History of Mercer County, Pennsylvania : its past and present, Part 76

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

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There were three methods by which the general settler could acquire land. One of these was by direct purchase, another by taking out what was called a settler's claim, the provisions of which were that a price of $20 per 100 acres should be paid to the commonwealth, or a two-years' residence on the claim desired to be taken out, with a clearing of at least two acres in every hundred; while the third method, probably not a de jure one, was that of simple squatter occupation. To the soldiers of the Revolution there were open donation lands. The second method was the one most used, although the third, that of squatters and intruders, was by no means left unemployed.

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HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY.

The long litigation, with its vexatious and costly delays necessary to secure an ejectment, often made the latter plan a safe and efficacious one.

Pioneers .- It is to the credit of Sandy Lake Township that its first settler, Patrick McCloskey, resorted to no dishonorable expedient to secure his land, but adopted the method of securing a settler's right. The date of his entrance is variously estimated at 1796, 1797 and 1798, but from the best evidence it ap- pears to have been 1796 or 1797. He was an Irishman, as the name indicates, and one of the founders of All Saints Catholic Church in Jefferson Township. He settled upon the farm afterward known as the Tuttle place. After his arrival he faithfully began a clearing, in accordance with the provisions of the act which enabled him to secure his title, and in a brief time he had erected a cabin, and set out a very respectable orchard. McCloskey took an active part in the early official business of the township. In the course of a few years, as other arrivals became common, McCloskey decided to sell some of his land. He accordingly disposed of 150 acres to Jared Tuttle in 1812, the consideration being, it is said, $3.50 per acre.

The year 1800 witnessed the arrival of three or four others. Probably the first of these was William Egbert, an old Revolutionary veteran, who entered the township and took up land upon which his descendants still reside. He was of a practical turn of mind, and after the land he had located upon ceased to demand his unremittent attention, he signalized his practicality by opening the first blacksmith shop in the entire community. Contemporary with Egbert was Adam Hill, who secured the right to a tract of land located a short distance south of the borough of Sandy Lake. This he cleared and settled upon. After remaining in his possession many years it is now owned by the Mercer Iron and Coal Company. In the eastern part of the township Robert Fowler entered during the same year, and cleared a tract afterward owned by Hugh Baird. He, too, settled upon his land, and remained a num- ber of years. The farm known in recent times as the Butcher place was settled in the year mentioned by Enos Sanford, a York State Yankee, who, with the ingenuity for which this race is distinguished, had no sooner become comfortably located upon his claim than he began the erection of a saw-mill, the first in the township. It was a water-power concern, as they all were in those days, and the sawing was done by a plain upright saw.

Alexander Brown, a native of Cumberland County, Penn., came to Mercer County about 1800, settling at the "falls" of Big Sandy Creek, in what is now Sandy Lake Township, where he built the second mill in the township. He soon removed to Mercer to educate his children, and being a surveyor assisted in the survey of a portion of the county. For a time he engaged in mercantile business with Bevan Pearson. He is said to have been one of the earliest men to engage in wool carding in this part of the State. He reared a large family, and has descendants still living in the county. His death occurred in 1839.

Three years now elapsed, during which time no trace of any important entrance has been discovered. But in 1804 the Giebner farm was entered upon and occupied by Charles A. Giebner, who, with his wife and seven children, came from Westmoreland County. Their journey was conducted on horseback, the children being placed in sacks, one in each end, which were then thrown across the horses' backs. The old fashioned pack saddles were then in vogue, and were used to their fullest capacity in conveying the goods and provisions of the family. In the same year came Allen Dunn, since prominent in church and political circles of the county. He located a short distance north of the borough of Sandy Lake, where he cleared a tract of land and prepared it for human habitation. Others entered in the years that

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HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY.

followed, of whom some of the most prominent only will be noticed. One of the purchasers from McCloskey was Levi Higbee, who came to the township with his wife and son in February, 1817. His land comprised 250 acres, of which about six acres were in fair cultivation. A cabin was also standing on the place. Contemporary with Higbee were Jason Barker and Samuel Buckley, who secured pleasantly situated farms, and devoted the remaining years of their lives to cultivating them.

In 1823 a clearing was made by William North, on the farm purchased in 1828 by Francis Mears, an Englishman from Staffordshire. When the latter occupied the place he erected a cabin, and was forced to clear the land a second time, vast patches of underbrush having grown up since North had finished his labors.

One of the latest, but by no means one of the least important arrivals was that of Job Perrine, who entered the township in 1832, locating on the farm which he occupied for so many years. The Perrines had come to the county as early as 1800, and settled in Worth Township. In the year following Job's advent, his three brothers, William, Lewis and Harrison, followed in his course, and likewise occupied land in the immediate vicinity. In a year or two later W. H. Perrine followed, while in 1847 O. P. Perrine located at what was called Yankeetown.

Of the industrial history of the township little need be said. The com- munity has nearly all been devoted to agricultural pursuits. The occasional attempts made in other directions have been rather spasmodic, and not regu- lar and evenly carried out. Spasmodic efforts in an industrial sense seldom accomplish anything, as has been proven in the present instance. Mention has been made of the Sanford mill. This was the first enterprise of the kind ever attempted in the township. In 1830 it was succeeded by a second saw- mill, similar, indeed, to the first, but larger and better equipped. It was run by an overshot wheel over twenty-four feet in diameter. The wheel had the cob-gearing arrangement, which marked its improvement over the former one. The wollen mill, which is located near by, was erected in 1823 by Joel Sanford. About five years later it passed into the possession of T. C. Sanford, a brother of the previous proprietor, who enlarged it and continued its operation for a number of years. Thomas Butcher purchased the entire plant in 1872. Besides these, there are one or two additional saw and shingle-mills, and also other small manufacturing establishments, of comparatively recent date, which have little interest attaching to them.

The Old Rocky Spring Church of the Associate Presbyterian (or Seceder) denomination, is an object of local interest. It was located by the side of the public road from Sandy Lake to New Lebanon, a mile north of the former town, in a beautiful grove, near a large spring of excellent soft water. When the congregation was first organized is not recorded, or exactly known, The old "Session Book" records the minutes back to July 21, 1811. Then a meeting of session was held at which Rev. John Walker, father-in-law of Rev. George C. Vincent, D. D., of Latrobe, Penn., was moderator. Rev. Walker

was the first pastor. He preached to this people till some time in 1813, when he resigned. At a communion held in the church, September 14, 1811, the session was composed of the following members: Moderator, Rev. J. Walker; ruling elders, John Hamilton, William Patterson, John Montgomery, William Braden, John Todd, John Barnes, Allen Dunn, Thomas McBride, James Braden, David Nelson and Joseph Work. The congregation then extended over a large portion of "the region round about " now occupied by other congregations of a like religious faith. Elder Allen Dunn was

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HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY,

afterward sheriff of Mercer County, and filled other important local offices. His son, Francis Dunn, was for a long time an elder in the church and clerk of its session, and his grandson, Rev. William C. Dunn, son of Francis Dunn, has for many years been the successful pastor of the large United Presbyterian congregation of Scroggsfield, Ohio. At the communion held at Rocky Springs September, 14, 1811, twenty-two new members were added to the congre- gation, mostly heads of households. It was without a pastor from 1813 for thirteen years, or to 1826, though supplied with preaching part of the time. At the latter date Rev. I. Beggs, a man of much ability and "mighty in the scriptures" became pastor. How long he occupied this position is not recorded. Rev. Edward Small was installed pastor in 1839, who preached part of his time at Springfield and Mineral Ridge, Mercer County. He was distinguished for his zeal in the temperance and anti slavery controversies which then were occupying much attention, Rev. Small continued a faithful pastor for twenty- two years, or till April 3, 1861, when he resigned his charge, consisting then of the Rocky Spring and Springfield congregations.

At the consummation of the union between the Associate Presbyterian and Associate Reformed Presbyterian Churches, in Pittsburgh, May 26, 1858, forming the United Presbyterian Church, Rocky Spring congrega- tion went unanimously into the new organization, what before was known as the Rocky Spring Associate, thus becoming the United Presbyterian Church of Sandy Lake. Rev. Small continued to live in Mercer, where he had his home during his long and useful ministry, till his death in January, 1888. His successor, Rev. John A. Bailey, now pastor of the United Presbyterian Church of Sharon, Penn., was installed pastor of Rocky Spring or Sandy Lake United Presbyterian Church in May, 1863. During that year quite a number withdrew from the church on account of its testimony against slavery. Rev. L. I. Crawford was installed pastor of the church at Sandy Lake, in connection with Utica and North Sandy, July 1, 1870. Under his ministry it numbered near 100 members. He resigned his pastorate August 12, 1879. Rev. J. C. Heron was called to the pastorate in 1884, and continues to preach half time to his old congregation, that since 1869 has had its place of worship in the village of Sandy Lake. In the summer of 1871 the old frame (40x50 feet) church, near the big spring and the old Rocky Spring graveyard, was sold and taken down. All the old members living at the time of organization are dead, but their influence for good is still widely felt in the community.

The present session consists of the following members: Moderator, Rev. J. C. Heron; ruling elders, Archibald McBride, Harvey Vogan, William Beggs and Samuel George. The present membership of the congregation, after a life of more than seventy-seven years, during which the congregations of New Vernon, Utica and North Sandy were organized within its old borders, is between fifty and sixty. A weekly prayer meeting and Sabbath-school are maintained, and the congregation enjoys the preaching of the gospel each alternate Sunday.

In another chapter will be found a list of the officers of the township, from its organization down to 1831. It will include many names familiar to the people to-day, by reason of the fact that the descendants of the early office holders have in many instances themselves succeeded to the emoluments and honors of public service.

SHENANGO TOWNSHIP.

The territory comprised under the above title was erected into a township in 1805. It has been subsequently diminished but once, by the formation out

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HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY.

of it on the north of Hickory Township, in 1833. The surface is rolling. Undulations of dark green grass land, like veritable billows of emerald, greet the eye as it glances over the territory in question, and extend away into the distance, fading from view with each successive wave, until all is dim and blurred. The soil is particularly fertile. Indeed, of all the townships in the county, Shenango, by reason of her rich soil and beautiful, placid landscape, is entitled to precedence. There is scarcely a square foot of it which is not finely adapted to agricultural uses. In full proportion to the extreme fertility of the upper layers of soil are the valuable treasures of coal which lie below. Here, as above, nature seems to have poured out her favors with a lavish hand. The coal measures are very numerous, and the coal which is taken therefrom is of a superior quality that renders it popular with both the domestic and outside trade. The drainage is unsurpassed, the historic Shenango flowing through the whole township, and with its tributaries fur- nishing ample means for the speedy transferral of surplus water-fall. The name "Shenango" was derived from the river, which, in turn, received its title from the Indians. The word means "Black Water," and the reference is explained by the statement that in early times, when the Indians were yet in the possession of all the territory now known as Mercer County, the forest trees on the margin of the stream shed their foliage in such abundance as to give the water a muddy tinge upon the decaying of the leaves.

Pioneers. - The first settlers were Samuel Byers and Andrew Wylie. In the spring of 1796 they left their old home at Morgantown, Va., to depart upon an expedition of exploration and discovery, so to speak, in the region lying in what was then generally known as "the northwest." Their purpose was two-fold. They were desirous of becoming familiar with the territory in question, being both of a roving disposition, and they also were in search of land upon which to establish newer and better homes. They took with them an ample equipment of agricultural and hunting implements, together with such other necessaries as were absolutely indispensable to them while on their journey. They passed by way of the Monongahela, in a canoe. Before reaching Pittsburgh, however, they met with the misfortune of having their boat capsized, losing thereby, according to one account, everything but an ax. But they were of too determined a disposition to be deterred by an occur- rence so slight, and leaving the settled regions far in their rear, they pushed forward toward the land upon which they were destined to eventually take up an abode. They followed the course of the Shenango River, and when they had arrived at a point distant about one mile from the present town of Pulaski, Byers determined to halt. He accordingly did so, erected a cabin, staked out a claim, blazed a few trees with the ax which had escaped from the accident on the Monongahela. After thus securing his property from seizure, he resolved to return for his family. He was seconded in this by Wylie, who had also taken up a claim in the manner described. During the same year he returned again to his Shenango Valley home, accompanied by his wife and six children. The following is a graphic and accurate account of their return as given by one of the family: "The entire journey was made by land; Mrs., Byers rode on horseback, with a feather-bed for a saddle, and with one child before and another behind her. Two of the next oldest children were carried upon another horse, with various household goods, while the father and two older sons walked, and drove several cows, a sow and seven pigs. Their progress was necessarily slow. Several young men from Virginia accompanied the family, among whom was Andrew Wylie, who had come out the spring before, and who subsequently settled in Shenango Town-

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HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY.

ship. On rising the next morning after their arrival, a large bear was observed in the top of a tree which shaded the cabin, which had evidently climbed thither for the purpose of reconnoitering, but whose philosophic meditations were brought to a melancholy end by a rifle ball, and the flesh of the monster furnished food for the family. Their cabin would be thought a curiosity at the present day, as it was built of round logs, after the usual man- ner of the times, and had a door of shaved clapboards, split from white oak logs and hung on wooden hinges. Provisions were raised during the first summer to sustain them through the winter, and, with some additions to their store, from the game which abounded, they were supplied until the harvest of 1797. Once or twice in 1796 Byers returned to Virginia, and brought back a supply of groceries and other articles of which they stood in need, and in 1798 six sheep were driven out, and from that date clothing was mainly manu- factured at home. Bells were attached to them during the day, and they were watched by the younger boys while the older members of the family were clearing land, and at night they were enclosed in a log pen ten feet high, to protect them from the wolves, which prowled near the rude dwellings." Great difficulty was had with bears, which were then exceedingly numerous. Byers had a fine breed of hogs, and these animals were in constant danger of destruction by the carniverous bruins. It became necessary to keep a constant guard over them. Upon one occasion, a large sow and her six shoats escaped and wandered too far from the pen. They were set upon by bears, and on the following day, the remains of four of the venturesome porkers were found partly eaten in the adjacent woodland. Byers, however, managed to over- come these difficulties of a pioneer life. He was assisted by several hunters who entered the region soon afterward, and began the work of extermination. In a few years the larger game had all disappeared, and only the smaller sort remained.

The Canons were early settlers. Thomas Canon came into the township as early as 1796 or 1797, locating near the present site of West Middlesex. A sketch of this family is given in the biographical department.

Two years after the Byers party had taken up their residence in the town- ship they were joined by two other new comers. The first of these was William Bell, who came from the region round about Pittsburgh. He settled at length upon the tract afterward occupied by his son Samuel. The land he thus se- cured claim to had been previously issued in a warrant to Philemon Hunt, dated 18th of March, 1794. But Hunt never laid claim to the territory, and Bell became the legal owner by default of any one else arriving to dispute his title. The other new comer was William Clingan, who located on a 400-acre tract afterward occupied by the descendants of Dr. John Mitcheltree -the first practicing physician in the township, who subsequently became the pos- sessor of Clingan's right. Upon this land Clingan built himself a cabin. It is said that he was too poor to afford a team, hence it was out of the question for him to build his dwelling out of large logs, such as were commonly used. He therefore cut a pile of small poles, which he carried on his back to the site of his proposed cabin, and constructed a fairly comfortable sheltering place.

In the list of early settlers mention should be made of Richard Van Fleet, a farmer and weaver, who settled in Shenango Township in 1798. He was born in New Jersey October 21, 1769, and was married August 1, 1801, to Sally Hogue, resulting in the birth of these children: Phebe, William, Eleanor, John, Hannah, Richard H., Sarah, Alexander, Jesse G., Rebecca, David and Eliza. Of these six are yet living, the youngest being about sixty-four. Van Fleet was one of the founders of Hopewell Church at New Bedford, organized in 1799.

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HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY.

George Walker, a native of Ireland, settled in 1798 on the farm where his grandchildren now live. He married Kate Walker, also a native of Ireland, who bore him ten children, all of whom are dead, the last survivor, Samuel, dying on the old homestead in the spring of 1888. Mr. Walker died about 1858, aged 92 years. James Dick, an Irishman, came from the Ligonier Valley in 1799, and settled in the southeast corner of the township.

James, John and Thomas Mitcheltree, natives of Ireland, located in the west part of Shenango Township early in the present century. All married and left descendants except John, who was a pioneer physician and merchant of the township, and died in 1852. The three brothers died in Shenango Town- ship. Rev. Henry Fraser came with his family to Sharon in 1807, and in 1809 settled in Shenango Township, where his son Joel lives. He died in 1853.

Besides those named there were numerous other arrivals, who may justly lay claim to a place among the township's pioneers. Among these were Charles Caldwell, who came in 1803 from Huntingdon County; Robert Stewart, whose entrance dated in 1809; Matthew Porter, one of the first blacksmiths in the county; Nathan Wyatt, whose land lay near the borough of West Middlesex; John Anderson, John Clark, David Clark, William Edeburn, prominent in political circles afterward, and James Clark. James Gilkey was also an early settler, and his name is frequently mentioned on the county court records as an officer of Shenango Township.

There remains little to be said as to the industrial interests of the town- ship. The chief occupation, as mentioned before, is agriculture. There are now no manufacturing establishments worthy of mention. The first grist-mill was erected on the bank of a little stream called Deer Creek, in the year 1804, by Daniel Ault, who came into the valley in 1800, and had been quite famous as a modern Nimrod previous to his embarking in the milling business. His apparatus consisted of two small rough stones, which were placed in motion by motor power, furnished by an undershot wheel. The first saw-mill was erected in 1818 by James Mayers, who was the first man to introduce domestic manu- factured lumber into the community. Both these primitive enterprises served a valuable purpose in their time, and prepared the way in no small degree for the advancement both in industrial and educational circles which has since taken place.

In a list given elsewhere will be found the names of all the early officers of Shenango Township from its formation down to the year 1831. Among these will doubtless be recognized many prominent and worthy ones. The list gives some idea of who were considered of enough standing in the community to be intrusted with the discharge of public duties and invested with public emoluments and honors.

Churches .- Beulah Presbyterian Church was organized in the fall of 1839 in the dwelling house then owned and occupied by James White, by Rev. John Neil and under the auspices of the Associate Reformed Presbytery, and went into the United Presbyterian Church at the time of the union of the Associate and Associate Reformed Presbyterians in 1858. There were five original members: Mr. and Mrs. Carnahan, John Byers and wife and Mrs. McGuffey. The latter only /survives and is the mother of the publishers of McGuffey's series of school books. The first elders were Messrs. Carnahan and Byers. A tent was erected in 1840, which served the purpose of a meet- ing house until 1841, when a building 64x42 feet was constructed, and which was supplanted by the present building in 1883, at a cost of $2,500. In 1860 some trouble arose from the desire of a part of the members to remove to West Middlesex, which ended in a division of the congrega-

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HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY.

tion. The portion concluding to worship in the old building applied to the Reformed Presbyterian synod for spiritual assistance from ministers of their denomination, and in 1862 were admitted into that body with which they have since remained. The following have been elders since the term of Elders Carnahan and Byers: James Oliver, David Allen, William Mitcheltree, James Crawford, John Donnelly, David Anderson, Hugh Bond, James Baird, S. T. Mitcheltree, William Long, A. McNair and George Allen, the last three being the present officials. Rev. Thomas Mehard, a. brother of Rev. Dr. Mehard, of New Wilmington, was pastor, 1841-45; Rev. R. W. Oliver, 1846-53; Rev. John Armstrong, 1856, who went with the division of West Middlesex in 1860. From 1862 to 1879 the congregation was supplied by Revs. Robert McMillen, John Alford and others. In 1879 Rev. G. W. Brownell was called and is still pastor.

The United Brethren Church was organized in 1863, one-half mile east of the borough by Rev. S. Casterline. There were about sixty original members, among whom were J. Eaton, J. Cantior, J. A. Stewart, J. Hutchison, George Fry, A. C. Wise, Thomas Stewart, William Stewart, Anne Gettes, James McFarland and John McFarland. The house of worship, a frame structure 35x40 feet in dimensions, situated at the summit of a fine elevation on the Middlesex and Mercer road, was erected in 1865, at a cost of $1,500, and is a very convenient and commodious edifice. There is connected with the church property a burying ground. The congregation, while at one time quite large, has been reduced in membership by death, removals and disaffection until at the present time it numbers but twelve members. The successive pastors have been: Rev. S. Casterline, three years; Revs. H. F. Day, D. Traver, S. M. Smith, J. Excell, A. Williams and S. Casterline, one year each, in the order named; O. D. Cone, two years; R. Smith, D. Landan and J. W. Clark, one each; O. J. Gage, two years; H. Bedow and J. Andrews, one each; A. C. Wise, two years, and G. C. Dilley, W. Robinson and W. R. Allen, one each. The church is at present without a regular pastor.

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History of Mercer County, Pennsylvania : its past and present, Part 76

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