USA > Pennsylvania > Venango County > History of Venango County, Pennsylvania : its past and present, including > Part 53
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Local industries include also the Emlenton Planing Mills, U. Sloan, pro- prietor, established by Sloan, Camp & Allebach, in 1866; several carriage shops, the local blacksmith shops, etc.
The Emlenton Water Company was organized May 14, 1877, under a charter granted February 5, 1874. The first officers were as follows: Pres- ident, J. J. Gosser; secretary, D. D. Moriarty; treasurer, J. M. Mitchell.
The Bank of Emlenton was organized August 3, 1873. The first direct- ors and stockholders were James Bennett, Marcus Hulings, H. E. Bradley, R. W. Porterfield, J. W. Rowland, R. C. Cochran, and C. H. Van Schaick. In the selection of officers the following gentlemen were chosen: President, James Bennett; vice-president, Marcus Hulings, and J. W. Rowland, cashier. James Bennett, president; J. M. Dickey, vice-president; J. W. Rowland, cashier; E. E. Sloan, assistant cashier; F. J. Rowland, teller, and H. W. Rowland, book-keeper, constitute the present corps of officers and as- sistants. The institution organized under the state laws with a nominal capital of one hundred thousand dollars, of which ten per cent. was at once paid in. This has since been increased to twenty-five thousand dollars, while a surplus of fifteen thousand dollars has accumulated.
THE BOROUGH ORGANIZATION.
The borough was incorporated by decree of the court of quarter ses- sions January 27, 1859. The first election resulted in the choice of Henry Allebach as burgess, Joseph Weller, R. Colbert, A. B. Crawford, Elias Widle, and Ebenezer Crawford as members of council. All the records were destroyed by fire on the night of October 31, 1873, and it is impossible to ascertain who were officers during the intervening period; since that date the succession is as follows:
Burgess .- 1873, S. Lowell; 1874, W. D. Crawford; 1875-76, August Schmuck; 1877, William "Lusk; 1878, J. Brenner; 1879, H. E. Bradley; 1880, J. K. Kuhn; 1881-84, A. M. Comstock; 1885-87, J. A. Crawford; 1888, B. F. Gault.
Council .- 1873, J. J. Rupert, A. D. Gates, J. H. Camp, C. C. Middle- ton, B. F. Hamilton.
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HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
1874 .- H. E. Bradley, G. W. Livingston, J. M. Wick, David Houser, J. K. Kuhns, Ebenezer Crawford.
1875 .- C. H. Van Schaick, Joseph Weller, Emanuel Widle, Sebastian Kreis, H. E. Bradley, S. H. Crawford.
1876 .- C. H. Van Schaick, Elizur Strong, Joseph Flynn, Joseph Wel- ler, H. E. Bradley, D. D. Moriarty.
1877 .- H. C. Bradley, J. J. Gosser, Peter Curry, H. E. Bradley, S. J. Sternberg. .
1878 .- J. M. Mitchell, John Curry, T. J. Jamison, A. H. Crawford, Jr., C. Lewalter, S. Kreis.
1879 .- J. M. Mitchell, S. H. Crawford, C. Lewalter, T. J. Jamison, Peter Curry, S. Kreis.
1880 .- J. H. Heasley, J. A. Crawford, J. B. Engle, J. A. Boozel, J. W. Shoemaker, A. J. Halderman.
1881 .- Thomas Flynn, J. W. Shoemaker, J. A. Boozel, J. H. Heasley, J. R. Donnelly, H. L. Gearing.
1882. - J. R. Donnelly, J. M. Truby, Peter Curry, Thomas Taylor, J. H. Anchors, Frederick Roschey.
1883 .- J. M. Mitchell, J. M. Martin, J. R. Donnelly, Peter Curry, J. M. Truby, August Schmuck.
1884. - J. A. Crawford, A. J. Halderman, J. M. Mitchell, Joseph Flynn, H. E. Bradley, John McCombs.
1885 .- (Since this date, instead of electing the entire body every year, two members are elected for a period of three years, unless a vacancy should occur, when more than that number may be elected. ) C. Lewalter, A. H. Crawford.
1886 .- G. W. King, U. Sloan, Joseph Flynn.
1887 .- J. M. Martin, H. E. Bradley.
1888 .- James Bennett, C. S. Kerr, C. C. Cooper.
1889 .- A. R. Newton, James Bennett.
The municipal building was erected in 1878. The contract was awarded George Perryer, and the committee of council in charge was composed of Peter Curry, S. J. Sternberg, and John Mitchell. The third story was built by Joseph Weller and reverted to the borough in 1884.
SECRET AND OTHER SOCIETIES.
Emlenton Lodge, No. 644, I. O. O. F., was instituted October 17, 1868, with fourteen members, of whom the following were officers: James Fowl- er, N. G .; James Colgin, V. G .; B. F. Hamilton; secretary.
Emlenton Encampment, No. 203, I. O. O. F., was instituted March 4, 1871. The first officers were O. C. Redic, C. P .; J. J. Gosser, J. W .; Peter King, I. S .; G. G. Crawford, H. P .; F. F. Sand, S .; Joseph G. Smith, O. S .; J. A. Boozel, S. W .; William D. Crawford, T. In 1872 Colonel O.
Leslie Sloan
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BOROUGH OF EMLENTON.
C. Redic deeded to B. F. Camp, Peter King, and Ebenezer Crawford, trust- ees, the hall in which these bodies meet; it is one of the most commodious in this part of the state.
Emlenton Lodge, No. 11, A. O. U. W., was instituted January 12, 1872, with the following officers: W. D. Crawford, P. M. W .; Charles Babst, M. W .; John A. Barnard, A. F .; L. E. Mallory, O .; G. R. Eichbaum, R .; Joseph Hamilton, F .; J. T. Jamison, R .; W. E. Jolly, G. ; J. K. Zink, I. W .; J. M. Wick, O. W.
The Hulings Hose Company effected a permanent organization Septem- ber 19. 1877, with D. D. Moriarty, president; Jake Mitchell, vice-president; Thomas Johnston, secretary; J. W. Rowland, treasurer, and W. J. Arters, foreman.
Allegheny Valley Lodge, No. 552, F. & A. M., was instituted December 18, 1877, with J. A. Patton, W. M .; A. M. Comstock, S. W .; James S. Young, J. W .; W. J. McConnell, S .; John McCombs, T .; J. M. Mitchell, James Bennett, J. C. Porterfield, J. W. Rowland, E. F. Farman, Robert Teitsworth, H. E. Bradley, Silas Porterfield, N. E. Libby, D. C. Hall, and C. H. Van Schaick were also charter members.
Americus Council, No. 34, Royal Templars of Temperance, was insti- tuted September 8, 1880, with twenty-four members, of whom the officers were M. Miller, S. C .; Eben Crawford, V. C .; John A. Boozel, P. C .; R. W. Porterfield, chaplain; S. Morrison, secretary; M. C. Treat, treasurer.
Lucretia Union, No. 426, Equitable Aid Union, was instituted March 27, 1882, with J. M. Truby, chancellor; J. T. Jamison, advocate; E. Good- rich, president; Nancy Bennett, vice president; S. H. Morrow, secretary; Levi Allebach, treasurer.
Colonel Chapman Biddle Post, No. 248, G. A. R., was mustered May 23, 1882, by Colonel William Rickards. The organization occurred in the hall of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and embraced the following comrades as members and officers: Merrick Davidson, commander; J. T. Jamison, S. V. C .; Uriah Sloan, J. V. C .; Andrew Krear, adjutant; F. M. King, officer of the day; J. R. Donnelly, Q. M .; C. W. Shaner, chaplain; John Yingling, Thomas Taylor, Samuel Rhodabarger, J. W. Shoemaker, J. N. Sloan, J. W. Smith, J. B. Shaner, H. K. Stevens, J. T. Hanould, J. W. Blair, J. E. Williams, Joseph Baish, D. D. Moriarty, A. Rhodabarger, A. R. Huston.
Woman's Relief Corps, No. 57, auxiliary to Colonel Chapman Biddle post, was organized August 28, 1886, with Mrs. Leah E. Baish, president; Mrs. Margaret Stevenson, secretary; Mrs. C. H. Shoemaker, S. V. P .; Mrs. Cynthia J. Moriarty, treasurer; Mrs. Sarah Sloan, chaplain.
Emlenton Assembly, No. 10475, K. of L., was organized July 23, 1887.
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522
HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
SCHOOLS.
The educational history of Emlenton begins with the year 1839, when Mrs. Lavilla Lowrie taught the children of her neighbors to the number of seven or eight in a room of her house, already referred to as the resi- dence of Andrew McCaslin. She was reared near Tidioute, and was in del- icate health. The second teacher was Miss Sarah Perry, and the third was Miss Leanna Milford, from Scrubgrass township, where she still survives. She taught in a small house on the bank of the river in front of the Valley hotel, and is remembered as an excellent teacher. There is a difference of opinion as to the time when the first school house was built, one authority giving 1845 as the date and another 1849. It was a small frame building, and occupied the same site as the present public school; the ground was given for the purpose by Joseph B. Fox. This was also used as a town hall and a place of worship. Nearly all the religious bodies of the town were organized here. The second school building, also a frame structure, is still standing. In 1873 a substantial and commodious brick building was erected. Daniel Brenneman was principal in 1873; G. A. Walker, 1874-87; H. J. Rose, 1888-89.
For some years the town enjoyed the advantages of an academic insti- tution, Tableau Seminary, founded and conducted by Reverend J. B. Fox. He erected the large brick building above Shippenville street, but with the improvement in the public schools, the seminary was discontinued.
CHURCHES.
The Presbyterian Church was organized January 13, 1858, with the fol- lowing members: Alexander Crawford, Mary Crawford, Mary S. Junkin, Mrs. Louisa Widle, Robert Colbert, Mrs. Ellen J. Russell, Mrs. Lucy Truby, B. F. Junkin, John F. Agnew, James M. Agnew, Mrs. Julia P. Agnew, Mrs. Susan M. Agnew, Benjamin Junkin, Mrs. Ann M. Junkin, J. F. Agnew, Dor- cas Porterfield, Hannah J. Wilson, John Camp, Mrs. Nancy L. Camp, Jane Ohort, Ann Ohort, of whom Alexander B. Crawford and Benjamin Junkin were elected ruling elders. Prior to the organization the membership was con- nected with Richland church, seven miles distant. A memorial from thirty- two residents of Emlenton and vicinity, asking leave to organize as a church, had been presented to Clarion Presbytery September 29, 1857, but not favorably considered. Fifty persons thereupon united in a second memorial, which was submitted to a pro re nata meeting of presbytery at Callensburg December 9, 1857, when Reverends D. McCoy and James Montgomery, with Elders J. B. Lawson and Samuel Keifer were appointed to effect the organization. The church received supplies from presbytery for a number of years, and among them were Reverends Colledge, Mitchell, Travis, Coul- ter, and Mateer. Reverend John McKean was stated supply, 1860-63. Reverend M. M. Shirley, the first pastor, took charge in 1864 and remained
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BOROUGH OF EMLENTON.
three years. Reverend Andrew Virtue was installed June 9,1868, and resigned in 1872. Reverend Josiah McPherrin supplied the pulpit for the first time November 3, 1872; he was installed May 12, 1873, and continued in charge until 1884. The present incumbent, Reverend Boyd F. Williams, was installed June 22, 1886, having served as supply one year previous to that date. The first place of worship was the old town hall. A frame church edifice, still standing on Water street, was erected in 1859 and dedicated January 13, 1860. The opening of the railroad having deprived this loca- tion of its former eligibility, the present site was secured and the brick structure erected thereon in 1874. It was dedicated August 27, 1875.
The Methodist Episcopal Church is successor to an organization effected many years since at a school house the distance of a mile and a half from Emlenton. The class in the borough was organized in the autumn of 1860 under the stewardship of Reverend R. Beatty of the Erie Conference. This occurred in the old town hall. Among the first members were Peter King, Robert Teitsworth, William Hunter, John Hunter, Mrs. J. S. Bennett, Mrs. J. C. Boyce, Samuel Livingston, and Joseph G. Smith. The first leader of this class was John Boney. At first this was a preaching point on Ship- penville circuit, and afterward on Rockland circuit. The first resident pas- tor was Reverend Fay, in 1872, since which date Foxburg, Big Bend, and Register have successively been connected with this church in forming a charge. Mr. Fay has been succeeded by Reverends G. W. Moore, - Lyon, H. G. Hall, P. J. Slattery, William Branfield, and O. G. McIntyre. The congregation worshiped in the old town hall a number of years. The present frame church building at the corner of Fourth and Hill streets was erected in 1872. The parsonage occupies an adjoining lot. The trustees at the time the church was built were John Boney, Chauncey Hamilton, Joseph G. Smith, Peter King, and W. R. Karnes.
St. John's Reformed Church originated as a mission in connection with the St. Petersburg charge, and was organized as such by Reverend Shoe- maker. In 1869, in partnership with the Lutherans, the brick church building on Main street was erected. It was jointly occupied until 1885, the Reformed congregation having secured the interest of the Lutherans the previous year. This building was remodeled in 1885, among the added features being memorial windows to Joseph Weller and Stephen Lowell, respectively, the first elders, who served in that capacity until their death. The present consistory is composed of Calvin French, elder, and Fred- erick Roschy, deacon. Beside Reverend Shoemaker, Reverends Liver- man, Wolf, Biem, and Shellenberger may also be mentioned as early preachers. Since 1882 this church has constituted a charge in connec- tion with Salem, Clarion county, and as such has shared the ministerial labors of Reverends Robert Bolling and J. F. Mackley, of whom the latter resigned in November, 1888.
524
HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church was organized June 30, 1869. The first members were Henry Allebach, John Whittling, wife and daughter Christina, Mrs. Stephen Lowell, Marietta Lowell, Matthias Gilbert and wife, and Mrs. Thomas Taylor, of whom Henry Allebach was elected elder and John Whittling deacon. The first services were held in the old town hall. In 1869 this church, with the Reformed congregation, built the brick church edifice on Main street jointly occupied until 1885. At a congrega- tional meeting January 7, 1884, it was decided to dispose of their interest June 30th following, when the partnership expired. A church building was begun in 1885 and dedicated January 3, 1886, by Reverend W. A. Passavant, D. D., of Pittsburgh. It is a frame structure of attractive ap- pearance, and the most recent addition to the churches of the town. Rev- erend J. B. Fox, by whom the organization was affected, continued as pastor until May, 1888. Reverend W. F. Bacher assumed charge in June, 1889. The present council is constituted as follows: Elders, J. K. Kuhns and Thomas Taylor; deacons, H. L. Gearing and William Stubble.
St. Michael's Catholic Church was organized as a parish in 1871 by Reverend Patrick J. Smith. There had been several Catholic families in the town from its beginning, among whom were Judge John Keating, Henry Gormley, T. A. Moran, and T. J. Moran, and they were visited by the pastors of adjoining parishes, particularly Reverend John Koch, of Clarion, one of the pioneers of his church in this part of the state. The first steps toward building a church were taken in 1867 when Michael McCullough, Jr., of Pittsburgh, donated three acres of ground, and also a small additional tract for burial purposes. This has since been enlarged to the proportions of a small cemetery through the liberality of the heirs of John Keating. Right Reverend Tobias Mullen, bishop of the Diocese of Erie, laid the corner stone of the church, a frame structure, in the autumn of 1870, and officiated at its dedication the following year. A parochia residence was added in 1872. Father Smith was pastor until his death, August 2, 1888. Born in County Cavan, Ireland, October 10, 1841, he came to the United States in 1862, and after completing a theological course at St. Bonaven- ture's College, Allegany, New York, he was ordained October 10, 1869. For a time he assisted Father Koch of Clarion, and Father Coady of Oil City, and in 1871 became pastor of St. Michael's. His funeral took place August 7, 1888, and was attended by Bishop Mullen and a large number of clergymen. It was an event of unusual solemnity, a solemn requiem mass being celebrated for the beloved pastor. Since the death of Father Smith, Reverend Hugh Mullen, of East Brady, has had charge of St. Michael's parish. He has recently removed to Emlenton, but still remains the pastor of both congregations.
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IRWIN TOWNSHIP.
CHAPTER XXV.
IRWIN TOWNSHIP.
ERECTION AND POPULATION - PIONEERS - TAVERNS - MILLS - VILLAGES - SCHOOLS-CEMETERY-CHURCHES.
I RWIN township is older than Venango county. While that part of the latter west and north of the Allegheny river was included in Allegheny county, it was called Irwin township. October 6, 1800, the court of quarter sessions of Crawford county erected three townships from this same terri- tory, of which Irwin received all that part south of French creek and west of the Allegheny river. At March sessions, 1806, a commission appointed by the court of quarter sessions of Venango county to divide the county into townships formed Irwin with its present northern boundary. The erec- tion of Clinton in 1855 reduced this township, originally embracing the ter- ritory now included in the sixteen townships north and west of the Alleg- heny river, to its present limits.
It is the southwest subdivision of the county, and corners on the coun- ties of Mercer and Butler. The population in 1870 was one thousand four hundred and eighty-nine, and in 1880, one thousand five hundred and eighty-four.
Irwin is one of the best agricultural districts in the county. The sur- face is undulating and its soil fertile and productive. The drainage is af- forded by the headwaters of Scrubgrass creek and its tributaries. Grain and other products are grown in abundance, and the crops are nearly al- ways satisfactory. Rich deposits of coal underlie the surface, but as yet are in an undeveloped state.
PIONEERS.
The history of the early settlement of what is now Irwin township is very much shrouded in obscurity. Adam Dinsmore, a native of Ireland, settled upon land now in possession of C. C. Hoffman in 1796, and Henry Crull located upon the farm where Hezekiah Mays now resides in the same year. Later on he kept a place of entertainment.
In 1797 Isaac McMurdy and his son George, of Huntingdon county, Penn- sylvania, settled a tract of land on the line of Butler and Venango counties, the larger portion of the land lying in Venango. They cleared a small
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HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
patch, planted it with potatoes, and then returned to their home, and in the fall they again came out, dug the crop, and planted it with wheat. In the spring of 1798 Isaac brought out his family and made a permanent settle. ment.
In 1797 Richard Monjar, a native of Maryland, settled upon the land now in possession of his son, Surrena. His tract consisted of four hundred acres. He made the first clearing and built his log house upon the land now belonging to James Farron. He was a shoemaker by trade and the first one to settle in Irwin township. He married Elizabeth Ghost; their children were Mary, Francis, Christina, Sarah, Barbara, George K., Samuel B., Surrena, and Philip G. He died about 1832, his wife surviving him until 1867.
Thomas Bullion was also one of the early settlers. Nothing definite is known as to his place of nativity though he came here from Maryland. His first entry into the township, from best accounts, was made in 1797-98. His settlement was upon the land where Walter Hoffman now lives and late in life he married Nancy Kelso. He built and operated for a number of years a small distillery upon his farm. It is related by some of those now living that he was "owl-eyed " and could hardly distinguish anything during day- light, but that his sight was so keen at night that he could see distinctly the smallest objects. He left no descendants and at his death his property passed into the hands of a nephew, James Kelso. The great Bullion oil district, a postoffice, a school, and a small run perpetuate his name.
In 1798 William Davidson arrived. He came from Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, and secured a four hundred acre tract. He was of Irish ex- traction and a native of Huntingdon county. The homestead is now in possession of his grandson, Isaiah McDowell. He married Jane McCono- hue, a native of the same county. Mr. Davidson and one son, Patrick, were members of Captain Hugh McManigal's company that went to the defense of Erie in 1813. William Davidson was one of the original members of Amity Presbyterian church and an elder for many years. He was also one of the early constables and while serving a warrant of arrest upon a man by the name of Scott, the latter shot and killed him. The names of William and Jane Davidson's children were Patrick, Mrs. Jane Waldron, Mrs. Martha Smith, David, Mrs. Elizabeth McDowell, John, Mrs. Polly MeQuis- ton, William, and Mrs. Margaret Sterritt, all of whom are dead, excepting Mrs. Sterritt, who resides in Butler county. Mr. Davidson was the grand- father of thirty-four children, who are scattered over eight states of the Union, and none of his name are left in the township.
Jonathan Morris, a native of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, settled on the land where Homer Sutton now lives. He came about the same time as Davidson. His family were John, William, James, Betsey, Rachel, Pattie (who married Washington Eakin), Reuben, and Jane (who married Milo Wel-
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IRWIN TOWNSHIP.
ton). Besides Jonathan Morris the Ross and Wanders families came about this time.
In 1799 Adam Dinsmore induced William and Hugh McManigal, John Crain, and David Martin to locate in Irwin township. They were natives of Ireland and had first settled in Mifflin county, Pennsylvania. Hugh Mc Manigal located upon the land now in possession of the Stewart family. He had command of a company from this county at Erie in 1813. His brother William settled on the land now owned by Henry Latchaw. They owned at one time some eight hundred acres. John Crain settled upon the land now in possession of the descendants of John J. Kilgore. David Martin settled the land where his grandson Joseph Martin now lives. He took up a four hundred acre tract and of his three companions only his descendants are left to represent these early pioneers in the township.
David Martin was a weaver by trade, and in his log cabin he spun many yards of cloth for the early settlers and their families. He married Nancy Ramsey in Ireland before his migration. His family consisted of eight children: John; James; Polly married George McMurdy; Nancy married John Sheilds; Jane married William Sheilds; Betsey married Oliver Wal- dron; Rosie became the wife of Joseph Osborne, and Pattie married James Mitchell. The parents died on the old homestead.
Edward McFadden, a native of Ireland, who first settled in Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, came to Irwin township a short time. prior to 1800. He located upon the land now belonging to the descendants of Major John Phipps. His children were William, John, Michael, Charles, Sarah, and Mary.
The year 1800 witnessed the settlement of William Adams, followed in 1802 by Robert Jones, Moses Bonner, and Robert Burns, and in 1803 by John Bullion, a brother of Thomas Bullion. None of the descendants of these families are now in the township, excepting those of William Adams.
The year 1805 marked the arrival of William Baker, of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, whose descendants now reside in the township, and in the biographical department of this work will be found a full sketch of the family. The same year brought William Robinson, who settled the land that passed into the hands of Henry Stevenson, who sold it to John Ayers.
It is related that a Mormon preacher named Snow came to Irwin town- ship in 1837, and among his converts were Henry Stevenson and several. daughters and a man by the name of David McKee. These two and their families were taken to Salt Lake City by Snow.
Joseph Allen made his settlement in 1813, coming from Penn's valley, Centre county, Pennsylvania, and from him have descended the Allens of Irwin township.
John J. Kilgore came in 1815. He purchased two four hundred acre
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HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.
tracts, one of which he traded for a horse. His father settled in Mercer county, Pennsylvania, in 1800, and was one of a family of twenty, nineteen sons and one daughter, children of a minister of Cumberland county, Penn . sylvania, whose family settled there prior to the Revolutionary war. It is related by the elder Kilgore that his father used to say that he had nine- teen sons and one daughter, but each of his boys had one sister. In June, 1817, bwing no doubt to a scarcity of the necessaries of life, for at this period Irwin township was but a wilderness, John J. Kilgore with two com- panions went to Franklin, hired a canoe, and paddled down the river to Pittsburgh, where they bought a load of provisions and returned, pushing the canoe up the stream with poles, and making the trip in ten days. Dur- ing that time they slept but one night under a roof. For a full sketch of this family the reader is referred to the biographical department. Game was abundant in those days. In 1819 there was a heavy fall of snow, and it is related by Mr. Kilgore's son that his father in company with his hired man killed sixteen deer in one day. In 1830 the tide of emigration set in, the land was rapidly cleared up, and Irwin compares to-day favorably with any township in the county.
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