History of Butler County, Pennsylvania, Part 83

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 83

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OTHER VILLAGES.

El Dorado, later known as Glenora, the site of McMahon's hotel, estab- lished by George McMahon in 1871 for J. P. Robinson, dates back to 1872. J. M. Edwards opened the first store there in 1873. In 1874 he sold to J. H. Walley, the first postmaster, who was succeeded by J. P. Robinson, whose suc- cessor was John Kapp. A. D. Groom was appointed in 1888, followed in April, 1892, by J. M. Daubenspeck, the successor of Groom & Bell. His store is now the only mercantile house in the village, which contains eleven houses.

Hooks City, near Martinsburg, was a little oil town in the spring of 1885. The Boulster House and a few other buildings suggested a petition for a post- office. There are a few houses yet remaining there and about a dozen producing wells.

CHAPTER LXIX. ALLEGHENY TOWNSHIP.

ORGANIZATION-POPULATION- PIONEERS -- EARLY BUSINESS VENTURES-A HUNTING REMINISCENCE-SCHOOLS-TEACHERS AND JUSTICES OF THE PEACE-CHURCHES AND CEMETERIES- VILLAGES.

T HIS township, which is situated in the northeastern corner of the county, was organized in 1851. Its territory was taken from that of Venango and Parker townships. Its area being broken and uneven and not so well adapted to farming as that of other townships in the county, it was for many years sparsely settled. The discovery of oil, however, drew attention to it and resulted in rapid improvement and a large increase in population. It now contains a number of excellent farms, many fine residences and a well-to-do and prosperous people.

The population of the township in 1860, or six years after it organization. was SS1: in 1870. 890: in 1880, 2,287, and in 1890, 1,224. The influx of oil operators from 1877 to 1880 contributed to the large population given by the enumerator- in the latter year. The number of children of school age, reported in June. 1893, was 311,-or 151 males and 160 females. The school revenue amounted to $1,076.29. of which the State appropriated $1.212.30. The assessed value of property in January, 1894, was $252,990; the county fax, $1.011.96 and the State tax, eighteen dollars and twenty cents.

PIONEERS.

The pioneers were John Lowrie, who settled on 800 acres at Poplar Bottom in 1797, descendants of whom held the property until 1815; John Crawford, Sr., who claimed 800 acres of land adjoining the Lowrie tract, came in 1797, and John and George Crawford who had each 100 acres. James Crawford, one of the Sons of John Crawford, Sr., died here in 1802. Samuel Porterfield was the owner of 400 acres when the county was organized, while William Porterfield, who married a daughter of John Lowrie, was not then credited with the ownership of real or personal property. It is said that James Anderson was here in 1797 or 1798 ; but his name does not appear among the taxpayers of 1803. Charles Pollock and James Pollock, a single man, brothers of John Pollock, came from Ireland about 1797. Alexander Grant followed John Lowrie from Scotland, built a cabin and grew up with the country. George Parker moved into AAlle- gheny township about the same time and, in 1803, had three cows, one horse and 100 acres of land. He located on the site of Six Points. John Rosenberry set- tled here in 1797, made a clearing, sowed some wheat, returned to the east, and again made his way, with a young wife, into the wilderness. Alexander Brown and perhaps Ebenezer and John Brown, were here as early as Rosenberry, occu-

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pying lands east of the Rosenberry tract in [803. William Jack, an Irishman and a soldier of the Revolution, came in 1798 and selected lands where the site of Byrom Centre was surveyed in 1879.

In 1798 came Samuel Graham, a son of a soldier of the Revolution, and himself afterward a soldier and a victim of the War of 1812. In 1803 he had 200 acres in this township. Archibald Fowler, father of George Fowler, had 384 acres here when the county was organized.

John Redick, Sr., entered 400 acres in 1799, after his migration from West- moreland county. John Allen entered 200 acres about that time, upon which his son, John, was born in 1799. Samuel Coulter, who had 300 acres, with a cabin and small clearing, sold the land to Benjamin Law and moved to Ohio, where he died. Levi Gibson came in 1799, started a still house and made whisky for his neighbors. In 1803 he possessed 400 acres, four cows, one horse and the little distillery. John Truby had 400 acres on which he built a mill in 1805. Shortly after the organization of the county, John Turner located near the Armstrong county line, and society in the wilderness began to assume shape.

EARLY BUSINESS VENTURES.

The first store was opened by John Lowrie at Poplar Bottom in 1811, or six years after John Truby's little mill was built on Bear creek. This was sold to Dumars, and later to Pierce & Black. There Walter Lowrie, who became United States Senator, was reared. The Lowrie saw and grist mill was an early enterprise, though inferior in extent and equipment to the Rodger's mill, which was established soon after. Samuel Anderson erected a mill in 1834, which in later years was known as the Sedwick mill. In 1846 Pierce & Black built on the site of the old Truby concern of 1805, and that build- ing has passed through several hands, it being at one time called Adams' mill. and for the last seven years Horner's mill.

George and James Bovard established Maple Furnace in 1844. In 1847 they sold to Henry Graft, who, in 1854, sold to M. S. Adams, the operator until 1865, when competition and scarcity of ore suggested a "closing down." The Maple Furnace store was carried on from 1844 to 1868. From 1846 to 1852 the Kensington furnace was operated by Church. Carruthers & Crawford. This little furnace closed on account of the scarcity of ore.

A HUNTING REMINISCENCE.

In the fall of the year 1800 James Crawford, Sr .. John Parker and Thomas Allen set out on a hunting expedition, and reached the point on Robert Adams . farm, at the confluence of Allen's run and the North Branch of Bear creek. Here they determined to fire the brush, and, moving back, saw the flames, which they intended would expose the animals of the chase, sweeping toward them over the land now known as the George Gibson and William Fleming farms. In a little while they were surrounded by fire, which was eating up the leaves and brush and threatening themselves. Taking refuge in a tree as a last security. the flames soon attacked them, leaping up, as it were, to claim their victims. The burned men fell to the ground and rushed back from the wave of fire to ease their

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

pain in the waters of the creek. Crawford was taken to his cabin by his com- panions and was cared for by his young wife-Abigail Coulter-until death relieved him January 18, 1801. Parker died in later years of the burns there received. Allen lived for many years after. The son of Crawford, born just before the fatal hunt, married in 1824 and occupied the old farm near the Lowrie homestead, which was entered by his father in 1797.

SCHOOLS, TEACHERS AND JUSTICES.

The schools in the northern section of Parker township and along the line of Venango county, were so convenient to the settlements in this township as to obviate the necessity of establishing schools within its boundaries. Subsequent to 1803, however, the old-time teachers came here and, until the establishment of the common school system, such men as John Allen, D. C. Cunningham, William Elder, Robert Cunningham and Mr. Cook taught here at intervals. To-day there are six school districts and educational matters are prosperous.

The justices of the peace, elected from 1854 to 1894, are as follows ; James Black. 1854-1855 ; John Allen, 1855; Ilenry Kohlmeyer, 1861 ; Robert Jamison, 1865; Simon Snyder, 1866; M. S. Adams, 1868-1880; P. F. Porterfield, 1872- 1877: James S. Craig, 1882; John Thomas, 1885; A. A. Kohlmeyer, 1886, and E. E. Morgan, 1891.

CHURCHES AND CEMETERIES.

The Methodist Episcopal Church of Maple Furnace was organized in 1854, by M. S. Adams, who was instrumental in having a church building erected. It is in the Eau Claire circuit. The men working round the furnace were the members. The principal members now are Robert Adams, Thomas McKim- mey, Alexander Thompson and Andrew Horner. The great sandstone rocks make a grand showing round the church, standing out like mausoleums.

Grant Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in 1876, by Rev. Mr. Peters. The class erected a house of worship in 1877 on John Rosenberry's lands. Rev. Mr. Torrey, of Farmington, is the present pastor.

Mount Olive Evangelical Church was organized by Rev. A. S. Miller, March 20, 1869, and in 1870 a house of worship was erected near Six Points, on a lot purchased from James Crawford, at a cost of $3,000. This was really the re-organized Mt. Pisgah church of Venango township, of which eleven members, James Griffin, Henry Kohlmeyer, Joseph Kellerman, James Kahle, D. Gates, the Munkarns, Michael Kelly and S. Meals, joined the new organization, the officers being Samuel Halderman and W. P. Grant, elders, and George Kohlmeyer and Samuel Merkel, deacons. The Evangelical preachers were Revs. Isaiah Delo,. Reese, Smith, Zimmer and other ministers of the district. The only members now are James Blair and wife and Mrs. Kohlmeyer. No services are held. The people of Six Points re-roofed this church and used it for literary purposes.

The Allegheny Presbyterian Church was organized May 20, 1875, by Revs. James Coulter and Samuel Williams, and Elder James Crawford. The elders then installed were John R. Allen, S. Perry Eakin. A. R. Carnahan and C. C. Cooper. J. C. Kiskaddon and J. P. Milford were added to the session. Mr.

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Coulter preached here until 1880, when Rev. Samuel A. Hughes was called as stated supply. He remained until 1882, after which the pulpit was supplied. On September 24, 1883, Rev. William J. Hazlett was installed pastor, and served until the fall of 1893, since which time the pulpit has been vacant. The Scrub- grass Presbyterian church, across the line in Venango county, was organized in 1802 or 1803, and was for years the place of worship for the Presbyterians of the northern part of this township.

The Allegheny Church Cemetery, near James Milford's farm, was recog- nized by law January 11, 1876, when a charter was granted to J. P. Milford, S. P. Eakin, J. R. Allen, D. S. Allen and Henry Jamison to establish and main- tain a cemetery in Allegheny township. From a report made in November, 1876, it is learned that two acres of the present enclosure were purchased from John Rosenberry at $100 per acre, the owner donating fifty dollars per acre of the purchase money to Allegheny church. Three-quarters of an acre more were purchased from Rosenberry for sixty-five dollars. Two acres were purchased from Mrs. Martha Allen at seventy-five dollars per acre, the owner donating twenty-five dollars per acre of the purchase money to Allegheny church, and the balance, two acres, were purchased from Mrs. Allen at fifty-five dollars per acre. making six and three-fourth acres within the enclosure, all intended for a cem- etery excepting a piece sixteen by thirteen rods, where the church now stands.

VILLAGES.

The village of Maple Furnace was founded in 1844, by George and James Bovard, and it may be said was abandoned in 1865, when the furnace fires were put out, though the Adams store was carried on until 1868. The grist mill of 1846, below the furnace, is still grinding. P. Bullman's house now stands on the site of the furnace, and the mounds of slag, evidences of a past industry, are overgrown with grass.

Kensington Furnace, in the northeastern corner of the township, dates back to 1846. In 1852 the industry ceased and the forest grew up on its site. In 1846 John Milford located a few miles directly south of the old furnace. The school house is converted into a Union Sabbath school on Sundays.

The Six Points postoffice was established in February. 1866, with James McMahon postmaster. David Vance succeeded him; then Addison Cross ; then J. C. Kiskaddon, who served until 1882, when E. C. Parks was appointed. Mrs. M. A. Parks was appointed in 1886, and Mrs. Mary Boozel in 1893.

Sandy Point was founded in 1878, on Adam Brittain's farm. Its founding followed the oil developments of 1877. Flynn Brothers' and J. H. Thomas' general stores were the only mercantile houses there. The postoffice of Alexan- der McQuistion is the only business interest remaining.

Byrom Centre was surveyed in 1879, on the Kohlmeyer farm, or the old Jack tract, purchased in 1836, by H. Kohlmeyer, from E. Robinson, who had bought it from Samuel Halderman, who purchased it from the Jacks. J. D. Schell's store and four cottages now make up the town.

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the fall of 1879. In September fifteen houses were erected, including an opera house, and a Methodist house of worship. The town is now a reminiscence, the church building having been taken down and converted into Charles Crawford's dwelling.

CHAPTER LXX. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. BOROUGH OF BITLER.

HON. WALTER LOWRIE was one of the most distinguished sons of Butler county, and none of her citizens has ever attained greater eminence or labored in a broader field. He was born in Edinburgh, Scotland. December 10, 1784, and came to the United States with his parents, John and Catherine (Cameron ) Lowrie, in 1792. The family settled in Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, whence they removed to what is now Allegheny township. Butler county. in 1797. Here his parents spent the remaining years of their lives, his mother dying in 1837 and his father in 1840. Their children were as follows : Matthew B., who removed to Pittsburg. became quite a prominent man of that city, and served as mayor several terms: Walter: John 1. : Ann, who married Andrew Porter . Elizabeth, who first married John Stevens, and after his death Robert S. Whann : Jane, who became the wife of William Porterfield, and Catherine. who married Andrew MeCaslin. John Lowrie. Sr .. owned a farm and a grist and saw mill. and was one of the prosperous citizens of the county. He was among the founders of Scrubgras- Presbyterian church in Venango county, and a man of sturdy character, excellent moral traits and high mental qualities. After clearing up and living upon his farm for about forty years, he there died, and is buried in Scrubgrass Presbyterian cemetery.

The subject of this sketch was reared upon his father's farm, and hi- primary education consisted of an occasional term at a subscription school and home in- struction of winter nights. His parents being devout Presbyterians, Walter was carefully trained in that faith, and at an early age entered upon a course of study with the ministry in view, and pursued the Latin. Greek and Hebrew languages under Res. John Melherrin In 1807 he came to Butler to engage in teaching, was soon after appointed clerk in the commissioner's office. was later elected a member of the board, and also filled the office of justice of the peace, thus commencing a public career that lasted continuously for nearly thirty years. In the meantime himself and brother, Matthew B., opened a store in Butler, but his public duties gave him little opportunity to devote to

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the business, which was conducted principally by clerks. In 1811 he was elected on the Democratic ticket to the legislature, and the following year to the State Senate. He was re-elected to the latter, and served in that body seven years. In 18Is, while still a member of the State Senate, he was elected to the United States Senate, and served in that body with ability and distinction for six years. This period was one of great interest in the history of our country. Such distinguished men as Webster, Clay, Calhoun, Randolph and Benton were members of the Senate. and among those eminent statesmen Walter Lowrie occupied a position of honorable prominence. His stanch integrity won their confidence, while his practical judgment led them to seek his advice and rely upon his opinions. He was regarded by the senators who knew him best as an authority upon all questions of political history and constitutional law. Dur- ing the discussion of the celebrated Missouri Compromise, he made a speech of great power and force of argument, in which he took strong grounds against the extension of slavery, and uttered a vigorous protest against the establishment of slave labor upon a single foot of free territory. His influence in the Senate was not only that of a statesman, but also of a christian. He was one of the found- ers of the Congressional Prayer Meeting, as well as of the Congressional Tem- perance Society. For a long time he was a member of the executive committee of the American Colonization Society, also of the Senate committee on Indian affairs. At the expiration of his senatorial term. in March, 1825, he was elected secretary of the Senate, an office he held for twelve years, resigning it in 1836 to become secretary of the Presbyterian Board of Foreign Missions, which, under his vigorous and sagacious policy, was built up from an obscure institution to its subsequent importance and prosperity. He brought to his new field of action the same strength of mind and earnestness of purpose that had characterized his previous career, and became the efficient head of a great missionary work. Ilis labors only terminated with his death. which occurred in New York City. De- cember 14, 1868.

Senator Lowrie was twice married. His first marriage occurred in INOS. to Amelia MePherrin, a daughter of Rev. John McPherrin, his preceptor, and one of the founders of Presbyterianism in Butler county. She died in 1832. and he afterwards married Mary K. Childs. The children of his first marriage were as fol- lows : John C. ; Matthew S., an early member of the Butler bar ; Mary, who mar- ried Samuel Baird, a merchant of Pittsburg ; Eliza : Walter M. ; Jonathan Rob- erts, a well remembered attorney of Hollidaysburg ; Reuben P., and Henry MI., all of whom are dead except the eldest. John C., Walter M .. and Reuben P., became zealous missionaries of the Presbyterian church. Reuben P. fell a victim to overwork in the enervating climate of China, and Walter M. was murdered by Chinese pirates, August 19. 1>47. Rev. John C. Lowrie, D. D., the only survi- vor of the family. spent two years on missionary work in India, then returned to New York and was appointed assistant to his father in the office of the Board of Foreign Missions. On the death of the latter he succeeded him as secretary, which position he has filled continuously for the past twenty eight year -. In resigning the secretaryship of the United States Senate, and accepting that of the Board of Foreign Missions, Senator Lowrie exhibited a rare example of obe-

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dience to the dictates of duty. He relinquished a home surrounded by every com- fort, a position of ease and large emolument, the society of a wide circle of emi- nent men, with whom he was on terms of the closest intimacy, for a life in humble quarters, in a city with which he was unfamiliar and to assume an arduous position, the remuneration of which was scarcely sufficient to sustain him. Not- withstanding his many and varied talents, he was a modest and unassuming gen- tleman, whose public career was marked by the same rigid morals and principles that guided his private life.

CHARLES SULLIVAN was a grandson of Peter O. Sullivan, who came from Ireland and located in Northumberland county, Virginia, about the year 1700. Charles was born in Virginia, March 27, 1760, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and made the acquaintance of Susannah Johnston, a daughter of Thomas and Margaret Johnston, of Chester county, Pennsylvania, who afterward became his wife, while he was serving under Washington during that memorable winter at Valley Forge. They were married in Chester county in 1785, and soon after moved to Allegheny county, settling a few miles from Pittsburg, but subse- quently removed to the vicinity of Noblestown. In 1797 he came with his family, consisting of a wife and six children, to Butler county, and settled in what is now Franklin township, where he developed a large and valuable farm. Ile died January 12, 1818, at the age of fifty-three, leaving a widow and eleven children. The six oldest were born in Allegheny county, and the remaining five in Butler county. Their names are as follows: Moses, Aaron, Thomas, John, James, Margaret, who married William Stewart, of Butler, and died May 20, IS84, leaving two daughters : Jemima, who married John McCandless, of Centre township, reared a large family, and died in Butler in September, 1881; Eliza- beth, who married Edward White, of Whitestown, had eight children by this union, six of whom are living, and some years after Mr. White's death married William C. Martin, and died in 1876; William. Charles Craven, and Susannah, who married Rev. II. Bradshaw, a Methodist Episcopal minister, removed to Iowa, and died there many years ago. The best tribute that can be paid to the memory of Charles Sullivan and wife is, that the training in the family circle was such, that no stain of dishonor has ever rested upon any of their children.

MOSES SULLIVAN, eldest in the family of Charles Sullivan, was born in Allegheny county, October 9, 1786, came to Butler county with the family in 1797, availed himself of all the means within his reach to secure an educa- tion, and became a scholarly man. With his brother John he established the Butler Centinel in 1820, represented Butler county in both branches of the General Assembly for many years, and was president of the state board of canal commissioners under Governor Ritner's administration. He was a modest, unassuming and popular gentleman, and the people often expressed their confidence in him. He married Susan Mitchell, of Harrisburg, who became the mother of three children. Their eldest son, Lieut. Aaron Sullivan, of the Pennsylvania Cavalry, a bright young lawyer, laid down his life in the War of the Rebellion in defense of his country. Moses Sullivan died May 21, 1839.

AARON SULLIVAN was born in Allegheny county, September 4. 1788, mar-

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

ried a Miss Wendt, and reared a large family. He was successfully engaged in the manufacture of glass at Birmingham, Allegheny county, being one of the pioneers in this business, with which he was closely associated until his death. about 1830.

THOMAS SULLIVAN was born in Allegheny county, February 26, 1791, and led a quiet home life on and near the old paternal farm, and in Prospect, Butler county. Of a most genial disposition, he was a favorite in the circle of his acquaintance. He married a Miss Jones, reared a large family, and died in Prospect nearly half a century ago. He enjoyed the confidence of his neighbors, and held the office of justice of the peace many years.

JOHN SULLIVAN was born in Allegheny county, June 19, 1793, and removed with the family to Butler county when about four years old. In addition to a common school education, he was greatly aided by his mother and oldest brother in becoming proficient in the elementary branches of learning. He wrote a fair hand, was a good mathematician, and an expert accountant. Ile served with his three elder brothers in the War of 1812, in Capt. Robert Martin's Company. After his return he taught school in the neighborhood, and finally entered the store of Walter Lowrie, in Butler, in 1818, having been called to take charge of the business during Mr. Lowrie's absence as United States Senator. In 1820, in connection with his brother Moses, he established the Butler Continel, and con- tinued in connection with that paper until 1824. He served as treasurer of But- ler county in 1825-26, and in 1827 opened a store in the brick building which he had previously erected on the northwest corner of the Diamond, where he con- ducted a mercantile business until 1831. In that year he purchased a large tract of unimproved land, located about a mile northwest of Butler, and expended much labor and money in improving and developing it into a farm, involving ex- tensive clearing, the erection of a home and tenant buildings, a commodious barn, a mill with a very expensive stone dam, necessary road making and other im- provements. In 1836 he was appointed prothonotary and clerk of the several courts of Butler county, serving until 1839, and at different periods in his life he filled other important public trusts. The strain in developing the farm left him with broken health, from which he never fully recovered. In 1843 he returned with his family to Butler, and died at his home in that borough, November 2, 1854. Mr. Sullivan was married in 1821. to Miss Mary McPherrin, youngest daughter of Rev. John McPherrin, a pioneer minister of the Presbyterian church. They had four children. Charles and Amelia died in infancy ; the other two, John M., and Mary E., are residents of Butler. Mr. Sullivan was a Whig, in politics, and a Presbyterian in religious faith, and for many years a trustee of the Presbyterian church, of Butler. He was always loyally devoted to the interests of the county, and in his day his name is found among the foremost in pressing forward public improvements. His enterprise was manifested in the erection of buildings in different parts of the town, his enlistment as an active manager in turnpike companies, and his aid in the establishment and support of schools be- fore the existence of our present school system. Amidst the cares of a busy life he was never forgetful of the supreme importance of education. In his youth and early manhood he had cultivated a taste for the best authors in prose and

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History of Butler County, Pennsylvania, Part 83

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