USA > Pennsylvania > Jefferson County > History of Jefferson county, Pennsylvania, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 28
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88
Mount Pleasant (Knoxdale post office) is the seventh organization effected. The services connected therewith were held by Revs. C. P. Cummins and John McKean, in the barn of Mr. D. S. Chitister, May 16, 1857. Twelve members constituted the original organization, and it has now a membership of twenty-eight. The church has had its trials. So many of its prominent members have removed from time to time to other places, and others have been called away by death. Considerable difficulty was experienced in secur- ing a suitable sanctuary. In 1862 the lot and little log church belonging to the Evangelical body were purchased, but this was a very inadequate building ; so in 1867 an attempt was made to build a new church, but failed through the failure of the building committee to act. However, in 1869 the effort was renewed, and through the hard labor and persistence of pastor and the little band of people it was successful, and a neat and commodious house of worship was completed, at a cost of $2,800. Rev. John McKean was stated supply until September, 1860; Rev. John Wray during parts of 1862 and 1863. Rev. T. S. Leason was stated supply from September, 1864, to April, 1883.
245
THE CHURCHES IN JEFFERSON COUNTY.
Rev. J. S. Helm was pastor from November, 1883, to April, 1885. Mr. A. T. Aller, a student, preached regularly for one-third time during the summer of 1885. No regular preaching since that time.
Reynoldsville, the eighth on the roll, was organized in the public-school building, with fifteen members, on the 12th of February, 1861, by Revs. John Wray and Joseph Mateer, D.D. Dr. William Reynolds was elected, ordained and installed as ruling elder. Its last report, that of 1886, shows a member- ship of eighty-three. It has become self-sustaining and the outlook for the future, under good pastoral work, is believed to be very encouraging. Rev. Z. B. Taylor resigned in June, 1885 ; it was without a pastor, although having been regularly supplied during a part of this time by a student from the seminary until June 29, 1887, when Rev. L. B. Shryock was installed pastor. In 1871 a house of worship was built, but from some cause it was found to be unsafe and was abandoned, and a new building begun in 1875 in a more desir- able location. The work on it, however, progressed slowly, and it was not completed until the summer of 1881 ; but they now have as neat and attrac- tive a sanctuary as could be desired. Old Father Wray, of Beechwoods was the stated supply of the church until the spring of 1869. Dr. Marks, of Brookville, frequently preached for them in 1871 and 1872. Rev. D. W. Cassat was pastor for all his time from March, 1874, to April, 1876. From 1876 to 1884, when Z. B. Taylor was installed as pastor, the church did not have a great deal of regular preaching.
Maysville Church (Hazen post office) stands as the ninth. Its organiza- tion was effected June 14, 1870, with ten members, Revs. John Wray and J. J. Marks, D. D., serving as the committee of Presbytery. J. R. Trimble and M. C. Hoffman were elected, ordained and installed ruling elders. Their membership has increased to forty, but they are not now and have not been for some time regularly supplied with the preaching of the gospel. A cosy and comfortable house of worship was erected in 1871 at a cost of $2,600. Rev. W. H. Filson was the first pastor, serving this church for one-fourth time from September, 1871, to April, 1875. Rev. A. B. Fields was stated supply from June, 1884, to June, 1885, since which the church has been without regular preaching.
The Troy Church (Summerville post office) is located on the Low Grade Division of the Allegheny Valley Railroad, and was the tenth in the order of organization. Revs. Elder and Leason were the committee and attended to the duties of their appointment August 22, 1871. Fifteen persons, all mem- bers of Pisgah with two exceptions, entered the organization. The meeting was held in the Methodist Episcopal Church and a memorable discourse was preached by the venerable Richard Lea, D. D., of Pittsburgh, the theme being the words found in Revelations xxii, 17, "The Spirit and the bride say, come." Their sanctuary, which cost them about $4,000, and 28
246
HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY.
which with some extensive repairs made in 1886, affords them an elegant place of worship, was completed in the fall of 1874, and dedicated January 15, 1875. The church has recently organized a ladies' missionary society, is free of debt, has good officers, enrolls thirty-eight members, and is sanguine for the future. There is no reason, it is believed, why it should not become by and by a strong, self-sustaining organization. Rev. Ross Stevenson, D.D., was pastor from November, 1871, to February, 1876. Rev. J. M. McCurdy was stated supply from April, 1877, to April, 1885. Mr. A. T. Aller, a student from the seminary, preached regularly in the church for one-third time during the summer of 1885. Since that time the church has only had occasional sup- plies, but is very desirous of securing a pastor.
Worthville is eleventh in the date of organization, that date coming on the 25th of June, 1875. Revs. T. S. Leason, A. B. Fields, and James Caldwell officiated and constituted the church with thirty-six members. The first rul- ing elders were David Harl, J. C. McNutt, and John Lang, jr. The church has a half interest in connection with the German Reformed Church of the same place, in a very suitable house of worship. The first pastor was Rev. James Caldwell, who served them for one-fourth of his time from November, 1875, to April, 1877. The next pastor was Rev. J. E. Leyda, installed in November, 1877, and released in February, 1880. His successor was Rev. J. S. Helm, who was installed in October, 1883, and released in April, 1885. During the summer of 1885 it was supplied for one-third time by Mr. A. T. Aller. At present Mr. Helm is preaching to them until such time as they can secure a pastor.
Brockwayville is number twelve, and was organized by a committee of Pres- bytery consisting of Rev. J. H. Stewart and T. S. Negley, May 8, 1884. Eleven members constituted the original organization but at the last report made, that number had increased to twenty-eight. Mr. John Cochran was elected and installed ruling elder. They have a neat and comfortable place of worship in a rented hall, and contemplate building in the near future. Brockwayville ought to grow into a strong church. Rev. A. B. Fields was stated supply from June, 1884, until the time of his death in October, 1886, and was greatly beloved by his people. Brother Fields was defective in hearing, and was run over by a train, which rendered the amputation of his leg necessary, and finally resulted in his death. Rev. - Carothers was installed pastor June 29, 1887.
No 13 and the last on our roll is the church of Punxsutawney, which was organized September 4, 1884. The committee of organization was Revs. J. S. Helm and J. H. Stewart. Seventeen members entered the organization, and that number has now been trebled. There had been a Presbyterian Church organized in Punxsutawney in 1862, but for some reason unknown to the pas- tor it was dissolved in 1869. For the present wide-awake and growing con- gregation, great credit is due Rev. J. S. Helm, who began laboring at that
247
THE CHURCHES IN JEFFERSON COUNTY.
point when he was installed pastor at Perry. He was installed as the first pas- tor of Punxsutawney Church and continues to sustain that relation. The church has been worshiping in the Baptist sanctuary, but expects to build a house of worship the coming summer of 1887.
These churches are all in the Presbytery of Clarion, which is a part of the Synod of Pennsylvania, which is a part of the General Assembly of the Pres- byterian Church in the United States of America.
They have an aggregate membership of 1,200, are teaching 1,300 children in their Sabbath-schools, own church property estimated to be worth $60,000, and contributed during the last fiscal year $10,000 for the support of the gos- pel and the benevolent work of the church at large.
The work done by this denomination since Father McGarrough began his labors in the bounds of the county cannot be computed ; the influence and the fruits of the sermons preached, the Bible lessons taught, the prayers offered, the contributions made, the mission-work accomplished, the words of sympa- thy and counsel and invitation spoken, and the quiet, faithful, devoted Chris- tian lives lived for Christ, never can be known upon earth ; in heaven alone where the book of remembrance is being kept, is the record all written.
The changes that have taken place within the church since its first organi- zation in the county are considerable. The ridiculously elevated, boxed-up pulpits reached by a flight of stairs have been superseded by the common- sense ones of the present day ; the " clerks " who stood at the front of the pul- pit to lead the singing have given way to organs and choirs; the old psalm- books have been exchanged for the new hymnals; the old custom of having two sermons a day, and each one of them two or three times as long as the modern sermon, and a half hour's intermission to eat the cakes and get a drink, has been discontinued ; the use of " tokens" at the communion, which were small pieces of lead of various shapes, and without which no one was allowed to commune, has been abandoned, the holding of what we call " examines" when pastors would meet at stated times and places the young people of the congregation and question them on the Shorter Catechism and the Bible has also been given up. The habit which once prevailed of people getting up in their seats and stretching themselves or leaning against a wall or pillar of the building whenever they became tired is unknown by the present generation ; and yet, perhaps it would be a better thing to do than to sleep during the ser- mon. The old members of Pisgah Church can remember, too, when it was no uncommon sight to see a well-known minister take his coat off in the pul- pit when he got warmed up with his discourse, and finish his sermon in his shirt-sleeves. What a sensation such a proceeding would cause now-a-days.
What the changes may be in the years to come, it would be difficult to tell, but let it be hoped that the Church will prosper and that all the work done by all the Lord's people within the bounds of the county and in all the land, may
248
HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY.
be blessed of God to whom for all that has been wrought in the past, be all blessing and praise.
THE UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CONGREGATION OF BROOKVILLE 1
Was organized in the Associate Reformed Church, and continued in that con- nection till the union of the Associate and Associate Reformed Church was consummated in the city of Pittsburgh, May, 1858.
Jefferson is perhaps the most recently settled of the counties in western Pennsylvania. The first of those who settled here and felt an interest in our cause, came about the year 1830; some earlier, some later. But no move- ment was made to have preaching here till 1836.
Isaac Temple, who was one of the first elders, went to Presbytery and solicited preaching for the place where he lived. Of course he was encour- aged, hence a subscription was taken for service to be rendered during the year 1837.
The first name on the list is that of David McCormick. I think he was one of the elders of the congregation, but whether he was ordained here or in the place of his former residence, we have at present no means of knowing. Then follows, Thomas McCormick, Job McCreight, Job and W. Rodgers, Levi G. Clover, Benjamin McCreight, William Clark, C. A. Alexander, A. Vasbinder, Daniel Coder, Joseph Kerr, James M. Craig, Isaac Temple, Andrew Moor, John McClelland, William McCullough, David Dennison, William McDonald, Alex- ander Hutchison, John Hutchinson, Andrew McCormick, Charles Boner, An- drew Hunter.
This comes into my hands as the roll of honor. The first men who gave their names, and with their names their money, built up and sustain the Secession or Reformed Presbyterian cause in this county. Some of these were not then nor ever became members of the church which they chose to patron- ize. Some of them had perhaps little sympathy with Christianity at all, but I find them here signing their names and giving their support to a cause to which I have given the labor of my life. I honor them. Most of the names on that paper represent men of worth and weight of character. Known in the neigh- borhood in which they reside as such, and over all Jefferson county as it then was. It will be seen that the parties subscribing to this paper were widely scattered. From Brookville to the vicinity of Rockdale and Brockwayville. The amount of this first subscription is fifty-four dollars. The compensation agreed upon among these psalm-singing churches was six dollars per Sabbath.
This same paper upon which is the subscription, contains also the disburse- ment of the money. In this connection we find first of all the name of Joseph Osburn. With this brother I had no acquaintance. He belonged to the As- sociate Reformed branch of the United Presbyterian Church, and died several years before the union, while yet a young man.
1 Prepared by Rev. Frank P. Britt.
249
THE CHURCHES IN JEFFERSON COUNTY.
The next name is that of Jonathan Fulton, of whom the same thing may be said. He died young. He is represented as gifted in a very high degree, both as a reasoner and a pulpit orator. Many of you well remember him. His ministrations here did much to give respectability to our cause. Joseph H. Pressly also ministered here at an early day and with much acceptance. This brother who has now gone to his rest, represented to me when in the act of moving to this place, that it was the place of all the others he ever visited, the one where he wished to live. But a Providence shapes our ends differently from our anticipations, and even wishes and efforts to the contrary. This brother performed all his life work in the city of Erie, and there he ended his life.
I find also among those who rendered acceptable service the name of M. H. Wilson. This brother labored in Jacksonville, Indiana county, Pa. The names of A. G. Wallace, Samuel Brown, William Jamison, and others. These services covered a space of about twenty years, and were the means of keep- ing the people together, and keeping up their sympathy with the cause.
Of the original signers of the subscription taken in 1837, only three are known to us as now living, viz .: William Rodgers and Benjamin McCreight. Mr. Andrew Hunter was long a member of this congregation ; he died at his home in Knox township, at the beginning of the year 1875. David Dennison was a member of the Beechwoods congregation, and died some time during the winter of 1878.
William McCullough, the other survivor of these subscribers still lives, and has membership in the Beechwoods. His son, Boyd Mccullough, entered the ministry in the Covenanter Church, and subsequently within the last year, by certificate, was received as a member of the U. P. Presbytery of Brookville.
Perhaps it is worthy of remark that he is the only one of the young men raised in the bounds of any of these congregations who entered the ministry in any connection.
The three McCormick brothers all died in this vicinity. Two daughters of Andrew McCormick live : one, Miss Mary, in Corsica; Sarah Mccullough, in Jefferson.
Various supplies were sent, and at different times. As far as I have the means of judging, it appears that Rev. Joseph Osburn was the first Associate Reformed minister who visited this section of country, I suppose in 1837. After him the name of N. C. Weed occurs as dispensing the Lord's Supper for the first time in this wilderness in 1842.
Shortly after this Rev. Alexander McCahan rendered service here as a stated supply for the space of four years.
The number of communing members at the first sacrament was thirteen. This communion was held in the barn of the elder before mentioned, Isaac Tem- ple. David McCormick was also an elder officiating at the first communion, but
250
HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY.
whether either of these fathers, long since departed, was ordained here or had been in the exercise of that office previous to their coming here, does not appear from any record. Warsaw was the residence of these brethren, and the congregation up to this time went by that name. The place of worship was about eight miles to the northeast of Brookville.
In or about the year 1845 the congregation, in view of occupying a more central position and adding somewhat to their strength, removed the place of worship to the town of Brookville, and at once instituted measures for erect- ing a house of public worship. This was completed in 1849 or in 1850. The congregation then began to think of a regular pastoral settlement.
About the time that the congregation moved their place of worship to Brookville Matthew Dickey, younger brother of Rev. John Dickey, of Rich Hill, Armstrong county, was chosen to the eldership in this congregation. This brother still lives, at this writing, advanced in years and superannuated. His son, William Dickey, is now an elder and an efficient member in this con- gregation.
About the same time with Mr. Dickey, Mr. James Cochran was also elected. He represented another district, about equally distant as Warsaw, but in a northwest direction. The place is known as Tabor, Haggerty, or Sigel. This brother was very useful in the church, raised a large family, and was publicly influential in other respects. He died suddenly of injuries re- ceived in escaping from a burning house on the bank of the Allegheny River in the year -. Two of his daughters, Mrs. Euphema Smith and Mrs. Steven Oaks, are members of this congregation at this time.
In the year 1851 R. H. Graham and William Reed were elected elders. They both served with acceptance about the space of ten years, when Mr. Reed moved West. He has since died, and his family are not in the bounds of any of our congregations. Mr. Graham died in Brookville on the 27th of October, 1861. His widow still remains with us. His son and daughter are members in another branch of the church.
These brethren performed important service in keeping up the dispensation of ordinances under various discouragements. None of these original elders, save Mr. Dickey and Mr. Graham, lived to see a pastor settled in Brookville.
About the year 1863 Mr. Andrew Braden and Mr. George Trimble were elected to the eldership. They had both exercised this office before, Mr. Braden in Dr. Dale's church in Philadelphia, and Mr. Trimble in Jefferson. Mr. Trimble died some time last winter in Paxton, Ill.
In 1863 John Thompson, John Kirker, and Joseph Galbraith were elected to the eldership. Mr. Kirker now resides in New Brighton, and is a member of the Covenanter Church.
In the year 1869 James Braden and M. A. Calvin were elected members of this session.
25I
THE CHURCHES IN JEFFERSON COUNTY.
In July, 1875, William Dickey and Samuel H. Croyle were elected elders, and Thomas B. Galbraith, Samuel Chambers, and Joseph Vasbinder were elected deacons, and ordained solemnly, by the laying on of hands, to that office.
PASTORS AND PASTORAL CHANGES.
As was before stated, Rev. Alexander McCahan was settled here a stated supply from 1846 to 1850. He was an able minister of the New Testament, and the cause was fairly presented by his instrumentality.
In the year 1854 a call was made for J. L. Fairly to become the pastor of this congregation. This call was declined.
During the same year a call was made on Robert N. Dick, licentiate. This young brother died before the meeting of Presbytery at which the call was to have been sustained and presented.
A call was next made on Rev. J. C. Greer, which was declined. This brother is now settled in Lumber City, in this Presbytery.
Some time in the year 1859 a call was made on Rev. J. C. Truesdale, which was accepted. This brother was introduced here under favorable auspices, labored with marked diligence and success about four years. These were years of trouble in the country. The agitations which preceded the war were in some sense prejudicial to the success of our cause as an anti-slavery church as truly as was the open conflict of arms. In all our congregations were some whose political connections led them to sympathize with the cause of the Re- bellion. They, of course, were very uncomfortable under the preaching of men true to our principles and loyal to the country. In 1863 Mr. Truesdale resigned his pastoral charge and entered the service of his country as chaplain of the One Hundred and Fifth Regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteers. After the close of the war he was several years pastor of the United Presbyterian Church in Paxton, Ill. He is now in the Presbyterian Church, pastor of a congregation in Sharon, Mercer county. Mr. Truesdale's was the first pastorate of the United Presbyterian Church of Brookville.
It would have been in place to mention previous to this pastorate a call made on Mr. A. Lowman, a licentiate. . This call was accepted and the young brother, under circumstances which inspired large hopes on the part of the people, came to this place, with his youthful companion, to make it his home. God's purpose proved to be otherwise than he and they all hoped. He was suddenly taken ill and died at the residence of Captain J. M. Steck in Brook- ville. Resolutions of sympathy and sorrow passed by the congregation are dated December 4, 1858.
In 1864 a call was made on Rev. J. L. Aten which was declined. He was subsequently settled at College Corners, Ohio, and within the last year called to Cleveland, where he is now rendering service.
252
HISTORY FO JEFFERSON COUNTY.
About the year 1866 a call was made on Rev. A. Y. Houston which was also declined. This brother was settled some years in Palestine, Ohio; subse- quently in Ryegate, Vt.
In the year 1868 a call was made on Rev. Samuel Taggart which was de- clined. His time has since been usefully employed as secretary of the Young Men's Christian Commission of this State.
In 1869 a call was made for Mr. A. B. Struthers who accepted and was settled over this charge, comprising the congregations of Brookville, Jefferson, and Beaver Run. He resigned his pastorate about the close of the year 1871. I have heard many regrets on the part of the people for his hasty departure. His influence was salutary and his name is savory among the people of his charge. Some absentation and some dispersion took place during the war, and the work of this young brother was in part a work of reconstruction. To a certain extent he was successful. Some, however, left during these troublous times who have not since returned, nor found a home in any other society.
In June, 1872, they made a call for their present pastor, who accepted, and was installed in the autumn of the same year. The present incumbent has ministered here now just four years.
In 1871 the membership of Brookville congregation was reported fifty-two. This year, 1876, it is reported one hundred and twenty ; to this number ten have since been added, making the number of communicants one hundred and thirty. A Sabbath-school of upwards of a hundred scholars is in successful operation.
The church officers as now constituted are : Rev. G. C. Vincent, D.D., pastor; elders-Andrew Braden, John Thompson, Joseph Galbraith, James Braden, M. A. Calvin, William Dickey, Samuel H. Croyle; deacons-Thomas B. Galbraith, Joseph Vasbinder, Samuel Chambers.
The congregation of Brookville was under the direction of the Presbytery of Blairsville, at the time of the union, and, it may be presumed, was organ- ized by that Presbytery.
After the formation of the union there was a reconstruction of Presbyteries, and in most instances a change of Presbyterial lines. The Presbytery of Cone- maugh was then organized. The southern boundary of this Presbytery was the Conemaugh River ; south of that stream the Westmoreland Presbytery. The western boundary of Conemaugh seems to have been the Allegheny River, and no northern limit was marked, as we had no congregations north of Brookville till we come to Caledonia, in the State of New York.
At a meeting of the Synod of Pittsburgh at Indiana in the year 1872, an order was given for the organization of a new Presbytery, from the northern part of the territory included in the Presbytery of Conemaugh. Accordingly, the Presbytery of Brookville was organized November 26, 1872. The Presbytery was, small. Three ministerial members became settled in their respective
253
THE CHURCHES IN JEFFERSON COUNTY.
charges about the time of the organization of the Presbytery, viz. : Rev. J. C. Greer, at Lumber City ; Rev. M. S. Telford, at Beaver Run and Beechwoods ; and Rev. G. C. Vincent, D.D., at Brookville and Jefferson.
This congregation has had an existence as a place of worship since the year 1836, now forty years. The greater part of that time it has with difficulty maintained itself. No other branch has in whole or in part been formed from it. During these forty years there has been no young man educated liberally from this congregation. None have entered the ministry nor any other of the learned professions.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.