History of Fayette County, Pennsylvania : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 188

Author: Ellis, Franklin, 1828-1885
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Philadelphia : L.H. Everts & Co.
Number of Pages: 1314

USA > Pennsylvania > Fayette County > History of Fayette County, Pennsylvania : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men > Part 188

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).

The "Bull's Head" was at the foot of the hill west of the Rush stand, a frame building built by Thomas Dean in 1824. Selling liquor and feed to drovers was its principal business, and at night from the old stands near a jolly crowd would gather to pass an hour or so with song and drink and the music of the violin. Stephen Dean continued a while after Thomas. The house has been enlarged and improved into a fine residence, and is now occupied by John Stark.

The "Sheep's Ear," next west, is a frame building, which was kept by Edward Dean in the same man- ner as the "Bull's Head." It was built about 1824 by Samuel Dean for a shop, and enlarged by his son Edward for the accommodation of the public with liquor and feed, and was resorted to for amusement as the " Bull's Head." It was kept by Dean & Bogle. F. H. Oliphant, the great ironmaster, put a line of teams on the road, and they made a stopping-point at Edward Dean's. There is no account of how or why these two Dean houses received their peculiar names. The property is now occupied by Akerman.

The Old Inks stand was next west from the Sheep's Ear, and within one mile of Farmington. It was a frame two-story building, built by George Inks about 1820, if not earlier, and kept by George Inks, Heckrote, John Risler, Samuel Clemmens, and Nick McCartney. The property is now occupied by the Widow McCart- ney.

kept it, and then Sebastian Rush, Sr., bought and kept it until the time of his death, in 1878. The property is now occupied by his widow. The old log tavern stood on the site of the present building, and was supposed to have been built about 1818. The present building was a stage stand, and was the stop- ping-place of the Stockton mail line when kept by "Boss Rush." Mr. Rush once pointed out to the writer, when stopping with him, a room in which Gens. Jackson, Harrison, Taylor, and Scott had slept, and told him that Sam Houston, Henry Clay, Tom Corwin, and Jenny Lind had lodged under his roof.

The Frazer stand was west of Farmington one- quarter of a mile. It was a two-story frame building, supposed to have been built by Samuel Spau, kept by his widow, and then by Samuel Frazer. It was a wagon stand. The property is now owned and occu- pied by G. W. Hansel, who came from Maryland to it in 1833.

The John Rush stand is a two-story frame building, about one-quarter of a mile west of the Frazer stand, built by John Rush in 1845, when the pike was be- ginning to decline ; kept by John Rush and H. Clay Rush. He sold the property to his brother, " Boss Rush," whose son, Sebastian Rush, Jr., now occu- pies it.

The first building of the Mount Washington stand was an old log house, kept by Edward Jones and Mitchel. The present large brick house was built by Judge Ewing about 1825, who sold the property to Henry Sampey. Kept by Henry Sampey, and after his death by his widow, then by his sons-in-law, Fos- ter and Moore. It was a stage stand. The Good Intent stage line stopped here. The property is now owned and occupied by Geoffrey Facenbaker, who came to it in 1856. It is about half a mile west of the John Rush stand.

The toll-house, next west, is an angular stone structure, built in 1829. Hiram Seaton was the first keeper. He was elected county treasurer twice, and died in Missouri. One of his sons, Charles S. Seaton, was elected to the Legislature, and resides in Union- town, a prominent merchant. Robert McDowell was the next. He was commonly called "(tate Bob," as there were several Robert MeDowells. Although crippled by rheumatism, he was considered a rough enstomer in a fight, tall, angular, and severe in ap- pearance. He ran for county commissioner in 1854, but was defeated. The old toll-house has a keeper no more, and no tolls to collect. The property is owned by Dr. R. M. Hill, and is occupied by a family as a residence.

The Monroe Spring stand is next west of the toll-

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HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

house, and was built by W. S. Gaither for Mckinney, was sick. Gen. Harrison stopped here, also Black Hawk when going to Washington. Two of Chalk Hill's landlords ran for associate judge,-Samuel Shipley on the Democratic, and Sebastian Rush on the Republican, ticket. The county being Democratic, Shipley was elected. a contractor on the road, in 1821. It is a two-story log house, weather-boarded, kept by W. S. Gaither, James Frost, Samuel Frazer, Germain D. Hair, John Shuff, John Longanecker, Sebastian Rush (who went from here to Chalk Hill), William McClean, John Rush, Morris Mauler, John Dillon, P. Ogg, Peter Turney,. and John Foster. The old house still stands, but has gone to wreck. The property is now owned by Dr. R. M. Hill. At the spring close to the house John Hagan, a contractor on the road, gave President Monroe a dinner. The President, throwing wine in | buildings stood, but a man by name of McGrath in the water, christened it Monroe Spring, from which the house soon built derived its name. W. S. Gaither, who built the house, had a contract on the road. He came from Baltimore.

The Braddock Run stand is next west of Monroe Spring House. A two-story stone house, built about 1820 by Charles Mckinney, a contractor on the road, who afterwards went to Ohio. It was a wagon stand, and derived its name from being near Braddock's Run. It was kept by Charles Mckinney, James Sampey, Samuel Frazer, John Risler, - Springer, William Shaw, and Noble McCormick. Squire James Dixon bought the property of Henry Gaddis, a son- in-law of Springer, and Dixon's heirs now occupy the property.

Snyder's stand is next west of Chalk Hill, at the eastern foot of Laurel Hill. It is a two-story frame building, the first part of which was built by David Jones in 1820, who kept and rented to James Snyder. Jones had taken up the land as vacant on which the Philadelphia and Snyder bought from him and built an addition and kept it. He rented it two years, then taking charge himself again. He is the last of the pike landlords in Wharton. He is now over ninety years of age, and the oldest man in the town- ship. He was elected county commissioner almost without opposition, and was a surveyor for many years, and has been a very prominent citizen of Wharton. He came from Brown's Run, in Georges township, near Uniontown, where he married Mary Brown, his wife. They had four children,-Simon, Stephen, Lewis, and Margaret.

Squire Benjamin Price's cake- and beer-shop was next west of Snyder's stand, on the side of Lanrel Hill. Price built a stone and frame house, its chim- neys being but little above the bed of the pike; on the hillside below the pike he planted an orchard, and kept cakes for sale. The house has gone to ruin. The squire was a tall, heavy-set, broad-faced man, light complexioned, with blue eyes and light hair. As justice of the peace, he fined the wagoners and drovers when they swore in passing his place, and they in return annoyed him hy throwing clubs and

Fayette Springs Hotel is next west of Braddock Run stand. It is a large two-story stone house, which was built under direction of Hon. Andrew Stewart for a fashionable summer resort, and not for a regular stand. Col. Cuthbert Wiggins built the hotel in 1822. It was kept by Col. Wiggins (who came from Union- town), William McMillen, John McMullen, John Risler, John Rush, Earl Johnson, Brown Snyder, Samuel Lewis, Darlington Shaw, J. H. Wiggins (son , stones on his roof, and, it is said, once on a time a of Col. Wiggins), Redding Bunting, C. W. Downard, and Capt. John Messmore, and is now occupied and kept by A. G. Messmore.

couple of drovers threw a crippled swine down his chimney, for which they received a sound beating at the squire's hands.

The Chalk Hill stand is a large two-story frame The Summit House is at the summit of Laurel Hill, almost on the western boundary of Wharton. Col. Samuel Evans built a two-story frame building and several outbuildings, intended for a summer resort. It was kept by Ephraim McClean, who went to Illi- nois, by Henry Clay Rush in 1855, Brown Hadden, S. W. Snyder, John Snyder, William Boyd, and Nich- olas McCullongh, the present occupant. Mollie Cal- houn's cake-shop stood close to the Summit House. It was a rude cabin or shanty, in which the old woman sold cakes and beer. When the Summit House was built Old Mollie was dispossessed of her cabin, which was then torn down, and she disap- peared from the great thoroughfare. building, with commodious stabling attached, be- speaking ample comfort to man and beast. It is next west of Fayette Springs Hotel. The oldest part of the building was erected by Jonathan Downer in 1818, when he moved from his stand on the Old Braddock road. It was a wagon stand, and was kept by Jonathan Downer, Springer Downard, William Neal, Sebastian Rush (1840), Judge Samuel Shipley ( who went to Monroe in 1847), William Shipley, and Milford Shipley. John Olwine bought the property in 1869, and kept until 1875. Marion Arnett kept in 1875, and from 1876 until the present William J. Olwine, son of John Olwine, has had charge and ac- commodated the traveling public. When the road Fayette Springs .- About a quarter of a mile south of Chalk Hill is the celebrated Fayette Springs, whose chalybeate waters have cured many sick and afflicted. Dr. Daniel Marchant, of Uniontown, came was built the workmen shoveled up here a white-look- ing earth and called it chalk; hence the name of Chalk Hill. Gen. Jackson and his nieces stopped here overnight, and the general returning home from . up to Downard's about 1814, examined the spring, his second term, stopped to see David Downard, who and reported it valuable. A man of the name of

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Marsh built a log honse to accommodate visitors. The Hon. Andrew Stewart built a large building here, which burned down a few years ago. Brown Hadden at present is keeping a summer resort in the house that was built in place of the building burned down.

VILLAGES-MAIL SERVICE-BUSINESS ENTER- PRISES.

Farmington .- A log tavern was the first house here, and Mr. Connor kept a few goods in it. A. L Crane kept store next, and two houses were built. Peter T. Laishley kept goods, and Mrs. Andrew L. Crane ; then Mr. Sterling kept a store, and the place was called Sterling's Cross-Roads. Morgan Jones came next, and the village was given its present naine. Sebastian Rush came in charge of the Farmington stand and built up the place. In the mercantile busi- ness Daniel Witherow succeeded Jones, and was fol- lowed by S. Rush, James Dixon, C. H. Rush, Hat- Dr. R. M. Hill, of Elliottsville, was born in Wash- ington County, Pa., in 1842; attended Hoge's and Georges Creek Academies ; entered the service in the war of the Rebellion under Col. M. S. Quay, Co. C, 134th Penn. Vols. ; fought at Second Bull Run, South Mountain, and Shepherdstown, and was wounded in the left side and right arm at Chancellorsville. After field, and Thomas Rush. Farmington consists of ten houses,-T. Crutchman, farmer ; Dr. S. W. Newman; John Taylor, farmer ; Alfred Fisher, laborer; Thomas Rush, merchant; Mrs. S. Rush, hotel ; J. Turney, laborer; Adam Spau, farmer ; G. Cunningham, black- smith; and James McCartney, farmer. A new store is being fitted up by Camp & McCann. From Farm- . the war he read medicine with Dr. Chalfant. He ington Morgan A. Jones removed to Philadelphia, attended the Western Reserve Medical College, and received his diploma from Jefferson College. He where he became a broker. His brother David re- moved to Wisconsin, and became Lieutenant-Gov- | located at Farmington with a good practice, and at ernor of that State; S. E. Jones went to Colorado, present is located at Elliottsville. In 1876. be was elected to the Legislature by a large majority, run- ning in advance of his ticket, and serving meritori- ously in the Legislature of 1877-78. where he was elected probate judge; John Jones re- moved hence to Kentucky, where he became an ex- tensive ironmaster. Thomas Rush, the postmaster, served creditably in the war of 1861-65.

The village of Farmington is located at the inter- section of the old National road and the Falls City road. It is surrounded by a good farming country, and is regarded as a pleasant summer resort.

Gibbons' Glade .- At this place about 1847, Samuel Morton, from Virginia, built a saw-mill and log house. Christian Harader bought of him, and in 1849 built the flouring-mill and three dwelling-houses. A man named Sanborn lived here, and people called the place Sanborntown, and from that nicknamed it " Shinbone," and the post-office was at first so called. On the waters of Gibbons' Run, the post-office was changed to Gibbons' Glade in 1875, and the village was named the same. Its location is at the junction of two roads, and on the run. It has five dwellings, -- S. Thomas, mill-owner ; J. Fike, farmer ; John Cool- ing, blacksmith ; Daniel Johnsou, distiller ; Joseph Guiler, clerk. The mill was built by C. Harader, and sold to Jacob Fike, by him to John Harader, by him to Abraham Thomas in 1855, by him to John Umble in 1860, by him to Thomas Frederick, and by him to Sylvanus and William Thomas in 1869.

The store was first kept by Jacob Zimmerman ; he was succeeded by S. Griffith, P. Mcclellan, H. Har- net (who built present store-house), Carrol & Hara-

der, John W. Carrol, J. Hardin, J. Campbell, Inks & Umble, Inks, Inks & Prinkey, Chidester, Daniel Johnson, and John ('Neil.

Elliottsville .- Benjamin Elliott in 1817-18 built the saw- and flouring-mill here. Ilis son, S. D. Elliott, succeeded him and made improvements. In 1845 he opened a stock of goods. He was succeeded by Mey- ers & Kennedy, Hagar & Dice, J. E. Patton, S. D. Elliott, Benjamin Elliott (who built the present store- house), S. D. Richey, and Dr. R. M. Hill, at present, with a stock of dry-goods and drugs. Situated at the junction of two roads, the village has two streets, Water and Farmington, with nine dwellings. It is favorably located for a business place, and is the cen- tre and voting-place of the Wharton Independent School District, formed by decree of court Dec. 9, 1864, on report of Adam Canan, Robert McDowell, Jr., and John Snyder.

S. D. Elliott, the founder of the village (born in 1809), has long been identified with the interests of Wharton, holding at different times nearly every elective office in the township.

Mail Service .- At the opening of the National road, in 1818, Bryant post-office was established, with James Bryant as postmaster. Bryant moved to Squire Burk's, and removed the office with him. It was moved back to Farmington, and in 1838 Morgan Jones named the place Farmington, and the post-office was changed from Bryant to Farmington. The successors in the post-office have been Andrew L. Crane, Joseph Ster- ling, Morgan Jones, Daniel Witherow, Hair, S. Rush, C. H. Rush, James Nixon, and the present postmaster, Thomas Rush, and until 1860 it was the only office in the township. In 1860, Chalk Hill post-office was established, William McMillen, postmaster. After him were John McMillen, John Rishler. Robert Sproul, William Sproul, and Margaret Downer. It was changed to Fayette Springs post-office, and moved to Fayette Springs Hotel ; postmasters, Alice Bunting, C. W. Downer, Capt. John Messmore, and A. G. Messmore, present postmaster. In 1870, Shin- bone post-office was established through the instru- mentality of Hon. John Covode, and Sylvanus Thomas was appointed postmaster. In 1875 the

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HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

name of the office was changed to Gibbons'. In on Mill Run, was started about 1860, and is still 1881, Thomas resigned, and Joseph Guiler was ap- running. pointed postmaster.

Mail Routes .- The Farmington route from Union- town to Farmington was established after the pike went down, instead of the old through route from Wheeling to Washington. S. Rush for many years was contractor, then MeCullough a year, and Calvin Dean at present is contraetor.

Farmington and Brandonville (W. Va.) route, ,No. 8615, was established 1870, with Fielding Mon- tague contractor, who has had the route ever sinee.

Distilleries .- In early days a man by the name of Miller had a distillery in Wharton. There was no market for grain, and people took grain to this dis- tillery, and got their whisky in kegs, and carried it on pack-horses east, and traded for iron, salt, and store- goods.

After Miller's still-house went down Jacob Sailor built one near it. John Rutter passed it on his way to the MeCollum place in West Virginia, lost his way in a snow-storm, and was frozen to death. In 1861, Zar Hart built a distillery, then in Henry Clay, but now in Wharton. In 1872, Daniel Carnes came in possession, and ran it until 1876, with C. W. Dow- 1 ner gauger, and John Farmer, of Nicholson, store- keeper. From 1876 to 1878, Capt. John Bierer ran it, with Robert McCraeken gauger and store-keeper. From 1878 to 1881, Philip Dennis ran it, with Me- Cracken as gauger and store-keeper. Daniel Johnson has bought the machinery, and will move it to Gib- bons' Glade, to be placed in a distillery to be erected there.

Mills .- A Mr. Cross had a tub-mill near Kingham's, on Mill Run, in an early day, about 1790. Jacob There is no account of who taught the first schools in Wharton, which were private, or pay-schools by the quarter. An old log school-house stood on the Beeson built a tub-mill for Richard Cheney (near Simon Hager's place) about 1795. But the oldest mill in the township seems to be Cross' tub-mill, pike near Farmington, and another on the Lake farm near the Stewart line, on Bissel's place, formerly owned by Harvey Morris, Thomas Dean recolleets it in 1814, and it then was called " the old mill," and was the great mill for corn, while they went for wheat to Selbysport. The Carrol mill was an old mill. Benjamin Elliott built his mill on Sandy in 1818, and Joseph Victor built a mill in 1830 on Mill Run, which burned down. The mill was built with the intention of starting a furnace. The property is | build another. Teachers' wages were, for females, now owned by Beeson & Snyder.

The Gibbons' Glade mill was built in 1849 by C. Harader, this and Elliott's being the only two mills ( now) in the township. Peter Kime had a mill and carding-machine where Asbury Carrol lives, but it went down about 1830.

Tanneries,-There was a small tannery at John Moore's about 1800. The next tannery was Beaver Creek tannery, started in 1840 by Z. Ludington, next run by Kanc & Cope, then William Armstrong, and now by Levi Byerly. It is in Tinker Ridge settle- ment, close to the Stewart line. Syler's tannery,

Wharton Furnace .- In 1839, Hon. Andrew Stewart completed Wharton Furnace, and put it into blast and ran it several years; he then rented to John D. Crea, of Brownsville, then to Kenedy Duncan, who employed Alexander Clair as his manager. Col. D. S. Stewart then ran a short time. After him came a succession of proprietors, by whom it was run till about 1873, when it was finally abandoned. Hon. Andrew Stewart's heirs still own the property. Ore and coal are plenty, but the distance, over bad roads, to haul the metal is the great trouble in running the Wharton Furnace.

Stores .- John More kept a few goods near Squire Isaac Armstrong's, and this was the first store in the township. Andrew L. Crane kept goods at Mount Washington about 1820, and moved his store next Washington Hansel's house, where a thief came down the chimney and robbed him. About the same time one Conner kept a few goods at Farmington, in the old log tavern. Crane next kept at Farmington, about 1835. Squire S. D. Elliott opened out a stoek of goods at his mill in 1845, and Jacob Zimmerman, about 1856, put a stock of goods at Gibbons' Glade.

Physicians .- Dr. Hasson was at the Inks stand about 1860, and Dr. Dunham at Gibbons' Glade about the same time. Dr. Lewis came next to Farmington, followed by Dr. R. M. Hill, and Dr. S. W. Newman in 1880, while Dr. L. W. Pool was at Elliottsville from 1874 to 1876, and then removed to Grant County, W. Va.

SCHOOLS.

beyond Elliottsville. Aug. 19, 1837, is the first record of a school board under the free school system. A meeting was then held to locate school-houses. They located ten school districts, and ordered that Miss M. A. Reynolds teach at Elliott's, Joseph Con- ner at Moore's, James McCartney at Dean's, and Benjamin Payton at Carrol's. The sum of $110 was appropriated to build one school-house, and $116 to 810; males, 815 per month ; and three months' terms were taught. In 1841 the school tax was $293. From 1840 to 1860 the leading teachers of the township were William Smith, Amos Potter, - Stuller, George Matthews, and John E. Patton. The school-tax is heavier than in most townships of the county, show- ing a deep interest by the citizens in their schools. During the winter of 1875-76 the teachers of the township met at Farmington and organized a literary society, whose debates of more than ordinary interest drew crowded houses. A. C. Holbert and J. M. Har- baugh, on the part of the teachers, and Dr. J. T. Bea-

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zel and Dr. R. M. Hill were the leading spirits, whose ingenious arguments will long be remembered.

The following statistics are from the school report made in 1880 :

Number of districts (running, 12; vacant, 2; ind., 1) .. 15 Number of school-houses, frame. 15 Number of teachers employed .. 13 Amount paid teachers, $1538, Wharton ind., $150.

The teachers for 1880 were Miss Jennie Sproul, John Rush, J. C. W. McCann, John Hansel, C. L. Smith, John Carrol, E. Carrol, J. C. Berg, C. Woodfil, P. C. Brooks, L. Workman, E. Augustine, and R. Mc- Clellan.

Following is a list, nearly perfect, of those who have been elected school directors in Wharton from the time the township conformed to the requirements of the public school law (in 1837) to 1881, viz. :

1837 .- Joseph Price, Joseph Henry, James Sampey, Daniel Carrol, Charles Griffin, Alex. llarvey.

1838 .- James Sampey, Samuel Potter, J. M. Sterling, Charles Griffin, Alex. Harvey.

1839 .- S. Potter, M. A. Jones, Charles Griffin, Alex. Harvey, W. Holland, James Harvey.

1840 .- S. Potter, Morgan A. Jones, Hiram Seaton, William Gaddis, W. Holland, Alex. Harvey.

1841 .- Simon P. Snyder, Morgan A. Jones, John J. Hair, Hi- ram Seaton, W. Gaddis.

1842 .- S. P. Snyder, J. J. Hair, W. Robinson, W. Thorp, James Snyder.

1843 .- S. P. Snyder, J. J. Hair, E. Mitchel, James Snyder.

1844 .- A. Harvey, Samuel Potter.

1845 .- E. Mitchel, S. Potter, James Goodwin, Robert Sproul, J. Bryner, William Richards.

1846 .- No record.

1847 .- James Goodwin, W. Thorp, Amos Potter.

1848 .- Amos Potter, G. Hair, Rohert McDowell, Harvey Mor- ris, S. Rush.

1848 to 1868 .- No school record.

1868 .- C. W. Downer, A. Hayden, Joseph Stark, Jacob Prinkey, W. A. Carrol, George M. Thomas, S. Rush.

1869 .- G. W. Griffith, A. Hayden, N. McCartney, W. A. Carrol, S. Rush.

1870 .- G. W. Griffith, A. Hayden, L. W. Fike, N. McCartney. 1871 .- G. W. Griffith, A. Hayden, L. W. Fike, John Wirsing, J. M. Dixon, W. A. Carrol, S. Rush.

1872 .- J. M. Dixon, A. Potter, A. W. Carrol, John Wirsing, C. McQuillen, L. W. Fike, S. Rush.

1873 .- G. W. Hansel, Amos Potter, W. A. Carrol, John Wir- sing, N. McCartney, C. McQuillen, S. Rush.

1874 .- No record.

1875 .- James M. Dixon, A. Potter, L. W. Fike, John Wirsing, G. W. Hansel, N. McCartney.

1876 .- G. W. Hansel, A. Potter, L. W. Fike, N. McCartney, S. Thomas, J. N. Wiggins.

1877 .- R. P. McClelland, A. Porter, Samuel Hager, J. Prinkey, J. N. Wiggins, John Wirsing.

1878 .- E. L. Facenbaker, S. Hager, R. P. McClelland, John Mccullough, J. Prinkey, Thomas McCartney.

1879 .- E. L. Facenhaker, S. llager, John Dice, John Hersh- berger, Thomas McCartney, Jacob Prinkey.

1880 .- E. L. Facenbaker, S. llager, John Dice, John Hersh- berger, Thomas McCarty, John Wirsing.

1881 .- S. Hager, John Dice, Jobn Hershberger, John Wir- sing, Alex. Rush, Robert Dalzell.

RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS.

For years after the settlement of the township re- ligious services were conducted at private houses by ministers of different denominations.

Presbyterian .- The first denomination to effect an organization was the Presbyterian. The Presbytery of Redstone, on March 24, 1842, organized the church of Mount Washington, electing Seth Hyatt and Si- mon Snyder ruling elders. The following thirty-two persons constituted the organization : Benjamin El- liott, Solomon Elliott, S. D. Elliott, Mrs. Mary Elliott, Miss Mary Elliott, Eunice Elliott, John Robison and wife, Seth Hyatt and wife, Mrs. Susan Crutchman, Miss Ester Conaway, Mrs. Lizzie Long, Mrs. Sophia Tuttle, Mrs. Shafer, Mrs. Reynolds, Miss Belinda Reynolds, Mrs. James McCarty, Mrs. James Matthews, Mrs. John Risler, Mrs. W. A. Gaither, Miss Elizabeth Gaither, William Gaither, Mrs. Hill, Christina, Jane, Nancy, Robert, and John Hill, Simon Snyder, Miss Sarah Stewart, and Morgan H. Jones.

In May, 1842, the first fifteen named persons or- ganized Brown's Church near Elliottsville. Both churches were log buildings, but in 1857 at Mount Washington a neat frame church was erected. Rev. J. Stoneroad was instrumental in founding the churches and was their minister, succeeded by Rev. Rosborough and other occasional supplies until 1850 ; from 1850 to 1870, Rev. J. Stoneroad ; from 1876 to 1878, Rev. R. T. Price ; from 1878 to 1881, Rev. S. S. Bergen. Elders : in 1846, S. D. Elliott was elected ; 1861, John Snyder; 1866, G. W. Hansel, Robert O. Jones, and James McCann. Brown's Church is now unfit for holding services in, and the members attend when practicable at Mount Washington.

Methodist Episcopal .- In 1841, Amos Potter, Mr. and Mrs. Harned, Mr. and Mrs. Hair, Mr. and Mrs. Carl formed a class at Potter's school-house. Rev. David Hess was one of the first ministers. Services were held at several places in the township, and in fall of 1855, Rev. Eaton, from Petersburg, held a meeting near William Smith's, on the National road, and formed a class. Nicholas McCartney, Mary A. Mccullough, John, Thomas, Samuel, Ste- phen, Jane, Sally, and Catherine Dean, John, Jo- seph, Sarah, and Lavina Stark, and twenty-seven others (forty in all) formed this class. It organized itself as the Sansom Chapel (Methodist Episcopal) Church, and built in 1857 the Sansom chapel building on the National road. Tinker's Ridge class was organ- ized in 1860 ( with Stephen Dean class-leader) ; Chalk Hill in September, 1859, but went down; Fairview class at Haines' school-house in 1863, with John Wir- sing as class-leader, members from West Virginia belonging, but they withdrawing in 1873 the class went down. Rev. Cooper was the first minister after Sansom Chapel was built, followed by Rev. James Hill, Thomas Storer, James Hollingshead, John Robinson, Z. Silbaugh, P. Burnworth, and others. The Rev. Daniel J. Davis is at present in charge.

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HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

Baptist .- On Dec. 3, 1846, at Potter's school-house, Nathaniel West, Eli Tuttle, John Detwiler, James Williams, M. Fry, Gabriel Cook and wife, and others organized Bellevue (Baptist) Church ; they removed to near Elliottsville, and held services in Brown's Church and the school-house. John Detwiler and Nathan- iel West were elected deacons. Rev. Lewis Sammons was their pastor from June 21, 1851, to April, 1854 ; Rev. John Williams from 1854 to 1865. In 1858 they built a small neat church near Elliottsville, which was destroyed by fire in 1874. The Rev. W. P. Fortney was pastor in 1874 and 1875.

German Baptist, or Brethren .- About 1850 the Brethren held services at Canan school-house, near Gibbons' Glade, and at Workman school-house, under Elder Jacob Thomas. In 1871, Solomon Workman, one of the members, objected to using the (Work- man) school-house as a place of worship because the polling-place had been removed from Sickles' to the school-house, and though not a wealthy man, rather than violate his conscience by worshiping in a house where elections were held he built out of his own means a neat frame church near the school-house and called it Bethel, though some of the young men called it Solomon's Temple. The arched ceiling of the building renders it the best building in the township for public speaking. The Revs. Jacob Beeghley, James A. Ridenhour, and J. C. Meyers have since held services, and at this time (1881) Elder Solomon Bucklew has charge of Bethel and Canan. Canan still uses the school-house at Gibbons' Glade, and both are in Sandy Creek District.

Cumberland Presbyterian .- In 1845 the Rev. An- drew Osborn formed a branch of this church at Pot- ter's, Mrs. Amos Potter, Daniel Carrol and wife, Mr. Sampey, John Patterson, and others constituting the organization. Rev. Osborn held services till 1860, Rev. J. P. Baird afterwards for a few years, and he then removing to a distance, the organization being feeble and without a pastor became scattered.

Catholic .- For many years members of this church have been residents of the township, and the Rev. Fathers Develin, Gallagher, and Duffee have held services at different points in the township, and the members at one time prepared to erect a church on the National road.

Evangelical Association, or Albright Methodist .- In 1850 this denomination organized at Potter's school- house, the Cupps and Haugers being among the first members. Revs. Doll, Rishman, and Hyde were the early ministers. They hold service at the Armstrong and Independent school-houses. The preacher from 1878 to 1880 was the Rev. Joseph White ; 1881, the | fortune he afterwards enjoyed. Rev. Dalzell.

Methodist Protestant .- Dr. Rutledge and Rev. J. G. McCarty held services at Wharton Furnace, but there is no organization. Rev. D. H. Myers, of this church, resides in the western part of the township.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

SEBASTIAN RUSH.

The late Sebastian Rush, known far and wide as "Boss" Rush, and also popularly designated as the "King of the Mountains," filled a large place in his locality, Farmington, Wharton township, as farmer, business man, and friendly adviser of a wide circle of acquaintances who sought his counsel, and particu- larly as the genial host of "Boss Rush's hotel" on the line of the National pike, and over which he pre- sided from 1840, when he bought the hotel, until he died, Feb. 9, 1878. This hotel was a favorite stopping- place of many of the great men of other days. Henry Clay, Tom Ewing, President Polk, etc., when journeying over the National road, and Jenny Lind, in her famous tour through the country with the great showman, Barnum, tarried overnight at " Boss's hotel," and Mr. Rush while living, as does Mrs. Rush, who now conducts the house, made his more distinguished guests "twice happy" by honoring them with lodgings in Jenny Lind's room (a species of sagacity as well as gallantry worthy of imitation by publicans in general).

Mr. Rush was an ardent politician, early in life an old-line Whig, afterwards a Republican, and wielded a great influence in his region, putting into local office whom he would when his party was in power, and was a Presbyterian in religion, which fact doubtless added to his success as a politician. He amassed a large property, owning at the time of his death about twelve hundred acres of good land adjacent to his house, as well as several outlying farms of consider- able size, besides the country "store" opposite the hotel, and which he for a long time conducted in connection with his other business and other prop- erty. He was also an extensive stock-raiser. Though noted for his unusually good sense and " clear head" in mature life, Mr. Rush enjoyed but meagre advan- tages of study in his childhood, but in after-life was notable as a reader.

He was a man of great physical strength, and during the latter portion of his life of ponderous size, weighing sometimes two hundred and fifty pounds. When he arrived at about twenty-two years of age he was made a constable, and for years filled his office with more than usual ability, but for the first year or so he was obliged to execute its duties on foot, lacking a horse to ride through pecuniary inability to buy one. From such a beginning his great energy and sound sense built up for him the

He was the son of Levi Rush (born 1783), who came to Fayette County from Somerset County late in the eighteenth century. His mother was Mary Kemp, a native of New Jersey, but living in Henry Clay township when she married. "Boss" Rush was born in the same township, Nov. 20, 1808, and in No-

SEBASTIAN RUSH.

GEORGE W. HANSEL.

841

WHARTON TOWNSHIP.

vember, 1829, married Margaret Baird, a girl of fif- teen years of age (born 1814), a daughter of James Baird, a native of County Derry, Ireland. This was a "runaway match," and though it proved a happy one, Mrs. Rush, a vigorous and intelligent lady, now conducting the hotel, as she and her husband so long and successfully carried on the business, is emphatic in pronouncing against "runaway matches," among children especially. Mr. Rush died leaving seven children, four sons and three daughters, three other children having died before him, two in childhood.

GEORGE W. HANSEL, ESQ.

George W. Hansel, a prosperous farmer and stock- raiser, and since 1877 the principal trying justice of the peace in this section of Fayette County, is a highly-esteemed citizen of Farmington, Wharton township, where he resides. He was born in Alle- gany County, Md., of German stock. His father, George, came with his family, among whom was

George W., in 1833 to Farmington, when the latter was about seven years old, he having been born July 4, 1826. George Hansel, the father, died in 1844, at the age of forty-two, leaving six children, and was buried on the old farm, where George W. has resided since his father's death, and which about 1850 he bought,-a valuable farm of about four hundred acres, lying along the line of the old National road. Mr. Hansel has since made considerable additions to the old homestead.

Mr. Hansel is in religion a Presbyterian, an elder of Mount Washington Presbyterian Church of Farm- ington, and though not ardent in politics, belongs to the Republican party, and was formerly an old-line Whig. He has always taken deep and intelligent interest in the common schools of his town, having belonged to the board of school directors since he arrived at his majority.

Mr. Hansel married in 1852 Miss Mary Romes- burgh, daughter of Mr. John Romesburgh, of Farm- ington, by whom he has had thirteen children, all living,-eight boys and five girls.

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History of Fayette County, Pennsylvania : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 188

Author: Ellis, Franklin, 1828-1885 Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Philadelphia : L.H. Everts & Co. Number of Pages: 1314

Author: Ellis, Franklin, 1828-1885
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Philadelphia : L.H. Everts & Co.
Number of Pages: 1314