History of the County of Westmoreland, Pennsylvania, with Biographical Sketches of Many of its Pioneers and Prominent Men, Part 130

Author: George Dallas Albert, editor
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USA > Pennsylvania > Westmoreland County > History of the County of Westmoreland, Pennsylvania, with Biographical Sketches of Many of its Pioneers and Prominent Men > Part 130

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Peter, born 11th September, 1771 ; baptized Ang. 2, 1772. Parents Anthony Walter and Elizabeth. Spousora, Frederick Beiss and Su- canna Elizabeth Alteman.

The last child he baptized was

Susanna, born 30th May, 1782; baptized June 4, 1782. Parenta, John Rudolph and Christina.

Then follows a list of children baptized in Zion's Church by different ministers. Of these the first child was

John Adam, born 37th November, 1784; baptized 25th December, 1783. Parents, Adam Myers and Elizabeth. Sponsors, Peter Elsaman and Anne Barbara.

Hempfield townships for the convenience of the people in school and other purposes. The point commenced on the farm of George Detar, and ran to that of J. H. Orr, in Hempfield township.

Rev. John William Weber became pastor in June, 1783, and the first child he baptized was

Daniel, born 19th November, 1782 ; baptized 8th June, 1783. Parents, John Harrold and Barbara. Sponsors, William Altman and Barbara.

The Lutheran pastor at this time was Rev. Anthony Ulrich Lutje. The first record of Lutheran commu- nicants was in October, 1791, under the pastorate of Rev. John Michael Steck. In 1785 a warrant was taken out by Michael Rugh and Anthony Altman for one hundred and fifty-eight acres for church and school purposes. This was recorded in 1789, and a patent issued the same year. Before regular preachers came to this section, the German schoolmasters, like Balthazer Myer, led the religious services of the people, reading sermons and conducting the worship on Sunday, and teaching in the school during the week. Among these lay teachers were Michael Zunsel, George Bushjager, and Charles Sheifler. One hundred and eight acres of the land was sold in 1793 to Rev. A. U. Lutje for sixty pounds, which proceeds went to the joint coffers of the Reformed and Lutheran congregations. The remaining fifty acres, with church and school-house, by agreement mutually signed Sept. 24, 1791, was to remain from that day forever the joint property of both the Lu- theran and Reformed organizations, "to be used for church and school purposes till the end of the world."! The property was intended from the first for the joint use of the two churches named, but the patent was issued to the Lutherans only. To satisfy the Re- formed party a bond was given in their favor to cover their rightful claim. It was signed by Valentine Steiner, William Altman, Anthony Altman, and Jacob Seanor, and was for three hundred pounds, and was made to Jacob Painter and Nicholas Alleman, in trust for the Reformed Church. On Nov. 28, 1819, a deed was made for this undivided half by Jacob Haines and Jacob Miller to Barnet Thomas and Peter Baum, Reformed trustees. The first building erected on these church lands was a log school-house, to which was afterwards added a dwelling-house, con- nected therewith by a covered hall. In this school- house worship was held, and even after the log church was built, owing to the want of stoves or heaters in it, public services in cold weather were held in the former. Extensive repairs to the old and first house of worship in 1794. The log church was begun and raised to the height of the first story, but owing to Indian troubles it was left standing in that unfinished condition for years. Before anything was done again towards resuming work upon it the sprouts and underbrush had grown up inside the structure, so that the ground had to be cleared off the second time. The church building was spacious, but had but one door. The floor was made of puncheons, and the seats of hewn loga. There was a gallery open in front on the right hand side, which had rough seats, and to which a rude stairway led.

At first there was only a plain table serving for an

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HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

altar. The original pulpit, after the wine-glass pat- tern, is now in the Mühlisen Church. It was a shaky affair, that creaked and rocked and swayed a good deal as you mounted its lofty height. It was sur- mounted with a small sounding-board painted in blue color, with a canopy showing the sun, moon, and stars in white. The window-glass of the church were often broken, and the windows left unrepaired, so that the squirrels and birds had free access to the inside of the church. And they were frequently seen sporting about and diverting themselves, as well as the younger part of the audience during the hours of regular worship. In course of time a new school-house was built, in which in severe weather worship was held. In 1828 George Eisaman moved into the school- house, and next year he built, on a lease, a tenant- house, and in 1850 the barn was erected. On May 28, 1829, the corner-stone of the present stone church edifice was laid. Bernard Thomas and Jacob Haines were the building committee. It was dedicated in 1880, when Revs. Voight and Switzerbart were pres- ent with the Lutheran and Reformed pastors. The building was repaired, papered, and painted in 1855. Ita graveyard, the oldest in the county, was enlarged in 1867, and the new portion regularly laid out in lots. The first pastor, Rev. John William Weber, came from Northampton County, and first found a home in a log cabin on Garrett Thomas' place till he secured a more suitable place. He then purchased a farm for himself on the Sewickley, late the property of Col. Israel Painter (now deceased). There he resided till his death, in July, 1816. His remains were in- terred in the Muhlisen graveyard, and the resting- place left unmarked for fifty years. In 1874 the church and his relatives jointly erected a neat monu- ment to his memory. Rev. Henry Habliston, of Bal- timore, was pastor from 1816 to 1819. His successor, Rev. Nicholas P. Hacke, D.D., entered upon his duties in October, 1819, and served it for threescore years without interruption and with a large measure of success.

BRUSH CREEK REFORMED CHURCH.

At an early day in the primitive settlement of this county members of the two German Churches were accustomed to meet in assemblies at Loutzenheiser's and Davis', where they held religious services and offered divine worship. These services were at first conducted without a minister, and consisted in sing- ing from their German hymn-books, reading the Bible, and offering prayers from their German prayer- books, and hearing sermons read from sermon-books by the schoolmaster. In 1783, Rev. John William Weber became the first pastor. At the advice of Dr. David Marchand, a native of Switzerland, the early settlers on Brush Creek took up for church and school purposes one hundred and eighty-two acres of un- seated lands. This was a portion of a tract of three hundred and forty-seven acres, of which Dr. Mar-

chand had himself entered one hundred and sixty- five acres, now Mrs. Walthour's farm. A patent was accordingly taken out for the above land in Dr. Marchand's name Nov. 14, 1792, he having advanced the money meanwhile in order to secure this property for the two German churches. He made a deed to the two congregations on July 20, 1797, for £28 12s. 6d., the money before advanced. The first building erected was a log school-house, which was used as the first house of worship. It was afterwards burned while the people of the neighborhood were absent, having temporarily left their homes on account of the Indian troubles. Subsequently the first church was built. It was a structure of hewn logs, with only one door, and that at the gable end. Its floor was of puncheons, the seats hewn logs ; there was no pulpit, no gallery, and a common table served for the altar. Aug. 17, 1816, the corner-stone of the present brick edifice was laid, but it was not completed until 1820, when it was dedicated by the Lutheran and Reformed pastors, assisted by Rev. Henry Gerhart, of Bedford, who preached the sermon. Subscriptions towards its erection having fallen far short of the sum needed, John Shrum and Adam Baughman, trustees, were authorized by an act of the Legislature to sell eighty- two acres of the church lands. These were sold in parcels at from fifteen to twenty dollars per acre. The church lost five hundred dollars by getting into a lawsuit with the contractor for the brick-work. Jacob Dry did the carpenter-work. April 27, 1864, the Legislature authorized the selling of forty-one acres of the coal underlying the church land. The pro- ceeds of this sale amounted to five thousand three hundred and thirty dollars. The present commodious dwelling-house was built by Peter Whitehead and Michael Baughman, trustees. The church was in- closed by a good fence, and the graveyard enlarged. Ornamental shade-trees were planted, and other ser- viceable improvements made. A new pulpit, with altar space and platform, were erected. Some years after a new roof was put on, new seats and windows made, and other needed improvements added.

In 1870 a nine-hundred-dollar pipe-organ was put into the church. Rev. Weber's pastorate extended from June, 1783, to July, 1816. During the early part of his labors here it was necessary for each man to carry his trusty rifle along to church, in order to protect the people from the sudden surprises and sav- age attacks of the hostile Indians. A rifle company, to which Samuel Adams belonged, kept itself in readiness at an hour's notice to march to the relief and protection of the settlers from the stealthy foe. Catechization by the pastor was in those early times generally held in private houses. Young people came from the Kiskiminetas River, from the Alle- man settlement in Butler County, and from Puckety Run to be taught the gospel way of salvation. Many would stay during the winter's course of instruction with their friends or hospitable Reformed families

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RESIDENCE OF FRANKLIN M.CALL, HEMPFIELD:TOWNSHIP, WESTMORELAND CO., PA.

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Tto. A Groushore

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till after they were confirmed in the faith of their fathers. It happened once that during the week be- fore Easter, when the catechumens had assembled there in the old church with their venerable pastor for their two sessions a day, the place was unusually cold. He directed the shivering boys and girls to build a brush-heap near the church, and then fire it during the intermission between forenoon and after- poon sessions. And around its blazing heat they warmed themselves till, at the call of the old min- ister, they piously returned to resume the afternoon services. Bonnets were not then worn by the young women who attended these classes, nor at church. A clean kerchief neatly put on was the female head- gear then. And if, perchance, aged mothers or some matronly dames of prime years could cover their heads with a wool or beaver hat, they thought them- selves dressed in most fashionable style. But if some of these would possibly wear their hats to church, they would invariably lay them aside on going to the communion, and would wear only their neat white caps. Mr. Weber's successor, Rev. Henry Habliston, served from 1816 to 1819 as pastor, and was succeeded in October of the latter year by Rev. Nicholas P. Hacke, D.D., then quite a youth. He preached some sixty years. The joint constitution of the two congregations-Reformed and Lutheran-who hold this property was adopted when the corner-stone was laid. - It is recorded in George Keck's record- book, given in 1806 for the purpose of keeping the church registry. At that meeting John Shrum was president, and Jacob Eisaman secretary. George Burger transcribed the documents. This and Har- rold's Church are the mothers of many surrounding churches, and have sent forth to the West and else- where hundreds of pious families, who in other fields have become laborers in the great religious vineyard.

ST. PAUL'S, OR SEANOR'S REFORMED CHURCH.

It is not known when St. Paul's congregation was organized, but its territory was in June, 1788, in- cluded in Rev. John William Weber's missionary field of labor. He died in July, 1816, and at some time during his pastorate he established this congre- gation. It is certainly older than the Mühlisen, or Milliron, congregation, which was organized in 1812- 18. The article of agreement by which the latter's church property was conveyed is dated March 6, 1813. Before Mr. Weber's death there was a log church rudely built and furnished, on the present site of the Seanor Church. It was not finished until in the same year (1816) Rev. William Weinel became pastor. He was a schoolmaster and organist in Northampton County, and studied theology under both the older and younger Dr. Becker, the former of Baltimore, the latter of Northampton County. His pastorate lasted until 1828 or 1829, when he resigned and moved to the northern part of the county. It was then served for four years by Rev. Nicholas P. Hacke, who, in

1832, was succeeded by Rev. H. E. F. Voight, right from the fatherland. He continued to January, 1862, but for the five years previous Rev. L. H. Ke- fauver had supplied the congregation with English preaching. Rev. H. W. Super was pastor from April, 1862, for three years, followed in January, 1866, by Rev. George H. Johnston for a year. After this it was served by Rev. T. J. Barkley for nine months. It was then attached to the Mount Pleasant charge, and served by Rev. J. H. Sykes for one year. In the fall of 1868, Rev. N. P. Hacke, D.D., was appointed as German supply, and Rev. T. J. Barkley as the English. This arrangement continued one year, when Rev. L. B. Leasure became supply for one year. At the end of this time the congregation was for the second time attached to the Second Greens- burg charge, under which, in November, 1870, Rev. John W. Love became its pastor. A good brick church was built in 1837, and this was replaced by the present brick edifice, erected in 1875, both owned jointly by the Lutherans and Reformed.

The officers of the congregation in olden times were William Beck, Tobias Long, Adam Truxel, Samuel Pool, George Hawk, Lewis Long, George Albright, Jacob Fox, Peter Miller, Abraham Long, and John Knaughman. Among those still or lately living who served as elders or deacons are John Truxel (of Greensburg), Jacob Mechling, Frederick Long, John Hartzel, John R. Kingdig, Isaac Fox, John Sell, Levi Fox, Harrison H. Painter, Davis Truxel, Jonas Miller (the last two of Pleasant Unity of late). From 1870 to 1876, the membership increased from forty- two to sixty-two.

TOWNS, VILLAGES AND HAMLETS. LUDWICK

adjoins Greensburg, and is generally taken for a part of the latter, especially by strangers. It is a separate municipality, however, it having. received corporate honors Feb. 17, 1859. It is a flourishing town, and its close proximity to the county-seat gives it a value not enjoyed by other towns of more general importance. It takes its name from the owner of the tract of land on which its site is located, Ludwick Ottoman, sometimes written Otterman.1

NEW STANTON.

This village is located seven miles southwest of Greensburg, on the Clay pike. It was laid out by Benjamin Snyder on the old "Glade Road" leading from Somerset to Pittsburgh, in the beginning of the century. His plan of the place recites that he laid it out at the earnest solicitation of a number of en- terprising and industrious citizens. In 1870, it had but one hundred and forty-five inhabitants, and its

1 There has been from the earliest usage of this word an arbitrary spelling. Of the authorities consulted there is a disagreement, not reconcilable. The first form appears to have the preference, and in all probability was his correct name.

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buildings were old and dilapidated. Since then its progress has been rapid and many elegant buildings have been erected. Its excellent school edifice was erected in 1871. At that time John Sell was the prin- cipal merchant and carried on the tannery. J. Steiner had a tinning establishment; J. Moore & Son, a sad- dlery-shop; and Harry Byers and J. C. Steiner, boot- and shoe-shops; Dr. R. E. Fulton was the physician; and H. P. Horbaugh, the druggist.

Trinity Reformed Church .- In 1872 a few Reformed people and others living here requested Rev. Jobn W. Love, the Reformed pastor at Seanor's and Greensburg, to preach here once a month. He con- sented, and every four weeks preached in the after- noon or at night in the old Union Church in the sum- mer, and in the school-house in the winter. The corner-stone of its edifice was laid June 12, 1875, Rev. W. W. Moorhead, of the. Greensburg Presby- terian Church, preaching the sermon, and Rev. John W. Love conducting the other services. During the summer a neat Gothic frame church was built, furn- ished, and a bell placed in the steeple. It was dedi- cated Nov. 14, 1875, when the following ministers officiated therein : Revs. W. C. B. Schullenberger, of Scottdale; D. B. Lady, of Mount Pleasant; A. E. Truzel, of Somerset; J. W. Love, L. B. Leasure, and Lucian Cont. On December 12th following the con- gregation was formally organized with the following meinbers: John Sell, Melissa Sell, Tobias Long, L. Gumbert, B. Gumbert, I. V. Huff, Nancy Huff, Sarah Lowe, Jacob Cochenhour, Hettie Cochenhour, Rachel Brandt, Lidie Brandt, Samuel Pool, Harriet Pool, James F. Stanton, Kate Stanton, John H. King, S. M. Powell, Maggie Powell, Urias Matthias, H. H. Byers, Nancy Byers, and D. G. Smith. All of these except John and Melissa Sell and Mrs. Kate Stanton were re- ceived on application or certificate from other churches and by confirmation, most of them being heads of families. The establishment of this congregation is owing largely to the liberality and influence of John Sell, who furnished nearly half the means for and de- voted much time and labor to the erection of the church.

MADISON BOROUGH.

March 11, 1876, the petition of the citizens of Madi- son village, in the township of Hempfield, for incor- poration was filed in the office of the clerk of the Quar- ter Sessions Court. In the petition the limits and boundaries of the proposed borough were formally set forth. The grand jury at the February sessions of that year passed on the petition, and returned it to the court favorably. On Oct. 3, 1876, the court de- creed that the village should henceforth have corpo- rate privileges, designated a day to hold the first elec- tions, appointed Philip Fisher to give notice, Philip Fisher to be judge, and Anthony Ruff and Samuel Davidson to be inspectors, and made the borough a separate school district.

ADAMSBURG BOROUGH.

The town or village of Adamsburg, by certain boundaries marked and designated in the description, was incorporated into a borough by act of Assembly, 5th of March, 1841. The citizens who might vote were to hold their first election at the brick school- house on the third Friday of the next April. For the first election Jacob Goeser, Jacob Stiner, and John Melville were to give notice, or any of them, and per- form all the duties enjoined upon constables.

OTHER VILLAGES AND HAMLETS.

Paintersville is on the Southwestern Pennsylvania Railroad, and is a growing place of note. Middletown lies in the southeast part of the town- ship, in a rich and fertile section. Grapeville is located between Greensburg and Ad- amsburg, in a region very early settled.

Arona is a pretty hamlet near the Sewickley town- ship line, and has several shops, stores, etc.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

GEORGE W. CROUSHORE.

George W. Croushore, of Grapeville, was born in Hempfield township, Westmoreland County, March 16, 1841. He is of German descent, and the youngest son of George and Margaret (Baughman) Croushore. His father died when he was about four years old, and his opportunity for an education was confined to a short period, most of his time being spent in farm- work. When thirteen years of age his mother aban- doned the farm, and George went to live with his brother Henry, with whom he remained one summer, working in a tannery. He then engaged in brick- making, which he followed for three years, and after- wards worked at the mason trade for a like period. In 1861 he purchased the farm upon which are his present home and large tannery. To the work of farming and tanning he has since devoted himself, and his labor has been rewarded with financial suc- cess. He was married Sept. 14, 1864, to Sade Alls- house. Their living children are Margaret E., Henry G., William B., John H., Charles C., Herbert L., and Franklin H. One child, James O., died in infancy. When a youth Mr. Croushore united with the German Reformed Church, and has always been a worthy member of the same.

CAPT. JOHN SMAIL.

One of the hard-working, successful farmers of Westmoreland County is Capt. John Smail, of Hemp- field township. He is of German descent, and is the son of Peter and Sophia.Smail, natives of Northamp- ton County, who emigrated to Westmoreland near the close of the last century. They are a family of

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John Amail

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D. Gaffney

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Franklin Mobally

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farmers, Peter, his five sons, and two sons-in-law all being engaged in that business.

John was born Feb. 15, 1804, upon the farm where he now resides. His opportunities for an education were such as the district schools of that period af- forded. He learned the business in which he has been engaged all his life "by working at it." In 1822' he married Catharine Huber, and by her he had twelve children, seven of whom grew to maturity and resided in Westmoreland County. Sophia died Oct. 4, 1862, and in 1863 John was married to Mrs. Hettie Baer. They had one child, Emma Clara, who died in infancy. Mr. Smail never held any political office. He derives his title of captain from his elec- tion to that position, which he held for three years, in the "Brush Creek Militia." He is a useful member of the Lutheran Church, to which organization most of his family belong. By careful attention to busi- ness he has accumulated enough property to give each of his children a good start in life and support him in his declining years. His industry, integrity. and gentle bearing have earned for him the respect of his neighbors.

FRANKLIN MOCALL.

Franklin McCall, a gentleman of Irish parentage, has resided in Hempfield township, Westmoreland County, for a quarter of a century. He is a native of Allegheny County, Pa., the son of William and Bar- bara Shank McCall, and was born in 1817. His father, William, was an inn-keeper and farmer, a much respected and valuable citizen, and a valiant soldier in the war of 1812. He died in 1866, at the advanced age of ninety-seven years. Franklin learned the business of farming, which he has followed all his life. He has a well-cultivated farm, and of late years has gained some notoriety as a breeder of thor- oughbred stock. His life has been one of well-directed industry. He is thrifty, open, and liberal with his means, ready to assist others. He is a member of the United Presbyterian Church, and embodies many Christian graces. He has an amiable disposition, is hospitable and charitable, and honest in purpose. He is a Republican, and attends elections regularly, casting his vote as a matter of duty, but has never been an office-seeker. He married Rachel Sowash, a native of Westmoreland County. They have no children.

DANIEL GAFFNEY.

Mr. Daniel Gaffney, of Hempfield township, is of Scotch-Irish descent on his paternal side. His grand- father, Edward Gaffney, came to America early enough

in the last century to participate in the war of the Revolution, and was therein engaged under the im- mediate command of Washington, and finally settled in South Huntingdon township, Westmoreland County, on a farm on which he continued to live until his death. Of his family of several children, William Gaffney, the father of Daniel, was one. He learned the trade of boat-building, and pursued various avoca- tions in life. About 1823 he married Sophia How- ard, daughter of Nicholas Howard, of Westmoreland County, by whom he had twelve children, of whom Daniel Gaffney is the seventh son, and was born March 22, 1837.

Mr. Gaffney attended the subscription and free schools in his youth, and at about thirteen years of age he was hired out by his father to a farmer for the summer months at three dollars a month. The suc- ceeding two years he was again hired out for increased wages, but not being satisfied with farming at that rate of wages, he, at about sixteen, betook himself to the business of drilling wells in Greensburg and else- where in Westmoreland County. In 1854 he spent several months in Maryland in the same business under others. He eventually took up the business- for himself, and followed it for several years, at one time going to Illinois to put down wells there. There- after he was connected with several flouring-mills, particularly that at what is now called Paintersville." In June, 1859, there occurred a severe frost, which destroyed the cereal crops of Westmoreland County, and made milling dull. Mr. Gaffney returned to well- drilling for a year or so, and was then engaged by Col. Israel Painter to superintend his salt-works in Hempfield township. He remained with Col. Painter as superintendent for about two years, and then leased of him the Fountain Salt-Works, in the above-named township, which he conducted for a year with finan- cial success. Mr. Gaffney dates his subsequent fortu- nate business life from that point as the first step, from which he went on through several changes in avocations, mainly fortunate, until he became, in January, 1881, the owner of the Painterville Salt- Works, which are in full operation, and which, with a farm in South Huntingdon township and other possessions, enables him to feel himself comfortably situated in life.

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History of the County of Westmoreland, Pennsylvania, with Biographical Sketches of Many of its Pioneers and Prominent Men, Part 130

Author: George Dallas Albert, editor Publication date: Publisher: Number of Pages:

Author: George Dallas Albert, editor
Publication date:
Publisher:
Number of Pages: