, with the fields of John Kiester, Joseph Armstrong, David Stewart and William Russell, ruined.

CHAPTER LAVI.

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP.

ORIGIN OF NAME-PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS-COAL MINES AND MINING COMPANIES -POPULATION AND STATISTICS-PIONEERS-FIRST ELECTION AND JUSTICES- SCHOOLS-CHURCHES-NORTH WASHINGTON-EDUCATIONAL AND INSURANCE COR- PORATIONS-OTHER VILLAGES.

W ASHINGTON township, which lies south of Venango and west of Parker townships. was created in 1846, and changed to its present boundaries in 1854. It was named after George Washington, the first president of the United States. The elevation of North Washington, or North Hope, the name of the postoffice, is 1,500 feet above the level of the sea, or thirty feet below a hill to the north, and sixty feet below a hill to the northwest. The cannel coal deposits are extensive and rich, while the Clarion and Kittanning coals abound. The Allegheny, Buckeye, Eichbar and Erie Company's mines, in the Hil- liard district ; the Lake Erie Coal Company's new mines and Henry Royle's banks on the A. Sheidemantle farm, are all valuable properties. The develop-

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.

History of Butler County, Pennsylvania, Part 80

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