Indiana County, Pennsylvania, her people, past and present, Volume I, Part 65

Author: Stewart, Joshua Thompson, 1862- comp
Publication date: 1913
Publisher: Chicago, J. H. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 930

USA > Pennsylvania > Indiana County > Indiana County, Pennsylvania, her people, past and present, Volume I > Part 65

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preached with acceptance in the united charge of Jacksonville and Olivet, but the length of his pastorate and the date of its commence- ment or close cannot be ascertained from any records in our possession. In 1848 Rev. Mat- thew H. Wilson became its pastor and con- In an obituary notice published in the "United Presbyterian" of December 10, 1862, we have some account of his labors in con- nection with this congregation, from which we quote: "In June, 1848, he was ordained and installed pastor of the United Congrega- tion of Jacksonville, Olivet and Smyrna."

After laboring a little over two years in the Smyrna congregation with great accep- tance and encouraging success he resigned, arrangements having been made in the other congregations to take the whole of his time. In 1850 he opened an academy in Jackson- ville in which he continued to teach, with the exception of a single session, till 1860, when his declining health rendered it necessary for him to abridge his labors. Being elected to the presidency of Madison College, located at Antietam, Ohio, he resigned, and in April, 1857, entered upon his duties in the college, accepting at the same time the pastoral charge of Antietam congregation.

Not finding as promising a prospect of use- fulness in his new field of labor as representa- tions had led him to anticipate, and enter- taining a strong attachment to the people of his former charge, he returned the same fall and resumed the pastoral cares of the Jacksonville congregation. In August, 1862, he resigned, and on November 30th of the same year passed away in death. During most of his pastorate Jacksonville received two thirds of his time. He was at first con- nected with Olivet and then during the lat- ter part of his ministry with Crete. Before the commencement of his pastorate ninety- six persons had been received into communion. During its continuance 134 were received, so that up to its close 230 in all had been ad- mitted to membership.

The congregation was for some time at first without a stated minister. It was supplied mostly by the different members of Presby- tery. Prominent among the names mentioned in this connection is that of Mr. Fulton, who after organizing dispensed the first commun- ion in a grove near the village. Large num- bers of people are said to have been present, drawn doubtless by the well known ability of The next pastor was Rev. M. S. Telford. He was licensed in April, 1863, and was or- dained and installed pastor of the united charge of Jacksonville and Crete April 16, 1864. He continued in this relation until June, 1872. He seems to have labored among this people some time before his ordination. The entire period of his labors was probably about nine years. He seems to have labored this gifted man of God. His labors were con- tinued for some time as an occasional, and then as a stated, supply during one year for one third of the time. The precise date of this period we cannot ascertain, but it prob- ably ended in the early part of 1843. Of the next three or four years, we can gather but little save that during this period the con- gregation enjoyed the pastoral labors of Rev. with much success and was permitted to see

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

largely of the fruit of his labors in members when Rev. D. Blair supplied the congregation, gathered into the Redeemer's fold.

The entire number received into member- ship during his pastorate is 131, and from the beginning of the congregation up to the bytery October 7, 1818, pastor of all the con- close of his pastorate 361 were received. The average number received yearly during Mr. Telford's time was a little over twelve; the

gregations north of the Conemaugh river. The installation services were held at Crooked Creek, now West Union, Rev. Alex. Wilson average from the year of the organization up preaching from 2d Cor. iv. 7: "But we have to the close of 1875 nearly ten. Many have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the ex-

removed beyond the bounds; some have con- nected with neighboring congregations and others, not a few, have been taken, as we trust, to the church triumphant above.

Rev. William McKirahan served the con- gregation as pastor from 1880 to 1882; Rev. R. A. Kingan from 1890 to 1894; Rev. S. A. Hamill from 1895 to 1896; Rev. A. J. Calvin from 1897 to 1904; Rev. W. T. Warnock from 1909 to 1911. At present the congregation is without a minister. The enrollment of mem- bership is sixty-seven.

Mr. A. G. Stewart is the superintendent of the Sabbath school, which has an enrollment of seventy-one and is kept open the entire year.

From this congregation Abraham Lowman and D. C. Wilson have entered the ministry.

CONEMAUGH

and received a call to become its pastor for one third of his time. Having accepted, he was ordained and installed by Chartiers Pres- cellency of the power may be of God, and not of us." The congregation then embraced the territory now occupied by the congregations of Saltsburg, Blairsville, Jacksonville, Oli- vet and, partly, New Alexandria, Westmore- land county. In 1822, some dissatisfaction having arisen among a few of the members who were not sustained by Presbytery, Moses Thompson, William Coleman and others with- drew and organized the Reformed congrega- tion of Clarksburg. Rev. Mr. Blair preached here until the 17th of November, 1839. Rev. Thomas Gilkerson was the next pastor, from the year 1840 to 1859; Rev. William Can- non was pastor from the 5th of April, 1859, to September 28, 1863; Rev. D. W. Collins, D. D., was pastor from the 4th of January, 1865, to the 14th of April, 1874; Rev. W. Me- Kirahan was ordained and installed pastor on the 14th of November, 1876, and remained six years. The next pastor was Rev. J. W. Johnston, who served three years. He was followed by Rev. Quincy Hamill, who died after one year's service. The next pastor was years. The present pastor is Rev. W. E. Minteer.

The time of the organization of this con- gregation is clouded in some darkness. There are, however, two authentic dates between which the congregation takes its beginning. Rev. A. J. Calvin, who served for thirteen The one is the suspension of Rev. John Jam- ieson by the Associate Reformed Synod, which began proceedings against him May The first place of worship after the present organization was effected was in Mr. James MeLane's barn, about two miles south of the present house of worship. The next was a grove, since used for a hitching place for horses. Here between four saplings a plat- form was erected for a pulpit, while the con- gregation sat on logs drawn to within conven- ient distance of the speaker. Here in "God's first temple" they worshipped Him who gives us all things as devoutly as many a congre- gation on cushioned seats. The first build- ing was a log house, built about the year 1820. The next building was of brick, built in 1836. The next church, built in 1874, was destroyed by fire in March, 1900, and in seven months a new church was ready for occupancy. The first parcel of ground, two acres and 155 perches, was conveyed by an article of agree- ment from Nicholas Coleman to Samuel 27, 1795. Rev. Mr. Jamieson preached, as one part of his charge, in Conemaugh congre- gation of the Associate Reformed body, which worshipped in a building that stood about one mile south of the present building for worship. The congregation of Conemaugh of the Associate Church was formed shortly after the suspension of Rev. Mr. Jamieson, out of the members who had left the Cone- maugh congregation of the Associate Re- formed body. The first authentic date of its existence is found in a footnote subscribed to the minutes of Chartiers Presbytery of the Associate body of the year 1801, where a scale of supplies for vacant charges is added, in which Conemaugh is mentioned. Its organ- ization took place between the years 1795 and 1801. The next date of its existence is 1808, in which year a Mr. Wilson preached as supply. Again, all is blank until 1816, Lyons, Samuel Parr and William Coleman,

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

trustees of Conemaugh branch of the seceding hundreds, many of whom reside in the vi- congregation of Indiana, on the 22d of De- cinity of old Conemaugh and have through cember, 1817, and was deeded by W. Coleman the generations enjoyed worship there. and John Coleman to James Coleman, James Wells Cunningham is the superintendent of the Sabbath school, which has an enroll- ment of ninety-one. J. M. Duncan and James Hawk, who were reared in this congregation, became ministers of the gospel. Duncan and Robert Thompson, trustees, etc., on the 30th of June, 1832, and acknowledged before Samuel Templeton, Esq .; another par- cel of 120 perches was deeded by William Mc- Philiney to John H. Hart, Alexander Templeton and John Campbell, trustees, etc., on the 22d of March, 1842; the whole contain- ing five acres and twenty perches, under the charter granted by the Court of Indiana county, in 1875. The first trustees were Robert Coleman, William Dunlap, Thompson Megaley, Thomas Hart, Samuel Coleman, Clark Watson.

The elders who have served this church are : James McClain, Moses Thompson, James Mat- thews, William Crawford, James Hart, Sam- uel Templeton, James Kier, Archibald Cole- man, Thompson McCrea, William Rankin, James Oliver, James McGinley, John Hart, Thomas Brown, John Y. McCartney, John M. Duncan, Francis Crooks, W. J. Coleman, Robert McGahey, William Dunlap, Thomas Hart, James Gilkerson, John Dunlap, T. H. Miller, John E. Duncan, the present elders being T. H. Miller, S. M. Gailey, D. J. S. Crory, A. W. Duncan.

The present trustees are: J. S. Oliver, H. B. Fairley, B. H. Fitzgerald, T. A. Hughes, James Urey, W. J. Armstrong.

In October, 1900, was dedicated the new church, which is one of the neatest country churches in the county. It is 40 by 62, the main audience room being 40 by 30, with a lecture room adjoining. It is a frame struc- ture with tower for bell, is handsomely painted and covered with a slate roof. The windows are of cathedral glass, and quite artistic. The building was erected at a cost of over $3,700.

The man most prominent in establishing Conemaugh Church was Nicholas Coleman, an Rev. David Blair was installed pastor in 1818. (See personal sketch under "Indiana Congregation."). early pioneer, who although born a Catholic was in early life converted, and united with the Associate Reformed Church. He located Rev. Thomas Gilkerson was ordained and installed pastor on October 28, 1840. near where Conemaugh Church now stands in 1773 or 1774, in what was then a wilder- Rev. William Connor was installed April 5, 1859. Born in Allegheny county, Pa., May 17, 1799, he died on the 28th of September, 1863. He graduated at Jefferson College, Pa., and studied theology (by consent of Mo- nongahela Presbytery) under the care of Rev. Alex. McCahan, at Canonsburg, Pa. He was licensed to preach in the year 1837, by his ness. Shortly after his arrival the Indians became troublesome and he fled over the moun- tains.' Two years later he returned, bring- ing with him other settlers. Here John Cole- man was born April 9, 1776. He was the first white child born north of the Conemaugh river and west of Blacklick creek. The de- scendants of Nicholas Coleman now number own Presbytery, and installed pastor of Unity

Pastors .- Rev. John Jamieson, although not pastor of the present organization, may be considered the first of the ancestors of the present worshipping people. Mr. Jamieson came to America from Scotland in November, 1782, and was the first settled pastor north of the Conemaugh river and west of Black- lick creek. He crossed the mountains on horses with three children. He came from the Associated Burgher Synod of Scotland and united with the Associate Reformed Church of this country. Mr. Jamieson traveled over quite an extensive territory as "supply" from New York to South Carolina; but his princi- pal labors seem to have been in a territory embracing what is now the northern part of Westmoreland county and the southern half of Indiana county. He was installed pastor of Brush Creek, Hannastown and Conemangh, but was released from Brush Creek and Han- nastown and his whole time given to Loyal- hanna (probably now New Alexandria) and Conemangh, 11th October, 1793. He was charged with misconstruing the actions of Synod in reference to Watt's Psalms, days of fasting and thanksgiving usually observed; in connection with celebration of the Lord's Supper, etc. These charges were preferred against him at a meeting of Synod held in Philadelphia May 27, 1795. Mr. Jamieson was found guilty and suspended by the Synod. He was then a member of the Second Asso- ciate Reformed Presbytery of Pennsylvania. These dates and circumstances are taken from his own writings, as there seems to be some dispute concerning them.

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

congregation in Allegheny county, Pa., in this part of the county. After this date, up 1849. He was settled over Conemaugh in to the year 1830, preaching and missionary 1859. Ilere he served his Master until he was labor were done in the same neighborhood called home. Mr. Connor was a man of fine by Rev. Messrs. Pringle, of the Associate personal appearance and by his style and man- ner commanded the attention of all who heard him. He was a preacher of very consider- able power. The following is one of the reso- lutions passed by his Presbytery in view of his death :

"Resolved, That in the removal of our brother we sustain the loss of a faithful watchman on Zion's walls; a good presby- ter, and one free from the fear of man that whole counsel of God."

bringeth a snare, shunned not to declare the three miles east of the present site of the

Rev. D. W. Collins, D. D., was installed January 4, 1865.

Rev. William McKirahan, installed the 14th of November, 1876, is a descendant of one of two brothers, all of whose kindred were killed in Scotland during the persecutions. The two brothers fled to the North of Ire- land with their guns. On attempting to land they were fired upon. Their boat sinking, they took to the water, where one of the broth- ers was shot through the heel, which bled profusely, he sinking to rise no more. The other swam through his brother's blood and escaped. Samuel McKirahan came to this country in 1796, and settled in Washington county, Pa., and afterwards moved to Ohio, where John, the father of Rev. William, was born. Mrs. I. L. MeKirahan, a daughter of Rev. J. M. Johnston, is a relative of Rev. John Jamieson. The first members of this congregation were James McLane and fam- ily, Moses Thompson and family, Samuel Barr and family, William Crawford and family, Nicholas Coleman and family, Henry Kirk- patrick and family, John Matthews and fam-

The congregation of Mechanicsburg in con- ily, and probably others. The first elders nection with the Presbyterian congrega- were Moses Thompson, William Crawford and James Matthews. This was, in all probabil- ity, in 1797.

MECHANICSBURG

and the congregation of Pine Grove from which it had its origin.

Church; Jamieson, Proudfit, McCrodden, Moses Herr, Sr., and Moses Herr, Jr., of the Associate Reformed Church. At this date the congregation of Pine Grove was organized by the election of Joseph McCartney and Mat- thew Dill as ruling elders. Rev. Mungo Dick, of Sewickley, Westmoreland county, presided in the organization of this congregation. The first and only house of worship occupied by this society was built in a stony hollow about village of Mechanicsburg. Hence it was sometimes called "Stony Hollow" Church, and sometimes "Pine Grove" Church. It is not known what the cost of this house of wor- ship was. The first pastor of this congrega- tion in connection with the Bethel United Presbyterian Church was Rev. N. C. Weed, who took charge of it in 1833, and was re- leased in the year 1847. The next pastor was Rev. S. M. Coon, who took charge of this con- gregation in connection with Bethel in the year 1849. He labored as pastor in this con- nection until the year 1852, when two con- gregations were organized, composed of mem- bers which had made up the old charge of Pine Grove. One of these congregations was

called Mechanicsburg and had its place of worship located in the borough of Mechanics- burg. The other was called East Union and had its place of worship at a point situated about seven miles east from Mechanicsburg. The members of the session at the organi- zation of Mechanicsburg congregation were Daniel McFarland and Joseph Wilson, and it had in all about forty members.

tion ("old school") of the same place erected a house of worship in the year 1850 at a cost of about $950. Rev. S. M. Coon still re- mained as the pastor of Mechanicsburg and East Union congregations in connection with Bethel congregation until the year 1854, when he was released. The next pastor, Rev. J. C. Greer, took charge of Mechanicsburg and East Union congregations in connection with Center congregation in 1856, and re- mained as the pastor in this connection until the year 1859, when Mechanicsburg and Cen- ter congregations applied for and obtained his services for the whole time. Rev. Mr. Greer remained as the pastor of these two congre-

As early as the year 1817 Rev. J. T. Bessly, then a resident of the State of South Caro- lina, but afterwards for many years a resi- dent of Allegheny City, Pa., traveled on horseback from his native State through this part of the country and preached to the fore- fathers from whom originated the congre- gation of the United Presbyterian Church in gations until the year 1864, when he was

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

released and went into the Union army in the war of the Rebellion as captain of a com- pany. The next pastor, Rev. Samuel Mc- Arthur, took charge of Mechanicsburg con- gregation in connection with East Union and Greenville congregations in the year 1869. He remained as pastor in this connection until the year 1874, when he was released and moved to New Concord, Ohio.

The next pastor, Rev. D. H. Blair, took charge of Mechanicsburg congregation in con- nection with Bethel congregation in the year 1876 and was released in the year 1877, after having been pastor of this charge for one year and three months.

In 1880 the Mechanicsburg congregation had a membership of about forty and a Sab- bath school of about thirty scholars.

Rev. T. P. Patterson then took charge of the Mechanicsburg congregation in connec- tion with Bethel, East Union and Greenville congregations. He served these congrega- tions until the year 1890, when Rev. J. A. Mc- Gill assumed his charge. In the meantime the Greenville charge was dropped from the circuit and the Heshbon congregation was added. Rev. J. A. McGill served these con- gregations for about five years, and was fol- lowed by Revs. J. M. Imbrie, J. M. Adair, Ralph McGill, C. F. Campbell, and H. W. Logan, who is at present the pastor of Me- chaniesburg, Heshbon and Bethel congrega- tions.

The elders of the Mechanicsburg congrega- tion have been: Joseph Wilson, Daniel Mc- Farland. Alexander Dick, Thompson McCrea, Albert MeCrea, John Hood. J. T. Stewart, J. A. Palmer, C. C. Stewart. The last two are the present elders.

The trustees are: James Palmer, Dinsmore Dick, Alexander Dick, and C. C. Stewart, treasurer.

The church was blown down in 1899 and has not been rebuilt. The congregation is very small at present and holds services in the Presbyterian Church. The Presbyterians and United Presbyterians hold a Union Sab- bath school, but each supports its own pastor.

Mr. C. C. Stewart is the superintendent of the Sabbath school, which is kept open the entire year, with an enrollment of fifty.

The following who were reared in this con- gregation became ministers: Ralph McGill, a missionary in Egypt, and his two brothers, Robert and Milton.

HESHBON

This church was built in 1899 at a cost of $1,000, when Rev. D. S. Tinker was pastor. Many of the members of this church formerly belonged to the United Presby- terian Churches of Bethel and Mechanics- hurg. For a number of years prior to the building of the church services were held in the schoolhouse. Other ministers who have served this congregation are C. F. Campbell and H. W. Logan, the present min- ister, who gives this congregation one fourth of his time. The church has an enrollment of thirty-five members.

The members of session are: Messrs. David Cunningham, David McCormick, and James Palmer.

The trustees are: Robert Auld, John Auld, C. L. Campbell, A. E. Wagner, C. D. Camp- bell.

Mr. J. M. Auld is the superintendent of the Sabbath school, which has an enrollment of fifty.

BLAIRSVILLE

The Blairsville congregation was organized about 1831. The present church was built in 1879, when Rev. D. W. Collins was pastor. It is a brick structure and cost $1,200. A new church is now (1913) being built which will cost from $3,000 to $3,500.

The pastors have been : Revs. D. W. Collins, W. H. McMasters and R. E. MeClure, the present pastor, who has served the congrega- tion for the last twenty-one years. During his pastorate the congregation has increased from 146 to 420.

The elders are: Dr. George Hunter, Dr. R. B. Cummins, W. H. Campbell, Charles D. Ferguson, John Duncan, M. H. Henry, O. A. Schrock.

Mr. C. M. Kennedy is the superintendent of the Sabbath school, which has an enrollment of 325. The school is kept open the entire year.

Miss Annie Hamilton of this congregation at present (1913) is a missionary of the United Presbyterian Church in India.

SHELOCTA

An attempt was made in 1854 to organize a congregation of the Associate Presbyterian Church at Shelocta, but as the persons elected to the office of ruling elder did not accept the organization was not then effected. On May 1, 1856, another attempt to effect an organ-

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

ization was made, and was successful. The ton. After a very successful pastorate of over following named persons, all, or nearly all, twenty years he died at his residence at El- from what is now known as the West Union derton, Armstrong county, November 28, 1876. Mr. Porter was born in Bridgewater, Pa., January 24, 1824. He graduated from Washington College, Washington, Pa., in 1844, and at the Theological Seminary of the Asso- ciate Church at Canonsburg, Pa., in 1849. He was ordained August 21, 1850, and was set- tled for five years in Randolph county, III. On account of impaired health he then came East and settled as stated above. congregation, were then enrolled as members of the Associate Presbyterian congregation of Shelocta: Robert Beatty, Mrs. Elizabeth Beatty, Miss Nancy Beatty, John Cunning- ham, Mrs. Rebecca Cunningham, Mrs. Mary Wiggins, Miss Jane Wiggins, Miss Sarah A. Wiggins, Andrew Wiggins, Mrs. Sarah Wig- gins (wife of Andrew), Thomas Wiggins, Mrs. Sarah Wiggins (wife of Thomas), Samuel Wiggins, Mrs. Lena Ann Wiggins, On December 11, 1877, Rev. J. Buff Jack- son was installed pastor of this congregation in connection with Elderton. He served the congregation until 1890. Rev. George W. Robinson was pastor from 1891 to 1897, Rev. O. H. Milligan from 1898 to 1903, Rev. A. E. Campbell from 1905 to 1910. Rev. T. P. Pat- ton was installed as pastor in June, 1913. He gives one half of his time to this congrega- tion and the other half to the United Presby- terian Church of Elderton. The present membership is 144. The Sabbath school has an enrollment of 100. Robinson Sharp is the Superintendent and Porter Miller assistant superintendent. The school is kept open the entire year. Andrew Sharp, Mrs. Sarah Sharp, Mrs. Margaret Smith, Hugh B. Miller, James Kerr, Mrs. Catherine Kerr, Mrs. Elizabeth Farren, Mrs. Margaret Walker, Miss Jane Walker, Charles Kerr, Mrs. Isabella Kerr, Miss Mary Kerr, Mrs. Hannah Lockhart, Robert H. Armstrong, Mrs. Martha Armstrong, Hugh Wiggins, Mrs. Jane Wiggins, Miss Susannah Keener, Miss Charlotte Keener, Miss Jane Keener, Alexander T. Calhoun, Mrs. Nancy Calhoun, John Beatty, and Mrs. Margaret Beatty. Alex. T. Calhoun, John B. Beatty and John Cunningham were elected ruling elders, and ordained and installed November 1, 1856.

A lot was purchased from Mr. Samuel Wig- gins, on which the church building was erected and opened for worship in the sum- mer of 1856. This house cost $2,077.75. The building committee, consisting of R. H. Arm- strong, James Kerr, John Cunningham, Hugh Wiggins, continued to manage the finances of the congregation until May 6, 1862, when, the congregation having been chartered, a board of trustees was elected. The first trustees were David Bothell, David Anthony, Nathan Douthett, John Cunningham, Samuel Camp- bell, Benjamin Johnson. Since that the fol- lowing have been members of the board; J. W. Calhoun, Moses Wood, Alex. A. Wiggins, W. L. Calhoun, James Wiggins, Johnston Keener, Samuel Calhoun, Andrew Sharp,A. J. Reed, John Russell, W. L. Reed, Samuel Lytle, John Ramsey, James Campbell, Wil- liam Wiggins, A. P. Lytle, George Rupert, Hugh Wiggins, R. H. Cunningham, James A. Walker.

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Indiana County, Pennsylvania, her people, past and present, Volume I, Part 65

Author: Stewart, Joshua Thompson, 1862- comp Publication date: 1913 Publisher: Chicago, J. H. Beers & co. Number of Pages: 930

Author: Stewart, Joshua Thompson, 1862- comp
Publication date: 1913
Publisher: Chicago, J. H. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 930