History of Butler County, Pennsylvania, Part 85

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 85

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

veys made by himself during the first years of the county's history. He was recognized by courts and lawyers as a high and almost infallable authority on such matters.

Mr. Dougal was the agent of Stephen Lowrey, and later of his daughter, Mrs. Sarah Collins, who inherited a large portion of her father's lands in this county, and he continued in this capacity for the heirs of Mrs. Collins until his retirement from active business. This responsible position afforded him the opportunity of acquiring property, and he became quite an extensive land owner. Scrupulously honest in all his dealings ; correct and careful in his busi- ness habits ; possessing an extensive and valuable fund of general information. fine conversational abilities and remarkable mental power, he commanded the respect of the best people of the community. There were few branches of scientific lore in which he was not well versed. In pleasant weather Mr. Dougal would sit in front of his modest home on South Main street and converse with those who chose to listen or be entertained. His manner of speech was calm, deliberate and dignified. and his subjects were history, political economy, geog- raphy, geology, topography, climate and astronomy. He possessed an exten- sive and accurate knowledge of the last mentioned science, and was always happy when gazing at the starry firmament or discoursing upon its wondrous beauty and grandeur. His store of local history, too, embraced the minutest details of the annals of Butler county from its erection until the year of his death

With all these advantages he was. nevertheless, a peculiar and eccentric character, and is principally remembered by the present generation because of manner in which he lived. Though he possessed plenty of this world's goods, and might have enjoyed the usual comforts of life, he refused to improve his property, and persisted in living in one of the smallest and plainest of the frame buildings in Dougal's row until he removed to his farm in Summit township, a few year- prior to his death. Surrounded by rubbish of all kinds, including his surveying instruments, maps, charts, books, etc., with a few broken chairs and a bed that defied description, he despised and discarded modern fashions and modes of liv- ing, and seemed to take a peculiar delight in the slovenly dress and unrestrained life of the rudest pioneer back woodsman. Nevertheless, when occasion required, he would appear as a well-dressed gentlemen in refined society, and was thor- oughly familiar with all the courtesies pertaining to it. Though he lived with the most rigid frugality, he was not a miser, but was generous, kind and charit- able to the poor and needy. If his tenants could not pay their rents, he per- mitted them to remain or move away without molestation.

This gifted, strange and eccentric man never married, and died on his farm in Summit township, November 8, 1881, at the extraordinary age of 103 years, leaving much valuable property to relatives, and also to some friends who cared for him in his declining age. In appearance he was tall and erect in carriage, grave, serious and dignified in bearing, and remarkably independent in thought and action. Not only to the severe simplicity of his mode of living, but to the wonderful evenness of his temper, which he rarely suffered to be ruffled by any excitement, was largely due the uniformly good health he enjoyed throughout

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

his life and the great longevity he attained. Mr. Dougal was pre-eminently a peacemaker. His opportunities as a surveyor were always used to settle dis- putes and avoid litigation, and, as the natural result of this policy. he was often appealed to by disputants as final arbiter. In politics, he was a Whig until the formation of the Republican party, and ever afterward a Republican. While he did not profess any particular religious faith nor attend church, he was a firm beliver in the fundamental principles of christianity, and had an utter contempt for the man who treated the forms of religion with levity. The leading minds of Butler county looked upon him not only as a learned man but a philosopher, and his name will be respected as long as a single one of those who knew him best is left to do justice to his memory.

HON. JOHN NEGLEY was one of the first settlers of Butler, and was promi- nently identified with the history of the town and county for a period of seventy years. Born at Fort Ligonier, in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, April 6. 1778, where his parents had taken temporary refuge from hostile Indians while en route westward from Bucks county. he grew to manhood at East Liberty. Allegheny county, to which place the family removed soon after his birth. In 1799 he visited the territory now embraced in Butler county, and made two trips through northwestern Pennsylvania before deciding on the place of his settle- ment. In the year 1900, soon after this county was erected. he located on the site of the present borough of Butler, tinding employment as a miller in Cunning- ham's mill. which stood on the site of the Walter mill. In 1506 he purchased the mill property, with considerable land surrounding it, and later built an addi- tion for a woolen mill and established a cabinet shop near by. Besides conduct- ing these various enterprises successfully for nearly thirty years, he also dealt ex- tensively in real estate and became a very large land owner. In 1-32-33 he sunk a salt well, with the intention of manufacturing that commodity, which en- terprise cost him about $5,000. He possessed much force of character. good executive ability and sound business principles, and his sterling worth was soon recognized by the people among whom he had cast his lot. He was the first treasurer of Butler county, was one of the early county commissioners, and in 1809 he was elected to the legislature. In 1817 he was appointed prothonotary of the county. and four years later he was again elected to the legislature and re-elected in 1822. He filled all of these positions in an able and efficient man- ner, alike creditable to himself and his constituents. He was a stanch Democrat until 1 56, when he supported Fremont for President. and continued to affiliate with the Republican party the rest of his life.

Mr. Negley was a man of strong religious convictions and one of the found- ers of the Lutheran church in Butler. He was a member of the German Luth- eran society and contributed liberally towards the erection of the old church building. as well as to all other churches erected in Butler during his lifetime. His generosity and benevolence found expression in various other channels bene- ficial to the community. while his enterprise and public spirit were manifested in many ways during his active business career. In 1816 Mr. Negley married Eliza- beth Ann Patterson, who died in August, 1-35. She was the mother of ten children. as follows: Mary B., widow of John G. Muntz: Elizabeth II .. who

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died in August, 1835: Susan A., widow of Col. Joseph P. Patterson ; John 11 .. one of the oldest members of the Butler bar: Felix C., of Pittsburg : Minerva. deceased wife of Samuel W. Haseltine; Ann McLean. deceased : Jame- A .. of Philadelphia ; William C., who died in IS50, and Albert G., a resident of Chi- cago. Mr. Negley died August 11. 1-70. in the ninety-third year of his age, and was buried in South cemetery, the land for which was donated by him in 1850 for burial purposes. Here a massive marble shaft, on which is inscribed a brief history of his life. marks the last resting place of this honored pioneer, one of the vanguard of that mighty army of civilization which laid the foundations of liberty and prosperity in western Pennsylvania.

IION. JOHN HENRY NEGLEY, attorney at law, was born near the old Negley mill, in the southern part of what is now the borough of Butler, February 7. 1-23. son of John and Elizabeth Ann (Patterson ) Negley. pioneers of the county. His boyhood days were passed in this village. and his primary education was obtained in the old Butler Academy. In the fall of ISI be entered Washington College. at Washington, Pennsylvania. where he pursued his studies for three terms. Returning home in the spring of I> 18. he commenced the study of law under llon. John Bredin, and was admitted to the bar March 25. 1>45. lle at once began practice, and for fifty years he has continued in the duties thereof. being now one of the oldest members of the Butler county bar. In March. ISJS. he was appointed deputy attorney general for this county, which he held about one year. In 1850 the office became elective. and he was the first district attor- ney elected in the county. filling that position the full term of three years. In 1>55 he became proprietor and editor of the Democratic Herald, which he pub- lished until July, 185s. when he sold the office.

Mr. Negley was an adherent of the Democratic party until the exciting period preceding the war, when he became a Republican. In I>61 he was appointed enrolling officer for Butler county. an office established for the purpose of enrolling the names of those subject to draft. the duties of which covered a period of nearly a year. In IS62 he was a member of Capt. J. Gilmore Camp- bell's company of militia, which responded to the call of Governor Curtin to assist in repelling Lee's invasion of Pennsylvania. In October. 1-63, Mr. Negley was elected. on the Republican ticket, to the legislature. and was twice re-elected. serving three years in that capacity. During his term of service he was largely instrumental in obtaining legislation that secured the first railroad completed in Butler county, extending from Freeport to Butler, now a part of the West Penn In April, 1869, he purchased the Butler Citizen, which he edited and published until September. 1885. a period of nearly twenty years, a portion of which time his son was associated with him as publisher.

Mr. Negley was married July .. 1-17, to Miss Mary Harper, of Butler. to which union were born ten children, eight of whom grew to maturity . as follows Elizabeth A. II., widow of Rey. L. II. Geshwind: William C .. editor of the Citizen: John H., of Philadelphia ; Joseph P .. of Pittsburg : Mary Stella : Mar- tin Luther, who was drowned in Chartier- creek, Allegheny county, in August, 1884; Felix C., and Edgar llayes. Mr. Negley was born and reared a Lutheran. and since early manhood he has been prominently connected with the growth and

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

progress of the English Lutheran church of Butler, being to-day one of its oldest and most honored members.

SQUIRE WILLIAM CAMPBELL was one of the first settlers in the borough of Butler. He was a son of Patrick and Eleanor Campbell, and was born April 27, 1772, in Franklin county, Pennsylvania. Ilis father was a native of Scotland, who settled in Franklin county, but little of his early history is known to his descendants in this county. Patrick Campbell and wife died in the vicinity of Mercersburg, Pennsylvania, August 23, and October 23, 1795, respectively. Their children were : Samuel ; David ; Robert ; Patrick : William, and Eleanor, who married a Mr. Stockton. Two of the sons were in the Revolutionary war, were captured by the British and died as prisoners on an English prison ship in New York harbor. The subject of this sketch grew to manhood in his native county, and there learned the carpenter's trade. In 1803 he came to Butler county for the purpose of selling a farm belonging to a friend, which was located in the northern part of the county, and on his way back remained at Butler, and pur- chased lot Number 57, at the first sale of lots in this borough, August 10, 1803. paying for the same forty-one dollars. On August 14, 1804, he purchased lot Number 7, for twenty-three dollars and fifty cents, and on August 16, 1804, he bought outlots 27 and 28, for $110.50. In the record of these sales he is named " Maj. William Campbell," because of his connection with the militia. The out- lots contained five acres, and were situated where the West Penn depot now stands. It is believed by his grandsons that he took up his residence in Butler at the time he made his first purchase, built a log house upon his lot, opposite the present home of William Campbell, and engaged in carpenter work for the pio- neers of the village, which business he followed a few years. He continued to live in this house until the brick residence, now occupied by his grandson, was built. William Campbell was a stanch Democrat, and a leader in his party in Butler county during pioneer days. In 1809 he was elected sheriff of the county, was appointed treasurer in 1813, elected commissioner in 1815, and prothontary in 1821. lle served continuously as justice of the peace from 1813 to 1822, was elected a member of the first borough council in 1817, and served in that body at different periods for many years, being chief burgess in 1828. His official career was marked by good executive ability and sterling integrity. In 1835 he engaged in general merchandising, in partnership with his two sons, James G. and Will- iam, under the firm name of William Campbell & Sons. This firm existed until 1845, when Mr. Campbell retired from active business, and turned over his affairs to his sons. He was a life long member of the Presbyterian church of Butler, a charter member of that organization, and one of its first trustees, and gave liber- ally toward the support of the church. M1. Campbell married Jane, a daughter of John Gilmore, of Washington county, Pennsylvania, and a sister of John Gil- more, an early and prominent lawyer of Butler. Four children were the fruits of this union, as follows : James G. ; William ; Eleanor, who married Robert Cun- ningham, and Margaret, who became the wife of B. R. Bradford, all of whom are dead. The parents both died in the old homestead at Butler, the father March 6, 1849, and his wife, May 2, 1835. Mr. Campbell possessed a fine presence, a

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powerful physical development, and was a man well calculated to undergo the trials of pioneer life.

WILLIAM CAMPBELL, Sr., second son of William and Jane (Gilmore ) Camp- bell, was born in the borough of Butler, January 18, 1813. His youth was passed in his native village, where he received a good common school education. His first employment was as clerk of the board of county commissioners. In 1835 he entered business with his father and brother, and in 1845 his father retired, leav- ing his sons in full control. They conducted the business successfully until 1852, when they closed out their stock. In that year they purchased the interest of John McCarnes in the foundry, in which they had owned a half interest since 1847, and established a store for the sale of the goods manufactured in this foun- dry and agricultural implements, which they supplied to the surrounding coun- ties. They added a stock of general hardware in 1877. This store is still car- ried on by John S. and William Campbell under the old firm title, and is one of the oldest and most successful business institutions of Butler. Although practi- cally retired from active life, because of the increasing infirmities of age, Mr. Campbell nevertheless took a deep interest in the business down to his death. He was one of the projectors, original stockholders and president of the Butler and Allegheny Plank Road Company, and took an active part in obtaining railroad facilities for Butler. He was also president and a director for many years of the Butler Mutual Fire Insurance Company. During the early oil days he was inter- ested with H. J. Klingler and others in the development of that great industry. He was also one of the founders of the Butler Savings Bank, was president of that institution from February, 1877, to February, 1880, and again from January, 1886, to November, 1887, when he resigned the office. Always an earnest friend of education, he served on the school board for several years, and gave much time to the advancement of the public schools of Butler. Mr. Campbell united with the Presbyterian church in 1832, was elected a ruling elder in 1841, was superintendent of the Sunday school for many years, and was always ready to aid every relig- ious enterprise. His work in the church was earnest and practical. He had the courage of his convictions, and on every moral question expressed them fear- lessly. A life long Democrat, he gave an unswerving support to the principles of his party, but never sought public office. He was twice married; first. Octo- ber 27, 1835. to Clarissa, a daughter of John Leslie Maxwell, a pioneer of Butler township. She died January 29, 1839. and March 31, 1841. he married Eliza J., daughter of John Shaw, of Glenshaw, Allegheny county. Their children were as follows : William, John S., James G., deceased, and Mary, wife of Joseph A. Herron. Mrs. Campbell died April 21, 1892. Iler husband survived until November 17, 1893, dying in the eighty-first year of his age. Mr. Campbell was the last survivor of his father's family. His death brought to a close an honor- able and successful business life, which was characterized by the virtues of indus- try, honesty and sobriety. Diligent and successful in all his undertakings, he won the respect and confidence of those with whom he was associated in his various enterprises. His untiring industry, fidelity to every trust, and diligence were remarkable, while his watchfulness and care over business continued almost to the day of his death.

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

JAMES GILMORE CAMPBELL was born in Butler, Pennsylvania, April 5, 1811, and died in the same borough, November 23, 1855. He was the eldest son of William and Jane (Gilmore ) Campbell, and spent his entire life in his native county. He was connected with his father and brother William in business, and at the time of his death was senior member of the firm of J. G. & W. Camp- bell. In 1842 he was elected sheriff of Butler county, and during his term of office occurred the outbreak, growing out of the murder of the Wigton family, by Mohawk, in which he displayed the bravest determination to uphold the law and enforce the peace. He was elected a presidential elector on the Democratic ticket in 1856, and was chosen by the electoral college to convey the returns of the State to Washington. President Buchanan subsequently appointed him mar- shal of the western district of Pennsylvania, an office which he filled from 1857 to 1861, in a manner satisfactory to men of all political opinions. On the break- ing out of the Rebellion, Mr. Campbell was among the first to give his support to the Union cause, and when, in 1862. the State was threatened by invasion, he was active in raising a company of volunteers to go to the defence of the flag. Ile was chosen captain of the company, and in that post, as in all others. whether public or private. he was faithful to his duty. Mr. Campbell was never married. and for some years prior to his death was almost helpless from paralysis. But in all passing events he maintained his old time interest, and his mind remained comparatively clear to the last. Few men were better known in the county, and few wielded a wider influence. He was a man of marked cour- age and fearless in the discharge of his duty. In social life he was an agreeable companion, and his kind words and cheerful ways made him a favorite with all. llis private life was pure and his integrity above question. In his business as a merchant, for more than forty years, he always bore the reputation of a liberal giver and an honest man.

WILLIAM CAMPBELL. eldest son of William and Eliza Jane (Shaw) Camp- bell, was born in Butler, April 11, 1843, and received his education in the public schools and at Witherspoon Institute, completing his studies at Washington and Jefferson College. He then went to Pittsburg, where he was engaged in the foundry business until his appointment as cashier of the Butler Savings Bank, February 6, 1871. This position he has since filled in a highly creditable man- ner. He is a member of the firm of J. G. & W. Campbell, lineal successors to the business established by his grandfather in 1835. He is also a director in the Butler Electric Light Company, and is interested in oil producing. In 1862 he enlisted in Company K., One Hundred and Thirty-fourth Pennsylvania Volunteers, and served with his regiment at Antietam. Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville. Politically. he has always been a Democrat, and, like his father. he is a consistent member of the Presbyterian church of Butler, in which he is one of the trustees. Mr. Campbell was married June 11. 1889, to Elizabeth, daughter of Dr. Joseph Lusk. one of the pioneer physicians of the county. They are the parents of two children : William, and Janet.

JOHN S. CAMPBELL, second son of William and Eliza Jane ( Shaw ) Camp- bell, was born March 18. 1847. in the old homestead at Butler. llis primary education was obtained in the public schools, and he afterwards attended the

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military academy, at West Chester, Pennsylvania. In 1866 he entered his father's employ. afterwards clerked in the Brady's Bend Iron Works store, and later was bookkeeper for Tack Brothers & Company, of Pittsburg, until 1869. On the death of his uncle, James Gilmore Campbell, he and his brother William inherited their uncle's interest in the firm of J. G. & W. Campbell, and at their father's death became sole proprietors. Mr. Campbell is the principal stockholder in. and president of, the Butler Electric Light Company, in the organization of which he was the leading spirit, and he was also the principal promoter of North Side cemetery. He was a member of the Bald Ridge Oil Company, and has operated extensively in the oil fields of Butler county, under the firm name of McBride & Campbell. Their celebrated well at McBride City, struck December 18. 1884, came in at the rate of nearly 10,000 barrels per day, and they sold half of it and the lease for $90,000. He has been actively engaged in oil producing since 1869, in various parts of this county and West Virginia. He is also the owner of a fine stock farm in Center township, and is engaged in breeding Jer- sey cattle and high grade horses. Mr. Campbell wa- married October 9, 1885, to Jennie E., a daughter of R. J. Rogers, of Attica, New York, and has two chil- dren : Richard R .. and John S. He is prominent in the local councils of the Democratic party, and although not a member. he attends the Presbyterian church. He is a leading member of the Masonic order, and is also connected with the R. A., K. of II., A. L. of H., and the 1. O. U. W.

MAURICE BREDIN is well and favorably remembered by the older inhabit- ants of Butler, where the greater portion of his life was passed. He was a native of County Donegal, Ireland. a son of James and Jane ( Dunlap) Bredin. In 1802 the family settled in Donegal township, Butler county, where the father obtained 200 acres of land by settler's right. In 1912 they removed into what is now Summit township, about two miles southeast of Butter. Maurice was reared amidst pioneer surroundings, and was inured to the trials and hardships of early days. After reaching manhood he removed to Butler. where the remain- ing years of his life were passed. He married Ann Niblock, a sister of Rev. Isaiah Niblock, to which union were born the following children : James M. : John : Mary : Mrs. Maria Caldwell ; Mrs. Vannie Kirker; Mrs. Sarah Lamber- ton, and Benjamin W. Mr. Bredin served two years in the borough council, in 1819 and 1821 : was justice of the peace for many years afterward ; served four years as register and recorder of Butler county, and also as county commissioner. In 1823 himself and brother. John Bredin, established the Repository. which they published several years. They were also among the prominent pioneer merchants of the bor- ough, and carried on business on the south side of the Diamond. He died August 11. 1852, aged seventy-two years. His widow removed to Franklin and there died. Mr. Bredin was a unique character, inflexibly honest, transparently sincere, intelli- gent, confiding, generous and unsophisticated as a child, and always true. Ile was intensely loyal to Butler county and her people, and a slight or indignity offered to either, under any circumstances, evoked his sharp and stern rebuke. He bad but little regard for the conventionalties of society, as to manners, dres -. or equipage, and keenly critized the innovations upon the simplicity of pioneer life. This trait in his character was often misinterpreted and misunderstood, but

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if censoriously called in question to his face, received from him such withering retorts as he alone was capable of giving. Mr. Bredin possessed a tall, dignified, and commanding presence. He was genial. companionable and cheerful in all the associations of life, a devoted husband. a kind and indulgent father. an ear- nest, faithful christian. He lived and died in Butler, closing a long life without a stain upon his integrity, a marked and honored character in Butler's history. He was intensely Democratie in his political views, while in religion he was a practical member of St. Peter's Protestant Episcopal church.

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History of Butler County, Pennsylvania, Part 85

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