USA > Pennsylvania > Butler County > History of Butler County, Pennsylvania > Part 82
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Hugh Murrin established a mill early in the present century, east of Murrinsville, on his 400 acre tract, while his son, James Murrin, a single man, in 1803 had 300 acres. On the present Gormley farm, Hugh Murrin built a dis- tillery, and was in every sense the most progressive resident of northern Butler. ITis son. John Murrin, was widely known in this part of the State. Other members of the family made their homes here, each being a model citizen.
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Michael Kelly, who purchased 400 acres including James Simpson's improve- ment, was also the founder of a large family. He came at a very early date with his wife and one child. Nicholas Vanderlin, a native of Holland, and son John, came here in 1799 and took up 540 acres of land. They were soldiers of the Revolution. The father died in 1817, and John in 1856. Samuel Campbell and Robert Cochran, Sr., settled south of what is now Farmington; William Adams erected a log grist mill on the Murrin lands in 1801, and a year later added a saw mill. John Logue cleared a large tract of land, Thomas Coulter established a saw mill and James Coulter a tannery shortly after ; while Samuel Sloan gave his attention to agriculture and leisure hours to military affairs, taking much pleasure in witnessing the evolutions of the militia under Captain Jolly. Robert Leason and Joseph Kerr were estimable old residents, and James Shields was a soldier of the Revolution and a pensioner of the United States. He owned 400 acres of land, while John Shields owned 300 acres.
John Watt, Samuel Culbertson, Alexander Strain, Ephraim Turk. Andrew Maitland, Levi Williams and John Donaldson moved into Venango county prior to the War of 1812. John Stewart, who settled here in 1810. moved to Ohio in J820. His son, William B., remained here and is said to have erected the first frame dwelling house in this county. John Jamison located here in 1818. The Stalkers, Williams, James Porter, William Parker, Robert Cunning- ham and others came before the close of the War of 1812. thus completing the pioneer circle.
The vote of the original Venango township cast at the first election, October 8, 1805, was divided as follows: Thomas Mckean, twenty-one, and Simon Snyder, six votes for governor : James O'llara, nine, Samuel Smith, of Erie, fif- teen, and Nathaniel Irish five votes for congres- ; James Martin twenty-nine votes for senate; Jacob Mechling twenty-nine, George Robison twelve, Abner Lacock twenty-three, Francis McLure eighteen and James Corothers five votes for the legislature, and Jacob Smith twelve, and Hugh Conway seventeen for commissioner.
When the question of subdividing the county was discussed in 1853, it caused some excitement here. On March 19, of that year, a remonstrance from Venango township was filed. This set forth that the petitioners were aware of an effort being made to re-subdivide the county into townships of five square miles each ; that such a measure would disarrange the school districts and render useless some valuable school-houses, and that it would be attended with heavy expense " and increased taxes, already heavier than we are able to bear." The signers were Thomas Jolly, Thomas Stewart, Franklin Jamison, John Jamison, Henry Kohlmeyer, John McKee. A. W. Crawford, Robert Allen, Andrew Sloan, Samuel Sloan, Cyrus Rosenberry, Lewis Chambers, II. Jamison, W. T. Crawford, William Gibson, John D. Cunningham, Thomas P. Layton, S. M. Anderson, Samuel Leason, John Allen, John McKeany, Peter Murrin, James Milford, R. M. Crawford, George P. McMahon, James McMahon. Joseph Sloan, A. P. Halderman, William Layton, William Fowler, John P. Pollock, John Pollock. George S. Jamison, William Jamison and S. Halderman. The
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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
division was made, however, but the old settlers who opposed it never " took kindly " to the new order of affairs.
CHURCHES AND CEMETERIES.
The Associate Presbyterian Church of Unity, is the name of the old Seceder church, organized as early as 1800. Among the original member> were James Scott, Reuben Irwin, William, David and James Sloan. John Leslie. William Perry, Robert Dickson, James Anderson and their wives. This was practically a part of the present East Unity United Presbyterian church, and served by the same pastors down to the division of 1858, when many refused to ally themselves with the United Presbyterians. Rev. John M. Snodgrass, the first pastor, in 1858, after the division, remained four years. Rev. Sample Ramsey was here for ten years, and then Rev. S. H. MeNeal served for about a decade. In 1865 a frame church building was erected, but it has been repeatedly repaired in the last quarter of a century. The members of the session include J. P. Riddle, R. T. Atwell. clerk, A. C. Wilson. John Blair and William McGinnis. The membership in January, 1894, was 140. The church was incor- porated May 7. 1888. The subscribers were A. O. Miller, A. C. Wilson, S. H. McNeal, J. B. Atwell, D. Perry, R. C. Wilson, A. T. Ferguson, John Blair, P. S. Atwell, Samuel Park, W. McGinnis and J. McGinnis. The pulpit was sup- plied up to 1894, as it was for some time before, but in January, 1894, a call was extended to Rev. A. M. Malcolm.
The Methodist Episcopal Church of Farmington was originally in the Clintonville circuit, meetings being held in groves, tents, private houses or at the Blair school-house down to 1851, when a house of worship was erected at Farmington. The first class, organized by Rev. Coxswain, was kept alive by zealous leader- until Rev. Edwin Hull came in 1850, and in 1851 a new build- ing was erected. For twenty-one years the Methodists of the district worshiped in the little frame house. In 1872, however, Rev. James Groves urged the erec- tion of a new house and the society agreed with him, so that the present church building was completed that year at an outlay approximating $1,000. Rev. Malcolm Torrey is the present pastor.
East Unity United Presbyterian Church was organized in 1802, by Rev. Thomas Mcclintock, with the following elders : Samuel Sloan, Reuben Irwin, Robert Riddle and Robert Crawford. The members included the men named and their wives, with Robert Leason, Robert Conn, Adam Curry, James McKinley, James Calvert, James Scott, James Pollock and their wives. On May 8, 1803. Rev. Thomas Mcclintock was installed pastor and held that office until March 10, 1832. In May, 1835. Rev. William C. Pollock became pastor and remained as such until 1852. In 1854 came Rev. William A. Black, who preached here until the summer of 1858. Rev. David Forsyth came next, was installed in November, 1860, and remained seven years. Then came Rev. J. C. McElree, in May, 1869. to pass seventeen years, and next came Rev. A. B. Dickie, who after three years' service was succeeded by Rev. J. S. Thomp- son, the present pastor. The log church of 1802 was used until 1820, when a larger log house was erected, but in summer time a tent was used as a
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house of worship. In 1837 a small brick structure was built, which was used until 1868, when a larger brick building was erected. That was burned in May, 1875, and the same year the present church was completed and dedicated. The membership in 1894 was 155.
St. Alphonsus Catholic Church of Murrinsville, the history of which finds a place in the sketch of Marion township, has, and always had a large membership in this township. Many years ago, even before St. Patrick's church, of Sugar creek. was founded, priests visited the pioneers of this section and celebrated mass in the valley east of Murrinsville. A statement was made years ago that a log building was erected on what is now the Michael Gormley farm, for church purposes, and that Peter Traxler, one of the workmen, had his leg broken dur- ing the progress of building. Squire Murrin, Mrs. McBride and Mrs. Gormley, grandchildren of the pioneers, do not remember anything of the old house, and even deny its existence.
The old cemetery on the hill above the the Gormley residence, speaks of early days, and the headstones offer the following names and dates : Nancy Mccullough, died in 1820: Margaret and Thomas Kellerman, children, in 1824: Hannah Read, in 1828; Mary Murrin, in 1835; James Read, in 1836: Hugh Murrin, Sr., in 1841; L. J. Kelly, in 1842; Hugh Murrin, Jr., in IS11; Catherine Murrin, in 1851 ; Maria McCauley, in 1853, and Peter Murrin, in 1854. Others were buried in this old cemetery ; but there are no monuments to mark their last resting place.
SCHOOLS AND JUSTICES.
The honor of having the first school is shared by the Murrin settlement near the west and the Leason-Pollock settlement near the east line of the township. Prior to 1800 Hugh Murrin and James Murrin instructed the children of the fam- ily ; while in 1802 Robert Cunningham opened a school in a log hut which stood near the Associate Reformed church of that period, two and one-quarter miles north of Eau Claire. Robert Donaldson, an Irishman, succeeded Cun- ningham, and following them were John Cochran, William Stewart and William Welsh, all natives of Ireland.
The justices of the peace of Venango township, elected from 1840 to IS94, are as follows : John Allen, 1840, 1545 and 1850; John D Cunningham, 1845 and 1850; John Murrin, 1854, 1859 and 1864; Robert Bovard, 1855, 1560, 1865, 1870 and 1875; James Stalker, 1866, 1871 and 1876; A. C. Wilson, 1880. 1855 and 1890; W. H. H. Campbell. 1981, 1886 and 1892.
VILLAGES.
Farmington was surveyed in 1845, on John Rosenberry's farm, by John Black, and a public vendue of lots was held shortly after-thirteen lots being dis- posed of. In May or June, 1849, William II. Tebay erected the first house for Thomas Chambers, but the builder was the first resident, renting from Chambers until his own house was completed in 1850. As stated in the history of the churches, a building was erected in 1851 by the Methodists, and the same year the Miller & Cochran grocery store was built. Samuel Meals established a
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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
blacksmith shop and Nelson McAllister a hotel a little later. while Joseph Ham- ilton carried on a general store. The coming of Dr. Rhodes made up the pioneer circle of the village. Boyard & Son were in business there from 1877, as were also A. M. Reynolds and David Sloan, and later Chambers & Kerr, and D. W. Humphrey and George H. Gardner, the two last being partners. A. M. Rey- nolds built the only brick store about 1870. The general merchants now are W. C. Jamison and Il. H. Kerr ; the druggist is A. O. Miller. At De Sale is Kohl- meyer's drug store.
In March, 1856, a postoffice was established at Bovard's store, with Robert Bovard postmaster, but the growing importance of Farmington was recognized a few years after by the removal of the office to the new town, which was officially named Eau Claire. Joseph Hamilton held the office of postmaster after the war ; Thomas M. Bovard was appointed in April, 1876, with David Sloan, deputy, who was appointed to the office himself in August, 1877, and was suc- ceeded in 1881 by James Chambers, of the firm of Chambers & Kerr. Nelson McAllister succeeded to the office in 1882 ; Levi Kerr was appointed in 1885, but did not accept until 1888. George Gibson secured the office in 1889, and was suc- ceeded by H1. Il. Kerr in 1893.
The establishment of the Eau Claire Academy in the fall of 1893, under Professor Robertson, with Miss Chapin teacher of music, and the erection in 1894 of an academy building ; the improvements inaugurated by Dr. McMichael and the Tebay ventures in the oil field, have built up hopes for the conversion of the quiet hamlet into a busy village.
Ferris is the name of a postoffice established on January 15, 1894, with John A. Turner as postmaster. In 1884 an office named Roy was established here with C. Everson, postmaster, but was discontinued, and the settlement was without mail facilities until Ferris was established. The Turner Coal, Coke and Mining Company has transformed this locality into a busy mining village, and produces about 300 tons of coal a day.
Owen Thomas
CHAPTER LXVIII. PARKER TOWNSHIP.
ORIGIN OF NAME-EARLY SETTLERS-POPULATION AND STATISTICS-JUSTICES OF THE PEACE-SCHOOLS-MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES - MARTINSBURG -- CHURCHES -SE- CRET SOCIETIES-OTHER VILLAGES.
P ARKER township, lying north of Donegal township, on the Armstrong county line, was named in honor of John Parker, a surveyor and a pioneer, who came to Butler county in 1794, and surveyed a large tract of land in the immediate vicinity of Parker City for a man named Moore. He also surveyed much of the land in the northern part of the county. Parker, who was from Westmoreland county, selected and settled on a tract of 600 acres of land, and was soon after joined by other members of the family, thus becoming the first settlers of the township. In 1803 John Parker had 400 acres of land, five cows, two horses and one slave. Washington Parker, a single man, owned 200 acres ; William, also single, owned 400 acres, and George had 400 acres, with three cows and one horse. In 1815 John Parker surveyed the site of Lawrenceburg ; was appointed associate judge, as related in a preceding chapter, and died hon- ored in 1842.
Among the early immigrants who settled in Westmoreland county soon after the close of the Revolutionary war, were a number of north of Ireland families. In 1796, when the settlement of this section of Butler county began, several of these families migrated hither, becoming the pioneers of the township. Among those said to have arrived in that year, embracing these north of Ireland families, a few Germans and a number of native-born Pennsylvanians, were John Martin, who died in 1835, and his sons, Thomas, John and Charles ; Capt. Robert Storey, who afterwards served in the War of 1812: Jacob Daubenspeck, a native of Luzerne couuty, of German descent, and sons, George and Philip ; John Gibson and William Ferguson, whose adventure with Indians on the Ohio is related in a previous chapter; James Turner, who left Ireland in 1771, his father, William, and brother. John.
Archibald Kelly left Ireland in 1785, and settled in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania. In 1796 he selected land in Washington township, Butler county, on which he built a cabin, and then returned to Westmoreland county for pro- visions. On his return, finding his cabin occupied by another settler, he located in Parker township. He was one of the first, if not the first, school teachers in Butler county. In 1807 his son, Thomas Kelly, established a distillery, which he operated until 1844. 1Ienry L. Sanderson, who died in 1887, at an advanced age, was an early teacher and carpenter. Charles McCafferty, a native of Ire- land, came in prior to 1800. John Hindman, a single man, Robert Hindman.
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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
John Jamison, Benjamin Fletcher, the school teacher, William Hutchison, who bought 228 acres of land on coming from Ireland, in 1799, John Say, who came from Huntingdon county, Archibald Fowler, who had 100 acres and four cows in 1803, James Simpson, who owned 100 acres, and Michael Shakeley, who claimed a like area, were within the present township when the county was or- ganized in 1803, and with one exception were here when it was erected in 1800. William Fleming located here in 1808, ten years after the Irish revolution, in which he participated.
A small band of Indians continued to reside here for a number of years, and at intervals the fathers of the little tribe would revisit the settlements. The young braves, many of whom were doubtless born here. frequently returned to hunt the deer or panther. Their days of scalp-taking were now at an end, and they had come to regard the conquering whites with a stoicism characteristic of their race.
The population of Parker township in 1810 was 899; in 1820, 659; in 1830, 945: in 1840, 1,364; in 1850, after the first reduction of boundaries, 769; in 1860, within present limits, 1,170; in 1870, 1,309; in 1880, 2,516, and in 1890, 1,710. The assessed value of property in January, 1891, was $272,910; the county tax $1,091.76, and the State tax $106.91.
The justices of the peace for Parker township, from 1840 to 1894 are as follows: Andrew Donaldson, 1840; David Kelly, appointed first in 1832, and elected in 1849 and 1846; Jacob Daubenspeck, 1845; James Campbell, 1845- 50; Archibald Kelly, 1551-56-61, died in 1865; John Shryock, 1855 and 1866 : Robert Storey, 1860-65-70-75; Amos Young, 1872; Thomas B. Smith, 1875: .A. P. Stewart, 1877-82; John Kelly, 1877-82-87-88-93; F. M. Shira, 1884; S. P. Shryock, 1886; A. D. Groom, 1890-92, and J. D. Hoover, 1891.
SCHOOLS.
Archibald Kelly, the first teacher, taught in the north of Ireland before his emigration. After coming to Pennsylvania he taught in Westmoreland and But- Jer counties. Josiah Fletcher, a nephew of Benjamin Fletcher, Samuel Moore, Jane Porter, Robert J. Crawford, Jacob Sipe, Edward Jennings, Samuel Gib- son, Joseph Campbell, William Fowler, Hugh Wilson and Robert Lawrence were the principal teachers in the days of the subscription schools. The first school-house stood on the old Daniel Walker farm : the second was an unten- anted cabin belonging to Benjamin Fletcher ; the third on the site of the old Methodist church ; the fourth at Shryock's mill, and the fifth on the Alsworth farm, near the north line of the township. In January, 1894, there were eleven schools in the township. The children of school age in June, 1893, numbered 193 males and 185 females. The total school revenue for the year was $4,233.34, of which $1,775.78 formed the State appropriation.
MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES.
In 1819, prior to which time grist was taken to the Parker mill, near the mouth of Bear creek, Benjamin Fletcher erected a log grist mill at Martinsburg, on a tract of land with water right, purchased from Robert Storey. Four years
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after, old John Shryock established a mill on Silver creek, near the line of Wash- ington township. It was often repaired and, after being purchased by J. II. Walley, it was converted into a roller mill. A grist mill was erected in 1824, on the north branch of Bear creek, by William Turner, and afterward rebuilt by Harvey Gibson. The Harvey Gibson mill at Martinsburg, dates back to 1857. William Sedwick also built a grist mill at Martinsburg and later established a foundry there. The Fowler saw mill, on the Stone House farm, may be said to have been a contemporary of the old Shryock mill. It was carried on without a competitor until [^33. when William Martin established a larger concern. The Dudley furnace was established by Arnold & Crawford at Martinsburg in December, 1857. It was closed out by the sheriff in 1862.
The Hopewell woolen factory was in operation in 1845 at Silver Creek mills. William F. Rumberger and James Dunlap were the proprietors. Christopher IJenlen at one time had an interest in the concern. Wool was manufactured from the fleece at the following prices per yard : Narrow cloths, cassimeres and satinets, and find the chain, fifty to fifty-six cents; white flannel, twenty- eight to thirty cents ; brown flannel, forty to forty-four cents, and blankets two yards wide. sixty to sixty-two cents. The prices for custom work were as fol- lows : Dyeing and finishing cloths in any dark color, twenty-eight cents ; flan- nel for women's wear, eighteen and three-fourths cents ; drab, seventeen cents ; full and home-dyed cloth, fourteen cents; scour and dress home-dyed flannels, seven cents, and blankets, eight cents per yard. In 1857 E. E. Evans purchased the concern from II. A. Black, who bought it from a company that bought the Rumberger woolen mill. Ile carried it on for twenty years and then retired, leaving the building and machinery to fall into decay.
MARTINSBURG.
Martinsburg was surveyed in 1837, on a part of the original Connolly tract, for John Martin. The proximity of Fletcher's mill-near the present railroad depot-suggested the place as a town site. Z. B. Sheppard, the shoemaker, built the first cabin. now a stable in the rear of 'Squire Kelly's house. His example was followed by Robert Campbell, a plasterer, who built where Adams' store building and Daubenspeck's market, erected in 1892, now stand. Campbell was also a teacher in the common school, known as " Pine Grove," on the bluff. In 1841 Robert Black brought a stock of goods to this point, built a house, but later moved to a larger one, which afterward became the dwelling of the Me Nees family. It was torn down in 1893 to make way for Dr. Edmunds' house. William T. Sed- wick built south of the old Black store, which he rented to Penn Redick, who opened a stopping place there about 1846. In 1851 the postoflice, now known as Bruin, was established, with Perry Week as postmaster, and Archibald Martin opened a tavern, the first regular hotel in the village. 'Squire Kelly established another tavern in 1854, which he carried on until 1868, when it was converted into a temperance house, a character it sustained until 1876, when it was licensed and carried on as a hotel until 1878. In 1857 Arnold & Crawford opened a store south of 'Squire Kelly's, in connection with their furnace. For years there were but few business changes in the place. Jeremiah Sutton opened a temperance
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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
hotel in 1870, near the present depot, which is conducted as of old. T. W. McNees established a livery stable and hotel in 1872 in the Black building.
In 1872 came the tidal wave of oil operators, drillers, pumpers and torpedo men, the population rapidly increasing to 500 or more. The Connolly Brothers established a machine shop, and the Twohils opened another. W. J. Harshaw came after the oil discoveries and opened a general store. Woods & Markwell came in early. T. G. Campbell carried on business here for a number of years, and H. M. Caldwell and J. A. McKallip established a general store in 1877. In the fall of that year the decrease in oil production and the smallpox epidemic. which carried away five persons, almost depopulated the village and district. The general merchants now are W. C. Black, H. M. Caldwell and J. W. and J. H. Orr, the latter being the present postmaster.
Dr. Dennison located at Martinsburg in 1872; Dr. Pettigrew came the same year, but left in 1873; then came Dr. Christie, Dr. Bryan, who moved to Colo- rado ; Dr. Kerr, of Emlenton ; Dr. W. J. Kelly, Dr. C. M. C. Campbell, now of Ilolton ; the two Drs. Eggert and Dr. Andrew J. Edmunds, all of whom have practiced in that field during Dr. Dennison's long term.
CHURCHES.
The Methodist Episcopal Church of Martinsburg, was organized in 1834, by Rev. John Carl and Benjamin Fletcher, class leaders. In 1835 a meeting house was erected on land donated by Fletcher. This old building on the hill may be said to have been in use for thirty-nine years, or until 1874, when the building in the village was finished at a cost approximating $4.000. In the " thirties " Revs. Gilmer and Somerville had charge of this church. It is now in the Petrolia circuit.
The Wesleyan Methodist Church was organized in 1852. In the same year a small building, now the district school house, was erected on a lot purchased of Mrs. Maria Kelly. The class lacked energy and soon abandoned the building. disposing of it to the district for school purposes.
The Martinsburg Presbyterian Church was organized in the Wesleyan Methodist building November 21, 1870. with thirty-two members, by Revs. James Coulter and J. HI. Marshall. The first elders were John C. Martin, Hamilton 11. Say and Amos Young. The succeeding elders were Thomas Fleming, J. W. Orr, S. R. Gibson, J. C. McCandless, J. T. Kelly and S. S. Knox. The last two were elected in 1894. Among the first members were Eli and Elizabeth Gibson, Eli, Nancy M. and Elizabeth E. Gibson, John H. and Sarah Gibson, Elizabeth Gibson, Harvey and Isabel Gibson, Montgomery and Mary Gibson, John C. and Margaret Martin, Gideon W. Martin, Edward and Florinda Morgan, H. H. Say and wife, John Say and wife, Daniel M. Shakeley and wife, Rosanna Salınon, Elizabeth and Jane White, John, Nancy and Ida Walker, Maria Kelly and others. A church building was completed in December. 1878, at a cost of $4,500, but its dedication was postponed until September 6, 1874. The cyclone which passed over this section of the country twisted the building so badly that extensive repairs were necessary. Rev. J. H. Coulter served the congregation until October 22, 1873. when Rev. B. C. Montgomery became pas-
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tor and remained until April 17, 1876. From May 15, 1877, to October, 1882, Rev. F. M. Thompson filled the pulpit, and from May 1, 1883, to October, ISSS, Rev. Mr. Decker.
SECRET SOCIETIES.
A lodge of the \. O. U. W. was organized in Martinsburg in 1878. It was transferred to Petrolia in 1875. The Odd Fellows instituted Lodge, Number 817, on January 8, 1873, the anniversary of the battle of New Orleans. The charter was soon after suspended. United Lodge, Number 127, A. O. U. W., was organ- ized January 25, 1878, with thirty members, J. W. Waters being the first master workman. A hall was erected soon after by the lodge, where W. C. Black's store now stands. Bruin Lodge, K. of H., was instituted March 22, 1878, with seventeen members. A small lodge room was subsequently erected. Thanks- giving Lodge, number 1193, I. O. G. T., was organized March 15, 1878, and Campbell Council of the R. T. of T. September 8, 1880. A local union of the E. A. U. was organized several years ago and still retains its charter, though meetings are seldom held. The Jr. O. U. A. M. is a recent organization, claim- ing a large membership.
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