USA > Pennsylvania > Mercer County > History of Mercer County, Pennsylvania : its past and present > Part 49
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The first physicians who practiced in Sharon were Drs. Elijah Flower and John Mitcheltree. Flower lived in Brookfield, and Mitcheltree on a farm about three miles south of town. The latter was the brother-in-law of Dr. J. M. Irvine, who subsequently became one of the prominent business men of Sharon, and whose sketch will be found in the Medical Chapter.
The first resident physician is admitted to have been Dr. Robert McCor- mick. He came from Carlisle, Cumberland County, about 1839. He was well read and skillful, and a Christian gentleman. "Some physicians," he used to say, "pride themselves on raising their patients from the borders of the grave, but my effort is to keep my. patients from getting down there." He removed to Illinois, where he died some years ago. Afterward came Drs. Martin, Reynolds, Christy and Wolf. They all preceded Dr. Irvine, who appeared in the forties. Dr. W. N. Reno practiced from 1841 to 1850. He is now engaged in the ministry of the Methodist Episcopal Church, being a member of the Erie Conference.
The first justice of the peace was William Budd, Jr., whose history has been detailed. He was still holding the position in 1825, when Mr. Porter located in the place and filled the office about thirty years.
MANUFACTURES.
Sharon has been noted as a manufacturing point. Its importance has been the outgrowth of the enterprise exhibited in that direction. As an account of the iron and steel industries will be found in the chapter devoted to the Iron, Steel and Coal Industries of the county, the reader is referred to that chapter for information on these important interests.
The mill previously mentioned in this chapter as being purchased from Benjamin Bentley by Samuel Quinby was operated by the latter for many years, and subsequently by his son-in-law, Conrad G. Carver, until its water power was destroyed by the construction of the canal.
The next grist-mill was built in 1822 by Giles Clark, on the west bank of the river, opposite the site of the Sharon Iron Works. A few years afterward
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HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY.
he put in fulling and carding machinery. These mills were operated by Giles and Lemuel Clark, and subsequently by Conrad G. Carver, a well-remem- bered citizen of Sharon, and were finally abandoned.
In 1840-41 Giles Clark erected the old Sharon flouring mill, on the canal near the site of Kline's planing mills, obtaining his power from the canal. Samuel and John P. Wright succeeded him, and J. C. Thompson obtained an interest upon the death of John P. Wright, in October, 1860. It was at a later date purchased and operated by Benjamin & Sons, who sold it to George W. Johnson, of New Castle. Upon the abandonment of the canal steam power was introduced, and the mill was kept in active operation until its destruction by fire, Mr. Johnson being then proprietor.
The large ruins of the old furniture factory near the Kimberly mills re- main as an evidence that the manufacture of furniture was once carried on in Sharon on quite an extensive scale. This business had its inception in Feb- ruary, 1845, when the firm of Willson, Logan & Partridge commenced the manufacture of all kinds of furniture. Several changes in the firm occurred through the passing years, though James M. Willson has always remained in the business. The firm of Willson & Robinson erected and operated the factory spoken of many years. Several years ago the local manufacture of furniture became unprofitable, and the factory was then closed and the busi- ness abandoned.
The Empire planing mills of Wallis & Carley is the largest institution of the kind in Mercer County. This firm is the lineal successor of Faas, Kanengeiser & Co., contractors and builders, established many years ago, of which they were members, and which the present firm succeeded early in 1876. They purchased the old Carver & Trout planing mills in March, 1876, which were burned the following October. Wallis & Carley, with character- istic enterprise, at once rebuilt them, and have ever since continued to suc- cessfully carry on the leading planing mills and lumber yard in this portion of the valley. The firm are very extensive contractors and builders, and give steady employment to a large force of men. The members of the firm are William L. Wallis and John Carley, whose names are the synonym of business push and enterprise.
The Sharon planing mill is also one of the manufacturing institutions of Sharon. It was established by Harry Kline, its present proprietor, and is doing quite a fair business. Mr. Kline carries on a lumber yard in connec- tion with his mill.
Sharon can also boast of two first-class flouring mills, the older of the two being owned and operated by Samuel F. Stambaugh. It is a frame structure, and equipped with the most improved machinery of the gradual reduction process. Mr. Stambaugh ranks among the oldest and best known citizens of Sharon.
The City Roller Mill was built by its present proprietor, Thomas Moses, and is a large brick building of solid and substantial appearance. It, too, is furnished with a first-class roller process. Both these mills turn out a fine grade of flour, and are doing a good business.
Many other smaller manufacturers in different lines might be mentioned, but those given embrace the principal ones outside of the iron and steel in- dustries.
ADDITIONS.
The town has had a rapid growth by the accession of territory in various directions. The records show as follows: Benjamin Reno's, June 12, 1854; Strawbridge's, August 15, 1868; Reuben Williamson's, July 24, 1869; Hull's
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HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY.
first addition, May 16, 1870; C. G. Carver's, October 18, 1873; Dr. J. M. Irvine's, October 20, 1873. Several other additions have also been made.
INCORPORATION AND BOROUGH OFFICERS.
Sharon was regularly incorporated as a borough October 6, 1841. The first election was held the fourth Monday in November, 1841, resulting in the choice of M. C. Trout as burgess, and A. W. Porter, John Phillips, John Patterson, W. C. Malin and C. G. Carver as councilmen. At a meeting of the council, held March 19, 1842, the following officers were appointed: Street commissioner, Joseph Budd; assessor, J. M. Irvine; clerk, L. W. Mears; treasurer, Benjamin Reno.
The records of the borough are incomplete. So far as they could be reached, the borough officers are given:
1842-Burgess, John Patterson; council, William Budd, Isaac Patterson, Adam M. White, Robert McFarland, William McMillen; constable, J. F. Satterfield; assessor, John Patterson; school directors, M. L. Murdock, C. G. Carver.
1844-Burgess, Frederick Heiliger; council, Henry Hubler, Charles E. Moore, C. B. Keefer, William Mounts, Benjamin Stewart; constable, Solo- mon Dillinger.
The voters at the election held in the borough on April 2, 1844, were: Joseph Budd, M. L. Mordock, Isaac H. Davis, Benjamin Keefer, Solomon Dillinger, Jacob Cozad D. C. Terrill, Henry Wadsworth, John Mounts, Ben- jamin Stewart, William McMillen, Jones Blackstone, John Phillips, Thomas Bowden, Andrew Reeves, Norton Wheeler, William M. Reno, John H. McCleery, Isaac Patterson, David W. Totman, Thomas Barrett, Charles. Moore, William Budd, Edward St. Lawrence, Robert McFarland, Erastus Rice, P. L. Williams, David Clark, Daniel Sager, Henry Boyd, L. W. Mears, Elias Zigler, James Kennedy, Daniel W. Totman, E. C. Sweetland, Fred- erick Heiliger.
1845-Burgess, M. L. Mordock; council, T. J. Porter, Joseph Budd, Edward Graham, John Phillips, John Mounts.
1846-Burgess, Edward Graham; council, David Clark, Philip Rees, Nor- ton Wheeler, A. M. Reeves, L. W. Mears.
1847-Burgess, Isaac Patterson; council, David T. Porter, Benjamin Reno, Robert McFarland, B. F. Flower, Charles Curtis.
1848-Burgess, Charles Curtis; council, John Creen, E. C. Sweetland, William Logan, Milton Hull, Daniel Upson Budd.
1861-Burgess, Robert McFarland; council, John Creen, James Thomp- son, Archibald Titus, Morris Alexander, J. M. Irvine.
1862-Burgess, Abner Applegate; council, Alfred N. Curtis, John M. Ward, William Morganthal, C. C. Conover, C. Bowden.
1863-Burgess, Abner Applegate; council, Robert McFarland, T. J. Porter, William Henlan, John Phillips, C. N. Prindle.
1864-Burgess, Abner Applegate; council, C. M. Rice, Thomas Taylor, John Phillips, H. J. Evans, Edward McGilvray.
1865-Burgess, P. W. Keller; council, William Morganthal, John M. Mordock, Samuel Watson, Henry Crosthwaite, J. R. Mccleery.
1866-Burgess, Thomas Bowden; council, Joseph King, George Tribby, N. L. Williams, C. Bowden, James Westerman.
1867-Burgess, William Henlan; council, P. L. Williams, John Phillips, John Ashton, Samuel F. Stambaugh, J. R. McCleery.
1868-Burgess, William Henlan; council, John Gumfory, William Morgan- thal, Jacob Messersmith, P. L. Williams, E. A. Wheeler.
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HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY,
1869-Burgess, J. A. Irvine; council, John Fisher, H. B. Chandler, J. J. Wilson, J. W. Hyde, James Westerman.
1870-Burgess, J. J. Wilson; council, D. C. Strawbridge, Richard E. Bell, J. W. Hyde, William Wilkes, Simon Perkins.
1871-Burgess, J. J. Wilson; council, W. O. Leslie, T. J. Gillespie, Ter- rence Sweeney, Jacob Grim, J. R. Potter.
1872-Burgess, A. G. Whitcraft; council, George Westerman, F. M. Hull, J. C. Marshall, Joseph Higgs, John Stewart, Fred Hoelzle.
1873-Burgess, W. C. Bell; council, Robert F. Wolfkill, Robert S. May, H. B. Linn, Jacob Faas, S. Runser, George W. Thompson.
1874-Burgess, I. K. Whitcraft; council, S. Runser, R. F. Wolfkill, Robert S. May, H. B. Linn, Jacob Faas, W. C. McClain.
1875-Burgess, J. K. Whitcraft; council, J. L. Weaver, H. B. Linn, Joseph Barber, C. Bowden, S. Runser, and Robert F. Wolfkill, secretary.
1876-Burgess, E. G. Mixsell; council, John Ambler, Joseph Higgs, F. M. Hull, P. McManus, James Burnett, and Robert F. Wolfkill, secretary.
1877-Burgess, T. J. Gillespie; council, Joseph Forker, C. McCleery, J. W. Higgs, John Wilson, S. C. Yoder, John Ambler, and C. W. Ray, secretary.
1878-Burgess, T. J. Gillespie; council, Joseph Forker, S. C. Yoder, T. B. Taylor, W. M. McCormick, Edward Wilson, Henry Smith, and C. W. Ray, secretary.
1879-Burgess, Robert McFarland; council, John Ashton, H. J. Evans, John P. Walsh, Edward Wilson, Samuel F. Stambaugh, A. E. Graham, and secretary, A. E. Graham, who resigned December 18, and S. C. Simonton, Jr., was chosen his successor.
1880-Burgess, John Ashton; council, Thomas B. Beil, C. E. Bundel, Jacob Dresch, B. Love, Jacob Messersmith, John H. Fisher, and S. C. Simonton, Jr., secretary.
1881-Burgess, Robert McFarland; council, John P. Walsh, Samuel Lester, John Deveraux, John Phillips, A. S. Service, Frank Davis, and S. C. Simonton, secretary.
1882-Burgess, Joseph H. Chandler; council, W. O. Leslie, Fred. Hoelzle, John Phillips, Richard James, John I. Davis, Joseph Tyler, and Thomas B. Beil, secretary.
1883-Burgess, J. H. Chandler; council, John I. Davis, James Tyler, John Phillips, John Ashton, Edward Wilson, P. L. Williams, and Thomas B. Beil, secretary.
1884-Burgess, J. H. Chandler; council, John Ashton, W. H. Mallory, W. L. Wallis, William C. McClain, C. L. Robinson, John I. Davis, and Thomas B. Beil, secretary.
1885-Burgess, W. M. McCormick; council, William C. McClain, W. G. Morgan, John H. Fisher, W. H. Mallory, John Ashton, W. L. Wallis, and Thomas B. Beil, secretary.
1886-Burgess, W. M. McCormick; council, John Ashton, W. L. Wallis, John H. Fisher, W. G. Morgan, J. W. Higgs (resigned), J. L. Ray (appoint- ed), A. Alderman, and Thomas B. Beil, secretary.
1887-Burgess, Harry Orchard; council, W. G. Morgan, A. Alderman, Harry Taylor, Uriah Spencer, J. H. Fisher, J. L. Ray, and Thomas B. Beil, secretary.
1888-Burgess, Harry Orchard; council, Uriah Spencer, A. Alderman, Harry Taylor, J. H. Fisher, J. L. Ray, Samuel Davis, and Thomas B. Beil, secretary.
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HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY.
SCHOOLS.
Mr. James Bentley maintains that a log school-house was built about 1800, some three-fourths of a mile east of Sharon. In it taught Thomas Rigdon. In 1803 Daniel Hull, Henry Hoagland and others built a log house on the Hoagland place. David Hayes, a Revolutionary soldier, was the first teacher. The first school edifice in town was built of logs, and stood near the present Baptist Academy building, known as Hall Institute. Mr. Bentley claims to have attended school in it in 1803. Some years afterward a round log struc- ture, about 18x25, one story high, was erected on the site of the present Exchange Hotel. It was rustic in its make-up, the fire-place occupying one end of the building. The chimney was made of sticks and mud. It had a . puncheon floor; desks about the wall, facing outward, and small glass-light windows. Amos Ulp, living near Sharon, and born there August 24, 1813, remembers to have attended school in this rustic building in 1820. James Schofield, from near Warren, was one of the first teachers, and a good one, too. Joseph Budd, son of William Budd, was one of the early teachers. A law which obtained on Christmas holidays at that early date was: "If the teacher reaches the school building before his pupils do, he holds possession without being compelled to treat them. Otherwise not." The third building was a frame, which stood in the rear of the. present Methodist Episcopal Church. It was built prior to 1840, and stood until a few years ago. About 1850 two frame buildings were erected, one on Ohio Street, near the South Ward house of to-day, the other corner of Silver and Erie Streets, north of the old Christian brick church. These three frame houses, one story each, had a teacher for each one.
About 1859 a brick two-story union house was built near the E. & P. depot. It accommodated the town. When the E. & P. Railroad was built, in 1862-63, it was bought for a round-house. In 1864-65 the Central building, with eleven rooms, was erected. The Legislature authorized the issuing of bonds for $8,000 to erect the structure. The house cost more than twice that amount, everything being then at war prices. It was dedicated Novem- ber 7, 1865, Prof. J. A. Cooper, of the Edinboro Normal School, delivering the address on "Mistakes in Education." The South Ward house was erected in 1876-77, to accommodate the people in that part of the town. The East Ward structure was built about two years later, and the West Ward structure about 1885.
The union school system under a principal began after the Central build- ing was completed. The first principal was S. P. Dame, a son-in-law of Dr. J. M. Irvine. He is a graduate of Bowdoin College, Maine, and subsequently took a course of study at Edinboro Normal School. He is at present engaged in business in Pittsburgh. The first term opened in the new building Novem- ber 20, 1865. The attendance the first day was 353 pupils; the second, 370. His associates the first year were Misses S. Plant, A. L. DePue, M. G. Mc- Gowan (still in the schools), M. W. Daggett, C. A. Hamilton, L. Spearman, S. E. Whiting and E. Carr.
The principals of the schools have been as follows: S. P. Dame, four years; F. S. Abbott, one year; C. W. Townsend, four years; G. W. Kratz, four years; J. W. Canon, three years; J. W. Canon, superintendent, six years. On the 29th of July, 1882, State Superintendent E. E. Higbee authorized a commission to be given J. W. Canon as borough superintendent. It releases him from examination and supervision by the county superintendent.
The present enrollment in the public schools of Sharon embraces 1,200 names, with an average attendance of 1,100. If we add to this the 300
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HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY.
pupils attending St. Michael's parochial schools, we find that 1,400 children are being educated in the schools of Sharon.
Commencing with 1875 the officers of the school board have been as fol- lows:
1875-President, Joseph McCleery; secretary, D. R. Shiras; treasurer, John M. Mordock.
1876-President, Joseph McCleery; secretary, D. R. Shiras; treasurer, John M. Mordock.
1877-Charles Grim; secretary, L. Buchholz; treasurer, John M. Mor- dock.
1878-President, Charles Grim; secretary, L. Buchholz; treasurer, James E. McCarter.
1879-President, Dr. H. M. Bishop; secretary, L. Buchholz; treasurer,
Alex. McDowell.
1880 -- President, Dr. H. M. Bishop; secretary, S. C. Yoder; treasurer, Alex. McDowell.
1881-President, Dr. H. M. Bishop; secretary, L. Buchholz; treasurer, Alex. McDowell.
1882-1883-President,Dr. H. M. Bishop; secretary, L. Buchholz; treas- urer, Alex. McDowell.
1884-President, Dr. H. M. Bishop; secretary, Dr. J. H. Reed; treas- urer, C. W. Ray.
1885-President, Dr. H. M. Bishop; secretary, D. R. Shiras; treasurer, C. W. Ray.
1886-1888-President, Thomas Tanner; secretary, D. R. Shiras; treas- urer, C. W. Ray.
Old Baptist Academy .- At an early day in the forties an academy was established in Sharon. It continued a number of years, but was never. very prosperous. It stood near the site of the present Hall. Institute. Rev. T. W. Greer, William Storrs and C. G. Carver were leading spirits in its estab- lishment. The building was sold at sheriff's sale in 1854, Mr. Carver buying the structure and using the brick in erecting his own residence.
Hall Institute .- In 1887 Rev. H. C. Hall, pastor of the Baptist Church, began agitating the establishing of an institute in Sharon. The project was kept before the people until a corporation was formed in the spring of 1888, and steps were undertaken to convert the old Baptist Church edifice into a school building. This idea was abandoned, and in the spring of 1888 a contract was let to John Cook for the erection of a new frame structure. The contractor purchased the old building, and utilized a part of its material in the construc- tion of the new one. It is located close to the Baptist Church, upon a com- manding eminence, overlooking the town, and embraces all the modern con- veniences. The entire cost of the building was about $8,000.
Hall Institute was incorporated as a Christian (but not sectarian) school of higher grade, May 21, 1888. The management of the school is committed to a board of twenty-five trustees, chosen by the contributors toward the erection of the institute, at an annual meeting held each year in June." The charter confers upon the institution power to institute courses of study, elect a faculty of instruction, and empowers them to confer degrees and honors upon such students as faithfully pursue the prescribed courses of study and pass satis- factory examinations therein. It is proposed to form a school, second to none of its grade, where the young people of Sharon and the surrounding country shall be given opportunities for securing that broad and careful culture which is requisite to the highest success and greatest usefulness in life. The people
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HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY.
most interested have thus far shown a commendable spirit in the liberal assist- ance rendered and encouragement given. It only requires a continuance of the same in order that the highest ideals of its projectors may be fully realized.
The institute opened its first term September 18, 1888, with the following faculty in charge: Rev. H. C. Hall, A. M., president, and professor of psychology and ethics; Rev. Henry Madtes, A. M., principal, and professor of languages and sciences; J. B. Scott, principal of normal department, em- bracing higher mathematics and English branches; F. T. Aschman, Ph. B., professor of chemistry and physics; Alice Luse, instructor in history and com- position; Cora McDaniel, principal of musical department; E. Griswold, M. D., lecturer on physiology and microscopy; Mrs. A. M. Hope, principal of art department; J. B. Scott, principal of business department; Rev. Henry Madtes, secretary of faculty and librarian; Mrs. M. E. Hilton, matron.
CHURCHES.
The Baptist Church of Sharon is one of the pioneer churches of the She- nango Valley. Its origin may be traced to the efforts of Rev. David Philips, of Peter's Creek, who came to this community in 1802, and finding in the sparsely settled country a few Baptists, concluded to preach to them, and finally organized a church. On the 29th of April, 1804, the organization for- mally occurred, Rev. Philips being aided in his work by S. David and B. Smith, Jr. Nineteen members were enrolled, embracing thirteen who had been iden- tified with the church elsewhere, and six who had recently been baptized. The following are their names: John and James Morford and their wives, Henry and Catherine Hoagland, Isaiah and Sarah Jones, Charles and Fanny Reno, Thomas and Charles Rigdon, Christopher North, John Gravat, Adamson Bent- ley, Mary Bentley, Drusilla Budd, Elizabeth and Susannah Bentley. Of these John Morford and Henry Hoagland were chosen deacons. The 29th of April was an important day to this congregation, and to the surrounding country for many miles. It was made memorable by the fact that on every anniversary occasion special services were held, commencing on Friday and continuing until the following Monday. These convocations were modern Pentecosts, that attracted saint and sinner from far and near. They were religiously what a full grown agricultural fair is to the people of the county to-day, a general turn- out of the people of all ages, sexes and conditions.
A pastor was at length needed. Negotiations were made to secure the ser- vices of Rev. Thomas Jones, a resident of New Jersey, from which some of the members came. Money having been raised to defray his traveling expenses hither, an ox team was started after him, Adamson Bentley being given the post of honor of commanding the expedition. The journey, a distance of some 400 miles, was at length made, and the preacher and his family were success- fully landed at their rustic western home, which was a log cabin on the farm now owned by Robert Luse. This occurred in 1805.
For a time services were held in houses, barns and groves. At length, in 1807, the necessity of a regular place of worship was felt. William Budd donated a lot large enough for the church and grave-yard. A log meeting- house, 20x30, was erected upon it, the site being nearly the same as that occu- pied by the old frame meeting-house recently removed. Its equipment was simple, as were the habits and customs of the people of those days. It served well, however, the wants of those early Christians. It was the first and only house of worship in what was subsequently called Sharon. The same year (1807) a branch of the Sharon Church was organized in West Salem Township,
4
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HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY.
Rev. Jones preaching for it likewise. The relationship between these two con- gregations continued uninterrupted until 1826. In 1811 Mr. Jones resigned his pastorate and went to Wooster, Ohio, where he died.
The second pastor was Rev. Joshua Woodworth, who remained through the trying period of the second war with Great Britain, his labors ceasing in 1816. Following his work is a series of uncertain pastorates, the dates being lost. The workmen were Samuel McMillen, Sidney Rigdon and G. W. Mc- Cleery. Sidney Rigdon subsequently became an apostle of Mormonism, and, in 1846-47, after the death of Joe Smith and the ensuing advancement of Brigham Young to the presidency of the Mormon Church, enlisted the co-op- eration of a number of men and women in an effort to establish a Mormon colony near Greencastle, Franklin Co., Penn. After the expenditure of many thousands of dollars and some two years of time, the enterprise proved abor- tive. Mr. McCleery, the father of Joseph McCleery, at present a resident of Sharon, joined the members who seceded in 1828, and became known subse- quently as a Disciple. The records show the membership of the church to be as follows: In 1820, 52; in 1823, 69, and in 1825, 75. In 1825 Rev. Henry Frasure was called to the pastorate, and remained until 1829. During his term a new trial came upon the Baptists. Many of its members became converts to the doctrines of Campbell. This ferment culminated in the going out of a sufficient number to organize a congregation in the latter part of June, 1828, the particulars of which are found in the sketch of the Christian Church of Sharon. The church property, however, was kept by the Baptists, they having retained a majority of the voting members. After Mr. Frasure's efforts Revs. Woodworth, of Ohio, and Stoughton, of Muddy Creek, paid the congre- gation visits. In 1834 Rev. Jacob Morris was employed as pastor, and con- tinued in that capacity until 1837. He was followed, in the latter year, by Rev. David Thomas, who continued one year. In June, 1840, Dr. John Winter began his pastoral work. The church entered upon a new era. Di- viding his time between Sharon and Warren, Ohio, he infused new life into the struggling membership. Forty-five were baptized, and former members were reclaimed, and the first Sunday-school was established. On the 31st of March, 1843, the congregation was regularly incorporated as "The Regular Baptist Church of the Borough of Sharon." Its first board of trustees in- cluded Edward S. Budd, Elam Bentley, John Hazen, Conrad G. Carver and Thomas Clark.
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