History of Washington County, Pennsylvania : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 156

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 156

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On the 10th of December, 1832, the session held a special meeting at which they adopted the following resolution on the subject :

" WHEREAS, intemperance is a vice that is fraught with incalculable evils, ruinous to soul and body and all the best interests of man, utterly inconsistent with Christian character, and the more inexcusable in con- sequence of increased light and information on the subject ; therefore,

" Resolved, by this session, that no person indulging in the use of intoxicating liquors, or engaged in vend-

ing the article for a beverage, shall be admitted to the communion of the church, and any persons who may have heretofore engaged in the practice, and are de- termined to continue in it, shall be considered as sus- pended, or liable to suspension, from the communion of the church." That this resolution was faithfully adhered to, the records abundantly show.

On the 28th of April, 1831, the board of trustees of Jefferson College adopted the following resolu- tions :

" Whereas, It is important that in the privileges enjoyed in this college, those of a religious character should be specially regarded, therefore, resolved :

" 1. That it shall be considered the ex-officio duty of the president of this college to administer religious instruction, and the ordinances of the gospel to the students, as circumstances may justify or require.

" 2. That for this purpose the college shall be under the direction and control of the Faculty, and subject to their use.

"3. That if the Presbyterian congregation of this place, or any other orderly denomination in the vicinity, should wish to occupy said hall, they shall pay at least one dollar and fifty cents rent for every Sabbath they shall enjoy the privilege, and the rent of the hall shall be allowed for the services above required."

This offer was accepted by the new congregation, and up to the present date (April, 1882) they have used for religious services so much of the college chapel as was not occupied by the students. Before the removal of the college to Washington the presi- dents from time to time exercised the ex-officio func- tions of pastor or stated supply. Since then they have had pastors of their own selection, the students of the academy occupying such portions of the hall as have been sufficient for their accommodation. The first stated supply was Rev. Matthew Brown, D.D., who had been called to the presidency of Jefferson College in 1822, and had occupied the pulpit of Char- tiers Church in conjunction with Dr. McMillan from that time until he entered upon his duties in the col- lege church. In 1845, having resigned the presidency of the college, he ceased his stated ministrations in the church after a service of fifteen years. The first regularly installed pastor was ·Rev. Robert I. Brack- inridge, D.D., who, after entering upon the presidency of Jefferson College as the successor of Dr. M. Brown, was installed pastor of the church by the Presbytery of Ohio on the 12th of December, 1845. In these services, held in the college chapel, Rev. William C. Anderson preached the sermon, Rev. C. V. McKaig presided, and Rev. William Smith, D.D., delivered the charge both to the pastor and the congregation. The relationship of Dr. Brackinridge to the church of Canonsburg and Jefferson College was of short dura- tion, embracing but one year and nine months. After the resignation of Dr. Brackinridge, in September, 1847, the pulpit was supplied by Rev. Matthew Brown,

1 By Rev. J. M. Smith.

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

D.D., until the next meeting of Presbytery, when a call was presented for the ministerial services of Rev. Alexander B. Brown, D.D. The call being accepted, arrangements were made for his installation, which were carried out on the first Sabbath of February, 1848, by a committee of Presbytery consisting of Rev. M. Brown, D.D., Rev. William Smith, D.D., and Rev. R. Orr. Owing to increasing ill health, he resigned the pastorate of the church on the 7th of April, 1857, having also retired from the presidency of the col- lege for the same reason. His resignation was ac- cepted by the congregation, after adopting resolutions expressive of the warmest attachment and the deepest feelings of regret.

In September, 1853, Rev. Aaron Williams, D.D., became professor of Latin in Jefferson College, and was elected co-pastor of the church with Dr. A. B. Brown on the 30th of the same month. The installa- tion took place in the college chapel on the 17th of November, 1853, Rev. William Hamilton preaching the sermon, Dr. William Smith presiding and deliver- ing the charge to the people, and Rev. William Ewing the charge to the pastor. After a laborious service of five years he resigned the pastorate of the church in the autumn of 1858, and soon after retired from his professorship in the college.

On the 7th of April, 1857, Rev. Joseph Alden, D.D., having been elected to the presidency of Jefferson Col- lege, was invited to take part with Dr. Williams in the ministerial labors of the congregation. In this relationship he continued until 1862, when he retired from the presidency of the college.

The third pastor of the church was Rev. David H. Riddle, D.D., who, in the autumn of 1862, was called to the presidency of Jefferson College, and to the pas- torate of the church, over which he was installed by the Presbytery of Ohio in the spring of 1863. He continued pastor of the church until May, 1868, a period of five years. During his pastorate in Can- onsburg there was no special work of grace, but al- most constant accessions from the congregation and from the students, many of whom are now in the ministry. A healthful growth and a delightful and harmonious people were features, in the experience of those years to which he can look back with pleas- ure and satisfaction.

In June, 1868, Rev. Jonathan Edwards, D.D., after becoming president of Jefferson College, entered upon his ministrations to the church as stated supply. Some time between March and June, 1869, he retired from the college, and also his labors in the church. As the consolidation of the two colleges was perfected in the same year (1869), and the location was changed to Washington, the college presidents disappear from this time forward from the pastorates of the church. More might be said of their personal history, but it is omitted, as belonging more properly to their history in connection with Jefferson College.

The fourth pastor of the church was Rev. William

F. Brown, son of Dr. A. B. and Elizabeth Finley (Nevin) Brown. He was a native of Canonsburg, and was graduated at Jefferson College in the summer of 1865. In 1870 he entered upon the pastorate of the church, in which he continued for a period of six years. He served the church of Charleston, W. Va., as a stated supply for a short time, and afterwards was pastor of the First Church of Newark, Ohio, for about a year. At present he is visiting in the Southern States, and is not in the stated work of the ministry. He was united in marriage to Miss Mary Houston, of Canonsburg.

The fifth and present pastor is Rev. John M. Smith, son of John Henry and Mary (Forner) Smith, He was born near Upper Buffalo Church, Washington Co., March 6, 1831, and had his early training under the ministry of the Rev. John Eagleson, D.D. He united with the church in 1854. Had his preparatory education partly under Dr. Eagleson, and partly at Franklin Academy, Pennsylvania. He entered Jeffer- son College in 1852, and remained till ready for the junior class. After spending a year in teaching, he returned to college and graduated in 1856. He en- tered the Western Theological Seminary in 1856, and graduated in 1859. Was licensed by the Presbytery of Ohio in 1858, and was ordained and installed pastor of the church of Wellsburg, Va., April 28, 1860. Was installed pastor of the church of Sharpsburg, Pa., in April, 1861, and remained nearly seven years. Ac- cepted a call to the First Church of St. Charles, Mo., April, 1867, and remained three years. Was called to the church of Hiland, Presbytery of Allegheny, and remained three years. Received and accepted a call to the Central Church of Pittsburgh in 1874, and after a pleasant pastorate of two years, entered upon the work at Canonsburg in 1876, where he has con- tinued up to the present, a period of upwards of six years. His installation took place on the 15th of February, 1876. In these services, before a large and appreciative audience in the college chapel, Rev. S. J. Wilson, D.D., LL.D., preached the sermon, Rev. William Ewing, Ph.D., delivered the charge to the people, and the venerable Dr. William Smith pre- sided, and gave the charge to the pastor. In the spring of 1876 the church received very encouraging accessions, and up to the present has been favored with a steady and healthy progress. At the begin- ning of the present pastorate the membership num- bered one hundred and twenty-five. At present the number is two hundred and ninety-one, or more than double, and the church appears to be in a more har- monious, hopeful, and flourishing state than in any other period of its history.

Methodist Episcopal Church.1-On the 7th of No- vember, 1844, a young Methodist student matriculated in Jefferson College, who, during several subsequent years, acted a prominent part in the history of the

1 By the Rev. D. J. Davis.

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CANONSBURG BOROUGH.

Methodist Episcopal Church. In the month of March, 1845, upon inquiry, he learned from a fellow-student that one John Haggerty, a tailor, who had been a resident of the town for several years, was a member of the same church. At this time there was no Meth- odist organization in Canonsburg. Some time during the summer of 1845, Rev. - Sutton, of the Metho- dist Episcopal Church, was appointed a missionary to the region about Canonsburg, the town itself being one of his appointments. He preached on alternate Sabbaths in the town hall. The novelty of the matter usually attracted a fair audience. At the suggestion of Rev. T. M. Hudson, who was then presiding elder of the district, a class was organized consisting of seven or eight members, whose names as nearly as can be ascertained were as follows : John Haggerty, "Mother" Marsh, John Ramsey, Mr. Capron and wife, Mr. Potts, and Mr. Monroe. The young stu- dent referred to above was appointed leader. For some time this class met in the house of Mr. Hag- gerty. In a very short time a few others were added to their number, among whom was Mrs. Arnold, who at the present time is living and an acceptable mem- ber of the church.

In the year 1847 the society built a one-story brick church fronting on Green Street, and which is still used as a place of worship by the Methodist Episco- pal congregation. As soon as the church was dedi- cated, a Sunday-school was organized that has been in existence ever since. The indispensable student was elected superintendent, and continued to lead the class and superintend the school until 1850, when he graduated with a class numbering fifty-five as the valedictorian. At this time the school numbered one hundred and thirty scholars, and had a library of eight hundred volumes, including Bibles, Testaments, hymn-books, etc. In the year 1848, under the pas- torate of Revs. H. Snyder and D. A. McCready, the church was favored with a revival of religion that added nearly an hundred converts. In five years after organization the class of eight numbered about one hundred and twenty-five. Not a little of the prosperity was due to the labors of Rev. N. Callander, a superannuated minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, who resided for a time in the town. About ten years after organization the church became self- supporting, was made a station, and was favored with the exclusive services of a pastor. It continued as a station until the breaking out of the war of the Re- bellion, which greatly depleted the membership by the enlistment of many of its young men. Rev. L. Maguire, the pastor, also entered the army as chap- lain.

For some years this society has been associated with Fawcett's Methodist Episcopal Church, both constituting a pastoral charge until 1878, when it was again formed into a station. This is its present status with a membership numbering one hundred, and a school having about seventy-five scholars, and an

average attendance of fifty. The following ministers have served the church since 1845 from one to three years each : Revs. - Sutton, McCasky and Foster, H. Snyder and D. A. McCready, Cunningham and Jackson, Pugh and Baker, Brown, Peter F. Jones, Mansell, Alexander Scott, Richard Miller, L. Ma- guire, S. F. Jones, James F. Jones, M. S. Kendig, H. Neff, D. A. Pierce, J. C. Castle, J. F. Hudleston, C. M. Westlake, L. H. Eaton, W. F. Conner, D. M. Hol- lister, and D. J. Davis, the present incumbent. The student who was prominent in the work of the church during the first five years of its existence has been known, during the past twenty years of its existence, as the efficient president of the Pittsburgh Female College, Rev. Dr. Pershing.

African Methodist Episcopal Church .- The col- ored people of Canonsburg and vicinity were first temporarily organized as a body of religious wor- shipers at Morganza. They at first met at private residences. As no records are known to exist, it is difficult to fix the date of this early organization with any degree of accuracy. It was probably about 1833 or within a year or so of that time. After worshiping thus for some years, they were regularly organized as a Methodist Episcopal Church, with Rev. S. Ching- man as pastor. The following-named persons were elected trustees : John Sluby, Sr., John Durham, Elias Prawl, George Wheeler, Isaac Albert, Boston Vactor. Revs. Thompson, Lewis, and Green were early pastors.

In 1853 or 1854 the congregation petitioned the Legislature to invest a body of trustees with the title to a piece of land lying west of town, which had been owned by a colored man named John Chase, and who had died intestate. The petition was granted and the property assigned them for the purpose of erect- ing a church, and as a place of sepulture. Rev. Solomon Thompson laid the corner-stone of a very neat brick structure erected by the colored people in the year 1856. It was dedicated by Rev. Jeremiah Lewis. In the year 1874 they remodeled and en- larged it, adding much to its appearance and comfort. The present pastor is the Rev. S. T. Jones, and the membership is seventy.

Oak Spring Cemetery .- On the 26th of Decem. ber, 1797, John Canon sold for forty-five pounds to Nicholas Little, Samuel Agnew, Thomas McNary, David Reed, John Hays, John White, and Jeremiah Simpson, trustees of the Associate Congregation of Chartiers township, four acres, two roods, and fifteen perches of land, situated about one mile southwest of the town of Canonsburg, on which they erected a church, and the remaining portion was used as a burial-place by the people of Canonsburg and its vicinity. Upon the decision of the congregation, in 1869, to erect a church in the borough of Canonsburg, the brick church then on the grounds was torn down, and during the next summer a company was organized under the name of the Oak Spring Cemetery Asso-

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

ciation. They purchased the property of the Char- tiers congregation, and also bought a little over an acre of ground additional, making the area of the cemetery about six acres. A macadamized carriage- way was built, paths were laid out, trees planted, grounds fenced, and sexton's house erected, all at an expense of about four thousand dollars. The present officers of the association are Samuel Pollock, presi- dent, and Robert Wilson, secretary and treasurer.

Chartiers Valley Agricultural Association .- The causes which led to the formation of the Chartiers Valley Agricultural Association date several months anterior to its organization. In 1871 or 1872 an effort was made to establish an annual agricultural fair at Canonsburg. A stock subscription list was started, but the enterprise met with obstacles which compelled its abandonment. About this time, or shortly after, farmers' clubs were organized in some of the adjoin- ing townships. At a meeting of the Chartiers Far- mers' Club, held at the house of William A. McNutt, on the 7th of October, 1873, the following question was proposed for discussion at a future meeting : "Should we as a society make an effort to have an agricultural fair?" The question does not seem to have been reached at the next meeting in November. At the December meeting it was agreed to hold a special meeting at Fee's school-house (No. 5) on Tuesday evening, Dec. 30, 1873, to discuss the subject, "To more thoroughly ventilate or agitate the fact that we need an agricultural fair somewhere in this valley, its use, abuse, etc." An invitation was extended to all persons interested to attend and participate in the discussion.

In the issue of the Canonsburg Herald of Jan. 24, 1874, the following appears : " We have several times called the attention of our readers to the importance of holding an annual fair at Canonsburg. A few years ago some effort was made in this direction, but was not carried to a successful issue. Since then sev- eral farmers' clubs have been organized in the ad- joining townships. Now if a properly organized effort is made, with the combined influence of these clubs and our citizens, we see no reason why as large and successful a fair cannot be instituted at Canonsburg as in any other part of the county."

At a meeting held in school-house No. 5, in Char- tiers township, this question was discussed, " Would an agricultural fair in the vicinity of Canonsburg be advantageous to the farmers in this part of the county ?" After a free exchange of opinion it was unanimously agreed that it would be advantageous, and with that end in view it was resolved to make an effort to hold a fair. At this meeting John C. McNary, of Chartiers, Samuel Chamberlain, of Can- onsburg, and James McClelland, of North Strabane, were appointed a committee to look after suitable grounds and ascertain the cost.

About the 31st of January, 1874, a meeting was held at the hotel (Keystone House) in Canonsburg

" for the purpose of organizing an agricultural soci- ety and establishing an annual fair in the vicinity of Canonsburg." Robert H. Russell presided, A. B. McCloy being secretary. The following committee was appointed to draft a constitution and by-laws: William S. White, Dr. J. W. Alexander, Wilson Arnold, William Martin, and John G. Paxton. At a meeting held at the same place February 14th the committee on fair grounds reported three locations. They were instructed to select the most suitable, and close a contract for the same. Measures were taken for raising funds needed for improving the grounds. Shares of stock were fixed at twenty-five dollars each, and a committee appointed to solicit subscriptions. The first minutes of the association bear date March 7th, at which time the Chartiers Valley Agricultural Association was formally organized and a board of officers elected. The officers for the first year, as finally agreed upon, were the following: President, James McClelland; Vice-President, J. B. Johnson ; Secretary, William S. White; Treasurer, Dr. J. W. Martin; Managers, W. L. Archer, J. M. Berry, M. H. Borland, E. B. Boyles, Nevin Brown, M. B. Brown, Samuel Chamberlain, W. R. Craighead, S. H. Cook, John Espy, W. A. Herriott, N. S. Hopper, John M. Miller, J. C. McNary, John McDowell, H. McMur- ray, J. G. Paxton, E. K. Rodgers, James Taggart, Isaac Van Voorhis, T. P. Welch.

At a meeting held March 25th the committee on solicitation reported $3312.50 of stock subscribed. The stock of the association has since been increased to $3450. Measures were at once taken to have the association incorporated, and the charter was issued June 15th following. Grounds embracing about twenty-two acres, on the farm of Mrs. Sarah Curry, in North Strabane township, a short distance east of the Canonsburg United Presbyterian Church, and bordering on Chartiers Creek, were secured for a term of ten years. These were put into suitable con- dition, necessary stalls and buildings were erected, and a one-third-mile race-track made. The entire cost of buildings and improvements is estimated at six thousand dollars. The first fair was held October 13, 14, and 15, 1874. Since then an annual fair has been held during the last week of September, and in 1880 a spring fair in addition was held during the last week of May. The fairs in point of quality and number of exhibits have all been highly creditable. The exhibits of stock, especially in thoroughbreds, have been equal to those of the best country fairs. The exhibits of products and manufactures have always been large in number and excellent in quality. Steam-power and shafting are provided for showing farm machinery in operation. The number of vis- itors has always been very large. The largest attend- ance in one day was probably during the fair of 1875, when it reached about seven thousand persons. The total receipts from all sources for eight years has been something over twenty-six thousand dollars,

RITCHIE'S BLOCK,

NERY

MILLINERY

MERCH TAILORING.

DRY GOODS 140

OOPS

1211134

STORES OF W. H. S. RITCHIE.

Fancy and Staple Dry Goods, Furnishing Goods, Merchant Tailoring, Millinery Goods, etc. CANONSBURG, PA.

623

CANONSBURG BOROUGH.

while the disbursements for buildings, improvements, premiums, and running expenses have reached nearly twenty-seven thousand dollars.

The principal officers have been the following : Presidents, James McClelland, 1874-75 ; W. R. Craig- head, 1876-77 ; John M. Miller, 1878 ; Dr. J. G. Dick- son, 1879-80 ; William Martin, 1881-82. Vice-Presi- dents, J. B. Johnson, 1874; J. C. McNary, 1875 ; William Martin, 1876-77; Robert E. Wilson, 1878- 79; Samuel Munnel, 1880; Robert Johnston, 1881- 82. Secretaries, William S. White, 1874-75; R. V. Johnson, 1876-77 ; T. M. Potts, 1878-82. Treasurers, Dr. J. W. Martin, 1874-76; J. C. McNary, 1877-82.

The officers for 1882 are William Martin, president, Canonsburg; Robert Johnston, vice-president, Can- onsburg; T. M. Potts, secretary, Canonsburg ; J. C. McNary, treasurer, Canonsburg. Managers, H. H. Brown, Thompsonville; W. R. Craighead, Canons- burg; Dr. J. G. Dickson, Canonsburg ; James Glass, Burgettstown ; Hon. J. Gilfillan, Upper St. Clair ; J. B. Johnson, Canonsburg; Gen. John Hall, Washing- ton ; W. C. Lee, Cross Creek Village ; Dr. H. H. Mc- Donough, Vanceville; W. R. McConnell, Canonsburg; James McClelland, Canonsburg ; A. C. McCoy, Can- onsburg; J. C. MeNary, Esq., Canonsburg ; John M. Miller, Esq., Hickory ; Hon. M. McGiffin, Washing- ton ; Henry Murry, Upper St. Clair; Jerome A. Quay, Morganza; John Shanton, Monongahela City ; John Van Voorhis, Monongahela City ; S. C. Work, Buffalo; F. L. Wotring, Buffalo.

Chartiers Lodge, No. 297, A. Y. M .- This lodge was organized May 15, 1856. At this time the only Mason living here was Mr. H. C. Gleason. Upon the expressed desire of several persons in the town to form a lodge, a preliminary meeting was held at his house on Pike Street, now owned by J. V. H. Cook. A petition was drawn up, on which a charter was given and the lodge organized as above. Later meet- ings were held at the house of John Brown, on Main Street, for some time, and until he removed to the building now occupied by John Donaldson as a con- fectionery-store, when their meetings were held at his house until the society fitted up their present rooms in the Ritchie Block, on the corner of Main and Pike Streets. The present (1882) officers are W. R. Mc- Connell, W. M .; John Holleran, S. W .; James Mc- Williams, J. W .; J. B. Donaldson, Sec .; James Mor- rison, Treas.

Canonsburg Lodge, No. 803, I. O. of O. F .- This lodge was instituted Jan. 15, 1875, by District Deputy Grand Master Ahira Jones, Jr. At its organization there were twenty charter members. The first officers were Allison De France, N. G .; Herman Hollander, V. G .; T. M. Potts, Sec .; W. P. Cherry, Asst. Sec .; William Patch, Treas.

Meetings were first held in a building now owned by W. P. Morgan. In 1878 the society leased for a term of years the rooms they fitted up and at present occupy. Since the organization there have been ad-

mitted by initiation and card sixty-one members. The present officers are Johu White, N. G. ; Samuel Eberly, V. G .; T. M. Potts, Sec .; R. C. Neill, Asst. Sec .; William C. Campbell, Treas.

Thomas Paxton Post, No. 129, G. A. R .- This post was organized May 9, 1879, by Col. Chill Hazard, of Monongahela City. It was named in honor of Sergt. Thomas Paxton, a member of Company D, Pennsylvania Veteran Reserve Corps, who was killed at Spottsylvania, May 9, 1864. The first officers of the post were Adam Harbison, Commander ; Alex- ander Huston, Senior Vice-Commander; William Meiggs, Junior Vice-Commander; Dr. J. W. Alex- ander, Surgeon ; David Hart, Quartermaster.

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History of Washington County, Pennsylvania : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 156

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