History of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens 20th century, Part 50

Author: McFarland, Joseph Fulton; Richmond-Arnold Pub. Co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1910
Publisher: Chicago, Richmond-Arnold Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1474

USA > Pennsylvania > Washington County > Washington > History of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens 20th century > Part 50

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Pleasant Hill Presbyterian Church (union of the Cum- berland Presbyterian and the Presbyterian churches ef- fected in 1907). In the fall of 1831 several missionaries of Cumberland Presbyterian Church, in the persons of Revs. A. M. Bryan, John Morgan, A. Chapman, R. Bur- row and R. Donnel, held camp meeting on Abel Milliken's farm near Ft. Milliken. Camp meetings were held in 1832 and 1833, as a result of which Pleasant Hill Church was organized January 22d, 1833. The church is a brick structure, located about half a mile from Ten-Mile Vil- lage. This church continued as a Cumberland Prebyte- rian Church until the union of the Presbyterian and the Cumberland Presbyterian Churches. The first pastor (1833) was Rev. John Morgan. Dev. D. A. Cooper is the present pastor, and is also pastor of Lower Ten-Mile church. Rev. Gibson was pastor about eleven years, and died in Ten-Mile Village. The present membership is sixty ; Sabbath School enrollment, sixty. N. B. Evans is superintendent of the Sabbath School. There is also a Ladies' Aid Society. The present church is a brick structure less than a half mile east of Ten-Mile Village, and was erected in 1882 at a cost of about $4,000.

North Ten-Mile Baptist Church is located on a ridge two miles north of Ten-Mile Village. It was the first organization in Washington Council to call a pastor. The church is supposed to have been organized in Keith's Fort, which was near the present site of Lone Pine, in Amity Township. This was a log fort, built to protect the early settlers from the Indians. The founders and first members of the church were some Virginians who had settled in Washington County in 1768. The church

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

held its first business meeting December 1, 1773, at Enoch Enoch's, and chose Samuel Parkhurst clerk. Rev. James Sutton, the first pastor, was chosen February 4, 1774, and immediately began his labors with the church. There were no services in regular order held before the next fall, owing to the hostility of the Indians. Rev. Sutton moved over the mountains and returned the next October. The meetings were again held at Keith's Fort in 1777, owing to Indian disturbances. Communion serv- ices were conducted in the fort by Rev. Isaac Sutton in the absence of the pastor, Rev. James Sutton. Rev. Sutton was followed by Rev. John Corbley, whose wife and child were murdered by the Indians in Greene County in 1782. After him came Rev. David Sutton, who served twenty years, till 1801, and during whose pastorate the church greatly increased.

The land was purchased from Daniel McFarland, May, 1794, for 2 pounds 5 shillings, on which the first church, a log structure, was erected. In 1836 the second house of worship was erected and was first to occupy the present site. Rev. A. B. Bowman was pastor at this time.

On April 15, 1871, steps were taken for the erection of a new church, and July 15, of the same year, a build- ing committee was chosen. Preaching was abandoned until the new building was finished, which was in 1872. It was dedicated May 18, 1873, the dedicatorial sermon be- ing preached by Rev. J. B. Solomon. The church took action on May 25, 1878, to establish a new cemetery, and a committee was appointed to lay out the same. The church pledged itself to keep up the old cemetery. An organ was purchased by the church in 1882.

The last session of Ten-Mile Association held with the church was September 22, 23, 24, 1896. Rev. John Sherman, the present pastor, began his duties in Janu- ary, 1909.

The present church edifice is a splendid brick structure of modern architecture, erected in 1904 at a cost of $12,- 000. There is a Sabbath School of sixty members, with two class-rooms, Miss Nevada Iams being superintendent. The church membership is 240. In 1898 the church held its 125th anniversary. The present deacons are John Whery, James Meeks, James Smith and Levi Huffer.

LONE PINE.

Lone Pine, formerly known as Pleasant Valley, is lo- cated on the North Fork of the North Branch of Ten-Mile Creek. It gets the name of Lone Pine from a single pine which is standing to this day. The postoffice was established in 1872, and J. D. Huston held the office of postmaster until the Rural Free Delivery Mail Service was established, after which the postoffice was discon- tinued. J. D. Huston was the first merchant of the place prior to 1870. The first mail service was bi-weekly; later it was changed to tri-weekly, after which it was changed

to daily. The village gets at the present time two daily mails, one from Washington and another from Amity. The town had its origin from several coal banks which had been opened up in the immediate vicinity. There are at the present time about half a dozen coal banks in operation in the vicinity, and which supply the local de- mand. There are three good stores in the village con- ducted by Harry H. Huston, W. W. Paul and A. J. Rey- nolds, respectively. Harry H. Huston succeeded his father after his retiring from business, and conducts a very extensive general mercantile business. There are several telephone lines entering the place, insuring good service. There are two blacksmith shops conducted by W. M. Evans and James Reynolds, respectively. The village has a population of about 200, and is located in a prosperous community.

There is in Lone Pine a Christian Church, which was organized about 1844, Rev. Lyman P. Streator being the first pastor. The congregation came from the North Ten-Mile Baptist Church, and for a time Alexander Campbell is said to have conducted services in the grove adjoining the church. Washington County was the home of Alexander Campbell, the founder of the church, and North Ten-Mile Baptist Church furnished the first mem- bers to a denomination that stands either third or fourth in point of membership in this country. The present brick structure is the second house of worship erected by this organization, the first having been a frame building. There is a Sunday School in connection. The present pas- tor is Rev. Ingram Frye. The land was conveyed by sepa- rate deeds from David Slusher and David Frazee. The grantee in one deed is the Disciple Church, and the other the Christian Church of Pleasant Valley.

Amwell Grange, No. 1055, was organized in 1892. S. B. Day is master and R. M. Day lecturer.

Chestnut Ridge Grange, No. 1133, organized about 1895, meets at the homes of its members. Russell L. Shrontz is master and Mrs. G. W. Crile lecturer.

The towns and villages in Amity Township are:

Lone Pine, with a population of 146. Amity, with a population of 145. Ten-Mile, with a population of 163. Sunset, with a population of 55. Luellen, with a population of -. Hackney, with a population of -.

There are in Amwell Township 16 schools. Teachers, 16; males 7, females 9; average number of months taught, 7; average salary paid per month, males $51.41; females, $49.44. Cost of each pupil per month, $2.43; number of mills on the dollar levied for school purposes, 2. Estimated value of school property, $20,000.

School Directors-W. H. Dague, president; Samuel Fil-

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

by, secretary ; W. M. Evans, treasurer; H. E. MeCollum, S. B. Braden, R. Wilson.

Present Township Officers-Justices of the Peace, L. M. Vandyke, John Closser. Tax Assessor, Charles Condit.

The first discovery of oil in Amwell Township was on the Samuel Thompson farm between 1885 and 1890 by the Carnegie Co., while drilling for gas. The town- ship is underlaid with bituminous coal, much of which has been sold, but there are no operations of commercial importance except a number of coal banks near Lone Pine, which have been in operation for many years sup- plying the local demand from a vein where the coal crops out. The land, while rolling, is well suited to agriculture. The farms are owned and operated by a substantial class of farmers, and are kept in a high state of cultivation, the improvements being well up to the average. Stock raising has by no means been neglected. The majority of the farmers are interested in sheep raising, which adds many dollars to their annual income, while the acreage of standing timber is less than it should be, though Am- well Township is still better supplied in this respect than many of the other townships of the county. Only few of the log cabins of the fathers and grandfathers of the present generation are standing. There is on Ten-Mile Creek an old mill known as the Walton Swart mill, now the property of Morris Gans. It stands on the road be- tween Amity and Ten-Mile Village, and is said to be the only mill in the township. Amwell Township has both oil and gas.

At present Amwell Township has seventy-six miles of public roads. The cash road tax was accepted in 1906. In 1908 the road tax was 21% mills and $8,400.47 was collected.

This township has one Flinn road, the Laboratory-Lone Pine Road, the Flinn construction of which is 10,560 feet in length. This road was constructed in 1905-6 by the Hallam Construction Co., at a cost of $17,911.48. The cost of engineering was $1,080.49, and of repairs $2,- 264.83. An extension of three and three-quarter miles has since been added to this road.

The valuation of real estate in Amwell Township is $3,576,935.00; personal property, $115,690. Number of taxables, 549.

The population in 1850 was 1,754; in 1860, 2,042; in 1890, 1,903, and in 1900, 1,848.

In 1850 the township had 372 voters; in 1904, 530, and in 1908 they numbered 509.

BLAINE TOWNSHIP.

This township was named after the illustrious states- man, James G. Blaine, whose birthplace and place of education (he was a graduate of Washington-Jefferson College) were in Washington County. It was a part of

Donegal Township until 1798, and afterwards a part of Buffalo until set off November 4, 1894, as a separate township.

It is bounded by Hopewell and Independence Town- ships on the north, Buffalo Township on the east and south, and Donegal on the west, and is centrally located eight miles west of Washington.

There were, in 1908, four schools in this township; number of teachers employed, 4 (males 2, females 2) ; average number of months taught, 71%; average salary of teachers per month, males $57.50, females $51.57; cost of each pupil per month, $2.08; number of mills on the dollar levied for school purposes, 3; estimated value of school property, $7,000.00.

School Directors-W. G. Cundall, president; O. H. Sawhill, secretary; J. W. Hodgens, treasurer; Dr. R. W. Wolfe, George Bloomingstock, Hugh Wallace.

TAYLORSTOWN.

Taylorstown is located in the southeastern part of the township. Has a population of 300. The town was laid out under the name of New Brunswick by William Taylor in 1795, and as early as 1808 was designated as the vot- ing place for Buffalo Township before the division of the township on November 4, 1894, which placed the village in Blaine Township. This town is located on Buffalo Creek, one mile from Crothers' Station on the B. &. O. Railroad. This place has three stores-Wallace M. Flack established general store, Mumpler Bros.', groceries and meats, and Miss Charlotte Kuhn, dress goods and notions. There are two blacksmith shops, conducted by J. W. Ash- brook- a U. P. church and a Disciple church. Telephone service is furnished by the National Telephone Co. and the Bell Telephone Co., the latter having only a pay sta- tion.

There is a flour mill at this place which has been in operation for many years. At one time it was destroyed by fire, but was rebuilt. For many years it was run by water power, but at the present time is operated by steam. The first mill was a log structure; the second was erected in 1854; the present is the third mill on this site.

Taylor's fort in early days stood on the farm of the James Hodgens' heirs, half a mile from Taylorstown. There is one hotel, Thomas Slevin, proprietor; one livery, kept by B. Clark, and one public school building, with three rooms and three teachers. The town also has a brass band of twenty-four pieces, organized in 1907.

The physician is Dr. R. W. Wolfe. G. W. Dickey, the present postmaster, has served in that capacity for twelve years.

The K. of P. lodge has a membership of forty-two, and has been organized for twenty years. Brilliant Tent, No. 119, K. O. T. M., and a ladies' branch of that order, is located in Taylorstown.

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

Taylorstown United Presbyterian Church, Rev. R. B. Harsha, pastor, was organized in 1873, funds being raised by subscription for the purpose of erecting a house of worship. Rev. John Morrow, the first pastor, was called March 29, 1873, and officiated until 1883. The lot was purchased from Dr. J. S. Crawford. The new house of worship, a frame structure, was completed in August, 1874, at a cost of $4,059, and dedicated August 15, 1874. Rev. T. P. Proudfit became pastor the first Sabbath of September, 1884, and resigned September 29, 1895. Rev. R. B. Harsha, the present pastor, was chosen October 27, 1896.

The parsonage, completed in 1879, was erected by a joint stock company, but later became the property of the church.

John McManus was the first treasurer, and was suc- ceeded at his death, in 1894, by his daughter, who has served in that capacity ever since. The present member- ship is 150. The Sabbath School has 140 members, R. W. Crothers superintendent, and has filled that place since the death of Dr. Crawford, who was the first super- intendent. A Young People's Christian Union and a Junior Missionary Band, with a membership of fifty- eight, constitute the societies in connection with the church.

The following constitute the present board of elders: James Wilson (clerk, R. W. Crothers, Samuel D. Blay- ney and John Knox.

The Disciples Church at Taylorstown was erected in 1894 and dedicated in the fall of the same year. The present pastor is the Rev. John Mullady. The church has a membership of ninety. In connection with the church there are the following societies: Christian En- deavor, Ladies' Aid Society and the C. W. B. M. The Sabbath School has ninety members, H. T. Mumpler su- perintendent, and Edward Ross assistant superintendent.

The present house of worship, erected at a cost of about $3,000, is a frame structure, and has a dining-room and kitchen in connection.

The first oil well in Blaine Township was located on the Squire John McMannus farm, in what is now Blaine Township, but which was then a part of Buffalo. This well, known as the MeMannus No. 1, is still producing. Oil was struck on this farm in July, 1885. Mr. McMan- nus sold the farm of 105 acres for $21,000. The first gas well was located on the farm of John Grimes in 1887.

Blaine Township has many well improved farms, occu- pied by a thrifty set of farmers, who are principally en- gaged in general agriculture and stock raising. The Carothers' name has long been connected with sheep rais- ing. Buffalo Creek flows through this township. The only stores in the township are located at Taylorstown.

Buffalo and Blaine Townships are among the most pro- ductive oil and gas in the county.

Near Taylorstown Station (or Carothers) an oil re- finery was operated for several years by A. B. Caldwell and others, of Washington, Pa., This was during the ex- citement of the great oil development in that neighbor- hood.

In 1904 Blaine Township had forty-five miles of public roads. The cash road tax was accepted in 1906. The road tax for 1908 was 3 mills, $1,906.13 being collected.

The Taylorstown road, which is in this township, was flinned for about 4,800 feet, making an excellent high- way. This construction was completed in 1908 by the Hallam Construction Co. The width in stone is twelve feet, and in grading twenty-four feet. The cost of the road was $13,387.29 for construction, $689.36 for engi- neering, etc .; total cost of $14,076.65.

Township officers: Justices of the Peace-John Knox, A. M. Hodgens; tax assessor-G. W. Dickey; tax col- lector-John Knox; supervisors-H. M. Crothers, George Bloomingstock, W. C. Grimes.

The real estate valuation of Blaine Township amounts to $581,375; value of personal property, $33,450. Num- ber of taxables, 183.

The township, in 1900, had a population of 687. Num- ber of voters in 1904, 171; in 1908, 166.

BUFFALO TOWNSHIP.

Buffalo Township was organized May 8, 1799. It was bounded on the north by Hopewell, on the east by Can- ton, on the south by Morris and Finley, and on the west by Donegal. Its present boundaries are Hopewell on the north, Canton and North and South Franklin on the east, South Franklin and East Finley Townships on the south, Blaine and Donegal on the west. Its greatest length is eight miles, breadth six miles. It is centrally distant from Washington Borough seven miles. The township is drained by Buffalo Creek and its branches, which flow in a northwesterly direction, emptying into the Ohio River. Many of the mills which served the con- venience of the early settlers of this county were located on this creek. The lines between Buffalo and Franklin Townships were confirmed at the February term of court, 1886.

Buffalo Township has six schools and six teachers, all female. The average salary per month paid teachers is $50.00; cost of each pupil per month, $3.26; number of mills on the dollar levied for school purposes, 21/2; esti- mated value of school property, $6,200. The present school directors are: Samuel Wright, president; John S. Wright, secretary; John Weirich, treasurer; John Flack, Frank McConnell, and A. H. McCreerey.

Among the early settlers of Buffalo Township was James Allison, a native of Ireland, who with his wife Sarah (Rea), came as early as 1776, and took up 369

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

acres on Buffalo Creek, purchasing the rights of a squat- ter named Taylor. He and his wife died on their farm and were buried in Upper Buffalo churchyard. Their family numbered ten children. His second son, David, who served under Gen. Harrison in the War of 1812, pur- chased fifty acres of the old farm. He married first Jane Horner and afterwards May Jarvis, of Virginia. Other early settlers were Walter Summers, 1779; Ezekiel Boggs, 1774; Basil Lee Williams, 1780; Nathaniel McDowell, a Scotchman, 1780; Charles McRoberts, from Scotland, about 1780 (his son, Charles McRoberts, Jr., died in 1857, aged 83 years, having been one of the most prominent and useful men in the county); Nathaniel Templeton, 1776; Zachariah Cox, James Clemmens, John McWilliams (his son, Wallace, who married Nancy Clelland, was one of the foremost citizens of Buffalo Township) ; Col. Da- vid Williamson, one of the notable men of the county, whose exploits are narrated in some of the early chap- ters of this history (he married Polly Urie, daughter of Thomas Urie, and died in 1814) ; James Ross, John Wood, Daniel McCoy, William Wolf, Jacob Wolf, about 1785; Alex Hunter (from Ireland), 1789; James and Isaac Carson, Joseph Hutchinson, 1790; John Barr, 1793; John Fleck, John Woodburn, 1812; James and Robert Garrett, Samuel McConoughey, Andrew Rogers and Joseph Ritner. Many of these pioneer settlers came from Virginia and took up land on Virginia certificates, while some were immigrants from Scotland and Ireland. Most of those above mentioned have numerous descendants now living in the county, while many others are scattered through- out the central and Western States.

Joseph Ritner, a quaint German, was the only resident of Washington County to sit as governor of the State of Pennsylvania, though F. Julius L. Moyne, of this county, was a candidate for the office in 1841, 1844 and 1847. Ritner resided about half a mile south of North Buffalo U. P. Church, on the land now owned by Mrs. Donaldson. He represented Washington County in the House of Rep- resentatives from 1821 to 1826, being twice speaker of the House. He was the anti-Jackson candidate for gov- ernor in 1829 and was defeated by George Wolf, and again in 1832 by a decreased majority. He was elected over Wolf and Mulenberger in 1835. As a candidate to succeed himself he was defeated by David Porter in 1838. After leaving the governor's chair he removed to Cum- berland County.

"Joseph Ritner's name is found on the muster-roll of a company of militia from Washington County, com- manded by Capt. B. Anderson. He was on the "payroll of Capt. Benjamin Anderson's Company, Pittsburg, Octo- ber 15, 1812."

East Buffalo Presbyterian Church, on the headwaters of the East Fork of Buffalo Creek, and North Buffalo

United Presbyterian Church, are the only churches in the township at the present time.

South Buffalo U. P. Church was organized about 1811 in this township, two miles east of Claysville and a little south of the National Pike. The congregation in 1883 erected a splendid new house of worship in Claysville, since which time the history of the church is a part of the history of Claysville. There was organized about 1861 a Baptist church in Buffalo Township, but later the organization moved to Claysville and erected a new house of worship. There also was at one time a M. E. Church near Roney's Point, but it is not in existence at this time.

North Buffalo Presbyterian Church was organized about 1780, about two miles south of Buffalo Village. The first pastor, Rev. Matthew Henderson, served from 1781 to 1795. He has had a number of successors, the last of whom, Rev. W. W. Willis, terminated his pastorate in July, 1908, since which time the charge has been vacant. The present board of elders consists of William Max- well, H. W. Leech, Samuel Wright, J. C. H. Maxwell and Leman Petterson.

The superintendent of the Sabbath School is J. C. H. Maxwell. The church has a membership of about 100. There is a Young People's Christian Union; also a Wom- an's Missionary Society.

The last house of worship was erected in the summer of 1845-a brick structure -- and was remodeled and en- larged about 1896. The cemetery stands in the rear of the church, the history of which dates back to the organ- ization of the latter.

East Buffalo Presbyterian Church was formerly known as Wolf's Meeting House. The date of its organiza- tion cannot be definitely ascertained, as the sessional rec- ords prior to 1864 have been lost.

The earliest church records in existence mention the Rev. Thomas Hoge as stated supply at Upper Ten-Mile and East Buffalo in the year 1818, one year previous to the foundation of the Presbytery of Washington. It is supposed that this organization existed prior to 1818, con- temporary with a German Lutheran organization that worshipped at the same place until 1840, both occupying for a time the same house of worship. The ground on which the church and cemetery are located was deeded in 1802 by Hardman Horn, Lawrence Strecker and Mich- ael Ely to the German societies of the neighborhood be- ing of the Presbyterian faith, for the sum of 5 shillings, conveying three acres (one acre from each) for the use of the schoolhouse, meeting house and burying ground forever. This deed was made March 5, 1802. This church was granted a charter of incorporation by the court of Washington County, Pa., on August 17, 1869, as East Buffalo Presbyterian Church (old school).

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

After Rev. Thomas Hoge, the Rev. W. P. Alrick be- came stated supply in 1832, the church having twenty-five members. He was a professor in Washington College. He was succeeded in 1864 by Rev. James Black, D. D., also a professor in the college, the latter's successor be- ing W. J. Alexander, October, 1868, till his death in January, 1869; Rev. R. S. Morton, 1869-1871; Rev. Hen- ry Wood, D. D. (a professor in Washington-Jefferson College), to the present time. Dr. Wood was installed pastor October 9, 1907, previous to which he was a sup- ply. The present membership of the church is about 100.

The elders at the present time are A. S. Eagleson, John VanKirk, J. N. McDowell and Walter Ely.

There is a Sabbath School with fifty members. John VanKirk, superintendent.

There exists a Home and Foreign Missionary Society, having a Young Women's branch.

The first house of worship was a log building, occu- pied jointly by the Lutherans and Presbyterians. The second was a brick structure, erected by the Presbyte- rians about 1836. The third was of brick, erected about 1880, and was dedicated March 27, 1881. Several min- isters have been sent out from this church to other fields of usefulness.

South Buffalo United Presbyterian Church was organ- ized in Buffalo Township, this county, about 1811. Rev. David French, the first pastor, officiated from July 2nd, 1811, to November 22, 1852; Rev. James G. Carson from 1856 to 1867, when he resigned, leaving the congrega- tion vacant for six years. Rev. Alexander MacLachlan was installed pastor in 1873, and is still in charge. In 1883 the church, as a body, moved to Claysville, where it erected the present house of worship. It has had only three pastors during a period covering nearly ninety years.

The present edifice is a large brick structure, the inte- rior beautifully furnished. The church contains a main audience room and a Sabbath School room. The mem- bership is nearly 200. An Old People's Bible Class and a normal class, Home and Foreign Missionary Society and a strong and active Junior Union, under the supervi- sion of Mrs. E. MeKeown. The congregation is in a healthy condition, both spiritually and fianancially, and in proportion to membership stands third in its contri- butions to the cause of missions in the Presbytery.

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History of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens 20th century, Part 50

Author: McFarland, Joseph Fulton; Richmond-Arnold Pub. Co., Chicago, pub Publication date: 1910 Publisher: Chicago, Richmond-Arnold Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 1474

Author: McFarland, Joseph Fulton; Richmond-Arnold Pub. Co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1910
Publisher: Chicago, Richmond-Arnold Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1474