History of Washington County, Pennsylvania : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 148

Author: Crumrine, Boyd, 1838-1916; Ellis, Franklin, 1828-1885; Hungerford, Austin N
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Philadelphia : H.L. Everts & Co.
Number of Pages: 1216

USA > Pennsylvania > Washington County > History of Washington County, Pennsylvania : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men > Part 148

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This post has been active and instrumental also in organizing kindred associations, and at the muster in of posts at West Newton, Brownsville, Mckeesport, Belle Vernon, Washington, Canonsburg, California, Elizabeth, and Boston its members rendered efficient service. Through its Soldiers' Orphans Committee it has secured the admission of about fifty orphans of sol- diers to the Soldiers' Orphans' School at Uniontown. This has been one of the special works of the post.

It has carried upon its rolls the names of about three hundred members. Those now in good standing num- ber seventy-four., Among the distinguished gentlemen who have pronounced the annual memorial address before its members and their friends may be named Hon. A. G. Curtin, ex-Governor of Pennsylvania; Hon. Daniel Agnew, ex-Chief Justice of Pennsyl- vania; Rev. Dr. G. P. Hays, ex-President Washington and Jefferson College; Gen. James S. Negley, ex- member of Congress from the Allegheny District of Pennsylvania; Hon. J. W. F. White, judge of Court of Common Pleas, Allegheny County, Pa .; Rev. George P. Beard, President Southwestern Normal Col- lege, State of Pennsylvania; and other gentlemen no less distinguished.

In the person of Col. Chill W. Hazzard the post has furnished a representative to the National En- campment for five successive years. Col. Hazzard also served as Commander of the Department of Penn- sylvania during the year 1880. (From data furnished by a committee of the post, composed of Dr. James G. Sloan, John M. Sutman, and H. P. Callow.)

First Presbyterian Church .- The church of which this was regarded as the true lineal descendant was first known as the Horseshoe Bottom Presbyterian Church, and was established three and a half miles from Monongahela City, on the Ridge road leading to Brownsville, on a farm belonging to Simon Wilson. It was a log church, and part of the foundation is still (1882) visible. This church was built about 1785. The Rev. Samuel Ralston, D.D., received a call from this and Mingo Creek congregations in November, 1796, which he accepted. In 1807 the congregation removed to Monongahela City, or Williamsport, as it |

was then called. When this transfer was made there was but one elder, Mr. James Hair. In 1815 it was resolved to build a small brick building, thirty by thirty-five feet. In 1816 the first communion was held in the new church, at which forty-five members sat down at the Lord's Table. In the same month the following elders were ordained: Messrs. James Mc- Grew, Jesse Martin, and Robert McFarland. Mr. Hugh Wilson, elder from Carlisle, was also elected. The first Sabbath-school held in Williamsport was organ- ized by Messrs. Jesse Martin and James Gordon, who reported July, 1823, a hundred scholars. Dr. Ralston continued preaching to this church until 1834, giving it one-third of his time, when, the people desiring more of his time, and the church of Mingo being unwilling to give it, he withdrew and gave all his time to Mingo, having preached at Williamsport and Horseshoe Bot- tom thirty-eight years. At a meeting of the Presby- tery of Ohio, held April 20, 1837, the name of this church was changed to that of the " First Presbyterian Church of Monongahela City." Dr. Ralston was suc- ceeded by Rev. Mr. Nourse, a stated supply, who labored here for six months.

At a congregational meeting July 30, 1835, it was resolved that a new church building should be erected. The building cost about $2100. The dedication ser- mon was preached by Dr. Elliott, of the Western Theological Seminary. Rev. George D. Porter began preaching as stated supply Oct. 15, 1835, two-thirds of his time. Feb. 20, 1836, Mr. Aaron Kerr was in- stalled, and Messrs. Isaac Van Voorhis and James Gordon were ordained elders. Mr. Porter ceased preaching here February, 1838. The Rev. Mr. Cham- bers succeeded him as stated supply, remaining about six months. Oct. 28, 1839, the Rev. John Kerr was invited to take the pastoral charge of the congregation two-thirds of his time. Mr. Kerr was ordained and installed pastor by the Presbytery of Ohio April 22, 1840, and remained until 1862. During his pastorate the church grew from a membership of ninety to two hundred and five, the years of greatest increase being in 1842, thirty-six; in 1848, forty; in 1857, twenty- seven. In 1843, Mr. Henry Fulton was elected and installed elder. June 29, 1857, the following persons were installed elders: Messrs. Joseph Kiddoo, John Powers, and James Dickey. Mr. James Corry was ordained elder at the same time. April 7, 1862, a unanimous call was made out for Rev. S. G Dunlap. He was installed pastor Dec. 6, 1862, and remained until Sept. 29, 1866. Under his ministrations fifty- five were added on examination in 1863 and twenty- eight in 1864. Dec. 6, 1862, Mr. E. W. Tower was installed, and Messrs. John Wright, Francis J. Gard- ner, and David Moore were ordained elders. Dec. 30, 1866, the congregation voted a call to Rev. J. S. Stuchell, who was installed May 10, 1867, and con- tinued pastor until April 1, 1870. Oct. 26, 1867, Messrs. W. C. Shaw, D. Yohe, and Samuel Hindman were ordained elders. Oct. 1, 1870, a call was made

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out for the present (1882) pastor, Rev. William O. Church, built at an early date by general subscrip- Campbell. He began his labors as stated supply Oct. tion; this was occupied at intervals, and preaching 16, 1870, and was installed pastor Nov. 6, 1871. In and class services were frequently held at private houses throughout the neighborhood. the autumn of 1870 the congregation began to build the house in which they at present worship. It is a

Gothic structure, and cost, when completed, $32,000. , cally as also in financial ability, the first building for The following were the members of the building com- mittee: Messrs. Aaron Brandy, H. H. Finley, T. R. Hazzard, Esq., John Patterson, James Stockdale, | of purchase, a private dwelling. The committee ap- William J. Alexander, James H. Van Voorhis, and Francis I. Gardner. The lecture-room was occupied in 1872, and the church was dedicated on Sunday, June 8, 1873. The following persons constitute the board of elders and deacons at the present time: By removing the lower story and adding wings it was converted into a very comfortable and commo- dious house of worship of two stories. Here the first Methodist Sabbath-school was organized, with Thomas Collins, Esq., as the first superintendent, Abraham Hull succeeding him. Elders, Messrs. William Caldwell, Samuel Hindman, W. H. Morrison, Joseph Patterson, John Patterson, John Power, Ralston Williams, Esq .; deacons, Messrs. William J. Alexander, Michael Bowman, Ebenezer Caldwell, J. B. Finley, Allen Parkison, James Stock- dale. This church has furnished twelve ministers of the gospel as follows: Samuel Hair, Gilbert M. Hair, William Hamilton, Thomas Gordon, Alonzo Linn, James P. Fulton, Robert Fulton, John McFarland, Harvey Kerr, Oliphant Todd, William Caldwell, and David H. Stewart.1

Methodist Episcopal Church .- The memory of our most aged citizens carries us back through a period of seventy years, to the date 1812, at which time two brothers by the name of Riggs, local preachers in the Methodist Episcopal Church, organized a class at the house of Samuel Baxter, who then owned the farm now the property of Ira R. Butler, Esq. This class was composed of the two Riggs', Samuel Baxter and wife and several of their children, John R. Shu- gart and his wife.

In 1813 the first class was organized in what is now known as Monongahela City, John R. Shugart and his wife, Letitia, becoming prominent members of it by transfer from that organized the year previous on the Baxter farm. This class first met at the house of Mrs. Vandever, on the corner of Race Street and Cherry Alley. Shortly after its organization Æneas Graham and wife became members, and he was ap- pointed leader of the class. Under his faithful labors it grew so rapidly as soon to require larger accommo- dations, and a room was procured in the house of Robert Beebe, on the river-bank, which also became the place of public preaching. A change was again necessitated by the continued rapid growth of the class and congregation, and a log house located on Main Street, formerly used as a barracks for troops, was temporarily fitted up as a place of worship.

Removing from this the society next took posses- sion of what was at that time known as "The Old Log School-House," on Spring Alley, which was used until it became unfit for occupancy. On the hill at the upper end of the town was an old Union

In 1826, the congregation having grown numeri- church purposes was purchased. This was located on the river-bank, and was originally, and up to the time pointed to purchase this property was composed in part of William Jones, Æneas Graham, and Robert Bebee. It was a building of three stories, the first or lower one being brick, the second and third wood.

Up to the date 1833, Williamsport (now known as Monongahela City) was an appointment in the Bealls- ville circuit, having preaching, as a rule, every two weeks. Such was the growth and ability of the soci- ety at this period that application was made to the Conference for removal from the circuit and the organization of a station. This request was granted, and Charles Cook appointed as the first stationed preacher. During the first year of his pastorate steps were taken looking to the sale of the church on the river-bank, and the erection of a still more suitable and commodious house of worship. Prompt action was taken and the sale of the old church property effected.

At the first Quarterly Conference in 1834 it was determined to build a house fifty by eighty feet on a lot donated by William Ihmsen, and located on the corner of Race and Chess Streets.

The contract for the building was awarded to Samuel Devore.

As members of the board of trustees at this date we find the names of Joseph Alexander, William Ihmsen, William Mills, John R. Shugart, and A. L. Williams.

This new enterprise was pushed rapidly forward, and in the month of May, 1835, the new house was dedicated, Charles Cook, the pastor, preaching the sermon.

This house is still standing,-a two-story brick building, solid, but plain and unpretentious. It cost about two thousand five hundred dollars. In it the society worshiped for the period of thirty-two years.

Early in the year 1864, under the pastorate of Ezra Hingely, the possibility and propriety of building a house of worship on a larger and grander scale first became a matter of inquiry. Before the close of the year the Quarterly Conference appointed a building committee, and authorized it to proceed at once to the erection of a new house of worship. This com- I mittee, to which additions were made from time to

1 By Rev. William O. Campbell.

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MONONGAHELA CITY.

time, and which acted in conjunction with the board of trustees, was composed of the following persons : Rev. E. Hingely, O. C. House, R. M. Clark, Daniel Pierce, Alexander Scott, E. L. King, R. Stockdale, Joseph Alexander, James Williams, John Blythe, Cyrus Underwood, Robert Coulter, J. F. Ferree, Isaac Jones, Col. Joseph Taylor, C. R. Stuckslager, and S. P. Keller.

It was proposed to erect a two-story brick house, at an estimated cost of thirty thousand dollars.

In 1867, under the pastorate of A. W. Butts, the building was inclosed, and on the 15th day of De- cember the lecture-room was dedicated. The sermon of the occasion was preached by Rev. W. A. David- son, D.D. Six years subsequent to this, March 2, 1873, the main audience-room was dedicated by Rev. S. H. Nesbit, D.D. Rev. S. M. Hickman was then pastor of the church. The building is well located on Main Street, is ninety feet long by fifty-one feet wide ; its spire, from foundation to top, is one hundred and seventy-five feet. It has a seating capacity for eight hundred persons, and cost a trifle over forty-five thousand dollars. The present membership is five hundred and thirty. Of the Sunday-school J. P. Taylor is the present superintendent, with J. D. Hammond and R. H. Young, assistants. The num- ber of scholars enrolled is three hundred and seventy.

The following persons constitute the board of trus- tees : S. P. Keller, R. Stockdale, Robert Van Voorhis, Joseph Warne, E. Downer, John Blythe, Eugene Byers, Mark Borland, J. D. Hammond.

From the date 1833, when the station was organized, the following is nearly, if not quite, a correct list of the pastors :1 Revs. Charles Cook, Matthew Simpson, Christopher Hodgson, William Hunter, Alcinus Young, Nathaniel Callender, William Lemmon, Ebenezer Hays, E. P. Jacob, Z. H. Coston, Charles Thorn, Wesley Smith, Nathaniel Callender, Caleb Foster, George S. Holmes, Josiah Mansel, Peter F. Jones, A. G. Williams, S. F. Minor, L. R. Beacom, J. C. Brown, A. J. Enesley. 1864, Ezra Hingely ; 1867, A. W. Butts; 1870, Hiram Miller ; 1872, S. M. Hickman ; 1873, Edward Williams; 1875, T. N. Boyle ; 1876, William Lynch; 1876, R. L. Miller; 1878, J. S. Bracken ; 1881, I. A. Pearce.

First Baptist Church.2-At various times prior to the formation of this church occasional sermons were preached in Monongahela City by Baptist min- isters who happened to be passing through the town, and the Rev. Dr. Estep was a notable one among them.

Although quite a number of persons holding the Baptist faith resided in the place, it appears that no effort was made to occupy the field with regular Bap- tist preaching until the winter of 1860. At that time Rev. David Williams, assisted by pastors of neigh-

boring Baptist Churches, commenced a series of meetings, which resulted in the reception and baptism of eight persons on the 29th day of January of the same year. It was then thought expedient to organ- ize as a church for the purpose of sustaining regular preaching.

Accordingly on the 9th day of February, 1860, those recently baptized, together with others dis- missed for the purpose from various Baptist organ- izations, fourteen in all, met in the public school building in Monongahela City and organized a reg- ular Baptist Church, the names of the constituted members being Moses Scott and wife, Henry Popen- ger and wife, B. F. Bentley and wife, John King and wife, S. H. Carroll, Barbara Hendrickson, Milton King, Mary S. King, S. J. King, and Mrs. James Guthrie. They adopted the constitution, covenant, and articles of faith in common use among Baptists, and the name of the "First Monongahela City Regu- lar Baptist Church." The officers first elected were John King and John Storer, deacons ; Moses Scott, John Storer, and B. F. Bentley, trustees ; and Moses Scott, church clerk.

On the 24th of February following, a council com- posed of delegates from various Baptist Churches unanimously agreed to recognize this as a regular Baptist Church, and during the evenings of the same day, in the Presbyterian house of worship, formal recognition services were held, Revs. Isaac Sawyer, J. K. Cramer, R. R. Sutton, and David Williams being present and participants. At this time the church was composed of twenty-five members. In June, 1860, it was admitted into the Pittsburgh Bap- tist Association.

Those who have served as pastors of this church since its organization have been David Williams, R. R. Sutton, O. P. Hargrave, A. Wilson, Lloyd Morgan, A. J. King, and the present incumbent, E. C. Baird. Situated in the central part of the city, this organ- ization owns a commodious house of worship, free from debt, and the church property is valued at eight thousand dollars.

The present membership of the church is two hun- dred and nine, and the present officers: Rev. E. C. Baird, pastor ; B. F. Bentley (present mayor), Robert Hagerty, I. T. Conlin, Isaac Yohe, and Oscar Hay- wood, deacons ; and George Wilson, clerk.

Church of the Transfiguration (Roman Cath- olic) .- As early as 1816 residents here of the Roman Catholic faith received the services of Rev. Fathers McGuire, O'Connor, and others. Under the minis- trations of Rev. Dennis Kearney the present house of worship was commenced and completed in 1865, at a cost of about six thousand dollars.

Father Kearney was succeeded by Rev. John O. G. Scanlon, who was followed by Rev. William F. Hayes. The present pastor is Rev. Francis McCourt, of East Elizabeth, Pa,, and the congregation com- prises members of more than one hundred families.

1 From MS. prepared by Rev. I. A. Pearce, the present pastor.

2 Facts and data furnished by the pastor, the Rev. E. C. Baird.

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

More extended mention of this church will be found on page 425, in an article furnished by D. J. Malady, of Washington.

The Cumberland Presbyterian Church, of Mo- nongahela City, was organized by Revs. John Morgan and Alfred Bryan, missionaries of that denomination, on the 31st day of January, 1833. A church edifice was erected the same year, it being completed and occupied Sept. 1, 1833. During the existence of this society the following-named ministers were ordained as pastors : Samuel M. Sparks, 1833 ; Alexander Rob- inson, 1834; Samuel M. Sparks, 1835; John Carey, 1836; Samuel E. Hudson, 1837; Mr. Dunlap, 1840; B. Miller, 1841; Mr. Brice, 1842. Meanwhile one hundred and four persons had joined the organiza- tion; but the holding of regular meetings having ceased about 1845, the members gradually drifted away and joined other denominations.

The Wesleyan Methodist Church .- The Wes- leyan Methodist Church is another one of the defunct religious organizations of the town. During the best days of the society a small house of worship was erected, and for some few years regular meetings were held therein. But from various causes, i.e., re- moval of prominent members and lack of interest among those remaining, this organization has be- come a thing of the past. The church building stands in the First Ward, and is now occupied by a small Lutheran congregation.

First English Evangelical Lutheran Church .- This society was organized Feb. 7, 1869, at a meeting held in the old Methodist Episcopal house of worship (corner of Third and Chess Streets), by the following members: Lewis Staib, Jacob Leighler, Henry C. Birt, John Zeh, Adam Augendobler, Philip Grigg, George L. Bayha, Martha J. Staib, Elizabeth Leigh- ler, Elizabeth Augendobler, Caroline Grigg, Mary Altman, and Catharine Altman. At the same meet- ing Lewis Staib, Jacob Leighler, and George L. Bayha were elected pro tem. trustees and executive com- mittee.

Lewis Staib was elected elder, and Adam Augen- dobler deacon, Sept. 24, 1871. They at once assumed the duties of their respective offices, relieving the trustees and committee before mentioned. On the 12th of April, 1874, John Holland was elected deacon, and the 3d of May following secretary and treasurer. Alexander Scott was elected elder, and Moses Arthur deacon, Jan. 3, 1875, and on February 24th of that year John Holland was elected superintendent of the Sabbath-school.

Rev. Dr. L. Ryder served as pastor of this congre- gation until early in January, 1872, when he removed to Hollidaysburg (where he still remains), and was at once succeeded by Rev. H. H. Hall. The latter re- mained until the early part of the year 1876. During the past year Rev. Mr. Winton, of Allegheny City, has held services twice a month in the small building in the First Ward known as the Wesleyan Methodist

Church. However, the old Methodist church edifice was occupied for several years.

From February, 1869, to April, 1876, seventy-six persons joined the organization. The present mem- bers number not much more than one-half that many.

St. Paul's Episcopal Church .- The parish of St. Paul's Episcopal Church of Monongahela City was organized by Rev. Bishop Alonzo Potter, Nov. 18, 1863, when the following persons were elected vestry- men : William Manown, John S. Markell, R. T. Robinson, R. M. Gee, Francis Nelson, James P. Shep- lar, and E. W. Chittenden.

The corner-stone of the present house of worship was laid in 1866. It is a Gothic stone building, fifty by ninety feet, with bell-towers surmounting, and cost fifteen thousand dollars. Rev. H. Mackay took charge as the first rector Dec. 4, 1863. He was succeeded in March, 1870, by Rev. J. B. Linskea. The Sabbath- school was organized in the spring of 1862 by Rev. Mr. Ten Broeck, who preached as a missionary one year before the church was established. The present rector, Rev. Norman, although having the records and other data necessary to prepare a satisfactory account of this organization, has declined to furnish any in- formation, which accounts for the meagreness of this article.

African Methodist Episcopal Church .- This or- ganization was formed (at the residence of Rachel Bowman) in 1834, by the Revs. Samuel Clingman and Thomas Lawrence ; and among the original members were Elijah Bowman, John Bowman, Abraham Jones, Priscilla Jones, William Moore, Mary Moore, Eliza- beth Catlin, Rachel Bowman, Rebecca Ross, Ruth Ann Bowman, and Elizabeth McDonald.

The congregation rented different houses to worship in until 1842, when it made arrangements to build a suitable structure. The basement was finished in 1849, and the building complete in 1858. It was of brick, size thirty-six by forty feet, and is now occu- pied as a dwelling by Charles Jones. The present house of worship, which was commenced in 1871, is still unfinished. It also is constructed of brick upon a beautiful site, and is forty five by seventy feet, ground dimensions.

Rev. Samuel Clingman became the first pastor in 1834, and he was succeeded by Thomas Lawrence in 1835. Among subsequent pastors we mention the following : Samuel Clingman, 1836; William New- man, 1838; Fayette Davis, 1840; James Coleman, 1842; George Coleman, 1844; Augustus R. Greer, 1846; William Morgan, 1848 ; James Coleman, 1849; Nelson Carter, 1850; Levan Gross, 1853; John W. Jones, 1855; Shugart T. Jones, 1856; Levan Gross, 1858 ; Shugart T. Jones, 1860; Levan Gross, 1861 ; A. Harwell, 1863; Levan Gross, 1865; Charles Greene, 1866; Alfred Newman, 1867; Levan Gross, 1868; W. C. West, 1869; W. H. Thomas, 1870. Other pastors, of whom the dates of their coming have not been given, were Burton Lewis, W. M. Peters, Benjamin

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Wheeler, W. H. Brown, A. L. Grant, W. A. J. Phillips, C. D. Lewis, Solomon Thompson, W. G. Ralph, and J. M. Morris. David Lewis, the present pastor, came in September, 1880.

The congregation numbers one hundred at this time, and the official board consists of J. W. Alexan- der and Jacob A. Simon, local preachers; W. H. Hilton, B. F. Crouch, Mark Hilton, Joseph A. Jones, Joseph H. Simons, and Jacob A. Simons, stewards ; J. W. Alexander, B. F. Crouch, Joseph A. Jones, R. F. Oliver, William Catlin, Mark Hilton, and W. H. Hilton, leaders ; W. H. Hilton, E. N. Thompson, Jacob A. Simons, E. Montgomery, Mark Hilton, B. F. Crouch, Joseph H. Simons, R. F. Oliver, and Jo- seph A. Jones, trustees.

Monongahela Cemetery. - The Monongahela Cemetery Association was established in 1863, and soon after its officers purchased thirty-two acres of ground in accordance with the purposes contem- plated by their charter. The grounds are situated in the southeastern part of the corporate limits, on a height which overlooks the Monongahela River and its beautiful valley for many miles. Much taste and skill is displayed in the general plan, and under the care of Mr. Adam Augendobler, who has had imme- diate charge of the grounds for many years, this pretty little city of the dead attracts and is entitled to general admiration. From the opening to the present time (April, 1882) eleven hundred and twenty-five interments have been made within the inclosure.

In this connection, however, it is proper to add that, while the grounds of the cemetery association are well kept, neat, and beautiful, the old burial-ground, in the midst of the town, is in a very bad condition. True, many bodies have been removed from it to the new cemetery, yet very many still remain beneath marble tablets that have been broken and trampled upon by horses, cattle, and swine, roaming at will in the neglected, unfenced plot.

Educational,-The following interesting historical address was delivered at the dedication of the new public school building at Monongahela City, July 1, 1881, by J. S. Van Voorhis, A.M. and M.D., of Belle Vernon, Pa. It covers a period of nearly one hun- dred years, and (with his permission) is inserted en- tire without further comment :

living.' Faith in the precepts of the Bible in its truest version was innate to the first settlers of our valley, the strongest Puritanical ideas being the lit- erature upon which they founded their hopes of the future, never doubting that time and labor would in the end verify the prophetic saying, 'The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them, and the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose.'

" Until about the close of the last century, individ- ual culture consisted chiefly in learning to farm in the most primitive manner, which included a very limited knowledge of the art of raising grain and the manufacture of home-made clothing. The favored few who were privileged to literary attainment were in full proportion at reaching the point of reading, writing, and ciphering to the single rule of three. Houses erected especially for school purposes were unknown. If, perchance, some itinerant individual representing himself to be a schoolmaster should happen along, an improptu school-house was obtained in the shape of some log cabin vacated by the tenant as unfit to occupy.

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History of Washington County, Pennsylvania : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 148

Author: Crumrine, Boyd, 1838-1916; Ellis, Franklin, 1828-1885; Hungerford, Austin N Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Philadelphia : H.L. Everts & Co. Number of Pages: 1216

Author: Crumrine, Boyd, 1838-1916; Ellis, Franklin, 1828-1885; Hungerford, Austin N
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Philadelphia : H.L. Everts & Co.
Number of Pages: 1216