History of Mercer County, Pennsylvania : its past and present, Part 62

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

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The northern part of the village was laid out first. This occurred in 1838, when Ephraim Van Voorhies, of New Vernon, then owning the inherited estate, laid out and began the sale of lots. This plat was increased in 1846 by proper additions, and then the first plank house was erected by Josiah Cratly, on land subsequently owned by Rev. Isaac Bruaman. This accession to the vil- lage was on the south. .

Jacob Carbon erected the first blacksmith shop, that great necessity of a growing village. This industry was followed by others of like character and necessity.

The first tavern was the east part of what is now the Commercial House, owned by J. L. Peters. It was built in 1851 by John Duff, who ran it until 1854, when he sold it to James Muse. The latter gentleman built the west addition to it about 1858 or 1859, and kept control for a time, and then dis- posed of it to Peters. By the latter it was continued until April, 1876, when Dr. J. P. Bassett concluded to conduct both the hotel and his medical practice. For a time this plan succeeded, but he finally relinquished the hotel, and it came back into the hands of its present proprietor.

The first store was owned in 1848 by James Muse and John Conduit. It stood in the north part of town. It was a hewed log house, weather boarded. A new building was erected north of it, and the firm changed to Muse & Gordon. The name was subsequently changed to Gordon & Muse. About the time this change occurred (the autumn of 1855,) a steam grist and

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saw-mill was erected by Gordon & Muse, the contractors being James and Edward Powers. When the structure was approaching completion, Gor- don accidentally fell from one of the beams and was killed. The mill was operated a short time, when it was sold to John Sheffler. He continued to run it until the structure was destroyed by fire in 1867.

In 1875 Robert Bell erected a cheese factory in the eastern part of the borough. It flourished from the first, consuming from 2,000 to 5,000 pounds of milk per day.

The woolen mill of Daniel Bruner & Son was begun in the third week of April, 1862, and in six weeks (viz., June 14) was in running order, the timber for the structure having been cut, meantime, from the woods, and put into form for service. A dwelling house was also erected within the same brief period. The mill is still in operation. The following are prices of wool at different periods: 1863, $1 per pound; 1864, 60 cents; 1865, 50 cents, and in 1888, 45 cents.

In the list of physicians at New Lebanon mention is made of the follow- ing: John Orwig was the first. He was in the place as early as 1854, and remained several years. He removed to Butler County, where he died. He was succeeded by A. C. Axtell, about 1856 or 1857, who remained six or eight years, and then removed to Youngsville, Warren County, where he still resides.

During the early part of the war R. A. McCormick located, and remained about five years. He now resides in Clarion County. James Chase began to practice about 1868, and continued about six months, when he returned to Meadville, whence he came. J. P. Bassett, an educated man, came from Covington, Ky., about 1870, and remained about five years. He then re- moved, in succession, to Clark's Mills, Sheakleyville, Girard, Erie and Cleve- land, where (last place) he finally died. He was successful in practice, but not in business management. C. F. Daubenspeck, the present physician of the place, came from Clarion County about 1880, and has built up an exten- sive and profitable practice.

Schools. - Prior to the erection of the borough of New Lebanon the terri- tory was a part of sub-district No. 7, of Mill Creek Township. The first house was a two-story frame, about 24x30, and was erected by David Randall in 1855. On the 11th of March, 1858, it was determined to subdivide the lower room, affording advantages in the two rooms for smaller grades of pub- lic school pupils, and using the upper room for the purpose of a select school. The enterprise did not prove very successful. In the summer of 1863 the building was unroofed by a severe storm, which carried the belfry about eighty rods to the property of the widow Farver. In 1882 or 1883 it was burned down, and a two-story frame was built in its stead, at a cost of some $1,300. Among the early teachers in the old building were Clark Farver, H. J. Muse, Allen Smith, and others. Select schools were taught by J. R. Donley, L. Kuder (now attorney at law at Greenville), Rev. Swingle, A. J. Palm, of the Western Press, Mr. McConaughey and probably others.

In the spring of 1880 an institution of learning, known as the New Lebanon Institute, was established. W. T. Solomon was a prominent fac- tor in agitating the subject, but did not see his project thoroughly mate- rialized. The people of the place, recognizing the necessity of greater edu- cational facilities than they had previously enjoyed, subscribed $2,500 for the purchase of land and the erection of a suitable building for academic purposes. Four acres of land were secured, and the erection of a suita- ble building was begun in the summer of 1880, but not completed until Jan-

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HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY.

uary, 1881. The two-story brick edifice, with four class rooms and two smaller ones for library and office respectively, on first floor, and a hall with capacity for 400, besides two class rooms on second floor, was dedicated Feb- ruary 22, 1881, Prof. G. W. Williams, of Allegheny College, delivering the address. The cost was $7,000. The sum of $4,650 was subscribed at the time of dedication. By vote of the board of directors, the institution was dedicated under the name of the McElwain Institute, in honor of John McElwain, Esq., of New Vernon Township, whose generous benefactions and sympathy gave the enterprise its proper impetus. On the 16th of May, 1883, the institution was incorporated as the McElwain Institute, with the avowed purpose "to establish and maintain an institution for the instruction and education of persons of both sexes in science, literature and art." The directors at that time consisted of John L. McCormick, James Lindsey, James W. McConnell, A. D. McCracken, R. C. Farver, James C. Brown, A. J. Palm and W. P. McElwain. In the list of principals are to be found the names of E. L. Richardson, W. H. Dodds (at present principal of the Pitts- burgh High-school), S. H. Sheakley, George H. Lamb and M. B. Griffith.

Among the early settlers around New Lebanon were Adam and A. J. Car- nahan, brothers; Jacob Reed, William, George, John and James Montgomery, Ryhneer Van Voorhies, Archibald McCormick, Andrew Borland, Thomas Robb, Ira Conduit and Ezekiel Conduit. Mrs. John Montgomery, one of the pio- neers, attained the age of ninety-one, having lived seventy years on one farm in French Creek Township.

New Lebanon was regularly incorporated, by decree of the court dated August 22, 1866. The first election was held September 25, 1866, Abner Dean and William Dean acting as inspectors. John McElheny was chosen justice of the peace, and C. N. Smith, burgess.

In the campaign of 1880 Mr. S. C. Koonce, of Clarksville, offered to the precinct in Mercer County giving the largest Republican gain over the pre- vious State election, a flag worth at least $50. It was obtained by New Lebanon. It cost $75, and bears this inscription: "Presented by S. C. Koonce to the New Lebanon Republicans for the largest gain in the county, November 2, 1880, 56, 3, 6, 329." Explanation: 56 Republicans, 3 Demo- crats, 6 Greenbacks; 329, the alleged dividend on Credit Mobilier stock.

Societies. - Lincoln Lodge No. 54, A. O. U. W., was instituted June 26, 1873, with the following charter members: Abram Blatt, A. C. Grove, R. C. Farver, S. S. Overmyer, E. C. Voorhies, J. M. Grove, J. B. Grove, C. C. Dickey, T. M. Cooley, S. Weider, Wilson Bowles, George Bowles, T. M. Wilson, E. Rupert. The first officers consisted of P. M. W., T. M. Cooley; M. W., A. C. Grove; G. F., J. B. Grove; overseer, C. M. Voorhies; Rec., S. S. Overmyer; receiver, R. C. Farver; financier, Abram Blatt; guide, C. C. Dickey; I. W., J. M. Grove; O. W., Wilson Bowles. The lodge meets every Tuesday in Voorhies Hall. It has twenty-eight members.

Norval Muse Post No. 251, G. A. R., was organized May 27, 1882, with the following charter members: A. C. Grove, Emanuel Rupert, Abram Blatt, J. W. Reed, J. M. Gibson, A. F. Klingensmith, D. W. Dilley, Abner Dean, Jr., Joseph Mook, J. L. McCormick, Moses Spencer, John Vorous, Wilson Dean, Isaac Adams, J. S. Moore, M. G. Dilley, Solomon Firster, J. B. Hogue and J. M. Hill. The first officers were: A. C. Grove, P. C .: Abram Blatt, S. V. C .; J. M. Hill, J. V. C .; Wilson Dean, adjutant; John Vorous, Q. M .; J. S. Moore, chaplain; W. G. Dilley; O. D .; J. M. Gibson, Q. M. S. Its maximum membership was sixty. It meets in the same hall as the A. O. U. W.

Churches, -Mount Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church was organized in

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HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY.

1844 by Rev. Henry Zigler, D. D., with these members: Abraham Grove, Elizabeth Grove, Henry and Elizabeth Schreckengast, Henry and Mary Fet- terwolf, Peter and Rachael Blatt and George Mook. The church edifice, a wooden structure, was erected in 1855, the dedication occurring January 27, 1856. The cost was $2,000. The following pastors have served the congre- gation: Henry Zeigler, D. D., Hewn Weicksel, J. Rathburn, John A. Nuner, J. Delo, Isaac Breiniman, D. M. Kamerer, J. M. Long, G. H. Swingle, D. McKee and J. H. G. Bartholomew. The present membership is about forty.

The Methodist Episcopal Church was organized February 10, 1851, by Rev. John Abbott, with the following members: James Muse, Hannah Muse, A. Voorhies and wife, H. C. Jewel, Eli Cole and wife, E. C. Voorhies, Ema- line Voorhies, John Smith and wife, A. Smith, Mrs. E. Moore, and Pelina Cole. At first the charge was the Cooperstown Charge, and then changed to that of New Lebanon. The first building was a frame structure, 40x45 feet. It was erected in the fall of 1851 and winter of 1852, and dedicated May 21, 1852. The aggregate cost was $809.87. The first trustees were A. Voorhies, Eli Cole, H. C. Jewell, James Muse and John Martin. To the number have since been added Abel Thompson, J. Smith and E. C. Voorhies. The list of preachers has embraced Revs. John Abbott, George Stocking, Robert Beatty, I. T. C. McClelland, A. L. Miller, J. C. Sullivan, N. C. Brown, M. Smith, Sherwood, R. C. Smith, Robert Gray, J. Schofield, John Eckels, A. S. Goodrich, Robert Beatty, J. B. Wright, C. W. Foulk, J. A. Ward, J. F. Mendenhall, R. A. Buzza and W. A. Marriman. The building was removed from the old to the present site in 1875, and repaired at a cost of $1,000. The congregation is in a flourishing condition.

The United Brethren Church was organized in 1862 by Rev. Rufus Smith, now presiding elder at Uniontown, Penn., with these members: Daniel Bruner, and wife, David Mook and wife, Jonathan Peters, Charles Smith, Perry Kitchen, O. Kitchen. The house of worship, a frame 35x40, was erected in 1865 at a cost of over $2,000. The building committee consisted of David Christie, William Lawson, Elijah Moore, William Moore and Daniel Bruner. The architect was Joseph Jackson, usually called Stonewall Jackson, of Mer- cer. The finishing was done by G. W. Kline. At that time there were eighty members. In the autumn of 1887 a half interest was given to the Presby- terians for the repairing of the house, which cost about $1,000. In the list of pastors (incomplete) are found the names of Charles Wheeler, Silas Cas- teline, Rev. Reynolds, Edward Everett, Rev. Franklin, William Ish, Samuel Evans, Rufus Smith, Henry Hotchkiss, D. Meeker, C. Robinson, E. Belden, Rev. Vaughn, and others. The present membership is about fourteen. Deaths and opposition to secret societies have depleted the ranks.

The Presbyterian Church was organized in the McElwain Institute Chapel on October 5, 1885, by a committee consisting of Revs. C. B. Wakefield, A. W. Verner and C. W. Heydrick, an elder from Cochranton. Among the charter members were Dr. C. F. Daubenspeck and wife, Samuel S. Overmyer and wife, A. C. Grove, Mrs. A. C. Grove, Nettie C. Grove, L. V. Grove, A. McCaughtry and wife, Kate and Mattie McCaughtry, C. S. Carnahan, Jennie Carnahan, C. C. Christy, Kate Fetterwolf, Allie Grove, Mrs. C. C. Christy, A. T. McElwain and wife, Miss Tressie McElwain and others. The place of worship is described under the sketch of the United Brethren Church. The membership is fifty-three, and is in flourishing condition.

The population of New Lebanon by the census of 1870 was 273, which was increased during the next ten years to 279, a growth of only six inhabit- ants.

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HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY.

CHAPTER XXIV.

BOROUGHS OF WEST MIDDLESEX, WHEATLAND AND BETHEL-LOCATION AND EARLY HISTORY OF WEST MIDDLESEX-THE TOWN LAID OUT-NAME GIVEN -BUSINESS INTERESTS - MANUFACTURES - INCORPORATION - BRIDGES - SCHOOLS-CHURCHES-SOCIETIES-POPULATION.

WHEATLAND-BOROUGH LAID OUT, NAMED AND INCORPORATED-FIRST OFFICERS -EARLY SETTLERS-SCHOOLS-MANUFACTURES-CHURCHES.

BETHEL-EARLY HISTORY-INCORPORATION-FIRST SETTLERS AND BUSINESS INTERESTS-CHURCHES AND SCHOOLS-FIRST ELECTION AND OFFICIALS- FIRST POSTMASTER.

W EST MIDDLESEX is located in Shenango Township, in the southwest part of the county, on both sides of Shenango River. It has the E. & P. and a branch of the N. Y., P. & O. R. Rs. as means of transportation. The region round about West Middlesex was settled as early as any other in the county. It was on the line along which the tide of migration pushed up the She- nango toward Sharon, Clarksville, Greenville, and other northern regions. Sam- uel Byers and Andrew Wylie, it is asserted, came from the region of Morgantown, Va., as early as 1796, and entered land in what is now Shenango Township. Thomas Campbell, the same year, and the following year Moses Canon, the progenitor of a large family of that name in the county, opened settlements in Hickory Township. In 1798 William Bell began a clearing west of the site of the present borough. On it Samuel Bell subsequently lived.

Richard Vanfleet came from New Jersey in 1798, and settled on a farm near the southwest corner of the county. The warrant was known as the "John Wight Tract" of 400 acres. It was under the Bedford warrant. Vanfleet was ejected about 1804, but subsequently compromised and got half. His early neighbors were William Anderson, John Anderson, William Bell, Granny Black, Joseph Everhart and others. These all lived in what is now Shenango Township, Mercer County.

James McConnell was the first to locate within the limits of the present bor- ough. This occurred in 1821. Another portion of the borough was embraced in a 700-acre tract, which is said to have been patented in 1787 to James Gib- son for services in the United States army. It subsequently became the prop- erty of Jacob Edeburn, from whom it descended to his son William. The lat- ter had made some improvements prior to 1812 upon that portion of the tract lying west of the Shenango, outside of the present town limits. Six years later (1818) he built on the same side of the Shenango a log grist-mill, which was the first structure of the kind in the vicinity. It was but an ordinary institution, using a pair of native stones. Some three years subsequent to its completion James McConnell bought it and the tract of land upon which it stood for $1,250. A short time afterward he also purchased a small hewed log house, built by James Allen, half a mile west of Middlesex, and removed it to the vicinity of the mill. It with a small addition made a passable resi- dence for himself and family. This was the first residence in West Middlesex, and the beginning of the town.

The town was laid out in the autumn of 1836 by James McConnell, son of Hugh McConnell, a settler of Meadville as early as 1794. The surveying was done by James Gilkey, noted as the first man to raise the celebrated Neshan- nock potatoes, also called "Mercers " and "Gilkies." He was assisted in his

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work by David McCleery, subsequently a justice of the peace in the borough. The lots, of which more than a hundred were laid out, were sold at auction, Thomas Mitcheltree being the auctioneer. The first one purchased was that upon which the Millers' and Miners' Bank was subsequently erected.

The place took its name from the fact that it is located about midway between New Castle and Clarksville, then two important places on the river and canal. There being another Middlesex in Eastern Pennsylvania Mr. McConnell prefixed the word West. Hence the full name, West Middlesex.

Business Interests .- Before the town was laid out several industries had developed. A number of settlers having arrived, lumber was also a prime necessity. Accordingly, William Edeburn had erected a saw-mill in 1830, and with it did a flourishing business. A year or two later James McConnell built a flouring-mill on the west side of the Shenango just below its predecessor and competitor, the old log mill. After the new mill, which used burrs instead of native stone, began operations, the old one was removed and occupied as a stable until it had fallen into decay. Demands and supplies are mutual, and constitute the real activity of business. A general store was needed, and one was supplied. D. Foreman kept it.

A tavern was also required; accordingly, W. M. Morrison began the erec- tion of one in the year 1836, and pushed it vigorously until it was completed. May training day was chosen as the time for the grand opening. The attend- ance was large, as was usual on such occasions, and many inhaled the rich odors of the spiritus frumenti; or using the classic phrase of that time, "all got drunk together." The new town was thoroughly launched upon the sea of municipal existence. Among these early settlers mention should be made of Thomas Miles, J. W. Veach and 'Squire McCreary. The first justice of the peace was Robert Young. He was also the first postmaster, the office having been established in 1840.

The history of the old West Middlesex furnace, erected in 1845, is given in Chapter VI, to which the reader is referred for information on that subject.

The Ella and Fannie furnaces, leased by the Wheeler Furnace Company, of Sharon, is located here. They have two stacks. The Ella furnace, 70x15, built in 1882, occupies the site of the two Shenango furnaces, which were built by G. W. Tift in 1859, and after passing through various mutations, were torn down in 1882. Fannie furnace, 60x12}, was first put in blast Octo- ber 13, 1873, and remodeled in 1885. These furnaces burn coke and work the Lake Superior ore, producing Bessemer pig iron. The annual capacity of the Ella furnace is 36,000 net tons, and of the Fannie furnace, 26,000 tons. E. A. Wheeler, of Sharon, is general manager, and Pickards, Mather & Co., Cleveland, Ohio, are proprietors and selling agents.

In 1859 David Edeburn built a steam grist-mill on the east side of the Shenango. It was intended mainly for custom work. The Love Brothers erected a steam saw and planing-mill on the same side of the She- nango. After doing an extensive business for a time it was burned down.

In April, 1874, J. D. Logan & Co. erected a steam planing-mill near the same site, and shortly thereafter attached a saw-mill, greatly adding to the facilities of the town.

A machine shop and foundry was commenced in 1874 and completed in 1875 by a stock company, of which Allen Turner was president, and William Jones, William R. Burnett, S. W. Johnson, Julius Turner and J. W. Russell were associate partners.

In 1872 the liberality of the citizens prompted them to offer a bonus of $10,000 in cash and five acres of land to any company which would build and

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HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY.

operate a rolling mill in the borough. B. F. Veach, J. J. McFadden and John Winfield, citizens from Ohio, undertook the enterprise. The mill was erected in 1873, and operated for two years, when the company failed, and the works were purchased by the Fannie furnace. They are not running at present.

In 1866 J. W. Veach obtained a charter for organizing the first bank in the place, the Millers' and Miners' Bank. It is still in existence, meeting the business demands of the community. In 1871 W. W. Morrison estab- lished a private bank, which continued to do a prosperous business for a num- ber of years.

Incorporation .- West Middlesex was regularly incorporated in 1864. Its first borough officers were: Burgess, D. Edeburn; council, C. W. Watson, Hiram Veach and G. R. Tuttle; justice of the peace, W. R. Burnett; constable, E. C. Kump; high constable, I. S. Newkirk; school directors, J. W. Veach, D. W. Luse and W. C. Shay; auditors, J. W. Porter and B. G. King; assess- or, J. W. Porter; judge of election, F. M. Livermore; inspectors, Isaac Rayen and J. D. Risher.

Bridges. - In 1840 the first trestle or wooden bridge across the Shenango was built by James McCandless and Charles Quirrell. Two wooden bridges succeeded this crude structure, but in 1869 the present iron one was built.

Schools .- In 1837 a small frame house was built, which served the double purpose of school and church edifice for a time. It was used for school pur- poses until 1855, when a contract was made with John McCall to build a two-story frame, the upper story of which was to be used as a place of wor- ship. It was paid for by the citizens in shares of $5 each. It served the educational purposes of the town until 1868, when the present three-story union school edifice was erected at a cost of $24,000. It is an ornament to the town. It is one of the best school edifices in the county. Its schools are well supported and efficiently managed.

Churches. - The Presbyterian is the oldest congregation in the borough. In fact it had an existence long prior to the town itself. The first preaching in the region was done by Rev. James Satterfield, his places of assembly being houses, barns and tents. For some length of time congregations met in a house belonging to the farm of Thomas Miles. Rev. Satterfield, the pio- neer preacher of this region, was born in Maryland August, 1767. About twenty years thereafter he removed with his mother and step-father to Wash- ington County, where he performed for a time the duties of a farmer. While in Washington County he was brought under the influence of Rev. Dr. McMil- lan, a distinguished theologian of those days, from whom he received an impulse in the ministerial direction. Licensed to preach September 3, 1800, he removed to Mercer County in 1801, and on the 3d day of March, 1802, was installed pastor of the congregations of Moorefield and Upper Neshannock (now Neshannock). He continued to preach for fifty-seven years, dying near West Middlesex, November 20, 1857, in his ninetieth year.

His work at Moorefield evidently had a great influence upon the surround- ing country. The public school building erected in 1837, as also that of 1855, was a common place for worship by the several congregations of the town. The Presbyterians erected their first house of worship in 1842-43. The pres- ent beautiful brick structure was dedicated in the winter of 1887-88, under the pastorate of Rev. K. C. Hays, costing $8,000. The congregation was in- corporated under the laws of the State January 14, 1878. Its pastors have been Rev. D. C. Reed, eighteen years; Rev. Brown, six years; Rev. F. M. Woods, seven years; Rev. W. M. Hyde, three years; Rev. Ken. C. Hayes its present pastor, about five years. The congregation numbers 190 members, and is quite prosperous.

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HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY.

The United Presbyterian congregation dates its origin from the year 1839, when some members of the Associate congregation, of Deer Creek congregation, living remote from their place of worship, desired to have preaching at West. Middlesex. They requested their pastor, Rev. James Ramsey, to preach in the village for their accommodation, a portion of his time. He was disposed to do so, but was prevented by the unwillingness of his congregation. They then presented their petition to Rev. Douthett, of the Cross Roads congrega- tion. His congregation, unwilling to spare his services on the Lord's day, were content to have him preach occasionally for these people on week-day evenings. He spoke for them several times; but when the intelligence was communicated to the Deer Creek congregation, they reported to the presbytery that the territory of their congregation had been invaded from without. He was ordered to confine his labors to his own congregation. The West Middle- sex people then concluded to send to the Associate Reformed Presbytery of the Lakes for aid. Supplies were sent in harmony with the petition. Preaching was held, successively, in the Wilson school-house and Gundy's barn. Among the men sent were Revs. William Braden, Mr. Neal, John and William Fried- ley. This was about 1840. Two acres of land were purchased for $25, of John Byers, at the Cross Roads, two miles southwest of West Middlesex. The deed for the property bears date October 19, 1841. The congregation worshiped in a tent for a time, and was known as the Turkey Run Church. After the erection of a building, which occurred the same year, the name was changed to Beulah. The session records for September, 1841, bear that title. The house was a large and commodious one.

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History of Mercer County, Pennsylvania : its past and present, Part 62

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