History of Washington County, Pennsylvania : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 193

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 193

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The first pastor was Rev. Joseph Shaw, who ac- cepted a call from this congregation in connection with West Alexander on Sept. 5, 1843. The session at this time had but two members, Thomas Hutcheson and John Scott, the two others elected at the organi- zation having been removed by death. An addition was soon made to the session in the election of John Johnston, James Holmes, and James Hunter, who were ordained and installed on Sabbath following the 3d of August, 1844. Mr. Shaw continued in the pas- torate till Oct. 5, 1852. His labors appear to have been blessed, and thus made effectual in the upbuild- ing of the congregation. At every communion season some were added to the church. At one time eighteen were received. Near the end of this pastorate a spirit of emigration took possession of many in this part of Washington County, and from it the congregation suffered a severe loss in the depletion of its roll. But while Washington County lost some good citizens, and Wheeling congregation some good members by this emigration, it is a pleasing reflection that the Brownlees, the Mcclellans, the Richmonds, the Holmes, and many others who left this part of the country carried with them the savor of that piety which had shed its benign influence around them whilst they had their homes in the Scotch-Irish region of Pennsylvania.

The Rev. James C. Murch was ordained and installed pastor of West Alexander and Wheeling congrega- tions on Sept. 8, 1853, giving half of his time to each place. Mr. Murch entered upon this his first pastorate with a vigorous constitution, and with real devotion to the distinctive principles of the church of his choice. He was a fearless defender of the anti-slavery position of the church. Though there was not a for- mal organization of a Sabbath-school during his min- istry, yet the instruction of the youth was not neg- lected. He met with the young people of the congregation on Sabbath morning before public wor- ship commenced, and spent one hour in the study of a portion of the scripture which had been assigned as the lesson for the day, and in addition to this held " diets of catechising" frequently in different parts of the congregation. The congregation was not largely increased in numbers, but by the fruits of this faithful labor it made some advance. The session, which had again been reduced by death and removal, was strengthened by the addition of Ebenezer Brownlee

1 The history of this church is furnished by the pastor, the Rev. James A, McKee.

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EAST FINLEY TOWNSHIP.

and James R. Donaldson some time in the month of June, 1857.

Mr. Murch was released from this charge in June, 1859. This release was caused by changes taking place in the West Alexander part of his charge, by which that congregation wished to secure the services of a pastor for the whole of his time. Mr. Murch left Wheeling congregation with the kindliest of feel- ings existing between him and the people. Some time in 1859 this church united with a little congre- gation known as the Heads of Wheeling, the place of worship in which was six miles southeast, and early in 1860 these two congregations; with a few peo- ple living in and around Burnstown, united in calling the Rev. James A. McKee to become their pastor. Mr. McKee entered upon his labors on the first Sab- bath of June, and was installed pastor of this united charge on Aug. 9, 1860, and still continues in the Wheeling branch of this charge.

In 1860 but thirty-eight members are reported as belonging to the Wheeling congregation. There was an organization of a Sabbath-school effected in June, 1860, and a semi-monthly prayer-meeting started, both of which have been kept up with vary- ing degrees of interest and success till the present time. The Sabbath-school has had an enrollment of from fifty to ninety-five scholars, and under the care of from eight to ten devoted teachers has been doing a good work.

Three times has the session felt the need of adding to its membership. On Jan. 7, 1864, Mr. William Sutherland was ordained and installed, and Mr. Franklin Bell installed as ruling elders, and on April 23, 1868, Messrs. James Howe and James Reaney were ordained and installed ruling elders, and on April 22, 1881, Henry P. Danley was added to the session.

The old house in which the congregation had met for twenty-five years or more began to show the effects of the storms to which it had been exposed on the high hill where it stood, and during 1866 arrange- ments were made for the erection of a new one. The congregation selected a site about fifty rods north of where the old church stood, and contracted for a new building to be completed in the fall of 1867. It was first occupied on the first Sabbath of December, 1867. This house is thirty-two by fifty-five feet, de- signed to seat about two hundred and seventy-five persons. The Mite Society of the congregation re- painted, carpeted, and partly refurnished the church during the summer of 1880.

The record of the congregation at this time (March, 1882) may be briefly stated stated as follows: Pastor, Rev. James A. McKee ; number of members, ninety- two; Sabbath-school officers and teachers, ten; scholars, seventy-five ; session, James Howe, James Reaney, H. P. Danley.

Pleasant Grove Baptist Church was organized Nov. 14, 1840. Letters of dismissal were asked for

from the Ten-Mile Baptist Church, and granted to Messrs. Tilton, Vansyock, and Griffith, and fifty others, representatives of the Pleasant Grove Society, on Saturday before the fourth Lord's day in October, 1840. The members of the newly-organized society were Levi Griffith, Ann Griffith, John Tilton, Eliza- beth Tilton, Enoch Vansyock, Catharine Vansyock, Robert Patterson, Nancy Patterson, Edward O. Towne, John Pedan, Hannah Pedan, Rebecca Pedan, Enoch Tilton, Elizabeth Tilton, Charles Tilton, William Pratt, Joseph Bierr, Isabella Bierr, Martha McNeal, Easter Kerr, Eva Towne, Ann Towne, Mary Kelly, Eliza J. Jobs, Thomas Smith, Elizabeth Smith, Ellen McPeak, Elizabeth Towne, Nancy Dixon, Adam Reid, Daniel Tilton, Abagail Tilton, John Horn, William McPeak, Samuel Kelley, Nancy Tilton, Margaret McCracken, Letitia Patterson, Sarah Williams, Rachel Vansyock, Mary A. Towne, Nancy Kerr, Mary Horn, Sarah Carter, Mary M. Horn, Morrison Jones, Rebecca Jones, Elliott Patterson, Sarah Patterson, Oma Jobs, Catharine Brown, and William Patterson.

On Nov. 14, 1840, services were held, conducted by Simon Sigfried, John Thomas, and others. The first pastor who labored with this people came to them Dec. 17, 1840.

The following named have been pastors of this church: Revs. Levi Griffith, Dec. 17, 1840; Eli C. Town, March, 1848; John Scott, May 17, 1851; Job Russell, March 20, 1858; John B. Lineka, April 1, 1861; G. W. Wharton, May 5, 1866 ; Morgan Linton, April, 1874; J. A. Snodgrass, July 1, 1873; J. A. Simpson, Dec. 12, 1874; L. R. Steele, May 10, 1877 ; J. A. Simpson, July 14, 1879; J. R. Foulks, July 10, 1880.

The following persons have been chosen deacons since the organization : John Tilton, Samuel Kelly, Elliot Patterson, Daniel Tilton, Thomas McKehan, J. Y. Holmes, Josiah Patterson, William McCreery, Joseph Ryan, Munson Trussell.

From this church have gone out members to assist in the establishment of the churches of Buffalo, North Wheeling, and West Finley. Four young men from this church have been licensed to preach: Eli C. Town (in 1847, who soon after became its pastor), Hugh R. Craig, William Scott (in 1854), and J. G. Holmes. The present membership of the church is one hundred and twenty-three.

The Enon Baptist Church was organized many years ago, including members in East Finley and in Rich Hill township, Greene County. The records having been kept in Greene County, no facts have been gained from them in reference to the organization and first members of this church. The church edifice (located in Rich Hill) in which this congregation worshiped has given place to a new frame church, which has recently been built on a site some distance above the little village of Enon, on the Washington County side of Wheeling Creek. It was formally

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

dedicated on Sunday, Jan. 29, 1882, the dedication sermon being preached by the Rev. Mr. Miller. The following is an extract from a published report of the dedication :

" After the preaching of the sermon it was an- nounced that a debt of some four hundred dollars stood against the building, and it was necessary that this should be removed. Little by little this amount was cut down until it was reduced to about one hun- dred, when Rev. Miller related an incident of a boat which was being assisted through a lock, and was thrown out of the current by means of a rope which was used to ease it on its passage through, when the captain called out 'cut her loose and let her float.' The application was that now the church must be cut loose from this debt and left to float free. At this Deacon James Allum arose and said he would 'cut her loose,' and assumed the payment of the remainder of the debt, this in addition to his already magnificent subscription of $500.

"The Baptists here now have an excellent, fine, large frame church building, being thirty-eight feet in width and sixty in length. The ceiling is eighteen feet in the clear. Outside the building is white and mounted with a fine belfry, which the lady members will soon provide with a bell. Two ante-rooms are cut off in front, leaving a vestibule between. The main room is fifty feet in length, while back of the pulpit is a fine recess which adds much to the appearance of the room. . . . And taken all in all it is said to be the finest and best building in the Ten-Mile Association. This edifice was erected at a cost of twenty-seven hundred dollars, and the people of the vicinity justly feel proud of it as their work, nearly all the money having been subscribed and paid by them.

"The members and community at large feel under many obligations to their pastor for the interest and active part he has taken in this work from the start. With the exception of very little help, he did all the work towards raising the money, attended all the meetings of the committees, and kept things on the move; also gave largely of his own means, and no one could have raised this last four hundred dollars with more ease than he."

The Fairview Cumberland Presbyterian Church was recently organized in the township with forty members, mostly from Old Concord Church. The pastor is the Rev. James S. Keener, a licentiate.

Schools .- Subscription schools were taught in early years in what is now East Finley township in the old Quaker meeting-house, and in school-houses in what is known as the Jordan and Ely Districts. Among the teachers who taught in these early schools were James Hunter, George Plauts, Samuel England, and John Adams. The last named was in all points a specimen of the old-fashioned "schoolmaster."

The township of East Finley accepted the pro- visions of the common school law in 1835. At that

time there were two hundred and thirty-three persons in the township liable to school tax. The amount of money raised by tax in 1835 was $191.99, and in 1836 $235.46. The names of the school directors of 1835 are not reported. In 1836 David Pedan and Samuel England were elected. The township was districted in that year, and school-houses were erected. The school report for the year 1863 showed in East Finley nine districts, nine schools, and three hundred and fifty-one scholars enrolled. Amount of money levied for school purposes, $1660; amount expended, $1738. In 1873 the report gave nine districts, nine schools, and four hundred and nineteen scholars enrolled. Amount of money raised for school purposes, $2298.33 ; amount expended, $1952.32. In 1880 there were eight districts, eight schools, and three hundred and thir- teen scholars enrolled. Amount of money levied for school purposes, $2428.66; amount expended for schools, $1862.63.

Justices of the Peace .- Finley township was erected in 1788, and forty years afterwards was di- vided into East and West Finley. Finley remained separate and independent as a district from the time of its erection till 1803, when it was united with Donegal to form District No. 11, which from that time continued to embrace the territory of Finley (which became East and West Finley in 1828) with Donegal until the adoption of the Constitution of 1838. Since that time East and West Finley have each been sepa- rate and independent. The following list of justices embraces the one appointed in Finley township prior to the operation of the Constitution of 1838, with those elected in East Finley since that time, viz. :

William Smith, Dec. 21, 1789. David Pedan, April 14, 1840. James Nichols, April 14, 1840. Hugh McClelland, April 15, 1845. James Nichols, April 15, 1845. James Nichols, April 9, 1850. John W. Howell, April 9, 1850.

William Montgomery, April 20, 1864.

Matthew McKeen, June 3, 1865. James L. Wood, May 5, 1866. Matthew McKeen, Nov. 24, 1869. George H. Wright, April 19, 1872. Matthew McKeen, Jan. 15, 1874. William Montgomery, April 11,| J. B. McGuire, Jan. 28, 1874.

1854. Israel L. Wood, April 10, 1855.

George H. Wright, Feb. 14, 1874. Matthew McKeen, March 17, 1875.

William Montgomery, April 12,! Nicholas Pease, March 14, 1877. 1859. James Howe, April 10, 1860.

Matthew McKeen, March 30, 1880.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

WILLIAM McCLEARY.

William MeCleary was one of eleven children of Thomas and Mary (Lynn) McCleary, who emigrated from Ireland after their marriage and settled in Vir- ginia, where William was born, Feb. 10, 1805, and where he spent his infancy, childhood, and early man- hood years. In 1830 he came to Washington County, Pa., and engaged in stage-driving on the National pike, which he followed for eighteen years from Wheeling to Uniontown and intermediate points.

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EAST FINLEY TOWNSHIP.

His next business was as constable of Donegal town- ship. This position he held for five years. He was then toll collector near West Alexander, on the Na- tional road, for two years. He then purchased and moved to the farm in East Finley township, which was his home until his death, April 3, 1882, and which is now in possession of his descendants. He also held the position of superintendent of the Cumberland road for three years. He was an exemplary member of the Baptist Church for many years, and in politics a decided Democrat, always attending elections and voting as a matter of duty. He was a lover of his home, with its quiet cares and enjoyments, and was never ambitious for office. He was a man of perfect and unquestioned integrity and truth, and of gener- ous impulses, who did his duty as he understood it, and was content. He was married Jan. 17, 1836, to Susan G. Wilkinson, daughter of Thomas and Pru- dence (Lewis) Wilkinson, of Fayette County, Pa. Their children are as follows :

Thomas J., born Feb. 20, 1837, married Martha Rossel. He is a farmer, and resides in East Finley township, Washington Co., Pa.

James C., born Jan. 3, 1839, married Maggie Hair. He is a farmer, and resides in West Finley township, Washington Co., Pa.

John E., born June 24, 1841, married Cornelia Carter. He is a farmer, and resides in Marshall County, Va.

Mary J., born Dec. 17, 1843, married Robert Bell, a farmer of Franklin township, Washington Co., Pa., where they reside.

Sarah E., born Jan. 16, 1846, married Porter Mc- Carrell, a farmer of Morris township, Washington Co., Pa. She died Aug. 6, 1876.

William L., born May 23, 1848, married Lizzie Brinton. He is a dentist, and resides in Washington, Pa.

Martha L., born Aug. 16, 1850, married John Dan- ley, a farmer of East Finley township, Washington Co., Pa.

Francis M., born July 18, 1853, married Adelphia Mitchell. He is a farmer in East Finley township, Washington Co., Pa. .

Lewis C., born June 6, 1855, married Violet Porter. He is a farmer in East Finley township, Washington Co., Pa.

Martin L., born Aug. 13, 1857, married Laura Stoy. He,is a dentist, at present not permanently located.

Caroline A., born Dec. 6, 1860, resides with her mother.

LEONARD PLANTS, SR.

Leonard Plants, Sr., probably the oldest man living in East Finley township, and certainly one of the most vigorous in mind and body for one of his years in any community, is of German descent, and was born at the foot of Gallows Hill, Washington Co., Pa., March 22, 1797. His father, Christian Plants, who was a native of Eastern Pennsylvania, married Catharine Haines, and settled in Washington County about the year 1796. Their living children are Leonard, Solomon, George, Christian, Catharine, and Maxwell. Those dead are Elizabeth, Hannah, Jacob, Mary, Daniel, John, and an infant unnamed. About the year 1806, Christian Plants moved to Finley (now East Finley township), and settled upon the farm now owned and occupied by his son Leonard, who assisted his father in tilling the farm until 1815, when he indentured with Jesse St. Clair, with whom he learned the mason trade. After serving an ap- prenticeship of two years he began work for " wages" upon the National pike, then building, and followed his trade from that date until 1880. For the last two years he has superintended the improvements of the lands in which he has invested most of the surplus earnings of his labor. He says " he began life one of the poorest boys imaginable." His strong body, strong common sense, great energy and business tact have secured for him the considerable possessions which he now enjoys. He has been a member of the United Brethren Church since 1840.

Mr. Plants married for his first wife Elizabeth Barney, May 6, 1819. She died in 1826, leaving four children,-Elizabeth, Christian, George, and an in- fant which died unnamed.

He married for his second wife Fanny Barney, sister of his first wife. She died in January, 1874. Their living children are Jesse, Leonard, Mary J., Hannah, John B., Margaret, Martha, and Daniel. Those dead are Catharine, Fanny, Nancy, Adolphus H., and Christina.

He married his present wife, Nancy L. Miller, Julv 23, 1874. They have one child, Catharine L.

EAST PIKE RUN TOWNSHIP.

THE township of East Pike Run lies in the eastern part of Washington County, on the Monongahela River, which forms its eastern boundary, except for a short distance on the northern part of that bound- ary, where it is joined by Allen township. The other boundaries of East Pike Run are : on the north, Fal- lowfield and a small part of Allen; on the west, West Pike Run township ; and on the south, the township of East Bethlehem.

The territory of the townships of East and West Pike Run were for almost half a century included in the old township of Pike Run, which was formed in 1792 in accordance with the prayer of a petition signed by Daniel Depue, Vincent Colvin, Joseph Parkison, John Read, Robert Scott, Benjamin Parki- son, Isaac Laider, George Ringul, and Joseph Hall, inhabitants of the township of Fallowfield, setting forth :

" That the said Township is too large for the convenience and ease of the inhabitants, they therefore pray the Court to erect a Township to be called Pike Run Township by a division in manner following to wit: where the line between Somerset Township and Fallowfield Township crosses Van Swearingen road, beginning at Col. Parker's old plantation, thence by Vans Road to the Widow Crow's lane and thence to Chesters Ferry, by his Ferry Road, thence up Monongahela River to Neal Gil- lespies, thence by the Washington Road to Summerset township and with said Township line to the place of beginning, which said division is agreeable to the people of said township."

This petition was presented to the Court of Quarter Sessions at the January term of 1792. Thereupon commissioners were appointed, who made a favorable report at the April term of the same year, which re- port was accepted and confirmed by the court, and a decree issued on the 23d of that month ordering the erection of Pike Run township. In 1839, at the Jan- uary term of court, a petition was presented asking for the division of Pike Run township, which was granted March 9th in the same year, and the terri- tory of the old township erected into the new town- ships of East and West Pike Run.

Early Settlements .- In 1769, Thomas Swearin- gen, Jr., a son of Thomas Swearingen, of Montgom- ery County, Md., entered application for a certain tract of land lying along the Monongahela River,, in what is now East Pike Run township. A warrant for the tract was issued April 5, 1769, and it was surveyed under the name of "Turkey Bottom." The land which adjoined this tract on the north was that warranted to William Peters, who was fa- miliarly known to the early settlers as "Indian

Peter." This land of Indian Peter was afterwards purchased by. Neal Gillespie, and is the site of the village of West Brownsville. Thomas Swearingen, Jr., had a family of twenty-four children; but there is no information to be obtained concerning the greater number of them. One daughter, after her marriage, settled in Beaver County, in this State, and two other daughters and two sons settled in Brooke County, Va. It is not known to whom the land located by Mr. Swearingen more than one hundred years ago was sold. The property passed to John Pot- tinger, Zachariah Brown, and David Peters in 1792, and in 1802 to John Krepps.

On June 13, 1769, Adam Young was granted a war- rant for a tract of land in East Pike Run township. It afterwards came into the possession of John R. Sowers, and Oct. 11, 1819, was sold at sheriff's sale to Alexander C. Donaldson.

Neal Gillespie, a native of Ireland, emigrated to this country, and after a short time in the eastern part of the State came to Washington County with his family. In 1784 he purchased a tract of land known as "Indian Hill" of the widow and son of William Peters, better known as Indian Peter. This tract em- braced what is now West Brownsville and a part of East Pike Run township adjoining. His large estate was partially divided before his death, which occurred in 1815. A ferry, which had been established in 1775, was continued by him until his death, and by others until the completion of the Monongahela bridge in 1833, when it was abandoned. His children were two sons-Neal and James-and four daughters, Mary, Elizabeth, Susanna, and Nelly. Neal Gillespie, Jr., came into possession of a portion of the Indian Hill tract, on which he settled and died. His daughter Maria became the wife of Ephraim L. Blaine, and the mother of the Hon. James G. Blaine.

James lived in the stone house on the old home- stead place, now owned by Samuel W. Krepps. Mary, the eldest daughter, became the wife of John Krepps; they settled on a portion of the original farm, where they lived and died. Elizabeth became the wife of Irwin. Susanna married Beecher, and Nelly married a Mr. Boyle. Maria, one of their daughters, became the wife of Thomas Ewing, of Ohio, and the mother of Mrs. Gen. William T. Sher- man.

John Krepps was a native of Philadelphia, and emi- grated to Washington County about 1790. He married

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EAST PIKE RUN TOWNSHIP.

Mary, a daughter of Neal Gillespie, by whom he re- ceived a portion of the Indian Hill tract, which her father had given her. Later he purchased other lands adjoining. The hill known as Krepps' Knob was a part of his farm. About the year 1794 he established a ferry across the Monongahela River, as the court records of Fayette County show that in that year a petition was presented for "a road from Krepps' ferry to the bridge at the mouth of Dunlap's Creek." The ferry landing on the Bridgeport side of the river was near the foot of Spring Street, and at the present resi- dence of Solomon G. Krepps, his grandson. John Krepps lived and died upon the farm which is now owned by Joseph T. Rodgers and James Slocum. His children were Samuel J., Solomon G., John, Christian, and one daughter, Helen.

Samuel settled on the east side of the river in Bridgeport in 1823, where Eli Leonard now lives, and carried on the saw-mill at the Jonah Cadwallader dam on Dunlap's Creek, also operating the coal banks on that property.

In 1832 he built a residence in Brownsville (the same which is now kept as the " Monongahela House" by the widow of his son, John B. Krepps) and removed to it. In 1834 he built the Valley Mills in Bridgeport. He was a prominent and public-spirited citizen, and identified with the business interests of both boroughs. About 1846 he removed to the old Krepps homestead in East Pike Run township, and soon afterwards to the Neal Gillespie farm, where he died, March 6, 1866. In 1854 he was elected to the Legislature from this county. His children were John B., Mrs. M. A. Cox, Clement D., Dr. Charles W., Ann Eliza, Samuel W., C. C., and Solomon G. Samuel W. resides on the farm where his father died, and which is the old Gil- lespie homestead. John B. was an attorney, lived at Brownsville, and died in January, 1881. He was an officer in the Union army in the late Rebellion. Sol- omon G., the youngest son, lives at Bridgeport.

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History of Washington County, Pennsylvania : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 193

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