History of Mercer County, Pennsylvania : its past and present, Part 55

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

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St. Michael's Catholic Church .- This congregation had its inception in 1838, when a missionary priest, sent out by the bishop of Philadelphia, made a tour of Northwestern Pennsylvania, and, among other places, celebrated mass at the house of Bryan McNally, in Greenville. Mr. McNally was a native of Ireland, and for a time served in the British army, but immigrated to the United States, located in Meadville, Penn., where he was married, and in March, 1830, removed to Greenville, where he took up his residence near the southwest corner of Main and Race Streets. He was a tailor by trade, and was the pioneer of that occupation in the village. In 1837 he erected the

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frame residence on Race Street in which he died, and where two of his chil- dren yet reside. It was in this structure that the first Catholic service in this portion of the county was held. Besides Mr. McNally there were pres- ent at this service John and Ferdinand Schmidt, Martin Lindeman, John O' Hara, John McCoy and John G. Hoffman, all of whom had previously set- tled in the county. Of these the Schmidt brothers were of German parentage, and were attracted to Greenville by employment offered on the canal; Mr. Hoff- man, also a native of Germany, immigrated in 1837, and came to this place to do blacksmith work for the canal constructors, while O'Hara and McCoy were Irishmen, the latter being a contractor upon the canal. The Catholic families scattered over the northeastern portion of the State afterward received occa- sional visits from missionaries sent ont by the bishop to minister to their spir- itual wants. In the summer of 1842 Rev. Hugh Gallagher, of Loretta, Cam- bria Co., Penn., followed the path of the canal on one of these visits, and cel- ebrated mass in Mr. McNally's home. Besides some of those previously men- tioned there were present at this service Mark and Bridget Doyle, Patrick and Ann Doyle, and James Doyle, all of whom lived in Trumbull County, Ohio, but afterward settled in West Salem Township, Mercer County; Richard, John and Patrick Marly, of Greene Township; John Savage and Mrs. Schoonmaker, all of whom were natives of Ireland except the last one mentioned. Father Gallagher, who died in California a few years ago, returned to Greenville at intervals for over a year, and was succeeded by Rev. John Reed, of Pittsburgh, who ministered to the little flock for a number of years following. The ser- vices conducted by both were frequently held in the houses of Ferdinand Schmidt and Mrs. Schoonmaker. During the ministrations of Father Reed several families were added to the congregation, among the number being Michael Mitchell, a native of Ireland, and family, Michael and Matthias Schumacher and wives, Bernard George and father, Nicholas Rommelfangen and family, Leonard Sauers, Christopher Frum and Theodore Kirk, all except the first being of German origin.

The necessity of a church now became apparent. Upon Father Reed devolved the task of selecting the site. He encountered considerable opposi- tion from property owners, who were averse to selling land for the purpose of locating a Catholic structure, but he overcame this by a clever stratagem. Two parishioners, John and Ferdinand Schmidt, who were then laboring in the blast furnaces, purchased the desired land for the ostensible purpose of erect- ing private residences thereon, and when it was secured they promptly turned it over to the congregation. The building, a part of the present edifice, was erected in 1848. The committee that superintended its erection consisted of John McCoy, John Savage, John O'Hara, Ferdinand Schmidt and Matthias and Michael Schumacher, the last mentioned subsequently giving place to John Schmidt. In the same year the structure was sufficiently enclosed to hold services therein, and in the following year was dedicated by Father Reed as "St. Michael's Church." Following Rev. Reed in the ministry came Revs. M. J. Mitchell, Angust, 1850-51; T. A. Smith, October, 1851-53; C. M. Sheehan, March, 1854, to May, 1854; Peter M. Garvey, May, 1854, to Angust, 1854; Arthur McConnell (the first resident priest), September, 1854, to September, 1856; J. Reiser, September, 1856, to December, 1856; J. J. Gallagher, July, 1857, to March, 1858; Andrew Schweiger, March, 1858-59; Joseph Gobbels, 1859-61; F. J. Hartman, 1861-64; John J. O'Keeffe, 1864 to February, 1866; Kiearn O'Branigan, March, 1866, to September, 1868; Thomas Tracy, October, 1868, to July, 1876, and the present pastor, Ber- nard Donohue, who began his labors in July, 1876. The lots on which the

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pastor's residence stands were purchased by Father O'Branigan, and a story- and-a-half frame building built thereon. The ground north of the church had been in use for burial purposes since 1848, and during Father O'Brani- gan's pastorate the present cemetery, in rear of the church, was secured from Eugene Rooney, Esq. The latter had purchased the land from the mother superior of a Cleveland, Ohio, convent, to which institution it had been willed by William C. Daly, of the Mercer congregation. The addition to the church, including the belfry and bell, was made during Father Tracy's pastorate, the choir gallery having been also built at that time. Under the present pastor many additions and improvements have been made to the church property, and the congregation has enjoyed both spiritual and material prosperity. The cemetery has been enlarged, the membership has grown until it now numbers over 500 souls, and a flourishing Sunday-school of 100 pupils has been main- tained.

First Baptist Church .- In the winter of 1847-48 Rev. Jeremiah Hazen, of Sheakleyville, began preaching in the old academy building in Greenville to a few adherents of the Baptist faith residing in Greenville and immediate vicinity, among whom were Ransallear Heath and wife, George Hubbard, wife and mother, Mrs. Turner, Miss Porter and the Leet family. During the sum- mer of 1848 Rev. Hazen took preliminary steps toward the erection of a house of worship, and succeeded so far as to secure a subscription of several hundred dollars and considerable building material. The building committee were Rev. Hazen, George Hubbard and Ransallear Heath, who let the contract for the erection of the frame work to a Mr. Dumars. Before the erection of the frame Mr. Heath returned to Sheakleyville, and the work was abandoned. No further effort was made toward erecting the building till the winter of 1851, when, at the urgent solicitation of contributors, Rev. Nimrod Burwell, of West Salem Township, took an active interest in the project, organized a con- ference in Greenville, and invited Rev. Hazen to return. That gentleman consented, and in the summer of 1852 work on the structure was resumed, and the frame put up. The following autumn Mr. Hazen found it necessary to confine his efforts to the Sheakleyville charge, and suggested to the conference the desirability of their obtaining Elder Burwell's services. The conference, acting on this advice, extended a call to Mr. Burwell, which he accepted. In December, 1852, Rev. Burwell took up his residence in Greenville, and began

the prosecution of his labors. In the three years that he had charge of this church Mr. Burwell completed the building, except plastering the interior, and by vigorous and judicious management he paid for the work as it progressed, leaving no debt for his successor to pay, but considerable material to finish the interior. During the erection of the church, outside of the members of the conference, the following persons assisted Mr. Burwell by contributing labor and material: Col. Andrew Christy, David Loutzenhiser, John Speir, Dr. D. B. Packard, Samuel Goodwin and others. In November, 1855, Mr. Burwell resigned the pastorate, and for some time there was no resident min- ister till the coming of Rev. Demas L. Clouse in 1857.

The church was reorganized June 24, 1857. The first members of the new society were: Joseph Partridge, Bethany Partridge, Friend Cook, Emeline Cook, F. H. Leet (M. D.), Mary Leet, Susannah Leet, Elizabeth Pyatt, Mir- anda Hardy, Catherine Tunison, A. R. Heath, Marilla Heath, Robert Everett, Mary Ann Everett, William Emery, Lyda Emery, Samuel Godshall, Sidney Godshall, Mary Ann Godshall, Esther Ann Godshall. The first officers were: Trustees, Joseph Partridge, Friend Cook and Robert Everett; treasurer, Joseph Patridge; church clerk, Sidney Godshall; deacons, Friend Cook and

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William Emery. The dedication of the church edifice occurred February 17, 1858, the program consisting, so the records say, of the following exercises: Elder H. Steedman preached the sermon; Elder Godshall read the Scriptures, and Elders M. C. Hendrew and Jacob Morris offered prayer. The building is a neat frame structure, and, with the lot on which it stands, cost over $3,000. On January 12, 1878, a schism occurred which threatened, for a time, the integrity of the church. A portion of the congregation withdrew, crossed the Shenango, and organized the Tabernacle Baptist Church. This society was kept up until July 9, 1881, when it decided to abandon the idea of maintaining a separate organization, and returned to the parent church in a body. Follow- ing is a complete list of its pastors, with time of service: Revs. Demas L. Clouse, January, 1858, to March, 1863; Winham Kidder, December, 1863, to November, 1865; R. L. Fuller, April, 1866, to December, 1866; J. M. Perry, May, 1867, to December, 1870; John Owens, November, 1871, to March, 1873; J. T. Griffith, June, 1876, to September, 1877; W. W. Wilgus, September, 1878, to May, 1879; E. F. Crane, January, 1880, to August, 1880, and C. S. Tinker, the present pastor, who began his labors in October, 1880. The total number of members who have joined since the church's reorganization is 465; present membership, 233. Connected with the church is a Sunday-school, of which the pastor is superintendent, with an enrollment of 225 pupils and teachers.

Zion Reformed Church was organized January 27, 1861. The organiza- tion was perfected through the efforts of Rev. Henry F. Hartman, who con- tinued with the new congregation until the winter of 1864-65, by the election of Daniel Saul, Sr., as elder, and Aaron Saul and John Kern as deacons. The first building used by the newly organized flock is still standing, a frame one, now owned and occupied by the Episcopalians. It was originally a Con- gregational church, but was purchased by the Reformed congregation in May, 1863, and repaired, and used until February, 1886. The first members of the church were John Kern, John Kyle, Mrs. Kyle, Mr. Enterline, Mrs. Enterline, William Saul, Miss Sallie Saul, John H. Beachler, Miss Mary Sny- der, Henry Snyder, Mrs. George Snyder, Marietta Ash, Julia Loch, William Miller, Josiah Garber, Mariah Hottel, Stephen Hecker, Mrs. Hecker, Miss Hecker, Mrs. Elizabeth Hartman, Rose Miller, Aaron Saul, Daniel Saul, Mrs. Beachler, J. W. Snyder, George Snyder, Edwin Ash, Jeremiah Loch, Eliza- beth Gaiser, Susanna Miller, Catherine Garber, Mrs. Everett. At the close of 1864 nearly all of these had removed or fallen from membership. In the spring of 1865 the classis of St. Paul's detached the Greenville congregation from the Shenango charge, and established it as a separate mission. Since that period the succession of pastors has been: Revs. C. R. Dieffenbacher, April, 1865, to April, 1878; F. B. Hahn, June, 1878, to September, 1884, and the present pastor, S. H. Eisenberg, who took charge December 1, 1884. Janu- ary 1, 1885, the contract for a new building was let, and February 14, 1886, the present imposing edifice of brick was first occupied by the Sunday-school classes. The building was completed and consecrated with imposing ceremo- nies September 4, 1887. The property of the congregation is valued at $20,000. As an instance of the church's growth, it might be mentioned that on the 1st of April, 1865, there were sixteen communicant members; on the 1st of December, 1884, there were 198 members in good standing, while the present membership numbers over 300. There has always been a Sunday-school con- nected with the congregation, which April 1, 1865, numbered five pupils. It now enrolls about 200. Its superintendent is Rev. Eisenberg, and the assist- ant is Charles T. Meacham.

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Church of the Holy Trinity .- This congregation, although dating its his- tory as an organization no further back than 1865, had really one anterior to that period. For a number of years previous, as a settlement of Germans gradually clustered about Greenville and spread out into the surrounding country, there came to the believers of Lutheran faith a longing for collective worship. In 1826 Rev. Michael Kuchler, one of the pioneer Lutheran minis- ters of Shenango Valley, began holding regular services in Mercer County, though for several years prior to that date he had been engaged in giving relig- ious instruction. From that time until the permanent organization of the Green- ville congregation, he conducted worship in various portions of the valley with untiring zeal. His preaching was always done in the German language. The first step toward the establishment of a permanent congregation was taken by Rev. William F. Ullery, a traveling missionary of the Pittsburgh synod, who made a visit to Greenville in October, 1863, for the purpose of reporting the spiritual condition of the members of the Lutheran faith in the village to the general synod. On his recommendation a mission was established in 1864. The first service occurred on Christmas day, and was held in the old academy building. Exercises were maintained at intervals during the follow- ing winter; and on the 14th of March, 1865, a meeting was held to take measures for the erection of a church. The mission had been composed of Germans alone. Accordingly, on the 15th of April, 1865, the English Lutherans of the vicinity met and formed themselves into a regular organ- ization. A union was shortly afterward effected upon condition that occa- sional services should be held in the German language. On the 25th of April, 1865, a building committee, comprising Chas. Bortz, George Voltz and Rev. M. Kuchler, was appointed to secure funds for erecting the new house of wor- ship, and Dr. G. D. Kughler was chosen treasurer of the building fund, and Rev. W. F. Ullery, collector. Meantime, the old academy building served the congregation as a place of worship until May, when the Baptist Church was secured and occupied during the succeeding winter. On the 23d of September, 1865, the corner-stone of the present commodious brick struc- ture was laid with imposing ceremonies, English and German sermons being preached by Revs. G. A. Wentzel and W. A. Passavant. The church, how- ever, was not ready for occupancy until January, 1867, and was not dedicated until October 13, same year, when the edifice was consecrated by Rev. S. Laird of Pittsburgh, Penn. The first elders of the congregation were Conrad Bittenbanner and Joseph Weber, while the first deacons were Daniel Phillips and Charles Bortz. Rev. Ullery remained with the church until 1875. He was succeeded by Rev. H. W. Roth, who served till the coming of Rev. J. Fish- burn, February 23, 1879. The latter was released March 25, 1883. Rev. H. W. Roth served as provisional pastor until September, 1883, when the pres- ent minister, Rev. Dr. J. A. Kunkleman, was installed by Rev. E. Belfour, D. D. Connected with the congregation is a Sunday-school enrolling 160 pupils, of which Prof. S. H. Miller is superintendent, and T. E. Heilman, assist- ant. The congregation embraces a membership of over 200 communicants, and as a whole is in a flourishing condition.

St. Clements Protestant Episcopal Church was organized by Bishop John B. Kerfoot, of Pittsburgh, Penn., in November, 1866. He was assisted by the Rev. M. Bilbsby, who held occasional services for the new congregation. The first regular minister was Rev. Henry Fitch, at one time residing in New Haven, Conn., who removed to Meadville, Penn., and was placed in charge of the congregations of Townville and Greenville. During his ministry wor- ship was held in Packard's Hall, but during the pastorate of his successor,

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Rev. Samuel B. Moore, in 1866 and 1867, one of the rooms of the new public school building was fitted up and used. Subsequent to Rev. Moore's departure a lapse of several years occurred, during which no services were held. The next pastor in charge was Rev. D. F. Hutchinson, of Can- ada, who conducted services in Bond's Hall, on Canal street, in the room now occupied by the Shenango Valley News. By him the name of the church was changed to "St. Paul's Protestant Episcopal Church," an alteration which was never legalized, however. Succeeding him came Rev. Alonzo Diller, who remained but a few months, and the Rev. Rogers, who continued for a few Sundays only. Under these two services were held in the old Reformed Church building on Clinton Street, which had been secured by the congrega- tion in February, 1883. Since that time only occasional services have been held, by Rev. Charles A. Bragdon, of Pittsburgh, Penn. The first vestry of the church was composed of John R. Packard, James R. Burchfield, George G. Stage, S. L. Hendrickson, Dr. D. B. Packard and W. R. Fessler.

CEMETERIES.

The pioneer burial ground of the borough was the old grave-yard, on the west side, attached to the Seceder Church, and familiarly known as the U. P. Cemetery. This old ground contains the dust of many of the prominent early settlers of Mercer County, and was started before the organization of the Seceder Church, in 1802, whose first place of worship, a log building, stood upon a part of these grounds. Here lie the remains of the following: John Richardson, died March 18, 1805, in his fifty-third year, and wife Nancy, who died in 1848 in her ninety-sixth year; John Moreland, died in 1823, aged eighty-four, and wife Letitia, in 1838, aged ninety-six; Mrs. Jane Dumars, died March 7, 1811, aged thirty-nine, and Alex. Dumars, May 25, 1854, aged eighty-four; John Ferguson, Sr., died in 1842, in his eighty-eighth year, and wife Jane, in 1853, aged seventy-nine; David White, died in 1848, in his seventy-ninth year, and wife Margaret, in 1853, aged seventy-seven; Hugh Brown, died November 25, 1845, aged eighty-three, and wife Sarah, June 15, 1838, aged sixty-eight; Adam Thompson, died in 1849, aged seventy-four, and wife Elizabeth, in 1872, in her eighty-third year; William McClimans, died in 1825, aged sixty-one, and wife Mary, in 1854, aged eighty-four; Will- iam Scott, died April 9, 1849; Hugh McGill, a Revolutionary soldier, died in 1850, aged ninety-seven; William Moreland, died in 1850, aged seventy-five, and wife Jane, in 1857, aged seventy-eight; James Campbell, died in 1850, aged ninety-seven, and wife Margaret, in 1851, aged ninety-one; Isaac More- land, died in 1851, in his eightieth year, and wife Lillias in 1845, aged eighty; John Stephenson, died in 1851, aged seventy-three; Adam Hill, died in 1852, aged sixty-eight; Squire John Ferguson, died in 1857, in his seventy-first year, and wife Rachel, the same year, aged sixty-five; Thomas Bole, died in 1858, in his seventy-eighth year, and wife Margaret, in 1859, aged seventy-two; William McClurg, died in 1858 in his eighty-second year, and wife Margaret, in 1849, aged sixty-three; Joseph McClurg, died in 1864, aged 90, and wife Mary in 1852, aged seventy-four; John Snodgrass, died in 1863 in his seventy- first year, and wife Ann, in 1874, aged sixty-six; Samuel Long, died in 1863 in his eighty-fourth year, and wife Catherine, in 1846, aged sixty-two; Joseph Long, died in 1863, aged eighty-six, and wife Mary in 1868, in her eighty- first year; Andrew Chestnut, died in 1867, aged ninety, and wife Mary, in 1854, in her fifty-seventh year; also Thomas Listen, John and Mary Latta, and many others over whose graves no stones remain to furnish even the brief record of their names. In looking over this list one is forcibly struck by the

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ripe old age attained by most of these pioneer fathers and mothers, and can- not but conclude that their simple, industrious lives, and their pure surround- ings, were conducive to longevity.

The Presbyterians and Methodists of the village had separate burial grounds. The former opened a grave-yard about the time their church was organized (1825) north of the present building, and extending to the Little Shenango. The Methodist ground was where the present church stands, and was established about one year after the society was organized, perhaps as early as 1830. Both of these grounds were used until Shenango Valley Cemetery was opened, when they were gradually abandoned, and the dead finally removed to the new cemetery.

In 1848 the Catholics opened a cemetery near their church, erected that year. Before that time they had taken their dead to the " Mercer Settlement," but since 1848 the Catholics of this portion of the county have used St. Michael's Cemetery. Considerable land has been added to the original pur- chase by Fathers O'Branigan and Donohoe, and St. Michael's is indeed a very suitable resting place for those who have "fallen asleep in the Lord."

The Shenango Valley Cemetery, of Greenville, is the most beautiful home of the dead in Mercer County. Its inception is attributed largely to the enterprise and liberality of two of Greenville's prominent citizens, James R. Wick, deceased, and William Achre, now a resident of California. The incorporation occurred July 22, 1864, under the name of the "Shenango Val- ley Cemetery Association." The incorporators were James R. Wick, Samuel P. Johnston, John Keck, James C. Brown, William Achre, Jacob Loutzen- hiser, William Waugh, W. P. Leech, Charles Hoge, Samuel Goodwin and Dr. D. B. Packard. The first corps of officers consisted of Samuel P. Johnston, president; George A. Bittenbanner, secretary, and John Keck, treasurer. James A. Leech, late of New Lebanon, surveyed and platted the grounds, which were bought at a cost of some $2,000 of Samuel Goodwin and Robert Dicky. The tract embraces about twenty-two acres of undulating land, pleasantly situated so as to command a good view of the surrounding country. It is finely laid out and scrupulously kept. Much of the success of the association in beautifying its grounds and putting the business upon a sound financial basis is attributable to Marvin Loomis, who held for a long time the position of superintendent of grounds, and also to the present effi- cient superintendent, H. N. Shrom.

SECRET AND OTHER SOCIETIES.

Alhambra Lodge No. 293, I. O. O. F., was instituted January 31, 1848, at which time the following officers were installed: Charles R. Bell, N. G .; William Buck, V. G .; John T. Ray, Sec .; David Garber, Asst. Sec .; T. P. Boyd, Treas. The early records of the lodge have been lost, and no list of its charter members is known to be in existence. The present member- ship of the lodge is 104. It meets every Thursday evening in the I. O. O. F. hall, in Bortz Block, on Main Street. The lodge is in a prosperous condi- tion, having, in addition to paying sick and funeral benefits and other expenses, furnished a hall at an expense of $1,500. It has also a permanent invest- ment of over $3,000.

Eureka Lodge No. 290, F. & A. M., the second oldest and, perhaps, the most influential secret order in the city, was organized on the afternoon of the 12th of September, 1854, in the upper room of the building now owned by John R. Packard. The first officers were Dr. John T. Ray, W. M .; B. F. Baskin, S. W .; J. Ross Mills, J. W., and James Mills, Treas. In addition to

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the above there were among the charter members R. E. Breiner, David Gar- ber and R. P. Crawford. In the evening of the day of institution another meeting was held, and Isaac R. Bearce, Henry Austin and A. McLean White were admitted and passed all degrees by dispensation. Of the charter mem- bers all are dead except Mr. White, who resides in Meadville. The lodge has had a varied history. Its first meetings were held in the Packard building, but shortly afterward were removed to Henlein's Block, which was entirely destroyed by fire on the 28th of August, 1874, together with all the records and papers of the lodge. Then the Odd Fellows' Hall was used, after which meetings were held in Goodwin's Block, and. lastly, in the present richly fin- ished and furnished quarters in Masonic Hall, corner of Main and Mercer Streets, on the first and third Mondays of each month.

Mound Chapter No. 212, R. A. M., was instituted November 28, 1866. Its. charter members were Henry Austin, James R. Burchfield, Beriah E. Moss- man, George D. Kughler, H. N. Shrom, Thomas B. Hoover, Henry M. Ham- blin, H. C. Hendrickson and J. R. Hubbard. Its first officers comprised Henry Austin, M. E. H. P. ; H. C. Hendrickson, K .; B. E. Mossman, Scribe; H. N. Shrom, Treas., and H. M. Hamblin, Sec. Its membership is fifty-nine. Meet- ings are held in the Masonic Hall, corner of Main and Mercer Streets, on the fourth Monday of each month.

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History of Mercer County, Pennsylvania : its past and present, Part 55

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