History of Mercer County, Pennsylvania : its past and present, Part 66

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

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HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY.

Societies. - Eureka Lodge No. 60, A. O. U. W., was chartered in Septem- ber, 1874, with the following officers: Norman J. Maxwell, P. W .; James A. Cutcheon, M. W .; Silas A. Emery, F .; Richard A. Locke, overseer; James P. Locke, recorder; R. C. C. White, Fin .; Joshua A. Kinder, Rec .; Cyrus P. Miller, guide, and W. P. C. Emery, I. W. Meetings are held every Sat- urday evening in the A. O. U. W. Hall.

Wolf Creek Lodge No. 910, I. O. O. F., was organized June 24, 1875, by George F. Borey, with the following named charter members: S. A. Walker, D. J. Washabaugh, J. C. Weakley, R. G. Black, W. J. Newman, J. M. Rodgers, S. S. Knox, R. A. McCalmont, J. W. Black, C. C. Winder, George W. McBride, John McBride, Perry Uber, J. E. Leth, W. M. Dight, P. C. Uber and H. S. Hunt. The lodge meets every Saturday evening. Its present membership is twenty-seven.

Grove City Lodge No. 35, K. of P., was instituted July 12, 1884, by Thomas Perry, Esq., with the following named charter members: Joseph Bellshaw, ,William Callahan, James Jeffrey, William Curz, A. P. Buckholdt, George Wistcoven, George McDowell, George W. Crawford, A. Koon and Francis Land. The past chancellors have been: James Jeffrey, William Curz, A. P. Buckholdt, William Callahan, Daniel Kerr, George W. Crawford, William Forest and George McDowell. The membership is sixty-five.

The Protected Home Circle was organized in the spring of 1887, by Rev. H. C. Hall, of Sharon. Its first officers consisted of I. C. Black, president; A. B. McKay, vice-president; L. P. Heasley, Acct. ; Mont. Black, secretary, and Edward Jackson, guard. The present membership is twenty, and the society is reported to be in good condition.

Marion Craig Post No. 325, G. A. R., Department of Pennsylvania, was organized April 16, 1883, by D. Barton, Esq., with the following named charter members: Jacob Alabaugh, N. J. Maxwell, John L. Cochran, R. C. Craig, J. A. Bolander, W. P. C. Emery, S. A. Emery, W. P. Sutherland, B. R. Welch, D. M. Madan, J. W. Anderson, Archie Glenn, J. W. Campbell, J. C. Campbell, James M. Ramsey, L. D. Bumpus, W. C. Robb, J. A. Gil- mer, A. B. Mckay, A. E. Lawrence, W. M. Frew, W. S. Emery, J. P. McCoy, J. C. Weakley, Milton Hines, D. C. Johnston, W. J. McKay, C. L. Fithian, J. M. Coulter, B. F. Junkin, A. T. Black, Isaac Hilkirk, J. S. Yard, W. J. Harshaw, J. M. Wingard, George Atkinson, Isaac N. White, D. W. Styers and George S. Westlake. Since the organization of the post there have been elected the following officers: 1883-W. J. Maxwell, com- mander; J. W. Campbell, senior vice-commander; Isaac N. White, junior vice-commander; 1884-J. W. Campbell, commander; Isaac N. White, senior vice-commander ; W. S. Emery, junior vice-commander; 1885- Isaac N. White, commander; M. B. Hofius, senior vice-commander; S. A. Emery, junior vice-commander; 1886-M. B. Hofius, commander; S. A. Emery, senior vice-commander ; R. C. Craig, junior vice-commander; 1887-W. J. Harshaw, commander; A. B. McKay, senior vice-commander; J. G. Perry, junior vice-commander; 1888-R. C. Craig, cominander; J. W. Yeaman, senior vice-commander, and J. C. Weakley, junior vice-com- mander. The recording officers for the corresponding years have been, in order named: J. A. Bolander, W. P. C. Emery, J. G. Perry, W. J. Har- shaw, Isaac N. White and B. R. Welch. The post is now in fine condition, with seventy-one members in good standing. Francis Marion Craig, in honor of whom the post was named, was born in North Liberty, Mercer County, Penn., July 31, 1839, the son of David C. and Mary Craig. At the age of five years he was removed to the State of Iowa, where, with his parents, he

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remained until 1848, at which time he returned to Mercer County, and located at Pine Grove (now Grove City) in 1850. In this place he was reared, and after receiving a good common school education, he entered Westminster College, in which institution he remained two years. After leaving school he entered the printing office of the Westminster Herald (now United Presbyterian), in which he learned the trade of type-setting, which he fol- lowed in the same office until 1861. Then, at the outbreaking of the war, he enlisted July 22, 1861, for three years' service in Company A, Sixty-second Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, commanded by Col. Sam. W. Black. · Mr. Craig served with this regiment as private through the Peninsula cam- paign. Just previous to the battle of Fredericksburg he was elected second lieutenant by his company, and was killed in the ensuing fight, before the commission of his promotion reached him. He was buried in the city suburbs, where his bones now rest. During life Mr. Craig was a stanch Republican, and was a member of the United Presbyterian Church. At the time of his death he was unmarried, being in his twenty-fourth year.

The Pine Grove W. C. T. U. was organized on the 12th of December, 1879, at the residence of Mrs. R. G. Black, with nineteen members. Mrs. Phoebe Black, Mrs. Rev. David Patton, Mrs. A. B. Mckay, Mrs. Opre, Mrs. Venem- on, Mrs. Gulic and Miss Maggie Kelly, and other ladies assisted in the organ- ization. The president's chair has been filled in succession by Miss Narcissa White, Mrs. Phoebe Black, Mrs. Rev. David Patton and Mrs. Watson. Mrs. Ada Martin and Mrs. T. J. Atwell have served as secretaries from the organization to the present. There is a present membership of some fifty, who meet twice per month for prayer and business purposes.

Grove City has had a very rapid growth. In 1880 the village had a pop- ulation of 485, which has so increased in the past eight years that the borough now claims over 1,000 inhabitants. In fact Grove City is one of the live, enterprising modern towns of Mercer County.

FREDONIA.

Fredonia, one of the growing places of Mercer County, is pleasantly situ- ated in a rich agricultural region, on the west side of Otter Creek. some six or seven miles west of north of Mercer. It lies partly within both Fairview and Delaware Townships, the larger portion, however, having been located in the former. The first improvement within the present borough limits was made in 1834 by Levi Arnold. It embraced the clearing of ten acres of land near the site of the grist-mill built by Mr. Arnold and subsequently owned by B. R. Mitchell. A little more than half a century ago the site of the village was marked with all the evidences of primitive wildness, no cabin or rude shanty of any kind affording a home for civilized man. . The land was composed of two distinct "donation tracts," which fact accounts readily for the tardy development of the region.

Arnold had some progressive spirit, and moved ahead until he became the holder of large possessions. An evil day finally overtook him, and he was compelled to let his property go. In 1837-38 Mr. Arnold erected a grist and saw-mill, for many years known as " Arnold's Mills," which may be regarded as the real beginning of the place.

In 1837 B. R. Mitchell built, on Arnold's land, a small, round-log cabin, not far from a refreshing spring. The site was in the southeast part of the borough. In this rude dwelling lived Mr. Mitchell's family, and in it, too, his daughter Caroline first looked forth upon this fair world, the first child born in Fredonia. She subsequently married Mr. Studds, and became

Joseph Byerly

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HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY.

an honored resident of Fairview Township. Mr. Mitchell, a native of New Eng- land, thus became one of the benefactors of Fredonia, and specially serviceable in its milling interests.

The Arnold property was purchased by James Sheriff, of Mercer. He sub- sequently sold to Jesse Bundle, an Eastern man, who erected a tannery and a log house and made improvements in the way of clearing. His business not proving successful he became discouraged, and removed West "to grow up with the country." Two other men, Thomas White and William Thompson, were neighbors of Bundle, engaged in an effort to clear their lands and establish homes. White soon abandoned the struggle and left, but Thompson remained until the time of his death.

Aaron Arnold was the first man to erect a respectable dwelling-house in the new village. It would hardly pass muster now, but served the purpose quite well then. It was a board dwelling, and stood upon lands subsequently owned by William Simmons.

The real origin of Fredonia is traced to William Simmons, who, in March, 1866, took possession of the house vacated by Jesse Bundle, and at once com- menced the erection of a frame store building, the first of the kind in the vil- lage. In it he did a thriving business, being urged on by the prospects of the completion of the Shenango & Allegheny Railroad at an early date. Nor was he disappointed. On land purchased by him he laid out the village, which some of his friends were disposed to call, in honor of his name, Simmonsville. This honor he generously refused, and suggested the name which it now bears, Fredonia. Lots were now sold freely, and evidences of growth were manifest everywhere.

In 1867 William Thompson built the first regular frame dwelling. The same year Mr. S. Royal built a blacksmith shop.

In 1870 a post-office was established, and Mr. Simmons became the first postmaster, his commission dating August 8. Mr. H. Mckay began the same year to deal in grain and coal. In the latter business he was succeeded by Harsh & Sutliff.

Dr. Cornelius Byles, in 1874, rented an office and became the first physi- cian of the place. Two years later he built an office, and likewise erected the first hardware store. In November of this year (1876) Dr. Davenny came from Oil City and located in the village.

In 1871 the planing-mill of Slater, Hoover & White was established, George I. Slater erecting the building and operating it for a time alone, and then accepting the other gentlemen as partners.

In 1873 several improvements of value were made. S. M. Loveland, from Otter Creek Township, established a large harness shop. J. Bear built a tannery, which was operated by steam with eminent success.

In 1875 Roof, Pleifle & Co. built, on Main Street, a large carriage manu- factory, and John Noll built another, 22x50, two stories high, on Water Street. At present a stock company operates the factory. Its purpose is to manufact- ure vehicles on an extensive scale.

A large frame, steam flouring mill is now in process of construction, and when completed will embrace the best and most improved machinery. It will be owned and operated by George Gaiser, whose long and successful experi- ence as a miller is a guarantee of prosperity in his new enterprise.

Churches .- Fredonia has two churches, Methodist and Presbyterian. The Methodist Church erected its edifice in 1872, it being a modest structure, 30x40. Preaching had been done for some years previous, the name of Rev. J. H. Merchant appearing as early as 1870. The first sermon in the new

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house was preached by Rev. Albert H. Kenney. The congregation has had a steady and healthy growth. The following is the list of pastors: J. H. Mer- chant, 1870; D. A. Crowell, 1871; A. H. Kenney, 1872-73; F. Fair, 1874-76; J. Abbott, 1877; J. Crum, 1878-79; John Perry, 1880-81; W. H. Mossman, 1882; R. M. Bear, 1883-85; G. J. Squier, 1886-present incumbent.

The Presbyterian Church was organized in 1875 by Rev. James McLean, and a house of worship, a frame structure, about 40x50. erected at a cost of $3,000. The congregation is mainly a colony from the Cool Spring Presbyte- rian Church, and embraced in its list of original members James Walker and wife and children, A. D. Walker and Miss Callie Walker, Thomas McCleery and wife, Dr. C. Byles and wife, Misses Jennie, Lizzie and Julia Byles, Will- iam Moore and wife, James Byers and wife, Elias Orr and wife, Robert, Samuel and John Orr, and Misses Sade, Mary and Maggie Orr, Samuel White and wife, Samuel Baker and wife and Charles Baker and wife. The following is the list of pastors: Revs. James McLean, Thomas Hickling, J. M. Stitt, A. B. Lowes, S. L. Boston and J. E. Irvine, the present incumbent. The congregation enrolls 175 members, and has a Sunday-school of 120 pupils.

Schools. - For a time the schools of the place consisted of an edifice which belonged to District No. 5, Fairview Township. It proving too small, a two- story structure with four rooms was erected to accommodate the people. For several years a select school or normal academy has been conducted in it with great acceptance.

Societies .- Eulalia Lodge No. 818, I. O. O. F., was organized December 30, 1872, with twenty members. Its first officers were: S. M. Loveland, N. G .; S. Baker, V. G .; R. A. Harsh, secretary; John Foster, assistant secretary, and George Dunkle, treasurer.

Fredonia Grange No. 643 was established in 1872, with upward of twenty members. Among its leading spirits were S. M. Loveland, who was the first Master, William McKay and James Marsteller. Like its sister organizations throughout the country, it has had its day.

Fredonia W. C. T. U. was organized November 25, 1881, at the Presby- terian Church, by Miss Narcissa E. White, with the following charter mem- bers: Mrs. J. M. Stitt, Miss Sadia Pearson, Julia Byles, Mary Pearson, Mrs. Mary Walker, Jennie Harsh, Mrs. W. Moore, Eva Moore, Etta Walker, Mary E. Stubbs, and M. A. Braden. The officers in succession from the first were: Presidents, Mrs. J. M. Stitt, Miss Mary Pearson, Mrs. Mary Walker, Mrs. Eliza Ball; recording secretaries, Miss Sadie Pearson, Mrs. Mary Stubbs, Miss Jennie Harsh, Mrs. F. G. Byles and Mrs. N. A. Simmons. The Union is in good condition, and determined to persevere in its noble purpose.

Fredonia was incorporated as a borough in August, 1876, and then com- menced its official life. The census of 1880 gave it a population of 323, which it is claimed, has increased to about 500 during the past eight years. Located in the center of a fine farming district, there is no reason why the borough should not remain one of the flourishing little towns of the county.

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CHAPTER XXVII.

TOWNSIIIP SKETCHES AND POPULATION-COOL SPRING-DEER CREEK-DELA- WARE- EAST LACKAWANNOCK -FAIRVIEW - FINDLEY - FRENCII CREEK - GREENE- HEMPFIELD-HICKORY-JACKSON-JEFFERSON-LACKAWANNOCK -- LAKE-LIBERTY-MILL CREEK-NEW VERNON-OTTER CREEK-PERRY -- PINE- PYMATUNING-SALEM-SANDY CREEK-SANDY LAKE- SHENANGO -- SPRINGFIELD-SUGAR GROVE-WEST SALEM-WILMINGTON-WOLF CREEK -WORTH-OFFICIAL CENSUS BY DECADES SINCE 1850.

TN the following sketches of townships we present some material not given in the other general chapters of the work. It will be necessary, therefore, to refer to other portions for details not always to be found in these sketches, the purpose being to avoid needless repetition of statements. Not the least valuable portion of this book will be found in the biographical chapters, which contain the bone and marrow of local history. In the future people will read these sketches with increasing interest, because they speak specifically of those whose toil and hardships aided mightily in developing the forest wilderness, and making it blossom like the rose. For the convenience of our readers we have placed the townships in alphabetical order, which will save unnecessary trouble in finding them.

COOL SPRING TOWNSHIP.

This township formed one of the six original townships that composed Mercer County at its formation in 1800. From it have since been taken Jack- son, Lake and Fairview Townships. Its name was taken from the fact that within its borders were a number of constantly flowing springs, whose cool and crystal waters furnished abundant drink both to man and beast. The early set- tlers, appreciating their value, named the township in commemoration of them. The surface of the township is comparatively unbroken. There is a pleasing alternation of hills and valleys, but the former are not steep, nor are the latter abrupt. The rich bottom-lands scattered here and there form fine farm- ing ground. There are two streams traversing the township. Otter Creek, which rises in Otter Creek Township, flows south across Fairview, through the heart of Cool Spring, and unites with Mill Creek at Mercer, to form the Big Neshannock, and Cool Spring, which arises in Fairview, flows south along the eastern boundary of Cool Spring Township, and unites with Mill Creek.

Pioneers .- Undoubtedly the first settler of the township was Benjamin Stokely. He is also believed by many to have been the first white resident of the entire county, though the latter statement is in dispute. His first en- trance into the county was as a surveyor of land warrants. He left Pittsburgh in company with others May 1, 1795, and proceeded some distance north, but was forced to turn back in a short time, owing to the hostilities of the Indians. A return was made in October of the same year, and the party arrived near the present site of Mercer. A second time the surveyors retraced their steps to Pittsburgh, only to resume operations in May, 1796. On the 7th day of Octo- ber, 1796, in company with his family, Mr. Stokely set out on his third journey to Mercer County. This time he effected a settlement, and reached his new home, in the southeastern part of the township, on the 14th of the same month. At this time there were other families living in the vicinity, but these

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all left upon the approach of winter, and Stokely and family were forced to pass the long, dreary months of winter without any other companions than wild beasts and Indians. Fortunately, however, the latter were not hostile. An extended biography of Mr. Stokely will be found on another page, from the pen of William S. Garvin.

Another man, who divided with Mr. Stokely the honor of being one of the first settlers of Cool Spring Township, was Joseph Alexander. The latter, at the age of nineteen, removed from his early home, in Chartiers Valley, in Washington County, in 1798, and settled on the tract of land subsequently owned and occupied by his son, Joseph Alexander, Jr. Here he felled tim- ber, constructed a small log dwelling a short distance west of the location of the present homestead, by the side of a clear, bubbling spring, and began ac- tive clearings. He remained alone at this work until 1807, when he took to wife Miss Grace, daughter of John Wilson, an early settler of East Lackawan- nock Township. From this wedlock sprang eight children, seven boys and one girl.

The difficulty attending the securing of sufficient ground grain in those early days is curiously illustrated in the case of Mr. Alexander. It is related that the nearest mill was located in Washington County, not far from his old home. To this he was compelled to return with his grist. He secured his grain in sacks, threw them over his horse's back and set off, mounted on his faithful animal, for the distant mill. The distance was considerable, and as there were no inns on the way Mr. Alexander was forced to sleep at night as best he could on the ground, while his beast grazed near by. To prevent the lat- ter's escape he tied a small bell around its neck, by the sound of which he was enabled to detect the horse's whereabouts.

The brother of the preceding, William, made a settlement near that of Joseph. The exact date of his entrance into the township is unknown, but it was as early as, if not earlier, than 1798. The farm on which he located was subsequently owned by Thomas Alexander. Accompanying him came Henry Beckwith and father, Silas (an old man), both of whom occupied the farm immediately north of Joseph Alexander. On the east settled Aaron Hackney, afterward proprietor of the Hackney House, at Mercer, and brother John.

About the year 1798 came Robert and Joseph McDonald and Zachariah Johnston, The first two were brothers. The latter, Mr. Johnston, removed from Ligonier Valley, Chester County, and located on the farm afterward owned by Capt. John Johnston. Shortly after his arrival he was followed by his four brothers, by name Samuel, John, William and James. They had come from Ireland, and secured lands from John Hoge, a land agent owning large tracts in the vicinity.

Hugh Mckean, who shares with the foregoing the honor of having been one of the earliest settlers of the township, reached his new home, in Cool Spring Township, in the year 1798. He at once began a clearing, and after it had progressed sufficiently, began to plant apple trees, wisely foreseeing the advant- ages of an orchard. It is related that he placed one for each day in the year. The old log cabin used by Mr. Mckean was standing as late as 1873. It was situated on the old homestead, then in the possession of J. W. Page.

Among the other early pioneers of the township may be mentioned Rev. Samuel Tait, the apostle of Presbyterianism, whose sketch is given elsewhere; John Bowman, who arrived sometime near 1800, and settled on a farm near the present site of Cool Spring Station, a man of wonderful physical strength and vigor, who, in his one hundred and fourth year, carried a bushel of corn

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on his back to the mill, distant one-half mile; William McMillan, whose prop- erty, a tract of 510 acres, subsequently owned by John McEwen, was secured from John Hoge April 6, 1805, and whose house was a double hewed-log one, 20x24 feet; and John and Thomas McEwen (then spelled McCune), who set- tled in the neighborhood about 1805-06. McMillan's house was the first tavern in the township. It was enlarged by him for hostelry purposes, and, being situated on the great thoroughfare between Pittsburgh and Erie, was given a liberal and appreciative patronage. Connected with the inn was an immense barn, over seventy feet in length, which was considered, at the time of its erection, a marvel of architectural accomplishment. It may be said of the tavern that no traveler was ever turned hungry from its door.

There have occurred two remarkable natural phenomena since the town- ship's settlement, and, curiously enough, both taking place within a year. The first was a severe frost, happening on the night of August 19, 1800, which killed every vestige of corn and left the potato crop a complete wreck. The severity of this was so great that it has been claimed to have been by far worse than any similar occurrence before or since. Although it took place in the summer, no winter frost ever equalled it. The second event, also occurring in the night, was a terrible tornado, whose devastating advent took place June 4, 1801. The force of this storm was so great that fences and barns were literally shivered into kindling. A cow, belonging to Benjamin Stokely, was rolled thirty yards and hurled with considerable force on a rail pile, where she was found the next day. Houses were unroofed, trees felled, and a trail of ruin and desolation left behind.

The early mills played an important part in the development of young set- tlements. Families in search of new homes almost invariably selected a neighborhood having good and convenient grist-mills. These were indis- pensable, and were about the first mechanical contrivances put in operation. The first mill in Cool Spring Township was erected in 1811. It stood on the farm of Levi Arnold, and subsequently of Joseph Bentley. The popular name of this establishment was the "old mill," and by this title it is remembered to-day. Its business was continued for a number of years, until improved methods and competition rendered its further operation unprofitable. On the same ground was a powder mill. This was a disastrous investment for Arnold, inasmuch as it exploded, and killed the son of the proprietor.

There was another grist-mill erected in 1837, on the margin of a small stream which coursed through the property then owned by J. B. Page, and later by Joseph Holmes. This did quite a business for a time, but, like its predecessor, was forced to succumb to the inevitable advances of improvement, and has long since fallen into disuse. Up to a late date its frame was still standing, a silent memento of departed usefulness.

A saw-mill was constructed as early as 1825 by John McEwen, on the west side of the latter's farm. It began a promising career of usefulness, but the business was in a few years rendered unprofitable, and the mill was discon- tinued.

One of the most exciting events in the early history of Mercer County was the losing or abduction of a little girl, Mary Ann Gamble, several miles north- west of Mercer. It occurred near the Mercer and Greenville road, on the 20th of June 1834. The following card describes the

LOST CHILD.

Left its way, going to school, on the 20th of June last, a female child about five years old; fair complexion, fresh colored, and auburn hair. Had on a blue calieo bonnet, pink

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calico frock (faded nearly white) with short sleeves, a cotton apron striped with blue, and a small reticule. Any information concerning it, directed to the editor of this paper [ Western Press], will be thankfully rewarded for their trouble. July 18, 1834. GEORGE BAGNALL.

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History of Mercer County, Pennsylvania : its past and present, Part 66

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