Chap XV - Part V: 20th Century History of New Castle and Lawrence County Pennsylvania and Representative Citizens
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CHAPTER XV - Part V
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.
]
SCOTT TOWNSHIP.
[p. 316] When Lawrence County was created, one of the original townships
was North Slippery Rock and included what is now Washington, Scott and
Plain Grove Townships. Washington and Scott were formed from it, April
13, 1854, the former being erected from the north half, and the latter
from the south half, thus abandoning the name "North Slippery Rock"
entirely. On the 14th of February, 1855, Plain Grove (or Plaingrove)
Township was erected from the eastern portion of Washington and Scott,
and, February 15, 1859, Washington Township was enlarged by the addition
of narrow strips taken from Plain Grove and Scott, leaving the three
townships in their present shape.
Scott Township has an area of about 11,800 acres, most of it valuable
farming land, there being very little, if any, waste land in it,
although the surface is generally uneven and hilly. It is highly
improved and populated with a thrifty and intelligent people, who have
ever been among the foremost in the various progressive steps taken for
the advancement of the best interests of the county.
Scott Township is watered by Slippery Rock Creek and its tributaries,
East Brook or Hettenbaugh Run, Big Run, and numerous small streams, the
most of which furnish fine power. Along Slippery Rock Creek,
particularly, the power is extensive and has been utilized to some
extent, though the mills in the townships have been principally erected
on the smaller streams. Hettenbaugh Run rises in Washington Township and
empties into Neshannock Creek near Eastbrook Station, being some five
miles in length and furnishing power for various mills and factories.
Seven dams were constructed in this stream. Big Run takes its rise in
Scott Township, and, after a southerly course of two or three miles,
turns to the west, and, flowing across a corner of Slippery Rock, and
through Shenango Township and the southern part of the city of New
Castle, it discharges into the Shenango River. The run also affords
considerable power.
A portion of the township is in the "Academy lands," which were granted
by the State to the Pittsburg Academy. It is surveyed diagonally to the
other lands, and one corner of it extends into Plaingrove Township. The
act providing for the sale of the "vacant lands" was passed in 1792, but
it was not till 1795-96 that they began to be settled and improved.
Something over one-third of the territory in the township, located in
the western part, is in the second district "donation lands," and was
settled at about the same time as the vacant lands.
The timber of the township was originally abundant and of fine quality.
Limestone abounds in considerable quantities along the runs, and crops
out in many of the hills, but has never been burned to a great extent,
as it is unfit for building purposes. It is also in many places more or
[p. 317] less impregnated with iron; quite a thick vein is found in the
hill west of Harlansburg, and it is also abundant in places along
Hettenbaugh Run. Iron ore is found in numerous places along Slippery
Rock Creek and elsewhere, generally in small quantities. It is of the
red quality and contains a large percentage of iron. The coal deposits
are principally along Hettenbaugh Run, where mining was begun on a
comparatively large scale sixty or seventy years ago.
A company called the "Aladdin Oil Company, of New Castle," was formed in
the winter of 1876 for the purpose of putting down test wells for oil
somewhere in the neighborhood of Harlansburg; but the results were not
such as anticipated.
EARLY SETTLEMENTS.
Robert McCaslin came to the county in the neighborhood of the year 1800,
and located first near the subsequent site of Neshannock United
Presbyterian Church. He bought a 200-acre tract in Scott Township, and
two of his sons, Joseph and Samuel, lived upon it.
John Elder was the first settler on the place later known as the Jacob
McCracken farm, coming from Bradford County, Pennsylvania, and locating
upon it in 1805.
William and John Wilken came to the county early and, for a year or two
after, lived on the bank of Neshannock Creek, near the "old forge" just
above New Castle, now within the city limits. The latter afterwards came
to Harlansburg, about 1816, and his brother and the rest of the family,
after moving around for several years from place to place, finally
followed him there.
Zachariah Dean came from Huntingdon in 1815 and purchased a 200-acre
tract in Scott Township, on which a squatter had erected a log cabin and
made a small clearing. The squatter had left prior to Mr. Dean's
arrival. Jacob Dean came in 1816, and for a time lived on a portion of
this tract.
Prior to 1800, John Shaw located in the township. The farm settled by
him he afterward sold in part to Colonel Bernard Hubley, from whose
widow the farm was purchased by Robert McFarland in 1822. A part of this
farm was purchased by Hugh Wilson, who located upon it in 1806. In 1815
he removed to Shenango Township.
Adam Pisor was one of the first settlers, coming to what is now Scott
Township about 1798, locating on the east side of Slippery Rock Creek,
on the farm later owned by William Pisor.
William Allison also came early and settled a tract near to Mr. Pisor.
Farther down the creek, and on the same (east) side, a numter of the
Emerys located, they being the first settlers in that neighborhood.
In the year 1798 William McNees came with his family from Westmoreland
County, and settled on Slippery Rock Creek, in the northeast part of the
township. He had been out the previous year?1797?and made improvements,
afterwards going back for his family. In 1800 Mrs. McNees died, being
one of the early deaths in the neighborhood.
Charles Martin received patent to a farm in Scott, dated March 16, 1814,
and made the first improvements on the place; in 1815 James and John
Martin purchased it.
The farm formerly owned by George Hettenbaugh, in the northeast part of
the township, was settled by his father, George Hettenbaugh, Sr., who
was the first settler in the present township of Washington. This tract
originally comprised 500 acres, and the first improvements were made on
it by Mr. Hettenbaugh, about 1821-22, although most of the land in the
vicinity had been settled and improved long before.
Hamilton Young came from Slippery Rock Township in 1841, and purchased a
lot off the Hettenbaugh farm, on which he set out a small orchard and
put up a dwelling and harness-shop.
John Cooper came from Ireland previous [p. 318] to the year 1800, and
brought his wife and three children to Scott Township, where he bought
sixty acres of William Locke.
The farm on which the "Lawrence Nursery" was afterward located was
originally settled by George Rivheal,[sic, Richael?] about 1798. At
about the same time the Hettenbaughs, Michaels and other German families
came and located in the same neighborhood. The "Lawrence Nursery" was
started in 1870 by a stock company composed of a number of gentlemen
residing in Pittsburg. The nurser became one of the largest and best in
Western Pennsylvania.
William Locke came from Ireland some time during the Revolutionary war,
and became a soldier in the Continental Army. After the war he came to
Washington County and made his home in the Chartiers Valley. Some time
in the year 1792 he came to what is now Lawrence County for the purpose
of selecting a piece of land. The site chosen was in the present
township of Scott, about one mile northwest of Harlansburg, and that
year he made improvements on a 400-acre tract in the district belonging
to Dr. Peter Mowry, who resided in Pittsburg, and was an extensive
jobber in the "warrant lands."
After Mr. Locke made his improvements he went back to Washington County,
and, in the spring of 1796, returned with his family, making a permanent
settlement. Mr. Locke had learned the weaver's trade before he left
Ireland, and after his settlement here built a small shop and worked at
the business as long as he was able.
James Brown, also a native of Ireland, settled a farm between Mr.
Locke's place about 1796-8.
Robert Wallace settled, in 1796, on a farm on the west side of Slippery
Rock Creek opposite Rockville, or "Pumpkintown." He came, when a young
man, from Washington County, with his brother Jacob, and the two settled
some 800 acres.
The farm known as the George W. McCracken place was settled previous to
1800 by Daniel Sutton, and is the oldest settled farm in the southwest
part of the township.
George and Jacob McCracken came to the township in 1819 from County
Derry, Ireland.
CHURCHES.
A Covenanter or Reformed Presbyterian church was built about 1835, on an
acre of ground donated for church purposes by James R. Martin, who owned
500 acres in the neighborhood. The church was a frame building, made of
hewed saplings, but was never completed. Preaching was occasionally held
in it in the summer, and in case it rained was of little protection to
the congregation, for the roof was but little better than a sieve. Rev.
James Blackwood at the time had charge of all the Reformed Presbyterian
congregations in the southeastern and eastern parts of the county, and
made this one of his charges as long as it lasted. Mr. Martin, who was
the prime mover in organizing and building the church, was killed by the
fall of a tree he was cutting, the winter after the frame was put up,
and that was the main reason the church was never finished.
SCHOOL AND SCHOOL TEACHERS.
A schoolhouse was built about 1800, short distance northeast of
Harlansburg, on the line between the farms of Jonathan Harlan and James
Brown. It was one of the primitive style of log buildings. The teacher
of this school was an Englishman named Cornelius Stafford.
Another log schoolhouse was built about 1817, northeast of where Jacob
Harlan lived, and a preacher in the Baptist Church at Harlansburg named
Henry Frazier was among its early teachers.
Other schoolhouses were built in different parts of the township, all of
the same unique pattern. After the law establishing free schools was
passed, in 1834, a change took place in the character of schools and
their equipment, and improvements [p. 319] of different kinds were
adopted until the present system is as nearly perfect as it is possible
to have it.
There are at present in the township, including the village of
Harlansburg, eight schools, with an enrollment in 1908 of 145. Eight
teachers are employed, the amount paid them in 1908 being $2,572. The
total expenditures for school purposes were $3,407.94.
MANUFACTURERS.
Robert and John Turner built a frame grist-mill some time between 1840
and 1850, on "Harlansburg Run," south of the village, and it was
operated with great success, doing an extensive custom business.
Jonathan Harlan put up a grist-mill on Slippery Rock Creek, just above
the present bridge, below Harlansburg, about the year of 1808, but prior
to that time had built one at Harlansburg. George McCracken afterwards
purchased the property, and, in 1839, built a second mill on the same
site, which stood for many years after it ceased operation.
A man named Totten, built a distillery below the mill, near the east end
of the bridge, possibly a short time before 1839, and operated it for
several years, but finally abandoned it.
Numerous saw-mills have been in operation in the township, mainly
portable mills, but with the supply of timber exhausted they were forced
out of business.
MILITARY RECORD.
Revolutionary Soldiers.? Col. Bernard Hubley, an early settler, was a
soldier of the Revolution, and, as his title indicates, served with
distinction. William Locke, who settled northwest of Harlansburg, as
before mentioned, came from Ireland during the war and was in the
service several years.
War of 1812.?Among those who answered the call for men to go to Erie and
prevent the British from destroying the town, which was thought to be in
danger, were Robert McCaslin, Robert and John McFarland, John, David,
William and James Locke, Robert Wallace and Jesse Harlan. James Locke
was at the time but eighteen years old, and served four months. His
brother David escaped the draft, but went out as a substitute. Robert
Wallace was commissioned colonel of militia after the war, and held the
position until about 1828, when he resigned his commission and removed
to the Mahoning Valley, near Edenburg. Jesse Harlan was under Commodore
Perry, and in the memorable and gallant naval fight on Lake Erie,
September 10, 1813, was killed.
War of the Rebellion, 1861-5.?A military company was organized at
Harlansburg at an early date called the "Slippery Rock Volunteers," and
the name was afterwards changed to the "Washington Guards." The uniform
of the original company was a yellow linen hunting shirt, trimmed with
red fringe, red leggings and a citizen's hat with a white plume, and
each man furnished his own uniform and his own rifle. William Stoughton
was probably the first captain of this company, and Samuel Riddle also
held the position for a time. After the name was changed to the
"Washington Guards" they also changed their uniform to blue pants and
coat, red sash and cloth cap with a white plume. This company contained
about one hundred men, and entered the service in 1861 with nearly that
strength, and under the following officers: Captain, Samuel Bentley;
first lieutenant, Andrew Nelson; second lieutenant, Norman Maxwell. They
joined the 100th (Round Head) Regiment of Pennsylvania, and were ushered
into the service as Company E of that body. Before the close of the war
they saw much hard service and some of them gave their lives in the
country's cause.
For the numerous other regiments which received recruits from Lawrence
County, [p. 320] Scott Township furnished its share, but its
representatives were principally in the Round Head Regiment.
HARLANSBURG.
This village is located on the old Pittsburg and Erie stage road, one of
the first roads laid out in the county. This was the main stage route,
and travel over it, after the country had become partially settled, was
very heavy. The first settler at the place was Jonathan Harlan, who left
Chester County in 1792 for Allegheny County, and about 1797-98 came to
what is now Scott Township, and settling 400 acres under Dr. Peter
Mowry, of Pittsburg, including the site of the village. While living on
this tract he laid out the town of Harlansburg in 1800, built the first
house in the place; he put up a grist-mill just east of the village, on
the small run which empties into Slippery Rock Creek, the mill probably
being built previous to the laying out of the town. The house he built
was constructed of round logs and stood on the hill just above the site
of the old "Bernard House."
About the same time Harlan came, Abraham and Levi Hunt made a settlement
on a farm adjoining him, and Abraham Hunt, in 1802, built the first
tavern in the village, later known as the "Bernard House." It was a
heavy frame structure, and was the first frame building for many miles
around. The Hunts afterwards removed to a farm in the neighborhood of
the Deans, about two miles west of the village.
William Elder came to Harlansburg about 1807-8, two or three years after
his father, John Elder, settled in the township. He soon after opened a
small general store, in a space of about 5 by 10 feet. A post-office was
established in the village, probably about 1811-12, and Mr. Elder also
is accredited with the honor of being the first postmaster.
John Bentley arrived from Chester County in 1814, and, with his wife and
six children located in the village.
A log schoolhouse was erected about 1820, and the first teacher was
named David Gourley. Before this, schools had been kept in private
houses. Joseph Campbell taught a small school in his own house about
1815-16, and James McCune also kept one in his house. In the winter of
1818, William Jack taught a school east of town, in a house built by
John Martin for a building.
A two-story brick schoolhouse was built on the hill, in the western part
of the village, in the neighborhood of 1857, and thereafter was
conducted as a high school most of the time.
CHURCHES.
A hewed log church was built by some German families, including the
Richeals and Michaels, as early as 1799 or 1800, and stood on the lot
where the present Methodist Church stands. About, the year 1800 or 1801,
this building was purchased by the Baptists. The Baptists afterwards
sold their property, and it came into possession of the Methodists,
while the Baptist society secured a fine location in the southern part
of the village, where a neat brick church was built about 1852-53. The
first Baptist preacher who visited the place was Rev. Henry, about 1801.
The church was constituted September 17, 1808, at the house of Thomas
Clark, by Revs. Henry Spear, Henry Frazure and Thomas Rigdon. Mr.
Frazure was the first pastor and Mr. Rigdon the second, the latter
beginning his pastorate in 1809. Among those who have served this charge
are: Rev. George Collins, from 1849 to 1852; Rev. David Phillips, from
1853 to 1854; Rev. Levi Ross, 1854 to 1855; Rev. John McConahy, 1855 to
1858; Rev. John Trevitt, who came in 1858; Rev. G. E. Huston, January 7,
1871, to April 1, 1884; Henry Madtes, supply summer of 1884; Rev. B. H.
Fish, March, 1885, for one year; Rev. [p. 321] C. A. Gardner, August,
1887, to December, 1888; Rev. E. M. Probert, April, 1889, to February
12, 1892; Rev. L. J. Colborn, March 11, 1892, to October 1, 1895; Rev.
M. C. Alexander, November 10, 1895, to November 13, 1898; Rev. W. K.
Dennis, November 18, 1898, to April 21, 1901, and Rev. L. J. Shoemaker,
from October 1, 1901, to the present time. The present officers of the
church are: Pastor, Rev. L. J. Shoemaker; clerk, C. E. Hunt; treasurer,
Grant Harlan; assistant treasurer, William Eakin, Jr.; trustees, J. B.
McKnight, George Dean, Isaac Harlan, S. P. McCalmont, S. W. Double, J.
E. McFarland, and G. M. Hettenbaugh, and the deacons, J. B. McKnight,
George Dean, David Eakin, Jr., Samuel Harlan, Isaac Harlan and C. E.
Hunt. The church is known as the Unity Baptist, and its first meetings,
before the old German Church was purchased, were held in the house of
Thomas Clark. The centennial anniversary of the organization of the
church occurred September 17, 1908, and was celebrated on October 2,
1908, in connection with the Beaver Baptist Association, which met at
Harlansburg. Among the present members of this church we would make
mention of Mrs. Catherine Hunt, who has been a member of the church
since 1849, and of Mrs. Elizabeth Nelson, widow of Lieut. Andrew Nelson,
who is living at the advanced age of ninety-five years and has for many
years been a devout member of the church.
Among the churches of the place, next in age is the Methodist Episcopal,
which was organized about 1833-34. Their first church was a frame
building, originally erected for a dwelling by John Boyd. The society
purchased it and used it for a church for ten or twelve years, and then
built a frame building, standing on the lot formerly owned by the
Baptists. One of the first ministers who preached to the congregation
was Rev. Thomas Thompson.
The third church in point of age was a Cumberland Presbyterian
organization, which sprung up soon after the Methodist Episcopal Church
was built. A frame church building was erected, and meetings held until
about 1865, when their congregation had become so reduced by deaths and
removals that an insufficient number were left to support a minister and
pay necessary expenses; they sold their property to the Presbyterians.
The first pastor of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church was Rev. Richard Law.
The United Presbyterian Church, which, though a short distance north of
the village, strictly belongs to it. The congregation organized about
1851-52, and for a while held their meetings in the Cumberland
Presbyterian Church in the village, where they were occasionally
supplied. In 1855 a substantial brick church was built. The first pastor
who had charge of the congregation was Rev. D. H. A. McLean, who had
supplied them occasionally after they organized before the church was built.
Fifth and last is the Harlansburg Presbyterian Church. The Cumberland
Presbyterians sold their property to the Presbyterians, and a new frame
church was built in 1874 on the lot where the old Cumberland
Presbyterian Church stood. The church was organized February 17, 1875.
Rev. D. B. Walker, D.D., was their stated supply for two years; Rev. R.
M. Davis was called as pastor, February 26, 1877, and served until April
18, 1880; Rev. A. M. Reed was called as their pastor, in June, 1881, and
continued until April 26, 1893; the church then had supply until October
4, 1898, at which time Rev. R. C. Stewart was installed. He served until
February 24, 1900; the church then had supply until October, 1903, when
Rev. J. C. Kelley became pastor, serving until October 1, 1905; Rev. F.
A. Cozad was installed in December, 1905, and has continued to the
present. The elders of the church are Dr. D. T. Cleland, M. L. Clark, J.
O. Brown and W. H. Stoner; the trustees [p. 322] are W. D.
McLeland,[sic*] J. P. Brown and Thomas Cooper. Within the past four
years the members have made extensive repairs on the church and built a
neat parsonage. The total membership at the present time is fifty-one,
and that of the Sabbath-school, twenty-eight.
[*Should be W. E. McClelland, the transcriber's grandfather.]
Harlansburg has been a fairly prosperous village and from its inception
has had a thrifty and substantial citizenship. The first blacksmith shop
in the neighborhood of Harlansburg was opened by John Smith about
1816-17, south of the village. The first one in the village was opened
by Jesse Bentley in 1831. The first wagon shop operated in the village
was established by Charles Book about 1862-3. Ira Emerson had the first
shoe shop in the place, and Job Harvey, who learned the trade of him,
afterwards opened a shop of his own. William Greer started another at
about the same time. James Sterling opened the first tailor shop about 1833.
The Harlansburg Agricultural and Horticultural Association was organized
in 1871, and twenty-five acres of land leased of John Elder for the use
of the society. The officers were: President, Major Andrew Nelson;
vice-president, Alexander McBride, Jr.; secretary, Jesse B. Locke;
treasurer, W. E. Kirker; directors, R. M. McBride, L. D. Shaffer, W. B.
Wilken, W. E. Kirker, James Burnside. This was the only association of
the kind in the county, and its fairs, held the third week in September
each year, were attended by people from far and near. The grounds were
located on the hill west of town.
ROCKVILLE.
This settlement, familiarly known as "Pumpkintown," is located on the
east side of Slippery Rock Creek, in the southeast corner of the
township. David Emery opened a store here some time in the forties, and,
after he went out of business, James Smith and J. A. Campbell kept store
for awhile. Harlan Vogan also engaged in the mercantile business. S.
Frazier conducted a shoe shop, and a number of dwellings are here
clustered together in the valley, forming the hamlet. The place has
never had a post-office, being located near Harlansburg.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
SHENANGO TOWNSHIP.
[p. 322] Formerly a part of Beaver County, Shenango became one of the
original townships of Lawrence County at the time of its erection as a
county. Its area is about 16,000 acres, being one of the larger
divisions of the county. Its surface is much varied; in the northern and
eastern portions the land is rolling, and well adapted to agricultural
purposes, while in the south and west are hills, interspersed with
narrow valleys. Sharp ridges rise to the height of three or four hundred
feet above the level of the Beaver River, and, on their sides, fruit of
excellent quality is grown, as well as the various grains. There is also
coal in abundance found half way up the hillsides, and every farm has
its supply.
The township is watered by Big Run, and other tributaries of the
Neshannock and Beaver, on most of which the power is fine, and in
numerous places was improved for mill purposes.
The township is thickly settled, and improvements are such as to compare
favorably with those of any other community in the county. Below the
city limits of New Castle small lots have been purchased for some
distance, and the northern portion of the township is a continuation of
the city.
EARLY SETTLERS.
William Cairns, who came to Shenango as early as 1796, came from County
Derry, Ireland, and, after landing on the soil of the United States,
about the year 1790 settled in Delaware. He was married there in 1792,
and shortly after removed with his wife to Westmoreland County,
Pennsylvania. Some time in 1796 Mr. Cairns came with his family to what
is now Shenango [p. 323] Township, and settled on the farm lately owned
by Mrs. J. R. Sherrard. Here he made a clearing, built a cabin for the
accommodation of the family, and set to work clearing and cultivating
the land. He planted an orchard on the place not long subsequent to his
arrival, the first in the neighborhood.
Mr. Cairns was, without doubt, the first settler in the present limits
of the township, the only other white settler known to him being
Nathaniel Squires, who lived down the Beaver River towards Beavertown,
probably within the bounds of Beaver County. Mr. Cairns brought with him
his wife and two children and a third child, a daughter named Rachel,
was born July 19, 1798, hers being the first birth of a white child in
the township. For two years after their settlement there was no white
woman besides Mrs. Cairns seen thereabouts. When Mr. Cairns came he
probably settled a 500-acre tract now cut up into several farms, and
afterwards purchased an additional tract of 300 acres in the northern
part of the township, upon which he moved. He had learned the weaver's
trade before he left Ireland, and after the country around his new home
became partially settled, he put up a shop in which to work at his
trade, weaving cloth for the settlers for a number of years. He also
opened a small store, which he conducted for a good many years. He
became a popular and prominent man, and held a number of offices of
public trust, among them that of constable, justice of the peace and
sheriff. He served as justice of the peace for more than forty years.
A considerable portion of the land in the southern part of the township
was bought up by Benjamin Chew, of Philadelphia, who secured it at a
cost of a few cents per acre. He had several thousand acres altogether,
including portions of Shenango, Wayne, Slippery Rock and Perry, which
were surveyed generally into four-hundred acre tracts. An act was passed
by the General Assembly of Pennsylvania, requiring Mr. Chew, as well as
other persons holding large amounts of lands in the same manner, to
secure to each settler half the tract upon which he located. By this
means all were able to secure homes for themselves, and the residue
became a source of profit to Mr. Chew and his son, who succeeded him in
the management of the lands.
Sometime in the year 1796, William Tindall, a Revolutionary soldier,
came to the township, and made improvements on a four-hundred-acre tract
of Chew land. The first cabin he built was not on the right tract, and
he was obliged to build another. Mr. Tindall was accompanied by John
Connor, who afterwards settled on an adjoining tract. Mr. Tindall was
originally from New Jersey, and at first located in Somerset or
Allegheny County. There he left his family when he came to what is now
Shenango Township, and, after making improvements on his claim, went
back after his wife, and children; he brought them out and made a
permanent settlement in 1798. He brought a quart of apple-seeds with
him, and planted them just below his house, raising from them the first
nursery in the county for a number of miles around.
John Connor, who came out with William Tindall in 1796, was but fifteen
years of age at the time, and lived with the latter. He afterwards
settled a four-hundred-acre tract in the Chew district, adjoining the
Tindall tract on the east.
Robert Stewart in 1802, located on a two-hundred-acre tract lately owned
by Mrs. P. T. Hamilton. About 1815, Stewart sold out to Robert
McWilliams, who built a stone spring-house on the place, and also had a
grist mill on the bank of Big Run, near by.
The farm, lately known as the Joseph P. McMillin place, is a part of lot
number five, first Donation district?said lot being granted to Major
Isaac Craig, February 28, 1794, in consideration for his services in the
United States army during the Revolution. This tract was afterwards
[p. 324] conveyed to Samuel McClure, who settled upon it some time
between 1797 and 1800. He made the first improvements on the place. In
October, 1803, he sold part of the tract, and in April, 1822, Archibald
Cubbison purchased a portion of it also, and built the second log house
thereon. Joseph P. McMillin bought the land of Cubbison in 1836, and
lived on the place until his death.
In the month of November, 1811, John Gibson came from McConnellsburg,
now in Fulton County, Pennsylvania and, together with a man named Sloan,
purchased a two-hundred-acre tract of land. Sloan never came to the
county, and afterwards sold his share of the tract to Gibson and James
McKee. Gibson was the first settler on the place, and became a prominent
man.
Joseph Baldwin was one of the early settlers; he was a school teacher,
and taught in the early schools in the township, and was also closely
identified with the organization and management of the Disciples Church,
near Normal Glen. He served five years in the regular army.
The farm known as the old R. M. Gibson farm was settled by Hugh Wilson,
about 1815-16, and Mr. Gibson bought it of him afterwards.
John Miller came in the neighborhood of 1800, and bought a large amount
of land south of the present city limits of New Castle, along Big Run.
He was killed by the fall of a tree January 28, 1813.
Seth Rigby, Sr., came from Virginia in 1804, and leased the farm owned
by the James Shields heirs, which he occupied one year, and in 1805,
rented a place of Dennis Kennedy, whose tract cornered on the southwest
with the one which Mr. Rigby settled in 1806. When the Rigbys came to
Lawrence County the family consisted of Mr. Rigby, his wife and six
children, and three children were born afterwards. Mr. Rigby first put
up a log cabin on his place on the west side of Big Run, near the
stream, and set out an orchard. This not being a convenient location for
a dwelling, he removed it to the lower land on the east side of the creek.
James Gaston came originally from New Jersey, and for a number of years
lived in Washington County, Pennsylvania. In 1805, he came with his
family to Lawrence County, and settled on the farm which afterward was
partly owned by his grandson, James Gaston. He made his improvements in
the fall of 1805. This tract was called a two-hundred-and-fifty-acre
tract, but over-ran about sixty-one acres.
John Butcher settled the tract just West of Mr. Gaston in 1799-1800, and
made some of the earliest improvements in the neighborhood.
Hugh Gaston came to the county previous to 1800, and first took up his
abode near the site of the town of Moravia. About 1802-3 he came to
Shenango Township, and located on the tract lying next east of the one
his brother, James, settled in 1805. He was a bachelor and a great hunter.
Other early settlers were William McCandless and the Jacksons, who were
of Scotch-Irish descent, the orginal representatives of them in this
country coming from Ireland. They were related, and settled near each
other. Their farms were along the fertile "Savannah Valley," in the
western portion of the township.
Charles Lutton came orginally from Ireland about 1799, and settled in
the southern part of the township. Mr. Lutton's son, William, came to
the farm which his grandson, Oscar Lutton, later owned, about 1809-10,
and lived until 1874, when he died at the age of eighty-eight years. He
settled a two-hundred-acre tract.
James Wilson came from Allegheny County, and is said to have located in
New Castle previous to 1813, and gone out from there to Erie that year.
About 1813 he removed to Shenango Township, and improved a
two-hundred-acre tract later owned in part by his sons, Albert and Ezra
[p. 325] Wilson. His brother, Henry, came about the same time, and had a
part of the James Wilson farm.
Jacob Book came from the eastern part of the State about 1799, and
settled 200 acres adjoining the Charles Lutton place.
James and Hugh Warnock, brothers, came at an early day from Ireland, and
stopped in Washington County, afterwards removing to the neighborhood of
Mount Jackson, North Beaver Township, Lawrence County, some time
previous to the year of 1812. They finally removed to Shenango Township,
and purchased the Joseph Baldwin farm. James Warnock kept the first
post-office in the township, known as the Shenango postoffice. He owned
a five-hundred-acre tract in Shenango Township on which he lived. James
and Hugh Warnock served in the War of 1812-1815.
James McKee came from Ireland about 1793, and some years afterwards
bought a two-hundred-acre tract of land in Shenango Township, of the
executors of John Beard. The deed was made March 7, 1812, but it is
likely that McKee was on the place a number of years before that. Mr.
McKee came to the neighborhood some time about 1800, and he probably
made the first improvements on this place. John Manning came from
Ireland, and, after living in Virginia, and in Washington County,
Pennsylvania, finally came to Shenango Township in 1805, and together
with Reuben Bell, located on a two-hundred-acre tract. Mr. Bell came
about the same time as Mr. Manning, from the eastern part of the State.
Samuel Baldwin came to the township in 1805, and settled the farm later
owned by Hill, then consisting of 100 acres. Mr. Baldwin came with his
wife, from Virginia, and made the first improvements on the place. Like
his brother, Joseph Baldwin, who, came afterwards, he taught school.
John A. Morrison came originally from York County, and located above
Greenville, Mercer County. In 1835 he removed to what is now Lawrence
County, and purchased some land near Miller's mill of his brother,
Abraham Morrison, living in Johnstown, Pa.
The Harbisons, living northwest of "Greenwood" Methodist Episcopal
Church, are descendants of the celebrated Massy Harbison, who was
captured by the Muncie and Seneca Indians, May 22, 1792, and escaped the
third day after her captivity with her son, then but an infant.
Phillip Houk and his brother came to the township early, and located on
the farm where Benjamin Houk later lived.
James Chambers came from Ireland, sometime previous to the year 1800,
and brought with him his son, Alexander, at the time but nine years of
age. Alexander Chambers afterwards removed to Mercer County, and in the
year 1800 settled a two-hundred-acre tract of land just north of the
present borough of New Wilmington. For some time he lived in Mercer
County, and finally came to Lawrence and purchased a place in Shenango
Township.
Soldiers of the Revolution.?John Butcher, who settled in the northwest
corner of the township or in Taylor, was a veteran of the Revolution.
William Tindall enlisted for five years at the beginning of the
Revolution, and after the expiration of that term volunteered for
eighteen months longer, and after that employed his time with others in
scouting against the tories. He served nearly the whole time the war
lasted; was in the battle of Monmouth, N. J., June 28, 1778, where
Washington defeated the British forces under Sir Henry Clinton.
SOLDIERS OF 1812-15.
Two sons of William Tindall, William and Thomas, started for the seat of
war, but Thomas nearly severed his foot with an axe while sharpening a
stake to use in setting his tent, and was obliged to return. William
went ahead and was at Black Rock.
Seth Rigby, Jr., then a young man, went [p. 326] out in Capt. Wilson
Kildoo's company, which was raised in what was then Beaver County, and
had members from many parts of what is now Lawrence County, and New
Brighton, Beaver County. It was composed of drafted men, and went to
Erie. William Lutton served in Capt. James Stewart's company, and was at
Black Rock. James Warnock was out with Capt. Wilson Kildoo's company to
Erie, as was also his brother, Hugh Warnock. James McKee was out at Erie
a short time. James Manning served at Erie. John Bell was also out at
Erie. Samuel Baldwin who settled in 1805, was out a short time, and
probably went to Erie with the rest of the men from the neighborhood.
Phillip Houk and his brother were out. Nathan Hazen, who came from
Washington County, Pennsylvania, about 1791, was at Erie. Alexander
Chambers served in the War of 1812, and was in a few engagements. He
probably went to Fort Meigs, and served under General Harrison. He was
at the time he enlisted living in what is now Mercer County, just above
New Wilmington, but afterwards removed to Shenango Township, Lawrence
County.
War of the Rebellion.?The men who took up arms against the South served
in various regiments, but principally in the 100th (Round Head),
commanded by Colonel Leasure, of New Castle. Six companies of this
organization were from Lawrence County. Among the other regiments
represented were the One Hundred and Thirty-fourth, Seventy-sixth,
Seventy-eighth, etc. Two companies, F and H, Twelfth Regiment, of
three-months men, were recruited at New Castle, and Battery B,
Pennsylvania L. A.
MANUFACTURERS.
Robert McWilliams built a log grist-mill on Big Run, southeast of New
Castle, about 1816, and some time afterwards built a frame mill at the
same place. He also had a saw-mill, and did considerable business while
his mills were in operation. They have long since been torn away, and
nothing remains of them.
About 1841-42, John Armstrong, Esq., erected a grist-mill in the
northeast corner of the township, on Big Run, where he had fine power.
The mill was a frame building, and occupied the site of the frame mill
afterwards owned by David Fox and Joseph Frew.
John Miller, whose accidental death we have mentioned, built a
grist-mill on Big Run, a mile below New Castle, about 1811. It was built
of logs, and stood till about 1828-30, when Mr. Miller's son-in-law,
William McMurray, tore it down, and in its place put up a frame
structure, which was burned down in 1845. Before the second mill was
burned, Mr. McMurray had sold the property to John Struthers, who owned
it at the time of destruction. After this disaster Struthers became
unable to make the remaining payments, and the property reverted to
McMurray again, and he sold finally to Stewart & Bryson, who erected a
mill in 1849. They in turn sold to Abraham Hartman, who operated it for
a while, then sold it to Henry Wolfe. The latter ran it till the spring
of 1873, when he sold out to John Sechler, who, in company with his son,
operated it for a time, then sold to C. F. Alborn and F. E. Alborn, who
operated it with great success. The Alborns are still in the milling
business, have a modern plant, and do a large business. While Mr.
McMurray had the property he built a saw-mill and a distillery, some
time previous to 1835. The saw-mill rotted away and the distillery was
taken down and the stone used to build a house for the miller.
About 1837-8, McMurray put up a building intended for an oil-mill,
becoming somewhat embarrassed, sold it to Joseph Clifton, who built
another dam, and converted the oil-mill into a woolen factory, which he
operated from 1844-5 till the fall of 1870, when it was dismantled.
While Mr. Clifton had the woolen mill he attached a drill to his
machinery and bored [p. 327] for oil. He went down about four hundred
feet, getting only a fair showing of oil.
Miller put up a saw-mill several years before he built his grist-mill,
and, when he concluded to have a grist-mill attachment he took as a
partner a man named Ault. The grist-mill and saw-mill were in the same
building, with the water wheel between the two apartments, and for a
time a good, lucrative business was carried on.
Robert Patterson built a saw-mill at Big Run Falls at an early period,
but did not run long. These falls are just below the stone arch bridge,
where the Pittsburg Road crosses the run, and were originally
twenty-five feet high. In order to cut race for the saw-mill the rock
was blasted out for several feet, and the falls are not now as high. The
scenery below them is wild and romantic. The tract of land on which they
are situated has always been known as the "Falls Tract." Big Run Falls
and surrounding lands are now Cascade Park, a resort largely attended by
the people in the surrounding country.
A distillery was built at Normal Glen by James Cubbison, and run until
some time subsequent to 1835.
NORMAL GLEN.
This place was given its name from the fact that it was the seat of a
select school conducted by Joseph Baldwin about 1857- 8. It has never
made any pretension as a village, it being a point where is located a
cluster of houses, and roads spring out in seven directions.
COAL, IRON AND LIMESTONE.
The greater portion of the coal taken out of the township has been mined
in the southwest part, in "Hog Hollow" and vicinity. Coal was taken out
in the neighborhood as early as 1846, and Zachariah Tindall opened a
bank in 1850. It abounds on probably every farm in the neighborhood, and
being of the upper vein is easily worked. A vein of limestone from
thirteen to eighteen feet in thickness crops out towards the summits of
the hills. It is of a bluish tint, lies in thin layers, and is fit only
for burning, making a beautiful white lime.
Iron ore abounds in the same neighborhood, and has been extensively
worked. The ore in Western Pennsylvania is usually found next above the
limestone, but in this case they dug, and blasted through shale,
sandstone and limestone for some twenty feet, and finally limestone
gradually merged into the ore, the last few inches of it being
considerably impregnated with the iron. This was in the "Big Bank."
Ore abounds in greater or less quantities in the entire neighborhood,
and generally of a fine quality. A three-foot vein was opened in the
summer of 1876, on the same farm with the "Big Bank," and it was also
found on the farm of Mrs. J. R. Sherrard and other places.
In the "Big Bank" there are four grades of ore; first, at the top, three
feet of "red keel;" then about three feet of "yellow keel;" then solid
"striped ore" for about six feet; and, lastly, a "shell ore" for another
six feet. The latter is easily taken out, and is very rich; the other
grades, especially the "striped ore," requires more or less blasting.
The "Big Bank" is probably richer than the others in the neighborhood,
but are extensively worked.
SCHOOLS.
About 1810-12, a schoolhouse was built of round logs on the place where
Hon. Geo. T. Weingartner now lives, and stood but a few rods north of
his present residence. It was the first one in this part of the
township. An Englishman named Cornelius Stafford, who taught in various
other townships in the southeast part of the county, was the first teacher.
A schoolhouse was built about the winter of 1813, on the farm then owned
by Robert Irwin. The first teacher was John [p. 328] Gibson, who had
settled near by. Mr. Gibson was one of the superior class of teachers,
and under his tutorship a school always flourished. This was the only
regular schoolhouse built for a long time in that vicinity.
A log cabin, originally built for a dwelling, stood on the John Martin
farm, and in it James Leslie "kept school." This was about 1810-11. A
schoolhouse was built of logs as early as 1806-7, on the Henry Tindall
farm, and the first teacher was William Arnold. A school, though not of
the earliest, was built in the north part of the township, near the
Hickory Township line, and was first taught by a Mr. Supple.
The number of schools in the township at present is seventeen, with an
enrollment in 1908 of 395. The total amount paid the seventeen teachers
was $5,624; the total expenditure for school purposes, $8,315.81.
CHURCHES.
A Methodist Church ("Morris Chapel") was built about 1870, in the
northeast part of the township, on land originally owned by Andrew
Guire, who settled it, and belonging to his wife and children when the
church was built. For some time the congregation had no regular pastor,
some of the members themselves occupying the pulpit. Revs. Patrick
O'Connor, Dyrie, and J. C. Rhodes came in order, and were the first
regular pastors.
The Congregation of Disciples at Normal Glen.?"As early as 1833, Elder
Sanders and Elder William Hayden, of Ohio, delivered a number of
discourses in the country, about three miles to the southeast of New
Castle, but there was no church until about the year 1844, when Elder
John Applegate, of Ohio, organized one in that vicinity, afterward known
as Normal Glen. This organization was maintained until after the
Christian chapel was built in New Castle, when most of the members of
the Normal Glen congregation united with the church in New Castle. There
was a chapel erected in about the year 1847, which continued to be a
house of worship, after the Disciples Congregation ceased to use it,
various ministers of different denominations delivering discourses in it
for the benefit of the people in that vicinity. There was also a
Sunday-school taught in it. The ministers serving the congregation of
Disciples at Normal Glen resided in the Western Reserve, in Ohio, among
whom were Elders John Applegate, Calvin Smith, Harvey Brocket, B. F.
Perky and others."
The "Savannah" Methodist Episcopal society was organized probably about
the year 1820, their first meetings being held at the house of Laban
Joseph, who lived near where the present church stands. They also held
meetings in the Austin schoolhouse, which stood on the hill back of the
McCandless farm, on land now in Taylor Township. After this they held
them in the "Savannah" schoolhouse, and finally, some time between 1853
and 1856, their brick church was built, on land purchased from Robert
McCandless. A cemetery is located just north of the church but is used
as a general burying place, and does not belong to the society. The name
"Savannah" was given to the valley which extends for several miles north
and south, in the western part of the township, and near which the
church is located. The schoolhouse was named from it, also, by Thomas
Berry, at one time county superintendent of schools.
"Greenwood" Methodist Episcopal Church was organized about 1858.
Meetings were held for a year or two in the Warnock schoolhouse, and in
1860 a frame church was built by A. P. Schaffer, on land donated to the
society for church and burial purposes, by William Harbison. In 1858 a
Methodist class was organized, consisting of E. J. Moore and Eliza, his
wife, and Mrs. W. C. Harbison, all from New Castle. Soon after the
organization of the class a revival meeting was held, conducted [p. 329]
by F. Bennett and Rev. S. K. Paden, and some thirty or forty people
joined the society.
While the meetings were held at the schoolhouse, Revs. S. K. Paden and
Samuel Bentley preached, and during their time the church was built. Mr.
Paden continued to preach for them, and a circuit was not long
afterwards formed, including "Greenwood," Croton, "Savannah," Moravia
and "Mt. Pleasant" church, on Snake Run.
The first regular pastor in the new church was Rev. John McCombs, and
after him came Rev. Z. W. Shadduck. A Sabbath-school was organized in
connection with the society at the schoolhouse, before the church was
built. Its first superintendent was E. J. Moore, who held the office
until the church was built, when W. C. Harbison became superintendent.
Center United Presbyterian Church was organized from 1820 to 1825, as a
"Union" or Associate Reformed congregation. A petition was circulated
for a "call" for a minister to come and "talk to them," and a
subscription raised to defray his expenses. Tent meetings were first
held in the grove where the present commodious brick church now stands,
before the society was organized. The church was organized as "Slippery
Rock," and afterwards changed to its present name. Two or three years
after the society held its first tent meetings, it organized and put up
a frame church, which stood a few feet east of the present brick
structure. Two acres of land for church and graveyard purposes had been
given by James Warnock.
Possibly different ministers preached to them occasionally for a while,
but Rev. David Norwood was ordained and installed their first pastor
April 5, 1826. His charge consisted of Slippery Rock (Center), Mount
Jackson and Shenango, and he continued to preach to them until about the
1st of October, 1833, when he resigned. Their second pastor was Rev. Mr.
Ferguson, who came from Mercer. Rev. John Neal preached for them for
twenty years; Rev. Samuel Patterson a year or two; Rev. Joseph Barclay,
five years. Rev. J. H. Peacock came about 1867 and stayed until some
time in 1874. Rev. John D. Glen took charge November 1, 1874, in
connection with Wurtemburg; Rev. A. Y. Houston came next; Rev. J. J.
Imbrie came in 1880. Rev. Dr. R. A. Brown in 1885; Rev. R. W. McGranahan
in 1892, Rev. J. W. Burnley in 1900, Rev. W. U. Grove in 1904, and Rev.
L. S. Clark in 1907. The session consists of Rev. L. S. Clark, Elmer
McCreary, J. L. Fisher and Joseph Pyle. The church membership is
sixty-five, that of the Sabbath-school fifty-five.
In 1900 the Center and Eastbrook churches were united under one charge.
THE NEW CASTLE POORHOUSE.
This institution is located in this township, on about forty-four acres
of land presented to the city for that purpose by Charles M. Phillips. A
special act of legislation in the winter of 1865-66, was passed for the
establishment of a poorhouse, and James B. McKee and William B. Lutton
appointed commissioners to attend to the location and erection of
buildings. A vote was taken by the citizens of the county, and the
institution voted against by all the townships except Pollock, now the
Third, Fourth and Fifth wards of the city of New Castle. Thereupon Mr.
Phillips made out his deed of the property to the city. The buildings
were erected in the summer of 1867, at a cost of between four and five
thousand dollars, and were made good, substantial frame structures. The
entire cost of improvements made on the farm is in the neighborhood of
$15,000. October 14, 1897, the New Castle Poorhouse was destroyed by
fire, but fortunately the sixteen inmates escaped without injury.
After the original buildings were completed, the commissioners, on the
27th day of November, 1867, appointed Messrs. Archibald Cubison, Robert
Reynolds and [p. 330] George Pearson poor directors, and they
constituted the first board. Mr. Reynolds especially stood by the
institution in hours of need, and sustained it largely through his own
efforts.
The average number of inmates since the poor farm was established has
been about twenty. Many stayed but a short time and went away. The
present number of inmates is twenty. The buildings are located near the
old Pittsburg Road, in Shenango Township, about three miles southeast of
the city of New Castle. The institution is sustained by a tax raised by
the people of the city.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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: 19 Mar 2002