USA > Pennsylvania > Washington County > History of Washington County, Pennsylvania : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men > Part 158
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It contains about sixteen hundred inhabitants,1 the State Normal School of the Tenth Normal School Dis- trict, which district is composed of Somerset, Fay- ette, Greene, and Washington Counties, the church edifices of Methodist Episcopal, Presbyterian, and Christian denominations, various secret benevolent associations, an ample supply of physicians and mer- chants, and is the centre of vast coal interests, 13,654,700 bushels of coal having been shipped from it and its immediate vicinity during the year 1880. It is also an important shipping-point for wool, grain, fruits, and live-stock.
The site of the town is celebrated in the annals of Pennsylvania as having been the place where the Indians met in council in 1767 to express their griev- ances, which resulted in the mission of the Rev. Capt. Steele, of Carlisle, and others, who were sent out in the following spring to meet them, and to persuade white settlers to retire and not invade the lands yet belonging to the Indians. The Indian title, however, was extinguished by the treaty of Nov. 5, 1768, and the following year thousands of acres bordering upon the Monongahela were surveyed by Gen. James Hen- dricks and other surveyors, and many patents cover- ing these lands were granted to individuals by war- rants from the proprietary land-office.
Prior to 1784 a man named Samuel Young resided upon or near the town site, having some right or title to it. During the year last mentioned, however, Rob- ert Jackman? (having purchased Young's interest) ob- tained a patent for a large tract of land, which cov- ered the sites of the present boroughs of California and Greenfield, besides hundreds of acres lying back
and around these towns. He had six sons, viz., James, William,3 Dixon, John, Robert,4 and Henry, besides two or three daughters, and at his death, which occurred Aug. 26, 1813, at the age of seventy- four years and four months, the land was divided among those sons, James and William inheriting the grounds now partly included within the corporate limits of the borough. Subsequently this land was sold at sheriff's sale to Seth Buffington, who soon after transferred the same to John Ringland.5
The Jackmans were famous mill men, and only seemed contented when engaged in building or oper- ating grist- and saw-mills. Robert Jackman, the elder, built a very early grist-mill at Brownsville, and he built a dwelling-house on the site of his grandson's residence (William W. Jackman) nearly one hundred years ago. A majority of the family of this name, however, finally emigrated westward, settling in Indiana, Illinois, and Iowa.
John Ringland died about the year 1845, and in 1848 a company, composed of William W. Jackman, Job Johnson, Abraham Fry, George W. Hornbake, John Wood, and Samuel Ashmead, purchased of his heirs three hundred and four acres of land, upon which, May 1, 1849, they laid out a town, calling the same California, a term then very familiar to nearly every man, woman, and child in the land in connec- tion with the then recently discovered gold region.
The plot was surveyed by Job Johnson, Esq., one of the proprietors, who was an attorney-at-law as well as a surveyor. It comprised nearly one hundred acres, or four hundred lots, fifty by one hundred and fifty feet each. Originally these lots were sold at from fifteen to seventy-five dollars. The streets, as seen to-day, cross at right angles, and are sixty feet wide, while the alleys are twenty feet in width.
Not a building stood upon the town site when first laid out, and when, during the summer of 1849, Thomas W. Moore completed the first dwelling,6 and soon after had a son (Job Johnson Moore) born therein, the proprietors donated him a town lot.
1 The borough contained 1566 inhabitants in 1880, 476 in 1860, and 659 in 1870, according to the United States census reports.
2 Robert Jackman was a native of Ireland, and a descendant of a family which originated in Germany, thence migrated to Wales, and finally settled in Ireland.
3 William, the father of the present William W. Jackman, lost his life by drowning in the Monongahela.
4 Robert Jackman, the oldest son of Robert Jackman, Sr., was the pro- prietor of the town of Greenfield.
5 Ringland was one of the original members of the Brownsville or Monongahela Bridge Company, which company was chartered March 6, 1830.
G This house is now-or was at least when we obtained the information -- owned by Joseph Paxton.
628
629
CALIFORNIA BOROUGH.
Among others who built houses in the town a year or two later were Nelson Crow, James Hank (who built a brick house), Samuel S. Rothwell (large frame structure), James P. Ailes (a commodious brick), Job Johnson (the brick hotel and store known yet as the "Johnson House"), John Woodfill (brick), William Jobes (frame), Augustin Wells (brick), A. Wallace (frame), and Josiah Critchfield (a brick house).
Job Johnson was a man of indomitable energy and push, and to him should be ascribed the credit of having done more to advance the town's material interests than any other. Besides practicing law, he built and opened the first hotel, established in the same building a store for the sale of general merchan- dise as early as 1851, and rested not until a post-of- fice was established. Meanwhile he encouraged set- tlements, assisted his neighbors to establish various individual enterprises, and, with S. S. Rothwell and a very few others on this side of the county, always stood ready to lend a helping hand to those of sable hue who, traveling via the " Underground Railway," sought freedom in Canada. White Johnson, a nephew, and Gibson Wood studied law with him. He died some ten or twelve years ago. (See history of Green- field Methodist Episcopal Church.)
Solomon Sibbitt and Lewis W. Morgan, as partners, were contemporary merchants with Mr. Johnson, and, it is claimed, opened the first store in the town in 1850. Mr. Sibbitt served as the first burgess of the town, and was an active and prominent citizen generally. He removed from this vicinity prior to the war. Mr. Morgan, however, has to this day continued as one of the leading merchants of California and Greenfield. As a member of the firm of Morgan & Dixon, mer- chants and coal operators, he is now doing business in Greenfield.
William McFall, Jr., St. Clair Chrisinger, and James Imley established the boat-yard in 1851, and two or three years later the citizens of the town re- joiced in having a post-office. Among other early residents, not already mentioned, were William Eber- man, William Carroll, Rev. Abner Jackson, Hiram Miller, William A. Stone, Solomon Meredith, Jacob H. Jones, Joshua Norcross, Robert Ventress, John G. Dowler, J. S. Vanhorn, Thomas Wells, James O. Lewellen, Joseph Paxton, A. J. Harris, James Un- derwood, Amos Powell, William McFall, Sr., T. H. Dowler, Henry Phillips, T. F. Thomas, A. A. Devore, David Thomas, and Edward Riggs. Probably the entire population did not number three hundred at the time the town was incorporated in 1853.
Incorporation, First Charter Election, Etc .- On the 26th of November, 1853, in accordance with the petitions of many citizens, the Washington County Court of Quarter Sessions issued an order declaring the town of California a borough. The inhabitants of the town, therefore, in the spring of 1854, held a meeting at the school-house, when the following officers were elected for one year. viz .: Sol-
omon Sibbitt, burgess; James P. Ailes, St. Clair Chrisinger, Lewis W. Morgan, and William Carroll, councilmen ; Samuel S. Rothwell, clerk ; Henry Phil- lips, high constable; William Eberman, treasurer ; Henry Phillips, collector; and Joshua Norcross, street commissioner. Strangely enough the date of holding this election and the date the first officials were in- ducted into office is not shown in the records. The first meeting of the Town Council, however, was held in the school-house, April 24, 1854, when it was or- dained "that on and after the first day of August next the several streets and alleys of the borough of Cali- fornia be, and the same are hereby, declared public highways, and subject to such orders as the burgess and Council may direct.
Jan. 26, 1865, an agreement was entered into by the borough authorities and Abraham Fry, Job Johnson, Thomas L. Wood, George W. Hornbake, William W. Jackman, and Samuel Ashmead, executors, and Emily Wood, executrix, of the estate of John Wood, deceased, conveying "unto the borough of California the land that lies down the river from the Coursin & Latta mill lot below First Street, and between it and the river for the distance of four hundred feet, for the purpose of a wharf. Said borough to have said priv- ilege for the purpose of a wharf forever, and said borough on their part bind themselves to make a good wharf within two years from this date, and pave the same with stone, and keep the same in good repair. If said borough shall neglect to keep said wharf in repair this conveyance to be void, otherwise to remain in full force and virtue."
Among those mentioned in a public print as doing business, etc., in the village in 1861 were Job John- son, attorney-at-law; J. C. Gilchrist, principal of the seminary; G. M. Eberman & Co., boat-builders; Sam- uel Sickman, merchant; Lewis W. Morgan, merchant; A. A. Devore, clothier and merchant tailor ; Dr. J. J. Fulmer, eclectic physician and surgeon ; Edward Riggs, cultivator and dealer in fruits, shrubbery, and ornamental trees; and J. S. Vanhorn, ship- carpenter.
At a special election held July 28, 1864, to deter- mine whether a tax be levied to fill the borough's quota in accordance with a call of the President for five hundred thousand men, seventy-six votes were polled, of which forty-six were for the tax and thirty against. Thereupon the borough authorities resolved to issue bonds to the amount of two thousand one hundred dollars, and to pay three hundred dollars bounty to each of the seven men required to fill the quota.
The borough's first newspaper, the Valley Spirit, was started by John Gibson about the year 1866. It was continued, however, but one year.
In 1876, Weddell & Patton began the publication of an independent local newspaper called the Valley Leader, which, however, continued for a period of only about six months.
630
HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
List of Principal Borough Officers.
1854 .- Solomon Sibbitt, burgess; William Carroll, St. Clair Chrisinger, William Eberman, Lewis W. Morgan, James P. Ailes, councilmen. 1855 .- Job Johnson, burgess; Lewis W. Morgan, James P. Ailes, Abner Jackson, Hiram Miller, Samuel S. Rothwell, councilmen. 1856 .- William Eberman, burgess; J. S. Van Horn, Thomas Wells, James O. Lewollen, Joseph Paxton, Solomon Sibbitt, councilmen. 1857 .- A. J. Harris, burgess ; Joseph Paxton, Thomas Wells, James Un- derwood, Amos Powell, William Eberman, councilmen.
1858 .- A. J. Harris, burgess; George W. Harris, Joseph Woodfill, James Underwood, David Thomas, St. Clair Chrisinger, councilmen. 1859 .- Lewis Baker, burgess; Jonathan Dehaven, William McFall, Jr., John Reed, Samuel Davis, Joshua Norcross, councilmen.
1860 .- A. J. Harris, burgess; George W. Harris, Edward Riggs, A. A. Devore, Jonathan Dehaven, George W. Underwood, councilmen. 1861 .- A. J. Harris, burgess; Stephen Smith, J. H. Ball, J. W. Phillips, A. A. Devore, A. J. Crow, councilmen.
1862 .- A. J. Harris, burgess; E. W. Barris, Joseph Lambert, William McFall, Jr., Jonathan Dehaven, J. G. Dowler, councilmen.
1863 .- Edward M. Melch, burgess; Lewis W. Morgan, Joseph A. Lam- bert, Job Johnson, Steele Sample, E. W. Barris, William McFall, councilmen.
1864-David Shallenberger. burgess; William Mc:Fall, Edward Riggs, Stephen Smith, James Underwood, Job Johnson, councilmen.
1865 .- Samuel Sickman, burgess; David Shallenberger, J. C. Momyer,
G. M. Eberman, William McFall, Jr., George W. Harris, councilmen. 1866 .- Josiah W. Phillips, burgess; Solomon Fry, Samuel W. Craft, J. S. Wilkins, D. H. Jacobs, J. G. Huggins, Joseph Pyle, councilmen. 1867 .- Job Johnson, burgess; William W. Everson, Samuel Sickman, Joseph N. Powell, James Long, John H. Veatch, councilmen.
1868 .- Edward M. Melchi, burgess; G. G. Hertzog, J. R. Dunlap, S. B. Paxton, Jonathan Dehaven, Luke P. Beazell, councilmen.
1869 .- S. B. Paxton, burgess; Luke P. Beazell, J. S. Wilkins, Jonathan Dehaven, J. R. Dunlap, G. G. Hertzog, councilmen.
1870.1-Solomon Fry, burgess; Moses Billingsby, John Lopp, Jr., Joseph Paxton, Jehu Dehaven, James Herron, councilmen.
1871.ª-Edward M. Melchi, burgess; John Veatch, S. R. Alter, A. P. Smith, George W. Harris, Joseph Wadsworth, councilmen.
1872 .- Edward M. Melchi, burgess; Isaiah Hornflake, A. B. Duvall, James Long, Edward Riggs, Joseph Wadsworth, and Dr. James McDonough, councilmen.
1873 .- Jonathan Dehaven, burgess ; J. N. Powell, David Veatch, Luke P. Beazell, Edward Riggs, S. W. Craft, J. C. Hanck, councilmen,
1874 .- A. J. Harris, burgess; J. R. Powell, Thomas Johnson, A. J. Hert- zog, William McFall, A. B. Duvall, Edward Riggs, councilmen.
1875 .- Edward M. Melchi, burgess; Joseph A. Wadsworth, J. B. Shal- lenberger, S. B. Paxton, John H. Veatch, J. K. Ward, I. T. Dawson, councilmen.
1876 .- Edward M. Melchi, burgess ; J. K. Ward, Joseph A. Wadsworth, J. B. Shallenberger, S. M. Geho, J. O. Lewellen, W. H. Beazell, councilmen.
1877 .- E. O. Phillips, burgess ; Joseph A. Wadsworth, S. M. Geho, J. K. Ward, J. O. Lewellen, John Harrison, S. J. Howe, councilmen.
1878 .- J. B. Montgomery, burgess; J. O. Lewellen, William Mehaffey, Joseph Wadsworth, S. M. Geho, John Harrison, S. J. Howe, coun- cilmen.
1879 .- W. G. Gardner, burgess ; John Harrison, J. O. Lewellen, S. M. Geho, W. M. Baker, Joseph Wadsworth, and William Mehaffey, councilmen.
1880 .~ J. B. Vandyke, burgess ; Isaac Jackman, E. O. Phillips, William Howe, A. P. Smith, John Harrison, and Joseph Wadsworth, coun- cilmen.
1881 .- J. W. Paxton, burgess; G. G. Hertzog, Luke P. Beazell, Joseph Wadsworth, I. J. Hornbake, J. A. Letherman, and J. B. Montgom- ery, councilmen.
1882 .- J. S. Beazell, burgess; J. A. Letherman, G. G. Hertzog, L. P.
Beazell, W. D. Veatch, S. W. Craft, and J. B. Smith, councilmen ; William M. Hart, treasurer and wharf-master; O. O. Ilornbuke, clerk ; John Harrison, street commissioner.
JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.
William Carroll, April 11, 1854; ! A. J. Harris, April 15, 1873. May 17, 1859. E. M. Melchi, Jan. 21, 1874.
Job Johnson, June 25, 1860; June 3, 1865.
A. J. Harris, May 18, 1874.
L. P. Fry, March 21, 1877.
E. M. Melchi, April 9, 1867 ; April 12, 1872.
A. J. Harris, March 25, 1878. I. T. Dawson, May 10, 1881.
Present Professional and Business Men .- Physi- cians, W. H. Phillips and N. F. Veatch, both of whom have been here some twelve or fourteen years; J. A. Letherman, who is a graduate of Bellevue Hos- pital Medical College, and has resided here seven years ; J. P. Fry, T. C. McClure, and G. H. Smith. Of those who in years past have made this their place of residence and practice, we have heard mentioned the names of Drs. Fulmer, Hunter, James McDon- ough, Conklin, Hubbs, Jackson, Truxal, and Clark.
Merchants, Mechanics, etc .- S. M. Binns, dealer in general merchandise; Luke P. Beazell, butcher; John Carr, butcher; L. T. Claybaugh, carpenter; S. W. Craft, furniture dealer and livery-man ; J. B. Darling, shoemaker ; W. A. Davis, dealer in drugs and music; I. T. Dawson, telegraph operator and justice of the peace; A. S. Fry, railroad and express agent ; J. M. Garrow, merchant and coal dealer; Gleason & Co., merchants and coal dealers; Eberman, McFall & Co., owners of saw-mill and boat-yard; A. J. Harris, justice of the peace; Hart & Co., grocers; James Herron, merchant; Jacobs & Shallenberger, black- smiths; J. W. King, foundryman; Thomas Lilly, grain and live-stock dealer; Robert McDonald, shoe- maker ; John Mailey, baker; E. T. Marshall, carpen- ter; G. W. Martin, dealer in general merchandise; Joseph Moffitt, wagon-maker; Lewis W. Morgan, merchant and coal dealer; William Powell, carpen- ter; J. W. L. Rabe, dentist; Davis Sheplar, dealer in boots and shoes ; J. W. Smith, postmaster and dealer in drugs, books, stationery, etc .; J. B. Vandyke, mer- chant; Solomon Zook, grocer; and Prof. G. P. Beard, principal of the Southwestern State Normal School.
Boat-building .- Soon after the founding of the town its proprietors placed in operation a saw-mill. In 1851 this mill was leased by a firm composed of William McFall, Jr., St. Clair Chrisinger, and James Imley, who, during the summer of that year, engaged in boat-building. They continued the business but two or three years, however, being succeeded by Capt. Mark Sterling and Benjamin Coursin.
In 1857, under the firm-name of G. M. Eberman & Co., G. M. Eberman and William McFall, Jr., pur- chased the property, made many improvements, and began an extensive business as boat-builders. In · 1865 the firm of Craft & Lambert leased the premises for one year, and during that time built nine boats. The proprietors of the yard resumed work in 1866, though, and in 1870, by S. W. Craft becoming a mem- ber of the firm, the title was changed to that of Eber-
1 On the 1st of December, 1870, the management of the Pittsburgh, Virginia and Charleston Railroad was granted the right of way through Third Street; with the privilege of laying a double track. This road, however, was not laid through Third Street, and was not completed through California until 1881; the first regular trains between West Brownsville and Pittsburgh being started May 15th of that year.
2 In 1871 the coal works of Morgan & Lambert were opened. Morgan & Dixon now control them. They also own the well-known steamer " L. W. Morgan."
631
CALIFORNIA BOROUGH.
man, McFall & Co. In the fall of 1879 the road-bed of the Pittsburgh, Virginia and Charleston Railroad was carried through the grounds of this firm, and as , a result their boat-yard, to that time one of the most complete and convenient on the river, was destroyed, and the work of boat-building abruptly brought to an end. The question of damages, etc., is still a matter of contest in the courts.
From 1859 to 1879, inclusive, fifty men were usually employed, except during the years 1863 and 1864, when about seventy-five men were furnished employ- ment. During the twenty years above mentioned the firms of G. M. Eberman & Co. and Eberman, McFall & Co. constructed one hundred and sixty- eight steamboats and model barges, at a cost of $754,753.54, besides having sold from their yards timber and lumber of the value of $40,000. In 1878 they built the steamers "Montana" and "Dacota" for the Missouri River trade. These boats were two hundred and fifty feet in length, forty-eight feet wide, and five feet six inches depth of hold. The famous barges owned by W. H. Brown and Richard Gray also represent the handiwork of the California boat-builders.
The Christian Church.1-In the early days of Christianity, when the disciples were scattered abroad, they went everywhere preaching the word. So when Edward Riggs moved his family to Califor- nia, Pa., in 1858, he began to declare the gospel to his neighbors, and became a centre of religious in- fluence in the community. Five members of his household were disciples of Christ, and they found two others, David Thomas and his wife, who were of " like precious faith."
Judson D. Benedict, of Tonawanda, N. Y., a man of great intellectual power, and an exceptionally forcible and convincing speaker, was invited to hold a series of meetings in this new and growing village. He came in March, 1859, and preached in the old school-house to deeply interested audiences. Much inquiry was awakened, and many people, like the noble Bereans, "received the word with all read- iness of mind, and searched the Scriptures daily whether these things were so ; therefore many of them . believed."
On March 24, 1859, several, persons having been immersed upon a public confession of their faith in Jesus, the Christ, the Son of the living God, the Christian Church in California, Pa., was organized in the house of Edward Riggs, on Second Street, the second church of the living God that was planted in his private dwelling. Twenty-two persons on that day associated themselves together in church order on the principles of the gospel of Christ as set forth by the apostles in the New Testament 'Scriptures. Their names are as follows, viz. : Edward Riggs, Hes- ter Riggs, Jesse E. Riggs, Hattie N. Riggs, Amanda
Riggs, Sarah J. Riggs, David Thomas, Harriet Thomas, Joseph Pyle, Albena Pyle, Emeline Pyle, Phebe Margarette Pyle, A. A. Devore, James Mar- shall, Josiah W. Philips, Susan Philips, Sarah Smith, Laura E. Smith, Mary Miller, Rebecca Miller, Henry Hornbake, and Sidney J. Rothwell. Of these Edward Riggs, David Thomas, and A. A. Devore were ap- pointed elders. Owing to the peculiar views of J. D. Benedict with regard to the church organization, no deacons were chosen at that time.
Soon after the organization Mr. Riggs moved to his present residence on Fifth Street, where the church assembled regularly for worship and edifica- tion for nearly seven years. On occasion, when favored with the labors of an evangelist in meetings of days, they met in the old school building. By their fidelity and silent influence, and the occasional assistance of able proclaimers of the gospel with the blessing of God, the word of God increased, the num- ber of disciples multiplied, and "the Lord added to them those that were being saved."
On Jan. 7, 1866, the church began to meet in the old school-house, according to previous arrangement, for the usual Lord's day worship, and continued so to meet until the completion of the present plain but comfortable and sufficiently commodious house of worship.
The first step toward a meeting-house was taken about the beginning of the year 1863, when a meet- ing was called to consider the propriety of building a house for public worship. It was then resolved that a board of trustees be chosen to take charge of all the church property, to receive any and all money or moneys or other valuables, and select a site for a building, if deemed advisable to build. Joseph Pyle, David Shallenberger, and Albert Wilson were chosen said board of trustees.
Prudently considering the financial ability of the membership, and desiring to avoid the embarrass- ment of a depressing debt, they moved slowly in obtaining subscriptions and collecting the necessary funds. On Jan. 4, 1866, it was resolved that the trustees, who were appointed at a previous meeting, be instructed to purchase a lot known as the Wilkins lot for one hundred and seventy-five dollars, on which to build a meeting-house. This resolution was carried into effect the same month, Jan. 18, 1866, when the lot was purchased according to instructions, and a deed was given by William Philips and Mary, his wife, to Albert Wilson, Joseph Pyle, and David Shallenberger, trustees for the use of the Disciple Church meeting in California, Pa.
On May 26th, of the same year, a building commit- tee was appointed consisting of Josiah W. Philips, Edward Riggs, Joseph Pyle, and David Shallenber- ger. They proceeded to procure funds and materials, but did not build until 1870, when the present frame house was erected and completed early in 1871. The I formal opening of the house for public worship was
1 By the Rev. W. L. Hayden.
632
HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
on Feb. 15, 1871. On that day John F. Rowe preached and began a series of meetings, continuing over three Lord's days, and resulting in several acces- sions to the church. The elders of this church have been selected with special reference to the scriptural qualification of aptness to teach. The general policy has been to rely upon local talent, chiefly the elder- ship, for the public instruction of the congregation and guidance into all good works, and to call in preachers to aid in special efforts to reach the world with the offers of salvation.
The present eldership consists of Edward Riggs, G. G. Hertzog, and Robert Wilson ; the first of whom has been an office-bearer in the church of God almost continuously for more than forty-five years. With him Josiah W. Philips and David Shallenberger were also associated a part of the time. The deaconate is composed of Joseph Wilkins, James Luellyn, D. H. Jacobs, and James Stevenson.
The preachers who have labored with this church in meetings of days and sometimes weeks, some of whom have been called two, three, or four times for such labors, are the following, viz .: J. D. Benedict, J. F. Rowe, L. Southmayd, Benjamin Franklin, L. P. Streator, J. C. Goodrich, Samuel Matthews, L. W. Scott, S. F. Fowler, Campbell Jobes, W. B. Young, J. W. Kemp, L. F. Bittle, R. H. Singer, O. G. Hert- zog, Joseph King, William Baxter, D. L. Kincaid, William Pinkerton, T. D. Garvin, and George Musson.
Others have preached occasionally to the edifica- tion of the body, among whom are J. B. Pyatt, James Darsie, William Martin, A. C. Mckeever, Thomas Strathern, M. L. Streator, S. B. Teagarden, and W. L. Hayden.
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