USA > Pennsylvania > Westmoreland County > History of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, Vol. I > Part 69
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 three banking houses of this place are, the First National, established in 1892 with a $50,000 capital ; the Logan Trust Company, with $100,000 cap- ital, with J. W. Logan as president, and J. R. Alter as cashier, and the Parnas- sus National Bank.
New Kensington was incorporated as a borough November 26, 1892, and
607
HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY.
one year later was divided into wards: First, Kensington ; second, Arnold. A dissatisfaction grew up, and Arnold was made a borough of itself, but at pres- ent steps are being taken to reunite the two places. Here one finds all modern improvements and true progress on every hand. The borough officials have ever been of the true type of citizens. The first burgess was D. H. McCarty, succeeded by B. C. Shaffer, and he by R. Henderion. The present burgess is M. H. Mainwaring. The present council is: Solomon Shaner, president ; David Thomas, J. B. Morehead, H. H. Klingensmith, Henry Sayers, David H. Webb and Samuel Heister.
This place has an excellent sewerage system, extending to every part of the borough, and all streets west of the railroad are paved with vitrified brick. There has been erected at an expense of $12,000 a commodious town hall and a secure "lock-up" for the confinement of law breakers. There are three well drilled fire companies, two of which number fifty members each. Not in busi- ness alone does New Kensington rank high among the boroughs of Westmore- land county, but it has splendid facilities for the development of the secular and spiritual mind as well. It has twenty school rooms in two good buildings, and an enrollment of 1141 pupils.
The following religious denominations are represented here, and many have fine church edifices, in which to worship after their own peculiar faith, while others are in the mission stage of their history. The first in the field was the Lutheran congregation, as a mission, with Rev. Carl Zinmesiter, pastor, in October, 1891. Then came the following: St. Joseph's Reformed, First Methodist Episcopal, First Baptist, Zion's German Lutheran, Trinity Re- formed, Episcopal, First Presbyterian, Evangelical Lutheran, St. Mary's Pol- ish Catholic, St. Peter's Italian Catholic, First Church of Christ, African Methodist Episcopal. German Baptist, and Colored Baptist.
The newspapers of the place are the Keystone, (Republican), and the Dis- patch, (Democratic), both weekly journals, alive to the best interests of the community.
The borough is provided with excellent water from a private corporation, and also with modern electric light and natural gas plants. Its natural adapt- ability and rare beauty as a town site is not excelled in the entire Allegheny valley, and its connection by electric line with Tarentum, Natrona and various other points, makes it accessible and a desirable place in which to reside.
COOK TOWNSHIP.
Cook township was formed by a division of Donegal township, and its early history is therefore included in Donegal township. The difficulties which brought about this division are unknown to the writer. Before the township was divided the elections of the entire township were held at Stahlstown. This was a matter of great complaint to those who resided beyond Donegal or in the southern portion of Ligonier valley. David Cook was at that time an associate
608
HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY.
judge of Westmoreland county, and the new township was named after him. He was the father of William A. Cock, for many years a member of the West- moreland bar, and still later a lawyer of great renown in Washington City.
The early settlers were the Campbells, Pipers, Thompsons, Binkeys, Bests, Phillippis, Beistals, Matthews, Groves, Parks, Haugers, Heinzs, Hoods, Fel- gars, Stahls, Brants, Cavens, Withrows, McDowells, Wellers, Weavers, etc. One of the most renowned early settlers was "Elder" Robert Campbell, the pro- genitor of the large Campbell family which resides in Ligonier valley, and who have since settled in many other parts of the county. His father was murdered by the Indians, and his life and character has been considered elsewhere in this volume. The blockhouse called Fort Williams, on the Four Mile run, was built by Richard Williams, and on his land. Among the first justices of the peace in the township were Seymour Campbell, and still later came Lewis Thompson, James McClain, James McDowell, John Campbell, J. G. Weaver and others. The township lies high, much of it being mountainous. In the central part there are many productive farms, and that region is well situated for agricul- tural purposes. The timber business has always been a leading one in certain parts of the township.
The Harman family is an old one in the township, the progenitor of which was captured by the Indians, and his life and character has been given else- where. Through this country it will be remembered went the great Catawba war trail, running north and south, and passing directly through Ligonier val- ley. This brought about a great many Indian depredations from which other parts of Westmoreland county were exempt. It also suffered a great deal from the Indians during the Revolutionary period.
Stahlstown is the leading village, and has never been incorporated, though it is one of the oldest towns in the Ligonier valley. It is built in nearly the center of the township, and on ground originally owned by Leonard Stahl, from whom it took its name.
One of the leading churches in Cook township is the Pleasant Grove Pres- byterian Church. It is about midway and a short distance east on the road leading from Donegal to Ligonier. James Power preached there as early as April 25, 1785. This was when Fairfield, Ligonier and Wheatfield were all in one charge. The ministers of a later period have been named in connection with other churches in Ligonier valley. They were James Hughes, George Hill, Rev. Swan, etc. The first edifice of this congregation was built of logs, but in 1832 a substantial stone building was constructed, which is yet standing and is in splendid condition. Its old style of architecture makes it one of the hand- somest churches in Ligonier valley. It was built by a stonemason named John Lane, who lived and died in Donegal township. For many years the Metho- dist Church has perhaps been the leading denomination in Cook township. They have now a beautiful edifice in the village of Stahlstown. The United Presbyterian Church, about two miles northwest of Stahlstown, was founded
609
HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY.
in the early years of last century, and has been spoken of heretofore in connec- tion with its renowned pastor, Rev. Joseph Scroggs.
A prominent family in Cook township is the Weaver family, descendants of William Weaver, who was born in Somerset county, September 18, 1809. His grandfather, William Weaver, had been a minister in the German Re- formed Church, and a native of Germany. He settled in Sewickley township, and his son by the same name became a millwright and followed his trade in Somerset county. In 1812 he removed to Weaver's Mill district, in Cook town- ship, and spent the remainder of his life there. Still later he built a flouring mill, and this in connection with saw milling and farming gave him employ- ment for the rest of his days. He left a large number of children who are yet prominent people in Cook township, and elsewhere in the county. The Weaver family are still farther back descended from Rev. John M. Weber who was one of our early ministers.
The township has nine schools, with 256 pupils enrolled.
BELL TOWNSHIP.
Bell township was erected out of parts of Loyalhanna and Salem town- ships, and was organized in 1853. It is bounded on the north by the Kiski- minetas river; on the east and southwest by Loyalhanna township; on the south by Salem township, and on the west by Huntingdon township. On the northeastern boundary is built the Pennsylvania railroad. Its principal stream besides the Kiskiminetas river is the Beaver run. This township is underlaid with coal, which is being mined. It has also large deposits of fire-clay from which fire-brick is manufactured. In former chapters we have spoken of the Carnahan blockhouse. It was built in this township by John Carnahan, and was for many years a refuge in time of Indian incursion, for himself and neigh- bors for miles around.
Among the early settlers were the Yockeys, Carnahans, Callens, Marshalls, Whitfields, Clawsons, Ewings, Hiens, Rumbaughs, Taylors, Alcorns, Neelys, McKees, Hiltys, Thompsons, Kuhns, Blairs, Pauls, Kennedys, Glasses, Klines, McDivitts, McCauleys, Walkers, Beattys, Gartleys, Montgomerys, Bowmans, Householders, Robinsons, McConnells, Elwoods, Wolfords, Bears, Huffs, Longs, etc.
The German Reformed and Lutheran Churches established a congregation nearly a mile north of Helena, on a bluff overlooking the Kiskiminetas river, near the site of an old Indian village called "Old Town." The land was donated by a farmer named Simon Hine. Upon it they established a church and a graveyard, and in 1803, a few years after the graveyard was in use, the neigh- bors hewed logs, each one on his own home, and hauled them to this point, and at a time fixed the entire neighborhood met to roll the logs together and build a church. But a dispute arose between the churches on the question as to whom the ground should be deeded. This dispute was never settled, and the logs were left to lie there untouched until they decayed. About 1810 Christo- 39
610
HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY.
pher Yockey, of the Reformed Church, gave a lot of ground about three miles southwest of this, and upon it a church was erected. The first Reformed pas- tor was John William Weber, who began preaching there about 1808, and con- tinued until about 1816. His successor was William Weinel, who preached to them until 1838, in which year they built a very respectable church edifice of brick as a church building. The church cost $2,200. Both the Reformed and the Lutheran congregations were united in constructing this church. It was built by Matthew Callen and John Paul. Rev. Henry Knepper, a Reformed minister, preached here, though he lived in Kittanning and preached also in Butler. He remained attached to the charge till 1846. Rev. Voight also preached there, probably following Rev. Weinel. Rev. Samuel H. Giesey be- gan preaching there in November, 1848, and remained with them till 1855. He was followed by Rev. Thos. G. Apple in 1856 and 1857. During these years the charge had been connected with Greensburg. A separation took place in 1856. Rev. Apple was followed by Rev. Richard P. Thomas, who preached to them from April 1, 1858, to April 1,1863. He was succeeded by Rev. T. J. Barkley, who remained till January 1, 1867. Rev. T. F. Stauffer served them from May, 1867, till September, 1861. The church has had much difficulty in procuring a separation from the Lutheran interests, and has not had regular pastors since. Rev. J. B. Welty, Rev. John McConnel and others have served them since 1874. The township has seven schools, and 192 pupils enrolled.
PENN TOWNSHIP.
The application for the organization of this township had been in court for ten years, and was finally favorably considered on February 23, 1855. It was named in honor of William Penn, and was carved from portions of Hempfield, Franklin, Salem and North Huntingdon townships. Included within its bounds is the noted "Manor of Denmark," one of the two special reservations of our county that were set aside for the Penns exclusively. It is one of the most fertile townships in the county, and is bounded on the west by the Allegheny county line ; on the south by North Huntingdon and Hempfield townships ; on the east by Hempfield township, and on the north by Salem and Franklin town- ships. Across it runs the Forbes Road, as cut by Forbes in 1758 when on his way west to capture Fort Duquesne. The surface of the township is hilly, and the farms are well cultivated. It has an abundance of bituminous coal which is easily mined. The veins are generally over six feet in thickness, and have added greatly to the wealth of the township. One of the early settlers of the township was Andrew Byerly, whose exploits as a pioneer and Indian fighter have been considered elsewhere. Other early settlers were Balthazer Myers, the noted school teacher and preacher : the Ewings, Fritchmans, Mc- Williams, Kemerers. Brinkers. Finks, Knappenbergers, Keisters, Heislers, Snyders, Berlins, Lauffers, Gongawares, Waugamans, Blackburns, Millers, Walthours, Shusters, Sowashes, Newdorfers, Kifers, Klines, Clarks and others. In the early days the standard of education was not very high. The old time
611
HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY.
schoolmasters went around in the fall after the farmers had housed their corn, potatoes, etc., with a subscription book, and tried to raise the necessary num- ber of scholars to remunerate them for their winter's teaching. The text-books used were the "New England Primer," "The United States Spelling Book," the "Western Calculator," and the Bible and Testament. The pupils, it is said, were each compelled to commit the catechism to memory. The writing de- partment was exclusively by written copies at the top of the page, which were made by the master himself with a quill pen. "Setting copies," mending pens, and whipping pupils occupied no small part of the school-teacher's time. The school hours were from eight in the morning until five in the evening, with an
This house was built about 1790 by Henry Keifer. It is on the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad, near Penn Station
hour's recess at noon for dinner. In that day all who could not afford to pay the teacher for their tuition were neglected, and there were many in each town- ship who did not attend school at all in their youth. Some, however, who did attend school who were too poor to pay their tuition, had their tuition paid by the county commissioners upon a certificate from the county officers that they were unable to pay, and notwithstanding that had gone to school.
The Reformed Lutheran Congregation in this township was organized about 1808 or 1809. The first ministers have been frequently named heretofore in connection with the church work in other townships. They were such as
612
HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY.
Rev. John William Weber, Michael John Steck and John Michael Steck and Rev. N. P. Hacke. The first church building was built by Peter Henkel as contractor, and he was to build a church thirty-eight by forty-six feet and was to receive $225 for the mason work. All the material needed in its erection was to be furnished him on the ground. The carpenter work was done by Jacob Dry, and his contract called for $600, which included the painting, glazing, etc. The work was begun on May 12, 1814. A debt on this church still remained as late as 1825, when it was paid in full by subscription. The church grounds were owned by Conrad Knappenberger and Jacob Brinker. The church was built without flues or chimneys, and they at first ran a stovepipe through a broken window-pane, and later made a hole through the side of the building. This is noted to show how little they knew of architecture in that day. Long after this, when the stovepipe had set the house on fire, though not sufficient to burn the building, a chimney was built, as it should have been in the be- ginning.
The Beulah United Presbyterian Church was situated on Byers Run, in the northwestern part of the township, and was organized in June, 1845. Its first minister was William Connor, who served them until 1858 and died in 1864. He was succeeded by Rev. Walkinshaw, T. F. Boyd, U. R. Rankin and others. The Presbyterians, Catholics and Methodists have each organizations in the present Penn borough.
Penn township has within its borders one of the most historic spots in western Pennsylvania, viz. the battlefield of Bushy Run, fought by the brave Swiss commander, Henry Bouquet. In August, 1883, the one hundred and twentieth anniversary of the battle was appropriately celebrated on the field. The battle having been described in the pages relative to the early history of the county, no further reference to it here is necessary.
The township has twenty-eight schools, with 1176 pupils enrolled.
MANOR.
The handsome little town of Manor is the outgrowth of the Pennsylvania Railroad, which was finished in 1852 as a single track road, and up to that date was surrounded by forests, though fairly well settled by a colony of hardy pio- neers. This section was known as Denmark Manor, being one of the two manors or estates procured from the heirs of William Penn. In 1783 Stofel Walthour built a mill on Brush creek, the first and only building for a number of years. Messrs. Ludwick, Miller and Berlin purchased the Ward farm and laid out the town of Manor in 1873, which was incorporated in 1884. It con- tains a Presbyterian, Lutheran, Methodist and Reformed churches, a fine school building, three hotels and twelve stores, two handle factories, a flour mill, a cement block factory and a National Bank. It is the terminal of the Manor Val- ley Railroad. One of its leading industries is the Beamer Handle Works, which manufactures all kinds of hickory handles. They are one of the leading handle factories in the state and ship their product to all of the eastern cities and states. It has four schools, with 176 pupils.
613
HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY.
PENN BOROUGH.
This town is located on the Pennsylvania Railroad, six miles west of Greensburg. It was laid out in 1859 by J. H. Oliver and the Penn Gas Coal Company. It was incorporated in 1865 by petition of its inhabitants, and al- though its incorporation was remonstrated against by its own citizens, on Oc- tober 19th the court granted the prayer of the petitioners and its incorporation became complete. On Friday, November 2, 1865, they held their first borough election at the house of Ralph Pratt.
About 1854 George Seancr and J. H. Robinson purchased the land on which Penn Station is now located, and opened the North Side Pit, which they operated as a cart mine, shipping the coal to Pittsburgh, where they had a retail yard. In 1859 the South Side mine was opened by William Coleman, J. H. Robinson and others. John F. Wolf opened a general store in 1859. J. H. Oliver bought the meadow land lying between the railroad and Brush Creek and laid it out into lots, offering fifty dollars premium to those putting up houses. The first season J. C. Rankin built a hotel known as the Eisaman House. Few small boroughs have more industries within their midst than Penn. The large pipe works of the American Foundry and Pipe Company give employment to a large force of men. The Hockensmith Wheel and Mine Car Company is another large plant, the product of which goes to all parts of this country. The large coal beds of the Penn Gas Coal Company are a great source of wealth to the place. The mines are operated by electric mining appli- ances. There are three churches in this place: Methodist, Lutheran and Ro- man Catholic. It has four schools, with 197 pupils enrolled.
ST. CLAIR TOWNSHIP.
The territory now comprising St. Clair township was originally a part of Fairfield township, and was separted from it in 1856. It was named in honor of the patron saint of Westmoreland county, Major General Arthur St. Clair. It is bounded on the north by Indiana county, on the east by Laurel Hill; on the south by Fairfield township, and on the west by the Conemaugh river. In territory it is the smallest township in the county. Its surface is gen- erally hilly. The central part of the township is farther removed from the mountains and consequently is reasonably productive. The main line of the Pennsylvania Railroad passes along the bank of the Conemaugh river and through this township, and has built on it the towns of New Florence and Nineveh. It has four schools, and 138 pupils enrolled.
NEW FLORENCE.
New Florence borough was incorporated on the 27th of May, 1865, upon a petition of its leading citizens. It is located on the Conemaugh river and the Pennsylvania Railroad. It was laid out, we believe, by Judge Robert Given,
614
HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY.
formerly an associate judge of Westmoreland county. It is pleasantly located and has recently constructed a complete system of waterworks which conveys from the mountains near by an abundance of pure mountain water.
The churches are the Methodist, Catholic, Presbyterian and United Pres- byterian. The borough has four schools, and 181 pupils enrolled.
CHAPTER XLV
Miscellaneous .--- New Court House .- The Evans Execution .- The Year of the Frost. -Visit of Lafayette.
In the last decade of last century the courthouse which was built in 1854 was not only greatly in need of repairs, but was found to be entirely too small, and inadequate in every way to accommodate the rapidly increasing court business of the county. It was believed also that the old building could not be remodeled economically so as to meet the demands of the county. On May 19. 1894, the grand jury recommended the erection of a new courthouse, and several other grand juries made the same recommendation. On January 30, 1897, the court of quarter sessions approved a recommendation to that effect made by two successive grand juries. The county commissioners at once called for plans and specifications for a new structure. Those of William Kauffman, of Pittsburgh, with some important changes from the original, suggested by the judges and the committee of the bar, were finally adopted by the commissioners, and approved by the court on June 29, 1901.
On August 2, 1901, a contract was awarded for the removal of the old building, and on August 10 the court directed the removal of the records to a structure on South Main street, which had been provided for their re- ception and for a temporary courthouse. On October 23 a contract was awarded for the excavation and foundation of the new structure. On April 28, 1902, a contract for the erection of the courthouse was awarded to the Lindsey Construction Company, but it was not approved by either of the judges. On September 26 two of the commissioners awarded the con- tract to Caldwell & Drake, the other commissioner dissenting. This award was not approved by the judges. On June 8, 1903, after advertising for and receiving bids, the commissioners rejected all bids and advertised again. On July 23 the commissioners awarded the contract to Messrs. Miller & Sons, of Pittsburgh, and the contract was approved by one of the judges. In all but the last, the contracts failed because the proper agents of the county did not agree on the business propriety of concluding them, having in mind the best interests of the county.
Exceptions to the method of letting this contract were taken by the con- troller of the county. The matter of the exceptions was heard by the com- mon pleas court, and by writ of error it was carried to the superior and thence
616
HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY.
Fourth Court House, Built 1905-6.
to the supreme court of the state. Each court sustained the contract. The questions involved need not be repeated here, for they are found in the su- perior and supreme court reports. The last decision was not rendered, how- ever, till 1904. Almost at once after that, the work was begun by those to whom the contract had been awarded. The structure is now nearing com- pletion, and will be ready for occupancy early in 1907. It stands on the north- west corner of Main and West Pittsburgh streets, occupying the same ground used for that purpose since Greensburg became a county seat in 1785.
The new courthouse is a magnificent and imposing structure, its golden dome towering high above the surrounding buildings. Its architecture and finish would not be discredited if compared with those of the best buildings
617
HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY.
in our largest cities. It is claimed to be the finest rural courthouse in the United States. The large cities have larger structures, but none of them are more complete nor more elegantly built than the new Westmoreland court- house.
The building occupies a space 157 feet long and 87 feet deep, with a cen- tral pediment flanked by two circular bays, projecting eight feet six inches from the body of the building. This central pediment contains the main en- trance lobby of the first story, fronting on Main street. The building con- tains a basement and sub-basement, above which are five additional stories and a mezzanine story. The main entrance to the basement is situated on West Pittsburg street, and is two steps above the pavement. There is also an outside entrance to the basement on Main street.
The main, or first story, contains the principal offices of the county of- ficials, with annexes, or transcribing rooms, in the basement and storage rooms for records in the mezzanine stories. The first story is also connected with the jail by a bridge. The second story contains the two main court rooms, also the orphans' court room, law library, attorney's, witness and consultation rooms, judges' chambers, jury retiring rooms, grand jury rooms, etc. The third story contains one court room, jury rooms, and dormitory, the offices of the jury commissioners and county superintendent of schools, etc. The fourth story contains three court rooms, jury and witness rooms, judges chambers, etc.
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.