History of Washington County, Pennsylvania : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 194

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 194

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Solomon G., the second son of John and Mary Krepps, settled on the east side of the river at Bridge- port, as early as 1813, where he built the brick house at the old Krepps' ferry landing, which is now the resi- dence of his nephew, Solomon G. Krepps. He (Sol- omon G., the elder) was a merchant in Bridgeport in 1816, and for many years was one of the prominent citizens of the borough. In 1832 he, with Zephaniah Carter, built the " Friendship Paper-Mill" at Bridge- port, but died soon after, and before the mill was in successful operation. He served one term in the State Legislature, and was several times elected burgess of Bridgeport, also served as a member of the borough council. He had two sons -- Bolivar and John S .- and four daughters- Mary, Nancy, Rebecca, and Ellen. Bolivar went to California in 1849 and died there; John S. lived on a farm adjoining Bridgeport, went out in the last war as major in the First Vir- ginia Cavalry, and rose to the rank of colonel ; Mary (Mrs. Bailey) died on the homestead ; Nancy (Mrs.

John Walker) is living at Elizabethtown, Allegheny Co .; Rebecca (Mrs. Strouse) is now living at Cincin- nati ; Ellen became the wife of William H. Playford, of Uniontown.

John, also a son of John Krepps, kept tavern in the upper end of West Brownsville many years, and died there. Christian, the youngest son, emigrated to the West, and his subsequent history is not known. Helen, the only daughter of John Krepps, became the wife of Judge Eli Miller, of Mount Vernon, Ohio, where she died. Their son, John Krepps Miller, rep- resented that district in Congress in 1857-58, and died in 1860.

Conrad Weaver warranted a tract of land on Pike Run, in Pike Run township, on May 14, 1785, the survey being made to him May 21, 1786. The tract contained two hundred and sixty-nine acres, was given the name of "Weaver's Purchase," and was adjacent to the lands of Herbert Wallace, Andrew Swearingen, Beatty, and Biggert. In 1792, Conrad Weaver sold a portion of his land to Herbert Wallace, and another to Mark Deems in 1811. The remainder he left in 1816, by will, to his sons, Leonard and Con- rad Weaver, Jr. Descendants of the Weaver family still own and occupy the land.

Nathan Heald was one of the earliest settlers who made their way to the Monongahela valley, he having removed here with his family from Loudoun County, Va., in 1771. The property which Nathan Heald owned in Pike Run township was a tract of four hun- dred and twenty-eight acres called "Mill Place," which was warranted to Thomas Miller on Feb. 18, 1785, and assigned to Heald, to whom it was surveyed June 12, 1786. On April 12, 1792, Nathan Heald bought of John Townsend the tract of land called "Spicewood Valley," and Sept. 24, 1796, he pur- chased of Benjamin Townsend the property known as " Mason's Bower." Nathan Heald was the father of William Heald, who celebrated his one hundredtli birthday in 1866. Mr. Heald lived five years after his one hundredth birthday. . At that time his living descendants numbered one hundred and sixty per- sons. Of that number the only one now living in Washington County is Mrs. Emmer H. Griffith, whose home is at Centreville.

Henry, William, and John Gregg were three mem- bers of a family who came from Ireland to this country; and settled in East Pike Run township, where they were among the earliest settlers. Henry Gregg took up a tract of land containing three hundred and forty-nine acres called " Burning Mine" tract. It was sold by Henry Gregg to Joshua Gregg, July 31, 1817, and is now the property of Mr. Duvall. In the year 1796, Henry Gregg was elected to the office of justice of the peace. He was married and had several children, all of whom are dead, most of them dying while very young. John Gregg, one of them, left two sons, William H. and Thomas M. Gregg. The former is a merchant in Greenfield, in this county, and the latter resides in

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

West Virginia, near Morgantown. Henry Gregg, Jr., was another son of Henry Gregg, the early settler. Several of his children are at present residing in East and West Pike Run townships, two of them, William and John, being farmers. Thomas, third son of Henry Gregg, Sr., left three daughters, Nancy, Emily, and Almy, all of whom are single. Edward Gregg, a fourth son of Henry Gregg, left two daughters, both of whom are widows,-Mrs. Malinda West and Mrs. Mary J. Baker. John Gregg, one of the three early settlers, was married twice. His sons John and Henry, by the first wife, both died of consumption. He also had quite a large family of children by his second marriage, all of whom eventually went to the West.

William Gregg, one of the three who came from Ireland, married and had a family of four sons and one daughter, the latter being Mrs. Margaret Crow. The son Henry married Jane Dowler; John married Nancy Gregg, Robert married Ann Robinson, and Andrew married Dorcas Nichols. They all left fami- lies. An old-time advertisement is found which shows that Daniel Gregg, probably a member of one of the three original families, was engaged in the raising of fruit-trees. Under date of March 20, 1809, he advertised "that he has at his nursery in Wash- ington County, adjoining the Monongahela River, three and one-half miles below Brownsville, a variety of the best and most approved kinds of fruit-trees, the grafts being selected from some of the best nurseries in Chester and Bucks Counties. ... Among them are Romanite, Red Vanderveers, Green Vanderveers, Winesops, Pennock Apples, Newtown Pippins, Green Pippins, Hughes' Crab, Queen Apples, June Apples, Ashmore's Early Red Streak, and sundry other kinds of summer fruits."

The tract of one hundred and thirty-three acres of land in East Pike Run township owned at an early day by John Almond or Allman is situated on the waters of East Pike Run, and is now the property of John White, Esq. There are still many descendants and relatives of the Allman family living in this vicinity.

Jacob Springer, a pioneer of this township, took for his wife Miss Peggy Gregg, a native of Ireland, and a sister of the early residents, John, William, and Henry Gregg. They owned the farm now be- longing to Mr. Snyder. Their children were seven,- three sons and four daughters. The daughter Peggy became the wife of John Neblick, Betsey married John Carson, Nancy was the wife of John Carroll, and Polly died unmarried. The son, John Springer, married Jane Newkirk, James married Polly Carroll, and William married Susan Johnson.

Like many others of the early settlers of the terri- tory along the Monongahela River, Amos Ayles came from Chester County, Pa. Soon after coming here he was so unfortunate as to lose an arm. His, family was quite large, and four of his sons, Stephen, Isaac, John, and another one, were engaged in boating and

trading upon the river. Stephen married Mary Nixon, and they lived and died in Washington County. Isaac's wife was Mary Coleman, and their son still owns the homestead. James Ayles married Betsey Nixon. He formerly owned the mill near Greenfield now owned by the Greggs.

John and Seth Buffington were both brothers, who came into this section with the first settlers. Seth Buffington married Sarah Millison. In his day he was a prominent man, greatly esteemed by his neigh- bors. His family was three sons and one daughter,- John, Seth, Joseph, and Orphie Buffington. The daughter became the wife of Robert Lilley. The son John married Paulina Reynolds, and resides in Brownsville. Joseph married a daughter of John Thompson, and resides in East Bethlehem. Seth Buffington, Sr., became involved in financial difficul- ties and emigrated West, where he died soon after. The son Seth, Jr., also went West, where he followed his trade, blacksmithing.

James Dorsey emigrated from the vicinity of Bal- timore, Md., and was one of those settlers who came very early into East Pike Run township. He took up a large body of land, brought it to a fruitful state, lived upon it until his death, and a portion of it is now occupied by his grandson and namesake, James Dorsey. James Dorsey, Sr., had ten children, three sons and seven daughters, two of whom died in in- fancy. The son Edward married Matilda Brashears ; John remained single, and James, Jr., married Eliza- beth Elder, of Maryland. The three sons are dead, but the widow of James Dorsey is still living and past eighty-two years of age. The sons of James, Jr., and Elizabeth Dorsey are James and George. James married Grace Devenning, of Ohio, and George married Martha Phillips, of Fayette County. These sons of James Dorsey, Jr., jointly own the old Dorsey homestead.

Samuel Bailey was a Quaker, and one of the foun- ders of the Quaker Church in this vicinity. His property was a large tract of land adjoining the Robert Jackman lands. A daughter of Samuel Bailey became the wife of John Murphy, and his sons, Thomas and Isaac Bailey, reside on the home farm in this township.

Greenfield Borough .- As early as the year 1784, Robert Jackman came into possession of a body of land in this county to the amount of several hun- dred acres. This land was comprised in two tracts, located along the Monongahela River, on opposite sides of Pike Run, and at the mouth of the last- named stream. The tract "Ararat," containing two hundred and twenty-two acres, was granted to Nathan Lynn on order No. 1939, and surveyed Dec. 16, 1784. The other tract, directly across the stream Pike Run, had an area of three hundred and twenty-two acres, and was warranted by Adam Youngs, the survey of it being made Dec. 15, 1784, under the title of " Mill Place.". At the dates mentioned all right and title

EAST PIKE RUN TOWNSHIP.

to this land was made over to Robert Jackman, and it included the sites of California and Greenfield, the present Gregg mill property and homestead, and the estates of James and John MeCrary as well. The Gregg mill was formerly known as the Jackman mill, but having passed through many hands, has come into the possession of A. J. Gregg. Mr. Jackman was a native of Ireland. He married a Miss Dixon, and they had quite a large family of children. The daughter Ruth became the wife of William Gregg, and lived near Greenfield, and a son, Dixon Jack- man, married Ruth Phillips. The sons James and William were fond of horse-racing, and had a race- course fitted up near Greenfield. These two sons in- herited from their father the greater part of the land which is now the site of the borough of California. Robert Jackman inherited the lands on which was laid out the village of Greenfield. He died leaving no children. There were two other sons of Robert Jackman, Sr., viz., John and Henry.

In 1814, Robert Jackman laid out the town of Green- field on land inherited from his father. An article of agreement made June 11th in that year between the proprietor, Robert Jackman, and the purchasers of certain lots in the new town, specifying conditions on which they were sold, priviteges of streets, alleys, tim- ber, quarries of freestone and limestone, coal in the vein, etc., and reservations of growing crops, ferry and other rights, shows the names of purchasers, and the prices paid by them for lots,1 as follows :

"Elizabeth How, No. 11, southwest side of Water Street, $71; Rensin Smith, No. 12, southwest side of Water Street, $52; Henry Smith, Nos. 1 and 2, northwest side of Spring Street, and No. 20, southwest side of Water Street, and one-half of No. 3, northeast side of Third Street, $219; Jacob Resinger, Esq, Nos. 3 and 4, northwest side of Spring Street, and No. 6, northeast side of Water Street, and No. 3, northeast side of Third Street, $257; John Mitchell, No. 5, northwest sisle of Spring Street, $44.50; Isaac Powell, No. 6 Spring Street, $50; Lewis Merchant, Nos. 1, 2 and 5 Spring Street, $182; John Kerr, Nos. 3 and 4 Spring Street, $111; William Huggens, No. 8 Water Street, $34; John Hurry, No. 7 Water'Street, $52; Robert Greggs, No. 6 Water Street, and one-half of No. 3 Federal Street, $84; Amos Ayles, Nos. 3 and 4 Water Street, $123; William Jackman, No. 1 Water Street, $44; Wil- liam Steel, No. 4 Water Street, 867; Jacob Duvall, No. 13 Water Street, and one-half of No. 3 Federal Street, $86.50; James Springer, No. 14 Water Street, $66; John Peterman, No. 2 Green Street, and No. 9 Federal Street, $125; Joseph Robeson, No. 4 Short Street, judgment, $73; Mary Wilkins, No. 3 Water Street, 878; Samuel Smith, No. 17 Water Street, $06; James Moffet, No. 18 Water Street, $70; William Cady, No. 19 Water Street, $52; Henry Petermau, No. 1 Green Street, and No. 3 Short Street, $117; Andrew Kerr, Nos. 7 and 8 Federal Street, $05; John Gregg, No. 6 Federal Street, $41 ; William Thatcher, No. 6 Spring Street, 866; John Springer, No. 7 Spring Street, SG1 ; Henry Reisinger, No. 3 Short Street, and No. 1 Third Street, $118; Patrick Coil, No. 2 Third Street, $40; Jacob Bennet, No. 3 Federal Street, 848; Robert Relitie, No. 5 Water Street, $61; Ely Devue, No. 2 Federal Street, 850; Silvester Smith, No. 16 Water Street, $57.50; James Lilley, No. 2 Federal Street, 842; John Jackman, No. 2 Water Street, $12.50; total, $2915."

On July 18, 1814, before Greenfield had become a town, except on paper, a co-operative association was organized in the place, called the "Farmers' and Mechanics' Commercial Store," having a nominal

capital stock of twenty thousand dollars, divided into shares of ten dollars each. The association was under the control and management of a president and nine directors, who were authorized to erect a storehouse, and to purchase keel-boats to convey their produce to Pittsburgh ; the principal object for which the association was formed being to afford an easy and cheap means of transporting the agricultural products of members and others in the vicinity to a market where good prices could be realized and goods pur- chased on favorable terms, and delivered to con- sumers without the addition of intermediate commis- sions and profits. This association, however, like most others of its kind, failed to accomplish in any considerable degree the results for which, ostensibly, it was organized.

The first general store was started in the place by John Carr, who also built the first house. It was a log cabin, and was built at the south end of Water Street, near the saw-mill on the river. Mr. John Buf- fington remembers when this house stood entirely alone upon the site of Greenfield. Van Reeves was another of the pioneer merchants, and there was also a resident named Miller who manufactured beaver caps. Henry Smith was the first hotel-keeper, and he was succeeded by Bolen Taylor, Joseph Lutz, Hiram Holmes, Jacob Qualk, Mrs. Newkirk, and others. Henry Smith was also a school-teacher in the town- ship. One of the earliest physicians was Dr. Molli- son. Those who have followed him in the practice of medicine in Greenfield are Drs. Eagan, Scott, Isaac Jackson, H. S. Chalfant, and Jacob Shelper. The present resident physician is Dr. Robert Miller. Very early in the history of this place two distilleries were in operation here, and a considerable amount of coopering business was carried on.

The incorporation of Greenfield as a borough was effected by act of the Legislature, passed April 9, 1834. The first burgess elected was Andrew Gregg. No complete list of succeding borough officers can be given, for the reason that the records covering the period of a quarter of a century from the incorpora- tion were destroyed by fire in 1875. The list of jus- tices of the peace elected for Greenfield since the office became elective have been gleaned, and is given below, viz. :

James Donaldson, April 14, 1840. William Wells, April 13, 1841. Francis Reader, June 11, 1844.

Robert T. Mellvaine, April 15, 1845. Francis Reader, April 10, 1849. Lewis E. Smith, April 9, 1850. Francis Reader, April 11, 1854. Lewis E. Smith, April 10, 1855. Francis Reader, April 10, 1860. Mark Winnett, April 20, 1864.

Augustus Wells, June 3, 18G5. L. J. Baker, April 17, 1866. Francis Reader, April 9, 1867. Francis Reader, April 2, 1872. Jobn Wilkins, April 28, 1873. Francis Bender, Jan. 19, 1874. D. O Lambert, March 13, 1875. Lewis E. Smith, March 16, 1873. Albert Wilson, March 25, 1878. D. O. Lambert, March 30, 1880.

At a meeting of the Council, held March 21, 1874, the borough limits of Greenfield were, by an ordi- nance of that body, extended so as to include a con- siderable additional area on the north and on the

1 The numbering of the lots is difficult to understand, but it is given as found, without attempt at explanation.

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

southwest sides, according to a plat made by Francis Reader, Esq., which was adopted by the board.

By a decree of court granted Jan. 19, 1881, the borough of Greenfield was made subject to the pro- visions of the act of Assembly regulating boroughs, which was passed April 3, 1851.

The borough now contains one hundred and twelve private dwelling-houses, two hotels, and three churches. . The hotels are at present conducted by W. C. Smith and Jacob Qualk. The other business interests of the place are represented by two drug- stores, three stores carrying stocks of dry-goods and groceries, three stores dealing especially in groceries and provisions, two bakeries, one confectionery-store, several restaurants, two blacksmith-shops, saw- and planing-mills, two shoe-stores, one clothing-store, two millinery and dress-making establishments, and a cabinet and undertaker's establishment. All the churches are of brick, the graded school occupies a frame building having three rooms, and the town hall, which is also a frame structure, has rooms where the Odd-Fellows, Masons, Knights of Pythias, and Knights of Labor all hold the regular meetings of their orders. The lodge of Odd-Fellows is appa- rently the strongest of the several secret orders repre- sented in Greenfield. In the original plat of the village they owned a lot, and the large town hall is their property. The Benevolent Association of Greenfield is also an institution of this order, and is exclusively under its supervision. Pike Run Lodge, No. 491, I. O. O. F., was in existence here in 1866, and on July 28th of that year the trustees of the order purchased of Jesse Bailey lot No. 10 in the borough. This lodge continued to meet in Greenfield for some time, but eventually removed to the borough of Cali- fornia.

Vesta Lodge, No. 696, I. O. O. F., was chartered Jan. 3, 1870. The first officers of the organization were Thomas Young, N. G .; J. E. Wilkins, V. G .; John Baker, Sec .; Oliver Hornbake, Asst. Sec .; Thomas D. Moffitt, Treas. The lodge has now sev- enty-two members.

Monongahela Valley Lodge, No. 361, F. A. M., was organized some twelve years ago, the date of the charter being Feb. 4, 1870. The charter officers were Nicholas S. Veatch, W. M .; Thomas S. Daly, S. W .; James S. Newkirk, J. W.

A charter for Pike Run Lodge, No. 1687, Knights of Pythias, was granted Sept. 8, 1881, at which time the members of the order numbered twenty persons, -John S. Dales, Daniel J. Frantz, Louis M. Sibbet, John Hupp, Isaac B. Frantz, Henry C. Shaffer, Jo- seph W. Kellions, Frederick Kellions, Thomas J. Reece, Albert E. Freeman, James Gainer, James Summerville, John W. Moore, James Jobes, John Moore, Robert Woods, and George H. Griffin.

Methodist Episcopal Church.1-Greenfield Cir-

cuit was in the Baltimore Conference, and was trav- eled by Rev. James Quinn as early as 1799. The circuit covered a large territory, and embraced parts of Greene, Fayette, and Washington Counties. There were perhaps no Methodists in Greenfield at this early day. There were some two or three Methodist families a few miles distant, among them the Hows and Riggs. William Riggs (father of Mahlon Riggs, now living, but a very old man) was a local preacher. Preaching was established at his house. In those days there were no church buildings in this end of the county. Some time afterwards, early in the pres- ent century, a log meeting-house was built, called How's Church, and it became one of the regular ap- pointments or preaching-places on Greenfield Circuit. In 1824 the Pittsburgh Conference was formed, and Greenfield Circuit was in the Monongahela District, and contained one colored and six hundred and sixty- two white members. This year (1826) the Monon- gahela District was presided over by Rev. George Brown. Greenfield Circuit was traveled by P. G. Buckingham and Richard Armstrong. Buckingham was a very able and popular preacher for many years, but unfortunately fell from his high position and was expelled from the church. He afterwards manifested deep repentance and humiliation, and was restored to the church. But his influence as a minister was gone. He moved West and died there many years ago.

In 1827, Monongahela District had for presiding elder Rev. William Stephens, and P. G. Buckingham and John Tackaberry were the traveling preachers. In 1828, William Stephens, presiding elder, and H. Furlong and J. E. Maffit, preachers. In 1829 the district was changed and called Pittsburgh District, with David Sharp presiding elder (a very able and acceptable preacher). On Greenfield Circuit were Simon Lauck and Thomas Taylor. In 1830, D. Sharp, presiding elder, and on the circuit were Simon Lauck and Thomas Jameson. In 1831, D. Sharp, presiding elder, and John White on circuit. In 1832, D. Sharp, presiding elder, and John White on circuit. In 1833, Charles Elliot was presiding elder (a mighty man), and Samuel E. Babcock and S. Worthington on the circuit. Babcock was a very able minister, a work- man that had no need to be ashamed. In the year 1834 the district was changed and called Uniontown District. Greenfield Circuit was also changed and

called Beallsville Circuit. William Stephens was presiding elder, and on the circuit was S. R. Brock- unier. During the years 1834 and '35 the first Meth- odist church building was erected in the town of Greenfield. It was built on lot No. 7 according to plan of town, and was a rather small and unpreten- tious brick building, and cost something like one thousand dollars. Previous to this time, however, there had been a society formed into a class, accord- ing to Methodist usage, and Fisher White was leader. There had been preaching in the town (but in private

1 By S. S. Rothwell.

787

EAST PIKE RUN TOWNSHIP.

houses) prior to the erection of the church building. The trustees were Van Reeves, Fisher White, Nathan Jackman, Allen Stockdale, and W. D. Veatch. The members were - Van Reeves and wife, Nathan Jackman and wife, A. Stockdale and wife, Fisher White and family, Mrs. How, Elizabeth How, Ellen Wells, Elizabeth Furlong, Mary Fenton, S. S. Roth- well and wife, Elizabeth Beazell, L. G. Beazell, Henry Jameson, William D. Veatch and wife, Elizabeth Jackman, William Veatch and wife, and Sheba Wil- kins. These are all that are now remembered as members in 1834,-some twenty-five or thirty in all.

In the year 1835, Robert Boyd was presiding elder and S. E. Babcock on the circuit. It is due to Rob- ert Boyd to say in this connection that he was one of God's chosen men, mighty in word and doctrine, an example to the flock or church over whom God had made him overseer. "He rests from his labors and his works follow him." Ir 1836, Robert Hopkins was presiding elder, and William Tipton on circuit. In the year 1837, T. M. Hudson was presiding elder, and William Tipton was on the circuit. Rev. T. M. Hudson was among the ablest preachers in the Pitts- burgh Conference. He commenced preaching when quite young. He was a member of the Baltimore Conference, and continued his effective labors till within a few years. He lived to a good old age (eighty-three), and died in December, 1881.

In 1838, T. M. Hudson was presiding elder, and John Spencer and B. F. Sawhill on circuit. During this year a most remarkable revival of religion spread all over the circuit. Hundreds were converted, mostly middle-aged and heads of families. Many have passed away, but many are still living and laboring to build up the cause of God in the earth.

In 1839, Samuel Wakefield was presiding elder, and Thomas Stinchcomb and Isaac MoClosky on the cir- cuit. In 1840, S. Wakefield, presiding elder, and on the circuit were D. Sharp and Richard Armstrong. In 1841 the district was changed and called Wheeling District, T. M. Hudson, presiding elder, and Abner Jackson and Jerry Knox on the circuit. In 1842 the same as 1841. In 1843, S. E. Babcock was presiding elder, and John White and George McCaskey trav- eled the circuit. In 1844, S. E. Babcock presiding elder, and on the circuit were George McCaskey and Heaton Hill. In 1845, S. E. Babcock presiding elder, and Heaton Hill and Josiah Adams on circuit.

During the years 1843, '44, and '45 the subject of slavery was agitated in the church, the anti-slavery men in the church maintaining that slaveholding was incompatible with Christianity, and the other party assuming that it was a political institution, and the church had no right to interfere. The controversy was carried on for a long time, with a great deal of bitterness on both sides, and finally resulted in a division, the anti-slavery members withdrawing from the church and forming themselves into an organiza- tion styled "Wesleyan Methodist." The leading

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History of Washington County, Pennsylvania : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 194

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