History of Mercer County, Pennsylvania : its past and present, Part 34

Author:
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : Brown, Runk
Number of Pages: 1288

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Among the many bright attorneys who stood conspicuous at the Mercer bar it is highly proper to place John J. Pearson, the late honored ex-judge of the Dauphin and Lebanon County Court at Harrisburg, where he died in the spring of 1888. John J. Pearson, the son of Bevan and Anna (Warner) Pearson, was born in Delaware County on October 25, 1800. His paternal grand- father, John Pearson, was of English descent, the family having hailed from

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HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY.

Cheshire at an early period. When John was five years of age he removed with his parents to Mercer County, where he received the best education the schools of the new county afforded. He studied law under the instruction of Hon. John Banks, and was admitted to the bar of Mercer County in August, 1822. He practiced law in Mercer and adjoining counties, and was a leader in all political, business and philanthropic movements. In 1849 he was appointed by Gov. William F. Johnson to the office of president judge of the Twelfth Judicial District, composed of the counties of Dauphin and Leba- non. The position he held for a period of thirty-three years, his term expiring in January, 1882. At the end of every judicial term he was re-elected by a unanimous vote of the people, without opposition. During his residence in Mercer he was twice elected to office, first to the Congress of the United States, for the counties of Beaver and Mercer, 1835-36, afterward to the Sen-

ate of Pennsylvania for the same counties in 1837, three years of which term were spent as chairman of the judiciary committee. Mr. Pearson married twice, first to Ellen, only daughter of Gen. Samuel Hays, of Venango Coun- ty, and next to Mary Harris Briggs, daughter of Joseph and Caroline Briggs, granddaughter of Gen. John Andre Hanna, and great-granddaughter of John Harris, the founder of Harrisburg. He was always an old line Whig, until 1856, when he joined the ranks of the newly formed Republican party, and was identified with it up to his death. His religious heritage was that of the Quakers, but though not a member, he attended Presbyterian services.

Thomas Scott Cunningham, one of Mercer County's prominent men, was born in Washington, Washington Co., Penn., on March 30, 1790. His fa- ther, Alexander Cunningham, was a native of Ireland; his mother, Elizabeth (Scott) Cunningham, a citizen of Washington County. He spent his early days in Washington County, and graduated from the Washington College. He studied law in his native town, and was also admitted to the bar at that place. He came to Mercer, and was admitted to the bar of the county on November 17, 1813, when in his twenty-fourth year. On April 7, 1824, he married Miss Matilda Cook, of Washington County, and his subsequent life was spent in Mercer, except when engaged in official life at the State capital. He was a man of fine legal attainments, but he had not the opportunity to develop his powers fully in his chosen calling, for he soon entered political life, and was greatly honored by his constituents. He was, as will be seen by reference to the list of State assemblymen and senators, a member of both branches of the State Legislature, and served with great ability as speaker of the Senate. While in the Legislature he introduced a bill for the complete abolition of the laws of imprisonment for debt. He received for this humane measure much praise from the poor. His support of the bank measure in the Legisla- ture, in opposition to his (Democratic) party, produced a bitter antagonism, from which he never fully recovered. From 1836 forward he was identified with the Whig party. He twice held the position of postmaster of Mercer- from October 1, 1817, to March 22, 1822, and from January 22, 1844, to Jan- uary 20, 1845. He was associate judge for a period commencing February 15, 1849. .

He had the following children, viz. : Alexander, Presbyterian minister (de- ceased); Grace Sarah, married David Findley (deceased); Elizabeth, married Rev. William Findley, still living as his widow at New Castle; Dorcas, Jane and John (all deceased), and Thomas Scott, a merchant in Waynesboro, Penn.

Gen. Cunningham, as he was familiarly called, was a generous, kind- hearted man, possessing many of the elements of the successful politician and

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man of the world. He was reared in the Associate Church, but never made a public profession of religion. He died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Grace S. Findley, in Mercer, on March 28, 1855, aged sixty-four years. His remains are moldering in the old grave-yard attached to the First Presbyte- rian Church.

Robert C. Rankin was another early member of the Mercer bar. The Mercer Whig of January 29, 1855, thus speaks of him: "It is with feelings of deep sorrow that we chronicle the death of Robert C. Rankin, Esq. He died on the morning of Monday, the 22d inst., after a severe illness of sev- eral weeks' continuance, at the age of about forty years. Col. Rankin has been a resident of Mercer since his youth, and his social disposition, his kind- ness of heart and gentlemanly bearing had endeared him to all of our citizens .. He graduated with honor at Washington College, Penn., in the class of 1838,. and, while we were there several years afterward, we often heard those who, had known him, and had associated with him, speak in the highest terms of his attainments and abilities. After devoting two years to the study of law he was, in December, 1840, admitted to practice in the courts of this county, since which time he has been diligently and successfully engaged in his pro- fession. He was a true friend, a well-read lawyer, and endowed with abilities of no common order. In his death society has lost a useful and energetic citi- zen, the bar an ornament, and his family a son and brother whom they es- teemed and loved and cherished. When he had attained the meridian of life, when by his industry, talents and energy he had gained a competency, and was looking forward with bright hopes to the future, death, the destroyer, comes and strikes deep the fatal shaft, and the strong man lies low."

One of the early and prominent attorneys of the Mercer bar was Samuel Holstein. He was a native of Montgomery County, Penn., but came to Mercer County as an attorney in 1826. In February, 1830, he was commis- sioned by Gov. Wolf as register and recorder of the county, which position he held during the continuance of the governor's term. Retiring from that office, Mr. Holstein formed a successful partnership with William M. Stephenson. The new firm was retained in many of the most important cases of the county. In 1854 he removed to Neshannock Falls, and engaged in farming and man- ufacturing. He had a clear and well balanced mind, and acquired a compe- tence. He died in New Castle May 20, 1869, in the sixty-ninth year of his age.

William M. Stephenson, one of the leading members of the Mercer County bar, was born in what is now known as Worth Township, Mercer County, in the year 1808. His father, John Stephenson, was, at the age of ten years, brought to this country by his father, James, about the close of the Revolu- tion. The family remained in Northumberland County, Penn., until this region was opened up to settlers. William's mother was Jane Mortimer, a niece of the William Mortimer who was one of the trustees, with William McMillan and John Findley, to sell the lots of the borough of Mercer to raise the funds with which to build the first jail and court-house. Mr. Stephenson received a good classical education from a well-known and successful educator, Rev. John Gamble, the father of Dr. Gamble, of Jamestown. Mr. Gamble taught academies in Jamestown and Greenville, and enrolled among his pupils some of the brightest men of the county. William first studied medicine, then the- ology, but finally entered the law office of John J. Pearson. After having served a term as register and recorder, and having been admitted to the bar in 1836, he married Hannah B., daughter of Samuel B. Foster, one of the prom- inent attorneys at the organization of the county. His natural talents, com-

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HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY.

bined with his studious habits and purity of life, placed him among the leaders of the bar in this and the adjoining counties, where he continued to practice until his death in 1861. In politics he was an outspoken abolitionist, and his house was one of the stations on the "Underground Railroad." He was in 1857 the originator of the Mercer County Dispatch, to represent the anti-slavery ele- ment of the new Republican party, he furnishing the money to four young men (one of them his son, S. B. Stephenson), and William F. Clark, Sr., the latter being the political editor. The Union school building of Mercer is a monument to his labors, being built by him in the face of the most determined opposition, and even at the end of a lawsuit. He left two sons, S. B. and John M., both, of whom were in the army at the time of his death. The former is still living in Mercer, where he pursues the duties of a civil engineer. The other died in Mercer in the year 1870, leaving two children. The most of Mr. Stephenson's friends and clients have gone to join the ranks of the great silent majority, but some remain to cherish his memory with love and respect.

Hon. William Stewart. At a meeting of the bench and bar, held in the court-house October 20, 1876, of which Hon. L. L. McGuffin, of Lawrence County, was president, and James A. Stranahan, secretary, a committee, con- sisting of William Maxwell, Samuel Griffith, Johnson Pearson, James A. Stranahan, R. M. De France, S. H. Miller and A. D. Gillespie, was appointed to prepare resolutions bearing upon the death of Hon. William Stewart. On October 23 the committee reported the following, which was unanimously adopted: "Once more have we been called upon to assist in laying away the remains of a distinguished member of our profession, and an honored and re- spected citizen. On the 17th of October, 1876, after a protracted illness of over three years, Hon. William Stewart peacefully departed from the land of the dying and entered the land of the living. He was born in Mercer, Mer- cer Co., Penn., on the 16th day of September, 1810. He had an academic education, and having read law with Judge Banks, at that time a practicing attorney of this place, he was admitted to the bar in 1832. He first opened a law office in Brookville, Jefferson Co., Penn., where he remained but a short time, removing thence to Franklin, Venango Co., Penn., where he remained for two years, and thence to Mercer, the place of his birth and education and the home of his relatives and acquaintances, entering the office of Hon. John J. Pearson. During his long, brilliant and active public career he filled the offices of State senator, and represented the district composed of Mercer, Lawrence, Beaver and Butler Counties in the 34th and 35th Congresses of the United States. As an attorney and jurist Mr. Stewart early took rank with his associates, and his native ability, comprehensive mind and active tem- perament, supplemented by his courteous and dignified bearing toward the Court and his brethren of the bar, soon placed him at the head of his pro- fession. Always zealous of his honor and conscientious in"the discharge of his professional duties, his promise once pledged to his opponent was regarded as sacred. The amenities which to-day so strongly mark the professional inter- course of the members of the bar, one with another, and with the Court, are largely due to his example and practice. As a citizen he was public spirited and benevolent, earnestly patriotic, and uncompromisingly devoted to the per- petuity and unity of his country. Socially, he was kind, considerate and attentive to acquaintances, and generous and loving to friends.

"In view, therefore, of the distinguished character, the moral and social virtues, the honored name and the legal attainments which so signally charac- terized the life and career of William Stewart, be it

"Resolved, That the members of the bar hereby bear testimony to his well-

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HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY.

earned reputation for purity of life, honesty of purpose, and ability as a jurist." * * *

J. H. Robinson, attorney, editor and politician, was one of the active and reputable citizens of Mercer, who, cut off in the prime of life, had endeared himself to all classes of his fellow countrymen as a patriotic citizen, an honor- able business man and a philanthropic neighbor. He was born May 29, 1826, and died March 7, 1872, in his forty-sixth year. His early education was se- cured in Mercer, and subsequently at Washington College, from which he grad- uated with honor in 1849. In 1851 he began the study of law under Hon. Will- iam Stewart, and was admitted to the bar August 10, 1853. He served one term as district attorney by election, and one year by appointment. In 1854 he became the editor of the Mercer Whig, which position he held until 1863. Its columns during that period attest the ability and loyalty with which he main- tained the principles of his party. He was a cogent writer, as was shown by the editorial and forensic articles which graced the pages of his journal. In 1860 he was elected to the position of State senator, and held the place for four years of the most important part of our national history. He was a genuine supporter of the national and State administrations during those try- ing times. Hon. William Stewart once said of Mr. Robinson, "that he was not surpassed as a lawyer by any member of the Mercer or any other bar within his knowledge."

We will briefly mention a few more of those who have been connected with the bar, none of whom are now living in Mercer County except Judge William Waugh, of Greenville. He was admitted to practice in 1842, but after a few years gave up the profession.

B. F. Baskin, a native of Selins Grove, Union Co., Penn., was one of the well-known members of the bar. He studied law in Selins Grove, came to Mercer about 1844, was elected district attorney in 1847, and served one term. Some years afterward he removed from Mercer to Greenville, and fol- lowed his profession there and at Meadville up to his death, at Greenville, July 8, 1862.

George W. Carskadden was engaged in the law at Greenville from his ad- mission, in 1845, until his death September 18, 1884.

James Galloway was admitted in 1846, and practiced in Mercer until the California gold excitement, when he went to the Pacific slope. He afterward attained considerable prominence in that State.

David B. Hays came from Franklin to Mercer in the forties, and formed a partnership with John J. Pearson. The latter was appointed president judge, and Hays continued in practice alone until his death a few years afterward.

William L. Christy was one of the first lawyers to open an office in Green- ville. He did not do very much business, and finally went West and died.

A. H. Snyder, admitted in 1849, was a brother-in-law and partner of Will- iam Stewart, and one of the leading members of the bar. He went into the war as captain of Company A, One Hundred and Thirty-ninth Pennsylvania Volunteers, and was killed in the Wilderness May 5, 1864. He then held the rank of major, and was recognized as a gallant officer.

George W. Decamp was also admitted in 1849, practiced some years in Mercer, and then removed to Erie. From there he went to Pittsburgh, and thence to Kansas.

Archibald Cook began to practice in Mercer in 1853, but soon removed to Washington, D. C.

Robert M. DeFrance practiced in Mercer from his admission, in 1853, up to his death.

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HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY.

Robert Taylor commenced legal practice in Mercer in 1853, and continued in the profession until entering the ministry of the Presbyterian Church.

Thomas Zuver was admitted in 1853, but finally removed from Mercer to Venango County.

William G. Rose was admitted in 1855, and after a few years' practice in Mercer went to Cleveland, Ohio. He has become prominent in the social and political interests of that city and State; has served as mayor of Cleveland, and been once the popular Republican candidate for lieutenant-governor.

William Scott practiced a few years in Mercer, commencing in 1855, and Charles A. Wood had an office in Greenville for a time before the Rebellion. Both went west to "grow up with the country."

Died, July 23, 1870, H. H. Foster, in the thirty-eighth year of his age. At a meeting of the bar, of which Hon. William Stewart was chairman, and Arcus McDermitt, secretary, a committee on resolutions, consisting of J. H. Robinson, Arcus McDermitt, R. M. DeFrance, Johnson Pearson and D. L. Hoge, declared that " in his death the bar had lost one of its ablest mem- bers, and the community one of its most useful citizens. He was a good law- yer, a faithful friend, and an honest man." He was admitted to practice in 1855. Mr. Garvin says of him: "Universally esteemed for his social quali- ties and kindness of heart, respected for his genius and great ability as a member of the bar, he had a grasp on the affections of our people that will hold him long in remembrance. It is said, with truth, that lawyers are not born such, but Mr. Foster came so near being so as to endanger the standing of this long admitted axiom. Correct, ready, brilliant in his conceptions, and always cool and collected, his legal brethren have ever felt proud of his abili- ties, and claimed him as a great ornament to their association."

Died, James B. White, Esq., August 18, 1870, at New Wilmington. He was a member of the Mercer bar, which body passed a series of resolutions de- claring in one that in his death " the bar of Mercer has lost an able and hon- orable member, whose usefulness and fame was limited only by his unfortu- nate physical weakness, and whose integrity, sincerity and ability were recog- nized by all with whom he came in contact." He had a genial nature, philo- sophic mind, refined wit and kindliness of heart, which endeared him to his associates.

The present bar of Mercer County has some able representatives. In the ranks of older members are found Judge William Maxwell, of Greenville, the Nestor of the bar. He has been in the county continuously since March, 1832.

A. D. Gillespie, of Greenville, is likewise an old practitioner, and is still in the active field. Full sketches of these veterans will be found in the bio- graphical chapter of Greenville.

At Mercer there are several representatives of the older class-Hon. Sam- uel Griffith, Hon. Johnson Pearson and Hon. Samuel R. Mason. They have long stood before the public in the capacity of attorneys and citizens and offi- cials. Their names have been connected with the public movements of the county. Their personal sketches are not repeated here, but will be found in the biographical department.

The bar of the county at the present time embraces the following attorneys:

Mercer. - Johnson Pearson, admitted in 1843; Samuel Griffith, June 25, 1846; S. R. Mason, March 23, 1853; Beriah Magoffin, April, 1862; James A. Stranahan, April 20, 1864; J. G. Elliott, May 15, 1865; W. A. McCormick, January, 1866; S. B. Stephenson, November, 1867; J. G. White, February 22, 1870; Samuel H. Miller, 1871; S. S. Mehard, September 18, 1872; S. F.

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HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY.

Thompson, September 18, 1872; A. B. Thompson, February 17, 1873; J. R. W. Baker, February 17, 1873; H. H. Zeigler, February 17, 1873; A. H. McElrath, 1873; John W. Bell, May, 1874; S. B. Griffith, March, 1876; H. B. Bowser, April 17, 1876; Q. A. Gordon, May 22, 1876; Robert A. Stewart, 1876; J. J. Alexander, August 18, 1876; Samuel Redmond, April 8, 1878; W. H. Cochran, April 12, 1880; William Miller, June 15, 1882; W. W. Moore, June 15, 1882; G. W. McBride, August 12, 1882; J. C. Miller, February 14, 1884; J. D. Emery, January 5, 1885; Henry Hall, January 6, 1886, and L. Bingham, June 13, 1887.

Greenville .- William Maxwell, September, 1831; A. D. Gillespie, Decem- ber 17, 1845; W. H. Sheakley, 1860; Lester Kuder, 1866: A. F. Henlein, June 27, 1874; E. P. Gillespie, August 18, 1874; John W. Vosler, April 25, 1876; E. S. Templeton, 1877; D. P. Packard, January, 1885, and A. J. Gil- lespie, December 15, 1886.

Sharon. - Joseph N. McClure, January 16, 1866; Thomas Tanner, Novem- ber, 1868; William C. Haus, May, 1874; John McClure, September, 1874; John H. Elliott, January, 1877; W. W. Shilling, June, 1882, and A. W. Williams, June 10, 1884.

CHAPTER XII.

RELIGIOUS-PREDOMINANT FAITH OF THE FIRST SETTLERS-THEIR EFFORTS TO ESTABLISH CHURCHES AND SCHOOLS-SKETCHES OF THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN ORGANIZATIONS-CALL EXTENDED TO REV. DANIEL MCLEAN IN 1801-WHO SIGNED THE CALL-METHODIST CHURCH-BEGINNING OF METHODISM IN MER- CER COUNTY-BISHOP ROBERTS AND COTEMPORARY METHODISTS-FIRST CLASS ORGANIZED IN THE COUNTY-GROWTH OF THE CHURCH-SALARIES PAID METHODIST PREACHERS FROM 1800 TO 1816-ITINERANTS OF THE SIIENANGO CIRCUIT-OTHER DENOMINATIONS ESTABLISH CHURCHES-AN ATTEMPT MADE TO ORGANIZE A MORMON CHURCH-FIRST BIBLE SOCIETY-EARLY MIS- SIONARY SOCIETY.

THE majority of the first settlers of Mercer County were Irish Presbyterians, or descendants of that race, and hence had much to do in shaping the religious tendencies and sentiment of the community. The early settlers prized highly their church and school privileges, and hence the effort made to estab- lish both secular and religious instruction. An examination of the facts shows clearly that schools and churches were about simultaneous in their establish- ment, and rightfully, too. The school-house often became the church edifice, for a time, and vice versa. The following history of the Presbyterian Churches up to 1875 is sketched, in a general way, by Mr. Garvin, whose account is inserted verbatim. Fuller sketches of the congregations will be found in the boroughs and townships.

Presbyterian Churches .- In the very first settlement of Mercer County the Presbyterians took active measures to plant their churches within its limits, probably with a view to a future occupancy of the field, but certainly with a strong desire to carry the Gospel of Christ into every family that was seeking to build up a home in the wilderness. It is presumed that every settlement was visited by their young missionaries before the close of the year 1800, in most of which church organizations were formed, and in several pastors installed. Before roads were cut out, or streams bridged, the missionary, on horseback, was

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following the blazed paths from settlement to settlement, and from house to house, and where a few could be got together, delivering his message with such sincerity and earnestness as to make deep and lasting impressions on the hearers. These young preachers came mostly from Washington County and from the theological school of Dr. John McMillan, a log-cabin institution that through its graduates has exercised a powerful influence for good in Mercer and adjoining counties. The Revs. Tait, Wick, Lee, Satterfield, Wood, Riggs, Matthews and Condit, who were severally called to the pastorates of different congregations in Mercer County, all studied theology with Dr. McMillan.

It is difficult now to determine which was the first organization in the county. In Eaton's History of the Presbytery of Erie, that of Fairfield is mentioned as having occurred in September, 1799, the first elders being Daniel Axtell, David Condit and Ithiel Dodd, and a faithful search has failed to dis- cover any prior organization. The settlement in this neighborhood, far and near, was familiary known as the "Ten Milers," and was considered remarkable for its fervid and consistent piety, although outsiders charged it with being straight-laced and a little over plumb. These settlers were all pretty much from Washington County, and came to Mercer County together, reaching their destination on a Saturday evening. The next morning their first prayer- meeting was held in the woods, a sermon read, and the children catechized. This was in 1797 or 1798. In 1799 they were visited by Elisha McCurdy and Joseph Stockton, two of the Presbyterian missionaries that were traversing the Northwest, and by them organized into a church. Rev. William Wylie was their first pastor, staying with them from April, 1802, to December, 1804. Their next ordained pastor was Rev. Cyrus Riggs, who was installed in 1807, and released in 1812. In 1814 Ira Condit was installed pastor, holding the position to his death in 1836. The pastorate of the Rev. David Waggoner followed, commencing in 1838, and ending in 1853; and then that of the Rev. James Shields, who was ordained in 1855 and released in 1864.

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History of Mercer County, Pennsylvania : its past and present, Part 34

Author: Publication date: 1888 Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : Brown, Runk Number of Pages: 1288

Author:
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : Brown, Runk
Number of Pages: 1288