Chap XV - Part II: 20th Century History of New Castle and Lawrence County Pennsylvania and Representative Citizens
Copyright. All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/pafiles.htm
************************************************
File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Ed McClelland
An html version of this volume may be found at
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/lawrence/1908/
************************************************
CHAPTER XV - Part II
TOWNSHIPS AND TOWNS
[Original land warrants and patents can be seen on the Survey Maps,
and
land owners can be seen on the 1872 Atlas.
]
MAHONING TOWNSHIP.
[p. 248] Mahoning is one of the original townships of Lawrence County.
It was erected when the territory was within the limits of Mercer
County, some time between the third Monday of November, 1805, and the
third Monday of February, 1806. It originally comprised a part of the
old Pymatuning township, erected in February, 1804, when the first court
was held in Mercer County.
The Mahoning, from which the township derives its name, and numerous
smaller streams, afford abundant water facilities, and are noted for
their beautiful scenery. The surface of the township is mostly a
table-land, only those portions along the streams being broken to any
considerable degree. The soil is rich and productive, and the
improvements throughout the township are of a high order.
The township has an area of about twenty-six square miles, or 16,640
acres. The old bed of the Cross-cut Canal lies along the foot of the
hills, on the north side of the river, and on the south side is built
the Ashtabula, Youngstown and Pittsburg railway, operated by the
Pennsylvania Company; and on the north side is built the Pittsburg and
Eastern Railway, operated by the Baltimore and Ohio Railway, and also
the Pittsburg and Lake Erie Railway.
Coal exists throughout the township, and compares favorably in quality
with that mined in other parts of the county.
Iron ore also exists in some places, but has never been worked to a
great extent.
Limestone has been quarried in a number of localities, and shipped
principally to the furnaces at Youngstown, Ohio. It is also manufactured
into lime in a few places. Along the south side of the Mahoning, at
Hillsville Station and vicinity large quantities of the stone have been
quarried.
EARLY SETTLEMENT OF THE TOWNSHIP.
The first actual white settlers, after the Moravians brought their
families into what is now Lawrence County, located in Mahoning Township,
as early as 1793. In June of that year a party of about forty-five
persons left Allegheny City and started for the valley of the Mahoning,
intending to settle on the north side of the river, accompanied by a
surveyor named Arthur Gardner. They came down the Ohio to the mouth of
the Beaver, and then proceeded up that stream on the east side.
Somewhere about the mouth of Conoquenessing Creek stood a block house,
garrisoned by a small company of men commanded by a lieutenant. Here
they were cautioned against Indians, who were prowling around, but they
proceeded on their way and, happily, were not molested. About where the
city of New Castle now stands they forded the Shenango and went [p. 249]
to the westward. In some manner they passed the State line, and brought
up on the spot where Youngstown, Ohio, now stands. At this time many of
the party became dissatisfied and returned to Allegheny. The rest, some
seventeen in number, came back into Pennsylvania and finally settled
farms on both sides of the Mahoning, instead of adhering to the plan of
settling on the north side only.
Among those forming this party were Francis McFarland, James, John and
George McWilliams, John Small, Henry Robinson, Alexander McCoy, Edward
Wright and Arthur Gardner; the latter was the survevor and probably made
no claim. They all settled (except Gardner) in what is now Mahoning
Township, In 1793 they made "deadening," built cabins, planted apple and
peach seeds, and made other arrangements necessary for their future
comfort. After completing their improvements they returned to Pittsburg,
and in 1794 most of them brought out their families. Francis McFarland
afterward removed to what is now Pulaski Township, and located on the
farm where his son, J. C. McFarland, now or recently lived.
Michael Book was possibly one of the men who came out in 1793, together
with his brother, George. The two settled a 400-acre tract, now
partially owned by Michael Book's son, Jacob. They came from Washington
county, Pa., where Michael was married shortly before leaving. He
brought his wife out with him, and in 1798 or '99 their first child,
Margaret, was born.
William Rowland came from Beaver County, Pennsylvania, and located on
the farm afterwards owned by his son, J. K. Rowland, about the 1st of
April, 1829. He made the first improvements on the place, and also built
a saw-mill on Coffee Run. Mr. Rowland carried on the saw-mill business
for a number of years. Coffee Run was so named from the fact that the
families who settled along it were great coffee-drinkers.
William Morrison was born in Ireland in 1761, and came to America in
1777. He located afterwards in Washington County, Pennsylvania, and in
1796 came with his wife and several children to what is now Mahoning
Township, Lawrence County, and settled on a 400-acre tract belonging to
Judge Alexander Wright, getting 100 acres for settling. Some years ago
the homestead was owned by James Morrison, and Patterson and Alexander
Wright. Another son, Hugh, was probably born on the place after his
parents settled. Soon after he came Mr. Morrison planted an orchard of
apple, peach and pear trees. Mrs. Morrison, whose maiden name was
Sherer, had two brothers killed by the Indians while living in
Washington County. Her father was taken prisoner by the Indians and
taken to Sandusky, Ohio.
Alexander Wright came originally from Ireland. About 1794-6 he came from
Washington County, Pennsylvania, where he had been living, with his wife
and five children, to what is now Mahoning Township, and purchased
several tracts of land, which is equal to any within its limits. Mr.
Wright died in 1838, aged ninety-two years. Numbers of the family occupy
farms in the neighborhood where their grandfather settled.
Samuel McBride came originally from Ireland and settled in Washington
County, Pennsylvania. He possibly visited Lawrence County with the party
who came in 1793, but probably not until about 1796. He brought his wife
and six children with him, and settled some six hundred acres.
Joseph Ashton came to the township previous to the War of 1812, and
settled on the farm lying just above Edenburg, now, or a few years ago,
owned by the heirs of James Park. The farm is situated on both sides of
the river. Mr. Ashton came from Manchester, Allegheny County,
Pennsylvania, now a part of Pittsburg.
Andrew Patterson came early to the township and settled near the present
site of the town of Hillsville.[p. 250]
About the year 1806 John McComb, then twenty-six years old, from
Washington County, Pennsylvania, settled one mile above Edenburg, where
he lived for some ten years, afterwards removing to a farm in Union
Township, one mile below Edenburg, on which he resided until his death
in November, 1866.
Arney Biddle came from near Salem City, N. J., in June, 1806, with his
wife and three boys. He settled on the south side of the Mahoning, about
a mile northwest of the present town of Edenburg, and afterwards bought
land south of Edenburg. He reared a family of twelve children, six of
whom were living in 1876. His father was killed at the battle of
Brandywine, September 11, 1777. Mr. Biddle died August 22, 1825, aged
sixty-three years; his wife died October 10, 1869, at the age of
ninety-eight.
William Park and family (three sons?John, James and William), from
Berkley County, Virginia, settled in the fall of 1800 at "Parkstown," in
what is now Union Township. The Parks afterwards became prominent men in
the neighborhood of Edenburg.
Joseph Brown came with the Parks and settled with them at Parkstown, but
afterwards removed to Mahoning Township, and rented the old Ashton farm
about 1816-17. He later removed to the Martin farm, on the north side of
the river, where he lived four or five years, and again removed to the
farm in Pulaski Township, now owned by Messrs. Miller and Peyton. He
finally came back to Mahoning Township.
In 1823, William Brown, who had learned the mason's trade with Joshua
Chenowith, at Parkstown, went to Cumberland County and commenced
business for himself. In 1832 he was married in Cumberland County to
Miss Latsa Davidson, daughter of George Davidson, of Mount Rock Spring,
who was elder of the Presbyterian Church at Carlisle for some thirty
years. After Mr. Brown was married he came back to Lawrence County and
resided here until his death. We have not the date of that event, but he
was living in 1876. His farm originally contained 375 acres.
Among the other early settlers of Mahoning Township were the following:
William McFate and George Kelso came from Washington County,
Pennsylvania about 1801-2. Thomas Matthews settled about 1800. The
Whitings?John, Adam and the Doctor, came as early as 1800, and possibly
earlier.
John Onstott and Alexander Thompson also settled early. These persons
was on the north side of Mahoning River principally, and most of them
have descendants yet living in the township.
SCHOOLS.
The first school in the township was kept near Quakertown, on the north
side of the Mahoning.
Subsequent to this, about 1806-7, a school-house was built near the
present site of the Mahoning United Presbyterian Church. The first
teacher was a man named Ramsey. Probably other school-houses were built
in the township, and schools were taught at an early day, also, where
the villages of Edenburg, Hillsville and Quakertown now stand.
The number of schools in the township, in 1908, was fourteen, with an
enrollment of 445 pupils. Fourteen teachers are employed, to whom is
paid the sum of $2,049.80 annually. The average number of months taught
is seven.
The school-buildings of the township are all substantial, warm and
commodious. The schools themselves are well conducted, and reflect
credit on the enterprise of the citizens and managers. The bulk of the
attendance is, of course, at Edenburg and Hillsville.
The Cross-cut Canal was finished in the summer of 1838. The canal was
abandoned between Youngstown and the mouth of the Mahoning in 1872. The
portion [p. 251] above Youngstown had been abandoned some time before.
The old bridges are fallen down or taken away. The power on the canal
was utilized for manufacturing purposes, but after it was abandoned the
mills became useless and were also abandoned or removed.
A large frame grist-mill was built on the canal, three-fourths of a mile
above Edenburg, in 1843, by James and John Raney, but was not operated
after the canal was abandoned.
John Angel built a grist-mill about 1825, on a small run which empties
into the Mahoning, one-and-a-half miles above Edenburg. He also had a
distillery a short distance above, on the same side of the river.
William Walters afterwards owned the mill. A grist-mill was built at a
very early day by some of the McWilliams family, near the mouth of
Coffee Run. After 1837 it was abandoned.
TOWN OF EDENBURG.
The first settler on the land where Edenburg now stands was probably
Jacob Cremer. He sold the land to James Park. Crawford White laid out
the town in August, 1824, and sold the lots at auction.
There has been some dispute over the name of the town, and we give both
stories as to its origin as they are told. One is that William McFate,
who bought the first lot in the place, had the privilege, for so doing,
of naming the town, and called it "Edinburg," after his native city in
Scotland. The other is that it was named "Edenburg" by Mr. White, when
he laid it out, owing to its fancied resemblance to the "Garden of
Eden," with its rich soil and beautiful location. The latter is by far
the most probable reason, and was no doubt the origin of the name, as
the man who laid it out would be most apt to give it a name. Therefore,
we write it "Edenburg," although the other form is in frequent use to
this day.
James Park lived in a log house which stood just back of the spot
occupied by the brick house owned some years ago by Hiram Park. In 1825
his brother, John Park, built a brick house on the spot later occupied
by that of Hiram Park. This was afterwards torn away and the present
residence erected.
John Park went to Illinois, resided for some time in Chicago, and
finally died at Joliet, Ills., near which city he was living on a farm.
In 1849 Mr. Park's son-in-law, James Raney, purchased the grist-mill
erected by him on the Mahoning about 1831. He built a dam, also a
saw-mill. The grist-mill contained three run of stone. Mr. Raney built a
warehouse on the canal, and also erected two dwellings. In 1852 he sold
the whole property to Samuel and Matthew Park, and it afterwards passed
through various hands and for many years did a large custom business.
Thomas Covert opened the first store in the place. It stood near the
corner of the "Diamond," and was a frame building, part of it being
occupied by him as a dwelling. He afterwards built a fine brick
residence, with a store in one part, and for a time owned a foundry in
the village. This building and the old one were burned down and the
foundry long ago abandoned.
John Park started the first shoe-shop, working in the brick house which
he built in 1825. He afterwards moved several times, and finally erected
a large building, 80x30 feet, on the main street, in which he carried on
quite an extensive business. John Welch was the first blacksmith.
G. McMullen probably kept the first hotel. Like most of the early
hotels, its principal source of profit was from its bar.
James Park started the first broom-factory. The business has since been
carried on by John D. Raney, William Hoover and others. Mr. Hoover's
father John Hoover came from Franklin County, Pennsylvania, in 1817, and
located a little southwest of what is now Edenburg. He lived there until
1868, when he removed to Sandusky [p. 252] County, Ohio, where he
afterwards died.
The first school in Edenburg was taught by John Davis, in the Methodist
Episcopal Church, about 1830. Before that the nearest schools were at
Mount Jackson, "Hill Town," and other places, several miles away.
A post-office was established here about 1840. The first postmaster was
Samuel Richards. Dr. Cotton held it next, and Arney Biddle third. Mr.
Biddle had opened a general store in the village, and when he was
appointed (April 2, 1844) he kept the post-office in his store.
A few oil wells were formerly worked along the river on both sides, but
never proved very profitable.
THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH
of Edenburg was organized about 1822, and their first church, a brick
edifice, built in 1826. This building was afterwards abandoned and torn
down, and the present neat edifice erected. During the past year some
$1,500 have been expended in repairs and the church now is one of the
finest in the neighborhood. The first Methodist class was composed of
Henry Zuver and Peggy, his wife, and his daughters, Nancy, Katy and
Betsey. Phillip Lamb and Hannah, his wife, William and John Lamb, his
sons, and Maria and Susan, his daughters; Jane Biddle (wife of Arney
Biddle), John Hoover and Polly, his wife, and "Mother" Warner.
One of the first preachers was Bilious O. Plympton, who traveled the
circuit and preached only four or five times a year in a place. A man
named Luccock also preached to them early, and was a prominent man among
the Methodists.
A Sabbath-school was organized about 1825, and has been kept up most of
the time since.
The following have held the pastorate of this church since 1877: Nathan
Morris, 1877-1878; D. W. Wampler, 1878-1880; J. K. Mendenhall,
1880-1882; J. L. Mechlin, 1882-1885; R. A. Buzza, 1885-1890; S. E.
Winger, 1890-1892; Washington Hollister, 1892-1893; W. A. Merriam, who
came in 1893 and died during the same year; S. L. Mills, who finished
the year 1893; H. H. Bair, 1894-1896; M. B. Riley, 1896-1900; A. C.
Locke 1900-1905, and R. W. Skinner the present pastor. The church
membership is now about 154, and the Sabbath-school about 150. The
official members are Z. T. Robinson, William Landis, C. S. McCullough,
S. C. Wagoner, Holland Shaffer, Wayne Lamm, F. S. Webb, Charles
Robinson, Joseph Baskline, B. W. Cover, S. O. Cover, D. M. Hoffmaster
and Myron Simon.
"In the vicinity have been picked up gun-flints, oxydized bullets,
flattened and battered; old gun-locks and gun-barrels, bayonets, etc.,
which would seem to indicate that severe fighting occurred here at some
period. Many bones have also been found. Near the town was a burial
ground, containing among other relics an interesting mound, originally
some fifty feet in circumference, and about six feet high. This mound
was examined some years since and found to contain several layers of
human skeletons. Flag-stones were placed in regular order around the
bodies, and the whole covered with earth. Near by were quite a large
number of bodies buried separately. Large numbers of flint chips and
arrow-heads have been picked up in the vicinity. The location of the
village was on the south side of the Mahoning, the principal part being
below the present village of Edenburg and close to the river."
Christian Frederick Post, the Moravian missionary, who visited this
region in 1758, in advance of Forbes' army, says the town contained at
that time ninety houses and 200 able warriors. Post persuaded the
principal chief, Pak-an-ke, or King Beaver, to visit the "Forks," now
Pittsburg, where a great conference was held on the ground where
Allegheny City now stands. Twelve years later, in 1770, at the request
of Pak-an-ke, the Moravians [p. 253] removed from their settlement at
Lannunak-hannuk, on the Allegheny River, and settled on the Big Beaver,
five miles below New Castle, near the present site of Moravia Station.
Further reference to their labors may be found in the chapter on
Religious Development.
OLD INDIAN VILLAGE OF KUSH-KUSH-KEE.
Some authorities have located this village at the mouth of the Mahoning,
on the Big Beaver, and others still farther down, between that and
Moravia. But the evidence points strongly to the site of Edenburg, as
the location of this once famous Indian town. It is at least certain
there was a village where Edenburg stands, which was divided into two
parts, one a short distance farther up the river than the other, and in
the memory of the "oldest inhabitants," the Indians who lived here were
called "Kush-kush-kians." Local residents can still remember when the
old war-post stood near the village of Edenburg, or in the edge of it,
with the marks of the tomahawks still upon it, looking almost as fresh
as when the Indians first circled around it and performed their
grotesque war-dances.
The Indians did not all leave their beautiful home until some time after
the country was settled by the whites, and the wonder is not great,
because Kush-kush-kee, with its beautiful valley and silvery stream,
together with the "hills piled on hills," and the grand old forest, had
long been their abiding place.
HILLSVILLE.
A man named Donot was probably the first settler on the ground where
Hillsville now stands. He sold the land to Peter or Abraham Hoover, and
finally it became the property of John Hill, who laid out the town,
October 15, 1824, and called it Hillsburgh, which name has since been
changed by use or otherwise to Hillsville. It is generally called "Hill
Town." Mr. Hill was a tailor and kept the first tailor shop in the place.
The first house built on the new town plat was put up by one McGowan. It
was a frame building and stood at the crossroads in the southern part of
the town. McGowan kept a store in his house, it being the first one in
town. A man named Moss kept the second one in the same house.
Some time before the town was laid out, a log schoolhouse was built half
a mile south. The first blacksmith shop in the place was started by
Christopher Rummel. The first wagon shop was opened by George Sell,
about 1830-32. David Stevens was the first shoemaker.
A post-office was established soon after the town was laid out, and
David Stevens was probably the first postmaster. After him came James
Caldwell, David McBride, David McCreary, William Duff, William Mitchell,
Chauncey Meeker, Jacob Burke and others. William Gilmore is at the
present time postmaster and leading general merchant.
The Methodist Episcopal Society organized originally about 1820, and a
church was built of logs about the time the town was laid out (1824). It
stood on a lot given by John Zuver. The first preacher was probably Rev.
Bilious O. Plympton, who preached also at Edenburg. About 1855, meetings
under the old organization were suspended. May 19, 1867, a new class was
organized by Rev. J. F. Hill, then in charge of the Mount Jackson
circuit. A frame church was built in 1869.
Hillsville is situated in the midst of a comparatively level country,
covered with fine improvements, and populated by a wealthy, intelligent
and progressive class of people. Around it are extensive quarries of
limestone, which is and has been extensively used in smelting. There are
three limestone companies in operation at Hillsville, namely: Gilmore &
Johnson; Union Limestone Company, and the Lake Erie Limestone Company.
George W. Van Fleet, of New Bedford, is secretary of the two last
mentioned. Clarence M. [p. 254] Duff is local superintendent of the
Union Limestone Company.
Hillsville has always been noted for the enterprise of its citizens and
is equal in that respect to any town of its size in the country. The
timber around has been nearly all cut away, however, and the want of it
will at no distant day be felt.
The Zoar Baptist Church of Hillsville, in Mahoning Township, was
organized January 17, 1842, with thirteen members, as follows: John
Faddis, Isaac Faddis, Sarah Faddis, Hannah Faddis, William Henderson,
Sarah Henderson, Isabel Irwin, Rachel S. Kincaid, William Williams,
Benjamin Williams, Mary Williams, Edward Wright, Abagail Wright.
Its first pastor was Rev. Rees Davis, who commenced his labors in 1842
and served until 1851, being succeeded by Rev. D. C. Clouse. From its
organization, in 1842, the congregation worshiped for some three years
in various places?in private houses, at one time in a barn, at another
in a wagon shop, in a schoolhouse, and in an old church near Hillsville,
as opportunity afforded or convenience dictated. In 1845 the society
erected a church edifice at a cost of about two thousand dollars. The
church has had an interesting history under its various pastors and has
done its full share in the development of the county.
The Harbor United Presbyterian Church was organized either in 1851 or
1852, probably 1852, in the fall, by Rev. R. A. Browne, D. D. The
original congregation had in the neighborhood of forty members. A frame
building was erected in 1854, on ground obtained from John McFate, who
gave a lease for twenty-five years. His heirs renewed the lease in 1876,
to last as long as the land shall be used for church purposes. A part of
the lot is occupied by the graveyard. The first regular pastor was Rev.
William G. Reed, who was installed about 1853, previous to the erection
of the church, and preached in the schoolhouse until the church was
built. His pastorate continued for several years, and, after he left the
church was supplied by A. M. Black, of New Wilmington, and others. Rev.
T. W. Winter was installed as second pastor about 1860, and remained
till near the close of the war. Subsequently the church was supplied by
various pastors.
The Christian Church was organized by Rev. Abraham Sanders some time
between 1828 and 1832. Their first meetings were held in John Park's
house at Edenburg. A frame church on the hill north of Edenburg was
built in 1850-51, principally through the efforts of John D. Raney and
David Stanley. After Rev. Mr. Sanders left, a minister named John Henry
came from Youngstown, Ohio, and preached; also another one named Flick.
Among the early pastors were Revs. Thomas Munnell, Finney, Applegate,
Perky and others. The original congregation was made up of the Stanleys,
Raneys, Parks, Baldwins, Carpenters, and others, and numbered from
thirty to forty people altogether.
MAHONING UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CONGREGATION?1799-1876.
This congregation, with their church, located about two miles northeast
of Lowell, Ohio, and in Mahoning Township, Lawrence County,
Pennsylvania, was organized about 1799?certainly not later than, 1800.
The settlements out of which it sprung were made in the year 1893, and
soon after. They were composed of both branches (Associate and Associate
Reformed) of the Bible Psalmody Presbyterians. For a number of years
prior to the organization of the congregation, prayer meetings were held
from house to house throughout the community. The first sermon preached
in the bounds of the congregation by an Associate minister was delivered
on the old Captain Thompson farm.
On the day fixed for the Presbyterian family to meet and organize and
call a pastor, the Associates, mustering their [p. 255] forces from a
greater distance than did their Associate Reformed brethren, and
therefore outnumbering them, it was organized an Associate congregation,
and an Associate minister was called. However, in or about the year
1808, the Associate members removed their place of worship to the
present site of Deer Creek United Presbyterian Church, near New Bedford,
Pa., when the Associate Reformed members took possession of Mahoning
Church, and held it until the union of the two branches in 1858, since
which time it has stood in the ranks of the United Presbyterians.
Rev. W. T. McConnell served as pastor of Mahoning United Presbyterian
Church from 1873 to 1883; Rev. A. P. Hutchinson, 1885 to 1892; Rev. J.
W. Birnley, 1893 to 1899, and Rev. M. B. Patterson from 1901 to the
present time. The present membership of the church is ninety-seven; of
the Sabbath-school, 102; Young People's Christian Union, thirty-two;
Ladies' Missionary Society, fourteen, and Junior Missionary Society,
about twenty. The church elders are: J. B. Moore, W. H. McCall and T. J.
Carlisle. James J. Lowry, who died a short time ago, was an elder in the
church for about forty years.
QUAKERTOWN.
The first settler on the ground where Quakertown now stands was probably
Septimus Cadwallader, who came from near Brownsville, Pa., somewhere in
the neighborhood of 1800, possibly not until 1804. He settled on a
400-acre tract, and built a frame house very near where the present
stone house stands on the old place, at the foot of the hill, on the
bank of the river. Mr. Cadwallader had worked at the milling business at
his old home, and when he arrived in Mahoning Township he built a
grist-mill on the Mahoning, a short distance north of his house. The
mill was a frame structure, and was afterward moved away from the river
and set on the stream which he called "Falling Spring" run, near the
falls now known as Quakertown Falls. After moving the mill he put in a
carding machine, which he operated for some time. Mr. Cadwallader,
Benjamin Sharpless and Talbot Townsend, all three of whom settled here,
were Quakers, and from this circumstance the place became known as
Quakertown. Mr. Sharpless came in 1808, and Mr. Townsend probably
shortly before.
John Shearer was also one of the early comers, and had a fulling-mill on
the brow of the hill, on the run, and afterwards moved it to another
location a little southeast. Mr. Cadwallader had a linseed-oil mill, and
some other parties built a grist-mill on the run at the foot of the
hill, and Mr. Cadwallader probably built a saw-mill also. An old
grist-mill is now standing at the top of the hill, probably built by
Cadwallader and his son-in-law, Sharpless. It is now abandoned and
falling to pieces, as are all the others. The wheel in this is
twenty-eight feet in diameter. A mile up the stream one or two other
grist-mills and saw-mills were built.
Mr. Cadwallader's son, Septimus, Jr., built a tannery early, and about
1830 another one was started by Mifflin Cadwallader, who, after running
it a year or two, took in George W. Jackson, of Pittsburg, as a partner.
These are the only tanneries ever located in the place. Nothing is now
left of any of the mills or tanneries, except, in a few instances, old
decaying frames.
A bridge was built across the Mahoning, nearly opposite the Cadwallader
stone-house, about 1832, but it had too many piers, and the ice gorged
and carried it away the next winter.
MILITARY.
In the War of 1812 the following residents of Mahoning Township served:
Stewart, Alexander Wright, out three months at Erie; John, and probably
David and Nathaniel McBride; John was taken sick on the way to Erie, and
was obliged [p. 256] to return; Joseph Ashton served as major. Joseph
Brown was Adjutant of Militia before the war, and, during it, went to
Erie, as did also Joseph Cadwallader.
A volunteer rifle company was organized at Edenburg, about 1838-9.
Alexander Miller, Thomas Covert and John D. Raney served at different
times as captains of the company, which had at one time in the
neighborhood of one hundred members. The uniform was white pants, red
sash, red and white plume. They were armed with common rifles.
Another rifle company was organized at Hillsville, and drilled under the
militia law of the State for several years; was organized about 1835 to
1840.
During the rebellion Mahoning Township furnished her share of troops for
the grand army which marched to the "sunny South," and left so many of
its members in death's embrace, on gory fields where they fought and
fell, that the Union they loved might remain unbroken.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NESHANNOCK TOWNSHIP.
[Original land warrants and patents can be seen on the Survey Maps,
and
land owners can be seen on the 1872 Atlas.
]
[p. 256] This township forms a part of what was one of the original
townships of Mercer County, of the same name, in 1805. The territory at
that time included at least three of the present townships in both
Mercer and Lawrence Counties, embracing over one hundred square miles.
It was one of the thirteen original townships of Lawrence County, and
then included the whole of Hickory Township, with portions of Union and
Pollock Townships, the latter now included in the city of New Castle.
The present township includes an area of about eighteen square miles, or
11,520 acres. It is bounded on the north by Wilmington and Pulaski
Townships; on the west by Pulaski, Mahoning and Union; on the east by
Hickory Township, and on the south by the city of New Castle and Union
Township. It is comparatively level in the central and northern
portions, but more broken and abrupt as it approaches the Shenango and
Neshannock Rivers. There are no streams of much magnitude. On the west
side of the township are Fisher's and Camp runs, and on the east are two
small creeks flowing into the Neshannock. There are considerable
bottom-lands on the Shenango and Neshannock Rivers, which are rich and
productive. Numerous springs abound in all parts of the township, and
the water is excellent. Of minerals it has a large share. The greater
portion of the township is underlaid with coal, which has been
extensively mined in the central portions, particularly in the
neighborhood of Coal Centre. Fisher's Run rises in the coal region, and
its waters are colored red by oxydes from its source to its mouth.
Potter's clay abounds, and on the Watson property a pottery was
successfully worked for many years. Sandstone is very abundant along the
valleys of the two rivers, and a stratum of limestone is found in the
southern portion of the township. Iron ore is also abundant. Brick clay
is found in many places. The workable coal lies about fifty feet below
the surface, and is about four feet in thickness. The northern margin of
the coal lies under a stratum of slate rock about twenty feet thick,
while the south end of the basin underlies a stratum of sandstone of
about the same thickness.
A second stratum of coal lies about sixty feet below the first, and has
a thickness of some three feet. This has been worked very little. Lying
between the two is a very pure vein of coal, but only about eighteen
inches in thickness.
The limestone formation lies at about the same elevation as the coal. A
thin stratum of this stone at the bottom underlies the iron ore.
The coal lies in a nearly horizontal position with a slight declination
to the southwest. The bottom of the workable vein is somewhat
undulating. A narrow-gauge railway for the transportation of coal runs
from New Castle into the center of this township. The township also
produces [p. 257] the iron known as "blue ore," the vein being from six
to eighteen inches in thickness.
There is fine water-power up the Neshannock at Jordan's mills, perhaps
the best on that stream. There are no towns or villages of any
considerable importance, with the exception of the mining town of Coal
Centre, of which notice will be found on another page.
The improvements are generally good, and there are some very fine
residences. Two of the main roads from New Castle to Mercer pass through
this township; one by way of the Old Shenango Church and New Wilmington,
and the other a mile and a half east, passing through the village of
Fayetteville, in Wilmington township. The last mentioned was the first
one opened, and was traveled extensively until the other was opened,
which, being somewhat shorter, took off much of the travel.
EARLY SETTLERS.
One of the first settlers in Neshannock Township was Thomas Fisher, who
came from Westmoreland County, according to the statements of Rev.
Thomas Greer, in November, 1798, in company with David Riley, a young
man then living with Fisher. Each man had a gun and an axe, and a couple
of dogs accompanied them. They encamped the first night in the present
Lawrence County, at a point about four miles above where New Castle now
stands, on Camp Run, near the Shenango River. They constructed a cabin
of poles, and built a fire outside, using the cabin to sleep in, for
fear of the wolves, which were so plenty they were obliged to take their
dogs inside to save them from destruction by the ravenous beasts. It
would appear that after selecting lands in the neighborhood, Fisher and
Riley returned to Westmoreland County, where they staid over winter, and
in the spring of 1799 removed to the valley of the Shenango. They came
by way of the Youhiogheny, Monongahela and Ohio Rivers, and thence up
the Beaver River in canoes, bringing a few effects with them. Mr. Fisher
was married, but had no children. A young woman by the name of Rebecca
Carroll lived with the family, and came with them. Mr. Fisher also had a
sister, who either came at the same time or some time afterwards, and
remained with them until her death. Mr. Fisher purchased several farms
in the vicinity, and improved them more or less, raising several crops
without fencing. He brought along quite a number of fruit trees, which
he planted. The Indians were quite plenty in those days, but were
peaceable and disturbed no one. About 1808 or 1810 Mr. Fisher sold his
property on "Camp Run," where he first settled, to Rev. William Young,
and purchased land about three miles above New Castle, on a small stream
now known as "Fisher's Run," and erected a saw-mill, and afterwards a
grist-mill, about forty rods from the Shenango River, at the place where
the "Harbor" road crosses the run. The exact date of the building of
these mills is not known, but it was somewhere from 1806 to 1810.
Some years after their settlement Mr. Fisher and his wife started on a
journey to visit friends in Westmoreland county, and Mrs. Fisher died
suddenly on the road. They were alone, and Mr. Fisher "waked" the corpse
in a waste-house by the roadside all night. After his wife's death two
nieces kept house for him. Their names were McDowell. He lived on this
place until his death, which occurred February 28, 1848, at the age of
eighty-four years. He was found dead in his bed and was buried in the
little cemetery at King's Chapel. He was a very pleasant and affable
man, and a general favorite in the community. Before his death he gave
David Riley and Rebecca Carroll, the latter of whom afterwards married
Samuel Farrer, each one hundred acres of land.
John Fisher, a nephew of Thomas, was born at Ligonier, Westmoreland
County, Pennsylvania, in 1788. In 1809 he removed to what is now
Lawrence County. He took [p. 258] charge of his uncle's saw-mill, and
operated it for some years. His son, Thomas Fisher, the 3d, named for
his grand-uncle, was born at the mills in 1809, a short time after he
came. Mr. Fisher was a practical surveyor, and had set his compass and
planted his "Jacob's staff" in all parts of Lawrence County. John Fisher
raised a company and took it to the field during the war of 1812-15.
About the year 1817 he and his uncle Thomas erected a fuling and
carding-mill at Eastbrook, now in Hickory Township, on the "Hettenbaugh
Run," which was operated until about 1827. Captain John Fisher lived at
Eastbrook until his death in 1841.
The Pearsons were early settlers in this township. The family is a very
extensive one, and were originally Quakers, who came over from England
with the celebrated William Penn in 1682. Johm Pearson, grandfather of
James, Thomas, Charles, Johnson and George Pearson, together with his
son George made a visit to the West in the fall of 1803, coming all the
way from Darby, seven miles from Philadelphia, in Delaware County, where
they resided, on horseback, through Washington, Beaver and Mercer
Counties, and returning by way of Pittsburg. The old gentleman purchased
altogether, in what is now Neshannock Township, about one thousand acres
of land. It was most probably during this visit that the old gentleman
donated about two acres of land for church and burial purposes where the
United Presbyterian Church stands. He granted the land upon conditions
that it should be well kept and substantially fenced. The old gentleman
never resided in Lawrence County, but made frequent visits to his lands,
which included the coal lands on the Peebles' farm and a
two-hundred-acre tract some two miles farther north, where Bevan Pearson
first settled about 1804. The latter afterwards removed to Mercer, where
he held several offices in the new county. George Pearson afterwards
settled on two hundred acres of his father's land. He soon afterwards
purchased a tract containing one hundred acres of one McClaren, and soon
after purchased another tract of the same amount of another McClaren.
The McClarens were from Ireland, and settled here at an early day.
Subsequently, George Pearson left this section and lived in Charleston,
S. C., for several years. After his return he married Miss Sarah
Reynolds, daughter of James Revnolds, who was also a Quaker. It is
customary among these people to publish the intentions of a couple
wishing to marry in the "meeting" for some time previous to the
marriage. In this instance there was no Quaker "meeting" within many
miles, and the only roads were bridle paths, and so the young couple
made a virtue of necessity and employed Ezekiel Sankey, Esq., father of
Ezekiel and Daniel Sankey, to perform the ceremony, without waiting for
preliminaries, and the necessary arrangements were soon made and the
"twain were made one flesh" at the house of Jesse Du Shane, in New
Castle. This was about the year 1810. The Quakers in the eastern part of
the State, hearing of this violation of their rules, sent a deputation
to the new settlement to persuade them that they had done a great wrong,
and must confess before "meeting" and have the ceremony performed a
second time, according to Quaker usage. But the young people concluded
they had committed no great fault and so refused to comply. They were
accordingly solemnly read out of the society.
Mr. Pearson lived on his farm in this township until about 1855, when he
came to New Castle, where he afterwards died at the age of ninety-three
years. He was a soldier in the War of 1812, and was out in Captain John
Junkin's Company?"Mercer Blues"?who were with Harrison on the Maumee and
Sandusky Rivers. After his return he was twice called out to Erie. It is
not known whether he held a commission or not, but it is probable. He
[p. 259] went once as a substitute for his brother Thomas. He afterward
received a land-warrant for his services, which he located in Hancock
County, Illinois.
Marinus King and his family, from Bellefonte, Centre County,
Pennsylvania, settled in the Fisher neighborhood about 1803. "King's
Chapel" was named in his honor, he being one of the prominent members.
He raised a family of seven sons and two daughters.
David Riley, heretofore spoken of, lived with Thomas Fisher until 1807,
when he married Sarah Richards, and improved the farm adjoining Fisher's.
Mr. Riley raised two children?a son and daughter. The latter afterwards
became the wife of Rev. Thomas Green. Mr. Riley died September 18, 1870,
aged eighty-five years, and Mrs. Riley on the 20th of February, 1872,
aged ninety-one years. They had lived together sixty-three years. In
their old age they were taken care of by their son-in-law, Mr. Greer.
Samuel Ferver came to this location from Beaver Falls in 1806. He was a
millwright by trade, and erected one or both of Thomas Fisher's mills.
He married Rebecca Carroll in 1808, and lived on the farm adjoining
those of David Riley and Thomas Fisher until his death, March 15, 1862.
His wife was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for over fifty
years. They raised a family of seven children?six boys and a girl. Rev.
William Young came at an early day, probably about 1806-7. He was a
native of Ireland, and came from Centre County to this township. He was
a great preacher of the Methodist Episcopal Church, a man of talent and
a very acceptable minister among the people. He died in 1829, aged
seventy-four years. Robert McGeary, from Virginia, settled in the
township about 1803, and remained until his death, at the age of
ninety-two years. He left a large and respectable family.
Lot and William Watson, brothers, came from Centre County, Pennsylvania,
and settled in this township about 1806-08, on lots numbers 1854 and
1855. William built the large stone house about 1810-12, and Lot put up
a good brick residence some years later upon his farm adjoining on the
south. For some years after their arrival they lived in log cabins. They
were both out in the War of 1812. Lot Watson, son, of William, held a
State appointment on the Philadelphia and Columbia Railway in 1856. Both
the Watsons raised large and respectable families. William Richards,
before mentioned, came, according to Mr. Green, in 1802, from Centre
County, Pennsylvania, with his family, consisting of his wife and seven
children, three sons and four daughters, and two sons-in-law, and
located in the King's Chapel neighborhood, where the family settled near
each other.
Mr. Richards was a Revolutionary soldier, and an exhorter in the
Methodist Episcopal Church. He was a large and commanding-looking man,
and possessed of more than ordinary talent. He died in 1839. His wife
survived him only a short time. They are both buried in the King's
Chapel cemetery. His son-in-law, Robert Simonton, came with him and
lived in the township some twenty years, when he removed to Neshannock
Falls, now in Wilmington Township, or near there, where he lived until
his death, at the age of about eighty years. He raised a family of five
children.
John Rea, another son-in-law of Mr. Richards, who also came with him,
was a blacksmith by trade, and settled in the neighborhood, where he
reared the premium family of twenty children, and died at the age of
eighty years.
Hance Greer, father of Rev. Thomas and John Greer, came originally from
County Fermanagh, Ireland, to America in 1804, and first settled at
Noblestown, Allegheny County, about twelve miles from Pittsburg, on
Chartier's Creek. In 1810 he removed to Sewickley Bottom, where he
resided [p. 260] until 1826, when he again removed to Zelienople, Butler
County, Pennsylvania, where he died in 1848.
John Greer, his second son, settled in Neshannock Township in the fall
of 1821, with his wife and two children. He built a house and moved into
it in March, 1822.
Mr. Greer, being a man of good ability and an energetic business man,
acquired a handsome property. He was quite a prominent member of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, and he filled the office of steward at
King's Chapel for many years. He lived with his son, William Y. Greer, a
well-known citizen and business man. His daughter, Mrs. William Ferver,
lived near him. She raised a family of six children, four sons and two
daughters.
Thomas Greer, the youngest son, came in 1830, and settled on a small
farm near his brother. He was a blacksmith by trade, and a man of energy
and great industry, and very successful in acquiring property. His
children, three daughters and one son, settled around him. He held
several positions of honor and trust in the Methodist Episcopal
Church?was one of the early class leaders, and was local preacher for
twenty-seven years.
Frederick Rheinholt, from Germany, settled in the township in 1828. He
was a shrewd son of the "Fatherland" and accumulated property with the
proverbial thrift of the Teuton. He died March 30, 1874, aged
seventy-four years. He raised a family of three sons and five daughters.
James Stackhouse and family, accompanied by his son-in-law, Andrus
Chapin and wife, settled in the township in 1834. They were all members
of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Stackhouse died in 1868, aged
ninety-five years. His wife died a short time before. They, like many
other of the early settlers, are buried at King's Chapel. Mr. Chapin
died September 24, 1870, aged sixty-six years. He was twice married, and
reared a large family of children. William Hunt settled in 1830,
bringing his aged mother with him. He raised a family of four sons and
two daughters, and gathered a handsome property around him. He died in
1851, and is buried at King's Chapel. His family were members of the
Methodist Episcopal Church.
Ebenezer Donaldson settled in the township in March, 1819, just after
the "big snow" of that winter (1818-19). His cousin, Isaac Donaldson,
came some time previous to the War of 1812 and was out at Erie during
that war. Both the Donaldsons were from Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania.
Robert Reynolds, from near Hagerstown, Md., came to what is now Taylor
Township, Lawrence county, in 1804, and located near what is now
Lawrence Junction, where he remained about one year, when he removed to
Neshannock Township, and settled on the Neshannock Creek, about four
miles above New Castle, in 1805. He bought a claim of 200 acres. Some
time previous to 1811 he purchased the 200-acre tract where the village
of Eastbrook now is, and about 1813 sold it to Thomas Fisher, 1st. He
served in the War of 1812, most probably in Captain John Fisher's
company. He returned from the army in feeble health. About 1819 he
purchased a farm on the old county line, two miles east of New Castle,
and removed his family to it. Here he died in 1873, at the age of ninety
years, surviving his wife about five years. This couple reared twelve
children?eight sons and four daughters. When Mr. Reynolds left the old
place in Neshannock Township he rented it for a few years, and then his
sons, John F. and William F., purchased it, paying the old gentleman $10
per acre for it. John F. Reynolds built a "still-house" about 1824, and
carried on the business for six or seven years. He afterwards, about
1835, sold his interest in the property to his brother, and removed to
New Castle, and engaged in the business of tanning with his brother
Robert, but after a short partnership, finding it less profitable than
he anticipated, he [p. 263] sold to Robert and purchased a farm of
ninety-four acres, then in Shenango Township, afterwards in Pollock
Township, and now in the Fifth Ward of the city of New Castle. Joseph B.
always lived in New Castle, where he held the office of Justice of the
Peace. He died several years ago. Isaac lived on his father's place,
east of New Castle, until his death. Michael, the twin brother of
Joseph, also lived in New Castle until his death. Peter studied medicine
and practiced on the eastern shore of Maryland. The sisters, Nancy,
Mary, Ann and Christy Ann, are all dead.
John Moore, from near New Castle, in the State of Delaware, settled on a
portion of tract No. 1859 about the year 1804. He had a wife and two
children at the time of his settlement. Altogether he raised a family of
seven children?three sons and four daughters. John Moore was a
Revolutionary soldier in the American army. He was a drummer, and had a
brother in the service who was a fifer. Their father was also an officer
in the army and served through the war. The sons received warrants for
their service, and John sold his warrant and located his brother's on
the land where he settled. He lived on the place until his death, August
15, 1842. He went with Captain John Fisher's company to Erie during the
War of 18l2, and received a land warrant of one hundred and sixty acres
for his services. The land where he located in 1804 was a fine tract,
gently sloping towards the southwest, well timbered and having a great
number of copious springs in various parts of it.
Alexander Hawthorne purchased the tract No. 1825, next north of Mr.
Moore, about 1805-6. He lived for some years at New Castle, but built a
house and barn on the land and put on a tenant. Some years later he
removed to his farm and lived upon it until his death, in 1864. David
Adams settled on tract No. 1852, about 1825. He had purchased the tract
some time before, and leased it to one Robert Sankey. Adams sold and
removed to the neighborhood of Petersburg, Ohio, somewhere between 1835
and 1840.
Martin Hardin, from the Eastern Shore, Maryland, settled on tract No.
1836, about 1811-12, and made the first improvements, though he never
owned the land. One S. R. Smith was the owner, and he allowed Hardin to
cultivate it and make what he could, provided he kept up repairs and
paid, the taxes. Hardin was industrious and succeeded in accumulating
the wherewith to purchase a farm, to which he removed, and remained upon
it until his death.
John Maitland, from east of the mountains, came into the township at an
early day, and leased or rented land for several years. He finally
bought tract No. 1870 which had been occupied by one "Billy" Hosier, a
sort of squatter for a number of years. "Billy" had put up a cabin and
"destroyed considerable timber." Maitland moved upon the tract about
1830, and remained there until his death, about 1865.
Henry Falls purchased the two tracts, Nos. 1854 and 1855, at a very
early date, and afterwards, about 1806-8, sold them to the Watson
brothers, William and Lot, the latter l854 and William 1855.
John Young settled on tract No. 1863 as early as 1810. The east half of
this tract was owned by Dr. William Shaw, of New Castle. Young sold out
afterwards and removed to Hickory Township.
James Mitchell, from Franklin County, Pennsylvania, settled with his
family in this township about one mile north of the old Associate
Reformed Church, in 1806. He had three sons, William, Peter and Thomas.
William was married before he came here. Both the old gentleman and his
son, William, died soon after they settled. The old gentleman purchased
a farm for each of his sons, and they settled near him. Peter, the
second son, was married about 1815 to Sarah Wilson, daughter of Samuel
Wilson, who settled near New Wilmington, about 1806. Peter lived on his
place until his death, in 1843. He was [p. 264] a prominent member of
the United Presbyterian Church, and filled several township offices. He
had four sons, James, Wilson, William and John.
Thomas, third son of James, lived and died on a farm in the township,
where his family still reside. James (the old gentleman) owned and
operated a distillery when he lived in Franklin County, and wagoned his
liquor to Baltimore, where he sold it for gold. Traveling was sometimes
dangerous in those days, and he took the precaution. to bore an auger
hole in his wagon-axle, into which he put his gold, and then plugged up
the hole.
John Pomeroy, father of the late Judge Pomeroy, from Derry Township,
Westmoreland County, settled in the township in 1815.
The McGearys, McCrearys, and Gibsons were all early settlers.
William, the oldest son of James Mitchell, had three sons, Wilson, James
and Joseph. Wilson and James lived in New Castle. Joseph died on the old
farm about 1870. Wilson and James are also dead.
Peter Mitchell built his second house of hewed logs about 1826. It had
the first, or one of the first, shingle roofs in the township. All
others were made of clapboards.
EARLY MILLS.
James Reynolds, who had been connected with Joseph Townsend in the
erection of a grist-mill at the Narrows, on the Neshannock, as early as
1803, sold his interest to John Carlyle Stewart, about 1811, and removed
to the place now occupied by Jordan's mill, on the Neshannock Creek,
where he purchased a tract of 200 acres, covering the water power, it
being a part of Donation tracts Nos. 1897 and 1898?patented by the
State, October 18, 1786, to John Sullivan, a soldier of the
Revolutionary army, who assigned his patent to Richard North, in
September, 1795. North deeded to James Reynolds, March 31, 1812. At this
point, which is probably the finest water power on the creek, Reynolds
erected a grist and saw-mill. The gearing was mostly of wood. The
grist-mill contained two run of stone, made from material found in the
vicinity. The bolt was a primitive affair, and was turned by hand by
means of a crank. The mill was driven by a large breast-wheel.
Mr. Reynolds carried on the milling business until his death, which took
place about 1831-32. His heirs, by different deeds dated from 1833 to
1839, transferred the property to Frederick Zeigler, who tore away the
old grist-mill and built a new one, still standing. He also built the
large stone house on the hill, now, or lately, owned by George Reynolds.
The new grist-mill contained three run of burrs. In addition to his
other work, Zeigler built a distillery, which was in operation a good
many years, in connection with the grist mill. The business was finally
abandoned about 1855-56. Zeigler sold the property, September 3, 1850,
to William F. Reynolds, who built a new dam and tore down and rebuilt
the saw-mill in 1857. In May, 1868, he sold to John G. and Peter
Reynolds the mills and water power and forty-four acres of land. These
parties deeded the property to James Robinson, April 3, 1871. This
transfer probably included about seven acres of land, and the total
consideration was about $5,200. Henry Jordan purchased the property of
Robinson, May 1, 1875. Mr. Jordan rebuilt the dam in a most substantial
manner, and made extensive alterations and improvements in the grist and
saw-mills at an expense of over $2,000. The mill is now one of the best
in the country, and has long done a good business in both merchant and
custom work.
The New Castle & Franklin Railway crosses the creek at this place (where
the company has a station), on a truss bridge constructed of wood and
iron, and the creek is also spanned by a fine iron road-bridge near the
mills. The creek flows here [p. 265] in a deep, narrow gorge worn
through the rock, whose precipitous cliffs are overhung by a dense
growth of hemlock and other trees making a most picturesque and
enchanting locality.
Johnston Watson, son of William Watson, started a pottery on his farm
near the United Presbyterian Church about 1825, before his marriage. He
had learned the potter's trade of one White in Mercer County, and had
also worked at the business in Beaver County. The clay was found on
Isaac Gibson's place. The "slip clay" was brought from near Pulaski.
A coal mine was opened on Thomas Falls' land as early as 1845. Several
other mines have been worked out in this vicinity.
A small mining town called Coal Center sprung up around the shafts of
the New Castle Railroad & Mining Company. It has one or more churches, a
justice of the peace, two or three groceries, several blacksmith and
wagon shops, and some fifty or sixty dwellings.
SCHOOLS.
Some of the earliest schools in the township were taught on the Watson
and Baker farms, most probably in the dwellings, from 1812 to 1815. The
first teacher was Miss Sarah De Wolf, who taught in many parts of the
country, and was very popular, if we may judge from her record. Miss
Tidball was also one of the earliest teachers. A school was afterwards
opened in an empty house on the King farm, now owned by Thomas Greer.
This was taught by John Galbreath, in the years 18l6-17-19. A man named
Andrews succeeded Galbreath, and taught in the years 1820, 1821 and 1822.
A school building was erected on the Barker farm about forty rods east
of King's Chapel, where a school was taught by Samuel Richards in the
years 1823, 1824 and 1825. This building was unfortunately burned, but
the people soon managed to build another, in which James Watson taught
in 1826, and John Maitland in 1827. Mrs. Mary Maitland taught a select
school for young ladies, where they learned needle work in addition to
other things. She was a very successful teacher. About 1829-30, the
school building near by was moved upon the church lot at King's Chapel,
where one Gillespie taught in 1831 and 1332. In 1833 and 1834 William
Lockhart was the teacher, and John Mitchell also taught. A school was
taught in the Pomeroy neighborhood about 1820, by Thomas Gillespie, whom
the scholars of those days remember as a terrible fellow with the rod.
One Holloway and Robert Madge were also early teachers. About 1810-12 a
log school-house was built in the eastern part of the township, near
where John Graham now lives. The first teacher was a man named Stoops.
At this time (1908) there are seven schools in the township, all good,
substantial buildings of brick and stone, costing an average of $1,000
each. The total number of scholars is 338. Total expenditures, $4,078.61.
KING'S CHAPEL.
The Methodist Episcopal Society, known as "King's Chapel," claims the
honor of having been the first organization of this denomination in
Lawrence County. In 1802 William Richards came with his family from
Center County, Pennsylvania, accompanied by John Rea and Robert
Simonton, his son-in-law, and their wives, and settled in the
neighborhood of "King's Chapel." Mr. Richards was, a soldier in the
American army during the Revolutionary War. At the close of the war he
had engaged in the iron business at Bellefonte. He had been licensed as
an exhorter in the church previous to settlement in what is now the
county of Lawrence, and soon after his settlement commenced holding
religious meetings in his own house.
At that time Rev. Asa Shinn was the preacher on Shenango circuit, and
often preached in Mr. Richard's cabin. In 1803, [p. 266] George Askin
was on the circuit, and under his superintendence a class was formed in
the Richards neighborhood, consisting of William Richards and wife, Mary
Rea, Robert Simonton and wife, Rachel Fisher, Rebecca Carroll
(afterwards Mrs. Ferver), and Mrs. Warner. Several persons from Edenburg
joined the class, and, according to Hon. David Sankey, several others
from New Castle. A class was soon after formed by Mr. Richards at New
Castle, and meetings were held alternately at that place and at King's
Chapel. The first of these meetings were held in New Castle about 1810.
The following are the names of those constituting the class in New
Castle, according to Rev. Thomas Greer: Arthur Chenowith and wife, John
Bevin and wife, William Underwood and wife, Robert Wallace and wife, and
Phillip Painter and wife. Soon after they were joined by Michael Carman
and wife, and Mr. Carman was appointed leader.
Marinus King and family, from Center County, settled at King's Chapel in
1804, and joined the class. The meetings were held both at the house of
Richards and of Mr. King, in 1806 and 1807.
William Young and family joined the settlement at an early day and
united with the church. Mr. Young was also a licensed preacher and a man
of more than ordinary talents. Others came to the settlement, and soon
quite a large community were gathered here. The meetings were now held
at three places?Rev. Young's, Richards' and King's.
In 1821 John Greer and wife joined the settlement, from Sewickley,
Allegheny County. Mr. Greer had married a daughter of Rev. William
Young. He was appointed steward soon after his arrival, and his house
was made a preaching station alternately with the first three mentioned.
Some time afterwards a small building was erected on the ground where
King's Chapel now stands, which was used both for church and school
purposes.
Thomas Greer and wife came to this locality from Zelienople, Butler
County, in 1830. They had certificates from the church at that place,
and were received into the church at their new home. Mr. Greer was soon
after appointed class-leader and exhorter, which he held with great
success until 1852, when he was licensed as a local preacher. He also
held the office of ordained local elder for some years.
In 1835 a new and neat frame church was erected in the place of the old
one, 30x40 feet in size, which was occupied until 1856. During this
period of twenty-one years the church experienced a revival of religion
every year, with one or two exceptions. During the first session of the
Erie Conference, Rev. Bishop Hamlin preached at King's Chapel. The
session was held in New Castle, and Major Ezekiel Sankey brought the
Bishop out in a two-horse carriage, accompanied by quite a number of the
brethren from New Castle.
A large number were added to the church during the period between 1835
and 1856, and the house became too small to accommodate the wants of the
society. In 1856 the frame church was removed, and a brick structure
erected in its stead, 40x50 in dimensions. It was in this house that Ira
D. Sankey, the famous Gospel singer, recently deceased, made a public
confession of the Christian religion, and united with the society. Mr.
Sankey was converted under the labors of Rev. J. T. Boyles.
The congregation of King's Chapel replaced the church which had been
built in 1856, at a cost of $3,000; with a new one, more commodious and
modern, in 1899, containing an audience room and an apartment for
Sabbath School at a cost of about $5,000. The names of the pastors since
1877 are as follows: Nathaniel Morris, J. K. Mendenhall, D. W. Wampler,
J. L. Mechlin, C. M. Morse, C. W. Foulk, H. H. Blair, Frederic Fair, S.
L. Mills, J. C. A. Borland, H. W. Hunter, F. R. Yates and A. B. Smith,
the present pastor. The names of the church officers at present are:
[p. 267] Trustees, W. McQuiston, Frank B. Chapin, George Greer, F. W.
Hutchinson, Andrew McKay, Harry Green, David B. Reynolds, Miller Kegrise
and David R. Greer; stewards, J. R. Shearer, Harry Green, Eugene
Robinson, William McQuiston and D. R. Greer. James R. Shearer is
superintendent of the Sabbath School, which has about sixty members. The
number of church members is about 120.
A Methodist Episcopal church was built about 1884 or 1885, in what is
usually called Coal Center, on the eastern border of the township, and
Rev. A. B. Smith is pastor of this as well as King's Chapel. The Free
Methodist Church, in the center of the township, was built about 1891 or
1892, and of this Rev. J. Grill is pastor.
PRIMITIVE METHODIST CHURCH.
The Primitive Methodists first began to have meetings at Coal Centre
about 1866. The first local preachers were William Borle, Henry Blews,
Edward Blews, Jr., and Samuel Simon. The original society consisted of
about ten members. Rev. Thomas Dodd was the first itinerant who preached
here, about 1870. He staid only a short time. The second itinerant
preacher was Benjamin Barrar, who staid with the society for two years,
when he was succeeded by Rev. Thomas Bateman, who preached at Coal
Centre once a month. The society at one time numbered as high as twenty
members, but hard times and the consequent removal of some of the people
to other localities reduced it to a very small number. There is now no
organization in the township, the former members attending at New Castle.
SHENANGO CHURCH (UNITED PRESBYTERIAN).
The history of Shenango congregation was for about a quarter of a
century the history of almost the entire Associate Reformed Presbyterian
Church in the boundaries of what is now Lawrence County. To most of the
churches of this denomination Shenango stood in the relation of a mother
church.
The white frame-house of worship stands three and a quarter miles north
of New Castle, on the road to Mercer via New Wilmington. Around it stand
primeval oaks, and behind it slumber many of the dead that once
worshiped within its walls. The lot was donated for church and burial
purposes by John Pearson, of the Society of Friends, who had obtained
titles among the earliest to a large tract of land lying between
Shenango and Neshannock Creeks.
Of those who organized Shenango Church and constituted its early
membership none, perhaps, settled in the wilderness earlier than 1805-6.
The names of James Mitchell, Hugh Braham, John Cunningham, William S.
Rankin (afterwards of Mercer), Jean Sankey (wife of Ezekiel Sankey, and
grandmother of Ira D. Sankey, Mr. D. L. Moody's celebrated evangelistic
co-laborer), George Kelso, Dr. Alexander Gillfillan (settled in New
Castle in 1813), Robert McGeary, Mrs. Jane Cubbison, wife of James
Cubbison, with others, seem to have settled in 1806, or soon after, and
to have been from the first supporters, and then, or soon after,
communicants in the new organization. An occasional minister of the
Monongahela Presbytery, from the neighborhood of Fort Pitt, as the new
borough of Pittsburg was still called throughout the country, rode
through these and other opening settlements in Northwest Pennsylvania,
giving them an occasional Sabbath's or week-day's preaching. Among these
were Rev. John Riddell, D.D., and Rev. Mungo Dick, who were men of great
ability and learning. But it was not till 1811 that this community of
Associated Reform people received a pastor, and then his labors were
divided equally with Mercer and Mahoning congregations. How long before
this date the congregation was regularly organized, is not known. Their
first pastor, James Galloway, first preached to them and other new
stations [p. 268] in the Northwest, in the summer of 1810. His first
records extant show that in 1813 the session consisted of Hugh Braham,
John Cunningham and William S. Rankin; but James Mitchell, who died in
1812, had been an elder in Franklin County before his arrival, in 1806,
and was from the first, an earnest friend of the Shenango enterprise.
The next record of the eldership shows that in 1821, Rev. J. L.
Dinwiddie, ordained as elders, Peter Mitchell, son of James Mitchell,
and Walter Oliver, who had immigrated some years before to Shenango Valley.
James Galloway, the first pastor, and the earliest Associate Reformed
minister settled in Northwestern Pennsylvania, was born August 4th,
1786. His family removed that year from Big Cove, Bedford County, to
Mount Pleasant, Westmoreland County. He was born in the latter place. He
had graduated at Jefferson College in 1805, had entered for a legal
course in Greensburg, but, upon the death of his legal preceptor, had
placed himself as a candidate for the ministry under the Monongahela
Presbytery, and afterwards had enjoyed the excellent training for four
years of that distinguished theologian and pulpit orator, John M. Mason,
D.D., in the Associate Reformed Seminary in New York City. He was
licensed to preach, June 28th, 1810. He was eminently social in his
qualities, of lively wit, of tender sensibilities; in the pulpit
earnest, grave and edifying. His visit to the new settlements was most
acceptable. December 17th, a call was made out for him by the three
congregations of Mercer, Shenango and Mahoning. The Presbytery placed it
in his hands February, 1811. An appointment was made for his Ordination
and installation for April 10th, in the Shenango settlement. There was
as yet no church. The preaching had mostly been conducted hitherto in
Peter Mitchell's house or barn, which was already crowded with people,
many of the audience being from Mercer, fourteen miles north, and
Mahoning, thirteen miles west. Thus was ordained the first of a long
line of pastors in the Associate Reformed Church of this region and
placed officially by the Presbytery over their people in what now
comprises territorially the two entire counties of Mercer and Lawrence.
Under Mr. Galloway's ministry, the lot donated by John Pearson was
occupied by a small, log building, put up by the sturdy settlers in the
spring of 1812, and first used for worship before it was yet floored. On
this ground, in that year, the Lord's Supper was first dispensed. The
corners of this log building were four large boulders, which can still
be seen just north of the present church. When the latter was erected
the logs were removed to the northeast corner of the lot, and did
humbler service for years as a schoolhouse, which at last fell in disuse
and decay.
Mr. Galloway had hard service in so extensive a charge. He had to fill
his appointments often by crossing the Neshannock, Shenango and other
streams when they were swollen with rains; and not unfrequently did his
horse swim the Shenango, while his master, seated in a canoe, held the
bridle-reins. A deep-seated cold followed his preaching in wet clothes
upon one occasion after such exposure. He never got well, though he
continued his labors for months while gradually growing worse, till, in
April, 1818, he resigned his charge. The 21st of May he died. His home
had been in Mercer, and there he lies buried. His wife was Agnes Junkin,
whose father, Joseph Junkin, was one of the earliest members of his
Mercer congregation. They were married March 12, 1812, by his
brother-in-law, Rev. George Buchanan, Associate Reformed pastor in
Steubenville, Ohio. They had three sons, two of whom survived him, and
one of whom, nineteen years later, succeeded him in the pastorate of
Shenango. Mrs. Buchanan and Mrs. Galloway were sisters of Dr. D. X.
Junkin, once pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of New Castle.
The second pastor, Rev. James L. Dinwiddie, [p. 269] D.D., was ordained
and installed over the Shenango and Mercer congregations, at Mercer,
November 22, 1820. He was born in Adams County, February 23, 1796, and
had pursued his college studies, but without being graduated, at
Washington College. After Dr. Matthew Brown, President of Washington,
became president of Jefferson College, the board of the latter conferred
the honorary degree of A.B. upon him, and at a later date the degree of
D.D. These honors were well bestowed. He was one of the most finished
scholars of his church. He was a man of brilliant mind, of perfect
address socially, and in the pulpit eloquent. It was a sad day in
Shenango Church when, after a ministry of thirteen and a half years, he
preached his last sermon, preparatory to the acceptance of a call in
Philadelphia (Sixth Presbyterian Church). This Philadelphia charge he
resigned seven years afterwards, rejoined the Presbytery in which he was
ordained, and became pastor of the Second Associate Reformed Church, of
Pittsburg, and professor of Biblical Literature and Sacred Criticism in
the Theological Seminary, Allegheny. His pastorate in Pittsburg, after a
term of two years, was relinquished in April, 1844, to devote himself
more entirely to his professorship, to which he had been elected
September 13, 1843. In the midst of his labors, when he was just fifty
years of age, he was struck with paralysis of the brain, February, 1846.
He never recovered his splendid powers. He died in Baltimore suddenly,
from a second stroke, January 11, 1849.
Mr. Galloway's pastorate in Shenango ended in 1818, and Mr. Dinwiddie's
in 1834. Important changes had meanwhile taken place in the northwest.
The country had greatly developed and the churches had gained by this
growth. The Associate Reformed Church as well as the others had made
decided progress. A pastor had been settled in Erie, in 18l2?Rev. Robert
Reed,?who died in that city after a pastorate of thirty-two years.
In Butler, Rev. Isaiah Niblock, D.D., had commenced in 1819 a long
pastorate of forty-five years. In 1820 two congregations were formed on
the borders of Shenango: one at Mount Jackson, five miles southwest of
New Castle; the other at Slippery Rock, now called Center, five miles
southeast. At Center and Harmony, a pastor was settled?Rev. James
Ferguson?and an arrangement was made for him to preach part of his time
in New Castle, but his pastorate only lasted from September, 1823, to
April, 1824. Rev. David Norwood was afterwards settled as pastor over
Center, Mount Jackson and Mahoning. He resigned his charge, October 16,
1833. In Crawford County, Rev. S. F. Smith had been settled as pastor,
in 1828, over the congregations of Sugar Creek and Crooked Creek, a
relation which continued till his death, March 10, 1846.
Out of these five pastorates, with several other congregations (the
whole number being fourteen), a new Presbytery was formed. It was
constituted in Mercer on the first Wednesday of January, 1829, called
the Presbytery of the Lakes, and territorially occupied six counties. Of
all the original congregations in these bounds not one has been the
mother-church of so many new congregations as Shenango. Up till the
union of 1858, seven congregations had been formed on its borders or
within its original territory. In addition to Center and Mount Jackson,
already mentioned, in the year 1840, Eastbrook was organized to
accommodate those members who lived across the Neshannock, and in the
same year was also formed the Deer Creek or Beulah congregation, west of
the Shenango, from which locality attendance at Shenango Church had
become very difficult, owing to the fact that the completion of the Erie
Extension canal had, by means of the dam at New Castle, made a pool or
level extending for seven miles up the stream, that destroyed all the
original fords for this distance.
Later, namely, 1849-51, during the pastorate of Rev. R. A. Browne, D.D.,
three [p. 270] more congregations?New Castle, New Wilmington and the
Harbor,?were also struck off from Shenango, as will be seen further on
in this article. And so far had the church grown in these six counties
of the northwest that in 1852 an act of Synod provided for the erection
of two more new Presbyteries, called the Presbyteries of Lawrence and
Butler. The Presbytery of Lawrence was organized in New Castle, in the
Associate Reformed Church, on Jefferson Street, April 20,1853. Rev. John
Neil, pastor of Mount Jackson and Center, preached the opening sermon
from Heb. xiii, 17, and constituted the Presbytery with prayer. Mr. Neil
was elected moderator, and Mr. Browne, clerk. Three other ministers,
with these, constituted the Presbytery, namely: Robert William Oliver,
pastor of Beulah and Bethel (Mercer County); William A. Mehard, pastor
of Eastbrook and New Wilmington, and John P. Chambers, without charge.
The Presbytery included thirteen congregations, four of which, however,
were located outside of the city. At the union of 1858 the Lawrence
Presbytery was merged into the United Presbyterian Presbytery of Mercer;
and still later, Shenango and all the congregations south of that
latitude to the Ohio River, were merged again in a new Presbytery called
Beaver Valley, which was erected November 7, 1871.
This episode gives a brief view of the history of Shenango Church in its
surroundings and relations. What remains to add has reference to its own
special history. From the resignation of Rev. James L. Dinwiddie, 1834,
till 1841, with the exception of one brief pastorate of a year and a
half?that of Rev. John Mason Galloway?the congregation of Shenango was a
vacancy, its pulpit filled only by supplies from the Presbytery of the
Lakes.
Rev. Mr. Galloway, was succeeded by Rev. Thomas Mehard, who was ordained
and installed June 30, 1841, in Shenango, Eastbrook and Beulah, the two
latter, as already stated, having been organized the previous year.
Beulah was first known as Deer Creek. Some years later the congregation
decided to change their place of worship to West Middlesex, three miles
distant; but a portion of the members remained to worship in the old
building, and are now the Reformed Presbyterian Congregation of Beulah.
Mr. Mehard was a graduate of the Western University, Pittsburg, and of
the Associate Reformed Theological Seminary, Allegheny. He was genial in
his disposition, agreeable in his address, and pleasing and edifying in
the pulpit. His ministry was full of labors and fruits, with large
promise of future usefulness, when, suddenly, at the close of his fourth
year of pastoral duty, he was called away by death. The stroke startled
the entire community as well as his congregations and his wife, who was
left with two infant daughters to mourn his loss. He died at his home in
New Castle July 16, 1845, at the age of twenty-nine years.
The fifth pastor of Shenango, succeeding Mr. Mehard a year after his
death, was Robert Audley Browne. Mr. Browne was born in Steubenville,
Ohio, December 3, 1821; was graduated at the Western University, 1839,
and the Associate Reformed Seminary, Allegheny, 1843; licensed by the
Monongahela Presbytery in his twenty-first year, and ordained without
charge by the same Presbytery, December 31, 1844. He was at that time
stated supply in the Second Reformed, now Third United Presbyterian
Church, of Pittsburg. He visited the congregations of Eastbrook and
Shenango in July, 1846; was at once called, and was settled over these
congregations in September following. He was pastor of Eastbrook three
and a half years, and of Shenango over thirteen years, demitting that
congregation to the Presbytery, January 9, 1859. The last ten of these
years his pastoral charge included the congregation of New Castle, in
which he still continued to be pastor, and in which, after an interval
of absence, he remained pastor until his death. When he entered on his
[p. 271] pastoral work in this part of what was then Mercer County, it
was evident that the growth of population and change of its business
centers had left the Associate Reformed Church without organizations at
several desirable points. Of these, New Castle, a growing town, was the
most important. An organization was effected here by order of the
Presbytery (Lakes), December 25, 1849. The same winter one was similarly
formed in New Wilmington. By these organizations the session of Shenango
was reduced to two elders, and its membership diminished from over 100
to forty-nine. From one-half of their pastor's time they were able to
retain him only for one-fourth. They were still further weakened, about
1874-75, later by the organization of the Harbor congregation, four
miles distant, on the other side of the Shenango pool or slackwater,
though in general their number during the years before 1859 ranged at
about fifty communicants.
The union of the Associate and Associate Reformed Presbyterian Churches
agreed upon in 1858, occurred during Mr. Browne's pastorate. It brought
Shenango into closer relations with a number of Associate congregations
in this region, though it added but little strength to the membership.
The sixth pastor was Rev. William Findley, D.D., born in Mercer, and
reared under the ministry of Rev. James Galloway and Rev. James L.
Dinwiddie. He was a graduate of Jefferson College and of the Associate
Reformed Seminary, Allegheny; was licensed by the Lakes Presbytery May
16, 1832, and, after visiting the churches in South Carolina and
elsewhere, was ordained by the same Presbytery, and installed pastor
over White Oak Spring and Prospect congregations in Butler County, at
White Oak Spring Church, May 25, 1837. In 1857 he became Professor of
Latin Literature in Westminster College, and resigned his charge and
removed to New Wilmington. In 1867 he was transferred to the office of
general agent of the college. This office he resigned in 1871, and after
supplying the churches by Presbyterial appointment for some years
settled, in 1876, at Chesley, Ontario, where a new and active
congregation in the United Presbyterian Presbytery in Samford erected
for him a church and parsonage. He was in vigorous use of his powers,
clear and forcible as a thinker and reasoner, and strong as an expounder
of the Scriptures.
During his term as professor in Westminster College, he held for over
six years, conjointly, the pastorate of Shenango congregation, namely,
from July, 1859, till April, 1866.
He was followed in the pastorate by Rev. R. T. McCrea, a student of
Westminster College, from Blacklick Station, Indiana County, Pa., who
graduated from the college in 1863, and from the United Presbyterian
Seminary, Allegheny, in 1866. He was ordained by the United Presbyterian
Presbytery of Mercer, at Shenango Church, and installed pastor of
Shenango and Lebanon congregation November 9, 1869. He resided near his
Lebanon Church, Worth, Mercer County. August 26, 1873, he resigned his
Shenango congregation, and afterwards Lebanon also, and was subsequently
laboring in the ministry in Iowa. He was a young man in the vigor of his
powers. During his pastorate of four years, the roll of Shenango was
increased to seventy members.
In July, 1875, the congregation secured and retained for some time in
connection with the Harbor, the services of Rev. A. Y. Houston. Mr.
Houston was a man of experience, prudence and fidelity. He was ordained
and installed in his first pastorate, that of Peter's Creek, Allegheny
County, February 17, 1858. After that he was pastor successively of the
United congregations of Palestine and Clarkson Ohio, and of Rygate, Vt.
He was succeeded at Shenango by Rev. J. J. Imbrie in 1880, Rev. R. A.
Brown in 1885, Rev. R. W. [p. 272] McGranahan in 1892, Rev. J. W.
Brinley in 1900, Rev. W. V. Grove in 1904, and Rev. L. S. Clark in 1907.
The history of the first church edifice has already been given. The
second was built in 1826, in the midst of Mr. Dinwiddie's ministry. The
contract, as illustrative of the hardships of the times and the scarcity
of money, provided that the builder for enclosing and flooring the
house, 42 by 53 feet square, was to receive in payment "good and
sufficient subscription lists" to the amount of $518, and that, instead
of cash, wheat at 66 2-3 cents per bushel, and other products of the
country at proportionate rates, should be a legal tender. This building,
thus contracted and paid for, had its pulpit located in front, between
the doors, a style of church architecture preferred by Mr. Dinwiddie,
but not always by his hearers, who, if they entered late, were thus
forced to face all who were in their seats before them. This was
afterward changed, however, and the seats were faced about. The contract
for building did not include the pews, and therefore, at the opening for
service, families provided their own seats according to their
preferences as to style and material, and without regard to uniformity,
which made the interior present an odd appearance until one became
accustomed to it. In one case the head of a household, who had located
his seat well up toward the pulpit, and furnished it with legs too long
for convenient range of vision to those who sat behind him, afforded
some amusement to his fellow-worshipers by his change of countenance
when he entered the meeting-house one Sabbath morning and found his seat
had been lowered to a level with its neighbors. To many, near and far,
who have worshiped there in the quiet Sabbaths of more than half a
century, pleasant and sacred memories cluster around the old church.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
20th Century History of New Castle and Lawrence County Pennsylvania and
Representative Citizens Hon. Aaron L. Hazen Richmond-Arnold Publishing
Company, Chicago, Ill., 1908
Updated: 11 Mar 2002