USA > Pennsylvania > Westmoreland County > History of the County of Westmoreland, Pennsylvania, with Biographical Sketches of Many of its Pioneers and Prominent Men > Part 131
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In 1859, Mr. Gaffney married Eliza L. Ryan, daugh- ter of John Ryan, of Hempfield township, by whom he has had ten children, eight of whom are living,- William Mentor, Clara May, Sarah Blanche, Mary Etta, George Edward, Van Orion, Anna Kate, and James Allen.
In politics Mr. Gaffney is a Democrat. He for merly belonged to the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which his wife and daughters are members.
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MOUNT PLEASANT TOWNSHIP.
AREA.
.THE township of Mount Pleasant was the designa- tion of one of the townships of Western Pennsylva- nia while yet the whole of the Province west of the eastern line of Somerset County was included in Bed- ford County. Its boundaries at that time, however, did not coincide with those by which it was distin- guished at the organization of Westmoreland. The old tax-rolls of Bedford County showed that Mount Pleasant contained 88 landholders, 18 tenants, of whom not one was married.
The township took in a large and scarce definable region around the town now of that name. When the county of Westmoreland was erected in 1773 the limits of the township were of great extent. As they were then defined they were as follows:
"Beginning where the Loyalbanas breaks through the Chestout Ridge sad running down the Loyalhanna to the mouth of Crab-Tree Run, sad up the same to the main (Torbes') road; thence with a due course to Braddock's road; thence with the south side of that road to where it crosses Jacobs Oresk, to the line of Fairfield township."
Its limits did not undergo any material alteration till the erection of Unity township in 1789. At that time the portion severed from the old township and erected into a separate one was in extent something larger than that portion left. Thus it is that many of the first settlers and men of prominence who were put down in the township lists, and who were identi- fied with township limits, were actually residents of that part of the township which lies next the Loyal- hanna.
BOUNDARIES.
It is surrounded by the townships and natural lines as follows : on the north by Unity township; on the east by the Chestnut Ridge, which separates it from the township of Donegal ; on the south by Fayette County; on the southwest by East Huntingdon ; and on the northwest by Hempfield township.
POPULATION AND VILLAGES.
. Its population by the census of 1880 is 4224, which does not include the borough of Mount Pleasant. This shows an increase of 1675 over the population of 1870. It has few villages within its borders, not mentioning the borough of Mount Pleasant and its suburbs, viz., Bridgeport, Laurelville, and Ridge- view.
TOWNSHIP TAX-LISTS IN 1783.
The names of the land-owners were as follows :
William Anderson.
Simon Acre. John Armel. Charles Jonston.
Christopher Amalong.
Moses Aleson.
Samuel Bradley.
John Baird.
James Brownfeld.
John Bradley.
John Briney. Henry Branker. Hugh Bay. William Brine. Conrad Byers. Martin Basb.'
James Black.
Ephraim Blair. Charles Campbell.
. Balph Cherry. James Clark. Jacob Carver (Inn-keeper). George Campbell. George Crawford. James Crawford. Philip Coast. Capt. James Clark. John Crawford. Josiah Campbell. Conrad Colemore. Bumuel Coulter. Robert Cochran. Martha Cain (widow). John Craig. Alexander Craig. Briealla Carter.' Elizabeth Dilworth (widow). Elias Davis. John Egar. Thomas Elliot.
Joseph Egar. Garat Fiscus. John Fiscus. Charles Fiscus. Thomas Fletcher. William Findly. James Gutery, Jr. James Glenn. William Grier.
James Gutery, 8r. John Giffen. H. Graham. Nathaniel Hurst. John Hunter. George Hendery. John Hutcheson. James Hunter.
John Jameson.
William Inman. John Jack.
Robert Jameson.
Patrick Jack.
A. Jenkins.
James Johnston. Robert Kess. William Kilpatrick. Christopher Lobinger.
Cristian Laver. Bartholomew Laver.
Moses Latta. Samuel Lewis. Abraham Lesure. Mary Lochery (widow). Jeremiah Lochery. William Lochery. John McClbons. Capt. John Mcclellan. William McMaster. Hagh Martin. John McClure. Barnabas McCall. James McMaster. Robert Marshall. John McKes. Thomas MoCay. Daniel Morrison, Thomas Mcclanahan. Alexander McKiney. James McMullen. Matthew Morrison. Andrew Mitchell. George McDonal. James Marshall. George MoClellan. Francis MeGuiar. John Moore. William Maxwell. Robert Newell. Hugh Nealy. John Nichols. William Neale. William Nichols. Robert Nichols. Josiah Newell. Arthur Obara. Samuel Peebles.
Rev. James Power. Christian Porting. Adam Palmer. Thomas Patton. Jacob Power. Frederick Perting. Jobin Proctor. William Proctor, Jr. John Peebles. Abraham Power. John Quin. Joshua Randles.
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MOUNT PLEASANT TOWNSHIP.
. William Robeson. John Rowley. Stophel Rinor. Anthony Rough. Margaret Robeson (widow). David Rankin. Bobert Robeson. David Shearer. William Breeder. Philip Smith. Jacob Steer. Nicholas Senidly. Gesper Smaidly. Gasper Smidly, Br. Stopbel Bees.
John Sloan (cordwinder). William Sloan (weaver).
George Yerion.
Land-owners who resided on the Manor :
John Taylor.
William McGeary.
Robert Lowers.
James Ferguson.
John Spelman.
James McOuleton.
Rudolph Bair.
David Kilgore.
Henry Bair.
Isabella Courtney.
Matthies Stock barger.
Rachel McGeary.
Daniel Armel. William' MeNight.
Samuel Serrals.
James Donal (blacksmith).
Jobn Thorn.
James Pullook.
Isaac MeHeadry.
James Steel.
List of those persons who had land rented in the township :
George MoCartney.
Andrew Barnes.
James Brown.
John Kilgore.
William Stuart.
Marmaduke Jameson.
Jacob Klingensmith.
Adam Partmeser.
Robert Herkley. William Alkin.
List of those who resided in Mount Pleasant town- ship and had land in " other parts :"
John Gutery.
Jacob Klingensmith.
Samuel Todd.
Hugh Wilson.
James McClsilaa.
Christian Youkey.
Robert Lowers. James Simpson.
Richard Jervis. John Lidack.
Alexander Walker.
John Campbell,
William MoCall.
William Findly.
William Calalan. Joseph Scott.
Matthew Simpson.
David Kilgore.
Joseph Ervin. Joseph Brownfield. John Murphy.
Christian Youkey, Jr. William Waddell. John Gourley.
John Stuart.
John McDonal.
John McClanahan.
Henry Lower.
Jacob Witherinton.
William Bell.
Robert Watson.
John Thorn.
Adam Bair.
Thomas Simpson.
John Persing.
James McKee.
Frederick Peraing.
Neal Murry.
Barnet Steer. Henry France.
John Latta. William Robeson.
William Downey.
James Marshall.
Archibald Marshall.
John Shepard.
James Mcclellan.
Alexander Walker (cordwinder). Archibald Trimble. John Deuistone.
Joseph Beeler (constable).
John Downey,
James Gordon. John Donahow.
Joseph Hopkins. William McWhirter.
Matthew Simpson. Frederick Raper.
Simon Roughindear. Duncan McGee.
Patrick Calan.
Jacob Hartman.
Thomas Jones.
James Waddell. James Bolo. James Guy.
Robert Vance. David White.
Robert Witherinton.
Samuel Wilson.
Adam Weaver.
Gesper Weaver.
Jacob Lighter.
John Muglaughlane.
James McQuillan.
William Robeson.
Adam Teamer.
William Letemore.
John Brownfield.
David Bay.
William Shreader.
William Marshall.
Michael Seaner.
John Dayley (schoolmaster).
Adam Fisher.
John Neal.
James Simpson (weaver).
Thomas Trimble.
Patrick White.
Arthur McMichael.
Paul McClean.
John Weesper.
John White. Charles Biley. John Ward.
John Lasare (weaver).
John Meek.
John Gilbreath.
Henry Wingfield.
Jacob Cline.
Hugh Wileob.
Jacob Wolf.
James Whitherinton.
John Lidack.
William Whitherinton.
William Egar.
Robert Barr (weaver)-
John Carr.
Abraham Fiscus.
John Campbell. William McCall (weaver).
William Calalan (tailor).
Joseph Clark.
John Gourley.
John Stuart.
John Scott.
Rudolph Bair.
Andrew Kinkeed.
Thomas Winter.
Daniel McDonal.
Henry Shellaberger.
Peter Peterson. Conrad Young.
James Tanner.
John Crow (weaver).
Alexander McClellan.
William McGuire.
Peter Consley.
John Jameson. William Thomson (tailor).
Conrad Haining (blacksmith).
Robert Ralston (weaver).
William McFarlane.
David Livingstone.
George Rian.
David McClelland (weaver).
.Francis Jameson.
James Russell.
Joseph Scott.
William Clark (mason).
Freemen (owning lands no-where) :
Samuel Lewis. William Donahoo.
John Gutery.
Samuel Wilson.
Jobn Ridle.
James Randles.
Henry Deadman.
Andrew Robeson.
William McFarlane. George Kain. John Downy. John Donahow.
John Crow. James Pollock.
James Guy.
John Biddle.
James McBride.
William Thomson.
Names of residents having no land in the town- ship :
James Simpson.
Jobn Gutery. Toras Wagoner (blacksmith). Samuel Todd.
Aaron Shreader. Hugh McKiney.
John Nichols.
Thomas Boyd.
John Stuchal.
Joseph Thomson.
Joseph Tom.
William Thomson.
William Todd.
Peter Tittel.
John Taylor. Robert Toping.
Jacob Espy. George Clipinger.
Neal Murry.
James McBride.
Moses Chambers. John Martemore.
James Lawson (schoolmaster). Andrew White.
Jacob Myalan.
James Marshall.
Jacob Walter.
Joseph Wray.
John Wiley.
James White.
Bostion Biprat.
Samuel Whiteside.
Mrs. Watson (widow).
Robert Waddell.
James Boott. Samuel Sloan.
John Walthart.
Archibald White.
George Balder. Michael Stock berger. Jobn Shipard.
Thomas Smith. Hugh Robeson.
Christian Yonky, Jr. Jacob Lidack (blacksmith).
James Cole. Robert Fravor.
Daniel Lasuro.
Richard Jervis.
.James Crow. Robert Robeson (mason).
Zedekiah Tumblin (wheelwright)
Joseph Erwin (schoolmaster). William Stinson (weaver). John.Murphy.
John Dilworth.
Henry Hurst.
Joseph Jervis.
Tetter Waltinbaugh.
Bartholomew Herington.
Archibald Trimble. John Denis Stone. Joseph Thomson. James Gordon.
James Gaff.
William Bay.
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Gen. Arthur St. Clair (non-rest- dont).
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HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
William Brown.
David flosa (shoemaker). Archibald Marshall.
Stopel Accermsa.
James Nowell
James Mitchell.
John Mewell.
David Elder (schoolmaster).
James Gus.
William Grabam.
James Marshall.
Henry Inman.
George Moore. William Weddell.
John Raletoa.
Bummel Robeson.
John Robeson.
Alexander McGongsa.
Peter Youky.
Benjamin Chambers.
John Trimble (blacksmith). John Starry.
Benjamin Dilworth.
Samuel Sloan.
Keary Quigley. John Hopkins.
Night Scott.
William Milligss.
James Dunesth.
Nathaniel Alexander.
Isaac MoClessk.
William Haret.
Robert Crawford.
John White.
Samuel Kakia.
Thomas Butler.
William Outery.
And three men named respectively Oneswell, Hunter, and Thomson. The number of land-owners in the township were ... 165 20
- on rented leade were ..........
Number of " residenters" baving no lande in the township were ... Number of freemen owning Do lande anywhere ......
12
Total taxable inhabitants .. 378
The above return was made in September, 1783, by John Giffen, assessor, aided by his two assistants, William Lochry and James Gutery.
EARLY SETTLERS.
Hugh Martin first settled in the year 1769, and on the erection of Westmoreland a few years after, then including all the district west of Bedford, he received from the former proprietaries of Pennsylvania the commission of justice of the peace. After the Rev- olution he was appointed to the same station in con- sequence of an election by the freeholders, and on the adoption of the State constitution of 1790 he was again commissioned by Governor Mifflin. Firm and yet moderate in his political principles, exemplary in his morals, and of a pious disposition, he acquired the good will of his neighbors with the general respect of the public. He regarded his office as one of honor rather than of profit, discouraging as much as possi- ble a litigious and quarrelsome spirit. On account of his advanced age he declined acting in his last years, but having discharged his duty faithfully when able he did not think proper to resign a commission he held so long. He was born in 1735, and died July 18, 1828.
Among the early settlers of the township was John Giffen, the ancestor of a respectable family, some of whom still reside within the township. He was one of the settlers who was brought before 1770 in per- sonal contact with the natives, and had the reputation of always holding his own. His grandson, Andrew Giffen, lives upon a part of the original tract of land patented in the name of his grandfather. James Steel early settled on the farm now occupied by his grand- son, Joseph W. Steel. This portion of country be- longed to the " Manor of Sewickley," reserved as the personal estate of the proprietaries, and the original deed of this tract, as of those contiguous thereto and lying within the limits of the manor, are traceable to
the Penns themselves, who made deeds by an attor- ney. These lands by act of Assembly do not require that the title to them be traced to the Commonwealth by patent. Others of the settlers here whose families still represent them were Conrad Byers and the Tinst- mans.
Capt. David Kilgore emigrated from Cumberland County before the Revolution. He had been mar- ried in Cumberland to Miss Sarah Mickey. His ser- vices are to be traced up in the history of the Eighth Pennsylvania Regiment, of which he was a captain. His descendants were (1) James, who moved to Ohio; (2) Daniel, married to a daughter of Joshua Reynolds, and sister of the old Capt. Reynolds set- tled on a part of the old farm, where he died at a great age. He left a large family. (8) William, moved to Ohio; (4) Ezekiel, moved to Kentucky ; (5) John, married a daughter of Alexander Hunter, Mount Pleasant township; died, leaving four sons and one daughter; (6) David, moved to Ohio, and there died; (7) Jesse, married several times, resided on the old place, died at the age of sixty-eight; (8) Elizabeth, married to James Gaff, moved to Ohio; (9) Jane, married to John Edgar, moved to Ohio; (10) Sarah, married to Gresham Hull. She and Eze- kiel were twins.
James Galloway came from York County soon after the Revolutionary war, and settled near Overton. He was a blacksmith, and his services were in such demand that when he was drafted into some military service, either during the Indian troubles at the latter end of the war or subsequently, his neighbors, rather than spare him, he being the only blacksmith for miles around, helped to get a substitute. This they did for the payment of twelve dollars in money, & rifle-gun, and a butcher-knife. John Galloway now owns the old estate.
Conrad Byers, an emigrant from Germany, pur- chased, June 3, 1773, three hundred and thirty-nine acres of land, as shown by patent, in this township. On this he built a strong log house, to which his neighbors frequently fled for safety and shelter from the Indians. His wife was a Miss Mary Riel, a Ger- man maiden, who had been a "redemptioner," of a class who had to pay for their passage across the ocean by indenturing themselves to masters who could pay for their services, which consideration went to the master of the ship. Conrad Byers purchased her indenture, and after so doing married her. She made him a worthy life companion and good helpmeet. Their sons were Peter, Andrew, and John. The old homestead is still in the family, owned now by John, Daniel, and Jacob Byers. Peter Peters has some of the lands patented in 1783. The grist-mill of John Byers (near Weaver's old stand, between Greensburg and Mount Pleasant), now in successful operation, was erected by Mr. Byers in 1848. It was built to be used for a distillery, and for a time so used, but sub- sequently changed to a flouring-mill.
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Manor were ......
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MOUNT PLEASANT TOWNSHIP.
Nathaniel Hurst, the paternal ancestor of a very extensive family, some of whom still reside in the township, settled in 1790. His patents for lands of that date call for a thousand acres. The Hurst family has been an important one in the local history of their locality, and are connected by intermarriage with some of the most worthy and intelligent families of the county.
John Lemon came from Ireland to America in 1762, and in 1794 located in this township, on the farm now owned by James Lemon. The tract contained three hundred and fifty acres, and was all new land. Mr. Lemon lived on it until his death in 1812, and his labor opened out a large portion of it. By his wife, a Mim Michy, he had four daughters and a son, James, who occupied the farm until his death.
Robert Newell came from New Jersey about 1775, and settled on the farm now occupied by Joshua Newell, Jr. This tract, containing two hundred and eighty-two acres, he bought in 1789. His sons were James, George, and John. Newell's mills, on the Sewickley, operated by Joshua Newell, Sr., was a point, half a century ago, for militia muster and elec- tions.
Charles Lewis Bush came from Germany in 1792, stopping first in Philadelphia for some time. In 1814 he came to Mount Pleasant, and purchased of Frederick Weaver the farm now owned by his son, John H. Bush ; on it was an old fort or block-house, the remains of which were finally demolished as late as 1871, and on it were the remains of an Indian burying-ground. A few years ago one of these mounde was opened and a skull and other bones were found. The bodies were laid on the top of the ground, or a very shallow depth, and then covered with stones to protect them from wild beasts which then roamed the fields. Some of these stone mounds have been disturbed, but many yet remain.
George, son of Jacob Freeman, an emigrant from Germany, settled on the Chestnut Ridge in 1827. His tract of land embraced sixteen hundred acres. He was at one time owner of the Mount Pleasant Furnace, which he operated until the decline in prices made it an unprofitable business. During his management metal fell from forty to eighteen dollars per ton. A portion of this tract is now owned by John Freeman, and another part by George Freeman.
Casper Weaver came from Germany, and at an early day settled in the township, on the farm now owned and occupied by his grandson, John B. Weaver. This farm has never been out of the family. Casper Weaver, Jr., was born on it, and there lived all his life.
many of the buildings, containing loop-holes from which to watch and defend the inmates from the sav- ages, are yet to be seen, one of which is on the farm and near the residence of Abraham Ruff. There is an old graveyard on the farm of A. S. Fox, where many of the first settlers are buried.
Christian Lobengier was born in Lancaster County in 1740, and removed to this township in 1772. He was the ancestor of the numerous and prominent families bearing his name in this region. He was a delegate to the First Constitutional Convention of Pennsylvania from July 15 to Sept. 28, 1776, a mem- ber of the Legislature from 1791 to 1793, and died July 4, 1798. His wife was Elizabeth Müller, born in Switzerland in 1744, and came with her father, Rudolph Muller, to Pennsylvania in 1749. She died Sept. 5, 1815.
The emigrants into this township after the Revolu- tionary war, from 1785 to 1790, were of a richer class. They were stronger-handed, took up larger farms, and cleared faster and more land than those previously settled. They built saw- and grist-mills, and gave employment to poor settlers. They introduced cattle of all kinds, and especially improved breeds of sheep and hogs.
These settlers were a quiet people of good habits, and progressed wonderfully in the pursuits of agri- culture prior to the development of minerals. Their old-time houses, seldom seen west of Pennsylvania, were indeed in some respects an improvement over those constructed at the present time. They were low but convenient in the rooms, with wide halls. They had many advantages our modern houses do not possess. In the township there are yet many representatives of these old-time residences. As showing the thrift and care of the farmers, a traveler passing through the township before the South west Pennsylvania Railroad was built and the coal-fields developed would at once be struck with the large expanses of wheat, corn, oats, and meadows, free from all tare and cockle, and without any thistles along the roadsides.
SCHOOLS.
Prior to the free school system inaugurated by the act of 1834 only two houses were known to have been built for school purposes within the township. Others used for that purpose were deserted dwellings, black- smith-shops, stables, etc. At the time of the first election for the acceptance of the school law, strange to say, the whole vote except one was, on the official report furnished by County Superintendent James Silliman, Esq., in 1876, against it. At the second election a few influential citizens took a stand in favor of it, and by the aid of the poor class carried the township by a small majority in favor of it.
On the farm of William Campbell, in the western part, there can yet be seen many Indian graves. On the farm of Jacob Byers is a house standing which Among the first directors were Daniel Worman, S. Miller, Jacob Lobingier, Samuel Jack, and J. Fausold. Among the first teachers were Jacob Lobingier, F. has been repaired by the present owner, which was occupied by the earliest settlers, and figured quite conspicuously in the Indian troubles. The sides of | Lobingier, J. Roadman, Moses Hartman. At a later
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HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
date they had for teachers G. M. Bigam, C. C. Taylor, A. P. Deemer, B. B. Jack. These teachers created quite a change in favor of education, although there are still some who are opposed to the system. But the first beginnings of the free school system here, although discouraging in the extreme, were of short duration, and the township of Mount Pleasant at this date ranks as one of the very foremost in all the re- quirements necessary to fully 'carry out the obvious intention of the law. The peculiar feature is this, that all the public school-houses in the township are built of brick, most of them have bells, and in all the appointments they are, on the whole, the most completo structures erected for the purpose in the county. The directors have generally been men of standing, and in some instances the most influential citizens in their respective communities. They secure good teachers, and pay them mostly better wages than the average townships. The number of the school- houses in the township is twenty-one, including the borough.
Among the prominent directors of a late date are D. Shupe, J. B. Hurst, J. Griffin, G. Welty, 8. An- drews, B. Millinger, George Freeman, and others.
COUNTRY CHURCHES.
"ST. JOHN'S RETORMED" (ALSO LUTHERAN) CONGREGATION was formerly known as "Kindig's," and is perhaps one of the four organized or taken charge of by Rev. John William Weber, the first resident Reformed pastor in this region. He arrived here in 1782, and took charge of four congregations, "one in Pittsburgh, two in Hempfield township (Brush Creek and Harrold's), and one in Mount Pleasant township." It is not defi- nitely known whether this or St. Paul's is the one men- tioned in Mount Pleasant township, and if not, it came into existence shortly afterwards. As it is stated that Mr. Weber visited a number of neighboring infant con- gregations, it may have been one of the latter. He served it in an occasional way until 1816, and preached in Daniel Kintig's barn, and also in the first Kintig's Church. Rev. William Weinel was pastor from 1816 to 1829. His successor was Rev. N. P. Hacke, whose first communion took place Nov. 28, 1829. He was succeeded in 1882 by Rev. Adam Byers, who in the latter part of the same year was followed by Rev. H. E. F. Voight, who continued until 1864. In 1857, Rev. L. H. Keafauver became English supply, and as such was succeeded in 1859 by Rev. C. C. Russell. In 1861, Rev. F. K. Levan became joint pastor with Mr. Voight. He was followed by Rev. J. A. Peters a short time before the close of Mr. Voight's min- istry in 1864, at which time he became sole pastor.
The place of worship is two miles north of Mount Pleasant, on the Pleasant Unity road. The land was donated for church and school purposes by four men, -Daniel Kintig (who lived on the farm where Daniel Ruff now resides), Henry Fisher (who lived where Peter Rumbaugh now does), Andrew Small (who
lived where Jacob Fisher now does), and John Deeds (who lived where John Rumbaugh, Sr., now does). These four farms joined at a point near the spot oc- cupied by the present church, and each one gave a half-acre to form a lot for. church and school-house. The first edifice was small, built of logs, and used both for a meeting- and school-house. It is still standing, and occupied as a dwelling. In 1827 a brick edifice was erected, which was superseded by the present one, dedicated in 1861. The first com- munion-roll in existence is for 1821, and numbered twenty -seven, including thirteen confirmed the day before. The property has been owned and occupied from the beginning conjointly with the Lutheran congregation. Among the late prominent officials are Elders Isaac Shupe and Christian Sandals, and Deacons J. A. Byers and L. B. Shupe.
"ST. PAUL'S BEFORMED" (ALSO LUTHERAN) CONGREGATION
is known as "Frey's" and the "Ridge." The first name is derived from the fact that a Frey family owned the farm for many years from which the land was taken upon which the church is built. There are still three families of Freys living within its sight. It is called the Ridge Church because it is but a short distance from Chestnut Ridge. Rev. N. P. Hacke thinks it was one of the four charges taken in hand by Rev. John William Weber in 1782. The first edi- fice was built upon the farm formerly owned by Cas- par Weaver, and in it Mr. Weber, who was brought in a team by Mr. Fiscus, of this neighborhood, from Northampton County, preached. Mr. Weber was pastor until his death, in 1816, and was succeeded for two years by Rev. Henry Habliston. Rev. N. P. Hacke was pastor from 1819 to 1868. The second house of worship was built on the site of the present edifice, one mile and a half south of Pleasant Unity. It was made of logs, and was for a long time without gallery, pulpit, altars, or pews. Afterwards these were supplied and the building plastered on the out- side. The present brick church was erected in 1846, and dedicated November 18th of that year under the pastorate of Rev. N. P. Hacke and his colleague on the Lutheran side, Rev. Jonas Mechling. It has since received a new roof and been repainted and frescoed. The successors of Mr. Hacke were Revs. J. A. Peters, A. J. Heller, D. B. Lady, and S. Z. Beam, the latter in 1878. In 1861 about one-third of the members withdrew and were organized with the St. Luke's congregation of Pleasant Unity, and connected with the Latrobe charge. The first Sunday-school was held in a room over a distillery on the farm of the late William Fisher, about two miles from the church, about 1837. It was afterwards moved to the church. In 1875 the Lutheran congregation organized a sep- arate school, and the following year similar action was taken by the Reformed. Among the prominent superintendents of it have been Samuel B. Fisher and Simon P. Truxal, and of the Consistory, Elders
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