History of Washington County, Pennsylvania : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 231

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 231

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" ISAAC SHANE."

The first meeting of the Presbytery of Redstone, and the first meeting of any Presbytery west of the Allegheny Mountains, was held here. It met Sept. 19, 1781. The sessions of this Presbytery were held principally at the house of Mr. John Stevenson, Sr., where Mr. Thomas McCorkle now lives, about three- fourths of a mile from the church.

Thirteen young men who were connected with this church have entered the ministry, and three more are pursuing a preparatory course of studies with the ministry in view.

During the present pastorate this congregation erected a parsonage, with such other buildings as are necessary, at an estimated cost of four thousand dol- lars. This building is a frame of two stories, thirty- six by thirty-two feet, and was built in 1871, and first occupied near the last of October of the same year. The building committee consisted of Messrs. William Smith, Dr. Boyd Emery, William Barkley, Robert Moore, and I. V. Riddle.

New Congregations .- While Dr. Sloan was pastor of this church the church at Fairview was organized at Muntown, and was composed largely of families and members connected with this church, thereby reducing materially both the membership and terri- tory of this congregation. And the church of Mount Pleasant was organized in the last few years, and it was also composed largely of members from this church.

First Sabbath-School .- The first Sabbath-school was organized in 1822. Hon. Joseph Lawrence brought the subject before the congregation, and Elder James Smith and Dr. Boyd Emery were among the early superintendents. Elder David Riddle was for many years the superintendent; also Hon. J. C. Messen- ger and James Jones have acted in this capacity. Mr. Messenger is the present superintendent.

The first educational meeting for the advancement of common school education ever held in this State was in this church while Dr. Sloan was pastor. From this originated a county convention, and as a result county superintendents and county institutes.

Centennial Celebration .- On the 24th of August, 1875, the one hundredth anniversary of the preach- ing of the first sermon within the bounds of the con- gregation by Dr. McMillan was celebrated here.

Rev. D. H. Junkin, D.D., of New Castle, Pa., was invited to deliver an historical address on the life and times of Dr. McMillan. He was on the ground at the time with an elaborate address, but being Į taken suddenly ill was unable to deliver it, and it

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

was read by the Rev. Boyd Mercer Kerr, a son of ' this church.

Rev. J. S. Marquis read the history of the congre- gation.

Hon. J. C. Messenger gave a brief history of the Sabbath-school connected with the church.

Mr. William Kerr, an aged member of the church and for many years an elder, related many interest- ing reminiscences connected with the history of the church. The assemblage was immense, coming from every direction and from great distances. The num- ber was variously estimated at from three thousand to five thousand persons. In the opinion of the writer the last number was the nearest correct. There was a large number of ministers present on this occasion. After the exercises of the day, at night Rev. George P. Hays, D.D., president of Washington and Jefferson College, delivered a lecture in the church, which was largely attended and greatly applauded.

The Church of Christ at Vanceville, formerly designated "The Congregation of the Disciples of Christ at Pigeon Creek," had its distinctive and sep- arate organization in 1832, fifty years ago. This or- ganization was the result of long-cherished principles rather than of a definite design of any number of individuals. The Bible was the daily companion of those who sought information of things sacred and revealed, or diversion from the weariness of hard daily labor. Pious fathers and mothers felt it in- cumbent upon them to teach and train up their chil- dren in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

The oft-repeated saying of a godly father was, "Let us hear what God says;" and taking up "the old family Bible that lay on the stand," he would read a portion, and calling upon each member of the family that could read to read a passage or recite from memory a verse or more which he had learned, and then singing "Before Jehovah's awful throne," or some other appropriate hymn, he would pray, and then send every one to his appointed work. All were happy, and went forth in the fear if not the love of God. Such teaching, although not universal, was found dispersed in a sufficient number of families to leaven every community of the early settlers west of the Allegheny Mountains. In 1804 five Baptist preachers assembled on Pigeon Creek to organize a number of immersed believers into a church, They cast about for a name that would be both distinctive and representative, and they designated it "The Gospel Church at Pigeon Creek," seeking to teach and to practice the teachings of Christ and his apos- tles. This organization continued until about 1832, when some of the Baptist preachers introduced a creed which they thought was necessary to be added to the Bible to shut out heresy. Those adopting this creed were designated the "Regular Baptist Church at Pigcon Creek." Those refusing to take the creed were content to stand by the name "Gospel Church," and take only such titles as were used by the New

Testament writers by which to designate the follow- ers of Christ. A more careful study of this book taught them that the followers of Jesus Christ were called "His disciples," "brethren," "saints," "Chris- tians," etc .; that the corporate body united for the public worship of God was called "the church, churches of God, and the church of Christ." They also concluded that sinners can and should be con- verted now as they were in the apostolic age; that the church in any given locality should be placed under the care of overseers and served by deacons, and " follow peace with all men, and holiness, with- out which no man shall see the Lord."

This church continued to meet and worship the Lord in the same house, held in common with the Baptists, until 1859, when the old house was disposed of. On Jan. 16, 1858, David McDonough made a deed to Isaac Mitchell, James Morton, and John Burgan, trustees of the Christian Church, or Disciples of Christ, on Pigeon Creek, in Somerset township, "for and in the consideration of the sum of Fifty Dollars," of one acre and twenty-two perches of land, on which the present meeting-house stands, on Pigeon Creek.

On this lot, near Vanceville, the Disciples built themselves a new house, which was opened for wor- ship in 1860, and a reorganization of the congregation was effected.

Those who served the congregation as elders while meeting in the old house were James Burgan and David McDonough. Since the reorganization in 1860, William Hill, John Burgan, Thomas W. Beatty, and Joseph McDonough have served as elders ; the three latter are now the ruling officers of the congregation.

Among these, James Burgan was for a long time a prominent and a very active member. He was a man of great physical and intellectual force. He served his country in the capacity of first lieutenant of vol- unteers under Gen. Harrison, in the war with England, from 1812 to 1814. In those days but few men were found that equaled him in courage or prowess. At thirty years of age he commenced to learn written language, and such was the proficiency made under the teachings of his heroic and godly wife that he soon learned to read any common English, but the New Testament was his delight, much of which he committed to memory.

The evangelists or preachers of the word who have labored in word and doctrine in this church were J. T. Smith, James Darsie, W. F. Pool, Robert Milli- gan, Norman Lamphear, Wesley Lamphear, Chauncy Ward, Marcus Bosworth, Henry Langly, L. P. Streator, Dr. George Lucy, Hiram Vankirk, John Whitaker, J. B. Ryatt, William S. Lloyd, Samuel F. Fowler, C. Jobes, and J. H. Hendron.

Of these, L. P. Streator labored longer than any other one, commencing in November, 1840. The whole number of members of this church has not ex- ceeded two hundred. The number of the original members was twelve. The present number is fifty.

John & Ban

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SOMERSET TOWNSHIP.

The present condition of this congregation is en- couraging. It consists of a body of intelligent men and women, who are distinguished for their piety and zeal. They are intelligent in the word of the Lord, and willing to make sacrifices in the interest of truth, and to wait the Lord's own good time to confer the reward pledged to the faithful.

United Presbyterian Church of Pigeon Creek .- The records of this congregation before the year 1836 are lost. They are thought to have been destroyed in the burning of Mr. Samuel Weir's house. Our de- pendence for the earlier history of the church is on the records of Chartiers Presbytery of the Associate Presbyterian Church and the memory of aged survi- vors of those earlier days. Among the latter the name of Mr. Thomas Hall is mentioned in the records of Presbytery as the commissioner of certain members of the Associate Church applying to Presbytery for supplies of preaching. Mr. Hall is still living, and is a member of Pigeon Creek Church.

According to the records of Presbytery, applications for preaching were made and granted in the year 1816. During that and the following year public worship was held in Mr. Hall's house. We do not know the date of the erection of "Hall's Tent," a roofed plat- form occupied by the minister during public worship, but as Mr. Hall's recollection is that preaching was held in his house for about two years, we may fix the date of this the first building near the beginning of 1818. The petition for the election of elders, which corresponds with the organization, according to our more modern expression, was presented to Presbytery Nov. 11, 1817. The minutes of Presbytery do not show any action as being taken on this petition. The presumption is that an unrecorded appointment was made or that the petitioners accepted the Presby- tery's silence as consent, for at the April meeting following, April 7, 1818, a petition was presented for the ordination of elders. This implies that they had been previously elected. The unrecorded tradition is that Mr. Hall and Mr. Adam Weir were elected to the eldership and did not accept the office. William Pollock and Peter Martin were ordained as elders, and thus the church was organized not long after April 7, 1818. The congregation being thus organized, the next thing was to procure a house for worship. They desired to locate it at a point convenient to the mem- bership. The place selected was that where the church was afterwards built. It was on a part of Mr. Hall's farm, on ground now inclosed in the graveyard of Pigeon Creek Church. But they needed the consent of Presbytery for their location, and there were diffi- culties in the way.

Chartiers Church, with the venerable Dr. Ramsey as pastor, was only nine miles away, and members of the Associate Presbyterian Church living in Wash- ington were desirous of obtaining an organization in that town. In those days of sparse population it was thought that three congregations in such small terri-

tory would be "too thick to thrive." In the meetings of Presbytery following the organization, April, 1818, petitions and remonstrances were acted on from the congregation of Chartiers and from members in Wash- ington opposing the location at "Hall's" as being too near those places. A commission of Presbytery met with representatives of Washington and "Hall's," to enable them to agree on a location at some convenient point between the two places for the location of a church that would accommodate both. They could not compromise, and Pigeon Creek renewed their pe- tition for the privilege of building their church at the selected place. The contest for and against the grant- ing of the petition was a close one. The vote in Pres- bytery was a tie. It was decided in favor of granting the petition by the casting vote of the moderator of Presbytery. And it is a cherished tradition of the people of Pigeon Creek, showing how an unselfish deed retains its fragrance, even in the musty pages of history and tradition, that the moderator whose vote decided in their favor was the Rev. James Ramsey, D.D., whose interests were, according to the opinion of the times, chiefly thought to be unfavorably affected by the decision.

But even this did not end the contest. An appeal from the decision of Presbytery was taken to the As- sociate Synod by a representative of the Washington people. Synod did not sustain the appeal, and thus the organization about the beginning of the year 1819 had, by ecclesiastical authority, a " local habitation." About that time they built the first house of worship, a log house. But the church in some way got a wrong name. The situation was about three miles from Pigeon Creek waters. But local names were scarce then, and probably they chose the nearest local name, or perhaps called the young church after her more venerable relative, Pigeon Creek Presbyterian Church. Mr. Hall, who did so much to secure the existence of the congregation, had selected for it the name "Concord," but he being absent when it first received recognition in Presbytery, the present name was given to it, and is now becoming venerable with age. It will proba- bly remain. The first log house, built probably in 1819, continued in use, with one enlargement to ac- commodate a growing congregation, till 1838. Then a brick church, sixty by fifty feet in size, was built at a cost of $2500. This becoming insecure by the sink- ing of the walls, in 1869 the present house of worship was begun. It was completed and opened for wor- ship in May, 1871. Cost, when furnished, $18,000. A parsonage was added in 1873, at a cost of about $4000.

Pastors .- The first pastor of the congregation was Rev. Alexander Wilson. He was pastor of Peters Creek. On joint petition of Peters Creek and Pigeon Creek, one-third of his time was given to Pigeon Creek July 4, 1820. This arrangement continued till June 10, 1834. September 24th, the same year, Rev. Bankhead Boyd was ordained to the ministry, and installed as pastor of the congregation. This re-

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

lation continued with great usefulness till the time of his death, Feb. 3, 1860. The present pastor, Rev. D. S. Littell, was called July 25, 1861, began preaching the third Sabbath of September following, and was installed as pastor Oct. 17, 1861.

Since 1875 the congregation has given up pew-rents, subscriptions, etc., and secured all funds for benevo- lent purposes, salaries, and congregational expenses by a contribution taken up each time the congrega- tion meets for public worship, which contribution is considered as one of the acts of worship. Their de- pendence is on the providence of God to give the ability, and the grace of God to give the willingness, and in both respects the Lord has not disappointed them. Thus, in the sixty-two years since its first pastoral settlement, the congregation has had three pastors, aggregating more than fifty-nine years, and been vacant less than three years. By last year's re- port, the membership is one hundred and seventy- eight. Increase for the year, eleven ; decrease, four ; net increase, seven. Contributions for all religious and benevolent purposes, $2158.

German Lutheran Church .- It is not known at what time the church was organized, but a warrant for sixteen acres and twenty-five perches of land was obtained on the 15th of January, 1816, by Jacob Kintner, John Oustott, and George Miller, trustees, " for the use of German Lutheran and Calvinistic Congregations of Somerset township." This land was patented Feb. 27, 1833. A log church was erected soon after the warrant was obtained. A portion of the ground was used for a burial-place. The old church was taken down many years ago, and a new one erected of brick on the site.

The Rev. George Myers is the present pastor.

Schools. - The first school taught in Somerset which can be remembered by any of the present residents of the township was that held in an old log dwelling-house situated on the farm of John Vance, on the Middle Branch of Pigeon Creek. It was taught for one year, about 1798, by Samuel Lawrence. Fol- lowing this venture a school was opened in another log dwelling-house, a half-mile east of the Vance school, on the farm now owned by Joseph McDon- ough. Leonard Blaine, an Irishman, taught here at different times, and later John Knox McGee taught a three-months' term of school in the Vance school- house. Another school was taught in the beginning of 1800 in a building which, if standing, would be on Thomas Richardson's farm. In 1801 short terms of school were held in the lower part of the township, all of them being paid for by individual subscrip- tions. After 1803 buildings for the express purpose of schools began to be erected throughout the town- ship. They were generally built of logs and furnished with puncheon seats without backs. The fireplace occupied one end of the building, and light was ob- tained through openings cut the whole length of the other end, and both sides made about ten inches

wide, and covered with oiled paper. About the year 1804 a school-house was erected on the South Branch of Pigeon Creek, very near the Carey Mill. Mr. David Johnson, who was a fine classical scholar, taught at this place. In 1814 a school-house was built on the farm of Greer McIlvaine, which was in the centre of the township, and the first teacher employed was John McIlvaine. He was succeeded by Jesse Woodruff, and the building continued in use, the schools being maintained on the old plan of subscrip- tion, until the adoption of the public school system. In 1814 Alexander Walker taught school in the Quaker Church at Clover Hill. This was before the townships of Somerset and Fallowfield were divided.

On Aug. 6, 1810, William Morrow advertised that he was about to open a military school at the tavern of John Wilson, nine miles from Washington, on the Williamsport road. No information is gained of the success of this institution. In those early days only reading, writing, and arithmetic were taught, and all of these branches only to boys, as it was considered useless to teach girls to write; all of the schools' ses- sions were held irregularly up to 1834, when the pub- lic school law was enacted.

In 1827, Mordecai Hoge, who had taught since 1814 in that section, commenced to teach a school at what is now known as Hoge's Summit, where he taught for six years, and teaching near Pees' Mill and in a log school-house on the site of the Hardy school-house two years, he returned to Hoge's Sum- mit, and taught almost without intermission for twenty-three years, when his labors ceased. Prof. John Messenger later commenced a school at that place, and in 1860 erected and built a small building, which was named Hoge's Summit Academy, and was intended for the benefit of those who wished to obtain a classical education. The school, which has been moderately successful, is still in operation and yet remains under the management of Prof. Mes- senger, who is a fine classical scholar.

In the year 1835, after the passage of the school law, there were in the township three hundred and eight taxables liable for school purposes, and in that year there was raised $253.79.

The next year the school directors, John Vance and Henry McDonough, laid out the township into ten school districts. In this year, 1836, the township did not accept the provisions of the school act, and only the State tax of $88.21 was raised. In 1837 the act was complied with and $500.03 was assessed and collected. Ten school buildings were erected and are still in use, the one at Bentleysville having been en- larged and converted into a Union school. In Som- erset in 1863 there were reported eleven schools, eleven teachers, four hundred and five pupils in attendance, and a school fund of $1111.16. In 1873 the schools had been reduced to the number of eight; eight teachers were employed, two hundred and twenty- five pupils were enrolled, and the school fund

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SOMERSET TOWNSHIP.

amounted to $2097.30. In 1880 eight teachers were employed in the eight schools, two hundred and twenty scholars were in attendance, and the school fund aggregated $2036.16, with an expenditure of $1854.63.

Physicians .- The first physician to settle in Somer- set was Dr. Ephraim Estep, who located in the centre of the township, where Ira Huffman now lives. This was in 1807, and after he had studied medicine and fitted himself for practice in Allegheny City, then but a small settlement. He remained in Somerset town- ship about three years, and then returned to Alle- gheny City. Beside studying medicine, Dr. Estep had been regularly ordained as a Baptist minister, and was the first pastor of the Baptist Church here. After his return to Allegheny City he followed both profes- sions of medicine and the ministry until his death.

Dr. Crawford succeeded Dr. Estep in the medical practice in this township. He also came from Alle- gheny City, and lived at the home of his brother-in- law, Isaac Mccullough. His sojourn here lasted but three years, when he sold out and removed to Alle- gheny City.

Dr. Robert Mercer was a son of Rev. Boyd Mercer, and a native of Somerset. He studied, medicine with Dr. David Mitchell, of Washington borough, and be- gan his practice here at his old home, living in his father's house. He remained here until 1828 or 1830, when he removed to the West.

Dr. Bishop came into Somerset township in 1830, and at once secured the practice previously held by Dr. Mercer. He remained two years, and also re- moved to the West.

In 1831, Dr. Boyd Emory came to this section, and commenced the practice of medicine. He was born in Canonsburg, but has resided in this township for more than fifty years. He has been eminently suc- cessful in his profession, in which he is still actively engaged, and is now assisted by his son and partner, Dr. Boyd Emory, Jr.

Dr. John Keyes came into Somerset in 1855 and opened an office in the village of Bentleysville, secur- ing at once a large and lucrative practice. At the beginning of the Rebellion he entered the army as a captain of the Ringgold Cavalry, and died in the service. Dr. Robert Keyes, a younger brother of Dr. John Keyes, practiced his profession in this township for many years, but finally removed to other parts. - He was succeeded by Dr. Harvey Leyda, who after some years removed to Monongahela City.

Dr. Jefferson Scott came next in order of the Som- erset physicians, and is still attending to a most suc- cessful business here.

Dr. Stephen E. Hill, son of William Hill, is a native of Somerset. After fitting himself for the duties of a physician he opened an office here, where he has attained and holds an excellent practice.

Dr. Henry McDonough is a grandson of Henry Mc- Donough, who settled in Somerset township prior to

1785. Dr. McDonough lives on the land taken up and improved by his grandfather.

Dr. David Mitchell, who practiced in Washington borough, is still remembered by many residents of this township. He had a brother, Dr. Hiram Mitchell. He lived in the neighborhood of the pike, and after- ward removed to the vicinity of Canonsburg.

Among some of the earliest physicians in this sec- tion was Dr. Wheeler. He was an English surgeon, but was efficient in all other phases of a medical prac- tice. Others were Dr. Milton Allen, who died here, Dr. Joseph Shidder, and Dr. Joseph Leatherman. Dr. E. R. De Normandie is at present the dentist of the township, and the first regularly educated one to come here.

Incorporation of Bentleysville .- On the 2d of May, 1868, on petition of citizens, the court of Wash- ington County granted a charter to the borough of Bentleysville. The names of the burgesses, council, and justices of the peace are here given :

1868 .- Burgess, Hiram Mitchell; Council, B. C'rouch, Henry Newkirk, John Denormandie, Dana Mitchell, Emory Leyda.

1869 (March; - Burgess, D. II. Mitchell; Council, Edward Sprowls, Henry Newkirk, R. L. Jones, John Denormandie, Henry Hamilton. 1869 (October) .- Burgess, O. L. McElheny ; Council, Edward SprowIs, HI. Miller, S. B. Richardson, Thomas Johnston, R. W. West, R. Tucker. 1870 .- Burgess, Henry Newkirk ; Council, R. W. West, D. H. Mitchell, Samnel Fry, David Howell, Abraham Finley, Richard Luker.

1872 .- Burgess, Willison Kerr; Council, Thomas Richardson, A. J. Buf- fington, Harrison Richardson, Noah Morton.

1873 .- Burgess, tie vote ; Council, A. J. Buffington, H. Richardson, Jolin White, John Crouch, Isaac Newkirk, J. A. Newkirk, Joseph Jen- nings.

1874 .- Burgess, A. J. Buffington; Council, John White, Jacob Grable, James Jones, Thomas Richardson, Edward Sprowls, A. J. Newkirk. 1875 .- Burgess, Jeremiah Sprowls; Council, Edward Sprowls, James Jones, John Crouch, Joseph Jennings, J. H. Leyda, William Kerr, R. S. Jones.

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History of Washington County, Pennsylvania : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 231

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