History of Mercer County, Pennsylvania : its past and present, Part 54

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

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HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY.

Sample, S. C. Dickey, Thomas M. Reznor, C. R. Beatty, E. H. Hawks; secre- tary, E. S. Templeton.

1886 -- Burgess, John Neel; council, Jacob Snyder, S. R. Keelen, H. K. Reiss, William T. Sample, James Loutzenhiser, James A. Heilman; secretary, E. S. Templeton.

1887-Burgess, Joseph Benninghoff; council, H. N. Shrom, William Paden, James Loutzenhiser, Jacob Snyder, W. T. Sample, S. R. Keelen; secretary, E. S. Templeton.

1888 -- Burgess, S. C. Dickey; council, E. T. Beatty, Edwin Ash, H. N. Shrom, Jacob Snyder, William Paden, S. R. Keelen; secretary, E. S. Tem- pleton.

SCHOOLS.

In 1802 a small log school-house was built on the farm of John Speir, about one mile west of Greenville, in which Mr. Speir opened a school. The vener- able Jacob Loutzenhiser, ninety-two years old, now lives on the place. This is believed to have been the first school-house erected and opened in this part of the county. William Scott taught in it about 1826. The history of the schools of Greenville proper is traceable to the efforts of James Rodgers, who taught a small grammar school in 1824. Dr. H. D. La. Cossitt and Will- iam Scott contributed toward the building of a small frame school building, which answered for school purposes for several years. Samuel Webster, of New Hampshire, came in 1825, and became a prominent teacher in Green- ville, continuing in that capacity for a number of years. Rev. John Gamble, concerning whom something is said in the sketch of Jamestown borough, was an early teacher in the place. He left a strong impression upon the people. Among his pupils were two sons-in-law of the eloquent Mercer attorney, Sam- uel B. Foster, viz .: William M. Stephenson and Samuel Griffith, both promi- nent educators and attorneys. They were both teachers in Greenville in the early days. The former, as will be seen by reference to the sketch of Mercer, was principal of the Mercer Academy, and the principal agent in founding the Mercer public school system. The latter, still living, has been both an edu- cator and an attorney. Besides, he represented his district in Congress. Hon. John A. Bingham, late Minister to Japan, likewise taught at Greenville.

Greenville Academy, established largely through the agency of James R. Wick, became for a time a popular institution, and served its purpose in fos- tering an educational spirit in the community. The school was incorporated July 1, 1848. It erected a two-story frame structure of two rooms, which stood on Shenango Street. It was converted into two dwelling houses, now the property of William McDowell, of Greenville, and Harlan Book, of Butler County, Penn.

Before the erection of the present Union school building, on east Main Street, the schools of Greenville consisted of two rooms on the east side and two on the west side, presided over by four lady teachers. Early in 1865 the fine Union school building on east Main Street was commenced, and pushed toward completion through that and the following year; but it was not until 1867-68 that it was entirely finished, its total cost being about $25,000. It is a brick structure, 60x74, three stories in height, and contains eleven rooms. In 1878 the west side building was erected, likewise made of brick, containing eight rooms, at a cost of some $10,000. It is pleasantly located, and is used at present as the High-school building.

The Union school system was established in Greenville in 1867, by the se- lection of Prof. E. C. McClintock as principal, July 20 of that year. He re- organized the schools, and served until March, 1868. His successors, with

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dates of appointment, are as follows: Profs. C. C. Donnells, March, 1868; J. W. Walker, 1870; D. McKee, 1872; Thomas B. Roth, 1875; Jerome Leech, 1876; F. M. Bullock, 1880, and John E. Morris, the present incum- bent, 1887.

The officers of the school board since 1865 have been as follows:

1865-Samuel Goodwin, president; T. M. Reznor, secretary; A. L. Wick, treasurer.

1866-67 and 1868-William Achre, president; T. M. Reznor, secretary; A. L. Wick, treasurer.

1869-70-Philip Clover, president; T. M. Reznor, secretary; A. L. Wick, treasurer.

1871-William Achre, president; T. M. Reznor, secretary; A. L. Wick, treasurer.

1872-William Achre, president; J. A. Leech, secretary; A. L. Wick, treasurer.

1873-T. M. Reznor, president; J. A. Leech, secretary; A. L. Wick, treasurer.

1874-J. C. Brown, president; J. A. Leech, secretary; W. H. Beil, treasurer.

1875-76-77-78-J. C. Brown, president; D. McKee, secretary; W. H. Beil, treasurer.

1879-J. C. Brown, president; D. Hum, secretary; W. H. Beil, treasurer. 1880-81-J. T. Blair, president; D. Hum, secretary; W. H. Beil, treasurer.

1882-E. S. Templeton, president; D. Hum, secretary; W. H. Beil, treasurer.

1883-H. M. Hamblin, president; D. Hum, secretary; W. H. Beil, treasurer.

1884-J. E. Brockway, president; D. Hum, secretary; W. H. Beil, treasurer.

1885-86-A. F. Henlein, president; D. Hum, secretary; W. H. Beil, treasurer.

1887-Rev. C. S. Tinker, president; Anson T. Clark, secretary; W. H. Beil, treasurer.

1888-J. C. Brown, president; Anson T. Clark, secretary; W. H. Beil, treasurer.

The general progress of the Greenville schools during the past thirty years has been highly satisfactory, and it is very doubtful if any other town of its size in Pennsylvania furnishes superior facilities to its youth for a thorough common school education. The present enrollment is about 950, and the average attendance 100 less.

Thiel College owes its existence remotely to a bequest for benevolent pur- poses made in 1865 by Mr. A. L. Thiel, of Pittsburgh, Penn. The sum, $5,500, was placed in the hands of Rev. W. A. Passavant, to be used for some benevolent purpose connected with the cause of Christianity. It was accepted, and the following year was invested in some lands and buildings which had been devoted to a water cure at Phillipsburg, Beaver Co., Penn. An institution of learning, known as "Thiel Hall," was in operation at Phillips- burg for several years under the direction of Revs. E. T. Giese, H. E. Jacobs, W. Kopps and others. In October, 1869, Mr. Thiel offered to the Pittsburgh Synod of the Lutheran Church, held at Greensburg, Westmoreland County, the entire property known as "Thiel Hall" on two very liberal conditions, which were intended to secure for the denomination an institution of learning

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HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY.

of a high order. The gift was accepted, and accordingly put under church control.

In the early part of 1870 the people of Greenville made to the board of trustees a very flattering offer as an inducement to have the enlarged institution located in their midst. The proposition included the gift of seven acres of land as a site, and a bonus of $20,000. The offer was accepted, and the institu- tion was transferred from Phillipsburg to Greenville, the opening exercises at the latter place occurring in the academy building on the 1st of September, 1871. Mr. Thiel, prior to his death, which occurred on February 16, 1870, had made some additional bequests to the institution. The college grounds were afterward increased by seven acres, donated by Dr. D. B. Packard; one acre by Samuel Ridgeway, and the balance by purchase from Mr. Ridgeway.

The first of the college buildings, known as "Greenville Hall," out of compliment to the liberality of the citizens of Greenville, was erected in 1872-74. The corner-stone of the structure was laid August 15, 1872, with suitable ceremonies, appropriate addresses being made by A. D. Gillespie, Esq., Hon. James Sheakley, Rev. G. A. Wenzel, Hon. M. C. Trout and Hon. Samuel Griffith. The regular address was made by Rev. W. A. Passavant, of Pittsburgh, who gave the history of the instituition. The structure, made of brick, three stories in height, 53x76, and containing thirty-three rooms, was erected by T. E. Heilman, of Greenville, for $22,649.79, of which amount the citizens of Greenville paid $14,307. The architects were Griese & Weile, of Cleveland, Ohio. The building committee consisted of Revs. H. W. Roth and J. B. Fox, and Dr. G. D. Kughler, A. D. Gillespie and Dr. D. B. Packard. The dedicatory services were held on June 25, 1874, addresses being delivered by Rev. J. G. Pfuhl and Prof. H. E. Jacobs. The services were under the di- rection of Prof. H. W. Roth, Prof. H. E. Jacobs and Rev. W. A. Passavant. Until the completion of "Greenville Hall," in June, 1874, the old academy building, and afterward three rooms in the union school building, were used.

Memorial Hall was commenced in 1885, the laying of the corner-stone taking place on June 25, of that year, Rev. J. A. Kunkleman, D. D., per- forming the ceremony. It was completed and dedicated with appropriate ceremonies November 10, 1886. It is a substantial three-story brick structure, and was erected at a total cost of about $8,000. This building contains the chapel and the recitation and society halls, and is quite a convenient addition to the original college building.

Thiel College has a good equipment and a fine library, and affords the reg- ular college course. The usual attendance is over 100 students. Rev. H. W. Roth, at first connected with the institution in the capacity of an instructor, was chosen president in August, 1875, and filled that position with commenda- ble credit until the close of 1887, when he resigned, and removed to Chicago, Ill. The board has recently chosen Rev. William A. Beates as his successor. The other members of the faculty are Rev. David McKee, professor of mathe- matics; Rev. Josiah R. Titsel, professor of Greek, and Rev. Herman Gilbert, professor ameritus of German. Prof. McKee has been connected with the college since its inception, Prof. Gilbert since 1872, and Prof. Titsel since June, 1874. The following instructors are also connected with the college: Rev. H. K. Shanor, A. M., principal of the academic department; S. H. Mill- er, A. M., instructor in natural sciences; Rev. William Rehrig, instructor in the German language, and Miss Julia Ackerman, musical instructor. The duties of the Latin chair are distributed among the members of the faculty. Thiel College is a great advantage to Mercer County, but more especially to Greenville, as it furnishes her ambitious youth an opportunity of obtaining a

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first-class collegiate course without leaving home. Its most enterprising citi- zens fully appreciate this blessing, and while proud of its past history, are also sanguine of the future prosperity of this local home of learning.

CHURCHES.

United Presbyterian Church .- The origin of this congregation, the oldest in the town, dates back to the first of the present century. In the year 1800 the Chartiers Presbytery, under whose charge were placed all congregations and vacancies west of the Alleghenies, was formed by a division of the Associate Synod of North America. In the year following it began its work of caring for the scattered flocks of its faith by sending Rev. Daniel McLean into the Shenango Valley to minister unto them. In this work he visited Mercer and Crawford Counties, and succeeded in effecting an organization of the Presbyte- rian and Associate families that were settled to some numbers in a region of country lying near the Shenango River, on Sandy Creek, known as the "Big Vacancy." The union of the two beliefs was brought about by the followers of the former, who were in the majority, agreeing that the first suitable candi- date for pastor, be he of either denomination, should be chosen. This choice fell upon Rev. McLean, who began his labors on the 1st of January, 1802, and who was paid therefor the annual sum of £135 of Pennsylvania currency. Of the members of this congregation, the following were afterward added to the Greenville Church: David Beatty, Hugh Brown, Francis Mossman and Robert Bean. These members organized themselves into a separate congregation sometime in 1802, and, three years later, by petition to the Presbytery, received one-half of Rev. McLean's time, the remainder being devoted to the Shenango flock. His first preaching in what is now Greenville was held in a private house, known familiarly as Shank's Tavern, located on the west bank of the Shenango, on Main Street. It is said a tent was afterward put up, and occu- pied until the first regular building, a log hut, situated on the present site of the old United Presbyterian Cemetery, was erected. The latter was followed by a more commodious frame, which stood on the site of the present church, on ground donated by William Scott. It was, however, so poorly constructed and devoid of beauty that it was torn down in 1844. Rev. McLean severed his connection with the Greenville congregation in May, 1840, after having minis- tered to their spiritual wants for thirty-eight years. His labors had been richly successful, for at his departure he left a flourishing flock of 179 members. He was succeeded by his son, Rev. D. H. A. McLean, who, in May, 1841, received and accepted a call from the congregations of Greenville and Mercer. Four years later the presbytery relieved him of the Mercer charge, and he there- after devoted his time entirely to Greenville, holding occasional services in some of the outlying villages. His relations terminated in 1852, having built up the church membership to 235. During his pastorate, also, the old frame church gave place to a new brick, erected in 1844, at a cost of $3,000. Rev. W. C. Jackson, the third pastor of the congregation, was installed in Febru- ary, 1854, and remained in charge until June, 1861. Nothing of special inci- dent occurred during the time of his stay beyond the union of the Associate and Associate Reformed Churches of the United States, which was effected at Pittsburgh May 26, 1858, and the excitement and consequent fervor of relig- ious endeavor growing out of the anti-slavery agitation, in which Rev. Jackson was not silent. The fourth regular minister was Rev. James H. Tedford, who remained a little over three years. He was released in the fall of 1865, the membership having decreased during his stay to 140 by the formation of new congregations in neighboring villages. On the 1st of July, 1866, the congre-

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gation was placed in charge of Rev. J. R. Brittain, who was installed by Rev. Joseph H. Pressly, D. D., in the following September. His ministry, which lasted until February 26, 1888, was the culmination of the church's growth and development. During it the present building, a convenient brick, was erected, at a cost of $18,000, and dedicated in April, 1868. During it the membership has been increased to 300, the Sunday-school has grown to enroll a membership equal to that of the church, and prosperity has marked the progress of the congregation. Rev. J. C. Scouller succeeded to the pastorate in September, 1888.

Following is the roll of session as far as it could be obtained: David McKnight, David White, Alexander Hunter, James McConnell, James Cal- vin, Samuel Latta, J. W. Brown, David Brackin, William Melvin, Hugh Nelson, Thompson Wier, Adam Thompson, William Dickey, Robert Dickey, McClure Cowan, James W. Linn, Alexander P. Waugh, Robert Calvin, John Donaldson, John S. White, James Say, Benjamin Wiley, John Davidson, J. M. Bean, James C. Brown, J. G. McFate, M. J. McElhaney, Andrew Davis, John M. Linn and Abner Bean. The present elders are Robert Dickey, Sr., Benjamin Wiley, James Say, J. M. Bean, James C. Brown, J. G. McFate, John Davidson, M. J. McElhaney, Andrew Davis, John M. Linn and Abner Bean. The board of trustees are A. R. Davis, S. R. Cochran, John Phillips, J. M. Linn and Abner Bean. Connected with the church is a prosperous Sunday-school of about 300 pupils, under the superintendency of Hon. James C. Brown, whose grandfather, Hugh Brown, was one of the organizers of the Seceder Church.

The Presbyterian Church was organized in 1825, with a membership of thirty-one. Robert Mann and Samuel Webster were elected ruling elders. For a few years it was connected with the old Salem Church, on the Mercer road, the two forming a pastoral charge. From the existing records of the church it appears that the following named members were the pioneers of this organization: Robert Mann, Mary Mann, Samuel Webster, Susannah Webster, Polly Christy, Annie Robinson, Polly Robinson, Martha Lyon, Margaret Williamson, Eliza Latimer, Lydia Cossitt, Elizabeth Haver, Cath- erine Haver, Jane Heastings, Adam Wier, Mary Ann Wier, Mary Woods, Rebecca Woods, William Woods, Polly Potter, Susannah Potter, Elizabeth Bean, Lettie Bean, William Stinson, Martha Stinson, Jane Brown, Rachael Porter, Rebecca Alexander, John Mclaughlin, Lavina Mclaughlin and Hannah Robinson. The first services of the new congregation were held in private houses, then in a log structure, which was erected in 1830, and used by the Methodists of the community. In 1833 a brick building somewhat smaller than the present one, was erected on the present site, and served for over sixteen years, when it became unsafe, and was torn down, after which the pres- ent edifice was begun. The latter has been remodeled once (in 1870), and has also undergone several repairs. Following is a list of the pastors of the con- gregation since its inception: Revs. James Alexander, 1828-34; James G. Wilson, 1836-42; Henry Webber, 1843-44; L. W. Williams (supply), 1845- 47; James H. Callen, 1848-52; David Grier, 1854-59; A. C. Junkin, 1862- 67; J. E. Wright, 1869-74; B. C. Critchlow, 1875-81; O. V. Stewart, 1881- 87, and the present pastor, Rev. C. B. Wakefield, installed in 1887. Several other ministers filled the pulpit as supplies during the periods when there was no regular pastor. The following persons filled the office of ruling elder since the organization of the church: Robert Mann, 1825-53; Samuel Webster, 1825-32; George Lodge, 1831-54; James Waugh, 1837-46; John B. Plumer, 1837-54; Robert Bean, 1837-46; William Sutton, 1849-53; G. E:

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Lashell, 1849-61; John Wiley, 1855-74; G. A. Bittenbanner, 1855-88; B. F. Baskin, 1855-59; Samuel Wilson, 1843-44; Joseph Pearce, 1843-59; Thomas M. Reznor, 1860-88; Henry Moore, 1860-63; John W. Stinson, 1864-66; William Fruit, 1865-66; Jacob Miller, 1865-74; S. M. Ross, 1868-75; Chambers Templeton, 1871-88; John Love, 1871-88; James Williamson, 1876-88; M. Dawson Moore, 1876-82; John A. Beatty, January, 1876-July, 1876; J. E. Brockway, 1885-88, and W. T. Alan, 1885-88. The present elders are: George A. Bittenbanner (not acting), Thomas M. Reznor, Cham- bers Templeton, John Love, James Williamson, J. E. Brockway and W. T. Alan. It is estimated that 1,100 names have been enrolled on the list of mem- bership since the organization. The present membership is 325. A flourish- ing Sunday-school is connected with the church, with about 265 pupils and teachers. J. E. Brockway is superintendent, and E. S. Templeton and A. T. Alan, assistants.

Methodist Episcopal Church .- The first class of this denomination in Green- ville was organized in 1828, in a frame building on the west side, where the "red front" now stands. There were just seven members in this class: John Nelson, Lilly Nelson, Jane Nelson, John Keck, Mary Ann Keck, Father Fisher and Catherine Nelson, who afterward married John McMillen. The class was supplied by numerous itinerants from the Mercer and Salem Circuits until 1837, when Rev. J. R. Locke was appointed by the Erie Conference to take charge of Greenville, and served through 1837-38. From 1839 to 1841 Greenville and Clarksville were united as one charge, and served successively by Revs. Keller, Crum, Vanhorn, Bassett, Plimpton and Sibley. In 1842-43 Rev. Thomas Stubbs was pastor of the Greenville flock, which appears as a separate charge; but in 1844 it seems to have been again united with Clarks- ville, with Revs. J. R. Lock and H. Winans as preachers. In 1845 they were succeeded by Revs. J. McLean and J. W. Klock; 1846, Revs. McLean and H. Luce; 1847-48, Revs. B. S. Hill and W. M. Bear. In 1849 the Greenville charge was once more permitted to stand alone, with Rev. G. L. Little as pastor. From that time forward the congregation has remained independent of any other, and has been under the ministry of the following pastors, in the order named: Rev. J. R. Locke, 1850; Rev. A. Hall, 1851; Rev. E. Jones, 1852; Rev. J. D. Norton, 1853-54; Rev. G. W. Chesbro, 1855; Rev. John Gra- ham, 1856-57; Rev. J. H. Tagg, 1858-59; Rev. J. Whiteley, 1860; Rev. D. M. Rodgers, 1861; Rev. A. J. Merchant, 1862-64; Rev. W. P. Bignell, 1865 -67; Rev. John O'Neal, 1868-70; Rev. J. Lytle, 1871; Rev. O. G. McIntire, 1872-74; Rev. J. C. Schofield, 1875-77; Rev. F. H. Beck, 1878; Rev. R. M. Warren, 1879-81; Rev. J. N. Fradenburg, 1882; Rev. John Peate, 1883; Rev. J. W. Blaisdell, 1884-87; and the present pastor, Rev. H. E. Johnson, who began his ministry in the latter half of 1887.

In 1830 the society removed from their temporary place of worship on the west side to a log church, 35x45, which they built on the site of the present structure. Worship was conducted in this building until 1840, when a frame edifice, yet standing, was placed in its stead. This latter building was used until 1863, when it was enlarged and repaired, in which improved condition it served as a place of worship until February 9, 1885, when the new structure was dedicated by Rev. I. C. Pershing, of Pittsburgh, Penn. Ground was broken for this building March 25, 1884, and the corner-stone laid May 30, following. It is a substantial brick, and cost $22,500. A fine pipe organ has recently been put in, and many other improvements made since the main structure was completed. The present membership of the congregation is over 600, and connected therewith is the largest Sunday-school in Mercer

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County, with an enrollment of about 500 pupils and teachers. G. B. Chase is superintendent, and Philip Clover, assistant superintendent. The school has a library of 432 volumes. This congregation is in a highly prosperous condi- tion, and under the vigorous pastorship of Dr. Johnson has had a very rapid growth.

The Congregational Church was organized in 1840. On the 5th of Octo- ber, 1841, a meeting was held "in the school-house near Mr. Townsend's, and, after prayer by Rev. William Bliss, voted and chose George W. Hunsta- ble clerk pro tem. After due deliberation, on account of their former clerk having left this section of country, and not being able to find any records of the church, the members were reorganized." So reads the old minute book of a congregation that was once vigorous with active Christian endeavor. The dust of years has almost blotted its quill-traced characters. Of the original congregation organized by Rev. Barras the following is a list, comprising those who afterward joined the organized body: Timothy Dumars, William Dumars, Isaac R. Bearce, Owen N. Rice, John Keck and John Babbit. The first dea- cons were G. W. Hunstable and Timothy Dumars. The first regular pastor was Rev. J. J. Bliss, who continued until July 1, 1843. In the early records mention is made of a meeting held in the Presbyterian Church January 20, 1842, at which time a building committee, consisting of William Waugh, G. W. Hunstable, James Kendall, Owen N. Rice and A. A. Heath, was appointed to take measures toward the erection of a house of worship. No report is re- corded, but notice is made of regular church meetings having been held in the public school-house, in the Presbyterian and in the Methodist Episcopal Churches. But the committee, it seems, was not idle, as it is chronicled in the minute book that "on the 16th of February, 1843, the new frame church on Clinton Street (now used by the Protestant Episcopal congrega- tion) was dedicated by Rev. Keep, of Hartford, Ohio. James M. Power was one of the principal contributors toward its erection. The records are now quite fragmentary. In April, 1843, the congregation was removed from connection with the Ashtabula Association, and attached to the West- ern Pennsylvania Association. On the 8th of July, the same year, Rev. L. B. Beach was chosen pastor of the congregation, but was evidently unsatisfactory, as he remained no longer than October 7, 1843. He was succeeded by Rev. D. C. Sterry, who continued in charge one year. An

. intermission then occurred for nearly three years, during which none but occasional services, usually presided over by Rev. Penfield, were held. On May 23 Rev. L. L. Radcliffe was placed in charge, and was succeeded by Rev. D. B. Barker, who began his ministry September 30, 1848. For thirteen years thereafter no minutes were kept. The last record of the Greenville Congregational Church states that a "meeting was held May 21, 1863, at the house of J. K. Hamblin, at which time it was determined to dispose of the property of the congregation," which was done May 30, 1863, to Rev. H. F. Hartman, who purchased the building in behalf of the Reformed Church.

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History of Mercer County, Pennsylvania : its past and present, Part 54

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