History of Mercer County, Pennsylvania : its past and present, Part 73

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

USA > Pennsylvania > Mercer County > History of Mercer County, Pennsylvania : its past and present > Part 73

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Churches. - Fairfield Presbyterian Church was organized near what is now the village of New Vernon, in September, 1799, and is, therefore, the oldest congregation of the denomination in Mercer County. Elisha McCurdy and Joseph Stockton superintended the organizing of the congregation. Daniel Axtell, David Condit and Ithiel Dodd, all "Ten-Milers," were the first elders. They came from Washington County, and brought their religious convictions with them. Rev. William Wylie was the first pastor, from 1802 to 1804. He also preached for Upper Sandy congregation. He was succeeded by Rev. Cyrus Riggs in October, 1807, the pastorate continuing until April, 1812. Rev. Ira Condit began at the last date, and continued as pastor until October, 1836. The next pastor was Rev. David Waggoner, remaining from July, 1838, to May, 1853, at which latter date Rev. J. M. Shields began his labors, and continued them until 1864. Rev. John Rice succeeded as a stated supply. Such is the early history of the pioneer Presbyterian congregation in the county. The present church edifice is seventy-one feet long, and proportion- ately wide. Near it is a grave-yard, which has received the bodies of many of the pioneers, as its marble slabs will plainly show.

The Methodist Episcopal Church was organized at an early day, probably prior to 1840, in the southern part of New Vernon Township. A great revival occurred in a school-house in the neighborhood in 1843, resulting in securing twenty-three members to the congregation. In 1849, at the suggestion of Rev. Robert Beatty, a meeting-house was erected, he assisting in the work. The first members of this congregation embraced James Boyd and wife, Thomas Boyd and wife, George Forbes and wife, Joseph Boyd, George Bur- rows and wife, and Mary Forbes. James Boyd was the first class-leader. The congregation has measurably declined, but the house is still used for funeral and other occasions.

563

HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY.

Mount Hope Methodist Episcopal Church is at New Vernon. It is the produc of a revival held in 1851 near New Lebanon. Many of the converts were from the region of New Vernon. In 1852 they organized the Mount Hope Church at the residence of George Marstellar. Revs. Elisha Wheeler and John Abbott were the preachers to conduct the movements. Elisha Moore was selected as the first leader. In 1854 a house of worship was erected on land deeded for the purpose by Joseph and Daniel Holloway. Robert Beatty was contractor. This congregation, starting with twenty members, has had a regular and healthful growth.

The United Presbyterian Church was organized in 1858, Rev James Bur- rows being first pastor. An effort was made in 1858 to erect a house of wor- ship, but before the house was completed it was destroyed by the fire-fiend. A second effort in 1862 was more successful, the house being built on the first foundation, and completed in 1865, during the labors of Rev. J. A. Bailey, now of Sharon. The house is a comfortable one, being one of the best in the town- ship.

OTTER CREEK TOWNSHIP.

A petition praying for the division of the old township of Salem, so as to facilitate the collection of taxes and render voting easier, was presented in court November 6, 1857. On the 18th this petition was granted, and James Williamson and Thomas Leech, Jr., were oppointed as commissioners to view the said township and lay out boundaries for a separation. But about this time there appeared to be considerable opposition to the proposed change. The Court therefore directed that an election should be held to determine the will of the inhabitants. The question was upon the formation of the new town- ship in accordance with the specifications set forth by the board of commis- sioners in their report. The majority voted for the division, and, accordingly, April 21, 1858, the Court confirmed the report and directed that the part south of the Little Shenango, which was fixed as the line of separation, should be known as the township of Otter Creek.

The surface of Otter Creek is generally rolling, but comparatively un- broken. Coal is found beneath the surface, and in places strata of building stone also. Agriculturally the township is one of the foremost in the county. Its soil is especially rich and fertile. Otter Creek heads in the southern portion, and a small branch leads into Little Shenango at the north. But outside of these diminutive streams little drainage is afforded. But this is evidently no inconvenience, as the farm lands seem never to be under a surplus of rain-fall.

Pioneers. - In treating of the early settlement of the township, one is con- stantly under surprise at the lateness of the arrival of pioneers. The territory lying farther to the northeast, and also to the southeast, seems to have attracted immigrants much earlier. But why this should have been is a mystery. The soil in the fertile regions, lying along the banks of Little Shenango, was evidently better than that lying in the other regions named. One explanation of this is, that in all probability the majority of the early comers followed the course of the Allegheny and French Creek in their entrance from the regions along the Ohio, and thus escaped noticing the land lying further west. It is certain that many came up by water, while many others came on horseback, but kept close to the river's bank. However that may be, it is admitted that the first settler of the township was James Williamson. He was a Revolutionary veteran, whose patriotism and love of liberty was such that it is said of him, that at the time of his entering the army to accept the commission of lieutenant he had just married a beautiful young lady, whom he was forced to leave, and

564

HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY.

from whom he was separated, by the cruel exigencies of the war, for over a year. He entered the Shenango Valley in 1797, located upon the farm owned a long time afterward by Josiah Kitch, and erected a small cabin. After thus estab- lishing his right to the land, he returned to his family and remained three years. In 1800 he came a second time to his new possession, began a clearing, and was so successful that he was enabled, the same year, to harvest the first crop of wheat ever raised in the township. In the following year he concluded that the hardships of a pioneer life were sufficiently ameliorated to render his permanent residence possible, and he therefore brought his family out and located upon the farm, which he occupied until death. Williamson was

without neighbors for a long time. He was eventually joined in his labors of clearing the forest by Thomas Jolly, who located upon the land known as the Mckean farm. Robert Mckean himself occupied the tract Jolly had cleared, and continued to do this from 1815 through many following years. Much of the land lying in the township was embraced in the donation tracts, and in only a few instances did the holders of the patents for these tracts make actual settlement. Their claims they considered as being very trifling, and frequently disposed of them at what would now be considered ridiculously small prices. Often, when settlements were attempted, the patentee would find some one already in possession of his land, holding it by a sort of squatter title, and the trouble and expense of conducting the litigation necessary to secure a dislodge- ment were, in many instances, deemed more than commensurate with the value of the land in question. For this reason, a confusion of titles arose, and vexatious complications rendered the occupancy of land in the region a matter of more caution than profit. The tract afterward owned by David Trime was granted by the commonwealth to one George Henry, a private in the Revolutionary army, being designated a "donation." Henry never settled, but threw his title away, and for a number of years no one knew who the owner was. In 1801 Frederick Horn determined to secure the land. After a long search he discovered the legal owner and made a purchase of his claim. On the 24th of December Horn settled and erected a cabin. He at once set about clearing off the timber, and in the course of a few years he found himself in the possession of a valuable property.

A great lapse of time occurs between the date of Horn's settlement and the date of the next recorded entrance. On November 6, 1832, George Needham located upon the tract afterward secured by Daniel Hance, and began the task of improving it. The tract, like Horn's, had formerly been a "donation lot," and had been originally granted by the commonwealth to private Joseph Palmer, who had never occupied it, but had merely sold it for a "song." Needham, however, succeeded in making it a very desirable possession. Jacob Snyder and his son, Joseph, settled on the farm afterward occupied by them in 1843. There were at the time of their entrance comparatively few pioneers in the region. Jacob Layman had entered in 1824, and taken up a claim near the Perry Township line. Andress Loveland came from Erie County, Penn., in the spring of 1828, and settled on a tract of 100 acres in Otter Creek Township, where he lived to the ripe age of ninety-four years. One or two others were also in the possession of land in various parts of the township. The largest land-owner in the township was Andrew Bush, an Ohioan, who came to the region from Jackson Township, Trumbull Co., Ohio, in 1845. He purchased nearly all of the large valley lying southeast of Pleasantville. The farm which he thus secured was an exceedingly valuable one, and would now be considered a veritable fortune. But titles were so easily purchased in those days that his expenditure in securing it was very small. There were other

567

HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY.

settlers whose names might be mentioned. Indeed, the period of settlement may be almost said to have extended down from 1800 to 1845, inasmuch as at the latter date there was considerable uncleared land lying in the township. But it is thought that the names given include nearly all of the distinctively first pioneers.

There have been mills erected several times during the development of the township's industrial resources. One, a saw-mill, located in the southern part of the township, was built about the year 1831 by two brothers named Carr. The motor power was supplied by water, which was secured by the erection of a large dam. Near this dam a young man named Reuben Wasser was drowned, in 1845, while in bathing. The mill has been abandoned for a long period of years. In 1845, in the northwestern corner of the township, on the bank of the Little Shenango, John Young and Adam Thompson built the first grist-mill ever operated in the township. The method of grinding was the one then in common use. It was by means of a pair of rough stones, turned by water-power. Nevertheless, notwithstanding the rude equipments, the mill enjoyed a considerable patronage, and was conducted for a number of years without cessation.

On another page will be given a list of the early township officials of Salem Township. By reference to it the reader will ascertain the names of some of the early political dignitaries, and also those who were esteemed by their fellow citizens worthy of public trust.

PERRY TOWNSHIP.

Perry Township was originally a portion of old Sandy Creek. On the 18th of December, 1850, owing to the fact that great inconvenience had been encountered in collecting taxes over so large a territory, and in securing an easily accessible place of voting, a large number of petitions were presented in court praying that the township be subdivided into four parts, each part to be a separate township. Joseph Kerr, James A. Leech and Francis Beatty were accordingly appointed commissioners to ascertain the practicability of the sought for alteration, and to lay out a system of boundaries. They reported favorably to the division April 7, 1851, accompanying their report with the present boundaries as the result of their labors. This report was confirmed on the 23d of June, and the new townships of Deer Creek, New Vernon and Mineral were thus ushered into existence, the fourth part still retaining the original name of Sandy Creek. The name "Mineral" was given to the southwestern portion on account of the rich deposits of bog-iron ore and coal found beneath its surface. At a subsequent time it was decided to change this title and adopt the present one of "Perry," in honor of the gallant commo- dore who so resolutely fought the British fleet on Lake Erie, and achieved the signal triumph which has since been known as "Perry's Victory."

At the first election held the following officers were chosen: Justices of the peace, Allen Morrison, Joseph Milner; auditors, Caleb Ball, A. McCleary and J. B. Donaldson; assessor, William Zahniser; school directors, T. M. Levitt, J. H. Robinson, S. B. Foster, Henry Fulton, William Zahniser and Alex. McCleary; treasurer, John Kelso; supervisors, John McClure and Philip Mann; clerk, Henry Fulton, and overseers, J. Feather and J. Limber.

The surface of the new township, as might be expected in an iron ore district, is diversified. At places one would suppose it to be perfectly level, while elsewhere the precipitous hills, alternated with sharp, clear-cut valleys resembling miniature ravines, would give a fair idea of a mountainous country. In an agricultural sense the soil can scarcely be ranked among the best,

568

HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY.

although fine crops are in many instances raised from it. The township is well drained. The Little Neshannock, which traverses the entire length of the township, in a northwestern course, is joined by numerous smaller tribu- taries that themselves branch out into the adjacent farm lands, thus comprising, with the parent stream, an extensive and efficient system of natural drainage.

The settlement of Perry, as well as the other new townships formed out of old Sandy Creek, is necessarily connected, with indissoluble bands, with that of the parent organization. The history of it, therefore, is given under the heading of Sandy Creek Township. In addition to the facts therein narrated mention will be made of one early pioneer, whose life was a succession of eccen- tric thoughts and equally as eccentric actions. Reference is made to Martin Carringer. He was an old Revolutionary veteran, whose entrance into the township dates back, according to the best authenticated accounts, to the year 1796. Some assert that Carringer arrived as early as 1795, and built a cabin. If this could be verified it would unquestionably establish him as the earliest settler in the county. But however the mere date may be he is fairly entitled to rank among the very earliest pioneers. He settled on donation lot No. 941, which had been granted to him from the commonwealth on account of his services in the Revolution. He was a German, as the name indicates, and was known, in later years, after settlements had been made about him, for his wonderful kindness. He was extremely generous, but his generosity was only extended to the poor and helpless. All worthy public enterprises received his hearty support, and all unworthy ones were as readily met with his vehement opposition. It is seldom in the history of any community that a character is found which deserves higher encomiums than those which even his neighbors and associates bestowed on Martin Carringer.

Industries. - The industrial interests next merit notice. There have been three of these which became of the highest importance; these three are the coal mining, the iron blasting and the steam saw-milling interests. The first coal used in the region, and exhumed from the ground of what is now Perry Township, was taken from the Goodrich farm by a gentleman called Curtis, living in Mercer, who, it is said, as early as 1825, made a small opening, from which he extracted enough to supply his own demand. Others followed his example, and, in a brief time, nearly every inhabitant had secured enough local fuel for his home uses. The coal thus taken from the ground became, in later years, a staple of trade, being sold at one time for the small sum of one cent per bushel. The later developments of the interest are too well known to need recital. Of the blasting industry it may be said that it was at one time by far the most important of any in the township. There were once two furnaces; the first one, called "Harry of the West," was built about 1838, by J. G. Butler, and was situated near the line dividing Perry and Otter Creek Townships. Blasting operations were begun in 1839. The old method of charcoal was in vogue, and with this the furnace was conducted with reasonable success until 1845. But owing to a lack of capital, and a general falling off in the iron trade, Butler at last became bankrupt, and his enterprise passed into the hands of William Powers, a resident of Crawford County. But Powers, it appears, was as unsuccessful as Butler had been. For, in 1850, the furnace entered the possession of the firm of Irwin & Co. ' By this firm the establishment was conducted for over five years. During this period extensive operations were at times carried on. But a singular fatality seemed connected with the concern, for at the expiration of the period the sheriff made an appearance upon the scene, and threw a damper upon the business, from which it never recovered; and the buildings, after standing idle for a series of years, at last decayed and fell to earth.

569

HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY.

The second enterprise was started in 1847, on the same vein of ore, by Ward & Russell, a firm living at Niles, Ohio. The location of its furnace was a short distance south of its predecessor. While under the operation of this firm, who used it as an auxiliary to their Buckeye Rolling Mill, a severe acci- dent occurred. This was the burning of the buildings with two workmen inside. Both perished in the flames, one being resolved to cinders before taken out. A second time the furnace was started, but the business did not meet expectations, and after a ten years' existence, the "Mineral Ridge" furnace was permitted to perish.

In connection with the mining enterprises of the township it will doubt- less be interesting to state that the site of the famous lead mine, which excited uch a curiosity in the minds of the early settlers, was alleged to be in this vicinity. The tradition claims that in primitive times the Indians, of whom there were a considerable number yet remaining in the region, frequent- ly appeared before the white new-comers with masses of pure lead, which they endeavored to exchange for whisky. They asserted, and it was generally believed, that they secured this metal in a hidden mine near by, which the whites did not know how to find. These statements gradually aroused much curiosity on the part of the settlers, and many attempts were made to pene- trate the secret of the hidden store. No one was ever successful in this quest, however, and the Indians were wont to make the contemptuous remark, in explanation of the failure: "White man no find it; white man always look up, Injun look down." Donation lot 915 is said to have been fixed upon as the particular locality. But donation lot 915 has never, up to the present moment, yielded up its secret.

The third industry, and by no means the least, is the steam saw-mill busi- ness. The first mill of any consequence was erected in 1860, the proprietors being Amos Rulman and Henry Osbell. The former's farm furnished the site. This mill did a flourishing business for a number of years. Twelve years later a similar mill was built in the township by Lyman Hunt. In the south- ern part of the township the English & Co. stave factory was built in 1874, upon land occupied by George Baggs. It conducted an extensive business.

Villages. - There are two considerable villages in the township. Clark's Station, in the eastern part, on the Lake Shore branch, was once denominated Clark's Mills. There had in early days been several mills in the vicinity, which gave the name. Giles Clark, from whom the place was named, erected one in 1838, and a later one, in 1852, under the firm name of Giles Clark & Son. There were two systems of machinery in use, one for grist, and the other for sawing purposes. A stave-mill was also located in the village. This was erected in August, 1872, by L. T. Hunt. This was an important factor in the maintenance of the town, inasmuch as it at one time gave employment to upward of twenty-five of the inhabitants. A post-office was opened Jan- uary 16, 1871. In the list of postmasters, printed elsewhere, the different officials in charge at various times will be given.

Hadley, the second village, lies on the same railroad, and is located three miles northwest of Clark's Station. It, like the latter, is entered by the Little Neshannock, at this place a beautiful, clear, well-flowing stream. The territory on which the town is located was originally owned by Andrew Pat- terson, afterward by James Ward, and at the time of the town's christening by David Hadley. The post-office was established in 1868. A list of its incumbents is given elsewhere. The town was laid out in 1871, by Joseph McClure, under the direction of Mr. Hadley. The hotel was built in the summer of 1871, by B. C. Roberts. In 1874 the present station was erected

570

HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY.

at a cost of $7,000. A barrel factory was opened in 1868, by Edmund Bell, of Youngstown, Ohio. It gave employment at one time to ten men.

Churches .- Hadley Presbyterian Church was organized May 11, 1875, by Rev. B. M. Kerr, Rev. S. J. M. Eaton, D. D., and Rev. David Waggoner. The original members were J. W. Beatty, Mrs. J. W. Beatty, William Hadley, Mrs. William Hadley, R. B. Hadley, Mrs. R. B. Hadley, John Patterson, Mrs. John Patterson, D. C. Hadley, Mrs. D. C. Hadley, John Cleland, Mrs. John Cleland, Lizzie Cleland, Allen Morrison, Mrs. Allen Mor- rison, Maggie Morrison, Sadie Morrison, R. E. Roberts, Mrs. R. E. Roberts, Stephen Feathers, Wilson Beatty, Ann Mills, Mrs. Frank Mellon, P. C. Clark, Thomas Dilly, Mrs. Thomas Dilly, Sarah Dilly, Eva Dilly, Zenas McClure, Mrs. Zenas McClure, Maggie Vaughn, Daniel Adams, Mrs. Daniel Adams and David Hadley. The present structure, a convenient frame building, well adapted for religious purposes, was dedicated March 10, 1876. Its cost was $4,150. The congregation at present numbers 121 members. The annual expenses of the church are estimated at $700.

The Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in 1882, by Rev. J. B. Espy. Among the original members are found the names of David S. Goodrich, James D. Kelso, John Mizner, Joshua Gilger, John Cole, Richard Foalk and others. The house of worship was built in 1883, and dedicated March 26, 1884, by Rev. David Latshaw. Its cost was $3,000. The first pastor was Rev. J. H. Vance. Following him came Rev. J. M. Foster, Rev. W. S. Shepard and Rev. C. C. Hunt. The congregation at present numbers about fifty members, and is in a very fair condition, both spiritually and temporally.

PINE TOWNSHIP.

The old township of Wolf Creek was divided February 17, 1851, into three parts, the two lower portions being called Pine and Liberty, respectively, and the upper retaining the original name. Pine Township, therefore, lies between Wolf Creek and Liberty, and may be said to be in the extreme southeastern corner of the county. The honor of naming the new division fell chiefly to Mrs. Cunningham, who gave it its present title because of a small bunch of pine trees which crowned the hill just west of Grove City.

The surface of the township is considerably diversified. In places it is undulating in gentle rises and falls. Again it is quite broken, and marked in rough outline by hills which rise abruptly. There are yet other localities quite level. From an agricultural point of view, the township is considered as being one of the best in the county. Fruits, grains and vegetables of various kinds are raised in profusion, and the soil is very fertile, particularly along the banks of Wolf Creek, which flows in a nearly direct north and south course through the entire territory. Forests are also quite dense in places, and pine, hem- lock and the deciduous trees flourish in great variety of size and shape. But it is chiefly in the mineral and coal measures that the wealth of the township consists. Probably no part of the county contains better coal lands. Salt is

also found at the well located on J. C. Shaw's farm. Mingled with this is a large amount of bromine, the preparation of which into the marketable drug may in the near future add another to the list of the township's industries. In point of drainage Pine is unexcelled. Wolf Creek, as mentioned, flows the whole length of the township. From it shoot out numerous small tributaries, which wind in sinuous course through nearly every farm in the entire region, thus forming, with the parent stream, an unexcelled system for the carrying off of surplus rain-fall. Good building stone is quarried in places. It is of

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Mercer County, Pennsylvania : its past and present, Part 73

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