History of Washington County, Pennsylvania : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 216

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 216

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In 1830, the same year in which Dr. Matthew Brown ceased his labors at Chartiers and took charge of the church organized in Canonsburg, Dr. McMillan, then an old man, resigned his pastorate, but he did not cease to preach the gospel. ' Being strongly urged, he accepted invitations to visit the churches in this re- gion. In his eightieth year Dr. McMillan adminis- tered the Lord's Supper fourteen times and preached fifty times, leaning on his crutch on some occasions. In the last year of his life he assisted in administer- ing the Lord's Supper seventeen times and preached about seventy-five times. Before he was called to rest his successor was installed at Chartiers, and some changes and improvements were made in the old house of worship. The building was enlarged and a new pulpit constructed. Dr. McMillan did not like to see the old pulpit set aside, and he was unwilling to enter the new, and in his last days, when he addressed his people, he stood on the platform in front of the pulpit. The old pulpit was endeared to him by many associations.

Dr. McMillan's useful, laborious, and eventful life ended on the 16th of November, 1833. Of him, as of Moses, it could be said, "His eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated." The church mourned his departure, for a great man had fallen in Israel. "He, being dead, yet speaketh." His influence sur- vives ; his memory is imperishable. He was buried at Chartiers, where the remains of his father, wife, and two sons-in-law were interred. His sons-in-law, the Rev. John Watson, first president of Jefferson College, and Rev. William Moorehead, were married by Dr. McMillan on the same day; a short time afterwards they took sick on the same day, died on the same day, and were buried in the same grave.

They died on the 30th of November, 1802; his father on the 2d of July, 1792; his wife on the 24th of No- vember, 1819.

About two years before the death of Dr. McMillan the Rev. Lemuel F. Leake was installed as the second pastor of Chartiers. This took place on the 12th of October, 1831. He served the congregation twelve years. He resigned in April, 1843, and became pres- ident of Franklin College, at New Athens, Ohio. Mr. Leake was a native of New Jersey, born at Chester, in Morris County, in 1790. He was educated at Princeton College and Theological Seminary. For a few years he was pastor of Oxford and Harmony Churches in New Jersey, in the Presbytery of New- ton. Resigning his charge, he engaged for a while in missionary labors. In 1831 he made an extensive tour through Virginia, as McMillan had done, and preached the gospel, and came to Chartiers, where he was induced to settle. He was prospered in his ministry. In the first year twenty-two persons united with the church on profession, and seventeen in the second year. These were seasons of special religious interest which Dr. McMillan witnessed before he was called away. Soon after Mr. Leake came to Char- tiers he was married to Miss Catharine Ritchie, of Canonsburg. She was his second wife. In the year 1835 he established a class of catechumens at Char- tiers, and the session adopted a rule that in ordinary cases young persons should not be received into the communion of the church unless they had been for a time members of that class.

During Mr. Leake's pastorate a new church was built, at a cost of two thousand five hundred dollars. It was finished in the summer of 1841, and having been repaired and improved from time to time, it remains to this day. The first house of worship erected by Chartiers congregation was made of logs, and it was probably built in the year 1778. The people who worshiped in it knew nothing of the comfort afforded by a stove or furnace on a cold winter day; and indeed when stoves could be had some were as much opposed to their introduction as they were to the use of hymns or organs in the house of God. The log church lasted until about the year 1800, when a stone church was built. The stone used in its construction was taken from an Indian mound which stood near by on the top of the hill. The stone church was enlarged and improved in 1832, about the time Mr. Leake was installed, and it stood until the present brick church was erected.

In Mr. Leake's time we find the first record of the election of church officers. An election of elders was held April 2, 1838, which resulted in the choice of Thomas Connelly, Samuel Logan, Jr., William Scott, George Gladden, and John Johnson. Mr. Scott de- clined the office; the others were ordained and in- stalled in May. Another election took place in Sep- tember, 1841, at which Samuel Kerr, Joseph Horner,

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and Andrew Allison were chosen elders, and Samuel Logan, Jr., deacon. Mr. Kerr accepted, and in December was ordained and installed; the others declined.

After Mr. Leake left Chartiers he resided at New Athens, Ohio, Zelinople, Butler Co., Pa., Waveland and Terre Haute, Ind. He died on the 1st of Decem- ber, 1866, and was buried at Terre Haute.

After the resignation of Mr. Leake, in April, 1843, the pulpit remained vacant two years. The third pastor of Chartiers was the Rev. Alexander B. Brown, D.D. He was elected to a professorship in Jefferson College in the year 1841. For some time after he supplied the pulpit of Centre Church, located about five miles east of Canonsburg. In the spring of 1845 he became pastor of Chartiers congregation, and so continued until the fall of 1847, when he was elected to the presidency of Jefferson College as successor to Rev. Robert J. Breckinridge, D.D. " During his short pastorate," says Dr. D. H. Riddle, " twenty-two per- sons were admitted to the communion of the church on professions of their faith, and in many hearts and households there the memory of his preaching and usefulness remains fragrant to this day."

Alexander B. Brown was the son of Rev. Matthew Brown, D.D., and Mary Blaine. He was born in Washington, Pa., on the 1st of August, 1808. He graduated at Jefferson College in 1825. He re- ceived his theological training at the Western Theo- logical Seminary, Allegheny. After his licensure he labored for a while as a missionary in the mountain regions of the State of Virginia. It will be remem- bered as a remarkable coincidence that his predeces- sors at Chartiers, Dr., McMillan and Mr. Leake, preached in the same region. He was married in De- cember, 1833, to Miss Elizabeth Finley Nevin, whose brother was then a professor in the seminary at Alle- gheny. Dr. Brown was settled at Niles, Michigan, and Portsmouth, Ohio, before he was elected profes- sor at Canonsburg. He was connected with Jefferson College as professor and president from 1841 to 1856. After years of devoted service in the cause of educa- tion and religion, his increasing bodily infirmities led him to seek rest and retirement in the country. But the change of residence did not bring him that free- dom from care and labor which he needed and sought. Living near Centre Church, where he had formerly preached as stated supply, he was induced to become its pastor, and he continued to hold this relationship for several years, until he had not strength to preach. At his rural home he waited patiently until the Lord called him. He died on the 8th of September, 1863.

The fourth pastor of Chartiers was the Rev. Robert M. White, His pastorate lasted but a short time. He was called in September, 1848, about a year after Dr. A. B. Brown resigned his pastoral charge at Chartiers, and was installed in October. Two months later, on the 14th of December, he died.

Mr. White was an earnest advocate of the cause of

temperance. He twice represented his Presbytery in the General Assembly, the last time in 1846, when he took a prominent part in a debate on slavery, in which he displayed great ability and tact. In June, 1848, he was elected professor extraordinary of rhet- oric in Jefferson College.

Six months elapsed after the death of Mr. White before another minister was settled at Chartiers. The fifth pastor was Rev. Joseph R. Wilson, a native of Steubenville, Ohio, a graduate of Jefferson College and of Princeton Theological Seminary. In June, 1849, he was ordained and installed as pastor of Char- tiers congregation. In July he was elected professor extraordinary of rhetoric in Jefferson College. He was encouraged during the first year of his ministry by the addition of twenty-five persons to the church on profession of their faith. His pastorate lasted less than two years. In January, 1851, the Presbytery released him from his charge. Mr. Wilson afterwards removed to the South, and became thoroughly identi- fied with the Southern people, in feelings, principles, and interest.

Following the resignation of Mr. Wilson there occurred a vacancy of one year in the pastorate. The sixth pastor of Chartiers was the Rev. William Ew- ing, a native of Washington, Pa., a graduate of Wash- ington College, and of the Western Theological Sem- inary, Allegheny. After leaving the seminary he went to Europe and spent some time in travel and study. He was ordained and installed Jan. 14, 1852, and he ministered to the congregation more than eighteen years. During three years of his ministry there was more than ordinary religious interest in the con- gregation. Twenty-one united with the church on profession in 1858, sixteen the next year, and twenty-two the year after. During his pastorate one hundred and twenty-nine persons were received into Chartiers Church on profession of their faith.

The session was increased during Mr. Ewing's min- 'istry. In June, 1855, William Black and Thomas Weaver were ordained to the eldership. Alexander Boland and John Chambers, who had been chosen at the same congregational meeting, declined the office. In July, 1860, John Weaver, William McMillan, John Norris, and Israel Haines were ordained elders.

Towards the close of Mr. Ewing's pastorate a new roof was put on the church edifice, and the interior was renovated and improved.

Mr. Ewing was released from his charge in April, 1870. He became successfully engaged in the im- portant work of instruction as principal of the acad- emy in Canonsburg, organized since the removal of Jefferson College to Washington. He was elected professor extraordinary of history and modern lan- guages in Jefferson College in 1852. It is a fact worthy of mention that several of the pastors of Chartiers have been noted for their zeal in the cause of education.

For several months after Mr. Ewing left Chartiers

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

the pulpit was supplied by different ministers. In the winter of 1870 a call was given to Rev. Robert S. Morton, a graduate of Jefferson College of the class of 1845. The Presbytery placed the call in his hands. He asked and obtained permission to hold it for six months before making known his decision. At the expiration of that time he declined the call. A va- cancy of three years followed the withdrawal of Mr. Morton.

The seventh pastor of Chartiers is the Rev. Mat- thew H. Bradley. He was born at Mercersburg, Pa. He received his academical, and one year of his col- legiate education at Mercersburg College; graduated at Lafayette College, Easton, Pa., in June, 1871, and received his theological instruction at the Western Theological Seminary, Allegheny. He was licensed to preach the gospel by the Presbytery of Carlisle, convened at Chambersburg, Pa., in the same church in which Dr. McMillan was licensed. He was or- dained and installed at Chartiers on the 10th of June, 1874. He has the confidence, respect, and affection of the people.

On the 10th of July, 1875, James McLaughlin and Robert Munnel were ordained to the office of ruling elder in Chartiers congregation, and in 1877, James T. Craighead was ordained and elected to the office of elder. The board of elders as at present consti- tuted are John B. Weaver, James McLaughlin, Robert W. Munnell, and James T. Craighead. The deacons are Samuel McMillan and Frank C. Lyon. The num- ber of communicants at present is one hundred and forty-eight.

Canonsburg United Presbyterian Church .- This society was organized in 1830 as the Speers Spring Associate Reformed Church by the Monongahela Presbytery. The meeting for organization was held in a tent erected at the foot of the hill by a spring on the grounds of Alexander Speer. Worship was held at this place until 1832, when the main part of the present brick edifice was erected. An addition of twenty feet was afterwards made to this.

The first elders were Samuel Fergus, James Stewart, Moses Walker, James Gabby, Andrew Monroe, and William Berry, and on the 5th of April, 1832, John Ballentine, Sr., and Alexander McConnell were or- dained and installed as elders. The present board of elders are D. G. Philip, John Thorne, John Connor, Sr., Isaac Weaver, William Giffin, and Alexander B. Borland.

The pastors who have presided over the congrega- tion are as follows: Rev. Alexander McCahan, a na- tive of Ireland, was installed on the 21st of September, 1831, as pastor of the Canonsburg and Cross-Roads Societies. He was released from the care of Canons- burg on the 12th of April, 1837, and remained in charge of Chartiers Cross-Roads till March 28, 1843. He died in Canonsburg Oct. 4, 1873.

Rev. Thomas Callahan, the second pastor, was born in Washington County, Pa., in 1820; was licensed to

preach March 29, 1843, and ordained as pastor of the church July 16, 1844. He remained in this connec- tion till 1848, when he was released.

Rev. William Wallace, D.D., was a native of Alle- gheny County, Pa .; graduated at Washington Col- lege in 1824; licensed April 24, 1827; ordained Oct. 3, 1828, as pastor of the church at Wheeling, Va., and Sept. 24, 1850, was installed pastor over this church. He died Jan. 31, 1851. In connection with his duties as pastor he was Professor of Moral Science in Jef- ferson College, at Canonsburg.

Rev. David Paul, D.D., succeeded Rev. William Wallace, and was ordained Dec. 13, 1853. He re- mained but two years, and was released Dec. 25, 1855. He now resides at New Concord, Ohio.

Rev. William H. Andrews, D.D., studied theology at Canonsburg about 1846, and served as pastor over several churches. On the 30th of June, 1857; he be- came the pastor of this church, and after two years' service was released July 26, 1859. He died at Galt, Canada, March 30, 1869.

Rev. John W. Bain was ordained pastor over the society by the Presbytery of Chartiers Nov. 12, 1861, and remained till June, 1867.

Rev. J. G. Carson, D.D., graduated at Jefferson College in 1849; studied theology at the theological seminary at Canonsburg; was licensed to preach by the Presbytery of Chartiers June 22, 1855, and or- dained pastor of South Buffalo Church Nov. 13, 1856. He was released in May, 1867; was installed as pas- tor of this church October 1st the same year, and re- leased Nov. 5, 1869. He is now professor in the theo- logical seminary in Xenia, Ohio.

Rev. William Weir was ordained pastor in June, 1870, and remained till June 17, 1873, when he was released. He was succeeded by the Rev. John S. Speer, who was installed pastor on the 21st day of April, 1874, and has charge of the congregation at the present time.

The society has a membership of one hundred and ninety. A Sunday-school in connection with the so- ciety has one hundred and forty scholars, under the superintendence of William P. Morgan, assisted by eight teachers.

A cemetery also is connected with the church lot, the ground having been donated by Alexander Speer. It is situated in the township of North Strabane, but adjoining the town of Canonsburg.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

JAMES S. MONARY.

James S. McNary was born in North Strabane township, Washington Co., Pa., May 22, 1810, the third in a family of eight children of John and Jane E. (Hill) McNary. (For full account of genealogy of the family, see biography of his brother, Wm. H.

Zachariah Pees

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McNary.) He was born on the place where he now lives, and where he remained until he was thirty years of age. His education was received in the district school of the neighborhood. For a number of years prior to the death of his father the sole management of the homestead farm devolved upon him. He eventually became its owner. To the original one hundred and seventy-nine acres he has since added sixty acres. He married, September, 1841, Hannah, daughter of John and Hannah (Rankin) Anderson, who was born in North Strabane township Aug. 18, 1822. She died Aug. 3, 1842. Mrs. McNary was a most amiable and lovely woman, and her early death was most keenly felt by a large circle of friends. To her husband it was a stroke hard indeed to be borne .. Since her death Mr. McNary has remained single. After marriage he removed to his farm of one hun- dred and fifty-six acres, situated in South Strabane township, and lived there till 1857, adding, while there, sixty-five acres to the original farm. Having · that year purchased the homestead farm, he removed to it, and has ever since resided there. The farm resi- dence, a substantial brick, was built by his father in 1828. His family at the present time (1882) consists of himself, a sister, Jane E., a nephew, James E., and niece, Clara Ella, children of his brother, O. R. Mc- Nary.

In politics Mr. McNary was first an anti-slavery Whig, but has been actively identified with the Re- publican party since its organization. Has been no office-seeker.

He became a member of the Chartiers Seceder Church, now the Chartiers United Presbyterian, at the age of eighteen, and is still a member of the same church. He has been a member of its board of trus- tees, and was on the building committee in the con- struction of their present house of worship. Though by nature a quiet and reserved man, no private citizen in the community wields a more potent influence in either church or political matters. In all public enter- prises he has always stood among the first with his influence and means. As a farmer he has always ranked among the most thorough and successful in a region noted for its good farmers. He is no vision- ary; ideas which may be wrought into PRACTICAL RESULTS have been the sort he preferred to entertain.

Mr. McNary has been a man of wonderful physical endurance, still doing a man's work at the age of seventy-two. His motto has always been "Come on," not "Go."

His house is one of the most hospitable in the region, always a pleasant resort for his friends. One who knows him well says, "If ever there was a man who for years has lived for his friends, that man is James S. McNary.

ZACHARIAH PEES.

Zachariah Pees was born in North Strabane town- ship, Washington Co., Pa., July 15, 1799. His grandfather, Nicholas Pees, accompanied by an uncle, emigrated from Germany when but twelve years of age. Eventually he settled and married in Cani- guagig, east of the mountains. Here three of his children, viz., Mary, Andrew, and George, were born. About the year 1769 he journeyed on foot to the " backwoods," and located in what is now the township of North Strabane, on Little Chartiers Creek, four hundred acres of land. Returning East, with the aid of one horse, upon which were placed his worldly effects and the youngest child, he moved to the new home, the whole journey being made by himself, wife, son, and daughter on foot. At first a small log hut was built, in which the family lived during the first winter. It was situated near the present residence of John M. Berry. Mr. Pees was one of the three first settlers of the township. Here were born children as follows: Nicholas, Catharine, Betsey, and Susan. All of his children but Nicholas were married and raised families.

The grandfather died at the advanced age of one hundred and five years. In physique he was indeed a "stalwart," being six feet and one inch in stature, and well proportioned. He was capable of great physical endurance. He raised, cured, and prepared his own tobacco, and was both a chewer and smoker of the weed. His wife lived upward of ninety years.

George Pees, father of Zachariah, was but four years of age when the family removed to Washing- ton County. He was the only one privileged to ride over the mountains. He married Lydia, daughter of John Vaughn. She was a native of New Jersey. Their children were Polly, Andrew, Rebecca, Zacha- riah, John, Nicholas, George, Joseph, James, Eliza, Polly, Lydia, and two daughters who died in infancy. Polly was burned to death when a child, Joseph died at about the age of thirty, and James when twenty-five years of age. All the rest were married, raised families, and settled in Washington County. Only Zachariah, John, and George (1882) are liv- ing.

George Pees died March 1, 1849. His wife died Oct. 16, 1865. Father and mother were first members of the Chartiers Presbyterian Church, but for about twenty years prior to their death were members of the Pigeon Creek Presbyterian Church. Both are buried there.

Zachariah Pees was born in the house now owned and occupied by John M. Berry, then owned by his grandfather. Lived on the place of his birth till twenty years of age. His opportunities for education were very limited. For a number of years he drove team for his father to Pittsburgh, carrying the pro- ducts of the farm, and bringing in return supplies from that market. The cost of transportation in

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

those days to Pittsburgh was two dollars per barrel for flour, eight cents per bushel for oats, and fifteen cents for corn. The journey was made for most of the way through the woods, and at this time there was not a house on Mount Washington.

When twenty-one years of age his father exchanged farms with his uncle, Andrew Pees, securing in the exchange a saw- and grist-mill, which have always been known as " Pees' Mills." These mills were oper- ated by Zachariah Pees fourteen years. The "Pees" brand of flour was well known throughout the region as the best in the market. He married, Dec. 27, 1820, Han- nah, daughter of Andrew and Polly Pees. She was born April 25, 1800. Their children were William, born Oct. 13, 1821; married Mary Jane Cheesman, May 20, 1844. The latter died Feb. 12, 1846. By this union qne child, Mary Jane, wife of John L. Gault. Second wife, Eliza Davis. Two children, Hannah and Anderson, both deceased. Third wife, Cordelia Sutman. Children, Catharine, William, Abner, Mattie, John, Belle, and Susan.

Joseph, born Aug. 21, 1823; married Sarah New- som.

Andrew, born July 4, 1825; married Julia Ann, daughter of John and Sarah (Haines) Dickson. Chil- dren, Zachariah Mason, Ida, Elizabeth, and John Dickson.

Mary, born May 1, 1827 ; wife of Jacob Anthony, a farmer living in Illinois. Children, Hannah, Pear- son, Belle, Jane Ann, Abbie, Ettie, Grant, and John Zachariah.

Lydia, born July 24, 1830, wife of Zachariah Pees,

a farmer, also living in Illinois. Children, Swan, Francis, Clark, and Lessie.

Elizabeth, born June 5, 1833; died March 11, 1841. George, born April 27, 1835; died May 3, 1835.

Hannah Jane, born May 20, 1839; died May 16, 1841.

Phebe, born April 7, 1841 ; died Oct. 30, 1841.

Mrs. Pees died Oct. 4, 1846. Mr. Pees married Jan. 13, 1848, for his second wife, Jane, daughter of Robert and Margaret Jackson. Her family were a connection of President Andrew Jackson. Mrs. Jane Pees was born in Lancaster County, Pa., Oct. 18, 1806. One child was the fruit of this union, viz., Margaret Jane, born May 12, 1849 ; died May 18, 1877.

About the year 1825, Mr. Pees purchased a farm in Ohio, near Richmond, with the intention of removing to it, but was persuaded to remain in Pennsylvania by his father. Sold his farm in Ohio, and purchased the farm in North Strabane township now owned and occupied by his son William. He subsequently pur- chased the farm upon which he now resides, which is worked by his son Andrew.

In politics Mr. Pees has been a lifelong Democrat. Has been called to fill a number of township offices.

He became a member of the Chartiers Presbyte- rian Church when eighteen years of age, but for the last sixty-four years of his life has been a member of the Pigeon Creek Church, and an elder in the latter for many years. Mr. Pees has always commanded the respect of his neighbors, and the declining years of his life are brightened by the loving regard of a large family circle.

NOTTINGHAM TOWNSHIP.

THIS was the ninth of the thirteen original town- ships of Washington County, formed by the trustees appointed for that purpose July 15, 1781. It retained its original area for eleven years. In 1792 a petition of "sundry of the Inhabitants of the lower end of Strabane and upper end of Nottingham townships," prayed that a part of Nottingham be added to Stra- bane township. The action on this petition is indi- cated by the indorsement upon it, viz. : " December, 1792-Petition granted, and that part of Nottingham township which lies within Washington Election Dis- trict added to Strabane township."

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History of Washington County, Pennsylvania : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 216

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