History of Mercer County, Pennsylvania : its past and present, Part 58

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

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CHAPTER XXI.

BOROUGHI OF SHARPSVILLE-LOCATION AND POPULATION-NAME-ORIGINAL SETTLERS-EARLY MILLS-GROWTII AND PROSPERITY-MANUFACTURES- RAILROADS-INCORPORATION AND BOROUGH OFFICERS-SCHOOLS-EARLY SCHOOLS-THEIR PROGRESS AND DEVELOPMENT-CHURCHES-SOCIETIES AND ASSOCIATIONS-RIVERSIDE CEMETERY-IRON BANKING COMPANY.

TI THIS substantial borough is pleasantly located on the Shenango River, on the boundary between Hickory and Pymatuning Townships. Picturesque in scenery, healthful in location, thrifty in the composition of its people, the place is recognized as one of the most enterprising in the valley. Many of its dwellings would well become a city of 50,000 people, and though the cen-

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HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY.

sus of 1880 gives the borough a population of 1,824, it has to-day about 3,000 inhabitants.

It was named in honor of James Sharp. Originally it was called Sharps- burg, but there being a village of the same name in Allegheny County, the more euphonious suffix ville supplanted the burg.

In 1798 Jonathan Dunham purchased from the commonwealth tract No. 857. He was married, in 1801, to Mary, daughter of Henry Clark, who the year previous had settled on the farm subsequently belonging to Gen. James Pierce. He had thirteen children, six sons and seven daughters, viz. : Justus, George, Clark, Azariah, Phineas and James, Margaret, Jane, Experience, Agnes, Mary Ann, Rachel and Mary. Mr. Dunham first located on what is now the Andrew Byerly place, building there a shanty of poles. He remained but a short time, when he concluded to go to the hill, where he erected a log house about twenty rods west of the residence of his son Phineas. He was a great hunter, and lived largely upon the game which was found in great abundance all about him, and which his trusty rifle was successful in bringing down at every shot.

A few years after his settlement Mr. Dunham found it necessary to erect a barn to secure his crop's and animals. The structure was intended to be a double log barn. In order to put it up a "raising" was necessary, which taxed the sparsely settled neighborhood to its utmost capacity. Samuel Clark, the pioneer of Clarksville, prompted by the natural impulse that "a fellow feeling makes us wondrous kind," came to Dunham's relief. Hearing of his difficulty, he circulated among his own neighbors and secured the serv- ices of ten willing neighbors, who aided Mr. Clark to assist in raising the barn. They even went to the pains of carrying their own cooking utensils and pro- visions to the raising. Some of Mr. Dunham's early neighbors were Mr. Nelson, at Prichard's Corners, and Godfrey Carnes, an old Revolutionary soldier, who dwelt near the State line, distant two and one-half miles north- west. A little later, in 1832, Joseph Byerly, from Westmoreland County, settled at Prichard's Corners, where he lived until his death, in 1864. Mr. Dunham lived upon his farm until the day of his death, March 6, 185,6. He held several township offices with acceptance, and was a worthy citizen in the new community.

The Dunham land was purchased by Thomas Means, who in turn sold to his son-in-law, James Sharp. The last named gentleman owned, all told, about 150 acres, lying on both sides of the river. On this land he laid out a few lots along the river and canal in the lower part of town, which became the nucleus of the future borough.

About 1820 he built a dam and log grist-mill, which he operated for several years. It was finally destroyed by floods in the river, which compelled him to make a new dam and a long race, and to erect a new grist-mill and a saw- mill where the iron bridge now stands. This occurred about 1836. Becom- ing financially involved, his dam, water power and mills were sold at sheriff's sale in 1847, when he left the place. Thomas A. Scott (afterward the rail- road magnate), and Paul Hamilton, of Philadelphia, purchased the property, and operated it for a number of years. It was subsequently owned by Vance and Josiah Stewart, brothers; Morris & Guild, Lewis Lightner, Chambers Templeton and J. H. Miller. The last mentioned has remodeled the mill and put in a full roller process.

The substantial growth of the place dates from the advent of Gen. James Pierce, who became the presiding genius and inspiration of the community. This occurred about 1856. Antecedent to that time there were only a dozen

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houses that grew up around the mills. The General employed his time and means and energies in building up the place in its various industries, making it one of the most active business centers in the entire valley. Operating ex- tensive coal mines, building and managing furnaces, projecting and complet- ing railroads, aiding struggling industries, he gave an impetus to the pro- ductive energies of the region which have continued unabated to the present time. His work soon attracted men of means and enterprise, who pushed for- ward the work so ably and auspiciously begun.

Sharpsville has maintained a conspicuous position as a manufacturing center, as will be made more manifest by knowing that its shipments of freight are larger than those of any inland town in the valley. These establishments are described more particularly in Chapter VI, to which reference is made.

Railroad communication is of the best kind. The Erie & Pittsburgh, the N. Y. P. &. O. (Erie), the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern, and the Balti- more & Ohio lines are all represented by branches through the place. The facilities for transportation are of the best possible kind, being greatly cheap- ened by the necessary competition between rival lines.

INCORPORATION AND BOROUGH OFFICERS.

Sharpsville was incorporated as a borough May 21, 1874. The first election thereafter was held June 9, 1874, resulting as follows:

1874-Burgess, J. J. Hofius; high constable, M. R. Zahniser; constable, T. O. Hazen; secretary and treasurer, C. E. Agnew; council, C. F. Eldredge, three years; G. C. Carnes, three years; S. W. Johnston, two years; Fred Patterson, two years; F. B. Pauley, one year; Dr. T. M. Brown, one year; judge of elections, J. M. Kimball; inspectors, L. D. Bumpus, Isaac Lynch; assessor, G. T. Robinson; auditors, J. T. Carmichael, W. S. Bebout and John P. Derr; school directors, Samuel Dunham, treasurer, three years; J. R. Lytle, secretary, three years; John D. Milliken, president, two years; M. A. Johnston, John W. Stanton, D. M. McMillen.

1875-Burgess, Isaac Lynch; constable, M. R. Zahniser; secretary and treasurer, C. E. Agnew; council, Henry Mertz, John W. Wick, C. F. Eldredge, G. C. Carnes, S. W. Johnston and Fred Patterson; school directors, John D. Milliken, president; J. R. Lytle, secretary; Samuel Dunham, treasurer; J. J. Pierce, Frank Allen and M. A. Johnston.

1876-Burgess, J. J. Pierce; secretary and treasurer, C. E. Agnew; coun- cil, James Milliken, Fred Patterson, Henry Mertz, C. F. Eldredge, G. C. Carnes and S. W. Johnston; school directors, J. J. Pierce, president; J. R. Lytle, secretary; Frank Pierce, treasurer; J. D. Hadley, P. J. Bartleson, Frank Allen and Samuel Dunham.

1877-Burgess, J. J. Pierce; secretary and treasurer, C. E. Agnew; coun- cil, E. W. Hawk, J. R. Willard, J. R. Milliken, L. A. Ormsby, G. D. Gib- son and Isaac Lynch; school directors, J. J. Pierce, president; P. J. Bartle- son, secretary; Frank Pierce, treasurer; Samuel Dunham, Frank Allen, J. D. Hadley and Dr. J. H. Twitmyer.

1878-Burgess, James R. Milliken; secretary and treasurer, C. E. Agnew; council, Ivans Rambo, Eli Hawk, F. B. Pauley, J. D. Hadley, Dr. J. H. Twitmyer and George D. Kelly; school directors, J. D. Hadley, president ; P. J. Bartleson, secretary; C. E. Agnew, treasurer; C. F. Eldredge, James Mell, Samuel Dunham and Dr. J. H. Twitmyer.

1879-Burgess, Walter Pierce; secretary and treasurer, C. E. Agnew; council, S. A. Koonce, James C. Mell, A. C. Andrews, George D. Kelly, R. M. Seaton and M. A. Johnston; school directors, Dr. J. H. Twitmyer,

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president; P. J. Bartleson, secretary; C. E. Agnew, treasurer; Jonas J. Pierce, James Mell, C. F. Eldredge and Samuel Dunham.

1880-Burgess, George D. Kelly; secretary and treasurer, J. L. Deeter; council, Dr. J. H. Twitmyer, R. M. Seaton, G. A. Miller, C. B. Allen, Seth Hofius and Pat Cahill; school directors, Dr. J. H. Twitmyer, president; P. J. Bartleson, secretary; C. E. Agnew, treasurer; Seth Hofius, Jonas J. Pierce, C. F. Eldredge and James Mell.

1881-Burgess, George D. Kelly; secretary and treasurer, J. L. Deeter; council, Dr. J. H. Twitmyer, Robert Russell, Seth Hofius, Pat Cahill, Benja- min Reichard and Thomas Eagan; school directors, Dr. J. H. Twitmyer, presi- dent; P. J. Bartleson, secretary; C. E. Agnew, treasurer; Jonas J. Pierce, Seth Hofius, J. M. McMurray and G. C. Carnes.

1882-Burgess, Dr. J. H. Twitmyer; secretary and treasurer, J. L. Deeter; council, George D. Kelly, James B. Pierce, W. A. Lynch, J. R. Gemmill, Benjamin Reichard and A. M. Smith; school directors, Dr. J. H. Twitmyer, president; P. J. Bartleson, secretary; C. E. Agnew, treasurer; Jonas J. Pierce, G. C. Carnes, J. N. McMurray and Seth Hofius.

1883-Burgess, B. D. Palmer; secretary and treasurer, T. O. Hazen; council, J. G. Maxwell, George Miller, J. J. Hofius, Lewis Reddick, A. Rob- erts and E. W. Hawk; school directors, Dr. J. H. Twitmyer, president; P. J. Bartleson, secretary ; C. E. Agnew, treasurer; C. F. Eldredge, Jonas J. Pierce, G. C. Carnes and J. N. McMurray.

1884-Burgess, Ivans Rambo; secretary and treasurer, J. L. Deeter; coun- cil, Isaac Lynch, F. C. Ramig, A. D. Palmer, Andrew Clark, William Reich- ard and A. M. Smith; school directors, Dr. J. H. Twitmyer, president; P. J. Bartleson, secretary; C. E. Agnew, treasurer; Albert Roberts, G. C. Carnes, C. F. Eldredge and Jonas J. Pierce.

1885-Burgess, De Walt Wiles; secretary and treasurer, J. L. Deeter; council, A. M. Smith, Lewis Barlett, Isaac Lynch, F. C. Fannig, A. D. Palmer and Andrew Clark; school directors, Dr. J. H. Twitmyer, president; P. J. Bartleson, secretary ; C. E. Agnew, treasurer; J. J. Pierce, G. D. Devitt, C. F. Eldredge and Albert Roberts.

1886-Burgess, James C. McDowell; secretary and treasurer, J. L. Deeter; council, Daniel Carbaugh, James Harris, A. M. Smith, Lewis Barlett, Isaac Lynch and F. C. Ramig; school directors, J. J. Pierce, president; P. J. Bar- tleson, secretary ; C. E. Agnew, treasurer; J. D. Hadley, J. H. Perry, Dr. J. H. Twitmyer and George A. Miller.

1887-Burgess, J. C. McDonald; secretary and treasurer, J. L. Deeter; council, H. P. Hoover, Michael Minnehan, Daniel Carbaugh, James Davis, A. M. Smith and Lewis Barlett.

1888-Burgess, James Blaney; secretary and treasurer, J. L. Deeter ; council, Frank Miller, Edward A. Rogan, H. P. Hoover, Michael Minnehan, Daniel Carbaugh and James Harons; school directors, Walter Pierce, James R. Gemmill, J. D. Hadley, J. H. Perry, Dr. J. H. Twitmyer, George A. Miller.

SCHOOLS.

It is claimed that the first school building in the vicinity of Sharpsville was erected as early as 1820, on land belonging to Mr. Byerly. It was a log structure. At least ten years prior to that date school had been conducted by John Dunlap, an early settler, and noted Indian hunter, in a private dwelling belonging to a Mr. Hill, between Sharpsville and Sharon.

The first building for school purposes within the present borough limits was erected in 1847, by Messrs. Vincent, Himrod & McClures, then engaged

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HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY.

in the furnace business. Its purpose at the time was to accommodate the attaches of the furnace. About 1870, Gen. Pierce bought the old building from the school district, to which it had been transferred by the proprietors, paying therefor $1,000, and donating lots on which was erected the first school building. Some difficulty existed in 1874 in securing from Hickory Town- ship the quota of money belonging to the Sharpsville District. At the sug- gestion of legal counsel, the board was directed to petition the court to appoint auditors to ascertain how much money, if any, belonging to Hickory Township funds properly and justly belonged to Sharpsville. This course resulted in securing the proper division, and obtaining what was equitably due. The land on which the Sharpsville school building is located was donat- ed to the Hickory Township school board. The building, of four rooms, was erected by the township board. Frank Allen gave the board a donation, as did also Gen. Pierce, the latter supplying the bell. All these matters were taken into account in the adjudication.

In 1876 an addition to the building was made, at a cost of $2,875, the contractor being Josiah McDowell. In 1883 a second addition was made by J. J. Hofius, at a cost of $4,385. Heating apparatus was put in the same season by Kelley & Jones, of Pittsburgh, at an expense of $1,814. The build- ing now consists of nine school rooms, one recitation and one library room. It presents a commanding appearance. The first corps of teachers, 1874-75, embraced the following: James F. Burwell, of Linesville, at $75 per month; his assistants, John P. Derr, Anna Groves, Florence Albin, Alma Kelly and Eva Stranahan. The report of L. T. McCartney, principal, for the month ending April 6, 1888, shows an aggregate enrollment of 454, with an average attendance of 399.

CHURCHES.

The Methodist Episcopal Church is the oldest religious society in Sharpsville. The first preaching by Methodist ministers in this region was on the farm of William Fruit, whose tenant, William Hays, was a follower of the Methodist faith. This occurred about the year 1835. The place of meeting was changed shortly afterward to the house of Andrew Byerly, where services were conducted for several years. A class had been formed soon after the first preaching was heard, and this was organized into a regular society in 1836, under the supervision of Andrew Rice, the first class-leader. Mr. Rice was succeeded by Andrew Byerly and Phineas Dunham. The class when first organized belonged to the Pittsburgh Conference. The next year, the Erie Con- ference being formed, the class was transferred to that.

The first preachers were Ensign B. Hill and R. Peck. The circuit was known as the "Salem Circuit," and belonged to the Meadville District. In 1837 the society became one of the constituents of the "Old Clarksville Circuit," among the other preaching places of which were then Greenville, Sharon, Clarksville, Orangeville, Charlestown, Big Bend and Keel Ridge. Sharpsville remained in this circuit from 1837 to 1869, when it became a sepa- rate charge, under the pastorate of Rev. L. Wick. The first church edifice was erected in 1858, under the pastorate of Rev. R. A. Caruthers. It was a frame structure 30x40 feet in dimensions, and stood on Mercer Avenue. During the pastorate of Rev. John Perry, 1874-75, it was remodeled and enlarged. For over ten years prior to the erection of this church building the society wor- shiped in a school-house belonging to the first furnace established in Sharps- ville. The membership of the church is 201 at present. Their condition is good. Following is a list of pastors since the establishment of the Sharps-

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ville congregation as a separate charge, with term of the service of each: Rev. L. Wick, 1869-70; Rev. J. E. Johnson, 1870-71; Rev. J. H. Merchant, 1871-73; Rev. John Perry, 1874-75; Rev. W. H. Mossman, 1876; Rev. F. Fair, 1877-78; Rev. C. W. Darrow, 1879-81; Rev. J. A. Ward, 1882-84; Rev. S. M. Clark, 1885-86, and Rev. A. O. Stone, the present pastor, who began his ministry in 1887.

The United Brethren Church was organized in September, 1866, by Rev. H. F. Day, its first pastor, who remained in charge two years. There were thirty members at the beginning, among the number being George Tait and wife, George Fry and wife, Andrew Byerly and wife, James Barnett and wife, Johnson Patton and wife. The organization was effected in the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which exercises of worship were conducted for over two years. During the seven years that followed, the store-house of the old Erie Canal was utilized as a house of worship, occasional services being also held in private houses. The present structure, erected in 1884 at a cost of $1,500, the contract being taken by William Reichard, is a one-story frame, 28x42 feet in dimensions, and was dedicated with appropriate ceremonies June 2, 1885. In it the society has since worshiped. In addition to this there belongs to the organization a parsonage, purchased of Isaac Byerly in 1880, and since repaired, valued at $300. The congregation is in good condition, having a membership of fifty earnest workers. The first class- leader was George Tait. Following Rev. Day in the ministry came Rev. Traver, who remained two years; Rev. John Smith, one year; Rev. Casteline, one year; Rev. William Excel, one year; Rev. O. D. Cone, two years, Rev. John Williams, one year; Rev. H. F. Day, again, one year; Rev. Rufus Smith, two years; Rev. D. D. Landaw, one year; Rev. O. J. Gage, three years; Revs. J. W. Clark, J. C. Andrews, H. Bedow, William Robinson and Z. Z. Dilley, each one year, and Rev. N. C. Foulk, the present pastor. The present class-leader and steward is A. J. Nickle; the trustees are James Mills, James Fisher, Philip Nickle, Harmon Jennings and A. J. Nickle.

The First Presbyterian Church of Sharpsville was organized on May 12, 1870, with twenty-eight members, by a committee of the Beaver Presbytery, consisting of William M. Taylor, J. M. Mealey and Elder James Wilson. The original members embraced Albert Lightner, Mrs. Susan Lightner, R. T. Hadley, Mrs. Louisa J. Hadley, Matthew Gemmill, Mrs. Margaret Gemmill, Mrs. Julia Kirkland, Mrs. Sarah Drumm, David Agnew, Mrs. Eliza C. Agnew, Miss Mary Agnew, David M. McMillan, Mrs. Nancy McMillan, Mrs. Martha Hobaugh, Thomas Carmichael, Mrs. Rebecca Carmichael, Mrs. Eliza Moore, William Fruit, Mrs. Sarah Fruit, Miss Callie Fruit, James E. McMillan, Mrs. Mary McMillan, Michael Keith, Mrs. Susannah Keith, Mrs. Melissa P. McMurray, John R. Forest, Mrs. Martha Forest and Miss Eva Keith. Services had occasionally been held at Sharpsville for a year or two previous to the organization of the congregation, Rev. Falconer, then pastor of the Sharon Church, doing the preaching. The early preaching of the congrega- tion was done as a supply by the pastors of the churches at Sharon and Clarksville. The first regular pastors were Revs. A. B. Wilson and S. H. Wallace, both of whom served the congregation two years each. They were succeeded by the present pastor, Rev. S. L. Boston, who began his labors in 1887, and is working efficiently for the development of his people. The first eldership of the congregation consisted of David Agnew and David M. McMillan. Subsequently L. M. Ormsby, C. F. Eldredge and I. D. Hadley were chosen as additional ruling elders. The present neat and commodious frame house of worship was erected in 1882, at a cost of $4,000. The con-

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gregation enrolls at present some 115 members, and is in a fair condition. Its pastor is a young man, and believes firmly in earnest work, both on his own part and that of his people. The aggregate annual expenses are about $1,900.

The First Baptist Church was organized on June 11, 1871, in a school- house opposite the old Methodist Church, where meetings were then held by Rev. J. T. Griffith. The members who were thus formed into a separate congregation were Robert Dunham, Isaac Lynch, James H. Garrison, Joseph Byerly, John J. Hofius, John A. Porterfield, A. G. Dunham, Sarah Lynch, Elizabeth Hofius, Augusta Lightner, Mary Hofius, Alice Garrison, George Hofius. At the time of organization Mr. and Mrs. A. B. Hazen, Sophia Byerly and Mary Lynch were added by baptism. In 1872 the church building was erected on lots donated by Gen. James Pierce, at a cost of $3,000. Tbe successive pastors of the congregation have been Revs. J. T. Griffith, April 30, 1871, to April 20, 1873; Jacob Morris, May 25, 1873, to November 1, 1874; W. P. Hile, June, 1875, to April, 1879; J. T. Bristow, May, 1879, to April, 1881; F. W. Cramer, September, 1881, to April, 1883; W. E. Feeman, June, 1883, to April, 1885, and Henry Madtes, who began his ministry June 28, 1885, and who yet serves.

St. Bartholomew Catholic Church was founded in 1872 by Rev. Thomas J. McManus, with a membership of sixty-five, nearly all of whom lived in Sharps- ville and the immediate vicinity. Father McManus was a very zealous priest, and labored for a period of three years, when, through exposure in the dis- charge of his duties, he contracted a sickness which ended in death. Rev. William Coonan, of Wheatland, then took charge of Sharpsville, in connection with his own congregation, and he was succeeded by Rev. Bernard Lynch, also of Wheatland. It was next placed under the late Rev. K. O'Branigan, of Sharon, who assisted materially to reduce the debt during the few months he had control. Rev. Patrick Cosgrove, of Wheatland, succeeded Father O' Bran- igan, and labored faithfully to build up the spiritual and material interests of the congregation. In 1881 Rev. J. C. McEntee was appointed resident pastor of St. Bartholomew, and remained as such five years, during which time he did a great deal for his flock. He was succeeded by Rev. Thomas J. Clark, the present pastor, who began his labors October 1, 1885.

The first house of worship, a frame building of modest pretensions, was erected during the pastorate of Father McManus. This church, with its com- mon board pews and temporary altar, was occupied until the beginning of Father Clark's pastorate. It was burned August 16, 1886, just after he had conceived the plan of frescoing and otherwise ornamenting it. An immediate attempt at rebuilding was begun, amid discouraging difficulties. The result of this was the erection of the present brick structure, 45x90 feet in dimensions, with a tower 120 feet in hight, and nicely finished and furnished throughout the whole interior. Its seating capacity is 300, and it was fully tested at the dedication, which occurred August 12, 1887. The cost of the entire structure, with its furnishings, was $7,000. The ground on which it stands was donated by John Milliken. In addition to this the congregation owns a parsonage, built during the pastorate of Father McManus, and enlarged during Father Clark's ministry. It now presents a pleasant and comfortable appearance. St. Bartholomew's is one of the flourishing Catholic congregations of the county, and now embraces about sixty-five families. A growing Sunday-school is con- nected with the church, in which the children of the parish are taught the divine precepts of Christian faith.

The First Universalist Church. - The first preachers of the doctrine of Uni-

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versalism in Sharpsville were Rev. B. F. Hitchcock, of Conneautville, Penn., who preached two or three times in the winter of 1870-71, and Rev. C. L. Shipman, of Girard, Penn., who preached more or less regularly until 1875, without any particular organization, but mainly through the influence and by the efforts of Gen. James Pierce, who died in 1874. In January, 1875, a parish organization was formed in the old Pierce hall, with twenty-eight mem- bers, properly officered to carry on systematic work, and still ministered to by Rev. Shipman. These members were Nathan Morford, Mrs. Mary A. Mor- ford. Mrs. Chloe Pierce, Mahlon Fell, Jonas J. Pierce, Walter Pierce, Frank Pierce, T. M. Ford, Mrs. Kate Pierce, Mrs. Julia A. Fell, Aaron Fell, Andrew Fell. Jesse Fell, H. Phelps, Seth Hofius, J. W. Fuller, Charles Wilson, A. C. Andrews, S. W. Johnston, A. Lamont, T. O. Hazen, Mrs. Emeline Fell, Mrs. Ursula J. Fuller, R. J. McDowell, J. L. Weaver, J. V. Lynch, Mrs. Susan Phelps, Mrs. Sarah Meacham. In February, 1876, a church organiza- tion was formed, with Rev. C. L. Shipman as pastor, and the following thirty members taken into fellowship: Jonas J. Pierce, T. O. Hazen, S. O. Morford, J. T. Oliphant, T. M. Ford, Mrs. Eva Hazen, Mrs. Mariah Lynch, Miss S. Meacham, Miss Fannie F. Ford, Mrs. Mary Wiles, Aaron Fell, S. W. John- ston, Mahlon Fell, Dewalt Wiles, Mrs. Chloe Pierce, Mrs. Ursula J. Fuller, Mrs. Emeline Fell, Miss Allie M. Fuller, Miss Emma Laux, Mrs. Mary A. Morford, A. C. Andrews, J. W. Fuller, R. J. McDowell, Nathan Morford, Mrs. Kate Pierce, Mrs. Sarah A. Johnston, Mrs. Sarah M. Oliphant, Miss Minnie Andrews, Mrs. Carrie Fuller, Mrs. Emeline J. Morford. The first church officers elected were Jonas J. Pierce, moderator; Nathan Morford and A. C. Andrews, deacons, and T. M. Ford, clerk and treasurer. In September, 1882, ground was broken and work commenced for a church building. The corner-stone was laid October 10, 1882, and the building completed and dedi- cated with appropriate ceremonies February 10, 1884. It fronts on Mercer Avenue, is constructed of pressed brick with stone trimmings and slate roof, forming a handsome structure, probably second to none in the county, and cost when completed $16,000, the larger part of it being donated by Mrs. Chloe Pierce, widow of the late Gen. James Pierce. She also placed in the church a fine pipe organ, the only one in Sharpsville, as a memoir to her sister, Mrs. Abida H. Boles. In 1887-88 the sons of Mrs. Chloe Pierce built a beautiful and substantial parsonage, costing about $4,000, and donated it to the church as ,a memorial to their mother, making the present church property one of the most complete and desirable in the county. The present official members are: Moderator, T. O. Hazen; trustees, J. J. Pierce, Aaron Fell and Frank Pierce; deacons, T. M. Ford, Dewalt Wiles and W. W. Kitch; 'T. M. Ford, clerk and treasurer, which office he has held since 1871. The following is a list of the successive pastors of the church, with date of their "calls" : Rev. C. L. Shipman, 1876; Rev. Samuel Hough, 1877; Rev. C. L. Shipman. 1880; Rev. William A. Pratt, 1884; Rev. De Witt Lamphear, 1885; Rev. W. S. Williams, 1887, and is the present pastor. The present church membership is forty- nine. A successful Sunday-school was organized in 1874, and is still in a flourishing condition.

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History of Mercer County, Pennsylvania : its past and present, Part 58

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