USA > Pennsylvania > Westmoreland County > History of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, Vol. I > Part 67
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77
The officers will have the lines formed at 10 o'clock, when a signal will be given by firing a cannon on the Closing ground. As soon as the signal is heard the Lines will move off slowly and sound the horns-but no horns to be sounded until the Gun is heard.
No firearms will be allowed unless carried by the Marshals.
No dog is to be let loose until the order is given on penalty of such dogs being shot by the marshals.
The Grand Marshal and aids will be on the Closing ground before the cannon is fired. There will be an outer and an inner circle.
Messrs. Thomas Ewing, Charles Menoher, John McConaughey and Lewis Rector were appointed a Committee to stake off the Closing ground, take charge of the GAME and present the proceeds to the printer.
The oldest and the quaintest town in Ligonier Valley is Laughlintown. It was laid out by Robert Laughlin, in June, 1797. It was built at the base of Laurel Hill mountains, on the old state road. When the turnpike was built it passed through the town. On either side and within a short distance were three iron furnaces, two at least of which were operated at the same time. With this and with the travel over the pike connecting the east and the west, Laughlintown must have easily been the metropolis and businesss center of Ligonier Valley. It is, moreover, the oldest town now in existence in the county except Greensburg. Situated as it is at the base of the mountain, it was a favorite over-night stopping place in the wagon and stage-coach days, so that they might be fresh for the pull up the mountain the following morning. It had several hotels which catered to the pike and iron trade, and they were all justly noted in their day.
We forget sometimes that the trend of business towards railroads has greatly isolated some sections which were formerly our busiest communities, and were most favorably located. This is the case with Laughlintown. In the palmy days of turnpike travel it had almost as good a location as any place not touched by navigable streams. But its glories are mainly in the past, as far as modern business is concerned.
590
HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY.
MOUNTAIN SPRING LODGE, Summer Residence, near Ligonier, of Mr. James M. Shields, of Pittsburgh.
In her book entitled "A Descriptive Account of a Family Tour in the West," Sallie Hastings writes of a night she and her party spent in Laughlintown. She describes a large room in the hotel, the bad roads, etc. She was there October 23rd, 1800, yet the same hotel is still standing, and the large room un- changed. It is now owned and used as a dwelling house by the Armor brothers. This house was a tavern, and was kept by Benjamin Johnston. As early as 1808 he was licensed to sell liquor "by the small measure." This li- cense cost him $8.80, as is indicated by the license yet preserved by the Armor brothers. It was granted by Governor Thomas Mckean. When Sallie Hast- ings was there the house was full of guests on a hunting expedition, but there was no liquor for them, much to their chagrin, as she narrates. Robert Armor came there in 1814 and kept it as a hotel for many years afterwards. His son, John L., born in 1807, became a merchant in 1823, and for many years prior to his death, June 7, 1878, was one of Ligonier Valley's leading citizens. The house in which Richard Geary, the father of the governor, lived while em- ployed in the iron business at Westmoreland Furnace, is still standing.
The town in its better days supported hatter shops, saddlery shops, stores, etc. The late William St. Clair told the writer that he saw Daniel Webster in Laughlintown. He was passing through on the stage and stopped a short time at the hotel. Zachary Taylor stopped at the old brick tavern in 1848, and held
591
HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY.
OLD SCHOOL HOUSE, LAUGHLINTOWN
quite a reception. This was when he was electioneering for the presi- dency. At Ligonier a large meeting was held, the candidate and his friends being entertained at the present Ligonier House. The former tavern keepers were Benjamin Johnston, Robert Armor, Philip Miller, Robert Elder, Mrs. Rhoades, Joseph Nicewonger, Frederick Septer, Robert and Alexander Cald- well, John Burdette, William Eckert, Joseph Park, George Hays, Israel Brown, George Carns and Joseph Naugle. The latter acquired a great deal of prop- erty, and remained in the business more or less till he died at the age of nearly four score years and ten.
A very attractive feature of Laughlintown at present is the private museum collected by the Armor brothers. It is a collection of relics of the past, which fills three buildings now and is increasing all the time, and is well worth any- one's while to visit. On June 7th, 1897, this quaint old town celebrated its hun- dredth birthday. Ligonier township has twenty-two schools, with 940 pupils enrolled.
LIGONIER BOROUGH.
The town of Ligonier was laid out by Colonel John Ramsey in 1817. It is the chief place of interest from a historic point of view in the Ligonier Valley. It is the most important town in the township, and is located near its center, on ~
592
HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY.
the northern bank of the Loyalhanna. Its situation is at once delightful and romantic. It is in the center of the valley which bears its name, and has on the east and northwest the blue line of Laurel Hill, which forms the rim of a partial amphitheater as viewed from the town. On the southwest is the Chest- nut Ridge, with the cut where the Loyalhanna breaks through the ridge, plainly in view from almost any section of the valley. Among the first to settle there when the town was laid out in 1817 were Samuel Adams, Hugh Deever, Sam- uel Knox, Thomas Wilson, Noah Mendell, and George Matthews. The found- er of the town had come from Chambersburg. He became a large land owner around Ligonier, and did a great deal to improve the valley. He built the old mill which stood on the bank of the Loyalhanna and was finally burned.
One of the earliest houses built in the town after it was laid out was a frame structure on the public square where the Marker block now stands. It was built by Henry Reed and occupied by him as a hotel. Reed also owned the Freeman farm, southwest of Ligonier. Removing there, the hotel was kept by Harmon Horton. Upon his death his widow, Elizabeth, made the hotel a famous hostelry in the early days of turnpike travel. One of her daughters, Ximena, was married to Dr. George B. Fundenberg. Another landlord of a later date was Philip Miller.
The old brick house on the corner of Main street and the public square, lately moved and now the one wing of the Breniser Hotel, was built by John Myers in 1818. It was a hotel for some years, but with the decline of travel on the pike was used as a store and dwelling house. Thomas Seaton built the Ligonier House in 1824, and it has been used as a hotel ever since. Its first landlord was Henry Ankney. After him as landlords came Robert Elder, James Waugh, Benjamin Marker, John Blair, the Franks, Glessners and others. Samuel Adams built the hotel which stood on the corner now occupied by Murdock's store. It was kept by one Riffle, and after his death by his widow. The last landlord in it was Christian Roth. Peter Aurents, sometimes called Orrange, built the old house which stood so long on the northwest corner of Main street and the public square. He kept store there, and was also a sale cryer. Later it was used as a store and dwelling house, and for many years as a postoffice. Aurents also kept a livery stable-one horse, which he hired out for twenty-five cents per day. Thomas Lawson, the father of the late James Lawson, built a house standing where W. J. Potts' residence now stands. In 1818, when he was roofing the house, a violent storm came up suddenly and blew it down, and Mr. Lawson was killed by falling timbers. James McKelvy built the present Schoulan House, and in it kept the postoffice and also his office as justice of the peace, for he was the first postmaster of Ligonier. In 1833 he removed to In- diana, when John Hargnett, then a young merchant, was appointed post- master, and Joseph Moorhead was appointed justice of the peace, which posi- tion he held by appointment and election till his death in 1865.
A few words concerning the Godfather of Ligonier, Sir John, Lord Vis- count Ligonier, may not be out of place. The handsome picture printed in
Right 'Hen , " Solin
ilcont Ligonier.
-
593
HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY.
these pages is from a painting by Sir Joshua Reynolds, the most eminent of all English portrait painters. An engraving from the painting was purchased in Philadelphia by the late Doctor William D. McGowan, and by him devised by will to the University of Pennsylvania. By special request it was presented by the University to the Ligonier Library, and is now in the library room of the Ligonier high school building.
At the time of the Forbes campaign against Fort Duquesne in 1758, Lord Ligonier was commander-in-chief of the home department of the English army. He had won great distinction in the army in the wars of Queen Anne. Purely by merit he gained the highest military rank under the British government. When he was seventy-three years old he became engaged to marry a young woman of great wealth and of considerable prominence in London society. The newspapers of the city took up the matter and made so much ridicule of the proposed union that, greatly to the distress of Sir John, the match was broken off. He threatened to sue them for libel because they had circulated that he was eighty years old, whereas he was seven years younger.
He continued at the head of the English army until, because of his great age, he obstructed the conduct of public busineess, and yet the authorities could not remove him and he would not resign. Horace Walpole wrote in his diary in 1766 that "Lord Granby was made commander-in-chief, to the mortification of Lord Ligonier, who accepted an Irish Earl's coronet for his ancient brows and approaching coffin, and Ligonier got fifteen hundred pounds per year set- tled on his nephew." Ligonier had been knighted by George the Second, was created Lord Ligonier in Ireland in 1757, was raised to an English peerage under the same title in 1763. He was made Earl of Ligonier in 1766. He died in London in 1770, aged ninety-one years.
His nephew was Edward Ligonier, and was married to Penelope, a daughter of Lord Francis Rivers. Some years after their marriage an Italian poet named Alfieri, became, as Lord Edward thought, too much of a favorite of Lady Ligonier. He thereupon sent him a challenge which the hot-blooded Italian promptly accepted. They fought with swords, and Alfieri was wound- ed. After the duel Ligonier was divorced from his wife by an act of Parlia- ment. The Annual Register states that George the Third made a special trip to the House of Lords for the purpose of signing the bill. About a year after, Ligonier was married to Mary Henle, daughter of the Earl of Northington, Lord Chancellor of England. In 1764 Edward Ligonier was made aide-de- camp to King George, and was also colonel of a regiment of the Coldstream Guards. When the Revolutionary war opened he came to America with a regiment to fight against the Colonies. In 1783 he died in America, without children, and so the lordly line of Ligoniers died with him.
The name Ligonier was given to the fort by Forbes or Bouquet. By some means it was also given to a bay on Lake Champlain. It is also borne by a town in Indiana, which was settled by John Caven, from Ligonier Valley, who gave the old name to the new town which he helped to found. The township 83
594
HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY.
surrounding Ligonier has borne the same name since it was erected in 1822. Prior to that there were but two townships between the Ridge and the moun- tains-Donegal on the south, and Fairfield on the north.
When Colonel John Ramsey laid out the town he called it Ramseystown, but a violent objection was raised to that name, and it was changed, but not to Ligonier at first. Ramsey was anxious to adopt any name that would be popu- lar, so that lots would sell more readily. Two years before that, "chance and fate combined" defeated Napoleon Bonaparte on the field of Waterloo. Ram- sey doubtless thought therefore that the most popular name of the day was Wellington, and it may not be generally known that the name was changed from Ramseystown to Wellington. The following notice is from the Greensburg Gazette of February 6, 1817:
NEW TOWN OF WELLINGTON. Will be offered for sale, by publick vendue, at or near Ligonier Old Fort, on the Great Western Turnpike Road, on Tuesday the 25th of February instant a number of LOTS OF GROUND agreeable to a plan of said town which will be exhibited on day of sale.
Attend all such as wish to procure valuable property, on easy terms; where it is confidently expected there can be shortly obtained a seat of justice for a new county. Good mechanics of different kinds would meet with liberal encouragement by settling in said town. Materials of all kinds for building can be had conveniently low. There are inexhaustible banks of stone coal opened within one mile."
In the same paper, published February 12, 1817, is the following an- nouncement :
"The new town laid out by Mr. Ramsey at Ligonier Old Fort, is to be called Ligonier and not Wellington, as was last week advertised. The time for sale of lots has been changed to 17 of March." Notwithstanding the fact that it was named Ligon- ier, it was commonly called Ramseystown for many years, and only permanently as- sumed its present name when it was incorporated, (April 10, 1834). In his plan of lots recorded in Greensburg, May 19, 1818, Ramsey prohibited servants, minors and in- solvent persons from bidding at the sale, and provided also that any person who bought the corner lots on the Diamond should build on them within seven years a brick, stone or frame two-story house, or forfeit one hundred dollars, which should be used to build the courthouse when Ligonier should become a county-seat. The purchaser of any corner lot on Main street who should not build as above specified. should forfeit fifty dollars, purchasers on Market street should forfeit thirty dollars, and on all other streets twenty dollars, if they failed to build as above indicated.
A great feature in the early history of Ligonier was the Review Day. It is sometimes called the parade, or muster day. It originated shortly after the War of 1812, and was kept up constantly till the Mexican War in 1846. It was not by any means peculiar to Ligonier, but was common in all parts of the state. They were required by our laws, the object being to educate the young men in military tactics. They were generally held in May. The first was held on the first Monday cf May. It was a preliminary or township affair, and its
ยท
595
HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY.
object was to drill and practice for the great parade which was held two weeks later. On the second day the entire population from Donegal to the Cone- maugh river turned out. All men who were capable of bearing arms were en- rolled, and were compelled to turn out and drill or pay a fine of one dollar. The review was held in the bottom south of the present iron bridge across the Loyalhanna. Hundreds of men and women attended out of curiosity, and the entire community was filled with people. The more prominent officers were mounted. All were supposed to provide themselves with guns to be used in drilling, but many of them were only wooden guns.
For more than ten years after Ligonier was laid out, it was without a phy- sician. When sickness came they applied the simple remedies they were fami- liar with or had at hand, or sent to Greensburg for the nearest physician. The first physician who located in Ligonier was Dr. Johnston Miller in 1831, though a physician named Rodgers from Connellsville had been there a short time in 1824 and 1825, but failed to receive much patronage. After practicing a few years Miller died, and was succeeded by Dr. Samuel P. Cummins. He remained there nearly a generation, and gathered about him considerable property. As has been seen, he engaged to a considerable extent in the manufacture of iron. He built the brick house now known as the National Hotel, and occupied it as a residence and offices. James Cunningham, a young man of Ligonier, read medicine with him and practiced there five or six years, after which he moved west. Dr. George B. Fundenberg located there about 1836, and remained sev- eral years, after which he removed to Fairfield and to the South. He was a man of fine ability and commanding appearance. He died in Pittsburgh less than twenty years ago. Dr. Russell also practiced there several years, and after him came Dr. George M. Kemble, who practically succeeded Dr. Cummins in both profession and residence. He came from one of the eastern counties, and remained till the Civil war broke out, when he entered the Fourth Cavalry Regiment as a captain. He was succeeded by Dr. H. L. Lindley, after whom came Dr. J. C. Hunter and Dr. John A. Miller. The latter was an unusually bright young man, who died a martyr to his profession in 1871, having caught the diphtheria from a patient whom he was treating. Dr. Lemon T. Beam be- gan practicing there in 1856, and practiced with great success till 1870, when he removed to Johnstown and was lost in the flood in 1889. He was followed by Dr. M. M. McColly, who remained till his death in 1893.
The Methodists began to hold services in Ligonier and at the farm house of Abel Fisher, two miles to the northwest, long before they had an edifice in which to hold them. The hotel built by Samuel Adams had a swinging parti- tion between the dining room and the kitchen which could be raised and both rooms thrown into one. In this they held services until about 1825, when they came into possession of a brick building at the southeast corner of the old graveyard. In this they held forth till 1855, when some young men who were greatly interested in church building, stole from their rooms one night and threw down the end walls. The second edifice, the Methodist, and some of
596
HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY.
the prominent men of that day, are referred to in the following letter from Dr. H. L. Chapman, written for this work:
On Friday, August 25, 1850, I walked from Blairsville to Ligonier valley to enter upon my duties as junior pastor on what was known as the Ligonier circuit of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church. The circuit embraced fifteen preaching places, though none of the societies were large. In Ligonier we had seventy-five members, and a small brick church of one room. It was situated on a back street which terminated and was fenced a few rods beyond the church. As vehicles never passed over this street, it was a fav- orite place for cows to rest quietly at night. But the edifice was by no means well located for securing the attendance of the general public, and only the most faithful members as a rule, found their way there for divine service.
Yet in no community of its size have I ever found so many people of solid character, intelligence and exemplary conduct. There were few poor people and yet few could be called rich, even in those days of moderate fortunes. All whether rich or poor, and without regard to religious distinctions, lived together in great peace and social equality.
Among the more influential members of the Ligonier church at that time were Abel Fisher, who was known far and near because of his remarkable knowledge of the Bible and the books pertaining to it, and of Methodist literature generally; John T. McGowan, a merchant of great shrewdness and intelligence, and a man remarkably fluent in prayer and in public address; John Hargnett, who was associated with Mr. McGowan in busi- ness, and was for a quarter of a century the Sunday school superintendent, was a man of superb honor and kindness; David Boucher, a large land owner and extensive farmer, living about half a mile south of Ligonier. He, too, was in many respects a remarkable man. For practical wisdom and solid sense it would be hard to find his superior. He was a Pennsylvania German, and had enough of the Teutonic accent to make his con- versation interesting and impressive. His piety was deep and intelligent, and held su- preme sway over all of his faculties. He was remarkably generous and hospitable. Then there was Alexander Bovard, formerly a stage driver, but who became one of the most useful and intelligent of men as a Bible class teacher and class leader. Robert McCon- aughey was a substantial farmer and consistent church member, living close to the vil- lage. Mrs. Horrell was justly celebrated for her great piety, and died many years later in her hundredth year.
In 1857 the society decided to build a new church. The question of location became one of great interest. Many were anxious to retain the old site on account of its precious memories. But David Boucher was convinced that a more public site was desirable. He urged the great advantage there would be in having the new church located where every one could see it, and thus be attracted to attend its services. I was then pastor for the second time of the Ligonier charge. Mr. Boucher's choice for a church site, as well as my own, was a lot on one corner of the public square, in the center of the village. In order to influence the decision he offered a moderate sum for a church to be built any- where, but five times as much if it should be built on the public square. This had a great influence, and practically secured the location which is now occupied by the splendid stone church, successor to the one he helped to build nearly fifty years ago.
During the winter which followed the dedication of the church, a great revival took place. There were received into the church as a result of it one hundred and six mem- bers, so that in a few weeks, the society had been more than doubled in membership. Among those received who became prominent and valuable members, were Dr. L. T. Beam, who perished in the Johnstown flood; Hiram Boucher, of sterling worth to both church and community, and especially noted as a Bible class teacher; Noah M. Marker, a successful merchant : Jacob Murdock; the McConaughey brothers, Frank Harvey and Calender ; and many others.
597
HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY.
A Female Seminary was established and well patronized in Ligonier about 1845. It was founded by Rev. A. B. Clark and was kept in the brick house now owned by George Senft, manager of the Ligonier Valley Railroad. In the Ligonier Free Press of September 5th, 1845. is the following advertisement :
The first semi-annual examination of the school will take place on the last Thursday the 25th of September in the Ligonier Presbyterian Church. The exercises will commence at 9 o'clock a. m. and will consist in the examination of the pupils, in the various branches studied during the session, together with vocal music and reading original compositions.
Encouraged by the success of our experiment we propose to continue the school, upon the terms already published, viz .: $55.00 for the winter session, including all ex- penses excepting washing.
All the branches of an English education together with composition and vocal music will be taught upon these terms. Lessons in the Latin are given weekly by a young gentleman from Germany.
We shall be prepared also to give lessons in Painting, Drawing, French, Latin and Greek, for each of which there will be an extra charge of six dollars per session.
No teachers are employed but such as are competent and highly recommended. The winter session will commence on the first Monday of November and close on the last Thursday of March. Persons wishing to send will please give notice as early as con- venient. Address, A. B. Clark, Superintendent. Persons desiring further information respecting the school are referred to either of the following gentlemen :
Rev. Joseph Scroggs, Ligonier; Rev. J. I. Brownson, Greensburg; Rev. Samuel McFerrin, Congruity ; Hon. T. Pollock, Ligonier; Rev. Samuel Swan, Ligonier ; Major John Hill, Hillsview ; Rev. John Flemming, -: Col. John McFarland, Ligonier ; Joseph Moorhead, Esq., Ligonier ; Dr. Geo. B. Fundenberg, Ligonier; Dr. S. P. Com- mings, Ligonier.
The Ligonier high school building is one of the best and most stately look- ing buildings in the county. It was built in 1893 and finished in 1894. It cost about $44,000.
The town has a splendid system of water works built in 1897. The water is brought almost directly from springs on Laurel Hill mountains, and affords an abundant supply of soft water, and the rate paid by the consumers is the lowest in the county. The borcugh has seven schools, with 300 pupils.
CHAPTER XLIV
Sewickley Township .- Suterville .- Loyalhanna Township .- Burrell Township .- Parnas- sus .- New Kensington .- Cook Township .- Bell Township .- Penn Township .- Manor .- Penn Borough .- St. Clair Township .- New Florence.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.