History of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens 20th century, Part 97

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 97

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West Alexander Cemetery-The old cemetery at West Alexander dates back more than a century. The ceme- tery used at present was laid out in 1871 by a company formed for that purpose. The grounds include ten acres and were purchased from W. A. Hagerty. The present officers of the company are W. A. Barry, presi- dent; R. D. McCleary, secretary and treasurer, and H. M. Yates, superintendent.

West Alexander Lodge No. 966, I. O. O. F., was in- stituted in 1879 with 20 charter members. The present membership is 58.

William McKinley Camp No. 113, I. O. O. F. En- campment, was instituted about ten years ago. It has 19 members.

The James Noble Post, G. A. R., No. 348, is located at West Alexander.

WEST BROWNSVILLE.

The old town of West Brownsville is situated on the Monongahela River opposite Brownsville and Bridgeport. This was formerly a favorite stopping place for the stages that passed along the National Pike which winds its way up the side of Krepps Knob which overhangs the town. The principal industry of the inhabitants was formerly boat building, but at present most of · them are engaged in mining and manufacturing.

The land which is now the site of West Brownsville was granted to William Peters, a friendly Indian, April 5, 1769. It bore the name of "Indian Hill" from the hill which formed a part of the tract, and is now known as Krepps Knob.

In 1784 Neal Gillespie, a native of Ireland, bought from the widow and son of "Indian Peter" the "Indian Hill" tract of land. There are two or three reports as to the price of the exchange. It is said that "con- sideration was £50 sterling, one horse and a rifle."

From the record books of Washington County we find that the payment was a fair one-indeed a large

one-being no less than about $11.00 of our present money per acre. Part of the payment consisted of iron and one negro. A portion of this property finally came into the hands of Ephraim Lyon Blaine, by marriage with Mary Gillespie. In 1831 he laid out the town which had heretofore been only a hamlet of half a dozen houses. In 1848 James L. Bowman laid out an ad- dition to West Brownsville of 61 lots. In 1849 the' village was incorporated. Joseph Taylor was the first burgess, and John S. Pringle, Leonard Lenhart, Elisha' Griffith, Elijah A. Byland and Joseph D. Woodfill, mem- bers of the first council. The first meeting of the council took place October 23, 1849.

In August of 1908 West Brownsville Junction below West Brownsville was added to the borough. The Penn- sylvania Railroad Company has extensive yards at the junction and the place has a considerable population. A part of Blainesburg is included in the borough. (See East Pike Run Township.)

The value of real estate for the borough of West Brownsville is $474,950, value of personal property $43,905, and total value $518,855. There are 417 tax-' ables and the borough tax for 1908 was 71/2 mills.

The population of West Brownsville has been grad- ually increasing. The population in 1850 was 477; in 1870, 540; in 1890, 735; in 1900, 742, and in 1908, 924.'

The number of voters in 1850 was 131. In 1904 it was 180 and in 1908, 231.

Water is supplied to West Brownsville by the Browns-' ville Water Company, who have a reservoir across the river. The West Penn Electric Company supplies the" electricity and the Greensboro Gas Company the gas.' Adams Express Company has an office in the town. The telephone service is given by the Bell and C. D. & P. Telephone Companies.

Monongahela Bridge-There was no bridge across the Monongahela at this point until 1833, all traffic and travel across the stream being accommodated by ferries up to that time. In 1810 an act was passed by the Legislature incorporating a company to build a bridge at Brownsville, and requiring it to be completed in seven' years, but it does not appear that any work was ac -! tually done on it, or the stock subscribed.

March 16, 1830, the Monongahela Bridge Company was incorporated with a capital stock of $44,000. This amount was soon raised by subscription, and contract let for the building at $32,000, with $5,000 additional for the approaches, to Le Baron and De Mond. They commenced work in the fall of 1831, but it was not completed until two years later, the first tolls being re- ceived October 14, 1833.

The bridge is a covered wooden structure, 630 feet in' length, in three spans. For half a century it has stood firm against the ice and numerous floods in the Monon-

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

gahela, the greatest of which was April 6, 1852. The bridge was always a profitable investment to the stock- holders, particularly so in the palmy days of the Na- tional Pike, and during the first days after the railroad was constructed.

After the boat-building industry West Brownsville's next step to prominence was when the P., V. & C. R. R., now a branch of the Pennsylvania, reached it in 1881. This was the first road to enter this region, and gave railway service to Pittsburg 54 miles away. The quiet town of West Brownsville immediately became a busy point and much revenue was added to the Monongahela Bridge Company, as all the passenger and freight to and from Brownsville and Bridgeport by rail were com- pelled to come across the wooden bridge. This state of affairs existed for about 22 years until the P. & L. E. and the Pennsylvania Railroads jointly built the Monongahela Railroad from Redstone Junction through Brownsville, and the railroad bridge was constructed across the river at West Brownsville Junction below West Brownsville. Within the last few years the Penn- sylvania, Monongahela and Southern Railroad was built from West Brownsville to Rice's Landing in Greene County.

The building of this railroad involved an interesting legal battle. The Pennsylvania Railroad made a survey of this road about 1871 and purchased part of the right of way, but afterward joined the Lake Erie in building the aforementioned road on the east side of the river, intending to abandon the west side. The Pennsylvania, Monongahela and Southern Railroad Company organ- ized in 1902; fought for the narrow margin along the west shore and was allowed by court to build the road which now is operated by the Pennsylvania Railroad Company as agent.

West Brownsville expects to be connected soon by a trolley line with Centerville.

The first ferry over the Monongahela at this point was established in 1775 by Michael Cresap. It shortly after- wards passed into the hands of other parties, in 1784 becoming the property of Neal Gillespie. The landing- place on the Brownsville side was near the present steam- boat wharf. When the National road was built, the ferry was removed to where the bridge is.

The ferry was conducted for many years by the Krepps family and was discontinued about 1845.

The postoffice was established in West Brownsville in 1850, with Frank Dawson as postmaster.

Industries-Boat building was formerly the leading industry of West Brownsville. In 1848 John S. Pringle, who had formerly followed boat building in Bridgeport, bought of E. L. Blaine, Esq., a large part of his prop- erty, including his residence and sawmill. In 1864 W. W. Aull was admitted to partnership. In the following

year the "Pringle Boat-Building Company" was or- ganized, the members of which were John Wilkinson, James Storer, John S. Gray, James H. Gray, William Patterson, John Starr, A. K. McKee, A. J. Smalley, A. S. Starr, James Blair, U. G. M. Perrin, Joseph Weaver, James Patterson, A. C. Axton, E. F. Wise, Daniel French, John Wiegel, Henry Minks, Robert Huston, George McClain, William Gray, Finley Patterson, John S. Pringle and J. D. S. Pringle. The two latter being the principal parties to the organization. Three years later John S. Pringle again became sole owner by buy- ing out the company. On January 1, 1879, the veteran boat-builder retired from the business and was suc- ceeded by his son, J. D. S. Pringle, and son-in-law, An- drew C. Axton. J. D. S. Pringle was sole proprietor after Mr. Axton left the firm. Thomas Aubrey and L. C. Wagner purchased the boat yard and later dis- continued it. It is estimated that about 500 steamboats were built by the Pringles.

John Cock and Leonard Lenhart established a boat- yard in West Brownsville in 1848, which they operated successfully for twelve years. In 1861 T. F. Cock and D. D. Williams took charge of it and operated it suc- cessfully for four years. In 1865 J. M. Hutchinson and T. C. S. Williams bought the yard and operated it for four or five years. H. B. Cock & Co. succeeded them. In 1875 business was abandoned at this yard.

Terra Cotta Works-In 1876 Q. M. Johnson obtained a patent for an improvement in terra cotta burial caskets. A company was formed at Brownsville for their manufacture, lots were purchased in West Browns- ville in 1880, from James L. Bowman, and buildings were erected thereon. Numbers of caskets were made from time to time, but for some reason things did not work smoothly, and the buildings have been standing idle for more than a year.

Aubrey Plaining Mills-One of the leading industries of West Brownsville is the Aubrey & Son's plaining mills. The industry was established about the year 1855 and the firm was originally comprised of Thomas Aubrey, Oliver C. Cromlow and E. N. Coon. The mills afterward passed into the possession of Ada Jacobs and James Reynolds. In 1873 Mr. Aubrey purchased the mill in which he formerly owned a part. The business is now conducted by the firm of Robert L. Aubrey, he having purchased it from the Thomas Aubrey heirs.

Thompson Distilling Company-Samuel Thompson started a distillery at West Brownsville before the Civil War. Modern brick buildings have been erected and the plant has a capacity of 50 barrels a day.

Within the last few years land was purchased by J. H. Leighton and the Man Cleve Window Glass Factory has been built at West Brownsville Junction.

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

Another important industry of West Brownsville is Gregg's Machine Shop and Foundry.

In 1881 Porter & Elwood had a sawmill in West Brownsville and did much sawing for Aubrey & Son. The business was continued for many years.

West Brownsville is surrounded by a number of coal mines and the Beaumont mine of the Monongahela River Consolidated Coal and Coke Company is within the borough limits. A large number of the inhabitants are miners.

As early as 1820, Samuel Adams kept a tavern in a frame building. Later the frame was torn down and a brick building (that was recently occupied as a depot by the Pennsylvania Railroad Company) was built on the site. The last to occupy the old frame building was John Huston and the first in the new brick tavern was Joshua Armstrong.

West of the above-named hotel or tavern and near the foot of the hill on the National Pike, stood an old stone house in which Vincent Owen kept a tavern at and subsequent to the time the pike was opened. The inn was afterward conducted by Samuel Acklin, John Krepps and Morris Purcell. The present hotels are the Star, Atwood, Good and Aubrey. The first two conduct bars.

In common with other towns of this section, West Brownsville originally taught her schools in such build- ings as could be rented for the purpose. Subsequently two small buildings were erected for school purposes. For many years scholars from this side of the river at- tended school in Brownsville and Bridgeport. In 1850 there were two schools and 138 scholars and in 1870 three schools and 187 scholars and cost of each pupil per month $.65.

The present commodious school building, containing six rooms and hall, was erected in West Brownsville at a cost of $6,000 in the year 1870.

In 1908 there were four schools, (male teachers 1, female teachers 3) ; enrollment of pupils, 177; average number of months taught, 8; average salary of male teachers per month, $70.00, female teachers $47.50; cost of each pupil per month, $1.47; number of mills on the dollar levied for school purposes, 6; estimated value of school property, $8,000.

The St. John's Episcopal Church began with Sunday school work in 1850. In 1860 the parish of St. John's was organized. In 1860 a lot was donated by Mr. John Cock and the work of church erection was begun. Owing to the unsettled condition of national affairs at that time, notihng was completed beyond the basement. In 1870 work was resumed and the building finished. The building cost $7,000 and will seat 250 persons. It was owing largely to the generosity and personal interest of Miss Isabella Sweitzer and a few others that the church was erected.

Rev. David C. Page ministered to the people of St. John's for some time prior to 1873. Since that time Revs. Horace E. Hayden, John P. Norman and William E. Rambo have ministered. The church has 20 members.

Evangelical Church of West Brownsville .- The Evan- gelical Congregation was organized in 1905 and a frame church built. The first pastor of this church was Rev. C. W. Fowkes, who was followed by Rev. A. B. Devoe, the present incumbent of the charge. The congregation is composed of about 20 members.

Hon. James G. Blaine, who served the nation in many high offices and who at one time was a candidate for the presidency of the United States, was borne in West Brownsville. He was a descendant of James Blaine, who came to Brownsville in 1804. The old two-story brick house of the Blaines at West Brownsville stood until about 15 years ago when it was torn down. Nothing now remains on the premises except the old well. The Beau- mont Coal Mine tipple now stands on the property.

WEST MIDDLETOWN.

The town of West Middletown was laid out in Hope- well Township at an early date and was erected into a borough on March 27, 1823. It is located 12 miles from Washington in the northwest part of Hopewell Township. The churches were formerly a United Presbyterian church, a Wesleyan Protestant Methodist church, a Meth- odist Episcopal Church and a Disciples church. The M. E. Church was erected in 1841 and the same was pur- chased by the Disciple Church in 1861, since which time the M. E. organization has not existed at this place. The other Methodist Church is used by a colored denom- ination. The early history of the Christian or Disciple Church dates back to the Brush Run Church, which was established by Alexander and Thomas Campbell.

The Brush Run Church, which was the first house of worship erected by the Disciple denomination, is still standing, though it has not been in use for church pur- poses for many years. About 1830 some of the members of this church and others of the same faith began to meet at the homes of Matthew McKeever and others in the neighborhood, where services were conducted by Alexan- der and Thomas Campbell and James McElroy. The first church organization was effected in 1837, after which services were conducted in schoolhouses and the homes of the members. Until 1848, when they erected their first house of worship, a brick structure, at the present time used as a dwelling house. In 1861 the congregation pur- chased the M. E. Church. The present is the third house of worship; the first was a frame, the second was a brick, and the present-the third house-is a frame structure. The church was founded by Campbell Mckeever at West Middletown. Many of the pastors have been supplied by Bethany College. The present pastor is Elder W. H.

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Rowlands. The present membership is 80. Sabbath school 50. Rev. W. H. Rowlands, superintendent. Elders -Jacob Hair, Ebbon Jolly, and James Williams; dea- cons-Walter Jones, William Legget, and Daniel Hare.

A Christian Endeavor Society and a teachers' training course in connection.

The United Presbyterian Church at this place was or- ganized about 1810. Dr. John Riddle preached the first sermon about 1802. From 1812-14 the congregation was without a pastor except by supplies. The Rev. Samuel Finley was pastor for eight years, when the pulpit was vacant until 1828. During the fall of 1828, Rev. William Wallace became pastor, his labors being divided with Wheeling and Short Creek, as a result of which West Middletown received only half of his labors. He demit- ted his charge in April, 1833, and removed to Wheeling. Rev. Samuel Taggart was pastor from April 14, 1835, to Oct. 12, 1855. After an absence of less than one year he returned Sept. 25, 1856, and was released Sept. 9, 1884. He died Oct. 21, 1885.

The pastorate of Rev. Taggart covered a period of almost 50 years.

Rev. R. E. Lackey became pastor Oct. 11, 1888, and re- mained until June 8, 1896.

Rev. J. H. Moore served as pastor from Sept. 14, 1897, until his death, which occurred on April 14, 1904.

The present pastor, Rev. J. Walter Watson, was in- stalled as pastor Dec. 20, 1904. Rev. Watson is a native of Belmont County, Ohio, and was educated at Franklin College, Ohio, Princeton University, and the Allegheny Theological Seminary. The church has a membership of 185. Sabbath school enrollment 135, J. B. Manson, su- perintendent.

Board of Elders-D. E. McNary, D. A. Scott, W. C. Brownlee, William Craig and J. B. Manson. A Ladies' Missionary Society, Young Ladies' Missionary Society, and Young People's Christian Union are connected with the church. Until 1858 the congregation was a part of the Associate Reformed Church.

The first house of worship was built in 1818. The present church edifice-the third erected by this organ- ization-is a splendid brick structure. It was built in 1859, and remodeled in 1908 at a cost of about $4,000. There is a fine audience-room and class-room. The win- dows are opalescent and the church is heated by warm air. There is an old cemetery with many fine monu- ments in the rear of the church. The new cemetery is laid out on the public road opposite the church and the old cemetery.

Borough Officials :

Burgess-J. D. France.

Council-John N. Brownlee, M. M. Hemphill, W. C. Duval, D. R. Miller, D. A. White, F. S. Brownlee, D. A. Scott.

Assessor-J. D. France.

Collector-Huston Miller.

Justice of the Peace-D. A. Scott.

Treasurer-Miss Annie McClure.

There are five stores in West Middletown kept respec- tively by J. F. Titus, William Richmond, A. C. Farrer, J. J. George (recently deceased), J. L. Bell; and two blacksmith shops, the proprietors of which are Daniel Hare and Ira Lawton. Drs. A. M. Rea, J. N. Bemis and D. H. Bemis attend to the medical needs of the commu- nity, F. S. Brownlee is undertaker.

The town has the services of the Chartiers and the Bell Telephone Companies. Mrs. Florence Bushfield is postmistress. J. D. France has been proprietor of the France Hotel for 35 years. Robert Garrett, the first president of the B. & O. Railroad, was born in this hotel, a part of which his father used for a store-room.

West Middletown has a modern school building with two rooms and two teachers. Many of the houses are built in blocks and front on the sidewalks, both dwelling and business houses. The nearest railroad station is at Avella, three miles away.

The first threshing-machines for grain were manufac- tured in West Middletown. The business prospered until about 1858, the year in which the crops were killed by frost.

This borough has two schools, teachers, 2 (females) ; average number of months taught, 8; average salary of teachers per month, $52.50; cost of each pupil per month, $2.21; number of mills on the dollar levied for school purposes, 71/2 ; estimated value of school property, $5,000.

School directors: F. S. Brownlee, president, J. N. Brownlee, secretary; J. L. Bell, treasurer; Dr. J. N. Bemis, J. M. Clark, Daniel Hair, John G. Cunningham.

West Middletown was one of the most noted stations on the Underground Railroad, whereby fugitive slaves were aided by an unorganized set of people in reaching the Canadian border and liberty.

The borough of West Middletown has a real estate valuation of $81,350, and the value of its personal prop- erty is $92,840; number of taxables, 106.

In 1850 the population was 326; in 1860 it was about 800; in 1890, 235, and in 1900, 241.

The number of voters in the borough in 1904 was 89, and in 1908 was 66.

CHAPTER XXXVIII.

MONONGAHELA CITY.

Abraham Decker originally laid claim to the land on which the upper part of Monongahela City is located. The title was based on a warrant, August 26, 1769, for seventy acres called Southwark. Paul Frohman claimed all the remaining river front down almost to Dry Run under warrant to survey dated April 17, 1769, tract called Gloucester.

Having passed the researches and dispute between the states of Virginia and Pennsylvania, the Board of Prop- erty finally declared the titles to be valid.

In the year 1770 the Parkisons* arrived from the East in search of a home in the wilds of the Mononga- hela Valley, and selected the Decker plateau as a most desirable site, and in the course of time secured the title to Joseph above named. Of the Parkisons, there were five brothers, viz .: Joseph, Thomas, James, Benjamin and William. It is in Joseph we have the most interest. Our information is, that Joseph Parkison married Miss Margaret Weaver, a regular descendant in the Pennsyl- vania Dutch line. They had as children James, David, William and Mary.

The Deckers had reared their primitive cabin a short distance above the spring, on what is now the Van Voorhis Homestead, on Pigeon Creek, and consequently Joseph Parkison, on his arrival, was compelled either to dwell in a tent or enjoy the hospitality of the Deckers. The Devore Ferry, authorized in 1775 to run from James Devore's house to the mouth of Pigeon Creek, was in operation on the arrival of Parkison. It was known as Devore's Ferry until 1782, when the landing of Devore on the north side, and that of Parkison on the south, near the mouth of Pigeon Creek, was established by law as Parkison's Ferry. Prior to this date Devore seems to have had a kind of private ferry, worked to suit his own mill. Devore had at an early date a store near his landing, which was a branch of the great store of David Furnier, located just below Bellevernon of the present day.

It was about this time in the history of the settlement that the pioneers realized the necessity of a postoffice.

* Or, as the name was sometimes spelled, Parkinson, Perkerson or Parkins, and in the Yohogania Record, Perke- son. See biographical sketch at end of this chapter.

Brownsville, Bassett Town, now Washington, and Pitts- burg, were the nearest postoffices. The office was granted and named Parkison's Ferry. A public road had in 1781 been laid out from the town now called Washing- ton, to the mouth of what is now First street, though in the town originally known as Ford street, named so on account of that point of the river being in low water, forded by the traveler. The established ferry and the newly laid out road soon attracted the attention of the public, and resulted in giving the point an importance which in a very short time induced Joseph Parkison to erect on the new road his inn, which the older citizens recollect stood back from what is now Main street, but fronting the public road which runs diagonally from the mouth of Ford street across the bottom land and up the hill westward.

It was located on the second lot up from Stewarts alley. The old part of the building was log, but the new addition, with its well-remembered porch extending to Main street, was frame. The log part of this house was, beyond all question, the first erected on the site of the town, but not the first on the Decker tract, as we have already stated.

During the armed uprising against the collection of excise tax in 1791-94 Parkison's Ferry became cele- brated as one of the chief points of rendezvous for the "Whiskey Boys." Here on the 14th day of August, 1794, a mass meeting was held, at which the four western counties of Pennsylvania were represented by 200 dele- gates, also others from Bedford and Ohio counties. This meeting was held on the hill in the rear of the present Episcopal Church, and for years afterward the locality was known to the old inhabitants as "Council Hill."

Devore's (Debores) Ferry and Parkison's Ferry were used for this location although Devore's residence was on the other side of the river. Williamsport became also a common name for the village until it was incorporated by that name in 1833. These names passed away with the men who bore them when, by local law of the state, the town was again legally rebaptized, Monongahela City. The postoffice department calls this place "Mo- nongahela."

Monongahela is a solid community. It has no special- ty. Its mercantile affairs are as widely scattered as the

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avenues of business, and its diversified industries have built up a substantial structure that no panic has seri- ously shaken. It has the only paper mill in Western Pennsylvania, the only pit lamp factories in the valley, the only operating window glass plant in the county, and it is the only town of its size in the United States boasting two macaroni factories. Its haulage machinery is sold wherever coal is mined and its coal boats and barges are seen from Morgantown to New Orleans.

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History of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens 20th century, Part 97

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